Foreign Object Friday: Big Bossman's nightstick

Get ready for hard times
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It was nearly 30 years ago this summer that the Big Bossman made his presence known in the WWF. The former body guard known as Big Bubba Rogers had jumped from the UWF/NWA/WCW and assumed a new personality. As the Bossman, Bubba traded his suit, hat and sunglasses for a correctional uniform, handcuffs and a nightstick. 

More hard times
Courtesy: WWE

Those handcuffs and nightstick became a signature of the Bossman's character. After beating an opponent (usually an enhancement talent) manager Slick would distract the referee long enough for Bossman to cuff his victim to the ropes. Then he'd assault the fallen foe with the nightstick. This was similar to the post match rituals of Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake and his haircuts and later the Undertaker loading a victim into a body bag. 

Foam nightstick

Even the big name opponents fell victim to the nightstick, including the assault on Hulk Hogan on the Brother Love Show, "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Dusty Rhodes. Sometimes the good guys would steal the stick and fight fire with fire. When Bossman turned face in 1990, he still carried the stick and used it when necessary. Of course as good guy, it was a good way to market a foam nightstick to young fans too.

Bossman vs. Nailz
Courtesy: WWE

The ex-con Nailz gave Bossman a taste of his own medicine and battered him with the nightstick after a match. Bossman spent weeks (maybe months) "convalescing" at home in Cobb County, Georgia. Vince McMahon used the phrase on TV and it was the first time I'd ever heard the word (at least that I recall). The feud culminated with a night stick on a pole match at the 1992 Survivor Series. Bossman used the weapon on Nailz and put an end to the feud.

1998 Bossman
Courtesy: WWE

Years later when an updated version of the character returned to the company. Bossman used the nightstick in beating Al Snow, Mick Foley and even "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. It was a great accessory to a legendary character who is missed to this day.

Foreign Object Friday: Randy Savage's mystery object

Savage goes for an object...

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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In February 1986, "Macho Man" Randy Savage was white hot. The relative newcomer to the WWF had become the number one contender to Tito Santana's Intercontinental Championship. Santana was in his second run as champ and a favorite among fans. 

As the match at the Boston Garden was winding down, Savage had been on the outside apron. When the referee had his back turned he reached into his trucks and pulled out a style unnamed foreign object. He swung his fist with the object at the champ who ducked. Santana then brought Savage in and in midair, Savage punched Santana rendering the champ unconscious. "Macho Man" rolled on top of his foe and three seconds later won the title.

After the referee made the count, Savage tosses the object outside the ring. At the time, I was not sold on the "Macho Man" and jeered as he staggered away with both the IC belt and Elizabeth. While the object in question has no official name, I've seen other wrestlers use similar versions to garner wins as well, including Gino Hernandez, Ken Patera and Mr. Fuji.

Foreign Object Friday: Doink's fake arm

Doinks in action with the arm
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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WrestleMania Week is in full swing and once again I'm keeping that theme with today's FOF. It's my favorite moment from WrestleMania IX. I don't know if that says something about me as a fan or the rest of the card that day from Caeser's Palace.

The match was Doink the Clown vs. Crush. Crush was the orange and yellow Kona Crush and not the darker bad ass Crush or Demolition Crush. Doink was an evil clown who was actually more over with the fans than the WWE probably intended him to be at the time.

Near the end of the match, Doink got caught in Crush's vice grip. As he flapped his arm's wildly, referee Joey Morella got hit and knocked down. Crush released the hold and Doink tried getting away. But he found himself again locked in the former tag team champion's finishing hold. That's when things got fun...

Wham!
Courtesy: WWE

A second Doink got into the ring, carrying a fake arm. Doink II whacked Crush across the back, which caused him to release the hold again. The original Doink grabbed Crush's arms and held him as the arm was smashed into the big man's head a couple of times. The new Doink disappeared in time for Morella to regain consciousness and make the three count for Doink.

"It was an illusion!"
Courtesy: WWE

The two clowns then posed together in the ring, in mime-like fashion. The original shouted the phrase "It was an illusion!" implying he was the only clown in the ring. That phrase made an impact on my wife (girlfriend at the time) as she was not a wrestling fan at the time, but perked up and watched the ending of this match. She would randomly use the phrase in the weeks after WrestleMania IX. It was kinda awesome.

Foreign Object Friday: Bret Hart's metal plate

The metal plate
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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One of my favorite moments from the Monday Night Wars came in March 1999. Granted by then WWE had a firm grip in the ratings' battle. I had always been a wrestling fan first, but WWE was my preferred programming, even in the lean times. 

Anyway, back to the moment. Nitro was in Toronto that night and Bret Hart was in the ring, running down the roster and complaining how no one would face him. Then he mentioned Goldberg, to which the music started and the former World Champion made his way to the ring. He wasn't in the ring more than a few seconds before spearing Hart.

Spear fail

But much to the surprise of the audience, not only did Bret go down, so did Goldberg. He laid prone on top of Bret who was flat on his back, reeling from the impact of the Spear. After a bit, Hart rolled Goldberg over and counted three for the pin. Then he took off his hockey jersey and revealed a metal plate that Bobby Heenan described as "solid iron, probably." Hart had a few words for Eric Bischoff, "I quit" and then he left the ring. 

Pinning Goldberg
Courtesy: WWE

Of course, Hart didn't really quit as this move set up a feud with Goldberg and an injury that would eventually force Bret to retire. But that moment in Toronto was incredible to me because for years, Goldberg had basically run all over the competition, only being pinned at that point by Kevin Nash thanks to a cattle prod at Starrcade a few months earlier.

I wish Bret would have willed that steel plate to Kevin Owens the other night at FastLane. Maybe he'd still be WWE Universal Champion, but I digress. I loved the metal plate. It was a great catalyst to set up an intense rivalry. 

Foreign Object Friday: Gaylord Stevens' umbrella

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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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. This week takes us to the indy scene.

Gaylord circa 2009 (I think)
Courtesy: Monica Mileur

For many years indy manager, Gaylord Stevens came to the ring dressed in a suit that was out of style even in the 1970s, a Nintendo Power Glove and his trusty umbrella. He'd go so far as to keep more than one umbrella on hand and tote them around in a bag intended for golf clubs. When the time was right he'd help his guys, whether it was Ax Allwardt, Brandon Walker or "Playboy" Paul Rose get the advantage.

Look closely the umbrella is there

Once All American Pro Wrestling started doing monthly TV tapings, I got to see more and more of Gaylord and his umbrella. I remember it being used against some of the company's top good guys like champion Edmund "Livewire" McGuire, Heath Hatton and Joey O'Riley. I think there was an incident involving special guest Colt Cabana one time too.

Livewire vs. Gaylord
Courtesy: Adam Testa

The umbrella never helped bring gold to any of Gaylord's men (that I recall), but it did make an impact. But one of the most memorable impacts was when Livewire attacked Gaylord with his own weapon. He whacked the devious manager more than once. Some five years later, I'd bet Gaylord is still stinging from those hits.

Gaylord has retired from the wrestling business. It's a shame as he was entertaining and innovative with what he did. I enjoyed interviewing him, watching him do his segment "Old School" and even calling matches with him from time to time.