Professional wrestling thrives on absurdity, but few gimmicks stretch believability quite like the impostor angle. WWE released a Top 10 countdown Sunday highlighting the most outrageous moments where wrestlers pretended to be other wrestlers, reminding fans why identity confusion remains one of sports entertainment’s strangest recurring themes. The list ranges from legendary double-takes to cringe-worthy disasters that bombed spectacularly.
The impostor concept rarely succeeds because audiences recognize the deception immediately. Companies underestimate fan intelligence when attempting these storylines, assuming viewers will accept obviously different performers as established characters. Despite the poor track record, WWE continues experimenting with doppelgangers, creating memorable moments that live on through highlight reels and social media mockery.
WWE Fake Undertaker Tops Countdown
Brian Lee’s portrayal of a duplicate Undertaker at SummerSlam 1994 earned the top spot on WWE’s ranking. Ted DiBiase introduced Lee as the real Deadman after Mark Calaway took a hiatus following his Royal Rumble casket match loss to Yokozuna. Paul Bearer countered by promising to bring back the genuine article for a showdown between the two versions that captivated audiences despite mediocre in-ring action.
Lee mimicked Undertaker’s mannerisms effectively but lacked the charisma that made Calaway irreplaceable. The real Undertaker emerged victorious after delivering three Tombstone Piledrivers, vanquishing his duplicate forever. WWE planned additional matches between the two but smartly abandoned those ideas when fan interest faded immediately after SummerSlam. The concept worked once but wore thin quickly.
Imposter Kane Ranks Second Despite Disaster
Luke Gallows endured one of wrestling’s most painful gimmicks when WWE cast him as Imposter Kane in 2006, earning the number two spot. The storyline lasted barely one month before collapsing under the weight of a terrible curly wig that fooled absolutely nobody. Gallows later blamed creative for overruling his warnings about how ridiculous the costume looked.
The Imposter Kane defeated the real Kane at Vengeance 2006, shocking fans who expected the opposite outcome. WWE pulled the plug the very next night after fans chanted boring throughout their encounter. Kane unmasked the impostor backstage and literally threw him out of the arena, ending one of the shortest-lived character runs in company history. Gallows eventually found success as part of various tag teams.
Twin Magic and Bella Brilliance
The Bella Twins perfected the impostor game with their twin switch tactics, earning the third spot. Nikki and Brie Bella utilized their identical appearances as a tactical advantage, confusing opponents by switching places mid-match. Unlike other impostor angles that insult fan intelligence, the Bella Twins worked because they were actual siblings rather than random replacements trying to fool audiences.
Their twin magic generated legitimate heat during their heel runs and provided entertaining comedy during babyface periods. The tactic remained effective throughout their careers because it exploited a biological advantage rather than asking fans to suspend disbelief beyond reasonable limits. Real twins switching places makes sense; random wrestlers pretending to be established stars does not.
Double Doink Delivers WrestleMania Chaos
Matt Borne’s villainous Doink the Clown defeated Crush at WrestleMania IX with assistance from a duplicate Doink played by Steve Keirn, landing the number eight spot. Keirn hid under the ring for five hours before the match, waiting for his moment to crawl out and attack Crush with a prosthetic arm while the referee was distracted. The spot generated significant buzz at the time.
The double Doink concept worked because it fit the character’s twisted personality. Evil clowns playing mind games through visual trickery made logical sense within wrestling’s storytelling framework. Borne’s heel Doink remains one of the most memorable characters from that era, though the gimmick lost effectiveness after WWE turned him babyface and replaced Borne with other performers.
Other Notable Impostor Moments
The Miz earned spot number ten for impersonating The Rock during the WrestleMania 27 buildup, sneaking to ringside disguised as the People’s Champion before attacking John Cena. Miz and Maryse later dressed as Cena and Nikki Bella during their rivalry heading into WrestleMania 33, showcasing improved acting skills.
Team Angle pulled a classic switchup at number nine when Kurt Angle pump-faked Brock Lesnar by having Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin dress identically. Mickie James earned the number six spot for impersonating Trish Stratus during their legendary 2006 feud. Barry Windham dressed as Sting for Halloween Havoc 1990, landing the number five spot.
