WWE History Vol. 7: The Gimmick Wrestlers

Tony Anthony, known for years in the southern promotions as the Dirty White Boy, became wrestling plumber TL Hopper in WWE.
Tony Anthony, known for years in the southern promotions as the Dirty White Boy, became wrestling plumber TL Hopper in WWE.

#2 Duke 'The Dumpster' Droese

Duke the Dumpster Droese, the wrestling garbage man.
Duke the Dumpster Droese, the wrestling garbage man.

Duke Droese was a big, big man, standing at six and a half feet tall and weighing in at well over 300 pounds.

He was trained for the ring by promoter Bobby Wales, and worked the southern indie scene under the gimmick Garbage Man.

When he joined WWE, the promotion decided to keep going with his occupational gimmick but also wanted him to be more relatable to fans. So he was rechristened Duke's "The Dumpster" Droese.

Droese was named the #500 best wrestler in the world by Pro Wrestling Illustrated in the inaugural offering of their annual list. Some fans would chant "500" when he made his way to the ring.

Believe it or not, Duke Droese has some victories over multi-time world champ and Hall of Fame member Triple H. When Triple H still used the Hunter Hurst Helmsley gimmick, Droesce defeated him on several occasions, including for a coveted Royal Rumble spot.

Droese wound up requesting his release from the WWE because the grueling road schedule was hard on his body.

He would famously return to the WWE once again in the gimmick battle royal held at Wrestlemania 17.

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