Mr. Iguana and Danhausen: A Case for Comedy in Wrestling

Pretty much since the beginning of pro wrestling as a work, there has been comedy mixed in. Whether it was gimmicks or something like little people matches. There has always been some form of comedic element mixed into what is otherwise a serious athletic performance. Now, outside of companies that make comedy their selling point, you aren’t about to see a comedy gimmick in the main event. But that doesn’t mean there is no room for that stuff at all.

When done right, it can bring some levity and fun to the show. This helps to break up the more serious moments and gives us the chance to process something more brutal. You see this in horror movies. Those fun parts in the beginning, where everyone is having a good time before the killer shows up? That’s designed to give contrast to the brutal killings that you’ll soon be seeing.

When you are just subjected to scenes of violence with nothing to break them up, you get desensitized to them, and they lose meaning. So, the quiet or funny moments help give a moment to absorb the horror you just saw. This, in turn, allows you to internalize and remember what you saw and how it made you feel. Wrestling is a storytelling art, and stories are at their best when they provide more than one element. A three-ring circus, if you will.

A Three-Ring Circus

Wrestling is at its best when it’s booked like a three-ring circus. The concept basically breaks down to having a little something for everyone. Some great in-ring matches for those that love technical wrestling, some comedy for those that love comedy, and some big drama for those that tune in for the storytelling.

WrestleMania III is a great example of this concept: You start with some quick tag action, then a powerhouse brawl. You then get your comedy match with the Six-Man Tag Team match. Race and JYD have a comedy-type gimmick match, then we get some more quick tag action.

Piper vs Adonis ends with retribution and some comedic elements. The second Six-Man Tag is a mix of good tag action and some comedy due to Danny Davis. We get the big technical bout between Steamboat and Savage, and we, of course, cap it off with the big drama-filled match between Hogan and Andre.

This isn’t just a three-ring circus; it is also a roller coaster. Bringing us through peaks and valleys. But it isn’t all serious; there is a lot of levity mixed in, and that helps to make the card a complete package.

The Legacy

Comedy gimmicks in the WWE are nothing new. In the past 20 years, we’ve been graced by the likes of Santino Marella, R-Truth, and MizDow. These wrestlers weren’t afraid to look silly to entertain the fans. They put all the could in making us laugh at their expense. And they helped to build the crowd up for the main event every night.

And like we’ve covered, this isn’t new. Going back into the 1990s, we had the B.W.O., Crash Holly as a superheavyweight, and Disco Inferno kept his job for his ability to make the boys laugh. We can go back further into territories like Memphis, Tarred and Feathered, and Tuxedo matches.

The legacy of comedy in wrestling is rich and varied. Yet some of us, myself included, can take it too seriously at times. We forget that wrestling is about the whole picture. Not just what happens between the ropes. Which isn’t to say that it isn’t important, because that is the most important part. But it isn’t the only part of the show.

Danhausen and Mr. Iguana

My wife started watching wrestling a couple of years ago. It started with them playing a video game while I watched a PLE. Then they started paying more attention to the show. And when Raw came to Netflix, they got excited to tune in each week.

They had a few people they liked from watching the PLEs. (Rhea Ripley, CM Punk, Gunther, and Jey Uso.) But when they watched Worlds Collide in June, they immediately fell in love with Mr. Iguana. Between his shtick and La Yesca, they were sold. So much so that his shirt was the first piece of wrestling merch they wanted. (They also wanted a Microman shirt after seeing him, but his first shirt sucked.)

After realizing that Mr. Iguana is a smart word play for a certain leafy green plant, their love for him just grew.

Danhausen had the same effect. From the moment he showed up on Elimination Chamber, they wanted to know who he was, what he was about, and they stop what they are doing whenever he shows up on screen.

I mention them and their love for both these guys to remind us all that wrestling isn’t just about the super serious stuff. Being able to watch every week with a new fan, it’s been nice to see things from their perspective. It’s reminded me why I fell in love with wrestling, and to enjoy the show as a whole. Everything has its place and works within the larger framework. (Unless it’s just a bad decision made by corporate heads above you. Like Pat McAfee.)

Embrace the Camp

I think it’s good for all of us to take a step back and enjoy every aspect of this goofy art that we all love. Finn Balor pulling out Demonito at TripleMania did nothing to hurt him. I don’t take him less seriously because of it. He is still one of my favorite wrestlers, and someone I know can step it up at any moment to give us the best match of the night.

We need guys like Mr. Iguana and Danhausen; they help prepare us for Punk’s passionate pipebomb promo, or the huge brawl between Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre. Also, just because they may not be for you, other fans of wrestling love them. Neither fan is right or wrong; it’s a personal taste. And that is what makes wrestling so much fun for everyone. If you don’t like something, then just wait a minute for the next segment. There is no need to trash someone else for finding enjoyment in what you don’t (as long as that thing isn’t harmful to them or others). We are all fans and we are all valid to like what we like.