I've watched the wrestling since the days of Hogan, Bossman and The Model Rick Martel and it's fair to say that the business has changed in more ways than one.
But with each era, comes new wrestlers and new styles. Which wrestlers have you liked best through the years?
Early days - Hogan and the Macho man. I don't care what people think of Hogan today. There is no doubting that most people watched the WWF because of Hulk Hogan. When 'Real American' kicked in the arenas would go wild. Great memories. Same goes with Macho man, must have been the bright clothing ! Special mentions to the Warrior, Mr Perfect, Jake the Snake Roberts and Million Dollar Man.
Bret Hart - Bret Hart was the guy who got to the top through his in-ring ability. His matches were always good. My favourite ever memory was The Hitman beating Yokozuna at WrestleMania X.
HHH/The Rock - OK, Stone Cold was always the top guy but I always preferred the heels in the attitude era. The Rock with the long sideburns, broke away from the N.o.D and his promos as well as his wrestling style quickly got him to the top of the WWF. HHH was face turned heel but his character was always entertaining and you just knew that he was one day going to be the number 1 wrestler in the business.
Current era - hmmm this is difficult. I'm going to have to say Cena. Yes, I know. A controversial choice but when he's retired I'm sure people will look back and appreciate his time in the WWE. He has been on top for 10 years - still entertaining and still gets a bigger pop than anyone in the industry. In the face of all the hate, he is still the same gimmick and the notion that he can't wrestle is flawed - ok, so he doesn't do snapmares and drop kicks... big deal ! Cena has main evented Mania several times. His matches against Michaels and HHH were fantastic matches. For a 'poor wrestler' he certainly hides it well. The one moment that stands out for me was ECWs one night stand when Cena took on RVD in the hostile Hammerstein Ballroom. Cena walked through a drunken mob and didn't flinch. The abuse was extreme (pardon the pun) and he still put on a great match before losing to RVD.
Regards
Metro
Your Favourite Over the Years
posted on 24/1/13
I only watch it now because one of my friends wrestles on the independent circuit and I go to events in the UK.
I know quite a few that have secured developmental contracts with WWE & TNA so I guess that explains it.
posted on 24/1/13
People that enjoy wrestling don't need a reason to enjoy it. People that don't like wrestling, will find any reason not to like it. I heard that quote on some british wrestling documentary.
Anyway...
late 80s / early 90s: Hogan + Macho Man + Undertaker
attitude era: Stone cold + the rock + kane
modern day: cm punk + edge + daniel bryan
posted on 24/1/13
makar
posted on 24/1/13
cant see a problem with it myself.
the first pay per view i watced on sky was the 1990 summerslam and i was hooked!!
i didnt have sky at the time, so my next door neighbours would tape in and leave it in my bin shed the following morning when they went to work.
i used to get up at 5 and run down to get it, then watch it before i went to school.
nearly 25 years later i now have a nine year old son who watches it and loves it like i did all them years ago.
sometimes i'll sit and watch it with him and think how its changed.
back when i was a kid it was all larger than life cartton style characters like hogan, warrior, bossman, andre, perfect, savage, jake the snake etc.
nowadays its nothing like that, and not as good.
posted on 24/1/13
It's cool to not like wrestling, people think it makes them better people.
"It's fixed"
Yeah nice one genius. There was me thinking it was real.
Fact is, american wrestling doesn't allude to being a genuine sport, hence the sports 'entertainment' tag line. I watch it because its like a soap, just with steel chairs instead of Deirdre Barlows neck. I fast forward through many matches just to watch the promos then sit thru the entire subsequent PPV where the scores generally get settled.
My Mrs loves it for the same reason, that and the obvious eye candy aspect.
posted on 24/1/13
It's pointless feeding the trolls, they seem to think that knocking the interests of others indeed makes them superior as SuperNovak alludes to above.
posted on 24/1/13
Duncanedwards
Got the bug about the same time. First thing I ever saw was Wrestlemania VI which I think was also 1990. My dads business partner taped it on Sky Movies and I remember my 10 year old mind being blown away.
I can still remember the Hart Foundation beating the Bolsheviks in under 20 seconds, Rowdy Roddy painted half black, half white and Mr Fuji smashing Ax from Demolition with his cane.
Get this though. Warrior v Hogan was the main event, biggest fight in years apparently. Dads mate put it on an E180 and it cut off just as both wrestlers faced up. Noooooooooooooo!!
I actually only got to see that fight in its entirety about 12 months ago, but having witnessed the madness of the Attitude era and ECW it never had the same affect that it could and should have had. I put it up there with being too young to see the Roses at Spike Island as life's biggest disappointments
posted on 24/1/13
novak,
its part of growing up though mate.
watching the attitude era it was so much "cooler" compared to the early 90's, but not as cartoony.
posted on 24/1/13
late 80s / early 90s: Randy Savage, Ultimate Warrior, Ricky Steamboat
attitude era: Steve Austin, Dwayne Johnson, Bret Hart
post attitude - Batista, Brock Lesnar, Edge
modern day: cm punk
Special mention to Eddie Guerrero too.
posted on 11/2/13
the undertaker forever and brock lesnar