The “Wrestling Salvage Yard” is back and we’re looking at Darren “Droz” Drozdov. He was a former professional football player in both the NFL and CFL between 1993 and 1996.
In 1997, Droz entered pro wrestling and was scooped up by WWE in 1998. His meeting with the WWE is shown in the documentary Beyond the Mat where he vomits on cue for Vince McMahon who seems a little too amused by the act.
Droz’s career ended in October 1999 as a result of a career-ending injury. However, in the one-and-a-half years that he spent in WWE, the company did find something to do with him. Early on, there was no actual direction for Droz. He proved to be competent in-ring but he was simply super green. I mean, at least wasn’t stinking up the joint like Brakkus or Steve McMichael. There was a level of effort to Droz’s work.
It also helps that he was a wrestler of this era in wrestling. He fit in and wouldn’t come off as dated for a few years if he had made it into the early 2000s. That’s where his career enters “What If” territory. What could WWE have done with Droz in 2000?
Salvaging Droz in WWE
I don’t believe Droz needed to be salvaged. His career in WWE was still in its rookie year and the only storyline that he was involved in was with the L.O.D 2000 which was past its prime in the late 90s. While the Road Warriors faithful always disregards the replacement member—except for Kensuke Sasaki as Power Warrior—Droz as Puke could’ve worked.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGh0ZEiSY-4
While he was a member of L.O.D 2000 under dubious means, he came off as a Headbanger who was interning under Animal and Hawk. If anything, I could’ve seen the Headbangers being made into a trio with Puke being the leader. Sure, Mosh and Thrasher had the experience but WWE couldn’t make anything shake with Mosh while Thrasher was out injured for a period.
Once Thrasher returned, it was pretty much back to business as usual for those two with no intention of pushing them further or putting them in an interesting storyline. Droz served as a means to bring Giant Bernard in as Prince Albert towards the end of his run.
He had charisma, athleticism, and a unique look that would’ve stood out from the WWE’s early 2000s call-ups. All he really needed was in-ring seasoning and a gimmick that actually worked for him. While that last part was a bit difficult as creative is generally hit or miss, WWE had a developmental program at the time and in-ring time there could’ve only benefited him.
I believe that going straight to the main roster wasn’t the play for Droz creatively or in his development as a wrestler and performer. However, he was the perfect kind of personality for the Attitude Era. He didn’t seem like he was produced for the MTV generation, he seemed as if he was a product of that generation and seemed more authentic.
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