Good afternoon, wrestling fans!
I am using my 20th blog to help a friend of mine out who has just started his own blog receive some viewership! Billy has created "Shooting on Pro Wrestling: Past, Present and Future" and can be seen at ...
http://the-last-outlaw.blogspot.com/
As an example of some of the great blog ideas Billy is currently thinking of, I bring to you my comment to his most recent blog. He wanted viewers to comment on a dream WrestleMania card that could only be booked using deceased wrestlers. While our cards differed, it became fun to sit down and think about pro wrestling at it's finest!
Here was my card and be sure to visit his blog and read his card!
Announcer: Gorilla Monsoon
Color Commentator: Chris Candido (who was full of charisma, could work like Bobby Heenan)
Backstage Interviewer: Lord Alfred Hayes
1. Owen Hart vs the British Bulldog
2. Battle of the Big Men
Road Warrior Hawk vs Dino Bravo
3. Yokozuna vs Crash Holly
4. Ravishing Rick Rude vs Bam Bam Bigalow
5. Adrian Adonis and Dick Murdoch (Faces) vs "Dr. Death" Steve Williams and Terry Gordy (Heels)
6. Eddie Guerrero vs Brian Pillman
7. Andre The Giant vs Big Boss Man
8. MAIN EVENT!!!!!
Randy "Macho Man" Savage vs Mr. Perfect
That would be my card bud, I am gonna post my card on my blog and place a link there to your blog! You are welcome for the promotion!
Showing posts with label Bobby Heenan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bobby Heenan. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
#19 - The Better Roster? WWF 1992 or WCW 1994
I recently wrote a blog on how I would have booked WCW's main event scene in 1994. After writing the blog, I started to re-watch several WCW events from 1994. The latest event I watched was Bash at the Beach 1994, which I had not seen in years. I watched the event and began to notice the Hall of Fame talent that participated on the show as every match seemed to have a wrestling legend battling another legend. The more I analyzed the event's roster, I thought of the WWF's roster in early 1992 which hosted every major wrestling star of the 1980's. After watching "the Bash", I started to question which roster was better? The April 1992 WWF roster or the July 1994 WCW Roster? The purpose of this blog is for you to review the points I raise about each roster and make your decision! I would love to see some comments and answer them accordingly!
Notes
- Both companies had big events during the month's I have chosen for comparison
WWF - WrestleMania VIII
WCW - Bash at the Beach 1994
- Ric Flair was the World Champion of both companies during the era's I have chosen
- There will be some overlap in roster names but there's still enough different names to warrant a comparison
- oth companies were around equal in popularity at the time
WWF - losing popularity thanks to the steroid and sexual harassment allegations
WCW - rising popularity thanks to the signing of Hulk Hogan
WWF - April of 1992
Roster included:
Both of these rosters were filled with Hall of Famers and future Hall of Famers but if I had to choose, I would go with WCW in July of 1994. I have always been a diehard WWF fan but in this case, I have to side with the Atlanta-based promotion. The roster WCW had at this time was just a better mixture of young and old.
Notes
- Both companies had big events during the month's I have chosen for comparison
WWF - WrestleMania VIII
WCW - Bash at the Beach 1994
- Ric Flair was the World Champion of both companies during the era's I have chosen
- There will be some overlap in roster names but there's still enough different names to warrant a comparison
- oth companies were around equal in popularity at the time
WWF - losing popularity thanks to the steroid and sexual harassment allegations
WCW - rising popularity thanks to the signing of Hulk Hogan
WWF - April of 1992
Roster included:
- Hulk Hogan (took a leave of absence after WrestleMania VIII)
- Ric Flair
- Macho Man Randy Savage
- The Undertaker
- Jake "The Snake" Roberts
- Roddy Piper (took a leave of absence after WrestleMania VIII)
- Bret Hart
- Shawn Michaels
- Ted DiBiase
- British Bulldog
- Sid Justice
- Ultimate Warrior (returned at WrestleMania VIII)
Top 3 Announcers: Gorilla Monsoon, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and Vince McMahon
WCW - July 1994
- Hulk Hogan
- Ric Flair
- Dustin Rhodes
- Steve Austin
- Cactus Jack
- Ricky Steamboat
- Big Van Vader
- Guardian Angel (Ray Traylor "The Big Bossman")
- Sting
- Triple H (wrestling still as Jean Paul Leveque)
- Arn Anderson
- Terry Funk
Top 3 Announcers: Tony Schiavone, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Jesse "The Body" Ventura (on the brink of leaving during this time period due to heat with Hulk Hogan)
My Opinion
Both of these rosters were filled with Hall of Famers and future Hall of Famers but if I had to choose, I would go with WCW in July of 1994. I have always been a diehard WWF fan but in this case, I have to side with the Atlanta-based promotion. The roster WCW had at this time was just a better mixture of young and old.
- They had depth in the main event level (Sting, Hogan, Flair, Vader) that could have offered great matches for the coming years.
- They also had depth in the upper mid card level (Austin, HHH, Regal, Steamboat, Jack) who were ready to step up into main event spots and become the stars they would eventually become in later years *cough* WWF *cough*
- Two great heel commentators that added entertainment value to the product
- A better on-screen authority figure (Nick Bockwinkle > Jack Tunney)
Those are my reasons for why I thought WCW had a better roster in 1994 than WWF in 1992 but I would like to know your opinion, the ones reading my blog! Feel free to start discussion on this blog and I'll try my best to quickly reply.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
#16 - 5 Coliseum Videos You Should Watch!
I am an avid DVD/VHS collector! I probably spend at least $250 a year in WWE DVD's. Every release that peaks my interest, I buy! If I don't know if they are worthy to buy, I download it and then decide. I watch everything. One thing I am very proud of is my collection of Coliseum Home Videos. For years, I have searched St. John's to find people selling these rare gems. I had a nice collection built but it really took off in 2007 in terms of old school Coliseum Videos.
Our local video store in Bonavista was took over in recent years by the owner's son who changed business models to focus more on computer repair and sales. So this left me waiting for years to get a chance at buying the tapes I had rented so many times as a child. I was actually driving home from work one day and passed the store, Like a sixth sense, I saw a basket outside their store with a recognizable logo on the basket's contents ... They were finally selling off their wrestling tapes!!! With the skill of Stone Cold Steve Austin, I threw my pickup into reverse and pulled into the store's parking lot like a maniac.
The contents was magical ... the first ever Survivor Series, WrestleMania's, Royal Rumbles, and those classic compilation tapes Coliseum Video released. They even had many WCW releases from 1994-1995! I was like a kid in the candy store. I picked up Halloween Havoc 1994 (great card and a tape I watched many of times) and the first Survivor Series (for its historical significance and because I hadn't seen that event in ages)
I can say this much, thank God I was working because every time I had cash in my pocket, I was back at that store building my collection. With a few exceptions, I had my pick of the tapes and I loved it. The VCR will never die in my house because of these great tapes!
Sure, you can download these tapes now off your local torrent site, but there's something extra about picking the tape out of your collection and putting it into the VCR. So that is why I am going to give you five "Coliseum Videos" you should go out of your way to watch and why!
Hope you guys enjoy, have had the chance to watch these releases and hope to hear some comments!
5) Grudges, Gripes and Grunts
A great tape for the era it came from. 1993 was a transitional period in the WWF. Stars leaving and stars debuting seemed to be happening on a regular basis. This tape, until the Macho Man DVD was released in 2009, was the only place to get a superb tag team match... HBK and Ric Flair vs Macho Man and Bret Hart. Also for the Hogan marks, we receive a rare match in the Mega Maniacs (Beefcake and Hogan) in a "tune up match for WrestleMania 9" facing the Beverly Brothers. While it was not a mat classic, it is still cool to see Hogan working with other talents. Also we are given the gem of "Wrestling Lessons with the Steiners". A fun tape to watch, with Macho Man hosting as well
4) WWF World Tour (1989-1990)
Now this tape is fun to watch! We get Hulk Hogan vs Macho Man from Paris, France , Ultimate Warrior vs Ted DiBiase for the WWF Title from Japan (with a rare home video appearance by Vince McMahon and Jesse Ventura on commentary) AND a Rougeaus - Rockers match also from Paris. This tape is great for the rarity of the matches as I think the only one re-released by the WWE may have been Warrior and DiBiase, which I think is on WWE Classics Online.
3) The Hart Foundation (1987)
Our local video store in Bonavista was took over in recent years by the owner's son who changed business models to focus more on computer repair and sales. So this left me waiting for years to get a chance at buying the tapes I had rented so many times as a child. I was actually driving home from work one day and passed the store, Like a sixth sense, I saw a basket outside their store with a recognizable logo on the basket's contents ... They were finally selling off their wrestling tapes!!! With the skill of Stone Cold Steve Austin, I threw my pickup into reverse and pulled into the store's parking lot like a maniac.
The contents was magical ... the first ever Survivor Series, WrestleMania's, Royal Rumbles, and those classic compilation tapes Coliseum Video released. They even had many WCW releases from 1994-1995! I was like a kid in the candy store. I picked up Halloween Havoc 1994 (great card and a tape I watched many of times) and the first Survivor Series (for its historical significance and because I hadn't seen that event in ages)
I can say this much, thank God I was working because every time I had cash in my pocket, I was back at that store building my collection. With a few exceptions, I had my pick of the tapes and I loved it. The VCR will never die in my house because of these great tapes!
Sure, you can download these tapes now off your local torrent site, but there's something extra about picking the tape out of your collection and putting it into the VCR. So that is why I am going to give you five "Coliseum Videos" you should go out of your way to watch and why!
Hope you guys enjoy, have had the chance to watch these releases and hope to hear some comments!
5) Grudges, Gripes and Grunts
A great tape for the era it came from. 1993 was a transitional period in the WWF. Stars leaving and stars debuting seemed to be happening on a regular basis. This tape, until the Macho Man DVD was released in 2009, was the only place to get a superb tag team match... HBK and Ric Flair vs Macho Man and Bret Hart. Also for the Hogan marks, we receive a rare match in the Mega Maniacs (Beefcake and Hogan) in a "tune up match for WrestleMania 9" facing the Beverly Brothers. While it was not a mat classic, it is still cool to see Hogan working with other talents. Also we are given the gem of "Wrestling Lessons with the Steiners". A fun tape to watch, with Macho Man hosting as well
4) WWF World Tour (1989-1990)
Now this tape is fun to watch! We get Hulk Hogan vs Macho Man from Paris, France , Ultimate Warrior vs Ted DiBiase for the WWF Title from Japan (with a rare home video appearance by Vince McMahon and Jesse Ventura on commentary) AND a Rougeaus - Rockers match also from Paris. This tape is great for the rarity of the matches as I think the only one re-released by the WWE may have been Warrior and DiBiase, which I think is on WWE Classics Online.
3) The Hart Foundation (1987)
I bought this tape because it was in tremendous shape and in fact, became the oldest tape I own! As I watched this tape, I was greeted with quality match after quality match. I also have something that no other WWE DVD boasts ... The Harts winning their first tag titles! This tape shows us an in depth analysis of the first few months the Harts were champions and their tag team run, which is great to look back on now. This tape also shows Mean Gene visiting the Hart Foundation offices which is hilarious! I recommend this tape to any fan of Bret Hart or that era of pro wrestling. You won't be disappointed!
2) SuperTape (1990)
During the 1980s, the WWF were releasing a series called the Best of the WWF and had numbered them by Volumes. In an effort to only make the name sound better, they started the SuperTape series that went two years. The first volume of this tape was great and had everything you'd look for!
During the 1980s, the WWF were releasing a series called the Best of the WWF and had numbered them by Volumes. In an effort to only make the name sound better, they started the SuperTape series that went two years. The first volume of this tape was great and had everything you'd look for!
- The tape opens with a hard hitting match between Ronnie Garvin and Mr. Perfect
- Followed by some comedy with Mean Gene trying to find the home of the Bushwhackers and a profile on that tag team * You've probably seen portions of these segments as Gene dresses up like a Bushwhacker which is quite funny
- A Bobby Heenan profile
- More great wrestling between Ted DiBiase and Jake Roberts
- A rare gem between Tito Santana and Rick Rude
THE #1 TAPE is ... HULKAMANIA 6
If you are not a Hogan mark, you will not like this choice. In my opinion, this tape was what a Coliseum Video profile should be! We are treated to ...
If you are not a Hogan mark, you will not like this choice. In my opinion, this tape was what a Coliseum Video profile should be! We are treated to ...
- Rare matches against the Undertaker, the Macho Man Paris match (again) and a tag match with Jim Duggan against Slaughter and Iron Sheik
- We receive the classics against King Kong Bundy and Sgt. Slaughter at WrestleManias
- A JAPAN HOGAN MATCH! His match with Stan Hansen from the WWF - All Japan Wrestling Summit in April 1990 was included on this set, which was amazing and proof that Hogan could wrestle a decent match under the Japanese style This was just a great tape from top to bottom and when thinking of it's style, compares to the Chris Jericho DVD set that was released in September. Jericho gave us matches from every era of his career as did Hogan in this set. I recommend this tape and Hulkamania 4 from the Hulkamania series as tapes to watch
Saturday, April 16, 2011
#14 - Wrestlers In Court?
I have not researched the charges brought against the Iron Sheik that this video was produced for, but this is something else! In the video which apparently aired for a judge in New York I believe where WWF Superstars break kayfabe to be character witnesses for Khosrow Varsi (maybe a spelling mistake but I'm happy with it). I actually believe that the Sheik's attorney is playing the role of Gene Okerlund in this video, which adds to the hilarious nature of the video. What follows is just pure wrestling fun! I hope you enjoy and please comment! I would love to hear some thoughts on this great video
Monday, April 11, 2011
#13 - Top 5 Books/DVD's
A really short entry today because it's final exam time so time is hard to come by! On the suggestion of my friend Jon Parsons, who frequently comments here on the site, I will list off my Top 5 Wrestling Books and my Top 5 Wrestling DVD's!
Books:
- Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling
- Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks
- A Lion's Tale: Around the World in Spandex
- Bobby Heenan: Wrestling's Bad Boy Tells All
- Ric Flair: To Be The Man
DVD's
- The Ultimate Ric Flair Collection
- Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
- The True Story of WrestleMania
- The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event
- Bret Hitman Hart: The Best There Is, Best There Was and Best There Ever Will Be
Honorable Mention -> The Life and Times of Mr. Perfect
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