Ringside Remembrances
The Old Guard
Jay Shannon draws upon his 37 years of experience as a devout wrestling fan to look at the past, present and future of pro wrestling.
"All would live long, but none would be old." -- Benjamin Franklin
My brother-in-law and his wife live about an hour away from my wife and me. Last week, while going out to their place to visit, I took time to do a little light reading while Dianna drove. I was checking out the PWI yearly list of the top 500 wrestlers when something struck me. There are a bunch of guys who are in their fourth or fifth (even sixth) decade of wrestling. Since I'm nearing 40 years of watching this great sport, I wanted to profile a few people that have given an extended portion of their lives to entertain all of us. The people listed below are still, at least, semi-active in the ring wars.
Hulk Hogan -- 30 Years
He wasn't on my original list of Old Guard wrestlers. His signing with TNA changed all that. Hogan is likely the most well-known wrestler of all time. Hogan started out in 1979 under the ring names of Sterling Golden and Terry Boulder. He did his first WWF run in 1980, under the leadership of the late, great Freddie Blassie Hogan was working in the AWA when our own Bill Apter was asked by a “talent scout” in Sly Stallone’s office which wrestler he felt would be a good fit for the Thunderlips character in Rocky III. Apter recommended Superstar Billy Graham and Hogan. As we all know, Hogan got the part! After that film appearance, Hogan's career exploded with a return to the WWF and the birth of Hulkamania. A lot of people take credit for the birth of Hulkamania, Apter deserves a least a little nod of appreciation for Hogan's success. Hogan almost went to TNA once before but surgery derailed his plans. The red and yellow was replaced by nWo black and white, for awhile. His jump to WCW in the mid 90s tilted the balance of the Monday Night Wars to the WCW side. How long his surgically repaired body will hold out is questionable but he will definitely make life interesting for the World Elite in TNA. He is the measuring stick by which all others will be compared, likely forever.
Terry Funk -- 44 years
The Funkster started his career the year I was born (1965). He is the only wrestler to have performed in the NWA, WCW, AWA, WWE, ECW, Ring Of Honor, USWA and TNA. He is a legend in Japan and Puerto Rico, as well as the US and Canada. Funk is often credited with the creation of the "Hardcore Style" of wrestling in the US. The second generation star is actually the Godfather of NWA star, Mike DiBiase. Funk's wars against Bruiser Brody and Mick Foley are the stuff of legend. His Barbed Wire Ropes match against Sabu, in ECW, was the only match that Paul Heyman swore he would never book, again. Terry has slowed down, a little, in the past few years but he will likely never stop.
Jerry "The King" Lawler -- 39 Years
While his main role, these days, is working the Raw announce table, Lawler won't hesitate to hop in the ring for a tussle. He's fought Chris Masters, Brian Kendrick and several others in the last year or so. Lawler has faced so many top stars, from Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair to Bret Hart and The Road Warriors. Lawler's biggest feud didn't actually happen with a pro wrestler. Back in 1982, off-beat comic Andy Kaufman decided to push his whole intergender wrestling stage act to the next level by invading Memphis and making fun of the locals. As portrayed in the movie Man on the Moon, Lawler took exception to Kaufman using his fans as a cheap way to get himself some publicity. Lawler dropped Kaufman (who was managed by Jimmy Hart) on his head with a Piledriver. Kaufman threatened to sue and the whole thing ended up on Late Night with David Letterman. Lawler slapped Kaufman out of a chair and the crowd gasped in horror. Of course, Lawler and Kaufman had the whole thing set up and got a big laugh out of it. In fact, they laughed all the way to the bank. Lawler has helped push several angles, over the years.
Larry Zbyszko -- 38 Years
Yes, the "Living Legend" is still alive and well and working the indy scene. Larry had his first big feud against Bruno Sammartino, close to 30 years ago. He was the last man to hold the AWA World title. He also retired the Western States title in WCW. Larry Z has stirred up controversy just about everywhere that he's gone. He even tried to sue the WWE for use of the term "Living Legend". When Vince McMahon called Chris Jericho by the term, Zbyszko took legal action for "infringement on his common law trademark". The suit went nowhere. Zbyszko is one of the few men to have worked in the NWA, WCW, WWE , TNA and AWA. He still works, occasionally, on the indy scene.
"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan -- 31 Years
The flag-waving New Yorker hasn't been seen around the Raw scene in several weeks, now, but he's far from retired. The Master of the 2X4 can show up at anytime to take make life interesting for the latest arrival on the Red Brand. Expect him to battle Sheamus, now that the Celtic Warrior is on Monday nights. Duggan is one of the last surviving, active members of the 1980s Hulkamania era. Most of the rest have retired (or, sadly, passed) but Duggan is still in there ramping up the crowds with his "U-S-A" chants. I still remember the brutal battles between him and Skandor Akbar's organization. The burning of Deggan's eye darn near brought about a riot in the old Mid-South territory.
Riki Choshu -- 35 Years
He was part of the huge multi-man tag match during TNA's recent Global Impact stop in Japan. He's taught dozens of young stars their craft. He's one of the most respected men in Japanese wrestling. On top of all that, the man can still mix it up with men half his age. Watch the Global Impact show and tell me if I'm wrong.
Victor Jovica -- 43 Years
He helped create the WWC with Carlos Colon. He rarely fights in the ring, these days, but will if he has to. He's held the NWA tag belts twice, once with Colon and once with Hercules Ayala. He actually beat Ric Flair in 1983 for the NWA World title but the NWA negated the title switch. Jovica helped to train several rising stars, including Carlito and Primo Colon.
Negro Casas -- 30 Years
Jose Casas got his start, by accident. His dad, Pepe Casas, didn't make it to a show. Jose was working for the company, behind the scenes. They came to Jose to ask if he would step in for his dad. That was in 1979 and Negro Casas has fought ever since. The name translates to Black Houses, but he pushed more of a "Black Sheep" gimmick, for a short time. In addition to his father, Casas shares the ring with two brothers and a sister-in-law. His two daughters are currently training to join their father in the family business. He's a staple in CMLL.
Finlay -- 31 Years
The Man Who Loves to Fight has been doing it for many, many years. He's worked as just Finlay and as Dave "Fit" Finlay. The Irishman started working in his native Ireland as a teen-ager, working small shows. He came to the states and worked in WCW, along with William Regal and other European stars in a loosely organized group. He was picked up by WWE during the merger with WCW. He's fought on all three brands, mostly alone. He was part of King Booker's royal court and did an extended run with his "son", Hornswoggle. With his trusty shillelagh in hand, he's creating havoc for the men on Smackdown, currently. He shows no signs of slowing down, either. Never be surprised if he ends up wearing the Intercontinental title.The luck of the Irish is on this tough brawler.
Blue Panther -- 31 Years
He's another mainstay in CMLL. Panther chose his blue costume to pay tribute to his idol, Anibal. Panther worked mostly in Northern Mexico during the early days of his career. He was noticed by road agents for the UWA and invited to join them. Over time, he would move on to CMLL, where he works now. In September, 2008, he fought Villano V in a Mask v Mask battle, which he lost. He now works both as Blue Panther and under his given name, Genaro Vazquez Nevarez. He still comes to the ring in blue, even though he no longer wears the mask.
Chicky Starr -- 31 Years
Mostly known for his wrestling in Puerto Rico, Chicky was a key player in the Junior Heavyweight division in Joe Blanchard's Southwest Championship Wrestling promotion in the early 1980s. He feuded with Eric Embry and numerous other smaller stars in the group. Once SWCW folded (partially due to Vince McMahon taking their TV time on the USA Network), Chicky went home to Puerto Rico. He's made a few visits to the states in the last few years, but prefers to stay in Puerto Rico with his family and friends. He's worked as both a wrestler and manager, garnering success in both areas. He is sometimes confused Ricky Starr, who worked the ring wars a generation before Chicky got started.
Abdullah the Butcher -- 51 Years
Yes, you read that right. Abby started wrestling in 1958. He's down to only one or two appearances a year, these days. He spends most of his time with his famous restaurant in Atlanta. He actually wrestled, just a few weeks ago, for Juggalo Championship Wrestling. While most of the forks are used at his House of Ribs, Abby won't hesitate to slide one (or more) into those infamous red pants of his. His brutal battles against Bruiser Brody, Carlos Colon, Tony Atlas and dozens more are clinics in how to be truly vicious in the ring. I recently added Abby's action figure to my little collection. He stands in the plastic ring, alongside Bruiser Brody (who was the first figure I purchased). My only complaint was that the WWE gave him a folding chair, not a fork, to brandish.
In Conclusion: There are probably a dozen or more wrestlers that I missed for this list. Quite a few Japanese and European stars have worked for multiple decades. The men listed above (other than Abdullah and Hogan) were all listed in the Top 500. To those who didn't make the list, I salute you, as well. For men like Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, Tommy Dreamer and others who are between 20 and 30 years active, you are also most respected and most appreciated.
Remember, my e-door is always open for your comments and remembrances.
Peace
Jay Shannon
Jade89512@yahoo.com
