Bob Sapp!

[El Negro Magnifico]

I'm admittedly facinated with this guy. As a black man, I find it kinda neat that this dude is a superstar. I hear he's not the most skilled fighter in the world, but he's loaded with charisma. Anyone have any thoughts on "The Beast"?

[Luds]

He's marketable that's for sure!

[DANGEROUS DAN]

To me he is no different than HOgan. He is an untalented guy (pro wrestling wise) who has big time chrasima and marketing machine.

[kkeller]

He's been featured on "Black Life in Japan" a lot lately I can't remember if it comes on Linktv or Colours check it out if you get those channels he seems like a nice guy Hurray for him.

[SK3]

I have read so much about Bob Sapp, and how over he is in Japan. Easily the biggest American star to hit puro rings since Hulk Hogan. But what exactly got him over? That's what I want to know.

[Toan]

I think it's because he has the "look" of a wrestler.

[Tradewynd]

Bob Sapp was not just over for his look. That would be like saying Chono's look was the only thing that got him over. He has an immense amount of charisma. He draws you into him, making you have to see his matches. His promos are dynamite, and has a very unique/quasi-creepy voice. If you haven't heard him speak you need to. It's part of his appeal.

As an entertainer, he knows what to do at the right times. His sense of timing in working a match is nonexistent, but he knows when to dance, when to strike a pose, etc. He is also the only person I've ever seen get an entrance to cut a promo in PRIDE. It was the most over thing on the show.

And if you're never seen him stick his head in a bucket full of shrimp and come up with about 200 raw shrimp hanging out of his mouth, it's just one of those things you have to do before you die.

He has successfully branched out into other forms of entertainment. Beyond having roles in films like The Longest Yard, Japan's top selling female self-pleasure device is made in his likeness, and according to Sapp is the only device of its kind in Japan to be made from anyone's likeness. He's appeared in a bunch of TV shows, movies and CMs too.

One appearance that is easily accessible is in episode 5 (I think, maybe 4) of the Taiho Shicyauzo/You're Under Arrest dorama. Torrents are available at animesuki.com and other torrent sites with good taste. I think Inoki had creative control of Sapp's character, because the bastard breaks Natsumi's arm right from the get go. As a point of comparison, Natsumi punches through windshields (like Goldberg tried to do), jumps off of crumbling buildings to save innocent children and gorilla presses cars without breaking a sweat. As a fun point of comparison, Tenzan appears in episode 1 and gets pulled over for speeding (side note: Chono had creative control for this episode). At first, Tenzan acts like some bad mofo with a push, and demands they produce a video of him speeding or step off. Natsumi is all like "You're not just Chono's job boy anymore *****," rips off his steering wheel and demands his license. Needless to say, she puts Tenzan back in his place.

[Shadow_WX316]

Bob Sapp is great for marketing because of his unbelievable size and power. I mean just look at the guy. He is 375 of pure muscle. So in Japan he is gonna be really popular. I admit that he isn't that great of a fighter but he is still fun to watch.

[Garfed]

I have seen so .. and how he was in Japan. Easily the biggest U.S. stars playing as Hulk Hogan, the general ring. But what makes him? This is what I want to know.