Follow my blog with Bloglovin Thirty years ago this month the AWA held its one and only pay-per-view event. SuperClash III was held on Dec. 13, 1988, and featured a unification match between AWA World Champion Jerry "The King" Lawler and WCCW World Champion Kerry Von Erich. This week for the My 1-2-3 Cents podcast Minnesota native Bob Schulte joined me to discuss the show and the highs and lows of the AWA. You can listen here.
Please note, Brickhouse Brown has NOT died. The coroner was called in, but Brown has not died. But I'm keeping this blog up to share the story of meeting him in 1998. My first exposure to Brown came via the Apter magazines as a kid. He wrestled primarily in the south and where I lived at the time, those shows weren't aired on TV. I think the first time I saw him on television would have been on World Class Championship Wrestling.
Then in early 1998, I was living in Alabama and an independent wrestling show was happening. Up until then, I'd only ever been to WWF or WCW events. I was excited about this event because I was also covering it for the TV station. I still remember walking into the locker room area and being in awe of all the wrestlers I encountered. Keep in mind this was long before iPhones and really even digital cameras so I have no documentation of this experience.
Ricky Morton and Kid Kash (he was wrestling as Morton's son in the New Rock 'n Roll Express), Bunkhouse Buck, Bullet Bob Armstrong and Brickhouse were among the stars I met that night. I remember Brickhouse coming up to me and by the look on his face, he wasn't as happy to meet me as I was him. He quickly asked what my plans were for the story and said he had concerns about me being there with my camera.
I explained to him I was a lifelong pro wrestling fan and I was there to cover the event and showcase the talent. I also told him had all the respect in the world for him and the other wrestlers on the card. His icy exterior quickly melted and we chatted for several minutes about my fandom and growing up in St. Louis.
While I wasn't quite ready for the reaction I initially got, I completely understood where Brickhouse was coming from. Yes, the Monday Night War was bringing pro wrestling to the forefront at that time, but for years mainstream media treated the business like a joke. Brickhouse was simply protecting something he loved. My respect for him increased that night, especially after our conversation.
March 8 is International Women's Day. There have been a number of remarkable women in the world of professional wrestling. From the "Fabulous" Moolah to Elizabeth to Trish Stratus and current stars like Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair and Mickey James; the evolution of women's wrestling has been amazing.
Sherri in the AWA
One woman who I've come to appreciate much more since her untimely death in 2007 is "Sensational" Sherri Martel. I remember when she first came onto my wrestling radar in the AWA. It was 1985 or so and women's wrestling was enjoying a bit of a resurgence thanks in part to Moolah and Wendi Richter in the WWF. One thing I learned was Sherri was not related to AWA World Champion Rick Martel. But another lesson learned was she was quite a talent in the ring.
Sherri vs. Moolah Courtesy: WWE
Even though more women's matches were being broadcast on TV, the division was still grossly understaffed and underrated. Because of that (I'm assuming) Sherri transitioned into a manager too, leading "Playboy" Buddy Rose and "Pretty Boy" Doug Sommers to the AWA tag team championships. Meanwhile, in the WWF, the ladies were getting some more love and Sherri jumped ship, beating Moolah for the women's championship.
Sherri as Peggy Sue Courtesy: WWE
It seemed that rebirth in the WWF was shortlived too, with Sherri once again returning to her managerial background. She donned a wig, sunglasses and a poodle skirt to be a backup for the Honky Tonk Man for a brief time. But she was most notable for managing the "Macho Man" Randy Savage, becoming "Sensational Queen" Sherri after Savage and Elizabeth split. But the kingdom crumbled and she took on Ted DiBiase as a client and later Shawn Michaels.
Sensational Queen Courtesy: WWE
Sherri would leave WWF and go to WCW to manage Ric Flair and Harlem Heat. Her time in the business was nothing short of impressive. Like I said, I've come to better appreciate Sherri posthumously, but I do remember when she was managing she often took bigger and better bumps than some of her male colleagues. Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior and Dusty Rhodes are just a few of the Superstars who felt Sherri's wrath or dealt out punishment to the former women's champion.
Sherri's HOF induction Courtesy: WWE
In 2006 I was fortunate enough to be in the audience the night Sherri was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Sadly, a year later she was gone. But her legacy will live on not only as a professional wrestler but as one of the most beloved and talented managers of all time.
By Kevin Hunsperger @kevinhunsperger & @my123cents Listen to the podcast here Follow my blog with Bloglovin The wrestling world lost a true legend earlier this week, when former AWA world heavyweight champion Verne Gagne died. He was 89 years old. By the time I started watching wrestling Verne had retired from the ring (as the champ). He was the promoter and had an on-screen role during that time, even wrestled a few times too. The thing I liked about the AWA was it was a decent alternative to the WWF and NWA. When I really started watching, Vince McMahon had already signed guys like Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura and Andre the Giant. But Verne had a talented roster and he worked hard to provide fans with wholesome, Mid-western wrestling action.
Verne vs. Nick Bockwinkel
Many men were given a chance in the AWA that would have likely been overlooked in the other "big two" companies. Guys like Nick Bockwinkel and Rick Martel made fine champions I always thought. Stan Hansen had a run at the top too as did Jerry "The King" Lawler and Curt Hennig. One of my favorite memories of the elder Gagne was his foray into the pay per view world and an event called WrestleRock. This video was used to promote it, and although cheesy it was memorable and I rooted for the AWA hoping they'd continue the tradition. (They did not though).
I remember his feud with Sheik Adnan al Kaissie and his army. Bruiser Brody was brought in to help the heels in their attempt to dominate Verne's allies, including son Greg. Even though he was well past his prime, Verne would step through the ropes and dish out whippings when he deemed it appropriate.
Verne fought the good fight for as long as he could before going bankrupt. The company folded and this meant no more afternoons of AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN. I'd love watching it after school. Relative unknowns like Diamond Dallas Page, Shawn Michaels, Marty Jannetty and a guy named Leon White all went on to much bigger and better things, thanks to the vision of Verne Gagne.
Hall of Fame induction
In 2006 we had the honor of watching Verne become a member of the WWE Hall of Fame. It was an interesting idea at the time, as I think he became the first non-WWE employee/Superstar to get inducted. I was on pins and needles as he delivered his speech, wondering if he'd take any shots at the McMahons. He did not. Verne was a pro and kept it that way. Much respect to him and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and fans. Rest in peace.
Several media outlets are reporting that former AWA and WCW announcer Lee Marshall has died. At this point, no one has listed a cause of death for the broadcaster, who's career spanned much further than professional wrestling. I remember Lee from his days in the AWA. He did commentary on the show back in the 1980's, I'd watch in the afternoons on ESPN when I'd get home from school. He always had a great level of enthusiasm for the sport and knew what he was talking about. Eventually he would resurface in WCW during the Monday Night Wars and did work on the WCW Hotline and the Nitro Road Report.
Marshall voice Tony the Tiger from 1995-2014
Until his death though, I did not realize he had been the ring announcer for the Los Angeles portion of Wrestlemania II back in 1986. Another fact I didn't know until today, Lee Marshall was the modern day voice of the iconic cereal character Tony the Tiger. Lee started that role in 2005. My thoughts and prayers go out to Lee Marshall's family, friends, and fans. May he rest in peace.
I remember watching Kevin Kelly in the AWA in the late 1980's. He was a tall, muscular wrestler with long, golden locks. He seemed like the exact fit for Vince McMahon and the WWF. When Kelly did sign with the company though, he had a much different look.
His long hair was cut short and was much thinner than it was during his AWA run. He no longer wore his typical wrestling gear. Instead, he was Nailz, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit with the number 902714 on the back. Kelly's gimmick was that of a bitter inmate from Cobb County, Georgia. He was in the WWF to get revenge on the prison guard who beat him while he was incarcerated. That guard was the Big Bossman.
Nailz attacked Bossman at a Superstars taping in 1992. After handcuffing the baby face law enforcer to the rope, Nailz preceded to beat Bossman with the very nightstick he brought to the ring. It was more like a mugging. The attack was brutal and left the Bossman on the shelf for quite some time mending.
Big Bossman vs. Nailz
Photo by WWE
As Bossman recovered at home, Nailz went on a bender, beating the tar out of jobbers each week. Finally, at Survivor Series 92 Bossman would get a chance at redemption. He and Nailz met in a "nightstick on a pole" match. I think that may have been the one and only time such a match happened in the WWE. Of course good prevailed over evil and the Bossman won, giving Nailz his much deserved comeuppance.
After that, Nailz sort of fell into an oblivion. I think he had a brief feud with the Undertaker, which the deadman prevailed as well. Then I've read reports that he actually roughed up Vince McMahon over a contract dispute and was fired as a result. Not a wise decision. Nailz reemerged as "the Prisoner" in WCW for a brief stint (another creative round of thinking by the folks at Turner).
In the mid-1980's the world of women's wrestling forever changed. The beautiful baby face, Wendi Richter defeated longtime champion the Fabulous Moolah for the gold. The aging Moolah needed to come up with a plan to get the belt back. Though Leilani Kai filled the void briefly, it didn't take long for Richter to dominate again.
That's when Moolah got mad. Mad Maxine that is. She was a six foot four mountain of a woman. She wore a green mohawk and looked like something out of a punk rock bar. Not only did she tower over the women she wrestled, she was much stronger than them as well.
Moolah & Maxine Courtesy: WWE.com
Despite her gruesome looks and prowess in the ring, she never was able to complete the task at hand. I have very few memories of Maxine's time in the WWE, and I don't recall her ever actually getting a shot at Richter. She didn't wrestle much longer after that stint either, but I know she showed up in the AWA as well.
For her towering physique and menacing looks, I couldn't pass up a Boo blog on Mad Maxine this year.
Fans who watched wrestling in the mid to late 80's probably remember Adrian Adonis as the "Adorable One", prancing around the ring in a wig, dress, and make-up that would embarrass Tammy Faye Baker. But the fact of the matter is, Adonis was an accomplished superstar before the drastic change in gimmick.
My first memories of him were after he signed with the WWF and started teaming with Dick Murdoch. That duo beat the wildly popular Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas for the tag team titles. I was stunned when it happened. Adonis had a tough New Yorker gimmick, which was carried over from his days in the AWA. He and Jesse Ventura were a successful tag team there. Even after he and Murdoch last the tag titles and Adonis disappeared for a while, he came back with Bobby Heenan as his manager. That gimmick didn't last long. Quite honestly it was a bit boring for the cartoonish, larger than life characters Adonis was competing with back then.
Here's a promo where Adonis "comes out". I don't think the WWF ever claimed Adonis was gay, but this particular video is filled with enough innuendo to imply it. As time went on, Adrian become more and more flamboyant.
"Adorable" Adrian
Photo by WWE
I think my favorite memory of Adonis did come with his whole "Adorable" phase though. It was during his feud with "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Adonis' talk show 'The Flower Shop." I found it entertaining and I was a Piper mark back then and loved the way they did the whole face turn for him.
Through the years Adrian packed on the pounds, but that didn't hide the fact that he was an accomplished wrestler. Adonis ended up on the losing end to Piper at Wrestlemania III and got his head shaved by Brutus Beefacke, hence the birth of the barber gimmick. It appeared that the two of them would feud next, but I'm guessing there were contract issues and Adonis ended up leaving the company. He headed back to the AWA, still holding on to the "Adorable" gimmick, and this time with Paul E. Dangerously as his manager.
It was a short run for Adonis as an injury basically forced him out of action. On July 4, 1988 he was getting back to wrestling when he was killed in a van accident with a group of other wrestlers in Canada. Dave McKigney and Pat Kelly also died that day.
The Flower Shop
Even though he's been gone for more than two decades, I think it's important we remember Adrian Adonis. I really hope at some point the WWE inducts him into the Hall of Fame. While maybe he's not a first ballot choice, there is a spot for him I believe.
July 17, 1988 one of wrestling's greatest stars was taken away from us. Bruiser Brody was one of the best big men in the sport, hands down. He stood 6'8" and tipped the scales at more than 300 pounds. He seemed invincible with his giant frame, long, black hair, furry boots, and that unmistakable "husk" chant. But we learned that wasn't true after he was stabbed in the stomach in a locker room in Puerto Rico and died the next day.
I had only been a wrestling fan a few years at the time of Brody's murder. I had the honor of seeing him once in person as he took on Ric Flair for the NWA world heavyweight title in St. Louis. The year was 1985, and Flair intentionally got himself disqualified. Even though Brody never won the world title, he was well respected by the fans, writers, and wrestlers around this country. The magazine Wrestling Superstars named him the best in the world one year (I think it was 1986), where he just edged out Flair for the top spot.
He wrestled all over the world, spending a lot of time in Japan and Puerto Rico. I first took notice of him in World Class Championship Wrestling and Wrestling at the Chase. He played a face in both companies, but when he showed up in the AWA he was a brutal villain. Brody waged war with the Gagnes, probably doing more than he should have to help Greg look like a credible threat.
He teamed with the Von Erichs, and feuded with the likes of the One Man Gang, Kamala, and Abdullah the Butcher. In fact, Abby was his last opponent when they wrestled in a tag team match. Danny Spivey and the Butcher defeated Brody and Carlos Colon.
Brody in action
Brody was in his early 40's at the time of his death. There didn't seem to be any signs of him slowing down, so I can only imagine what might have happened with his career. He never wrestled for the WWF, I often wonder what Vince McMahon might have done with him. I imagine he'd have a different character and would have likely been fed to Hulk Hogan. Some dream matches I would have loved to see with Brody include him taking on Andre the Giant (in a WWF ring), Cactus Jack, and the Undertaker.
Hopefully one day this legend will take his place in the WWE Hall of Fame.
One of the things I miss about having two or three big competing wrestling companies (like WCW and WWE in the 1990's, and throw in the AWA in the 80's) was the fact that wrestlers could jump ship when their contact expired.
Today, it just doesn't seem the same. I think part of it is the WWE is really the only show in town (Impact Wrestling and Ring of Honor are trying their best, but are a distant 2nd and 3rd). I also blame the Internet for providing spoilers and background information on guys contact statuses and letting fans know of their comings and goings.
I was thinking about it earlier today, who were some of the more shocking jumps back in the 80's and 90's, before the dawn of the Internet and smart fans? Here are three that came to mind pretty quickly.
Bobby Heenan & Ric Flair (WWE)
For me, the most shocking will always be Ric Flair's defection to the WWF in 1991. I still remember watching a WCW show while on vacation and them running a scroll at the bottom of the screen explaining that Flair wouldn't be wrestling at an upcoming event because of some kind of contract negotiations. I didn't think much of it at the time, then a couple of weeks later this happened...
I completely marked out after this ran on WWF Superstars back then. As a huge fan of Flair's, I was excited to see him in my favorite wrestling company. Of course I don't totally agree with the way he was booked in his 18 months there, but it was a fun time, highlighted of course by him winning the 1992 Royal Rumble and the WWF champion.
"The King" Harley Race
Harley Race was a 7 time NWA world heavyweight champion. He was the embodiment of the company. I saw "Handsome" Harley wrestle several times in St. Louis, defending the Missouri State Championship. It seemed that he lived and breathed NWA. Then one day in 1986 I remember watching WWF Superstars and the announcers were going over the next week's card. They said "the King" Harley Race would be there with his manager Bobby "the Brain" Heenan. Remember, this was before the Internet, and the Bill Apter magazines were usually about 6 weeks behind real time, so this was a real shock to me. I couldn't believe it.
All hail...
Harley's stint in the WWF only lasted a couple of years. He came in with the King gimmick, which I didn't really care much for. Race was a big enough name and superstar from his time in the NWA that he didn't need a gimmick. Of course this was a time when Vince McMahon didn't want to acknowledge other wrestling companies, so I guess it makes sense.
I got a chance to see Race wrestle at the King. It was a King of the Ring tournament in St. Louis. He pinned Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat in the finals. Race feuded mostly with midcard talent like Junkyard Dog and Hacksaw Jim Duggan. He also had a chance to win the WWF world title in a series of matches with Hulk Hogan. Race would eventually leave the WWF shortly after losing his "crown" to King Haku. I'm glad however that the WWE has since inducted the legend into the Hall of Fame.
Lawler confronts Bret Hart
Wrestling's other "King" Jerry Lawler also surprised me with his decision to join the WWF. Now it seems only natural as the King has been with the company for nearly 20 years. It was another one of those situations that happened BI (before Internet). Lawler was brought in to replace Mr. Perfect on the Prime Time Wrestling panel. Perfect was gearing up for his return to the ring, so Lawler filled the void.
I think I was so surprised by his appearance because he was such a fixture in Memphis, the USWA, and AWA. Of course, he continued to have a presence in Memphis and still does to this day.
Through the years of course he's gotten into the ring in the WWE, most recently challenging the Miz for the WWE title, his first shot at the gold. Other notable feuds include Bret Hart, Roddy Piper, and Ultimate Warrior.
Other big jumps of course included Hulk Hogan going to WCW, but the Apter mags had run a cover story on it before it actually happened. And the Internet ruined Scott Hall and Kevin Nash's invasion on WCW, as well as Chris Jericho's countdown to Y2J.
Which jumps were the most surprising to you? Post your thoughts here, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.
