There’s always time for a throwback. Wrestling magazines had a long period of being the most accessible means for wrestling news. This is especially true for the Apter mags with the awesome photos. The covers caught your attention and one that caught mine was October 1991’s Pro Wrestling Illustrated. The headline was “Sid Justice: The Second Coming of Hulk Hogan.”
You also had the full-color foldout for Flexy Lexy if you were a Luger fan.
Sid Vicious: Big Promotion Double Tapper
That headline was heavy. We’re talking Hulk Hogan, the biggest draw in wrestling at that time. Never mind Hulkamania was circling the drain in the early 90s, PWI just put this weight on Sid Vicious’ shoulders! At the time of that issue, Sid had just joined WWE in May but there was already a feeling that he could be that massive.
The thing is, Sid in 1991 had the look in spades. That made him not just a potential main eventer but an eventual main eventer. His promos—while sometimes bumbling—had that fire to them. Was he good in the ring? Hell no! Sid Vicious was no Bret Hart or Rick Martel and he didn’t need to be to warrant WWE investing in him.
Now, could he have shaped up if he didn’t catch feelings about WWE’s booking? I definitely believe so. One of the criticisms of Sid’s work was that it bad, bland, and sometimes botchy. That could’ve been remedied if he had stayed in one place longer than two years at a time.
He wouldn’t have been a technical wizard or anything but he would’ve been a consistent, decent enough talent with a style that anyone could work with well. That would’ve made Sid Vicious a strong wrestler to fit into these big match situations. Jumping between WWE and WCW during the developmental part of his career did him no favors.
“The Immortal” Sycho Sid
Since Sid has always been a mercenary when it comes to sticking with a company and doing business, he never really endeared himself to specific fanbases. Promotions have different fans and while Sid Vicious is remembered—fondly and with disdain—he’s never situated himself as a defining part of a promotion. The limit was always two years before a camel’s back was broken and Sid bounced.
Also, when he popped up it was always during a weak time in a company. Early WCW, post-Hulkamania, early WCW again, New Generation, and WCW 2000. The New Generation period would’ve been the best period for Sid since he could’ve gotten in with Attitude Era and while he wasn’t a draw, his character was finally nailed down. He could’ve done with an advocate or an actual agent to handle things for him.
When he left WWE in 1997, WCW was in need of a face. Preferably a badass destroyer face. Sting was camping in the rafters when he wasn’t doing Turner films, Luger had been run through, and the Horsemen had their hands full. Goldberg was there but he wasn’t ready. Besides getting Sid Vicious back WCW’s only other strong picks would’ve been stopping Scott Steiner from joining nWo or popping DDP early.
Instead, Sid was busy with his softball career at the time. Everyone needs an escape. If Dave Rosenbaum could’ve seen Sid’s career progression from 1991 to 2001, it probably would’ve made for a different headline.
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