Welcome back readers to another week of these writings I bring your way every Wednesday. You’ll see a video pic below of Ultimate Warrior reacting to one of Hulk Hogan‘s promos during the buildup to WMVI. That was from the WWE vault YouTube channel mentioned a few posts back but thought it was a great shot to use today. Another mention of Hulk is a new doc series premiering tonight on Netflix. It’s called : “ Hulk Hogan: Real American” and it’s 4 1 hour segments detailing his life~~~ both personally and professionally being the immortal one we as fans will always remember. I will be watching in parts but I’m interested to view it all. I had mentioned how they should do a separate special on him, so I’m glad they were able to film an interview before his passing.
The REAL you coincides with Hulk’s title above but also gets roped in with yet another idea I am expanding upon from “The Masters of Wrestling” podcast. Recently, he was discussing figures well known such as the Hulkster, but one of the reasons? Their names. Yes, that does factor in with those of us old enough to know the gimmick characters of yesteryear. Sure, some still exist in a way but will they be memorable years from now? That’s up to us and culture but the name they choose to use does define them throughout their wrestling career. Besides HH, there’s The Ultimate Warrior ( of course!) The “ Macho Man” Randy Savage, and countless others but I decided to stick with the big 3 of that era. We will know who they were for various reasons and have our own memories of them but without that ever famous name, would they be the same? Many guys back then did use their real name or part of it * BUT* included a moniker inserted. Take “ The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase or Bret “ Hitman” Hart even. Those were their real names but “ The Million Dollar Man” and “ Hitman” are what we remember most, right?
Now, we can move into today’s talent or slightly farther back. How about John Cena who has been mentioned frequently on here and who just hosted WrestleMania 42? Yep, that’s his real name and it totally worked for him in the business. He did go by other names (as I had to look that up,) but WWE fans know him by his real name which will be his legacy. Another one to think of his Daniel Bryan, who as probably many know is not his real name. He just switched it around from Bryan Danielson so there’s that approach as well. Let’s look at a woman example. Alexa Bliss’s real name is Alexis so see what she did there? Another minor tweak but what would’ve worked better? We will never truly know as some do not fully change their entire name. I am thinking of Becky Lynch as another woman example. Becky is her real name, but Lynch~~~ nope. She actually wanted to use her real last name as I did not know that. I assumed with her, both names were legit. A few years back, she went by “ The Man” so that worked for her then.
Another I will state is “ The Undertaker.” He did briefly go by his real name years ago before making an impression with the WWE universe. Look at all the names he used overtime! I believe most were successful but which one stands out or gets remembered most? He’s a tough one to figure out but you fans will know based on what he brought to the arena during his prime. So, I will ask you this after those choices~~~ which is REAL to you as a performer in wrestling? Is it their real name which did work for many (as there are a lot more) or is it the gimmick name you prefer? I cannot imagine Ultimate Warrior becoming famous as Jim Hellwig, can you? As a bodybuilder, that was what he needed to do but as a pro wrestler, going to work. Would we remember Terry Bollea if it wasn’t for Hulk Hogan? Maybe if he stuck with acting or became more of a musician with his guitar playing, but I’m thinking a solid *NO* at that.
I believe if one does decide to use their real name like many did or do, you need to have something added to it like a back up moniker with your gimmick. Vince knew that as I mentioned with “ The Million Dollar Man” or “ Hitman” above. If you didn’t have something like that attached, you got a rhyming name. Jake “ The Snake” Roberts had both but the other factor used was alliteration. We know “ Ravishing” Rick Rude. ROOD was his last name. I use that much with my writing too. HH, MM, you know those guys? I just wrote about them. The Ultimate Warrior had no addition, rhyme, or alliteration, and yet will always be known in the wrestling business. Absolutely will he be forever in our memories other than just his name, but when you say it~~~ you know it. It’s like the lyric from the song: “ Uptown Funk.” “ Say my name, you know who I am…” I love that song~~~ but you get my idea I bet.
Emir had said~~~ in his opinion how he believes the gimmicks of the Golden Era and a little beyond worked better than the names of today. He’s right in many ways regarding longevity and being in peoples minds with what they remember. If your name doesn’t sell with fans, something else should~~~ whatever that might be. Daniel Bryan’s chant of : “ YES!” caught on and yet it seems so simple. Today’s Superstars will be tomorrow’s memories just like I always have mine. Things need to be in place to create a lasting impression fans will keep forever. Well I remember John Cena the same way I will remember Hulk Hogan? Ultimate Warrior? Macho Man? No way, but there are those who were too young are not even born when the other guys were around so is it fair to compare? You be the judge but we are conditioned to follow and like what we like as generations come and go. It can be fun being a certain character with a different name, but at the end of the day~~~ we are just us. The REAL you is true to your core and Warrior knew that always.
So, whatever name you choose or go by and whatever stage of life you were in~~~ be remembered for MORE than just those letters. Your YOU is defined by much more than that.
P.S. Don’t forgot the HH doc. TONIGHT!!! *** Hulk’s statue was also revealed during WrestleMania 42 weekend. I got a little teary 🥹 as I believe it to be a very great likeness. 💛❤️ I heard this WM was very underrated as many said it was not as successful as it could’ve been.. Hmmmmm…… 🤔










You must be logged in to post a comment.