Wrestler to bow out tonight, By Meghan E. Murphy - Times Herald-Record - 18th April 2008
CITY OF NEWBURGH — No one can predict what will happen when Rowdy Roddy Piper enters the wrestling arena with bagpipes blaring tonight. Only one thing's for certain: The legend says it will be the last time he'll set foot in a ring.
A day after his 54th birthday, the WWE Hall of Famer promises fans one last "Piper's Pin" at Newburgh Free Academy's Spring Slam. The fundraising event will also feature a title bout between Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe, New Windsor's Tony DeVito and the wrestling debut of K104 DJ Chris Marino. Samoa Joe took the Total Nonstop Action wrestling title from Angle just five days ago in a pay-per-view broadcast.
Only about 1,400 fans will get bleacher seats for the retirement match of one of World Wrestling Entertainments' biggest names. Piper has made only occasional ring appearances in the past few years, but said he couldn't turn down an opportunity to help raise money for young wrestlers.
Piper left home at 13 and slept in youth hostels. His first coach advised him to look into amateur competition to stay out of trouble.
In 38 years of wrestling, Piper's won 38 pro titles and more than 7,000 matches. He's also been stabbed three times, suffered spine injuries, has a titanium hip and last year beat Hodgkin's lymphoma. Tonight's match benefits the Newburgh Wrestling Boosters Club, which last year sent a dozen students to camp with Spring Slam proceeds. Coach Jeff Cuilty said the impact on the team of this fundraiser is evident: The team won the league title this year.
Wrestlers will sign autographs and take photos with fans at 6 p.m. Bell time is 8 p.m. at NFA, 201 Fullerton Ave.Tickets start at $15. For more information, visit www.northeastwrestling.com.
mmurphy@th-record.com
Media Man Australia Profiles
Rowdy Roddy Piper
WWE
Wrestling
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
WWE collecting, storing for future Hall of Fame site, by Jim Varsallone - The Miami Herald - 8th April 2008
With World Wrestling Entertainment honoring its Class of 2008 recently at the WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Orlando, WWE Executive Vice President of Global Media Shane McMahon discussed an actual WWE Hall of Fame facility.
''We've been close a number of times,'' McMahon said. ``We actually looked at a place in Orlando a few years ago. We don't know where it's going to settle, yet. I think it's probably still a couple of years away, but we're really anxious to do it.
``We've been collecting memorabilia. We have this warehouse that's under lock and key that we just collect every single little thing. We date it. We put it on there. So, when it opens, it will be really cool.''
• McMahon, 38, said further global expansion is the next step for WWE. The company has increased its international touring and has been discussing business with other countries including an emphasis on Latin America.
Legendary promoter/wrestler Carlos Colon of the World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico wants to work more with WWE. Other reps from Latin America including the Dominican Republic would like WWE to start a training program in its country, grooming wrestlers at an international WWE developmental territory or for a specific international WWE brand.
''[An international brand] is a potential,'' McMahon said. ``It's something, excuse the pun, we wrestle with. It's very hard because when you see this caliber of product with Raw and SmackDown! and even ECW, when you see the caliber of athletes and the production value and everything that we put in there with the storylines, that's hard to duplicate.
'My dad [WWE Chairman Vince McMahon] likes to call it, `America's greatest export.' It's hard to argue with him at certain things because we are pretty much ubiquitously distributed throughout the world.
``There could be another entity that develops. We'll have to see what happens.''
WWE is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Shanghai, Tokyo, Toronto and Sydney. The company also plans to open an office in Sao Paulo.
''The countries that we are in, we want to make better,'' McMahon said. ``The countries where we are not currently, which aren't that many, we want to get in, get the market and then bring all of our properties in there.
``The first thing that we do, from our game plan standpoint, is you have to get on the air. So you need television. Once you have a television partner, you start to build certain things with them. After that, you usually bring in a live event. That's usually the next hit. Then from there, you bring in your merchandising, your licensing and all the other intellectual property aspects, and that's how we build the marketplace.''
WWE's television programming can be seen in more than 130 countries around the world. Each year, more than 7,500 hours of WWE programming is broadcast in 23 languages throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America.
In January, WWE in conjunction with Bakus International thrilled Brazilians with the debut of the internationally renowned television programs WWE RAW and WWE SmackDown! on Sistema Brasileiro de Televisóo.
''We're excited to be teaming with Bakus International to get WWE programming on SBT, one of Brazil's top TV networks,'' Carl DeMarco, WWE President, Latin America, China and Canada, said in a release. ``The tremendous athleticism and charisma of the WWE superstars and Divas are going to capture the imagination of all Brazil.''
Gian Teppet, director of New Business Development and Board of Director member, said: ``SBT is proud to welcome WWE as the newest member of our great family. Knowing the Brazilian desire for quality entertainment and WWE's proven success in over 120 countries, we are certain that WWE will be a huge success.''
Bakus International's COO Bill Bakula said: ``The time has come for Brazil to experience WWE at full throttle. WWE is an experience, packed with plenty of thrills, action and fun for the entire family. WWE offers the greatest entertainment value in the universe.''
WWE programs reach more than 16-million total viewers domestically during the average week. WWE is rated among the top weekly cable programs especially in the male demographic.
• Signing wrestlers
WWE has 165 superstars under exclusive contracts, ranging from multi-year guaranteed contracts with established superstars to developmental deals.
''We welcome all styles because we want everybody to have a little something,'' McMahon said. ``What I got out of WWE is different than what you'll get out of WWE. Some people like bug guys. Some like small guys, high fliers, ground soldiers. So we always try to have a good eclectic mix.
``We welcome all of it, but they got to fit, first and foremost, in our locker. Because if you don't fit with our guys -- those are the guys you work with, travel the road with and you're competing against -- it's all about that. Sometimes I enjoy the Mexican style, but you look at what Rey Mysterio has done of adapting the high-flying aspect with the American style with much more of what we do with the psychology aspect.
``It's not just triple backflip into something else. Everything that we do has a meaning, and you're telling the story to the audience. That's one of the secrets of our business.
``Until people can adapt into that style, you won't see more. If those, who can come in, can adapt to it, great.''
Media Man Australia Profiles
WWE
With World Wrestling Entertainment honoring its Class of 2008 recently at the WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Orlando, WWE Executive Vice President of Global Media Shane McMahon discussed an actual WWE Hall of Fame facility.
''We've been close a number of times,'' McMahon said. ``We actually looked at a place in Orlando a few years ago. We don't know where it's going to settle, yet. I think it's probably still a couple of years away, but we're really anxious to do it.
``We've been collecting memorabilia. We have this warehouse that's under lock and key that we just collect every single little thing. We date it. We put it on there. So, when it opens, it will be really cool.''
• McMahon, 38, said further global expansion is the next step for WWE. The company has increased its international touring and has been discussing business with other countries including an emphasis on Latin America.
Legendary promoter/wrestler Carlos Colon of the World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico wants to work more with WWE. Other reps from Latin America including the Dominican Republic would like WWE to start a training program in its country, grooming wrestlers at an international WWE developmental territory or for a specific international WWE brand.
''[An international brand] is a potential,'' McMahon said. ``It's something, excuse the pun, we wrestle with. It's very hard because when you see this caliber of product with Raw and SmackDown! and even ECW, when you see the caliber of athletes and the production value and everything that we put in there with the storylines, that's hard to duplicate.
'My dad [WWE Chairman Vince McMahon] likes to call it, `America's greatest export.' It's hard to argue with him at certain things because we are pretty much ubiquitously distributed throughout the world.
``There could be another entity that develops. We'll have to see what happens.''
WWE is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Shanghai, Tokyo, Toronto and Sydney. The company also plans to open an office in Sao Paulo.
''The countries that we are in, we want to make better,'' McMahon said. ``The countries where we are not currently, which aren't that many, we want to get in, get the market and then bring all of our properties in there.
``The first thing that we do, from our game plan standpoint, is you have to get on the air. So you need television. Once you have a television partner, you start to build certain things with them. After that, you usually bring in a live event. That's usually the next hit. Then from there, you bring in your merchandising, your licensing and all the other intellectual property aspects, and that's how we build the marketplace.''
WWE's television programming can be seen in more than 130 countries around the world. Each year, more than 7,500 hours of WWE programming is broadcast in 23 languages throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America.
In January, WWE in conjunction with Bakus International thrilled Brazilians with the debut of the internationally renowned television programs WWE RAW and WWE SmackDown! on Sistema Brasileiro de Televisóo.
''We're excited to be teaming with Bakus International to get WWE programming on SBT, one of Brazil's top TV networks,'' Carl DeMarco, WWE President, Latin America, China and Canada, said in a release. ``The tremendous athleticism and charisma of the WWE superstars and Divas are going to capture the imagination of all Brazil.''
Gian Teppet, director of New Business Development and Board of Director member, said: ``SBT is proud to welcome WWE as the newest member of our great family. Knowing the Brazilian desire for quality entertainment and WWE's proven success in over 120 countries, we are certain that WWE will be a huge success.''
Bakus International's COO Bill Bakula said: ``The time has come for Brazil to experience WWE at full throttle. WWE is an experience, packed with plenty of thrills, action and fun for the entire family. WWE offers the greatest entertainment value in the universe.''
WWE programs reach more than 16-million total viewers domestically during the average week. WWE is rated among the top weekly cable programs especially in the male demographic.
• Signing wrestlers
WWE has 165 superstars under exclusive contracts, ranging from multi-year guaranteed contracts with established superstars to developmental deals.
''We welcome all styles because we want everybody to have a little something,'' McMahon said. ``What I got out of WWE is different than what you'll get out of WWE. Some people like bug guys. Some like small guys, high fliers, ground soldiers. So we always try to have a good eclectic mix.
``We welcome all of it, but they got to fit, first and foremost, in our locker. Because if you don't fit with our guys -- those are the guys you work with, travel the road with and you're competing against -- it's all about that. Sometimes I enjoy the Mexican style, but you look at what Rey Mysterio has done of adapting the high-flying aspect with the American style with much more of what we do with the psychology aspect.
``It's not just triple backflip into something else. Everything that we do has a meaning, and you're telling the story to the audience. That's one of the secrets of our business.
``Until people can adapt into that style, you won't see more. If those, who can come in, can adapt to it, great.''
Media Man Australia Profiles
WWE
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Breaking barriers, opening doors highlight Class of 2008, by Jim Varsallone - Miami Herald - 4th April 2008
Jack and Jerry Brisco became the first Native Americans and brothers to win the NWA world heavyweight title, the world junior heavyweight title and the world tag team titles. Jack also was the first Native American to win an NCAA national championship.
They were part of a pioneer class of 2008 inductees into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame.
Soulman Rocky Johnson helped open the door for African Americans in pro wrestling nationally, especially the South.
High Chief Peter Maivia did the same for Samoans. Gordon Solie set the standard for wrestling announcers; Mae Young for women's wrestling; Eddie Graham for promoters; and, of course, Ric Flair for wrestling and sports entertainment, period.
• When thinking of great brother tag teams, tandems like the Funks, the Wild Samoans, the Steiners, the Hardys and the Mulkeys come to mind. OK. Maybe not the Mulkeys, but most definitely, the Brisco Brothers.
Born and raised in Blackwell, Oklahoma, the Brisco Brothers made a big name for themselves, especially in the Sunshine State. They worked for Graham and with Solie.
''Eddie Graham was one of the greatest minds for this business and had an eye for talent,'' Jack Brisco said. ``Gordon was not only one of the greatest commentators, but he just knew so much about the business. The way he called a match helped the wrestler out so much because Gordon was so good at what he did.''
The Brisco Brothers were also very good at what they did.
For the most part, they were good guys, receiving cheers from fans. They did play bad guy roles when battling Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood for the NWA world tag team belts in the Mid-Atlantic territory. Jerry did much of the trash talking, and older brother, Jack, had a crazed look in his eyes.
WWE star John Bradshaw Layfield, a Texan, proudly inducted the Oklahomans into the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday, March 29 before 8,000 people during WrestleMania Weekend at the Amway Arena in Orlando. JBL said that proved, at least for one night, cowboys and Indians can get along.
A much decorated force, the Brisco Brothers made history inside and outside the ring.
Jerry Brisco: 'At the beginning of our careers, we wanted to be singles' wrestlers. Jack took off to Florida. I took off to Australia. Jack made a name for himself in Florida and Texas. I spent a year in Australia, honing my skills and then went to North Carolina and wrestled in the Mid-Atlantic area. I won several of the major singles' titles in the Carolinas and also in Georgia and Florida.
'Later, Jack became world heavyweight champion, and I became world junior heavyweight champion. We had very successful singles' careers. Toward the end of our careers, we knew there was one title that eluded us and could make us one of the most intriguing tag teams ever in the history of the sport, the world tag team championships. No other brothers had ever been the world heavyweight champ, world junior heavyweight champ and world tag team champs.''
JBL: ``The greatest team of all-time, the Brisco Brothers. A momentous thing happened in 1983 when they sold Georgia Championship Wrestling to WWE. That is when Mr. McMahon, WWE fully took over the entire world of professional wrestling and also made the Brisco Brothers independently wealthy.
``Jerry still works with the company which shows his legacy of how much he loves the business which I admire very much. Jerry still helps out a lot. That's what he does when he comes to TV.
``The Brisco Brothers in Florida held every major title you could hold. They owned this business from 1973-1983 which I believe makes them the greatest team of all-time.''
Jerry Brisco: ``It's a compliment to say you're the best ever at anything. We competed against a lot of great tag teams. Each one of them was tremendous in their ability. Each tag team had its own style. We brought something a little bit different. We were collegiate wrestlers at Oklahoma State University. My brother was a national champion. I was on a national championship team.
``We brought a collegiate style into pro wrestling, mixed at the end with sports entertainment style of wrestling. It is something we had special. The bottom line is we are sitting here today [WWE HOF press conference]. So somebody must have thought we were pretty good.''
Jack Brisco: ``Back in the day, there was a lot more tag team wrestling. A lot of the fans dictate that. A lot of the territories were built solely around tag team wrestling -- North Carolina and a lot here in Florida.
``Some territories didn't go for tag team wrestling. At one time it was very big. There were a lot of great tag teams around the country, and a lot of them were successful. As time went on, there were a lot more individuals getting into it. People weren't going into it as a tag team, and they've been very successful.''
Jerry Brisco: ``Back in the day, when it was just starting the cable TV wars, my brother and I were partners with a couple of people in Georgia Championship Wrestling that controlled WTBS, the major national cable at the time. Our contract with Ted Turner was Sunday and Saturday night with a 2-hour TV show that we produced in his studio.
``Vince McMahon was making his move throughout the country. We saw what was going on. I really got to give my brother most of the credit on this. He had the vision of looking around and seeing Vince coming into a lot of these areas and taking over talent that he was able to purchase, just cherry picking the top talent throughout the world and having that talent come work for him and then going into that particular territory and drawing big houses.
``The local guys [promoters] who lost their stars were suffering. We had the choice of trying to compete with Vince on a national basis or make the decision to sell.
``Being the competitors my brother and I are, we wanted to compete, but our partners didn't want to compete. They wanted to stay as focused as they were on the smaller venues and not really expand. As a lot of businesses do have major disagreements with stockholders, fortunately my brother and I convinced some of the other stockholders to join us, and we ended up with controlling interest in Georgia Championship Wrestling, and we contacted Vince, and the rest is history. We decided to sell, and it changed the course of sports entertainment.''
Jack Brisco: ``I think the wrestlers are much better off today. They have a much wider base to work with. They have bigger markets to work in. They're making a lot more money. I think everybody is much better off. The only drawback to not having the territories is you have to start your talent from within. In the old days when you needed talent, you would just go to another territory and bring the talent in.''
JBL: ``Jerry [Brisco] hired me in December 1995. He was a full-time agent with WWE. He and Blackjack Lanza were the agents, and Jerry really took me under his wing and did a lot with me.
'The Briscos were probably the greatest `wrestling' tag team. They were two of the greatest amateur wrestlers. Jack [a three-time, high school state champ] never got a point against him his college wrestling season [at 191 pounds] in 1965 for Oklahoma State. [Jerry lost just once his freshman season at 177 pounds for Oklahoma State].
``They were two of a few who were able to transition being real amateur wrestlers, the mat style, into our world of professional wrestling which is really phenomenal.''
Jack Brisco's resume of top moves: figure four leglock, superplex, belly-to-back suplex, sunset flip, sleeper hold, backslide.
Jerry Brisco's version: figure four leglock, double arm suplex, sleeper hold, belly-to-back suplex, vertical suplex.
In the late 1970s, the Brisco Briscos discovered Terry Bollea, who became top draw Hulk Hogan. They introduced Bollea to Hiro Matsuda for training in Tampa.
The Brisco Brothers own Brisco Brothers Body Shop, 4315 N. Hubert Ave. in Tampa. Jack is 66, and Jerry 58. Both could have had an extensive amateur wrestling career, but the lure of money in the pro ranks sent them on a very successful journey.
They have a very close relationship and also live in the Tampa area. Jack and wife, Jan, have been married 32 years. Jerry and his wife, Barbara, 30 years.
Jerry also helps train amateur wrestlers at Sickles High School where his wife teaches in Tampa. Their son, Wes, is training to become a pro wrestler.
• About the WWE Hall of Fame
John Cena: ``I love the Hall of Fame. It's the one night of the year for all the people who made this business as great as it is to get together. ... For those who enjoy sports entertainment, I hold the Hall of Fame near and dear to my heart.
``I have the utmost respect for anyone who has been honored and who are honored. ... It shows that they made their mark in this business. They made a ton of personal sacrifice to make this business what it is.''
Rocky Johnson: ``I never dreamed I would be here, but this has to be the pendant of it all. Not only that, but how many wrestlers or athletes could ever say they have their son induct them in the Hall of Fame? This I will never forget.
``I've won many championship belts and many firsts for African Americans in the South and the first Black WWE tag team champs with Tony Atlas. That was fantastic, but the most important [accolade] of my life is my son is flying in to induct me into the Hall of Fame, and he has to fly out right after.''
Elijah Burke: ``Rocky Johnson being inducted into the Hall of Fame means a lot. Rocky Johnson was to the African community and a lot of people in general a trendsetter.
``He was one of the guys, far and few between at that time, that we had to look onto and gave us hope that, hey, I too, one day, can be a WWE superstar. There wasn't many that we had. We had Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas and then we had the American Dream Dusty Rhodes, daddy.''
Randy Orton: ``The Hall of Fame means getting to sit in a room with people that I love in this business, people I've grown up with and look up to. If it wasn't for half the guys in this arena, I wouldn't be able to be where I am right now.
``So the Hall of Fame to me is getting to show the respect these guys deserve. I got to induct my father in 2005. That was an awesome thing for me to do because I love my father. If it wasn't for my father, I wouldn't be where I am, and that's what it's all about, respecting the people who paved the way for us.''
Sgt. Slaughter: ``I was influenced by my father who was a huge wrestling fan when I was a young boy. To stand up there and be inducted into the 2004 Hall of Fame for WWE was out of character, out of space type of happening for me. It's great to be here again. It's a time when you want to give them a Sgt. Slaughter salute and thank them for paving the road for all those who are behind us. It's just a great honor to be in their presence.''
Maria: ``There have been so many incredible woman. [Mae Young] paved the way. It gives us a lot to look up to.''
• High Chief Peter Maivia's daughter, Ata, who is The Rock's mom, gave an excellent speech, accepting the WWE Hall of Fame honor for her late, great father.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Native Americans
WWE
Jack and Jerry Brisco became the first Native Americans and brothers to win the NWA world heavyweight title, the world junior heavyweight title and the world tag team titles. Jack also was the first Native American to win an NCAA national championship.
They were part of a pioneer class of 2008 inductees into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame.
Soulman Rocky Johnson helped open the door for African Americans in pro wrestling nationally, especially the South.
High Chief Peter Maivia did the same for Samoans. Gordon Solie set the standard for wrestling announcers; Mae Young for women's wrestling; Eddie Graham for promoters; and, of course, Ric Flair for wrestling and sports entertainment, period.
• When thinking of great brother tag teams, tandems like the Funks, the Wild Samoans, the Steiners, the Hardys and the Mulkeys come to mind. OK. Maybe not the Mulkeys, but most definitely, the Brisco Brothers.
Born and raised in Blackwell, Oklahoma, the Brisco Brothers made a big name for themselves, especially in the Sunshine State. They worked for Graham and with Solie.
''Eddie Graham was one of the greatest minds for this business and had an eye for talent,'' Jack Brisco said. ``Gordon was not only one of the greatest commentators, but he just knew so much about the business. The way he called a match helped the wrestler out so much because Gordon was so good at what he did.''
The Brisco Brothers were also very good at what they did.
For the most part, they were good guys, receiving cheers from fans. They did play bad guy roles when battling Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood for the NWA world tag team belts in the Mid-Atlantic territory. Jerry did much of the trash talking, and older brother, Jack, had a crazed look in his eyes.
WWE star John Bradshaw Layfield, a Texan, proudly inducted the Oklahomans into the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday, March 29 before 8,000 people during WrestleMania Weekend at the Amway Arena in Orlando. JBL said that proved, at least for one night, cowboys and Indians can get along.
A much decorated force, the Brisco Brothers made history inside and outside the ring.
Jerry Brisco: 'At the beginning of our careers, we wanted to be singles' wrestlers. Jack took off to Florida. I took off to Australia. Jack made a name for himself in Florida and Texas. I spent a year in Australia, honing my skills and then went to North Carolina and wrestled in the Mid-Atlantic area. I won several of the major singles' titles in the Carolinas and also in Georgia and Florida.
'Later, Jack became world heavyweight champion, and I became world junior heavyweight champion. We had very successful singles' careers. Toward the end of our careers, we knew there was one title that eluded us and could make us one of the most intriguing tag teams ever in the history of the sport, the world tag team championships. No other brothers had ever been the world heavyweight champ, world junior heavyweight champ and world tag team champs.''
JBL: ``The greatest team of all-time, the Brisco Brothers. A momentous thing happened in 1983 when they sold Georgia Championship Wrestling to WWE. That is when Mr. McMahon, WWE fully took over the entire world of professional wrestling and also made the Brisco Brothers independently wealthy.
``Jerry still works with the company which shows his legacy of how much he loves the business which I admire very much. Jerry still helps out a lot. That's what he does when he comes to TV.
``The Brisco Brothers in Florida held every major title you could hold. They owned this business from 1973-1983 which I believe makes them the greatest team of all-time.''
Jerry Brisco: ``It's a compliment to say you're the best ever at anything. We competed against a lot of great tag teams. Each one of them was tremendous in their ability. Each tag team had its own style. We brought something a little bit different. We were collegiate wrestlers at Oklahoma State University. My brother was a national champion. I was on a national championship team.
``We brought a collegiate style into pro wrestling, mixed at the end with sports entertainment style of wrestling. It is something we had special. The bottom line is we are sitting here today [WWE HOF press conference]. So somebody must have thought we were pretty good.''
Jack Brisco: ``Back in the day, there was a lot more tag team wrestling. A lot of the fans dictate that. A lot of the territories were built solely around tag team wrestling -- North Carolina and a lot here in Florida.
``Some territories didn't go for tag team wrestling. At one time it was very big. There were a lot of great tag teams around the country, and a lot of them were successful. As time went on, there were a lot more individuals getting into it. People weren't going into it as a tag team, and they've been very successful.''
Jerry Brisco: ``Back in the day, when it was just starting the cable TV wars, my brother and I were partners with a couple of people in Georgia Championship Wrestling that controlled WTBS, the major national cable at the time. Our contract with Ted Turner was Sunday and Saturday night with a 2-hour TV show that we produced in his studio.
``Vince McMahon was making his move throughout the country. We saw what was going on. I really got to give my brother most of the credit on this. He had the vision of looking around and seeing Vince coming into a lot of these areas and taking over talent that he was able to purchase, just cherry picking the top talent throughout the world and having that talent come work for him and then going into that particular territory and drawing big houses.
``The local guys [promoters] who lost their stars were suffering. We had the choice of trying to compete with Vince on a national basis or make the decision to sell.
``Being the competitors my brother and I are, we wanted to compete, but our partners didn't want to compete. They wanted to stay as focused as they were on the smaller venues and not really expand. As a lot of businesses do have major disagreements with stockholders, fortunately my brother and I convinced some of the other stockholders to join us, and we ended up with controlling interest in Georgia Championship Wrestling, and we contacted Vince, and the rest is history. We decided to sell, and it changed the course of sports entertainment.''
Jack Brisco: ``I think the wrestlers are much better off today. They have a much wider base to work with. They have bigger markets to work in. They're making a lot more money. I think everybody is much better off. The only drawback to not having the territories is you have to start your talent from within. In the old days when you needed talent, you would just go to another territory and bring the talent in.''
JBL: ``Jerry [Brisco] hired me in December 1995. He was a full-time agent with WWE. He and Blackjack Lanza were the agents, and Jerry really took me under his wing and did a lot with me.
'The Briscos were probably the greatest `wrestling' tag team. They were two of the greatest amateur wrestlers. Jack [a three-time, high school state champ] never got a point against him his college wrestling season [at 191 pounds] in 1965 for Oklahoma State. [Jerry lost just once his freshman season at 177 pounds for Oklahoma State].
``They were two of a few who were able to transition being real amateur wrestlers, the mat style, into our world of professional wrestling which is really phenomenal.''
Jack Brisco's resume of top moves: figure four leglock, superplex, belly-to-back suplex, sunset flip, sleeper hold, backslide.
Jerry Brisco's version: figure four leglock, double arm suplex, sleeper hold, belly-to-back suplex, vertical suplex.
In the late 1970s, the Brisco Briscos discovered Terry Bollea, who became top draw Hulk Hogan. They introduced Bollea to Hiro Matsuda for training in Tampa.
The Brisco Brothers own Brisco Brothers Body Shop, 4315 N. Hubert Ave. in Tampa. Jack is 66, and Jerry 58. Both could have had an extensive amateur wrestling career, but the lure of money in the pro ranks sent them on a very successful journey.
They have a very close relationship and also live in the Tampa area. Jack and wife, Jan, have been married 32 years. Jerry and his wife, Barbara, 30 years.
Jerry also helps train amateur wrestlers at Sickles High School where his wife teaches in Tampa. Their son, Wes, is training to become a pro wrestler.
• About the WWE Hall of Fame
John Cena: ``I love the Hall of Fame. It's the one night of the year for all the people who made this business as great as it is to get together. ... For those who enjoy sports entertainment, I hold the Hall of Fame near and dear to my heart.
``I have the utmost respect for anyone who has been honored and who are honored. ... It shows that they made their mark in this business. They made a ton of personal sacrifice to make this business what it is.''
Rocky Johnson: ``I never dreamed I would be here, but this has to be the pendant of it all. Not only that, but how many wrestlers or athletes could ever say they have their son induct them in the Hall of Fame? This I will never forget.
``I've won many championship belts and many firsts for African Americans in the South and the first Black WWE tag team champs with Tony Atlas. That was fantastic, but the most important [accolade] of my life is my son is flying in to induct me into the Hall of Fame, and he has to fly out right after.''
Elijah Burke: ``Rocky Johnson being inducted into the Hall of Fame means a lot. Rocky Johnson was to the African community and a lot of people in general a trendsetter.
``He was one of the guys, far and few between at that time, that we had to look onto and gave us hope that, hey, I too, one day, can be a WWE superstar. There wasn't many that we had. We had Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas and then we had the American Dream Dusty Rhodes, daddy.''
Randy Orton: ``The Hall of Fame means getting to sit in a room with people that I love in this business, people I've grown up with and look up to. If it wasn't for half the guys in this arena, I wouldn't be able to be where I am right now.
``So the Hall of Fame to me is getting to show the respect these guys deserve. I got to induct my father in 2005. That was an awesome thing for me to do because I love my father. If it wasn't for my father, I wouldn't be where I am, and that's what it's all about, respecting the people who paved the way for us.''
Sgt. Slaughter: ``I was influenced by my father who was a huge wrestling fan when I was a young boy. To stand up there and be inducted into the 2004 Hall of Fame for WWE was out of character, out of space type of happening for me. It's great to be here again. It's a time when you want to give them a Sgt. Slaughter salute and thank them for paving the road for all those who are behind us. It's just a great honor to be in their presence.''
Maria: ``There have been so many incredible woman. [Mae Young] paved the way. It gives us a lot to look up to.''
• High Chief Peter Maivia's daughter, Ata, who is The Rock's mom, gave an excellent speech, accepting the WWE Hall of Fame honor for her late, great father.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Native Americans
WWE
Saturday, April 05, 2008
WWE Smackdown - Sunshine Coast Daily - 4th April 2008
The superstars of WWE and ECW are heading back to Brisbane for a non-stop action show on June 11 and with tickets on sale today.
Superstars confirmed so far include Batista, Edge, Kane, The Great Khali, Finlay and of course the beautiful Divas of WWE. Card subject to change.
Brisbane is the last stop on a five-date tour Down Under and this is one rare spectacle and tickets are expected to sell out fast so grab yours today.
WHAT: WWE Smackdown
WHERE: Brisbane Entertainment Centre
WHEN: Tuesday, June 17
TICKETS: On sale today via 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au
INFO: www.wwe.com
Media Man Australia Profiles
WWE
ECW
The superstars of WWE and ECW are heading back to Brisbane for a non-stop action show on June 11 and with tickets on sale today.
Superstars confirmed so far include Batista, Edge, Kane, The Great Khali, Finlay and of course the beautiful Divas of WWE. Card subject to change.
Brisbane is the last stop on a five-date tour Down Under and this is one rare spectacle and tickets are expected to sell out fast so grab yours today.
WHAT: WWE Smackdown
WHERE: Brisbane Entertainment Centre
WHEN: Tuesday, June 17
TICKETS: On sale today via 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au
INFO: www.wwe.com
Media Man Australia Profiles
WWE
ECW
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Show's over: Mayweather wins his WWE debut - Fox Sports - 31st March 2008
In one of the most hyped WWE events in decades, close to 70,000 fans filled the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida to witness Floyd Mayweather Jr. knock out "The Big Show" in a no-holds barred wrestling match at Wrestlemania XXIV.
Mayweather wore protective mitts and used his speed to run in circles with Big Show chasing. At some point Big Show began to pummel one of Mayweather's bodyguards. Mayweather would later jump on Big Show's back and applied a sleeperhold, which Big Show would eventually break and begin to batter Mayweather with chops, a sideslam and variety of other moves.
The handlers of Mayweather would pull their employer out of the ring and attempt to take him to the back, Big Show would follow in pursuit and attack Mayweather on the outside before throwing him back in the ring.
The Big Show would later attempt to finish Mayweather off with the chokeslam, bout the move was prevented by Mayweather's team members who would interfere in the match. While Big Show was distracted, Mayweather would attack him with a chair. He would give Big Show a low blow, sending the giant wrestler to his knees as he would land a few more chair shots before taking off one of the mitts and using a pair of brass knuckles to land a right hand that knocked Big Show out.
The ref would count him out at 11.41 of the contest.
The idea of pitting Mayweather, boxing's pound-for-pound champion, against Big Show, who stands at nearly seven-feet and weighs over 400-pounds, gave both Mayweather and the WWE a lot of crossover attention with boxing and wrestling fans. The bout, because of Mayweather's involvement, also received a lot of mainstream attention from major newspapers, magazines and television outlets around the world.
Mayweather still received a ton of criticism from boxing fans for taking part in a scripted fight. He would tell anyone who would listen, that we was being paid $20-million dollars to take part in the match. Most wrestling insiders said the actual number was between $2-5-million and the "$20-million dollar" fee number was part of the script.
On the undercard, in a billed "career ending match," the career of legendary wrestler Ric Flair came to an end after he was pinned by Shawn Michael.
Flair received a massive standing ovation from the crowd in what should his final match after a long career in that began in 1972.
Besides being one of most recognizable names in wrestling for the last 30-years, Flair won the heavyweight title a combined 16-times during his stints in the NWA, WCW and the WWE, though some sources say the number could be as high as 25.
Media Man Australia Profiles
WrestleMania
WWE
Ric Flair
In one of the most hyped WWE events in decades, close to 70,000 fans filled the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida to witness Floyd Mayweather Jr. knock out "The Big Show" in a no-holds barred wrestling match at Wrestlemania XXIV.
Mayweather wore protective mitts and used his speed to run in circles with Big Show chasing. At some point Big Show began to pummel one of Mayweather's bodyguards. Mayweather would later jump on Big Show's back and applied a sleeperhold, which Big Show would eventually break and begin to batter Mayweather with chops, a sideslam and variety of other moves.
The handlers of Mayweather would pull their employer out of the ring and attempt to take him to the back, Big Show would follow in pursuit and attack Mayweather on the outside before throwing him back in the ring.
The Big Show would later attempt to finish Mayweather off with the chokeslam, bout the move was prevented by Mayweather's team members who would interfere in the match. While Big Show was distracted, Mayweather would attack him with a chair. He would give Big Show a low blow, sending the giant wrestler to his knees as he would land a few more chair shots before taking off one of the mitts and using a pair of brass knuckles to land a right hand that knocked Big Show out.
The ref would count him out at 11.41 of the contest.
The idea of pitting Mayweather, boxing's pound-for-pound champion, against Big Show, who stands at nearly seven-feet and weighs over 400-pounds, gave both Mayweather and the WWE a lot of crossover attention with boxing and wrestling fans. The bout, because of Mayweather's involvement, also received a lot of mainstream attention from major newspapers, magazines and television outlets around the world.
Mayweather still received a ton of criticism from boxing fans for taking part in a scripted fight. He would tell anyone who would listen, that we was being paid $20-million dollars to take part in the match. Most wrestling insiders said the actual number was between $2-5-million and the "$20-million dollar" fee number was part of the script.
On the undercard, in a billed "career ending match," the career of legendary wrestler Ric Flair came to an end after he was pinned by Shawn Michael.
Flair received a massive standing ovation from the crowd in what should his final match after a long career in that began in 1972.
Besides being one of most recognizable names in wrestling for the last 30-years, Flair won the heavyweight title a combined 16-times during his stints in the NWA, WCW and the WWE, though some sources say the number could be as high as 25.
Media Man Australia Profiles
WrestleMania
WWE
Ric Flair
Press Release - WrestleMania® XXIV Crushes Records, Careers - 30th March 2008
ORLANDO, Fla., March 30, 2008 – Champions were crowned, the legendary Ric Flair was forced to retire, boxer Floyd Mayweather prevailed, and Undertaker extended his undefeated streak as World Wrestling Entertainment® set both attendance and ticket sale records at WrestleMania XXIV tonight at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
WWE® grossed more than $5.85 million in ticket sales, making it the highest grossing live event in WWE history and in the history of the Citrus Bowl.
WWE set an attendance record for the Citrus Bowl with 74,635 fans from all 50 states, five Canadian provinces and 21 countries invading Orlando, pumping up to $30 million into the local economy. The WWE’s annual pay-per-view, pop culture extravaganza is televised to more than 100 countries.
In the match billed as a showdown between the greatest fighter in the world and one of the largest athletes on Earth, undefeated WBC Welterweight Champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather barely survived against 7-foot, 441-lb. Big Show, eventually knocking him out with brass knuckles. Flair, a 16-time World Champion and 2008 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee, lost to another legendary star, Shawn Michaels, in an emotion-filled match, forcing him into retirement as one of the greatest pro wrestling stars of all-time. Undertaker defeated Edge® to become the new World Heavyweight Champion, extending his undefeated streak at WrestleMania to16-0. Randy Orton® retained the WWE Championship in a Triple Threat match against Triple H® and John Cena®. Kane became the new ECW Champion, crushing Chavo Guerrero.
Always a star-studded event, WrestleMania XXIV featured several celebrity participants in addition to Mayweather. John Legend performed “America The Beautiful” to open the event, Snoop Dogg served as Master of Ceremonies for the BunnyMania Lumberjack Match, Kim Kardashian was a special guest hostess, and Raven-Symoné played host to 50 Make-A-Wish kids being honored by WWE in its largest wish granting event ever.
Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide
Media Contact: Gary Davis, 203-353-5066
Investor Contact: Michael Weitz, 203-352-8642
Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ECW is a trademark of WWE Libraries, Inc. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, our dividend is based on a number of factors, including our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan, our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends and such other factors as our board of directors may consider relevant.
Media Man Australia Profiles
WWE
WrestleMania
ORLANDO, Fla., March 30, 2008 – Champions were crowned, the legendary Ric Flair was forced to retire, boxer Floyd Mayweather prevailed, and Undertaker extended his undefeated streak as World Wrestling Entertainment® set both attendance and ticket sale records at WrestleMania XXIV tonight at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
WWE® grossed more than $5.85 million in ticket sales, making it the highest grossing live event in WWE history and in the history of the Citrus Bowl.
WWE set an attendance record for the Citrus Bowl with 74,635 fans from all 50 states, five Canadian provinces and 21 countries invading Orlando, pumping up to $30 million into the local economy. The WWE’s annual pay-per-view, pop culture extravaganza is televised to more than 100 countries.
In the match billed as a showdown between the greatest fighter in the world and one of the largest athletes on Earth, undefeated WBC Welterweight Champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather barely survived against 7-foot, 441-lb. Big Show, eventually knocking him out with brass knuckles. Flair, a 16-time World Champion and 2008 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee, lost to another legendary star, Shawn Michaels, in an emotion-filled match, forcing him into retirement as one of the greatest pro wrestling stars of all-time. Undertaker defeated Edge® to become the new World Heavyweight Champion, extending his undefeated streak at WrestleMania to16-0. Randy Orton® retained the WWE Championship in a Triple Threat match against Triple H® and John Cena®. Kane became the new ECW Champion, crushing Chavo Guerrero.
Always a star-studded event, WrestleMania XXIV featured several celebrity participants in addition to Mayweather. John Legend performed “America The Beautiful” to open the event, Snoop Dogg served as Master of Ceremonies for the BunnyMania Lumberjack Match, Kim Kardashian was a special guest hostess, and Raven-Symoné played host to 50 Make-A-Wish kids being honored by WWE in its largest wish granting event ever.
Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide
Media Contact: Gary Davis, 203-353-5066
Investor Contact: Michael Weitz, 203-352-8642
Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ECW is a trademark of WWE Libraries, Inc. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, our dividend is based on a number of factors, including our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan, our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends and such other factors as our board of directors may consider relevant.
Media Man Australia Profiles
WWE
WrestleMania
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