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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2019 15:48:22 GMT -5
My friend, I think it's the best-looking wrestling belt ever. It's timeless. If WCW had been around in 1500 or 1200, or if it was around now, I could imagine it being in use. When something is timeless, that's a remarkable achievement. True, I still feel WCW became unwieldy with the titles back then. A bit like how boxing's alphabet groups have all these champions. I like football. There's only ever one FIFA World Cup winner. But if there were other World Cups, it would not be the same. How many alphabet group boxing champions are there? A lot! While wrestling is a quasi-sport, and I am comparing apples to oranges, I still feel things can become unwieldy. Less is more. You are correct Pal, and I just in awe seeing that replica and the plate is so huge it's captured my fancy. It is timeless no question about it and I agree with you that's a remarkable achievement. WCW had too many belts back then WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship
WCW Hardcore Championship WCW International World Heavyweight Championship WCW Light Heavyweight Championship WCW United States Tag Team Championship WCW Women's Championship WCW World Heavyweight Championship WCW World Six-Man Tag Team Championship WCW World Tag Team Championship WCW World Television Championship WCW Women's Cruiserweight Championship WCW Cruiserweight Championship (1991–2007) WCW United States Championship NWA Western States Heritage ChampionshipNWA World Heavyweight Championship That's 15 Titles belts altogether. The belt in bold was created on the very last WCW Monday Night Nitro and that for gimmick only. The one in italic that I have no history of and I'm surprised to see that on that list. Pal, Less is More ... you are so right! |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2019 16:16:19 GMT -5
It felt strange in the summer of 1993 when, at Beach Blast, Ric Flair battled Barry Windham for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. We'd already got the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. As talented as Flair and Windham are, their bout felt like it had less prestige because we'd already got the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. And when the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship debuted, I thought, 'Come on!'
The bouts were good. Rick Rude helped make the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship a prestigious title. But it was still an unwieldy title.
As for the TV Title, it had a purpose/premise. And the likes of Stunning Steve Austin made it prestigious, but later on it became worthless. Didn't the title get retired when Jim Duggan threw it in a dumpster?
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 27, 2019 16:44:12 GMT -5
Years ago, I wanted WWF to introduce an Intercontinental Tag Team Title. I thought there were enough teams to warrant it. While the likes of Demolition would hold the WWF Tag Team Title, I thought the likes of the Rockers, Young Stallions and others could have held an I-C Tag Team Championship. Obviously, that never happened. So I found it ironic that years later, after the brand split, we had two sets of tag team titles even though there wasn't the depth in the tag team division that there had been. I like that WCW had a United States Tag Team Championship. Oh, and anyone remember WCW's Six-Man Tag Championship? Personally, I would disagree on that point. The WWF didn't have that strong of a pure tag-team division, at any one time, for more than about 6 months. You had a lot of teams that were thrown together, for lack of any other idea for them. Plus, the emphasis on big guys limited their recruitment of some of the better teams. That's why both the RNR Express and the Midnights turned Vince down; who would they work with? Vince was never a fan of tag-team wrestling and didn't push it as much, even when the Bulldogs and Hart foundation were burning up the ring. he had great teams, at different times; but, usually never more than about 3 or 4. Kind of hard to have two tag titles when the same people fight over the belts. WCW, buy contrast, had more top tag-teams and needed a second set of belts for other tours. You'd have A-tours, with the World Champion and maybe World Tag-Team Champions, then the B-Shows would have the US Champion and US tag-team champions. The WWF used the IC belt for their B-shows, and, often, the tag titles. The WWF show would headline the A-shows. The 6-Man titles were basically a way to make the Road Warriors champions, when they would be around, without destroying the other tag-teams who were regulars. The Roadies were working a lot of Japan dates, as they were also the International Tag-Team Champions, for All-Japan. Dusty concocted this title so they would be champions when they were in and he would put himself in as the third member, for things like the War Games. The rest of the time, they'd feud with whoever, without belts being on the line. Quite frankly, the Roadies were so over they didn't need to be champions. The 6-Man title idea was swiped from Dallas, where they created one for the Von Erichs vs Freebird feud. When they started it, there were 3 Von Erich brothers (David, Kevin and Kerry) and 3 Freebirds (Hayes, Gordy & Roberts). Then, David died in Japan and fritz filled in, for the Teas Stadium card (while Kerry won the World title, from Flair). Then, Mike was put in there, until his injury and near death. Then the Freebirds left and the soon made it disappear. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2019 16:50:34 GMT -5
As for the TV Title, it had a purpose/premise. And the likes of Stunning Steve Austin made it prestigious, but later on it became worthless. Didn't the title get retired when Jim Duggan threw it in a dumpster? WCW Nitro 11/29/1999 ... Nash threw it away. The infamous stunt where Madusa dumps the WWF Women's Championship (the real title, too) in a trash bin at the 18th December, 1995 edition of WCW Monday Night Nitro. |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 27, 2019 17:13:33 GMT -5
At the time, all of WCW's belts felt important. Naturally, the World and US titles would be important, but Steve Austin and others brought a lot of prestige to the TV Title. Both tag team championships were prestigious. But the 6-Man Championship just felt superfluous. Remember the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship? It was around from 1993 to 1994. Now, I now its history and lineage was important, its roots being in the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. But it felt redundant. At the time, we had the WCW World Heavyweight Championship and the United States Championship. So a title called the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship certainly felt and appeared superfluous. Originally, WCW was still a member of the National Wrestling Alliance, when Turner bought out Jim Crockett. they continued to promote the NWA World title. The Title and belt were property and trademarks of the NWA Board, not Crockett, Flair or Turner. The way it worked was, the NWA Board met every year, at a big convention, and voted on who was going to be champion or if the current one was to be retained. If they wanted to make a change, the prospective new champion had to put up a $25,000 bond on the belt, to keep them from going into business for themselves and jumping to a new promotion with the title. When Buddy rogers was champion, he was working, primarily, for Vince Sr and Toots Mont. The rest of the NWA got whatever dates were left. they grew disatisfied and voted to take the belt off of Rogers and put it back on lou Thesz, who had been semi-retired. To force Rogers into the match they threatened to hold up his bond and give it to charity, unless he faced Thesz, in Toronto. To further seal the deal, they made it a one-fall match (title matches had been 2 out of 3 falls). According to his memoir, Thesz went into the match and told Rogers they could have a great match or they could have a real match, his choice. Rogers, knowing Thesz could cripple him, opted for a great match and cooperated. When Flair quit WCW, he was still NWA World Champion. Jim Herd threatened to sue him if he didn't return the belt. he told them to cough up his $25, 000, plus the interest. The NWA Board still recognized Flair, until he appeared on WWF tv, with the belt. they then stripped him of the title. Herd decided to drop it and just had a new WCW World title created. Flair continued to appear as the "Real World Champion" in the WWF, with Big Goldy, until a deal was made with the NWA Board and Flair returned the belt. he did not get his bond, though, per his book. The WWF would then have him with a tag-title belt, blurred on tv. WCW went on with the WCW World title, while New Japan earned the right to use the NWA World title, briefly. A tournament was held, with Masahiro Chono winning. he then dropped the belt to the Great Muta, who dropped it to Barry Wyndham, to bring it back to the US and WCW. They were going to work toward unifying the NWA and WCW World titles. Then Flair defeated Wyndham, when he returned to WCW. The NWA Board and WCW got into a dispute and the NWA severed the relationship and blocked them from using the nWA name; but, WCW owned the actual belt, since it had been crockett's property, created for Flair. They continued to use it, saying Flair was still recognized by the fictional WCW International, a conglomeration of international (and non-existent promotions) The WCW International Title was then eventually merged with the WCW World title and Big Goldy was used as the World title from then on. The design was actually inspired by the AWA World title, from the early 80s. Flair had a title vs title match, with rick Martel, for All-Japan and liked the basic look of it. It was copied (the shape) and done in gold, with a nameplate for Flair. they hadn't really planned on changing it, so had to concoct a new name plate, when Dusty won it. They eventually would commission new name plates, for title changes). Here is the AWA World belt, held b Nick Bockwinkel, Otto Wanz, Jumbo Tsuruta, Rick Martel and Stan Hansen.  It was known as the "prison belt," as Verne allegedly had it made in a prison workshop. When Stan hansen quit, over a dispute with Verne, he ran over it, with his truck, destroying the plates and sent it back to them. They had a new one made....  Which was based, somewhat, on the design from the late 60s and 70s. This version was used for Bockwinkel, Curt Hennig, Jerry Lawler, Larry Zbysko and Masa Saito. Prior to have Big Goldy made, the NWA World title was the "Domed Globe" belt....  I always liked it better, as it looked better on the wrestlers and less cumbersome. The best NWA World title belt design, for my money, and my favorite World title belt, was the 1960s one that Pat O'Connor, Buddy rogers, Lou Thesz, Gene Kiniski, and Dory Funk Jr held.....  To me, that just says pure class and "World Champion." I also like Bruno's WWWF belt....  The most ridiculous, monster belt ever was the Mid-South North American Hwt Title belt...  Notice how big it looks just sitting there, between Bill Watts and Magnum TA; imagine trying to wear that thing to the ring! Magnum could barely do it; Brad Armstrong had to carry it to the ring. I think Watts had belt envy! |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 27, 2019 17:57:53 GMT -5
My friend, I think it's the best-looking wrestling belt ever. It's timeless. If WCW had been around in 1500 or 1200, or if it was around now, I could imagine it being in use. When something is timeless, that's a remarkable achievement. True, I still feel WCW became unwieldy with the titles back then. A bit like how boxing's alphabet groups have all these champions. I like football. There's only ever one FIFA World Cup winner. But if there were other World Cups, it would not be the same. How many alphabet group boxing champions are there? A lot! While wrestling is a quasi-sport, and I am comparing apples to oranges, I still feel things can become unwieldy. Less is more. You are correct Pal, and I just in awe seeing that replica and the plate is so huge it's captured my fancy. It is timeless no question about it and I agree with you that's a remarkable achievement. WCW had too many belts back then WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship
WCW Hardcore Championship WCW International World Heavyweight Championship WCW Light Heavyweight Championship WCW United States Tag Team Championship WCW Women's Championship WCW World Heavyweight Championship WCW World Six-Man Tag Team Championship WCW World Tag Team Championship WCW World Television Championship WCW Women's Cruiserweight Championship WCW Cruiserweight Championship (1991–2007) WCW United States Championship NWA Western States Heritage ChampionshipNWA World Heavyweight Championship That's 15 Titles belts altogether. The belt in bold was created on the very last WCW Monday Night Nitro and that for gimmick only. The one in italic that I have no history of and I'm surprised to see that on that list. Pal, Less is More ... you are so right! Those belts didn't exist there at the same time. When they bought out Crockett, they had these titles: NWA World Title NWA World Tag-Team Title NWA US Title NWA US Tag-Team Title NWA World Television Title The names were switched to WCW, after Flair left (the world tag titles were a local belt, as the NWA didn't vote on a tag-team champion, only the singles and junior heavyweight champions). When Flair came back and they reactivated the NWA belt (with Board cooperation), they also brought back the NWA World tag-team titles. Meanwhile they created a new WCW Light Heavyweight title, to use with brian Pillman, Brad Armstrong, and some of the smaller Japanese guys, during a working relationship with New Japan, including Jushin Liger. It was only used from 1991-92. Crockett had briefly used the NWA World Jr Heavyweight title, held by Hector Guerrero (as Lazer Tron); but, quietly dropped it. When Pillman was used in the heavyweight mix and Liger was back in Japan, the Lt Hwt title was dropped, quietly. Also, Watts wasn't a junior heavyweight fan. Watts thought there were too many titles and dropped the US tag titles and merged the NWA and WCW tag titles; and, the heavyweight belts. The then had these titles: WCW World title WCW World Television title WCW World Tag-Team title US title Crockett only briefly had an NWA World Women's championship (the NWA didn't recognize one. Kansas City created one, with Debbie Combs and Crockett created one, wit Misty Blue Simms. combs was renamed the US Women's Championship). crockett dropped his when Simms moved on. It was not revived until the late 90s, under Bischoff, when they used it for the Japanese women, working for Gaea, run by Chigusa Nagayo. She and Akira Hokuto fought over it, as did a returned Madusa Micelli (who returned to WCW, still owning the WWF Women's title, which she tossed into a trash can, on monday Nitro). The Women's title was used mostly in Japan, after the tournament, and a PPV or two, in the US. Same with the Women's Cruiserweight title, which was used by Gaea as a title for younger performers, who would then graduate to the World title ranks. The Women's title only existed for 1 year, 1996-97. The Cruiserweight title was used by Gaea, from 1997 to 1998, but only appeared once on Monday Nitro. The WCW Cruiserweight title was created in 1997, to showcase the Japanese and Mexican wrestlers, plus the smaller American guys, like Malenko, Guerrero and Jericho(Canadian/American). That stayed until WCW's demise and was picked up, for a time, for the WWF. A tag-team title was added near the end of WCW. The Western States Heritage title was created after Crockett bought the UWF, from Bill Watts. It was used between the NWA and UWF. However, it only existed 2 years, until Crockett unified the UWF belts with the NWA titles (not a single UWF wrestler won an NWA title). The Six Man titles only existed under Crockett and were dropped in 1989. WCW did later create a 6-man title, but only used it for less than 1 year. The most titles that were ever used were under Crockett, after he bought out other promotions. The Championship Wrestling from Georgia National Hwt and Tag-Team titles were kept in use, along with the Mid-Atlantic US Hwt title, NWA World Tag-team titles, World TV title (the Mid-Atlantic one, the Georgia World tv title was dropped) and the Mid-Atlantic Hwt title. The National Tag-team titles were eventually dropped, then replaced by the US tag-team titles, which were dropped after Watts was running WCW, in 1992. The National title was merged with the US title. Crockett then bought Championship Wrestling from Florida and used their Florida Hwt title (but not their Southern title or their US tag-team titles). Rick Steiner held it for a bit, before they dropped it. they then bought Kansas City and had the Central States title on there, for a month or two, before dropping it. Then, they bought the UWF and had their three titles (World, TV, Tag-Team) then had the UWF champions drop the titles to the NWA champions. The Hardcore title was only used briefly in WCW, to swipe from ECW and WWF. After too many injuries (including nearly ending Fit Finlay's career) it was dropped. You want too many titles, though? Memphis, at the same time, had these titles: CWA World title CWA World Tag-Team titles AWA Southern Hwt Title AWA Southern Tag-team Titles Mid-American Hwt Titles That's 3 singles titles and two tag titles, for one territory. They stopped using the CWA World title by the end of 1981, but the tag titles stayed until 1985. In 1983, they added an International hwt title. So, 3 singles and two tag titles, still. They dropped the CWA titles and replaced them ith International tag-team titles. However, teir business in this period was strong enough that the titles were split between two crews, working different shows. Mid-Atlantic, under Crockett, at one point had: NWA World title (held by Flair, who mainly worked there, though did tour other NWA promotions) NWA World Tag-team titles US title TV title Mid-Atlantic title Mid-Atlantic tag-team title NWA World Jr Hwt title Most territories, at any one time, would have two singles and a tag-team title or a single and tag title. Usually, if there were other titles, it was for a gimmick or because business or the territory was strong enough for more than one tour, at a time. By contrast, in they UK, they had different weight division champions, depending on the promotion (Joint Promotions or All-Star Promotions) |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 27, 2019 18:15:57 GMT -5
A lot of titles were created for use elsewhere. in the early 80s, both the NWA and WWF World Junior Hwt titles were being used by New Japan pro Wrestling. The WWF title was created in the late 70s, as part of an agreement with inoki, fr use in new Japan, with occasional defenses at Madison Square Garden (which is how I first saw Tiger Mask; and, later, The Cobra). They also created a WWF Light Hwt title, for use in mexico, by the UWA, with whome they had a relationship there. The WWF Jr title was used by Inoki until the relationship ended and was replaced by the IWGP Jr title. The Lt Hwt title was used in Mexico, until the UWA folded, in the 90s. The title was brought to Japan to become part of the J-Crown, when it was dropped in the tournament, to unify 8 junior hwt titles. The WWF was starting up their new Lt Hwt title, to showcase guys from Michinoku pro, from Japan, and CMLL, from Mexico, plus guys like Brian Christopher and Scotty 2 Hotty (before they were a tag team). WWF sent a cease and desist to New Japan and the Lt Hwt title was dropped from the J-Crown.
The NWA allowed their name to be used for several titles in Mexico, for CMLL:
NWA Lt Hwt title (the top belt there, for generations)
NWA Middleweight title
NWA Welterweight Title.
The NWA Jr Hwt title was controlled by the NWA Board, until Tiger Mask became champion. He was recognized, for a time, as NWA champion, after defeating Les Thornton, despite also holding the WWF Junior Hwt title. NWA US promoters didn't like not having the title and tried to withdraw recognition; but, the Board upheld Tiger Mask as champion, until 1983. Then, Les Thornton was recognized by some of the US promoters. he was working in georgia when Black Saturday went down, then joined the WWF, as the WWF Junior Hwt champion. That was dropped when he left. A new NWA Jr title was created, but, ended up split off inseveral directions.
other NWA titles had been created for Japan:
NWA United National title
NWA International title
NWA International Jr Hwt title
NWA International Tag-team title
Baba also created his own Pacific Wrestling Federation champion, with the PWF being the fictional governing body of All-Japan. The pWF title was never called a world title, to maintain relations with the nWA (which baba was a member, until the 90s). Baba then had his title holders face each other to merge the three titles into the Triple Crown, which became All-Japan's "world title." The PWF and International tag-team titles were merged as the Double Tag-team Championships.
The WWF had created other titles for New Japan:
WWF International Hwt title
WWF International Tag-team titles
Prior to that, Inoki had bought the National Wrestling Federation title from Johnny Powers, who promoted in Cleveland and Buffalo, using the NWF name.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 27, 2019 20:59:41 GMT -5
The J-Crown tournament, in Japan, was a really cool idea, borrowed from All-Japan's Triple Crown and every fans's dream of unified world titles. New Japan orchestrated the thing, with the entire thing booked by Lushin Liger (who booked the junior heavyweights, in New Japan. The titles for the tournament came from Japan and Mexico: Japan: IWGP Junior Hwt Championship (New Japan) British Commonwealth Jr Hwt Championship (Michinoku Pro)-inspired by the British wrestlers who had worked in Japan, like Dynamite Kid and Marc "Rollerball" Rocco International Jr Hwt Championship (WAR) NWA World Jr Hwt Championship (Wrestle Dream factory) Mexico: NWA World Welterweight Championship (CMLL) WWA World Jr Lt Hwt Championship (WWA) UWA World Jr Lt Hwt Championship (UWA) WWF World Lt Hwt Championship. (UWA) Michinoku Pro was a popular independent promotion in Japan, run by Great Sasuke, who had sent talent to the WWF, including Taka Michinoku and Kaientai. Wrestle dream Factory was a small independent, with Masayoshi Motegi as their top star. WAR (Wrestling and Romance, later Wrestle Association R) was run by Genichiro Tenryu, a star of All-Japan, who tried to recreate it, mixed with garbage wrestling and junior heavyweights. Ultimo Dragon was the top junior, with Chris Jericho and Lance Storm wrestling there, plus rey Mysterio Jr touring with them. The WWA was a Mexican independent, which had teamed, occasionally, with AAA, including their forays into Los Angeles. The UWA had folded and their titles were used in Mexican independents and in Japan, purchased by Japanese promoters. The same was true for the NWA titles, which were used outside of CMLL, when they rechristened the titles as their own, when they adopted the CMLL name (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, from the fomer Empressa mexicana de Lucha Libre, or EMLL). the champions in the tournament were as follows: Jushin Liger-British Commonwealth Champion-He defeated Great Sasuke for his title and Sasuke had won the IWGP belt Great Sasuke-IWGP Jr Hwt Champion Ultimo Dragon-WAR International Jr Hwt Champion Masayoshi Motegi-NWA World Jr Hwt Champion El Samurai-WWF World Lt Hwt Champion Shinjiro Otani-UWA World Jr Lt Hwt Champion Gran Hamada-WWA World Jr Lt Hwt Champion Negro Casas-NWA World Welterweight Champion Motegi, Sasuke and Ultimo Dragon represented Japanese independent promotions. Liger, Otani, El Samurai and Negro Casas all worked regularly for New Japan. Gran Hamada worked mexico and Japan, for various groups and had promoted Universal Pro Wrestling, with Great Sasuke and Ultimo Dragon, as his proteges. Casas worked primarily in Mexico, for CMLL, while Dragon split his time between WAR and CMLL and was just starting at WCW. El Samurai was billed as being from mexico but was Japanese. In the first round of the tournament, Great Sasuke beat Motegi, El Samurai beat Hamada, Dragon beat Liger, and Otani beat Casas. The losers' belts were then handed to the victors, making them double champions. In the semi-finals, Sasuke beat Samurai, and Dragon beat Otani, to become quadruple champions. In the finals, sasuke defeated Dragon to become the Octuple J-Crown champion. The tournament was held over 4 nights. Each wrestler was seconded by a model, in a swimsuit and high heels, who carried the belt to the ring. After the match was over the victor then left with both models carrying the two belts he now held. In the second round, they accompanied him to the ring, then the victor left with 4 models, holding his four titles. After the final, Sasuke was accompanied by all 8 models, holding his belts. he continued to use them in Michinoku Pro. Ultimo Dragon defeated sasuke for the titles, and brought them to WCW, coming to the ring with two around his waist, the two NWA belts connected together, around his neck and shoulders, and the other 4 belts in his two hands and arms. he then won the WCW Cruiserweight title. he still held the NWA Middleweight title, in mexico, giving him 10 different titles, at the same time. Dragon dropped the titles to Liger, who then lost the WAR title to one of WAR's regulars, returning the belt to them. He then dropped the remaining 7 to Otani, then the WWF sent their legal challenge. the WWF belt was dropped and Otani vacated all but the IWGP belt. The combined title lasted for just over one year. The other belts were returned to their owners. Here's sasuke with the belts, with the models in the background...  and Dragon with his belts...  From left to right, along arms and shoulders (I think, hard to tell which NWA belts are which): NWA Middleweight title, WWH Lt Hwt title, British Commonwealth Jr Hwt title, NWA World Jr Hwt title, NWA World Welterweight title, WWA World Jr Lt Hwt title, UWA World Jr Lt Hwt title, WCW World Cruiserweight title around waist, top to bottom: WAR International Jr Hwt title, IWGP Jr Hwt title. Sasuke with the models...  This was the ultimate belt mark event! |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 27, 2019 21:42:38 GMT -5
The J-Crown final match, between Ultimo Dragon and Great Sasuke. if you want high flyers, these were the two best, in the late 90s (apart from Rey Mysterio Jr)...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2019 5:01:21 GMT -5
Seeing Ultimo Dragon with all those belts was always a sight to behold!
My experience of Japanese wrestling was initially via tape trading (does that even still exist now?). In the mid-90s, the only promotions I could watch on TV were WWF and WCW. USWA came to me via a very limited range of tapes. For ECW and Japanese and Mexican wrestling, I had to tape trade. Of course, one only had a limited budget for that.
The internet has probably made tape trading extinct. There are now official ways to watch Japanese wrestling. I believe there is a licensee for Japanese wrestling DVDs in the UK. I certainly want to see more.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2019 11:30:31 GMT -5
Seeing Ultimo Dragon with all those belts was always a sight to behold! My experience of Japanese wrestling was initially via tape trading (does that even still exist now?). In the mid-90s, the only promotions I could watch on TV were WWF and WCW. USWA came to me via a very limited range of tapes. For ECW and Japanese and Mexican wrestling, I had to tape trade. Of course, one only had a limited budget for that. Ultimo Dragon is another high flyer that I liked; tape trading rarely held anyone interest back then and I did not know anything until I reached in my mid-20's and that when my career at Boeing took off and did not engage in this at all. I watched about 3-4 ECW tapes, 1-2 WCW tapes, and 1 WOW tape. A grand total of 6-7 tapes and that's it. Regarding the Dragon ... I only saw him on WCW in the 80's. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2019 11:33:04 GMT -5
Dudley Boyz Photos Major titles belts from the organizations that they belong to. codystarbuck & @taxidriver1980 This belt ... I consider it a very prestigious belt and I consider it above the Big Gold Belt (see below) and these  two belts are the most revered belts in all the years that I followed wrestling. The WWF/WWE and other organizations that I know of including New Japan and the likes are secondary. Georgia Championship Wrestling and others that form the early days of WCW were problematic (not the right word) for me and I had a hard time placing the values of these belts because there were too many darn "wrestling territories" that bothered me so much that I don't really follow all of them and they did not held me any interest to me. I'm terribly sorry codystarbuck that your knowledge of wrestling is very impressive but I just stick to the major players and the only companies that I followed from 1960's on are: NWA GCW (very limited) WCW WWF/WWE TNA Impact GFW (very limited, probably not in 2020) Lucha Underground (occasionally) AEW New Japan (got a new cable channel, it's free)
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2019 11:47:59 GMT -5
When classic WWF matches are talked about, the usual choices are mentioned (rightly so!) such as Ricky Steamboat VS Macho Man at WM III, Shawn VS Razor at WM X, etc.
What about matches that haven't made lists?
I'm nominating the 1981 Alley Fight between Sgt. Slaughter and Pat Patterson. I first saw this about 3 years ago on a DVD. I would have been 1 when the match took place. Looking at it decades later, one misses the historical context. But on its own merits, what a match. Truly one of the greatest I've seen.
Incidentally, Cody and Mechagodzilla, I am enjoying your contributions so much. I hope this topic runs and runs!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2019 17:17:28 GMT -5
Pro Wrestling History and Main Territories w/Map of the United States
This is a fascinating video clip ... Under 17 minutes long and I just watched it.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 28, 2019 18:24:32 GMT -5
When classic WWF matches are talked about, the usual choices are mentioned (rightly so!) such as Ricky Steamboat VS Macho Man at WM III, Shawn VS Razor at WM X, etc. What about matches that haven't made lists? I'm nominating the 1981 Alley Fight between Sgt. Slaughter and Pat Patterson. I first saw this about 3 years ago on a DVD. I would have been 1 when the match took place. Looking at it decades later, one misses the historical context. But on its own merits, what a match. Truly one of the greatest I've seen. Incidentally, Cody and Mechagodzilla, I am enjoying your contributions so much. I hope this topic runs and runs! That's a good one, as is the Boot Camp match that was the blowoff to Sgt Slaughter and Iron Sheik. One that doesn't get mentioned; but, when you do, everyone seems to remember is the Saturday night Main Event match between Hulk Hogan and Lanny Poffo. It was about the only high profile match Poffo ever got, as a wrestler, but it has great action and psychology and Lanny works his but off, plus pulls off some comedy spots (like writing out a formula for Hogan being pinned. Greg Valentine and Tito Santana's matches, for the IC title, were great as were those with Pedro Morales and Don Muraco. Muraco and Backlund and Muraco and Snuka were also terrific matches, especially the latter, with their cage match, where Snuka climbed to the top of the cage and did his Superfly splash onto Muraco. It made for a great finish, as Muraco is knocked under the cage and escapes, winning the match. The Briscos had some good tag matches with Dick Murdoch & Adrian Adonis, with good old classic wrestling and psychology. The Tiger Mask vs Dynamite Kid MSG match is a must-see. Edge & Christian vs the Hardy Boyz was always great, though they were way to reckless, which is part of why Edge is retired now. |
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