The Sad Story of The Renegade in WCW
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- Опубліковано 29 сер 2024
- Wrestling Bios Presents - The Sad Story of The Renegade in WCW
The Story of The Renegade in WCW is, unfortunately, a sad one.
Most will look at a picture of Renegade and immediately laugh at the blatant Utimate Warrior rip off, and who could blame them. There was absolutely no hiding that Rick Wilson was brought into WCW to look, act, walk, talk and work like Jim Hellwig. What some people may not be aware of though, was how Wilson's run in WCW, and more importantly, the weeks following the end of his wcw run, had effected him mentally. When all was said and done, The Renegade's story ended in the worst possible way.
WCW was was throwing around a lot of money to sign old WWF guys. From Hulk Hogan to Randy Savage, money was not an issue as Eric Bischoff spent millions of dollars to try and recreate what the WWE did in the early 90s. One man WCW could not get under contract was The Ultimate Warrior. So instead of signing Warrior, WCW introduced the world to The Renegade.
In this mini documentary form Wrestling Bios, we look at the WCW career of The Renegade. Topics included are:
- Rick Wilson before The Renegade gimmick
- WCW and Hulk Hogan announcing "The Ultimate Surprise", completely baiting the WCW audience to believe WCW had signed Ultimate Warrior
- The Renegade debut in WCW at Uncensored 1995
- The Renegade's early sucess, capturing the WCW Television Title
- Renegade's sharp decline in WCW, including being relegated to jobber status within the company
- The end of Renegade's WCW career and the severe consequences that followed
#wrestling #documentary #wwe
I knew him before he was a wrestler, we dated for about a year. He was a fun sweet guy. I have great memories of him. Thinking of him and the anniversary of his death. I wish he had reached out to someone that fateful day. God bless you 'Rio'
It's a shame. He clearly had the talent but maybe he just didn't understand the ups and downs. He could have went to Japan and made lots of money and reinvented himself under a different name or gimmick.
@@hmpz36911 Well, he already went to japan so there's that
33 man he was so young!! Sometimes the managment at our daily jobs don't realize the stress we endure from them.. when many of us are already fighting battles in our personal lives. Sometimes it's just too much to bear. 🤔🥺
Renegade was a dork...
@@ShinerBockGirlz Apparently, dorks survive in serious relationships longer.
Props to Stevie for the caring words. That was a genuine and classy way to end that bio.
Stevie Ray nailed it when he said "this was another WCW f**k up". Rick definitely deserved better then what he ended up getting.
so glad someone has done a tasteful video on him. This is probably the only tribute out there of him
Sicsta osw review has a shorter bio vid on Renegade
I don't remember him and haven't ever heard this story, but agree this was well done and very sad. Probably one of the best of this type of video I've seen. This guy's (Renegades) story would make a great Dark Side Of The Ring or even full on narrative movie or doc. It's stories like this that make me long for a big budget television drama about a Wrestling business in the vein of The West Wing or Newsroom. There are hundreds of episodes worth of material to draw from.
@@seangalvin3196 that is an awesome idea 💡 and there is definitely a ton of information and eye witness stories to make content on.
It kills me every time I think about how they did that guy
Watching these vids.. I'm so so glad I had nothing to do with WCW or even watched a show.. WWF since 92 and even that is dark with it's history.. WCW makes WWF / Vinny Mac look like a saint...
I met him in Atlanta. He was friendly, nice guy.
@asian dude Maybe at the strip club
@asian dude in a seance
It’s often the nicest ones
So opposite to the warrior
@@smallies7154 Bischoff did say that. He was a really nice guy, and kept to himself. So it's not like anyone knew he suffered from bouts of depression.
His wrestling story in WCW, made me remember an old saying: An opportunity is not always, a good opportunity. Sometimes, it's better to stay where you are, and make improvements there, than stepping your foot where it doesn't belong, at least, yet.
Definitely! The Renegade unfortunately was thrusted into the main event story lines, due to Hogan. It was a big opportunity, but instead of building his own character to be in the business long term, he took the short term success. It did not last long and he did not have the mental development to deal with it. I actually thought he was going to leave and do something else, and eventually re-vamp and change his character. It apparently did not happen.
So right you are!! I know what you are saying!! The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence!! Stay put where you are and try to improve yourself. I made that mistake and I live with it each day. May he RIP!! I hope God had mercy on him.
Yea but that analogy unfortunately doesn’t work in the wrestling world. You can’t say no or “ make improvements”
Who said that?
Poor guy couldn't deal with being just a piece of meat in the grinder. I'm actually surprised this story isn't more common amongst wrestlers.
It likely is, but they don't kill themselves immediately, but use substances to do it slowly.
@@alanguages he shot himself
@@alanguages he killed himself with a shotgun
@@evaneibach I believe that was his point. Others fed to the grinder take drugs to get by, slowly getting worn down before getting swallowed up.
Rick took such a sharp decline, that he may have given up all hope more quickly.
He was doomed to fail from the start. WCW put this guy in the worst possible position. I remember the PPV he debuted and was I was pissed it wasn't Warrior but this guy! Seeing this made me feel for him.
I feel like Hulk Hogan should have done more to help him you know and I wonder how he feels about him when I know he didn't take it very well when he committed suicide he took that dude he brought that guy in WCW I wonder how he feels about it
I was pissed at first as well, but I began to love the Renegade Character. I can't believe they crapped all over him after they obtained the real Ultimate Warrior. The fact that Jimmy Hart called him a piece of trash, and he got no revenge just pisses me off to this day. Rick Wilson deserved so much more and it sucks that he's gone. When they did their crappy tribute to him I was so sad. All they did was show his picture and say he died. No real empathy what so damn ever!!
Was there no one there that could have trained him further because those early matches were brutal to watch. Vince McMahon would have sent him to developmental for sure.
@@walker1984 Yeah well, WCW had their own thing and thought it was good. The "Power Plant" as they called it only produced a very limited number of good superstars. And you could think the good superstars that came out of it did so because they were naturally gifted ( ex: DDP ). They had terrible training in there. You could see bits of it when Louis Theroux visited it. From wikipedia: Molly Holly said of her training, "Dean Malenko’s school focused on wrestling while the Power Plant focused on push-ups, running, sit-ups, squats, and people yelling at you."
The Flaming Pike, I was thinking of that Louis doc as I was reading your comment and then you mentioned it! Great doc that people don't mention much. That power plant was something alright. I just rewatched that doc last week and was thinking a lot about "the sarg". This viewing I found him to be a pretty sad and embarrassing (in a tragic way) guy. You can tell he had a lot of desmons and neurosis of his own. A very, very insecure guy. Anyway, glad someone else has seen it. I find that short doc more entertaining and interesting that Beyond the Mat.
Being 5 in 1995, I quickly became a Renegade fan, and was disappointed by his de-push. I was still a big fan of him to the bitter end. With the right creative, he would have done great in WCW, WWF, etc. I uploaded many of his later matches to UA-cam as Doctor Attitude's Wrestling. The look, character, mic work, etc. 🙏 RIP Rick, hope you and Dr. Death are putting on a classic in the afterlife 😇
Rip Rick Wilson 🙏
Jesus loves u
I mostly blame WCW more than The Ultimate Warrior
Remember one thing: WCW ruins and ruined everything😠
@@jpass7784 Wrong. They were responsible for Sting, Booker T, Chris Jericho, etc.
Blame the damn person who did it
@@Nepthu Sting was created during the end of the Jim Crockett era and Chris Jericho you gotta be kidding me
@Phil McCrevice I know he is what I meant was WCW made a joke out of him.
Unfortunately the Warrior had a one of a kind physique. Renegade had some mass but not even close to Warrior's muscle definition, face paint continuity and even his hair was different. This was a mistake of biblical proportions especially the "burial" of him with jobbing him out til he had no job security. WCW couldn't of handled his transition out worse. RIP.
I remember reading in Ric Flair’s book, that Hogan wanted to build the Renegade up the same way the Warrior was so he could eventually face him and get his revenge from the WM VI loss.
What book is that
I knew hogan had something to do with it plus he didn’t even trained him or suggested the renegade to do better or advice or anything, that ego freak hogan is a HEEL in real life
@@Willie-go6dc - Aww, you poor thing! 😂
@@gqloc6768 Not me I’m chillin. The aww poor thing is hogan since he a Heel In real life and a Racist while at it 😎
Flair must be wrong. Hogan would know the Renegade wouldn't be seen as the Warrior.
Stevie Ray is wise beyond his years and always had a great mind for wrestling booking and the psychology
You really should have millions of followers. Great vid as always!
He will, matter of time!
100%
Why? He had lots of photos of the Ultimate Warrior, but he claimed it was some made up name - Renegade.
Breezy. I love u breezy!
fjvideo what are you talking about shut up asswipe
I remember him being this new unstoppable force only for him to be a jobber.
He died at the very young age of 33.
RIP RENEGADE. You deserved better.
Yea that's pretty much what they just said Einstein
Holly that's very young only 5 years older than me wow
@@grandmastermario3695 It’s not about you though is it
@@senecaknowledge2274 Maybe not, but it makes you think a lot. Makes you think how you have lived your own life until now.
@@senecaknowledge2274 It's called empathy and reflection. Let us know when you're ready to join the human race.
Absolutely hysterical that he was used as Warrior's body double during his WCW run for Fall Brawl
Sucks that this would’ve been the 20th anniversary of Rick Wilson’s death taking his own life at a young age. Rick Rude also passed because of a accidental drug overdose, which was a shocking blow to wrestling fans considering Rude was one of the best heels in the WWE from the late 80’s-early 90’s. I’m glad he’s in the Hall Of Fame.
@3:21 is it nust me or does Flair have the perfect Joker smile going on. It's eerie.
I was thinking a cross between The Joker and Tim Curry from RHPS.
Wow. A sad video about a wrestler who make a big only been put down for copyright 😞
God bless Stevie Ray for said nice things about him.
😥😰😭
They could of been clever and had him be the Anti-Warrior. A heel that was like the reverse villains in comic books that look like the superheroes but different colorscheme. Reverse flash or Bizaro superman
It might have worked. Later on there was a fake Sting. Who else could they use though. The fake Undertaker could not be used for legal purposes. Unfortunately, it would be short program.
It's a shame how this guy was treated. Brought in to imitate another wrestler and basically buried. Unfortunately he couldn't deal with it and ended his own life. Truly Sad.
He did not deserve such harsh treatment. Poor man.
Tayo Jones It’s also unfair that he was apparently disliked in the locker room because of the push he was given - it wasn’t his fault.
He was a weenie. Only weenies throw in the towel when the going gets tough.
What an absolute garbage take bro. @gqloc6768
the words of a pure living garbage@@gqloc6768
May i suggest an expose on Louis Spicolli? That kid deserve to be remembered. Great job with Renegade.. :)
agree
Trafficker for the boys in WCW. That's why he was popular when he was in WCW.
Basically what Eric said on the podcast
Another good one these guys should do is Mike Awesome.
I also want to hear the one on Brian Pillman as well as Test
@@Crushbra
At first, I thought it was downright disrespectful what Zbysko said about him on air after his death, but if he was the locker room drug concierge, I can see why he would say that.
jesus ric flair looked like the joker in that pic with vader.
🤣🤣🤣
I know I'm late but I just saw this video and I thought the same thing lmao
"WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY! WOOOOOOO!"
He is nothing but a pervert. He really thinks he's something. I can't stand the arrogant sob.
Wow! Lol you weren't lying..
You are currently my favorite wrestling content provider. 10 out of 10 as always, sir.
10 year old me thought the renegade was awesome.
hope dies excellent comment. Rip renegade
@@captaincracker8980 he was a good wrestler. He just wasn't used properly.
Nothing wrong with that.
Very very tastefully done. I love your tremendous work in these videos.
Wrestling in the 80's and 90's was crazy,
The majority of the wrestlers were jacked
Up on steroids and other drugs while the fans believed wrestling was real
For sure. Go back and watch the promos from the 90s and every one of those dudes was high on coke.
Professional wrestling is real but is fix the movees the holds hurt for real
Just doing a wrestlers bridge hurts In a great amount
I'm glad you added the Stevie Ray quote I remember him saying that about him. It really sum up his career in wcw
Man these videos are awesome and the best thing about it is you've got wrestlers to do bios on to last you a life time. You've got a fan for life.
I was a huge mark in 1995 and therefore, was a fan of Renegade.
Lol
I consider this to almost be a tribute.
Really, really nicely done.
You're right that we don't know all the facts surrounding why he ended his life, but no matter the reasons, I am so sorry that he wasn't able to push through his sorrow. He was young, talented, and gorgeous. Despite what happened with WCW, he still had his whole life ahead of him. He could have gone down other avenues and opened a new chapter, or many new chapters, in his life. Anyway, I hope he rests peacefully.
I always thought Renegade and Joe Gomez were a cool team. That was after he dropped the Warrior gimmick.
I agree, their gimmick ironically was the image of renegade bikers.
@@DLRX If he would have come into WCW with the biker gimmick, then he would have had a much better career.
lol those guys both sucked
@@patale1640 Yeah you're right we're all stupid idiots. You sure showed us! Man you're clever!!
I never knew this story. Great video. This would make a great episode of Dark Side of the Ring (if you didn't cover it great already). What a tragic and sad story that can be applicable and relatable to all aspects of show business. This was even way, way before social media and the rise of "dirt sheets". Imagine how much of a beating he would take in the press today?!?
Off-brand and generic brands are usually 👎. You get what you pay for. This was the first time I remember a top-tier wrestler being demoted to jobber status. Poor Rick.
Thank you for making this video. It’s important, please keep doing what your doing.
"Don't hold back Stevie Ray, tell us what you REALLY think!"
GOT DAMN!
DaveFu 🤣🤣
So many sad stories... This... Mike Awesome... where the lights stop and they find themselves lost in depression... Tastefully done.
I watched his entire run in WCW as a kid. Sad to think about what he was going thru at the time of his death. May he RIP
No one knows what the real reason why this man did this but the man himself. My condolences to the mans family and friends.
He did it because he spiraled out of control from his depression from being buried in his career
3:21 o.O The JokeFlier
he look wild cuhz...
Another great video, have said it once I will say it again, you need to be hired by a TV production company. Also, I know he did some questionable things and he wasn't the greatest wrestler but Ultimate Warrior did have something many of the wrestlers were jealous of and if you could make a BIO about him it would be amazing, only you can hit the right balance.
With someone who was built like that, it's possible to keep them on the sidelines as a credible enforcer... There were just too many working for WCW, and there was no space for the underdogs.
DeadKoby I get the feeling WWE is like that now.
Great videos, how about a couple luchadore's? Ultimo Dragon, Psychosis???
he still went from an exotic dancer to a legend
Legend?
@@brandonvandine1695 in parallel world
I remember hearing the story a very long time ago, WCW didn't even tell him to his face that he was gone, they fed ex his termination papers to him
Great Video ! I think this guy could have been good if he was repackaged with a new gimmick, he deserved much better than the Renegade gimmick. I've always been a huge fan of this guy, never cared much for his gimmick and his Fall Brawl 1995 match with DDP is one of my favorites.
This was a sad story😢
It just shows you how WCW could build you into the biggest star & suddenly take it all away from you
You should do chris kanyon. Thats a sad end to a really talented wrestler.
I Agree
Yes! I've been saying that!
He was a mentally disturbed bigot...the end.
Wasn't he Mortis from wcw?
@@49baybridge, yes
Great video. I like how you showed the tragic aspect of his career instead of making fun of the guy. Suicide is always a tragedy, and Rick Wilson must have been in a very dark place after his wrestling career was purposely destroyed. RIP Rick Wilson.
I don’t think I would describe the ultimate warrior as being “naturally charismatic” lol. He was basically just a wild man that acted like a raging w. His promos usually were little more than just rambling and babbling on about something to the point that we had no idea what he would be talking about. But for whatever reason, in the late 80’s and early 90’s fans absolutely loved him and couldn’t get enough of him. Well they loved him up to a certain point anyway, because they didn’t quite love him enough to make his run as WWF champion work. Because just like Mr. Nostradamus himself, Hulk Hogan predicted warrior could not carry the company as champion and he was correct about that part.
I think the people wanted someone who was a bit more "straight", like Hogan.
Can’t stop watching your vids.
Bless him
Please y’all stop disrespecting my cousin. He was just trying to make a break in this wrestling business. I miss him.
Yea sure he was
I remember hearing about him passing away. It made me very sad. It's one of the few things I hate about WCW.
Another great video and just so so sad r.i.p mr Wilson passed away far to early
Sad story. RIP.
Really sad, Renegades story kinda reminds me of Flowers for Algernon
Blaming someone is always a difficult affair. Eric Bischoff and Hogan were the driving force behind this. Hogan should have stepped up and told Eric to take a hike at the mere mention suggestion of this. So seeing as this was a setup to lure the real warrior to WCW, they essentially sacrifice a human being as a means to an end. Now where have I heard that before??? The Blue Blazer, afraid of heights, making a spectacular entrance from the heavens.
RIP renegade
Rick flair with eyeliner is not a good look for him!
I wish I could churn out great quality videos as fast as you can 👍
He would have been better off being just Renagade and not a rip off of the warrior.
Very well made video! Can see the time and effort put into it to put the disastrous career of this fake warrior over.
Damn that Front Bowl on the real Warrior head cut
Great story! Thank you for sharing.
Its sad the way WCW used this guy.
Maybe you could do a story or even a two-part story on the rise and fall of the WCW?
Watched them all so far, great work
This is like two sides of the same coin...giving a newcomer who is green a huge push as a superman....so instead they do Goldberg. Just shows how fine the line is between success and tragedy.
Goldberg benefited a lot from not outright ripping anyone off (while his appearance was similar to Steve Austin's, his wrestling style was different).
Goldberg has natural charisma and a real presence about him, Renegade had neither.
..rest in peace Rick !! from New Zealand
I would like to see his story on Dark Side of the Ring season 3.
Could you do a video on possible season 3 episodes in the coming weeks?
When I saw Renegade I thought he was the Ultimate Warrior at first. Now that I look back, I think that he doesn't really look like him; I mean he does because of the long hair, face paint, and a good body, however, at the same time, you can see the difference in their look, and even the bodies. Warrior was a pro bodybuilder and more ripped. I remember telling my grandfather he's Warrior, and my grandfather knew he wasn't. He just said, I don't know he's, crazy, where did they get this guy from. After awhile I realized it wasn't him. Now that I look back I hate what WCW did to him. He was pushed like the Warrior, and was main eventing with Hogan, Savage, Sting, etc. Then they end his push, and job him out. Sad, this makes me sick, he then committed suicide. I can't blame them for his suicide because if anyone does that they have other issues, but the depression of what happened in WCW probably helped push him ahead. F WCW, I mean it!!
I remember The Renegade well because I was in high school by this time. Sad ending to a guy who was most likely a way better person than the Warrior.
Are you stupid? Is being a suicidal loser better than being the ultimate warrior? That’s what you’re saying?
3:21 Flair looks like a scary goth, there. ;*(
@Miss Leblanc If he was painted white, he'd be an albino version of the joker from Batman!!!!!
That shot of Flair with Vader was the world's perfect Joker.
Rick Wilson should NEVER have been put into the No Win situation that was the Renegade. The man if they in WCW creative had that much of a hard on for the Ultimate Warrior, then why not have hin be the Anti Warrior similar to NWO Sting. Be a heel and show what a heel Warrior could be. Or how about just letting the man be just Rick Wilson a wrestler trying to climb the ladder of success. Idiots.
Rick Wilson died because he wanted to be a wrestler and couldn't because of the Warrior stigma.
Thank you for an awesome documentary.
Yeah another great video, I check for your videos everyday, my favourite UA-cam channel.
He might not have been a great worker in the ring, but he definitely didn't deserve to go like that.
The fact that Warrior was the catalyst for this poor guy's suicide is just sad. Could have at least tried working with Vince lord knows he would have given him a chance
WCW created its own UW.
His name is Goldberg.
It always cracks me up that in a "sport" where everything is scripted and played out; that a wrestler can be blamed for anything.
What if they hyped the Renegade as the "Ultimate Surprise" but then he debuted as an exotic dancer instead?
No, that was his profession beforehand.
@@mountzod I know but it would have been funny. People thinking they're going to see the Ultimate Warrior but this meat puppet comes out in a g-string and does a stripper routine, instant money.
You have more creativity then the whole WCW creative team. Plus your idea isn’t trying to play the fans as morons.
BAH GAWD ALMIGHTY!!! THAT'S GONNA PUT ASSES IN SEATS!!!!
That would have lived up to the claim of being the ultimate surprise at least. :P I can't imagine it getting over with the audience that well (then again, having him turn heel would at least provide a great source of cheap heat, assuming he didn't come across as a Rick Rude rip-off).
I'm addicted to these so good great job
I can watch your videos for hours and never get bored. Keep them coming please!
I did an interview with Perry Saturn a few years ago and he told me that there was a story that Rick was arguing with his girlfriend and in the heat of the moment he held the gun to his head and it went off. That is what Perry told me.
Great stuff! Keep them coming
Rest in peace renegade...you never were a failure to me.
I think that the smartest thing that WCW could have done were these things.
1. The Renegade needed better coaching with his charisma.
2. The Renegade needed better coaching with his moveset.
3. The Renegade needed a more varied moveset.
4. WCW should have asked The Ultimate Warrior if he wanted to be a part of a tag team for their company. If The Ultimate Warrior said yes, then it will lead to these next things.
5. The Renegade should have been paired immediately with The Ultimate Warrior.
6. The Renegade should have been called The Ultimate Renegade.
7. The tag team of The Ultimate Warrior and The Renegade should have been called The Ultimates, and they would have become huge, were they pushed right.
Had WCW done those things in the first place, it might have very well prevented a career that was cut short due to suicide.
If WCW got Ultimate Warrior at that time, they wouldn’t have even given Rick Wilson a second look. You marks are ridiculous.
@@Musiclover19 sad but true
Also I HIGHLY doubt Ultimate Warrior would have been interested in being in a tag team with Rick there. He was already too much into his ego of star power.
@@Musiclover19 i was one of the few who liked Renegades team with Joe Gomez and when that team broke up Renegade at least once used a new move. post match beat down on Joe Renegade hit him with a northern lights suplex but weirdly he never used that during any matches
Nice video. The irony is he could have probably had a decent living on the indies, that's the sort of gimmick which screams mid 90s local shows
Vader was a far better fit in WCW than WWF but aside for Sting he had no one to feud with .
I wanna do a personal documentary on this guy, the background story is very sad but yet interesting.
#RIPRickWilson
Society is unimaginably cruel to men. Chewed up, spat out and never coddled, just told to harden the f up. RIP dear friend.
These are great I can watch all day. Can't wait for the next
RIP Renegade may you have the peace you looking for!!!!💯💯💯💯🙏😪
I don't think he's at peace he killed himself
Getting put over wasn't Wilsons' fault. I also heard that Rick Wilson didn't want to be The Renegade in the first place.
Wouldn't surprise me. Probably wanted to get his spot and took it begrudgingly.
Money and being thrusted in the main storyline would make anyone say yes. He just did not realize it was not meant for long term success, but a flash in the pan. WCW did what other former WWF wrestlers accused Vince McMahon of doing. Chewed up and spit out.
He should have been in the Raven Flock, instead of Van Hammer. RIP Renegade
Great vid. I still want a *Gilberg* vid tho
To hell with that.....We want RALPHUS.....
@@SegaDream131 lol Wonder if Ralphus is still alive? Jericho ought to hire him again as his "bodyguard" in AEW.
Ano this going to be depressing and I'm only 1 minute in great videos man
This is beyond tragic... Man...RIP
"Dont promise what you can't deliver. " Well said.
That sort of stuff will ultimately catch up to you
A sad tale indeed, he could of prevented some of it by not doing the whole "yes man" thing throughout all his time in WCW. Being a "yes man" is a career gimping move, people must realize that.
I'm not sure what you consider "jacked," but in my book, Renegade wasn't it.
every wrestler in those days were on drugs
Compared to today wrestlers he looked like a monster