BigBadMick

Yeah, it's a pity JR still crowbars in his rants, even when Hansen said he doesn't watch today's product. Great interview, but I felt like it only scratched the surface. I'd love to hear Hansen speak more extensively about Japan, but an interview like this always seems to lean back on generalities.

Is it just me or are a lot of people saying Austin had the potential and ability to have loads more great matches in 1998-99, even if they didn't occur? And, the fact that they didn't occur - because they could have - in no way hurts his standing as an all-time great? I'm not trying to be a dick here, but that's not making sense to me....

'But if TV matches really matter so much, Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee wouldn't be all time greats. Most of their TV stuff is very solid but it was the arena matches that brought them to the next level. I just don't think that looking at TV matches to rate a guy is the best approach.' Maybe, Tim, but I come back to the point that Austin had much better tv matches prior to and after 1998-99. I think if Ric Flair had a two year spell in the 80s were his in-ring tv output was this low, big questions would be asked......

Ok ok, don't shoot! Can I ask though, how many good matches did Austin have on Raw in 1998-99? I can think of a few, but tend to remember those years as very angle-heavy. I like to think of my all time greats having good matches on more than just PPVs. And I know it's not Austin's fault if he didn't get the opportunity to have matches, but that in itself would make me think he's thus an all timer in spite of, rather than because of, 1998-99....

I would argue that, regardless of being less over, Austin was better in-ring in 2001 than 1998-99.

Phew, bit of a mouthful there! I've been reading a lot of Anti-attitude era sentiment on here lately. Or, if not anti-Attitude, at least you-had-to-be-there-Attitude. If I'm correct in saying Attitude era at it's worst is accepted as 1998-99, how does Austin hold up as an all time great? I ask because I never see Austin's standing diminished due to this timespan - did he do enough before and after to avoid falling in people's eyes? Also, what about Undertaker, Rock and Foley? I could understand Undertaker having enough afterwards to remain in people's good graces, but the other two?

That's interesting. Sometimes I wonder how much wrestling I'd watch if I didn't get to share thoughts and read the thoughts of others. I'm sure that's true of most hobbies though.

Tremendous! How can anyone hate on Alvarez? That was great I'm sure he's a nice enough person but I find him insufferable. That voice, the pointless, erratic change of pitch, his long winded rambling.......

Cool, I was wondering how you got all those US releases. Silver Vision were fairly skimpy with the 80s, only really releasing the PPVs and Hogan/Warrior tapes and a few others IIRC. I wondered what was wrong with Rumble 88 - I knew it existed and that Bret was in for ages but it was nowhere to be found on tape here.

Cool, thanks.

Where's the PWO-PTBN podcast network? Can't see it on placetobenation.

Yes, Justin, agreed. I said this the Gorilla Monsoon thread when Fuji was first brought up. It always felt like Gorilla put him over huge. Did you ever have the CHV called "Brains Behind the Brawn"? When I was collecting in the early 2000s, this was one of my sacred gems cos it was very hard to find on UK Pal and it's one of the ones I ended up paying over £10 for. This was one of the very few places to see the footage of One Man Gang becoming Akeem. Anyway, THAT put him over pretty big as well. I think there might be an argument to say that Fuji failed in the role he was put in. I mean, he was put over big on commentary, and featured as a big deal, but always came off as being second rate. One of the interesting things about that tape is that -- similar to the older "Amazing Managers" tape -- the featured managers were all seen on a level parity. It's Heenan, Hart, Fuji and Slick and all four are treated on a par and the sort of schtick of the tape was that Miss Elizabeth trumped them all. Wow Parv - over ten whole pounds! Actually, what was the going rate for vhs's in the early 2000s? Andd how many tapes did you collect? Any chance you could put a few photos up? It would be nice to see what memories come flooding back.

Maybe, Kelly. This is an absolutely hilarious show. The Morton Downey Jr show sounds like a riot, and the post battle royal interviews all sound very dignified indeed.

Re: the legends Battle Royal. Wasn't that the match that Angelo Poffo was excluded from, which led to Randy harbouring longstanding anger towards WWF? Definitely heard someone saying that somewhere along the way.

Agree on point 3 there, Parv - on everything in life. Nothing's given time to settle.

Well why didn't he just say that then?!

But then, nothing he said makes any sense.........

One other thing about Tony - was anyone else thinking 'Hi Tony, instead of defending Heenan's right to trash you, pick up the f***ing phone and call him!'?

This isn't a good shoot. Brodus is very much a WWE apologist, and gets increasingly frustrated with the questions asked (exactly the type of questions he should have expected on a KC Youshoot, by the way). He doesn't like the idea that anyone is 'buried' if they're on tv every week, he argues that because there's so much content it's only natural that some of it will suck, and his only comments on heat backstage concern some lightweight squabbles with Hornswoggle. I'd imagine that WWE brass would have absolutely no problem with anything he says here. Having said all that, he's quite a funny witty guy, and likable too. This is just the wrong forum for him.

During the WCW Tag Title match at Spring Stampede 99, Tony seemed to get nostalgic for southern style tag wrestling and was happy to see it's application with Benoit/Malenko v Raven/Saturn. Also, he spoke very fondly of Windham's early days and rapid progression as a worker during either the SuperBrawl or Uncensored 99 tag match. These two quieter, less hyperbolic moments from Tony in 1999 suggested to me a love of old school Crockett wrestling and a hint of dismay at the product he was trying to push at the time.

Another good one, lads. I watched this event in the early hours of Christmas morning, 1991. Still holds a special place in memories. Liked getting the WONs in there. Always thought the three strong matches carried it, and there was plenty of enjoyment in the main event too. And the crowd was insane!

Well Chad, you've got a family to support now, just like Mick. Perhaps you'll agree with him again - you'll be chasing the big bucks too ;-)

Can't say he hasn't been guilty of all that. The money thing is negated to me - somewhat - by his charity work. Also, as far as the thin skin goes, I get the impression he flies off the handle then thinks things through and comes out the other side with a more reasonable, thoughtful reaction. He's very good at stating both sides of any argument he's had with WWE over the years and sounding rational overall, in my opinion. That's mostly from podcasts and even the 2004 RF shoot.

I think it was more of an effort to represent as many starrcades as possible on the set. But three Road Warriors matches is tough going. Oh, Steamboat v Blanchard is missing too.

'Don't try to market yourself as different and the man of the people when you have the same tendencies as most other people in the industry.' How do you mean? Just asking, I'm curious and don't know what you're getting at.