Rick Boogz Debuts On WWE SmackDown - Does Elias Have Competition?

WWE just introduced a new music man on the latest episode of SmackDown.

by Jamie Kennedy
Rick Boogz
WWE.com

Former NXT star Rick Bugez was introduced as a guitar-playing ally for Shinsuke Nakamura on the latest episode of SmackDown.

Interestingly, WWE has changed the spelling of Rick's surname from Bugez to "Boogz". He played Nakamura to the ring for Shin's match with 'King' Corbin, offered support for the babyface throughout and even noodled away on the announce desk mid-match.

There's a definite air of Elias about Boogz' new character too, so that's something else to keep an eye on; Boogz certainly looks like Elias, and it's slightly strange that he's been introduced as another musical act when that's still Eli's thing over on Raw.

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Maybe Boogz' guitar playing gig is a temporary one?

Rick was recently used as comedic foil for R-Truth in Old Spice commercials. His work there as "Joseph Average" apparently caught someone's eye, because now the renamed rocker is on SmackDown and could form a tag-team with Nakamura.

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What did you think of Rick Boogz on Friday night? Do you think an alliance with Shinsuke Nakamura is a good spot for him, or do you think his new character is too similar to Raw's Elias?

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.