GANGREL

wrestlers strive for recognition. it can come IN MANY FORMS, INCLUDING being a memorable character, AND it's nearly impossible to forget the vampire who rose to prominence in the wwf's attitude era.

Lions pride sports is honored that gangrel is part of the pride.

In the late 1980s, a teenage David Heath took a childhood passion for watching professional wrestling into the squared circle. Under the tutelage of the great Boris Malenko, Heath graduated to competition across his home state of Florida and beyond in the early and mid 90s.

Heath would marry the WWF's Luna Vachon, who he says introduced him to the idea of a vampire character. He would make occasional appearances in the WWF, WCW and ECW as he continued his worldwide travels until his big break came in 1998.

In August of that year, with The Attitude Era in full swing, a demonic song blared through an arena as a ring of fire appeared on the stage. Through the flames rose Gangrel, clad in a flowing white shirt and carrying a goblet of blood which he would eventually spit into the air. The stunning entrance entranced the audience, and an impaler DDT quickly ended the debut match.

Gangrel was immediately memorable.

In the fall of 1998, a new wrestler named Christian began distracting a rookie named Edge. Christian would eventually reveal himself as Edge's brother, and was under the guidance of Gangrel. Weeks later, Edge joined with Christian and Gangrel to form what would be known as The Brood. The trio adopted Gangrel's entrance and violent tendencies.

In February 1999 through a feud with The Undertaker's Ministry of Darkness, The Brood joined The Ministry. In an infamous WrestleMania moment, The Brood dropped from the rafters at Mania XV after The Undertaker defeated Big Boss Man in a Hell in a Cell match. From the roof of the cage, The Brood dropped a noose that was used to hang Boss Man.

In the weeks that followed, tension built as The Undertaker ordered ritualistic beat downs of Brood members. The trio finally had enough and split from The Ministry, which led to matches between the factions.

In May 1999, competition between The Brood and a new tag team known as The Hardy Boyz began. Gangrel became fed up with Edge come July, and asked his original disciple, Christian, to turn on Edge. Christian refused, and Gangrel was left alone. That didn't last long, as he was able to convince the Hardys to leave their manager, Michael Hayes, and form The New Brood in August. That trio didn't last long either. In October, Matt and Jeff Hardy won the managerial services of Terri Runnels and subsequently ditched Gangrel.

The vampire continued as a singles wrestler in the WWF. He had a stint being managed by his wife, Luna Vachon. In 2001, he departed the company.

While he was only with the WWF for a short stint -- he has made sporadic appearances in the years that followed -- Gangrel's memorable run kept him at the forefront of wrestling fan's minds. He has been a champion in multiple promotions across the country, and also has served a trainer. Likely his most prominent student: WWE superstar Rusev.

-Written by Steve Fullhart
(Information from various online sources)