5 times when a character transformation changed a Superstar's career

You don't get a second chance to make a first impression in the real world, but in the WWE it seems that a character change is all it takes to make the WWE Universe feel as if though it is the first time which they are meeting you.

Superstars changing their look, gimmick or character is nothing new in the WWE and is often necessary to refresh a character. Just about every WWE superstar who has ever stepped into a WWE ring has had a change in gimmick or transformed their character from the one which they used when they first made their debut and this is something which has seen many of these stars rise to the top of the WWE.

There have been cases where a change in gimmick has not worked as well as expected and the superstar has been forced to revert back to their old gimmick. This was especially the case for The Undertaker when he adopted his new American Badass gimmick which proved to be less than popular with the fans. While some fans did find this new side of The Undertaker refreshing, the general consensus was that the gimmick was a step in the wrong direction for the superstar and it wouldn't be long before he returned to his original gimmick which he has stuck to ever since then.

Superstars have also had their careers made because of a change to their gimmick and this article will take a look at five times when this has been the case. Most of these superstars changed their character so drastically that it was almost as if they were completely reborn and hard to recognize. This just goes to show how powerful a character transformation can be and how it can change the entire career of a WWE superstar.

---

#1 Triple H

When Triple H made his WWE debut he was a very different character from The Game which we all know him to be. His character was the snobbish and arrogant Hunter Hearst Helmsley and wasn't half the impact wrestler which he would later become.

His pairing with Shawn Michaels was the beginning of what would be a massive transformation for The Cerebral Assassin. He would ditch the Hunter Hearst Helmsley name and become better known as Triple H. This wasn't where the transformation ended though.

He noticeably improved his body and put on muscle which positioned him as more of an intensive superstar. Fans took much more of a liking to this new version of the man and it wouldn't be long before he was in the main event scene and winning multiple championships.

#2 Ric Flair

It might be difficult to imagine this, but Ric Flair wasn't the famous smooth-talking sneaky son of a gun that millions of wrestling fans know and love. His character was, in fact, something quite different.

Before he became "The Dirtiest Player in The Game", Flair was more like the average wrestler during that era. There was nothing particularly special that stood out about him and he came across more as someone who was a good worker but nothing more.

He then adopted the "Nature Boy" gimmick and everything changed completely. Suddenly, there was new life into his character which made the fans take notice. He was different to the average wrestler and this made him stand out.

#3 Stone Cold Steve Austin

This was perhaps one of the greatest character transformations that the wrestling industry has ever seen. It is probably one of the most successful transformations since Stone Cold Steve Austin is a name which needs no introduction to wrestling fans all over the world.

His previous character, however, is one which is best forgotten. Before he became the Taxas Rattlesnake, Steve Austin spent his earlier WWF career as "The Ringmaster", which was a mundane character which didn't quite click with the fans.

Steve Austin would then break this mould and reinvent himself as Stone Cold Steve Austin - a rebellious spirit who took no nonsense from anyone, not even Vince McMahon. This would, in fact, see Austin find himself being involved in one of the best feuds in wrestling history and set him onto the course of being one of the biggest names in the industry.

#4 JBL

Another superstar who went through a massive character transformation is none other than John Bradshaw Layfield.

Fans will remember JBL as part of the APA where he teamed with Ron Simmons as Bradshaw. The APA was a successful tag team and JBL didn't quite need the character makeover which he ended up getting. However, as it would turn out, the character transformation was one of the best things which ended up happening to his career.

His new character was a rich arrogant businessman who sought to berate others and benefit himself. This character was a superb heel and easily became one of the most hated characters within the WWE. Hated but popular.

JBL went on to become one of the longest reigning champions in WWE history and this was something which would have never happened under his Bradshaw persona.

#5 Kane

We all know him as The Big Red Machine but Kane had a very different character before he became the Devil's Favorite Demon. Before he became the monster we know today, Kane played a shocking Isaac Yankem dental gimmick as can be seen in the picture above.

Needless to say, this was not a very popular or a successful character and the WWE soon looked to use Kane in a different way. He would then go on to play a poor copy of Kevin Nash before the WWE decided to give the man a role which he could really thrive in. That role would be the role of The Undertaker's brother.

Kane has seen massive popularity and success in this character and remains one of the most feared superstars to ever walk into a WWE ring.