Top 10 character switches in wrestling

http://www.tsn.ca/wrestling/news_story.asp?id=129733

An interesting article about character switches. It couldn't fit in here. Your thoughts?

1. The Ringmaster to Stone Cold Steve Austin

At the height of WWE's popularity, no one embraced 'Attitude' better than Stone Cold Steve Austin. Memories are short, aren't they?

In 1995, Austin joined the WWF as a heel and was dubbed The Ringmaster, holder of Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Belt.

As the legend goes, he asked WWF writers to come up with a new name for his character - a cold-hearted one. The writers suggested "Chilly McFreeze" and "Ice Dagger." Williams then came up with the name "Stone Cold," after his then-wife Jeannie advised him to drink his tea before it became "stone cold." A light bulb flickered on in his head, and the rest as we say is history.

That one's pretty funny. I think we already knew some of the other ones, especially KURWIN WHITE! :lol:

1. The Ringmaster to Stone Cold Steve Austin

At the height of WWE's popularity, no one embraced 'Attitude' better than Stone Cold Steve Austin. Memories are short, aren't they?

In 1995, Austin joined the WWF as a heel and was dubbed The Ringmaster, holder of Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Belt.

As the legend goes, he asked WWF writers to come up with a new name for his character - a cold-hearted one. The writers suggested "Chilly McFreeze" and "Ice Dagger." Williams then came up with the name "Stone Cold," after his then-wife Jeannie advised him to drink his tea before it became "stone cold." A light bulb flickered on in his head, and the rest as we say is history.

That one's pretty funny. I think we already knew some of the other ones, especially KURWIN WHITE! :lol:

wwervin

Actually, I remember that all to well. He was the millon dollar champion and he was feuding big-time with Shavo Fega. In fact, The Million Dollar Man had to leave the WWF/F because Austin lost a match against Shavo Fega in a four-corners bull rope match (pretty good match too, best match of that style I have ever seen), that was the sipulation if Austin lost. If he had won, Shava Fega was going to be The Million Dollar Man's servant. Also, Anyone remember the "Stevester", "Stevemania", "The Boss" Steve Austin (his version of Eric Bishoff), or "Stunning" Steve Austin?

I do not forgett that kind of stuff, not at all. I remember that Brother Love was the one who introduce The Undertaker to the WWE/F first, not Paul Bearer. Anyone remember the Lighting Kid? You know, X-Pac's former character, that eventually became the 1-2-3 Kid, because he beat Razor Ramon in a upset victory. Anyone remember who fought in the first Ladder Match? I will tell you one thing, it was not Razor vs. HBK at WM X, it was Bret Hart vs. HBK in ladder match for the IC championship. By the way, Bret won that match, because he pushed Shawn Michaels off the ladder to the outside of the ring and Bret grabbed the IC championship to win the match. Here is another one, DDP was the driver in the car that brought at the Honky Tonk Man at WM VI.

[QUOTE="wwervin"]

1. The Ringmaster to Stone Cold Steve Austin

At the height of WWE's popularity, no one embraced 'Attitude' better than Stone Cold Steve Austin. Memories are short, aren't they?

In 1995, Austin joined the WWF as a heel and was dubbed The Ringmaster, holder of Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Belt.

As the legend goes, he asked WWF writers to come up with a new name for his character - a cold-hearted one. The writers suggested "Chilly McFreeze" and "Ice Dagger." Williams then came up with the name "Stone Cold," after his then-wife Jeannie advised him to drink his tea before it became "stone cold." A light bulb flickered on in his head, and the rest as we say is history.

That one's pretty funny. I think we already knew some of the other ones, especially KURWIN WHITE! :lol:

5465_256

Actually, I remember that all to well. He was the millon dollar champion and he was feuding big-time with Shavo Fega. In fact, The Million Dollar Man had to leave the WWF/F because Austin lost a match against Shavo Fega in a four-corners bull rope match (pretty good match too, best match of that style I have ever seen), that was the sipulation if Austin lost. If he had won, Shava Fega was going to be The Million Dollar Man's servant. Also, Anyone remember the "Stevester", "Stevemania", "The Boss" Steve Austin (his version of Eric Bishoff), or "Stunning" Steve Austin?

I do not forgett that kind of stuff, not at all. I remember that Brother Love was the one who introduce The Undertaker to the WWE/F first, not Paul Bearer. Anyone remember the Lighting Kid? You know, X-Pac's former character, that eventually became the 1-2-3 Kid, because he beat Razor Ramon in a upset victory. Anyone remember who fought in the first Ladder Match? I will tell you one thing, it was not Razor vs. HBK at WM X, it was Bret Hart vs. HBK in ladder match for the IC championship. By the way, Bret won that match, because he pushed Shawn Michaels off the ladder to the outside of the ring and Bret grabbed the IC championship to win the match. Here is another one, DDP was the driver in the car that brought at the Honky Tonk Man at WM VI.

[QUOTE="5465_256"][QUOTE="wwervin"]

1. The Ringmaster to Stone Cold Steve Austin

At the height of WWE's popularity, no one embraced 'Attitude' better than Stone Cold Steve Austin. Memories are short, aren't they?

In 1995, Austin joined the WWF as a heel and was dubbed The Ringmaster, holder of Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Belt.

As the legend goes, he asked WWF writers to come up with a new name for his character - a cold-hearted one. The writers suggested "Chilly McFreeze" and "Ice Dagger." Williams then came up with the name "Stone Cold," after his then-wife Jeannie advised him to drink his tea before it became "stone cold." A light bulb flickered on in his head, and the rest as we say is history.

That one's pretty funny. I think we already knew some of the other ones, especially KURWIN WHITE! :lol:

ssj4josh

Actually, I remember that all to well. He was the millon dollar champion and he was feuding big-time with Shavo Fega. In fact, The Million Dollar Man had to leave the WWF/F because Austin lost a match against Shavo Fega in a four-corners bull rope match (pretty good match too, best match of that style I have ever seen), that was the sipulation if Austin lost. If he had won, Shava Fega was going to be The Million Dollar Man's servant. Also, Anyone remember the "Stevester", "Stevemania", "The Boss" Steve Austin (his version of Eric Bishoff), or "Stunning" Steve Austin?

I do not forgett that kind of stuff, not at all. I remember that Brother Love was the one who introduce The Undertaker to the WWE/F first, not Paul Bearer. Anyone remember the Lighting Kid? You know, X-Pac's former character, that eventually became the 1-2-3 Kid, because he beat Razor Ramon in a upset victory. Anyone remember who fought in the first Ladder Match? I will tell you one thing, it was not Razor vs. HBK at WM X, it was Bret Hart vs. HBK in ladder match for the IC championship. By the way, Bret won that match, because he pushed Shawn Michaels off the ladder to the outside of the ring and Bret grabbed the IC championship to win the match. Here is another one, DDP was the driver in the car that brought at the Honky Tonk Man at WM VI.

Agree 100%, that was pretty god ladder match, I personally will go on record as to saying it was better that the Razor vs. HBK ladder match at Wretlemania X.

[QUOTE="ssj4josh"][QUOTE="5465_256"][QUOTE="wwervin"]

1. The Ringmaster to Stone Cold Steve Austin

At the height of WWE's popularity, no one embraced 'Attitude' better than Stone Cold Steve Austin. Memories are short, aren't they?

In 1995, Austin joined the WWF as a heel and was dubbed The Ringmaster, holder of Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Belt.

As the legend goes, he asked WWF writers to come up with a new name for his character - a cold-hearted one. The writers suggested "Chilly McFreeze" and "Ice Dagger." Williams then came up with the name "Stone Cold," after his then-wife Jeannie advised him to drink his tea before it became "stone cold." A light bulb flickered on in his head, and the rest as we say is history.

That one's pretty funny. I think we already knew some of the other ones, especially KURWIN WHITE! :lol:

5465_256

Actually, I remember that all to well. He was the millon dollar champion and he was feuding big-time with Shavo Fega. In fact, The Million Dollar Man had to leave the WWF/F because Austin lost a match against Shavo Fega in a four-corners bull rope match (pretty good match too, best match of that style I have ever seen), that was the sipulation if Austin lost. If he had won, Shava Fega was going to be The Million Dollar Man's servant. Also, Anyone remember the "Stevester", "Stevemania", "The Boss" Steve Austin (his version of Eric Bishoff), or "Stunning" Steve Austin?

I do not forgett that kind of stuff, not at all. I remember that Brother Love was the one who introduce The Undertaker to the WWE/F first, not Paul Bearer. Anyone remember the Lighting Kid? You know, X-Pac's former character, that eventually became the 1-2-3 Kid, because he beat Razor Ramon in a upset victory. Anyone remember who fought in the first Ladder Match? I will tell you one thing, it was not Razor vs. HBK at WM X, it was Bret Hart vs. HBK in ladder match for the IC championship. By the way, Bret won that match, because he pushed Shawn Michaels off the ladder to the outside of the ring and Bret grabbed the IC championship to win the match. Here is another one, DDP was the driver in the car that brought at the Honky Tonk Man at WM VI.

Agree 100%, that was pretty god ladder match, I personally will go on record as to saying it was better that the Razor vs. HBK ladder match at Wretlemania X.

It doesn't count much as a character switch, but the change from "Blue Chipper" Rocky Maivia to The Rock is about as dramatic a character change as I've seen.DuckSol

Actually, I remember that all to well. He was the millon dollar champion and he was feuding big-time with Shavo Fega. In fact, The Million Dollar Man had to leave the WWF/F because Austin lost a match against Shavo Fega in a four-corners bull rope match (pretty good match too, best match of that style I have ever seen), that was the sipulation if Austin lost. If he had won, Shava Fega was going to be The Million Dollar Man's servant. Also, Anyone remember the "Stevester", "Stevemania", "The Boss" Steve Austin (his version of Eric Bishoff), or "Stunning" Steve Austin?

I do not forgett that kind of stuff, not at all. I remember that Brother Love was the one who introduce The Undertaker to the WWE/F first, not Paul Bearer. Anyone remember the Lighting Kid? You know, X-Pac's former character, that eventually became the 1-2-3 Kid, because he beat Razor Ramon in a upset victory. Anyone remember who fought in the first Ladder Match? I will tell you one thing, it was not Razor vs. HBK at WM X, it was Bret Hart vs. HBK in ladder match for the IC championship. By the way, Bret won that match, because he pushed Shawn Michaels off the ladder to the outside of the ring and Bret grabbed the IC championship to win the match. Here is another one, DDP was the driver in the car that brought at the Honky Tonk Man at WM VI.

5465_256

Now you're just showing off. :lol: I did know most of that, I was actually watching the PPV Taker debuted, the 1990 Survivor Series, which also saw the birth of the Gobbeldy Goo ker (hmm, TOS won't let me make that one word), the WORST payoff in WWE history!

I'm surprised that the switch of Dr. Isaac Yankem, DDS to Kane didn't make the list, thats about as drastic a switch as there ever was. But the, maybe it didn't count for some reason.

[QUOTE="5465_256"]

Actually, I remember that all to well. He was the millon dollar champion and he was feuding big-time with Shavo Fega. In fact, The Million Dollar Man had to leave the WWF/F because Austin lost a match against Shavo Fega in a four-corners bull rope match (pretty good match too, best match of that style I have ever seen), that was the sipulation if Austin lost. If he had won, Shava Fega was going to be The Million Dollar Man's servant. Also, Anyone remember the "Stevester", "Stevemania", "The Boss" Steve Austin (his version of Eric Bishoff), or "Stunning" Steve Austin?

I do not forgett that kind of stuff, not at all. I remember that Brother Love was the one who introduce The Undertaker to the WWE/F first, not Paul Bearer. Anyone remember the Lighting Kid? You know, X-Pac's former character, that eventually became the 1-2-3 Kid, because he beat Razor Ramon in a upset victory. Anyone remember who fought in the first Ladder Match? I will tell you one thing, it was not Razor vs. HBK at WM X, it was Bret Hart vs. HBK in ladder match for the IC championship. By the way, Bret won that match, because he pushed Shawn Michaels off the ladder to the outside of the ring and Bret grabbed the IC championship to win the match. Here is another one, DDP was the driver in the car that brought at the Honky Tonk Man at WM VI.

The_Dude14

Now you're just showing off. :lol: I did know most of that, I was actually watching the PPV Taker debuted, the 1990 Survivor Series, which also saw the birth of the Gobbeldy Goo ker (hmm, TOS won't let me make that one word), the WORST payoff in WWE history!

I'm surprised that the switch of Dr. Isaac Yankem, DDS to Kane didn't make the list, thats about as drastic a switch as there ever was. But the, maybe it didn't count for some reason.

I know, I was just showing off because WWEvin wanted to show off, so I was just showing I know my wrestling history too. Agree, the Gobbley Goo ker was just plain stupid, that is one of those character that makes ask yourself: What were they thinking?

I agree, Fake Disel/One of the Body Guards/Dr. Isaac Yankem to Kane should have made the list, I thought that should have been dramtic enough change to make the list, oh well!

[QUOTE="5465_256"]

Actually, I remember that all to well. He was the millon dollar champion and he was feuding big-time with Shavo Fega. In fact, The Million Dollar Man had to leave the WWF/F because Austin lost a match against Shavo Fega in a four-corners bull rope match (pretty good match too, best match of that style I have ever seen), that was the sipulation if Austin lost. If he had won, Shava Fega was going to be The Million Dollar Man's servant. Also, Anyone remember the "Stevester", "Stevemania", "The Boss" Steve Austin (his version of Eric Bishoff), or "Stunning" Steve Austin?

I do not forgett that kind of stuff, not at all. I remember that Brother Love was the one who introduce The Undertaker to the WWE/F first, not Paul Bearer. Anyone remember the Lighting Kid? You know, X-Pac's former character, that eventually became the 1-2-3 Kid, because he beat Razor Ramon in a upset victory. Anyone remember who fought in the first Ladder Match? I will tell you one thing, it was not Razor vs. HBK at WM X, it was Bret Hart vs. HBK in ladder match for the IC championship. By the way, Bret won that match, because he pushed Shawn Michaels off the ladder to the outside of the ring and Bret grabbed the IC championship to win the match. Here is another one, DDP was the driver in the car that brought at the Honky Tonk Man at WM VI.

The_Dude14

Now you're just showing off. :lol: I did know most of that, I was actually watching the PPV Taker debuted, the 1990 Survivor Series, which also saw the birth of the Gobbeldy Goo ker (hmm, TOS won't let me make that one word), the WORST payoff in WWE history!

I'm surprised that the switch of Dr. Isaac Yankem, DDS to Kane didn't make the list, thats about as drastic a switch as there ever was. But the, maybe it didn't count for some reason.

Before I start, it was Savio Vega, not Shavo Fega

OK, I think the reason Isaac Yankem wasn't included was because it wasn't the same character changing his personality, it was a different character altogether.

For example, The Ringmaster said in a roundabout kinda way said he intentionally lost so he could dump Debiase as his manager, which was when Vince started talking about his Stone Cold eyes, so it was still the same character.

Another one is when the One Man Gang became Akeem. The One Man Gang got Slick as his manager at which point he claimed to have discovered his Africa nheritage and said he was legally changing his name to Akeem. Once again, the same character.

[QUOTE="The_Dude14"][QUOTE="5465_256"]

Actually, I remember that all to well. He was the millon dollar champion and he was feuding big-time with Shavo Fega. In fact, The Million Dollar Man had to leave the WWF/F because Austin lost a match against Shavo Fega in a four-corners bull rope match (pretty good match too, best match of that style I have ever seen), that was the sipulation if Austin lost. If he had won, Shava Fega was going to be The Million Dollar Man's servant. Also, Anyone remember the "Stevester", "Stevemania", "The Boss" Steve Austin (his version of Eric Bishoff), or "Stunning" Steve Austin?

I do not forgett that kind of stuff, not at all. I remember that Brother Love was the one who introduce The Undertaker to the WWE/F first, not Paul Bearer. Anyone remember the Lighting Kid? You know, X-Pac's former character, that eventually became the 1-2-3 Kid, because he beat Razor Ramon in a upset victory. Anyone remember who fought in the first Ladder Match? I will tell you one thing, it was not Razor vs. HBK at WM X, it was Bret Hart vs. HBK in ladder match for the IC championship. By the way, Bret won that match, because he pushed Shawn Michaels off the ladder to the outside of the ring and Bret grabbed the IC championship to win the match. Here is another one, DDP was the driver in the car that brought at the Honky Tonk Man at WM VI.

DuckSol

Now you're just showing off. :lol: I did know most of that, I was actually watching the PPV Taker debuted, the 1990 Survivor Series, which also saw the birth of the Gobbeldy Goo ker (hmm, TOS won't let me make that one word), the WORST payoff in WWE history!

I'm surprised that the switch of Dr. Isaac Yankem, DDS to Kane didn't make the list, thats about as drastic a switch as there ever was. But the, maybe it didn't count for some reason.

Before I start, it was Savio Vega, not Shavo Fega

OK, I think the reason Isaac Yankem wasn't included was because it wasn't the same character changing his personality, it was a different character altogether.

For example, The Ringmaster said in a roundabout kinda way said he intentionally lost so he could dump Debiase as his manager, which was when Vince started talking about his Stone Cold eyes, so it was still the same character.

Another one is when the One Man Gang became Akeem. The One Man Gang got Slick as his manager at which point he claimed to have discovered his Africa nheritage and said he was legally changing his name to Akeem. Once again, the same character.

Good points!

Sorry, I have never been the best speller in the world, I admit that.

[QUOTE="The_Dude14"][QUOTE="5465_256"]

Actually, I remember that all to well. He was the millon dollar champion and he was feuding big-time with Shavo Fega. In fact, The Million Dollar Man had to leave the WWF/F because Austin lost a match against Shavo Fega in a four-corners bull rope match (pretty good match too, best match of that style I have ever seen), that was the sipulation if Austin lost. If he had won, Shava Fega was going to be The Million Dollar Man's servant. Also, Anyone remember the "Stevester", "Stevemania", "The Boss" Steve Austin (his version of Eric Bishoff), or "Stunning" Steve Austin?

I do not forgett that kind of stuff, not at all. I remember that Brother Love was the one who introduce The Undertaker to the WWE/F first, not Paul Bearer. Anyone remember the Lighting Kid? You know, X-Pac's former character, that eventually became the 1-2-3 Kid, because he beat Razor Ramon in a upset victory. Anyone remember who fought in the first Ladder Match? I will tell you one thing, it was not Razor vs. HBK at WM X, it was Bret Hart vs. HBK in ladder match for the IC championship. By the way, Bret won that match, because he pushed Shawn Michaels off the ladder to the outside of the ring and Bret grabbed the IC championship to win the match. Here is another one, DDP was the driver in the car that brought at the Honky Tonk Man at WM VI.

DuckSol

Now you're just showing off. :lol: I did know most of that, I was actually watching the PPV Taker debuted, the 1990 Survivor Series, which also saw the birth of the Gobbeldy Goo ker (hmm, TOS won't let me make that one word), the WORST payoff in WWE history!

I'm surprised that the switch of Dr. Isaac Yankem, DDS to Kane didn't make the list, thats about as drastic a switch as there ever was. But the, maybe it didn't count for some reason.

Before I start, it was Savio Vega, not Shavo Fega

OK, I think the reason Isaac Yankem wasn't included was because it wasn't the same character changing his personality, it was a different character altogether.

For example, The Ringmaster said in a roundabout kinda way said he intentionally lost so he could dump Debiase as his manager, which was when Vince started talking about his Stone Cold eyes, so it was still the same character.

Another one is when the One Man Gang became Akeem. The One Man Gang got Slick as his manager at which point he claimed to have discovered his Africa nheritage and said he was legally changing his name to Akeem. Once again, the same character.

Here is one they missed from the list and shocked everybody at the time. Hulk Hogan to Hollywood Hogan, that had to be one the biggest heel turns in wrestling history. Hogan went from being one of the most loved wrestlers and being the ulimate baby face, to being one of the most hated wrestlers ever and being the ulimate heel.5465_256

That's a BIG one they missed. My favorite memory from when that happened was Bobby Heenan screaming at the top of lungs when Hogan turned how he was right all along and he kept on scream "I told you." Heenan was great.