Let’s talk wrestling…
Pro wrestling, of course, which all but limits us these days to World Wrestling Entertainment, the Stamford, Ct. company that drove just about everybody else in this country in the grappling game out of biz.
Sure, sure, sure, there’s a local outfit in KCK that goes by Metro Pro Wrestling, but judging by the fact that its last known match was a “dog collar” bout last summer between two dudes named Adam Pearce and Jeremy Wyatt at Turner High School – I ask you – are they really a factor?
That was a rhetorical question; the answer obviously is no, so let’s move on.
Because since the WWE has a virtual monopoly, once again it’s raising the stakes – as in the ticket prices.
Take the February 2 match here that goes on sale December 14. Although it’s neither one of the WWE’s heavy hitter, pay-per-view bouts, nor a prestigious Monday Night Raw or Friday night Smackdown affair – it’s being marketed as a WWE VIP EXPERIENCE.
Meaning a money grab: complete with what appears to be fewer high profile mat men but pricier ducats
The company said in January it was promoting “a new dimension to their live events” called the VIP Experience.
“WWE VIP Experiences include one premium ringside or lower bowl seat, a backstage meet-and-greet and autograph opportunity with WWE Superstars, a photo with the WWE Championship Title, exclusive WWE merchandise and much more,” the WWE explains. “Please note contents vary based on VIP Experience package selected.”
Prices for the first VIP Experience packages last March ran $599 per ticketgoer for the above described package and $249 for a watered down, “enhanced” version.
The latter includes a lesser “center ring lower bowl seat,” a matted autographed superstar pic, an unidentified superstar item, limited edition event poster, commemorative VIP ticket holder and a voucher for the WWE fan booth “green screen experience” – whatever that is.
Travling Man Randy Orton
Unfortunately because the match goes down on a Sunday at 1 p.m. – effectively an off day for the WWE since it’s neither televised nor pay-per-view – it would appear that our pals up in Kevin Collison Land (Omaha) will be getting a far superior wrestling card the next day on Monday Night Raw…albeit with no VIP Experience options.
The WWE superstars listed on the company website for the KC card are CM Punk, Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan, Ryback and Paul Heyman.
Whereas the next night Omaha gets Punk, Orton, Bryan and John Cena, Big Show, Alberto Del Rio, Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, The Wyatt Family and AJ Lee.
There’s another reason KC appears to be getting the short end of the stick.
That’s because the WWE wrestling fans in Lakeland, Florida will also be getting blessed (gouged?) with a VIP Experience there. That card stars Cena, Cody Rhodes, Gold Dust and Big E Langston – again on the same day as the KC match.
And while it may seem obvious why Cena won’t wrestling here in the Cowtown, one head scratcher remains.
How in the heck is WWE going to get Randy Orton on both the card in Florida and the one in KC, as advertised?
Stay tuned, I guess.
Let’s not and say we did. Ugh.
Randy Orton has an identical (evil) twin, if I know my wrestling scripts.
One word: Teleporters.
McMahon owns one or two.
What has 40,000 legs, t0,000 teeth and an IQ of 72?
A packed house at a WWE show.
Of course ‘rassling is the only sport to bet on.
Only sport I bet on too.
Hey, I’ve been to a couple of the matches here the past year or two and it’s a loftier-looking demo than you might suspect. Certainly no less heathen than the cheap seats at a Chiefs game (and the fans far more respectful believe it or not)
Haven’t been to a match since the 70s but watched with the kids in the 70s/80s.
The slow motion and such really show how fake it all is now.
Don’t think one of these guys (Hulk Hogan especially) would be able to last in the old days.
Remember the stay in the ring for three-minutes at the carnies. If you got in the ring they would play with you, like a cat with a mouse.
But if you tried to bad-ass them they would snap your arm or leg like a toothpick.
Remember seeing The Stomper in the 80s on USA show. He used to go to Bonnadono’s barber shop on 9th St by the old YMCA.
Thanks for the shout out, Orphan.
So you are Archie?
If there is a topic that Hearne knows well, it’s professional wrestling. He began his detailed research in the early 60’s. Thursday nights at Memorial Hall. WDAF studios on Saturday at noon. First name basis with Gust Karras, Mertie and Gertie Hite and Canada’s greatest athlete. Rifling through the trash at the Kansas Citian Hotel to see who the designated winners would be that week.He watched Randy Orton’s grandfather compete. Pen pal network that spanned the country. The man knows his “rasslin’ “.
Sweet baby Jesus, Stomper, people are actually commenting on this!
But you are corrected; I’ve been drugged and held captive while Hearne rambles, seemingly without end, about the GOOD old days of wrestling…. To me, it’s like the good old days of root canals!
‘Rassling was at one time a passion play. Evil could win but never triumph.
Spent many Thursday nights at Memorial Hall. Our drummers dad ran the restaurant in the Muehlbach Hotel and we’d catch a ride home after the monthly matches at Municipal Auditorium.
After a particularly bloody Texas Death Match between Cowboy Bob Ellis and The Mongolian Stomper we were waiting for his dad to close out.
In comes the two ‘rasslers joking and laughing.
The Stomper used to stay at The Capri on Independence Avenue. He’d let all the kids from the project use the pool. Waaaaaay before you had to check under the mattress for a corpse.
When the Chiefs got Ernie Ladd he was a heel. He was working over some hunk of meat, doing the heel act but the crowd was going wild and cheering for him. He was perplexed not realizing that since he was a Chief, he was our guy. LOL
Jim Fullington (The Sandman) played rugby with a friend back in PA. He told us how you had to ‘rassle 30 matches in a month (as the drubie) to maybe get a shot at a regular spot. Fifty bucks a match and you had to drive to every dinky burgh in PA, NY, NJ and CT.
Vince McMahon is lower that snake scat. Because of all the PEDs they players used he abandoned the model of being a sport and governed by the various state athletic commissions.
In the old days, the only matches not rigged were championship matches. The promoters and the players knew there was a lot of money involved so they were pretty legit.
Great stuff Orphan, thanks for sharing.
First match I ever saw was Lou Thesz vs. Dick the Bruiser. Man was I pissed at the outcome but I was a naive newbie. Anyone who has ever had an interest in professional wrestling back in those days needs to read Theszs’ autobiography, “Hooker “. Really quick read and intereresting insight.
Cowboy Bob Ellis, Bobo Brazil, and Dick the Bruiser were big names and when they hit town, the matches got moved to Municipal Hall as you mentioned for the extra ticket income. Even the weekly regulars here ( Bob Geigel, Sonny Myers, Pat O’Conner, Bob Brown, The Viking, and most importantly, my man, the original Mongolian !!!) put on a good show at Memorial. Geigel was pretty much the promoter as well as wrestler for the last several years he was involved. He was a very legitimate amateur wrestler and finished in the top 2 or 3 in the NCAA tournament his senior year in college, Illinois I think. Back then Harley Race was still up in Minneapolis and was a local headliner up there.
Don’t get me started. Sorry Professor Wilson. I guess it’s a selectively acquired passion.
Memorial Hall was the promotor from St. Joe’s territory. With a little tin foil and the stars in alignment we could get the Sat night show from St. Joe.
Municipal Auditorium was the promotor from St Louis’ territory.
Harley Race was a mechanic at St Joe Harley when my buddy Donnell was racing facotory Harleys. Probably mid 50s.
I’m calling you on this one, Mr. Wilson.
When have I ever mentioned wrestling to you, other than to explain (briefly) the Stomper’s pen name?
Have you noticed a resemblance to Paulie Dangerously?
Wrestling??? Really??/ C’mon Man!
Hey, the Pitch covers wrestling more than they do the ballet and opera.
Nuff said?
Sorry Dogg,
I’ll write about the Catholic church tomorrow to make up for it. Or billiards.
The card is scheduled early because that’s super bowl sunday.
A doubleheader of wrestling and football? Probably won’t help attendance if the Chiefs reach the big game.
Shirley ye jest.
You are undoubtedly correct, Jimmy D…
My point though was the only main wrestling dates that matter are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays – all of which are televised and revenue generators. And pay-per-views, which are always on Sundays.
Junkyard Dog’s Grab Them Cakes is better than Daft Punk’s Get Lucky:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcKATAMJ4Fs