My Favorite Events--WWF King of the Ring 1998

I've often professed my feelings on the "Attitude Era." It simply doesn't hold up for me. I lived it. Either live or on television, I took in every moment as it happened. At the time, it was exciting. While selfish me wasn't exactly thrilled that everybody was watching wrestling again, it was good for the business. It also enabled me to be present at one of the most replayed and iconic moments in WWF history. I witnessed the infamous Hell in a Cell match between Mankind and The Undertaker. That's why King of the Ring 1998 falls under the category of one of "My Favorite Events."

The story for me begins at the March 1998 WWF house show at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. At the time, tickets for the next show would either go on sale before the show that night even started or at intermission. On this occasion, it was the latter, and I think it surprised me that King of the Ring tickets would be sold this far in advance. My dad was always big into getting tickets in advance, so he had no problem going by himself during intermission. When he got back, he'd missed Bradshaw defeat Barry Windham. Always a fan of "BW," I'd have been upset had I missed one of my few chances to see him live. Nonetheless, my fantastic father secured us tickets.

I recall that the promotional ads touted seeing "Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie" at the event, which got my hopes up that I'd get to see Terry Funk live and in person for the first time. This was long before I actively started meeting wrestlers regularly, so I was very much disappointed when "Card Subject To Change" rang true. Needless to say, the history that ended up going down that night made up for it.

This event happened during a period where I wasn't taking pictures during events. They never came out how I wanted them to and this was just a bit before digital photography hit it big. That being said, I can still replay my unique view of the famous match in my head. Our sets were just about roof-level with the Cell. The brawl on top of the enormous structure was something, but surely no one was coming off of the top of it. It would be teased, but it wouldn't actually happen.

Then, it happened.

As soon as Mankind crashed through the table and hit the floor, I was sure that the event would be ended. There was no way that he was okay or that this was planned. There wasn't a chance in Hell that Mick Foley was getting up from this. This show had to be over. Even Vince McMahon, at the height of his heeldom as Mr. McMahon, had come to ringside. This was serious. But as we all know now, it didn't end there. In fact, the worst of the two big bumps for Foley was yet to come, though my attention at that point was focused elsewhere. Terry Funk had shown up after all and took an Undertaker chokeslam for good measure.

As we all know, the show went on and the "main event" even went on which saw Kane close the night as World Wrestling Federation Champion. Two decades later and he's running for mayor of Knoxville, TN. His opponent for the evening, Stone Cold Steve Austin, is long retired. The Undertaker is hanging on, although for all intents and purposes should be retired. And the man who they said wouldn't be able to walk in a few years, Mick Foley, is very much still walking. He's still involved with WWE and even has an engagement tour celebrating the anniversary of this match. At the time, he was one of my favorite wrestlers. While that changed long ago, his work in the ring made a unique impact on the business and he would go on to be an inductee at another of "My Favorite Events," the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony.

Even though Ken Shamrock was crowned "King of the Ring" that night, it's but a footnote. The Hell in the Cell antics stole the show. While it's not a technical classic, it is one of the best remembered matches in WWF history. It's a historic wrestling moment that I have my own unique memory of. While I'd much rather be able to say that I was at "The Ultimate Challenge" or among the tens of thousands at the Pontiac Silverdome when it was all "Bigger, Better, Badder," I'm still proud to say that "I was there." Attitude and all.

J\/\/'s Big Adventure

Not really an informative entry tonight, but rather some follow-ups and "bidness...if you weeeeeeell..." as "The Dream" might say.


Not sure how it came off on television, but the final wrestling show at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, this past Monday's Raw telecast, was a lot of fun in person. The shirt was nice, although I'd have liked images from the Arena rather than stock photos of current WWE stars. No video package to speak of, although John Cena did have a nice speech after the dark match main event of Cena vs Batista.

A pensive looking fan models the shirt at the conclusion of
Monday Night Raw's Main Event on 5-10-10.

This weekend is the bi-annual Legends of the Ring convention in New Jersey. This is the tenth such event and it will feature a heavy TNA presence. Jeff Jarrett, Dixie Carter, and Jeff Hardy are just three TNA names that will be there. Myself and my crew, the legendary Pittsburgh Posse, will be on hand as well. If you see us, please say hi!

On a final note, I feel it's time to make a rather huge announcement. Growing up, friends and family who knew my passion for pro wrestling always asked if I wanted to be a wrestler. I never had that urge. Even at a young age, I knew that I simply couldn't take the pain, training, and lifestyle. I did have a feeling, though, that someday I'd be able to contribute to the business in some form.

I started this blog because it combined so many of my interests. Writing. Wrestling. Wrestling collectibles. I had no idea if anyone would want to read it, but so many of you did. You all enjoyed it, and apparently I did a decent job at it. I thank all of you for that. If you guys didn't like it, I wouldn't have been motivated to continue it.

Due to a few chance happenings, I caught the attention of a magazine I grew up reading. That magazine is the one and only Pro Wrestling Illustrated. I'm very happy to report that in a short time, some of my work will begin to appear in that very magazine, and possibly it's sister publications The Wrestler and Inside Wrestling, as well. For once, I cannot put into words how exciting this is for me. It was torture not to be able to share this when I found out, but I simply wanted to iron out all of the details first. Keep your eyes on these pages, and of course our Facebook page, for the latest info on when J\/\/ hits the pages of the greatest wrestling magazine of all time.

Again...thank you, and I hope to meet some of you this weekend!

Heating Up The Igloo...One Last Time...

This coming Monday Night marks the end of an era. Despite it being the site of Monday Night Raw, the WWE will probably not acknowledge the fact that it will mark the final time a wrestling card is held in the legendary Igloo.

Pittsburgh Civic Arena. Mellon Arena. The Igloo. Whatever you choose to call it, the building is full of history from many areas of sport and entertainment. The legendary Mario Lemieux. Elvis' final New Years Eve. Sudden Death. But what about Bruno? Kurt? Even Mick Foley?

Opening nearly fifty years ago, the Arena was the site of many classic bouts of yesteryear. Bruno Sammartino, Gorilla Monsoon, and Killer Kowalski were just some of the classic grapplers who poured their blood, sweat, and tears under the Igloo's bright lights. Legendary Pittsburgh broadcaster "Chilly Billy" Cardille lent his voice to the Steel City's own Studio Wrestling show to entice fans to the arena in droves.

In the '80s, both the WWF and NWA brought their brands of pro wrestling to the building. In 1987, the famous NWA Bunkhouse Stampede cage match final was held here. The bloody brawl, featuring "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes and Big Bubba Rogers, is still talked about by both fans who were there, and those who were turned away outside due to filled capacity.

February 28, 1992 brought a main event of Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper taking on Ric Flair and Sid Justice to the Igloo. It also brought yours truly to his first live wrestling show.

Later that decade, the WWF would bring SummerSlam, various television tapings, and King of the Ring 1998 to the arena. The latter, most memorable for Mick Foley's performance in a Hell in the Cell match with The Undertaker, was recently deemed one of the most memorable moments in Arena history by fans.

An assortment of memorabilia highlighting
Pittsburgh wrestling and it's many stars and events.

It's said about so many venues, but there really isn't a bad seat in the house. From attending with my family, to my dad, and now with close friends, the old building will always hold a special place in my heart. I'll be there Monday Night...and I may just shed a tear.

I know I'm not the only one.

With a pierogie on my fork and an Iron City in my fist...Igloo...I salute you.

Thanks for the memories.