Posted on 03/14/2004 1:43:39 PM PST by CounterCounterCulture
NEW YORK CITY - Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan stole the show Saturday night, but Jesse 'The Body' Ventura's reference to the 2008 Presidential election opened many eyes near the end of a long evening during the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
After being introduced by his son in the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton in Times Square, Ventura discussed his pro wrestling career, and how being involved in wrestling [quick on your feet, sharp, good mic skills] helped him make the transition to politics -- where he shocked the world by winning the Gubernatorial race in Minnesota.
Ventura noted he coined the phrase Mean Gene (Okerlund) and how he opened the door to wrestling agents (Barry Bloom) which saw the Big Show clap and smile sheepishly. An actor in a few Arnold Schwarzennegar movies (Predator, Running Man), he also helped bring pro wrestlers to a new, respected level in the mainstream eye.
''Never say never [also a WWE motto],'' said Ventura, sporting a black beard and black hair. ``Maybe in 2008, we put a wrestler in the White House.''
The crowd erupted.
Heenan, who had throat cancer, had wrestlers, staff and fans rolling with his humor and stories. The Hall of Fame inductee ripped the World Wildlife Fund, saying the then wrestling version WWF had a bird, two bulldogs, a snake, a dragon, a macho man and Afa and Sica, and, of course, a gorilla. Talk about wild and wildlife.
Most of the WWE stars including The Rock, Kurt Angle, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Trish and Bob Holly were in attendance. Baseball's hit king Pete Rose, the WWE's first celebrity guest inductee, mentioned how WWE and Nascar know how to treat fans. With two giant video screens behind the podium, WWE cameras then focused on (Sparkplug) Holly.
Fans laughed.
Rose then said: ``What? Is [Major League Baseball Commissioner] Bud Selig here? Did Vince McMahon get Bud Selig?''
Linda, Shane and Stephanie McMahon sat front row. Jimmy Superfly Snuka and Golden Boy Arnold Skoaland were seated in the VIP area with the current WWE talent. Did not see Brock Lesnar.
The event -- which drew a soldout crowd of 1,500 -- started at 7 p.m. with food. drinks and autographs from current WWE stars. Emceed by Mean Gene Okerlund, the induction ceremony ended at 1:10 a.m. after Vince McMahon's praises of each honorary and their families.
Inductees thanked Vince McMahon Sr. and Jr. and the entire McMahon family.
Shawn Michaels introduced Hall of Fame inductee Tito Santana. Triple H introduced HOF inductee Superstar Billy Graham. Ric Flair introduced HOF inductee Harley Race. Mick Foley introduced HOF inductee Magnificent Don Muraco.
Pat Patterson introduced HOF inductee Sgt. Slaughter. Jimmy Hart introduced HOF inductee Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine. Big Show acknowledged HOF inductee the late Big John Studd and introduced his son. Ernie 'The Cat' Ladd ackowledged the HOF inductee the late Junkyard Dog and introduced his daughter. Kane introduced Rose. Blackjack Lanza introduced Heenan.
Everyone received a commemorative item and program entering the event and were handed WWE cookies and a commemorative special section following the festivities.
Fans also lined up outside the Grand Ballroom as some Hall of Famers were scheduled to sign autographs following the long spectacular.
Will be taping Wrestlemania for my hubby who has had NO luck when it comes to major sporting events (didn't get to see the Super Bowl either and will miss the whole NCAA tournament)
(as always, let me know if you want ON or OFF this ping list
I had the pleasure of meeting Bobby Heenan several years ago in the airport in Atlanta. I was on my way to Huntsville, Alabama, via Atlanta. Coincidently, WCW Monday Nitro was being broadcast from the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville that evening. Heenan and a number of the WCW wrestlers were on my flight. He was very gracious, and very funny - stayed in character the whole time we spoke. I had heard that he was battling cancer, and am glad to hear that things are going better for him these days.
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Bobby the Brain was always one of my favorites (he sure could peg a "humanoid"). He had such great chemistry with Gorilla Monsoon on the old Prime Time wrestling shows on USA cable. They don't make "heel" commentators like Heenan or Jesse the Body anymore (Jerry "the King" Lawler sucks in comparison)
Jindrak & Cade vs. La Resistance vs. Dudley Boyz vs. Booker T/Rob Van Dam (c)
World Tag Team Championships
Winners: Booker T & Rob Van Dam
Chris Jericho vs. Christian
Winner: Christian...Trish swerves Jericho and leaves with Christian!
Evolution (Flair/Batista/Orton) vs. The Rock ‘n’ Sock Connection (The Rock/Mick Foley)
Winner: Evolution
-Fink introduces Mean Gene Okerlund who introduces the Hall of Fame inductees. Bobby Heenan, Tito Santana, Big John Studd (Represented by his son), Harley Race, Pete Rose (who is heavily booed), Don Muraco, Greg Valentine, Junkyard Dog (Represented by his daughter), Superstar Billy Graham, Sgt. Slaughter, and Jesse "the Body" Ventura.
Sable/Torrie vs. Stacy/Jackie
Playboy Evening Gown Match
Winners: Torrie Wilson and Sable
Cruiserweight Open
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Winner: Chavo Guerrero, retains title
Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg
Special Referee: Stone Cold Steve Austin
* Note: both men are leaving the WWE after this match
LOUD “You Sold Out!” Chants
“Na na na na hey hey hey goodbye.”
crowd loudly boos both of them.
“Boring” chant.
“Goldberg Sucks” chant
“This match sucks”
Winner: Goldberg
Austin stone-cold stuns both men after match
-Wrestlemania 21 will be at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
TWGTT (Charlie Haas/Shelton Benjamin)vs. APA (Farooq/Bradshaw vs. Basham Brotherss vs. Scotty 2 Hotty & Rikishi (c)
WWE Tag Team Titles
Winners: Scotty & Rikishi
Ventura interviews Trump, Ventura (again) says there needs to be a wrestler in the White House in 2008.
Molly Holly vs. Victoria
WWE Women’s Title vs Molly's hair
Winner: Victoria...Molly shaved bald!
Kurt Angle vs. Eddie Guerrero (c)
WWE Championship
Winner: Eddie Guerrero
Undertaker vs. Kane
Winner: The Undertaker
HBK vs. Chris Benoit vs. HHH (c)
World Heavyweight Title
Winner: Chris Benoit...New World Heavyweight Champion!
He almost looks more like Lenin than Wellstone! did.
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