Not so good character Ta-Gar from Memphis' USWA territory uses the intro to Ozzy's "Journey to the Center of Eternity" mixed with weird bluescreen effects and volcanic imagery.
Next up is the crazy Southern Heavyweight champ Eric Embury fresh off his run in Texas' World Class (which merged with some of the Memphis territory in the USWA circa: the early 90s). Here Embry promos in near Death Metal style with "graves dug up...bodies dismembered" and then shows a clip from the classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. This is turn promotes the Leatherface angle.
This Leatherface was a part of the short-lived tag-team with Ta-Gar (who was only in the territory for a few weeks). Ta-Gar, Leatherface and Embry also had Tojo Yamamoto (who was a legendary heel in Memphis), Judge Dredd (!?).
Say what you will about "fixed", "fake" and "scripted" but a guy with a chainsaw running loose in a closed-in TV studio is doesn't have a happy ending. Hell, I should know I saw Stan "The Lariat" Hansen whup a bullrope only feet a away from my head at the Henry J. Kaiser in Oakland (June 1986). The dude was big & way scary and you DON'T fuck around with someone who was once tag champs with Bruiser Brody.
Getting back to the rock connection with all of this - we find Leatherface's FMW aka: Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (Japan) federation theme which sounds very mid-period Megadeth to me - very riffy & heavy Oops - just discovered this is done by Bay Area metallers, Laaz Rockit.I wasn't much into them but this song's defo. one of their best. However, this appears to be cover with minimal lyrics with only the chorus in English.
Anyway, I DO agree with one of the commentators the Ta-Gar clip. The worst of USWA angle or character is 1000x better than the some of the best stuff McMahon's WWE has come up with. Yeah, John Cena can wrestle but ideally, his character should have less heat than the Mulkey Brothers.
I recently finished reading Eric Davidson (vocalist of the excellent garage-punkers, New Bomb Turks) great book We Never Learn - The Gunk Punk Undergut, 1988-2001 While the book is quite thorough with both the underground and overground of late 80's/1990's garage rock/lo-fi rock/whatever you call it, it's missing the wild and crazy lucha libre/Z-movie inspired Swiss weirdo, Lightning Beat-Man. Admittedly I've not heard a ton of LBM but I did read about him a bit in Maximum Rock n' Roll. He also has the right aesthetic for this here blog, if you wheel.* Here's a dirty 'lil number with some hazy stop motion lucha action. Think of it like a squared circle rudimentary rock version of a Ray Harryhausen film. Lyrically, it comes across like an even more stripped down & even more ridiculous version of the Dwarves but this ain't exactly a post-modern essay on fucking Radiohead!
Now here's Lighting Beat-Man interviewing his inspiration, the Wild Man of West Virginia, the late, great Hasil Adkins.
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Here's what some of his records look like. Gotta love the slogan "The No Hit Wonder"
I just discovered this going 'round YouTube looking for more ring intros. Turns out Japan - particularlity the New Japan and All Japan Pro Wrestling has TONS of "music library" created themes. What I'd like to know is who the hell are the musicians that make this stuff 'cause as you'll see/hear a lot of this is really interesting and often quite good!
We start with this very riffy, rather solid metallic number that would be far from fitting on say a Jag Panzer record. It's current WWE grappler Evan Borne (who I seem to always mix up with Maniac Matt Borne who was the original Doink the Clown, however they're not related).
This concept was used in Japan but in an even more wilder and interesting way. Would would've thought that the insanely incredible duo of Stan "The Lariet" Hansen and Bruiser Brody would work with John Barry meets Issac Hayes workout of below? (Yes, I KNOW these are 2 covers of Fred Zep).
The "1997 NWO Wolfpack Sting meets 1985 Road Warriors (and a wee bit of Great Muta's) look from a grappler just called Hate (no relation to KPFA DJ Mr. Hate or the Polish Death Metal band) somehows mushes up mid-paced techno, electro-funk and some kinda Joe Satriani-ish shed guitar and somehow manages to make it work.
Back to Heavy Metal/Hard Rock, Billy Ken Kid's theme sounds really close to an instrumental that easily would've found it's way on a Dokken album or B-side. I mean this with respect as I friggin' like them for the most part and George Lynch's playing is actually quite good (albeit not someone I listen to a great deal these days).
If you'd like some cheese then check out Masahiro Chono's New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) theme totally sounds like anything from Rhapsody of Fire (or really 99.9% of from their goofy label Limb Music).
Regardless of what you think, these themes are a LOT more interesting than a lot of the drek that WCW and WWE/F came up with over the years (save HHH's "The Game" 'cause that's by Motörhead - hence, it's unfuckwithable).
Bryan Danielson who's one of the few actually interesting current-era grapplers in demonstrates a move I've never even heard of - the Guillotine. While that name is Metal as fuck - what follows in the 2nd part is a song by the Kimya Dawson-led band Antsy Pants. While I'm not a huge fan of Dawson's music it is an undeniably catchy tune and there's some at least interesting stuff going on in the song. Far more than I can say for much of what's supposed to be "indie rock" these days (bands with shitty names such as STRFKR and HTRK neither of whom I'd suspect are from the former Yugoslavia).
Danielson like Dawson has worked with both the big time (WWE), the middle circut (Ring of Honor) and the indie federations (Chikara, Dragon Gate USA, and the current version of IWA). Dawson, as many know was on the Juno soundtrack and has played everywhere from 924 Gilman to arenas and even collaborated with Turd Eye Bland.
Another interesting 'lil bit is Bryan's K Records shirt 'round 3:38. K Records being the label for Dawson, Beat Happening, Tiger Trap and Jeremy Jay. While none of these are at the wrestler-rockin' level of AntiSeen they are all fine artists. And they sure beat dealing with a happy-go-lucky power-pop band called Let's Wrestle - who don't exactly make me wanna dream about fighting alongside Kevin "Prince of Darkness" Sullivan in some bizzaro world version of early 80's Florida. If you wanna learn more of these type of grappling techniques then go here.
Clockwise: Sting, unknown, Missy Hyatt, John Tatum, Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert and Rick Steiner. AKA: World's Worst 70's Disco-Glam tribute act.
There was something truly great about the short-lived UWF which was in its earlier incarnation, the Mid-South promotion run by Cowboy Bill Watts. This like many Southern promotions, I had only previously read about in the 'ol Apter mags. However, my first trip to Las Vegas in Summer '87 I discovered the UWF (which debuted a year earlier) and hence an entirely new wrestle-verse from my then friend & bandmate, Tom. Tom introduced me to the UWF's cable show "Power Pro Wrestling" which we later got in the Bay Area on Saturday nights on San Jose's independent channel, Channel 36.
The UWF was Watts way to draw in some of the talent he already had an could mix in with current elements of NWA territories past & present: Memphis, Los Angeles, Florida, Mid-Atlantic, World Class, etc. This meant names that would later make for some major and minor but still classic angles in the latter part of the 80's into the early-mid 90s: WCW and WWF: Terry Taylor, Ted DiBase, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, The Junkyard Dog (who I Hacksaw Butch Reed, Jim "Hacksaw" Duggan, Terry Taylor, Eddie Gilbert, The Freebirds, Kamala: The Ugandan Giant, Shane Douglas, Rick Steiner, and one of my faves. Steve "Doctor Death" Williams.
This first clip has KISS' "Rock N' Roll All Night" (shortly after uh, Molly Hatchett?) that works OK but not anywhere near as well as one after (around 1:04) with their few truly great 80's songs, "War Machine" featuring Jeff Van Camp doing the oft-used gimmick Lord Humongous - which similar to Hawk and Animal was also influenced by The Road Warrior film.
Later in the clip the Midnight Rider who reps the Allman Bros. but this time surpinsgly ISN'T Dusty Rhodes but (SPOILER ALERT: Bill Watts).
Now time to get your energy dome on as UWF announcer Ressor Bowden serves up a "Good Thing" of prime mid-80's grapplin' action & DEVO. Don't forget to watch your guest seat, Reesor!
But..."don't you miss it" especially when they got beer in Texarkana
Finally, because I sometimes too much time on my hands, I also found this clip of the house comedian of the Grand Olde Opry, Jerry Clower doing a promo with the Junkyard Dog & Jim "Hacksaw" Duggan (who he calls "Doogie" or is "Dukie"?)
In summary, it's really facinating what and who made these decisions for using music in the UWF. No canned pre-made themes, just actual songs from acutal artists that are often fitting the action really well. As I'll show in upcoming posts funk, disco and electro (or really nearly proto-techno) sounds were used brilliantly for themes for the various terriories. Once again: territory system IS hardcore!
ENDNOTES: Manager Jim Cornette has some great stories about working for Watts in the Mid-South. Which you can read in his Midnight Express Scrapbook - which is VERY much worth your time and $.
Even for the strange world of wrestling, Chris Colt was an odd duck, I stumbled across his name when looking for more info on the Arizona wrestling history and found this "holy shit!" photo above located on [url=http://www.cagesideseats.com/2009/08/23/in-which-we-learn-about-chris-colt/]Cageside Seats. [/url]. It may not be a big deal today but for the wrestling world in 1980-81 to mix up arena rock and '77 UK punk was something else. Wrestlers like bands have gimmicks and some go over great and others get overlooked.
Interestingly, Colt was one-half of the heel tag-team the Comarncharos who worked in Boston and Arizona. The Comancharos story line was that they were brothers but in reality they were actually a gay couple. (Wrestling was then very in closet as opposed to recent years where they've had several openly gay guys in the business. Namely WWF Hall of Famer Pat Patterson and the later Kris Kanyon).
The (yes I know, "how ironic") gay pro wrestling site goes into this further over here.
He returned to Phoenix and was fired, when on an acid trip, he freaked out during a cage bout and thought he saw giant spiders crawling up the cage. Making his escape, he headed into the crowd, swinging wildly, and starting one of the worst riots ever in Phoenix.
One of the comments says: "Good bio of Colt in the book “Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels.” FUN FACT: He took his name, Colt, from his favorite gay porno mag."
Finally, here's Colt as "Crazy Chris Colt" from the All Star Wrestling territory in Vancouver, BC. getting some good heat from the crowd in this match vs. Verne Siebert. Then Moondog Moretti cuts a nice promo: "It's gonna take a lot more than a freak and a geek". Dean Ho's mic work is eh, not so much. Also, check out his use of AC/DC's "Back in Black" before it was used 1000 of times over.
Here's Colt with his then tag-partner Sgt. Al Tomko reviewing their match with Moondog Moretti and Dean Ho. The camera go on Colt's promo @ 5:25
Final nerd note: The Hawaiian Hurricane match is the same set up as a Texas Tornado used in the World Class fed and here & there in other feds.
"True men, true men - rock n' roll never forgets."
Aesop over at Cosmic Hearse just posted this fine, fine collision created by Perry Shall.
Weighing in at (approximately 650 lbs), from Hermosa Beach, CA: BLACK FLAG and the Process of Weeding Out
and....
Weighing in at 302 lbs., from Tampa, FL: HULK HOGAN (via his audiobio book)
The two work really well and match up well together in places especially in the 3rd piece when Hogan talks about his early days of getting the hell beat out of him in the early days and he mentions the territory system which I've blogged about before. Though the truth of a few of his stories may be a work - see the 3rd review here. Like Hogan's go rounds as a heel - way back in the Georgia territory as Sterling Golden and circa: 96 in WCW) - Black Flag got a lot of heat for this release in '85 (which carried over from the year before with side 2 of My War).
Wherever you stand on these issues - just download it here, brother.
Ohh yeeaaaah! Another 'lil tribute to the man of macho-ness. I also found out here that there was a punk band called Ivan and the Terribles (great name!) who had a song called "Intergalgatic Hit List" which was inspired by this Randy Savage promo. Now peep this moment of quark, strangeness and charm. Take it away Mean Gene...
"The beat goes on...the beat goes on..."
OK, not Hawkwind per se, but the very Hawkwind-influenced band F/i who have a song called "Stop At the Left" on their live album. Here's another number of these that you should mix with the above promo.
Let's give a big "Ohhhh yeaaaahhh!" to the man & his work.
If you've heard the news as of this morning there will be no more be-fringed elbow drops off the top rope and slim jim will only be snapped into by the man who said it first.
Unfortunately, I never got to see Randy "Macho Man" Savage at any of the live matches I've been to. However, he left a hell of a legacy in the wild world of wrestling. Having just finished Chris Jericho's book Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps I had gone over the very sad chapter that deals with the early deaths of Jerhico's friends namely Eddie Gurrero and Chris Kanyon along with his mixed feelings on the Chris Benoit tragedy. Then reading today news and getting confirmation's from friends just the house lights around the 'ol Squared Circle Pit darker.
Randy Savage aka: Randy Poffo first got into sports with a 3 year stint in minor league baseball in both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinatti Reds farm system. The latter team's farm system also at time had a guy named Steve Duren aka: Blackie Lawless. (Who's uncle Ryne played from 1954-65 in on various big league teams). No truth to the rumor that Fidel Castro was also in the Reds farm system. But, I still want to see a video game where I can play The REAL Red Menace team with Fidel, Blackie and Randy in the starting line up.
Speaking of all things W.A.S.P. & "Macho Man", I often thought it would've been great if Savage came out to the ring in this tune. "Don't tread on me-'cause I'm living to be S-S-Savage!" is perfect for a highlight reel of a top rope forearm smash.
Getting back to specifics, Randy Savage got his in-ring start down in Georgia and Florida and started off going against Paul Christy (who would start the Kentucky-based IWC which we'll get into soon) and teamed with the Anderson Brothers - Ole and Gene. Up in Kentucky Savage teamed with Rip Rogers and went after the Mexican Angel the latter of who he lays down a very un-PC promo on.
In Memphis, Savage was managed by Angelo Poffo and he immediately made an impact by challenging their champion and fan favorite, Jerry "The King" Lawler.
Going back to the Rock N' Roll connection, here we have some Memphis (and I think IWC) highlights of Savage mixed with a ripper of a Metal tune by The Rods. This is presented by L.A. based-wrestling promoter/b-movie/rockabilly musician, Johnny Legend. Nerd note: I got to meet Mr. Legend at a showing of the Andy Kaufman-"Classy" Freddy Blassie docu, "My Breakfast with Blassie". Totally nice guy who had lots of interesting Andy Kaufman stories.
As the angle against Lawler continued, Savage teamed with the always crazy, 100% kayfabe David "Dr. D." Schultz who had an Electric Eel/Sex Pistols penchant for using swastikas tees, , and slapping nosey reporters and basically acting like a pro wrestling version of Billy Milano.
The intensity continued with his 1984 feud with another fan fave, "Dirty" Dutch Mantell.
Following his run in Memphis, Savage also did some work in Puerto Rico's WWC going against top foes such as Carlos Colon and Invader #3. Then on July 9th 1985, Savage debuted for the WWF against jobber "Quick Draw" Rick McGraw. Savage was touted as "Pro Wrestling's Number #1 Free Agent" thereby leading to mystery manager angle which led of course to the debut of Miss Elizabeth - who Savage knew from his ICW days. Savage continued continued the flashy color aesthics started by "Superstar" Billy Graham. And pushed it up further with crazy sunglasses and striped patterns. This also helped wrestle-nerds like me finally see grapplers we only read about in the Bill Apter mags. The WWF era of Savage led to a mutliple championships including 2 runs as World Heavyweight Champion, one King of The Ring, a famous Intercontinental Championship and of course his catch phrase "Oh yeaaah" along with a bevvy of intensely voiced-promos.
His World Championship Wrestling (WCW) career included him working again with Miss Elizabeth in the heel stable New World Order led by former WWFers Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. He was WCW World Heavyweight Champion four times. He feuded with Sid Vicious, Ric Flair, and Chump Hogan. Eventually he did a short stint in the mostly made-of-ex-WCW-guys, fed called Total Non-Stop Action then retiring in 2004. Unlike Hogan, Savage worked far more of the territory systems alphabet soup of the previously mentioned ICW, WWC, WCW and WWF - he also worked in AWA Southern, GPW, CCW, and USWA However, he never worked in Japan which is untypical of a wrestler of his notierity and skill.
His post-wrestling career included making a hip-hop record in 2003 (yes, really! and probably better than John Cena's), acting in everything from Spider-Man to the Weird Al Show to Walker, Texas Ranger. He even received the Harvard Lampoon's "Man of the Year" award in 1998 for his work on the Slim Jim ads. Additionally, he worked on 8 different animated TV shows including King of the Hill, Space Ghost: Coast to Coast, Family Guy and Dexter's Labratory.
Terminal mid-carder J.T. Southern comes to the ring foisting the 6-string like every annoying ass hot to trot dude in every Guitar Center ever. I first heard some almost Judas Priest-ish riffs in a earlier video featuring him & Bam Bam Bigelo from their early days in the Philly/New Jersey region as part of "Playboy" Larry Sharpe's "Monster Factory". (Larry Sharpe's not to be confused with the other Playboys: Buddy Rose and Doug Summers).
This starts with 'The 'Mircin Drim shillin' for Nintendo then a bunch of riffs intro-ing Mr. Southern. I believe this to be WCW circa: 1992-ish when they got an announcer's "coup" with the trinity of not only the regular Tony Schivane but also WWF ex-pats, Jessie "The Body" Ventura and "Mean Gene" Okerlund (and at some point the disgruntled Bruno Samartino who from that point on wasn't too big on McMahon & co.'s style of wrestlng or lack thereof). Southern is basically my mid-80's guitar teacher playing riffs (though he was more apt in spewing out Yngwie like gazillion MPH fret shred barf like this...
Though, strangely enough at this time in WCW he was feuding with "Heavy Metal" Van Hammer who's own gimmick I don't recall being too Metal sans his long hair. On second thought...here he is fresh off his try out with Black N' Blue.
Also, Van Hammer did have a seemingly random role in Raven's Flock circa: 1997. OK, so Raven did wear t-shirts of Nevermore and Ministry but Van Hammer never sported a shirt by a single Metal band. Though, in 1998 the True Rock N' Wrestling clock was off by a few years when Van Hammer went into a grunge gimmick (yet Raven also wore Eddie Vedder-ish long shorts, named his finishing hold "Evenflow" and had the Nevermore t-shirt but OK, also KMFDM, Janes' Addiction shirt so 120 Minutes won out over Headbanger's Ball). Here's Van Hammer - the uh, grlunge/grlamunge-era?!?
