Some of you may have noticed my intentional stab at having a positive article. Not the normal gripe fest or heat magnet that some people try to have. I try to be a positive influence on the business. I try to help younger guys, or those who need help. I'm always willing, especially when asked, to watch someones match and give an honest opinion. However a few weeks ago, I found a moment were I didn't have a positive influence on the business but the business had a positive influence on me.
I've known "Trendsetter" Jon Michael longer than anyone else in the business. We've known each other since elementary school. I'm a few years older than him but we were on the basketball team together in junior high and high school. We actually got in trouble during a practice one time for him jumping off the bleachers and giving me the "Macho Man" double ax handle. Try explaining that to a coach that doesn't watch nor does he like wrestling. I've always been a "Trendsetter" fan, but I think I'm a bigger fan of just Jon Michael.
A few weeks ago on a Sunday afternoon Jon Michael put together a benefit show called The St.Jude Cup. A benefit for a little girl that had died of cancer. It wasn't a sellout crowd or matches filled with heated angles but what is was, was a group of talented individuals that gave their time and effort for something greater than themselves. The show was attended by many friends and family of the little girl.
Being a father has changed my outlook on alot things. Before if I had heard about a child dying I knew that it was sad but now I feel how sad it really is. The mother of the little girl was very appreciative and seemed at peace. She had probably cried more than anyone should ever have to. No one should ever have to bury their child but unfortunately its a fact of life.
I don't have the ability to find the cure for cancer or make a family's pain go away. With a handful of guys we can help celebrate a life that ended too soon. To maybe give back a little joy to a family that lost so much. I would like to say a personal thank you to everyone who helped that day, Derrick, Stan, Cody, CJ, Brian and especially Jon Michael for making it happen. No need to ask, I'm already signing up for St Jude Cup 2010.. I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
"Two Matches"
As many of you are probably like me and are lifelong wrestling fans, I have seen a lot of matches. Now finding matches to watch now is relatively easy now with youtube and some of the other outlets out there. However before the internet I traded tapes to see the early days of ECW because I had heard so much about it but hadn't seen it. I've been asked so many times what's my favorite match? Well, that would be next to impossible. There are so many great matches that I watch over and over like HBK vs Bret in the original Iron Man match, Bobby Eaton vs Arn Anderson for the WCW TV Title, Terry Gordy vs Steve Williams for the UWF Title, Four outstanding matches from The Great American Bash '88, HBK vs HHH for World Title on RAW from San Antonio. But there are only two matches I credit with really cementing the fact I wanted to be a pro wrestler, so if you want to blame someone blame them.
RIC FLAIR VS RICKY STEAMBOAT 2/3 FALLS FOR THE NWA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
APRIL 2, 1989
Its no secret who my favorite wrestler of all time is, Ric Flair but Steamboat isn't running far behind. I was 7 years old when I waited on pins and needles for the much anticipated 2 out of 3 falls match at Clash of the Champions VI. When the day finally come, I was not disappointed. I sat there in awe for this almost hour classic. I had said for years that I wanted to be a wrestler but after watching this match I KNEW I had to become a wrestler. That's how I looked at the match with a 7 year olds eyes now I look at it as just a masterpiece of work. This was work not choreography, the ability to go out there and create a great match on the fly, in the ring. Even though the following match between these two in Nashville is considered the best of their series with a fast paced 20 minute up and down match it was that 2/3 falls that really hooked me.
Now the other match is pretty much a 180 from the Flair/Steamboat classic just mentioned. Its important for a whole different reason.
THE UNDERTAKER VS MANKIND: HELL IN A CELL
KING OF THE RING 1998
Everyone knows the match, everyone knows the bumps, everyone knows how important this one match is to the career of Mick Foley. Well, its important to mine as well. I had just turned 17 about 3 weeks before and I was seriously considering when I turned 18 to take the leap and try to make my way in pro wrestling. I sat at a friends house as we watched the King of the Ring pay per view. I don't think anyone knew what we would all witness that night.
When Undertaker threw Mankind off the cell crashing down through the announcers table, everyone I was watching with stood up in complete amazement. The match was over but what an ending or so we thought until Foley came off the stretcher and climbed once again to the top of the cage. Only this time he wasn't thrown off but choke slammed through to the "unforgiving" mat. Once again, we all stood up in amazement. Just when I thought I had run the gambit of emotion for a match, out come the tacks! We all stood up, yet again. When Taker tombstoned Foley for the 1,2,3.. we had witnessed the single greatest effort in wrestling history and we stood one last time for a living room, pay per view party standing ovation.
Now, yes this match made me want to be a pro wrestler. But no that doesn't mean I wanted to be hurled off a 20 foot structure breaking several bones on the way down or slammed through said structure giving me a concussion and few less teeth. What it did was make me realize that if I wanted to be a wrestler than I would care no less about it than Mick Foley. It made me realize that the fictional Mankind may have loved pain but very real Mick Foley loved pro wrestling, pro wrestling fans and that's why he did what he did. I would give no less, because I promise that's what wrestling deserves and when "The Golden Boy" Greg Anthony makes a promise its as good as gold
RIC FLAIR VS RICKY STEAMBOAT 2/3 FALLS FOR THE NWA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
APRIL 2, 1989
Its no secret who my favorite wrestler of all time is, Ric Flair but Steamboat isn't running far behind. I was 7 years old when I waited on pins and needles for the much anticipated 2 out of 3 falls match at Clash of the Champions VI. When the day finally come, I was not disappointed. I sat there in awe for this almost hour classic. I had said for years that I wanted to be a wrestler but after watching this match I KNEW I had to become a wrestler. That's how I looked at the match with a 7 year olds eyes now I look at it as just a masterpiece of work. This was work not choreography, the ability to go out there and create a great match on the fly, in the ring. Even though the following match between these two in Nashville is considered the best of their series with a fast paced 20 minute up and down match it was that 2/3 falls that really hooked me.
Now the other match is pretty much a 180 from the Flair/Steamboat classic just mentioned. Its important for a whole different reason.
THE UNDERTAKER VS MANKIND: HELL IN A CELL
KING OF THE RING 1998
Everyone knows the match, everyone knows the bumps, everyone knows how important this one match is to the career of Mick Foley. Well, its important to mine as well. I had just turned 17 about 3 weeks before and I was seriously considering when I turned 18 to take the leap and try to make my way in pro wrestling. I sat at a friends house as we watched the King of the Ring pay per view. I don't think anyone knew what we would all witness that night.
When Undertaker threw Mankind off the cell crashing down through the announcers table, everyone I was watching with stood up in complete amazement. The match was over but what an ending or so we thought until Foley came off the stretcher and climbed once again to the top of the cage. Only this time he wasn't thrown off but choke slammed through to the "unforgiving" mat. Once again, we all stood up in amazement. Just when I thought I had run the gambit of emotion for a match, out come the tacks! We all stood up, yet again. When Taker tombstoned Foley for the 1,2,3.. we had witnessed the single greatest effort in wrestling history and we stood one last time for a living room, pay per view party standing ovation.
Now, yes this match made me want to be a pro wrestler. But no that doesn't mean I wanted to be hurled off a 20 foot structure breaking several bones on the way down or slammed through said structure giving me a concussion and few less teeth. What it did was make me realize that if I wanted to be a wrestler than I would care no less about it than Mick Foley. It made me realize that the fictional Mankind may have loved pain but very real Mick Foley loved pro wrestling, pro wrestling fans and that's why he did what he did. I would give no less, because I promise that's what wrestling deserves and when "The Golden Boy" Greg Anthony makes a promise its as good as gold
"Triumph & Tragedy or Vica Versa"
Triumph & Tragedy or vica versa are always apart of life. In the movie "Any Given Sunday" Al Pacino gives a speech about life being "a game of inches". Now I'm not a "football person" but this speech, this dialogue is one of my favorites because it may be a football metaphor but its universal feeling. The margin between triumph & tragedy is measured in inches. Even beyond that is how these two words have a complete opposite meaning when they are reversed to Tragedy & Triumph.
Wrestling not unlike a sport, or an entertainment or life for that matter has had its share of both triumph and tragedy. One that first jumps to my mind is The Von Erich Family. An entire family of successful wrestlers. With father, Fritz, leading the way World Class soared to heights we all dream of and at the forefront of World Class were Fritz's sons. That's the triumph but tragedy saw all The Von Erich boys with the exception of David pass away. Some with drugs, some with suicide but all with tragedy.
As I've mentioned several times, I grew up watching mostly the NWA. I remember a wrestler that every women wanted and every man wanted to be. He was cool and was setting the wrestling world on fire. He was Magnum TA! He was a guy that was being groomed to be a World Champion. But atlas it wasn't to be, a tragic car wreck cut Magnum down in his prime, ending his career and leaving him with paralyzed left arm. We saw Magnum in an announcers role and I've seen pictures of him at independent shows in his area but I always think to myself what would have happened with Magnum TA the World Heavyweight Champion?
Unfortunately Triumph then Tragedy is more memorable sometimes. I could write an entire book about guys like Jake Roberts, Owen Hart, Chris Beniot, Dynamite Kid and several others that have ended tragically. What about tragedy then triumph? What about Zach Gowen? Childhood cancer that left him with only one leg and he goes on to work for WWE and even in the top program with Vince McMahon himself. What about Charlie Haas? Charlie lost his brother, Russ while both were working in WWE's developmental territory as a tag team. Charlie could have easily given up or quit but he stuck with it and became a tag champion with Shelton Benjamin as a tribute to his brother.
Every life has triumph. Every life has tragedy. No matter in which order they occur those are guarantees in life. I guess it really boils down to what defines you. Its it your tragedies or is it you triumphs?
Wrestling not unlike a sport, or an entertainment or life for that matter has had its share of both triumph and tragedy. One that first jumps to my mind is The Von Erich Family. An entire family of successful wrestlers. With father, Fritz, leading the way World Class soared to heights we all dream of and at the forefront of World Class were Fritz's sons. That's the triumph but tragedy saw all The Von Erich boys with the exception of David pass away. Some with drugs, some with suicide but all with tragedy.
As I've mentioned several times, I grew up watching mostly the NWA. I remember a wrestler that every women wanted and every man wanted to be. He was cool and was setting the wrestling world on fire. He was Magnum TA! He was a guy that was being groomed to be a World Champion. But atlas it wasn't to be, a tragic car wreck cut Magnum down in his prime, ending his career and leaving him with paralyzed left arm. We saw Magnum in an announcers role and I've seen pictures of him at independent shows in his area but I always think to myself what would have happened with Magnum TA the World Heavyweight Champion?
Unfortunately Triumph then Tragedy is more memorable sometimes. I could write an entire book about guys like Jake Roberts, Owen Hart, Chris Beniot, Dynamite Kid and several others that have ended tragically. What about tragedy then triumph? What about Zach Gowen? Childhood cancer that left him with only one leg and he goes on to work for WWE and even in the top program with Vince McMahon himself. What about Charlie Haas? Charlie lost his brother, Russ while both were working in WWE's developmental territory as a tag team. Charlie could have easily given up or quit but he stuck with it and became a tag champion with Shelton Benjamin as a tribute to his brother.
Every life has triumph. Every life has tragedy. No matter in which order they occur those are guarantees in life. I guess it really boils down to what defines you. Its it your tragedies or is it you triumphs?
"Broaden Your Horizons"
Can anyone guess who my favorite Batman villain is? Anybody, anybody? My all time favorite Batman villain is Mr. Freeze. The greatest Batman villain of all time is.... well... The Joker. Do you know what other Batman villain is pretty high on my list? The Clock King! That's right The Clock King. I also like The Mad Hatter and Clayface. So what does any of this have to do with professional wrestling? Its really me just trying to make a point. The point is that wrestling should have something for everyone.
Now its no secret that my favorite wrestler of all time is "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. A choice that would be in line with The Joker being favorite Batman villain. One of friend's little brother isn't a wrestling fan anymore but when he was, his favorite wrestler was Bam Bam Bigelow. Now who accomplished more in their career? I think it would be safe to say Flair but that didn't stop an 8 year old boy from jumping off couches to do a flying head butt every 3 minutes.
My parents are divorced and when my mother remarried, her husband liked watching wrestling with me. Now when I was a kid I hated all the bad guys and loved all the good guys and my step dad usually cheered the opponent of whomever I was rooting for. He liked Flair and The Four Horsemen but I only saw him hold up the four fingers a handful of times but there was a time when he patted himself on the back ala Barry Horowitz on a daily basis.
Wrestling should be as diverse in the world we live in. Too many cookie cutter wrestlers out there right now. I miss Bam Bam, Horowitz, Al Snow w/Head, Yokozuna, Haystacks Calhoun and a host of others that didn't resemble Ric Flair but contributed so much to our business. Mr.Freeze may have not broken any box office records like The Joker but I'd go out of my way to see him. Diversity can only broaden the horizon of its art and I promise the same rings true in wresting and when "The Golden Boy" Greg Anthony makes a promise its as good as gold.
Now its no secret that my favorite wrestler of all time is "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. A choice that would be in line with The Joker being favorite Batman villain. One of friend's little brother isn't a wrestling fan anymore but when he was, his favorite wrestler was Bam Bam Bigelow. Now who accomplished more in their career? I think it would be safe to say Flair but that didn't stop an 8 year old boy from jumping off couches to do a flying head butt every 3 minutes.
My parents are divorced and when my mother remarried, her husband liked watching wrestling with me. Now when I was a kid I hated all the bad guys and loved all the good guys and my step dad usually cheered the opponent of whomever I was rooting for. He liked Flair and The Four Horsemen but I only saw him hold up the four fingers a handful of times but there was a time when he patted himself on the back ala Barry Horowitz on a daily basis.
Wrestling should be as diverse in the world we live in. Too many cookie cutter wrestlers out there right now. I miss Bam Bam, Horowitz, Al Snow w/Head, Yokozuna, Haystacks Calhoun and a host of others that didn't resemble Ric Flair but contributed so much to our business. Mr.Freeze may have not broken any box office records like The Joker but I'd go out of my way to see him. Diversity can only broaden the horizon of its art and I promise the same rings true in wresting and when "The Golden Boy" Greg Anthony makes a promise its as good as gold.
"The Good, The Bad or The Ugly"
When anything becomes mainstream it is almost an automatic that it eventually becomes watered down. When Nirvana hit the scene and changed rock music forever we were exposed to some really great, raw, awe inspiring music. By the same token we were also exposed to vomit educing garage bands that thought flannel was their only way to rock n roll history. The phenomenon of pro wrestling in the late 90s gave us a edgy, anti-hero wrestling that with all the stars in perfect alignment began a new era of pro wrestling. The downside to this revolutionary era combined with the internet was the complete lack or preparation and talent for incoming wrestlers. So that is were we are today a business where wrestlers fall into one of three categories: The Good, The Bad or The Ugly.
In today's wrestling when you're good, you're very good. The creativity that these guys put into their matches and their characters is sometimes astonishing. They truly love the history of our business. I say that because I am and will always be foremost a wrestling fan. Before CM Punk was WWE bound I heard him cut a promo right before a match with Samoa Joe in his hometown, Chicago, IL, that gave me goosebumps. The emotion, the passion, the story it was all there. Wrestling is about standing alone, you can do the same moves, have the same name but if you have "it".. then you are going to stand apart from anyone else. Its just not guys like CM Punk, there are guys all over the country that make me feel that when I watch them work. Makes me proud to be apart of the business. These are The Good!
Now for the bad. The bad are the unprepared. The guys that love the business but have no reliable guidance. They don't have a firm grasp on psychology. Its not that they can't learn the things that would make them successful or at least a viable part of the business, its they don't have a mentor that can lead the way. They may be able to perform any moves with crisp precision but its not how many moves you know, it knowing when to use them and if they fit you and your gimmick.
Then there are the ugly! The ones that absolutely have no business in the business. They don't get it, they don't want to get it and they never will. Ironically these are also usually the ones who pronounce as loud as they can to anyone and everyone that will lesson that they are a "pro wrestler"! Making it even harder for "The Good" to gain respect from a casual fan.
Maybe its time for all of us to look in the mirror. Look with an honest eye and determine which category we fall in to. Are we the good? Are we the bad? Or are we the ugly that stains the very business we claim to love? I promise if we do that then maybe the next article will be The Golden Circle:The Great and when "The Golden Boy" Greg Anthony makes a promise it's as good as gold.
In today's wrestling when you're good, you're very good. The creativity that these guys put into their matches and their characters is sometimes astonishing. They truly love the history of our business. I say that because I am and will always be foremost a wrestling fan. Before CM Punk was WWE bound I heard him cut a promo right before a match with Samoa Joe in his hometown, Chicago, IL, that gave me goosebumps. The emotion, the passion, the story it was all there. Wrestling is about standing alone, you can do the same moves, have the same name but if you have "it".. then you are going to stand apart from anyone else. Its just not guys like CM Punk, there are guys all over the country that make me feel that when I watch them work. Makes me proud to be apart of the business. These are The Good!
Now for the bad. The bad are the unprepared. The guys that love the business but have no reliable guidance. They don't have a firm grasp on psychology. Its not that they can't learn the things that would make them successful or at least a viable part of the business, its they don't have a mentor that can lead the way. They may be able to perform any moves with crisp precision but its not how many moves you know, it knowing when to use them and if they fit you and your gimmick.
Then there are the ugly! The ones that absolutely have no business in the business. They don't get it, they don't want to get it and they never will. Ironically these are also usually the ones who pronounce as loud as they can to anyone and everyone that will lesson that they are a "pro wrestler"! Making it even harder for "The Good" to gain respect from a casual fan.
Maybe its time for all of us to look in the mirror. Look with an honest eye and determine which category we fall in to. Are we the good? Are we the bad? Or are we the ugly that stains the very business we claim to love? I promise if we do that then maybe the next article will be The Golden Circle:The Great and when "The Golden Boy" Greg Anthony makes a promise it's as good as gold.
"At Home in a Locker Room"
When most people start a new job there is that first awkwardness. That uncomfortable silence of when you don't know what kind of people you're working with. Way be for you find your mutual likes and dislikes. I mean heaven forbid you be a cardinals fan and your boss is die hard cubs, right? I've honestly never had this feeling in a pro wrestling locker room.
Any locker room I walk into those 15-16 guys or 47 if your at a DK show, I know we all have at least one thing in common. A common thread that can get the ball rolling on any conversation. Now nobody agrees 100% of the time but at least we can agree we love wrestling. Some don't love wrestling at present but they loved it more than anything at one time in their lives. Why else would they be here?
Since I've had the opportunity to tag with Bobby Eaton on a regular basis, I've found myself in new locker rooms. With some guys I've worked with before but others I've only heard about. In any other business situation this might cause some anxiety but in pro wrestling I really see it as another opportunity. To share like stories of how we broke it, people we enjoy working with or those we don't.
In Mississippi I got to work with Tony Dabbs. Nice guy who really impressed me in ring. One of those guys that you can just grab and go. In Fort Smith, Arkansas we worked with Jeff Jett and Matt Riviera. Jeff was fun to work with and isn't afraid to push the limits. Matt showed off some charisma and defiantly had his ducks in a row when came to running a promotion.
Midnight Gold has be shown a lot of hospitality and want to take this time to say thank you to everyone involved. Wrestling can be a jealous business but its nice to see lockerooms looking out for each other and not themselves. I believe I can speak for Bobby and Brian when I say we have felt at home in some of these locker rooms.
So Thank you!
Any locker room I walk into those 15-16 guys or 47 if your at a DK show, I know we all have at least one thing in common. A common thread that can get the ball rolling on any conversation. Now nobody agrees 100% of the time but at least we can agree we love wrestling. Some don't love wrestling at present but they loved it more than anything at one time in their lives. Why else would they be here?
Since I've had the opportunity to tag with Bobby Eaton on a regular basis, I've found myself in new locker rooms. With some guys I've worked with before but others I've only heard about. In any other business situation this might cause some anxiety but in pro wrestling I really see it as another opportunity. To share like stories of how we broke it, people we enjoy working with or those we don't.
In Mississippi I got to work with Tony Dabbs. Nice guy who really impressed me in ring. One of those guys that you can just grab and go. In Fort Smith, Arkansas we worked with Jeff Jett and Matt Riviera. Jeff was fun to work with and isn't afraid to push the limits. Matt showed off some charisma and defiantly had his ducks in a row when came to running a promotion.
Midnight Gold has be shown a lot of hospitality and want to take this time to say thank you to everyone involved. Wrestling can be a jealous business but its nice to see lockerooms looking out for each other and not themselves. I believe I can speak for Bobby and Brian when I say we have felt at home in some of these locker rooms.
So Thank you!
Mama Says It Beees That Way Sometimes "Let's Talk about TGB" by “Downtown” Bruno Lauer
“The Golden Boy” Greg Anthony is one of my favorite guys for several reasons. First of all, this guy has the heart, soul and drive to be in this profession. He deserves any good thing that comes his way. The fact is, I’ve never met anybody with such passion for the business and thirst for knowledge. He has a desire to learn and improve on in every possible manner. Not since myself back in the late 70s and early 90s, so I can absolutely relate. I am burnt out and behind the Eight ball in many ways now, but back in my youth, I was fired up about every aspect of the business. Now, TGB, is there. He watches DVDs religiously, not for entertainment purposes, but to learn and absorb finishes, technique, and psychology and basically figure out how and why the top guys over the years in our profession became top guys.
If more up and comers in the biz would follow this path instead of just wanting to do high spots for the sake of doing high spots and whack each other with chairs, etc..well..hell…the future of the business would be a lot better. And when I say that, believe it, because my word is “as good as gold”..whoops..I mean because mama says it bees that way sometimes!
----“Downtown” Bruno Lauer is a legend in Memphis Wrestling. He surprised everyone last year winning RRO Referee of the Year 2008 from his work at NEW. He appears bi-weekly with his non controversial column. Lauer had his biography published last year “Wrestling with The Truth” and can be purchased at www.crowbarpress.com. Lauer is also currently employed by the WWE.
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