Author: Marc Madison (Editor in Chief)

The Russians in Jim Crockett Promotions and the NWA worked because they were simple, visual, and effective: Ivan Koloff as the veteran enforcer, Nikita Koloff as the explosive second-generation threat, and later additions like Krusher Khruschev and Vladimir Petrov to keep the act fresh as the territory expanded. Their run stretched from the mid-1980s until the faction’s breakup in the late 1980s, with the group cycling through title wins, key feuds, and then a gradual collapse once Nikita split off and the supporting cast changed. Ivan Koloff’s first NWA run Ivan Koloff had already spent years building his reputation before…

Passing of the torch is a term often used in professional wrestling to suggest that a previous generation ushers in a talent from the current generation as the flagbearer of the future. While arguments are often conveyed on who is or isn’t willing to put talent over, what has happened throughout wrestling history is that, in the time-honored history of professional wrestling, wrestlers will often lose on their way out as a way to bestow that this man or woman is a person that fans energy, time, and money should be all put behind. Here are 15 notable examples of…

On Sunday, May 17th, 2020, former WWE star Shad Gaspard went missing. Shad’s love for his family was as much a part of his life as performing in the ring. The outpouring of support for his family was evident. Whether it be on social media or not, Gaspard’s friendships with those in and out of wrestling were apparent. On Wednesday, May 20th, 2020, the body of Shad Gaspard was found. His body was washed up on a beach in Los Angeles. The collective wrestling community mourns this tragic loss, but those close to him mourn something far more significant. If…

On March 27, 1988, the WWF presented WrestleMania IV at the Atlantic City Convention Centre in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was advertised as taking place at the event space named after the former President of the United States of America prior to his initial term in office but actually took place across the street and sponsored by him. Mean Gene Okerlund welcomed those in attendance as Gladys Knight sang America the Beautiful to begin the event. The event featured a tournament to crown a new WWF(E) champion. First off the trophy was brought to the ring followed by the…

On May 19, 1998, inside Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, two of Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling’s most important figures stepped into the ring not as enemies, but as something more complicated—partners, rivals, and reflections of each other as Hayabusa and Masato Tanaka would create history for FMW.. Hayabusa, the newly crowned FMW Double Champion, faced Masato Tanaka, his recent tag team partner, in what would become one of the most discussed and debated matches in the company’s history—and, for many, the defining performance of Hayabusa’s career. The match was not built solely on spectacle. There were no exploding ropes. No barbed wire.…

‘On This Day’ is a commemorative article series dedicated to specific events, matches, and occurrences in wrestling history with Kane and May 19th being today’s focus. We revisit those key moments and look back at how they went down and what they meant to the wrestling industry. WWE’s Big Red Machine, Kane, & the date May 19th is our focus. Dates and numbers often carry with them reminders. For the WWE’s Big Reg Machine, Kane the date May 19th will forever live in infamy. As the weeks began to pass the sheer mention of the date May 19th often triggered…

Few rivalries in professional wrestling blurred the line between performance and personal hatred quite like the war between Terry Funk and Dusty Rhodes. This was more than a feud—it was a collision of philosophies, identities, and eras. Funk, the unhinged Amarillo outlaw, embodied chaos and sadism. Rhodes, ‘The American Dream,’ stood for working-class pride and connection. Together, they defined the hardcore style before it was named, shaped early merchandising, and delivered some of wrestling’s most visceral matches. Terry Funk and Dusty Rhodes – Origins: Two Texans, Two Worlds By the late 1970s, both men were already established stars—but from vastly…

During the first season of A&E’s original biography series it presented the life and times of Macho Man Randy Savage. The faces and names involved in this edition were a who’s who. The biography began with Lanny Poffo sharing on behalf of his brother about their upbringing. We heard from his mother sharing about how Randy was all over the place as a child. Lanny shared that Randy would push him to be better. In school, he would protect students that were bullied. His mother shared that he wasn’t involved with anyone romantically because he was often preoccupied, whether with…

On May 4, 1986, more than 24,000 fans filled Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas, not just for a wrestling show, but for a tradition rooted in loss. The event was promoted by Fritz Von Erich. Parade of Champions III carried the weight of his son David Von Erich’s death two years earlier, a loss that still shaped every major event in World Class. By night’s end, the familiar battle lines were drawn once again: Kerry Von Erich, Lance Von Erich, and Steve Simpson stood opposite the Fabulous Freebirds, Buddy Roberts, Michael Hayes, and Terry Gordy. In a chaotic six-man lumberjack…

On April 26, 1976, inside Madison Square Garden, something went wrong…or did it when it involved Bruno Sammartino’s broken neck? Stan Hansen didn’t just challenge Bruno Sammartino; he pushed him past a breaking point.  The crowd shifted from cheering to concern. How much is too much? When does a match stop being competition and start becoming something dangerous? The referee made the call. Stoppage. But here’s the twist that left fans uneasy — Sammartino was still champion. No pinfall. No submission. Just survival. So what does a “win” really mean if the champion can’t continue but still walks away with…