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Post by LWPD on Aug 1, 2012 19:36:38 GMT -5
Here's a good example of old school layered storyline telling. This was from WWWF Championship Wrestling circa December of '79. In late November, without prior notice, heel Intercontinental Champion Pat Patterson had his contract sold by manager the Grand Wizard, to Captain Lou Albano. In real life, Pat was among the best workers in the industry, and was coming off a very successful main event run with WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund. The goal was to flip him, so Pat could build the next heel challenger to BB, while creating fresh programs with the roster's heels, worked second from the top and headlining B cards (with Albano, Patera, Muraco, Slaughter) around the loop. Television played up the angle that Patterson was unhappy working for Albano, with the Captain expressing the sentiment that he didn't care. This culminated in a six man tag featuring face team Ivan Putski, Dominic DeNucci & Larry Zbyszko, against the Albano managed heel unit of The Samoans & Pat Patterson. Watch as Captain Lou Albano refuses to allow heel in peril Patterson to tag out, prompting an attack by his charges and the 'betrayed' Patterson's justified 'face' turn. An angle that paid dividends for an extended period of time.
Pat Patterson Face Turn Angle 12/4/79
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Post by LWPD on Aug 4, 2012 18:48:35 GMT -5
This was from Georgia Championship Wrestling circa early '84. In what appeared to be the end of a back and forth feud between friends turned enemies, Ted DiBiase had defeated rival Tommy Rich in a Loser Leaves Town Match. Immediately thereafter, a mysterious masked man arrived on the scene under the moniker Mr. R. This man wrestled like Tommy Rich, wore similar clothing, had the same physique and sounded like him during promos. An enraged DiBiase, believing this man was Tommy Rich, offered to put his National title against Mr. R with a similar loser leaves town stip...only to fall victim to a mid match surprise that was pulled off by ol' Tommy Rich and a young Brad Armstrong!
Ted DiBiase vs Mr. R 2/18/84
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Post by LWPD on Aug 16, 2012 20:13:29 GMT -5
This was a classic from March of '92. One of Hogan's best interviews as he prepares for a match with Sid Justice at WM 8, possibly his last!
Vince McMahon/Hulk Hogan Interview circa WM 8
"Well than whether or not this is your last match, I'd like to say on behalf of all of us, your Hulkamaniacs, thank you for the memories, thank you for the inspiration, and thank you for Hulkamania!"
-Vince McMahon to Hulk Hogan
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Post by Phoenix on Aug 16, 2012 20:48:04 GMT -5
i have that one on tape from way back then!
i don't know that i consider it classic though. It was one of hogan's many retirement teases.
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Post by LWPD on Aug 18, 2012 17:46:44 GMT -5
This was from the Lawler/Jarrett owned USWA promotion. A rare cross-promotional angle shot exclusively for Memphis TV, featuring Vince McMahon as a heel promoter.
Vince McMahon/USWA Promo circa '93
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Post by LWPD on Aug 19, 2012 17:12:18 GMT -5
This was from WCW circa 11/92, a segment designed to sell an I Quit Match between Ric Flair and Terry Funk at the upcoming Clash of the Champions IX. A textbook 'well done' soft sell teaser of the lead program. To his credit, Flair was effectively pulling double duty as both an in ring headliner and head booker backstage.
Funk's Grill: Terry Funk 'In Studio'/Ric Flair 'via Satellite' 11/3/89
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Post by LWPD on Aug 25, 2012 18:32:45 GMT -5
From Bill Watts Mid South promotion circa '83. This was the set up for the very successful JYD/Reed program that ran around the loop. Looking back, BW sure knew how to strategically push the buttons of his target audience in ways that probably wouldn't be welcome in today's PC environment.
Hacksaw Butch Reed Turns Heel
"That's why our people right now can't get to the top, because crabs just like you..."
-An angry Junkyard Dog scolds his friend Butch Reed moments before the two come to blows
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Post by LWPD on Aug 30, 2012 19:18:49 GMT -5
An old favorite from just over a decade ago. The Rock and Stone Cold work together to sell an upcoming PPV, and sing a little Jimmy Buffett on the side!
WWE Attitude Era circa 11/12/01
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Post by LWPD on Sept 2, 2012 17:13:41 GMT -5
When watching old Memphis TV segments like this, even with bare bones budgeting and no professional writers on staff, the quality of the content still astounds me. Lance Russell as straight man, Tommy Rich as a boisterous heel, Jerry Lawler tells an effective story that segues into a teaser attack that's designed to sell a future payoff that only comes for fans that buy tickets to the upcoming house show (and for years they did, the formula consistently worked). All accomplished in under ten minutes!
Lawler/Rich Angle Circa May '87
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Post by LWPD on Sept 3, 2012 17:36:25 GMT -5
One of the more bizarre programs in recent WWE history was the Hulk Hogan/Shawn Michaels pairing circa Summer '05. These two did not get along in real life, and their Summerslam match was infamous for HBK (who was upset about Hogan's insistence, citing creative control in his contract, that Shawn job cleanly) mocking and overselling the Hulkster's moves. Here are some clips of the HBK hype vignette, SS match highlights and the notorious post match Shawn Michaels 'shoot promo' where he lets Hogan know how he really feels about him. These two legends would never work together again!
Hype Video: Shawn Michaels Imitates Hulk Hogan
Summerslam 2005 Higan/Michaels Match Highlights
HBK 'Shoots' on Hogan after Summerslam 2005
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