Tag: AWA

The Death Of Ray Gunkel & How It Catapulted Ox Baker Into Pro Wrestling Infamy

Mike Langford

On June 30th, 1972, Ray Gunkel climbed into the Municipal Auditorium ring in Atlanta, Georgia to wrestle Ox Baker for the NWA Brass Knuckles Championship. He supposedly wasn’t even meant to be in the match. Four days prior, Baker had won the title from Beppo Mongol (who would go on to greater fame as Nikolai… Continue reading The Death Of Ray Gunkel & How It Catapulted Ox Baker Into Pro Wrestling Infamy

From Hollywood Blond To Fabulous Freebird: The Story Of Buddy “Jack” Roberts

Mike Langford

My brother Buddy Roberts is 240 pounds of hot stuff and he don't stop 'till he gets enough! - Michael "P.S." Hayes As an unabashed supporter of the beloved Von Erichs wrestling family when I was a youngster, I, by default despised The Fabulous Freebirds. As I got older, I learned to appreciate what each… Continue reading From Hollywood Blond To Fabulous Freebird: The Story Of Buddy “Jack” Roberts

Pomp And Circumstance: The Brilliance Of Gorgeous George

Mike Langford

I was 11 years old in 1988. I’d become a bit too much for my mom to deal with, so she shipped me off to live with my dad for awhile. By that time, I was already knee deep in my wrestling fandom and was a regular TV viewer of WWF, NWA, AWA and WCCW.… Continue reading Pomp And Circumstance: The Brilliance Of Gorgeous George

From The Gridiron To The Squared Circle: The Warring Ways Of Wahoo McDaniel

Mike Langford

Tully Blanchard, I can beat you. You're the National Heavyweight Champion, you're coming to Cincinnati and I know you and JJ Dillon have something cooked up, but I'm just gonna go out there and do what I do best: win matches! - Wahoo McDaniel Training Camp had just started for the New York Jets and… Continue reading From The Gridiron To The Squared Circle: The Warring Ways Of Wahoo McDaniel

Colonel DeBeers Was A Lot Of Things, But A Shade Of Gray Wasn’t One Of Them

Mike Langford

I wanna get to the heart of my complaint against dirty sports in America: the use and abuse of anabolic steroids by Scott Hall! The man has obviously overstepped his bounds and he is dirty, filthy and eaten up with anabolic steroids! - Colonel DeBeers On November 12, 1988, WCWA Heavyweight Champion, “The Modern Day… Continue reading Colonel DeBeers Was A Lot Of Things, But A Shade Of Gray Wasn’t One Of Them

Wendi Richter And The Swerve That Set The WWE Women’s Division Back Three Decades

Mike Langford

Moolah has seen her day. They couldn't even put her face on a can of dog food to sell it and she knows it! - Wendi Richter Captain Lou Albano was on a plane to New York, headed back from Puerto Rico. The longtime wrestling manager struck up a conversation with the people sitting next… Continue reading Wendi Richter And The Swerve That Set The WWE Women’s Division Back Three Decades

Hulk Hogan And The Death Of The AWA

Mike Langford

Verne Gagne built the AWA into one of the most successful pro wrestling promotions in the history of the industry. Then, he got sideways with Hulk Hogan and it all came crashing down.