My 1-2-3 Cents : WWF

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Of course, I wanted to end this series on a high note, and I don't know that they come any scarier than the Undertaker. When he first appeared in WWE (30 years ago next month), I thought he'd be a flash in the pan. There was no way a dead man gimmick was going to go very far.

But man, was I wrong. While I wouldn't add him to my top 10 favorites, he is definitely one of the wrestlers I respect and admire. He has put himself through so much over the years, and just with his loyalty and consistency alone, he's in the conversation of all-time greats.

I loved the early stuff. Even though it was borderline cheesy at times, the presentation was so memorable. Stuffing his opponent in a body bag as Paul Bearer stood by with the urn was great. Casket matches eventually became a thing, and then the first set of Buried Alive matches. The Undertaker was part of the first Hell in a Cell match as well.

I could write for days about the Undertaker and what he's meant to the business. We all know it. I am just glad WWE is honoring him all November long for his 30 years as that character. Despite its evolution (which helps characters survive), the Undertaker has a permanent spot in WWE history.

Side note: I didn't do a separate feature on Paul Bearer but very easily could have. Bearer and Undertaker together was one of the best manager/wrestler combos. And even apart, Bearer evolved the character and made it work with Mankind, Kane, and Vader. Kudos to him for that.

Monday, October 26, 2020

Scariest of All-Time Part 26: Bam Bam Bigelow

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One look at Bam Bam Bigelow and you knew he was a badass. With tattoos up and down his arm and more famously on his scalp, Bigelow was one of the scariest guys to set through the ropes. Early on in his career, he wrestled as Crusher Yurkov, a menacing man from Russia.

When he arrived in the WWF during the summer of 1987, he came in with a lot of fanfare. He turned down the offers of all the heel managers to reveal Oliver Humperdink as his manager. While he wasn't scary as a babyface, he was quite impressive during that first run. I had actually picked him to win the WrestleMania IV tournament (I was a hopeful 15-year-old at the time).

By the time he returned to the company in 1993 he was a much different character. The Beast from the East lived up to his name and dominated the competition. He joined forces with Luna Vachon and the usual duo showed us just how scary they could be. Bigelow eventually joined the Million Dollar Corporation and even main evented WrestleMania 11 against Lawrence Taylor.

Bigelow sadly died in 2007. As far as I'm concerned he was one of the all-time best big men in the ring.

Saturday, October 24, 2020

Scariest Wrestlers of All-Time Part 24: Nailz

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Before Nailz was a hardened ex-con, he was a clean-cut pro wrestler named Kevin Kelly. But somewhere along the way, he committed a crime and went to the prison in Cobb County, Georgia. While there, he was allegedly tortured by one of the prison guards, the Big Bossman. In 1992, Nailz was released and sought revenge on the Bossman.

He jumped the former corrections officer during a Superstars of Wrestling taping. Nailz beat the crap out of Bossman, using a nightstick in the assault. As Bossman recouped from the attack, Nailz went on a path of destruction, destroying enhancement talent along the way. The two eventually met in a Nightstick on a Pole match at Survivor Series 92. Bossman got his revenge and Nailz ended up leaving shortly thereafter, for famously (again allegedly) attacking Vince McMahon.

Even though the prisoner gimmick was sorta hokey, Nailz did add a fear factor with it. The distorted voice and his disregard for human life made him a dangerous competitor while he was in the WWF.

Friday, October 23, 2020

Scariest of All-Time Part 23: One Man Gang

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I remember when One Man Gang arrived on World Class Championship Wrestling with his manager Gary Hart. The big man had a look that was more than intimidating. The mohawk with the skull tattoos on either side of his head showed fans just how tough this guy was. Remember, this was before we got a look at Bam Bam Bigelow's tattooed skull a few years later.

The Gang was double tough and went toe-to-toe with all the company's top good guys, including the Von Erichs and Bruiser Brody. OMG's look reminded me of a biker, complete with a chain that came into play in matches more than once. But eventually, he would travel to the UWF and win the promotion's heavyweight title. He lost the belt to his future tag team partner Big Bubba Rogers (the Big Bossman) and then headed to the WWF.

In the WWF, One Man Gang would challenge Hulk Hogan. His size and strength made him the perfect foil for Hogan in that era. For some crazy reason, Vince McMahon decided to change the persona, and the street-tough from Chicago became a shucking and jiving guy from deepest, darkest Africa.

I was disappointed overall with the Akeem character, though he was quite memorable. However, One Man Gang was the better gimmick as far as I'm concerned. I think even WWE would agree, having brought back the Gang for the Gimmick Battle Royal at WrestleMania 17.

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Scariest of All-Time Part 20: 3 Faces of Foley

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One person, three personalities. That's the best way, to sum up, Mick Foley, right? Although some might argue four personalities when you add Mick to the equation. However, for this blog, I'm focusing on Mankind, Dude Love, and Cactus Jack.

Of course, fans were first introduced to Cactus Jack. I remember seeing him in wrestling magazines first, being involved in bloody battles both here in the United States and Japan. Then he emerged in the UWF (Herb Abrams) and eventually WCW and ECW. Jack was a dangerous and scary figure in the ring, putting his body on the line and taking more out of himself than his opponents.

In the WWF, Foley became Mankind. Personally, that's my favorite incarnation of the character. I feel like it had the most depth and grew the most over time. In the early stages, his music and his screeches sent chills down my spine. But even as a good guy, carrying a sock (Socko) and writing books, you still knew this guy was badass and meant business.

Dude Love, while less violent, was no less scary. To think all of these characters were in Foley's head at the same time was nothing short of impressive. His trifecta at the 1998 Royal Rumble was one for the ages. I can't put over enough how much I have grown to appreciate and respect Foley through the years. He's made such a mark on the world of pro wrestling. Thanks, Mick!

Saturday, October 17, 2020

Scariest Wrestlers of All-Time: Viscera

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When Men on Mission arrived on the scene in WWF in 1993, I never imagined he would become a dark and demonic figure. As Mabel, the 500 pounder danced his way to the ring with his partner Mo and their rapping manager Oscar. Then the duo turned heel and dumped Oscar. Eventually, Mabel became a king but later his persona took on a more evil look.

As Viscera, he wore all black to the ring and changed the color of his eyes to white. He was part of the Ministry of Darkness, joining forces with Undertaker, Paul Bearer, Acolytes, and more. Viscera used his size and power to take control of his opponents.

Viscera then became Big Daddy V, a playboy of sorts. But there was still a mean streak there. I can't remember what happened first, the run with Lillian Garcia or his time being managed by Matt Striker. None-the-less though, Viscera was a fear-inducing monster on WWE programming for many years. May he rest in peace.

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Scariest of All-Time: Doink the Clown

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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.

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Scariest of All-Time: The Missing Link

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Early in my wrestling fandom, a bizarre wrestler entered the scene in World Class Championship Wrestling. He had green face paint, an indescribable haircut, and an impressive physique. He was the Missing Link.

The Link was part of Gen. Skandor Akbar's Devastation Incorporated. He came to the ring to Quiet Riot's Bang Your Head and put his head to good use. His headbutt devastated most of his opponents. The Link would leave WCCW and wrestle very briefly in the WWF. He was a member of the Heenan Family, but from what Bobby Heenan said in interviews years later, the Missing Link was a pain in the ass.

That being said, I always enjoyed his work. He wasn't a master technician in the ring. But he was entertaining. He stayed in character and instilled fear in his opponents' hearts and the fans watching each week. Even when he returned to WCCW and UWF and turned good, he was an intimidating force in the ring.

Sadly, Dewey Robertson, the man who brought the Link to life, died in 2007. Thanks for the memories.

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Scariest of All-Time: Papa Shango

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I love Papa Shango. Yes, I know the gimmick was pretty dang cheesy, but in that era, cheese was good. Or at least I thought it was. This voodoo master made life miserable for his opponents, most notably the Ultimate Warrior.

Prior to that he stormed the ring at WrestleMania VIII to help Sid Justice beat up on Hulk Hogan. That prompted the returning Warrior to hit the ring at 100 miles per hour and dispose of the heels. That lead Shango to cast a spell on Warrior, who ended up losing his lunch on TV once.

Papa Shango wasn't long for this world. The man behind the gimmick, Charles Wright eventually became Kama the Ultimate Fighting Machine in the Million Dollar Corporation, then Kama Mustafa in the Nation of Domination before somehow transforming into the Godfather. What an evolution.

But for what it's worth, I always enjoyed the Papa Shango character. Looking back nearly 30 years later it provided plenty of entertainment for fans.

Monday, October 12, 2020

Scariest of All-Time: Luna Vachon

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The first time I saw Luna Vachon was on the pages of an Apter mag back in the late 1980s. She was the manager of the Blackhearts at the time. They wore masks and cloaks and wrestled on the independent circuit.

But Luna had been involved in wrestling long before that article brought her to my attention. Wrestling was in her blood. She's the daughter of Butcher Vachon and the niece of Mad Dog Vachon. Her Godfather was Andre the Giant. Her ashes are actually scattered on the ranch Andre once lived on.

In 1993 she arrived in WWE to manage Shawn Michaels. That relationship didn't last long and she ended up with Bam Bam Bigelow to feud with Doink and Dink. An odd combination but the fearlessness of Luna shined through. She eventually would receive a championship opportunity against Alundra Blayze but never won the gold.

She did strike some form of gold years later with Goldust. This was my favorite incarnation of Luna. She would go on to feud with Sable and eventually turn good and become part of the Oddities. Luna would also wrestle against Jeff Jarrett for the Intercontinental Championship as well.

Luna's appearance, voice, and willingness to get in the ring against men and women made her one of the scariest of all-time. She is sorely missed today as we recently marked the 10 year anniversary of her death.

Sunday, October 11, 2020

Scariest of All-Time: Kamala

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