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Post by Cernunnos on Jan 16, 2013 22:11:32 GMT -5
Wow, Bockwinkel was AWA Heavyweight Champion when he was in his 50s. Age is an amazing factor when considering the overall quality of Bock's work. Verne didn't give Nick his first run as AWA World Champion until he was age 40. From then on he would main event with the belt for the better part of the next eight years. When viewed in that context, most of the footage that has survived his run is extremely high end relative to what most of the talent his age was capable of doing. A credible argument could be made that Bockwinkel at this stage was at par with (if not better than) Ric Flair at the same age (early to mid 90s). Shoot. I saw the Curt Hennig documentry and they were talking to someone about his first title shot against Bockwinkel, and they guy watrned Hennig 'Don't let Bockwinkel control the pace of the match. If you do you're gunna regret it.' Sure enough Hennig let Bockwinkel control the match and he came back to the lockeroom all bloody and out of breath. lol! He then was like 'Yeah... never gunna let him do that to me again!' lol! |
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Post by LWPD on Feb 8, 2013 20:23:09 GMT -5
This was from Rikidozan's JWA (Japan Wrestling Association) promotion. Already a headliner, Giant Baba is seen at age 29 with just a touch under 7 years experience. Several years into his first tenure as WWWF World Champion, a touring Bruno Sammartino is seen at age 32, with about 7 years of ring time. There isn't much in the way of non-WWF footage of Bruno's work, most of which shows him after his physical prime, working in commercially successful punch/kick brawling formula matches. In contrast to that, this stands as an example of his ability to credibly work a sport orientated, mat-based style not often seen in his later runs. A worth while viewing.
Bruno Sammartino vs Giant Baba 7/3/67
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Post by LWPD on Feb 17, 2013 10:23:38 GMT -5
This was from WWF Wrestlefest 94, which was taped as a Coliseum Home Video exclusive. Bret (36 years old, a 16 year vet) was firmly entrenched as a top tier singles star by this point. Owen is seen at 28, with just a touch under 8 years of ring time. The Steiners (Rick age 33, 11 years in/Scott 31/8) had been together as a full time unit for just under 5 years. A rare 'face vs face' structure dream match, that was given a surprising amount of time. A standout effort by all involved, with Scott even pulling out a wicked Steiner Screwdriver!
Bret & Owen Hart vs Rick & Scott Steiner 1/11/94
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2013 14:56:30 GMT -5
That's the only time he did the Screwdriver in WWF, isn't it?
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Post by LWPD on Feb 27, 2013 19:29:06 GMT -5
Classic Memphis style wrestling, as two local heroes do battle in a rare 'face vs face' program. Southern Champion Jerry Lawler is seen at age 32, with 12 years of ring time. Challenger Dutch Mantell was age 32, with 9 years under his belt. Watch for some of the best worked punches and high end brawling spots in the business, layered with amazing ring psychology before a super hot sold out crowd. Much like a real fight, the finish comes out of nowhere, with one man going over clean!
Dutch Mantell vs Jerry Lawler 3/22/82 'No DQ'
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Post by LWPD on Feb 28, 2013 20:30:24 GMT -5
Bret Hart vs Andre The Giant 4/10/89
This was from a WWF tour of Milan, Italy. Bret Hart is seen at age 30, with 11 years of ring time. Andre The Giant is seen at age 42, with 26 years experience. In context, this match came about at the request of Andre, who was looking to help elevate the singles prospects of a long time friend who was trying to breakout from the tag ranks. A fun match, which serves as a reminder that even when ATG was well past his physical prime, he was still an excellent worker, who knew how to mix his patented Giant spots with some solid crowd psychology. RIP
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Post by LWPD on Mar 3, 2013 10:40:59 GMT -5
Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane vs Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose 1/22/89
This was from the syndicated NWA Main Event show. The Midnight Express (Eaton & Lane) were led by Jim Cornette, and had been a full time team for about 2 years. The Original Midnight Express (Condrey & Rose) first formed in '81 (with Norvell Austin as the third man) and initially had an impressive 3 year run before Dennis & Bobby began their multi-year stint. A fun match, with four vets who were expert at working all the niche elements of tag wrestling. Watch for the JC/Heyman cluster spot at the close, a reminder that Paul once had a bit of athleticism in him.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2013 16:41:36 GMT -5
Bret Hart vs Andre The Giant 4/10/89This was from a WWF tour of Milan, Italy. Bret Hart is seen at age 30, with 11 years of ring time. Andre The Giant is seen at age 42, with 26 years experience. In context, this match came about at the request of Andre, who was looking to help elevate the singles prospects of a long time friend who was trying to breakout from the tag ranks. A fun match, which serves as a reminder that even when ATG was well past his physical prime, he was still an excellent worker, who knew how to mix his patented Giant spots with some solid crowd psychology. RIP This is a really fun little match, it's also on the new Bret Hart DVD that comes out on Tuesday. |
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Post by LWPD on Mar 4, 2013 19:51:15 GMT -5
Sheepherders vs. Fantastics 4/19/86This was from Jim Crockett Promotions, a Quarter-Final match at the first annual Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament (dedicated to the memory of Jim's father, the original owner). In context, the Carolina territory had a long history of promoting tag team wrestling, at times over and above singles competition. That made the idea an easy sell to veteran JCP fans. There were three Crockett Cups in total (86-8), and the full events include many impressive full time units across a variety of promotions, and the action includes some hidden gems. The footage is worth tracking down for fans of the genre. The Fantastics were comprised of Bobby Fulton (25 years old, 9 years ring time) and Tommy Rogers (age 24, 6 years experience). By this point, the two had been a full time unit for close to three years. Running on 22 years together, Luke Williams and Butch Miller both broke into the business in 1964! While this footage is clipped, these four had worked together on numerous occasions in several different promotions, and pull off an excellent sprint pace brawl with all the bells and whistles. Look for cameos by flag bearer Jack Victory and the somewhat bizarre Lady Maxine!
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Post by LWPD on Mar 10, 2013 19:19:09 GMT -5
Jumbo Tsuruta, Yoshiaki Yatsu & Masa Fuchi vs Genichiro Tenryu, Samson Fuyuki & Toshiaki Kawada 1/28/89
This was from All Japan. A precursor to some great things to come. The Olympians (JT and Yatsu) defend their turf alongside loyal lieutenant Masa Fuchi. Young gun Samson and a spunky Kawada combined to form the team of Footloose, a cornerstone of Tenryu's challenge to the status quo, The Revolutionary Army. 1989 was the year of the Tenryu super push, and as team Captain, he is seen in full bad ass mode. Watch for a three minute closing sequence, with the upstarts working at blitz speed and throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the stalwarts. While clipped, its still a hidden gem that mysteriously carries the rare 5 star label from Dave Meltzer. YMMV
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