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?
When I started the 'Instead of' blogs a few weeks ago the intent was to look at Superstars who never won a championship and replace that person with someone who had. Today, I'm talking about swapping out a top contender with another. It's King Kong Bundy and Bruiser Brody.
My wrestling fandom came in the final years of Brody's life. It's hard to believe this summer will mark 30 years since he was murdered in Puerto Rico. Brody was a renegade who typically played by his own rules and avoided staying in one territory or company too long. During the boom of the 80s, he would have been the perfect foil for Hulk Hogan, assuming Vince McMahon would let Brody be Brody.
Bundy, Andre and Studd
Courtesy: WWE
King Kong Bundy had come into the WWF in late 1984 and ran roughshod over the competition. At the first WrestleMania, he destroyed SD Jones in nine seconds (yes, I know it was a little longer, but that's the 'official' time). As the year progressed, Bundy feuded with bigger names in the company, including the biggest in Andre the Giant. In early 1986, Bundy set his sites on Hogan and attacked the champion on Saturday Night's Main Event. This led to the main event match at WrestleMania II inside a steel cage.
Husk!
Don't get me wrong. I've always liked Bundy. But the point of this blog is to look at other options. To do a little fantasy booking if you will. Imagine if instead of Bundy attacking Hogan during the match against Magnificent Muraco it was Brody bursting from the back with a chain in tow. I'd still pair him with Bobby Heenan, as he was Hogan's biggest rival. I can hear Brody's signature 'HUSK!' as he stands over a prone Hogan, bloodied and crumpled in the ring after the attack. Heenan announcing to the world he's signed the most unpredictable man in wrestling to a contract.
This, of course, would lead to several wars of words prior to WrestleMania. Brody attacks Paul Orndorff, prompting Hogan to make the save. I'd send Bundy to Chicago for Mania to be in the battle royal. Then that summer, I'd pair he and Big John Studd against the new WWF tag team champions the British Bulldogs.
Brody would continue to feud with Hogan and Orndorff after losing to the champ, even teaming up with Intercontinental Champion "Macho Man" Randy Savage on a summer edition of SNME. That's where the Orndorff heel turn could come into play and he rejoins the Heenan family like he did. Like I mentioned, Brody was never one to stay in one place too long, so he'd leave the company before being saddled with some sort of silly cartoonish gimmick. Andre could still turn on Hogan and the two head to WrestleMania III.
Bobby "The Brain" Heenan is revered by most fans as the greatest manager in the history of wrestling. We all remember his Family members like Andre the Giant, "Ravishing" Rick Rude, Paul Orndorff, Mr. Perfect and The Brain Busters. But there are a handful of guys Heenan managed in the WWE that some fans probably didn't realize.
Toward the end of his career (and life) Adrian Adonis had donned a new look and attitude. He was flamboyant and came to the ring dressed in pink tights, bows and a dress. But before he was "Adorable" Adonis was a street tough New Yorker, who wore a black leather hat and jacket. After he and Dick Murdoch lost the WWF tag team championships to Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo, Adonis signed on with Heenan to manage his singles run. The relationship didn't last long as Heenan "traded" Adonis and The Missing Link to Jimmy Hart for King Kong Bundy's contract.
Missing Link and Bobby Heenan Courtesy: WWE
The Missing Link was a mainstay in World Class Championship Wrestling. But the green-faced, bizarre one showed up in the World Wrestling Federation in May 1985. The Brain took him under his wing in what I thought at the time was a strange pairing. Link had worked with General Skandar Akbar in WCCW, who was nothing like Heenan. The partnership lasted a few months until that abovementioned trade went down. Under Heenan's tutelage, Link wrestled the likes of SD Jones, Bruno Sammartino and Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana.
While the first two Superstars I remembered being managed by Heenan, I had forgotten about the Brain and Buddy Rose working together. Their time together was limited too. Other than this appearance on Piper's Pit, I can't find any other evidence of the partnership.
In 1992 wrestling fans thought they'd finally get the WrestleMania dream match of a lifetime, Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair. Flair had just won the WWF Championship at the Royal Rumble and all signs were pointing to Hogan and Flair at WrestleMania VIII. However, the plug was pulled on the idea and we got Flair against Randy Savage and Hogan faced Sid.
Dusty vs. Flair Courtesy: WWE
With this blog, I'm rewriting history and starting with WrestleMania II. Sorry King Kong Bundy, I'm putting in Ric Flair. To get there, we have to start at Starrcade 1985. You may recall Dusty Rhodes pinned Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship that night. But the decision was later reversed and the belt went back to Flair. However, for this story, Dusty keeps the belt and Flair leaves for the WWF.
Bundy vs. Hogan Courtesy: WWE
On Saturday Night's Main Event in February 1986, Hogan defends the championship against Bundy (instead of Don Muraco). During the course of the match, manager Bobby Heenan gets flustered and waves feverishly toward the back. Flair, in a spectacular robe, emerges through the curtain much to the shock of the fans. He hits the ring and chop blocks Hogan's knee. The referee calls for the bell and Flair and Bundy proceed with the attack. Bundy launches an Avalanche as Flair slaps on the Figure Four Leg Lock. Hogan is helpless as Heenan's henchmen continue to torture the champ. Andre the Giant eventually makes it to the ring to save Hogan, setting up a staredown with Bundy.
Hogan vs. Flair Courtesy: WWE
Hogan later challenges Flair to a match at WrestleMania (not inside the big blue cage). "Nature Boy" and his manager, Heenan, accept and the two collide in the main event of the second installment of WrestleMania. Hulkamania was, of course, running wild at the time so Hogan retains in the first showdown with Flair... Bundy goes into the WWF/NFL Battle Royal to keep the feud with Andre going. As for the rest of Flair's run, I don't know, I'm only doing the Mania match. I know by bringing Ric Flair in at that time changes a lot of history for both WWF and NWA. In 1986 it's fair to say both Hogan and Flair were at the top of their respective games. The match would have been more appealing compared to five and a half years later when the two started meeting on the house show circuit.
Dozens of former WWE Superstars are taking the company to court. Some of the big names involved in a class action lawsuit include "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, Road Warrior Animal, King Kong Bundy, Chavo Guerrero, Jr. & Sr., Sabu and both members of Demolition. Here's the full list of the 51 plaintiffs.
The suit alleges that the wrestlers incurred "long term neurological injuries" in the course of working for the company, while it "routinely failed to care" for them " in any medically competent or meaningful manner" and even "fraudulently misrepresented and concealed" the nature and extent of those injuries.
"Instead of upholding its duty to its employees, WWE placed corporate gain over its wrestlers' health, safety, and financial security, choosing to leave the Plaintiffs severely injured and with no recourse to treat their damaged minds and bodies."
Right now concussions and the long term impact is being studied and discussed at length. The NFL and NHL have faced similar lawsuits due to injuries players have suffered. WWE, the NFL and the NHL have change their policies to help protect Superstars and players. The death of Eddie Guerrero and the murder-suicide carried out by Chris Benoit brought about change in WWE.
Sabu
I'm not judging anyone who is a part of the suit. My biggest complaint is guys who never wrestled under the WWE banner are also trying to cash in on this situation. To my recollection Rod Price never wrestled in WWE. Guys like Sabu, Axl Rotten and Tracy Smothers suffered the brunt of their injuries years before stepping in a WWE ring. Chavo Guerrero, Sr. only had a handful of matches as did Black Bart and Bobbi Billiard.
Slick & Kamala are also suing
My point is many if not most of the names on the list were injured and "forced" to wrestle in companies other than WWE. But because Vince McMahon and his team are the last ones standing, they're the ones with the cash and are expected to be responsible. I have no doubt in some cases men and women have been asked to or have felt obligated to get in the ring despite being injured. Maybe for that they deserve some sort of compensation.
Demolition vs. The Powers of Pain (both teams are suing)
I'll be curious to see what happens to Orndorff and Animal's status in the WWE Hall of Fame. Snuka has already been "removed" due to his court case involving the death of his girlfriend in 1982. By the way the "Superfly" was deemed incompetent to stand trial in that case, which makes me wonder who added him to this class action suit. But it's also unlikely now the likes of Kamala, Demolition and Bundy will ever be inducted. I know there are bigger issues at hand than that, but I digress. Bottom line: the situation sucks. I'm sure some involved in this case don't want to attack or hurt WWE, but feel they have no other choice in the matter. I'm no legal expert, but I would imagine there could be a settlement in the works. I'd be shocked if this makes it all the way to court. But I'd be even more surprised if WWE is held liable for the injures suffered decades ago.
By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter When I was much, much younger my brother and I had a Stretch Armstrong doll (yes, I'm comfortable saying doll) as well as his nemesis the Stretch Monster. They were lots of fun, but at one point, they each busted open and the gelled corn syrup inside oozed out, rendering the toy useless.
Hot Rod
So for whatever reason, in the late 80's, I decided that the newly released LJN Stretch Wrestlers had to join my collection of bendable figures and standard ones. I only had two of the eight WWF Superstars that were released in the series. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat did battle from time to time at my house. King Kong Bundy, Hulk Hogan, George "The Animal" Steele, Junkyard Dog, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, and "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff were also made in stretch form.
Busted figures
The figures were fun for a bit, but in no way particle when it came to having matches. Sure they movable, unlike the LJN figures that preceded them. But they were heavy and clunky. And there's the issue of them tearing open. Eventually I stopped playing with my toys and packed them away in my closet. I'm a pack rat, so when I went to pull out my Piper (not a sexual thing) he had busted open and was losing his innards. It was more of a dust/sand product and not the syrupy stuff inside Stretch Armstrong. I wish the Stretch Wrestlers would have stood the test of time, as I like incorporating old toys in my videos and blogs. They were fun while they lasted, but unfortunately my figures didn't last very long.
Long before Al Snow, Bob Holly, and Duane Gill were part of the WWF's J.O.B. Squad, there were hundreds, maybe thousands of "enhancement talent" in the world of professional wrestling. There are simply too many to name, but I wanted to share a few of my favorite "jobbers" from the 1980's. Keep in mind, I'm sticking with that decade, and just looking at a handful that I found to be the most memorable. Our friends on the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page shared plenty of theirs already, so please do the same there or right here on this blog.
Special Delivery Jones may very well be the most memorable jobber to me for various reasons. There was something about SD Jones that I liked. He was certainly the underdog, rarely if ever winning on WWF TV. My first house show, Jones was pinned by the Spoiler in the opening contest. I can still remember cheering for SD, hoping his luck would be different in person than it was on TV. I was wrong. Probably the most memorable experience was his appearance at the first Wrestlemania. If you listen to the WWF history, they say he was pinned by King Kong Bundy in nine seconds. The match actually goes a bit longer than that, but none-the-less it burned a memory in my brain. I also have a fond memory of SD being Andre the Giant's tag team partner the night Big John Studd and Ken Patera slammed the giant and cut his hair. Jones got knocked out to the floor while the heels did their thing.
Me & SD Jones
He's the only jobber (at least that I define as a jobber) who had an LJN figure made in his likeness. I still have mine, although I guess one could argue fellas like Ted Arcidi, Outback Jack, and Cpl. Kirchner all had figures too. Finally, I had a chance to hear SD Jones speak at the 2006 Hall of Fame induction ceremony. He inducted long time friend Tony Atlas into the hall. I never realized the two were so close, and had been a tag team years before either had signed with the WWF. Sadly, SD Jones is no longer with us, but the memories of his matches and the effort he put forth will not be forgotten.
Paul Roma in the early days Photo courtesy: WWE
Before Paul Roma was pretty or a member of the 4 Horsemen, he was a jobber in the WWF. His career there started off in 1985. He found himself on the losing end of most of his matches in those early days. But Roma had a look about him that set him a part from most jobbers. Paul was in good shape, athletic, and young. He just needed a break.
In 1987, he was paired with fellow jobber Jim Powers. The two became known as the Young Stallions and actually made a name for themselves. If memory serves me correctly, the beat the Hart Foundation either before the Harts won the tag team titles or in a non-title contest. The Stallions and the Killer Bees were also the surviving teams in the big tag team elimination match at the first Survivor Series.
Roma eventually turned heel and teamed up with Hercules forming the duo Power & Glory. The tandem was managed by Slick, but only had mild success, picking up perhaps their most notable win over the Rockers at SummerSlam 90. Roma headed to WCW where he continued to climb the ranks, even becoming a member of the 4 Horsemen. It was there, Roma would win gold by becoming a tag team champion with Arn Anderson and twice more with Paul Orndorff. This team, Pretty Wonderful, was probably Roma's most successful run.
I recently saw Roma at WrestleCon in New Jersey. He looked to be in great shape still. He's one guy I always wondered why the WWF didn't do more with during his initial run with the company. But I guess not everyone can be a champion, right?
Iron Mike Sharpe Photo courtesy: WWE
Iron Mike Sharpe was always up to no good in the WWF. His leather forearm cover always stood out to me as he tired in vain to hide something in there to get the upper hand. It never worked though. I'm trying to recall if I ever saw Sharpe win a match. He seemed to be the guy who not only jobbed to the Junkyard Dog or George Steele, but also SD Jones and Paul Roma.
Actually, I stand corrected. I just read some more details on Sharpe's WWF career and he actually pinned Boris Zhukov in the King of the Ring tournament in the late 1980's. I'd say that's probably his biggest accomplishment in the WWF, but he did win titles in other promotions around the country. He also comes from a rich linage of wrestling history.
These guys are just a few of the memorable jobbers from my childhood. Like I said before, someone has to do it. As Al Snow would say, "pin me, pay me."
I'm able to tie in another Halloween topic with the Throwback Thursday theme this week. We go back in time to 1985 for the first ever WWF Halloween party. It happened on Saturday Night's Main Event. In between the matches, there were several Halloween games and skits to entertain the fans.
We got a closer look at "Rowdy" Roddy Piper's home and how he prepared for Halloween. Hot Rod was still a heel at this point and was trying to pass off bowling balls and bricks as treats for the kids who came to his door. Of course when he drops the heavy items in the treat bags, they bust open and the kids lose their candy. Pure heel, but the kids get revenge, including one dressed like Hulk Hogan, after giving Hot Rod chocolate covered hot peppers.
Albano vs. Bundy: Pie Eating Contest Saturday Night's Main Event 1985 Photo from WWE
A team of heels all dressed in costume took on a team of faces. Bobby Heenan, King Kong Bundy, Roddy Piper, "The Macho Man" Randy Savage and others battled the Hillbillies, Hulk Hogan, Junkyard Dog, Capt. Lou Albano, and Tito Santana in pumpkin passing contests, a pumpkin bobbing event, and a pie eating contest. (No Rock sightings, as he was only 13 years old at the time)
It was a fun evening of Halloween activities, the costumes were creative as well. I loved the fact that Iron Sheik and Nikoali Volkoff dressed like Batman and Robin. Savage and Elizabeth made a great Tarzan and Jane. The Junkyard Dog was a mummy and Tito Santana dressed like Zorro.
Hogan & Andre vs Bundy & Studd Saturday Night's Main Event 1985 Photo from WWE
Four matches were also a part of that show, it wasn't just 90 minutes of Halloween games. Savage got his first shot at the Intercontinental title that night and battle Santana to a double count out. Terry Funk beat the Junkyard Dog, Ricky Steamboat beat Mr. Fuji in a Kung Fu Challenge match and Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant beat Bundy and Big John Studd by disqualification.
Stroll down memory lane and check out some of the clips from that night. I've include a few of the challenges here.
For more than 20 years the Undertaker has been the official "deadman" of the WWE. So it's only natural that the company pay homage to the legend with a graveyard of his victims from all his Wrestlemania victims.
Each year at Axxess during Wrestlemania weekend, fans get a chance to look at the tombstones. It's a pretty cool set up actually. It's like walking through a cemetery. Headstones for everyone from "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka to Triple H are on display. For those wondering, there are individual markers for the opponents he's faced more than once.
In a giant casket
Wrestlemania Axxess 2012
Photo by My 1-2-3 Cents
Walking through the graveyard is a stroll down memory lane of sorts. The opponent's name and the Mania they were "buried" is printed on the tombstone. Of course it's also a great opportunity to get pictures taken too. At the Wrestlemania 28 Axxess, there was an actual photographer on hand taking pics of fans posing in an oversized casket. I can't remember now if it was the casket Undertaker and Paul Bearer built for Kamala when they wrestled at Survivor Series 92 or not. Anyway, it was huge and as you can see from the photo, it's like a real funeral home set up. The WWE really does do a top notch production on this and gives the fans a real cool experience as a part of Axxess.
Since we couldn't take video inside the graveyard, here's a look back at the Undertaker's Wrestlemania streak.
The last installment in the delayed look at the Wrestlemania records of the participants in the top four matches is an interesting look. Not counting their match last year for the United States title, which was bumped off the pay per view, the World title match between Daniel Bryan and Sheamus will make history as being the world title match who’s participants have the least Wrestlemania experience.
Sheamus wrestled Triple H at Wrestlemania 27 in a losing effort. Daniel Bryan will be making his Wrestlemania debut at Wrestlemania 28. Their combined Wrestlemania record is 0-1. By comparison, at Wrestlemania 2 the title match opponents Hulk Hogan and King Kong Bundy had a combined Wrestlemania record of 2-0.
Bryan vs. Sheamus at Wrestlemania 27 (WWE)
By walking into Wrestlemania as Champion, Daniel Bryan joins Sgt. Slaughter and Ric Flair as the only wrestlers to make their Wrestlemania debuts as World Champions. Yokozuna is the only other wrestler to make a Wrestlemania debut in a world title match. I guess technically Lex Luger also made his in-ring debut at Wrestlemania X in a title match, but he had been introduced the previous year when he debuted as The Narcissist.
While the build up to their title match hasn’t exactly been outstanding, given they are fourth on the pecking order and could slip to fifth if the “Battle of the General Managers” continues to pick up steam, it’s understandable the match hasn’t had more of a storytelling element attached to it. As long as they make it onto the actual pay per view and don’t get bumped again to the pre-show dark match, I don’t think Bryan or Sheamus will care how unimportant the build up was to their match and will still go out and deliver what could be the sleeper hit of the night.
With all the major matches taken care of, we can move on to other aspects of Wrestlemania over the next 12 days. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Don’t forget that on March 29, Kevin and I, along with our friends from AAPW will be making our radio debut with “From the Rafters.” More information will be posted the closer we get to air.
I think of all the Wrestlemanias, the second installment of the show may have been one of the worst. It's the only Wrestlemania in the nearly 30 year history of the event to be held on a Monday. It's also the only Mania to broadcast from three different arenas in three different states (New York, Illinois, and California).
Wrestlemania 2 was also the most packed with "celebrity" appearances. Because there were three different venues, each one had guest ring announcers, time keepers, and commentators. We got some of the "flavor of the month" stars like Herb from Burger King (who remembers him?), Clara Peller (Where's the Beef?), and Cathy Lee Crosby from That's Incredible. There was also a battle royal featuring six NFL football players, along with a handful of celebrity referees.
George Wells and Damien
I don't want to beat up Wrestlemania 2 too badly. But with matches like George Wells vs. Jake "the Snake" Roberts, Uncle Elmer vs. Adrian Adonis, and Hercules vs. Ricky Steamboat; it's easy to see how this could be panned by some critics. Of course, the original Mania had some squash matches too, but this was the follow up, this should have taken it a step up. I've read that Steamboat was originally supposed to wrestle Bret Hart (according to the book Hitman, so take it for what it's worth). I think that match would have totally stolen the show.
The Bulldogs reign supreme
I think the highlight of Wrestlemania 2 for me was the British Bulldogs winning the world tag team titles from Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake. The Bulldogs are my all time favorite team, and seeing how hard they'd worked to get to that match and then finally win the gold was truly a mark out moment for me. They had not just Capt. Lou Albano in their corner, but celebrity rocker Ozzy Osbourne as well. Of course, I was 13 at the time, so Hulk Hogan beating King Kong Bundy in that classic blue steel cage match was also a favorite moment of mine.
Savage comes crashing down
I also liked it when Roddy Piper got disqualified in his boxing match with Mr. T. Although I wasn't the biggest Hot Rod fan at the time, I wasn't crazy about Mr. T's involvement for a second year in a row, and in a boxing match no less. Randy Savage made his Wrestlemania debut on the card by pinning George "The Animal" Steele. Again, not a great match considering this was for the Intercontinental title, but Savage and Steele were engaged in a feud not just for the belt, but the affection of Miss Elizabeth. Savage of course won on both accounts.
Andre dumps the Foundation
Andre the Giant reigned supreme in the battle royal, last dumping the Hart Foundation to the arena floor at the Rosemont Horizon. As much hype as the football players got leading up to this battle royal, I thought for sure William "the Refrigerator" Perry would have lasted a lot longer. Instead, he was eliminated by Big John Studd, which I then thought might lead to some sort of follow up angle, but this was in a time before weekly multi-hour shows and monthly pay per views (in fact, Wrestlemania was it), so I guess they ended it that night.
I'm curious to hear what you thought of the second Wrestlemania. Where do you rank it in comparison to other shows? Post your thoughts here or on the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook wall.
Of all the jobbers I watched in the 1980's, I think S.D. Jones may have been my favorite. He only ever won a handful of matches (if even that many) when I started watching wrestling in 1983. In fact, my first house show was a WWF event in late 1984, he was in the opener against the spoiler, and you guessed it, he got pinned.
But I liked SD. Oh yeah, SD=Special Delivery in case you didn't know. Anyway, I always felt bad for SD because I knew what his fate was going to be. A few of my favorite memories of him include one in 1984 when he and Andre the Giant teamed up against Ken Patera and Big John Studd. This was the infamous Andre haircutting incident. I think the WWF was still on the Superstation TBS back then. Jones got knocked out of the ring and hit the guardrail, while Studd and Patera double slammed Andre and cut his hair. Since Jones was a jobber, there wasn't much he could do to help his fallen partner.
Then of course probably his biggest match of his WWF career came at the first Wrestlemania. Howard Finkel, Gorilla Monsoon, and Jesse Ventura claim Jones was pinned in 9 seconds by King Kong Bundy, but the match is a bit longer than that (it's closer to 23 seconds) No doubt the promos and ring entrances lasted longer than the match. Poor SD.
SD Jones in toy form
But he must have had some fan appeal as he was the only true jobber the LJN made into an action figure. And yes, I still own my SD Jones "wrestling doll". Die hard fans will know that there are two versions of this figure, one with the red shirt and one in the Hawaiian shirt.
Sadly SD never climbed the ladder of success in the WWF, but he did an excellent job of making other wrestlers look their very best. That's the role of a jobber after all. I got to see him induct his friend and former tag team partner Tony Atlas into the WWE Hall of Fame back in 2006. It's something I'm glad I got to see as Jones died in 2008. By the way, Atlas and Jones held the USA Tag Team titles, and Jones was a three time coholder of the NWA Americas Tag Team titles. If the WWE ever does our idea for a jobbers wing of the Hall of Fame, Jones in my opinion should be in the first class of inductees. Rest in Peace Special Delivery.
I've been on an unintentional blogging hiatus the last couple of days, mostly because Chad has been writing up reviews of past Survivor Series events. After a busy Saturday, I'm finally getting to sit down and share some thoughts from 1987. It's hard to believe that Sunday will be the 25th annual Survivor Series.
I can still remember the first one like it was yesterday. Well, almost like it was yesterday. I was a freshman in high school and one of my classmates had ordered the pay per view. He came to school that Monday after (remember it was on Thanksgiving back then) and talked about the event. Bobby told me the unimaginable that Monday during lunch. Hulk Hogan and his team went down in defeat to Andre the Giant's team. You see, back then I was a devout Hulkamanic and the thought of Hogan losing to Andre made me sick.
I couldn't believe it. I wouldn't believe it. At least not until the following Sunday when the results were announced on Superstars. But at least the Hulkster got some saving grace and attacked the Giant after his team lost. I couldn't wait for the Survivor Series to come out on VHS. Again, back then there was no Internet to provide the results and those of us without PPV capability had to wait for the WWF to release events on tape.
That first Survivor Series in 1987 laid the groundwork for what would become one of my favorite PPV concepts. I loved the idea of the elimination matches, and I'm disappointed the WWE has turned the event into just another PPV. It started off so unique, but has become so watered down. It's a major bummer. I've blogged and vlogged about that in the past, so I won't bore you again with those details.
Instead, I'm going to leave you with some Survivor Series fun facts. Thanks to Chad for some of these.
*Glenn Jacobs is the only superstar to appear at three consecutive Survivor Series pay per views with three different gimmicks. In 1995 he was Dr. Isaac Yankem. A year later, he became the Fake Diesel. Finally in 1997 the Kane gimmick caught fire and he's been the Big Red Machine ever since.
RIP: Andre, Perfect, Bravo, & Rude
*Harley Race is the only surviving member of his 1988 Survivor Series team. Andre the Giant and Dino Bravo died in 1993. "Ravishing" Rick Rude died in 1999 and Mr. Perfect passed away in 2003.
*Significant WWF debuts made at the Survivor Series include the Undertaker (1990), the Rock (1996), and the Goobledy Gooker (1990) (he counts, right?)
*The 1991 event was the first to feature a non-elimination tag team match. It was the World title match between Hulk Hogan and the Undertaker. Hogan lost the title after Ric Flair interfered.
*And on the flip side, the 1992 Survivor Series only had ONE elimination match. The Nasty Boys and the Natural Disasters beat Money Inc. and the Beverly Brothers.
*King Kong Bundy and Bam Bam Bigelow were on opposing teams at the 1987 Survivor Series, but were the sole survivors for their team at the 1994 event.
*I must admit I marked out when Team Legends: Ric Flair, Sgt. Slaughter, Ron Simmons, and Dusty Rhodes beat the Spirit Squad in 2006. By the way, Dusty pinned Nicky (now Dolph Ziggler) in that match. Simmons replaced Roddy Piper in the match and I don't remember why. I think this might have been around the time of Piper's battle with cancer. Arn Anderson was in the corner for the legends as was one of the members of the Spirit Squad for his team.
There you have it, some quick memories about Survivor Series. The first five events are my favorites, just because they focused more on the whole concept of survival. Events that came after that have stood the test of time too like Chad has mentioned in his last few blogs. Anyway, we're just hours away from the 2011 installment, the 25th Survivor Series. What are some of your favorite ones? Post here or like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to leave your opinions.
