Nick Dinsmore on WWE's Controversial Eugene Character, William Regal, Eric Bischoff, Training NXT Talent

NICK ‘EUGENE’ DINSMORE is a name that sparks conversation across the professional wrestling world. Before his most memorable WWE character was born, Dinsmore had already built a solid reputation as an in-ring technician, with a record eight OVW Heavyweight Championship reigns and 11 Tag Team title wins.

The persona he became best known for – Eugene – was a risk. A throwback to a more character-driven era, it divided fans from the moment it debuted. Eugene’s eventful WWE run provided moments of levity and light relief at a time when World Wrestling Entertainment was transitioning towards a more reality-based presentation. Now, the man behind the character, Nick Dinsmore, speaks candidly about its legacy and the impact it had on fans.

In Wrestling Life episode 44, Nick joins Ben Veal to reflect on a 25-year career in professional wrestling, and how the Eugene character changed the course of his life, including:

• Whether he’s really retired from wrestling

• The origins of Eugene

• How Brian Gewirtz’s writing helped shape the character

• Being Eric Bischoff’s nephew on-screen

• The emotional connection some fans had with Eugene and whether he was intended to be autistic

• His chemistry with William Regal and their run as World Tag Team Champions

• Shaving Eric Bischoff bald at Taboo Tuesday

• His WrestleMania 21 moment with Hulk Hogan

• Responding to criticism of the Eugene character

Check out the episode now: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music

Nick Dinsmore on Eugene Dividing Wrestling Fans

Nick Dinsmore’s most famous character began as a suggestion from one of his trainers – Rip Rogers. It wasn’t a slam dunk in the eyes of everyone backstage, but Vince McMahon saw something in it.

So did Stone Cold Steve Austin.

“One of my trainers, Rip Rogers – his son has autism – and Rip was always trying to give me ideas for some kind of character. He said, ‘What about a character that might not be able to tie his shoes, might not be able to put the square peg in the square hole, but the minute he gets in the wrestling ring he can do everything flawlessly, because he’s watched his whole life?’

“Another layer to the Eugene onion is that Eugene would know all the trivia. Some random show in the middle of somewhere, he would know the gate and how many people and who’s on top. I said that a couple of times in some interviews but I’d always have to go to Howard Finkel, ‘cause Howard Finkel really knew everything. Rip gave me this idea so I just put it in the back of my head.

“I pitched that idea to Arn [Anderson], I remember Arn goes, ‘We’re more reality-based now. We don’t really do gimmicks like that anymore’.”

WWE’s Eugene on Tagging with William Regal

Dinsmore’s in-ring pairing with William Regal was a standout moment in his WWE run. Together, the unlikely duo captured the World Tag Team Titles and created a unique chemistry fans loved.

“Rip [Rogers] would always put him over and say he’s so good, and I’d watch him on WCW, I was a fan of him.

“I’d met him going up and doing dark matches and stuff, shook his hand, he knew I was one of Rip’s guys. But then when I got paired with him, it was like our chemistry just took off. I can’t explain it, I haven’t had that kind of chemistry with anybody. I’ve had certain types of chemistry with certain opponents or partners, but this one was just like, off the charts.

“He’s incredible, he should be in the Hall of Fame. He maybe should have had a World title run.”

Nick ‘Eugene’ Dinsmore on Wrestling Kurt Angle

In 2005, Eugene entered the Kurt Angle Invitational on Raw and walked away with Angle’s Olympic gold medal. But the two had already locked up years earlier.

“I had my first WWE match with Kurt Angle before he was on TV. We had a dark match in like ‘98. But I’d just come off that knee surgery, so really I shouldn’t have been cleared to wrestle. ‘Cause I couldn’t run, I couldn’t pivot and I kinda got forced back a little quickly. I went back quickly, I dunno if I got forced back. He’s such a great athlete. I had good timing, but I was about a step behind.”

Nick Dinsmore on Wrestling Grado in the UK

Years after his WWE run, Dinsmore found himself opposite Scottish sensation Grado in a comedy match that won over none other than Vince Russo.

“I met Grado in Scotland in 2012. I did a show there, we were partners and we did a couple of shows there, so we always kept in touch. When I got released as a coach [from NXT] and I started doing more independent dates – I don’t know if it was a promo, or just a tweet or something – I said I wanted to have a ‘four poles’ match with a fanny pack bum bag on each pole with a weapon in it. And if you get it down, you can use the weapon. It just became comedy ‘cause we put skittles in there, we put a bra in there, weird stuff and we just had fun.

“The real funny thing was Vince Russo was there at that show. Grado and I had a great time, we’re laughing, we’re coming back and Vince Russo’s like, ‘I had tears in my eyes, bro! It was so good, I loved it!’”

Nick Dinsmore’s time as Eugene may have sparked debate, but there’s no questioning the impact the character made or the talent behind the persona. With a career spanning over two decades, Dinsmore’s journey through wrestling continues to resonate, with moments both controversial and unforgettable.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lee Herbert is the author of the forthcoming book Rampage — a heartfelt tribute to the glory days of the WWF’s first UK boom. Packed with moments, merch, and memories, it explores how a golden era of American wrestling turned a generation of British kids into lifelong fans. Lee’s writing is a celebration of everything that’s great about professional wrestling.

REAL TALK FROM REAL TALENT

Wrestling Life with Ben Veal shines the spotlight brightly and positively on those who shaped wrestling's past, drive its present and influence its future. Widely available, the show features honest, open and inspiring conversations with many of the sport's biggest names, including Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Mick Foley, Lilian Garcia, Candice Michelle, Buff Bagwell, Doug Williams, Eric Bischoff and many more. The show is presented by award-winning journalist and content creator Ben Veal, co-author of Marc Mero's autobiography, Badd To Good: The Inspiring Story of a Wrestling Wildman.

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