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December Wrasslin' |OT| Dreaming of a Vanilla Christmas

Z

Zach

Member
Hey, are you guys familiar with this Sputnik Monroe fellow?:

Monroe was a noteworthy figure in Memphis cultural history. During a period where legal segregation was the norm at public events, and during a general decline in the popularity of professional wrestling, Monroe recognized that the segregated wrestling shows (whites sat in floor seats while blacks were required to sit in the balcony) were not properly marketing to black fans. The witty, flamboyant Monroe began dressing up in a purple gown and carrying a diamond tipped cane and drinking in traditionally black bars in the black area of Memphis. As a result of this, he was frequently arrested by police on a variety of trumped up charges, such as mopery. He would then hire a black attorney and appear in court, pay a fine, and immediately resume fraternizing with black citizens and drinking in their bars. Due to this, and in spite of the fact that he was a heel at the time, his popularity soared among the black community. At his shows, although floor seats in arenas would be half empty with white patrons, the balcony would be packed to capacity with black patrons with many others unable to enter due to the balcony selling out.

Monroe having become the biggest wrestling draw at the time, soon refused to perform unless black patrons were allowed to sit in any seat at the Ellis Auditorium. As a result, his wrestling shows were desegregated and the shows then completely sold out with Monroe's many black fans filling the auditorium. Soon, other southern sporting events, recognizing the enormous financial benefits, began to desegregate as well.
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Pretty interesting.
 
Z

Zach

Member
OwensIsNow said:
That's pretty darn cool. #MonroeRevolution #Branding
#philanthropy
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Dude's got The Look, too:

220px-Sputnikmonroe-01.jpg


Oh my god:

sputnik.jpg
 
Z

Zach

Member
How Sputnik got his name (from this NPR article):

Mr. MONROE: And then there was an old lady that she cussed better than drunk sailors, as she's calling me a N-word lover, and finally the security told her if you don't stop cursing we're going to have to ask you to leave. And she said what he really is, is a damn Sputnik.

GOLDMAN: She couldn't think of anything worse to call him. She called him a Sputnik because it was that week that the Russian's had sent up the Sputnik. And that was the height of the Cold War and to call someone a Sputnik was about as bad a thing as you could call someone. And so it became - just in the name Sputnik that is a hated name, and so that was his whole deal.
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Amazing.
 
A

avengers23

Banned
The Carny life is about the $$$, and Sputnik Monroe knew how to draw money. If he happened to help desegregate wrestling, it was probably an unintended bonus.
 
Z

Zach

Member
Mr. MONROE: My friend, I can't think of his name, it's terrible. We went to Dillard's, maybe, and he took his hat off, and I said, Sam Qualls, don't take that damn hat off. We may have a fight, but we ain't taking [our hats] off. Put your hat on and we'll do our business and then we'll leave, but we're going to be wearing them Homburgs.

GOLDMAN: Because taking your hat off is a sign of...

Mr. MONROE: Servitude. And the blacks had to take their hats off when they went in a white establishment. We integrated Dillard's and nobody wanted to fight me.

GOLDMAN: What kind of feeling did this give you during that time? Did you feel like a do-gooder?

Mr. MONROE: Ah, hell no. I'm not a do-gooder. I'm a doer, just a doer.
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We need more of this guy in the world.
 
B

Bluekaveli

Member
This is like my 5th time watching this episode of cwc, damnit can they put some variety in their damn schedules? I just don't feel like finding anything to watch right now.
 
S

Sweeney Tom

Banned
Voting opened for Observer awards and other year end awards

I want to go back a year and tell WrestleGAF that 2016's likeliest choices for Most Overrated Wrestler would be Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow
 
A

avengers23

Banned
Into the Light said:
Future MMA star

Look at her measure that kick

tumblr_oi81klrGCJ1qmcj0to1_500.gif
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Where's the God damn referee stoppage when the kid underneath could clearly no longer defend himself?!

God damn that was good posting up to rain shots down on though. Bravo, little girl.

Speaking of Sputnik Monroe and SHOOTS, the most enjoyable (NSFW) shoot of the year: https://t.co/Oh3Ye0XZFR

As always, the rule is don't say shit if you don't want shit. Fucker worked himself into a shoot.
 
B

BewareTheBatsie

Member
Into the Light said:
Why are these two kids in the backyard with gloves on? Im not a parent, but the scenario bothers me. Still she measured that kick like a kick boxer.
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From looking at it, the boy gives her a jab that may or may not have much force behind it but then the little girl decided to go shoot and into business for herself.
 
B

Bert409

Member
https://www.reddit.com/r/SquaredCircle/comments/5jlwab/after_russo_left_wwf_he_would_email_vince/

New Vince McMahon anecdotes from Russo:

*Vince types in abbreviations. Russo said after he left the company, he wanted to keep an open line with Vince so he'd always e-mail him Holiday greetings, well wishes, etc. Every e-mail Russo sent, Vince would simply respond with "Thx" every single time.

*Vince had, or possibly still has, a 15-foot painting of himself riding a unicorn in his living room, according to Ferrera.

*Russo/Vince/Ferrera were planning the finish to Breakdown 98 (Undertaker and Kane simultaneously pin Austin) in Vince's living room and he made them act out the finish to see how it would work. Ferrera can't remember who was the one eating the pin, but said it definitely wasn't Vince.

*Vince refused to show any weakness during the Stephanie kidnapping angle. Ferrera was producing the segment and said he kept telling Vince he needed to look scared and vulnerable and disheveled because his daughter was missing and possibly dead. Vince walked into the segment looking like he just stepped out of hair and makeup, and after some prodding, he messed up a few strands of hair on the front of his head and said "THERE GODDAMNIT, ARE YOU HAPPY?!"
 
D

Dark Ninja

Member
End of the year awards?

Best Body - James Ellsworth
Best Dance - Mojo
Best Santa - Rhyno
Innovator of Offense - Bayley
Best Bitch - Nikki Bella
Gamer of the Year - TJ Perkins

Who's shooter of the year though?
 
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