flyonthewall2983

I'd have to listen to it again but I think he may have tap-danced around the issue.

I agree with your thoughts here in that it is very believable that security could have been a concern and it's no great feat to see death threats coming from overly patriotic folks. However if there was any possible chance of them selling out or even putting a large crowd into the LA Colosseum then they would've definitely went through with holding the show and having heightened security there just for the sake of a larger gate and the tremendous ego stroke/publicity of putting thousands of asses into the Colosseum. Bruce Prichard said they asked the gov't for extra security and brought up how they basically did it for free at the Super Bowl. WWF asked for the same thing and were denied. I'm not quite sure I believe that unless the bubble Vince and those guys lived in was fully formed at this point. Just my opinion deducted from what I heard and what I believe, but If they thought more realistically they could have just gotten as good of security from the LAPD and the State Police for a better price to them. Granted, that's all on if they really did sell the Coliseum out which I don't believe they did at all which prompted the move to the Sports Arena. I don't know the history of how well they did in California in general at this time, but it's not surprising to me that they didn't do the number there that they would have gotten in 90 and 92 (inflated of course, but still big houses compared to VII).

The issue of WrestleMania VII in the LA Coliseum reared it's head again somewhere online. I may have spoken on this before here, but I actually believe that they both couldn't sell the place out, and that there were genuine security issues, relative to the Slaughter angle. I can see a guy phoning or writing in death threats after seeing someone appear to side with the enemy on television. Doesn't have to be a mark, but someone overly patriotic, screwed in the head or likely both. Whether or not they had the capacity or inclination to carry out something is another issue entirely, but I can see it happening.

Brother cried in his sleep after Bret lost to Shawn in '96.

I have to admit it's funny, that considering Vince's animosity towards Ted Turner, the thing that gets him the most attention in years is the CNN logo super-imposed over his face.

The Attitude Era is full of those moments. I have no shame in saying I hated what they did then as far as that stuff, as much as I cringe looking back at it.

Quite honestly, I wish they'd just release everything on the Network and put out stuff on Blu and DVD less and less. Maybe make those releases more special, like box sets of stuff, etc, etc. That's just wishful thinking though, but I do think there will be less a reliance on physical products in the future, especially if the Network does well enough.

Funny that the Japanese would consider an Italian a gaijin.

Did Bruno ever work heel?

Positive. When the card starts it says it's from 12/77 on top. I'm using an Amazon Fire TV stick so it could just be limited to that, unless it's been corrected by now.

One of the MSG shows is missing. When I click on the 12/79 show, it brings up one from two years earlier instead.

Jerry Lawler has never jumped in his life, but maybe in this timeline he's the perfect physical specimen.

Is "Earthquake Evans" John Tenta?

What is there as far as Turner/Time Warner-era WCW "holy grail"-type matches?

Dustin was in the WWF towards the end of Dusty's run, so it's plausible they did meet at some point during that time. When Cody and Dustin were on Jericho's podcast, one of them said that on their way out going to WCW, Vince pulled them aside and said the minute Turner lets Dustin go he'll have a place at the WWF. Not too hard to buy that since that's exactly what happened in 1995. I have to admit when I heard that tidbit on the podcast it kind of took me by surprise. I figure that whatever happened early on with Watts going, that it didn't really affect Dusty because he still managed to keep his spot. Same with Dustin, who was a top babyface in WCW.

Yes. Don't know why this isn't one of them. Yes it's mostly stuff recorded on VHS but that hasn't stopped them before as they put out WCW and ECW collections on Blu.

Me too. I would hope that lots of people buy it so it creates a demand for more releases like this.

Random but someone mentioned on another thread how they would have liked to have seen an AWA reference on last season of Fargo, which took place in MN circa 1979. For some reason I always thought the Ken Patera/Saito/McDonalds incident would have made for a funny reference at some point.

It'd be great if they finished it off. I believe the recent drop stopped at sometime late in '89.

And Vince Russo stays a nobody

I presume Ric and Bruno have buried the hatchet?

I'm guessing not for a few reasons. WCW was in dreadful shape on most levels when Flair left in '91, as compared to how good Crockett was drawing 3 years earlier. Plus WWF was more interested in opening up the European market in '92, and having their own troubles with the steroid/sex scandals and the depreciating affect that was having on business overall.

The best alternate choice to Hogan would have been Luger but it would have had little shock value. Even still it would have been hard to buy him as the leader of any faction. One of my favorite things to ponder is if Dustin Rhodes never left WCW and where he could have fit into this. Being the "heir" of tradition the nWo was supposedly against, it could have been compelling to see him fight against them, possibly have the spot DDP had or share it with him (as I think they could have had good chemistry as a team), and start the inevitable ascension to one of the top guys in the company.

Flair coming in in '88 would have likely single-handedly opened up the WWF in the southern markets. Put him in a feud with Savage first (Hogan later) because I could imagine Savage more over with the Crockett audience than Hogan. Putting Heenan as the manager of the 4 Horsemen would be perfect, but what about the Heenan Family?

They even used that shot of the locker slamming in the promo package for Hogan/McMahon at WrestleMania 19.