10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (April 1)
4. Jim Ross Had No Idea How To Call Marc Mero's Matches
Before agreeing to sign with the WWF in 1996, Marc Mero was best-known for playing the 'Johnny B. Badd' character in WCW. Inspired by rock n' roll singer Little Richard, the gimmick was a staple of the promotion's midcard scene for years, and was the brainchild of Dusty Rhodes.
Mero didn't know much about wrestling and had pretty much trained to play that specific gimmick.
This made things difficult once he jumped to the WWF juggernaut in 1996. Pitched the character of the 'Wildman', Mero also brought his then-wife Sable along for the ride. It was noticeable apparent that fans were more interested in the blonde bombshell than they were of Mero, which must have been challenging for the man. Adding to the strain was the loose nature of the gimmick, which wasn't easy to define.
Sitting at ringside, Jim Ross had no earthly idea how to properly present Marc Mero to WWF fans. Speaking on his own podcast, the legendary announcer said that the gimmick needed pinning down a little better before it became easy to discuss.
Ross had no idea what made Mero such a 'Wildman', it was simply a throwaway nickname more than anything else.