Guest Report post Posted June 8, 2002 I've been looking at a bunch of the old Attitude gimmicks that were around, and one of the big ones we all talk about is Val Venis. As we all know, he was supposed to be a porn star. But when he was coming out to the ring, is that what came into mind for you? For some reason, it didn't for me. He's got the saxophone music and the towel around the waist. If they really wanted fans to think "hey, he's from a porno," then the Val Venis character should've been a lot different. First of all, the music and appearance need to be different. Some better music was needed. That sax one with "Hellllloooo, ladies!" was crap. He should've been using classic 1970s porno music, with the heavy bass drum, bass guitar, and cool "wank" effects. Instead we got that saxophone crap. As for Morley's appearance, if he really wanted to look like a porn star caricature, he'd have a bushy mustache. Maybe short hair and a black dye job could've helped Sean. And finally, he needed to deliver his lines a lot worse in order to sound amatuer-ish. As far as I'm concerned, 1980s Scott Hall or 1990s Rick Rude coming out to "Voodoo Chile" is more of a porn star than Val was. As for Chuck and Billy, they don't act gay enough either. I won't give a whole other dissertation, but simply put, Lenny and Lodi hit the nail on the head on being ambiguously gay. Billy and Chuck just look like weird guys with bad dye jobs and an entrance theme better suited to 3Count. Oh well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Sakura Report post Posted June 8, 2002 Billy and Chuck are better at being gay heels than Lenny and Lodi. Those two were way too over the top. Even Billy and Chuck are sometimes too silly, but not at the level L & L were. I think the gimmick would be a lot funnier and effective if it was more subtle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Mountie Report post Posted June 8, 2002 Don’t be ridiculous; Lenny and Lodi are comic geniuses, for the signs if nothing else. B+C’s act, though entertaining, is an inferior imitation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Mountie Report post Posted June 8, 2002 Also, Mr Czech Republic, thanks for making me laugh with the Val Venis comments. You are spot on: Val with a ‘tache would be awesome Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Psycho Diablo Report post Posted June 8, 2002 Out of curiousity..what's up with the hatred around here for Val Venis lately? Is it the fact he's associated with Edge, and therefore evil.. ..or something I'm not aware of? Perhaps jealousy that Christian isn't getting any sort of push like Edge, or even Val are. -Shiro Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 9, 2002 SK said it best...Val is very undistinctive. Yes, he is a solid wrestler, but in terms of standing out from other solid wrestlers, he falters. The Val Venis character really peaked in 1998 and 1999, and really has no purpose right now in the Big Valbowski incarnation. I think smarks are getting vindictive towards Morley because he was brought back for no real reason with no real intentions for him to be elevated, so he's taking up valuable space in the midcard that younger guys with more potential could benefit more from than Val. The same goes for Holly, Test, and Albert, who are good enough, but won't rise past their current positions even if you pumped them full of helium. My whole rant above, which this has now surpassed, is that Val Venis is an undistinctive and unconvincing character. When he debuted against Scorpio, he didn't look like some guy that just walked off the set of "Cumming into America," he looked like a guy in a purple Speedo. Except for "Choppy your pee-pee," Val has contributed nothing notable in his four or so years in the WWF. Perhaps if his initial pornstar gimmick was better executed, he wouldn't be in this predicament. Therefore, Val Venis has outlived his usefulness to the Fed. And besides, "The Big Valbowski" is a dumb name. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 9, 2002 If you wanna be technical, Val Venis isn't doing the porno thing anymore; it's a more of a poor man's Rick Rude. However, minus all the porn references, he's still basically playing the same character, and that's what's wrong with him. People like Val, X-Pac, and Hardcore Holly have been doing the same act for years now, with little change. Say what you will about Edge, but he's bothered to make that change over the years, from a dark, brooding type in '98 to the--as Michael Cole would put it--the fun lovin' guy of today. Then there's Austin, who's current face character is basically the same one he had four years ago, but with a few, subtle tweaks. As long as people like Val never grow, they're not going to get over. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 9, 2002 Maybe he can be the "Social Conservative in White Tights" again. That worked so well, but then they put him in the RTC. Boo. I noticed Val is no longer "an adult film star," but the "Big Valbowski" thing is really stupid. Maybe he can keep that name and become a bumbling Polish guy. That's gold for the marketing department, baby. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 10, 2002 Therefore, Val Venis has outlived his usefulness to the Fed. And besides, "The Big Valbowski" is a dumb name. he should start hanging out with a big fat guy and a little nerdy guy and talking about bowling ... then at least it would be kind of like one of my favorite movies, the big lebowski. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 10, 2002 One thing they could/should do, is change Val's name. Go for the basic, simple approach and use his real name: Sean Morley. Another thing is to have him take a more serious role. Meaning, no more stupid mic spots where he grunts through a promo and ends with a cheesy laugh. I like his in-ring work, he's a solid performer. But a little tweeking with the mic skills and the name change and 'Val' could be a helluva lot better than the one we see now. In my opinion, he is one of the more under utilized wrestlers in the WWE today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 10, 2002 Another thing is to have him take a more serious role. Though he was still called Val Venis, they already tried that role with him back in 2000, before he joined RTC. It did little to get him over, obviously, hence his joining the RTC. I could end up eating my words on this six months from now, but I truly think Val, regardless of gimmick change, will never be as over as he was back in 1998. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 10, 2002 I wish the best of success for all of the WWF guys (except Test and Albert) but I don't think kissing plants from the audience or changing the color scheme of his tights is going to get The Big Valbowski over. But speaking of the kissing plants, what if he made out with a houseplant in the ring? Michael Cole could say, in total "this is too funny!" goatee-wearing-bitchness, "I've heard of incorporating plants into the show, like they said on that Wrestling Secrets Revealed, but THIS is ridiculous!" Val Venis: Chlorophile Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RicFlairGlory Report post Posted June 10, 2002 Though he was still called Val Venis, they already tried that role with him back in 2000, before he joined RTC. It did little to get him over, obviously, hence his joining the RTC. I could end up eating my words on this six months from now, but I truly think Val, regardless of gimmick change, will never be as over as he was back in 1998. You give anybody a few wins, some over decent opponents, and a fan-friendly attitude (I dont mean doink the cloud, i mean an attitude the crowd will pop for), and anything can happen If you have wrestling skill, work on your mic skills. Thats what makes the difference. Charisma. And his problem pre-RTC was he had a female valet. You CANT shake a porn gimmick when you have a female valet. With big tits. In tight pants... etc.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest J*ingus Report post Posted June 10, 2002 "better executed"? Yes, I think that Billy, Chuck, and Val would all be better executed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 10, 2002 You give anybody a few wins, some over decent opponents, and a fan-friendly attitude (I dont mean doink the cloud, i mean an attitude the crowd will pop for), and anything can happen True, but the WWE is currently not on that track with Val. I don't see Sean Morley getting over on the basis of being Edge's friend. That kind of thing may fly with the Michael Coles of the world, but Michael Cole is a stupid piece of shit, so fuck him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Human Fly Report post Posted June 10, 2002 He could give Michael Cole "the money shot" through the table. That would get him over. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RicFlairGlory Report post Posted June 10, 2002 He could give Michael Cole "the money shot" through the table. That would get him over. Only with the smarks.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RicFlairGlory Report post Posted June 10, 2002 Billy and Chuck are better at being gay heels than Lenny and Lodi. Those two were way too over the top. Even Billy and Chuck are sometimes too silly, but not at the level L & L were. I think the gimmick would be a lot funnier and effective if it was more subtle. Oh! I forgot to talk about Billy and Chuck!! I have to agree with Sakura, the beauty part of Billy and Chuck is their ability to be subtle. Would the ambiguously gay duo be funny on SNL if they started talking about their dicks? No, that would make it gross. Subtlty is the key (ps, fuck did i ruin the spelling of that or WHAT?) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 10, 2002 I really don't understand why they are now using "The Big Valbowski" as the official wrestling name instead of Val Venis. As a nickname, it was marginal at best, so why going all-out and making it his ring name is supposed to be good is beyond me. I think Val Venis is a pretty talented wrestler, but he's been stuck in an absolutely abominable string of gimmicks. One thing that still boggles my mind is his semi-main event push in 1999. I remember him giving Austin a run for his money on SmackDown, then actually going over Mankind CLEANLY at No Mercy 99. Unreal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest raptor Report post Posted June 10, 2002 One thing that still boggles my mind is his semi-main event push in 1999. I remember him giving Austin a run for his money on SmackDown, then actually going over Mankind CLEANLY at No Mercy 99. Unreal. remember when he stole Socko and shoved it down his pants (to make a bigger bulge). THAT was unreal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RicFlairGlory Report post Posted June 10, 2002 remember when he stole Socko and shoved it down his pants (to make a bigger bulge). THAT was unreal. LOL Oh man... And nobody got my subtle "What?" Thats annoying... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
