ROMAN REIGNS IS BACK IN WWE

 

The big dog is back. On Monday night, Roman Reigns (Joe Anoa'i) announced on RAW that his cancer is in remission. This was the first appearance for Reigns on WWE TV since his announcement in October that he was dealing with leukemia. He didn't announce when he would officially return to the ring but I wouldn't be surprised if it happened at Wrestlemania.

During his announcement, Reigns thanked the fans for their thoughts and prayers. He also pledged to use his platform to help others in need and the fans loved it. 

Welcome Back Roman Reigns! You are a one of a kind Superstar. 

Class Dismissed,
THE PROFESSOR

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATURE BOY RIC FLAIR!!

RIC FLAIR

Ric Flair, the sixteen time World Champion is about to turn 70 years old on Monday, February 25th. On Friday, February 22nd, Ric Flair's wife Wendy Barlow threw him a surprise party with celebrity guests that included basketball legends Charles Barkley, Dennis Rodman, Todd Gurley from the LA Rams, and Boxing legend, Evander Holyfield according to PEOPLE Magazine. Wrestling stars that also appeared at the party included Michael P.S. Hayes, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Triple H, Shane McMahon,Chris Jericho, and his daughter, Charlotte Flair. Flair's career in the spotlight has spanned over four decades.

RIC FLAIR, ARN ANDERSON, TULLY BLANCHARD, AND LEX LUGER AS THE FOUR HORSEMEN

In the 1980's he came to national prominence as the leader of the Four Horsemen. As the charismatic heel champion he had great feuds with Dusty Rhodes, Magnum T.A., Sting, Lex Luger, Barry Windham, and Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat which solidified the National Wrestling Alliance as a national power in wrestling. In 1991, he moved to the WWE and began feuding with Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage until he left the WWE in 1992. Flair was apart of the Monday Night Wars in the late 90's when Hogan and Savage moved to WCW in 1994. Flair would face many stars of wrestling including Chris Jericho, The Big Show, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Goldberg. When WCW closed in 2001, Flair started working for WWE. 

On Monday February 25th, the WWE will celebrate Ric Flair's birthday with a special episode of Monday Night Raw. It will be interesting to see what surprises happen on the show. As a fan of WWE and Ric Flair, I will be watching. 

Happy Birthday Nature Boy. You're the best of the best.

Class Dismissed, 

THE PROFESSOR

NETFLIX TO AIR HULK HOGAN BIOPIC

HULK HOGAN IN 1984

Hulkamania is about to run wild on Netflix. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix is closing a deal to air a biographical movie about the legendary wrestler starring Chris Hemsworth (THOR, AVENGERS, AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR). This news comes right after the cancellation of Marvel shows like Daredevil, The Punisher, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage. Netflix can use this Hulk Hogan movie to distance themselves from other streaming services as well as cable TV.

CHRIS HEMSWORTH AS THOR

The movie reportedly is going to focus on the origins of Hulk Hogan, (real name Terry Bollea) in wrestling from his early beginnings to his meteoric rise in the WWE. Hogan began wrestling in 1977 in Florida, and from 1977 to 1979, he bounced around different territories in the southeast including Alabama, Memphis, and Georgia. By 1979, Hulk Hogan entered the WWE (then known as the World Wide Wrestling Federation) as a villain. From 1979 to 1980 Hogan was a villain and he feuded with Andre The Giant and he had a World title match with Bob Backlund. In 1980, Hogan left the WWE after a dispute with Vince McMahon Sr. over his role in Rocky III.

After filming his role in Rocky III, Hogan entered the AWA (American Wrestling Association) in 1981. He quickly became a fan favorite feuding with Bobby Heenan and The Heenan Family which included Ken Patera, Mr. Saito, and the AWA World Champion, Nick Bockwinkel. Hogan was the biggest star of the AWA and Vince McMahon took notice making him an offer to come to the WWE.

In December of 1983, The Hulkster entered the WWE and beat the Iron Shiek in January of 1984 to become the WWE Champion changing pro wrestling in the process. His feuds in the 80's with stars like Rowdy Roddy Piper, King Kong Bundy, Andre The Giant and Macho Man Randy Savage made  WWE a national brand and Hulk Hogan a superstar.

Netflix is very smart to use Hulk Hogan's brand identity to help elevate their streaming network. It will be interesting to see what other actors are chosen to play other roles. As a fan of wrestling and Hulk Hogan, I'll be very interested in this movie.

Class Dismissed,
THE PROFESSOR

R.I.P. PEDRO MORALES

PEDRO MORALES AS WWWF U.S. CHAMPION

Pedro Morales, the former WWWF champion has passed away at the age of 76 according to the NY DAILY NEWS.  Morales career spanned close to three decades starting in 1959 and ending in 1987 when he retired. During his career he worked for the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance), AWA (American Wrestling Association) and the WWE known as the WWWF (World Wide Wrestling Federation) in the 1970's.

In the WWE, Pedro Morales achieved his greatest success and notoriety. Morales arrived in the federation in 1970, and in February 1971, he defeated Ivan Koloff to become the World Champion. Morales held the title for 1,027 days which is the fifth longest reign in WWE history according to Wrestling Inc. Morales would have matches with legends like Bruno Sammartino, Mr. Fuji, and Freddie Blassie. By 1975, Morales would leave WWE and go work for different federations including the NWA, and the AWA.

Morales would return to WWE in 1980 and win the tag-team titles with Bob Backlund. In December of 1980 he won the Intercontinental title from Ken Patera making him the first triple crown champion in the history of WWE. During his reign as WWE Intercontinental Champion he had feuds with Sgt. Slaughter, Stan Hansen, Greg Valentine, and Don Muraco. Muraco would defeat Morales in June of 1981 for the Intercontinental title. 

In 1995, Pedro Morales was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Pedro Morales remains one of the most popular and toughest men to ever enter into a wrestling ring. Thank you Mr. Morales your contributions to wrestling will never be forgotten. 

Class Dismissed, 
THE PROFESSOR