It was before Hogan, before Ventura, and before charisma counted as much, perhaps moreso, as mat skills. It was 1977 in New York and Bruno’s run would soon come to an end. Enter The Superstar… Superstar Billy Graham burst onto the scene in the WWWF, unseated Bruno Sammartino, and rewrote the rulebook for pro wrestling heels. And now he wants you to join him on a journey to that pivotal year, where he’ll tell you everything that was happening within the walls of the largest wrestling federation in the world! We pick up the action in April of 1977, just before Graham gets the strap, and we follow the action into 1978, when Backlund takes it. The Sammartino title change…the McMahons…the ‘Wiz’…Japan…Backlund…the backroom dealings…missed opportunities…Albano’s antics…working the blade…the TV tapings… …all that and EVERYTHING that was happening in 1977/78 in WWE!!!
2010-07-08
0
Lightbulbs, fire, barbed wire, mousetraps, staple guns, thumbtacks and glass are weapons of choice in The Backyard. This undercover documentary takes you deep into the controversial arena of backyard wrestling where the limits are constantly being tested...and broken. The Backyard follows several backyard wrestlers in different countries as they pursue their dream to become professional wrestlers.
Wrestling with Independence is an upcoming documentary by Ray Zombie. This film highlights the sense of striving to achieve ones goal by delving into the lives of everyone involved in Independent Professional Wrestling; spanning from the wrestlers to referee's, ring announcers, and promoters.
The 70th anniversary of the birth of El Santo and the wrestling debut of his son mark the starting point for which El Hijo del Santo will take us into his story. His family history goes beyond the ring through personal memories and records, and brings us closer to his childhood with a father who had a double identity, to the discovery of the hero at home, and the reasons for wanting to continue this legacy.
Toyohiko "Yuki" Ishikawa is a world renowned wrestling master. This is his legendary tale. "Ring of Dreams" documents Ishikawa's history of learning from Karl Gotch and Yoshiaki Fujiwara, establishing the original BATTLARTS in Japan, and eventually teaching his craft in Canada at Battle Arts Academy.
Kimberly Benson is Viper, one of Scotland's top female wrestlers. As part of BBC1's Our Lives, we are with Kim in Glasgow and in Japan as she fights in some of the most important matches of her career. As women's wrestling steps into the mainstream, it's a pivotal moment in Kim's career. We follow Kim into this intriguing and sometimes dangerous world at home and abroad as she takes us behind the scenes of a rarely seen and often misunderstood yet utterly fascinating world.
In 1983 World Class Championship Wrestling and its franchise stars, the Von Erich brothers, were known around the world. A small Dallas based promotion running out of a shack of a venue, the Sportatorium, World Class was one of the most syndicated television programs in America, making the Von Erichs household names. Run by legendary wrestler Fritz Von Erich, a.k.a. Jack Adkinsson, World Class made his oldest sons, Kevin, David and Kerry, three of hte biggest stars in the world of wrestling. Little did anyone know that just as the Von Erichs and World Class were reaching worldwide stardom they would begin a downfall that would cast a full eclipse on their meteoric rise to fame. Directed by Brian Harrison who, as a ten year old in 1983, watched on television as wrestling's world of staged combat between good and evil took a sharp turn into a surreal and tragic reality.
A retired Canadian professional wrestler from a very famous family recounts an amazing life in the ring and discovers an unexpected new family connection.
Canadian Wrestling Elite is a burgeoning organization run by Danny "Hotshot" Duggan. See the action on their western Canada tour as he aims to make CWE a nationally touring company.
The definitive documentary about wrestling legend Dynamite Kid and his impact in the world of professtional wrestling. What resulted was a very emotional journey into a career cut short by the abuses of steroids, alcohol, drugs, and a complete disregard for his own physical limitations. Dynamite Kid started as a young Englishmen trained in the infamous Snake Pit by Ted Betely and turned an opportunity given to him by the Hart Family in Calgary into a phenomenal worldwide wrestling career. Dynamite Kid was on the front lines of changing professional wrestling from a big man carnival act into an exciting action based entertainment industry where lightweight and physically gifted performers were the focal point of the show. He dazzled an international audience with matches against Tiger Mask that are still a bench mark today.
Rudy & Des is a short documentary that tells the story of true friendship between two friends who find a common bond in their love of pro wrestling.
A film covering the life and career of pro wrestler Ric Flair.
A look at the raucous underground UK wrestling scene. We follow Grado, starry-eyed wrestling superfan turned semi-pro wrestler, as he gears up for the biggest night of his life: A title fight for Glasgow's hedonistic Insane Championship Wrestling belt.
Tyson Smith, better known as his in-ring name Kenny Omega, took the long and unorthodox road to achieve his dream of pro wrestling stardom. Follow his journey to the top of the wrestling world as he defies not only the odds but people's preconceived ideas of what a professional wrestler can be.
Wrestling with Manhood is the first educational program to pay attention to the enormous popularity of professional wrestling among male youth, addressing its relationship to real-life violence and probing the social values that sustain it as a powerful cultural force. Richly illustrating their analysis with numerous examples, Sut Jhally and Jackson Katz - the award-winning creators of the videos Dreamworlds and Tough Guise, respectively - offer a new way to think about the enduring problems of men's violence against women and bullying in our schools.
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.
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.