The Gang at MTT are scratching where I itch!
I never did go back and watch this like I mentioned somewhere on TSM recently.
- I amused they left a sort of less than perfect backdrop in. Larry Hennig is a big dude to try and fly.
- The camera also misses a Nick Bockwinkel back bump as the ref steps in the way of the shot.
- Dark smoky arenas!!!
- How did a fan watching this in 1974 figure Verne was taping "fake" matches (that look like the "real" matches) with guys who were "legit" cutting promos on Verne and chasing him around the midwest in an effort to maim him?
- Crusher and Bruiser show us the good ol' days as they storm into the wrasslin' office and sexually harass the secretary, who of course loves it.
- Ed Asner looking like George Steele in a sweaty sauna scene. Sexy!
- A Young and still very beefy and less cut Kenny Patera throwing weights!
- Billy Robinson is introduced by practice grappling with a very young Don Muraco, who looks like Marc Maron overdosing on cookies and steroids.
- Bloody Billy Graham gettin' wrecked by Wahoo's chops!
- John Tolos gets some screen time as a babyface. Hairy bald men were big in the 70s! May as well have made Tolos Ed Asner's stunt double.
- Ray Stevens shows off the big corner bump that Flair borrowed for 3000 matches.
- Stevens kills his opponent with the Bombs Away knee drop.
- Dusty and Murdoch doing shots. Local drunk dumps their beer to entice them. Odd Job shows up as the AWA is officially in the James Bond multiverse!!!!
- Murdoch looks right at the camera at the end of his comedy bit/bar fight. LOL.
- Victor Rivera gets name dropped in a group with Jack Brisco, Bruno, Fritz, The Sheik, Danny Hodge and other big stars. Maybe I'm sleeping on him a bit.
- Dan Gable and Mike Graham show us basic NCAA wrestling. Iron Sheik loves it! "DAN GAB-BALL!!!"
- Eddie Graham and Wilbur Snyder show us how old timers grapple.
- Rookie Jim Brunzell makes a cameo as one of the young pro wrestling prospects who are watching on.
- Snyder looks old here and was still working upper card matches in the midwest in 1983!
- Fat Ric Flair drinks milk as Verne has dinner with the boys.
- Vince Sr appears at poolside to argue with Asner over Verne's old ass being part of the Super Bowl of Champions.
- Apparently this movie is the only surviving footage of Vince Sr's voice on camera!
- WALLY KARBO was young once? Vince being put on par with Verne's kayfabe on screen promoter is kind of funny. Karbo ended up working for the WWF in the late 80s IIRC. Karbo was a legit promoter for Verne, tied to Winnipeg for sure.
- Larry Z and Bruno were out at a NY restaurant in the 70s and Larry started talking shit to the Gambinos without realizing who he was talking to. Bruno must have watched that unfold and thought "I survived the Nazis and this putz is gunna git me fitted with cement boots!"
- We see Verne's lake front home that the government wound up taking 15 years later when they decided to buy up the land by force.
- The Mobsters kidnap Asner's girl as I get a little No Holds Barred vibe here. Bruiser and Crusher break in the room to save the day.
- Verne comes to the ring for the final battle as the fans mob him. Verneamania!
- Groovy Greg is the ref for Daddy vs Billy Robinson.
- We end with a Robinson POV of Verne hitting a dropkick but it ends before we find out if he was able to overcome his young challenger.
Super fun to see all the faces, but you almost need to watch it with something like the experts here so you can catch all of the guys.
