10 Weird Ways We Remember Legendary Wrestlers
1. Vader: Fat Piece Of Sh*t
"I came here tonight to compete, and I got my butt whipped. I made the biggest mistake of my life. Maybe Vader Time's over. I ain't nuthin' but a big piece of sh*t. A big fat piece of sh*t." - Vader, Over The Edge 1998
Self-inflicted wounds, but nothing the more rancid of fans weren't in agreement with. Even those kinder couldn't help but agree with the sentiment. The WWF version of Vader was lacking in aura, intensity, and a frightening sense of danger - the entire essence of his act, essentially. Ultimately drafted into the fold as a fall guy for Shawn Michaels, a man who needed reassurance to perform at his optimum level was not given it in an ultra-competitive company in which, crucially, he did not make his name.
The violent sight of Vader ragdolling Sting at StarrCade 1992 remains vivid for fans of a certain age, but much like the Big Bang of 1984, the Attitude Era was where it all began again. Vader was one of few bright spots in an interim down period for the industry few modern fans are keen to revisit, per the dust gathered on the WCW PPV vault on the Network.
Vader did briefly recover from this confidence-draining WWF stint with a respectable return to the far east in 1999 - but this was consolation for the fans who stuck by him more so than a proper return to form.