August 2025 Wrestling Discussion

[Cobra Commander]

watching the Undertaker Tombstone Vader and thinking it was impressive that Vader didn't accidentally get spiked with how little grip the Undertaker had either time

[Elsalvajeloco]

7 minutes ago, Cobra Commander said:

watching the Undertaker Tombstone Vader and thinking it was impressive that Vader didn't accidentally get spiked with how little grip the Undertaker had either time

Did you hear Taker's story regarding Vader's idea for Royal Rumble 97?

[Cobra Commander]

17 minutes ago, Elsalvajeloco said:

Did you hear Taker's story regarding Vader's idea for Royal Rumble 97?

nope

[Elsalvajeloco]

23 minutes ago, Cobra Commander said:

nope

So apparently, according to Taker, this was basically JBL's doing as he was Vader's riding mate on the road.

So IIRC while they were on the road to San Antonio or backstage, Vader pitched Bradshaw the idea of the finish of Vader's match with Taker at the PPV. At some point Vader puts Taker down and Vader goes up to the second rope for the Vader Bomb. Then, he does the fakeout that he always did and then goes up to the top for the Vadersault. Well, Vader's idea was for Taker to do his situp, get up, and catch the 400+ lbs Vader as he is back flipping off the top and do the Tombstone in one smooth motion for the 1-2-3. Now obviously, there was no damn well Taker was taking that finish as it would be (1) physically impossible for him to catch him and (2) no way it could be done without leading to a catastrophic injury for someone. So Bradshaw being a notorious ribber and seeing an easy layup told Vader to tell Taker the finish and he'll love it. So Vader believes him and goes to tell Taker his idea for the finish with Bradshaw across from them in the room. After hearing this idea, Taker looks at Vader and sits there in stunned disbelief. Then, he just gets up and walks out of the room. A slightly confused Vader looks around and sees Bradshaw, who replies, "...He loved it! He's going to tell Vince right now."

 

[Niners Fan in CT]

I haven't seen much of WCW from the year 1995.  I tapped out at Starrcade '94 when I was a kid and didn't come back to it until probably 6 months into the nWo. 

So anyway,  I'm watching the 'Clash' right before 'Superbrawl V' and Vader was kicking some ass.  Still looking like the monster I remember.  Calling out Hogan.  Pretty much Hogan's been dodging him and Vader is tired of the BS.  So at the end of the show Vader gets in the ring and beats down Hogan, gives him the powerbomb and looks like a killer.  

Only one problem.  After about 20 seconds, Hogan pops up to his feet and completely no sells it.  Hulks up...  here we go with that bullshit.  I'm not sure how far I'll be able to get into this year.  I'm already rolling my eyes.  What a way to build up 'Superbrawl.' 

[Elsalvajeloco]

Just now, Niners Fan in CT said:

I haven't seen much of WCW from the year 1995.  I tapped out at Starrcade '94 when I was a kid and didn't come back to it until probably 6 months into the nWo. 

So anyway,  I'm watching the 'Clash' right before 'Superbrawl V' and Vader was kicking some ass.  Still looking like the monster I remember.  Calling out Hogan.  Pretty much Hogan's been dodging him and Vader is tired of the BS.  So at the end of the show Vader gets in the ring and beats down Hogan, gives him the powerbomb and looks like a killer.  

Only one problem.  After about 20 seconds, Hogan pops up to his feet and completely no sells it.  Hulks up...  here we go with that bullshit.  I'm not sure how far I'll be able to get into this year.  I'm already rolling my eyes.  What a way to build up 'Superbrawl.' 

Speaking of Vader, Leon was PISSED when that happened. They had heat with each other from that point on until Vader departed WCW.

[Cobra Commander]

same Clash had Hogan no-sell the powerbomb and the Reviving Elbow

[Technico Support]

7 minutes ago, Niners Fan in CT said:

I haven't seen much of WCW from the year 1995.  I tapped out at Starrcade '94 when I was a kid and didn't come back to it until probably 6 months into the nWo. 

So anyway,  I'm watching the 'Clash' right before 'Superbrawl V' and Vader was kicking some ass.  Still looking like the monster I remember.  Calling out Hogan.  Pretty much Hogan's been dodging him and Vader is tired of the BS.  So at the end of the show Vader gets in the ring and beats down Hogan, gives him the powerbomb and looks like a killer.  

Only one problem.  After about 20 seconds, Hogan pops up to his feet and completely no sells it.  Hulks up...  here we go with that bullshit.  I'm not sure how far I'll be able to get into this year.  I'm already rolling my eyes.  What a way to build up 'Superbrawl.' 

I rewatched Crockett/WCW PPVs and Clashes on Peacock from Starrcade 84 or 85 all the way until maybe 93 or 94, when I gave up Peacock, and wrote up some of it in a thread here.  I’ll tell you that the scenario above is indicative of this company throughout its history.  Yes, there were bright spots, but 9 times out of 10 this company stepped on its own dick.  Considering the booking turnover in that time, their consistency of shitting the bed and making the worst decisions at every turn is impressive.

[Niners Fan in CT]

2 minutes ago, Technico Support said:

I rewatched Crockett/WCW PPVs and Clashes on Peacock from Starrcade 84 or 85 all the way until maybe 93 or 94, when I gave up Peacock, and wrote up some of it in a thread here.  I’ll tell you that the scenario above is indicative of this company throughout its history.  Yes, there were bright spots, but 9 times out of 10 this company stepped on its own dick.  Considering the booking turnover in that time, their consistency of shitting the bed and making the worst decisions at every turn is impressive.

Anything past say 'Spring Stampede'  in 1994 and I have my concerns.  Not to say everything from '83 on was fantastic.  I remember late '90 and 1991 for example being a pretty awful year for WCW.  But the highs are so high from most of the JCP era that I'll always go back to it.  There was a lot of turnover with the booking after 1988 but there's still a lot of good shit in there.  

I finished reading 'Death of the Territories' which was fantastic..   So now I'm reading Alvarez 'Death of WCW' which I'm enjoying far less but I needed something to read.

[zendragon]

Have you not read the Nitro book?

[RazorbladeKiss87]

I wish the WWE Goldberg dvd had just been every match in the streak.  That's easily the most I've enjoyed Goldberg, when hevwas just a jacked up excited dude who occasionally did wildly athletic stuff. The match with Glacier in the Vault's 10 minutes or less video has a wild swinging neckbreaker. 

Also, man did I love Glacier as a kid. 

[Technico Support]

14 hours ago, zendragon said:

Have you not read the Nitro book?

I still need to read that but it’s like $30 on Amazon, which is nuts.  Need to check the secondary market.

[twiztor]

15 hours ago, Niners Fan in CT said:

Anything past say 'Spring Stampede'  in 1994 and I have my concerns.

watching '93-'95 WCW for the first time ever a few years back, the swing is astonishing. It's serviceable-to-good through most of 1993, picking up steam as it goes. By the time it hits '94, it feels fresh and fun and everything is really landing. AS SOON AS HOGAN starts getting attached to the company, the stuffing instead of potatoes crashes hard. And then it's middling, with a handful of bright spots, until Nitro starts. 

[Boydy]

I am starting to get a bored of wrestling lately. 

I prefer WWE for the storylines and the characters they have. I am a big Jey Uso, Rhea Ripley, Dom Mysterio fan. 

The problem with WWE is the stuff that happens outside of the ring with the Vince scandal, the constant tributes to Hulk Hogan, HHH helping Trump and now Brock Lesnar coming back. I feel dirty watching it. #

Since TKO took over I haven't liked how they handle the business/PR side of things.

I like the wrestling more with AEW but the storylines aren't really getting me interested.

The Hangman Vs Death Riders storyline has gone on too long and doesn't interest me at all. 

I like Hangman and would prefer to see him in a fued with MJF.

The Hurt Syndicate/MJF group got cancelled too quickly.  MJF seems like he just wants to leave wrestling and get into acting full time now.

I liked Moxley before he turned heel and now I can't stand him. Even if he turns babyface I aint interested. 

I like Ospreay, Mark Briscoe, Omega and The Young Bucks but the other wrestlers I just aint bothered about. 

I just wish there was a good third promotion out there. I used to love TNA back in the day but stopped watching in 2009 and not that interested in them now. Especially as they are a WWE associated.

Maybe I am just burnt out with all the wrestling out there. 

It is a big commitment to watch 10-12 hours of wrestling each week and that doesn't count when they have ppv's etc.

Is anyone else who watches wrestling regularly feeling the same lately?

[twiztor]

1 hour ago, Boydy said:

I am starting to get a bored of wrestling lately. 

Is anyone else who watches wrestling regularly feeling the same lately?

i go in waves.
My only non-negotiable wrestling that i watch each and every week is AEW Dynamite. I'll catch Collision if i'm in the mood for more current wrestling, or if there's a match or two that i think i MUST see. May catch the occasional TNA or ROH match/show if i'm desperate for more. i cut out WWE years ago, and never followed puro or lucha. 
But i am also following 2008 TNA, so most times if i want more wrestling to watch, i'll catch another episode of iMPACT instead. And when i don't feel like watching that, then i don't.

Life is balance. it's OK to step back when you need to.

[Niners Fan in CT]

1 hour ago, twiztor said:

watching '93-'95 WCW for the first time ever a few years back, the swing is astonishing. It's serviceable-to-good through most of 1993, picking up steam as it goes. By the time it hits '94, it feels fresh and fun and everything is really landing. AS SOON AS HOGAN starts getting attached to the company, the stuffing instead of potatoes crashes hard. And then it's middling, with a handful of bright spots, until Nitro starts. 

Yes and this is exactly why I tapped out as a kid.  I just wasn't interested in another Hogan run (even though I'm watching it now).  "The Butcher" and Honky Tonk Man and Hacksaw Jim Duggan and all these guys that I had zero interest in by that point.  Then to see Sting relegated as a side character.  Fuck.  

[Niners Fan in CT]

16 hours ago, zendragon said:

Have you not read the Nitro book?

Nope. The Guy Evans?  No, I have not. I already started the Alvarez book.  Should I read Guy Evans instead? 

[SirSmUgly]

11 minutes ago, Niners Fan in CT said:

Nope. The Guy Evans?  No, I have not. I already started the Alvarez book.  Should I read Guy Evans instead? 

As someone who has read both, absolutely you should chuck the Alvarez book and read the Evans book.

Only the first Nitro book, though. Beyond Nitro isn't worth much, IMO. 

[Elsalvajeloco]

To be fair, Sting was starting to be relegated to being the definition of a upper midcarder once Watts was gone and then Flair eventually came back. Once his world title reigns kinda fizzled and he was no longer this hot (relatively) new character, it became tough for Sting to be what everyone expected of him in the late 80s/early 90s. He helped carry the company in a very dark period. Problem is it's tough to get credit for helping the company survive. I mean the guy was out here wrestling the man FKA as Nailz on PPV and tagging with Flair to take on the Colossal Kongs. Sting, much like Bret in WWF in 95 before beating Diesel at Survivor Series, became the plug and play guy when you need a credible, legit made man to face someone who is entirely unproven or needs to be carried. That was pretty much his role from 93 to his "turn" in September 1996. I think Sting IIRC relished Hogan coming in cause that meant he no longer had to be the de facto #1 super hero babyface. Out of all the major characters from the first half of the decade in WCW, Sting was the only one who didn't change allegiances and switch to being a heel. I think long before Crow Sting, he wanted out of that role. 

 

[Niners Fan in CT]

Over the years,  the more I've dug into the numbers and the booking and everything that was going on behind the scenes,  I feel like Sting was unfairly criticized as the top babyface.  No, he wasn't Ric Flair but I think he was dealt a terrible hand.  He was receiving monster pops everywhere they went through much of the late 80s. Watch any of those cards and Sting is easily one of the most over guys on the show.  He and Flair did a huge rating at the first 'Clash' I think the rating for their time limit draw peaked at something like 7.8, it was something like that.  

Right away two things happen. JCP is hemorrhaging money and even after Turner steps in to buy the company, cable providers are telling Turner he can't fight back against McMahon.  They don't want two competing companies.  This is after they got screwed on Starrcade '87.  I think if Turner is allowed to fight fire with fire,  maybe you would have seen more big ratings out of Sting and Flair in the coming months.  

But then Sting gets injured and loses all momentum anyway.  By the time GAB '90 rolls around the booking is in complete shambles.  That ended up being a good PPV but Halloween Havoc was dogshit booking,  The Black Scorpion was received poorly and the payoff was meh at Starrcade.  That's before we even get into 1991 which is probably the worst year in WCW from a booking standpoint of that whole era.  

Cable providers,  Sting's untimely injury and then horrible booking all contributed to his struggles.  I still think Sting is one of the best all around wrestlers of that whole era. 

[The Natural]

20 hours ago, Elsalvajeloco said:

So apparently, according to Taker, this was basically JBL's doing as he was Vader's riding mate on the road.

So IIRC while they were on the road to San Antonio or backstage, Vader pitched Bradshaw the idea of the finish of Vader's match with Taker at the PPV. At some point Vader puts Taker down and Vader goes up to the second rope for the Vader Bomb. Then, he does the fakeout that he always did and then goes up to the top for the Vadersault. Well, Vader's idea was for Taker to do his situp, get up, and catch the 400+ lbs Vader as he is back flipping off the top and do the Tombstone in one smooth motion for the 1-2-3. Now obviously, there was no damn well Taker was taking that finish as it would be (1) physically impossible for him to catch him and (2) no way it could be done without leading to a catastrophic injury for someone. So Bradshaw being a notorious ribber and seeing an easy layup told Vader to tell Taker the finish and he'll love it. So Vader believes him and goes to tell Taker his idea for the finish with Bradshaw across from them in the room. After hearing this idea, Taker looks at Vader and sits there in stunned disbelief. Then, he just gets up and walks out of the room. A slightly confused Vader looks around and sees Bradshaw, who replies, "...He loved it! He's going to tell Vince right now."

 

Thank you for sharing this. I never knew about it.

[The Natural]

19 hours ago, zendragon said:

Have you not read the Nitro book?

One I want to get round to. Cheers.

Edited August 7 by The Natural

[zendragon]

3 hours ago, Niners Fan in CT said:

Nope. The Guy Evans?  No, I have not. I already started the Alvarez book.  Should I read Guy Evans instead? 

One is written by a podcaster and the guy who runs the wrestlecrap site, the other is by a legit journalist and author .

 

3 hours ago, Niners Fan in CT said:

Yes and this is exactly why I tapped out as a kid.  I just wasn't interested in another Hogan run (even though I'm watching it now).  "The Butcher" and Honky Tonk Man and Hacksaw Jim Duggan and all these guys that I had zero interest in by that point.  Then to see Sting relegated as a side character.  Fuck.  

and WCW pretty much traded Dustin, Austin and Foley for those three

[The Natural]

20 hours ago, Niners Fan in CT said:

I haven't seen much of WCW from the year 1995.  I tapped out at Starrcade '94 when I was a kid and didn't come back to it until probably 6 months into the nWo. 

So anyway,  I'm watching the 'Clash' right before 'Superbrawl V' and Vader was kicking some ass.  Still looking like the monster I remember.  Calling out Hogan.  Pretty much Hogan's been dodging him and Vader is tired of the BS.  So at the end of the show Vader gets in the ring and beats down Hogan, gives him the powerbomb and looks like a killer.  

Only one problem.  After about 20 seconds, Hogan pops up to his feet and completely no sells it.  Hulks up...  here we go with that bullshit.  I'm not sure how far I'll be able to get into this year.  I'm already rolling my eyes.  What a way to build up 'Superbrawl.' 

 

20 hours ago, Elsalvajeloco said:

Speaking of Vader, Leon was PISSED when that happened. They had heat with each other from that point on until Vader departed WCW.

 

20 hours ago, Cobra Commander said:

same Clash had Hogan no-sell the powerbomb and the Reviving Elbow

That's another Fcuk Hulk Hogan thing I forgot I hate about him, no selling finishers.

Edited August 7 by The Natural

[zendragon]

6 minutes ago, The Natural said:

One I want to get round to. Cheers.

My full review is in the books thread