WWE Hall of Famer Dutch Mantell has voiced his concerns over the revival of the Uncle Howdy gimmick, originally made famous by the late Bray Wyatt. Mantell, a veteran wrestler and manager, shared his reservations on his podcast, “Story Time with Dutch Mantell,” stating that the recreated character may not resonate with fans as WWE hopes.
The Uncle Howdy character, immortalized by Wyatt before his untimely passing last year, has been making a comeback of sorts in recent weeks. WWE has been dropping subtle hints, including QR codes on their programming, suggesting a revival of the gimmick. Reports also indicate that Bo Dallas, Wyatt’s brother, will lead the stable, accompanied by Joe Gacy, Nikki Cross, Erick Rowan, and Dexter Lumis.
Mantell, however, is not convinced that the revamped Uncle Howdy will capture the same magic as Wyatt’s original portrayal. He believes that the gimmick’s appeal was largely due to Wyatt’s unique presence and charisma, which cannot be replicated. Mantell fears that fans may not respond to the character in the same way, potentially leading to a lackluster reception.
In a recent episode of Smack Talk, Mantell discussed the possibility of Bo Dallas debuting as Uncle Howdy at King and Queen of the Ring 2024. While he acknowledged that Dallas might receive a decent ovation from the Jeddah crowd, Mantell remains skeptical about the long-term viability of the character.
It’s worth noting that Dallas’s last televised match took place in Saudi Arabia at Crown Jewel 2019, making a potential return to the ring in the same country an interesting coincidence. Despite Mantell’s doubts, WWE seems committed to reviving the Uncle Howdy gimmick, hoping to capitalize on the nostalgia and fan interest surrounding Wyatt’s iconic character.
As the WWE continues to tease the return of Uncle Howdy, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see if the revamped character can live up to its predecessor’s legacy. Will Mantell’s skepticism prove prophetic, or can the WWE successfully revive the Uncle Howdy gimmick? Only time will tell.