After Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling’s live television broadcast from the Convention Center on Thursday, which aired nationally on Spike, and Ohio Valley Wrestling’s weekly television program taping at Davis Arena tonight at 7, professional wrestling has maintained a stronghold in the Derby City.
In addition, OVW airs its show weekly on WBNA Saturdays at 1 p.m. and Wednesdays at 9 p.m., following World Wrestling Entertainment’s Main Event, the Louisville based promotion began in 1997.
Long before that though pro wrestling had been a steady in Louisville, back in the day when guys like Jerry “The King” Lawler and George “The Animal” Steele would frequent the ‘Ville and up to today, like it or not as a town were a fan historically of the squared circle.
With all that in mind, the city of Louisville has seen its share of wrestling “characters” or gimmicks, some of these have been great and some of these well struggle let’s say. Keep in mind, just because a wrestler is portraying a terrible character it doesn’t mean there a bad wrestler, not at all, in fact many high profile pro wrestlers have done downright awful characters in their past, none the less in honor of OVW and Louisville’s pro wrestling past I thought it was time to take a look at some of the worst professional wrestling gimmicks in the sport entertainment’s history; many of these characters have wandered into the ‘Ville, like it or not.
Hey, remember Bluto from the old Popeye cartoon? Yeah, that guy could wipe this floor with Tugboat here. I'm not being sarcastic this character's ring name is Tugboat; is it neccessary for me to make an obligatory ship wreck joke here? I'm resisting that urge.
Here he is Bastion Booger, again his real name. Even more disturbing this character was a pretty substantial wrestler in World Wrestling Entertainment in the early 90's; the gimmick here is he's just a disgusting guy wearing saran wrap I suppose.
Don't lie, you wish you were even remotely as cool as this guy from the late '80's. Coming out of World Championship Wrestling was PN News, a "rapper" character who clearly was exceptionally "gangsta."
Nothing is more intimidating than male cheerleaders, and with that in mind The Spirit Squad was born. Interestingly, several of these guys did come out of OVW directly.
Today Kane is known as one of the top stars in the WWE and has been for years now, before that character came along though Glenn Jacobs was Issac Yankem MD: this guy. I really question this guy's dental credentials. 
I really wish this picture was photo shopped or fake or something but sadly, this is Mantaur, a halloween costume gone terribly wrong.
Hey kids, you love Spiderman right? Well, here's a cheap knock off of the web slinging hero in Arachnaman from World Championship Wrestling, if you're curious they were sued by Marvel.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Battle Kat, I have no smart mouth comments here this guy is just awesome!
Will any of these legends be in the ring at OVW or upcoming TNA, WWE, or any other promotion's events; probably not, but a guy can dream.
Cover image courtesy of Spiderhero, article images courtesy of Comedy.com, The Smoking Jacket, and Bleacher Report
