20 Wrestling Gimmicks That Got WEIRD Rip-Offs
16. Scott Steiner (Del Rios)
It's 'Medium Poppa Pump'!
There's a fascinating backstory for Del Rios. No, not Alberto Del Rio(s). This was Harry Del Rios. He'd previously been known as Phantasio in the WWF, and is best known for nearly burning down the Gorilla Position backstage when showing off his fiery magic tricks before a tryout match on Wrestling Challenge, Superstars or one of the other weekend 'B'/'C' shows. Bruce Prichard has told that story on his podcast before.
Phantasio was doomed after that disaster, but Del Rios wasn't finished as a wrestler. He continued plying his trade on the independent scene and had a few more shots in the WWF. Then, in 2002, Rios showed face to make up the numbers in a 'Gauntlet For The Gold' Battle Royal during TNA's first weekly pay-per-view. For some reason, he also came dressed as Scott Steiner.
That's no joke. Rios wore wrap-around shades like Scott, had bleached his short cropped hair blonde, had identical facial hair, and had even muscled up a fair bit since performing lame magic tricks on WWF's syndicated programming in the mid-90s. During his one off TNA gig, Harry looked every bit like a bigger version of Petey Williams when he was hanging around with Scotty on Impact years later.
Nobody really talks about this, probably because they can't remember Del Rios even being part of a match that also featured Ken Shamrock, Scott Hall, Jeff Jarrett, Buff Bagwell and more assorted rag-taggers who weren't on WWE's books. Rick Steiner was also in the bout, and rumour has it he had to ask who booked his brother backstage.
Only kidding. 'Medium Poppa Pump' should've been his nickname though.