Things and Improvements I Would Like To See TNA Do With This Rebrand

Things and Improvements I Would Like To See TNA Do With This Rebrand
December 30, 2023
By Ryan Porzl

This past October 21st, Impact Wrestling ran their biggest show of the year Bound For Glory. After the show, which ran like you would expect, the ending would see the promotion shock fans and those in the industry by announcing the promotion would once again rebrand itself under it's old identity of TNA or Total Nonstop Action, the name it had used from it's formation in 2002 to Anthem's purchase in 2017. After seven years, the promotion would embrace it's past to continue moving towards the future. Since the announcement, Impact would release a press release making it clear they had big plans from running bigger buildings to upgrading the look and feel of the show to new championship belts to improving their production with the latter having been announced months earlier. The return of TNA has tremendous potential and while they seem to be making some good moves so far, there's things that I like to see them do or attempt in the new year and here's a list of my requests. Keep in mind, I'm not going to bring up stuff like promotion as I feel their promotional work has improved and they are planned to improve their production so I won't include those.

Note: I don't own the pictures. I found them on Google. Credit to TNA or whoever owns them. I apologize for not knowing the exact owners.

Interesting Facts about Toshiaki Kawada

Interesting Facts about Toshiaki Kawada
December 23, 2023
By Ryan Porzl

In the 1990s, All Japan Pro Wrestling was arguably the hottest and best promotion in the world, at least from a match quality standpoint. During this period, the promotion was represented by four wrestlers called "The Four Pillars of Heaven" or "The Four Heavenly Kings" which consisted by Mitsuharu Misawa, Akira Taue, Kenta Kobashi, and the man we'll be talking about Toshiaki Kawada. A long time mainstay for All Japan, his career was born and bred there and during his prime was among the best. He was easily one of the best wrestlers in the world, his tag teams with Misawa and Taue (especially Taue) were among the best tag teams of the decade and all time, and he was partially responsible for some of both the greatest singles and tag team matches of all time. With Kawada recently turning 60 years old, it's time I take a look at some interesting facts regarding the man nicknamed "Dangerous K".

Note: I don't own the pictures, I found them on Google. Credit to their owners as I apologize for not knowing who owns what.

Interesting Facts about "Ravishing" Rick Rude

Interesting Facts about "Ravishing" Rick Rude

December 19, 2023

By Ryan Porzl

It's almost impossible to argue that one of wrestling's greatest heels was the legendary "Ravishing" Rick Rude. One of wrestling's biggest acts during the 1980s and early 1990s, Rude perfected the character of an unlikeable, arrogant, womanizing heel that knew how to flaunt his good looks while getting booed and hated by audiences everywhere. Sadly, Rude would be one of many during his generation to pass too soon which happened in 1999. This December would've marked The Ravishing One's 65th birthday and I decided to do another look at some interesting facts as this time we'll look at Rick Rude.

Note: I don't own the photos as I got them on Google. Credit to WWE or whoever owns them as I apologize for not knowing the exact owners.

The Problem With AEW's Continental Classic Isn't The Format But The Prize

The Problem With AEW's Continental Classic Isn't The Format But The Prize

December 10, 2023

By Ryan Porzl

Since All Elite Wrestling announced the creation of it's new tournament: The Continental Classic, like many things they do or announce, it had it's share of support and criticism. The main issue among critics lies with the format as most American wrestling tournaments use a single elimination format while this one is using a round robin format that's mostly popular in Japanese wrestling. Fans who want something different or that are fans of Japanese wrestling are welcoming of this tournament. Critics have criticized it for the fact that AEW does too many tournaments and the fact that they believe the round robin format is too confusing. I personally like the idea of a round robin tournament so I will have no problem defending the format. That said, this tournament does deserve criticism but not where the critics think it should go. The problem with this tournament isn't the format but rather the prize that the winner receives which is a new Triple Crown belt which consists of three unified belts in Ring of Honor's World Championship, New Japan's Strong Openweight Championship, and a new AEW belt called the AEW Continental Championship. In this article, we'll take a look at why the prize is the problem regarding this tournament.

Note: I don't own the picture. I found it on Google. Credit to AEW or whoever owns it. I apologize for not knowing.

WWF Saturday Night's Main Event VII Review

WWF Saturday Night's Main Event VII Review
November 26, 2012 (edited December 8, 2023)
By Ryan Porzl

Event: Saturday Night's Main Event VII
Tagline: None
Date: October 4, 1986
Location: Richfield, Ohio
Live or Tape: Tape (Taped September 13, 1986)
Arena: Richfield Coliseum
Attendance: 21,000
Announcers: Vince McMahon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura
Interviewers: “Mean” Gene Okerlund
Broadcast: NBC

AEW Does Have Older Wrestlers and An Age Issue But They're Not The Only One

AEW Does Have Older Wrestlers and An Age Issue But They're Not The Only One 

November 30, 2023
By Ryan Porzl

AEW is wrestling's second biggest promotion in the world and as a result, many great wrestlers and legends have come through the promotion. In recent times, many have noticed the older talent and aging legends popping up and the roster looking older. While it's true AEW does have an age issue or older talent, to be fair, they're not the only ones and it's something that's been happening for most of the major promotions. For the record, I don't mind talent in their 40s or even 50s still competing if they aren't totally washed up so I'm not saying older talent is a bad thing but like anything in life, you don't want too much.

WWF The Big Event Review

WWF The Big Event Review

November 30, 2011 (edited November 5, 2023)
By Ryan Porzl

Event: The Big Event
Tagline: The Biggest Event of All Time
Date: August 28, 1986
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Live or Tape: Live
Arena: CNE Stadium
Attendance: 64,000
Announcers: Gorilla Monsoon, "Luscious" Johnny Valiant, & "The Big Cat" Ernie Ladd
Interviewers: “Mean” Gene Okerlund
Broadcast: Home Video

WWF Saturday Night's Main Event VI Review

WWF Saturday Night's Main Event VI Review
October 12, 2012 (edited October 24, 2023)
By Ryan Porzl

Event: WWF Saturday Night's Main Event VI Review
Tagline: None
Date: May 3, 1986
Location: Providence, Rhode Island
Live or Tape: Tape (Taped May 1, 1986)
Arena(s): Providence Civic Center
Attendance: Unknown
Announcers: Vince McMahon and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
Interviewers: “Mean” Gene Okerlund
Other: None
Broadcast: NBC

WWF Wrestlers Who Had a Good/Great 1998

WWF Wrestlers Who Had a Good/Great 1998
October 8, 2023
By Ryan Porzl

Back in July, I wrote an article of WWF wrestlers who had a bad 1998. However, 1998 wasn't a bad year for everyone in the Federation. Not only was 1998 a great year for the WWF, but many of their superstars had a great 1998 with some having memorable moments, others had big returns, and other rose to the next level. In this article, we'll look at ten WWF wrestlers who had a good or great 1998.

Note: I don't own any pictures, I found them on Google. Credit to WWE or whoever owns them. I apologize for not knowing the exact names.

Interesting Facts about Masahiro Chono

Interesting Facts about Masahiro Chono

September 27, 2023

By Ryan Porzl

Japanese Wrestling or Puroresu has had it's share of larger than life legends who were part of and a big part of a golden age in the business. One such wrestler in Japan was Masahiro Chono. A member of a legendary class of New Japan Dojo graduates that came out in 1984, Chono eventually skyrocketed to fame in the 1990s as one of wrestling's best talents and heels while also being a part of New Japan's "Three Musketeers" group alongside fellow 90s top stars Shinya Hashimoto and Keiji "The Great Muta" Mutoh. This September 17th marks Chono's 60th birthday and what better way to celebrate a legend, especially one not as well known in the west, then to present some interesting facts about the man referred to as "Black Charisma", "Mr. August", and "Mr. G1".

Note: I don't own any pictures, I found them on Google. Credit to New Japan Pro Wrestling, Purolove, and/or whoever owns them. I apologize for not knowing the owner's names.

Fall

Fall
September 5, 2013
By Ryan Porzl

Top Ten Wrestlers Who Blew A Great Retirement

Top Ten Wrestlers Who Blew A Great Retirement
September 13. 2023
By Ryan Porzl

Professional Wrestling has it's share of tropes and things to mock and one of the big ones are retirements. While there have been a fair share of wrestlers and legends who have honored a retirement, the majority of wrestlers don't know the word "retirement" and many have broken them to return to the ring. However, out of all the wrestlers who have broke retirements, there are those who were given hero's sendoffs including a big match at a big event and usually with a big crowd or hometown crowd. Many legends have been given a perfect sendoff only to break it and return to the ring with some of those returns being big mistakes. In this article, we'll look at the wrestlers who had perfect retirements and ride off to the sunset only to blow it and come back with the return usually being a mistake.

Note: I don't own any pictures as I found them on Google.

The Positives of the Hulk Hogan era in TNA

The Positives of the Hulk Hogan era in TNA
August 31, 2023
By Ryan Porzl

In 2003, Hulk Hogan would leave WWE and within months, rumors began to circulate of him appearing and competing for the upstart Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion (now Impact Wrestling). Ultimately, it didn't happen and both sides did their own things. Fast forward six years later on October 2009, TNA and Hogan would hold a press conference announcing his arrival to TNA which he eventually did in January 2010. At the time, the hope was obviously this would be a game changer for TNA and bring them to the next level like Hogan's arrival did for WCW in the 1990s. Unfortunately, and as it well known, this didn't happen and the Hogan era would last nearly four years which many wrestling fans and TNA/Impact fans would say was a failure at best, disastrous at worst as the promotions fortunes and reputation took tremendous damage that led to a massive decline during the early to late 2010s which left them on death's door by 2016 only to be saved by current owners Anthem. Obviously, there's plenty not to like about this time in TNA: the embarrassing attempt to compete against Monday Night RAW on Mondays to the arrival of washed up names to Hogan bringing in his daughter Brooke who contributed nothing to the product and was only there to try and raise her profile. However, was it all bad? Was there ANYTHING good from the Hogan era to look back on? Well, the answer is no, it wasn't all bad and yes, there were some good here and there. This is the second of a two parter article where we look back at Hogan in celebration of his recent 70th birthday. Keep in mind, I'm not trying to whitewash this era. I acknowledge it was a massive failure that did more harm than good. That said, I do think there were things Hogan (along with Eric Bischoff and TNA) got right during this time. There are things to look back on fondly from their attempts to take chances to coming up with concepts that are still around to this day while others are things people want back. Before I begin, I want to say when I bring up "The Hogan Era", I'm referring to when Hogan debuted in January 2010 to his departure in October 2013. I should also point out, with these examples, I'm not going to credit everything to Hogan and Bischoff as they didn't think of everything. If nothing else, I'm looking at positives from this period that they may or may not have had a hand in.

Note: I don't own any pictures, I found them on Google.

Top Ten Times Hulk Hogan Put Someone Over

Top Ten Times Hulk Hogan Put Someone Over

August 21, 2023
By Ryan Porzl

Love him or hate him, no one can deny Hulk Hogan's success and contributions to professional wrestling. One of wrestling's true larger than life talents, Hogan played a role in both of the last two golden ages of American professional wrestling. He's participated in some of the biggest matches and moments of all time while also headlining the biggest shows of all time from Wrestlemania III to Starrcade 1997. However, despite Hogan's achievements, he does have plenty of critics as he's been known for many things in the industry and one has been as a backstage politician. During his career, Hogan has been accused of selfishness and either not losing matches cleanly or properly when he should've (vs. Sting at Starrcade 1997) or maybe using his influence to stay in the main event during times when he shouldn't have been there. While it is true Hogan won way more than he lost and while he's not known for losing to just anybody, he has shown in his career that he too can do the right thing and lose when necessary. This August 11th marks Hogan's 70th birthday and instead of doing an interesting facts list on him since I think most people know everything there is to know, I decided to do a two parter that look at Hogan and stuff involving him. In this article, we'll look back at the times when Hogan would do the right thing and go out of his way to put over a talent.

Note: I don't own the pictures. I got them off Google.

NWA Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament 1986 Review

NWA Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament 1986 Review
August 5, 2023
By Ryan Porzl

Crockett Cup 1986 VHS

Event: Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament 1986

Tagline: None
Date: April 19, 1986
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Live or Tape: Live
Arena(s): The Superdome
Attendance: 3,500 (afternoon) and 13,000 (evening)
Announcers: None
Interviewers: None
Other: None
Broadcast: Home Video

WWF Wrestlers Who Had a Bad 1998

WWF Wrestlers Who Had a Bad 1998
July 13, 2023
By Ryan Porzl

I think it's universally known that 1998 was an amazing year for the WWF (now WWE). After struggling during The New Generation era of the early 90s and then getting their clock cleaned by WCW during the late 90s, they would finally turn things around and enjoy a resurgence with The Attitude Era in 1998. Things couldn't be better for the WWF and many of their wrestlers had good to phenomenal years. Both Steve Austin and The Rock, the two biggest names of the era, made it to the top in 1998. Meanwhile, Mick Foley had a rollercoaster year that saw him fulfill a dream, Kane had his first full year and won gold, Triple H continued to climb the ladder. and The Undertaker was still a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, not every wrestler had a great year. In many ways, 1998 was not just a bad year for some wrestlers but arguably one of the worst years of their careers. With 1998 being a quarter century old and since I feel this could be a fun article, I figure why not take a look at the wrestlers who, quite frankly, had a miserable 1998.

Note: I don't own the pictures. I got them on Google.

Yearning The Past, Fearing The Future

Yearning The Past, Fearing The FutureNovember 9, 2012By Ryan Porzl

Interesting Facts about Lex Luger

Interesting Facts about Lex Luger

June 27, 2023

By Ryan Porzl

It's that time again when we take a look at a wrestling legend and interesting facts. One of wrestling's most underrated legends is Lex Luger. An important figure in the sport of pro wrestling from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, Luger started in the dying days of the territories before hitting it big in the nationals with WCW and WWF enjoying success and having many big moments, title victories, and matches. Though he never became "The Next Hulk Hogan" as he was projected, he's still a legend who deserves to be celebrated. With Luger's 65th birthday having come on June 2nd, I figure we take a look at some interesting facts about the man nicknamed "The Total Package", "The Narcissist", and "The Man Made In The U.S.A." that you may or may not have known about. 

Note: I don't own the pictures.

Wrestlers who challenged for All Japan Championships

Wrestlers who challenged for All Japan Championships
May 14, 2023
By Ryan Porzl

Well, after spending 2021 and 2022 looking back at champions and contenders of many wrestling promotions including WCW, ECW, ROH, Impact, New Japan, and All Japan, we've now reached the conclusion of this journey. Previously, when covering past New Japan champions, I did an article bringing up the big names who challenged for New Japan championships but were unsuccessful. Now, I shall do the same with All Japan. Like New Japan, All Japan has had it's share of prestigious champions as well as interesting names and legends who have competed for their championships. This article will look at the wrestlers who were so close to All Japan gold but yet so very far.

Note: I don't own the picture. I found them on google.

Interesting Facts about Big Boss Man

Interesting Facts about Big Boss Man

May 5, 2023

By Ryan Porzl

Ray Traylor was one of the entertaining and underrated wrestlers of his time. Best known under his most famous gimmick of "The Big Boss Man" as well as "Big Bubba Rogers", he entertained fans from the late 1980s to early 2000s. Despite his early passing in 2004 at the age of 41, he's still remembered fondly today for his personality and for being one of wrestling's all time great big men. This May 2nd would've been his 60th birthday so we'll take a look back at some interesting facts you may have known or maybe not known of his career and life.

Note: I don't own the photos as I found them on Google

A Look at the Positives of Wrestlemania IX

A Look at the Positives of Wrestlemania IX
April 21, 2023
By Ryan Porzl

On April 4, 1993, the WWF held their ninth Wrestlemania called "Wrestlemania IX" at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event would be one of the most polarizing events in wrestling history and an event often considered one of the worst Wrestlemanias of all time. However, I'm one of those who enjoy the event and think it's underrated. While it'll never be considered the best, I do think Wrestlemania IX gets a bad rep and is an underrated event. In this article, I'll look at the history making moments and other positives that Wrestlemania IX has.

Note: I don't own the pictures, I got them on google.

2022 Pro Wrestling Year End Awards

2022 Pro Wrestling Year End Awards
April 13, 2023
By Ryan Porzl

It's that time of the year for me to do my year end awards for pro wrestling. As is usually the case, these are my opinions and mine alone. Keep in mind, like last year, my Japanese awards are based off what I saw.

Interesting Facts about "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig

Interesting Facts about "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig

April 3, 2023

By Ryan Porzl

Curt Hennig was one of wrestling's greatest names. He was a great athlete, he was a great wrestler, he had a lot of charisma, he had swagger, and he could cut a great promo. The man who became most known as "Mr. Perfect" lived up to the name as far as wrestling went. Hennig also was more than just a great wrestler as he also showed he was good as a manager for talent and a good color commentator. He seemed to fit in any role. Sadly, it's been twenty years since we lost him as, like so many of his generation, his life ended too soon. This past March 28th would've been Hennig's 65th birthday so we will look at some interesting facts you might have known or perhaps not have known about the man who was what he said he was which was absolutely perfect.

Note: I don't own any of the photos. I found them on Google.

Interesting Facts about Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat

Interesting Facts about Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat

March 20, 2023

By Ryan Porzl

Professional wrestling has had it's share of all time greats and one of those all-time greats, especially when it comes to in-ring skills, is Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat. From the 1970s to the 1990s, few were Steamboat's equal as he was the perfect babyface who you could never hate and was part of some of the greatest matches of all time. You have a hard time picking a classic match from that era that did not involve Ricky Steamboat. This past February, Steamboat celebrated a big birthday as the Dragon turned 70. To honor him, I decided to do another interesting fact article, this time, on him. Some stuff you may know while others you may not.

Note: I don't own the pictures. I found them online.

2012 Wrestling Year End Awards

2012 Wrestling Year End Awards
January 5, 2013
By Ryan Porzl

Here are my year end awards for pro wrestling. These are my opinions alone

2011 Pro Wrestling Year End Awards

2011 Pro Wrestling Year End Awards
December 30, 2011
By Ryan Porzl

These are my 2011 Pro Wrestling Year End Awards I wrote back in 2011.

Like with MMA, I will have my own pro wrestling year end awards

Ricky The Dragon Steamboat WCW Theme ("Opening Ceremony") - HQ

Happy 70th Birthday to Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat.

Billion Dollar Babies

Off by four days but Happy 50th Anniversary to the Alice Cooper album Billion Dollar Babies.

WWF Wrestlemania 2 Review

WWF Wrestlemania 2 Review
November 15, 2011 (edited February 28, 2023)
By Ryan Porzl

Event: Wrestlemania 2
Tagline: What the World Has Come to/The Premier Sporting Event of the Year!
Date: April 7, 1986
Location: Uniondale, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles, California
Live or Tape: Live
Arena(s): Nassau Coliseum, Rosemont Horizon, and LA Sports Arena
Attendance: 40,085 (Combined)
Announcers: Vince McMahon & Susan St. James (Uniondale); Gorilla Monsoon, "Mean" Gene Okerlund, & Cathy Lee Crosby (Chicago); Jesse "The Body" Ventura, "Lord" Alfred Hayes, and Elvira (Los Angeles)
Interviewers: Vince McMahon, "Mean" Gene Okerlund, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, and "Lord" Alfred Hayes
Others: Ernie Ladd (guest commentator)
Broadcast: Pay-Per-View, Closed Circuit Television

DREAM THEME SONG

On this day 15 years ago, the Japanese MMA promotion DREAM debuted. DREAM was one of several Japanese Mixed Martial Arts promotions that tried to fill the void left by the end of PRIDE Fighting Championships but wasn't able to and eventually shut down in 2012. Still, I love the name DREAM and they had my favorite theme song in MMA.

Runnin' with the Devil (2015 Remaster)

Happy 45th Anniversary to Van Halen's self-titled debut album.

 Happy 75th Birthday to Alice Cooper.

101 - Homicide-Life on the Street Theme

Happy 30th Anniversary to one of the greatest police dramas ever Homicide: Life on the Street.

AJPW Giant Baba 2nd Theme Song - "Soul Of A Champion" (With Tron) (RIP)

Off by six days but January 23rd would've been the 85th birthday of wrestling legend Giant Baba. He passed away in 1999.

Bob Ross joy of painting intro

Off by 10 days but Happy 40th Anniversary to the Joy of Painting.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine theme (HQ)

Off by four days but Happy 30th Anniversary to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Keiji Mutoh Theme - Trans Magic

Off by over a week but December 23rd was the 60th birthday for wrestling legend Keiji "The Great Muta" Mutoh.