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Last week I spoke about the Mask and the advantages or disadvantages associated with this gimmick. While it would be impossible to list every possible gimmick or detail what does and does not work I think of a few that I feel deserve mention as good and bad gimmicks. First, a very serious topic needs addressing. This topic is the subject of great attention and is very controversial. So serious that the WWE has enacted a zero tolerance policy and has released key superstars. Even the immortal Hulk Hogan was the subject of an investigation regarding this topic. As powerful as he was, not even he could defeat this opponent. I refer to the use of Steroids. These drugs have no place in the business and are NOT necessary or needed for ANY gimmick now or ever. While it is, OK to use supplements or protein products a normal diet will provide what you need and save you money and not risk your career. I think of the movie Rocky IV in the movie Ivan Drago used drugs, trained high tech while Rocky trained old school, and won. We are now learning that bigger is not always better. I never even considered that stuff as I relied on my natural ability. I was satisfied with my performance and to me was a no brainer to avoid that stuff. I know some that Super Star Billy Grahm received three hip replacements because of damage from steroids. Sorry but I felt that topic needed addressing since its tempting for quick growth and strength, so let us get back to gimmicks. I am reminded of the old saying K. I. S. S (Keep it simple Sam) It is possible to keep it simple and still achieve the goal of being larger than Life. I think old school was the easiest gimmick to do, basic trunks or tights, boots, knee pads, and maybe elbow pads and music for your entrance if you wanted it but wasn’t required. It was rare then to use smoke or lights. Robes or Jackets where commonly found and very popular. They even had federette girls who collected the gear and took it back to the dressing room/locker area. In my day, fireworks indoors where not yet allowed and when the fire department changed their rules, it came at a permit of $1,000. Very few if any small promotion could afford it. Recently as you saw with Jeff Hardy, only trained professionals should use them as even then accidents happen. This reminds me of a Gimmick involving “Fire spitting” The bottle of fluid accidentally knocked over and a small fire started. The show immediately stopped and the fire extinguished. As a result, the show had to find a new home as the lease terminated. So as mom and Smokey the Bear say do not play with fire. A gimmick that proved interesting was the “DOG” several used this gimmick, a Chair, Bone and Basic gear or as the MoonDogs did and wore Blue Jean Coveralls. The last dog I can recall was WWF Junkyard Dog. This also shows that some gimmicks are best left in the past. For example the Bruiser Brody an uncontrollable monster who was turned lose and just beat the holy hell out of his opponent and often continued after the bell rang. His character was so popular that it was reported that he received an offer of $14,000 a week to fight in Japan. Yet today his gimmick is never used. The Giant would seem popular but tough gimmick to sell. With 7ft or taller it was send him out and wonder how to knock him off his feet and pin him. Andre the Giant, Giant Gonzales, Eligante, Big Show and Great Khali are memorable Big Men. I also used this Gimmick as I created the “Illinois Trooper” Who was to be a monster-size SWAT team member who had never been knocked off his feet. The gimmick executed simply, figure out how to create the upset and knock him down. During the match it was fun coming up with ways to attempt the impossible. It made for some interesting discussion from fans wondering just how it would happen. We never got to a point of coming up with who or what would finally topple the immovable man. A Russian brawler is a popular gimmick. There was the Koloffs, Nickolia Volkoff, and currently Vladimir Koslov. Something’s have a way of repeating or being brought back. Sometimes just changing from a face to a heel is a gimmick in itself. Hulk Hogan was everybody’s hero. As Jimmy Hart put it the gimmick ran out of demand. So they came up with the idea of him turning heel. He went from being the most loved to being the most hated man in wrestling. He also created or helped create the most popular stable gimmick in sports entertainment known as the New World Order. He joined Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. They went on to create a ratings explosion. It also set the stage for several other modern day uses of this gimmick. It showed up in TNA as the originals vs. the new blood. A good gimmick seems to reinvent itself and continue on. When the bad guy gimmick was running out of pop and hype Hogan realized it was time to give the fans what they wanted. He returned to his red and yellow and became a face again. The Undertaker also used this gimmick change. He for a period gave up the darkness and death for a Harley and a biker image. He referred to himself as “The American Badass”. This also introduced new moves as he came up with the last ride and snake eyes. He also used this until it no longer drew the pop and excitement. He then chose to return to his Undertaker persona. It appears that sometimes the original idea is better than the new one. We tend not to embrace change and often hate it. However reinventing a gimmick is sometimes a wise move. After Hurricane Katrina the wrestler “Hurricane” decided it was in bad taste to continue his gimmick. . . or WWE told him to stop. Either way the hurricane changed his name to Gregory Helms and came up with a badass style gimmick. It was a great show of respect. This reminds me of one other Gimmick gone badly. The WWE had Muhammed Hassan using guys in black with pipes to attack and beat the Undertaker. This came just shortly after a real world terrorist attack. This enraged fans and sponsors. NEVER offend a sponsor unless you want to go out of business. As a result the next day a press release said the storyline was being dropped and Mohammed was being let go. It’s called saving the businesses butt. It worked and taught us a lesson about gimmicks gone badly. Speaking of that. . . I shiver as I think of Mae Young showing her 70+ year old puppies on PPV. Talk about the gimmick gone badly, thank god I missed that or I would need my eyes burned. This then leads nicely into the next gimmick for me to cover. Divas are like a sideshow act. Sometimes used and then there are periods where none are seen or even mentioned. Occasionally they get a division going for a while. So girls reading this consider a career, as there always is a demand for these models As Donald Trump has said, “Sex sells”. There have even been tag team, handy-cap and even mixed gender tag team. A diva was even part of a Royal Rumble. Chyna was the first and thus far only female in the Royal Rumble match. The last gimmick I write of is in honor of a dear friend of mine. I will be doing a separate article on him in the future, but for now, I will address his last gimmick. I say last gimmick because he retired 5 yrs ago and as he said, “Never looks back”. He was the promoter for the All World Wrestling. His gimmick was General Manager. He primarily stayed backstage but would as the story called would accept a challenge and allow the fans to watch the Boss in action. I mean who does not fantasize about beating there boss now and then. He went by the title Mr. Nice Guy. The GM in itself has made an interesting gimmick and still finds use in the modern wrestling world. Finding the right character for the role of General Manager proves to be a challenge and not very easy. You either hate him/her or like them no neutral stance. Next article I will be writing about the man who gave me the chance to live my greatest dream. This also will cover the hardest question we face, when and how do we decide enough is enough and retire. Unbelievably there are some great possibilities to keep informed and not get tore up.

There is one last gimmick that should get addressed. I had forgotten about it until I received an email asking for help creating a preacher gimmick. Actually there where two that I remember. Brother Love and Reverend Slick Both used the close to the same gimmick embracing the Lord and used it to create heat. I added a few things to the character. I created the taunt “The power of Christ repels you” and the sign of the cross. For finishing moves I came up with the Amen and Revelation. It combines the old school and new school. I am giving this illustration to show how simple it can be to create a gimmick without just copying what has already been done. Remember I said there already is a Rock, Hulk Hogan or Stone Cold but the world has not met you. You are a unique person and your character should also be unique and personal. The idea is to be fresh and unique. II like to think of my characters as a work in progress as we grow so should our character. By adding a new outfit or a new move or two keeps things fresh and new to keep interest in your character. You want to keep yourself on the crowds mind. Doing things that they will talk about for days and maybe weeks to come also keeps the fans coming back for more. Keeping the paycheck coming in for yourself and the federation is what it is all about. Before I wrap up the series I want to review a few things and cover a couple things that I missed. So far I have covered how to info creating your character. The next step is up to you. Once you get matches under your belt there are a few options. Maybe you see yourself as a jobber and get beat up every week and give the fans a great show. You try your best and even get a few lucky shots in. However in the end you meet with defeat. Hey someone has to lose, but hey you are living your dream and making money. Eventually your hard work and determination you move up the ladder and soon you could headline a main event. At this time you could think of two things, moving on to a bigger group or being champion. Let’s take moving on first, its hard leaving that nest but sometimes you need to spread your wings and fly to grow. It was really tough for me as I had a feeling of loyalty and commitment but saw chances at bigger and supposed better things. Nothing worked out and I nearly burned a bridge along the way. Forget the Cardinal rule “never bite the hand that feeds you”. Your home federation comes first. Always leave on good terms, fulfill your obligations to the best of your abilities. Give 111% but most say 110% but I say 1 more shows greater loyalty. This also shows your future employer what to expect from you. There may also be a time when they ask you to come back for anniversary shows or why not a Hall of Fame. Ok that maybe pushing it because who thinks about their legacy but it helps to keep an open mind. Some independents allow you to work other shows just don’t double book yourself. If you can’t do it respectfully say thank you and regretfully refuse. There always is another show. You like the group that you are in and want to move up. This can happen in a variety of ways. I will address three ways. Number one is self -explanatory. Work your tail off and get noticed. When the promoter is putting together the next card he could offer the opportunity of a lifetime. This gets frustrating as most promotions keep the title in house meaning if you’re not family the odds on the belt are very little. Rocky V did a scene where the promoter spoke about how it’s a complicated business and owing the contracts. While not dirty it’s true that Rank and Ratings can be manipulated. You may get a shot and maybe not. Don’t get discouraged as many superstars have had a great career and a lot of fun and never held a title. A title is like being valedictorian in school it’s a great honor but maybe is not for everyone. Champions have a lot of expectations on them. They are to carry the federation on their shoulders. Often have to do extra travel and promotion thus being away from home more. Like anything it has its good and bad points to consider. Just something to think about that might not be thought of. We only tend to see the good and positive things. Having all the facts helps to make good choices in life. Second your approached by the promoter and told if you pay for the belt you can be the champion by purchasing it and a story is created. I did this once and it was a fun run. It’s hard to make it meaningful. You might actually find that it feels like a paper champion and your title was manufactured. Sound familiar? Now for me the fact that I was champion and proved myself week after week as a champion led to a win-win situation. The third method only works if you have a good relationship with other wrestlers and a champion. Recently when I thought about a comeback I knew a champion. I spoke to him about doing one more match and expressed how it would mean a lot if it could be with him. Ask and you shall receive. So now you have the gimmick, Federation and Championship. You’re on top of the world. Years pass and you even manage to take the time to visit a hospital, charity event or two and just maybe get a project on TV. Not just local cable show but a nationally known show and for me it was Jerry Springer. There will come a time when it is no longer fun when you reach the point that’s it’s a job and not fun or in my case you are in the ring and midway thru a flip lose your balance and fall avoiding injury but receiving the wake up call that your best boys are behind you its your time for your greatest challenge. An undefeated named Retirement. Yes it is a very difficult subject. As everyone wants to live forever and no one wants to quit. However when it stops being fun or a near injury makes the choice necessary do it for yourself. Its okay to be selfish in this case. You only get 1 chance at life. No continue or extra lives. But there is no reason to totally walk away. Like I quoted my friend saying “you need to walk away and don’t look back”. As with most events in our life there is an exception to the rule. I remember what Hulk Hogan said at his hall of fame induction “Never say Never. ” There is always the option of one more match and in his case perhaps several. I originally thought about one last match and ended up coming up with a series of ideas but in the end my body was unable to fulfill what my heart wanted to do. I had to say no more. So is that it then? Do you have to close the door and leave? No you do not I am happy to say there is life beyond physical sports entertainment. There actually are possibilities and hope for us old war horses. Many past super stars have found careers backstage as Bookers or Talent Trainers. Myself I realized that I am a good writer and turned that into a way to continue being involved. This way I only risk a paper cut or a cramp in the hand. Although typing someday may lead to Carpel Tunnel (lol). I got to apply what I have learned and have helped mentor a few people. It is like passing the torch to the next star. In addition to writing this column I also do scripting for a fantasy federation. There are so many things that I could do here that I could never achieve in the real world. Plus I get to live in the cyber world. I hope I have been able to give a road map if you will of how to begin, have a great run and end when its time. I am always willing and happy to answer questions one on one and given a suggestion write a column on a topic when warranted. I had hoped to include a piece on my 1st promoter and had even set up a brief introduction last week but I felt that after reviewing last week if left some unfinished business and I really wanted to tie it up before beginning on a new topic. So next week I will have the story of the man who me my start and his 17 years plus career.