Wrestling Gimmicks That Got WEIRD Rip Offs - Imposter Kane! Buzzkill! The Hornet! Randy Hogan?!

This episode of WhatCulture Wrestling dives into the bizarre and often audacious world of wrestling gimmick rip-offs, spotlighting over two dozen examples where wrestlers, promotions, or indie performers copied iconic characters with varying degrees of success and taste. From the absurdly blatant 'Randy Hogan' and 'Macho Warrior Rick Hogan' to WCW's ill-fated 'Renegade' as a cheap substitute for The Ultimate Warrior, the list highlights how some attempts at mimicry were so over-the-top they bordered on comedy. Notable entries include 'Blue Kane'—a viral UK indie sensation who became a legal target for WWE—and 'The Hornet,' a poorly executed Sting knockoff in the USWA. The episode also explores deeper cultural moments like the 'Oklahoma' character mocking Jim Ross during his Bell's palsy struggle, a move widely condemned as cruel. Other highlights include 'Imposter Kane' and the infamous 1994 Undertaker vs. Undertaker match, both of which showcased WWE’s early missteps in character replication. The list concludes with a tongue-in-cheek nod to WWF tribute shows, where fans pay to see wrestlers impersonate legends like The Rock, Kane, and Sting—proving that even in parody, there’s a thriving market for nostalgia and spectacle.