Ricky Jackson

1984 WWF really shows you what a major talent infusion can do as far as turning a stale product around. From Nov 83 to Jan 84 a veritable all star team comes to New York. Hogan, Piper, Valentine, Schultz, Orndorff, Adonis and Murdoch, Iron Sheik, not to mention Mean Gene and George Scott (not exactly sure when he arrived). Plus Jesse Ventura, Heenan and JYD as 84 went on. AND the cool factor of Cyndi Lauper and MTV in the summer of 84. Yeah, 83 was a territory running on fumes, especially the main event scene, but even then you had arguably the hottest babyface in the country in Snuka and the arrival of Slaughter and Santana, all major contributors to the 84 renaissance. The turnaround is similar to 1982 to 83 WCCW, a territory that went from comatose to red hot in a matter of months also due to a major talent infusion (and one all time great angle)

I've been going through a bunch of stuff the last few months but nothing has motivated me to do any reviews like I did with Thor. Still lots of 70s stuff. Finally started Master of Kung Fu and it's pretty great. Finally read Omega the Unknown and it was just getting really good imo when the plug was pulled. The attempt at a wrap up in Defenders was pretty crappy. Still plowing through Astro City, only 3 volumes to go. Still going through Kirby. Challengers of the Unknown is a bit slow going so far, but I really liked the first 7 issues of The Eternals. For a little non-superhero stuff, I'm reading Blazing Combat, the Warren war mag from the mid 60s. It's really good, and I will likely finally try Creepy next. Also read Life on Another Planet by Will Eisner yesterday and enjoyed it. Plan on hitting up a Spirit collection I got from eBay a while back soon. My read next "pile" includes 70s FF, more random Marvel miniseries from the 2000s (next up, Bullet Points), Joe Kubert's Enemy Ace from the 60s, the last volume of League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and the last half or so of Lee/Ditko Dr. Strange that I started many years ago. Oh yeah, i finished the Englehart/Brunner/Colon Dr. Strange run and it was quite good. Plus I'm reading the giant Fred Hembeck omnibus (digital copy) here and there. I think that covers it

I love the spirit of AEW, and I love what AEW symbolizes: a rejection of a banal, corporate, and creativity bankrupt entity like WWE and it's souless, micro produced, crappy version of pro wrestling. I dont even really watch wrestling anymore, beyond occasional get togethers on Zoom to watch old stuff with friends, so as far as caring about anything, I kinda just live for seeing WWE's vision of wrestling fail and be challenged. I'm totally petty. Of course Vince and WWE will ride off into the sunset with billions of dollars and a cash in to NBC or Fox or Disney or whoever and nothing AEW does will really affect them in any way. But at least pro wrestling will live on and thrive independent of the Stamford machine, which wasn't always a given in the last 20 years or so Stay strong @MoS

Great moment

First wrestling show I've watched since May 2020. (not counting old stuff) I agree, Jericho is horrible on commentary as a babyface. What's the point? Neat little late career moment for Christian. Wasn't sure why Jamie Hayter had to be disguised for her run in like it was some huge shock reveal, but I'm totally out of the loop, so what do I know

Yes, I saw it many years ago. They also have a really good Spectrum match. Great pairing

https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2021/08/12/dominic-denucci-dies/ Probably a name that is only familiar to many as Mick Foley's trainer and maybe an old dude from early 80s WWF. He was actually a major star in 60s Australia when that territory was on fire, before settling in for a long stint in the Northeast as one of Bruno's main paisans. On my old podcast, Titans of Wrestling, Dom became kinda a mascot for us, appearing as he did so often in the Backlund era WWF we were reviewing. Actually has some pretty awesome matches on tape, including a tag with Victor Rivera vs the Blackjacks from 75 that is one of the wildest brawls from old WWWF TV, an equally wild TV brawl vs Hussien Arab (Iron Sheik) from 79, and a really good match vs Greg Valentine from June 79 MSG. Now you can continue your feud with the Baron in the big ring beyond

This has been bugging me, but I wont sully the Eaton thread. Am I the only one who gets a bit annoyed by Meltzer/Observer always having to qualify praise of Eaton being "one of the all-time greatest" with "between the ropes" like there's an asterisk on his greatness (*not a great promo)?

Too bad it took them so long. I would've gladly given them my $, but have since found alternative means

I've mentioned this several times over the years--I would love to see some of the Savage vs Eaton matches from the late 70s. Apparently they worked 60 and 90 minute Broadway's. Great info on Eaton's early career

Thanks man. It will be discussed

Such a great outpouring of positive memories for Bobby on Twitter. Some of the greatest I can recall for a wrestler passing. Awesome performer. Some day I need to dig into more of his deep cuts RIP

All I can say is that the promo/angle he did with Mr Wrestling II from 1980 Georgia is pro wrestling at its finest He was a major star in the 60s with the original Assassins tag team. Feuded with Dusty for years and years RIP

Cheap plug for @Superstar Sleeze and myself doing a 5 part series on 1978-87 WWWF/WWF https://forums.prowrestlingonly.com/topic/52428-pro-wrestling-love-is-now-a-ptbn-podcast-series/?do=findComment&comment=5958222 Tons of awesome

I enjoyed that run when I read it 20 + years ago. I was on a pretty big Bryne kick at the time. Man of Steel was a great modernization of the origin imo. It was interesting in that it was clearly influenced by the 1978 Superman movie, but would end up itself influencing the eventual Lois & Clark TV show in the 90s. The main Superman title was good, although I remember it petering out at the end. Action Comics, which became a team up book, had some highlights as well, depending on the guest

Not a bad idea at all, and it leaves Hangman still needing a win over Omega as a continuing quest

Yeah, no point half assing Hangman's ascent. When he wins, he needs to then be presented as the unquestioned number 1 guy. I think you can stretch it out a bit and have Omega have his dream matches with Danielson and Punk, because the fans do want that. Maybe have Hangman win the strap on a year ending show to go into 2022 with a fresh start, although I guess you may want to do that match on PPV

Ha! Wait until you hear what else I omitted on a future ep

And recorded on one of the hottest days in the history of Canada!

As far as vs Backlund goes, there are five matches at MSG over a 5 year stretch: *2/19/79 3/26/79 10/19/81 *11/23/81 *4/23/84 The starred ones are must see. There are also two Spectrum matches, 12/12/81 and 1/16/82 (cage) worth watching if you can find them

Sometimes you have to work with people you don't like. Once a week, where you don't really have to be in contact with each other, isn't a dealbreaker

Well, they could push that Cena is going for #17 and breaking the tie with Flair. Look, I dont watch WWE, and haven't outside of a few big shows for many years, so maybe I'm wrong and Sexton Hardcastle is winning the strap tonight

Reigns is facing Cena at Summerslam? No point beating him for the first time in forever before that

Totally agree. I got into Astro City around 98-99 and it's been one of my all-time fave series since completing the first volume. Back then, and through the 00s, the publishing schedule was often pretty spotty, but I always came back to it, even when I wasn't otherwise reading comics. I've finally found the last few volumes and am in the process of completing the series (almost done vol 13). Love how characters introduced in passing back in the first few volumes eventually get their stories fleshed out 10-15-20 years later. This comic is the ultimate in rewarding patience

Aw come on, Bruno broke his neck against Hansen in 76 and that match was still a banger... I kid. I know Rock was injured and I do feel a bit bad for shitting on the match. Still, I think the point stands on that run being lackluster