Nelson Lee Frazier Jr., known to the wrestling world as Mabel, Viscera, and finally, Big Daddy V, was a formidable figure in the WWF/WWE. Standing at 6'9" and weighing nearly 500 pounds, Frazier's imposing size was both a career asset and a health risk. This article explores Frazier's career, highlighting his various personas and the weight loss efforts he undertook before his untimely death at the age of 43.
Early Career and the Rise of Mabel
Frazier began his professional wrestling journey as Nelson Knight, forming the tag team "The Harlem Knights" with Robert Horne (Bobby Knight). Upon entering the WWF, they were repackaged as Men on a Mission (M.O.M.), with Nelson becoming Mabel, Bobby becoming Mo, and Oscar serving as their rapping manager. Introduced through vignettes showcasing their efforts to positively impact inner-city communities, M.O.M. initially presented a positive image.
At WrestleMania X, Men on a Mission scored acountout victory over the WWF Tag Team champions, The Quebecers, though they did not win the belts. On March 29, 1994, they captured the title at a house show in London, England, only to lose it back to The Quebecers two days later in Sheffield, England. In mid-1994, Mabel started focusing on more singles matches, capitalizing on his size as a "special attraction." He participated in the 1994 King of the Ring tournament, advancing past Pierre of the Quebecers before being defeated by IRS in the quarterfinals.
The Transformation to King Mabel and a Heel Turn
In 1995, a significant shift occurred when Mabel and Mo viciously attacked the tag team champions, the Smoking Gunns, after losing a match to them, marking a heel turn for the duo. Mabel shed his cheerful persona for a more menacing image, resulting in a push as a singles wrestler. He won the King of the Ring tournament in June and became known as King Mabel, while Mo became "Sir Mo," his manager. A unique championship belt, engraved with "King of the Ring," was created for Mabel, a distinction never repeated by the WWF.
As King Mabel, Frazier became the top villain in the company. He challenged WWF Champion Diesel at SummerSlam. Leading up to SummerSlam, on an August edition of Monday Night Raw, the WWF turned Davey Boy Smith against the fans, replacing King Mabel as the company's top villain. Men on a Mission were scheduled to wrestle Smith and Lex Luger, then known as The Allied Powers. Smith convinced Diesel to be his partner because Luger was not at the event. During the match, Smith attacked Diesel and aligned himself with King Mabel and Sir Mo.
Read also: Weight Loss and Redemption
However, Frazier's time at the top was cut short. Kevin Nash (Diesel) suggested that Frazier's reckless wrestling style and disregard for the safety of his fellow wrestlers contributed to his removal from the main event scene. Nash claimed that Frazier had already injured several wrestlers and that his execution of the sitdown splash was particularly dangerous, as he would drop onto opponents with full force. Despite Nash's warning, Frazier performed the move on him during their match at SummerSlam, causing a badly strained abdomen and potential spinal damage to Nash.
Feud with The Undertaker and Departure from WWF
Despite no longer being the main villain, Frazier began a high-profile feud with The Undertaker. The rivalry began after Mabel helped Yokozuna attack a downed Undertaker. During the attack, Mabel repeatedly struck Undertaker in the face instead of landing his leg across the Undertaker's chest as in a normal leg drop, resulting in Undertaker suffering a legitimate fracture of his orbital bone, which sidelined him for two months. The Undertaker returned wearing a Phantom of the Opera-style mask and defeated King Mabel in a Casket match at In Your House 5: Seasons Beatings. Shortly after this match, Frazier and Horne were fired.
Independent Circuit and Returns to WWF/E
After his initial WWF departure, Frazier wrestled in the World Wrestling Council (WWC) in Puerto Rico, where he won the Universal Heavyweight Championship. He also competed in the United States Wrestling Association (USWA), capturing both the USWA Heavyweight Championship and the North American Heavyweight Championship.
On January 24, 1999, Frazier made a full-time return to the WWF, appearing at the Royal Rumble pre-show and then in the main event. He was later kidnapped by The Undertaker's Ministry. After the Ministry disbanded, Viscera became part of the hardcore division, winning the WWF Hardcore Championship at WrestleMania 2000, only to lose it minutes later. He was released from his WWF contract in August 2000.
In September 2004, Frazier, as Viscera, returned to WWE, attacking The Undertaker under the orders of John "Bradshaw" Layfield. In April 2005, he aligned with Trish Stratus, which led to a gimmick change where he became "The World's Largest Love Machine." He began wearing pajamas and making overtly sexual gestures, becoming infatuated with Lilian Garcia. However, his advances were rejected, and he turned heel again after a storyline involving Charlie Haas and a Samoan slam on Garcia.
Read also: Daddy Long Legs Feeding Habits
Big Daddy V and Final WWE Run
On June 17, 2007, Viscera was drafted to ECW and repackaged as Big Daddy V, a "hired muscle" for Matt Striker. He became the number one contender for the ECW Championship but lost to CM Punk due to Striker's interference. He then feuded with Kane and participated in Survivor Series and Armageddon matches. Big Daddy V wrestled his last WWE match on March 11, 2008, losing to CM Punk in a Money in the Bank qualifying match. He was drafted to SmackDown in the 2008 WWE Supplemental Draft and released in August 2008.
Post-WWE Career and Health Struggles
After his final WWE departure, Frazier joined the National Wrestling Alliance as King V. He also wrestled for Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW), All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) as Big Daddy Voodoo, and various promotions in Mexico, Canada, and Germany.
Throughout his career, Frazier's weight was a constant issue. Standing at 6'9" and weighing nearly 500 pounds, he faced health problems related to his size, including high blood pressure and diabetes.
Weight Loss Efforts and Untimely Death
In the six months before his death, Frazier had lost approximately 100 pounds by cutting sugar and salt from his diet. His wife, Cassandra, stated that doctors had informed him that he had lowered his blood pressure to a healthy level. Unfortunately, on February 18, 2014, just four days after his 43rd birthday, Nelson Frazier Jr. died of a heart attack.
Read also: How Daddy Yankee Stays in Shape