How Good Was Kevin Nash Actually?
3. Range
Kevin Nash may not have much in the way of range, but this is perhaps because of the failed gimmicks that he had before he reached WWE. As Oz in WCW, he was supposed to be a figure of menace, but looked like a wizard Grinch from your local mall. Vinnie Vegas was inspired by the Steve Martin movie My Blue Heaven, but had him looking more like a male stripper than he did in Magic Mike.
When Shawn Michaels saw potential in Nash as his hard-hitting, no-nonsense, tough guy bodyguard, Kevin's move to WWE to become Diesel changed his life forever. However, the moves he used in the ring as Diesel would be the same repertoire he used in the squared circle for the rest of his career with little to no deviation.
What’s impressive about Nash’s lack of range is that it didn’t affect his ability to get over with an audience. He was a fan favourite as a babyface and an antagonistic heel, but didn’t actually change much in his presentation for either role. His look and delivery were virtually identical. Only the narrative of the story he was telling would change.
All of which is to say that Kevin Nash had a hell of a run for someone who rigidly stuck to “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
4/10