Rob Faint
Many wrestlers go through many gimmicks/name changes throughout their careers. Here are 5 of the most startling transformations.
1) Private Jim Nelson/Boris Zhukov- Originally part of Sgt Slaughter’s Cobra Corps from 1980 to 1983 in the Mid-Atlantic territory Nelson transformed into the Russian villain Boris Zhukov when he joined the Mid-South and kept that identity though stops in the AWA, the WWF and other promotions.
2) Dewey Robertson/The Missing Link- Robertson wrestled in the Mid-Atlantic, Canada and the Central States areas from 1961 to 1983, winning several titles. Then in 1983 he joined the Mid-South area as Max the Missing Link. He continued to wrestle as the Missing Link through stints in the WWF and World Class until his retirement in 2007.
3) “Sugar Bear” Harris/Kamala- Harris wrestling throughout the South from 1978 to 1982 with mixed success. After returning from Europe, he landed in Tennessee where Jerry Lawler and Jerry Jarrett helped Harris develop the character Kamala the Ugandan Giant. He would go on the great success, appearing in the WWF, World Class, Mid-South and other promotions.
4) Edward Wiskoski/Col DeBeers- Wiskoski (also wrestling for Derek Draper) was a minor star in the Portland and California areas from 1972 to 1985. He achieved his greatest fame when he joined the AWA as the hated racist Colonel DeBeers. He later wrestled for the UWF until his retirement in 2005.
5) “Mean” Mark Callous/The Undertaker- Mark Calaway moved through several identities (Texas Red, Master of Pain) in World Class and the NWA before striking gold as the Undertaker in the WWF.
