10 Unexpected Wrestling Origins That'll Blow Your Mind
Sting wasn't the only performer who once boasted a surfer gimmick, you know.
The world of professional wrestling is one hell of a fascinating one, but you likely knew that already.
This is an industry that allows folks to pay their hard-earned cash to file into arenas and stadiums to watch a whole host of larger-than-life characters beat each other up via spectacular manoeuvres and spots - all to the sound of "This is Awesome", "Fight Forever", and "Holy Sh*t!" But perhaps even more interesting than the many bizarre gimmicks, jaw-dropping finishing moves, and various other staples found within this surreal business are their often unexpected origins.
Have you ever wondered how certain legendary - and rather sandy - characters came into being? Do you catch yourself pondering when exactly one of the most common chants in all of wrasslin' first popped up in a building? And does the truth behind exactly when the name of one particularly iconic finisher was born keep you up at night?
Well, it's time to discover a ton of quite compelling and frequently mind-blowing answers, folks, because this list is about to reveal the true origins of some of wrestling's most famous characters, sounds, and weapons.
10. "This Is Awesome" First Showed Up As A Mocking Chant In TNA
Of the many noises that tend to erupt from the live crowd during just about any wrestling shows nowadays, one of easily the most common is the three-word roar of "This is Awesome" at the sight of everything from humans falling off the top of gigantic ladders, to two people engaging in yet another brutal chop-off.
But when, oh when did this chant of approval first pop up in the world of wrestling?
Well, according to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the very first time folks started to chant about a bout being "awesome" was during a Monster's Ball match at TNA's Victory Road PPV in 2004. However, rather than fans cheering about how superb the action was, this chant was actually reportedly sarcastically created in response to the "bad match" that was going down that night.
From here, though, those who heard the chant that night began to use it in a more positive way at Full Impact Pro events, with it then becoming more popular as fans brought it to Ring of Honor. Meltzer specifically recalled it being heard during the Samoa Joe vs. Kenta Kobashi 1 October 2005 match in New York City.
One of the most famous audible salutes in the game. And it all remarkably started as a way of mocking the action in-between the ropes.