:: latest profiles
:: HULK HOGAN
In 1981, Hogan reached a major crossroads when he was contacted to play the role of "Thunderlips" in Sylvester Stallone's film, "Rocky III." McMahon Snr forbade it, and when Hogan took the role anyway, McMahon blacklisted him from the territory. Hogan made his return to wrestling for Verne Gagne's American Wrestling Association as a heel, but the fans warmed to him quickly and he became a fan favourite. He feuded with Jerry Blackwell and then received shots at the AWA World Heavyweight Title, held by Nick Bockwinkle. Hogan's soon-to-be-world-famous mannerisms - like the ripping of his shirts before matches - started here, as well as the first references to "Hulkamania." This was also the first time Hogan matched wits with Bobby Heenan, who would be a regular antagonist throughout his career. Despite his popularity, Gagne never put the title on Hogan, and there were disagreements over money. In 1982, Senior began the process of passing the torch to his son Vince Junior, the latter of which was willing to lift the blacklisting of Hogan in the North-East. At the end of 1983, Hogan jumped to the World Wrestling Federation. << Read Profile
In 1981, Hogan reached a major crossroads when he was contacted to play the role of "Thunderlips" in Sylvester Stallone's film, "Rocky III." McMahon Snr forbade it, and when Hogan took the role anyway, McMahon blacklisted him from the territory. Hogan made his return to wrestling for Verne Gagne's American Wrestling Association as a heel, but the fans warmed to him quickly and he became a fan favourite. He feuded with Jerry Blackwell and then received shots at the AWA World Heavyweight Title, held by Nick Bockwinkle. Hogan's soon-to-be-world-famous mannerisms - like the ripping of his shirts before matches - started here, as well as the first references to "Hulkamania." This was also the first time Hogan matched wits with Bobby Heenan, who would be a regular antagonist throughout his career. Despite his popularity, Gagne never put the title on Hogan, and there were disagreements over money. In 1982, Senior began the process of passing the torch to his son Vince Junior, the latter of which was willing to lift the blacklisting of Hogan in the North-East. At the end of 1983, Hogan jumped to the World Wrestling Federation. << Read Profile
:: DUTCH MANTELL
With prize-fighting being a popular pastime in Australia, he took up boxing at fifteen, and later wrestling under the tutelage of veteran, Dan McCloud. Prior to a fight in Melbourne, he attracted the attention of Shakespearean actor, Robert B. Mantell, who offered to be his second for the bout. Mantell became his benefactor and were so inseparable he was referred to as "Mantell's Boy." As a result, when deciding on an easier-to-pronounce moniker, Alfred came up with the first name 'Dutch' - due to his strong Deutsch (German) accent - and last name 'Mantell.'
<< Read Profile
With prize-fighting being a popular pastime in Australia, he took up boxing at fifteen, and later wrestling under the tutelage of veteran, Dan McCloud. Prior to a fight in Melbourne, he attracted the attention of Shakespearean actor, Robert B. Mantell, who offered to be his second for the bout. Mantell became his benefactor and were so inseparable he was referred to as "Mantell's Boy." As a result, when deciding on an easier-to-pronounce moniker, Alfred came up with the first name 'Dutch' - due to his strong Deutsch (German) accent - and last name 'Mantell.'
<< Read Profile
:: BRUNO SAMMARTINO
Bruno Sammartino was born in the small village of Pizzoferrato in Abruzzi, Italy, in 1935. The youngest of seven children, only he, a brother and a sister were still alive when World War II broke out in September, 1939. His father Alfonso immigrated to the United States and settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Due to the war, the family did not reunite with Alfonso until 1950. While Nazi Germany occupied their village (for fourteen months), the family hid in a mountain called Valla Rocca. << Read Profile
Bruno Sammartino was born in the small village of Pizzoferrato in Abruzzi, Italy, in 1935. The youngest of seven children, only he, a brother and a sister were still alive when World War II broke out in September, 1939. His father Alfonso immigrated to the United States and settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Due to the war, the family did not reunite with Alfonso until 1950. While Nazi Germany occupied their village (for fourteen months), the family hid in a mountain called Valla Rocca. << Read Profile
:: André THE GIANT
André René Roussimoff was born on May 19, 1946, in the small town of Molien, in north-central France, to a Bulgarian father and Polish mother. By the age of twelve, he stood over six feet tall and weighed over two hundred pounds, and excelled in sports, particularly football (soccer) and rugby. At the age of eighteen, he left home for Paris, determined never to return until he had made a name for himself. There he was discovered and trained by local wrestling promoter Robert Lageat. << Read Profile
André René Roussimoff was born on May 19, 1946, in the small town of Molien, in north-central France, to a Bulgarian father and Polish mother. By the age of twelve, he stood over six feet tall and weighed over two hundred pounds, and excelled in sports, particularly football (soccer) and rugby. At the age of eighteen, he left home for Paris, determined never to return until he had made a name for himself. There he was discovered and trained by local wrestling promoter Robert Lageat. << Read Profile
:: latest articles
:: WWWF/WWF WORLD TITLE HISTORY
From Bruno to Hogan, from Austin to The Rock (1963-2000) << Read Article
From Bruno to Hogan, from Austin to The Rock (1963-2000) << Read Article
:: WCW CRUISERWEIGHT DIVISION - A BRIEF HISTORY
One of the most exciting things about World Championship Wrestling in the mid-late 1990s was their incredible Cruiserweight division. While there is no doubt the New World Order, Sting and Flair drew the audiences, the Cruiserweight division became a big part of WCW events, with a wide array of talent on show. While the WWF at times only dabbled in a Light-heavyweight division, WCW's Cruiserweights flourished and nobody has arguably come close to matching it since. << Read Article
One of the most exciting things about World Championship Wrestling in the mid-late 1990s was their incredible Cruiserweight division. While there is no doubt the New World Order, Sting and Flair drew the audiences, the Cruiserweight division became a big part of WCW events, with a wide array of talent on show. While the WWF at times only dabbled in a Light-heavyweight division, WCW's Cruiserweights flourished and nobody has arguably come close to matching it since. << Read Article
:: AUSTIN 3:16 IS BORN
The King of the Ring was one of the most prestigious pay-per-views on the WWF calendar. The purpose of the tournament was to crown a new star for the company, and there is arguably been no more memorable winner of King of the Ring than "Stonecold" Steve Austin. His meteoric rise, which had been simmering for some time after casting off the 'Ringmaster' character, now boiled over as he spoke to Michael Hayes at his 'coronation.' << Read Article
The King of the Ring was one of the most prestigious pay-per-views on the WWF calendar. The purpose of the tournament was to crown a new star for the company, and there is arguably been no more memorable winner of King of the Ring than "Stonecold" Steve Austin. His meteoric rise, which had been simmering for some time after casting off the 'Ringmaster' character, now boiled over as he spoke to Michael Hayes at his 'coronation.' << Read Article
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