Wrestler Parallels

[AnthonyMango/NoFate007]

Various discussions I've had and various things I've seen have just led me to think that certain wrestlers are either groomed to fill in certain spots or they end up doing it anyway. Now, naturally, you have to take some of these with a grain of salt, since I don't think they have a list of "we need a fat guy, we need a tall destroyer guy, we need blah blah blah" and so forth.

For instance, Lashley has a lot of things in common with Ahmed Johnson. Both wear the standard plain boring outfits, both are incredibly muscular bald black guys (obviously, lol), both have had an event that shows their strength (Ahmed's body slamming Yokozuna with Lex Luger being the only other one, and Lashley's being the only one to break out of the Masterlock). Both have their critics on whether or not they can do more than just a few moves and if they're talented enough to have as much of a push as they've gotten.

Another thing I've heard from others is a comparison between Johnny Nitro/John Morrison and the early stages of Shawn Michaels. IE, MNM comparison to the Rockers and how Nitro moved on but his partner didn't, just as Michaels moved on but Marty didn't. Michaels leaving the team to become an arrogant heel, Nitro being an arrogant heel, both men with long brown hair and thin bodies that wear sparkly outfits lol.

The Great Khali could obviously be seen as a throwback to Giant Gonzales. I mean, that's a flat out repeat.

Since its 7 in the morning and I haven't gone to sleep yet, I forget the comparison I had for Diesel. Any other coincidences like those that you guys have noticed?

[Da Vinci's Nightmare]

This could be quite an interesting topic.

The similar things wrestlers have in common are not just confined to our fair world on WWE. They go across every promotion and the globe.

People often said Chris Beniot was very much like The Dynimite Kid.

People say Samoa Joe is like goldberg (obviously not the physique, the undefeated run etc..)

People said the young YJ2 was alot like Shawn Micheals in his younger days aswell.

If you look in any place there will be comparisions for one wrestler to another

[Colamania]

*Prepares to be flamed right out of the forum*

I still agree with the Jeff Hardy/HBK comparisons. More talented of a tag team, more charisma, could move on to be a massive talent and a world title holder. I really don't see why this isn't possible, I like Jeff, and someday he could make it big.

Apart from that, the only other one I really agree with is Ahmed/Lindsay. That's a great point, especially the Yokozuna Slam/Masterlock Break thing.

[jamesjd66]

*Prepares to be flamed right out of the forum*

I still agree with the Jeff Hardy/HBK comparisons.

As do I.

Although there will never be another one, Kennedy is being groomed as the second coming of Stone Cold. The attidude, similar wrestling styles, even the way they both walk. Will lightening strike twice? who knows

[Da Vinci's Nightmare]

I still agree with the Jeff Hardy/HBK comparisons. More talented of a tag team, more charisma, could move on to be a massive talent and a world title holder. I really don't see why this isn't possible, I like Jeff, and someday he could make it big.

Jeff Hardy will never be a World Title Holder because of his previous drug problems. As far as I can remember he has only ever had one world title shot, and that were against taker, which he did give a good match, but then he got addicted t drugs and left...

Although there will never be another one, Kennedy is being groomed as the second coming of Stone Cold. The attidude, similar wrestling styles, even the way they both walk. Will lightening strike twice? who knows

Probably not, SCSA was just in the right place at the right time. I personally think that if he was just coming around now, he wouldn't have been as big. It were the Attitude Era that made him a massive superstar

[LadyFranchise]

I would say that Bobbly Lashley has alot in common with Brock Lesnar also. I mean the both have just about the same build only with Lashley being more muscular. And have you seen Bobby lashley's entrance? He jumps on the ring apron like Brock and everything.

Yes Benoit was very similar to the Dynamite kid. Not only did they wrestle alike, but they were also alike physically.

I also agree with the HBK/John Morrison comparison.

[RatedR_HBK11]

HBK/Morrison is a very good comparison. Based on HBK's career, Morrison should hope that he can stay on track.


How about Ahmed Johnson/Batista? So similar it's scary.

[Iscariot]

I'd say Snitsky/Kane is an obvious one, they seem to be making him another ugly faced mean machine that dominates all in his way until being F-U'd by the immotal Cena... God I hope Orton beats him.

[TommmyH]

How about Carlito and Razor Ramon/ Scott Hall... I find them to be very similar gimmicks.. carlito with the apple, hall with the toothpick. crazy hair.. spainsh accents. I love the gimmick personally, and love both of these wrestlers who use it.

[Prax]

Randy Orton/Ric Flair.

Both have charisma, can put on great matches despite receiving criticism from all sides for those matches, great storytellers in the ring, and both led very... erm... active personal lives while they were not in the ring that got them into trouble.

[Esteban Ochocinco]

The big one, and I think it ended up being true because they are both damn good, was in the late 90's RVD and Jericho being compared to Michaels. I think both have lived up to that billings.

Obviously Benoit and Dynamite were so damn good in their time, shame with what happened with both of them.

Another big one now would be Umaga/Kamala, simply because they are minorities but seen as savages, even though Kamala never had the push Umaga has had.

Million Dollar Man, you get morphed into John Bradshaw Layfield. It's only a shame that the latter actually ended up being a champion, when the former was thousands of times better.

Khali is simply another giant playing the role of monster.

Snitsky is going to be the next Kane, without the heat.

The WWE basically has the same characters, just different people playing the roles. They simply plug in new guys into those roles as time roles on. The list goes on and on, Masterpiece is the Narcissist, Val Venis, Rick Rude. Often times the originals are amazing, and they try to throw some scrub into that role ten years later, and it hardly works.

[bonesaw]

Highlanders are a Bushwhacker type gimmick, hailing from Scotland instead of New Zealand. They use unusual double team moves too. The unorthodox and crazy face tag teams like that never get big pushes.

[Prax]

The big one, and I think it ended up being true because they are both damn good, was in the late 90's RVD and Jericho being compared to Michaels. I think both have lived up to that billings.

Obviously Benoit and Dynamite were so damn good in their time, shame with what happened with both of them.

Another big one now would be Umaga/Kamala, simply because they are minorities but seen as savages, even though Kamala never had the push Umaga has had.

Million Dollar Man, you get morphed into John Bradshaw Layfield. It's only a shame that the latter actually ended up being a champion, when the former was thousands of times better.

Khali is simply another giant playing the role of monster.

Snitsky is going to be the next Kane, without the heat.

The WWE basically has the same characters, just different people playing the roles. They simply plug in new guys into those roles as time roles on. The list goes on and on, Masterpiece is the Narcissist, Val Venis, Rick Rude. Often times the originals are amazing, and they try to throw some scrub into that role ten years later, and it hardly works.

Don't look at it that way, you shouldn't. For starters, guys who take after guys like Michaels, it's because they modeled themselves after those wrestlers, not because WWE was unoriginal. Just like Ric Flair modeled himself after Buddy Rodgers or Triple H and Harley Race (both of them even had a king gimmick, it doesn't make anyone unoriginal).

As for lower card guys like Masters and Val Venis vs. the wrestlers you mentioned, you don't think there were wrestlers like the narcissist before Lex Luger? Rick Martel? They're re-usable, role filling gimmicks that are good for quick heat and fill time during shows. Didn't work... you're telling me Masters never got heat in his years as the masterpiece? Please.

[AnthonyMango/NoFate007]

In a way, Bam Bam Bigelow and Vader. Both obese guys that were built up as tough competitors at first and then faded into obscurity, going from top of the bill to midcard. There was a time where both were unstoppable, and then eventually a time where someone like the 1-2-3 Kid could beat them lol.

Gangrel/Kevin Thorn. Both have the vampire gimmick and didn't go anywhere lol

[Mad Metal]

I always thought if you put on The Ultimate Warrior's outfit & face paint on Triple H, you wouldn't know the difference if he's really Helmsley or Jim Hellwig/Warrior Warrior, despite the fact other than physical looks, they have nothing in common.

Mr. Kennedy reminds me alot of Steve Austin. I heard Kennedy idolized Steve Austin back in the day and they speak on the phone weekly with Austin giving him advice, which I also heard many times Steve Austin is a huge fan of Mr. Kennedy.

Triple H reminds me alot of Harley Race. Of course, they have the same trademark beard and both are labeled as a king. Not only that, but both were excellent champions in their time as well as made excellent heals as main eventers.

Montel Vontavious Porter reminds me of Rocky Maivia when he first started. Both superstars became quick rising stars that were extremely impressive both on the mic and in the ring, even though I don't know if MVP will eventually be a success or be as good as The Rock eventually became.

Sabu and Jeff Hardy are piratically the same in every way. I said this many times.... just because you're an ECW original does not mean you're a good superstar. Both superstars aren't the best on the mic. Both (well, idk if Jeff currently does) have drug problems. Both are or were known for bad attendance. Both aren't the best wrestlers in the world but constantly getting put over for their stunts or spots they perform.

The Great Khali - Giant Gonzalez

[Esteban Ochocinco]

Don't look at it that way, you shouldn't. For starters, guys who take after guys like Michaels, it's because they modeled themselves after those wrestlers, not because WWE was unoriginal. Just like Ric Flair modeled himself after Buddy Rodgers or Triple H and Harley Race (both of them even had a king gimmick, it doesn't make anyone unoriginal).

As for lower card guys like Masters and Val Venis vs. the wrestlers you mentioned, you don't think there were wrestlers like the narcissist before Lex Luger? Rick Martel? They're re-usable, role filling gimmicks that are good for quick heat and fill time during shows. Didn't work... you're telling me Masters never got heat in his years as the masterpiece? Please.

There is a difference between molding yourself and having the same gimmick. Jericho, RVD, guys like that, molded themselves after HBK, but you didn't see either of them with a Rocker gimmick. Sure, Jericho is a "Rocker" in real life, but Jericho isn't going around calling himself the Heart Throb Guy. There is nothing wrong with modeling yourself after somebody, but you also have to be original with it too, and not just be that character.

I was there at Masters debut, and what myself, and everyone else thought after we saw, it's the Narcissist all over again. I would make the argument every day of the Week that masters has never been over, he sucks, and he gets no reception, and his entrance is long and annoying as all hell. I would watch a four hour DVD featuring the Best of Lex Luger over one Chris Masters match.

[Æ]

A natural parallelism is the all-american superheroe role, played now by John Cena, originally played by, who else,,, HULK HOGAN.

Many put the Rock in the same spot, but i think Rock went beyond that, as he was more "Popular"; Hogan mic skills cant be compared to Rock's, and the wrestling style is completely different.

WWE wanted to make Kevin Thorn a ripoff of Taker, but what they really did was a Gangrel copy. The gimmick hasnt worked, and i doubt it will.

Edge reminds me the late Owen Hart, a lot, dont ask why!! Is kind of a improved version of Owen.
and to keep the trend, yeah: Khali sucks, just like Giant Gonzalez in his time.

[MR.SCOTT]

A natural parallelism is the all-american superheroe role, played now by John Cena, originally played by, who else,,, HULK HOGAN.

Many put the Rock in the same spot, but i think Rock went beyond that, as he was more "Popular"; Hogan mic skills cant be compared to Rock's, and the wrestling style is completely different.

WWE wanted to make Kevin Thorn a ripoff of Taker, but what they really did was a Gangrel copy. The gimmick hasnt worked, and i doubt it will.

Edge reminds me the late Owen Hart, a lot, dont ask why!! Is kind of a improved version of Owen.
and to keep the trend, yeah: Khali sucks, just like Giant Gonzalez in his time.

its not the gimmick, its the wrestler behind it that makes it work, the reason why john cena, the rock and guys like hbk are soooo over is because of there work rate and there commitment to the character and to becoming a wwe champion, the latter have not got that commitment with the exception of guys like venis and thorne who get stable yet stagnant pushes

[Andy G]

I really have no why, but Matt Hardy reminds me of Bret Hart. Possibly because they look similiar. I dont think their styles are THAT far apart either.

[AnthonyMango/NoFate007]

You know, I was thinking the other day....Sting is sort of the unofficial "WCW/TNA Undertaker" in a lot of ways. That is, of course, after his transition to the dark version of his character, and not the previous incarnations.

The Phenom / The Icon
Black Trench Coats
Same ring attire outside of the logo, pretty much
Both are the types of superstars where they're at the top of their companies, despite not always carrying the titles, because they don't necessarily need to


I'm sure Vladimir Kozlov reminds me of someone...but I just can't pinpoint it.

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

I would say that Bobbly Lashley has alot in common with Brock Lesnar also. I mean the both have just about the same build only with Lashley being more muscular. And have you seen Bobby lashley's entrance? He jumps on the ring apron like Brock and everything.

When Lashley first appeared i actually called him 'Black Lesnar' (racist i know and i apologise, but it was the simplest way to describe the blatent parallel.)

I notice in ppl are pointing out parallels, where the younger guy actually WANTED to wrestle like the older guy. Benoit's idol was Dynamite so he emulated him, Jericho idolised HBK so he trained to be like him so i wouldn't really count those parallels really, because they were intentional IMO

[blackhart07]

Superstar Billy Graham, Jesse Ventura, and Hulk Hogan. All same styles in every way. All of them had the colors, the body, the mic skills. Billy Graham was the first person to put such a huge emphasis on the presentation aspect of wrestling.

[AnthonyMango/NoFate007]

There's another one, with the way TNA has been pushing them...

Batista / Tomko

Big guys, standard attire, tattoos...etc.

To an extent, you can throw Matt Morgan in there as well. He doesn't have the tatoo thing going on, nor does he have the "last name is all people refer to me as" methodology, but he's also a big guy with the standard attire and is essentially TNA's other "powerhouse" in a way.



Another one, I just thought of right now whilst editing this out of "spam mode"...though it may not necessarily count...

Mike Chioda / Earl Hebner

Has anyone else noticed that Chioda, being the Senior Official, seems to be the "go to guy" for calling the most confusing matches? The only thing I can't really combine them with is that Chioda doesn't seem to take as many hits as Hebner did. That might go to Jimmy Korderas.

[Show188]

well i have a few in mind..

In the before time Test had the whole kevin Nash/diesel look until he changed his attire

Brock lesnar/lashley/ goldberg - all had the unstoppable force gimmick

batista and ultimate warrior- the tugging on the ropes does it as well as the subpar wrestling ability...lol

After watching the stone cold dvd i see many simialirites between ken Kennedy and the Young Austin. as someone pointed out they even kinda walk and act the same

samoa joe and tazz- in terms of the stiff moveset, the suplexes and the finishing submission holds

i see CM Punk being the wwe's current version of RVD wrestling wise except punk gets way less wins and doesnt get a chance to do more moves

[Soul Reaper]

I agree with Morrison and a young HBK they are alot alike. I wouldn't compare the talent of the two just yet though.

Two other people I think are alot alike are MVP/Mr.Perfect they both have mic skills and can wrestle. MVP is basically a black version of Mr.Perfect.

Billy Graham, Scott Steiner, Hulk Hogan, and Jesse Ventura they all have the same appearance.

JBL is kind of like Ted Dibiase. Thet are both great heels, have alot of money, and have mic skills.

Like the post before mine says Samoa Joe and Tazz are alike. They both had fans chanting "Joe's gonna kill you" or "Tazz is gonna kill you".

[AnthonyMango/NoFate007]

I noticed something during Primo Colon's debut.


He's a parallel of early Chavo Guerrero.


1) Same attire, pretty much
2) Using his true last name, but a fake first name, and both of the fake names follow the pattern of Consonant, Consonant, Vowel, Consonant, O. (Yeah, I'm focusing too much on detail with that one, but its an odd coincidence lol)
3) The younger relative of a more popular and more talented star (Eddie Guerrero/Carlito)
4) Use of hurricaranas as the primary move (though Chavo learned more, and I'm hoping that Primo already does know more moves than that).

Hopefully, he has a brighter career ahead of him than Chavo, who still hasn't gotten out of his jobber status fully.

Side note: I hit the 1000 post count. Yay for me, lol.

[scottoro]

I was reading this and I was surprised no one said Big Show/Andre The Giant. Because they both are giants, they both whore the same ring attire, they both had matches with Hulk Hogan and lost in their times. So Big Show and Andre the Giant is one parrell wrestler I can think of that no one mentioned.