The Wrestling Roadshow

30 years ago...

Alliance Broken To The Extreme – The Wrestling Roadshow There’s no doubting the legacy of the National Wrestling Alliance in the hearts and minds of long-time grapple fans. It was the vast organisation that dominated professional wrestling for decades in North America, with affiliated promotions in countries like Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Oppon...

WCW had many wrestlers on their roster at one time or another. Apart from Nitro, Thunder and pay-per-views, some wrestlers may have only appeared on programmes like Pro or Prime, that were not as widely seen. Or, it was a case of "before they were stars," wrestlers who worked as enhancement talent, before finding more opportunities down the track. It may even be that while they were a name at one point, they worked under a mask or different gimmick that made them unrecognisable. Or they just didn't work very many matches. Either way, let's take a look at ten wrestlers in no particular order - and a few honourable mentions - you may not have realised worked for World Championship Wrestling.

Ten Wrestlers You Didn’t Know Wrestled in WCW – The Wrestling Roadshow WCW had many wrestlers on their roster at one time or another. Apart from Nitro, Thunder and pay-per-views, some wrestlers may have only appeared on programmes like Pro or Prime, that were not as widely seen. Or, it was a case of “before they were stars,” wrestlers who worked as enhancement tale...

Another sad loss. RIP Sid.

Rest in Peace Kevin Sullivan x

As Jeff Jarrett once said, you can make a lot of acquaintances in professional wrestling, but very few friends. The foundations of the business is built on egos and alpha personalities, and there are many shady incidents that occur behind-the-scenes. However, there have been times when wrestling companies have mutually agreed to work together, and on occasion, it can be beneficial to all parties. At time of writing, WWE and TNA have done some talent exchanges. How long will this last? Hard to say, but we can look back at past events and see situations when promoters saw the positives in banding together, even if just for a little while…

https://www.thewrestlingroadshow.com/co-operation-in-the-wrestling-business/

"Because I am not the man who accepts a torch to be handed down to me from an organization that died – RIP – seven years ago. The Franchise, Shane Douglas, is the man who ignites the new flame of the sport of professional wrestling. Tonight, before God and my father as witness, I declare myself, the Franchise, as the new ECW Heavyweight Champion of the world. So tonight, let the new era begin: the era of the sport of professional wrestling; the era of the Franchise; the era of the ECW."

Try as I might, I couldn’t finish the third episode with Vince Russo. Bro. 🖕

The man who pulled the plug on WCW.

Jamie Kellner, one of the men who literally killed WCW, passed away Friday at his home in California. He was 77.

Kellner had been an executive for Fox and the WB, and was widely recognized as a pioneer in the television broadcasting industry. He succeeded Ted Turner as CEO of Turner Broadcasting, and was one of the main opponents of keeping WCW on WTBS after the multi million dollar losses from the Vince Russo/Eric Bischoff debacle in 1999-early 2001.

Kellner built a name as an executive with CNN, TNT, TBS, the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Braves, NHL Thrashers, Turner Classic Movies, and the Cartoon Network. He retired from the broadcasting business at 57 and spent his final twenty years playing golf, sailing, and operating a winery with his wife of 38 years. ~Nance

Paul Heyman's entry into promoting professional wrestling began at the tender age of 19. He was working for the infamous New York City nightclub Studio 54, booking events on Friday night. One of his ideas was "Wrestle Party '85."

Already having done ringside photography for the WWF, he first attempted to get Hulk Hogan, who would accept a fictitious 'Man of the Year' award for 1985. This was just a few months after the first Wrestlemania, and popularity for wrestling was well and truly on the rise.

However, Hogan and the WWF crew were on the other side of the country, so Heyman contacted Jim Crockett Promotions, who were just in Philadelphia at the time. Instead of Hulk, Ric Flair accepted the 'Man of the Year' award. Also there on the night of August 23 was Dusty Rhodes and Magnum TA.

Also making an appearance - though it would have flown under the radar at the time - was Bam Bam Bigelow. He was one of several students of Larry Sharpe, who trained at the Monster Factory. They provided the ring and some live wrestling matches. It was Bam Bam's official debut, and he competed in a gauntlet match against the other Monster Factory students.

Information credit - Ringthedamnbell

The next part in our on-going series on the WWF in the 90s has launched on the website! Check out who did what to who in 1993!

The Rise, Near Fall, And Rise – The WWF in the 90s – 1993 – The Wrestling Roadshow The start of the year saw an old institution make way for the new. Prime Time Wrestling, which debuted back in 1985, aired for the last time, to be replaced the following week by Monday Night RAW. Airing live from the Manhattan Centre on January 11, the show was hosted by Vince McMahon, Randy Savage...

Continue to Rest In Peace, Owen.

The next part of our on-going series is almost complete, when we take a look at the year that was 1993. This is the series where we look at the comings and going’s, and who did what to who!

Be sure to check out our History section on the website to see 1990-1992.

Mark Calloway was plying his trade in Memphis when he got the call-up from WCW in 1989. Sid Vicious was injured, and the company needed another monster to team with Dan Spivey as one-half of The Skyscapers.

Jim Cornette was on the booking team, and decided to place a call to his friend, Dutch Mantell at Continental Wrestling. When Cornette asked if they had any big guys, Mantell recommended Calloway.

Christened Mean Mark Callous - a name credited to Terry Funk - Calloway was a Skyscaper and entering into a promising feud with The Road Warriors. However, Spivey quit, Calloway and his partner were defeated at Wrestlewar 90 and the team disbanded for good.

While his singles run didn't last long, it was enough to gain the attention of the WWF, and as they say, the rest is history.

Black Saturday was featured in the latest . Check out our article at thewrestlingroadshow.com

“Black Saturday” (WWF, July 14, 1984) – The Wrestling Roadshow It will forever be known as one of the darkest days in professional wrestling’s history. A date that sounded alarm bells as the reality for promoters sunk in, that Vince McMahon was serious about taking his company national, and he would do anything to make that happen. While it would become commo...

Best movie ever!

This is awesome. 😊

AEW Dynasty or….. SUPERCLASH 85: A NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS!

https://www.thewrestlingroadshow.com/awa-superclash-1985-28-9-85-review/

American wrestling pop culture vs Mexican wrestling pop culture.

Much has been written about the disastrous tenure of Jim Herd as Executive Vice President of World Championship Wrestling (1988-1992). But of all the bad decisions Herd made, running off Ric Flair had to be the worst. Flair’s contract was coming up, and Herd made it clear he would have to take a big pay-cut, as he believed that Flair’s main event days were done. Herd also came up with the idea of changing Flair’s name to ‘Spartacus.’ Naturally, all of this did not sit well with Flair, who also happened to be the WCW World Heavyweight champion at the time.

When Flair turned down dropping the belt to Lex Luger, as well as to Barry Windham – as he felt without the belt he would have no leverage – Herd fired him anyway, two weeks before The Great American Bash. Flair sent feelers to the WWF and signed in August, while still in physical possession of the ‘big gold belt.’ Unable to appear in person just yet, Flair sent the belt.

Bobby Heenan was given the task of putting Flair over to the WWF audience. On the August 11 episode of Wrestling Challenge, Heenan first showed off the ‘big gold belt,’ and stated that it belonged to Ric Flair, the “real World’s Heavyweight champion.” ‘The Brain’ said that comparing this belt and the WWF Title that Hulk Hogan wore, was like “comparing ice cream to horse manure.” WCW or the NWA was never referenced, apart from being “another organisation.”

Largely due to losing Flair – which upset many WCW fans who chanted “we want Flair” at live events – and the general mishandling of the situation, Herd resigned in January 1992.

Check out the full article on thewrestlingroadshow.com

Is anyone else just learning today that the WWF once had a Canadian Heavyweight title?

This year’s WWE Hall of Fame is looking mighty good so far.

The era of the Hitman is upon us, as we take a look at the WWF in 1992!

The Rise, Near Fall, And Rise – The WWF in the 90s – 1992 – The Wrestling Roadshow 1992 was a year of major transition in the WWF. Unlike the previous couple of years, when Vince McMahon struggled to take the ball completely from Hulk Hogan, he was given no choice when ‘The Hulkster’ left after Wrestlemania, apparently never to return. A past hero came back, but by the time th...

Happy retirement, Sting. ❤️

RIP Virgil/Vincent

Virgil Turns On Ted Dibiase Royal Rumble 1991

RIP Virgil 😞