The Wrestling Roadshow

01/04/2025

The fans cheered in unison in the Palace, as red white and blue balloons cascaded from the sky like a summer rain. The American hero Lex Luger smiled triumphantly atop the burly shoulders of Rick and Scott Steiner, as his opponent, the WWF champion Yokozuna, lay flat on his back on the outside of the ring. It was indeed a joyous occasion, when the Japanese foreign menace had been put down by the might of the United States. Except, it was very much a ph***ic victory, for despite getting his arms raised, Lex was not going home with the WWF Title. He had not pinned Yokozuna square in the center of the ring with his patented running forearm, reinforced by steel, but simply got a disappointing count-out win. This was already the beginning of the end of Lex Luger as a main event force after such an expensive and hyped build.

So, what happened? Why was so much and time and money poured into making Lex Luger not just a main event contender, but a guaranteed champion and babyface hero, only to change course right before arriving at the destination?

The fans cheered in unison in the Palace, as red white and blue balloons cascaded from the sky like a summer rain. The American hero Lex Luger smiled triumphantly atop the burly shoulders of Rick and Scott Steiner, as his opponent, the WWF champion Yokozuna, lay flat on his back on the outside of th...

06/02/2025

WCW had many wrestlers on their roster at one time or another. Apart from Nitro, Thunder and pay-per-views, some wrestlers may have only appeared on programmes like Pro or Prime, that were not as widely seen. Or, it was a case of “before they were stars,” wrestlers who worked as enhancement talent, before finding more opportunities down the track. It may even be that while they were a name at one point, they worked under a mask or different gimmick that made them unrecognisable. Or they just didn’t work very many matches. Either way, let’s take a look at more wrestlers in no particular order you may not have realised worked for World Championship Wrestling. And if you did know all of these, you’re smarter than we thought! 😉

Link to Article: https://www.thewrestlingroadshow.com/more-wrestlers-you-didnt-know-wrestled-in-wcw/

04/10/2024

Before they were ever called ‘extreme,’ ECW was Eastern Championship Wrestling, and aligned with the NWA. It was little different to most other independent promotions in the 1990s, showcasing a range of local talent, with a few big names thrown in. ECW founder Tod Gordon had learned his lessons well; prior to starting ECW, he had been a silent partner of Joel Goodhart’s Tri-State Wrestling Alliance. While the TWA drew good crowds, their talent expenditure was overwhelming. In starting his own promotion, Gordon was much more conservative. It is during this more obscure period of ECW that we stumble upon a host of names that made appearances for the company.

Link to the Article: https://www.thewrestlingroadshow.com/wrestlers-you-didnt-know-wrestled-in-ecw/

17/09/2024

Ask the majority of wrestling fans the question of who is the greatest play-by-play of all time, and it will likely come down to either Gordon Solie, or Good Ol' JR, Jim Ross.

In 2007, Ross received a much deserved induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. But, going back to his early tenure with the company, you would be hard pressed to think that JR would become just as pivotal to the product as Stonecold or The Rock.

JR signed with WWF after leaving WCW in 1993, and actually made his announcing debut for the company at Wrestlemania IX. It was a decent start, as he was the go-to for pay-per-views, as well as co-hosting Wrestling Challenge.

Unfortunately, a few weeks after suffering his first bout of Bell's Palsy, Ross was fired on February 11, 1994. He rebounded by working for Jim Cornette's Smoky Mountain Wrestling, as well as calling games for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL.

When Vince was keeping busy making courtroom appearances in the steroid trial, Ross was rehired to fill in for McMahon in the summer. After Vince was found not guilty, JR was let go again, for allegedly leaking insider information to journalists. So, Ross went back to SMW.

Finally, in what had been a rollercoaster 1994, Ross was hired AGAIN in December. He would work the syndicated shows, not getting a shot at RAW or PPV's again for another two years. When that happened, a few months later Ross turned heel, and made some shoot-style remarks about the callousness of Vince McMahon for firing him while he was sick. Ross was bitter and twisted, and the one who - in kayfabe - "brought back" Razor and Diesel. The storyline was quickly put to bed.

At the end of 1998, Ross suffered another bout of Bell's Palsy, and was off television until 1999. Once again, Ross turned heel and blamed McMahon for the absence. This ushered in the arrival of his enforcer, Dr. Death Steve Williams. JR also accused newcomer Michael Cole of trying to steal his job, which according to Cornette, Cole had indeed been hired for that very purpose.

Unfortunately, much like the Razor and Diesel angle, Williams didn't fair much better, knocked out by Bart Gunn in the abortive Brawl for All and missing out on a planned feud with Austin. However, for Ross, it was a redemption ark, as instead of the fans booing, they cheered, and from that point on, despite other attempts to phase out Ross, he remained the penultimate voice of the WWF, as important a figure as anyone else on the roster.

This is a tale of perseverance, putting personal feelings aside to do business, and a genuine passion for the business.

12/09/2024

We're really driving into the thickets now, folks. The WWF in 1994 has some highlights, mostly to do with the beginning of the family feud in the Hart clan. But also a lot of chaff. Anyway, we still plowed through and delivered a full review of WWF in 1994 - who did what to who?!

After failing to win the WWF title at the previous year’s Summerslam, Lex Luger was looking to get another title shot by winning the Royal Rumble. The wily Jim Cornette had inserted a clause in the Summerslam contract that Luger had only one opportunity to beat Yokozuna for the gold. As a result, ...

27/08/2024

30 years ago...

There’s no doubting the legacy of the National Wrestling Alliance in the hearts and minds of long-time grapple fans. It was the vast organisation that dominated professional wrestling for decades in North America, with affiliated promotions in countries like Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Oppon...

27/08/2024

WCW had many wrestlers on their roster at one time or another. Apart from Nitro, Thunder and pay-per-views, some wrestlers may have only appeared on programmes like Pro or Prime, that were not as widely seen. Or, it was a case of "before they were stars," wrestlers who worked as enhancement talent, before finding more opportunities down the track. It may even be that while they were a name at one point, they worked under a mask or different gimmick that made them unrecognisable. Or they just didn't work very many matches. Either way, let's take a look at ten wrestlers in no particular order - and a few honourable mentions - you may not have realised worked for World Championship Wrestling.

WCW had many wrestlers on their roster at one time or another. Apart from Nitro, Thunder and pay-per-views, some wrestlers may have only appeared on programmes like Pro or Prime, that were not as widely seen. Or, it was a case of “before they were stars,” wrestlers who worked as enhancement tale...

27/08/2024

Another sad loss. RIP Sid.

10/08/2024

Rest in Peace Kevin Sullivan x

12/07/2024

As Jeff Jarrett once said, you can make a lot of acquaintances in professional wrestling, but very few friends. The foundations of the business is built on egos and alpha personalities, and there are many shady incidents that occur behind-the-scenes. However, there have been times when wrestling companies have mutually agreed to work together, and on occasion, it can be beneficial to all parties. At time of writing, WWE and TNA have done some talent exchanges. How long will this last? Hard to say, but we can look back at past events and see situations when promoters saw the positives in banding together, even if just for a little while…

https://www.thewrestlingroadshow.com/co-operation-in-the-wrestling-business/

09/07/2024

"Because I am not the man who accepts a torch to be handed down to me from an organization that died – RIP – seven years ago. The Franchise, Shane Douglas, is the man who ignites the new flame of the sport of professional wrestling. Tonight, before God and my father as witness, I declare myself, the Franchise, as the new ECW Heavyweight Champion of the world. So tonight, let the new era begin: the era of the sport of professional wrestling; the era of the Franchise; the era of the ECW."

23/06/2024

Try as I might, I couldn’t finish the third episode with Vince Russo. Bro. 🖕

23/06/2024

The man who pulled the plug on WCW.

Jamie Kellner, one of the men who literally killed WCW, passed away Friday at his home in California. He was 77.

Kellner had been an executive for Fox and the WB, and was widely recognized as a pioneer in the television broadcasting industry. He succeeded Ted Turner as CEO of Turner Broadcasting, and was one of the main opponents of keeping WCW on WTBS after the multi million dollar losses from the Vince Russo/Eric Bischoff debacle in 1999-early 2001.

Kellner built a name as an executive with CNN, TNT, TBS, the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Braves, NHL Thrashers, Turner Classic Movies, and the Cartoon Network. He retired from the broadcasting business at 57 and spent his final twenty years playing golf, sailing, and operating a winery with his wife of 38 years. ~Nance

22/06/2024

19/06/2024

Paul Heyman's entry into promoting professional wrestling began at the tender age of 19. He was working for the infamous New York City nightclub Studio 54, booking events on Friday night. One of his ideas was "Wrestle Party '85."

Already having done ringside photography for the WWF, he first attempted to get Hulk Hogan, who would accept a fictitious 'Man of the Year' award for 1985. This was just a few months after the first Wrestlemania, and popularity for wrestling was well and truly on the rise.

However, Hogan and the WWF crew were on the other side of the country, so Heyman contacted Jim Crockett Promotions, who were just in Philadelphia at the time. Instead of Hulk, Ric Flair accepted the 'Man of the Year' award. Also there on the night of August 23 was Dusty Rhodes and Magnum TA.

Also making an appearance - though it would have flown under the radar at the time - was Bam Bam Bigelow. He was one of several students of Larry Sharpe, who trained at the Monster Factory. They provided the ring and some live wrestling matches. It was Bam Bam's official debut, and he competed in a gauntlet match against the other Monster Factory students.

Information credit - Ringthedamnbell

29/05/2024

The next part in our on-going series on the WWF in the 90s has launched on the website! Check out who did what to who in 1993!

The start of the year saw an old institution make way for the new. Prime Time Wrestling, which debuted back in 1985, aired for the last time, to be replaced the following week by Monday Night RAW. Airing live from the Manhattan Centre on January 11, the show was hosted by Vince McMahon, Randy Savage...