Ring Reels: Abdullah the Butcher Vs. Dusty Rhodes Vs. Terry Funk (3PW - Part 1)

The Butcher Shop Hasn't Closed

Last year, the World Wrestling Council dedicated their annual Anniversary event to Abdullah the Butcher. Decades earlier, Abdullah, whose real name is Larry Shreve, debuted in WWC and was an instant classic. Form throwing chairs to stabbing people with his signature fork, Butcher had no limits. The amazing thing is that he continues to do so today. Mostly appearing in Japan, Abdullah continues to fork and claw. At age 67, the 300-plus pounder also maintains two successful and popular restaurants named "Abdullah the Butcher's House of Ribs and Chinese Food." Even more spectacularly, even to this day it is hard to witness an Abdullah bout that doesn't feature him shedding blood. In doing so, Shreve has paved the way for future hardcore legends like Necro Butcher, who he faced at an NWA Southwest event a few years back. Thanks Abdullah for leaving behind an unforgettable legacy and sicking around to add to it.

Ring Reels: Tony Atlas' Take on the Brody Controversy

News + Notes for This Week

- Rob Van Dam and Bill Goldberg have been named to appear on Hulk Hogan's celebrity wrestling show airing on CMT this fall.
- Either Michelle McCool or Natalya will come out as the inaugural WWE Divas Title holder this Sunday at the Great American Bash.
- TNA personality Jeremy Borash officially announced that Daivari has been signed by Total Nonstop Action.
- Jesse Ventura decided not to run for the US Senate seat.
- Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan, and Bobby Heenan have been confirmed for the roster of WWE Legends of Wrestlemania, due to release in March of '09.
- Comedy Central has posted a fairly amusing list of possible running mates for Vice President that are wrestlers click here to view it.
- Randy Orton and wife Samantha announced the birth of their daughter Alanna.
- Florida Championship Wrestling has announced its move to South Tampa. In addition to leaving Port Richey, Todd Grisham will call the shots early on.

Ring Reels: King Kong Brody Vs. Leon White (AWA From 1986)

The Birth of King Kong Brody

Many people know Frank Goodish for being Bruiser Brody. However for some time in the mid-1980s, Goodish was unable to use the name. This occurred after a bout with Dick the Bruiser. Dick wrestled Brody for the moniker "Bruiser." Unfortunately for Goodish, he lost the match. Thus he began wrestling under the name King Kong Brody. This is what most American Wrestling Association fans know him as. As King Kong Brody, he worked in the AWA with Sheik Adnan Al-Kaisee. Eventually, he began working under the name Bruiser Brody again and confusion was cleared up.

Ring Reels: Bruiser Brody Vs. Abdullah the Butcher (Last Match)

Twenty Years Ago

July 16 is one of the darkest and controversial days in wrestling history. Twenty years ago today, Bruiser Brody was et to contest Abdullah the Butcher and Dan Spivey in a match in Puerto Rico for the World Wrestling Council. Before entering the shower, Brody was approached by Jose Huertas Gonzales, know as Invader I. Huertas was reportedly carrying a knife in a towel and wanted to question Brody on his position in the company. Huertas had become part of the booking committee and was a good ally of wrestler and promoter Carlos Colon. Colon was apparently upset with Bruiser for wrestling on his own terms and the rumors of him trying to buy or takeover the company. Brody refused to talk to Huertas who supposedly grabbed Brody by the hair and stabbed him several times in the chest and stomach. When discovered, Brody was rushed to a San Juan medical facility but it was too late. Bruiser Brody, whose real name was Frank Goodish, died during a second surgery hours after the incident. Eventually, Jose Huertas Gonzales went to trial. However, he was acquitted after his attorney showed the judge photographs from Brody's matches. Witnessing the intensity of Bruiser's bouts, the judge deemed Gonzales innocent due to his belief of self-defense against Brody's "insanity." After the ruling, several top wrestlers from America and inside Puerto Rico ceased working in the country for their own safety and their disagreement with the trial. After the trial was over, Manny Fernandez stirred up controversy in Puerto Rico. In a match with Invader III, friend and tag team partner of Gonzales, Fernandez allegedly paid Gonzales back by giving three knees to Invader III's chest and stomach causing him to cough up a large amount of blood. Even though it is often considered a work, Fernandez claims it was real and wishes III would have died to prove it. Ramifications of the murder were felt elsewhere. In Japan several angles were conducted that ended in a fake murder and the appearance of bloody knives. It has been proven that the storylines were used to lure Jose Huertas Gonzales to Japan so that he could be killed. The fallout of the event left a dark shadow over not only Puerto Rican wrestling but also wrestling all over the world. Still, today, wrestlers and fans alike believe that Huertas was given an undeserved break and should have been jailed. More seriously, the wrestling world lost a brilliant wrestler and an unbreakable personality in Frank Goodish. Bruiser Brody was forty-two and is still severely missed.

Ring Reels: DiBiase and Rhodes Criticize Hacksaw Jim Duggan

The Next Generation

Last night on Raw, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase Jr., the WWE Tag Team Champions, cut another amazing promo. Once again they claimed that they hold the most potential of anyone in the business (a definite argument). They also clamored that they were better than their respective fathers Dusty Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. So Hacksaw Jim Duggan came out to set them straight. Duggan was demanding their respect of elders (or at least veterans like Hardcore Holly.) Rhodes then ripped Duggan by telling him he was a bothersome 54-year old that tries to relive his glory days, which Cody continued by saying they weren't to glorious to begin with. They then left a disappointed and abused alone in the ring. Overall, it was a good job for both of the youngsters, and Jim Duggan gets a deserving thumbs up to for having the courage to let them destroy him on TV (something Hulk Hogan would never do.) If there is one, two rather, careers to watch in the future, they are definitely Rhodes and DiBiase. They are truly "priceless".

Legends of Wrestlemania Update

Yesterday, several announcements were made concerning the upcoming WWE Legends of Wrestlemania video game in 2009. Three stars were confirmed for the game's release - Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and manger Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. They are said to be a part of a 40-plus roster that includes several legendary managers.By viewing the trailer, it is also apparent that the classic blue cage is available to use. The game's trailer also features a sneak peek of the Wrestlemania Tour mode that features the event's most popular matches being introduced by old footage of the original bout. In the game, you will also be to create your very own legend. The game is planned to be released around the time of Wrestlemania XXV. WWE officials are very hyped of the game and slate it to be a major success.

Ring Reels: The Debut of The "Adorable" Adrian Adonis

TWA Remembers Adrian Adonis: The Life and Times

Born Keith Franke, he was trained by Fed Atkins and debuted in 1974 under his birth name. By the end of the decade, though, Franke became known as Adrian Adonis. Clad like a biker, the American Wrestling Association welcomed him not long after the name change. In 1979, he joined Jesse Ventura to form the East-West Connection. Adonis was a native while, on the other hand, Ventura was billed from California. On July 20, 1980, Verne Gagne and Mad Dog Vachon were forced to forfeit their AWA World Tag Team Titles after not defending them and the Connection were awarded the belts. After gaining the straps, the High Flyers, Jim Brunzell and Greg Gagne, became their most fierce challengers. The High Flyers ultimately were able to capture the titles for Adonis and Ventura on June 14, 1981. The team then jumped to the World Wrestling Federation and became singles wrestlers in addition to tag teaming. Adrian became a fortunates singles wrestler by challenging Bob Backlund for the World Championship and Pedro Morales for the Intercontinental Championship. After Jesse Ventura ventured elsewhere and retired due to medical issues, Dick Murdoch emerged as Adrian's partner to form the North-South Connection. After debuting only months earlier, WWF Tag Champs Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas fell victim to the new Connection, and Murdoch and Adonis were already champions. After holding the belts for nearly a year, the US Express (Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham) took their gold in January of 1985. After touring the Orient, the team split. Adonis then began a complete career metamorphosis. First, he dropped the previously acquired manager Bobby Heenan and replaced him with Jimmy Hart. After moderate success with Hart, Adrian appeared on Piper's Pit soon after and gave the host Roddy Piper his signature leather jacket. Thus, "Adorable" Adrian Adonis, a flamboyant and effeminate character, was born. To become more authentic, he bleached his dark black hair blond, began sporting pink dresses and attire, and wearing make-up. After putting on several pounds, Adonis embarked on feuds with George Steele, Junkyard Dog, and on numerous occasions, challenged Hulk Hogan for the coveted WWF Championship. The Flower Shop was created in May of 1986 as Adonis' answer to the absent Piper's Pit. Also in riding Piper's coattails, Adonis hired "Ace" Bob Orton Jr., Roddy's former protection, as his bodyguard. The feud accumulated between Piper and Adonis when Adrian, accompanied by Orton and Don Muraco, attacked Piper and his set. Also, the group adorned Piper's mouth with bright red lipstick. One week following, Piper stormed onto the Flower Shop set and dismantled with a Louisville Slugger. The date was set for the showdown as Wrestlemania 3 in a hair vs. hair match. Adonis lost the match to Piper and in the process lost his golden mane. After the bout, he challenged Brutus Beefacke, who played a part in the loss of his hair, to a series of matches. This feud marked his departure from the WWF. Adrian then wound up back in the AWA. After feuds with Tommy Rich and Greg Gagne, Adonis aspired to make a tour with New Japan Pro Wrestling. However, Adonis was unable to do so after suffering from an ankle injury. In addition to not being able to compete in NJPW, the AWA ceased his pay, leaving Adonis face-to-face with severe financial woes. sadly, on July 4, 1988, Adrian Adonis was tragically killed along with Pat Kelly and Dave McKigney in a road accident in Newfoundland. Adonis left behind one of the most underrated and overlooked careers in the history of pro wrestling. In 1988, he deservedly and posthumously received Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Editor's Award. Adrian Adonis, you are remembered.

TNA Victory Road Results

1. Alex Shelley won a 12-man elimination match to put his team, Team TNA, in the lead of the X Cup.
2. Gail Kim def. Angelina Love in a grudge match.
3. Sonjay Dutt def. Jay Lethal in a grudge match.
4. TNA World Tag Team Champions LAX def. Beer Money in a Fans' Revenge Match to retain their titles.
5. TNA Knockouts Champion Taylor Wilde def. Awesome Kong to retain her title.
6. Volador Jr. def. Daivari, Zaz, and Naruki Doi in an Ultimate X match that gave Team Mexico the X Cup.
7. Kurt Angle and Team 3D def. AJ Styles, Rhyno, and Christian Cage in a Full Metal Mayhem match.
8. TNA World Champion Samoa Joe and Booker T wrestled to a no contest when the match went to chaos with the interference of Sharmell and Sting.

Ring Reels: Adonis & Murdoch Vs. Inoki & Fujinami (1984 - Part 4)

Tag Team of the Week - July 13

Finlay and Hornswoggle

On Tuseday, the team of Hornswoggle and Finlay scored a non-title victory over World Tag Champs John Morrison and the Miz. On Friday, Hornswoggle defeated The Miz in a singles bout.