The Wasted WCW and WWF Career of Mike Awesome

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Mike Awesome should have been a main eventer in WCW and the WWF. Throughout the 90's Awesome built his career in ECW and FMW in Japan and he was one of the most impressive big wrestlers in the world. But by the time he reached WCW, Vince Russo was running wild, and Awesome ended up with two of the worst gimmicks in wrestling history. In this wrestling documentary, we take a look at the wasted WCW and WWE career of The Gladiator Mike Awesome.
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Опубликовано:

28 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 100

@StunnedByWrestling 6 месяцев назад

What did you think of Mike Awesome? Do you agree that his career was wasted? If you enjoyed this video then leave a thumbs up to let me know 👍

@eastsidereviews727 6 месяцев назад

Amazing how both the largest companies in the business completely wasted Mike Awesome. Just baffling!

@venomousnate7263 6 месяцев назад

It’s a shame he never got a break he deserved. He deserved a whole lot better. On the plus side he’s still remembered as one of the greatest big men in wrestling history with some hard hitting memorable matches. RIP Mike Awesome

@JustAwesome-u8n 6 месяцев назад

In reality , Awesome was the total package Sad ending

@richardgadberry8398 6 месяцев назад

"Suicide dive by Mike Awesome. And it's a shame he didn't succeed in taking his own life!"--Joey Styles, One Night Stand 2005.

@bannedfreespeech 6 месяцев назад

lost respect for styles for that line, Awesome left ecw beccause heyman is a hack who didn't pay anyone

@TheJollyMisanthrope 6 месяцев назад

@@bannedfreespeech Just a heel line by Styles during a work. I doubt he meant it outside of the context of the match.

@dhenderson1810 6 месяцев назад

@@TheJollyMisanthropeStyles constantly berated Awesome or anyone who left ECW.

@dhenderson1810 6 месяцев назад

Well, Joey Styles ultimately got his wish. There is blood on Joey Styles' hands.

@DonMega888 4 месяца назад

@@dhenderson1810I'm quite sure mike awesome wasn't thinking about a throwaway line by Joey Styles at the end of his life

@AnthonyChobotdoespopcultresand 6 месяцев назад

He was awesome

@Anthropoahagus 6 месяцев назад

I'll never forget when Mike Awesome debuted in WWF he gave Rhyno one of the sickest powerbombs I have ever seen on a ladder it hurt just watching it. I was excited and thought they were going to push him I should have known better.

@RolfWrenWalsh 6 месяцев назад

To be fair with the 70's guy gimmick, That 70's Show was HUGE in 2000 (which was it's third season), and I could have seen WWE giving him or someone else the same gimmick (if That 70's Show aired during the New Generation or PG Eras). In fact, typing this just made me realize something. I still live, breathe, and bleed for WCW, but I just realized that WCW 2000 was a weird hodgepodge of the New Generation, Attitude, and even the Rock 'n' Wrestling eras of WWE.

@ianstratton 6 месяцев назад

WWE's version of That 70's Guy was kinda basically Dude Love

@DeadKoby 6 месяцев назад

A big hard hitting dude would fit best with the Japanese style, or perhaps a promotion like NWA.

@alexandru5369 6 месяцев назад

In hindsight he should've stayed in Japan. the worst thing the two companies was not giving him a manager too speak for him

@jamesthompson3023 6 месяцев назад

The mullet vs the Japanese beer keg with legs loved these guys

@mjdf122 6 месяцев назад

I’ve been blessed to see all from 1980-Now I’m from NY and I have been to all ECW Supercards/PPVs from 1993-2001 with the exception of Terry Funks Wrestlefest 1998 in TX and Heatwave 2000 in CA I have also been to a majority of other promotions PPVs what a life of wrestling Mike Awesome was as his name is Awesome

@eduardosotelo8446 6 месяцев назад

Big guy with the style of a cruiserweight/heavyweight. Rip Mike Awesome

@Thathorrorguy12FU 6 месяцев назад

A bad time for Awesome due to overcrowded rosters for Mike Awesome. He came in too late. If it were today this man could thrive wherever he would go.

@Thathorrorguy12FU 6 месяцев назад

Mike was one of the most underrated wrestler it was an absolute shame! He could fly! He had the big man power, and he was an impressive specimen. He was incredible! I couldn't believe when he started on WCW. He attacked Nash. Then he was buried. And he really never was able to dig himself out. It wasn't his fault. I think that it was just the wrong time for a lot of the very talented wrestlers who are no longer with us and gone too soon. Due to the WWE taking over everything that was big money. And the Indys weren't what they are now. Whereas you could actually make a living on the Indys. Or he definitely could have went back to NJPW or All Japan. And made money. However I don't feel he was up for it. I think to Mike,it felt like going backwards.

@stacybry29 4 месяца назад

Those terrible gimmicks really hurt his career if he would have just stayed "Mike Awesome."

@TheJollyMisanthrope 6 месяцев назад

Dude should have been pushed to the moon. Big with crazy athleticism and enough mic skills to get people hyped for his matches.

@razarinothechainerinokripp3684 6 месяцев назад

Mike Awesome never had the promo skills to be a main eventer, the gladiator gimmick he had in Japan is something so fake and corny it could not get over seriously in the states. Midcarder for life who could have very solid matches when asked. Maybe the ambulance match gimmick could have gotten over but whether that style of match was too physically demanding or logistically/creatively difficult to pull off consistently it just was not something feasible. What happened to Mike is sad but let's not pretend he could have become something we know realistically he couldn't.

@MasterofVirology 6 месяцев назад

Maybe , but let's not pretend the gimmicks he was given didn't play a role in his down fall

@mynameisnotearl4383 6 месяцев назад

Mike awesome was giving the 70s guy gimmick cause of the success of that 70s show. He was basically Ashton kutcher

@robertfrazier6563 6 месяцев назад

Its understandable that Mike Awesome jump from ECW to WCW ( Due to being promised getting paid 6 figures ) although he wasn't use right. Him having way too many gimmicks hurt his wrestling career but putting him in the Invasion angle kill it. If Awesome was use right ( In WCW ) he be a major force ( not in a level of being a World or United States Champion but on the level of being the Television Champion ) but WCW was coming towards the end as well his stay in WCW. If Awesome would make his comeback in Japan a bit earlier Aewsome's career would last at least 8 years.

@kokotheclown2588 6 месяцев назад

One of those talents that was born way to early and was on the wrong era of wrestling Awesome had the look and move set to become a big star yes he lack mic skills and he was as charismatic as wet paint and yeah he still had that jebroni cut but with a manager and a glow up he could’ve been huge especially in todays era of wrestling I could see him in GCW having some hardcore matches

@JonnyAugz 6 месяцев назад

Mike should have said no to those wcw gimmicks.

@KamiKazeD 6 месяцев назад

problem is, he's related to Hogan and so Russo told Mike : That doesnt work for me brother

@KadeemG61 2 месяца назад

Mike Awesome was way ahead of his time. After I watched his phenomenal work in FMW and ECW, he could’ve been so much more as a badass in WCW and WWF. But it’s just another What If? scenario. What If WCW hired the right person instead of petulant d**k rider Russo, give Mike Awesome a massive push and become World Champion. I hate when both Awesome and another underrated WCW wrestler who were a victim of bad timing, Sean O’ Haire, been treated like an afterthought when they were in the WWE. Disappointing what could’ve been in their careers. They were in the right place but at the wrong wrestling promotion. I’m glad that Mike Alfonso and O’Haire are both tag teamed in heaven right now. I still miss them.

@deondrecarter153 6 месяцев назад

Awesome could’ve hang with guys like Kane , Taker, Big show as compeers that could’ve been good but I blame Vince Bischoff for not knowing what to do with him and he became irrelevant out now creative direction. Mike Awesome walk so Brock Lesnar could run! Remember that!

@criminalmindsgirl2936 6 месяцев назад

Question...I wasn't watching WCW/ECW so why was it Tazz who took the belt off off Mike and not another ECW wrestler?

@Xanthro2 6 месяцев назад

Storyline wise, it was kinda the only thing believable as RVD was TV title holder and everyone else was already gone from ECW, and Tommy Dreamer never wanted hold a belt. But also, Paul Haymen was already in talks to sell to Vince anyway (as he had been on Vince's payroll for awhile by that point), so regardless of if Tazz was to keep the belt, it would be Vince's belt and not Tunner's belt (was still before Vince was sure he was going to buy WCW); and yes, I get Tunner was basically out of the picture by that time, but the mentality of "Tunner's belt" kinda held true in the sense of "just some corp group who had the WCW holdings" ending up with it. I could be abit off or totally wrong, but this is how I remember it. If anyone else knows better, I would also like to better understand :)

@mrpjc81 6 месяцев назад

@@Xanthro2 that plus he knew he could say to Taz to drop it to so and so on this date he would as Paul gave Taz his break a in the wrestling business and looked after him when he broke his neck. So there was trust there as well. Not saying that awesome wouldn't have done it either he dropped it to Taz. Plus we got to see the ECW title on WWE TV witch was good for both companies

@criminalmindsgirl2936 6 месяцев назад

@Xanthro2 & @mrpjc81 thank you!

@mringram 6 месяцев назад

Thanks so much

@sampleoffers1978 6 месяцев назад

Hybrid of Terry Gordy, Paul Wight and ultimate warrior but more athletic without being too ballerina. Sucks he knocked out Duddly girl's teeth by accident if he did and possibly hurt Kanyon...but the two giants of time were Wight and Awesome, with Wight little bit stunted in legacy, while Awesome was burred on multi levels.

@jrmichaels4648 6 месяцев назад

what do you mean he's kinda related to hulk hogan?

@lawrence09151 6 месяцев назад

Senator Mike Lee

@JustinSharpe-h9h 6 месяцев назад

Thing is there was big guys with better looks then mike awesome

@jonihohe 5 месяцев назад

Mike Awesome was maybe the most complete wrestler its sad how his talent was wasted :/

@johansmallberries9874 6 месяцев назад

Mike Awesome needed a mask or face paint. He was just too friendly looking, he had the face of a goofy sitcom neighbor and the body of bruiser Brody

@MichaelGraham-h9j 6 месяцев назад

Mike awesome was a straight up beast he could have been huge especially in wcw he should have been put in the mix with the top of the card instead they made a mockery of him

@brandonperkins176 6 месяцев назад

Both sides really threw Awesome under the bus

@dhenderson1810 5 месяцев назад

What about ECW who wouldn't pay his wage? Hope Heyman has paid back all his talent their back pay by now.

@DonMega888 4 месяца назад

Under the Partridge Family bus

@brandonperkins176 4 месяца назад

@@DonMega888 literally

@brandonperkins176 4 месяца назад

@@dhenderson1810 I don't know if had all the money from his time now in WWE

@dhenderson1810 4 месяца назад

@@brandonperkins176 Well, I hope Heyman has paid back all the ECW talent by now.

@timmyheatz12 6 месяцев назад

His mullet was 10 and slept on big time! Rip Michael Alfonso aka mike awesome

@adamV5 6 месяцев назад

Vince russo was Watching that's 70's Show at that time

@marcsarfati3291 6 месяцев назад

WCW: was a not fit 1) looks small against Nash 2) how could Mike reckless style of wrestling work with Nash

@KamiKazeD 6 месяцев назад

WWF if in 1996 : was a not fit 1) He look way to good against Michaels 2) How could Mike reckless style of wrestling work with Michaels

@YukoMiyamoto-jj1uq 3 месяца назад

if he looked small aganist nash then rey mysterio looks big compared to mark henry

@SRPC21 6 месяцев назад

I’m about to go to sleep but I can tell by the title I’m going to completely agree with this video. He had literally everything and was even related to Hulk Hogan so you’d think that’d help his career in some way. During the dying days in WCW he along with Storm, Booker T and the Natural Born Thrillers looked like the future of WCW but it wasn’t to be 😞.

@marvellis6762 6 месяцев назад

He was an outstation athletic big man. Truly gifted

@Foxentails 6 месяцев назад

That WCW Russo stuff was a shit show. 😂 I quit watching WCW after a couple of months of it.

@symesalexander390 6 месяцев назад

Sigh 😔 💐 🕊 RIP

@thehaunted8055 6 месяцев назад

Mike Awesome was Awesome

@calebbonds4632 6 месяцев назад

I’ve been waiting for this since he was at his peak when I was a baby.😂😂 I would pay money to have seen this guy feuding with lesnar in 2003 or Batista in 2005. Sad to see not only his career end in a sad fashion but his life too. R.I.P.🙏

@ericathewwfwcwdivastraight8906 6 месяцев назад

The career of Mike Awesome is degrading beyond words.

@jamesthompson3023 6 месяцев назад

Best big man ever loved this guy him and Tanaka was my fav rivalry in the late 90 they would knock lumps out of each other barn burners

@TrailerParkCinderella 6 месяцев назад

Awesome was great however I think his issue was almost being too good but also very dangerous. He was too big to be a mid carder. His style was too dangerous I doubt Stone Cold, Rock or HHH had an interest taking his offense. I think he didn't politic very well and he flatlined quick

@MichaelSpikes-pv6kl 6 месяцев назад

Excellent review video

@scott9628 6 месяцев назад

But, I thought Vince loved "Big Men?"

@purplep6070 6 месяцев назад

Was not suprised at all. Never understood the hype around him. Dude came across as a generic 80s style guy at best.

@brian-ld4vd 6 месяцев назад

The Fat Chick Thriller was absolutely Brilliant!!! LoL That 70's Guy was friggin special needs level!!! LoL I'm amazed McMahon didn't want to push him to the Big Time. Shocking.

@mjdf122 6 месяцев назад

Mike Awesome FCW USWA NWA FMW ZEN AJPW ECW WCW WWF/E MLW NOAH TNA Legend

@Farmerb1985 5 месяцев назад

Rip Mike awesome

@JustAwesome-u8n 6 месяцев назад

Speed , power and agility Awesome was just awesome In reality , Vince owed him a run with the I C belt

@kkwok9 5 месяцев назад

Sad

@JonnyHolms 6 месяцев назад

Awesome was Awesome... RIP 🙏 Mike Awesome...

@Diabolicalbeanr 6 месяцев назад

Dude was mad nice in ECW

@Coldstone47034 6 месяцев назад

That top rope sit-down powerbombs on Masato Tanaka made me a fan of his. That was a badass move.

@dhenderson1810 5 месяцев назад

Mike Awesome had to go to WCW because Paul Heyman wasn't paying anyone. Awesome had a family to feed.

@newbritainpauly4841 2 дня назад

Mike was the total package! Paul hayman was the only promoter in the states that knew how to book mike.

@VaderPopsVicodin10 6 месяцев назад

Honestly, I never got into his career. Wish I had, though!🤷🏻‍♂️ The guy was good! I knew SOME ECW growing up but wasn't really following much of the promotion as much as I had with WCW and the WWF.

@michaelreich4827 6 месяцев назад

Awesome worked in ECW because they had way fewer dates. He couldn't do the crazy shit he did for 150 (WCW) or 300 (WWF) days a year without seriously hurting himself or someone else.

@michaelsinger4638 6 месяцев назад

WCW went through all that trouble and paid all that money to get him from ECW early. And then did NOTHING with him.

@IcemenMike45 9 дней назад

Mike Awesome deserved to win the WCW title. I hated that Russo buried him like that

@notfromhere8889 5 месяцев назад

I thought Awesome was going to be the next big thing. That is when I realized that non WWE wrestlers got screwed over by signing with WWE. When the ECW guys got played for clowns 😢

@jeremyvanb821 5 месяцев назад

I kind of get it from wwe side, wcw devalued him soooo much with all the silly shit they did with him. Hard to go from fat chick thriller and that 70s guy to top shelf wwe talent. Plus as good as he was in the ring, he wasn’t exactly a wiz on the mic.

@Scorch1028 6 месяцев назад

In any pro wrestling promotion it’s crowded at the top, and there can only be one world champion at a time. Also consider that each world champion could hold onto the title for a year, if that’s what the boss wants. Then, once he drops the strap, if he’s got pull with the promoter, he could win the strap back 3 months later, and hold onto the world title again for an additional year. Once a promotion has 5 or more former world champions on their roster, all vying for that top spot, then anybody who’s below these guys in the company can expect to play the waiting game for a long time.

@JerryAttrick-c4s Месяц назад

His career was deffo wasted in wcw but esp wwe. Least wcw tried to do things with him... wwe had, as per usual, no clue how to use a talent such as was mik awesome 😢😢😢