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Post by dbutler69 on Jul 27, 2024 7:59:43 GMT -5
Your post got me thinking about two other teams that had short runs in WCW. There was The Wrecking Crew. I can’t find a photo, but there is a video: And these guys: The Blackhearts were Tom Nash and Dave "Vampire Warrior/Gangrel" Heath, first teaming up in Stampede. They worked some indies, like Joel Goodhearts Tri-State Wresting (a precursor of ECW) and Herb Abram's UWF. Nash was married to Luna Vachon, then they split and she ended up with Heath and the team was done. The Wrecking Crew are an interesting story, as they were a pair of guys who ended up in several teams and gimmicks. Rage was Al Green, who was trained by Steve Keirn (of the Fabulous Ones and partnered with Kevin Sullivan, in Florida, in the 70s, as well as Mike Graham) who debuted as half of the Road Warriors knockoff The Master Blasters, along with Kevin Nash. Nash became OZ, then Vinnie Vegas, before going to the WWF to become Diesel and back to WCW under his own name. Green then became Rage, as part of the Wrecking Crew. He later teamed with Brian Knobbs, as The Dog, in WCW. Fury was Marc Laurenaitis, the youngest brother of Joe "Road Warrior Animal" and John "Johnny Ace." He started out in 1987, after training under Nelson Royal and Gene Anderson. He worked for the UWF as The Terminator and was teamed with The Angel of Death (Dave Sheldon, who had trained alongside Sting and Ultimate Warrior), as part of Skandar Ackbar's Devastation Incorporated. He also worked in All-Japan, teamed with Tom Zenk, as well as brother John. They also teamed up in Florida, in the later days of that territory, before John went to WCW, as one of the Dynamic Dudes. Marc ended up teaming with Al Green, as The Terminators. When they came to WCW, they were repackaged as Rage & Fury, the Wrecking Crew, probably because the Terminator name might lead to trademark dispute....or maybe they wanted to invoke the Minnesota Wrecking Crew of the Andersons. Whatever the reason, that's how the proceeded and they used those names for both Otto Wanz's CWA and in All-Japan. WCW had some good tag teams, but no idea how to use them, like both those teams, as well as Thunder & Lightning. Problem was that the Wrecking Crew and Thunder & Lightning were muscleheads and WCW had enough of those types. Lightning was Jeff Farmer, who was The Cobra, briefly and then was the fake NWO Sting. He also worked All-Japan, as Thunder & Lightning and New Japan, doing the NWO Sting gimmick. Thunder was a guy named David Haines. You could also add Dennis Knight & Mark Canterbury, as Tex Slazenger and Shanghai Pierce, who became the Godwinns, in the WWF and Knight also worked as Mideon. Yeah, I remember Thunder and Lightning, but if I remember correctly, their wrestling styles didn't necessarily match the names. Like, I'd expect Thunder to be a big bruiser and Lightning to be a quick, aerial based sort of wrestler, but if I remember correctly, these guys had almost the same style. |
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Post by driver1980 on Jul 27, 2024 12:35:14 GMT -5
Although I prefer “organic” tag teams with a common theme, such as the LOD, I do like how WCW put certain stars together, e.g Paul Orndorff and Paul Roma, or Marcus Bagwell and The Patriot.
I did like how Tom Zenk and Johnny Gunn had a short run together. With the WWE Network’s interface being utter shite now, I just look to YouTube on occasion, so I found this:
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Post by driver1980 on Jul 28, 2024 5:39:51 GMT -5
Paul Bearer’s Hits From The Crypt features bouts hand-picked by a Coliseum Video employee…erm, I mean Paul Bearer. Yes, I’m sure Paul Bearer, God rest his soul, chose the bouts here.  Lex Luger vs. Jeff JarrettThis was a decent start to the tape, and we at least got a conclusive ending (Luger wins via the torture rack). Oddly, commentators Stan Lane and Gorilla Monsoon spent most of their time berating Jerry Jarrett. What would that have achieved? WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon vs. Shawn MichaelsMatch of the tape (it took place prior to WM X). Razor and Shawn work really hard, a lot happens, and we get a clean win as Razor pins Shawn. Mabel vs. Bam Bam BigelowPaul Bearer, why did you choose this one, LOL? The match was poor, and it ended with a double count out. WWF Tag Team Champions The Quebecers vs. The HeadshrinkersThis is the bout which saw The Headshrinkers win the belts. Both teams had good chemistry, it was a competitive bout (I always like those), and it was deeply satisfying to see the arrogant heels lose the belts. Earthquake vs. Adam BombThese two had a match at WM X, which seemed to last a nanosecond. This is the rematch. It’s about four minutes long. It’s solid. ‘Quake wins via pinfall. Bret Hart vs. KwangWhile not the greatest bout on the tape, it’s the usual reliable Bret Hart bout, and Kwang is on good form here. Bret wins with the sharpshooter. Doink & Men on a Mission vs. Jeff Jarrett & The QuebecersWhat an odd mix, eh? Who’d team up with a clown? The bout is what it is, though, with some fun moments. Mabel pins Jacques. Lex Luger & Randy Savage vs. Yokozuna & CrushSometimes a match looks okay on paper, but it leaves you feeling unfulfilled. I wonder if this is Savage’s last televised bout (he did, of course, wrestle at WM X, after this). Anyway, we see babyfaces cheat: Savage hits Crush with Yoko’s salt bucket while the referee is distracted, allowing Luger to get the pin. Perhaps these two had taken inspiration from Hogan’s numerous underhanded tactics. The Undertaker vs. CrushThis is on at least 2 other tapes. And it’s not a match that needs to be on more than one tape. It’s slow (as you’d expect). We do get to see Crush gorilla press Taker, which is about the only memorable thing about the bout. Undertaker wins via pinfall. SummaryI’m not sure what the marketing reason was for Paul Bearer’s name being on here (he hosted it, too). Why not call it “Mega Matches 1994” or “Best of 1994”? Only the Shawn/Razor and Headshrinkers/Quebecers bouts are any good, and if you can find them elsewhere, the rest of the tape is worth skipping.
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Post by dbutler69 on Jul 28, 2024 7:52:43 GMT -5
I'll have to check this out on Peacock, though it doesn't sound like something worth spending too much time on. And yeah, I don't know why they would put Paul Bearer's name on it. Just to put an actual name on is instead of giving it a generic name, I suppose.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 28, 2024 19:44:11 GMT -5
Hits from the Crypt sounds like a description of Godfather's backstage activities, when he was Papa Shango.
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Post by driver1980 on Jul 29, 2024 5:39:41 GMT -5
Supertape ‘92 was the fifth and final release of the series, which I revisited last night:  The Big Boss Man, Jim Neidhart & Legion of Doom vs. Earthquake, Mountie & Nasty BoysI believe Neidhart replaced Jake (I remember Jake cutting a promo for this bout). Anyway, it’s quite fun, although I wish it had been a bit longer. Hawk pins Knobbs to give the fan favourites the satisfying win. Tax Tips from IRS“Try walking to work to save on mileage expenses!” Just one of many tax tips. Maybe I can use some of these. Thanks, Mister Taxman. WWF Intercontinental Champion Bret Hart vs. IRSThis is a painfully average bout. Bret and IRS never seemed to have much chemistry. And it ends with Bret winning via DQ. Profile on The UndertakerA ‘special profile’ of The Undertaker begins. He pins Greg Valentine in a solid bout, and then defeats Superfly Jimmy Snuka in a decent match (WM VII). More recycling, Coliseum. You really did recycle matches a lot. We already had the WM VII tape, why not give us another bout? The entirety of This Tuesday in Texas is then presented. Bret Hart vs. SkinnerThis is a solid and reasonable match; Bret wins via the sharpshooter. Randy Savage vs. Jake RobertsThis is an incredibly heated match, which provides some shocking moments, including Roberts slapping Elizabeth. Evil personified, eh? The crowd are shocked, but the hero gets the win via pinfall. Davey Boy Smith vs. The WarlordThese two had another good match, it seems that they always worked well together. Davey gets another pin here. Poor Warlord seemed to have very few televised wins (squash matches aside) once he and Barbarian split. El Matador & Virgil vs. Repo Man & Ted DiBiaseThis is a rather spirited tag team bout which features many memorable moments. Once again, Sherri’s shoe comes into play (make her attend ring barefoot, President Tunney), but it backfires as she accidentally nails DiBiase; however, DiBiase still gets the win for his team, pinning Virgil. WWF Champion The Undertaker vs. Hulk HoganThis is better than their Survivor Series ‘91 bout as it moves at a quicker pace (just about). Hogan wins to make the crowd happy and regain his world title, but not without controversy. This is far better than perhaps any other Hogan bout of ‘91. SummaryThere’s nothing here that can really be called outstanding or great, merely good. Match of the tape may well be Bulldog vs. Warlord. It’s a frustratingly mediocre end to the Supertape series.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 29, 2024 20:35:58 GMT -5
What kind of tax tip is that? If you commute to work, you might be able to deduct the expense. He's robbing people of deductions! That's evil!
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 29, 2024 20:56:58 GMT -5
Couple of wrestling related deaths, recently. First, long time enhancement talent Pete Sanchez, who also work as Gino Caruso.  (With Tito Santana) Sanchez was a Puerto Rican wrestler, who worked in tags with Carlos Milano, with whom he held the Detroit US Tag-Team titles. He also wrestled under the name Gino Caruso, in Stampede, facing guys like Abdullah the Butcher, and teaming with Carlos Colon (who worked under the name Carlos Belafonte), where they held the International Tag Team titles. He also worked for Carlos, in the WWC, where he held the North American Tag Team titles He was a long time WWWF enhancement wrestler and he did the job for Ric Flair, in his first MSG bout, in 1976 and continued to work up through the early 80s, receiving a minor push, teamed with Manuel Soto, as The Flying Tigers. There was a later Pete Sanchez, who wrestled for the WWF, but that was Pete Cotto, who passed away in 2021. Second, Al Blake, who worked as The Russian Assassin, under a mask, and Vladimir Petrov, for Crockett and Watts and briefly, under his own name, in the WWF.  Blake was another Minnesota bouncer, who trained under Ed Sharkey (who trained the Road Warriors, Barry Darsow, Rick Rude and Madusa Miccelli). He was brought in under a mask, first as the Russian Assassin, then without, as Vladimir Petrov, in Crockett's promotion, to replace Barry Darsow, who had been Krusher Kruschev, before going to the WWF to become the new Demolition Smash. Petrov teamed, for a bit, with Ivan Koloff, facing Dusty Rhodes and a babyface Nikita Koloff, before going to the UWF, where he teamed with The Angel of Death (Dave Sheldon, who later worked Crockett, under a mask as Russian Assassin #1, with Jack Victory as Russsian Assassin #2). His career got sidetracked when he was convicted for conspiracy to distribute narcotics, dating back to when he was a bouncer and acted as muscle for the club owner, who was distributing. He received a 6 year sentence, though reports didn't know how long he served. He was convicted in 1988 and turned up for a brief shot in the WWF, in 1991, so no more than 3 years. He was married to competitive bodybuilder Karla Nelson, with whom he had two kids.  |
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Post by driver1980 on Jul 30, 2024 15:33:48 GMT -5
Last night’s viewing:  Inside the WWF seems to promise an inside look at the World Wrestling Federation, but this was still the era of kayfabe, so despite the title of the tape, we weren’t going to be made privy to booking decisions, non-kayfabe, etc. Still, it’s a fun tape for its time, and I decided to revisit it last night. Gorilla Monsoon hosts. The Undertaker vs. CrushThis was a slow match (as you’d expect), which Taker won via pinfall. Most memorable was Crush doing a gorilla press on Taker. Oh, and this is on at least 2 other tapes. Coliseum Video love their recycling. So if my review sounds familiar, I’ve mentioned this twice already. Razor Ramon & Marty Jannetty vs. Diesel & Shawn MichaelsThis is the match of the tape, and one of the best WWF bouts of 1993. We also get a clean finish as Razor pins Shawn. Wow. This tag match needs discussing more. Johnny Polo gives us a tour of WWF HQ. Tatanka vs. Bam Bam BigelowTatanka wins this one via count out. It’s passable at best. Gorilla Monsoon takes us behind the scenes of All-American Wrestling (as behind the scenes as 1994 would allow). Bret Hart vs. Adam BombBret wins this one via the sharpshooter in a good match. Bret always seemed very good at doing the small man vs. big man bout. Earthquake appears briefly, meeting Johnny Polo. Polo then gives us a tour of the WWF video library. Polo was entertaining throughout this tape. Macho Man vs. DoinkMacho Man defeats Doink in a fun. I think he defeats him anyway. You see, another Doink appears and causes Savage to get counted out, but a referee reverse decision gives Savage the win. Those multiple Doinks, eh? We see Razor Ramon and Randy Savage chatting backstage. WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon vs. Ludvig BordaLudvig Borda pins Razor Ramon to win the IC Championship after Shawn Michaels nails the Bad Guy. I hope Borda had a long, fruitful reign. Only he didn’t. Another referee reverses the decision due to Michaels’ inteference, giving Razor the win via DQ. Makes you wonder why second referees didn’t come out to dispute every dodgy decision. Luck of the draw, I suppose. Where was a second referee when Sgt. Slaughter beat Ultimate Warrior for the WWF Championship after interference by Randy Savage? WWF logic, eh? (This was a good bout, by the way) Polo speaks to Lord Alfred Hayes, and the Battle of Waterloo gets a mention. Okay… WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels vs. Lex LugerIn perhaps the best contender for match of the tape, Shawn and Lex had a stellar bout. These two had good chemistry. Michaels did his customary bumping. Sadly, he got himself intentionally counted out. More discussion from Polo, plus backstage footage of Jim Cornette and Yokozuna. Which leads us to… WWF Champion Yokozuna vs. Bret Hart (Steel Cage Match)Like the Hogan/Andre cage match (1988), I always felt escape the cage bouts worked against large heels. It’s much easier for the likes of Bret and Hogan to climb out/go through the door than it would be for Andre and Yoko. If you were Andre or Yoko, would you want to do that climb or awkwardly go through the door? Anyway, the salt bucket ends up inside the cage, there are some shenanigans, and Bret gets blinded. So Yoko exits the cage for the win. It’s a fun bout, and a great end to the tape. Summary
Whatever negatives this tape has, the positives outweigh them, and along with the behind-the-scenes stuff, this was a most enjoyable release. Definitely worth a look.
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Post by driver1980 on Aug 1, 2024 12:01:36 GMT -5
This stellar bout took place 30 years ago today:
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Post by codystarbuck on Aug 1, 2024 13:29:47 GMT -5
Some fun from Cornette, about a fan who came up to his front door, at The Castle, to try to get an autograph or something, at the definitely wrong moment.....
Sounds like he at least got a Classic Cornette promo cut on his @$$, as he fled in terror.
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Post by codystarbuck on Aug 1, 2024 13:30:30 GMT -5
ps for real fun, check the archives for the story about the car that ended up wedged onto the fence of his property!
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Post by driver1980 on Aug 2, 2024 14:18:31 GMT -5
Last night’s viewing (oh, Jake Roberts vs. Rick Martel is advertised on the cover, but the match didn’t take place on my tape):  M The Rockers vs. Orient Express (London, England)Fuji hits Jannetty with the cane before the bout, so the Rockers get angry and bring back a surprise: Andre the Giant. The two teams contest a fine bout, but the highlight is when Andre grabs Fuji’s collar and slaps him. This is a great opening bout, and on a par with their excellent Royal Rumble 1991 match. The Rockers win this with some assistance from Andre and a cane (well, the Express deserved a taste of their own medicine), with poor Kato being pinned. Fantastic match, although it was featured on the UK Rampage tape. Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart vs. The Warlord (London, England)This bout also featured on the UK Rampage tape. Must have been another Coliseum tape sponsored by a recycling company. Anyway, the bout lasts about 15 minutes, with Anvil winning via pinfall. The match should have been 7-8 minutes, given it involved two power guys and some rest holds. I like both guys, but less is often more. Macho Man vs. The Model Rick Martel (Las Vegas, Nevada)This took place after Savage “retired” at WM VII, and was explained away as a contractual obligation that Savage had to fulfill. Around 5-6 minutes, it’s fun enough, and Savage wins via pinfall. Etiquette with Lord Alfred HayesHis Lordship (why didn’t we ever see you speaking in the House of Lords, Alfred?) tries to teach etiquette to the Brooklyn Brawler and Sensational Queen Sherri. It goes badly. These Coliseum segments were crazy but fun. Rowdy Roddy Piper vs. Ted DiBiase (Iowa, US)Both guys seemed to be having fun here, it was short but energetic, although we get our first inconclusive ending of the tape as Ted defeats Piper via DQ. I wish these guys had had more matches. Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Earthquake (Iowa, US)For a “world tour”, we seem to be staying in America a lot, don’t we? There’s great psychology here, and you’re rooting for Jake against snake-killer Earthquake. Sadly, we see a DQ ending (‘Quake wins). The WWF often didn’t seem to end some feuds properly, I’m not sure these guys ever had a pinfall ending. Shawn Michaels vs. Mr. Perfect (Florida, US)Where next for our “world tour”? Brazil? India? South Africa? The Channel Islands? Erm, no, we’re still on U.S. soil as Shawn Michaels, still with The Rockers, battles Mr. Perfect in Florida. These two had an underwhelming match at SummerSlam ‘93. Here they have a top-notch bout, which is far superior. It’s tainted by a DQ win for Perfect (both Heenan and the Big Boss Man get involved), and that’s our third consecutive DQ win, but that can’t take away from the riveting bout the two had. Match of the tape! Shopping with Ted DiBiaseDiBiase shops for some jewellery and other stuff. I think. You see, I forgot the segment the moment it ended. Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Kendo Nagasaki (Japan)We’re at the Tokyo Dome, a fantastically atmospheric stadium. As you no doubt know, this isn’t the Kendo Nagasaki from World of Sport. Nagasaki wins clean in about 3 minutes. Perhaps Duggan should not have brought the US flag to the ring. Hulk Hogan & Ultimate Warrior vs. Sgt. Slaughter, General Adnan and The Undertaker (Las Vegas, Nevada)America again! It’s an eight match tape with 5 USA bouts, 2 London bouts and one Japan bout. World tour? Hmmm. Anyway, I guess Undertaker isn’t a patriot given his alliance here. Saddam Hussein supporter? Or maybe as a demonic force, he just didn’t care. It was a novelty to see a loner like him in a tag match. This was a reasonably entertaining bout, but it was Adnan who had to be pinned (by Hogan). I guess Slaughter and Taker weren’t doing the job. Summary50% of the matches won’t leave a lasting impression on you, 50% will be fun to watch. It’s a pretty decent tape, though. I shall keep this one. |
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Post by driver1980 on Aug 4, 2024 5:23:03 GMT -5
From the latest WrestleTalk Magazine, original plans for some KOTR events:  I know we were all aware of some of those things, e.g. the original plan for Triple H in 1996, but this is the first time I’ve read about plans such as Dink vs. Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and Sarah Ferguson presenting the Crown. |
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Post by codystarbuck on Aug 4, 2024 10:38:41 GMT -5
Fergie was embroiled in influence peddling scandals, at one point (can't recall the timeline), and wasn't above taking money for commercial ventures; but I really don't see that one passing muster with Buckingham Palace, in any fashion and doubt she would have even considered it, regardless of finances, if they said "Not on your nellie!"
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