The Final Matches Of Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan is one for the greatest wrestlers of all time.  Even if you are not a fan of his in ring work, you can't deny he elevated wrestling to previously unseen heights in the 1980's national expansion of the then World Wrestling Federation, also known a when the territories died.

I was a huge Hulkamaniac when I was a kid, but even I became disenchanted with Hogan in the early 1990's and I stand by me feelings that he ruined WCW when he arrived in the promotion.  I'll also be the first to admit I popped big time during his nostalgia run in the WWE in the mid 2000's.  I was lucky enough to see him wrestle live twice during that run.

One would have thought that Hogan would have wound down his in ring career in the WWE, but sadly that was not the case.  In fact Hogan's last match was for TNA and not even in the United States.

Hulk Hogan had returned to the WWE with the NWO in 2002 and by that Summer he had returned to the Red & Yellow as a fan favorite.  He left in 2003, wrestled a match for New Japan, and returned in 2005 teaming with Shawn Michaels against Hassan & Davari at Backlash May 1st in Manchester, New Hampshire, I was at this show.  He worked more tag matches with Michaels on RAW that summer until HBK turned on Hogan leading to their match at SummerSlam that year.

Hogan left WWE after SummerSlam but returned in the Summer of 2006 at Saturday Night's Main Event setting up a match with Randy Orton in Boston at SummerSlam 2006, I was at this match as well.  This would be Hulk Hogan's final WWE match.

On April 27, 2007 Hogan wrestled what could be considered his only ever Indie show in Memphis, Tennessee.  It was supposed to be against Jerry "The King" Lawler but WWE pulled him from the event.  Hogan would pin Paul Wight to win the match.

Hogan's next series of matches would be of his own doing.  November 21, 24, 26, & 28, 2009 in Australia during the Hulkamania Let The Battle Begin Tour Hogan would wrestle and defeat Ric Flair every night.  I really can't believe that none of these shows have ever been commercially released, really seems like they dropped the ball on this.

On January 4, 2010 Hogan made is TNA television debut with the thought that he was going to be the savoir of the promotion, truth is he wasn't.  He's credited with having TNA move to Monday Nights live to go head to head with WWE, getting rid of the six sided ring, and bringing in a ton of his buddies.  In the end Hogan hurt TNA way more than he helped and it took the promotion years to recover from the damage that was inflicted.

However it would be in TNA that Hogan would wrestle his final matches:

March 8, 2010 Universal Studios, Orlando Florida

AJ Styles & "Nature Boy" Ric Flair wrestled "Immortal" Hulk Hogan & Abyss to a no contest

March 8, 2010 Universal Studios, Orlando Florida

No Disqulification: "Immortal" Hulk Hogan & Abyss defeated AJ Styles & "Nature Boy" Ric Flair

October 16, 2011 Bound For Glory Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Sting defeated "Immortal" Hulk Hogan by submission with the Scorpion Death Lock

In the build to this match Hogan had turned heel, leader of the heel faction  Immortal and was the "president" of now Impact Wrestling.  During this match if Sting won Dixie Carter would regain the presidency of the promotion.  Immortal would attack Sting post match and Hogan would make the save turning face.

January 26, 2012 Nottingham, England

"Immortal" Hulk Hogan, "Cowboy" James Storm & Sting defeated Bobby Roode, Bully Ray, & Kurt Angle

January 27, 2012 Manchester, England

"Immortal" Hulk Hogan, "Cowboy" James Storm & Sting defeated Bobby Roode, Bully Ray, & Kurt Angle

These were house show matches, and they talent on both teams was stacked, but it's not the final in ring send off that one would expect for someone the caliber of Hulk Hogan.  There is a clip from the 27th on YouTube of Hogan doing his post match pose down with James Storm and Sting while Eye of The Tiger is blaring over the sound system.

Hogan last match was released on DVD by Impact on their Hulk Hogan DVD release, so at least any major Hogan fan can own this piece of history.

Until Next Time!

The Greatest Robes in Wrestling

When most people think of a professional wrestler wearing a robe "Nature Boy" Ric Flair comes to mind.  Flair is very well known for wearing elaborate robes made of feathers, rhinestones, some even have capes, and they can be quite elaborate.  A trait his daughter Charlotte continues to this day.

Charlotte Flair

However The Nature Boy was far from the first wrestler to wear a robe to the ring. Going back to 1908 George Hackenschmidt, the first World Heavyweight Champion in wrestling wore a robe to the ring.

George Hackenschmidt 

Former multiple time NWA World Champion Lou Thesz wore a robe to the ring frequently in his career which spanned from an amazing 58 years from 1932 - 1990. 

Lou Thesz

Perhaps the most flamboyant wrestler to wear a very elaborate robe was none-other than Gorgeous George.  George, who competed from 1932 - 1962 wore Georgie pins in his permed hair and was known for having both male and female valets to assist him in disrobing.

Gorgeous George

Women Wrestlers of that era were also known wear ring robes.  Judy Grable who wrestled in the 1950's and 60's was know as The Barefoot Contessa as she wrestled barefoot using her finisher the dropkick.

Judy Grable

Robes were not just a fixture in the United States, Japanese greats Antonio Inoki & Giant Baba were wearing them in the 1970's.

Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba

Women wrestlers in Japan, known as Joshi Puroresu, have always worn very colorful costumes that also included some pretty fantastic robes.  Devil Masami one of the pioneers of Joshi in the 1970's, Manami Toyota who debuted in 1987 and is still wrestling, and is arguably the greatest women's wrestler of all time.  Currently Askua in NXT probably has the most elaborate costumes in all of the WWE.

Devil Masami

Manami Toyota

Asuka current NXT Women's Champion

In Mexico Lucha Libre stars primarily wore capes, but superstars in the 1980's like "Macho Man" Randy Savage did as well and currently Dalton Castle does.

1963 El Espanto & El Santo

"Macho Man" Randy Savage

Dalton Castle, I took this shot at ROH All Star Exstravaganza VII

Ric Flair began wearing robes back in the 1970's and continued to do so thru the end of his career.
The robe he wore in his WrestleMania 24 match against Shawn Michaels is on display in the Smithsonian.  

In the 1970's wrestlers like six time NWA World Champion "Handsome" Harley Race and "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes wore custom robes to the ring.

Dusty Rhodes

Harley Race

The 1980's saw an influx of wrestlers wearing elaborate robes.  From second generation stars Greg "The Hammer" Valentine & Tully Blanchard to Paul Orndorff, Rick Rude, and Steve Austin.

Greg "The Hammer" Valentine

Tully Blanchard

"Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff

"Ravishing" Rick Rude and "Stunning" Steve Austin

In recent times William Regal did and Bobby Roode is one of the few who still sports a ring robe.

William Regal

I read in an interview several years ago that it was Paul Orndorff that told Roode he needed to get himself a nice robe back when he was in TNA.  He did and he hasn't stopped wearing them ever since.

Bobby Roode

There is not much on the internet that I can find as to why wrestlers wear robes to the ring.  I have a theory that back in early 1900's when professional wrestling was more like Olympic wrestling and matches could last for hours, wrestlers like Hackenschmidt wore robes to keep their bodies warm.  Staying warmed up is an important factor in keeping muscles and tendons from getting damaged during strenuous activity.

From there it probably became a tradition of, well that's just what you do.  Most likely it was Gorgeous George who first embellished the ring robe that lead to wrestlers like "Nature Boy" Ric Flair whose elaborate robes were apart of his presentation in being the most styling and profiling  World Heavyweight Champion in wrestling history.

William Regal once did an interview where he said the reason he always wore a ring robe is because, I can't find the quote so I'm paraphrasing, it felt weird walking to the ring in just his trunks but once he got to the ring and the action started it didn't bother him.

Whatever the reason ring robes and other costumes worn to the ring have been apart of wrestling since the beginning and for some wrestlers what they were to the ring is just as important as what goes on inside the ring. 

Incidentally the same can be said for ring jackets and for me the gold standard is the style "Enforcer" Arn Anderson wore.

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NXT Takeover: Toronto

"Glorious" Booby Roode vs. "Perfect 10" Tye Dillinger

The crowd was hot for both these guys, I thought it was odd that they made a point to not announce Roode as being from Toronto, the fans know he is, and then really brought it home that Dillinger was from nearby Niagra Falls.

Couple of funny spots with Roode begging off with both hands and Dillinger turns it into Roode is saying "10".  Then stomping on Roode's hands and the way he shook them off Dillinger again implied Roode was doing his "10" gimmick.
Both these guys are veterans with Dillinger wrestling 15 years and Roode nearing his 19th, I would imagine this night was very emotional for both of them as this must be their biggest high profile match in their "hometown".
A really great match, during some reversals near the end Dillinger locked in a sharpshooter to a big pop.  Roode got the win with the Glorious Drop.  Post match Dillinger got a much deserved standing ovation as he apologized to the crowd for the loss.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Tournament Finals
TM61: Nick Miller & Shane Thorne vs. The Authors Of Pain: Akam & Rezar w/ Paul Ellering

They brought back the classic gimmick of having the manager in a cage above the ring.  Leading up to using this gimmick it was mentioned on NXT TV about the time Ellering was in a cage at the Last Battle of Atlanta.  During the match Ellering would shout instructions to his men.  

There was a structure at ringside that was used to hoist and support the cage.  When I saw it I immediately thought if they didn't do a spot of it it would be a waste.  They didn't wait as moments into it Thorne dove off it onto The Authors of Pain.

Thorne took the heat and made the hot tag to Miller who then cleaned out, I was surprised how much the Authors started bumping for Miller leaving their feet, taking bodyslams and suplexs.  Ellering drops a chain down, somehow the ref doesn't hear it hit the canvas.  Then it flies off one of their hands and into the crowd, no way the ref didn't see that.

AOP hits their finish and win the tournament.  Gotta say though the AOP were not as dominate as I thought they would be as TM-61 easily handled both of them.  Triple H, Dustin Rhodes, and William Regal were on hand for the trophy presentation.

2 out of 3 Falls
NXT Tag Team Champions: The Revival: Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson vs. #DIY: Johnny Gargano & Tomaso Ciampa

Great start to the match, Revival quickly took the first fall when Gargano went for his patented slingshot spear from outside in and got caught with the shatter machine.  In the second fall Scott Dawson with a slingshot suplex!  Sincerely simply outstanding tag team wrestling.  The Revival are so great together, as are Gargano and Ciampa, but there is just something special about the Revival.

Second fall goes to DIY after they sandwich Dawson with a running knee and superkick.  Third fall started quickly after the second.  The action continued hot and heavy with so many reversals and high impact moves.  Gargano went for that rolling kick that he does and he kicks the title belt that Dawson was holding, it also busted Dawson open.  Dawson immediately locked on the inverted figure four that they used to win in Brooklyn, but Gargano made it to the ropes.  I really like that they didn't stop the match to tend to the cut.

Revival went for DIY's finish, but the missed it, DIY hit Shatter Machine for a two count.  There was an unbelievable finishing sequence of pin attempts and reversals until Gargano locked on the Gargano escape and Ciampa the armbar for the tap out to capture the Championships.

I would love to see a return match with these two teams in a steel cage.

NXT Women's Champion: Asuka vs. Mickie James

Fantastic opening lock up sequence with both getting a pinfall attempt in it.  Crowd gave Mickie a "you still got it chant" which is dumb because she's been wrestling steady since she left the WWE.  Action goes to the floor where James is wrecked with a german suplex on the floor.  James really took a beating this match, and she gave it right back.  She looked better in this match than I'd seen her in years.

Asuka got the submission with the Asuka Lock but it really wasn't cinched in tight as usual.  Probably the sequence of rolling around the ring with James attempting to break and reverse the hold caused it.  James offered a handshake, but Asuka heeled her and raised the title in her face.

Crowd showed Mickie some appreciation, she appeared to get a bit emotional from it.  I wonder if this will be a one off for her and will we see her return to either NXT or main roster.

NXT Champion: Shinsuke Nakamura vs Samoa Joe

Nakamura's entrance was insanely awesome with all the violins.  A really good championship match with Joe dominating the beginning of the match.  Joe damaged Nakamura's knee early on in the match and it effected him through-out.  They really beat the tar out of each other, not surprising as Nakamura is the king of strong style.  Joe got busted open and once again they didn't stop it just let the incidental blood flow.

Finish came after both guys on the floor, Joe kicked Nakamura in crotch then slammed him on the stairs.  He then threw him in the ring nailed the muscle buster for the three count.  Not a clean finish due to the nut shot on the floor.  Makes Joe the first ever two time champ and makes Nakamura "human".  Can't say I'm happy with this finish, but with the show in Japan on December 3rd I imagine Nakamura wins the title back in his home country.

The crowd was shocked, and were very quite after it was over.  Seems like they were just as surprised as I was.  Eventually they started  "Joe" chant.

All in all a really good show where even the weakest match on the card was still a solid match.  Seems to be another scenario where NXT is going to top the PPV that follows it.  I know I personally was looking more forward to NXT Takeover than the Survivor Series.

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Random Wrestling July 17, 2015

It's time for another round of Random Wrestling that I've been watching, this is all off of You Tube and there is no particular theme.  

The 100 Chop Challenge

From Smash Wrestling Trevor takes the challenge to withstand 100 chops, let’s just say it gets nasty.  Uploaded Fed 11, 2015

And then shit got real…..

From PWG Card Subject to Change II Willie Mack vs. Roderick Strong, and what a friggin chop!!

Uploaded June 2, 2011

Lou Thesz vs. Buddy Rogers 1/26/1951

This match from the Chicago International Amphitheatre is a 2 out of 3 falls match for the National Wrestling Alliance World’s Heavyweight Championship.  I can appreciate this match for the history that it represents however, some 64 years later this style would never work today.

The FBI vs. Bobby Roode & Eric Young

German Commentary

Taped August 19, 2003 in Detroit, MI for Velocity this was one of a dozen matched that Bobby Roode had for WWE that year,  Young appeared 4 times.   It thought this would be a squash match with Chuck Palumbo & Johnny Stamboli would walk over them, but they actually had a competitive 6 minute match.

AJ Styles vs. Rico Constantino

I found this match to be odd because it’s a house show match and features no commentary.  It was one of two matches that AJ Styles had in the WWE, the first the much talked about match on Jakked with The Hurricane, this one though took place the next night in North Charleson, SC January 22, 2002.  I’d like to know how this user got this footage, it’s not a fan cam footage.

Apparently this person has a You Tube channel with nothing but Dark Matches, again not sure where they go them, but I’m glad they do.  Some cool stuff in here, you should check it out!

Biff Busick vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey

C*4 “Crossing the Line Se7ev” June 21, 2014 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

I’d like to start with how does Bailey fly to the floor like his does, from great heights, land on his bare feet and not break bones?  I loved this match, twice I thought Biff killed him…twice.

That's all for now, please leave a comment and like my blogs page on facebook

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