Senseless Ramblings #1: Creating a Decent Gimmick

I’m constantly nagged…well not constantly but nagged enough on the subject of gimmick advice that I have felt it necessary to randomly write an article about it. In today’s episode of my Senseless Ramblings, I’m going to go through a few stages of advice on how to make a good, original, character for OCW, or hell, any e-fed that matter.

First up. We’re going to tackle gimmicks. I’m going to be the negative nancy that I am and say: STOP WITH THE FUCKING ARROGANT HEELS AND DARK GOTHIC MONSTERS. These are the most generic character types that everyone seems to want to be. I constantly see Randy Orton & Undertaker clones. Sure, it’s possible to get ahead in this archetype, but only if you got something else to sell yourself on. Additionally, both of these characters look idiotic when they lose right off. And the way OCW works, you will probably lose your first match- very few people start off with a win- and even fewer manage to get any sort of streak going. Brad Bauer is the only person in recent memory to have 5 wins before losing a match. Both of these types are horribly cliché and annoy the hell out of me personally because they reek of WWE flavor- almost every new person in the WWE is either cocky or a monster. Not to mention we have more than enough already of both in my humble opinion.

Consider a more original approach. Unless you’re a hell of a writer, writing for a character that is completely unlike you is difficult. For most people, unless you’re completely dull as dishwater, have some trait about you that could be expanded and kicked up to 11 to base a character off yourself. It happens a lot with the established characters. Double A is probably in reality, a drinker who spends a lot of time in strip clubs. So he takes his character and makes him a full-blown Alcoholic who’s a complete sleaze ball who names his finishers after venereal diseases. Versus in reality is- a passive aggressive stoner. His character is just a passive aggressive stoner taken to the extreme- where the real Versus might snidely insult you after being annoyed; the wrestler Versus is going to beat your face in when he’s had enough. Myself- I’m not going to go around it- I’m a geek. I read a lot, I spend way too much time on the computer, and I’m not the most assertive guy in reality. So I take that, and morph it into Guy Fausto- a complete loser who’s major interest is watching documentaries on the African Dung beetle. There’s a lot of traits with the right creativity that you could use to make a somewhat original character- in reality, many of the most popular characters are just themselves turned up. Chris Jericho is probably a sarcastic jerk. Steve Austin actually is a wife-beating red neck. Raven is a cynical brooding jackass. All three of those are the base traits of their characters- it’s just turned up to 11. Just brainstorm about things you know you could come up with something- maybe you’re big into thrill seeking style things like skydiving or drag racing, and wrestling is your next big thing. You could be a big time wrestling critic- a smark gimmick. Maybe you’re some sort of freak and want to join all the other freaks. All of these could become potential character bases with the right ideas behind it.

On one other little side note, another ridiculously common gimmick rookies keep trying to do is the “Nate” gimmick- pretty much the “No Gimmicks Needed” gimmick. You can’t pull this off. Only Nate can do the “Nate” gimmick because he’s Nate. Nate’s gimmick or complete lack thereof has gotten over due to him being here from nearly the beginning and Nate’s complete and utter refusal to ever suck at these games. Since you cannot start off established as Nate is, you cannot pull off his gimmick. Don’t even try.

The most important part of a character, in my honest opinion, is details. Details are what make a character more human, more interesting, and more fun to read about- and it makes people want to see more. None of the “Main Event” has gotten anywhere without at least having some detail go into their character- and detail is what separates a good cocky arrogant heel from a bad one. Details are the thing that can potentially make your Orton or Undertaker clone tolerable. For example, RD Money. His current character, at least when he was active, was a semi-egotistical and cocky gentleman. As is, this is the most generic thing ever. But you add details. He’s from the ghetto- Baltimore City, he fought up from nothing. He has a streak of honor and integrity. He’s always had to fight against some sort of adversity to get where he is- and suddenly the character becomes more interesting. Although details for the hell of details can be counterproductive- put some thought into them. If RD Money hailed from Montana, his character suddenly loses a lot of credibility since theirs nothing ‘gangsta’ about Montana.

Details are everything. History, hometown, motivations, ulterior motives, quirks, why they are in OCW in the first place, everything. If you don’t have details, I personally can’t bring myself to care about your character. It’s what helps you break the mold- as it’s said; there are only a few real gimmicks in wrestling. Chris Jericho and Christian have the same gimmick really- but the details behind both are what set them apart. The more detailed the better. I think Guy got by during his early days on excessive detail alone.

Final thing I’ll speak on is names. Names, for the most part, are just a detail. As long as it’s not completely stupid, like say, S-Bomber, it won’t really matter. Versus has no real reason to be calling himself Versus from what I understand about his character. I’m personally a fan of “Exotic yet Believable” style names. Nick Kage, Brad Bauer- alliteration helps it stand out. Nate Ortiz seems common as hell, but it somehow stands out. Guy Fausto- it’s a real name, but it’s so rare it stands out. Think of it how some actors change their name for marketing purposes- Example: Tom Cruise sounds cooler than Tom Mapother. Singular names like Barbarian or Mayhem can work if they fit the gimmick, but try to be somewhat original. Both Barbarian and Mayhem are not, sure, Barbarian being an actual wrestler in the WWF in the 90s, and every e-fed ever has a Mayhem. But an original name, while really only a detail can help you stand out from the rest of the crowd of nameless newbs.

Next time I feel like typing excessively for no real profit to myself, I’ll tackle character appearance- how to stop looking like a Backyard Yard Tard and look like a real wrestler- yet still stand out.

I just wanted to confirm that Guy is a geek... in case anyone was questioning that statement.

LIES.

Awesome read. You are 100% correct too. I really hate those cheesy arrogant cocky heel gimmicks as well.

Someone can always use it, but they have to have a centerpiece for what they stand for.

Thats what sets us apart, is there are so many different styles, and gimmicks.

My favorite gimmick has to be Versus's. His is so different, and he knows how to write in alot of what he does in reality.

Awesome read. You are 100% correct too. I really hate those cheesy arrogant cocky heel gimmicks as well.

 

Someone can always use it, but they have to have a centerpiece for what they stand for.

 

Thats what sets us apart, is there are so many different styles, and gimmicks.

 

My favorite gimmick has to be Versus's. His is so different, and he knows how to write in alot of what he does in reality.

like smoking with turtles and having a blunt that plays reggae

nice read... for the most part...

I will get you off the name thing... I`ll get you all off the name thing

So by adding that The Steve is a drug addict to the cocky, arrogant heel gimmick....does that mean my gimmick isn't teh suq?

You're also delusional and believe you are occassionally a diety.

You've taken it to an entire new extreme- Randy Orton does not think he is a god, nor refer to himself in the third person only to say his name more.