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Post by dbutler69 on May 25, 2024 7:25:18 GMT -5
I watched this last night, which I hadn’t watched since I was a kid:  We start with The British Bulldogs vs. The Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff. An interesting mix of styles, I will say. It’s a conclusive pinfall win as Davey Boy pins Volkoff. Quite a solid start to the tape. The Hart Foundation and The Bulldogs had some cracking bouts, but here we got a singles match between Dynamite Kid and Bret. It’s a really good bout which feels ahead of its time for the WWF. Dynamite wins via pinfall, and the two teams then brawl. Then we have a singles match between Jim Neidhart and Davey Boy. It’s a solid effort from both men. Surpassingly, as it is the Bulldogs’ tape, Neidhart wins. The British Bulldogs & Captain Lou Albano vs. The Dream Team & Johnny V is next. It’s not very good. The good guys get the win. We then go to The British Bulldogs versus WWF Tag Team Champions The Dream Team (Brutus Beefcake & Greg Valentine) from WrestleMania II. Not sure why we needed this after the preceding bout. It was rather mediocre. The Bulldogs win the match and, of course, the belts. The British Bulldogs battled The Moondogs. Is that a dogfight? (Sorry) This was a reasonable bout, which ended conclusively with a pinfall. I mention this again because quite a few Coliseum Video releases, esepcially as time went on, gave us bouts with inconclusive endings. Two singles matches follow: Davey Boy loses to Greg Valentine in a rather heated effort, while Dynamite Kid beats Brutus Beefcake via pinfall (pretty decent bout). So, on a tape devoted to The Bulldogs, we see two singles losses for Davey Boy and two singles wins for Dynamite Kid. Very odd. The tape concludes with The British Bulldogs vs. King Kong Bundy & Big John Studd. This is really entertaining David vs. Goliath stuff, and the contrast in styles makes for a fun bout. It ends with a win via DQ for the Bulldogs. Inconclusive, yes, but this was an excellent bout to end the tape on. At 90 minutes, even with some clipping, this is longer than some wrestler-specific tapes (which were often 60 minutes). There’s nothing here that is really bad. Putting aside the lack of logic over showcasing 2 Davey Boy singles losses when compared with showcasing 2 Dynamite Kid singles wins, there’s a lot here that is fun, and whoever compiled this deserves credit for giving us different kinds of matches. I watched this recently. It was very good. I think my favorite match was Dynamite Kid vs. Bret Hart. What a fantastic match. It was disappointing that they missed the finishing move because they were too busy showing a replay, though. That was annoying. |
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Post by dbutler69 on May 25, 2024 7:26:04 GMT -5
I’ve said this a million times before, but when I think about the sheer number of compilation tapes the WWF put out, it puts WCW to shame. All WCW could do were PPVs - and Turner Home Entertainment had a ridiculous policy of making their tapes 2 hours only, which led to edits to matches - and matches being omitted. (That’s when they could be bothered to release tapes, remember how the likes of SuperBrawl IV didn’t even get a home video release?) Imagine if WCW had had a dedicated home video department - or outsourced it to a company akin to Coliseum Video. Imagine, say, “The Best of WCW Worldwide” or “Greatest TV Championship Matches”. WCW’s UK fan club had a video (a pointless 30 minutes long), and later on, WB released some compilation tapes (late 90s), but in so many areas, WCW, despite its deep pockets, was behind the WWF. With all the great wrestling they had at the time, WCW could have put together some really nice tapes. But that would have been too smart for them. |
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Post by driver1980 on May 25, 2024 8:32:13 GMT -5
Five years ago today, AEW’s inaugural PPV, Double or Nothing, aired on PPV at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in the Las Vegas suburb of Paradise, Nevada:  I haven’t seen it. Spoilers ahead, this is from Wikipedia: Did anyone see this? AEW has had some good matches, but I’ve all but given up on it (and I want it to succeed). The never-ending roster is working against those who deserve more airtime, Khan appears to have no long-term plan, there appears to be no long-term booking strategy, and I just feel it’s directionless. I don’t want to sound like a tribalist, but WWE aside, I’m more interested in TNA now. |
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Post by driver1980 on May 25, 2024 8:51:34 GMT -5
I’ve said this a million times before, but when I think about the sheer number of compilation tapes the WWF put out, it puts WCW to shame. All WCW could do were PPVs - and Turner Home Entertainment had a ridiculous policy of making their tapes 2 hours only, which led to edits to matches - and matches being omitted. (That’s when they could be bothered to release tapes, remember how the likes of SuperBrawl IV didn’t even get a home video release?) Imagine if WCW had had a dedicated home video department - or outsourced it to a company akin to Coliseum Video. Imagine, say, “The Best of WCW Worldwide” or “Greatest TV Championship Matches”. WCW’s UK fan club had a video (a pointless 30 minutes long), and later on, WB released some compilation tapes (late 90s), but in so many areas, WCW, despite its deep pockets, was behind the WWF. With all the great wrestling they had at the time, WCW could have put together some really nice tapes. But that would have been too smart for them. When Bischoff was interviewed months ago (by a UK-based publication), he did seem to have a lot of excuses for home video nonsense, lack of UK tours, lack of Canadian tours, etc. He was too busy thinking about Nitro and PPVs. Visa problems with Canada (and legal woes pertaining to wrestlers, which might have affected Canada). It seemed more like he didn’t care. Thing is, all of us know that delegation is a thing. I wasn’t always self-employed, I worked in clerical roles. I didn’t have to worry about my pay as payroll teams dealt with that, personnel managed certain things, the estates team managed my ID pass, desk issues, etc. For any IT woes, there was, of course, the IT team! It almost sounds like, and I could be misinterpreting things, like Bischoff expected that he’d have had to do all of it. I doubt Vince McMahon sat there compiling and editing Coliseum Video releases. I doubt Vince dealt with Canadian visa and legal issues. I’m sure someone other than Vince handled logistical travel issues. So while WCW was busy with shows and PPVs, so was the WWF, but they still found time to tour globally. WWF wrestlers with legal woes pertaining to Canada would surely have been a thing. I’m sure Bischoff, or someone, could have booked and organised a UK tour, or found a company similar to Coliseum Video. It just feels at times that Bischoff, and others, have the eternal excuse of, “We were too busy.” Or, “I’m not involved in that.” Fine. But no other industry expects its CEO to do everything. So you’re not involved in home video stuff? Okay, then hire a Home Video Editor and have him/her report to one of your deputies. Hire or sub-contract a person who can handle UK tours/logistics. Get a legal person, or someone, working on those Canadian issues. As a self-employed person, I’m responsible for everything (pretty much). I do my own tax return, but I could get someone else to do so, and may well later this year. There are things I can get others to do. I see no excuse why Bischoff or anyone couldn’t have been getting others to handle UK tours, home video, etc. This is why we all see company sites where they list vice president of sales, head of legal, head of data protection, etc. Bischoff’s “I’m busy” excuse seems weak, eh? |
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Post by driver1980 on May 25, 2024 8:57:21 GMT -5
This is one of the quotes, which, while perhaps not totally lacking in validity, sounds like an excuse (Cody commented on this once):  |
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Post by Ricky Jackson on May 25, 2024 11:02:56 GMT -5
Five years ago today, AEW’s inaugural PPV, Double or Nothing, aired on PPV at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in the Las Vegas suburb of Paradise, Nevada: I haven’t seen it. Spoilers ahead, this is from Wikipedia: Did anyone see this? AEW has had some good matches, but I’ve all but given up on it (and I want it to succeed). The never-ending roster is working against those who deserve more airtime, Khan appears to have no long-term plan, there appears to be no long-term booking strategy, and I just feel it’s directionless. I don’t want to sound like a tribalist, but WWE aside, I’m more interested in TNA now. Cody vs Dustin was a great old school bloodbath |
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Post by driver1980 on May 25, 2024 13:27:14 GMT -5
It’s really hard to watch the Saudi Arabian shows for the same reasons as others.
For starters, there’s political/world-related stuff which makes it hard.
Secondly, women being denied freedom of expression in their attire irks me. Yes, I’m watching for the wrestling, but for the women, maybe some, for aesthetic or move-related reasons, want bare arms, ankle-high boots, singlets, etc. Someone on social media was complaining that Becky Lynch’s neck was exposed. So what?! If there are people unhappy with her neck being shown, get over it!
I’m not sure what the rules are. Are shins, ankles and feet covered, too? Or would they be okay?
What if attire, such as any covering the elbow/arm, got shredded accidentally during a brawl? Would the match have to be ended? What if a woman cut her knee or leg? Could she not remove it during the match to check the blood loss?
Yes, it’s hypothetical, but these things could happen.
There are countless nations which deserve a PLE. Greece could be one, given wrestling originated there. Or New Zealand. I wonder, will the Saudi deal be extended?
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Post by driver1980 on May 25, 2024 18:18:38 GMT -5
I am looking forward to this:  |
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Post by codystarbuck on May 25, 2024 22:34:34 GMT -5
It’s really hard to watch the Saudi Arabian shows for the same reasons as others. For starters, there’s political/world-related stuff which makes it hard. Secondly, women being denied freedom of expression in their attire irks me. Yes, I’m watching for the wrestling, but for the women, maybe some, for aesthetic or move-related reasons, want bare arms, ankle-high boots, singlets, etc. Someone on social media was complaining that Becky Lynch’s neck was exposed. So what?! If there are people unhappy with her neck being shown, get over it! I’m not sure what the rules are. Are shins, ankles and feet covered, too? Or would they be okay? What if attire, such as any covering the elbow/arm, got shredded accidentally during a brawl? Would the match have to be ended? What if a woman cut her knee or leg? Could she not remove it during the match to check the blood loss? Yes, it’s hypothetical, but these things could happen. There are countless nations which deserve a PLE. Greece could be one, given wrestling originated there. Or New Zealand. I wonder, will the Saudi deal be extended? They are paid shows and bring them more revenue that just about every other endeavor. I don't think they are going to take a political or social stance any time soon. Hell, they got Goldberg to go which boggles the mind on several levels. It's simple; the Saudi's are trying to buy respectability and are using sports to try to shore up their international image, just like Qatar with the World Cup and their other sporting events. You have a repressive, unelected regime, with a quantum @#$%-ton of oil revenue, that makes the Western World wet itself every time they mess with the price of oil and have their own lower classes so s@#$-scared to say boo about the situation that it makes other repressive nations green with envy. They will keep taking the money and doing the shows and the ladies will suck it up and go along with it or try to get that kind of pay and celebrity profile on their own. Their parent company has no scruples and wrestling never did, so don't expect change any time soon. |
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Post by driver1980 on May 26, 2024 6:00:55 GMT -5
I knew there was talk about Charles Wright returning as Papa Shango in 1997, but this, assuming the image is accurate, is the first time I’ve seen this pic:  |
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Post by dbutler69 on May 26, 2024 7:44:43 GMT -5
With all the great wrestling they had at the time, WCW could have put together some really nice tapes. But that would have been too smart for them. When Bischoff was interviewed months ago (by a UK-based publication), he did seem to have a lot of excuses for home video nonsense, lack of UK tours, lack of Canadian tours, etc. He was too busy thinking about Nitro and PPVs. Visa problems with Canada (and legal woes pertaining to wrestlers, which might have affected Canada). It seemed more like he didn’t care. Thing is, all of us know that delegation is a thing. I wasn’t always self-employed, I worked in clerical roles. I didn’t have to worry about my pay as payroll teams dealt with that, personnel managed certain things, the estates team managed my ID pass, desk issues, etc. For any IT woes, there was, of course, the IT team! It almost sounds like, and I could be misinterpreting things, like Bischoff expected that he’d have had to do all of it. I doubt Vince McMahon sat there compiling and editing Coliseum Video releases. I doubt Vince dealt with Canadian visa and legal issues. I’m sure someone other than Vince handled logistical travel issues. So while WCW was busy with shows and PPVs, so was the WWF, but they still found time to tour globally. WWF wrestlers with legal woes pertaining to Canada would surely have been a thing. I’m sure Bischoff, or someone, could have booked and organised a UK tour, or found a company similar to Coliseum Video. It just feels at times that Bischoff, and others, have the eternal excuse of, “We were too busy.” Or, “I’m not involved in that.” Fine. But no other industry expects its CEO to do everything. So you’re not involved in home video stuff? Okay, then hire a Home Video Editor and have him/her report to one of your deputies. Hire or sub-contract a person who can handle UK tours/logistics. Get a legal person, or someone, working on those Canadian issues. As a self-employed person, I’m responsible for everything (pretty much). I do my own tax return, but I could get someone else to do so, and may well later this year. There are things I can get others to do. I see no excuse why Bischoff or anyone couldn’t have been getting others to handle UK tours, home video, etc. This is why we all see company sites where they list vice president of sales, head of legal, head of data protection, etc. Bischoff’s “I’m busy” excuse seems weak, eh? Well, it was WCW, so maybe the CEO was expected to do everything himself.  And if you're looking for someone to do your taxes, might I recommend Irwin R. Shyster? |
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Post by dbutler69 on May 26, 2024 7:45:52 GMT -5
I knew there was talk about Charles Wright returning as Papa Shango in 1997, but this, assuming the image is accurate, is the first time I’ve seen this pic: That does look rather menacing. It's too bad you can't really trust images nowadays. This look seems like something they could have done something with. |
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Post by dbutler69 on May 26, 2024 7:47:11 GMT -5
This is one of the quotes, which, while perhaps not totally lacking in validity, sounds like an excuse (Cody commented on this once): So there you go. Canada just isn't that significant. |
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Post by Batflunkie on May 26, 2024 9:38:58 GMT -5
I’ve said this a million times before, but when I think about the sheer number of compilation tapes the WWF put out, it puts WCW to shame. All WCW could do were PPVs - and Turner Home Entertainment had a ridiculous policy of making their tapes 2 hours only, which led to edits to matches - and matches being omitted. (That’s when they could be bothered to release tapes, remember how the likes of SuperBrawl IV didn’t even get a home video release?) Imagine if WCW had had a dedicated home video department - or outsourced it to a company akin to Coliseum Video. Imagine, say, “The Best of WCW Worldwide” or “Greatest TV Championship Matches”. WCW’s UK fan club had a video (a pointless 30 minutes long), and later on, WB released some compilation tapes (late 90s), but in so many areas, WCW, despite its deep pockets, was behind the WWF. They did have various "Biography" tapes during the Monday Night Wars era, but other than that, not much else  |
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Post by driver1980 on May 26, 2024 9:45:00 GMT -5
I didn’t have that one. I think I just had the Hogan and Goldberg ones. If I remember, weren’t those biographies a mere 60 minutes long?
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