Big Cat Ernie Ladd

Being that is it is black history month, I figured I would showcase some of my favorite black wrestlers of all time. I felt there was no better way than to start this series off with Big Cat Ernie Ladd. An American Football League (AFL) and WWE Hall of Famer. At 6'9" and 315 pounds, Ladd was arguably the biggest and strongest man in professional football during his era: 52-inch chest, 39-inch waist, 20-inch biceps, 19-inch neck, 20-inch calf, and size 18D shoes.

A proud Alum of Grambling State University, Ladd played in the A.F.L. for eight years, with the San Diego Chargers (1961-65), the Houston Oilers (1966) and the Kansas City Chiefs (1967-68). In the years before the A.F.L. merged with the N.F.L. in 1970, he played in four A.F.L. championship games before becoming a full-time wrestler.

Known for his immense size and power, it was a natural for Ladd to engage in feuds with other giants, including a famous feud with André the Giant (whom Ladd referred to as "Andre the Dummy" or "The Big Fat French Fry" during interviews). In certain areas, Ladd's wrestling nickname was "The King", and he would wear an ornate crown to emphasize it.^[1]. In other wrestling associations, he was "The Big Cat," and walked in with a big cowboy hat.

The Lost Art of the Manager

One thing that is largely missing today's professional wrestling is the manager. In the 80's and early 90's the manager was a huge part of wrestling. I am not sure what happened to the manager but would love to see them come back. A good manager can really add to a story line and enhance a person who can really wrestle but is not the best talker.

Some of my favorites were Oliver Humperdink

Wrestlings Greatest Tragedy

While at home yesterday I decided to pop in one of my favorite wrestling DVDs. Hard Knocks the Chris Benoit Story. Of course this DVD was made about 3 years prior to the greatest tragedy in wrestling history. Over a three-day period ending on June 24, 2007, Benoit killed his wife and son and subsequently hanged himself. Now the world is full of tragedies that happen every day but for some reason this one really touched me. He was one of the few celebrities that I actually admired and for him to take such a coward’s way out really bothered me. I am not going to go off in this blog about what I think happened. More of I am going to remember what I liked about him and not going to treat him like wrestlings dirtly little secret. The WWE has effectively deleted him from wrestling history which I can understand. But I think they should take a deeper look at what they could have done to help prevent such a tragedy.

Now that I have addressed the negative let me talk a little about the positive. Chris Benoit was from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada who grew up a lifelong pro wrestling fan. He idolized the Dynamite Kid (1/2 of the British Bulldogs). Chris got his training at the legendary Hart Dungeon and started performing in Stampede Wrestling. Chris wrestled all over the world in places such as Japan, Mexico and of course here in the United States. I followed Chris’s career through most of its many travels. I admired a guy who was so tenacious and aggressive despite his lack of size. He has held over 32 different wrestling championships throughout his career. He could always put on a good match no matter who he was in the ring with. He would have been a for sure WWE Hall of Famer but he ruined that for himself.

For more Benoit Info

http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20061388,00.html
http://www.youtube.com/


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Benoit

Wrestling Needs TNA to be good

AJ Styles vs. Kurt Angle

After watching last weeks Monday Night War I will have to agree with the rest of the wrestling that we need TNA. We just dont need TNA but we need it to be good. Monday was an okay start but if pro wrestling is going to better TNA is going to have push the WWE. Monday Night RAW was as good as it has been in a very long time. I do not think that it is any coincidence that it was better because Vince McMahon had some live competition that evening. Not only that both programs scored the highest ratings they have had in a very long time. In the case of TNA its highest ever.

Going forward here are some of my suggestions for TNA

1. Dont put too much stock in aging wrestlers that the WWE does not want anymore.

Using WWE retreds was one of the things that help bring down WCW. Not to mention you have a lot of the people on the roster that helped bring down WCW. The proper way to use these guys is to help get your younger talent noticed. I thought the fued with Desmond Wolfe and Kurt Angle was a great example of that. You have some of the best wrestlers in the world. AJ Styles(current TNA Champ) vs. Kurt Angle in the main event was one of the best matches I have seen in the past 5 years.

2. Capitalize on what you have and the WWE does not.

First of all you have a very good tag team division. Beer Money maybe the best tag team working. It is a lost art form that most wrestling fans appreciate. It is also a good spring board to get future singles wrestlers noticed. Remember Bret Hart and Shawn Micheals first gained their popularity as tag team wrestlers.

Second use your X disivion. I liken the X disivion to WCW's cruiserweights years ago. Their high flying and fast paced wrestling is very exciting to fans. It even amazes non wrestling fans who watch and say "how did they do that".

Lastly your Knockout Division. Play up the fact that your ladies can actually wrestle. The WWE divas are good eye candy but they suck in the ring. The average wrestling fan wants to see wrestling on a wrestling show. Ladies like Awesome Kong, ODB, and Tara will kill any of the so call WWE Divas.

3. Use Hogan's name but please dont put him in the ring or put your title on him.

I really dont have to explain this one too much. The guy can barely walk and even in his prime he was not the best worker.

For more infomation

www.tnawrestling.com

The NWA is still around

The National Wrestling Alliance is the oldest wrestling Alliance in the world. It has brought us some of the greatest champions professional wrestling has ever seen such as Harley Race, Dusty Rhodes and of course the Nature Boy Ric Flair.

Despite what some may think the NWA is still around and very active in independent territories.

Supporting these organizations is a great way to ensure that independent wrestling will not die and to see some of the great up and coming talent in the business.

http://www.nwawrestling.com/

http://www.nwa-southwest.com/

http://www.nwaanarchy.net/

Welcome to My New Place on the Web

As a life long fan of professional wrestling I decided to start my own wrestling blog. This will lead to me starting my own website about everything wrestling. This site will feature my opinions about various organizations from around the world. I will also feature some of my favorite moments in wrestling history. Your comments and opinions are welcome and thank you all for taking this journey with me....