JerryvonKramer

Week 10 (Mar, Week 2) Challenge: Gave Savage a long match with Eddie Gilbert and have started tagging Arn and Tully some more. Iron Sheik vs. Mil Mascaras was a first-round tournament match. Superstars: This whole show was built around starting the Billy Graham vs. Jesse Ventura feud while paying off the brutal attack on Buddy Rogers from a few weeks ago. Superstar's Supershow Graham: Well tonight bruthas! I've got a match myself. I'm going into the tournament for the greatest of them all, the World Wrestling Federation title! A title that once belonged around my wasit. My guest tonight is the co-host WWF Superstars, Jesse "The Body" Ventura! How are you doing Jesse, you've just come down from the booth. Jesse: Good evening Billy Graham. I just want to say one thing before I start: there are few men who have been more influential to my career than this man right here. I probably wouldn't be a wrestler today if it wasn't for you, sir, and I mean that sincerely. Graham: God bless you, brother, god bless. How have you found being a commentator with Vince McMahon these past few weeks? Jesse: I can't say the same thing about McMahon as I can for you Superstar. He's a real piece of work y'know. I do my best to keep him on the straight and narrow, but a more biased announcer I have not heard. Graham: Do you miss having matches? Jesse: Well now, I am not wrestling as much as I used to, but I am a long way from being retired. I just have no need to step into the ring. I don't need the money. I can get paid to use my brains and my mouth. I was always probably the best talker in this business. Graham: The BEST, Jesse? Jesse: Well if you don't mind me saying Superstar, you were like a pioneer, and I took from you, but I developed it and made it ... better y'know. I'm an evolution. I mean since I came in, you copied all my clothes. Each generation is better than the last. You might be the raw materials, but I'm the innovator! To tell you the truth, I could probably present this show better than you could. Graham: Now wait just a minute Ventura! You're coming here on MY show and saying you could do a better job? *Both men stand up, Jesse points a finger in Graham's chest as he's talking.* Jesse: You know Superstar! Sometimes they say you should never meet your heroes because seeing them in the flesh is a disappointment. And seeing you here, you're ... pathetic! Do you think you stand a chance against Ted DiBiase tonight? You stand no chance because you're a HAS BEEN. You're yesterday's news and that's where I should have kept you: yesterday, in my memory. In my good memories of the man I saw I growing up. Not, not THIS. *Graham is reeling from the string of insults*. Graham: Well now I've heard it all! Don't think for a SECOND you can speak to me in that way. You're NOTHING Ventura. You're a fake. You're a two-bit knock-off. All your career you've been copying me. All your career you wished you could be Billy Graham, and guess what. You're NOT. There's only ONE Superstar Billy Graham BROTHER, and he's standing right here! "Best in the business" you say? You're going to make me laugh now. When you was working in some high school gym I was selling out Madison Square Garden! When you was in the mirror putting that bandana on your head and wearin' that tie-die and pretendin' to be ME, I was winning the WORLD TITLE! You understand me you punk?! *Graham goes to hit Jesse. Buddy Rogers comes in to break them up.* Rogers: Come on now Billy boy, you got a match tonight. You need to concentrate. Jesse: That's right! "Billy boy"! You need to win that match so you don't end up like HIM! *Rogers himself gets angered at this and both he and Graham attack Jesse to a loud pop from the crowd* Disappointing match really. Would have hoped for a higher rating than this. Tried to keep it short to protect Graham, and obviously not having him pinned. This booking might seem like it makes Ted look weak but the Rogers sub-story needed a pay back spot and this was it. Jesse Ventura has left the booth and gone down to ringside while the match is still going on. DiBiase tries to grab Buddy Rogers who is standing at ringside. Rogers gets up on the apron. DiBiase tries to punch him as Graham clobbers DiBiase in the back. Ventura goes over to remonstrate with Rogers. Graham is distracted and DiBiase tries to roll him up. TWO only. DiBiase goes into his tights for a pair of brass knucks but Rogers spots him doing it and gets into the ring. Startled DiBiase drops the knucks. Meanwhile Graham and the ref are distracted by Ventura. Rogers puts on the knucks and lays out DiBiase who is left in the bloody mess in the middle of the ring. Unfortunately, the ref turns around just as he does it for an instant DQ. --- In backstage news, Billy Graham was absolutely furious at the booking of the DiBiase match. He didn't want to take the loss, even by DQ. Also this: Backlund is history.

I have that match **** Goodear and some of what you're saying is built into that rating. Where would you go on it? I did think the finishing stretch was really hot though.

http://placetobenation.com/all-japan-excite-series-5/ Come out to playyyeee!! And get excited, because it's the All Japan Excite Series! Steven and Parv review another four bangas. 06/05/92 - Mitsuharu Misawa & Kenta Kobashi vs Jumbo Tsuruta & Akira Taue 07/05/92 - Kenta Kobashi & Tsuyoshi Kikuchi vs Masa Fuchi & Yoshinari Ogawa 08/20/92 - Mitsuharu Misawa, Toshiaki Kawada & Tsuyoshi Kikuchi vs Jumbo Tsuruta, Akira Taue & Yoshinari Ogawa 10/07/92 - Jumbo Tsuruta & Akira Taue vs Steve Williams & Terry Gordy

Hi Joe, two things: 1. Who is the "Ted" you mention in the Jericho interview? 2. How would you rank the podcasts overall?

Surprising. Why?

John Cena vs Brock Lesnar (4/29/12) This is also from Chicago. Again, no notes from me just going to take it in and review after. Okay this was fan-fucking-tastic. All-time great babyface performance from Cena, all-time great monster heel performance from Brock. Tremendous psychology and superb storytelling. Totally amazing match. Easy ***** And possibly the most brutal match in WWF/E history. Cena's fire and rage in the closing moments is for the ages. One of the most authentic and genuine moments I've seen out of the modern product. So so good.

John Cena vs CM Punk (7/11/11) This is from Chicago, Money in the Bank. I really wanted to enjoy this match more than I did. I didn't takes notes because I wanted to take it in as a fan. Felt very disjointed and spot orientated to me. Something about this style just doesn't resonate with me at all as a wrestling fan. Kick outs can't substitute for psychology. There are some sick sick spots here. Punk's knee to Cena's head. The knee into the gut. Cena's leg drop from the top. But I didn't connect with this at all and can't really understand what the guys in the roundtable were hyping. I don't understand on what planet something like this would get the same rating as Flair vs Steamboat at the Chi-town Rumble. Maybe this is one of those deals where you had to be there, but I was really really disappointed with it. ***3/4

I have a question for the panel .... How do you compare Jumbo vs. Tenryu from 89 with any of the Flair vs Steamboat ones? For me it's comparible but I don't think any of you mentioned it.

Ray Stevens vs. Al Fredericks (1965) Matt D sent me this and it seems like this is the oldest footage of Stevens we have on tape. We get a good ten minutes here, so at least we can get a sense of what he was like in the 1960s: This is JIP after a first fall has already happened with Stevens (the heel) 1-0 up. He takes a tumble to the outside, comes back in, begs off. Signiture turnbuckle bump. You can definitely see a lot of Ric Flair in what Stevens is doing here. One thing I've noticed about Stevens is that he does an awful lot of stooging and stalling. He's a very cheap heel with not a lot of offense. He gets on top now and dumps Fredericks. Punches and chokes. Irish whip into the turnbuckle, and again but it's reversed. Fredericks comes back and pops the crowd. Big back drop. Cover gets two. Goes to a time limit draw which the crowd boos. Fredericks kisses a kid on the way out. Interview after the match and Stevens is on to face Dominic Denucci next! I think this footage might be from Jim Barnett's Australian promotion. Stevens mentions cricket in the promo. My impression of Stevens is that he was primiarily a bump machine. He didn't work a very technical style and in some ways is more of a brawler. He's a kind of scrappy cheating heel, all eye gouges, chokes, punches and rulebreaking. But mostly he bumps around for the babyface. I suspect his rep comes from this ability to bump big. Wrestler most likely found him incredibly easy to work with. But he's not a "smooth" wrestler like a Barry Windham or even, say, like Bock. Let's watch another singles Stevens match before I get back to the rest of him and Bock: Ray Stevens vs. Johnny Karisma (mid-70s) This is from Roy Shires's San Francisco promotion where Stevens was a legend and of course a babyface by this point. Also ha ha Johnny "Karisma". Arm drags by Stevens to start and he works an armbar. Side headlock by Karisma. Into a chinlock. Stevens escapes by choking him over the top rope and using a closed fist. Karisma goes to the arm. Works an armbar. Stomps and kicks on the arm. Have to say that Stevens is not doing a whole lot to sell this armwork. Stevens counters the armwork with some of his own. But Karisma comes back. Batters Stevens's head into the turnbuckle. Stevens comes back with a turnbuckle spot of his own. Hammerlock by Stevens. This is more "scientific" from him. Boot to the arm. Karisma begs off. Comes back with a kick to the gut. Knee lift. Cover gets two. Stevens comes back with punches. Dumps Karisma. He still works like a heel as a babyface, Johnny Sorrow would like that. Karisma begs off some more. Side headlock by Stevens. Karisma comes back with elbows. Stiff elbow by Stevens. Hip toss. Dropkick. Karisma bails. Roundhose right by Stevens. Karisma comes back. Irish whip. Atomic drop by Stevens gets the three. After the match Alexis Smirnoff runs in and beats up Stevens. Ah, the run-in, classic studio wrestling. Shires interviews Smirnoff afterwards. He doesn't have a Russian accent. Or if he does it's pathetic. They show a clip of Stevens attacking Smirnoff at an arena show. I think it's Dino Bravo in the ring who'd lost a match with a hair stip. Back in the studio and Stevens has recovered. He chases Smirnoff off. Stevens says he's going to break both his arms and legs. I thought this match was pretty listless and lacking in any sort of structure. It was just there. Karisma is clearly a limited heel, but Stevens had no real ideas to keep this match engaging and while his bumping is good, his selling just isn't there at all. He also has like zero offense beyond punches. ** The San Francisco TV looks good though.

Week 9 (Mar, Week 1) House show: These house show numbers are still tanking. I am thinking of running a few dates elsewhere: New England is a key market I need to improve popularity in. But I'm also thinking of making some incursions into other territories. I have no TV in Canada, but by virtue of geographical "spill over", the promotion has a modicum of popularity up there. I am also thinking about running a couple of one-off shows down in Florida while I've got Dusty and Brisco -- nothing stopping me doing the TV taping down there one week (other than Eddie Graham getting monumentally pissed off). The TV contracts for Superstars and Challenge are coming up for renewal in May. One of my key targets for that month is to take them off Syndicated TV and onto this Network: This, I think, will be an ideal home for the rest of 1983 and a good platform for going national. GCW is KILLING everyone in TV ratings at the moment. Can't compete with TBS. But moving to Tempo should build enough popularity to at least pitch a new show to one of the bigger networks when the time comes. Anyway ... I mainly used this house show to test Arn, Tully and Savage on the mic. Because of Vince's style of booking, wrestlers are rated more on their overness than on how well they actually do. I actually tried to tweak that a bit -- tone down the comedy a bit, and up the realism -- but Vince blocked me: Arn, Tully and Savage have still only been in the company a month, so they aren't that over still. But I thought the ratings for their promos were quite promising. World Title Tournament First Round: These guys were okay considering Brisco is an outside talent. I was mainly seeing if Brisco could go here, because I want him to work a couple of 30+ minute matches with DiBiase down the line. Just chucked this in to pop the crowd a bit at the end of the night. And yes, there was a screen at the live show. Challenge: As ever, not a lot to say about Challenge. World Title Tournament First Round: Slaughter vs. Putski was a first-round match. They seemed to have good chemistry, but it's Putski so there's a limit to how good the match can be. Mil Mascaras continues to be appalling. I think his match vs. Iron Sheik might be his last for me. Guy has been hopeless. Superstars: So attentions naturally turn more to the tournament this week. Vince: Welcome to another edition of WWF Superstars. And along with me, of course, Jesse "The Body" Venutra. Jesse: Things are a-happening here in the World Wrestling Federation, McMahon. The brackets for the tournament for the vacant world title has been announced! Vince: Yes, and why don't we have a look at that graphic right now. Sixteen great competitors from all over the world are taking part. As you can see, two stars have advanced already! Just two nights ago at a live show here in Carnessa Arena, Jack Brisco defeated The Masked Superstar. Jesse: Well you and I were ringside for that one McMahon and it was a tough and gruelling match. Jack Brisco is a great competitor and he's just one of SEVERAL world-famous wrestling stars to have come here to win that coveted belt. Vince: And on WWF Challenge, earlier on, Sgt. Slaughter advanced to the quarter-finals at the expense of Ivan Putski. Jesse: And Slaughter will face Brisco in the next round. I don't know about you, but I can't wait McMahon!! Think of the clash of styles in that encounter. The consummate scientific wrestler Jack Brisco taking on the master of the alley fight, Sgt Slaughter! Vince: And there's so much more to come. BRUNO SAMMARTINO has officially come out of retirement, as he announced here on Superstars two weeks ago. And as a former champion he has been granted automatic entry into the tournament! He'll be taking on the wily Mr. Saito, a competitor from the Orient! Jesse: And that's another thing about this tournament McMahon, competitors from every corner of the globe. The winner of Sammartino and Saito, an Italian and a Japanese, faces the winner of Mil Mascaras, one of Mexico's biggest stars, and that man from Iran, The Iron Sheik! Either way, I don't like Sammartino's odds McMahon. He's been out of the game too long at this stage. Vince: Well that's your opinion Jesse. We have reports that the Living Legend has been training harder than ever and is determined to go all the way in this tournament. Jesse: But, McMahon, to do that sooner or later he'll have to get through THE ELITE. And they have sent as their representative, of course, Ted DiBiase! Sammartino is coming out of retirement, DiBiase is in the peak of his physical condition. He's in his prime, McMahon. And aside from Jack Brisco might just be the most pure scientific wrestler in this tournament. AND he has something that Brisco doesn't: back up. Vince: It is true that DiBiase looks to be a force to be reckoned with. But look at who he is facing: another former champion, and the host of Superstar's Supershow, Billy Graham! One of the strongest stars here in the WWF. And don't forget that Superstar is still very angry about what he did to the very first WWF Champion, Buddy Rogers! Jesse: I've heard on the grapevine that Rogers is going to be in Graham's corner for the match. But I don't like his odds against The Elite. Graham isn't facing one man, but four. Vince: The American Dream, DUSTY RHODES is on his way from Florida to take on the Ugandan Giant, Kamala. Rhodes no stranger to success, of course, but he will have his hands full with Kamala that's for sure. Jesse: I don't like Stardust's odds, McMahon. Vince: Well, Jesse, right now TONIGHT we have TWO more matches from this exciting tournament. First up, it's Superfly Jimmy Snuka taking on The Crippler, Ray Stevens. Jesse: I'm not his biggest fan, but I have to give Snuka the edge on that one, McMahon. Vince: And later on, ANOTHER former champion, Ivan Koloff is taking on Bruno's friend till the end, Dominic Denucci. Jesse: Hey McMahon, how come the Italians get TWO entrants into the tournament when the Russians, the Japanese, the Ugandans, and the Fijians all only get one? I tell ya it's a CONSPIRACY McMahon. It's like DiBiase says, Sammartino always gets preferential treatment. Having his stooges in the tournament. Vince: Now knock it off Jesse! Koloff as a former champion has an automatic entry. The only former champion who doesn't is Pedro Morales, because he's the current holder of the Intercontinental title. The other entrants are all the top-ranked contenders from around the world. It is all decided on merit not on race! Jesse: Hmmmm... World Title Tournament First Round: The story here is that, as per Ventura's claim, The Elite think that Denucci was a plant in the tournament to try to watch out for Bruno's interests on "that side of the draw". Just a little angle to keep the secondary players in that storyline ticking along. Backstage, Denucci has been moaning that he doesn't want to wrestle anymore and wants to go back to being a road agent. Soon Dominic, soon ... Naturally, Bruno out to make the save to pop the crowd. World Title Tournament First Round: Stevens can still go if it's less than 8 minutes. Snuka advances to the next round. Miss Elizabeth distracts Andre at ringside which allows Randy Savage time to get on the top rope and nail him with a double ax-handle, which also instantly disqualifies Big John Studd who had already been beaten badly by Andre. But Andre recovers and chases after Savage, who slides out of the ring. Andre lunges forwards and Savage throws Miss Elizabeth at the giant as a human shield before running back down the aisle. In his anger, Andre unwittingly knocks Miss Elizabeth flying. He can't believe what has happened and looks distraught. Andre's match with Big John Studd got a tremendous reaction. Andre's overness is ridiculous. Main reason I'm keeping him out of the title picture is that he basically doesn't need the title. He can headline without it. And, if and when Ted does get the strap, he's an automatic opponent for him. There's another reason too though: he keeps getting loaned out by the office to different places. This seems to be Vince Sr's doing and it is largely out of my control, but it does mean -- just as he was in real life -- Andre away a lot and therefore can't work a full schedule like the champ would. Then again, Bruno can't either. They are both "special attractions". ---- I worry that the tournament may have taken some of the fizz out of the Bruno vs. Ted / Elite feud. But since Bruno and Ted have matches coming up there is good scope for some confrontation. But Bruno's first match back will be a big deal in itself. And Ted is facing Billy Graham who will have Buddy Rogers at ringside as a second / manager. He can get a payback spot in by nailing Ted, but ultimately Ted goes over (cheap, a count out or something -- can't have Graham pinned!) The Andre vs. Savage sub-angle will also hopefully get Liz over. Savage can dine out on Andre accidentally knocking her over, while it's clear to everyone else that Savage pushed her. Everyone is right that there's no way Savage can go over Andre or win the world title yet. But he'll also gain popularity faster than most because, well, because he's Randy Savage. I reckon he could be a legit star by the end of the year.

http://placetobenation.com/titans-of-wrestling-44-mid-atlantic-in-the-1970s-part-1/ Parv, Pete, Johnny and Kelly take a break from WWF for the first episode of a three-part indepth exploration into Mid-Atlantic aka Jim Crockett Promotions in the 1970s. On the docket: Johnny Valentine promo (1973) Rip Hawk & Swede Hansen vs. Johnny Weaver and Art Neilsen (1973) Johnny Valentine and Paul Jones promos (1973) Johnny Weaver vs. Super Destroyer (aka The Spoiler, Don Jardine) (1974) Greg Valentine vs. Wahoo McDaniel (9/7/77) (Valentine breaks Wahoo's leg) Promos from Johnny Valentine, Sonny King and Ivan Koloff (1974) Ric Flair and Greg Valentine vs. Ole and Gene Anderson (6/8/77) Highlights include: - Johnny's fanmail and Titans verbal ticks - Info on Art Neilsen and on Johnny Weaver - Fantasy booking "The Spoiler" in 2015 - Discussion of the psychology of promos - Completely random discussion of Barry Darsow, Gene Anderson the Sheriff, 50 Shades of Johnny Valentine, and much much more.

Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel vs Red Bastien & The Crusher (11/20/71) This is from Chicago at the Amphitheatre, Luce tape with Luce on commentary. Faces work over Bock to start. Stevens tags in and does the same. Essentially Bock and Stevens have just been stooging for Crusher for three minutes. Eventually the transition comes and double team the Crusher. Doesn't last long though and soon he's punching out Bock. Slams his head on the mat. Double noggin knocker. Luce is going on about how The Crusher loved pizza! Must have been clipped to death this, but the Crusher looked terrible even in 71. Didn't really see a whole lot of Bock and Stevens, just some stooging and selling. Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel vs Bruiser & Crusher (No DQ/World Tag Titles) (6/30/73) Greg Gagne tells us that Bock and Stevens had held the titles for a record three years at this point. Verne is there too. This is Chicago, Amphitheatre again. It seems that Greg and Verne recorded this commentary in 2001 and they take every opportunity to bury the WWF's current product. As an interesting bit of trivia, Bobby Heenan, who was Bock and Stevens's manager, was barred from ringside tonight. This is 2 out of 3 falls. Bruiser beats up Stevens for the first minute or so, and then settles into a surf board. Double thumb to the eyes by Crusher from the outside while Stevens is still in the surf board. Bock in and he gets double teamed by Crusher and Bruiser. Over five minutes in and the heels have had absolutely nothing so far. This is the typical AWA extended shine sequence. Slam by Bruiser, stomp from the second rope by The Crusher. Double stomach claw by the faces leads to a submission for the first fall. Crusher makes a cover at the start of the second fall and Bock makes the save. There's our transition to loud boos. Stevens chokes out Crusher. Eye gouge. Crusher comes back with an Irish whip. Bruiser on the outside sneak attacks Bock. Heels on the back foot yet again. In eight minutes, they've so far had two offensive moves between them and both of them super cheap. Bruiser works over Bock some more. Offense is very basic. Stomps. Foot on the rope across the chest. Heels finally get a bit of offense in and double team Crusher, who has caught colour from the few punches in the corner. Bock sends Crusher into the turnbuckle for an Irish whip and Stevens catches him with a SWEET punch which seems to knock him clean out. Bock covers for the 1, 2, 3 and 1-1. Crusher is really gushing. Bock attacks the cut with punches and a bite. He comes back with a double nogging knocker and the faces isolate Bock in their corner. Crusher with rabbit punches on Bock. Collision spot. Bruiser covers Stevens and Bock saves. Stevens is busted open now. Bruiser covers, Bock saves again and drags Stevens back over to his corner. Bruiser dumps Stevens. Punches on the outside. Double teaming on Stevens now. Bruiser covers, Bock sneaks up from the apron, grabs a pair of knucks from his tights and the heels retain with a cheap win. Post-match the faces beat up the heels to retain their heat. Ass-backwards psychology. Stevens is absolutely covered in blood. We got double juice here, and this was a brawl, but fuck me Crusher and Bruiser SUCK. Their offense is so poor that there's really not a whole lot the heels can do to make them look good and they give nothing, and I mean NOTHING the other way. Easily my least favourite variety of babyface -- no-selling and limited offense.It also meant Bock and Stevens were just uber-cheap. So this was like a tag equivalent of something like Road Warrior Hawk vs. The Honktonk Man. My least favourite psychology for a match (i.e. super weak heels vs. super strong faces). The thing is though, even if Bock and Stevens had got on top, what could they have done? At least Crusher did a decent blade job. ** Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel vs Red Bastien & Billy Robinson (World Tag Titles) (??/72) Think it's Greg and Verne on commentary again. JIP a couple of mins in. These guys wrestled loads of times, so not sure on the date, but Greg mentions it was 1972 and I believe him. Bock is on offense and he's throwing some nice punches at Bastien. Bastien comes back, and he's got some good fire. Headbutt. Stevens and Robinson go at it while the two of them are locked up in the corner. Bastien has some great punches too. Bock has colour already. Another headbutt. Stevens in. He's got dark hair here. Bastien has Stevens up for a back suplex, but Bock sneaks in and pulls Bastien's leg tripping him over. Stevens lands on top for the three count. Short match. We got to see more of Bock on offense here, although mostly punching. Bastien looked good. Didn't see anything of Robinson really. *1/2 Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel vs Rusher Kimura & Great Kusatsu (AWA vs IWA Tag Titles from Japan) (11/21/74) Incredible upgrade in video quality for this Japanese footage. Two out of three falls. Stevens with who I think is Kusatusu. Shoulder tackle. Kuatsu gets a wristlock synced in. He has a weird face and expression. Bock in. Shoulder block. Suplex by Kusatsu. Bulldog by Kimura!! Three count! Wow, that was some hot action! Kimura looks really good. Bock's selling exceptional. Stevens checks on Bock for the second fall. Heels on top. Double gullotine on the top rope. Ref bump gets a laugh from the crowd. Not sure what happened there, but Bock and Stevens take a quick second fall. I think this must be heavily clipped. Third fall and they dump Kimura to the outside. Bock with cheap offense on the outside as Stevens goes after Kimura. Double teaming now. Kusatsu comes in with a double noggin knocker. And we get the collision spot between Bock and Stevens again. They do the Bushwackers battering ram spot. Abdominal stretch on Stevens by Kusatsu. And that's a submission. I'm not rating this, too clipped despite excellent VQ. But the finishing sequence of the first fall was really good and Kimura looked great. Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel & Bobby Heenan vs Brusier & Crusher (Bloody Cage Match) (??/ 75) This is where Heenan tries to escape the cage to start. Greg on commentary and he goes through sporting events of 1975. Seems like this commentary is from 1987 because he mentions Hennig as World Champ. As per usual it's the faces just guzzling the heels. Finally after about three minutes (including clipping) the heels get some offense in and attack Crusher. He's got colour already. That's Crusher's one trick: he can blade. Bock eats the cage. Crusher pins Bockwinkel. Bruiser still slugs it out with Stevens. Heenan is stranded on the turnbuckle. Crusher and Bruiser grab a leg each. And now the two bullies go to work on him. Crusher throws Heenan into the cage. Bock is covered in blood. We get a second pin somewhere. The faces have won the belt. Blaahhhh, fuck Crusher and Bruiser. Crap. * Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel vs The Crusher & Dusty Rhodes (World Tag Tiltles) (??/??/73) Crusher is going to work on the heels as per usual. Pounding away. Bob Luce tells us that this was meant to be Bock and Stevens vs. Dusty and Billy Graham, but Graham didn't show up and Crusher came out in his street clothes as a stand in. He's pounding on Bock some more. Turnbuckle spots. Stomp. Bock has colour already. Big right by Crusher. Double nogging knocker. I couldn't hate Crusher more. Big right by Crusher. Bock is selling his ass off. Stomp on Bock's face by Crusher. Bionic elbow on Stevens by Rhodes, stomps by Crusher. Elbow drop by Dusty for the win. Dusty and Crusher spot Heenan creeping around and they go after the weasel. They beat him up, of course, in slow motion. Jesus Christ I'm not sure if I can take this. Sorry khawk and friends but the AWA fucking sucked. * Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel vs Brusier & Crusher (08/16/76) Just the last three minutes. We actually get a backdrop by Bruiser here. Bock sells it like a champ. Crusher covers for three. Yawn. Hate. Hate. Hate. Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel Interview w/Bobby Heenan Bock is World champ. Stevens has a moustache. Bock says he's not enamoured with Chicago. Heenan wants to know why there's no street parade for Bock winning the title. Okerlund was on this interview. Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel vs Red Bastien & Billy Robinson (11/6/73) Starts with Bock on the mic. He's not happy with this match. Verne is there. He says last week he signed a contract and didn't read the small print! Headlock take over by Bastien on Stevens to start. Bodyslam on Bock. Uppercut. Robinson in. Commentary is absolutely appalling -- it's Marty O'Neill I think. Just really bad. Robinson goes to work on Bock. He looks good. Heels isolate Robinson. Kneelift by Robinson on Bock. Bastien in. Double knee lift. Stevens kicks Bastien in the head. Rope running by him and Bock. Bock bails. Robinson goes for a Boston crab. Headlock by Bock. Stevens double teams him in the corner. Kip up by Robinson. Bastien back in. Some nice punches by Stevens. Bastien's punches are good, he's a solid fired up babyface. Dropkick by Robinson. Leg sweep by Robinson, butterfly suplex. Fucking cool. Bock in with the save. Punches Robinson out to the floor. Stevens slams Robinson's head on the apron. Kicks him in the head. Bastien is mad. Goes over and nails Bock from the outside. Stevens in and chokes Robinson on the bottom rope. Robinson comes back. Headlock by Stevens and he tags out. Bock in and Robinson with some neat punches. Double teaming by the heels some more. Shoulder tackle by Robinson on Stevens and both men go down. Bastien tags in. Two drop kicks and a big atomic drop on Stevens. Cover gets three. Faces go 1-0 up after ten minutes. Distinct lack of heat in this studio match. Robinson in. Bock in. Big clothesline by Robinson. Bock kicks out of a cover at two. Slingshot spot by Bastien into elbow smashes by Robinson -- cool. Gnarly cover by Robinson. Bastien in with a punch and Boston crab. Stevens with a cheap shot to break it. Robinson in. Gutwrench suplex! Robinson was just cool as hell! Stevens suckers Robinson into the corner and Bock smashes him. Sly double teaming in the corner some more. Bock in. Whips Robinson into the turnbuckle. Stevens in. Assisted backbreaker. Bock in. Bodyslam. Piledriver?? No, Robinson spins out. And again. Bastien in. Flying head scissors. Dropkick. Another one. Robinson in. Tilt-a-whirl backbreaker!! Wow, 2-0!! In about 15 minutes. Non-title bout mind. We get an interview with the faces and two old AWA codgers, one of them is Marty O'Neill, not sure who the other one is. This was an enjoyable match. Bastien looked solid, Robinson looked FANTASTIC and Bock was typically great. Stevens felt like the weak link. ***1/2 -------- So this is a good look at Bockwinkel and Stevens. There is more to come, but right now I have to say that Stevens has been really disappointing. I can excuse him for not really showing much vs. Crusher and Bruiser. But in a 15-minute match against a quality opponent like Robinson (and Bastien, who looks pretty good himself), he showed me nothing really. Bock did the lion's share of the work, both in terms of selling and in terms of offense. Honestly, in all these matches it looked like Bock was carrying Stevens a good bit. If Stevens really was the best worker in the world, it must have been in the 1960s because honestly from what I've seen of 70s workers he wasn't even close on this evidence. Really disappointing. Bock was Bock. Also, I HAVE to see more Billy Robinson. I think Robinson vs. Race from this era would have been a spectacular bomb fest.

Thanks for all of these. Keep them coming guys.

It is actually about time guys.

I actually think Johnny is a lot more willing to criticise things on Titans. He definitely isn't a big matwork guy, and hates guys like Dick Worhle and Killer Kowolski. Sometimes me and Pete will be high on something he didn't like so much. I can't recall a single time that's happened on these reaction shows. AND, when he does try to defend Vince Sr from my attacks on his lazy booking, or whatever, he can always point to the fact that there were 20,000+ people at MSG to justify whatever it is. I will say though, from what we've seen Vince Sr was legit great at booking storylines. He just didn't run that many of them. But that's by the by.

Week 8 (Feb, Week 4) Heading into the TV tapings, Backlund got into an argument with a fan. I wanted to fire him on the spot, but members of the locker room rushed to his aid ... I don't think pissing Vince Sr off is a very good idea, so I just read Backlund the riot act instead. He didn't take it very well. I'm not sure why relations between me and Backlund have fallen down so much, but good riddance to bad rubbish! Just counting down the days till his contract ends. Challenge: Definition of a nothing show. Superstars: So this is where I needed finally to deal with the World Title situation after Backlund's kayfabe injury last week. Also keeping the Elite vs. Bruno and friends feud ticking along. Trying a new opening to the show with Vince and Jesse hyping a match. Got over pretty good. This match needed a bit of explanation too. Vince: Welcome to Superstars everybody, and this week we have a special announcement from the WWF President Vincent James McMahon. Ventura: Nice to see a McMahon with some real class around here, JUNIOR. Vince: But before that, we have a special grudge match ladies and gentlemen, between two veteran contenders -- and good friends of Bruno Sammartino -- Dominic Denucci and the legendary Killer Kowolski; and two members of The Elite, Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard, who are calling themselves "The Brainbusters". What's your prediction Jess? Ventura: It's going to be the experience and knowhow of Kowowlski and Denucci against the technical skills and speed of The Brainbusters. But I must say I give the edge to Anderson and Blanchard here, McMahon. Killer Kowolski and Dominic Denucci are coming out of retirement for this one, so ring rust is going to be a factor. From a booking point of view, I knew this match would suck, but it's about transferring whatever name value Denucci and Kowolski have left into getting Arn and Tully over. And doing it on national TV. And this is why I'm trying to build up Arn and Tully so much, the tag titles are in a hopeless and sorry state. I can't believe how much Atlas and Johnson have sucked. Johnson is destined for JTTS-ville. Atlas can stick around in the IC ranks. At the moment, no option but to keep on picking up these wins as they limp onwards toward Wrestlemania. They can work the Samoans at the next couple of house shows. Speaking of sorry, Pedro is faltering badly as IC champ. This could be a potential use of Slaughter. Or of Snuka. Ideally you'd want both guys in the World title picture, but no harm in having a healthy secondary title. I'm increasingly thinking a plan might be to have Slaughter win the IC belt at Wrestlemania and feud with Snuka over it till Summerslam. Finkel: Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the World Wrestling Federation, Mr. Vincent James McMahon has a very special announcement. Vince Sr: The WWF champion, Mr Bob Backlund, has sustained a serious injury. After several hours spent with the board of directors and in discussion with the New York State Athletic Commission, and afer consulation with seniors and medical professionals ... it is clear that he will not be able to defend the belt within the requisite 30-day period. Therefore, it is with regret and great sadness, that I have to announce that -- in the powers vested in me as WWF President and by the Board of Directors -- I hereby decalre that Bob Backlund will be stripped of the title. The World title is now considered vacant. *Bob Backlund comes out looking very forlorn and limping badly on crutches. He hands over the title to Vince Sr with tears in his eyes* Backlund: I just want to say to all of my fans, thank you. I am sorry it ended like this. Vince Sr: I am personally issuing an invitation to all of the great wrestlers from around the world to take part in a sixteen-man TOURNAMENT to decide the new champion. This tournament will be held over several weeks here on WWF Superstars. With the grand final to crown the new champion taking place at WRESTLEMANIA! As Backlund is hobbling back to the locker room, The Elite pounce him. DiBiase holds down his leg. Savage has a chair and smashes Backlund across the knee with it. Bruno and Andre run out to chase them off. Backlund, yet again, has to leave on a stretcher. Will he ever wrestle again? ---- Planning to Wrestlemania Before this show I went a made some talent trades to make this tournament mean something. All these guys on 8-match loan deals (sending various guys the other way): From Eddie Graham in Florida, I brought in Dusty Rhodes From Jim Crockett Jr in the Carolinas, I brought in Jack Brisco From Bob Giegel in Central States, I brought in Hiro Saito It's a good job I made that deal with Crockett for Brisco when I did because just after the this taping, this happened: They haven't declared outright war, so the Brisco deal is binding, but I can no longer do any new talent trades with them. Tension seems to be rising in the wrestling landscape. Vince Jr is also forbidding me from making any new alliances. So anyway, here's what I'm thinking for the tournament. Taking place on TV shows and house shows with the final match to headline Wrestlemania: At this point, I think Bruno has to walk out of Mania with the title. The only reason there is a question mark is because I don't know if he can still go. He's 47 and this is really pushing it. Going to have to book smart around him. Since I have Brisco (at this point 41) for 8 appearances, I am going to try out DiBiase vs. Brisco as a headline for 2-3 house shows. See how it does. Might see if I can get them to go 40+ minutes, haven't booked any "workrate" matches at all yet. Backstage, the agents seem to think that Ted is the company's number 1 heel. I can also try Ted or Savage vs. Dusty while I've still got him. So right now the plan is: - Build Ted strong. - Bruno over Ted at Mania for the title. - During the Bruno reign, Bruno doesn't work a full schedule, shows can be headlined either by Ted vs. Dusty / Brisco or Snuka vs. Slaughter. - Ted over Bruno at Summerslam - Bruno goes back to retirement The other parts of the WM card in prospect ... - Arn and Tully over Soul Patrol for tag titles, desperately trying to get the Brainbusters a bit more over for this win to mean anything. - Slaughter over Pedro for IC title. - Savage vs. Andre - since Bruno is likely going to win the title, logic says that Savage goes over here, but jobbing out Andre is not something one can do lightly. Will likely do something very cheap here. Count out. Non-finish. Draw even. Andre has an incredible aura so having him lose risks damaging that. So there's four matches for the card. To be honest parts of this roster are starting to look really fucking tired. Maybe ... Pat Patterson vs. Ray Stevens - squeeze the last possible drop out of these two. Patterson is really on his last legs and will have to revert to being a road agent after this. Might not run it, we'll see. Superstar Graham vs. Jesse Ventura (arm wrestling match) - Graham has the talk show, Ventura is colour commentator on Superstars. Ventura goes on the talk show and says he could do a better job presenting it. Graham says he'd be a much better commentator. Ventura challenges him to an arm contest -- winner gets the other guy's job. Jesse wins and the talk show becomes "The Body Shop". But Graham keeps running in, and they have a rematch at Summerslam in which he wins the slot back. Snuka vs. Don Muraco - basically Snuka needs a win and Muraco isn't doing anything else. "Just another match". ---- Oh, and finally, I least I've turned round the financial performance: Turned -$90k into +$100k. Hopefully I'll have a bit less heat from Vince now.

I'm not sure if doing these shows is good for Johnny's mental health. His pained cries of "urgghgh" "oh vey!" etc. at each and every criticism are getting ridiculous.

From the footage of Race I've watched from this era, the face-heel lines were pretty blurry. Dory is not very heelish and works pretty clean. Race isn't quite as bump crazy as he would be later. Race does work face in the match though because it's from Kansas, see here: http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/19186-harley-race/?p=5611517 He's de facto face working vs. Abby in Japan in 76. There's a good ten minutes or so of a REALLY good match between Race and Terry Funk from 77 in Toronto and actually where Race won the title. He's sort of de facto face there too.

Just wants to mention thanks for these updates Joe, they are super useful. I'd never have known about the Buddy Landell one without this column. He's hilarious too. Incidentally, the story about Miss Elizabeth being 300lbs at one time seems like total BS: http://wrestlingclassics.com/cgi-bin/.ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=143172;p=0

Week 7 (Feb, Week 3) A major change to the business model this week. I've essentially cancelled 75% of all house shows because I don't think the company can afford to run so many venues in the same region. Needs a bit of cooling off to build those crowds back up. So running with this for now: If I'm still in the job come September, I'll see about adding dates for October-December. This is both an attempt to cut costs AND to make money. We'll see if it works. Challenge: More quiet building of Arn and Tully here. Heat ever so slightly better for them, but Garea and David Sammartino are a slightly higher calibre of JTTS too. The big news for this show is the debut of Sgt. Slaughter, who I've brought in to have the option of running with him as World Champ or IC Champ. Or if I go with Snuka as Champ, we might do Slaughter vs. Snuka at Wrestlemania. Gorilla: What's been happening in the world of Lou Albano? Albano: The Captain has been quiet these past few weeks. You want to know why Gorilla? I'll tell ya why. I've been recruiting. I've got a surprise for everyone. I've been up and down the country scouting for talent. And look what I've gone and found ... *We hear a whistle* Slaughter: Listen up! MAGGOTS. You scummmm. Sgt. Slaughter is back in the WWF. And I've got one thing on my mind, Bob Backlund! That's right. I want to become the new WWF Champion. And with Captain Louis Albano behind me, THIS TIME. This time maggot you better look out! Superstars: Two big things on this show: more pushing of the Bruno vs. Elite angle and ... Backlund's last match for me. Bruno needed to come out of a segment "on top" as it were. Finkel: Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time, for another very special interview. This has been requested by The Living Legend, Bruno Sammatino! Vince (grave voice): Bruno, a couple of weeks ago we talked about what you've been doing. That was before you were attacked by a group that has been calling themselves "The Elite". Since that time, they also brutally assaulted the former WWF champion and personal hero of yours "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers. What do you have to say about all this unpleasantness? Bruno: Well, Vince, ya know, it's sad day when I see this sport disrespected in such a ... disgraceful manner. Is there no respect left in these young men? Let me tell ya, TED DIBIASE. Your father was a lot of things. And we had some tremendous battles he and I. And he gave his blood. He died for professional wrestling. So what do you think you are doing?! Do you tihnk he'd be proud to see his son attack a man -- the GREAT Buddy Rogers -- a man who is 60 years old? Buddy spent the night in hospital. Are you proud of yourself Ted? Are you and those other guys you're surrounding yourself with happy about what you've done? Can you look in the mirror and say "I did a good job today?" Well LET ME TELL YA, DIBIASE! You've made ONE old guy VERY angry. And that's ME. I was happy fishing with Dominic. I was happy spending time with my wife and watching my boy David progress in his career. I've spent 23 years in that squared circle, BOY, and I got more scars. More aches. More pains. More bruises. Than you even dreamt of in your whole stinking life. But when you attacked me. And then you COWARDS dared laid a finger on Buddy Rogers. You awakened an ANIMAL. And now I'VE WOKEN UP. And you want to be careful what you wish for. Come at me DiBiase. Where are you Savage? Blanchard! Anderson! Come out here and face me you little cowards! You'll wish you'd never been born, wrestling business or no wrestling business. You're going to be fighting for your lives! *Bruno is so angry he's almost frothing at the mouth. Just then someone walks down the aisle. It's Dominic Denucci ...* Denucci: You a, youssa not-a alone, Bruno. I'mma, I'mma comin-a outta retirement too! *Denucci joins Bruno in the ring, they embrace. But there's someone else ... It's Killer Kowolski!* Kowoski: You're not alone Bruno. I never thought I'd say this, but Killer Kowolski is coming out of retirement and he's got Bruno Sammartino's back! * The parade continues ... who's this?? LORD ALFRED HAYES* Lord Alfred: I cannot stand by and watch a good man take a shil-acking like that again. You're not alone Bruno. * And now ... Superstar Billy Graham. He's got Buddy Rogers in a wheelchair and he's pushing him down to the ring.* Graham: I've seen a lot of dark and terrible things over the years in this sport. But what I saw on the Supershow last week is the lowest of the low. And I can't live with myself unless I say ... Bruno, brother, you are not alone! *And finally, Andre lumbers his way down the aisle and to the ring* Andre: Ted DiBiase!!! Randy Savage!!! You make Andre angry. Bruno, you not alone! Bruno poses in the ring with all of his friends as the crowd go wild. The Elite are nowhere to be seen. I brought in Kamala on an 8-match loan deal with Watts sending Pedro Morales the other way. Just coming in to work this angle since Bob's been through Sheik and Koloff already. That's basically it for Bob. You can see where this is going ... Finally, this just happened. Jerry Jarrett has declared war on the WWF. While this does affect my ability to bring in Lawler when I need to, the Memphis territory poses no real threat to me. They are only over in the South East region and have a popularity rating of "F" in the WWF stomping grounds. Conversely WWF only has a rating of E- in and around Memphis, so it's not anything to be too concerned about. If I'm going to invade anywhere, it'll likely be Mid-South given that I have several workers (Ted, Savage, Tully, Andre, Graham) who are pretty over there. But there's no point thinking about expansion when I'm not even drawing that well in NYC.

Overall this was a poor show which reminded me at best of watching a middling Clash of the Champions.

Bryan vs Reigns - basically a massive bombfest. But it did tell a good story with Reigns working a decent and dominant heat sequence before the transition in the liver kick. And then a second transition with the belly to belly on the outside. Finishing stretch with the false finishes was extremely tiresome and I hated that, but what can you do. I did like Bryan's kicks and the submission attempt. Reigns's strikes looked good too. Acoustics must be really bad in that building cos the crowd for the most part sucked yet again. But all in all, quite enjoyable. ***3/4

Probably doesn't need to be said, but the standard of commentary on this show has been fucking woeful.

Cena vs Rusev - I didn't enjoy it as much as most seem to have. I just really don't like the style. And I think it's risky to bitch out Cena to this extent when the Brock match is in recent memory. Anyway, looks like I'm the low vote on this one. ***

Shades of Magnum vs Nikita here. Also love Putin being in the titantron package.