This week on Flashback Friday, we’re going to do something special and look at wrestling magazine ephemera covering the last 60 years of my favorite sport. So let’s get to it!
We begin with the official wrestling ratings from the October, 1962 issue of Wrestling Revue…
Next, in the July, 1969 issue of Inside Wrestling, we learn about “one of wrestling’s few negroes” who has turned militant. Rocky Johnson says he hopes to blaze a path that brings more blacks into the sport.
And here’s a look at the July, 1972 ratings from The Wrestler…
Next, an article from the February, 1975 issue of The Wrestler, which laments that wrestlers are increasingly jumping from the top rope, which is illegal and can seriously injure an opponent.
From Inside Wrestling, December 1976: Stan Stasiak promises to take Bruno Sammartino’s title and leave him for dead:
Next, the December, 1977 ratings from The Wrestler…
Next, Victory Sports’Spring, 1980 wrestling yearbook uses computer technology to predict who will be the wrestler of the 80s…
In their advanced computer run tournament, it goes as follows: In the first round, Ken Patera defeats Tommy Rich, Ricky Steamboat defeats Jim Brunzell, Hulk Hogan defeats Ted DiBiase, Dino Bravo defeats Tito Santana, Ric Flair defeats Kevin Von Erich, Mike Graham defeats John Studd, Andre the Giant defeats Greg Valentine, and David Von Erich defeats Chavo Guerrero. In the quarter finals, Ken Patera defeats Rick Steamboat, Hulk Hogan defeats Dino Bravo, Ric Flair defeats Mike Graham, and Andre the Giant defeats David Von Erich. In the semi finals, Ken Patera defeats Hulk Hogan, and Andre the Giant defeats Ric Flair. In the finals (drumroll…) Andre defeats Patera with the use of a foreign object, foreshadowing a heel turn. (Too bad for Flair and Hogan. I thought they might turn into something special.)
Next, the ratings from the October, 1981 issue of The Wrestler…
Summer, 1983: Wrestling Superstars celebrates Bob Backlund’s five years as WWF champion…
Next, the ratings from the August, 1986 issue of The Wrestler… which only includes one wrestler from the above cover. (Hint: he comes in at number 10 somewhere.)
From the late 1980s: Sika, Roman Reigns, and Hulk Hogan
In the February, 1989 issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated, Lex Luger vows to take Ric Flair’s title and leave him for dead:
Stephanie McMahon in the WWF Merchandise Catalog
Up next, the ratings from the January, 1990 issue of Inside Wrestling:
Next, the June, 1992 issue of Wrestling Superstars creates an imaginary dream-card pitting 1992 wrestlers against wrestlers of the past.
The results as determined by an advanced AI computer: Stanislaus Zbyszko defeats Larry Zbyszko. The Steiner Brothers defeat the Tolos Brothers. Gorgeous George defeats Johnny B. Badd. Mil Mascaras and Antonino Rocca wrestle to a one-hour time-limit draw. Tiger Mask defeats Jushin Liger. Hulk Hogan defeats Billy Graham (by DQ). Bruiser Brody defeats Cactus Jack in a steel cage match. In the Battle of the Mega-champions featuring Buddy Rogers, Ric Flair, and Nick Bockwinkel versus Lou Thesz, Bob Backlund, and Bruno Sammartino, the good guys win when Bruno catches Flair in a bearhug and squeezes the breath out of him. Then in a match pitting Dory Funk Sr, Dory Funk Jr, and Terry Funk versus Fritz, Kerry, and David Von Erich, both teams are disqualified. Finally, there’s a 20-man Battle Royal featuring Dusty Rhodes, Jack Brisco, Pedro Morales, Sting, Chief Jay Strongbow, Edouard Carpentier, Don Leo Jonathan, Stan Hansen, Randy Savage, The Sheik, Freddie Blassie, Rick Steamboat, Andre the Giant, Bobo Brazil, Jerry Lawler, Whipper Watson, Sting (again), Ivan Koloff, Lex Luger, and Harley Race. (Hey, that’s not fair! Why does Sting get to be in it twice?) The match comes down to Carpentier, Andre, Sheik, and Jonathan as the final four before a couple more eliminations leaves Jonathan alone against Andre one on one. Jonathan then picks Andre up over his shoulders for the “Mormon spin” and after 12 complete spins, let’s go to watch Andre fly over the top rope, injuring 11 spectators and giving Don Leo Jonathan the win. (Did Jonathan write this article?)
Stephanie McMahon in the WWF Merchandise catalog
Next, here are the ratings from The Wrestler’s January, 1994 issue:
Next, from Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s December 1994 issue, it’s Stunning Steve Austin:
From July, 1996: introducing Kid Flash…
Ratings from Inside Wrestling, April 1997…
From the September, 1997 issue of The Wrestler, it’s the Stardust Kid!
From February, 1999: Brandi Mankiewicz looks at youngster Chris Jericho…
Ratings from Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s August, 2000 issue…
From the February, 2002 issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated…
Ratings from the Summer, 2004 issue of The Wrestler…
The cover from an issue of The Wrestler/Inside Wrestling, 2006…
From The Wrestling Press in 2009: Hogan joins TNA…
And here’s a report of 2013’s WrestleMania 29…
Here’s the cover of the December, 2018 issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated…
And here’s the top 10 from the Men’s PWI 500 for 2022:
- Roman Reigns
- Kazuchika Okada
- CM Punk
- Adam Page
- Bobby Lashley
- Cody Rhodes
- Bryan Danielson
- El Hijo del Vikingo
- Big E
- Jonathan Gresham
And the top 10 women:
- Bianca BelAir
- Utami Hayashishita
- Deonna Purrazzo
- Dr. Britt Baker
- Thunder Rosa
- Sasha Banks
- Syuri
- Io Shirai
- Tam Nakano
- Raquel Gonzalez
And finally, an article from a 2023 issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated…
That’s all for this week! Tune in next week, same time, same channel for a look at WWF Magazine where Brother Love gets caught in a scandal and we meet the Brain Busters. And 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!