You mean it's NOT !? Since When?? (Pro Wrestling EXPOSED!)

[Riddick]

Get the "REAL" STORY About Pro-Rasslin' HERE:
"HOW PRO-WRESTING WORKS"

A quick historical recap:

Pro-'Wrasslin' was one of THE biggest shows in TV's earliest days
Golden Age of Pro-Wrestling
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Tho it WAS a BIG show, producers didn't leave the li'l folks behind
Midget Wrestling Match featuring @$$ biting
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In the 80's, the show & its stars were even bigger on 'Pay per view'
Hilarious Andre The Giant Interview With Bob Uecker
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...& soap-operatic storylines were becoming more 'sophisticated'(?)
Saturday Night's Main Event
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By the '90's, tunes were a mainstay in the Pro-'wrasslin' spectacle
WWF Slam Jam Music Video 1992
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Thru it all, besides having 'charisma', 'rasslin superstars could TALK
The Rock Interview 2002
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[Riddick]

This Day in Pro Wrasslin' History - FEB 21
STOSSEL VS SCHULTZ :
WHEN KAYFABE GOES WRONG

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1985 - ABC aired a 20/20 segment on the Secrets of Pro Wrestling, during the course of which reporter John Stossel challenged then-WWF wrestler 'DOCTOR D' Dave Schultz on the profession's 'authenticity', stating he thought it was "fake".

Stossel's interrogation strategy did not end well as remaining "in character", Schultz went on to slap the reporter in the head not once, but twice, knocking him to the floor. "That's an open hand slap," Schultz said, "Is that fake?"

A New York State Athletic Commission official at the arena when the incident originally took place suspended Schultz immediately. The attack attracted a lot of media coverage, with ABC reporting 1,000+ calls inquiring on Stossel's health.

Stossel stated he suffered from pain and buzzing in his ears eight weeks after the assault, and obtained a settlement of $425,000 from the WWF. Schultz was essentially blacklisted from wrestling over the incident & the lawsuit that followed.

[Dude111]

Thank you for providing the direct WMV links.. (Some youtube vids dont play well for me)

[Riddick]

From 2006 in a special 'No-Holds-Barred' pop culture edition of BoA:Audio Tim Binnall and his guest James Guttman, author of "World Wrestling Insanity" discuss how pro wrestling remains much in the shadows of the mainstream realm, hindering serious discussion of the genre.

Looking at the business from numerous angles, James gives the skinny on American wrestling's strange state of affairs since the start of the new millennium, a situation wherein one single company - World Wrestling Entertainment - has had sole command of an entire industry.

With a virtual monopoly allowing the McMahon family to run roughshod, James describes how WWE's programs moved from being "wrestling shows" to "shows about a wrestling company," and how 'egotism' and insulation at upper levels has overruled both good sense and good taste.

In that the company seems to despise the pro wrestling genre despite dominance of it and how they often create situations detrimental to the promotion overall, James examines this odd paradox along with how "going corporate" has changed WWE and the business as a whole.

James talks about WWE's acquisition of vast libraries of wrestling tapes and how it gives them control over the history of wrestling. James also gives insight into the plethora of wrestler demises and of former WWE performers being afraid to speak out against the company.

Looking forward, James comments on where he sees the business is headed, what changes in WWE need to be made and the impact of the booming popularity of Ultimate Fighting and mixed martial arts on professional wrestling.

LISTEN LINK:
http://binnallofamericaaudio.com/stream/BOAA131.mp3
James Guttman's Website:
http://worldwrestlinginsanity.com
Tim Binnall's BOA Website:
http://www.binnallofamerica.com

[Riddick]

'FLYING LEAPS, SEQUINS & SCHMALTZ'

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1949 - The first wrestling card in 12 years at NYC's Madison Square Garden ushered in a new era, with the East Coast ring debut of "The Human Orchid" GORGEOUS GEORGE in a much ballyhooed match against Ernie Dusek.

Unaccountably the Beautiful Bicep, the Percheron of Pulchritude or The Aromatic Kid as he was being called elsewhere, did not amuse all in attendance. Unimpressed by his theatrics, one New York Times sportswriter wrote: "Gorgeous George? Phooey!"

Though not entirely called for in these contests, George DID, in fact, know how to wrestle. But, even though he defeated Dusek, more than one reporter missed out on the fact that the outcome wasn't really the point at all.


The main event that night was indeed 'The Sensastion of the Nation' himself: seeing the strutting star of TV, taking in his grand entrance and outrageous appearance, his over the top flamboyance - his complete Gorgeosity.

Upon return to work the next morning, rather than tell their envious co-workers they went to the wrestling at MSG fans would say, " WE SAW GORGEOUS GEORGE! "

An impressive competitor and consummate entertainer, the flashy & flamboyant superstar trailblazer was inducted into WWE's Hall of Fame in 2010.

[Linnea]

Thanks for the comprehensive history, Riddick. Very well done and interesting.

[Riddick]

SAVAGE GETS BUSTED


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1990 - The 2nd edition of WWF's The Main Event airs in prime time on NBC live from the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, where WWF Champion Hulk Hogan is set to defend his title against Randy 'The MACHO KING' Savage (with QUEEN SHERRI) in a WM V rematch refereed by the undisputed World Boxing Champion, James 'Buster' Douglas.

In the end Savage was denied the title, and when he got aggressive with "Buster," the champ put Macho King in his place with a vicious right hand.

Mike Tyson was originally set as referee, but this changed following Douglas' win over Tyson twelve days before. Tyson would eventually be a guest referee at WrestleMania XIV.


In the show's other matchup ULTIMATE WARRIOR defeated DINO BRAVO (with Jimmy Hart and Earthquake) to retain the WWF Intercontinental Championship.

[Riddick]

MACHO MAN Gets the GOLD

With commentary by Gorilla Monsoon & JESSE VENTURA
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1986 - In an intense battle for one of the WWF's most prestigious belts (taped Feb. 8 at the Boston Garden), Macho Man RANDY SAVAGE (with Miss Elizabeth) pinned Tito Santana on Prime Time Wrestling to become the WWF Intercontinental Champ after Savage struck Santana with a foreign object while in the middle of a back suplex.


Nearly 14 month later, Savage's illustrious title reign culminated in one of the greatest and most influential contests in North American wrestling history. Featuring tremendous athleticism & in-ring storytelling, his WM III match with Ricky Steamboat was an instant classic and was named 1987's Match of the Year by both PW Illustrated & the Wrestling Observer.

[Riddick]

'THE DIRTIEST PLAYER IN THE GAME'
RIC FLAIR BORN 1949

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Arguably one of the greatest, if not THE greatest pro wrestler of all time, 16 time World Heavyweight Champion RIC FLAIR (real name Richard Fliehr) trained under hard hitting guidance from wrestling legend Verne Gagne.


Debuting in 1973 in Gagne's American Wrestling Association, Flair was to make his name from wrestling hour-long marathon matches, his cocky interview style, and his penchant for shouting "WOOOOOO!" into microphones.

Yet, he nearly didn't become the most celebrated champion in sports-entertainment history. In 1975, he was among five passengers injured after an improperly fueled Cessna 310Q twin-engine plane suffered mechanical failure and crashed down in Wilmington, NC.

Doctors insisted that Flair, who had his back broken in three places, would never wrestle again. So he did the only thing he could do: ignore the doctors, rehab, and become a ring legend with a "flair" for championship gold.

"I wish I could say that the plane crash humbled me," he says, "but I just started living the life of the 'Nature Boy' and didn't look back. I took my insurance settlement and bought my first new Cadillac."


Known at times as the dirtiest player in the game, Flair has never strayed from being idolized by most young sports-entertainers as "THE MAN". Even those unfamiliar with his storied career, his "Styling and Profiling" in custom ring robes, or his "Nature Boy" strut know one thing when they hear "WOOOOOO" shouted at a wrestling event, a craps table in Las Vegas, or at the RBC Center, home of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes - They’re in "Ric Flair Country."

Despite having his share of ups and downs, WWE Hall of Famer "Slick Ric" maintains the party he started 4 decades ago is far from over. ("I'm having too much fun," he says.)


Currently under contract with TNA as an on-air personality and occasional wrestling talent, Ric Flair is still what he's always professed himself as - "a kiss-stealing, wheeling, dealing, jet-flying, limousine-riding son-of-a-gun."

[Riddick]

VERNE GAGNE BORN 1926

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A true legend of pro wrestling, Minnesotan VERNE GAGNE grew up playing baseball and football but his true skill was in wrestling, where he won multiple state championships. After high school, he continued to play football and wrestle at the University of Minnesota but left to join the Marines at the end of WW II, returning to finish college later.

After his amateur wrestling days were over, Verne had four Big Ten Championships, two NCAA Championships, the 1949 AAU Championship and a slot on the 1948 US Olympic team on his resume.

After a brief stint with the NFL's Green Bay Packers, Verne turned to pro wrestling in 1950. After numerous regional title wins in the 1950s, in 1960 he headed to the newly formed American Wrestling Association. In August 1960, Verne was awarded his first AWA title when Pat O’Connor, the first recognized champion, failed to defend the title against him.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Verne became both wrestler and promoter, eventually becoming the AWA's sole owner. He remained active into the early 1980s, holding the AWA Championship 10 times between 1960 and 1981.

His rivalry with Nick Bockwinkel over the AWA World title produced many memorable matches, and in fact, those two men were the only two to hold the title between 1968 and 1982, as Gagne’s ninth reign spanned over seven years.


Gagne's AWA in its heyday was THE league for wrestling's luminaries such as barroom brawlers The Crusher and his cousin Dick the Bruiser, the Vachon brothers "Mad Dog" & "Butcher", "Clawmaster" Baron Von Raschke and countless others. Gagne also had a hand in training several mat legends including Sgt. Slaughter, Ricky Steamboat and sixteen time World Champ RIC FLAIR.

Though officially retired in 1981 & out of the industry since the AWA closed down in 1991, Gagne's contributions are unmistakable, & he is certainly worthy of the WWE Hall of Famer title bestowed on him the night before WM 22.

[Riddick]

1986 - The first-ever WWF SLAMMY AWARDS airs on MTV, taped in December at the Civic Center in Baltimore. The show was mainly a promotion of "The Wrestling Album", released in November of 1985.



Award winners were:

- Roddy Piper for Best Personality in the "Land of a Thousand Dances" video.
- Mona Flambe (Cyndi Lauper) for Best Producer.
- Gene Okerlund for Best Commentator.
- Nikolai Volkoff for Most Ignominious.
- Junkyard Dog for Best Single Performer.

- Gene Okerlund, Jimmy Hart, Hillbilly Jim and The Junkyard Dog also performed their respective songs from The Wrestling Album.

[Riddick]

Happy (Belated) Birthday, IRON SHEIK!

[Riddick]

A shining moment in the annals of pro-wrestling history, WRESTLEMANIA VII's main event was more than a WWF title match. Shadowed by the fallout of the Gulf War, HULK HOGAN was hell-bent on beating the traitorous Iraqi sympathizer SGT. SLAUGHTER for the honor of America.

As was the case for most of Hogan's opponents, Slaughter learned that his evil intentions were not enough to destroy Hogan. Proving he was a true American hero, the Hulkster defeated Slaughter, won his fourth WWF Championship and celebrated with Old Glory in the center of the ring.

In another big battle The Ultimate Warrior faced off against Randy Savage in a Loser Retires match, memorable for the emotional reunion between "Macho Man" and his manager Miss Elizabeth following the Warrior's "Ultimate Win" (as Henry Winkler put it on the broadcast).

Besides Winkler, guest celebrities included Regis Philbin, Alex Trebek & Marla Maples (as backstage announcers), George Steinbrenner, Paul Maguire, Macaulay Culkin, Donald Trump, Lou Ferrigno, Chuck Norris, and Willie Nelson (who sang a rendition of "America the Beautiful").

Other major events include the 1st WrestleMania appearance for The Undertaker and the last for Andre the Giant. The card also featured the swan song for two tag teams, with The Hart Foundation's Bret Hart & The Rocker's Shawn Michaels going on to become legends in singles competition.



WRESTLEMANIA VII IN UNDER 7 MINUTES
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[Riddick]

Twenty-two years ago this weekend, live from Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, N.J., the main event of WrestleMania V featured HULK HOGAN taking on WWF Champion 'Macho Man' Randy Savage in the culmination of what is considered by many to be the BEST wrestling storyline of ALL TIME.


Long story short, a friendship had formed between once-bitter enemies Savage and Hulk, resulting in them forming the "Mega-Powers." Although successful as a tag team, over time WWF Champion Savage started having doubts about Hogan, feeling the former champ was treating him like a "second banana" at best, at worst like a "third wheel" - and, even worse than the worst, that the Hulkster had more than a professional interest in their manager, Macho Man's long-time valet Miss Elizabeth.


At the first big event ever held at the new Milwaukee Bradley Center, the lid blew off the slowly building tensions. Due to mishaps with their match that night an insanely emotion-charged Macho claimed that Hogan 'lusted' for Elizabeth & went totally berserk in a postmatch backstage confrontation (Hi-Speed | Dialup) aired live on NBC's "The Main Event" Feb. 3, 1989, setting up Hogan's challenge for the WWF Championship.


With Miss Elizabeth in a neutral corner, the dramatic WrestleMania V "cat and mouse" game found Savage playing his 'dirty tricks' card early and often, pressing for advantage with eye-gouging, choking, and at one point resorting to pulling his estranged valet/manager in the way of a Hogan punch. Raging back and forth, the battle eventually spilled outside of the ring, leading to Miss Elizabeth becoming emotionally involved and ultimately ejected from the ring area.


Back in the ring, after damaging Hogan's throat and following with his patented elbow drop off the top rope Savage tried for a pinfall but Hogan, "reaching deep inside," hulked up and hit back with punches, a big boot and leg drop for the victory and his 2nd WWF Championship.

[Riddick]

Some WrestleMania V Fast Facts of note:


WrestleMania V marked the only time that the WWF's flagship event would be held at the same venue in consecutive years and the last time it was held at Trump Plaza - although Donald Trump was interviewed in the crowd at Wrestlemanias VII and XX and physically involved at WrestleMania 23 as part of a hair-vs-hair "Battle of the Billionaires" with Vince McMahon.

One of the most influential groups ever in rap music, Run-DMC performed a specially tailored song, the "WrestleMania Rap."

When Hogan beat Savage at WrestleMania V, it was the first of three times Hogan became WWF Champion at a WrestleMania (his other two title wins being against Sgt. Slaughter at WrestleMania VII, and Yokozuna at WrestleMania IX).


After facing off in a body slam match at the first WrestleMania, Andre the Giant and Big John Studd were again involved in a match at WrestleMania V, where Studd served as special ref for the match between Andre and Jake "The Snake" Roberts. Roberts beat the Giant by DQ after Andre headbutted Studd.


When "Ravishing" Rick Rude beat the Ultimate Warrior to take the IC title at WrestleMania V, it marked Warrior's first pinfall loss in the WWF. Rude's manager Bobby Heenan had tripped Warrior on a suplex attempt and held his leg down for the pin.


The tag team of Strike Force - Rick Martel and Tito Santana - broke up at WrestleMania V after losing to Bobby Heenan's Brain Busters, Tully Blanchard and Arn Anderson, with Arn pinning Tito after Martel walked out on the match. Tito went on to feud with Martel, who as a heel transformed into "The Model" (an arrogant, self-centered egomaniac).

Meanwhile both Shawn Michaels and the Big Boss Man made their WrestleMania debuts at WrestleMania V -- taking on each other! Shawn and his "Rockers" partner, Marty Jannetty, ultimately lost to the team of Boss Man and Akeem (with manager Slick) when Akeem pinned Michaels with a splash.


The guest for Rowdy Roddy's Piper's Pit segment was Morton Downey Jr. Known for shouting matches & blowing cigarette smoke in people's faces, the TV talk show host was a bit overbearing but the "Hot Rod" knew how to put him in his place.

WrestleMania V's shortest match was the last on the undercard, between Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and his former protege The Red Rooster, who had turned against Heenan due to his badgering and criticism. Rooster won in only 32 seconds.


In the other matches on the card, Hercules def. King Haku... Brutus Beefcake fought Ted DiBiase (with Virgil) to a double countout... The Bushwhackers def. The Fabulous Rougeaus (with Jimmy Hart)... Mr. Perfect def. The Blue Blazer... Dino Bravo (with Frenchy Martin) def. Ronnie Garvin... The Hart Foundation def. Honky Tonk Man and Greg Valentine (with Jimmy Hart)... in a handicap match for the tag team titles, champions Demolition def. The Powers of Pain & Mr. Fuji... and Jim Duggan & Bad News Brown fought to a double DQ.