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Post by drifter on Dec 22, 2020 17:50:33 GMT -5
Not just Hogan, guys like Jesse Ventura and Scott Steiner were influenced by him, and it was a segment where Vince McMahon interviewed Graham, that apparently got Paul Heyman interested in wrestling, and made him decide, pro wrestling it what he wanted to do. You take Billy Graham out of the equation, remove him from the history of wrestling, and we'd have a drastically different world of wrestling today. I'd never known that about Heyman. Amazing! So you can add no ECW to that list. Yeah, I did a little looking up before posting to add some specific names of people he influenced, and saw that. Couldn't find beyond a post on another site, but someone claimed that DDP was into wrestling because of Graham too.
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Post by J'Dinkalage Morgoone on Dec 24, 2020 16:32:14 GMT -5
Jeff Hardy has to be at the top of the top 5 influential wrestlers of the last 30 years. Who would be your other four? Hulk Hogan Stone Cold The Rock Shawn Michaels
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Post by greenjack1992 on Dec 24, 2020 18:28:26 GMT -5
Who would be your other four? Hulk Hogan Stone Cold The Rock Shawn Michaels Any particular reasons for these choices?
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jason1980s
Main Eventer
Joined on: Sept 30, 2009 14:58:56 GMT -5
Posts: 2,333
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Post by jason1980s on Dec 24, 2020 18:55:11 GMT -5
If he hadn't have fallen out with Vince I'm certain he would be a featured part of their historical propaganda. Vince is an ungrateful d**k Superstar BG made him millions It would have been Vince Sr. he made money, not Jr. Vince Jr. tried everything he could to use Billy on TV from wrestler to manager to commentator but after a while nothing was clicking. I hate that nothing worked 1) as a Billy fan 2) I hate how he acts when not under WWF contract and 3) I think Billy can contribute a lot to WWF/WWE. Billy, admittedly made up stories about WWF and when he was down and out BUT he came back to WWF in the early 2000s knowing WWF would be willing to forgive. During the Benoit scandal and media trial of WWE, Billy himself told Linda McMahon that he would back them in any way but a few years later WWE let him go from his Legends contract and Billy from that point on attempted to hurt WWE any verbal way he could. Don't get me wrong, I don't like Vince McMahon but Billy is a man who will only support you as long as he is being paid by you. One of his facebook posts from a few years ago was very nasty towards fans who were not sending him money for his latest round of hospital bills claiming they were leeches who only wanted to see him on free TV but were not willing to put their money towards him when he needed it. I do think Billy was a trendsetter, he was a true Superstar and brought wrestling to the point where it could become "sports entertainment" but by the 1980s he was literally finished as a wrestler. I actually liked him as a commentator but his style was not for everyone. Should Vince have signed him up for whatever "lifetime" contract he gave to Blassie or Moolah? Sure! But as a businessman I get why Vince felt the need to cut his losses. Billy couldn't wrestle, he couldn't get anyone over as a manager and his style of commentator only clicked with a small amount of fans. On a personal note, I met Billy during his book tour signing. My family and I parked near him at the book store, chatted and walked through the store together. My father wound up chatting with his wife Valerie for the entire signing. His wife is an amazing woman for being able to put up with Billy for so long and Billy himself would probably admit this. Billy during that time period was a great guy but the more you read about him, the more of his own writings you read you will see he is a man who will only be decent to you if you are paying him. I am a big Superstar fan, I had a GREAT experience with him but facts are facts-he does not care about you unless you are paying and if you aren't paying he will be nasty as crap to you. Also, I am not really a Bruno fan (I think Bruno sold the F out to take the Hall of Fame pay but it was Bruno who probably made Vince Sr. millions-in response to the post that "Superstar BG made him (Vince Jr.) millions")
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Post by J'Dinkalage Morgoone on Dec 24, 2020 19:53:27 GMT -5
Hulk Hogan Stone Cold The Rock Shawn Michaels Any particular reasons for these choices? anyone who ever wanted to wrestle in the last 20-30 years has or will immitate those guys in some form or fashion. from promos to gear to moves to swagger.
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Post by The Lion's Den on Dec 24, 2020 21:25:16 GMT -5
In your minds, whom was the most innovative wrestler in terms of moves created and done? Moves created, maybe Jeff Hardy, Rey Mysterio was pretty fun to watch, people in ECW were wild. Mankind was a daredevil, not necessarily creative in the ring but creative in other ways. Some guys were limited because of injuries or just okay wrestlers, Mick was a good example.
Most important move in wrestling? Growing up a lot of people wanted to do Tombstones, superkicks, and stunners
The best promo? Hogan and Flair made great promos, Stone Cold was incredible, but I may have to give the edge to the Rock. He always had a little sass, witty shots, catch phrases that everyone quoted, there is usually a few that are within each era of wrestling so I can't say just one - they are also a reflection of the time. For example, someone picked Cena and I honestly can't stand him. He was a joke. Jacked dude with no wrestling skills, mic skills, and got the pushes he never needed. But, if I grew up as that as my first wrestling exposure, I may choose him.
The best gimmick or look? NWO when Hogan turned heel, but before it got old. Undertaker was great too. The Von Erich's would have been cool to watch, seemed like everyone liked them.
The most influential wrestler(s) for you, and overall? For me, has to be the main players from the attitude era and just prior. I won't forget some of the earlier guys though.
What have you learned from wrestling that you apply to life? I can't say I've learned much, it's physical violence. Couldn't even use it when I was a bouncer haha. Nevertheless, I love reminiscing with people about a pinnacle time in our lives.
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Post by TheHitmanKid on Dec 25, 2020 2:35:48 GMT -5
Hulk and Sting entertained with their Charisma
Stone Cold and The Rock with their Attitude
Bret and Shawn with their ability to put on great matches
Undertaker and Mankind being able to adjust their "character" by changing with the times.
My list for innovative and influential wrestlers
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peterjp2
Main Eventer
WF 10+ Year Member
24 ref's and counting, 944 on eBay
Joined on: Feb 8, 2006 10:18:07 GMT -5
Posts: 1,734
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Post by peterjp2 on Dec 25, 2020 3:30:19 GMT -5
The best promo?
Mick Foley and Jake Roberts. Both had an incredible ability to draw their audience in and didn't need to resort to being loud, boisterous, or crude. You listened because you believed whatever they had to say would be important. There are some Mick Foley promos that I can listen to over and over again. Just the way he speaks and the intensity that he can manifest, to me this answer is right on point.
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Post by OTC Waxbender on Dec 25, 2020 22:34:29 GMT -5
The only two to truly transcend wrestling imo are The Rock and Hogan. Sure others have come close like Austin/Undertaker/Andre and while they may be some of the biggest names ever, they will never be on that same level. It's just a whole different league.
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