The W
Views: 179011109
Main | FAQ | Search: Y! / G | Color chart | Log in for more!
28.3.17 1017
The 7 - Pro Wrestling - Verne Gagne RIP
This thread has 2 referrals leading to it
Register and log in to post!
(606 newer) Next thread | Previous thread
User
Post (9 total)
edoug
Summer sausage
Level: 48

Posts: 445/447
EXP: 810183
For next: 13365

Since: 13.2.04
From: Maine

Since last post: 3206 days
Last activity: 176 days
#1 Posted on 27.4.15 2202.01
Reposted on: 27.4.22 2203.13
Mean Gene just tweeted:



(edited by CRZ on 27.4.15 2237)
Promote this thread!
StaggerLee
Scrapple
Level: 161

Posts: 6456/7105
EXP: 53050607
For next: 1062626

Since: 3.10.02
From: Right side of the tracks

Since last post: 937 days
Last activity: 937 days
#2 Posted on 28.4.15 0802.14
Reposted on: 28.4.22 0803.20
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/04/27/minnesota-wrestling-icon-verne-gagne-dead-at-89/

I didn't get to see the AWA until way after its glory days, when it ended up on ESPN, but the history of AWA DVD was pretty remarkable. I have wondered if Vince had a special hard on for Verne. He took virtually every viable wrestler from the AWA and did next to nothing with them (except HBK and Ventura and of course Hennig).

Either way, sad day for Wrestling.

Sec19Row53
Lap cheong
Level: 89

Posts: 1597/1765
EXP: 6682216
For next: 233712

Since: 2.1.02
From: Oconomowoc, WI

Since last post: 31 days
Last activity: 1 day
#3 Posted on 28.4.15 0827.56
Reposted on: 28.4.22 0829.01

And there was that Terry Bollea guy - wonder whatever happened to him.

Bummer.
StaggerLee
Scrapple
Level: 161

Posts: 6457/7105
EXP: 53050607
For next: 1062626

Since: 3.10.02
From: Right side of the tracks

Since last post: 937 days
Last activity: 937 days
#4 Posted on 28.4.15 0844.18
Reposted on: 28.4.22 0859.01
Well, he had been in WWWF before, and Japan, and Florida, not like he was soley an AWA guy before. The fact that he bounced around so much,and Verne wouldn't put the belt on him shows that Vince knew how to market a guy with a limited skills set.
KJames199
Scrapple
Moderator
Level: 135

Posts: 3987/4714
EXP: 29208029
For next: 127052

Since: 10.12.01
From: #yqr

Since last post: 226 days
Last activity: 8 days
#5 Posted on 28.4.15 1110.03
Reposted on: 28.4.22 1114.55
    Originally posted by StaggerLee
    Verne wouldn't put the belt on (Hogan)
I thought that for a long time too, but Verne couldn't put the belt on him. Hogan was under contract to New Japan.

    Originally posted by Meltzer in Meltzerese
    The Verne giving the title to Hogan story took on a life of its own.

    Verne had a contract with Baba where he would send him talent. Hogan came to the AWA with a prior contract to New Japan. Verne could have put the title on Hogan but he'd then have to beat Hogan when it was time to send the AWA champion to Japan. Since Hogan wasn't willing to job to anyone, at any time, due to that same New Japan contract, it was impossible. Verne wanted Hogan to switch sides and make him champion but he wouldn't. There was no decision for Verne to make. People who have theorized about Verne being stubborn or thinking Nick should be champion or that Hogan shouldn't, or whatever, have zero understanding of the situation as it was at the time. The factors were existing contracts made it impossible unless Hogan would have gone to All Japan, and he didn't want to do so, and I'm not sure it would have been in his best interest to be on the side that already had Hansen, Brody, The Funks, Mascaras, etc. Plus, had Verne put the title on Hogan, Hogan still would have bolted, only as the champion, with no notice anyway, who never lost, which would have been worse for Verne.
Mr Heel II
Lap cheong
Level: 84

Posts: 1517/1559
EXP: 5528530
For next: 133446

Since: 25.2.02

Since last post: 1891 days
Last activity: 1627 days
#6 Posted on 28.4.15 1357.40
Reposted on: 28.4.22 1358.59
It was really sad watching the AWA's decline in the late eighties. A good chunk of my favorite wrestlers came out of, or were largely associated with, the AWA.

Everyone seemed to know Verne's era was going to come to an end, but we didn't really want it to.
HMD
Andouille
Level: 96

Posts: 2115/2131
EXP: 8778715
For next: 210104

Since: 8.6.02
From: Canada

Since last post: 2541 days
Last activity: 2541 days
#7 Posted on 28.4.15 1536.54
Reposted on: 28.4.22 1537.33
    Originally posted by StaggerLee
    Well, he had been in WWWF before, and Japan, and Florida, not like he was soley an AWA guy before. The fact that he bounced around so much,and Verne wouldn't put the belt on him shows that Vince knew how to market a guy with a limited skills set.


He'd worked other territories, sure, but Hulk put together the formula that made him the biggest star in the business under the tutelage of Verne. "Hulkamania" was born in the AWA. Verne got plenty of mileage out of him too. It wasn't like tons of people didn't see dollar signs when they looked at Hogan.
LostInUbe
Cotechino
Level: 25

Posts: 78/94
EXP: 80491
For next: 9130

Since: 19.11.02
From: Ube, Japan

Since last post: 3005 days
Last activity: 2637 days
#8 Posted on 29.4.15 0504.41
Reposted on: 29.4.22 0506.16


That also ignores guys like Okerlund and Heenan. And Yokozuna. Jesse Ventura did fairly well for himself too.
AWArulz
Scrapple
Level: 125

Posts: 3470/3909
EXP: 21988816
For next: 465411

Since: 28.1.02
From: Louisville, KY

Since last post: 100 days
Last activity: 100 days
Y!:
#9 Posted on 29.4.15 0543.33
Reposted on: 29.4.22 0551.39
Besides his skill as a promoter and booker, lets not forget he was a big draw wrestling in the 50s and even into the 60s. He was AAU national champ in 48 and drew the hell out of the world through the 50s, with massive battles against all the greats of the era.

and he trained Dick the Bruiser. All I need to know.

Has anyone seen the original"The Wrestler"? Good Verne stuff.
ALL ORIGINAL POSTS IN THIS THREAD ARE NOW AVAILABLE
Thread ahead: King of the Ring 2015
Next thread: TNA's Smashing Announcement
Previous thread: PS news/releases: April 2015
(606 newer) Next thread | Previous thread
Related threads: R.I.P. Roscoe P. Coltrane - RIP El Hijo del Perro Aguayo - Leonard Nimoy 1931-2015 - More...
The 7 - Pro Wrestling - Verne Gagne RIPRegister and log in to post!

The W™ message board - 7 year recycle

ZimBoard
©2001-2024 Brothers Zim
This old hunk of junk rendered your page in 0.338 seconds.