I know, I know, I've been out of the look for a while, but I won't bore you with any long-winded explanations. Let's get on with the next post!
You may recall last summer that I mentioned acquiring several classic wrestling magazines from a store known as the Time Capsule. Well, I went there again last month and picked up another batch. These mags are a blast to read. Besides the kayfabed (that's wrestling talk for portraying the events that take place in pro wrestling as real and maintaining the suspension of disbelief) articles/interviews and ratings for each territory, you could always count on glorious black-and-white color photos of your favorite wrestlers. Whether they were posed shots, candid photos, or action at ringside, the photographers made an art form out of snapping pix of the warriors of the ring.
It is was pride that I present to you the very first installment of my vintage wrestling magazine photos. Each picture will be accompanied by a brief caption, explaining the context of each snapshot and who's in it. Now let's get ready to rumble! And remember, keep an eye out for the flying dropkicks!
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| The son of CFL (Canadian Football League) legend and wrestler Angelo "King Kong" Mosca, Angelo Mosca, Jr. didn't quite match his father's career in the ring. He started off raw but got a huge push right off the bat. Mosca, Jr. improved greatly halfway through his run in the Mid-Atlantic area, though. He had an athletic style and a good look, but lacked the charisma to be a superstar. |
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| Angelo Mosca, Jr. scores a victory. I'm not sure whether this photo was taken during his run in Florida, Central States, or Jim Crockett Promotions. I feel he could have been a better wrestler had he had more time to hone his skills and work on his charisma. At least we have enough footage out there to prove he wasn't all that bad, compared to some true duds (i.e., Brutus Beefcake, Steve DiSalvo, The Snowman, Big Red, etc.). |
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| "We are the champions, my friends! And we'll keep fighting 'till the end!" Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood stand triumphantly, having just defeated Jack and Jerry Brisco for the NWA World Tag Team Titles at the first Starrcade in Greensboro, North Carolina, on November 24, 1983. Both Steamboat and Youngblood combined quickness, agility, and lightning-fast moves to make one of the greatest tag teams ever. Youngblood died tragically at the age of 30 after suffering a series of heart attacks brought on by a ruptured spleen. R.I.P., Jay. You, along with your younger brothers Mark and Chris, are the true Youngbloods (not that sissy folk rock band)! |
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| "Let me at 'im, ref! I want a piece of his hide!" No one will ever accuse Blackjack Mulligan of being a great technical wrestler, but with his straightforward tone of voice and mean look, he earned his place in wrestling history as one-half of the legendary tag team, The Blackjacks. That's referee Bill Alfonso sitting on the top turnbuckle, knowing better than to get in Mulligan's way. |
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| Bruno Sammartino was the king of the northeastern United States wrestling scene in the 1960s and 1970s, twice holding the WWWF World Heayvweight Title. He made a special appearance at the now-defunct Bob & Al's TWILIGHT ZONE Video Arcade in Staten Island, New York on January 29, 1984. He had the chance to sign autographs, pose for photos, and even play a few video games. |
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| Dick Slater wears his U.S. Heavyweight Championship proudly. This badass Floridian combined Terry Funk-esque brawling with pure wrestling into a total package. One of the most underrated wrestlers to ever enter the game. |
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Blood was a hallmark of wrestling magazine photos. Here, Slater has a sleeperhold applied to Greg the Hammer Valentine. Greg Valentine came from a wrestling heritage (His father, the late Johnny Valentine, was a major star throughout Texas and the Mid-Atlantic areas in the 1960s and 1970s). Just like Slater, Valentine was a wrestler and a brawler, so when they met, it was like two bulls going at it in a pen.
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How would like to meet these monsters in a dark alley? Although best known to younger fans as the comical duo of the Bushwhackers, Luke Williams and Butch Miller first gained international fame together as the hated Sheepherders. They brought their roughhouse, brutal tactics everywhere, from San Antonio and San Juan to Calgary and Oklahoma City. I myself preferred them as heels (wrestling talk for bad guys).
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