Episode 91 – Exposes
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In this episode, I discuss the limited damage exposes have done to the worked nature of professional wrestling.
Main Content
I started thinking about this week’s topic while watching Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion (1950). The movie starts out with Bud Abbott as a wrestling promoter/booker talking with two pro wrestlers about “the script.” The wrestlers are portrayed by Wee Willie Davis and Sammy Menacker. Tor Johnson also makes an appearance towards the end of the movie.
Artist rendering of Thiebaud Bauer, Greco-Roman wrestling specialist (Public Domain)
I remember watching Mad Bull (1977) in the 1980s, which exposed wrestling as a work. It didn’t alter my enjoyment of watching World Class Championship Wrestling. Vince McMahon taking over wrestling did that.
The John Stossel 20/20 expose was the biggest national exposure of professional wrestling. Yet, Wrestlemania 1 was a huge success. Wrestlemania 3 drew a huge crowd.
Jack Pfeffer often gets credit for professional wrestling being dead in New York from 1939 to 1959. However, Jack Pfeffer exposed professional wrestling as a work to the New York newspapers in 1933. Jack Curley successfully promoted wrestling in New York until Curley died in 1937. Curley dying had more to do with New York going dark than Jack Pfeffer’s expose.
Ernst Roeber Exposing a Double-Cross in 1901
Recommendations
Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion (1950)
Plan “B” during the Knoxville wrestling war
Review
World Class Championship Wrestling on June 15, 1985
The Fantastics vs. Jack Victory and Kelly Kiniski
Fast-paced tag match that kept the fans on their feet. Fantastics were over with the crowd. Bobby Fulton pinned Victory with Lou Thesz press.
It Was Almost Real podcast art
Promo: Jim Cornette puts over Scott Casey having his green jacket. Shows clips of Casey getting the jacket from Cornette after Casey beat Dennis Condrey. It was done to setup a Texas Stadium match where Cornette would interact with Sunshine.
Scott Casey vs. “The Crippler” Rip Oliver
Jim Cornette says before the match that he will get the green jacket back. The Midnight Express and Cornette are out with Rip Oliver. Oliver came to World Class with Billy Jack Haynes, who was going to fill in for Kerry Von Erich. The Von Erich family thought Kerry was going to play the role of Drago in Rocky IV. Haynes wanted Oliver to be his heel opponent in World Class.
However, Sylvester Stallone chose Dolph Lundgren for that role. Haynes and Oliver returned to the Pacific Northwest, when Kerry did not have to be off from World Class.
Sunshine and Kabuki come out to even things up with Cornette and Midnight Express at ringside. Cornette hits Casey in the back with the tennis racket so Oliver can steal the win. Casey keeps Cornette from getting the jacket back.
Gino Hernandez versus Johnny Mantell
Gino was the top heel in the territory along with his tag team partner Chris Adams and was the Texas Heavyweight Champion. Johnny Mantell was the younger brother of WCCW booker Ken Mantell. Johnny had legitimate wrestling skills and was a solid mid-card performer. He normally put over the main event wrestlers.
Kerry Von Erich vs. One Man Gang
A rematch from an earlier Texas Stadium match. One Man Gang supposedly hurt Mike Von Erich in an earlier match.
Gary Hart turned One Man Gang into a main event performer during his time in WCCW. Gang was normally a top heel wherever he wrestled until Vince McMahon put the stupid Akeem, the African Dream gimmick on him. Gang probably made a huge amount of money for adopting that gimmick, so it does have its compensations.
Hard-hitting match. Took about five discus punches to take Gang off his feet.
Gang bladed himself for the Iron Claw. Used his chain to escape the Iron Claw. Both brawled long after the bell. The decision was never announced.
Discuss Kerry headlining St. Louis cards and the declining attendance.
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