Tag: wrestling history

DragonKingKarl: June 28, 1986 Wrestling Observer Newsletter review

Posted on by Karl Stern

Karl Stern is back with a new DragonKingKarl Show, discussing the June 28, 1986, issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter by Dave Meltzer.

In 1986, former NWA World Heavyweight Champion and the top star of World Class Championship Wrestling, Kerry Von Erich (Kerry Adkisson) was riding his motorcycle in Texas when he slammed into the back of a police car which was slowing down to make a turn.

This simple accident would have lifelong repercussions for Kerry who, ultimately, would lose part of his foot due to complications. On today’s podcast, the focus is on Dave’s coverage of that incident.

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DragonKingKarl: May 1986’s impact on wrestling history

Posted on by Karl Stern

On today’s DragonKingKarl Show, Karl Stern covers May 1986 from his latest book, DragonKingKarl’s 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus.

The month was one of the most impactful months in pro wrestling history with most major promotions in the United States holding a supercard.

WWF, AWA, and NWA were trying to keep their momentum going and World Class, having left the National Wrestling Alliance, held their annual David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions card.

Join Karl for another packed month of pro wrestling history.

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DragonKingKarl: March 1986 in pro wrestling history

Posted on by Karl Stern

On a new DragonKingKarl Show, Karl Stern returns to his long form history of pro wrestling series taken from my upcoming book, next month’s DragonKingKarl’s 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus.

This episode focuses on March 1986:

Pro wrestling in America is building toward three big shows: WWF WrestleMania 2, the first NWA Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Tag Team Tournament, and AWA WrestleRock ’86. One pro wrestler takes great exception to the WWF incursion into his town when Central States co-owner Harley Race wrestles on one side of town and then drives to the other to confront Hulk Hogan…possibly with a gun.

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DragonKingKarl: A look at wrestling in February 1986

Posted on by Karl Stern

On a new DragonKingKarl Show, I continue the countdown to my latest book — DragonKingKarl’s 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus in March 2026 — by taking a look back at the February 17, 1986, issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

In that issue, we got the first coverage of the death of Gino Hernandez. Initial reports were very different than what ended up being revealed through the investigation, and we examine it as it happened.

Plus, there’s tons of January and February 1986 news and notes as well.

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DragonKingKarl: December 1985 in wrestling history

Posted on by Karl Stern

Image: WWE

Karl Stern’s ongoing series on the history of pro wrestling on the DragonKingKarl Show has now reached the end of 1985.

The information for this episode is taken from his book DragonKingKarl’s 1984-1985 Pro Wrestling Omnibus. 1985 was a hugely impactful year in wrestling history and in December, the AWA crowned a new World Champion when Stan Hansen defeated Rick Martel. Plus, a major talent situation unfolded in Japan.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: November 1985

Posted on by Karl Stern

On a new DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show, Karl Stern continues his history of pro wrestling series, looking at November 1985 on this episode — torn from the pages of his DragonKingKarl’s 1984-1985 Pro Wrestling Omnibus.

Among the notes:

  • The young death of “Quick Draw” Rick McGraw stunned wrestling and started a false urban legend
  • Thanksgiving in 1985 was a huge deal in wrestling and there were major cards by the WWF, World Class, AWA, and the biggest one of all: NWA Starrcade
  • An off-hand remark in a promo gives birth to the most famous stable in pro wrestling

Join me as well look back at this historic month in pro wrestling history.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: September 1985

Posted on by Karl Stern

On the new DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show, Karl Stern continues his long form history series with a look back at September 1985.

While the WWF continued to grow and take over more territory in the United States, the AWA remained strong for the moment including putting on a stadium show called SuperClash in Chicago.

Mike Von Erich received the injury and got the surgery that leads to his severe physical downfall, plus updates on Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, The Road Warriors losing the AWA Tag Team titles, and more.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: December 1984

Posted on by Karl Stern

We have reached the end of 1984 in my long-form deep dive series in pro wrestling.

In December 1984, the pro wrestling world was massively changing with WWF gaining more and more ground. Still, the AWA, NWA, World Class, and others remained strong, setting up for an interesting 1985.

Not only do we look at the day-to-day happenings for the month, but I also recap the various year-end awards as it was a big year for Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, and the Road Warriors.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: August 1984

Posted on by Karl Stern

I am back with another DragonKingKarl podcast with my continuing long-form history of wrestling and on this episode, I cover August 1984.

Hulk Hogan and the WWF continue to steamroll over everybody and essentially steal California from the AWA by buying their TV spot out from under them. But the other promotions aren’t dead just yet. Georgia rises from the ashes to attempt a comeback, the Road Warriors become AWA World Tag Team Champions, and more.

1984 was a turning point in the history of pro wrestling and we are deep in the heart of it with this show.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: Why May 1984 was a huge month in wrestling

Posted on by Karl Stern

On a new DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show, I have a detailed look at the month of May 1984 in pro wrestling history.

It was one of the most significant months ever: Kerry Von Erich wins the NWA World title from Ric Flair in the largest show in Texas history followed by Flair regaining the title in Japan, Rick Martel becomes AWA World champion, Vince McMahon Sr. dies, Andy Kaufman dies, and much more.

If you are a fan of classic old school pro wrestling history, this is a great jumping on point.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: The life & times of Blackjack Mulligan

Posted on by Karl Stern

On this edition of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show, I travel back to 2016 for Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter biography of Blackjack Mulligan.

Mulligan was a big, tough cowboy heel and babyface who also booked around the country. He was a top star in the AWA, Jim Crockett Promotions, WWF, Florida, and more.

He was also quite the out of the ring character who had street fights with Andre The Giant, Ole Anderson, and Dick Murdoch; got sent to prison for a couple of years; and was the father of Barry Windham, father-in-law to Mike Rotundo, and the grandfather of Bo Dallas and the late Bray Wyatt.

Join me as I look at the life and times of Blackjack Mulligan.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: History of pro wrestling at Maple Leaf Gardens

Posted on by Karl Stern

On this week’s DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show, I take a look back at the history of pro wrestling at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens. 

Before the Tunneys, the Queensbury Athletic Club set the stage for one of the most famous pro wrestling venues in the world. 

This is their story.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: The longform history of pro wrestling in January 1983

Posted on by Karl Stern

My longform pro wrestling history series lands in January 1983 and we now have issues of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter to help us along as well. 

A lot will happen very quickly in 1983:

  • Jimmy Snuka is hugely popular and seems to be ascending to the WWF title picture, but Nancy Argentina will change all of that
  • Southeastern Championship Wrestling is at its very best with heel Bob Armstrong
  • Ric Flair and Harley Race will battle over the NWA title
  • Japan is hot and Mexico is interesting

1983 is a great year in pro wrestling, so let’s get into it.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: The longform history of pro wrestling in December 1982

Posted on by Karl Stern

On the new DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show, I talk everything that happened in December 1982 in pro wrestling. 

That list includes the infamous Jack Veneno vs. Ric Flair NWA title match; why a Jacques Rougeau by any other name is still Jacques Rougeau; Bob Backlund vs. “Superstar” Billy Graham redux, World Class Star Wars, Jerry Lawler kinda wins the AWA World title, and more!

Here’s the entire timeline of 1982 pro wrestling.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: History of pro wrestling at MSG in 1877

Posted on by Karl Stern

On this week’s DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show, we travel back in time to the pioneer era of wrestling — 1877 — to see the first actual non-tournament pro wrestling cards at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

At this point, MSG was still known as Gilmore’s Garden but these shows were drawing sizable crowds for the day. James Owens, Charles Murphy, William Miller and Prof. Thiebaud Bauer all competed there. There was even a championship belt at stake.

Here’s more on the history of pro wrestling in 1877.

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