Ole Anderson, a legendary professional wrestler best known as a founding member of the popular Four Horsemen faction alongside Arn Anderson, Ric Flair, and Tully Blanchard, has died. He was 81. WWE confirmed Ole’s passing on Monday, first online and then on-air during Monday Night Raw, referring to the iconic grappler as a “prolific and decorated tag team wrestler.” A cause of death was not given. “A founding member of The Four Horsemen, Ole’s hard-nosed style and gruff demeanor helped define the group as one of the greatest stables in sports-entertainment history,” WWE shared in a statement. “Trained by WWE Hall of Famer Verne Gagne, Anderson was a prolific and decorated tag team wrestler, most famously alongside Arn Anderson in The Minnesota Wrecking Crew,” the statement continued. “When the duo then joined forces with Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, and manager J.J. Dillon, they established the iconic stable known as The Four Horsemen.
- 2/28/2024
- TV Insider
Hossein Khosrow Vaziri, the Iran-born wrestler known as the Iron Sheik, who channeled America’s hatred of his homeland to build a career as one of the most despised ring villains of his era, died Wednesday. He was 81.
“Today, we gather with heavy hearts to bid farewell to a true legend, a force of nature and an iconic figure who left an incredible mark on the world of professional wrestling,” read a statement posted to the Iron Sheik’s Twitter account announcing his death. The WWE also paid tribute on Twitter; a cause of death was not disclosed.
A former bodyguard for the Shah of Iran, Vaziri came to the U.S. in the late 1960s. For his wrestling persona, he shaved his head, grew a mustache, sported a ghutra headdress and curled-toe boots, and swung a pair of 75-pound Persian meels above his head as a demonstration of his strength.
“Today, we gather with heavy hearts to bid farewell to a true legend, a force of nature and an iconic figure who left an incredible mark on the world of professional wrestling,” read a statement posted to the Iron Sheik’s Twitter account announcing his death. The WWE also paid tribute on Twitter; a cause of death was not disclosed.
A former bodyguard for the Shah of Iran, Vaziri came to the U.S. in the late 1960s. For his wrestling persona, he shaved his head, grew a mustache, sported a ghutra headdress and curled-toe boots, and swung a pair of 75-pound Persian meels above his head as a demonstration of his strength.
- 6/7/2023
- by Rhett Bartlett
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
WWE has long been the leading promotion in professional wrestling, but in recent years, fans have begun to grow tired of the company’s brand of Sports Entertainment. How did professional wrestling evolve from the days of Harley Race, Verne Gagne, Gorgeous George, Dusty Rhodes, and Ric Flair, when wrestlers were tough guys and the matches were “real,” to Screwjobs, Mr. McMahon, and the Xfl? And, how did professional wrestling change from talented performers fighting for gold and glory in the squared circle to the disgusting display the WWE presented on Raw on February 1, 2010? The final descent from professional […]
The post WWE owner Vince McMahon and Bret Hart 2010 Raw confrontation was one of the ugliest displays in professional wrestling history appeared first on Monsters and Critics.
The post WWE owner Vince McMahon and Bret Hart 2010 Raw confrontation was one of the ugliest displays in professional wrestling history appeared first on Monsters and Critics.
- 9/12/2018
- by Wolff Bachner
- Monsters and Critics
WWE and WCW legend Vader — also known to audiences as Big Van Vader — died Monday after a battle with pneumonia.
The professional wrestler, whose real name was Leon White, was 63.
White’s son posted the following to his father’s Twitter account on Wednesday:
It is with a heavy heart to inform everyone that my father, Leon White, passed away on Monday night (6/18/18) at approximately 7:25pm. pic.twitter.com/dP4CNaMuXa
— Big Van Vader (@itsvadertime) June 20, 2018
Around a month ago my father was diagnosed with a severe case of Pneumonia. He fought extremely hard and clinically was making progress. Unfortunately, on Monday night his heart had enough and it was his time. pic.twitter.com/hJYjumvxjH
— Big Van Vader (@itsvadertime) June 20, 2018
Also Read: WWE Releases Wrestler Big Cass
Vader also had a memorable three-episode arc on the ’90s sitcom “Boy Meets World,” when White played Frankie Stecchino Sr., the...
The professional wrestler, whose real name was Leon White, was 63.
White’s son posted the following to his father’s Twitter account on Wednesday:
It is with a heavy heart to inform everyone that my father, Leon White, passed away on Monday night (6/18/18) at approximately 7:25pm. pic.twitter.com/dP4CNaMuXa
— Big Van Vader (@itsvadertime) June 20, 2018
Around a month ago my father was diagnosed with a severe case of Pneumonia. He fought extremely hard and clinically was making progress. Unfortunately, on Monday night his heart had enough and it was his time. pic.twitter.com/hJYjumvxjH
— Big Van Vader (@itsvadertime) June 20, 2018
Also Read: WWE Releases Wrestler Big Cass
Vader also had a memorable three-episode arc on the ’90s sitcom “Boy Meets World,” when White played Frankie Stecchino Sr., the...
- 6/20/2018
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
WWE.com
Whenever discussion turns to the greatest wrestler of all time, Ric Flair doesn’t just find himself in the conversation – he’s almost always at the top. The respect so many industry figures have for Flair’s ability is off the charts, a fact Steve Austin chooses to open his podcast with. He cites Triple H’s induction speech, in which he took issue with the description of Ric as “arguably the greatest of all time”, and stated that he was yet to hear any sort of counter-argument.
However, Flair’s career isn’t merely an intriguing one for his supernatural in-ring talent. Although one of the greatest storytellers in wrestling history, some of his most entertaining tales come from outside of the ring. Flair was known for living his gimmick, and enjoyed a raucous playboy lifestyle throughout the 1980s.
Often, guests on Austin’s WWE Network podcast...
Whenever discussion turns to the greatest wrestler of all time, Ric Flair doesn’t just find himself in the conversation – he’s almost always at the top. The respect so many industry figures have for Flair’s ability is off the charts, a fact Steve Austin chooses to open his podcast with. He cites Triple H’s induction speech, in which he took issue with the description of Ric as “arguably the greatest of all time”, and stated that he was yet to hear any sort of counter-argument.
However, Flair’s career isn’t merely an intriguing one for his supernatural in-ring talent. Although one of the greatest storytellers in wrestling history, some of his most entertaining tales come from outside of the ring. Flair was known for living his gimmick, and enjoyed a raucous playboy lifestyle throughout the 1980s.
Often, guests on Austin’s WWE Network podcast...
- 1/12/2016
- by Jack G King
- Obsessed with Film
Luchaworld.com
Professional wrestling has been around for well over a century now, and has evolved through a variety of different forms as society and popular culture has changed around it.
In fact, back in the 1920s there wasn’t really any such thing as pop culture. America had the Depression and Prohibition instead, the two suckiest horsemen of the apocalypse, and after wrestling’s first superstar Frank Gotch retired, Ed Lewis, Billy Sandow and Toots Mondt – the Gold Dust Trio – responded to the crash in wrestling’s fortunes by changing a fair few things: adding more panache and pizazz to the product, introducing gimmicked holds and the concept of the roster.
Television came along, completely redefining the business. Bruno Sammartino ruled the northeast in the 1960s, but Verne Gagne’s Awa ran the rest of America. With the advent of cable over regional television, the business suffered another seismic change,...
Professional wrestling has been around for well over a century now, and has evolved through a variety of different forms as society and popular culture has changed around it.
In fact, back in the 1920s there wasn’t really any such thing as pop culture. America had the Depression and Prohibition instead, the two suckiest horsemen of the apocalypse, and after wrestling’s first superstar Frank Gotch retired, Ed Lewis, Billy Sandow and Toots Mondt – the Gold Dust Trio – responded to the crash in wrestling’s fortunes by changing a fair few things: adding more panache and pizazz to the product, introducing gimmicked holds and the concept of the roster.
Television came along, completely redefining the business. Bruno Sammartino ruled the northeast in the 1960s, but Verne Gagne’s Awa ran the rest of America. With the advent of cable over regional television, the business suffered another seismic change,...
- 1/9/2016
- by Ben Cooke
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
The heroes and villains of professional wrestling often seem immortal. With amazing confidence, larger than life physiques and incredible athleticism, they appear to be real life superheroes. But unlike Clark Kent, these men and women are susceptible to the hands of time. Bodies break down, speed is drained, hairlines recede and weight is gained. Eventually, it’s time to hang up the tights.
While men like Verne Gagne and Lou Thesz wrestled into their 50s and 60s, the style of wrestling at the time was slower, and more mat-based than what we see today. Not to say old-timers like them didn’t look ridiculous playing the role of tough guy in spandex, but in the modern era, having a broken down veteran competing with a younger, far more athletic opponent makes you have to suspend your disbelief to a ridiculous degree. It can also be kind of sad to watch.
The heroes and villains of professional wrestling often seem immortal. With amazing confidence, larger than life physiques and incredible athleticism, they appear to be real life superheroes. But unlike Clark Kent, these men and women are susceptible to the hands of time. Bodies break down, speed is drained, hairlines recede and weight is gained. Eventually, it’s time to hang up the tights.
While men like Verne Gagne and Lou Thesz wrestled into their 50s and 60s, the style of wrestling at the time was slower, and more mat-based than what we see today. Not to say old-timers like them didn’t look ridiculous playing the role of tough guy in spandex, but in the modern era, having a broken down veteran competing with a younger, far more athletic opponent makes you have to suspend your disbelief to a ridiculous degree. It can also be kind of sad to watch.
- 10/25/2015
- by Andrew Soucek
- Obsessed with Film
© Luis Guerra Jr/©2007 Phil Ramey/RameyPix/Corbis
They say history is written by the victors: the idea being that it’s only the last man standing who’s left to tell the tale of what happened.
Well, the history of professional wrestling in the Us isn’t really any different. The majority of casual Western wrestling fans in today’s market are, for better or worse, WWE fans, who’ve grown up with WWE’s subtle revisionist history as the truth, despite the efforts of genuine wrestling historians to correct matters.
Now, Vince McMahon is many things: a self-made man, a self-promoter par excellence… but a genius he is not, and he never has been. This isn’t one of those articles that decries the current state of the WWE product and bemoans that the Vincent Kennedy McMahon of old isn’t still here to save it. I’m saying...
They say history is written by the victors: the idea being that it’s only the last man standing who’s left to tell the tale of what happened.
Well, the history of professional wrestling in the Us isn’t really any different. The majority of casual Western wrestling fans in today’s market are, for better or worse, WWE fans, who’ve grown up with WWE’s subtle revisionist history as the truth, despite the efforts of genuine wrestling historians to correct matters.
Now, Vince McMahon is many things: a self-made man, a self-promoter par excellence… but a genius he is not, and he never has been. This isn’t one of those articles that decries the current state of the WWE product and bemoans that the Vincent Kennedy McMahon of old isn’t still here to save it. I’m saying...
- 10/20/2015
- by Ben Cooke
- Obsessed with Film
Professional wrestling has been a family business for its entire existence. Sons would follow their fathers into the wacky world of professional wrestling and try to fill the shoes of the man who came before them. Many times the father’s shadow was simply too much and the second-generation star was viewed as a disappointment.
Every once in awhile, the son would surpass the father and become a bigger star than anyone ever dreamed. Wrestling’s famous families have produced world champions, tag champions, and stars who continue to entertain to this day.
For some families, wrestling is simply a way of life. Fathers have been passing on the secrets of the business since the early 1900s and continue to do so today. Brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles, husbands, and wives have all passed through the squared circle at some point and, in the process, helped to change and revolutionize the...
Every once in awhile, the son would surpass the father and become a bigger star than anyone ever dreamed. Wrestling’s famous families have produced world champions, tag champions, and stars who continue to entertain to this day.
For some families, wrestling is simply a way of life. Fathers have been passing on the secrets of the business since the early 1900s and continue to do so today. Brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles, husbands, and wives have all passed through the squared circle at some point and, in the process, helped to change and revolutionize the...
- 1/17/2015
- by Mike Shannon
- Obsessed with Film
On Tuesday, news broke that Patrick Talty has been hired as the General Manager of Minnesota’s new Multi-Purpose Stadium (colloquially known as the Vikings Stadium). The $1.1 billion stadium is set to open in the summer of 2016 and will host Minnesota Vikings NFL games. Although the stadium is still under construction, Minneapolis has already been selected to host the Super Bowl in February 2018.
The Gm appointment is especially interesting because of Mr. Talty’s previous position- he was the Senior Vice President of Live Events for WWE. That’s a position that he has held since May 2012.
Now, with an former employee in a key position, many have speculated that there’s a stronger possibility that WWE may consider Minnesota for a future WrestleMania. In fact, in recent years, WWE has shared many WrestleMania locations with Super Bowl hosts:
Santa Clara, CA – Levi’s Stadium – hosting WrestleMania in 2015 and will...
The Gm appointment is especially interesting because of Mr. Talty’s previous position- he was the Senior Vice President of Live Events for WWE. That’s a position that he has held since May 2012.
Now, with an former employee in a key position, many have speculated that there’s a stronger possibility that WWE may consider Minnesota for a future WrestleMania. In fact, in recent years, WWE has shared many WrestleMania locations with Super Bowl hosts:
Santa Clara, CA – Levi’s Stadium – hosting WrestleMania in 2015 and will...
- 1/8/2015
- by Chris Harrington
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
“Superfly” Jimmy Snuka could fly like no one else.
His Superfly Splash from the top rope onto his opponents was a thing of brutal beauty and he delivered it to the likes of Ray “The Crippler” Stevens, Paul Orndorff, “Cowboy” Bob Orton, and many more throughout the 1970s and ’80s.
“Snuka’s leap off the top of the cage was as groundbreaking as any single maneuver ever in our business,” esteemed announcer Jim Ross said on the WWE produced DVD, The Greatest Wrestling Stars of the ’80s. “It showed athletes that if you’re talented enough and proficient in your skills, and you’ve got the guts, there’s really no limits.”
Hailing from the Fiji Islands, Snuka was a standout in a long line of Samoan greats. Trained in Hawaii by “Cowboy” Franky Laine, Snuka debuted in 1971 in Portland, Oregon, battling everyone from “Playboy” Buddy Rose to...
“Superfly” Jimmy Snuka could fly like no one else.
His Superfly Splash from the top rope onto his opponents was a thing of brutal beauty and he delivered it to the likes of Ray “The Crippler” Stevens, Paul Orndorff, “Cowboy” Bob Orton, and many more throughout the 1970s and ’80s.
“Snuka’s leap off the top of the cage was as groundbreaking as any single maneuver ever in our business,” esteemed announcer Jim Ross said on the WWE produced DVD, The Greatest Wrestling Stars of the ’80s. “It showed athletes that if you’re talented enough and proficient in your skills, and you’ve got the guts, there’s really no limits.”
Hailing from the Fiji Islands, Snuka was a standout in a long line of Samoan greats. Trained in Hawaii by “Cowboy” Franky Laine, Snuka debuted in 1971 in Portland, Oregon, battling everyone from “Playboy” Buddy Rose to...
- 5/18/2014
- by Marshall Ward
- Obsessed with Film
WWE asked for and got fan input to determine the content of “The 25 Greatest Rivalries” Blu-ray and DVD, and, unlike the weekly Twitter/WWE App votes on Raw which most of us net fans suspect are rigged, fan input clearly shows in the final cut. Granted there are classic feuds I personally wish had made the cut, but as a wrestling fan since I was 10, I’m overall very happy and legitimately surprised by not only the feuds that Do appear, but the order they’re in.
A couple years ago when the ‘E released their “50 Greatest Superstars Of All Time” DVD, a lot of us fans in the Iwc, (Internet Wrestling Community for the uninitiated), accused the doc of being blatantly skewed to stars who were either currently with the E, or had predominantly been mostly with the E, throwing in a few token guys who weren’t really WWE guys.
A couple years ago when the ‘E released their “50 Greatest Superstars Of All Time” DVD, a lot of us fans in the Iwc, (Internet Wrestling Community for the uninitiated), accused the doc of being blatantly skewed to stars who were either currently with the E, or had predominantly been mostly with the E, throwing in a few token guys who weren’t really WWE guys.
- 7/23/2013
- by Penny Marie Sautereau
- Obsessed with Film
Welcome to another installment of Straight Shoot, where we pull on our boots and bounce around the ring with some of professional wrestling's most fascinating issues. If you haven't already, catch up on this week's Raw with our weekly WWE Monday Night Raw recaps. Then follow writer Aubrey Sitterson on Twitter and make sure to check back every Thursday afternoon for a new Straight Shoot.
As I type this, WWE has no less than six championship titles: WWE, World Heavyweight, Intercontinental, United States, Divas and Tag Team. The truly shocking thing is that's not even a huge number for the promotion, as you only have to go a few years back to find two women's belts and two sets of tag team championships. Go a little further back and you'll find even more - in fact we even did a feature last year on some of our favorite defunct wrestling titles.
As I type this, WWE has no less than six championship titles: WWE, World Heavyweight, Intercontinental, United States, Divas and Tag Team. The truly shocking thing is that's not even a huge number for the promotion, as you only have to go a few years back to find two women's belts and two sets of tag team championships. Go a little further back and you'll find even more - in fact we even did a feature last year on some of our favorite defunct wrestling titles.
- 1/26/2012
- UGO TV
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