10 Things We Learned From Bruce Prichard's WWF & ECW Podcast

7. 911 Was Someone The WWF Pursued For A Royal Rumble Slot

Paul Heyman ECW Jerry Lawler WWE Raw invasion 1997
WWE.com

The 1997 Royal Rumble took place in the cavernous Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Shawn Michaels was the main hook for the show, challenging Sycho Sid for the WWF Heavyweight Title. Sitting alongside that match was the titular 30-man over-the-top-rope Rumble itself.

Seeking out interesting new talent he could insert into the match, Bruce Prichard recommended ECW's 911. Longtime fans of the group will remember that 911 was portrayed as Paul Heyman's on screen bodyguard. He didn't wrestle many matches, instead making cameo appearances to hit a few chokeslams before disappearing. Nonetheless, Prichard felt that the big man would be perfect to pad out the Rumble.

Vince McMahon wasn't necessarily the one who was interested in 911 - it was all Prichard. His thinking was that giving a popular ECW performer some time in the Rumble would shine the spotlight on the hardcore promotion.

Still, it's surprising that Prichard didn't go for a bigger ECW name. He was clearly just looking at 911's size (the man stood around 6ft 8 inches tall).

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