Cyndi Lauper's Mother's Day Party

Cyndi Lauper's Mother's Day Party
Courtesy: WWE Network

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I've been a bit nostalgic this week with my wrestling blogs. Since Monday I've written about Bobby Heenan & Brother Love, Bruiser Brody, Terry Funk, Kevin Von Erich and the very first Saturday Night's Main Event. I'm keeping the trend alive for today's Mother's Day post. It was that first SNME that aired in May 1985 that featured a segment honoring the moms of some of the WWF Superstars.

Junkyard Dog & his mom
Courtesy: WWE Network

Cyndi Lauper was at the top of the music charts at the time and had become involved in the Rock 'n Wrestling Connection, seconding Wendi Richter in her feud against the Fabulous Moolah. Before the party started, Richter successfully defended the WWF Women's Championship against Moolah and Junkyard Dog beat Pete Doughtery. JYD's mom, Bertha, was ringside for the match. She got in the ring and celebrated after Dog's victory. Hulk Hogan had also dedicated his championship defense to his mother.

Freddie Blassie & his "mom"
Courtesy: WWE Network

Then it was party time. For some reason, Iron Sheik, Nikolai  Volkoff and Freddie Blassie were invited. Blassie's "mom" Laura was a woman young enough to be Blassie's daughter. Hulkster's mom, Ruth was there too. Cyndi's mom, who was in several of the music videos was on hand. Moolah came in and crashed the celebration. Keep in mind there's a large cake in the shot and you know where that's headed. Moolah insulted Cyndi and her mom Catrine. The mother and daughter along with Richter lunged at the former champ knocking her and "Mean" Gene into the cake. 

Moolah and Mean Gene
Courtesy: WWE Network

Segments like these became commonplace on Saturday Night's Main Event. It definitely was a mix of sports and entertainment and as cheesy as it was, I miss those days, a lot. 

How the WWF made Saturday night's better

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I hope the World Wildlife Fund doesn't sue me over the title, but it's a more accurate description for the topic at hand. It was on this date 32 years ago (May 11, 1985) that Saturday Night's Main Event first took to the airwaves. I was 12 years old and had been a fan of wrestling for a couple years at that point. Back then the only access to WWF programming I had was Tuesday Night Titans and WWF Superstars of Wrestling. There were also the VHS tapes the company produced and of course WrestleMania had just appeared on closed circuit TV.

As I was flipping through the TV Guide that afternoon (yes, I read TV Guide like a book) I came across an ad promoting Saturday Night's Main Event. (I tried finding a pic on Google, but had no luck) The wrestling show was filling the time slot held by Saturday Night Live. Hulk Hogan was featured in the black and white photo, as he was scheduled to face "Cowboy" Bob Orton for the WWF Championship.

Orton vs. Hogan
Courtesy: WWE

This was exciting news for several reasons. The Hulkster was wrestling on TV and against someone who posed a threat (remember, I was only 12). Other Superstars would be wrestling in matches that weren't the usual squash matches we'd grown accustomed to. And Wendi Richter was going to be in action (again, remember I was 12). There was no way I was going to miss any of this action. I stayed up late that night and watched the show on what now I realize was a small screen TV in my bedroom. 

Not only were the matches featuring more competitive opponents, the production value of the show was on point. I still think of SNME every time I hear the song Obsession by Animotion and Take Me Home by Phil Collins. The short promos that were cut at the start of each episode did exactly what they were supposed to do to get me excited for the matches. I also loved that the main event was either the opening match or near the start of the show so if I did doze off and forgot to set the VCR, I wouldn't miss the big event. I hated waiting weeks for a new show to air, but eventually grew to enjoy SNL.

Cyndi Lauper & Wendi Richter
Courtesy: WWE

It's been a long time since WWE replicated Saturday Night's Main Event. The last reboot was in 2006 and wrapped up in 2008. I'll never forget those early days and especially that first show. George "The Animal" Steele turning good after being attacked by Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff, Hulkamania running wild all over Bob Orton and Roddy Piper and Richter successfully retain the Women's Championship. 

 

All out of bubble gum...

Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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It's hard to believe it's been a year since the world lost one of the all-time greats to ever step into a wrestling ring. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper is one of the Superstars who defined my childhood as a wrestling fan. From smashing a coconut on Jimmy Snuka's head to kicking Cyndi Lauper in the ring to painting half his body black; Piper was the man. His death was the third of three big stars from the 80s and 90s, with Dusty Rhodes dying a month earlier and The Ultimate Warrior a year before that.

Dusty & Warrior statues
Courtesy: WWE

WWE has honored the latter two with statues created in their likenesses. There's also the Warrior Award as part of the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. And last year there was the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. But so far, nothing for Hot Rod. Maybe with the new Hall of Fame opening next year, there will be a statue or some tribute to Piper then.

All out of bubble gum

While My 1-2-3 Cents is far from a global entity, I wanted to do something to honor the memory of one of our favorite wrestlers. So in December when Chad and I put together the year-end Centy Awards there will be a new category in Piper's memory. The All Out of Bubble Gum Award will go to someone who has displayed courage, bravery and determination outside of wrestling storylines. When I hear the famous line "I've come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubble gum." it brings to mind someone who is determined to fight the good fight, no matter the odds.

Never got to met Piper, but Chad did

Piper made the line famous in the movie They Live, but had used it before in a wrestling promo before ever making it to the WWF/E. The line has inspired many and is even the name of a soda flavor. The award we'll do is a small way for a couple of fans to honor and remember a man who changed the way they viewed wrestling.

Ladies Night: Please Add These Women to the Hall of Fame

Three Hall of Fame worthy women
Elizabeth, Cyndi Lauper and Luna Vachon

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to My 1-2-3 Cents the Podcast!

Before I get too far into this post, I'm going to start off by saying I know that there are likely circumstances that we don't know about that are keeping some of these women out of the WWE Hall of Fame.  I'm not posting this as a criticism to the WWE, these are just a few of the names I'd like to see enshrined sooner rather than later. 

Randy Savage & Elizabeth at Wrestlemania IV
Photo courtesy: WWE

Miss Elizabeth was often referred to as "The First Lady of Wrestling."  I remember when she burst onto the scene in WWF back in 1985.  All of the managers in the company had been trying hard to sign newcomer "Macho Man" Randy Savage.  The Macho Man turned down the likes of Bobby Heenan, Jimmy Hart and Freddie Blassie.  Finally, Savage introduced his manager/valet, a beautiful brunette simply named Elizabeth.  She made history in the WWE and paved the way for the likes of Sunny, Sable and Marlena.

Liz saves the day
Photo courtesy: WWE

Savage and Liz were made a great pairing.  I'm sure it had a lot to do with the fact that they were married in real life.  The couple had its ups and downs and finally split during the Mega Powers explosion in 1989.  Liz faded out of the spotlight, showing up briefly a year later at Wrestlemania 6 to "manage" Dusty Rhodes and Sapphire against Savage and Sensational Sherri.  Then a year after that, the "first couple of wrestling" reunited when Liz jumped the barricade and charged the ring to save Savage from Sherri's beating.  I along with many others cheered in front of the TV as these two embraced and rekindled their romance.  Randy and Liz were "Ross and Rachel" long before Friends ever premiered.

Elizabeth confronts Ric Flair
Photo courtesy: WWE

Liz stuck by Macho Man after their TV wedding and the couple survived Ric Flair's allegations of a previous romance with Elizabeth.  The couple divorced behind the scenes a short time later, but Elizabeth stayed involved in the business after Savage appeared in WCW.  She played a role in several story lines there including one of the worst handcuff jobs I've ever seen.  Sadly Elizabeth died in 2003 at the age of 42.  I've read that surviving family members are the ones keeping her out of the Hall of Fame.  I remain optimistic that an agreement will eventually be reached and she'll take her rightful place in wrestling history.

Lauper with Wendi Richter
Photo courtesy: WWE

I've blogged before about Cyndi Lauper and why I think she belongs in the WWE Hall of Fame.  Simply stated: Cyndi was a major factor behind the Rock n Wrestling Connection in 1984.  She showed up on Piper's Pit after Capt. Lou Albano took credit for her success (Albano had appeared in her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun video).  Eventually Piper got involved, which brought in Hulk Hogan and Mr. T and leading to Wrestlemania.  In the meantime, Lauper managed Richter to her two WWF Women's Title reigns.  I was a huge fan of Cyndi's at the time and seeing her on WWF programming sealed the deal for me.  Her work in those early days have more than earned her the right to be the first female inductee into the Celebrity Wing of the Hall of Fame.  

Luna at Monday Night Raw
Photo courtesy: WWE

Luna Vachon is one of the first true bad ass women of wrestling. My first memories of her are from my Apter magazines, when they'd written up something about her and the tag team she managed The Blackhearts.  She looked just as scary and tough as the men she managed.  Later, she surfaced in WWF and joined the likes of Shawn Michaels and Bam Bam Bigelow.  She and Bigelow feuded with Doink and Dink the Clown at a time when women's wrestling frankly sucked in WWF.  She'd later return and join Goldust during a period when Goldie had gone rogue.  Luna feuded with Sable in the ring and in real life.  Despite her talent, Luna never won the women's title.  Even with her ups and downs behind the scenes, I think she too has earned her a chance at immortality in the Hall of Fame.  May she rest in peace as well.

Way Back WhensDay: She's So Unusual

Yep, that's mine...

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

She's So Unusual isn't just the debut album of Cyndi Lauper, it's a good way to describe this 80's pop star.  I was 10 years old when the album was released.  It didn't take long and I had a copy of it on cassette.  In fact, I still have it.  Thirty years later, a two-disc commemorative set has been released.

Father-daughter moment
Capt. Lou & Cyndi

For those who are old enough to remember the 80's and the music videos featuring Lauper's songs will remember her look.  Her loud clothes, bright red, sometimes checker board style hair, and flashy sunglasses set her apart from other acts of that era.  Even though her big hit Girls Just Want to Have Fun was an anthem of sorts for females everywhere, I loved the song and the video.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it gave us our first taste of the Rock 'N Wrestling Connection as Capt. Lou Albano was featured in the video as Cyndi's dad.

Wendi Richter
She Bop

That of course lead to the pop star being more involved with the WWF and "managing" Wendi Richter to the women's championship.  We also saw Richter as a part of the video for the song She Bop.  Then when The Goonies R Good Enough was released, Richter, Albano, Roddy Piper, Moolah, Iron Sheik, Freddie Blassie, and Nikoali Volkoff all made appearances.  

Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Cyndi Lauper

But I digress.  It wasn't just the involvement in wrestling that made me a fan of Cyndi Lauper.  I liked her music.  It was such an obsession that not only did I own the She's So Unusual cassette, but I also bought the single 33 records of each of her top tunes.  I didn't do that with any other artist back then, including other favorites like Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Van Halen.

I always liked the upbeat nature of She Bop (yes I've heard the rumors of what the song is about) and Girls Just Want to Have Fun and the more mellow Time After Time.  More than 30 years later, I stop to listen to these songs anytime I hear them on the radio.  I also have Cyndi as a channel on my Pandora radio app.  She's so unusual, but so talented too.

It's Slater Time

Heath Slater finishes off Doink the Clown
Photo by WWE.com

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

I have to admit, Heath Slater has grown on me in recent weeks.  I wasn't a real big fan of his during NXT, although I wasn't completely against him.  Then when the Nexus angle was born and died and morphed into the Corre, I put Heath among my least favorites.

Now as the Legends' whipping boy, I'm impressed.  I can't put my finger on why.  Even with Vader and Sid and Diamond Dallas Page and Cyndi Lauper and Roddy Piper and Wendi Richter all making him look like a chump, he's not as annoying as I once found him.  Is it the way a former tag team champion (but does that really mean anything anymore) should be treated?  Probably not, but let's face it, this is wrestling and not everyone is going to be in the main event and not everyone is going to be a champion (or at least they shouldn't be).

The segments are brief, they're good comedy relief to help with the pacing of the show, and who doesn't like to see a legend return from time to time?  I was a bit surprised that Slater pinned Doink on the most recent Raw.  Does anyone know who was the clown?  I'm not sure that it was Matt Bourne (no relation to Evan) this time around.  Also, one quick correction from what Michael Cole said about Doink.  He claimed the clown wrestled at Wrestlemanias 9 and 17.  This is true, but he was also on the Wrestlemania X card, teaming with Dink and losing to Bam Bam Bigelow and Luna Vachon.

Vader Time!!!!
Photo by WWE.com

I assume these returns and beatings will continue until Raw's 1,000th episode later this month.  Let it run its course and maybe by the time it's over, Slater will be more over with the fans and this will result in some kind of a push.  I think this could have been a good position for a heel Zack Ryder to have been in.  He peaked too soon, Broski.

Which WWE Legend would you like to see come out next?  Weigh in here or on our Facebook page.

She's So Unusual

"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"

By Kevin Hunsperger

Happy 58th birthday to Cyndi Lauper.  If you didn't start watching wrestling until the Attitude Era you probably have no idea why I'm wishing the Grammy award winner a happy birthday.

Back in the mid-1980's Lauper played an important role of wrestlings boom.  She was (as far as I know) the first big celebrity to be involved in a wrestling angle.  Capt. Lou Albano played her father in the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun video.  That lead to a crossover appearance by Lauper on an episode of Piper's Pit.  I'm going on memory here, but I think Albano turned his back on Cyndi, saying he made her a star and was responsible for her success.  The segment ended with Lauper whacking both Piper and the Captain with her purse and leaving in tears.

Courtesy: WWE

Albano got behind the Fabulous Moolah, while Lauper started "managing" Wendi Richter.  The two would meet on MTV's "Brawl to End it All."  That was in July 1984.  Months later, Lauper would make amends with Captain Lou and feud with Piper. The Rowdy One had smashed a framed record over Albano's head, body slammed Lauper's boyfriend David Wolfe, and kicked Cyndi in the middle of the ring.

After that, Richter dropped the women's title to Leilani Kai, when Richter was distracted by Moolah who was choking Lauper outside the ring.  This all happened on MTV's "War to Settle the Score."  These shows on MTV were all a big buildup to the first ever Wrestlemania, where Lauper and Richter would join forces again.  Richter won the women's title back, and she and Cyndi danced around the ring in celebration.

Because the rock n wrestling connection was proving successful, more wrestlers were added to Lauper's "Goonies R Good Enough" video.  Piper was in it, as well as Richter.  They were joined by Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, "Classy" Freddie Blassie, and Moolah.  I'm pretty sure it was shortly after that, Lauper kinda disappeared from the wrestling scene.  Richter dropped the title again to Moolah who was wrestling as Spider Lady.

Courtesy: WWE

Now that the WWE has a Celebrity Wing of the Hall of Fame, I definitely think Lauper deserves a spot in it.  She was certainly a big player in the whole rock n wrestling connection and helped the WWF gain all kinds of main stream media coverage at a time many just reduced wrestling as a side show attraction.

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Thanks!

The Price is Wrong

From the 2001 Royal Rumble

By Kevin Hunsperger

The Hall of Fame ceremony is one of my favorite parts of the Wrestlemania weekend.  This year will mark the fifth one Chad and I will attend.  And each year there is at least one inductee that I scratch my head on and ask "why?"

And even though not everyone has been announced yet, at least I hope they haven't, I think it's fair to say that I've found my "Why?" moment.

Comedian turned game show host Drew Carey will be a part of the class of 2011.  I've come to accept that the E in World Wrestling Entertainment is increasing taking over.  I still think it sucks.

If memory serves me correctly, Drew Carey only had the one appearance with the WWE at the 2001 Royal Rumble.  And he didn't really do much in the match except go face to face with Kane and then eliminate himself from the match.

It's nothing personal against Carey, but it seems like his time in the WWE was so short and insignificant, yet he will go into the Celebrity Wing of the HOF.  Here are a few celebs who I think deserve the honor before the Price is Right host.

Courtesy: WWE

Cyndi Lauper:  In the 1980's I don't think there was a bigger celebrity involved with the WWF than Lauper.  She was the the "rock" portion of the Rock n Wrestling connection.  Cyndi was involved in all the pre-Wrestlemania hype along with her boyfriend at the time Dave Wolf.  Who can forget when "Rowdy" Roddy Piper punted her across the ring at Madison Square Garden? Wolf got power slammed and a gold record was smashed over Capt. Lou Albano's head.

Cyndi's connection to wrestling brought superstars into the mainstream with appearances in her music videos.  If and when the WWE decides to induct Cyndi Lauper, she'd be the first female celebrity to be given the honor.

Courtesy: WWE

Donald Trump: The WWE has had a great relationship with "the Donald" for years now.  It dates back to Wrestlemania IV & V being held at his Trump Tower in the late 1980's.  His involvement in the events was minimal at best.  I think he may have appeared on camera and done a quick interview.  But in 2007, Trump stepped into the limelight to be a part of the Battle of the Billionaires against Vince McMahon.  Luckily, Trump didn't wrestle Vince, but the two each had a representative do battle, with the losing "manager" losing his hair.  Trump shaved McMahon's hair in the middle of the ring in Detroit that night.

Trump's also had former WWE diva (she was with the company at the time) Maria on his show "The Apprentice."  He also did the angle a couple years back where he "bought" Raw and made the show commercial free.  Trump is a friend to the WWE and should be a part of the celeb wing.

Courtesy WWE

Mr. T:  Like Cyndi Lauper, Mr. T played a big role in the early development of WWF as a household name.  Vince McMahon brought in the A-Team star to be a part of the main event of the very first Wrestlemania.  T worked with the company leading up to the big match.  He did a boxing angle against Bob Orton and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper which resulted in a  "match" between T and the Rowdy One.

Then in 1987, I remember Mr. T returning briefly as a special guest referee for different matches.  He reffed a match at a St. Louis house show between the Honky Tonk Man and Jake "the Snake" Roberts.  Mr. T was also involved with WCW when Hulk Hogan signed with the company.

I've heard before that Mr. T doesn't want to be in the Hall of Fame because Pete Rose was the first celebrity to get inducted.  I don't know if that is true, if it is, then I pity the fool.  (You can guess who I think the fool is)

In closing, I have nothing against Drew Carey.  I think he's great on the Price is Right.  His sitcom was mildly entertaining.  I just don't feel like his role in wrestling should be immortalized in the Hall of Fame.  What do you think?

Flashback Friday: The Slammy Goes To...

March 1, 1986:  The Rock 'n Wrestling connection was still in full effect.  The WWF was enjoying some main stream media coverage thanks to its union with MTV and rocker Cyndi Lauper.

In 1985, the company released "the Wrestling Album", complete with different wrestlers singing songs.  Some of those hits would become their own theme music.

I still have my original vinyl album.  I also have it on CD, which I've transferred into my iPod, and yes I do listen to it from time to time.

The album, although cheesy, is pretty good (if you're a wrestling fan)  But there's no way any of the songs, not even my favorite "Land of a 1,000 Dances" was going to win a Grammy award.  So Vince McMahon and the powers at MTV collaborated on an awards show that was totally appropriate.

And on that night in March 25 years ago, we got the first ever Slammy Awards.  The Slammies aired on MTV.  There was no in ring wrestling like we see now when the awards are presented during Monday Night Raw.

I vaguely remember watching the show.  I may have even taped it (on VHS of course)  So if you've never seen the show, or don't remember what happened, here are the results... (thanks for reading)

1. Best Personality in Land of 1000 Dances
   • Roddy Piper (winner)
   • all wrestlers in the video were nominees
2. Gene Okerlund performed "Tutti Frutti."
   
3. Best Producer:
   
   • Mona Flambe aka Cyndi Lauper (winner)
   • Rick Derringer
   • Joel Dorn
4. Jimmy Hart performed "Eat Your Heart Out Rick Springfield."
   
5. Best Commentator
   
   • Gene Okerlund (winner)
   • Vince McMahon
   • Jesse Ventura
6. Hillbilly Jim lip-synched "Don't Go Messin' with a Country Boy."
   
7. Most Ignominious
   
   • Nikolai Volkoff (winner and only nominee)
8. Junkyard Dog lip-synched "Grab Them Cakes."
   
9. Best Single Performer
   
   • Junkyard Dog (winner)
   • Lou Albano
   • Gene Okerlund
   • Roddy Piper
   • Nikolai Volkoff
   • Jimmy Hart
   • Hillbilly Jim.