Career Retrospective - "Superstar" Billy Graham

Image © WWE

When people talk about Superstar Billy Graham, one phrase is always uttered - 'Ahead of his time'. It's easy to see that when you look at him too - the blonde hair, the tan, the muscles, the charisma - Superstar Billy Graham had everything it took to be a star in professional wrestling the level of Hulk Hogan or 'Macho Man' Randy Savage, and he should have been. But why is it then, that whenever you look at the career of the Superstar, there is but one highlight - he beat Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Championship in 1977. And that's really all there is to it.

But please, don't get me wrong. Superstar Billy Graham is one of my ALL TIME favourite wrestlers. (I'm often seen wearing my Superstar Billy Graham T-shirt with pride) Which really, is the whole purpose of this retrospective - sure, the Superstar's career on paper hasn't got many bragging rights, but what rights he has got sure are better than anyone else's!

Billy Graham with his manager The Grand Wizard

Read More

WWF Showdown at Shea 1980

Part 1

A brief history of Showdown at Shea

Before the 'Show of Shows' Wrestlemania that we know of today, Showdown at Shea was the WWWF's original Stadium show, featuring a super card of wrestlers in front of up to 36,000 fans. Originally held every 4 years, the 1980 edition was to be the last showdown held at the stadium. The first, held in 1972, drew over 22,000 fans to see Pedro Morales defend his WWWF Heavyweight Championship against the Living Legend, Bruno Sammartino in a battle that lasted over 1 hour, ending in a curfew draw. (God I would LOVE to see this match please WWE!)

The 1976 edition of the show was put on to promote the infamous boxer-vs-wrestler match between Muhammed Ali and Antonio Anoki, which was shown on a big screen in the stadium. Also on the card was another boxer-vs-wrestler match, where Chuck Wepner took on André the Giant, who defeated him in round 3 after a countout. Also on the card was Bruno Sammartino, who successfully defended his WWWF Heavyweight Championship against Stan Hansen.

The final show 1980 was undoubtedly the largest show the now-WWF had put on the show, with 36,000 fans in attendance to witness a staggering 13 bouts - so this is going to be a long post which'll probably be spread into 4 parts.

An interesting fact about the 1980 show also, is that the ring announcer was none other than THE Vince McMahon, who was filling in for Howard Finkel as he was doing another show for Jim Crockett Promotions (Which would later become WCW). The version I'm watching also has Michael Cole & Mick Foley doing commentary for a 2008 release to commemorate the closing of Shea Stadium.

Vince McMahon leads the proceedings

Read More

Ricky Steamboat vs Lord Steven Regal - 1st August 1993

"The Dragon" Ricky Steamboat -vs- Lord Steven Regal w/ Sir William

WCW Main Event

1st August 1993

Author's Note:

This is more of a test post with a random match I found online to make sure that text, images, and formatting all work okay, as well as to test my ability to watch a match and take notes at the same time. Either way, I hope you enjoy this first post!

Match Stipulations: 1 Fall with a 10 minute time limit.

The match starts with both competitors in the ring as Ricky Steamboat extends a hand to Steven Regal, who responds by barely shaking the pinky and thumb of Steamboat, leaving him with a confused look on his face. Both competitors then begin to circle each other, before locking up into a collar-and-elbow hold to start the match.

The action starts very slowly and methodically with a lot of mat-based action, as Regal gets a wrist lock onto Steamboat which is soon reversed. Regal then rolls through and manages to get a hip toss onto Steamboat, bringing him down to the canvas, before stepping away and waving off his opponent. 

This slow start to the match continues, with both men trading holds until a snapmare by William Regal gets the first pinfall attempt of the contest. However this only results in a 2-count, with Steamboat bridging out of the pin and into a nip-up, leading both men to begin taunting one another with Steamboat brushing off his body, while Regal starts wagging his finger in Ricky's face. 

Read More