Bruce Prichard Recalls Vader Signing With WWE When Injured In 1996

On the latest episode of Something To Wrestle With, Bruce Prichard talked about the debut of Vader in WWE in 1996 and the lackluster run that he had. Vader had an immediate absence following the Royal Rumble that year due to an injury.  You can check out some highlights below:

On WWE Signing Vader When He Needed Surgery:

“Yeah, we got damaged goods and he didn’t tell us till after he was signed. And it was like, ‘Okay, well, you got to have the surgery anyway. So let’s go out, make a splash, and let’s do this and give a reason. Give you a debut, give you an impactful debut, and then give a reason for you to go away.’”

On Having Ahmed Johnson Work With Vader:

“It really didn’t fit, you know? And during that time, you’re trying to create a big monster babyface in Ahmed, and he didn’t look like the guy that would do a lot of stuff. Then also — yes, injuries. Because it was dangerous for who he was in the ring with, and dangerous for him. Because he didn’t know how to protect people in a lot of those things that he did. And that’s probably the bigger issue. And you can use the antidote and the excuse if you will to say, ‘Hey big man, shouldn’t be doing all those things.’ ‘Oh, yeah, right, right, right.’ But it was really like, ‘Hey, people don’t want to take you lying there for your moonsault, man. Nobody wants to catch you dog.’ So it was part of safety for Ahmed and safety for who he was working with.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit Something To Wrestle With an h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.