John Morrison was told to ditch his signature look in the WWE.
The man has gone by many names over the years, including Johnny Nitro, Johnny Impact and Johnny Elite. However, his signature long coat has followed him everywhere he went, and became an iconic look for the former ECW Champion.
However, many people backstage did not want John Morrison to wear it.
The former WWE star spoke with McKenzie Mitchell on her YouTube channel. He revealed that he idolized wrestlers like Randy Savage as a child, and wanted flamboyant outfits like his heroes.
However, John Morrison said that multiple people told him to lose his signature coat if he wanted to become a champion in WWE. Obviously, it didn’t affect his ability to win titles like the ECW and Intercontinental Championship, which he won with the coat in full force.
“Most of the people in the business were fans of the business while they were growing up. I mean, when I grew up, I was attracted to larger-than-life characters. Showmanship. Macho Man, Ric Flair, Hogan, Warrior. These big characters. And I always felt like being a pro wrestler meant you get the opportunity to wear the most outlandish, flamboyant, loud outfit possible.”
“That’s basically like what I started to do. As my career progressed, and I started making more money, I could afford to get more elaborate stuff. I think that’s kind of what happened. There was one time, halfway through my WWE run, the first one. I got told one day by three different people that I had to lose for a coat if I wanted to be a champion. And I was kind of like, ‘Ok well… but then what? Like, I just wear trunks or something and I’m Champion? I don’t think that’s what people want.'”
Morrison said he wanted to look cool as possible, but also pay homage to people like Savage, or the louder personalities he enjoyed watching.
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