conker8

I'm a long time listener of the Titans and it was a great tribute show to Bruno.

Maestro ?

Outside of Rey Fenix no selling a piledriver, this was pretty great. L.A. Park put on another great performance. I love all of his offenses, especially his headbutts. He hits an amazing tope. Both of these guys took a great bump into the crowd.

Great obit by the guys from SLAM! Wrestling : http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2018/04/19/22776774.html

Triple H has two MOTN in the Superdome.

How was the show ?

René Lassartesse (or Jack de Lassartesse in France) is a big heavyweight wrestler from Switzerland. He wrestles everywhere in Europe and was a Main Eventer. In France, he was build as an arrogant American (blonde hair, chewing gums). We have two matches in his prime : vs. Michel Allary available on Youtube w. Robert Duranton vs. Andre Drapp & Bernard Vignal (a great tag match that I have on my hard drive) Later in his life, he has a great match against Franz Van Buyten from 1987 ! As you can see, he had a pretty long career. He would became a promoter in Germany (William Regal talks about him in his book). I'm sure OJ knows more so he is the guy to ask infos.

Those matches are on Youtube (Bob ALPRA's channel) : 1965 02 28 Gilbert Cesca et René Ben Chemoul vs. The Black Diamonds (Peter Ginsberg et John Foley) 1965 03 12 PEROU CONTRE FRANCE 1967 05 06 Bruno Asquini et Gilbert Leduc vs. Les Blousons Noirs (Claude Gessat et Marcel Mannevau) Four matches I don't think were on Youtube Anton Tejero vs. Walter Bordes (1967/08/12) Michel SAULNIER (27 ans) vs. Petit Prince (24 ans) - BATMAN vs. Teddy BOY (1967/09/30) Jean Corne vs. Jacky Richard - the ring is in a filled swimming pool ! (1977/08/07)

Andre the Giant was announced as the World Champion but he doesn't have a belt. This is a battle of super heavyweights even if there is a difference of 110 lbs between the two wrestlers. Frank Valois was a mentor to André and was also his translator in the U.S. Also thanks to the commentator, I learn that wrestling was still a part-time job for Andre as he was working as a cabinetmaker. The match is pretty good. Valois is that rough veteran who will use cutoffs to take advantage. I love how he works the nose on André at one time. At one point, Valois is trapped in the ropes, a spot that Andre will use later in his career. Andre is ready for the battle and will wrestle straight. He already use some of his trademark spots like when he trapped his opponent between his legs and made the guy hit his butt on the mat. I will add that I thought that Andre had good facial expressions in that match.

This is a championship match for Franz Van Buyten's French Championship. Wrestling greats like Andre Drapp and Gilbert Leduc are introduced then Jack de Lassartesse ("American wrestler"), one of my European favorite wrestlers, challenge the winner. André and Lassartesse had a big time feud in the late 60's. Roger Hanin is also in attendance. The match starts with Van Buyten having a game plan for André. He tries different tactics like putting André on the ground or using his speed advantage. They work the size difference well and the match is a lot of fun with Roger Couderc on commentary. Now, I'm hoping a André - Lassartesse was taped.

He will induct Hillbilly Jim.

What about the first guy to use music when he wins a match ? Was Hogan the first (when he used to pose for the crowd after the match) ?

Yes, the regular TV show. There is only 5 episodes in 1982 (starting 6/27/82) but for 1983, a lot more is available.

Will you review the Fort Worth shows ?

It's on the eighth DVD of the Cornette's tapes. It's the first Steamboat-Flair on that DVD. Also we do actually have the finish : it's on the second DVD. I just put it on Youtube in one part :

Great announcer, great host and, by all accounts, was a super nice guy. RIP.

Don Owen was the promoter, Dutch Savage was the booker during those peak years (1977-1985). You mean George Scott right ?

Japan

Yeah there is also two Terry Funk vs. Abdullah The Butcher from July 1978 (15th and 28th) and two more in 1980.

Flair vs Dusty 1/1/82 is a good one from St. Louis.

Do we know why some matches disappear from the website ? I understand that some matches (like the Ghetto Street Fight) are on WWE DVD but what about a match like Buddy Roberts vs Steve Williams or the Lewin/Hart series ?

Pretty good match. I don't think you should have much hope for Atlanta 1975 footage because that match was from IWA and was already on Youtube five years ago.

Billy (Bob Orton Jr.) & Barry (Jason the Terrible) Gasper.