NXT’s Hank Walker — why?

[Slammy Award-Winning Cannibal]

Really though. Why?

Why is Hank Walker a thing? It feels like a rib. But on who? Everyone on the roster is cut and some are built like Greek gods. And then you have NXT’s Hank Walker and he is an out of shape slob. And to a comical degree.

I know he’s new but he’s getting TV time and he’s the absolute drizzling shits. This man does not need to be on my TV.

And then to top it all off, the man always rips his shirt off during the match. Like am I supposed to be impressed that you’re a Bert Kreischer lookalike or something?

Why does Hank Walter exist? For the love of god somebody please explain this to me.

[ThankGodForSidJustice]

I don't get what the big deal is about him not being a cut up "Greek God". I think it's better to have guys with different physiques instead of everyone built the same. It also fits his character of being a blue collar everyman type guy. Reminds me of guys like "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan or Dusty Rhodes back in the day. They didn't have physiques chiseled out of stone either but they were blue collar guys who were tough and would go out there and fight and that has appeal as there's a lot of wrestling fans who could relate to that.

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

I love when wrestling has a totally normal dude just struggling to take in this weird little world we have.

[Push R Truth]

Please tell me that Hank Walker is the younger brother of WWE Hall of Famer Braden Walker.

[Hypnosis]

Jan 4, 2023 8:40:12 GMT -5 Push R Truth said:

Please tell me that Hank Walker is the younger brother of WWE Hall of Famer Braden Walker.

Hank's going to knock some brains out.

[Mozenrath]

He adds variety, in any case. Reminds me of when Austin said he was big on Husky Harris because he didn't look like everybody else.

[Allie Kitsune]

Oh no. A Normie has intruded on all the Pretty Geeks.

[Push R Truth]

WWE needs less Muscle Men and more dad bods, NFL lineman bods, dudes with moobs and slobs.

Most of my favorite wrestlers weren't sculpted from stone: Andre, Vader, Foley, Hacksaw, Dusty, Otis, Yokozuna, Big Show and that sumo guy.

[XIII]

I’m just imagining the absolute hell that would be unleashed if this post was about one of the women. Body shaming isn’t cool.

Need variety in all things, not just in wrestling but in life.

[tagteammatchplaya]

["The Natural" Bustin Loads]

Like others have said variety in physiques is good. Avoids monotony and gives audiences different archetypes to latch onto.

While fun, NXT is partly a developmental show. I don't think he's as bad as you say but a couple others like Fallon Henley, Briggs/Jensen, Kiana etc started out rough, are now solid (even shined at points IMO) and still have room to grow. It won't be enjoyable to everyone but there's no better way to improve or get feedback than meaningful ring time. To their credit they've given talents opportunities even when it's not working (Lash Legend lol)

I DO think the Hank Walker gimmick is a bit of a rib. Not on him, but on how many wrestlers got their first exposure as security guards solely to get beaten up. That his character started out as a security guy who instead got fed up with an annoying ass like Javi, challenged him and is now actually trying to break in is pretty funny.

[Slammy Award-Winning Cannibal]

To be clear, I am all for people of different looks. KO, Otis, Odyssey, Bronson, Piper Niven, etc. we need variety for sure. But this isnt about that. It’s about the total package.

As I stressed in my post, Hank looks tremendously out of shape AND he sucks in the ring. The guy has no redeeming qualities. I wouldn’t be so annoyed if he could actually go in the ring. That’s what always made KO and Wyatt so special. They had an unconventional figure and it didn’t matter because they had that extra gear where they could fire on all cylinders above most of the roster.

Hank is just totally flat. He looks like he could be Duke the Dumpster Droese’s out of work son. I dunno. I just have no idea why he isn’t relegated solely to NXT live events. He’s not TV ready and it shows in all the worst ways.

[dbrussel]

Can't believe he's stealing Von Wagner's TV time

[sunnytaker]

hey now it's possible he was once a texas ranger after all. they have some lethal finishing kicks i hear

[The Warthog]

I think Grayson Waller is a much worse name. Would you be intimidated if a Hank Walker or Grayson Waller threatened you? I wouldn't.

[BayleyTiffyCodyCenaJudyHopps]

I stan Hank Walker. He’s the guy in the crowd who says “ah, they ain’t so tough, I could whip their butts” and he can *actually back his word up*.

[griti kitty]

I find it hard to judge Hank's wrestling ability when his gimmick is supposed to be that he isn't a good wrestler and has no idea what he's doing. Like I doubt he is a great wrestler who is holding back showcasing his skills but he's probably a little bit better than he has shown.

[Gremlin]

My only beef with him is the gear. I'll lose all faith in Drew Gulak if he doesn't teach Hank that being a wrestler means wearing wrestling gear.

[Slammy Award-Winning Cannibal]

Jan 4, 2023 17:48:14 GMT -5 Gremlin said:

My only beef with him is the gear. I'll lose all faith in Drew Gulak if he doesn't teach Hank that being a wrestler means wearing wrestling gear.

That’s the other huge ick for me. His clothes. I hate wrestlers wearing dress clothes in the ring. Stupidest thing in the world. I hated it on Gacy, Corbin, you name it. And then Hank always tears his shirt off like he’s Gage Goldberg.

The guy is a channel changer.

[The Legendary Ring Troll {BLM}]

I love when I hear complaints like this and yet every time I see an old picture of Jake The Snake posted, he looks like every out of shape alcoholic dad you've ever known.