Eugene (wrestler)
| Nick Dinsmore | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | December 17, 1975 Jeffersonville, Indiana |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Eugene / Eugene Dinsmore Nick Dinsmore Doink the Clown |
| Billed height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Billed weight | 110 kg (243 lb) |
| Billed from | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Trained by | Danny Davis Dean Malenko and William Regal |
| Debut | 1997 |
Nicholas David Dinsmore (born December 17, 1976 in Jeffersonville, Indiana), is an American professional wrestler who is best known as Eugene in World Wrestling Entertainment. He is a former holder of the WWE World Tag Team Championship with William Regal. He is once again working on Ohio Valley Wrestling.
Career
Breaking in
Dinsmore wrestled in Ohio Valley Wrestling under his real name, partnered with Rob Conway.[1] Dinsmore even made some WWE appearances, first of which appearing on an episode of Shotgun Saturday Night in 1999, also wrestling as Doink the Clown on two separate occasions, and as one half of Los Conquistadores with Conway.[1] He also won the OVW Championship on 9 separate occasions, setting an official OVW record.[1] Dinsmore also once appeared on WCW Thunder as a jobber in 1998, losing to Ernest Miller and losing to Kanyon another time and on WCW Monday Nitro with Lenny Lane against Scott Steiner. He also had a single match loss to Wrath on a Nitro in September 1998.
World Wrestling Entertainment (2004-2007)
2004
In Dinsmore's official debut on the April 5 2004 episode of RAW, he was portrayed as Eugene Dinsmore (though the use of his last name was quietly dropped a few weeks later) the mentally challenged and over excited nephew of then RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff, and was placed in the care of newly returned former Commissioner William Regal.[1] The gimmick is still deemed controversial by many wrestling fans, particularly smarks who knew that Dinsmore was "normal"--not unlike the autism gimmick Rick Steiner had when he and his brother Scott were in the then-WWF in the early 1990s--and basically blamed WWE for giving an otherwise technically-sound wrestler the gimmick just to be promoted to the main roster from development. In May 2004, Eugene began a feud with Jonathan Coachman, who attempted to banish him from the WWE only to be stopped by the Rock. Eugene's first pay-per-view win was when he faced Jonathan Coachman at WWE Bad Blood 2004.[2] Afterwards, Eugene had a minor feud with Triple H.[1]
Eugene returned, with William Regal at his side, to feud with his "Uncle Eric." The storyline led to a match at the Taboo Tuesday 2004 PPV on October 19, in which fans could vote on the match stipulation. The chosen stipulation was that the loser would have his head shaved. Eugene won this match, thus shaving his uncle's head.[1]
Eugene then teamed with William Regal to win the World Tag Team Championship from La Résistance on the November 15, 2004 edition of RAW.[3] Later, Eugene would injure himself at New Year's Revolution after botching a dropkick. He suffered a ruptured left patella tendon which required surgery and sidelined him for several months.[1] This also cost him the World Tag Team Championship, as William Regal had lost the tag team title when he tagged with Jonathan Coachman.[4]
2005
He also made a surprise appearance at WrestleMania 21, delivering a trademark Eugene promo until being interrupted by the controversial Arab-American heels Muhammed Hassan and Daivari who then attacked Eugene. This was the prelude to the much anticipated return of Hulk Hogan, who came to the ring to save Eugene from the double-team beating.[1]
Eugene returned to in-ring action on the July 24, 2005 episode of "RAW" to take part in Kurt Angle's "Kurt Angle Invitational." Eugene became the first successful challenger.[5] Angle eventually won back his medal at SummerSlam.[6] Eugene then had a brief stint as a tag team with Tajiri until Tajiri's release later that year.[1]
At the Taboo Tuesday 2005 pay-per-view, Conway teamed with Tyson Tomko to face Eugene and a legend as voted for by the fans. "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka was chosen over Kamala and Jim Duggan in the voting and would go on to pin Conway with a Superfly Splash during the match.[7]
On November 18, 2005, WWE.com reported that Dinsmore was rushed to the hospital the previous night after passing out in a hotel lobby and was suspended indefinitely. A further report days later announced that Dinsmore admitted to taking prescription drugs such as somas. This coincided with the announcement of WWE's new drug policy following the death of Eddie Guerrero due to heart failure aggravated by his past history of drug abuse.[1]
2006
Eugene made his return to WWE during the 2006 Royal Rumble match on January 29 2006, entering at the No. 18 position and was eliminated by Chris Benoit.[1]
During the Backlash PPV in 2006, Eugene would begin to feud with the former teacher Matt Striker after Eugene made an appearance on a Matt Striker's Classroom segment during the PPV.[8]
After making an appearance at One Night Stand 2006[8] he began tagging with Jim Duggan.[1] Eugene challenged Umaga to a match at Vengeance, but was defeated. Jim Duggan, Doink the Clown, and Kamala were his managers during this match.[8] He would then go on to defeat Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon in a handicap match because of an interference from D-Generation X.[9].On September 3,2006 on an edition of Monday Night RAW, Eugene and Jim Duggan challenged then World Tag Team Champions the Spirit Squad for the titles but were unsuccessful after Kenny rolled-up Duggan using his tights for leverage. Later, Eugene and his partner "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan would split up after a match on RAW in which the losers were forced to split their tag team. They lost to the Spirit Squad. After the match, Eugene got upset and fustrated then attacked Duggan by accident.[10]
2007
In January, Eugene would make fun of Matt Striker and King Booker on a WWE.com video. Eugene then competed mainly on Heat. On the March 19 2007 episode of Raw, Eugene was put into a match against Umaga as a punishment for accidentally spilling a drink on Vince McMahon. After losing in a Squash match, McMahon shaved Eugene's head while Umaga watched, in the locker room Eugene was crying in the mirror, alone in the dark with only one light on him.[11] .
Eugene also wrestled at Saturday Night's Main Event, debuting his new wrestling attire, a Superman-like costume. Eugene fought in a 6-man tag team match with Kane, Doink The Clown, and he defeated Kevin Thorn, Viscera, and Umaga.[12]
On June 17, 2007, Eugene was drafted to SmackDown! as their final pick of the 2007 Supplemental Draft.[13] On the June 29 edition of Smackdown, Eugene, wearing his new 'superhero' like attire, was chokeslammed in his SmackDown! in-ring debut by The Great Khali. The week after that, Eugene was tricked into thinking Deuce 'n Domino were helping him win the match he was in, which led to him being easily defeated in a quick match against Mark Henry.
Eugene also participated in the Battle Royal for the World Heavyweight Championship; he got eliminated by a temporary team-work of Batista and Kane. He then teamed with Shannon Moore to take on Deuce and Domino, but failed. His last appearance in a WWE ring was on the August 31, edition of Friday Night Smackdown. He was shooting t-shirts into the crowd via t-shirt gun and accidentally shot Mark Henry. Henry retaliated by squeezing him with a bearhug until he passed out. On September 1, 2007 Dinsmore was released by WWE[14] due to a third failed drug test.
In October 2007, Dinsmore was signed to become the head official in charge of Derby City Wrestling, the intermediate-level group affiliated with Ohio Valley Wrestling. In this position, he replaced the departing Joey Matthews.
Return to Ohio Valley Wrestling/Independents (2008-Current)
In February 2008, Dinsmore returned to OVW and Dinsmore defeated Jay Bradley to win the OVW Heavyweight Championship.
During this time, Dinsmore also appears in independent promotions. He appeared at a Heavy On Wrestling event on June 14 2008 in Superior, WI defeating Arik Cannon with the aid of Terry Funk. Contrary to how he appears in OVW, At this particular event he wrestled once again as "Eugene" complete with his super hero attire and his white boots that were stained green during his attack by Shane and Vince McMahon.
On June 27, 2008, Dinsmore appeared on the inaugural Indie Pro Entertainment show in Martinsburg, WV. He won by pinfall, despite may interferences. He defeated Robbie Page.
In wrestling
Finishing and signature maneuvers
- As Nick Dinsmore
- As Eugene
- As Eugene, Dinsmore often uses vintage moves popular in the 1970s which are nowadays widely considered to be anachronisms, such as:
- He also emulates WWE superstars past and present by performing their signature moves. In the past, he has imitated many superstars, but has most often used "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan's Three-point stance clothesline, Hulk Hogan's Atomic Leg Drop and Hulk Up Combination, Junkyard Dog's antics (including the DogButt), The Rock's Rock Bottom and People's Elbow, and Stone Cold Steve Austin's Stone Cold Stunner.
- Eugene's own moves and taunts are:
- Bridged German suplex
- Northern Lights suplex
- Swinging neckbreaker
- Battering ram
- Electric chair drop
- Hiding under the ring
- Imitating his opponent
- Riding his opponent like they are a horse
- Rolling cradle
- Eugene's own moves and taunts are:
Managers
- Kenny Bolin - OVW
- William Regal - WWE
Championships and accomplishments
- C/W Tag Team Championship (1 time) - With Caiman Because He Was Filling For Caiman's Injued Partner Chris Recall
- HWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Music City Wrestling
- MCW North American Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Rob Conway[15]
- OVW Heavyweight Championship (9 times) (Most Reigns)
- OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (11 times; First-ever champion) - with Rob Conway (10), Flash Flanagan (1) (Most Reigns as Team)
- World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with William Regal
- Winner of the Kurt Angle Invitational along with his 1996 Olympic Gold Medal
Personal
In addition to having teamed with Rob Conway in OVW and being on screen enemies in the WWE, Nick is good friends with Rob outside the ring. Both grew up and live in neighboring towns in Southern Indiana.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Nick Dinsmore's Online World of Wrestling profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-10-08.
- ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 115.
- ^ "RAW Results - November 15, 2004". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-10-08.
- ^ "William Regal's Online World of Wrestling profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-10-08.
- ^ "RAW Results - July 25, 2005". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-10-08.
- ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 118.
- ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 119.
- ^ a b c PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 121.
- ^ "RAW Results - July 10, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-10-08.
- ^ "RAW Results - November 6, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-10-08.
- ^ Starr, Noah (2007-03-19). "Reversals and razors". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 8 October.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ McAvennie, Mike (2007-06-01). "Poised to Stand". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 8 October.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Dee, Louis (2007-06-17). "2007 Supplemental Draft results". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 8 October.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Eugene released". World Wrestling Entertainment. 2007-09-01. Retrieved 8 October.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Music City Wrestling". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2008-07-08.