Tony Atlas vs. Chris Jericho

[MikeKillam]

I don't know why I never thought of this before, and now that I have, I like it a lot. I know it will never happen, but, what's the harm in proposing it?

So in reading the recent threads about Jericho's plans at Wrestlemania, I know almost EVERYBODY hates McMahon right now for ruining what could have been a solid Mania Moment. I think all three of these guys have the star power to face Jericho and get a huge sell from it, but the issue is, none of these guys can still wrestle.

But wait, here's a guy that is still on the WWE roster, is a certified WWE Hall of Famer, and fits the current complaint that Jericho has against "sell outs." AND he is in great shape, and can still wrestle. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, Tony Atlas!

No, it's not really huge like Hulk Hogan, but Tony Atlas WAS the first man to press slam and pin Hogan. He's wrestled in almost every American federation possible, and was Tag Team Champions with Rocky Johnson. He helped build guys who eventually became the biggest stars of the 80s and 90s. He went to WCW, and still made it into the Hall of Fame.

So my question is this:
Would you like to see Tony Atlas get involved in the current Jericho/Legends feud? Also, how would you want it to go down?

I know, it's going to be better than the crap they're giving us now, so I don't want to see that as an answer.

IMO, I think it would be fantastic, if WWE truly can't come to a deal with Austin. I would rather see a decent match with a true legend who still has it, then against three who don't. I think it would work out excellently. This week on Raw, Jericho could beat down the legends, and Flair could announce that he's going to get somebody to face Jericho at Wrestlemania. Then Flair could show up on ECW the next night (and bring ratings with him), and ask Mark Henry if he could have a word with him.
The next week on Raw, right before Wrestlemania, Jericho could come out complaining that he won't have a real Mania Moment, and is sick of all the crap with Piper, Flair, etc. WooooooOOO! Flair comes down to the ring and challenges Jericho to a match at Wrestlemania. Jericho is excited and accepts. But wait, the match isn't against him, it's against somebody who wants a little revenge for all Jericho's been doing to the WWE Hall of Famers. Mark Henry comes down and Jericho is looking rather confused. Tony Atlas comes out of the crowd and throws Jericho over the top rope. Flair announces Tony Atlas vs. Chris Jericho for Wrestlemania. And maybe Austin could do a run-in with the other legends to end it. We get a good match, and stil get to see all the legends out there.

What do you think?

 

[LokiCobain]

I like it a lot actually, and it would give Tony Atlas something to do. The guy is still in great shape and could probably put on a decent match.

 

[jrcongine]

this idea would never happen because a tony atlas vs chris jericho match at wrestlemaina wouldn't draw a nickel for the ppv and wwe is really wasting jericho at the ppv when he is arguably at the best of his career.

they really dropped the ball with him and could have went the route of the legends getting a young representative to fight jericho and have them at ringside or even shelled out some dough and brought in hogan. i know there are hogan haters but atleast that would have made it interesting.


BY THE WAY REALLY DISAPPOINTED IN THE WRESTLEMAINIA LINE UP!!!

 

[hoffman40]

How about next RAW the legends come out and say that they are done with wrestling and don't have anything to prove to Jericho, but, they know someone that would love to come to Mania to face him....Glass Shatters...Stone Cold comes out. Thesz press on Jericho...brawl...and it still gives WWE two weeks to promote.

OR

How about Jericho cheats in the match (i.e. hits all the legends with a chair) then all the WWE Legends come out to surround the ring. Then maybe a Stone Cold appearance...either way I think Stone Cold has to Stun someone at this mania.

 

[Jersey Wannabe]

NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!

I cant see the purpose of Tony Atlas as a manager, much less as a featured performer.

Correct me if im wrong, managers are there for the purpose of A] interfering in his charges matches thus resulting in cheap heat or B] being the mouthpiece of a wrestler with less than stellar mic skills.

Okay lets start with A; If the WORLDS STRONGEST MAN needs someone to run interference for him, then he must not be all that dangerous on his own. That kind of ruins the whole Unstoppable monster thing.

And B] Atlas is 100 times worse on the mic than Henry, which is no small feat.



In closing if we are subjected to this at The Biggest Show Of All Time, i will instantly stop watching Wrestling in all of its forms and move onto a more entertaining sport to watch such as golf or perhaps ballroom dancing.

 

[Joup7]

I would like to point out one fact. Back a month or so ago when everybody thought Mickey Rourke was going to wrestle Jericho, everybody was saying Jericho is the man to make it work because he can make alot of people look good with his style. So what's not to assume that Jericho can't make Piper, Snuka, and Steamboat look semi-good.

Or here's a more interesting concept that could happen. Batista's supposed to be returning soon and might be cleared for Wrestlemania. Why not have Jericho come out there, beat up the three legends, get on the mic, and ask for any hack to come down. And then Flair comes out (yes, he's supposed to start at ringside, whatever) and brings down his buddy Batista.

And to respond to the purpose of this thread: Tony Atlas would be intriguing, but he's a heel manager for a mega-heel who has a spot in MITB. I see Atlas focusing on MITB and that's it.

 

[LokiCobain]

I can see the Batista match if it becomes a sort of Lumber Jack match. Have a bunch of legends surround the ring (Atlas included) and just a huge Jericho-bash. Batista doesn't have to do anything. It'll also benefit Batista, who some people are getting sick of, so this would be good for him

 

[rowdy ruben]

i dont think to much people remeber tony atlas he is too old school. this match could headline ecw or raw but not wrestlemania. i will agree it would b a better macth then what we got rite now

 

[LokiCobain]

The jericho match isn't headlining mania anyway, but does anyone really think Jericho vs Rourke is a better idea than Jericho vs Atlas? I would assume any actual wrestler, 1000 years old or not, would be a better 'Mania match than a match with Rourke. To me, the match with Rourke would be a waste of a good idea

 

[Scott Free]

I don't know why I never thought of this before, and now that I have, I like it a lot. I know it will never happen, but, what's the harm in proposing it?

So in reading the recent threads about Jericho's plans at Wrestlemania, I know almost EVERYBODY hates McMahon right now for ruining what could have been a solid Mania Moment. I think all three of these guys have the star power to face Jericho and get a huge sell from it, but the issue is, none of these guys can still wrestle.

Well, as I mentioned on a previous post I believe Atlas is still employed as a charity case, so I honestly don't see him involved in a top profile match at WM 25, but getting to your statement about the 3 HOF wrestlers, Snuka was a high flier, obviously he can't do that anymore. Ricky was a highly athletic performer, again, he's not up to that level anymore, but Piper, he never could
wrestle in the first place ! His style was brawling, and even at his age, I think he can pull that off, that's why I always picked him as a possible Jericho opponent at WM 25, he can still sell well and basically this match would be a beatdown anyway, so he'd be my choice.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Atlas was nothing but a regional star. He's more now than he was 20 odd years ago, and he's still nothing now. He looks in shape because he's still not ancient. Why? Because he retired young. Probably because he was shit and nobody wanted his services.

 

[LokiCobain]

Atlas was nothing but a regional star. He's more now than he was 20 odd years ago, and he's still nothing now. He looks in shape because he's still not ancient. Why? Because he retired young. Probably because he was shit and nobody wanted his services.

Retired young? He wrestled throughout the 90s. He and Rocky Johnson captured the titles the made them matter in '83. At least you know what you're talking about.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Retired young? He wrestled throughout the 90s.

He wrestled throughout the 90's? Shit where? I wonder why WWE didn't hire him. Oh yeah, that's right, because he's crap.

He and Rocky Johnson captured the titles the made them matter in '83. At least you know what you're talking about.

First black tag champions from what I remember. Good job they were the first black champions. That's the only legacy Tony Atlas has. Yet, amazingly, most people still don't remember them.

 

[LokiCobain]

So all that matters is wrestling in the WWF? I guess that makes Sting crap also? What did Dusty Rhodes do in WWF? The Hall of Fame isn't about who the masses remember, it's for people who the masses should remember. Look at any Hall of Fame, and the majority of the people in them most people never heard of.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

So all that matters is wrestling in the WWF?

Course not. but you should have at least made an impact. Tony Atlas didn't, the colour of his skin did. You could have replaced him with any black wrestler at that time and had them win the tag titles. Same with Rocky Johnson.

They were in the right place at the right time. But it could have been any other duo and it wouldn't have made the slightest bit of difference.

I guess that makes Sting crap also? What did Dusty Rhodes do in WWF?

If Sting or Dusty Rhodes were to become managers, would people remember them for that or their in ring work? Obvioulsy it's their in ring work. But as them about Tony Atlas and they'll think for a second, look very confused, and ask if he's the guy who walks Mark Henry down the isle.

The Hall of Fame isn't about who the masses remember, it's for people who the masses should remember.

Why should fans remember Tony Atlas, Koko B. Ware or even Curt Henning?

If people don't remember them, then what's the point in having them in Hall Of Fame? It's a TV show, and the point is to entertain. You're not going to entertain people with inductees who nobody cares about.

Look at any Hall of Fame, and the majority of the people in them most people never heard of.

Which is why people don't see it as a legitimate hall of fame.

WWE should induct one wrestler per year. That way only the best get in. Tony Atlas made up the numbers. If they did induct one wrestler per year, Atlas would have to wait hundreds before he got his night.

 

[LokiCobain]

All sports are for entertainment, and as much as wrestling isn't an official sport, there were still people who "paved the way", and Tony Atlas fits in that category. The wrestling fans from that era remember Tony Atlas very well, it's just the newer generation who don't.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

All sports are for entertainment, and as much as wrestling isn't an official sport, there were still people who "paved the way", and Tony Atlas fits in that category. The wrestling fans from that era remember Tony Atlas very well, it's just the newer generation who don't.

What do they remember about him then? It's weird how I was watching wrestling in the 80's and I have a very vague memory of him.

Even the whole first black tag champions deal isn't that much of an achievement. Before them you had Japanese, Samoan & Indian tag champs.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

This has no chance of hell of happening. Atlas isn't remembered as a legend like Piper, Steamboat, or Snuka are and he's useless so that match would draw nothing.

 

[LokiCobain]

I really don't think at this point they're expecting the Chris Jericho vs Mystery Legend to draw any more people than Shawn Michaels than Undertaker already would be, so we shouldn't expect something crazy. I llike what somebody already recommended on this thread, that it should be Chris Jericho vs Batista (in defense of the legends, and he's healed apparently from injury), but I think it should be a lumberjack match of whoever feels like hanging around ring-side legend-wise.

 

[powerman 5000]

Wow, I thought the WWE singing Pacman Jones thread was stupid, I guess that's what I get for thinking. This wouldn't be a good match at all. I mean this match absolutely makes no sense and I think it would be absolutely terrible. Jericho v. Rourke would be better than this.