Extreme Assimilation - new wrestlers entering the WWF family

Wrestling Digest, Oct, 2001 by Jason Scales

We examine the past and analyze the future of five recent ECW additions to the WWF roster

BY NOW, WWF FANS ARE VERY familiar with former Extreme Championship Wrestling performers who switched federations in 1999 and 2000. Tazz has established himself as a smart-ass "SmackDown!" commentator. The Dudley Boyz have made the phrase "Got wood?" a way of life in the ring. And Raven has become the type of brooding loner every well-rounded wrestling promotion should have.

But what about the newcomers assimilated by the WWF since ECW's demise? What kind of reputation did they have in ECW? How did they make their WWF debuts? And what kind of impact will they make on what seems like an overcrowded roster?

We answer these questions in the following analysis. At least one thing's clear in the beginning: These performers have shown that the cliche "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" is a legitimate philosophy in the world of sports entertainment.

JERRY LYNN

Real Name: Jeremy Lynn

ECW legacy: Sure, Rob Van Dam was the "Whole F'n Show" in ECW, but Jerry Lynn was the "New F'n Show." Lynn, a metalhead inside and outside the ring, became an ECW fan favorite by proving he could match Van Dam move for move in their baffles over the ECW world television title during Van Dam's title run from April 1998 to March 2000. Although Lynn never did wear what some fans considered the top title in the federation, he did defeat Justin Credible on October 1, 2000, to capture the ECW world heavyweight title.

WWF debut: By the time Lynn debuted in the WWF, the 13-year veteran had captured very few professional wrestling titles in his career, which included a stint in WCW as the mysteriously masked "Mr. JL." But in his WWF debut, which occurred on "Heat" on April 29, 2001, Lynn beat Crash Holly to capture the WWF light heavyweight title.

Early analysis: Since his title victory, Lynn has defended the minor title against former several light heavyweight champions, including: Grand Master Sexay, Essa Rios, and Taka Michinoku. As of press time, the long-haired Lynn had yet to lose the title and was just starting to showcase his well-rounded wrestling skills to WWF fans.

Looking long term: Lynn is a true veteran who is capable of performing fast-paced, high-flying and dramatic matches night after night. His microphone skills are his only weakness. He began his career by teaming and feuding with the Lightning Kid (Sean Waltman, now the WWF's X-Pac) in independent federations in Minnesota. It looks like he will end his career performing in mid-card matches over the WWF's lesser titles. An alliance with X-Pac, or a feud with him, would satisfy all the "smart marks" and bring Lynn's career full circle.

RHYNO

Real name: Terry Gerin

ECW legacy: Bill Goldberg was WCW's rookie of the year in 1998. Kurt Angle was the WWF's rookie of the year in 2000. And Rhyno was ECW's rookie of the year in 2000. The "rookie monster" became the "Big F'n Deal" by capturing the ECW world television title twice in 2000, on April 21 and September 1. He solidified his impressive resume by defeating Sandman for the ECW world heavyweight title at Guilty As Charged on January 7, 2001, ECW's final pay-per-view. When ECW closed shop in March, Rhyno still held both of the federation's singles titles.

WWF debut: Rhyno's first high-profile appearance on WWF television occurred at the federation's top pay-per-view of the year: Wrestlemania X-Seven on April 1, 2001. His interference during the TLC 2 (tables, ladders and chairs) match helped Edge and Christian win the WWF world tag-team title, to the dismay of the Dudley Boyz and the Hardy Boyz. Rhyno then captured a belt of his own when he defeated Kane for the hardcore title on "SmackDown!" on April 19.

Early analysis: Rhyno has not lost a step in his transition to the WWF Although, just like Lynn, his mic skills need work, his gore finishing move is just as impressive in WWF rings as it was in ECW. He fits the hardcore division, but he has also shown that he has technical-wrestling skills as well.

Looking long term: Rhyno has the build of a rhino--short and powerful. The Michigan native has only six years experience as a wrestler, so he seems to have many more years to offer as a performer, barring injury. Since former ECW owner-booker Paul Heyman is now behind the WWF microphone as an announcer, and apparently has a say in WWF storylines, Rhyno's future as a WWF titleholder seems very bright.

SPIKE DUDLEY

Real name: Matthew Hyson

ECW legacy: Dudley was the performer most wrestlers on the ECW roster wanted to face. When he didn't defeat his opponents with the acid drop finishing move, "the Giant Killer" had a knack for taking extreme punishment--all in the interest of getting his opponent over. When he wasn't waving like a goof to the audience or crashing through tables, he did enjoy two tag-team title reigns with Balls Mahoney, on July 18 and August 14, 1999. Spike may have been the smallest member of the roster, but he was one of the biggest babyfaces and also held perhaps the most loyalty to the federation.