Had The Freebirds Stayed in the WWF?

[Chuck Conry]

Just watched one of the few (if not only) matches the Freebirds had in the WWF in 1984. They were paired with Cyndi Lauper and David Wolff and this was when the Rock-n-Wrestling phase was kicking off. Why didn't they stay with the WWF and how do you guys think they would have been booked had they stayed?

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Dec 7, 2013 2:23:05 GMT -5 Chuck Conry said:

Just watched one of the few (if not only) matches the Freebirds had in the WWF in 1984. They were paired with Cyndi Lauper and David Wolff and this was when the Rock-n-Wrestling phase was kicking off. Why didn't they stay with the WWF and how do you guys think they would have been booked had they stayed?

They didn't stay because, according to Bret Hart, Andre fired them. They got drunk or at least PS Hayes did and made a scene. Andre didn't like it and told them they were fired. They said, "You can't fire us!" Andre says, "Tomorrow, either I'll be here or you'll be here".

So yeah, they weren't there the next day.

[andrew8798]

Also didn't help that Gordy and Buddy fell a sleep in a meeting with Vince

[An Old Villain]

Theyd have made a lot more money.

[Chuck Conry]

I think heel Freebirds against 84 Hogan (and friends) would have been pretty cool.

[Sickness Rising]

Dec 7, 2013 3:56:16 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

Dec 7, 2013 2:23:05 GMT -5 Chuck Conry said:

Just watched one of the few (if not only) matches the Freebirds had in the WWF in 1984. They were paired with Cyndi Lauper and David Wolff and this was when the Rock-n-Wrestling phase was kicking off. Why didn't they stay with the WWF and how do you guys think they would have been booked had they stayed?

They didn't stay because, according to Bret Hart, Andre fired them. They got drunk or at least PS Hayes did and made a scene. Andre didn't like it and told them they were fired. They said, "You can't fire us!" Andre says, "Tomorrow, either I'll be here or you'll be here".

So yeah, they weren't there the next day.

Some things never change.

[NOwave]

The Freebirds were not really cut out for the WWF. They were just too "Southern 'rasslin'" for most of the WWF cities. I don't think they would have done as well if they'd stayed. I suspect they'd have been portrayed as a comedy/novelty act, like the Hillbillies(Uncle Elmer, Cousin Luke, etc) because Vince always looked down his nose at the southern promotions and stars. He encouraged his audiences to do so as well.

[chazraps]

Can you imagine how great their entrance music would have been?

[Urethra Franklin]

From what I understand, Vince was only interested in Hayes, anyway, and when that was made clear, he left in solidarity.

[Digital Witness]

That's pretty surprising as I'd think Vince would definitely be down for a bad ass hoss like Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy in his territory.

[NOwave]

That's pretty surprising as I'd think Vince would definitely be down for a bad ass hoss like Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy in his territory.

True-Terry was big and bad, but he never looked like the bodybuilder type that Vince has always favored. Plus, he sounded like a good old southern country boy. (which is what he was) I've always thought that was one of Vince's few weaknesses in the business-he never appreciated that the southern audience had different tastes and expectations than his northeastern base. I think that's what allowed the NWA and WCW to survive as long as they did. I suspect if Vince had incorporated a little more of that style, he might have forced the Crocketts, Grahams, Von Erichs, etc out of the business much earlier.

The southern audience preferred a less cartoony approach-they generally wanted guys that looked like you might run into them on the street, and that might really kick your ass. Bam Bam was certainly that.

[jason1980s]

Poor Andre didn't live long enough to get to mess with all the 200 pound weaklings of today's WWE.

I think they all would come together and say the same thing to Andre and he wouldn't be there the next day. There's only so much you can bully a guy without them fighting back (Joey Styles) or management having no choice but to fire the guy.

I don't think Freedbirds would have lasted long anyway. As mentioned, they probably would have gotten a silly gimmick. I'm thinking, with the Goonies and WWF involvement they would get a pirate gimmick.

I also don't think their theme song would have lasted long either. Junkyard Dog had one, U.S. Express, Wendi Richter and Hulkster and I don't think Freedbirds would fit in with that elite group with Vince's thinking.

[Deleted]

Dec 7, 2013 3:56:16 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

Dec 7, 2013 2:23:05 GMT -5 Chuck Conry said:

Just watched one of the few (if not only) matches the Freebirds had in the WWF in 1984. They were paired with Cyndi Lauper and David Wolff and this was when the Rock-n-Wrestling phase was kicking off. Why didn't they stay with the WWF and how do you guys think they would have been booked had they stayed?

They didn't stay because, according to Bret Hart, Andre fired them. They got drunk or at least PS Hayes did and made a scene. Andre didn't like it and told them they were fired. They said, "You can't fire us!" Andre says, "Tomorrow, either I'll be here or you'll be here".

So yeah, they weren't there the next day.

That might be the best firing story ever to exist in the world of wrestling.

[lildude8218]

Terry Gordy always reminded me of Sweetums