Author Topic: Legends Of Wrestling  (Read 17333 times)

Karl Kox

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Legends Of Wrestling
« on: February 26, 2009, 08:52:30 PM »
Johnny Valentine

This guy was a pure bad ass.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Valentine









"Everything he did seemed meaningful." It's a statement you hear again and again from the contemporaries of Johnny Valentine. His slow, methodical style of beating up opponents infuriated fans, while his requests for harder hits from his foe would thrill those same fans. Everything was designed to make it look as real as possible.

"Johnny's way was to get a guy in a simple hold-like a hammerlock-cinch up on it, let go, beat the &*@# out of his opponent, then clamp on the hold again. This could go on for ten, even twenty minutes," wrote Ric Flair in his autobiography. "But you know, the crowd got into it. They really believed that he was hurting the guy with that hold."

"In the ring he's like a wild animal, snarling, slugging, gouging at his victim's eyes and trying to dismember the head from the rest of the body," once wrote the respected Stanley Weston. The Brain Buster elbow drop was Valentine's finisher, and he also used the Human Torture Rack and the Atomic Skull Crusher elbow smash. But it was ring psychology that was his greatest weapon. He would only reluctantly run the ropes or take bumps since, in his way of thinking, that would never happen in a real fight.

Born John Wisniski on September 22, 1929 in Hobart, Washington, he got into wrestling in 1947 and was soon travelling the world. His career began in Argentina, but he quickly made a name for himself in the United States and Canada, with trips to Japan mixed in. A headliner for most of his career, the 6'4", 240-pound Valentine could be counted on to have the fans talking about him after they left the arena.

During his illustrious career "Handsome" Johnny Valentine amassed an impressive 50+ championships belts, varying from the Florida title-the first he held-beating Danny Dusek on July 17, 1950 to the U.S. title in the Mid-Atlantic territory, which he beat Harley Race for in 1975. The U.S. belt was to be his last, as he was forced to vacate the title when injuries sustained on a October 4, 1975 plane crash in Wilmington, North Carolina forced him to retire.

Valentine would still be around wrestling for years, however, at ringside in the Mid-Atlantic, and through the exploits of his son, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine. "I never grew up with my father, but when I watched him wrestle it was like a voice inside of me saying, 'This is you. You can do this. This is you!' My father might have known that too," once said "The Hammer."

On April 24, 2001, the great Johnny Valentine died in River Oaks, Texas after battling many health issues. He was 72.

- Chris Sokol and Greg Oliver
 



Whitefeather

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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2009, 09:32:28 PM »
Very nice

njflex

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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2009, 07:33:19 PM »
he looks like a pole as in poland ,

Karl Kox

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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2009, 10:07:59 PM »
            Lou Thesz

One of the all time greats

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Thesz














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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2009, 11:14:13 PM »
          Bruno Sammartino



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruno_Sammartino

http://bruno.myfastsite.com/







Real Name: Bruno Laopardo Franceso Sammartino
Birth: 1935/10/06 in Abruzzi, Italy
Debut: 1959
First Match in Japan: 1967/03
Last Match: against Randy Savage in 1987
Titles:  International Tag Team (Toronto)
United States Heavyweight (Toronto)
WWWA United States Tag Team (Pittsburgh)
WWWF (World) Heavyweight [2]
WWWF United States Tag Team
WWWF International Tag Team [2]
Grand Prix Tag Team
WWA World Tag Team (Indianapolis)
 
Hall of Fame
Inductions:  National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame (1989)
The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum (2002)
 
External Links:  Official Site
"Bruno Sammartino: The Living Legend"
by Erwin Michael Green
(courtesy of Solie's Vintage Wrestling)
Bruno Sammartino & Killer Kowalski (58KB JPEG)
(Courtesy of the Canvas Cavity with Dr. Mike Lano)
 
 
Comments by Steve Black (written for RSPW Hall of Fame)

Sammartino was, and still is to this day, considered to be one of the greatest world champions of all time. His career spanned four decades, and he came to personify the "no guts, no glory" attitude in the World Wrestling Federation. He was the longest reigning WWF world champion in history, holding the belt in his two title reigns for a combined 11 years, and was also the first man to ever win the championship on two different occasions. He retired several times, the last time in 1985 after a tag team match with his son David. His fan base in the Northeast, particularly at Madison Square Garden in New York, unmatched by anyone in WWF history, with the possible exception of Hulk Hogan. He is generally regarded as the greatest WWF wrestler of all time.
 
source wrestlingtitles.com





Karl Kox

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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2009, 11:05:51 AM »
Bobo Brazil

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobo_Brazil





Even in the dark days of segregation, Bobo Brazil was able to transcend issues of race. African-Americans looked at him as a role model, and even spectators with racist attitudes couldn't contain themselves from leaping to their feet and cheering for the popular Superstar. Many have even referred to Brazil as the “Jackie Robinson of sports-entertainment” in response to the way Brazil and Robinson similarly broke down racial barriers in their respective sports.

Brazil, who hailed from Benton Harbor, Mich., debuted in 1951 after training with Joe Savoldi. Originally, he was to go by the name “Boo Boo” Brazil, but when a promoter made a printing mistake on an advertisement, he became Bobo Brazil and the name stuck.

Brazil made perhaps his biggest fame in the local Detroit area, where he became one of the biggest rivals of local legend and promoter and fellow WWE Hall of Famer The Sheik. Brazil and The Sheik drew each other’s blood for decades, often times trading a version of the United States Championship back and forth in Michigan, Ohio and Ontario.

While life in Detroit may have seemed good for Brazil, it was tough elsewhere around the country. In Brazil's time, black fans were forced to sit in separate sections from white devotees at certain venues, and Brazil was banned from many hotels and restaurants. He handled this adversity with a dignity that inspired many of his peers to discover the same qualities in themselves.


A number of promoters would only book African-Americans against other African-Americans, fearing that any other combination could lead to race riots. Brazil thrived in these types of confrontations, beating back dangerous foes like Abdullah the Butcher and Ernie "The Cat" Ladd.

But the fans refused to settle for watching Bobo compete against a limited repertoire of opponents, and the promoters were forced to respond. Brazil was willing to take on virtually anyone. Although he spent the majority of his career as an enormously well-liked wrestler, he had no qualms about mixing it up with the other so-called "good guys." On at least one occasion, he fought to a draw with Andre the Giant -- an impressive exploit, considering their size difference. In 1970, however, Brazil made history when he teamed with El Mongol to defeat Mr. Ito & The Great Ota in the first racially-mixed match in Atlanta sports-entertainment history.

Bobo also had memorable skirmishes with such stars as Dick the Bruiser, Johnny Valentine, Haystacks Calhoun and Killer Kowalski. Despite his friendly demeanor outside the ring, Brazil was a tireless brawler who seemed to invite his opponents to break the rules in order to counter their maneuvers with his own arsenal. It was also universally acknowledged that Brazil had the hardest head in the sport, toppling rivals with his storied "Coco Butt.”

Further proving that he would take on anyone, Brazil was one of the rare fan favorites to challenge Bruno Sammartino for the WWE Championship throughout the northeastern United States in the 1960s. Fans were often mixed in reactions to these clashes, cheering both combatants. Washington, D.C., in particular, was a stronghold of Brazil fans. There, fellow Hall of Famer James Dudley, a WWE insider remembered for being the first African-American to run a major arena, would fire up the crowd by jogging to the ring, waving a towel as Bobo trotted behind him. After a particularly strenuous match with Brazil in Washington, "Classy" Freddie Blassie theorized that the fans would have committed murder, had Bobo asked.

But Brazil achieved success everywhere he went, holding numerous regional NWA championships in the Detroit, Toronto, Florida, San Francisco and Mid-Atlantic regions throughout his career. He once held the United States Championship in the Mid-Atlantic region (a title that eventually evolved into the WWE United States Championship) and nearly toppled fellow 1994 inductee Buddy Rogers for the NWA World Championship in 1962.

Brazil retired in the 1990s after four decades in sports-entertainment, and his life after the squared circle was just as successful. He served as an advisor and mentor to Rocky Johnson in the 1980s, and in Benton Harbor, his restaurant, Bobo's Grill, became a local landmark.

In 1994, Brazil was given the ultimate honor when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He was inducted by longtime rival Ernie Ladd, and just one year later, Brazil got to return the favor when he inducted Ladd into the Hall of Fame. Sadly, however, Brazil passed away on January 20, 1998 at the age of 73.

Throughout his 40-plus years in sports-entertainment, Bobo Brazil was a fan favorite, a champion, and most importantly, a pioneer for future African-Americans in sports-entertainment.

source WWE.com





Karl Kox

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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2009, 10:34:01 PM »
Sky Low Low   --  Height & Weight: 3'5" - 85lbs





Real Name: Marcel Gauthier
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec
Debut: 1940s 
Titles: NWA World Midget title



Wrestler:  Little Beaver  --- Height & Weight: 4'4" - 60lbs 






Real Name: Lionel Giroux
Hometown: St-Jerome, Quebec
Debut: 1950 (age 15)




Karl Kox

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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #7 on: March 04, 2009, 10:40:22 PM »
The Sheik


This guy gave my dad his big break in wretling.





Edward George Farhat was born into a Lebanese immigrant family in Lansing, Michigan in the mid 1920s, one of 10 children. He was a star football player in high school, before lying about his age by using his brother's birth certificate to join the army and serve in World War II at 17 years old. After returning from the war he worked as a labourer before being noticed and recruited by Burt Ruby, a Detroit promoter. Ruby called Farhat "The Sheik Of Araby", and during the 1950s he appeared regularly on television in Chicago, and teamed with the likes of the Crusher.

Early in his career, Farhat realised he wasn't the greatest technical wrestler, so focused on his good attributes, such as brawling, and became one of the originators of the style now known as hardcore. It was a new and unique style to American fans. With his combination of brawling, foreign object use and a large amount of blood, the wrestler now known simply as The Sheik came into his own in the early 60s. He also added a twist; the infamous fireball that came to be his most feared desperation tactic. His throwing of fire would make the people go crazy.

Nowadays, fireballs in wrestling are created with flash paper, but there are two ways The Sheik apparently accomplished it. One method was reportedly taught to him by a magician; he rubbed diluted phosphoric acid and rubbed his fingers together to create the fireball. The second method was shown to Mike LeBell, a close friend, by The Sheik himself; he had a small object like a flint that he struck before throwing his hand forward so flame shot out.

Either way, the fireball would only work once, like lighting a match. The Sheik would throw fire at his opponent, who would go down - opponents rarely recovered from the fire - and Sheik would go to the first-row fans and throw out his hand as if to do it again. Nothing could happen, but the people were terrified.

The effectiveness of The Sheik's fireballs was proven in a match in Toronto in 1974; Sheik threw fire at, and subsequently defeated, Andre the Giant, over a decade before Hulk Hogan supposedly ended Andre's winning streak. Unfortunately for The Sheik, he had to resort to using flash paper to create fireballs after one hit a ringside fan in St. Louis and she sued.

Back in his early days, Sheik was accompanied to the ring by his manager, The Princess. Sheik would undoubtedly abuse Princess before each match, hitting, kicking, spitting and yelling at her as she knelt before him holding incense. She would often be physically kicked out of the ring, much to the disgust of fans in attendance and on television. This was decades before the Dudley Boyz smashing women through tables and Rhino piledriving The Sandman's wife.

Soon The Princess would be replaced by The Sheik's most famous - or infamous - manager, the future Grand Wizard of Wrestling and WWE Hall of Famer, Abdullah Farouk. Since The Sheik was announced as coming from the Deserts of Syria, he was true to character and never spoke on camera, so someone like Farouk who could insult Sheik's opponent and the local fans in the same breath was a perfect fit.
 


As the flamboyant Farouk berated the fans and talked about what evil deeds the Sheik would get up to in the ring, Sheik would often address the line of harem girls who would come to the ring with him (he could afford them - the Sheik character was from a wealthy, aristocratic family).

The fans were terrified of The Sheik. Even his entrance, where he would come out with an Arabian headdress, rolling his eyes into his head, sticking out his tongue, and generally looking like a lunatic making wild facial expressions would make audiences fear what would happen to his opponent. There are stories of the first six rows of fans moving back during Sheik's entrance.

His entrance coupled with his explosive, violent tactics made fans truly hate him, and gave the character universal appeal.

Farhat mostly wrestled in the Detroit, Los Angeles and Toronto territories, but travelled constantly to as many places as possible. This way, nearly every wrestling fan in North America had seen their favourite wrestler busted open by the Syrian madman, which guaranteed sold-out arenas whenever the Sheik returned and solidifed him as one of the top draws of his day. His reputation preceded him, even with regional divisions between territories. Other notable areas include Michigan and Ohio, where he fought Bobo Brazil in what is now thought of as Bobo's most famous rivalry.

Unfortunately, The Sheik was suspended from wrestling in New York. After being disqualified in a Madison Square Garden match against Haystacks Calhoun for attacking Calhoun with a woman's purse he took from a fan. Before the ring announcer could finish declaring the decision, Sheik pulled the microphone out of its mooring in the ceiling. He never appealed the suspension.

He had few signature moves. He would often lock in a hold that would normally be considered uninteresting, but would refuse to let go, which forced the opponent to submit. Camel Clutches and chokes were also favourites, but mostly, The Sheik would use sharp objects. His weapon of choice was a pencil that he would conceal in his trunks, then use to carve open his opponent, but he could and would use anything he could get his hands on, such as forks. This use of weapons added to his unpredictability and hatred among the fans, and was a large factor in making him one of wrestling's top heels for over twenty years, not to mention the major influence for following generations of hardcore wrestlers.

Arguably one of the greatest wrestling angles ever involved Farhat. In the summer of 1967, the Six Day War between Israel and Palestine had broken out, so in Detroit, Jewish babyface Mark Lewin - who wore the Star of David on his trunks - was brought in to wrestle The Sheik. Match after match after match sold out.

The Sheik was so despised he could even get audiences behind wrestlers they had previously hated. In 1969, Sheik attacked the detested Gorilla Monsoon on television, showing no mercy. Coming to Monsoon's rescue was none other than the beloved Bruno Sammartino; and thus Gorilla became a babyface, and remained so for the rest of his career.

Many wrestling legends have expressed respect for The Sheik; Bobby 'the Brain' Heenan has repeatedly shown his admiration, and even those with a distaste for hardcore wrestling such as Jim Cornette respect the ability of The Sheik to get heat from any fan. However, not everyone was of the same opinion - Lou Thesz was not fond of any pro wrestler that couldn't wrestle 'for real'. Thesz promised to break The Sheik's legs during a match between the two, so Sheik quickly left the ring, into a blizzard outside, where he decided to hide under a bus until police and firemen were able to talk him out.

Bruno Sammartino wasn't too keen on Sheik's style of wrestling either. When talking about their series of WWWF matches in 1968, Sammartino said, "He was always poking me with something. In one match, I finally grabbed him in a headlock and asked if we were going to wrestle, or what. Our matches were always the same, me trying to grab him and him poking me."

Praise has been more forthcoming. In his book, Freddie Blassie said "among heels, perhaps no one was more consistently hated than The Sheik." Coming from the man many believe to be the greatest heel of all time, that's praise indeed.  When in the ring with someone like Blassie, fans were often riled up to the point of rioting. Their most famous matches took place in a steel cage. The cage match was rare at the time, adding to excitement among fans who longed to see The Sheik get his come-uppance from Blassie (who at this time was a babyface). In their first match inside the steel, Blassie was heading to victory before Abdullah Farouk threw a liquid (later revealed to fans as iodine) in his face, allowing Sheik to pick up the win. Blassie soon demanded a return bout, also in a cage. The rematch was one-sided to say the least, Blassie kicking, punching and biting The Sheik before throwing pepper in his face for the win. Whenever the two met, fans could expect a bloodbath and a great brawl.

Sheik became the promoter and owner of the Detroit territory in the late 1960s, and went on to hold their United States Title 12 times before the promotion closed down in 1980. Following this, he found a new following of fans while touring in Japan, wrestled until he was in his seventies, and trained people to wrestle, including nephew Sabu, Rob Van Dam, and the Steiner Brothers.
 


During his career, The Sheik locked horns with some of the most famous wrestlers of the twentieth century, including WWE Hall Of Famers Antonino Rocca, Harley Race and Johnny Valentine, as well as the likes of Mil Mascaras, Abdullah the Butcher, Terry Funk, and Tiger Jeet Singh. As well as the 12 Detroit US Title wins, he was Toronto's US Champion three times, and won several NWA belts, including the International Heavyweight title and Heavyweight titles for NWA Americas, Hawaii and Texas. Also, his gory style and universal hatred among fans was featured in the movie 'I Like To Hurt People'.

But away from the pencils, blood and fire, Sheik was known as an extremely generous man. He and his family shared meals and often their home with his wrestling students, and when Harley Race was injured in a car accident, The Sheik sent him money every week until he recovered. To this day, Harley has a photo tribute to Farhat on his website. Also outside the ring, he was known for high stakes gambling in Las Vegas and treating his friends to meals at fine restaurants.

Ed Farhat died of heart failure in January 2003, but his legacy and influence lives on in Sabu and Van Dam, who paid tribute to him as recently as One Night Stand, and in his trailblazing style - mocked in his day as mere "brawling" but now known as hardcore. And The Sheik wa most certainly hardcore.

(sources: Dave Meltzer's Tributes II, Freddie Blassie, Mike LeBell, Online World of Wrestling, WWE Hall Of Fame, Wikipedia, Sheik fansite, Wrestling Classics, Wrestling Digest, Detroit Free Press, Sheik fansite, Bobby Heenan & Jim Cornette, HarleyRace.com)

by Langdon Beck









Karl Kox

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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #8 on: March 05, 2009, 10:42:30 PM »
Pedro Morales

Pedro Morales was the first wrestler win the Tag Team, Intercontinental & World titles in the (W)WWF(E)..






By Steve Slagle

Of the numerous Latino pro wrestlers to have competed in North America -- men like Jose Lothario, The Guerrero Family, Al Perez, Gino Hernandez, Pepper Gomez, and so many other greats from "south of the border" -- Pedro Morales is perhaps the most famous and successful of them all. As a beloved multi-time World champion and main event performer, Morales was a role model for millions. A man with ample "cross-over appeal," Morales was a hero not only to his fellow Latin Americans, but also to wrestling's vast North American fanbase. A top box office draw throughout the 1960's, 1970's, and into the 1980's, Pedro Morales was one of the most in-demand performers of his era, and a true Hall of Fame legend...

Morales began his pro wrestling career in the early 1960's, working mainly on the West Coast, primarily in Los Angeles. During his stay in L.A., Morales left an indelible mark on the territory, and proved to many onlooking NWA promoters that he had what it took to be a top star. The 6`2, 250 lb. Latino sensation made his first big waves when he captured the prestigious W.W.A. World Heavyweight title from The Destroyer in L.A. on March 12, 1965. The popular young champion held the title for four months before being defeated by a member of one of wrestling's greatest "families," the unpredictable "Crazy" Luke Graham.  Morales rallied to win his title back from Graham, though, less than three months later. Once Pedro had his WWA World title belt back, his was determined to keep it. Although he was still relatively inexperienced (compared to the many veterans he competed against) Morales was more than able to keep up with his more seasoned competition. He defeated all comers (which included Fred Blassie, John Tolos, The Destroyer, and many other Los Angeles-area legends) until finally being toppled by Buddy Austin on August 5, 1966 -- 10 months after his 2nd WWA title reign began. Following his run as the WWA champ, Morales concentrated on the WWA Tag Team gold, again with enormous success. Between 1966-68, he wore the WWA tag belt four times, with four different partners -- Luis Hernandez, Mark Lewin, Victor Rivera, and Ricky Romero.


But with the new decade came new challenges for Morales. Having dominated the WWA, Morales took an offer to work for Vince McMahon's World Wide Wrestling Federation and moved to the East Coast. Once there, Morales immediately established himself as a serious contender for Bruno Sammartino's unshakable position as the WWWF's top babyface.  When "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff shocked the world by defeating the "unbeatable" Sammartino, Morales' fate was sealed.  On February 8, 1971, after a matter of only a few days as champion, Koloff was defeated by Pedro Morales, and history was once again made in the hallowed halls of New York's Madison Square Garden. As the WWWF champion, Morales was popular and respected, however, he could never totally escape the long shadow of former WWWF kingpin, Bruno Sammartino. Fans had been clamoring for a Bruno-Pedro bout since the day Morales entered the promotion, but various circumstances kept the dream-match from happening. Finally, though, in 1972, the two Kings of the WWWF met head-on, at Shea Stadium before over 20,000 rabid fans. That night, the fans in attendance received their "match of the century," a grueling, incredibly hard-fought one hour time limit draw.
 

Pedro Morales held his WWWF Heavyweight title for nearly three years before finally being defeated by The Grand Wizard's latest protégé, Stan "The Man" Stasiak on December 1, 1973. In the months following his loss, the former champ remained a top attraction, but eventually began to fade out of the WWWF picture.  After a few years of accepting various bookings around the country and in Puerto Rico, Morales went into a state of semi-retirement. Throughout much of the late 1970's, little was heard from the superstar wrestler, and he maintained a very low profile. But, as was the case 10 years earlier, with the start of the new decade came a fresh beginning for Morales, and he made a triumphant return to wrestling (and the WWF) in 1980.
Morales picked up right where he'd left off -- at the top of card. On August 9, 1980, he made history by teaming with then-WWF champion Bob Backlund to defeat Lou Albano's Wild Samoans at the same site as his historic match with Bruno, Shea Stadium. Since the WWF's "rule book" states that a WWF champion cannot wear the Tag or I-C belt at the same time he is WWF Heavyweight champion, the team of Morales & Backlund had to forfeit their championship days later.

But that renewed taste of championship gold was only the beginning for Morales, and on December 8, 1980 he defeated the rugged Inter-Continental champion Ken Patera to become the new I-C champ, only the 3rd in history at that point in time. The enormously popular Morales held the I-C title for six months, holding back the challenges of former champ Patera, as well as title threats from Greg Valentine and "Magnificent" Don Muraco. It was Muraco who would end Morales' 1st I-C title reign, defeating him in New York on June 20, 1981. Morales and Muraco had a particularly intense, bloody rivalry during this period of time, one that sold-out arenas all across the WWF's still regional (at that time) territory. Morales would eventually regain his title from Muraco, to the delight of his many fans, on November 23, 1981. After regaining his Inter-Continental belt, Morales spent all of 1982 defending his title against the top challengers, primarily Muraco and the recently returned "Superstar" Billy Graham. Over a year into his 2nd I-C title reign, Pedro was again defeated by arch-nemesis Don Muraco.

This defeat marked the end of Morales' 20-year championship run, as he never wore another title belt again. He did, however, remain a top-level performer, often headlining WWF arena cards. But after more than 20 years in the wrestling ring, Morales began to contemplate his retirement. With the rise of Vince McMahon, Jr's incredibly popular WWF, Morales quietly exited the sport that he meant so much to, and meant so much to him. However, Morales did not disappear entirely from the wrestling world, or the WWF. After leaving the ring, Morales took a high-profile position as the lead commentator on the WWF's popular Spanish-speaking TV programs. Although he often had trouble giving interviews (mainly because English was his 2nd language) Morales excelled at his new position as a commentator.


In many ways, commentating gave Morales a 2nd chance in wrestling, allowing him to earn a comfortable living in the only business he's ever really known. In addition, it has exposed a whole new generation to the great Latin wrestling legend, fans who otherwise likely would not be familiar with Pedro. Fittingly, Morales is once again a bridge between two cultures, a role he has embraced for more than 30 years now. We at the Ring Chronicle proudly induct this important figure from wrestling history into his much-deserved place within the TRC Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame...


Here is the match where he won the WWWF Title


Karl Kox

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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #9 on: March 06, 2009, 11:30:13 PM »
Nick Bockwinkel






Nick Bockwinkle
By Steve Slagle

Nick Bockwinkle is one of the sport's most famous and well-respected wrestlers of the past 30 years. During his decades-long career, he truly did it all. He won numerous N.W.A. and A.W.A. regional and World titles both as a singles wrestler and a tag team champion. Although he had a run late in his career as a "face" A.W.A. World champion, Bockwinkle is best remembered as one of the greatest "heel" champions of all-time.

A second-generation wrestler, Nick teamed with his famous father Warren Bockwinkle during the early stages of his career, and the father/son duo had a great deal of success together. A quick learner, Nick gained valuable experience and knowledge while teaming with his dad. After his father retired, Nick continued wrestling and winning. He became one of the sport's top young stars, and a big drawing name for promoters (he even made a guest appearance on TV's The Monkees), as fans took notice of the athletic, talented, and most of all, cocky young wrestler. He won the N.W.A. Georgia Heavyweight title, one of the N.W.A.'s most prestigious regional championships, twice in 1970. He developed a strong reputation throughout the country, as well as a hate/hate relationship with the fans...he pretended to hate them, and they really hated him!


Bockwinkle's greatest success came when he entered the American Wrestling Association. He formed a devastating team with Ray "The Crippler" Stevens, and the duo went on to become 3-time A.W.A. World Tag Team champions, holding the title belts for a combined 3 1/2 years between 1971-1975. Bockwinkle and Stevens met and defeated (often through "cheating") some of the most talented teams of the day...


Stevens & Bockwinkle faced the very best of the best during their lengthy tenure as champions; The Bruiser & The Crusher, Verne Gagne & Billy Robinson, Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon, The Crusher & Billy Robinson, and many other great opponents during their long partnership in the American Wrestling Association. The duo, led by "Pretty Boy" (later, "The Brain") Bobby Heenan, is considered perhaps to be the greatest (and certainly one of the most dominant) AWA tag team champions in the 31-year history of the promotion. But after firmly establishing himself as a premier Tag Team wrestler (ala Arn Anderson) there was still more glory in store for Bockwinkle, this time as a singles wrestler...

Under the firm guidance of Heenan, Bockwinkle won his first (of 4) A.W.A. World Heavyweight championship by ending Verne Gagne's record 7-year title run on November 8, 1975 in St. Paul, MN.


"Tricky" Nick's arrogant and frequent proclamation of being "the smartest wrestler alive" combined with his undeniable talent, rude and often condescending mannerisms, his tendency to cheat, and his frequent reliance on DQ losses infuriated fans throughout his 5-year long 1st AWA title reign. Bockwinkel also made history by putting his title on the line in the first-ever A.W.A. vs. W.W.F. title unification match, with the classic match ending in a 1-hour draw.

The fans' hatred for Bockwinkle continued during his second reign as AWA champion, which began after he lost the belt back to Gagne on July 19, 1980 at Commisky Park in Chicago. On May 19, 1981, the AWA awarded it's World Title to Bockwinkel, who was the #1 contender, after Gagne retired from wrestling...infuriating AWA fans once again. Bockwinkel held the title for nearly a year and a half before he was beaten on August 8, 1982 by Otto Wanz in a major upset. Bockwinkle regained the title from Wanz 2 months later, and went on to hold it for nearly another 6 months until he was beaten by Jumbo Tsuruta on February 22, 1984 in Tokyo.


Bockwinkle, who was now without Heenan, had been out of the AWA World Title picture for nearly 2 years when the veteran (and now, miraculously, loved by the fans) Bockwinkel was scheduled to meet (and defeat) then-AWA champion Stan Hansen. When told he would be losing the title that night, Hansen walked out of the Denver arena with the AWA title belt (and immediately defended it in Japan, until he was legally forced to stop) on June 28, 1986. Still, the AWA World Championship (minus the belt) was awarded to Bockwinkel that night.

Although Bockwinkle was now a loved fan favorite, the fact that he had been "given" the World Title not once, but twice (as well as a couple of unflattering matches during which he was pinned, but was allowed to keep the title due to a technicality) tarnished Bockwinkel's reputation in the eyes of many fans at the time. Despite all of the controversy, though, Bockwinkel used his considerable skill and wealth of knowledge (plus some good "luck" courtesy of AWA President Stanley Blackburn) to defend the AWA title for one more year, until he was defeated by Curt Hennig...forever ending Bockwinkle's championship history.
 

During his combined 8 years as AWA World champion, he met and defeated a virtual "Who's Who" of wrestling superstars...Dick The Bruiser, Rick Steamboat, The Funks, Larry Zbysko, Verne Gagne, Mad Dog Vachon, Bruiser Brody, Jerry Lawler, Rick Martel, Tito Santana, The Crusher, Baron Von Raschke, Tommy Rich, Crusher Blackwell, Wahoo McDaniel, Andre The Giant, Hulk Hogan, and many more. After his retirement, Bockwinkle was inducted into the W.C.W. Hall of Fame, and later became the WCW Commissioner, where he was an important part of several WCW storylines for nearly a year. He is now retired, more or less, from all activities in pro wrestling.

Loved or hated by the fans, Nick Bockwinkle was always respected as a superior technical performer. His accomplishments during his 25-year long career as a wrestler speak for themselves. Nick Bockwinkle is an all-time great of the squared circle, and we at The Ring Chronicle are proud to induct him into T.R.C.'s Hall of Fame...





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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #10 on: March 07, 2009, 12:15:22 AM »
what about Dan Koloff.

Karl Kox

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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #11 on: March 09, 2009, 09:48:15 PM »
Buddy Rogers

Flair stoll this guy's gimmick
http://www.buddyrogers.net/



Buddy Rogers
April 1963 - May 17, 1963

The original “Nature Boy”, Buddy Rogers, won the first-ever WWE Championship in a tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, last defeating Antonino Rocca. The WWE Hall of Famer was one of the most hated Superstars of his time, but he used his patented
Figure Four Leglock to torture opponents and become the first-ever WWE Champion.












L00n

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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #12 on: March 10, 2009, 12:50:15 AM »
Dan Kolov (1892 - 1940)

His glory days were between 1918 and 1927 during which he was undefeated and won all 1,500 matches that he fought. He became the first wrestler to capture heavyweight wrestling's 'Diamond Belt' twice.

His most famous victories are:

in New York vs. Latvian Rudy Dusek - 1919 in Tokyo vs. Jiki Higen -"The Strangler" - 1921 in Paris vs. Henri Deglan -1933


Karl Kox

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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #13 on: March 10, 2009, 04:54:26 PM »
Dan Kolov (1892 - 1940)

His glory days were between 1918 and 1927 during which he was undefeated and won all 1,500 matches that he fought. He became the first wrestler to capture heavyweight wrestling's 'Diamond Belt' twice.

His most famous victories are:

in New York vs. Latvian Rudy Dusek - 1919 in Tokyo vs. Jiki Higen -"The Strangler" - 1921 in Paris vs. Henri Deglan -1933



That when wrestling was a shoot

Karl Kox

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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #14 on: March 10, 2009, 05:05:15 PM »
Dan Kolov



Dan Kolov (1892 - 1940), born Doncho Kolеv Danev (Bulgarian: Дончо Колев Данев), was a famous Bulgarian wrestler.

Born in the village of Sennik to a modest peasant family (on December 27, 1892), Kolov immigrated to the United States at the age of 17. He found work as a railroad construction worker. He quickly impressed with his extraordinary physical power and became famous for his ability to twist metal rails around his neck. He was subsequently hired as a wrestler in the Victoria Circus.

His glory days were between 1918 and 1927 during which he was undefeated and won all 1,500 matches that he fought. He became the first wrestler to capture heavyweight wrestling's 'Diamond Belt' twice.

Kolov was offerred many times to change his nationality to American, but he always said "I feel strong, because I'm Bulgarian!".

His most famous victories are:

in New York vs. Latvian Rudy Dusek - 1919 in Tokyo vs. Jiki Higen -"The Strangler" - 1921 in Paris vs. Henri Deglan -1933

On his return to Bulgaria as a Heavyweight World Champion, he was welcomed by thousands as a national hero. In his homeland Dan Kolov devoted himself to charity, arranging many more matches in Sofia and donating all the proceeds to charity. The first Bulgarian passenger airplanes were bought with Kolov's financing.

Kolov died on March 27th 1940 of tuberculosis.

Nowadays, there is a major wrestling tournament in Bulgaria held annually in his honour. Kolov remains a national hero and is still widely considered as the best wrestler of all time.


Source Wikipedia.com






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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #15 on: March 10, 2009, 08:56:54 PM »
Hell yea! fellow bulgarian representin'!

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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #16 on: March 11, 2009, 10:40:33 PM »
Antonio Inoki









THis was supposed to be a shoot but it looks like a work to me.


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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #17 on: March 12, 2009, 10:36:02 PM »
Stu Hart

You did not want to let this guy get his hands on ya







Stu Hart
Real Name: Stu Hart


Calgary's Stu Hart was one of the most influential and important figures in wrestling during the second half of the 20th century. His many contributions to the sport as a wrestler, promoter, and trainer have been both high profile, as well as very subtle. Although his career in the ring was full of championship accomplishments, his importance to the sport after he retired from the competition and became a promoter/trainer is where Hart made his most influential contributions to the wrestling. The patriarch of one of the greatest families in wrestling history, his influence and style is still being felt to this day, and the world of wrestling is surely better off for having him as one of our own...

After breaking into the business under the tutelage of the great Toots Mondt, Stu Hart began his career in early 1940's, working the Canadian independent circuits. It didn't take the competitive young Hart long to figure out that to make real money in wrestling, you had to be a promoter. In 1948, when he started Big Time Wrestling, which became Wildcat Wrestling, and eventually, Stampede Wrestling, Hart employed the same work ethic to promoting as he did to his wrestling. The NWA Stampede promotion reflected the rugged terrain it covered (other Stampede cities included Vancouver and Edmonton) and NWA Stampede Wrestling quickly gained a reputation for tough crowds, an even tougher traveling/working schedule, and a high level of competition. It also garnered a well-deserved reputation among wrestlers as a place hone your skills, and for Junior Heavyweights, to catch a break and be used in the top storylines and feuds.       
                                                            

The crowds may not have been as big, and the paydays not as large as in they were in many U.S. promotions...but if you were looking to break into the sport, or were a veteran looking to advance your career (the old-fashioned, hard way) Stampede Wrestling was one of the best places to do it.

The list of wrestling superstars that Stu Hart has personally trained reads like a "who's who" of top contemporary wrestlers. Of course, there are the Hart Brothers -- Bruce (pictured), Bret, Wayne, Owen, Keith, Ross, Smith. Although Smith, Bruce and Keith's ring careers did not last as long as many had hoped, they were nevertheless top performers during his time. Ross and Wayne Hart worked behind the scenes for Stampede, and although some of the Harts may have left the ring, they never left the sport, and continue to be a big part of the Canadian wrestling business to this day.

Not much needs to be said about "The Hitman", Bret Hart. His numerous WWF & WCW World championship reigns, as well as lengthy stints as an World Tag Team, Intercontinental and United States champion have earned him a guaranteed spot in wrestling history as one of the greatest of all-time.  But Bret would be the first to admit that "The Excellence of Execution" owes a great deal of his success to the training he received from his father, and without Stu's influence, Bret Hart would likely never have become "the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be."

The youngest Hart, Owen, was arguably even more talented than Bret, and his WWF Intercontinental, World Tag Team, European Heavyweight, and King of the Ring title runs set him among the elite competitors in wrestling.  Of course, tragically, Owen's life was cut short after falling from the ceiling of Kansas City's Kemper Arena during his descent to the ring as the WWF's Blue Blazer.  The shaken but still strong patriarch of this incredible family of grapplers spoke to the worldwide media immediately following Owen's death, with Bret by his side, and eulogized his son.  As of this writing, the grief-stricken Harts were in the process of filing suit against the WWF.

In addition to training his talented sons for a career in the ring, Stu Hart has helped launch the careers, as well as help hone the skills, of dozens of other wrestling superstars. Top performers like Gene Kiniski, Andre the Giant, Rick Martel, The British Bulldogs (Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith), The Junk Yard Dog, Jim Neidhart, Dick "The Bulldog" Brower, The Wild Samoans, Bad News Brown, "Lethal" Larry Cameron, Brian Pillman, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho and dozens more have all advanced (and in many cases, started) their careers by enhancing their skills in Hart's fabled "Dungeon".

A longtime NWA promoter (and wrestler), Stu Hart, after basically passing the promotion down to son Bruce, eventually sold his Calgary-based Stampede Wrestling promotion to the World Wrestling Federation in 1984 after a 5-year business partnership, and Stampede was absorbed by the WWF.  By 1989, the promotion had closed its doors for good. It marked the end of Calgary's longtime regional promotion, as the WWF took over the territory once they purchased Stampede.

Through his tireless efforts in the ring, his exemplary work ethic, his unique promotional technique, and his invaluable contributions to the future of wrestling, Stu Hart has placed himself in a place few others in wrestling history can ascend to. We at the Ring Chronicle salute this influential and important figure in the history of our sport, and are proud to induct the legendary Stu Hart -- rough-and-rugged Maker of Champions -- into the T.R.C. Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame...
 
source wrestlingmuseum.com





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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #18 on: March 13, 2009, 08:20:28 PM »
Ed "The Strangler" Lewis

Real Name: Robert Friedrich
Stats: 5' 10" 265 lbs.
Born: June 30, 1891 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Lewis_(wrestler)



Ed "Strangler" Lewis
By Steve Slagle

Ed Lewis was a true pioneer of the sport and one of its earliest and most dominant champions. He truly "paved the road" for pro wrestling to be recognized as a legitimate sport in the eyes of the public during the early 20th century, and he was also there to see the fallout of the "sport's" dark "legitimacy" secret revealed to that trusting public. This multiple-time World Champion (and expert submission shoot fighter) helped establish pro wrestling at a time when it was somewhat unestablished, and for that, the sport will always owe him a debt of gratitude... 

"The Strangler" was not born Ed Lewis, but rather, Robert Friedrich on June 30, 1891. Like many future Hall of Famers from this time period, he  started wrestling at the age of 14 (by that time he already weighed nearly 200 pounds) at small carnivals and in farm towns throughout middle America. 

The sport of wrestling was very different during those early formative years than it is now...in many different ways. In the late 1800's and early 1900's, there were still many actual professional wrestling contests or "shoots" (although the concept of a "predetermined winner" was certainly not unheard of) and most matches were decided in 2 out of 3 fall contests. The emphasis of the wrestlers back then was not necessarily to draw and entertain tens of thousands of fans by incorporating wild gimmicks and costumes, but rather, simply to gain the advantage over, and then defeat, your opponent through leverage, fighting skills, and grappling -- and still turn a profit. When Lewis first started in the sport, a "work" was considered by many top names of the era to be very much beneath their dignity, although the pre-determined match was beginning to be used by promoters more and more frequently. In the late 1800's and early 1900's, most (but far from all) pro wrestling matches were still, indeed, legitimate matches between 2 wrestlers. Lewis himself was involved in arguably the longest running wrestling match in history, when on July 4, 1916 Lewis wrestled former champion Joe Stecher to a 5 1/2 hour draw. Often referring disdainfully to wrestling that incorporated wild personalities and choreography as "slambang" wrestling, Lewis began his career just prior to the transition in the sport that forever led it down the road of "sports entertainment"... 

Lewis got his "Strangler" nickname, according to legend, from a reporter who saw a similarity between a rookie Lewis and the former champion Evan "The Strangler" Lewis. Ed Lewis also used a variation of what is now known as The Sleeper hold, which appeared to the public at the time as though he was strangling his opponent. 

 
Lewis, probably the most accomplished submission wrestler in the sport during the early 1900's, was feared and respected both inside and outside of the ring for his extensive knowledge of amateur wrestling, and even more for his wide array of crippling wrestling holds known as "hooks". All of the wrestlers knew that Ed Lewis easily could (and sometimes did) injure and legitimately cripple any wrestler that crossed him, anytime he felt like it. 

Among the many championships he would win were no less than 5 Undisputed World Heavyweight Championships between 1920-1931, holding the title 5 out of the 11 years and making him the World Champion w/the most World title reigns for 30 years, until Lou Thesz broke his record. 

He also won the A.W.A. (Boston) World Heavyweight title, and unified that with the Undisputed World championship. However, on April 14, 1931 he lost the AWA championship (the 1st step in what would eventually re-shatter the World Title once again into many factions) in a very controversial match by DQ to Henri Deglane. However, he was still recognized as World Champion in Chicago (then the center of the wrestling world) and in most other wrestling hotbeds across the country. 

He won the New York State Athletic Commission (N.Y.S.A.C.) World Heavyweight title in 1932, and re-established himself to East Coast fans (and promoters) as the true World Champion. 10 years later (nearly 30 years after his wrestling career started) on November 26, 1942 he defeated Orville Brown for the Midwest Wrestling Association World Heavyweight title in Kansas City, KS. and again reaffirmed just exactly who was the #1 wrestler in the world. 

 
Ed "Strangler" Lewis wrestled his last match in 1947, marking the end of a career that spanned 4 decades. By his own records, Lewis wrestled in over 6,200 matches and lost only 33. After his retirement from the ring, Lewis trained and occasionally managed protege and N.W.A. World Champion Lou Thesz (pictured).

During the height of his popularity, he was a sports celebrity ranking with the likes of baseball's Babe Ruth and Boxing's Jack Dempsey. In an era when the general public truly believed in wrestling's legitimacy (from the mid-1800's until 1921), Ed "Strangler" Lewis was among the sports/entertainment elite...enjoying unbridled fame, having close personal friendships with Ruth and other world-famous celebrities, and earning millions of dollars at a time of economic strife for the rest of the country. At one point, Ed "Strangler" Lewis was arguably the #1 sports celebrity in America... 

In fact, Lewis and boxing champ Dempsey had a long-running "feud" throughout their simultaneous reigns...mainly coerced by the press, who were looking for a story, and fans who clamored for a matchup between the 2 popular World Champions. However, nothing ever came of the speculation and newspaper "war of the words" between the 2 champions, despite Lewis' willingness. Dempsey later admitted that the match never happened because he knew that he didn't stand a chance against the World Wrestling Champion. Not many did... 

He faced and defeated the very best fighters of his era...Stanislaus Zbysko, Orville Brown, Joe Stecher, Jim Londos, Dick Shikat, Freddie Beel, Jack Leon and many, many other wrestling legends during his record-setting 5 World Championship reigns... 

Robert "Ed 'Strangler' Lewis" Friedrich died on August 8, 1966 at the age of 76. He will forever go down as a Founding Father of pro wrestling and one of, if not the greatest champions ever. The Ring Chronicle is proud to induct Ed "Strangler" Lewis, Champion of Champions and the man that nobody could defeat unless he let them, into T.R.C.'s Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame..........

source wrestlingmusuem.com







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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #19 on: March 22, 2009, 10:25:14 PM »
"Superstar" Billy Graham



http://www.superstarbillygraham.com/

"Superstar" Billy Graham
By Steve Slagle 

" I am the man of the hour, the one with the power, too sweet to be sour..." So went one of Billy Graham's favorite interview quotes. A revolutionary champion who was way ahead of his time, this hated villain was one of the most colorful personalities (and later, one its most tragic stories) in the history of wrestling. He was also one of the biggest box-office attractions ever, and a true legend who has been imitated and copied often through the years. 

Standing 6'4 and weighing 275 lbs., with long blonde hair, psychedelic tie-dyed trunks, a deep bronze tan, and a body absolutely rippling with power, the arrogant braggart from Paradise Valley, AZ. created a look and character that would go on to influence -- either directly or indirectly -- virtually everyone in pro wrestling that came after him. 

Wayne Coleman, after playing football and winning numerous bodybuilding titles as an amateur, entered the sport via Stu Hart's Calgary-based Stampede Wrestling promotion.  Wrestling under his given name, the rookie Coleman learned and improved, to the point where he returned to America, where he was promoted as the youngest "brother" in the famous Graham wrestling "family."  Almost instantly, "Superstar" Billy Graham made a huge impact on the sport, and after only a couple of years in the business, Graham was involved in main-event matches, giving Verne Gagne a serious run for the A.W.A. World title while drawing sold-out crowds all across the multi-state territory.


Billy Graham, oozing with charisma, was the consummate showman from the start of his career. And while he relied mainly on an unstoppable "power attack" approach to the sport, Graham was, at times, a surprisingly efficient mat wrestler, more than able to carry his end of the load inside the ring with superior technical wrestlers like Gagne, Race, Brisco and Backlund.  But clearly, what made Billy Graham such a star from the beginning was not his wrestling prowess, or even a lack of it, but rather, that he made the fans notice him.  Sure, wrestling had featured muscular, blonde braggarts before...but no one like "Superstar" Billy Graham.  A master of "wrestling psychology," every move he made seemed to mean something, and the fans -- although most hated him with a true passion -- could not get enough of the young, brash, egotistical muscleman. Graham was also among the first so-called "tweeners", or wrestlers who also have a large group of highly vocal, loyal fans that continue to support that wrestler despite his frequent acts of cowardice, cheating, and egotism.  But more importantly to Graham, very early in his career it became obvious to promoters across the country that The Superstar invariably packed `em in... 

He won, among other championships, the N.W.A. Hawaiian Heavyweight title in 1974.  Graham followed that achievement up with an even more prestigous victory when he won the IWA Heavyweight title (by defeating Billy Robinson) later that same year.  Graham also won the N.W.A.'s valuable Florida Heavyweight title on two occasions (defeating Dusty Rhodes in 1976 and Billy Jack Haynes in 1984), the Florida Tag Team title (w/Ox Baker), as well as the prestigious N.W.A. Southern Heavyweight championship (defeating Dusty Rhodes) in 1977. However, "Superstar" Graham will forever be remembered for one title victory in particular...

In the spring of 1977 in Baltimore, MD., Graham, in one of his very first matches since returning to the WWWF after a successful stint in the N.W.A.'s Florida territory, met and defeated his hated, longtime arch-rival Bruno Sammartino for the World Wide Wrestling Federation Heavyweight title. It was Graham's only WWF championship, and the match will go down as a true classic.

Although it was a pro-Bruno crowd, Graham once again had his fair share of the crowd...and when he cheated to beat Bruno, gaining "extra leverage" by having two feet on the ropes when he made the pin, it just added to his heel persona. Try as he might, Bruno could never regain the WWWF title from the powerful "Superstar." 

 
With the evil genius of The Grand Wizard of Wrestling guiding him, "Superstar" Billy Graham went on to hold the WWWF championship for nearly a full year -- something unheard of for a "heel" WWWF champion of that era.  Both Ivan Koloff and Stan Stasiak, the only two other "bad guy" WWWF titleholders, were used as transition champions and had fleeting reigns as the champ.  In fact, during the following a decade and a half, Graham was the only "heel" WW(W)F champion to have lasted longer than a few days.

 
He helped set attendance records at Madison Square Garden during his epic battles with Bruno, Rhodes, and Backlund. As the WWWF Heavyweight titleholder, he faced every worthy challenger in the Federation during his reign as champion, cleanly (and sometimes not so cleanly) defeating the likes of Sammartino, Rhodes, Ivan Putski, Chief Jay Strongbow, Gorilla Monsoon, Larry Zbysko, "High Chief" Peter Maivia, Tony Garea, Dean Ho, and Mil Mascaras among many others. 

 
He also made wrestling history in 1977 by being one of the two World Champions (the other being Harley Race) who put their respective World titles on the line in the first ever N.W.A. vs. W.W.W.F. World Title Unification match. The match was held in the heart of one of the N.W.A.'s top territories -- Miami, FL. The two proud champions, with the eyes of the wrestling world upon them, wrestled to a bloody 1 hour draw. No titles were won or lost, but mutual respect (as well as a very profitable gate receipt) was surely gained... 

 
It was the unsuspecting Backlund, though, who would eventually cause Billy Graham's championship downfall. On February 2, 1978, 10 months after Graham's W.W.W.F. reign first started, Backlund defeated the Superstar in front of a wild, sold-out M.S.G. capacity crowd. Ironically, (and completely non-coincidentally) Backlund scored the victory while Graham's foot was draped over the rope...making him the only WWF champion to both win and lose the title with his feet on the ropes.  Regardless of the circumstances, and despite Graham's vociferous outcry over Backlund's "tainted" win, Bob Backlund's 1978 victory forever ended Graham's reign as WWF champion. 
 

The two diametrically opposed rivals would then engage in a series of 3 classic, brutal matches. In the first of the trilogy, Graham lost the W.W.W.F. title. The rematch, again at the Garden and in front of over 22,000 fans, Graham pummeled, battered, and bloodied the new champion so badly that the referee called the match due to Backlund's excessive cuts. Graham won, but the gold title belt he craved so deeply stayed with Backlund. The 3rd, deciding match, was again held at the Garden, but this time it was within the deadly confines of a 15 foot steel cage. The match was brutal, bloody, and hard-fought...with Graham controlling the majority of the match. But after dominating Backlund for nearly 30 minutes, Graham missed a running knee into the corner...and instead got his foot tangled in the wire of the cage. Trapped and unable to free himself in time, he watched helplessly as Backlund crawled outside of the cage for the victory. 

After losing his feud with Backlund, Graham teamed successfully, if only briefly, with his "half-brother" Crazy Luke Graham, and also longtime partner/enemy Ivan Koloff.  Graham also continued to wage war (and set attendance records) with "Stardust" Dusty Rhodes. The two battled many times throughout the W.W.W.F., and engaged in a legendary Texas Bullrope Match held in Madison Square Garden to cap off the feud. Graham won, barely, and soon left the W.W.W.F. completely... 
 

 

Between 1980-1982, little was seen or heard from the famous Graham.  Other than a high-profile appearance and respectable placing (along with Ken Patera, Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbo and other famous athletes) on C.B.S.'s The Worlds Strongest Man Competition (pictured, above right) and a few scattered appearances in the Memphis territory to face Jerry Lawler, Billy Graham all but disappeared from the wrestling world.  Rumors even spread among fans that Graham was dead. However, that couldn't have been further from the truth... 

In 1982, on the first day of Backlund's fourth year as WWF champion, "Superstar" Billy Graham reappeared on WWF television and confronted Bob Backlund, reminding him and everyone watching that Backlund never cleanly defeated him.  He then, in one of wrestling's most dramatic and impressive moments, proceeded to attack Backlund and his manager Arnold Skoaland, and then took the leather and gold WWF title belt and literally tore it in half. 

The new, intense, focused and determined "Superstar" Graham was no longer the colorful blonde muscleman from the 1970's.  Visually, this Billy Graham was quite different than the one WWF fans had jeered (and cheered) so passionately just a few years earlier.  His golden locks were gone, his head completely bald, and he had added a dark mustache.  Additionally, Graham sported a new, formidable karate arsenal and wardrobe.  He was all business this time...and it was obvious to fans that Backlund's hands would be more than full with this "new" Billy Graham.  The two arch-rivals once again engaged in a series of matches to determine who was the better man.  After some very controversial endings that often saw Graham get the best of the babyface champ, but not his WWF championship, Backlund once again managed to keep his grasp on the (newly made) W.W.F. title belt and win his second feud with The Superstar.. 

Like many wrestlers of his day, "Superstar" Graham was very well-traveled, and competed in virtually every noteworthy regional promotion at one point or another, as well as establishing himself as a big draw in Japan.  Whether guided by the twisted genius of his Grand Wizard (WWWF), the cunning Bobby "The Brain" Heenan (AWA) or on his own (NWA), "Superstar" Billy Graham's legendary feuds and matches with Backlund, Gagne, Sammartino, Rhodes (pictured, left), Jack Brisco, Pat Patterson, Antonio Inoki, Ivan Koloff, Paul Jones, "Chief" Wahoo McDaniel, Dick The Bruiser & The Crusher, Ernie "The Big Cat" Ladd, "Chief" Jay Strongbow, Harley Race, Andre The Giant, Mil Mascaras, "The World's Strongest Man" Ken Patera, Gorilla Monsoon, Peter Maivia, John Tolos, Ivan Putski and Greg "The Hammer" Valentine (among many others) drew sell-out crowds for promotions across the country.

Although professional wrestling during the 1970's was still very much an "underground" form of entertainment (with its programming often relegated to less-than-desirable timeslots on small independent TV stations) during a time when there were very few wrestlers who were able to garner "mainstream" fame, "Superstar" Billy Graham was a guest on highly-rated network shows such as NBC's Tomorrow w/Tom Snyder, and did cross-over publicity in the body building world, with the likes of Arnold Schwartzeneger and Lou Ferrigno.  In his day, be it for the NWA, WWWF, or AWA, Billy Graham was truly a "superstar" unlike any other!
 

 

"The Superstar" was also a huge influence on the professional wrestling business as a whole.  The fast-talking, incredibly egomaniacal and arrogant "Superstar" Billy Graham was the prototype for champion wrestlers to come.  His massively muscled, deeply tanned body and long blond hair combined with his uniquely colorful ring attire created a wrestling persona imitated by numerous wrestlers, both during his era and after he retired. Among others "Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner, "The Universal Heart Throb" Austin Idol (pictured, left), "Superstar" Steve Strong, Jesse The Body Ventura (pictured, right), and Hulk Hogan come to mind.  Many other professional wrestlers were also indirectly influenced by Graham, men like Lex Luger, the USWA-era "Stunning" Steve Austin, Sting, and other colorful blond musclemen that came after "The Superstar."  Even The Rock, the self proclaimed "most electrifying athlete in sports entertainment" owes a raising of the People's Eyebrow to "The Superstar," as he was the first WWF wrestler to regularly incorporate an overuse of the technique of referring to himself in the 3rd person during his colorful promos.
 

Terry Bollea -- Hulk Hogan -- himself has stated that he "borrowed" much of Billy Graham's ring persona and characteristics when creating his own Hulk Hogan, and later, Hollywood Hogan characters. Hogan duplicated many aspects of Graham's gimmick, right down to referring to his massive moneymakers as the "largest arms in the world" and the "24 inch pythons", tearing off his t-shirt before each match, and posing for the crowd after each victory, all of which Graham did years before Hogan came along.  Wrestling's other icon of the late 20th century -- Ric Flair -- also owes of good deal of his character, particularly during the early years, to "The Superstar."  As seen in the picture to the left (taken in 1976) Billy Graham was arguably a bigger influence on the future "Nature Boy" than Buddy Rogers himself...at least visually.



 
But Graham's biggest influence would come in the form of his massive, bulging steroid-enhanced muscles. Others saw the interest that Graham's look caused in the fans, and they emulated it. When Graham wrestled, he was unique. There were no wrestlers -- no matter how muscular they may have been -- who looked like Superstar Graham.  After Graham, the heavily muscled, massive wrestler became the norm...taken to the top by a self professed Superstar Graham wannabe. Billy Graham is by no means responsible for steroids in wrestling, but he was really the first wrestler to gain huge stardom as a result of using them. 

 
However, Graham is now paying the price for those years of steroid abuse. The drugs have ravaged his once perfect body, leaving him with a multitude of physical ailments. Parts of his skeletal structure have actually died, and Graham has been forced to undergo several hip replacement surgeries as a direct result of using steroids.

He is now involved in religion, and often speaks to young athletes about his days as World Champion and the dangerous side effects of steroids. If ever there was a case study of the rewards and subsequent harmful ramifications of steroid abuse, it's Billy Graham. 

Truly an unsung legend of pro wrestling, we at The Ring Chronicle are proud to induct the inventive, talented, and revolutionary champion "Superstar" Billy Graham into T.R.C.'s Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame...





njflex

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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #20 on: March 23, 2009, 09:45:30 AM »
on ur game bro,graham was cool indeed,i was younger during his blone yrs,but the karate graham was classic ,his interviews were great,how he trained in the orient,undefeated,and him and backlund were great in the ring.

Karl Kox

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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #21 on: April 03, 2009, 11:19:24 PM »
Bobby "The Brain" Heenan



Some of the sport’s historians have called him the greatest manager of all time, and by all accounts, Bobby Heenan was a master of every aspect of his role. He could talk a blue streak on the mic like no one before or since, making himself a valuable mouthpiece for anyone he represented. His comedic talents were priceless. And when it came time to pay the piper for all his evil deeds, no one could take a beating like “The Brain.”

Over the years, his numerous protégés included a virtual “Who’s Who” of legends, including the likes of AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel, the Blackjacks, Big John Studd, King Kong Bundy, “Ravishing” Rick Rude, “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig, Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard, Harley Race, and of course, the first WWE Hall of Famer, Andre the Giant—whom Heenan led to the ring at WrestleMania III before 93,173 fans at the Pontiac Silverdome in 1987.

Just as indispensable as he was a manager, so was he also as an announcer. Glorifying himself as a “broadcast journalist,” Heenan formed a classic combination with Gorilla Monsoon, and the two are generally regarded as the Abbott & Costello of sports entertainment. He was part of the original broadcast team for Monday Night RAW in 1993, and is the only person to have sat in the broadcast booth for both RAW and Monday Nitro. In 2001, he made a triumphant return to WWE to call the action in WrestleMania X-Seven’s Gimmick Battle Royal alongside “Mean” Gene Okerlund.







Superboy Prime

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Re: Legends Of Wrestling
« Reply #22 on: April 04, 2009, 04:38:46 AM »
Heenan was and still is the greatest among all wrestling no doubt.

Heenan>GOD