i remember when jerry blackwell worked for NWA georgia championship wrestling he lost every week on tv then moved up to the mid-west and began working for AWA,changed his name to crusher blackwell and became a headliner.
@JonathanVonErich Actually he retired from the ring in 81, so I'm guessing the announcers claim that this was from 82 was a mistake. Personally I'm not gonna hate on the owners making themselves champions, it was a common practice back in the day and most of the greatest legends of the ring were also at least part-owners of the company, just like all other champs the having of the belt is all, how you got it not so much.
Gagne was literally "handed" the title over and over again because he had AWA President Stanley Blackburn in his hip pocket.
So much wonderful talent passed through the AWA; but they all had to go to WWF/WWE and other organizations so as to make a name for themselves: otherwise Gagne would've just smothered their careers forever.
Besides Gagne and Bockwinkel being scripted to pass the title back and forth, I only recall a very small handful of wrestlers holding it before the AWA folded.
PS: That guy actually was famous not for his very short stint in wrestling but, rather, for his "talent" of tearing phone books in half with his bare hands back in his native Austria.
I attended Verne Gagne's last match as champ on May 10, 1981. He defeated Nick Bockwinkle then retired. If I remember right, this match took place in December 1980.
Well, after watching the WHOLE video I see Verne was handed the belt after the match was over. I still could swear Verne retired as champ in 1981. This has to be from '81.
I could have sworn Verne retired as AWA World Champion in 1981 and the belt was then given to Nick. And, Verne came out of retirement to face Blackwell after they injured his son. Maybe my memory is a bit fuzzy, anyone else want to help out?
i remember when jerry blackwell worked for NWA georgia championship wrestling he lost every week on tv then moved up to the mid-west and began working for AWA,changed his name to crusher blackwell and became a headliner.
DDDowney 5 months ago
Good grielf! Jerry Blackwell beats HIMSELF up for half the match!
csaver 1 year ago
@csaver lol, I was thinking the same thing. Verne didn't beat Blackwell, Blackwell beat Blackwell.
muta157 1 year ago
verne gagne is a great classic wrestling greats of all time.
norseleague 1 year ago
Verne was the champ even in 1982 !!? I'm not surprised....Sad but true...
JonathanVonErich 1 year ago
@JonathanVonErich Actually he retired from the ring in 81, so I'm guessing the announcers claim that this was from 82 was a mistake. Personally I'm not gonna hate on the owners making themselves champions, it was a common practice back in the day and most of the greatest legends of the ring were also at least part-owners of the company, just like all other champs the having of the belt is all, how you got it not so much.
FerretJohn 1 year ago
Jerry Blackwell was always one of those under apreciated big men that could actually work and wrestle when he had too
thunderbare 1 year ago
Low-rent all the way.
Gagne couldn't even come up with a finishing move to end the match on a high note.
highnrising 2 years ago
Verne Gagne was a great worker in his day, but at this point he was definitely showing his age.
Still a legendary wrestler and promoter. A lot of great talent passed through his promotion.
RIP AWA.
Eldenaims 3 years ago
...BUT, I must say, booking yourself as the champ is always shady. :(
Eldenaims 3 years ago 3
Jesus. Verne owned and booked the AWA. Blackburn, Carbo, O'Neill and whoever else worked for Verne.
Nice to hear Roger Kent again though.
A10thunderbolt 3 years ago
Gagne was literally "handed" the title over and over again because he had AWA President Stanley Blackburn in his hip pocket.
So much wonderful talent passed through the AWA; but they all had to go to WWF/WWE and other organizations so as to make a name for themselves: otherwise Gagne would've just smothered their careers forever.
Besides Gagne and Bockwinkel being scripted to pass the title back and forth, I only recall a very small handful of wrestlers holding it before the AWA folded.
McRat1968 3 years ago
To be more specific, Gagne actually owned the AWA. This is why he, at age 55, was still champion over people like the 32 year old Blackwell.
gusmahler 3 years ago 6
Kinda like why HHH is constantly competing for championship, because he's the Son-in-Law, while other great wrestlers rarely get a shot.
whocaresnow2 3 years ago
How did they push 5 foot 8 Blackwell as 485 pounds? Sure he was really fat, but could he have been much over 350?
Verne was really old at this point, but like you said, he owned the place so he got to be champ.
altohart 2 years ago
Yeah not to many other wrestlers besides Rick Martell,Stan Hanson and Larry Zybsko.Thats it for my memory...LOL
rattlinurcage3 2 years ago
...And Otto Wanz, for a very brief period.
PS: That guy actually was famous not for his very short stint in wrestling but, rather, for his "talent" of tearing phone books in half with his bare hands back in his native Austria.
McRat1968 2 years ago
I forgot about Otto wanz....Yes a very short stint in the AWA...Im trying to remember if any japanese held the title ? Giant Baba
rattlinurcage3 2 years ago
Yes:
Jumbo Tsuruta, for a little while.
McRat1968 2 years ago
I attended Verne Gagne's last match as champ on May 10, 1981. He defeated Nick Bockwinkle then retired. If I remember right, this match took place in December 1980.
ed1269 3 years ago
Verne did retire as champion in 1981. this mach must have been from 81, and greg had his dates/years wrong.Nick Bockwinkle was champ in 1982
wpgniceguy 3 years ago
Well, after watching the WHOLE video I see Verne was handed the belt after the match was over. I still could swear Verne retired as champ in 1981. This has to be from '81.
samsdaddy0525 3 years ago
I could have sworn Verne retired as AWA World Champion in 1981 and the belt was then given to Nick. And, Verne came out of retirement to face Blackwell after they injured his son. Maybe my memory is a bit fuzzy, anyone else want to help out?
samsdaddy0525 3 years ago
Yes, you are right...this is NOT from 1982. He did retire in 1981
jswags 3 years ago
Greg Gagne IS...Rambo!
Cobra37061 3 years ago
Haha! Remember that? I couldn't believe how cheesy that was. Greg with the fatigues and the headband
jswags 3 years ago