Tag: Sputnik Monroe

DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: Making a WON Hall of Fame case for Sputnik Monroe

Posted on by Karl Stern

Image: WWE

On this week’s DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show, I have more thoughts on the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame in terms of future potential inductees.

Recently, a tracking spreadsheet for the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame was created by a website subscriber — a valuable resource for studying those who haven’t yet gotten into the Hall of Fame.

As a long-time voter, I am going to begin working my way through this resource and carrying you, the listener, with me. Today we begin by looking at the case for Sputnik Monroe, both a wrestler and civil rights activist.

Plus, I have more insights from both the 1930s era at Madison Square Garden and the 1990s at the Tokyo Dome.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

November 13, 2006 Observer Newsletter: Eric Bischoff’s book, Sputnik Monroe

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

The history of WCW, the Monday Night Wars which brought pro wrestling to a popularity in many ways never seen before, and the Eric Bischoff reign and legacy in the business is back in the news with the release of Bischoff’s autobiography a few weeks ago.

Due to the strong promotion, the book looks to be the best selling WWE book since Ric Flair’s book in 2004. The No. 16 opening on the New York Times best seller list is probably more impressive than it sounds. It got off to a better start than the disappointing Eddie Guerrero and Shawn Michaels’ books, which were two major stars, and Guerrero’s came out shortly after his death. Most best sellers are available everywhere. I know in this market, almost none of the bookstores were even carrying the book and after one major store after another didn’t have it, I ended up having to order it. All the great TV promotion done isn’t going to be of a lot of benefit if stores aren’t carrying it.

Subscribers can read this issue here.

DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Marathon: Norvell Austin

Posted on by Karl Stern

This show was a lot of fun for Karl Stern to research and put together. It all started from a research project Karl is doing on Sputnik Monroe. Knowing Norvell Austin only from his time as part of the Midnight Express and the PYT’s, Karl discovered just how important a cultural figure Austin was.

Oh yeah, the first Junkyard Dog wasn’t Sylvester Ritter either. Learn all about that today.

Austin started his career as a partner to Monroe, a race barrier-breaking Memphis wrestling star. Throughout his career, Austin was part of at least three important tag teams. He teamed with Monroe, with Dennis Condrey and Randy Rose in the original Midnight Express, and with Koko Ware as the Pretty Young Things (PYT Express).  

Join Karl as he looks at the career of Norvell Austin, a wrestler many might not be familiar with, on today’s episode of the July Classic Wrestling Marathon.

Right click save

{membership 4)