Classic Wrestling Discussion: Part III & Wrestler Poll

[Megahab]

In 1991, during the Hogan vs. Slaughter feud, the Iron Sheik was known as Colonel Mustafa. What was the reason for the name change? I find it weird that they'd rename a former world champion, especially since it was still an anti-USA gimmick.

 

[JackSlater]

In 1991, during the Hogan vs. Slaughter feud, the Iron Sheik was known as Colonel Mustafa. What was the reason for the name change? I find it weird that they'd rename a former world champion, especially since it was still an anti-USA gimmick.

They acknowledged that Colonel Mustafa was the Iron Sheik, but I think it's a classic case of Vince firmly believing that the audience is extremely stupid and also not thinking about it too much. Iran and Iraq... close enough to Vince.

 

[JackSlater]

 

[Ben Grimm]

1. Austin
2. Savage
3. Hart
4. Michaels
5. (tie) Flair, Jericho won the 2020 poll. Cena got 0 votes.

If there's an ATD I'm in. Please pm last year's GMs.

 

[JackSlater]

1. Austin
2. Savage
3. Hart
4. Michaels
5. (tie) Flair, Jericho won the 2020 poll. Cena got 0 votes.

If there's an ATD I'm in. Please pm last year's GMs.

 

[Ben Grimm]

1. 
2. 
   
   
3. 
4. 

Who is this wrestler who looks like an evil wizard with white eyes? Hint: It's not Count Dooku, Saruman the White, or Count Dracula all played by the great Christopher Lee.

 

[BostonBob]

1. 

Who is this wrestler who looks like an evil wizard with white eyes?

It's Larry Latham who wrestled as Moondog Spot. Various formations of The Moondogs wrestled mostly in Memphis, Smoky Mountain and the WWF.

Here's a match against The Fabulous Ones from Memphis ( January 9th - 1984 ):

 

[Ben Grimm]

Great job, BB!

 

[JackSlater]

I figured that was one of the Moondogs, but I can never remember their respective names. It's fairly basic but I like their gimmick for a mid card tag team.

 

[BostonBob]

It's fairly basic but I like their gimmick for a mid card tag team.

We only got the watered down version in Vinceland. If you like pure brawls check out some of their stuff from Memphis.

 

[JackSlater]

We only got the watered down version in Vinceland. If you like pure brawls check out some of their stuff from Memphis.

I've seen some of the more brutal Moondogs stuff. I was surprised when I first learned about their style given that I had first come across them in WWF compilation videos, which as you suggest featured a pretty sanitized team.

 

[TD Charlie]

1. Austin
2. Savage
3. Hart
4. Michaels
5. (tie) Flair, Jericho won the 2020 poll. Cena got 0 votes.

If there's an ATD I'm in. Please pm last year's GMs.

I was asked just yesterday by a couple friends last night who is the single greatest wrestler. They are both casual fans and said Austin and Savage.

I think it's Michaels for me, but I have to factor in everything to get there. Stage presence/charisma, ring ability, promos, longevity, etc. Austin was a glorified brawler so I can't say it's him, although I want to.

Really it's Flair, Jericho, Hart, Savage, Michaels, The Rock, yes even Cena...you can make a case for all these guys. I might even put Punk up there but the longevity on the main stage probably hurts him.

 

[Ben Grimm]

What am I willing to do to get the ATD signup started?

"I'm not gay, but I am willing to learn" John Winger

 

[JackSlater]

What am I willing to do to get the ATD signup started?

"I'm not gay, but I am willing to learn" John Winger

It's usually in the spring. Your offer may entice KingHollywood though, who knows?

 

[Ben Grimm]

It's usually in the spring. Your offer may entice KingHollywood though, who knows?

Thanks. I thought it was in January.

 

[Sheppy]

Watched a few classic Foley matches.

Honest question... why doesn’t he get much love when people talk about the greatest ever?

 

[les Habs]

Watched a few classic Foley matches.

Honest question... why doesn’t he get much love when people talk about the greatest ever?

I don't know about greatest ever, but I always wonder why he isn't as loved. I think it's because he was more limited in the ring than some other guys. That said I liked his style a lot, thought he was very strong on the mic and generally a bit underrated.

 

[JackSlater]

Watched a few classic Foley matches.

Honest question... why doesn’t he get much love when people talk about the greatest ever?

I'd say that it's due to his WWF run as an active wrestler being only four years, that he was clearly overshadowed over that period by Austin, and the stuff he's done since then that generally makes him seem cheap and low. Foley did good stuff before WWF and his best promos were in ECW but that just doesn't resonate as much. If he had been in WWF from say, 1994 to 2001, and actually presented himself since then as a legend who you rarely see rather than as a goof for hire his standing would be better. That's even with Austin still outshining him.

All that said, I do think that he clearly belongs in the group below the top wrestlers ever. His in-ring wrestling doesn't compare to a lot of them and even with his top level promos his charisma wasn't up there with the best all time for whatever reason.

 

[Sheppy]

I would agree, boys.

Reason I asked was a buddy texted me late last night after going into a “WWF” rabbit hole of Mic Foley. He sent me a text asking “why isn’t Foley included when talking about the greatest ever?”

I sat there and thought “you know... I never really considered it, but damn, he’s up there”

 

[Megahab]

Random thought - which wrestlers have used the same entrance for the entirety of their WWE career in the last 25 years? Let's not count guys that only debuted recently like AJ Styles.

Brock Lesnar is the only one I can think of and even he was gone for 8 years.

 

[HandsomeHollywood]

I'd say that it's due to his WWF run as an active wrestler being only four years, that he was clearly overshadowed over that period by Austin, and the stuff he's done since then that generally makes him seem cheap and low. Foley did good stuff before WWF and his best promos were in ECW but that just doesn't resonate as much. If he had been in WWF from say, 1994 to 2001, and actually presented himself since then as a legend who you rarely see rather than as a goof for hire his standing would be better. That's even with Austin still outshining him.

All that said, I do think that he clearly belongs in the group below the top wrestlers ever. His in-ring wrestling doesn't compare to a lot of them and even with his top level promos his charisma wasn't up there with the best all time for whatever reason.

I'd say this is generally correct. Specifically his TNA run, his feud with Flair and Melina, and then his latest GM run seemed to damage his legacy. I've also heard mostly negative things about both his stand-up and later books. Hardcore Diaries and Countdown to Lockdown specifically are supposedly terrible.

 

[sabremike]

I'd say this is generally correct. Specifically his TNA run, his feud with Flair and Melina, and then his latest GM run seemed to damage his legacy. I've also heard mostly negative things about both his stand-up and later books. Hardcore Diaries and Countdown to Lockdown specifically are supposedly terrible.

The people who told you that have no idea what they are talking about as both of them are very good and well worth reading.

 

[BruinDust]

Watched a few classic Foley matches.

Honest question... why doesn’t he get much love when people talk about the greatest ever?

His run in the main event scene was too short to be considered in the conversation as greatest ever. Really he was near the top from April 1998 (post WM 14) until April 2000 (WM 16). He basically was finished as a full-time performer after that.

And as great as he was both in the ring and one the mic, he was never ever considered to be "the guy" in any promotion he was part of. Always a supporting cast player, albeit an extremely talented and entertaining one.

 

[BruinDust]

I was asked just yesterday by a couple friends last night who is the single greatest wrestler. They are both casual fans and said Austin and Savage.

I think it's Michaels for me, but I have to factor in everything to get there. Stage presence/charisma, ring ability, promos, longevity, etc. Austin was a glorified brawler so I can't say it's him, although I want to.

Really it's Flair, Jericho, Hart, Savage, Michaels, The Rock, yes even Cena...you can make a case for all these guys. I might even put Punk up there but the longevity on the main stage probably hurts him.

Austin was a heck of an all-around in-ring performer until he broke his next at SS 97. It basically forced him to change his style and the more brawling style was the compromise to continue his career as he was red-hot and not about to walk away at that point.

I think there is a difference between Greatest Ever and Best Performer. Greatest ever for me is either Austin or Hogan. No two guys ever made it bigger as professional wrestlers while they were still wrestling. I'd argue Flair is more relevant today in the mainstream than he ever was during his prime in the NWA in the 1980's. Rock as well all know is mostly known for his nearly 20 year acting career, not his 6 year run as a full-time pro wrestler.

Best Performer ever? For me it's Michaels. They guy simply had it all and did everything you could think of as a character, speaker, and in-ring performer at an elite level. The closest to him IMO is Savage. If he didn't hit his prime in essentially overlapping Hogan's, he might be in the conversation as the Greatest ever. Do the "Oh Yeah" in the Macho Man voice and pretty much everyone knows who your imitating. But forever in Hogan's shadow in the business, how many more titles/main events does Savage get if Hogan wasn't around the same time in the same promotion.

 

[DaaaaB's]

Austin was a glorified brawler so I can't say it's him, although I want to.

Only after injuries. Watch his WCW work and you'll see how skilled he was in the ring.