***Official Pro Wrestling Thread*** (4 Viewers)

[SlaX]

Even at his peak, as iconic as Flair was, it was still mostly in just the south where most of the NWA's shows in the 80s were. Flair was never really a guy who was huge everywhere and dominated, like Hogan in the 80s or Austin in the late 90s/early 00s. Not his fault that the NWA didn't go everywhere, but while he wasn't merely a local star like Lawler was in Memphis, he was more of a regional star. Flair was huge in the south; Hogan was huge everywhere.

Flair was the biggest heel on the planet during the 80's. No one in the WWF was even close. There's a reason that Vince McMahon wanted him so bad.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Even at his peak, as iconic as Flair was, it was still mostly in just the south where most of the NWA's shows in the 80s were. Flair was never really a guy who was huge everywhere and dominated, like Hogan in the 80s or Austin in the late 90s/early 00s. Not his fault that the NWA didn't go everywhere, but while he wasn't merely a local star like Lawler was in Memphis, he was more of a regional star. Flair was huge in the south; Hogan was huge everywhere.

Yeah. Okay

That whole Four Horsemen thing was known only in the south right?

 

[Jayrok]

Ironic WWE finally unifies the world titles to mark its' significance and we get something as insignificant as Orton/Batista at Mania.

At this point, I think they've saddled themselves to having Orton/Batista as the title match (or part of a possible 3 way) at Mania. If it's not in that match, there's really nowhere to place Orton on the card, unless you want another tired feud with Sheamus, ADR etc...

I'll never understand WWE's continued infatuation with the guy. He's had a nice 10 year run at the top of the card. IMO He is this generation's Triple H (the guy at the top of the card that faces the guy that draws) Only difference being HHH could also help get someone else over (which he undoubtedly did for Orton himself and Batista)

HHH is an all time great, IMO. Dude was a STUD for years.

Triple H is at least one level below the greats, if not more. If he doesn't marry Stephanie, his career is completely different.

Marrying into the family certainly helped his career but his big break came when he got hurt as "Hunter", took all that time off and came back all pumped full of steroids as TripleH. He successfully recreated his character just in time for the attitude era.

 

[Jayrok]

Even at his peak, as iconic as Flair was, it was still mostly in just the south where most of the NWA's shows in the 80s were. Flair was never really a guy who was huge everywhere and dominated, like Hogan in the 80s or Austin in the late 90s/early 00s. Not his fault that the NWA didn't go everywhere, but while he wasn't merely a local star like Lawler was in Memphis, he was more of a regional star. Flair was huge in the south; Hogan was huge everywhere.

Flair was the biggest heel on the planet during the 80's. No one in the WWF was even close. There's a reason that Vince McMahon wanted him so bad.

And in the 70s too. Flair is the best heel of all time IMO. Loved to hate that guy when I was growing up. He would come out wearing Black Jack Mulligan's cowboy hat or Wahoo McDaniels' headdress feathers, telling people in the audience to shut their mouths. Guy was also the best interview in wrestling (save for maybe Austin and Rock). If Orton and Batista (and Brett Hart) had a quarter of the mic skills Flair had in his day, they'd be more iconic than they are.

 

[RBM]

Growing up a huge wrestling fan in NY, Flair was just not on my radar. Only reason I knew of him was from magazines but I always considered anything not WWF the minors.

 

[Jayrok]

I can see that. I grew up in the south and he was huge. I remember when Sting made his debut. He was a strong young kid, definitely a face. He fought Flair on TV one Saturday and Flair suplexed him, which in those days sometimes finished the match. Sting immediately jumped up on his feet, grabbed Flair and raised him over his head for a long delayed body slam (Flair was great at selling those moves). As a kid I was shocked. Sting was born.

I never heard of Hogan until Rocky III, which might have been when he came on the scene, I don't know. I was an NWA guy. All the Coco-B-Wares, Ravishing Rick Rudes, Sgt Slaughters, Ultimate Warriors, et al, all seemed very cartoonish to me. Although, I was a really big fan of the Road Warriers.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I can see that. I grew up in the south and he was huge. I remember when Sting made his debut. He was a strong young kid, definitely a face. He fought Flair on TV one Saturday and Flair suplexed him, which in those days sometimes finished the match. Sting immediately jumped up on his feet, grabbed Flair and raised him over his head for a long delayed body slam (Flair was great at selling those moves). As a kid I was shocked. Sting was born.

No-selling Flair's offense was the first page of the monster face playbook in Crockett territory. Nikita Koloff and Road Warrior Hawk did the same thing.

 

[Abrantes]

Let's be serious. HHH cannot touch those two. Austin sits alongside Hogan as the most iconic wrestling figures ever, and Rock is in the next tier with Flair and Cena. I am not sure I'd even put HHH in the next tier, to be honest, as Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, Randy Savage, etc. are all ahead of him.

Cena?

He could be champion ten more times and still won't be on the same level as any of the guys you mentioned, much less Flair or Rock.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Let's be serious. HHH cannot touch those two. Austin sits alongside Hogan as the most iconic wrestling figures ever, and Rock is in the next tier with Flair and Cena. I am not sure I'd even put HHH in the next tier, to be honest, as Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, Randy Savage, etc. are all ahead of him.

HHH was a 'main event guy' during his era. But he unquestionably wasn't the guy putting asses in the seats. It was the guys he worked with. (More than a few wrestling personalities have echoed the sentiment) Their are very few individuals in the history of the business that 'made you buy a ticket' -- and HHH wasn't one of those guys.

 

[Keith R]

Rating HHH is very difficult. He was a solid in-ring talent but not spetacular. His methodical style made ring sense but was not so entertaining to watch on a regular basis. He could adapt to his opponent and/or the situation and had good stamina for a guy who got as physically big as he did. Was never a compelling face (fortunately, he didn't work face too often). In a "blur the lines" way, has been criticized for being overpushed once marrying Steph, which I will consider a plus, as it was an additional way to get heat from the smarks. A definite mixed bag.

His best matches off the top of my head were;

3 Stages of Hell match vs Austin Feb 2001

Teaming with Austin vs Jericho & Benoit Spring 2001

Street fight vs HBK SummerSlam 2002

Triple Threat vs HBK & Benoit WM XX (2004)

Street FIght vs Cactus Jack Rumble 2000

Honorable mention to Ladder Match vs The Rock SummerSlam 1998

Ultimately, I do not put him in the top tier of Hogan/Austin/Flair/Rock/Bruno (though he obviously was a much better worker than Hogan). He is on the tier of Bret Hart/Undertaker/Angle, guys who are better than him in some ways and who he is better than in other ways. HBK I put somewhere between the two groups. Cena I won't place anywhere yet.

 

[Keith R]

Great Grantland article about the upcoming EC PPV. Bear in mind, "The Masked Man" is not prone to engage in hype for hype's sake.

http://grantland.com/features/wwe-elimination-chamber-john-cena-randy-orton/#fn-6

 

[Willie Whistle]

How much does this Pro Wrestling HOFer look like a miniature Lex Luger?

http://www.pwhf.org/halloffamers/bios/fuzzycupid.asp

 

[Ghost Rider]

Even at his peak, as iconic as Flair was, it was still mostly in just the south where most of the NWA's shows in the 80s were. Flair was never really a guy who was huge everywhere and dominated, like Hogan in the 80s or Austin in the late 90s/early 00s. Not his fault that the NWA didn't go everywhere, but while he wasn't merely a local star like Lawler was in Memphis, he was more of a regional star. Flair was huge in the south; Hogan was huge everywhere.

Flair was the biggest heel on the planet during the 80's. No one in the WWF was even close. There's a reason that Vince McMahon wanted him so bad.

I know, but the NWA was still mostly regional for most of Flair's run in the 80s.

Even at his peak, as iconic as Flair was, it was still mostly in just the south where most of the NWA's shows in the 80s were. Flair was never really a guy who was huge everywhere and dominated, like Hogan in the 80s or Austin in the late 90s/early 00s. Not his fault that the NWA didn't go everywhere, but while he wasn't merely a local star like Lawler was in Memphis, he was more of a regional star. Flair was huge in the south; Hogan was huge everywhere.

Yeah. Okay

That whole Four Horsemen thing was known only in the south right?

I didn't say that.

Let's be serious. HHH cannot touch those two. Austin sits alongside Hogan as the most iconic wrestling figures ever, and Rock is in the next tier with Flair and Cena. I am not sure I'd even put HHH in the next tier, to be honest, as Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, Randy Savage, etc. are all ahead of him.

Cena?

He could be champion ten more times and still won't be on the same level as any of the guys you mentioned, much less Flair or Rock.

I don't care for Cena, although the guy's work ethic is unreal, but he has been THE top guy for nearly a decade. That puts him up there.

 

[RBM]

I don't know what to make of Cena. I've never been a big fan, but I do respect the hell out if him. What an athlete. And to be on top as long as he has is impressive. Austin was at the top for what...4 yrs tops? I don't know why though, I just don't like him. Maybe it's the goofy attire/attitude.

 

[Keith R]

Even at his peak, as iconic as Flair was, it was still mostly in just the south where most of the NWA's shows in the 80s were. Flair was never really a guy who was huge everywhere and dominated, like Hogan in the 80s or Austin in the late 90s/early 00s. Not his fault that the NWA didn't go everywhere, but while he wasn't merely a local star like Lawler was in Memphis, he was more of a regional star. Flair was huge in the south; Hogan was huge everywhere.

Flair was the biggest heel on the planet during the 80's. No one in the WWF was even close. There's a reason that Vince McMahon wanted him so bad.

I know, but the NWA was still mostly regional for most of Flair's run in the 80s.

I wonder how badly Vince would have wanted Flair had he not brought the big gold belt with him. Don't get me wrong; Flair without the belt was valuable but with it, it was a dream come true for Vince and many fans.

And I am aware that the deal with Flair was done before Flair left with the belt, but who knows how big his push would have been had he not brought the belt with him.

 

[SlaX]

I can see that. I grew up in the south and he was huge. I remember when Sting made his debut. He was a strong young kid, definitely a face. He fought Flair on TV one Saturday and Flair suplexed him, which in those days sometimes finished the match. Sting immediately jumped up on his feet, grabbed Flair and raised him over his head for a long delayed body slam (Flair was great at selling those moves). As a kid I was shocked. Sting was born.

I never heard of Hogan until Rocky III, which might have been when he came on the scene, I don't know. I was an NWA guy. All the Coco-B-Wares, Ravishing Rick Rudes, Sgt Slaughters, Ultimate Warriors, et al, all seemed very cartoonish to me. Although, I was a really big fan of the Road Warriers.

I knew of Sting before he made his debut because I saw him wrestle with "Hotstuff" Eddie Gilbert and Rick Steiner in the UWF federation ran by Bill Watts. I never saw him team with the Ultimate Warrior. I think that was very short-lived and neither were known by the names we know them as now. Speaking of the Warrior, I remember him being the Dingo Warrior in the UWF before signing with Vince & Co.

I remember Hogan in the AWA, but he wasn't huge at all until Rocky III came out and suddenly everything blew up for him. Eventually he signed back in the WWF (where he apparently was a heel being managed by Freddy Blassie in around '81, but I don't remember that) and the rest is legendary for him.

I remember thinking the only people more widely known than Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair were the Road Warriors. They were tag team champions everywhere.

Sgt. Slaughter was originally an AWA guy. He was so popular, he was a honorary GI Joe member. He had his own GI Joe action figure and everything.

Also speaking of Rick Rude. He was an NWA guy first. I remember around Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament (2nd or 3rd year), he was teaming with Manny Fernandas and being managed by Paul Jones. And they were NWA World Tag Team champions. They were a very underrated team, IMO. Before that, Rude used to come out to the music of Sade's "Smooth Operator". I think the "Ravishing" Rick Rude gimmick worked very well for him.

6:05 on the Superstation!

 

[SlaX]

Even at his peak, as iconic as Flair was, it was still mostly in just the south where most of the NWA's shows in the 80s were. Flair was never really a guy who was huge everywhere and dominated, like Hogan in the 80s or Austin in the late 90s/early 00s. Not his fault that the NWA didn't go everywhere, but while he wasn't merely a local star like Lawler was in Memphis, he was more of a regional star. Flair was huge in the south; Hogan was huge everywhere.

Flair was the biggest heel on the planet during the 80's. No one in the WWF was even close. There's a reason that Vince McMahon wanted him so bad.

I know, but the NWA was still mostly regional for most of Flair's run in the 80s.

The NWA did world-wide tours. Flair was huge in Japan, as were the Road Warriors (aka Legion of Doom) for most of the 80's.

There's a reason King Slender on Pro Wrestling for the NES looks like Ric Flair. He was huge in Japan.

 

[SlaX]

Even at his peak, as iconic as Flair was, it was still mostly in just the south where most of the NWA's shows in the 80s were. Flair was never really a guy who was huge everywhere and dominated, like Hogan in the 80s or Austin in the late 90s/early 00s. Not his fault that the NWA didn't go everywhere, but while he wasn't merely a local star like Lawler was in Memphis, he was more of a regional star. Flair was huge in the south; Hogan was huge everywhere.

Flair was the biggest heel on the planet during the 80's. No one in the WWF was even close. There's a reason that Vince McMahon wanted him so bad.

I know, but the NWA was still mostly regional for most of Flair's run in the 80s.

I wonder how badly Vince would have wanted Flair had he not brought the big gold belt with him. Don't get me wrong; Flair without the belt was valuable but with it, it was a dream come true for Vince and many fans.

And I am aware that the deal with Flair was done before Flair left with the belt, but who knows how big his push would have been had he not brought the belt with him.

Vince McMahon didn't know that Flair would be bringing the belt with him. It just happened to fall that way because Herd wouldn't give him back the deposit on the belt. To say the least, that exchange probably worked better for both Flair and Vince and not so much for Jim Herd.

 

[Ghost Rider]

That's true, but I was talking more in North America. Everyone knew who Hulk Hogan was in the 80s, whether you were a wrestling fan or not. The same cannot be said for Ric Flair. That is all I am saying. Obviously, Flair was great in the ring back then, and a helluva talker, but I was talking about iconic figures when I put Hogan ahead of Flair.

 

[SlaX]

That's true, but I was talking more in North America. Everyone knew who Hulk Hogan was in the 80s, whether you were a wrestling fan or not. The same cannot be said for Ric Flair. That is all I am saying. Obviously, Flair was great in the ring back then, and a helluva talker, but I was talking about iconic figures when I put Hogan ahead of Flair.

I don't have any complaints with putting Flair on a tier lower than Hogan. While the NWA was broadcast nationwide on the Superstation, they didn't have the syndication that Vince had for the WWF and I agree that Hogan was known everywhere. Hogan had the help of Sylvester Stallone and hollywood with Rocky III and Flair had wrestling (he did appear in Roddy Piper's movie Body Slam, but I think I may be the only person who remembers that movie).

 

[Tom Servo]

Even at his peak, as iconic as Flair was, it was still mostly in just the south where most of the NWA's shows in the 80s were. Flair was never really a guy who was huge everywhere and dominated, like Hogan in the 80s or Austin in the late 90s/early 00s. Not his fault that the NWA didn't go everywhere, but while he wasn't merely a local star like Lawler was in Memphis, he was more of a regional star. Flair was huge in the south; Hogan was huge everywhere.

Flair was the biggest heel on the planet during the 80's. No one in the WWF was even close. There's a reason that Vince McMahon wanted him so bad.

I know, but the NWA was still mostly regional for most of Flair's run in the 80s.

I wonder how badly Vince would have wanted Flair had he not brought the big gold belt with him. Don't get me wrong; Flair without the belt was valuable but with it, it was a dream come true for Vince and many fans.

And I am aware that the deal with Flair was done before Flair left with the belt, but who knows how big his push would have been had he not brought the belt with him.

The belt was Flair's; he bought it. IIRC

 

[Bogart]

Cena will be on the Mount Rushmore of wrestling by the time he is done. He has been Hogan for the last decade, during WWEs most profitable and interesting times (WWE Network, becoming a public company, etc). And I would bet the guy is going to be like a later career Flair or Rock for the next ten, putting over the young talent and making the next generation of stars.

 

[Brady Marino]

Cena will be on the Mount Rushmore of wrestling by the time he is done. He has been Hogan for the last decade, during WWEs most profitable and interesting times (WWE Network, becoming a public company, etc). And I would bet the guy is going to be like a later career Flair or Rock for the next ten, putting over the young talent and making the next generation of stars.

The problem I have with Cena is that his act has been stale for, at minimum, the last 5 years, he's a 5 moves of doom type, and he's a top guy in a weak era. He's a better Bret Hart, but there are others I'd put on Rushmore before him. (Flair, Taker, Hogan, and Rock).

 

[OC Zed]

Great Grantland article about the upcoming EC PPV. Bear in mind, "The Masked Man" is not prone to engage in hype for hype's sake.

http://grantland.com/features/wwe-elimination-chamber-john-cena-randy-orton/#fn-6

This has me interested in subscribing to the new WWE network, but I see that it doesn't launch until Monday (after the PPV).

 

[SlaX]

What I really want to see the WWE bring back:

War Games

Jim Crockett Sr Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament

 

[Ghost Rider]

Cena will be on the Mount Rushmore of wrestling by the time he is done. He has been Hogan for the last decade, during WWEs most profitable and interesting times (WWE Network, becoming a public company, etc). And I would bet the guy is going to be like a later career Flair or Rock for the next ten, putting over the young talent and making the next generation of stars.

The problem I have with Cena is that his act has been stale for, at minimum, the last 5 years, he's a 5 moves of doom type, and he's a top guy in a weak era. He's a better Bret Hart, but there are others I'd put on Rushmore before him. (Flair, Taker, Hogan, and Rock).

Cena is like a cheerleader more often than not, often coming out and hyping the upcoming PPV. Plus, his happy and upbeat persona looks so stupid sometimes. He'll lose a title match on Sunday night and then come out on Monday night all smiles and laughing and talking like nothing happen. Okay, it's fake, but I liked it better when they at least pretended like it was real, meaning Cena would come out all angry about losing instead of laughing it off like it was nothing. But I guess when there are 184 PPVs every year now, a loss at one is easy to get over.

 

[Willie Whistle]

What I really want to see the WWE bring back:

War Games

Jim Crockett Sr Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament

I recall listening to an interview with a former member of WWE Creative who said that he raised the idea of bringing back War Games. He was told that the WWE doesn't like the War Games concept because the second ring takes up the space that could be used for expensive near ringside seats. The WWE also doesn't like the way the empty second rings looks visually during the rest of the PPV telecast.

The WWE doesn't have enough tag teams for a tag team tournament. Maybe they can see if the Mulkey Brothers are available.

 

[GoFishTN]

Even at his peak, as iconic as Flair was, it was still mostly in just the south where most of the NWA's shows in the 80s were. Flair was never really a guy who was huge everywhere and dominated, like Hogan in the 80s or Austin in the late 90s/early 00s. Not his fault that the NWA didn't go everywhere, but while he wasn't merely a local star like Lawler was in Memphis, he was more of a regional star. Flair was huge in the south; Hogan was huge everywhere.

Flair was the biggest heel on the planet during the 80's. No one in the WWF was even close. There's a reason that Vince McMahon wanted him so bad.

I know, but the NWA was still mostly regional for most of Flair's run in the 80s.

Flair was going all over North America and the World before Crockett became the de facto NWA.

 

[Willie Whistle]

Speaking of the Warrior, I remember him being the Dingo Warrior in the UWF before signing with Vince & Co.

This timeline is a little off. The Ultimate Warrior came into Mid-South Wrestling (which soon thereafter became UWF) with Sting as The Blade Runners. The Warrior was always called Rock in Mid-South/UWF, and Sting was originally called Flash before becoming Sting. The Warrior left UWF and became Dingo Warrior in World Class Championship Wrestling before eventually moving to the WWF.

Speaking of Mid-South Wrestling, the Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship Belt is the best looking belt ever. Better than Big Gold, Ten Pounds of Gold, or Winged Eagle.

http://31.media.tumblr.com/765bfe668c1b4e8e796e1e70420e20b3/tumblr_mszzz9fimI1rg89a6o1_400.jpg

 

[GoFishTN]

Speaking of the Warrior, I remember him being the Dingo Warrior in the UWF before signing with Vince & Co.

This timeline is a little off. The Ultimate Warrior came into Mid-South Wrestling (which soon thereafter became UWF) with Sting as The Blade Runners. The Warrior was always called Rock in Mid-South/UWF, and Sting was originally called Flash before becoming Sting. The Warrior left UWF and became Dingo Warrior in World Class Championship Wrestling before eventually moving to the WWF.

Speaking of Mid-South Wrestling, the Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship Belt is the best looking belt ever. Better than Big Gold, Ten Pounds of Gold, or Winged Eagle.

http://31.media.tumblr.com/765bfe668c1b4e8e796e1e70420e20b3/tumblr_mszzz9fimI1rg89a6o1_400.jpg

I'm partial to the 90s WCW belt. I can't be the only one.

 

[Keith R]

What I really want to see the WWE bring back:

War Games

Jim Crockett Sr Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament

I recall listening to an interview with a former member of WWE Creative who said that he raised the idea of bringing back War Games. He was told that the WWE doesn't like the War Games concept because the second ring takes up the space that could be used for expensive near ringside seats. The WWE also doesn't like the way the empty second rings looks visually during the rest of the PPV telecast.

The WWE doesn't have enough tag teams for a tag team tournament. Maybe they can see if the Mulkey Brothers are available.

I agree that War Games is not feasible, both because of the space of the second ring and because they don't really build up 5 vs 5 or 4 vs 4 angles very well (which is not a knock; it's just not a priority in this day and age).

The Crockett Cup featured 24 teams. Cut that to sixteen and it could work if you made some impromptu pairings as well as some NXT callups. The question is how well would this draw? Seems like at best, this could be a taped or themed RAW - not a PPV. More suited to a three-hour SmackDown special IMO.

 

[Keith R]

Even at his peak, as iconic as Flair was, it was still mostly in just the south where most of the NWA's shows in the 80s were. Flair was never really a guy who was huge everywhere and dominated, like Hogan in the 80s or Austin in the late 90s/early 00s. Not his fault that the NWA didn't go everywhere, but while he wasn't merely a local star like Lawler was in Memphis, he was more of a regional star. Flair was huge in the south; Hogan was huge everywhere.

Flair was the biggest heel on the planet during the 80's. No one in the WWF was even close. There's a reason that Vince McMahon wanted him so bad.

I know, but the NWA was still mostly regional for most of Flair's run in the 80s.

I wonder how badly Vince would have wanted Flair had he not brought the big gold belt with him. Don't get me wrong; Flair without the belt was valuable but with it, it was a dream come true for Vince and many fans.

And I am aware that the deal with Flair was done before Flair left with the belt, but who knows how big his push would have been had he not brought the belt with him.

The belt was Flair's; he bought it. IIRC

Not quite. The champ at the time put a deposit ($25,000 I believe), which he got back once he dropped the title. When Herd stripped Flair (even though Flair was willing to drop it clean to Luger or Windham), he asked for the belt. Flair said ok, but give me my deposit. Herd said "just keep it", so Flair kept the belt and Herd kept Flair's deposit. Only after Flair showed in the WWF with the big gold belt did Herd realize what a mistake he had made and sent Flair the deposit. Flair then returned the belt and the WWF had Flair use a different belt, which was pixilated on TV due to "legal issues" (Vince hoped viewers at home would not realize it was a different belt).

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

EC this Sunday.

Still think they're going to have Lesnar there in Minneapolis (which coincidentally enough is where WWE bills him from). Which means one of 2 things IMO -- he's going to win the belt or he's challenging Undertaker for WM. I'd love to see Lesnar clown Batista's MMA attempt.

 

[NewlyRetired]

It is finally official. Hogan has re-signed with WWE and will appear on RAW on Monday.

 

[SlaX]

What I really want to see the WWE bring back:

War Games

Jim Crockett Sr Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament

I recall listening to an interview with a former member of WWE Creative who said that he raised the idea of bringing back War Games. He was told that the WWE doesn't like the War Games concept because the second ring takes up the space that could be used for expensive near ringside seats. The WWE also doesn't like the way the empty second rings looks visually during the rest of the PPV telecast.

The WWE doesn't have enough tag teams for a tag team tournament. Maybe they can see if the Mulkey Brothers are available.

Why not compromise and do War Games in a Cell or Elimination Chamber, then? Yeah, I'm sure the purists (if there are such things as War Games purists) wouldn't like that. Have they ever done a Team Elimination Chamber? If so, I guess that is the compromise. Or do it in a stadium where there will still be plenty of room for seating?

 

[Bogart]

It is finally official. Hogan has re-signed with WWE and will appear on RAW on Monday.

Speaking of stale gimmicks and 5 moves of doom.

Still, I'll mark out for his return.

 

[SlaX]

Speaking of the Warrior, I remember him being the Dingo Warrior in the UWF before signing with Vince & Co.

This timeline is a little off. The Ultimate Warrior came into Mid-South Wrestling (which soon thereafter became UWF) with Sting as The Blade Runners. The Warrior was always called Rock in Mid-South/UWF, and Sting was originally called Flash before becoming Sting. The Warrior left UWF and became Dingo Warrior in World Class Championship Wrestling before eventually moving to the WWF.

Speaking of Mid-South Wrestling, the Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship Belt is the best looking belt ever. Better than Big Gold, Ten Pounds of Gold, or Winged Eagle.

http://31.media.tumblr.com/765bfe668c1b4e8e796e1e70420e20b3/tumblr_mszzz9fimI1rg89a6o1_400.jpg

Yeah, my memory can be a little fuzzy on details like that from 30+ years ago. I do remember Dingo in WCCW, so that makes sense.

on the belt. I don't recall seeing that

 

[SlaX]

What I really want to see the WWE bring back:

War Games

Jim Crockett Sr Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament

I recall listening to an interview with a former member of WWE Creative who said that he raised the idea of bringing back War Games. He was told that the WWE doesn't like the War Games concept because the second ring takes up the space that could be used for expensive near ringside seats. The WWE also doesn't like the way the empty second rings looks visually during the rest of the PPV telecast.

The WWE doesn't have enough tag teams for a tag team tournament. Maybe they can see if the Mulkey Brothers are available.

I agree that War Games is not feasible, both because of the space of the second ring and because they don't really build up 5 vs 5 or 4 vs 4 angles very well (which is not a knock; it's just not a priority in this day and age).

The Crockett Cup featured 24 teams. Cut that to sixteen and it could work if you made some impromptu pairings as well as some NXT callups. The question is how well would this draw? Seems like at best, this could be a taped or themed RAW - not a PPV. More suited to a three-hour SmackDown special IMO.

You could do the first round or two on Raw/Smackdown tapings. I dunno how well a tag-team tournament would draw for the whole thing in one/two day entire PPVs. But remember, they did have a couple of extra matches with Ric Flair defending, etc. to help out the card. It helped that the tag team scene was hot back in the day. I've always missed it being featured more.

 

[Keith R]

What I really want to see the WWE bring back:

War Games

Jim Crockett Sr Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament

I recall listening to an interview with a former member of WWE Creative who said that he raised the idea of bringing back War Games. He was told that the WWE doesn't like the War Games concept because the second ring takes up the space that could be used for expensive near ringside seats. The WWE also doesn't like the way the empty second rings looks visually during the rest of the PPV telecast.

The WWE doesn't have enough tag teams for a tag team tournament. Maybe they can see if the Mulkey Brothers are available.

I agree that War Games is not feasible, both because of the space of the second ring and because they don't really build up 5 vs 5 or 4 vs 4 angles very well (which is not a knock; it's just not a priority in this day and age).

The Crockett Cup featured 24 teams. Cut that to sixteen and it could work if you made some impromptu pairings as well as some NXT callups. The question is how well would this draw? Seems like at best, this could be a taped or themed RAW - not a PPV. More suited to a three-hour SmackDown special IMO.

You could do the first round or two on Raw/Smackdown tapings. I dunno how well a tag-team tournament would draw for the whole thing in one/two day entire PPVs. But remember, they did have a couple of extra matches with Ric Flair defending, etc. to help out the card. It helped that the tag team scene was hot back in the day. I've always missed it being featured more.

There was a prolonged 8-team tournament in the fall of 2012 that aired on Raw and SmackDown for about three weeks. The Rhodes Scholars won and earned a PPV title shot against Daniel Bryan and Kane. I remember being interested, but it wasn't must-see TV. I wonder if it would have been more interesting or less to do it as a one-night tourney.

At the time, even with just eight teams, they had to resort to makeshift teams like Zach Ryder and Santino (who actually advanced to the semis IIRC). Of course, the Shield and Wyatts weren't around then.

 

[ScottNorwood]

Even at his peak, as iconic as Flair was, it was still mostly in just the south where most of the NWA's shows in the 80s were. Flair was never really a guy who was huge everywhere and dominated, like Hogan in the 80s or Austin in the late 90s/early 00s. Not his fault that the NWA didn't go everywhere, but while he wasn't merely a local star like Lawler was in Memphis, he was more of a regional star. Flair was huge in the south; Hogan was huge everywhere.

Flair was the biggest heel on the planet during the 80's. No one in the WWF was even close. There's a reason that Vince McMahon wanted him so bad.

I know, but the NWA was still mostly regional for most of Flair's run in the 80s.

I wonder how badly Vince would have wanted Flair had he not brought the big gold belt with him. Don't get me wrong; Flair without the belt was valuable but with it, it was a dream come true for Vince and many fans.

And I am aware that the deal with Flair was done before Flair left with the belt, but who knows how big his push would have been had he not brought the belt with him.

The belt was Flair's; he bought it. IIRC

Not quite. The champ at the time put a deposit ($25,000 I believe), which he got back once he dropped the title. When Herd stripped Flair (even though Flair was willing to drop it clean to Luger or Windham), he asked for the belt. Flair said ok, but give me my deposit. Herd said "just keep it", so Flair kept the belt and Herd kept Flair's deposit. Only after Flair showed in the WWF with the big gold belt did Herd realize what a mistake he had made and sent Flair the deposit. Flair then returned the belt and the WWF had Flair use a different belt, which was pixilated on TV due to "legal issues" (Vince hoped viewers at home would not realize it was a different belt).

I always thought the pixelation was because he was naked

 

[Dr Oadi]

Even at his peak, as iconic as Flair was, it was still mostly in just the south where most of the NWA's shows in the 80s were. Flair was never really a guy who was huge everywhere and dominated, like Hogan in the 80s or Austin in the late 90s/early 00s. Not his fault that the NWA didn't go everywhere, but while he wasn't merely a local star like Lawler was in Memphis, he was more of a regional star. Flair was huge in the south; Hogan was huge everywhere.

Flair was the biggest heel on the planet during the 80's. No one in the WWF was even close. There's a reason that Vince McMahon wanted him so bad.

I know, but the NWA was still mostly regional for most of Flair's run in the 80s.

I wonder how badly Vince would have wanted Flair had he not brought the big gold belt with him. Don't get me wrong; Flair without the belt was valuable but with it, it was a dream come true for Vince and many fans.

And I am aware that the deal with Flair was done before Flair left with the belt, but who knows how big his push would have been had he not brought the belt with him.

The belt was Flair's; he bought it. IIRC

Not quite. The champ at the time put a deposit ($25,000 I believe), which he got back once he dropped the title. When Herd stripped Flair (even though Flair was willing to drop it clean to Luger or Windham), he asked for the belt. Flair said ok, but give me my deposit. Herd said "just keep it", so Flair kept the belt and Herd kept Flair's deposit. Only after Flair showed in the WWF with the big gold belt did Herd realize what a mistake he had made and sent Flair the deposit. Flair then returned the belt and the WWF had Flair use a different belt, which was pixilated on TV due to "legal issues" (Vince hoped viewers at home would not realize it was a different belt).

YouTube unemployed to undisputed. Makeshift ( fan made? ) documentary about Flair coming to the WWF with the belt. Has some fan footage of house shows with the first Flair vs Hogan matches.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Was hoping RAW replays would be available on the Network soon after the show airs. Doesn't look like they'll be on there at all. Given WWE is currently negotating rights to Raw/Smackdown, probably a big part of negotiations (airing replays right after original would dramatically decrease what they can get with new contract)

It appears as if encores of new episodes of RAW and SmackDown will not be made available on the WWE Network, at least not for now. In their WWE Network FAQ, they updated the response about the encores of RAW, SmackDown and Main Event being on the Network to read, "the Best of Raw and SmackDown from 2012 and 2013 will be available on WWE Network."

 

[Dr Oadi]

Was hoping RAW replays would be available on the Network soon after the show airs. Doesn't look like they'll be on there at all. Given WWE is currently negotating rights to Raw/Smackdown, probably a big part of negotiations (airing replays right after original would dramatically decrease what they can get with new contract)

It appears as if encores of new episodes of RAW and SmackDown will not be made available on the WWE Network, at least not for now. In their WWE Network FAQ, they updated the response about the encores of RAW, SmackDown and Main Event being on the Network to read, "the Best of Raw and SmackDown from 2012 and 2013 will be available on WWE Network."

That sucks. May be a deal breaker for me as I am one to watch raw and smack down the next day. Last nights smack down is on Hulu now.

 

[Tom Servo]

Even at his peak, as iconic as Flair was, it was still mostly in just the south where most of the NWA's shows in the 80s were. Flair was never really a guy who was huge everywhere and dominated, like Hogan in the 80s or Austin in the late 90s/early 00s. Not his fault that the NWA didn't go everywhere, but while he wasn't merely a local star like Lawler was in Memphis, he was more of a regional star. Flair was huge in the south; Hogan was huge everywhere.

Flair was the biggest heel on the planet during the 80's. No one in the WWF was even close. There's a reason that Vince McMahon wanted him so bad.

I know, but the NWA was still mostly regional for most of Flair's run in the 80s.

I wonder how badly Vince would have wanted Flair had he not brought the big gold belt with him. Don't get me wrong; Flair without the belt was valuable but with it, it was a dream come true for Vince and many fans.

And I am aware that the deal with Flair was done before Flair left with the belt, but who knows how big his push would have been had he not brought the belt with him.

The belt was Flair's; he bought it. IIRC

Not quite. The champ at the time put a deposit ($25,000 I believe), which he got back once he dropped the title. When Herd stripped Flair (even though Flair was willing to drop it clean to Luger or Windham), he asked for the belt. Flair said ok, but give me my deposit. Herd said "just keep it", so Flair kept the belt and Herd kept Flair's deposit. Only after Flair showed in the WWF with the big gold belt did Herd realize what a mistake he had made and sent Flair the deposit. Flair then returned the belt and the WWF had Flair use a different belt, which was pixilated on TV due to "legal issues" (Vince hoped viewers at home would not realize it was a different belt).

Thanks for correcting my bad memory.

 

[Tom Servo]

Even at his peak, as iconic as Flair was, it was still mostly in just the south where most of the NWA's shows in the 80s were. Flair was never really a guy who was huge everywhere and dominated, like Hogan in the 80s or Austin in the late 90s/early 00s. Not his fault that the NWA didn't go everywhere, but while he wasn't merely a local star like Lawler was in Memphis, he was more of a regional star. Flair was huge in the south; Hogan was huge everywhere.

Flair was the biggest heel on the planet during the 80's. No one in the WWF was even close. There's a reason that Vince McMahon wanted him so bad.

I know, but the NWA was still mostly regional for most of Flair's run in the 80s.

I wonder how badly Vince would have wanted Flair had he not brought the big gold belt with him. Don't get me wrong; Flair without the belt was valuable but with it, it was a dream come true for Vince and many fans.

And I am aware that the deal with Flair was done before Flair left with the belt, but who knows how big his push would have been had he not brought the belt with him.

The belt was Flair's; he bought it. IIRC

Not quite. The champ at the time put a deposit ($25,000 I believe), which he got back once he dropped the title. When Herd stripped Flair (even though Flair was willing to drop it clean to Luger or Windham), he asked for the belt. Flair said ok, but give me my deposit. Herd said "just keep it", so Flair kept the belt and Herd kept Flair's deposit. Only after Flair showed in the WWF with the big gold belt did Herd realize what a mistake he had made and sent Flair the deposit. Flair then returned the belt and the WWF had Flair use a different belt, which was pixilated on TV due to "legal issues" (Vince hoped viewers at home would not realize it was a different belt).

YouTube unemployed to undisputed. Makeshift ( fan made? ) documentary about Flair coming to the WWF with the belt. Has some fan footage of house shows with the first Flair vs Hogan matches.

Just watched this; very enjoyable.

 

[Courtjester]

I am not going to jump in right away to the on-line network, so those that do, please give us a review.

This is all going to depend on servers and if they can handle the traffic. It will be a nightmare for them if it crashes during WM.

 

[RBM]

I am not going to jump in right away to the on-line network, so those that do, please give us a review.

This is all going to depend on servers and if they can handle the traffic. It will be a nightmare for them if it crashes during WM.

If that happens they should just close up shop and go out of business.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Going to get the Network. May or may not do it Monday.

Really want them to support Chromecast. As of right now, it's not listed as 'support device'. I'm sure it will eventually but really don't want to stream Chrome tab. I can do that already w/o the Network. Watching past PPV's via Youtube App would be more convenient for past PPVs than WWE Network (w/o Chromecast support)

 

[Tony Jabroni]

This is supported by Xbox, right?

 

[SlaX]

I am not going to jump in right away to the on-line network, so those that do, please give us a review.

This is all going to depend on servers and if they can handle the traffic. It will be a nightmare for them if it crashes during WM.

I talked to someone who said that they working with the company handing servers for WWE Network and according to what they told me was that the same company provides streams for MLB Online. This was also my concern and the explanation still didn't make me comfortable about stability, since I doubt that MLB has a huge userbase that watches games streaming online. I could be wrong, I don't have the data to back that up. However, I do wish that they included the Elimination Chamber in with the week's free trial so that they could stress test the servers a bit. I remember WWE having streaming issues last Wrestlemania for their official Wrestlemania stream.