Ricky Jackson

The Dusty Rhodes vs Superstar Graham matches from MSG (9/26 1977 and a Texas Death Match on 10/24 1977) are not exactly "great", especially compared to a lot of the other matches already thrown out, but in terms of capturing a big mega-clash between two of the top stars of the era at one of the top arenas for wrestling, they should be seen at least once. The crowd heat is off the charts, and it really showcases just how hot Rhodes was as a babyface in the 70s. There are also several Sammartino matches from the 70s out there that are similar--not masterpieces, but fun to watch for the heat and often for the heel he is matched up with (try the Sammartino vs Arion Greek Death Match from 4/14 1975). Backlund matches too, of course, as have been mentioned. And a young Vince on commentary for these matches adds to their appeal.

I guess they feel he doesn't need protecting because he's so over, or something. Really, they haven't protected their top stars in the traditional way since the mid-90s. Austin, the Rock and Undertaker lost way more than Hogan, Warrior or Savage. Even Hart, Diesel and Michaels were protected better. HHH is the exception I guess, but even he has jobbed more than the stars of the past, especially in recent years.

I'm so out of the WWE loop that I didn't realize Survivor Series is tonight until a couple minutes ago. Looking at the card, I wouldn't mind seeing the top matches.

I just saw an opening where I could flex a little of my historical knowledge. Continue with the Cena debate. (For the record, I think it is obvious the WWE has revolved around Cena for 7 years and I really don't see how he has been under-utilized. Often poorly booked, yes, but not held back at all)

The 187 sellouts for Sammartino at MSG (or other such really high numbers I've seen thrown around) is, as far as I know, an exaggeration. I think the real number is closer to 45 or so, basically the same as Backlund or slightly less. Sammartino may have main evented 187 MSG cards in total, but that sounds high, even though it was over a twenty year period. Sammartino was a super hot draw of course, but you have to consider things like the fact that he stepped down as the main drawing card from 71-73 (Morales) and from 77-80 (Graham and Backlund, before returning for a last hurrah against Larry Z), and that the 65-68 period was relatively cold for NYC, with no TV in the area for a few years and very few sellouts, etc. Edit: Using Cawthon's site, I counted 125 main events for Bruno at MSG between 63-80, with about a dozen or so possible others where he wrestled on a card during Morales and Backlund's runs and I'm not sure what the pushed main event was. I know he also headlined cards during 60-62, usually as Argentina Rocca's partner, that are not listed on Cawthon's site. Anyway, even when taking all that into consideration, there is no way Bruno headlined 187 MSG shows, let alone sold them all out, as a look at the attendance figures shows.

Will FLIK be brought down by tigerpride's devious attempts to suppress his rebellious spelling of whear and thear? Find out on the next episode of PWO Main Event Wrestling!

Take it to your grave, FLIK.

I second that request.

The clippings include ads for live shows in LA, Detroit (drew 4,138 to the Olympia, apparently more than a closed-circuit of a Forman/Frazier fight a few months prior) and Toledo in addition to the ones I already mentioned. The weird part is the Detroit and Toledo shows have virtually the same live card advertised. No St. Louis, but I may have missed something/I'm sure there were others not included in the clippings.

After looking at the first few clippings from the time of the match it is funny/sad to see Inoki's name misspelled so many times in the ads from the US newspapers--"Inoke", "Inoko". Very interesting co-promotions going on in some areas--in Houston at the Astrodome you could watch an Astros/Reds ballgame and then stick around for the closed circuit broadcast ("On 6 Giant Screens") of Ali/Inoki and Andre/Wepner.

Wow, that is freaking awesome JNLister. Thanks man. Shooters is on my must read list. I might even treat myself to a copy this weekend.

I think that is the shoot reason as well. Muraco was known during his career for wrestling for a while, then heading to Hawaii or wherever, where his heart truly was, only to return to wrestling after burning through all his cash.

Actually the correct answer is the cardboard cutout of Don Muraco.

Yeah, I've seen that one. It was in the 70s episode where they were discussing the supercards of the decade and the Shea Stadium shows were brought up. The 76 Shea show featured a closed circuit broadcast of the Ali/Inoki match following a live card that was headlined by the Sammartino/Hansen revenge match, with Andre vs boxer Chuck Wepner underneath. This reminds me of a question I wanted to ask. Does anybody know which territories other than New York did joint closed circuit-live card shows in conjuction with Ali/Inoki? I know San Fran was one and the AWA as well, but I can't think of any others off the top of my head. Bonus marks for those who can supply attendance figures Edit: after some quick research--GCW had a card in Atlanta with the ubiquitous 70s match of Jack Brisco vs Dory Funk Jr on top of the live card.

I've begun work on a project that may or may not ever see completion, but as part of it I've decided to research this strange encounter between wrestler and boxer from 1976. I've done some basic research so far, and I plan to sit down with a beer or two and watch the whole match soon http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xu7t5_muh...nio-inoki_sport (poor quality, but the only complete version of the match I could find online so far). Anyway, I would appreciate any opinions and insight on the story surrounding the match from the learned folk around here. I know the basic overview, but am far from an expert on the subject. Full credit will be given if this project is ever to see the light of day of course. Thanks

I remember watching this when it aired, but I don't recall it ever leading to anything, even a SNME match or MSG match, much less a proper feud. I could be wrong, 1990 was during one of my wrestling sabbaticals where I only caught a few things here and there. Edit: It was a house show feud that went around the horn from Jan-March. No TV matches but maybe a Coliseum video match somewhere, I'm not sure

I'm thinking he would have been paired up with the Grand Wizard again if he was still alive in 84. Albano was just a substitute choice I guess. Blassie seemed to be only managing foreign heels, and Piper managing him would have maybe been considered too illogical considering their feud in 83, even though it happened for Crockett (and yes I know their feud was acknowledged on a Piper's Pit and they "buried the hatchet").

How did Sexton Hardcastle do this time around?

Can't wait until Vince tries to "stick it" to the Dems with some lame ass, self-indulgent skit on Raw.

Could it be...

HHH for President in 2020!

This random episode of TNT from 1984 sounds a million times more interesting than any WWE TV in 2012.

This sounds like such a wonderfully strange match. (Coincidently, I took out a book from the library today called Wrestling`s 101 Strangest Matches)

"Ted DiBiase fucking with a stripper/Bitch pay me stacks, I'm the cocaine dealer" Lil B, "Jerry Rice" That one is for you, Jerry. Also, this is so great:

I`ve found it best to generally avoid WWE from September through December in recent years. Although this year I`ve avoided most everything since May. Things will pick up in the new year. I think. Maybe.