On a recent edition of his “Kliq This” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash recalled Ric Flair getting seriously mad at WCW for making him don the Black Scorpion gimmick.
Flair was eventually unmasked at WCW Starrcade 1990, after losing to Sting in a Cage Match while wrestling under the masked Black Scorpion gear.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On different people portraying the Black Scorpion: “[It] was supposed to be like Al Perez, all these different people, The Black Scorpion was like 30 different people.”
On how angry Ric Flair was over having to portray the character: “Finally, Flair was The Black Scorpion, and I remember him just…oh, he was so f—king pissed. They gave him this red mask that he wore, and he f—king in disgust threw it in the locker room and f—king like everybody left.”
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The Black Scorpion: A Controversial Gimmick in WCW
In the world of professional wrestling, gimmicks are a common occurrence. From larger-than-life characters to outrageous storylines, these elements add excitement and entertainment to the sport. However, not all gimmicks are well-received, and one such example is the Black Scorpion gimmick in WCW.
During a recent episode of his podcast “Kliq This,” WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash shared his memories of the Black Scorpion gimmick and how it affected one of wrestling’s biggest legends, Ric Flair. The Black Scorpion was a masked character portrayed by multiple individuals, including Al Perez and others.
Nash recalled that Flair was initially unhappy with the idea of portraying the Black Scorpion. The frustration reached its peak when Flair was finally given the role and had to wear a red mask. According to Nash, Flair was so furious that he threw the mask in disgust, causing everyone in the locker room to leave.
The Black Scorpion gimmick reached its climax at WCW Starrcade 1990 when Sting faced off against the masked character in a Cage Match. After a hard-fought battle, Sting emerged victorious and unmasked the Black Scorpion, revealing Ric Flair underneath. This unmasking marked the end of the controversial gimmick.
The Black Scorpion gimmick was met with mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. While some appreciated the mystery and intrigue surrounding the character, others felt that it was a poor use of Flair’s talents and diminished his credibility as a top-tier performer.
Despite the controversy surrounding the Black Scorpion gimmick, it remains a notable chapter in wrestling history. It serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges that come with creating and executing unique characters in the industry.
As wrestling fans, we can appreciate the creativity and innovation that goes into developing new gimmicks. However, it is also important to acknowledge that not every idea will resonate with the audience or the performers themselves. The Black Scorpion gimmick serves as a cautionary tale of the potential pitfalls of pushing a character that doesn’t align with the wrestler’s persona or fan expectations.
In conclusion, the Black Scorpion gimmick in WCW was a controversial and divisive storyline that involved multiple individuals portraying the masked character. Ric Flair’s frustration with the gimmick was evident, and it ultimately led to his unmasking at WCW Starrcade 1990. While the Black Scorpion gimmick may not have been well-received by all, it remains a memorable part of wrestling history and a reminder of the challenges faced in creating compelling characters.