Tag: action figures

The Ultimate Returns

First off, I hope any Dads reading today had a great Father’s Day last week! Hopefully, you got some much needed attention and rest. I’m sure Warrior’s girls sent him their love in their own way as well. 🩷🩷

You will see that image of UW below after winning his “ King of the Ring” match in June 1996 against Jerry Lawler. I wanted the aftermath of when W went over to the Crown 👑 and picked it up, waving his hand like “no way!”Vince’s laugh is always hysterically funny listening to as I never tire when hearing it. I wanted to give that time a mention on here since yet once again, another milestone. 3️⃣0️⃣ years this summer marked the end of UW’s final run with the then WWF, which didn’t finish all too well. I truly believe he wanted to come back under different terms, promote his University, comic books, and such but just have a brief appearance. He wanted to also make an impact which did happen but without those other guys from the Golden Era, he had to be the leader or mentor for the Next Generation or Attitude Era. Most fans know some of what transpired but Warrior still wanted to stick to his own principles, despite management and business decisions.

I just always thought it to be quite ironic how just a year later in 1997, Vince came back to Warrior with a bigger and better offer. What does THAT tell you? Were they desperate for a big name so much after many of the “older” talent jumped ship to Ted Turner’s WCW? Warrior turned down that very lucrative offer so again, what does that say on HIS end? You can come to your own conclusion on this readers. Despite all this, I want to still remember UW’s 1996 run with the WWF positively as fans loved his return and were excited to see him years later.

The other stat to add here as well is that when Ultimate Warrior returned in ‘96, it was the highest rating RAW had seen in quite a while, huge numbers actually so once more something to think about. He still could draw, even after long absences with the company as fans craved his undeniable presence. Yes, he came and went with little or no explanation to those behind their TV screens but for him~~~ all his own reasons. We can disagree all we want but that’s just how it was back then. Did Warrior have some regrets over it all? Possibly as years went on like many of us do over choices made but at the time, he decided what was right for him.

Here’s a little bit of me tagged or “roped” in with this concept for a moment. When I get ready to record the “ Ultimate Truth” podcast, I usually bring my UW action figure and wear either my Warrior girl tank or my UW sweatshirt. The figure (which has its own story…) has been in my possession for years as many know along with the tee now having many as well. The sweatshirt is only a few years old but they return. No, not long absences like UW himself, ha~~~ but the former two would be quite dormant if not for me bringing them back. I’ve been known to bring that action figure to my meditation “arena” at times but not always. Here’s the funny connected with my daughter.

She sees my “gear” of choice out the other day before recording and says to me: “ I saw your figurine out. Awww, he’s so cute!” She’s endearing… I have to agree though! 😉 First, it’s not a FIGURINE as I equate that with some porcelain type of object but LOVE how she acknowledged. Second, she probably meant him being cute because of the size, idea, and all that. Not in the purely physical way. 🤭 I then proceeded to tell her the story about finding it at my preschool job and then~~ 🤫 SHH~~~ stealing it. I said the story is in my book, (“ Spirit and Belief”) plug here, but I never fully shared that with her. I explained my reasons of course but honestly, it’s not technically like taking something from a store, ha ha! So, now she knows more about my action figure, how it sat untouched for years, and now makes returns to my own squared circle for his matches! She also saw my Warrior girl tee hanging up after being washed and asked why I don’t wear it much. Well, I did after first purchasing on the authentic UW website and gear shop back then. I wore it when working out or going to yoga sometimes. I’m not intimidated, but it is slightly tight in the chest area. I can accentuate the “ girls” but not always in public!!! 😲 It’s reserved for special occasions, but does make a return when I see fit (no pun intended!)

Do any of you warriors out there have things or objects that seem to make returns from time to time? Maybe it’s not a big deal but it does happen for many reasons. It could even be a person who isn’t always in your life, but then returns, albeit briefly for whatever reason. I mean your personal people and not a reference to Warrior here. Possibly you find yourself at a place once dominated years back and now you’ve returned…. Think about those times in your own life, which have made ultimate returns or even comebacks to use another word. I bet you can relate if you truly want.

Warrior himself went out to Santa Fe, New Mexico years prior and then eventually settled there once again with his family of girls. Heck, look at his return to WWE after the 18 year long absence. That’s been discussed, but I wanted to focus more on his ‘96 run and it just went from there. Sometimes, that return of a person, place, or thing works for us but sometimes it does not. You will know if that real feeling is there and if you want it to stay. It may not even be by our own choosing but our responses will be. I’m sure fans were so happy to see UW back in the ring after being gone 3.5 years but then unfortunately~~~ a few months later, he seemed to vanish without a trace once again. I understand more now but then again, I never watched once they switched to cable so had no idea really. My only connection was my brother so if he found out anything, I’d be the first to know.

We don’t always need explanations or to become defensive when thinking about returns in such ways. I didn’t have to even share the stories with my girl about my UW stuff either. We feel the need but realistically, it’s not always necessary. Our free will decides all this for us. So warriors, what makes ultimate returns in your life and in what ways? Can you control it or not? If you can, make it truly memorable because that’s how it should be. The good and the bad are part of it all. Let’s just keep the good more. I know I am. It’s not just a T-shirt or action figure either. Make your ultimate returns count because they truly do!

P.S. Here’s the latest release of “ The Ultimate Truth” podcast over at “ The Masters of Wrestling.”

https://youtu.be/pNQRxoTeEsg?is=icTl2bun4EhCC1fl

*** “ Ultimate Warrior vs Sting

WWE vs WCW”

💙💙💪🏻💪🏻🤼

Back to the Mat 🤼💪🏻

Hey there, warriors! I am back with some wrestling news for this one. Not always my favorite topic so much anymore, but I share to stay in the loop or even just to have my own point of view. We all need that, right? First off, that pic today is from one of the many ol’ WWF commercials that aired back in the day. This one was from 1990 when UW was champ. I had never used one so yet another that came to mind. Yeah, I know it’s a little blurry but super hard to capture an action shot.

So, the first HOF inductee of the WWE this year is Stephanie McMahon. I think it was kinda early to announce someone already but that news broke a month or so ago. Guess I forgot to post about it so here it comes today. I do believe she deserves it but here’s my POV. With her husband Triple H just receiving that honor last year, it seems a little too close together. Maybe that was their plan. Maybe they wanted to induct her last year but because of the scandal with Vince, they switched to him~~~ who knows? Vince should be there for his daughter so we shall see what happens. Who will induct her? I believe it should be a female opponent of hers years ago, just my thought. It shouldn’t be Triple H, she didn’t induct him. Undertaker is an idea, but he inducted his wife last year even though he does seem to be everywhere… 😯 Time will tell on it all, but she should be in. The only McMahon that might possibly ever be…

Now, we’ll move onto John Cena as I’ve been following the end of his career just a bit like I had said. So, there’s going to be a tournament to see who his final opponent will be. Wow. Has that ever happened before? He has been with the business over 20 years but not consecutively as is the case with many popular performers nowadays. He’s had a reality show and is a big movie star along with his own show “Peacemaker” on HBO. I’m so glad he will not end as a heel, at least I hope not. They might bring back a few of his past opponents from years ago which would make it interesting. It all happens mid December. Let’s just hope he doesn’t pull a Tom Brady and come back out of retirement a year or so later! 🙄 My guess is a no what with all the other WWE programming available nowadays. John can have his own podcast, cohost another show, or whatever. He did write a book and cohosts the obstacle reality show “Wipeout” so the future is bright for him. He’s still so young.

It’s my turn now, yay! I will G.L.O.W. for a minute here. Last weeks “ 80’s wrestling the podcast” was all about that big Vegas showgirl venue of highlighting those Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. Any readers remember it airing from ‘86 to ‘90? Of course I had to call in as it was pretty exciting to talk about more women for a change. The guy caller before me even was interested in what I had to say~~~ from my perspective so I had to bring my A game for sure.

I spoke for almost 10 minutes and wanted to remember much from memory instead of googling. I eventually did look up a few performers and watched one match with my favorite- Americana. 🇺🇸 I had others, but she was my girl., Ah, the memories and it was a great episode listening to all the other callers. They asked me to pick a topic for next week! What pressure. I DID before the show ended so they’ll expect a call from me again. it will be all about “ Wrestling Families.” You can say dynasties too, but not the Heenan family! My idea is several members who wrestled related by blood. OK, we do have a few parent child combos but I’m looking for at least three in a family. Here are a few I thought of : The McMahon’s, – (of course) The Hart’s, The Poffo’s , The Roberts’s, the Rhodes’s, The Funks’s, The Von Erich’s, and the Anoai family. Some are still quite active in the business, but some have hung up the boots or passed on. So many criteria to choose a favorite so I’ll be waiting to see how the guys do with that topic.

Well, I guess that makes yet another 3️⃣ count for you all today. Stephanie McMahon, John Cena, and G.L.O.W. What a combo. I hope you readers enjoyed and we’ll see what next week brings. I will let you know what the group explored on the podcast all about wrestling families so stay tuned for that! Oh, and a few guys added these comments regarding G.L.O.W. It did have similarities with “ Hee-Haw” in some country type of segments so Minnie Pearl would’ve been great guest starring in some role. What a hoot to have seen that! Also, someone suggested Sherri Martel being on G.L.O.W. I think she also could’ve pulled that off whether she was “sensational” or “scary.” I totally agreed with both.

If anyone is ever interested or are fans of wrestling, please check them out if you can. It isn’t all 80s all the time either as they have covered way back and even to today’s world of the current WWE talent. I listen with the free Podbean app live most of the time since I’m home. It airs 10 AM, Thursdays, ET or you can find replays. They have a great group and I’m usually the only girl caller. The hosts are very friendly and Tommy Fierro is pretty famous himself. He owns ISPW in New Jersey and has been in the business since he was 17! His store is called “The Wrestling Collector” in New Jersey. If in the area, check it out as I have mentioned it before. He has tons of merch and *LOTS* of things wrestling related. It’s so super cool! They do have a website also… Tommy does 80s and 90s wrestle cons every year with huge turnouts and he also has another local podcast. The other cohost is Jumpin’ Jay and he is a fun guy too who primarily runs the show. Such a great time always.

I will connect with you all next week so enjoy whatever your day brings. Plus, they might do an action figure merchandise episode soon similar to that commercial below. I’ll have to share the story of how my UW figure came to be. I only have one ya know, and that story has been shared and is in my book! 📗 I’ll meet you here back on the mat for my Wednesday writings… 🙋🏻‍♀️🫵🏻

P.S. I just thought of this to add. Tommy and Jay are always so complementary of me every time I call. It’s so heartwarming 🥹 to hear. They want me to call in more often and they say how I know more than I let on. It is true, but if I talked, I would talk forever! 😂😂😂

*** Nattie Neidhart will be signing her new book at Tommy’s store this weekend!