The Gimmick Part 2

Last week I spoke about the Mask and the advantages or disadvantages associated with this gimmick. While it would be impossible to list every possible gimmick or detail what does and does not work I think of a few that I feel deserve mention as good and bad gimmicks. First, a very serious topic needs addressing. This topic is the subject of great attention and is very controversial. So serious that the WWE has enacted a zero tolerance policy and has released key superstars. Even the immortal Hulk Hogan was the subject of an investigation regarding this topic. As powerful as he was, not even he could defeat this opponent. I refer to the use of Steroids. These drugs have no place in the business and are NOT necessary or needed for ANY gimmick now or ever. While it is, OK to use supplements or protein products a normal diet will provide what you need and save you money and not risk your career. I think of the movie Rocky IV in the movie Ivan Drago used drugs, trained high tech while Rocky trained old school, and won. We are now learning that bigger is not always better. I never even considered that stuff as I relied on my natural ability. I was satisfied with my performance and to me was a no brainer to avoid that stuff. I know some that Super Star Billy Grahm received three hip replacements because of damage from steroids.

Sorry but I felt that topic needed addressing since its tempting for quick growth and strength, so let us get back to gimmicks. I am reminded of the old saying K.I.S.S (Keep it simple Sam) It is possible to keep it simple and still achieve the goal of being larger than Life. I think old school was the easiest gimmick to do, basic trunks or tights, boots, knee pads, and maybe elbow pads and music for your entrance if you wanted it but wasn’t required. It was rare then to use smoke or lights. Robes or Jackets where commonly found and very popular. They even had federette girls who collected the gear and took it back to the dressing room/locker area.

In my day, fireworks indoors where not yet allowed and when the fire department changed their rules, it came at a permit of $1,000. Very few if any small promotion could afford it. Recently as you saw with Jeff Hardy, only trained professionals should use them as even then accidents happen. This reminds me of a Gimmick involving “Fire spitting” The bottle of fluid accidentally knocked over and a small fire started. The show immediately stopped and the fire extinguished. As a result, the show had to find a new home as the lease terminated. So as mom and Smokey the Bear say do not play with fire.

A gimmick that proved interesting was the “DOG” several used this gimmick, a Chair, Bone and Basic gear or as the MoonDogs did and wore Blue Jean Coveralls. The last dog I can recall was WWF Junkyard Dog. This also shows that some gimmicks are best left in the past. For example the Bruiser Brody an uncontrollable monster who was turned lose and just beat the holy hell out of his opponent and often continued after the bell rang. His character was so popular that it was reported that he received an offer of $14,000 a week to fight in Japan. Yet today his gimmick is never used.

The Giant would seem popular but tough gimmick to sell. With 7ft or taller it was send him out and wonder how to knock him off his feet and pin him. Andre the Giant, Giant Gonzales, Eligante, Big Show and Great Khali are memorable Big Men. I also used this Gimmick as I created the “Illinois Trooper” Who was to be a monster-size SWAT team member who had never been knocked off his feet. The gimmick executed simply, figure out how to create the upset and knock him down. During the match it was fun coming up with ways to attempt the impossible. It made for some interesting discussion from fans wondering just how it would happen. We never got to a point of coming up with who or what would finally topple the immovable man.

A Russian brawler is a popular gimmick. There was the Koloffs, Nickolia Volkoff, and currently Vladimir Koslov. Something’s have a way of repeating or being brought back.

Sometimes just changing from a face to a heel is a gimmick in itself. Hulk Hogan was everybody’s hero. As Jimmy Hart put it the gimmick ran out of demand. So they came up with the idea of him turning heel. He went from being the most loved to being the most hated man in wrestling. He also created or helped create the most popular stable gimmick in sports entertainment known as the New World Order. He joined Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. They went on to create a ratings explosion. It also set the stage for several other modern day uses of this gimmick. It showed up in TNA as the originals vs. the new blood. A good gimmick seems to reinvent itself and continue on. When the bad guy gimmick was running out of pop and hype Hogan realized it was time to give the fans what they wanted. He returned to his red and yellow and became a face again. The Undertaker also used this gimmick change. He for a period gave up the darkness and death for a Harley and a biker image. He referred to himself as “The American Badass”. This also introduced new moves as he came up with the last ride and snake eyes. He also used this until it no longer drew the pop and excitement. He then chose to return to his Undertaker persona. It appears that sometimes the original idea is better than the new one. We tend not to embrace change and often hate it. However reinventing a gimmick is sometimes a wise move. After Hurricane Katrina the wrestler “Hurricane” decided it was in bad taste to continue his gimmick…or WWE told him to stop. Either way the hurricane changed his name to Gregory Helms and came up with a badass style gimmick. It was a great show of respect. This reminds me of one other Gimmick gone badly. The WWE had Muhammed Hassan using guys in black with pipes to attack and beat the Undertaker. This came just shortly after a real world terrorist attack. This enraged fans and sponsors. NEVER offend a sponsor unless you want to go out of business. As a result the next day a press release said the storyline was being dropped and Mohammed was being let go. It’s called saving the businesses butt. It worked and taught us a lesson about gimmicks gone badly. Speaking of that…I shiver as I think of Mae Young showing her 70+ year old puppies on PPV. Talk about the gimmick gone badly, thank god I missed that or I would need my eyes burned. This then leads nicely into the next gimmick for me to cover.

Divas are like a sideshow act. Sometimes used and then there are periods where none are seen or even mentioned. Occasionally they get a division going for a while. So girls reading this consider a career, as there always is a demand for these models As Donald Trump has said, “Sex sells”. There have even been tag team, handy-cap and even mixed gender tag team. A diva was even part of a Royal Rumble. Chyna was the first and thus far only female in the Royal Rumble match.

The last gimmick I write of is in honor of a dear friend of mine. I will be doing a separate article on him in the future, but for now, I will address his last gimmick. I say last gimmick because he retired 5 yrs ago and as he said, “Never looks back”.

He was the promoter for the All World Wrestling. His gimmick was General Manager. He primarily stayed backstage but would as the story called would accept a challenge and allow the fans to watch the Boss in action. I mean who does not fantasize about beating there boss now and then. He went by the title Mr. Nice Guy. The GM in itself has made an interesting gimmick and still finds use in the modern wrestling world. Finding the right character for the role of General Manager proves to be a challenge and not very easy. You either hate him/her or like them no neutral stance.

Next article I will be writing about the man who gave me the chance to live my greatest dream. This also will cover the hardest question we face, when and how do we decide enough is enough and retire. Unbelievably there are some great possibilities to keep informed and not get tore up.