X-Appeal

The days of wrestlers telling fans to "take their vitamins and say their prayers" are long over - or at least they should be. That's why the new generation of World Wrestling Federation Superstars is so "over" with fans. They don't cater to the old-school market, and they're always cutting edge. Everyone knows that the Federation doesn't play "nice" anymore. It's "sports-entertainment"... it's rude and it's crude...and fans can't seem to get enough of it! People just love an edge to things. One of the wrestlers most responsible for this revolution in the wrestling industry is perhaps the edgiest... Sean "X-Pac" Waltman.

Sean may be considered "compact" compared to some of today's Federation Superstars, but he's no lightweight. He's young, brash and cocky. And, he has every right to be.

Waltman has gone from an unappreciated rookie to a seasoned veteran, winning the respect of fans everywhere in the process. However, it definitely hasn't been an easy ride. He's worn a diaper in front of a live, national audience; he's been severely injured (for real); and he's been rudely fired (by WCW) - via Federal Express, no less - all in the course of a few years. What might have broken a weaker man, instead made Sean more dedicated and focused on being himself.

When Sean escaped WCW and returned to the World Wrestling Federation's Raw is War on March 30, 1998, he sent a huge shock wave throughout the industry. After several months of rehabilitation, a healthy Sean Waltman cut a blistering shoot-style promo on Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. He was the first to publicly admit how Hogan and his backstage buddies were not only bullying the WCW booking staff, but also hurting the wrestling industry.

Those who remembered Sean were shocked and intrigued by his new straightforward attitude, and those who had never seen him before were definitely impressed.

Who wouldn't be impressed by this trash-talkin', ass-kickin' degenerate? Well, WCW for one. Their loss was definitely the Federation's gain. By giving Sean the ability to speak his mind that night, Vince McMahon put the World Wrestling Federation and the future of pro wrestling in Sean's hands. McMahon also got a self-made star to boot.

X-Pac's bold bravado makes for an interesting persona - somewhere between being too tough to love and too great to hate - he's constantly entertaining. His scruffy appearance is enough to make your mother wonder what you're watching and why. Clad head to toe in his cool DX outfit, he looks like he should be in a gang, making it very apparent that he has, to quote Mick Foley, "testicular fortitude."

He may not be 7-feet-tall or weigh 400 pounds, but that doesn't mean he can't kick some ass. In fact, his size adds to his image. X-Pac's the quintessential underdog; he's the kid in the schoolyard who everyone underestimated and wanted to fight. Only this time around, the kid kicked everyone's asses.

His scrappy underdog image makes people wonder how he's going to fare against his next opponent. It puts his character into compromising situations that he always manages to battle his way out of.

So, it's no surprise when that famous X-Pac music hits the arena speakers, everyone knows it's time to turn up the intensity. We love to see him, whether it's chugging down his Hansen's© energy drink in that way he does, or having a good laugh in the name of shameless promotion and self-parody, as if he needed more energy. With his arms flailing as he gives out crotch chops to anyone and everyone, he makes sure everyone knows that it's time for the s*** to hit the fan.

What he does isn't limited to theatrics or pyrotechnics. Inside the squared circle, he's a firecracker ready to explode. But, this firecracker doesn't pop and fizzle out; it keeps going all night long with the intensity of dynamite, ready to take on all comers.

Whether it's spinning heel kicks, side kicks or crescent kicks, he knows them all. You're likely to see basically any type of kick you can imagine. His workrate is constantly improving with the same intense desire to perform that he brings to the ring. His aerial offense isn't shabby, either; he flies through the air with the greatest of ease, not once stopping to second guess himself.

It's images like these that not only fans, but also the Superstars themselves, love to see. It's their job to go out there and entertain us every single night. So, to see one of their own turning things up so many notches really gets their adrenaline flowing.

Because of Sean's revolutionary jump to the World Wrestling Federation, other wrestlers disappointed by their midcard positions have been greatly inspired. The Dudley Boyz and Chris Jericho, among others, knew that X-Pac's huge impact could get them a fair chance to showcase their talent in the Federation.

As he has proven, your image is what you make of it, and X-Pac definitely has made an impression on wrestling fans. His brave, brash and constantly entertaining persona keeps fans tuning in week-to-week wondering what he'll do or say next. It's this type of dedication that keeps the industry thriving.

**************************************************

Feeding Off The Fans

At a recent taping of UPN's hit Thursday night show SmackDown! Sean Waltman was asked about his character, X-Pac, what makes him go, and what drives him to be the way he is when he hits that ramp.

"When people first meet me, they're surprised I'm so laid back, but when I go through the curtains it all changes. It's like a completely different part of me that's just waiting to get out sometimes. That other part of me is suppressed most of the time, except when I hear my music play, and it's time for me to go to work," said Waltman.

Like other Superstars, X-Pac pulls his energy from his audience. "And, the more the people respond, the more I turn it on... no inhibitions, just pure energy. It bounces back and forth between me and the crowd, and it's a good feeling. By the end of my match, I've totally drained the batteries and my tanks are empty."

The origination of these articles

Home Bio Prev. Pics Current Pics Match Results Titles Sounds Merchandise Feuds

Links Trivia Webrings Video Games Auctions Action Figures Awards Magazine Articles