The Wyatt Sicks' behavior after WWE debut was "totally wrong," legend says (Exclusive)
The Wyatt Sicks recently posed for a picture with a fan at a restaurant, prompting debates about whether WWE's newest faction should always remain in character. Sportskeeda Wrestling's Bill Apter, Mac Davis, and Teddy Long are the latest names in the wrestling business to give their thoughts on the kayfabe-breaking image.
Led by Bo Dallas' Uncle Howdy character, The Wyatt Sicks also consists of Dexter Lumis, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, and Nikki Cross. The horror-themed stable made its eerie debut on the June 17 episode of RAW.
WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry criticized The Wyatt Sicks on Busted Open, claiming they disrespected the wrestling business. On Sportskeeda's The Wrestling Time Machine, legendary reporter Bill Apter agreed with Henry's remarks:
"To me, that was totally wrong. I'm still old school that way that if a guy has a gimmick, like The Wyatt Sicks go to a Whataburger and they're like just kinda hanging out and nice to the fans, it takes that whole thing away." [1:26 – 1:40]
Apter believes the faction should protect their characters like the original Sheik did when he performed as a bad guy many decades ago:
"I mean, I remember when I used to travel with the original Sheik, Ed Farhat, and we'd go to a restaurant with Ernie Roth, Abdullah Farouk, The Grand Wizard, afterwards and Sheik, when he'd see fans coming in, he would eat with the food coming out of his mouth. He stayed in the gimmick. I wanna see a return to staying in the gimmick." [1:40 – 2:02]
Apter added that The Wyatt Sicks should go to a restaurant drive-thru in the future to avoid interacting with fans after shows.
Mac Davis and Teddy Long react to The Wyatt Sicks' image
One of WWE's most iconic stars, The Undertaker, protected his gimmick by remaining in character for most of his 30-year career. Former independent wrestler and The Wrestling Time Machine host Mac Davis believes The Deadman would have killed his persona if he frequently posed for pictures.
WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long does not blame The Wyatt Sicks for breaking character. Instead, he thinks the responsibility should be placed on WWE's higher-ups for not educating the group on how to behave after events:
"Anybody just come to you and tell you, say, 'Hey, man, I just wanna give y'all a little advice. This is something you don't have to do. This is something where you can protect your gimmick and protect your character. If I were you, when I'd be out in public, I would stay in character. You don't have to talk to nobody. If they start wanting to talk, then go. Keep moving. Keep moving. That's all you gotta do.' So somebody probably didn't even tell them," Long said. [2:47 – 3:09]
Long also echoed Davis' point about The Undertaker, saying the WWE icon would not have agreed to take a picture out of character with fans.
What are your thoughts on the kayfabe-breaking picture? Hit the discuss button and let us know.
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