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On today’s DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show, the main topic of discussion is changes in pro wrestling and society over the past 30 years, how pro wrestling culture ebbed and flowed during that time, and just how great early 1990s WCW was. (From a financial standpoint, terrible, but there was also a lot of fun to be found.)
Then, I examine the case for Ole Anderson as a singles wrestler for the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.
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WWE NXT’s Brooks Jensen has issued an apology for wearing an Ole Anderson shirt on NXT TV after learning of Anderson’s history of racism.
In a social media post, a fan asked Jensen why he felt it appropriate to wear a shirt supporting Anderson. Anderson, who passed away last month, had a documented history of using racial epithets and allegations of racism in his treatment of Black wrestlers, notably Thunderbolt Patterson, Tony Atlas, & Teddy Long, as reported in this Ringer article.
Jensen wore the Anderson shirt on the March 12 edition of WWE NXT as he challenged North American Champion Oba Femi.
The fan wrote:
so @BrooksJensenWWEwhy do you think it’s appropriate to wear a t-shirt of a massive racist in 2024
Jensen responded, noting that he was unaware of Anderson’s history:
Livin, learnin, and lovin – thanks guys
I will never support any racism, hate, or bullying. While I respected Ole for his wrestling it was news to me after wearing the tshirt that he was associated with these allegation’s. Ive noticed my “looks” and where I’m from are frequently stigmatized with the underbelly of our society (i.e racists) but this mullet just likes to give love and party. My apologies to anyone who knew the allegations prior and were offended by the shirt. I’m learning and this was noted.
https://twitter.com/BrooksJensenWWE/status/1770158999716892945
Ole Anderson, one of the legends of Mid-Atlantic and Georgia wrestling, who was the booker and top heel when Georgia Championship Wrestling started gaining a national following on WTCG, Ch. 17 in Atlanta (before it changed its initials to WTBS), passed away on 2/26.
Anderson was born Alan Robert Rogowski on September 22, 1942, in Minneapolis. He was 81.
His cause of death was not released but he had been in hospice care of late and was suffering from dementia.
He wore a number of hats in wrestling, from booking Georgia for promoter Jim Barnett at various times from 1976 to running the company as General Manager after threatening to charge Barnett, who had been running the company, with embezzlement if he didn’t leave the company. The company was sold out from under him in 1984 in a deal put together by Jack & Gerald Brisco, who rounded up enough stockholders to where they had the majority…
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the death of Virgil, more on the passing of Ole Anderson, plus news on CMLL visa issues, Billy Jack Haynes, Tama Tonga, ratings, AEW and NXT TV reviews, Collision spoilers and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Virgil passes away
4:20: More on Ole Anderson
20:53: Billy Jack Haynes officially charged with wife’s murder
22:57: CMLL visa issues, all women’s show on Friday
28:19: New talent announced for NJPW Windy City Riot, Tama Tonga heading to WWE
30:12: Ratings, where is Raw going in the fall?
48:08: AEW Dynamite recap
1:12:01: NXT notes
1:17:05: AEW Collision spoilers
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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter
One of the traditional biggest issues of the year, the 2023 awards issue, is out now. Between the awards and news, this is one of the largest issues in our history.
This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including Ole Anderson, NXT and AEW this week, the return of Booker T, RAW notes, WrestleMania, Rock and Roman Reigns, ratings, all the news and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the life and times of Ole Anderson, who just passed away, the RAW report from Monday and new WrestleMania matches, the New Japan Cup, latest in the Cung Le lawsuit, where TNA is going next perhaps, and tons more. A packed show, so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Ole Anderson passes away
35:59: New matches for WrestleMania 40
38:09: Nick Kiniski says he was propositioned by Terry Garvin in WWE
48:29: Cung Le lawsuit update
50:48: New Japan Cup tournament details, Kaisei Takechi Dragon Gate debut, TNA wants to go live
1:01:32: WWE Raw report
Ole Anderson, a founding member of The Four Horsemen, has passed away.
Former NWA star Ricky Morton wrote on Instagram Monday that Anderson, 81, had passed.
“Rest in Paradise, Ole Anderson,” he wrote. “You taught me so much in professional wrestling. You were tough as nails. You will be missed, my friend.”
Ric Flair also took to social media to comment on Anderson’s passing.
“I Am Forever Thankful To Ole And Gene For Bringing Me In To Crockett Promotions As A Cousin. It Launched My Career,” he wrote. “I Will Be Grateful Forever For You Giving Me The Opportunity To Become Who I Am Today. We Didn’t Always Agree With Each Other, But The Honest To God Truth Is You & Gene Started Me. Rest In Peace My Friend!”
Anderson (Alan Robert Rogowski) entered Jim Crockett Promotions in 1968, billed as the brother of Gene Anderson. Together, they were known as the Minnesota Wrecking Crew. In 1986, he became part of the original Horsemen lineup with Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, and JJ Dillon. He also was part of WCW’s booking committee in 1990 and 1993, shortly before Eric Bischoff was put in charge of the company in 1994.
