Viscera, also known as Mabel, King Mabel, Vis, and Big Daddy V, was one of the most imposing and memorable wrestlers in WWE history. He had a long and successful career that spanned over two decades, winning several championships and accolades. He was also a beloved friend and colleague to many in the wrestling industry. Sadly, he passed away due to a heart attack on February 18, 2014, just four days after his 43rd birthday. This article will look back at his life and career, and pay tribute to his legacy.
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Early Life and Career
Viscera was born as Nelson Frazier Jr. on February 14, 1971, in Goldsboro, North Carolina. He grew up as a fan of wrestling, especially of Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant. He started training as a wrestler in 1991 under Gene Anderson and Mo (Robert Horne), who would later become his tag team partner and storyline brother. They formed a team called the Harlem Knights, and wrestled in various independent promotions such as the United States Wrestling Association (USWA) and the Pro Wrestling Federation (PWF), where they won the PWF Tag Team Championship twice in 1992.
WWE Debut and Men on a Mission
In July 1993, the Harlem Knights signed with WWE (then WWF), and were given a new gimmick. Nelson became Mabel, Robert became Mo, and they were joined by a rapping manager named Oscar. The new team, dubbed Men on a Mission, was portrayed as three African American men trying to make a positive change in inner city neighborhoods. They wore purple and yellow outfits, and entered the ring with rap music and dancing.
Men on a Mission debuted as fan favorites, and quickly rose up the ranks of the tag team division. They challenged the Quebecers for the WWF Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania X in 1994, but only won by countout. However, they managed to win the title at a house show in London, England on March 29, 1994. Their reign was short-lived, as they lost the title back to the Quebecers two days later in Sheffield, England.
Mabel also began to compete in singles matches, showcasing his impressive size and agility. He entered the 1994 King of the Ring tournament, but lost to IRS in the quarterfinals. He then faced Jeff Jarrett in a “Rap vs. Country” match at SummerSlam 1994, which Jarrett won.
King of the Ring and Main Event Push
In 1995, Mabel turned heel (villain) along with Mo after they attacked the Smoking Gunns following a title match. They adopted a more aggressive and ruthless attitude, and targeted other popular teams such as Razor Ramon and Savio Vega.
Mabel entered the 1995 King of the Ring tournament as one of the favorites to win. He defeated Adam Bomb in the qualifying round, The Undertaker by disqualification in the quarterfinals (thanks to interference from Kama), Savio Vega in the semifinals (thanks to interference from Mo), and Savio Vega again in the finals (thanks to interference from Mo and Sir Mo). He became the first African American wrestler to win the King of the Ring tournament, and earned a WWF Championship match against Diesel at SummerSlam 1995.
Mabel’s main event push was met with mixed reactions from fans and critics. Some praised his improvement as a performer and his unique look as a monster heel. Others felt that he was not ready for such a high-profile role, and that he was too dangerous in the ring. He reportedly injured several wrestlers during his matches, such as Diesel, Savio Vega, The Undertaker, Lex Luger, Bob Holly, and Henry Godwinn.
Mabel’s match with Diesel at SummerSlam 1995 was widely panned as one of the worst main events in WWE history. The match was slow-paced and boring, with both men struggling to carry each other. Diesel retained his title after hitting Mabel with two big boots and a clothesline. After the match, several wrestlers came out to attack Mabel and carry him out of the ring on a forklift.
Mabel continued to feud with Diesel until Survivor Series 1995, where he was eliminated by Diesel’s team in an elimination tag team match. He then formed an alliance with Yokozuna, another super-heavyweight wrestler who had turned heel. They feuded with The Undertaker until In Your House 5: Seasons Beatings in December 1995, where they lost to The Undertaker in a casket match.
Mabel’s last appearance in WWE for several years was at the Royal Rumble 1996, where he entered at number 11 but was eliminated by Yokozuna after a miscommunication. He was then kidnapped by The Undertaker’s minions, who took him to the backstage area and put him in a hearse. This was done to write him off television, as he had asked for his release from WWE.
Independent Circuit and Return to WWE
After leaving WWE, Mabel wrestled in the independent circuit under various names, such as King Mabel, Big Daddy Nelson, and Nelson Knight. He also made appearances in Japan, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. He briefly returned to WWE in 1998 as Mabel, and joined The Undertaker’s Ministry of Darkness as a surprise recruit. He was then repackaged as Viscera, a gothic enforcer who wore black leather and sunglasses. He feuded with The Brood, The Acolytes, and Kane, and won the WWF Hardcore Championship by defeating Hardcore Holly on the February 8, 1999 episode of Raw.
Viscera was released from WWE in 2000, and resumed his independent career. He also wrestled for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in 2003 and 2004, where he was known as Nelson Knight and Big Daddy Nelson. He returned to WWE for the third time in 2004, and was reintroduced as Viscera on the March 21 episode of Raw. He attacked Kane during his match with Matt Hardy, and aligned himself with Trish Stratus and Christian.
Love Machine and World’s Largest Love Machine
Viscera soon developed a new gimmick as a “Love Machine”, a ladies’ man who would flirt with and seduce various women in WWE. He wore a white suit and hat, and had a smooth voice and mannerisms. He also had a crush on Trish Stratus, but she rejected him after he accidentally squashed her during a match. He then turned face (hero) and feuded with Christian.
Viscera continued his Love Machine persona for the next few years, and had several romantic angles with different women, such as Lita, Lilian Garcia, Candice Michelle, Maria Kanellis, Victoria, Sharmell, Queen Sharmell, Melina Perez, Kelly Kelly, Layla El, Kristal Marshall, Michelle McCool, Cherry Pie, Mae Young, Natalya Neidhart, Beth Phoenix, Mickie James, Katie Lea Burchill, Rosa Mendes, Alicia Fox, Eve Torres, Maryse Ouellet, Gail Kim, Tiffany Terrell, Jillian Hall, Nikki Bella, Brie Bella and Tamina Snuka. He also changed his name to “The World’s Largest Love Machine”, and formed a tag team with Val Venis called “V-Squared”.
Viscera also competed in several matches for various titles, such as the Intercontinental Championship, the United States Championship and the ECW Championship but never won any of them. He also participated in several gimmick matches, such as the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 22, the Extreme Elimination Chamber match at December to Dismember 2006, and the Battle Royal for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship at No Way Out 2007.
Big Daddy V and Final Run
In June 2007, Viscera was drafted to the ECW brand as part of the WWE Draft. He was then repackaged as Big Daddy V, a monstrous heel who wore a black singlet that exposed his chest and back. He was managed by Matt Striker, who dubbed him “The Mastodon of Mayhem” and “The Human Wrecking Machine”. He dominated most of his opponents with his sheer size and strength, and had feuds with CM Punk, Tommy Dreamer, The Boogeyman, Kane and Mark Henry.
Big Daddy V also formed an alliance with Mark Henry and Matt Striker called “The Colossal Connection”, and they feuded with The Undertaker, Batista and Finlay. He also competed in the Elimination Chamber match for the ECW Championship at No Way Out 2008, but was eliminated by CM Punk.
Big Daddy V’s last appearance in WWE was on the March 11, 2008 episode of ECW, where he lost to CM Punk in a Money in the Bank qualifying match. He was released from his contract on August 8, 2008.
Post-WWE Career and Death
After leaving WWE, Big Daddy V continued to wrestle in the independent circuit under various names, such as King V, Big Daddy Voodoo and Nelson Frazier. He also wrestled for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) in 2011 and 2012, where he won the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship with Taru.
Big Daddy V announced his retirement from wrestling in December 2013, and said he wanted to become an actor. He also lost over 100 pounds of weight and improved his health.
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