Mt. Rushmore: My Bucket List

 

By Kevin Hunsperger @kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter Listen to the podcast  Follow my blog with Bloglovin

There are a lot of wrestlers or personalities involved with the business that I've wanted to meet. I have had the good fortune of meeting several greats through the years. Some were through my job, some were for the podcast, and others were at meet-and-greet events. 

Ric Flair has been my favorite for a long, long time. I had the opportunity to see him wrestle when he was the NWA Heavyweight Champion in the 80s, during his first WWF run in 1991, and his retirement match in 2008 against Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 24. All of those times and not once have I had a chance to meet Naitch.

Now that he's left WWE, I suspect Slick Ric will do more traveling and events. I'm hoping that the stars align and I can attend one of those events and meet Flair. I would love to get a pic with him sometime in 2022. Woooo! 

The Rock is not just one of my favorite wrestlers, but I also enjoy his work on the big and small screens. The closest I've come to meeting the 'Great One' is when I posed with his wax statue at Madame Tussauds in Hollywood back in 2011. How great would it be to spend a few minutes with him and getting a photo with the real deal? I know the odds of this are highly unlikely, but I'll continue to remain hopeful. 

'Stone Cold' Steve Austin is one of the all-time greats. Twenty-five years ago this summer, he set the world on fire with his Austin 3:16 speech. 

Since I'm fantasy booking this, I'd love to sit down with him and have a cold Broken Skull IPA or two with him. Not only was he great in the ring, but he's also really given his career new life as the host of the Broken Skull Sessions on Peacock and the WWE Network.

Finally, and probably an even bigger long shot than the Rock, Vince McMahon. The man who is responsible for the development of 'sports entertainment' for the past 40+ years. Love or hate the current product, McMahon remains a massive influence on the business today. I visited the outside of WWE Headquarters in 2013 ahead of WrestleMania 29. But no luck finding the Chairman, maybe next time... 

Who is on your Mt. Rushmore Bucket List? 

Mt. Rushmore: Ric Flair's 80s Feuds

By Kevin Hunsperger @kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter Listen to the podcast  Follow my blog with Bloglovin  

Last week, I launched a new concept for the blog with the Mt. Rushmore of Hulk Hogan's 80s feuds. So it only seems fitting that we hop over to the NWA side and look at Ric Flair's top four feuds in the 80s. I found coming up with this list more difficult than Hogans. I also discovered last week that most people agreed with my picks (read them here); however, this week, I expect to get some backlash. 

I'll preface this by saying in the 80s, I despised Ric Flair. He was one of those wrestlers I loved to hate. However, today, he's my all-time favorite. Sometime in the late 80s, I began respecting Flair and becoming a fan. By the time he arrived in the WWF in 1991, I was all-in with Naitch. 

Dusty Rhodes has to be the best foe for Flair of all time and not just the 80s, right? I mean, Rhodes-Flair has to be on the Mt. Rushmore of wrestling feuds. Maybe I'll make that list soon. Their battles in the ring and on the microphone were what made Jim Crockett Promotions so great. Saturday nights at 6:05 (5:05 CST) was where I spent my time taking in all the action.

The bloody battles they had in singles, tag team, six-man tag, and even War Games matches were the personification of intense. Trading the NWA Championship, main eventing the Great American Bashes, and Starrcade kept fans at the edge of the seat time after time. The two even battled it out in the final WCW pay-per-view in 2001 in a tag team match with Dustin Rhodes and Jeff Jarrett as their respective partners.  

Ricky Steamboat had a few runs against Flair. Since I'm sticking to just 80s opponents, I feel justified in this as the two had some great matches in the early 80s before Steamboat heading to the WWF, where he spent the mid-80s and returned to the NWA in 1989 to face Naitch.

At that time, the two put on some highly regarded matches, including the night Steamboat won the big gold belt from Flair. Their trilogy is still talked about to this day. (I know both have acknowledged their non-televised matches in the 70s were even better.) 

Harley Race may be a surprise pick to some, but when I was growing up and watching Wrestling at the Chase, I remember Race calling out Flair and wanting another shot at the NWA Championship. The two traded the belt, and Flair beat Race for the gold in the main event of the very first Starrcade. My buddy Chad Smart has told the story of watching these two battle it out in a high school gym at the first wrestling show he attended. So whether on closed-circuit television or a small house show, these two always seemed to go at it.

Lex Luger is probably the most controversial of my choices. But I'll explain as best I can. When Luger came to JCP and joined the Four Horsemen, it seemed like it was only a matter of time before he'd split off and challenge Flair for the belt. As his nickname implied, Luger was the 'total package .' When he was kicked out of the Horsemen, I fully expected him to beat Flair for the championship.

I was genuinely disappointed when he came up short at the 1988 Great American Bash, and the match was called due to Luger's intense bleeding. Then a few months later, I was certain Luger would beat Flair at Starrcade but again came up short. In the meantime, it seems like the company was grooming Sting for that spot. (By the way, Sting will definitely be on the Mt. Rushmore of Flair opponents in the 90s.) 

Wrestling Under the Influence: Dream Cream Ale & Dusty Rhodes

By Kevin Hunsperger @kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter Listen to the podcast  Follow my blog with Bloglovin  

We all love 'The American Dream' Dusty Rhodes. And I think most of you will love Hand of Fate's Dream Cream Ale. This beer is pretty damn good. Check out the video on the latest Wrestling Under the Influence. If you try it, let me know what you think! 

 

AUDIO: Wrestling Under the Influence

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Welcome to the first episode of Wrestling Under the Influence this decade! I’m joined by Ryzer, from Stride Pro Wrestling. He and I enjoy the Unfiltered Wheat American Classic by Boulevard Brewing Company. We pair this beer with the ‘American Dream’ Dusty Rhodes and his son, the ‘American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes.

Give it a listen here and don't forget to subscribe!

AUDIO: The 2019 Centy Awards

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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2019 has come to a close and that means it's time to look back on the year in pro wrestling. Chad Smart from the Positive Cynicism Podcasting Network joins me to rate and review the year.

What are your favorite moments, matches and superstars from 2019? Let us know. Listen here!

VIDEO: Go Figure Friday: Kerry Von Erich

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By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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This week's Go Figure Friday commemorates the anniversary of Kerry Von Erich winning the NWA World Title from Ric Flair in 1984. Kerry is one of my all-time favorites and in 1990 when he jumped to WWE (F) I was all in.

While there, Hasbro made an action figure of the Texas Tornado. I've had mine for years and decided to 'let him breathe' in this video. 

Rest in Peace "Dirty" Dick Slater

RIP "Dirty" Dick Slater

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Early Thursday morning (Oct. 18) reports started surfacing that pro wrestling legend "Dirty" Dick Slater had died. I was leery to share the news or even write this blog because literally at that time and for more than an hour it was just people sharing it. There were no links attached and no websites had verified, other than the standard line "multiple sources are reporting..." 

However as the day went on, WWE confirmed the news. For some reason, Slater's ill-fated WWE run comes to mind when I think of him, but his career was so much more than that 18 months or so he spent up north. My first recall of Slater was ahead of his departure to Stamford. I remember reading about him during his run in Mid-Atlantic and Mid-South, including his feud with Jake "The Snake" Roberts.

"The Rebel"
Courtesy: WWE

When Slater arrived in the WWF (then) in 1986, I assumed he'd resume his battle Roberts, but it never really happened. He was a good guy with the moniker "The Rebel" added to his persona. There was never a big push for him in WWE. I recall a few enhancement matches on Superstars of Wrestling and a bout against "Magnificant" Muraco on Saturday Night's Main Event. Other than that, there were no WrestleMania moments or pay per view paydays for Slater.

The Hardliners

My next best memory of Slater was his run in WCW. He was part of Gary Hart's team hellbent on destroying Ric Flair and Sting. (Muta and Terry Funk were also involved.) Then Slater and Dick Murdoch wrestled as the Hardliners and took out Scott Steiner sometime in 1991. I know Slater stuck around and had various partners and feuds in that era, however, I think his greatest success predated my fandom. I know while researching him, Slater held the NWA Television Championship, Mid-Atlantic Championship and the UWF TV Title too. He actually has quite a list of accolades in the business.

Like so many Legends in the pro wrestling business, Slater left us way too soon. At just 67 years old, he had plenty more life to live. My condolences go out to Slater's family, friends and fans. Rest in peace.

Kerry Von Erich: 'I must break you.'

Kerry Von Erich as Ivan Drago?

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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You never know what you're going to come across on the world wide web. I recently saw a post in a Facebook group I'm a part of called 'The Von Erichs' that stated Kerry Von Erich was one of three men considered for the role of Ivan Drago in the iconic film Rocky IV. I've been a fan of pro wrestling since the early 80s and had never heard this story. I did some searching and found that one of the other contenders for the role, Nikita Koloff confirmed the story.

The role eventually went to Dolph Lungren. But how cool would it have been for Kerry to have won the part? I'm a self-confessed KVE mark. It was his match against Ric Flair inside a steel cage in 1982 that helped hook me on wrestling. My fandom for him never wavered. I can admit Kerry wasn't the greatest on the mic. However to think that he could have been in my favorite film of the Rocky franchise would have been amazing.

In doing the research for this post, I found an interview with Koloff who explained why Kerry didn't get the role. Simply put, it sounds like he wasn't prepared at the audition. I find it interesting a wrestler from the NWA and World Class Championship Wrestling were under consideration and not a WWF Superstar. Remember just a few years earlier, Hulk Hogan was a small part of Rocky III. Some would argue that move is what helped put Hulkamania on the map. 

 

I wonder how life for Kerry or Nikita would have changed inside the ring. Drago is an iconic movie villain. Rocky IV is the highest grossing film of the franchise, making more than $300 million worldwide. One would have to assume Vince McMahon would have loved that kind of publicity in his company, snatching up either Von Erich or Koloff much like he did with Hogan during the publicity for Rocky III. 

We all know Kerry eventually went to the WWE but not until 1990. Koloff never made it up north, but he would have been a great foil for Hulkamania as the mighty Russian heel. I've fantasy booked Kerry in the WWF before so I won't repeat myself here. 

Kerry did have a small role in the film Problem Child, something I learned years after the fact. He had the look but could he have done the role of Ivan Drago justice on the big screen? We'll never know but it's fun to think of where his career would have gone had he gotten the part.

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What if Hulk Hogan never existed?

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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First, credit where credit is due. Tom and Jason Skull tackle the topic of Hulk Hogan not existing and who would Vince McMahon have picked to lead the way for his expansion of sports entertainment. You can listen to all of their picks on this week's SkullBuster WrestleCast here. I agree with most of their ideas but when I saw the headline for the show one name stood out to me immediately and that's Kerry Von Erich.

Kerry vs. Flair (1982)

I've professed my fandom for Kerry numerous times here on the blog and on the My 1-2-3 Cents podcast. His 1982 steel cage match against Ric Flair is one of the moments that hooked me and made me a fan. Yes, he ruled Texas but could have ruled the world and taken pro wrestling to the next level. Here's why I believe that...

Kerry as NWA Champion

Back in 1984, Hulk Hogan beat the Iron Sheik for the WWF Championship. A few months later, Kerry pinned Flair at Texas Stadium to win the NWA World Championship. His reign only lasted 18 days. But fans clearly loved Kerry and voted him Pro Wrestling Illustrated's 'Most Popular Wrestler' that year. I believe those awards were legitimately selected by readers of the magazine (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). The match against Flair was also voted 'Match of the Year'. 

The Hulkster

So that being said, there's no doubt McMahon and the machine could have propelled Kerry even further into Superstardom. Hogan had been back in the WWF less than a month when he pinned Sheik for the title. Kerry could have easily started at that same time frame and pulled off the victory. That's not to say Hogan only made his success based on McMahon's marketing. It was a team effort, coupled with the right mix of opponents for Hogan like Roddy Piper, Paul Orndorff and Bob Orton in the early days. 

Kerry had the look. His physique was phenomenal. He was young. Had he beat Iron Sheik at Madison Square Garden in January 1984, he would have been champ at age 23. Hogan was 30. Kerry's mic skills weren't great and he wasn't as large a personality as Hogan. However, I think some of those skills could have been taught along the way or even prior to the victory at MSG.

Kerry vs. One Man Gang

Kerry faced guys like Kamala, One Man Gang and Terry Gordy in World Class Championship Wrestling and slammed all of them. Hogan battled many of these same monster heels in WWF. Because I saw him first and became a fast fan, Kerry was always the bigger deal to me than Hogan. He could do no wrong, but I know that wasn't always the case.

Kerry had a problem with addiction. I never noticed it impeding his ability. Imagine had he had all of those problems in check how much more potential he would have had. Perhaps outside of Texas and under the WWF/Titan Sports umbrella he could have and would have gotten the necessary treatment.

Kerry vs. Mr. Perfect
Courtesy: WWE

Eventually, Kerry did make it to New York. As the Texas Tornado, he had a short run as Intercontinental Champion. I'm bummed it didn't last longer than that. But I'm grateful he had a chance to shine on the grandest stage of all for a brief period of time.

A few others I could have seen in the role of Hogan; "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka. He was a bit older but wildly popular prior to Vince Jr. taking over the WWF. Sgt. Slaughter and Junkyard Dog fall into a similar category. I won't name the other guy because he was a surprise pick mentioned in the podcast, so go listen.

Who are your choices and why? Weigh in here or on the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page.

Instead of Garvin, how about Windham

Barry Windham & Ron Garvin as U.S. Tag Team Champions

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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In 1986, Magnum TA was a star on the rise. Most wrestling fans thought he was a sure pick to beat Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. I was among those who thought Terry Allen was next in line to 'be the man.' However, a tragic car accident in October of that year nearly cost TA his life. His career in the ring did come to an end.

Magnum TA

Obviously, I don't know what the backstage plans were, but it seemed like, besides Magnum, Dusty Rhodes was the only other top babyface contender for the championship. He and Flair had traded the belt earlier in the summer. I had fully expected Magnum to pick up the win sometime in 1987. 

Ronnie Garvin as champ

It felt like Crockett was struggling for a hero not only to replace Magnum TA but also to not fall back on Dusty again. Nikita Koloff seemed to be that guy as he united with Rhodes and fought in Magnum's honor. But by fall of 1987, Ronnie Garvin was deemed the heir apparent and beat Flair for the championship. I liked "Hands of Stone", but he never struck me as a world champion material, especially in the Ric Flair era.

JR & Barry Windham

However, Barry Windham is one of the all-time greats to never win the NWA (or WWE) Heavyweight Championships. I'd been a fan of Windham's since his Florida days and right before his first run in WWF where he and Mike Rotunda won the WWF tag team titles. It was that experience and his overall look and work in the ring that always made me think Windham should have been considered for the run Garvin had.

At the same time period, Windham was toiling on the mid-card and defending the Western States Heritage Championship. Remember that title? He eventually dropped that to Larry Zybszko and then pursued "Dr. Death" Steve Williams' UWF Heavyweight Championship.

Horsemen

However, Windham had the pedigree as a second generation wrestler. At that time I don't think he'd really been tested with Flair, but the two would have some classic matches prior to Barry joining the Four Horsemen in 1988. Still, a run as NWA Heavyweight Champion was on my shortlist of 'wants' when watching pro wrestling back in the day.

What are your thoughts? Let me know here or head over to the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page and weigh in.

Previous 'Instead of' blogs

Instead of Diesel, how about Bulldog?

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The stars of Starrcade

My Stars of Starrcade
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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WWE is bringing back Starrcade this evening for a house show in North Carolina. And I just listened to the Starrcade 1987 What Happened When podcast with Tony Schiavone and Conrad Thompson. So it's put me in the mood to write about this iconic event presented by Jim Crockett Promotions and later WCW. 

I was always a WWF guy, but I did watch other companies obviously. Starrcade to me was always a big deal but was never really the same after Ric Flair left. Even after returning to WCW, Starrcade had lost its original luster. It may have been because of all the former WWF guys who had come to the company too and the Dusty Rhodes, Tully Blanchard, Nikita Koloff, Rock 'n Roll Express, etc. era had passed us.

My senior year in high school Starrcade '90 came to St. Louis. My buddy Jim and I attended the event which was headlined by Sting and The Black Scorpion in the steel cage. That night was the reveal that Flair was the Scorpion, which most of us figured out when they announced "Nature Boy" was out of the tag team title match with Arn Anderson against Doom. But I digress. Now for a look at who I thought were the Stars of Starrcade.

Flair vs. Lex Lugar: Starrcade 1988
Courtesy: WWE

As I mentioned, I never really felt like Starrcade was the same after that event in '90. Ric Flair had long become the face of the pay per view. He was the main event for Starrcades '83 through '90. He beat Harley Race for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship that first year and went on to defend it or win it each year that followed (90 is the exception when he was Black Scorpion he lost to Sting). 

After Flair headed to the WWF in the summer of 1991, WCW's product suffered (at least in my 1-2-3 cents). It was clear at that year's Starrcade when a new concept was introduced: Battle Bowl. I didn't hate the idea of Battle Bowl but would have rather seen it at an event other than Starrcade. It drug down the heritage of the show.

Flair vs. Rhodes: Starrcade 1985
Courtesy: WWE

Without Dusty Rhodes, there may be no Starrcade. He was booking for JCP at the time the concept was born. He's credited with being one of the forces behind Starrcade. However, I found it interesting Dusty didn't wrestle on the first Starrcade card. Of course in the years that followed, he became a big part of the show. In 1984 and 85, Rhodes battled Flair for the championship. Naitch won in 84 when the special guest referee Joe Frazier stopped the match due to Dusty's bleeding. A year later, it appeared Rhodes won the gold, but the decision would change and Rhodes won via disqualification instead (a 'Dusty finish' if you will).

My third and final star of Starrcade is probably an unexpected one, but it's Tony Schiavone. With the exception of Starrcade '89 when he was with WWF, Schiavone was a part of each Starrcade either as a host, an interviewer or a commentator. He was the voice for wrestling below the Mason Dixon line as they say on his podcast. I definitely did not appreciate the work Tony did when he was doing it back then. Years later as I look back and rewatch shows and listen to his stories about the way things were, I respect him even more.

There are plenty of other names who were stars of the show. Sting comes to mind immediately, along with Lex Luger. The two of them had quite a bit of staying power with the product. The Rock 'n Roll Express, Midnight Express and Road Warriors all deserve shout outs too along with the Steiner Brothers, Arn Anderson, Barry Windham and Tully Blanchard. Of course managers JJ Dillon, Paul Ellering and Jim Cornette are part of that discussion too.

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Cody Rhodes vs. WWE

Cody Rhodes enters ROH
Courtesy: George Tahinos

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I'm going to start this blog off by stating for the record I am a fan of Cody Rhodes. I enjoyed every incarnation of the man in his time in WWE. From his first break teaming with Bob Holly to Legacy to "Dashing" Cody to Rhodes-Scholars and even Stardust (even though I know he hated it). In my 1-2-3 cents, he was one of the most undervalued members of the roster and I'm happy for the success he's found on the independent scene and as the current Ring of Honor champion. It's also my 1-2-3 cents that his wife Brandi (Eden in WWE) was also grossly misused and should have had a larger role in the company. 

Now that you know where I'm coming from, let me move forward. WWE announced this week it's bringing back the Starrcade brand for the first time since acquiring WCW. The last Starrcade event was in December 2000. The title will be a part of an event planned for Thanksgiving weekend, involving SmackDown Live talent. Legends like Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat and The Rock 'n Roll Express are also scheduled to appear.

Dusty vs. Ric Flair
Courtesy: WWE

The announcement of the event drew some criticism from Cody and Brandi, mostly being upset that Dusty Rhodes, who helped create Starrcade, wasn't credited and that Dustin (Goldust) Rhodes isn't scheduled to have a match on the show at this point. I understand Cody's emotional attachment to the situation, but I disagree with his point of view. Of course, if I was in his shoes, I might think differently, but I'd like to think that I wouldn't. Also, I don't disagree with him on everything. 

Tag champs
Courtesy: WWE

He's right, it would be nice if WWE included Goldust on the card. However, if they don't, I understand. Goldy is on the Raw brand and this is a SmackDown Live event. Also, Michael Hayes has extended an invitation to Cody to team with Dustin on the show. That would be amazing and I'd love to see them face the Hardy Boyz (I know they're Raw too), but what the hell... 

In my 1-2-3 cents, WWE doesn't have to give credit to the creator or innovator of each concept they present. Dusty was mentioned in the article for his involvement, but not as one of the creative forces behind it. To that point, I don't know that WWE mentions Pat Patterson every year at the Royal Rumble and I couldn't tell you officially who should be recognized for Hell in a Cell, Survivor Series or King of the Ring.

Dusty Rhodes statue unveiling
Courtesy: WWE

WWE has done a lot to honor the American Dream's legacy. There's a life-size statue of Dusty that was unveiled at WrestleMania Axxess a couple years ago. In 2016, there was a tag team tournament in the Dream's honor. There are a lot of Legends, Hall of Famers and contributors to the success of the business that don't get the credit they deserve. I really don't believe WWE is trying to squash the legacy of the Dream or take anything away from what he did for wrestling.

My hope is that one day Cody finds what he's looking for on the indy scene and is able to once again put his talents on display on the global stage of WWE. I respect what he, Dustin and their father have done and continue to do for the betterment of professional wrestling (and sports entertainment).