THANK YOU BROCK LESNAR

 

At SummerSlam Oba Femi defeated Brock Lesnar and on Tuesday August 4^th Lesnar announced his retirement from WWE. Brock Lesnar at 6 foot 3 and 287 pounds has been one of the most dominant and intimidating big men in professional wrestling for the last 25 years. He has had great feuds with The Rock, Kurt Angle, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Bobby Lashley, Cody Rhodes and Oba Femi. Lesnar has won championships in WWE and UFC. 

He is widely considered as the most decorated athlete in combat sports. His accomplishments include being a 10-time WWE World Champion, Former IWGP Heavyweight Champion in NJPW, 2002 King of the Ring winner, 2 Time Royal Rumble winner, 2019 Money in the Bank winner. He ended The Undertaker's legendary 21-0 WrestleMania undefeated streak. Lesnar is an NCAA Division I Heavyweight Wrestling Champion and a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. Brock Lesnar is one of the biggest crossover stars in combat sports history.

Brock Lesnar is a once in a lifetime superstar like Andre The Giant, Hulk Hogan, Macho Man, or The Rock. Other wrestlers and MMA stars will be compared to him but Lesnar is 1 of 1. Thank you Brock Lesnar for the impact you made on combat sports. You're a living legend. 

Class Dismissed,

The Pop Culture Professor

THANK YOU JOHN CENA

 

Tonight John Cena, the face of the WWE since 2005 has his last match against Gunther on Saturday Night's Main Event. For many wrestling fans this is an end of an era in professional wrestling. 

Like Bruno Sammartino and Hulk Hogan before him, WWE marketed Cena to kids and families as a superhero. Cena has had major feuds with Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Rob Van Dam, The Big Show, Brock Lesnar,  Triple H, Batista, CM Punk, Kevin Owens, A.J. Styles, Dominik Mysterio and The Rock. Cena has taken his success in wrestling and parlayed that into a successful Hollywood career

For two decades, John Cena has been the top star in pro wrestling. No other champion in WWE history has had that type of longevity in pro wrestling. He has held 17 World Championships. Now he moves aside so that men like Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns can shape the future of WWE. 

Thank you John Cena for what you've done for the wrestling industry. Whether fans loved you or hated you you always gave us everything you had. The last time may be now, but your legend will last forever. 

THE POP CULTURE PROFESSOR

R.I.P. HULK HOGAN AND THANK YOU

 

On July 24th, 2025, Hulk Hogan (a.k.a. Terry Gene Bollea), the biggest wrestling superstar in modern wrestling history died. I became a fan of Hogan in 1991 during the time of Wrestlemania 7. Hogan would face Sgt. Slaughter for the World Heavyweight Championship. Hogan's career began in the 1970's in the south in places like Alabama and Tennessee when wrestling was broken up in to different territories. From 1979 to 1981, Hulk worked for Vincent J. McMahon. in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). In 1981, Hulk left the WWWF to appear in Rocky 3 as Thunderlips. Hogan entered the American Wrestling Association (AWA) in 1981 and became a hero to the fans there. He left in 1983 to work for Vincent K. McMahon in the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). 

When Hulk Hogan entered the WWE in 1983, he was marketed as a superhero. He defeated the Iron Sheik, an Iranian sympathizer in 1984 to become the World Champion. This was a time when fans still remembered the Iranian hostage crisis and Hulk Hogan was an American hero. At 6'7 and 300 pounds, Hulk Hogan had a superhero appeal to fans. WWE marketed him to the hilt having him face all the major villains of that era like Rowdy Roddy Piper and monsters like King Kong Bundy. Hogan would have his biggest win, literally and figuratively against Andre The Giant at Wrestlemania 3. With that win Hogan cemented his legacy as a superstar. In 1994, Hogan left WWE for World Championship Wrestling. His presence in WCW made the company into a national powerhouse. Hulk Hogan is the only wrestler that was apart of two companies that he helped become mainstream entities.

Hulk Hogan was the biggest superstar in the modern era. His success in the 1980's provided the foundation for the success WWE enjoys today. He had a complicated personal life but we all do. I hope his legacy is his love for people and his love for the wrestling business. Thank you Hulkster for the memories.

THE POP CULTURE PROFESSOR

THANK YOU BILL GOLDBERG

 

Bill Goldberg a.k.a. Goldberg will wrestle tonight on Saturday Night's Main Event against Gunther, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Whether Goldberg wins or loses and if as rumors suggest, this is his last match I just want to use this platform to say Thank you to one of the most intense, and polarizing personalities to step into a pro wrestling ring. 

On September 22, 1997 Bill Goldberg debuted on WCW Monday Nitro and was a relative unknown to the wrestling fans in the arena as well as the TV audience. Standing at 6 foot 4 inches and weighing 285 pounds, the former football player, certainly had an impressive look and presence. That night he would go on to defeat his opponent, using two moves that would become his trademark, the spear and the jackhammer.

After that night, Bill Goldberg went on a winning streak that catapulted him to the top of the wrestling industry. Fans were captivated by his intensity and the fact that it seemed that he could destroy anyone.  Goldberg was also a man of few words, like Clint Eastwood in the spaghetti westerns. After winning a match he would look into the camera and ask one question: "Who's Next?" 

With over 100 wins he faced Hulk Hogan for the World Heavyweight Championship on July 6, 1998 less than a year after he officially debuted. Goldberg would defeat Hulk Hogan that night and win the World Championship. After that night Goldberg was thrust into the national spotlight appearing on talk shows and tv commercials. 

In 2001 WCW was sold to the WWE. Goldberg would not appear in WWE until 2003 due to his contract with WCW. In WWE, Goldberg would have feuds with stars like The Rock, Triple H, and Brock Lesnar in WWE from 2003 to 2004. Goldberg would leave the WWE in 2004 after winning a match against Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 20. 

Goldberg would return to the WWE in 2016 after being challenged to a match by Brock Lesnar at that year's Survivor Series event. He would defeat Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series and make sporadic appearances in WWE for the next 9 years facing stars like Brock Lesnar, Bobby Lashley, Dolph Ziggler, and Kevin Owens. In 2018 Goldberg was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. 

Thank you Bill Goldberg for your contributions to the wrestling industry. You were a superhero to many fans around the world including myself and I hope you enjoy this last run.

Class Dismissed, 

THE POP CULTURE PROFESSOR

THANK YOU STING

 

On Sunday, March 3rd, Sting will have his last match at Revolution. The next pay-per-view event for All Elite Wrestling. With his athletic ability, muscular physique, and painted face, Sting captured the imagination of fans all over the world. Sting began his career in 1985 and for almost 40 years has worked in every major promotion in the United States including the NWA, WCW, TNA, WWE, and AEW. 

During his legendary career, Sting has faced some of the biggest stars in pro wrestling including, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Macho Man Randy Savage, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Lex Luger, The Big Show, Nikita Koloff, Big Van Vader, Rick Rude, The Great Muta, and Scott Steiner. Sting has won 14 World titles during his career in WCW and TNA.

The biggest moment in Sting's career happened when he defeated Hollywood Hulk Hogan at Starrcade'97 to become WCW World heavyweight champion. Sting became a global superstar and a wrestling icon at Starrcade. 

Thank you Stinger. Thank you for all the wonderful moments you gave to millions of fans around the world. When Sting retires on March 3rd, it will truly be the end of an era. 

THE PROFESSOR

OPINION: PART II OF THE TOP 5 MOST IMPORTANT AND MEMORABLE BIG MEN AND GIANTS IN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING

 

Welcome to Part 2 (Part 1 is here) of this article on the most memorable big men and giants that have left an indelible mark in the annals of pro wrestling. I would like to start with the one of the best villains in pro wrestling: 

4. ERNIE LADD

Ernie Ladd was one one of the biggest men to ever enter the wrestling ring at 6 foot 9 and 320 pounds. Ladd started his career in wrestling in the 60's after a successful NFL career with teams like the Chargers and the Oilers. The 60's was a time of racial turmoil in America and Ernie Ladd was one of the first black villains. He won many championships in the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) during the territory days while having great feuds with Andre The Giant, Dusty Rhodes, The Von Erichs, and The Junkyard Dog.

5. BROCK LESNAR

Brock Lesnar at 6 foot 3 and 287 pounds has been one of the most dominant and intimidating big men in professional wrestling for the last 20 years. He has had great feuds with The Rock, Kurt Angle, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Bobby Lashley, and Cody Rhodes. Lesnar has won championships in WWE and UFC. He is widely considered as the most decorated athlete in combat sports. 

Professional wrestling has been filled with many big men and giants during the past 50 years. These five men have left an indelible mark in pro wrestling for not only their size but their impact on this business. I hope you enjoyed Part 2 of this article.

THE POP CULTURE PROFESSOR

OPINION: THE TOP 5 MOST IMPORTANT AND MEMORABLE BIG MEN AND GIANTS IN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING PART 1

 

Throughout the history of Pro Wrestling there have been many big men and giants that have graced the squared circle. In this article, I'd like to look at five of the most memorable big men and giants that have left an indelible mark in the annals of pro wrestling. I would like to start with the greatest giant in the history of pro wrestling: 

1. ANDRE THE GIANT

Andre The Giant was one of the greatest attractions in pro wrestling. He began his career in 1964 and traveled the world wrestling in places like France and Canada. In 1966 he began a world tour wrestling in the UK, Australia, Germany, Japan, and Africa. In 1973, he entered the WWE (then known as the World Wide Wrestling Federation) and began a career that would make him a pop culture icon. In the 1970's it was the heyday of the territory system and the WWE kept Andre on the road visiting different places once a year so that people would come in droves to see him. This made Andre a national superstar while other wrestlers were confined to their respective regional promotions. While in WWE, Andre never lost a match so he was billed as being undefeated from 1973 to 1986. The first person to beat him on the main roster was Hulk Hogan in 1987 at Wrestlemania 3.

2. HULK HOGAN

When Hulk Hogan entered the WWE in 1983, he was marketed as a superhero. He defeated the Iron Sheik, an Iranian sympathizer in 1984 to become the World Champion. This was a time when fans still remembered the Iranian hostage crisis and Hulk Hogan was an American hero. At 6'7 and 300 pounds, Hulk Hogan had a superhero appeal to fans. WWE marketed him to the hilt having him face all the major villains of that era like Rowdy Roddy Piper and monsters like King Kong Bundy. Hogan would have his biggest win, literally and figuratively against Andre The Giant at Wrestlemania 3. With that win Hogan cemented his legacy as a superstar. In 1994, Hogan left WWE for World Championship Wrestling. His presence in WCW made the company into a national powerhouse. Hulk Hogan is the only wrestler that was apart of two companies that he helped become mainstream entities.

3. THE ROCK

Before he was the biggest star in Hollywood, he was the most electrifying man in sports and entertainment. Dwayne Johnson a.k.a.The Rock has held the WWE World title eight times during his illustrious career. He had amazing feuds with Triple H, The Undertaker, Chris Jericho, Kurt Angle, and Hulk Hogan. His biggest feud was against Stone Cold Steve Austin who was the champion of the working class. The Rock in sharp contrast was Vince McMahon's corporate champion. His feud with Austin would make him the biggest star in the wrestling business and give WWE global notoriety. The Rock left the WWE in 2003 but has made sporadic appearances since 2011. In 2012 and 2013 he appeared at Wrestlemania to square off against John Cena.

This concludes Part 1 of this opinion piece. I hope you enjoyed it. 

THE POP CULTURE PROFESSOR

THANK YOU TERRY FUNK

 

Terry Funk, one of pro wrestling's biggest stars during the 70's and 80's passed away on August 23rd. He was 79. Funk is survived by his older brother Dory Funk Jr. and his two daughters. Through out his career Funk wrestled for all the major wrestling promotions including WWE, WCW, NWA, and ECW. He also wrestled internationally in Japan.

Funk started his career in wrestling in 1965 in Texas where his father, Dory Funk Sr. had his own promotion. In those days, wrestling was built on different territories in different states under the auspices of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Funk worked in tag team matches with his brother Dory and singles matches until he finally reached the top of the mountain.

Terry Funk worked his way up and became an attraction in every territory he visited. In 1975, he defeated Jack Brisco and became the NWA World Heavyweight Champion. During the 70's and 80's,  the NWA Worlds title was the pinnacle of professional wrestling. Funk held the title for 14 months and in that time he became a superstar having feuds with legends like Giant Baba in Japan, Jack Brisco in Florida, and Pat O'Connor. His greatest feud was against the legendary Dusty Rhodes in Florida. Both men were from different parts of Texas and Dusty was the top star in Florida so whenever Terry Funk and Dusty Rhodes clashed it was a monumental event. By 1977, Terry Funk would lose the NWA World title to Harley Race but by then he was known all around the world. 

In the 1980's he moved onto Memphis where he started a feud with "The King" Jerry Lawler and he wrestled in Japan having feuds with legends like The Sheik, Abdullah The Butcher, Stan Hansen, and Bruiser Brody. Overseas, the wrestling style was more physical and Terry Funk built his reputation as a "hardcore" wrestler in Japan. 

From 1985 to 1986 he and his brother Dory worked in the WWE appearing at Wrestlemania 2. During that year in WWE, Terry Funk did get to challenge Hulk Hogan for the WWE World Championship. In 1989, Funk moved onto to World Championship Wrestling (WCW) where he had an epic feud with Ric Flair who was the World Champion at the time.

In the 90's, Funk moved onto Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) a regional promotion located in Philadelphia and run by Paul Heyman. ECW used different styles to attract an audience such as lucha libre and American style wrestling but it was primarily known for being a violent, blood, and guts promotion. Terry Funk fit in perfectly with his reputation. He had great feuds with Shane Douglas, Sabu, Cactus Jack (Mick Foley), The Sandman, and Raven. Terry Funk became the ECW World Champion in 1997 at ECW's first Pay Per View, Barely Legal.  

Terry Funk was the epitome of professional wrestling. His persona as a wild man made him an attraction all around the world. His toughness and willingness to elevate young talent made him a legend. Rest in Peace Terry Funk and thank you for everything you did in pro wrestling. You've left a legacy that has given fans a lifetime of memories. 

THE PROFESSOR

HULK HOGAN: POP CULTURE ICON

On August 11th, Hulk Hogan celebrated his 70th birthday and over 40 years as a celebrity. It all began in 1982 when Hulk Hogan popped off the screen in Rocky 3 as Thunderlips and became a household name. Before Rocky 3, 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. At 6'7 and 300 pounds, Hulk Hogan had a superhero appeal to fans. Hogan was the biggest star in 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. He would go on to have roles in TV shows like The A-Team and movies like No Holds Barred and Suburban Commando which would cement his pop culture status. 

In 1994, Hogan left WWE for World Championship Wrestling. His presence in WCW made the company into a national powerhouse. Hulk Hogan is the only wrestler that was apart of two companies that he helped become mainstream entities. 

Happy Birthday Hulkster! and Thank you for your contributions to pop culture. 

THE PROFESSOR

R.I.P. SUPERSTAR BILLY GRAHAM AND THANK YOU

 

Superstar Billy Graham passed away on Wednesday. He was 79 years old. In the 1970's, Graham was a revolutionary figure in professional wrestling because of his physique. Superstar Billy Graham began his career as a bodybuilder and he became friends with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the late 60's in California. After starting his wrestling career in California, by 1972 Graham moved to the American Wrestling Association (AWA) and he had great feuds with legends like Verne Gagne, Wahoo McDaniel, The Crusher, Ken Patera, and Billy Robinson. With his mythic physique and his colorful attire, Graham was a franchise star and soon he would move into the big leagues. In 1975, Graham moved onto the World Wide Wrestling Federation which is now the WWE. 

Superstar Billy Graham was at the pinnacle of his career in WWE. While in WWE, Graham feuded with Bruno Sammartino, Ivan Putski, Pedro Morales, Dusty Rhodes, and Mil Mascaras. Graham reached the top of the mountain in WWE on April 30, 1977, when he defeated Bruno Sammartino for the World Title in Baltimore. Superstar held the title for nine and a half months and became one of the biggest stars in pro wrestling. 

Superstar Billy Graham influenced so many stars including Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, and Scott Steiner. Graham's promos and his physique changed the way pro wrestling was presented and marketed. Thank you Superstar Billy Graham. Your contributions to the wrestling business will never be forgotten. 

THE PROFESSOR

THANK YOU JOHN CENA; THOUGHTS ON BROCK LESNAR VS. ROMAN REIGNS AT SUMMERSLAM 2022

 

For two decades, John Cena has been the top star in pro wrestling. From 2005 to 2017 he was a main event star in WWE. No other champion in WWE history has had that type of longevity. He has held the WWE World title 16 times. Like Bruno Sammartino and Hulk Hogan before him,WWE marketed Cena to kids and families as a superhero. Cena has had major feuds with Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Batista, CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, The Rock, and A.J. Styles. Cena has taken his success in wrestling and parlayed that into a successful Hollywood career. Thank you John Cena for all of your contributions to the wrestling business. 

Brock Lesnar versus Roman Reigns will be the main event at Summerslam on July 30th. The two men will compete in a last man standing match. Brock lost to Roman at Wrestlemania 2022, but he should win this match. To add a new wrinkle to this feud, WWE could use this match to split the Undisputed title or create a new World Championship. 

John Cena will appear on WWE Raw on Monday night. I'll definitely be tuning in to see what happens. 

THE PROFESSOR

R.I.P. SCOTT HALL AND THANK YOU

On Monday, the wrestling world lost one of its greatest stars. Scott Hall passed away at the age of 63, after complications from hip surgery. Hall made his name in wrestling in WWE as Razor Ramon and in WCW (World Championship Wrestling) as part of the NWO (New World Order) with Kevin Nash and Hulk Hogan. 

When Scott Hall entered the WWE in 1993, it was the beginning of a new era. Superstars like Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior were on the way out and Vince McMahon was looking to build new stars. Scott Hall and Vince McMahon created the character of Razor Ramon, a Cuban tough guy from Miami based off of Tony Montana from the movie Scarface. 

Razor Ramon was the epitome of a cool heel that turned into a great babyface. His feud with Shawn Michaels over the Intercontinental title and their epic ladder match at Wrestlemania 10 solidifiied Razor Ramon as a superstar. Razor Ramon held the Intercontinental title a record 4 times with feuds with stars like Jeff Jarrett, Diesel, and Goldust. Scott Hall would leave the WWE in 1996 and begin the Monday Night Wars when he appeared on WCW Nitro in September of 1996.

The NWO changed the game in pro wrestling. Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Hulk Hogan were cool heels that were trying to destroy WCW. The years from 1995 to 2000 were some great years as WCW/NWO battled the WWE for ratings supremacy in the Monday Night Wars. Wrestling became big business for cable and generated millions of dollars for both companies.  

Thank you Mr. Hall. You made the wrestling business better and gave millions of fans great memories that will last a lifetime. Rest In Peace. 

THE PROFESSOR

CODY RHODES IS THE "RIC FLAIR" OF ALL ELITE WRESTLING

Cody Rhodes won the TNT Championship on AEW Rampage, Saturday night. This makes Cody the first three-time champion in All Elite Wrestling. Many fans are calling for Cody Rhodes to become a heel (villain) in AEW, but I think he's already a heel.

Cody reminds me of Ric Flair more than his father, Dusty Rhodes. Dusty was a wild cowboy while Ric Flair was a businessman. Cody isn't a cowboy he prefers to wear suits and fancy shoes like Ric Flair. Lately, Cody has received a lot of boos from the fans in different cities. It seems that in places like Greensboro, North Carolina where Jim Crockett Promotions had a great stronghold, Cody received a strong babyface (hero) reaction. Greensboro was the place where Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes were major superstars with the Starrcade wrestling event in the 1980's. 

All Elite Wrestling has their own version of Ric Flair and his name is Cody Rhodes. He can be heel or babyface just like Flair because the fans may not like him all the time, but they respect him. Cody has been apart of the wrestling business for more than a decade. He made his name in WWE from 2006 to 2016 and then moved onto the independent scene from 2016 to 2018 before becoming apart of All Elite Wrestling. 

Currently Cody is the first three-time champion in All Elite and I'm sure he'll have more championships in his future. Personally, I loved Cody winning last night. I thought he and Sammy had a great match and they told a great story. Cody is the Ric Flair of All Elite, from the business suits to the blonde hair and I love it.

THE PROFESSOR

THOUGHTS ON WRESTLING.....

On WWE Friday Night Smackdown Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman ended their professional relationship as Brock Lesnar made the save. Reigns vs. Lesnar is now the new Austin vs. Rock.

Bron Breakker has an intensity and an athleticism that reminds me a lot of Kurt Angle.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman is the best villain in the wrestling business in my opinion.

These are just a few of my thoughts on wrestling. I hope you enjoy. 

THE PROFESSOR

 

HAPPY 20TH ANNIVERSARY SMALLVILLE

Twenty years ago Smallville debuted on the WB (now the CW network) in the fall of 2001. The producers of the show turned the town of Smallville into a character unto itself. Clark Kent's arrival in a rocket ship caused a meteor shower and changed everyone's lives. Today there is an explosion of superhero movies and TV shows on every channel but in 2001 that was not the case. In syndication you had Hercules and Xena but they were starting to wind down their runs.  Most networks were focusing on teen dramas once the WB network found success with Dawson's Creek. 

The genius of Smallville was that it was a superhero show mixed with teen drama featuring a young Clark Kent who is 16, in high school, and finds out that he is an alien. In Smallville Clark Kent (Tom Welling) was a nerd, an outsider who never fit in. He was in love with his best friend Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) but he couldn't say anything because she was in a relationship with the football captain. Like any regular teenager that deals with puberty, Clark's powers would manifest themselves at awkward times. All these things made Superman who has been portrayed as so perfect since the end of World War Two, more relatable to the audience. 

One of the biggest reasons that Smallville succeeded was because of the relationship between Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) and Clark Kent. As fans we not only got to see the evolution of Clark Kent into Superman but we also see how Lex Luthor becomes the man he is. Through the machinations of his father Lionel Luthor (John Glover), Lex becomes the tyrant we know him to be. Clark and Lex start as friends but over 7 seasons Clark and Lex become enemies as they both embrace their destinies. 

 

As Smallville moved on they introduced new characters and other heroes into the show. Characters like Lois Lane (Erica Durance) and Green Arrow (Justin Hartley) entered Smallville. When Kristin Kreuk and Michael Rosenbaum left the show in season 8, the relationship between Clark and Lois became the centerpiece of the show until its end in season 10. 

 

In Season 8 Clark moved to Metropolis and embraced his superhero identity known as "The Blur". As a fan I always wanted to see Tom Welling in the classic Superman suit and I always thought it was wrong that he never wore it on the show. In hindsight, Clark never needed the classic suit and his "blur" costumes were very modern and would fit well in today's superhero culture.  

Since it ended in 2010, superheroes have become big business in movies and television with Marvel and DC battling for supremacy. The CW network has garnered big ratings with shows like Arrow, Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow on its programming slate. Today, Warner Brothers has struggled to make Superman relevant with movies like Man of Steel and Batman vs. Superman being critically panned. Its possible that if they stayed with the formula that Smallville started they might be more successful. 

Smallville was one of the most successful TV shows ever, airing for 10 seasons. It introduced Clark Kent and Superman to a new generation of fans and delighted longtime fans. 20 years after its debut, it is still fondly remembered as a precursor to what we see now.

Thank you Smallville. 

THE PROFESSOR

 

THOUGHTS ON WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW AFTER MONEY IN THE BANK

 

KARRION KROSS

On Monday night, WWE Raw had a few big moments on its show. One of the big moments was the debut of Karrion Kross, the current NXT Champion. Kross faced Jeff Hardy and was dominant during the match. Kross lost the match after he backed Hardy in a corner, climbed the ropes to rain down hammer fists and Hardy stacked him up with his feet on the ropes to get the pin on Kross. While most wrestling pundits may look at this moment as negative, I think this was a smart move by WWE. Kross is the NXT champion at the moment so he won't be back on RAW for a while and he needed a way out. With a loss to Jeff Hardy, Kross can go back to NXT, lose his title because he's distracted by the loss to Hardy, and when he comes back to the main roster, he can wreak havoc until he gets a rematch with Jeff Hardy. 

Other Thoughts: 

JOHN CENA

John Cena started the show and told the audience he was back because of the WWE Universe and because "Roman Reigns is an a$$hole." The match between Cena and Reigns will be EPIC. Reigns is the ultimate dominant villain and Cena is a superhero that's a legend. The match will happen at Summerslam but I don't expect Cena to be pinned or submit. Since Cena said at Money In The Bank he will make multiple appearances, the match at Summerslam will probably end with outside interference. Cena is now the WWE's new Undertaker. He'll show up and help get talent over but he's still their biggest star.

GOLDBERG

Goldberg returned on RAW and he challenged Bobby Lashley for the WWE World title. Lashley defeated Keith Lee after Lee accepted Lashley's open challenge. Many fans want to see Brock Lesnar vs. Lashley but I don't believe Brock Lesnar wants to come back yet. Lesnar may be happy at home with his family. Both Lashley and Reigns are copying Brock's gimmick so he may see no need to return. Goldberg will be a great opponent for Lashley to have on his resume since he's an icon in wrestling. 

WWE Monday Night Raw pulled out all the stops. WWE is pushing towards Summerslam and with John Cena and Goldberg, they really want to give fans their money's worth. 

THE PROFESSOR

R.I.P. "MR. WONDERFUL" PAUL ORNDORFF

Paul Orndorff, one of pro wrestling's biggest stars of the 1980's passed away on Monday. He was 71 years old. In May, his son Travis, announced that Orndorff was dealing with dementia. The man known in the 1980's as Mr. Wonderful, was one of the best and toughest wrestlers of his generation. 

Orndorff started his career in 1979, and for over 20 years he was one of the best wrestlers in the world. He worked in many different territories including Memphis, Mid-South Wrestling, Mid-Atlantic Wrestling, Georgia, and New Japan Pro Wrestling. Paul Orndorff wrestled some of the best superstars of the 70's and 80's including Jerry Lawler, Ted Dibiase, Buzz Sawyer, Ernie Ladd, The Junkyard Dog, Dusty Rhodes, and Ric Flair. By the time he signed with the WWE (then the World Wrestling Federation at the time) in 1983, Orndorff was a hot commodity in pro wrestling. 

On January 23,1984, Orndorff debuted for the WWE on the same night that Hulk Hogan defeated The Iron Sheik for the WWE World Championship. Orndorff and Hogan's career would intertwine from 1985 through 1986. Orndorff or Mr. Wonderful, as he would be known, would team with Rowdy Roddy Piper against Hulk Hogan and Mr. T at the inaugural Wrestlemania in 1985. By 1986, Orndorff was one of Hogan's biggest challengers for the WWE World title. Their feud lasted for half a year and culminated in a cage match on NBC's Saturday Night's Main Event. The Hogan-Orndorff feud is one of the most notable and profitable feuds in WWE history. 

Orndorff would leave the WWE in 1988 and move on to other territories such as the UWF (Universal Wrestling Federation) and WCW (World Championship Wrestling) but his career would never reach the same heights. By 1995, Paul Orndorff would retire due to injuries sustained throughout his career. He became an agent and trainer at WCW. 

Paul Orndorff was one of the toughest men in professional wrestling. His feuds with Jerry Lawler, Ted Dibiase, and Dusty Rhodes made him a star. His feud with Hulk Hogan in 1986, made him a superstar. Thank you Mr. Orndorff. You've created a legacy that will never be forgotten. 

THE PROFESSOR

R.I.P. RICHARD DONNER AND THANK YOU

CHRISTOPHER REEVE AND RICHARD DONNER

Richard Donner, the prolific director of the Lethal Weapon franchise, and The Goonies passed away on Monday July 5th. He was 91 years old. Richard Donner was important to me because he directed one of my favorite movies, Superman: The Movie. As a child, who wore glasses and was awkward, I could relate to Clark Kent. But I could also fantasize about having the powers of Superman. Mr. Donner had a long history in Hollywood before he made Superman.

Before he directed the Superman movie, Mr. Donner worked in television. During the 1960's and 1970's he directed some of the best TV shows of the era including, Route 66, The Rifleman, The Twilight Zone, Gilligan's Island, Perry Mason, and The Wild Wild West. 

In 1961, Donner's debut feature, X-15 starred Charles Bronson and Mary Tyler Moore. He followed it up with Salt and Pepper with Peter Lawford and Sammy Davis Jr. In 1976, Donner directed, The Omen, a supernatural film and he transferred to films full time. The Omen would be the film that caught the attention of Ilya and Richard Salkind, the father-son producing team that were working on a live-action Superman film. 

In December of 1978, Superman:The Movie debuted in theatres starring Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Ned Beatty, and Marlon Brando. The film had a budget of 55 million and grossed over 300 million at the global box office. It won a special Oscar for its visual effects and was nominated for three Academy Awards. Superman: The Movie would be the beginning of the modern superhero cinematic universes we see today from Marvel and DC. 

After a dispute with the producers, Richard Donner left the sequel to Superman II and Richard Lester took over as director. Donner moved on to direct other projects that have become pop culture classics like The Goonies, The Lost Boys, and The Lethal Weapon franchise with Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. 

Richard Donner was one of the most prolific and amazing directors of the 20th century. Thank you Mr. Donner, you've created a legacy that will never be forgotten. 

Class Dismissed,
The Professor

OPINION: THE TOP THREE GREATEST NWA CHAMPIONS

NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP 

Before there was WWE, there was the N.W.A  The original National Wrestling Alliance at its peak lasted from 1948 to 1991. For over four decades, the NWA was the gold standard for wrestling with its champions representing the best in the wrestling industry. In this article I want to list the three greatest champions of that era, starting with:

LOU THESZ

Lou Thesz was the man who helped launch the NWA during the 1950's as wrestling moved onto television.Thesz was a great amateur that trained in greco-roman and catch wrestling. He won his first title in 1949 and would hold it until 1956. He would win it another five times by 1963. Thesz would become the prototype for great champions who had a legitimate amateur background like Bob Backlund, Jack Brisco, Kurt Angle, and Brock Lesnar.

The next man on our list didn't have Thesz's wrestling background but he was one of the toughest men to ever hold the championship and that man is: 

HARLEY RACE

Between 1973 and 1984, Harley Race held the NWA World Championship eight different times. During his many reigns, Harley Race traveled across the world to defend his championship. Race wrestled the biggest superstars of his generation including: Andre The Giant, Bruiser Brody, The Von Erichs, Dusty Rhodes, The Funks, and Ric Flair. Harley was a pioneer in cable TV when he appeared on WTBS as champion throughout the 70's and 80's when cable was in its infancy. Ric Flair and Harley Race were the main event on the first wrestling pay-per-view, Starrcade in 1983. 

The next man on our list, like Harley Race, traveled around the world and defended his title against the best and that man is: 

RIC FLAIR

Ric Flair is a 16-time World Champion. During his career he won the NWA World title seven times.  During his seven title reigns, he faced the best of his generation including: Ricky Steamboat, Harley Race,Terry Funk, and Sting. His greatest opponent in the NWA was Dusty Rhodes, The American Dream. Ric Flair and The Four Horsemen (which included Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, and Lex Luger) engaged in a feud that launched Jim Crockett Promotions and the NWA into the stratosphere during the mid-1980's. 

For over forty years the NWA was the gold standard in wrestling. It still exists on FiteTV and it appeals to the fans that love old school wrestling. This article reflects three champions that I think were the best of the best in wrestling. 

THE PROFESSOR

OPINION: THE TOP THREE MOST IMPORTANT MATCHES IN WWE HISTORY

The Fox Network posted a question on Instagram according to Cageside Seats asking WWE fans: What is the most important match in WWE history? As a WWE fan for three decades, this made me think about what the most important matches in WWE history are and here are my top 3:

3. HULK HOGAN VS. ANDRE THE GIANT-WRESTLEMANIA III

The date was March 29th, 1987 and Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant were the two biggest stars in the wrestling industry at that time. WWE marketed Andre as being undefeated for 15 years and Hogan had been WWE Champion for three years. Over 90,000 fans came to the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit to see if Hogan could defeat Andre who had never been a World champion. With Andre's defeat at Wrestlemania III, Hogan sealed his legacy as the biggest attraction in wrestling. 

2. HULK HOGAN AND MR. T VS. ROWDY RODDY PIPER AND PAUL ORNDORFF-WRESTLEMANIA I 

The date was March 31st, 1985 and all of New York was in a frenzy for the first Wrestlemania. At Madison Square Garden that evening, history would be made as "Rowdy" Roddy Piper teamed with Paul "Mr. Wonderful" Orndorff and Hogan teamed with Mr. T who was the star of the A-Team TV show. Piper and Orndorff lost the match to Hulk Hogan and Mr. T. With the cross promotion of MTV and WWE, pro wrestling was approaching a new level of popularity. With the success of Hulk Hogan and Wrestlemania, Vince McMahon could continue the national expansion of WWE across the United States. 

And now my pick for THE most important match in WWE history is...

1. ROWDY RODDY PIPER VS. HULK HOGAN-THE WAR TO SETTLE THE SCORE ON MTV

After leaving the N.W.A.(National Wrestling Alliance) in 1983, Roddy Piper moved onto WWE in 1984. Piper began his feud with Hulk Hogan after Piper attacked Cyndi Lauper during a special presentation to Capt. Lou Albano. On Feburary 18th, 1985, Hulk Hogan and Piper met in the ring for the WWE Championship with Cyndi Lauper in Hogan's corner. Hogan won by disqualificaton when outside interference from Paul Mr. Wonderful Orndorff and Bob Orton Jr. cost Piper the match. When Cyndi Lauper tried to help, Piper and Orndorff looked to attack her. Mr. T who was also in attendance would hop on the apron to defend Cyndi. This would all lead to the second most important match on this list at the first Wrestlemania. 

The War To Settle The Score event has all the things that people love about wrestling: a hero and a villain, drama, and celebrity involvement. This one match started Hulk Hogan on his path to superstardom which in turn made Vince McMahon and WWE the worldwide leader in sports-entertainment. 

Since the WWE's inception in 1982, there have been many important matches in its history. As a fan of WWE for three decades, this list shows what I think are the top 3 most important matches in WWE history. 

THE PROFESSOR