No poll numbers get on TV without them wanting it to be the way they wanted. They learned from past mistakes. Plus Hogan's name has been uttered quite a bit on WWE TV lately.

That makes sense.

This almost certainly does not deserve its own thread, but a passing thought just occurred to me:

 

Has there ever been a more minor on-screen character play a more major role than the photographer from KOTR 93? This man played a giant part in ending Hulkamania in the WWF, something the combined forces of evil had failed to do in the previous decade.

 

By my estimation this makes him the highest impact player in wrestling history in terms of "minutes on screen" vs. "impact". Who else even comes close?

Tyson comes to mind, but he made multiple appearances.

 

As far as cameos go, that might take the cake. As a kid, I liked to connect the dots and assumed it was Jim Cornette under the beard.

Looks like Hayes and Flair are cut from the same cloth:

Per Court Bauer on the Bauer and Pollock podcast - Michael Hayes suspended for offering Rosa Mendes drinks right when Rosa was coming back from her recent problems. WWE decided it was insensitive, and sent him home for an indefinite period.

Anyone want to start a thread in Pro Wrestling Mostly with pictures of Michael Hayes offering drinks to people at wildly inappropriate times?

Anyone want to start a thread in Pro Wrestling Mostly with pictures of Michael Hayes offering drinks to people at wildly inappropriate times?

If anyone has a good side-profile pic of Hayes' face, send it my way.

This almost certainly does not deserve its own thread, but a passing thought just occurred to me:

 

Has there ever been a more minor on-screen character play a more major role than the photographer from KOTR 93? This man played a giant part in ending Hulkamania in the WWF, something the combined forces of evil had failed to do in the previous decade.

 

By my estimation this makes him the highest impact player in wrestling history in terms of "minutes on screen" vs. "impact". Who else even comes close?

Interesting question.

 

This would be high on the list, with the caveat that he did get a lot of airtime for an extremely minor character over the years:

 

 

It was Earl's debut in the WWF, playing the Fake Dave, and pretty much just a background player in the match until the end.

 

Earl became a fixture as a ref after that. Mostly a background figure for ages, and then we get the Montreal Screwjob as well.

 

Lot's of airtime is the hang up. But from both a kayfabe (ending Hulks original dynastic reign) and non-kayfabe (screwing over Bret), that's pretty major impact for someone who was nothing more than a minor character.

Keep in mind that as an on screen character, Earl was "Dave Hebner" for a few years. I can't remember if Dave did any agent pull-aparts during that period, or only later when Earl was referred to as Earl onscreen.

Which Hebner did Hogan toss over Dibiase/Virgil after the match? IIRC, that Hebner was injured in the fall and that may have ended his in-ring reffing career.

Dave had been a WWF ref for ages. Earl was an NWA ref until really late in 87, possibly as late as January 88.

 

Dave retired as an onscreen character after the incident and Earl became the main ref for the next 15 years or so. At least that's my understanding.

 

I don't know how they transitioned Earl from evil twin to normal ref though. Or even if in kayfabe continuity they are even the same character.

Keep in mind that as an on screen character, Earl was "Dave Hebner" for a few years. I can't remember if Dave did any agent pull-aparts during that period, or only later when Earl was referred to as Earl onscreen.

Those white sneakers with the suit during agent pull-aparts were always distracting to me.

So they had Alberto lose to Ricardo clean on Raw. The guy who is theoretically the number 2 champ in the company just lost to his former non-wrestling manager in about 3 seconds. Fuck it. I'm done. It's a minor thing and doesn't matter, but it should and that sums up everything wrong with the company today. I tried giving them one last chance these last two months. No reason to care about anyone or anything. I'm not hardcore enough to check out the fifty dozen indy feds in the US or Japan and Mexico. TNA and RoH are just as abysmal on a different level. Nice knowin' ya', pro wrestling. You're a cold hearted bitch, but it's been a nice 14 years.

It was a flash pin from behind after a major distraction. Then he proceeded to destroy said manager. Calm down.

 

I have no plans to quit watching wrestling, but "guy gets flash pin then gets destroyed" really needs to go away. It makes both guys look like chumps.

 

Anyway, I hope you guys aren't wedded to your Cena injury fantasy booking scenarios. Per Dave, Cena is expected to wrestle on all the upcoming PPVs and there are no plans to do an injury angle at HIAC.

Which Hebner did Hogan toss over Dibiase/Virgil after the match? IIRC, that Hebner was injured in the fall and that may have ended his in-ring reffing career.

He tossed Earl over the top rope, Earl was the "evil" ref...

I'm tempted to start a thread for this but... everyone has to watch this. Especially the intro

 

 

I love that they are sponsored by malt liquor, milk, cough drops and acne pads. Entertainment for all ages, I guess.

So I'm watching the Monterrey lucha TV, and they have a trios match with Universo 2000, Mascara Ano 2000, and Cien Caras Jr vs Hijo del Dos Caras (Memo from FCW), Sicodelico Jr, and Mil F'N Mascaras.

 

Mil of course can't bump at all anymore, and his arms are so thin now he looks like Giant Baba wearing a mask, but god damn if that fucker didn't get the win with the flying bodypress. Say what you will about the guy, but that was pretty impressive for a guy in his 70s.

I am super excited, and I have no where else to geek out about it, so please forgive me.....

 

I'm Going To The Royal Rumble!!!!

 

It has been my favorite PPV since I watched the first one on VHS with my Dad back in '89, and it has been the one show over the years that no matter where my fandom or financial situation stood, I always made an effort to catch.

 

This year they are having it in Pittsburgh, the first time it has ever been anywhere near where I was, and I ordered tickets this morning.

 

I am super excited!!

Sweet, I got my tickets the other day as well. I figure the Rumble is one PPV you can be reasonably certain will have a finish these days.

There are a couple of other guys on this board going (bigelow34, bradhindsight) and they will be setting up meet ups and get togethers throughout the weekend if you want to PM them.

I've been to the Rumble twice and it's so much fun

Via Imgur, I present the most perfect GIF loop ever

 

When I was younger I always wanted to go to the Rumble. One year I started saving up money in the summer in hopes it would be somewhere nearby. It ended up being on the west coast I believe and I gave up and blew the money on stuff from the WWF catalog. I think it was Diesel shirt, Diesel biker gloves and some pogs. Still have never been, will probably wait to bring my son at this point.

 

Looking through the Rumble wiki page, Flair's 92 Rumble is still the fifth longest time in history and Kane has been in the most Rumbles, by a large margin.

All I know is that it's going to be really hard to resist buying a sheep mask at the merch table, I already have the beard for it.

LuFisto has a strange body shape. Chubby Abs.

Via Imgur, I present the most perfect GIF loop ever

 

I could literally watch Randy Orton get kicked in the head all day. Thank you.