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Post by Bone Daddy on Dec 26, 2012 12:23:00 GMT -5
I mean other than John Cena's "Support the Troops" style persona? What ever happened to those types of characters? Why do you think they stopped?
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FinalGwen
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Particularly fond of muffins.
Posts: 16,428
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Post by FinalGwen on Dec 26, 2012 12:27:52 GMT -5
Because if anyone ever punched/grappled/insulted said character, someone would get Finlay fired again?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2012 12:46:36 GMT -5
I think they need to wait for the right one. Preferably someone who has actually done something in the military. They sort of did it with Vladimir Kozlov, and they could hype up Johnny Curtis' past too.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2012 12:51:11 GMT -5
We're in a "Tribute to the Troops" era - taking them lightly isn't a thing Vince (who seems to really support/respect the military) would do. I could see 9/11 being a thing that snapped him (and many others) into reality.
I mean, was there ever a military gimmick before Sgt. Slaughter and the early 80's/late 70's period? I would think it would've been HIDEOUS during the Vietnam era...
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klapaucius
Don Corleone
Johnny Two Times
Posts: 1,486
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Post by klapaucius on Dec 26, 2012 17:04:32 GMT -5
They stopped because military is not cool anymore.
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Post by Hit Girl on Dec 26, 2012 17:12:16 GMT -5
Cena should have transitioned to a gimmick like this. At the moment, I'm not exactly sure what he is. He's not a rapper, but sorta looks like a grown man wearing little kids clothes.
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Dub H
Crow T. Robot
Captain Pixel: the Game Master
I ❤ Aniki
Posts: 47,826
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Post by Dub H on Dec 26, 2012 17:25:49 GMT -5
They stopped because military is not cool anymore. Sadlu,CoD and many FPS disagree.
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Post by Mayonnaise on Dec 26, 2012 17:49:08 GMT -5
Because if anyone ever punched/grappled/insulted said character, someone would get Finlay fired again? Honestly I think that is not far from the truth. The guy couldn't do anything heelish without pissing off a sponsor and causing trouble. Plus you have problems with the how the military is viewed (its greatly improving but there are still major issues) and then there would controversy with having someone play a member of the military on a show sponsored by the military and targeted to kids (right now they can say the sponsorship is aimed at adults who are watching with kids but I think adding a character would set off watchdog groups). Last character I can remember that was I think military based was La Resistance Rob Conway and I cannot remember if he was supposed to be a ex military member who was jumping to the French side or was pretending to be a military member just to attack the Dudleys and help La Res.
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Bo Rida
Fry's dog Seymour
Pulled one over on everyone. Got away with it, this time.
Posts: 23,510
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Post by Bo Rida on Dec 26, 2012 18:08:11 GMT -5
WWE are a much more global company than they were in the past and that sort of gimmick doesn't usually translate well to foreign audiences.
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Post by Slanted and Enchanted on Dec 26, 2012 18:22:41 GMT -5
I would love to see a complicated tweener ex-military type character that's disillusioned with the USA and their global policies. Especially since many ex-military folk are like that. I don't think the gimmick would EVER work but it would be very interesting.
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keezy
Dennis Stamp
full time slacker
Posts: 4,621
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Post by keezy on Dec 26, 2012 18:47:19 GMT -5
I have no idea why they didn't give Mr. Kennedy a drill Sergeant gimmick.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2012 18:54:29 GMT -5
If they had the writing chops and tact they could do an angle with a war veteran with PTSD, opening him/her up to attempts by heels to exploit that. I can't see them going with the GI Joe caricature miltary gimmick again because it's a dead end. Maybe just a lower card guy that wins all the time to pump up the crowd.
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Post by Jimichiro Likes Erick Rowan on Dec 26, 2012 18:56:13 GMT -5
I'd be interested in seeing a holier-than-thou ex-military character who felt he was entitled to title shots and marquee matches because of his military service.
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Post by Ryback on a Pole! on Dec 26, 2012 19:00:02 GMT -5
They'd never do it. Too much risk of easily offended idiots getting offended.
He couldn't become a heel because someone could get offended, couldn't be a jobber because someone could get offended, couldn't get insulted or disrespected in case someone gets Finlay'd for it.
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Post by Hit Girl on Dec 26, 2012 19:14:38 GMT -5
I'd like to see a gung ho military guy who favours an aggressive US military policy, just to see how the crowd reacts. It'd be awesome to see a guy waving a US flag and ranting about how he wants America to invade Barbados, only for the camera to cut to bewildered fans reluctantly saying "erm.....yeah!!"
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Post by Urfarkendarf on Dec 26, 2012 19:37:06 GMT -5
The military gimmick is a classic gimmick in wrestling. You can go all the way back in history to find instances of it. Hell, Fritz von Erich was a nazi sympathizer gimmick.
The problem today is multifaceted. Theres the global aspect of WWE's product and just the in general "seen that before" sort of attitude people tend to have towards certain gimmicks. I think it could be good/well done, but theres a fine line with it now. Maybe a veteran gimmick? They tried that with Jesse Neal in TNA in some respects, but he sucked.
Personally, I'd like them to stay away from angles like this. It'd have to be done impeccably today and I think it's probably too hard to pull a classic wrestling military angle off convincingly/entertainingly for a wide range of people this day in age.
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Post by Hit Girl on Dec 26, 2012 19:48:57 GMT -5
The patriotic character could work if he stands for American values (freedom....liberty.....etc...) but nothing specifically political. In broad strokes, he'd be a Superman/Captain America character. The military element could be just thematic, in his attire, merchandise, ring entrance etc....but only in the symbolic sense. He wouldn't actually be representing any particular branch of the US Armed Forces.
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Post by YiHammer on Dec 26, 2012 19:49:32 GMT -5
I wouldn't mind a Shellshocked war vet gimmick
Could be a crazy PTSD heel or sympathetic face
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Mochi Lone Wolf
Fry's dog Seymour
Development through Destruction.
Posts: 24,036
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Post by Mochi Lone Wolf on Dec 26, 2012 19:51:24 GMT -5
As said, it would have to just be a Captain America type soldier.
You can't get too specific with it.
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Post by Hit Girl on Dec 26, 2012 19:52:03 GMT -5
I wouldn't mind a Shellshocked war vet gimmick Could be a crazy PTSD heel or sympathetic face John Rambo in "First Blood". He just wants a chance to build a new life as a wrestler, but someone pushes him too far.
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