5 new characters for struggling WWE talent

Kane has been known to switch characters from time to time between Corporate Kane and Demon Kane, pictured here. The difference between success and failure in professional wrestling can sometimes be as simple as a character change. Performers like Kane, Kevin Nash, Triple H and Stone Cold Steve Austin have all had to go through different gimmicks before finding something that resonated with fans. So it should come as no surprise that some of the current WWE talent might find their fortunes changing if they were to try a new persona. Here are five superstars who could benefit from such a switch, and an idea for what their new character should be.

#5 Curtis Axel

Bad luck has played as big a role as anything in Curtis Axel’s struggles to really get over.

The real-life son of Curt Hennig, also known as Mr. Perfect, Curtis Axel has the pedigree to be a real contender in the WWE. Despite that, though, he’s never really gotten there, even if his current work with the Social Outcasts is entertaining.

There are really a couple routes to go with Axel. One would be to simply embrace his actual lineage and go with a derivative of Mr. Perfect’s persona. The other, and perhaps less risky, option is to make him a new henchman for the Authority, where he could be put in meaningful matches and show off his natural heel attitude without having to carry his own stories.

#4 Tyler Breeze

Tyler Breeze was a popular figure in NXT, but not so much on the main roster.

Tyler Breeze is beloved particularly by dedicated NXT fans, but his stint on the main roster has hit a snag. He came on red hot in a feud with Dolph Ziggler and even made the bracket for the World Heavyweight Championship when Seth Rollins got hurt, but he’s stalled since then.

Perhaps Ziggler is the answer to Breeze’s woes. Once enemies, “Prince Pretty” and “The Showoff” could really work together as a narcissistic duo with loads of technical ability, although Breeze would likely need to rid himself of the selfie stick.

#3 Jack Swagger

Real-life issues have derailed the career of legitimate wrestling champion Jack Swagger.

Formerly a World Heavyweight Champion, Jack Swagger had his WWE career derailed by poor decisions involving illegal drugs. Still, he’s managed to keep his job and stay at the fringe of relevance, most recently when he challenged for the United States title in December.

But really, his character is washed up now that Zeb Colter is gone and Cesaro has moved on. Instead of the All-American wrestler, Swagger could start wearing suits and be almost a Four Horsemen type, really playing up the last name that doesn’t fit his current persona.

#2 Fandango

Fandango is beloved by fans with his goofy dance moves, but that hasn’t resulted in much long-term.

Chris Jericho would probably want us to forget it, but Fandango has a WrestleMania victory over the WWE legend. What Fandango doesn’t have is anything resembling a meaningful storyline in the last couple years.

With a new character, that could change, and it needs to be something much less hokey than his dance gimmick. For some reason, Fandango – real name Curtis Hussey – has the look of someone who could pull off a hooded assassin type character, someone dark and brutal, although a mask of some sort might be needed.

#1 Bo Dallas

Bo Dallas may “Bo-lieve” in his current character, but most fans haven’t at the main roster level.

Bo Dallas was wildly successful at the NXT level, the youngest to hold the title in the WWE’s developmental promotion. Yet since being called up to the main roster, his “Bo-lieve” inspirational character just hasn’t taken off with fans.

The change here is really quite obvious. Dallas, real name Taylor Rotunda, is the actual brother of Bray Wyatt, real name Windham Rotunda. There really isn’t much reason that Bray shouldn’t tap into a darker side of Bo, who could accept his real identity as Bo Wyatt and start to wreak havoc on the mid-card titles.