Between The Ropes
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
ESPN Florida AM 1080 and AM 1060
Simulcast online at http://www.BetweenTheRopes.com,
The legendary Nature Boy Ric Flair appeared as a guest on Between The Ropes this past Tuesday night to discuss life after wrestling, his retirement and subsequent departure from WWE, the amazing farewell celebration given to him during WrestleMania XXIV weekend, and more.
HeadLocker — Jay Shannon
Which Legend Faces Hericho at WrestleMania?
Our resident philosopher, Jay Shannon, begins his Wrestlemania 25 series of columns by looking at who should battle Chris Jericho at the upcoming Pay Per View.
Chris Jericho has taken his issues with the Legends to new lows. He’s attacked Jimmy Snuka (whipping him with a belt), Ricky Steamboat and others. As Wrestlemania grows nearer, Jericho is likely going to end up facing a Legend (or Legend offspring). In this special edition of HeadLocker, I want to give my thoughts on how should get the honor of shutting Jericho’s mouth.
Jimmy Snuka
Snuka has worked the indy shows, quite often. He’s still in decent shape for someone his age. He would, however, fall far to easy to Jericho. Snuka will likely be at ringside for Jericho’s match, but I doubt that he will face off against Jericho.
Odds of facing Jericho: 100 to 1
The Katz Files – Arnie Katz
My Personal Hall of Fame: The Sammartino Era
The Kingfish Arnie Katz talks about great, or at least memorable, wrestlers of the wrestling he has seen for the last half-century.
For Those Who Missed Part One
I’m not trying to set up yet another Hall of Fame. I’ve seen the attacks by the people who criticize Hall of Fame selections and I’d rather not stand in their crosshairs.
What I thought I’d do is offer my own personal Hall of Fame, based on my own recollections of pro wrestling. I’ve seen a lot of wrestling since I watched Verne Gagne fight Lou Thesz on filmed wrestling from Chicago in the early 1950’s, so that particular Memory Lane is a crowded thoroughfare.
By the same token, you won’t find all the wrestlers you loved in this column or its sequels. If I didn’t see them, I can’t remember them. (The 1970’s is also a blur, but that’s another subject.) Among wrestlers I didn’t see enough to include is Dick the Bruiser, Lou Thesz, Gene Kiniski and Berne Gagne.
To put my choices in perspective, let me give a bit of my background”
I was born in Brooklyn, NY and grew up in New Hyde Park, Long Island. I saw a lot of WWWF/WWF/WWE wrestling. TV also gave me access to Wrestling from the Olympic (Los Angles) and Wrestling from Florida with Gordon Solie.
This installment of my Hall of Fame focuses on the era before the reign of Bruno Sammartino. It doesn’t go back much before 1952, because that’s when I started watching pro wrestling. These Hall of Famers are all from the era when WWE had a lot more “W”s.
This isn’t a complete list by any means. It’s more a rundown of the “charter members” of my personal Hall of Fane. Maybe it’ll jog a few of your memories, too.
This time the wrestlers are drawn from the period beginning with the formation of the WWWF and the arrival of Hulk Hogan,
Funk’s Corner – The Beast (Yvon Cormier)
Every Saturday night, professional wrestling came to the Hereford Bull Barn in Hereford, Texas only 30 miles west of my home in Canyon, Texas. Ricky Romero was at my home to pick me up at 7:00pm for the short drive.
HeadLocker — Jay Shannon
The ECW (3/3) Extreme Examination
Our resident philosopher, Jay Shannon, takes a look at a power-packed hour of wrestling excitement.
The show started with a look back at last week’s title match between Christian and Jack Swagger. Christian was really rolling until he struck the ring steps. There may have been nerve damage in Christian’s hand. Christian really couldn’t hit the KillSwitch, thanks to the damaged hand and shoulder. Swagger nailed the Gut Wrench Powerbomb to keep his title.
The Katz Files – Arnie Katz
My Personal Hall of Fame: Before Bruno
The Kingfish Arnie Katz talks about great, or at least memorable, wrestlers of the wrestling he has seen for the last half-century.
This is the time of year when WWE reveals its Hall of Fame inductees. The WWE HoF is the best-known of several Halls of Fame, though detractors would argue that it is not the best.
Whatever the merits of other Wrestling Shrines, it is safe to say that the WWE’s version is mostly a marketing gimmick. They pick the recipients of the honor based on what will do the current show the most good.
This year, WWE will spotlight quite a few very worthy former wrestlers. Sometimes, marketing and merit do go hand in hand.
HeadLocker — Jay Shannon
OWW Wrestler of the Week — Alex Shelley
Our resident philosopher, Jay Shannon, profiles the current X-Division champ. Shelley survived a vicious Four Way Ladder Match to retain his X-title.
On last week’s edition of Impact, Alex Shelley faced off against his tag partner, Chris Sabin, as well as Jay Lethal and Consequences Creed, in defense of his X-Division Title. Shelley proved he was a worthy champion as he overcame the odds to keep his belt. Alex Shelley is this week’s OWW Wrestler of the Week.
Early days
Alex Shelley grew up near Detroit, Michigan. His birth name is Patrick Martin. Like many other TNA stars, Martin got his start in Scott D’Amore Border City Wrestling organization. Martin also received tremendous training from Bobo Brown and Joe E. Legend. While looking for a unique name for the rising star, the creative team and Martin looked to alternative sources for his identity. The first name, according to many sources, was a nod to Anthony Burgess’ lead character in A Clockwork Orange. The Shelley last name may have come from Pete Shelley, lead singer of the punk band, The Buzzcocks.
