13 Things We Learned From Dark Side Of The Ring: Zach Gowen

This is gold.

During Gowen’s WWE debut on the 15 May 2003 SmackDown, he appeared as a planted “fan” in the crowd waving an American flag. Roddy Piper called him out, so Zach attacked him with the flag pole and laid it in because 'Hot Rod' had told him to backstage. Piper wanted this kid to waffle him as hard as he could.

Almost hilariously, Piper then hauled at Gowen’s real leg as the rookie sold his butt off on the canvas, so Zach had to tell him to pull the prosthetic he’d already unclipped. Looking back, there was a visibly silly moment whereby Roddy realised that he was pulling away at the shoot limb. He was looking for the working limb. They typically teach you that on the first day at training school. Come on.

Seriously though, what a story. Also, the fact that VICE no sold Hulk Hogan’s crappy Mr. America gimmick here should also tickle fans who remember that bizarre offshoot. Nobody on the documentary brought it up at all. Nope, he was just plain ol' Hulkster. It didn't matter that context is important and Gowen debuted wearing a Mr. America t-shirt which definitely didn't outsell Austin 3:16 at the merch stalls.

Finally, the way Piper laid the prosthetic leg down on the mat then backed away like no-one had noticed a thing was comedy genius. This angle was always lowkey funny, but it's laugh out loud goodness with the added explanation from Zach about Roddy hauling away at his good leg like a man possessed.