Matthew Byrd Apr 5, 2019
WWF WrestleFest remains an essential WWE gaming experience. Too bad you'll probably never properly play it again.
There’s something magical about the late ‘80s/ early ‘90s era of WWE (or WWF as it will always be known in my wrestling-loving heart). Yes, it was filled with drugs, alcohol, questionable morals, and even more questionable mullets, but it was an era of professional wrestling that was larger than life to the impressionable viewers who watched what was essentially the craziest cartoon in existence play out in front of their young eyes. It was like receiving a transmission from another universe.
Years later, I realized that part of what made that era of wrestling so fascinating was the scarcity of it. At a time before weekly TV shows, the internet, and the WWE Network, you rarely got to actually watch wrestling. You might be lucky enough to stumble...
WWF WrestleFest remains an essential WWE gaming experience. Too bad you'll probably never properly play it again.
There’s something magical about the late ‘80s/ early ‘90s era of WWE (or WWF as it will always be known in my wrestling-loving heart). Yes, it was filled with drugs, alcohol, questionable morals, and even more questionable mullets, but it was an era of professional wrestling that was larger than life to the impressionable viewers who watched what was essentially the craziest cartoon in existence play out in front of their young eyes. It was like receiving a transmission from another universe.
Years later, I realized that part of what made that era of wrestling so fascinating was the scarcity of it. At a time before weekly TV shows, the internet, and the WWE Network, you rarely got to actually watch wrestling. You might be lucky enough to stumble...
- 4/5/2019
- Den of Geek
WWE.com
Unquestionably, the biggest wrestling stars on offer at the original WrestleMania event were Hulk Hogan and ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper. They were the glue holding the actual grappling side of things together, along with others like Paul Orndorff, Andre The Giant and Big John Studd. However, Vince McMahon didn’t believe professional wrestling was enough to make the event feel grand by itself.
For that very reason, he enlisted the help of celebrities like Mr. T, Liberace and Muhammad Ali. Mixing his WWF Superstars with these household names greatly helped ‘Mania, and it can’t be denied that the show is still the biggest highlight on the annual wrestling calendar to this day.
Back in 1985 however, not everyone was on board with McMahon’s vision. Some felt he was tarnishing the legacy of his father’s promotional techniques, turning wrestling into more of a casual entertainment attraction than a credible business.
Unquestionably, the biggest wrestling stars on offer at the original WrestleMania event were Hulk Hogan and ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper. They were the glue holding the actual grappling side of things together, along with others like Paul Orndorff, Andre The Giant and Big John Studd. However, Vince McMahon didn’t believe professional wrestling was enough to make the event feel grand by itself.
For that very reason, he enlisted the help of celebrities like Mr. T, Liberace and Muhammad Ali. Mixing his WWF Superstars with these household names greatly helped ‘Mania, and it can’t be denied that the show is still the biggest highlight on the annual wrestling calendar to this day.
Back in 1985 however, not everyone was on board with McMahon’s vision. Some felt he was tarnishing the legacy of his father’s promotional techniques, turning wrestling into more of a casual entertainment attraction than a credible business.
- 3/4/2016
- by Jamie Kennedy
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
Eighteen months ago I wrote about the ways in which WWE was already managing to ruin the Bray Wyatt character. In the intervening period, things have significantly improved for the real life Windham Rotunda and his giant cronies… no, only joking. They’ve actually gotten worse.
Let’s compare Wyatt’s treatment by WWE’s creative wing with that afforded to the only other character in WWE history with a similar pedigree and aura to him: The Undertaker. The level of protection that Mark Calaway received as a callow twenty-five-year-old with the WWE is pretty much unprecedented in wrestling.
He’d barely lose at all for years, whether engaged in minor feuds in the midcard or competing for the WWF Championship. Vince McMahon’s edict for his debut was that the big man should never leave his feet unless he did it himself, and that order would remain...
Eighteen months ago I wrote about the ways in which WWE was already managing to ruin the Bray Wyatt character. In the intervening period, things have significantly improved for the real life Windham Rotunda and his giant cronies… no, only joking. They’ve actually gotten worse.
Let’s compare Wyatt’s treatment by WWE’s creative wing with that afforded to the only other character in WWE history with a similar pedigree and aura to him: The Undertaker. The level of protection that Mark Calaway received as a callow twenty-five-year-old with the WWE is pretty much unprecedented in wrestling.
He’d barely lose at all for years, whether engaged in minor feuds in the midcard or competing for the WWF Championship. Vince McMahon’s edict for his debut was that the big man should never leave his feet unless he did it himself, and that order would remain...
- 2/3/2016
- by Ben Cooke
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
Even the biggest stars in pro wrestling history have had ups and downs in their careers, it’s just the way life works. Did people really believe Steve Austin would go on to become the biggest box office name in the industry when he was working WWF Superstars matches as ‘The Ringmaster’? Adversity comes in many forms, and it’s sometimes hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when the chips are down.
WWE performers don’t only have to prove themselves to their peers and top-level management, they must also prove their worth to the paying audience. As much as Vince McMahon may like to believe that he can simply tell people who to cheer and boo, the fact is that WWE relies on the fans to tell them what’s working and what isn’t.
Each one of the men and women...
Even the biggest stars in pro wrestling history have had ups and downs in their careers, it’s just the way life works. Did people really believe Steve Austin would go on to become the biggest box office name in the industry when he was working WWF Superstars matches as ‘The Ringmaster’? Adversity comes in many forms, and it’s sometimes hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when the chips are down.
WWE performers don’t only have to prove themselves to their peers and top-level management, they must also prove their worth to the paying audience. As much as Vince McMahon may like to believe that he can simply tell people who to cheer and boo, the fact is that WWE relies on the fans to tell them what’s working and what isn’t.
Each one of the men and women...
- 1/30/2016
- by Jamie Kennedy
- Obsessed with Film
This is gonna be short and sweet, folks. What I'm writing tonight is primarily just an introduction for this new weekly column, which will have a limited run every Wednesday night on Latino-Review throughout the Road To Wrestlemania. This means it shall conclude on Wednesday, April 6, three days after Wrestlemania 32.
So, what can you expect? Let's start with an overview of my history as wrestling fan, so you can better understand the filter through which I view the product these days.
Age 5-12(1988 - 1995) = Fan
Age 13-19 (1996 - 2002) = Obsessive Super Fan
Age 20-22 (2003 - 2005) = Fan
Age 23-27 (2006 - 2010) = Casual Fan Who Pops Up For Big Moments
Age 28-Present (2011 - 2016) = Someone Who's Mildly Familiar With What's Going On
Yes, while I began watching WWF Superstars as a 5 year old boy, sitting on the couch next to my grand-grandfather Ernesto and eventually became the kind of nerd that owned Almanacs, watched every TV show,...
So, what can you expect? Let's start with an overview of my history as wrestling fan, so you can better understand the filter through which I view the product these days.
Age 5-12(1988 - 1995) = Fan
Age 13-19 (1996 - 2002) = Obsessive Super Fan
Age 20-22 (2003 - 2005) = Fan
Age 23-27 (2006 - 2010) = Casual Fan Who Pops Up For Big Moments
Age 28-Present (2011 - 2016) = Someone Who's Mildly Familiar With What's Going On
Yes, while I began watching WWF Superstars as a 5 year old boy, sitting on the couch next to my grand-grandfather Ernesto and eventually became the kind of nerd that owned Almanacs, watched every TV show,...
- 1/28/2016
- by Mario-Francisco Robles
- LRMonline.com
WWE/Twitter
Today, Monday Night Raw is WWE’s flagship program and a constant showcase for the promotion’s biggest rivalries and non-ppv matches. The show runs for 3 hours each week, but that wasn’t always the way things were for Vince McMahon’s brightest idea of 1993.
Upon its debut on January 11 ’93, Monday Night Raw was a one hour programme, no different in time scale to much of the federation’s other TV output. There was just one difference – Raw seemed a little more lively compared to Wrestling Challenge or WWF Superstars.
Those long-running syndicated shows had become terribly stale, featuring endless runs of squash matches. Monday Night Raw was supposed to represent something different. Whilst the show did feature enhancement talent to begin with, it quickly evolved into showcasing competitive matches between top stars, such as Ric Flair facing Mr. Perfect on the January 25 episode.
In total – including pre-taped...
Today, Monday Night Raw is WWE’s flagship program and a constant showcase for the promotion’s biggest rivalries and non-ppv matches. The show runs for 3 hours each week, but that wasn’t always the way things were for Vince McMahon’s brightest idea of 1993.
Upon its debut on January 11 ’93, Monday Night Raw was a one hour programme, no different in time scale to much of the federation’s other TV output. There was just one difference – Raw seemed a little more lively compared to Wrestling Challenge or WWF Superstars.
Those long-running syndicated shows had become terribly stale, featuring endless runs of squash matches. Monday Night Raw was supposed to represent something different. Whilst the show did feature enhancement talent to begin with, it quickly evolved into showcasing competitive matches between top stars, such as Ric Flair facing Mr. Perfect on the January 25 episode.
In total – including pre-taped...
- 1/14/2016
- by Jamie Kennedy
- Obsessed with Film
If your childhood was spent watching WWF in the 80’s, it no doubt took a Bulldog off the top rope this weekend, with the news that ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper (the state name of Roderick George Toombs) passed away at the age of 61 due to cardiac arrest. His larger than life persona delighted many a generation of wrestling fans, and if there ever was a Heel (wrestling speak for a bad guy) hall of fame, he would have an entire wing dedicated to him. But we’re not called The Wrestling Bit, so we look to Hot Rod’s massive contribution to the cinematic, and more importantly, pop culture landscape. No, not the music video for The Goonies that he appeared in with a handful of other WWF Superstars, or even cult classic Hell Comes to Frogtown. I am, of course, talking about They Live, John Carpenter’s underrated cult masterpiece.
- 8/2/2015
- by noreply@blogger.com (Tom White)
- www.themoviebit.com
WWE.com
So, how is WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns doing fending off challengers? Is Intercontinental Champion Daniel Bryan tearing up the midcard? What about the company’s prestigious 2015 King of the Ring King Barrett?
If looking back at the first six months of 2015 has taught wrestling fans anything, it’s that plans rarely turn out exactly how you envision them. When WWE entered 2015, Roman Reigns was the heir apparent, a man who would win the Royal Rumble right off the bat and presumably build up to a heroic conquering of the Beast, Brock Lesnar, at WrestleMania Xxxi to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
But that and several other plans have been tossed aside as the first half of the year has worn on, whether due to injuries, fan reaction or just the whims of those in charge. Not all of these changes have been bad, but this...
So, how is WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns doing fending off challengers? Is Intercontinental Champion Daniel Bryan tearing up the midcard? What about the company’s prestigious 2015 King of the Ring King Barrett?
If looking back at the first six months of 2015 has taught wrestling fans anything, it’s that plans rarely turn out exactly how you envision them. When WWE entered 2015, Roman Reigns was the heir apparent, a man who would win the Royal Rumble right off the bat and presumably build up to a heroic conquering of the Beast, Brock Lesnar, at WrestleMania Xxxi to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
But that and several other plans have been tossed aside as the first half of the year has worn on, whether due to injuries, fan reaction or just the whims of those in charge. Not all of these changes have been bad, but this...
- 7/17/2015
- by Scott Carlson
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
When Vince McMahon passes away, he’ll leave a legacy which nobody else can match in the business of professional wrestling. Taking the years of groundwork accomplished by his father, Vince decided that wrestling could be so much bigger than simply playing it safe to a hardcore audience. Thus, brands such as ‘Hulkamania’, ‘Wrestlemania’ and ‘WWF Superstars’ were created, as McMahon marched on towards his goal, making the World Wrestling Federation mainstream entertainment.
For the most part, Vince has achieved many of his objectives, but it likely does still irritate him that WWE today are still viewed as lowbrow by many in other mediums of entertainment. Working his tail off to make World Wrestling Entertainment the internationally recognised name it is today, McMahon even dislikes his company being labelled as simply ‘pro wrestling’.
Throughout the years, there have been a plethora of stories related to Vincent Kennedy McMahon,...
When Vince McMahon passes away, he’ll leave a legacy which nobody else can match in the business of professional wrestling. Taking the years of groundwork accomplished by his father, Vince decided that wrestling could be so much bigger than simply playing it safe to a hardcore audience. Thus, brands such as ‘Hulkamania’, ‘Wrestlemania’ and ‘WWF Superstars’ were created, as McMahon marched on towards his goal, making the World Wrestling Federation mainstream entertainment.
For the most part, Vince has achieved many of his objectives, but it likely does still irritate him that WWE today are still viewed as lowbrow by many in other mediums of entertainment. Working his tail off to make World Wrestling Entertainment the internationally recognised name it is today, McMahon even dislikes his company being labelled as simply ‘pro wrestling’.
Throughout the years, there have been a plethora of stories related to Vincent Kennedy McMahon,...
- 3/2/2015
- by Jamie Kennedy
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
As we have seen from previous installments, sometimes the biggest stories in WWF/E happen off screen rather than on screen. Last time, in 1996, we learned that Razor Ramon was originally supposed to face Goldust at Wrestlemania Xii, Edge made his WWF debut at a house show, and Triple H’s punishment for the Kliq Msg Curtain Call was seriously overblown.
In 1997, and the landscape of the WWF changed dramatically. The top babyfaces in the company in January, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, were heels by the time the year ended. One of the biggest heels in the company, Stone Cold Steve Austin, would end the year as one of the hottest babyfaces in the industry, and the most shocking night in WWF history would occur this year.
With so much happening behind the scenes with the Bret Hart/Shawn Michaels feud, you’d think you would know...
As we have seen from previous installments, sometimes the biggest stories in WWF/E happen off screen rather than on screen. Last time, in 1996, we learned that Razor Ramon was originally supposed to face Goldust at Wrestlemania Xii, Edge made his WWF debut at a house show, and Triple H’s punishment for the Kliq Msg Curtain Call was seriously overblown.
In 1997, and the landscape of the WWF changed dramatically. The top babyfaces in the company in January, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, were heels by the time the year ended. One of the biggest heels in the company, Stone Cold Steve Austin, would end the year as one of the hottest babyfaces in the industry, and the most shocking night in WWF history would occur this year.
With so much happening behind the scenes with the Bret Hart/Shawn Michaels feud, you’d think you would know...
- 8/29/2014
- by Justin Seagull
- Obsessed with Film
wwe
The WWF Magazine was where I got my official start working for the World Wrestling Federation. I believe it was sometime around 1993. I began my journey writing free-lance stories at $150 dollars a pop. At the time my two video stores on Long Island, New York had gone out of business, and I was selling TVs/video equipment, full-time at a popular Island chain called P.C. Richards and Sons.
My only light at the end of the runway was writing about my passion—wrestling—whenever the editor would throw me a story—that was usually about once a month.
From there, I caught my huge first break when the editor of the magazine was released, and I interviewed for his job and got it! I was on top of the world! At 33 years-old, I had won the lottery as the full-time editor of the WWF Magazine!
I had my...
The WWF Magazine was where I got my official start working for the World Wrestling Federation. I believe it was sometime around 1993. I began my journey writing free-lance stories at $150 dollars a pop. At the time my two video stores on Long Island, New York had gone out of business, and I was selling TVs/video equipment, full-time at a popular Island chain called P.C. Richards and Sons.
My only light at the end of the runway was writing about my passion—wrestling—whenever the editor would throw me a story—that was usually about once a month.
From there, I caught my huge first break when the editor of the magazine was released, and I interviewed for his job and got it! I was on top of the world! At 33 years-old, I had won the lottery as the full-time editor of the WWF Magazine!
I had my...
- 8/8/2014
- by Vince Russo
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
As we have seen from previous installments, sometimes the biggest stories in WWF/E happen off screen rather than on screen. Last time, in 1995, we learned that Buddy Landell was supposed to be bigger than Steve Austin, there was more to the Shawn Michaels nightclub beating than was reported, and Triple H debuted with a Diamond Cutter finisher. Moving on to the next installment of this series, we take a look at 1996.
1996 was a year of transition for the WWF. While their rival WCW would begin their ratings domination over WWF with the introduction of the nWo, the WWF quietly planted the seeds that would soon become the Attitude Era. While Bret Hart, who represented the old guard of the previous couple years, was on an extended hiatus following Wrestlemania, 1996 brought about Austin 3:16, the first championship reign of Shawn Michaels, and the debut of the guy who...
As we have seen from previous installments, sometimes the biggest stories in WWF/E happen off screen rather than on screen. Last time, in 1995, we learned that Buddy Landell was supposed to be bigger than Steve Austin, there was more to the Shawn Michaels nightclub beating than was reported, and Triple H debuted with a Diamond Cutter finisher. Moving on to the next installment of this series, we take a look at 1996.
1996 was a year of transition for the WWF. While their rival WCW would begin their ratings domination over WWF with the introduction of the nWo, the WWF quietly planted the seeds that would soon become the Attitude Era. While Bret Hart, who represented the old guard of the previous couple years, was on an extended hiatus following Wrestlemania, 1996 brought about Austin 3:16, the first championship reign of Shawn Michaels, and the debut of the guy who...
- 7/20/2014
- by Seagull
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
Any true WWE fan knows that there’s just as big a story of what goes on backstage as what goes on when the cameras are rolling. In the Internet age, we are privy to so much backstage information that we take it for granted sometimes. Back in the 1990s, unless you had a subscription to the Wrestling Observer, you were not privy to all of the goings-on backstage.
Thanks in large part to the historians at The History of WWE, there are some interesting nuggets of trivia that you might not have known about. We will plan on doing one list for every year of the 1990s starting with 1993, the year Monday Night Raw debuted. Included in this list is information that might win you a few bar bets with your friends. Let’s open the history books and see what 1993 had to offer!
10. Raw Wasn’t...
Any true WWE fan knows that there’s just as big a story of what goes on backstage as what goes on when the cameras are rolling. In the Internet age, we are privy to so much backstage information that we take it for granted sometimes. Back in the 1990s, unless you had a subscription to the Wrestling Observer, you were not privy to all of the goings-on backstage.
Thanks in large part to the historians at The History of WWE, there are some interesting nuggets of trivia that you might not have known about. We will plan on doing one list for every year of the 1990s starting with 1993, the year Monday Night Raw debuted. Included in this list is information that might win you a few bar bets with your friends. Let’s open the history books and see what 1993 had to offer!
10. Raw Wasn’t...
- 3/25/2014
- by Seagull
- Obsessed with Film
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