VIDEO: Fig Bath Friday

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I've had my collection of LJN WWF Superstars for nearly 35 years. (I got my first set during the Summer of 1985.) However, I have never given any of these guys a much needed Fig Bath. The Major Wrestling Figure Podcast (hosted by Matt Cardona and Brian Myers) inspired me to do this (finally). So while experiencing some boredom, I filled up a small tub with hot water and dish soap and grabbed an unused toothbrush and five Superstars for their debut bathing. 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper, Brutus Beefcake, 'Macho Man' Randy Savage, Andre the Giant and King Kong Bundy were the first of my collection to take the plunge. I recorded it on time-lapse and it goes by pretty quick. Admittedly, I could probably give them all another good scrubbing but for the purposes of time, I made it as quick as possible. Have you given your figs a bath before? What do you use?

Greg Valentine's WrestleMania legacy

Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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While listening to the most recent episode of Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard, I learned an interesting fact about Greg "The Hammer" Valentine. The topic for the show is WrestleMania IV and the tournament for the WWF Championship. Co-host Conrad Thompson mentions during the episode that Valentine had competed for all three championships (at the time) in the first three WrestleManias.

WrestleMania
Courtesy: WWE

That statement got me to thinking. Of course, Conrad is right. Looking back Valentine was the Intercontinental Champion at WrestleMania. He defended against the Junkyard Dog and was counted out. I really, really wanted JYD to win the belt that night and thought he was going to do it. 

Valentine, Johnny V and Brutus Beefcake
Courtesy: WWE

A year later, he and Brutus Beefcake were the unlikely WWF Tag Team Champions. They lost those belts to the British Bulldogs. Then at WrestleMania IV, the Hammer was part of the WWF Championship Tournament. He beat Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat (he had a thing for opponents with an animal name) in round one. Then in the second round, he lost to the eventual winner "Macho Man" Randy Savage.

Valentine vs. Savage
Courtesy: WWE

Valentine was a bad guy when I was growing up and a good one at that. Therefore I wouldn't have called myself a fan of him. However, as an adult, you can look back and understand the contribution wrestlers made to the business and judge them independently of just their persona in the ring. This is quite an accomplishment for Valentine and a WrestleMania fun fact that is overlooked. 

I scoured the internet and racked my brain to determine if anyone else has wrestled for the three primary champions at WrestleMania. I came up blank. But I did find this cool site that offers up more WrestleMania fun facts. If I've missed someone who has competed for all three titles at WrestleMania, let me know. None-the-less though, Valentine is the first to do it. It's Hammer Time! 

Foreign Object Friday: Sherri Martel's purse

Sherri's purse knocked out King Duggan
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Earlier this month, we marked the 10 year anniversary of the death of "Sensational" Sherri Martel. The WWE Hall of Famer will be remembered as one of the most talented performers to step in the ring. She was an amazing wrestler and manager, leading the likes of Randy Savage, Shawn Michaels, Ted DiBiase, Ric Flair and Harlem Heat into battle. 

Sherri tumbles in with the purse
Courtesy: WWE

The memorable thing about Sherri in this role was she was never afraid to mix it up with the Superstars. She got physical during matches with the likes of Hulk Hogan, The Ultimate Warrior and Dusty Rhodes. As JR would say, Sherri was tougher than a two dollar steak. 

Hogan uses the purse
Courtesy: WWE

But sometimes Sherri relied on more than her talent and abilities in the ring or outside to help her man. A loaded purse would come into play. Who knows what was in it? Maybe a brick or some rocks... She attempted to help her team of Savage and Zeus in the main event of SummerSlam 89. But Hogan got a hold of the handbag and used it to blast Zeus and get the win. Sherri also got a taste of her own medicine and Elizabeth knocked out the Sensational One. Liz and Beefcake then cut Martel's hair.

Another time when the purse worked out for Savage was when he whacked King Hacksaw Duggan in the head with it and pinned him to win the crown. Sherri had been tussling with Duggan and Savage took advantage of the distracted Duggan. Sherri and Savage would go on to be the King and Queen of the WWF until Savage retired after WrestleMania VII, some 18 months after being royalty. 

Hall of Fame induction
Courtesy: WWE

Yes, the purse was dangerous, but Sherri's ability to manipulate and distract wrestlers was just as dangerous. A decade later, her presence is missed. I never got to see her wrestle in person, but was on hand in Chicago when she was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the year before her death. Rest in peace Sherri.

Foreign Object Friday: Johnny V's cigar

Johnny V and his cigar

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I'm starting a new weekly feature here to talk more about foreign objects. Probably better known as international objects in this day and age. We, of course, all remember Jim Cornette's tennis racket, Jimmy Hart's megaphone and Mr. Fuji's cane. For this series, I am going to look at some lesser known objects used throughout the course of wrestling.

In 1985 one of my favorite tag teams was Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo. The U.S. Express had won the WWF tag team titles for a second time that summer and was defending them against Brutus Beefcake and Greg "The Hammer" Valentine. The Dream Team was a new duo at the time and still under the direction of both Jimmy Hart and "Lucious" Johnny V. Turns out the stogie-smoking Valiant would be a game changer in this contest.

The Dream Team
Courtesy: WWE

Toward the end of the match, Beefcake was handed Johnny's lit cigar. The future barber proceeded to use the cigar as a weapon and rubbed it in the face of Windham. The action was impactful enough to render Windham unable to continue fighting and he was pinned to the mat and new champs were crowned.

I don't know that any other title ever changed hands due to a lit cigar. Nor do I recall Valiant ever using any other sort of weapon during his time as a manager. But there are plenty of other unique objects that have been used to gain the upper hand in wrestling. What is your favorite? Stay tuned each Friday.

SURVIVOR SERIES: Favorite team number 2: Team Macho Man

Team Macho Man 

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I'm counting down to the 30th annual Survivor Series by looking back at my ten favorite teams in the history of the event. Survivor Series ranks among my favorite events every year and if you've read this blog in the past you know I'm a fan of the traditional elimination matches. 

The fall of 1987 was an awesome time to be a wrestling fan. It was the post-WrestleMania III era of WWF. Hulkamania was still running wild after beating Andre the Giant. But a new force was emerging: Macho Madness. Randy Savage had turned good while pursuing the Intercontinental Championship from the Honky Tonk Man.

Around this same time, a new pay-per-view concept was being introduced to compete with the NWA's Thanksgiving night event, Starrcade. Survivor Series made its debut Thanksgiving night 1987. Although there was plenty of buzz around the main event of Team Hogan vs. Team Andre, it was Savage's team that stood out to me.

Team Macho Man was filled with some of the most talented Superstars on the roster at that time and in the history of the company. Savage, of course, was the captain and led former IC champ Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake and Jake "The Snake" Roberts. Honky Tonk's team was thinner on the talent and included Hercules, "The King" Harley Race (a legend who was winding down), "Outlaw" Ron Bass and "Dangerous" Danny Davis. 

Team Honky Tonk Man

The good guys dominated the match, only losing Duggan via a double count-out with Race and Beefcake was pinned by HTM. That left Savage, Steamboat and Roberts as the survivors. I do remember thinking it was odd that these three co-existed given the brutality of the feuds that had already been engaged in against one another. 

It was a great time to be a wrestling fan and Team Macho Man was the torch bearer for great teams for this new PPV concept. (Side note: Andre's team was indeed a strong one too with Rick Rude, Butch Reed, King Kong Bundy and the One Man Gang.)  

Top 10:

Team 3: The Legends: Survivor Series 1987

Team 4: Team Andre the Giant & Dino Bravo: Survivor Series 1988

Team 5: Four Doinks: Survivor Series 1993

Team 6: Team HBK: Survivor Series 1995

Team 7: Team Piper: Survivor Series 1991

Team 8: The All-Americans: Survivor Series 1993

Team 9: Team WWF Survivor Series 2001

Team 10: New Day, King Barrett and Sheamus: Survivor Series 2015

Famer Friday: The Honky Tonk Man

IC champ
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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It's way too early to start speculating about the Class of 2017 for the WWE Hall of Fame, but here I go. When I first started doing the Famer Friday posts it was to advocate for the men and women of the mat wars that I feel deserve to be inducted. Then I changed it up to reminisce about current inductees. Today I'm back to someone I think should go in sooner rather than later.

The Honky Tonk Man was one of the first bad guys in wrestling that cheered. When he first appeared on WWF TV in 1986 he was a good guy. I barely noticed him and actually thought he was kind of goofy. Apparently millions of others felt the same way and soon HTM became a cool, cocky and bad heel. He was paired with manager Jimmy Hart.

Swinging at Savage
Courtesy: WWE

The two were perfect together and Honky took the Elvis impersonator gimmick to a whole new level. Not only did he shock me when he beat Jake "The Snake" Roberts at WrestleMania III, but also when he pinned Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat for the Intercontinental title. I thought for sure it was a fluke win and the Dragon would soon reclaim the gold. That didn't happen and HTM fought off challenges by "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake. He went on to become the longest reigning IC champion of all-time and still ranks among my favorite former champs.

Arm wrestling contest
1997

There's another reason I like Honky Tonk Man. He is the first wrestler I ever met in person. It was 1997 and I was out with a reporter at the TV station KMOV in St. Louis. HTM was playing the role of good will ambassador for WWF and handing out tickets for the upcoming In Your House: Badd Blood pay per view. We chatted briefly before I beat him in an arm wrestling "match" to win a free ticket. It was an awesome experience.

2012

Fifteen years later I met him again at WrestleCon in Miami. This time I was dressed like Vince McMahon and Chad was Jesse "The Body" Ventura. It was a much shorter encounter, but fun none-the-less. Earlier this year I had the pleasure of interviewing HTM for my podcast. He says he has a good relationship with the company and thinks he'll one day go into the WWE Hall of Fame. I'm hoping it happens in the near future.

SummerSlam A to Z: Zeus

Zeus and Macho Man
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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And we've reached the end of the alphabet.  I couldn't think of a better way to wrap things up than with Zeus.  He was a very small, but memorable part of SummerSlam.  Zeus and "The Macho King" Randy Savage teamed up in the main event of SummerSlam 89 against Hulk Hogan and Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake.

Ready to rumble
Courtesy: WWE

"Tiny" Lister played Zeus, who was the villain opposite  Hogan in the WWF produced film No Holds Barred earlier in the summer.  Like the monster he played in the movie, Zeus was a dominate force leading up to the SummerSlam match.  Of course there was tension still between Hogan and Savage following Wrestlemania V and Hogan's title victory.  Beefcake was thrown into the mix as well.  Plus Elizabeth and Sherri were outside the ring to add to the drama.

Courtesy: WWE

Zeus barely knew the difference between a wrist lock and a wrist watch.   I'm not judging as my in ring skills are limited to a few chops, a bodyslam and a clothesline.  The good guys won the battle, but the war was far from over.  Hogan and Zeus went head to head on opposite Survivor Series teams that year.  And 1989 wrapped up with a pay per view special called No Holds Barred: The Match, The Movie.  This time Hogan and Beefcake beat the bad guys inside a steel cage.  

Zeus pretty much disappeared after that.  He resurfaced in WCW years later as Z-Gangsta and once again battled Hogan.  This stint was even shorter than his first go around in the business. He'd never win wrestler of the year, but Zeus was a fun part of my childhood wrestling days as I can still picture him ranting and raving more than 25 years later.

SummerSlam A to Z: Queen Sherri & Sharmell

Queen Sherri at SummerSlam 89
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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We've seen plenty of kings involved in the world of wrestling, from Jerry Lawler to Harley Race to current monarch Wade Barrett.  There haven't been nearly as many queens, but two lovely royal divas made their presence known at several SummerSlam events.

Haircut time
Courtesy: WWE

Sensational Queen Sherri first appeared by the side of Zeus and "Macho King" Randy Savage at SummerSlam 89.  The duo took on and lost to Hulk Hogan and Brutus Beefcake.  The Queen scuffled with Hogan, Beefcake and Elizabeth.  Sherri was fearless and didn't mind mixing it up with the guys or the ladies.  She even ended up with a haircut (ponytail cut) at the end of the night.   

Meow!
Courtesy: WWE

A year later the former women's champion was set to battle Dusty Rhodes' valet Sapphire, but the match never happened.  It seemed Sapphire had  a price for the "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase and forfeited the match.  No doubt though Sherri's wardrobe and makeup that night were more memorable than the match would have been.  Six months later Sherri and Savage split and she dropped the queen gimmick, but was involved in matches at SummerSlams that followed.

Queen Sharmell helping King Booker
Courtesy: WWE

Queen Sharmell never actually wrestled at a SummerSlam, but she was in the corner of her man, King Booker in 2006 and 07.  The royal couple's first SummerSlam saw Booker defending the World heavyweight title against Batista.  The Queen inserted herself in the match, kicking Batista and getting The King disqualified.  A year later it was "The King of Kings" Triple H beating Booker.  

Sherri and Sharmell were the only queens of wrestling to play the role at SummerSlam.  With the exception of Moolah taking on the role at Wrestlemania III with Race, they're the only two queen gimmicks in WWE (at least that I can remember).  They each had memorable moments during their tenures.  Long live the queens!

My First Time

Photo courtesy: @TheHistoryofWWE on Twitter

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Although I share a lot on this blog, I'm not going where you might think I am with the title of this post. I'm referring to the first live wrestling matches I ever attended.  Thanks to the power of social media, and @TheHistoryofWWE on Twitter, I confirmed the date.

December 27, 1984, my dad, brother, uncles, cousins, and friends headed to the famed St. Louis Arena for a night of WWF action.  Hulk Hogan defended his WWF championship against Brutus Beefcake, long before he became known as "The Barber." A vile "Rowdy" Roddy Piper locked up with the Junkyard Dog, with Lou Thesz as the special guest referee, and "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka battled Piper's main man "Cowboy" Bob Orton.

Looking back on the night, it was a who's who of the WWE Hall of Fame these days.  The notable absence being Andre the Giant, who I unfortunately never got to see wrestle in person.  But that night at the Arena was so much fun none-the-less.  I had been watching wrestling for just over a year at that point.  I had become a fanatic about it earlier in the year.  I was just buying into the whole "Hulkamania" craze, so, of course, we all went wild when the Hulkster defeated Beefcake in the main event.

We had floor seats at the show and probably sat about eight rows back.  Fans weren't as obnoxious back then as they are now, holding up signs and standing to block the view with every out-of-the-ring moment.  But since we were young marks, we'd run to the entrance side before and after each match, holding to slap hands with the greatness that was before us.  

Unfortunately, I did not bring a camera to this event and capture the action, but many of the moments are still burned in my brain.  Orton and Piper double-teamed Snuka and dropped him crotch-first on the top rope.  That prompted an angry JYD to run off the heels.  Beefcake hit a beautiful high knee (his finisher) in what we thought might end the reign of Hogan, but the Hulkster kicked out and mustered the strength to win.  I also remember feeling bad for SD Jones and watching him go down in defeat to the Spoiler.  I always had a soft spot for Special Delivery, may he rest in peace.  The night also featured a very young, Bret Hart as he wrestled soon to be manager Johnny V to a draw.

The action reaffirmed my love for wrestling and set me on the path of remaining an obsessed fan.  Who knew that night so many years ago would lead me to several more house shows, live WrestleManias, and even a chance to step inside the squared circle.  Thanks to my dad for taking me and sharing that special memory with my brother.  What a night.

Boo: Beefcake's Identity Crisis

The Zodiac
Photo from WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperer & @my123cents on Twitter

Ed Leslie has played several characters through his wrestling career.  No doubt, Brutus Beefcake was the most successful and recognizable of his gimmicks.  When he left the WWF after nearly a decade, he continued the character, under the name Brother Bruti and teamed with Hulk Hogan.  After turning on the Hulkster he went through a series of personality changes, including one of the most ridiculous of all time, The Zodiac.

The character was a member of Kevin Sullivan's Dungeon of Doom.  Zodiac had oddly spiked hair and wore black and white face paint, tights, and arm guards (I'm drawing a blank on what the gear is actually called).  Honestly, he looked silly, but it was that era of gimmicky wrestler.  The Dungeon was supposed to be a band of monsters all hell bent on destroying Hulkamania, but they were more laughable than scary in my opinion.

The Zodiac & The Giant
Photo from WWE

When he was introduced to the world, the Master said Zodiac didn't know pleasure or pain.  He walked in the dark and the light.  Zodiac was said to be the key of the Dungeon.  It was hinted that he was Beefcake, as he was also described as the "brother of light", implying the relationship between Hogan and Beefcake through the years (or maybe I read to much into the character)

Other than a series of tag team and multi-man matches, I don't remember much of Zodiac's in ring career.  He eventually left the group and turned face, becoming the Booty Man.  I've said it before, I'll say it again, I don't understand why WCW pulled him away from that Barber image.  He was extremely popular in WWF, but I felt like he floundered at best when he signed with WCW.  I'll admit I was a big Beefcake fan back in the day, but could never get behind any of his many personas in WCW, especially the Zodiac.

Throwback Thursday: Favorite Survivor Series Teams

The Warriors
Survivor Series 1990
Photo by WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

In 1987 when the Survivor Series pay per view was born it brought something new to the landscape of wrestling.  The concept was simple, "teams of five strive to survive."  That was the motto in the early days.  I miss those first four years of the event.  Tag teams, women, and even the world champion was involved in the five on five or four on four elimination matches. (Although in '91 Hulk Hogan defended the title against the Undertaker)  The first two years, it was five tag teams vs. five tag teams.  I think in 1992 when they basically gutted the concept they hurt the Survivor Series forever.  I don't believe it's been the same since then.  But I digress.

Ready for battle

Today I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite memories/teams from the early days of the Survivor Series.  The WWE recently named "The Warriors" as the greatest Survivor Series team ever.  I don't know if they were truly the best ever, but I did mark out for them.  I am still to this day a huge fan of Kerry Von Erich, who was the Texas Tornado during his WWF tenure.  But in World Class Championship Wrestling he was "The Modern Day Warrior".  The WWF teamed him with World champion the Ultimate Warrior and the Legion of Doom (Road Warriors) in 1990 against "The Perfect Team" of Mr. Perfect and Demolition.  The Warriors won with the Ultimate Warrior being the sole survivor for his team.  That helped him advance to the bonus Survivor Series elimination match in the main event.  The baby face survivors teamed up against the heel survivors from the undercard matches. This match saw Hogan and Warrior pick up the win as the sole survivors.  Their partner Tito Santana had been eliminated earlier in the match.  This was also the year the Gobbledy Gooker was hatched.

Savage's team
Survivor Series 1987
Photo from WWE

The first year of the Survivor Series featured a very well balanced team of Randy Savage, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, and Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake.  This five man team wrestled circles around their competitors which included The Honky Tonk Man, Danny Davis, "Outlaw" Ron Bass, Harley Race, and Hercules.  Savage, Steamboat, and Roberts all ended up surviving.  I don't know why, but those five were one of my favorite units in Survivor Series history.

Mr. Fuji gets demolished

As I mentioned earlier the first two years of Survivor Series featured five tag teams taking on five tag teams.  That is something that would never be possible today, but again, I digress.  In 1988 things got a little fuzzy at the end as the heel tag team champions Demolition where looking to put away their baby face challenges of The Powers of Pain.  Just as it looked like champs (and their other partners, the Conquistadors) were about to win, Mr. Fuji, who was Ax and Smash's manager, caused his men to get counted out.  The POP helped Mr. Fuji back to his feet after Demolition slammed him outside the ring. They went on to win the match and turn heel while Ax and Smash became beloved fan favorites.  I think I liked it so much because I never saw it coming.

Piper's Team vs. Flair's Team

One final blast from the past, and I pick this just because it involves my all time favorite wrestler, Ric Flair.  He lead his team (Ted DiBiase, The Mountie, and the Warlord) against Roddy Piper, Virgil, Bret Hart, and British Bulldog.  Flair's team won, but only after everyone got counted out at the same time.  You really had to suspend your belief in wrestling logic on it, but my guy won so I guess that's all that really matters.  Flair went on to help Undertaker beat Hogan for the WWF title later in the show.

In closing, besides the lack of elimination matches at the Survivor Series, I also miss the cool team names.  Team Orton, Team Foley, Team Ziggler are just not creative at all.  The Rude Brood, Roddy's Rowdies, and The Enforcers at least showed a little creativity from the writers.

What are your favorite moments from this November tradition?

Boo: He's No Greek God

Hulk Hogan vs. Zeus
Photo by WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Let's face it, wrestling has had its fair share of goofy characters who were meant to be mean monsters and intimidate the fans and the baby faces.  Zeus was meant to be one of those guys, but I always found the gimmick a bit laughable.

Tiny Lister played the role of Zeus in the Hulk Hogan film "No Holds Barred."  Lister had been in a few movies and TV shows prior to the No Holds Barred experience.  If you haven't seen the movie, I would highly recommend it.  It's a guilty pleasure, but I myself haven't watched it in years.

Of course as a way to promote the film, it only made sense to bring Zeus in for a battle with Hogan that went beyond the movie script.  I'm racking my brain, but I'm pretty sure the two never met one on one.  Zeus attacked Hogan in his debut during  a match Hogan had with the Big Bossman.  Then there was the SummerSlam 89 tag team match with Hogan and Beefcake facing Zeus and "Macho Man" Randy Savage.  Of course the faces won.  Then Zeus joined the Million Dollar Team at Survivor Series 89. He ended up being the first man eliminated after shoving the referee and getting disqualified.  I'm pretty sure Zeus' final WWF match came at the end of the year as he and Savage teamed again in a cage match against Hogan and Beefcake.

Shortly after that, he left the WWF and faced Abdullah the Butcher in a match in Puerto Rico. Zeus earned the distinction of number 500 in the first ever Pro Wrestling Illustrated 500.  He reemerged in wrestling years later in WCW as Z-Gangsta in an effort to end Hulkamania.  He failed again.

As big, mean, and intimidating as Zeus was, the character never took off.  I don't know that Lister ever wanted to be a full time wrestler and was likely full filling his obligations to Vince McMahon as a part of the film.  Sadly, probably the scariest thing about Zeus was his abilities in the ring.

Talk is Cheap

Miz TV
Monday Night Raw
Photo by WWE.com

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents

On the September 17th episode of Raw, the WWE introduced us to another "talk show" segment.  This time it's the Miz getting a chance to show off his mic skills.  Miz TV featured SmackDown! general manager Booker T, but of course the show was interrupted by Ryback, who now appears to be in line for an Intercontinental tittle shot against the Miz.

A couple of questions arise.  Is Miz TV going to be a regular feature? Or was this something to introduce Ryback as a challenger to the Miz?  Regardless of the answer, the segment had me thinking back to years ago when I felt this concept was much better served.

Jimmy Snuka in the Pit

I think few people would argue that Piper's Pit is the pinnacle of all wrestling talk shows.  Roddy Piper was without a doubt the best talker in the business at that point and his pit segments account for many of my childhood wrestling memories.  From Jimmy Snuka getting smashed with the coconut to the Haiti Kid getting shaved to the destruction of the Flower Shop, Piper's Pit set a standard that will never be duplicated as far as I'm concerned.

Besides having a great host, a wrestling talk show needs a good set.  Piper's Pit was great.  I liked the set up for shows that followed like the Flower Shop with Adrian Adonis, the Body Shop with Jesse Ventura, and the Funeral Parlor with Paul Bearer.  Now with the Highlight Reel, Miz TV, and The VIP Lounge done in the middle of the ring, it takes something away from the segment.  I guess it's because all (or most) of the wrestling's promos are cut in the middle of the ring.  These shows are then shot in the ring, which to me makes it feel less special.

Back then wrestling had a lot less promos so when there was a segment featuring a couple of guys going at it verbally it meant something.  Or maybe I'm looking at the past through rose colored glasses.

Old School with Gaylor Stephens
AAPW

Cheap plug alert: I'm glad to see All American Pro Wrestling do the talk show concept too.  Appropriately enough, it's called "Old School" and airs on AAPW All Access.  Host Gaylord Stephens is honestly one of the best guys on the mic.  I find this show more entertaining than past shows the WWE put out like The Barbershop with Brutus Beefcake or The Snake Pit with Jake Roberts.  Check out Old School sometime.  You won't be disappointed.

What are your thoughts on wrestling talk shows?  Have they lost their luster?  Am I being too critical?  Weigh in here or on Facebook or Twitter.