The first Wrestlemania is history and business is booming! Wrestlers are making top dollar, traveling all over the world, seeing dolls in their image, and some can even quit teaching and wrestle full time! Especially if they were in one of the WWE’s hottest angles with Macho Man Randy Savage and Elizabeth. And such is the case with George The Animal Steele. The man behind that scary and lovable character takes you back to 1986 and examines all the major happenings in wrestling’s biggest federation. Saturday Night’s Main Event skits…a jealous Savage…JYD…Adonis…turning babyface…Albano…the McMahons…Steele’s students…Wrestlemania 2…the Funks…”King” Harley Race…The Wrestling Album…the dangers of TV…more…more…MORE!!!
The first Wrestlemania is history and business is booming! Wrestlers are making top dollar, traveling all over the world, seeing dolls in their image, and some can even quit teaching and wrestle full time! Especially if they were in one of the WWE’s hottest angles with Macho Man Randy Savage and Elizabeth. And such is the case with George The Animal Steele. The man behind that scary and lovable character takes you back to 1986 and examines all the major happenings in wrestling’s biggest federation. Saturday Night’s Main Event skits…a jealous Savage…JYD…Adonis…turning babyface…Albano…the McMahons…Steele’s students…Wrestlemania 2…the Funks…”King” Harley Race…The Wrestling Album…the dangers of TV…more…more…MORE!!!
2012-06-01
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A documentary about Metro Pro Wrestling, an independent promotion based in Kansas City, Kansas, that follows the wrestlers, crew, and fans over the course of four months in the summer of 2013.
Every year for the past 26 years, a courageous team of semi-professional wrestlers goes on what has been called the toughest wrestling tour on Earth. Rookies with stars in their eyes join tough-as-nails veterans like Chi-Chi Cruz, Leatherface, Eric the Lumberjack, and Crash Crimson to pack into a van and head for the far northern reaches of Manitoba. Only accessible in winter by frozen lake roads, these remote First Nations communities get a rare show of live wrestling entertainment, complete with stunners and body slams. Wrestling with the North captures all the pain, glory and determination of these die-hard wrestlers and through the wrestlers' eyes we glimpse northern aboriginal communities holding fast to their traditions while embracing a pop-culture circus with zeal.
Facing a mid-life crisis, a journalist discovers the regular folk moonlighting as indie wrestlers, who help him transform his childhood dream into reality as "Fake Nooz Neville."
In the year 2050 a young wrestling fan is less than thrilled to be spending the night at his Grandfather’s house. That is until he learns that his Grandfather once travelled the world interviewing some of the biggest wrestling stars of all time. Featuring exclusive interviews with Bill Goldberg, Bret Hart, Mike Tyson, Chris Jericho, Dynamite Kid, Amy Dumas, Rob Van Dam, Ted Dibiase and Randy Couture, Nine Legends profiles one of the greatest ensembles of wrestling talent ever put together. Through their own words, relive the defining moments of the heroes you grew up with.
The closing month of 1983 in WWE saw the arrival of an individual that would go on to set the entire pro wrestling landscape on its head. Roddy Piper’s effect on the largest federation in the world would set up Hogan for his massive championship run, introduce the concept of Wrestlemania, and push TV ratings to the stratosphere. Simply put…Piper helped make it all happen for WWE in the 80s. Join Roddy for a three and a half hour journey back in time and see how each piece of the puzzle was laid. Roddy, Vince, Hogan, Dave Wolf and others had a vision of what was to come. Now head back to the birth of the boom and hear about it all in the first-person, from one of the all-time greats. Here comes the ‘Pit, MTV, the coconut, and the HOT SCOT himself! All in this edition of the open-ended historical telling of the WWE’s history.
The fuse has been ignited on the explosive popularity of the WWE in 1985. The world was about to get its first Wrestlemania. The roster was loaded with the country’s hottest talent and the ‘Fed was all over cable TV, and the networks as well. Royalty checks begin pouring in for WWE stars as their images hit lunchboxes and dolls all over the world. The business has moved beyond wrestling as music and pop culture embrace it in this magical time. Saturday Night’s Main Event…Wrestlemania…CBS Cartoon…Mr. T…The IC strap…The Dream Team…Andy Worhol…Rick McGraw’s death…Rita Marie…Snakes and Bulldogs…Tito…The 20/20 expose’…The Wrestling Album…Blading…Cyndi Lauper…Albano’s face turn…
Go inside the build-up to Wrestlemania 2 with King Kong Bundy, and and his headlining match in Los Angeles against the legendary Hulk Hogan in a big blue steel cage.
The story of Nigel McGuinness, a man with lifelong aspirations of becoming a WWE Superstar, whose career was unceremoniously cut short
Today much is made about wrestling wars, but how much do wrestling fans know about the “war for Atlanta?” It was very real, and saw the biggest stars in wrestling being utilized by the NWA to protect what was seen as an assault on one of its major territories. Standing opposite the Alliance and Jim Barnett was Ann Gunkel, widow of promoter and wrestling star Ray Gunkel. Join host Jim Cornette and Bill Eadie, The Masked Superstar, one of the Georgia territory’s huge stars and bookers, for a trip down Atlanta way. Go inside the Georgia wrestling operation before TBS, Black Saturday, and the Crocketts. Hear the stories surrounding the area’s colorful stars like Tommy Rich, T Bolt Patterson, Freebirds, Mr Wrestling I and II, Ole Anderson, and so many more. Jump in, we’re heading to Hot-lanta!
After legendary wrestler and promoter Rikidozan conceded operations of Japan’s wrestling landscape, two men were given the keys to that kingdom. Those men, Antonio Inoki and Shohei Baba, would work together both in the ring as a team and also running the promotion. That is until Inoki and Baba parted to form their own respective promotions. American “gaijin” made fortunes and often swore allegiance to one or the other promoter, touring Japan for either All Japan or New Japan. And tonight’s guest worked for both and became Japan’s most famous gaijin. Join Stan Hansen as he and host Jim Cornette trace the history of Japanese wrestling from Rikidozan up through Inoki and Baba’s split, and through Hansen’s amazing run in All Japan Pro Wrestling. Get ready to hit yet another territory and hop on the bus with Stan, Abby, Brody, DiBiase and head Back to the Territories!
When Eddie Graham took control of pro wrestling in the state of Florida from Cowboy Luttrel, one of the most significant developments in wrestling history was being put in place. Graham would go on to make Florida a premiere breeding ground for talent and future bookers alike. His mastery and genius are universally recognized. Join Jim Cornette and Kevin Sullivan, a product of Eddie Graham's genius and a booker that learned at his feet. Kevin worked Florida as a top heel and then as a booker. But more importantly to this discussion, Kevin was close to Eddie the man. Eddie confided in Kevin, sometimes before even his own son Mike, placing a strain on Kevin and Mike's friendship. We will take you back into the glory days of Florida, from the birth of The "American Dream," to the Jack Brisco/Dory Funk Jr feud. This is your ticket inside Eddie Graham's legendary territory during its fiery NWA reign. Hop in with Corny and Kevin and head Back to the Territories!
From Klondike to Stampede, Stu Hart's Canadian territory saw many changes, more than just in name. There were ups and downs, successes and challenges, but Stu built a legacy and a family in front of Calgary Stampede Wrestling's backdrop. In this edition of Back to the Territories, join Jim Cornette and guest Lance Storm as they delve into the history of Stu Hart's territory and the Hart family itself. Go inside the Hart Brothers' training camp where Storm was trained and hear about the dynamics of the family. Learn the names that built the territory and the names that Stu built. There are great stories about legends like Archie Goulding and the Dynamite Kid and their roles in Calgary. Head up north and add Calgary to your scholarly trek through wrestling's great territories with the always entertaining and informative Jim Cornette and his guest Lance Storm and head Back...to the Territories!
We're off once again...back in time to the years of regional territories in pro wrestling. For this edition, host Jim Cornette sits down with the venerable J.J. Dillon for a comprehensive examination of the Crocketts' Mid Atlantic Wrestling. In what can best be described as a tale of two territories, you'll see the style and formulas used by Jim Crockett Sr, and then the direction and decisions that his family implemented after his death in the 70s.
Get ready to head back to a time when the wrestling landscape was filled with regional promotions, each with their own stars, their own television product, and their own identities. In this edition of Back to the Territories, join host Jim Cornette and his guest Hacksaw Jim Duggan as they undertake an in-depth analysis of Mid South Wrestling. Mid South was the brainchild of legendary promoter Cowboy Bill Watts, a character as rich in lore as his territory. The stars that blossomed in Mid South would go on to captivate wrestling fans for years, long after their tenure with Watts had ended. The names Duggan, DiBiase, Reed, and Junkyard Dog were only a handful that can be traced back to the territory.
As the golden age of wrestling TV came to a close, many stars of the black & white found comfortable spots running territories around the U.S. And one of the biggest up and comers of the 50s and early 60s settled into a decades-long role at the helm of The AWA. Verne Gagne became the face and the soul of the powerhouse territory from Minnesota, and the closest person to him, his son Greg Gagne, joins Jim Cornette for a walk through Verne’s life and the history of the AWA. Greg’s inside information will blow your mind, from the hilarious — Mad Dog Vachon opening a plane door at 10,000 feet … to the intriguing — the alleged skullduggery at the hands of Eric Bischoff. Greg goes with Corny as the earliest days of the company are explored, then the heartbreak and blown opportunities at the hands of Hulk Hogan, and up through the run at Vince in the 80’s. You may think you have heard the whole story of The AWA. But there’s more that Greg has stayed silent on…’till now!
The mysterious and enchanting island of Puerto Rico is home to possibly the most passionate wrestling fans the sport has ever known. Wrestlers from the States have told many a story about dodging the occasional fist, rock, and spark plug while getting the best of a local babyface. Yet so little is known by most fans of the culture and history of the Puerto Rico territory. Today, Jim Cornette and guest Savio Vega hope to change all that. Join them as they head all the way back to the territory’s inception and guide us through the years to today. You will hear about the legends like Carlos Colon and hear Savio’s first-hand account of the darkest night in the territory when Bruiser Brody was murdered. Savio was there and goes into great detail about not only that night, but what he saw after the trial in a stadium dugout hours before belltime. Get ready to head BACK TO PUERTO RICO!!!
From the days of Morris Sigel to the unprecedented success of Paul Boesch, the story of Houston wrestling is fascinating for not only its importance to the NWA, but also the sheer length of its reign and influence. The Texas powerhouse promotion had no equal in the Lone Star State, and its might yielded both prosperity and controversy. The territory saw gates that crushed those of the other Texas promotions. It was center stage for the Funk/Brisco family feud, hosting the switch of the NWA title to Jack Brisco. Join Bruce Prichard and Jim Cornette as they dissect everything possible about the classic territory. Bruce was a young acolyte, cutting his teeth in the territory and his closeness to Boesch and the entire operation put him front and center for much of what is discussed. Get in and head BACK IN TIME once again!!!
A film covering the life and career of pro wrestler Ric Flair.
WrestleMania 41 lights up Las Vegas as CM Punk, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins collide in a highly anticipated Triple Threat Match.
Meet Avispa. She's small, she flies, and in the ring - all the guys are afraid of her. This is the story of the unlikely rise of the Pacific Northwest's only fully debuted female professional luchadora. Follow along with Avispa - a college student by day and a luchadora by night - as she runs, jumps, kicks, and finds her way through the ranks of Lucha Libre.