Instead of Slaughter, how about Jake

Instead of Sgt. Slaughter, how about Jake "The Snake" Roberts? 

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

In the summer of 1990, it appeared a war between the United States and Iraq was imminent. Around this same time Sgt. Slaughter was finishing up with the AWA and heading back to the World Wrestling Federation. A handful of years before that, Slaughter was arguably the company's second top good guy, right behind Hulk Hogan. But the return of Slaughter saw a change in character. The American hero was sympathizing with Iraq and its leader Saddam Hussein. He even hired a manager who looked just like the dictator. 

This lead to Slaughter capturing the WWF Championship from the Ultimate Warrior around the same time tensions had boiled over in the Middle East. America needed a new hero and the Hulkster himself was anointed. That's how it happened. And I'm not knocking Sarge by any means. But by 1991 it seemed his best years had passed him. So instead of Slaughter, how about Jake "the Snake" Roberts.

Sure this would have taken the Blindfold match against "The Model" Rick Martel away from us (I really did enjoy that match and angle), but hear me out. Jake ended up turning heel over the summer of 1991. In my scenario, that process just speeds up a bit. "Macho King" Randy Savage would still play a factor in the Warrior-Roberts match at the Rumble, setting up the retirement match at WrestleMania VII (still my favorite WM match). 

After Survivor Series 1990 there is a battle royal on Superstars of Wrestling to determine who will face the Ultimate Warrior at the Royal Rumble. Jake wins by eliminating Martel and putting an end to their feud. Jake focuses his efforts over the next few weeks on preparing for the championship match and convincing Warrior they're still friends and may the best man win. But unbeknownst to the rest of us, Jake has made an alliance with Savage who runs interference in the match just like he did in the real scenario. Then we learn to 'never trust a snake.' 

Hogan, disgusted by Roberts actions, confronts the Snake on the Brother Love Show. This leads to a sneak attack from Savage, setting up a vulnerable Hogan to be DDT'd on the red-carpeted floor of the Brother Love Show. Hogan wins at WrestleMania VII and feuds with Roberts through the summer. Snake aligns himself with the Undertaker. SummerSlam's main event becomes Hogan-Warrior vs. Roberts-'Taker. The two heels are frustrated with their loss that night and take it out on Savage and Elizabeth during the wedding reception, taking us to that memorable feud.

Let me know what you think of this and other 'Instead of' blogs listed below.

Previous 'Instead of' blogs

Instead of Hart, how about Von Erich?

Instead of Garvin, how about Windham?

Instead of Diesel, how about Bulldog?

Click the pic for this week's podcast

My favorite Kerry Von Erich moments

Kerry Von Erich after winning the NWA Title

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

February 18, 2018, marks the 25 year anniversary of the death of Kerry Von Erich. Regular readers here know Kerry is one of my all-time favorites and growing up I ranked him higher than Hulk Hogan himself. Instead of focusing on his death though, I wanted to use this day to remember a few of my favorite Kerry Von Erich matches.

1. Without a doubt his winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship is not only my favorite Kerry Von Erich match but one of my all-time favorite matches. It features two of favorite wrestlers. Kerry fulfilled his promise to honor the life of his brother David that day. In front of a then-record crowd, Kerry battled the "Nature Boy" for just over 11 minutes before catching Flair with a backslide and winning the gold. 

I was 11 years old then and through the roof with excitement. Kerry's reign only lasted 18 days and I was deeply disappointed by the loss, but I viewed it as a huge accomplishment for Von Erich. He went on to appear on the covers of many wrestling magazines in the weeks that followed holding that ten pounds of gold. I collected those mags and hung posters featuring the "Modern Day Warrior" on the wall of my bedroom and even my locker at school. Less than a year later, I was fortunate enough to see a rematch between the two in St. Louis. Flair got himself disqualified. 

Texas Tornado vs. Mr. Perfect
Courtesy: WWE

2. Kerry stormed into the WWF in the summer of 1990 as the Texas Tornado. It was my senior year in high school and when he was placed in the Intercontinental Championship match against Mr. Perfect at that year's SummerSlam, I was stoked. After five minutes of action, Kerry pinned Perfect and was crowned the IC champ. 

Again, his title reign didn't last nearly as long as I had hoped it would. But he got the rub of hanging with The Ultimate Warrior on several occasions. I think had Kerry been in a different place in his personal life back then, his WWF tenure and championship run could have had more meaning than it did ultimately. 

Kerry Von Erich vs. Kamala

3. As I mentioned earlier, Kerry was to me what Hulk Hogan was to millions of fans. Before the Hulkster bodyslammed Andre the Giant, King Kong Bundy or  One Man Gang for that matter, Kerry was performing these feats of strength. I remember vividly Von Erich battling Kamala on slamming him. I believe the announcer, Bill Mercer, said it was the first time the Ugandan Giant had been body slammed. I have no idea if that's true, but to me, it was a feat of superhuman strength. As the years passed, Kerry slammed other big men, including Gang. 

There are plenty of other fond memories I have of Kerry Von Erich. His feuds with the Freebirds, Chris Adams and Gino Hernandez are also among some of my favorites. There are too many instances in those battles to pick favorites. And I still think he should have won the battle with Jerry Lawler in the AWA Championship matches. What are some of your favorite moments of the "Modern Day Warrior"?  

Rest in Peace Bobby "The Brain" Heenan

Meeting the Brain in 1998

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I've just read from several sources that Bobby "The Brain" Heenan" has died. When I list my all-time favorites in professional wrestling, Ric Flair tops the list. But Heenan is not far behind the "Nature Boy." His work as a commentator and a manager was untouchable. 

Heenan, Studd & Patera
Courtesy: WWE

My first memories of Heenan were in his early days of the WWF. He was managing Big John Studd and Ken Patera as the trio feuded with Andre the Giant. Hulk Hogan and Hillbilly Jim eventually got involved and would throw the Brain around like a rag doll. His wit was quick and his ability to absorb punishment made him must-see TV for me. 

Bobby Heenan & Rick Rude
Courtesy: WWE

From Andre the Giant to the Red Rooster, Heenan gave all his family members a shine that some managers never had the ability to do. He made the Brooklyn Brawler a Superstar, took The Brain Busters to the WWF tag team titles and helped Rick Rude become Intercontinental Champion. Of course, there's Andre and Haku's title run too, his time with Mr. Perfect and his pair of IC title reigns and Heenan's role in bringing Ric Flair into the WWF and eventually winning the WWF Championship.

Heenan with Andre at WrestleMania III
Courtesy: WWE

Heenan convinced Andre the Giant to turn against Hulk Hogan and set up one of the biggest WrestleMania main events of all-time. Even though Andre came up short, it started a new chapter in the career of the Giant. Heenan played a big role in that story.

The Weasel!
Courtesy: WWE

He took years of bumps and abuse from the company's top good guys including Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Roddy Piper and The Ultimate Warrior. In fact, it was the Warrior who wrestled Heenan in a series of matches in which the loser would get stuffed into a weasel costume. Guess who won those encounters?  

I was heartbroken when Heenan left the WWF and signed with WCW. I enjoyed both promotions but was a WWF loyalist. However, it was Heenan's time in WCW that I got a chance to meet the legend. I was working in Florence, Alabama as a TV anchor and there was a Thursday Night Thunder happening an hour away in Huntsville. I talked with someone at WCW and was granted media access and the chance to interview several stars. One of them was Bobby Heenan. I was completely starstruck and nearly 20 years later wonder how I made it through the interview. I was a young journalist at the time and tried hard not to fanboy right there. That moment remains one of my favorite in my career.

WrestleMania 27
The Heenan Family

In 2011, I joined my friends Chad and Travis as members of the Heenan family at WrestleMania 27. I was the Brain, Chad was Rooster and Travis was Brawler. I still wear the jacket my mom made as a ring announcer in Stride Pro Wrestling. Fans call it the Bobby Heenan coat. Now it means even more to me.

This barely scratches the surface on my admiration for Bobby Heenan. I will have more in the coming days. Be sure to check out My 1-2-3 Cents on Facebook for updates. Rest in peace, Brain.

What I love about Fridays

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

"It's Friday, Friday gonna get down on Friday." -- Rebecca Black
"Last Friday night, yeah I think we broke the law." -- Katy Perry
"Everybody's working for the weekend." -- Loverboy

I'm trying to incorporate a new line of thinking that I shouldn't look forward to Friday solely based on the fact that it marks the end of the work week. It's a mantra Gary Vee has adopted. But when you get up at 1:25 a.m., it's hard not to look forward to two days of sleeping in each week. That's just one of the reasons I like Friday though. There are a few others that top my list.

Craft Beer Friday

My buddy Tom Harness started Craft Beer Friday at his company Harness Digital Marketing a few years ago. Since he's moved his office to downtown Carterville, I've headed over nearly every week for some brew and conversation. It also gives us a chance to record an episode of The Craftbeericans from time to time. 

Good times at The Annex (RIP)

Many years ago the News 3 This Morning crew started going out for breakfast on Fridays. The Breakfast Club leaves work after the last GMA cut in is over.It's a tradition that has stood the test of time starting with Subway and evolving to countless other restaurants in the Marion-Herrin-Carterville-Carbondale area. 

Napping. If there's one day of the week I'm certain to get a nap it's on Friday. I usually try to do that in case we go out that night or have a football game, band performance or cheer event to attend.

Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard is my favorite podcast. A new show drops each Friday. I look forward to 11 a.m. each week and plan my longer runs for Fridays just because of that show. 

Ultimate Warrior socks

Funky Socks Friday is a new gimmick I have on my Facebook page. A friend of mine, Jason Shadowen, started the movement. It's kinda like Nerd Shirt Thursday, but with socks. However, I'm running low and need to add to my supply.

What's your Friday tradition? Post here. Have a great weekend.