JakeRobertsParoleOfficer

That's correct. Prior to the spinal stroke, barring a few everything was negative about him in shoots: Arrogant, dismissive, couldn't work, stitched up vince (by leaving even though no contract???....which kind of contradicts the wwf contract that nash and Co said had a rollover unless you issued a letter of intent and requested it not to), got Liz on "stuff" which killed her Virtually every shoot had a negative view on him ranging from disliked to abject hated. I think the only ones who didn't outright cain him where his mates from the time: Sting, and the Steiners Now he's referred to in much more positive tones than he was in all those mind 2000 shoots.

There's multiple versions around the 'Luger' story. 1 that got played alot (before Luger suffered his health issues and become 'loved' by all) was that he was down to win the title at Summerslam but got pissed up, spilt the beans on this a few days before and therefore the then WWF changed lanes! The WWF was a mess 93-96 creative wise. They couldn't decide if they wanted to go with the smaller guys (Bret etc) or still keep the big guys as the headliners....or go more 'real' or go totally cartoon There's alot of 'gold' in there but also some baffling choices and I wouldn't be surprised if alot of the rumours aren't at least half true (e.g. the returning Quake to feud with Shawn michaels over the WWF title??)

I don't think wrestling would be anywhere near as hig and popular without that Hogan/McMahon combo Vinces work ethic, ego and probably insanity to go where Angels feared to tread business wise and Hogan for looking like a real life comic book hero, who was a media darling and talk you into the seats! It was the perfect storm combo and enabled them to capture the mtv/ppv mainstream market where wrestling was no longer seen as the 'dirty, dark venue, redneck enjoyed freakshow' In a perverse way I liken it to the way darts changed in the 90s. The pdc going the showbiz route whereas bdo still tried to retain its original image. It was a helluva gamble and paid off and sadly (as a darts player who loved the book amateur side of it) the BDO just looked more and more outdated till it died.

I'm not so sure I remember one of the Mags around the time saying he had 'rock' level promo skills Clearly wasn't the case but was decent but the work after the promo was boring as hell!!! I think he did very well with what he had, ala Warrior.

Massive fan of 'model' era Rick Martel. Great body, could talk, pissed charisma and a super worker. In todays era would be a megastar. Powers of pain are another good shout. How they never held the titles are beyond me. These 2 would make even the. Biggest guys today look puny.