5 most effective character turns in WWE History

One of the greatest of all timeA successful wrestler in the WWE isn’t made by his sheer strength alone. Character storylines also have a huge part in making or breaking a path to a successful wrestling career.There have been many instances in the WWE where wrestlers boast of great physical prowess but just faded away with the wind because of their lack of character. All in all, it’s safe to assume that WWE’s unspoken mantra is – ‘Entertaining Is Attaining’.And mind you, there have been many wrestlers who have witnessed a dramatic rise in popularity, all because they transformed their characters from bland to brilliant. With that in mind, let’s take a look at 5 most effective character turns in WWE history.

#1 Kane

A great gimmick destroyed

Glenn Jacobs aka Kane is easily up there amongst WWE’s greatest wrestlers, but that wasn’t always the case for the grappler.

After years on the independent circuit and various other wrestling organizations, Jacobs finally made his WWE bow as Isaac Yankem, the private dentist of Jerry Lawler. After that gimmick clearly wasn’t working, Jacobs was reintroduced as a fake Diesel, a gimmick as original as the wrestler’s first one.

Finally, after two years of, Jacobs character was redesigned as Kane, the long-haired, mask wielding half brother of the Undertaker and has never looked back ever since.

#2 Triple H

Time to play ‘The Game”

Paul Michael Levesque could never have possibly imagined the legendary status he would attain later in his career when he first debuted in the WWE as a blue-blooded aristocrat, who became infamous for coming out victorious in the muddy “Hog Pen Match” against Henry O. Godwinn.

A humiliating 15-second loss to the Ultimate Warrior soon followed during a time when his career was in setback mode despite being heavily promoted, which led to further woes. However, D-Generation X came to his rescue and 23 Championships soon followed.

Today Levesque is married into wrestling most powerful family and besides being the COO of WWE, is also one of the franchises most respected names.

#3 The Rock

From a joke to ‘The Great One’

Dwayne Johnson’s name automatically comes to mind when one thinks of some of the greatest wrestlers of all time, but things didn’t start out all rosy for the California native.

Born into a talented wrestling family, Johnson first started out in WWE as Rocky Maivia, a colourfully dressed hulk with a ridiculous haircut, which caused him to be utterly despised by the crowd, who thought he was too cheesy.

After it became clear that his character wasn’t getting any fans, WWE tweaked Johnson’s character into the incredible, fashionably dressed, and overly loudmouthed superstar we love so much today – The Rock!

#4 Stone Cold Steve Austin

“whooped your ass”

When Steve Austin first joined WWE as the Ringmaster he certainly was popular but had no idea of the starry heights he would reach later in his career.

Then came the 1996 King of the Ring victory and his world changed forever. Austin was soon a household name and his infamous “whooped your ass” statement is undoubtedly one of the most iconic in the franchise's history.

The wrestlers superstardom as a result of his change in character; helped WWE acquire his former employer WCW, making McMahon’s outfit the sole superpower in wrestling. Over the years, Stone Cold has given us innumerable memorable moments, with his feuds with McMahon definitely on top of the deck.

#5 Goldust

The weird one

Dustin Rhodes III first debuted in WWE, then WWF, in 1990 under the shadow of his famous father, but that certainly wasn’t the case on his return to the franchise in 1995.

Now known as Goldust, Rhodes and his distinctive looking character soon became household names, courtesy of his mysterious, sexually suggestive character. Today Cody Rhodes is instantly recognized due to his costume and is unlikely to be forgotten by fans, especially after his duel with Stephen Amell aka Green Arrow in this year’s SummerSlam.

Goldust! Remember the name.