WWE-- Discriminating against overweight wrestlers?

[Ambiguous Turd]

We've experienced two types of Big Men in wrestling.

We've had the "Giant".

And then, we've had the "Overweight Guy".


We still have Giants around today with Big Show and Great Khali. But it appears that the days of the Overweight Guys are long gone. And when I say "Overweight", I am specifically referring to the 400 plus men in the business (just to clarify).

Some of the most notable Overweight Guys in WWE history have included the likes of Earthquake and Yokozuna. And they were both highly successful at what they did.

Managed by my favorite manager of all time "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart, Earthquake was most noted for putting Hulk Hogan out of action, and had a very lengthy run against Hogan in the 90's. The guy always received a ton of heat.

Then, there was Yokozuna, who with manager Mr. Fuji, went all the way to the top by capturing the WWE Championship on two occasions. He also was known for "ending Hulkamania" as Hulk wrestled his final WWE match in his first run with the company at King of the Ring in 1993. He went on to many other notable feuds with Undertaker, Lex Luger, and Vader.

Then, we had Bastion Booger. Who ... really didn't accomplish all that much.

My question is "why is there no place for the Overweight guy in WWE anymore?" We've had them in the past and they were successful at what they did. They never had any problem attracting heat.

It could quite possibly be Vince McMahon's view that the "Overweight Guy" is fat, out of shape, and has no business in wrestling. After all, Vince is known for being a fitness guru that would even put Simon Dean to shame. Quite possibly, the sight of overweight people disgusts him nowadays ... although he had no problem making money off them in the past.

However, another thing we need to take into account is not necessarily the "WWE Shareholders" .... because we all know that they will go along with whatever Vince tells them to .... but rather the ROH-bots within the WWE fanbase. Unlike the "WWE Shareholders", the ROH-bots pride themselves in actually exhibiting a mind of their own. And from what I've seen on the Internet, anybody who has over a couple ounces of fat on their body has absolutely no place in wrestling ... and they will launch a negative campaign to get any wrestler fired that does. If an Overweight wrestler can't produce a 5 star match, then they don't want you around.

To be honest, I miss seeing the Overweight Heels around. I think they have always played a big part in wrestling, up until now. And the appeal I still feel they have, is not only would the casual fanbase despise them if they are involved in a big angle ... but also you already have the ROH-bots and other smark fans who would despise the guy simply for being fat, and not being able to do corkscrew moonsaults for them.

So, do you think we should see a return of the Overweight Heel? Why or why not? And what do you think the prime reason is on why they have been phased out over the years?

 

[ckoneagain]

I think with any business wrestling as developed a 'formula for success' over the years which will help train and develop future stars, the fact of the matter is, these bigger guys just can't handle the physical aspects of this training scheme. It's a little like the military in that during WWI and WWII they would recruit just about anybody and same of these would be bigger guys who would go on to perform amazingly in the field, but nowadays those guys wouldn't get through boot camp for the most part. I think they have purely been victims of the modern selection process. But all that said, i do miss them too.

 

[Remix]

No. I dont want them back. This is because the only overweight wrestlers I can remember watching are Rikishi and Big Daddy V. Rikishi wasnt too bad (as far as I remember. Seeing as I didnt really watch his TNA run and I was young when I was watching him with Too Cool. So nostalgia may be clouding my judgement), wheras Big Daddy V was hideous. His matches were poor and seeing that flab wobling around and hanging off him when he did the splash wasn't plesant. He (with Matt Striker) was a good heel though, even if I didnt like anything about him. I wonder how he would have got on without Striker after the draft. probably would have fizzled like almost every other monster heel.

Personally I dont think the lack of fat guys in WWE has anything to do with Vince's prejudices/insanity. I think it has more to do with changes in the wrestling world. You could argue that in the PG era WWE shouldnt have fat guys winning titles because it could inspire kids to be just like them (because kids are stupid and are incapable of becoming obese without inspiration from the TV, which they probably spend too much time watching), and that's not a good thing (especially when parents look toward titan tower for a reason that their kids are fat rather than closer to home). You could also say that behind the scenes things have changed too. in Yokos time drugs, alcohol, and everything else CM Punk finds offensive were commonplace (but the guys were working long matches 300 days a year. they did what you had to to get by). now they are less so and the guys (according to them anyway) are looking after themselves better. this means that they dont allow themselves to look like the blob at worst, and a sumo wrestler at best. Not to mention that WWE is now helping/forcing overweight wrestlers to lose weight. V. was released after being told to lose weight and he didnt. Whether this was because of legitimate concern over his health, or because WWE didn't want him to die on their watch is anybody's guess. However the message from it is clear; if you want to work in the WWE you've got to be fit. and being a couple of hundred pounds overweight is not a sign of fitness. there are probably other reasons (not relating to a crazy Vinny Mac) that I havent thought of for the decline of the overweight heel, but I'm sure someone else will think of them. But in any case, the three I though of are still more likely than Vince being so crazy he cannot allow a fat guy in his presence.

 

[Coco]

The ROH-bot thing is absurd as usual. Yeah, everybody in ROH does corkscrew moonsaults and they have no storylines there. They're ruining the WWE product by making it all about wrestling rather than storylines. Blah, blah, blah. I'm still convinced you've never seen any significant amount of ROH, so I'm not sure why you continue to offer your ill-conceived and invalid opinions of the product. Add to the fact that CM Punk (using his straight-edge character, which is not too different from the one he had in ROH) is one of the only well-defined characters in the WWE at the moment, and I can't help but feel that if there is any ROH influence on the WWE product, it's a good one.

But hey, the masses don't flock to ROH so it must be bad for business. Or something.

Whatever Sid. This is a good idea for a topic, but it could have done without the usual ROH-bot/Shareholder drivel.

On to the topic at hand, I love the overweight heel. Personally, I like most attractions in wrestling that stand out from the norm and make you remember it after the show. In an era of cookie cutter in-house creations like Orton, Legacy, Ziggler, and so-on, the overweight heel becoming a big deal in the WWE again would be a welcome change. You remember guys like Yokos more than you do the ultra bland Dolph Zigglers off this world.

As for their ring work, some people just don't understand the role of the big man. They're not supposed to be rolling around on the mat in a hold for hold exhange with a 200lbs wrestler. They're supposed to use power moves, look like a force, and slam you. Personally, I think that Mark Henry has done a great job as far as modern-day plus-sized heels go since around 2006. The WWE really missed the boat by not not giving a main event push to a real talent like him who actually stands out. The obsession with guys having the Orton look is hurting the product by making many talents blend together.

 

[samboisdead]

This thread fails for 2 reasons in my opinion. First off it hasnt been that long ago that Umaga had a good run in WWE and while not as big as some of the past guys he was pretty big. Also Big Daddy V hasnt been gone for long and I am willing to bet will be back at some point, this guy never stays gone. Anyone remember him as Mabel? Maybe the problem is their just isnt a new overweight guy good enough to bring up right now. My second reason this thread fails is no one has mentioned king Kong Bundy or Haystacks Calhoun. You cant have a thread like this without giving them props.

 

[Ambiguous Turd]

This thread fails for 2 reasons in my opinion. First off it hasnt been that long ago that Umaga had a good run in WWE and while not as big as some of the past guys he was pretty big. Also Big Daddy V hasnt been gone for long and I am willing to bet will be back at some point, this guy never stays gone. Anyone remember him as Mabel? Maybe the problem is their just isnt a new overweight guy good enough to bring up right now. My second reason this thread fails is no one has mentioned king Kong Bundy or Haystacks Calhoun. You cant have a thread like this without giving them props.

Well, first off ... Umaga wasn't mentioned because he wasn't that big a guy. When I say Overweight Heels, I am talking about the 400 pound plus guys. And I will re-clarify that in the OP.

Secondly, as far as Big Daddy V, I think his departure actually gives more credence to the thread then less credence. You want to know why? Because it was reported that he was canned from WWE, because they weren't happy with his weight. I personally thought he did fine in the ring, given his weight. But he wasn't thin enough for WWE, apparently.

 

[Blade]

Well time's have changed alot from the 90's. This isn't like Hulk Hogan or Bret Hart getting beaten up by some big guy, while the crowd are on the edge of their seat waiting for the comeback, and then the face finally makes the comeback, the crowd mark out and go home smiling.

Despite everyone saying that smarks and the IWC is a tiny part of wrestling fans and is insignificant, I think that's bullshit. If that were true, the "Cena sucks" chants would be a whole lot more quiet. So I think it's that same group of smarks and IWC people who don't wanna see that big man/underdog formula for a match anymore. They'd rather have a 50:50 match between two guys. It's very rare to see a match with an overweight guy where it's 50:50. So I really think that the wrestling world doesn't wanna see overweight guys anymore with the big guy/underdog formula. It's just not as entertaining as it used to be.

Either that, or it's Vinces love of muscle heads. Yeah, actually, that must be it.

 

[Remix]

Secondly, as far as Big Daddy V, I think his departure actually gives more credence to the thread then less credence. You want to know why? Because it was reported that he was canned from WWE, because they weren't happy with his weight. I personally thought he did fine in the ring, given his weight. But he wasn't thin enough for WWE, apparently.

And Kurt Angle was still putting on great matches despite the fact that he was popping Vicodin like candy to get through a match, and yet the WWE fired him. Big Daddy V, like Kurt before him was released because WWE thought he was so fat he was likely to die because it. And the WWE had a point. The man's BMI was 56 (using his billed weight and real height (taken from wikipedia)). For reference if your BMI is above 40 you are morbidly obese, so V was rediculously and dangerously (to himself) overweight. WWE told him to lose weight, he didn't and he suffered the consiquences. there's no Vince prejudice in the equation, just a person who might die on WWE's watch because his problems.

 

[Greenlight13]

Remix has it spot on. We're in an era of health concern. I've had stories of steroids openly being done in front of other wrestlers in the locker room in decades past, wrestlers utterly dependent on a cocktail of pills to get them out of bed in the morning and the big fat wrestlers. Now they (at least outwardly) denounce steroids, drug test regularly and randomly and are concerned about the general well-being of their talent. Yokozuna died pretty damn early into his life and it's common knowledge that obese people live far less long.

This is just the WWE wanting their guys to look after themselves in my opinion.

Then of course there's the fact that despite what anyone says, wrestling is faster and has far more moves these days. Khali aside, nobody gets away with a few slow clubbing blows a rest hold and then a crappy finisher anymore. Earthquake and Yokozuna by today's standards are terrible wrestlers.

And just to join in the defence of ROH there is a massive difference between not being able to do moonsaults and not being able to wrestle. Kevin Steen is fat and he could wrestle rings around half the WWE's roster and the fans love him, so in what way do us ROH fans not tolerate anyone not in amazing shape? Takeshi Morishima was an epic champion and he was getting fatter with every match. So please don't give me this ROH flaming, it's pathetic and uninformed.

 

[Kenny Powers]

I never knew Big Daddy V was fired because of his weight, but I guess it doesn't surprise me. I guess Vince would rather have a 7" tall lean giant that can't wrestle to save his life instead of an overweight worker that can wrestle. I would like to see the overweight and athletic wrestler back such as a performer like Yokozuna or Vader, but I don't want to see someone like Bastian Booger be brought in. Guys like that had no talent. Not every overweight wrestler is talented but I don't think if they are talented they shouldn't be fired because of their weight.

Candice Michelle is a different story. She probably gained weight but was fired because she is a liability in the ring. If WWE decides to fire Mickie James for her weight then we can clearly say Vince is discriminating against wrestlers. It looks for now the only overweight people we will see in WWE is Big Dick Johnson.

 

[Badstreet]

Sid, I can't take your claims of discrimiation seriously when I'm fairly certain Big Dick Johnson is still gainfully employed by the WWE.

MODERATOR COMMENTS (Lord Sidious)

Oh, come on. Big Dick Johnson isn't a wrestler. He wrestled against Sandman, if you can call it that, in one match on ECW.

All kidding aside, some of the bigger stars of the 80's and early 90's were men who were obese. Guys you mentioned like Earthquake, Vader, and Yokozuna. I know you were focusing only on men over 400 lbs, but I'd include guys like Bam Bam and Bossman also solely for the reason that you don't even see guys like them anymore either.

I think the reason we don't see men like this anymore is because WWE doesn't specialize in "wrestlers" anymore, but "entertainers." They're just like a TV series or movie. How many obese people do you see in starring roles in TV or movies? If they are, they tend to be comedic relief such as the aforementioned Mr. Johnson.

Now more than ever WWE mirrors Hollywood and obese people apparently don't fit into either world.

 

[Remix]

Actuially I think Vince would rather have a lean giant (not that Show could ever be described as being lean) that can't wrestle but wont have a heart attack in the near future than a monsterously obese (V's BMI is over twise of what it should be) fat guy who can wrestle a bit, but may also fall down clutching his chest in the near future.

and Badstreet, Big Dick Johnson is one of the writers, not one of the wrestlers. He just likes to write himself into scenarios that involve everybody at home seieng his oiled up rolls of lard. Coincidentally, since Vince spends alot of time with creative (seing as he apparently runs the joint) and thus would see BDJ on a regular basis and hasn't fired him (and even approved him to do his thing in his presense) I think its safe to assume that Vince doesnt hate all fat people. just the ones who might cause another investigation in his company.

and can I just point out that most (if not all) of WWE's stars are overweight or obese. Lashley's BMI is 31, Cena's is 32, Batista's is 33, HHH's is 33, HBK's is 30. which would make all of them obese. and since those guys (apart from Lashley. I just worked out his for an earlier post, from which it was later removed) are some of WWE's biggest stars. I think its safe to say thet Vince doesnt have a problem with people who are obese.

 

[Poop Master Flex]

I'm actually glad this was brought up. One of my biggest things about wrestling these days as everybody all looks too similar. All of the new guys on the roster like ziggler, kingston, morrison, bourne, ect. All of them have a 6 pack and all look like their in tip top shape, actually they all look more like chippendale dancers than wrestlers. Some of these guys have talent, but most of them wouldn't have been able to get within 1000 feet of the WWE 10 years ago.

Now onto obese wrestlers, more and more lately it seems like WWE is trying to stray away from obese wrestlers, which I think is a shame personally. I mean they have punished a lot of people for even being overweight (Mickie James, Candace Michelle, Big Daddy V, the Big Show, Mark Henry, ect.). Now I can understand Big Daddy V (even though he was a better worker than a lot of guys you see now like Tyler Reks and had a more convincing character), but punishing Mickie James for gaining like 2 pounds is ridiculous. It's very obvious the more time that passes the more chiseled the wrestlers look. In 10 years EVERY wrestler is gonna look and act the same (I know I have trouble telling the difference between wrestlers these days).

Wrestling was way better when it had variety and everyone was different. Wrestlers are just too similar these days. In the 80's most guys were in top condition, but very few of them were completely cut (like rick rude), most had some sort of fat to them (even guys who were known for power like hercules looked like they had at least some fat to them).

I understand the WWE has had a lot of wrestler deaths attached to the company, one was on the news for 6 months, but at the same time if every heel looks and acts the same, and every face looks and acts the same, whats the point of cheering for one wrestler over another. I would much rather have an obese wrestler who can wrestle (like Umaga) over someone like Tyler Reks who has the personality of drywall.

All in all I definitely think WWE discriminates overweight wrestlers these days, the wrestlers don't even have to be obese to be discriminated against.

A bit of a rant there, I just hate how wrestling is more about looks these days than personality, charisma and skill.

 

[mindgame218]

if the wwe really does discriminate against obese wrestlers, then big show would have been canned not long ago regardless of holding the unified tag titles w/ jericho. when he came back in early '08, the man was down to 440 - 445 lbs. he hasn't been in that good of shape since he joined w/ wcw in '94 and his first run in wwe back in '99, thanks to lipo or whatever. he's once again near the 500 lb. mark and is still very much employed.

 

[johnbragg]

The main reason that the Overweight guy has been phased out is that he's been replaced by the Giant. Seriously, what story do you want to do with an enormous fat wrestler that you can't do with Big Show or Mark Henry?

The point of the megafattie is that he is a threat to anyone purely because of his size. Big Show and Mark Henry fill that role. I just don't see room for more than one of them on a brand or promotion.

Towards the end of his WWE run, Mabel/Viscera/King V was a forgettable comedy act. If he were still around he'd be on Raw trying to get with the female guest hosts.

 

[Tastycles]

The fat wrestler is a bad idea for one obvious. The two mentioned both died before they reached 45, and while Tenta had cancer, this does illustrate the potential health issues. I appreciate that the overweight heel certainly adds a dynamic, but I would argue that it is best for the WWE or any company for that matter to avoid having people who are a health risk and unfit wrestle regularly. Big Daddy V was booked like this just last year, but was released because he was too unhealthy.

I'd argue that the way Mark Henry pre-turn was booked isn't a million miles off this, and he was in slightly better shape. Hiring somebody who is morbidly obese and getting them to perform physically week in week out is a recipe for disaster, and is probably why so few of these characters have had much longevity in the past.

 

[CJ The Pirate]

I don't think you can classify Cena, HBK or Lashley as Overweight. BMI is for your regular joe. If I had a BMI of 30 (And to be honest, i'm not far away) I'd also have an increased risk of Heart Failure. I don't think any of the WWE guys have that problem.

Yes, Back in the day, Yokozuna was fantastic. I used to love Bam Bam. I was a big fan of Earthquake. But that was then and this was now.

How many Big Guys in recent years can you actually say deserve to take up the Yokozuna spot the the WWE has missed for 15 years. Rikishi would probably be the most deserving but he's miles from where he needed to be. He was awful as a heel during the Austin got run over thing. Viscera or which ever name you know him by potentially is next best followed by Mark Henry... but none of them, feasibly could headline Wrestlemania, Summerslam or, for that matter, Cyber Sunday.

Point the finger not directly at Vince, the ROH fans or anyone else but at big guys themselves. We don't have anywhere near as many big guys in the business as we did 20 years ago. The ability to get into shape is much easily accessible now. More people can get physiques like Orton or Morrison. It's easier. Ask Mick Foley... he couldn't afford to really work out like these young guys do now. It just isn't possible. We also now get guys being trained by WWE directly. Foley had to work his way up through the ranks so when WCW and WWE finally saw him, they saw the out of shape hardcore legend. He couldn't then train hard and tone up... he'd not be the same guy they bought into. If he was starting out now... he'd have a six pack too most likely.

It isn't a question of who Vince likes or doesn't like... we just have a different, much easier life style now in relation to keeping fit.

 

[OIL]

Secondly, as far as Big Daddy V, I think his departure actually gives more credence to the thread then less credence. You want to know why? Because it was reported that he was canned from WWE, because they weren't happy with his weight. I personally thought he did fine in the ring, given his weight. But he wasn't thin enough for WWE, apparently.

Pretty sure he was told to lose weight, for health reasons, which is why he was released. That's what I remember reading on the site, and to be honest it's a good thing if he got told to lose weight. It was way too overweight, and it's just plain not healthy. C'mon, he was plain overweight, so you can't really say he wasn't thin enough for the WWE like that, because his health was a factor in that.

 

[BladeRunner]

Here's my theory. Have you noticed that wrestlers in general have become more attractive than they used to be? All the newer guys seem to have not just the body but the face, they're the whole package.

What I'm saying is, is that it's become more about the image for wrestling as time's gone on. There's a higher standard of physical attractiveness than there used to be.

Sure there's always been attractive people in wrestling. But nowadays in WWE, it's almost nothing but them. Back in the day there was some truly ugly bastards, Vader, Bruiser Brody, earthquake etc. Big fat ugly guys that kicked ass at wrestling. Vader could do backflips, definitely a holy shit moment for a 400 plus pounder.

I think there's room for a variety of wrestlers, in all sizes and colors, but TV tends to force the most attractive to the forefront. So I think that's what's happened, it's all about how it looks on tv, and so they think they need to put the most attractive people possible on air.

I'd say tv discriminates against all unattractive people, and the more emphasis wrestling has put on the tv aspect, the more you see more attractive wrestlers and less fat ugly guys.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I've got no real interest in seeing the overweight big man make a comeback personally. In most cases, the big men have been uncharismatic, one dimensional heels that are unable to wrestle a good match beyond to the 10 minute mark without looking as though they're about to keel over and have a heart attack. Seeing the big man/underdog scenario just doesn't appeal to me anymore because I just don't find it entertaining.

King Kong Bundy, Earthquake, Typhoon, Big Daddy V and so forth are all outdated concepts that just don't work anymore. At least not for me as they all tend to remind me of some hired goon that you'd see on a Saturday morning cartoon show. Besides, they put on shit matches that I just have no interest in seeing anymore. Back when I was about 12 years old, I marked out watching Earthquake demolish Hulk Hogan only to have Hogan Hulk out and come back with a win. Now, I'd roll my eyes at that shit.

 

[Southwind]

Overweight wrestlers don't deserve to be employed by any wrestling company their job is too stay in shape if they fail too bad.

Plus they never get any pops from the live audience so there really is no point in having them at all.

I used to enjoy Big Daddy V, believe it or not, but his gimmick and ultimately his job had a shelf life that wasn't that long.

 

[Ambiguous Turd]

Overweight wrestlers don't deserve to be employed by any wrestling company their job is too stay in shape if they fail too bad.

Plus they never get any pops from the live audience so there really is no point in having them at all.

I used to enjoy Big Daddy V, believe it or not, but his gimmick and ultimately his job had a shelf life that wasn't that long.

Overweight wrestlers don't get pops from the audience?

Did you see Earthquake back in the day, when he took on Hulk Hogan?

Overweight wrestlers who are Heels, have no problem getting heat from the audience. Their weight factor alone is enough to draw heat.

And not to put you on the spot ... but you are a perfect example. You don't like Overweight people, and don't feel they should be employed because of their weight.

Bam. Easiest way to get heat, especially from our fans who are fitness gurus.

I know that this is the expectation that fans are beginning to have of wrestlers, because that is what Vince McMahon indirectly tells you so. I see another potential for a "WWE Shareholder" in the making.

But if Vince tells you in so many ways that overweight wrestlers don't have a place anymore in wrestling, then you believe it. If Vince would start putting more Earthquakes and Yokozunas back on TV, well then I guess fans would feel just the opposite.

Vince truly does spoon-feed his fans, and the fans simply lap it up.

 

[Remix]

Overweight wrestlers don't get pops from the audience?

That would be the point he's making. I dont have an opinion, seeing as I havent seen any overweight wrestlers who weren't unable to get over without too cool (Rikishi) or were just shit (BDV).

Did you see Earthquake back in the day, when he took on Hulk Hogan?

Different times. The world of wrestling has changed since Hulkamania. Whether Earthquake would have got over now, I do not know. However what I do know is that the style of a wrestling has changed since the 80's. the stereotypical 80's match was long, technically brilliant, grounded (i.e. few if any high spots) and with excelent psychology. the stereotypical 00's match is >20 minutes, fast, with highspots galore.

overweight wrestlers who are Heels, have no problem getting heat from the audience.

I'll take your word on that (due to missing the era of hulkamania and the fat heel).

Their weight factor alone is enough to draw heat.

This however I doubt. Very little will give instant heat. Prejudice will, however I dont think many people hate fat people enough to grant 'instant heat'. Earthquake was from a different era. And facing Hogan was enough to get insta-heat.

And not to put you on the spot ... but you are a perfect example. You don't like Overweight people, and don't feel they should be employed because of their weight.

I think there's a difference between hating fat people and thinking wrestlers shouldnt look like Big Daddy V. I didnt hate (or have any strong feelings towards) BDV, but I as sure as hell didn't want to see his bouncing rolls of flab hanging off him. but that wouldn't make me boo him. If i was going to boo him he'd have to do something to make me. Not going to the gym isnt enough.

Bam. Easiest way to get heat, especially from our fans who are fitness gurus.

I have no idea how many wrestling fans are fitness gurus. However I cant imagine it would be many (relative to the whole number of wrestling fans); and certainly not enough to grant significant amounts of heat.

I know that this is the expectation that fans are beginning to have of wrestlers because that is what Vince McMahon indirectly tells you so. I see another potential for a "WWE Shareholder" in the making.

you mean that wrestlers should look like an awesome physical specimine (or at the very least look healthy) then I'm pretty sure that's not a recent idea, and probably predates Vince. so the WWE shareholder arguement doesnt really apply to this.

But if Vince tells you in so many ways that overweight wrestlers don't have a place anymore in wrestling, then you believe it. If Vince would start putting more Earthquakes and Yokozunas back on TV, well then I guess fans would feel just the opposite.

Question, how many overweight guys are there in the indies? If there are barely any (other than Rikishi and BDV) then I'd say that the decline of the fat wrestler is a global thing caused by a change in the wrestling world, rather than anytihng Vince thinks or does.

Vince truly does spoon-feed his fans, and the fans simply lap it up.

Contradictory metaphors aside, you have a point here. there are fans who think what vince tells them. But that's not why there's been a decline in the number of fat wrestlers.

 

[JBK2008]

Big guys are indeed missed by a nice amount of fans because everyone wants to see them crush the top face of destroy jobbers. Thing is, they can't hold their own in most matches against the smaller guys. Their skills and abilities are always small in comparison and usually become boring very fast. Also, from a health standpoint, it's better to let the big guys go and focus on the smaller guys. In a world where being overweight is trying to be erased, the last thing WWE wants to do is have the fans want to see more out of shape guys.

I understand why WWE is so critical of them now, even though Vince likes his big guys. It's a health issue and it would be awful for any big guy to fall over and die or something in the ring.

 

[pyrusane]

I know that this is the expectation that fans are beginning to have of wrestlers, because that is what Vince McMahon indirectly tells you so. I see another potential for a "WWE Shareholder" in the making.

But if Vince tells you in so many ways that overweight wrestlers don't have a place anymore in wrestling, then you believe it. If Vince would start putting more Earthquakes and Yokozunas back on TV, well then I guess fans would feel just the opposite.

Vince truly does spoon-feed his fans, and the fans simply lap it up.

Sorry Sidious, I agree with a lot of what you have to say usually, but I have to call bullshit on this one. You're trying to make it seem like this is a product of Vince McMahon's obsession with physically fit wrestlers, and that is simply not true. I offer as proof of this...the TNA roster. If this were solely the product of Vince McMahon's obsession with fitness, then explain to me why the only member of the TNA roster that could even come close to being classified as a "fat heel" is Awesome Kong?

Yes, Yokozuna and Earthquake had their place in wrestling. Now, it can be argued that Yoko wasn't really that great of a wrestler, and there is some legitimacy to that argument, but he was certainly believable as a champion and as a threat to the top faces of the time. And it is unlikely that we will ever see anyone like him again.

Right now, like no time ever before, we as a country are aware of our health and well-being. The 80s was a decade of excess, consumption in all forms was not only the norm, it was encouraged. In the 90s, we began to feel and see the consequences of the consumption of the 80s, and the 00s became the decade of change. As a society we have become more health-conscious, and this is reflected in the wrestlers we see on television today. Not just in the WWE, but across all promotions.