George "The Animal" Steele passes away

[Teddy B 17,252]

RIP George! One of my all time fave wrestlers.
 

Quote

WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer William James Myers, known to fans as George “The Animal” Steele, has passed away at the age of 79.

Steele was one of the wildest and most unpredictable Superstars in sports-entertainment history. Yet, despite his green tongue, hairy torso and insatiable appetite for turnbuckle pads, "The Animal" was a very well-educated man. Prior to breaking into sports-entertainment, Steele received his Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University and became a high school teacher and wrestling coach in the Detroit area.

It was during his teaching stint that he began moonlighting in sports-entertainment, working in the Detroit-area promotions. Steele’s first WWE appearances took place in 1967, when he began a heated rivalry with WWE Champion Bruno Sammartino. For nearly 20 years, Steele was a reviled villain, managed by the likes of fellow WWE Hall of Famers The Grand Wizard, "Classy" Freddie Blassie, Capt. Lou Albano and Mr. Fuji. His classic main events against Sammartino, Pedro Morales and Bob Backlund saw him come close to winning the WWE Championship on many occasions.

 

http://www.wwe.com/article/george-the-animal-steele-passes-away?sf56850003=1&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral

[X Factor 1,112]

I grew up watching George. RIP

[Dashinka 25,203]

RIP George.  He was a teacher and coach in a nearby school district.

[OriZ 3,157]

Wow. He made it older than many of them. RIP.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

On 2/17/2017 at 3:51 PM, Teddy B said:

RIP George! One of my all time fave wrestlers.
 

http://www.wwe.com/article/george-the-animal-steele-passes-away?sf56850003=1&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral

Rasslin is real...

[Dakine10 5,452]

  I saw today that Ivan Koloff, 'the Russian Bear', and Chavo Guerrero also passed away this week. Sad week for wrestling fans. I don't watch much now, but I was telling my kids that back in the day, when we didn't have entertainment available at the touch of a button 24/7, professional wrestling was something that a lot of people looked forward to. As a kid it was something my friends and I waited all week to watch.

 

  Over time, I realized some of the villains we used to rally against were actually some of the nicest guys you could ever come across. RIP 

[OriZ 3,157]

44 minutes ago, Dakine10 said:

  I saw today that Ivan Koloff, 'the Russian Bear', and Chavo Guerrero also passed away this week. Sad week for wrestling fans. I don't watch much now, but I was telling my kids that back in the day, when we didn't have entertainment available at the touch of a button 24/7, professional wrestling was something that a lot of people looked forward to. As a kid it was something my friends and I waited all week to watch.

 

  Over time, I realized some of the villains we used to rally against were actually some of the nicest guys you could ever come across. RIP 

First Eddie, now Chavo Sr...feel bad for the Guerrero family. 

 

I don't know if you watch it these days, but with the internet, and everyone knowing exactly what's going on behind the scenes, the lines have been completely blurred between heels and faces. They still try, but you'll often find the crowd will boo babyfaces like Cena or Reigns despite their constant attempts to push them(because, well, they suck quite frankly) and cheer awesome heels such as Chris Jericho who has always been way over with the crowd no matter the role he's been in. As heels, you'd also find that the same wrestlers(once they have a turn) will have a much more edgy personality and be allowed to showcase more of their skills in the ring. So yeah, heels(villians) are good.

 

 

[Dakine10 5,452]

1 hour ago, OriZ said:

First Eddie, now Chavo Sr...feel bad for the Guerrero family. 

 

I don't know if you watch it these days, but with the internet, and everyone knowing exactly what's going on behind the scenes, the lines have been completely blurred between heels and faces. They still try, but you'll often find the crowd will boo babyfaces like Cena or Reigns despite their constant attempts to push them(because, well, they suck quite frankly) and cheer awesome heels such as Chris Jericho who has always been way over with the crowd no matter the role he's been in. As heels, you'd also find that the same wrestlers(once they have a turn) will have a much more edgy personality and be allowed to showcase more of their skills in the ring. So yeah, heels(villians) are good.

 

 

  I think it's lost some of the 'magic', if you will. I think we always new it was choreographed, but if you didn't know the plot line, it could still capture your attention. And you could always appreciate the skill level it took just to accomplish what they do. It's one of those things where knowing too much maybe ruined it. I don't think kids are interested these days, but I'm not sure I would be either growing up now,  given all the options they have for entertainment. 

[spookyturtle 9,466]

[Teddy B 17,252]

Spooks, do you know what year that pic is from? Looks like he was at Fenway maybe throwing out the first pitch?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

2012 and he was throwing the first pitch. Great picture! 

[OriZ 3,157]

On 2/18/2017 at 11:29 PM, Dakine10 said:

  I think it's lost some of the 'magic', if you will. I think we always new it was choreographed, but if you didn't know the plot line, it could still capture your attention. And you could always appreciate the skill level it took just to accomplish what they do. It's one of those things where knowing too much maybe ruined it. I don't think kids are interested these days, but I'm not sure I would be either growing up now,  given all the options they have for entertainment. 

Well Vince has fought it for decades for some of the reasons you mentioned, but it actually did seem to be what the crowd wants so he eventually gave in and allows it alot more now. They went from trying to discourage it, to being 'meh' about it and now to actively have a hand in it(DVDs about them and their lives, shows about them on the WWE network etc). There was just demand for it and he actually makes alot more money with it, sure there are some that it kills the 'magic' for, but not for everyone it seems. Me personally, if I'm going to watch a PPV(which I usually watch on the wwe network sometimes weeks after it actually took place) I will make sure not to look at any website that could give me any indication about the plotline, or who is going to win or who won, because I like the suspense. But for some it's different. And I think you can know alot more about them while still appreciating the skill it takes to do what some of them do.