Wrestling chatter

[Wheatcakes]

Hello. I thought I'd start a pro wrestling thread since it came up in the Delta thread quite a bit.

In regards to Eric Bischoff's book, definitely worth the read. He comes off to me as a very intelligent guy who takes a lot of undeserved flack. If he was in Vince McMahon's position back in the early 80s, I'm sure he would have been just as successful as Vince. He's smart, forward-thinking, and creative. He just happens to at times display that cocky demeanor that can turn people off, but then again, Vince is the exact same way and knows it.

In regards to Bret Hart's book, I liked it, but it left a sour taste in my mouth. Most bios you read will have some one look back on their life critically and admit their mistakes/poor judgments, but Bret doesn't. He openly admits to cheating on his wife, and ends the book by saying some girl knocks in his door and he scores with her. Despite his extra marital affairs, he doesn't seem to regret them at all, citing how his wife made him miserable all the time. Sorry Bret, then divorce her if you'd rather sleep around then try and fix your marriage. Great example for young men everywhere. In Hulk Hogan's latest book, he offers what seems to me a very fair and honest look back at his life (ignore his first WWE-backed bio, it's pretty bad). He comes off as very genuine and goes on the record saying he never cheated on Linda, and though Linda seems to have some issues (I realize we're only hearing his part of the story), he states he did everything he could to try and make his marriage work not only because of his wedding vows but for his children's sake. That's being a man and role model. Being proud of all the ladies you slept with like Bret doesn't make you a man. Big difference. I highly recommend Hogan's book, it's great.

I stopped watching WWE back in 2001. In the middle of an episode of Raw I had the thought on how dull it had become, like I had already seen what was on so many times before (kinda like ASM is now), and I just stopped cold turkey. And based on some of the disgusting storylines I read online they had going, I was so glad I did. It was like Vince lost focus after he gobbled up the competition. The only time I would follow along with what was happening (online) was when old timers like Hogan and Piper would show up. Otherwise, I was one of the many who stopped watching in the early 00s. I admit, two weeks ago was the first time I turned wrestling on the TV in years, as I read how Hogan had joined TNA and Bret was coming back tgo WWE. I didn't mind the old guys showing up (Hall, Nasty Boys, etc),I grew up on them. I'd rather watch a bunch of former 80s stars then many of the current crop. As for Raw that night, it seems to me like there are no more characters anymore, everybody is just the same personality: an angry muscular guy. No fat 400 pound King Kong Bundy-like dudes, no evil foreigners, no managers, I guess wrrestling has passed me by, and I don't really feel the loss. Thoughts?

[Thrawn]

Any Wheat Cakes wrote:

In regards to Eric Bischoff's book, definitely worth the read. He comes off to me as a very intelligent guy who takes a lot of undeserved flack.

I agree with both of these points.

In regards to Bret Hart's book, I liked it, but it left a sour taste in my mouth. Most bios you read will have some one look back on their life critically and admit their mistakes/poor judgments, but Bret doesn't.

I have not read Bret's book yet. As far as your second point about admitting mistakes and being critical about oneself, well humility has never struck me as Bret's biggest virtue.

Despite his extra marital affairs, he doesn't seem to regret them at all, citing how his wife made him miserable all the time. Sorry Bret, then divorce her if you'd rather sleep around then try and fix your marriage. Great example for young men everywhere.

I agree.

In Hulk Hogan's latest book, he offers what seems to me a very fair and honest look back at his life (ignore his first WWE-backed bio, it's pretty bad).

I didn't know Hogan had another book out. I went and checked it out on Amazon. I don't know about this. It seems from the description that it doesn't really deal with his career very much, just the family garbage. Any Wheat Cakes left? can you comment on this? I will disagree with you about about Hogan's WWE book though. I thought it was a pretty fun read. I wish it had been longer and not skipped over the WCW years but other than that it was alright I thought.

he states he did everything he could to try and make his marriage work not only because of his wedding vows but for his children's sake. That's being a man and role model. Being proud of all the ladies you slept with like Bret doesn't make you a man. Big difference.

I couldn't agree more.

I started watching wrestling in July of 98. I played catch up pretty fast and have a pretty extensive knowledge of the business. I watched WCW and WWE every week up, bought the PPVs and the dvds. I stopped watching wrestling in August of 2004 when Chris Benoit lost the world title to Randy Orton. At that point I just got burnt out I think. A lot of the wrestlers I watched either retired or died, then between work and school I didn't really have the time. I still keep up with everything that is going on and I buy some of the dvds.

I guess wrestling has passed me by, and I don't really feel the loss. Thoughts?

I don't think it has passed me by exactly just that I now have different priorities and only so much time. I don't really miss watching 3 or 4 hours a week though. WWE has gotten stale and predictable though. Vince has certain patterns he follows and has followed since the 80s in regards to stories playing out and pushing talent. I know them all and as a result I can predict most main event feuds. I think Vince really needs some competition and I don't know if TNA is capable of it. I'm not very knowledgeable about TNA.

[Wheatcakes]

Hey Thrawn. Yes, Hogan's book more or less looks at his career through the eyes of a family-man perspective instead of focusing on his career, if that makes sense. I guess you're right, I shouldn't be too harsh on Hogan's first book, it was a pretty fun read, but I couldn't help but think that it would be a lot more interesting if it wasn't sanitized by the WWE.

And I agree with Bret, I don't remember a time I've ever heard him publicly say "Perhaps I could have done things differently, looking back in hindsight." Oh well.

I grew up during the Rock'n'Wrestling era, so the cartoonish style and presentation of wrestling is what I prefer. Piper, Hogan, Shiek, Volkoff, Andre, etc. I long for Hulk Hogan's Rock'n'Wrestling to come out on DVD. I loved it. I'm one of the people who doesn't watch the current product, but purchases retrospective DVDs on the "old guys", like Hogan.

[Thrawn]

but I couldn't help but think that it would be a lot more interesting if it wasn't sanitized by the WWE.

I do agree with this, like I said my main critique of his WWE book was "more please".

I'm one of the people who doesn't watch the current product, but purchases retrospective DVDs on the "old guys", like Hogan.

I highly recommend the new Hogan anthology and History of the WCW world title dvd sets if you have not already checked them out. Look on amazon.com for complete match listings. They both contain some very rare matches and most importantly they have some very nice WCW matches on them as well. My favorite was a match on the WCW world title dvd that I have wanted to see for a long time was Hollywood Hogan vs Sting at Superbrawl 98 for the vacated world title. They also finally got their shit together and have most of the entire entrances for the WCW matches. I don't know if you have noticed but the WWE edits the WCW entrances to avoid Michael Buffer. Presumably so they don't have to pay him I suppose. They dubbed over his ring entrance announcements but they at least kept the unedited wrestler entrances which was important to me. At least in most of the matches. A wonderful set and far better than the last couple they have put out in my opinion. I think both are definitely worth your time.

[Wheatcakes]

Ah yes, the Hogan Unreleased matches DVD. You're right, good stuff on there. I hope more of these types of releases come out, rare Arena matches that you wouldn't be able to see. It's nice to see a Hogan DVD release without any of his Wrestlemania matches (which I enjoy, but how many times can I watch Hogan vs. Andre at WM3?).

Another good one was the Saturday Night's Main Event set from a year or so ago. They took all of the most memorable matches (in my opinion) and it made for a great nostalgic purchase. I wonder if they'd ever release "season" sets of the show.

When it comes to editing the wrestler's entrances, I understand why it's done, however sometimes it takes away a little bit from what I'm expecting. For example, I loved Hogan coming out to Eye of the Tiger, we won't see that on any DVD. The best example for me of this is on the Road Warriors DVD set (recommended). Back in the day when they were in the AWA, they used to come storming the ring with Sabbath's 'Ironman' blaring and tore the competition apart in seconds. I used to find them quite frightening. I was hoping to see a couple of jobber matches like this on their set, but alas, all we got for entrances was the "Muuuuuuuuuuuahhhhhhhhhhhhhh what a rush!" theme.

[Thrawn]

Any Wheat Cakes wrote:

Another good one was the Saturday Night's Main Event set from a year or so ago.

Hm. I haven't bought that one yet. I will have to reevaluate that set now. Thanks.

Yeah. I was glad that they skipped a lot of the wm matches for Hogan set set. I like them but they are all available on so many other sets that what is the point? Also regarding the Hogan set I thought the Hogan vs Bob Backlund match was outstanding. I had never seen that one before. A real gem I thought. Did you watch that one? If so what were your thoughts? I'm interested to hear them.

I wonder if they'd ever release "season" sets of the show.

That would be so awesome.

I understand why it's done, however sometimes it takes away a little bit from what I'm expecting.

I love the interaction you get with the crowd on the way to the ring. Great stuff.

You should definitely check out the History of the World Title DVD set. The documentary kind of sucks but the match selection was pretty good.

[Wheatcakes]

I started to watch the Hogan/Backlund match last night but fell asleep (not because it was dull, it was after midnight. I guess I'm getting old). I'll try and get to it tonight. I was fortunate enough to catch the Hulkster in action three times back in the 80s, once against Jake Roberts, which was pretty cool at the time as they didn't really have any feud going on. Jake gave Hogan the DDT and left him lying there and started walking around jabbering with the crowd. Everyone was screaming "Pin him!" but of course when he finally went to pin him, that's when Hogan started waving his finger around and made the Superman comeback. Which I didn't have a problem with, I was a Hulkamaniac.

[Thrawn]

I started to watch the Hogan/Backlund match last night but fell asleep (not because it was dull, it was after midnight. I guess I'm getting old).

Don't feel bad. That happens to me a lot more now as well.

I was fortunate enough to catch the Hulkster in action three times back in the 80s, once against Jake Roberts, which was pretty cool at the time as they didn't really have any feud going on. Jake gave Hogan the DDT and left him lying there and started walking around jabbering with the crowd. Everyone was screaming "Pin him!" but of course when he finally went to pin him, that's when Hogan started waving his finger around and made the Superman comeback. Which I didn't have a problem with, I was a Hulkamaniac.

That's awesome. I have never been to a live event myself.

So who are your favorite wrestlers?

I love Hogan, Bret, Benoit (yes still), Jericho, Undertaker, Triple H (although I haven't been as impressed the last few years), Kane, Big Show, and Scott Norton to name a few. I am not a fan of Shawn Michaels, Austin, or the Rock but some of my favorite matches involve them. So while I am not a fan I do enjoy their matches.

[Wheatcakes]

I don't watch wrestling today to really have an opinion on who I enjoy watching, so I'm kind of indifferent to today's crop. But based on memory, Austin and Rock were entertaining, Triple H had too much exposure IMO, and Jericho was always entertaining. These days, I only tune in if I hear about one of the old guys making an appearance. Is Bret going to be wrestling at some point? It would be nice for him to have a better send off than Goldberg's kick to the head.

[Thrawn]

You know Jericho is wrestling right now again right? He had a nice ladder match with Shawn Micheals in which he retained World Title. I'm not watching but I have picked up some of the ppv dvds that have Jericho wrestling some good matches on them. He wrestled Ricky the Dragon Steamboat at last years Backlash but I haven't watched that match yet.

Yes all the indications and rumors are that Bret is going to wrestle Vince McMahon in a Street Fight at this years wm. It has to be a street fight since Bret had that cva (stoke) a few years ago. He isn't as physically able as he once was. I think he is appearing on Raw next week as well. Or maybe it was this past Monday? No I think it is next Monday.

[Wheatcakes]

There was a battle royal in WCW to determine who would wrestle Jericho for his cruiserweight belt that night, and Chris did the ring intros for each wrestler, very funny stuff:

[Ladyspider]

There was a battle royal in WCW to determine who would wrestle Jericho for his cruiserweight belt that night, and Chris did the ring intros for each wrestler, very funny stuff:

TWO Things
1.I'm surprised he got away with saying Jericaholacis in the WWF/E
2.I've meet Bret Hart during his book tour.That man has the coldest eyes I've ever seen.Pure Evil.

[Thrawn]

Ladyspider wrote:

2.I've met Bret Hart during his book tour.That man has the coldest eyes I've ever seen.Pure Evil.

You met Bret Hart? That's pretty awesome. Did you get an autographed book? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Ladyspider]

Ladyspider wrote:

2.I've met Bret Hart during his book tour.That man has the coldest eyes I've ever seen.Pure Evil.

You met Bret Hart? That's pretty awesome. Did you get an autographed book? Inquiring minds want to know.

Actually this is the part of the story that kind embarassing. I was so freaked when I met him I spazzed out I left the book in women's bathroom and when I went to look for it someone had stolen it.Damm Canadians.

[Wheatcakes]

OK, just got through Hogan vs. Backlund. Interesting for nostalgic purposes, but I found it the equivalent of a Ralph Bakshi-directed Spider-Man cartoon -- too much filler. There were like seven rest holds in a row! Oy.