by Dory Funk Jr.  – Coach Funking Conservatory and Trainer of Developmental Talent for WWE – http://www.dory-funk.com

I turned pro in January of 1963 just after finishing a football career at West Texas State University. In my first year I faced Sonny Meyers, Nelson Royal, Verne Gagne, Gene Kiniski, Iron Mike Dibiase and Pat O’Connor on the way to an NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match with Lou Thesz. My father and promoter of the Amarillo Territory Dory Funk Sr. always said, “You will never learn the business unless you have the opportunity to work with the best.” (Classic opportunity to learn the wrestling business)

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Ring Roast 2 happened this past Friday night, the day before Legends of the Ring at Monroe NJ’s Crowne Plaza Hotel. The room was packed with fans, both casual and workers in the wresting business who came to salute the one and only Terry Funk.
 
The wrestlers on the dais included Kevin Sullivan, Kevin Von Erich, King Kong Bundy, Dennis Stamp, Superstar Billy Graham, New Jack, Missy Hyatt, Mike Graham, JJ Dillon, Mick Foley and the event was hosted by Bill Apter. Other TV wrestling personalities in attendance were Al Snow, Ken Anderson, Luna Vachon, Mark Lewin, Sir Oliver Humperdink, Terry Runnells, LaceY Von Erich and many other people who packed the room to give tribute to this legendary superstar.

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Posted by Goldenboy79 on OWW Genesis.

6 Years on: Remembering Mike ‘Hawk’ Hegstrand

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As the only team to win the AWA, NWA, WWF and All Japan tag titles, the Road Warriors- Animal & Hawk, were the highest drawing and biggest earning tandem in wrestling history. Along with Hulk Hogan, the Warriors helped to popularise the juiced up muscleman look that 75% of big name wrestlers had by the late 1980s. During their peak years from 1984-89, the Road Warriors were an awesome duo, destroying opponents with power moves, and had a huge following in the US & Japan who loved their no-selling, kick-ass ring styles and unique image. But for Hawk, his success and excessive lifestyle caught up with him in the end. The years of steroid and drug use (especially Cocaine) ended his ride for good on October 18th 2003 suffering a massive heart attack.

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Now available from Crowbar Press!

Order from:
http://www.1wrestlinglegends.com/crowbarpress/cbp-books/08-wcw.html

WRESTLING IN THE CANADIAN WEST is a celebration of more than 100 years of professional wrestling in western Canada.   Recognizing the efforts of promoters and wrestlers alike, the histories of the titles, Canadian wrestling trivia, and stories from the wrestlers who traversed the territory, this book offers a thorough insight into the legacy of the sport in one of the continent’s most oft-forgotten regions.

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Jobbers Of The Eighties
A Column by Derek K. for OWW
Originally printed May 1, 2006

Remember Gino Carabello? “No.” How about Brian Mackney? “Still nothing.” S.D. Jones? “Oh… I think I heard a murmur from the back of the room. What about Steve Lombardi? A few more hands…

What do those names have in common” Well, these men are some of the jobbers who could be found at WWF events back in the glory days of the nineteen eighties. “Jobber” is professional wrestling slang for, to put it bluntly, the loser. It’s more poetic origin is in reference to the fact that a “jobber” is not so much a wrestling superstar as he is a worker (just doing his “job”).

The reason some of you nodded when you saw the name Steve Lombardi (a.k.a: The Brooklyn Brawler), but looked blankly at the screen while reading Carabello’s name, is that some jobbers of the eighties (and earlier) had a slightly elevated status. For example, the Face (good guy; fan favorite) S.D. Jones would usually do some damage do his opponent before taking the fall, unlike the unfortunate Mackney who essentially played the role of practice dummy.

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Canadian wrestler Vance Nevada  is on tour with his new book “Wrestling in the Canadian West” and this effort represents the most comprehensive history of the sport north of the 49th parallel ever published.  (more…)

Captain Lou Albano Dies at 76

Speaking on behalf of the Albano family, Wrestler’s Rescue is sad to report that Captain Lou Albano  has died at the age of 76.

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AS I SEE IT
Bob Magee
Pro Wrestling: Between the Sheets
PWBTS.com

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will do a four show series of concerts over the next two weeks, followed by Leonard Cohen on October 22; Hall and Oates/Hooters/ Todd Rundgren on October 23; and a final four show series by Pearl Jam October 27-31 at the…forget the latest corporate name that no one ever referred to it by….the PHILADELPHIA Spectrum.

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click here.
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It is with the utmost honor and privilege that OWW Radio welcomes 5 Time WWF World Champion, 2 Time WWF Intercontinental Champion, 2 Time WWF Tag Team Champion, 1991 & 1993 King of the Ring, 1994 Royal Rumble Winner, 2 Time WCW World Champion, 4 Time WCW United States Champion, co-holder of the WCW Tag Team Titles, 6 Time Stampede North American Champion, 2003 PWI Stanley Watson Award Winner, 1996 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Famer, Stampede Wrestling Hall of Famer, OWW Hall of Famer,  and 2006 WWE Hall of Famer, the legendary Bret the Hitman Hart!

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