The fact that New Jack, an unapologetic ex-con who impaled opponents with a rusty staple gun, was a favorite of the ECW crowd tells you everything you need to know about the renegade promotion. Still, it’s hard to deny the down and dirty charm of the thug who brought a garbage can full of plunder to the ring while Ice Cube’s blistering “Natural Born Killaz” blared over arena loudspeakers.
Competing in matches that looked more like televised muggings than professional wrestling bouts, The Original Gangsta waffled rivals like Da Baldies, The Public Enemy and The Dudley Boyz with crutches, toaster ovens and even bowling balls. Although New Jack debuted alongside Mustafa as one-half of The Gangstas, the three-time ECW Tag Team Champion was always the center of the attention. After all, who could take their eyes off a man who was willing to throw his body off a 20-foot balcony just to punish the opponent below? — R.M.