The Squared Circle: Life, Death, and Professional Wrestling

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The Squared Circle: Life, Death, and Professional Wrestling Page 35

by Shoemaker, David


  Koury, Fred, 94

  Kowalski, Walter “Killer,” 39, 315–17

  KroniK, 287

  Krugman, Michael, 157–58

  Krupp, Ludwig von, 290

  Ladd, “Big Cat” Ernie, 83, 105, 136, 145, 150, 152

  Lafleur, Pierre, 292

  Lancashire wrestling, 9

  Larose, Guy, 289

  “The Last Wrestling Piece” (Meltzer), 169

  Latino wrestlers, 141–42, 357–58

  Lauper, Cyndi, 61, 119, 169–70, 172, 174

  Laurinaitis, Joe, 203, 205, 209–12

  Lawler, Jerry “The King”: and Andre the Giant, 157–58; and Hart (Owen), 308; and Hennig, 239–40; and “King” titles, 151–53; and McDaniel, 102; and nepotism in wrestling, 72; and the Road Warriors, 206; and Rude, 219; and Savage, 178, 179; and the Territorial Era, 46; and the Ultimate Warrior, 250; and unionization efforts, 345

  Layfield, John Bradshaw, 138

  Lee, Brian, 253, 286

  Lee, Buddy, 58

  Legion of Doom, 203–4, 209, 211, 283

  Lesnar, Brock, 238, 244, 360

  Levy, Scott, 343

  Lewis, Ed “Strangler,” 14, 17–20, 35, 37, 42, 49

  Lewis, Evan “Strangler,” 17

  Liebling, A. J., 27, 86, 315

  Liger, Jushin “Thunder,” 330

  Light, Harry, 36

  Lindsay, Luther, 133

  Lipstick and Dynamite (2005), 56–57

  Lipsyte, Robert, 59

  Lloyd, Carey “Buster,” 126

  Londos, Jack, 132

  Londos, Jim, 23–24, 26–27, 81, 132

  Los Boricuas, 286

  Los Gringos Locos, 353

  Los Guerreros, 141–42, 360

  “Loser Leaves Town” matches, 139, 146, 283–84

  lucha libre and luchadores, 141, 357

  Luger, Lex, 196–97, 210, 233, 262–63, 323–24, 328

  The Machines, 2–3

  Mad Maxine, 61

  Magnum, T. A., 292

  Maivia, Peter, 321

  Malenko, Boris, 291

  Malenko, Dean, 357, 358

  Mankind, 89, 268, 278, 345. See also Foley, Mick

  Manning, David, 75

  Mantel, Dutch, 97–98

  Marcus, Greil, 146–47

  Mariko, Plum, 312

  Markey, Morris, 22, 25

  Martel, “Sensational” Sherri, 185, 195

  Master P, 243

  McCurley, Lansing, 5, 370–71

  McDaniel, Wahoo, 94, 99–108, 136

  McGuirk, Leroy, 36

  McLane, David, 63–64

  McLemore, Ed, 68

  McLeod, Dan, 11

  McMahon, Jess, 42

  McMahon, Linda, 294

  McMahon, Shane, 269–70, 274

  McMahon, Stephanie, 199, 270

  McMahon, Vincent J., 40–43, 45, 57, 60–62, 93, 103, 116–22

  McMahon, Vincent K. (younger “Vince”): and advertising, 191; and Albano, 166–67, 170–72; and Andre the Giant, 157, 160–61; and the Attitude Era, 274, 276–79; and Benoit’s death, 365–66; and Big Boss Man, 298; and competition between wrestling organizations, 266–67, 269, 270–72, 271n21; and “Crush” Adams, 287; and geopolitics in wrestling, 290; and the Golden Era of wrestling, 27; and Gordy, 88; and Hart (Owen), 311, 313–14; and Hennig, 242; and Hogan, 159, 323n6; and Jones (S. D.), 125, 128; and Kanyon, 341; and labor disputes, 347; and “live to tape” broadcasts, 259n2, 265; and meta fans, 350; and Pillman, 335; and Prime Time Wrestling, 238; and race issues in wrestling, 137; and the Road Warriors, 210; and Savage, 186, 187; and Smith (Davey Boy), 228, 233; and “sports entertainment,” 20n14; and the Territorial Era, 43n8, 45, 45n11, 47; and title controversies, 233n11; and traded storylines, 146n4; and the Ultimate Warrior, 252; and the Von Erichs, 70; and the Wrestlemania Era, 116–17, 118n3; and wrestling weddings, 198, 199; and Yokozuna, 319–21, 324

  McMichael, Debra, 306

  McNulty, Red, 291

  Mecca, Terry, 83–84

  Meltzer, Richard, 169, 171

  Mendoza, Carlos, 56

  Mexican wrestlers, 141–42, 294–95, 352–53

  Michaels, Shawn, 202, 224, 233, 265–67, 310, 349–50, 360

  Mid-Atlantic Wrestling, 36, 47, 81

  Midnight Express, 202, 207–8, 214

  Mid-South Wrestling, 46, 87, 144

  Mil Máscaras, 141, 234

  Ministry of Darkness, 274, 345

  Misawa, Mitsuharu, 312

  Mo, Sir, 153

  Monday Night Raw, 259, 262, 271–72, 311, 345

  Monday Night Wars, 129, 210, 269, 271–72, 351, 358

  Monday Nitro, 224

  Mondt, Joseph “Toots,” 12, 18–19, 18n12, 35, 42, 45, 115

  Monroe, Sputnik, 133–34, 145n1

  Monsoon, Gorilla: and Andre the Giant, 163n4; and competition between wrestling organizations, 259; and large wrestlers, 320; and Prime Time Wrestling, 237–38; and race issues in wrestling, 132; and Strongbow, 104, 105; and the Territorial Era, 45; and the Wrestlemania Era, 115, 119

  Montreal Screwjob, 233, 277, 286, 310, 313

  Morales, Pedro, 103, 137, 167, 291–92

  Morrell, Frank, 111

  Morrison, John, 365

  Mortis, 340, 344

  Morton, Ricky, 177–78

  MTV, 61, 169–72, 190, 238

  Muchnick, Sam, 36, 37, 38n4, 68, 117, 126

  Muldoon, William, 14, 28n18, 59n6, 81

  Mulkey, Bill, 127

  Mulkey, Randy, 127

  Mulligan, Blackjack, 2

  Munn, Wayne, 21

  Muraco, Don, 137, 167, 230

  Mustafa, Colonel, 252, 293

  Mysterio, Rey, Jr., 354–55, 357–58, 362

  Mystery Train, 146–47

  Nailz, 302

  Nash, Kevin, 253, 263, 270, 279, 286, 340

  Nation of Domination, 150, 286, 310

  nationalism, 12–13, 23–24, 140–41. See also geopolitics in wrestling

  Nazism gimmick, 65–66, 68–69, 289–90

  Neal, Kelly, 337

  Neidhart, Jim “The Anvil,” 230–31, 234, 234n13, 308, 310, 326

  Nelson, Melvin, 126

  nepotism in wrestling, 70, 71–73

  New World Order (nWo), 187–88, 196, 224–25, 233, 243, 263, 263nn12, 13, 265–66, 270, 287–88

  New York State Athletic Commission, 27–28, 59n6

  O’Connor, Pat, 41, 42

  Okerlund, “Mean” Gene, 118–19, 180, 198

  O’Mahoney, Danno, 23

  One Man Gang, 89, 95, 139, 183, 298–99, 320

  Orndorff, Paul, 125

  Orton, “Cowboy” Bob, 230, 347

  Outsiders, 263, 270, 286, 358

  Packs, Tom, 26

  Page, Diamond Dallas, 340–41, 357

  Paranoid Style, 178, 180–84, 184n4, 186, 188–89

  Parker, Dan, 26–27, 26n16

  Parker, Robert, 140

  Parras, Jim, 167n2, 291

  Pasons, “Ice Man” King, 78, 190

  Patera, Ken, 238

  Pendleton, Nat, 21

  Perez, Miguel, 214

  Perfect, Mr. See Hennig, Curt “Mr. Perfect”

  Perry, William “Refrigerator,” 160

  Pesek, John, 19, 21

  Petrov, Vladimir, 292

  Pfefer, Jack, 26–28, 26n16, 28n18, 38, 38n4, 55–57, 132, 273

  Pillman, Brian, 264, 276, 311, 313, 329–38, 333, 355

  Pillman, Melanie, 337

  Piper, “Rowdy” Roddy: and Albano, 172–73; attack on Snuka, 138, 284n2; and McDaniel, 102; “Piper Machine” character, 2–3; and race issues in wrestling, 138, 148; and Smith
(Davey Boy), 230; and the Wrestlemania Era, 119–20, 125

  “Piper’s Pit” segment, 161, 170

  Poffo, Angelo, 72, 177–79

  Poffo, “Leaping” Lanny, 72, 177, 241

  Poffo, Randy, 177, 180–81. See also Savage, Randy “Macho Man”

  Poffo family, 73, 177, 178

  Powers of Pain, 207–8

  Prime Time Wrestling, 237–38, 259

  The Princess Bride (1987), 160

  Pringle, Percy, 219

  Puerto Rico, 95, 95n1, 97, 286

  “The Pullman Theseus” (Sayre), 25

  Punk, CM, 199, 272, 347

  Putski, Ivan “The Polish Hammer,” 73

  Putski, Scott, 73

  Quinn, Eddie, 38

  Quirk, Daniel “Spider,” 312

  Race, Harley, 70, 102, 105, 149, 152–53, 162n3

  race issues in wrestling, 56–57, 131–42, 144–45, 321, 360

  Radicalz, 358–59, 358n13

  Raven, 340, 343, 347

  Razor Ramon, 239, 242, 253, 263

  Reed, Butch, 147–48

  Renegade, 254, 255

  Rhodes, Dusty: and Andre the Giant, 158; and Big Boss Man, 297–98, 299, 299n3; and competition between wrestling organizations, 260, 270; and geopolitics in wrestling, 292; and Native American wrestlers, 107; and the “Plane Ride from Hell,” 244; and the Road Warriors, 207, 208; and Rude, 219; and traded storylines, 146n4; and the Von Erichs, 70, 75; and West Texas State, 93

  Rice, Grantland, 13–14, 22–23, 26

  Rich, Tommy, 146n3, 219

  Richter, Wendi, 60–62, 64, 119–20, 148, 171, 171n5

  Rikidozan, 135

  Ring of Honor, 259, 271, 272

  Ritter, Sylvester, 144. See also Junkyard Dog

  Road Warrior Hawk, 201–15, 313

  Road Warriors, 138, 201–15, 283, 313

  Roberts, Buddy “Jack,” 74–75, 78, 84–88, 84n1, 90

  Roberts, Jake “The Snake”: and Andre the Giant, 162–63; and the Attitude Era, 275; and Big Boss Man, 300; and Junkyard Dog, 149; and the Legion of Doom, 204; and Rude, 219, 221; and Savage, 186; and Smith (Davey Boy), 229; and the Ultimate Warrior, 252; and wrestling weddings, 198; and Yokozuna, 326

  Rocca, Antonino “Argentina,” 40, 81, 132, 214

  “The Rock”: and the Attitude Era, 278; and competition between wrestling organizations, 272; and Hart (Owen), 310; and Junkyard Dog, 149; and labor disputes, 346, 347; and race issues in wrestling, 106, 136, 140–41; and Yokozuna, 321

  Rock, Rocco, 354

  Rock ’n’ Roll Express, 177–79, 219–20

  Rock ’n’ Wrestling, 60, 88, 119–20, 171–72, 190–91

  The Rockers, 283

  Rodriguez, John, 126

  Rodz, Johnny, 126, 126n1

  Rogers, Big Bubba, 298, 371

  Rogers, “Nature Boy” Buddy, 41–43, 56, 116, 133, 135, 218, 291

  Roller, Benjamin “Dr. Roller,” 13, 13n8

  Romano, Mike, 370

  Rood, Rick Erwin, 218

  Ross, Jim, 184n4, 205, 253, 275, 311–12, 336, 345

  Rotunda, Mike, 119, 301n7

  Rougeau Brothers, 231–32, 301

  Roussimoff, André René, 156

  Royal Rumble, 122, 185, 217, 222–23, 244, 321, 359–60

  Rude, “Ravishing” Rick, 102, 149, 179, 217–25, 245, 251, 337

  Russo, Vince, 278

  Saba Simba, 140

  Sabu, 354

  Samara, Ras, 133

  Sammartino, Bruno: and Albano, 167; and Brody, 94; and geopolitics in wrestling, 291; and heel turns, 30; and race issues in wrestling, 132, 135; and Strongbow, 103; and the Territorial Era, 40; and the Von Erichs, 68n2; and the Wrestlemania Era, 116

  Sanders, Mike, 343, 347

  Sandman, 174, 264

  Sandow, Billy, 17–18, 35

  Santana, Tito, 93, 137, 143, 180

  Santel, Ad, 13

  Santo, El Hijo del, 352

  Sarnoff, David, 39

  Sasaki, Kensuke, 210

  Sasquatch, 158

  Saturday Night’s Main Event, 3, 299

  Saturn, Perry, 358

  Savage, Randy “Macho Man,” 177–89; Bash at the Beach PPV, 263; and Big Boss Man, 299; and competition between wrestling organizations, 261, 270; and “Crush” Adams, 285, 287, 287n5; and Hennig, 242; and “King” titles, 152, 185; and Miss Elizabeth, 193–97; and nepotism in wrestling, 72; “retirement,” 186n5; title matches, 233n9; and wrestling weddings, 198

  Sayre, Joel, 25

  scaffold matches, 202

  Scaia, Rick, 203

  Scarpa, Joe, 100, 103, 103n4, 108

  Schiavone, Tony, 279

  Schmidt, Hans “Teuton Terror,” 289

  Schultz, David “Dr. D.”, 25, 198

  Schyster, Irwin R., 209, 301n7

  Scicluna, “Baron” Mikel, 105

  segregation, 133–35, 145n1

  Severn, Dan, 310

  sexism in wrestling, 57, 58n2, 182, 221

  Shamrock, Ken, 238, 345

  Shango, Papa, 140, 249, 253

  Sharkey, Eddie, 203, 218

  Sheamus, 153, 347

  The Sheik, 132, 135, 204

  Shikat, Dick, 23, 24

  Shrake, Bud, 101, 102

  Shropshire, Mike, 107

  The Sicilians, 166

  Sieber, Walter, 66

  Siebert, Verne, 111

  Sika, 106, 321

  Siki, Sweet Daddy, 40, 139

  Simmons, Ron, 137, 140–41, 150

  Simon, Lawrence, 291

  Simpson, Scott, 292

  The Six Million Dollar Man (television), 158, 160

  Slaughter, Sgt., 102, 105–6, 171, 185, 252, 293–94, 324, 347

  Slick, 139, 299, 300–301

  Slim Jim beef jerky, 186–87, 190–91

  SmackDown, 271, 365–66

  Smash, 282, 284

  Smith, Davey Boy, 227–35, 309

  Smith, Harry, 234

  Snow, Al, 303

  Snowden, Jonathan, 328

  Snozsky, Steve, 370

  Snuka, “Superfly” Jimmy, 120, 138, 148, 168, 171

  Sonnenberg, Gus, 21–22, 49

  Spicolli, Louie, 337

  Spider Lady, 61–62

  spoilers, 109–11, 204

  Sports Illustrated, 101, 107, 120, 164

  Spulnik, Edward, 316. See also Kowalski, Walter “Killer”

  St. Clair, Roy, 214

  Staccato, Sandpaper Sam, 166

  Stallone, Jackie, 63

  Stampede Wrestling: and Benoit, 354; and the British Bulldogs, 232; and the Fabulous Kangaroos, 213; and Gordy, 86n3; and the Hart family, 307–8; and Junkyard Dog, 144; and Pillman, 331; and Smith (Davey Boy), 228; and the Territorial Era, 36; and the Von Erichs, 66–67; and the Wrestlemania Era, 119

  Starr, Ricky, 40

  Starr, Ron, 111

  Stasiak, Stan, 214, 370

  Steamboat, Ricky “The Dragon,” 119, 182, 195

  Stecher, Anton “Tony,” 36, 41, 49

  Stecher, Joe, 20, 21

  Steele, George “The Animal,” 2, 180, 194

  Steiner, Rick, 89, 210

  Steiner, Scott, 89, 210, 328

  Stern, Howard, 346

  steroids, 233, 234, 241, 285–86, 363–64

  Stevens, Ray “The Crippler,” 168

  Sting, 150, 191, 210, 223, 250, 263, 270

  Strongbow, Jay, 99–100, 103–6, 107–8, 136

  Strongbow, Jules, 106

  Studd, Big John, 119, 125, 148, 159–60, 163

  suicide, 211, 255, 288, 313, 364–67

  Sullivan, Kevin, 30, 333, 355–56

  Sull
ivan, Nancy, 355–56, 364

  Super Destroyer, 110–11

  Survivor Series, 121–22, 266, 277, 328

  Swagger, Jack, 295

  T, Mr., 121, 125, 138

  Tanaka, “Professor” Toru, 105, 290–91

  Tatanka, 99–100, 108

  Taylor, Lawrence, 238

  Tekno Team 2000, 73

  Territorial Era, 35–49; and advertising, 190; and Albano, 166, 167; and Brody, 92, 93; and competition between wrestling organizations, 261, 265; and contract disputes, 346; and geopolitics in wrestling, 289; and Gordy, 88; and the Guerrero family, 352; and Hackenschmidt, 30–31; and Jones (S. D.), 127; and “King” titles, 151–52; and labor disputes, 343–44; and language of wrestling, 15–16; and Native American wrestlers, 100; and nepotism, 71; and race issues in wrestling, 132, 140; and regional designations, 298n2; and the Road Warriors, 205, 212; and spoilers, 109; and the Von Erichs, 70, 75; and women’s wrestling, 59, 60; and the Wrestlemania Era, 117–18

  Test, 345

  Thesz, Lou, 13, 35, 37–38, 42–43, 49, 52, 116

  Tiger Mask, 229, 234

  TNA Wrestling, 188, 212, 271, 344

  Tomoe, Yukiko, 61

  Tonga Tom, 174

  Torres, Alberto, 318

  Traylor, Ray, 297–99, 299–300, 302–3

  Tribal War Dance, 105

  Triple H: and the Attitude Era, 278; and Benoit, 349–50, 359, 360; and competition between wrestling organizations, 265–66, 272; and Hennig, 242; and the “Plane Ride from Hell,” 244; and race issues in wrestling, 140; and Rude, 224; and wrestling weddings, 199

  Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling (2007), 74

  Tunney, Jack, 181, 223

  Turner, Ted, 44, 47, 123, 260, 261

  20/20, 25

  20/20, 25

  Twin Towers, 184

  Tyson, Mike, 238, 278

  Ultimate Warrior, 249–55; and advertising, 190; and Andre the Giant, 163; and geopolitics in wrestling, 293; and human growth hormone, 233; and the Road Warriors, 209; and Rude, 217, 219, 222–23; and Savage, 185, 186, 187

  The Undertaker: and the Attitude Era, 274, 278; and Big Boss Man, 303; casket matches, 313; and “Crush” Adams, 287; and geopolitics in wrestling, 294; and Gordy, 89–90; and Savage, 186; and the Ultimate Warrior, 252, 253; and wrestling weddings, 198–99; and Yokozuna, 324, 325

  unions, 343–44, 345–48

  The Unreal Story of Pro Wrestling, 92

  Vachon, Paul “Butcher,” 111, 198

  Vader, Big Van, 137, 211, 233, 317

  Valentine, Greg “The Hammer,” 119, 125, 143, 167, 230

  Valentine, Johnny, 101–2

  Valiant, Jimmy, 30

  Valois, Frank, 156–57

  vaudeville, 31

  Vaughn, Kevin, 77

 

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