1
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MY NAME IS VERNE GAGNE.

2
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WRESTLING WAS MY LOVE AND IT WAS

3
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VERY GOOD TO ME FOR A LONG TIME.

4
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AT THE AWA, WHICH I WAS LUCKY

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ENOUGH TO RUN AND A LOT OF

6
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OTHERS DID WELL TOO.

7
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SOME OF THEM YOU ALREADY KNOW,

8
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OTHERS YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD OF,

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OTHERS MAY HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN

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UNTIL NOW.

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THIS IS THE STORY OF THE AWA,

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ONE OF THE GREATEST WRESTLING

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ORGANIZATIONS EVER.

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SOME SAY IT WAS GOOD, OTHER SAY

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IT WAS GREAT, I SAY IT WAS

16
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SPECTACULAR.

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[MUSIC]

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IN THE 1930S AND 1940S,

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WRESTLING BECAME VERY

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FRAGMENTED.

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THERE WERE REGION TO ALL AROUND

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THE COUNTRY, SIX OR SEVEN AND

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THEY HAD THEIR INDIVIDUAL

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HIERARCHIES AND THEIR PROMOTERS,

25
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AND OF COURSE, THE BEST WAY TO

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GET A GOOD CROWD IS TO HAVE THE

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WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION

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APPEARING, WHERE THE WORLD

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HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION CAN ONLY BE

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SPREAD SO THIN.

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SO, A LOT OF THE PROMOTERS CAME

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UP WITH THEIR OWN VERSION OF THE

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WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION.

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I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROMOTERS

35
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GOT TOGETHER IN THE 1947 IN

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WATERLOO, IOWA AND FORMED THE

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NATIONAL WRESTLING ALLIANCE.

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THE NWA WAS BASICALLY A

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COOPERATIVE OF WRESTLING

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PROMOTERS THAT AGREED TO GET

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ALONG AND NOT IN FRIENDS WITH

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EACH OTHER'S TERRITORY, TO SHARE

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TALENT AND TO RECOGNIZE ONE

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CHAMPION.

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AND THEN, THIS GROUP OF

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PROMOTERS, FIVE OR SIX BECAME

47
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THE CONTROLLING BODY AND TO

48
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ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE A VERY

49
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HEALTHY ORGANIZATION.

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AND I THINK IT WORKED PRETTY

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WELL FOR AWHILE.

52
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I WAS BORN IN THAT OLD FARM

53
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NEAR CORCORAN, MINNESOTA AND I

54
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WAS BORN IN 1926.

55
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WRESTLING WAS KIND OF IN MY

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BLOOD.

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HE WOULD SIT ON HIS

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GRANDFATHER'S LAP WHEN HE WAS

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ABOUT FIVE YEARS OLD AND THEY

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LISTEN TO IT ON THE RADIO AND HE

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TOLD HIS GRANDFATHER THAT TIME,

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"I WANNA BE A PROFESSIONAL

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WRESTLER."

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IN MY HIGH SCHOOL, I WON THE

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STATE WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP,

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ALL THREE YEARS THAT I WRESTLED

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AND--WELL, I STATE IN FOOTBALL.

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AND WHEN I WAS 18 YEARS OLD AND

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THEY GOT TO DRIVE TO THE END OF

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THE SERVICE, IN THE MARINE

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CORPS, AND I WAS IN THE MARINES

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FOR TWO YEARS AND ABOUT THREE,

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FOUR MONTHS AND THEN I WON THE

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BIG TEN WHEN I GOT TO COLLEGE.

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I WON ALL OF FOUR YEARS.

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AND I WON NCAA, I WAS IN THREE

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OF THOSE AND I WON TWO OF THEM.

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I ALSO WON THE NATIONAL AAU

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CHAMPIONSHIP IN WRESTLING.

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I WENT TO THE OLYMPICS, 1948.

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WE HAD TWO TEAMS, FREESTYLE TEAM

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AND A GRECO-ROMAN TEAM.

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I WAS ON THE GRECO-ROMAN TEAM.

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IT [INDISTINCT]

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UP FOR US TO GO AT THE END OF

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THE--END OF THE TOURNAMENT.

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THE NIGHT BEFORE WE WERE WENT

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IN, OUR COACHES CAN--DOING

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SOME--WE GOT SOME TOUGH PROBLEMS

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FOR YOU GUYS AND THEY SAID,

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"WE'RE NOT GONNA LET YOU

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WRESTLE."

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AS WE KNOW, I THINK YOU GUYS NO

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ENOUGH ABOUT GRECO-ROMAN

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WRESTLING AND WE'RE VERY

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DISAPPOINTED AND ANGRY AND ALL

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THAT KIND OF THING BECAUSE WE

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HAD--WE HAD TRAINED FOR THREE

99
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MONTHS.

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AFTER COLLEGE, WE'RE SIGNED

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BY THE GREEN BAY PACKERS TO PLAY

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FOOTBALL.

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I MADE THE TEAM, BUT MY SALARY

104
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WAS $5,000 A YEAR AND THEY

105
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TRADED ITS RIGHTS TO THE CHICAGO

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BEARS AND HALAS--GEORGE HALAS AT

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THAT TIME, THEY WERE ON THE

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BEARS, DIDN'T WANT HIM TO BOTH

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WRESTLING AND PLAY FOOTBALL.

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AND HE DECIDED THAT WRESTLING

111
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WAS--IS THE DIRECTION HE WANTED

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TO GO, THAT WAS HIS DREAM AND HE

113
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MADE A WHOLE LOT MORE MONEY AT

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WRESTLING THAN IT EVER WORTH OF

115
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PLAYING PRO FOOTBALL.

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AND TONY STECHER WAS THE

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PROMOTER OF WRESTLING,

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PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HERE

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IN MINNESOTA AND THE TWIN CITY,

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HERE IN THE MINNEAPOLIS.

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AND, SO, I TRAINED FOR THAT WITH

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SOMEBODY, A PRO WRESTLER, WHO

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HAD BEEN AMATEUR, US AT THE

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UNIVERSITY.

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AND THEY TAUGHT ME THE

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DIFFERENCE, AND THAT SORT OF

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THINGS.

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SO, I WRESTLED HERE FOR--OUT OF

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HERE FOR A WHILE AND THEN

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THEY--WHEN THEY COME DOWN TO

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OKLAHOMA WHERE THE WEIGHTS WERE

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LIGHTER DOWN THERE.

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AND BECAME THE JUNIOR

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HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, NWA JUNIOR

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HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION AT THAT

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TIME.

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AND THAT WAS UP UNTIL ABOUT

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1952, FROM '49 TO '52 THEN, WE

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WERE ON THE ROAD.

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I WAS BORN ON 1948 AND WE LIVED

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IN A TRAILER AND WE LIVED IN

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FROM TULSA, OKLAHOMA TO HOUSTON,

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TEXAS AND MOVED AROUND IN THAT

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TRAILER.

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HE WRESTLED IN THAT AREA UNTIL

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1952, THEN HE CAME BACK TO

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CHICAGO.

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IN CHICAGO, THEY WERE ON THE

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DUMONT NETWORK WITH

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THE--WRESTLING ON SATURDAY

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NIGHTS AND FOR TWO HOURS.

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AND THEY WENT UP THERE AND

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WRESTLE.

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SO, I DID AND IT WAS A GREAT

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MOVE WOULD THAT BE, ONCE THE

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WHOLE COUNTRY WOULD SEE ON A

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SATURDAY NIGHT.

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IN THE 1950S, THERE WAS A NEW

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PHENOMENON THAT CHANGED ALL OF

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AMERICA'S ENTERTAINMENT

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[INDISTINCT]

162
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SO, IT'S CALLED TELEVISION.

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TO ME, VERNE GAGNE WAS THE

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BIGGEST STAR THAN MICKEY MANTLE

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AND WILLIE MAYS AND AS BIG AS

166
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ROCKY MARCIANO.

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THEY WOULD WATCH THIS ON A

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SATURDAY NIGHT AND THESE GUYS

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WERE LIKE ROCK STARS TODAY.

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WHEN VERVE GAGNE AND LOU THESZ

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CAME TO NEW YORK CITY TO COMPETE

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ON A SATURDAY NIGHT, WOW.

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I JUST SAW THESE GUYS ON TV TWO

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WEEKS AGO.

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THAT WAS BIG, BIG STUFF.

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IT WAS LIKE A MOVIE STAR.

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IT'S LIKE JOHN WAYNE AND CARY

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GRANT COMING TO YOUR LOCAL

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THEATER.

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HE WAS THE HULK HOGAN OF THAT

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DAY.

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NETWORK TV STARTED IN 1952, HE

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WAS ON IT.

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HE BECAME A HUGE STAR.

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HE WAS ON THE ART LINKLETTER

186
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SHOW OR [INDISTINCT]

187
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FREE SHOW, STEVE ALLEN FOR

188
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TONIGHT SHOW.

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HE WAS ON THAT.

190
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HE DID COMMERCIALS.

191
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HE WAS THE ONLY WRESTLER WHO

192
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REALLY STEPPED OUT OF THE

193
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WRESTLING REALM AT THE TIME AND

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GET THE ENDORSEMENTS THAT'S

195
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WRESTLERS NEVER GOT BEFORE.

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JACK BRICKHOUSE, THE NOTED

197
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BASEBALL ANNOUNCER WHO DID

198
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WRESTLING IN THE '50S SAID,

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"VERNE GAGNE WAS THIS BIG, IF

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NOT BIGGER THAN ANY CHICAGO

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BEAR, WHITE SOX OR A CUB PLAYER

202
00:06:49,642 --> 00:06:51,878
IN CHICAGO.

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AND YET VERNE, THE ONE THING HE

204
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WANTS TO FEEL FULFILLED, HE'S

205
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MAKING TREMENDOUS MONEY.

206
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HE'S A BIG HERO TO MILLIONS OF

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00:06:56,783 --> 00:06:57,484
KIDS.

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HE'S GOT IN TV EXPOSURES.

209
00:06:58,952 --> 00:07:00,120
HE'S DOING VERY WELL BUT WHAT'S

210
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ANY ATHLETE WANT.

211
00:07:02,055 --> 00:07:03,223
IF YOU'RE AN AMATEUR, YOU WANT

212
00:07:03,256 --> 00:07:03,890
TO BE THE OLYMPIC CHAMPION.

213
00:07:03,923 --> 00:07:04,824
IF YOU'RE A PROFESSIONAL, YOU

214
00:07:04,858 --> 00:07:05,725
WANT TO BE THE HEAVYWEIGHT

215
00:07:05,759 --> 00:07:06,593
CHAMPION OF THE WORLD.

216
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AND FOR WHATEVER REASON, VERNE

217
00:07:07,794 --> 00:07:09,429
WASN'T GIVEN THAT OPPORTUNITY.

218
00:07:09,462 --> 00:07:10,630
WHEN LOU THESZ WAS THE

219
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CHAMPION AND I WRESTLED HIM

220
00:07:12,032 --> 00:07:13,667
THREE TIMES.

221
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WE HAD TWO DRAWS AND THE LAST,

222
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THE THIRD ONE, HE GOT

223
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DISQUALIFIED.

224
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THEN I COULDN'T GET ANOTHER

225
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MATCH WITH HIM.

226
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THE LAST TIME I WRESTLE HIM, I

227
00:07:24,044 --> 00:07:25,178
SAID, "THE NEXT TIME WE WRESTLE,

228
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I WILL BEAT YOU."

229
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AND I NEVER GOT TO WRESTLE HIM

230
00:07:29,549 --> 00:07:31,484
AFTER THAT.

231
00:07:31,518 --> 00:07:32,686
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE NWA

232
00:07:32,719 --> 00:07:35,789
PROMOTERS, MORE THAN LOU, WANTED

233
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TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE TITLE

234
00:07:37,323 --> 00:07:38,892
THROUGH LOU.

235
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AND THAT--THERE WAS A PROMOTER

236
00:07:42,095 --> 00:07:44,264
ON CHICAGO NAMED FRED KOHLER WHO

237
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WAS A BIG VERNE GAGNE FAN AND HE

238
00:07:46,066 --> 00:07:47,233
WANTED VERNE TO HAVE A CHANCE TO

239
00:07:47,267 --> 00:07:48,501
BE THE NWA CHAMPION, BUT SOME OF

240
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THE OTHER PROMOTERS FELT THAT

241
00:07:50,236 --> 00:07:51,971
VERNE WAS THE CHAMPION, NWA

242
00:07:52,072 --> 00:07:53,807
CHAMPION, THAT FRED KOHLER WOULD

243
00:07:53,840 --> 00:07:55,675
BE ABLE TO CONTROL HIM IN

244
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GETTING TO THE CHICAGO AREA AND

245
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THEY'D BE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD.

246
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SO, THE NWA PROMOTERS IN MY

247
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UNDERSTANDING WEREN'T INTERESTED

248
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WITH VERNE BECOMING THE

249
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CHAMPION.

250
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THE PROMOTERS GAVE THE NWA AN

251
00:08:07,654 --> 00:08:11,024
ULTIMATUM EITHER MEET OR WE'RE

252
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GONNA BREAK OFF ON OUR OWN.

253
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THAT WAS THE END OF THE

254
00:08:13,159 --> 00:08:14,094
[INDISTINCT]

255
00:08:14,127 --> 00:08:15,161
IN WRESTLING.

256
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SO, WE DECIDED TO GET INTO THE

257
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PROMOTION HERE AND I BOUGHT THE

258
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STECHER'S.

259
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VERNE AND ANOTHER PERSON BY

260
00:08:26,172 --> 00:08:27,707
THE NAME OF WALLY KARBO FORMED A

261
00:08:27,741 --> 00:08:31,177
GROUP AND DECIDED TO PURCHASE

262
00:08:31,211 --> 00:08:32,812
THE TERRITORY.

263
00:08:32,846 --> 00:08:42,555
I WAS NOW RUNNING THE AWA AND

264
00:08:42,589 --> 00:08:43,757
ALSO WRESTLING AT THE SAME TIME.

265
00:08:43,790 --> 00:08:45,425
[MUSIC]

266
00:08:45,458 --> 00:08:47,627
IT WAS BIG FOR ANYBODY TO

267
00:08:47,660 --> 00:08:50,230
BREAKAWAY FROM NWA AT THAT TIME.

268
00:08:50,263 --> 00:08:51,064
THEY WERE A PRETTY COHESIVE

269
00:08:51,097 --> 00:08:57,704
GROUP.

270
00:08:57,737 --> 00:08:58,371
I BELIEVE SHORTLY AFTER THAT,

271
00:08:58,405 --> 00:09:03,543
THE WWWE BROKE AWAY AND FORMED

272
00:09:03,576 --> 00:09:06,012
THEIR GROUP ON THE EAST COAST.

273
00:09:06,012 --> 00:09:10,817
SO, IT WAS MONUMENTAL.

274
00:09:10,850 --> 00:09:11,518
I MEAN, IT WAS HUGE AND THAT'S

275
00:09:11,551 --> 00:09:12,419
WHEN YOU ENDED UP WITH BASICALLY

276
00:09:12,452 --> 00:09:13,186
THREE CHAMPIONS OR THREE WORLD

277
00:09:13,219 --> 00:09:14,621
CHAMPIONS.

278
00:09:14,654 --> 00:09:15,321
YOU HAVE THE NWA, AWA, AND THE

279
00:09:15,355 --> 00:09:16,690
WWWE AT THAT TIME.

280
00:09:16,723 --> 00:09:17,490
IT WAS HUGE.

281
00:09:17,524 --> 00:09:18,558
IT WAS A BREAKAWAY FROM THE

282
00:09:18,591 --> 00:09:19,559
CONTROL OF THE NWA.

283
00:09:19,592 --> 00:09:20,560
VERNE SAW A GRAND

284
00:09:20,593 --> 00:09:21,461
OPPORTUNITY.

285
00:09:21,494 --> 00:09:24,264
HE WAS A GOOD PROMOTER.

286
00:09:24,297 --> 00:09:25,465
HE SAW THE OPPORTUNITY TO NOT

287
00:09:25,498 --> 00:09:28,702
ONLY ENHANCE HIS OWN REPUTATION

288
00:09:28,735 --> 00:09:30,337
AS A SPORT SUPERSTAR, WHICH HE

289
00:09:30,370 --> 00:09:32,172
SHOULD DO, BUT ALSO TO SAW HIS

290
00:09:32,205 --> 00:09:35,208
ABILITY TO MAKE A LOT OF MONEY

291
00:09:35,241 --> 00:09:36,109
AND BRING OTHER PEOPLE INTO THE

292
00:09:36,142 --> 00:09:37,410
FOLD.

293
00:09:37,444 --> 00:09:41,348
[MUSIC]

294
00:09:41,381 --> 00:09:43,049
IT WAS CALLED MINNEAPOLIS

295
00:09:43,049 --> 00:09:44,250
BOXING AND WRESTLING AT THAT

296
00:09:44,284 --> 00:09:45,652
TIME.

297
00:09:45,685 --> 00:09:46,553
THEY RAN ON TUESDAY NIGHTS.

298
00:09:46,586 --> 00:09:48,955
THEY DREW ANYWHERE FROM 400 TO

299
00:09:49,055 --> 00:09:51,725
600 PEOPLE.

300
00:09:51,758 --> 00:09:54,060
SO, IT WASN'T--IT WASN'T HUGE.

301
00:09:54,060 --> 00:09:54,728
THEY BECAME PARTNERS WITH WALLY

302
00:09:54,761 --> 00:09:56,629
KARBO.

303
00:09:56,663 --> 00:10:01,868
HIS ROLE WAS TO EXPAND AND BUILD

304
00:10:01,901 --> 00:10:03,169
MINNEAPOLIS AREA.

305
00:10:03,203 --> 00:10:04,304
AND THERE WAS MORE ENERGY AND

306
00:10:04,337 --> 00:10:05,071
MORE ENTHUSIASM ON THEIR PART,

307
00:10:05,105 --> 00:10:06,172
JUST AS WHEN [INDISTINCT]

308
00:10:06,206 --> 00:10:07,841
JR. TO GO OVER FROM HIS DAD.

309
00:10:07,874 --> 00:10:09,376
HE KNEW THAT TO BE

310
00:10:09,409 --> 00:10:10,510
SUCCESSFUL, YOU HAVE TO HAVE

311
00:10:10,543 --> 00:10:12,312
TELEVISION.

312
00:10:12,345 --> 00:10:13,780
YOU CAN'T SELL WRESTLING IN

313
00:10:13,813 --> 00:10:14,881
NEWSPAPERS AND RADIOS.

314
00:10:14,914 --> 00:10:16,316
YOU NEED TELEVISION.

315
00:10:16,349 --> 00:10:18,218
VERNE UNDERSTOOD TELEVISION.

316
00:10:18,251 --> 00:10:20,387
HE UNDERSTOOD PROMOTIONS.

317
00:10:20,420 --> 00:10:21,855
WE DREW A LOT OF MONEY

318
00:10:21,888 --> 00:10:25,692
BECAUSE OF THE TELEVISION AND I

319
00:10:25,725 --> 00:10:26,793
THINK THAT WAS THE BIGGEST THING

320
00:10:26,826 --> 00:10:32,599
THAT HELPED AWA AND VERNE DID

321
00:10:32,632 --> 00:10:35,268
GET ALL AND PROMOTE THAT INTO

322
00:10:35,301 --> 00:10:38,371
THE BUSINESS.

323
00:10:38,405 --> 00:10:39,639
HE GOT ON TV IN MINNEAPOLIS,

324
00:10:39,673 --> 00:10:43,043
EXPANDED INTO MILWAUKEE, GREEN

325
00:10:43,076 --> 00:10:45,045
BAY, CHICAGO, WINNIPEG, CANADA,

326
00:10:45,078 --> 00:10:50,150
OMAHA, NEBRASKA, DENVER,

327
00:10:50,183 --> 00:10:51,017
COLORADO, SALT LAKE CITY,

328
00:10:51,051 --> 00:10:52,018
PHOENIX, LAS VEGAS, SAN

329
00:10:52,052 --> 00:10:56,623
FRANCISCO.

330
00:10:56,656 --> 00:10:58,024
HE'S THE ONE THAT WENT OUT AND

331
00:10:58,058 --> 00:10:59,459
ACQUIRED THE TV TIME SLOTS FOR.

332
00:10:59,492 --> 00:11:01,094
HE WAS THE FIGURE HEAD.

333
00:11:01,127 --> 00:11:03,229
OPERATE A LITTLE BIT

334
00:11:03,263 --> 00:11:05,298
DIFFERENTLY THAN WHAT WALLY DID,

335
00:11:05,331 --> 00:11:08,501
FOR WALLY WHO WAS THE BACK BONE,

336
00:11:08,535 --> 00:11:10,503
WALLY KIND OF WORK PRETTY CLOSE

337
00:11:10,537 --> 00:11:12,305
WITH ALL THE WRESTLERS.

338
00:11:12,339 --> 00:11:13,540
THEY ALL LOVE WALLY.

339
00:11:13,573 --> 00:11:14,908
WALLY WAS A HELL OF A NICE

340
00:11:14,941 --> 00:11:16,476
GUY.

341
00:11:16,509 --> 00:11:17,344
AND I THINK HE KIND OF KEPT THE

342
00:11:17,377 --> 00:11:18,945
THREADS TOGETHER.

343
00:11:18,978 --> 00:11:20,113
WALLY WAS GREAT AT KIND OF

344
00:11:20,146 --> 00:11:22,649
SMOOTHING THINGS OVER.

345
00:11:22,682 --> 00:11:24,084
VERNE GAGNE, THE OWNER OF THE

346
00:11:24,084 --> 00:11:26,519
AWA, RAN A TIGHT SHIP.

347
00:11:26,553 --> 00:11:28,121
VERNE WAS TOUGH TO WORK FOR.

348
00:11:28,154 --> 00:11:30,423
HE'S TOUGH TO UNDERSTAND SOME OF

349
00:11:30,457 --> 00:11:32,092
HIS PSYCHOLOGY ABOUT WRESTLING

350
00:11:32,092 --> 00:11:35,095
AND PROMOTION.

351
00:11:35,095 --> 00:11:37,764
YEAH, HE WAS A PERFECTIONIST.

352
00:11:37,797 --> 00:11:39,165
EVERYTHING DONE THE WAY HE

353
00:11:39,199 --> 00:11:40,500
VISUALIZE WRESTLING SHOULD BE

354
00:11:40,533 --> 00:11:42,002
DONE.

355
00:11:42,102 --> 00:11:43,636
HE WAS VERY DELIVERED, VERY

356
00:11:43,670 --> 00:11:45,105
MEASURED, HE IS A WRESTLING

357
00:11:45,105 --> 00:11:48,141
PURIST.

358
00:11:48,174 --> 00:11:49,642
WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH THAT

359
00:11:49,676 --> 00:11:51,511
INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS A FAIRLY

360
00:11:51,544 --> 00:11:56,316
LARGE EGO WHICH HE HAVE TO HAVE,

361
00:11:56,349 --> 00:11:58,918
I FOUND HIM SOMETIMES HARD TO

362
00:11:58,952 --> 00:12:00,520
DEAL WITH, BUT, YOU KNOW, IN

363
00:12:00,553 --> 00:12:01,921
THIS BUSINESS, A LOT OF THE

364
00:12:01,955 --> 00:12:02,889
PROMOTERS WERE HARD TO DEAL

365
00:12:02,922 --> 00:12:03,757
WITH.

366
00:12:03,790 --> 00:12:05,492
HE'S EXTREMELY OPINIONATED.

367
00:12:05,525 --> 00:12:07,460
HE--JUST HAS NO TIME FOR SOMEONE

368
00:12:07,494 --> 00:12:10,063
THAT ISN'T ON THE GAME, YOU KNOW

369
00:12:10,096 --> 00:12:11,231
AND HE RAN HIS COMPANY THAT WAY

370
00:12:11,264 --> 00:12:13,299
[INDISTINCT]

371
00:12:13,333 --> 00:12:14,634
FLORIDA THAT WAY.

372
00:12:14,668 --> 00:12:15,635
ALL OF THE TERRITORIAL

373
00:12:15,669 --> 00:12:17,070
[INDISTINCT]

374
00:12:17,103 --> 00:12:18,872
AROUND THE COUNTRY WILL RUN

375
00:12:18,905 --> 00:12:20,073
WITH THE SAME CONCEPT.

376
00:12:20,073 --> 00:12:20,707
I'LL PROTECT THE BUSINESS.

377
00:12:20,740 --> 00:12:22,308
THE BUSINESS IS LIKE A FAMILY.

378
00:12:22,342 --> 00:12:23,810
BUSINESS IS ALMOST LIKE THE

379
00:12:23,843 --> 00:12:24,811
MAFIA, NOBODY CAME IN AND NOBODY

380
00:12:24,844 --> 00:12:27,213
WENT OUT.

381
00:12:27,247 --> 00:12:29,716
KEEPING THE HEELS AND BABY

382
00:12:29,749 --> 00:12:30,784
FACES SEPARATED AT ALL TIMES, AT

383
00:12:30,817 --> 00:12:32,218
ANY COST.

384
00:12:32,252 --> 00:12:33,720
IF THEY WERE BOOKED IN

385
00:12:33,753 --> 00:12:36,589
CHICAGO, THE ADVERSARIES WOULD

386
00:12:36,623 --> 00:12:38,458
STAY AT SEPARATE HOTELS

387
00:12:38,491 --> 00:12:40,760
MANDATORILY.

388
00:12:40,794 --> 00:12:42,162
IF THEY DIDN'T, THEY WOULD FINED

389
00:12:42,195 --> 00:12:45,965
OR FIRED.

390
00:12:45,999 --> 00:12:48,401
I JUST WANTED TO WHAT I KNEW

391
00:12:48,435 --> 00:12:52,605
WAS RIGHT IN THE WAY TO DO IT.

392
00:12:52,639 --> 00:12:55,575
THE FIRST CHAMPION OF AWA WAS

393
00:12:55,608 --> 00:12:56,509
VERNE GAGNE AND THAT WAS IN

394
00:12:56,543 --> 00:12:59,212
1957.

395
00:12:59,245 --> 00:13:00,347
I THINK IF I WENT OUT AND

396
00:13:00,380 --> 00:13:01,514
STARTED A WRESTLING ASSOCIATION

397
00:13:01,548 --> 00:13:02,549
AND NAMED MYSELF THE HEAVYWEIGHT

398
00:13:02,582 --> 00:13:04,651
CHAMPION IN THE WORLD, I HAVE

399
00:13:04,684 --> 00:13:05,719
TREMENDOUS PROBLEMS, CREDIBILITY

400
00:13:05,752 --> 00:13:07,554
WISE.

401
00:13:07,587 --> 00:13:08,788
IF YOU OWN A SHOP AND YOU

402
00:13:08,822 --> 00:13:10,724
WORK HERE, YOU'RE GONNA TAKE

403
00:13:10,757 --> 00:13:13,059
BEST CARE OF YOURSELF.

404
00:13:13,059 --> 00:13:14,394
SO, USUALLY IF VERNE WRESTLED,

405
00:13:14,427 --> 00:13:16,296
HE WAS ON THE MAIN EVENT.

406
00:13:16,329 --> 00:13:18,498
HE ALSO--OF COURSE, THERE WAS A

407
00:13:18,531 --> 00:13:21,067
CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

408
00:13:21,067 --> 00:13:24,771
IN VERNE'S EYES, I THINK THAT

409
00:13:24,804 --> 00:13:26,272
VERNE WAS--HE THOUGHT HE WAS--HE

410
00:13:26,306 --> 00:13:29,709
WAS DOING THE RIGHT THING.

411
00:13:29,743 --> 00:13:31,845
BUT THAT DOESN'T MERELY MEAN TO

412
00:13:31,878 --> 00:13:35,915
SAY THAT IT WAS THE BEST THING.

413
00:13:35,949 --> 00:13:37,884
AND I THINK THAT BECAME A

414
00:13:37,917 --> 00:13:40,854
PROBLEM.

415
00:13:40,887 --> 00:13:43,156
YOU CAN'T FAULT HIM FOR THAT

416
00:13:43,189 --> 00:13:44,758
BECAUSE FRITZ VON ERICH WAS THE

417
00:13:44,791 --> 00:13:47,594
CHAMPION OF HIS TERRITORY AND HE

418
00:13:47,627 --> 00:13:49,162
WAS THE PROMOTER AND HE DID THE

419
00:13:49,195 --> 00:13:50,764
SAME THING, [INDISTINCT]

420
00:13:50,797 --> 00:13:51,865
THE SAME THING.

421
00:13:51,898 --> 00:13:56,269
IT WASN'T UNUSUAL AND EVERYBODY

422
00:13:56,302 --> 00:13:57,604
KIND OF KNEW THAT THAT'S THE WAY

423
00:13:57,637 --> 00:13:59,005
IT WAS.

424
00:13:59,105 --> 00:14:01,207
THE PRIMARY REASON THAT A LOT

425
00:14:01,241 --> 00:14:02,375
OF PROMOTERS AND OWNERS OF

426
00:14:02,409 --> 00:14:05,512
TERRITORIES IN THE EARLY DAYS OF

427
00:14:05,545 --> 00:14:07,180
WRESTLING WERE THE TOP STARS WAS

428
00:14:07,213 --> 00:14:08,448
VERY SIMPLE.

429
00:14:08,481 --> 00:14:11,051
THEY--IN THE [INDISTINCT]

430
00:14:11,051 --> 00:14:12,919
WERE THE ONE PERSON IN THE

431
00:14:12,952 --> 00:14:15,755
TERRITORY THAT CAN BE TRUSTED.

432
00:14:15,789 --> 00:14:17,424
THEY HAVE THE MOST TO LOSE.

433
00:14:17,457 --> 00:14:19,059
IT WAS THEIR HOME BASE.

434
00:14:19,059 --> 00:14:21,494
THEY OWNED THE BUSINESS AND I

435
00:14:21,528 --> 00:14:22,395
KNEW THEY WEREN'T GONNA WALK

436
00:14:22,429 --> 00:14:24,264
OUT.

437
00:14:24,297 --> 00:14:25,365
THERE IS NOBODY WHO COULD

438
00:14:25,398 --> 00:14:27,167
LOOK OF WHAT VERNE ACCOMPLISHED

439
00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:28,368
AS AN AMATEUR, AND AS A PRO AT

440
00:14:28,401 --> 00:14:29,836
THAT POINT.

441
00:14:29,869 --> 00:14:30,670
HE SAID THIS GUY DOESN'T DESERVE

442
00:14:30,704 --> 00:14:31,805
TO BE A CHAMPION.

443
00:14:31,838 --> 00:14:32,572
IN FACT, I THINK HE COULD MAKE

444
00:14:32,605 --> 00:14:33,840
THE CASE.

445
00:14:33,873 --> 00:14:34,474
VERNE GAGNE WAS PROBABLY ONE OF

446
00:14:34,507 --> 00:14:35,408
THE FIVE OR SIX GREATEST

447
00:14:35,442 --> 00:14:37,510
CHAMPIONS IN THE HISTORY OF

448
00:14:37,544 --> 00:14:38,778
WRESTLING GOING BACK TO GEORGE

449
00:14:38,812 --> 00:14:42,215
HACKENSCHMIDT AND FRANK GOTCH AT

450
00:14:42,248 --> 00:14:42,849
THE TURN OF THE 19TH CENTURY.

451
00:14:42,882 --> 00:14:43,850
VERNE WAS A SUPER TALENT.

452
00:14:43,883 --> 00:14:45,151
THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

453
00:14:45,185 --> 00:14:47,520
HE WAS ATHLETIC.

454
00:14:47,554 --> 00:14:48,388
A LOT OF QUICK MOVES, A LOT

455
00:14:48,421 --> 00:14:50,824
OF ACROBATIC MOVES.

456
00:14:50,857 --> 00:14:51,691
FUNDAMENTALLY, HE WAS VERY,

457
00:14:51,725 --> 00:14:52,559
VERY SOUND.

458
00:14:52,592 --> 00:14:53,827
HE WAS VERY INTENSE IN THE

459
00:14:53,860 --> 00:14:55,095
RING.

460
00:14:55,128 --> 00:14:56,463
HE WORKS VERY SNUG.

461
00:14:56,496 --> 00:14:57,530
EVERYTHING HE DID IN THE RING

462
00:14:57,564 --> 00:14:59,399
WAS SO BELIEVABLE AND IT WAS

463
00:14:59,432 --> 00:15:00,667
BELIEVABLE BECAUSE HE KNOCK YOUR

464
00:15:00,700 --> 00:15:02,268
BLOCK OFF.

465
00:15:02,302 --> 00:15:03,370
WONDERFUL WORK.

466
00:15:03,403 --> 00:15:05,772
HE COULD WRESTLE WITH ANYBODY.

467
00:15:05,805 --> 00:15:08,108
HE HAD A CERTAIN FLARE TO

468
00:15:08,141 --> 00:15:09,509
HIM.

469
00:15:09,542 --> 00:15:10,076
HE HAD A LOT OF CHARISMA.

470
00:15:10,110 --> 00:15:12,078
WAS A REAL GRASSROOTS

471
00:15:12,112 --> 00:15:13,279
WRESTLER WHO HAD FANTASTIC

472
00:15:13,313 --> 00:15:16,649
TECHNIQUE.

473
00:15:16,683 --> 00:15:19,319
HE WAS ONE OF MY IDOLS IN

474
00:15:19,352 --> 00:15:20,286
TERMS OF WHO I WANNA BE LIKE IN

475
00:15:20,320 --> 00:15:21,254
THE RING.

476
00:15:21,287 --> 00:15:24,557
I GUESS YOU COULD CALL HIM

477
00:15:24,591 --> 00:15:25,458
THE MASTER IN THE RING.

478
00:15:25,492 --> 00:15:26,192
HE WAS EXCELLENT TO WORK

479
00:15:26,226 --> 00:15:26,860
WITH.

480
00:15:26,893 --> 00:15:27,761
HE WAS A MODEL AND I THINK

481
00:15:27,794 --> 00:15:29,295
ALL THE YOUNG ATHLETIC TYPE BABY

482
00:15:29,329 --> 00:15:33,733
FACE WRESTLERS SORT OF EMULATED.

483
00:15:33,767 --> 00:15:35,235
VERNE HAD THE ABILITY TO SELL

484
00:15:35,268 --> 00:15:37,804
TICKETS AND DRAW MONEY.

485
00:15:37,837 --> 00:15:39,339
HE WASN'T STUPID ENOUGH TO THINK

486
00:15:39,372 --> 00:15:42,108
THAT, WELL, I'LL BE MY CHAMPION,

487
00:15:42,142 --> 00:15:43,977
THAT'S HOW THAT HE'LL GO.

488
00:15:44,077 --> 00:15:45,545
HE STILL HAD TO MAKE MONEY FOR

489
00:15:45,578 --> 00:15:47,147
HIMSELF, HIS FAMILY, AND ALL THE

490
00:15:47,180 --> 00:15:48,348
FAMILIES AND TALENTS, THEY

491
00:15:48,381 --> 00:15:50,283
WRESTLE FOR IT.

492
00:15:50,316 --> 00:15:52,085
VERNE GAGNE WITH ANYBODY WILL

493
00:15:52,085 --> 00:15:53,386
DRAW MONEY.

494
00:15:53,420 --> 00:15:55,088
HIM AND BILLY ROBINSON HAD

495
00:15:55,088 --> 00:15:58,758
SOME PHENOMENAL MATCHES.

496
00:15:58,792 --> 00:15:59,859
I THINK BILLY ROBINSON FOR--A

497
00:15:59,893 --> 00:16:03,096
PURE WRESTLER, WAS THE HARDEST

498
00:16:03,129 --> 00:16:05,031
ONE I EVER WRESTLE WITH.

499
00:16:05,065 --> 00:16:06,066
HE WAS GREAT ON THE SUBMISSION

500
00:16:06,099 --> 00:16:08,468
HOLD.

501
00:16:08,501 --> 00:16:09,703
ONE OF THE GREATEST TECHNICAL

502
00:16:09,736 --> 00:16:10,670
WRESTLERS IN THE WORLD.

503
00:16:10,704 --> 00:16:11,771
HE IS A TREMENDOUS

504
00:16:11,805 --> 00:16:12,472
TECHNICIAN.

505
00:16:12,505 --> 00:16:14,341
HE HAD A GOOD BALANCE AND A

506
00:16:14,374 --> 00:16:16,176
GOOD SPEED.

507
00:16:16,209 --> 00:16:18,111
HE'S A SUPERB ATHLETE.

508
00:16:18,144 --> 00:16:19,846
ALL OF HIS MATCHES WERE LIKE

509
00:16:19,879 --> 00:16:21,348
A FIGHT.

510
00:16:21,381 --> 00:16:22,415
I MEAN, HE WAS--HE WAS A SHOWMAN

511
00:16:22,449 --> 00:16:24,050
BUT HE WAS ALSO BROUGHT

512
00:16:24,050 --> 00:16:25,352
CREDIBILITY TO THE RING.

513
00:16:25,385 --> 00:16:27,053
WAS PROBABLY THE MOST

514
00:16:27,053 --> 00:16:29,889
KNOWLEDGEABLE WRESTLER.

515
00:16:29,923 --> 00:16:32,692
HIS SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE OF

516
00:16:32,726 --> 00:16:34,828
THE MOVE AND THE COMBINATIONS

517
00:16:34,861 --> 00:16:36,596
AND EVERYTHING MADE ME RAISE MY

518
00:16:36,629 --> 00:16:39,666
BAR.

519
00:16:39,699 --> 00:16:41,534
AND I THINK THAT HE PROBABLY

520
00:16:41,568 --> 00:16:43,703
WAS POUND-FOR-POUND, PROBABLY

521
00:16:43,737 --> 00:16:45,538
ONE OF THE TOUGHEST WRESTLERS IN

522
00:16:45,572 --> 00:16:52,412
HIS DAY.

523
00:16:52,445 --> 00:16:53,713
ONE OF THE BIG DRAWERS OF

524
00:16:53,747 --> 00:16:56,516
THAT TIME WAS VERNE AGAINST NICK

525
00:16:56,549 --> 00:16:59,619
BOCKWINKEL.

526
00:16:59,652 --> 00:17:00,787
OF COURSE, BOCKWINKEL CAME

527
00:17:00,820 --> 00:17:02,722
FROM A GREAT WRESTLING FAMILY.

528
00:17:02,756 --> 00:17:04,624
HIS FATHER, WARREN BOCKWINKEL,

529
00:17:04,657 --> 00:17:06,026
HAD BEEN A GOOD-SIZED STAR IN

530
00:17:06,026 --> 00:17:07,027
THE 40S AND 50, WRESTLING

531
00:17:07,027 --> 00:17:09,562
AGAINST LOU THESZ.

532
00:17:09,596 --> 00:17:10,930
AND HE WAS JUST VERY, VERY GOOD

533
00:17:11,031 --> 00:17:13,033
LIKE GORGEOUS GEORGE WAS OR

534
00:17:13,033 --> 00:17:13,667
BUDDY ROGERS AT PLAYING THE

535
00:17:13,700 --> 00:17:14,534
ARROGANT ONCE YOU GOT IN THE

536
00:17:14,567 --> 00:17:15,769
RING.

537
00:17:15,802 --> 00:17:20,040
HE HAD THAT EDGE ABOUT HIM,

538
00:17:20,073 --> 00:17:21,207
THAT VERY ARROGANT EDGE THAT GOT

539
00:17:21,241 --> 00:17:23,043
PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, RILED AGAINST.

540
00:17:23,043 --> 00:17:25,478
HE WAS THE KIND OF WRESTLER

541
00:17:25,512 --> 00:17:26,179
YOU LOVE TO HATE.

542
00:17:26,212 --> 00:17:27,113
THERE WAS A GUY THAT I ALWAYS

543
00:17:27,147 --> 00:17:28,915
PERCEIVE AS A CLASS ACT.

544
00:17:28,948 --> 00:17:30,150
A CLASS ACT AS THE WORLD

545
00:17:30,183 --> 00:17:32,819
CHAMPION.

546
00:17:32,852 --> 00:17:34,287
HE WAS A CLASS ACT.

547
00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:36,790
HE WAS NOT A BIG, HUGE, MUSCULAR

548
00:17:36,823 --> 00:17:38,124
SPECIMEN BY ANY MEANS, BUT HE

549
00:17:38,158 --> 00:17:38,825
JUST--HE HAD THIS CERTAIN AIR

550
00:17:38,858 --> 00:17:39,893
ABOUT HIM.

551
00:17:39,926 --> 00:17:41,628
WHENEVER HE WAS THE AWA

552
00:17:41,661 --> 00:17:43,296
CHAMPION, HE WAS A VERY, VERY

553
00:17:43,329 --> 00:17:45,131
DISTINGUISHED LOOKING.

554
00:17:45,165 --> 00:17:46,166
CARRIED HIMSELF AT THE RING

555
00:17:46,199 --> 00:17:47,067
LIKE A TRUE PROFESSIONAL.

556
00:17:47,100 --> 00:17:48,068
I MEAN, WHEN YOU SAW THE GUY,

557
00:17:48,101 --> 00:17:48,935
YOU JUST KNEW THAT HE WAS THE

558
00:17:48,968 --> 00:17:50,437
REAL DEAL.

559
00:17:50,470 --> 00:17:52,639
HE LOOKED LIKE THE HOLLYWOOD

560
00:17:52,672 --> 00:17:55,342
TYPE THAT HE PORTRAYED.

561
00:17:55,375 --> 00:17:57,410
SPORTS CULTURE SUITS, BLONDE

562
00:17:57,444 --> 00:17:58,845
HAIR.

563
00:17:58,878 --> 00:18:00,046
HE WAS REALLY SMOOTH ON THE

564
00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:01,414
MIC, YOU KNOW, AND HE'S BIG ON

565
00:18:01,448 --> 00:18:04,684
WORDS THAT HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND

566
00:18:04,718 --> 00:18:05,685
AND NOBODY ELSE DID EITHER

567
00:18:05,719 --> 00:18:07,153
AND...

568
00:18:07,187 --> 00:18:08,755
PREDOMINANTLY ABOVE MY GREAT

569
00:18:08,788 --> 00:18:10,423
TALENT, MY SKILL, MY INTESTINAL

570
00:18:10,457 --> 00:18:12,258
FORTITUDE, MY GUT, MY CUNNING,

571
00:18:12,292 --> 00:18:15,795
IS MY INTELLIGENCE.

572
00:18:15,829 --> 00:18:16,896
THE GUY SPOKE VERY

573
00:18:16,930 --> 00:18:17,897
ELOQUENTLY.

574
00:18:17,931 --> 00:18:19,699
HE WAS EXCELLENT ON INTERVIEWS.

575
00:18:19,733 --> 00:18:21,301
AND COULD WORK AND GET THE

576
00:18:21,334 --> 00:18:22,602
POINT ACROSS AND TELL A GOOD

577
00:18:22,635 --> 00:18:25,505
STORY AND HAVE A GREAT MATCH.

578
00:18:25,538 --> 00:18:26,172
I WOULD PUT HIM UP THERE IN

579
00:18:26,206 --> 00:18:27,407
THE TOP FIVE OF ALL TIME THAT

580
00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:29,109
I'VE EVER WRESTLED.

581
00:18:29,142 --> 00:18:30,076
I THINK THE GUY WAS JUST GREAT.

582
00:18:30,110 --> 00:18:33,213
NICK BOCKWINKEL, TO ME IN THE

583
00:18:33,246 --> 00:18:35,048
AWA WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST

584
00:18:35,081 --> 00:18:38,184
PREMIERE GUYS ON THE ROSTER.

585
00:18:38,218 --> 00:18:45,058
[MUSIC]

586
00:18:45,091 --> 00:18:46,126
ALL TO [INDISTINCT]

587
00:18:46,159 --> 00:18:47,160
FOR THE LAST 17 YEARS OF MY

588
00:18:47,193 --> 00:18:48,795
CAREER IN THE AWA AND IT WAS

589
00:18:48,828 --> 00:18:53,066
TERRIFIC.

590
00:18:53,066 --> 00:18:56,369
ONCE YOU GOT USED TO HAVING OFF

591
00:18:56,403 --> 00:18:57,237
THREE AND HALF DAYS OF WEEK, IT

592
00:18:57,270 --> 00:19:00,006
WAS FUN.

593
00:19:00,006 --> 00:19:02,175
THEY WOULD RUN SHOWS ONCE A

594
00:19:02,208 --> 00:19:03,743
MONTH WHERE ALL OF THE OTHER

595
00:19:03,777 --> 00:19:04,711
AMERICA WAS RUNNING WEEKLY.

596
00:19:04,744 --> 00:19:06,379
AND HE PICKED HUGE CITIES THAT

597
00:19:06,413 --> 00:19:08,381
WOULDN'T SUPPORT A WEEKLY

598
00:19:08,415 --> 00:19:10,684
BUSINESS AND TURN THAT INTO A

599
00:19:10,717 --> 00:19:12,786
HUGELY SUCCESSFUL COMPANY BY

600
00:19:12,819 --> 00:19:13,853
RUNNING THEM ONCE A MONTH.

601
00:19:13,887 --> 00:19:15,722
HE WAS WAY AHEAD OF THE GAME FOR

602
00:19:15,755 --> 00:19:18,358
RUNNING BIG CITIES.

603
00:19:18,391 --> 00:19:20,660
WHEN I WORKED IN AWA, IT WAS

604
00:19:20,694 --> 00:19:21,828
ONE OF THE TERRITORIES FOR

605
00:19:21,861 --> 00:19:22,629
WORKING ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTER

606
00:19:22,662 --> 00:19:24,064
TIME.

607
00:19:24,097 --> 00:19:26,666
WINTER TIME WAS THE WRESTLING

608
00:19:26,700 --> 00:19:27,634
SEASON IN [INDISTINCT]

609
00:19:27,667 --> 00:19:28,902
THROUGH THE WINTER MONTHS,

610
00:19:28,935 --> 00:19:30,403
THOSE WERE THE BEST MONTHS OF

611
00:19:30,437 --> 00:19:32,238
THE YEAR.

612
00:19:32,272 --> 00:19:34,641
AND THE END OF APRIL WAS THE

613
00:19:34,674 --> 00:19:35,909
BEST CARDS OF THE YEAR.

614
00:19:35,942 --> 00:19:36,876
GAMES SELL OUT TO 25, 30,000

615
00:19:36,910 --> 00:19:38,912
[INDISTINCT]

616
00:19:38,945 --> 00:19:39,746
AND YOU AIM YOUR BIG MATCHES

617
00:19:39,779 --> 00:19:42,148
FOR THAT.

618
00:19:42,182 --> 00:19:43,049
FROM MAY TO ABOUT THE MIDDLE

619
00:19:43,049 --> 00:19:44,851
OF JUNE, WE TOOK TIME OFF AND

620
00:19:44,884 --> 00:19:45,719
THEN WE START TO BACK UP THE

621
00:19:45,752 --> 00:19:47,454
MAJOR CITIES.

622
00:19:47,487 --> 00:19:48,655
AND THEN IN OCTOBER, WE BROUGHT

623
00:19:48,688 --> 00:19:49,956
IN ANDRE THE GIANT, WE RAN

624
00:19:50,056 --> 00:19:52,258
BATTLE ROYALS.

625
00:19:52,292 --> 00:19:54,260
AND THEN WE RAN 30 TOWNS, I

626
00:19:54,294 --> 00:19:56,663
MEAN, FROM OCTOBER 1ST TO

627
00:19:56,696 --> 00:19:57,964
OCTOBER 30TH, YOU ARE WORKING

628
00:19:58,064 --> 00:20:00,066
EVERY NIGHT.

629
00:20:00,066 --> 00:20:01,167
AND THAT WAS MAJOR CITIES AND

630
00:20:01,201 --> 00:20:02,569
SMALL TOWNS.

631
00:20:02,602 --> 00:20:04,104
WE NEEDED ALL OF THEM TO MAKE

632
00:20:04,137 --> 00:20:06,206
THE TERRITORY WORK AND EVERYBODY

633
00:20:06,239 --> 00:20:08,508
MAKE A LIVING AND A PROMOTION TO

634
00:20:08,541 --> 00:20:10,477
SURVIVE.

635
00:20:10,510 --> 00:20:11,811
THERE WAS A LOT DRIVING.

636
00:20:11,845 --> 00:20:13,079
THERE WAS TWO OR THREE GUYS IN

637
00:20:13,113 --> 00:20:15,081
THE CAR THAT I GOT TO BE VERY

638
00:20:15,115 --> 00:20:16,182
GOOD FRIENDS AND SPEND MORE TIME

639
00:20:16,216 --> 00:20:17,751
WITH THEM THAN YOUR OWN FAMILY

640
00:20:17,784 --> 00:20:18,952
ACTUALLY.

641
00:20:18,985 --> 00:20:20,086
I THOUGH [INDISTINCT]

642
00:20:20,120 --> 00:20:21,087
WHEN DRIVE OFF THE EDGE WHEN

643
00:20:21,121 --> 00:20:22,255
THEY OUT THERE, I NEVER DROVE

644
00:20:22,288 --> 00:20:23,723
[INDISTINCT]

645
00:20:23,757 --> 00:20:26,459
IN MY LIFE.

646
00:20:26,493 --> 00:20:27,360
ALL THE WAY UP TO WINNIPEG, ALL

647
00:20:27,394 --> 00:20:28,962
THE WAY DOWN ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS,

648
00:20:28,995 --> 00:20:30,230
DOWN TO OMAHA.

649
00:20:30,263 --> 00:20:31,598
WE USED TO BE ON THE TRAVEL

650
00:20:31,631 --> 00:20:33,900
WITH SOME OF THE VETERANS AND

651
00:20:33,933 --> 00:20:35,502
YOU WERE TALKED WRESTLING ALL

652
00:20:35,535 --> 00:20:37,103
THE WAY DOWN.

653
00:20:37,137 --> 00:20:39,005
SO, YOU WOULD REALLY LEARN THE

654
00:20:39,039 --> 00:20:40,774
WHOLE CONCEPT OF PROFESSIONAL

655
00:20:40,807 --> 00:20:42,108
WRESTLING AND WHAT IT WAS ALL

656
00:20:42,142 --> 00:20:43,777
ABOUT.

657
00:20:43,810 --> 00:20:45,278
WE HAD A TOP TALENT, GREAT

658
00:20:45,311 --> 00:20:47,113
WRESTLERS.

659
00:20:47,147 --> 00:20:48,481
WE HAD A GOOD PROMOTIONALLY

660
00:20:48,515 --> 00:20:51,651
DEPARTMENT, STRONG TELEVISION.

661
00:20:51,685 --> 00:20:52,886
AND WE HAD A GUY LIKE VERNE

662
00:20:52,919 --> 00:20:54,654
GAGNE WHO REALLY KNEW WRESTLING

663
00:20:54,688 --> 00:20:56,423
AND WE HAD ALL OF THE RIGHT

664
00:20:56,456 --> 00:21:00,260
ELEMENTS TO MAKE THE AWA THE

665
00:21:00,293 --> 00:21:03,396
PREMIERE WRESTLING PROMOTIONS.

666
00:21:03,430 --> 00:21:04,831
WE WERE THE HIGHEST RATED

667
00:21:04,864 --> 00:21:07,801
TELEVISION SHOW.

668
00:21:07,834 --> 00:21:09,069
ONE SHOW BEAT US AND THAT WAS 60

669
00:21:09,069 --> 00:21:11,204
MINUTES.

670
00:21:11,237 --> 00:21:12,739
THEY HAD THE 65 SHARE OF THE

671
00:21:12,772 --> 00:21:15,542
AUDIENCE.

672
00:21:15,575 --> 00:21:18,578
WE HAD THE 64 SHARE.

673
00:21:18,611 --> 00:21:19,713
OUR RATINGS RANGE FROM A 22 TO A

674
00:21:19,746 --> 00:21:21,114
27 RATING.

675
00:21:21,147 --> 00:21:22,148
YOU DON'T EVEN HEAR RATINGS LIKE

676
00:21:22,182 --> 00:21:22,782
THAT.

677
00:21:22,816 --> 00:21:23,583
WE HAD THOSE SAME NUMBERS IN

678
00:21:23,616 --> 00:21:24,718
CHICAGO, IN DENVER, IN

679
00:21:24,751 --> 00:21:26,252
MILWAUKEE, IN OMAHA, IN GREEN

680
00:21:26,286 --> 00:21:28,655
BAY, AND IN WINNIPEG.

681
00:21:28,688 --> 00:21:30,990
VERNE PRODUCED A TV SHOW AND GOT

682
00:21:31,091 --> 00:21:32,359
THE TV SCORES.

683
00:21:32,392 --> 00:21:33,093
HE BROUGHT WRESTLING TO

684
00:21:33,126 --> 00:21:34,494
TELEVISION AND LEGITIMIZED THE

685
00:21:34,527 --> 00:21:39,799
SPORT.

686
00:21:39,833 --> 00:21:41,401
THE AWA, AS FAR AS I KNOW,

687
00:21:41,434 --> 00:21:43,603
WAS ONE OF THE FIRST WRESTLING

688
00:21:43,636 --> 00:21:46,439
PROMOTIONS TO DO BIG

689
00:21:46,473 --> 00:21:51,378
EXTRAVAGANZA WRESTLING AND IN

690
00:21:51,411 --> 00:21:53,780
THE BIG OUTDOOR BALL FIELDS.

691
00:21:53,813 --> 00:21:54,781
THE AWA AGAIN AND VERNE WAS

692
00:21:54,814 --> 00:21:56,216
INSTRUMENTAL IN THIS KIND OF A

693
00:21:56,249 --> 00:21:58,118
FORMAT.

694
00:21:58,118 --> 00:21:59,586
LARGE CROWDS, NO MATTER

695
00:21:59,619 --> 00:22:02,355
WHERE, IT'S AN UPPER AND WHEN

696
00:22:02,389 --> 00:22:04,057
YOU GO OUT THERE AND YOU'VE GOT

697
00:22:04,057 --> 00:22:05,959
25, 30,000 PEOPLE THAT ARE

698
00:22:06,059 --> 00:22:07,961
WATCHING YOU, YOU'RE PUSHING,

699
00:22:08,061 --> 00:22:09,696
YOU'RE PUTTING OUT, YOU'RE

700
00:22:09,729 --> 00:22:11,664
BUSTING YOUR BUTT, BECAUSE YOU

701
00:22:11,698 --> 00:22:14,300
HAVE--IT'S JUST BASICALLY SELF

702
00:22:14,334 --> 00:22:16,770
PRIDE AS A PROFESSIONAL.

703
00:22:16,803 --> 00:22:17,837
IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT, GET OUT

704
00:22:17,871 --> 00:22:18,905
OF IT.

705
00:22:18,938 --> 00:22:23,209
YOU'RE IN THE WRONG BUSINESS.

706
00:22:23,243 --> 00:22:24,544
WE'RE NOT GOING TO GRADUATE

707
00:22:24,577 --> 00:22:26,546
TO THE RING TO A STYLE OF

708
00:22:26,579 --> 00:22:27,580
WRESTLING THAT HAS EVOLVED HERE

709
00:22:27,614 --> 00:22:28,815
IN AMERICA OVER THE LAST 40

710
00:22:28,848 --> 00:22:30,884
YEARS, IS THE VELOCITY OF

711
00:22:30,917 --> 00:22:32,085
WRESTLING CALLED PROFESSIONAL

712
00:22:32,118 --> 00:22:33,353
WRESTLING.

713
00:22:33,386 --> 00:22:34,954
VERNE WANTED TO DO A MOVIE ON

714
00:22:34,988 --> 00:22:38,525
PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING.

715
00:22:38,558 --> 00:22:39,492
HE MADE SOME CONTACTS IN

716
00:22:39,526 --> 00:22:41,094
HOLLYWOOD, THEY LIKED THE IDEA,

717
00:22:41,094 --> 00:22:43,963
PUT THE WHOLE THING TOGETHER.

718
00:22:43,997 --> 00:22:45,265
IT WAS A PRETTY DAMN GOOD MOVIE,

719
00:22:45,298 --> 00:22:48,735
REALLY.

720
00:22:48,768 --> 00:22:50,503
AND IT WAS QUITE SUCCESSFUL.

721
00:22:50,537 --> 00:22:51,738
IT WAS WRESTLING AND HE

722
00:22:51,771 --> 00:22:54,207
WANTED TO TELL THE STORY OF THE

723
00:22:54,240 --> 00:22:57,744
BUILD UP TO A MATCH.

724
00:22:57,777 --> 00:22:59,512
AND THE MATCH WAS HIM AND BILLY

725
00:22:59,546 --> 00:23:01,314
ROBINSON.

726
00:23:01,348 --> 00:23:02,482
HI, BILLY.

727
00:23:02,515 --> 00:23:03,249
HI, VERNE.

728
00:23:03,283 --> 00:23:04,284
WELL, HERE I AM.

729
00:23:04,317 --> 00:23:06,720
WHAT'S UP?

730
00:23:06,753 --> 00:23:11,358
MIKE, I WANNA MATCH WITH YOU.

731
00:23:11,391 --> 00:23:13,626
NO WAY.

732
00:23:13,660 --> 00:23:15,495
THAT WAS HIS IDEA AND HE GOT

733
00:23:15,528 --> 00:23:16,663
IT ON THE SCREEN.

734
00:23:16,696 --> 00:23:17,831
WE'RE GONNA BE THE CHAMPIONS

735
00:23:17,864 --> 00:23:18,965
OF THE WORLD, WE'RE GONNA BEAT

736
00:23:19,065 --> 00:23:21,134
CRUSH AND WE'RE GONNA BE SO BAD

737
00:23:21,167 --> 00:23:22,335
THAT THE WHOLE TOWN'S GONNA

738
00:23:22,369 --> 00:23:24,070
STAND UP AND SAY, "WE ARE WITH

739
00:23:24,104 --> 00:23:24,804
YOU, RHODES.

740
00:23:24,838 --> 00:23:25,939
WE ARE WITH YOU, MURDOCH.

741
00:23:25,972 --> 00:23:27,073
WE'LL GO WHATEVER YOU GOT IT.

742
00:23:27,073 --> 00:23:28,975
YOU GOT IT, YOU GOT IT."

743
00:23:29,075 --> 00:23:30,176
WELL, FANS YOU'VE HEARD DIRTY

744
00:23:30,210 --> 00:23:31,611
DUSTY RHODES AND DICK MURDOCH

745
00:23:31,644 --> 00:23:32,846
TALKING ABOUT THEIR MATCH.

746
00:23:32,879 --> 00:23:33,480
ANYTIME, YOU CAN STEP OUT OR

747
00:23:33,513 --> 00:23:36,349
THINK OUT OF THE BOX AND GET

748
00:23:36,383 --> 00:23:38,818
YOUR TALENT INVOLVED AND NOW,

749
00:23:38,852 --> 00:23:40,086
THE MEDIA IS PART OF THE

750
00:23:40,086 --> 00:23:41,388
PICTURE.

751
00:23:41,421 --> 00:23:42,455
...PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING IN

752
00:23:42,489 --> 00:23:43,790
PAIN AND BLOOD AND [INDISTINCT]

753
00:23:43,823 --> 00:23:46,092
AND BROKEN BONES, AND

754
00:23:46,126 --> 00:23:48,294
HEADACHES, THEN BACKACHES, AND

755
00:23:48,328 --> 00:23:49,295
PAIN.

756
00:23:49,329 --> 00:23:52,098
MCDANIEL, YOU ARE GOING TO--YOU

757
00:23:52,098 --> 00:23:52,966
ARE GOING TO EXPERIENCE PAIN,

758
00:23:52,999 --> 00:23:54,100
I'M BUSTING YOU ON THE FIFTH...

759
00:23:54,100 --> 00:23:55,201
VERNE KNEW WHAT HE WANTED.

760
00:23:55,235 --> 00:23:56,369
HE UNDERSTOOD WRESTLING, HE

761
00:23:56,403 --> 00:23:58,438
UNDERSTOOD TELEVISION, HE KNEW

762
00:23:58,471 --> 00:23:59,673
PROMOTION, HE WAS A GOOD

763
00:23:59,706 --> 00:24:01,775
BUSINESSMAN.

764
00:24:01,808 --> 00:24:04,110
YOU KNOW, VERNE HAD TELEVISION

765
00:24:04,144 --> 00:24:05,512
DEALS AND HE WAS BUSY SETTING UP

766
00:24:05,545 --> 00:24:06,446
THE TV NETWORK AND DOING ALL

767
00:24:06,479 --> 00:24:07,881
THAT.

768
00:24:07,914 --> 00:24:09,049
THAT WAS HIS, YOU KNOW, FORTE,

769
00:24:09,049 --> 00:24:12,152
IF YOU WILL.

770
00:24:12,185 --> 00:24:15,555
THE AWA WAS FOR CERTAIN UP IN

771
00:24:15,588 --> 00:24:18,291
THE WEST PART OF THE COUNTRY.

772
00:24:18,324 --> 00:24:25,065
NWA WAS PRETTY MUCH DOWN SOUTH,

773
00:24:25,065 --> 00:24:25,699
GO OUT TO THE WEST.

774
00:24:25,732 --> 00:24:26,599
AND THEN OF COURSE, WWWE WAS

775
00:24:26,633 --> 00:24:28,735
WHAT I CALL THE NORTHEAST

776
00:24:28,768 --> 00:24:32,672
TRIANGLE, PITTSBURGH, WASHINGTON

777
00:24:32,706 --> 00:24:33,340
MAIN.

778
00:24:33,373 --> 00:24:35,842
AND THOSE WERE THE PLACES THAT

779
00:24:35,875 --> 00:24:37,811
ENCOMPASSED, YOU KNOW, ALL OF

780
00:24:37,844 --> 00:24:40,714
THOSE THREE ORGANIZATIONS.

781
00:24:40,747 --> 00:24:44,084
WWWE WAS THE PINNACLE BUT IF

782
00:24:44,084 --> 00:24:44,718
AWA WAS UNDERNEATH THAT, IT

783
00:24:44,751 --> 00:24:47,387
WASN'T BY MUCH IN THE '70S.

784
00:24:47,420 --> 00:24:48,088
IF YOU WANTED TO GET

785
00:24:48,088 --> 00:24:49,489
TELEVISION EXPOSURE AND YOU

786
00:24:49,522 --> 00:24:51,124
WANTED TO MAKE MONEY, AND YOU

787
00:24:51,157 --> 00:24:53,360
WANTED TO BECOME A STAR, IF YOU

788
00:24:53,393 --> 00:24:55,762
WILL, YOU CAME TO MINNESOTA, YOU

789
00:24:55,795 --> 00:24:59,099
CAME TO VERNE, AND VERNE HAD HIS

790
00:24:59,132 --> 00:25:00,367
TRAINING CAMP.

791
00:25:00,400 --> 00:25:02,769
VERNE TRAINED--I COULD SIT HERE

792
00:25:02,802 --> 00:25:03,503
FOR AN HOUR AND NAME ALL THE

793
00:25:03,536 --> 00:25:05,205
WRESTLERS THAT VERNE TRAINED AT

794
00:25:05,238 --> 00:25:07,073
HIS TRAINING CAMP.

795
00:25:07,107 --> 00:25:08,708
AWA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME

796
00:25:08,742 --> 00:25:14,381
OF THE BIGGEST STARS EVER, EVER.

797
00:25:14,414 --> 00:25:15,682
STEVENS AND PATTERSON ARE

798
00:25:15,715 --> 00:25:17,517
GONNA GO ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP,

799
00:25:17,550 --> 00:25:19,552
THE WORLD'S TAG TEAM CHAMPION.

800
00:25:19,586 --> 00:25:20,420
YOU KNOW, RAY STEVENS, PAT

801
00:25:20,453 --> 00:25:22,055
PATTERSON, DUSTY RHODES, I MEAN

802
00:25:22,055 --> 00:25:24,491
THE--IT'S A WHO'S WHO LIST OF

803
00:25:24,524 --> 00:25:26,426
PEOPLE THAT MADE THIS BUSINESS.

804
00:25:26,459 --> 00:25:27,961
TIGHT ORGANIZATION, WHO RUN

805
00:25:28,061 --> 00:25:29,696
THE CORRECT WAY.

806
00:25:29,729 --> 00:25:31,464
TALENT, OH, MY GOD, BETTER THAN

807
00:25:31,498 --> 00:25:34,134
NEW YORK THIS TIME.

808
00:25:34,167 --> 00:25:34,868
THE TALENT WAS TWICE AS GOOD AS

809
00:25:34,901 --> 00:25:35,402
NEW YORK THIS TIME.

810
00:25:35,435 --> 00:25:38,271
PEDRO MORALES.

811
00:25:38,304 --> 00:25:39,439
HE'S HANDPICKED THE--PICKED

812
00:25:39,472 --> 00:25:40,206
ALL THE GOOD STUFF, YOU KNOW.

813
00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:42,375
HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING.

814
00:25:42,409 --> 00:25:44,144
I THINK VERNE HAD A GREAT EYE

815
00:25:44,177 --> 00:25:46,446
FOR TALENT AND A GREAT EYE FOR

816
00:25:46,479 --> 00:25:48,648
THE ATHLETE.

817
00:25:48,682 --> 00:25:51,484
AND I THINK ALSO HE WAS PROBABLY

818
00:25:51,518 --> 00:25:53,253
UNDERRATED HIS HAVING AN EYE FOR

819
00:25:53,286 --> 00:25:56,423
THE SIZZLE.

820
00:25:56,456 --> 00:25:57,323
BUT WHEN YOU LOOK BACK TO GUYS

821
00:25:57,357 --> 00:25:58,625
LIKE HULK HOGAN AND JESSE "THE

822
00:25:58,658 --> 00:26:00,927
BODY" VENTURA, AND BOBBY "THE

823
00:26:01,027 --> 00:26:02,929
BRAIN" HEENAN, THAT WERE GREAT

824
00:26:03,029 --> 00:26:04,330
SPORTS ENTERTAINERS IN THEIR

825
00:26:04,364 --> 00:26:06,800
DAY, ALL LARGELY ESTABLISHED

826
00:26:06,833 --> 00:26:10,537
THEIR ROOTS IN MINNEAPOLIS.

827
00:26:10,570 --> 00:26:14,040
IF YOU TRAIN UP THERE, PEOPLE

828
00:26:14,074 --> 00:26:14,708
KNEW THAT YOU CAME OUT READY TO

829
00:26:14,741 --> 00:26:16,276
ROCK AND ROLL.

830
00:26:16,309 --> 00:26:18,244
I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT MUSICALLY,

831
00:26:18,278 --> 00:26:19,045
I MEAN THEY KNEW THAT YOU HAD

832
00:26:19,079 --> 00:26:21,081
SOUND FUNDAMENTALS, AND WERE

833
00:26:21,114 --> 00:26:25,819
TAUGHT THE BUSINESS RIGHT.

834
00:26:25,852 --> 00:26:27,387
AND HE WAS MAKING NEW SHOW

835
00:26:27,420 --> 00:26:29,489
YOUR INTENSE DEDICATION TO THE

836
00:26:29,522 --> 00:26:31,725
GAME.

837
00:26:31,758 --> 00:26:33,426
AND IT WAS PART OF THE PRICE

838
00:26:33,460 --> 00:26:34,060
YOU'RE GONNA PAY TO GET INTO THE

839
00:26:34,094 --> 00:26:35,061
CLUB.

840
00:26:35,061 --> 00:26:36,062
COMING TO TRAIN BASICALLY

841
00:26:36,096 --> 00:26:38,698
MEANT COME ON, AND GET THE

842
00:26:38,732 --> 00:26:39,799
LIVING -- KICKED OUT OF YOU.

843
00:26:39,833 --> 00:26:41,101
WE WOULD DO SIX HOURS A DAY,

844
00:26:41,134 --> 00:26:43,803
SIX DAYS A WEEK.

845
00:26:43,837 --> 00:26:45,438
AND WE WORKED OUT ON A FARM MY

846
00:26:45,472 --> 00:26:48,241
DAD HAD ON CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA

847
00:26:48,274 --> 00:26:49,209
AND YOU CAN IMAGINE IN

848
00:26:49,242 --> 00:26:52,178
MINNESOTA, THE END OF NOVEMBER

849
00:26:52,212 --> 00:26:53,880
AND THROUGH DECEMBER WHEN WE

850
00:26:53,913 --> 00:26:55,749
TRAINED WHAT IT WAS LIKE IN

851
00:26:55,782 --> 00:26:56,916
THERE.

852
00:26:56,950 --> 00:26:59,652
EVERYBODY THAT CAME OUT OF THAT

853
00:26:59,686 --> 00:27:00,820
CAMP WAS SUCCESSFUL AND MADE

854
00:27:00,854 --> 00:27:02,489
MONEY IN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING.

855
00:27:02,522 --> 00:27:03,623
YOU GOT TO KNOW HOW TO FALL,

856
00:27:03,656 --> 00:27:04,691
IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO FALL,

857
00:27:04,724 --> 00:27:06,026
YOU'RE GONNA GET HURT, AND IF

858
00:27:06,026 --> 00:27:07,494
YOU'RE HURT YOU CAN'T WRESTLE,

859
00:27:07,527 --> 00:27:08,728
AND IF YOU CAN'T WRESTLE YOU

860
00:27:08,762 --> 00:27:10,630
DON'T EAT.

861
00:27:10,663 --> 00:27:13,166
IT'S THAT SIMPLE.

862
00:27:13,199 --> 00:27:14,734
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE

863
00:27:14,768 --> 00:27:16,102
WOULD SAY THEY WERE ALMOST

864
00:27:16,136 --> 00:27:16,770
BARBARIC IN THE SENSE BUT IF YOU

865
00:27:16,803 --> 00:27:17,404
LOOK AT THE SUCCESS RIGHT, IF

866
00:27:17,437 --> 00:27:19,272
YOU LOOK IN THE BOTTOM LINE,

867
00:27:19,305 --> 00:27:20,573
YOU'D HAVE TO SAY HE WAS ONE OF

868
00:27:20,607 --> 00:27:24,744
THE BEST.

869
00:27:24,778 --> 00:27:26,446
HE COULD TAKE AN INDIVIDUAL

870
00:27:26,479 --> 00:27:29,683
AND KNOW HOW TO BUILD THEM INTO

871
00:27:29,716 --> 00:27:31,851
A STAR, THEY ALL BECAME STARS.

872
00:27:31,885 --> 00:27:33,486
FROM ALGERIA, MAD DOG VACHON,

873
00:27:33,520 --> 00:27:36,122
MAD DOG VACHON.

874
00:27:36,156 --> 00:27:38,158
MAD DOG VACHON, 10 YEARS OF

875
00:27:38,191 --> 00:27:39,325
PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING NEVER

876
00:27:39,359 --> 00:27:41,494
MADE IT, BUT TO GET OUT HIS

877
00:27:41,528 --> 00:27:44,230
BACKGROUND AND WHERE HE CAME

878
00:27:44,264 --> 00:27:46,166
FROM, WHERE HIS FAMILY CAME FROM

879
00:27:46,199 --> 00:27:47,367
AND WHAT HE DID, MY FATHER

880
00:27:47,400 --> 00:27:49,669
HELPED BRING THAT OUT.

881
00:27:49,703 --> 00:27:51,404
I SAID TO MYSELF, DEEP DOWN

882
00:27:51,438 --> 00:27:53,373
IN THE MIND, DEEP DOWN WHERE IT

883
00:27:53,406 --> 00:27:56,743
WAS DARK, AND COOL.

884
00:27:56,776 --> 00:27:58,078
I SAID, "WOULDN'T THAT BE A NICE

885
00:27:58,111 --> 00:27:58,778
PLACE FOR SOMEONE LIKE

886
00:27:58,812 --> 00:28:00,547
BLACKWELL?"

887
00:28:00,580 --> 00:28:02,349
THAT'S WHERE I HAD THE IDEA OF

888
00:28:02,382 --> 00:28:05,685
BUILDING THIS PINE BOX.

889
00:28:05,719 --> 00:28:07,620
AND MAD DOG WAS--HE WAS A

890
00:28:07,654 --> 00:28:09,556
FREAKING LUNATIC.

891
00:28:09,589 --> 00:28:12,025
HERE COMES THE CRUSHER.

892
00:28:12,025 --> 00:28:15,528
CRUSHER WAS PROBABLY THE MOST

893
00:28:15,562 --> 00:28:18,498
UNIQUE WRESTLER EVER.

894
00:28:18,531 --> 00:28:19,265
DOES HE KNOW THAT I WON MR.

895
00:28:19,299 --> 00:28:20,033
SALOON 10 YEARS IN A ROW IN

896
00:28:20,033 --> 00:28:21,034
MILWAUKEE?

897
00:28:21,067 --> 00:28:22,102
WAIT A MINUTE.

898
00:28:22,135 --> 00:28:22,836
WHAT ARE YOU, SOME CRUMP ON

899
00:28:22,869 --> 00:28:23,603
ME FOOLING AROUND?

900
00:28:23,636 --> 00:28:25,438
TEN YEARS IN A ROW THE TITLE

901
00:28:25,472 --> 00:28:26,606
OF MR. SALOON?

902
00:28:26,639 --> 00:28:28,041
THAT'S RIGHT.

903
00:28:28,041 --> 00:28:29,175
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

904
00:28:29,209 --> 00:28:29,943
THAT MEANS THAT I'M THE BEST

905
00:28:30,043 --> 00:28:31,244
IN THE WORLD.

906
00:28:31,277 --> 00:28:33,146
THAT TITLE HAS RECOGNIZED MORE

907
00:28:33,179 --> 00:28:34,414
THAN ANY TITLE IN THE WORLD, BUT

908
00:28:34,447 --> 00:28:36,916
YOU CAN'T MESS WITH MR. SALOON,

909
00:28:36,950 --> 00:28:37,650
YOU GOT TO DO A LOT OF THINGS TO

910
00:28:37,684 --> 00:28:38,852
DO THAT.

911
00:28:38,885 --> 00:28:39,953
YOU GOT TO BE THE POLKA, YOU GOT

912
00:28:40,053 --> 00:28:41,054
TO BE ABLE TO [INDISTINCT]

913
00:28:41,054 --> 00:28:41,788
THE SALOON, THERE'S A LOT

914
00:28:41,821 --> 00:28:43,089
INVOLVED.

915
00:28:43,123 --> 00:28:44,557
HE LIKES TO GO IN THE BARS AT

916
00:28:44,591 --> 00:28:46,559
NIGHT AND DRINK BEER, AND HE

917
00:28:46,593 --> 00:28:48,094
WOULD TRAIN WITH THE KEG OF BEER

918
00:28:48,128 --> 00:28:49,696
ON HIS SHOULDER.

919
00:28:49,729 --> 00:28:50,864
WELL, WHEN MY FATHER BROUGHT

920
00:28:50,897 --> 00:28:52,799
THAT INTERVIEW OUT OF HIM AND

921
00:28:52,832 --> 00:28:53,967
WHO HE REALLY WAS, HE BECAME A

922
00:28:54,067 --> 00:28:56,736
SUPERSTAR.

923
00:28:56,770 --> 00:28:58,905
THE CLAWMASTER, BARON VON

924
00:28:58,938 --> 00:28:59,839
RASCHKE, VON RASCHKE.

925
00:28:59,873 --> 00:29:03,309
BARON VON RASCHKE, VERY SHY

926
00:29:03,343 --> 00:29:05,378
INDIVIDUAL, VERNE HELPED BRING

927
00:29:05,412 --> 00:29:07,914
HIS PERSONALITY OUT.

928
00:29:08,014 --> 00:29:09,149
THE CLAWMASTER, BARON VON

929
00:29:09,182 --> 00:29:10,283
RASCHKE, BIG, ROUGH, TOUGH,

930
00:29:10,316 --> 00:29:12,052
RUGGED.

931
00:29:12,085 --> 00:29:13,720
HE IS AN EXCELLENT WRESTLER

932
00:29:13,753 --> 00:29:15,288
WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT.

933
00:29:15,321 --> 00:29:17,023
THE CAST, THE CAST ON HIS ARM

934
00:29:17,023 --> 00:29:20,660
WAS MADE OUT OF CEMENT.

935
00:29:20,694 --> 00:29:22,462
IT LOOKS LIKE A BRICK, LIKE

936
00:29:22,495 --> 00:29:25,598
HITTING A MAN WITH A BRICK.

937
00:29:25,632 --> 00:29:26,733
AND THAT IS ALL THE PEOPLE NEED

938
00:29:26,766 --> 00:29:28,702
TO KNOW.

939
00:29:28,735 --> 00:29:29,769
FROM THE GREAT STATE OF

940
00:29:29,803 --> 00:29:32,539
TEXAS, DICK MURDOCH AND DIRTY

941
00:29:32,572 --> 00:29:34,107
DUSTY RHODES.

942
00:29:34,140 --> 00:29:37,177
DUSTY RHODES, DICK MURDOCH

943
00:29:37,210 --> 00:29:39,546
CAME UP FROM SAN ANTONIO, THEY

944
00:29:39,579 --> 00:29:41,181
MADE NOTHING BUT MONEY HERE.

945
00:29:41,214 --> 00:29:43,416
THEY GIVE THEIR [INDISTINCT]

946
00:29:43,450 --> 00:29:44,384
TO GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY

947
00:29:44,417 --> 00:29:45,485
WANTED TO SEE.

948
00:29:45,518 --> 00:29:47,187
THEY WANTED TO SEE THOSE

949
00:29:47,220 --> 00:29:48,054
VILLAINS GET THROWN AROUND AND

950
00:29:48,054 --> 00:29:49,356
GET THE DARK CRAP BEAT OUT OF

951
00:29:49,389 --> 00:29:51,224
THEM.

952
00:29:51,257 --> 00:29:52,359
THERE WERE SO MANY DIFFERENT

953
00:29:52,392 --> 00:29:54,227
GUYS THAT KNEW THEIR PART, AND

954
00:29:54,260 --> 00:29:56,062
KNEW WHAT WAS REQUIRED AND GAVE

955
00:29:56,062 --> 00:29:59,632
WHAT THEY PEOPLE WANTED TO SEE.

956
00:29:59,666 --> 00:30:01,735
THEY CALL HIM THE CRIPPLER,

957
00:30:01,768 --> 00:30:03,203
RAY STEVENS.

958
00:30:03,236 --> 00:30:04,270
WHAT A GREAT PERFORMER RAY

959
00:30:04,304 --> 00:30:06,106
STEVENS WAS.

960
00:30:06,139 --> 00:30:07,307
HE WAS DOING THINGS THAT OTHER

961
00:30:07,340 --> 00:30:08,975
GUYS DIDN'T DO AT THE TIME.

962
00:30:09,009 --> 00:30:10,343
HE WAS JUST THE NATURAL.

963
00:30:10,377 --> 00:30:11,578
HE INSTINCTIVELY DID THE RIGHT

964
00:30:11,611 --> 00:30:13,913
THING THAT THE RIGHT MOMENT.

965
00:30:13,947 --> 00:30:15,949
HE WAS LIKE A CAT.

966
00:30:15,982 --> 00:30:18,551
ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE.

967
00:30:18,585 --> 00:30:19,519
MANAGER BOBBY "THE BRAIN"

968
00:30:19,552 --> 00:30:22,088
HEENAN.

969
00:30:22,122 --> 00:30:24,290
AND BOBBY HEENAN WAS THE

970
00:30:24,324 --> 00:30:25,859
GREATEST MANAGER OF ALL TIME,

971
00:30:25,892 --> 00:30:27,327
BAR NONE.

972
00:30:27,360 --> 00:30:29,696
HE WAS THE BEST.

973
00:30:29,729 --> 00:30:30,864
MY FATHER STUCK BOBBY HEENAN

974
00:30:30,897 --> 00:30:34,034
WITH NICK BOCKWINKEL.

975
00:30:34,067 --> 00:30:35,035
AND HE BROUGHT ANOTHER LOOK TO

976
00:30:35,068 --> 00:30:36,369
BOCKWINKEL THAT JUST ELEVATED

977
00:30:36,403 --> 00:30:37,470
HIM TO THAT NEXT LEVEL.

978
00:30:37,504 --> 00:30:40,273
EVERYBODY KNOWS I'M GORGEOUS,

979
00:30:40,306 --> 00:30:42,108
PRETTY, BEAUTIFUL, WHATEVER YOU

980
00:30:42,142 --> 00:30:44,210
WANNA CALL ME BUT NOW I HAVE A

981
00:30:44,244 --> 00:30:45,478
BRAIN, A BRAIN NOBODY'S EVER

982
00:30:45,512 --> 00:30:47,580
TALKED ABOUT BEFORE, YOU CAN

983
00:30:47,614 --> 00:30:48,348
REFER TO ME FROM NOW ON AS BOBBY

984
00:30:48,381 --> 00:30:49,516
"THE BRILLIANT ONE" HEENAN.

985
00:30:49,549 --> 00:30:50,917
AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED,

986
00:30:50,950 --> 00:30:53,720
BOBBY HEENAN IS BUT OF A

987
00:30:53,753 --> 00:30:55,588
[INDISTINCT]

988
00:30:55,622 --> 00:30:57,657
OF A STEP BEHIND RAY STEVENS.

989
00:30:57,691 --> 00:30:58,358
BUT HE WAS SUCH AN OUTSTANDING

990
00:30:58,391 --> 00:30:59,125
MANAGER, EVERYBODY THINKS OF HIM

991
00:30:59,159 --> 00:31:01,161
AS A MANAGER.

992
00:31:01,194 --> 00:31:02,662
BOBBY COULD REPLACE ME IN ANY

993
00:31:02,696 --> 00:31:04,197
MATCH ON THE BUILDING WOULD BE

994
00:31:04,230 --> 00:31:06,733
JUST AS WILD.

995
00:31:06,766 --> 00:31:08,234
BOBBY COULD REPLACE RAY IN ANY

996
00:31:08,268 --> 00:31:10,070
MATCH AND THE BUILDING WOULD BE

997
00:31:10,070 --> 00:31:11,771
JUST AS WILD.

998
00:31:11,805 --> 00:31:13,840
BUT I COULDN'T DO WHAT BOBBY DID

999
00:31:13,873 --> 00:31:14,808
AND RAY COULDN'T DO WHAT BOBBY

1000
00:31:14,841 --> 00:31:16,309
DID.

1001
00:31:16,343 --> 00:31:16,910
HERE IN THE RING NOW WITH A

1002
00:31:16,943 --> 00:31:18,078
PROFESSIONAL.

1003
00:31:18,111 --> 00:31:19,079
I'M GONNA GO BEHIND THAT MAN SO

1004
00:31:19,112 --> 00:31:19,946
MUCH HE'S GONNA THINK HE'S STUCK

1005
00:31:19,979 --> 00:31:21,247
IN A REVOLVING DOOR.

1006
00:31:21,281 --> 00:31:22,449
I'M GONNA TAKE HIM DOWN, TAKE

1007
00:31:22,482 --> 00:31:23,483
HIM AROUND, SHOW HIM THE TOWN.

1008
00:31:23,516 --> 00:31:25,085
I'M GONNA REVERSE, NECK SNAP HIS

1009
00:31:25,085 --> 00:31:26,286
NECK.

1010
00:31:26,319 --> 00:31:27,287
I'M GONNA DISLOCATED BOTH OF HIS

1011
00:31:27,320 --> 00:31:29,089
SHOULDERS, THEN I MIGHT JUST

1012
00:31:29,089 --> 00:31:29,789
PAINT BRUSH UNTIL MY HANDS ARE

1013
00:31:29,823 --> 00:31:31,191
SWOLLEN SHUT.

1014
00:31:31,224 --> 00:31:32,525
BOBBY WAS THE GREATEST

1015
00:31:32,559 --> 00:31:34,160
AD-LIBBER EVER.

1016
00:31:34,194 --> 00:31:36,529
HE WAS SHARP LIKE THAT, HE WOULD

1017
00:31:36,563 --> 00:31:38,698
COME ON AND DO AN INTERVIEW AND

1018
00:31:38,732 --> 00:31:39,566
LAM AWAY, AND FANTASTIC IN THE

1019
00:31:39,599 --> 00:31:43,236
RING.

1020
00:31:43,269 --> 00:31:44,938
THEY CALLED HIM THE WEASEL.

1021
00:31:44,971 --> 00:31:49,743
HE IS--AS A MAN [INDISTINCT]

1022
00:31:49,776 --> 00:31:52,746
THE CRUSHER STARTED

1023
00:31:52,779 --> 00:31:57,017
AT--CALLING HIM THE WEASEL AND

1024
00:31:57,117 --> 00:31:57,717
IT WAS GREAT, JUST FABULOUS.

1025
00:31:57,751 --> 00:32:01,488
THE HIGH FLYERS, JIM

1026
00:32:01,521 --> 00:32:04,391
BRUNZELL, GREG GAGNE.

1027
00:32:04,424 --> 00:32:05,525
WHEN THEY PUT GREG AND I

1028
00:32:05,558 --> 00:32:06,159
TOGETHER AS THE HIGH FLYERS, WE

1029
00:32:06,192 --> 00:32:06,726
HAD ONE GOOD MATCH AFTER

1030
00:32:06,760 --> 00:32:07,594
ANOTHER.

1031
00:32:07,627 --> 00:32:08,695
AND THE PEOPLE RECEIVED US, YOU

1032
00:32:08,728 --> 00:32:10,130
KNOW, I MEAN IT WAS INCREDIBLE.

1033
00:32:10,163 --> 00:32:11,264
WE WERE FLYING AND DROPKICKING,

1034
00:32:11,297 --> 00:32:13,733
AND HEADSCISSORING, AND THEN WE

1035
00:32:13,767 --> 00:32:15,201
SORT OF GREW AND FOLLOWING AND

1036
00:32:15,235 --> 00:32:17,871
THEN--AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, FOR

1037
00:32:17,904 --> 00:32:19,873
FIVE OR SIX YEARS.

1038
00:32:19,906 --> 00:32:21,274
I MEAN WE HAD A HECK OF A TRACK

1039
00:32:21,307 --> 00:32:24,377
RECORD.

1040
00:32:24,411 --> 00:32:25,645
YOU SEE GENE OKERLUND, LET'S

1041
00:32:25,679 --> 00:32:27,247
GO TO HIM.

1042
00:32:27,280 --> 00:32:28,415
YOU KNOW, LET'S TAKE A LOOK

1043
00:32:28,448 --> 00:32:29,182
AT THE SIZE OF YOUR HAND.

1044
00:32:29,215 --> 00:32:32,085
I WANNA COMPARE IT TO MINE.

1045
00:32:32,085 --> 00:32:33,086
FANS, TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.

1046
00:32:33,119 --> 00:32:34,320
CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?

1047
00:32:34,354 --> 00:32:36,089
PERHAPS EVEN, LET'S COMPARE IT

1048
00:32:36,089 --> 00:32:38,124
TO THE SIZE OF MY HEAD.

1049
00:32:38,158 --> 00:32:40,493
ANDRE THE...

1050
00:32:40,527 --> 00:32:41,695
GENE WAS THE MAN.

1051
00:32:41,728 --> 00:32:43,463
HE WAS--HE WAS THE GUY.

1052
00:32:43,496 --> 00:32:46,533
AND I'M GONNA HAVE TO ASK

1053
00:32:46,566 --> 00:32:47,500
YOU, NATURE BOY, WHAT CAN STORE

1054
00:32:47,534 --> 00:32:48,368
FOR YOUR OPPONENTS AND YOURSELF

1055
00:32:48,401 --> 00:32:50,170
IN 1977?

1056
00:32:50,203 --> 00:32:51,304
THERE'S STILL LOT MORE OF

1057
00:32:51,338 --> 00:32:53,206
WHAT HAPPENED IN '76.

1058
00:32:53,239 --> 00:32:55,342
SO THEY WERE LOOKING FOR

1059
00:32:55,375 --> 00:32:56,309
SOMEONE TO DO THE WRESTLING

1060
00:32:56,343 --> 00:32:57,143
INTERVIEWS.

1061
00:32:57,177 --> 00:32:58,211
WE GAVE HIM A SHOT AND THEN THE

1062
00:32:58,244 --> 00:32:59,379
REST IS HISTORY.

1063
00:32:59,412 --> 00:33:01,314
I STILL SAY THAT GENE WAS AND IS

1064
00:33:01,348 --> 00:33:04,351
THE GREATEST INTERVIEW AND

1065
00:33:04,384 --> 00:33:06,820
WRESTLING ANNOUNCER.

1066
00:33:06,853 --> 00:33:08,154
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

1067
00:33:08,188 --> 00:33:10,657
SUPERSTAR BILLY GRAHAM.

1068
00:33:10,690 --> 00:33:11,624
IT REALLY CLICKED IN MANY OF

1069
00:33:11,658 --> 00:33:13,426
THIS FOR ME.

1070
00:33:13,460 --> 00:33:14,461
IT'S REALLY AN INCREDIBLE PLACE

1071
00:33:14,494 --> 00:33:16,062
TO BE.

1072
00:33:16,062 --> 00:33:18,531
[INDISTINCT]

1073
00:33:18,565 --> 00:33:19,232
CAMERA AT THE SIDE OF MY BODY.

1074
00:33:19,265 --> 00:33:20,467
THIS PRINT--THESE COLORS ARE IN

1075
00:33:20,500 --> 00:33:21,634
REMEMBRANCE OF FALL.

1076
00:33:21,668 --> 00:33:22,736
AUTUMN IS NEAR AND I'M WEARING

1077
00:33:22,769 --> 00:33:24,170
THE COLORS OF AUTUMN ON MY BODY.

1078
00:33:24,204 --> 00:33:25,572
THERE'S MORE COLORS ON MY BODY

1079
00:33:25,605 --> 00:33:27,407
THAN THE RAINBOW IN SKY, DADDY.

1080
00:33:27,440 --> 00:33:29,809
I AM A REFLECTION OF PERFECTION,

1081
00:33:29,843 --> 00:33:32,112
THE NUMBER ONE SELECTION.

1082
00:33:32,145 --> 00:33:34,748
I BEGAN TO WEAR THE TIE DYE,

1083
00:33:34,781 --> 00:33:36,750
AND I BEGAN TO MAKE MY OWN TIE

1084
00:33:36,783 --> 00:33:38,184
DYE PANTS, WRESTLING PANTS AND

1085
00:33:38,218 --> 00:33:39,786
SHIRTS.

1086
00:33:39,819 --> 00:33:41,821
AND SO I BECAME A VERY COLORFUL

1087
00:33:41,855 --> 00:33:43,890
WRESTLER WITH THE BIGGEST ARMS

1088
00:33:43,923 --> 00:33:46,192
IN THE WORLD.

1089
00:33:46,226 --> 00:33:47,193
OH, THE ARM WRESTLING

1090
00:33:47,227 --> 00:33:48,161
CHAMPION OF THE WORLD.

1091
00:33:48,194 --> 00:33:49,896
THANK YOU FOR THAT VERY FINE

1092
00:33:49,929 --> 00:33:51,431
INTRODUCTION BECAUSE I AM NOT

1093
00:33:51,464 --> 00:33:53,633
ONLY THE ARM WRESTLING CHAMPION

1094
00:33:53,667 --> 00:33:55,769
OF THE WORLD, BUT I AM THE ARM

1095
00:33:55,802 --> 00:33:56,770
WRESTLING CHAMPION OF THE ENTIRE

1096
00:33:56,803 --> 00:33:58,772
UNIVERSE.

1097
00:33:58,805 --> 00:33:59,506
YOU KNOW, THERE MIGHT BE LIFE ON

1098
00:33:59,539 --> 00:34:00,507
MARS, THERE MIGHT BE MARTIANS UP

1099
00:34:00,540 --> 00:34:01,574
THERE AND IF THERE, AND IF THERE

1100
00:34:01,608 --> 00:34:02,809
IS, I COULD EVEN BEAT THEM WITH

1101
00:34:02,842 --> 00:34:04,844
ARM WRESTLING.

1102
00:34:04,878 --> 00:34:07,247
SUPERSTAR WAS A DEEP THINKER,

1103
00:34:07,280 --> 00:34:09,949
INTELLIGENT, AND WHEN HE

1104
00:34:10,050 --> 00:34:11,084
EXPLODED ON THE SCENE, IT WAS

1105
00:34:11,117 --> 00:34:11,951
REALLY SOMETHING.

1106
00:34:12,052 --> 00:34:19,893
[CROWD CHEERING]

1107
00:34:19,926 --> 00:34:21,461
A COVER BY GAGNE, ONE, TWO,

1108
00:34:21,494 --> 00:34:24,330
THREE.

1109
00:34:24,364 --> 00:34:26,199
[CROWD CHEERING]

1110
00:34:26,232 --> 00:34:26,800
VERNE GAGNE WITH ANYBODY

1111
00:34:26,833 --> 00:34:27,767
WOULD DRAW MONEY.

1112
00:34:27,801 --> 00:34:29,636
HIM AND BILLY ROBINSON HAD SOME

1113
00:34:29,669 --> 00:34:32,372
PHENOMENAL MATCHES.

1114
00:34:32,405 --> 00:34:33,873
VERNE AND LARRY "THE AXE"

1115
00:34:33,907 --> 00:34:35,475
HENNIG, THEY WERE BOTH FROM

1116
00:34:35,508 --> 00:34:36,343
ROBBINSDALE, MINNESOTA.

1117
00:34:36,376 --> 00:34:38,611
THEY HAD A NATURAL FEUD.

1118
00:34:38,645 --> 00:34:39,612
THEY HATED EACH OTHER, AND THEY

1119
00:34:39,646 --> 00:34:42,716
REALLY DIDN'T LIKE EACH OTHER.

1120
00:34:42,749 --> 00:34:43,483
VERNE AND NICK BOCKWINKEL WOULD

1121
00:34:43,516 --> 00:34:44,551
SELLOUT WHEREVER THEY GO.

1122
00:34:44,584 --> 00:34:46,286
VERNE AND BOCKWINKEL WAS

1123
00:34:46,319 --> 00:34:47,420
PROBABLY THE GREATEST FEUD HE

1124
00:34:47,454 --> 00:34:49,089
EVER CREATED.

1125
00:34:49,089 --> 00:34:51,458
NICK BOCKWINKEL AND VERNE

1126
00:34:51,491 --> 00:34:53,293
GAGNE DOMINATED THE AWA IN THE

1127
00:34:53,326 --> 00:34:55,562
20-YEAR PERIOD, FROM 1960 TO

1128
00:34:55,595 --> 00:34:57,931
1980.

1129
00:34:57,964 --> 00:34:59,599
BEATING VERNE GAGNE IN HIS

1130
00:34:59,632 --> 00:35:02,869
HOMETOWN, ONE COULD SALIVATE ON

1131
00:35:02,902 --> 00:35:05,105
THAT.

1132
00:35:05,138 --> 00:35:06,439
I WAS ONE OF THE--KIND OF PEOPLE

1133
00:35:06,473 --> 00:35:07,507
THAT ALWAYS LOVE NEEDLING HIM,

1134
00:35:07,540 --> 00:35:09,209
YOU KNOW.

1135
00:35:09,242 --> 00:35:10,243
AND ESPECIALLY, YOU KNOW, HE WAS

1136
00:35:10,276 --> 00:35:11,711
THE BOSS BUT DIDN'T MAKE ANY

1137
00:35:11,745 --> 00:35:12,645
DIFFERENCE AS FAR AS I WAS

1138
00:35:12,679 --> 00:35:14,247
CONCERNED.

1139
00:35:14,280 --> 00:35:16,683
THE WHOLE THING HERE IS CAN

1140
00:35:16,716 --> 00:35:18,885
THE AGING FORMER CHAMPION, CAN

1141
00:35:18,918 --> 00:35:20,053
THE MAN WHO WAS ONCE THE GREAT

1142
00:35:20,053 --> 00:35:21,588
ATHLETE, DOES HE HAVE ENOUGH

1143
00:35:21,621 --> 00:35:26,292
DETERMINATION, SPIRIT AND GUTS?

1144
00:35:26,326 --> 00:35:27,660
DOES HE HAVE A QUALITY?

1145
00:35:27,694 --> 00:35:29,462
WHEN HIS TANK RUNS DRY AND HE

1146
00:35:29,496 --> 00:35:31,398
STARTS SCRAPING THE INSIDE OF

1147
00:35:31,431 --> 00:35:32,632
THE BARREL, WILL HE STILL HAVE

1148
00:35:32,665 --> 00:35:33,833
ENOUGH UNDER HIS FINGERNAILS TO

1149
00:35:33,867 --> 00:35:36,403
PULL HIM ACROSS THE LINE ONE

1150
00:35:36,436 --> 00:35:38,471
SECOND BEFORE ME?

1151
00:35:38,505 --> 00:35:39,506
TERRIFIC PERFORMER IN THE

1152
00:35:39,539 --> 00:35:41,374
RING, TERRIFIC WRESTLER.

1153
00:35:41,408 --> 00:35:43,610
[INDISTINCT]

1154
00:35:43,643 --> 00:35:45,345
AND NEEDLESS TO SAY, HE WAS

1155
00:35:45,378 --> 00:35:47,280
HOMETOWN BOY, SO I ANYTIME YOU

1156
00:35:47,313 --> 00:35:48,948
STEP ON HIS TOES AND HE SQUEALED

1157
00:35:48,982 --> 00:35:52,719
-- HE'LL NOTICE YOU.

1158
00:35:52,752 --> 00:35:53,420
BASICALLY, THEY WERE LIKE

1159
00:35:53,453 --> 00:35:54,154
CLASSIC WRESTLING MATCHES AND

1160
00:35:54,187 --> 00:35:56,556
FOR WRESTLERS TO WATCH THAT, IT

1161
00:35:56,589 --> 00:35:59,926
WAS LIKE A THING OF BEAUTY

1162
00:36:00,026 --> 00:36:00,894
BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS SO SMOOTH

1163
00:36:00,927 --> 00:36:02,362
AND WELL DONE.

1164
00:36:02,395 --> 00:36:04,030
I'M TRYING TO GO OUT AS THE

1165
00:36:04,064 --> 00:36:08,068
CHAMPION, GENE, HAS NEVER DONE

1166
00:36:08,101 --> 00:36:10,704
BEFORE, AND I WOULD LIKE--I MEAN

1167
00:36:10,737 --> 00:36:12,038
MY GREAT GOAL I TOLD YOU IS TO

1168
00:36:12,038 --> 00:36:15,241
RETIRE WITH THE BELT.

1169
00:36:15,275 --> 00:36:17,477
YOU KNEW HE WAS GOING TO PUT

1170
00:36:17,510 --> 00:36:18,845
THE PRESSURE ON YOU, AND THAT

1171
00:36:18,878 --> 00:36:22,048
WAS MY INTENTION, TOO, PUT THE

1172
00:36:22,048 --> 00:36:22,749
PRESSURE ON HIM, MAKE HIM

1173
00:36:22,782 --> 00:36:24,417
PERFORM.

1174
00:36:24,451 --> 00:36:26,519
IT'S A LITTLE PSYCHOLOGICAL

1175
00:36:26,553 --> 00:36:27,253
THING BETWEEN THE TWO GUYS THAT

1176
00:36:27,287 --> 00:36:28,755
ARE GETTING IN THERE.

1177
00:36:28,788 --> 00:36:32,592
AND JUST LITTLE ONE-UPMANSHIP,

1178
00:36:32,625 --> 00:36:33,660
THE LITTLE BIT BETTER MOVE AND

1179
00:36:33,693 --> 00:36:34,561
LITTLE VIEW MADE, I MADE THE

1180
00:36:34,594 --> 00:36:35,695
SAME MOVE AND I MADE A LITTLE

1181
00:36:35,729 --> 00:36:37,063
BIT BETTER, AND THERE'S THAT

1182
00:36:37,097 --> 00:36:37,864
COMPETITIVE THING THERE, YOU

1183
00:36:37,897 --> 00:36:40,500
KNOW.

1184
00:36:40,533 --> 00:36:41,134
AND THAT'S WHAT I LIKED ABOUT

1185
00:36:41,167 --> 00:36:42,469
HOGAN, A LOT OF SIMILARITIES

1186
00:36:42,502 --> 00:36:44,804
THERE.

1187
00:36:44,838 --> 00:36:47,307
YEAH, BECAUSE ONCE THAT BELL

1188
00:36:47,340 --> 00:36:48,108
RINGS, YOU BETTER BE IDLING AT

1189
00:36:48,141 --> 00:36:51,344
4,000 RPMS.

1190
00:36:51,378 --> 00:36:53,079
THIS CROWD AND THAT'S

1191
00:36:53,079 --> 00:36:55,115
[INDISTINCT]

1192
00:36:55,148 --> 00:36:57,183
PREVAILING HERE TONIGHT.

1193
00:36:57,217 --> 00:37:01,855
SEVENTEEN THOUSAND HAS DRAWN.

1194
00:37:01,888 --> 00:37:02,822
OH, AND A SUPLEX.

1195
00:37:02,856 --> 00:37:07,027
[CROWD CHEERING]

1196
00:37:07,027 --> 00:37:09,662
HOW DID HE DO IT?

1197
00:37:09,696 --> 00:37:11,064
ONE, TWO, THREE, AND IT'S ALL

1198
00:37:11,097 --> 00:37:13,099
OVER.

1199
00:37:13,133 --> 00:37:14,901
NICK BOCKWINKEL AND VERNE

1200
00:37:14,934 --> 00:37:16,503
GAGNE WERE ALMOST IN BED

1201
00:37:16,536 --> 00:37:17,604
TOGETHER.

1202
00:37:17,637 --> 00:37:18,338
THEY WERE SUCH GOOD FRIENDS,

1203
00:37:18,371 --> 00:37:19,406
THEY WERE SUCH GOOD BUSINESS

1204
00:37:19,439 --> 00:37:21,574
PARTNERS, THEY CAN DEPEND ON

1205
00:37:21,608 --> 00:37:22,842
EACH OTHER.

1206
00:37:22,876 --> 00:37:24,044
SO THEY JUST--THEY JUST KEPT THE

1207
00:37:24,077 --> 00:37:26,079
GOLDEN HOUSE.

1208
00:37:26,112 --> 00:37:26,746
THE ONLY MAN AT PROFESSIONAL

1209
00:37:26,780 --> 00:37:27,514
WRESTLING HISTORY TOOK ALL OUT

1210
00:37:27,547 --> 00:37:28,682
WITH THE BELT, TOOK ALL OUT A

1211
00:37:28,715 --> 00:37:31,384
WINNER, TO RETIRE AS CHAMPION.

1212
00:37:31,418 --> 00:37:32,519
VERNE GAGNE DID THE BEST HE

1213
00:37:32,552 --> 00:37:34,387
COULD TO PROTECT THE BUSINESS.

1214
00:37:34,421 --> 00:37:36,556
HE WORKED VERY HARD TO KEEP IT

1215
00:37:36,589 --> 00:37:39,325
WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE BOYS,

1216
00:37:39,359 --> 00:37:40,794
AND THE ROPES OF THE RING, AND

1217
00:37:40,827 --> 00:37:42,762
DIDN'T TELL THE FANS, YOU KNOW,

1218
00:37:42,796 --> 00:37:44,698
THE SECRETS OF THE INDUSTRY.

1219
00:37:44,731 --> 00:37:45,832
SO IN THAT RESPECT--I HAD A LOT

1220
00:37:45,865 --> 00:37:47,267
OF RESPECT FOR VERNE GAGNE.

1221
00:37:47,300 --> 00:37:49,202
[INDISTINCT]

1222
00:37:49,235 --> 00:37:50,704
THE ONLY HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION

1223
00:37:50,737 --> 00:37:54,541
OF THE WORLD, VERNE GAGNE.

1224
00:37:54,574 --> 00:37:57,477
[CROWD CHEERING]

1225
00:37:57,510 --> 00:38:01,448
GAGNE.

1226
00:38:01,481 --> 00:38:03,016
MY FATHER HAD THIS VISION, HE

1227
00:38:03,016 --> 00:38:05,185
LOVED WRESTLING.

1228
00:38:05,218 --> 00:38:06,086
AMATEUR WRESTLING, PROFESSIONAL

1229
00:38:06,119 --> 00:38:07,787
WRESTLING, AND HE WANTED TO

1230
00:38:07,821 --> 00:38:09,656
BRING IT TO THE FOREFRONT OF

1231
00:38:09,689 --> 00:38:12,359
SOCIETY.

1232
00:38:12,392 --> 00:38:14,060
HE HAD WITH THIS TV SHOW, HAD

1233
00:38:14,094 --> 00:38:15,328
THESE TREMENDOUS RATINGS, BUT

1234
00:38:15,362 --> 00:38:17,030
NOW, LET'S GET IT OUT FOR THE

1235
00:38:17,030 --> 00:38:18,064
NETWORKS.

1236
00:38:18,098 --> 00:38:19,899
WE'RE WRESTLING IN CHICAGO,

1237
00:38:19,933 --> 00:38:22,669
KNEW--MET PHIL DONAHUE AND PHIL

1238
00:38:22,702 --> 00:38:25,672
AND HIM LIKED ONE ANOTHER AND

1239
00:38:25,705 --> 00:38:27,440
WANTED TO DO A SHOW ABOUT

1240
00:38:27,474 --> 00:38:28,775
PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING.

1241
00:38:28,808 --> 00:38:30,043
SO WE HAD AN HOUR PROGRAM WITH

1242
00:38:30,076 --> 00:38:31,711
HIM, THEY BROUGHT JESSE VENTURA

1243
00:38:31,745 --> 00:38:33,613
AND ADRIAN ADONIS IN, AND JIM

1244
00:38:33,646 --> 00:38:35,148
AND MYSELF TO GIVE HIM A TAG

1245
00:38:35,181 --> 00:38:36,416
TEAM MATCH.

1246
00:38:36,449 --> 00:38:37,550
AND THEN ADRIAN AND I WRESTLED A

1247
00:38:37,584 --> 00:38:39,386
SINGLE MATCH.

1248
00:38:39,419 --> 00:38:40,153
ACTUALLY, THE PHIL DONAHUE SHOW

1249
00:38:40,186 --> 00:38:40,954
WAS THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF HULK

1250
00:38:41,054 --> 00:38:42,389
HOGAN.

1251
00:38:42,422 --> 00:38:44,457
I KNEW I COULDN'T COME BACK

1252
00:38:44,491 --> 00:38:45,558
TO THE WWWE AT THE TIME WHICH

1253
00:38:45,592 --> 00:38:46,393
WAS RAN BY VINCE, SR. BECAUSE I

1254
00:38:46,426 --> 00:38:49,429
WAS FIRED.

1255
00:38:49,462 --> 00:38:50,130
AND I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD EVER

1256
00:38:50,163 --> 00:38:53,166
BE ABLE TO WORK HERE AT THE WWE

1257
00:38:53,199 --> 00:38:54,334
AGAIN, SO I SEND SOME PICTURES

1258
00:38:54,367 --> 00:38:56,336
FROM THE ROCKY MOVIE I JUST

1259
00:38:56,369 --> 00:38:57,504
FINISHED, THE STILL PICTURES TO

1260
00:38:57,537 --> 00:39:01,207
THE AWA PROMOTION IN MINNESOTA.

1261
00:39:01,241 --> 00:39:03,843
JUST AS I'VE--I PUT WRESTLING

1262
00:39:03,877 --> 00:39:06,312
BUT I'D LIKE TO GIVE IT ONE MORE

1263
00:39:06,346 --> 00:39:08,114
CHANCE AS I COME INTO THE AWA,

1264
00:39:08,148 --> 00:39:10,450
AND THAT'S ABOUT THE WORLD TO

1265
00:39:10,483 --> 00:39:12,385
YOU.

1266
00:39:12,419 --> 00:39:14,020
AND SO I THINK I HAD ASKED GREG

1267
00:39:14,020 --> 00:39:15,722
TO REFER A GUY NAMED HULK HOGAN.

1268
00:39:15,755 --> 00:39:16,623
I HAD MET HULK AT

1269
00:39:16,656 --> 00:39:19,793
[INDISTINCT]

1270
00:39:19,826 --> 00:39:21,227
SHEA STADIUM IN NEW YORK AND HE

1271
00:39:21,261 --> 00:39:22,395
WRESTLED ANDRE THE GIANT THAT

1272
00:39:22,429 --> 00:39:25,465
NIGHT.

1273
00:39:25,498 --> 00:39:26,299
AND AFTER THE MATCH WAS HE SAID,

1274
00:39:26,332 --> 00:39:27,400
YOU KNOW, I JUST WOULD SET HIM

1275
00:39:27,434 --> 00:39:28,101
IN THE HALLWAY IN THE HOTEL AND

1276
00:39:28,134 --> 00:39:28,735
I SAID, "WHAT'S THE MATTER, BIG

1277
00:39:28,768 --> 00:39:29,669
MAN?"

1278
00:39:29,703 --> 00:39:30,303
AND HE SAYS, "I CAN'T MAKE IT IN

1279
00:39:30,337 --> 00:39:31,604
PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING."

1280
00:39:31,638 --> 00:39:32,505
I SAID, "SURE YOU CAN.

1281
00:39:32,539 --> 00:39:33,773
YOU GOT A LOT OF POTENTIAL.

1282
00:39:33,807 --> 00:39:35,275
YOU JUST NEED--YOU NEED SOME

1283
00:39:35,308 --> 00:39:37,043
HELP DEVELOPING WHO YOU ARE."

1284
00:39:37,043 --> 00:39:38,111
AND I SAID, "WHY DON'T YOU CALL

1285
00:39:38,144 --> 00:39:39,679
MY FATHER AND COME AND WORK FOR

1286
00:39:39,713 --> 00:39:42,582
THE AWA?"

1287
00:39:42,615 --> 00:39:43,850
HULK HOGAN ARRIVED ON THE

1288
00:39:43,883 --> 00:39:47,053
SCENE IN THE EARLY '80S.

1289
00:39:47,053 --> 00:39:48,621
WHEN I GOT TO THE AWA, VERNE

1290
00:39:48,655 --> 00:39:50,790
GAGNE WANTED ME TO BE A BAD GUY.

1291
00:39:50,824 --> 00:39:52,092
AND LUSCIOUS JOHNNY VALIANT

1292
00:39:52,125 --> 00:39:54,394
WAS GONNA BE HIS MANAGER.

1293
00:39:54,427 --> 00:39:55,395
FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS,

1294
00:39:55,428 --> 00:39:56,663
I HAVE TALKED WITH LUSCIOUS

1295
00:39:56,696 --> 00:39:57,564
JOHNNY VALIANT.

1296
00:39:57,597 --> 00:39:58,365
HE HAS TOLD ME SO MUCH ABOUT

1297
00:39:58,398 --> 00:39:59,599
THIS MAN.

1298
00:39:59,632 --> 00:40:00,734
HE IS FROM NEW YORK CITY, HE IS

1299
00:40:00,767 --> 00:40:02,602
HULK HOGAN, A BIG ONE INDEED,

1300
00:40:02,635 --> 00:40:04,471
JUST EXACTLY HOW BIG, I'LL LET

1301
00:40:04,504 --> 00:40:05,805
YOU EXPLAIN, HULK?

1302
00:40:05,839 --> 00:40:07,607
LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING,

1303
00:40:07,640 --> 00:40:09,609
FROM NOW ON, PEE WEE, YOU CAN

1304
00:40:09,642 --> 00:40:10,410
CALL ME MR. SKYSCRAPER.

1305
00:40:10,443 --> 00:40:14,414
I AM THE BIGGEST MAN IN

1306
00:40:14,447 --> 00:40:15,548
PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING, AND THIS

1307
00:40:15,582 --> 00:40:17,550
ARM RIGHT HERE, 24 INCHES OF NEW

1308
00:40:17,584 --> 00:40:18,618
YORK CITY AND VENICE BEACH,

1309
00:40:18,651 --> 00:40:19,719
CALIFORNIA MIXED TOGETHER.

1310
00:40:19,753 --> 00:40:23,490
THE BIGGEST ARM IN THE WORLD, I

1311
00:40:23,523 --> 00:40:24,524
WILL TAKE ON ALL COMERS.

1312
00:40:24,557 --> 00:40:26,760
WELL, ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN

1313
00:40:26,793 --> 00:40:28,328
HOGAN SHOWED UP, HE WAS--I MEAN

1314
00:40:28,361 --> 00:40:29,796
JUST IDOLIZED BY THE FANS.

1315
00:40:29,829 --> 00:40:30,730
HE GOT OVER LIKE A MILLION

1316
00:40:30,764 --> 00:40:31,498
DOLLARS.

1317
00:40:31,531 --> 00:40:32,265
THAT WAS ONE OF HIS FIRST BREAKS

1318
00:40:32,298 --> 00:40:33,066
HE GOT IN MINNESOTA HERE.

1319
00:40:33,099 --> 00:40:35,635
HE'D LOOK GOOD AND--BUT HE HAD

1320
00:40:35,669 --> 00:40:37,037
NO AMATEUR BACKGROUND

1321
00:40:37,070 --> 00:40:39,773
WHATSOEVER.

1322
00:40:39,806 --> 00:40:41,441
HE DIDN'T HAVE A FEEL FOR WHO

1323
00:40:41,474 --> 00:40:43,343
HE WAS OR WHAT HIS CHARACTER

1324
00:40:43,376 --> 00:40:44,010
WAS.

1325
00:40:44,044 --> 00:40:44,644
AND THAT'S WHAT VERNE BROUGHT

1326
00:40:44,678 --> 00:40:46,112
OUT HOGAN.

1327
00:40:46,146 --> 00:40:47,347
WHEN YOU'RE OUT OF ROLL AND

1328
00:40:47,380 --> 00:40:48,248
WHEN YOU THINK POSITIVE,

1329
00:40:48,281 --> 00:40:49,082
SOMETIMES OVERCONFIDENCE CAN

1330
00:40:49,115 --> 00:40:50,050
WORK FOR YOU.

1331
00:40:50,083 --> 00:40:50,917
AND I KNOW I'M GONNA WIN THAT

1332
00:40:50,950 --> 00:40:52,052
BATTLE ROLL, AND I KNOW SOONER

1333
00:40:52,085 --> 00:40:55,321
OR LATER, MY TIME IS GONNA COME.

1334
00:40:55,355 --> 00:40:56,690
PUT HIM THE NTH GUYS THAT WE

1335
00:40:56,723 --> 00:40:58,692
THOUGHT HE COULD BEAT, AND HE

1336
00:40:58,725 --> 00:40:59,826
GOT A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN THOSE

1337
00:40:59,859 --> 00:41:01,294
MATCHES.

1338
00:41:01,327 --> 00:41:02,395
YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO FACE THE

1339
00:41:02,429 --> 00:41:04,497
LIKES OF A VERY COLORFUL AND

1340
00:41:04,531 --> 00:41:05,198
FLAMBOYANT YOUNG MAN, GOOD

1341
00:41:05,231 --> 00:41:06,633
WRESTLER INDEED, AND ROCK AND

1342
00:41:06,666 --> 00:41:07,867
ROLLER, BUCK ZUMHOFE.

1343
00:41:07,901 --> 00:41:10,070
ROCK AND ROLL WHO?

1344
00:41:10,103 --> 00:41:11,338
BUCK ZUMHOFE.

1345
00:41:11,371 --> 00:41:12,439
BUCK ZUMHOFE?

1346
00:41:12,472 --> 00:41:13,206
YOU KNOW THE ONE THING THAT I

1347
00:41:13,239 --> 00:41:14,874
GOT FROM VERNE WAS HOW TO STAY

1348
00:41:14,908 --> 00:41:16,476
STRONG IN THE RING.

1349
00:41:16,509 --> 00:41:17,744
AND HIS WORDS WERE, "DON'T EVEN

1350
00:41:17,777 --> 00:41:19,479
GO OFF YOUR FEET."

1351
00:41:19,512 --> 00:41:23,983
HE TOOK TO IT THEN AND HE

1352
00:41:24,084 --> 00:41:26,286
THEN BECAME REALLY HULK HOGAN.

1353
00:41:26,319 --> 00:41:27,287
YOU KNOW WHAT THEY'RE SCARED

1354
00:41:27,320 --> 00:41:28,455
OF ME, GENE, THEY'RE SCARED THAT

1355
00:41:28,488 --> 00:41:29,489
HULKAMANIA IS STILL RUNNING

1356
00:41:29,522 --> 00:41:30,490
WILD.

1357
00:41:30,523 --> 00:41:31,758
I CAME IN THE DENVER TOWN WITH

1358
00:41:31,791 --> 00:41:33,727
OF THESE 24 INCH [INDISTINCT]

1359
00:41:33,760 --> 00:41:35,395
AND I PROVED THAT HULKAMANIA'S

1360
00:41:35,428 --> 00:41:36,596
STILL RUNNING WILD.

1361
00:41:36,629 --> 00:41:37,964
ONCE I BECAME THE GOOD GUY IN

1362
00:41:37,997 --> 00:41:39,265
THE AWA, THE MOVIE KICKS IN

1363
00:41:39,299 --> 00:41:40,500
AFTER THAT AND THERE WAS JUST A

1364
00:41:40,533 --> 00:41:42,102
HUGE AMOUNT OF MOMENTUM, SO

1365
00:41:42,102 --> 00:41:43,703
VERNE GAGNE WAS A VERY LUCKY MAN

1366
00:41:43,737 --> 00:41:44,871
AND THE TIMING WAS EVERYTHING.

1367
00:41:44,904 --> 00:41:47,374
HE WAS THERE FOR THE TITLE WAVE.

1368
00:41:47,407 --> 00:41:49,109
WHEN HULK HOGAN '82 AND '83,

1369
00:41:49,142 --> 00:41:53,179
HE HAD BROUGHT THE STANDARD OF

1370
00:41:53,213 --> 00:41:54,581
ATTENDANCE AND MONEY THAT THE

1371
00:41:54,614 --> 00:41:57,517
AWA HAD MADE, TO A POINT THAT IT

1372
00:41:57,550 --> 00:42:00,053
WAS THE HIGHEST THAT EVER BEEN.

1373
00:42:00,053 --> 00:42:01,654
THE ONE THING THAT VERNE

1374
00:42:01,688 --> 00:42:03,623
GAGNE REALIZED RIGHT BEFORE I

1375
00:42:03,656 --> 00:42:04,591
DID WAS THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE

1376
00:42:04,624 --> 00:42:07,060
THAT HULK HOGAN COULD GENERATE

1377
00:42:07,060 --> 00:42:07,761
IF HE WAS SHOWCASED IN A PROPER

1378
00:42:07,794 --> 00:42:08,695
MANNER.

1379
00:42:08,728 --> 00:42:10,530
I MEAN HE WAS MONEY IN THE

1380
00:42:10,563 --> 00:42:11,965
BANK FROM DAY ONE HERE.

1381
00:42:12,065 --> 00:42:12,766
DURING THE EARLY '80S, AWA

1382
00:42:12,799 --> 00:42:14,300
WAS ROCKING.

1383
00:42:14,334 --> 00:42:15,769
THEY WERE PRINTING MONEY, THEY

1384
00:42:15,802 --> 00:42:17,470
WERE SELLING OUT ARENAS.

1385
00:42:17,504 --> 00:42:19,372
I MEAN EVERYTHING THAT THEY DID

1386
00:42:19,406 --> 00:42:20,373
WAS SUCCESSFUL AND LIFE WAS

1387
00:42:20,407 --> 00:42:22,075
GREAT.

1388
00:42:22,075 --> 00:42:23,476
EVERYBODY WAS, YOU KNOW, OUT OF

1389
00:42:23,510 --> 00:42:24,577
VERY HIGH NOTE.

1390
00:42:24,611 --> 00:42:26,212
HE BECAME A STAR HERE AND

1391
00:42:26,246 --> 00:42:27,080
EARNED HIMSELF SOME TITLE

1392
00:42:27,080 --> 00:42:28,114
MATCHES WITH NICK BOCKWINKEL.

1393
00:42:28,148 --> 00:42:30,884
EVERY YOUNG WRESTLER COMING

1394
00:42:30,917 --> 00:42:32,485
UP TODAY WOULD LIKE TO GET--A

1395
00:42:32,519 --> 00:42:34,954
WIN AGAINST THE CHAMPION.

1396
00:42:34,988 --> 00:42:37,857
WITH HOGAN, I LIKE THE FACT

1397
00:42:37,891 --> 00:42:41,528
THAT HE WAS THE CROWD FAVORITE

1398
00:42:41,561 --> 00:42:43,163
BECAUSE THAT JUST MADE HIM WORK

1399
00:42:43,196 --> 00:42:44,964
HARDER AND JUST MADE ME WORK

1400
00:42:44,998 --> 00:42:45,665
HARDER.

1401
00:42:45,699 --> 00:42:46,766
SO THEY HAD A TITLE MATCH AT

1402
00:42:46,800 --> 00:42:50,170
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, SOLD OUT.

1403
00:42:50,203 --> 00:42:50,870
THEY HAD 18,000,.THAT'S A BIG

1404
00:42:50,904 --> 00:42:53,340
CENTER AND A BUILDING NEXT DOOR,

1405
00:42:53,373 --> 00:42:54,908
WE--CLOSED CIRCUIT THE MATCH

1406
00:42:54,941 --> 00:42:57,977
OVER THERE.

1407
00:42:58,011 --> 00:42:59,846
IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, I THINK

1408
00:42:59,879 --> 00:43:01,047
THEY DID PROBABLY AROUND THREE

1409
00:43:01,047 --> 00:43:02,749
OR FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS

1410
00:43:02,782 --> 00:43:05,418
IN REVENUE BETWEEN WHAT THEY

1411
00:43:05,452 --> 00:43:08,955
SOLD AT THE ARENA AND WHAT THEY

1412
00:43:09,055 --> 00:43:09,589
SOLD CLOSED CIRCUIT NEXT DOOR AT

1413
00:43:09,622 --> 00:43:11,524
THE AUDITORIUM.

1414
00:43:11,558 --> 00:43:12,659
IT WAS A BIG DEAL AND 400 GRAND

1415
00:43:12,692 --> 00:43:13,727
BACK IN THOSE DAYS, A LOT OF

1416
00:43:13,760 --> 00:43:16,096
MONEY.

1417
00:43:16,129 --> 00:43:17,297
WELL, VERNE GAGNE HAD BEEN

1418
00:43:17,330 --> 00:43:18,365
TRYING TO GET ME TO TAKE THE

1419
00:43:18,398 --> 00:43:20,400
BELT FOR QUITE SOMETIME AND I

1420
00:43:20,433 --> 00:43:21,701
WOULD HAVE LOVE TO IN THE

1421
00:43:21,735 --> 00:43:22,836
WORLD'S CHAMPION BUT I HAD OTHER

1422
00:43:22,869 --> 00:43:24,070
THINGS.

1423
00:43:24,070 --> 00:43:24,637
I WAS DOING SUCH AS GOING BACK

1424
00:43:24,671 --> 00:43:27,073
AND FORTH TO JAPAN.

1425
00:43:27,107 --> 00:43:28,141
HOGAN CLEARLY HAD BEAT

1426
00:43:28,174 --> 00:43:32,779
BOCKWINKEL.

1427
00:43:32,812 --> 00:43:33,380
HERE'S HULK HOGAN.

1428
00:43:33,413 --> 00:43:33,880
HERE IS THE LEG SMASH.

1429
00:43:33,913 --> 00:43:34,547
HERE IS THE COVER.

1430
00:43:34,581 --> 00:43:35,448
HERE IS THE COUNT, ONE, TWO,

1431
00:43:35,482 --> 00:43:36,816
THREE.

1432
00:43:36,850 --> 00:43:41,688
IT'S ALL OVER.

1433
00:43:41,721 --> 00:43:43,156
HULK HOGAN HAS DONE IT.

1434
00:43:43,189 --> 00:43:44,724
HULK HOGAN IS THE CHAMPION.

1435
00:43:44,758 --> 00:43:46,826
BUT THERE WAS SOME KIND OF A

1436
00:43:46,860 --> 00:43:48,528
TECHNICALITY.

1437
00:43:48,561 --> 00:43:49,696
AND I'VE JUST BEEN INFORMED

1438
00:43:49,729 --> 00:43:54,200
BY THE REFEREE THAT PRESIDENT

1439
00:43:54,234 --> 00:43:56,102
BLACKBURN HAS HAVE THE OPINION

1440
00:43:56,102 --> 00:43:58,271
THAT HULK HOGAN THREW NICK

1441
00:43:58,304 --> 00:44:00,040
BOCKWINKEL OVER THE TOP ROPE,

1442
00:44:00,073 --> 00:44:03,877
BECAUSE OF THAT THE HULK IS

1443
00:44:03,910 --> 00:44:06,680
DISQUALIFIED AND THE BELT

1444
00:44:06,713 --> 00:44:07,514
REMAINS WITH NICK BOCKWINKEL.

1445
00:44:07,547 --> 00:44:08,648
OVER THE TOP I WENT, HE'S

1446
00:44:08,682 --> 00:44:10,116
DQ'D.

1447
00:44:10,150 --> 00:44:12,652
SHAME.

1448
00:44:12,686 --> 00:44:14,054
THE TITLE DID NOT CHANGE.

1449
00:44:14,054 --> 00:44:14,888
KEPT IN NICK BOCKWINKEL'S

1450
00:44:14,921 --> 00:44:16,189
POSSESSION AND THE FANS WERE

1451
00:44:16,222 --> 00:44:19,826
LIVID.

1452
00:44:19,859 --> 00:44:26,299
AGAIN SO VERY, VERY CLOSE.

1453
00:44:26,332 --> 00:44:27,067
THAT REALLY SET HULK OFF.

1454
00:44:27,067 --> 00:44:28,568
I MEAN HIS WHOLE GOAL WAS TO WIN

1455
00:44:28,601 --> 00:44:33,273
THAT AWA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AND

1456
00:44:33,306 --> 00:44:34,908
WHEN HE DIDN'T WIN AT THAT TIME,

1457
00:44:34,941 --> 00:44:37,077
IT WAS--IT WAS A HUGE

1458
00:44:37,077 --> 00:44:39,412
DISAPPOINTMENT FOR HIM.

1459
00:44:39,446 --> 00:44:40,313
VERNE GAGNE WANTED

1460
00:44:40,347 --> 00:44:42,082
EVERYTHING.

1461
00:44:42,115 --> 00:44:43,183
IF I TOOK THE BELT THEN HE WANT

1462
00:44:43,216 --> 00:44:45,385
MY MONEY FROM JAPAN AND HE

1463
00:44:45,418 --> 00:44:46,453
WANTED PERCENTAGES OF OTHER

1464
00:44:46,486 --> 00:44:47,754
THINGS I WAS DOING LIKE SELLING

1465
00:44:47,787 --> 00:44:49,823
T-SHIRTS AND STUFF, SO, WHEN I'M

1466
00:44:49,856 --> 00:44:52,826
AT SUPER SUNDAY, YOU KNOW, VERNE

1467
00:44:52,859 --> 00:44:54,094
HAD BASICALLY MADE HIS MIND UP

1468
00:44:54,094 --> 00:44:54,661
THAT I WAS WINNING THE MATCH AND

1469
00:44:54,694 --> 00:44:58,365
WHEN THEY CAME TO ME WITH

1470
00:44:58,398 --> 00:44:59,265
FINISH, YOU KNOW, VERNE SAID,

1471
00:44:59,299 --> 00:45:00,834
"YOU'RE WEARING THE BELT PLUS,

1472
00:45:00,867 --> 00:45:02,535
YOU KNOW, I'M GETTING A PARTY IN

1473
00:45:02,569 --> 00:45:03,770
JAPAN."

1474
00:45:03,803 --> 00:45:05,105
I SAID, "NO, YOU'RE NOT."

1475
00:45:05,138 --> 00:45:06,039
AND, SO, WE WENT BACK AND FORTH

1476
00:45:06,039 --> 00:45:07,874
AND WE THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND I

1477
00:45:07,907 --> 00:45:09,075
THINK THAT WAS BASICALLY THE

1478
00:45:09,109 --> 00:45:11,945
DECLINE OF VERNE GAGNE AND MY

1479
00:45:12,045 --> 00:45:12,645
RELATIONSHIP.

1480
00:45:12,679 --> 00:45:13,480
I KNOW HE WAS GOOD ENOUGH TO

1481
00:45:13,513 --> 00:45:14,481
WIN THE TITLE.

1482
00:45:14,514 --> 00:45:15,448
YOU KNOW YOU NEEDED PEOPLE IN

1483
00:45:15,482 --> 00:45:19,753
THERE THOUGH BECAUSE OF THE WAY

1484
00:45:19,786 --> 00:45:23,556
THE PEOPLE IN THE AWA, THE FANS

1485
00:45:23,590 --> 00:45:24,457
PERCEIVED IT.

1486
00:45:24,491 --> 00:45:25,458
YOU HAD TO BE PRETTY DAMN GOOD

1487
00:45:25,492 --> 00:45:26,192
IN THE RING TO BE ABLE TO CARRY

1488
00:45:26,226 --> 00:45:27,627
A MATCH, YOU KNOW, 20, 30

1489
00:45:27,660 --> 00:45:29,095
MINUTES AND HULK WAS ALMOST TO

1490
00:45:29,129 --> 00:45:30,230
THE POINT WHERE HE COULD DO

1491
00:45:30,263 --> 00:45:32,399
THAT, NOT QUITE.

1492
00:45:32,432 --> 00:45:34,801
WE REALLY DIDN'T NEED HIM TO

1493
00:45:34,834 --> 00:45:36,536
BE CHAMPION.

1494
00:45:36,569 --> 00:45:37,303
HE'S TRYING TO GET THE CHAMPION.

1495
00:45:37,337 --> 00:45:38,304
"OH, GOD.

1496
00:45:38,338 --> 00:45:38,938
HOGAN'S GONNA GET THE SHOT OF

1497
00:45:38,972 --> 00:45:40,273
THE TITLE TONIGHT."

1498
00:45:40,306 --> 00:45:41,274
WELL--AND EVERYBODY IS EXCITED

1499
00:45:41,307 --> 00:45:42,642
ABOUT IT BUT THEY DON'T GET IT.

1500
00:45:42,676 --> 00:45:44,477
SO, WE PUT IT IN THAT WAY AND

1501
00:45:44,511 --> 00:45:47,514
WE'D DO IT AGAIN IN ANOTHER FULL

1502
00:45:47,547 --> 00:45:49,382
HOUSE.

1503
00:45:49,416 --> 00:45:50,483
HE REALLY DISAPPOINTED THE

1504
00:45:50,517 --> 00:45:52,152
FANS BECAUSE HE CANCELLED A SHOW

1505
00:45:52,185 --> 00:45:53,553
IN ST. PAUL CIVIC CENTER MADE

1506
00:45:53,586 --> 00:45:55,422
THE PEOPLE WAIT AN EXTRA MONTH

1507
00:45:55,455 --> 00:45:57,390
BEFORE THE MONTHLY SHOW USUALLY

1508
00:45:57,424 --> 00:46:00,827
CAME, DOUBLED THE TICKET PRICES,

1509
00:46:00,860 --> 00:46:01,494
EVERYBODY EXPECTED A TITLE

1510
00:46:01,528 --> 00:46:02,696
CHANGE AND WITH THE DEMANDS HE

1511
00:46:02,729 --> 00:46:03,430
PUT ON ME, I COULD NOT LET THAT

1512
00:46:03,463 --> 00:46:04,164
HAPPEN.

1513
00:46:04,197 --> 00:46:07,100
SO, HE BASICALLY STARTED RUINING

1514
00:46:07,133 --> 00:46:07,867
THE RELATIONSHIP THAT HE HAD

1515
00:46:07,901 --> 00:46:08,601
WITH ME AND THE FANS AT THAT

1516
00:46:08,635 --> 00:46:09,936
POINT.

1517
00:46:10,036 --> 00:46:10,737
YOU KNOW, EVEN BACK THEN WAS

1518
00:46:10,770 --> 00:46:11,905
FUNNY AS YOU HEARD ABOUT HIS

1519
00:46:11,938 --> 00:46:14,140
MERCHANDISE SALES, WHICH WAS

1520
00:46:14,174 --> 00:46:16,710
SOMETHING NEW AT THAT TIME.

1521
00:46:16,743 --> 00:46:18,111
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE

1522
00:46:18,144 --> 00:46:20,880
DID A LITTLE BIT OF MERCHANDISE

1523
00:46:20,914 --> 00:46:21,915
BUT, YOU KNOW, IT WAS ALL OF A

1524
00:46:21,948 --> 00:46:22,882
SUDDEN, YOU KNOW, TO THE

1525
00:46:22,916 --> 00:46:23,950
WRESTLERS.

1526
00:46:24,050 --> 00:46:25,085
IT'S JUST LIKE, "WOW.

1527
00:46:25,118 --> 00:46:26,052
THIS IS A NEW AVENUE FOR

1528
00:46:26,086 --> 00:46:26,886
REVENUE."

1529
00:46:26,920 --> 00:46:27,754
MERCHANDISE WASN'T EVEN A

1530
00:46:27,787 --> 00:46:28,722
CONCEPT.

1531
00:46:28,755 --> 00:46:29,823
I ACTUALLY STARTED MAKING THE

1532
00:46:29,856 --> 00:46:30,557
FIRST T-SHIRTS AND HEADBANDS

1533
00:46:30,590 --> 00:46:33,126
WHEN WE WERE IN THE AWA AND THAT

1534
00:46:33,159 --> 00:46:35,495
WAS ONE OF OUR BIG BOSS BECAUSE

1535
00:46:35,528 --> 00:46:36,429
WHEN I WENT TO JAPAN FOR A FEW

1536
00:46:36,463 --> 00:46:38,631
WEEKS, VERNE SOLD A TON OF HULK

1537
00:46:38,665 --> 00:46:41,134
HOGAN SHIRTS AND KEPT ALL THE

1538
00:46:41,167 --> 00:46:41,801
PROCEEDS FOR HIS OWN PARTY FUND

1539
00:46:41,835 --> 00:46:43,903
AND DIDN'T GIVE HULK HOGAN HIS

1540
00:46:43,937 --> 00:46:45,739
PROPER SPLIT.

1541
00:46:45,772 --> 00:46:46,773
AND WE HAD A BIG ARGUMENT OVER

1542
00:46:46,806 --> 00:46:48,641
THAT.

1543
00:46:48,675 --> 00:46:50,276
THAT WAS ONE OF THE FINAL STRAWS

1544
00:46:50,310 --> 00:46:52,112
THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK.

1545
00:46:52,145 --> 00:46:53,313
I MEAN IT WASN'T LIKE GOING

1546
00:46:53,346 --> 00:46:54,080
IN TODAY AND DOING--OR WHAT ARE

1547
00:46:54,080 --> 00:46:55,782
THEY DO IN LONDON, A MILLION

1548
00:46:55,815 --> 00:46:56,549
DOLLARS WITH THE MERCHANDISING

1549
00:46:56,583 --> 00:46:59,152
IN ONE NIGHT?

1550
00:46:59,185 --> 00:47:01,755
YOU MIGHT DO MAYBE $5,000 IN

1551
00:47:01,788 --> 00:47:02,655
HOGAN SHIRTS AND A THOUSAND

1552
00:47:02,689 --> 00:47:04,057
DOLLARS IN HIGH FLYER SHIRTS.

1553
00:47:04,090 --> 00:47:05,592
SO, THAT TIME, THEY TOOK, YOU

1554
00:47:05,625 --> 00:47:06,559
KNOW, THEIR [INDISTINCT]

1555
00:47:06,593 --> 00:47:07,560
YOU GOT YOUR PERCENT, I MEAN,

1556
00:47:07,594 --> 00:47:11,364
THERE WASN'T--THERE WASN'T THAT

1557
00:47:11,398 --> 00:47:12,899
MUCH TO GET.

1558
00:47:12,932 --> 00:47:13,600
HOGAN WASN'T GONNA TOLERATE

1559
00:47:13,633 --> 00:47:14,501
ANYTHING LESS THAN 50 PERCENT OF

1560
00:47:14,534 --> 00:47:17,137
THE PROFIT THAT WAS GENERATED BY

1561
00:47:17,170 --> 00:47:19,039
HIS CHARACTER IN TERMS OF

1562
00:47:19,039 --> 00:47:20,473
MERCHANDISE.

1563
00:47:20,507 --> 00:47:21,374
SO, VERNE GAGNE MISSED THE BOAT

1564
00:47:21,408 --> 00:47:22,575
ON [INDISTINCT]

1565
00:47:22,609 --> 00:47:23,476
BEING ABLE TO CAPITALIZE ON

1566
00:47:23,510 --> 00:47:24,611
HULK HOGAN.

1567
00:47:24,644 --> 00:47:25,845
IF YOU HAD LEFT ENOUGH MONEY ON

1568
00:47:25,879 --> 00:47:27,714
THE TABLE, IT WOULD HAVE

1569
00:47:27,747 --> 00:47:29,049
HAPPENED.

1570
00:47:29,049 --> 00:47:31,651
HE DIDN'T AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

1571
00:47:31,685 --> 00:47:33,286
THERE WAS WORD GOING AROUND

1572
00:47:33,319 --> 00:47:34,688
THAT HOGAN WAS DISGRUNTLED.

1573
00:47:34,721 --> 00:47:36,322
AND I THINK AS A RESULT OF

1574
00:47:36,356 --> 00:47:38,058
IT, HE MADE THE JUMP BACK TO THE

1575
00:47:38,058 --> 00:47:41,761
WWE.

1576
00:47:41,795 --> 00:47:42,629
WELL, IT WAS TOUGH LEAVING

1577
00:47:42,662 --> 00:47:44,898
THE AWA BECAUSE I JUST SAT

1578
00:47:44,931 --> 00:47:46,332
AROUND IN A HOTEL ROOM WITH

1579
00:47:46,366 --> 00:47:47,200
VERNE GAGNE AND NICK BOCKWINKEL

1580
00:47:47,233 --> 00:47:50,070
AND HELP THEM BOOK THE WHOLE

1581
00:47:50,070 --> 00:47:51,304
NEXT MONTH OF BOOKING AS WITH ME

1582
00:47:51,338 --> 00:47:53,073
IN A STEEL CAGE ALL AROUND THE

1583
00:47:53,073 --> 00:47:54,174
TERRITORY WITH BOCKWINKEL.

1584
00:47:54,207 --> 00:47:56,376
WHEN WE'RE BACK TO MINNESOTA

1585
00:47:56,409 --> 00:47:58,611
AFTER BEING ON THE ROAD A COUPLE

1586
00:47:58,645 --> 00:47:59,646
OF DAYS WITH THOSE GUYS, I GOT A

1587
00:47:59,679 --> 00:48:02,248
CALL FROM VINCE MCMAHON JR. AND

1588
00:48:02,282 --> 00:48:03,283
HE HAD AN OFFER I COULDN'T

1589
00:48:03,316 --> 00:48:05,452
REFUSE.

1590
00:48:05,485 --> 00:48:06,553
HE FLEW IN MINNESOTA.

1591
00:48:06,586 --> 00:48:07,420
WE STAYED UP UNTIL 5:00 IN THE

1592
00:48:07,454 --> 00:48:08,588
MORNING TALKING.

1593
00:48:08,621 --> 00:48:09,189
WE SHOOK HANDS AND THE REST IS

1594
00:48:09,222 --> 00:48:10,023
HISTORY.

1595
00:48:10,023 --> 00:48:12,025
SO, IT WAS TOUGH TO WALK AWAY

1596
00:48:12,025 --> 00:48:13,293
FROM VERNE GAGNE IN THE AWA

1597
00:48:13,326 --> 00:48:14,594
BECAUSE I WAS BOOKED IN A LOT OF

1598
00:48:14,627 --> 00:48:16,296
THE MAIN EVENTS.

1599
00:48:16,329 --> 00:48:17,464
AND THE MAIN EVENTERS WERE

1600
00:48:17,497 --> 00:48:18,732
OBLIGATED TO GIVE A SIX WEEKS

1601
00:48:18,765 --> 00:48:19,933
NOTICE WHICH ALLOW SIX WEEKS TO

1602
00:48:20,033 --> 00:48:22,202
CHANGE STORY LINES ON TELEVISION

1603
00:48:22,235 --> 00:48:25,138
AND LET SOMEONE ELSE BE ANOINTED

1604
00:48:25,171 --> 00:48:27,607
THE MAIN EVENTERS.

1605
00:48:27,640 --> 00:48:28,775
BEFORE HE LEFT, HE CUT ALL OF

1606
00:48:28,808 --> 00:48:31,311
HIS INTERVIEWS.

1607
00:48:31,344 --> 00:48:32,645
SO, WE HAVE HIM IN THE CAN,

1608
00:48:32,679 --> 00:48:34,547
BUILDING UP TO THE MATCHES

1609
00:48:34,581 --> 00:48:35,415
BECAUSE AT THAT TIME, YOU WERE

1610
00:48:35,448 --> 00:48:37,517
SYNDICATING YOUR PROGRAM, SO,

1611
00:48:37,550 --> 00:48:39,052
YOU HAVE TO GET--THE SHOW IS OUT

1612
00:48:39,052 --> 00:48:40,420
A WEEK OR TWO WEEKS AHEAD OF

1613
00:48:40,453 --> 00:48:43,623
TIME AND IT WAS LIKE THE 18TH OR

1614
00:48:43,656 --> 00:48:46,426
19TH OF DECEMBER, MY FATHER GOT

1615
00:48:46,459 --> 00:48:48,194
A TELEGRAM FROM TAMPA, FLORIDA

1616
00:48:48,228 --> 00:48:50,764
THAT SAID HOGAN WAS NOT COMING

1617
00:48:50,797 --> 00:48:53,767
BACK BUT MY FATHER AND EDDIE

1618
00:48:53,800 --> 00:48:54,901
GRAHAM ALWAYS WERE PLAYING JOKES

1619
00:48:54,934 --> 00:48:56,569
ON ONE ANOTHER.

1620
00:48:56,603 --> 00:48:59,139
AND HE SAW AT TAMPA, FLORIDA, HE

1621
00:48:59,172 --> 00:48:59,906
FIGURED EDDIE HAD SENT IT TO

1622
00:49:00,006 --> 00:49:00,674
HIM.

1623
00:49:00,707 --> 00:49:01,508
HE SAID [INDISTINCT]

1624
00:49:01,541 --> 00:49:02,242
EDDIE.

1625
00:49:02,275 --> 00:49:02,876
HE THINKS YOU'RE GONNA GET ME ON

1626
00:49:02,909 --> 00:49:04,077
THIS [INDISTINCT]

1627
00:49:04,110 --> 00:49:06,179
TORE IT UP AND THREW IT AWAY,

1628
00:49:06,212 --> 00:49:07,047
GOT TO CHRISTMAS NIGHT, NO

1629
00:49:07,080 --> 00:49:08,014
HOGAN.

1630
00:49:08,014 --> 00:49:11,484
I CALLED HULK AT HOME.

1631
00:49:11,518 --> 00:49:12,652
I SAID, "HULK, YOU GOT A MATCH.

1632
00:49:12,686 --> 00:49:15,188
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

1633
00:49:15,221 --> 00:49:18,058
"WELL, I'M GOING TO NEW YORK,"

1634
00:49:18,091 --> 00:49:20,126
AND I SAID, "WELL, WHEN?"

1635
00:49:20,160 --> 00:49:21,327
"WELL, IN JANUARY."

1636
00:49:21,361 --> 00:49:22,262
I SAID, "WELL, FULFILL YOUR

1637
00:49:22,295 --> 00:49:23,797
COMMITMENTS AND THEN GO."

1638
00:49:23,830 --> 00:49:28,635
[INDISTINCT]

1639
00:49:28,668 --> 00:49:29,736
AND SAY TO MY FACE, "HEY, I'M

1640
00:49:29,769 --> 00:49:31,137
GONNA LEAVE."

1641
00:49:31,171 --> 00:49:32,872
WELL, I'M BEING PAID MORE NOT

1642
00:49:32,906 --> 00:49:34,274
TO BE THERE.

1643
00:49:34,307 --> 00:49:36,676
THAT'S THE STORY YOU GAVE ME.

1644
00:49:36,710 --> 00:49:37,711
I'VE ALWAYS ENCOURAGED TALENT

1645
00:49:37,744 --> 00:49:38,712
TO FINISH OUT THEIR DATES, YOU

1646
00:49:38,745 --> 00:49:39,679
KNOW, WITH PROMOTERS AND SO

1647
00:49:39,713 --> 00:49:42,315
FORTH, KEEPING THEIR WORD.

1648
00:49:42,349 --> 00:49:45,318
I DON'T REMEMBER, YOU KNOW,

1649
00:49:45,352 --> 00:49:47,253
WHETHER OR NOT THAT WAS THE CASE

1650
00:49:47,287 --> 00:49:48,855
WHEN I WAS WITH HOGAN AND TRYING

1651
00:49:48,888 --> 00:49:49,522
TO ENCOURAGE HIM TO COME WITH

1652
00:49:49,556 --> 00:49:51,057
US.

1653
00:49:51,091 --> 00:49:52,659
I'M SURE IT HAD, YOU KNOW, A

1654
00:49:52,692 --> 00:49:54,394
NEGATIVE EFFECT, YOU KNOW, ON

1655
00:49:54,427 --> 00:49:56,162
VERNE'S TERRITORY, NO QUESTION

1656
00:49:56,196 --> 00:49:57,497
ABOUT THAT, ESPECIALLY IF HOGAN

1657
00:49:57,530 --> 00:49:58,932
HAD BEEN ADVERTISED.

1658
00:49:58,965 --> 00:49:59,766
IT WAS--IT WAS TOO BAD IT

1659
00:49:59,799 --> 00:50:01,701
CAME TO THAT BECAUSE HULK WAS

1660
00:50:01,735 --> 00:50:06,973
DEVELOPED HERE, BECAME THE HULK

1661
00:50:07,007 --> 00:50:09,976
HERE AND WAS ABLE THEN TO TAKE

1662
00:50:10,010 --> 00:50:11,344
IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH VINCE

1663
00:50:11,378 --> 00:50:13,113
JR.

1664
00:50:13,146 --> 00:50:14,481
BECAUSE HE WAS WELL-TRAINED

1665
00:50:14,514 --> 00:50:16,082
ENOUGH TO DO WHAT HE HAD TO DO

1666
00:50:16,116 --> 00:50:18,952
TO DRAW PEOPLE AND HE DID THAT

1667
00:50:18,985 --> 00:50:20,086
ALL HERE.

1668
00:50:20,120 --> 00:50:20,754
DIDN'T--MCMAHON DIDN'T HAVE TO

1669
00:50:20,787 --> 00:50:31,064
DO IT, I DID IT.

1670
00:50:31,765 --> 00:50:33,900
TO LOSE HOGAN WAS HUGE FOR

1671
00:50:33,933 --> 00:50:36,536
THE AWA.

1672
00:50:36,569 --> 00:50:38,405
YOU TAKE A TOP STAR LIKE THAT

1673
00:50:38,438 --> 00:50:39,873
AND HAVE WALKED OUT ON YOU

1674
00:50:39,906 --> 00:50:41,307
BECAUSE OF DECISIONS, THAT'S

1675
00:50:41,341 --> 00:50:44,444
SMART.

1676
00:50:44,477 --> 00:50:47,247
PRIOR TO HOGAN LEAVING US,

1677
00:50:47,280 --> 00:50:49,482
CBS HAD TO MY FATHER AND WANTED

1678
00:50:49,516 --> 00:50:52,118
TO A BIG SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL

1679
00:50:52,152 --> 00:50:55,021
ON CBS.

1680
00:50:55,055 --> 00:50:56,723
WHEN WE LOST HOGAN, WE LOST

1681
00:50:56,756 --> 00:50:58,758
THEM.

1682
00:50:58,792 --> 00:51:01,161
HOGAN WAS THE HARBINGER AND

1683
00:51:01,194 --> 00:51:02,529
ONCE HOGAN CAME HERE, WHICH WAS

1684
00:51:02,562 --> 00:51:04,798
THE TOP DOG IN THE AWA, SO MANY

1685
00:51:04,831 --> 00:51:06,499
FROM THE AWA WANTED TO FOLLOW

1686
00:51:06,533 --> 00:51:07,667
WHAT HOGAN'S FOOTSTEPS.

1687
00:51:07,701 --> 00:51:10,203
I WASN'T TOO FAR BEYOND HULK

1688
00:51:10,236 --> 00:51:11,371
HOGAN.

1689
00:51:11,404 --> 00:51:12,806
WE ARRIVED HERE IN THE WWE

1690
00:51:12,839 --> 00:51:14,708
SIMULTANEOUSLY.

1691
00:51:14,741 --> 00:51:15,675
SO, I DIDN'T GET TO SEE THE

1692
00:51:15,709 --> 00:51:17,377
CARNAGE THAT WAS LEFT THE NIGHT

1693
00:51:17,410 --> 00:51:18,845
IN THE BACK AND THE MINNEAPOLIS,

1694
00:51:18,878 --> 00:51:20,447
MINNESOTA.

1695
00:51:20,480 --> 00:51:22,515
GENE, ALL OF A SUDDEN ON A

1696
00:51:22,549 --> 00:51:23,883
SUNDAY NIGHT, WE DO--WE DID OUR

1697
00:51:23,917 --> 00:51:26,086
INTERVIEWS ON MONDAY MORNING.

1698
00:51:26,086 --> 00:51:29,422
GENE WAS OUT HEAD ANNOUNCER, OUR

1699
00:51:29,456 --> 00:51:31,458
20 SYNDICATED PROGRAMS WE DID

1700
00:51:31,491 --> 00:51:32,559
FIVE INTERVIEWS ON EVERY

1701
00:51:32,592 --> 00:51:33,860
PROGRAM.

1702
00:51:33,893 --> 00:51:35,261
MONDAY MORNINGS WERE SLATED TO

1703
00:51:35,295 --> 00:51:36,663
DO ALL THOSE INTERVIEWS, PUT HIM

1704
00:51:36,696 --> 00:51:38,765
IN THE SHOWS AND GET HIM OUT.

1705
00:51:38,798 --> 00:51:40,266
HE CALLS LATE SUNDAY NIGHT LIKE

1706
00:51:40,300 --> 00:51:41,768
11:00, "HEY, I'M GOING TO NEW

1707
00:51:41,801 --> 00:51:42,769
YORK."

1708
00:51:42,802 --> 00:51:43,970
I SAID, "WELL, GENE, DO THE

1709
00:51:44,004 --> 00:51:45,105
INTERVIEWS TOMORROW THEN GO."

1710
00:51:45,105 --> 00:51:46,506
WE'RE STUCK.

1711
00:51:46,539 --> 00:51:47,640
WE CAN'T GET A ANNOUNCER THIS

1712
00:51:47,674 --> 00:51:49,809
QUICK.

1713
00:51:49,843 --> 00:51:50,677
WELL THEY'RE PAYING ME MORE TO

1714
00:51:50,710 --> 00:51:52,112
GO UP THERE.

1715
00:51:52,112 --> 00:51:53,413
MY SON, GARY, WHO WAS A

1716
00:51:53,446 --> 00:51:56,282
PRODUCER AND A REFEREE OF--WENT

1717
00:51:56,316 --> 00:51:57,617
TO--WITH HULK AND SOME OF THE

1718
00:51:57,650 --> 00:52:00,153
GUYS TO NEW YORK AND AS THINGS

1719
00:52:00,186 --> 00:52:02,856
KIND OF QUITE IT DOWN HERE, FOR

1720
00:52:02,889 --> 00:52:06,760
ME, I ALSO WENT TO NEW YORK.

1721
00:52:06,793 --> 00:52:07,927
AND EVERYONE OF THEM, JESSE

1722
00:52:07,961 --> 00:52:09,863
VENTURA, CUT ALL HIS INTERVIEWS

1723
00:52:09,896 --> 00:52:12,332
FOR WINNIPEG, THEY'RE ALL IN THE

1724
00:52:12,365 --> 00:52:14,934
BOX, THE LAST ONE NEVER SHOWED

1725
00:52:14,968 --> 00:52:16,936
UP FOR THE MATCH.

1726
00:52:16,970 --> 00:52:19,673
EVERYBODY THAT WENT TO NEW YORK

1727
00:52:19,706 --> 00:52:21,207
DID THAT TO US.

1728
00:52:21,241 --> 00:52:23,843
THE ONLY ONE WAS BOBBY HEENAN.

1729
00:52:23,877 --> 00:52:25,945
BOBBY FULFILLED HIS ENTIRE

1730
00:52:25,979 --> 00:52:27,280
COMMITMENTS BEFORE HE LEFT.

1731
00:52:27,313 --> 00:52:31,451
IT WAS A GOING DOWN

1732
00:52:31,484 --> 00:52:33,286
[INDISTINCT]

1733
00:52:33,319 --> 00:52:35,422
BECAUSE THEY LOST HOGAN AND,

1734
00:52:35,455 --> 00:52:36,623
THEY LOST GENE OKERLUND, AND

1735
00:52:36,656 --> 00:52:37,924
JESSE.

1736
00:52:37,957 --> 00:52:40,860
SO, WHAT IT ENDED UP DOING

1737
00:52:40,894 --> 00:52:41,828
WAS HURTING YOUR CREDIBILITY AND

1738
00:52:41,861 --> 00:52:44,330
THEN PRETTY SOON, VINCE HAD MORE

1739
00:52:44,364 --> 00:52:45,699
AWA STARS THAN WE HAD, AND THEN

1740
00:52:45,732 --> 00:52:47,300
HE WOULD COME IN AND RUN DENVER

1741
00:52:47,334 --> 00:52:49,869
THE NIGHT BEFORE WE WOULD WITH

1742
00:52:49,903 --> 00:52:51,004
MORE OF THE AWA PEOPLE THAN WHAT

1743
00:52:51,104 --> 00:52:56,810
HAD.

1744
00:52:56,843 --> 00:52:58,011
WHY DIDN'T YOU SIGN THE

1745
00:52:58,111 --> 00:53:00,046
CONTACTS?

1746
00:53:00,046 --> 00:53:01,781
IT WASN'T WHEN VINCE BOUGHT HIM

1747
00:53:01,815 --> 00:53:03,650
OFF AND MISSED HIS OPPORTUNITY.

1748
00:53:03,683 --> 00:53:05,752
THEY ALL SAW GREENER PASTURES

1749
00:53:05,785 --> 00:53:06,753
IF YOU WILL.

1750
00:53:06,786 --> 00:53:08,521
IT WAS VERY SIMPLE.

1751
00:53:08,555 --> 00:53:10,323
IT WAS CALLED MONEY AND AN

1752
00:53:10,357 --> 00:53:11,624
OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY WITH

1753
00:53:11,658 --> 00:53:13,326
SOMEBODY THAT WAS GONNA HAVE

1754
00:53:13,360 --> 00:53:15,362
GREAT PRODUCTION VALUES.

1755
00:53:15,395 --> 00:53:17,630
THEY WILL GONNA BE STREAMLINED

1756
00:53:17,664 --> 00:53:18,698
AND IT JUST HAD THAT HI-TECH

1757
00:53:18,732 --> 00:53:20,333
FEEL TO IT.

1758
00:53:20,367 --> 00:53:23,403
AT THIS POINT, VINCE JR. IS

1759
00:53:23,436 --> 00:53:26,072
AN ENIGMA.

1760
00:53:26,106 --> 00:53:28,842
HE HAS NOT YET ESTABLISHED WITH

1761
00:53:28,875 --> 00:53:30,543
EVERYBODY ELSE, WHO HE IS, WHAT

1762
00:53:30,577 --> 00:53:31,911
HE IS, HOW IS GOING TO DO THINGS

1763
00:53:31,945 --> 00:53:34,080
NOW THAT HE'S TAKING OVER FROM

1764
00:53:34,080 --> 00:53:36,383
HIS DAD.

1765
00:53:36,416 --> 00:53:37,484
VINCE JR. HAD BOUGHT THE

1766
00:53:37,517 --> 00:53:40,520
PLACE FROM HIS FATHER AND THE

1767
00:53:40,553 --> 00:53:42,088
SCUTTLEBUTT EVERYWHERE WAS THIS

1768
00:53:42,088 --> 00:53:43,189
KID IS GOING--HE'S GONNA BREAK

1769
00:53:43,223 --> 00:53:44,991
ALL THE RULES.

1770
00:53:45,091 --> 00:53:47,494
THERE WERE EVEN STORIES THAT

1771
00:53:47,527 --> 00:53:49,195
VINCE SR. CALLED A NUMBER OF

1772
00:53:49,229 --> 00:53:52,632
PEOPLE WHO HE RESPECTED QUITE

1773
00:53:52,665 --> 00:53:54,901
WELL, ONE OF THEM BEING WALLY

1774
00:53:54,934 --> 00:53:58,304
KARBO, THAT THE KIDS ARE GONNA

1775
00:53:58,338 --> 00:54:00,306
TAKE OVER THE BUSINESS AND I

1776
00:54:00,340 --> 00:54:03,910
JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW HE'S GOT

1777
00:54:03,943 --> 00:54:06,346
SOME BIG PLANS.

1778
00:54:06,379 --> 00:54:07,480
AT ONE TIME, HE'D CAME AND

1779
00:54:07,514 --> 00:54:09,382
MET WITH MY FATHER AND I AND

1780
00:54:09,416 --> 00:54:11,785
ASKED MY FATHER IF HE WOULD BE

1781
00:54:11,818 --> 00:54:13,753
WILLING TO SELL OUT AND HE SAID,

1782
00:54:13,787 --> 00:54:15,855
"WELL, VINCE, YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT

1783
00:54:15,889 --> 00:54:17,791
A LOT YEARS INTO THIS AND IF THE

1784
00:54:17,824 --> 00:54:19,526
MONEY WAS RIGHT, YES, I WOULD DO

1785
00:54:19,559 --> 00:54:21,161
IT BUT YOU HAVE TO REALIZE, I

1786
00:54:21,194 --> 00:54:22,062
HAVE PARTNERS IN ALL THESE

1787
00:54:22,095 --> 00:54:23,329
CITES.

1788
00:54:23,363 --> 00:54:24,264
I THINK THAT VERNE WAS VERY

1789
00:54:24,297 --> 00:54:26,132
WILLING SELL AWA BUT HE HAD TO

1790
00:54:26,166 --> 00:54:27,567
GET HIS HOUSE IN ORDER FIRST

1791
00:54:27,600 --> 00:54:29,269
WITH OTHER PROMOTERS AND

1792
00:54:29,302 --> 00:54:30,203
CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS THAT HE

1793
00:54:30,236 --> 00:54:31,504
DIDN'T HAVE, BUT I DON'T KNOW

1794
00:54:31,538 --> 00:54:32,739
WHAT HE WOULD HAVE ASKED FOR AS

1795
00:54:32,772 --> 00:54:34,307
A PRICE TAG AND I'M SURE IT

1796
00:54:34,341 --> 00:54:38,111
WOULD HAVE BEEN HEFTY BUT HE

1797
00:54:38,144 --> 00:54:39,412
NEVER HAVE REALLY THE

1798
00:54:39,446 --> 00:54:41,348
OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE AFTER HE GOT

1799
00:54:41,381 --> 00:54:42,449
HIS DUCKS IN A ROW, THEN WE

1800
00:54:42,482 --> 00:54:44,651
BECAME COMPETITORS.

1801
00:54:44,684 --> 00:54:46,953
NEVER HEARD FROM HIM AGAIN

1802
00:54:46,986 --> 00:54:48,421
UNTIL ALL THIS HAPPENED, STARTED

1803
00:54:48,455 --> 00:54:50,156
HAPPENING IN DECEMBER, THAT WAS

1804
00:54:50,190 --> 00:54:51,491
AUGUST OF '83.

1805
00:54:51,524 --> 00:54:53,093
NOW DECEMBER OF '83, THAT'S WHEN

1806
00:54:53,093 --> 00:54:55,695
THE BIG PUSH CAME AND VINCE

1807
00:54:55,729 --> 00:54:57,530
STARTED GRABBING THE TALENT FROM

1808
00:54:57,564 --> 00:55:00,233
ALL THE DIFFERENT TERRITORIES.

1809
00:55:00,266 --> 00:55:02,469
HE STARTED GOING IN AND OFFERING

1810
00:55:02,502 --> 00:55:04,104
MONEY FOR OUR TELEVISION TIME

1811
00:55:04,137 --> 00:55:05,872
SLOTS THAT WE'VE BUILT UP FOR

1812
00:55:05,905 --> 00:55:08,408
YEARS AND YEARS.

1813
00:55:08,441 --> 00:55:09,609
A LOT OF PEOPLE WEREN'T TOO

1814
00:55:09,642 --> 00:55:11,211
HAPPY WITH HIM.

1815
00:55:11,244 --> 00:55:12,278
UP TO THIS DAY, A LOT PEOPLE

1816
00:55:12,312 --> 00:55:14,047
WEREN'T.

1817
00:55:14,047 --> 00:55:16,383
WELL, I DON'T KNOW THAT, YOU

1818
00:55:16,416 --> 00:55:18,852
KNOW, THAT THAT'S REALLY UNFAIR

1819
00:55:18,885 --> 00:55:20,420
OF WHAT'S UNFAIR ABOUT

1820
00:55:20,453 --> 00:55:22,288
ATTEMPTING TO APPROACH A

1821
00:55:22,322 --> 00:55:24,557
TELEVISION STAGE AND, YOU KNOW

1822
00:55:24,591 --> 00:55:25,859
WHAT VERNE'S TELEVISION SHOW AND

1823
00:55:25,892 --> 00:55:28,094
SAYING, "HEY, MINE IS BETTER,

1824
00:55:28,128 --> 00:55:29,429
YOU KNOW, I WANT TO TAKE VERNE'S

1825
00:55:29,462 --> 00:55:31,297
SLOT."

1826
00:55:31,331 --> 00:55:32,499
I DON'T THINK THAT'S UNETHICAL

1827
00:55:32,532 --> 00:55:33,500
AT ALL.

1828
00:55:33,533 --> 00:55:34,167
I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S KNOWN AS

1829
00:55:34,200 --> 00:55:35,301
COMPETITION.

1830
00:55:35,335 --> 00:55:36,369
AND ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH

1831
00:55:36,403 --> 00:55:39,205
THIS OLD TIME PROMOTERS, VERNE

1832
00:55:39,239 --> 00:55:39,906
INCLUDED, WAS THAT THEY NEVER

1833
00:55:39,939 --> 00:55:40,907
HAD ANY COMPETITION.

1834
00:55:40,940 --> 00:55:41,741
THEY REALLY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO

1835
00:55:41,775 --> 00:55:43,076
DEAL WITH COMPETITION.

1836
00:55:43,076 --> 00:55:44,544
AT THAT NIGHT, I GET ALONG

1837
00:55:44,577 --> 00:55:45,612
WELL AND I [INDISTINCT]

1838
00:55:45,645 --> 00:55:47,447
LOOK UP THERE FOR HIM A LOT

1839
00:55:47,480 --> 00:55:50,550
TIMES IN THEIR AREA AND--I DON'T

1840
00:55:50,583 --> 00:55:58,692
KNOW WHAT A--WHAT YOUNG VINCE

1841
00:55:58,725 --> 00:56:03,196
HAD IN MIND THAT TO DO IT.

1842
00:56:03,229 --> 00:56:05,165
I MEAN, WHAT COULD HE

1843
00:56:05,198 --> 00:56:06,032
[INDISTINCT]

1844
00:56:06,066 --> 00:56:07,400
BY IT.

1845
00:56:07,434 --> 00:56:09,869
IT DIDN'T GAIN A FRIEND.

1846
00:56:09,903 --> 00:56:11,304
EVERY PHILOSOPHY THAT VERNE

1847
00:56:11,338 --> 00:56:12,305
HAD WORKED AND WAS SUCCESSFUL

1848
00:56:12,339 --> 00:56:14,774
AND MADE HIM A MILLIONAIRE BUT

1849
00:56:14,808 --> 00:56:15,875
WHEN THIS YOUNG KID COMES UP

1850
00:56:15,909 --> 00:56:18,478
FROM A MAN THAT VERNE RESPECTED,

1851
00:56:18,511 --> 00:56:20,380
WHO WAS VINCE SR. AND HE'S GONNA

1852
00:56:20,413 --> 00:56:21,548
BREAK EVERY RULE IN THIS

1853
00:56:21,581 --> 00:56:24,050
INDUSTRY.

1854
00:56:24,050 --> 00:56:25,485
ON TOP OF THAT, HE'S GONNA HAVE

1855
00:56:25,518 --> 00:56:26,920
CHARACTERS THAT ARE ALMOST

1856
00:56:26,953 --> 00:56:29,356
CARTOON CHARACTERS.

1857
00:56:29,389 --> 00:56:30,357
HE'S GONNA TELL YOU THAT IS NOT

1858
00:56:30,390 --> 00:56:32,792
A REAL SPORTING EVENT.

1859
00:56:32,826 --> 00:56:34,227
HE'S SHOULD BE SHOT.

1860
00:56:34,260 --> 00:56:35,729
WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

1861
00:56:35,762 --> 00:56:36,863
THIS WILL NEVER LAST.

1862
00:56:36,896 --> 00:56:38,565
IT WILL NEVER WORK.

1863
00:56:38,598 --> 00:56:40,166
AND VERNE USED TO SAY, "HOW

1864
00:56:40,200 --> 00:56:41,368
COME HE'S RUNNING IT NIGHT

1865
00:56:41,401 --> 00:56:42,435
TIME?"

1866
00:56:42,469 --> 00:56:43,269
WELL, I MEAN YOU'RE GONNA

1867
00:56:43,303 --> 00:56:44,604
COMPARE THIS TO A GAS STATION

1868
00:56:44,637 --> 00:56:45,505
AND YOU CAN OPERATE A GAS

1869
00:56:45,538 --> 00:56:47,073
STATION ANYTIME.

1870
00:56:47,073 --> 00:56:47,807
THAT'S WHAT BUSINESS IS, YOU

1871
00:56:47,841 --> 00:56:48,942
DON'T LIKE IT, MOVE TO CUBA.

1872
00:56:48,975 --> 00:56:49,909
I WAS EXPANDING, YOU KNOW,

1873
00:56:49,943 --> 00:56:51,745
AND MINNEAPOLIS WAS A STOP A

1874
00:56:51,778 --> 00:56:53,279
LONG THE WAY.

1875
00:56:53,313 --> 00:56:54,781
IT WASN'T THAT I WAS COMING

1876
00:56:54,814 --> 00:56:57,650
AFTER VERNE, YOU KNOW, AND I

1877
00:56:57,684 --> 00:57:00,353
WASN'T--BUT VERNE WAS

1878
00:57:00,387 --> 00:57:02,155
RETALIATORY AND I'M NOT SO SURE

1879
00:57:02,188 --> 00:57:03,390
I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN AS WELL

1880
00:57:03,423 --> 00:57:04,190
ALTHOUGH I THINK I'D LIKE TO BE

1881
00:57:04,224 --> 00:57:05,392
SMARTER THAN THAT.

1882
00:57:05,425 --> 00:57:06,159
VINCE WAS COMING INTO HIS

1883
00:57:06,192 --> 00:57:07,060
BACKYARD AND SO HE STARTED GOING

1884
00:57:07,093 --> 00:57:09,696
TO VINCE' BACKYARD.

1885
00:57:09,729 --> 00:57:11,097
BUT VERNE WAS RETALIATORY AND

1886
00:57:11,131 --> 00:57:12,232
HE SAID, "HEY, LOOK IF THE KID'S

1887
00:57:12,265 --> 00:57:13,733
GONNA, YOU KNOW, COME TO

1888
00:57:13,767 --> 00:57:14,634
MINNEAPOLIS, I'M GONNA GO TO NEW

1889
00:57:14,668 --> 00:57:15,635
YORK."

1890
00:57:15,669 --> 00:57:17,337
THAT'S A MISTAKE.

1891
00:57:17,370 --> 00:57:18,405
IF I WAS VERNE I WOULD

1892
00:57:18,438 --> 00:57:20,607
CONCENTRATE ON THINGS I HAD AND

1893
00:57:20,640 --> 00:57:22,208
MAKE THEM SECURE AND TIGHT BUT

1894
00:57:22,242 --> 00:57:25,245
HE WAS--I DON'T KNOW, HE GOT--HE

1895
00:57:25,278 --> 00:57:26,913
MUST HAVE SHAKE--HE MUST HAVE

1896
00:57:26,946 --> 00:57:28,415
SHAKEN UP A BIT.

1897
00:57:28,448 --> 00:57:29,482
PEOPLE IN THE BUSINESS

1898
00:57:29,516 --> 00:57:31,151
EXPECTED VERNE, THE GREAT VERNE

1899
00:57:31,184 --> 00:57:33,253
GAGNE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

1900
00:57:33,286 --> 00:57:34,220
I MEAN, THIS PUNK KID WAS COMING

1901
00:57:34,254 --> 00:57:35,355
INTO HIS TERRITORY, WHICH WAS A

1902
00:57:35,388 --> 00:57:37,490
NO-NO.

1903
00:57:37,524 --> 00:57:38,692
AND, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE YOU

1904
00:57:38,725 --> 00:57:42,062
GOING TO DO ABOUT IT VERNE.

1905
00:57:42,095 --> 00:57:42,762
AND WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING

1906
00:57:42,796 --> 00:57:43,763
ABOUT A MARKET LIKE NEW YORK AND

1907
00:57:43,797 --> 00:57:45,465
YOU'RE COMING TO BOOK NEW YORK

1908
00:57:45,498 --> 00:57:46,399
YOUR CHANCES OF SUCCESS ARE NOT

1909
00:57:46,433 --> 00:57:47,600
SO GREAT.

1910
00:57:47,634 --> 00:57:49,069
VINCE'S PHILOSOPHIES' TOTALLY

1911
00:57:49,069 --> 00:57:51,204
DIFFERENT THAN MY FATHER.

1912
00:57:51,237 --> 00:57:52,305
I MEAN, THEY'RE NIGHT AND DAY

1913
00:57:52,339 --> 00:57:53,573
APART.

1914
00:57:53,606 --> 00:57:54,708
MY FATHER WAS--EVERYTHING WAS

1915
00:57:54,741 --> 00:57:56,710
ABOUT ATHLETICS AND ATHLETES IN

1916
00:57:56,743 --> 00:57:59,379
COMPETING.

1917
00:57:59,412 --> 00:58:00,347
BIG CONTRIBUTOR TO THE

1918
00:58:00,380 --> 00:58:01,414
OLYMPIC EFFORT, FORMER WORLD

1919
00:58:01,448 --> 00:58:02,349
CHAMPION VERNE GAGNE.

1920
00:58:02,382 --> 00:58:03,416
JIM, CONGRATULATIONS, WE'RE

1921
00:58:03,450 --> 00:58:04,784
SO PROUD OF YOU AND OUR

1922
00:58:04,818 --> 00:58:06,386
MINNESOTA TEAM AND TO THIS GUY

1923
00:58:06,419 --> 00:58:08,088
RIGHT HERE BRAD RHEINGANS WHO

1924
00:58:08,121 --> 00:58:09,255
BROUGHT THOSE THREE HEAVYWEIGHTS

1925
00:58:09,289 --> 00:58:10,623
IN THERE TO ALL MEDAL WINNERS.

1926
00:58:10,657 --> 00:58:12,025
TWO GOLDS AND A SILVER WAS

1927
00:58:12,025 --> 00:58:13,560
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC, PROUD OF

1928
00:58:13,593 --> 00:58:15,628
EACH AND EVERYONE OF THEM.

1929
00:58:15,662 --> 00:58:17,097
VINCE' FLAMBOYANT SHOWBIZ,

1930
00:58:17,130 --> 00:58:17,897
YOU HAVE TO HAVE THAT WITH

1931
00:58:17,931 --> 00:58:20,433
WRESTLING TO MAKE IT WORK, WE

1932
00:58:20,467 --> 00:58:22,335
KNOW THAT AND WE HAD THAT BUT WE

1933
00:58:22,369 --> 00:58:23,036
STILL--MY FATHER WAS VERY

1934
00:58:23,036 --> 00:58:23,803
CONSERVATIVE IN THE WAY HE RAN

1935
00:58:23,837 --> 00:58:25,505
HIS WRESTLING.

1936
00:58:25,538 --> 00:58:27,140
WWE HAD REALLY MADE A BIG

1937
00:58:27,173 --> 00:58:29,342
MOVE, YOU KNOW, TO NATIONAL

1938
00:58:29,376 --> 00:58:31,444
SYNDICATION AND NATIONAL CABLE

1939
00:58:31,478 --> 00:58:33,546
TELEVISION, KIND OF, WAS TEARING

1940
00:58:33,580 --> 00:58:34,881
DOWN THE WALLS, IF YOU WILL, THE

1941
00:58:34,914 --> 00:58:36,616
REGIONAL, YOU KNOW, WRESTLING

1942
00:58:36,649 --> 00:58:39,052
PROMOTER, YOU KNOW, MODEL AND A

1943
00:58:39,052 --> 00:58:40,520
LOT OF PROMOTERS, YOU KNOW, WERE

1944
00:58:40,553 --> 00:58:42,589
SUFFERING AS A RESULT OF THAT,

1945
00:58:42,622 --> 00:58:43,556
NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH WAS VERNE

1946
00:58:43,590 --> 00:58:45,125
GAGNE.

1947
00:58:45,158 --> 00:58:46,059
BUT I DON'T THINK THEY

1948
00:58:46,092 --> 00:58:47,660
ADMITTED IT TO THEMSELVES.

1949
00:58:47,694 --> 00:58:48,762
IF THEY HAD ADMITTED IT TO

1950
00:58:48,795 --> 00:58:49,896
THEMSELVES AND SO, "WHOA, WE

1951
00:58:49,929 --> 00:58:52,365
CANNOT LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN.

1952
00:58:52,399 --> 00:58:53,967
WE'LL GET US ANOTHER HOOK WE'LL

1953
00:58:54,067 --> 00:58:55,402
ATTEMPT TO GET ANOTHER HOOK OR

1954
00:58:55,435 --> 00:58:57,103
ANYBODY ELSE IF WE PUSHED THEM.

1955
00:58:57,137 --> 00:58:57,904
WE'RE GONNA LOCK THEM UP, YOU

1956
00:58:57,937 --> 00:58:59,139
KNOW.

1957
00:58:59,172 --> 00:59:00,206
I THINK THEY WERE STILL UNDER

1958
00:59:00,240 --> 00:59:02,008
THE MINDSET AT THAT TIME THAT

1959
00:59:02,042 --> 00:59:03,543
YOU WERE VERY LUCKY IF YOU WERE

1960
00:59:03,576 --> 00:59:06,079
IN THE AWA.

1961
00:59:06,112 --> 00:59:07,247
WE HAD A LOT OF GOOD GUYS

1962
00:59:07,280 --> 00:59:08,181
AROUND.

1963
00:59:08,214 --> 00:59:09,382
WE HAVE--WE DIDN'T REALLY NEED

1964
00:59:09,416 --> 00:59:10,750
HIM.

1965
00:59:10,784 --> 00:59:12,585
WE'VE [INDISTINCT]

1966
00:59:12,619 --> 00:59:14,921
BEFORE HOGAN, WE WERE DRAW--WE

1967
00:59:15,021 --> 00:59:18,925
WERE FILLING HOUSES UP.

1968
00:59:19,025 --> 00:59:20,794
AT THE END OF THAT YEAR THE

1969
00:59:20,827 --> 00:59:22,862
AWA HAD HIT IN THIS AREA AND IT

1970
00:59:22,896 --> 00:59:24,464
HAD IT'S BIGGEST YEAR EVER AFTER

1971
00:59:24,497 --> 00:59:26,933
THE GUYS HAD LEFT, SO, YOU KNOW,

1972
00:59:27,033 --> 00:59:28,468
THEY STILL AND THE CORE OF JERRY

1973
00:59:28,501 --> 00:59:30,670
BLACKWELL AND MAD DOG AND

1974
00:59:30,704 --> 00:59:33,940
CRUSHER, YOU KNOW, SO IT WAS NOT

1975
00:59:34,040 --> 00:59:36,509
GOOD TO LOSE A LOT OF TALENT

1976
00:59:36,543 --> 00:59:38,645
LIKE WE HAD BUT, YOU KNOW, IT

1977
00:59:38,678 --> 00:59:41,081
WAS NOT FELT IMMEDIATELY.

1978
00:59:41,114 --> 00:59:43,049
I THINK LULLED VERNE INTO A

1979
00:59:43,083 --> 00:59:46,086
SENSE OF COMPLACENCY.

1980
00:59:46,119 --> 00:59:47,721
HE WAS PRETTY COMPLACENT IN

1981
00:59:47,754 --> 00:59:49,756
WHAT HE WAS DOING AND HE SHOULD

1982
00:59:49,789 --> 00:59:51,291
BE BECAUSE IT WAS, YOU KNOW, 25,

1983
00:59:51,324 --> 00:59:55,462
30 YEARS OF SUCCESS BUT WITH THE

1984
00:59:55,495 --> 00:59:59,232
ONSLAUGHT OF CABLE TELEVISION

1985
00:59:59,265 --> 01:00:00,934
AND BIG TIME WRESTLING AND THE

1986
01:00:00,967 --> 01:00:03,837
WWE COMING IN AND DOING WHAT

1987
01:00:03,870 --> 01:00:08,475
THEY DID, IT DRASTICALLY CHANGED

1988
01:00:08,508 --> 01:00:11,011
VERNE'S WRESTLING LEAGUE OR

1989
01:00:11,044 --> 01:00:12,579
WRESTLING PROMOTION.

1990
01:00:12,612 --> 01:00:13,847
IT RAN OUT STARS LIKE BRUISER

1991
01:00:13,880 --> 01:00:15,181
BRODY.

1992
01:00:15,215 --> 01:00:16,383
I'VE BEEN BROUGHT HERE FOR A

1993
01:00:16,416 --> 01:00:18,818
REASON AND BEFORE I FALL OVER, I

1994
01:00:18,852 --> 01:00:20,086
KNOW EVERYBODY'S GONNA KNOW MY

1995
01:00:20,120 --> 01:00:21,321
BUSINESS JUST LIKE I KNOW IT.

1996
01:00:21,354 --> 01:00:23,456
NOTHING.

1997
01:00:23,490 --> 01:00:24,357
AND IT WAS THE BEST YEARS FROM

1998
01:00:24,391 --> 01:00:28,094
NOW.

1999
01:00:28,128 --> 01:00:29,129
IT DIDN'T MEAN NOTHING.

2000
01:00:29,162 --> 01:00:31,898
ONE WEEK YOU HAVE ANDRE AND

2001
01:00:31,931 --> 01:00:37,404
THE HULK HOGAN AND NEXT WEEK YOU

2002
01:00:37,437 --> 01:00:40,640
GOT ROOSTER GRIFFIN GRIFFIN.

2003
01:00:40,674 --> 01:00:42,642
THE HOUSE GOES FROM HERE TO

2004
01:00:42,676 --> 01:00:43,977
HERE.

2005
01:00:44,010 --> 01:00:44,944
YOU GOT NO TALENT.

2006
01:00:44,978 --> 01:00:46,146
YOU GOT TO TAKE OF YOUR TALENT.

2007
01:00:46,179 --> 01:00:47,981
AND DURING [INDISTINCT]

2008
01:00:48,014 --> 01:00:50,784
AND HE HAD RICK MARTEL AS THE

2009
01:00:50,817 --> 01:00:52,452
WORLD'S CHAMPION THEN.

2010
01:00:52,485 --> 01:00:54,154
AND HERE IS A PLANK POWER

2011
01:00:54,187 --> 01:00:55,255
BODY SLAM, A COUNT OF ONE, A

2012
01:00:55,288 --> 01:00:56,990
COUNT OF TWO, A COUNT OF THREE

2013
01:00:57,023 --> 01:01:01,394
AND THE NEW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION

2014
01:01:01,428 --> 01:01:03,063
OF THE WORLD OUT OF QUEBEC CITY,

2015
01:01:03,063 --> 01:01:07,067
CANADA IS RICKY MARTEL.

2016
01:01:07,067 --> 01:01:08,902
AND SO NO DISRESPECT TO RICK,

2017
01:01:08,935 --> 01:01:10,503
HE'S A PHENOMENAL COMPETITOR AND

2018
01:01:10,537 --> 01:01:11,571
PERFORMER.

2019
01:01:11,604 --> 01:01:12,372
I JUST NEVER THOUGHT HE WAS

2020
01:01:12,405 --> 01:01:13,807
GOING TO BE THE ANSWER AS

2021
01:01:13,840 --> 01:01:15,275
THE--AS AWA CHAMP.

2022
01:01:15,308 --> 01:01:17,777
RICKY MARTEL, THE NEW

2023
01:01:17,811 --> 01:01:19,446
HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE

2024
01:01:19,479 --> 01:01:20,146
WORLD.

2025
01:01:20,180 --> 01:01:21,414
AWA PRESIDENT STANLEY BLACKBURN

2026
01:01:21,448 --> 01:01:22,916
WHAT A BOMBSHELL THAT WAS.

2027
01:01:22,949 --> 01:01:24,117
I THOUGHT IT WAS THE GREATEST

2028
01:01:24,150 --> 01:01:25,085
MATCH I'VE EVER SEEN IN AT LEAST

2029
01:01:25,085 --> 01:01:26,853
IN 40 YEARS.

2030
01:01:26,886 --> 01:01:27,987
IT WAS FANTASTIC.

2031
01:01:28,088 --> 01:01:30,557
IT WAS REALLY THE GREATEST.

2032
01:01:30,590 --> 01:01:31,558
BUT WHAT THE AWA SEEMED TO BE

2033
01:01:31,591 --> 01:01:33,426
DOING THAT TIME WAS GRASPING THE

2034
01:01:33,460 --> 01:01:35,095
STRAWS AND TRYING THINGS TO

2035
01:01:35,095 --> 01:01:37,497
IGNITE A SPARK AND RECREATE AN

2036
01:01:37,530 --> 01:01:40,934
INTEREST IN THEIR BRAND.

2037
01:01:40,967 --> 01:01:42,235
BUT AS THINGS BEGAN TO

2038
01:01:42,268 --> 01:01:45,839
CRUMBLE FOR VERNE IN AWA MID

2039
01:01:45,872 --> 01:01:48,441
'80S, LATE '80S, YOU KNOW, VERNE

2040
01:01:48,475 --> 01:01:50,677
HAD TO RELY ON THE PEOPLE THAT

2041
01:01:50,710 --> 01:01:52,445
HE COULD RELY ON.

2042
01:01:52,479 --> 01:01:54,514
CERTAINLY, GREG GAGNE, HIS SON

2043
01:01:54,547 --> 01:01:56,149
AND A SMALL CORE OF WRESTLERS

2044
01:01:56,182 --> 01:01:58,151
THAT VERNE TRUSTED.

2045
01:01:58,184 --> 01:01:59,853
HE'S GOT HIS DADDY HIDING OUT

2046
01:01:59,886 --> 01:02:02,055
BEHIND THE RINGSIDE CHAIR.

2047
01:02:02,088 --> 01:02:02,756
I NEVER WORKED IN THE AWA BUT

2048
01:02:02,789 --> 01:02:04,824
I--I'VE HAD, YOU KNOW, DOZENS OF

2049
01:02:04,858 --> 01:02:05,525
FRIEND AND BUSINESS

2050
01:02:05,558 --> 01:02:06,893
ACQUAINTANCES THAT I HAVE AND A

2051
01:02:06,926 --> 01:02:09,062
LOT OF GUYS FELT LIKE VERNE

2052
01:02:09,062 --> 01:02:11,598
TRIED A LITTLE TOO HARD TO GET

2053
01:02:11,631 --> 01:02:13,099
GREG ON THAT MAIN EVENT LEVEL

2054
01:02:13,133 --> 01:02:15,101
WHERE GREG COULD BE VERNE'S

2055
01:02:15,135 --> 01:02:16,770
PREDECESSOR.

2056
01:02:16,803 --> 01:02:18,071
GREG, OF COURSE, ALSO WITH

2057
01:02:18,071 --> 01:02:20,640
DESIRES ON THE HEAVYWEIGHT

2058
01:02:20,674 --> 01:02:23,943
CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD, A

2059
01:02:23,977 --> 01:02:25,979
BELT WHICH IS FATHER HELD FOR SO

2060
01:02:26,079 --> 01:02:28,214
MANY, MANY YEARS.

2061
01:02:28,248 --> 01:02:29,315
THERE WAS ALWAYS A LOT

2062
01:02:29,349 --> 01:02:32,318
CONVERSATION ABOUT GREG'S ROLE

2063
01:02:32,352 --> 01:02:34,554
IN AWA AS RELATED TO, YOU KNOW,

2064
01:02:34,587 --> 01:02:36,256
BEING A PERFORMER, BEING A TAG

2065
01:02:36,289 --> 01:02:37,724
TEAM CHAMPION AND A WORLD

2066
01:02:37,757 --> 01:02:38,758
CHAMPION.

2067
01:02:38,792 --> 01:02:41,194
GREG WAS OUTSTANDING IN TAG

2068
01:02:41,227 --> 01:02:43,630
TEAMS BUT GREG NEVER HAD THE

2069
01:02:43,663 --> 01:02:46,466
INDIVIDUAL CHARISMA THAT HIS DAD

2070
01:02:46,499 --> 01:02:47,901
HAD.

2071
01:02:47,934 --> 01:02:48,735
GREG IS UNDER A LOT PRESSURE

2072
01:02:48,768 --> 01:02:50,570
THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE.

2073
01:02:50,603 --> 01:02:51,638
MYSELF COMING FROM A WRESTLING

2074
01:02:51,671 --> 01:02:52,772
FAMILY, EVERY TIME YOU STEP IN

2075
01:02:52,806 --> 01:02:54,441
THAT RING YOU NOT ONLY REPRESENT

2076
01:02:54,474 --> 01:02:56,109
YOUR OWN SELF AND YOUR OWN

2077
01:02:56,142 --> 01:02:57,444
PROFESSIONAL PRIDE BUT THAT OF

2078
01:02:57,477 --> 01:02:59,145
YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR FATHER.

2079
01:02:59,179 --> 01:03:00,213
AND GREG WRESTLED FOR YEARS AND,

2080
01:03:00,246 --> 01:03:01,414
SO DID MINE AND HE HAS THAT

2081
01:03:01,448 --> 01:03:02,882
FAMILY PRIDE AND REPUTATION TO

2082
01:03:02,916 --> 01:03:05,051
DO AND PROTECT.

2083
01:03:05,051 --> 01:03:06,186
I'M THINKING OF WRESTLERS

2084
01:03:06,219 --> 01:03:07,420
THAT--NOW, THE ONLY REASON GREG

2085
01:03:07,454 --> 01:03:08,722
GAGNE IS EVEN IN THE RING IS

2086
01:03:08,755 --> 01:03:10,290
BECAUSE HE'S VERNE'S SON.

2087
01:03:10,323 --> 01:03:11,057
AND THEN YOU KNOW WHAT,

2088
01:03:11,091 --> 01:03:12,258
THAT'S PROBABLY TRUE TO A DEGREE

2089
01:03:12,292 --> 01:03:15,795
BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS

2090
01:03:15,829 --> 01:03:17,564
VERNE KNEW HE COULD TRUST GREG.

2091
01:03:17,597 --> 01:03:18,465
VERNE KNEW HE COULD DEPEND ON

2092
01:03:18,498 --> 01:03:19,699
GREG.

2093
01:03:19,733 --> 01:03:22,102
GREG WAS A GREAT PERFORMER.

2094
01:03:22,135 --> 01:03:23,436
DOWN HE GOES, GAGNE, NICE AND

2095
01:03:23,470 --> 01:03:25,071
SMOOTH.

2096
01:03:25,071 --> 01:03:27,340
I ACTUALLY THINK--NO, I

2097
01:03:27,374 --> 01:03:29,876
ACTUALLY KNOW THAT GREG HAD A

2098
01:03:29,909 --> 01:03:31,444
BETTER GRASP OF WHERE THE

2099
01:03:31,478 --> 01:03:34,080
BUSINESS WAS AT THAT TIME AND

2100
01:03:34,080 --> 01:03:35,148
WHERE IT WAS GOING.

2101
01:03:35,181 --> 01:03:36,583
EVENTUALLY, SOMEDAY BRODY

2102
01:03:36,616 --> 01:03:37,784
WE'LL GONNA FIND OUT WHAT KIND

2103
01:03:37,817 --> 01:03:39,085
OF A MAN YOU ARE AND HOW GOOD

2104
01:03:39,085 --> 01:03:40,553
YOU REALLY ARE.

2105
01:03:40,587 --> 01:03:41,588
ONCE THERE WERE OTHER

2106
01:03:41,621 --> 01:03:43,523
WRESTLING PROGRAMS COMING IN

2107
01:03:43,556 --> 01:03:45,825
THAT WERE MODERNIZING, THAT DID

2108
01:03:45,859 --> 01:03:48,661
HAVE ROCK AND ROLL, THAT, YOU

2109
01:03:48,695 --> 01:03:51,231
KNOW, WE'RE TRYING TO REACH A

2110
01:03:51,264 --> 01:03:52,499
YOUNGER DEMOGRAPH, A YOUNGER

2111
01:03:52,532 --> 01:03:54,100
AUDIENCE.

2112
01:03:54,100 --> 01:03:54,934
THE BUSINESS STARTED PASSING

2113
01:03:54,968 --> 01:03:55,568
VERNE BY IN MY VIEW.

2114
01:03:55,602 --> 01:03:59,239
I DON'T THINK HE WAS PASSING

2115
01:03:59,272 --> 01:04:00,040
GREG BY BUT HIS FATHER WAS

2116
01:04:00,040 --> 01:04:01,374
HOLDING HIM BACK.

2117
01:04:01,408 --> 01:04:03,443
AT ONE POINT MY FATHER GOT

2118
01:04:03,476 --> 01:04:04,577
THE PROMOTERS TOGETHER WHEN

2119
01:04:04,611 --> 01:04:05,679
VINCE FIRST MADE HIS MOVE TO

2120
01:04:05,712 --> 01:04:08,448
TAKE OVER THE WORLD.

2121
01:04:08,481 --> 01:04:09,482
I GOT TOGETHER WITH THE

2122
01:04:09,516 --> 01:04:12,452
CROCKETTS, WITH JIM BARNETT,

2123
01:04:12,485 --> 01:04:14,854
WITH FRITZ VON ERICH, WITH DON

2124
01:04:14,888 --> 01:04:17,223
OWEN, WITH BILL WATTS, FORMED

2125
01:04:17,257 --> 01:04:18,625
THE GROUP AND WE'RE GONNA RUN

2126
01:04:18,658 --> 01:04:20,093
THIS SUPER CARDS BRINGING

2127
01:04:20,126 --> 01:04:21,928
EVERYBODY TOGETHER AND DO A TV

2128
01:04:21,961 --> 01:04:24,764
SHOW OUT OF THE DIFFERENT ARENAS

2129
01:04:24,798 --> 01:04:25,699
ADDING THE TALENT FROM ALL THE

2130
01:04:25,732 --> 01:04:28,234
DIFFERENT AREAS.

2131
01:04:28,268 --> 01:04:29,536
WELCOME TO THE GREATEST EVENT

2132
01:04:29,569 --> 01:04:30,670
IN THE HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL

2133
01:04:30,704 --> 01:04:32,672
WRESTLING, SUPERCLASH '85 AND

2134
01:04:32,706 --> 01:04:35,875
THE NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS.

2135
01:04:35,909 --> 01:04:37,510
I'M LARRY NELSON AND WITH ME THE

2136
01:04:37,544 --> 01:04:41,715
MAN THAT PUT THE WHOLE THING

2137
01:04:41,748 --> 01:04:42,649
TOGETHER, MR. VERNE GAGNE.

2138
01:04:42,682 --> 01:04:43,717
VERNE, IT WAS A TREMENDOUS

2139
01:04:43,750 --> 01:04:44,684
AMOUNT OF WORK BUT YOU'VE GOT TO

2140
01:04:44,718 --> 01:04:45,919
BE PROUD OF THE RESULTS.

2141
01:04:45,952 --> 01:04:47,320
WELL, I AM AND I LIKE TO

2142
01:04:47,354 --> 01:04:48,621
THANK EACH AND EVERYONE OF THESE

2143
01:04:48,655 --> 01:04:50,790
PEOPLE THAT CAME OUT HERE

2144
01:04:50,824 --> 01:04:51,591
TONIGHT TO WATCH THIS GREAT

2145
01:04:51,624 --> 01:04:52,692
EVENT, THIS GREAT SPECTACULAR

2146
01:04:52,726 --> 01:04:53,760
NIGHT OF WRESTLING.

2147
01:04:53,793 --> 01:04:55,128
THE REASON THAT THE

2148
01:04:55,161 --> 01:04:56,196
SUPERCLASH CAME ABOUT AND A

2149
01:04:56,229 --> 01:04:57,897
REASON THE AWA AND THE NWA

2150
01:04:57,931 --> 01:05:00,233
DECIDED TO CO-PROMOTE AN EVENT

2151
01:05:00,266 --> 01:05:02,102
WAS VERY SIMPLE, DESPERATION.

2152
01:05:02,135 --> 01:05:07,040
IT WAS TO ATTEMPT TO DERAIL THE

2153
01:05:07,040 --> 01:05:09,843
WWE TRAIN THAT WAS GAINING SPEED

2154
01:05:09,876 --> 01:05:13,480
AND BURN DOWN THE TRACKS.

2155
01:05:13,513 --> 01:05:16,583
I THINK THE FACT THAT VINCE

2156
01:05:16,616 --> 01:05:20,053
MCMAHON WAS COMING IN AND BEING

2157
01:05:20,086 --> 01:05:21,354
VERY SUCCESSFUL THAT SOME OF

2158
01:05:21,388 --> 01:05:23,089
THESE GUYS THAT ALWAYS, YOU

2159
01:05:23,123 --> 01:05:25,725
KNOW, SHOOK YOUR HAND BUT HAD

2160
01:05:25,759 --> 01:05:27,193
THE OTHER HAND BEHIND THE BACK

2161
01:05:27,227 --> 01:05:28,528
WE'RE NOW REALIZING WE BETTER

2162
01:05:28,561 --> 01:05:30,230
BUDDY UP HERE AND WE'RE IN

2163
01:05:30,263 --> 01:05:31,398
SERIOUS TROUBLE.

2164
01:05:31,431 --> 01:05:32,966
IT WAS A GOOD CONCEPT BUT

2165
01:05:33,066 --> 01:05:34,701
AGAIN THE EGOS OF ALL THE

2166
01:05:34,734 --> 01:05:36,436
DIFFERENT PROMOTERS; THEY WANTED

2167
01:05:36,469 --> 01:05:38,571
THEIR GUY UP HERE, THEY WANTED

2168
01:05:38,605 --> 01:05:40,607
THIS FOR THEIR MAIN EVENT.

2169
01:05:40,640 --> 01:05:43,209
IT GOT TO BE WHERE YOU COULDN'T

2170
01:05:43,243 --> 01:05:44,678
CONTROL IT.

2171
01:05:44,711 --> 01:05:46,279
YOU REALLY COULDN'T GET WHAT

2172
01:05:46,312 --> 01:05:47,814
NEEDED TO BE DONE TO GO AGAINST

2173
01:05:47,847 --> 01:05:49,549
MCMAHON.

2174
01:05:49,582 --> 01:05:52,352
THERE WERE STRADDLE BUNCH;

2175
01:05:52,385 --> 01:05:53,386
MOST OF THEM WERE FROM THE

2176
01:05:53,420 --> 01:05:54,287
OLD--THE OLD SCHOOL OF

2177
01:05:54,320 --> 01:05:55,588
PROMOTERS.

2178
01:05:55,622 --> 01:05:57,090
THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH GLUE OR

2179
01:05:57,123 --> 01:05:58,658
ENTHUSIASM FOR THEM TO

2180
01:05:58,692 --> 01:06:00,393
COLLECTIVELY COME TOGETHER TO DO

2181
01:06:00,427 --> 01:06:03,129
THIS BATTLE.

2182
01:06:03,163 --> 01:06:04,664
IT WASN'T SIGNIFICANT FOR ME

2183
01:06:04,698 --> 01:06:06,633
AND ALL THE FACT THAT ONE

2184
01:06:06,666 --> 01:06:07,600
OCCASION THEY WERE JOINED FORCES

2185
01:06:07,634 --> 01:06:10,036
BECAUSE I KNEW IT COULDN'T LAST.

2186
01:06:10,036 --> 01:06:12,772
DAVID CROCKETT IS IN THE

2187
01:06:12,806 --> 01:06:14,374
LOCKER ROOM TRYING TO SIGN SOME

2188
01:06:14,407 --> 01:06:16,076
OF OUR TALENT TO A CONTRACT TO

2189
01:06:16,109 --> 01:06:20,780
COME WITH THEM.

2190
01:06:20,814 --> 01:06:22,248
SO IF YOU CAN'T TRUST THE PEOPLE

2191
01:06:22,282 --> 01:06:23,550
YOU'RE WORKING WITH, HOW HELL IN

2192
01:06:23,583 --> 01:06:24,384
THE WORLD ARE YOU EVER GONNA

2193
01:06:24,417 --> 01:06:25,585
MAKE THAT WORK?

2194
01:06:25,618 --> 01:06:26,686
IT WAS DOOMED TO FAIL FROM

2195
01:06:26,720 --> 01:06:29,956
DAY ONE.

2196
01:06:30,056 --> 01:06:31,291
RICK MARTEL WITH A SERIOUS

2197
01:06:31,324 --> 01:06:32,359
BACK INJURY AND HE CAN'T TAKE IT

2198
01:06:32,392 --> 01:06:33,893
ANYMORE.

2199
01:06:33,927 --> 01:06:35,228
AND THEY ARE CALLING IT OFF.

2200
01:06:35,261 --> 01:06:37,063
NOW, WAIT A MINUTE.

2201
01:06:37,097 --> 01:06:38,865
UNBELIEVABLE.

2202
01:06:38,898 --> 01:06:40,800
CAN IT BE THAT STAN "THE LARIAT"

2203
01:06:40,834 --> 01:06:44,104
HANSEN HAS WON--YES, STAN "THE

2204
01:06:44,137 --> 01:06:45,505
LARIAT" HANSEN, THE NEW CHAMPION

2205
01:06:45,538 --> 01:06:48,575
OF THE AWA.

2206
01:06:48,608 --> 01:06:50,176
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS BUT

2207
01:06:50,210 --> 01:06:53,980
IT CAN'T BE ANYTHING GOOD.

2208
01:06:54,080 --> 01:06:56,082
STAN HANSEN WAS SUPPOSED TO

2209
01:06:56,082 --> 01:06:59,652
WRESTLE ME ONE NIGHT IN DENVER.

2210
01:06:59,686 --> 01:07:01,154
AND IT WAS A VERY GOOD--AND HE

2211
01:07:01,187 --> 01:07:03,323
WAS--AND AT THAT POINT HE WAS

2212
01:07:03,356 --> 01:07:04,924
THE AWA CHAMPION.

2213
01:07:05,025 --> 01:07:08,595
AND IT WAS A VERY GOOD

2214
01:07:08,628 --> 01:07:10,030
POSSIBILITY THAT HE'S GONNA LOSE

2215
01:07:10,063 --> 01:07:11,531
THAT NIGHT.

2216
01:07:11,564 --> 01:07:13,433
AND HE LEFT--HE LEFT THE

2217
01:07:13,466 --> 01:07:15,435
BUILDING.

2218
01:07:15,468 --> 01:07:16,469
I WAS VERY SURPRISED WHEN

2219
01:07:16,503 --> 01:07:17,370
HANSEN BECAME THE AWA CHAMPION

2220
01:07:17,404 --> 01:07:19,072
BECAUSE STAN HAD ALREADY

2221
01:07:19,105 --> 01:07:20,040
ESTABLISHED HIMSELF.

2222
01:07:20,040 --> 01:07:23,043
AS A HUGE STAR IN JAPAN.

2223
01:07:23,043 --> 01:07:23,943
STAN WAS MAKING MORE MONEY IN

2224
01:07:24,044 --> 01:07:26,112
JAPAN THAN HE WOULD EVER MAKE AS

2225
01:07:26,146 --> 01:07:29,783
THE AWA CHAMPION AND THE SHAPE

2226
01:07:29,816 --> 01:07:32,552
OF THE AWA WAS IN FINANCIALLY

2227
01:07:32,585 --> 01:07:33,753
AND HOW THEY WERE DRAWING AT

2228
01:07:33,787 --> 01:07:35,588
THAT TIME.

2229
01:07:35,622 --> 01:07:37,857
HIS LOYALTY WAS TO HIMSELF

2230
01:07:37,891 --> 01:07:39,426
AND JAPAN, NOT TO ANY AMERICAN

2231
01:07:39,459 --> 01:07:43,730
PROMOTION.

2232
01:07:43,763 --> 01:07:45,265
AND SO HE LEFT THAT NIGHT BEFORE

2233
01:07:45,298 --> 01:07:46,766
WE WRESTLED AND TOOK THE BOUT

2234
01:07:46,800 --> 01:07:48,068
WITH HIM.

2235
01:07:48,101 --> 01:07:49,903
I'M NOT IN A BIG EGO RUSH,

2236
01:07:49,936 --> 01:07:50,970
I'M NOT AFTER ALL THE BRIGHT

2237
01:07:51,071 --> 01:07:52,305
LIGHTS AND THE LITTLE WOMEN.

2238
01:07:52,339 --> 01:07:54,474
I'VE GOT A BIG FAT WIFE AND NINE

2239
01:07:54,507 --> 01:07:56,509
KIDS AT HOME AND I GOT TO FEED

2240
01:07:56,543 --> 01:07:57,811
THEM.

2241
01:07:57,844 --> 01:07:59,512
AND ANYBODY HAD TAKES MONEY OUT

2242
01:07:59,546 --> 01:08:01,214
OF MY POCKET LARRY ZBYSZKO.

2243
01:08:01,247 --> 01:08:02,649
I'M GONNA GET HIM--GET HIM OUT

2244
01:08:02,682 --> 01:08:04,784
OF THERE.

2245
01:08:04,818 --> 01:08:06,286
YOU KNOW, YOU GOT TO ANSWER

2246
01:08:06,319 --> 01:08:07,220
TO THIS MAN.

2247
01:08:07,253 --> 01:08:09,022
THIS MAN...

2248
01:08:09,022 --> 01:08:09,656
HE WAS MAKING MORE MONEY THAN

2249
01:08:09,689 --> 01:08:10,323
A LOT OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

2250
01:08:10,357 --> 01:08:11,624
PLAYERS, A LOT OF GUYS IN THE

2251
01:08:11,658 --> 01:08:12,659
NFL, SO WHY WOULDN'T HE GO TO

2252
01:08:12,692 --> 01:08:13,426
JAPAN?

2253
01:08:13,460 --> 01:08:15,028
WHY WOULD YOU THINK HE--WHY

2254
01:08:15,061 --> 01:08:17,330
WOULD YOU THINK HE WOULDN'T GO?

2255
01:08:17,364 --> 01:08:19,466
SO IT WAS--IT KIND OF STIRRED

2256
01:08:19,499 --> 01:08:21,167
THE POT BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE

2257
01:08:21,201 --> 01:08:23,503
LAUGHED AT THE AWA PER SE.

2258
01:08:23,536 --> 01:08:25,105
WELL, HOW CAN YOU GUYS BE

2259
01:08:25,138 --> 01:08:26,773
SURPRISED?

2260
01:08:26,806 --> 01:08:27,607
WHICH, OF COURSE, THEY MADE A

2261
01:08:27,640 --> 01:08:29,109
THRILL OUT OF THE BATTLE ROYAL,

2262
01:08:29,142 --> 01:08:30,377
ET CETERA, ET CETERA, AND I THAT

2263
01:08:30,410 --> 01:08:31,378
WAS A LOVELY DAY.

2264
01:08:31,411 --> 01:08:33,179
THEY DID, WAS OF COURSE, TOOK

2265
01:08:33,213 --> 01:08:34,514
THE BOUT AWAY FROM HIM, TOOK THE

2266
01:08:34,547 --> 01:08:35,782
TITLE AWAY FROM HIM.

2267
01:08:35,815 --> 01:08:37,183
AND STAN, I GUESS, WHEN THEY

2268
01:08:37,217 --> 01:08:39,819
TOLD HIM CEASE TO EXIST TO

2269
01:08:39,853 --> 01:08:41,121
CALLING YOURSELF THE AWA

2270
01:08:41,154 --> 01:08:43,456
CHAMPION OR WE WILL TAKE A LEGAL

2271
01:08:43,490 --> 01:08:46,192
ACTION.

2272
01:08:46,226 --> 01:08:49,829
STAN, HE WASN'T READY FOR THAT

2273
01:08:49,863 --> 01:08:53,066
AND SO LITTLE SOUTH MISSISSIPPI

2274
01:08:53,066 --> 01:08:57,070
BOY, HE TOOK THE--ACTUALLY, RAN

2275
01:08:57,070 --> 01:09:01,074
OVER ME AWA BELT AND, YOU KNOW,

2276
01:09:01,107 --> 01:09:03,376
IT GOT A SLIGHT CURVE TO IT BUT

2277
01:09:03,410 --> 01:09:05,812
IT WAS--IT'S LIKE KINKING IT

2278
01:09:05,845 --> 01:09:08,014
THERE WERE--AND THE MUDDIED

2279
01:09:08,014 --> 01:09:09,049
TRACKS WHERE RIGHT ACROSS THE

2280
01:09:09,082 --> 01:09:10,784
BELT.

2281
01:09:10,817 --> 01:09:12,686
IT WAS JUST ANOTHER

2282
01:09:12,719 --> 01:09:15,422
INDICATION THINGS WERE AT THAT

2283
01:09:15,455 --> 01:09:16,356
TIMES WERE PASSING THE PROMOTION

2284
01:09:16,389 --> 01:09:19,726
BY.

2285
01:09:19,759 --> 01:09:21,528
YOU KNOW, NO MATTER HOW

2286
01:09:21,561 --> 01:09:22,762
DIFFICULT THINGS WERE AND I

2287
01:09:22,796 --> 01:09:24,564
CAN'T EMPHASIZE ENOUGH AS

2288
01:09:24,597 --> 01:09:27,033
BADDEST THINGS WERE IN THE AWA,

2289
01:09:27,033 --> 01:09:27,934
YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW THAT

2290
01:09:28,034 --> 01:09:29,936
WALKING THROUGH THE DOOR.

2291
01:09:30,036 --> 01:09:30,737
I MEAN, YOU COULD FIGURE IT OUT

2292
01:09:30,770 --> 01:09:31,838
WHEN THERE WAS LESS AND LESS

2293
01:09:31,871 --> 01:09:33,907
PEOPLE IN THE OFFICES AND THERE

2294
01:09:33,940 --> 01:09:35,375
WAS JUST LESS ACTIVITY.

2295
01:09:35,408 --> 01:09:37,310
THERE WAS NOT MUCH GOING ON, SO

2296
01:09:37,344 --> 01:09:39,379
IT WAS EASY TO SEE THAT, YOU

2297
01:09:39,412 --> 01:09:40,947
KNOW, THIS IS NOT A VIABLE

2298
01:09:41,047 --> 01:09:43,049
BUSINESS BUT AT THE SAME TIME,

2299
01:09:43,083 --> 01:09:43,917
YOU KNOW, VERNE WAS ALWAYS SO

2300
01:09:43,950 --> 01:09:45,385
POSITIVE.

2301
01:09:45,418 --> 01:09:46,219
TODAY'S MATCH IS PART OF

2302
01:09:46,252 --> 01:09:47,954
VERNE GAGNE'S PRO WRESTLING USA

2303
01:09:48,054 --> 01:09:49,389
COMING IN THE UNITED STATES AND

2304
01:09:49,422 --> 01:09:51,057
CANADA.

2305
01:09:51,057 --> 01:09:53,226
VERNE, THE COUP LAST WEEK, SGT.

2306
01:09:53,259 --> 01:09:54,961
SLAUGHTER HERE IN THE AWA.

2307
01:09:55,061 --> 01:09:56,763
NOW THESE GREAT, GREAT MATCHES,

2308
01:09:56,796 --> 01:09:58,064
THE AWA TRULY THE MAJOR LEAGUE

2309
01:09:58,064 --> 01:09:59,065
OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING.

2310
01:09:59,099 --> 01:10:00,567
WELL, I THINK IT'S ALWAYS

2311
01:10:00,600 --> 01:10:01,901
BEEN MAJOR LEAGUE OF

2312
01:10:01,935 --> 01:10:02,535
PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING AND, OF

2313
01:10:02,569 --> 01:10:04,004
COURSE, SGT.

2314
01:10:04,037 --> 01:10:05,005
SLAUGHTER BEING ON THE SCENE,

2315
01:10:05,038 --> 01:10:07,173
KIND OF, ADDS TO THAT BUT WE DO

2316
01:10:07,207 --> 01:10:08,641
WANT TO LET OUR FANS KNOW THAT

2317
01:10:08,675 --> 01:10:10,176
WE WANT TO BRING THEM THE VERY

2318
01:10:10,210 --> 01:10:11,678
BEST IN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING.

2319
01:10:11,711 --> 01:10:13,480
WE FEEL WE HAVE OVER THE YEARS.

2320
01:10:13,513 --> 01:10:14,447
WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO DO SO.

2321
01:10:14,481 --> 01:10:15,181
IT'S GONNA GET BETTER AND BETTER

2322
01:10:15,215 --> 01:10:16,549
ALL THE TIME.

2323
01:10:16,583 --> 01:10:18,318
VERNE MADE AN ATTEMPT TO

2324
01:10:18,351 --> 01:10:19,052
CHANGE THE WAY HE PRESENTED HIS

2325
01:10:19,085 --> 01:10:20,720
WRESTLING AND HAD TO DO IT, I'LL

2326
01:10:20,754 --> 01:10:23,323
SAY IT MORE LIKE WHAT NEW YORK

2327
01:10:23,356 --> 01:10:24,991
WAS DOING.

2328
01:10:25,025 --> 01:10:26,393
WELL, A BIG COUP FOR US WAS

2329
01:10:26,426 --> 01:10:27,594
TO GET ON ESPN.

2330
01:10:27,627 --> 01:10:29,396
THAT WAS THE NEW SPORTS NETWORK,

2331
01:10:29,429 --> 01:10:31,031
IT WAS STILL GROWING.

2332
01:10:31,064 --> 01:10:32,198
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, LARRY.

2333
01:10:32,232 --> 01:10:33,066
IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH

2334
01:10:33,099 --> 01:10:34,167
THE ESPN.

2335
01:10:34,200 --> 01:10:35,769
THERE WAS SOMEBODY I KNEW

2336
01:10:35,802 --> 01:10:37,704
THAT WAS IN ESPN AND HAD

2337
01:10:37,737 --> 01:10:40,440
CONTACTED BUT, YOU KNOW, WE'LL

2338
01:10:40,473 --> 01:10:42,842
DO THAT WITH THE WRESTLING.

2339
01:10:42,876 --> 01:10:46,346
SO THEY AGREED TO IT, I MEAN,

2340
01:10:46,379 --> 01:10:48,048
THEY WANTED TO, SO IT WAS GOOD

2341
01:10:48,081 --> 01:10:49,249
FOR THEM AND IT WAS GOOD FOR

2342
01:10:49,282 --> 01:10:51,918
THEM--FOR US AT THE TIME.

2343
01:10:51,951 --> 01:10:53,720
AWA, THE MAJOR LEAGUE OF

2344
01:10:53,753 --> 01:10:55,155
PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HERE FOR

2345
01:10:55,188 --> 01:10:56,423
YOUR GREAT FANS ALL ACROSS THE

2346
01:10:56,456 --> 01:10:58,491
COUNTRY ON ESPN.

2347
01:10:58,525 --> 01:10:59,659
WE TAPED ANY NUMBER OF

2348
01:10:59,693 --> 01:11:01,227
PLACES.

2349
01:11:01,261 --> 01:11:02,495
AT THE TROPICANA IN ATLANTIC

2350
01:11:02,529 --> 01:11:04,597
CITY.

2351
01:11:04,631 --> 01:11:06,232
WELCOME TO AWA CHAMPIONSHIP

2352
01:11:06,266 --> 01:11:06,900
WRESTLING FOR TROPICANA HOTEL

2353
01:11:06,933 --> 01:11:08,401
AND CASINO IN ATLANTIC CITY.

2354
01:11:08,435 --> 01:11:09,402
ONE OF THEM WAS RIGHT HERE IN

2355
01:11:09,436 --> 01:11:10,937
VEGAS, I USED TO BE THE

2356
01:11:10,970 --> 01:11:12,405
SHOWBOAT.

2357
01:11:12,439 --> 01:11:13,907
WHAT A SHOWBOAT, THAT WAS AN

2358
01:11:13,940 --> 01:11:15,642
AMAZING, LEAVE COLD MINNEAPOLIS

2359
01:11:15,675 --> 01:11:17,344
AND GOT TO LAS VEGAS.

2360
01:11:17,377 --> 01:11:19,813
THEY WANTED WRESTLING AND

2361
01:11:19,846 --> 01:11:21,114
THANK GOD THEY DID, IT WAS--IT

2362
01:11:21,147 --> 01:11:22,349
WAS GREAT FOR US.

2363
01:11:22,382 --> 01:11:23,683
THEY GAVE US THAT NATIONAL

2364
01:11:23,717 --> 01:11:25,151
OUTLET, SO THAT WE COULD DRAW

2365
01:11:25,185 --> 01:11:28,154
SOME OF THE TALENT THAT WE'RE

2366
01:11:28,188 --> 01:11:31,257
GOING TO BE ON TURNER NETWORK

2367
01:11:31,291 --> 01:11:34,594
AND ON VINCE'S BIG NETWORK, USA,

2368
01:11:34,627 --> 01:11:35,395
SO IT COULD KEPT US IN

2369
01:11:35,428 --> 01:11:37,130
COMPETITION.

2370
01:11:37,163 --> 01:11:38,331
NOW, FOR ALL OF YOU IDIOTS

2371
01:11:38,365 --> 01:11:39,599
WHO HAD BEEN WATCHING THE ESPN

2372
01:11:39,632 --> 01:11:41,301
ALL THESE YEARS, WATCHING GUYS

2373
01:11:41,334 --> 01:11:42,669
THEY CALL ATHLETES WHO RIDE

2374
01:11:42,702 --> 01:11:44,971
AROUND ON HORSES AND HIT BALLS

2375
01:11:45,005 --> 01:11:47,307
OR SWIM AND PLAY WATER POLO,

2376
01:11:47,340 --> 01:11:48,241
YOU'RE LOOKING AT REAL ATHLETES

2377
01:11:48,274 --> 01:11:49,776
HERE.

2378
01:11:49,809 --> 01:11:50,510
THEY HAD A LITTLE

2379
01:11:50,543 --> 01:11:51,378
REJUVENATION WITH SOME NEW

2380
01:11:51,411 --> 01:11:52,712
FACES.

2381
01:11:52,746 --> 01:11:54,114
WRESTLING FANS AS I'M CERTAIN

2382
01:11:54,114 --> 01:11:55,448
YOU WELL KNOW PROMOTERS HERE IN

2383
01:11:55,482 --> 01:11:57,717
THE AWA, NEVER CEASE TO BRING

2384
01:11:57,751 --> 01:11:58,852
YOU THE BIGGEST AND BEST TALENT

2385
01:11:58,885 --> 01:12:00,687
AVAILABLE.

2386
01:12:00,720 --> 01:12:02,122
THEY ARE ALREADY HARD IN WORK AT

2387
01:12:02,155 --> 01:12:03,590
BRINGING ONE OF THE MOST

2388
01:12:03,623 --> 01:12:04,524
DEVASTATING TAG TEAMS, YOU WILL

2389
01:12:04,557 --> 01:12:06,292
EVER SEE.

2390
01:12:06,326 --> 01:12:08,128
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS MATCH

2391
01:12:08,161 --> 01:12:09,829
FEATURING ANIMAL AND HAWK, THE

2392
01:12:09,863 --> 01:12:11,898
ROAD WARRIORS.

2393
01:12:11,931 --> 01:12:13,800
THESE TWO DYNAMIC CHARACTERS

2394
01:12:13,833 --> 01:12:15,101
AND THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN SNEAKY

2395
01:12:15,135 --> 01:12:17,103
ON THE OUTSIDE BECOME AN

2396
01:12:17,137 --> 01:12:19,606
OVERWHELMING TEAM.

2397
01:12:19,639 --> 01:12:20,640
PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST

2398
01:12:20,674 --> 01:12:21,975
DEVASTATING TEAM THAT HAS EVER

2399
01:12:22,075 --> 01:12:23,343
BEEN SEEN IN PROFESSIONAL

2400
01:12:23,376 --> 01:12:24,544
WRESTLING IN A NUMBER OF YEARS,

2401
01:12:24,577 --> 01:12:27,681
THE ROAD WARRIORS.

2402
01:12:27,714 --> 01:12:29,115
AGAIN, THEY CAME IN JUST

2403
01:12:29,149 --> 01:12:30,583
AFTER THESE OTHER GUYS LEFT, SO

2404
01:12:30,617 --> 01:12:32,118
THEY FEEL--THEY FELT, I GUESS,

2405
01:12:32,152 --> 01:12:32,919
THAT VOID, IF THERE WASN'T, WHY

2406
01:12:32,952 --> 01:12:34,721
DID THEY FELT IT?

2407
01:12:34,754 --> 01:12:36,156
SO THAT WHY THE--PART OF THE

2408
01:12:36,189 --> 01:12:38,191
REASON THE BUSINESS STAYED UP.

2409
01:12:38,224 --> 01:12:40,326
THE MIDNIGHT ROCKERS, MARTY

2410
01:12:40,360 --> 01:12:42,095
JANNETTY AND SHAWN MICHAELS.

2411
01:12:42,095 --> 01:12:44,798
I SAW A TAPE OF SHAWN FROM

2412
01:12:44,831 --> 01:12:46,700
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, JOSE

2413
01:12:46,733 --> 01:12:48,735
LOTHARIO TRAINED SHAWN.

2414
01:12:48,768 --> 01:12:50,103
AND I SAW A TAPE OF MARTY

2415
01:12:50,103 --> 01:12:51,871
JANNETTY AND I SAID GUY, WE'RE

2416
01:12:51,905 --> 01:12:53,940
GONNA PUT THIS TWO TOGETHER.

2417
01:12:53,973 --> 01:12:54,774
THAT TIME THE ROCK 'N' ROLL

2418
01:12:54,808 --> 01:12:56,376
EXPRESS WAS HOT.

2419
01:12:56,409 --> 01:12:57,844
AND I SAID, WHY DON'T WE, YOU

2420
01:12:57,877 --> 01:12:58,845
KNOW, JUST COME UP WITH THE NAME

2421
01:12:58,878 --> 01:12:59,879
FROM THE ROCKERS OR SOMETHING

2422
01:12:59,913 --> 01:13:01,448
AND THEY CAME UP WITH THE

2423
01:13:01,481 --> 01:13:02,916
MIDNIGHT ROCKERS BECAUSE THEY

2424
01:13:02,949 --> 01:13:04,150
DID ROCK ALL NIGHT LONG.

2425
01:13:04,184 --> 01:13:04,884
THOSE TWO, THEY WERE--THEY WERE

2426
01:13:04,918 --> 01:13:05,819
TOUGH TO HANDLE.

2427
01:13:05,852 --> 01:13:07,420
AND HERE'S A DROPKICK.

2428
01:13:07,454 --> 01:13:09,055
OH, THERE AREN'T MANY PEOPLE

2429
01:13:09,055 --> 01:13:10,056
THAT COULD GET THAT HIGH IN A

2430
01:13:10,056 --> 01:13:11,691
DROPKICK, BELIEVE ME.

2431
01:13:11,725 --> 01:13:12,926
THEY BROUGHT A LOT--A LOT TO

2432
01:13:12,959 --> 01:13:15,061
US ALSO.

2433
01:13:15,061 --> 01:13:16,296
I MEAN, THEY BROUGHT A DIFFERENT

2434
01:13:16,329 --> 01:13:17,530
KIND OF WRESTLING, MORE

2435
01:13:17,564 --> 01:13:20,467
FAST-PACED AND THAT KIND OF

2436
01:13:20,500 --> 01:13:21,701
THING.

2437
01:13:21,735 --> 01:13:23,069
AND THESE ARE THINGS THAT

2438
01:13:23,069 --> 01:13:23,803
YOU'RE GONNA SAY EVERY TIME YOU

2439
01:13:23,837 --> 01:13:25,071
SEE THE MIDNIGHT ROCKERS DEFEND

2440
01:13:25,071 --> 01:13:29,242
THEIR CHAMPIONSHIP.

2441
01:13:29,275 --> 01:13:31,978
HIM AND BUDDY ROSE AND DOUG

2442
01:13:32,078 --> 01:13:34,247
SOMERS, UNBELIEVABLE FEUDS,

2443
01:13:34,280 --> 01:13:37,250
GREAT MATCHES.

2444
01:13:37,283 --> 01:13:39,219
HERE IS TWO, HERE IS THREE...

2445
01:13:39,252 --> 01:13:41,654
[CROWD CHEERING]

2446
01:13:41,688 --> 01:13:42,789
...AND THEY HAVE FINALLY DONE

2447
01:13:42,822 --> 01:13:45,125
IT.

2448
01:13:45,158 --> 01:13:47,127
SHERRI MARTEL WAS LIKE A

2449
01:13:47,160 --> 01:13:48,995
SHINING STAR.

2450
01:13:49,095 --> 01:13:51,698
HERE IS SCOTT HALL.

2451
01:13:51,731 --> 01:13:52,866
THAT YOUNG MAN IS CERTAINLY

2452
01:13:52,899 --> 01:13:54,601
POWERFUL.

2453
01:13:54,634 --> 01:13:56,202
I DON'T KNOW BY THE LAST DECADE

2454
01:13:56,236 --> 01:13:57,671
IF I SEEN ANYONE, ANYMORE

2455
01:13:57,704 --> 01:13:59,873
STRONGER THAN THAT, LARRY.

2456
01:13:59,906 --> 01:14:01,207
THE NASTY BOYS.

2457
01:14:01,241 --> 01:14:02,876
NOW, YOU TWO ARE THE NEWEST

2458
01:14:02,909 --> 01:14:04,844
TAG TEAM COMBINATION IN THE AWA.

2459
01:14:04,878 --> 01:14:05,679
HOW DID YOU COME BY THE NAME THE

2460
01:14:05,712 --> 01:14:07,113
NASTY BOYS.

2461
01:14:07,147 --> 01:14:09,349
WE CAME BY THE WAY THE NASTY

2462
01:14:09,382 --> 01:14:10,750
BOYS HAS DONE IT BECAUSE WE'RE

2463
01:14:10,784 --> 01:14:12,152
MEAN AND WE'RE RUDE AND YOU KNOW

2464
01:14:12,185 --> 01:14:13,520
THAT SONG BY JANET JACKSON

2465
01:14:13,553 --> 01:14:14,854
WROTE--SHE WROTE IT ABOUT US TOO

2466
01:14:14,888 --> 01:14:17,157
RIGHT HERE BECAUSE SHE SAWS ONE

2467
01:14:17,190 --> 01:14:18,558
DAY, DRIVING THROUGH THE CITY

2468
01:14:18,591 --> 01:14:20,493
AND SAW HOW WE ACTED.

2469
01:14:20,527 --> 01:14:23,229
AND WE ARE A BUNCH OF RUDE DOGS,

2470
01:14:23,263 --> 01:14:24,431
LET ME TELL YOU, DONNA.

2471
01:14:24,464 --> 01:14:25,732
HIGH FLYING, EXCITING

2472
01:14:25,765 --> 01:14:26,499
WRESTLING ACTION VIA THE

2473
01:14:26,533 --> 01:14:28,735
GUERRERO BROTHERS LADIES AND

2474
01:14:28,768 --> 01:14:29,502
GENTLEMAN.

2475
01:14:29,536 --> 01:14:30,770
THE TEAM THAT I'M SURE, THE

2476
01:14:30,804 --> 01:14:33,073
DESTRUCTION CREW IS LOOKING

2477
01:14:33,106 --> 01:14:34,074
FORWARD TO FACE AT SOME POINT IN

2478
01:14:34,074 --> 01:14:34,674
TIME.

2479
01:14:34,708 --> 01:14:35,408
WHEN I STARTED WITH VERNE

2480
01:14:35,442 --> 01:14:36,776
GAGNE IN THE INTERVIEW, I

2481
01:14:36,810 --> 01:14:38,178
STARTED IN SYNDICATION, WHICH IS

2482
01:14:38,211 --> 01:14:39,079
REALLY A GLORIFIED WAY OF SAYING

2483
01:14:39,079 --> 01:14:40,080
SALES.

2484
01:14:40,080 --> 01:14:41,815
I NEVER INTENDED TO BE ON THE

2485
01:14:41,848 --> 01:14:42,849
CAMERA.

2486
01:14:42,882 --> 01:14:45,652
I HAD NO DESIRE TO BE ON CAMERA

2487
01:14:45,685 --> 01:14:47,153
AND THEN MY PHONE RINGS AND IT'S

2488
01:14:47,187 --> 01:14:48,855
GREG GAGNE.

2489
01:14:48,888 --> 01:14:50,290
GREG SAYS, "ERIC, WHAT DO

2490
01:14:50,323 --> 01:14:51,324
YOU--WHAT DO YOU DOING TODAY?"

2491
01:14:51,358 --> 01:14:52,359
I SAID, "WELL, I GOT THIS, LOOK

2492
01:14:52,392 --> 01:14:53,827
AT THIS APARTMENT AND I'M MAKING

2493
01:14:53,860 --> 01:14:54,994
THIS PHONE CALL AND THIS PRETTY

2494
01:14:55,095 --> 01:14:56,563
MUCH AROUND THROUGH THE DAY.

2495
01:14:56,596 --> 01:14:57,397
YES, COME ON IN--COME ON OVER TO

2496
01:14:57,430 --> 01:14:58,531
[INDISTINCT]

2497
01:14:58,565 --> 01:15:00,667
I WANNA TALK TO YOU."

2498
01:15:00,700 --> 01:15:02,902
OH, THAT'S WEIRD, YOU KNOW, THEY

2499
01:15:02,936 --> 01:15:04,204
LEFT ME BEHIND THE CURTAIN.

2500
01:15:04,237 --> 01:15:05,305
IT'S [INDISTINCT]

2501
01:15:05,338 --> 01:15:07,440
LONG STORY SHORT, AN ANNOUNCER

2502
01:15:07,474 --> 01:15:10,377
THAT WAS UP TO THAT MOMENT

2503
01:15:10,410 --> 01:15:13,079
EMPLOYED BY THE AWA HAD

2504
01:15:13,113 --> 01:15:15,949
APPARENTLY, ELIGIBLY COVERING MY

2505
01:15:16,049 --> 01:15:18,151
ASS HERE GOT A DUI THE NIGHT

2506
01:15:18,184 --> 01:15:19,519
BEFORE AND HAD BEEN ARRESTED,

2507
01:15:19,552 --> 01:15:24,257
PUT IN JAIL.

2508
01:15:24,290 --> 01:15:25,358
AND BECAUSE HE WAS IN JAIL HE

2509
01:15:25,392 --> 01:15:26,826
WASN'T IN THE AWA STUDIOS

2510
01:15:26,860 --> 01:15:28,294
CONDUCTING THE INTERVIEW WITH 25

2511
01:15:28,328 --> 01:15:29,729
OR 30 WRESTLERS WHO HAD ALL BEEN

2512
01:15:29,763 --> 01:15:31,398
FLOWN IN.

2513
01:15:31,431 --> 01:15:32,465
SO VERNE AND GREG WERE KIND OF

2514
01:15:32,499 --> 01:15:33,500
STUCK, THERE WAS NOBODY THERE TO

2515
01:15:33,533 --> 01:15:34,300
CONDUCT THE INTERVIEWS.

2516
01:15:34,334 --> 01:15:37,937
AND I THINK THAT THE THEORY WAS

2517
01:15:37,971 --> 01:15:39,906
"WAIT A MINUTE, ERIC'S HERE,

2518
01:15:39,939 --> 01:15:41,775
HE'S GOT A SHIRT AND A TIE, I'M

2519
01:15:41,808 --> 01:15:43,943
SURE HE'S GOT A SPORT COAT,

2520
01:15:43,977 --> 01:15:45,445
LET'S LET HIM DO THE INTERVIEWS.

2521
01:15:45,478 --> 01:15:47,080
HE CAN BE AN ANNOUNCER."

2522
01:15:47,113 --> 01:15:48,481
AND AT THIS POINT LET'S BRING

2523
01:15:48,515 --> 01:15:49,115
IN, SGT.

2524
01:15:49,149 --> 01:15:50,483
SLAUGHTER, GI JOE HIMSELF.

2525
01:15:50,517 --> 01:15:53,253
THANK YOU, EDDIE.

2526
01:15:53,286 --> 01:15:54,287
PAUL HEYMAN WITH THE AWA FOR

2527
01:15:54,320 --> 01:15:56,890
AWHILE.

2528
01:15:56,923 --> 01:15:59,559
WE'VE BEEN MAKING THIS PLACE

2529
01:15:59,592 --> 01:16:00,860
SO MUCH MONEY THEY NOW BUY NEW

2530
01:16:00,894 --> 01:16:02,095
SETS.

2531
01:16:02,128 --> 01:16:03,530
CURT HENNIG AS FAR AS I'M

2532
01:16:03,563 --> 01:16:06,032
CONCERNED WAS MEANT TO BE, ONE

2533
01:16:06,032 --> 01:16:07,534
OF THE FUTURE STARS.

2534
01:16:07,567 --> 01:16:09,035
CURT CERTAINLY ONE OF THE

2535
01:16:09,035 --> 01:16:10,370
REALLY RISING AND UP

2536
01:16:10,403 --> 01:16:12,305
IN--UPCOMING STARS IN THE

2537
01:16:12,339 --> 01:16:14,140
PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING WORLD.

2538
01:16:14,174 --> 01:16:15,175
IN TERMS OF PHENOMENAL

2539
01:16:15,208 --> 01:16:17,043
WRESTLING I FIGURED A GOOD

2540
01:16:17,043 --> 01:16:18,545
TESTAMENT TO VERNE AND TO GREG

2541
01:16:18,578 --> 01:16:21,114
IN TERMS OF HIS SKILL IN THE

2542
01:16:21,147 --> 01:16:22,649
RING, HIS TRAINING.

2543
01:16:22,682 --> 01:16:24,351
FANS AGAIN AS I TOLD YOU CURT

2544
01:16:24,384 --> 01:16:26,753
HENNIG CONTINUING TO ELECTRIFY

2545
01:16:26,786 --> 01:16:27,921
THE CROWD ALL THROUGHOUT THE

2546
01:16:27,954 --> 01:16:29,689
AWA.

2547
01:16:29,723 --> 01:16:31,157
YOU KNOW, HE WAS VERY CLOSE

2548
01:16:31,191 --> 01:16:33,493
TO BEING MR. PERFECT IN MY BOOK.

2549
01:16:33,526 --> 01:16:36,062
AND CURT WAS A HOMETOWN GUY.

2550
01:16:36,062 --> 01:16:37,197
CURT HENNIG OUT OF

2551
01:16:37,230 --> 01:16:38,198
ROBBINSDALE, MINNESOTA, 232

2552
01:16:38,231 --> 01:16:41,067
POUNDS.

2553
01:16:41,067 --> 01:16:42,535
HE DID EVERYTHING THE HARD

2554
01:16:42,569 --> 01:16:44,104
WAY, YOU KNOW.

2555
01:16:44,137 --> 01:16:45,739
HE WORKED HARD, WRESTLED HARD

2556
01:16:45,772 --> 01:16:46,940
AND WAS A GOOD ATHLETE.

2557
01:16:46,973 --> 01:16:48,842
HE LOOKED GOOD, HE TALKED GOOD,

2558
01:16:48,875 --> 01:16:50,377
PROBABLY ONE OF THE GREATEST

2559
01:16:50,410 --> 01:16:52,712
WRESTLERS OF ALL TIME.

2560
01:16:52,746 --> 01:16:53,947
WITH LESS THAN 60 SECONDS

2561
01:16:53,980 --> 01:16:55,749
REMAINING, THESE TWO MEN HAS

2562
01:16:55,782 --> 01:16:59,085
GIVEN EVERYTHING THAT THERE IS

2563
01:16:59,085 --> 01:17:00,320
TO GIVE, NOT ONLY THAT THEY HAVE

2564
01:17:00,353 --> 01:17:03,490
TO GIVE BUT THERE IS TO GIVE

2565
01:17:03,523 --> 01:17:04,324
FROM THE SPORT OF PROFESSIONAL

2566
01:17:04,357 --> 01:17:05,458
WRESTLING.

2567
01:17:05,492 --> 01:17:06,459
AND STILL TO THIS DAY, I

2568
01:17:06,493 --> 01:17:07,827
REMEMBER THE--YOU KNOW, THE

2569
01:17:07,861 --> 01:17:09,095
MATCHES THAT HE HAD WITH NICK

2570
01:17:09,129 --> 01:17:11,731
BOCKWINKEL, GREAT MATCHES.

2571
01:17:11,765 --> 01:17:13,333
AND AS I'M STANDING HERE

2572
01:17:13,366 --> 01:17:14,601
RIGHT NOW LARRY NELSON.

2573
01:17:14,634 --> 01:17:16,403
I'VE GOT THE MOST CONFIDENCE.

2574
01:17:16,436 --> 01:17:18,271
THIS IS THE BEST I'VE EVER FELT

2575
01:17:18,304 --> 01:17:19,239
AND I JUST WANNA TELL YOU

2576
01:17:19,272 --> 01:17:20,940
SOMETHING NICK BOCKWINKEL, ON

2577
01:17:21,041 --> 01:17:23,143
MAY 2ND IN SAN FRANCISCO IN THE

2578
01:17:23,176 --> 01:17:24,844
COW PALACE, I AM GONNA WALK OUT

2579
01:17:24,878 --> 01:17:26,046
THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE

2580
01:17:26,079 --> 01:17:27,313
WORLD.

2581
01:17:27,347 --> 01:17:29,049
HE'S THE NEXT ONE IN LINE

2582
01:17:29,049 --> 01:17:30,550
THAT HAD ALL THE CHARACTERISTICS

2583
01:17:30,583 --> 01:17:32,052
AND QUALITIES TO MAKE A GOOD

2584
01:17:32,085 --> 01:17:34,154
CHAMPION.

2585
01:17:34,187 --> 01:17:35,922
HENNIG DROPS OFF AND HAMMERS

2586
01:17:35,955 --> 01:17:37,424
AWAY, THE COUNT OF ONE, TWO,

2587
01:17:37,457 --> 01:17:39,125
THREE.

2588
01:17:39,159 --> 01:17:41,728
I THINK AT THAT TIME THAT THE

2589
01:17:41,761 --> 01:17:43,129
AWA HAD SPENT A LOT OF MONEY

2590
01:17:43,163 --> 01:17:45,298
WITH CURT ON THE TV SHOWS AND

2591
01:17:45,331 --> 01:17:48,301
PROMOTIONS.

2592
01:17:48,335 --> 01:17:49,502
AND THEN THEY FIGURED OUT IF

2593
01:17:49,536 --> 01:17:52,772
THIS GUY LEFT THEIR--THAT--IT

2594
01:17:52,806 --> 01:17:54,441
WAS GONNA GET WORST.

2595
01:17:54,474 --> 01:17:56,943
I THINK THOSE PEOPLE WERE

2596
01:17:56,976 --> 01:17:59,079
USING VERNE'S AWA ESSENTIALLY AS

2597
01:17:59,079 --> 01:18:00,847
A SPRINGBOARD TO FOLLOW IN THE

2598
01:18:00,880 --> 01:18:04,784
FOOTSTEPS OF THEIR PREDECESSORS

2599
01:18:04,818 --> 01:18:09,255
LIKE VENTURA, LIKE OKERLUND,

2600
01:18:09,289 --> 01:18:11,891
LIKE THE HAWK, LIKE BOBBY HEENAN

2601
01:18:11,925 --> 01:18:13,893
BECAUSE THEY COULD TURN IN THE

2602
01:18:13,927 --> 01:18:15,795
TELEVISION AND SEE HOW WELL

2603
01:18:15,829 --> 01:18:16,896
THOSE INDIVIDUALS AMONG OTHERS

2604
01:18:16,930 --> 01:18:18,164
WERE DOING.

2605
01:18:18,198 --> 01:18:20,133
THAT WAS FOR THE END BECAUSE

2606
01:18:20,166 --> 01:18:21,334
THEY WERE GIVEN UP BOGUS TO GET

2607
01:18:21,368 --> 01:18:22,369
CONTRACTS, TRYING TO KEEP

2608
01:18:22,402 --> 01:18:23,670
EVERYBODY THERE.

2609
01:18:23,703 --> 01:18:26,272
I JUST KEPT--I JUST--THAT'S--I

2610
01:18:26,306 --> 01:18:28,842
JUST KEPT STRINGING HIM ALONG

2611
01:18:28,875 --> 01:18:29,609
BECAUSE I HAD NO INTENTION TO

2612
01:18:29,642 --> 01:18:32,912
EVER SIGN THAT CONTRACT BECAUSE

2613
01:18:32,946 --> 01:18:34,681
MARTY JANNETTY AND SHAWN

2614
01:18:34,714 --> 01:18:35,949
MICHAELS HAD SIGNED THE CONTRACT

2615
01:18:36,049 --> 01:18:37,784
AND VERNE WOULD NOT--THEY GOT A

2616
01:18:37,817 --> 01:18:39,619
CALL TO COME UP HERE BEFORE I

2617
01:18:39,652 --> 01:18:40,487
DID AND VERNE WOULD NOT LEND ME

2618
01:18:40,520 --> 01:18:41,755
THAT CONTRACT.

2619
01:18:41,788 --> 01:18:42,655
THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN UP HERE A

2620
01:18:42,689 --> 01:18:43,890
LOT SOONER HAD THAT NOT

2621
01:18:43,923 --> 01:18:46,426
HAPPENED, SO I WATCHED FROM THEM

2622
01:18:46,459 --> 01:18:48,928
MISTAKES AND TRIED TO LEARN.

2623
01:18:48,962 --> 01:18:49,763
I'M SURE A LOT OF THEM WERE

2624
01:18:49,796 --> 01:18:50,830
THINKING, BOY, IF I CAN JUST,

2625
01:18:50,864 --> 01:18:53,700
YOU KNOW, HAVE SOMEBODY THAT'S

2626
01:18:53,733 --> 01:18:54,901
IN THE WWE THAT I KNOW

2627
01:18:54,934 --> 01:18:57,937
RECOMMEND...

2628
01:18:57,971 --> 01:18:59,339
I DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS

2629
01:18:59,372 --> 01:19:01,207
PICKING UP AND GO IN.

2630
01:19:01,241 --> 01:19:02,175
THEY WERE PROBABLY HOPING

2631
01:19:02,208 --> 01:19:05,078
THAT THEY COULD GET, WELL,

2632
01:19:05,111 --> 01:19:06,513
CAUGHT UP IN THE WWE AND MOST OF

2633
01:19:06,546 --> 01:19:10,183
THOSE GUYS DID, CURT DID AND

2634
01:19:10,216 --> 01:19:12,385
SHAWN MICHAELS AND THE

2635
01:19:12,419 --> 01:19:13,787
DESTRUCTION CREW, THEY ARE WHO

2636
01:19:13,820 --> 01:19:16,489
WROTE THE WWE SONG.

2637
01:19:16,523 --> 01:19:17,557
I SUPPOSED THAT'S WHERE THEIR

2638
01:19:17,590 --> 01:19:20,093
HOPE WAS BECAUSE, YEAH, IT

2639
01:19:20,126 --> 01:19:21,027
WAS--IT WAS--THINGS WERE

2640
01:19:21,061 --> 01:19:23,163
CRUMBLING AROUND THIS.

2641
01:19:23,196 --> 01:19:28,168
CRUMBLE, CRUMBLE, CRUMBLE.

2642
01:19:28,201 --> 01:19:29,769
WHEN JERRY, JARRETT AND I

2643
01:19:29,803 --> 01:19:31,037
DEVELOPED THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH

2644
01:19:31,037 --> 01:19:32,339
VERNE GAGNE IN THE 80S, WE SAW

2645
01:19:32,372 --> 01:19:34,040
AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING

2646
01:19:34,040 --> 01:19:35,809
IN OUR TERRITORY THAT WE HAD

2647
01:19:35,842 --> 01:19:37,677
NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DO BEFORE AND

2648
01:19:37,711 --> 01:19:39,179
THAT WAS CHANGE A WORLD

2649
01:19:39,212 --> 01:19:41,081
CHAMPIONSHIP.

2650
01:19:41,114 --> 01:19:42,749
SO MUCH RIDING ON THIS FOR

2651
01:19:42,782 --> 01:19:44,317
THE KING, IF HE CANNOT REST THE

2652
01:19:44,351 --> 01:19:47,487
CROWN AWAY FROM CURT HENNIG.

2653
01:19:47,520 --> 01:19:50,423
LAWLER WILL HANG IT UP AND END

2654
01:19:50,457 --> 01:19:54,661
AN INCREDIBLE 15-YEAR CAREER.

2655
01:19:54,694 --> 01:19:56,096
THINGS ARE NOT LOOKING GOOD

2656
01:19:56,129 --> 01:19:57,163
THOUGH FOR LAWLER.

2657
01:19:57,197 --> 01:19:58,098
LAWLER CUT, HE'S HURT, HE'S NOT

2658
01:19:58,131 --> 01:20:01,568
MOVING WELL IN THE RING.

2659
01:20:01,601 --> 01:20:02,969
HENNIG LOOKS LIKE THE STRONGER

2660
01:20:03,003 --> 01:20:04,270
OF THE TWO AT THE MOMENT.

2661
01:20:04,304 --> 01:20:05,271
WE ACTUALLY DID A TELEPHONE

2662
01:20:05,305 --> 01:20:07,240
POLL AND LET THE FANS DECIDE WHO

2663
01:20:07,273 --> 01:20:09,075
THE REFEREE WAS GONNA BE WHETHER

2664
01:20:09,109 --> 01:20:10,977
IT WAS BETWEEN CURT HENNIG'S

2665
01:20:11,011 --> 01:20:12,846
FATHER, LARRY "THE AXE" HENNIG

2666
01:20:12,879 --> 01:20:14,981
OR MY MENTOR, JACKIE FARGO BUT

2667
01:20:15,015 --> 01:20:16,116
OF COURSE THE FANS VOTED FOR

2668
01:20:16,149 --> 01:20:16,750
JACKIE FARGO TO COME IN AND BE

2669
01:20:16,783 --> 01:20:18,051
THE SPECIAL REFEREE IN THAT

2670
01:20:18,084 --> 01:20:19,586
MATCH

2671
01:20:19,619 --> 01:20:20,720
THE REFEREE TELLS HENNIG TO

2672
01:20:20,754 --> 01:20:22,355
BACK UP WHILE FARGO LOOKS AT THE

2673
01:20:22,389 --> 01:20:23,423
EYE.

2674
01:20:23,456 --> 01:20:25,825
HE WAS TEMPTED TO STOP IT RIGHT

2675
01:20:25,859 --> 01:20:26,893
THEN AND THERE.

2676
01:20:26,926 --> 01:20:27,761
LOOK AT HENNIG BLAST THAT EYE.

2677
01:20:27,794 --> 01:20:28,528
HENNIG IS JUST BLASTING

2678
01:20:28,561 --> 01:20:32,399
UNMERCIFULLY, UNMERCIFULLY ON

2679
01:20:32,432 --> 01:20:35,201
THAT EYE.

2680
01:20:35,235 --> 01:20:38,038
AND THE REFEREE KEEPS CHECKING

2681
01:20:38,071 --> 01:20:40,807
IT BUT LAWLER STOPS FARGO FROM

2682
01:20:40,840 --> 01:20:42,175
GIVING THE MATCH--BOOM.

2683
01:20:42,208 --> 01:20:43,376
AND LAWLER WITH THE RIGHT HAND

2684
01:20:43,410 --> 01:20:45,211
PUTS HENNIG DOWN.

2685
01:20:45,245 --> 01:20:48,381
HE'S A LONG WAY FROM THROUGH.

2686
01:20:48,415 --> 01:20:49,115
THIS GUY WITH THIS AMAZING

2687
01:20:49,149 --> 01:20:51,017
ABILITY TO COME BACK, THE KING,

2688
01:20:51,051 --> 01:20:52,752
JERRY LAWLER SHOOTS HIM ON A

2689
01:20:52,786 --> 01:20:57,257
CATAPULT INTO THE TURNBUCKLE.

2690
01:20:57,290 --> 01:20:59,025
HENNIG IS DOWN, THE CROWD WANTS

2691
01:20:59,059 --> 01:21:00,060
LAWLER TO COME OVER AND COVER

2692
01:21:00,060 --> 01:21:01,294
UP.

2693
01:21:01,327 --> 01:21:02,929
HE COVERS.

2694
01:21:02,962 --> 01:21:05,231
ONE, TWO, HE GOT IT.

2695
01:21:05,265 --> 01:21:06,933
[BELL RINGING]

2696
01:21:06,966 --> 01:21:09,135
THE NEW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT

2697
01:21:09,169 --> 01:21:12,505
CHAMPION, JERRY LAWLER IN 24,

2698
01:21:12,539 --> 01:21:14,941
27.

2699
01:21:14,974 --> 01:21:16,776
INCREDIBLE.

2700
01:21:16,810 --> 01:21:18,078
WHEN I FINALLY DID WIN THE

2701
01:21:18,078 --> 01:21:19,079
TITLE, IT WAS HUGE FOR US THERE

2702
01:21:19,079 --> 01:21:20,313
IN MEMPHIS AND IT WAS HUGE FOR

2703
01:21:20,347 --> 01:21:21,514
THEM OR ALL OUR FANS WHO HAD

2704
01:21:21,548 --> 01:21:23,383
BEEN BEHIND ME SINCE THE 70S

2705
01:21:23,416 --> 01:21:24,884
HOPING FOR ME TO WIN A TITLE.

2706
01:21:24,918 --> 01:21:26,386
JERRY JARRETT, PROMOTER EDDIE

2707
01:21:26,419 --> 01:21:29,856
MARLIN.

2708
01:21:29,889 --> 01:21:32,492
THEY'RE ALL UP THERE AS THE KING

2709
01:21:32,525 --> 01:21:33,793
TURNED WHAT LOOKED LIKE SURE

2710
01:21:33,827 --> 01:21:38,665
DEFEAT INTO A VICTORY.

2711
01:21:38,698 --> 01:21:40,600
QUITE HONESTLY I DON'T FOR A

2712
01:21:40,633 --> 01:21:42,002
MINUTE BELIEVED THAT IT WOULD

2713
01:21:42,102 --> 01:21:44,504
HAVE HAPPENED, HAD NOT CURT

2714
01:21:44,537 --> 01:21:45,605
ALREADY HAD THE INTENTIONS OF

2715
01:21:45,638 --> 01:21:48,108
LEAVING THE AWA AND GOING TO

2716
01:21:48,108 --> 01:21:49,642
VINCE MCMAHON, THE WWE.

2717
01:21:49,676 --> 01:21:50,744
I THINK THE DEAL WAS ALREADY

2718
01:21:50,777 --> 01:21:52,245
DONE.

2719
01:21:52,278 --> 01:21:53,346
AS A MATTER OF FACT I THINK CURT

2720
01:21:53,380 --> 01:21:54,514
LEFT THE FOLLOWING WEEK BECAUSE

2721
01:21:54,547 --> 01:21:55,782
I STILL THINK OF COURSE THAT

2722
01:21:55,815 --> 01:21:58,184
VERNE GAGNE LOOKED AT IT AS A

2723
01:21:58,218 --> 01:21:59,386
SAD DAY FOR THE AWA BECAUSE, YOU

2724
01:21:59,419 --> 01:22:00,787
KNOW, IT WAS--IT WAS OUT OF

2725
01:22:00,820 --> 01:22:02,689
NECESSITY FOR HIM BECAUSE HIS

2726
01:22:02,722 --> 01:22:04,124
CURRENT CHAMPION WAS LEAVING.

2727
01:22:04,157 --> 01:22:06,359
DECEMBER 13TH, 1988 WAS THE DATE

2728
01:22:06,393 --> 01:22:07,861
OF SUPERCLASH III.

2729
01:22:07,894 --> 01:22:09,596
THE BIG PAY-PER-VIEW THAT THE

2730
01:22:09,629 --> 01:22:11,064
PROMOTERS WERE PUTTING ONTO

2731
01:22:11,064 --> 01:22:12,132
HOPEFULLY SHOW THE WORLD THAT,

2732
01:22:12,165 --> 01:22:12,966
MAN, THEY COULD COMPETE WITH

2733
01:22:13,066 --> 01:22:14,234
VINCE MCMAHON.

2734
01:22:14,267 --> 01:22:15,702
THIS IS AN EVENT THAT WE HAD

2735
01:22:15,735 --> 01:22:17,137
BEEN WAITING FOR FOR MONTHS,

2736
01:22:17,170 --> 01:22:18,405
LADIES AND GENTLEMAN AND FINALLY

2737
01:22:18,438 --> 01:22:19,406
IT IS HERE.

2738
01:22:19,439 --> 01:22:20,507
ARE YOU READY CHICAGO?

2739
01:22:20,540 --> 01:22:21,741
I DON'T THINK IT MEANT

2740
01:22:21,775 --> 01:22:23,076
ANYTHING, THE FACT THAT AWA

2741
01:22:23,076 --> 01:22:25,378
FINALLY MADE IT TO PAY-PER-VIEW.

2742
01:22:25,412 --> 01:22:26,479
I THINK THEY WERE FOLLOWING

2743
01:22:26,513 --> 01:22:27,914
OBVIOUSLY INSTEAD OF LEADING AS

2744
01:22:27,947 --> 01:22:29,249
FAR AS I WAS CONCERNED.

2745
01:22:29,282 --> 01:22:31,084
IT WAS A PROMOTION WITH THE

2746
01:22:31,084 --> 01:22:32,752
GROUP OUT OF DALLAS WITH THE

2747
01:22:32,786 --> 01:22:35,655
MEMPHIS GROUP AND WITH THE AWA.

2748
01:22:35,689 --> 01:22:37,891
WE GOT A PROMOTER AND FRITZ

2749
01:22:37,924 --> 01:22:41,695
VON ERICH, YOU GOT JERRY DOWN

2750
01:22:41,728 --> 01:22:44,197
THERE AND HE'S HAD THE EGOMANIAC

2751
01:22:44,230 --> 01:22:45,899
AND WORKED WITH VERNE.

2752
01:22:45,932 --> 01:22:47,100
HE'S GOT AN EGO.

2753
01:22:47,100 --> 01:22:48,301
AND ALL YOU'RE GONNA TRY AND DO

2754
01:22:48,335 --> 01:22:49,703
COMBINE THE SHOW.

2755
01:22:49,736 --> 01:22:51,137
AS LONG AS VERNE'S ATTEMPT TO

2756
01:22:51,171 --> 01:22:52,572
KIND OF TAKE THE LAST OF THE

2757
01:22:52,605 --> 01:22:53,740
REMAINING KIND OF INDEPENDENT

2758
01:22:53,773 --> 01:22:55,442
PROMOTERS AND TERRITORIES IF YOU

2759
01:22:55,475 --> 01:22:56,843
WILL PUT THEM UNDER ONE BIGGER

2760
01:22:56,876 --> 01:22:59,112
UMBRELLA AND COMPETE ON

2761
01:22:59,112 --> 01:23:00,146
PAY-PER-VIEW.

2762
01:23:00,180 --> 01:23:01,548
YOU'VE SEEN PAY-PER-VIEW

2763
01:23:01,581 --> 01:23:02,949
SHOWS BEFORE WHERE ONE MAN BEATS

2764
01:23:03,049 --> 01:23:04,250
ANOTHER MAN FROM THE SAME

2765
01:23:04,284 --> 01:23:06,052
ORGANIZATION, COME ON, YOU'VE

2766
01:23:06,052 --> 01:23:07,387
SEEN THAT FIVE OR SIX TIMES

2767
01:23:07,420 --> 01:23:08,355
ALREADY.

2768
01:23:08,388 --> 01:23:09,789
I KNEW THEY COULDN'T ORDER A

2769
01:23:09,823 --> 01:23:11,091
CUP OF COFFEE TOGETHER, MUCH

2770
01:23:11,124 --> 01:23:12,892
LESS WORK TOGETHER, PLAN

2771
01:23:12,926 --> 01:23:13,793
TOGETHER AND HAVE A UNITED

2772
01:23:13,827 --> 01:23:14,527
FRONT.

2773
01:23:14,561 --> 01:23:15,595
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS A

2774
01:23:15,628 --> 01:23:17,530
SUPERCLASH NOT ONLY A CLASH

2775
01:23:17,564 --> 01:23:19,065
BETWEEN GREAT ATHLETES BUT A

2776
01:23:19,065 --> 01:23:21,101
CLASH OF ORGANIZATIONS.

2777
01:23:21,134 --> 01:23:22,202
THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE; I WASN'T

2778
01:23:22,235 --> 01:23:24,504
CONCERNED WITH THAT AT ALL.

2779
01:23:24,537 --> 01:23:25,839
OUR OFFICE AND I WAS IN THE

2780
01:23:25,872 --> 01:23:27,841
TERRITORY AT THAT TIME.

2781
01:23:27,874 --> 01:23:31,478
IN MID-SOUTH WRESTLING AND THEN

2782
01:23:31,511 --> 01:23:33,346
IT BECAME WWE, WE DIDN'T

2783
01:23:33,380 --> 01:23:34,848
PARTICIPATE ON THAT.

2784
01:23:34,881 --> 01:23:36,783
IT WAS A JOKE.

2785
01:23:36,816 --> 01:23:38,852
IT HAD A POTENTIAL OF

2786
01:23:38,885 --> 01:23:40,553
DERIVING HUGE DOLLARS.

2787
01:23:40,587 --> 01:23:42,088
THEY WERE HOPING THAT THIS

2788
01:23:42,122 --> 01:23:43,356
WOULD LEND THEM TO CREDIBILITY

2789
01:23:43,390 --> 01:23:44,324
WITH THE CABLE COMPANIES IF IT

2790
01:23:44,357 --> 01:23:45,358
WERE SUCCESSFUL, THAT THEY WOULD

2791
01:23:45,392 --> 01:23:46,359
SOMEWHERE BE ABLE ON ONE OF THE

2792
01:23:46,393 --> 01:23:47,193
NETWORKS TO GET A WEEKLY SHOT ON

2793
01:23:47,227 --> 01:23:48,928
CABLE.

2794
01:23:48,962 --> 01:23:50,930
A GIANT NIGHT OF WRESTLING IN

2795
01:23:50,964 --> 01:23:52,465
EACH AND EVERY BIT OF IT IS

2796
01:23:52,499 --> 01:23:53,667
LIVE, I SAID LIVE RIGHT HERE IN

2797
01:23:53,700 --> 01:23:56,536
CHICAGO.

2798
01:23:56,569 --> 01:23:58,238
PROBABLY ALL THE TOP TALENT

2799
01:23:58,271 --> 01:24:00,073
THAT HAD ALREADY SIGNED WITH

2800
01:24:00,106 --> 01:24:00,740
VINCE MCMAHON WAS ON THIS

2801
01:24:00,774 --> 01:24:01,875
PAY-PER-VIEW.

2802
01:24:01,908 --> 01:24:03,443
SUPERCLASH III, THE GREATEST

2803
01:24:03,476 --> 01:24:04,411
EVENT IN ALL OF PROFESSIONAL

2804
01:24:04,444 --> 01:24:05,645
WRESTLING.

2805
01:24:05,679 --> 01:24:07,280
THE AWA DID NOT HAVE THE

2806
01:24:07,313 --> 01:24:09,215
TALENT-BASE THAT IT HAD

2807
01:24:09,249 --> 01:24:11,051
PREVIOUSLY.

2808
01:24:11,084 --> 01:24:12,485
THE DYNASTY OF THE AWA HAD

2809
01:24:12,519 --> 01:24:14,387
ENDED.

2810
01:24:14,421 --> 01:24:15,522
I WAS THE AWA WORLD CHAMPION

2811
01:24:15,555 --> 01:24:17,190
AT THE TIME, KERRY VON ERICH WAS

2812
01:24:17,223 --> 01:24:18,792
THE WCCW WORLD CHAMPION AND IT

2813
01:24:18,825 --> 01:24:20,193
WAS A UNIFICATION MATCH.

2814
01:24:20,226 --> 01:24:21,661
THIS IS THE AWA WORLD

2815
01:24:21,695 --> 01:24:23,430
HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP BELT.

2816
01:24:23,463 --> 01:24:25,065
AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED THIS

2817
01:24:25,065 --> 01:24:27,067
SIGNIFIES THE BEST IN THE ENTIRE

2818
01:24:27,067 --> 01:24:28,601
WORLD.

2819
01:24:28,635 --> 01:24:30,203
KERRY VON ERICH HAS A VERSION

2820
01:24:30,236 --> 01:24:31,338
THAT HE CALLS THE WORLD

2821
01:24:31,371 --> 01:24:33,073
CHAMPIONSHIP FROM WORLD CLASS

2822
01:24:33,073 --> 01:24:34,741
AFTER SUPERCLASH ON DECEMBER

2823
01:24:34,774 --> 01:24:36,743
13TH, THERE ONLY BE ONE CHAMPION

2824
01:24:36,776 --> 01:24:37,677
AND I PROMISE YOU LADIES AND

2825
01:24:37,711 --> 01:24:38,712
GENTLEMAN, YOU ARE LOOKING AT

2826
01:24:38,745 --> 01:24:40,380
HIM RIGHT NOW.

2827
01:24:40,413 --> 01:24:41,481
KING WAS IN A SITUATION WHERE

2828
01:24:41,514 --> 01:24:43,550
HE WAS A STAR OF THE MEMPHIS

2829
01:24:43,583 --> 01:24:46,986
TERRITORY AND IT WAS IMPORTANT

2830
01:24:47,087 --> 01:24:49,989
FOR KING TO PROTECT HIS IMAGE ON

2831
01:24:50,090 --> 01:24:51,758
THIS BIG SHOW BECAUSE HE HAD TO

2832
01:24:51,791 --> 01:24:53,893
GO BACK TO MEMPHIS WITH HIS

2833
01:24:53,927 --> 01:24:56,629
IMAGE INTACT SO TO SPEAK AND

2834
01:24:56,663 --> 01:24:57,430
STOOD WITH THE HEADLINER ON HIS

2835
01:24:57,464 --> 01:24:59,599
WEEKLY EVENTS.

2836
01:24:59,632 --> 01:25:02,902
KERRY VON ERICH HAD TO GO BACK

2837
01:25:02,936 --> 01:25:04,037
TO DALLAS AND MAKE SURE HIS

2838
01:25:04,037 --> 01:25:06,773
DADDY WAS HAPPY.

2839
01:25:06,806 --> 01:25:08,708
COMING INTO THE SUPERCLASH,

2840
01:25:08,742 --> 01:25:10,377
HE'S THINKING, AM I GONNA LET MY

2841
01:25:10,410 --> 01:25:12,212
FAMILY DOWN AGAIN?

2842
01:25:12,245 --> 01:25:14,848
KERRY, YOU ARE, YOU'RE GONNA

2843
01:25:14,881 --> 01:25:17,050
LOSE, I PROMISE YOU THAT.

2844
01:25:17,083 --> 01:25:18,618
MAN, I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU.

2845
01:25:18,651 --> 01:25:21,221
NOBODY KNEW WHAT WAS GONNA

2846
01:25:21,254 --> 01:25:24,090
HAPPEN IN THAT MATCH.

2847
01:25:24,124 --> 01:25:25,191
IT FELT LIKE IT WAS A NATO,

2848
01:25:25,225 --> 01:25:25,925
YOU KNOW, LIKE THE UN AND

2849
01:25:25,959 --> 01:25:26,826
EVERYBODY WAS, YOU KNOW, IN THIS

2850
01:25:26,860 --> 01:25:27,827
HIGH-LEVEL MEETINGS AND

2851
01:25:27,861 --> 01:25:28,795
EVERYTHING WAS VERY SECRET.

2852
01:25:28,828 --> 01:25:29,596
EVERYBODY WAS VERY SOMBER

2853
01:25:29,629 --> 01:25:30,296
BECAUSE THESE PROMOTERS, NONE OF

2854
01:25:30,330 --> 01:25:31,531
THEM REALLY TRUSTED EACH OTHER.

2855
01:25:31,564 --> 01:25:34,401
I FEEL WITHOUT A DOUBT THAT

2856
01:25:34,434 --> 01:25:35,435
KERRY VON ERICH CAME TO CHICAGO

2857
01:25:35,468 --> 01:25:36,836
CERTAINLY BELIEVING IN THAT HE

2858
01:25:36,870 --> 01:25:39,139
WAS GONNA LEAVE THEIR UNIFIED

2859
01:25:39,172 --> 01:25:40,573
WORLD CHAMPION.

2860
01:25:40,607 --> 01:25:42,375
I HAVE SUCH HIGH EXPECTATIONS

2861
01:25:42,409 --> 01:25:44,077
THAT I'M PLANNING ON TAKING THAT

2862
01:25:44,077 --> 01:25:45,378
TITLE.

2863
01:25:45,412 --> 01:25:46,146
I'VE COME HERE FOR ONE REASON

2864
01:25:46,179 --> 01:25:46,813
AND THAT IS TO SHOW THE WORLD

2865
01:25:46,846 --> 01:25:47,480
THAT THERE'S ONLY ONE WORLD

2866
01:25:47,514 --> 01:25:48,148
CHAMPION.

2867
01:25:48,181 --> 01:25:48,948
JERRY JARRETT REALLY WANTED

2868
01:25:48,982 --> 01:25:49,749
LAWLER TO HAVE THAT

2869
01:25:49,783 --> 01:25:50,550
CHAMPIONSHIP.

2870
01:25:50,583 --> 01:25:51,751
THERE'S SO MUCH AT STAKE HERE

2871
01:25:51,785 --> 01:25:52,852
WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THINGS

2872
01:25:52,886 --> 01:25:53,453
LIKE THIS, I HAVE FOR THE LAST

2873
01:25:53,486 --> 01:25:54,487
35 YEARS.

2874
01:25:54,521 --> 01:25:55,689
THE BEGINNING TOGETHER OF THE

2875
01:25:55,722 --> 01:25:56,623
LEAGUES.

2876
01:25:56,656 --> 01:25:57,390
AND LET'S SEE--LET'S SEE WHO IS

2877
01:25:57,424 --> 01:25:58,658
THE BEST.

2878
01:25:58,692 --> 01:25:59,893
TONIGHT WE'RE GONNA FIND OUT.

2879
01:25:59,926 --> 01:26:01,628
I JUST FELT THAT, YOU KNOW,

2880
01:26:01,661 --> 01:26:03,029
THAT VERNE WOULD NOT WANT TO SEE

2881
01:26:03,029 --> 01:26:04,764
HIS AWA CHAMPIONSHIP GET THAT

2882
01:26:04,798 --> 01:26:06,499
BIG LOSS PINNED ON IT AND THEN

2883
01:26:06,533 --> 01:26:08,435
BECOME A UNIFIED TITLE THAT WAY.

2884
01:26:08,468 --> 01:26:10,103
THIS IS A MATCH WHERE TWO MEN

2885
01:26:10,136 --> 01:26:12,072
ARE GONNA WALK INTO THE RING,

2886
01:26:12,105 --> 01:26:13,940
BOTH OF THEM WITH BELTS.

2887
01:26:14,040 --> 01:26:15,709
ONE MAN IS GONNA WALK OUT WITH

2888
01:26:15,742 --> 01:26:16,643
TWO BELTS.

2889
01:26:16,676 --> 01:26:17,644
WE RATHER BE AND THEN

2890
01:26:17,677 --> 01:26:18,378
PROBABLY ONE OF THE BLOODIEST

2891
01:26:18,411 --> 01:26:19,112
MATCHES THAT I HAVE EVER BEEN

2892
01:26:19,145 --> 01:26:20,146
INVOLVED IN.

2893
01:26:20,180 --> 01:26:21,247
LAWLER GETTING KERRY VON

2894
01:26:21,281 --> 01:26:23,249
ERICH'S LEFT ARM OVER THE TOP

2895
01:26:23,283 --> 01:26:24,617
ROPE AND HE ALREADY CUT OPENED.

2896
01:26:24,651 --> 01:26:25,952
YEAH, HE SPLIT IT WIDE OPEN.

2897
01:26:26,052 --> 01:26:27,053
[CROWD CHATTER]

2898
01:26:27,087 --> 01:26:29,656
LAWLER GOING INTO HIS TIGHTS

2899
01:26:29,689 --> 01:26:37,063
AFTER CUTTING.

2900
01:26:37,063 --> 01:26:38,231
AND DOWN GOES VON ERICH.

2901
01:26:38,264 --> 01:26:39,632
YOU'RE RIGHT LAWLER REACHING

2902
01:26:39,666 --> 01:26:40,300
INTO HIS TIGHTS.

2903
01:26:40,333 --> 01:26:40,900
VON ERICH BUSTED WIDE OPEN.

2904
01:26:40,934 --> 01:26:41,601
VON ERICH IS CUT OPEN.

2905
01:26:41,634 --> 01:26:42,502
NOW, HE'S GOT A LOT OF BLOOD IN

2906
01:26:42,535 --> 01:26:43,536
HIS FOREHEAD.

2907
01:26:43,570 --> 01:26:44,437
THAT'S WHEN THE "IRON CLAW" IS

2908
01:26:44,471 --> 01:26:45,505
MOST EFFECTIVE.

2909
01:26:45,538 --> 01:26:46,239
JERRY LAWLER'S IN A VERY BAD

2910
01:26:46,272 --> 01:26:46,906
WAY RIGHT NOW.

2911
01:26:46,940 --> 01:26:48,141
OH, BUT MARTY MILLER KEEPS

2912
01:26:48,174 --> 01:26:49,075
LOOKING AT VON ERICH'S FOREHEAD.

2913
01:26:49,109 --> 01:26:49,776
[CROWD CHATTER]

2914
01:26:49,809 --> 01:26:50,944
LAWLER GO ABOUT REACHING HIS

2915
01:26:50,977 --> 01:26:52,078
TIGHTS.

2916
01:26:52,078 --> 01:26:52,879
AND LAWLER HITS VON ERICH

2917
01:26:52,912 --> 01:26:53,680
AGAIN.

2918
01:26:53,713 --> 01:26:55,348
RIGHT HAND AGAIN BY LAWLER.

2919
01:26:55,382 --> 01:26:56,082
[CROWD CHATTER]

2920
01:26:56,116 --> 01:26:57,317
OUT OF THE RING GOES VON

2921
01:26:57,350 --> 01:26:58,885
ERICH.

2922
01:26:58,918 --> 01:27:00,253
A DISCUS PUNCH BY VON ERICH AND

2923
01:27:00,286 --> 01:27:01,654
STILL MARTY MILLER WANTS TO

2924
01:27:01,688 --> 01:27:02,489
CHECK THE EYE OF KERRY VON

2925
01:27:02,522 --> 01:27:03,623
ERICH.

2926
01:27:03,656 --> 01:27:05,325
THESE GUYS ARE A BLOODY MESS AND

2927
01:27:05,358 --> 01:27:06,593
THERE'S THE "IRON CLAW" AGAIN

2928
01:27:06,626 --> 01:27:08,595
APPLIED BY KERRY VON ERICH.

2929
01:27:08,628 --> 01:27:09,362
BLOOD WAS POURING OUT OF HIS

2930
01:27:09,396 --> 01:27:10,764
HEAD DOWN INTO MY FACE.

2931
01:27:10,797 --> 01:27:12,399
I REMEMBER IT UNTIL THIS DAY.

2932
01:27:12,432 --> 01:27:14,734
AND THERE'S MARTY MILLER

2933
01:27:14,768 --> 01:27:15,368
STILL CHECKING THE EYE OF KERRY

2934
01:27:15,402 --> 01:27:16,302
VON ERICH.

2935
01:27:16,336 --> 01:27:17,137
[CROWD CHATTER]

2936
01:27:17,170 --> 01:27:18,738
[BELL RINGING]

2937
01:27:18,772 --> 01:27:19,706
MARTY MILLER CALLING FOR THE

2938
01:27:19,739 --> 01:27:20,440
BELL.

2939
01:27:20,473 --> 01:27:21,708
THE REFEREE STOPS THE MATCH.

2940
01:27:21,741 --> 01:27:24,044
KERRY VON ERICH UNABLE TO GO ON.

2941
01:27:24,044 --> 01:27:26,713
HE CANNOT PERFORM, CANNOT SEE,

2942
01:27:26,746 --> 01:27:29,416
THE REFEREE AWARDS THE MATCH TO

2943
01:27:29,449 --> 01:27:33,186
JERRY "THE KING" LAWLER.

2944
01:27:33,219 --> 01:27:35,188
THE REFEREE DID THE RIGHT

2945
01:27:35,221 --> 01:27:35,822
THING.

2946
01:27:35,855 --> 01:27:37,424
HE SAVED THE MAN'S EYE SIGHT

2947
01:27:37,457 --> 01:27:39,059
BECAUSE IF HE HAD NOT STOPPED

2948
01:27:39,059 --> 01:27:41,127
THAT MATCH, I HATE TO SAY IT BUT

2949
01:27:41,161 --> 01:27:45,065
I WOULD HAVE BLINDED KERRY VON

2950
01:27:45,065 --> 01:27:46,733
ERICH, I PROMISE YOU.

2951
01:27:46,766 --> 01:27:48,201
THEY HAD A HECK OF A MATCH

2952
01:27:48,234 --> 01:27:50,637
AND LAWLER RETAINED THE TITLE.

2953
01:27:50,670 --> 01:27:52,339
THE NEXT THING, YOU KNOW, THE

2954
01:27:52,372 --> 01:27:53,506
TIME GOES BY AND NO PAY--NO

2955
01:27:53,540 --> 01:27:54,941
PAY--NO PAY.

2956
01:27:54,974 --> 01:27:56,242
THEN I GET A BOOKING SHEET FROM

2957
01:27:56,276 --> 01:27:57,510
VERNE GAGNE SHOWING ME THESE

2958
01:27:57,544 --> 01:27:58,378
DATES AND THESE CITIES I'M

2959
01:27:58,411 --> 01:28:00,480
SUPPOSED TO GO WRESTLING AND

2960
01:28:00,513 --> 01:28:01,514
DEFEND THE AWA OR THE UNIFIED

2961
01:28:01,548 --> 01:28:04,284
TITLE THEN, YOU KNOW, I HAD THE

2962
01:28:04,317 --> 01:28:06,386
AWA AND THE WCCW TITLE.

2963
01:28:06,419 --> 01:28:08,355
WHEN LAWLER WAS SUPPOSED TO

2964
01:28:08,388 --> 01:28:11,391
COME BACK AND WRESTLE OUR TOP

2965
01:28:11,424 --> 01:28:13,660
GUYS HERE AND WOULD PROBABLY

2966
01:28:13,693 --> 01:28:15,095
LOSE THAT TITLE, HE DIDN'T SHOW

2967
01:28:15,128 --> 01:28:17,130
UP.

2968
01:28:17,163 --> 01:28:19,766
I'M NOT GOING TO--AND

2969
01:28:19,799 --> 01:28:22,535
DEFENDING THE TITLE UNTIL I GET

2970
01:28:22,569 --> 01:28:23,903
THE PAYOFF FROM SUPERCLASH.

2971
01:28:23,937 --> 01:28:26,406
WHAT ELSE COULD WE DO?

2972
01:28:26,439 --> 01:28:28,074
THE AWA, THEY HAD THE STRIP HIM

2973
01:28:28,108 --> 01:28:29,042
OF THE TITLE.

2974
01:28:29,042 --> 01:28:30,076
HE WOULDN'T--HE WOULDN'T COME UP

2975
01:28:30,110 --> 01:28:32,879
HERE AND WRESTLE.

2976
01:28:32,912 --> 01:28:34,047
FOOL ME ONCE, SHAME ON YOU,

2977
01:28:34,080 --> 01:28:35,715
FOOL ME TWICE SHAME ON ME.

2978
01:28:35,749 --> 01:28:37,384
I DON'T THINK LAWLER'S EVER

2979
01:28:37,417 --> 01:28:38,585
BEEN PAID YET.

2980
01:28:38,618 --> 01:28:39,886
I STILL HAVE THE AWA

2981
01:28:39,919 --> 01:28:41,287
CHAMPIONSHIP BELT AT MY HOME IN

2982
01:28:41,321 --> 01:28:43,056
MEMPHIS AND ONCE I WON AT

2983
01:28:43,089 --> 01:28:45,091
SUPERCLASH I NEVER WENT BACK AND

2984
01:28:45,125 --> 01:28:47,127
WORKED FOR VERNE GAGNE AGAIN.

2985
01:28:47,160 --> 01:28:48,795
SO CAN YOU IMAGINE IT'S 20

2986
01:28:48,828 --> 01:28:50,130
PLUS YEARS LATER WHERE IT WAS

2987
01:28:50,163 --> 01:28:51,064
BEEN AND HE STILL HASN'T PAID?

2988
01:28:51,097 --> 01:28:51,798
I THINK THE BIGGEST MISTAKE

2989
01:28:51,831 --> 01:28:54,067
THAT VERNE GAGNE MADE WAS

2990
01:28:54,067 --> 01:28:57,137
SUPERCLASH III WAS THE FACT THAT

2991
01:28:57,170 --> 01:28:59,472
HE PRETTY MUCH ALIENATED HIMSELF

2992
01:28:59,506 --> 01:29:01,241
FROM ALL THE OTHER PROMOTERS

2993
01:29:01,274 --> 01:29:02,342
WHEN THAT PAY-PER-VIEW WAS OVER.

2994
01:29:02,375 --> 01:29:03,076
QUITE FRANKLY HE STIFFED

2995
01:29:03,109 --> 01:29:04,244
EVERYBODY.

2996
01:29:04,277 --> 01:29:06,346
VERNE WAS SO FAR BACK UP

2997
01:29:06,379 --> 01:29:07,714
AGAINST THE WALL.

2998
01:29:07,747 --> 01:29:08,715
HE DECIDED, "I'M GONNA SINK THE

2999
01:29:08,748 --> 01:29:10,350
MONEY IN MY POCKET."

3000
01:29:10,383 --> 01:29:11,284
WHETHER THAT WAS THE CASE OR

3001
01:29:11,317 --> 01:29:13,186
NOT, THAT'S WHAT I HEARD.

3002
01:29:13,219 --> 01:29:14,087
DID VERNE PROTECT VERNE

3003
01:29:14,120 --> 01:29:15,255
FIRST?

3004
01:29:15,288 --> 01:29:16,623
ABSOLUTELY.

3005
01:29:16,656 --> 01:29:18,291
BUT DOES VINCE MCMAHON, PROTECT

3006
01:29:18,324 --> 01:29:20,593
VINCE MCMAHON FIRST?

3007
01:29:20,627 --> 01:29:21,594
DOES VINCE MCMAHON PROTECT THE

3008
01:29:21,628 --> 01:29:23,329
WWE FIRST AND FOREMOST?

3009
01:29:23,363 --> 01:29:25,031
ABSOLUTELY.

3010
01:29:25,031 --> 01:29:25,799
TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE

3011
01:29:25,832 --> 01:29:27,100
NO ONE WAS PAID ANYTHING FOR

3012
01:29:27,133 --> 01:29:29,436
SUPERCLASH III.

3013
01:29:29,469 --> 01:29:30,236
[MUSIC]

3014
01:29:30,270 --> 01:29:31,037
IT BASICALLY TURNED OUT TO BE

3015
01:29:31,071 --> 01:29:32,072
FLOP.

3016
01:29:32,105 --> 01:29:33,239
ULTIMATELY, IT DIDN'T DELIVER

3017
01:29:33,273 --> 01:29:34,574
THE KIND OF REVENUE AND THE

3018
01:29:34,607 --> 01:29:35,508
NUMBERS THAT EVERYBODY HAD HOPED

3019
01:29:35,542 --> 01:29:36,743
IT WOULD.

3020
01:29:36,776 --> 01:29:37,544
AS I RECALL, THEY WEREN'T

3021
01:29:37,577 --> 01:29:38,945
DISTRIBUTED VERY WIDE WIDELY.

3022
01:29:39,045 --> 01:29:40,280
IT PROBABLY DID A QUARTER OF

3023
01:29:40,313 --> 01:29:42,148
THE BUY RATE THAT WWE WAS DOING

3024
01:29:42,182 --> 01:29:43,650
AT THAT TIME OR NWA WAS DOING AT

3025
01:29:43,683 --> 01:29:45,151
THAT TIME.

3026
01:29:45,185 --> 01:29:46,353
THE WRESTLERS ALL KNEW THAT

3027
01:29:46,386 --> 01:29:47,153
THE AWA WAS FALLING APART AT THE

3028
01:29:47,187 --> 01:29:48,822
SCENES.

3029
01:29:48,855 --> 01:29:50,490
AND THE PAY-PER-VIEW NUMBERS

3030
01:29:50,523 --> 01:29:52,058
WEREN'T THAT BAD BUT YOU GOT TO

3031
01:29:52,092 --> 01:29:55,628
REMEMBER VINCE HAD A

3032
01:29:55,662 --> 01:29:57,163
PAY-PER-VIEW GOING AND CROCKETT

3033
01:29:57,197 --> 01:29:58,498
GROUP HAD ONE GOING.

3034
01:29:58,531 --> 01:30:00,200
SO WE'RE, KIND OF--THEY

3035
01:30:00,233 --> 01:30:02,202
SANDWICHED US RIGHT IN BETWEEN

3036
01:30:02,235 --> 01:30:03,169
THEM AND VINCE WAS A MASTER AT

3037
01:30:03,203 --> 01:30:05,438
DOING THAT.

3038
01:30:05,472 --> 01:30:06,706
PEOPLE SPENT 39.95 THE NIGHT

3039
01:30:06,740 --> 01:30:08,074
BEFORE.

3040
01:30:08,108 --> 01:30:09,809
HOW ARE YOU GONNA GET ANOTHER

3041
01:30:09,843 --> 01:30:12,045
24-25 BUCKS OUT ON THE NEXT DAY?

3042
01:30:12,078 --> 01:30:14,581
HE MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR

3043
01:30:14,614 --> 01:30:16,282
YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

3044
01:30:16,316 --> 01:30:17,350
IT WAS THE FIRST AND LAST

3045
01:30:17,384 --> 01:30:19,386
ATTEMPT TO UNIFY ALL THESE

3046
01:30:19,419 --> 01:30:22,188
DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT PROMOTERS

3047
01:30:22,222 --> 01:30:24,758
UNDER ONE BANNER.

3048
01:30:24,791 --> 01:30:26,159
POLITICS AND EGO HAD BEEN A

3049
01:30:26,192 --> 01:30:28,461
BIGGER ISSUE, A BIGGER DETRIMENT

3050
01:30:28,495 --> 01:30:30,397
TO OUR BUSINESS QUITE FRANKLY

3051
01:30:30,430 --> 01:30:32,465
THAN ANY INJURIES AND MONEY IN

3052
01:30:32,499 --> 01:30:33,366
MY ESTIMATION.

3053
01:30:33,400 --> 01:30:35,502
AFTER I WAS OFFICIALLY

3054
01:30:35,535 --> 01:30:36,336
STRIPPED OF THE AWA WORLD

3055
01:30:36,369 --> 01:30:37,504
CHAMPIONSHIP IN VERNE GAGNE'S

3056
01:30:37,537 --> 01:30:39,739
EYES WITHOUT LETTING ME KNOW IT.

3057
01:30:39,773 --> 01:30:40,573
APPARENTLY, THEY PUT TOGETHER A

3058
01:30:40,607 --> 01:30:41,675
BATTLE ROYAL OF ALL THE

3059
01:30:41,708 --> 01:30:47,280
REMAINING TALENT.

3060
01:30:47,313 --> 01:30:48,148
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN

3061
01:30:48,181 --> 01:30:49,382
HISTORY OF WRESTLING THAT

3062
01:30:49,416 --> 01:30:50,083
THEY'VE EVER HAVE A BATTLE ROYAL

3063
01:30:50,116 --> 01:30:51,251
IS HAVING THE WINNER, IT'S GONNA

3064
01:30:51,284 --> 01:30:52,152
BE THE WORLD CHAMPION.

3065
01:30:52,185 --> 01:30:53,086
THE REASON FOR THAT IS BECAUSE

3066
01:30:53,119 --> 01:30:53,887
THEY STRIPPED JERRY LAWLER OF

3067
01:30:53,920 --> 01:30:54,888
THE TITLE.

3068
01:30:54,921 --> 01:30:55,989
THAT'S RIGHT.

3069
01:30:56,022 --> 01:30:56,923
I THINK THAT HE WASN'T

3070
01:30:56,956 --> 01:30:58,892
SHOWING UP IN HIS MATCHES.

3071
01:30:58,925 --> 01:30:59,859
MAYBE HE HAD A BIG YELLOW STREAK

3072
01:30:59,893 --> 01:31:00,927
DOWN HIS BACK WITH SOME OF THE

3073
01:31:00,960 --> 01:31:01,661
OPPONENTS THAT HE HAD OR

3074
01:31:01,695 --> 01:31:02,362
SOMETHING.

3075
01:31:02,395 --> 01:31:03,296
WHEN THE WHISTLE BLOWS

3076
01:31:03,329 --> 01:31:04,230
EVERYBODY GOES AND THEY SURE

3077
01:31:04,264 --> 01:31:05,899
HAVE RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING OF

3078
01:31:05,932 --> 01:31:07,233
THIS MATCH AND IT'S BOILED DOWN

3079
01:31:07,267 --> 01:31:09,402
TO THESE FANS, TOM ZENK AND

3080
01:31:09,436 --> 01:31:12,405
LARRY ZBYSZKO.

3081
01:31:12,439 --> 01:31:13,606
VERTICAL [INDISTINCT]

3082
01:31:13,640 --> 01:31:14,808
OOH.

3083
01:31:14,841 --> 01:31:16,242
ZENK'S OVER THE TOP ROPE.

3084
01:31:16,276 --> 01:31:17,243
RIGHT THERE IS YOUR WINNER...

3085
01:31:17,277 --> 01:31:18,211
[BELL RINGING]

3086
01:31:18,244 --> 01:31:19,079
...OVER THE TOP ROPE.

3087
01:31:19,079 --> 01:31:20,080
THAT'S IT--THAT'S IT.

3088
01:31:20,080 --> 01:31:20,880
THE REFEREES CALLING FOR THE

3089
01:31:20,914 --> 01:31:21,848
BELL THE NEW HEAVYWEIGHT

3090
01:31:21,881 --> 01:31:22,949
CHAMPION OF THE WORLD, THE

3091
01:31:22,982 --> 01:31:24,351
LIVING LEGEND FROM PITTSBURGH,

3092
01:31:24,384 --> 01:31:28,621
PENNSYLVANIA, LARRY ZBYSZKO.

3093
01:31:28,655 --> 01:31:29,489
WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T

3094
01:31:29,522 --> 01:31:30,523
KNOW BUT THEY DID KNOW WHAT THAT

3095
01:31:30,557 --> 01:31:32,425
AREA AT THAT TIME WAS THAT LARRY

3096
01:31:32,459 --> 01:31:33,426
ZBYSZKO WAS VERNE GAGNE'S

3097
01:31:33,460 --> 01:31:35,729
SON-IN-LAW.

3098
01:31:35,762 --> 01:31:37,964
I, AFTER 14 GLORIOUS YEARS AM

3099
01:31:37,997 --> 01:31:40,000
THE MAJOR LEAGUE OF PROFESSIONAL

3100
01:31:40,100 --> 01:31:41,534
WRESTLING.

3101
01:31:41,568 --> 01:31:42,502
EVERYBODY JUST LOOKED AROUND

3102
01:31:42,535 --> 01:31:43,803
AND SAID, "WELL, IF VERNE COULD

3103
01:31:43,837 --> 01:31:45,538
MAKE HIS SON WORLD CHAMPION, HE

3104
01:31:45,572 --> 01:31:46,539
CAN MAKE HIS SON-IN-LAW WORLD

3105
01:31:46,573 --> 01:31:47,741
CHAMPION."

3106
01:31:47,774 --> 01:31:49,242
I'M A LITTLE BIT PREJUDICED,

3107
01:31:49,275 --> 01:31:49,976
I WAS HOPING MY SON WOULD WIN IN

3108
01:31:50,010 --> 01:31:51,177
THE RING BUT THEN HE WAS TOO.

3109
01:31:51,211 --> 01:31:53,446
THE FACT THAT LARRY MARRIED

3110
01:31:53,480 --> 01:31:54,647
ONE OF VERNE'S DAUGHTERS TO ME

3111
01:31:54,681 --> 01:31:56,316
IT'S REALLY A RELEVANT.

3112
01:31:56,349 --> 01:31:57,650
WHAT VERNE WAS TRYING TO DO I

3113
01:31:57,684 --> 01:31:59,119
THINK IN THIS INSTANCE WAS KEEP

3114
01:31:59,119 --> 01:32:00,787
THE TITLE AND THE FAMILY AND NOT

3115
01:32:00,820 --> 01:32:03,223
RISK THE TITLE BEING, YOU KNOW,

3116
01:32:03,256 --> 01:32:07,227
TAKEN TO THE WWE OR TO ANOTHER

3117
01:32:07,260 --> 01:32:08,728
ORGANIZATION JUST LIKE--I MEAN,

3118
01:32:08,762 --> 01:32:09,896
YOU KNOW, I'M SURE THAT VERNE

3119
01:32:09,929 --> 01:32:11,331
LOOKED AT ME AND SAY, "MAN,

3120
01:32:11,364 --> 01:32:12,699
HERE'S THIS LAWLER, YOU KNOW,

3121
01:32:12,732 --> 01:32:14,801
THIS JERK WHO WON IN AWA.

3122
01:32:14,834 --> 01:32:16,369
HE WAS FROM THE CWA DOWN IN

3123
01:32:16,403 --> 01:32:18,238
MEMPHIS AND HE GETS THE TITLE

3124
01:32:18,271 --> 01:32:19,339
AND THEN, YOU KNOW, HE

3125
01:32:19,372 --> 01:32:20,974
DISAPPEARS THEN KEEP THE TITLE.

3126
01:32:21,074 --> 01:32:22,509
SO I JUST THINK HE FELT SECURE

3127
01:32:22,542 --> 01:32:23,576
AND THE FACT THAT THIS GUY IS MY

3128
01:32:23,610 --> 01:32:24,310
SON-IN-LAW, WHERE'S HE GONNA GO?

3129
01:32:24,344 --> 01:32:25,512
I WANNA BE THE KIND OF

3130
01:32:25,545 --> 01:32:27,247
CHAMPION THAT A CHAMPION SHOULD

3131
01:32:27,280 --> 01:32:28,381
BE.

3132
01:32:28,415 --> 01:32:29,349
NOT LIKE TO THE SO CALLED

3133
01:32:29,382 --> 01:32:30,350
CHAMPIONS, NOT LIKE THIS GOOF

3134
01:32:30,383 --> 01:32:32,919
BALL COWARD LAWLER.

3135
01:32:32,952 --> 01:32:35,388
LARRY WAS A REAL TALENTED

3136
01:32:35,422 --> 01:32:36,456
GUY, A GREAT TALKER.

3137
01:32:36,489 --> 01:32:38,158
YOU KNOW WHAT MY SECRET IS, I

3138
01:32:38,191 --> 01:32:40,694
AM A PRODUCT OF ALL THE BEST

3139
01:32:40,727 --> 01:32:42,762
PROFESSIONAL WRESTLERS THAT EVER

3140
01:32:42,796 --> 01:32:46,399
WERE AND THAT EVER WILL BE.

3141
01:32:46,433 --> 01:32:49,803
I THINK WHAT VERNE SAW WAS

3142
01:32:49,836 --> 01:32:50,837
MAYBE AGAIN WOULD BE THE

3143
01:32:50,870 --> 01:32:53,373
IGNITION TO GET HIM ROLLING.

3144
01:32:53,406 --> 01:32:58,578
BUT AGAIN, IT'S A TEAM EFFORT

3145
01:32:58,611 --> 01:33:01,281
AND IT JUST WASN'T ENOUGH DEPTH,

3146
01:33:01,314 --> 01:33:04,884
QUALITY MAIN EVEN DEPTH IN AWA

3147
01:33:04,918 --> 01:33:05,852
THAT TIME FOR IT TO SURVIVE AND

3148
01:33:05,885 --> 01:33:08,421
THAT'S WHAT REALLY EVENTUALLY

3149
01:33:08,455 --> 01:33:15,795
KILLED IT.

3150
01:33:15,829 --> 01:33:17,230
THE TEAM CHALLENGE SERIES ON

3151
01:33:17,263 --> 01:33:19,499
ESPN THAT WAS A LITTLE

3152
01:33:19,532 --> 01:33:21,434
BRAINSTORMING IDEA WE CAME UP

3153
01:33:21,468 --> 01:33:22,235
WITH.

3154
01:33:22,268 --> 01:33:23,670
WE DECIDED LET'S HAVE A DRAFT

3155
01:33:23,703 --> 01:33:24,437
AND GO INTO TEAM COMPETITION.

3156
01:33:24,471 --> 01:33:25,472
IT'S SOMETHING THAT NOBODY ELSE

3157
01:33:25,505 --> 01:33:26,673
WAS DOING.

3158
01:33:26,706 --> 01:33:27,941
THEY THOUGHT THAT WOULD SAVE

3159
01:33:27,974 --> 01:33:29,843
THE TERRITORY.

3160
01:33:29,876 --> 01:33:31,111
VERNE JUST WOULD NOT THROW IN

3161
01:33:31,144 --> 01:33:32,379
THE TOWEL.

3162
01:33:32,412 --> 01:33:33,480
HE PROBABLY SHOULD GAVE A YEAR

3163
01:33:33,513 --> 01:33:35,382
OR TWO EARLIER.

3164
01:33:35,415 --> 01:33:36,216
AND WE GOT TO CREATE RESPONSE

3165
01:33:36,249 --> 01:33:37,384
FROM IT.

3166
01:33:37,417 --> 01:33:39,319
THE TEAM CHALLENGE SERIES,

3167
01:33:39,352 --> 01:33:42,188
WHAT IS--DON'T KNOW, WHEN--WHAT

3168
01:33:42,222 --> 01:33:43,690
WAS THAT?

3169
01:33:43,723 --> 01:33:44,724
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WHAT

3170
01:33:44,758 --> 01:33:47,127
YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE IS THE

3171
01:33:47,160 --> 01:33:49,229
FINALS, THE GRAND FINALE IF YOU

3172
01:33:49,262 --> 01:33:51,965
WILL OF THE TEAM CHALLENGE

3173
01:33:51,998 --> 01:33:53,133
SERIES.

3174
01:33:53,166 --> 01:33:54,734
IT WILL BE A BATTLE ROYAL WHO

3175
01:33:54,768 --> 01:33:56,136
HAS EVER LEFT, IT IS SO CLOSE

3176
01:33:56,169 --> 01:33:59,939
WILL WIN THE TEAM CHALLENGE

3177
01:34:00,040 --> 01:34:02,876
SERIES AND THE $1 MILLION.

3178
01:34:02,909 --> 01:34:05,078
CRANK THE VCR BECAUSE

3179
01:34:05,111 --> 01:34:06,479
WRESTLING FANS YOU'RE ABOUT TO

3180
01:34:06,513 --> 01:34:08,481
SEE HISTORY IN THE MAKING.

3181
01:34:08,515 --> 01:34:09,449
AGAIN, IT WAS AT THE TAIL-END

3182
01:34:09,482 --> 01:34:14,054
OF THE AWA AND I THINK

3183
01:34:14,054 --> 01:34:21,361
DESPERATION WAS RUNNING AMOK.

3184
01:34:21,394 --> 01:34:22,662
WELL, THIS IS IT.

3185
01:34:22,696 --> 01:34:23,963
THIS IS FOR ALL THE MARBLES,

3186
01:34:24,064 --> 01:34:25,832
THIS IS FOR THE GOLD.

3187
01:34:25,865 --> 01:34:27,767
THE TEAM'S AHEAD AT THIS

3188
01:34:27,801 --> 01:34:28,768
POINT, I'M ALL MIXED UP.

3189
01:34:28,802 --> 01:34:29,636
YOU GOT THE BLITZERS AHEAD.

3190
01:34:29,669 --> 01:34:30,537
I'M SORRY, THE BLITZERS AND THE

3191
01:34:30,570 --> 01:34:31,771
LEGENDS ARE TIED AT 49 EACH.

3192
01:34:31,805 --> 01:34:33,440
THE SNIPERS ONLY TWO POINTS

3193
01:34:33,473 --> 01:34:34,741
DOWN.

3194
01:34:34,774 --> 01:34:35,575
I CAN'T--THERE'S MUCH

3195
01:34:35,608 --> 01:34:36,476
CONFUSION OUT THERE.

3196
01:34:36,509 --> 01:34:37,777
I CAN'T TELL WHO'S GOING IN--OH,

3197
01:34:37,811 --> 01:34:39,145
OVER THE TOP ROPE...

3198
01:34:39,179 --> 01:34:40,080
[CROWD CHEERING]

3199
01:34:40,080 --> 01:34:42,182
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

3200
01:34:42,215 --> 01:34:42,916
WELL, THAT'S GOT TO BE A

3201
01:34:42,949 --> 01:34:44,250
POINT THEN.

3202
01:34:44,284 --> 01:34:45,752
WITH THAT ONE POINT, LARRY'S

3203
01:34:45,785 --> 01:34:47,220
LEGENDS HAS TIED BARON'S

3204
01:34:47,253 --> 01:34:48,822
BLITZERS.

3205
01:34:48,855 --> 01:34:49,923
WAIT, WE SAID THAT THERE WAS

3206
01:34:49,956 --> 01:34:51,224
GOING TO BE FIVE POINTS TO THE

3207
01:34:51,257 --> 01:34:52,392
WINNER OF THE MATCH UNLESS

3208
01:34:52,425 --> 01:34:54,461
MISTAKEN, LARRY'S LEGENDS HAS

3209
01:34:54,494 --> 01:34:55,562
JUST WON THE TEAM CHALLENGE

3210
01:34:55,595 --> 01:34:56,930
SERIES.

3211
01:34:56,963 --> 01:34:57,831
NOW, WHAT DO YOU THINK IN THE

3212
01:34:57,864 --> 01:34:59,366
TEAM CHALLENGE SERIES NOW?

3213
01:34:59,399 --> 01:35:00,533
WELL, THE TEAM CHALLENGE

3214
01:35:00,567 --> 01:35:01,768
SERIES IS A UNIQUE EVENT FOR

3215
01:35:01,801 --> 01:35:03,036
PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING.

3216
01:35:03,069 --> 01:35:05,205
IT'S THE FIRST TIME IT'S BEEN

3217
01:35:05,238 --> 01:35:06,039
DONE.

3218
01:35:06,072 --> 01:35:07,040
ANYWAY, I CONGRATULATE THE OTHER

3219
01:35:07,040 --> 01:35:07,774
PEOPLE BUT...

3220
01:35:07,807 --> 01:35:10,043
THEY WERE JUST RUNNING OUT OF

3221
01:35:10,043 --> 01:35:10,677
IDEAS.

3222
01:35:10,710 --> 01:35:11,845
THEY WERE OUT OF TALENT, THEY

3223
01:35:11,878 --> 01:35:12,912
WERE OUT OF MONEY.

3224
01:35:12,946 --> 01:35:14,047
THEY WERE LOSING TELEVISION

3225
01:35:14,047 --> 01:35:15,582
STATIONS RIGHT AND LEFT.

3226
01:35:15,615 --> 01:35:17,217
I MEAN, WE'RE LITERALLY

3227
01:35:17,250 --> 01:35:19,419
OPERATING ON FUMES.

3228
01:35:19,452 --> 01:35:20,320
I TELL YOU, A LOT IS GONNA BE

3229
01:35:20,353 --> 01:35:21,421
WRITTEN AND A LOT HAS GONNA BE

3230
01:35:21,454 --> 01:35:23,356
SET ABOUT THE TEAM CHALLENGE

3231
01:35:23,390 --> 01:35:25,125
SERIES FROM 1990.

3232
01:35:25,158 --> 01:35:26,359
I DON'T KNOW WHO CAME UP WITH

3233
01:35:26,393 --> 01:35:27,327
THE IDEA FOR THE TEAM CHALLENGE

3234
01:35:27,360 --> 01:35:28,128
SERIES.

3235
01:35:28,161 --> 01:35:29,295
WRESTLERS FROM ALL OVER THE

3236
01:35:29,329 --> 01:35:30,463
WORLD ARE GOING WHERE AND WHEN

3237
01:35:30,497 --> 01:35:31,664
IS THE NEXT ONE?

3238
01:35:31,698 --> 01:35:32,766
HOW CAN I GET A PIECE OF THE ONE

3239
01:35:32,799 --> 01:35:34,634
MILLION DOLLARS?

3240
01:35:34,668 --> 01:35:36,069
I DON'T KNOW WHY I GOT--I GOT

3241
01:35:36,102 --> 01:35:38,271
STUCK WITH THE TEAM CHALLENGE

3242
01:35:38,304 --> 01:35:39,873
SERIES BECAUSE I HAVE NOTHING TO

3243
01:35:39,906 --> 01:35:41,408
DO IN THERE.

3244
01:35:41,441 --> 01:35:43,276
WELL, IT WAS--IT WAS--I--THE

3245
01:35:43,309 --> 01:35:44,711
GUY CAME UP WITH THE IDEA AND

3246
01:35:44,744 --> 01:35:46,513
THEN FORMULATE IT WITH MY

3247
01:35:46,546 --> 01:35:47,781
FATHER.

3248
01:35:47,814 --> 01:35:48,782
AND I THINK THE PEOPLE JUST

3249
01:35:48,815 --> 01:35:49,983
ASSUMED BECAUSE I WAS STARTING

3250
01:35:50,083 --> 01:35:51,451
TO EMERGE AND THEN THIS NEW IDEA

3251
01:35:51,484 --> 01:35:52,886
CAME ALONG THAT SOMEHOW I WAS

3252
01:35:52,919 --> 01:35:54,587
RESPONSIBLE FOR IT, BUT I WANT

3253
01:35:54,621 --> 01:35:56,089
TO SAY PUBLICLY ON THE RECORD

3254
01:35:56,089 --> 01:36:00,326
AGAIN NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT.

3255
01:36:00,360 --> 01:36:03,096
[MUSIC]

3256
01:36:03,129 --> 01:36:05,832
THE FINAL NAIL, IF YOU WILL,

3257
01:36:05,865 --> 01:36:08,268
FOR AWA CAME WHEN THE STATE OF

3258
01:36:08,301 --> 01:36:11,438
MINNESOTA DECIDED ENFORCE AN

3259
01:36:11,471 --> 01:36:13,606
EMINENT DOMAIN CLAIM AGAINST

3260
01:36:13,640 --> 01:36:15,208
VERNE GAGNE AND THE PROPERTY

3261
01:36:15,241 --> 01:36:17,043
THAT VERNE HAD ON--IN A VERY

3262
01:36:17,043 --> 01:36:20,113
PRESTIGIOUS AREA OF MINNEAPOLIS

3263
01:36:20,146 --> 01:36:21,548
CALLED LAKE MINNETONKA.

3264
01:36:21,581 --> 01:36:22,816
THE COUNTY CAME IN AND

3265
01:36:22,849 --> 01:36:24,784
DECIDED THAT, "HEY, VERNE, WE'D

3266
01:36:24,818 --> 01:36:26,586
LIKE TO TAKE THIS PIECE OF

3267
01:36:26,619 --> 01:36:27,287
PROPERTY AND MAKE A PARK OUT OF

3268
01:36:27,320 --> 01:36:28,221
IT."

3269
01:36:28,254 --> 01:36:29,089
NOW, VERNE HIRED A COUPLE OF

3270
01:36:29,122 --> 01:36:31,725
ATTORNEYS AND FOUGHT FOR A

3271
01:36:31,758 --> 01:36:34,828
COUPLE OF YEARS TO PREVENT THE

3272
01:36:34,861 --> 01:36:36,062
SALE AND TRY TO FIGHT THE

3273
01:36:36,062 --> 01:36:38,298
EMINENT DOMAIN ISSUE.

3274
01:36:38,331 --> 01:36:40,066
ALL THE WHILE HE WAS BORROWING

3275
01:36:40,066 --> 01:36:41,534
AGAINST THAT PROPERTY TO FUND

3276
01:36:41,568 --> 01:36:42,669
THE AWA.

3277
01:36:42,702 --> 01:36:44,170
ONCE HE LOST THE IMMINENT DOMAIN

3278
01:36:44,204 --> 01:36:45,939
CASE AND WAS FORCED TO SELL, HE

3279
01:36:45,972 --> 01:36:47,340
NO LONGER HAD THAT ASSET TO

3280
01:36:47,374 --> 01:36:48,908
BORROW AGAINST.

3281
01:36:48,942 --> 01:36:51,244
THAT HIT--THAT FINANCIAL HIT IS

3282
01:36:51,277 --> 01:36:53,413
WHAT LED VERNE TO, YOU KNOW,

3283
01:36:53,446 --> 01:36:55,081
HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE REALLY THAN

3284
01:36:55,115 --> 01:36:57,717
TO THROW INTO THE TOWEL ON AWA.

3285
01:36:57,751 --> 01:36:58,918
THAT WAS REALLY HARD ON MY

3286
01:36:58,952 --> 01:37:02,122
PARENTS.

3287
01:37:02,155 --> 01:37:03,523
VERNE WOULD HAVE LITERALLY

3288
01:37:03,556 --> 01:37:05,158
JUST SPENT HIS WAY IN THE

3289
01:37:05,191 --> 01:37:06,626
BANKRUPTCY, DOING EVERYTHING

3290
01:37:06,659 --> 01:37:07,527
THAT HE COULD TO KEEP THE AWA

3291
01:37:07,560 --> 01:37:08,862
ALIVE.

3292
01:37:08,895 --> 01:37:09,729
HE WAS THAT STUBBORN AND THAT

3293
01:37:09,763 --> 01:37:10,830
COMMITTED.

3294
01:37:10,864 --> 01:37:11,731
SO, BETWEEN THE WRESTLING AND

3295
01:37:11,765 --> 01:37:13,133
THAT, YOU KNOW, IT WAS A

3296
01:37:13,166 --> 01:37:14,434
DEVASTATING FEW YEARS FOR THE

3297
01:37:14,467 --> 01:37:18,571
GAGNE FAMILY.

3298
01:37:18,605 --> 01:37:19,439
WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED TO

3299
01:37:19,472 --> 01:37:21,374
THE AWA?

3300
01:37:21,408 --> 01:37:22,776
PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME ANSWER

3301
01:37:22,809 --> 01:37:25,478
THAT.

3302
01:37:25,512 --> 01:37:27,047
THEY RAN OUT OF TALENT.

3303
01:37:27,047 --> 01:37:28,548
EVERYBODY WENT TO NEW YORK.

3304
01:37:28,581 --> 01:37:29,582
THEY PUT THEMSELVES OUT OF

3305
01:37:29,616 --> 01:37:30,483
BUSINESS.

3306
01:37:30,517 --> 01:37:31,785
VINCE DIDN'T PUT THEM OUT OF

3307
01:37:31,818 --> 01:37:32,919
BUSINESS.

3308
01:37:32,952 --> 01:37:33,687
IF I READ ONE MORE SOUR

3309
01:37:33,720 --> 01:37:35,588
WRESTLING BOOK FROM OLD--FROM

3310
01:37:35,622 --> 01:37:36,423
OLD WRESTLER WHO DIDN'T SAVE HIS

3311
01:37:36,456 --> 01:37:37,390
MONEY.

3312
01:37:37,424 --> 01:37:38,058
HE'S PISSED OFF WITH EVERYBODY

3313
01:37:38,091 --> 01:37:40,293
BECAUSE EVERYBODY CHEATED HIM,

3314
01:37:40,326 --> 01:37:41,428
EVERYBODY DID THIS TO HIM,

3315
01:37:41,461 --> 01:37:42,595
EVERYTHING DID THIS TO HIM, I'M

3316
01:37:42,629 --> 01:37:44,097
GONNA THROW UP.

3317
01:37:44,130 --> 01:37:46,066
IF IT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN VINCE,

3318
01:37:46,099 --> 01:37:48,668
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SOMEONE

3319
01:37:48,702 --> 01:37:50,870
BECAUSE AGAIN, TECHNOLOGY-WISE

3320
01:37:50,904 --> 01:37:52,439
IT WAS ALL REALLY IN THIS

3321
01:37:52,472 --> 01:37:54,474
DIRECTION.

3322
01:37:54,507 --> 01:37:56,676
I JUST DIDN'T THINK THAT WE

3323
01:37:56,710 --> 01:37:59,612
KEPT UP WITH THE TIMES.

3324
01:37:59,646 --> 01:38:00,313
AND IF YOU DON'T CHANGE WITH

3325
01:38:00,347 --> 01:38:01,581
THE TIMES, EVENTUALLY YOU'RE

3326
01:38:01,614 --> 01:38:03,516
JUST GONNA FALL ON YOUR FACE.

3327
01:38:03,550 --> 01:38:06,586
THE STUBBORNNESS DO NOT

3328
01:38:06,619 --> 01:38:08,755
CHANGE WITH THE TIMES BY VERNE

3329
01:38:08,788 --> 01:38:10,590
WAS THE DOWNFALL.

3330
01:38:10,623 --> 01:38:11,825
AND SOME MAY SAY THE REASON

3331
01:38:11,858 --> 01:38:13,126
AWA SHUT THE DOORS WAS BECAUSE

3332
01:38:13,159 --> 01:38:15,028
VERNE WAS SO STUBBORN, I

3333
01:38:15,028 --> 01:38:16,429
PERSONALLY THINK THE REASON AWA

3334
01:38:16,463 --> 01:38:18,164
WAS AROUND AS LONG AS IT WAS,

3335
01:38:18,198 --> 01:38:20,867
WAS BECAUSE VERNE JUST REFUSED

3336
01:38:20,900 --> 01:38:23,136
TO LET IT GO AND REALLY FOUGHT

3337
01:38:23,169 --> 01:38:27,474
TO THE LAST FINANCIAL BREATHE.

3338
01:38:27,507 --> 01:38:28,375
I THINK HE WAS BURNED OUT,

3339
01:38:28,408 --> 01:38:31,411
VERNE WAS.

3340
01:38:31,444 --> 01:38:33,113
HE DROPPED THE BALL.

3341
01:38:33,146 --> 01:38:34,581
I'VE BEEN OFF THERE FOR

3342
01:38:34,614 --> 01:38:36,082
AWHILE I SUPPOSE BUT I--SO I

3343
01:38:36,116 --> 01:38:39,052
WANTED TO--WANTED TO KEEP GOING

3344
01:38:39,085 --> 01:38:40,587
BUT AFTER THE TALENT WENT AND

3345
01:38:40,620 --> 01:38:42,122
YOU COULD DO ANYTHING, YOU JUST

3346
01:38:42,155 --> 01:38:44,324
MIGHT AS WELL FORGET IT.

3347
01:38:44,357 --> 01:38:46,593
I MEAN I COULDN'T MAKE TALENT

3348
01:38:46,626 --> 01:38:49,129
FAST ENOUGH.

3349
01:38:49,162 --> 01:38:51,197
THEY SORT OF SELF-DESTRUCTED,

3350
01:38:51,231 --> 01:38:52,932
YOU KNOW, UNDER THE WEIGHT OF

3351
01:38:52,966 --> 01:38:55,769
COMPETITION.

3352
01:38:55,802 --> 01:38:57,103
WE CAME TO A POINT WHERE WE

3353
01:38:57,137 --> 01:39:00,373
HAD NOTHING.

3354
01:39:00,407 --> 01:39:01,841
WE WERE GONNA LOSE OUR HOUSE.

3355
01:39:01,875 --> 01:39:02,676
VERNE WAS NOT WILLING TO

3356
01:39:02,709 --> 01:39:05,412
REINVEST IN HIS BUSINESS, THE

3357
01:39:05,445 --> 01:39:06,746
AMOUNT OF HOURS THAT IT TAKES TO

3358
01:39:06,780 --> 01:39:07,781
PUT INTO THE BUSINESS.

3359
01:39:07,814 --> 01:39:10,016
THE MARKETING, ALL ASPECTS OF

3360
01:39:10,016 --> 01:39:11,584
THE BUSINESS WHICH YOU HAVE TO

3361
01:39:11,618 --> 01:39:13,019
BE--HAVE YOUR FINGERS ON AND

3362
01:39:13,019 --> 01:39:14,487
THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN FOREIGN TO

3363
01:39:14,521 --> 01:39:16,289
VERNE AND HE WASN'T READY TO

3364
01:39:16,322 --> 01:39:17,590
MAKE THAT KIND OF COMMITMENT AND

3365
01:39:17,624 --> 01:39:19,025
REINVEST MONETARILY.

3366
01:39:19,059 --> 01:39:20,026
I MEAN, I DON'T FEEL BAD

3367
01:39:20,026 --> 01:39:22,028
ABOUT IT, NO.

3368
01:39:22,028 --> 01:39:23,296
I DON'T HAVE ANY GRUDGES FOR

3369
01:39:23,329 --> 01:39:25,298
MCMAHON OR ANYTHING.

3370
01:39:25,331 --> 01:39:27,200
I JUST--HIS DAD AND I WERE GOOD

3371
01:39:27,233 --> 01:39:30,036
FRIENDS, SO THAT WAS--I REMEMBER

3372
01:39:30,036 --> 01:39:33,039
THAT AS WELL AS NOT LIKING HIS

3373
01:39:33,073 --> 01:39:36,609
SON.

3374
01:39:36,643 --> 01:39:37,644
TO CLOSE THE AWA WAS VERY

3375
01:39:37,677 --> 01:39:41,114
TOUGH DECISION FOR VERNE.

3376
01:39:41,147 --> 01:39:43,350
I MEAN, HIS WHOLE LIFE FROM 1957

3377
01:39:43,383 --> 01:39:47,454
TO 1991 WAS AWA.

3378
01:39:47,487 --> 01:39:51,191
I COULD HAVE GONE TO THE WWE AND

3379
01:39:51,224 --> 01:39:53,126
SUPPORTED MY FAMILY.

3380
01:39:53,159 --> 01:39:54,494
I CHOSE TO STAY WITH MY FATHER

3381
01:39:54,527 --> 01:39:57,530
UNTIL THE END.

3382
01:39:57,564 --> 01:39:58,798
AND THE END CAME AND IT WAS--IT

3383
01:39:58,832 --> 01:40:00,333
WAS BRUTAL.

3384
01:40:00,367 --> 01:40:01,334
[MUSIC]

3385
01:40:01,368 --> 01:40:09,409
OH, YEAH.

3386
01:40:09,442 --> 01:40:11,111
IT WAS--I HAD DONE PRETTY WELL,

3387
01:40:11,144 --> 01:40:15,682
YOU KNOW, OVER THE YEARS.

3388
01:40:15,715 --> 01:40:17,283
SO IT WAS NOT BAD FOR ME AS IT

3389
01:40:17,317 --> 01:40:19,219
WAS TO OTHER PEOPLE.

3390
01:40:19,252 --> 01:40:23,623
AND IT PROBABLY HURT A LOT OF

3391
01:40:23,656 --> 01:40:25,592
WRESTLERS ALSO.

3392
01:40:25,625 --> 01:40:26,860
GOD, IT WAS TOUGH, REALLY

3393
01:40:26,893 --> 01:40:27,694
TOUGH.

3394
01:40:27,727 --> 01:40:29,062
EMOTIONALLY, IT WAS DEVASTATING

3395
01:40:29,095 --> 01:40:30,663
TO MY MOM AND DAD AND TO MY

3396
01:40:30,697 --> 01:40:35,235
FAMILY.

3397
01:40:35,268 --> 01:40:37,437
I WISH I COULD DO SOMETHING

3398
01:40:37,470 --> 01:40:38,938
HERE THAT WOULD BE SENSATIONAL.

3399
01:40:38,972 --> 01:40:41,074
YOU COULD PUT DOWN THOSE PAGES

3400
01:40:41,107 --> 01:40:46,079
WHO GOT THERE BUT IT'S OVER.

3401
01:40:46,112 --> 01:40:46,713
NOW, IT'S OVER AND THAT'S IT.

3402
01:40:46,746 --> 01:40:48,114
THEY'LL FORGET ABOUT IT.

3403
01:40:48,148 --> 01:40:50,450
WHEN WE GOT THE CALL FROM

3404
01:40:50,483 --> 01:40:52,185
JOHN LAURINAITIS AT THE WWE

3405
01:40:52,218 --> 01:40:54,421
OFFICES THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO

3406
01:40:54,454 --> 01:40:56,122
INDUCT VERNE INTO THE HALL OF

3407
01:40:56,156 --> 01:40:57,757
FAME, I KIND OF SAID, "YOU'RE

3408
01:40:57,791 --> 01:40:59,292
KIDDING."

3409
01:40:59,325 --> 01:41:00,527
THERE WAS SO MUCH ANIMOSITY

3410
01:41:00,560 --> 01:41:03,363
IN...

3411
01:41:03,396 --> 01:41:05,532
VERNE, I'M SURE BLAMED VINCE

3412
01:41:05,565 --> 01:41:07,434
FOR THE DEMISE OF THE AWA.

3413
01:41:07,467 --> 01:41:09,536
HE SAID, "WHAT DO YOU THINK?"

3414
01:41:09,569 --> 01:41:10,737
AND I SAID, "WELL, YOU KNOW, I'M

3415
01:41:10,770 --> 01:41:11,805
GONNA HAVE TO TALK TO MY FATHER

3416
01:41:11,838 --> 01:41:13,073
ON THAT ONE.

3417
01:41:13,073 --> 01:41:15,108
I THOUGHT, "WHY WOULD THEY

3418
01:41:15,141 --> 01:41:18,311
WANNA DO THAT?"

3419
01:41:18,345 --> 01:41:19,779
I SHOULD--I--MAYBE HE COULD HAVE

3420
01:41:19,813 --> 01:41:21,114
SAID, YOU KNOW, JUST TAKE IT UP

3421
01:41:21,147 --> 01:41:23,216
BUT I'M NOT HOLDING ANY GRUDGES

3422
01:41:23,249 --> 01:41:24,617
WITH THEM, SO...

3423
01:41:24,651 --> 01:41:26,820
WOW!

3424
01:41:26,853 --> 01:41:30,623
I WAS--I WAS SHOCKED.

3425
01:41:30,657 --> 01:41:32,225
I WAS VERY SURPRISED.

3426
01:41:32,258 --> 01:41:33,626
I DON'T RECALL THAT VERNE

3427
01:41:33,660 --> 01:41:36,329
EVEN WORKING FOR THE WWE.

3428
01:41:36,363 --> 01:41:37,163
THAT KIND OF RUBBED THE WRONG

3429
01:41:37,197 --> 01:41:38,732
WAY.

3430
01:41:38,765 --> 01:41:40,333
I GUESS I WAS MORE SHOCKED

3431
01:41:40,367 --> 01:41:41,234
NOT BECAUSE VERNE WOULDN'T

3432
01:41:41,267 --> 01:41:42,435
QUALIFY.

3433
01:41:42,469 --> 01:41:43,303
WELL, IT WAS JUST BECAUSE OF ALL

3434
01:41:43,336 --> 01:41:44,437
THE BAD BLOOD THROUGHOUT THE

3435
01:41:44,471 --> 01:41:45,638
YEARS.

3436
01:41:45,672 --> 01:41:46,873
FIRST, I WANNA CONGRATULATE

3437
01:41:46,906 --> 01:41:48,541
ALL THE INDUCTEES TONIGHT.

3438
01:41:48,575 --> 01:41:49,743
WE HAVE SOME UNBELIEVABLE TALENT

3439
01:41:49,776 --> 01:41:52,879
UP HERE AND WE ARE PROUD TO

3440
01:41:52,912 --> 01:41:54,714
INDUCT MY FATHER, VERNE GAGNE,

3441
01:41:54,748 --> 01:41:56,583
INTO THIS GREAT HALL OF FAME

3442
01:41:56,616 --> 01:41:59,285
PRESENTED BY THE WWE.

3443
01:41:59,319 --> 01:42:00,687
NOW, 20 YEARS AGO IF YOU HAVE

3444
01:42:00,720 --> 01:42:01,821
TOLD THAT, I'D HAVE SAID YOU'RE

3445
01:42:01,855 --> 01:42:04,190
ALL OUT OF YOUR MINDS.

3446
01:42:04,224 --> 01:42:05,058
AND NO, WE DID NOT JOIN THE

3447
01:42:05,058 --> 01:42:07,527
VINCE MCMAHON CLUB TO BE UP HERE

3448
01:42:07,560 --> 01:42:12,132
TODAY.

3449
01:42:12,165 --> 01:42:14,467
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO

3450
01:42:14,501 --> 01:42:16,636
PRESENT THE 10-TIME AWA WORLD

3451
01:42:16,670 --> 01:42:19,439
HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, MY DAD,

3452
01:42:19,472 --> 01:42:21,541
VERNE GAGNE.

3453
01:42:21,574 --> 01:42:25,679
[MUSIC]

3454
01:42:25,712 --> 01:42:36,089
[CROWD CHEERING]

3455
01:42:37,090 --> 01:42:38,091
I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO

3456
01:42:38,124 --> 01:42:40,527
SAY ON A DAY LIKE THIS.

3457
01:42:40,560 --> 01:42:44,531
AND THE FIRST THING I WANNA SAY

3458
01:42:44,564 --> 01:42:47,100
TO ALL IS ABOUT MR. MCMAHON WHO

3459
01:42:47,133 --> 01:42:48,968
PUT THIS TOGETHER.

3460
01:42:49,002 --> 01:42:54,107
[CROWD CHEERING]

3461
01:42:54,107 --> 01:42:55,308
WELL, I JUST WANNA TELL YOU

3462
01:42:55,342 --> 01:42:56,209
SOMETHING ABOUT HIM, I NEVER DID

3463
01:42:56,242 --> 01:42:57,444
LIKE THE GUY EITHER.

3464
01:42:57,477 --> 01:43:00,947
[CROWD CHEERING]

3465
01:43:01,047 --> 01:43:02,415
WELL, I'M JUST OVERWHELMED AS

3466
01:43:02,449 --> 01:43:04,884
I SAID BEFORE AND THE WONDERFUL

3467
01:43:04,918 --> 01:43:07,320
PLAQUE HERE BUT JUST A MEANING

3468
01:43:07,354 --> 01:43:11,391
OF BEING PUT IN A HALL OF FAME.

3469
01:43:11,424 --> 01:43:13,126
I CRIED.

3470
01:43:13,159 --> 01:43:14,227
I CRIED.

3471
01:43:14,260 --> 01:43:16,730
AND A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE

3472
01:43:16,763 --> 01:43:18,431
FOR ABOUT 30 OR 35 YEARS HAS

3473
01:43:18,465 --> 01:43:21,835
BEEN GREAT.

3474
01:43:21,868 --> 01:43:22,936
THAT WAS PRETTY EMOTIONAL,

3475
01:43:22,969 --> 01:43:24,170
YOU KNOW.

3476
01:43:24,204 --> 01:43:26,139
I WANNA DO ONE THING.

3477
01:43:26,172 --> 01:43:27,607
I SAID SOMETHING MAYBE A LITTLE

3478
01:43:27,640 --> 01:43:30,777
DEROGATORY ABOUT MISTER--WHAT'S

3479
01:43:30,810 --> 01:43:31,878
HIS NAME AGAIN?

3480
01:43:31,911 --> 01:43:33,913
MCMAHON.

3481
01:43:33,947 --> 01:43:35,849
OH, MCMAHON.

3482
01:43:35,882 --> 01:43:36,850
YES.

3483
01:43:36,883 --> 01:43:38,184
ANYWAY, THANK YOU.

3484
01:43:38,218 --> 01:43:40,086
I THOUGHT HE PUT ON JUST THE

3485
01:43:40,120 --> 01:43:42,088
GREATEST PROMOTION HERE FOR--AND

3486
01:43:42,088 --> 01:43:43,890
PLUS FOR PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING

3487
01:43:43,923 --> 01:43:45,091
THE WAY HE DID IT, SO THANK YOU

3488
01:43:45,091 --> 01:43:46,393
ALL.

3489
01:43:46,426 --> 01:43:47,193
[CROWD CHEERING]

3490
01:43:47,227 --> 01:43:49,195
I WAS EXCITED BECAUSE IT FELT

3491
01:43:49,229 --> 01:43:50,463
LIKE AT THIS STAGE IN VERNE'S

3492
01:43:50,497 --> 01:43:52,532
LIFE, AT THIS TIME IN HIS LIFE.

3493
01:43:52,565 --> 01:43:54,801
IT WAS IMPORTANT AND HE DESERVED

3494
01:43:54,834 --> 01:43:58,238
TO HAVE PEOPLE SAY THANK YOU.

3495
01:43:58,271 --> 01:44:00,040
IT WAS A NICE, NICE GIFT TO

3496
01:44:00,073 --> 01:44:02,676
SEE THAT VERNE FINALLY WAS, YOU

3497
01:44:02,709 --> 01:44:03,376
KNOW, HONORED FOR THE

3498
01:44:03,410 --> 01:44:04,210
CONTRIBUTION HE MADE TO THIS

3499
01:44:04,244 --> 01:44:05,412
BUSINESS.

3500
01:44:05,445 --> 01:44:06,446
I INDUCTED VERNE GAGNE

3501
01:44:06,479 --> 01:44:07,714
BECAUSE HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN

3502
01:44:07,747 --> 01:44:09,315
INDUCTED.

3503
01:44:09,349 --> 01:44:10,617
AND VERNE'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE

3504
01:44:10,650 --> 01:44:12,419
BUSINESS ARE ENORMOUS.

3505
01:44:12,452 --> 01:44:14,154
VERNE GAGNE DEFINITELY HAS A

3506
01:44:14,187 --> 01:44:15,221
PLACE IN THE HISTORY OF

3507
01:44:15,255 --> 01:44:16,589
PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING.

3508
01:44:16,623 --> 01:44:17,624
FIRST AND FOREMOST AS A

3509
01:44:17,657 --> 01:44:18,925
COMPETITOR IN HIS OWN RIGHT AND

3510
01:44:18,958 --> 01:44:20,694
PERFORMER FOR THAT REASON HE

3511
01:44:20,727 --> 01:44:22,162
SHOULD BE IN A HALL OF FAME.

3512
01:44:22,195 --> 01:44:23,196
TO RIC FLAIR'S, TO RICKY

3513
01:44:23,229 --> 01:44:24,230
STEAMBOAT'S, TO SGT.

3514
01:44:24,264 --> 01:44:26,399
SLAUGHTER'S AND THE LIST WOULD

3515
01:44:26,433 --> 01:44:28,101
GO ON AND ON OF THE MEN THAT

3516
01:44:28,134 --> 01:44:30,337
VERNE TRAINED.

3517
01:44:30,370 --> 01:44:31,438
VERNE GAVE THEM THEIR

3518
01:44:31,471 --> 01:44:33,306
OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY IN THIS

3519
01:44:33,340 --> 01:44:35,608
GAME.

3520
01:44:35,642 --> 01:44:37,177
AND FOR THAT LONG, VERNE GAGNE

3521
01:44:37,210 --> 01:44:39,412
IS A HALL OF FAMER.

3522
01:44:39,446 --> 01:44:40,380
WHAT MATTERS IS IN THE

3523
01:44:40,413 --> 01:44:41,948
BUSINESS, YOU KNOW, RECOGNIZE

3524
01:44:41,981 --> 01:44:43,750
PEOPLE LIKE VERNE GAGNE AND

3525
01:44:43,783 --> 01:44:45,552
RECOGNIZE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS

3526
01:44:45,585 --> 01:44:46,653
AND THAT'S WHAT HALL OF FAME IS

3527
01:44:46,686 --> 01:44:47,687
ALL ABOUT.

3528
01:44:47,721 --> 01:44:49,089
IT'S NOT ABOUT POLITICS.

3529
01:44:49,089 --> 01:44:52,392
[MUSIC]

3530
01:44:52,425 --> 01:44:55,261
VERNE'S AWA IS RESPONSIBLE

3531
01:44:55,295 --> 01:44:56,529
FOR SOME OF THE BIGGEST STARS

3532
01:44:56,563 --> 01:44:57,864
EVER.

3533
01:44:57,897 --> 01:45:00,033
NINETY-THREE PEOPLE THAT HE

3534
01:45:00,033 --> 01:45:01,601
PRODUCED OR TRAINED EVERYBODY IN

3535
01:45:01,634 --> 01:45:04,037
WRESTLING THAT WAS ANYBODY CAME

3536
01:45:04,037 --> 01:45:05,405
THROUGH THE AWA.

3537
01:45:05,438 --> 01:45:06,139
HARLEY RACE.

3538
01:45:06,172 --> 01:45:07,340
BLACKJACK MULLIGAN AND

3539
01:45:07,374 --> 01:45:08,341
BLACKJACK LANZA.

3540
01:45:08,375 --> 01:45:09,476
JESSE THE BODY VENTURA.

3541
01:45:09,509 --> 01:45:10,477
JIM BRUNZELL.

3542
01:45:10,510 --> 01:45:11,344
RAY STEVENS.

3543
01:45:11,378 --> 01:45:12,278
BOBBY HEENAN.

3544
01:45:12,312 --> 01:45:13,046
SGT.

3545
01:45:13,046 --> 01:45:13,847
SLAUGHTER.

3546
01:45:13,880 --> 01:45:14,948
NICK BOCKWINKEL.

3547
01:45:15,048 --> 01:45:15,849
BOB ORTON, JR.

3548
01:45:15,882 --> 01:45:16,783
THE CRUSHER AND THE MAD DOG.

3549
01:45:16,816 --> 01:45:18,051
RIC FLAIR.

3550
01:45:18,084 --> 01:45:19,052
BUDDY ROSE.

3551
01:45:19,052 --> 01:45:19,953
PAT PATTERSON.

3552
01:45:20,053 --> 01:45:21,054
THE IRON SHEIK.

3553
01:45:21,087 --> 01:45:22,088
BARON VON RASCHKE.

3554
01:45:22,122 --> 01:45:23,123
LARRY HENNIG.

3555
01:45:23,156 --> 01:45:24,057
CURT HENNIG.

3556
01:45:24,057 --> 01:45:25,592
THE ROAD WARRIORS.

3557
01:45:25,625 --> 01:45:26,426
THE GREATEST STAR OF ALL

3558
01:45:26,459 --> 01:45:28,428
TIME, HULK HOGAN.

3559
01:45:28,461 --> 01:45:29,429
MY GOD, DOESN'T IT SOUND LIKE

3560
01:45:29,462 --> 01:45:31,498
A LIST OF WHO'S WHO.

3561
01:45:31,531 --> 01:45:34,067
THE AWA DEVELOPS SOME GREAT

3562
01:45:34,100 --> 01:45:35,635
TALENT AND YOU CAN TIP YOUR HAT

3563
01:45:35,669 --> 01:45:38,304
TO VERNE GAGNE FOR DOING THAT.

3564
01:45:38,338 --> 01:45:40,140
I THINK THE LEGACY OF THE AWA

3565
01:45:40,173 --> 01:45:42,175
WOULD BE ONE OF AN EXTRAORDINARY

3566
01:45:42,208 --> 01:45:43,510
CONTRIBUTION TO THE BUSINESS IN

3567
01:45:43,543 --> 01:45:45,145
GENERAL.

3568
01:45:45,178 --> 01:45:46,379
HI, EVERYBODY AND WELCOME TO

3569
01:45:46,413 --> 01:45:47,580
ALL-STAR WRESTLING, THIS IS

3570
01:45:47,614 --> 01:45:49,382
WHERE YOU SEE THE GREAT ONE.

3571
01:45:49,416 --> 01:45:52,218
A FIRST CLASS OPERATION IN

3572
01:45:52,252 --> 01:45:54,587
TERMS OF WRESTLING PROMOTION.

3573
01:45:54,621 --> 01:45:55,522
IT HAS BEEN SOME KIND OF A

3574
01:45:55,555 --> 01:45:56,790
NIGHT.

3575
01:45:56,823 --> 01:45:57,791
THEY WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY

3576
01:45:57,824 --> 01:45:59,693
AS HAVING A VERY SUCCESSFUL

3577
01:45:59,726 --> 01:46:01,428
PROMOTION.

3578
01:46:01,461 --> 01:46:02,729
THIS IS PROFESSIONAL

3579
01:46:02,762 --> 01:46:04,364
WRESTLING AT ITS FINEST.

3580
01:46:04,397 --> 01:46:05,699
THE AWA SHOULD HOLD ITS HEAD

3581
01:46:05,732 --> 01:46:06,900
HIGH.

3582
01:46:06,933 --> 01:46:09,035
IT PLAYED THE VERY KEY ROLE IN

3583
01:46:09,069 --> 01:46:10,637
THE LONG HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL

3584
01:46:10,670 --> 01:46:11,871
WRESTLING.

3585
01:46:11,905 --> 01:46:14,741
THIS WAS AN ORGANIZATION THAT

3586
01:46:14,774 --> 01:46:17,043
WAS BUILT ON ATHLETIC

3587
01:46:17,043 --> 01:46:19,045
COMPETITION AND CHARACTERS.

3588
01:46:19,045 --> 01:46:22,916
NOBODY DID IT BETTER THAN VERNE

3589
01:46:22,949 --> 01:46:24,884
GAGNE.

3590
01:46:24,918 --> 01:46:26,386
IS THIS BUSINESS BETTER OFF

3591
01:46:26,419 --> 01:46:28,688
BECAUSE OF THE AWA AND ITS

3592
01:46:28,722 --> 01:46:31,358
CONTRIBUTIONS?

3593
01:46:31,391 --> 01:46:33,827
UNDOUBTEDLY, THAT ANSWER IS YES.

3594
01:46:33,860 --> 01:46:35,495
WE ENJOYED DOING WHAT WE DID

3595
01:46:35,528 --> 01:46:36,496
AND I HOPE THEY ENJOYED WATCHING

3596
01:46:36,529 --> 01:46:37,530
THIS.

3597
01:46:37,564 --> 01:46:38,398
GUYS GET BACK IN THE RING.

3598
01:46:38,431 --> 01:46:39,299
COME ON.

3599
01:46:39,332 --> 01:46:40,066
COME ON.

3600
01:46:40,066 --> 01:46:41,701
SAY CHEESE, CHEESE, CHEESE.

3601
01:46:41,735 --> 01:46:42,702
GREAT TIME.

3602
01:46:42,736 --> 01:46:44,371
IT WAS A--IT WAS A FUN PERIOD

3603
01:46:44,404 --> 01:46:45,372
OF TIME FOR ME.

3604
01:46:45,405 --> 01:46:46,840
I MEAN, WHAT CAN I TELL YOU, I

3605
01:46:46,873 --> 01:46:48,942
WAS THERE FOR 13 YEARS.

3606
01:46:48,975 --> 01:46:50,577
IT WAS FUN.

3607
01:46:50,610 --> 01:46:52,345
IF I HAD ANOTHER WISH, I MIGHT

3608
01:46:52,379 --> 01:46:54,280
WANNA DO THAT 17, 18 YEARS ALL

3609
01:46:54,314 --> 01:46:56,649
OVER AGAIN.

3610
01:46:56,683 --> 01:46:58,385
YOU WILL NOT SURVIVE LONG IF

3611
01:46:58,418 --> 01:47:00,086
YOU DON'T LEARN TO GET OVER IT.

3612
01:47:00,120 --> 01:47:01,054
IT WILL BE A LONG TIME

3613
01:47:01,087 --> 01:47:02,689
BEFORE, YOU KNOW, THE IMPACT OF

3614
01:47:02,722 --> 01:47:04,657
VERNE GAGNE IS NO LONGER PART OF

3615
01:47:04,691 --> 01:47:06,092
THE SAME HISTORY.

3616
01:47:06,126 --> 01:47:08,728
IT WAS THE TIME AND A PLACE

3617
01:47:08,762 --> 01:47:10,630
THAT WE CAN NEVER GO BACK TO.

3618
01:47:10,663 --> 01:47:12,032
GOD BLESS VERNE GAGNE.

3619
01:47:12,065 --> 01:47:13,500
[MUSIC]

3620
01:47:13,533 --> 01:47:15,935
I THINK WE SET IT BEST AT THE

3621
01:47:16,036 --> 01:47:18,204
OPENING OF THE PROGRAM, THE

3622
01:47:18,238 --> 01:47:19,539
MAJOR LEAGUES OF PROFESSIONAL

3623
01:47:19,572 --> 01:47:22,642
WRESTLING.

3624
01:47:22,676 --> 01:47:24,577
[MUSIC]