Nailz—or Kevin Kelly—was a true character in wrestling. He was a case where you have to ask “Where do the gimmick end and the person begin?” At least back then. He could’ve–or should’ve–mellowed out over 30 years. Let’s see if the Nailz gimmick could be salvaged.
WWE Career
The guy had been in AWA during the 1980s, would later appear in New Japan—including a match versus Giant Gonzalez that no one asked for—in 1986 and 1994. Nailz was also featured in the failed American Wrestling Federation and do some spot appearances here and there in WCW during the 1990s.
His most notable match in WCW was at Slamboree ‘93 against Sting. However, this is about his WWE career for over a year between 1991 and 1992. In the WWE, Nailz was a convict who was seeking revenge on the Big Boss Man for the punishment he suffered when Boss Man was a guard at his prison.
Now, his backstory opens the floor for so many questions. First: did he just get off the Greyhound bus from the state prison in Georgia and drive right into the arena and let it be known he was after Boss Man?
Sure, it was an occupational gimmick…well. Being a convict isn’t an occupation, it’s a state of being but thinking logically and over-thinking the gimmick—this dude was a criminal.
Like, he was a criminal so hardened that the Big Boss Man had to beat his ass behind bars. So, I don’t know how much sympathy he was hoping to garner on his road of revenge.
If anything, Big Boss Man was doing everyone a favor then the state of Georgia just let this guy go. Just “We know you’re nowhere near socially adjusted and rehabilitated to be out amongst people but you did your time, Nailz.” What in the hell?
That leads to another gripe I’ve had about WWE since I started collecting the early 90s Superstars shows many years ago: Jack Tunney just let anyone into the WWE. I’ve discussed why Tunney was the worst commissioner ever but Nailz being in WWE was termination-worthy.
From a character standpoint that is, he should’ve also been bounced up out of there for his wrestling but WWE kept him around for over a year where he fought Boss Man on house shows.
This guy racked up so many DQs in those matches he had a large franchise. Blizzards for everyone, jack. Then he stuck around after Boss Man beat his ass at Survivor Series 1992.
I will say I liked that most of his house show wins over Boss Man were in the cage. If the gimmick stuck around that might have been a nice touch to their feud but this man just had to go.
Salvaging Nailz
There’s no salvaging this man. He choked Vince McMahon because he felt that he was shorted on money. Last time I checked his name wasn’t Wayne Brady so under no circumstance was Nailz going to need to choke a b****.
The gimmick could’ve definitely been salvaged since the character could’ve been evolved out it later. Also, my favorite tag team from WOW: Women of Wrestling—Caged Heat—played convict characters.
Someone like Brian Adams would’ve made a better Nailz. However, Nailz the wrestler? Unsalvageable…he wrestled Giant F’N Gonzalez in New Japan for crying out loud!
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