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Ken Hoffman unearths a goldmine for every '80s Houston Wrestling fan

Posted: Nov 5th 2019 By: Ken Hoffman

I became a true Houstonian the first night I moved here from Phoenix. I pulled into a dump hotel on 610 near the Galleria, unhitched the 5-by-8 U-Haul packed with all my worldly possessions, and headed straight to the Sam Houston Coliseum for a night of Houston Wrestling.

The main event was the Sheepherders vs. the Fantastics in a tag-team cage match. It was love at first sight … of blood. I heard there was an expression in the south, if wrestlers wanted to see green (money), the promoter wanted to see red (blood). Who knows if that was true, probably isn’t, doesn’t matter.

Man, that was one wooly night. I grew up in the northeast, so the only wrestling I watched on TV was WWE (formerly WWF, formerly WWWF), and babyface stars like Bruno Sammartino, Pedro Morales, Bob Backlund, and heels like Macho Man Randy Savage, Larry Zbyszko, and the Wild Samoans. But I knew all about Houston Wrestling and Friday nights at the Coliseum from wrestling magazines. I couldn’t wait.

I am a wrestling fan. I loved it as a kid, still do, even though it’s changed, not sure for the better. Early on in Houston, I got to know Paul Boesch, the legendary wrestling promoter.

Ken wrestles with Houston Wrestling

Quick story about the time he blew up in a rage at me. I had a friend who worked for WWE up in Connecticut. He called one day and said, “We just signed Jake the Snake Roberts and he starts with us in two weeks. Well, Snake was the local champion in Houston, and that meant he had to drop the title before he left for WWE. It’s was the unwritten rule in wrestling, if the champion was leaving a promotion, he lost the title on his way out.

Not the smartest thing I’ve ever done, I wrote in my little column, “Jake the Snake will defend his title Friday night against Dirty Dick Slater, and you can bet the ranch that Roberts will lose … because he’s joining WWE in two weeks.”

Boesch was so incensed that I gave away the ending to his main event, he had Roberts win the match. I changed the course of history! Two days later, when the match aired on Channel 39 (now CWB39), there was Roberts celebrating his win and threatening me to keep my mouth shut. I was scared to death, sitting in my underwear, watching on TV.

Do a YouTube search for “Jake Roberts threatens me.” It’s there. You’ll understand why I was so frightened. Freddy Krueger in Nightmare on Elm Street had nothing on Snake Roberts.

I was hooked on Houston Wrestling, and Friday nights at the Coliseum became a ritual. But like many regional “territories,” Boesh and Houston Wrestling was bought/forced out by Vince McMahon and WWE. Unlike other promotions, Boesch and his family (later lawyers) refused to sell the Houston Wrestling video library to McMahon.

For years, readers would ask, “How can I get tapes from Houston Wrestling? At long last, now.

A Houston Wrestling goldmine

Jim Cornette is offering a four-hour DVD titled Houston Wrestling Spectacular on his website. It’s $15 for 12 matches, the most intense wrestling you’ll ever see.

“I have an audience that’s interested in old-school wrestling. Especially interesting is the Bull Curry vs. Johnny Valentine match from 1969, which is an amazing spectacle of two of the biggest names in Texas facing each other in a grudge match before the biggest Houston Wrestling crowd since the mid-1950s. Houston was one of the last great wrestling cities in the country under Paul Boesch, before everything went national and global and lost all the passion and emotion,” Cornette says.

Other matches on the DVD include: Jimmy Snuka vs. Ken Patera, Jack Brisco vs. the Spoiler, Dusty Rhodes vs. Ivan Koloff (casket match), Dusty Rhodes vs. Bruiser Brody, and Black Gordman vs. Chavo Guerrero. You might want to put a drop cloth in front of your TV, there's a few very bloody matches.

Now a few words about Jim Cornette. I never got to see him work as the manager for the Midnight Express in Houston Wrestling’s heyday. I have to watch videos on the Internet. He was a maniac, hateful, and hilarious. The Wrestling Observer newsletter name Cornette “Manager of the Year” from 1984 to 1990, and 1992 to 1996. “Corny” is a member of the Pro Wrestling Illustrated and Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame. In 1994, he won the WWE Slammy Award for “Best Dressed.” Two years later, he won the Slammy for “Worst Dressed.” That’s Cornette, all right, definitely the best and proudly the worst.

Cornette is retired as a manager, and still does some commentary for TV wrestling, but his main focus is twice weekly podcasts. Every Monday, he unleashed Jim Cornette’s Drive-Thru and every Thursday it’s the Jim Cornette Experience. Both can be found on the usual podcast platforms.

I do not miss either podcast. Each one is about 90 minutes of wrestling nostalgia mixed with restaurant reviews, homeowner gripes, queasy grooming tips, and outrageously brilliant political commentary. I’m serious, this guy should be hosting Meet the Press, Martha Stewart’s Kitchen and a few hours on QVC hawking his Cornette’s Collectibles.

Supplemental Information

Spotlight in History

1979 Jim Garvin & Herb Calvert def. Oki Shikina & Sugar Bear Harris for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1980 Hector Guerrero & Ron Sexton def. Ron McFarlane & Doug Somers for the TSW Tag Team Titles
2002 Jeffrey Parker def. Li'l Joe for the ACW Hardcore Title
2004 Luc Lapointe def. Prophet for the SRPW Boys and Girls Club Title
2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. Beau Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
2004 Beau Dalton def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Title
2005 Justin Lee & Michael Faith became the TPW Tag Team Champions
2011 Michael York & Ignition became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
2011 Brandon Walker def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Title
2011 X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & David Kyzer) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
2016 Kareem Sadat def. Dean Lambert for the EmpCW Independent Hardcore Title

Week of Sun 11-01 to Sat: 11-07

11-01 1960 Tony Jiminez & Jesse Jiminez became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
11-01 1981 Ted DiBiase def. Paul Orndorff for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
11-01 1982 Al Madril def. Frank Dusek for the WCCW Television Title
11-01 2008 El Hoto def. Martin Justice for the OECW Southwestern Title
11-01 2008 The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Matthews III) def. The New York Express (Jeff Knight & Thomas Knight) for the OECW Tag Team Titles
11-01 2013 Steven Sterling def. Bobby Starr for the ComPro Showtime Title
11-01 2014 Guy Atticus became the IZW Impact Division Champion
11-01 2014 Kevin James Sanchez def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
11-01 2019 Brock Landers def. Tego for the ASP Inter-County Title
11-01 2020 Double D became the EPW Heavyweight Champion
11-01 2020 Drake Gallows became the EPW All-American Champion
11-01 2020 Revan became the EPW Internet Television Champion
11-01 2020 The Sidekicks (Kevin James Sanchez & Gemini [2nd]) became the EPW Tag Team Champions
11-01 2020 High Times (Father Padge & Dean Lambert) def. The Sidekicks (Kevin James Sanchez & Gemini [2nd]) for the EPW Tag Team Titles
11-01 2025 Iron Mountain (Duke Blanchard & Jack Davenport) def. The Trendsetters (Andre West & Nelly Rivers) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
11-02 1978 Ray Candy def. Ernie Ladd for the TSW Arkansas Title
11-02 2002 Terry Montana def. Shadow of Death for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
11-02 2003 Ty Magnus def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
11-02 2003 John O'Malley def. Ty Magnus for the ACW Hardcore Title
11-02 2003 X-Cal def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
11-02 2003 Outcast def. X-Cal for the ACW Hardcore Title
11-02 2013 Kevin Morgan def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
11-02 2013 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
11-02 2013 Miss Diss Lexia def. Erica for the IZW Queens Title
11-02 2014 Les Mayne def. Rick Russo for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
11-02 2019 Clint Poe became the EmpCW All American Champion
11-02 2019 War Party (Gorgeous Garcia & Nytronis A’Teo) def. The Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the EmpCW Tag Team Titles
11-02 2019 Dexter Hardaway def. Double D for the EmpCW Heavyweight Title
11-02 2019 Karnage def. Naiomi Sanders for the BPW 365 Title
11-02 2019 Unicorn def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Title
11-02 2019 Karnage def. Unicorn for the BPW 365 Title
11-02 2019 C. M. Burnham def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Title
11-02 2019 Karnage def. C. M. Burnham for the BPW 365 Title
11-02 2019 Naomi Sanders def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Title
11-03 2001 The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) def. The Texas Outlaws (Beau Dalton & Butch Dalton) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
11-03 2001 Splash Jackson def. Big Daddy Moore for the OPW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
11-03 2012 The Old School Suckas (Randy Price & Bryan Cruize) def. Big Business (Damon Windsor & Kevin Morgan) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
11-03 2012 Erica def. Angel Blue for the IZW Queens Title
11-03 2018 Damon Windsor def. Randy Price for the WCR Revolutionary Title
11-04 1985 Rick Rude def. King Parsons for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
11-04 1988 Kerry Von Erich def. Jerry Lawler for the WCCW World Title
11-04 2005 Beau Dalton & Bobby Dalton became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
11-05 1979 Jim Garvin & Herb Calvert def. Oki Shikina & Sugar Bear Harris for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
11-05 1980 Hector Guerrero & Ron Sexton def. Ron McFarlane & Doug Somers for the TSW Tag Team Titles
11-05 2002 Jeffrey Parker def. Li'l Joe for the ACW Hardcore Title
11-05 2004 Luc Lapointe def. Prophet for the SRPW Boys and Girls Club Title
11-05 2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. Beau Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
11-05 2004 Beau Dalton def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Title
11-05 2005 Justin Lee & Michael Faith became the TPW Tag Team Champions
11-05 2011 Michael York & Ignition became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
11-05 2011 Brandon Walker def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Title
11-05 2011 X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & David Kyzer) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
11-05 2016 Kareem Sadat def. Dean Lambert for the EmpCW Independent Hardcore Title
11-06 1977 Dick Murdoch def. Jerry Oates for the TSW North American Title
11-06 1978 Jerry Stubbs became the TSW Mississippi Champion
11-06 1999 Joey Casanova became the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
11-06 2010 Jermaine Johnson def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
11-06 2010 Awesome X (Kevin Morgan & Xavior) def. Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
11-06 2021 Koko became the WAH Living Hope Champion
11-06 2021 Tino Valentino became the NCWO Oklahoma Champion
11-06 2021 For God And Country (Pastor Brent & Cpl. Punishment) def. Most Wanted (Dan Webber, Reese, & T-Arsenal) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
11-06 2021 Danni Bee became the NCWO Women's Champion
11-06 2021 Samedi def. Tommy Dean for the CPW Heavyweight Title
11-06 2021 Ky-Ote became the NCWO Choctaw Nation Champion
11-06 2021 Tino Valentino became the NCWO Heavyweight Champion
11-06 2021 Akbar Farat def. Tino Valentino for the NCWO Heavyweight Title
11-06 2022 Jason Jones def. Dimitri Alexandrov for the WFC Prime Title
11-06 2022 Leo Fox became the ASP Mid-American Champion
11-06 2022 Olivier Vegos def. Skylar Slice for the ASP Women's Title
11-06 2022 High Ratings (Maui Mike & Beau Betten) def. Chosen Influence (Malik Mayfield & Luke Richmond) for the ASP Tag Team Titles
11-06 2022 Gatekeeper def. Mr. Nasty for the ASP 5-Star Title
11-06 2022 Tino Valentino became the ASP Heavyweight Champion
11-07 1984 Bill Dundee def. Adrian Street for the MSW Television Title
11-07 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. The Old School Express (Jason Jones & Jake Boulder) for the MStW Southern Tag Team Titles
11-07 2009 Dustin Heritage def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
11-07 2015 The Terror Squad (D Money & Montego Seeka & Marce Lewis, Nytronis A'Teo & MVP) became the IWR Tag Team Champions

11-05

Jules Strongbow [2nd] Nov 5th Today!
David Jason Rose Nov 5th Today!
Christopher Samuel Dean Nov 5th Today!
Chris Chaos Nov 5th Today!
Bill Decker Nov 5th Today!
Darin Matthews Nov 6th
Brian Faith Nov 6th
Frank Dunbar Nov 6th
Lu Kim Nov 6th
Ken Patera Nov 6th
King Kong Bundy Nov 7th
Nigel Rabid Nov 7th
Faded Ghoul Nov 7th
Keith Watkins Nov 7th
Dominik Whiteheart Nov 7th
Joey Ryan Nov 7th
Silverado Nov 7th
Treach Phillips, Jr. Nov 8th
Dizzy Davis Nov 8th
Austin Mulitalo Nov 8th
Rika Wildlee Nov 8th
Nick Patrick Nov 9th
Jean-Claude Boudreaux Nov 9th
Lance Osburn Nov 9th
Kolossus Nov 9th
Menace 2 Society Nov 9th
Joyce Grable Nov 9th
Gil Knutson Nov 9th
Prince Tapu Nov 10th
Marshall Von Erich Nov 10th
Danny Savich Nov 10th
Kinzer Keel Nov 10th
Bob Orton, Jr. Nov 10th
Brandon Moxley Nov 11th
Green Dragon Nov 11th
Luigi Columbo Nov 11th
Alex Perez Nov 11th
Little Cloud Nov 11th
Terrale Tempo Nov 12th
Vickie Lynn McCoy Nov 12th
Gary Tool Nov 12th
Thud Powell Nov 12th
Varik Vayne Nov 12th
Ty Thunder Nov 12th
Austin Tacious Nov 12th
Brett Taylor Nov 12th
L. J. McDaniels Nov 13th
Big Smooth Nov 13th
Kyle Kelly Nov 14th
Shane Sanders Nov 14th
Tiny Bell Nov 14th
Kirk Castle Nov 14th
Killer Cross Nov 15th
Killer Cross Nov 15th
Armin Syzlack Nov 15th
Super Beast Nov 15th
Sean Pearl Nov 15th
Brieanna Bringle Nov 16th
Kenny K Nov 17th
Johnny Graves Nov 17th
Johnny Weaver Nov 17th
Drake Gallows Nov 17th
Snowman Nov 17th
Josh Hogan Nov 17th
Chase Bristow Nov 17th
Kikutaro Nov 17th
Brent Wall Nov 17th
Reaper Nov 18th
Everett Kibbons Nov 18th
Chris Russo Nov 18th

1979 Jim Garvin & Herb Calvert def. Oki Shikina & Sugar Bear Harris for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1980 Hector Guerrero & Ron Sexton def. Ron McFarlane & Doug Somers for the TSW Tag Team Titles
2002 Jeffrey Parker def. Li'l Joe for the ACW Hardcore Title
2004 Luc Lapointe def. Prophet for the SRPW Boys and Girls Club Title
2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. Beau Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
2004 Beau Dalton def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Title
2005 Justin Lee & Michael Faith became the TPW Tag Team Champions
2011 Michael York & Ignition became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
2011 Brandon Walker def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Title
2011 X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & David Kyzer) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
2016 Kareem Sadat def. Dean Lambert for the EmpCW Independent Hardcore Title

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Oklafan.com v5 Beta

Ken Hoffman unearths a goldmine for every '80s Houston Wrestling fan

Posted: Nov 5th 2019 By: Ken Hoffman

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Spotlight in History

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