10 Greatest WWE Underdogs Of The 21st Century
8. Zach Gowen
Disabilities have cropped up infrequently within the realms of professional wrestling, and the grace and classiness with which they’re handled seems to be decided via dartboard or roulette wheel. But on the odd occasion, WWE at least attempts to tell a story about overcoming physical, non-wrestling adversity.
Long before TNA’s war veteran and amputee Chris Melendez laced up a pair of wrestling boots, Zach Gowen made history by becoming the first one-legged competitor in WWE. First appearing briefly in TNA under the name ‘Tenacious Z’, Gowen eventually made his way to WWE in 2003, where he allied himself with ‘Mr America’ Hulk Hogan.
Interestingly, Gowen never wrestled with a prosthetic, and although he lost the majority of his matches with the company, the fact that he made it at all is a testament to his work ethic and determination. His crowning anti-authority achievement came when he refused to join the ‘Kiss My Ass Club’ for a WWE contract, and instead beat Big Show for one instead.
Having lost his leg to cancer at eight years old, Zach Gowen never let it destroy his dreams of becoming a professional wrestler. You don’t get much more underdog than that.