Articles by J.W. Braun

Welcome to Flashback Friday, which will be going on hiatus after today while I deal with some other projects. Let’s look back at April 2, 1989 when the NWA and the WWF went head to head, courtesy of recaps, Melter’s ratings, and a panel of insiders and experts.

WrestleMania V

Live from Atlantic City, NJ from Boardwalk Hall, before 18,946, your hosts are Gorilla & Jesse.

King Haku v. Hercules

Haku attacks from behind to start and slugs Herc into the corner before eventually getting a bearhug. Herc powers out so Haku chokes him on the ropes. Herc comes back with a crossbody for two, but Haku cuts off the comeback with an elbow, but then whiffs on a bodypress attempt of his own. Hercules slugs back and gets a powerslam for two, but goes up and lands on a superkick. Haku goes up and misses his own move, and Hercules finishes with a backdrop suplex. (6:55, Dave gives it 1/2*)

Scott Keith: Not a bad opener, but this crowd is not wrestling fans, it’s gamblers and businessmen.
Brian Bayless: Ring announcer Howard Finkel made a rare screw-up (later fixed in post) when he announced Haku as “King Tonga.”
Bobby Heenan: Herc was a strange guy. He and I were at the airport waiting for a rental car. We were under a partition with five or six businessmen, and the partition had a button that said “Push for Heat.” Herc looked at the businessmen and said, “What happens if you push the button? Does a guy come out and pull your tights?” They had no idea what he was talking about.

From the pages of WWF Magazine… this week, we look back at an issue that went to press just before WrestleMania V that sold for $2.50 in the U.S. and $3.25 in Canada. Let’s dive in.

This week, we look back at an issue of PWI that went to press March 15, 1989 and sold for $2.25 in the U.S, $2.95 in Canada, and £1.50 in the U.K., plus we get bonus coverage from The Wrestling Observer! In this issue, the magazine asks fans to vote for the winners in the first round of a dream tournament they’ve set up, Matt Brock bashes his least favorite World champion, and we get a new number one in the ratings. Let’s get right to the latter…

This week, we look back at an issue of Inside Wrestling that went to press March 3, 1989 that sold for $1.95 in the U.S, $2.50 in Canada, and £1.35 in the U.K. In this issue, we look at a wrestling landscape shaken up by new AWA and NWA champions, plus we’ll get bonus Observer Newsletter coverage. Let’s go straight to the ratings and the roll call of champions, and we’ll take a quick look at the ages of the top five stars in each major wrestling company.

This week, we look back at an issue of PWI that went to press February 17, 1989 and sold for $2.25 in the U.S, $2.95 in Canada, and £1.50 in the U.K. In this issue, we learn that the Megapowers have exploded, that there’s a new AWA World champion, and we get coverage of a dream match in which the British Bulldogs wrestled the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express. Plus, I toss in some Wrestling Observer newsletter bonus coverage. So let’s get to it.

From the pages of WWF Magazine… this week, we look back at an issue that went to press in February of 1988 that sold for $2.50 in the U.S. and $3.25 in Canada. Inside, we get coverage of the Royal Rumble in Houston and the Megapowers meltdown in Milwaukee! Plus, you can test your knowledge of Elizabeth’s undergarments in this month’s trivia column. Let’s dive in.

From the pages of WWF Magazine… this week, we look back at an issue featuring Demolition that went to press in January of 1988 and sold for $2.50 in the U.S. and $3.25 in Canada. But first, a special message from Jake “The Snake” Roberts.

This week, we look back at an issue of The Wrestler that went to press January 1, 1989 that sold for $1.95 in the U.S., $2.50 in Canada, and £1.35 in the United Kingdom—and I toss in bonus Wrestling Observer Newsletter coverage! With rumblings of a Megapower breakup, we also learn about a power struggle in the NWA, and we get a glimpse of A.J. Styles’s seldom talked about uncle, Karl Styles, in the ratings. (You better give respect cause ain’t nobody breaking this Pacific red neck.) Let’s get busy.

This week, we look back at an issue of PWI that went to press December 16, 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 learn that a major wrestling promotion has been sold and look at the possible fallout. Also, who’s this youngster with the WWWF’s top managers in 1981?

Apologies, wrestling fans, but today we’re going to look back at something different. I’m in the midst of polishing up a book about Star Trek: Enterprise and need extra time, so I figured instead of taking the week off, I’d give you this: my non-spoiler reviews of my two favorite episodes from each “second-wave” Star Trek show. That covers The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise. (Note: I’m going to cheat and count two-parters as one episode.)

From the pages of WWF Magazine… this week, we look back at an issue featuring Hacksaw Jim Duggan that went to press in December of 1988 that sold for $2.50 in the U.S. and $3.25 in Canada.

As 1988 came to a close, wrestling fans were treated to three pay-per-views in 32 days featuring the top talent from every major promotion in the United States. Let’s do a deep dive, courtesy of Scott Keith’s reviews, a panel of experts, and some comments from those involved with the shows themselves.

The Survivor Series: November 24, 1988

From the Richfield Coliseum in Richfield, Ohio, with Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura before a crowd of 13,500:

This week we look back at a special issue of PWI that went to press November 4th, 1988 and sold for $2.95 in the U.S, $3.50 in Canada, and £1.50 in the U.K. In this issue, PWI lists their Achievement Awards, including 1988’s Match of the Year! But first, let’s get right to Ratings, where we have new NWA World tag team champions coming it at number one in the tandem division.

From the pages of WWF Magazine… this week, we look back at an issue featuring Brother Love that went to press in November of 1988 that sold for $2.50 in the U.S. and $3.25 in Canada. So pack up the babies, and grab the old ladies, and everyone goes!

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!

This week we look back at an issue of Inside Wrestling that went to press October 27, 1988 that sold for $1.95 in the U.S. and $2.50 in Canada. Plus, I give you bonus coverage from The Wrestling Observer from the same timeframe! This time around, we’re told about a new World Class champ, and we learn about an impending match between two future WWF champions. But first, let’s go straight to the Ratings, where for the first time in over five years, the AWA champion is rated above the NWA champion.

This week we look back at an issue of PWI that went to press October 7, 1988 and sold for $2.25 in the U.S, $2.95 in Canada, and £1.50 in the U.K. And we get bonus coverage from The Wrestling Observer Newsletter! But first, let’s get right to Ratings, where Mama Cornette’s favorites have finally snagged the top tag team spot, and The Rock ranks #8 in Florida, despite being only 16 years old and not yet in wrestling. (Cause he’s just that awesome.)

Greetings all! Today is the anniversary of the Friday, February 3, 1989 Main Event that aired on national TV featuring the Megapowers breakup. I was there, and when Jesse mentioned “the frozen tundra of Milwaukee, Wisconsin,” he wasn’t kidding. It was about 0 degrees out. And guess what? It’s  nearly the same right now here in southeastern Wisconsin! Anyway, this week we look back at an issue of Inside Wrestling that went to press in October of 1988 that sold for $1.95 in the U.S. and $2.50 in Canada. In this issue, Eddie Ellner names the winner of his contest where fans were asked to write essays describing the most historical wrestling moment in history. But first, let’s go straight to the Ratings.

This week we look back at an issue of PWI that went to press September 8, 1988 and sold for $2.25 in the U.S, $2.95 in Canada, and £1.50 in the U.K. Let’s get right to Ratings…

From the pages of WWF Magazine… this week, we look back at an issue that went to press in September of 1988 that sold for $2.50 in the U.S. and $3.25 in Canada. Plus, we get bonus coverage from The Wrestling Observer Newsletter! With a cover featuring the Ultimate Warrior, we’re teased with stories about SummerSlam ’88, Randy Savage, and some guy named Haku who is supposedly the most dangerous man in the WWF. Let’s jump in.