A few clarifiers:
- by Bad, I mean gimmicks the “IWC” were broadly negative towards
- by liked, I don’t mean ironically
- no one ever actually liked the Gobbledy Gooker
I still think that Kona Reeves’ knock off Rainmaker gimmick, aka THE FINEST, on NXT circa 2018 was great. I particularly enjoyed how he barely ever won, but when he did he’d show off his winnings through cheap but flashy jewelry, clothes, etc
Eddie Kingston
I love him because I remember guys in my neighborhood like him when I was growing up. His promos are great, and he has a great story of how he got to where he is.
All I ever hear is that he’s a fake tough guy who is out of shape with a weak finisher.
-I don’t think any pro wrestler is a “fake tough guy”
-Not everyone needs to look like Cage or Bill
-the backhand has been used less lately
I didn’t get Eddie at first - and I had very little exposure to him before AEW, literally one match - but when someone in the other place described him as “the only person left who absolutely believes wrestling is real” I’ve loved him.
He brings so much sincerity to everything he does, you can’t help but see it as being real. His character work is incredible, or, he really is exactly how he seems.
Great thread OP.
A gimmick I don’t see talked about much is Norman Smiley’s run as WCW Hardcore champion. As a kid, seeing him come out in football pads and a helmet always made me laugh.
I’m a lapsed fan so maybe he was loved by the IWC. Still, I don’t see his name mentioned much these days and I think that’s a shame. He deserves more recognition for his comedy chops.
[Smiley] then feuded with Chavo Guerrero Jr., on one occasion destroying Guerrero’s hobby horse mascot, Pepè, by feeding it into a wood chipper on the January 11, 1999, episode of Nitro.
This could possibly be the best single sentence on wrestling wiki ever.
lol Absolutely. I’m guessing that was a nod to Fargo.
