Former WWE Superstar and one-legged pro wrestler Zach Gowen recently posted a
blog discussing TNA Wrestling’s signing of one-legged wrestler Chris Melendez.
Below is an excerpt from the column:
“The goal of any successful wrestler is to create a connection with
his or her audience. That connection will motivate the audience to feel a
certain way. If you feel strongly enough about the personality, you will buy in
(i.e. tickets to the next show to see your most hated wrestler get his butt
kicked or you might buy your favorite wrestler’s merchandise). People buy on
emotion and justify by logic. This how the wrestling business works and
operates. That connection between wrestler and audience is the spark that will
light the wrestling business-model fuse, hopefully culminating in an explosion
of millions of dollars of revenue. The most successful wrestlers in history have
had the strongest connections and also (not by accident mind you), their
characters on screen are very close to who they are as people. A few examples
that come to mind are Steve Austin, The Rock, John Cena, and Ric
Flair.
The point of that preamble is this: with his backstory, his
spirit, his will to succeed, and his love for professional wrestling, Chris
Melendez has an opportunity connect with the wrestling audience (and beyond)
just as much as any of the guys I mentioned above. There is no ceiling for him.
There is no shelf life. I want to make that abundantly clear. There is no shelf
life for someone who connects with an audience. I’m already invested in his
story NOT because he has 1 leg but because of his story of bravery, patriotism,
heart, and overcoming of odds. I’m rooting for him to succeed and I’m behind him
100%…..and this is without ever seeing him. THAT’S the foundation of a strong
character.”
