Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2013 16:55:15 GMT -5
The WWE changed forever when he stopped commentating on a regular basis in 1993. His appearances after that were brief but sweet, and at times that charm he brought did linger for a bit.....but he took those great old days with him when he retired from the mic.
If they could guarantee regular programming that featured him on WWE Network (Wrestling Challenge once a week, old MSG/house show tapings, Prime Times with Bobby) I would subscribe to that in a heartbeat.
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Post by Citizen Snips on Nov 23, 2013 16:55:52 GMT -5
People love JR, and rightfully so. If I had to have someone call a big main event match, I might give the edge to him. Gorilla's greatness is that he put some entertainment in Outback Jack vs Rene Goulet, and made that match seem important. People today talk about the death of the midcard, I think some of that is because the announcers treat it as such. Gorilla didn't do that. He made them seem important, there outcomes seem important. Exactly. if Cole, Lawler and JBL can't be bothered to care about Kofi vs. Wade Barrett, then why should we? "That Bull Hammer'll put your lights out in a hurry, Jess!"
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Post by Ron Woodsman aka Shempaholic on Nov 23, 2013 16:57:08 GMT -5
Would I want to watch a match between Steve Lombardi and Scott Casey? Highly unlikely. Would I watch that same match with Monsoon and Heenan on commentary? Absolutely, and I would be entertained regardless of the match quality. Gorilla is one of the all time greats. He elevated anything he called. I miss him a lot.
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nisidhe
Hank Scorpio
O Superman....O judge....O Mom and Dad....
Posts: 5,768
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Post by nisidhe on Nov 23, 2013 17:18:09 GMT -5
And that's what sells tickets, spikes ratings, and moves the swag! In other words...what's best for business.
Seriously, if TNA were to find and put a Gorilla Monsoon on commentary, they could well put WWE on notice.
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Magnus the Magnificent
King Koopa
didn't want one.
I could write a book about what you don't know!
Posts: 12,632
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Post by Magnus the Magnificent on Nov 23, 2013 17:31:07 GMT -5
He doesn't know a wristlock from a wristwatch, Jesse!
Look's like he will go home with the loser's share of the pursemoney.
Stick a fork in him. He's done!
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Post by Hit Girl on Nov 23, 2013 18:17:31 GMT -5
Monsoon was WWE's greatest ever announcer.
With Bobby Heeenan (a classic straight man/comedy act pair) or Jesse Ventura (had the vibe of two legit sports announcers) you pretty much had a perfect announce team
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thecrusherwi
El Dandy
the Financially Responsible Man
Brawl For All
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Post by thecrusherwi on Nov 23, 2013 18:40:54 GMT -5
I love Gorilla. He made the big matches feel big. He's like the Pat Summeral of wrestling.
I don't understand why not calling the matches technical is a detriment to him. Sports aren't commentated technically on TV. It's not like your best football announcers say "the Saints come out in a trips right formation, Drew Brees on a 5 step drop, pump fakes, hits Jimmy Graham on a corner route to beat the cover 2 defense" they say "Brees....jimmy Graham! What a throw!!!"
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Post by jason1980s on Nov 23, 2013 19:10:15 GMT -5
The WWE changed forever when he stopped commentating on a regular basis in 1993. His appearances after that were brief but sweet, and at times that charm he brought did linger for a bit.....but he took those great old days with him when he retired from the mic. If they could guarantee regular programming that featured him on WWE Network (Wrestling Challenge once a week, old MSG/house show tapings, Prime Times with Bobby) I would subscribe to that in a heartbeat. What is sad about him taking on a smaller role in broadcasting around 1992 was that he still had several years of being healthy enough to be on TV as evident by the President role. 1992 he didn't do Summerslam or Survivor Series, 1993 he didn't do WrestleMania, King of the Ring, Summerslam and at Survivor Series he only did one match but did the Radio WWF. 1994 he did Radio WWF for Rumble, he did Survivor Series and most famously King of the Ring with Ardle Dardle. Wrestlemaia XI he did a few interviews. We were robbed of six potential Monsoon/Heenan duos or combos. I have heard his health wasn't the best for some years but that didn't stop him from being in a physical altercation with Vader.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2013 9:20:37 GMT -5
I think one of the main reasons I loved him was how he'd sell an entrance, for example. Take Hogan's 'Babe Ruth' run, JR would spend his entrance talking about the past, facts, figures etc, which is all very interesting but not very 'occasiony' Monsoon on the other hand: "It is defeaning in here in MSG. 20,000+ on their feet in unison to recognise that man. In my book the greatest professional athlete in the world today. This place is going bananas, they're literally hanging from the rafters. Hulkamania is a live and well" Meanwhile Heenan would chip-in, almost screaming to get is voice heard "The whole arena is shaking Monsoon!" ...that sort of stuff was AWESOME and just made Hogan who already looked a million bucks look like a billion bucks. I also loved Heenan's "WHAT?! I can't hear you!" when it got super loud. There was also a running gag during Wrestlemania 3 where he kept saying "I know back in your day, Jess...". It was this subtle little joke that actually took Ventura a few times to notice. "Wait, what's with this "In my day", Gorilla? When was the last time you stepped in the ring?!" The chemistry Gorilla had with both Jesse and Heenan was amazing; either of those teams is a solid #1 choice for best team ever in my book, though I personally lean to Gorilla/Jesse. I don't know if this is the truth, or just something I can picture Jesse asking Gorilla, but I seen to recall Monsoon doing one of those "In our day, Jess" moments and the Body would strike back with a "What do you mean, 'our day', Gorilla? At least my retirement match wasn't with a brontosaurus." If true, that was funny. If not, it's still funny.
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Phil Parent
El Dandy
Your Favourite Teacher
Posts: 8,508
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Post by Phil Parent on Nov 24, 2013 12:24:28 GMT -5
I learned to speak English while listening to Gorilla and his broadcast partners. He can do no wrong in my book.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2013 12:49:20 GMT -5
I love Gorilla. He made the big matches feel big. He's like the Pat Summeral of wrestling. I don't understand why not calling the matches technical is a detriment to him. Sports aren't commentated technically on TV. It's not like your best football announcers say "the Saints come out in a trips right formation, Drew Brees on a 5 step drop, pump fakes, hits Jimmy Graham on a corner route to beat the cover 2 defense" they say "Brees....jimmy Graham! What a throw!!!" Damn this is a great observation. All the likes forever. It's so true isn't it? Even with combat sports, you get guys like Rogan who just go "That is a TIGHT hold!" but he doesn't go overboard on details. He just gives you what you need to know what's up. Boxing has guys go "Those body shots are going to add up!" but no one piles too much because that's all the viewer needs to know. It's so cool hearing you guys talk about watching Gorilla as kids. He was before my time. I got in right before Wrestlemania 17 and spent much of my first two years watching old WCW tapes. I never really liked JR. I get why he's regarded as highly as he is, but him constantly repeating the same mistakes drove me nuts. When I first heard Gorilla he did nothing for me because I was firmly a "Wrestling is srs business" type guy and Gorilla didn't cater to that. As my tastes evolved and I got a bit older, starting to see wrestling as an elaborate life action comic book with it's own rules, Gorilla is AWESOME now. He really sold how powerful and mythic these dude's were, and how everything they did was important. Dude ruled. I wish I'd appreciated him sooner.
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Boo!
Dennis Stamp
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Post by Boo! on Nov 24, 2013 13:21:09 GMT -5
The WWE changed forever when he stopped commentating on a regular basis in 1993. His appearances after that were brief but sweet, and at times that charm he brought did linger for a bit.....but he took those great old days with him when he retired from the mic. If they could guarantee regular programming that featured him on WWE Network (Wrestling Challenge once a week, old MSG/house show tapings, Prime Times with Bobby) I would subscribe to that in a heartbeat. What is sad about him taking on a smaller role in broadcasting around 1992 was that he still had several years of being healthy enough to be on TV as evident by the President role. 1992 he didn't do Summerslam or Survivor Series, 1993 he didn't do WrestleMania, King of the Ring, Summerslam and at Survivor Series he only did one match but did the Radio WWF. 1994 he did Radio WWF for Rumble, he did Survivor Series and most famously King of the Ring with Ardle Dardle. Wrestlemaia XI he did a few interviews. We were robbed of six potential Monsoon/Heenan duos or combos. I have heard his health wasn't the best for some years but that didn't stop him from being in a physical altercation with Vader. His health was a major factor. He had a heart attack just before Wreestlemania 4 I believe and the only reason JR called WM9 was because he had heart problems in the lead up to the event leading to a much reduced role.
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nate5054
Hank Scorpio
Lucky to be alive in the Chris Jericho Era
Posts: 7,016
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Post by nate5054 on Nov 24, 2013 18:45:21 GMT -5
Monsoon was WWE's greatest ever announcer. With Bobby Heeenan (a classic straight man/comedy act pair) or Jesse Ventura (had the vibe of two legit sports announcers) you pretty much had a perfect announce team Yeah, those pairings are 1A and 1B of my favorite teams ever (with the Heenan/Ventura pairing I prefer just a tiny tiny tiny tiny bit more).
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Mac
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
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Post by Mac on Nov 24, 2013 23:46:48 GMT -5
Monsoon made matches feel legit, he questioned strategy and made it feel like you were watching an actual match. Easily my favorite announcer ever, he worked great with both Heenan and Ventura. After 92 he changed his whole style and it was terrible.
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Post by Vice honcho room temperature on Nov 24, 2013 23:57:16 GMT -5
He had a leg hook obsession. Sometimes the wrist across the face was the thing he should have talken about not the leg hook all the freaking time.
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Mac
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
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Post by Mac on Nov 25, 2013 0:00:03 GMT -5
I remember it was 87 or so a house show at Boston Garden and Rude was facing Hogan. Monsoon spent the entire match saying Rude was too small to be a threat and basically shooting down the whole match. Felt strange.
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Post by Todd Pettengill on Nov 25, 2013 0:09:31 GMT -5
He had a leg hook obsession. Sometimes the wrist across the face was the thing he should have talken about not the leg hook all the freaking time. Well, you see Brain, by hooking the leg in addition to applying pressure across the throat, he's able to use leverage & bodyweight against him in a pinning situation!
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67 more
King Koopa
He's just a Sexy Kurt
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Post by 67 more on Nov 26, 2013 5:43:18 GMT -5
Gorilla is my favourite commentator of all time.
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Boo!
Dennis Stamp
Posts: 4,417
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Post by Boo! on Nov 26, 2013 6:30:27 GMT -5
He had a leg hook obsession. Sometimes the wrist across the face was the thing he should have talken about not the leg hook all the freaking time. I loved that though. It showed that he was an ex-pro who'd chastise people for not hooking the leg or trying to end the match following a routine move. "He's got to hook the leg Jess, there's no way he'll beat a man like Randy Savage in such a nonchalant fashion" - it made it seemed real and legit as if it wasn't a scripted event but rather a match where you had to try and do your best to win and overcome the odds. Also loved "That guy should be fined and immediately suspended". Kayfabe, YES!!!!!
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Post by jason1980s on Nov 26, 2013 10:34:45 GMT -5
"That guy should be fined and immediately suspended". Kayfabe, YES!!!!! I think it was Bossman at Summerslam 88 where Gorilla was using the term "heavy dollars" in terms of fining. Whoever it was it, it never took place because they'd be back a month later using their weapon on someone.
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