WWE Raw: Can Brodus Clay Bring Back the Era of the Funny Gimmick?

Wrestling has always been filled with vibrant, colorful characters who entertain the masses. In recent years, the variety of wacky characters has been severely toned down in WWE.

For the most part wrestlers are playing extensions of their own personalities these days, which can be entertaining. But no one is playing a straight-up crazy gimmick anymore.

Zack Ryder, Hornswoggle and Santino Marella are probably the closest thing to funny gimmicks WWE had, until last Monday night, when Brodus Clay finally made his long-awaited Raw debut.

He came out to funky music accompanied by two beautiful dancers. He danced his way to the ring in a track suit and bucket hat and proceeded to show us his moves in the ring.

The gimmick was funny, entertaining and a breath of fresh air from what WWE has had these past few years with guys like John Cena and Randy Orton being exaggerated versions of themselves.

I like what WWE has evolved into, but I do admit that I miss the days of Doink the Clown, Jerry "The King" Lawler, Duke "The Dumpster" Drosey and many other gimmick characters who made things fun.

In a time when wrestling is trying to compete with UFC and boxing for ratings they have to try and stay grounded, but that does not mean you can't have a wacky character come out and entertain the fans once in awhile.

Rikishi and 2 Cool were wildly entertaining—and fans loved them for it. Brodus Clay could help bring back this type of gimmick.

There is little chance he will keep this gimmick for his whole run, but it can help him get over and endear him to the fans so that when he does progress to something better, he can remain popular.

I am happy WWE decided to go in a totally new direction with Clay, because it looks like people are responding positively for the most part.

I am looking forward to what Clay brings to the table. What about you—what do you think of Clay's funky gimmick and the chance of more characters like this in the future?