Okay, here we go! Let me tell you about my wild ride with Nikki Cross and The Fiend…or should I say, Nikki Cross Wyatt?
So, it all started with me being obsessed with character transformations in wrestling. I’m talking about the crazy stuff, the kind of storylines that make you go, “Wait, what’s happening?!” I was brainstorming ideas for a custom wrestling game, and I needed a character that could believably go from zero to absolutely bonkers. Nikki Cross popped into my head.
I began by diving deep into her character history. I watched a ton of her matches as part of SAnitY, the unhinged stable in NXT. Then I tracked her somewhat goofy, superhero-esque run as Nikki A.S.H. I wanted to understand the core of Nikki’s character – the underlying intensity, the need to belong, and that little spark of madness that’s always been there.
Next up: The Fiend. You gotta admit, the dude is terrifyingly awesome. I loved the idea of a monster lurking beneath a seemingly normal persona. Plus, the whole “Heal” and “Hurt” thing he had going on was ripe for storytelling.
Okay, here’s where things got tricky. How do you merge these two characters without making it a complete train wreck? My initial thought was a slow burn. Nikki, feeling lost and directionless after losing the Nikki A.S.H. gimmick, gets drawn into Bray Wyatt’s world. Maybe she starts seeing glitches, hearing voices, questioning her own sanity.
I started sketching out costume ideas. Picture this: Nikki, still recognizable, but with subtle Fiend-like touches. Maybe a tattered version of her superhero outfit, but with the Fiend’s mask incorporated somehow. Or maybe she starts wearing face paint, slowly evolving into a more grotesque version of herself.
The core of the transformation: manipulation. Bray Wyatt, in his Fiend persona, preys on Nikki’s insecurities and her desire for acceptance. He convinces her that her true potential lies in embracing the darkness within. He twists her words, gaslights her, and pushes her further and further down the rabbit hole.
I spent a lot of time thinking about her moveset. It couldn’t just be Nikki doing the Mandible Claw. It needed to be a blend of her old chaotic style with the Fiend’s signature moves. Maybe she starts using Sister Abigail, but with her own twisted spin. And her mannerisms had to change too – a slow, deliberate walk, a creepy smile, and that unsettling stare.
The toughest part was writing the story. I wanted it to be dark, unsettling, but also believable. I didn’t want it to feel like a cartoon. So, I focused on the psychological aspect. The Fiend slowly eroding Nikki’s mind, turning her into his twisted disciple. It was all about the little details – the way she speaks, the way she moves, the subtle changes in her expression.
- Phase 1: The Glitch. Nikki starts experiencing weird occurrences – flickering lights, distorted sounds, glimpses of the Fiend in the mirror.
- Phase 2: The Whispers. She starts hearing voices in her head, seemingly offering guidance and empowerment, but with a sinister undertone.
- Phase 3: The Embrace. Nikki, desperate for acceptance, succumbs to the darkness and fully embraces the Fiend’s influence.
Finally, after weeks of brainstorming, writing, and sketching, I had it. Nikki Cross Wyatt. A terrifying, unhinged version of a character I already loved. It was a challenging but incredibly rewarding process. It really pushed me to think outside the box and explore the darker side of character transformations.
The end result? A custom character that I’m incredibly proud of. And a whole lot of sleepless nights spent trying to figure out how to make it all work. Would it fly on TV? Maybe not. But it was a fun thought experiment, and that’s what matters, right?
What I learned: Don’t be afraid to get weird with your characters. The most interesting stories come from taking risks and exploring uncharted territory. And always, always have fun with it!
