LogFAQs > #905810578

#2 - Brian Pillman Nominated by: JONA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpM-z0gJ1p8" data-time="&start=308

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brWHe5QZO9U" data-time="

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBKpLtIiucg" data-time="

The line between fantasy and reality in professional wrestling is finer than most believe or comprehend.
No one performer walked that line on a regular basis more than the "Loose Cannon" Brian Pillman, a true visionary in the business and the man who I think had more influence on the Attitude Era than anyone else would give credit. Beginning in late 1995 and lasting until his unfortunate and untimely death in October of 1997, he underwent a character change that proved to be one of the most controversial in wrestling history and regularly had fans guessing as to what was real and what was simply an act.

Pillman quickly became one of the most talked about characters on television thanks to his unpredictable nature, but prior to changing his entire persona, Pillman was well-respected for his innovative, revolutionary, high-flying style that brought a flashiness to American wrestling typically reserved for Mexico and Japan.

It was a far cry from the man who really popularized the high flying style in North America. His feuds with Japanese sensation Jushin Liger were legendary and eventually propelled him into a tag team with his soon-to-be best friend Steve Austin. Austin often credits Pillman for really changing his view on the business and helping him develop his own (at the time) mediocre promo skills. If you look back at the Flair for the Old segments produced by the Hollywood Blondes, it was clear there was something special there.

Eventually Pillman began to suffer from some internal demons such as addiction thanks to a lifelong battle against polyps in his throat and extensive surgeries that stemmed back to age 5. Around this time, Pillman began developing his Loose Cannon character, a schtick that was worked both in front and behind the camera. There are famous legends of Pillman convincing WCW that he was having a surgery just to avoid appearing in the now infamously bad triple cage match where Hogan and Savage defeated 12 top heels in one match. Another legend tells of how Pillman tricked Eric Bischoff into letting him out of his contract as part of a bizarre angle with Kevin Sullivan in order to "sell it" to the smart fans. Pillman then left for ECW and WWF and Eric was left holding the bag.

In WWF, Pillman's run could have been something special. Aligned with the Hart Foundation, Pillman quickly became the Loose Cannon of the group, and his appearances often stole the show. When he began a singles feud with Steve Austin in WWF, one of the most controversial and influential segments in the history of wrestling was sure to follow, as Pillman began to blur the lines between reality and fiction to such an extent that no one was sure whether it was real or not. It certainly became water cooler talk though, and WWF discovered ratings followed with this new style of television formatting. However, within weeks, Pillman was found dead of an overdose, and a burgeoning new era in wrestling was forced to lurch forward without him.

One of the best wrestlers in the world during his time with WCW, it was a shame that his automobile accident did the extensive damage it did to his health, preventing a new audience in WWE fans from seeing just how truly great he was. His death came far too early as well, robbing future generations from watching the great performer ply his craft well into the next century.

As a final note, my first dynasty file in TEW featured Pillman as the eventual top star in a 1995 WCW. I think I've never felt the creative liberty I had with Pillman in any other file, and I think that's a testament to just how remarkable his character was.
---

"Reading would be your friend." ~Dave Meltzer