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Topics: 2521 Replies: 17960
Member
Post: #1076478 PT: #1/91
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What did you guys think of Butch and Luke showing up in the WWF after being heels for a decade in Pacific Northwest, Mid-Atlantic, Florida, CWA, Southwest, Stampede, etc. It is interesting that they debuted at MSG prior to their first TV taping. Most WWF talent debuted on TV prior to MSG in the 80s IIRC.
Rochester, NY War Memorial December 26, 1988 (matinee)
Bushwhackers vs. Nikolai Volkoff/Boris Zhukov
Syracuse, NY Onondoga War Memorial December 26, 1988 (3,000)
Bushwhackers vs. Nikolai Volkoff/Boris Zhukov
Buffalo, NY Memorial Auditorium December 27, 1988
Bushwhackers vs. Nikolai Volkoff/Boris Zhukov
Binghamton, NY Broome County Arena December 28, 1988 (2,200)
Bushwhackers defeated Nikolai Volkoff/Boris Zhukov
Utica, NY Memorial Auditorium December 29, 1988 (1,800)
Bushwhackers defeated Nikolai Volkoff/Boris Zhukov
New York, NY Madison Square Garden December 30, 1988 (16,000)
Televised on MSG Network
Bushwhackers defeated Nikolai Volkoff/Boris Zhukov at 9:23 following battering ram and double gutbuster on Zhukov after Zhukov accidentally clotheslined his partner to floor
Hartford, CT Civic Center December 31, 1988 (6,700) (matinee)
Bushwhackers defeated Nikolai Volkoff/Boris Zhukov
Auburn Hills, MI Palace January 1, 1989
Bushwhackers defeated Nikolai Volkoff/Boris Zhukov
Evansville, IN Roberts Municipal Stadium January 2, 1989
Bushwhackers vs. Nikolai Volkoff/Boris Zhukov
Huntsville, AL Von Braun Civic Center January 3, 1989
WWF Superstars taping
Aired 1/21/89
Bushwhackers defeated Tom Stone/Jerry Price at 3:07 when Luke pinned Price following double gutbuster
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Topics: 40 Replies: 1923
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Post: #1076483 PT: #2/91
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This message was edited by louie.d on April 15th, 2024 17:43 GMT
Like everything else about this timeframe, Jr took an edgy heel tag team and turned them into another of his cartoons. Nevertheless, I have a funny story about the Sheepherders/Bushwackers.
I lived from 92-95 in Reisterstown on the west side of Baltimore County. Axle Rotten was running independent shows in Catonsville, just a very short distance away. The shows got plenty of bigger names between spots with the WWE and I suppose other territories still struggling along. I usually got good first row seats. The Bushwackers were on one show. My daughter was only about 5. I took her and was holding her in my arms as the Bushwackers strutted to the ring. One of them leaned over and licked my daughters face. She looked at me and said "Daddy, this stuff is nuts!" Priceless memory for me.
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PeteF3 |
April 15th, 2024 18:25 GMT |
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Topics: 34 Replies: 7832
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Post: #1076484 PT: #3/91
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I didn't know who the Sheepherders were and I thought they sucked and I still do. I couldn't care less about how much money they were being paid or how much easier the style was--not then and not now. Just an utterly embarrassing gimmick.
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Topics: 2521 Replies: 17960
Member
Post: #1076487 PT: #4/91
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Bobby Heenan is another example of talent who debuted at MSG before a TV taping debut
Most 1984-1989 talent were showcased on TV prior to MSG debut
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Topics: 528 Replies: 9549
Member
Post: #1076494 PT: #5/91
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I always felt that the Bushwackers emergence on the WWF scene ended the booking of the midgets. The Bushwackers were now the official comedy act of the federation.
I was happy for them that they went from having to bleed every night and work a crazy style and instead work the most simple style of having "Three Stooges" comedy style matches.
Being that they were both older workers, I was happy for them for having found such a plumb job right before they reached their Golden Years.
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Topics: 2521 Replies: 17960
Member
Post: #1076496 PT: #6/91
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Good call. After WM 3, they had some Hillbilly Jim vs. King Kong Bundy with a midget in each wrestlers corner; however, after summer 1987 I don't recall any midget matches.
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Topics: 182 Replies: 3741
Member
Post: #1076499 PT: #7/91
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The Sheepherders - Bushwhackers had great matches with The Fantastics, R & R Express, and so on. Like them or not they were over like a Million $$$$ especially as faces with the makeover to The Bushwhackers. Jonnie Stewart and Yours Truly had a decent match with The Sheepherders in Hammond, IN. on a WCW event . Our own John Watanabe was the Ring Announcer for that show. Jack Victory I think walked out with the New Zealand Flag. Loony Toon gimmick as Faces in the WWF but it created some opportunities on some TV Sitcoms and their merchandising numbers were very good.
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Topics: 182 Replies: 3741
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Post: #1076503 PT: #9/91
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Only time ever was in Hammond for WCW- NWA. Would have loved to have worked them in WWF.
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Topics: 1098 Replies: 14352
Member
Post: #1076518 PT: #10/91
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Like everyone else, I loved the Sheepherders, but hated the comedic Bushwackers.
Even worse then their awful cartoonish gimmick was the fact that when Tully & Arn came to the WWF as the Brainbusters they feuded heavily with the Bushwackers. All I could ever think about was how much better the matches would have been if it was the Sheepherders against the Horsemen.
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Topics: 1098 Replies: 14352
Member
Post: #1076536 PT: #11/91
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Quoted from: Stephen Gennarelli, April 15th, 2024 20:31 GMT I always felt that the Bushwackers emergence on the WWF scene ended the booking of the midgets. The Bushwackers were now the official comedy act of the federation.
This is a good point, and the midgets did seem to virtually disappear at this point.
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Topics: 182 Replies: 3741
Member
Post: #1076547 PT: #12/91
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The BWhackers working as the heel style Sheepherders may not have appealed to the then WWF Universe during that time.
I worked a couple Indy shows that had the Whackers v Public Enemy and both were decent matches as it did seem that Luke & Butch were working a more aggressive style.
Sometimes you have to do what the Boss tells you in terms to The Whackers v Brainbusters matches.
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Topics: 2 Replies: 2127
Member
Post: #1076553 PT: #13/91
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VKM was fond of out with the old and in with the new. Giving wrestlers new names and gimmicks he created. Sheepherders we're great old school, Bushwhackers cartoon appealed to his new children fan base and adults? who bought t-shirts, dolls ect . which made money
Fans enjoyed having their heads licked. Don't know what that says but it must say something
Turning George Steele babyface now that was a crime against wrestling. Lol
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Topics: 8 Replies: 1930
Member
Post: #1076556 PT: #15/91
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This message was edited by Pouchkine on April 16th, 2024 14:45 GMT
They were embarrassing. In an era with so many excellent Tag Teams they really were sticking out like a sore thumb. I loved hearing Jesse Ventura call them out!
As a kid for me they were just as bad as the Red Rooster.
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