Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Favorites vs. The Best
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
The Power of Nostalgia
By Kevin Hunsperger @kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter Listen to the podcast Follow my blog with Bloglovin
January 11, 1993-- I remember it well. I was a sophomore in college and ten years into my wrestling fandom. Over Christmas break, I watched the last of the Prime Time Wrestling shows, a program I had enjoyed for about a decade. Now it was time for something new, Monday Night Raw.
It's hard to believe that was 30 years ago. Now, at 49 years old, I am still a fan, but I still need to become more committed to watching each week. Having cut the cable cord years ago, I have only had a few opportunities to watch Raw live. However, I located a feed of the special anniversary show via TikTok.
From the opening segment, featuring the face of 80s wrestling, Hulk Hogan, to the final bell with long-time attraction Brock Lesnar, the show was packed with everything a nostalgic fan like me craves. Ric Flair, DX, Kurt Angle, Undertaker, and others. Memories from the past three decades flooded back. My favorite current storyline featuring The Bloodline provided even more entertainment. I can't wait to see how it all plays out, as I've seen plenty of conflicting theories.
Sometimes fans of the current product frown upon the dusting off of Legends and allowing them to 'humiliate' the existing talent that's there week after week. That was the case with Raw is XXX (30, not pornographic). The Legends were used appropriately and helped give the rub to modern Superstars like Bray Wyatt, Seth Rollins, the Street Profits, and even LA Knight.
Sure the latter was choke slammed by the Undertaker, but I still believe that being in the ring with someone the caliber of the Deadman (or Biker in last night's case) goes a long way. These moments provided feel-good moments for fans (I especially enjoyed it after a not-so-great day).
Even though The Rock, 'Stone Cold,' nor Vince McMahon were there, as many had speculated, I believe Raw is XXX was a great show that flowed well. I'm even more stoked now for Saturday's Royal Rumble and the unpredictability that event will bring.
What are your thoughts? Let me know!
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Being Good is Bad: 'Mr. Wonderful' Paul Orndorff
Saturday, September 3, 2022
Celebrating a Dozen Years!
By Kevin Hunsperger @kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter Listen to the podcast Follow my blog with Bloglovin
Greetings on what is the 12th anniversary of the My 1-2-3 Cents brand. Over the past year, I've neglected my blogging duties, with the last post on this page happening in October 2021.
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Mt. Rushmore: Wrestlers I've Met
After a delay, the My 1-2-3 Cents Mt. Rushmore is back. The last blog I wrote on the subject was the bucket list of wrestlers I'd like to meet. This time, it's about the top four wrestlers I've met. I have had the good fortune of meeting many wrestlers through the years, so I am narrowing this down a bit by only naming wrestlers that I've had conversations with and not just a meet-and-greet experience.
Bobby "The Brain" Heenan is one of my all-time favorite personalities in wrestling and, without a doubt, the greatest manager of all time. In 1998, when I was a young reporter (two months of experience), I was able to get access to a WCW Thunder in Huntsville, Alabama. While there, I interviewed Goldberg (just into the streak), Ray Traylor, Buff Bagwell, and Bobby Heenan. It was a great come true. Our interaction was probably about five minutes or so, but it meant the world to me. I never in my wildest dreams imagined such an opportunity would present itself to me.
When TNA Wrestling came to southern Illinois for a BaseBrawl event, I reached out to get a wrestler on the morning newscast I co-anchored. I was excited to learn that D'Lo Brown would be filling that role. We chatted before his appearance and after as well. D'Lo even gave me his number. We've actually texted a few times, which to me is surreal. But what really impressed me was when I was in Las Vegas back in 2018 and trying out for a gig with Impact Wrestling, D'Lo was there and remembered me by name. A great guy and one of the most underrated wrestlers of all time.
Jeff Jarrett and I first met in 2011 at that above-mentioned BaseBrawl event. However, it was a brief encounter, and a few years later, Double J returned to southern Illinois to promote another wrestling event at the ballpark, but this time with Global Force Wrestling. Jeff and I chatted before our interview and after and also indulged me with a selfie. He also bestowed me with the privilege of announcing one of the matches the night GFW came to town. Listening to the My World Podcast that he hosts often reminds me of how laid-back he met. A class act all the way.
Of course, I can't have this list without adding PAC to it. I've told the story many times, but here's the short version. We met for the first time at an AAPW event called Main Event in January 2012. Then crossed paths at WrestleMania Axxess in 2014 and at an autograph signing in 2016 (he remembered me by name both times). He's a great guy, and I wish him nothing but continued success in the ring.
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Mt. Rushmore: My Bucket List
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Mt. Rushmore: Gone Too Soon
Wrestling has had more than its share of losses through the years. This week, on the Mt. Rushmore blog, a look at four wrestlers who left us way too soon. Obviously, there are dozens, maybe even hundreds of wrestlers, announcers, and managers I wish were still with us. Also, I'd like to thank Jittery Monkey Podcasting Network founder Greg Mehochko for this idea.
Kerry Von Erich was my first favorite pro wrestler. When I first saw him wrestle Ric Flair in late 1982 inside a steel cage, I was sold on pro wrestling. He and his brothers ruled the ring in World Class Championship Wrestling. In early 1984, big brother David died unexpectedly, and Kerry later beat Flair for the NWA Championship. That remains one of my favorite moments in wrestling.He'd later wrestle for the WWF, and shortly after that run, he ended his own life. It was a tragic ending to a string of tragedies the Von Erich family faced. I remember reading the news of Kerry's death in the newspaper in my college library. Someone on my floor had told me the news, which I didn't believe. Remember, this was pre-internet, so I had to read all about it in the newspaper.
Yes, Kerry battled demons. You'll see a few others on this list did as well. Kerry was only 33. I'd like to think he had at least another decade in him, had he stayed healthy. We have the legacy of his nephews, Marshall and Ross, and his daughter Lacey who have all contributed to the business.
Eddie Guerrero is someone I admittedly did not appreciate enough when he was alive. Yes, I thought he was an amazing wrestler. First, really seeing him in action in ECW. His time in WCW and WWE made him a household name. I never dreamed he'd be the man to beat Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship, but he did it, and despite his brief reign, he made a lasting impression.
I was stunned when I went into work in 2005 and learned the news that Eddie had died. His star was still shining so brightly. At just 38, I figured he had at least another run or two as World Champion in him. I have no doubt he'd still be involved in the business in some capacity today. Viva La Raza!
Owen Hart's death may be the most tragic in wrestling history. I listened in shock to Jim Ross tell us that Owen had fallen and a short time later that he had died from his injuries. It made no sense, and I couldn't wrap my brain around it.
While wrestling as the Blue Blazer, Owen was likely to win the Intercontinental Championship the night of his death. There are plenty of stories that Owen had intended to retire from the ring in a few years. I believe had he lived and continued to wrestle, he would have had at least one run at the top of the mountain.
Brian Pillman was someone that caught my eye during his time in Stampede. I read about him in the Apter mags, and a short time later, he ended up in WCW as Flyin' Brian. His character development was as amazing as his skills inside the ring.
I loved it when Brian showed up in the WWF in 1996 and looked forward to him being healthy enough to wrestle full-time again. In fact, I was in the crowd at In Your House Badd Blood in St. Louis in October 1997. However, they never announced to the crowd that Pillman had died, just that the match wasn't happening. I got the news the next morning after calling a wrestling hotline. I was crushed.
I'm happy to see Brian Pillman, Jr. is tearing it up in the ring. I have no doubt his father is smiling down and so very proud.
As far as honorable mentions, I have to add Gino Hernandez and Brodie Lee to the conversation. I hated Gino when I was a kid as he was a huge foil for the Von Erichs, but I know he was a great performer with the benefit of hindsight, and I believe he would have been a huge star in WCW or WWE eventually. And we just lost Brodie Lee last year as he seemed to reach new heights of popularity in the ring. His potential was finally being realized at the time of his death.
It is hard saying goodbye to our heroes. They're gone but not forgotten.