WWE Vault is a treasure trove of classics, forgottens, and never-seens. This WWE YouTube Channel has introduced the world to everything from Brutus Beefcake as Furface to a Christmas tree-clad young Kane as The Christmas Creature. The latest gem uncovered from the WWE Vault is what the popular streaming platform described as: “The Attitude Era’s WILDEST Dark Match.” It featured a young Crash Holly, known as Erin O’Grady, against Vic Grimes. This match was long before Vic Grimes first went viral when New Jack threw him off a scaffold in hopes of killing the giant. Let’s take a look at Vic Grimes vs. Crash Holly and why the future ECW star never made it in WWE.
Vic Grimes vs. Erin O’Grady Goes Viral
The Attitude Era is fondly remembered for its wild brawls and chairshots to the head during episodes of Raw. However, before the show? Not so much.
Dark matches are typically held before tapings so that the production team can get the sound and camera shots right. It’s also a way to warm up the crowd. In some instances, it’s a chance for WWE producers to scout talent or give developmental stars more reps.
The January 20, 1998 Raw taping from Davis, California, opened with two unknown talents going head-to-head. Vic Grimes wrestled Erin O’Grady in an awe-inspiring performance that had the crowd that was still shuffling in on its feet.
These two young talents were very familiar with one another. They had a long-term rivalry for All Pro Wrestling (APW) in the San Francisco, California area. Local talent J.R. Benson sent former WWE Agent Jim Cornette a tape of the Grimes and O’Grady. Cornette was impressed by their little-man/big-man dynamic, which facilitated this booking.
This match is viral in 2026, and it certainly impressed WWE management in 1998. Both men were signed to deals shortly after this January 1998 encounter.
By the summer, Vic Grimes debuted in WWE as Key. Erin O’Grady would go on to become Crash Holly just a year later.
The Short-Lived History of Key in WWE
Vic Grimes made his short-lived WWE television debut as Key on Jul6 26, 1999, during an episode of Raw from Cleveland, Ohio. This episode was the first and only appearance of Key.
In fact, he didn’t even have a name during his segment. However, Key was scheduled to become an ongoing character.
Debut on Raw
Vic Grimes appeared on Raw as a mystery man. He looked much different than the way he looked in the viral video. The wrestling nomad bleached his hair white. Key completed the look by donning all white gear, looking much like Colonel Sanders or Mordecai.
The big man debuted during a match featuring The Godfather and Val Venis against Droz and Prince Albert in a Street Fight. Action spilled out into the crowd as Albert and The Godfather fought tooth and nail. Suddenly, Key jumped in, clobbering The Godfather.
Commentary acknowledged the assailant briefly as WWE Security Member, Jim Dotson, bearhugged Key and dragged him off. Val Venis and Godfather would still go on to win that match.
Sunday Night Heat
Key would make his second appearance during the following Sunday Night Heat. He would assist Albert in an unsanctioned match against Chaz, helping the future WWE Developmental Head Coach to get the better hand over the former Headbanger. Key would finish Chaz off by flipping off the top rope and landing an elbow on the former Tag Team Champion.
The following Sunday Night Heat, The Godfather was scheduled to face Albert. However, he called out the “Pillsbury Doughman,” referring to Key’s all-white attire (and rotund body). This insult led to a 3-on-1 assault from Droz, Albert, and Key. However, the odds got evened up by Chaz and Val Venis.
Only Match – Shotgun Saturday Night
It seemed like WWE was building to Key, Droz, and Albert facing Chaz, Val Venis, and The Godfather. However, Key’s first and only match would take place on August 14, 1999, during Shotgun Saturday Night.
Albert, Droz, and Key kicked the show off with a successful match against Cody Hawk, Anthony McMurphy, and Brett Keane. Shortly after this match, Key disappeared from WWE TV. WWE released Vic Grimes, urging him to get some seasoning in ECW.
Why Did Vic Grimes In WWE Not Work Out?
Vic Grimes had a buzz on the independent scene, but he fizzled quickly in WWE. Many backstage producers felt they were sold a bill of goods. They realized Vic Grimes may have just been a base, and that Crash Holly was really the star.
All of Key’s onscreen altercations looked clunky. He performed moves very messily and was believed to need more training. These suspicions were confirmed by Al Snow, who described him as “hard to work with” during the few matches they had together before tapings.
While Key’s role in Droz and Prince Albert’s team was never explained, it was later revealed by news reporters that Vic Grimes was to be their drug dealer. In fact, Key was to be behind Hawk from LOD 2000’s substance abuse problems.
However, WWE dropped the storyline when The Godfather got injured. The Godfather was penciled in to be Key’s first program.
Vic Grimes’ Post-WWE Career
After WWE, Vic Grimes entered ECW. He shaved his head and became one of Da Baldies. During his tenure with the company, Vic Grimes had a classic rivalry with New Jack. Things reached a fever pitch when Grimes threw New Jack off a balcony, cracking The Gangsta’s head on the ground. New Jack said he received permanent blindness in the right eye from the fall.
Driven by revenge, New Jack threw Vic Grimes off a scaffold years later during an XPW show. New Jack infamously told Dark Side of the Ring that he aimed to throw Vic Grimes past the tables on the ground in hopes that he would kill him. Thankfully for Grimes, he missed the concrete and only suffered a few injuries.