Ask 411 Entertainment 10.29.08: PPV Edition

Greetings, humanity! Welcome back to Ask 411 Wrestling with me, Chris Lansdell. Thanks for joining me and for making Ask411 the success that it is. Remember, without you guys this column would be a lot like John McCain’s voter base…white and empty. Enough with the cheap shots. This week’s shout-outs go to Michael O, Jeremy Thomas, The Family Roaster and business trips, and the theme music for the week is Donna the Dead by Spider Valentine. Yes again. I’m a fan, what can I say?

BANNER!

Banner compliments of Benjamin Colon. See more of his work at soulexodus.com.

Cleaning Up

Let me address something right off the bat: delays in answering. Right now I have about 65 questions waiting. I get around 20 new questions a week and try to answer 10-12 a week. I plan on doing blockbuster editions a few times a year so that I don’t fall too far behind. Hopefully that clears up a few things. Oh, and what Eddie Izzard reference?

Regarding Hogan at Mania 18: Seems like we have people arguing positively and definitively for both sides. Don’t you just love it when WWE revises history?

Regarding represented countries: Told you I would miss some. Mongolia, Antigua, Cuba, Fiji, Venezuela, Tonga (can’t believe I forgot that one). And no, Boiler Room and The Bowery do not count.

Regarding Austin/Rock/HHH: One or two people pointed out that they were slated to face off at Survivor Series 99. This completely slipped my mind. My bad.

We also got a tremendous answer to the FIP title question, which I will quote verbatim:

The FIP title was made by a guy named Joe Price, who sadly died recently. He wasn’t very respected in the belt world. Ever notice why no one wore the belt? It is because it was made to fit HUGE guys.

Dave Millican/Reggie Parks team at Midwest designed the new one and that is the one used, which is much better.

You got title belt questions, I got answers.

Thanks to the guest who provided this answer. Millican does great work and for less than $1,000 you too can own a replica title strap.

In Soviet Russia, 411 Ask You!

Last week’s answers were Raven, Sean Waltman and Raven again, although Jerry Lynn and Mick Foley work for the third question. Rhyno and the Dudleys holding WCW gold in WWE do NOT count, they were WWE belts at the time.

This week’s questions:
Who was the first ever wrestler to follow a grandparent and a parent into the business?
How many third-generation wrestlers are currently active?

Answers in the Comments please. Cool, everyone ready? Then Let’s Get DANGEROUS~!

Question Time!

Starting us off this week is Patrick, who thinks the Loose Cannon might have been Comrade Pillman:

Hey, I remember watching “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman back in the day, and I seem to remember him having a red soviet sickle and hammer on his tights. Was there any sort of significance to that, or were they just some spare tights he had kicking around?

I searched all the way back even to his Stampede days, and I couldn’t find any corroboration for this. More than likely it was a spare pair of tights, as I can find no record of Pillman ever playing a Soviet character. Anyone?

Dean has a couple of interesting questions:

I know it is tradition at least in America (WWE/TNA/ROH/etc.) to work the left side of their opponent whenever pulling off moves (suplex/russian leg sweep/clothesline) or working on a body part (knee/arm/leg). I remember people always dissing backyard wrestling because much of the time moves were performed on the right side. My question is do you remember any matches in America in any federation where the match focused on the right side of the body? The only one I’ve seen is Austin Aries vs. CM Punk a few years back where Aries worked the Right Leg of Punk.

If that’s the Aries-Punk match I’m thinking of, he switched to the left towards the end of the match. Aries and McGuinness had a good match at Unscripted II I believe where McGuinness worked the right side of Aries. Any time I wrestle I get people to work my right side, as I’m left-handed and it adds realism. Without going back over all of Carlito and Regal’s matches (both southpaws) I’m fairly sure that they’ve had their right side worked as well. It’s also worth noting that working the right side is the norm in Mexico.

Second question is in regards to the Back Drop. A simple move used much of the time in tag team matches immediately following the “hot tag” normally it goes clothesline, clothesline, Irish whip, backdrop or punch, punch, iris whip, backdrop. Back in the day the backdrop was used in singles matches but I hardly see it these days. Can you think of any singles matches in recent years where the backdrop was used in a singles match and actually got a pop from the crowd?

Pretty much any big man-small man match where the small guy is launched high enough to come down with a pack of oatmeal cookies and half a can of apple juice in a plastic cup. Even then it’s more of a gasp than a pop. I remember a Rey-Psicosis ECW match with one of the guys getting backdropped over the top and taking a flat-back bump on the outside. This happens quite a lot and normally gets a pop. Otherwise, no.

Alvin wants to know about Bischoff and the F-View. Go ahead Alvin. Alvin? ALVIN!

In 2002, Bischoff introduce ‘the F-View’, I think that’s what it called, which was basically camera’s all over the place, like a reality tv show. But it gave a great reason for why we could see wrestlers backstage acting as if there isn’t a camera watching them. Any idea why they got rid of it?

Bischoff wanted to do Russo-style Shock TV and “push the limits,” so he would have cameras set up in places where controversial things might be happening, places like the women’s locker room and various backstage areas. This would give Bischoff hours of F-View footage, and whenever something juicy happened, Bischoff would tell the monkeys in the truck to air it. Essentially it was just another way to show us backstage conversations without the obvious “Why is the cameraman there and why didn’t they move away from him?” questions popping up. It was also an excuse to perve on the Divas. The angle died when an F-View camera that was set up in Bischoff’s locker room caught him in a less-than-desirable situation so he fired the camera crew. One more segment involving William Regal would air, but that was it.

Matt wants to know about the Umaga-Kamala storyline:

Always a good read and nice distraction from work. Quick Q about the Umaga and Kamala storyline.

I don’t watch as much as I used to so I didn’t get to see how this whole angle played out, but what I do remember doesn’t make sense. Why would they start off the angle with Umaga acting like he was scared shitless of Kamala, only to have Umaga squash him in their match? Fill me in if you can.

I wasn’t watching at this time, but from the reports it seems more like Estrada held him back than Umaga was afraid. In the event that the reports are wrong (and since they are from this site I doubt that very much…), allow me to offer this explanation: in kayfabe terms, if you were a 350 pound savage from Samoa who dominated everyone with fear as much as with power and size and you met a savage from Uganda who was bigger, stronger and scarier than you, you’d probably be intimidated.

Jackson, who I am required to hate since he has an iPhone and I don’t, has a question about Hogan:

Freaking awesome column! I have a question from when I was a kid. I remember Hulk Hogan getting earthquaked on the set of maybe Brother Love. I also remember a get well letter writing campaign (which I participated in). What was up with that? Was Hogan just on vacation or was there a real injury? Thanks!

Jackson wins this week’s award for Frustratingly Hard Answer to Corroborate. Between myself and an unusually sober Michael O we spent several man-hours trying to prove our theory that Hogan was not in fact injured, but was shooting the epic movie Suburban Commando. The dates match up and it makes sense, as well as lining up with both of our recollections, but we could find nothing concrete. Still, I’m 99.2% sure it’s the correct answer.

Long-time Lansdell reader JMAC has a great question about the Motor City Machine Guns:

Got a question about the MCMG’s: There was a news item on 411 some time back that Sabin & Shelley were going to on MTV’s “Made” program teaching a young man how to wrestle. I’ve tried to keep a look out for this, but it seems that either the episode never aired or I missed it completely. I’m thinking that this story first came about around the time of the most recent TNA Against All Odds PPV when they were in the doghouse for not doing a blade job in their match w/ Team 3D. Ring any bells?

Sure does. The episode aired March 8/08, and you can see the whole thing on MTV’s website, which of course I did. Scott D’Amore was featured also features quite heavily as they train one Chris Hendricks, a self-professed “gay choir kid”. They took him to Orlando for a pay per view, but only three TNA wrestlers figured in that segment: Samoa Joe, who taught him some basic submission moves; Senshi, who worked on his conditioning; and BG James who was in charge of promos. Good thing they did it that way, since having Senshi do the promos and BG James do the submissions would have resulted in something…unpleasant. The promo wasn’t bad, he cut it on Kaz and ridiculed his hairstyle. No, really. There’s also a clip on the website of Hendricks getting in the ring with the Guns against Petey Williams and two guys I didn’t recognise. It was rather surprising to see how quickly Hendricks took to wrestling. The Guns were featured more as fun-loving tour guides who put over the dedication required to make it in wrestling, and they played the role to perfection. That’s probably why they were chosen to do it.

Chad has some questions about WrestleMania and its satellite events:

Great work on the column thus far. One of the most enjoyable reads on the site, in my humble opinion. I have a question regarding next year’s Wrestlemania. I am really considering attending the event and had a couple of concerns. First of all, when you buy tickets to the event, do you have to buy separate tickets for the Hall of Fame Ceremony and if so, how much do they usually run? Secondly, how close in relation to the actual event’s location, Reliant Stadium in this case, is the Hall of Fame Ceremony held? I am a huge Stone Cold Steve Austin mark and would love to see him inducted in person. Thanks for the help.

I know for sure that the Hall of Fame tickets are separate from the Mania tickets, and usually go on sale a lot closer to the date. The closeness of the venue varies greatly but it will be within the same city. As an idea, the Hall Of Fame ceremony at Wrestlemania 24 had admission set at $55, while the brunch the morning of Wrestlemania was $125. There are normally packages available which will give you seats at Mania, Hall Of Fame tickets, access to WWE Fan Axxess and a commemorative something, and I’ve seen these pop up already for Mania 25 in the $1500 range. You may even find some packages with airfare and hotel included.

Rick wants to know about lesser-known Harts:

I read somewhere that they [the Harts] had several brothers, all in the wrestling business. Who are they? Do they wrestle under a different name than the Hart name? I have been watching wrestling for close to 40 years and I have never heard of anyone other than Stu, Bret and Owen Hart. You are doing a great job on the ask411.

Why thank you. Bret and Owen were the only Harts to wrestle full-time in WWF. Bruce and Keith both wrestled at Survivor Series ’93 as part of the Hart Family against Shawn Michaels and his Knights, and were also involved in the Bret-Diesel cage match, climbing over the barricade from the crowd to interfere. According to Bret’s autobiography he tried a few times to get one or both hired by Vince, but Bruce especially kept messing up. Most of the Hart brothers wrestled or refereed for Stampede at one time or another. Bret said in his book that Dean, who died shortly before Survivor Series ’90 (Bret must HATE that time of year), had talent but was too small, Bruce tried hardest but just didn’t have it, Keith had more talent than Bruce but lacked drive, and Smith was more talented than the rest but also wasn’t really into it. Stu of course was the patriarch of the family and has trained some of the biggest names in wrestling. Wayne was a referee and driver for Stampede.

Erick wants to know about Starrcade:

Okay first I know that WWE now owns the Starrcade name. My question is now is that is it possible WWE will ever revive Starrcade as one of their big shows. I mean it could replace Survivor Series and Survivor Series could replace Armageddon.

There wouldn’t really be a point to that. WWE needs to cut PPV shows, and renaming a show with which their fans, sorry the WWE Universe (ugh) are familiar to something that only holds meaning for older fans is counter-productive. Replacing Survivor Series and its 20-plus year tradition of being held around Thanksgiving would also be a mistake. It’s not going to happen. Those with fond memories of Starrcade should be thankful for the DVD set.

411mania’s own Wrestling Bard, Aaron Hubbard drops by with a question about a most marktastic gimmick:

I was watching a match on Youtube, specifically Curry Man vs. Milano Collection AT from the World X Cup. I was wondering if anybody can explain to me how exactly Milano Collection AT’s “invisible dog” works. Does he just hold it at a specific height, or is there some other trick to it? It looks like it would be really awkward to hold at that angle. If you can find out for me, thanks, and if you can’t, thanks for trying!

Silly Hubbard, of course I can. That’s why they pay me the big bucks and you clean my money clips. The chain is rigid and therefore stuck in that position. It’s likely something simple like a coat hanger bent to resemble a leash and to be comfortable to hold. Quite a simple trick to pull off, but very effective nonetheless. I think I just found part of my Halloween costume…

Mike is wondering about prestidigitation:

Was reading the Wrestlemania x recap from the video reviews recently and I was wondering how Vince ensured the coin would fall heads up (or whichever way it fell) thereby ensuring a Bret vs Owen match. I’m guessing they weren’t just leaving it to chance; I seem to remember Jack Tunney pointing out that the coin had a head and a tails, was it just a case of clever camera work?

I remember reading that they just shot the angle until the coin landed how they wanted it, which would make sense. It’s not like they would have had to do a ton of takes. I don’t have any of the shows leading up to Mania X on tape, but I’m fairly sure the coin toss was done backstage which would have made it much easier to redo it. Even today when live shows are far more common, there’s a good chance that a backstage segment is pre-taped.

The Way I C It…

This week we’re going to Kristian for some Taker questions.

Hey Chris. I’ve got some Undertaker related questions for you. 2 are fact seeking and one is an opinion question.

What was up with the Undertaker going through such a drastic character change in 2000 when he went from being the Satanic leader of the Ministry of Darkness to the motorcycle riding American Bad Ass? Whose idea was it and why did they do that?

It was mostly Taker’s idea, and even at that point if Taker had an idea then Vince let him do it. It fit with the more realistic feel that WWE were going for at the time and it enabled Taker to relax his kayfabe persona that he tries to maintain when arriving at or leaving events. Plus the biker gimmick is very close to Taker’s real life personality.

Secondly, (let me make it clear that I’m glad Undertaker made this choice), who decided to have the Undertaker go back to his original deadman gimmick in 2004 and why?

Both WWE and Taker wanted to give the gimmick another run, since they felt it had been given enough of a rest. I’ll risk being unpopular here (various 411 staff have already threatened me with bodily violence, which is hilarious since I’m bigger than all of them…bar one) and say that I prefer BikerTaker. I’ve always been a mark for the Dragon Sleeper and his entrance didn’t take longer than some TNA matches.

Finally, and in your opinion, what is the greatest undefeated streak of all time? Undertaker’s Wrestlemania undefeated streak, Andre the Giant’s 15 year streak or Bill Goldberg’s 173-0 WCW début streak? OK, I admit that wasn’t entirely Undertaker related, but he is referenced in there.

This is a tough question, since Andre’s streak wasn’t real (even Jerry Lawler beat him) and Goldberg’s was inflated and mostly against jobbers. Actually none of the streaks is real, this is a worked sport. However, I will say that the person who eventually beats Taker at Mania (IF it happens) will get a huge push, much more than Nash did for beating Goldberg. Hogan, when he kayfabe broke Andre’s streak, was already ridiculously over and could not have benefited from the win. From this perspective I think Taker’s streak means more, although Andre’s is certainly impressive and a close second.

Right then, that’s the lot. Keep the questions and feedback coming. The usual suspects are in tomorrow: Small, Bayani, Fact or Fiction and of course the tremendous Brace for Impact, this week featuring Jarrod Westerfeld.

Father preserve us.

Also, keep an eye out for my review of NBA Live 09 for the 360, coming soon to the Games zone! Stay Cool, Rock Hard.

Lansdellicious – Out.