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Post by Turnbuckle Zealot(Phil) on Mar 15, 2019 16:40:52 GMT -5
How many wrestlers have had their careers cut short for whatever reason?
It is an absolute tragedy to consider how many decent people in the wrestling profession didn't get to grow old.
That being said, is anyone else curious how long certain wrestlers would have held on if they hadn't passed away or had their career ended due to injury?
Here's an example. Nick Bockwinkel is someone that wrestled as hard and as often as any wrestler at the top level ever, and his career was a solid 30 years with the majority of those years as a top star and internationally admired master. On the other hand, you have Magnum T.A or Eddie Guerrero. A career ended before its time and a dear friend gone too soon. So the question is, how long do you think certain wrestlers would have wrestled if they had been able to avoid injury or death?
At what point do you think they'd retire?
A solid example is Bret Hart. Had Bret not been concussed in 2000, do you think we would have seen one last run in WWF? Maybe one last match with Shawn and a few gems against the young talent of the time? The one I have always wondered about was Owen Hart. Owen may have been one of the biggest stars and finally gotten a world title run in the early 2000s. He wouldn't have turned 40 until 2005, so he could have very well had finished up wrestling against Kurt Angle, John Cena, Randy Orton, and even managed the Hart Dynasty Tag Team. This is all said in hypothetical and is in no way intended to disrespect any deceased individuals mentioned.
Feel free to name some names and hypothesize some scenarios, from any era, promotion, go nuts!
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Post by hbkbigdaddycool on Mar 15, 2019 17:46:04 GMT -5
Honestly?? This is too hard to really give a proper answer.
There are still so many 'what if' scenarios in all of this.
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The Golden Gimmick
Mid-Carder
...but brother, I am bad. And they know I’m bad.
Joined on: Jul 25, 2003 22:13:48 GMT -5
Posts: 322
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Post by The Golden Gimmick on Mar 15, 2019 18:17:12 GMT -5
I've always wondered about Bruiser Brody past '88. Incredible mind for the business, knew everything inside and out. I could possibly see him having some more matches in Japan, having a go with WCW in the early 90s before eventually retiring to a booker / agent scenario. Who knows maybe a match with Hogan in '89 or '90 in WWF!? He was a headliner no doubt.
Bret's always a fun one to think about too. Bret was always determined to stick things out, but I think if he was in a healthy capacity, he would've returned to WWF eventually for another run. Let's say Hart rides out his WCW contract that takes him to Dec. 2002. Interestingly enough, Shawn Michaels has returned and is the current World Heavyweight Champion. That's an instant program right there. Wrestlemania 19 would get even more stacked with a Hart v. Michaels match. Only fitting with Rock v Austin and McMahon v Hogan on the card as well.
So Bret signs a 5-year deal taking him to 2007, with the implication that Vince will "make things right." They keep the WH belt on Michaels from Survivor Series '02.
Jan 2003 - Entrant #27 is Bret Hart in the Royal Rumble. Wins.
Apr 2003 - challenges Michaels at WM19. becomes World Heavyweight Champion.
Aug 2003 - Loses belt in Elmination Chamber to HHH at Summerslam Nov 2003 - Gets one on one rematch at Survivor Series vs. HHH. Loses.
Dec 2003 - Gets shipped to SD! - Works against Kurt Angle at Mania XX. Makes him tap. Becomes WWE Champion.
Aug 2004 - Has a program with The Undertaker to Summerslam. Wins.
Oct 2004 - Has a minor run vs. Eddie Guerrero to No Mercy. Wins
Nov 2004 - Has a minor run vs. JBL to Survivor Series. Wins
Jan 2005 - Starts program with John Cena for Wrestlemania 21. Loses belt.
Apr 2005 - Takes time off Aug 2005 - Returns Summerslam as special guest referee for Hogan vs. Michaels. Screws Hulk.
Late 2005 - Hart and Hogan appear off and on, building up to a Wrestlemania 22 match. Hart wins.
Apr 2006 - More time off (entering part-time schedule)
Aug 2006 - Returns for a Summerslam program vs. Vince McMahon. wins.
Nov 2006 - Has impressive run vs. Chris Benoit for Survivor Series. DQ
Jan 2007 - Enters the Royal Rumble. Is in the final 3 with Undertaker & Shawn. Taker wins.
Apr 2007 - Battles Chris Benoit again at Wrestlemania 23 for US title. Steals the show. Benoit wins. May 2007 - Hart enters talks for a retirement match @ Summerslam. Selects Benoit.
June 2007 - Benoit tragedy. Match is shelved.
Nov 2007 - Returns to RAW as General Manager.
Dec 2007 - Signs new 5-year deal, performing until Mania 24. After that, he gets an office / agent role.
Apr 2008 - Has final match vs. Shawn Michaels. HBK retires him.
Spends from May 2008 until Dec 2017 as road agent. Maybe a manager in some instances, like you mention. Has cushy Michael Hayes like role within the company until whenever he decides to leave, like Pat Patterson too.
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Post by Turnbuckle Zealot(Phil) on Mar 15, 2019 22:49:51 GMT -5
Honestly?? This is too hard to really give a proper answer. There are still so many 'what if' scenarios in all of this. That’s part of the fun. Creative speculation/prompt based fiction type stuff. |
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Post by Turnbuckle Zealot(Phil) on Mar 15, 2019 22:56:40 GMT -5
I've always wondered about Bruiser Brody past '88. Incredible mind for the business, knew everything inside and out. I could possibly see him having some more matches in Japan, having a go with WCW in the early 90s before eventually retiring to a booker / agent scenario. Who knows maybe a match with Hogan in '89 or '90 in WWF!? He was a headliner no doubt.
Bret's always a fun one to think about too. Bret was always determined to stick things out, but I think if he was in a healthy capacity, he would've returned to WWF eventually for another run. Let's say Hart rides out his WCW contract that takes him to Dec. 2002. Interestingly enough, Shawn Michaels has returned and is the current World Heavyweight Champion. That's an instant program right there. Wrestlemania 19 would get even more stacked with a Hart v. Michaels match. Only fitting with Rock v Austin and McMahon v Hogan on the card as well.
So Bret signs a 5-year deal taking him to 2007, with the implication that Vince will "make things right." They keep the WH belt on Michaels from Survivor Series '02.
Jan 2003 - Entrant #27 is Bret Hart in the Royal Rumble. Wins.
Apr 2003 - challenges Michaels at WM19. becomes World Heavyweight Champion.
Aug 2003 - Loses belt in Elmination Chamber to HHH at Summerslam Nov 2003 - Gets one on one rematch at Survivor Series vs. HHH. Loses.
Dec 2003 - Gets shipped to SD! - Works against Kurt Angle at Mania XX. Makes him tap. Becomes WWE Champion.
Aug 2004 - Has a program with The Undertaker to Summerslam. Wins.
Oct 2004 - Has a minor run vs. Eddie Guerrero to No Mercy. Wins
Nov 2004 - Has a minor run vs. JBL to Survivor Series. Wins
Jan 2005 - Starts program with John Cena for Wrestlemania 21. Loses belt.
Apr 2005 - Takes time off Aug 2005 - Returns Summerslam as special guest referee for Hogan vs. Michaels. Screws Hulk.
Late 2005 - Hart and Hogan appear off and on, building up to a Wrestlemania 22 match. Hart wins.
Apr 2006 - More time off (entering part-time schedule)
Aug 2006 - Returns for a Summerslam program vs. Vince McMahon. wins.
Nov 2006 - Has impressive run vs. Chris Benoit for Survivor Series. DQ
Jan 2007 - Enters the Royal Rumble. Is in the final 3 with Undertaker & Shawn. Taker wins.
Apr 2007 - Battles Chris Benoit again at Wrestlemania 23 for US title. Steals the show. Benoit wins. May 2007 - Hart enters talks for a retirement match @ Summerslam. Selects Benoit.
June 2007 - Benoit tragedy. Match is shelved.
Nov 2007 - Returns to RAW as General Manager.
Dec 2007 - Signs new 5-year deal, performing until Mania 24. After that, he gets an office / agent role.
Apr 2008 - Has final match vs. Shawn Michaels. HBK retires him.
Spends from May 2008 until Dec 2017 as road agent. Maybe a manager in some instances, like you mention. Has cushy Michael Hayes like role within the company until whenever he decides to leave, like Pat Patterson too.
Don’t you have an Etsy shop??? Great fantasy booking, but I just found you on Instagram and I’m really impressed with your deisgns! |
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The Golden Gimmick
Mid-Carder
...but brother, I am bad. And they know I’m bad.
Joined on: Jul 25, 2003 22:13:48 GMT -5
Posts: 322
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Post by The Golden Gimmick on Mar 16, 2019 0:55:31 GMT -5
Don’t you have an Etsy shop??? Great fantasy booking, but I just found you on Instagram and I’m really impressed with your deisgns! Appreciate it! I do have an etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/TheGoldenGimmickI also have some different fantasy bookings like
Wrestlemania 18
Hopefully those are ok to post.
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nibs92
Main Eventer
Joined on: May 29, 2008 5:47:21 GMT -5
Posts: 2,240
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Post by nibs92 on Mar 16, 2019 3:16:46 GMT -5
I doubt very much that Owen would have been one of the biggest stars. He was fantastic in the ring and had a level of charisma but he wasn’t the complete package. I see him in comparison to Benoit, in the early 2000’s put him in the odd title match to freshen up the main event of a non big four PPV but keep him in the mid to upper Mid card range.
I have often wondered if Austin hadn’t suffered the injury at Summerslam 97, would he still have adjusted his style to a more punch/kick style that suited his character so much and if he didn’t, would it have hampered him at all?
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Post by Turnbuckle Zealot(Phil) on Mar 16, 2019 12:51:49 GMT -5
I doubt very much that Owen would have been one of the biggest stars. He was fantastic in the ring and had a level of charisma but he wasn’t the complete package. I see him in comparison to Benoit, in the early 2000’s put him in the odd title match to freshen up the main event of a non big four PPV but keep him in the mid to upper Mid card range. I have often wondered if Austin hadn’t suffered the injury at Summerslam 97, would he still have adjusted his style to a more punch/kick style that suited his character so much and if he didn’t, would it have hampered him at all? I get where you’re coming from, but we had two world titles for most of the 2000s. If we can get Jack Swagger and Great Khali as champions, why the fluck couldn’t we get Owen Hart?? He’s infinitely better at speaking than most of the world champions of the past decade. |
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Post by Grumpyoldman on Mar 16, 2019 12:55:01 GMT -5
I would have liked to see what would have happened with Magnum TA. Most veterans say he was being groomed to be the next NWA champion. If it did happen (even for a short reign), would he have eventually come to the WWF? Would he have feuded with Rick Rude? Jake Roberts? Randy Savage? How amazing would it have been if he turned heel & feuded with Ricky Steamboat?
What if David Von Erich didn't pass away? Probably the same thing. Defeats Flair for the title for a short time, but does he eventually go to JCP or the WWF? Imagine the matches he would have had against John Studd, Ken Patera, Roddy Piper, Greg Valentine. What if he formed a tag team with fellow Texan Barry Windham? Then slowly, Kerry & Kevin follow him into the WWF. The storyline has David feuding with both brothers after jealousy turns them against each other
Sorry for the many edits, but I'd like to add more to this once my fever breaks.
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Deleted
Joined on: Apr 25, 2024 7:43:54 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2019 18:45:31 GMT -5
Before Rick Rude died, he was taking self-defense classes to get into shape(he was a legit badass so he didn't need those classes to learn to fight) as he was hoping to get back in wwe. If they did bring him back, he likely would have just been a midcard guy like Henning was in 02.
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TheEvilDoink1987
Main Eventer
Joined on: Feb 22, 2010 21:37:52 GMT -5
Posts: 2,631
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Post by TheEvilDoink1987 on Mar 17, 2019 23:29:32 GMT -5
How many wrestlers have had their careers cut short for whatever reason? It is an absolute tragedy to consider how many decent people in the wrestling profession didn't get to grow old. That being said, is anyone else curious how long certain wrestlers would have held on if they hadn't passed away or had their career ended due to injury? Here's an example. Nick Bockwinkel is someone that wrestled as hard and as often as any wrestler at the top level ever, and his career was a solid 30 years with the majority of those years as a top star and internationally admired master. On the other hand, you have Magnum T.A or Eddie Guerrero. A career ended before its time and a dear friend gone too soon. So the question is, how long do you think certain wrestlers would have wrestled if they had been able to avoid injury or death? At what point do you think they'd retire? A solid example is Bret Hart. Had Bret not been concussed in 2000, do you think we would have seen one last run in WWF? Maybe one last match with Shawn and a few gems against the young talent of the time? The one I have always wondered about was Owen Hart. Owen may have been one of the biggest stars and finally gotten a world title run in the early 2000s. He wouldn't have turned 40 until 2005, so he could have very well had finished up wrestling against Kurt Angle, John Cena, Randy Orton, and even managed the Hart Dynasty Tag Team. This is all said in hypothetical and is in no way intended to disrespect any deceased individuals mentioned. Feel free to name some names and hypothesize some scenarios, from any era, promotion, go nuts! Not trying to sound like I knew the guy personally, but Owen wasn't sticking around the WWF for long even if he didn't pass away. He was absolutely dedicated to being a family man and looking to get out of the business as soon as his contract was up. There was no chance he would have gotten a run as World champ due to the fact that he simply wasn't devoted to the business that late into his career as talented as he was. On the more realistic side, he would have been around in 2000 when the likes of Jericho, Benoit and Eddie were on the rise. Those could have been some amazing fantasy matchups. |
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Post by Turnbuckle Zealot(Phil) on Mar 18, 2019 11:43:23 GMT -5
How many wrestlers have had their careers cut short for whatever reason? It is an absolute tragedy to consider how many decent people in the wrestling profession didn't get to grow old. That being said, is anyone else curious how long certain wrestlers would have held on if they hadn't passed away or had their career ended due to injury? Here's an example. Nick Bockwinkel is someone that wrestled as hard and as often as any wrestler at the top level ever, and his career was a solid 30 years with the majority of those years as a top star and internationally admired master. On the other hand, you have Magnum T.A or Eddie Guerrero. A career ended before its time and a dear friend gone too soon. So the question is, how long do you think certain wrestlers would have wrestled if they had been able to avoid injury or death? At what point do you think they'd retire? A solid example is Bret Hart. Had Bret not been concussed in 2000, do you think we would have seen one last run in WWF? Maybe one last match with Shawn and a few gems against the young talent of the time? The one I have always wondered about was Owen Hart. Owen may have been one of the biggest stars and finally gotten a world title run in the early 2000s. He wouldn't have turned 40 until 2005, so he could have very well had finished up wrestling against Kurt Angle, John Cena, Randy Orton, and even managed the Hart Dynasty Tag Team. This is all said in hypothetical and is in no way intended to disrespect any deceased individuals mentioned. Feel free to name some names and hypothesize some scenarios, from any era, promotion, go nuts! Not trying to sound like I knew the guy personally, but Owen wasn't sticking around the WWF for long even if he didn't pass away. He was absolutely dedicated to being a family man and looking to get out of the business as soon as his contract was up. There was no chance he would have gotten a run as World champ due to the fact that he simply wasn't devoted to the business that late into his career as talented as he was. On the more realistic side, he would have been around in 2000 when the likes of Jericho, Benoit and Eddie were on the rise. Those could have been some amazing fantasy matchups. Fair point. We should consider the wants of the wrestlers in this conversation. |
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Post by Gorilla on Mar 19, 2019 18:53:13 GMT -5
I've always wondered about Bruiser Brody past '88. Incredible mind for the business, knew everything inside and out. I could possibly see him having some more matches in Japan, having a go with WCW in the early 90s before eventually retiring to a booker / agent scenario. Who knows maybe a match with Hogan in '89 or '90 in WWF!? He was a headliner no doubt.
Bret's always a fun one to think about too. Bret was always determined to stick things out, but I think if he was in a healthy capacity, he would've returned to WWF eventually for another run. Let's say Hart rides out his WCW contract that takes him to Dec. 2002. Interestingly enough, Shawn Michaels has returned and is the current World Heavyweight Champion. That's an instant program right there. Wrestlemania 19 would get even more stacked with a Hart v. Michaels match. Only fitting with Rock v Austin and McMahon v Hogan on the card as well.
So Bret signs a 5-year deal taking him to 2007, with the implication that Vince will "make things right." They keep the WH belt on Michaels from Survivor Series '02.
Jan 2003 - Entrant #27 is Bret Hart in the Royal Rumble. Wins.
Apr 2003 - challenges Michaels at WM19. becomes World Heavyweight Champion.
Aug 2003 - Loses belt in Elmination Chamber to HHH at Summerslam Nov 2003 - Gets one on one rematch at Survivor Series vs. HHH. Loses.
Dec 2003 - Gets shipped to SD! - Works against Kurt Angle at Mania XX. Makes him tap. Becomes WWE Champion.
Aug 2004 - Has a program with The Undertaker to Summerslam. Wins.
Oct 2004 - Has a minor run vs. Eddie Guerrero to No Mercy. Wins
Nov 2004 - Has a minor run vs. JBL to Survivor Series. Wins
Jan 2005 - Starts program with John Cena for Wrestlemania 21. Loses belt.
Apr 2005 - Takes time off Aug 2005 - Returns Summerslam as special guest referee for Hogan vs. Michaels. Screws Hulk.
Late 2005 - Hart and Hogan appear off and on, building up to a Wrestlemania 22 match. Hart wins.
Apr 2006 - More time off (entering part-time schedule)
Aug 2006 - Returns for a Summerslam program vs. Vince McMahon. wins.
Nov 2006 - Has impressive run vs. Chris Benoit for Survivor Series. DQ
Jan 2007 - Enters the Royal Rumble. Is in the final 3 with Undertaker & Shawn. Taker wins.
Apr 2007 - Battles Chris Benoit again at Wrestlemania 23 for US title. Steals the show. Benoit wins. May 2007 - Hart enters talks for a retirement match @ Summerslam. Selects Benoit.
June 2007 - Benoit tragedy. Match is shelved.
Nov 2007 - Returns to RAW as General Manager.
Dec 2007 - Signs new 5-year deal, performing until Mania 24. After that, he gets an office / agent role.
Apr 2008 - Has final match vs. Shawn Michaels. HBK retires him.
Spends from May 2008 until Dec 2017 as road agent. Maybe a manager in some instances, like you mention. Has cushy Michael Hayes like role within the company until whenever he decides to leave, like Pat Patterson too.
Bret was born in 1957. He'd be retiring 51 in your scenario. Here's what he looked like in 2008:  |
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TheEvilDoink1987
Main Eventer
Joined on: Feb 22, 2010 21:37:52 GMT -5
Posts: 2,631
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Post by TheEvilDoink1987 on Mar 19, 2019 19:31:32 GMT -5
I agree. Even if Bret didnt have his career cut short and maintained a clean bill of health, I don't see him wrestling much beyond 2004-2005 with a few cameo matches sprinkled in afterwards for a few years.
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The Golden Gimmick
Mid-Carder
...but brother, I am bad. And they know I’m bad.
Joined on: Jul 25, 2003 22:13:48 GMT -5
Posts: 322
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Post by The Golden Gimmick on Mar 19, 2019 19:57:18 GMT -5
Bret was born in 1957. He'd be retiring 51 in your scenario. Here's what he looked like in 2008: Barring any bad health and considering his contemporaries (Hogan was 51 in 2004, Flair was 51 in 2000, Michaels just had a match at 53...) I don't think it would be out of the question. Especially for a guy that prided himself on not getting hurt / not hurting others. Plus the sheer amount of talent to work with at that point in time. Plus it's a fictional scenario... fun to think about. |
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