Flashback Friday: PWI November 1988

This week we look back at an issue of PWI that went to press in July of 1988 and sold for $2.25 in the U.S, $2.95 in Canada, and £1.50 in the U.K. In this issue, we mourn the passing of a wrestler who died in an accident at age 34 and Eddie Ellner tells us what he thinks of Dino Bravo. But first, let’s get right to Ratings where we have a new number one….

We begin proper with Between Falls, the mailbag section, where Boris from Kew Gardens, New York says PWI gave too much coverage to WrestleMania, Clash of the Champions, and the Crockett Cup and not enough to WCCW’s Parade of Champions and the AWA’s Rage in the Cage. “Many fans are starving for full-color coverage and in-depth reports on the latter. I’m really disappointed in your magazine.” On the other hand, Brian from Brockton, Massachusetts praises the magazine for a photo of DiBiase holding Savage in a sleeper while Hogan is about to slam a chair into the Million Dollar Man’s back. “That picture defines the word ‘photojournalism.'” Then there’s H.M. Carlin from Lodi, New Jersey who says Bruno Sammartino has become a whiner, and he should know better than to equate ticket sales to talent. “Bruno complains how about how McMahon treated his son but in turn shows Koko B. Ware and Jake Roberts little respect. These wrestlers started at the bottom, just as David Sammartino was advised to. Would the WWF still be a ‘pathetic circus’ if David had made it to the main event?” And Kyle from Oklahoma City uses bullet points to run down WCCW’s woes and causes of such:

• The Von Erichs Over America Tour went poorly primarily because the main events only featured the Von Erichs themselves. There wasn’t enough talent on any card to attract big crowds.
• When people see World Class wrestling on ESPN, they see only a few thousand people. They would have more, but WCCW let too much talent slip away, talent like Rick Rude, Jimmy Garvin, Jake Roberts, and The Fantastics.
• At the 1987 David Von Erich Parade of Champions, only 5,000 people came to see Kevin defeat Nord the Barbarian. In previous Parades, anywhere from 24,000 to 43,000 people saw Kerry or Kevin take on Ric Flair.

Kyle suggests WCCW rejoin the NWA, or perhaps Kerry and Kevin Von Erich should just jump to a different federation. We also hear from Shannon from Swansea, Massachusetts who says she and her friend saw Barry Windham turn on Lex Luger, and they can’t stop crying. And Chris from Ithaca, New York writes in to complain about the CWA and AWA, claiming they are biased organizations that try to cover up for their prejudices toward certain wrestlers by lying. Finally, Gayla from Damascus, Arizona says wrestling has always been a big part of her life, but wrestling never comes to Little Rock anymore. (It’s probably part of a Clinton scandal.) “I haven’t been able to attend a live card in more than seven months!” She says wrestling has gone through changes over the years, some good and some bad, but she just loves the sport and wants to see it in person. “What was wrong with the old live formula?”

Next, Ringside with Bill Apter. Ric Flair is saying that after defeating Lex Luger at the Great American Bash in Baltimore, he should now be considered the greatest NWA champion of all time. “People are getting on my case for not defending the belt as much as I used to,” Ric says. “But I’ve earned that right. I’m the greatest NWA champion ever, and that covers over 80 years of excellence. Believe it.” The WWF is scheduled to take over the pay-per-view stage on August 29th with a live broadcast from Madison Square Garden. The main event will feature Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage vs. Andre the Giant & Ted DiBiase. (This would turn out to be the end of Andre’s main event run in 1987, 1988.) Jesse Ventura will referee. Owen Hart lost the International Wrestling Grand Prix junior heavyweight title to Shiro Koshinaka on June 24th in Osaka, Japan. That same evening, Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Riki Choshu to capture the vacant IWGP heavyweight championship. Former AWA stars Buddy Rose & Col. DeBeers are teaming up in the Pacific Northwest area and chasing the PNW tag team titles held by Steve Doll & Scott Peterson. In the CWA, Phil Hickerson defeated Max Pain on July 3rd to win the CWA title. In WCCW, Kerry and Kevin Von Erich won the tag team championship back on July 1 after defeating Terry Taylor & Iceman Parsons after the title had been held up due to a double disqualification. A few days later, Kevin Von Erich was awarded the World Class Texas belt when champion Terry Taylor failed to appear for a scheduled July 4th title defense. Word is Terry Taylor is scheduled to begin wrestling for the WWF shortly. The AWA hopes to sign a “Battle for the Belts” card for September 5th and is negotiating with World Class, Continental, Pacific Northwest, and Central States to discuss an exchange of talent. Chris Adams won the inaugural Southern Championship Wrestling heavyweight title in a one-night tournament, defeating Buck Robley in the final round. And in Puerto Rico, the World Wrestling Council will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a card on September 15th in San Juan and have cancelled their August New York card due to scheduling conflicts. That’s all for now! See you at the matches.

Next, In Focus with Craig Peters where Craig says it’s likely that by the time you’re reading this, Demolition will have lost the tag team titles. (Well, if he’s referring to us here in 2022, he’s not wrong.) Craig notes that the Powers of Pain, who have just come into the WWF, have immediately gotten title shots, though that doesn’t seem very fair. “What about the British Bulldogs? The Rougeau Brothers? The Killer Bees? The Young Stallions? What about all the teams that have struggled honorably to climb the ladder of contention? Giving Warlord and Barbarian immediate title shots is a slap in the face to all the hard-working duos who truly deserves championship opportunities.” Nonetheless, Craig believes that the Powers of Pain will wear Demolition down and leave them vulnerable. “Don’t be surprised if Demolition loses the titles quickly, either to the Powers or to a team such as the Midnight Rockers, who might be able to secure a title match amidst all the confusion among the big boys and capture the belts in a flurry of aerial tactics and political controversy.”

Craig then moves on use the Great American Bash tour to bash Flair. “Flair should be defending his belt virtually every night during the Bashes. It’s long been a maxim of the mat that a champion is only as good as the competition against which he defends the title. As of press time, Flair is scheduled to defend his precious title once during the Bashes. Once! The rest of the time he’ll be competing in tag team matches, non-title matches, six-man matches, every damn kind of match except the kind that places his championship on the line. Seems to me that one title defense in 40 or so Bashes sends the prestige of the world title belt right down the dumpster.” (This was, of course, when Crockett wanted to have his cake and eat it too, running Bash shows in local arenas each day while also wanting everyone to order the Bash in Baltimore on pay-per-view.)

Next, Craig addresses rumors in the wrestling world:

Rumor: The Russian Assassin is actually a relative of Nikita Koloff brought to America by Ivan Koloff and Paul Jones. Fact: There are many sources in the NWA who believe this to be true and say their ultimate mission is to re-educate Nikita in the ways of Russia, bring him back to the Soviet side, and reclaim him in their stable. (In truth, the Assassin was David Sheldon, who had just been in WCCW as the Angel of Death.)

Rumor: The Honky Tonk Man has been negotiating with RCA to record an album of Elvis Presley hits for a Christmas. Fact: Arie Nadboy, publisher of The Island Ear, a respected New York-based music publication, says RCA has no plans to bring Honky into the studio. (It is true, however, that most Christmas albums are recorded in the late summer—often with Christmas trees and other decorations in the studio to help get people in the spirit. Mick Foley would love it. Also, I want to add that Arie Nadboy and The Island Ear are real, so I’m wondering if PWI actually reached out to them.)

Rumor: The Von Erichs will soon be starring in their own comic book. Fact: Completely true! The Von Erich Warriors is being published by Creative Ink and is due out shortly.

Next, in No Holds Barred, David Rosenbaum writes about the underrated Cheetah Kid. This wrestler, with moves similar to Owen Hart, has been around for a while but doesn’t play political games, beg magazines to do stories on him, or tell people what they want to hear. “I don’t kiss up to people,” he says. “I know that’s why I can’t get a break with the major federations, but that’s just the way I am.” Dave says Cheetah isn’t the first extremely talented wrestler to be cheated by the sport, and he won’t be the last. (Cheetah was Rocco Rock, later known for his tag team work with Johnny Grunge as Public Enemy. He died in 2002 at age 49.)

Dave moves on to say 1988 might be looked back upon as one of the most significant years in professional wrestling. Why? First, wrestlers are changing wrestling companies like never before. Six of the wrestlers in the top ten were with other federations at the start of 1987. Second, the rival promotions are now encroaching on each other’s territory. As the NWA is trying to make it big in New York, the WWF is planning to run shows in the Carolinas. Third, the NWA is putting up a better fight against the WWF than in the prior few years. The first Clash of the Champions, going head-to-head against WrestleMania IV, was highly successful, with more people watching Ric Flair than Hulk Hogan that day. The NWA also went head to head with the WWF recently in Philadelphia and outdrew its competition by a significant margin. And fourth, the WWF is proving it can draw large crowds without Hulk Hogan, perhaps laying the groundwork for a post-Hogan era. “And there’s more to look forward to. The WWF has a pay-per-view scheduled for August 29 and will counter the NWA’s Starrcade show with another pay-per-view event. Meanwhile, rumors are circulating that multimillionaire Ted Turner will buy into Crockett Promotions. Once again, the most interesting battles in wrestling are taking place outside the ring.”

Next, Matt Brock brings back an old column he used to do, “Looking at…” where he analyzes wrestlers. This month’s subject is the Road Warriors. But first, Matt does his usual complaining. “I’m not sure what motivated the editors of this magazine to bring back my ‘Looking At’ column. When Stu Saks came to me recently, I naturally hesitated to cooperate, bitter as I was over this column’s punting some years back. ‘What’s wrong, Saks,’ I said snidely, ‘declining subscriptions?’ He said, ‘That’s not it at all, Matt. We just think you’re the finest mat journalist in the sport!’ I said, ‘Save it for the wet-behind-the-ears rookies.’ Saks is many things. He’s young, he’s a college boy, and—unfortunately—he’s an authority figure that’s always going to stick his aristocratic nose into my writing. But he ought to know better than to try and sandbag me with praise. I knew the scuttlebutt. That I was too old for these young punks coming in, that they wanted to edge me out, starting with my ‘Looking at’ column they first canned two years ago. It is, however, appropriate that I make my return looking at the Road Warriors.” Matt goes on to say he was the ground-breaking journalist who discovered them in 1982 and was there when they won the Georgia National tag team belts in 1983. He’s also seen them in Japan where they’re huge stars and make big money. “The fans there don’t tolerate wrestlers who disqualify themselves to keep their belts. That’s why they’ll change a title on DQ which pleases me immensely.” Sometimes the Warriors have benefited from this, but sometimes they’ve been hurt by it. “Either way, the Warriors have their own way of thinking, and that’s why they’re the best.”

Next up, Off the Top Rope with Eddie Ellner, where Eddie again says he’s running a contest, asking fans to write in with the most memorable moment in wrestling so he can choose a winner. “Just for clarification, that moment is not when Hulk Hogan began losing his hair or when Dusty Rhodes said, ‘Lemme see that banana cream pie.’ These entries will make me smile but will not take home the big prize. However, an extra-special prize for the funniest story will be awarded.” Eddie then reaches into the mailbag, where Mike from Cleveland asks if anything can be done about the British Bulldogs. “They haven’t made a serious challenge at the WWF tag team title in more than a year.” (What’s he talking about? I saw them wrestle Demolition at a house show around this time, and they almost won the title!) “It makes me sick that when the Bulldogs appear on television, all Vince McMahon can do is babble on about Matilda.” (Sidenote: I have wrestling on in the background, and would you believe it? McMahon is babbling about Matilda.) Eddie says Mike has a valid concern. The Bulldogs used to represent the best the sport had to offer, but they were too good to last. “A career-threatening back injury to Dynamite Kid was only slightly less damaging than the acquisition of Matilda. With their pet, the Bulldogs entered the WWF sideshow.” Eddie concludes by saying the Bulldogs desperately need a strong manager to right themselves. Next, Lenny from Kenilworth, New Jersey asks Eddie what he thinks of the feud between Ken Patera and Dino Bravo. Eddie says, “The feud between Ken Patera, a.k.a. #6733419, and Dino Bravo, a.k.a. ‘say what you want about my wrestling but leave my hair alone’ is perpetuated as a public service by the WWF. To see these two lumbering oafs paw at each other in musclebound fury evokes images of … nothing special. It’s boring as hell and nobody cares. There are at least a dozen wrestlers stronger than Patera and Bravo, yet the WWF insists on playing its little charade. Are you really that surprised?” Finally, Laura of Billings, Montana suggests that Barry Windham will be the downfall of the Four Horsemen. “First, he will contribute to Arn and Tully losing the tag team titles, then he will cause Flair to drop his title. Windham is too good to remain in the company of those jackals for too long. He will destroy them and leave heroically. Eddie says, “Pandering twit Barry Windham couldn’t create waves if he fell from a plan into an ocean—not a bad idea, actually. To suggest Windham capable of causing the collapse of one of wrestling’s most intelligent organizations leads me to question your powers of deduction. What’s next, young lady? Perhaps they’ll move the nation’s capital from Washington to Billings? When the Horsemen realize the folly of their ways, they will kick the Twit out of their organization and the natural order of things will return. You will grow up to marry a steer and live happily ever after.”

Next, an article about why Madusa Miceli hates Missy Hyatt. We begin with the writer saying it’s a great time to be a woman. They are receiving competitive salaries, job security, and employment responsibility. In fact, throughout the business world, women hold upper-level management positions, head executive boards, and even run entire companies. Indeed, as we prepare to enter the 1990s, the future looks promising for women in the work force… unless you’re a wrestler. In wrestling, women receive lower purses, limited press coverage, and fewer opportunities to use their names outside the wrestling ring. Madusa Miceli, AWA World women’s champion, is on a crusade to end that, and her first target is Missy Hyatt. “Valets hurt the image of women in wrestling,” Miceli said recently after a hard-fought victory over Heidi Lee Morgan. “They stand there dressed in some slinky, low-cut dress with the sole purpose of being a sex object, and Missy Hyatt is the worst of them all. She dresses up in high heels and just stands there. On TV she says the stupidest things.” (Note: this was before Herschel Walker ran for Senate.) “Every time I see her, it makes me ashamed to be a woman. Mind you, I don’t resent every woman in the sport that doesn’t actively compete. I myself have accompanied Curt Hennig to the ring. My role, however, was not to massage Curt’s ego, interfere, or give lowlifes in the front an eyeful. Curt looked to me for honest insight and legitimate advice, and I’m able to give it to him. That’s the respect I’m talking about. What can Missy Hyatt offer Eddie Gilbert except her good looks?” When Missy Hyatt was informed of Miceli’s statements, she responded, “She said what? She’s just jealous that I’m the most beautiful woman in the world. I lend style and class to wrestling, and I’m proud to be a woman. Madusa wants to make men and women the same thing!” Miceli, in response, said, “See what I mean? She’s completely brainless! I don’t want men and women to be the same thing. Women can compete with men and remain feminine. I have a phenomenal body that I’m very proud of, but I don’t enter the ring to show it off. I’m a wrestler! Missy isn’t, and she isn’t taking the time to learn the sport and become a legitimate manager like Miss Elizabeth. Of course, expecting Missy to learn is asking too much of her.” Miceli’s point is that the time has come for women to have the self-respect to emerge from the shadow of the men’s game and find their own place, a place not spoiled by the slovenly reputations of women like Hyatt.

Next, a Press Conference with the Rock ‘n’ Rolls, who are back in the NWA after PWI organized a fan campaign asking them to come back. (Spoiler: Robert wouldn’t stay long.) “Ricky, look at all this mail! I can’t believe it,” said Robert Gibson. “I knew you guys received a lot of mail, but I never expected this much!” Bob Smith of PWI says, “It hasn’t stopped coming in, either. We’re up to about 17,000 responses.” Rick Morton says, “Thanks, guys. It was really nice of you go through all this trouble. You know, we had a great time traveling the world, and we came real close to winning the AWA World tag team title, but there was something missing, you know? I think we really missed our fans in the NWA as much as they missed us.” Asked about their time away, they mention their feud with the Midnight Rockers. “We felt we had something to prove to those young pups,” Morton says. “To this day, we feel that they copied our name and our high-flyin’ style, especially our double-dropkick. Trying to be fair, I don’t think there was really a winner in our series of matches against ’em, but in my heart I know who the better team is.” Gibson says, “That’s right. We’re the originals, and there ain’t no comparison, baby. Never will be.” Smith then addresses the elephant in the room. “What about the Fantastics?” he says of the team that took the Rock ‘n’ Roll’s spot in the NWA and won the U.S. titles. “They’ve made it clear that they don’t any part of a battle for popularity with you two.” Morton says, “I don’t know how to respond to that. I think Tommy Rogers and Bobby Fulton are great wrestlers, but when they go out and make comments like that, I wonder what their motivations really are.” Gibson adds, “Plus, the Rock ‘n’ Roll is back in business in the NWA, and that means we want to gain as many titles as we can, including those U.S. belts they hold. If they’re game enough to meet us for those belts, then we’re more than ready to meet them anytime, anyplace.”

Next, an article about Hulk Hogan and his future. We’re told his toughest challenger weighs just 20 pounds and can’t walk, can’t talk, and needs to be fed. It’s his small package of joy, baby daughter Brooke. Has she changed Hulk Hogan the wrestler? We’ll soon find out. Hogan is back after temporarily leaving WWF following his April 21 match against Boris Zukhov in New Haven, Connecticut. In his absence, the WWF machine rolled on, packing houses while Randy Savage defended the WWF title, Hacksaw Jim Duggan wrestled Andre the Giant, and the Honky Tonk Man continued his quest to become the longest reigning Intercontinental champion of all time. Meanwhile, scores of wrestling fans discovered wrestling outside the WWF, discovering Ric Flair and others. As such, Hogan had no choice but to return. Fatherhood was divine, and he loved having time to himself out of the spotlight and away from the demands of the fans and promoters, but Hulk Hogan has an ego, and it wouldn’t let him stay away. Now that he’s back, however, can his ego survive? He’s no longer champion, and his world has changed. For an example of this, look at Ricky Steamboat, who lost the Intercontinental championship before welcoming his firstborn to the family. The truth is he couldn’t regain his competitive fire but is happier as a father and husband than he ever was as champion. Can Hogan regain the incredible drive that carried him to worldwide fame? Then there’s the Savage factor. Savage and Hogan are both fan favorites. As champion, Hogan never once granted a title match to a fellow fan favorite. Paul Orndorff and Andre the Giant both had to leave Hogan’s good graces to get a shot at him. Now that Hogan is challenger, can he expect Savage to offer him a match? Unlikely. But would Hogan revert to his early years as a rulebreaker to get a title shot? That’s also unlikely. Hogan’s ego demands that he be cheered by the fans. Those same fans, however, are content with having Savage as their champion. His exciting, high-flying, non-stop style has captured their imagination and directly contrasts with Hogan’s slower, brawling-oriented game plan. Meanwhile, Elizabeth, Savage’s beautiful manager, is loved by men and admired by women everywhere. At this point, Hogan’s best chance of regaining the belt is for Savage to lose it to Ted DiBiase. Hogan’s intense dislike for DiBiase is no secret. It would rekindle his competitive fire. It would also give Hogan a chance to return to the ring as a challenger for the World title. (Here’s another idea; Hulk could move in on Macho’s woman and make Savage jealous.) The next few months should give an indication of Hogan’s future. Will he turn into another Steamboat and retire for good, or is he ready to start a new stage of his glorious career?” (The irony is that Steamboat and Hogan would both have World title matches on April 2, 1989 and both walk out champions.)

Next, in contrast to Hogan’s small package of joy, here is a big bundle of love…

Dusty’s forming his own Horsemen. This article recounts a meeting at a small Texas tavern where the beer was warm and the women were ugly. “Dusty, why’d you bring us to this rathole?” Sting asked, pulling up a chair next to the American Dream. Joining them at their table was Lex Luger and Steve Williams. “This place is a reminder of what we’re up against,” replied Rhodes. “See that bum lyin’ in the corner? Those losers sleepin’ at the bar? They’re the same scum as the Four Horsemen.” Dusty then told them his new idea. “Now, we gonna put together a new group. I’m forming my own Four Horsemen. If we’re serious about getting these fools out of wrestling, then I gotta have a strong army of men to do it.” But Luger was trepidatious. “I don’t know if this will work,” he said. One thing that separates us from the Horsemen is that we don’t need outside help to win our matches. I pride myself on being able to fight my own battles. Sting, however, had a different point of view. “That’s a good point against most wrestlers, Lex,” he said, “but these guys almost killed you in that parking lot. If we make our own group, we can let them make the first move and then squash ’em. It sounds so good already!” Williams then interjected. “The fans are what’s important. They’re the ones paying the bills, and they can’t stand the Four Horsemen. That’s the clincher. We can’t let them down. United we stand, divided we fall.” And with that, a pact was reached. It was in a downtrodden bar that the seeds for a bright new era were sown. The odds are against this plan, but every time Rhodes has tried to accomplish the impossible, he has lived to fight again. Dusty’s army against the Four Horsemen. It might even be enough to give J.J. Dillon’s band of terror a permanent case of the blues.

Next, here are some scouting reports…

Next, Warlord and Barbarian vs. Ax and Smash: The WWF’s Dream Match is Demolition’s Worst Nightmare

The Warlord and Barbarian were set to wrestle the Road Warriors in a series of scaffold matches in the NWA when they said, “Nah,” and fled to the WWF. “At least they had the good sense to jump at the first offer they received,” says Paul Ellering, the Warriors’ manager. Now the two, collectively known as the Powers of Pain, are fan favorites in the WWF, and they’re out to prove they’re not cowards. The PWI writers agree: they remind everyone of a young Hulk Hogan when he returned to the WWF in late 1983. And the consensus around the press room is that the Powers will be the next WWF tag team champions. “Despite there being fewer teams numerically in the NWA, the actual level of tag team competition is greater there than in the WWF,” says Assistant Editor Gersh Kuntzman. “The Powers of Pain wrestled the Road Warriors these past four months. That seasoned them. Demolition has mainly wrestled Strike Force. While I have the utmost respect for Martel and Santana, let’s face it, they are not Hawk and Animal. The Powers have the upper hand going into this battle.” The wild card, however, could be Fuji, the slyest of ring tacticians. But Kuntzman declares Demolition to be a lost cause. “If the Powers and Strike Force can keep the peace, the Powers will stay on top for a long, long time.” (Nailed it.)

Next, an article about Jessica McClure meeting Kevin Von Erich. Jessica, from Midland, Texas, was the baby who fell into an 8-inch abandoned well in 1987, where she was trapped 22 feet down for 58 hours before rescue. (The amazing thing is she fell down with one foot up an the other down and was doing the splits the whole time.) The meeting was part of a charity event to raise funds for a Texas youngster, Brennan Bolin, in need of a heart-lung transplant. Kevin “wrestled” Jessica in front of 500 fans at the Cedar Valley gymnasium in Lancaster, Texas. Jessica won after giving Kevin a kiss on the cheek, causing Kevin to collapse for the easy pin.

Jessica in 2017

Next, Arena Reports…

Here’s this issue’s poll…

Breaking news: Adrian Adonis, along with wrestlers Pat Kelley and David McKigney have died following an automobile crash in Newfoundland. The three wrestlers, along with Pat’s brother Mike Kelley, were on a two-lane highway on July 4th when Pat Kelley lost control of the car and it plunged over a bridge into a brook and struck an embankment. Pat Kelley and McKigney were thrown through the windshield and found dead at the scene. Adonis was flung over them but was alive when rescue services arrived. He was taken to a hospital but died three hours after the accident occurred. Mike Kelley survived. The four were scheduled to wrestle the following evening on a Big Bear Sports promotion card.

In additional news, Terry Taylor has entered the WWF and says he knows how to beat Randy Savage. Speaking of Randy, Ric Flair is irate over losing his top spot in PWI’s ratings to the “Macho Man.” Meanwhile, Jerry Lawler is negotiating with officials to wrestle several Japanese heavyweight champions in the U.S. or in Japan, and WWC is hoping to sign a title for title match between WWC champ Carlos Colon and NWA champ Ric Flair. In Tokyo, hundreds of wrestling fans gathered outside Sumo Hall to honor Adrian Adonis.

And lastly, From the Desk of Stuart M. Saks features Stuart writing about Adonis. He says it’s a pity that the lasting impression most of us will have of the wrestler is a blubbery freak bedecked with dyed hair, makeup, pink tights, and frilly ribbons. In truth Adonis was a superior athlete who couldn’t get the breaks he deserved, and, in frustration, resorted to a shameful gimmick that probably did more harm than good. Stuart says that what was really sad about this new Adonis was the degree to which Adonis let his physique slide and the resulting consequences. Because he no longer “looked” like a professional wrestler, he was never able to get as far as his skills should have taken him. In truth, Adonis had always struggled with his weight, but he had kept himself in decent shape for much of his career. When he adopted his new image, he seemingly gave up the battle against the pounds, and the extra fat buried the athletic skills that once made him one of the most respected wrestlers among his peers. There were still traces of brilliance. He could still do some amazing things. But he couldn’t do all the things he used to. Now he’s gone, survived by his wife and children. Stuart says that nonetheless, he’ll always remember the Adonis of old, the real Adrian Adonis who had a little baby fat, a lot of talent, and the ability to incite a crowd by being himself. “That’s the Adonis I’ll remember. And miss.”

That’s all for this week! Next week, we’ll look at another magazine with the Hulkster on the cover courtesy of the WWF. If you’re new here, be sure to leave a comment and check out the archive. Also, check out my website to see what books I’ve written!