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?

VIDEO: Go Figure Friday: Slim Jim 'Macho Man'

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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After failing the first time around, I finally got my hands on the Elite Mattel Slim Jim 'Macho Man' Randy Savage figure. I love the look of it and the presentation in the Slim Jim box. I've debated what I'm going to do with it. But for now, it's on the shelf in the My 1-2-3 Cents studio. 

Take a look and subscribe to the My 1-2-3 Cents YouTube channel and let me know what other types of content you'd like to see. 

Click to shop 

VIDEO: Go Figure Friday: Let Them Eat Cake

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Let's eat cake! This week I show off my "Macho Man" Randy Savage cake topper. This is circa 1990. Take a look and don't forget to subscribe. 

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.

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

WrassleRoos are as much fun as they sound

WrassleRoos

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Nearly a year ago I had Jonathan Bowles from WrassleRoos on the My 1-2-3 Cents podcast. It was a popular episode and even my friends who aren't wrestling fans were intrigued by this line of clothing. As you can see in the picture, WrassleRoos are comparable to Underoos from the 70s and 80s. 

My WrassleRoos shirt

I have a WrassleRoos shirt that Chad bought me at a convention in Los Angeles last year. I get comments on it many times when I wear it. It's the Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff and Roddy Piper in animated form from Hulk Hogan's Rock 'N Wrestling Cartoon. Despite finding them very, I had never tried the underwear. TMI alert: I'm more of a boxer-brief guy, but when a clearance sale was announced earlier this month, I decided to snag a few pair.

I ordered the ones with "Macho Man" Randy Savage stars, the Ric Flair "RF" and the luchador masks. I also tried to get the Junkyard Dog "Thump" but they were sold out in my size. I'm obviously not in any shape to model the underwear for the camera, but trust me when I tell you they are fun to wear. The price was right too, at $4.99 on clearance it's a savings of about 11 bucks a pair. 

WrassleRoos are comfortable too. It's been years, probably decades since I've worn briefs, but when I put on those red Ric Flair skivvies on I let out a "Woo!"  It really is like being a kid again with the Underoos. I'm excited to see what new designs are coming up. That clearance sale is still going on some items, you can check it out here or get some of the other current WrassleRoos that are available. 

Can Apollo cruise to the Intercontinental Championship?

Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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The short answer is no. Apollo Crews will not defeat the Miz at SummerSlam this weekend. It's nothing against Crews, but WWE hasn't built him into a viable contender for what was once the second most prestigious championship in the company.

In the go home show for SummerSlam, the only glimpse we got of Crews on SmackDown Live occurred during a commercial break that was replayed once the show was back on air. That doesn't bode well for the former NXT star. It sucks because he truly is a talented wrestler. It just doesn't feel like the right time for him to be in a program for the Intercontinental Championship.

Crews vs. Sheamus
Courtesy: WWE

This match feels like it was thrown together too. I'm not a huge fan of number one contenders being crowned via battle royal. It's a great way to get everyone on the roster in on the action and it feels like anyone can become a contender. But typically speaking I prefer a different method to figuring out who should be going for the gold. And before you say it, I realize that's the whole premise of the Royal Rumble for the last 20+ years.

Maryse & Miz
Courtesy: WWE

The other reason Crews won't win is because WWE is finally using The Miz correctly. The rebirth of his character is working and the partnership with his real life wife Maryse has been amazing. I haven't enjoyed the Miz this much since his run as WWE Champion five years ago.

Now WWE Creative has two challenges on their hands in the wake of SummerSlam. Turning Apollo Crews into a viable contender that the fans can invest in and care about and developing a solid number one contender for the IC title. No offense to Darren Young, Crews or former champion Zack Ryder; but it's time to put a solid focus on the midcard and build some legitimate contenders for the title who can one day become WWE Champion.

Randy Savage and Elizabeth
Courtesy: WWE

Remember when guys like "Macho Man" Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior and The Rock held the IC title? It was a stepping stone to the bigger belt. That focus has been lost in the last several years. A champion is only as strong as his challengers. Let's make the Intercontinental Championship great again.

For more SummerSlam thoughts check out the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page for the live video I did on the event.

MVPs of WrestleMania #7

By Kevin Hunsperger & Chad Smart

@kevinhunsperger, @chadsmart, @my123cents

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Last year I had the idea to do an MVPs of WrestleMania blog, but came up with it a day or two before the big event.  So I held my list waiting for WrestleMania 32 to roll around.  Admittedly I've made a couple of minor tweaks to the original list and debated internally over the quality of my list.  I invited Chad to play along too.  While the lists aren't perfect (he's not in our top ten), I hope you enjoy.  A new blog will be posted daily until March 31, the day I leave for Dallas.

For number 7 Chad and I both picked "The Macho Macho" Randy Savage.  

Savage battled The Ultimate Warrior
Courtesy: WWE

Kevin's thoughts:

My favorite WrestleMania match of all-time is the battle between Savage and the Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania 7.  His match against Ricky Steamboat at 3 is among the greatest.  Savage beat four men in one night to win his first world heavyweight title.  I sat in the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis and watched WrestleMania 4 on closed circuit with my dad that night.  I became an even bigger Macho Man fan that night.  He went on a few years later to win the gold again, beating one of the greatest in the game, Ric Flair.  I hate that he was on commentary for nine and left shortly after beating Crush at WrestleMania 10.  I wish he would have had that comeback opportunity like we saw with Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart and Roddy Piper.

Beating the Nature Boy
Courtesy: WWE

Chad's thoughts:

In my opinion, the Savage/Steamboat battle for the I-C title at WrestleMania 3 still holds up as the best WrestleMania match ever. Add in the “Macho Man’s” title tournament win at WrestleMania 4, matches against Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior and Ric Flair and it’s easy to see why Savage is on the list. 

Miss a list?

10. Brock Lesnar, Edge and MVP

9.   "Stone Cold" Steve Austin & "Rowdy" Roddy Piper 

8.  The Rock & "Stone Cold" Steve Austin

Why Nerd Shirts Rule Every Thursday

It's hard to see, but it's the Golden Girls on my shirt

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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If we're friends on Facebook or you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you know for the last 18 months (0r so) we've instituted a tradition at work called Nerd Shirt Thursday.  Now former News 3 This Morning producer Weston White is the brains behind the idea.  It's quite simple, each week we wear a "nerd" shirt and share it with the world.  Pretty much anything pop culture related is accepted.  

In the beginning nearly everyone on the morning crew participated.  But then as people moved on and others had worn and re worn shirts, the tradition dwindled to myself and a guy simply known as Sweeney.  There are more than 50 pics in my Facebook album and I'm wearing a different shirt in most of them.  In recent weeks I've had to start over, but we find different props or settings to make the pics fun (including a guest spot by Dr. Sheldon Cooper).

Nerd Shirt Thursday has become one of the highlights of my week.  I love seeing what others (usually just Sweeney now) are going to wear and hearing the comments from those who view the pics.  We've even had a guest on the morning show ask to participate.  I've included a handful here for your viewing pleasure.  If you start a Nerd Shirt tradition at your work, use the hash tag #NerdShirtThursday and spread the awesomeness. 

Promoting My 1-2-3 Cents

Special guests Tom Harness & Dr. Sheldon Cooper

D'oh!

Smurfy

Happy birthday Stone Cold Steve Austin

I dig the Mr. Rogers shirt

Tickle me Kevin 

A super day

All by myself with Dr. Who

Bill & Ted meet a Mr. Spock
(Shirt courtesy: Tom Harness)

Ohhhhh yeahhhh!

A friend gave us a Star Wars background

Even on the road I participate

Forgot my shirt, but had Hulk Hogan socks ready to go!

SummerSlam A to Z: Match Made in Heaven

Match made in Heaven
Photo courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Check out other SummerSlam A to Z blogs

SummerSlam 91 had a tagline of "A Match Made in Heaven, A Match Made in Hell."  The Hell part I've discussed in previous posts, as Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior battled Sgt. Slaughter, Col. Mustafa and Gen. Adnan.  The heavenly part of the night was the marriage of "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Elizabeth.

Reunited
Courtesy: WWE

The two had been estranged for two years after The Mega Powers exploded in 1989.  Liz had laid pretty low up until Wrestlemania VII (March 1991) and saved Savage from the kicks he was receiving from his then-manager Sherri Martel.  Savage had just lost a retirement match to the Ultimate Warrior, but continued to work with the company as a commentator.  He eventually popped the question to Elizabeth (even though they'd been married 

in real life for nearly a decade at that point).  So SummerSlam was spot for the nuptials.

Courtesy: WWE

The wedding went off without a hitch, unlike most weddings in the wrestling business.  Savage was dressed in a tuxedo version of his in-ring garb complete with a cowboy hat. Liz looked lovely as always and when asked if he takes Elizabeth, Macho Man responded with his classic "Oooohhhh yeahhhhh!!!"  The two kissed and promptly headed to the reception.

Couldn't find an actual pic
Wrestling 101

That's where uninvited guests The Undertaker and a newly turned heel Jake "The Snake" Roberts ruined the fun. A snake popped out of a gift box and the Undertaker hit Savage in the head with his urn.  Sid Justice sprang into action to help fend off the bad guys.  The actions lead to the feud between Savage and Roberts, which included the cobra sinking his teeth into Savage's arm and President Jack Tunney finally reinstating Savage to wrestle Jake in a great series of matches before Roberts finally left the company.

Courtesy: WWE

For years I had worked at a grocery store in the video department.  I had just left for college when SummerSlam '91 happened.  When the VHS copy arrived at the store for rental it included a picture of Savage and Liz with a suction cup.  Someone sent it to me and I promptly hung it from the window in my dorm to further geekify the room and let everyone know I'm an uber wrestling nerd.

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
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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.