Roughly five months after his parasailing accident in August 1990, Brutus Beefcake returned. Wearing a mask, he would attack various heels at television tapings and then run to the back. The character was never identified, although I've read that he would have eventually been dubbed "The Mariner" or "The Avenger". Instead, the character was dropped and Beefcake was brought back under his original persona to host an interview segment on Wrestling Challenge. A few questions:
1) Why was the gimmick dropped? If Beefcake was not ready to return, why did he come back in early 91 to begin with? Feb 1991 is a much more accelerated schedule than Feb 1993, when he finally did return.
2) Why not bring him back as Beefcake? The WWE acknowledged the tragic accident that befell him on their television...this easily could have been incorporated into their storylines and been made part of his character going forwards.
3) Were there any plans for the Mariner if he had been able to wrestle? Was this a mid-card gimmick or did they plan something more?
1) Why was the gimmick dropped? If Beefcake was not ready to return, why did he come back in early 91 to begin with? Feb 1991 is a much more accelerated schedule than Feb 1993, when he finally did return.
2) Why not bring him back as Beefcake? The WWE acknowledged the tragic accident that befell him on their television...this easily could have been incorporated into their storylines and been made part of his character going forwards.
3) Were there any plans for the Mariner if he had been able to wrestle? Was this a mid-card gimmick or did they plan something more?