Professional wrestling sought to find its identity after the Hulk Hogan era had slowed down and popular interest waned. Both brands inevitably decided that they needed to broaden their demographics, and there was only one way to do that: gimmicks.
The WWF saw guys in Royal Canadian Mounty uniforms (The Quebecers), a garbage man (Duke “The Dumpster” Droese), a man poisoned by nuclear fallout (Adam Bomb), and even a plumber (T.L. Hopper). There will be more on those guys at a later date, I assure you.
WCW was really slacking, and needed to find an answer to such brilliant ideas. Fall Brawl was fast approaching, and their face team of Dustin Rhodes, Sting, and the British Bulldog needed another man to face the ominous heel team of Vader, Sting, and Harlem Heat.
They found their answer just weeks before the event, and made the decision to debut their mystery partner on a live segment called “Flair for the Gold”. Flair, Sting, and the Bulldog seemed rather excited to introduce their partner, as Sting said, “All I have to say is… our partner is going to shock the world because he is none other than… The Shockmaster!”
I’m going to have to stop my description right there and just let you see for yourself.
Fast forward to 3:30:
You can hear the announcers in the background after he falls over and his helmet falls off: “Oh God. Oh my God.” Things had gone awry in the world of The Shockmaster. But then, were things ever right? A man with a pre-recorded voice and a purple sparkly Stormtrooper helmet? Bravo, WCW. Bravo.
The Shockmaster somehow failed as a character, and he was gone within months of his debut.. never ot be seen again. But who is The Shockmaster? Is he still out there somewhere, falling through walls like the Kool Aid Man? Does he have a Mrs. Shockmaster, and a Shockmaster Jr.?
We here at The Steel Cage will remain ever vigilant regarding news about The Shockmaster, and if he’s out there – you’ll hear about it here first.