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#2. From Husky to an Eater of Worlds
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When he debuted in WWE as Husky Harris, few could have known that he was a third generation superstar and would eventually become one of most popular acts in the company. Chunky, with short hair and little facial hair, Bray Wyatt’s debut in WWE as Husky Harris was forgettable. Even as a member of Nexus, a renegade group aimed at taking over WWE, Wyatt lacked the look and charisma to stand out. By 2011, Wyatt was sent to rebrand his character.
By the time Wyatt returned to WWE television following a series of vignettes hyping his arrival, he was Bray Wyatt, a long-haired, thick bearded cult leader of the Wyatt family. His ring entrance was dark, his music was dark and his tone was dark. Wyatt instantly became one of the most captivating figures in WWE. Physically, he was a bit more muscular and added a significant number of tattoos to add to his look.
Wyatt would have memorable feuds with Kane, John Cena and Randy Orton, among others. With his unique style, despite being portrayed as a heel, Wyatt became one of the more popular superstars in WWE. He would make a short run as WWE Champion before briefly turning face after a feud with Matt Hardy. Even as a face, Wyatt remained dark, mysterious and highly popular with the WWE Universe.
Wyatt would alter his character once again and resurface as The Fiend before his eventual release from WWE. However, it was his first character change, to Bray Wyatt, that set him on the path to success in WWE.
#1. From WWE Ringmaster to true Stone Cold Superstar
Steve Austin had previous success in WCW as Stunning Steve Austin, a long-haired brash talking midcard talent. Following his release from WCW, Austin had a brief run at ECW before being signed by WWE. His character, the Ringmaster, was a bland, short haired wrestling technician. Working under the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase, Austin looked destined to be a midcard, solid performer in WWE.
When Ted DiBiase left for WCW, WWE gave Austin several possible gimmicks he could try out. Austin rejected them all. Wanting to be more like himself, Austin came up with the nickname Stone Cold and the course of WWE history would forever change. Austin grew a goatee, shaved off his hair and donned black boots to go with his black trunks. He added a black vest with skulls on it and taped his wrists black. The Stone Cold Steve Austin era was born.
Austin was not your typical WWE Superstar. He never cowered in terror from his opponents as most heel wrestlers would. Despite being a heel, WWE audiences quickly related to Austin’s character. By the time, he uttered his famous line at King of the Ring 1996, “Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your a**!” -- the antihero was born.
Without question, Austin’s character change is the single biggest in WWE history and sports entertainment in general. He would go on to become the most popular WWE Superstar of all-time, be a multi-time WWE champion and help Vince McMahon and WWE become a billion dollar company.
