Big Van Vader

Here is Big Van Vader's Japan debut from 1987 against the legendary Antonio Inoki. Most impressive was that Inoki was so taken with Vader's (Leon White) potential and talent he let Vader end his long winning streak to help put him over with the fans.

Vader had been a rookie only 2 years before in the AWA. He was trained by Brad Rheingans and had a title match with Stan Hansen just before leaving and traveling to Japan to gain invaluable experience that would help elevate him to the top spot in New Japan Pro Wrestling withing the next year. He would go on to be WCW World Champion on 3 occasions and have memorable fueds with Cactus Jack and Sting.
His most famous match occured in Japan against rival Stan Hansen when he was hit with a stiff punch that knocked his eye out of the socket, seen below in 3 parts:

CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Wrestling - Pride, confidence gives the Hart Dynasty a chance at success

CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Wrestling - Pride, confidence gives the Hart Dynasty a chance at success

Shared via AddThis

Wrestlemania Logos

I found this the other day. Very cool to see these and the changes over the years to the Wrestlmania logos.

I believe the only WM logo not to include the number except for the first one is Wrestlemania 2000 instead of 16 in some way.

Your WWE Monday Night Raw host this week

DUSTY RHODES TO HOST RAW THIS MONDAY- With no celebrity announced for this Monday's RAW, WWE has opted to chooseone of their own so to speak as the "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes will thespecial guest host. Rhodes joins Batista, the "Million Dollar Man" TedDiBiase and Sgt Slaughter who are associated with WWE who have hosted theshow before. The Hall of Famer is currently working at the WWE developmentalterritory Florida Championship Wrestling where he is the head booker anddoes commentary as well for their TV tapings. Rhodes will surely have someon-screen interaction with his son Cody Rhodes just like Ted DiBiase didwith his son a few months ago when he hosted the show.

1st Annual SlummerSlam

It was on this day in 1988 that the WWF gave us the first Annual SummerSlam PPV Event. The card opened with the British Bulldogs facing the Rougeau Brothers. The card also saw the beginning of the Intercontinental title run of the Ultimate Warrior, who pinned Honky Tonk Man in 31 secs.
The main event was a huge tag team match, literally and in name wise, as the Mega Powers (Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage) met the Mega Bucks (Ted Dibiase and Andre the Giant).
I of course was rooting for Andre because I could not stand Hulk Hogan and I was disappointed that Savage had joined him. Later on when Savage "turned" on Hogan I was so happy and things were back to normal.
The true highlight of the main event was Miss Elizabeth taking off her skirt to distract Andre and Dibiase so the Mega Powers could make the remarkable comeback to win the match.
Lets watch

Rey Mysterio news

BREAKING NEWS: Rey Mysterio suspended

Just reported on WWE.com: "In accordance with WWE's Wellness Program,
effective Wednesday, September 2, Oscar Gutierrez (Rey Mysterio) is
suspended for 30 days for a violation of the company’s policy."

(thanks Wrestling Globe Newsletter)

Happy Birthday Sgt Slaughter

Today is the 61st Birthday of Robert Remus, better known as Sgt Slaughter. The Sarge has seen his career reborn on several different occasions. As a heel tag team champion in the NWA during the early 80s, American patriot in the WWF during the late 80s and then a heel again this time in the WWF. That time period he was famous for "siding with Iraq" and former hated rival the Iron Shiek during the Gulf War. It all culminated at Wrestlemania 7 in Los Angeles where he put the WWF Title on the line against Hulk Hogan.
I have 2 videos of Sgt Slaugter. First we see the build up to the WM 7 showdown.




Here in this video he is back to being the American Hero taking on Ric Flair in 1992.

Summerslam 2009

Good article talking about SummerSlam 2009 and the results.
and here from Slam Wrestling.

Happy Birthday Ivan Koloff "The Russian Bear"

Today is Ivan Koloff's 67th birthday. Lets celebrate by watching his WWWF Title win over Bruno Sammartino. This is rare film footage, sorry about the announcers who are crap that were added in later. I dont know who they are but they are terrible and keep repeating the same thing.

TNA Bound For Glory

The next TNA Wrestling PPV is called "Bound For Glory" and this is being hyped as Sting's retirement match. Well you know what that means in pro wrestling, he will stay retired until they need him or he just can't stay away (Mick Foley).

WWE Cable Network?

Thanks to the Wrestling Online Newsletter for this little tidbit:
Los Angeles Times writer Joe Flint wrote an article on the Times websiterevealing that WWE intends to launch a cable network within the next twoyears. WWE possesses over 100,000 hours of programming from the severalvideo libraries he acquired over the past several years so filling up timeslots will not be a real issue. "We have a lot of clout that most peopledon't," WWE Chairman Vince McMahon told the LA Times. McMahon also addedthat he does not plan to take RAW off USA Network despite kicking off theirown cable channel. "It won't be a threat, it'll be an integration, " he said."It's good for RAW to be on USA." Since going TV PG and presenting morefamily friendly programming, WWE attracted several new advertisers whobefore didn't even imagine advertising on WWE TV shows. Any advertisinggenerated during RAW goes to USA Network in return of a weekly fixed feefrom the cable channel for the production of RAW. "Having your own networkallows you a lot of leverage," McMahon said referring to negotiations withWWE's partners. WWE officials were seen playing the social game with a lotof executives from several high profile Hollywood companies who were in townfor the SummerSlam pay-per-view and during the parties held throughout thearea during the weekend. Reps for WWE's talent agency, the William MorrisEndeavor Entertainment, were also present.

NWA Tag Titles

Here is the conclusion to the title bout between the then NWA World Tag Team Champs, the Rock N Roll Express and Ravishing Rick Rude/Raging Bull Manny Fernandez. This was on WTBS World Championship Wrestling December 6th 1985 and I remember watching this with my Uncle Phil and being highly ticked off that this happened but it was a great match to see on WTBS.

Bruiser and Crusher

Today is the anniversary of The Bruiser and Crusher winning the AWA Tag Team titles from Ivan & Karol Kalmikoff in 1963.
Here is early video of the Bruiser and Da Crusher whipping two jobbers in what looks like it might be the old Tyndall Armory in Indianapolis. The annoucer is Indiana tv/radio legend Chuck Marlowe.

Rise and Fall of WCW (new trailer)

Here is the latest trailer for the new DVD "The Rise and Fall of WCW" .
It will be released next tuesday.
thanks to Wrestlingonline.com for the trailer.

Indianapolis Wrestling again

here is a truly classic clip from All Star Championship Wrestling. Its Andre the Giant (very young and truly awesome) against Baron Von Raschke with Bobby Hennan. The highlight to start is Wilbur Snyder coming out to watch Andre's back and getting busted open. Love this!! Sam Menacher announcing made this even better.

Pro wrestler Kurt Angle charged with HGH possession - More Sports - SI.com

this is not good for Kurt Angle or TNA wrestling or maybe even Vince McMahon and the WWE because they might start investigating them again.

Pro wrestler Kurt Angle charged with HGH possession - More Sports - SI.com

Shared via AddThis

Mayor Jerry Lawler?

Well first we had Gov Jesse Ventura now we might have His Honor the Mayor of Memphis Jerry "The King" Lawler. You can contribute here.

Kurt Angle arrested

Wow! this won't be good for him or TNA wrestling. He seems to have carried over his in ring persona to his real life. Not only divorced from his wife who claims he hit her, now he has protection order against him by his current girlfriend. He is also barred from his house which they share(d).

Bruno vs Superstar Graham

This is the match that for years was never seen but talked about in magazines all over the world. Its the WWF Title match where Superstar Graham won the belt from The Legend Bruno Sammartino. It was not a televised match (yes titles used to change hands with cameras present) and if I remember the story the match was filmed and Vince McMahon added commentary later. The crowd sound was also added later.
This was probably the biggest turning point in wreslting in the 1970s as the old school 60s Bruno gave way to the hipper 70s style Graham. The best thing to come out of this was that Bruno would leave the WWF for almost a year and travel to other promotions and one of those was Indianapolis. That was my first exposure to Bruno on tv. I had read about him in magazines but to see him on tv was a great experience. His tag team with Bruiser was second only to Bruiser and Crusher. I remember the crowd at the Expo center just going bonkers when Bruiser came out with Bruno behind him for a tag title match against the Valiants.
They had some classics against Ernie Ladd and Baron Von Raschke that I will try and find to post on here for your enjoyment.
Here are both parts of this 1977 title bought.

Summerslam

Well with August upon us why dont we take a quick look back at the first SummerSlam event in 1988. The Honky Tonk Man was going to defend the Intercontinenal Title against a mystery opponent. When the music hit and the Madison Square Garden crowd erupted it was The Ultimate Warrior! and in 32 seconds he finished off Honky and took the belt to really send the crowd over the top.

Puerto Rico

For years Puerto Rico was a hotbed of wreslting much like Japan and the "ringleader" was Carlos Colon was THE legend on the island and ran the promotion. He spent years as the Universal Champion and contender for the NWA World Title. He had red hot fueds with Abdullah the Butcher, King Kong Brody and in this video Stan Hansen. The quality is a little suspect but you can see that the crowd loved Carlos and getting blood early was a Carlos Colon trademark.
The end of Puerto Rico as a must go destination for American wrestlers was the murder of King Kong Brody and the following sham of a trial of the assailant.

Survivor Series DVD

Thanks again to the Online Wrestling Newsletter for the latest on the release of the Survivor Series Anthology on DVD.

SURVIVOR SERIES ANTHOLOGY BOX SETS IN NOVEMBER
WWE will be releasing the Survivor Series Anthology DVD box sets in
November just in time for the 23rd annual of the show which will take place
in Washington, DC., at the Verizon Center. Only volume one and two are being
release for now, with volume one containing the shows from 1987 to 1991 and
volume two from 1992 to 1996. Each set will have five DVD discs. WWE already
has Anthology box sets of WrestleMania, Royal Rumble and SummerSlam.

CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Wrestling - Starrcade '83: The show that almost wasn't

Good article on Starrcade 83 from Fanfest.

CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Wrestling - Starrcade '83: The show that almost wasn't

Shared via AddThis

CANOE -- SLAM: NWA Legends Fanfest, August 6-9, 2009, Charlotte, NC

These pictures from Fanfest bring back a ton of memories but also make you feel old as they guys you watched growing up look old.


CANOE -- SLAM: NWA Legends Fanfest, August 6-9, 2009, Charlotte, NC

Shared via AddThis

Superstar Billy Graham

Well if you want a real piece of the WWE Hall of Fame you can try to win the jacket that Superstar Billy Graham wore to the ceremony and to Wrestlemania the next night. He is selling the jacket on Ebay.

Jesse Ventura news

This from today's Wrestling Online Newsletter

TRUTV PICKS UP JESSE VENTURA TV SHOW- truTV issued a press release announcing that former Minnesota Governor andWWE Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura will be hosting the series "ConspiracyTheory with Jesse Ventura" which is scheduled to debut in late 2009. Sevenepisodes were ordered for now to see how successful the series will be. "Wereceived a very positive response when we showed a preview of 'ConspiracyTheory with Jesse Ventura' at this year's advertising upfront presentation,so it's very exciting to be able to greenlight it for a full series," saidMarc Juris, executive vice president and general manager of truTV/INSESSION. The preview of the show reads, "He's undertaken some of the mostdangerous missions in the world as a Navy SEAL. He's body-slammed giants inthe wrestling ring as a WWE superstar. He's even conquered politics as thegovernor of Minnesota. Now, Jesse Ventura is about to face his greatestchallenge yet: uncovering the most compelling plots and schemes."

CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Wrestling - Lance Russell: A voice for the ages

For a short time in the 80s channel 6 in Indy carried Jerry Lawler's Memphis wrestling show. This was on Sunday's after or in place of Bruiser's All Star Championship Wrestling. Lance Russell is one of the best announcers of all time and I will be posting some of his stuff on this site very soon.
Here is a good article about him from Slam Wrestling.

CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Wrestling - Lance Russell: A voice for the ages

Shared via AddThis

No wonder people quit watching

thanks to the wrestling online newsletter for this story. After reading it we have proof that Vince McMahon and his "people" have lost touch with reality and could care less what the fans want to see in the ring.
STEPHANIE MCMAHON CONFIRMS THREE UPCOMING GUESTS HOSTS FOR RAW- In an interview with BusinessWeek. com, Stephanie McMahon who heads up thecreative division of World Wrestling Entertainment revealed three names whowill be guest hosting RAW in the near future. One of them is a former WWEcreative writer, Freddie Prinze Jr. Prinze Jr., - the husband of Buffy'sSarah Michelle Gellar - will be on RAW to promote the TV show "24".Ironically enough "24" airs head to head with RAW when the show starts inJanuary. The other two guest hosts are Bob Barker, the former host of "ThePrice is Right" and civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton.

All Six are Hall Of Famers and Legends

the old days when a match like this was on free TV. NOw they save these for the PPV.
Ernie Ladd & the Wild Samoans vs Dusty Rhodes,Junkyard Dog and Andre the Giant.
ENJOY!

NWA World Tag Team Champs in 1983

Sgt Slaughter and Don Kernodle were the reigning champs and this is a squash match on WTBS. The squash team they beat in this match included a very young Ravishing Rick Rude (or Rood as he was known then) an unknown kid in the blue trunks. This match was a chance for the announcers to push the tag title match at a big card in Greensboro called "Final Conflict". The champs would face their #1 rivals Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood in a cage. This card was covered in the first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated I ever bought.

Great Muta vs Jushin Thunder Liger 1996

A classic and the crowd was rabid for these 2 and they put on a show to be remembered. Muta entrance attire is something to behold.

Really!??!?!

Not sure if I want to see this or not. Although it might be great fun and suprise you. What do you think about Kurt Angle on "Dancing with the Stars"?

CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Wrestling - Mat Matters Editorials: Mat Matters: Flair-Hart comments damage the legacy of both

Sounds like a couple of old wrestlers who just keep after each other for no good reason.

CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Wrestling - Mat Matters Editorials: Mat Matters: Flair-Hart comments damage the legacy of both

Shared via AddThis