|
|
Post by Guacamole Anderson on Jan 1, 2019 9:02:29 GMT -5
If you're basing it on the 80s and later, then you're judging by the tail end of his career. As mentioned, Abdullah was much lighter and quicker during his heyday. Eventually he had his schtick down and got to the point where he could trade off his reputation, which carries more weight (no pun intended) in Japan. Plus, working a slower style probably added years to his career.
Dusty was the same way. Never a great physique, but early in his career he was lighter and much quicker, and much more exciting to watch.
|
|
|
|
Post by Some Baritone guy IS REDEEMED! on Jan 1, 2019 10:48:44 GMT -5
I mean he's got to be up there right? All he ever did was stab, punch, and headbutt people. What's the appeal? Had a wicked standing elbow drop, too. That's all he ever did at the tail end of his career, but you have to remember, he'd been active since 1958. He was already nearing his 50s during his World Class feud with Brody, and was 58 at the Heroes of Wrestling PPV debacle. Earlier Abdullah was by no means the worst wrestler in any category. Legit martial artist and much lighter. Got heavier and less mobile with each passing year, though. Truth, though, is that he found a gimmick that worked, and worked for over 40+ years with him having to do minimal effort. I mean I get the whole less is more thing, and maybe my perception of him has soured because of all the hepatitis but I've only seen one match from him that amounted to anything more than a glorious train wreck, and that was the World Tag League final in All Japan in the 70s with the Sheik against the Funks, which came off like wacky races given how much he and his partner cheated. He's just so bizarre to me, because he's so damn limited and yet has made it to legend status in multiple promotions. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2019 11:01:40 GMT -5
I know exactly what you mean. Both my parents separately, and my grandfather watched the McManus-era World of Sport, and all tuned out once Big Daddy came along. My grandfather couldn't abide the WoS relaunch at all, because "Look at this fat lad in the mask. That's not wrestling it's a kid's panto." Daddy & Haystacks somehow drew an audience, but I remain convinced without any way of proving it that it was for the circus freakshow/comedic aspect, and the proof is self-evident that it subsequently killed the industry for decades here. FWA was the closest we got to a revival prior to the current boom and was horribly mismanaged, and even this boom isn't cracking TV anything like the pre-Daddy days. And of course we have to look to the common ground of FWA and WoS to find the problem, and what a surprise, it's Alex Shane. The Hulk Hogan of British wrestling!? (Self Proclaimed) Although I think he feels he's the Vince McMahon of British wrestling now. |
|
|
|
Post by bitteroldman on Jan 1, 2019 11:21:41 GMT -5
If you're going to mention Big Daddy then you have to include Giant Haystacks as well (as most posters have); it's a BOGO.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2019 11:25:25 GMT -5
Nah.
A lot of people put these “big men” in these lists but the reality is, these guys don’t HAVE to do much. Imagine Great Khali having a technical masterpiece... just picture that for a second. Think about how weird it would look.
Abdullah looked like a f***ing savage and that was enough. And although the fork thing was a bit gross, it worked for him and became iconic. Some of the stories are horrific, don’t get me wrong... but he is one of the most memorable wrestlers. And remember, people thought wrestling was real at this time.
It’s hard to say who the “worst wrestler” is. Everyone has a different role to play. I suppose you would say the worst wrestlers are those guys who can’t make ANYTHING work. Abdullah and Khali made it work.
|
|
|
|
Post by Some Baritone guy IS REDEEMED! on Jan 1, 2019 11:27:27 GMT -5
With gripping promos like this. And now I get why he always had someone do the talking for him... On the bright side nobody's going to be confused about who he's fighting right? After all his name was about half of the things he said in that promo... |
|
|
|
Post by sportatorium on Jan 1, 2019 11:30:00 GMT -5
Not even close. Abby was awesome in his younger days.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kevin Hamilton on Jan 1, 2019 11:35:04 GMT -5
As has been mentioned, better when he was younger. Even without that though, dude was fantastic for the character he played so in no way could be called a bad wrestler. Wrestling is way more than just the moves.
|
|
|
|
Post by Some Baritone guy IS REDEEMED! on Jan 1, 2019 11:40:32 GMT -5
As has been mentioned, better when he was younger. Even without that though, dude was fantastic for the character he played so in no way could be called a bad wrestler. Wrestling is way more than just the moves. There were other guys who did the same thing better though, even during that time like the Sheik. I mean all of his matches were basically the same. |
|
|
|
Post by Kevin Hamilton on Jan 1, 2019 11:51:50 GMT -5
As has been mentioned, better when he was younger. Even without that though, dude was fantastic for the character he played so in no way could be called a bad wrestler. Wrestling is way more than just the moves. There were other guys who did the same thing better though, even during that time like the Sheik. I mean all of his matches were basically the same. Maybe, but so what? He got over with it. People don't like to hear it, but the actual in ring stuff in terms of moves is probably the least important thing when it comes to a match. Can you tell the story you're trying to tell, get people to buy into it and react, and open their wallet to see you do it. Guys can do that with 1,0004 holds or they can do it with 4 just depending on their role and character. Your monster guys generally shouldn't be busting out planchas etc, cuz that's not their character. There was one time Kane&Big Show started a match chain wrestling, which clearly showed they could do it. They didn't-don't cuz that's not their character. |
|
67 more
King Koopa
He's just a Sexy Kurt
Posts: 11,504
|
Post by 67 more on Jan 1, 2019 15:12:47 GMT -5
The worst wrestler I've ever seen live was with Brodus, facing Jinder Mahal.
|
|
|
|
Post by "Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay on Jan 1, 2019 20:46:37 GMT -5
Depends on how big you mean. Giant Baba, Giant Silva, Great Khaki, Giant Gonzalez... Than entire list is giants but remember Kozlov main evented.
|
|
|
|
Post by MrElijah on Jan 1, 2019 22:22:07 GMT -5
With gripping promos like this. "I'm gonna shove it up his ass!!" Maybe it's the background music but I love it. |
|
|
|
Post by OVO 40 hunched over like he 80 on Jan 2, 2019 4:23:30 GMT -5
He’s one of the worst human beings to make it big, but in his prime he was actually good.
The worst wrestler ever to make it big is Sable.
|
|
|
|
Post by I'm Team Bayley and Indi on Jan 2, 2019 4:44:21 GMT -5
They have been said but even years after their passing Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks are still British Wrestling to a lot of people.
Mention wrestling (even WWE) and the topic will go to British Wrestling on ITV and these will be the first two mentioned.
Whenever they faced off it was unfair to actually call it a match, just a lot of bouncing off of each other
|
|
|
|
Post by The Barber on Jan 2, 2019 5:38:38 GMT -5
Nah. Imagine Great Khali having a technical masterpiece... just picture that for a second. Think about how weird it would look. 
|
|
|
|
Post by YAKMAN is ICHIBAN on Jan 2, 2019 9:30:35 GMT -5
He’s one of the worst human beings to make it big, but in his prime he was actually good. The worst wrestler ever to make it big is Sable. Sable is a great pick, I didn't even think about the women. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2019 9:48:23 GMT -5
I feel like you could probably make an argument for Yokozuna.
|
|
|
|
Post by OVO 40 hunched over like he 80 on Jan 2, 2019 10:53:49 GMT -5
He’s one of the worst human beings to make it big, but in his prime he was actually good. The worst wrestler ever to make it big is Sable. Sable is a great pick, I didn't even think about the women. She couldn’t cut a promo or wrestle for more than a minute, she just had that weird charisma and was pretty, but other than that, she didn’t brought anything to the table. |
|
TGM
Hank Scorpio
Posts: 6,073
|
Post by TGM on Jan 2, 2019 10:58:54 GMT -5
I feel like you could probably make an argument for Yokozuna. Whaaaaa? |
|
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61946227/Dqpaz_iVsAA04LW.0.jpg)
