Thursday, December 31, 2020

2020 My Year of Wrestling in Review

 2020 was not a good year for me when it comes to attending live wrestling events.  This year I made it to four live wrestling show and you can read about them below:

Two Limitless, one Let's Wrestle! before the pandemic and an outside NAWA show during a downtrend of the pandemic.  There were a few other live shows here in Maine but I either didn't feel they would be safe or the card didn't encourage me to make the drive.

The last time I went to this few shows in a year was all the way back to 1996 when I went to just one.  That show in question was a WWE House Show at the Augusta Civic Center on March 1st featuring WWE Champion: Bret Hart, The Undertaker, Davey Boy Smith, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Ringmaster Steve Austin, Goldust, and more.  I went to this show with my Cousin Rob, we weren't family by blood he was my then step-fathers sister-in-laws grandson...so we decided on cousins.  Rob and I went to a few wrestling shows together and watched a lot of PPV's.  Sadly he passed away this year in September .  We had drifted apart over the last several years as our lives went in different directions but we had a lot of great time together, even working together for a couple years.

I released two books on Amazon compiling some of the best posts on this blog, you can buy them here.  Or you can contact me directly for signed copies.  I've also been working on another wrestling book that I am hoping to have out in early 2021.  

AEW & WWE managed to produce new wrestling every week during the pandemic while independent and other world wide promotions had to stop running shows for several months.  On the independent side a few states allowed shows to be run again and thanks to Fite.TV and IWTV we were had opportunities to see a lot of our favorite indie wrestlers perform.  My buddy Mikey and I went on a tear this year winning many free promo codes for shows on Fite including several GCW, Synergy, and even Impact's Bound For Glory.  

I do miss wrestling with fans, imagine Edge's return at the Royal Rumble this year with no fans for that amazing response that he received.  AEW has been doing a great job with their weekly show and has become can't miss wrestling for me.  WWE on the other hand has been extremely hit and miss with me when it comes to all of their brands.  It's one thing to pipe in fake ambient crowd noise but to have "this is awesome" chants or even worse the "Thank You Pat" chant after Mr. Patterson died ruins the viewing experience for me.  Which sucks because there have been some great matches but the fake crowd prevents me from getting into it.  Indie promotions as a whole didn't do a great job in running socially distant shows, although a few of them did.

New Japan Pro Wrestling took a four month hiatus from end of February to mid June returning with shows with limited fans.  As time went by in Japan the size of the audience has expanded.  They have been cranking out solid product even getting annual tournaments: The New Japan Cup, G1 Climax, Best of the Super Juniors XXVII, and the World Tag League.  They even had a weekly show that aired on Friday nights from California where they ran the Super J Cup one night tournament.  The only annual tournaments they didn't get in was the Young Lions Cup and the Super Junior Tag League. 

I'm very much looking forward to Wrestle Kingdom 15 on January 4th & 5th.  If' I'm being honest the cards aren't the greatest, but I'm sure we will get some outstanding matches. 

AAA Lucha Libre Worldwide stop running shows in March, then did a day of tapings in April called Lucha Fighter.  This was very unique as it was men's, women's, and mini's tournament featuring their luchadores in singles matches, not the typical trios matches.  They took a six month hiatus and came back in October with Auto Luchas.

Auto Luchas was held at the Autodromo Hermano Rodriquez, which is a large racetrack located in Mexico City.  The matches took place on an elevated stage and fans attended like it was a drive in theater, watching from their vehicles.  AAA closed out their year on December 12th with TripleMania XXVIII with no fans.  It was a solid show!  

I always have a hard time picking my favorite matches of the year because what makes a great match is so subjective and with cinematic matches this year it adds a new twist to it.  However here are some of the matches I really enjoyed this year, and I'm sure I've forgotten about many others that I dug:

Wrestle Kingdom 14: Okada vs. Naito and Okada vs. Ibushi

2020 Men's Royal Rumble Match

February 19 AEW Dynamite
World Tag Team Champions: Kenny Omega & Hangman Page vs. Lucha Bros

February 22 Limitless Wrestling: Practice What You Preach
Kris Statlander vs. Jody Threat

February 29 AEW Revolution
World Tag Team Champions: Kenny Omega & Hangman Page vs. The Young Bucks

July 16 AEW Dynamite
No Disqualification: TNT Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. Eddie Kingston

September 10 AEW Dynamite
Parking Lot Fight: Beast Friends vs. Santana & Ortiz


September 19 - October 18 G1 Climax 30
Tomohiro Ishii, was the MVP of the tournament with outstanding matches

October 7 AEW Dynamite
Dog Collar Match: TNT Championship: Mr. Brodie Lee vs. Cody Rhodes

October 25 WWE Hell in a Cell
Hell in a Cell I Quit Match: Universal Champion: Roman Reign vs. Jey Uso

October 29 
NXT UK Championship: Walter vs. Ilja Dragunov

November 7 AEW Full Gear
World Tag Team Champions: FTR vs. The Young Bucks

November 14 ICW: No Holds Barred
Meng vs. Shlak

December 6 NXT TakeOver: Wargames IV
The Undisputed ERA vs. Pete Dunne, Pat McAfee, Danny Burch, & Oney Lorcan

December 11 NJPW Best of the Super Juniors XXVII Finals
Hiromu Takahashi vs. El Desperado

December 12 AAA TripleMania XXVIII
AAA Mega Championship: Kenny Omega vs. Laredo Kid

Thunder Rosa vs. Serena Deeb
9/2: AEW Dark, 10/21: UWN Prime Time Live, & 11/18: AEW Dynamite

December 30, 2020 AEW Dynamite
Brodie Lee Tribute show, the entire show was amazing!


Again these are only a fraction of the great matches that I saw this year, these are the ones that stand out to me as I sit here and type this.  

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page, check out my weekly podcast The Wrestling Insomniac on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network and while your at it pick up my book over at Amazon in Kindle or Paperback.

Until next time!!

Full Results to the 1996 show:

March 1, 1996 Civic Center Augusta, ME
The Godwinns: Henry & Phinneas defeated The Bodydonnas: Skip & Zip with Sunny
Duke “The Dumpster” Drose pinned Hunter Hearst Helmsley
“The Ringmaster” Steve Austin pinned Marty Jannetty

Owen Hart pinned Scott Taylor (sub. for Yokozuna) following an enzuiguri

Savio Vega (sub. for Razor Ramon) defeated Intercontinental Champion: Goldust via count-out when he walked to the back

The 1-2-3 Kid pinned Bob Holly at the 10-second mark with a spin kick

Ahmed Johnson defeated Tatanka
World Champion: Bret “The Hitman” Hart defeated the Undertaker via count-out when Goldust interfered piledriving Taker on the floor; Diesel was also scheduled to be part of the match, making it a 3-way, but was unable to wrestle due to injury

“Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels pinned “The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith with sweet chin music

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Faby Apache

Faby Apache is one of the greatest women wrestlers in the word and quite possible the greatest Luchadora of all time.  Part of the famed Mexican wrestling Apache family, she along with her sister Mari Apache and Step-Mother Lady Apache, was trained by her father Gran Apache.  She began her in ring career in January 1998 under a make as Lady Venom.

As Lady Venom courteous of Faby Apache

In March 1998 she and her sister Mari debuted in Japan for the ARSION joshi promotion staying in Japan through the end of May 1999. While with ARSION she continued her training with Aja Kong and Mariko Yoshida.  From October to December 1998 Faby teamed with her sister Mary in Twin Tags of ARSION League to crown the first tag team champions.  It was a round robin tournament consisting of seven teams, Faby & Mary finished in 4th place with six points.

In June 1999 She returned to Mexico wrestling for the Lucha Libra AAA Worldwide promotion where her father Gran Apache was a trainer and active wrestler.  She competed in the promotion for the remainder of the year.  

In January 2000 she returned to ARSION wrestling full time for the promotion until June 2002.  She competed in the Sky of ARSION League 2001 tournament which lasted from September 11, 2001 until October 27, 2001.  Faby winning six matches and losing two en route to the finals where she defeated noki-A to win the vacant Sky High of ARSION Championship.  She would go on to hold the title for 113 days.

Also during this time in Japan she competed on a CMLL promoted event in Japan at Korakuen Hall on August 4, 2000 teaming with her sister Mary defeating Ayako Hamada & Linda Star.  She teamed with Ayako Hamanda in the Twin Tags of ARSION League 2001 earning five points finishing in 3rd place.  The tournament lasted from November 3rd to December 8th.  On June 7, 2002 she competed on a New Japan Pro Wrestling show in a rare women's match at the Nippon Budokan.  It was a 10 woman tag team encounter where Faby's team came out on the losing end. 

Mary & Faby Apache

September 1, 2002 she returned to AAA teaming with Lady Apache defeating Cynthia and Esther Moreno.  She has stayed in Mexico with Lucha Libre AAA being her home promotion to this day, but has also competed in some Mexican and United States Independents over the years. In January 2005 she competed on a AAA promoted show at Korakuen Hall, and while in Japan wrestled for JWP.

On August 1, 2004 she and her father Gran Apache won the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championships.  They would hold the titles for 350 days vacating them on July 17, 2005 as Faby was on maternity leave.  She would hold the titles a total of four times for a combined 1086 days with partners Aero Star, Pimpinela Escarlata, and Drago.

Gran Apache

In 2004 she wrestled a one off in a multi-person tag team match for Hustle at the Yokohama Arena in Japan.  She wrestled another one off match for Pro Wrestling NOAH in 2007.  This was another multi-person tag team match in Tokyo, Japan.

In 2005 her then real life husband luchador Billy Boy became involved in a storyline where Gran Apache did not approve of Billy Boy stating he was not worthy to be with Faby.  This lead a long standing feud that pitted Faby against her family for many years.  Billy Boy began wrestling under a mask as Alfa where he earned Gran Apaches respect stating Alfa would be a good husband for Faby.  Alfa then unmasked revealing himself to be Billy Boy angering Gran Apache.  

Faby Apache & Billy Boy

Faby's feud with her sister Mary Apache came to a head at TripleMania XVI, June 13, 2008, in Lucha de Apuestas Hair vs. Hair match.  In a very emotional match Faby defeated her sister Mary, however their father Gran Apache begged for Faby to shave his head in place of Mary ending the feud reuniting the family.

In her career to date Faby has competed in five Lucha de Apuestas matches, winning the hair of La Hechicera in 2002, May Flowers in 2003, & Mary in 2008.  She lost her hair to Sexy Star in 2009 and Lady Shani in 2018 at TripleMania XXVI in a very violent and bloody fight.

The AAA event Guerra de Titanes took place on December 6, 2008 in Orizaba, Mexico at Plaza de toros La Concordia.  At this event Faby and Gran Apache were defeated by Cynthia  Moreno and El Oriental when Faby was pinned by El Oriental.  Billy Boy came to the ring berating Faby who slapped him.  Billy Boy then turned on Faby body slamming her, stomping on her, and dragging her around by her hair before being chased off by Gran Apache.  This lead to Faby feuding with Billy Boy for the next few years.

Faby won her first AAA Reina de Reinas Championship on May 25, 2008 in a triple threat match tournament final defeating Mary Apache and Ayako Hamada to win the vacant title.  She would hold the title for 486 days losing it to Sexy Star in a "bull terrier" match.  A dog collar match where to win you have to tag all the turnbuckles.  Faby would hold the title a total of three times for 1,314 days, most recently for 310 days in 2018. 

Her first match in the United States I can find is in 2007 at a AAA promoted event in Fort Worth, Texas.  In 2009 she wrestled in Las Vegas, Nevada, San Diego & Los Angeles, California.  July 11, 2015 she wrestled at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England at Lucha Future 2015.  

In 2017 she along with her sister Mari and father Gran Apache they officially held the AAA World Trios Championships for 47 days.  

2018 was a big year for Faby as she returned to Japan wrestling for Stardom, returned to the United States wrestling in New York City and Fort Worth, Texas.  She debuted for Impact Wrestling defeating Alisha Edwards but coming up short against Tessa Blanchard for the Knockouts Title and wrestled on a AAA promoted event in Bogota, Columbia. She was ranked number 58 in the 2018 Pro Wrestling Illustrated 100 Women Wrestlers. 

2019 she returned to the United States first appearing at WrestleCon where I had the pleasure of meeting her.  A week later she wrestled in New York at an American Luchas event. She appeared on Impact Wrestling in August, and later in the month wrestled in the All Elite Wrestling Casino Battle Royal at All Out in Chicago, Illinois.  

On September 15th she wrestled at the AAA promoted AAA Invading New York event at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.  She was ranked number 44 in the 2019 Pro Wrestling Illustrated 100 Women Wrestlers. 

After winning the CTLL Diva Texana Championship

On June 15, 2019 in Houston, Texas Faby defeated Christi Jaynes to win the CTLL (Consejo Texano de Lucha Libre) Diva Texana Championship.  With this title win Faby has held championships in three different countries; Japan, Mexico, & the United States.  For a short time in 2009 she held the Reina de Reinas Championship and World Mixed Tag Team Championships simultaneously.  She did it again in 2013 - 2104 holding both titles for 274 days.  

Double Champion

She won the KOAZ Lucha Libre Copa Martha Villalobos in Monterrey, Mexico on October 20, 2019 defeating Lady Shani, La Hiedra, and Vanilla in a Fatal Four Way match.  

She has wrestled in the Main Event on several shows however in Japan she main event the world famous Korakuen Hall on two occasions: 

November 3, 2001 Lioness Asuka & noki-A defeated Ayako Hamada & Faby Apache

January 13, 2001 UWA World Women's Tag Team Championship: Las Cachorras Orientales: EtsukoMita & Mima Shimoda defeated Ayako Hamada & Faby Apache 

Faby & I at WrestleCon April 2019 New York City

Faby Apache is one of the best and toughest wrestlers in the world.  She has headlined Mexico and Japan and I think if she was given the opportunity here in the United States could have become one of the biggest stars.  

There is an amazing documentary on YouTube called Lucha - More Than the Fight! that Faby is featured in along with Vampiro and El Hijo del Fantasma this is subtitled.  You can hear her thoughts on women in wrestling and about her feud with Mary.


If you are not familiar with Faby then you should take the time to watch some of the matches I have linked below, you can find more matches of hers on YouTube and Vimeo as well.

Faby Apache vs. Mary Apache hair vs. hair

Reina de Reinas: Faby Apache vs. Lady Shani

Steel Cage: Faby Apache & Aero Star vs. Billy Boy & Sexy Star

Faby Apache vs Hades

Faby Apache vs Karen Q from NYC

Faby & Mary Apache vs. Akino & Ayako Hamada

Faby Apache vs Alisha Edwards -Impact Wrestling

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page, check out my weekly podcast The Wrestling Insomniac on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network and while your at it pick up my book over at Amazon in Kindle or Paperback.

Until next time!!

Friday, December 18, 2020

The Wrestling Insomniac Books

Now's your chance to get both volumes of the Wrestling Insomniac books autographed for one low price!! 


I have five sets of books available for $17 which includes shipping!  Email me at labbemichaelj@gmail.com for more information. 

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page, check out my weekly podcast The Wrestling Insomniac on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network and while your at it pick up my book over at Amazon in Kindle or Paperback.

Until next time!!

Monday, December 14, 2020

WCW Monday Nitro June 9, 1997

I recently sat down and re-watched the June 9, 1997 Monday Nitro from the then Fleetcenter in Boston, Massachusetts.  This was my first ever live World Championship Wrestling event and the only Nitro I ever went too.  Back in 2017 I wrote a post about the time my Buddy Jay & I stood outside overnight to buy the tickets we got to the show, we got second row.

It's been many many years since I watched the show in it's entirety.  This was the go home show for the Great American Bash so almost every segment was to build for the Pay-Per-View.  We got two dark matches before the show went live on TNT.  Ice Train defeated Damien 666 and Glacier pinned Mortis.

We get the standard opening pyro with Tony Schiavone, Mike Tenay, & Larry Zbyzko welcoming us.  We cut to a pre-tape with with a limo arriving.  Miss Elizabeth gets out and DDP attacks the Limo trying to get at Savage.  DDP then, on his third attempt, kicks the rear door window out of the limo and unlocks the door opening it.  As he goes to get into Liz slams the door on him twice and the limo speeds away. 

Lucha Rules Six Man Tag: Ultimo Dragon, Juventude Guerrera, & Super Calo vs. Silver King, Psychosis & La Parka

This match was one giant botch fest!  My memory of this match was very positive and I was excited to see a Lucha rules six man tag, but man it was simply not good.  An interesting note from the match was this was Silver King's debut in WCW for this run.  He had one match prior in 1992 under a mask as Silver King in the NWA World Tag Team Title Tournament.   Dragon submitted Psychosis with the Dragon Sleeper.

"Mean" Gene interview with Lex Luger in the aisle

Luger comes out and says that the WCW Executive committee has states that Hogan hasn't defended his WCW World Championship since February so he is going to face Luger tonight.

Pre-Tape

We cut to earlier when Mike Tenay was out back as the limo of "Nature Boy" Ric Flair & "Rowdy" Roddy Piper arrive talking about their match tonight with the Outsiders.

Alex Wright vs. "Lion Heart" Chris Jericho

This was okay, a couple wonky spots but nothing special.  Wright pinned Jericho with his feet on the ropes.  This was Jericho's first match back in WCW after competing in New Japan Pro Wrestling at Best of the Super Junior's IV tournament.   

Mike Tenay states that Hogan will be defending the WCW World Championship tonight against Lex Luger.  Schiavone states it will happen in hour number one. 

WCW Women's World Champion: Akria Hokuto with Sonny Onoo vs. Malia Hosaka

Very fast match, mostly a squash really with Hokuto getting the pin after a version of the Michinoku Driver.  After the bell she continues attacking Hosaka until Madusa makes the save hitting Hokuto with three german suplexs.  



Steiner Brothers promo

The Steiner Brothers came out for an interview with "Mean" Gene Okerlund in the aisle at the bottom of the entrance ramp.  Shortly into the interview Harlem Heat with Sister Sherri came out and fight broke out until the referees broke it up.

Konan vs. Steve "Mongo" McMichael with Debra

This never got going, Konan came out first and while McMichael was make his entrance he was attacked by Kevin Greene and the two brawled in the aisle way.  In the ring Hugh Morrus broke a broom over Konan's head.  On TV we just see Konan laid out in the ring with a mystery person having hit him, they apparently didn't get it on camera.  Referee Nick Patrick announces this is a no contest.

Before going to commercial the announced that the Hogan vs. Luger match is now non-title.

Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff in ring promo.

Bischoff and Hogan start off by saying they are not going to wrestle tonight.  Instead he's going to give them a pose down.  While posing Lex Luger comes out to confront Hogan.  Hogan says that Luger's jealous of Hogan's physique.  While Bischoff is talking trash Luger pie faces him and goes after Hogan, Randy Anderson slips in the ring and calls for the bell.

Non-Title: WCW World Champion: "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan vs. Lex Luger

Luger clears Hogan out of the ring and immediately Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, & Syxx run to the ring.  Hogan get's back in the ring and takes of offense to Luger.  The Match is only about three minutes with Hogan dominating most of it.  Once Luger took control Hall, Nash & Syxx hit the ring but Luger easily fended them all off.  He then put Hogan in the torture rack for the submission, with the nWo getting the better of Luger.  

In a cool set up of timing when Hogan hit's a leg drop on Luger the pyro goes off signaling the second hour of Nitro had begun.  Hogan hit about a half dozen leg drops on Luger.

JJ Dillon with "Mean" Gene Okerlund in ring

Dillon is in the ring to address "Macho Man" Randy Savages behavior from last week fining him $50,000 for attacking JJ Dillon.  Dillon also goes on to say that Savages match with DDP this weekend at the Great American Bash is now a falls count anywhere no holds barred match.  Savage with Miss Elizabeth are in the stands with a microphone telling he's going to come out and attack Dillon again.  DDP comes out (to some terrible music) and wants to fight Savage now.  

Savage pushes through the crowd with security following Savage but they leave Liz to fend for herself in the people.  The second Savage gets to ringside DDP jumps on him, security pulled them apart and the cut to commercial.

Back from commercial we get an On The Road segment with "Stagger" Lee Marshall brought to us by 1-800- Collect. 

WCW United States Champion: "Man of 1,000 Holds" Dean Malenko vs. Jeff Jarrett with Debra

Jay and I were at odds in the match as he was a big Double J fan and I am a huge Malenko fan.  This was the longest match on the show and the best match on the show.  Debra didn't come out with Jarrett at the beginning of the match but did show up a couple minutes into it.  There was a lot of fast action and near falls at the beginning and then it slowed down with Malenko working the leg.  Jarrett hits a tombstone piledriver and then applies the figure four, but Malenko turns it. Eventually the work towards Jarrett hitting Malenko with a superplex.  


Eddie Guerrero then comes through the crowd and steps over the guardrail, he has his arm in a sling. Malenko had defeated Guerrero at Uncensored to win the US Championship.  Guerrero had been out with an injury since that match and this was his return.  Debra gets on the ring apron distracting the referee, Guerrero climbs to the top rope hitting the frogsplash on Malenko and throwing his sling at him showing him that he was injured.  Jarrett then applied the figure four leglock with Malenko tapping out ending his reign at 73 days. 

Jay was happy, I was pissed, but at the same time history was made and I was excited to see a title change in person. 

"Mean" Gene interview with Jimmy Hart in the aisle

Immediately Meng and the Barbarian come out to join them.  Jimmy Hart states that he has Benoit's third and final challenge and Kevin Sullivan comes out with Jacqueline.  Sullivan had been off television for a couple months at this time.  Mean Gene asks where Sullivan has been, with Sullivan stating that he is home at last.  He's from Boston.  Sullivan thanks the people of Boston.  I don't know why because he's a heel.  Sullivan calls Benoit out to fight, Benoit does and the commence to fighting in the aisle.  They triple team Benoit as they cut to commercial.

Non-Title: WCW World Tag Team Champions: Scott Hall & Kevin Nash with Syxx vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair & "Rowdy" Roddy Piper.  

The only time that Jay and I are seen on camera during the show is during Flair's entrance.  While his music is playing and just as the camera fades from the crowd shot to Flair coming out of the entrance you see Jay and I.  

All four men battle at the beginning of the match and then when we come back from commercial break we have the resemblance of a tag match.  About four minutes into the match Syxx gets involved and the referee Mark Curtis calls for the bell disqualifying the Outsiders. 

The Horsemen and rest of the nWo hit the ring, Kevin Greene comes after Mongo, in the aisle the Steiner's and Harlem Heat are fighting.  For some reason Glacier, Mortis, & Wrath are now fighting in the aisle, I know they were feuding but they weren't in anything televised.  The Luchadores are fighting in the aisle, Kevin Sullivan comes out after Benoit,  Savage comes out followed by DDP.  Hogan is out and hits DDP with the Championship belt knocking him to the floor.  Sting comes down from the rafters and fends off the nWo with his baseball bat, hooks onto DDP and they rise up into the rafters.  




This show closes with everyone still brawling.  After they went off the air they brawl quickly ended leaving Flair and Piper in the ring to stand tall for the fans in attendance.  We didn't get any post show Dark Matches. 

The crowd was on fire for this show, they stated sold out over 22,000 fans and we were loving it!

The only other WCW I went to was in 1998 a Saturday Night TV taping at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine. 

All the images used here are captures from the episode from the WWE Network. 

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page, check out my weekly podcast The Wrestling Insomniac on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network and while your at it pick up my book over at Amazon in Kindle or Paperback.

Until next time!!

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Signed Trading Cards: The Grappler, Colt Cabana, & Karen Allen

Here are some recent through the mail success that I added to my collection. 

The Grappler

This card is from the 1983 Wrestling All Stars set.  I mailed this card to Mr. Denton on October 12, 2020 and I got it back on November 5, 2020.   

Colt Cabana

I mailed the two cards on the left to Colt Cabana on October 17, 2020 and got the back on November 2, 2020.  He included the over sized Pro Wrestling Tees card.  The card on the left is from the Starrcast II set and the card on the right is from the Limitless Wrestling Series 2 card set.  

Karen Allen

This card is from the 1981 Indiana Jones trading card set, I believe Topps released this set.  I mailed it to Mrs. Allen on April 20, 2020 and got it back on October 29, 2020.  

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page, check out my weekly podcast The Wrestling Insomniac on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network and while your at it pick up my book over at Amazon in Kindle or Paperback.

Until next time!!

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Signed Trading Cards: Konnan, Psycho Clown, & Hector Guerrero

 Here are some recent through the mail success that I added to my collection. 

Konnan

I mailed these cards to Konnan on October 17, 2020 and got them back signed on November 6, 2020.  The first card, I've been told, is from a Lucha Libre board or tabletop game.  I got this card from Huskerhav's Wrestling Cards but years ago.  He doesn't have them listed any longer.  The second is from the 1999 WCW Topps set, the thirds is from the 2004 TNA Pacific Set, and finally the 2019 Panini AAA Lucha Libre Worldwide set.

Psycho Clown
I mailed the cards to the promoter in New Jersey that brought Psycho Clown in for a show on Halloween night in October.  The first two cards are from the 2019 Panini AAA Lucha Libre Worldwide set, the third card is from the AAA Gamesa set.  

Hector Guerrero

I mailed these cards to Hector Guerrero with his $3 per card fee to sign them on October 24, 2020 and got them back on November 5, 2020.  The first card is from the 2013 TNA Live set and the second card is a custom card of Lazer Tron I made with the Rookies card App.  

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page, check out my weekly podcast The Wrestling Insomniac on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network and while your at it pick up my book over at Amazon in Kindle or Paperback.

Until next time!!

Monday, November 30, 2020

Wrestling With Lockdown November Challenge

 


I saw this on Twitter on November 9th, thought it was cool but decided to put it here as I had already missed a third of the month. 

1) First wrestling you remember seeing?

I don't have a first time I saw wrestling memory, I just know I've always watched wrestling because my Dad did.  Same with my kids, they didn't discover it on their own I've been watching wrestling with them since they were babies.

2) First wrestling show you saw on TV?

Probably WWF Championship Wrestling.  It was definitely the World Wrestling Federation.

3) First Live Wrestling Show?

June 4, 1989

World Wrestling Federation (WWF)

Cumberland County Civic Center

Portland, Maine


Taken by my pal Phil who was front row at this show


Tim Horner defeated Barry Horowitz

The Warlord defeated Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart
Dino Bravo pinned Hercules special referee “Rugged” Ronnie Garvin

“American Dream” Dusty Rhodes (sub. for Jake ‘The Snake” Roberts) defeated “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase

Bret “Hitman” Hart fought Mr. Perfect to a 20-minute time-limit draw

WWF Tag Team Champions: Demolition: Ax & Smash defeated Twin Towers: Big Bossman & Akeem the African Dream

“Macho Man” Randy Savage with “Sensational” Sherri Martel defeated WWF World Champion: Hulk Hogan via count-out


You can read my blog post about this show here.

4) Last Live Wrestling Show?

August 21, 2020

North Atlantic Wrestling Assoc. (NAWA)

Outside at Skip’s Bar

Buxton, Maine


Alexander Lee, taken by me


“Flash” Nick McKenna pinned B.A. Tatum with Owen Brody

The Competition: Champ Mathews & Conner Murphy defeated Allen Prophet JP O’Reilly when Mathews pinned O’Reilly

Cousin Larry pinned Dozer with Coach Beavis with the whoopie cushion

Dale Dalton pinned Owen Brody with B.A. Tatum with an inside cradle reversing a jackhammer attempt

“Lights Out” Lee Miller defeated Kyle Hanson by disqualification

Triple Threat: Malik Logan defeated Blade Bandit and North Atlantic Champion: Alexander Lee pinning Bandit to win the championship

You can read my full report about this show on my blog here.

5) First Wrestling Merch?

It had to be my Hulk Hogan LJN  figure.  However I do remember getting the Wrestling Album VHS and being over the top excited about it.

That is my original figure and championship belt

6) Favorite Babyface?

Ricky Morton of the Rock n' Roll Express has to be the greatest pure babyface of all time.  Yes I know he was a heel as Richard Morton for a couple years but that never worked.

7) Favorite Heel?

The Four Horseman, when they were bad no one was better. 

8) First Wrestling Crush?

9) Scariest Moment?

This is very hard pin down because I've watched so much wrestling in my life.  In recent years on live events though I saw a guy do a shooting star press of the top rope and land on the ring post right in front of me and I thought for sure that he was dead.  He was just fine though.

10) Most Emotional Moment?

Live at WrestleMania XXIV for Ric Flairs "last match" with Shawn Michaels.  A life long Ric Flair fan it was very emotional for me.  

11) Favorite Authority Figure?

I don't really care about authority figures, I'd rather have my wrestling with out them.  However, Teddy Long was consistent and always gave us some great Tag Team Matches.

12) Favorite Wrestling Era?

1983 - 1988 NWA / Jim Crockett Promotions hands down!

13) Favorite Wrestling Podcast/YouTube?

Podcast: The Art of Wrestling with Colt Cabana and YouTube: Being the Elite 

14) Favorite Ring Gear?

I love a good wrestling robe but The Great Muta always brought the awesomeness 

15) Favorite Ring Entrance?

If we are talking everyday entrance not just big events then currently it's Asuka.  

16) Favorite Promo?

That's tough, there are so many great talkers out there in wrestling, today Eddie Kingston is delivering, and Tully Blanchard still has the juice.  Going back in time the Dusty Rhodes Hard Times promo of course stands out.  A few years back Christopher Daniels cut this bad boy before his Ladder Wars tag team match at All Star Extravaganza, incidentally I sat front for that show.  

17) Favorite PPV?

SummerSlam 2002 was an amazing show beginning to end with no bad matches at all. 

18) Most Underrated Wrestler?

Brad Armstrong 

19) Funniest Moment?

I can't pick one, but it probably involved Chuck Taylor in CHIKARA or PWG

20) Best Non-Wrestling Appearance By A Wrestler?

probably Batista as Drax in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

21) Best Manager?

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan

22) Best Wrestling Debut?

In recent years, Shinsuke Nakamura in NXT against Sammy Zayn

23) Best Faction?

The Four Horsemen

24) Best Finisher?

Awesome bomb and Brainbuster 

25) Favorite Tag Team?

Currently FTR, others include Young Bucks, Rock n' Roll Express, Midnight Express, British Bulldogs, Arn & Tully aka The BrainBusters, Americas Most Wanted and more

26) Favorite Use of A Celebrity?

Currently Pat McAfee is doing really well, however Pete Rose was excellent in his multiple WWE appearances. 

27) Most Exciting Wrestling Storyline?

Most emotional was told on BTE with Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi leading toward their tag team match.  Long term story telling that was just great! 

28) Best Comeback?

Shawn Michaels, has to be Michaels coming back after his back injury.  Although if Covid hadn't been a thing Edge would most likely have taken that accolade. 

29) Wrestler You Imitate the Most?

"Nature Boy" Ric Flair

30) Why Do You Love Wrestling?

I can't this easily, I just do and I love it so very much!

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page, check out my weekly podcast The Wrestling Insomniac on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network and while your at it pick up my book over at Amazon in Kindle or Paperback.

Until next time!!

Thursday, November 26, 2020

Signed Trading Cards: Faby Apache

I'm very excited to share these cards with you.  I'm a huge fan of Faby Apache and had the tremendous pleasure of meeting her in New York at WrestleCon in 2019.  At that time I did get three cards signed by her.  Earlier this year I got my hands on a box of the 2019 Panini AAA Lucha Libre Worldwide trading cards and in that set there were three Faby Apache trading cards. 

I mailed these cards to Faby on July 24, 2020, she received them on October 16th, she mailed them back on October 27th and I got them on November 19th.  It's amazing how much longer they took to get to her in Mexico than it took for them to get to me.  She told me that the Mexico post office is notoriously slow, she was correct.  

This card is the sets base card.

This is from the Campeonatos or Championship subset.  In AAA Faby Apache has held the Reina de Reinas, Campeonato en Parejas Mixtas AAA, and Campeonato De Tercias AAA titles. 

This is from the Mascara vs Cabellera or Mask vs. Hair subset.  In her career five of these matches four of them in AAA winning three of the matches.  

These are the cards that I got signed by her in New York.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page, check out my weekly podcast The Wrestling Insomniac on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network and while your at it pick up my book over at Amazon in Kindle or Paperback.

Until next time!!