I normally don’t include much if any memorabilia in tribute pieces. Today I’m making an exception. The promo photo that you see above was signed just a little over three weeks ago. This memorial tribute is for the man in the photo. I’m not saying that it was the last autograph that he signed. It wasn’t. It’s simply a sobering reminder that we just never know. As we so often hear anymore, tomorrow is not guaranteed.
Sid Eudy made a heckuva mark in the wrestling business. He almost seemed to do it “his way.” You never knew how long he’d hang around or where he’d pop up next. He was a rogue in an era where people had largely forgotten how to be one. I’m thinking that he was probably a pro wrestling star who wanted to make his money and go home. I don’t blame him at all. That’s how I am at my day job. As Jim Ross often says, he was looking to feed his family. Is there anything more important?
What was vital is that he had some amazing tools to become a success in the wrestling business in order to make that money. A million dollar look. A realistic promo. Enough skills to work as a dangerous and legitimately scary “big man” wrestler. You weren’t getting “five star” classics with Sid. You didn’t need them. Every kid that I knew who knew wrestling loved Sid. It didn’t matter if he was Vicious, Justice or Sycho. When Sid was part of the show or the card you knew that you were going to get your money’s worth by seeing what looked like someone getting massacred.
Sid headlined my first ever live show teaming with Ric Flair against The Hulkster and Hot Rod. Can you even imagine that? How was that place not sold out? It wasn’t. After all it was 1992 when the business wasn’t really on fire any longer. But in hindsight that place would’ve sold out weeks in advance. I was never enamored with the Hulk Hogan – Sid Justice main event at WrestleMania that year because, like many, I wanted Hogan vs Flair. I would still rebook it with that on top, Savage and Jake in the blow off that an intense feud like that deserved and probably Sid against The Undertaker. Would “the streak” have made it to two? Not being a fan of “The Deadman” I really don’t care and it would’ve been great to see Sid get a win at his first WrestleMania.
Like many of you I followed the big man wherever he went. Again, you knew you were in for a treat when he was around. I think it was the in-and-out nature of his career that held him back from having that truly one big moment. Yes, he headlined more than one WrestleMania and held the big gold everywhere, but that one key career highlight just seems to be missing. Does it really matter? Nah. I saw even casual fans mourning this loss. Even today he is truly over with fans. He made an impact.
I had the pleasure of meeting the man a few times including, as mentioned above, just a few weeks ago. The photo below isn’t from that show, but rather seventeen years ago. It was a packed church/rec hall somewhere in deepest, smelliest New Jersey and we were all sweating. Can you tell? I was just thrilled to meet the “Master and Ruler of the World.” He’s another one that I’ll miss seeing at shows. Meet them while you can, folks.
