R.I.P. KING KONG BUNDY

KING KONG BUNDY

King Kong Bundy, one of the most prominent stars of the WWE in the 1980's passed away on Monday at the age of 61 according to CNN. Bundy, whose real name was Chris Pallies, was a villain throughout his career. At 6'4 and over 450 pounds he was an imposing figure in the squared circle. He rose to prominence because of his size and mobility in the ring. In 1981, he began wrestling for WWE as Chris Canyon. In 1982, he moved onto Texas and WCCW (World Class Championship Wrestling) as Big Daddy Bundy. 

He started the King Kong Bundy character as a villain in a feud against the promotion's heroes the Von Erich family. Bundy would win the American Heavyweight Championship twice while in WCCW. Between 1983 and 1985 King Kong Bundy moved onto Mid South Wrestling and Memphis wrestling where he faced such legends as The Junkyard Dog and Jerry "The King" Lawler.


HULK HOGAN VS. KING KONG BUNDY AT WRESTLEMANIA 2

In 1985, Bundy entered the WWE. He began a feud with Andre The Giant and became a member of the Heenan Family with Bobby Heenan as his manager. Bundy moved up the card until he reached the main event in 1986 at Wrestlemania 2 when he faced Hulk Hogan in a steel cage for the WWE World Title. King Kong Bundy departed the WWE in 1988, but he made a brief return in 1994 where he feuded with The Undertaker until 1995 when he left the promotion once again.

Bundy achieved some fame outside of WWE when he appeared with Richard Pryor in the film, Moving. He also appeared in Married With Children on Fox as a relative of the Bundy family.

Thank you Chris "King Kong Bundy" Pallies. Your contributions to wrestling and entertainment will never be forgotten. 

Class Dismissed, 
THE PROFESSOR

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

R.I.P. MEAN GENE OKERLUND

"Mean" Gene Okerlund

Gene Okerlund, the prolific announcer who worked for the WWE in the 1980's died on January 2nd. He was 76 years old. Mr. Okerlund's career spanned three decades where he worked for three major wrestling promotions including the American Wrestling Association (AWA), World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He interviewed all the major stars of wrestling of the past 40 years including Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Jesse Ventura, Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior, The Big Show, Sting, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Goldberg.

Okerlund started his broadcasting career in radio for station  KOIL in Omaha and then he moved to Minneapolis where he worked for a local TV station according to The Hollywood Reporter. In 1970, the American Wrestling Association recruited Okerlund as a fill in announcer for longtime broadcaster Marty O'Neill. Okerlund would replace O'Neill as the AWA's lead announcer and become one of the stars of the promotion. For over a decade, Mean Gene as he was called by Jesse Ventura was the voice of the AWA interviewing the promotions top stars including Verne Gagne, Nick Bockwinkel, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, and Hulk Hogan. 


"Mean" Gene Okerlund and Hulk Hogan

In 1981, Hulk Hogan entered the AWA and became the biggest star in the company. When Vince McMahon began his national expansion of the WWE in 1983, Hulk Hogan and Mean Gene Okerlund were two of the stars he recruited to become bigger stars in the WWE. Hogan and Okerlund had a chemistry on screen like Howard Cosell and Muhammad Ali. Okerlund would interview all of the major stars that came through the WWE from 1984 to 1993. 

In 1993 and 1994, Gene Okerlund and Hulk Hogan moved onto World Championship Wrestling where they use their star power to build that company and put a spotlight on new stars including The Big Show, Goldberg, Booker T, and Diamond Dallas Page. In 2001, WCW closed down and was bought by Vince McMahon and the WWE. 

After the end of WCW, Okerlund returned to WWE and he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006. Throughout the years he appeared at many wrestling conventions thrilling fans of all ages with his presence. Most recently, Mean Gene Okerlund appeared in a Mountain Dew Kickstart commercial with Kevin Hart. 

The WWE has been honoring Okerlund with a 10-bell salute at different events. TMZ reports that Hulk Hogan will appear on RAW this Monday to honor his friend. 

Thank you Mean Gene. You gave millions of people great memories and your legacy will never be forgotten. 

Class Dismissed, 
THE PROFESSOR

THREE REASONS WHY I LOVE SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE

In December 1978, Superman: The Movie debuted in theaters and changed the way people looked at superheroes. Directed by Richard Donner it grossed 300 million worldwide. As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of this great film, here are three reasons why I love this movie:

1. CHRISTOPHER REEVE AS CLARK KENT/SUPERMAN


When Richard Donner was casting for Superman, he wanted an unknown actor. He felt like the audience would believe in the story and the character more if the actor playing Superman was an unknown. Over 200 unknown actors auditioned for the role of Superman but Christopher Reeve won it because of his commitment and attitude toward the role. Reeve played Clark Kent very differently from how he played Superman. His Clark Kent was shy, humble, and nice while his Superman was confident, powerful, and determined. This dichotomy of Clark Kent and Superman remains one of the most memorable parts of the movie and has become ingrained in pop culture as the definitive way to portray Superman.

2. SUPERMAN AND LOIS LANE


Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder as Superman and Lois Lane

One of the best parts of the movie in my opinion is the relationship between Lois Lane and Superman. From the first time when Superman saves Lois Lane you see the chemistry between Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder. During the balcony scene where Lois interviews Superman, Tom Mackienwicz, creative consultant on the movie has said that he wanted this to feel like two kids on a first date. The relationship between Lois and Superman drives the plot for Superman: The Movie and Superman II.

3. GENE HACKMAN AS LEX LUTHOR



Every great hero needs a great villain. For Superman that villain is Lex Luthor. Gene Hackman played Lex Luthor as an intelligent, confident, charismatic, and funny person who sees himself as doing the right thing despite the destruction his schemes may cause. 

For 40 years, Superman: The Movie has been the template for the superhero origin story. Its influence can be seen in films such as Batman Begins, Spider-Man, and Wonder Woman. It is the definitive Superman movie and one of my favorite films. 

Class Dismissed, 
THE PROFESSOR