Wrestling Observer Awards: The Hall of Shame for Worst Gimmicks
Greetings, readers! Welcome to the ultimate countdown of the most ridiculous, ill-conceived, and downright awful gimmicks in the annals of professional wrestling. The Wrestling Observer Awards have been dishing out the "Worst Gimmick" trophy since 1980, and boy, have there been some doozies over the years.
The Genesis of Bad Ideas: The 1980s
The early days of the Wrestling Observer Awards were a breeding ground for bizarre and nonsensical gimmicks. From "The Goon" to "The Missing Link," wrestlers were tripping over themselves to outdo each other in the realm of absurdity. The 1980s saw some of the most infamous winners, including:
- 1980: The Goon, a bumbling buffoon who thought he was invincible
- 1982: The Missing Link, a caveman with a penchant for biting his opponents
- 1983: Uncle Elmer, a tall, lanky wrestler who thought he was a farmer
- 1984: The Zambuie Express, a tag team of two African tribesmen who wore loincloths and spoke gibberish
The Era of Extreme: The 1990s
The 1990s brought with it a new era of extreme wrestling, and with it came a whole new crop of outlandish gimmicks. Wrestlers pushed the boundaries of taste and decency, resulting in some truly unforgettable characters:
- 1990: The Shockmaster, a masked wrestler who tripped and fell through a wall upon his debut
- 1994: Bastion Booger, an obese wrestler who smeared himself in barbecue sauce and rolled around in the ring
- 1996: The Yeti, a giant wrestler with a yeti mask and a terrible habit of forgetting his lines
- 1999: The Kiss Demon, a wrestler who painted his face like Gene Simmons of KISS and carried a giant axe
The Modern Age of Meh: The 2000s and Beyond
While the 2000s and beyond haven’t produced quite as many memorable Worst Gimmick winners, there have still been some gems:
- 2001: The Fiend, a wrestler who wore a rubber mask and spoke in a demonic voice
- 2005: Heidenreich, a wrestler who thought he was a Nazi and gave the Sieg Heil salute
- 2012: Lord Tensai, a wrestler who was supposed to be a Japanese samurai but looked more like a budget Darth Vader
- 2018: The Ascension, a tag team of two wrestlers who wore Viking helmets and couldn’t win a match to save their lives
The Award-Winning Failures: 2020-Present
Even in the more subdued world of modern wrestling, there have been some truly dreadful gimmicks that have earned the dubious honor of a Worst Gimmick trophy:
- 2020: Retribution, a group of masked wrestlers who vandalized the WWE Performance Center
- 2021: The Maximum Male Models, a group of wrestlers who posed and preened instead of wrestling
- 2022: Dexter Lumis, a wrestler who acted like a mime and would only communicate through hand gestures
Wrestling Observer Awards: Worst Gimmick Winners
| Year | Winner | Gimmick |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | The Goon | Bumbling buffoon |
| 1982 | The Missing Link | Caveman |
| 1983 | Uncle Elmer | Tall, lanky farmer |
| 1984 | The Zambuie Express | African tribesmen who spoke gibberish |
| 1990 | The Shockmaster | Masked wrestler who tripped and fell through a wall |
| 1994 | Bastion Booger | Obese wrestler who smeared himself in barbecue sauce |
| 1996 | The Yeti | Giant wrestler with a yeti mask |
| 1999 | The Kiss Demon | Wrestler who painted his face like Gene Simmons of KISS |
| 2001 | The Fiend | Rubber-masked wrestler who spoke in a demonic voice |
| 2005 | Heidenreich | Wrestler who thought he was a Nazi |
| 2012 | Lord Tensai | Supposedly Japanese samurai who looked like Darth Vader |
| 2018 | The Ascension | Tag team of Vikings who couldn’t win a match |
| 2020 | Retribution | Masked vandals |
| 2021 | The Maximum Male Models | Posing preeners |
| 2022 | Dexter Lumis | Mime who communicated only through hand gestures |
Conclusion
Well, there you have it, readers—the ignominious history of the Wrestling Observer Awards "Worst Gimmick" trophy. From the bumbling Goon to the mime-like Dexter Lumis, these gimmicks have provided us with endless entertainment and remind us that even in the world of wrestling, there’s always room for a good laugh. Be sure to check out our other articles for more fascinating tales from the annals of professional wrestling.
FAQ about Wrestling Observer Awards Worst Gimmick
What are Wrestling Observer Awards?
- The Wrestling Observer Awards are annual awards given to professional wrestlers and other related individuals in recognition of their achievements in the industry.
What is meant by Worst Gimmick?
- The Worst Gimmick award is given to the gimmick that has been the most poorly conceived, executed, or has otherwise failed to live up to expectations.
What are some examples of Worst Gimmick winners?
- Some examples of past Worst Gimmick winners include The Boogeyman, The Great Khali, and The Shockmaster.
Who chooses the Worst Gimmick winners?
- The Worst Gimmick winners are chosen by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, who is considered to be one of the most respected journalists in professional wrestling.
How are the Worst Gimmick winners selected?
- Dave Meltzer makes his selections for the Worst Gimmick award based on a combination of factors, including fan feedback, media coverage, and his own personal observations.
Is the Worst Gimmick award a prestigious award?
- The Worst Gimmick award is not a prestigious award in the sense that it recognizes excellence in professional wrestling. However, it is a well-known and often-discussed award, and winning it can be seen as a mark of notoriety.
What is the difference between a bad gimmick and a Worst Gimmick?
- A bad gimmick is simply a gimmick that is poorly conceived or executed. A Worst Gimmick is a gimmick that is so bad that it becomes almost iconic.
What are some examples of bad gimmicks that have not won the Worst Gimmick award?
- Some examples of bad gimmicks that have not won the Worst Gimmick award include The Gobbledy Gooker, The Blue Meanie, and The KISS Demon.
Why do some people enjoy watching bad gimmicks?
- Some people enjoy watching bad gimmicks because they find them to be entertaining. Others enjoy watching bad gimmicks because they find them to be unintentionally hilarious.
What is the future of bad gimmicks?
- As long as there is professional wrestling, there will be bad gimmicks. However, it is possible that the future of bad gimmicks will be different from the past. With the increasing influence of social media, it is likely that bad gimmicks will be more quickly ridiculed and mocked than they were in the past.
