WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash recently shared his views on the current trajectory of WWE RAW star Je’Von Evans during his Kliq This podcast, emphasizing the need for Evans to adopt a more aggressive and edgy persona. Nash acknowledged Evans’s remarkable athleticism but argued that the wrestler lacks the toughness and intensity needed to truly stand out in the ring. According to Nash, Evans should bring more grit to his character rather than relying solely on skill and agility, an approach that Nash felt would connect better with the audience and the wrestling world at large.
Insights on Wrestling Style and In-Ring Presence
Nash elaborated that while Je’Von Evans is undeniably a gifted athlete, he currently comes across as too polished and lacking the necessary “urban” edge, which Nash finds essential for making an impact. Nash said,
“He’s (Je’Von Evans) an incredible athlete. He’s a little bit too f****** Mr. Bojangles for me. I wish he was a little bit more urban. I understand it’s Netflix. And I understand there’s a big f****** world out there besides the one that f****** 66-year-old Detroit boy Kevin Nash wants. But I just want him to have a little bit of an edge. But if he’s not going to have an edge, then he knows how to throw, he can strike, he throws a good punch. F****** take your time and throw a good punch. Maybe put two or three together. Something where f****** you tell me if this s*** was real, all this athleticism I have, I can use.” — Kevin Nash, WWE Hall of Famer
To illustrate his point, Nash cited former wrestler Sean Waltman, describing him as a perfect example of combining skill with intensity. He emphasized how Waltman’s fierce kick strikes and compelling ring presence made his performance credible and memorable. Nash shared,
“He sells good. I mean, he does everything good…..Sean Waltman is one. It is a perfect example. When he was a 1-2-3 Kid, and they shaved his eyebrows, that motherf*****, if he got you in the corner and he f****** lit you up with those f****** kicks, there wasn’t anybody at home that didn’t think that f****** guy knows what he’s doing. His s*** was, kiddo, was stiff man. I loved working with him.” — Kevin Nash, WWE Hall of Famer
Nash’s Reflection on Booking Himself Against Goldberg
At a live Q&A during the River City Wrestling Con, Nash recalled his time in WCW and a notable moment when he booked himself to defeat WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg. Nash discussed the creative decisions behind the booking and how it was part of a larger storyline known famously as the “Fingerpoke of Doom.” He explained the rationale behind not taking a prolonged beating in the ring, highlighting the importance of a believable reaction to moves to enhance the entertainment value. Nash remarked,
“I think it was one of those situations where you get a bunch of guys in a room and they come up with an idea that’s kind of really bad. And because what they want to do is they want to have a six to eight-minute match, and then I’ll take the fall. Because everybody knows in real life that if you were going to let somebody slide over you, you’d let them punch you in the face for a good eight minutes before you do that.” — Kevin Nash, WWE Hall of Famer
He continued by describing how the actual match ended with a quick pin instead of a drawn-out battle, creating an unexpected and memorable moment in wrestling history. Nash said,
“So I said, ‘if we’re going to do this, why would I let him punch me? Why would I go out there and just let him punch me in the face?’ I said, ‘you’ll get a better response if he touches me and I go down.’ And to this day, they say the Fingerpoke of Doom. If you watch the crowd—it’s the only reason it’s such a brutal thing in wrestling. There wasn’t a soul in that building that called it.” — Kevin Nash, WWE Hall of Famer
Nash highlighted his key role in booking this controversial moment and reflected on the contrasting career paths it set in motion for the involved wrestlers. He explained,
“We got them all. We got every one of them. And that was their problem. And then my favorite thing is that I booked it. I booked me beating Goldberg, and then six days later, I booked me to do the Fingerpoke of Doom.” — Kevin Nash, WWE Hall of Famer
“Instead of being the champion that beat Goldberg, which was a babyface and got to sell merchandise for nine months, which one would you guys rather do? Sell merchandise as the hottest guy in the territory, or turn around the next week and give it to somebody else that has creative control, and he’s the only one that does.” — Kevin Nash, WWE Hall of Famer
Kevin Nash’s Influence and Current Role in WWE
Kevin Nash remains involved with WWE through their WWE Legends program, under a five-year contract. His extensive career across multiple promotions and ring names has established him as a respected figure in professional wrestling. Nash’s commentary on Je’Von Evans reflects both his experience and desire to see new talent push boundaries and bring authenticity to their performances.
Significance of Nash’s Remarks on Wrestling’s Future
Kevin Nash’s call for Je’Von Evans to sharpen his edge highlights ongoing debates within the wrestling community about balancing athleticism with character depth. As WWE aims to captivate diverse audiences, performers like Evans face the challenge of evolving beyond impressive physicality to embody personas that resonate emotionally and culturally. Nash’s critiques not only stress the importance of in-ring authenticity but also underscore the potential impact wrestlers with a stronger attitude could have on WWE RAW’s dynamic storytelling.
