Considering the ever-changing world of backstage politics behind the scenes of WCW, it’s easy to imagine a universe of all kinds of gimmicks for superstars. As always, there is a cadre of characters that come out of the pipeline with all sorts of backstories. Some are slightly stranger than others. Especially when we have the benefit of hindsight and look deeper into these gimmicks.
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Even when WCW would try to keep their programs a little more wholesome and family friendly, if you peel back that veneer, there are plenty of character gimmicks far more disturbing than when we first laid eyes on them.
8 Kidman Was A Drug Addict
While he eventually became one of the most charismatic Cruiserweights in WCW history, Billy Kidman started his career as a member of Raven’s Flock. Simply using his last name, Kidman, the star roamed around the ring, constantly scratching himself. His finisher, The Shooting Star Press was even dubbed The Seven-Year Itch.
For those in the know, they knew what WCW was going for. For those who didn’t know, now they well - constant scratching and itching is a sign of folks who unfortunately have a severe drug dependency.
7 The nWo Was A Terrorist Organization
When Scott Hall debuted on Nitro, he let the world know that war was being declared on WCW. Little by little, more members of the group would show up - Kevin Nash, Hulk Hogan, Ted DiBiase, The Giant, and others would show up.
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The group would do all they could to instill fear in the members of the WCW roster, much like any other terrorist organization attempting a hostile takeover. The group didn’t do anything by the book and acted like a guerrilla type of rebel crew assaulting and attacking from the shadows until they had the numbers to gang up on everyone.
6 Kevin Sullivan Was A Devil Worshiper
All the way back to the Territory days, Kevin Sullivan was truly believed to be a real Devil worshiper. Almost to the point that when tragedy struck, some idiotic fans completely thought The Taskmaster was involved.
That is how good Kevin Sullivan was at convincing people of the nature of his evil. In WCW, he led The Dungeon Of Doom into battle, further cementing his place as the most deranged, Satanic cult leader in wrestling history.
5 Norman The Lunatic
When Mike Shaw, known for being a monster heel in Stampede came to WCW, he was rechristened Norman The Lunatic. He was initially “managed” by Teddy Long.
But that managerialship was actually Teddy Long holding a key, intimating that he would send Norman back to the Asylum if he didn’t comply with Long’s demands.
4 Raven Was An Abusive Cult Leader
Both in ECW and in WCW, Raven was a divisive figure. Some folks understood his morose ramblings while others just thought the guy was a whiny brat. But he was also a fairly abusive cult leader. He’d beat on Stevie Richards, every time Big Stevie Cool failed his boss.
But that hold extended to the likes of the aforementioned Kidman, and even Scotty Riggs, who Raven nearly blinded with a drop-toe hold into a steel chair.
3 Se7en Kidnapped Children
Even during his time as The Natural, it was clear that Dustin Rhodes has a wild imagination, and he puts all sorts of creativity into all of his characters. While plenty of critics thought the early days of Goldust were a bit much, but it was his Se7en character that was far too out there for WCW censors to comprehend.
Dustin wore an outfit that made him look like one of the Strangers from Dark City. The vignettes also heavily inferred that Se7en was some sort of evil man, responsible for abducting children.
2 Brian Pillman Was Insane
Seldom did any WCW wrestler make more of an impact as two different characters than Brian Pillman. But it was his Loose Cannon character that left the entire wrestling business, industry insiders and fans alike slightly concerned for Pillman’s own mental health.
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He’d break kayfabe in several segments against Kevin Sullivan, during an era where that didn’t happen. It left everyone really thinking Brian Pillman might have gone completely insane.
1 Ric Flair Was A Philandering Playboy
For the most part, it is an undisputed fact that The Nature Boy Ric Flair is generally the top of the heap when it comes to the greatest of all time. But as far as characters go, the kiss stealing, jet flying, stylin’ and profilin’ son of a gun is not the most influential lifestyle normal folk should live up to.
He’s basically a professional philanderer, which it isn’t as terrible as other gimmicks on the list, but when you have marriages at home faltering and outright failing, and you’ve become your gimmick, it’s not really a good look for ol’ Slick Ric or anyone else for that matter.
