JerryvonKramer

Finally getting to dig into this, the commentary by Tharpe and the other guy is mostly well done, right tone and pitched in the right place for the footage. Just watched Race vs. Andre (review forthcoming in my Race thread). I have it streaming from my desktop to my TV via a Google chomecast. That means it's in the next room, so after the match finished, Tiger Conway Jr vs Superstar Graham came on randomly. I'm trying to watch things fresh and review afterwards. Footage looks great on the big TV.

About half-way through the Sullivan show. I've listened to a hell of a lot of Sullivan on his own show recently, so was more interested in the interactions between these two. I would much prefer a sober Flair, just I much prefer a sober Johnny Sorrow. But there have still been some funny moments here. "What's the Honkytonk Man going to get me on? Not being able to work or not being able to play guitar?" Most interesting thing probably is something that most people would likely miss: Flair is putting Sullivan over as a genius on this show, and yet when Bret buried him in show 1 ("Who's Kevin Sullivan, y'know?") Flair bit his lip. Just a little bit of a reveal into a couple of things: 1. Flair was clearly prioritising mending bridges with Bret in that show. 2. He put that priority over defending his friend in that situation. Just interesting that he didn't pipe up. Although I guess in another sense, Flair was sitting back and letting Bret hang himself since he didn't say anything about Hogan either. You can tell which people in the business are close to Flair and which aren't. One other thing is that Arn Anderson is coming out of these shows as a real character as the "master jouster".

WWF @ Baltimore, MD - Civic Center - July 7, 1983 1. Arn, Ole, Gene and Lars Anderson defeated Jack Carson, Steve King, Tony Russo and Tony Colon in 9:22. After the match Steve King was “hung, drawn and quartered” by all four Andersons. 2. The Animals (Luke Graham and George Steele) defeated Swede Hanson and Baron Mikel Scicluna in 12:14 with Steele pinning Hanson. During the match Steele started eating the turnbuckle until Crazy Luke Graham slapped him and made him focus on Hanson. 3. Blackjack Lanza (w/ Bobby Heenan) defeated SD Jones in 14:12 after using a loaded glove. 4. WWF Intercontinental Champion Ricky Steamboat defeated Mr. Fuji in 13:00 after Mr Fuji missed him and ended up throwing salt into his own eyes. WWF @ Los Angeles, CA - Olympic Auditorium - July 8, 1983 1. Mil Mascaras fought The Destroyer to a time limit draw after 20:00. 2. Bob Backlund defeated The Goon and Randy Barber in 2:23 in a handicap match. Backlund piled Barber ontop of The Goon and pinned both men. He appeared to be very angry after losing his WWF title earlier in the week. 3. Bruiser Brody defeated Johnny Powers in 13:42 after a legdrop. 4. Superstar Billy Graham defeated The Sheik by countout in 4:20 after The Sheik threw a fireball at Graham which missed.

WWF at Agricultural Hall in Fieldhouse in Hamburg, PA (TV Taping for WWF Superstars) Jul 6th, 1983 This is the first ever episode of WWF Superstars. The host is Vince McMahon. Bret Hart vs. “The Duke of Dorchester” Pete Doherty Match: Bret Hart wins after a backbreaker in 8:22. During the match he gave Doherty several suplex variations. Quotation(s) from announcer: “This young man from Canada, Bret Hart, from the legendary ‘dungeon’ of his father Stu, looks like an incredible professional wrestler! It will be exciting to see how he will do against a higher calibre of opposition than … Mr Doherty.” Video package recap of events at MSG including the title wins of Steamboat and the Briscos, Bobby Heenan’s time on the mic and Nick Bockwinkel’s title win. Runs about 15:00. We are now taken to weekly segment on WWF Superstars: The Superstar’s Supershow! A talk show hosted by former WWF Champion Superstar Billy Graham. His guests this week are Bobby Heenan and The NEW WWF Champion Nick Bockwinkel. They discuss the events at MSG from this past Monday. Heenan is beaming with delight and Bockwinkel says he is going to stay as champion for a long time. Heenan reiterates that since he now CONTROLS the title shots and will ensure that Bob Backlund does not get a rematch. He mentions that Bockwinkel is sure to be facing fine opposition, before the two of them laugh. Billy Graham seems to remain neutral. The whole segment takes about 15:00 Dominic Denucci vs. Randy Barder Match: Denucci wins after an airplane spin in 3:56 Quotation(s) from announcer: “Denucci, the veteran, shows that he still has a lot of fire in his belly.” Arn Anderson vs. Jack Carson Match: Anderson dominates and wins in a quick squash after a spinebuster in 1:23. Quotation(s) from announcer: “This young man, Arn Anderson, is said to come from a fine wrestling family. He’s said to be trying to make it alone here in the World Wrestling Federation, and he looks to be doing a good job of it!” Jack and Jerry Brisco © vs. Victor Rivera and Jose Luis Rivera for the WWF World Tag Team Championships Match: Jack and Jerry dominate with arm drags and focused work on the arm but the match is cut short in 9:47 after …. Arn Anderson runs in and gives Jerry Brisco a spinebuster. As Jack goes to retaliate, Ole Anderson comes from UNDERNEATH the ring apron and pulls his leg before laying him out with a pair of brass knucks. Then Gene and Lars Anderson also come from underneath the ring and start a beatdown on Jerry Brisco as Jack is laid out on the floor. The Andersons hang Jerry upside down by his legs on the turnbuckle. Lars charges and stomps on his chest. Ole and Gene grab an arm each and drag Jerry up throwing him from the turnbuckle into the middle of the ring. Ole, Arn, Gene and Lars each grab a limb and pull Jerry Brisco in four different directions as hard as they can. Jerry seems to have passed out with the pain. All four Andersons now deliver a running kneedrop onto Jerry. Security forces run from the back to try to get them to go. Jack is still out on the floor. Jerry is convulsing after the attack, his legs are shaking. He seems to be having a seizure. The Andersons link hands and all four of them rise their arms in triumph. Ole grabs the mic from Howard Finkel who has been lurking. Ole Anderson: The Brisco brothers lie battered because there’s only one truly GREAT family in this sport, THE ANDERSONS. They call us the Minnesota Wrecking Crew because we can get MEDIEVAL. And that’s what Jerry Brisco just experienced. He was HUNG, DRAWN AND QUARTERED! This is a message to everyone in the WWF! We aren’t here to mess around for the cameras, we aren’t here dance, we’re aren’t here to win any awards for style, we’re not going to be doing a somersaults off the top rope. No! We’re here to WRESTLE, we’re break BONES. Because that’s what we do. Jack and Jerry Brisco, you have THIRTY days to defend those tag titles before they become forfeit. Can you hear me Jerry? Can you here be Jack? Where’s your NCAA title now eh? THIRTY DAYS and we’re counting. The Andersons leave. Jack comes to and seems incredibly angry. Jerry is stretchered out as Jack shakes his head and checks on him. Quotation(s) from announcer: “Jack and Jerry Brisco, a great combination and deserving new tag-team champions here in the WWF.” “Oh no! Arn Anderson! What’s he doing here?” “Ole Anderson! Gene Anderson! Lars Anderson!! It seems like Arn was not travelling alone and he’s brought his cousins and uncles with him …. ALL FOUR ANDERSONS!” “Oh …this is despicable!! This is outrageous! There should be fines and suspensions! They are going to MURDER Jerry Brisco.” “Ole Anderson with a message to everyone. We just have to hope and pray that Jerry Brisco can wrestle again. There comes a time when a man’s well-being is more important than any title. This was an ambush.”

WWF at Agricultural Hall in Allentown, PA (TV Taping for WWF Challenge) Jul 6th, 1983 This is the first ever episode of WWF Challenge. The hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Lord Alfred Hayes. Joe McHugh: Promoted by Phil Zacko. Supervised by the State Athletic Commission, the honourable JJ Benz Chairman. And Francis Walker is the Executive Secretary. And the officials assigned: Deputy Commission Peter Lash. The doctor in attendance at ringside, Dr George Zahorian. The timekeeper at the bell: Mike Griffin. The referees for this hour of wrestling: Billy Capouto, Gilberto Roman, Dick Woehrle. And my name is …. Jooeeeeeeeeee McHugh! Tommy Rogers vs. The Goon Match: Rogers wins after a vertical suplex in 6:00 Quotation(s) from announcers: (Lord Al) “We’re seeing a lot of new young talent coming through the ranks here at the WWF, and Rogers is one such talent. He has a great look this young man, and is known for displaying a fine array of high-flying moves” (Gorilla) “Tommy Rogers looked excellent out there, your Lordship.” El Gran Apollo vs. Man Mountain Link Match: El Gran Apollo wins with a flying crossbody in 9:22. The middle portion of the match mostly consisted of Man Mountain Link giving Apollo a bearhug. Quotation(s) from announcers: (Lord Al) “He’s an impressive looking specimen this El Gran Apollo”. (Gorilla) “El Gran Apollo overcoming the odds with a good show of guts and determination against this big man.” Video package recap of events at MSG including the title wins of Steamboat and the Briscos, Bobby Heenan’s time on the mic and Nick Bockwinkel’s title win. Runs about 15:00. Swede Hanson vs. Jack Carson Match: Hanson wins in a squash in 2:00 Quotation(s) from announcers: (Gorilla) “He couldn’t do that against Andre this past week though, could he.” Dr. Death Steve Williams and Bobby Eaton vs. Tony Russo and Jerry Monti Match: Eaton and Williams show good teamwork as a “power and finesse” combination. Eaton hits a flying legdrop off the top rope on Monti who Williams was holding over his knee in 6:33. Quotation(s) from announcers: (Lord Al) “A superb combination of power and pinache here. Williams is a big man, but Bobby Eaton looks like a terrific talent as well.” Larry Zbyszko has a backstage interview with Lord Alfred Hayes. He is back in the WWF and has set his sights on the Intercontinental title that Ricky Steamboat has just won. Larry Zbyszko vs. Fred Curry Match: Curry gets in quite a bit of offense, but Larry Z wins with an inside cradle and a handful of tights in 12:00 Quotation(s) from announcers: (Gorilla) “Of course, long-time fans will remember that Larry Zbyszko has never been the same since he turned his back on the REAL Living Legend, Bruno Sammartino.” (Lord Al) “Fred Curry might be getting on in his career, but he comes from a fine lineage. He father, Wild Bull Burry was a real brute, and I know from wrestling him myself, that Fred knows a thing or two about wrestling, Zbyszko should not take this match lightly.” (Gorilla) “Ricky Steamboat may have his hands full with this rulebreaker in the near future …”

WWF at Madison Square Garden Jul 5th, 1983 Vince McMahon introduces the show by hyping the fact that there are three titles on the line on tonight’s MSG card. But first, this … Howard Finkel: Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for me to introduce you to Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, accompanied by his bodyguard, Blackjack Lanza. Mr. Heenan has purchased the use of this ring for the next ten minutes. Our normal schedule will resume after this time. Heenan and Lanza standing in the ring scowling at Finkel and at the crowd who are heavily booing them. Heenan has several large pieces of paper in his hand. Lanza appears to be carrying a scroll. Heenan: Go on get out of MY ring Finkel! You’re eating into my time. And time is time, and money is money. Go on scram before Mr. Lanza here gets angry. The Fink hightails it out of the ring. Heenan: I have purchased this time because things are going to change around here. I am Bobby Heenan, and they don’t call me “The Brain” for nothing. You’re probably wondering why I have bought this time to talk to you peons. Because you people need to know what I’m holding in my hands here. THIS piece of paper here is a contract, it’s a managerial license I have acquired from The Grand Wizard! And THIS piece of paper here is the license of a Mr. Fred Blassie! And THIS piece of paper is the license of a certain Captain Louis Albano! And THIS is the license of a man they call the “Golden Boy” Arnold Skaaland. You know why they call him “Golden Boy”? Cos that old guy hadn’t moved in so long people thought he was made of gold. So you see, from now on: THERE ARE NO OTHER MANAGERS in the WWF. Just me! Bobby “The Brain” Heenan! And you people better get used to that name because you’re going to be hearing it a lot. Show em Blackjack! Lanza opens the scroll which is so long it almost touches the floor. Heenan: Pay attention morons. THIS, this is something I had my lawyers working on day and night. Because you see when I acquired those managerial licenses, I acquired something else: shots at the WWF World Heavyweight title! And not just one shot … ALL of the shots. Bob Backlund, you may be the champion for now, but I have business associates all across the world of wrestling from here to LA to Texas to wherever you can put a pin on the map! I got associates in Japan. I got associates in Mexico. I got associates up there in Canada. Wherever I go, there are members of The Heenan Family to call on and just one phone call can bring any one of them RIGHT HERE to New York. You’re not safe any more Backlund. And ehh, oh, that’s right with my purchase of old Skaaland’s contract I’m YOUR MANAGER. So get out here Backlund! COME OUT HERE! Bob Backlund comes out to the ring looking a mixture of confused and angry. He doesn’t know what to do but looks as if he’s about to punch Heenan before Lanza steps in his way. Heenan: Well here’s the first thing, Bob, YOU’RE FIRED. We have no space in the Heenan Family for the likes of you. You think I don’t know what it’s like to manage a champion? I am the manager of champions, and you’re no champion. You better read the writing on the wall because soon you’re going to be shining my shoes. You’ve got to defend that title TONIGHT. And the challenger can be anyone I choose from any of my associates across the world. That’s for me to know, and you to find out … And you better not be late, chump. Backlund looks angry and appears to be shouting something but cannot be heard because he is off mic and Heenan has the MSG house mic. He goes for Heenan and Lanza but they immediately bail out of the ring and run back up the aisle. Backlund is left in the angry as Heenan points to the contract and taunts him. Dominic Denucci vs. Baron Mikel Scicluna Match: Denucci wins with an airplane spin in 11:33. The match was slow and featured a lot of schtick with Baron Scicluna hiding a foreign object in his tights for most of the duration. Quotation(s) from announcer: “He may not be working out with the same vigour as he once did, but you can never count out the Baron”. Andre the Giant vs. Swede Hanson Match: Routine win for Andre in 3.20 after a bodyslam. Quotation(s) from announcer: “Andre’s schedule sees him going all around the world and it is almost non-stop. But I wonder what The Giant will make of Bobby Heenan’s announcement?” The Magnificent Muraco © vs. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat for the WWF Intercontinental Championship Match: After a lot of action in a close encounter, newcomer Ricky Steamboat pinned Don Muraco in 43:45 with an inside cradle to become the NEW Intercontinental Champion! After the match various wrestlers including Bob Backlund, SD Jones, Jack and Jerry Brisco, Dominic Denucci and Andre the Giant came out to celebrate with Steamboat, lifting him on their shoulders and carrying him out of the ring. Quotation(s) from announcer: “Wow, look at this man Ricky Steamboat, you may have read about him but now he’s set his sights on making it in the big time” “Don Muraco looks a little lost without the guidance and expertise of The Grand Wizard” “This has been a terrific match!” “Oh an amazing moment in the career of this man, winning a title that so many can only dream of!” The Destroyer vs. SD Jones Match: The Destroyer wins by submission with a figure-four in 8:12. The Destroyer spent the entire match dissecting Jones’s left leg. During this match, Mil Mascaras came down to ringside to watch the action. Quotation(s) from announcer: “This man likes to call himself ‘The Intelligent Sensational Destroyer’ and he has a reputation for being a legend in the world of Japanese wrestling. He is known for his scientific style and you can see here against the ever-green SD Jones.” “I wonder why Mil Mascaras is here ...” The Wild Samoans © vs. Jack and Jerry Brisco for the WWF World Tag Team Championships Match: Jack and Jerry Brisco become the NEW WWF Tag-team champions after a double pin-fall in 13:30. Jack pinned Afa after a kneedrop and Jerry pinned Sika after a flying bodypress from the top rope. During the match Afa and Sika were squabbling and accidentally butted heads. Quotation(s) from announcer: “Without the guidance of Captain Lou Albano, the Wild Samoans lack co-ordination.” “Jack Brisco is a former NCAA champion and went his entire junior year without taking a single takedown” “But Jerry Brisco is no slouch in the ring either, and has mastered an array of ariel tactics and has seen a lot of success in the light-heavyweight division.” “When you have the scientific ring smarts of Jack and the agility of Jerry, this is formidable tag-team.” “What a night here at Madison Square Garden! Another change of titles!” Bob Backlund vs. ??? Howard Finkel introduces Bobby Heenan, who comes down to the ring with Lanza. Heenan whispers in Finkel’s ear and looks like he is giving very firm instructions. Heenan hands him a pre-prepared note from which he now reads. Finkel: Introducing the challenger …. This man has held over 25 major titles in professional wrestling … This man is known across the world for his technical wrestling prowess …. Weighing 241lbs …. FROM Beverly Hills, California …. NICK BOCKWINKEL Bockwinkel comes out as Heenan looks smug in the ring. The MSG crowd boos loudly. Bockwinkel imperiously looks at them as he is about to enter the ring. Finkel introduces Backlund who gets a loud ovation. Bob Backlund © vs. Nick Bockwinkel for the WWF Heavyweight Championship Match: After a long-fought struggle, involving strongly contested mat sequences and suplex exchanges and many near falls, Nick Bockwinkel pinned Bob Backlund in 34:00 with his feet on the ropes after Blackjack Lanza punched him with a loaded glove which sent him hurling towards Bobby Heenan who gave him a second blow with a roll of coins. Nick Bockwinkel is the NEW WWF Heavyweight champion. Although some cheered at seeing the title change hands, most of the crowd were silenced by the finish. Quotation(s) from announcer: “Nick Bockwinkel and Bobby Heenan have been associated for a very long time.” “Bockwinkel is a second generation star, his father, Warren Bockwinkel was also a wrestler.” “Nick Bockwinkel has the best possible wrestling credentials and is very experienced.” “Bob Backlund is at a severe disadvantage in this match: he has not been given the opportunity to prepare for the opponent, whereas you can be sure that Bockwinkel and Heenan have been studying video tape of Backlund very carefully. Not only that, but Backlund is outnumbered three-to-one, after losing his manager Arnold Skaaland. It really isn’t very fair at all.” “This is an outrage that Bockwinkel has won the title, there needs to be an investigation into the refereeing of this bout! Bob Backlund has been a great champion and this is a sorry moment!” “This is the first time in wrestling history that all three of the WWF titles have changed on one show. This has been an HISTORIC night at Madison Square Garden.”

Pretty fascinating read.

I think Hogan is very good at selling and excellent at generating sympathy. Better than lots of babyfaces at it.

1970s

They call them Coffeeshops, Johnny.

I did mean AWA, obviously. I'm looking forward to watching some freshly turned NWO Hogan again at some point to assess his character work. Hogan will likely make my list somewhere.

Week update when I get back

He did start crying his eyes out, it was a strange moment in the interview. When I get back from Amsterdam, I'll ask on KM, see if anyone there knows. Sort of place where someone might legit have known Sciculuna personally.

So do we conclude from this that he was lying about Scicluna?

Bock had a different sort of charisma from Flair.

There will always be new footage of Harley Race? Doesn't seem very true to me. If you mean there will always be new footage of currently active wrestlers sure, but that's less relevent than new footage of Terry Funk or Nick Bockwinkel. A couple of new 30-60 minute classics could be enough to move Bock into some people's top 5s. However, fine, fine I didn't expect you to extend it, just have my fingers crossed that most of the best stuff is released before April and he doesn't drop a classic in June.

My main argument was about new availability of old footage.

You say that like it would be a good thing

Watching Billy Graham 77-8 timeline with Kayfabe Commentaries and Sean Oliver. - Bruno wore a hairpiece, a weave. Said Bruno told him that so many of his opponents were so psyched and nervous to be at MSG that they'd often pull at his hair or work stiff with the stress. - says Vince Sr was an incredibly successful promoter and a gentleman, respected and admired by all. Tells the story of fans having homemade t-shirts of SBG and going to Vince Sr to ask about turning babyface and merchandise -- wow, he got that in early, less than five minutes in! Vince Sr said "Well Superstar, I'm really not into marketing ... I I'm just into wrestling and the product." Interesting comment if true. - Eddie Graham and Vince Sr were almost joined at the hip. Talks about the Graham vs. Race title vs title match at the Orange Bowl. It was Graham's idea, because Vince Sr didn't think in those terms, he thought strictly in terms of the North East. But Eddie being a genius could foresee things of this nature. And convinced Senior to pull this thing off. - Vince Sr called him in 1976. Bruno wanted to retire. Says the hard boxing rings had took their toll on him. He wanted Graham to become the interim champion and en for Backlund to be champ. Graham aside him "who is Bob Backlund?" because at that point he was quite unknown. Senior said: "he's an up and coming kid that we believe will be the next Bruno Sammatino" -- I am not calling BS on this on Graham's part, but I struggle to believe that Vince Sr deep down really thought that. Or how anyone could think it. - he had the exact dates already down in 1976 of the day he'd win and day he'd lose. Already set out. Handshake. No contracts or signature. He said of course he'd do it. - why was he brought in to do a TV taping in WWF when he was still in Florida? It was to expose him to the NY market while staying busy and not being idle by continuing to work for Eddie. - Vince Sr introduced him to the Grand Wizard, which caught him off guard because he could do his own promos. Graham immediately flagged this up as a problem. Senior said, "Billy, just do it for me. Just try it." Second time meeting him! Ha ha. Graham made a practical decision to do it because this was such a big deal. He sat down with the Wizard. "We'll share our interviews, but you will also be like a valet for me. Take my sunglasses off. Comb my hair. Primp me. Take my t-shirt off." So it was actually a perfect fit, a match made in heaven. - did he have to change his style for New York? No, because he was never skilled as a worker. He was more of a strength guy. Eddie saw him limitations, and there was never a need for him to become a skilled Ric Flair type technician. They run through some names: - Willie Gilzenberg: wow, I'm excited to hear this! Graham says it's hard to remember because they were so old-school that the office, which was in the Edison Hotel, rat infested on Times Square. Tiny room. They went in there and did the booking. Rows of older gentlemen, who'd previously been in the business who Senior would give a couple of hundred dollars to as a favour. Graham says first time he went in there and saw Senior, Arnold Skaaland and all of these old guys sitting there, it was the most surreal thing he'd ever seen. Those guys booking Madison Square Garden in this little bitty office. He asked Skaaland for two tickets to the main event, and he stingily can barely peel off two tickets, even though he (Graham) was the one selling the building out. He didn't really say much about Gilzenberg. Phil Zacko: he got paid every three weeks by Zacko. When he was champion he signed a contract that said they would take one third of his pay check and set it aside to ensure he got the belt back. In Philly, they'd go into a back room with one lightbulb hanging over head. Senior would be there with Phil Zacko and a book. And he'd cut him a pay check. And Graham says, of course, they were skimming tremendous amounts of money from everyone including himself. He would question Zacko's accuracy as an accountant. But he didn't want to make too big of an issue because of how much he was making (for that era). Graham says that little room in the Phillu Arena with Zacko and the lightbulb was also surreal. Extremely surreal. Vince Jr: personally he was fine with him. Was not pushy, didn't appear to be arrogant. His father ran things, ran the book so he could do the erasing. Claims Senior once told him "always keep your book with a pencil, so you can rub something out". Ha ha. "put the names in ink, but the phone number in pencil so you can erase it!" Words of wisdom from Vince Sr and he saw him use that eraser in that ledger that looked like the tablets that Moses brought down from the Mount. Ha ha ha. Graham has so much charisma. Says it was like a holy book too. But Vince Jr was fine. Other than doing the announcing, at one point Senior gave him the city of Bangor, Maine to run. And they'd have lunch with him there. It was a dark old arena. His father told him that if he can make Bangor, Maine work, he'd consider handing the company over to him, but he had to prove himself. At that time Vince Jr was a very nice person. - Did the tag titles become unpopular? Yes. But the reason why the world title match was in the middle of the card because of a time when Pedro was facing Blackjack Mulligan and a Puerto Rican fan cut his leg from the knee to his hip! That was on last that match, so from that point on they had to protect the main event from the Puerto Rican fans. So they put the title match in third or fourth. I didn't know that. - the tag titles did not draw. - Baron Mikel Scicluna ... Graham says he was one of his dearest friends and tears up at this point. He's legit crying. He remembers It was freezing in the winter time and Scicluna didn't have the money to buy a coat. Graham had just bought a $500-600 leather jacket. Scicluna was broke. They were paying him nothing. Graham took off the jacket and gave it to him, "here brother". Then he went and bought another jacket. He said that always stayed with him. Graham is very very cut up over this and keeps breaking down crying. He said he apologises, because this was humanity. A man who was real and who being treated disrespectfully and not being paid for his earnings. He gave him a ride and Scicluna said "Billy I hate to do this to you, but we have to get the because I'm the first match." I had absolutely no idea Scicluna was so hard up. Makes me feel a bit guilty for all the dozens of times we've laughed at him on Titans. I must pause here, 29 mins in, about 90 left.

Last thirty-five mins or so of Dory shoot. They play the random name game. Slater, Murdoch. What's he doing now with the Funking Conservatory. Says he has two guys nearing prime, Adam Windsor from England. Technically a great wrestler and works as his booker and video editor. Great office guy, but also a great worker. Shills it a bit, but mentions it takes years of dedication to make it beyond indies. Talks about his website, Marti got it built for a couple of thousand dollars. Jesus, it looks like shit! You got ripped Dory. Like the worst mid-90s geosites mypage ever. He thanks the fans and it looks like they are wrapping up. This seems like it was recorded in 2004. And that's it. What's the last 25 mins then? Oh Funks All Japan music. But what's the match? If I had to guess this is the Abby / Sheik 77 match. Yip, sure enough it is.

OJ, do you know what Pete Roberts did when he wasn't working All Japan in the late 80s and early 90s? Did he shuttle back to the UK to work dates or not? Can't find much from him working in UK post-85.

The comment that Dusty thought Luger reminded him of Bockwinkel's kayfabe character was the clue I think. I didn't get much of an impression from Flair that he felt like that though. I can't recall Flair talking Luger during the Highspots shoot, can you?

Just out of interest, where would people rate Vince Sr. as one of the all-time great promoters / bookers? As a guy who had near-complete control of his territory and who knew his audience and how to book to them exactly, he seems phenomenal to me. But then the same might be said of Don Owen in Portlant and Sam Muchnick in St. Louis, among others. At times, however, I feel almost like he might be put beyond criticism. And I wonder about that. How many times was Vince Sr. put to the test? And what did he do to overcome those challenges? I'm genuinely interested in him as a figure in wrestling history. He seems to have known exactly when to pull certain triggers, but I don't know if forcing through his plan with Backlund at the detrimenent of a red-hot Billy Graham was necessarily the right move. He had to prop up cards with Andre and Bruno in 80, for example. I just get the slight impression sometimes that people speak like everything Vince Sr did turned to gold, wasn't he lazy and unimaginative in places?

Luger's story about laying on the bed for a minute just to ensure the $1000 hotel room wasn't wasted had me laughing. The story about Arn's banter and the lengths he went to had me on the floor. It felt like Luger was more one of the boys than we've always been led to believe, because that sort of stuff seems impossible to fake to me.