{"id":224505,"date":"2026-10-31T15:46:37","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T20:46:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=224505"},"modified":"2026-10-31T15:46:38","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T20:46:38","slug":"then-now-forever-wwes-most-notable-creepy-characters-hubbards-choice-of-three-actually-successful-spooky-wrestling-characters-including-undertaker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2026\/10\/31\/then-now-forever-wwes-most-notable-creepy-characters-hubbards-choice-of-three-actually-successful-spooky-wrestling-characters-including-undertaker\/","title":{"rendered":"THEN, NOW, FOREVER &#8211; WWE&#8217;s Most Notable Creepy Characters: Hubbard&#8217;s choice of three actually successful spooky wrestling characters including Undertaker"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-3639971122\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><p>One aspect that separates the sports entertainment version of professional wrestling from traditional sports is the diversity of its characters. While athletes in traditional sports certainly have personalities and recognizable personas, they are almost always viewed as athletes first and characters second.<\/p>\n<p>In professional wrestling, the character is the athlete, and the wrestler\u2019s ability to bring that character to life is often just as important as what happens in the ring. One of the most unique character types in wrestling is the creepy character. Whether rooted in evil, the supernatural, the occult, or a macabre lifestyle, these characters offer wrestlers an opportunity to stand out in a way that few other character types can.<\/p>\n<p>However, standing out is only the first step in establishing a connection with the audience. Too often, that connection is only skin-deep, and for every creepy character who has appeared on professional wrestling television, only a handful have built a lasting connection with fans and forged a memorable legacy. For every Undertaker or Bray Wyatt, there are three or four Papa Shangos or Boogeymen who, despite their memorable presentations, never reached that same level of sustained success.<\/p>\n<p>In the midst of spooky season, I think it\u2019s worth highlighting three creepy characters from WWE lore who have stood the test of time or have the potential to do so.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Then: Bray Wyatt vs. Daniel Bryan (WWE Royal Rumble: January 26, 2014)<\/h3>\n<p>I can say with a great degree of confidence that the only creepy character to emerge in the 21st century who has the potential to stand alongside The Undertaker in terms of memorability is Bray Wyatt. First introduced as the leader of the Wyatt Family, Wyatt crafted a unique persona that left audiences both captivated and intrigued. The Wyatt Family was a backwoods, creepy cult-like group that spoke in riddles and backed up its unsettling words with violence. From their introduction through their initial run on the main roster, the Wyatt Family carved a path of destruction and captivated audiences.<\/p>\n<p>One of the biggest challenges facing creepy, supernatural characters is translating their presentation into compelling wrestling matches. As Wyatt\u2019s character transformed and eventually evolved into The Fiend, this became increasingly difficult. I don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s fair to say that Bray Wyatt\u2019s promos were always directionless, but his stories often failed to build toward a natural wrestling match as the logical way to settle a conflict. As a result, Wyatt\u2019s talent and character left behind an uneven legacy, with memorable highs often followed by frustrating lows.<\/p>\n<p>One instance in which Wyatt successfully translated his character into the ring was his match against Daniel Bryan at the 2014 Royal Rumble. By early 2014, Bryan had become the crowd-chosen underdog babyface whom fans wanted to see lead the company into WrestleMania. Wyatt was the deranged, threatening heel standing in his way. Their storyline culminated in a fantastic match that stands as one of Wyatt\u2019s best in-ring performances.The Bray Wyatt character worked best as a dangerous heel who threatened to hurt his opponents both physically and psychologically. In this contest, he plays that role perfectly. However, for that dynamic to work, you need a hero the audience wants to see overcome the psychological and physical punishment. The red-hot babyface Daniel Bryan was perfectly cast in that role.<\/p>\n<p>Much like Mankind\u2019s role in Shawn Michaels\u2019 epic encounter at the 1996 Mind Games pay-per-view, the threat Wyatt posed forced Bryan to demonstrate not only his toughness but also a more aggressive, gritty side of his character. Bryan establishes that edge early in the match, taking the fight to Wyatt on the outside and immediately getting the crowd behind him.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-816769212\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>During the heat segment, Wyatt gets the opportunity to showcase his unique strengths. He was at his best when he displayed his vicious streak, and he does exactly that here. He traps Bryan\u2019s head against the ring post and unloads successive forearms, sends him crashing to the floor, and continues to brutalize him once they return to the ring. Wyatt builds sympathy for Bryan, leaving the audience longing for the underdog to fight back.<\/p>\n<p>When Bryan finally rallies, the match reaches another level. He showcases his toughness, speed, and athleticism with a flurry of offense that puts Wyatt in jeopardy. Just as Bryan builds momentum with a series of running dropkicks in the corner, however, Wyatt cuts him off with a brutal clothesline that sends him head over heels. It is a meaningful transition that reinforces Wyatt\u2019s danger and prevents Bryan\u2019s comeback from becoming too easy.<\/p>\n<p>Bryan once again demonstrates his toughness by continuing to fight back, launching a late-match rally that sends Wyatt to the floor. But when Bryan charges toward him for his trademark dive through the ropes, Wyatt cuts him off and delivers Sister Abigail into the barricade. He throws Bryan back into the ring and hits the move once more to secure a decisive victory. The result leaves the audience invested but disappointed, as the villain has vanquished the hero they desperately wanted to see triumph.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, Bray Wyatt\u2019s death means we will never know what else he might have accomplished or where his character could have gone. As I mentioned earlier, his legacy is uneven, filled with tremendous highs but also just as many directionless disappointments and frustrating lows. Yet, on this night in 2014, Wyatt demonstrated exactly how a captivating creepy character could be used to produce a fantastic wrestling match. He had the character, the presence, and the ability to make an opponent\u2019s struggle feel meaningful. When all those elements came together, the result was something special.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=dq8BxYJgwXo\">CLICK TO WATCH<\/a><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"FULL MATCH - Daniel Bryan vs. Bray Wyatt: Royal Rumble 2014\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dq8BxYJgwXo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Now: Tatum Paxley vs. Zaria (NXT Television: June 9, 2026)<\/h3>\n<p>A creepy character I believe has the potential to stand out and endure is Tatum Paxley. When Paxley\u2019s creepy, doll-playing character was first introduced, I was skeptical, to say the least. However, as her character developed and evolved, it began to connect with the NXT audience. What initially seemed like a gimmick that might struggle to find its footing gradually became something that worked.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond her character, Paxley has also improved dramatically in the ring. Before embracing her creepy persona, she was one of many young, athletic, and beautiful women in NXT. Her character gave her a way to stand out, and she has done a phenomenal job pairing that presentation with a moveset that showcases her athleticism and resourcefulness. The quality of her in-ring work is evident in her involvement in some of the best matches of Izzy Dame and Zaria, among others.<\/p>\n<p>Paxley\u2019s connection with the audience, unique character, and in-ring ability are all on display in this North American Championship main event against Zaria. The match starts hot, with Zaria hitting an early spear to put Paxley at a disadvantage. This creates an opportunity for Paxley to showcase her resourcefulness and athleticism as she fights her way back into the contest. Zaria delivers a nice standing moonsault to the outside of the ring and a running enzuigiri to Zaria as she hangs over the second rope. The action highlights the athleticism of both competitors while giving Paxley opportunities to demonstrate her ability to work from underneath and build sympathy in an effective underdog manner.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3613751514\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>In addition to her creative moveset, Paxley finds moments throughout the match to bring her character to life and encourage audience participation. After reversing a German suplex, she slowly raises her head and gives the audience a deranged look. The crowd comes alive, adding another layer of drama and urgency to the remainder of the contest. It is a small moment, but it demonstrates how effectively Paxley can use her character to enhance the in-ring action rather than relying on the gimmick alone.<\/p>\n<p>Although Paxley ultimately loses her North American Championship, the performance reinforces her potential as a creepy character who has already established a connection with the NXT audience. Now that she has an opportunity to reach a larger audience on WWE\u2019s main roster, she has the potential to build on that connection and become one of the company\u2019s most memorable characters. The foundation is already there; the challenge will be maintaining that connection and continuing to develop the character over time.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tRl4BsxNkAE&amp;t=1s\">CLICK TO WATCH<\/a><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"FULL MATCH: Tatum Paxley vs. Zaria | NXT Women\u2019s North American Title Match: NXT, June 9, 2026\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tRl4BsxNkAE?start=1&amp;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Forever: Mankind vs. The Undertaker (WWF Buried Alive: October 20, 1996)<\/h3>\n<p>Without dispute, The Undertaker is the most successful and enduring creepy character in professional wrestling history. When you describe The Undertaker\u2019s character out loud, it sounds like an idea that should never have worked in professional wrestling. After all, he was a dead man. How exactly does a dead man participate in a professional wrestling match? Yet, to the credit of Mark Calaway, The Undertaker forged a connection with the audience that will last forever.<\/p>\n<p>That said, The Undertaker found himself in a tricky position entering 1996. His character had become so cool that he naturally transitioned into a babyface after his initial run. However, given his size and supernatural presentation, it was difficult to build sympathy for him and create the kind of dramatic wrestling matches that kept audiences invested. As a result, from 1993 to 1996, The Undertaker found himself wrestling a number of large, lumbering opponents who often struggled to produce exciting matches.<\/p>\n<p>The Undertaker\u2019s career was rejuvenated with the introduction of Mankind. Mankind was a truly unique character. He wasn&#8217;t supernatural or inherently evil; he was simply psychotic in a way that felt entirely his own. His ability to endure pain and willingness to use his own body as a weapon created an opponent who could put The Undertaker in genuine jeopardy and force him to evolve in the ring.<\/p>\n<p>This evolution in The Undertaker\u2019s wrestling style is evident in his initial feud with Mankind, particularly their Buried Alive match at the 1996 In Your House: Buried Alive pay-per-view. Mankind forces The Undertaker to turn up his aggression, demonstrate his toughness, and rely on more athletic maneuvers. These include a dive from the top rope to the outside of the ring and a diving clothesline over the barricade. The Undertaker needs every tool at his disposal to overcome a deranged challenger who seemingly feels no pain. Unlike the opponents who had slowed The Undertaker\u2019s matches to a lumbering pace in previous years, Mankind brings a level of intensity that makes this contest far more compelling.<\/p>\n<p>Mankind\u2019s use of weapons and foreign objects, along with Paul Bearer\u2019s interference, also puts The Undertaker in jeopardy and gives him opportunities to fight back. As Mankind escalates the violence with a steel chair and the involvement of Bearer, The Undertaker is forced to respond in kind. The resulting exchanges create dramatic shifts in momentum and compelling moments that keep the action moving forward and the audience engaged.<\/p>\n<p>The Buried Alive stipulation presents a unique challenge when it comes to building drama in the final stages of the match. Without pinfalls or submissions, the competitors have to find other ways to create natural peaks and valleys. Credit to both men for making it work. They repeatedly tease throwing each other into the grave, creating suspense as the match approaches its conclusion. Ultimately, The Undertaker chokeslams Mankind into the grave to win the match.<\/p>\n<p>The aftermath takes the supernatural elements to another level. The Executioner knocks The Undertaker unconscious with a shovel, and The Undertaker is thrown into the grave and buried alive. The subsequent supernatural imagery signals to the audience that the Deadman cannot truly be killed. Through a modern lens, these scenes might seem absurd, and they certainly won&#8217;t appeal to everyone. However, the connection The Undertaker had established with the audience made these moments appropriate and exciting for their time.<\/p>\n<p>The Undertaker and Mankind are excellent examples of creepy characters who succeeded not because they were perfectly conceived in a boardroom, but because Mark Calaway and Mick Foley put in the work to develop nuance within their characters. Both men created distinctive wrestling styles that complemented their respective personas, allowing their characters to connect with the audience, evolve over time, and ultimately become legendary.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rT7eElns0c8\">CLICK TO WATCH<\/a><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"FULL MATCH - The Undertaker vs. Mankind \u2013 Buried Alive Match: WWE In Your House: Buried Alive\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rT7eElns0c8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-118781130\"><div id=\"pwtor-1110698503\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>One aspect that separates the sports entertainment version of professional wrestling from traditional sports is the diversity of its characters. While athletes in traditional sports certainly have personalities and recognizable personas, they are almost always <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2026\/10\/31\/then-now-forever-wwes-most-notable-creepy-characters-hubbards-choice-of-three-actually-successful-spooky-wrestling-characters-including-undertaker\/\" title=\"THEN, NOW, FOREVER &#8211; WWE&#8217;s Most Notable Creepy Characters: Hubbard&#8217;s choice of three actually successful spooky wrestling characters including Undertaker\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":224506,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[52,27,6992],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-224505","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opnionandanalysis","category-specialists","category-then-now-forever"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-31-at-3.44.15-PM.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/224505","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=224505"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/224505\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":224507,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/224505\/revisions\/224507"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/224506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=224505"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=224505"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=224505"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}