Top 5 Character Changes in WWE History

Throughout WWE history, many superstars have undergone changes in characters. Whether it was a slight alteration or a complete makeover, it's common to see a wrestler go through two to three iterations before finding something that sticks.

Some examples in WWE today include Tensai (Albert, A-Train), Ryback (Skip Sheffield) and Damien Sandow (Idol Stevens).

Some wrestlers in the past made a career out of it (Brutus Beefcake, The Godfather, Crush and Rikishi might have been their most popular characters, but they have a long list of portrayals).

Here are my top five favorite character changes in WWE history.

5. Umaga

Before he was the Samoan Bulldozer, he was Jamal, one-half of 3-Minute Warning. Jamal never screamed main event.

Umaga, however, was in one of the biggest matches in WWE history at WrestleMania 23, and he had one of the most over finishers in that time, the Samoan Spike.

4. JBL

No. 4 on my top five favorite character changes in WWE history is John Bradshaw Layfield.

Now, while I liked Bradshaw of the APA, I wasn't the biggest fan of Justin Hawk Bradshaw or Blackjack Bradshaw.

But there's no question JBL was John Layfield's most memorable and successful character, and, of course, he was a former WWE champion.

3. Dolph Ziggler

I'm sure many of you remember the Spirit Squad and Dolph's days as Nicky—but even Dolph Ziggler started as a guy who just annoyed people by introducing himself constantly.

"Hi, I'm Dolph Ziggler."

Kudos to the man for becoming such a big star and getting what was given to him over.

2. Triple H

“The Game” started in WWE as aristocratic blue blood Hunter Hearst Helmsley, rolling around in mud and pig excrement after hog pen matches with Henry Godwin, being the "loser" in the "curtain call" and enduring 15-second losses at WrestleMania (to the Ultimate Warrior).

Triple H endured it all before becoming one of the most dominant superstars of all time. 

1. Kane

Before his 15-year dominance as the big red monster, Kane was a fake Diesel...and a dentist...Yes, good ol' Isaac Yankem DDS. He even had a match at SummerSlam 1995 against Bret Hart. Somehow, I could never see ol' DDS having a profitable 15-year reign.

Finally, Kane came around years later and changed everything.

What are your favorite character changes in WWE history? Comment below.

Follow me on Twitter.

Subscribe to my YouTube playlist, where I post interviews with WWE superstars and athletes, both past and present (most recently including Booker T, Tyler Reks and Bret Hart).