Transcript

Jim Cornette on 1984's Top Wrestlers In Their 30s, Part Two

From Official Jim Cornette · Episode page · Watch on YouTube

· 1 h 2 min · 9,691 words · 126 timestamped sections

This is the full, timestamped transcript of "Jim Cornette on 1984's Top Wrestlers In Their 30s, Part Two", an episode of Official Jim Cornette published January 14, 2026 (1 h 2 min, about 9,691 words). It mentions 49 people, works and ideas, including Ric Flair, Ted DiBiase, Ricky Steamboat, Stan Hansen, Steve Kern.

What this episode is about

The discussion focuses on the top professional wrestlers from the 1980s who were in their 30s, highlighting how pivotal the year 1984 was for the wrestling business amid Vince McMahon's expansion. The conversation reviews a curated list of wrestlers, emphasizing the abundance of talent and Hall of Fame-worthy figures of that era, while comparing it to the present landscape of younger wrestlers.

Key takeaways

  • In '84, wrestling's age gap revealed more seasoned stars than today's youth-centric rosters; experience trumps youth.
  • Vince McMahon's expansion opened doors, yet fewer young Hall of Famers now suggest a talent drought.
  • Forty years ago, seasoned wrestlers packed promoters' pockets; today's talent pool seems to be more shallow.
  • Remember when 'age is just a number' actually applied? Today’s 20-somethings lack the same legacy potential.
  • List-based nostalgia reveals a kinder wrestling past; today’s standout wrestlers aren’t stacking Hall of Fame resumes.

Who speaks in this episode?

What is discussed, and when

  1. – 10:00: Jim Brunzell, Dusty Rhodes, Greg Gagne, Ric Flair
  2. – 20:00: Robert Fuller, Kendo Nagasaki, Ricky Steamboat, Kevin Sullivan
  3. – 30:00: Steve Kern, Ric Flair, Ron Garvin, Stan Hansen
  4. – 40:00: Ted DiBiase, Tully Blanchard, Tatsumi Fujinami, Dusty Rhodes
  5. – 50:00: Billy Jack Haynes, SD Jones, Dos Caras, Mark Rocco
  6. – 1:00:00: Ridge Wallet, Kevin Sullivan
  7. – 1:02:27: Ridge Wallet

Notable quotes from "Jim Cornette on 1984's Top Wrestlers In Their 30s, Part Two"

  • I honestly as crowded as this is, and remember I mentioned Andre the Giant, [ __ ] Dusty Roads, and Ric Flair. So, I don't think Jimmy's going to make the top 20 in their 30s.
    about Ric Flair · at
  • He at that point had already had the first se few rivalries with Flair, but was one of the best in ring performers in the business. had again become one of the top box office…
    about Ricky Steamboat · at
  • And here's another thing. Ronnie Garvin was four years older than Flair and everybody's that Garvin's too old for the title in 88 or seven or whatever it was.
    about Ron Garvin · at
  • Well, again, we're talking 1984. It's him and Brody as a team in all Japan.
    about Stan Hansen · at
  • Of Lawler Dundee valant what or Dutch or whatever but they took to him but then the fabs gimmick started in September of 82 and from then on they were a phenomena and especially in Tennessee and they you know.
    about Steve Kern · at
  • Jim, this next man would turn 30 in 1984 and you would spend the latter half of the year around him. Ted Debiosi.
    about Ted DiBiase · at
  • He could talk his ass off. The cocky little prick that he was. He was a tremendous worker in a believable style that partially made up for his lack of size because he was so aggressive.
    about Tully Blanchard · at
  • Day? Oh, this is not this is not the dirty Sanchez type of item. It's a bag flip. That's what Kevin Sullivan used to call it when back in the 80s for some reason right before…
    about Kevin Sullivan · at

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

  • Ric Flair — Person · Core topic (referenced wrestler) · 4 mentions · first at
    Used as a benchmark all-timer and 1984 NWA World Champion; discussed as automatic top-20-in-30s selection and drawing card.
  • Ted DiBiase — Person · Core topic (checkmark selection) · 3 mentions · first at
    Discussed as major 1984 star (Georgia TV, Mid-South heel angle) and future Million Dollar Man; given a checkmark.
  • Ricky Steamboat — Person · Core topic (checkmark selection) · 2 mentions · first at
    Presented as an automatic checkmark due to in-ring excellence, box office in Carolinas, Japan trips, and upcoming Flair classics.
  • Stan Hansen — Person · Core topic (checkmark selection) · 2 mentions · first at
    Given an automatic checkmark; discussed for Bruno feud, Shea Stadium drawing, and major Japan stardom with Brody in 1984.
  • Steve Kern — Person · Core topic (evaluated wrestler) · 5 mentions · first at
    Discussed in depth as Fabulous Ones phenomenon in Tennessee and why AWA run failed; ultimately not top-20 for 1984 by Jim.
  • Kevin Sullivan — Person · Core topic (evaluated wrestler; anecdote trigger) · 4 mentions · first at
    Evaluated as a deep-field candidate and used to introduce the 'bag flip' story; discussed as Florida star and future booker.
  • Ron Garvin — Person · Core topic (question-mark candidate) · 3 mentions · first at
    Discussed as veteran star and tough worker; his violent matches with Flair and later title run are cited; given a question mark.
  • Tully Blanchard — Person · Core topic (question-mark candidate) · 3 mentions · first at
    Praised for promos and aggressive style; discussed as beginning his Crockett run; assigned a question mark for top-20 inclusion.
  • Tatsumi Fujinami — Person · Core topic (checkmark selection) · 2 mentions · first at
    Given a checkmark despite promo limitation in the US; praised as one of the best in Japan and a traveler to US shows.
    Or this would be even lengthier and a whole different kettle of fish. But because Fujianami would travel to the United States, especially whenever a Noki came over or Fujenami…
  • Robert Fuller — Person · Core topic (evaluated wrestler) · 3 mentions · first at
    Discussed as long-time Southern main-eventer and booker (Knoxville/Georgia); not selected due to crowded field.
    Gulis's end, the Memphis end of Jerry Jarrett, Knoxville that his brother Ron would end up buying. Robert had booked Knoxville by the time he was 28 or whatever. Unfortunately, that success did not replicate itself over at Memphis.
  • Jim Brunzell — Person · Core topic (evaluated wrestler) · 2 mentions · first at
    First detailed evaluation in this segment; discussed as past-prime by 1984 but notable for AWA High Flyers run and later Killer Bees.
    Time as a baby face and then he's is he about to be or already just has become a killer bee with be Brian Blair?
  • Larry Zbyszko — Person · Core topic (evaluated wrestler) · 2 mentions · first at
    Discussed for the Bruno turn angle and AWA main-event status; ultimately not selected for top 20 by Jim.
    All right, lots of respect, but not on your list. Jim turning 33 in December, Larry Zabiscoco.
  • Dusty Rhodes — Person · Referenced wrestler/booker (benchmark) · 5 mentions · first at
    Cited as a standard for judging 1984 performance; referenced as booker during Mid-Atlantic transition and as an already check-marked name.
    Austin Idol, Bill Irwin, Bruiser Brody, Hacksaw, Butch Reed, Chab, Guerrero, Dennis Condre, Dusty Roads, the great Kabuki, Hacksaw Dugen, and Jerry Lawler.
  • Billy Jack Haynes — Person · Referenced wrestler (evaluated; not selected) · 3 mentions · first at
    Discussed as visually iconic and impactful but inconsistent due to short stays and conflicts; not top-20 for 1984.
    The wrestling business. So, when I did the Dark Side of the Ring deal on him, we said he made an incredible impact wherever he went because of just his striking visual look and…
  • Pistol Pez Watley — Person · Core topic (evaluated wrestler) · 1 mention · first at
    Evaluated as exciting athlete and talker; noted for later cartoonish presentation; deemed not top-20 due to depth.
    Well, Jim, back to the list here. Also turning 33 in 1984, Pistol Pez Watley.
  • Ricky Choshu — Person · Referenced wrestler (debated inclusion) · 1 mention · first at
    Brian argues for inclusion due to 1984 jump to All Japan and influence; Jim excludes due to US-centric scope.
    I don't think Shu was the performer that Fujenami was, but he may have been more influential in their business over there because of the position he was put in and the way he was able to make the jump.
  • Masafumi Onita — Person · Referenced wrestler (evaluated; not selected) · 6 mentions
    Discussed for early-80s US excursion (Florida/Tennessee) and later Japan push; deemed not notable enough for this 1984 list.
    Thing. But Masafui, nice guy and good solid worker and had incredible longevity. But on this list, I don't think he has anything to really to crow about.
  • Hulk Hogan — Person · Referenced wrestler (checkmark list) · 2 mentions · first at
    Included as an already check-marked top candidate from the earlier portion of the 1984 30s list.
    Through. John Stud, Bob Bland, Buddy Rose, Bob Orton Jr., Greg Valentine, Killbilly Jim, Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, Junkyard Dog, Camala, Don Morocco, Mass Superstar, Paul…
  • Kendo Nagasaki — Person · Referenced wrestler (evaluated; not selected) · 4 mentions · first at
    Discussed as a Kabuki-like gimmick created for Florida; judged as derivative and not top-20.
    I don't remember for sure, but nevertheless, Kendo Nagasaki got the gimmick basically because they needed another Kabuki. It was kind of like Mighty Eigor and Ivan Putsky. The Kabuki gimmick got hot on Dallas TV and.
  • The Great Kabuki — Person · Referenced wrestler (comparison point) · 3 mentions · first at
    Central to the Kendo Nagasaki discussion as the original gimmick being copied; used to evaluate gimmick originality.
    If you never saw Kabuki he's better than Kabuki. If you saw Kabuki, it's a Kabuki ripoff.
  • SD Jones — Person · Referenced wrestler (evaluated; not selected) · 3 mentions · first at
    Used for a Memphis anecdote (as 'Rosie Jones' vs Lawler); explicitly rejected for top-20 list.
    Wrestling Talk. Few more names here today. Pretty sure these will be rather quick. Turning 39 in March, SD Jones.
  • Junkyard Dog — Person · Referenced wrestler (checkmark list) · 2 mentions · first at
    Named as one of the already check-marked 1984 30s candidates.
    Rose, Bob Orton Jr., Greg Valentine, Killbilly Jim, Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, Junkyard Dog, Camala, Don Morocco, Mass Superstar, Paul Orondorf, Nikolai Vulov, Rody Piper…
  • Roddy Piper — Person · Referenced wrestler (checkmark list) · 2 mentions · first at
    Included among the already check-marked 1984 30s candidates.
    Ventura, Junkyard Dog, Camala, Don Morocco, Mass Superstar, Paul Orondorf, Nikolai Vulov, Rody Piper, Sergeant Slaughter, Sika the Samoan, Tito Santana, Tiger Chung Lee, Tony…
  • Mark Rocco — Person · Referenced wrestler (evaluated; excluded by scope) · 2 mentions · first at
    Praised for work (Black Tiger vs Tiger Mask) but excluded as unknown in US and outside the episode's geographic scope.
    Because well I said I just said we aren't doing the whole world of sport roster and here Mark Rocco and whether Japan or Britain I he completely different style. He was the black tiger.
  • Dos Caras — Person · Referenced wrestler (evaluated; excluded) · 2 mentions · first at
    Acknowledged as major lucha figure with US runs, but not selected for this list.
    Turning 33 in February. Do carus again. If you're looking for a lucha libre list, he would be high on it. He was featured as Moscarus's brother. He was featured.
  • Paul Orndorff — Person · Referenced wrestler (checkmark list) · 1 mention · first at
    Named as one of the already check-marked candidates for the top-20-in-their-30s list.
    Killbilly Jim, Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, Junkyard Dog, Camala, Don Morocco, Mass Superstar, Paul Orondorf, Nikolai Vulov, Rody Piper, Sergeant Slaughter, Sika the Samoan, Tito…
  • Greg Gagne — Person · Referenced wrestler (Brunzell context) · 2 mentions · first at
    Mentioned as Brunzell's High Flyers partner and as Vern Gagne's son, used to contextualize AWA tag scene.
    Girls can like. His son Greg and Jim Brunzelle, who kind of a more legitimate heartthrob type. Greg couldn't get a date on a tombstone. so Bronzelle had already, as I said…
  • Tony Atlas — Person · Referenced wrestler (question mark) · 2 mentions · first at
    Mentioned as a checkmark/question-mark candidate in their running tally.
    Nikolai Vulov, Rody Piper, Sergeant Slaughter, Sika the Samoan, Tito Santana, Tiger Chung Lee, Tony Atlas, Jerry Brisco, Dick Murdoch, Buddy Roberts, Adrien Adonis, Andre the…
  • Butch Reed — Person · Referenced wrestler (checkmark list) · 2 mentions · first at
    Named in recap and among check-marked candidates.
    Roberts, Adrien Adonis, Andre the Giant, Austin Idol, Bill Irwin, Bruiser Brody, Hacksaw, Butch Reed, Chab, Guerrero, Dennis Condre, Dusty Roads, the great Kabuki, Hacksaw Dugen, and Jerry Lawler.
  • John Stud — Person · Referenced wrestler (list item) · 1 mention · first at
    Named as part of the previously covered 1984 30s list recap.
    We've said are the absolute best of the best, but just this is who we've been through. John Stud, Bob Bland, Buddy Rose, Bob Orton Jr., Greg Valentine, Killbilly Jim, Hulk…
  • Hacksaw — Person · Referenced wrestler (list item) · 3 mentions · first at
    Appears in recap list; likely shorthand for Hacksaw Duggan but treated separately in transcript.
    Roberts, Adrien Adonis, Andre the Giant, Austin Idol, Bill Irwin, Bruiser Brody, Hacksaw, Butch Reed, Chab, Guerrero, Dennis Condre, Dusty Roads, the great Kabuki, Hacksaw Dugen, and Jerry Lawler.
  • Bob Bland — Person · Referenced wrestler (list item) · 1 mention · first at
    Included in the recap list of 1984 wrestlers in their 30s already discussed.
    We've said are the absolute best of the best, but just this is who we've been through. John Stud, Bob Bland, Buddy Rose, Bob Orton Jr., Greg Valentine, Killbilly Jim, Hulk…
  • Buddy Rose — Person · Referenced wrestler (list item) · 1 mention · first at
    Appears only in the recap list of names previously covered.
    We've said are the absolute best of the best, but just this is who we've been through. John Stud, Bob Bland, Buddy Rose, Bob Orton Jr., Greg Valentine, Killbilly Jim, Hulk…
  • Dr. Robert Hopkins Jr. — Person · Referenced wrestler (list item) · 1 mention · first at
    Appears only in the recap list of names previously covered.
    Best, but just this is who we've been through. John Stud, Bob Bland, Buddy Rose, Bob Orton Jr., Greg Valentine, Killbilly Jim, Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, Junkyard Dog, Camala…
  • Killbilly Jim — Person · Referenced wrestler (list item) · 1 mention · first at
    Appears only in the recap list of names previously covered.
    Through. John Stud, Bob Bland, Buddy Rose, Bob Orton Jr., Greg Valentine, Killbilly Jim, Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, Junkyard Dog, Camala, Don Morocco, Mass Superstar, Paul…
  • Don Morocco — Person · Referenced wrestler (list item) · 1 mention · first at
    Appears only in the recap list of names previously covered.
    Rose, Bob Orton Jr., Greg Valentine, Killbilly Jim, Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, Junkyard Dog, Camala, Don Morocco, Mass Superstar, Paul Orondorf, Nikolai Vulov, Rody Piper…
  • Mass Superstar — Person · Referenced wrestler (list item) · 1 mention · first at
    Appears only in the recap list of names previously covered.
    Killbilly Jim, Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, Junkyard Dog, Camala, Don Morocco, Mass Superstar, Paul Orondorf, Nikolai Vulov, Rody Piper, Sergeant Slaughter, Sika the Samoan, Tito…
  • Nikolai Volkoff — Person · Referenced wrestler (list item) · 1 mention · first at
    Appears only in the recap list of names previously covered.
    Ventura, Junkyard Dog, Camala, Don Morocco, Mass Superstar, Paul Orondorf, Nikolai Vulov, Rody Piper, Sergeant Slaughter, Sika the Samoan, Tito Santana, Tiger Chung Lee, Tony…
  • Sika the Samoan — Person · Referenced wrestler (list item) · 1 mention · first at
    Appears only in the recap list of names previously covered.
    Morocco, Mass Superstar, Paul Orondorf, Nikolai Vulov, Rody Piper, Sergeant Slaughter, Sika the Samoan, Tito Santana, Tiger Chung Lee, Tony Atlas, Jerry Brisco, Dick Murdoch…
  • Tito Santana — Person · Referenced wrestler (list item) · 1 mention · first at
    Appears only in the recap list of names previously covered.
    Morocco, Mass Superstar, Paul Orondorf, Nikolai Vulov, Rody Piper, Sergeant Slaughter, Sika the Samoan, Tito Santana, Tiger Chung Lee, Tony Atlas, Jerry Brisco, Dick Murdoch…

Products & tech

  • Ridge Wallet — Product · Advertised product · 6 mentions · first at
    Sponsor segment framed as solving 'bag flip' anxiety; features and offer code are discussed at length.
    About what's going on. No, you don't have any idea what's happening in the world around you. Our friends over at Ridge, the Ridge wallet, it solves the bag flip because whereas…

Full transcript with timestamps

All right, Brian. Well, I guess we ought to start talking about something a little more pleasant to discuss. And so, we're going to go back to a a segment we've been doing. We're working on it. The Well, I guess we did the best 20 wrestlers in their 20s. This whole thing was instigated by somebody did a list of the best 20 wrestlers in their 20s today. And we said, "Is that all there is?" That's what she said. it it there's not a lot of young 20-year-old guys that or girls that it seems like are going to be Hall of Famers in the future. And so you went back and compiled a list from 1984, 40 years ago, was a pivotal year in the wrestling business with Vince's expansion.

The thing is, how many wrestlers were there of various ages that were used, that were pushed, that were on top or appearing regularly on television across all the major territories. And we did the list of the 20 best in their 20s, which had Hall of Famers out to yin-yang. But then the 30s are it's even more plentiful. And we did a segment. All these, by the way, are on the YouTube channel, so you can look them up if you want to catch up with us as we play along. But we did like a third of the 30s list and had to quit because we'd gone so long.

And we're going to pick that up and see how much further we can get here in a second. But just to keep everybody up to date on I'm going to go through the names real quick. And this is not the people we've said are the absolute best of the best, but just this is who we've been through. John Stud, Bob Bland, Buddy Rose, Bob Orton Jr., Greg Valentine, Killbilly Jim, Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, Junkyard Dog, Camala, Don Morocco, Mass Superstar, Paul Orondorf, Nikolai Vulov, Rody Piper, Sergeant Slaughter, Sika the Samoan, Tito Santana, Tiger Chung Lee, Tony Atlas, Jerry Brisco, Dick Murdoch, Buddy Roberts, Adrien Adonis, Andre the Giant, Austin Idol, Bill Irwin, Bruiser Brody, Hacksaw, Butch Reed, Chab, Guerrero, Dennis Condre, Dusty Roads, the great Kabuki, Hacksaw Dugen, and Jerry Lawler.

Those are just the guys, some of the guys in their 30s only that were active in 1984. We've still got a heck of a list to get through on that. So I guess the the point that we are making as we go through this and correct me if I am wrong is that Jesus Christ there was a lot more moneydrawing accomplished experienced well-rounded Hall of Fame level talent in the business then there is around the world today. That's clear from looking at these list and then comparing it to the modern ones. And of course, Jim, the original goal was a top 20 in their 30s. You thought that may be too difficult, but we're still on a path

to possibly doing that. I think we have 11 or 12 names that are definitely how we finish up here today. There'll probably be a part three as well. Jim going back to this list at the age of 35 in 1984. Jump in Jim Bronzel. And sad to say, his best years were behind him. But think about this. He he'd been in the business for over 10 years at that point. He and Greg Ga as the high-f flyers of the AWA for Vern. That was that was Vern's Rock and Roll Express years earlier. The Vern's crew was notable for their seniority. Baron von Rashki, the Crusher, and Bruiser, and Billy Robinson, and Vern himself, and Nick Bachwinkle, and and a lot of those guys still had a lot of gas left in the tank.

But this was his nod to, you know, a young team that the young girls can like. His son Greg and Jim Brunzelle, who kind of a more legitimate heartthrob type. Greg couldn't get a date on a tombstone. Um, so Bronzelle had already, as I said, been in business for 10 years and had worked on top and worked in a not only did he have runs in the AWA, he had been to Japan by that point. I think they used him uh for a run in Georgia at one time as a baby face and then he's is he about to be or already just has become a killer bee with be Brian Blair?

Uh, not yet. It wouldn't happen in ' 84. what happened in 85. Okay. So, but point being, you know, after the Killer Bees, Jim transitioned out of the business. So, not to downgrade him, but at this point, he's had his best runs except for the run with the Killer Bees. That was kind of the the big one at the end.

Did you get to see much of him? I know he was in Mid-Atlantic for a little bit. Did you get to see much Jim Bronzelle? Uh, not on tape finally after 1980, but I'd seen he and uh, who' they work with? He and Greg defended the AWA tag team title in Memphis on the first show where Jarrett uh, formed the alliance with Vern in September of 78. It was Lawler and Bachwinkle for the title on top. And GA and Bronzel defended against Frankie Lane and Mike Boyoyette. And uh Bronzel was a heck of a baby face, good athlete. He was one of those guys from, we talked about Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, from Robbinsdale High School in Robbinsdale, Minnesota with the Henning family and etc.

And he he was kind of like the in the team of Spike Huber and Steve Regal. He was Steve Regal and G was Spike Huber.

All right, Jim. will turning 32 in September from world class gorgeous Jimmy Garvin. And that's insane, right? He's 32 years old. He's already uh had that run in in Dallas or started the run still in it. But Jimmy started when he was 18 years old. He the Garvin family relation. Terry Garvin was not really nobody was a Garvin, right? Nobody had the last name Garvin, but Terry started the the trend. And he was French Canadian. And Ronnie Garvin's French Canadian also. And when he when Terry got Ronnie as a younger partner, he became a brother.

And Ronnie was Jimmy's stepfather. A lot of people didn't know that. They thought they were brothers, but Ronnie had legitimately was Jimmy's stepfather. Had married his mother or whatever. So Jimmy started when he was like 18 years old as the skinny bleach blonde manager of Ron and Terry, the Garvin Brothers. And there Ron is is he's wearing like regular trunks and boots and he's got hair bleach blonde, but otherwise than that he looked like he always did. And there's Terry Garvin with his gorgeous George hairdo and wearing a [ __ ] night gown.

And Jimmy's somewhere in the middle, right? He's bleach blonde, but he's big around as a [ __ ] drinking straw. And but that was the way he broke in. And I had seen him on TV here in in in he was in the Tennessee territory when he was 18 as manager of, you know, the the Garvin boys. And then he came back in 1977 as a baby face with black hair kind of like in an afro and a mustache and he'd gained 50 pounds and I just started taking pictures and I I asked him I said are you the same Jimmy Garvin as and he said yeah yeah it was the way I kind of broke in you know. Yeah. But anyway um already a big star.

It's not my fault is what he said. It's not his fault. Not at all. But it's not my fault. I'm so gorgeous. My lips are dry. Precious. I think I need a little kiss. Oh yeah. But anyway, he'd already got the gorgeous Jimmy Gorgeous Jimmy gimmick. But even before that, he'd been used as a high upper middle card baby face in a few different places. But now he's really he's blossomed out with that over the previous few years. So that was prime Jimmy cuz honestly by the freeird era of 1989 that was about the end of the road for poor gorgeous.

84 was the Chris Adams feud continuing into Texas Stadium and then eventually you know by the end of the year he's headed towards the AWA and the stuff in Montreal. But is he on your list for 1984? Uh, I honestly as crowded as this is, and remember I mentioned Andre the Giant, [ __ ] Dusty Roads, and Ric Flair. So, I don't think Jimmy's going to make the top 20 in their 30s.

Jim turning 36 in 1984. Kendo Nagasaki. Oh, um, god damn. What was his name? Was it Sonata? Cenod, his real name,

I don't remember for sure, but nevertheless, uh, Kendo Nagasaki got the gimmick basically because they needed another Kabuki. It was kind of like Mighty Eigor and Ivan Putsky. The Kabuki gimmick got hot on Dallas TV and or I actually it was

Atlanta TV. It was Georgia TV before that. And so Kendo Nagasaki became the Kabuki gimmick in Florida while the Kabuki was in Texas. And it it it just I saw Kendo Nagasaki because that was when they were trading talent in Florida to come up and JJ Dylan was managing Camala and other people to try to get Lawler and he was okay but it was really it was the gimmick and if you hadn't seen Kabuki then Kendo Nagasaki was okay.

If you never saw Kabuki he's better than Kabuki. If you saw Kabuki, it's a Kabuki ripoff.

Yes. All right. So, not on your list. Here's another interesting one. Jim turning 35 in October. Kevin Sullivan. Wow. And again, he'd already been in the business for 12 years. No, 13 years. Uh cuz he started in seven. No, maybe 14 years. He started either 70 or 71. And after training up in Boston, his first territory was East Tennessee and he teamed with Whitey Caldwell. Uh at that point, I mean, they started using Kevin in Florida in the in the mid70s. Well, and he was a team one of the top babyface teams of the decade with Mike Graham. And we've told stories about Kevin. Eddie thought of him as a kind of another son, maybe sometimes even better than when Eddie and Mike were on the outs. So Kevin worked Georgia. He had a great run where he almost revived the San Francisco business for Roy Shire in what 78.

Uh he had been all over Georgia television. He'd been in Memphis and been a top heel there, member of the Jimmy Hart's first family and he's in Florida at that point and just about to get his first spot booking. So again, you've got guys who are in their mid30s who have been presented as stars at some level somewhere for a decade. Again, I you know how I feel about Kevin. I'd like to say he's one of the top guys, 20 guys in their 30s, but we've got again so many names to come yet and it's just it's so crowded.

All right, lots of respect, but not on your list. Jim turning 33 in December, Larry Zabiscoco. Can you imagine when Larry Zabiscoco was only 33 years old? He always has seemed more mature. Um, and there you go. Larry's been in the business for almost for about 10 years at that point, maybe 11. Uh, initially a baby face. Bruno helped him get broken in, but they used him underneath for pretty much, you know, five years or so until finally they they talked Vince Senior into pulling the trigger on the protetéé turning on the student. And it was the biggest box office turn I guess they ever did in the WWWF, right?

Or the Yeah, that it was it it was the WWF by then. They dropped an F before that.

That's right. But they did Monster Business. And the thing is, Larry in the AWA was a a main event guy and actually became a member of the family. We used to call him Larry Zabiscoco Gana and because he married Vern's daughter by the way for people wondering he'd been used in Georgia. But that that WWF run he never I mean it would have been almost impossible to equal that business anywhere else or even in that territory ever again. But he never really got to that status again in that level of a territory doing anything. but had a long and successful career and a very entertaining son of a gun.

But not on your list. No. Well, let's go back the people that we put check marks by and see. I was evaluating them, right? Because we don't know how how how we're going to end up. There's so many names. We already put a check mark on Greg Valentine, Hulk Hogan, Junkyard Dog, Camala, Paul Ordorf, Rody Piper, Sergeant Slaughter, uh Tony Atlas with a question mark, Andre the Giant,

and actually originally we said Valentine and Camala were question marks, too. So, are they not question?

That's right. I'm sorry. No, hold on. I forgot my question mark on Valentine. Uh but we I mean again more Andre Bruiser Brody Butch Reed Dusty Roads Hacksaw Doug and Jerry Lawler you know and we've got a lot we've got Steamboat to go Flair Hansen I don't want to give anything away but holy [ __ ] let's keep going because

yeah but you got to evaluate you got to evaluate the guys on who they are not on who's coming up or who you think is coming up. Well, yes, but I'm just saying for the sake of it's just ridiculous to give all these people a check mark and then we got 40 checks. I'm holding my standards a little higher.

Well, Jim, back to the list here. Also turning 33 in 1984, Pistol Pez Watley. Pistol Pez. I saw Pez Watley as a rookie. Um, he at first was with Phil Golden's All-Star Wrestling in 7273 when he just broken in. He was a great amateur at UT Chattanooga and then he started working in the Memphis territory. I guess his first run was 75ish or so. Great athlete and exciting baby face and could talk even then. And I think later on in in the 80s it got awfully cartoon, didn't it? Shaza Wattley or the Jive Tones or he went over the top with the interview.

He was a just a good-looking, happy, smiling young baby face and I thought he was very effective. But again, good talent, but he this is deep company.

All right, Jim. We're moving on here with the list. Turning 35 in May, Robert Fuller. And there's another guy. He Robert Fuller in 1984 had been in the business for 13 years and had been a main event guy in in a variety of the Southern territories for 10 of them. He was southern heavyweight champion in 1974. Worked a program with Lawler. Young, goodlooking, early 20s kid. Uh, but bouncing around between the Tennessee territories, Nick Gulis's end, the Memphis end of Jerry Jarrett, Knoxville that his brother Ron would end up buying. Robert had booked Knoxville by the time he was 28 or whatever. Unfortunately, that success did not replicate itself over at Memphis.

Um, Florida and Georgia. Go ahead. Or Georgia as a booker. Yeah. Or Georgia. Yeah. Oh god, I forgot he booked that Georgia spell for a while there.

Yeah. Before Vince, he was the previous person to say, "Hey, let's give Stan Frasier a national stage."

Well, as a baby face, all the guys from the Tennessee territory love Frrazier for the entertainment value in a locker room. Uh but yeah, I mean a legendary name and and the most giant [ __ ] in all of creation. And I don't mean that attitude-wise. I mean that actually literally. Uh but he's still it's so deep here. The next name alone is going to tell you why he's not on my best 20 list.

All right. Well, not on your list and you keep teasing it. You want to give everything away. Jim 31 years old in February. Ricky Steamboat.

Boom. There. That's got to be a check. That's got to be a check because coming off a major 83.

Well, yeah. And I mean, a major decade between the time he broke in, which was what legitimately 74, so 10 years. And I mean, he'd already been a phenomenon in the Carolinas since 77, I guess it was. They started pushing him. He at that point had already had the first se few rivalries with Flair, but was one of the best in ring performers in the business. had again become one of the top box office attractions in the Carolas. Had worked on Georgia television, had made shots out in various places, had been to Japan and was highly thought of, had set the attendance record he and Young Bloodood against Steamboat and Kerno or Steamboat Slaughter and Kernodal in Greensboro.

So, in ring talent, personality, box office, and you know, he's going to have a run in the WWF, and then he's going to come back and have the greatest series of matches of all time with Ric Flair in the next five years. So, yeah, he's he's a check mark.

And of course, he would be wrestling at various points in ' 84. would also retire for a bit in 84, but still one of the best in the business. Turning 35 in February, the NWA World Champion Nature Boy Ric Flair. Do you think we should give him a check? Do you think uh I mean, we can't even We don't even need to do the bio, do we?

Well, you know, the the question I'll ask you is, is he 35 already here? At what point do you think Ric Flair was a Hall of Famer? He's a clear Hall of Famer by 89, but at what point was it? Yeah, he's an all-timer. Would it would have had to been maybe 86, wouldn't it? With now, not only is he held title a couple of times, but now he's doing the stadium shows with Nikita and then with Dusty and the Great American Bashes and the matches with Windham. He's drawing at the gate. He's performing in the ring. The promos of TBS's ratings are through the roof at that point by 86, wouldn't you think?

Yeah. I was even wondering if it's if it's before then. I mean, he's the last touring NWA champion and everywhere he goes does big not everywhere. I mean, Kansas City didn't do big business, but

Yeah. Yeah. business is up everywhere when he comes into town. Well, but I mean, we were thinking of it that way when when he came to, you know, Midsouth in ' 84 and was like, I want you guys to come to the Carolinas and work for Jimmy Crockett. We're like, holy [ __ ] this is the guy here. But I didn't know whether the fans viewpoint because we were close to the situation whether it had caught up or not. But it has to be between 84 and 86 that there's no doubt at that point what's going on.

Well, no doubt he is on the list. Jim, you brought this man up before turning 39 in March. Ron Garvin.

And here's another thing. Ronnie Garvin was four years older than Flair and everybody's ah that Garvin's too old for the title in 88 or seven or whatever it was. Garvin had started Jesus Christ. He'd been in the business for 20 years in 1984 because I think he started when he was like 19. So already I talked about the push where the Garvin brothers were a top heel team in all the southern territories, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and then he had gone to Knoxville as a single and the one-man gang, Ronnie Garvin, first as a heel and then later on as that gimmick hacksaw dug kind of baby face was the top one of the top guys in Southeastern for what, three or four years straight and then they [ __ ] Ron Fuller over and he spent that time in exile in ICW.

And you could argue out of out of all the guys that jumped, you know, and did everything against Ron Fuller and the NWA office, he was the most important one. He was the biggest star.

Yeah. He He was the baby face. He was the guy. Not. That's how they were able to pull that because Ronnie Garvin was the guy, not a member of the family as in Ron or Robert or the Jimmy Golden, the cousins, whatever. Bob Armstrong was an honorary member of the family. He was the guy that got over and then he ended up trying to steal the territory. That's why they never wanted guys outside the family to get over. But he also got out of there quickly because he was a legitimate talent. Whereas some of the other guys weren't going to go very far and Savage hadn't proven himself anywhere yet, Ronnie had been around and and promoters liked him and he could work his ass off. One of the best workers in the business, so that's why he was able to get out of there before it crashed and go back to Georgia and etc. Um, but those matches with he and Flair because Flair loved Garvin loved it rough and violent and

legitimate and Flair loved to have a match that you couldn't see through. So those TV matches or the house show matches they had. If you go back, it looks like these two guys are trying to [ __ ] gouge each other's eyes out and they're hitting each other so hard you can tell they're taking, you know, layers of skin off their chest. Uh Flair had a a a tube of antibiotic skin ointment that he had to put on his chest every night after the matches with Garvin because to keep from getting infected because Garvin had chopped the entire top layer of his chest off just night after night and they wouldn't it's like wahoo they wouldn't lighten up but the people are like [ __ ] those guys are mad like Steve Kern and Nelson Royal will turn it up a couple notches.

So anyway, um we're talking the list. We're talking the list. Ah, let's give him a question mark because he's he's already done a lot and he's got a few more things to do that decade.

And he's in Georgia. He's a star in Georgia at the beginning of 84, but he's about to go to the Carolinas and get he and Windham were top tag team and then he had the run with the belt and the run with Flair and blah blah blah. So, yeah.

All right. Jim turning 35 in August. Stan Hansen. I think he's automatically got to get a check.

Yeah, I think so. Uh but again, he's been in the business for 10 years. They they broke him and Brody in at the same time in the old Mgherk territory, Louisiana and Mississippi and and the guys that they had to work with were just dying cuz these two monsters were just beating the [ __ ] out of them. But within a couple of years, he already had that spot with Bruno in the WWF and, you know, turned a negative into a positive when he accidentally hurt Bruno and broke his neck. But they got to be on the Shea Stadium card with Ali and Anokei. And that's what saved the Ali and Anokei closed circuit in the Northeast because Bruno and Hansen the revenge match drew such big houses.

Uh they were the only ones that didn't die. Every Georgia died, Tennessee died, all the other closed circuit showings. I think Chicago sucked too, but the Northeast because of Bruno and Hansen, that worked. And then within what a year or two he's in Japan and then he's just his stand's got to he's got to have a check, doesn't he?

Well, again, we're talking 1984. It's him and Brody as a team in all Japan. Absolutely. And he's one of the best and he's one of the biggest stars in Japan. Absolutely.

All right, Jim. Yes. turning 33 in September. The fabulous one, Steve Kern, who we've been talking about so much lately. Uh Karna, same thing. He he was of of the Florida class of all of Mike Graham's contemporaries that he went to school with. And and they had used Steve at the start. That's why he had that aggressive and realistic wrestling style, but still the said the movements all his own, but he was kind of plain straight ahead Steve Kern good guy until he got to Tennessee and they showed him how to throw a little showbiz in and he got the fabs gimmick. But as far as being used in Florida, he and Mike Graham were a top babyface tag team. He'd been used as a singles champion for different belts, TV titles, etc. in Florida and Georgia. I think had I think he had worked the the Carolinas on the middle maybe by that point, but then when he came to Tennessee in 81, he became a top baby face as himself

first and the fans took to him. odds the level of Lawler Dundee valant what or Dutch or whatever but they took to him but then the fabs gimmick started in September of 82 and from then on they were a phenomena and especially in Tennessee and they you know I think what did they leave for Vern in 84 oh yeah

or 85 it was 84 84 is the year of the new fabulous ones so yeah it's 85 that's Right. And what happened was they were doing, you know, big business. And I say that the Fabs never sold out Memphis like Lawler did. The Fabs drew, especially in Louisville and Nashville and the the other places besides Memphis, and they did well in Memphis. People loved them in Memphis, but they never had the big match like Lawler did that would sell the coliseum out. But for that period of time from September of 82 until whatever point early 84 they were without doubt the most popular baby faces that they'd had in some time even with Dundee had been there for a while and had been back and forth as you know toward the end there as a a heel and then switched back and Handsome Jimmy was just in and out but the fabs were steady and they especially at the spot shows they drew big crowds, but they even though I think they ended

up on a $1,500 a week guarantee and they were splitting sometimes up to $4,000 a week in pictures and t-shirts. So, it was a ridiculous amount of money for the Tennessee territory at that point. But Vern could get them into the Denvers and the Minneapolises and the place where you got, you know, a,000 or$,500, $2,000 payoff in one night each. And so they made that move and it hurt everybody because Jared tried to make Eddie Gilbert and Tommy Rich the new fabs when Fargo said, "Well, Kern and Kern and Lane went off and didn't do what I told them to. They've left all of you people in Tennessee. So, I got these new boys and that didn't work.

And meanwhile, Vern didn't understand the not only the fabulous ones gimmick, but he also there was no there was no Jackie Fargo in the AWA to introduce the fabulous ones and give them a reason for being because so they really should have been heels. And then they're working with the road wars that are heels for Vern, but the people are cheering them as baby faces. So the fabs in the AWA didn't work out, but still, you know, Kerna doesn't he doesn't get a top 20 check because again, Flair, Steamboat, Dusty, Andre etc.

But you can't base it on top of things at that point. I again, I don't think he would be on it for 84, but I don't think you could base it on who's there or who would be there. It has to be on the actual person's year.

Well, he didn't have as good 84 as Dusty or [ __ ] Fire and all these other people either. That's what I'm saying.

All right. Well, Jim, turning 31 in December, Tatsumi Fujunami. And boy, now here's the thing. We do not have on this list the entire New Japan and all Japan rosters or this would be even lengthier and a whole different kettle of fish. But because Fujianami would travel to the United States, especially whenever a Noki came over or Fujenami had shots in the Garden and the the Northeast at various points in the early 80s. So he kind of qualifies for both places. And while I will I'll violate my rule here, one of my rules that he couldn't cut a promo for the United States of America. But in Japan in 1984 and really from what 79 80 maybe through the mid 80s, Fujiani was one of the best guys in the business

through at least just happened to be in through at least the late 80s. Yeah, he just happened to be in Japan. So, I'm going to give Fujianami a check mark.

All right, I agree because big matches, featured as a mainvener, great performer.

Jim, this next man would turn 30 in 1984 and you would spend the latter half of the year around him. Ted Debiosi.

Ah boy, here you go. I think Ted's got to get a check because especially at this point in time, he's been working for at least 10 years. I think over 10 years at that point from the time he first broke in. He had the advantage and sometime the curse of all the best trainers because everybody the Funks and Murdoch family, everybody knew his dad and so they went out of their way when he got started. And again, the second generation name, you know, opens up some doors, but it also increases expectations. But Teddy by, you know, the middle part of the 70s, they were using him in the Mgherk territory. And Watts on and off for the next 10 years, even before Watts started Midsouth when he was still working for booking for Mgherk, loved Ted Debiosi.

And Teddy said one time he was there in Midsouth for so long without getting out and taking a break that his hair started falling out. But this at this point he had been on Georgia television. He'd had a run up in the WWF. He had what was the the North American title he had up there before the Intercontinental title.

That's right. Was that what it was? That was 78ish. He had been considered one of the three guys that might be the next NWA World Champion at one point. It went to Flair. Um, I think and then he's he's not even the million-dollar man yet. He's going to have a hell of a run after that. So, I think

and let's let's talk 84, big star in Georgia on national TV, returns to Midsouth, big angle with Jim Dugen getting bloodied up in the parking lot. You don't see it.

Yeah. You just see Debbiosi return and tell you about it. Big heel run. That's his 84.

I think he's got a check. I think so, too. Jim also turning 30 in January. Tully Blanchard. Talentwise, Tully was right up there with Debbiosi. He could talk his ass off. The cocky little prick that he was. He was a a tremendous worker in a believable style that partially made up for his lack of size because he was so aggressive. Um, he had never had the opportunity to really be featured as a regular main event any place besides San Antonio because his father was the promoter until

84. I was about to say it was it ' 83 maybe, but when San Antonio started sucking hind tit as we used to say back down south that's when he actually got out and went to work for Crockett and you think about this 84 85 86 87 Tully Blanchard had an incredible run for Jim Crockett and in 80 it ended in 88 when he went to the WWF they spent one year there in his career was over. So Tully's have had a great and would a great 84 and would go on to have the best years of his life, but he's only got five more years in his whole [ __ ] career. That's a that's a shame when you think about it cuz he's in 84. He's what he's been working Did he start in 75? I think maybe 76, whatever.

He's been working about seven or eight years and he's only got five more to go. I Let's put a question mark.

Okay. I would consider him because he may be the highlight of 1984 Mid-Atlantic TV, which was a year of transition from everything in 83 to Dusty Roads's booking. He got a big push. He's one of the highlights. His matches were good, good promo. But again, we'll uh talk about it when we review the question marks. Jim also turning 30 at the beginning of 84. Masafui, your old pal.

Uh and the reason he's on this list is because he was in America at this point. Uh they sent Fucci and Onita, the Onita to America in what 81 and they worked as a tag team in Florida. Then they came to Tennessee and they worked here. Tojo managed them. They had the Tupelo concession stand brawl number three. And then well, was he still here or had he just gone back? because they went

I think it may have gone back. I think they went to the Mgherk territory after they were here and then I think that's when the 84 they went back and Onita would end up over the next year or two getting a push as the new junior heavyweight for Baba but then he hurt his knees and couldn't do his [ __ ] anymore and had to come back later on with the whole frontier martial arts thing. But Masafui, nice guy and good solid worker and had incredible longevity. But on this list, I don't think he has anything to really to crow about.

All right, Jim. At least a few more here today. Turning 31 in July. Billy Jack.

Billy Jack Hannes, baby. And again, he wasn't Hannes yet, though, was he? Well, I'm just I'm just saying that because I like the way it flows off my dusty tongue. You know, there's there's so many names that are household names that had already been so experienced and been used in a variety of places. Here's a guy who really was kind of hidden because he started late at at an older age and had only been in the business a couple of years at this point. had been in Florida and Portland cuz he's from that neck of the woods and was about to at the end of the year go to Dallas very briefly and then would start his on andoff relationship with Don Owens the promoter there and starting his own business and running his own self out of the wrestling business. So, when I did the Dark Side of the Ring deal on him, we said he made an incredible impact wherever he went because of just his striking visual look and just the the

sight of the guy and and he could do [ __ ] in the ring, you know, for a guy that size. But except for being iconic for that run in Portland before he got too big for his britches, he really would only drop in someplace every once in a while, stay a very short period of time, get crossways with him, and be gone. And the same thing happened. Dusty liked him, brought him to the Carolinas in what, 85? And he wasn't there very long. So, it an interesting asterk, but you can't really put him on this list as being one of the top guys.

You know, it's crowded and he was in and out so much. He'd be on this list of PWI was the ones putting it together.

Yes, Jim. 33 in December. Ricky Chosu. And this is the year he jumps to all Japan with his stable.

Yes. And also again we were trying to say I said with Fujianami, well he counts because he made shots in America and he was just such a tremendous inring performer. I don't think Shu was the performer that Fujenami was, but he may have been more influential in their business over there because of the position he was put in and the way he was able to make the jump. But did he ever really make any shots here at all?

I think in 87 or 88 he worked for Vern in Vegas for a taping. I'm serious. That that almost sounds like a [ __ ] National Lampoon movie working for Vern in Vegas. Uh I mean if if this was a list of influential Japanese wrestlers, he would knock everybody but probably Hogan and Hansen off the the list already. But for the kind of sort of motif we were going for is this is America and not worldwide, I he ain't he ain't got it.

All right. Wow. You're not putting Ricky Chosu. I would probably either put them on my list or my question mark list for 84.

Well, but see, but it's a different it's kind of a different list cuz we we said at the top this we didn't encompass the world of Mexico and and you know, Johnny Saint and Steve Wright and Big Daddy aren't on here. And so, how how far are we going with this? How geographically? Well, Jim, just so we could try to get a few more names in today before we wrap up this segment and move on to Modern Wrestling Talk. Few more names here today. Pretty sure these will be rather quick. Turning 39 in March, SD Jones. Do you know I saw at the best match that SD Jones ever had?

No. For whatever reason, in 1976, a guy popped up on the card at the Louisville Gardens named Rosie Jones. And Rosie, I believe, was because that's a gimmick he was using at that time, was short for Roosevelt. But the point is they booked Rosie Jones versus Jerry Lawler. And I'm like, what the I've never heard of this [ __ ] guy. Sat there and watch. This was before I was even a photographer. Sat there and watched the match and Rosie Jones became my favorite wrestler cuz apparently they had the thought of making him a top baby face or at least somebody was going to be used for a while. And because he was black, Memphis always liked black baby faces. That's why Zulu had three was on top of three sellouts whether he drew them or not. Um and Lawler had a match with him to make him look like he was the god and just every he got over like crazy. The people practically gave him a standing ovation.

It was exciting and we're like where'd this guy come from and then he was in a territory I think about another off the top of my head two or three weeks in middle card matches and we never saw him again. So, I don't know what the [ __ ] happened, but no. SD Jones doesn't go on the list as a best 20 in their 30s.

Turning 33 in May. Mark roller ballo and see you prick because well I said I just said we aren't doing the whole world of sport roster and here Mark Rocco and whether Japan or Britain I he completely different style. He was the black tiger against Tiger Mask in New Japan in what 83ish. Uh, I loved his the way the style and the way he worked. I've never heard him cut a promo. Uh, he completely unknown in the United States at this time completely. Nobody would have [ __ ] been able to identify him in a police lineup, but he was over in, as I said, in England and had a gimmick that he was over in Japan. And I loved his work, but I don't think he fits this list. And Adrien Street said just a fantastic worker and he had large boils or zits of some kind all over his body and Adrien hated to work with him.

All right. Well, that's uh Mark Roller ballo not on your list. Jim the boiler maker.

A couple more here today and then we'll pick up next time. Yes. Turning 33 in February. Do carus again. If you're looking for a lucha libre list, he would be high on it. He was featured as Moscarus's brother. He was featured from Jesus Christ the time he got in the business in the early 70s. Uh he also had had runs in Texas and California. So he did work some in this country and a You know, if you probably in the mid to late 70s asked the average magazine reading wrestling fan name three Mexican wrestlers, they'd go Miloscerus, Doseras, and Elsitario.

Uh, but not on your list. I don't think so. Turning 37 in March. Wow, I didn't realize he was that old. Killer K boy. He w again a great heel uh in a variety of the territories and great gimmick and he got the credit for breaking Andre's ankle and what's his [ __ ] what's the name he worked at in Japan or was am I thinking of someone else? Uh but anyway, uh I don't he was never except for the Andre run. He was never like a guy that was featured in the main events of a major territory all on his own. Was he was in groups in Florida, Georgia, and things?

Uh again, good worker. Does he stand out in this crowded field? 84 is the year he has the match with Terry Gordy in Dallas or was it Dallas or was it Fort Worth? Well, he has the match with Terry Gordy in Texas and World Class and it's one of the best matches of the year.

He's one of the central figures in the babyface turn of the Freeirds. Well, that's true. He just kind of wandered into that though, didn't he?

All right. So, not on your list for 1984. Another question mark. But we already have a pretty full list and a pretty full question mark list. And we will finish it up.

Go one more. Go one more cuz I I'm tickled at this. I want to hear you say it. One more. Turning 37 in January from the sheep hurders. Luke Williams.

37. I had to. So people don't think I'm crazy. Or maybe you already have that assumption, but because of this, that was when the sheep herders would cut promos. When Luke was partners with Jonathan Boyd and they came to Tennessee, Jonathan Boyd was cutting the whole promo while Luke would just stood behind him and made the weird crazy faces. And then Jonathan Boyd would say, "And mate, let me tell you, we've been champions in 37 bloody countries." And then Luke would chime at 37. And every once in a while we'd be at a spot show and if somebody had been outside they'd come in if Luke would say, "How's the housemate? How many people we got out there and said 37?"

Uh, but I just wanted to hear the 37. I love Luke Williams to death. But uh, and boy, again, he never looked young, did he? cuz he he Sweet William with crazy Nick Carter who became Butch. Luke and Butch. Uh they always looked old and weird and crazy, but they'd been uh at 84, Luke had been in the business almost 20 years at that point cuz the the um royal kangaroos. He was in that with with Boyd, right? It was Boyd and Butch and Boyd and Luke at various times and then be they became the Kiwi sheep herders then the sheep herders but nevertheless they'd been a team since the early 70s.

So another experienced guy but no I don't think unfortunately as a single and on his own he can make the crowded field. Well, there it is, Jim. That is our look today. Part two of trying to put together the top 20 in their 30s for 1984. We'll pick up next time.

And boy, this is a crowded LIST BECAUSE OH, YEAH. WE GOT more people coming up.

Stop being a spoiler. Why do you keep spoiling everything for us? As I'm saying, it's it's insane that there's this list of 70 80 guys that are all Hall of Famers that are all in their 30s. And Brian, I tell you what the thing about it is the guys in the 80s, a lot of them didn't take care of their money. You ever you ever had a bag flip?

A bag flip? What's that? Have you Have you ever had a bag flip? Is this some kind of perverted thing that you guys used to do back in the day? Oh, this is not this is not the the the dirty Sanchez type of item. It's a bag flip. That's what Kevin Sullivan used to call it when back in the 80s for some reason right before the Fanny Packs and then the Fanny Packs carried on this tradition, but guys in the wrestling business, I saw it in Louisiana. Then there was still the days in Charlotte. The guys that would start making money when they're young and they start getting all this gold jewelry and they start carrying cash around with them.

They got those bank bags, the zipper bank. This is First National Bank. It's got a zipper on it that businesses would put deposits in and they were carrying those around as wallets. A bank bag like advertising here. I have valuable [ __ ] cuz they're not only young and have a lot of [ __ ] money, but they're also wrestlers and they want to [ __ ] show off. But those bags, they're hard to keep track of when you're distracted, when you're doing something, you're you're working out, you're sitting down at the restaurant, you're taking a [ __ ] and you set your [ __ ] down and some hand comes underneath from the other stall and boom, and you got your pants around your ankles. That was at least a cover story of more than one wrestler.

And Kevin Sullivan got to the point where guys just at random would be sitting somewhere locker room or in the [ __ ] airport and they would jump up and look left and look right and then they'd grab their bag cuz they had a bag flip. That's what Kevin would call it. When they realized, "Oh [ __ ] where's my bag?" And yet it was a goddamn horrible way to live. A horrible way to live. These people were tortured, Brian. I'm telling you, they were tortured. You've never heard of the bag flip.

I hadn't. This is an unexpected run in here. The top 20 in their 30s or 1984, Kevin Svin.

It just it reminded me. And see, here's the thing. Because I me when Stace and I used to travel down the highways and byways, we'd stop at a gas station or a fast food place or what a rest stop and we get back in the car and I'd pull out and see. I didn't like to stick my big old fat wallet with all of the stuff that I'd accumulated in it in my back pocket and then drive because I'm sitting there on it. It's like sitting on a baseball. What the [ __ ] I would put it in the console of my vehicle, but then I'd five miles down the road or whatever, I would suddenly think, "Wait a minute, did I do that?" Because I can't feel it. I can't see it. And I would lift the lid of the console there so I could make sure. And Stacy, you're you're having a bag flip.

And it's a very troubling thing. You know how you can solve this problem, Brian?

Oh, I don't know. I don't know anything about what's going on. No, you don't have any idea what's happening in the world around you. Our friends over at Ridge, the Ridge wallet, it solves the bag flip because whereas a bank bag was so big and bulky and showy and if you're just a regular jackoff walking down the street and you got one of those, somebody's going to hit you over the head and steal it. And those wallets that we used to have back in the old days, the old cowhide leather and the big it turns into a goddamn giant brick that you've got folded up and stuffed in your pants. And as a result, either it looks like you're you're throwing your sacroiliac off, or more importantly, you've got some kind of boil or goer that needs to be lanced and drained on your body somehow. You don't want to look like you'll never get laid like that. People what

studies have shown that women do not give [ __ ] to guys that have large pusfilled goiters.

There are no studies we know of. So let's not quote any studies that don't exist. And I I don't even know why this would BE A STUDY. WHY DON'T WE GET away from this? I think is the

But here's the thing. You don't want to do all that. You want the Ridge wallet because it's a unique, slim, and modern design. I have one in my hand right here. And it is this is indestructible. You could run over it with a car. You could you could probably take a hammer to it and and nothing would be damaged because it it's just it's made out of titanium alum aluminum and carbon fiber. So I carbon you could I I think you could set this on fire too if you were lost in the jungle and heat yourself from it. But nevertheless,

I don't think that's one of the features for the record. And I bet you it holds up to 12 credit cards plus cash. There's a little cash strap on the side here. It's no bigger than a credit card itself, but it's terribly terribly sturdy and and rigid so that you don't [ __ ] up anything inside of it. You can, as I said, the money clip also maybe a a little note from your paramore that you want to keep close to your heart or your ass, wherever you're putting this wallet. And I've mentioned before, it makes a great brass knuckle if somebody tries to mug you and an oriental fighting star. But what's more, I figured that if you're really strong and you pull this cash strap out way out, it's like a goddamn miniature crossbow.

If you put like an ink pen in here and you could put somebody's eye out. But if somebody

Listen, I think the POINT WELL, IF SOMEBODY'S TRYING to attack you and you're behind a turret, you're trying to fend them off. See, hear that pop? Boy, you draw that back. And

what are you doing? You're just hitting your hand with it. Are you punching? I'm draw I'm drawing back the indestructible cash strap and shooting it like a bow and arrow

again. And you're good with a bow and arrow. We've all learned that. Listen, ladies and gentlemen, forget about these examples. The point you want to think about is you have nothing to worry about with Ridge. And of course, you won't have to worry about throwing out your back with a big wallet. You won't have to worry about where your wallet is. It'll be compact and sturdy and there the criminals and pickpockets won't be able to get to it because it'll be sucked into your tight pants.

Here's Well, now here you can still wear loose pants if you want cuz here's the thing. It's also got RFID blocking technology to keep you safe from digital pickpocketers. So, you got this thing in your back pocket and somebody reaches their hand. As soon as it detects somebody else's fingerprints besides yours, automatically sharp STEEL SPIKES SHOOT OUT 6 in in every direction from this thing.

Now, I would advise you if you wear two pair of underwear cuz there could be some collateral damage. Let's

want to try to put some padding in there. But that son of a [ __ ] trying to pickpocket you will have a hard time. That's why there's over a 100,000 fivestar reviews. You can have peace of mind. Everything that Ridge makes has has a lifetime warranty. This is literally the last wallet you're ever going to have to buy because it's it's good to your the end of your lifetime. A lifetime warranty. Now, if you get to be a wise ass and you have this thing 70 75 years and it may start to wear out, then they may arrange to well put a hit out on you JUST SO

JESUS CHRIST. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO ARRANGE TO PUT A HIT out on anyone. What the hell ARE YOU SAYING? YOU NEED TO

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A WALLET, the Ridge wallet, a great wallet, a sturdy wallet, secure wallet.

You can't You can't take advantage of this lifetime warranty by living too long now. After 75 years, it's open season.

Mention the warranty. You don't have to worry ABOUT PROBLEMS. THEY DON'T WANT TO BREAK THEIR years from now.

They don't want to break their string. Nobody's ever outlived one of these wallets yet. They don't want them to start now. And I'll tell you what, they've also got free shipping and a 99day risk-free trial. That mean you can get it and you can have it for 99 days. You could try it out. If you don't like it, you send it back and they'll send you your money back. Of course, now you've got to leave all the [ __ ] in it. They want your cards.

No, you don't. You don't. Send it back as it was sent to you, but you won't have to worry about that because like we have them here and we love them and I'm going to hopefully get a few more for other members. How many how many wallets you carry?

That's none of your business. The business is in your wallet. And of course, your wallet needs to be there and needs to be

wallet needs to be in your pants. That means you've got your business in your pants, ladies and gentlemen. And right now, for a limited time, our listeners can get 10% off this fine self-defense item/wallet at Ridge. Just go to ridge r i d ridge.com and use the code jce at checkout. You're all set and you're going to get 10% off. And that is a and that's see right there 10% off with a lifetime warranty. Well, you you you can't beat that because if even if you don't live 75 more years, you're getting 10% off. And after you purchase, they'll ask you where you heard about it. And please tell them that Brian said all kinds of horrible things, but I correct.

Do not say that in any way. You could say you heard about it right here on the Jim Cornet Experience. You heard about a great wallet, the Ridge Wallet. Ridge

don't have a bag flip.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "Jim Cornette on 1984's Top Wrestlers In Their 30s, Part Two"?

Jim Cornette (Host), Brian Last (Guest).

What is "Jim Cornette on 1984's Top Wrestlers In Their 30s, Part Two" about?

The discussion focuses on the top professional wrestlers from the 1980s who were in their 30s, highlighting how pivotal the year 1984 was for the wrestling business amid Vince McMahon's expansion. The conversation reviews a curated list of wrestlers, emphasizing the abundance of talent and Hall of Fame-worthy figures of that era, while comparing it to the present landscape of younger wrestlers.

What is mentioned in this Official Jim Cornette episode?

49 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Ric Flair, Ted DiBiase, Ricky Steamboat, Stan Hansen, Steve Kern, Kevin Sullivan. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Jim Cornette on 1984's Top Wrestlers In Their 30s, Part Two"?

The episode runs 1 h 2 min; the transcript is about 9,691 words in 126 timestamped sections.

More from Official Jim Cornette

About this transcript: the episode's spoken words as captioned on YouTube, split into timestamped sections. Reclip.Me locates every person, work and idea in the text, keeps the time it is first named, and quotes the words around it verbatim. Last updated January 24, 2026.