Old News: 1999 - Even Names on Wrestling Card are Scary

Check out this story the Augusta Chronicle ran prior to a WWF event in Augusta in 1999:

Web posted September 3, 1999


By Kent Kimes
Staff Writer

So you thought the World Wrestling Federation would send its second-rung talent to Augusta?

It doesn't matter what you think!

That's right, the Rock, along with WWF superstars Chris Jericho, Kane, the Big Show, Val Venis, the Godfather, Hardcore Holly, Jeff Jarrett and D'Lo Brown, are scheduled to appear on Saturday, Sept. 25, at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center.

About the only big name WWF grapplers not scheduled are ``Stone Cold'' Steve Austin, Mankind, Triple H, X Pac, the Road Dogg, the Undertaker and ``Mr. Ass'' Billy Gunn.

The ``official'' card from WWF headquarters lists the following matches:

The Rock vs. Jericho, who recently defected from rival league World Championship Wrestling. This feud has been brewing ever since golden-maned Jericho, the self-proclaimed Y2J problem, burst on the WWF scene a few weeks ago, interrupting the Rock as he held court.

Kane vs. ``The Big Show'' Paul Wight. These are two very, very big men. What they lack in personality they make up for in sheer wallop.

The Brood, the Acolytes and the Hardy Boyz square off in a three-team tag match. All kinds of history here: the Brood and Acolytes used to be minions of the Undertaker; the Hardy Boyz joined former Brood member Gangrel to form the New Brood; yada, yada, yada.

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters Ken Shamrock and ``The Lethal Weapon'' Steve Blackman are scheduled for a knockout or submission bout. Can anyone say Kindo stick?

D'Lo Brown vs. Jeff Jarrett for the Intercontinental Title. Where are the puppies?

Jackie vs. Ivory for the WWF Women's title. ``Ebony and Ivory live together in perfect harmony.'' Hey Paul and Stevie, not this time, pals!

The Godfather vs. Gangrel.

Chaz (with valet Marianna) vs. ``Hardcore'' Bob Holly. Hardcore has emerged as one of the funnier characters in recent months, proclaiming his 240-pound self the best of the ``superheavyweights'' and subsequently getting numerous beatdowns from the big boys in that division. He might get to win this one against the artist formerly known as a Headbanger.

There is of course, no guarantee these performers will actually show up and these matchups will go on as scheduled. In tiny print at the bottom of the card, it says ``card is subject to change.'' Furthermore, Mankind (Mick Foley) and Chyna, not listed on the card, are being advertised on local radio spots.

In any event, the prospects are exciting.

Tickets, available at the civic center box office and at TicketMaster outlets, are $15, $25 and $30. Call 828-7700. The show starts at 5 p.m.

Read the actual article here.

Rumors & News from the Wrestling Mole

What a crazy weekend capped off with this year's edition of WWE's SummerSlam (or Summer SCAM?). Let's first mention the obvious the obvious: though it left him needing stitches afterwards, CM Punk beat JBL, Triple H topped the Great Khali (Great Whoopi is more like it), Batista stopped John Cena and the Undertaker returned to kick Edges ass. Hmmm...if there is anyone out there who couldn't have predicted these outcomes...please send em my way I got a little wager on the next TNA event. Now on to the rumblings making their way through the wrestling world.


In the "Tassels vs. Tatas" Department.

The Ultimate Warriors ex-wife, Shari Tyree, has been dropping hints that she will soon be interviewed for the first time about her life with the former WWF Inter-Continental and World Champion. So soon it has been claimed that it will happen THIS week! No offense Shari, but if I wanna hear some chick with a name that sounds like a brain-dead stipper talk about a musclehead ex with serious psycological issues I'll just wait for the next tidbit on the "Luscious" Linda Hogan saga to pop up.


In the "Feather Boas vs. Black Robes" Department.

So now that Jesse Ventura can no longer rule over wrestling, or the state of Minnesota for that matter, it is rumored that the former WWF Superstar is negotiating to host a judge talk show set to premiere in 2009. Now Judge Judy scares me, Judge Ventura only gives me bad gas. Wonder how many one-liners ol' Jesse's dug up from his wrestling days to foist upon unsuspecting trial attendees?



The "Should We Really Care" Department.

So this upcoming Monday, August 25th, WWE Raw will air on Sci-Fi instead of the regular USA Network slot due to the US Open Tennis Tournament. Maybe ol' Vince really is hurt...he gotta be to just step aside...FOR TENNIS?!?!?! Guess 25 plus years of propping up the USA Network means very little these days. Why not just skip Raw this week? That way the 4 or 5 Superstars left can take the night off.



The "We REALLY Shouldn't Care" Department.

So after last night's "not really a match after all" match, Mark Henry will take on Matt Hardy on ECW this Tuesday on SCI-Fi. I should feel bad for all the "Matt-Heads" who actually paid to see last nights "not-match" when they could have just watched for free on Tuesday but like they say "a fool and his money...". But then again...it's not like this is REAL ECW, right? If this is news to you...I got a wager on a Magnificent Moolah match I'd like to discuss with you as well.



The "Finally Some News That Makes Me Smile" Department.

So WWE's Umaga will be out of action for a couple of months to undergo rehab on a "funny" knee injury hee suffered at Tuesday's WWE Smackdown taping. They say it's a torn posterior cruciate ligament. I say it's a friggin' breath of fresh air!


Yeah there's more crap to discuss...like Santino Marella becoming Inter-Continental Champion again (The Honky Tonk Man would be rolling over in his grave...if'n he was dead ya'll!), or the return of Tony Atlas?

Come to think about it...there really isn't anything left to discuss.

Til Next Time...WHATCHA GONNA DO WHEN THE BIGGEST OPINION IN THE WORLD RUNS WILD ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!

Barry Molea, The Wrestling Mole

Tito Santana on GWH PSP Radio & Book Review

(courtesy of www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com)

With a long wrestling history topped off by a new book released just this past May, Tito Santana may be not only one of the most prolific Mexican wrestlers of all time, but the two-time intercontinental champion, two-time tag champion and former King of the Ring ranks right up on the list of great wrestlers period.

His new book Tito Santana:Tales from the Ring, released in May by Sports Publishing, tells a more positive side of the wrestling story. While many wrestling bios delve mainly into name-calling and the muddy locker rooms of wrestling, Tales From the Ring welcomes the wrestling fan into the career of someone appreciative of his journey as well as those who helped along the way.

Rich Tate from Georgia Wrestling History said about the book:

"Although not as long as I would have liked, the book is also not too bogged down with mundane detail and trash talking. Tito tells his story in brief concise passages, only ripping those whom he feels truly wronged him at some point, while pointing out the positives of those he feels had his best interests in mind as well as making money. I found the book to be quite refreshing from many that spend the entirety tearing down others while putting themselves over, and never a dull read. There are extremely funny stories throughout, and his love of both family and wrestling cannot be questioned. Highly recommended."

You can listen to Rich Tate discuss stories from Santana's book with the hombre himself live this Wednesday night at 9PM by going to www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com and click on the radio show link.

You can purchase Tito's book online here.

Reel Wrestling - Beyond the Mat (1999)

(description: wikipedia/film: YouTube) Beyond the Mat is a 1999 professional wrestling documentary, directed by Barry W. Blaustein. World Wrestling Entertainment chairman Vince McMahon tried to block its release after deciding that the film reflected badly on him and the WWF.[citation needed] Three editions of the film were released to video, including a "special edition" and a "ringside special edition," each of which had different extras and slightly different footage.

Director Barry Blaustein decides to travel America over a three year period, endeavoring to understand the mindset of someone who would voluntarily choose to become a professional wrestler. Blaustein interviews a wide variety of wrestling personalities and ascertains their motivations.

Blaustein focuses on three famous wrestlers, one at the height of his career (Mick "Mankind" Foley) and two contemplating retirement (Terry Funk and Jake "The Snake" Roberts). Foley has been taking increasingly risky falls (or "bumps") and blows to the head, and at one point is heard talking incoherently as the result of a fall which briefly rendered him unconscious. Later in the film, in a scene from the 1999 Royal Rumble, he is shown taking multiple shots to the head with a steel folding chair, while his wife and young children watch in horror from the audience. Funk is a 54-year-old man in need of knee surgery who appears unable to retire, despite the mounting toll wrestling is taking on his body. Roberts is a wrestler who enjoyed tremendous popularity in the 1980s, but who is now a cocaine addict, estranged from both his father and his daughter.

The careers of the three successful wrestlers are contrasted with those of wrestlers who have not yet achieved comparable success. Darren Drozdov is a former NFL football player who is shown in an interview with Vince McMahon. After discovering that Drozdov can vomit at will, McMahon renames him "Puke", and, controversially, instructs him to vomit in a bucket as a demonstration of his ability. Drozdov becomes a WWF wrestler, but at the end of the film Blaustein reveals that Droz was paralyzed in an in-ring accident from a botched move, several months later.

On a World Wrestling Entertainment-produced DVD released in late 2005/early 2006 entitled Jake The Snake Roberts: Pick Your Poison, Jake Roberts, along with others, heavily criticized the film for showing him in a negative light, contending that the depiction of him was "not the real Jake Roberts". Roberts also claimed that director Barry Blaustein and Terry Funk lied to him about the aims of the film, telling him it was a television special on the effects of drug and alcohol abuse.



Think you know EVERYTHING about Pro Wrestling?? It's All Fake right?? Ever wonder WHO the guys are that beat the hell out of each other every night ... for a living??