http://www.cheap-heat.com/six-seasonal-superstars-holiday-themed-wrestlers/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/six-seasonal-superstars-holiday-themed-wrestlers/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2015 18:09:59 +0000
Mark Adam Haggerty
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http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=13094
July is the season of American Independence, so in honor of the USA, I wrote "Superstars and Stripes Forever: Top 13 Most Patriotic Performers." This got me thinking about other holidays, and pro wrestlers commonly associated with them. I originally planned to do another Top Thirteen Countdown, but came up very short on names—I guess […]
July is the season of American Independence, so in honor of the USA, I wrote "Superstars and Stripes Forever: Top 13 Most Patriotic Performers."
This got me thinking about
other
holidays, and pro wrestlers commonly associated with them. I originally planned to do another
Top Thirteen Countdown,
but came up very short on names—I guess there's no real market for a Columbus Day or
EASTER
gimmick. And before you say anything, no, I did not include Adam Rose's bunny. So sit back and enjoy "Six Seasonal Superstars: Holiday-Themed Wrestlers."
The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust – New Years 1998
Number six was a one-off by the incomparable Dustin Runnels, and while some might say that's a cop-out, I'll argue it's just as valid as se of the
other
names on this list. Goldust was going through some emotional problems toward the tail-end of 1997, and by 1998 had completely gone off the deep-end. This was one of his more modest moments, when compared to the time he dressed up as Sable. Goldust decided to celebrate 1998 on Monday Night Raw dressed as the iconic "Baby New Year." He was scantily-clad, as was the norm for "The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust," and danced around the ring until a certain "Rattlesnake" crashed the party. Goldust ended up ringing in the New Year inside a port-a-potty dubbed "Crapper 3:16.
Hornswoggle – St. Patrick's Day
He arrived in the WWE under seemingly mythological circumstances, and lived underneath the ring where he took part in "Little People's Court." Hornswoggle is the WWE's resident Leprechaun, who captured his own
"pot of gold"
in the form of the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. Hornswoggle has transitioned away from the soot-faced caricature he used to play, but still enters the arena to a lively Irish jig. Not only has Hornswoggle made a name for himself in the WWE, but on the silver screen in the recent reboot of the "Leprechaun" film franchise.
Christmas Creature – Christmas
Before he was the "Devil's Favorite Demon," Kane went by several other names. Without getting into the history of insane gimmicks Glen Jacobs has been given, let's instead focus on the most bizarre of them all. After making a name for himself in USWA, Jacobs arrived in Smoky Mountain Wrestling, where Jim Cornette christened him "The Christmas Creature." His sleeves were made to look like candy canes, whereas the rest of his body—including his head—was covered in green fabric. In addition, he was liberally adorned with strands of tinsel—both across his chest and around his waist, as well as suggestively strung between his legs. The Christmas Creature might have been a bit flawed in terms of execution, but you cannot fault anyone for the sheer creativity of the character.
Gobbledy Gooker – Thanksgiving
The holiday season was just starting in 1990, and the entire WWE Universe was wondering—"What's in the Egg?" The Egg, of course, was a giant anomaly placed near the entrance way at WWE television tapings and live events. Speculation would proceed to run rampant, until everyone's questions were answered at the Survivor Series on Thanksgiving Night. It was the Gobbledy Gooker! An anthropomorphic Turkey, who ran to the ring and
danced
with Mean Gene Okerlund. The �Gooker went on to appear a handful of times in prerecorded promos, but disappeared from television before Christmas. It was later revealed that Hector Guerrero—Eddie's older brother—was the wrestler inside the Turkey suit. Hector reprised his role as the Gobbledy Gooker in 2001 as part of the "Gimmick Battle Royal" at Wrestlemania X7, when he was the
second
Superstar eliminated.
Halloween – Halloween
Halloween is number two for a variety of reasons, but first and foremost—his name is Halloween! Audiences in America might best remember this famed performer as "Ciclope," a Cruiserweight competitor in WCW. Halloween's longevity sets him apart from everyone else on the list. Like Hornswoggle, his persona is more than just a short-lived publicity stunt—Halloween has been performing under the black and orange since 1990. While his resilience and ability to withstand the test of time earns him a top spot on my list, I couldn't place him at number one because his character doesn't exactly
embody
the "Halloween Spirit."
Xanta Claus – Christmas
Like many other names listed, our number one
Seasonal Superstar
went on to achieve greater success once his holiday-themed gimmick expired. Fans around the world know him as Balls Mahoney, the former amateur wrestler-turned-hardcore legend, but for a short period in the mid=90s, Balls was known as Xanta Claus. Xanta Claus was brought to the World Wrestling Federation by the "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, to act as an antithesis to—you guessed it—
SANTA CLAUS
. He wore black and red, and sported a closely-groomed dark brown beard. He wouldn't last very long because, as James Bond will tell you: "Christmas only comes once a year." Despite the unusually short-shelf life of the character, Xanta Claus remains among the most talked about WWE Superstars of all time.
http://www.cheap-heat.com/lucky-thirteen-9-wcw-success-in-wwe/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/lucky-thirteen-9-wcw-success-in-wwe/#comments Thu, 12 Mar 2015 02:51:32 +0000
Mark Adam Haggerty
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Hurricane Helms
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Kidman
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http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=10331
Lucky Thirteen #9 WCW Success in WWE Written by Mark Adam Haggerty I had an epiphany this evening that really struck me—at 28 years old, I've lived half of my life without WCW. It was fourteen years ago that World Championship Wrestling closed, and WWE immediately assumed 25 new talent contracts. While most WCW wrestlers […]
Lucky Thirteen #9
WCW Success in WWE
Written by Mark Adam Haggerty
I had an epiphany this evening that really struck me—at 28 years old, I've lived half of my life without WCW. It was fourteen years ago that World Championship Wrestling closed, and WWE immediately assumed 25 new talent contracts. While most WCW wrestlers experienced little in the way of �Federation' success, there were certainly those who managed to make an indelible impression. From the King of the Ring, to the world title, to the WWE Hall of Fame—my name is Mark Adam Haggerty with you again for another Lucky Thirteen. This week we're counting down the most successful WCW Talents-turned-WWE Superstars.
Note: This list ONLY includes WCW wrestlers who never competed for Vince McMahon prior to 2001, so there is no mention of Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Scott Steiner, etc. Furthermore, Superstars such as the Big Show, Chris Jericho, and Eddie Guerrero are not included as they signed with the WWE while WCW was still in business.
13. Lance Storm
We begin with a man who learned his craft under the tutelage of the famed-Hart Family, and earned his reputation in the dilapidated territory system of the 1990s. Lance Storm arrived in WCW in 1999, where his U.S., Hardcore and Cruiserweight championship victories cemented him as the only man in history to hold three singles belts simultaneously. When the WWE acquired WCW in 2001, Lance Storm was immediately cast as part of the Alliance. Shortly after his debut, Storm became the WWE Intercontinental champion by defeating current NXT commentator Jason Albert. Storm aligned himself with Christian, Test, and William Regal as the "Un-Americans"—a heel faction made of Canadian and, in Regal's case, European wrestlers. After a successful tag title run with Christian, Lance Storm faded from television and eventually became a trainer for Ohio Valley Wrestling. He stayed with OVW from 2004 until 2005 when he decided to open his own school, the now-very prominent "Storm Wrestling Academy."
12. Chuck Palumbo
Before Chuck Palumbo "looked so good" to Billy Gunn, he was a part of the "Natural Born Thrillers," a youthful stable that also included Sean O'Haire. The duo of Palumbo and O'Haire was so dominant in the final months of WCW, that when it came time to debut for the WWE, they did so as WCW World Tag Team champions. After the Invasion angle subsided, Palumbo was paired with another tag team specialist—Billy Gunn. The two entered into a "homo-erotic" program that featured questionable stretching exercises and culminated with a civil union ceremony on Smackdown. After two tag team title reigns, Billy and Chuck went their separate ways and Chuck soon found himself attached to the Full Blooded Italians. He was subsequently repackaged in 2006 and returned as a bike mechanic, inspired by his own real-life affinity for motorcycles. Although his time as a WWE Superstar was short-lived, Palumbo is not-yet done with the spotlight; in 2014, Chuck Palumbo began starring in his own reality series, "Lords of Car Hoards" on the Discovery Channel.
11. Billy Kidman
When Billy Kidman debuted for WCW in 1996, it was as part of the up-and-coming Cruiserweight division. But by the end of his tenure, Kidman was a main event talent who engaged in momentous feuds with industry icons such as Hulk Hogan. Shortly after debuting for the WWE as part of the Invasion, Kidman defeated Shane Helms for the WCW Cruiserweight championship in the first WCW match on WWE television. Kidman defeated X-Pac at the Invasion pay-per-view to symbolically retired Sean Waltman's Lightheavyweight Championship, in favor of the Cruiserweight—a belt that Kidman would wear on four separate occasions while under WWE contract. Kidman joined forces with Paul London in 2004 to win the tag team championship from the prolific title holding Dudley Boyz. Kidman left the WWE for a short while following his in-ring career, but returned in 2010 and continues to work as a producer to this day.
10. Stacy Keibler
Stacy Keibler was one of just two WCW women whom the WWE was interested in hiring, and along with Torrie Wilson, managed to make an impact from the start as part of the Invasion. Following her initial debut, Stacy found herself in cahoots with a variety of dastardly heels, as well as a few benevolent babyfaces. She was the self-proclaimed "Duchess of Dudleyville," accompanying tag team champions Bubba Ray and Devon to the ring on many of their successful title defenses. She would also participate in a very provocative storyline as "personal assistant" to Mr. McMahon, a job she earned by performing a spirited "table dance." After getting RKO'd by her Kayfabe boyfriend Randy Orton, Stacy became less-and-less visible on WWE programming. Stacy left the company in 2006, but returned in 2011 for a cameo on WWE's reality series "Tough Enough."
9. Diamond Dallas Page
Diamond Dallas Page entered the wrestling business at a late age, but that wouldn't stop the future "Lord of the Ring" from living his dream and winning the world championship. Dallas was a 3-time WCW champion, living on top of the roster for most of the late 1990s. After weeks of tormenting the Undertaker and his wife Sara, Diamond Dallas Page debuted as part of the Invasion. Once making landfall on �Federation shores, the innovator of the Diamond Cutter made quick work in reestablishing his partnership with Chris Kanyon, with whom he won the tag team titles. After suffering a series of defeats, Diamond Dallas Page was repackaged as a motivational speaker who insisted that, "It's not a bad thing—it's a good thing!" Dallas won the European Championship on January 31st 2002 and proceeded to successfully defend it at Wrestlemania X8 in Toronto against Christian. Today Page is responsible for launching "DDP Yoga," a life-changing program that has already saved hundreds of lives and helped otherwise inactive individuals enjoy a far healthier lifestyle.
8. Shane/Gregory Helms
"Sugar" Shane Helms was a staple during the dying days of WCW, and it wasn't until the final few months that the "Vertebreaker" finally broke out on his own. Fortunately the WWE was more than interested in signing the WCW Cruiserweight champion, so Helms was afforded an opportunity to carry his talents over to another roster. After the Invasion, Helms donned a green mask and wrestled as a mysterious "super hero" named The Hurricane. The Hurricane would go on to become a tag team champion along with Rosey, the "Super Hero in Training." After climbing the tag team ranks, Helms grew tired of performing comedy and dropped the Hurricane gimmick. The newly named
Gregory
Helms soon captured the cruiserweight championship, and held it for 13 months, making him the longest reigning cruiserweight champion in WWE or WCW history. Helms worked as a backstage personality, interviewing Superstars on ECW and Smackdown, but eventually reemerged as The Hurricane, before finally leaving the company in 2010.
7. Finlay
Although Dave "Fit" Finlay only started appearing in the WWE in 2005, the Irishman who "loves to fight" was actually one of the 25 talents acquired in 2001. Finlay was a brawler during his WCW days, earning a reputation for hardcore warfare by winning the one-and-only Junkyard Invitational at Bash at the Beach. The former television champion started working for WWE in 2001 as a trainer in Ohio Valley Wrestling. Aside from shaping future world champions like John Cena and Randy Orton, Dave Finlay was responsible for transitioning the Diva's division out of the "Bra and Panties Era" and into the modern-day. Finlay debuted on WWE TV in 2005 and quickly established himself as a main event contender by winning the United States Championship. He worked several main event storylines, including quite a few alongside King Booker and William Regal. After his return as the "Belfast Bruiser," Finlay moved into more lighthearted segments involving his Kayfabe son "Hornswoggle." Finlay is still a member of the WWE production team, working as an agent and producer, and even appearing on TV from time to time.
6. Chavo Guerrero
From the day Eddie jumped ship to WWE, World Championship Wrestling was left with just one Guerrero. Chavo stayed loyal to the WCW brand until its dying day, holding the coveted Cruiserweight championship until the final pay-per-view when he was bested by "Sugar" Shane Helms. Chavo was one of the twenty-five contracts assumed by Vince McMahon and started like many, as part of the Invasion. Chavo spent time as a trainer and personality on the second season of Tough Enough where he remained until 2002. When he returned to the main roster, Chavo and Eddie formed the championship team "Los Guerreros," and lived by the credo: "Lie, cheat, and steal." After Eddie's passing, Chavo entered into a feud with world champion Rey Mysterio, and was even accompanied by his father, Chavo Sr. for a short period. The villainous Chavo would later become affiliated with world champion Edge and his on-screen fiancé, Chavo's real-life Aunt Vickie Guerrero. During his decade with the WWE, Chavo won the cruiserweight championship four times, and even captured the ECW world title in 2008, making him one of the most decorated WCW wrestlers to set foot in WWE.
5. Jamie Noble
One of the only people on our countdown still featured on a weekly basis is one-half of "J&J Security"—Jamie Noble. Jamie debuted for WCW in 1999 but failed to ever make an impact outside of the cruiserweight division. Noble signed with the WWE in 2001 and was sent to Heartland Wrestling Association for further development. Noble's West Virginian roots resonated with WWE Creative, and in 2002 Jamie Noble debuted as a trailer park hick, alongside WWE Diva Nidia. Noble became the WWE Cruiserweight champion and held the belt for an astonishing 147-days before dropping it. His relationship with Nidia continued until 2004 when the two began their blow-off feud, resulting in the first-ever "Boyfriend versus Girlfriend" match at No Way Out. Noble left the WWE in 2004, and upon his return was repackaged as one-half of the "Pitbulls" with Kid Kash; the team didn't last very long as Kash was soon terminated, leading Noble back to singles competition. Jamie Noble worked in the ring until 2009 when a series of aggravating injuries forced him to retire. Outside of his duties as an agent and producer, Jamie Noble is currently cast alongside Joey Mercury as a bumbling security guard for Seth Rollins.
4. Goldberg
The WCW's most organic creation was the almost-undefeated former-football-playing Bill Goldberg. Goldberg debuted for WCW in 1997 and by 1998 was the world heavyweight champion. His unprecedented 173-0 streak went beyond wins-and-losses and introduced a new breed of competitor. Bill Goldberg is the first person on our countdown that didn't sign with Vince McMahon in 2001, instead opting to start negotiating more than a year later. Goldberg made his WWE debut on the Monday Night Raw following Wrestlemania XIX 2003, when the former WCW champion decided to Spear the Rock. During just one year with the WWE, Goldberg entered into meaningful programs with Brock Lesnar, Chris Jericho, and Triple H. He was part of the second-ever Elimination Chamber at Summerslam, and in September of 2003 became the WWE World Champion. Goldberg's exit from the WWE at Wrestlemania XX was wrought with controversy, but did end with a beer bash between "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Goldberg. Who's to say we've seen the last of Bill Goldberg in the WWE?
3. Eric Bischoff
Eric Bischoff made his WCW debut in 1991 and quickly climbed the corporate ladder within Turner Broadcasting, reaching his peak as executive-vice president. Bischoff spent over a year away from the industry following the fall of WCW, but returned in 2002 as General Manager for WWE Raw. As GM, Eric introduced a number of innovations including Raw Roulette and the iconic Elimination Chamber. Although entrusted to a position of power, Bischoff often engaged in feuds with wrestlers and authority figures such as Steve Austin, Stephanie McMahon and Paul Heyman. Bischoff was "fired" by Vince McMahon in 2005 following a "trial" that resulted in Vince slamming Eric in the back of a garbage truck. Bischoff returned to the WWE sparingly since his termination: He was a special guest on Raw in 2006 to promote his WWE-published autobiography, "Controversy Creates Cash"; he received 60% of the vote to become the special guest referee in a match between DX and Rated RKO at Cyber Sunday 2006; and he appeared in 2008 at the very special "Fifteenth Anniversary" show for Monday Night Raw.
2. Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio is another WCW performer who decided to take a break following the demise of World Championship Wrestling. After working in Mexico for a year, Rey signed a contract with the WWE and debuted in 2002 by leaping off of a fifteen-foot high cage on Smackdown. During his twelve years under contract, Rey was involved in a number of memorable matches and significant storylines involving a who's who of wrestling talent. Rey made his Wrestlemania debut in 2003 at SafeCo Field in Seattle dressed as the "Flash" and continued his comic book tradition for another seven �Manias. In 2006, Rey Mysterio made history when he entered the Royal Rumble match at number two and lasted more than an hour to earn a championship shot at Wrestlemania 22. Rey Mysterio is a highly decorated performer who's won the Heavyweight, World, Cruiserweight, Intercontinental, and tag team titles to earn his place in history as a WWE Triple Crown champion. At 5'6 and weighing in at just 175, Rey Mysterio is pound-for-pound, the most successful Superstar in WWE history. Regardless of how his tenure might have ended, he will always be remembered as the longest contracted WCW holdover in WWE history.
1. Booker T
It's not hard to see why Booker T is the most successful WCW Talent-turned-WWE Superstar in history. Booker was one of the original members of the Invasion, making his debut just days after the purchase went public. Booker was among only a few main event level stars willing to jump ship immediately—lucky for Vince McMahon, as Booker T was in possession of both the WCW U.S. and World Heavyweight titles. Booker T enjoyed an array of success almost immediately as the in-ring leader of the Alliance. Booker was known for unpredictability which he offered in spades after becoming tag team champions with the bizarre Goldust. Booker won the 2006 King of the Ring tournament which put him in line for a championship push against the world title holder. The newly rechristened "King Booker" captured the WWE World Championship with the help of his loyal court and "Queen Sharmell," and proceeded to preside over Smackdown for the rest of the year. After a storied career working against Hall of Famers such as Steve Austin and Edge, Booker T decided to try his hand at announcing and joined the WWE broadcast team in 2011. Booker is a former Smackdown General Manager as well as a WWE Grand Slam Champion; in addition to his world title reign, Booker has held the U.S., Intercontinental, Hardcore, and Tag Team championships. The King of the "Spin-a-rooni" is currently color-commentating on Monday Night Raw alongside John Layfield and Michael Cole, and is the
only
WWE Hall of Famer on our countdown.
When Triple H decided that his feud with Sting would stem from old wounds inflicted during the Monday Night War, I was more than skeptical. When he invited Booker T into the ring last week on Raw, my brain started kicking into overdrive, contemplating just how many WCW wrestlers have seen the sort of success Booker T has since signing with the WWE. The answer—as you can tell—is not very many. Will Sting have a year to remember like Bill Goldberg, or will he appear only to vanish like Buff Bagwell? I hope you've enjoyed this week's Lucky Thirteen—until next time, this has been Mark Adam Haggerty, reminding you to keep checking out Cheap-Heat and to follow me on Facebook by LIKING "Mark Haggerty's Pro Wrestling."
