Was Gable Steveson really that bad at pro wrestling?

[Thrawn33]

Yeah that's fair. Had a really good look too.

Maybe Chris Benoit is a better example.

Agree. Solid example, dude just outworked nearly everyone and that's what got him over.

 

[Thad Castle v2]

Yeah he sucked and he looked like shit

 

[TheMadThinker]

I recall the old timers in interviews saying 3 things are really important in wrestling. Having a good look, being able to talk, and being able to wrestle. If you have 2 of the 3 you can be successful in prowrestling.

Stevenson never even showed up with 1 of the 3 when it counted.

 

[LeonardoBjj]

Not to derail but Hart was very charismatic. Kids who didn't know shit about in ring work loved the Hitman and women thought he was attractive.

Was is top tier on the mic? Nope, but there is more to charisma than just speaking.

- Like Goldberg.Cond't talk. But comanded the room.

I dont think Kane, Aj Stiles or even Eddie Guerrero, could get a good match out of Stevenson.

 

[Thrawn33]

- Like Goldberg.Cond't talk. But comanded the room.

I dont think Kane, Aj Stiles or even Eddie Guerrero, could get a good match out of Stevenson.

Goldberg couldn't wrestle though, but he had the look and charisma....and good booking...

 

[HereticBD]

Seemed like a guy that just didn't "get it". Too much, too soon. Couldn't handle it. Bye bye.

 

[LeonardoBjj]

Seemed like a guy that just didn't "get it". Too much, too soon. Couldn't handle it. Bye bye.

- They let Duke Hudson(sp) go. And the guy could actually wrestle and was funny.

 

[JudoThrowFiasco]

I don't think he tried to get it. Probably thought he'd walk on and be the next Brock Angle or Kurt Lesnar. But both those guys worked their assess off to develop themselves and committed.

 

[Fury]

Yeah that's fair. Had a really good look too.

Maybe Chris Benoit is a better example.

Benoit's intensity was it's own type of charisma.

 

[Scythe]

You don't need to be good at wrestling to get over. If you're undeniable, even bad booking can't stop you from getting over, but even a guy like DDP who wasn't super athletic and was like 40 when he started got over. How?

Good booking.

I don't watch the current product so I can't comment on the booking this guy received but that last dark match in the OP is hilariously bad booking. He was made to look like a chump was lucky to win.

DDP was in the business for 7+ years before getting over and he was 1000x better by the time he was over; some of his initial promos are truly awful if you’ve ever watched them. But I do think DDP is a good example of someone who couldn’t be denied, because he tried a lot of different shit to get a reaction and eventually something stuck. Even when he was bombing, he was trying to get a reaction.

Stevenson looks like he was goin through the motions, having the same exact match with the same crowd work for 2 years straight; I wouldn’t be surprised if they offered him a pay cut to gauge interest/wake him up and he just decided to go elsewhere.

 

[HHJ]

Not everyone can do it.


WWE struck Gold w Kurt Angle

 

[HHJ]

Yeah that's fair. Had a really good look too.

Maybe Chris Benoit is a better example.

Again, these guys charisma was related to their ring work. Benoit had a very rough, and identifiable ring style that people eventually associate his personality with. So it worked. He may not be the rock or stone cold on the mic but really, it's the sport that pivoted towards that being more important.

Benoit was intimidating, legitimately tough and most importantly, could work.

He could get sympathy as a baby-face or be a diabolical scary heel.

So he had substance as a character and was really good at what he did. Again, the sport pivoted towards guys having to cut 20 min promos.

Hes not that guy, but it don't mean he didn't have some kinda charisma. He had a physical charisma for sure. Took the dynamite kid style to the next level

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Again, these guys charisma was related to their ring work. Benoit had a very rough, and identifiable ring style that people eventually associate his personality with. So it worked. He may not be the rock or stone cold on the mic but really, it's the sport that pivoted towards that being more important.

Benoit was intimidating, legitimately tough and most importantly, could work.

He could get sympathy as a baby-face or be a diabolical scary heel.

So he had substance as a character and was really good at what he did. Again, the sport pivoted towards guys having to cut 20 min promos.

Hes not that guy, but it don't mean he didn't have some kinda charisma. He had a physical charisma for sure. Took the dynamite kid style to the next level

I'm not trying to insult Chris. I think he's got a good case for the best North American in ring worker ever. But his charisma was limited and he couldn't really play more than one character. It was either the gritty, sadistic heel or the gritty workhorse babyface.

I think if you compare him to someone like Austin who could perform a badass babyface, a sadistic heel, a chickenshit heel, a pompous heel, an underdog babyface etc then that's one of the few areas he lacks a little in.

 

[HHJ]

I'm not trying to insult Chris. I think he's got a good case for the best North American in ring worker ever. But his charisma was limited and he couldn't really play more than one character. It was either the gritty, sadistic heel or the gritty workhorse babyface.

I think if you compare him to someone like Austin who could perform a badass babyface, a sadistic heel, a chickenshit heel, a pompous heel, an underdog babyface etc then that's one of the few areas he lacks a little in.

Yea but Austin is like a GOAT. There's like 5 dudes on his level hahah

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Yea but Austin is like a GOAT. There's like 5 dudes on his level hahah

I would say Benoit was probably better bell to bell than Austin, but yeah I would say all round when you take everything into account Austin is maybe the greatest of all time.

 

[HHJ]

I would say Benoit was probably better bell to bell than Austin, but yeah I would say all round when you take everything into account Austin is maybe the greatest of all time.

Oh no doubt bell to bell he was.

 

[Thrawn33]

I think if you compare him to someone like Austin who could perform a badass babyface, a sadistic heel, a chickenshit heel, a pompous heel, an underdog babyface etc then that's one of the few areas he lacks a little in.

You also just described Kurt Angle. As someone just said: WWF/E struck gold signing him.

Also Lesnar to a lesser extent, and his "nice guy Brock" persona was showing that maybe he should've been allowed to branch out from the badass monster heel/face he was naturally pigeon holed into (where he excelled I might add)

 

[Hellowhosthat]

You also just described Kurt Angle. As someone just said: WWF/E struck gold signing him.

Also Lesnar to a lesser extent, and his "nice guy Brock" persona was showing that maybe he should've been allowed to branch out from the badass monster heel/face he was naturally pigeon holed into (where he excelled I might add)

Yeah Angle was also immensely versatile for sure.

I think the problem for Brock is just when you look as much of a beast as he does it's difficult to get people not to see you as that.

 

[HHJ]

Yeah Angle was also immensely versatile for sure.

I think the problem for Brock is just when you look as much of a beast as he does it's difficult to get people not to see you as that.

It can work but you can't rush it. Gotta happen naturally. In that regard I think him being in MMA helped. He got beat up and took it in stride. It showed a diff side to him, a more human side.

 

[Thrawn33]

It can work but you can't rush it. Gotta happen naturally. In that regard I think him being in MMA helped. He got beat up and took it in stride. It showed a diff side to him, a more human side.

Buddy Brock was more scary than Monster Brock