10 WWE Gimmicks that should have been given more time

#8 The Narcissist

What a man

Nothing epitomised 1993 WWF like Lex Lugar. He stood as a representation of the company’s attempts to transition itself from steroid induced cartoon-like animation, towards a more serious, socially responsible product.

After Hogan left the company and the investigations into McMahon’s involvement with steroids started to pick up speed, it was up to guys like Lugar, Bret Hart and Yokozuna to try and carry the company along until they could figure out what was best for the long term.

One effect of this transition was the placing of Lugar at centre stage, in a bid to remain pro-Americana. He had initially been attempting to get himself over as an arrogant, self-obsessed heel called ‘The Narcissist’.

Introduced by Bobby Heenan, Lex would pose in front of a mirror, flexing his muscles and grimacing at others below him. The gimmick kind of worked, as the WWF were still in their cheesy, homoerotic stage, and Lex clearly had something to offer to the business as a heel, facing guys like Bret and Mr Perfect.

Unfortunately, Vince soon became obsessed with the idea of filling the Hogan shaped void with someone he thought looked the most American. The All-American Lugar character would soon fade away, however, after a cool response from the fans, and Lex would go on to do great things with WCW instead.

Perhaps the Narcissist gimmick could have made Lugar the star Vince wanted him to be, but we shall never know.