Ecks
Salami
   
   
   
    
 
Since: 18.7.02
From: Brantford, Ontario, Canada
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|  #22 Posted on 4.2.04 2301.33 | I always thought he only worked as a one-time gimmick - interesting to watch once or twice, but once you've seen him a few times you realize how ridiculous it is for the other wrestlers to sell for him, not just because of the one leg, which is a lot of it, but the guy has no build at all, and a lot of his moves and transitions are just not believable.
Gone, and hopefully gone for good. | Oliver
Scrapple
Since: 20.6.02
From: Derkaderkastan
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|  #23 Posted on 4.2.04 2315.03 | Instant Rating: 3.36 | I think he could have kicked some ass as a heel, though. I never bought any of the inspirational "I beat cancer" schtick that he put on TV, even though it was true. Put him on TV, berate the crowd, tell them he's better for beating cancer, and have him as part of an alliance with a hoss (the odd couple idea sometimes works)...
Eh. Maybe it's not meant to be.
(edited by SOK on 4.2.04 2217)
SD2: April, Year 3; what's the point to the Career mode, anyhow?
FF7: Disc 1; 18h into game; At the old Mako Reactor outside Nimelheim (again).
FF8: Disc 1; 1h into game; back at the beginning again | drjayphd
Scrapple
Moderator
Since: 22.4.02
From: Connecticut
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| #24 Posted on 5.2.04 0156.39 | Instant Rating: 6.73 | You wanted the best, you got... Out of Context Quote of the Week.
"Orton's facials were perfect, I must say." (Ringmistress)
Originally posted by Ecks
I always thought he only worked as a one-time gimmick - interesting to watch once or twice, but once you've seen him a few times you realize how ridiculous it is for the other wrestlers to sell for him, not just because of the one leg, which is a lot of it, but the guy has no build at all, and a lot of his moves and transitions are just not believable.
Exactly... I mean, you can't even plausibly IRISH WHIP the guy. He has to hop to the ropes, bounce... It's a rare breed of wrestler that can have a somewhat believable match with him. There's just so much in wrestling that requires two legs that we take for granted. He really just overstayed his welcome, and not exactly through any fault of his own. Maybe he didn't help matters, but the clock was running ever since he got in the ring and the alarm's been going off for months.
DEAN's Nuggets of Wisdom:
"A-Train could wear a Vampirella outfit and I would toast a load to it." | tomk
Goetta
Since: 30.7.02
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| #25 Posted on 5.2.04 0403.54 | Instant Rating: 8.23 | Me thinks that the two gimps who are going to be part of the three way dance at Wrestlemania were afraid that they'd be showed up by Zach.
| Hogan's My Dad
Andouille
Since: 8.6.02
From: Canada
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| #26 Posted on 5.2.04 0711.37 | Instant Rating: 5.29 | I wish to fuck you guys would stop using the phrase "sideshow freak". You talk like heels yourselves. I mean, not to be too PC, but calling someone with one leg a sideshow freak is not really very decent.
You guys seem so bitter towards him. Now I'm not saying you have to like him, or that you should, and I didn't find him particularly entertaining, but what did he ever do to you?
Anyway, the true things people have said is the selling problems he creates. If he's got the backstage attitude, well I guess that's a problem. But he has a right to be cocky. Beating cancer is much more of an accomplishment than getting injured in football and doing wrestling as a substitute. However, locker room morale is important, so I've got no real objections to the release.
I'd tell you to kiss my ass, but I don't want to get it infected. | Mayhem
Scrapple
Since: 25.4.03
From: Nashville, TN
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| #27 Posted on 5.2.04 0723.59 | Instant Rating: 4.65 | Originally posted by Hogan's My Dad
I wish to fuck you guys would stop using the phrase "sideshow freak". You talk like heels yourselves. I mean, not to be too PC, but calling someone with one leg a sideshow freak is not really very decent.
You guys seem so bitter towards him. Now I'm not saying you have to like him, or that you should, and I didn't find him particularly entertaining, but what did he ever do to you?
Anyway, the true things people have said is the selling problems he creates. If he's got the backstage attitude, well I guess that's a problem. But he has a right to be cocky. Beating cancer is much more of an accomplishment than getting injured in football and doing wrestling as a substitute. However, locker room morale is important, so I've got no real objections to the release.
I agree ... I wasn't a fan of the guy, but I admire him ... He does things with one leg that I can't do with two ... maybe he has an attitude, but I've never met him so I can't say.
While he probably didn't garner the mainstream media attention that Vince had hoped for, but I'm sure Gowen made enough cash to live a good life for a while.
MMMMMMMM ... pistol whip ... | Tenken347
Andouille
Since: 27.2.03
From: Parts Unknown
Since last post: 19 hours
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| #28 Posted on 5.2.04 0724.17 | Instant Rating: 5.21 | | Gowan was just too vanilla on-screen. Some people have that charisma, and I don't mean Rock or Austin-level charisma, maybe just Stevie Richards or Spike Dudley-level charisma, but some people just don't. Some guys, like Gowan or Heidenreich, just won't ever light up the screen like you need a performer to do. | Simba
Frankfurter
Since: 7.8.02
From: Boston, MA
Since last post: 1986 days
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| #29 Posted on 5.2.04 0804.49 | Instant Rating: 6.20 | I guess this is why they were using the Gowen shirts in the T-shirt cannon at the Rumble a few weeks ago.
Reserved for future use. | The Goon
Boudin blanc
Moderator
Since: 2.1.02
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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| #30 Posted on 5.2.04 0806.36 | Instant Rating: 8.08 | My Dad caught him getting pummelled on TV last summer and thought it was the greatest thing he'd seen in wrestling.
After Zach got thrown down the stairs and disappeared, Dad asked me to let him know when "the one-legged kid is back on TV."
My Dad's a bit of a sick bastard. I liked ZG too; I'm a sucker for inspirational stories. | Ringmistress
Lap cheong
Since: 15.1.02
From: Philly
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| #31 Posted on 5.2.04 0844.04 | Instant Rating: 2.00 | Out of Context Quote of the Week, just one step closer to Wiener of the Day...
Anyway, I don't really know what was up with the guy as far as what got him released. All I know is that as much as I appreciated him, it was all wrong from the start (WWE's booking of him). He doesn't look and act like a charity case, so why make him one? Or, they could have him come in like any normal two legged wrestler, then he could explain his condition himself instead of some lame interview with Steph. Speaking of Steph, I remember what she said about Zach one summer evening...
"Why do I care so much about Zach? Maybe he's my last bastion of hope, maybe he the last thing that could possibly save myself!" Steph to Vince in that moving soliloquy.
Well, Steph, first you lose your job as GM, now you lose your last bastion of hope. Maybe you need to choose your saviours more carefully next time. Seriously, though, I had a feeling this was going to happen anyway, but I wish Zachary luck.
After a quarter of a century on this planet, there's three things I know for sure...
1)Ain't nothing like a Dirty Pair marathon on New Year's Eve.
2)I'd make a fine Mrs. HHH II.
3) I'd make an acceptable Mrs. Orton.
1400 reasons to luv me! | JoshMann
Andouille
Since: 17.11.03
From: Tallahassee, FL
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| #32 Posted on 5.2.04 0853.35 | Instant Rating: 3.83 | Originally posted by Ringmistress
I remember what she said about Zach one summer evening...
"Why do I care so much about Zach? Maybe he's my last bastion of hope, maybe he the last thing that could possibly save myself!" Steph to Vince in that moving soliloquy
He was either the Pollyanna or the Andy Dufresne of the WWE....I can't decide which comparison I like better. :P
Welcome To The Bryant Street Theater...have a Fruit Roll-Up
| Twoflower
Bauerwurst
Since: 4.1.02
Since last post: 1546 days
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| #33 Posted on 5.2.04 0908.40 | Instant Rating: 4.80 | Well, that's depressing. I'm probably one of the only folks who really, really liked seeing Zach on TV. I do think he was overexposed and badly booked -- he should've never been near a main event level, midcard underdog jobber to the stars would work fine... a reasonable compromise between his limitations and his potential.
I never had much stock in the whole "Seeing positive role models that are like you on TV is a good thing" deal, but Zach definitely gave me a positivity boost. I'm physically disabled myself, and seeing someone fighting tooth and nail for acceptance in a very, very abled world was sweet. (Seeing comments here expounding on how worthless "Peg Leg" was not pleasant, however...) I'll miss the guy. Hope he works something out with TNA. | HairRaiser
Kishke
Since: 13.1.03
From: S. Attleboro, MA
Since last post: 2092 days
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| #34 Posted on 5.2.04 1240.15 | Instant Rating: 3.43 | Originally posted by drjayphd
It's a rare breed of wrestler that can have a somewhat believable match with him.
I can see two scenarios:
1. The sick monsters who they're trying to put cheap heat on by beating up the guy.
2. Ric Flair (as someone mentioned months ago) demonstrating several new ways to destroy a leg, but then forgetting who he's wrestling and try to apply the Figure 4. :-)
Seriously, there's a huge credibility gap when you would have him beat someone. Let him get off some flashy spots then pin him. Either that or use him in a tag match so he's less exposed and could be more credible getting the pin after double-team moves. | Barbwire Mike
Boudin rouge
Since: 6.11.03
From: Dudleyville
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| #35 Posted on 5.2.04 1318.24 | Instant Rating: 4.99 | Originally posted by HairRaiser
Seriously, there's a huge credibility gap when you would have him beat someone. Let him get off some flashy spots then pin him. Either that or use him in a tag match so he's less exposed and could be more credible getting the pin after double-team moves.
See, that has always been my problem with Zach. It's not anything against him personally, like I said earlier regardless of how much of his story is embellished or whether he's a dickhead backstage the fact he made it this far is nothing short of amazing and he deserves plenty of credit for it.
My problem is how it makes the performers, the company, and even the business look when he's in the ring. Wrestling is supposed to be this tough guy's sport, and the WWE is supposed to be the worldwide leader and all, and their guys are having trouble beating a cripple. When you're an entertainment company that is trying to sell the notion you're tougher than boxers or football players or whatever, it all goes out the window when they can't beat a one-legged man in a matter of seconds. Not to mention how much less "real" the matches look than the most arobatic of lucha ones. HE GETS WHIPPED INTO THE ROPES FOR PETE'S SAKE!!
And while I'm sympathetic to those who may be offended by the term, I can not apologize for calling him a sideshow attraction. It's not making light of his situation or meant as a cheap shot, it's the way it is. When someone says how he's an inspiration to differently abled people because he succeeded DESPITE his handicap, they're denying the fact that he's really there BECAUSE of his disability. If Zach Gowen had two legs he'd be another skinny nobody wrestling in some hollowed out bar in front of 30 people. He got a job with the WWE because of his abnormality, and that's the very definition of a "sideshow attraction".
That said, I wouldn't have had any problem if they'd kept Zach around and used him in the opening match of house shows against some bottom of the carder. What he can do is pretty awesome, and it's a definite crowd-pleaser. But when he's on television getting involved with people who matter and don't need their credibility lowered he's pure poison.
I liked HairRaiser's Flair scenario, and in a way it makes me wish Zach was 10 years older. If he could have wrestled Flair in his prime it would've forever proven whether or not the Nature Boy could really have a four-star match with a broom.
Lethalwrestling.com: If you don't read us, you're probably gay | redsoxnation
Scrapple
Since: 24.7.02
Since last post: 16 days
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| #36 Posted on 5.2.04 1333.02 | Instant Rating: 5.15 | Originally posted by Hogan's My Dad
I wish to fuck you guys would stop using the phrase "sideshow freak". You talk like heels yourselves. I mean, not to be too PC, but calling someone with one leg a sideshow freak is not really very decent.
You guys seem so bitter towards him. Now I'm not saying you have to like him, or that you should, and I didn't find him particularly entertaining, but what did he ever do to you?
Anyway, the true things people have said is the selling problems he creates. If he's got the backstage attitude, well I guess that's a problem. But he has a right to be cocky. Beating cancer is much more of an accomplishment than getting injured in football and doing wrestling as a substitute. However, locker room morale is important, so I've got no real objections to the release.
I consider him a sideshow freak in this regard: That's how he was portrayed. When they have midgets wrestle, its the same thing. When Jimmy Hart would wrestle DJ's in WCW, he was a sideshow freak. If it wasn't for being a 'sideshow freak' there is no way someone whose physique makes Mike Von Erich after toxic shock syndrome look like Lex Luger gets a job in the WWF/E.
Proud to have been a participant in the most spectacularly stupid group efforts on this forum. | oldschoolhero
Knackwurst
Since: 2.1.02
From: nWo Country
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|  #37 Posted on 5.2.04 1537.54 | Instant Rating: 5.23 | "I consider him a sideshow freak in this regard: That's how he was portrayed."
He wasn't treated as a sideshow freak wahtsoever. They gave him a personal, uplifting story, they pushed him to the moon and they did the whole "triumph over adversity" gig. Now if they'd have pointed and laughed, and advertised with "See The One-Legged Wonder!"...Well, THEN you'd have a point.
"You're A Big Hunk Of Hero Sandwich, And You Wanna Save The Girl!" | It's False
Scrapple
Since: 20.6.02
From: I am the Tag Team Champions!
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| #38 Posted on 5.2.04 2014.36 | Instant Rating: 4.66 | Perhaps this was for the best. I couldn't see WWE going anywhere else positive with Gowen. But he helped put over Brock as a soulless machine, so he can't be all bad.
But still, you'd have to consider all that time invested in a Gowen/Vince feud to be a total waste. In the end, all it led to was...Vince vs. Stephanie. Yikes!
You really SHOULD think about going back to your old Yankees cap, yo! | Anti_Guy
Cotechino
Since: 2.2.04
From: United States of America
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| #39 Posted on 5.2.04 2054.48 | Instant Rating: 0.00 | Arg another Zack Gowen post?
I agree with many people... the Gowen fad is over, and lets hope it dont come back at all...
I think even Rey Mysterio Jr. weighed more than he did...
Amazing what the press can do to the mind of man today...
*side note* Who is the bigger monster, Kane or Brock? I say Kane
I hate everything. I don't know why. | geemoney
Scrapple
Since: 26.1.03
From: Naples, FL
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| #40 Posted on 5.2.04 2136.23 | Instant Rating: 3.13 | Originally posted by Anti_Guy
*side note* Who is the bigger monster, Kane or Brock? I say Kane
Depends on what you're definition of "monster" is.
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