Which WWE Legend Couldn't Stand The Hurricane Gimmick?
One wrestling icon wasn't sold on The Hurricane's superhero gimmick in WWE.
Ric Flair once told Shane Helms that he was "too good" for WWE's Hurricane gimmick.
Helms told the 'Cut Pro Wrestling' podcast that his legendary mentor was never sold on the superhero character, and he didn't think it was doing much for Shane's career.
The pair had worked some house shows together, but Flair was apparently frustrated with the limitations playing such a goofy gimmick imposed on a talented worker - the 'Nature Boy' had watched some of Helms' work years earlier in WCW, and he knew he had skills.
The Hurricane persona, according to Ric, had to go.
WWE would eventually pull the plug on it in late-2005. That pleased Flair, and it also reminded his old Four Horsemen pal Arn Anderson just how good a performer Helms was. He approached Shane backstage and admitted that he'd forgotten he could work.
That blew Helms' mind, because he'd deliberately stripped back most of his move set and focused more on character when playing The Hurricane. He didn't understand why some of the best workers ever couldn't see that.
Maybe Flair was far too busy shaking his head.