• Look Back In History
• Pmessages
• Quiz
• Stump The Staff
• Top Fifty
• Close

The Epic Comic Con is Returning to Sunny Orlando - Great Wrestling Guests!!!

Posted: Nov 5th 2007 By: mikeiles

Located in lovely Orlando, Florida at the Radisson Orlando-Celebration (Exit 64 off I-4) just five minutes from Disney, this comic book and comic collectibles show is sure to be a big hit among collectors as well as the dealers who attend. The 6000 square foot dealer room will host 100 plus 8 foot tables to accommodate dealers from all over the nation. It's unique, one day appeal allows dealers from all over the country to get involved without a great deal expense and provide the perfect location for a Weekend vacation visit to Walt's Kingdom.

We are very pleased to announce as our esteemed guests, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, and Norman "Big Wiggle" Smiley. The guys will be available to sign autographs (A fee may be charged), for photo opportunities, and to discuss their favorite matches. (Please contact Epiccomics@aol.com should you like to interview any of these wrestling greats. Press passes are available on request).

Greg "The Hammer" Valentine

Valentine is a 2004 WWE Hall of Fame inductee and started his career in the early 1970's. He has held numerous titles as both a single and doubles wrestler. On March 13, 2004, Valentine was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by his former manager Jimmy Hart. The following night, at WrestleMania XX at Madison Square Garden, Valentine received loud applause when the class of 2004 was introduced. Shortly after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, Valentine dedicated the plaque he received to his late father by saying: "This one's for you pop, Johnny Valentine." On October 3, 2005, Valentine made an appearance at WWE Homecoming, and on October 23 he was defeated by Rob Conway (then using a gimmick similar to that of Randy Orton's gimmick of "the legend killer") on an episode of WWE Heat after Eugene interfered on his behalf, causing the referee to award a victory via disqualification to Conway.

Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart

The Hart Foundation tag team began when Jim Neidhart, already managed by Jimmy Hart, joined up with Bret Hart (whose sister he later married) to form a heel tag team. The name Hart Foundation, already used by Jimmy Hart, derived from the fact that both wrestlers and manager had Hart in their family names.

According to Bret Hart, the tag team originated after Bret turned down the "Cowboy" Bret Hart gimmick he was given, claiming that he didn't really take a liking to it. He then suggested to WWF management that he would much prefer to be tag-teamed with Jim Neidhart. Management first declined, claiming that Bret didn't have the heel look that was appropriate, but months later just as Bret was about to quit, he was given what he wanted: he was allowed to turn heel, and was partnered up with Neidhart and Jimmy to form the Hart Foundation.

The Hart Foundation is regarded as one of the best tag teams during wrestling's 1980s heyday. What set the Harts apart from their contemporaries was their respective wrestling styles - Jim Neidhart was more of a brawler/power wrestler, whereas Bret Hart on the other hand was a more agile, sound and polished technician who used ring psychology to his advantage. This characteristic and uniqueness in the Hart Foundation was at that time rare yet successful, leading to two reigns as WWF World Tag Team Champions.

Norman "Big Wiggle" Smiley

Smiley joined World Championship Wrestling in 1997, wrestling primarily on WCW Saturday Night. After being removed from television, he returned several months later with a new gimmick. His new character saw him add the "Big Wiggle" to his repertoire of moves; prior to this, his signature taunt was a mimed bow-and-arrow motion, informally dubbed "The Sacagawea". After knocking an opponent down, Smiley would perform a dance that he called the "Big Wiggle." He later added the "Smiley Spank", which saw him double an opponent over, straddle him, and perform a slapping motion with his hands.

During his tenure in WCW, Smiley often teamed with Chris Adams. The duo had previously teamed together as the British participants in the 1990 NWA Pat O'Connor tag team tournament, and were close friends.

In 1999, Smiley entered the hardcore division. Smiley's character was nicknamed "Screamin'" Norman Smiley. Smiley would also come to the ring wearing a jersey (often wearing a jersey of a local professional sports team), along with padding and a football helmet to cushion blows. This comedic gimmick caused Smiley's popularity to soar, and he eventually won the WCW Hardcore Championship by defeating Brian Knobbs in a tournament final. During his 2 reigns, Smiley was a reluctant champion, even attempting to purposely lose matches (although he invariably retained the title inadvertently, much to his chagrin). Smiley holds the 2 longest WCW Hardcore Championship reigns, at 51 and 42 days, respectively.

December 9, 2007
At the Radisson Orlando- Celebration
Orlando, Florida
The Epic Show (www.EpicComicCon.com)

Tags: Greg Valentine, Jim Neidhart, WWE, WWF, WCW, Chris Adams