Originally posted by Zeruelhead trainer Rip Rodgers (who I never heard of until now).
Rip Rodgers wrestled on the very first live event I went to when I was 6 years old, Christmas Eve of 1983. He was feuding with Rick McCord at the time, which culminated in a match where the loser had to wear an "I Am A Nerd" t-shirt. (That would have been a great stipulation for Daniel Bryan vs Miz prior to titles becoming involved.)
Interesting profile. Of course, it begs the question, have so many big names come from OVW because the training is so good or because of the partnership with WWE that fed them great prospects? It's not like John Cena or Randy Orton got their starts or initial training in OVW. On the other hand, Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley did get their initial training at OVW and both folded. (But to OVW's credit, Dolph Ziggler got his initial training at OVW and while John Morrison obviously started out on Tough Enough, he built up his fundamentals in Louisville.)
One also has to wonder how much of the credit for the big names that have come out of OVW belongs to Rip Rogers. For instance, the last three guys I mentioned were all trained by Lance Storm. Cornette being the booker during most of those guy's OVW tenure can't have hurt them, either. (Did Cornette get rehired as booker after the split from WWE or is Wikipedia just that far out of date?) Wikipedia also says that Al Snow is in charge of teaching "Psychology / Advanced Methodology" which, if accurate, is probably great for the students.
I'm sure OVW is an excellent place to train but I don't know if I would go so far as to call it the Harvard of Professional Wrestling. It remains to be seen how successful they become, but four of Lance Storm's trainees from the Storm Wrestling Academy are currently in FCW under developmental contracts. I imagine that's a strong candidate for the ivy league of wrestling.
On a side note, regarding the legally blind albino Samoan, while I'm sure that has gimmick potential far beyond Tenacious Z, someone really should break it to him about Sheamus.
Rip Rogers was a great heel, doing an fey gimmick, often with wife Brenda (don't call her "Flea Bag") Britton. He worked in places like the Maritimes and Indianapolis and notably Alabama, where he feuded with Adrian Street. He was also a job guy for quite a while in WCW.
Rip Rogers and Ted Oates were a version of "The Hollywood Blondes" around 1985 and were the top tag team in Georgia. There's a great YouTube video of them against the Lightning Express.
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Originally posted by InVerseI'm sure OVW is an excellent place to train but I don't know if I would go so far as to call it the Harvard of Professional Wrestling. It remains to be seen how successful they become, but four of Lance Storm's trainees from the Storm Wrestling Academy are currently in FCW under developmental contracts. I imagine that's a strong candidate for the ivy league of wrestling.
If you're going to deny OVW, what would get the nod? And don't tell me a 2 year old school that has so far produced zero stars.
If not OVW I'd have to say the Hart Dungeon. Stu himself doesn't even get most of the credit from Bret for his career, but the place has given us a lot of great talents.
Originally posted by odessasteps Rip Rogers was a great heel, doing an fey gimmick, often with wife Brenda (don't call her "Flea Bag") Britton. He worked in places like the Maritimes and Indianapolis and notably Alabama, where he feuded with Adrian Street. He was also a job guy for quite a while in WCW.
The name is familiar - was he ever in Global? I seem to remember the name from the old ESPN shows when I was growing up.
Originally posted by wannaberockstarThe name is familiar - was he ever in Global? I seem to remember the name from the old ESPN shows when I was growing up.
Indeed he was. In fact, he was a member of The Cartel (aka the original NWO) along with Mick Foley, Raven and Makhan Singh.
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