Justin Credible recalls the struggles in creating the look of his Aldo Montoya character in WWE.
Upon signing a full-time contract with WWE in 1994, Justin Credible was assigned a new ring name, as well as a fresh gimmick that drew from his Portuguese heritage. As such, Credible was repackaged into Aldo Montoya, “The Portuguese Man Of War.” During a recent interview with Steve Fall of WrestlingNewsCo, Credible shared his thoughts on the distinct presentation of this character, which saw Credible donning a mask and bright-colored ring gear.
“I didn’t like the mask. The biggest problem was the mask,” Credible said. “When Vince [McMahon] had the design and he proposed the design to me, I looked like a Power Ranger almost. I wish I still had it, I don’t know what I did with it. It was dope. I had like Road Warrior shoulder pads and this cool mask. WWE was downsizing in those days and business was really down in those ’94, ’95 years. “
“I remember the seamstress, our costume lady, [went] with me into New York City into a bondage shop, no lie, like a leather bondage shop, and try on S&M [sadomasochism] masks. They’re just trying to find something to kind of fit that. Times are so different with the world, with the internet [today] and you could just get anything, anywhere, but back then it was a little more difficult.”
I made the best of it
While WWE found a leather mask to potentially work with, the company ultimately decided to have Credible perform in a face covering made of cloth.
“The original mask was made out of leather. It was almost like a Kane mask but they did not perfect it,” Credible said. “Everything was just leather and there was no movement. I couldn’t use it, so we went with the cloth, and it just did not go right. It was a shame because I think that really hurt the character, but it is what it is. I made the best of it.”
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