Drew Gulak is Proof That Hard Work and Persistence Pay Off

Drew Gulak is one of the top names on 205 Live. But it wasn’t exactly an easy journey to that point.

Full disclosure: I am a huge Drew Gulak fan. The first independent show I went to was National Pro Wrestling Day in 2014. Gulak competed in the first match on the card, losing a two out of three falls match to Colt Cabana. As literally the first person I had seen live in the “independent style” (a lousy catch-all, but it really means “not WWE”) I’ve always had a soft spot for what he does in the ring.

When Gulak became one of the participants in the Cruiserweight Classic in the summer of 2016, it thrilled me to see him get the exposure that comes with performing for WWE. (His role as one of the police officers who arrested Vince McMahon doesn’t count.) When 205 Live was announced, and Gulak was one of the members of the roster, it was great news.

And then, nothing for several months.

You see, Drew Gulak isn’t the typical “cruiserweight.” When most fans hear that word, they immediately think of a lucha libre, high flying style. To them, cruiserweight wrestlers are quick on their feet – and they leave their feet with regularity. But not Gulak. He’s a mat technician. He’s more Bret Hart than Owen Hart. And that led to his being an outcast in the division.

So Gulak held the course, and made it work for him. Rather than get upset at being underused, misused, or what have you, the grounded style he utilizes became the basis of his gimmick. By combining the “No Fly Zone” angle with a previous gimmick from his days in CZW, Gulak has spent the past few months campaigning for a “better 205 Live.”

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That tongue in cheek political angle is what brought the fans on his side. As Gulak feuded with the likes of Mustafa Ali and Akira Tozawa, his campaign brought him to prominence on 205 Live – and eventually, WWE Raw. It’s been over six months since Gulak began his “campaigning,” but it’s clearly paying off. The thing that put him over the top? PowerPoint presentations.

By not compromising what brought him to WWE’s attention in the first place, Gulak’s persistence has rewarded him tremendously. He’s one of the main focuses of the Cruiserweight Division. Next week, he wrestles for a chance to challenge for the Cruiserweight Championship. And he’s won over the WWE Universe with his charming personality, goofy affect, and tremendous comedic chops. Spending years in CHIKARA – a promotion known for its family friendly nature, as well as its absurdity at times – will develop all of those traits.

Next: The Mount Rushmore of Wrestling

As 2017 comes to a close, 2018 is shaping up to be a good one for Drew Gulak. By becoming more of a focus on 205 Live, he’s getting a chance to shine on Raw on a regular basis as well. And more exposure will just earn him more fan support. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

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