In 1999wrestling lived a golden era thanks to the war between WWE y WCW. In the midst of that effervescence, an irresistible idea emerged: an event that brought together the legends of the past in a single ring. Thus he was born Heroes of Wrestlinga PPV that promised to be a glorious tribute … but that ended up being one of the most disastrous nights in the history of our beloved world.
► A great idea
Heroes of Wrestling It was held on October 10, 1999 at the Magic casino in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. In charge of the producer and enthusiast of the pro wrestling Bill Stonewas announced as The final event for old school fans.
In the poster there were iconic names -which were not signed with WWE, WCW or ECW At that time- as Jake «The Snake» Roberts, Yokozuna, King Kong Bundy, The Iron Sheik, Jimmy Snuka, Jim Neidhart, The Bushwackers, Marty Jannetty o Greg «The Hammer» Valentine.
The premise was clear: One night to celebrate the business pillars.
► Not everyone wanted to participate
The names that were part of the show were more than enough to attract the crowd to “enjoy” an absolute disaster that we break down but already first There were some legends and wrestling icons that did not want to participate.
The reason for everyone is not known to say “no” but in the case of Sid Viciuous could not be In the event because a few months before he had renewed his contract with WCWY in the Ted dibiase had to cancel Your participation due to an agenda conflict.
► All bad
From the beginning of Heroes of Wrestlingeverything seemed bad armed.
Production was poorwith poorly located cameras, bad lighting, poor sound and commentators (Randy Rosenbloom, who had no experience commenting on wrestling, and Dutch Mantlewho looked completely selfless) who did not know how to react to what they were seeing. And when we enter the fighting … The thing gets even worse.
- The Samoan Swat Team vs. Marty Jannetty y Tommy Rodgers: It was not a bad fight but There was no emotion.
- Greg «The Hammer» Valentine vs. George «The Animal» Steele: In the second shock, The fighters had no music input due to production problems. Steele and Valtine, very veteran, moved slowly and “The Hammer” spent a lot of time working with the companion of his opponent, Sensational Sherriinstead of with him. Both also used theoretically illegal objects in view of the REPERI without ever establishing any stipulation. There was no rhythm, no narrative consistency and of course no nostalgia.
- 2 Cold Scorpio vs. Fantastic Julio: Without being memorable, this was one of the few fights that came out of the unfortunate rule of the show and what offered fans something good to see. As a curious fact, it was the first PPV for the best known as Julio Money.
- The Bushwackers vs The Iron Sheik y Nikolai Volkoff: The aforementioned confusion of the public was noticed sympathetic in this fight when they chanted «Usa! Use! Use! ” Although none of the participants was American. It was a classic combat, with nothing to highlight, but either disappointed. Among everything, he fulfilled the expectations.
- Tully Blanchard vs. Stan Lane: Here we could even say that The respectable was to forget how bad the event had started since after two convincing struggles it was being really powerful, including a previous construction with videos and promos. It was because it didn't end like this. He ended with the two fighters with his shoulders on the canvas, with the reply giving victory to Lane and then reversing his own decision, with the commentators asking: “Who won?”… And still, look like how terrible the show was, This was the best fight of Heroes Of Wrestling.
- Abdullah the Butcher vs One Man Gang: Confusion is a key word when it comes to heroes of wrestling. With this fight he arrives when One Man Gang begins by promising to kill Abdullah The Butcher, throwing chairs to the ring and hanging it with a chain, and then the reply war that it could be disqualified. But this, despite the fact that both fighters bleed tremendously and used, for example, a fork, never happened. And yet the fight ended in double counting. It seems that neither of them agreed to fall defeated and In the end nothing was what could have been.
- Jimmy Snuka vs. «Cowboy» Bob Orton: This time there were not only problems in the ring but be, with the “Captain” Lou Albanofrom whom we recently discovered a story related to the mafia, then He kept attracting attention and the cameras of the event were giveneven if it had no sense, such as Albano points to an elderly couple in the public. Randy Orton's father and Tamina Snuka's father did what they could but His best times had been left behind a long time ago. And the end did not help at all: Orton is distracted with Albanian, he turns around and Snuka defeats him after a Diving Crossbody, without further ado.
- Jim Neidhart y King Kong Bundy vs. Yokozuna y Jake Roberts: Where to start? Actually, it should be a hand in hand between Roberts and Neidhart but “The Snake” obviously appeared intoxicated. He gave an incoherent, meaningless promo, in which he spoke of “playing with snakes” while staggering. In the ring, he removed his shirt, placed his snake between his legs simulating sexual acts, and left other fighters totally out ofactiated. Then, it was done A fight of couples who did nothing since he had no script or logic and fans were stunned And he ended when Bundy covering Roberts when the legal man really was Yokozuna. The cherry cherry.
► The legacy of Heroes Of Wrestling
Heroes Of Wrestling was going to be the first of several PPVs. But after tonight, everything was canceled. Critics, fans and even people within the business declared it a “total disaster.”
It is said that Bill Stone was furious For everything that happened, especially with Jake «The Snake» Roberts, that despite this all the fighters and others involved received their pay, and also that even before the action ended, he was reserving a flight to get out of the state. In fact, He did not get involved in wrestling again.
Today is remembered as The worst event in history. It was more than a bad show. It is the symbol of how the past should not always be resurrected, especially if there is no planning, control and respect for the present of those who in a past became icons and legends. Heroes of Wrestling is a thesis on how to create a wrestling event that failed completely.
Now, Do you want to see it? You can do it below:
