10 Terrible WWE Reinventions

5. Shane Douglas > Dean Douglas

Emma Emmalina
WWE

There's something of a developing theme, here (See also: Funk, Flash - Scorpio transformation into). In denouncing the NWA World Title in August 1994 and laying the foundations for the 'extreme' ECW, Shane Douglas entered the annals of wrestling folklore. As the Philadelphia promotion's inaugural champ, the self-proclaimed franchise was much more than an historical pivot point, commandeering the revolution as the landscape of North American wrestling was brutally cleaved.

Vince McMahon was intrigued by the progress made by a greenhorn once under his employ. Perhaps his bellicose, degenerate attitude was just right for his 'New Generation'?

It would be - but not for another two years. Old habits died hard. During their initial meeting, Douglas let slip that he worked as a teacher on the side. That was that for him. Couldn't he just be a wrestler? No, said Vince: wrestling is crap. you're a college dean now. Let us measure your head.

Anyway, the gimmick, which saw 'Dean' Douglas issue report cards to downed opponents between classroom lectures, was f*cking awful. But the robe was nice. And he did become the IC title. For all of twenty minutes.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.