10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (July 27)

6. Abyss Used To Be A "350lb Jerry Lawler"

Dutch Mantel was the one who first spotted potential in Impact Wrestling's Abyss. Back when Abyss was working shots in Puerto Rico for the IWA in the early-2000s, Dutch recommended that the rookie 350lb beast start painting his face and acting like a monster heel.

Before that, Abyss was working a "King" gimmick similar to Jerry Lawler's. Seriously.

On Don Callis' Killing The Town podcast, Abyss revealed that he would don the royal robes, put a crown on his head and play up to comparisons between he and Lawler. Mantel didn't think that was going anywhere (he was probably right), and he strongly advised that Abyss change his act quickly before it was too late.

Almost overnight, Abyss was born, and he'd eventually trade face paint for a mask. There's something hilarious about hearing the TNA stalwart refer to himself as a "350lb Jerry Lawler" during his early years in the business.