|
|
Post by driver1980 on Apr 11, 2024 11:51:32 GMT -5
I love this poster:  |
|
|
|
Post by codystarbuck on Apr 11, 2024 11:59:41 GMT -5
RIP to American Sumo Grand Champion Chad Rowan, aka Akebono. A fan of sumo, he got in touch with Azumazeki Oyakata, aka Takamiyama, a Hawaiian-born sumo, of Japanese heritage, who had reservations, based on his height, but took Rowan on to train. He debuted in 1988 and in 1993 he became the first non-Japanese to be promoted to the rank of yokozuna. He retired in 2000 and then joined the K-1 kickboxing organization, after financial problems, drawing 45,000 to the Nagoya Dome for a match against Bob Sapp. He dominated Sapp at the start, with his 150 lb weight advantage, but his stamina was soon spent and Sapp was able to hang on and then start taking the fight to Akebono, winning by KO at 2:58. He suffered further losses and also demonstrated unsportsmanlike conduct in a couple of fights, including a loss to Musashi, after committing several fouls. He faced UFC champion Royce Gracie in an MMA match and submitted to an armbar. He made his pro wrestling debut in 2005, as a surprise challenge for Big Show and wrestled at Wrestlemania 21. He then went on to wrestle for All-Japan and New Japan, as well as Hustle, Dragon Gate and Pro Wrestling Zero One, before going back to All-Japan. He started his own group, Odo, in 2015, with the backing of Mokoto Baba, widow of Giant Baba (and the main impetus for the exodus of AJPW stars to found NOAH, after Giant Baba's death). By 2017, he had heart issues and with the death of Mrs Baba, the promotion closed. Heart problems continued to plague him, robbing him of the use of his legs and causing memory issues, in his later years. He was 54. Akebono and the influx of Hawaiian and Samoan sumo wrestlers influenced the creation of the Yokozuna character, in the WWF, with Rodney Anoa'i, the former Kokina Maximus, wrestling there under the name. I don’t know how big or popular sumo wrestling was here in the UK, but there was a weekly sumo show on Channel 4 (in the early 90s), so I guess there was an appetite for it from some. I remember as a kid reading about Earthquake’s sumo background, but I just presumed it was a storyline, akin to mention of Sgt. Slaughter having been a Marine. So when I became smart to the business, I was pleased to learn that John Tenta actually did have a sumo background, especially as I didn’t realise any Westerners had been involved in that sport. EDIT: The first mention of Earthquake’s sumo background was in a WWF publication I read, but as I was around 11-12, I was wisening up to the kayfabe nature of wrestling, and when the magazine “interviewed” Earthquake, I just took it at kayfabe value, no different from so-called ‘psychologists being interviewed’ about Doink. I wonder, did any of the more sophisticated publications cover Tenta’s sumo career? (I only remember reading about his sumo days in a tabloid) Both Tonga/King Tonga/Haku/Meng and The Barbarian also competed in sumo. They were part of a group of 6 Tongans who were recruited to join a stable and train, but left after their stablemaster died and they entered into a dispute with his successor. Haku was in the Makushita Division, the third highest and a step below the professional ranks. Tenta had also risen to the Makushita division, before he quit sumo. He was only the third wrestler of European descent to compete in sumo, which probably added to the pressure on him. As they showed in Dark Side of the Ring, in his press conference, the lifestyle was a big reason for his leaving sumo. A few years back, there was a scandal surrounding the beating of a former sumo, who quit a stable and was beaten by members, with baseball bats. This was not a unique occurrence and drew a lot of bad press in Japan and internationally. Sumo has its dark side, too, though I don't know if anyone died in training after being tossed around by their trainer, after a double workout, as in the New Japan dojo. The alleged perpetrator is rumored to have been Kensuke Sasaki. New Japan covered it up and claimed it was an accident (technically, the trainer wasn't trying to kill him; but he wasn't protecting hi, either) and their handling of things, along with other issues, led Hiroshi Hase to leave New Japan. |
|
|
|
Post by codystarbuck on Apr 11, 2024 12:00:53 GMT -5
I love this poster: Gotch, those belts get uglier every time I see them! |
|
|
|
Post by driver1980 on Apr 11, 2024 12:02:49 GMT -5
I don’t mind it, but I want the Winged Eagle back!
|
|
|
|
Post by codystarbuck on Apr 11, 2024 14:27:13 GMT -5
I don’t mind it, but I want the Winged Eagle back! I quite liked Backlund's final belt, which passed to Iron Sheik and Hogan, before they switched to the Eagle belt which copied the NWA TV belt and AWA tag belts (and the basic design that Hogan wore, as Thunderlips, in Rocky III).  I just thought the green leather looked terrible, like a 70s recliner. The plates looked great and would have stood out better on black leather. It had a nice historical look, like it really meant something. They had a lot of ugly belts in the early 80s. Looked like they were made from a kit.   It was like you got a red belt, then interchangeable plates. Nowhere near as classy looking as the Nikita Mulkovitch designs, for the previous tag belts and the Superstar Graham and Backlund WWF belt. I really liked the 1960s NWA World title belt....  Obviously, that's a replica, but it's a nice, classy design that looks like something a world champion should carry. I always liked the Domed Globe; but, I prefer this design. |
|
|
|
Post by driver1980 on Apr 11, 2024 15:27:40 GMT -5
I like John Cena, but I hated his spinner belt.
|
|
|
|
Post by codystarbuck on Apr 11, 2024 20:18:09 GMT -5
Just finished watching the Dark Side of the Ring episode devoted to Chris Colt. I never saw the guy wrestle, but heard things, over the years. Definitely lives up to the title of the series, but also gives you an impression of the real person, behind the gimmicks. In his later life, he was involved in making gay porn videos and they have the director! Though, unlike Rob Black and XPW, it's not what you expect, which fits in with Colt's life.
Really good episode. You will not look at Hulk Hogan the same way, by the end of the episode, though.
Now I'm about to watch the Harley Race one, so I can see Dory Funk and his wife do "The Swim," at a Harley-hosted house party.
The producers talked about that, a bit, on Cornette's podcast. Harley's son Justin (who went to school with a cousin of mine), gave them a whole box of videotapes and pictures of Harley's stuff. They said there was one tape in there, labeled "My Greatest Matches." They were excited to see it, wondering what he thought his best matches were and then found that Harley had taped over it, with Fletch 2.
Not even the original film; just the sequel!
|
|
|
|
Post by codystarbuck on Apr 11, 2024 21:14:35 GMT -5
ps Just finished the Harley Race episode. Nothing I didn't know, but they really try to look at the guy behind the wrestler and have his ex-wife and son, in interviews, Gerald Brisco, Jim Cornette and Mick Foley, plus Trevor Murdoch, who trained under him and was a good friend, working for him. They tell the stories, confirm some, and not just the ones that make Harley sound like a character.....ones that involved 16 year-old girls and such. They trot out the story of setting a WWF ring on fire, in Kansas City and neither debunk it nor confirm it.
Oh, and Chris Jericho cannot pronounce "Gus Karras." It's "Care-us," Chris, not "Kuh-ross." About as bad as your wife's hero.
|
|
|
|
Post by wildfire2099 on Apr 12, 2024 5:42:32 GMT -5
I don’t see an upside to releasing the footage at all. I want AEW to succeed, no-one wants a monopoly. But there is so much I’d like Khan to focus on. His roster is bloated, scrolling down his roster takes an age, and it seems like a year or more since some AEW talent even had a match. (I know WWE isn’t blameless, e.g. is Apollo Crews still under contract? They should have used him better). Tony is a bit all over the place. I feel he should delegate, perhaps take a step back on some things, and make AEW the best it can be. I watched the show last night... I thoguht it was fine. They never actually mentioned Punk, and it was in the context of the match for the PPV (and, again, it's hopefully being used to promote Jack Perry) The roster IS bloated... I think getting rid of Dark and Elevation was a mistake... sticking with 2 main shows and the youtube stuff let them try out new talent easier, and let the stars have gaudy win/loss records. But as you say, WWE has plenty of talent they don't use too... whenever they make cuts I always go 'that guy still works there??'. The thing with AEW is the roster is so good those guys are people we want to see. (Miro? Britt Baker?? MJF???) I'm not saying Tony's a good booker (I've LOVE for him to put Dustin or Danielson in charge.. or hire Scott D'Amore maybe?) but they have a great roster and put on great matches (I know some don't like the modern style, but I do)... that's all I ask. WWE is more poorly written and acted soap opera than wrestling show these days... 13 matches in 7 hours ON A PPV? come on. It'd be one thing if one of them was an awesome 60 minute Iron man match (which AEW was done.. on TV.. successfully), but that's not it.. its' 2/3 in show commercials, intros, recaps, and skits. |
|
|
|
Post by wildfire2099 on Apr 12, 2024 5:44:34 GMT -5
I love this poster: Gotch, those belts get uglier every time I see them! Agreed, but at least they only change the side panels now... I hated when each wrestler designed their own. Also, why does Cody dress like Homelander? (just not a Cody fan) |
|
|
|
Post by driver1980 on Apr 12, 2024 5:47:03 GMT -5
Hmmm, Cody Rhodes vs. Homelander would be a great match!
|
|
|
|
Post by driver1980 on Apr 12, 2024 6:08:03 GMT -5
I don’t see an upside to releasing the footage at all. I want AEW to succeed, no-one wants a monopoly. But there is so much I’d like Khan to focus on. His roster is bloated, scrolling down his roster takes an age, and it seems like a year or more since some AEW talent even had a match. (I know WWE isn’t blameless, e.g. is Apollo Crews still under contract? They should have used him better). Tony is a bit all over the place. I feel he should delegate, perhaps take a step back on some things, and make AEW the best it can be. I watched the show last night... I thoguht it was fine. They never actually mentioned Punk, and it was in the context of the match for the PPV (and, again, it's hopefully being used to promote Jack Perry) The roster IS bloated... I think getting rid of Dark and Elevation was a mistake... sticking with 2 main shows and the youtube stuff let them try out new talent easier, and let the stars have gaudy win/loss records. But as you say, WWE has plenty of talent they don't use too... whenever they make cuts I always go 'that guy still works there??'. The thing with AEW is the roster is so good those guys are people we want to see. (Miro? Britt Baker?? MJF???) I'm not saying Tony's a good booker (I've LOVE for him to put Dustin or Danielson in charge.. or hire Scott D'Amore maybe?) but they have a great roster and put on great matches (I know some don't like the modern style, but I do)... that's all I ask. WWE is more poorly written and acted soap opera than wrestling show these days... 13 matches in 7 hours ON A PPV? come on. It'd be one thing if one of them was an awesome 60 minute Iron man match (which AEW was done.. on TV.. successfully), but that's not it.. its' 2/3 in show commercials, intros, recaps, and skits. Well, I checked Apollo Crews’ status. He was drafted back to the Raw brand last year. I can find no record of any match, house show or others. They wasted him after he built up some great momentum, and did nothing of note with Commander Azeez (who is now gone). Fair play to him for earning while not being used (we’d all love that kind of job), but he’s not being used, and I suspect he’s not alone. This is as old as the hills. I remember how WCW never even used some people they had under contract. Wrestling is peculiar, eh? Imagine IBM or HSBC just paying people to sit at home. Omos also seems to have vanished, having been at WrestleMania in 2021, 2022 and 2023, not to mention a main event match at Money in the Bank 2022. You’d think with near-monthly PPVs, 3 hours of TV on a Monday, 2 hours of TV on a Friday, and other shows, that they’d find time for the wrestlers. |
|
|
|
Post by commond on Apr 12, 2024 6:10:36 GMT -5
Rock as the Final Boss and Cody finishing the story was better than anything AEW has produced in a long time. The last time AEW got close to that sort of payoff was when Hangman defeated Omega for the belt. AEW may have better matches, but they're bush league when it comes to hype. The backstage footage stunt was a classic WCW losing the ratings ploy and reeked of pettiness. AEW have been trying to sell 2024 as a new year, and have been fairly successful so far, but airing the backstage footage was a step back in most people's eyes.
|
|
|
|
Post by wildfire2099 on Apr 12, 2024 6:15:18 GMT -5
Rock as the Final Boss and Cody finishing the story was better than anything AEW has produced in a long time. The last time AEW got close to that sort of payoff was when Hangman defeated Omega for the belt. AEW may have better matches, but they're bush league when it comes to hype. The backstage footage stunt was a classic WCW losing the ratings ploy and reeked of pettiness. AEW have been trying to sell 2024 as a new year, and have been fairly successful so far, but airing the backstage footage was a step back in most people's eyes. Hype does nothing for me... I have no interest in rock taking a movie break to try to goose his latest investment. I don't think the video thing was that at all... I think that's us projecting. I legit think they're just pushing Jack Perry's return. Now, if he doesn't come back at the PPV, I will have to agree with you  |
|
|
|
Post by driver1980 on Apr 12, 2024 6:34:18 GMT -5
Russo talked about people 60 and over who won’t let their fandom of the business go. He goes on about how obsessed people are.
Gotta love it from a guy who continues to make money out of wrestling (if he hates it so much, go and find a job jnstead of releasing crappy videos).
He often goes on about marks. Gotta love that from a guy who has a photo of himself in the room he does his podcasts - along with lots of other merchandise.
There’s nothing wrong with following an interest for life, whether it be comics, wrestling, etc.
Truth is, Russo is one of those people he criticises. How many podcasts does he do? How much time does he devote to wrestling? If he feels the way he does, and wants to not be the hypocrite he is, he should give up monetising wrestling and go and find a job.
I understand so much why certain people loathe this guy.
Russo also said he never really considered himself part of the business. I wish he hadn’t been part of the wrestling business. To me, he’s just a hypocrite making money out of something he claims he loathes.
|
|
