Happy New Year's/New Year's Eve.
Get lost
Last.fm
Monday, December 31, 2012
Song of the Day - 2012 and Countless
Hella - 2012 and Countless from There's No 666 In Outer Space (2007)
Happy New Year's/New Year's Eve.
Get lostMayans 2012.
Last.fm
Happy New Year's/New Year's Eve.
Get lost
Last.fm
Match of the Day - Happy New Year's Eve with The King & Gregory Helms
Jerry "The King" Lawler vs. Gregory "don't call me The Hurricane anymore" Helms - WWE New Year's Revolution (2006)
I don't really remember the story behind this match.
It's at New Year's Revolution, though... so it's relevant.
A plus in this match is listening to Joey Styles on commentary. Unfortunately you have to also listen to Jonathan Coachman. Remember that guy? Listening to Gregory Helms commentate during his own match was more entertaining than that joker.
I don't really remember the story behind this match.
It's at New Year's Revolution, though... so it's relevant.
A plus in this match is listening to Joey Styles on commentary. Unfortunately you have to also listen to Jonathan Coachman. Remember that guy? Listening to Gregory Helms commentate during his own match was more entertaining than that joker.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Song of the Day - Empty Ocean
Butcher Boy - Empty Ocean from Shoreless Sea (2012)
Here's another local number for ya. It's by Portland's own Butcher Boy. These guys aren't breaking up though; they're actually going on a nation-wide-ish tour real soon!
While this song has been featured on their live release, 'Get Butchered', this version is a much slower and spookier rendition. It's also one of my favorite tracks of 2012.
Last.fm (I'm almost certain I heard someone say that the Glasgow Butcher Boy changed their name)
Here's another local number for ya. It's by Portland's own Butcher Boy. These guys aren't breaking up though; they're actually going on a nation-wide-ish tour real soon!
While this song has been featured on their live release, 'Get Butchered', this version is a much slower and spookier rendition. It's also one of my favorite tracks of 2012.
Last.fm (I'm almost certain I heard someone say that the Glasgow Butcher Boy changed their name)
Match of the Day - The Underfaker fakes out a ham & egger
Ted Dibiase's Undertaker vs. Mike Bell - Raw (1994)
Not too soon after Undertaker's demise at the hands of Yokozuna (with the help of Mr. Fuji's men of course) in the casket match at the 1994 Royal Rumble, The Undertaker would again resurface by his new manager, "The Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase. This Underatker was a little different than the last time we saw him however as he was now being controlled by money rather than the power of The Urn.
Eventually Paul Bearer would bring back the real Undertaker, now donning a sweet purple and black look, to destroy this impostor 'Taker and once again be WWF's only dead man.
Before The fake Undertaker or "Underfaker" took on The real Undertaker at Summerslam, he beat up a few jobbers on Raw to prove that he was definitely not the real Undertaker.
Mike Bell is the victim in this early sighting of The Underfaker played by Brian Lee who later wrestled as Chainz in the Disciples of Apocalypse (with a biker look before The real Undertaker did that too) and also as that guy who was pushed off a scaffold onto a dozen tables in ECW.
Mike Bell also wrestled in ECW under the nickname "Mad Dog". Bell can be seen in the film, Bigger, Faster, Stronger a documentary about drug and steroid abuse - a problem Bell had that led to his death at age 37.
Some may also know Bell as that guy Perry Saturn dropped on his head.
For Lee, the whole Undertaker deal didn't work out after Summerslam, but he did get to play The Undertaker in a Bollywood film called Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi where he "kills" Crush (Brian Adams) in a wrestling match on top of a building(?).
I've also heard that Brian Lee is Mark "The Undertaker" Calaway's real life cousin and that he once had an affair with Calaway's first wife. Whether or not the latter is true, Lee is a real life cousin to the Harris Brothers (who also wrestled in DOA along with Crush no less).
Not too soon after Undertaker's demise at the hands of Yokozuna (with the help of Mr. Fuji's men of course) in the casket match at the 1994 Royal Rumble, The Undertaker would again resurface by his new manager, "The Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase. This Underatker was a little different than the last time we saw him however as he was now being controlled by money rather than the power of The Urn.
Eventually Paul Bearer would bring back the real Undertaker, now donning a sweet purple and black look, to destroy this impostor 'Taker and once again be WWF's only dead man.
Before The fake Undertaker or "Underfaker" took on The real Undertaker at Summerslam, he beat up a few jobbers on Raw to prove that he was definitely not the real Undertaker.
Mike Bell is the victim in this early sighting of The Underfaker played by Brian Lee who later wrestled as Chainz in the Disciples of Apocalypse (with a biker look before The real Undertaker did that too) and also as that guy who was pushed off a scaffold onto a dozen tables in ECW.
Mike Bell also wrestled in ECW under the nickname "Mad Dog". Bell can be seen in the film, Bigger, Faster, Stronger a documentary about drug and steroid abuse - a problem Bell had that led to his death at age 37.
Some may also know Bell as that guy Perry Saturn dropped on his head.
For Lee, the whole Undertaker deal didn't work out after Summerslam, but he did get to play The Undertaker in a Bollywood film called Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi where he "kills" Crush (Brian Adams) in a wrestling match on top of a building(?).
I've also heard that Brian Lee is Mark "The Undertaker" Calaway's real life cousin and that he once had an affair with Calaway's first wife. Whether or not the latter is true, Lee is a real life cousin to the Harris Brothers (who also wrestled in DOA along with Crush no less).
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Song of the Day - House
The Waldos - House from Sludged Out Fish Logic (2011)
Tonight The Waldos of Portland, Maine played their last show. It's a shame to see another stellar local act call it quits but bands in Portland are like the city itself... They rise like a phoenix and in that phoenix is a new band that is even cooler than the last.
For any of you who don't know, Portland is sorta like a phoenix since it burned down three times.
...and rose of course.
Last.fm (lol)
RIP The Waldos (2010-2012)
Tonight The Waldos of Portland, Maine played their last show. It's a shame to see another stellar local act call it quits but bands in Portland are like the city itself... They rise like a phoenix and in that phoenix is a new band that is even cooler than the last.
For any of you who don't know, Portland is sorta like a phoenix since it burned down three times.
...and rose of course.
Last.fm (lol)
RIP The Waldos (2010-2012)
Match of the Day - Valentine/Piper dog collar classic
Greg Valentine vs. Roddy Piper - Starrcade (1983)
This classic from the first-ever Starrcade back in 1983 (that's before Wrestlemania, oh my), is probably one of the most brutal and dare I say, most hardcore matches of the 80s. Yes there was lots of bloody cage matches around this time (along with Ric Flair blading since he was old enough to handle razors), but this match, this feud if you will, backed up by the fact that this was a dog collar match - not just a strap match where the two combatants are held together by the wrist with a leather strap or rope, but a steel chain - made this match one intense confrontation.
This was no gimmick match.
This back and forth style battle ends with Roddy Piper covering Valentine up with the help of the chain, but Piper does not get the chance to celebrate his victory in this non-titled match (Valentine was the US heavyweight champ at the time) as Valentine would assault Piper from behind and beat a mud-hole in the rowdy-one with the chain until the ref gingerly tells him to stop and Valentine leaves the ring.
Good stuff.
This classic from the first-ever Starrcade back in 1983 (that's before Wrestlemania, oh my), is probably one of the most brutal and dare I say, most hardcore matches of the 80s. Yes there was lots of bloody cage matches around this time (along with Ric Flair blading since he was old enough to handle razors), but this match, this feud if you will, backed up by the fact that this was a dog collar match - not just a strap match where the two combatants are held together by the wrist with a leather strap or rope, but a steel chain - made this match one intense confrontation.
This was no gimmick match.
This back and forth style battle ends with Roddy Piper covering Valentine up with the help of the chain, but Piper does not get the chance to celebrate his victory in this non-titled match (Valentine was the US heavyweight champ at the time) as Valentine would assault Piper from behind and beat a mud-hole in the rowdy-one with the chain until the ref gingerly tells him to stop and Valentine leaves the ring.
Good stuff.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Song of the Day - Grot
St. Vincent - Grot from the KROKODIL Record Store Day 7'' (2012)
I just remembered this sick Record Store Day exclusive featuring St. Vincent doing her/their best doom metal meets indie rock impression. This is definitely one of St. Vincent's coolest things done this year... blah blah blah Twilight blah blah blah David Byrne.
This song can also be picked up for free, here!
Last.fm
I just remembered this sick Record Store Day exclusive featuring St. Vincent doing her/their best doom metal meets indie rock impression. This is definitely one of St. Vincent's coolest things done this year... blah blah blah Twilight blah blah blah David Byrne.
This song can also be picked up for free, here!
Last.fm
Match of the Day - Jerry Lynn gets burned in WCW!
Sabu vs. Mr. JL - WCW Halloween Havoc (1995)
During his short-lived World Championship Wrestling career in 1995, Sabu faced a few cruiserweghts here and there, one of which being Jerry Lynn who was masked for some reason and only wrestled under his initials. I'm not sure why Jerry Lynn had to keep his identity so secret while in WCW but it was a damn good thing he was wearing a mask for this match!
Reason being that Sabu was accompanied by his Uncle, The (original) Sheik for this match at Halloween Havoc and The Sheik had a little trick up his sleeve. That trick being a fireball shot right in JL's face, an effect that no one except The Sheik himself (if that) knew was going to be performed!
Along with the fireball incident, this match is also known for the fact that The Sheik breaks his leg after being on the receiving end of Sabu's asai moonsault. Sabu also hit Lynn but for some reason The Sheik , Aladdin sword and all, happened to walk right behind Lynn as Sabu was coming off the ropes.That's why you see The Sheik wobbling around the ringside area as he sets for the fireball immediately following Sabu's unbotched win.
This match is surely a gem.
During his short-lived World Championship Wrestling career in 1995, Sabu faced a few cruiserweghts here and there, one of which being Jerry Lynn who was masked for some reason and only wrestled under his initials. I'm not sure why Jerry Lynn had to keep his identity so secret while in WCW but it was a damn good thing he was wearing a mask for this match!
Reason being that Sabu was accompanied by his Uncle, The (original) Sheik for this match at Halloween Havoc and The Sheik had a little trick up his sleeve. That trick being a fireball shot right in JL's face, an effect that no one except The Sheik himself (if that) knew was going to be performed!
Along with the fireball incident, this match is also known for the fact that The Sheik breaks his leg after being on the receiving end of Sabu's asai moonsault. Sabu also hit Lynn but for some reason The Sheik , Aladdin sword and all, happened to walk right behind Lynn as Sabu was coming off the ropes.That's why you see The Sheik wobbling around the ringside area as he sets for the fireball immediately following Sabu's unbotched win.
This match is surely a gem.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Song of the Day - Forecast for Today
Pelican - Forecast for Today from Untitled EP (2003)
The Forecast for today:
SNOW.
Guess I got my wish.
Last.fm
The Forecast for today:
SNOW.
Guess I got my wish.
Last.fm
Match of the Day - WWF goes UFC... kinda
Owen Hart vs. Steve Blackman - WWF Sunday Night Heat (1999)
In an attempt to sort of get fans interested in more mixed martial arts type wrestling such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship where stars like Ken Shamrock and Don Severn were from, a little cage was constructed to contain athletes in a match known as the "Lion's Den".
The original concept for the Lion's Den was that the only way to win was via submission. This would later change as rules for cage matches always seem to in pro wrestling, and the opportunity to win by pin-fall was later excepted - along with weapons.
Dan Severn, serving as ref for this match, is in a neck brace for this match as Owen Hart "dropped him on his head" with the same tombstone piledriver that legitimately broke Stone Cold Steve Austin's neck a year and a half prier. It is later revealed that Severn was not hurt and actually jumps into the den and beats up on "The Lethal Weapon" Steve Blackman - not Owen.
All in all, this is just what I would expect WWF to look like if Vince ever introduced a UFC-side of the company.
Speaking of Vince, Mr. McMahon himself actually fought (I guess that's what you would call it) in one of the other Lion's Den matches against the man who has been in pretty much every Lion's Den match except this one mentioned above, Ken Shamrock.
In an attempt to sort of get fans interested in more mixed martial arts type wrestling such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship where stars like Ken Shamrock and Don Severn were from, a little cage was constructed to contain athletes in a match known as the "Lion's Den".
The original concept for the Lion's Den was that the only way to win was via submission. This would later change as rules for cage matches always seem to in pro wrestling, and the opportunity to win by pin-fall was later excepted - along with weapons.
Dan Severn, serving as ref for this match, is in a neck brace for this match as Owen Hart "dropped him on his head" with the same tombstone piledriver that legitimately broke Stone Cold Steve Austin's neck a year and a half prier. It is later revealed that Severn was not hurt and actually jumps into the den and beats up on "The Lethal Weapon" Steve Blackman - not Owen.
All in all, this is just what I would expect WWF to look like if Vince ever introduced a UFC-side of the company.
Speaking of Vince, Mr. McMahon himself actually fought (I guess that's what you would call it) in one of the other Lion's Den matches against the man who has been in pretty much every Lion's Den match except this one mentioned above, Ken Shamrock.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Song of the Day - Summit
Giant Squid - Summit from Metridium Fields (2006)
I'm hoping for a big snow storm soon...
I'm hoping for a big snow storm soon...
This will be playing when it happens!
Match of the Day - The not-so-Flash-y Funks...
The Quebecers vs. Terry Funk & Too Cold Scorpio - Raw (1998)
According to storyline, Terry Funk's teammate at the time, Cactus Jack was fed-up with Stone Cold Steve Austin getting all the spotlight so he told the fans that they would never see him again and "quit". Soon after this Mick Foley would appear as his Dude Love persona once again to take on Dude Love's former partner, Stone Cold Steve Austin at Unforgiven.
So, Terry Funk - formerly billed as "Chainsaw Charlie" with pantyhose on his face around this time - introduced us to his new partner, a wrestler "we all knew" who was also quite "Funk"-y.
His mystery partner turned out to be Too Cold Scorpio, a former wrestler of Extreme Championship Wrestling with Terry Funk. And while Too Cold Scorpio wasn't a protege of Funk's in ECW, Scorpio, like Funk, was not showing his true colors in WWF as he was billed as "Flash Funk", a held-back zoot suit-wearing dance machine right up until this moment.
Another feature of this match includes Funk and Scorpio's opponents, The Quebecers. The Quebecers at this time were mostly used as a preliminary tag team and no longer wore their mountie suits. Also, Pierre still looked like a pirate as he did when he was "Jean-Pierre Lafitte"; eye-patch and all!
The match ends with Too Cold Scorpio giving a perfect 450 splash to Pierre.
Soon after this, Terry Funk took on his former tag team partner, Mick Foley (as himself) in a no holds barred - falls count anywhere match to see if Foley had what it takes to get another shot at Austin's title, all the while Too Cold Scorpio went on to join the J.O.B. Squad and phase out of the company.
According to storyline, Terry Funk's teammate at the time, Cactus Jack was fed-up with Stone Cold Steve Austin getting all the spotlight so he told the fans that they would never see him again and "quit". Soon after this Mick Foley would appear as his Dude Love persona once again to take on Dude Love's former partner, Stone Cold Steve Austin at Unforgiven.
So, Terry Funk - formerly billed as "Chainsaw Charlie" with pantyhose on his face around this time - introduced us to his new partner, a wrestler "we all knew" who was also quite "Funk"-y.
His mystery partner turned out to be Too Cold Scorpio, a former wrestler of Extreme Championship Wrestling with Terry Funk. And while Too Cold Scorpio wasn't a protege of Funk's in ECW, Scorpio, like Funk, was not showing his true colors in WWF as he was billed as "Flash Funk", a held-back zoot suit-wearing dance machine right up until this moment.
Another feature of this match includes Funk and Scorpio's opponents, The Quebecers. The Quebecers at this time were mostly used as a preliminary tag team and no longer wore their mountie suits. Also, Pierre still looked like a pirate as he did when he was "Jean-Pierre Lafitte"; eye-patch and all!
The match ends with Too Cold Scorpio giving a perfect 450 splash to Pierre.
Soon after this, Terry Funk took on his former tag team partner, Mick Foley (as himself) in a no holds barred - falls count anywhere match to see if Foley had what it takes to get another shot at Austin's title, all the while Too Cold Scorpio went on to join the J.O.B. Squad and phase out of the company.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Song of the Day - Christmas Isn't Safe For Animals
of Montreal - Christmas Isn't Safe For Animals from If He Is Protecting Our Nation, Then Who Will Protect Big Oil, Our Children? (2003)
I got a little kitty for Christmas. It's mega cute and likes to knock down the Christmas tree.
I got a little kitty for Christmas. It's mega cute and likes to knock down the Christmas tree.
"Put it on your Seals card"
Hope everyone who celebrates holidays this time of the season is happy!
Match of the Day - Xanta Klaus came to town!
Xanta Klaus vs. Scott Taylor - WWF Superstars (1995)
I couldn't think of a better match than "The Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase's desecration of Santa, Xanta Klaus (Balls Mahoney) taking on Scott Taylor - later known as Scotty 2 Hotty!
If you have yet to witness Xanta Klaus in action, I highly recommend you check out this match! I also posted it on my regular blog, Nostalgia For Tomorrow for my 12 days of NFT Christmas special!
This is proof that Balls Mahoney could actually do more than bash people over the head with steel chairs at some point in his career along with playing Santa's evil brother from the South Pole!
Another fun fact is that my swim coach back in high school also coached and was Scott Garland's (Scott Taylor/Scotty 2 Hotty) gym teacher back in the day. Garland was born and raised in Westbrook, Maine - not too far from where I live.
I couldn't think of a better match than "The Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase's desecration of Santa, Xanta Klaus (Balls Mahoney) taking on Scott Taylor - later known as Scotty 2 Hotty!
If you have yet to witness Xanta Klaus in action, I highly recommend you check out this match! I also posted it on my regular blog, Nostalgia For Tomorrow for my 12 days of NFT Christmas special!
This is proof that Balls Mahoney could actually do more than bash people over the head with steel chairs at some point in his career along with playing Santa's evil brother from the South Pole!
Another fun fact is that my swim coach back in high school also coached and was Scott Garland's (Scott Taylor/Scotty 2 Hotty) gym teacher back in the day. Garland was born and raised in Westbrook, Maine - not too far from where I live.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Match of the Day - Taker and The Executioner tear down the house!
The Undertaker vs. The Executioner - WWF In Your House: It's Time (1996)
In yet another incident of The Undertaker taking on whoever and whatever WWF had to throw at him, this time in the form of Terry Gordy as The Executioner, things got almost extreme in '96 when Taker decided to take the house down...
Literally.
This was also an Armageddon rules match AKA a last man standing match where you must pin your opponent before the ten count is started.
In yet another incident of The Undertaker taking on whoever and whatever WWF had to throw at him, this time in the form of Terry Gordy as The Executioner, things got almost extreme in '96 when Taker decided to take the house down...
Literally.
This was also an Armageddon rules match AKA a last man standing match where you must pin your opponent before the ten count is started.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Song of the Day - Christmas Lights
Paul Baribeau - Christmas Lights from Grand Ledge (2008)
Paul Baribeau is one of my favorite musicians. Christmas Lights is one of my favorite Christmas-related songs. Need I say more?
Last.fm
Paul Baribeau is one of my favorite musicians. Christmas Lights is one of my favorite Christmas-related songs. Need I say more?
Last.fm
Match of the Day - Dr. Death's first loss in a decade...
"Dr. Death" Steve Williams vs. Raven - ECW Crossing The Line Again (1997)
After Steve Williams left WCW to make a name for himself as one of the best American wrestlers in Japan in the better part of the 90's, he decided to take his tough guy reputation and the decade-long undefeated streak he had built to the mean streets of South Philadelphia as he entered the dirty bingo hall known as the ECW arena for some Extreme Championship Wrestling blood.
While appearing on the Crossing The Line Again card in 1997 against Axl Rotten, Williams proved himself a World title contender by winner the match in 2 minutes tops. So after calling out Raven, the ECW World champ at the time, Williams didn't have to wait for his championship match - an impromptu match for the title was announced and the fight took off just like that...
The match probably seemed frantic not only because Williams wanted to win the title so quickly but also because there was still four more matches to be had that night. Unfortunately for Williams however, American wrestling isn't as faithful to some wrestlers as Japan is as Williams doesn't end up with the title and instead ends up losing for the first time in a decade.
Overall reaction to this match: First off, the pacing for this match is great - remember that Williams just had a match against Rotten and he was rearing to go - there was even the classic table at ringside ECW spot. But what really takes me aback about this match would clearly have to be the ending. Not only does Williams not win a title he could have easily won, he loses his undefeated streak... to Stevie Richards no less! Yep, Stevie Richards: The Dave Grohl of wrestling (I don't know about you, but I think they look very much alike).
Sometime after the match gets underway, blue World order along with bWo shirt-wearing Raven's son and girlfriend (?) show up to distract Raven and try to get "Dr. Death" to become the first international wrestler to join their crew. Williams refuses the offer of the bWo belly-shirt handed to him by Stevie, so he decides to take matters into his own hands and become The Heart Break Kid Shawn Michaels and delivered Williams with three sweet chin music. Stevie must have really tuned up the band nicely because after Raven came in to finish Williams of with a DDT, Raven got the 1-2-3 and retained his title.
I always read that Williams had such a terrible time once he tried to break into the WWF, but looking back on this match, it seems that Williams was just one of those guys who did super well for himself in Japan but never really had it in the States. Maybe Williams just had a little something I like to call, 'Japanese wrestling syndrome'.
But hey, Japan-based wrestling is one of the most well-respected and true 'professional wrestling' forms this world has to offer. So... yeah.
After Steve Williams left WCW to make a name for himself as one of the best American wrestlers in Japan in the better part of the 90's, he decided to take his tough guy reputation and the decade-long undefeated streak he had built to the mean streets of South Philadelphia as he entered the dirty bingo hall known as the ECW arena for some Extreme Championship Wrestling blood.
While appearing on the Crossing The Line Again card in 1997 against Axl Rotten, Williams proved himself a World title contender by winner the match in 2 minutes tops. So after calling out Raven, the ECW World champ at the time, Williams didn't have to wait for his championship match - an impromptu match for the title was announced and the fight took off just like that...
The match probably seemed frantic not only because Williams wanted to win the title so quickly but also because there was still four more matches to be had that night. Unfortunately for Williams however, American wrestling isn't as faithful to some wrestlers as Japan is as Williams doesn't end up with the title and instead ends up losing for the first time in a decade.
Overall reaction to this match: First off, the pacing for this match is great - remember that Williams just had a match against Rotten and he was rearing to go - there was even the classic table at ringside ECW spot. But what really takes me aback about this match would clearly have to be the ending. Not only does Williams not win a title he could have easily won, he loses his undefeated streak... to Stevie Richards no less! Yep, Stevie Richards: The Dave Grohl of wrestling (I don't know about you, but I think they look very much alike).
Sometime after the match gets underway, blue World order along with bWo shirt-wearing Raven's son and girlfriend (?) show up to distract Raven and try to get "Dr. Death" to become the first international wrestler to join their crew. Williams refuses the offer of the bWo belly-shirt handed to him by Stevie, so he decides to take matters into his own hands and become The Heart Break Kid Shawn Michaels and delivered Williams with three sweet chin music. Stevie must have really tuned up the band nicely because after Raven came in to finish Williams of with a DDT, Raven got the 1-2-3 and retained his title.
I always read that Williams had such a terrible time once he tried to break into the WWF, but looking back on this match, it seems that Williams was just one of those guys who did super well for himself in Japan but never really had it in the States. Maybe Williams just had a little something I like to call, 'Japanese wrestling syndrome'.
But hey, Japan-based wrestling is one of the most well-respected and true 'professional wrestling' forms this world has to offer. So... yeah.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Song of the Day - The Apocalypse Made Me Brave
Girlfriends - The Apocalypse Made Me Brave from Girlfriends (2009)
HERE'S TO EVERYONE WHO SURVIVED THE MAYAN APOCALYPSE YESTERDAY!
Feels good to be alive.
Last.fm
HERE'S TO EVERYONE WHO SURVIVED THE MAYAN APOCALYPSE YESTERDAY!
Feels good to be alive.
Last.fm
Match of the Day - the Harlem Heat/Nasty Boyz food fight!
Harlem Heat vs. The Nasty Boyz - WCW Uncensored (1995)
WCW's Uncensored PPV was a lot like WWE's Extreme Rules PPV today; there was no blood, it wasn't extreme, and most of the time it was a big mess.
This falls count anywhere tornado tag team match between The Nasty Boyz and Harlem Heat along with Sherri, is one of the messiest matches in WCW history. Messy meaning like literal messy...
Like food fight messy.
This match starts out as any tag team match with no illegal man or tagging in would, but as soon as the fight is brought outside the ring and eventually to the concession stands, things get a little "uncensored". WCW's idea of uncensored at the time though was to see how much damage two teams could do to food, lemonade stands, and themselves.
Overall reaction to the match: This match is somewhat reminiscent of the concession stand matches that wrestling companies would have back in the territory days... because, you know, who wouldn't want to see a bunch of grown men beat each other with funnel cakes, cotton candy, stale pretzels, and mustard? Truthfully I actually had an action figure playset that revolved around this kind of activity... but that is neither here nor there. What is here is one hell of a messy match. At one point, the 'concession area' starts to get very slippery after some type of liquid is spilled on the ground and begins to wreak havoc on the two teams as well as Sherri who actually takes some pretty painful bumps as she - along with the everybody else - can barely stand or move around without slipping.
Then the match just ends.
Things get so disorganized that the camera misses Brian Knobbs pick up a pin fall on Booker in either the pop corn or funnel cakes area!
Despite all this, along with Stevie Ray almost pulling his groin multiple times and HH's uniforms getting so trashed they could never be worn again, this match was awarded runner-up match of the year in 1995 by Pro Wrestling Illustrated... the punchline to this whole ordeal!
WCW's Uncensored PPV was a lot like WWE's Extreme Rules PPV today; there was no blood, it wasn't extreme, and most of the time it was a big mess.
This falls count anywhere tornado tag team match between The Nasty Boyz and Harlem Heat along with Sherri, is one of the messiest matches in WCW history. Messy meaning like literal messy...
Like food fight messy.
This match starts out as any tag team match with no illegal man or tagging in would, but as soon as the fight is brought outside the ring and eventually to the concession stands, things get a little "uncensored". WCW's idea of uncensored at the time though was to see how much damage two teams could do to food, lemonade stands, and themselves.
Overall reaction to the match: This match is somewhat reminiscent of the concession stand matches that wrestling companies would have back in the territory days... because, you know, who wouldn't want to see a bunch of grown men beat each other with funnel cakes, cotton candy, stale pretzels, and mustard? Truthfully I actually had an action figure playset that revolved around this kind of activity... but that is neither here nor there. What is here is one hell of a messy match. At one point, the 'concession area' starts to get very slippery after some type of liquid is spilled on the ground and begins to wreak havoc on the two teams as well as Sherri who actually takes some pretty painful bumps as she - along with the everybody else - can barely stand or move around without slipping.
Then the match just ends.
Things get so disorganized that the camera misses Brian Knobbs pick up a pin fall on Booker in either the pop corn or funnel cakes area!
Despite all this, along with Stevie Ray almost pulling his groin multiple times and HH's uniforms getting so trashed they could never be worn again, this match was awarded runner-up match of the year in 1995 by Pro Wrestling Illustrated... the punchline to this whole ordeal!
Friday, December 21, 2012
Song of the Day - Pile Of Dirt
Speaker For The Dead - Pile Of Dirt from I Hope You Have Fun While You Sleep (2011)
Last night I had the pleasure of seeing Speaker Of The Dead play their dancing folk punk music for the first time. I wasn't quite sure what they would sound like or cause the crowd to do - since the show started off as a seated event - but as their music began to pick up and people started to feel the energy pumping through SFTD's chords, the chairs were thrown to the side and the partying began.
Thanks to Greg McKillop, the frontman, for putting the show on! It was a real nice treat and a good sort of welcome back for me as I am now home for the holidays!
This track is supposedly an Allenby Beardsly cover.
The Gundam fighter pilot?
Last.fm
Last night I had the pleasure of seeing Speaker Of The Dead play their dancing folk punk music for the first time. I wasn't quite sure what they would sound like or cause the crowd to do - since the show started off as a seated event - but as their music began to pick up and people started to feel the energy pumping through SFTD's chords, the chairs were thrown to the side and the partying began.
Thanks to Greg McKillop, the frontman, for putting the show on! It was a real nice treat and a good sort of welcome back for me as I am now home for the holidays!
This track is supposedly an Allenby Beardsly cover.
The Gundam fighter pilot?
Last.fm
Match of the Day - USWA's Christmas Creature
The Christmas Creature vs. Trey Keller - USWA (1992)
Before Glenn Jacobs found the perfect role for himself as "The Big Red Machine" Kane, this 7 ft tall individual had many unsuccessful and forgettable gimmicks including: Isaac Yankem D.D.S. (yes, the evil dentist) in WWF, "fake" Diesel (as WWF owned the rights to Kevin Nash's 'Diesel' character in the early 90's and could do whatever they wanted with it), and Bruiser Mastino (a WCW jobber). Jacobs even began his career as "Angus King", the name of my home state of Maine's senator-elect... But none of these personas can possibly hold up to the bad taste that was "The Christmas Creature".
The Christmas Creature was a gimmick given to Jacobs while he was with Jerry Jarrett's Memphis-based rasslin promotion, United States Wrestling Association (later owned by Jerry Lawler). And while Jacobs would eventually hold the companies' Heavyweight title in 1997 as the masked Doomsday, this first little stint as the red, white, and green tinseled-monster, was not as successful. I mean, he wins his match shown above against Trey Keller, but overall this whole evil-looking wrestling Christmas present has to be one of Jacobs' worst gimmicks to date.
Overall reaction to whatever this was: USWA was a development company that experimented with a lot of bad gimmicks. Gimmicks such as Ninja Turtles, Freddy Kruger, The Spider, The Candyman, and even Spellbinder (better known as that magician named Phantasio who only appeared once in WWF - he actually did fairly well in USWA). With that being said, it's no wonder that this creature from Christmas past was thought up and thrown together like so. For the other stuff that goes on before the Trey Keller squash - including Brian Christopher (AKA Grandmaster Sexy AKA Jerry Lawler's son) yelling about who-knows-what this week and Bert Prentice kicking Santa's fanny, well, this was USWA remember; there wasn't a whole lot of time or room for explanations.
Before Glenn Jacobs found the perfect role for himself as "The Big Red Machine" Kane, this 7 ft tall individual had many unsuccessful and forgettable gimmicks including: Isaac Yankem D.D.S. (yes, the evil dentist) in WWF, "fake" Diesel (as WWF owned the rights to Kevin Nash's 'Diesel' character in the early 90's and could do whatever they wanted with it), and Bruiser Mastino (a WCW jobber). Jacobs even began his career as "Angus King", the name of my home state of Maine's senator-elect... But none of these personas can possibly hold up to the bad taste that was "The Christmas Creature".
The Christmas Creature was a gimmick given to Jacobs while he was with Jerry Jarrett's Memphis-based rasslin promotion, United States Wrestling Association (later owned by Jerry Lawler). And while Jacobs would eventually hold the companies' Heavyweight title in 1997 as the masked Doomsday, this first little stint as the red, white, and green tinseled-monster, was not as successful. I mean, he wins his match shown above against Trey Keller, but overall this whole evil-looking wrestling Christmas present has to be one of Jacobs' worst gimmicks to date.
Overall reaction to whatever this was: USWA was a development company that experimented with a lot of bad gimmicks. Gimmicks such as Ninja Turtles, Freddy Kruger, The Spider, The Candyman, and even Spellbinder (better known as that magician named Phantasio who only appeared once in WWF - he actually did fairly well in USWA). With that being said, it's no wonder that this creature from Christmas past was thought up and thrown together like so. For the other stuff that goes on before the Trey Keller squash - including Brian Christopher (AKA Grandmaster Sexy AKA Jerry Lawler's son) yelling about who-knows-what this week and Bert Prentice kicking Santa's fanny, well, this was USWA remember; there wasn't a whole lot of time or room for explanations.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Song of the Day - Battle of Snowmeng Mountain Pt. 2
By Surprise - Battle of Snowmeng Mountain Pt. 2 from Arbor Christmas: Volume 12 (2011)
Here's a little something-something from one of my favorite bands, By Surprise - taken from Arbor Record's Christmas compilation released last year.
This year's compilation should be dropping anytime soon; not sure if we'll see By Surprise on it again, however...
Last.fm
Here's a little something-something from one of my favorite bands, By Surprise - taken from Arbor Record's Christmas compilation released last year.
This year's compilation should be dropping anytime soon; not sure if we'll see By Surprise on it again, however...
Last.fm
Match of the Day - a great Papa Shango undertaking!
Papa Shango vs. The Undertaker - Coliseum Video "Invasion of the Bodyslammers" exclusive (1992)
The closest thing to Papa Shango vs. The Boogeyman.
Except in this case, The Boogeyman is really one of the greatest, if not thee greatest, superstar/wrestler/character in WWF/E, The Undertaker.
Also: The triple threat Macho Man/Bobby "The Brain"/JR commentary action is a lot of fun!
"What was that explosion!"
The closest thing to Papa Shango vs. The Boogeyman.
Except in this case, The Boogeyman is really one of the greatest, if not thee greatest, superstar/wrestler/character in WWF/E, The Undertaker.
Also: The triple threat Macho Man/Bobby "The Brain"/JR commentary action is a lot of fun!
"What was that explosion!"
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Song of the Day - 401
Match of the Day - Bob Holly becomes the "Hardcore championship"
Al Snow vs. Bob Holly - St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your House (1999)
It was either this or Al Snow wrestling himself.
Seriously though, this match actually came about because Al Snow decided to wrestle himself for the Hardcore title one night on Raw. It wasn't too long after Al had smacked his head with the microphone, hit himself with a chair, fire extinguished his face, broke a broom over his dome, and moonsaulted a table did his J.O.B. squad teammate, Bob Holly come out to talk some sense into him.
Sense was something Al could not grasp at this time however, and a hardcore match was set up at the Valentine's Day themed In Your House PPV between the two teammates, thus ending the J.O.B. Squad and turning Bob Holly into 'Hardcore' Holly.
Also at this time, Al Snow and Road Dogg were co-holders of the Hardcore title. Since Road Dogg was "injured backstage" and couldn't compete, the title was stripped of him and up for grabs in this match.
It was either this or Al Snow wrestling himself.
Seriously though, this match actually came about because Al Snow decided to wrestle himself for the Hardcore title one night on Raw. It wasn't too long after Al had smacked his head with the microphone, hit himself with a chair, fire extinguished his face, broke a broom over his dome, and moonsaulted a table did his J.O.B. squad teammate, Bob Holly come out to talk some sense into him.
Sense was something Al could not grasp at this time however, and a hardcore match was set up at the Valentine's Day themed In Your House PPV between the two teammates, thus ending the J.O.B. Squad and turning Bob Holly into 'Hardcore' Holly.
Also at this time, Al Snow and Road Dogg were co-holders of the Hardcore title. Since Road Dogg was "injured backstage" and couldn't compete, the title was stripped of him and up for grabs in this match.
This match is pretty much a lost gem brought back to life by the WWE after they put it on their Falls Count Anywhere compilation DVD released earlier this year. It features Al and Bob fighting all over the arena, even outside and into the Mississippi River where Bob ends up wrapping Al in some wire fencing for the win.
Overall reaction to the match: While I remember renting this event on VHS at a local Blockbuster by my house as a kid, I truthfully can not recall watching this match. I remember the Blue Meanie/Bluedust/Goldust match, The Last Man Standing match between Mankind and The Rock, and, more clearly than the rest, the steel cage main event match between Mr. McMahon and Stone Cold where Paul Wight (Big Show) climbs out from under the mat and slams the rattlesnake right out of the cage... But I do not remember this match.
It happened though, and this is proof.
This is the match that Bob Holly really cemented himself as "hardcore". Before this he was a jobber/NASCAR driver named Thurman "Sparky" Plugg, a member of the failed attempt at a new 'Midnight Express' as "Bombastic Bob", or just a midcard wrestler in a jobber faction. So after winning this match and proving himself to be hardcore material, Bob became actully became somebody. he became Hardcore Holly, a very rough and tough SOB.
Here's to two of the most underrated superstars in WWE history.
Bonus: "Bob Holly becomes the fourth hardcore "CHAMPIONSHIP" in WWF history." - Thanks Michael Cole for that wonderfully botched analysis.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Song of the Day - Funnel Head
The Chewers - Funnel Head from Chuckle Change and Also (2012)
Found this band's info and links to their music in my Spam mail today. Good thing I decided to look there today or I probably would have never heard of this "deliberately off-kilter" two-man group out of West Virginia.
Thanks to Travis for Emailing me this! Very interesting stuff that'll most likely be featured on my next Monday post! Stay tuned!
Official site
Last.fm
Match of the Day - a WCW match in WWF?
Booker T vs. Buff Bagwell - Raw (2001)
Here's something interesting, a wCw match taking place on Raw.
This World Heavyweight title main event didn't just happen on Raw because Nitro was full that night. No, at this point in 2001, WCW and all of its talent (the ones still around) was now owner by Vince McMahon who could do whatever he wanted with it. So, before doing away with the WCW name all together and calling the wrestlers still around "The Invasion", or later, "The Alliance" as talent still lingering for pay with ECW and WWF Benedict Arnolds started joining in, it looked like WCW was going to have its own brand inside Raw. At least that's what they made it out be one night in July with Booker T, the current WCW World Heavyweight champion taking on Buff Bagwell in his only appearance on Raw.
To think, if this match didn't get booed out of the building, would we have seen WCW become a brand just like ECW did years later? Ehh, maybe - but probably not. Brands hadn't really been thought up at this point in WWF and I don't think McMahon wanted to give these wrestlers (he had acquired from the AOL Time Warner Buy-out) their own show every week. No TV network wanted that, that's for sure. The whole situation was sort of reminiscent of when WCW decided NWO should be its own separate thing; Thus creating WCW/NWO Revenge (the N64 game) and Souled Out, a PPV originally conceived as an NWO-only event with WCW wrestlers as challengers.
Overall impression of the match: I remember this happening very well actually. At the time, I was a huge WWF mark and seeing WCW talent coming in and having their own wCw logo and apron on the ring really gave me the frights! I mean, I really thought that WCW was going to somehow take over big and powerful WWF and I would have to put up with more of their crap that they tried pulling out of their ass like they did in 2000-2001.
WCW was done. With that being said, I don't think I watched this match the first time it aired - but I did stay tuned for the end when Kurt Angle and Stone Cold Steve Austin (who would later jump ship and join The Alliance themselves) attacked Booker to end this match and the fans misery. No wait! scratch that, I didn't! I think the last thing I remember from this Raw was Austin kicking Bagwell out of the building (literally) while my past self cheered for the fact that I'd never have to see Buffman - I mean Buff Bagwell - or his mom on TV ever again.
Also, Arn Anderson and Scott Hudson make one boring commentating team. That and this match was pretty much doomed from the beginning. Boring, un-WWF, not main event level wrestler, and an all around poor attempt to convince anyone that a WCW reincarnation in the WWF could ever exist.
Here's something interesting, a wCw match taking place on Raw.
This World Heavyweight title main event didn't just happen on Raw because Nitro was full that night. No, at this point in 2001, WCW and all of its talent (the ones still around) was now owner by Vince McMahon who could do whatever he wanted with it. So, before doing away with the WCW name all together and calling the wrestlers still around "The Invasion", or later, "The Alliance" as talent still lingering for pay with ECW and WWF Benedict Arnolds started joining in, it looked like WCW was going to have its own brand inside Raw. At least that's what they made it out be one night in July with Booker T, the current WCW World Heavyweight champion taking on Buff Bagwell in his only appearance on Raw.
To think, if this match didn't get booed out of the building, would we have seen WCW become a brand just like ECW did years later? Ehh, maybe - but probably not. Brands hadn't really been thought up at this point in WWF and I don't think McMahon wanted to give these wrestlers (he had acquired from the AOL Time Warner Buy-out) their own show every week. No TV network wanted that, that's for sure. The whole situation was sort of reminiscent of when WCW decided NWO should be its own separate thing; Thus creating WCW/NWO Revenge (the N64 game) and Souled Out, a PPV originally conceived as an NWO-only event with WCW wrestlers as challengers.
Overall impression of the match: I remember this happening very well actually. At the time, I was a huge WWF mark and seeing WCW talent coming in and having their own wCw logo and apron on the ring really gave me the frights! I mean, I really thought that WCW was going to somehow take over big and powerful WWF and I would have to put up with more of their crap that they tried pulling out of their ass like they did in 2000-2001.
WCW was done. With that being said, I don't think I watched this match the first time it aired - but I did stay tuned for the end when Kurt Angle and Stone Cold Steve Austin (who would later jump ship and join The Alliance themselves) attacked Booker to end this match and the fans misery. No wait! scratch that, I didn't! I think the last thing I remember from this Raw was Austin kicking Bagwell out of the building (literally) while my past self cheered for the fact that I'd never have to see Buffman - I mean Buff Bagwell - or his mom on TV ever again.
Also, Arn Anderson and Scott Hudson make one boring commentating team. That and this match was pretty much doomed from the beginning. Boring, un-WWF, not main event level wrestler, and an all around poor attempt to convince anyone that a WCW reincarnation in the WWF could ever exist.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Song of the Day - As the Sun Beat Down
Match of the Day - Sting unmasks The Black Scorpion (finally)
Sting vs. The Black Scorpion - Starrcade (1990)
It's the main event. It's a steel cage match. It features Dick the Bruiser as Popeye, Paul Heyman on commentary making Popeye and Gordon Solie jokes, and even a spaceship entrance to top it all off accompanied by the voice of The Shockmaster, Ole Anderson. What more do you want?
This was also the match that ended the Black Scorpion gimmick which, originally thought up by Ole Anderson himself, really had nowhere to go. So, after Dusty Rhodes took over booking in WCW, The American Dream put an end to whole gimmick by putting someone who could really be the man behind the mask after months of impostor Black Scorpions had been running around taunting Sting. I'm not going to give it away if you don't already know who signed up to be the real Black Scorpion but maybe you can figure it out yourself just by watching a little of this match. It's not as obvious as Mr. America (pic) but it's close-ish. Hopefully that flashy robe doesn't give it away after that out-of-this-world entrance too much.
Overall impression of the match: Beginning is crazy. Match is a little boring. Unveiling at the end is super rushed, especially with Good Ol' JR screaming the countdown and just who is under that mask,errr, those masks I mean. In the end though, definitely worth watching.
Maybe.
It's the main event. It's a steel cage match. It features Dick the Bruiser as Popeye, Paul Heyman on commentary making Popeye and Gordon Solie jokes, and even a spaceship entrance to top it all off accompanied by the voice of The Shockmaster, Ole Anderson. What more do you want?
This was also the match that ended the Black Scorpion gimmick which, originally thought up by Ole Anderson himself, really had nowhere to go. So, after Dusty Rhodes took over booking in WCW, The American Dream put an end to whole gimmick by putting someone who could really be the man behind the mask after months of impostor Black Scorpions had been running around taunting Sting. I'm not going to give it away if you don't already know who signed up to be the real Black Scorpion but maybe you can figure it out yourself just by watching a little of this match. It's not as obvious as Mr. America (pic) but it's close-ish. Hopefully that flashy robe doesn't give it away after that out-of-this-world entrance too much.
Overall impression of the match: Beginning is crazy. Match is a little boring. Unveiling at the end is super rushed, especially with Good Ol' JR screaming the countdown and just who is under that mask,errr, those masks I mean. In the end though, definitely worth watching.
Maybe.
Nostalgia For Tomorrow's side project!
This is a little side project that I came up with while watching wrestling videos on Youtube and listening to my favorite tracks at the same time. I've always wanted to start my own column where I just post a song a day as well as one where I post a random wrestling match from the great/not-so-great and misunderstood world of professional wrestling (WWE/WWF/WCW/ECW/TNA/ROH/SMW/AJPW/you name it), but I felt that putting all this stuff on my regular blog, Nostalgia For Tomorrow would take the focus off what that blog is about; discovering new music, finding sweet gems, supporting local acts, and discussing things that are or will be nostalgic to me. So, I've created this off-shot blog to sort of experiment with both interests...
Who knows what'll happen.
Enjoy.
Who knows what'll happen.
Enjoy.
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