The Masters of Wrestling podcast – mywarriorwritings.com

Welcome back readers to another week of these writings I bring your way every Wednesday. You’ll see a video pic below of Ultimate Warrior reacting to one of Hulk Hogan‘s promos during the buildup to WMVI. That was from the WWE vault YouTube channel mentioned a few posts back but thought it was a great shot to use today. Another mention of Hulk is a new doc series premiering tonight on Netflix. It’s called : “ Hulk Hogan: Real American” and it’s 4 1 hour segments detailing his life~~~ both personally and professionally being the immortal one we as fans will always remember. I will be watching in parts but I’m interested to view it all. I had mentioned how they should do a separate special on him, so I’m glad they were able to film an interview before his passing.

The REAL you coincides with Hulk’s title above but also gets roped in with yet another idea I am expanding upon from “The Masters of Wrestling” podcast. Recently, he was discussing figures well known such as the Hulkster, but one of the reasons? Their names. Yes, that does factor in with those of us old enough to know the gimmick characters of yesteryear. Sure, some still exist in a way but will they be memorable years from now? That’s up to us and culture but the name they choose to use does define them throughout their wrestling career. Besides HH, there’s The Ultimate Warrior ( of course!) The “ Macho Man” Randy Savage, and countless others but I decided to stick with the big 3 of that era. We will know who they were for various reasons and have our own memories of them but without that ever famous name, would they be the same? Many guys back then did use their real name or part of it * BUT* included a moniker inserted. Take “ The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase or Bret “ Hitman” Hart even. Those were their real names but “ The Million Dollar Man” and “ Hitman” are what we remember most, right?

Now, we can move into today’s talent or slightly farther back. How about John Cena who has been mentioned frequently on here and who just hosted WrestleMania 42? Yep, that’s his real name and it totally worked for him in the business. He did go by other names (as I had to look that up,) but WWE fans know him by his real name which will be his legacy. Another one to think of his Daniel Bryan, who as probably many know is not his real name. He just switched it around from Bryan Danielson so there’s that approach as well. Let’s look at a woman example. Alexa Bliss’s real name is Alexis so see what she did there? Another minor tweak but what would’ve worked better? We will never truly know as some do not fully change their entire name. I am thinking of Becky Lynch as another woman example. Becky is her real name, but Lynch~~~ nope. She actually wanted to use her real last name as I did not know that. I assumed with her, both names were legit. A few years back, she went by “ The Man” so that worked for her then.

Another I will state is “ The Undertaker.” He did briefly go by his real name years ago before making an impression with the WWE universe. Look at all the names he used overtime! I believe most were successful but which one stands out or gets remembered most? He’s a tough one to figure out but you fans will know based on what he brought to the arena during his prime. So, I will ask you this after those choices~~~ which is REAL to you as a performer in wrestling? Is it their real name which did work for many (as there are a lot more) or is it the gimmick name you prefer? I cannot imagine Ultimate Warrior becoming famous as Jim Hellwig, can you? As a bodybuilder, that was what he needed to do but as a pro wrestler, going to work. Would we remember Terry Bollea if it wasn’t for Hulk Hogan? Maybe if he stuck with acting or became more of a musician with his guitar playing, but I’m thinking a solid *NO* at that.

I believe if one does decide to use their real name like many did or do, you need to have something added to it like a back up moniker with your gimmick. Vince knew that as I mentioned with “ The Million Dollar Man” or “ Hitman” above. If you didn’t have something like that attached, you got a rhyming name. Jake “ The Snake” Roberts had both but the other factor used was alliteration. We know “ Ravishing” Rick Rude. ROOD was his last name. I use that much with my writing too. HH, MM, you know those guys? I just wrote about them. The Ultimate Warrior had no addition, rhyme, or alliteration, and yet will always be known in the wrestling business. Absolutely will he be forever in our memories other than just his name, but when you say it~~~ you know it. It’s like the lyric from the song: “ Uptown Funk.” “ Say my name, you know who I am…” I love that song~~~ but you get my idea I bet.

Emir had said~~~ in his opinion how he believes the gimmicks of the Golden Era and a little beyond worked better than the names of today. He’s right in many ways regarding longevity and being in peoples minds with what they remember. If your name doesn’t sell with fans, something else should~~~ whatever that might be. Daniel Bryan’s chant of : “ YES!” caught on and yet it seems so simple. Today’s Superstars will be tomorrow’s memories just like I always have mine. Things need to be in place to create a lasting impression fans will keep forever. Well I remember John Cena the same way I will remember Hulk Hogan? Ultimate Warrior? Macho Man? No way, but there are those who were too young are not even born when the other guys were around so is it fair to compare? You be the judge but we are conditioned to follow and like what we like as generations come and go. It can be fun being a certain character with a different name, but at the end of the day~~~ we are just us. The REAL you is true to your core and Warrior knew that always.

So, whatever name you choose or go by and whatever stage of life you were in~~~ be remembered for MORE than just those letters. Your YOU is defined by much more than that.

P.S. Don’t forgot the HH doc. TONIGHT!!! *** Hulk’s statue was also revealed during WrestleMania 42 weekend. I got a little teary 🥹 as I believe it to be a very great likeness. 💛❤️ I heard this WM was very underrated as many said it was not as successful as it could’ve been.. Hmmmmm…… 🤔

Before covering today’s title, I will begin by remembering the last date within these past two weeks in April. Yesterday, marked 12 years since RAW aired their emotional tribute to The Ultimate Warrior. You will notice a pic below 👇 as I finally got a shot of him greeting fans on RAW but also with “ Hall of Famer” above his name. I had yet in all these years used HOF with him in that way. Glad the thought came to my mind as this month continues. Yes, I know that photo was from his final RAW appearance a week prior but wanted to stick with these memories.

We all know Warrior DID in fact go to Hollywood in 1993 but wasn’t there long. He did refer to it as “ Hollyweird” a few times as a career movies was not in him to keep pursuing. “ Hollywood Hogan” can have that attached to his name but with Warrior, it wasn’t a future he envisioned. Sure, he had the look 💯 totally and did act in the movie “ Firepower” , but the second project with him in the starring role fell through. Warrior wanted to recreate the “ Conan the Barbarian” movies, but did not want to be typecast based on his physicality. I decided to reference this idea a little deeper after listening to a podcast episode of “ The Masters of Wrestling” most recently. Speaking of that, my episode 3️⃣ of “ The Ultimate Truth” podcast is finally out. I will link it at the end. It’s all about how his character influenced women so you guys should give it a listen absolutely!

The Master Emir was discussing how the roles of men in Hollywood have changed much over the years. He cited a few actors, (even some wrestlers) and movies they starred in. Long gone it seems are those Conan type of characters portrayed by men~~~ well being MEN who are brawn and built or even “macho.” I agreed with much of what he said but then disagreed on some. I commented and he actually loved my “women’s perspective” so glad I wrote in! Emir admonished some actors for taking on goofy or perhaps oofish types of roles that seem to demean their quality of being a man. I always like to see both sides of this as with it being Hollywood or Hollyweird. Yes, a few roles I frequently thought were extremely silly based on the guy playing a specific character. I will say this though~~~ people in Hollywood (or weird,) want to challenge themselves and be different than what is expected of them. That sounds like Warrior to me, doesn’t it? These guys have that face or body, which fits a certain “type” but then they want to think outside that for a softer, funnier part just to switch it up sometimes.

Think of “ The Rock” Dwayne Johnson. Most of his roles involve a tough guy image but then as Emir pointed out years ago, he did the “Tooth Fairy” movie which made fans go~~~ huh? Did he pull it off? Well, you can decide that. Perhaps he just wanted a lighter script. He is a father so maybe that changed once he became part of the Disney family. No, all of his roles will not be goofy but we will still know him as that muscled wrestler turned actor.

Another example is Arnold Schwarzenegger. We all know his beginnings with bodybuilding and the Conan movies as I mentioned. How about a few of his different roles for a moment. Anyone remembered “ Junior” where he was a pregnant man? How about “ Kindergarten Cop”? No I just didn’t like it since it came out in 1990! I actually love that movie though as it was truly great to watch him with the little kids. I bet Arnold had fun making both but once again, we were used to seeing him a certain way and then he made us all look twice. Emir mentioned him too in that podcast episode but I do understand why they want to take on unexpected characters that keep fans guessing. It’s similar to a WWE superstar. Does it truly diminish their acting skills? For some I can see how it does but then again, I can see how it does not. What is your opinion on this? I have to find that photo taken of a young Jim Hellwig back in his early days of bodybuilding where he met Arnold. Maybe that’s a good idea to use soon?

I bet you can think of other men in Hollywood that perhaps took on weird roles from time to time. John Cena is another as he also has portrayed an action hero~~~ even with his own series but then again, moves into some ridiculous and often times raunchy guys on screen. John was a huge UW mark too and was acknowledged by W in his HOF speech! Emir was alluding to the fact how the action hero seems to be fading with some men normally primed to take that on and instead succumb to Hollyweird and create a puzzling choice. Again, though~~~ just like with the gimmick matches of the ol’ WWF years, we need the humor to balance out the serious.

As serious as the Ultimate Warrior character seemed to be, there were those times of humor. Very few, but they existed. His funny moments were often like mine of being not fully understood by some but a style all its own. I think many things are humorous when others may not think so. See? We need the balance but are always entitled to our opinions of what we prefer. Emir is included, but I get why he appears so biased. After all, he comes from a wrestling family and has based his business on the physique of men. He does though have Hollywood connections but does that make it weird? It all depends on how one uses it but he is doing the work he loves with passion and purpose. That’s the warrior way.

So, is it Hollywood or Holly weird for all of you warriors out there reading today? Maybe it doesn’t really matter to you as long as you get entertained in a way suited to your preferences. Men can still be macho but also show silliness when needing to. Even “ The Macho Man” had hilarious promos! At least I thought they were. I couldn’t ever see Warrior in a comedic role with a movie but we will never truly know, will we? He definitely had a funny side though, and I’m so glad to at least have known that. Hulk Hogan can be “ Hollywood,” Randy Savage can be “ The Macho Man” but Warrior? He’ll always be ultimate and was never weird to me… 💙

P.S. I still remember telling my family the night of WWE’s tribute to Warrior how we had to start game night early. Mama needed to watch something important to her…

P.P.S. Here’s episode 3 of the U.T. podcast. Check it out from “ The Masters of Wrestling” on their YouTube channel (:

https://youtu.be/BYSMf8nrYLQ?si=gUNg5

Thank you Warrior… 🩷💚🧡💛

Tag: The Masters of Wrestling podcast

The REAL You 🫵🏻🧡💚

Hollywood or Hollyweird?👏🏻🤔❤️🩶