The Wrestling Thread Saw the End of An Era - Part 55

[Hunter Rider]

I think Pringle even said he idolized Heenan and asked him if he could base his character on Bobby. Bobby told him to just be himself more.

Got to watch that Taker vs Brody match. Taker must have been fresh in the business then.

It was weird seeing Taker flopping around as a jobber.

Savage and Piper carried their end but it broke down into an out of control brawl for a while. Since it was supposedly Roddy's "last" show in The Garden the match came down to Savage vs Piper...which was great.

I'm gonna have a trawl through Youtube to see if I can find this one, Roddy mustn't be far behind Terry Funk in the last matches stakes.

There was a pretty small window where Savage could have faced HHH in WCW but I don't think he ever did. I'm sure HHH would have loved to have worked him.

That would have been fun even under his Terra Rizing moniker. He did work Sting in that short period he was in WCW. I always hoped Savage would come in as part of the NWO in 2002.

I remember when Hogan faced Lesnar Heyman is SCREAMING on the outside "He's different, Brock! He's different! He's not like the rest!"

That's the kind of thing missing from a lot of the young guys today, that ability to sell the situation. I mean check Hogan's facials in this vide:
Contract Signing Hulk V Andre rematch (WWF 1988)

[/QUOTE]

JACK TUNNEY! Having an unbiased official always made the "sport" aspect seem more legitimate. Thats why I'm tired of heel authority figures.

The Hogan world title match contract signings always seemed more legit and like a big deal. They usually did them in an office. Ted Turner showing up to preside over the Hogan/Flair Starrcade contract signing made it seem like a REALLY big deal.

Back to Hogan/Warrior: them showing up in their gear (or on Warriors case his facepaint) was pretty funny though.

I'm not sure what Warrior was saying half the time but it was awesome. I love how Warrior paints it as a transcendental battle. He sure made the clash seem epic.

"Intercontinental championship OF THE WORLD!"

It was a credit to the rest in the room that they no sold Warriors goof up.

Jack Tunney's catchphrase was "There's nothing I can do!" in just about every scenario bar reinstating Randy Savage.

 

[Nightmare]

It's too bad Hogan can't occupy his time rubbing all of his daughter's body parts while she's tanning instead.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Would be really interested to hear others views and takes on this...

This one has always been my favourite belt and it seems like the kind of belt Punk's character could bring back given his affinity for guys like Savage and Bret.

- The following are rumored as the top matches for next year's WrestleMania 29 PPV. Remember, these are just rumored matches…

* WWE Title Match: The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar
* Steve Austin vs. CM Punk
* The Undertaker vs. John Cena

SOURCE: 411Mania

This may be stacked but lets look at it, a title match where neither guy will be with the WWE after that Mania, and two current top guys doing the job to two guys who may well also be working their last matches. It wouldn't exaclty leave WWE 2013 post-Mania looking too rosy.

 

[Superark]

Out of interest, if by some miraculous occurence the powers that be decide to change the 'Spinner' belt, what would everybody like to see it replaced with? Be it a more classical/past design, or something new altogether?


While my favourite belt design ever is the 'Attitude Era' WWE Championship, I feel it would probably feel out of the place in the new era, as it's appearance (that being big, bold and extravagant in it's design) really reflected the era it was made for, more than being a reflection across the whole spectrum.

Therefore I'd probably go with a more classical/past design, such as the Late 80's to Early to Mid 90's 'Winged Eagle' design, or the 'Undisputed' title design. Or if not those, then a completely newly designed title belt altogether.

Would be really interested to hear others views and takes on this...

I've always preferred the undisputed belt. I hated the Attitude era belt. I thought it looked uninspiring and the big blue earth was distracting. The classic winged WWF championship is a great one, I only wish it was bigger. That belt always seemed too small, especially when it was on a big guy like Hogan

 

[Wheels]

Brock vs Rock for the WWE title would be a huge mistake. I mean where does WWE go after that? You're pretty much telling the audience you don't care about your current roster and don't believe in them, so why should people tune in after the old stars leave?

 

[Dr. Evil]

Brock vs Rock for the WWE title would be a huge mistake. I mean where does WWE go after that? You're pretty much telling the audience you don't care about your current roster and don't believe in them, so why should people tune in after the old stars leave?

The WWE isn't known for common sense all of the time. This would not surprise me.

 

[Metallo]

I hope that card is the kind of groundless rumor you tend to get in the post-Wrestlemania rush. Short term, that card might get a nice PPV buyrate boost. Long term, however, that card is terrible.

By not only putting part-time nostalgia acts in the main event, but also having two of them fight for the WWE Title, you're totally ghettoising the present-day roster in their biggest showcase of the year. It's Sting fighting Mick Foley for the TNA World Title on a much grander scale.

Ditto. Three part time nostalgia acts in the main events and one veteran part timer at the end of the line with them is going to leave a serious and immediate void. A deck so stacked that it'll be even harder for WWE to rebound after they all leave at once. Neither Brock or Rock may even be around after Mania so either one vacates the title or drops it in quick fashion soon after. Neither one does the title or the current top guys any good. if Rock wants to face Brock thats fine but it doesn't need the WWE title.

Even when they put the title on Hogan in 2002 he was a full time member of the roster.

Brock would be better used as an opponent for Taker as he and Cena are the only real challenges big enough to look like any kind of threat to the streak.

If the card is that stacked with nostalgia acts, I can't see Austin going for it.

Ditto. if Austin comes back I imagine he'd want to be near or at the very top of the card as THE main event.

I wouldn't blame him either. And I'd be much more excited for Austins return than seeing Rock vs Brock.

Out of interest, if by some miraculous occurence the powers that be decide to change the 'Spinner' belt, what would everybody like to see it replaced with? Be it a more classical/past design, or something new altogether?


While my favourite belt design ever is the 'Attitude Era' WWE Championship, I feel it would probably feel out of the place in the new era, as it's appearance (that being big, bold and extravagant in it's design) really reflected the era it was made for, more than being a reflection across the whole spectrum.

Therefore I'd probably go with a more classical/past design, such as the Late 80's to Early to Mid 90's 'Winged Eagle' design, or the 'Undisputed' title design. Or if not those, then a completely newly designed title belt altogether.

Would be really interested to hear others views and takes on this...

I hope they bring back the winged eagle belt or a similar design. IMO its the best looking, classiest WWWF/WWF/WWE world title belt ever. The only other belt that comes close to looking as prestigious is the big gold belt.

Almost anything would be better than the spinner though.

I've always preferred the undisputed belt. I hated the Attitude era belt. I thought it looked uninspiring and the big blue earth was distracting. The classic winged WWF championship is a great one, I only wish it was bigger. That belt always seemed too small, especially when it was on a big guy like Hogan

When I was young Hogan held the WWF title so much that he always looked funny to me without it. Like the winged eagle belt was an essential part of his outfit.

The spinner has the opposite problem as far as looking too small. its so bulky that it only looks decent on big guys. Whenever Punk has it around his waste it looks a little too big to me.

 

[Dr. Evil]

If they want Lesnar and The Rock for the WWE Title, then what they need to do is shoehorn Randy Orton in there and let him take the victory. This way, it will make it seem that Orton is still one of the WWE's top guys, unless he's in the WHC match.

What exactly is the WWE doing with Orton? He's supposed to be the #3 face in the WWE, but he hasn't been booked like it. My guess is that they are waiting for him to feud with Wade Barrett for the 100th time.

 

[Van Petrol]

Thanks for all the feedback on the 'WWE title' issue guys, keep it coming.

It's pretty much as thought it would be, with most preferring a return of either the 'Winged Eagle' design or the 'Unidsputed' one which I can understand and also agree with.

I wouldn't mind seeing a re-worked/modified version of the 'Winged Eagle' similar to what they have done with the 'Classic IC' belt Cody re-introduced. And also I wasn't really into wrestling, nor watching it when that belt was in use.

I've always preferred the undisputed belt. I hated the Attitude era belt. I thought it looked uninspiring and the big blue earth was distracting. The classic winged WWF championship is a great one, I only wish it was bigger. That belt always seemed too small, especially when it was on a big guy like Hogan

That was one of the reasons for re-designing the title and introducing the 'Attitude Era' version, as many of the guys who would be holding it would be 'Big' guys (i.e. Austin, Rock, Taker, Kane, Triple H, etc.), and it was thought the 'Winged Eagle' belt would look too small on them.

 

[Benstamania]

No way that Mania 29 card happens. Austin vs Punk would and should be the main event. Austin didn't want to play second fiddle to the Rock this year... No way he does it next year.

 

[Wheels]

The winged eagle title would look good on WWE's current crop of stars. Punk, Rhodes, Ziggler, Bryan, and even Mix. It looks best on smaller guys.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Alicia Fox has some weird sunglasses:

[YT]4leeORvooqo&feature=youtu.be[/YT]

 

[Daniel Thompson]

JACK TUNNEY! Having an unbiased official always made the "sport" aspect seem more legitimate. Thats why I'm tired of heel authority figures.

The Hogan world title match contract signings always seemed more legit and like a big deal. They usually did them in an office. Ted Turner showing up to preside over the Hogan/Flair Starrcade contract signing made it seem like a REALLY big deal.

Back to Hogan/Warrior: them showing up in their gear (or on Warriors case his facepaint) was pretty funny though.

I'm not sure what Warrior was saying half the time but it was awesome. I love how Warrior paints it as a transcendental battle. He sure made the clash seem epic.

"Intercontinental championship OF THE WORLD!"

Yeah the whole evil boss thing was so attitude era with McMahon and Bishoff. Need more authority figures like Jack Tunney around, and wish WWE did feel like a sport like it did during the Rock N Wrestling Era, which in my opinion was better than the Attitude Era.

 

[Wheels]

Yeah the whole evil boss thing was so attitude era with McMahon and Bishoff. Need more authority figures like Jack Tunney around, and wish WWE did feel like a sport like it did during the Rock N Wrestling Era, which in my opinion was better than the Attitude Era.

Overall I would agree because the storytelling was better and the angles were better executed. However, most of my favorite guys came after.

 

[Daniel Thompson]

Overall I would agree because the storytelling was better and the angles were better executed. However, most of my favorite guys came after.

Thats how WWE should be today.

 

[Wheels]

Here's an interesting question, what do you consider as the end of the Rock N Wrestling Era?

 

[Anno_Domini]

- The following are rumored as the top matches for next year's WrestleMania 29 PPV. Remember, these are just rumored matches…

* WWE Title Match: The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar
* Steve Austin vs. CM Punk
* The Undertaker vs. John Cena

SOURCE: 411Mania

I think it will be better if it were Rock/Cena for the WWE title, Austin/Punk and Lesnar/Undertaker.

The only reason I would even think there will be a WWE title match with two part-timers is if someone who won a Money in the Bank match came in after that match and wins the title.

It's nice that Rock may be getting his "dream" with winning the WWE championship once more, and while winning it may be cool, it would be best for him to have that win, but someone winning it from him who won MitB. Again, that's if they keep the idea of two part-timers in the same match.

 

[Daniel Thompson]

Here's an interesting question, what do you consider as the end of the Rock N Wrestling Era?

Why you ask me this? Just curious, and I say 1992 as the following year started the New Generation Era.

 

[Wheels]

Why you ask me this? Just curious, and I say 1992 as the following year started the New Generation Era.

I was not specifically asking you, but I wanted to know because I see guys like Bret, Shawn, and Undertaker as New Generation guys. It could be argued they are Rock N Wrestling Era holdovers though.

 

[Daniel Thompson]

I was not specifically asking you, but I wanted to know because I see guys like Bret, Shawn, and Undertaker as New Generation guys. It could be argued they are Rock N Wrestling Era holdovers though.

They were more new generation guys but started out during rock n wrestling, just did not make a name for themselves unitl new generation era.

Also I liked NWA/JCP better than WCW from the Attitude Era. NWA/JCP had more than just the 4 Horsemen going for them, wCw really just had the NWO and that was it. I know they had good midcard wrestling but the maineventers really pushed the young guys back and made it all about them, while JCP both the main eventers and midcarders were pushed.

 

[E-Man]

Brock vs Rock for the WWE title would be a huge mistake. I mean where does WWE go after that? You're pretty much telling the audience you don't care about your current roster and don't believe in them, so why should people tune in after the old stars leave?

That would be pretty dumb. Sure I love both guys, but they're not even long term guys. The title should be reserved for top talent that's going to stick around long term. If they wrestle at next year's WM that's just going to push up and comers back even further. Those two would definitely headline the card, Cena is top dog so his match would get a lot of shine.

If Cena goes against Punk then that's good considering he's a top guy now, but where does that leave Ziggler or Cody? Both guys have busted their asses, and should be main eventing by next year. Ziggler is one of the three best in ring talents they have right now. Cody has a ton of charisma. These are the men that need a big Wrestlemania moment, but with Brock vs. Rock headlining it holds them back.

Same thing with Sheamus. Despite people booing him now he's still got a ton of credit with the crowd, and he's good in the ring. Next year's WM should be all about the young guys getting built up before they get stale. If they wait to long to push these guys they may miss the opportunity to ever cash in on their potential.

 

[Wheels]

They were more new generation guys but started out during rock n wrestling, just did not make a name for themselves unitl new generation era.

Also I liked NWA/JCP better than WCW from the Attitude Era. NWA/JCP had more than just the 4 Horsemen going for them, wCw really just had the NWO and that was it. I know they had good midcard wrestling but the maineventers really pushed the young guys back and made it all about them, while JCP both the main eventers and midcarders were pushed.

JCP/NWA is my favorite wrestling promotion. Unfortunately I've had to watch it through DVD/VHS/Youtube as I'm too young to have seen it.

 

[Dr. Evil]

It didn't take that long for the Rock to get back to work on his next movie:

That beard has to be fake. No way he was able to grow it that long in a matter of a few days.

 

[Dr. Evil]

I think it will be better if it were Rock/Cena for the WWE title, Austin/Punk and Lesnar/Undertaker.

The only reason I would even think there will be a WWE title match with two part-timers is if someone who won a Money in the Bank match came in after that match and wins the title.

It's nice that Rock may be getting his "dream" with winning the WWE championship once more, and while winning it may be cool, it would be best for him to have that win, but someone winning it from him who won MitB. Again, that's if they keep the idea of two part-timers in the same match.

Someone winning MITB and then cashing in against the winner of Brock vs. the Rock would be the only way that a WWE Title match between the two can work. That I can tolerate.

 

[Metallo]

Here's an interesting question, what do you consider as the end of the Rock N Wrestling Era?

Not an easy question to answer to me since eras often don't have hard beginnings or endings. Sometimes its a slow transition. The 80's were the strongest period of the Rock 'n' Wrestling connection and obviously that decade was over with by 1990.

the Rock 'n' Wrestling Era was over for sure when Yokozuna crushed Hogan and Hulkster left the WWF. It was around this period guys like Razor and Diesel were arriving. Hogan was the face of the Rock 'n' Wrestling era but the transition began in 1990. Warrior was supposed to be the new face of a new era. By 1992 Hogan was part time Bret was being groomed to be a new top guy.

There are probably about 3 or 4 important and events that signaled the end of Rock 'n' Wrestling and the arrival of The New Generation:

Ultimate Warrior cleanly defeats Hulk Hogan for the WWF title at WM6.

Bret Hart captures his first WWF title from Ric Flair in the Fall of 1992.

Yokozuna defeats Hulk Hogan for the WWF title at KOTR 1993 and Hogan leaves the company.

Bret Hart defeats Yokozuna for the WWF title at WM10.

The end began in 1990 and it was over with for good in 1993. The New Generation was in full swing by 1994.