10 Things Fans Should Know About The Legendary Journeyman
In recent years, more and more fans have come to understand that the term Jobber is a bit of an insult to the thousands of Journeyman wrestlers around the world. After all, not everyone can become a big name world champion and these men could excel in helping others become champ. But in the pantheon of memorable Journeymen who helped establish bigger stars during the Expansion Era, few are more memorable than Steve Lombardi, The Brooklyn Brawler.
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He made losing look so good and shows plenty of stars from Rocky Johnson to Rocky Mavia to the current Universal Champion, Drew McIntyre how it’s done in the ring. Here are 10 things fans should know about The Brooklyn Brawler.
10 He Made It From Journeyman To WrestleMania
The Brawler spent a lot of his career looking up at the lights and working during a time where the win-loss record he amassed wasn’t worthy of having him on the big shows. But the Brawler still was able to land a few Dark Match spots during the Show Of Shows.
He also made an appearance at WrestleMania V as Bobby Herman’s cornerman for The Brain’s quick loss to The Red Rooster.
9 He Really Is From Brooklyn
Most of the time, superstars who are synonymous to famous cities aren't really from there and the name is just a part of the gimmick. However, Steve Lombardi really is from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn - despite that one time that John Cena insinuated that The Brawler was really from Detroit.
It should be noted that Cena also comically cited Brawler as one of the greatest technical wrestlers of all time, despite the fact that he's best known for losing.
8 He Played Multiple Characters
The Brawler wasn’t the only character that Steve Lombardi played throughout his 33 year career with WWE. It just so happens that The Brawler is his most popular and beloved gimmick.
Previously, he also donned the clown suit of Doink every so often. When Major League Baseball went on strike in 1994, Abe “Knuckleball” Schwartz would parade around WWE crowds. But aside from the Brawler, Lombardi’s other most known character is the masked handler of Kamala, Kim Chee.
7 He Was Managed By Bobby The Brain
Over the years, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan managed a seemingly never-ending list of all time greats. He measures the greatest giant, several of the great “island boys,” Harley, Perfect, and Flair. So why wouldn’t he also manage the greatest Journeyman of all time?
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The Brawler assaulted The Red Rooster on behalf of Heenan and instantly became a member of the Heenan Family in the process, proving that The Brain has an impeccable eye for wrestling talent.
6 He Was A Dark Match King
Beginning with the 1990 Royal Rumble, The Brawler was entrusted to do the very important task of warming up the crowd. He worked several Dark Matches over the course of his career.
At the Rumble, he did the favors for Paul Roma and again at WrestleMania VI. He also competed at SummerSlam 1990 against Shane Douglas and would continue to open up the show for several months afterward.
5 He Was Part Of The Original Job Squad
Al Snow famously founded The J.O.B. Squad in ECW and brought the concept over to WWE. However, this was not the first time a tag team was created with the sole purpose of losing to rising talents.
Related: 10 WWE Legends Who Were Once Jobbers
Without using the name but with a similar concept in mind, the Brawler formed an off-again/on-again jobber tag team with fellow perennial Journeyman, Barry Horowitz, years before The J.O.B. Squad even existed. The duo teamed up several times during their illustrious careers as Journeymen and invented “pin me, pay me” long before Al Snow ever coined the term.
4 He Wrestled HBK At Madison Square Garden
Anyone who grew up in New York as a wrestling fan undoubtedly had a dream of wrestling the big match underneath the hot lights of Madison Square Garden. The Brooklyn Brawler, surprisingly, got to live out that dream and challenged Shawn Michaels for the title at a House Show in the Garden back in late 1997.
It all happened by accident when Vince booked the Brawler to go over at a Battle Royal during one show. He had forgotten that the winner was due for a title shot the next month. In the first time DX was in the Garden, HBK did what old school heel champions were supposed to do: make the local babyface look like a million bucks.
3 He Defeated Triple H
There was an awful lot of chicanery involved, but The Brooklyn Brawler actually holds a victory over The Game, specifically on the July 6, 2000 edition of SmackDown.
As usual during this era, Triple H’s mouth got him in trouble with Commissioner Mick Foley. He put him in a handicap match against the Brawler and Kaientai. After some interference from Chris Jericho, The Brawler would pin Triple H for the win.j
2 He Opened The Barclays Center
If Brooklyn is going to have a stadium opening up, it's obvious that the event needs to have the borough’s favorite son help celebrate the occasion. During the WWE’s first PPV at Barclays - TLC 2012 - The Brooklyn Brawler came out to a Road Warrior-like pop.
He teamed up with The Miz and Alberto Del Rio to teach 3MB some manners. Brawler pinned Jinder Mahal, giving him the unique distinction of defeating two future champions in the same match.
1 He Was A Backstage Producer
Up until his release several years ago, The Brooklyn Brawler was actually working backstage in a producer capacity.
This is positive proof that even with how one is booked in the ring, a journeyman can still land on their feet in the real world. Lombardi was and is one of the most respected hands around the industry and the WWE family.
