Scariest of All-Time: Doink the Clown

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I've read some polls that show as many as 42 percent of Americans are scared of clowns. I do not fall into that category, as I dressed up as a clown for Halloween when I was in third (maybe?) grade. It became even more apparent when Doink the Clown arrived in the WWF in late 1992. 

Personally, I loved this gimmick. Matt Bourne was perfect as the evil clown, terrorizing the babyface Superstars on the roster. His match with Crush at WrestleMania IX is in my favorite moment from that show (I'm not kidding). I thought everything was going great for the character until he turned good in late summer 1993. Then Bourne left and the character lost its luster for me.

When Dink was added to the mix, I checked out on Doink. As far as I'm concerned he never should have turned but I totally get why. What better character to use as a marketing tool to kids than a lovable clown. He may not have been as friendly as Bozo, but fans seemed to enjoy his silly antics and giving bad guys like Bam Bam Bigelow grief.

I will admit I did get a kick out of Men on a Mission and the Bushwhackers coming out as Doinks at Survivor Series 1993. By this point, the fear the character induced was gone and that's okay. I wish rumors of Glen Ruth playing DTK had come to fruition. I think an updated version of the character would have worked during the Attitude Era. I think it could even work now, but I'll enjoy the nostalgia when Doink shows up from time to time. 

WWFools Day

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Since it's April Fool's Day, I figured I'd take some time to honor some of my favorite 'fools' from the world of pro wrestling. I don't mean anything negative with the term fool here. Instead, these guys added some fun for fans and created memorable moments along the way. 

Doink
Courtesy: WWE

Doink the Clown is one of my favorite gimmicks in all of wrestling. When Matt Borne arrived in the WWF in late 1992 as the evil clown, I was impressed. I loved the way he was portrayed. The ending to his match with Crush at WrestleMania 9 is one of my favorite memories of that show. I know from a marketing perspective it made sense to turn Doink good and add Dink and new merchandise opportunities. But I wish they would have kept him evil.  

Colt Cabana
Courtesy: ROH

Colt Cabana is someone I've had to the pleasure of meeting and actually talking with backstage at shows. He gets the 'comedy' style and does a great job getting fans invested in his matches. Not everyone can pull off comedy in the world of entertainment or in the ring. But Colt is one of the best. Plus he has done a great job creating a brand.

Ole!
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Jose Magnifico is the most fun-loving wrestler on the Stride Pro Wrestling roster. He hails from Mexico... Missouri and weighs in at 123 two-pound burritos. He comes to the ring with his trademark sombrero and pinata. The fans love him, especially when he whacks an opponent with that pinata and candy starts flying. I've had a chance to do the Mexican Hat Dance in the ring with Magnifico. He really knows how to get the crowd going.

Who are your favorite fools of the ring?

 

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Foreign Object Friday: Skinner's tobacco

Skinner
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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In the mid-1980s Steve Keirn was a white meat baby face. He and Stan Lane teamed up as the Fabulous Ones. They were the personification of pretty boys, wearing suspenders and bowties to the ring. But Keirn's appearance changed in 1991 when he arrived in the World Wrestling Federation.

Steve Keirn on the left & Skinner
Courtesy: WWE

Gone were the long golden locks and Chippendale like ring attire. Keirn also had a change in name and attitude. He was a heel who wrestled alligators. Skinner wore a gator foot around his neck and always had a mouth full of chewing tobacco.

Skinner vs. Owen Hart
Courtesy: WWE

Many times that tobacco would get spit into the eyes of his opponents. Most famously perhaps was at WrestleMania VIII against Owen Hart. "The Rocket" was in the role of white meat babyface taking on the grizzled and bitter veteran. Owen of course over came the tobacco shot and won the match. Skinner, for the most part, became enhancement talent but also had matches against lower tiered competitors.

Keirn as Doink attacks Crush
Courtesy: WWE

Keirn also donned the makeup and clown hair to second Matt Bourne in the Doink gimmick. He even played a role in a previous Foreign Object Friday segment in which he whacked Crush over the head with a fake arm. Eventually, Keirn transitioned into a trainer for WWE. He's had an interesting career and playing Skinner was a memorable time and such a far cry from the Fabulous Ones' gimmick.