An Old School Superstar That You Would've Loved To Have Followed

[Mustang Sally]

As a result of things old folks have told me, I would loved to have seen Killer Kowalski perform live. I was told this guy inspired some genuine hatred and fear, with people apparently willing to suspend disbelief of how "real" wrestling was when this guy hit the ring. He was a legitimate giant; at 6'7 and 280 pounds, he was enormous compared to other wrestlers. Plus, in an era with lots of big-bellied, out of shape wrestlers, Kowalski was lean and mean. He looked and acted vicious every moment he was in there.

When you hear of Mick Foley telling how his ear was partially ripped off by Vader, Foley tells it as an anecdote in depicting the brutality of his career. But when the same thing happened to Yukon Eric at the hands of Killer Kowalski, a legend was born and it concerned Kowalski's career, rather than Yukon Eric's. Kowalski had been feared all along, but now he was seen even more as a callous monster with total disregard for the safety.....and even lives.....of the other wrestlers.

In his later years, it was surprising to read that he was actually a quiet, reserved man who kept to himself. When he opened his wrestling school, it would have been interesting to know how students like Triple H and Chyna felt about being in the presence of one of the true legends of the industry.

 

[HBsam31]

Bruno Sammartino and Gorilla Monsoon sold out MSG 12 times in a year.

Yes times were very different but that is an amazing feat. Monsoon was a fantasic monster heel from what I hear. And I agree with you, I just can't imagine him as that because all my memories are off him behind a headset or getting squashed by Vader.

You probably have no idea, but do you think Vince would do dvd sets of these old old timers. Andre has a dvd, but only one disc, and it seems like they are only going as far back as the late hogan era for their dvds. Rhodes and Flair of course have one but do you think they will ever go any farther back. Is footage even still available that far back?

 

[Hulk Hogan's Brother]

I guess I would have had a totally different view of Hulk Hogan had I followed him in his prime. He was the ultimate hero everywhere he went in this world despite the nature of his gimmick. I have heard about him going to China after his success as the All American hero and getting a bigger reception than any face of that roster. I guess I would have been as big a mark for him as I am for any Attitude era star right now had he been a part of my childhood. I would not have probably not been so easily disillusioned about him as I am right now.

Randy Savage is another name that comes to mind. I have not seen his work in the WWF live and have only seen bits and pieces of his work WCW which was entertaining but still a far cry from his days in the WWF. He was a colorful and a vibrant personality and could play any role to perfection. I have seen his work on youtube and I still consider Savage vs Warrior from Mania 7 as one of the best stories that I have ever seen unfold in the world of pro wrestling. It must have been highly enjoyable to see him live.

 

[The Idiot]

I was lucky enough to live during Hulkamania. Theres never been anything like it and never will. I cant express to you how big it really was...watching old videos doesnt do it justice.

Since I was mainly a "WWF guy" in the 80's I didnt follow the career of Ric Flair in WCW/NWA. I know following him would have given me more appreciation of his career.

Sting would have been the other guy.

I was just too busy watching the Mega Powers to care about the "other" show.

 

[Arsenal]

I was lucky enough to live during Hulkamania. Theres never been anything like it and never will. I cant express to you how big it really was...watching old videos doesnt do it justice.Since I was mainly a "WWF guy" in the 80's I didnt follow the career of Ric Flair in WCW/NWA. I know following him would have given me more appreciation of his career.

Sting would have been the other guy.

I was just too busy watching the Mega Powers to care about the "other" show.

This is very true. I doubt wrestling will ever reach the popularity it had when Hulkamania was running wild. Even though I usually rooted for the bad guys as a kid, lol, looking back I truly appreciate how unique and special Hulk Hogan was. You can see the proof when you hear how much the crowd would absolutely explode anytime he showed up, whereas it's just not the same these days.

My guy would also be Ric Flair. I caught bits and pieces of him in NWA and then WCW, but I was too much of a WWF mark to really focus on that "other" promotion. Flair was one of my favorites in his brief WWF run from Fall 1991 until early 1993, having memorable feuds with Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, and Mr. Perfect (Curt Hennig).

 

[Pay Per Ghost]

You probably have no idea, but do you think Vince would do dvd sets of these old old timers. Andre has a dvd, but only one disc, and it seems like they are only going as far back as the late hogan era for their dvds. Rhodes and Flair of course have one but do you think they will ever go any farther back. Is footage even still available that far back?

Well I'd suggest you check out the Superstar Billy Graham DVD, its on my download list because I have read fantastic reviews for that. And I just wanna know about the guy who inspired a plethora of superstars like Ventura and Hogan.

I don't think there is a Monsoon DVD but rest assured there will not be a Sammartino DVD. As things stand, Sammartino detests the WWE and the product. I do think he may like it now compared to the AE stuff because his problem is with the vulgarity. Nattie passing gas would not irk him so much maybe.

 

[ShinobiMusashi]

Terry Funk. I remember my grandpa used to make fun of the WWF, and ECW that I would watch back when he was still alive. He would go on to tell me about how wrestlers during his time were REALLY tough, unlike these p*ssy Goldberg's, and Stone Cold's, and Taz's.

He would tell me about a match that he seen live in Florida back in the day between Terry Funk, and Dory Funk Jr. He would tell me about how the two guys would just about kill each other, and bleed all over the arena in the process.

I kind of wish I would have been around to live through the days of Terry Funk in his prime, like when he was fueding with Ric Flair. That would have been awesome. I was old enough to see his run in the ECW(and Chainsaw Charlie in the WWF), but I bet he was a lot better back in his 30's.

 

[Police Penis Sucking Goat Fucker]

If I could add one more buy who I would have love to follow and that would have been The Great Muta. I have seen a few old matches with him and he was great I really wish I could turn back time I would love to follow The Great Muta from the start of his career

 

[thrashtastic]

Man, there's so many, and so many have been named.

But, I'm a proud Italian, so I'd definitely go with Bruno Sammartino if I had to choose just one. I haven't seen too much of his work, but to be that over as a champion for so long is just incredible.

 

[TheOneTheyCallOn]

You know what? For me I would love to have followed (more in depth then I already had) Mr. Perfect - Curt Hennig. From his beginnings in the AWA, teaming with his father Larry 'the axe' Hennig, through the WWF, WCW, all the way up to his last match in NWA/TNA against Jeff Jarrett. All the championships, all the memorable moments. His, truly was a storied career.

Second on my list would be, one of the toughest men in all of wrestling, Harley Race, what an illustrious career his was.

 

[Potatogod93]

IT's already been said but for me its Bruiser Brody. This guy looked like the Berzerker, but thicker. I don't know about his interview skills, but he was a pioneer for hardcore and guys like Mick Foley. He just struck you as a mean SOB who loved to fight.

 

[Wrestlemania 20-0]

a men i loved so much was Adam Bomb with his entries and his ability in ring,he doesn't makes big fight but his presence in ring was awesome,he was the only wrestler to said NO to the million dollar corporation and keept his integrity and honestly,his tag team with Crush was good.

One thing is curious is WHY kevin nash wasn't his dvds with his manys fighting with some like Bret,Shawn,Sid,Austin,that's an error from the staff of wrestling

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

I have already said Hogan, but there are so many others.

The Road Warriors in their primes, the Steiner Brothers, Ric Flair, Terry Funk as a young man....all some of the best of all time and guys who I only ever got to watch when they were past their peaks.

It would have been awesome to have seen Bret Hart from his early days in the WWE, following him as he worked his way up the card, from his days as a tag-team wrestler with Jim Neidhart, to becoming Intercontinental Champion, his epic match at Wembley with The Bulldog at SummerSlam 92, to finally becoming the World Champion after years of paying his dues. Bret was one of the men who truly earned the position he ended up in, not one of these guys who is thrown into the main event after 3 months in the company.

 

[Pay Per Ghost]

I never liked Owen. He never stood out for me. Maybe you can blame it for my man-crush on HBK at the time but Owen was someone who just never stood out for me.


Then this morning on Vintage Collection (which we still get here, thank god) I saw Owen/Neidhart vs Hart/Bulldog.


Brilliance. Owen was so good at selling, and antagonizing the crowd and most of all, and I really think this is a dying art, keeping the crowd involved during a technical match. Because don't get me wrong. I flipped the channel because it was rest hold, hammer lock, by Bret and I got bored. It was when Owen would say things like 'Stop it Bret' or 'You're a cheat' and my best one, having Neidhart check his skull when he got thrown out to which Monsoon quips 'Is he checking him for lice?".


I have seen other Owen promos and matches in the recent past, and here was a guy who was just perfect as the obnoxious heel.



I just loved his 'Woooooooooooo', even then.

 

[midgensa]

For me this one is pretty easy ...

Bret "The Hitman" Hart.

I am more than up-to-date on him now that I have watched every single WWE PPV (literally every one) in the last 5 years and have also watched as many RAWs and Saturday Night Main Events as I could get my hands on (tried chronological order) ... but just because I am caught up, does not mean I did not miss things.

Going back and watching everything I already knew that Hart was great and I was going to see amazing things from him. I wish I had been a wrestling fan during those years so that I could have thought, "Damn, this guy is amazing," for the first time without it being a "duh, everyone has already told you this guy is amazing," moment.

I have drifted back and watched some of the really old school guys (Verne Gagne, Lou Thesz, Harley Race, King Kong Bundy) but there is not a ton of footage of these guys and mostly is just stuff you can read about ... so seeing them would have been nice.

But as for someone you could see without traveling and on a weekly basis and all that. Bret Hart must have been something truly special to watch as he rose from the tag team ranks to the top of the mountain. I would have loved to have seen it first hand.