JerryvonKramer

I'm never doing a show with Steven again, or indeed anyone who thinks Waltman is better than fucking Double A.

Fuck off no!

This isn't intended as a knock of Steven, but this was a legit great show and probably a top six episode of the PWSS. I have to say that aside from being a great historian, KrisZ is a really captivating storyteller.

Right. So actually giving them what they want now shouldn't be framed in terms of "appeasement" right? As if it's a bad thing.

You know it's funny because I remember about a year ago making a similar point only to he told by various respected members of this board that Kayfabe was never really a thing and that fans haven't really changed. Kris Z was one of them. Remember that thread?

So Vince Sr worrying about fans rioting at MSG at a Pedro loss was appeasement and lunacy? Vince seems a bit damned if he dies, damned if he don't here.

If reports of Vince"changing his mind" and putting Bryan into a triple threat with Brock and Roman are true ... Is there any chance this was all some weird twisted work for VKM to prove he does listen to the fans?

Chad on Flair vs Vader is beautiful.

Okay, well I accidentally reviewed this for last night's WTBBP (thinking it was the 11/2/91 match) and gave it a ****3/4 rating. You can hear my thoughts on it on WTBBP #70. But right now I have this down as Arn's career singles match and really loved it. I'm actually really surprised not to see it in Loss's Top 100 for 92. Thought this was just awesome.

I did wonder when I mentioned it was 2 out of 3 falls and Chad said it wasn't. Oh well, I stand by my rating for the 92 match. Will give 91 match a full review in this thread later. It does mean that out of 12 matches we reviewed on WTBBP #70, I watched 2 wrong ones! I am blaming poor labeling on the part of youtube uploaders.

Well fuck me. Ha ha ha ha.

Well what's the date on that match I watched?

Fuck, I think we watched different matches.

Okay, Chad, now I'm confused. Did we watch the same match? The version you posted doesn't have Arn's AWESOME entrance. And I can't see Paul E. anywhere. Version I watched is in 4 separate videos.

I've had a lot of competing demands over the past couple of months and so I haven't been able to devote as much time to evaluating footage for this as I would have liked. I've been struggling to keep up with basic watching for podcasts, and I've even had to drop out of certain shows (see upcoming Titans #43). Main changes for me recently: - Jumbo has overtaken Flair as my #1. It is extremely difficult to see anyone finishing above Flair and Jumbo as my 1 and 2. Misawa has a good shot at being #3. - Arn Anderson is now a lock top 20 and whatever happens I will make sure he's there somewhere. - Somewhat related, I've reverted back to tending towards considering "total package" over "great matches" as my main criteria. Candidates do need great matches, but they are FAR from my only criteria. - My estimation of Bruno has dipped slightly, didn't like the Baba match and he's in danger of dropping out of my 100. - As things stand (having seen upto 92), Kobashi will not be in my top 50. He's going to have to become a LOT better over the next couple of years to rank. He hasn't impressed me at all thus far. - John Cena likely will not rank period. I still have a lot to see, but I feel like I've watched as many Cena matches as I have for many candidates and I just do not value the style he works. I don't value it and therefore I don't want to reward it. I don't think we can eradicate style bias from our thinking. - Brian Pillman is someone I need to think about. - Barry Windham will likely finish in top 50.

We talk about Tim Horner a little bit on this show and I've just discovered something shocking: Holy shit!!!

I don't want to "spoiler" the latest episode of WTBBP too much but this is a match I was extremely high on, and Chad less so, although he still liked it. Matt D has written a whole essay on it (great read). This is one where I'm very very interested to see how PWO members would rate it. For me it's probably Arn's career singles match and one of the matches of the year for 1991 (any promotion). Will leave it there, but strongly encourage everyone who cares about pro wrestling to give this one a watch.

Only an hour into part 3, but Charles and Pete laying in the critical heel beatdown on HHH vs Taker is a real highlight.

I don't get any of this"millenial" stuff.

Arn is so fucking great. I don't care about matches, this guy is a lock for my top 10.

Was it just that writer who was allowed to do this? In April, I want to do a one-off show breaking down what makes a great promo. I want to look at some of the great talkers and think about what they do well and what they don't. I want to go super in-depth and even try to categorise different varieties of promo. Different styles. I want to do about 90 minutes of the most in-depth thinking about the art of the promo ever recorded. But I need your help. In research for this, I would like people in this thread to provide examples of what they see as the greatest promos ever delivered, any promotion, any era. What would be especially great is promos that are "off the beaten path". We all know about Hard Times or Austin 3:16. I'm looking for more obscure examples if possible. Ideally in this format: Name of worker: Promotion (and year): Link to promo: Why you think it's great: If someone else nominates a promo you definitely think deserves recognition, then please "second" or "third" it or whatever.

I main money feud I see right now is Heyman vs Brock. I would have them do a turn well before WM. Somehow book Roman out of title picture, Heyman talks about a secret weapon or some such thing and it's ... John Cena! They do a Hogan Bash style turn in which Cena finally snaps and turns in the fans for cheering on a monster ... He shacks up with Heyman, who clearly sees Cena as a big pay check, Bobby Heenan style. Brock just stays Brock but now he's positioned as a face. Brock vs Cena at WM. I see that being the biggest gate, biggest drawing match right now. Roman can get written out in myriad ways. Kayfabe injury, authority screw job, whatever the fuck. Book him out. Bryan? Why not give him a certified show-stealing five-star match with whoever? Can be his Savage vs Steamboat. Goes thirty minutes. Bryan vs winner of Cena / Brock at Summerslam.

Week 2 (Jan, Week 2) A lot more story this week, as I develop the Blonde Bombers vs. Atlas and Johnson feud. Billy Graham's talk show was given the week off to give it the space. It will be back in week 3. Challenge: This kickstarted the big feud as Patterson and Stevens come out to celebrate their title wins and given an interview to Lord Alfred. Patterson: Well let me tell you something, your Lordship. Me and this man here. RAY STEVENS. Just two days ago at Madison Square Garden we showed the world that The Blonde Bombers are not only back, we're the new tag team champions. Stevens: Chief Jay Strongbow and that nothing brother of his we no challenge for a team of our calibre. You know up and down the country, you ask anyone, "who are the best tag team who ever lived." You know what they'd say? Lord Alfred: The Fabulous Kangeroos? Patterson: What are you talking about Fabulous Kangeroos?! They'd say Pat Patterson and Ray Stevens! And you know it, you goof. Stevens: Thirty years me and this man been the best tag-team in the world. Up and down the country from San Francisco to Chicago to New York. We're not only the best, we're the greatest team of all times! Patterson: And I think we need to start getting some respect around here. That start's with you idiots here in the crowd! And Tony Atlas! And Rocky Johnson! These guys been in this great sport two minutes and they think they can win world titles. And you people, you idiots, you morons, CHEER that. Stevens: Show us some respect! Later in the show, Atlas and Johnson respond: Lord Alfred: The World Tag Team Champions, Ray Stevens and Pat Patterson, had some coarse words for you earlier. How do you two gentlemen respond? Johnson: Well let me tell you something Alfred, I seen these two guys back in Los Angeles and make no mistak, they can teach you a thing or two about tag-team wrestling. But who are they to say that me and Tony have no respect? Atlas: All we've ever done is pay our dues in this business. It's a slap in the face when a guy like Pat Patterson or a guy like Ray Stevens can say that I have no respect. We respect all the competitors in the WWF, and we respect all of you fans who come here and pay good money to watch us in that ring. Johnson: But I want to make it clear to Mr. Stevens and Mr. Patterson that respect don't mean a damn thing when it comes to me and Tony whooping their behinds for those tag titles. We are in this game to win championships, and ain't no one going to step in our way for that - not even the great Blonde Bombers they selves! Atlas: Right on brother, right on. Superstars: This was a special show because it had a big angle after the third match. Patterson and Stevens run in and attack Atlas beating him down. Stevens grabs the house mic as Patterson continues to beat on Atlas. Stevens: What did we tell you, BOY, about showing us some respect? Well now old Pat here is going to show you the meaning of respect. Patterson takes off his belt and wraps it around his fist. Stevens: What did you think? That you could just walk in here. Into OUR ring. Into the Blonde Bombers' ring and act like you own the place? Wrong. Patterson whips Atlas with the belt. Stevens: Think again boy! Patterson whips him again. Stevens: You're going to end up like that fat good for nothin' Indian, buried in a heap on the floor tasting your own pain! Rocky Johnson has seen enough and runs in weilding a baseball bat. Patterson and Stevens bail. Philly Spectrum: Rocky Johnson cut this promo in the aftermath of the attack on Atlas: Lord Alfred: Rocky Johnson, it is a a sad day here in the WWF. What have you got to say aobut the heinous actions of The Blonde Bombers? Pat Patterson had his belt and he was ... whipping your partner Tony Atlas with it. Johnson: What I saw last night was a travesty. Obviously, Tony can't be with us tonight. He has sustained some serious injuries, but he thanks the fans for their support. And let me tell you two so-called "legends", Ray Stevens and Pat Patterson ... let me tell you this. R - E- S - P - E - C- T. You came out here and you talked about "respect". Well any respect we had for you two is now GONE. You can't just whoop someone like he's a dog. 'specially when that man is my PARTNER, Tony Atlas! You made a big mistake when you two done that. When we've finished with you, that's what's you're going to be ... FINISHED! Also on this card, I tried the old 3 vs. 1 Andre handicap match: Tiger Chung Lee notably underperformed and I fired him immediately after the show. Here's another little situation to keep tabs on: Was it Sika not selling or Backlund? If I see this note crop up too many more times, Backlund might be giving the belt up sooner rather than later. On that score, I made bids for: Rick Martel - didn't come, thinks WWF are "too small" Jack Brisco - ditto Ricky Steamboat - didn't want to be tied down to a long contract Randy Savage - something about breaching an agreement with Mid-South. I think it was my exclusivity terms, will try again. Jim Cornette - SIGNED! Tully Blanchard - SIGNED! Jesse Ventura - SIGNED! And finally ... Okay, so two great workers in and two great talkers. Ventura and Corny have solved one problem ... Will have to think about what to do with Tully and Ted ...

Week 1 (Jan, Week 1) After all of that, I have now completed my first week of booking. A fairly unremarkable week really. Just need to get these first few out of the way, until I can start bringing in the talent I really want to push. This week's Challenge and All-Star were both the definition of "nothing" shows. I messed up my booking pattern by accidentally putting the star heel over on Challenge and the face over on All-Star. I also realised that firing Charlie Fulton has left me one jobber short. Rene Goulet was also working elsewhere tonight so Iron Mike Sharpe had a lot to do. I noticed the logo for All-Star there says "All American". I think I'm going to change the name of the show to WWF Superstars. I prefer the idea of that being the A-Show. And AWA also have a show called All-Stars. I ended up just sticking the Three Wise Men on Billy Graham's "Superstar's Supershow" on both TV shows. And looking at it I'm thinking I need an adjustment to the booking pattern: Only Superstars will have the Superstar's Supershow -- it's a nice tie-in with the name and it's the "A show". Challenge will plug the gap by showing video packages and featuring at least one promo. My first MSG card drew only 10,000 people. I couldn't resist immediately putting a heel team over the Strongbows and have gone with my plan of Patterson and Stevens going on "one last run": A little worrying that Patterson was tired after a 12 minute match. This run won't be very long. I also tested out Mascaras in the special attraction slot and had him work a 2/3 falls "Lucha Libre Exhibition" with one of the Riverias. It was a disaster: I am close to firing Mascaras. He is bringing no value at all. This is a real under performance. Backlund actually did a good job carrying Afa to a decent match. Captain Lou did well on his promo. But this was a poor show. Storylines My plans are still quite short term at this point. I'm running three stories: 1. Blassie pits various guys -- namely Koloff and Iron Sheik -- against Backlund. This is a Vince Sr. style placeholder feud till I figure out what to do about the world title. I will see who else I can bring in who might be managed by Blassie for one shots or two shots. Generally will look for foreigner types. But before then, Backlund will face Sika at the next Philly show. 2. Don Muraco tries to win the IC title back from Pedro. Yawn. But until I can get someone like Tully or DiBiase in, the IC title scene is going to be this. 3. Then there's this in the tag ranks: The basic set-up will be that Patterson and Stevens don't think they are getting the respect they deserve as "legends", and also don't like the attitude that young punks like Tony Atlas have in this day and age. They will cut a few "back in my day" type promos, which will have some subtle but inevitable racial undertones. Atlas and Johnson will fire back with innuendos about Patterson and Stevens's sexuality. I foresee a nasty brawl ending up with a bloody cage match. EDIT: I've moved all events and tapings now to Monday night to avoid clashes with GCW who are annoyingly running all their shows on Saturday. At least this way, I won't have Ivan Koloff and Rene Goulet buggering off when I need them.

Scouring the unemployed market I don't really want to be sharing wrestlers with other promotions and wherever possible will be tying up exclusive contracts and eventually written deals. The midcard is looking a bit thin, so I want to see who I can pick up on the cheap by seeing who is currently out of work. Let's see what notable names are about ... Dominic Denucci - although Titans legend Dom has just retired, it wouldn't take much for him to don the tights again. I've made him an offer. He's asked for a reduced schedule because of his declining health. Oh look who approves of the idea ... I've got to find a role for him. I'm thinking opening match of Wrestlemania ... Dominic vs. The Baron for one last time! Made him an exclusive PPA over. Earl Hebner - better ref than Dave. And the two Dicks aren't getting any younger. Made him an exclusive PPA over. Doug Somers - hmmm, he has heel JTTS written all over him and I'm not overly keen on Rene Goulet. Made him an exclusive PPA over. Gary Michael Capetta - but of course, who else is going to do the intros on the Philly cards? Made him an exclusive PPA over. Haystacks Calhoun -- hmmmm, he's retired and at 48 is old but I'd like to see him in a special attraction, perhaps even tag him up with Andre. Made him an offer for THREE appearances. Jerry Valiant - the tag ranks are looking alright, but Atlas and Johnson will need contenders, especially after I get rid of Tiger Chung Lee and the Samoans. For now I've just shortlisted Jerry -- Johnny V is also available but he's retired and I think injured -- but if I could theoretically get him to wrestle, they could come in and do a job, and know the territory well. Jerry can also transition into a JTTS slot if need be. Low priority acquisition. Killer Kowolski - he's retired, but with a psychology rating of 95 looks like he'd be a terrific road agent, made him an offer to do just that. Also, I could always ask him to step in the ring if things get desperate! Paul Boesch - hmm, he's 70 and I have a lot of road agents and George Scott is around. I won't bother him. Roy Shire - as above, also Shire is a difficult personality and could cause trouble in the locker room. Spiros Arion - hmmm, he's 46 now and retired, but he's over in the territory and could still work and he has had successful runs in the past. I think I'll try to bring him in as a short-term challenger for Backlund. Offered 3-month deal on light schedule. Tor Kamata - another Titans legend, semi-retired. He might make a better partner for Mr. Fuji. Shortlisted, but holding off on offer for now. Toru Tanaka - OR I could bring in Fuji's proper long-term 70s partner. He's 52 and is still fully active. I want to fire Tiger Chung Lee badly, so I've made Tanaka a 6-month offer to work tags with Fuji. He's on a reduced schedule because of his age. And that's it. Pretty slim pickings there. Beyond these guys it was very weak names. Guys like George Wells or Terry Orndorff. Sal Bellomo. No hopers. The roster is feeling very old to me. It looks like I'm going to be forced to try to poach some talent from other promotions ... EDIT: Oh, Arion, Tanaka and Calhoun all said they didn't want to come and feel the WWF are "too small". Really? Well fuck you then. On top of that Vinnie Jr has spoken ... Wow, ha ha ha, very nasty about David Sammartino -- well no worries boss, I have no plans for the punk kid. And I'd never hire a luchadore anyway! Does this mean I should fire Mil Mascaras? RE-EDIT: Dominic, Capetta, Hebner, Kowolski, Mike Jackson, and Doug Somers have all signed though. Somers takes Goulet's place as a heel JTTS and Goulet becomes a heel pure jobber. Israel Matia - fired Charlie Fulton - fired