I'm not sure if any of you will have any great insight into or opinion about this kind of thing, but I have a convoluted general wondering about gimmicks and wrestler names.
This probably applies more to WWE than the smaller feds, where I assume the wrestlers choose their own names and gimmicks to a greater degree. I basically wondered how often bookers/writers come up with the gimmicks/names/storylines first before finding the wrestler that would go on to fill that role, as opposed to a more organic approach based on writing to their strengths as performers (for example giving an impervious-to-pain type gimmick to someone who just isn't good at selling)?
I guess I just got a kick out of the idea that the writers spend their down time making lists of cool sounding names and ridiculous backstories that could potentially be used for whoever walks through the door. Then I thought that if they don't do this, then maybe they should, just to avoid another situation where there's no better suggestion than Braden Walker, Fat Disappointment.
I don't know how often it occurs, but it definitely occurs. I remember seeing some "Behind the Scenes of WCW (NWA?)" where they showed sketches someone had done for the character of El Gigante before they ever signed Jorge González.
Didn't Ted Dibiase explain that the entire Million Dollar Man character was developed prior to him actually signing with the WWE as well?
There's also the somewhat related story of Bret Hart being offered the cowboy gimmick that presumably went to Bob Orton instead. Bret turned it down and suggested the creation of The Hart Foundation instead.
I don't think it's fair to blame the creative staff on Braden Walker being fat, though.
I think I read it in a Torch Talk that WWE has (or had) a giant list of names for wrestlers that they would use when they'd hire new guys. Now that I think about it, it might have been the story behind either Chyna or Sable's name, that WWE gave them a long list of names to choose from or something like that.
It works in all kinds of ways. According to what Mick Foley wrote in Have A Nice Day, the Mankind character was a concept created by the WWF for Foley and he was given the name Mason the Mutiliator, which he hated. Foley pitched the name Mankind to Vince and got it approved, then collaborated on the rest of the gimmick.
Sometimes there's a character or concept that Vince really wants to use and there's trial and error until they get it right: The Undertaker character is basically a take two of The Widowmaker character Barry Windham was given in 1989. That character failed, but obviously something about the old west-style outlaw killer in the hat and duster coat was something Vince wanted to try again. I don't know if Mark Calaway was hired specifically for that character or if he was hired and then they realized he'd be a good fit for that gimmick. Nor do I know whose idea it was to make him an undead supernatural zombie. But the failure of The Widowmaker meant 21 years and counting for the greatest gimmick ever in WWE history.
It's been years since I read Adam Copeland on Edge and I don't recall how and why he got the Edge name and gimmick.
(edited by John Orquiola on 1.4.11 1236) @BackoftheHead
I think it was also in Foley's book that I read how Austin became Stone Cold. The WWE wanted a cold-blooded gimmick, and at one point considered such extremes as "Ice Dagger." It was Austin's wife who came up with his moniker while serving him breakfast. Here, she said, have this before it gets "stone cold." Voila.
As a lifelong Carolina resident, I didn't know the phrase before that gimmick was unveiled.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Originally posted by Matt TrackerI think it was also in Foley's book that I read how Austin became Stone Cold. The WWE wanted a cold-blooded gimmick, and at one point considered such extremes as "Ice Dagger."
I've heard "Chilly McFreeze" before, and I'd rather believe that was a serious suggestion rather than just an unfounded rumour.
Originally posted by Matt TrackerThe WWE wanted a cold-blooded gimmick
Austin suggested the cold-blooded character and the creative team gave him the famous list of names with things like Ice Dagger and Frosty McFreeze or whatever it was. Then his wife said "Drink your tea before it gets stone cold" and poof, magic happens.
In Jericho's new book, he included a scan of a list of suggested names for what would become the Walls of Jericho, including "Ball-Dropper," "The Whammer Jammer," "Double Leg Vise of Torment," "Lion Clutch Press," and "The Embarrasser!" (complete with exclamation point and a note saying "that move is pretty degrading!")
Originally posted by Matt TrackerI think it was also in Foley's book that I read how Austin became Stone Cold. The WWE wanted a cold-blooded gimmick, and at one point considered such extremes as "Ice Dagger." It was Austin's wife who came up with his moniker while serving him breakfast. Here, she said, have this before it gets "stone cold." Voila.
As a lifelong Carolina resident, I didn't know the phrase before that gimmick was unveiled.
"Stone cold" is a British term, if I'm not mistaken...I'm sure I heard it on Hell's Kitchen a handful of times.
As for Edge, I looked on Wikipedia, and found nothing for where the name or the gimmick came from. I could only assume that it means something to do with the edge of darkness or the edge of sanity or whatever.
Originally posted by Matt TrackerI think it was also in Foley's book that I read how Austin became Stone Cold. The WWE wanted a cold-blooded gimmick, and at one point considered such extremes as "Ice Dagger." It was Austin's wife who came up with his moniker while serving him breakfast. Here, she said, have this before it gets "stone cold." Voila.
As a lifelong Carolina resident, I didn't know the phrase before that gimmick was unveiled.
"Stone cold" is a British term, if I'm not mistaken...I'm sure I heard it on Hell's Kitchen a handful of times.
As for Edge, I looked on Wikipedia, and found nothing for where the name or the gimmick came from. I could only assume that it means something to do with the edge of darkness or the edge of sanity or whatever.
Wasn't his first feud against Gangrel? I think he was meant to the "Blade" to Gangel's vampire originally.
-LS "ahhh...vague, mandatory knee-jerk cynicism. God Bless Internet Forums.."
Originally posted by Matt TrackerI think it was also in Foley's book that I read how Austin became Stone Cold. The WWE wanted a cold-blooded gimmick, and at one point considered such extremes as "Ice Dagger." It was Austin's wife who came up with his moniker while serving him breakfast. Here, she said, have this before it gets "stone cold." Voila.
As a lifelong Carolina resident, I didn't know the phrase before that gimmick was unveiled.
"Stone cold" is a British term, if I'm not mistaken...I'm sure I heard it on Hell's Kitchen a handful of times.
As for Edge, I looked on Wikipedia, and found nothing for where the name or the gimmick came from. I could only assume that it means something to do with the edge of darkness or the edge of sanity or whatever.
Wasn't his first feud against Gangrel? I think he was meant to the "Blade" to Gangel's vampire originally.
He and Christian made up The Brood with Gangrel.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Originally posted by Matt Tracker He and Christian made up The Brood with Gangrel.
But not at first. Edge and Gangrel debuted within a couple of weeks of each other, along with Val Venis. Not long afterward, Gangrel and Christian (who had yet to debut in ring) started appearing in the stands during Edge's matches. This lead to a feud between Edge & Gangrel over the soul of Christian, but eventually Edge joined up with them to form The Brood.
Edge sure has come a long way from the guy who's PPV debut was as Sable's mystery partner.
Originally posted by Oliver"Stone cold" is a British term, if I'm not mistaken...I'm sure I heard it on Hell's Kitchen a handful of times.
Austin's wife at the time, Jeannie Clark (Lady Blossom), who coined the name "Stone Cold" is British. She was married to Gentleman Chris Adams before Steve Austin.
Up to now I'd always assumed that it was a normal phrase for any type of English. Though having thought about it the only other time I can think of it being used in popular culture off the top of my head is the Queen song Stone Cold Crazy.
Originally posted by 2P4EUp to now I'd always assumed that it was a normal phrase for any type of English. Though having thought about it the only other time I can think of it being used in popular culture off the top of my head is the Queen song Stone Cold Crazy.
"stone cold lead pipe lock"
although the phrase (adapted from "lead pipe sinch(sp)) may have come after Austin
Originally posted by 2P4EUp to now I'd always assumed that it was a normal phrase for any type of English. Though having thought about it the only other time I can think of it being used in popular culture off the top of my head is the Queen song Stone Cold Crazy.
Completely unfounded rumour, probably, but back in the early '00s an issue of Power Slam suggested that Sean Morley and Adam Copeland were inches away from having their gimmicks swapped prior to their debuts.
Originally posted by Amos CochranCompletely unfounded rumour, probably, but back in the early '00s an issue of Power Slam suggested that Sean Morley and Adam Copeland were inches away from having their gimmicks swapped prior to their debuts.
Tee hee. Inches. Val Venis. Choppy choppy.
Ahem.
I always heard that Edge and Val were gonna form a tag team called "Sex and Violence". That was right up there with the Val/Godfather team of "Supply and Demand".
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