That Wrestling Podcast Episode 41

That Wrestling Podcast Episode 41 by Dave Hatton on Mixcloud

Entrances are one of the most important parts of wrestling. Done right they can be one of the most entertaining aspects of a show, add layers to a character, or create a career highlight. Done wrong they can be horrific, ruining shows, dampening audience enthusiasm, and ruining careers. Many wrestlers, notably (but not necessarily interestingly) Daniel Bryan, have said that having a good entrance is the most important aspect of succeeding in WWE.

This is nothing new, of course. You can go back decades to find examples of wrestlers enjoying lavish entrances on bigger shows. As time’s gone on and technology and budgets have improved the quality of these entrances has grown. WrestleMania III saw wrestlers ferried to the ring on a truck, with a shot of Andre the Giant and Bobby Heenan becoming a recurring clip in WWE video packages. WrestleMania IX saw The Undertaker pulled to the ring on what was described as a “funereal chariot”. Three years later Shawn Michaels ziplined into ‘Mania before dethroning Bret Hart for his first WWF championship.

There are non-WWE examples too, of course. The Sandman’s entrances for his match in ECW were usually better than the matches that followed. Meanwhile WCW used the simple idea of having static and black and white featured in the nWo’s entrance video to make it seem as though they really were hijacking episodes of Nitro. And they had Sting dropping in from the rafters too.

And this isn't even the entrance!

Right now New Japan are the undisputed market leaders when it comes to wrestling entrances. Instead of having a set routine their wrestlers are given special entrances on bigger shows, ones that fit their personalities and position on the card. Everything from giant anime swords to strip clubs to comic book-inspired body paint daubing to Japanese rock stars to full size animatronic dinosaurs have been incorporated into entrances for their top stars. It’s an approach that enhances both the wrestlers and the shows.

It’s also an approach that knocks WWE’s tacky firework displays into a cocked hat. If comparing WWE entrances to NJPW’s seems unfair think again. WWE has a long history, longer than New Japan, of giving its top players memorable entrances on big shows. Not only that but they have more money than NJPW, meaning that if they had a mind to they could produce something far more lavish. That they don’t is disappointing.

A Kind of Magic

A couple of weeks ago I was driven down to Bournemouth for a day trip (yeah, driven: I travel in style). During the journey Steff (the girl doing the driving) insisted on listening to a Best of Queen collection. I’m not really one for music (although I did go through a phase of buying WWE’s entrance theme compilations) but the dulcet tones of Freddie Mercury (no relation to Joey) gave me an idea for a wrestling gimmick.

Well, it sort of gave me an idea. Truth be told most things have already been done in wrestling, especially gimmick-wise. The idea I had is more of a conglomeration of previously established gimmicks and ideas.

The first step for the idea is to find an unknown indy wrestler (or a debuting wrestler in a big organisation that’s willing to pay for use of music rights). Said wrestler should have a good grasp of showmanship and be willing to dance and interact with the crowd. The actual amount of wrestling skill required is minimal, at least at first.

Once selected the grappler should be kitted out in a distinctive outfit, preferably with a cape. It would need to make the grappler stand out but not become the focal point of their act. From there a list of low- and mid-card grapplers who could be used to beat a newcomer decisively should be drawn up (which shouldn’t be too taxing).

 

How has this never inspired a wrestling gimmick?

 

The gimmick would see The Newcomer enter to a different Queen track every week, singing and dancing their way to the ring and attempting to get the crowd excited. Sounds like a heel gimmick, yes? I think if the right man were found, with enough infectious charisma to perform the gimmick in a genuinely fun and playful manner, it could actually create a huge babyface star. Why Queen? Because they have a wide selection of well-known, uplifting songs that would put audiences in a good mood and encourage them to cheer the wrestler in question.

The music wouldn’t stop when they got to the ring, it would continue in its entirety. Think of the Sandman’s entrances in ECW but more camp. Perhaps more in line with Bryan Danielson’s use of The Final Countdown when he wrestled in Ring of Honor. This hypothetical act’s popularity (if it got any) would stem from the entrance.

Once the music stopped playing both competitors would receive their ring introductions.  The Newcomer would milk this too, leaping up onto the turnbuckle and giving the tried and tested Babyface Raises Their Arms into the Air™ pose.

The match would start and the newcomer would lose to the very first move their opponent gave them. It wouldn’t matter what it was: it could be a chop, a suplex, a punch, or a small package. They would lose every single one of their matches on the first move.

I think this would encourage audiences to root for The Newcomer as an underdog. After six months or so it could lead to the grappler surviving or dodging a move and maybe lasting a minute long squash match (though obviously still losing). A month or so after that they could maybe get a fluke victory.

As I said above this idea borrows from various sources. There are elements of Mikey Whipwreck, the Sandman, Brodus Clay and the Fabulous Freebirds mixed in, but it’s not a direct copy of any one of them. With the right wrestler I think this idea could prove successful. Any company that wants to use it is welcome to. Just license the rights to the Queen songs first, eh?