Ricky Jackson

Really? Talk about a clash of styles/philosophies/era's. Sort of like when Austin and Doink crossed paths at that Slammy Awards show.

I know I hated this Rumble at the time, with the rushed entries and forgettable characters, and it especially felt poor following a run of 4 or 5 good to great Rumble's in a row. I haven't seen it since 95 and really have no desire to ever see it again. The really quick Bushwacker elimination (Luke, 4 seconds) happened at the 91 Rumble, although both Luke and Butch were eliminated from the 95 Rumble quickly (12 and 19 seconds respectively). Honestly, until I checked wikipedia to refresh my memory, I was unaware the Bushwackers were even still around in early 95. And yes, Murdoch was in this Rumble (lasted 5:08).

Although it sounds so stupid, maybe the plan was to have Flair lose, get buzzed, and come back repackaged as Spartacus. Glad they went with Robocop as the draw instead.

Even though it was only two years ago, I totally forgot the Cena/Orton match ever happened. Was it any good?

Come on now, details on specific instances. It's funnier that way.I wasn't clear, it's not "stupidest babyfaces" it's stupid things they've done. For Sting, it has to be teaming with Flair, who he had feuded with on and off for 7 or so years, not to mention previously being burned when he trusted him back in 1990, to face Pillman and Anderson at Halloween Havoc 95. A 3 year old would have looked at that situation and said to Sting "You're a dumbass if you think you can team with this guy and not have him betray you in the end".

Great stuff so far. I knew Patera started in the AWA, but I didn't know about his Mid-Atlantic babyface run or his first heel run with Watts.

Slaughter wrestled as Super Destroyer "Mark II" in his early days.

I think the Spoiler/Jardine was Super Destroyer in Carolinas (also AWA).

There seems to be a fair amount of 70s Stampede kicking around, or at least the late-70s/ early-DK and Bret era. I'm no expert, but there also seems to be plenty late-70s Georgia TBS stuff, and some Crockett, Florida, and Memphis, among others. Isn't there also a fair amount of AWA from the 70s around? Or is most of this territory footage hidden away in a vault in Stamford? Anyway, I think a decent set could be made of (at least) 75-79 wrestling and it would not have to be overwhelmingly WWWF/Japan. Unfortunately, most of the big house show matches from the main territories were never filmed, so it would be mostly TV angles and matches.

I'm not sure it was the hottest period ever, as I've read that the 70-73 period was maybe the hottest as far as having the most territiories doing record business at the same time is concerned. Also, many once thriving territories like LA, San Fran, Detroit, Vancouver, St. Louis, Amarillo, and Montreal either declined greatly or outright died during the 77-84 period. That being said, it was still a pretty hot era, and in the last few years I've really come to see the 77-84 period (I would even say 75-85) as perhaps the most exciting and diverse period ever. WWF, Crockett, Georgia, Stampede, World Class, Memphis, Toronto, Portland, AWA, Mid South, Florida, etc. all went through super hot periods with tons of memorable characters, matches, and angles during the time, of which I've barely scratched the surface when it comes to watching certain territories. And this is not even factoring in Japan, England and other countries. Just a really fun time, and sometimes I wish I had been old enough to have been a fan then (born in 77, but not a fan until 86).

I was thinking the same thing as Jerry. I think there is no doubt Buddy being a jobber/joke in many fans eyes during his last national run will likely effect some voters opinions. I think Buddy getting in will depend heavily on how many voters are open to seriously evaluating his career through watching the available footage of Buddy's best matches/angles/promos. Also, Dave's excellent bio on him from a few years back made him look like a million bucks and really made a great case for him being a HOF guy, which should improve his chances somewhat for those voters who have read it. I know reading it opened my eyes big time to Buddy and led me to seek out his career highlights. Personally, I'd love to see Buddy get in, but reversing years of negative or underwhelming opinions on a wrestler can be a massive hurdle to overcome. I think Patera and Blackwell, as well as others I've mentioned like Rich and Slaughter (other than his contoversial run in 90/91, he was not big time player after 85 or so), all fall into this area to varrying degrees.

The supposed main event of Lockdown 2012 does not sound very appealing on paper.

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss....

Just a random late-night observation, but it almost seems like there is some sort of HOF bias against a lot of wrestlers who did well in the 1977-1984 period, but whose careers dropped off after that point, like Rose, Blackwell, and Patera. You could also add Mr.Wrestling II, Tommy Rich, Sgt. Slaughter, and maybe JYD to that group. Of course, I'm sure there are plenty of exceptions.

This is seriously what they are charging for a mask? What a fucking rip-off.

Good. Honestly, I think I'm more interested in seeing the Bad Company vs Funks (w/Mike Shaw!!!) match from that show.

One of my great regrets as a wrestling fan is failing to attend this card even though I lived in Calgary at the time. I know I've seen clips of the show (maybe only when they aired on the local news), but does anyone know if there is any good footage of this match and card in full out there?

I think it is also ironic/interesting that Cornette, the "B" Memphis manager, is in the HOF, and the RnR's, the "B" Memphis babyface tag team, will likely get in, while the "A" manager (Hart) and "A" babyface tag team (Fabs) are not in the HOF and may never get in. I'm not sure how it would work with the Fabs since Lane is already in, or if they even had a HOF run together, despite being very influential.

Maybe the bad timing of Jimmy being involved in a less than spectacular babyface run with Hogan just before the first class was put together, and the general malaise of his career from about 91/92 onwards, contributed to him being overlooked. I know his late-WWF/ WCW run made me forget about his glory days for a long time.

This is a great match, one I believe holds up well today. I can still remember watching it on Raw during the early days of it being broadcast on TSN in Canada, when it was on late at night on a Friday or Saturday (this would not change until early-97). I guess airing the match on TV was a ploy to sway viewers away from Nitro. Anyway, I look at this match, along with the debut of Goldust and Hart regaining the strap, as a symbol of the awakening of the WWF in late-95 after the long coma that was Diesel's run on top. I had missed most of 95 and was just getting back into wrestling when this match aired. The addition of blood, at a time when it was extremely rare in WWF rings (first juice since Mania 8?), helped kick things up a notch, as did Davey's use of the powerslam on the floor and Bret using la magistral for the pin. Just a fantastic match in my books. Totally different and more exciting than their more famous encounter in Wembley.

No Jimmy in HOF.

Exactly. Also, if we accept this statement as true, did Lesnar really draw more pro wrestling fans during that period than Cena? Sure, Lesnar headlined huge drawing shows, but only 6 in total over those years. Cena must have been the main draw (sorry, it's not just the brand, despite what Vince wants everyone to believe) for what, 25-30 PPV shows, at least, over that same stretch? Yes, they did not draw the monster numbers of the UFC shows (though the Mania's did), but even if Lesnar averaged 1 million buys for the 6 to total 6 million fans, and we assumed ALL of those fans were also pro wrestling fans (obviously not), a Cena average of, for example, 250,000 over 25 shows = 6.25 million fans (ALL pro wrestling fans). The Cena number is also being conservative. And, of course, this doesn't take into account the fans Cena drew to house shows over those years. Any way you look at it, there is NO WAY Lesnar drew more pro wrestling fans. I think Meltzer and others are so desperate to push through the whole MMA=Pro Wrestling agenda they have become totally delusional.

He has such an awkward writing style. So hard to read. More power to him if he is getting paid to write about wrestling, but God I hope not.

I remember reading somewhere (probably Meltzer) he was one biggest stars of the old 60s/70s Australian WCW promotion when it was on fire. I know Perez was basically dismissed as being a non-factor as a draw unless he was teamed with Rocca. Otherwise, I don't know much else about the guy other than he receives little to no respect by historians, despite the fact only a dozen or so guys in New York/WWE history were part of more big drawing main events.

Well, I didn't even spell his last name right, so obviously he was a nobody in pro wrestling. Seriously though, his career was simply too short to be seriously considered, despite any great strengths he had as a performer. There literally must be 100 candidates with better resumes. Still, based on how the winds are blowing these days, my gut says he gets in.