Too Cool was a resounding success in the WWE, but their money-making gimmick was far from the original idea that was presented for the duo.
Former WWE creative member Vince Russo appeared on this week's episode of The List and Ya Boy Podcast, and discussed the popular tag team. Russo was quick to admit, however, that he wasn't responsible for aiding in their best years.
"Their best years were not on my dime. I was gone. I was there for Too Much, made the marriage, but when they started doing their best stuff, I had left the company," said Russo.
Nearly 20 years after the two first teamed, Scott Tayler (formerly Scotty 2 Hotty) works as a trainer at the WWE Performance Center, capping off a career that included two tag team title runs and a Light Heavyweight Championship. Taylor was actually originally brought into the WWF as he had a high-ranking admirer. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) for him, Taylor wasn't able to stand out as a light heavyweight wrestler and WWF creative had to go back to the drawing board on his character.
"Scott Taylor was there because Pat Patterson was a huge fan of his work. Pat Patterson thought Scott Taylor was a great worker, and he was. Let's face it. It wasn't until he got the character and married the two that the guy got over and made a lot of money. If he had remained Scott Taylor, the wrestler, I think he would have been limited in his push and how much money he made," said Russo.
Taylor was teamed with Brian Christopher, who later would be renamed Grand Master Sexay. Christopher, much like Taylor, didn't take off in the WWF Light Heavyweight division and had to be repackaged. Although the constant references towards Jerry Lawler on commentary alluded to the fact that Christopher was his son, WWE rarely openly admitted it until years later.
"I think it started as a rib, and they went with it," Russo recalled.
The eventual Grand Master Sexay was pushed in 1997 as a member of the aforementioned light heavyweight division. It wasn't long before his act was canned, and he was placed with Taylor as the team "Too Much." An injury derailed the team, but the edge of having a character would benefit "Grand Master Sexay" for years.
"Look at Brian Christopher. He's got the genes of Jerry Lawler. This kid was entertaining as hell. He was terrific and he pulled it off. (A lot of people) don't want entertainment in wrestling today. Are you kidding me? Could you imagine a guy like Brian Christopher, if we took his personality away? If we stripped him of his character and sent him out there to have a match?
You can see The List And Ya Boy podcast every Wednesday at 3 PM EST on Fightful.com and FightfulPods.com. It features guests such as Russo, Ken Anderson, Daivari, Matt Riddle, Deonna Purrazzo, JJ Dillon, Alex Riley, and several other names in wrestling.
