#BatistaWeek: Indy Spotlight – The Big O

It’s #BatistaWeek, the eighteenth installment of our (patent-pending) Juice Make Sugar Wrestler of the Week series. Our Andy will spotlight a wrestler on the independent scene with some sort of connection to this week’s entry. This time, it’s The Big O. No, not Overstock.com

It’s not easy being the “big guy” in pro wrestling.  For every Batista that excels and reaches the top, there’s a Mason Ryan that flounders, and disappears.  For every awesome Matt Morgan in TNA, a stuttering Matt Morgan in WWE.

There’s a reason so many of these hosses fail to hit the level they’re expected to reach.  Hosses often have a physique that inspires some creepy Vince McMahon reaction gifs — as does the rest of the roster —  but they’re expected to reach the crowd working a significantly slower, impact-based moveset, which can be tough for the ADD generation to handle.

Most of all, they’re expected to have unmatched charisma, the much ballyhooed “IT Factor” (and not Bobby Roode.)
Not everyone can be Batista.  For most, such a pigeonhole is a professional wrestling death sentence.  But it doesn’t have to be.

That brings us to Adam Ohrner – a man you probably recognize as The Big O.

Most people know The Big O as Zack Ryder’s meathead friend on Z! True Long Island Story.  What many don’t realize is he is a trained pro wrestler, and a product of NYWC’s wrestling school – just like Ryder.

While he doesn’t have the height of a lot of “big time” hosses, O definitely has the look.  He’s ripped to shreds, and is damn sure intimidating.  He works like a big man, and it works—which is even harder to accomplish on an indy level, where fans expect high quality work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1LEYEzRELU

O still needs polish in the ring, but he’s on his way.  It wasn’t too long ago that he had a “Gut Check” match with TNA (remember Gut Check?  If not, it’s one of a hundred or so gimmicks TNA abandoned without warning or explanation.)  He wasn’t signed, which may actually be better for his career in the long-run.  He still has a chance to grow in NYWC, training with guys like Anthony Nese.  Maybe when he’s ready, he’ll get the same shot in WWE’s Performance Center.

Until then, check out some of his work in NYWC, and other northeast independents.  And keep an eye out—you’ll probably see him on a greater stage someday, even if it’s not the way I fantasy booked him.

@AndyMillerJMS

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