Bodyguards Add Value

You've seen them stand in the background during promos physically imposing snarling at the camera the entire time, very rarely saying a word. They simple standby on alert until somone needs to be destroyed and they come in and manhandle them. The good ol' bodyguard/enforcer role made  famous by players such as Curtis Hughes, Chyna, Nicole Bass and Diesel.

The role of the bodyguard slowly faded away in the late 90's being used sporadically as organizations figured scandily clad woman were all that was needed to add to a characters act. Fortunately the role of a bodyguard is making an comeback. Last week during RAW AJ Styles strutted out on stage during his entrance with a new partner by his side, former ninja in Akira Tozawa's random associates and Raw Underground door bouncer Jordan Omogbehin. At 7'3 Jordan is a massive bodyguard for AJ and one you wouldn't want to mess with. If AJ's character is going through a refresh of sorts, he is a great addition to his act. 

In wrestling there has always been the motor mouth or cheating heel who needs a hired hand to watch their back. In most cases it help's both wrestlers develop their skills whether in ring, speaking skills, or adding to the persona. It also gives more talent precious TV time to connect with audiences good and bad. A client/bodyguard tandem also relieves some of the pressure of being a solo act, and often even if they don't say much the bodyguard needs to project that they are the biggest asshole in the room helping to draw heat to the act. 

Think about the acts that had bodyguards and what the bodyguards bought to the table. Diesel and Psycho Sid helped flesh out the sniveling, cocky pretty boy character of Shawn Michaels in the 90's. He could talk as much shit as he wanted because he knew he had adequate muscle behind him. Chyna's silent enforcer role was the perfect foil to D-X's over the top antics. Rowdy Roddy Piper may not have been the greatest heel of the Rock N' Wrestling era if he didn't have Cowboy Bob Orton by his side to antagonize Hogan & Savage. 

If Ted Dibiase didn't have Virgil to help him cheat to keep from paying people, would the million dollar

man had been as hated? Christian's partnership with Tomko in TNA as Christian's Coalition was one of the hottest acts in the mid 2000's, Tomko in my opinion played his role so well TNA thought they had a star in the making and gave him a singles shot. Tara refreshed her act when she joined TNA as Madison Raynes enforcer, leading to a storyline where they could no longer co-exist.

In today's world it seems like more organizations are understanding the importance of bodyguards. The greatest shittalker of the modern era MJF has his bodyguard in Wardlow, Jake Hager is honestly an accomplished enforcer for Chris Jericho in AEW.  Kamille Brickhouse and Raquel Diaz are bringing back the silent female enforcer with Nick Aldis in NWA and Dakota Kai in NXT respecitvely. Madman Fulton who is a freak of nature talent, tag teams with Ace Austin in Impact but is honestly his bodyguard reminiscent of the HBK/Diesel team. All these acts are effective, but again the addition of the bodyguard brings them extra heat that makes people despise them. 

In the world of professional wrestling bodyguards are a valuable asset, let's hope they are utilized more often.