Expert: Dave Wolf - 11/8/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

1 - In 90's era, GIMMIK strategy was quite successful as it has given big names like undertaker, goldust, doink, kane etc. But it is not in active practice now a days in WWE. Infact a recent experience of Umaga & Boogyman was successful, but they are not giving it importance. Wrestlers like Drew Maccantire, Zack or Coedy Rhodes with skinny body come to the ring throwing bigger statements than their size, doesnt impress the audience. Where the wrestlers does not have abilities like good moves, stamena or holds, why dont WWE now try to push them through interesting Gimmiks?

2 - I have read several times that Vince Mcmohan normally likes heavy wrestlers, not the lighter ones. It can also be evidenced by promoting heavy built wrestlers like Hogan or warrior earlier, or by abolishing cruiser weight title. If this is the case then now a days why Legacy (Orton,Di Biasi, Coedy), Miz, Jericho or Matt Hardy are being given so much importance over Ezikiel, Viladimir, Mark henry or Festus type wrestlers?

3 - I may be wrong but do you think that there might be....might be some connection or resemblence among the series of following events with each other;
    
- Sudden leaving of Jeff Jarrett from TNA and Dixie Carter taking complete control;
    
- Vince Mcmohan incresing frustration over ratings of WWE and TNA's increasing demand;
    
- Vince statement (not confirmed) that WWE will buy TNA in 2010;
    
- Shocking & sudden leaving of Shane Mcmohan from WWE without giving any justification;
    
- Emerging of Bischoff & Hogan out of no where when hogan was said to be BROKEN and not in wrestling or travelling condition and start their promotion campaign;
    
- Joining of TNA by both of them suddenly without giving any indications and also rumour of hiring Ric Flair by TNA when Hogan & Ric both are said to be quite honest with Vince / WWE;

To me, it can be a sequel of WWE - WCW episode, when Nash - Hall were delibrately sent to WCW, but mistakes are done once not again & again. Anyway, i would like to take your opinion on the same as well?

4 - What is the Future of Kurt Angle, Sting, Samoa Joe, Leshley, Undertaker, HBK, Christian, Roxxi, Paul & Katie Lee Burchill, Kali, Kane & Chris MAsters?

Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Ahsen.  Thanks for the question.

1.  The problem with gimmicked wrestlers, especially those with extreme gimmicks, is that they normally wear out their welcome over time.  Basically, the fans don't take them seriously after a while.

Vince McMahon stated in the past that one reason the Bogeyman would be pushed for a while and then not seen again for a decent time period is that he felt the gimmick just grew old among fans after a while.

Another reason you don't see as many gimmicked wrestlers is that wrestling is much more mainstream than it used to be.  Even 20 years ago you would have had a hard time getting any wrestling promotion to admit that everything is scripted.  These days, they openly admit it.  Basically, the mainstream public knows it's scripted, so they aren't as likely to buy into a wrestler that has an extreme gimmick.  

Even if you look at the Undertaker these days, he's gimmmick isn't as extreme as it used to be.  

2.  It's basically because of the steroids situation.  During the Hulkamania years, steroids were still legal in the U.S., and a majority of the wrestlers used them.  The wrestlers back then were a lot bigger then they are now.  

Once they became illegal around 1990, there were still wrestlers using them, and Vince ended up in Federal Court over it.  Since then, you still see bigger wrestlers, but they aren't as big, and WWE has since instituted drug testing.

I think Vince had no choice but to start pushing normal sized wrestlers, and not guys that are obviously jacked up.  I think he's found out that you don't need someone who is jacked up on steroids to be successful.  

3.  Interesting question, but I think a lot of it is just coincidence.

Jarrett was sent home in part because of his relationship with Karen Angle, who moved in with Jarrett.  I'm sure this didn't sit too well with Kurt, who already didn't see eye to eye with Jarrett. Also, the lockerroom was said to split in their support of either Jarrett or Angle regarding the situation, which could have led to some conflicts.

I don't think Vince is too concerned with TNA at this point.  As far as ratings go, they aren't even on the radar with WWE, and they don't go head to head.  As far as WWE buying TNA, I don't see that happening, at least not in this economy.

Shane leaving WWE was definitely shocking, but the rumors are that he will be heading Linda McMahon's run for U.S. Congress.  I've also read where Shane was frustrated because it was apparent that he was never going to take over WWE from Vince, and that Stephanie would gain control before he would, as she's said to be more involved in all aspects of the company then Shane is.

I don't buy that about Hogan, since he had a Hulkamania wrestling tour going on, along with his book tour.  If he wasn't ready to wrestle, it was because of his personal life, especially dealing with his divorce.  Now that it's been settled, he can focus on wrestling and whatever projects he wants to do.  As far as him going to TNA instead of WWE, I can't really comment on that.  Hogan's said he was contacted by WWE, but he choose TNA instead.  He probably felt he would more of an impact with TNA.

What do you mean by Nash and Hall being sent to WCW? It wasn't part of any storyline. Their WWE contracts had run out, and WCW offered them both huge guaranteed contracts.  

4.  Angle - as long as he's healthy, he should still be main eventing in TNA.

Sting - it looks like TNA will setting up some kind of retirement tour in 2010.

Samoa Joe - same as Angle.  He should be one of the main event guys in TNA.

Lashley - I don't really know.  He hasn't impressed me in TNA, so I wouldn't be surprised if his run is short lived, unless he really improves.  He should either stick to MMA or wrestling, but not both.

Undertaker - as long as he's healthy, I think he'll continue wrestling, although I wouldn't be surprised if his schedule is cut back even more than it is now.

HBK - I just read something about him the other day where he's told WWE that he would like to continue wrestling for another 2-3 years if he can stay healthy.

Christian - probably the same as he is now.  I don't see him challenging for either the World or WWE Title.

Roxxi - might see her get a bigger push, but nothing too big.

Burchills - they're talented enough to get a decent push, it's just a matter of how WWE feels about them.

Khali - he's been having chronic injury issues, which is why he hasn't been wrestling.  I don't see much of a future with him as a full time wrestler in WWE.

Kane - he's definitely past his prime.  He'll probably be in the middle of the pack, getting a push every now and then just based on his name, but his best days are behind him in terms of getting a huge push.

Chris Masters - he needs to improve big time, and he needs to prove to WWE that he can stay clean.  He has the look needed to be successful, but overall, he doesn't have the complete package.  

Thanks again for the questions.  Let me know if you have anything else.

Have a great day!

Dave




















---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: What do you mean by Nash and Hall being sent to WCW?

Actually it was proved that in WWE HHH, HBK & Chyna were dominating and what their plan was, along-with Nash & Hall they would also rule WCW. It was not only accepted by both of them at several places but also mentioned in Bret Hart's Biography.

Answer
Right, I get all that.  But you said they were "sent" there.  Being "sent" there is an entirely different situation, as it basically means they were forced to go by someone.  Hall and Nash might have conspired with Triple H and Michaels to take over WCW, but they weren't forced to go there by anybody.  They were free agents, and they simply chose to sign with WCW instead of resigning with WWE.

Dave