When wrestling fans look back on Konnan, their memories tend to be a bit of a mixed bag. He never won the world title in a US-based promotion, and WWE-only fans may be most inclined to remember him for the failed Max Moon run before he ceded the gimmick to Paul Diamond. Folks who’ve listened to Eric Bischoff on his 83 Weeks podcast, however, know a different side of Konnan. In addition to a noteworthy on screen role with the nWo, he also acted as a liaison and de facto manager for a number of luchadors, and particularly talents who did not speak English well. Amidst all of these points, and a long career, there was a stretch in the late 1990s into the early 2000s when Konnan was one of the most over wrestlers WCW had, despite hardly ever broaching the main event scene.
Konnan Enhanced The NWO Wolfpac’s Personality
When Konnan’s name comes up on the 83 Weeks podcast, Eric Bischoff has time and again referenced that he considered him one of the most important figures in the New World Order. That might seem unusual for a faction anchored by main event attractions like Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall, and that ultimately had Randy Savage, Sting, Lex Luger, The Big Show, Scott Steiner, and other world champions in its midst.
However, Bischoff has drawn attention to Latino culture being edgier, and on the cusp of the mainstream just as WCW hit its peak. While Hogan was no doubt the most iconic wrestler affiliated with his faction, it was a stretch to truly call him “cool,” whereas Konnan really did feel as though he represented that sensibility. His look and the fact that he rapped all fit the budding identity of the popular, if ultimately destructive Wolfpac version of the nWo faction in particular.
Konnan’s Mic Routine Became Iconic
WWE’s Attitude Era saw the rise of The New Age Outlaws, and the single most successful piece of their act was not their tandem offense, individual wrestling ability, or look. Rather, it was all about their shtick on the mic, and in particular The Road Dogg’s routine monologue as he made his way to the ring, announcing their arrival.
WCW lost the Monday Night War, and so it’s only fair their most iconic mid-card mic man might get lost to the sands of time. Nonetheless, Konnan’s mic work was over to the highest degree, particularly during his run with the Wolfpac. Week in and week out he could be heard saying, "Yo yo yo let me speak on dis! Orale! Arriba la Raza! We are los vatos locos forever, man! We bowdy bowdy and rowdy rowdy!" Sure enough, fans chanted along with little less fervor than they did for The Road Dogg in WWE.
Konnan can't objectively be called one of the greatest promo guys in wrestling history. However, in terms, of live audience participation in particular, Konnan’s entrance become one of the most engaging parts of WCW programming.
Konnan Had The Legacy And Look To Cross Over
The Monday Night War era happened to coincide with the Internet wrestling community just starting to find its footing. As such, hardcore fans had a greater opportunity to communicate, tape trade, and otherwise familiarize themselves with wrestling from well beyond what was televised nationally or in their local markets. Konnan was a beneficiary of this dynamic as he was a legitimate megastar in Mexico with championship credentials and main event placement to be taken seriously by fans who knew about his past.
Moreover, in contrast to the largely cruiserweight population of luchadors in WCW at the time, Konnan was bigger and more visibly muscled. While a lot of fans balk at such facile aesthetics for evaluating wrestlers, it’s nonetheless undeniable that, particularly for a more casual audience, there’s something attractive about wrestlers who truly look larger than life or like the kind of person a fan “wouldn’t want to mess with.” Konnan fit these bills nicely, and they contributed to him being over with the larger audience.
In the end, Konnan never crossed over to the main event picture in WCW. His supporting role with the Wolfpac and later exploits as part of The Filthy Animals and No Limit Solders made him one of the personalities WCW fans were most excited to see week in and week out, though. By unconventional means, he became one of the most over acts in the company.