Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2016 14:11:54 GMT -5
To think in the 1980s, you never gave a second thought to chanting "USA" at the Iron Sheik when his opponent is from New Zealand.
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brody
Don Corleone
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Post by brody on Oct 7, 2016 8:37:30 GMT -5
culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-august-1984/A remarkably busy month as Vince snags several more top talents, Bruno Sammartino returns to the WWF after settling his lawsuit with the McMahon family, a non WWF title is defended on TV, more promotions are gobbled up by the expanding WWF, a former World champ is fired, a top WWF heel releases a rock album, Ole Anderson strikes back at Vince for "stealing" his promotion, the Road Warriors score a major title win, Mid-South sees a local favorite turn to the darkside, Memphis runs some mega cards, Florida is dealt a death blow as Dusty Rhodes jumps to JCP, the long Freebirds/Von Erich war settles in on a final battle, and much more!
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Post by Joe Neglia on Oct 8, 2016 0:56:32 GMT -5
Nick Patrick is indeed the future WCW referee. Legit son of Jody Hamilton, he was Assassin #2 around the same time, teaming with his dad.
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brody
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,463
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Post by brody on Oct 14, 2016 14:29:44 GMT -5
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Post by Joe Neglia on Oct 15, 2016 3:56:06 GMT -5
Definitely right on Hogan not settling into pattern yet; a clothesline instead of the big boot leading into the legdrop? Hogan Hulking up and Valentine...Greg Valentine, mind you...taking him right back to Bruce Bannerville? Weird.
Patera had already returned a few days prior, working the July 31 show against Billy Travis, August 1st against B. Brian Blair and the 2nd against Gama Singh. Have to keep in mind that this was only four months removed from the McDonalds incident. In the midst of this critical time in the expansion, Vince chose to bring him back knowing a trial and (then-likely) conviction were on their way.
The brief feud with former tag partner Tiger Chung Lee was Fuji's last hurrah as an active worker. A short time later, he would disappear briefly before reemerging as a manager.
Interesting that Backlund would go out in a face-vs-face match, shaking hands after it was over. In some ways, it was fitting for him.
This would be the first of Kamala's three notable runs with the company. His manager this go-round was Fred Blassie, and his handler was Friday, not Kim Chee (at first portrayed by the same guy who played Friday in the territories but after he left, it was just whoever was around that could fit the suit. Lombardi wouldn't become the regular handler under the mask until Kamala's second run).
Vince could be so horrendously bad at deciding face/heel roles. As commendable in hindsight as it is to give him props for giving Gama Singh a shot as a babyface, it just wasn't going to happen in that climate. Freebirds as faces are one thing, Freebirds as WWF faces were atrocious. The Lauper ties felt forced and the post-match celebration was as goofy as Max's dad.
Dave Barbie's role regarding Andre was similar to Tim White's later on. Interesting that he resembles Nord a little, because during this jobber run, they did a pseudo-angle where the commentators mentioned he wanted to be known as the Barbarian. It didn't really go anywhere and the new name didn't really take.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2016 6:56:39 GMT -5
Please tell me they had the Spectrum logo on the mat. That's what I loved about Prime Time going to different arenas. Every place had a quirk that made it stand out as unique. MSG had the short walkway and the tight ringside area. Boston Garden had the wood floor and those steel-and-wood barricades. Philly had the Spectrum logo on the mat.
Good times.
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brody
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,463
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Post by brody on Oct 15, 2016 8:35:34 GMT -5
Definitely right on Hogan not settling into pattern yet; a clothesline instead of the big boot leading into the legdrop? Hogan Hulking up and Valentine...Greg Valentine, mind you...taking him right back to Bruce Bannerville? Weird. Patera had already returned a few days prior, working the July 31 show against Billy Travis, August 1st against B. Brian Blair and the 2nd against Gama Singh. Have to keep in mind that this was only four months removed from the McDonalds incident. In the midst of this critical time in the expansion, Vince chose to bring him back knowing a trial and (then-likely) conviction were on their way. The brief feud with former tag partner Tiger Chung Lee was Fuji's last hurrah as an active worker. A short time later, he would disappear briefly before reemerging as a manager. Interesting that Backlund would go out in a face-vs-face match, shaking hands after it was over. In some ways, it was fitting for him. This would be the first of Kamala's three notable runs with the company. His manager this go-round was Fred Blassie, and his handler was Friday, not Kim Chee (at first portrayed by the same guy who played Friday in the territories but after he left, it was just whoever was around that could fit the suit. Lombardi wouldn't become the regular handler under the mask until Kamala's second run). Vince could be so horrendously bad at deciding face/heel roles. As commendable in hindsight as it is to give him props for giving Gama Singh a shot as a babyface, it just wasn't going to happen in that climate. Freebirds as faces are one thing, Freebirds as WWF faces were atrocious. The Lauper ties felt forced and the post-match celebration was as goofy as Max's dad. Dave Barbie's role regarding Andre was similar to Tim White's later on. Interesting that he resembles Nord a little, because during this jobber run, they did a pseudo-angle where the commentators mentioned he wanted to be known as the Barbarian. It didn't really go anywhere and the new name didn't really take. Yeah, I could have phrased my blurb better. I meant it as debuting/returning to the Philly fans in particular
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brody
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,463
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Post by brody on Oct 20, 2016 19:58:47 GMT -5
culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-day-wwf-st-louis-8-10-84/St Louis fans are treated to the Hulk falling to a surprising foe, The Samoans clashing with Adonis/Murdoch/Studd in a broken ring, Bob Orton grappling with a legend, The Freebirds doing their thing, plus Kamala, Patera, JYD, Ventura, Schultz and some horrible commentary. Join me in the suffering!
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brody
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,463
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Post by brody on Oct 28, 2016 13:55:01 GMT -5
culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wwf-st-louis-kiel-auditorium-september-1st-1984/ St Louis fans are treated to Hulk Hogan brawling with George Steele, Tito Santana testing his mettle with Mr. Wonderful, Wendi Richter fending off the wicked Fabulous Moolah, Sgt. Slaughter defending America from the attacks of commie scum, plus Beefcake, the Spoiler, JYD, Kamala and others all appear in action...
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brody
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,463
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Post by brody on Nov 5, 2016 4:43:44 GMT -5
culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-spectrum-9184/Philly fans entered the Spectrum to see if Andre's giant fist could close Roddy's big mouth, plus the Samoans chase down Murdoch and Adonis, The Hammer is tested by Rocky Johnson, Polish Power meets Jesse Ventura, David Schultz appears to shoot on a jobber, a WWF champion suffers a career ending injury, Dick Graham delivers some terrible commentary and more action.....
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2016 20:57:28 GMT -5
Brody, you're a saint for putting up with Putski vs. Jesse. I would have sooner have a colonoscopy than watch that shit.
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brody
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,463
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Post by brody on Nov 11, 2016 16:40:11 GMT -5
culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/september-1984-wrestling/September of 1984 saw the Freebirds fly out of the WWF, A major star's career is cut short due to a sudden medical incident, A former NWA champ debuts for Vince, Dusty positions himself as Flair's top contender, The Brain is banished from the AWA, a former world champ leaves Verne's roster, two all-time great teams clash in Chicago, Pro Wrestling USA debuts, Lawler teams with a long time foe, The AWA sabotages the Von Erichs expansion plans, A major heel turn rocks Texas, Watts attempts to replace JYD with Master Gee, Cornette is scalped, 34,000 fans witness a Puerto Rican Stadium supercard, JCP loses a top star to Vince and many more news and results!
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Post by Joe Neglia on Nov 13, 2016 3:08:55 GMT -5
Does the El Canek/Hulk Hogan match exist as footage? It doesn't appear to be on Youtube (though it does have two interesting tag matches including both - in one Hogan teams with Canek against Riki Choshu and Killer Khan, and in the other teams with Antonio Inoki against Canek and Andre). This must have been one of Hulk's last forays outside of WWF territory during this stage, I'm assuming.
The Vince/Okerlund heat is hilarious if true. For whatever reason, it was ultimately the right call, Gene was never that good at calling a match, I thought.
The Briscos in WWF still feels odd to me. I'd never known the details of Heenan's debut angle. It helps illustrate, a little, where Crockett was already going wrong. While WWF was hitting upon the Hogan The Giant Killer formula, Crockett was content with teasing Flair Vs. Race Part, what, 4?
I wonder what happened to all those Weasel Busters shirts. That Martel was feuding with 50-year old Bockwinkel, 42-year old Saito (both of whom still had AWA title reigns in their futures) and 46-year old Billy Robinson ties into the above paragraph in how Verne's ship was starting to tilt by relying too much on aging (though still amazingly talented) workers. The Salt Lake City face-off gates are actually a little surprising to me, given how heavy the WWF's show as packed with top former AWA guys that should have drawn huge. Shows how loyal the locals were, I suppose.
The Pro Wrestling USA experiment was interesting, but destined for eventual failure. Too many cooks, etc.
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Post by fuzzywarble, squat cobbler on Nov 13, 2016 5:10:15 GMT -5
Please tell me they had the Spectrum logo on the mat. That's what I loved about Prime Time going to different arenas. Every place had a quirk that made it stand out as unique. MSG had the short walkway and the tight ringside area Boston Garden had the wood floor and those steel-and-wood barricades. Philly had the Spectrum logo on the mat. Good times. MSG also had the microphone dropping from the ceiling
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brody
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,463
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Post by brody on Nov 13, 2016 6:35:59 GMT -5
Does the El Canek/Hulk Hogan match exist as footage? It doesn't appear to be on Youtube (though it does have two interesting tag matches including both - in one Hogan teams with Canek against Riki Choshu and Killer Khan, and in the other teams with Antonio Inoki against Canek and Andre). This must have been one of Hulk's last forays outside of WWF territory during this stage, I'm assuming. The Vince/Okerlund heat is hilarious if true. For whatever reason, it was ultimately the right call, Gene was never that good at calling a match, I thought. The Briscos in WWF still feels odd to me. I'd never known the details of Heenan's debut angle. It helps illustrate, a little, where Crockett was already going wrong. While WWF was hitting upon the Hogan The Giant Killer formula, Crockett was content with teasing Flair Vs. Race Part, what, 4? I wonder what happened to all those Weasel Busters shirts. That Martel was feuding with 50-year old Bockwinkel, 42-year old Saito (both of whom still had AWA title reigns in their futures) and 46-year old Billy Robinson ties into the above paragraph in how Verne's ship was starting to tilt by relying too much on aging (though still amazingly talented) workers. The Salt Lake City face-off gates are actually a little surprising to me, given how heavy the WWF's show as packed with top former AWA guys that should have drawn huge. Shows how loyal the locals were, I suppose. The Pro Wrestling USA experiment was interesting, but destined for eventual failure. Too many cooks, etc. Canek vs Andre was thought to have been lost until recent years, so it wouldn't surprise me if Canek vs. Hogan was out there somewhere
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2016 8:23:49 GMT -5
I agree with Madison, Gene was a better MC and interviewer than commentator.
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brody
Don Corleone
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Post by brody on Nov 20, 2016 6:51:44 GMT -5
culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/mlg-92384/Toronto fans are offered up a rather pitiful card, full of bad refereeing, poor announcing, lousy matches, and botches...all sort of saved by a double main event of Andre the Giant facing Kamala and Sgt. Slaughter brawling with the Iron Sheik....this was a rough one to get through....
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brody
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,463
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Post by brody on Dec 3, 2016 3:23:40 GMT -5
culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wccw102784/WCCW presents a big card from the Cotton Bowl which sees Kevin Von Erich clash with Chris Adams, Mixed tag team shenanigans as trucker Stella Mae French teams with Mike Von Erich to engage in battle with Nicola Roberts and Gino Hernandez, Kerry Von Erich teams with Mike to face off with the Dynamic Duo and Jake the Snake, plus the Missing Link, the Fantastics, Butch Reed and other top stars of the era appear. The fans are HOT and the show features some unique showmanship as well as a dramatically executed kayfabe injury angle!
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brody
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,463
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Post by brody on Dec 3, 2016 3:46:00 GMT -5
culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wwf-spectrum-101384/Philly fans were treated to a wild tag team encounter featuring the JYD and Sgt. Slaughter clashing with Nikolai Volkoff and the Iron Sheik (I linked the video - it's that good), plus World Champ Hulk Hogan attempts to bully the massive Big John Studd, the undercard sees Ken Patera, Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake battle some underdogs, plus and early appearance from David Sammartino.
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brody
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,463
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Post by brody on Dec 11, 2016 11:59:29 GMT -5
culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wwf-meadowlands-101484/The WWF presents another rather horrible series of matches with Brutus Beefcake, Mr. Fuji, Big John Studd, David Sammartino and Moondog Spot all taking part in dreadfully dull singles matches. The tag team scene carries the day as Andre the Giant teams with Sgt Slaughter to clash with the foreign fanatics consisting of the Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff. The WWF tag champs Adonis and Murdoch put on a show to carry Afa and Sika to a fun outing and the Brisco Brothers make a rare WWF appearance in a squash match.
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