Ricky Jackson

But what's the story with ECW exactly?

No. 95% of the book is on his career up to 1984. The rest is quickly covered in the last 20 or so pages.

Jeez I provided the harshest criticism, hopefully I'm singled out for at least a piledriver

Even better as a Flintstones character

I think it may be too soon to pull the trigger on something like that, but could be something to try in 2017 if Reigns continues to build momentum and Cena invests more and more time in movies.

I don't even know how you could make that comparison, honestly. 1. It was the 1970s and '80s. Are we really comparing that to current WWE? Come on. 2. Andre was never the World Champion (not counting the DiBiase/evil "twin" ref angle). 3. Andre did not beat Hulk Hogan (again, not counting SNME). Brock, however, did the equivalent by breaking the Streak. Andre was a special attraction who was used like one. Brock, however, held the WWE World Heavyweight Title hostage for months and has not built a single new star. If and when Roman does beat him, it won't matter and won't mean anything. Why can't we compare 70s-80s wrestling to today? Whatever, it seems to me that you personally just don't like Lesnar. He held the title hostage? Seriously? Was it really a bad thing that the Champ wasn't wrestling on every Raw and PPV? Why not let someone have an aura for a change. Someone whose appearances are rare and thus important when they do appear, instead of being on TV like everyone else. And why can't we count Andre beating Hogan and being the man to end his 4 year reign? Just because of the twin refs? And if Reigns beating Brock won't mean anything, then why does it matter to you if he hasn't "built a single new star"? If putting over a rising talent doesn't make them a star, then what does Brock have to do to make it happen exactly?

Lounging on the couch, as it snows outside in Vancouver, watching 1975-76 WWWF for fun and I came upon this little gem... Johnny Rodz/Baron Scicluna/JoJo Andrews vs Andre the Giant/Johnny Rivera/Jose Gonzales - 3/31/1976, Hamburg, PA (televised 4/10/76 All-Star Wrestling) What an awesome collection of JTTS talent on the heel side! Andrews was only 19 years old here. He would go on to play Kasavubu in 1978 Stampede (featured on the recent Network tease footage) and would die tragically when he was only 26 in 1982. He has a great look, like someone taken straight from a Blaxploitation crime movie. He bumps pretty well too. Pre-match, Andre posing with his partners is one of the best wrestling related things I've seen recently (and I've seen all the big WWE moments of the last few days). As far as the action goes, Baron is in full "phoning it in" mode here. Rodz is decked out in some nice, festive-looking green and red full-length tights, but his punches early on are embarrassingly light. Andrews displays some nice comedic selling. Andre is so young and quick, I love it. He isn't tagged in during the first 5 minutes or so, building anticipation. Finally, he gets the hot tag and we get a marvelous Andre House O' Fire! Finish sees the faces make a pile of the heels and all three make the cover Great, silly fun from the mostly lazy 1976 WWWF crew. I could almost smell the cigars and musty atmosphere through the screen

Pretty sure the clean sweep Rumble win by Brock has zero chance of happening

In a way it's like saying Andre the Giant in the late 70s and early 80s was counterproductive because he only wrestled a few times a year in the WWF and never lost. Having a true special attraction like Lesnar in this day and age is a great thing. And when he is beaten clean by Roman Reigns, which I assume will happen in 2016, it will be important. I really don't see how he's hurting the rest of the roster

That's not bad that's freakin awesome!

Oh it's a great read. That's one of the few instances where he comes across a bit naive. The other significant one involves a car ride with Dusty and the Brisco brothers...

But then told him he was going to drop the strap to Diesel a few days later because, with Randy Savage leaving for WCW, Vince had no choice but to create a new star ASAP. This comes from Backlund's wonderful autobiography that I just finished. Of course, Savage wasn't being used as a draw anymore in the WWF at the time he left, and Diesel was being groomed for a big run for all of 94 before getting the strap. Backlund doesn't question the sincerity of Vince's excuse in the book and just moves on from there. Just thought I'd share that since I've never come across it anywhere else

I thought he sold the beatdown fine. I mean at the end the ref even checked his pulse to see if he was still alive

Loved the main event too. I think the best Balor match I've seen

Great way to end a great year for Bayley

Fuck yeah

This chant for Bayley is beautiful

Loved the Jax - Asuka tease

Corbin vs Crews was ok. Seems to suggest Corbin is being primed for the title eventually, or at least a feud with Balor

Hmm. ..that makes sense. I haven't got around to watching it yet. I could have sworn there was a poor quality version of it on youtube years ago though

That was great

This could be the heels triumphant show to set up the babyfaces revenge on the next big one

Great match. Finish deflated the crowd because they wanted Enzo and Cass to win so badly. When they finally win the straps it will be a great moment

Great false finishes, a subversion of typical main roster pins as someone pointed out recently. Great showcase for Asuka

Ha...couldn't even be bothered to go to a show in your own backyard. The chants would've likely drove you crazy though ☺