My 3 Favorite Wrestlemania's

We are less than a week out from the greatest event in all of sports entertainment. For this blog I decided to give my 3 favorite Wrestlemania's a whole. Don't get me wrong I love almost every Wrestlemania but some just stand out to me. One shocker on the list is that Wrestlemania III is not on here. Being a native of Pontiac, MI the home of the event most people would figure that it would be in my top 3. When judging the events I looked at the strength of the card and the memorable matches.

We will start this off with one of the most underrated Wrestlemanias of all time. The Wrestlemania XIX card sometimes gets overlooked but it was loaded with star power and solid matches. WrestleMania XIX was the first WrestleMania to be promoted under the WWE name, prior to that it was known as the WWF but a after years of legal battles with the World Wildlife Federation the name had to change. Also this is the first Mania to have taken place after the WWE Brand Extension. This is when the WWE roster was divided between Raw and Smackdown with each brand featuring their own individual champions. The reason I liked this card is because it featured some big time matches that told a story. The pace of the card was good too as each match built with the anticipation. One of the forgotten matches from this Mania was the Booker T vs Triple H match that told a good story and had a awesome build on Raw. This was Booker T's first real build up in the WWE after the WCW Invasion angle ended. He was able to prove he belonged in the main event in the WWE. The most memorable matches from this card were the Shawn Michaels vs Chris Jericho match and Kurt Angle vs Brock Lesnar. Both of these matches told great stories and showcased excellent in ring talent.

The Card
Matt Hardy (champion) (with Shannon Moore) defeated Rey Mysterio- for the Cruiserweight Title

The Undertaker defeated The Big Show and A-Train/ Handicapped match

Trish Stratus defeated Victoria (c) (with Steven Richards) and Jazz

Team Angle (Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas) (c) defeated Los Guerreros (Eddie and Chavo Guerrero) and Chris Benoit and Rhyno - to remain tag team champions

Shawn Michaels defeated Chris Jericho

World Heavyweight Championship: Triple H (w. “Nature Boy” Ric Flair) defeated Booker T

Street Fight: Vince McMahon defeated Hulk Hogan

WWE Championship: Brock Lesnar defeats Kurt Angle to become new champion



This was the first Wrestlemania that was seen on pay per view television. This was the first one that I saw live as it happened. The first 3 I had to see on tape a few weeks after each event. Wrestlemania IV was a set of unique circumstances because we went into the event without a world champion as the title was vacated. There was a problem with the title match between Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant on Saturday Night's Main Event. Apparently there was a referee switch between the Hebner brothers with was orchestrated by The Million Dollar Man. So he could purchase the WWF title once Andre the Giant won it. So WWF President Jack Tuney vacated the title and determined that there would be a tournament at Wrestlemania IV to determine a new champion. Other than the 20 man battle royal won by Bad News Brown, the entire card was the tournament. This was very innovative and the entire event told a story. By having Hogan and Andre squaring off early in the tournament it ensured that at least one of them would not take the title and adding intrigue to the overall event. This was a one of a kind event that was never done again.

The Card
20 Man Battle Royal: Participants-Bret “Hitman” Hart, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Paul Roma, Jim Powers, Sika, “Dangerous” Danny Davis, B. Brian Blair, “Jumpin” Jim Brunzell, Bad News Brown, Sam Houston, Jacques Rougeau, Raymond Rougeau, Ken Patera, “Outlaw” Ron Bass, The Junkyard Dog, Nikolai Volkoff, Boris Zhukov, Hillbilly Jim, “King” Harley Race, George “The Animal” Steele
Battle Royal was Won by - Bad News Brown when he eliminated Bret "Hitman" Hart




Wrestlemania XVII was by far my favorite Wrestlemania. This a one of the most loaded Wrestlemania with high quality matches that told great stories. Some think that this was the last Wrestlemania of the Attitude Era. This card featured names like Kurt Angle, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Jericho, The Undertaker and Triple H and none of those guys were in the main event. One of the highlights of this big event was the 1st TLC match. TLC stands for Tables, Ladders and Chairs and featured 3 of the best tag teams of all time. Edge/Christian, The Dudley Boyz and The Hardys made tag team history in one of the most brutal and exciting matches ever seen. The Main Event was the 2nd Wrestlemania showdown between The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, the 2 biggest stars of the Attitude Era and maybe of all time. This was a no disqualification match that went almost 30 minutes.

The Card
Chris Jericho (c) defeated William Regal - Jericho remains Intercontinental Champion

Tazz and The APA (Bradshaw and Faarooq) (with Jacqueline) defeated Right to Censor (The Goodfather, Val Venis and Bull Buchanan) (with Steven Richards

Kane defeated Raven (c) and The Big Show - Kane becomes Hardcore Champion

Eddie Guerrero (with Perry Saturn) defeated Test (c) - Eddie Guerrero becomes new European Champion

Kurt Angle defeated Chris Benoit

Chyna defeated Ivory (c)- Chyna becomes the new Womens Champion

Shane McMahon defeated Vince McMahon (with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley)

Edge and Christian defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) (c) and The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff)- Edge and Christian become new Tag Team Champions

The Iron Sheik won The Gimmick Battle Royal by last eliminating Hillbilly Jim

The Undertaker defeated Triple H

Steve Austin defeated The Rock (c)- Stone Cold Steve Austin becomes New WWF World Champion





I hope you enjoyed the list and go back to watch some of these great matches. Hopefully Wrestlemania 27 can add this same type of excitment.



Coming Soon
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Bobby The Brain Heenan

In today's wrestling scene one thing fans may not be familiar with is the idea of the manager. Growing up in the 1980's they were an important part of the business. Guys like Jim Cornette, Sir Oliver Humperdink and Gary Hart helped make superstars even more larger than life than pro wrestlers already appeared to be. They talked for wrestlers who were not that good on the microphone and able to add creditability to new wrestlers in the promotion. The greatest of all time at this lost art was WWE Hall of Famer Bobby The Brain Heenan.

With Wrestlemania coming up all of my blogs will focus around this fantasic event. Heenan is one of the reasons this event has grown to massive heights. The early Wrestlemania's featured Heenan and his men and usually taking on the biggest star of that era Hulk Hogan. Heenan was a master on drawing heat to his charge and himself. The biggest and best example of this was the epic Hogan vs Andre The Giant match for Wrestlemania 3. Not only did this match pack 93,000 fans in the Pontiac Silverdome to set a world indoor attendance record but helped launch wrestling to the next level.

The two mega stars in the Main Event set up such an epic event. Andre for most party of his career was considered a babyface. So to take on Hogan he needed a heel turn. No other manager than Bobby Heenan could help produce such heat against the beloved Andre.
Heenan's stable known as the "Heenan Family" and always featured the best of the best that sports entertainment had to offer. Names like King Kong Bundy, Mr. Perfect, Big John Stud and Ravishing Rick Rude were all managed by Heenan at one time. He was definitely good and enhancing the show and selling tickets. Fans would come from far and wide to boo him and hopefully see him get his just due. A popular chant from the fans would be the one of "Weasel" and his response to the chants would really push the fans even further. When he had to get in the ring and take a bump from the massive babyfaces he could really sell.

Also Bobby had an excellent run a broadcaster in professional wrestling in the WWE and WCW later in his career. His most memorable times was when he was working with the late great Gorilla Monsoon. Heenan replaced Jesse Ventura on Prime Time Wrestling and All American Wrestling, aired on the USA Network, teaming up with Monsoon. As a one of the best color commentators of all time and coined the term "Broadcast Journalist". Heenan gave a different element to the broadcast as his open support for the heel character was different spin on how wrestling was called. He only could be contained by the "Will you stop?" of Gorilla Monsoon.
Whether it is referring to fans as "humaniods" or jobbers as "ham-eggers" his catch phrases like everything he had ever done in his career was legendary.
Classic Heenan Promo
He has written two career memoirs, 2002's Bobby The Brain: Wrestling's Bad Boy Tells All, and 2004's Chair Shots and Other Obstacles: Winning Life's Wrestling Matches which has an introduction by Ric Flair. Both books were co-written by Steve Anderson.


In 2004, Heenan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame shortly before WrestleMania XX.

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Welcome Abdullah The Butcher to the Hall of Fame

There are a lot of wrestling fans who enjoy a hardcore style wrestling. It was the calling card for the ECW organization. But way before there was an ECW there was Abdullah The Butcher. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing in at 441 pounds, Abdullah is know all over the world for running guys into barbed wire since the late 1950's. His unpredictable, extremely violent style was an inspiration for other wrestlers such as Cactus Jack, Kevin Sullivan and Sabu. The WWE is now recognizing this great pioneer with an introduction into the WWE Hall of Fame. He is a perfect fit for this hall class being inducted in Atlanta. The town that he has made his home and had quite a few of his biggest matches.
The WWE Universe does may not be that familiar with Abdullah because he never spent a lot of time in one place. If you were a fan of the old NWA/WCW and World Class Championship Wrestling(WCCW) out of Texas you have seen a lot more Abdullah than most. Known as the "Madman from the Sudan", Abdullah the Butcher. Abdullah has spent nearly 5 decades in the ring, beating and bloodying his foes with a passion like few others in the history of professional wrestling. If you were able to get your hands on some tapes from his time in Japan you will really get a picture of what Abdullah was able to do.


Check out Youtube
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Abdullah The Butcher vs Bruiser Brody


Besides being a professional wrestler Abdullah is also a restaurateur owning 2 resturants in the Atlanta area.
Abdullah The Butcher House of Ribs
2387 Fairburn Rd SW
Atlanta, GA 30331
He also has a spot in the food court in Greenbriar Mall in Southwest Atlanta.

Reviews of Wrestler Movies

The Ringtime Pro Wrestling blog officially add a new segment to the line up. Since professional wrestlers and former professonial wrestlers are active in movie making I decided that maybe this blog should do a review of these movies. Because I am such a heavy wrestling fan I watch these movies that include wrestlers.

The review is strictly my opinion of the movie. I will rate it on a 5 star system.
5- Great Movie
4- I would watch this again
3- Its okay but dont rush to see it
2- Not good but not the worst I have seen
1- You have reached the toilet bowl


The Charperone
Starring - Triple H
The basic premise of this movie is that Ray Bradstone(Triple H) is a recently released convict who just served 7 years for being a driver in a bank robbery. Now that he is released he is trying to pick up the missing pieces of his life. The main thing is rebuilding his relationship with his daughter Sally played by Ariel Winter who delivered a awesome performance.
The movie shows how Ray tries to rebuild his relationship with an unwilling Sally. To better do that he agrees to be a chaperone on her school field trip to New Orleans. While on the trip the past Ray is trying to shake won't leave him alone. Triple delivers a great performance that will draw you in even if you are not a WWE fan. He can really makes you care Ray and his future...

Rating 4.5 out 5

Raw 03/07/11 Review

Dallas, TX - With the anticipation of Wrestlemania building up and the return of Stone Cold Steve Austin returning to RAW tonight was set to be a good show. Dallas did not disappoint as a great crowd.

The Undertaker made an announcement about Wrestlemania
The Undertaker delivered another strong promo and informed Triple H that he will beat him the same way he beat his best friend Shawn Michaels last year at Wrestlemania. After showing a clips of last years Mania match the Undertaker announced that he and Triple H will have a No Holds Barred Match at Wrestlemania. This allows for them be very creative and still want to see if Shawn Michaels inserts himself in this match.

Randy Orton Def David Ortunga
On the road to Wrestlemania, Randy Orton competed in his 2nd match against the Nexus. Already insuring that Mike McGillicutty will not be able to support CM Punk at Mania it was now time to take on David Ortunga. After an attack by the Nexus before the match Orton started out at a disadvantage. He was able to overcome that and defeat Ortunga. Then like the previous Nexus member Ortunga received his punt to the head. Hopefully this will result in Ortunga being gone from wrestling forever.

Christian Def Brodus Clay
The Christian/ Alberto Del Rio story added another chapter tonight as Del Rio who was escorted by NXT runner Brodus Clay to the ring informed Christian that if he wanted a shot at him he had to defeat Clay. They put on a pretty good match and Clay has a lot of potential. Christian defeated Clay in a well contested match. After the match Christian was attacked by Del Rio. They should have pretty interesting match. Christian's dynamic in the Edge/Del Rio fued leading to Mania is also interesting.

Promo for Sin Cara
I really like the push they are putting behind Sin Cara coming to the WWE. If you are not familiar with his work google the name Mistico as he was known a a Luchador. He is a 2nd generation performer who should bring a lot of excitment to the WWE.

Sunny Announced for Hall of Fame

As the original WWE Diva I do think that Sunny is deserving to be in the WWE Hall of Fame but not in this year's class. I feel like the WWE missed the boat with this Hall of Fame class. They are coming to Atlanta, the home of WCW and Georgia Championship Wrestling. No Road Warriors, Freebirds or Arn Anderson in this class is criminal. That being said I am sure Sunny will add some excitment and pop to the Hall of Fame.

Eve def Nicki Bella
The match was a bore and Cole helped kill the match by saying that no one cares about this.

Michael Cole Announces his choice for Special Guest Referee
For the match with Jerry the King Lawler, Michael Cole gets to name his special guest referee. A lot of people thought it maybe Alex Riley or Jim Ross but Cole surprised us with JBL. It was nice to see JBL back in the wrestling world and it was a nice touch bringing out in Texas. But another famous Texan showed up to ruin the party. The man everyone was there to see made his presence felt. Stone Cold Steve Austin hit the ring. After some words with Cole and JBL, hit JBL with a Stunner and as he was drinking some beer the only way Stone Cold can he came across the referee contract for Wrestlemania. Must to Cole's protest Austin signed the contract. This was a great move by the WWE. Not only does it put Stone Cold in Wrestlemania but it adds balance to the match. Since Cole already has Swagger in his corner Lawler couldnt too much stacked against him.



Daniel Bryan Def Sheamus
Daniel Bryan met Sheamus in the guys who have been getting squashed lately match. Sheamus lost this pretty quick match via countout. After the match Sheamus who had an obvious leg injury challenged Bryan to a US title match next week. Vowing that if he loses that he will leave the WWE. This match did nothing for either wrestler and Bryan needs to stop having non title matches. It makes the title not look important.

CM Punk Def R- Truth
This was pretty much a squash match. Which you had to know that was the way it going. R-Truth is a glorified job guy. After the match he was further squashed Mason Ryan, the lone member left in the Nexus.

Dolph Ziggler def John Morrison
After being fired from Smackdown by GM Teddy Long, Dolph Ziggler made his way to the Raw roster. He was accompanied by Vickie Guerrero who introduced him. It was a okay match between the Ziggler and Morrison but could have been better. Ziggler defeated Morrison and further leads to the misuse of John Morrison.
Announced for next week will be Vickie Guerrero vs Trish Status.

John Cena response to the Rock
John Cena decided to respond to the promo from The Rock from last week. It started off with Cena's bad comedy but picked up when he started to rap. His response should stay in rap. The Dallas crowd was not the most friendly to Cena. The highlight was when The Miz attacked Cena and cut an awesome promo.

Smackdown 03/04/11 Review

On the road to Wrestlemania the Smackdown brand was able to put on a pretty decent show. Definitely a good amount of wrestling and some very solid promo work. The evening started out with Edge celebrating the firing of Vickie Guerrero last week. Where Drew McIntyre attempted a unsuccessful attack on Edge because his animosity about Kelly Kelly. Then GM Teddy Long who congratulated Drew on helping Vickie get fired last year as a stipulation of their match. Teddy then informs Drew that if he does not get into the ring and fight Edge one on one he would then be fired also.

Edge def Drew McIntyre
Drew and Edge a had a pretty good match to start the show. McIntyre worked on Edge's injured arm that he suffered at the hands of Alberto Del Rio. They worked good together in this match. Glad they are using Drew but don't know where they are going to go with him. Hopefully he has a strong showing in Money in The Bank if he is an entrant. Edge wins the match with his new finisher which appears to be a modified sharpshooter that is called the Edgecator. (Awesome move).


Cody Rhodes Promo on Rey Mysterio

This was a great promo by Cody to set up a Wrestlemania match for him and Mysterio. Not sure about how I feel about this as a match at Mania but I think they will work well together. Hopefully Cody will go over and move on to big things. He has really taken this character and ran with it. Him being insecure with his mask on is priceless.

Tag Team Champions Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel def. Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov (WWE Tag Team Title Match)
The former WWE Tag Team Champions Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov used their rematch clause against the current champions Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater of The Corre. Thanks to a Corre distraction,Slater and Gabriel retained their titles. This was a pretty quick match. Hopefully they make the tag team division meaningful again. Slater and Gabriel actually are a good team.

The Undertaker returns to Smackdown

Undertaker is back with a new theme song "Their is no grave" by Johnny Cash. Incredible theme that is a perfect fit for Taker. He delivered a good promo and really set the stage for his Mania match with Triple H. The best thing the WWE can do for this match is keep them away from each other to build anticipation.


Michelle McCool & Layla def. Beth Phoenix & Rosa Mendes
This Divas match was not bad. Beth Phoenix worked really good in this match. Laycool wins the match when Michelle McCool kicked Beth with he loaded boot.

Big Show def. Kane (Disqualification)
This match actually built some interest as the Corre tried to enlist Kane's help in taking out the Big Show. The match started off normal until The Corre showed up and slid a chair into the ring. The Kane then hit Big Show with the chair giving the Big Show the win by disqualification. Then as The Corre began to attack Show, Kane in a surprising move whacked Justin Gabriel with the steel chair. Maybe this may lead to Kane joining Show in the Corre fued.

Jack Swagger def. JTG
This was pretty much a squash match for Swagger as he further drew some heat for him being Michael Cole's trainer at Wrestlemania. Nice to see Swagger winning again. Hopefully this will lead to him moving back to a more prominent role on the roster.


Edge and Alberto Del Rio had a WrestleMania World Heavyweight Championship Contract Signing

Like most contract signings for championship matches this one ended in chaos. The exchange between the 2 competitors began with Edge having the upper hand until Del Rio's personal ring announcer Ricardo Rodgridez got involved and allowed Del Rio to get the upper hand and hit Edge with the Cross Arm Breaker again. Further pushing the injured arm angle. As Del Rio was about really do some damage Christian came out and made the save.
It will be interesting how Christian's role will play out leading to Wrestlemania and his issues with Del Rio.

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WWE Raw 02/28 Review

Live from BUFFALO, N.Y. - Raw from this past Monday was okay at best. Not exactly one the best shows heading up to Wrestlemania but we have month of shows left. One big problem I had with the show was that there was not much wrestling on a wrestling show. There was about total minutes of actual wrestling on a 2 hour show. It did push some story lines for better or for worse.

Triple H helps bury Sheamus
The night begins with Triple H hitting the ring to do what challenge the Undertaker to a Wrestlemania match. (I will get back to that later) By which he was confronted by Sheamus who injured him about 10 months ago. Whom I think he could rekindle his fued with but that may have been too predictable so I can see why the WWE did not take it there. They exchange words and the confrontation ends with Sheamus going through the announce table.

Pros - Triple H looked really strong and delivered a pretty sharp promo.

Cons- He helped do what the WWE has been doing for the past month and bury a former 2 time champion that they spent a year building up. Don't know who Sheamus pissed off backstage. Although I liked Triple H's promo he did just kill the rest of the Wrestlemania card. He and Undertaker's presence already dwarf's anybody who is in the current locker room.

Sheamus vs Evan Bourne
Following his squashing by Triple H, Sheamus was placed in a match immediately by the GM with a returning Evan Bourne. Nice to see Bourne back but this match did nothing for either wrestler. Bourne goes over Sheamus in a quick squash which further weakens Sheamus and didnt boost Bourne. He had to beat a guy who just got put through a table. It would have been better to see him against somebody who could have worked a match even if it was 5 or 6 minutes.

Jerry Lawler/Michael Cole Segement
I like the segment much better than last week. Cole accepts Lawler's Wrestlemania challenge and adds some actual intrigue to the match. We know Lawler will more than likely go over but it at least explains how Cole will survive the match. Jack Swagger is introduced as Cole's trainer for the match and attacks The King. Nice way to add heat and gives Swagger some life also.

Randy Orton vs Mike McGillicutty
Orton vs Punk is now offically confirmed for Wrestlemania 27. To add some intrigue to the match the GM decided to add a stipulation to reduce the Nexus interference.
Orton over the next few weeks will face different members of the Nexus and if he wins they member is gone. If he loses that member gets to be ringside during Wrestlemania. First up was Mike McGillicutty who was able to have a good match with Orton. Randy goes over his fellow 3rd generation superstar. After the match McGillicutty was a victim of the deadly Orton punt.


I like the concept of Punk and Orton one on one at Mania but I would have like for McGillicutty to stick around. I think he can actually work. Hopefully we do see the end of David Ortunga next week.
Possibly maybe Harris and McGillicutty come back as a tag team after Mania but that is wishful thinking.

Divas Match
Bathroom break- lol

Shawn Micheals Responds to Mania Match
Shawn Micheals gave his reaction to the Triple H and Undertaker match at Mania. His bestfriend trying do what he couldn't do and end the Undertaker's streak. Micheals says he has mixed emotions but is rooting for Hunter. Hopefully in the coming weeks this will stir up some interesting things.


The Rock responds to John Cena's Rap


Daniel Bryan Squashed By the Miz
William Regal and Daniel Bryan were booked for a match that ended in no contest due to the Miz beating Bryan down before the match. There was nothing to like about this scenario. It does nothing for the US title and just makes the champion look weak.


John Cena vs Alex Riley
Cena took on Alex Riley with the stipulation that if Riley lost that he could no longer work for the Miz. In response to a challenge made by Cena to the Miz to win their WWE title match on his own. The GM decided that the match would be fair if it was a steel cage match.
The 2 actually had a pretty good match. The highlight was the Miz tweeting from the annouce table and taking a twitpic of Cena's face being grinded against the cage. I think that it was very innovative to do this during a live a event.
The match featured a Cena trying to get out of the cage continually being stopped by the Miz. Cena eventually gets out of the cage but going SuperCena and pushing the door open despite the Miz standing there trying to stop him. As Cena escaped the cage to only receive a skull krushing finale from the Miz. With Riley no longer employed by the Miz we willl see how he moves forward going towards Wrestlemania.


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