WWE NXT: 3 Superstars Who Could Benefit From a Gimmick Change
Credit: WWE.Com
3. Kairi Sane
Oh boy, this one is sure to get some heat from the NXT faithful. It’s not that Kairi Sane has a bad gimmick: the “Pirate Princess” shtick is fine for the Full Sail crowd. But that’s precisely the problem. The shift in climate from NXT crowds to Raw or SmackDown Live crowds is absolutely massive, and continues to get larger and larger. I fear for what may happen to Kairi Sane on the main roster. Allow me to explain.
In the past years, there have been many a one-dimensional, or “flanderized” NXT gimmick that has flopped on the main roster. No Way Jose and the original “Bo-Lieve” incarnation of Bo Dallas come to mind. Because the nature of NXT television crowds, they are willing to accept much, much more.
Jose and Dallas worked on the black and yellow brand because rather than just wanting to be entertained, those crowds just want to be part of the show; it makes sense that “crowd participation” or more cheesy gimmicks work. This could be why Sane works so well at Full Sail University, but it also builds massive anxiety for her main roster debut.
Yes, it’s understandable that Sane may not want to change her gimmick; she’s been doing the pirate wrestler gimmick for quite a while now, and her seafaring ring attire is what she’s known for nowadays. Additionally, her theme absolutely rocks, and conveys everything you could ever want to know about her character. But once again, it’s hard not to think that the main roster would make her into a comedy act, or book her as a less than competent wrestler, when in reality, she’s one of the best women’s wrestlers under the WWE umbrella.
So, what is Sane to do with herself if she can’t be a wrestling pirate? Maybe not a total repackaging is in order, but maybe she could do without some of the more hokey and ham-handed pirate aspects of the character. Yes, the anchor submission move is cool, and looks super effective when it’s applied, but some of the parts of her gimmick could be perceived as corny, or even cringy. It may be best for Sane to prepare now, rather than wait until she gets to the main roster where she could very easily flop under the state of her current gimmick.