Frank Goodish, who became wrestling's "intelligent monster" as they called him in Japan, followed the patten of Farhat of being seen as real to the fans in attendance. While The Sheik opted for any gimmick that wasn't nailed down, Brody captured a similar aura of danger with a series of stiff shots to his opponents. Brody was a journeyman and an independent business man that demanded his fair share of the gate. Brody wouldn't take any gruff from promoters and his reputation as a rebel enhanced his character both inside and outside of the business. A prime example is the infamous cage match with a young Lex Luger, where the promoter wanted Brody to do the job for the rookie, but Brody, not wanting to damage his drawing power in the United States, refused. Brody attempted to negotiate a different finish, but the promoter would hear none of it. Luger, who was said to be quite nervous about the match to begin with, tried to work the match with Brody, but as he rifled off punches, the cave man didn't move. Brody no sold every offensive move from Luger, who eventually climbed the cage and left the ring, distancing himself from the bizarre incident. Some would call Brody's decision to take the match in his own direction as unprofessional, but this was years before guaranteed contracts and Brody had a legitimate concern, as payoffs were usually determined by the gate in the United States during that time. The Luger incident actually showed how smart Brody was and in terms of marketing a persona, he was ahead of his time. More specifically, Brody knew he had to diversify himself during his career, which is why he regularly studied the TV production of shows before he went to the ring. It's a safe bet that Brody could have played a role behind the camera for a promotion had he lived long enough to retire from in ring competition. Goodish's widow, Barbra released a book along with Larry Matysik, "The Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling's Rebel" a few years ago that detailed his career and provided some unique insight into Frank Goodish the business man. A tremendous read, the narrative provides a look into the motivation of some of Brody's more controversial decisions and more so, an explanation of the business sense behind them. Brody knew how to maximize a draw and in the process, added a new dimension of physicality to the hardcore style. The sight of the furry boots, wild hair, and swinging chain sent fans scattering anytime Brody roared through the crowd. Again, the true definition of hardcore made the fans believe. Perhaps, what set Brody apart from other big men in the sport during his era was ability to move for someone his size, as drop kicks and leap frogs were normal maneuvers for the 6'7 brawler. Bruiser spilled blood during successful run in the WWF, AWA, NWA, Puerto Rico, and Japan. Speaking of the Japanese tours, Brody was one of the very few wrestlers that appeared for both New Japan and All Japan during the competitive environment in the 80s. He had the ability to land such specialized deals because he was one of the top draws in the country, even on par with any Japanese star in their native land. Though Brody's life was cut short, his influence and legacy can still be seen today.
