brody
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,463
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Post by brody on Mar 4, 2018 5:00:36 GMT -5
culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-day-wwf-msg-4-22-1985/The WWF returns to MSG three weeks after Wrestlemania. Action includes Matt Bourne doing his best to ruin his WWF gig, and jobbers receiving title matches. The announcers blatantly lie about celebrities at the show. A giant of a man batters an AARP member. We find out if Ricky Steamboat can carry Moondog Spot to a good match. Hulk Hogan attends a circus that Vince McMahon isn't in charge of, then Hogan GRAPPLES - he honest to God puts out a tour de force of technical wizardry unseen in the era of Hulkamania. America's honor is defended by the U.S. Express and Tito Santana's war with Greg Valentine continues in the show's finale!
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Post by knifeedgechop on Mar 4, 2018 13:49:26 GMT -5
I wonder why he was cool with working Kamala, selling for him, etc. Think the whole "savage" thing made it less competition to him, since that was the focus more than the "Ugandan Giant" thing with size, or something else? I know he apparently disliked Uncle Elmer and explicitly told him that, with Heenan warning Elmer to not bother Andre, so it wasn't just Studd on his shit list. Kamala wasn't actually as tall as the other "giants" (he was billed as 6'7" and was likely in the 6'4" or so range for real) and he never made it a focal point of his gimmick, with "Ugandan Giant" being switched out constantly with "Ugandan Warrior" and "Ugandan Soldier" (only early on with the latter). I could be wrong but I could swear he was the Ugandan Headhunter as well, though maybe they stopped using that because it sounded too gruesome
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Post by willywonka666 on Mar 5, 2018 16:51:47 GMT -5
Kamala wasn't actually as tall as the other "giants" (he was billed as 6'7" and was likely in the 6'4" or so range for real) and he never made it a focal point of his gimmick, with "Ugandan Giant" being switched out constantly with "Ugandan Warrior" and "Ugandan Soldier" (only early on with the latter). I could be wrong but I could swear he was the Ugandan Headhunter as well, though maybe they stopped using that because it sounded too gruesome I always remembered him as the Ugandan Headhunter-I thought that was in the WWF
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Post by Joe Neglia on Mar 5, 2018 22:30:37 GMT -5
Yeah, that one too. Slipped my mind.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2018 17:13:47 GMT -5
I often wondered why Backlund basically did nothing in the business after his big title run ended in 1983. Was he just totally burnt out? It'd odd because his 1994 heel turn totally revitalized his career, showing that maybe he should have turned heel and gone insane back when he could have drawn the big money vs. Hogan. It's really kind of stunning how both the AWA and NWA cratered in 1986 and 87. I will say this about the AWA: There were weeks where they definitely had the best weekly wrestling program during the ESPN era. Throwing out Hennig/Bockwinkel or Rockers vs. Rose/Somers on regular TV blows away most other televised wrestling of that era. Bob went through depression after losing his title, then after Vince Senior passed away, his heart just wasn't really into it anymore. He looked upon him as a father figure and it just gutted him. He would do matches here and there, but spent the majority of his time doing regular jobs (construction, bail bondsman, etc.), raising his daughter and coaching middle-school & high-school wrestling near his home.
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brody
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,463
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Post by brody on Mar 11, 2018 9:12:30 GMT -5
I often wondered why Backlund basically did nothing in the business after his big title run ended in 1983. Was he just totally burnt out? It'd odd because his 1994 heel turn totally revitalized his career, showing that maybe he should have turned heel and gone insane back when he could have drawn the big money vs. Hogan. It's really kind of stunning how both the AWA and NWA cratered in 1986 and 87. I will say this about the AWA: There were weeks where they definitely had the best weekly wrestling program during the ESPN era. Throwing out Hennig/Bockwinkel or Rockers vs. Rose/Somers on regular TV blows away most other televised wrestling of that era. Bob went through depression after losing his title, then after Vince Senior passed away, his heart just wasn't really into it anymore. He looked upon him as a father figure and it just gutted him. He would do matches here and there, but spent the majority of his time doing regular jobs (construction, bail bondsman, etc.), raising his daughter and coaching middle-school & high-school wrestling near his home. Backlund also attempted to be a promoter, but his shows didn't do well. Verne made an earnest try at pushing him in 84/85 but he didn't really get over.
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SAJ Forth
Wade Wilson
Jamaican WCF Crazy!
Half Man-Half Amazing
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Post by SAJ Forth on Mar 11, 2018 11:24:35 GMT -5
Bob Backlund: Bounty Hunter.
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brody
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,463
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Post by brody on Apr 7, 2018 9:06:39 GMT -5
culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrestling-back-in-the-day-april-1985-part-2/Part 2 of April in 1985 sees the AWA run a loaded card only weeks after Mania 1 - with the WWF taking them on with a card of their own, Two cagey vets have an infamous "Shoot" with the Road Warriors to teach them a lesson. Two legends return to action in the AWA, Pro Wrestling USA saw a bit of a WWWF dream match take place a few years too late, The Freebirds tape their motion picture debut, Montreal booms as the AWA stars pop another big house, Bruiser Brody causes more headaches, David Schultz makes headlines for another attack away from the ring, Don Owens turns to Ric Flair to try and salvage his promotion and more news, notes and results!
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andrew8798
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on 24/7 this month
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Post by andrew8798 on Apr 8, 2018 2:43:15 GMT -5
The Pro Wrestling USA stuff would make for a good podcast
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Post by Redbeard's Ghost on Apr 15, 2018 16:32:13 GMT -5
I just started reading these articles. You are doing a great job here, bringing back lots of memories for this 30+ year fan. Thank you!
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brody
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,463
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Post by brody on Apr 21, 2018 7:08:56 GMT -5
culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-april-1985-part-3/The final part of April 1985 sees Nick Bockwinkel head to Memphis to face off with another Hall of Fame heel, a rumored power play in Florida could alter wrestling history, Gary Hart watches one of his creations ruined by bad booking, a new giant gets his first push, World Class gossip suggests they will partner with an act that is selling out stadiums across the USA, Bill Watts takes to the airways to shoot on Sports Entertainment and 20/20, a gimmick change turns a jabroni into a headliner, the WWF is embarrassed in Texas, Jim Crockett makes the biggest move in his business history, plus more news, rumors, and results!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2018 16:58:06 GMT -5
By the way, brody, congratulations on 2 years in keeping this project going! I'm enjoying it, as I'm sure a lot of others are as well.
Thank you.
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brody
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,463
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Post by brody on Apr 27, 2018 23:41:01 GMT -5
culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-wwfs-a-m-chicago-tv-special-with-oprah/In May of 1985, a star was breaking out on the Chicago airwaves as Oprah emerged as an entertainment force. In an effort to snag some ratings from the buzz of "Wrestlemania", Oprah attended a WWF house show in Chicago, and aired parts on her morning show. What followed was some amusing commentary from Winfrey as she admitted did not watch wrestling. The WWF made an odd choice in her announcing partner, which didn't help. Hulk Hogan is asked the WRONG question and sours on Oprah's presence, She attempts to find the softer side of Jesse Ventura. We get a few ethnically questionable remarks, plus we see some WWF headline action with Hulk Hogan, JYD, Tito Santana and other top stars battling in the ring. A unique thing to view for sure....
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2018 11:32:29 GMT -5
culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-wwfs-a-m-chicago-tv-special-with-oprah/In May of 1985, a star was breaking out on the Chicago airwaves as Oprah emerged as an entertainment force. In an effort to snag some ratings from the buzz of "Wrestlemania", Oprah attended a WWF house show in Chicago, and aired parts on her morning show. What followed was some amusing commentary from Winfrey as she admitted did not watch wrestling. The WWF made an odd choice in her announcing partner, which didn't help. Hulk Hogan is asked the WRONG question and sours on Oprah's presence, She attempts to find the softer side of Jesse Ventura. We get a few ethnically questionable remarks, plus we see some WWF headline action with Hulk Hogan, JYD, Tito Santana and other top stars battling in the ring. A unique thing to view for sure.... I barely remember this happening. With some of the commentary, I can understand why she wasn't asked to be a part of WM2; which you'd think would be a natural idea. Hmmm....
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andrew8798
FANatic
on 24/7 this month
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Post by andrew8798 on Apr 29, 2018 0:41:02 GMT -5
Be watching World Class on the network and I'm round April 85 I had wondered who Little John was
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brody
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,463
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Post by brody on Apr 29, 2018 1:05:55 GMT -5
Be watching World Class on the network and I'm round April 85 I had wondered who Little John was I believe he was mentioned in the April 85 Part 3. He had been an "actor" in Pee Wee's Big Adventure, then he worked for WCCW for a hiccup, did a battle royal run in Memphis and the AWA and signed with the WWF for a bit to keep others from promoting a guy taller than Andre.
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Apr 29, 2018 20:04:00 GMT -5
Be watching World Class on the network and I'm round April 85 I had wondered who Little John was I believe he was mentioned in the April 85 Part 3. He had been an "actor" in Pee Wee's Big Adventure, then he worked for WCCW for a hiccup, did a battle royal run in Memphis and the AWA and signed with the WWF for a bit to keep others from promoting a guy taller than Andre. Wasn't he Silo Sam in AWA? I remember Marty Jannetty telling a joke about Verne getting pissed cause the AWA guys kept taking padlocks out of the high school locker rooms they used as dressing rooms. "NO MORE OF THIS PADLOCK BULLSHIT!". Then during some battle royal Marty and Curt Hennig slapped a couple of padlocks on Silo Sam's overhauls.
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brody
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,463
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Post by brody on May 6, 2018 1:06:03 GMT -5
culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-wccw-parade-of-champions-1985/World Class presents a mammoth tag team battle with the Von Erichs and Freebirds forming a shaky alliance to battle the One Man Gang, Kamala, Rip Oliver, Chris Adams, Gino Hernandez and Dr. Death in a two ring brawl for big money and bragging rights. Kevin Von Erich also takes on Ric Flair with the NWA World title on the line, the Fantastics tangle with the Midnight Express, Kerry Von Erich fights the One Man Gang, Gary Hart provides some awesome managerial moments and Marc Lowrance delivers some fine bits on commentary. A huge crowd braves the Texas heat to see all this and other action!
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SAJ Forth
Wade Wilson
Jamaican WCF Crazy!
Half Man-Half Amazing
Posts: 27,214
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Post by SAJ Forth on May 6, 2018 4:17:55 GMT -5
Like seeing these Brody.
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brody
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,463
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Post by brody on May 25, 2018 12:04:10 GMT -5
culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-saturday-nights-main-event-1-may-1985/The first ever edition of Saturday Night's Main Event sees Vince McMahon pull out his celebrity big guns for the first wrasslin' show on network TV in decades! Paul Orndorff is given a hard push to the top of the babyface ranks, The Animal finds a new friend. The Fabulous Moolah pulls rank in the ring. Vince's love for black stereotypes shows up. Plus there's even some wrestling in between the comedy bits, promos, and other ballyhoo!
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