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Post by whatamaneuver on Nov 4, 2009 18:43:25 GMT -5
What gimmicks do you think would have worked no matter who was portraying them? As long as you're looking at an average sized worker and not a Zach Gowan/Spike Dudley.
For example, if Chuck Palumbo was given the Kane gimmick would it have been as succesful as Glenn Jacobs made it?
There are some gimmicks that wouldn't have flown with the wrong performer - for example 'Taker, Goldust and Mankind could all have been pure Wrestlecrap. But in some cases I'd say the gimmick is so strong that they essentially got the wrestler over. That isn't to say they're crap performers, just that they have great gimmicks given to them.
Here's three suggestions to get the ball rolling;
1. STONE COLD
This may be a controversial one but I'd say pretty much anyone could have made "Stone Cold" work. I love Austin, but when you boil it down I don't see how anyone couldn't have gotten over drinking beer, flipping the finger and stunning McMahon in 1997.
2. LEGEND KILLER
Similarly the Randy Orton "Giant Killer" gimmick could have gone to any newcomer, although the 3rd generation thing does admittedly help. But still, if Rob Conway got the rub from Foley/Flair/Race/Jake/ etc whose to say he wouldn't be in the main event now.
3. HUMAN SUPLEX MACHINE
Taz in ECW was awesome, but his mediocre run in WWE proved to me that it was the booking rather than the performer that got over. Taz(z) is a pretty small guy and was built up to be the biggest bad ass on the planet. Again, if every wrestler in the company bounced around for DH Smith - who was never booked to be knocked off his feet - I think he would be just as over as Tazz was.
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Post by HBKite on Nov 4, 2009 19:11:51 GMT -5
I wholeheartedly agree with your picks. The only one I can think of right now is "Ultimate Opportunist". It's such an easy and effective way to get major heel heat, you really can't go wrong with that one.
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Post by stormwrestling on Nov 4, 2009 19:13:00 GMT -5
Agree with 2 & 3, but disagree completely about Stone Cold.
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Post by Pervy Stone Cold on Nov 4, 2009 19:17:24 GMT -5
Kendo stick swinging and smashing beer cans on forehead pissed off guy.
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Post by Bob Schlapowitz on Nov 4, 2009 19:17:59 GMT -5
Couldn't disagree more about Stone Cold. It wasn't just the beer and middle fingers that got him over, it was the entire package. The way he talked, carried himself, the mannerisms, etc. That's like saying you could put a fedora and jacket on any actor and they could play Indiana Jones.
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Pushed to the Moon
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Post by Pushed to the Moon on Nov 4, 2009 19:19:57 GMT -5
I disagree about Stone Cold too. Not everyone can pull off being a badass.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2009 19:24:45 GMT -5
Rob Conway did get a rub off Flair,Snuka,Roberts and a whole bunch of others
It still did him nothing
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Post by Bubble Lead on Nov 4, 2009 19:41:28 GMT -5
I do not agree that there is such a thing as a cant miss gimmick.
Its all about giving guys the right type of gimmick they can pull off and do well.
As was said, Conway was given a legend killer ripoff gimmick and nobody cared.
Only Austin could have pulled off Stone Cold...or Sandman, since he pretty much just took Sandmans gimmick and put a redneck twist on it.
Taz as the Human Suplex Machine machine has insane intensity and great promos. Not everyone can do that. Give his gimmick to Renee Dupree and watch it fail. Of COURSE part of it was booking...its the bookers job to do everything they can to get a guy over. If you give him a killer gimmick you need to book him as a killer. Its up to the guy himself to get it over with promos and impressive moves in the ring.
In WWE they brought him in with the same gimmick, and then booked him as a jobber. How was he supposed to get over like that?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2009 19:45:23 GMT -5
Wrestling Proctologist
No way that can fail
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Post by reckoner on Nov 4, 2009 19:50:34 GMT -5
I see where you're coming from with Stone Cold, perhaps many others could have used it to get over. But to gain that level of popularity is a different matter and I'd attribute that to the man himself.
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Post by Doctor Of Style on Nov 4, 2009 19:57:42 GMT -5
I think a lot of big guys could've gotten over if they got a push like Goldberg with the streak. I also disagree on Stone Cold, he was a badass, but had great comedic timing too.
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Post by triplealbert on Nov 4, 2009 20:04:14 GMT -5
I do not agree that there is such a thing as a cant miss gimmick. Its all about giving guys the right type of gimmick they can pull off and do well. As was said, Conway was given a legend killer ripoff gimmick and nobody cared. Only Austin could have pulled off Stone Cold...or Sandman, since he pretty much just took Sandmans gimmick and put a redneck twist on it. Taz as the Human Suplex Machine machine has insane intensity and great promos. Not everyone can do that. Give his gimmick to Renee Dupree and watch it fail. Of COURSE part of it was booking...its the bookers job to do everything they can to get a guy over. If you give him a killer gimmick you need to book him as a killer. Its up to the guy himself to get it over with promos and impressive moves in the ring. In WWE they brought him in with the same gimmick, and then booked him as a jobber. How was he supposed to get over like that? Austin's "gimmick" is nothing like Sandman's except they both drink. |
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Mozenrath
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Post by Mozenrath on Nov 4, 2009 20:05:08 GMT -5
Power Rangers. If the Spirit Squad were those, they would still all be employed.
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Post by Bubble Lead on Nov 4, 2009 20:07:42 GMT -5
I do not agree that there is such a thing as a cant miss gimmick. Its all about giving guys the right type of gimmick they can pull off and do well. As was said, Conway was given a legend killer ripoff gimmick and nobody cared. Only Austin could have pulled off Stone Cold...or Sandman, since he pretty much just took Sandmans gimmick and put a redneck twist on it. Taz as the Human Suplex Machine machine has insane intensity and great promos. Not everyone can do that. Give his gimmick to Renee Dupree and watch it fail. Of COURSE part of it was booking...its the bookers job to do everything they can to get a guy over. If you give him a killer gimmick you need to book him as a killer. Its up to the guy himself to get it over with promos and impressive moves in the ring. In WWE they brought him in with the same gimmick, and then booked him as a jobber. How was he supposed to get over like that? Austin's "gimmick" is nothing like Sandman's except they both drink. Working class guy that likes drinking beer and beating people up. Working class guy that likes drinking beer and beating people up. |
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Post by Mozenrath on Nov 4, 2009 20:12:23 GMT -5
Austin's "gimmick" is nothing like Sandman's except they both drink. Working class guy that likes drinking beer and beating people up. Working class guy that likes drinking beer and beating people up. One of them has a stick, though. |
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Post by Tapout on Nov 4, 2009 20:26:13 GMT -5
I also disagree that Austin's gimmick could've been done by anyone. It was, however, the result of some right-place-right-time luck, right around when Attitude was starting while WCW was taking off as serious competition (and Vince was willing to take more risks to get his company over). If it had been a different time or company, Austin probably wouldn't have been able to go as far as he did or get over as much as he did. Austin's "gimmick" is nothing like Sandman's except they both drink. Heyman would disagree with you, for what that's worth. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2009 20:39:47 GMT -5
Working class guy that likes drinking beer and beating people up. Working class guy that likes drinking beer and beating people up. One of them has a stick, though. Also, you could argue that whereas both enjoy a good drink, it seems a larger part of the Sandman's character. Austin would whup somebody's ass and celebrate with a beer, Sandman would have a bunch backstage, one or two on his way through the crowd, one when he got to the ring, one after the match, and a whole bunch more after the show.  |
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Post by triplealbert on Nov 4, 2009 20:41:59 GMT -5
I also disagree that Austin's gimmick could've been done by anyone. It was, however, the result of some right-place-right-time luck, right around when Attitude was starting while WCW was taking off as serious competition (and Vince was willing to take more risks to get his company over). If it had been a different time or company, Austin probably wouldn't have been able to go as far as he did or get over as much as he did. Austin's "gimmick" is nothing like Sandman's except they both drink. Heyman would disagree with you, for what that's worth. Heyman would be wrong. And I love Paul Heyman. |
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Post by Mac on Nov 4, 2009 20:42:10 GMT -5
Austin had the loook, attutude, voice and natural charisma to get his character over. I dont think anybody else could have pulled it off.
Now something like "Cebebral Assinin" where you get over as a great technician because the announcers say you're so damn brilliant 25 time a match could be done by anyone with a mild wrestling background.
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Post by triplealbert on Nov 4, 2009 20:43:14 GMT -5
Austin's "gimmick" is nothing like Sandman's except they both drink. Working class guy that likes drinking beer and beating people up. Working class guy that likes drinking beer and beating people up. That's not the Stone Cold character, and certainly not the original Stone Cold character. Stone Cold from 1996-(at least)Summerslam 1997 was nothing like what we now associate Stone Cold with, and even babyface Austin was very different than Sandman. |
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