This Day in Wrestling History - Bobo Brazil passes away

Houston Harris was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Bobo Brazil. Harris was credited with breaking down barriers of racial segregation in professional wrestling. Harris is considered one of the first successful African-American professional wrestlers, and is often referred to as "the Jackie Robinson of professional wrestling." Originally, Houston was to be known as "Boo-Boo Brazil", but a promoter misprinted his first name as "Bobo" in a print advertisement and it stuck.

Early in his career, some wrestling promoters would match Brazil against fellow African-American wrestlers. Fans clamored to see Brazil face opponents of any type and Brazil would have many matches with competitors such as Killer Kowalski, Dick the Bruiser, Johnny Valentine, and The Sheik, who feuded with Bobo over the course of several decades. These and other rivals would all fall victim to Brazil's finishing maneuver, the Coco Butt (which was a headbutt). Brazil also once wrestled André the Giant to a draw, and challenged Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Championship in a battle of two top babyface competitors. On October 18th, 1962 Bobo Brazil made history by becoming the first Black American to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title by defeating "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers. (This distinction is often mistakenly given to Ron Simmons, the first recognized African-American world champion after winning the WCW Title). Although Bobo Brazil initially refused the title (because of an "injury" that Rogers had claimed to have), Brazil was awarded the title the next day after doctors had found nothing wrong with Rogers. However, this title change is not recognized by the NWA. Brazil served as a mentor to wrestler "Soulman Rocky Johnson".

Brazil's manager was James Dudley, the first African-American to be in charge of a major arena in the United States. Dudley would run to the ring waving a towel, as Brazil followed behind. Brazil was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1994.

source: wikipedia.org

Bobo Brazil vs Buddy Rogers

Houston "Bobo Brazil" Harris July 10, 1924 — January 20, 1998

This Day in Wrestling History

Mr. Perfect returns to the WWE for the 2002 Royal Rumble and lasts until the final four
January 20, 2002

Another fan altercation involving Randy Orton

It was reported earlier this month that Randy Orton was involved in an altercation with a fan at the Ft. Lauderdale house show. Now there is another report of an incident at the La Crosse, Wisconsin house show:

Randy Orton had an altercation with a fan reports The Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online. It remains to be seen how it got started, but it appears the fan said something to Orton that upset him. Orton then got in the fans face, used some bad language, lost his cool and shoved the guard railing into the fans legs. One report added that Orton grabbed the fans hat and threw it. Security had to separate the two.

Princess Jasmine took her act to the road

Princess Jasmine owes much of her career -- and her name -- to her mentor, Dick Afflis, better known to wrestling fans as Dick the Bruiser. Originally from Chicago, Cynthia Peretti was a wrestling fan growing up, attending the matches on a regular basis. In 1968, The Bruiser saw something in the 5-foot-9 athletic woman, and suggested that Peretti give wrestling a try. After three months training with Prince Calvin Pullins, she was a pro, forgoing nursing training.

This April, she is being honored by the Cauliflower Alley Club for her contributions to women's wrestling...More?

source: slam wreslting

This Day in Wrestling History

Ric Flair wins the Royal Rumble and the WWF(E) Heavyweight title
January 19, 1992

Shawn Michaels defeated Psycho Sid for the WWF(E) Heavyweight title
January 19, 1997

WWF(E) New York Restaurant opened in Times Square
January 19, 2000

Off-The-Chart Reaction for Triple H in Charleston, WV

Fan report of the house show in WV:

Vladimir Kozlov strolled to the ring next to a rain of heavy boos for his street fight match with Triple H. Hunter made his way out to an EXPLOSIVE pop. He was major over with the crowd. Very, very loud reception for him. This match saw the use of the ring steps, a steel chair, and a trash can, but nothing got as big as a pop as when Triple H bought out his sledge hammer (seriously...the second loudest pop of the night). He missed Kozlov with the hammer and wound up getting choked by an electrical cord or what seemed like forever. But Triple H was able to recover and nail the pedegree for the pin. Afterwards, Triple H took several minutes to make his way around ringside and shake hands and give high fives to just about anyone who he could reach. He also made a point to do this up and down both sides of the aisle. I thought this was a pretty nice show of class and appreciation for the fans.

source: f4wonline.com

Interview with Mean Gene Okerlund

"Let me tell you something Mean Gene!" That simple phrase from Hulk Hogan was heard countless times during the 1980's and helped propel Mean Gene Okerlund into a household name. He is one of the most distinctive voices during the past three decades of wrestling. In 2006, Okerlund earned his spot in the WWE Hall of Fame and he continues to work for the company to this day.

The Orlando Sentinel spoke with Mean Gene about his career and also the upcoming Hall of Fame ceremony...More?

This Day in Wrestling History

Ivan Koloff defeated Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF(WWE) Heavyweight title
January 18, 1971

Happy Birthday to:

Ted DiBiase
January 18, 1954

Dave Batista
January 18, 1969

Triple H vs Jake the Snake Fantasy Warfare

Click to enlarge

source: wwe magazine february 2009

WWE Reveal Top 20 Rivalries

The WWE have published a book their best wrestling rivalries of the last 20 years. The company selected a panel of 50 experts to come up with a Top 20 and the final list, as with all releases, was signed off personally by Vince McMahon. The final list, in the historical order of when the rivalries took place, is:

Hulk Hogan v Randy Savage
Mr Perfect v Ric Flair
Bret Hart v Steve Austin
nWo v D-Generation X
Mankind v Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels v Bret Hart
Undertaker v Kane
Steve Austin v Vince McMahon
Triple H v The Rock
The Rock v Steve Austin
Edge & Christian v Hardys v Dudleys
Chris Jericho v Stephanie McMahon v Triple H
John Cena v JBL
Randy Orton v Undertaker
Matt Hardy v Edge
Rey Mysterio v Eddie Guerrero
Batista v Triple H
Edge v John Cena
D-Generation X v The McMahons
Undertaker v Batista

source: the sun

Chris Benoit's doctor to change plea in drug case

Phil Astin is scheduled to change his "not guilty" plea on his 175-count indictment that charges him with conspiracy and improperly dispensing drugs, according to the Associated Press...More?

Rumor Mill - Why Manu was kicked out of The Legacy

Several pushed for Manu to be kicked out of The Legacy, most notably, Randy Orton. The feeling is that he isn't in the same league or had the same amount of potential as others in the group, and didn't really fit in as a result. Many believe the group would be better off with Orton, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase and possibly DH Smith.

source: f4wonline.com