View Full Version : The Return of Stampede Wrestling?
troutman
09-04-2012, 02:31 PM
Stampede Wrestling: Bruce Hart Staging A Calgary Comeback
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/09/04/stampede-wrestling-comeback-calgary_n_1855346.html (https://twitter.com/clarkjv)
CBC Calgary is reporting that Bruce Hart, a former wrestler and second oldest child of Stampede Wrestling's founding family, is training wrestlers and hopes to have them ring-ready (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2012/09/04/calgary-stampede-wrestling-comeback.html) for a televised event in November.
The goal is to return to the roots of the original Stampede Wrestling venture and there are no plans to bring Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Entertainment into the fold.
"Stampede (Wrestling) was sort of like two guys going at it and a lot more action than talk, and WWE is about 60 per cent talk and about 40 per cent action — not all that spectacular either," Hart told CBC Calgary (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2012/09/04/calgary-stampede-wrestling-comeback.html).
This is the second time in recent years a Hart family member has pitched to bring the live ring back (http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/11/03/18922006.html) to Canada.
In October 2011, Smith Hart - the oldest of the Hart children - appeared on Dragon's Den, pitching the return of Stampede Wrestling to Canada's most famous investors.
I've been writing a tribute song too - We're Having A Party Ed Whelan (And You're Not Invited)
troutman
09-04-2012, 02:33 PM
http://www.originalstampedewrestling.com/
We are reaching out to Alberta and its communities for sponsorship for our athletes to provide televised events to be acknowledged and promoted. We would like to hold weekly matches to help shape each individuals personality and character; offer those new friendships and fans with the same aspirations; build self-confidence and open relationships. We hope to catch the eye of kids who want to become their wrestling heroes and the adults who want to pursue a career as a pro wrestler. We hope to help teach them how to go from a twenty dollar match to a comfortable living in the sport of wrestling engaging them on how to work a crowd from script to fun and unpredictable and to be able to display amazing talent and athletic skills in front of an attentive crowd. Wrestling takes 100% commitment, giving your heart, soul, mind and body to it. Original Stampede Wrestling is asking for your help in providing this opportunity for these aspiring athletes so they do not have to give up their dreams because of financial burdens that come with this responsibility.
Northendzone
09-04-2012, 02:34 PM
while i am not an expert on this family, i don't recall hearing smith's name before. i no longer follow 'rasslin, but there still seems to be some smaller companies operating.
as an aside, what ever became of the old family house. i used to live up in patterson, and it always amused me to see the ring set up in the yard, and guys working on their craft.......
Jacks
09-04-2012, 02:50 PM
I don't think they could ever get the magic back that the old Stampede Wrestling had. I remember as a kid watching it every week and occasionally going down to the Pavilion. Mind you that was 30 years ago, I have no idea what todays wrestling fans want.
Free Ben Hur!
09-04-2012, 03:17 PM
I wish the Hart's well with this venture. There is a need for home-grown indy promotions to play off the WWE's PG pablum. What do wrestling fan's want? I want to see the 2012 equivalent of Kasavubu bashing a boom box off of Gil Hays' head.
Alberta_Beef
09-04-2012, 03:53 PM
I don't see this being a successful venture if they can't get 1 or 2 decent sized names involved
undercoverbrother
09-04-2012, 03:57 PM
It's gonna be a ring a ding dong dandy!
Puppet Guy
09-04-2012, 04:17 PM
if this puts the spotlight on actual wrestling instead of 30 minute promos, I'd be happy to have it back.
jammies
09-04-2012, 04:57 PM
Stampede Wrestling without Ed Whalen? INSANITY!
Actually, you know who'd make a good commentator? Eric Francis. He's smarmy enough that you'd cheer for the guys breaking chairs over his head.
Julio
09-04-2012, 04:59 PM
I would love to see this, but I think the horse has been well and truly beaten to death. This would be at least the 3rd reincarnation of Stampede Wrestling.
For those of you who want to see live wrestling without it being 1/2 promos, there is an outfit that runs regular cards in Calgary, once a month @ Century Casino. A few guys have worked there that have gone on to development deals and even hit the main roster of WWE. Some shows they bring in out of town talent, and they are connected to Lance Storm and his school.
www.pwawrestling.ca
CMPunk
09-04-2012, 06:12 PM
From what I recall in reading the history of Stampede Wrestling, Smith and Bruce are two of the last people you want running things
likwid888
09-04-2012, 06:38 PM
From what I recall in reading the history of Stampede Wrestling, Smith and Bruce are two of the last people you want running things
Agreed. These 2 milk their family's name worse than the Jacksons. They have burned many bridges in the wrestling community, and don't count on Bret helping them out either, as they are also on bad terms.
CMPunk
09-04-2012, 07:11 PM
Agreed. These 2 milk their family's name worse than the Jacksons. They have burned many bridges in the wrestling community, and don't count on Bret helping them out either, as they are also on bad terms.
That's all it is, a way to get their names back in the spotlight. $5 says Bruce puts himself over on the first show
It will never be the same without Ed Whalen
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Bertuzzied
09-04-2012, 09:01 PM
Test tube baby! Dynamite kid is the best wrestler in history! Period!
Free Ben Hur!
09-04-2012, 09:07 PM
Test tube baby! Dynamite kid is the best wrestler in history! Period!
+1 Dynamite is the standard. The guy was phenomenal and sadly underrated.
Nage Waza
09-04-2012, 10:19 PM
+1 Dynamite is the standard. The guy was phenomenal and sadly underrated.
I don't think he was underrated at all, possibly one of the best wrestlers of all time, and part of one of the best tag teams of all time. I think he got all the respect he deserved.
They only lost the belt to the Hart Foundation because Danny Davis was paid off ;)!
It's gonna be a ring a ding dong dandy!
Until next time and in between time, that's it, another addition of Stampede Wrestling
Free Ben Hur!
09-05-2012, 10:43 AM
in the mean time and in between time, that's it, another addition of stampede wrestling. bye now
fyp
Free Ben Hur!
09-05-2012, 10:53 AM
I don't think he was underrated at all, possibly one of the best wrestlers of all time, and part of one of the best tag teams of all time. I think he got all the respect he deserved.
They only lost the belt to the Hart Foundation because Danny Davis was paid off ;)!
Yep, in this part of the world or maybe with the Canadian and Japanese fan bases I think you are right on. Unfortunately, with the omnipresence of the WWE, no one talks about Dynamite in the same terms as Flair, Savage, Steamboat, HBK, HHH, and a few others. Flair may have mastered half of Dynamite's on mat skills and none of the acrobatics / off-the-ropes stuff yet he's considered one of the best of all time.
Puppet Guy
09-05-2012, 10:58 AM
I don't think he was underrated at all, possibly one of the best wrestlers of all time, and part of one of the best tag teams of all time. I think he got all the respect he deserved.
They only lost the belt to the Hart Foundation because Danny Davis was paid off ;)!
well, that and the whole near-paralysis thing...
Puppet Guy
09-05-2012, 11:01 AM
When watching the old clips I always remember how Bad News Allen was one of the greatest heels ever. He deserved a better run in the WWF than he got.
undercoverbrother
09-05-2012, 12:39 PM
When watching the old clips I always remember how Bad News Allen was one of the greatest heels ever. He deserved a better run in the WWF than he got.
I remember watching him in person.
Damn we went hoarse from yelling....
Jacks
09-05-2012, 12:50 PM
After seeing this thread I watched a few old videos from Stampede, Bad News Allen was by far the best heel. I didn't realize that he died, it's a shame he never got a bigger break in the industry. I used to love that guy, everyone would be be booing him and he'd yell "Shut up you ignorant beer belly shear croppers" :D
Puppet Guy
09-05-2012, 01:09 PM
I remember watching him in person.
Damn we went hoarse from yelling....
I used to go to the shows and cheer for Bad News when everyone else would boo. A few times we'd be getting loud and he'd give us the "don't you dare cheer me!" glare. That's probably the reason all my hair fell out.
undercoverbrother
09-05-2012, 01:11 PM
I used to go to the shows and cheer for Bad News when everyone else would boo. A few times we'd be getting loud and he'd give us the "don't you dare cheer me!" glare. That's probably the reason all my hair fell out.
It really was a great time. Kids today don't get the chance to see that stuff. It was quality, pure quality.
When you say your hair fell out, you meant there and then, correct?
Ozy_Flame
09-05-2012, 01:16 PM
The PG stuff probably wouldn't work in Calgary, as the average fan is smarter than most and sees through crap storylines, bad management and lack of talent pretty quickly. Eric Bischoff has famously quoted that you can't fool Calgary crowds. Jerry Lawler plays it off as "wrestling in la-la land". Hart will have to emulate Ring of Honour with a Stampede wrestling flavour in order to get anything meaningful going. Good wrestling, pure athleticism, in-ring respect, honest match booking, and the occasional off-the-rails promo will help start it back up.
That said, I only want one champion - Ravenous Randy Myers. God I miss that guy.
undercoverbrother
09-05-2012, 01:20 PM
I was just readin up on it and I had forgot that Brian Pillman was dead.
Puppet Guy
09-05-2012, 02:01 PM
The PG stuff probably wouldn't work in Calgary, as the average fan is smarter than most and sees through crap storylines, bad management and lack of talent pretty quickly. Eric Bischoff has famously quoted that you can't fool Calgary crowds. Jerry Lawler plays it off as "wrestling in la-la land". Hart will have to emulate Ring of Honour with a Stampede wrestling flavour in order to get anything meaningful going. Good wrestling, pure athleticism, in-ring respect, honest match booking, and the occasional off-the-rails promo will help start it back up.
That said, I only want one champion - Ravenous Randy Myers. God I miss that guy.
that'd be the real challenge: to grab the "traditional" Stampede Wrestling fan who wants solid, athletic wrestling AND to entice a generation of kids raised on WWE-era pap. I always preferred the rawness of Stampede, but could that fly now?
Puppet Guy
09-05-2012, 02:03 PM
It really was a great time. Kids today don't get the chance to see that stuff. It was quality, pure quality.
When you say your hair fell out, you meant there and then, correct?
No, I was more blaming the ravages of time, with that being the starting point. But someone in the crowd going immediately bald from a heel's glare...that would be the best angle in wrestling history!
undercoverbrother
09-05-2012, 02:09 PM
I always preferred the rawness of Stampede, but could that fly now?
unlikely, although I think a Stampede Diva division has promise.
drhu22
11-28-2012, 08:11 AM
It's gonna be a ring a ding dong dandy!
OHHHH...Theres been a malfunction at the junction!!!
"Let the good times roll",
"We're having a party Mr. Whalen,and your not invited" ( in a British accent)
J.R. (John) Foley.
Agreed. These 2 milk their family's name worse than the Jacksons. They have burned many bridges in the wrestling community, and don't count on Bret helping them out either, as they are also on bad terms.
Bret commented on this venture back in September:
For those asking or wondering, I just want 2 clarify that I'm in no way, shape, or form affiliated w/the so-called new Stampede Wrestling
And I know my father would be embarrassed to be associated with it too
http://twitter.com/#!/BretHart/status/245584729473163264
SportsJunky
11-29-2012, 09:04 AM
This is a terrible idea.
On a side note, I've heard there is a documentary in the works about Dynamite Kid.
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CaptainCrunch
11-29-2012, 09:22 AM
The one thing that people tend to forget with Stampede Wrestling is that the stars that they bought over from Europe and the states and Western Canada were pretty much all bankable established wrestlers or Stars who developed in the independants.
The talent pool isn't that deep anymore, most of the Idnependants aren't really there with the big ones being developmental territories for either TNA or WWE.
If you were going to start up Stampede Wrestling then your going to start it up with the raw $20.00 a night wrestlers that would be lucky to be able to climb through the ring ropes.
Maybe if you linked up with Lance Storms school you could create a raw development territory.
But if Bruce Hart is involved it instantly becomes a disaster. While he hypes himself as the brains behind Stampede Wrestling he was the mastermind of the gore era where every night was a blood bath. He did create the exceptional Bad News Allen/Stomper Gouldie feud, and while we look back on it fondly that feud led to the death of Stampede Wrestling and the exit of Ed Whalen.
Bruce Hart also was the mastermind of the are you kidding era where it would take 15 villians to beat Bruce Hart and he was always carrying a belt.
Plus the guy slowly went insane.
Bret Hart wouldn't have anything to do with it if it was run by Bruce. You could invite Chris Jericho in except outside of Bret he has disdain for Keith and Bruce. Lance Storm is the same.
I loved Stampede Wrestling growing up it was athletic and edgy and innovative, but the later revivals under Bruce Hart were terrible things to see.
I would prefer that at some point Vince MacMahon who owns the Stampede Library would put out a DVD set.
Oh and I met Bad News Allen at a Canadian Tire once, and while the man was genuinely intimidating and dressed like a 70's pimp, but he was nice to a young Captain and graciously signed my autograph before telling me to get lost.
CaptainCrunch
11-29-2012, 09:24 AM
This is a terrible idea.
On a side note, I've heard there is a documentary in the works about Dynamite Kid.
fTUkiWjHp-k
If you ever read the book that he wrote Pure Dynamite it does change your perspective of him a bit.
There was no question that Dynamite was a pretty mean tough guy, The whole Rogeau thing was cringe worthy. At the end of the day you ended up feeling sorry for him though.
He was abusive and a drug abuser and a alocholic gun nut. But that all came from his up bringing.
Puppet Guy
11-29-2012, 09:37 AM
has there been any actual movement on this, or is it a(nother) stillborn attempt?
Flash Walken
11-29-2012, 03:15 PM
Frankly, I don't think there's much of a market for a documentary on a guy like that.
Derek Sutton
11-29-2012, 03:34 PM
has there been any actual movement on this, or is it a(nother) stillborn attempt?
I read over on canoe.ca a few weeks back that the funding is in place thanks to Kickstart and post production is underway. It seems as though there has been previous attemps that have fallen through, but they have a lot of interviews done. I think that they needed the money ($30k) to access video footage.
I can't say that this trailer makes me want to watch it though, long winded questions with mumbled answers that may or may not be the truth. I have read Dynamite's book and there are some really good/ bad stories in there. The problem with wrestlings books and documentaries is that the truth is out there somewhere, just not in the book.
Puppet Guy
12-12-2012, 08:34 AM
looks like something's getting started. Looks like Harry Smith and Teddy Hart are behind this. No mention of Smith/Bruce Hart
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http://www.hartlegacywrestling.com/
Northendzone
12-12-2012, 03:45 PM
if they get this going, i sure hope they bar the pile driver - someone is going to get killed or paralyzed from that maneouver.
i also hope they get refs who have a keener eye for the skulldoggery that typically goes on inside the squared circle
Robotic
12-12-2012, 04:02 PM
In October 2011, Smith Hart - the oldest of the Hart children - appeared on Dragon's Den, pitching the return of Stampede Wrestling to Canada's most famous investors.
Did anything happen from this?
Northendzone
12-12-2012, 07:23 PM
First match, Arlene versus me in a large vat of oil.......
CaptainCrunch
12-13-2012, 09:09 AM
Some things that I want to see return.
The referee yellow and red card system that they used to have, that was awesome.
the use of strippers as valets.
Bring back Karachi Vice
A turkey on a pole match.
Bruce Hart taking 17 nutshots in a row.
Flash Walken
12-13-2012, 09:26 AM
I think Bruce Hart taking nut shots should be the second intermission Flames Game entertainment.
"HIT HIM WITH A COCONUT IN THE COCONUTS!"
flizzenflozz
12-13-2012, 10:07 AM
Some things that I want to see return.
The referee yellow and red card system that they used to have, that was awesome.
the use of strippers as valets.
Bring back Karachi Vice
A turkey on a pole match.
Bruce Hart taking 17 nutshots in a row.
Cuban assassin using popsicle stick as his foreign object of choice.
Great Ghama throwing curry powder in opponent's face.
Such highbrow stuff!!!
CaptainCrunch
12-13-2012, 11:07 AM
Bring back K Y Wakamatsu
And Abdul Weasal
They need to bring that wrestler from WWE NXT to Stampede wrestling since he's the nephew of the Great Gamma
Northendzone
12-13-2012, 11:17 AM
turkey on a pole match - classic......
Puppet Guy
12-13-2012, 11:24 AM
if Jason the Terrible's involved, they have to bring back The Zodiac!
CaptainCrunch
12-13-2012, 11:38 AM
if Jason the Terrible's involved, they have to bring back The Zodiac!
Good old Barry O, I think he is Randy Orton's brother.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SoNjj6j4sc8/T3nysUHUBMI/AAAAAAAAB-k/-Ei1qpn3T9k/s1600/O+Barry.jpg
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Puppet Guy
12-13-2012, 11:43 AM
He's Randy's uncle, if I'm not msitaken.
CaptainCrunch
12-13-2012, 11:46 AM
Yup, Uncle, I meant to retype that. He's also the guy that pretty much got himself banned from the WWE for naming names in the sexual abuse scandal there in the 80's.
Puppet Guy
12-13-2012, 11:51 AM
well, since his role in WWF was Jobber To The Stars anyways I don't think he lost out on much.
Ozy_Flame
12-13-2012, 01:28 PM
I want Principal Richard Pound as the league commissioner. That is all.
Is Alexander( Sandy ) Scott going to be refereeing?:bag:
Is Mr Hito still around? Get Dan Kroffat back in the ring.
Free Ben Hur!
12-13-2012, 02:49 PM
I'd pay to see Tor Kamata vs. Abdullah the Butcher with special guest referee Archie 'The Stomper' Gouldie.
Ozy_Flame
12-13-2012, 04:41 PM
Wait, Teddy Hart is behind this?
This shouldn't last more than two months. That man is not well liked in the industry.
Puppet Guy
12-13-2012, 05:04 PM
one of the great riddles of our time: does anyone know the name of the old Stampede Wrestling theme song? did it even have a name?
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Derek Sutton
12-13-2012, 05:43 PM
Wait, Teddy Hart is behind this?
This shouldn't last more than two months. That man is not well liked in the industry.
He could be his generations Bruce Hart, but with talent, tons of it. Don't know if he is the "booker" or not, but Teddy has some of the best moves in the industry. His friends are all on the card to, I predict lots of high spots from him/ them and lots of grappling from Harry. The rest we be good ol wrrasslin. Oh except Kevin Nash, what is he doing there?
getbak
12-13-2012, 06:45 PM
one of the great riddles of our time: does anyone know the name of the old Stampede Wrestling theme song? did it even have a name?
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I can't imagine that Stu would have paid to have an original composition created, so it's probably something off of an old stock music library somewhere.
CaptainCrunch
12-13-2012, 11:53 PM
He could be his generations Bruce Hart, but with talent, tons of it. Don't know if he is the "booker" or not, but Teddy has some of the best moves in the industry. His friends are all on the card to, I predict lots of high spots from him/ them and lots of grappling from Harry. The rest we be good ol wrrasslin. Oh except Kevin Nash, what is he doing there?
Teddy Hart is a world class flake, he had the wrestling world in his hand and a pretty large WWE contract and he screwed it away.
He nearly killed a guy when he decided to pull off one of his huge moves without telling his opponent.
He has Bruce Harts level one idiot factor.
He has the physical skills of TJ Wilson.
But he has none of Bret Harts ability to tell a story in a match, he's a spot monkey.
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