AUDIO: Wrestling Under the Influence: Bret Hart

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Bret Hart is an icon. He's one of the all-time greats. Now he has a craft beer loosely based on him. Brett the Hipman Hop is made by Against the Grain Brewery and Smokehouse in Louisville, Kentucky. The company recently sent me a bottle to sample for the podcast.

And that's just what I did with former Stride Pro Wrestling champion Roger Matheus. We drink the beer and share memories of the Hitman in the process. Check it out here. 

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VIDEO: Go Figure Friday: My broken Hart

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By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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This week on Go Figure Friday I talk more about my first set of Jakks Pacific figures that I bought in 1996. I have kept most of them in the original packaging for the last 22 years, however today I #scratchthatfigureitch and show them off. But I end up broken Harted in the process.

Improving past Survivor Series teams

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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When Survivor Series made its debut in 1987 I was instantly hooked. I loved the concept, 'teams of five strive to survive.' I hated it when the WWF tweaked the format in 1992 and started moving away from the elimination matches. Through the years they've done different things with the show but to me, the best events are the ones with those matches.

That being said, I've decided to make today's blog a fantasy booking one where I replace one member of a team to make that unit more strong. Obviously, I'm not going to hit each year or every match but just a few here. Let me know what you think and how you'd change previous Survivor Series teams.

Courtesy: WWE

In 1987 there were three glaring omissions to me from Survivor Series. Ted DiBiase, The Ultimate Warrior and the Junkyard Dog. I understand wanting to save DiBiase and have him make a bigger impact. I'll even give it for the Warrior too. However, JYD had been a long time staple in WWF and would have fit well into the show. So no disrespect to Ken Patera, but I'd replace him with the Dog. Patera's second run as a face was lackluster. I believe JYD would have added some charisma to Hulk Hogan's team of Don Muraco, Paul Orndorff and Bam Bam Bigelow.

Courtesy: WWE

When 1990's event rolled around, I'd argue the "Macho King" Randy Savage was among the top heels in the company. However, he wasn't even on the card. At least he didn't wrestle. If I remember correctly, he and Queen Sherri cut a promo that night. However, I would have made The Perfect Team more perfect by adding some royalty. Savage, along with Mr. Perfect and Demolition (Ax and Smash with Crush on the outside) would have been a better foursome. I would still use Ax even though he was being phased out and close to leaving. However, he and Smash were the better form of Demolition and one of WWE's most iconic duos. 

Courtesy: WWE

A year later I would have done some swapping around on the card, not removing anyone. I'm a huge Kerry Von Erich fan and his appearance in 1991 was in a hodgepodge match, teaming with El Matador, Hacksaw Duggan and Sgt. Slaughter. The faces all survived and beat Hercules, Skinner, Col. Mustafa and The Berzerker. I would have put Texas Tornado in a higher profile contest with Roddy Piper, Bret Hart and Davey Boy Smith. That would move Virgil to the team with Duggan and company. 

Also in 91, I can't remember why, but for some reason, Sid Justice and Jake "the Snake" Roberts were pulled from their respective teams. Justice was to lead Big Bossman and the Legion of Doom into battle against Jake, IRS and the Natural Disasters. Instead, we got a three-on-three elimination match which actually went on last that night. I guess that was so fans didn't leave upset with Hogan dropping the WWF Championship to the Undertaker. Like I said, I don't remember the reason for the change but it would have been a much better match if the two captains had remained involved. 

Courtesy: WWE

Shawn Michaels was the last minute replacement for Jerry "the King" Lawler to face the Hart Family in 1993. Lawler's partners were all 'knights' from his roundtable. I get the reasoning for that because it fit the gimmick. However, when Lawler was pulled from the show and HBK put in his place, the knights should have been scrapped too. As cheesy this sounds, they could have kept the 'knights' under masks and just called them Hartbreakers. Remember the team they're facing and Shawn's heartbreak kid gimmick was peaking here.  

What are your thoughts? Share here or on the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page. 

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Instead of Hart, how about Von Erich

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I suspect this will not be a popular post among some. It's part of my series of blogs looking at championship scenarios involving other Superstars. In no way am I saying Bret Hart should have never won the WWE Championship. I'm just offering an alternative. That being said, I should also mention that Kerry Von Erich is one of the first pro wrestlers I ever saw on TV and I credit him for hooking me as a lifelong fan.

Okay, now that the disclosures are out of the way, let's dig into this scenario... Of course for this to have worked, I'm basing it on Kerry being clean and sober and free of any demons. He had beaten Ric Flair in 1984 for the NWA Title. Repeating the act with the WWE Championship n 1992 would have been amazing. Kerry had the look for sure to be one of WWE's top guys. His mic skills weren't the greatest, but his work in the ring would have more than made up for that while developing his promo abilities.

Courtesy: WWE

Kerry could have lead the way for years to come. He was just 32 years old during this era of wrestling. Imagine him winning the gold and going on to face Yokozuna at WrestleMania IX. Of course I would have loved for him to retain and go on to face Bret Hart at the next year's WrestleMania X and that's where Hart begins his run as champ. But I also don't think I would have avoided Yokozuna as WWE Champion all together. This also would change the return of Hulkamania and him winning the belt before heading to WCW.

For the sake of this plan, lets remove Hogan from the equation. I wasn't a fan of how that all went down anyway and for him to drop the belt back to Yokozuna anyway seemed kinda silly to me to have ever had Bret lose it. So Kerry loses to Yokozuna at WrestleMania XI. Yokozuna drops it back to him at SummerSlam. Kerry goes on to feud with "The Narcassist" Lex Luger, who co-wins the Royal Rumble with Hart. (There's no need for the All American gimmick and I liked heel Lex better anyway.)

Courtesy: WWE

WrestleMania X would still feature Bret vs. Owen and Kerry vs. Luger, with Kerry retaining and later going on to lose to Hart. Then Hart could have had a solid run through the rest of 1994. I previously wrote about putting the belt on Bulldog instead of Diesel. That could mesh in here, with Bulldog turning on Bret earlier than he did or simply having Bret vs. Shawn Michaels a year earlier at WrestleMania  XI and getting that rivilary off the ground.

Yes, hindsight is 20/20. There are plenty of things I've proposed that wouldn't have worked. Vince McMahon allegedly isn't a fan of face vs. face matches, so I'd imagine Kerry vs. Bret at WrestleMania would have been a hard sell anyway. However, I think this would have been a phenomonal match and a great way to book one of my all-time favorites.

Previous 'Instead of' blogs

Instead of Garvin, how about Windham?

Instead of Diesel, how about Bulldog?

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Instead of Diesel, how about Bulldog?

Bulldog vs. Diesel
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I'm starting a new feature here on the blog, looking at former heavyweight champs and offering up a different Superstar to hold that belt. In no way am I disrespecting the chosen wrestler, instead just wondering 'what if.'

For the first installment, why I would have rather seen British Bulldog as WWF Champion instead of Diesel.

Courtesy: WWE

This is the part where I contradict myself. I don't dislike Kevin Nash or Diesel, however, the character and the performer never resonated with me. I respect what he's done in the business. I appreciate the fact that he overcame a myriad of crappy gimmicks to achieve Legend status. I was shocked when he won the Intercontinental Championship from Razor Ramon in early 1994. I was amazed when he beat Bob Backlund for the WWF Championship in a matter of seconds later that year.

It was November 1994. Bret Hart had once again dropped the title, this time to Backlund. I personally would have liked to seen Bret hold the belt and have a long-term, meaningful run with the gold. Yes, I know it's all a work, but I can still have an opinion on what I wanted to see on my favorite wrestling programs. Since the plan was to obviously put the title on someone new and who was a good guy, I would have gone with Bulldog. (My bad guy pick is Owen Hart here). I had an internal debate between Bulldog and Ramon for this blog, but my favorite tag team of all-time is the British Bulldogs so that's why I went with Davey Boy Smith.

Courtesy: WWE

Ramon was still going back and forth with challengers for the IC title, trading it for years to come with Jeff Jarrett and Goldust. But Smith seemed lost for a period and ended up forming a tag team with Lex Luger. The two were impressive and I thought they'd end up finally dethroning Owen and Yokozuna for the tag team titles, but it never happened.

Courtesy: WWE

Imagine Bulldog winning the belt that night in Madison Square Garden from Backlund. He could have then gone on to defend it against contenders like Shawn Michaels, Diesel and Owen. (I would have kept Diesel a heel too). Bulldog's run could have lasted a year and culminated at Survivor Series 95 where he'd drop it back to Bret much like Diesel did. This would have given Bret a win after losing the IC title to Smith at Summer Slam 92 and still kept the plans in place for Michaels' rise to the top in 1996. 

This is obviously a quick look at what I would have liked to have seen. Look for future 'Instead Of' blogs. Let me know who you would have had to win the WWF Championship instead of Diesel. 

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Seven things I love about WrestleMania VII

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's hard to believe WrestleMania VII went down 27 years ago today (March 24, 1991). I was a senior in high school and it's one of the first WrestleManias I watched live. I watched the first WrestleMania on closed-circuit later that evening and WrestleMania IV the same way but from the Kiel Center in downtown St. Louis. My buddy Jim had invited me over to watch VII and I still remember being so stoked to not have to watch to get a VHS copy of the show.

So since today is the anniversary, I figured I share some things I love about WrestleMania VII. 

7.  Bret Hart's solo career launches. Hart and his tag team partner Jim Neidhart lost the WWF Tag Team Championships that night to the Nasty Boys. It was pretty much the end of the Hart Foundation as Bret would get a huge push as a solo act and won the Intercontinental Championship at the company's next pay-per-view, SummerSlam 1991. They'd tried this a few years prior, but the Hitman and Anvil ended up reuniting. This time, however, Hart went full speed ahead as Neidhart joined forces with Owen Hart for a while. 

Courtesy: WWE

6. Blindfold match. The blindfold match between Rick Martel and Jake "The Snake" Roberts gets criticism from some fans. However, I enjoyed the hell out of it and the story that led to the match. Back in the early 90s, there were no Raw or monthly pay-per-views. WWF was able to build this story and let it simmer from the fall of 1990 all the way to the culmination in March 1991. 

5. Andre's swan song. I don't think anyone knew it, but WrestleMania VII would be Andre the Giant's last Mania. He died less than two years later and even at the event in Los Angeles. He wrestled a few more times after this. You probably recall Andre didn't actually wrestle at Mania, just aided the Big Bossman in his match against Mr. Perfect.

Courtesy: WWE

4. The Streak is born. In 1991 no one had any idea that the Undertaker would still be showing up for WrestleMania in 2018. I had believed at that point that the gimmick would be around for a year or two and then fade away like so many of the other over the top cartoonish characters we'd come to see in the WWF. But much credit to Undertaker, Paul Bearer and WWE Creative for staying the course and creating one of the most iconic characters ever. The Streak was something of importance for more than two decades as well. 

3. Hulkamania ran wild again. Yes, I was a Hulkamaniac, even in high school. I couldn't stand the fact that Sgt. Slaughter was WWF Champion. It was great to see the belt back where it belonged (even though I had no problem with Warrior's run on top either).

2. Kerry Von Erich makes his WrestleMania debut. WrestleMania VII was Kerry's one and only Mania appearance. Growing up, I was a huge fan of his. When he signed with WWF in 1990 as the Texas Tornado I was excited to see him on the big stage. His run was solid despite having the personal demons he battled. His appearance at Mania was short and sweet, but he was victorious that night beating Dino Bravo.

1. "Macho Man" Randy Savage vs. The Ultimate Warrior. This remains my personal favorite when it comes to WrestleMania matches. The emotion involved in it radiated through the TV that night. The end was amazing with Warrior, war paint smeared all over his face, pinned an exhausted Macho Man with one foot on his chest. Some criticized that move, but to me it was perfect. Then with Sherri turning on Savage and Elizbeth making the save made me pop. I loved Savage and Sherri together, but we all know he and Liz were meant to be.

So what are your favorite moments from that night? Share here or on the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page.

The Montreal Screwjob 20 years later

The Montreal Screwjob
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's hard to believe but on this night 20 years ago, one of the most talked about incidents in wrestling history went down. Vince McMahon "screwed" Bret Hart at the end of Survivor Series 1997 in what has become known as the Montreal Screwjob. You're reading this, so you're most likely a pro wrestling fan and up to speed on what happened that night. Today I'm just going to share some of my thoughts in the aftermath as well as those of some of the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook friends.

There are different stories floating around out there as to who truly knew what was going on that night. Some still believe the whole thing was a work. Others, like me, know that the incident was not part of a storyline and one of the most real moments ever. (Heck, it even inspired an adult film, at least that's what I'm told.) 

Two decades later, I still feel bad to an extent for Bret. I know it's a business and according to many, Bret didn't want to cooperate that night with the plan. Vince McMahon had every right to protect what is his and he could not afford to have Bret show up on WCW Nitro the next night with the WWF Championship. In that regard, I don't blame he or Shawn for what went down. 

Bret screwed Bret?
Courtesy: WWE

Had it not happened, the tide may have not turned into WWF's favor. The Attitude Era was just starting, but I wonder how strong it would have become without that heel authority figure Mr. McMahon coming to light. The Screwjob was the catalyst for that.

Bret Hart in WCW
Courtesy: WWE

I feel bad for Bret not so much for what Vince McMahon did, but with what WCW did with him once he arrived. His run there was nothing spectacular. For some reason, something just didn't connect with him and the audience. A similar case could be made for "Macho Man" Randy Savage and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper too. 

Shawn Michaels suffered a major injury months after the Screwjob. It happened at the Royal Rumble in 1998 and by the end of WrestleMania 14, he was physically done. We wouldn't see him wrestle again for four years. I'm not saying karma had any role in that, but I'm also not saying it didn't. Again, I don't blame Shawn for his role in the incident. Like Vince, he had to protect himself and his interests too. 

I liked Bret Hart, but I wouldn't rank him in my personal top ten. Despite watching both Raw and Nitro, I was always a WWF guy first. Bret's departure in that regard hurt. He was another big name Superstar to jump ship and at that point, WWF wasn't seeing much of WCW's top talent crossing over. Six months or so later though that would change and WWF would take over again in the Mondy Night War. 

Making up
Courtesy: WWE

So for my 1-2-3 cents, yes, I'm glad the Montreal Screwjob happened. I'm sorry that Bret got hurt as a result though, but I'm happy he and Vince and Shawn were all able to make amends so many years later. But had it not happened, who knows where the business would be today. Now for your 3 cents on the situation...

"I could never stand Bret. So I loved it when they screwed him over. Honestly, it made the attitude era even better. It gave us the evil Mr. McMahon character." - Joshua 

"I've disliked Vince for several reasons, but agree with his statement that Brett screwed Brett. Brett was jumping ship to the competition. The infamous madison square garden incident could have been rivaled in infamy by Brett bringing the WWF strap to WCW. You had to understand the times back then to see things from Vince's eyes. WWF was in a decline to a rejuvenated and up and coming challenger which hadn't really happened to Vince at the time." - Michael

"Bret Hart was my favorite wrestler when I was in junior high and high school. I loved everything he did. I was obsessed with the Montreal Screwjob after it happened. I’ve watched Wrestling With Shadows several times, and still, own it on VHS and DVD.

After Montreal happened I was super excited to see Bret go to WCW. I loved the idea of seeing what Bret would do in a new company. Especially with as white-hot as the NWO was at the time. 

And then he eventually showed up in WCW a few months later, and it was one disaster after another for Bret. WCW had no idea what to do with him. He should have been on Nitro the very next night and given a live microphone to air his grievances. Why on Earth would they not think that was the best idea possible? I’ll never understand. I believe they initially brought him in as the guest referee like three months after Montreal, but I could be wrong about that. 

Bret’s two defining moments in WCW were his match against Chris Benoit after Owen died, and the night he wore the metal around his abdomen and made Goldberg knock himself out. 

Bret in WCW was a major disappointment. Tragic really. The kick he took to the head from Goldberg set off a series of unfortunate events that Bret has never really recovered from. To this day Bret seems like a shell of his former self, and still extremely bitter regarding how his career turned out. 

I could go on for an hour writing about Bret Hart, so I’ll just stop now." -Sam 

"They did Bret Hart wrong. He wanted to go down as a legend on home soil. We all know the Macmahons only care about themselves!" - Matt 

Blame Canada, but why?

Bret Hart
Courtesy: WWE

 By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I've thought about this blog for quite some time and actually brought it up for a brief discussion with Chad during the most recent My 1-2-3 Cents podcast. Why are most Canadian wrestlers portrayed as bad guys? I am not a history buff and should probably not admit that, but I don't recall any sort of tension with the Great White North.

Dino Bravo
Courtesy: WWE

Dino Bravo was the Canadian strongman. When he first arrived in the WWF he was a good guy. But eventually they turned him heel and he adopted the Canada rules and the U.S. drools mantra. He wore the fleur-de-lis trunks and his manager, Frenchy Martin waved the Canadian flag. 

The Rougeaus & Jimmy Hart
Courtesy: WWE

A similar thing happened with Jacques and Raymond Rougeau. The Canadian brothers wore similar gear but were cheered by the fans. But at some point, they too turned heel and took on Jimmy Hart as their manager. The Mouth of the South even had a special jacket he wore with the team that reflected a love for Canada. Eventually, Jacques became even goofier and went full blown bad guy as the Mountie. I should note too that Hart eventually took over the managerial duties for Bravo and The Canadian Earthquake.

Team Canada
Courtesy: WWE

Lance Storm owned the bad guy Canadian gimmick in WCW. He had a stable of support in Team Canada and even recruited the uber-patriotic "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan. The tough guy shaved his scruffy beard and slicked his hair back. He tossed his USA gear to the side and adopted the red, white and Maple Leaf accessories instead. 

The Hart Foundation
Courtesy: WWE

Bret Hart was a bad guy in the United States in 1997 but was hailed a hero at home. Same with the rest of the members of the Hart Foundation, although Owen was the only other true Canadian on the squad. The UnAmericans did it too in later years and added other U.S. allies like England to the mix.

Alexxa & Tony Flood
Courtesy: Steve Belcher (Stride Pro Wrestling)

It happens on the indy scene too. In AAPW it was Sean Vincent and in Stride Pro Wrestling it's Tony and Alexxa Flood. Don't get me wrong, the gimmick works. Fans love to boo someone who isn't from this country, no matter where their nationality originates. But remember, we all trusted Sgt. Slaughter one time and he took up for the Iraqis.

Foreign Object Friday: Jimmy Hart's motorcycle helmet

Jimmy Hart circa WrestleMania VII
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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For years, "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart came to the ring carrying a megaphone. On more than one occasion that device would serve as a weapon and help his Superstars win matches and in some cases championships. But for some reason at WrestleMania VII when Hart showed up with the Nasty Boys he was sporting a motorcycle helmet.

As an 18-year-old fan and nearly a decade of fandom under my belt, I had a feeling that helmet would come into play. Much to my surprise though it was the megaphone that made its first appearance in the match. But it backfired and the Hart Foundation gained the upper hand again. Brian Knobbs was the victim of a Hart Attack and as Jim Neidhart covered the Nasty Boy, the referee was distracted getting Bret Hart out of the ring. 

The helmet is used
Courtesy: WWE

Jimmy Hart quickly tossed the helmet to Jerry Sags who blasted the Anvil with it. Knobbs rolled on top of him and three seconds later there were new tag team champions. As a fan, I always questioned why the refs never questioned actions like this. At one moment the babyface is in control and then when the referee turns back around, the good guy is laid out. But after that's what makes wrestling so much fun. 

Remember this?
Courtesy: WWE

I don't remember now if the helmet was a one off for Hart or if he continued to wear it through the Nasty Boys' title run. I suppose we can throw in Hulk Hogan's classic helmet from the late 80s too when he battled Bad News Brown. Those were the days...