|
|
Post by Mr. Old School™ on Jan 1, 2010 11:30:24 GMT -5
Hey, First off, Happy New Year to all my fellow WF'ers out there!! I hope you all had a great Christmas and very Happy New Year. I thought I'd start off 2010 with a bang or a dud, depending how you look at it, with the "Blast From The Past" installments. This one was requested, so here ya go. Here we've got the ONLY wrestler in history to hail from "Another Planet", the one and only (thank God for that), Max Moon!!  For those that don't know, the man behind the mask was former A.W.A. world tag-team champion Paul Diamond. He teamed with Pat Tanaka as part of the Badd Company and they were the A.W.A. world tag-team champions at one point in time. I can't remember exactly when Max Moon came to the W.W.F., but I'm guessing it was sometime in late 1992/early 1993 because that's when all the "gimmicky" wrestlers started showing up like El Matador, Skinner, and Doink the Evil Clown to name a few. Max Moon came down the aisle wearing these "rocket blaster" packs on his arms and when he raied them, they shot out fireworks to the crowd, much to their disapproval. If I remember correctly, Max Moon once wrestled Shawn Michaels on the debut edition of Monday Night Raw at The Manhattan Center. I think it was also for the Intercontinental title too. How Max Moon was ever the #1 contender for the I.C. belt is still blowing my mind. Needless to say, he lost that encounter and basically floundered in the mid-card from there-on out. Max Moon never had an action figure either as Paul Diamond or under the Max Moon gimmick. I'm actually surprised Jakks didn't contact him for a Classic figure because it truly would have been "classic" to FINALLY see a Max Moon figure after all these years. But, that just wasn't meant to be. Maybe Mattel can start their own version of the Classic Series and give us die-hards a Max Moon figure!! Don't get me wrong here. Paul Diamond was a fantastic wrestler. It's just that under this ridiculous and stupid gimmick, he was awful. Just awful. Seriously, what was Vince McMahon thinking when he thought bringing in a space man was a good a idea?? He must've been too wrapped up in his indictment at the time and somehow let Max Moon slide in under the radar screen. Oh well, once Vince caught on that the fans hated him, he sent Max Moon packing on an enterprise he wouldn't ever return from. A one-way ticket back to "Another Planet". So, there you have it. Another "Blast From the Past" in the books. As always, please share your thoughts and memories on Max Moon!! |
|
|
|
Post by Grumpyoldman on Jan 1, 2010 12:15:57 GMT -5
I remember hearing about this, but didn't know the circumstances. This is from Konnan's Wikipedia page:
After he was approached by talent scout Pat Patterson, Konnan spent eight months in the American World Wrestling Federation as Max Moon in 1992. The Moon character, created by Konnan, was that of a cyborg who wore an outfit (purchased by the WWF at the cost of $1,300) bedecked with circuitry and a pyrotechnic gun during his approach to the ring. Konnan was given many ring names, including his own name, the Comet Kid, Maximillion Moves, El Electrico, and eventually Max Moon. His character hailed from "The Future" or "Outer Space", his entrance music was a techno song, and his finishing move was the flying bodypress (a somersault onto his opponent with them on his shoulders). His attire was blue leather, silver foam tubing and a mask. On his way to the ring, he shot sparkles into the crowd.
Debuting in the WWF on September 1, 1992 in Hershey, Pennsylvania under the name the Comet Kid, he pinned Duane Gill. After three televised matches, Konnan left the WWF following a disagreement with WWF owner Vince McMahon. Konnan believed that he was being discriminated against and resented McMahon's refusal to give him a guaranteed contract. The Max Moon gimmick was subsequently given to Paul Diamond, before being abandoned.
I guess Paul Diamond was stuck with the gimmick because he fit in the suit?
|
|
Johnny Lawrence - Cobra Kai
Main Eventer
Promotional consideration paid for by the following
Joined on: Jul 25, 2005 17:12:49 GMT -5
Posts: 3,209
|
Post by Johnny Lawrence - Cobra Kai on Jan 2, 2010 10:30:44 GMT -5
I remember about 12 years ago, I went to a shopping mall for a Demolition Ax autograph signing. It was such a random thing since he was out of the spotlight at that time, working indies. But Bill Eadie was always one of my favorites, so I had to go see him. There was no line, so I got to chit-chat all I wanted. Eadie had a really, really old guy sitting next to him in a full Max Moon costume, except this guy had to weigh at least 350 pounds. This was definitely not Paul Diamond, or Konnan or anyone else that had seen the inside of a gym. I was amused that this guy was signing (and charging for!) autographs as "Max Moon," so I had to give him s--t about it. "Are you the same Max Moon from the 1993 Royal Rumble?" I asked. "There's only one Max Moon," the guy answered. "You got that right. It's Konnan." And that's when Eadie's "manager" (probably a local indy promoter) politely asked me to move along, despite there being zero fans in line behind me.  |
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Old School™ on Jan 2, 2010 11:20:36 GMT -5
^ That's a pretty funny story. You don't have any idea who that Max Moon imposter could've been, do you? Imagine if it WAS Paul Diamond and he just really let himself go??
|
|
Johnny Lawrence - Cobra Kai
Main Eventer
Promotional consideration paid for by the following
Joined on: Jul 25, 2005 17:12:49 GMT -5
Posts: 3,209
|
Post by Johnny Lawrence - Cobra Kai on Jan 2, 2010 14:44:57 GMT -5
^ That's a pretty funny story. You don't have any idea who that Max Moon imposter could've been, do you? Imagine if it WAS Paul Diamond and he just really let himself go?? I have a picture from that day on my computer somewhere... I should dig it up and post it. It was definitely not Paul Diamond. EDIT: Here's the culprit:  All i can figure is it was a local indy wrestler for whomever Ax was working for that weekend, and they dressed him up like that to try to sell more tickets. Either that or it was one of Eadie's buddies that just likes to dress up like an astronaut for fun. He looked about Eadie's age. I found it interesting, because for all of the countless times an indy wrestler rips off a famous WWF costume/gimmick (think of all the Doinks and Patriots there have been over the years), you really never see a Max Moon ripoff. Maybe because the costume costs too much? |
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Old School™ on Jan 2, 2010 17:07:35 GMT -5
^ Oh man, that picture is friggin' hilarious. And you are right. That is most definitely NOT Paul Diamond. I have no idea who it is, but it's not Paul Diamond. That much I do know.
It's probably just some local indy bum that found Max Moon's garb and threw it on to gain some sort of recognition because without it, NOBODY would know who he is. At least with the mask and attire, they have a vague idea. LOL.
|
|
|
|
Post by LeighD on Jan 2, 2010 17:44:03 GMT -5
I had also read that Tatanka's wife had an affair with Diamond and that was one reason why both were not in the ring at the same time at the 1993 Rumble. WWF feared Tatanka would seriously hurt Diamond.
|
|
Burger Lad
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jun 30, 2009 8:41:44 GMT -5
Posts: 1,542
|
Post by Burger Lad on Jan 2, 2010 18:27:37 GMT -5
I'm sure I requested this one!? Thank you! Can't wait to see the next one!! |
|
|
|
Post by Emerald Enthusiast on Jan 3, 2010 1:15:32 GMT -5
I had also read that Tatanka's wife had an affair with Diamond and that was one reason why both were not in the ring at the same time at the 1993 Rumble. WWF feared Tatanka would seriously hurt Diamond. I remember this rumor as well. I also heard that it was the main reason Diamond was let go instead of repackaged. I'm not sure if any of it was true or not. |
|
|
|
Post by Emerald Enthusiast on Jan 3, 2010 1:18:32 GMT -5
^ That's a pretty funny story. You don't have any idea who that Max Moon imposter could've been, do you? Imagine if it WAS Paul Diamond and he just really let himself go?? I have a picture from that day on my computer somewhere... I should dig it up and post it. It was definitely not Paul Diamond. EDIT: Here's the culprit: All i can figure is it was a local indy wrestler for whomever Ax was working for that weekend, and they dressed him up like that to try to sell more tickets. Either that or it was one of Eadie's buddies that just likes to dress up like an astronaut for fun. He looked about Eadie's age.LOL!! No, not Diamond. This guy looks like he's 55 or 60. However, I doubt he's 350. 275, maybe. |
|
|
|
Post by calhil8 on Jan 3, 2010 7:12:13 GMT -5
^ He looks like thinner version of Vader lol
|
|
|
|
Post by BCizzle on Jan 3, 2010 19:01:04 GMT -5
Isn't that Ralphus in the Max Moon suit?
Anybody have pics of Konnan in the suit?
|
|
sevb30
Main Eventer
Joined on: Apr 14, 2008 12:55:21 GMT -5
Posts: 1,378
|
Post by sevb30 on Jan 5, 2010 21:39:33 GMT -5
I have a picture from that day on my computer somewhere... I should dig it up and post it. It was definitely not Paul Diamond. EDIT: Here's the culprit: All i can figure is it was a local indy wrestler for whomever Ax was working for that weekend, and they dressed him up like that to try to sell more tickets. Either that or it was one of Eadie's buddies that just likes to dress up like an astronaut for fun. He looked about Eadie's age.LOL!! No, not Diamond. This guy looks like he's 55 or 60. However, I doubt he's 350. 275, maybe. Depends on how tall the guy is. I can't tell. |
|
June
Main Eventer
High Fives All Around!!!
Joined on: May 31, 2009 10:54:49 GMT -5
Posts: 4,457
|
Post by June on Jan 6, 2010 10:46:17 GMT -5
Paul Diamond was decent in the ring, but lacked personality. As part of Bad Company he was at his best, and even as Kato in the Orient Express I thought he was decent, but I hated the Max Moon gimmick, but at least he got a few shots at fame in the WWE.
|
|
|
|
Post by Chris Hammers on Jan 6, 2010 18:20:57 GMT -5
Hey, First off, Happy New Year to all my fellow WF'ers out there!! I hope you all had a great Christmas and very Happy New Year. I thought I'd start off 2010 with a bang or a dud, depending how you look at it, with the "Blast From The Past" installments. This one was requested, so here ya go. Here we've got the ONLY wrestler in history to hail from "Another Planet", the one and only (thank God for that), Max Moon!! For those that don't know, the man behind the mask was former A.W.A. world tag-team champion Paul Diamond. He teamed with Pat Tanaka as part of the Badd Company and they were the A.W.A. world tag-team champions at one point in time. I can't remember exactly when Max Moon came to the W.W.F., but I'm guessing it was sometime in late 1992/early 1993 because that's when all the "gimmicky" wrestlers started showing up like El Matador, Skinner, and Doink the Evil Clown to name a few. Max Moon came down the aisle wearing these "rocket blaster" packs on his arms and when he raied them, they shot out fireworks to the crowd, much to their disapproval. If I remember correctly, Max Moon once wrestled Shawn Michaels on the debut edition of Monday Night Raw at The Manhattan Center. I think it was also for the Intercontinental title too. How Max Moon was ever the #1 contender for the I.C. belt is still blowing my mind. Needless to say, he lost that encounter and basically floundered in the mid-card from there-on out. Max Moon never had an action figure either as Paul Diamond or under the Max Moon gimmick. I'm actually surprised Jakks didn't contact him for a Classic figure because it truly would have been "classic" to FINALLY see a Max Moon figure after all these years. But, that just wasn't meant to be. Maybe Mattel can start their own version of the Classic Series and give us die-hards a Max Moon figure!! Don't get me wrong here. Paul Diamond was a fantastic wrestler. It's just that under this ridiculous and stupid gimmick, he was awful. Just awful. Seriously, what was Vince McMahon thinking when he thought bringing in a space man was a good a idea?? He must've been too wrapped up in his indictment at the time and somehow let Max Moon slide in under the radar screen. Oh well, once Vince caught on that the fans hated him, he sent Max Moon packing on an enterprise he wouldn't ever return from. A one-way ticket back to "Another Planet". So, there you have it. Another "Blast From the Past" in the books. As always, please share your thoughts and memories on Max Moon!!  =p |
|
|
|
Post by Sam Hain on Jan 6, 2010 21:38:04 GMT -5
Wow....that pic made my life. I think that guy may have worked a show in my area as Doink a few years back!
I remember The Comet Kid being announced as debuting on Superstars, and then Max Moon appeared the next week.
|
|
original
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jul 23, 2004 16:35:09 GMT -5
Posts: 1,228
|
Post by original on Jan 7, 2010 5:05:48 GMT -5
that fat guy and the Paul Diamond as Max Moon pic do look quite alike, facially.
|
|
|
|
Post by Emerald Enthusiast on Jan 7, 2010 6:53:40 GMT -5
LOL!! No, not Diamond. This guy looks like he's 55 or 60. However, I doubt he's 350. 275, maybe. Depends on how tall the guy is. I can't tell. He would have to be in the 6' 4"-6'5" range at least and he doesn't have the wide-framed, tree-like limbs (ala the Wild Samoans) that really big guys have. To the fake Moon's credit, he appears to have a big upper torso and arms (especially for his age) but his lower body is normal looking. I'd say he's about 5'11", 275. Even given that he's overweight, he's probably in better overall shape than a lot of guys his age. He still looks capable and strong while many guys in that age range look very frail. On the flip side, his age only makes the ridiculous costume look even worse. |
|
Johnny Lawrence - Cobra Kai
Main Eventer
Promotional consideration paid for by the following
Joined on: Jul 25, 2005 17:12:49 GMT -5
Posts: 3,209
|
Post by Johnny Lawrence - Cobra Kai on Jan 7, 2010 18:04:03 GMT -5
Depends on how tall the guy is. I can't tell. If I recall correctly, he was in the 5'9-5'10" range. I am 5'9" myself and he was about my height. Maybe an inch taller, if at all. |
|
stoningtonj
Main Eventer
THE Stonington J
Joined on: Mar 24, 2006 16:18:45 GMT -5
Posts: 1,494
|
Post by stoningtonj on Jan 8, 2010 14:17:13 GMT -5
ill be honest...Diamoned and the imposter do have similar facial features...i havnt seen Diamond do anything from those days on. And I wouldnt be suprised if it was him.
|
|
