Selling a “Character”

This topic. Oh boy, has it been discussed multiple times over the years but got brought to the media “arena” most lately. Lots of naysayers always comment how the Ultimate Warrior character didn’t “sell” other characters very much at all. I am here today to disprove that a little, despite guys in the business who say otherwise. Yes, I KNOW they were witnesses and are entitled to their personal views but some bash UW for everything and it’s not correct.

Ultimate Warrior DID sell many characters in the WWF, but just NOT in the way they may have wanted. Over the years, several experienced performers did not want to sell fully. What I mean is quite possibly the guys wouldn’t want to lose a belt, get pinned clean, or even have a long standing feud with someone. This was very common among them and not just with UW. There are multiple stories out there and it’s hard to decipher what to believe but come on readers~~~ we all know as fans there was backstage stuff. It was never seen and it would come out later on how certain people didn’t get along or just did things for the business~~~ nothing personal. Sometimes though, it was.

A lot of it was what Vince wanted to do at the time but of course there could’ve been conflicts over prestige, ego, money, and all that and one is oblivious or naïve if not aware of those. Let’s see~~~ UW praised Hulk Hogan, embraced him at WMVI, ( yes, that was planned but he felt it for real…) called him “immortal” in promos, put his name and image on some of his UW gear, and so many other examples one can look up. He loved Randy Savage and also complemented his gear, used his image, and would get DQ’d on matches~~~ which is still a loss. UW also mentored Undertaker and gave him advice when he doubted the initial beginnings of “The Phenom” or “Deadman”character. Let’s not forget all the casket and body bag experiences back then as I’m not bringing that up again! Ultimate Warrior won matches at the time a lot because Vince pushed the character and that made other guys jealous. I can understand that, I totally can.

The performers can and should have a say after a bit on the development of their character, and Vince was there to listen. It might not have gotten resolved equally for both sides as the boss called the shots but some felt it worthy to at least try. This was among them all and you can listen to interviews. I do realize there were many opponents of UW’s that lost quite often to him like Rick Rude but again~~~ I don’t believe it was always Warrior who would get his way. How about Papa Shango? I’m also not saying that every issue about selling or not selling was what I agreed with but I’m just making that point of how ALL of them were in that position. Warrior was adamant and stubborn at times involving some of the guys and would not sell, but that doesn’t mean it was that way all the time with everyone. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I also know how some talent was not a threat to UW’s image so that factors in too…

Do you help to “sell” with people in your life? Do you do it out of kindness or reciprocity? I’m guilty of both but they are human emotions we all deal with. I complement others but not always do I get something in return. Would it be nice? You bet, ultimately it would but we can’t live for that and need to let it go. A few weeks ago I got the exact *SAME* compliment or “sell” if you will from 2 people unaware of each other. They both used the same words in a message and it humbled me. I love both guys and it meant the world to receive those… 🥹

Pro wrestling is a sell type of business but other sports? Not so much. No other team, player, or match is scripted where one decides in some fashion to put the other one “over” and lose in order to sell their opponent. No way! We know this of course but look at it from that perspective. If you were in the sports entertainment aspect, wouldn’t you want to “no- sell” sometimes because of various reasons? I bet you would just like me as nobody knows how it could go until in their boots.

Real life is the same. If we rarely receive, do we still give? Great question. Well, it all does depend because nobody wants to be a doormat but then again~~~ we need to find that balance of both. Am I going to always extend a nicety to another despite them never responding? Some do but I will admit frustration on my end. 🫤 We do need two way relationships but sometimes it just doesn’t happen and then other decisions need to be made. We don’t get a paycheck for selling a character in our personal life like the pros do.

So, did UW “run” to Vince all the time not wanting to sell every opponent? Highly unlikely. Did he sell more than he gets credit for? In many ways yes but not in THEIR way. Just make sure you don’t oversell another’s character and totally forget your own in return…

P.S. I realize Warrior was no saint and possibly had his share of many mistakes, but ALL of that does not justify the constant singling out of him that many do. All of them had their share of issues in other ways. Rant over!!! 🙄😬😯