Weird, quirky or coincidental things in wrestling

[Devon Malcolm]

Off the back of the original tweet, I was reminded that this happened once.

Was that the only thing Michaels went to Japan to do? Such a random thing to be booked or happen.

[Merzbow]

FMW were in their weird WWF wannabe era at that point and would only get deeper into sports entertainment territory, they were straight up ripping off Attitude Era storylines and were edgy in that way rather than deathmatches. They didn't last too much longer, although Kodo Fuyuki did start another very similar company directly after the death and that did decently until he passed.

Edited October 2, 2024 by Merzbow

[BomberPat]

16 minutes ago, Devon Malcolm said:

Was that the only thing Michaels went to Japan to do? Such a random thing to be booked or happen.

FMW had an unlikely working relationship with WWE via Victor Quinones; Ken Shamrock and Vader had a cage match there, and Mick Foley worked there twice during his WWF run, while Onita had a meeting with Vince McMahon about potentially doing an Exploding Ring Match at Madison Square Garden in '98. I think that had basically dried up by this point, though.

In terms of Shawn, he worked some SWS shows in Japan in '91 and '92 when they were the WWF's partner promotion over there, but reffing for FMW seems to have been a weird one-off. I've seen it suggested that he did it in return for them booking some of his trainees, and that seems the most likely explanation as Lance Cade and Bryan Danielson began working there not long after.

[TibBo]

On 10/1/2024 at 1:22 PM, air_raid said:

Easily done. Others of interest, excusing regular tag partners ;

In the same match, technically, but didn't wrestle each other in one : Shannon Moore, Jimmy Yang/Akio and Jamie Noble (Starrcade 2000 and Cruiserweight Open at Mania 20)

In the same match and did wrestle each other : Rey Mysterio and Billy Kidman (Starrcade 98 and Cruiserweight Open at Mania 20)

At least in the ring together - Eddy Guerrero and Dean Malenko (wrestled at Starrcade 97, tagged at Mania 16) @Chili

At least did touch each other (oo-er) - Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart (Mania IX and Starrcade 97)

Plus of course, everyone involved in that mess at Mania 31. Where Kid in kayfabe isn't sure which side he's on, Sting in kayfabe not sure why the nWo are helping him, and given the Kliq had been long acknowledged on TV, Hall & Nash attempting to hinder Shawn and Hunter.... I give up.

Unless I'm mistaken, there isn't a Starrcade that ties Mania 14 battle royal participants the Road Warriors, Rock n Roll Express and/or Barry Windham, but I feel like there should be.

I quite like that there is a man who as well as wrestling on the first Starrcade and the first WrestleMania, wrestled at Mania 25. That would be Ricky Steamboat.

I didn’t realise there were more Starrcade’s in 2017/2018/2019, but that opens more options up, like Usos vs New Day

[TheScarlettChad]

The fact Starrcade was some House Show and not a proper PPV was a crime. It was WCW's WrestleMania!

[air_raid]

11 hours ago, TibBo said:

I didn’t realise there were more Starrcade’s in 2017/2018/2019, but that opens more options up, like Usos vs New Day

I don’t think a match happening on two differently named shows both put on by WWE is quite the spirit of the OP, to be honest.

[tiger_rick]

12 hours ago, TheScarlettChad said:

It was WCW's WrestleMania!

Pity no-one told WCW.

[Roy]

On 10/2/2024 at 11:02 AM, BomberPat said:

FMW had an unlikely working relationship with WWE via Victor Quinones; Ken Shamrock and Vader had a cage match there, and Mick Foley worked there twice during his WWF run, while Onita had a meeting with Vince McMahon about potentially doing an Exploding Ring Match at Madison Square Garden in '98. I think that had basically dried up by this point, though.

TBF, it wasn't that unlikely at the time. Quinones was the president of WWF Latino around then (they produced the Super Astros show) and was working as a manager in  FMW. He was also Gorilla Monsoon's son, so I imagine Vince would have been receptive to Quinones' ideas, particularly while his father was in ill health.

[Merzbow]

Was the parentage confirmed? Or just more of an open secret that everyone supposedly knew?

Victor's always been one of the more interesting guys in wrestling for me, not only working with FMW but directly against them on more than once occasion with IWA Japan and W*ING. He was everywhere in those 90's deathmatch company days, even bringing a mini invasion to pre Extreme ECW and working with Corny at Smokey Mountain.

[Roy]

3 hours ago, Merzbow said:

Was the parentage confirmed? Or just more of an open secret that everyone supposedly knew?

The parentage was confirmed but I think it was an open secret within the business, perhaps akin to something like Jerry Lawler and Honky Tonk Man being cousins. People knew, but it wasn't made light of on television or anything like that (to my knowledge). 

[BomberPat]

Apparently Victor always denied it to Meltzer, but both Victor and Gorilla's obituaries made reference to them being father and son. Wikipedia has Victor listed as an adopted son, though I haven't checked the source.

[Chili]

37 minutes ago, BomberPat said:

Apparently Victor always denied it to Meltzer, but both Victor and Gorilla's obituaries made reference to them being father and son. Wikipedia has Victor listed as an adopted son, though I haven't checked the source.

I always assumed Victor was a cheeky son outside of marriage and Joey was definitely adopted. But then I don't think there is any documented stories of Gorilla having a naughty dalliance.

[tiger_rick]

5 minutes ago, Chili said:

I always assumed Victor was a cheeky son outside of marriage and Joey was definitely adopted. But then I don't think there is any documented stories of Gorilla having a naughty dalliance.

Victor was cheeky with many sons.

[air_raid]

Is Shawn in FMW any weirder than recently-unretired Mick Foley wrestling Toshiaki Kawada for Hustle in 2004? That it was meant to be Goldberg wrestling Dangerous K makes it even more random.

 

[BomberPat]

An absolutely insane run of matches for old Mick there: