Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Songbook: Beam Me Up (George Fitzgerald Remix)



Close feat. Charlene & Scuba - Beam Me Up (George Fitzgerald Remix) (2013) [Original Post (Day 183)]

Monday, December 30, 2013

Songbook: Feel it All Around



Washed Out - Feel it All Around (2009) [Original Post (Day 182)]

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Songbook: Johnny Appleseed



Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - Johnny Appleseed (Live on The Late Show) (2001) [Original Post (Day 181)]

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Friday, December 27, 2013

Songbook: Seven Nation Army



The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army (2003) [Original Post (Day 179)]

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Songbook: Mr. Sandman



The Chordettes - Mr. Sandman (1954) [Original Post (Day 178)]

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Songbook: All the Things She Said



t.A.T.u - All The Things She Said (2002) [Original Post (Day 175)]

Monday, December 23, 2013

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #34 - February 1991

#1 Hulk Hogan [--] (15-3-1) (WWF)
[Royal Rumble 1991]

World Championship Wrestling breaks from the NWA as a new era in pay-per-view begins! WrestleWar '91 plays host to another year of War Games, granting Ric Flair & The Four Horseman the opportunity to dominate the top babyfaces of NWA/WCW! Barry Windham, Sid Vicious & Larry Zbyszko join The Nature Boy in taking out Sting, Brian Pillman & The Steiner Brothers -- A result that elevates Flair to the top of the WCW ranks, bumping down Rick Steiner & Sting!

Enduring United States Heavyweight Champion Lex Luger enters the Top 10. Ricky Morton & Tommy Rich break the Top 10 tag, second to Morton's better known tandem with Robert Gibson! It's the first time since the dawn of the rankings that a wrestler has had two teams rate so well!

Deviating from the NWA models; WCW introduces womens wrestling to their WrestleWar card! Itsuki Yamazaki's win over Mami Kitamura sees the first shift in the women's rankings in a year! A crossover win for WCW who recruit the former WWF starlet!

The major scores are tied as WCW takes a 50/50 stake of the Top 10 Single PPV Players! WWF tag in with the biggest event in wrestling when Wrestlemania VII takes over March! A chance for Hulk Hogan to consolidate the top spot with the WWF World Heavyweight Championship on the line!
 
Top Ten Singles PPV Players
#1 [--] Hulk Hogan (15-3-1) (WWF) [Royal Rumble '91]
#2 [--] Randy Savage (13-9-0) (WWF)
#3 [--] Road Warrior Hawk (12-4-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Road Warrior Animal (11-5-0) (WWF)
#5 [+2] Ric Flair (11-6-3) (WCW)
#6 [-2] Rick Steiner (11-6-1) (WCW)
#7 [-1] Sting (10-2-2) (WCW)
#8 [--] Ultimate Warrior (9-3-0) (WWF)
#9 [--] Scott Steiner (6-5-0) (WCW)
#10 [RE] Lex Luger (9-7-1) (WCW) [US Heavyweight Champion]
 
Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players
#1 [--] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (11-3-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rick & Scott Steiner (9-4-0) (WCW)
#3 [--] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (6-3-0) (NWA)
#4 [--] Ax & Smash (6-4-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (6-4-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champions]
#6 [--] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (5-1-0) (NWA)
#7 [--] The Samoan Savage & Fatu (4-1-0) (NWA)
#8 [new] Ricky Morton & Tommy Rich (3-0-0) (WCW)
#9 [-1] Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (3-1-1) (WWF)
#10 [-1] Bushwacker Luke & Butch (3-1-0) (WWF)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rockin' Robin (2-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [+1] Itsuki Yamazaki (2-0-0) (WCW)
#4 [-1] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Noriyo Tateno (1-0-0) (WWF)
 
Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- WCW WrestleWar 1991: WarGames (February 24, 1991)
- WWF Royal Rumble (January 19, 1991)
- NWA Starrcade '90 (December 16, 1990)
- WWF Survivor Series (November 22, 1990)
- WCW Halloween Havoc (October 27, 1990)
- WWF Summerslam (August 27, 1990)
 
The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intend to take into account pay-per-view events promoted by NWA, WWF, WCW, ECW, WWE & TNA wrestling organizations. Only broadcast results contribute to the cumulative tally of win/loss record of wrestlers. Pre-show matches will not be included.

Songbook: How Soon is Now?



Love Spit Love - How Soon is Now? (1996) [Original Post (Day 172)]

Friday, December 20, 2013

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #33 - January 1991

#1 Hulk Hogan [--] (15-3-1) (WWF)
[Royal Rumble 1990, 1991]

The road to Wrestlemania VII begins with a Heavyweight Championship shocker at Royal Rumble 1991! Last year's 30-man Royal Rumble winner Hulk Hogan went back-to-back, eliminating Earthquake from the #24 entry to become a 2-time winner! The victory delivers a Wrestlemania WWF Championship opportunity -- but the prospect of a rematch of last year's face-off would evaporate in a shocking change!

Amidst the turmoil of Operation Desert Storm: the once uncompromising American hero Sgt. Slaughter would rise as an Iraqi sympathizer! Professing his allegiance to real-world dictator Saddam Hussein -- Slaughter would ignite a tension unlike any national rival experienced in professional wrestling history! This genuine hatred would escalate to new heights with Slaughter's shock Royal Rumble Heavyweight Championship win over The Ultimate Warrior!

In the Rumble match itself, the customary sprawl of 29 other wrestlers would face defeat. Amongst the list: WWF's repackaged Road Warriors - The Legion of Doom! Elimination at the hands of Earthquake would bump Road Warrior Animal down to 5th in the singles rankings. Otherwise, no changes incur as a result of the Royal Rumble card! It's a symptom of the annual tradition, the choice of enduring talents, and the turnover of new stars.

In February, the now annual WrestleWar returns -- this time under the complete control of World Championship Wrestling! The Pay-Per-View Players rankings are about to say goodbye to NWA control and greet a new promotional struggle between WWF and WCW! It begins next month!
 
Top Ten Singles PPV Players
#1 [--] Hulk Hogan (15-3-1) (WWF) [Royal Rumble '91]
#2 [--] Randy Savage (13-9-0) (WWF)
#3 [--] Road Warrior Hawk (12-4-0) (WWF)
#4 [+1] Rick Steiner (11-5-1) (NWA)
#5 [-1] Road Warrior Animal (11-5-0) (WWF)
#6 [--] Sting (10-1-2) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#7 [--] "Black Scorpion" Ric Flair (10-6-3) (NWA)
#8 [--] Ultimate Warrior (9-3-0) (WWF)
#9 [--] Scott Steiner (9-4-0) (NWA)
#10 [--] Brutus Beefcake (8-2-3) (WWF)
 
Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players
#1 [--] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (11-3-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rick & Scott Steiner (9-3-0) (NWA)
#3 [--] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (6-3-0) (NWA)
#4 [--] Ax & Smash (6-4-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (6-4-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champions]
#6 [--] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (5-1-0) (NWA)
#7 [--] The Samoan Savage & Fatu (4-1-0) (NWA)
#8 [--] Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (3-1-1) (WWF)
#9 [--] Bushwacker Luke & Butch (3-1-0) (WWF)
#10 [--] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (3-2-1) (WWF)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rockin' Robin (2-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Itsuki Yamazaki (1-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Noriyo Tateno (1-0-0) (WWF)
 
Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- WWF Royal Rumble (January 19, 1991)
- NWA Starrcade '90 (December 16, 1990)
- WWF Survivor Series (November 22, 1990)
- WCW Halloween Havoc (October 27, 1990)
- WWF Summerslam (August 27, 1990)
- NWA The Great American Bash (July 7, 1990)
 
The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intend to take into account pay-per-view events promoted by NWA, WWF, WCW, ECW, WWE & TNA wrestling organizations. Only broadcast results contribute to the cumulative tally of win/loss record of wrestlers. Pre-show matches will not be included.

Songbook: This Charming Man



The Smiths - This Charming Man (1983) [Original Post (Day 171)]

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Songbook: Let's Dance



David Bowie - Let's Dance (1983) [Original Post (Day 170)]

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #32 - December 1990

#1 Hulk Hogan [--] (14-3-1) (WWF)
A tournament of eight nations inducts The Steiner Brothers as the hottest tag team heading into 1991! The US Team defeated South Africa, Mexico and Japan to challenge the might of turncoat #1 tag team: The Road Warriors!

The 3-for-1 streak makes Rick Steiner the highest individual ranked for NWA, with brother Scott Steiner projecting the future from the 9th slot. Rick leaps four places to skip even defending World Heavyweight Champion: Sting! The win was tribute to recently passed former NWA World Champion Pat O'Connor.

The Stinger rocked a Steel Cage in the main event, fending off the advances of The Black Scorpion -- mysterious masked man who turned out to be none other than arch-rival and former champion Ric Flair! The Nature Boy went double masked during the match, but couldn't avoid being exposed as the dirtiest player in the game.

Defending the World Tag Team Champions in a no contest were Ron Simmons & Butch Reed -- unable to rank as the #11 team despite retaining the coveted titles! With Flair slinking his way back into the World title spot - Barry Windham replaced him as partner to fellow challenging Horseman Arn Anderson. The void left by the departing Road Warriors has quickly been filled!

Competing in the Pat O'Connor International Cup Tag Team Tournament are two proud wrestlers of Mexico worthy of note: Konan & Rey Misterio! As the WCW era kicks in both names will come to gain greater significance -- Konnan in his own right, while Misterio's son - the venerable Rey Misterio Jr - embarks on one of the greatest international careers of any US based luchadore!

With their late acquisition of The Road Warriors key - WWF ends 1990 in control of the wrestling Pay-Per-View world! The Road Warrior advantage tips the scales to a 60% majority share of both the singles and tag team PPV rankings! With nary a woman in sight on an NWA card, the women's division is 100% the domain of McMahon's Federation! That control will not go unrivalled in the coming year. Ted Turner's WCW will assume control of the NWA pay-per-view line-up, beginning a process of conversion that will lead to the hottest period in wrestling. We're on the ground floor - we watch with interest!
 
Top Ten Singles PPV Players
#1 [--] Hulk Hogan (14-3-1) (WWF)
#2 [--] Randy Savage (13-8-0) (WWF)
#3 [--] Road Warrior Hawk (12-3-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Road Warrior Animal (11-4-0) (WWF)
#5 [+4] Rick Steiner (11-5-1) (NWA)
#6 [--] Sting (10-1-2) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#7 [-2] "Black Scorpion" Ric Flair (10-6-3) (NWA)
#8 [-1] Ultimate Warrior (9-2-0) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#9 [new] Scott Steiner (9-4-0) (NWA)
#10 [-2] Brutus Beefcake (8-2-3) (WWF)
 
Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players
#1 [--] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (11-3-0) (WWF)
#2 [+1] Rick & Scott Steiner (9-3-0) (NWA)
#3 [-1] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (6-3-0) (NWA)
#4 [--] Ax & Smash (6-4-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (6-4-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champions]
#6 [--] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (5-1-0) (NWA)
#7 [--] The Samoan Savage & Fatu (4-1-0) (NWA)
#8 [--] Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (3-1-1) (WWF)
#9 [--] Bushwacker Luke & Butch (3-1-0) (WWF)
#10 [--] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (3-2-1) (WWF)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rockin' Robin (2-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Itsuki Yamazaki (1-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Noriyo Tateno (1-0-0) (WWF)
 
Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- NWA Starrcade '90 (December 16, 1990)
- WWF Survivor Series (November 22, 1990)
- WCW Halloween Havoc (October 27, 1990)
- WWF Summerslam (August 27, 1990)
- NWA The Great American Bash (July 7, 1990)
- NWA Capital Combat (May 19, 1990)
- WWF Wrestlemania VI (April 1, 1990)
 
The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intend to take into account pay-per-view events promoted by NWA, WWF, WCW, ECW, WWE & TNA wrestling organizations. Only broadcast results contribute to the cumulative tally of win/loss record of wrestlers. Pre-show matches will not be included.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #31 - November 1990

#1 Hulk Hogan [+1] (14-3-1) (WWF)
The wrestling world trembles as the two biggest forces unite to become sole survivors on November 22nd: Hulk Hogan & Ultimate Warrior -- together! Such was the conclusion of Survivor Series 1990, where the survivors of five 4-on-4 elimination matches returned to the ring to compete in a sixth Grand Finale of Survival bout! Tito Santana joined the under-manned babyface team in a 3-on-5 predicament against Ted DiBiase, Rick Martel, The Warlord, Hercules Hernandez & Paul Roma!

This double duty delivers The Hulkster to a long awaited #1 ranking. He dethrones "King Macho" Randy Savage, who appeared in an interview segment to challenge Warrior for the WWF Heavyweight Championship. In terms of PPV statistics, it would be a challenge to restore Savage to the top of the ranks!

Demolition add a third member - Crush - but continue their decline in the tag team stakes. Novelty act The Bushwackers submit their entry into the list with a win, bumping long inactive British Bulldogs to the #10 spot. Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart survive in the Top 5 with a foundation built on the WWF Tag Team Championship, but could not secure victory for their Dream Team led by Dusty Rhodes.

In a bombshell changing of the guard - The Road Warriors cross lines to declare their candidacy for top ranks in the name of WWF! The former NWA stalwarts shared the spoilers of The Ultimate Warrior's success against Curt Hennig's "Perfect Team". The conversion grants WWF a reversal of fortunes, granting 70% of the Top 10 singles ranks! 1990 draws to a close with Starrcade -- the perfect time for NWA to establish a new vanguard of top stars! Will they reclaim control of the Top 10? It's the NWA's last stand as the World Championship Wrestling era dawns!
 
Top Ten Singles PPV Players
#1 [+1] Hulk Hogan (14-3-1) (WWF)
#2 [-1] Randy Savage (13-8-0) (WWF)
#3 [--] Road Warrior Hawk (12-3-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Road Warrior Animal (11-4-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Ric Flair (10-5-3) (NWA)
#6 [--] Sting (9-1-2) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#7 [+3] Ultimate Warrior (9-2-0) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#8 [-1] Brutus Beefcake (8-2-3) (WWF)
#9 [-1] Rick Steiner (8-5-1) (NWA) [US Tag Team Champion]
#10 [-1] Smash (8-6-0) (WWF)
 
Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players
#1 [--] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (11-3-0) (WWF)
#2 [+1] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (6-3-0) (NWA)
#3 [+2] Rick & Scott Steiner (6-3-0) (NWA)
#4 [-2] Ax & Smash (6-4-0) (WWF)
#5 [-1] Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (6-4-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champions]
#6 [--] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (5-1-0) (NWA)
#7 [--] The Samoan Savage & Fatu (4-1-0) (NWA)
#8 [--] Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (3-1-1) (WWF)
#9 [new] Bushwacker Luke & Butch (3-1-0) (WWF)
#10 [-1] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (3-2-1) (WWF)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rockin' Robin (2-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Itsuki Yamazaki (1-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Noriyo Tateno (1-0-0) (WWF)
 
Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- WWF Survivor Series (November 22, 1990)
- WCW Halloween Havoc (October 27, 1990)
- WWF Summerslam (August 27, 1990)
- NWA The Great American Bash (July 7, 1990)
- NWA Capital Combat (May 19, 1990)
- WWF Wrestlemania VI (April 1, 1990)
 
The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intend to take into account pay-per-view events promoted by NWA, WWF, WCW, ECW, WWE & TNA wrestling organizations. Only broadcast results contribute to the cumulative tally of win/loss record of wrestlers. Pre-show matches will not be included.

Songbook: China Girl



David Bowie - China Girl (1983) [Original Post (Day 169)]

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #30 - October 1990

#1 Randy Savage [--] (13-8-0) (WWF)
The shuffling deck of 1990 continues to keep the Top 10 steady as she goes. The Four Horsemen loom large over the action as NWA World Heavyweight Champion Sting overcomes the titan that is Sid Vicious! Meanwhile, Ric Flair & Arn Anderson team in an unsuccessful play to claim the World Tag Team Championships in a double count out against "Doom" Ron Simmons & Butch Reed!

US Tag Team Champions The Steiner Brothers surge back against the ranks, fending off the NWA pay-per-view first appearance of The Nasty Boyz! If Demolition still had the stroke to go toe-to-toe with The Road Warriors, then stat hounds might've viewed the Steiners dream match opponents for Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart.

The Rock 'n' Roll Express drop-off after their first pay-per-view loss. Robert Gibson is nowhere to be seen as Ricky Morton is joined by Tommy Rich in the eternal struggle against The Midnight Express. With eyes on the tag teams, we welcome The Master Blasters: Blade & Steel -- the latter of which will come to be better known as Diesel in a few years, or by his real name, Kevin Nash! Their win over Tracy Smothers & Steve Armstrong marks the ranking debut of Nash.

The rush to the end of 1990 begins! November's Survivor Series promises a massive thanksgiving spread, while the annual Starrcade continues its run in December.
 
Top Ten Singles PPV Players
#1 [--] Randy Savage (13-8-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Hulk Hogan (12-3-1) (WWF) [Royal Rumble 1990]
#3 [--] Road Warrior Hawk (11-3-0) (NWA)
#4 [--] Road Warrior Animal (10-4-0) (NWA)
#5 [--] Ric Flair (10-5-3) (NWA)
#6 [--] Sting (9-1-2) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#7 [--] Brutus Beefcake (8-2-3) (WWF)
#8 [+2] Rick Steiner (8-5-1) (NWA) [US Tag Team Champion]
#9 [-1] Smash (8-5-0) (WWF)
#10 [-1] Ultimate Warrior (7-2-0) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
 
Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players
#1 [--] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (10-3-0) (NWA)
#2 [+1] Ax & Smash (6-3-0) (WWF)
#3 [-1] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (6-3-0) (NWA)
#4 [--] Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (6-3-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champions]
#5 [+1] Rick & Scott Steiner (6-3-0) (NWA) [US Tag Team Champions]
#6 [-1] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (5-1-0) (NWA)
#7 [--] The Samoan Savage & Fatu (4-1-0) (NWA)
#8 [--] Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (3-1-1) (WWF)
#9 [--] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (3-2-1) (WWF)
#10 [--] Ron Simmons & Butch Reed (3-3-1) (NWA) [World Tag Team Champions]

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rockin' Robin (2-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Itsuki Yamazaki (1-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Noriyo Tateno (1-0-0) (WWF)
 
Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- WCW Halloween Havoc (October 27, 1990)
- WWF Summerslam (August 27, 1990)
- NWA The Great American Bash (July 7, 1990)
- NWA Capital Combat (May 19, 1990)
- WWF Wrestlemania VI (April 1, 1990)
- NWA WrestleWar 1990 (February 25, 1990)
 
The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intend to take into account pay-per-view events promoted by NWA, WWF, WCW, ECW, WWE & TNA wrestling organizations. Only broadcast results contribute to the cumulative tally of win/loss record of wrestlers. Pre-show matches will not be included.

Songbook: Bitter Sweet Symphony



The Verve - Bitter Sweet Symphony (1997) [Original Post (Day 168)]

Monday, December 16, 2013

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #29 - August 1990

#1 Randy Savage [--] (13-8-0) (WWF)
The heat returns live on pay-per-view! Summerslam sees a shifting in the sands as Wrestlemania Heavyweight Champion Ultimate Warrior welcomes his first challenge on the big stage!

Rick Rude steps up to the main event, but fails to emerge with the World Heavyweight gold. Meanwhile; the old guard get back in the winners list, with Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage both getting one over on their rivals - Earthquake and Dusty Rhodes respectively!

The Ultimate Warrior is the only change to the Top 10 ranks. The real action is in the mid-card and the rearranging tag team division. Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart knock Demolition down a peg in a changing of the guard. They took the Tag Team Championships in a Best of 3 Falls Tag Team match! The Rockers weren't as successful in the finish, but are fast becoming one of the hottest teams on the circuit -- a sure sign of things to come!

A motley crew of familiar names round out the Summerslam 1990 card. Once again, there's little movement in the top stakes after the WWF card, leaving the ball square in the court of the NWA/WCW alliance! October's WCW Halloween Havoc will give the opposing forces another chance to take control of the top ranks.
 
Top Ten Singles PPV Players
#1 [--] Randy Savage (13-8-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Hulk Hogan (12-3-1) (WWF) [Royal Rumble 1990]
#3 [--] Road Warrior Hawk (11-3-0) (NWA)
#4 [--] Road Warrior Animal (10-4-0) (NWA)
#5 [--] Ric Flair (10-5-2) (NWA)
#6 [--] Sting (8-1-2) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#7 [--] Brutus Beefcake (8-2-3) (WWF)
#8 [--] Smash (8-5-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champion]
#9 [RE] Ultimate Warrior (7-2-0) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#10 [--] Rick Steiner (7-5-1) (NWA)
 
Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players
#1 [--] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (10-3-0) (NWA)
#2 [+1] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (6-2-0) (NWA) [US Tag Team Champions]
#3 [-1] Ax & Smash (6-3-0) (WWF)
#4 [+1] Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (6-3-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champions]
#5 [-1] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (5-1-0) (NWA)
#6 [--] Rick & Scott Steiner (5-3-0)
#7 [--] The Samoan Savage & Fatu (4-1-0) (NWA)
#8 [--] Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (3-1-1) (WWF)
#9 [--] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (3-2-1) (WWF)
#10 [--] Ron Simmons & Butch Reed (3-3-0) (NWA) [World Tag Team Champions]

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rockin' Robin (2-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Itsuki Yamazaki (1-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Noriyo Tateno (1-0-0) (WWF)
 
Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- WWF Summerslam (August 27, 1990)
- NWA The Great American Bash (July 7, 1990)
- NWA Capital Combat (May 19, 1990)
- WWF Wrestlemania VI (April 1, 1990)
- NWA WrestleWar 1990 (February 25, 1990)
- WWF Royal Rumble (January 21, 1990)
 
The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intend to take into account pay-per-view events promoted by NWA, WWF, WCW, ECW, WWE & TNA wrestling organizations. Only broadcast results contribute to the cumulative tally of win/loss record of wrestlers. Pre-show matches will not be included.

Songbook: Over the Hillside



The Blue Nile - Over the Hillside (1989) [Original Post (Day 167)]

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #28 - July 1990

#1 Randy Savage [--] (12-8-0) (WWF)
The era of the Stinger is here! The Great American Bash sees a fully recovered Sting claim the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in a massive summer celebration! Ric Flair passes the torch and settles for the #5 rank, while Sting leaps up to meet "The Nature Boy" at #6! It looks like Sting is the man to lead NWA/WCW into the nineties -- but he isn't the only one pushing the Alliance forward in the PPV ranks!

Rick Steiner returns to the Top 10 with a tag team win opposite brother Scott! They go without titles, however, as Ron Simmons & Butch Reed make their stamp as World Tag Team Champions, entering the ranks at #10! The Doom tandem were responsible for handing The Rock 'n' Roll Express their first defeat on the pay-per-view stage! Rubbing salt in the wound is the success of NWA US Tag Team Champions Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane - The Midnight Express! They picked up a win against PPV fresh faces The Southern Boys (Tracy Smothers & Steve Armstrong).

In the future stocks: Big Van Vader made his first entry into the US PPV results! He defeated Tom Zenk in a 2 minute squash match! Mean Mark Callous fared better in his NWA US Heavyweight Championship match against retaining holder Lex Luger! Callous, of course, will be of far greater significance in a year or so as WWF's Undertaker.

On the flipside, some blasts from past returned to the ranks at Great American Bash! Paul Orndorff & Junkyard Dog teamed with El Gigante in a six-man tag team win over The Four Horsemen's Sid Vicious, Arn Anderson & Barry Windham!

The summer fun continues as WWF host the annual Summerslam!
 
Top Ten Singles PPV Players
#1 [--] Randy Savage (12-8-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Hulk Hogan (11-3-1) (WWF) [Royal Rumble 1990]
#3 [--] Road Warrior Hawk (11-3-0) (NWA)
#4 [--] Road Warrior Animal (10-4-0) (NWA)
#5 [--] Ric Flair (10-5-2) (NWA)
#6 [+2] Sting (8-1-2) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#7 [-1] Brutus Beefcake (8-2-3) (WWF)
#8 [-1] Smash (8-4-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champion]
#9 [--] Dusty Rhodes (7-4-0) (WWF)
#10 [RE] Rick Steiner (7-5-1) (NWA)
 
Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players
#1 [--] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (10-3-0) (NWA)
#2 [--] Ax & Smash (6-2-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champion]
#3 [+1] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (6-2-0) (NWA) [US Tag Team Champions]
#4 [-1] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (5-1-0) (NWA)
#5 [--] Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (5-3-0) (WWF)
#6 [+1] Rick & Scott Steiner (5-3-0) (NWA)
#7 [-1] The Samoan Savage & Fatu (4-1-0) (NWA)
#8 [--] Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (3-1-1) (WWF)
#9 [--] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (3-2-1) (WWF)
#10 [new] Ron Simmons & Butch Reed (3-3-0) (NWA) [World Tag Team Champions]

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rockin' Robin (2-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Itsuki Yamazaki (1-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Noriyo Tateno (1-0-0) (WWF)
 
Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- NWA The Great American Bash (July 7, 1990)
- NWA Capital Combat (May 19, 1990)
- WWF Wrestlemania VI (April 1, 1990)
- NWA WrestleWar 1990 (February 25, 1990)
- WWF Royal Rumble (January 21, 1990)
- WWF No Holds Barred: The Match/The Movie (December 27, 1989)
 
The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intend to take into account pay-per-view events promoted by NWA, WWF, WCW, ECW, WWE & TNA wrestling organizations. Only broadcast results contribute to the cumulative tally of win/loss record of wrestlers. Pre-show matches will not be included.

Songbook: Run Boy Run



Woodkid - Run Boy Run (2012) [Original Post (Day 166)]

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Songbook: The Golden Age



Woodkid - The Golden Age (2013) [Original Post (Day 165)]

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #27 - May 1990

#1 Randy Savage [--] (12-8-0) (WWF)
It's The Road Warriors' world and we're just living in it! NWA Capital Combat extends the Road Warrior dominance over the Tag Team rankings, uniting the pair as the Top 2 individually ranked NWA Pay-Per-View stars as well! Ric Flair remains World Heavyweight Champion, but concedes defeat in a steel cage disqualification to Lex Luger in a title retaining loss!

It's 50/50 in the NWA v WWF rankings stakes. At this time one has to marvel at the enduring presence of Ricky Steamboat! The former World Champion hasn't been seen on PPV for quite some time, but persists on the back of memorable matches with Ric Flair and Randy Savage. The situation speaks to the shuffling of talent occurring further down the list. As we move into the nineties, you would expect some of those names to bubble to the fore.

Future prospect Mark Callous picked up a singles win against Johnny Ace. In tag team match-ups Ron Simmons & Butch Reed claimed the NWA World Tag Team Champions from The Steiners in only their second PPV victory. Cactus Jack was on the losing side of the Road Warriors, teamed in six-man competition with Kevin Sullivan & Bam Bam Bigelow. It's a school of hard knocks that will deliver many of these names to greater stardom in the future!

The Rock 'n' Roll Express stay in the region, picking up their 5th unanswered pay-per-view victory! Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane of the arch-rival Midnight Express claimed their second NWA US Tag Team Championship on PPV. The New Wild Samoans stay strong, but titleless.

The battle moves to the summer as NWA present their annual Great American Bash in July, and WWF follow the next month with Summerslam! As we enter the second half of 1990, who will be the stars who rise to the top? The winds of change blow warm heat across the sands. The warriors of all nations beckon to the rude one. The championship must reach the ultimate! Behhhhhh!!!
 
Top Ten Singles PPV Players
#1 [--] Randy Savage (12-8-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Hulk Hogan (11-3-1) (WWF) [Royal Rumble 1990]
#3 [--] Road Warrior Hawk (11-3-0) (NWA)
#4 [+1] Road Warrior Animal (10-4-0) (NWA)
#5 [-1] Ric Flair (10-4-2) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#6 [--] Brutus Beefcake (8-2-3) (WWF)
#7 [--] Smash (8-4-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [--] Sting (7-1-2) (NWA)
#9 [--] Dusty Rhodes (7-4-0) (WWF)
#10 [--] Ricky Steamboat (7-5-0) (NWA)
 
Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players
#1 [--] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (10-3-0) (NWA)
#2 [--] Ax & Smash (6-2-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champion]
#3 [+1] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (5-0-0) (NWA)
#4 [+1] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (5-2-0) (NWA) [US Tag Team Champions]
#5 [-2] Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (5-3-0) (WWF)
#6 [+2] The Samoan Savage & Fatu (4-1-0) (NWA)
#7 [-1] Rick & Scott Steiner (4-3-0) (NWA)
#8 [-1] Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (3-1-1) (WWF)
#9 [--] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (3-2-1) (WWF)
#10 [--] Jacques & Raymond Rougeau (3-5-1) (WWF)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rockin' Robin (2-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Itsuki Yamazaki (1-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Noriyo Tateno (1-0-0) (WWF)
 
Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- NWA Capital Combat (May 19, 1990)
- WWF Wrestlemania VI (April 1, 1990)
- NWA WrestleWar 1990 (February 25, 1990)
- WWF Royal Rumble (January 21, 1990)
- WWF No Holds Barred: The Match/The Movie (December 27, 1989)
- NWA Starrcade '89 (December 13, 1989)
 
The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intend to take into account pay-per-view events promoted by NWA, WWF, WCW, ECW, WWE & TNA wrestling organizations. Only broadcast results contribute to the cumulative tally of win/loss record of wrestlers. Pre-show matches will not be included.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Songbook: Looking for Clues



Robert Palmer - Looking for Clues (1980) [Original Post (Day 164)]

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #26 - April 1990

#1 Randy Savage [--] (12-8-0) (WWF)
It was the Heavyweight Championship win heard around the world! The explosion of Mega Powers fades into the background as Ultimate Warrior embarks on a campaign to claim double gold! He put his Intercontinental Championship up against the WWF title of Royal Rumble winner Hulk Hogan! A main event that only Wrestlemania VI could possibly hold!

The Ultimate Warrior win elevates his star, but he still can't quite crack the Top 10 rankings. Hulk Hogan misses his opportunity - joining the winners list with long reigning #1 Randy Savage. The Macho King couldn't claim the mixed tag win against Dusty Rhodes & Sapphire, even with Queen Sensational Sherri on his side!

Tag team pursuits feature top to bottom on the swollen 14 match card! Demolition conclude their chase of tag team gold, cashing in against The Colossal Connection of a declining Andre the Giant & Haku. A win by Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart bumps The Hart Foundation up to #3 off the back of the (PPV) winless Bolsheviks. They're one step ahead of Rockers Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty, who went down to the PPV debuting Oriental Express.

A stacked, memorable Wrestlemania card offers a glimpse of things to come, but fails to move the needle in any startling way. With WWF quiet until the Summer, the NWA once again have clear rights to dominate the PPV rankings! Capital Combat is the name of their May stopgap PPV.
 
Top Ten Singles PPV Players
#1 [--] Randy Savage (12-8-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Hulk Hogan (11-3-1) (WWF) [Royal Rumble 1990]
#3 [--] Road Warrior Hawk (10-3-0) (NWA)
#4 [--] Ric Flair (10-4-2) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#5 [--] Road Warrior Animal (9-4-0) (NWA)
#6 [+1] Brutus Beefcake (8-2-3) (WWF)
#7 [+1] Smash (8-4-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [-2] Sting (7-1-2) (NWA)
#9 [RE] Dusty Rhodes (7-4-0) (WWF)
#10 [-1] Ricky Steamboat (7-5-0) (NWA)
 
Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players
#1 [--] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (9-3-0) (NWA)
#2 [--] Ax & Smash (6-2-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champion]
#3 [+3] Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (5-3-0) (WWF)
#4 [-1] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (4-0-0) (NWA)
#5 [-1] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (4-2-0) (NWA)
#6 [-1] Rick & Scott Steiner (4-2-0) (NWA) [World Tag Team Champions]
#7 [--] Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (3-1-1) (WWF)
#8 [--] The Samoan Savage & Fatu (3-1-0) (NWA)
#9 [--] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (3-2-1) (WWF)
#10 [--] Jacques & Raymond Rougeau (3-5-1) (WWF)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rockin' Robin (2-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Itsuki Yamazaki (1-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Noriyo Tateno (1-0-0) (WWF)
 
Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- WWF Wrestlemania VI (April 1, 1990)
- NWA WrestleWar 1990 (February 25, 1990)
- WWF Royal Rumble (January 21, 1990)
- WWF No Holds Barred: The Match/The Movie (December 27, 1989)
- NWA Starrcade '89 (December 13, 1989)
- WWF Survivor Series (November 23, 1989)
 
The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intend to take into account pay-per-view events promoted by NWA, WWF, WCW, ECW, WWE & TNA wrestling organizations. Only broadcast results contribute to the cumulative tally of win/loss record of wrestlers. Pre-show matches will not be included.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Songbook: Protection



Massive Attack - Protection (1995) [Original Post (Day 163)]

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #25 - February 1990

#1 Randy Savage [--] (12-7-0) (WWF)
A Clash of Champions injury stems Sting's run to the top as he's forced to take a corner, replaced in the WrestleWar World Heavyweight Championship match by Lex Luger! Defending the title is, of course, "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair -- successful and strong in the #4 rank! The late change to the card disrupts another title campaign as "Dr. Death" Steve Williams is denied his shot at Luger's NWA US Heavyweight title.

The NWA Tag Team pedigree is back in force at WrestleWar '90! Welcome back The Rock 'n' Roll Express to pay-per-view! Morton & Gibson fight back into the Top 3 tag teams with their 4th unanswered win on PPV! Reigning World Tag Team Champions The Steiners reinforce their stroke with a title defense that elevates them to #5! The defense against NWA returning Arn Anderson & Ole also elevates Rick Steiner into the overall Top 10! The Road Warriors stay strong - #1 tag team, with Road Warrior Hawk #3 and top NWA ranked star. Road Warrior Animal is firmly entrenched at #5.

The modern fan will be keen to recognize the admission of two new stars into the singles ranks. Cactus Jack and Mean Mark Callous make their NWA pay-per-view debuts this month! The pair will know each other well in time, and be potent forces on PPV in McMahon designed identities. We're a little early for Mankind and The Undertaker, but the seeds are indeed planted!

Transmission goes quiet for a month, only to heat up again in April with the pay-per-view extravaganza of WWF's Wrestlemania! The annual major will be WWF's opportunity to rest back the dominant share of top ranks taken by NWA! Wrestlemania VI will emanate from Canada with a main event quite unlike any other! Hulk Hogan only needs one unanswered win to assume the top spot! The Hulkster has the home ground advantage at Wrestlemania -- but will it be enough?
 
Top Ten Singles PPV Players
#1 [--] Randy Savage (12-7-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Hulk Hogan (11-2-1) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion, Royal Rumble 1990]
#3 [--] Road Warrior Hawk (10-3-0) (NWA)
#4 [--] Ric Flair (10-4-2) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#5 [--] Road Warrior Animal (9-4-0) (NWA)
#6 [--] Sting (7-1-2) (NWA)
#7 [--] Brutus Beefcake (7-2-3) (WWF)
#8 [--] Smash (7-4-0) (WWF)
#9 [--] Ricky Steamboat (7-5-0) (NWA)
#10 [new] Rick Steiner (6-4-1) (NWA) [World Tag Team Champion]
 
Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players
#1 [--] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (9-3-0) (NWA)
#2 [--] Ax & Smash (5-2-0) (WWF)
#3 [+2] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (4-0-0) (NWA)
#4 [-1] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (4-2-0) (NWA)
#5 [+4] Rick & Scott Steiner (4-2-0) (NWA) [World Tag Team Champions]
#6 [-2] Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (4-3-0) (WWF)
#7 [-1] Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (3-1-1) (WWF)
#8 [-1] The Samoan Savage & Fatu (3-1-0) (NWA)
#9 [-1] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (3-2-1) (WWF)
#10 [--] Jacques & Raymond Rougeau (3-5-1) (WWF)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rockin' Robin (2-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Itsuki Yamazaki (1-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Noriyo Tateno (1-0-0) (WWF)
 
Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- WWF Royal Rumble (January 21, 1990)
- WWF No Holds Barred: The Match/The Movie (December 27, 1989)
- NWA Starrcade '89 (December 13, 1989)
- WWF Survivor Series (November 23, 1989)
- WCW Halloween Havoc (October 28, 1989)
- WWF Summerslam (August 28, 1989)
 
The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intend to take into account pay-per-view events promoted by NWA, WWF, WCW, ECW, WWE & TNA wrestling organizations. Only broadcast results contribute to the cumulative tally of win/loss record of wrestlers. Pre-show matches will not be included.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #24 - January 1990

#1 Randy Savage [--] (12-7-0) (WWF)
For the first time in quite a while there's no change in the Pay-Per-View Players rankings! 1990 kicks off with the Royal Rumble -- a match that affords only one victory to the thirty participants seeking to eliminate their 29 foes. In years to come we would know the event as a ticket to the Heavyweight Championship match at Wrestlemania. In 1990, it's the WWF Champion himself who emerges victorious: Hulk Hogan entering at 25 to claim the final win by eliminating "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig!

Hogan personally handed defeat to: Hennig, Honky Tonk Man, HakuJimmy Snuka. He teamed with Rick Rude & The Barbarian to take out his arch-rival in the elimination stakes: Intercontinental Champion - The Ultimate Warrior! Warrior was responsible for removing an equal 5 opponents: Rick Martel, Shawn Michaels, Ted DiBiase, Dino Bravo & Tito Santana (with Rick Martel). #1 ranked Randy Savage sees a decline in stats: entering 5th to be eliminated 4th courtesy of Dusty Rhodes.

A lone tag team bout on the undercard grants The Bushwackers a pay-per-view win. The Fabulous Rougeaus take the lumps, but remain guardians of the pay-per-view tag team rankings entry point. Demolition were not able to win the Royal Rumble itself, but got the rub with a two-man elimination of one half of the Tag Team Champions (and a battle royal legend) - Andre the Giant!

As February rolls in, the Pay-Per-View Players rankings are the NWA's for the taking! With no changes, the door is wide open for WrestleWar to distribute wins evenly across a more traditional card than the WWF's gimmicked November & January offerings. 
 
Top Ten Singles PPV Players
#1 [--] Randy Savage (12-7-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Hulk Hogan (11-2-1) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion, Royal Rumble 1990]
#3 [--] Road Warrior Hawk (9-3-0) (NWA)
#4 [--] Ric Flair (9-4-2) (NWA)
#5 [--] Road Warrior Animal (8-4-0) (NWA)
#6 [--] Sting (7-1-2) (NWA)
#7 [--] Brutus Beefcake (7-2-3) (WWF)
#8 [--] Smash (7-4-0) (WWF)
#9 [--] Ricky Steamboat (7-5-0) (NWA)
#10 [--] Dusty Rhodes (6-4-0) (WWF)
 
Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players
#1 [--] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (8-3-0) (NWA)
#2 [--] Ax & Smash (5-2-0) (WWF)
#3 [--] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (4-1-0) (NWA)
#4 [--] Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (4-3-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (3-0-0) (NWA)
#6 [--] Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (3-1-1) (WWF)
#7 [--] The Samoan Savage & Fatu (3-1-0) (NWA)
#8 [--] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (3-2-1) (WWF)
#9 [--] Rick & Scott Steiner (3-2-0) (NWA)
#10 [--] Jacques & Raymond Rougeau (3-5-1) (WWF)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rockin' Robin (2-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Itsuki Yamazaki (1-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Noriyo Tateno (1-0-0) (WWF)
 
Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- WWF Royal Rumble (January 21, 1990)
- WWF No Holds Barred: The Match/The Movie (December 27, 1989)
- NWA Starrcade '89 (December 13, 1989)
- WWF Survivor Series (November 23, 1989)
- WCW Halloween Havoc (October 28, 1989)
- WWF Summerslam (August 28, 1989)
 
The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intend to take into account pay-per-view events promoted by NWA, WWF, WCW, ECW, WWE & TNA wrestling organizations. Only broadcast results contribute to the cumulative tally of win/loss record of wrestlers. Pre-show matches will not be included.

Songbook: It Was a Good Day



Ice Cube - It Was a Good Day (1993) [Original Post (Day 162)]

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #23 - December 1989

#1 Randy Savage [--] (12-6-0) (WWF)
From one extreme to another! WWF Survivor Series paraded a roster of stars in November multi-man team matches. Starrcade '89 takes a different tact: grounded by two round robin tournaments that feature the cream of the NWA singles and tag team crop!

Sting arrives to the big time with a monumental tournament victory over Ric Flair in the Starrcade main event! The Great Muta goes winless of the four, while Lex Luger finally evens the score to take a positive winning record in his own launch toward greatness. Less revolutionary: The Road Warriors secure their status as the best tag team of the time, ending the tournament with a points winning victory over The New Wild Samoans!

The pendulum of tag team wrestling swings once again! Ron Simmons & Butch Reed go winless in the round robin, but third team The Steiner Brothers find their way into the Top 10 PPV tag teams with a healthy 2-1 tournament record! Their graduation completes a cleansing of the tag team ranks, reducing the field to ten memorable pure duos!

Well short of the elevated 6 win entry point is Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake. They emerged victorious from the WWF steel cage in a promotional double: No Holds Barred: The Movie/The Match! Coming up short in the Summerslam '89 rematch - Randy Savage and film character come-to-life Zeus (aka Tom "Tiny" Lister)!

With that, we roll into the decade that transforms the pay-per-view business into a year-long institution! This is the nineties! 1990 isn't quite ready for a monthly schedule, leaving January the sole domain of WWF and the annual Royal Rumble! The 30-man elimination battle royal strips the scope of opportunity. Will the Federation superstars be able to counter NWA's '89 affirmation of new and old stars? The challenge is set!
 
Top Ten Singles PPV Players
#1 [--] Randy Savage (12-6-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Hulk Hogan (10-2-1) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#3 [+1] Road Warrior Hawk (9-3-0) (NWA)
#4 [-1] Ric Flair (9-4-2) (NWA)
#5 [+4] Road Warrior Animal (8-4-0) (NWA)
#6 [+4] Sting (7-1-2) (NWA)
#7 [--] Brutus Beefcake (7-2-2) (WWF)
#8 [-3] Smash (7-3-0) (WWF)
#9 [-3] Ricky Steamboat (7-5-0) (NWA)
#10 [-2] Dusty Rhodes (6-3-0) (WWF)
 
Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players
#1 [--] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (8-3-0) (NWA)
#2 [--] Ax & Smash (5-2-0) (WWF)
#3 [--] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (4-1-0) (NWA)
#4 [--] Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (4-3-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (3-0-0) (NWA)
#6 [--] Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (3-1-1) (WWF)
#7 [new] The Samoan Savage & Fatu (3-1-0) (NWA)
#8 [-1] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (3-2-1) (WWF)
#9 [new] Rick & Scott Steiner (3-2-0) (NWA)
#10 [-2] Jacques & Raymond Rougeau (3-4-1) (WWF)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rockin' Robin (2-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Itsuki Yamazaki (1-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Noriyo Tateno (1-0-0) (WWF)
 
Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- WWF No Holds Barred: The Match/The Movie (December 27, 1989)
- NWA Starrcade '89 (December 13, 1989)
- WWF Survivor Series (November 23, 1989)
- WCW Halloween Havoc (October 28, 1989)
- WWF Summerslam (August 28, 1989)
- NWA The Great American Bash '89 (July 23, 1989)
 
The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intend to take into account pay-per-view events promoted by NWA, WWF, WCW, ECW, WWE & TNA wrestling organizations. Only broadcast results contribute to the cumulative tally of win/loss record of wrestlers. Pre-show matches will not be included.

Songbook: Once in a Lifetime



Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime (Stop Making Sense) (1984) [Original Post (Day 161)]

Monday, December 09, 2013

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #22 - November 1989

#1 Randy Savage [--] (12-5-0) (WWF)
A traditional Survivor Series spreads the load amongst a wide variety of stars, featuring an adaptation of five 4-on-4 elimination matches! Hulk Hogan takes steps toward securing his dominance in the pay-per-view business, while "The Macho King" Randy Savage leads his own court of allies to victory with only one member lost to The 4x4s (Greg Valentine).

Despite a massive roster, Survivor Series does little to shake the rankings. Dusty Rhodes continues to represent the WWF with a base founded in the NWA. Likewise, former Krusher Smash climbs into the Top 5 to challenge Road Warrior Hawk. The Barber Brutus Beefcake shows the benefits of an affiliation with The Hulkster, but the biggest winners in '89 are the true tag teams in WWF!

The Fabulous Rougeaus make their entry into the tag team rankings at #8. Smash's solo success reflects his team base as a member of Team Hulkamaniacs, and #2 ranked tag team Demolition. Outside the scope of ranking is Ultimate Warrior's running buddies The Rockers. We'll be watching that team with interest as the years unfold -- longevity making Shawn Michaels one of the most intriguing names that will manifest in this statistical experiment.

Once again the changing pace of the pay-per-view game introduces new concepts! December packs a very unique double-header as Starrcade ends the year again, while WWF cross-promote with the film No Holds Barred with a one-match broadcast main event! Randy Savage & Zeus reunite against Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake in a steel cage tag team match billed as The Match/The Movie! Stay tuned!
 
Top Ten Singles PPV Players
#1 [--] Randy Savage (12-5-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Hulk Hogan (9-2-1) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#3 [--] Ric Flair (8-3-1) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#4 [--] Road Warrior Hawk (7-2-0) (NWA)
#5 [+1] Smash (7-3-0) (WWF)
#6 [-1] Ricky Steamboat (7-5-0) (NWA)
#7 [+2] Brutus Beefcake (6-2-2) (WWF)
#8 [RE] Dusty Rhodes (6-3-0) (WWF)
#9 [-2] Road Warrior Animal (6-3-0) (NWA)
#10 [-2] Sting (5-0-2) (NWA) [World Television Champion]
 
Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players
#1 [--] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (6-2-0) (NWA)
#2 [+1] Ax & Smash (5-2-0) (WWF)
#3 [-1] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (4-1-0) (NWA)
#4 [--] Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (4-3-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (3-0-0) (NWA)
#6 [--] Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (3-1-1) (WWF)
#7 [--] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (3-2-1) (WWF)
#8 [new] Jacques & Raymond Rougeau (3-4-1) (WWF)
#9 [-1] Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik (2-0-0) (WWF)
#10 [-1] Paul Roma & Jim Powers (2-0-0) (WWF)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rockin' Robin (2-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Itsuki Yamazaki (1-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Noriyo Tateno (1-0-0) (WWF)
 
Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- WWF Survivor Series (November 23, 1989)
- WCW Halloween Havoc (October 28, 1989)
- WWF Summerslam (August 28, 1989)
- NWA The Great American Bash '89 (July 23, 1989)
- NWA WrestleWar (May 7, 1989)
- WWF Wrestlemania V (April 2, 1989)
 
The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intend to take into account pay-per-view events promoted by NWA, WWF, WCW, ECW, WWE & TNA wrestling organizations. Only broadcast results contribute to the cumulative tally of win/loss record of wrestlers. Pre-show matches will not be included.

Songbook: Genius of Love



Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love (1982) [Original Post (Day 160)]

Sunday, December 08, 2013

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #21 - October 1989

#1 Randy Savage [--] (11-5-0) (WWF)
The collapse of The Mega Powers continues to work in the favour of Hulk Hogan -- the WWF Heavyweight Champion victorious in a Summerslam tag team main event against Randy Savage and the No Holds Barred film-inspired nemesis: Zeus! Hogan teamed with Brutus Beefcake, who once again reached the Top 10!

Promotion lines continue to be crossed as Dusty Rhodes makes his first pay-per-view appearance for WWF! The former NWA World Heavyweight Champion defeated The Honky Tonk Man to secure a Top 10 spot for the Federation. In another mid-card bout, Demolition picked up a win in a six-man match, spurring them into the Top 3 tags. Individually, Smash is a step closer to the authentic ticket - Road Warrior Hawk. While the Road Warriors remain unchallenged as the #1 tag team - Animal teeters on the edge of the Top 10.

A big name lurking just outside the top ranks is The Ultimate Warrior! He regained his Intercontinental Championship from the man who defeated him - himself a recent Top 10 name: Rick Rude. The Warrior makes for the perfect WWF rival to rising NWA star Sting! The painted star will have a shot to surpass his rivals when NWA/WCW return in October with Halloween Havoc!
 
Top Ten Singles PPV Players
#1 [--] Randy Savage (11-5-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Hulk Hogan (8-2-1) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#3 [--] Ric Flair (8-3-1) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#4 [+1] Road Warrior Hawk (7-2-0) (NWA)
#5 [-1] Ricky Steamboat (7-5-0) (NWA)
#6 [--] Smash (6-3-0) (WWF)
#7 [+3] Road Warrior Animal (6-3-0) (NWA)
#8 [RE] Sting (5-0-2) (NWA) [World Television Champion]
#9 [-2] Brutus Beefcake (5-2-2) (WWF)
#10 [-2] Dynamite Kid (5-3-1) (WWF)
 
Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players
#1 [--] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (6-2-0) (NWA)
#2 [--] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (4-1-0) (NWA)
#3 [--] Ax & Smash (4-2-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (4-3-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (3-0-0) (NWA)
#6 [--] Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (3-1-1) (WWF)
#7 [--] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (3-2-1) (WWF)
#8 [--] Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik (2-0-0) (WWF)
#9 [--] Paul Roma & Jim Powers (2-0-0) (WWF)
#10 [--] Andre the Giant & Rick Rude (2-0-0) (WWF)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rockin' Robin (2-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Itsuki Yamazaki (1-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Noriyo Tateno (1-0-0) (WWF)
 
Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- WCW Halloween Havoc (October 28, 1989)
- WWF Summerslam (August 28, 1989)
- NWA The Great American Bash '89 (July 23, 1989)
- NWA WrestleWar (May 7, 1989)
- WWF Wrestlemania V (April 2, 1989)
- NWA Chi-Town Rumble (February 20, 1989)
 
The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intend to take into account pay-per-view events promoted by NWA, WWF, WCW, ECW, WWE & TNA wrestling organizations. Only broadcast results contribute to the cumulative tally of win/loss record of wrestlers. Pre-show matches will not be included.

Songbook: Gimme Some More



Busta Rhymes - Gimme Some More (1998) [Original Post (Day 159)]

Saturday, December 07, 2013

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #20 - August 1989

#1 Randy Savage [--] (11-5-0) (WWF)
The collapse of The Mega Powers continues to work in the favour of Hulk Hogan -- the WWF Heavyweight Champion victorious in a Summerslam tag team main event against Randy Savage and the No Holds Barred film-inspired nemesis: Zeus! Hogan teamed with Brutus Beefcake, who once again reached the Top 10!

Promotion lines continue to be crossed as Dusty Rhodes makes his first pay-per-view appearance for WWF! The former NWA World Heavyweight Champion defeated The Honky Tonk Man to secure a Top 10 spot for the Federation. In another mid-card bout, Demolition picked up a win in a six-man match, spurring them into the Top 3 tags. Individually, Smash is a step closer to the authentic ticket - Road Warrior Hawk. While the Road Warriors remain unchallenged as the #1 tag team - Animal teeters on the edge of the Top 10.

A big name lurking just outside the top ranks is The Ultimate Warrior! He regained his Intercontinental Championship from the man who defeated him - himself a recent Top 10 name: Rick Rude. The Warrior makes for the perfect WWF rival to rising NWA star Sting! The painted star will have a shot to surpass his rivals when NWA/WCW return in October with Halloween Havoc!
 
Top Ten Singles PPV Players
#1 [--] Randy Savage (11-5-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Hulk Hogan (8-2-1) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#3 [--] Ric Flair (7-3-1) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#4 [--] Ricky Steamboat (7-5-0) (NWA)
#5 [--] Road Warrior Hawk (6-2-0) (NWA)
#6 [+1] Smash (6-3-0) (WWF)
#7 [RE] Brutus Beefcake (5-2-2) (WWF)
#8 [-2] Dynamite Kid (5-3-1) (WWF)
#9 [RE] Dusty Rhodes (5-3-0) (WWF)
#10 [-2] Road Warrior Animal (5-3-0) (NWA)
 
Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players
#1 [--] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (5-2-0) (NWA)
#2 [--] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (4-0-0) (NWA)
#3 [+3] Ax & Smash (4-2-0) (WWF)
#4 [-1] Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (4-3-0) (WWF)
#5 [-1] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (3-0-0) (NWA)
#6 [RE] Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (3-1-1) (WWF)
#7 [-2] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (3-2-1) (WWF)
#8 [-1] Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik (2-0-0) (WWF)
#9 [-1] Paul Roma & Jim Powers (2-0-0) (WWF)
#10 [-1] Andre the Giant & Rick Rude (2-0-0) (WWF)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rockin' Robin (2-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Itsuki Yamazaki (1-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Noriyo Tateno (1-0-0) (WWF)
 
Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- WWF Summerslam (August 28, 1989)
- NWA The Great American Bash '89 (July 23, 1989)
- NWA WrestleWar (May 7, 1989)
- WWF Wrestlemania V (April 2, 1989)
- NWA Chi-Town Rumble (February 20, 1989)
- WWF Royal Rumble (January 15, 1989)
 
The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intend to take into account pay-per-view events promoted by NWA, WWF, WCW, ECW, WWE & TNA wrestling organizations. Only broadcast results contribute to the cumulative tally of win/loss record of wrestlers. Pre-show matches will not be included.

Songbook: I Can't Go To Sleep



Wu-Tang Clan - I Can't Go To Sleep (2000) [Original Post (Day 158)]

Friday, December 06, 2013

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #19 - July 1989

#1 Randy Savage [--] (11-4-0) (WWF)
The tide turns for the first time since Wrestlemania as NWA stars flood the Top 10 rankings! The Great American Bash introduces some major names to the PPV count, while top stars take a majority share of 6-4! Ric Flair successfully defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Terry Funk, stepping back into the Top 3 with fellow World Champion Hulk Hogan.

The on-going success of The Road Warriors syncs Animal into the Top 10 where he finally joins Hawk. Their success is limited to no medium as they assume the #1 slot in the tag team rankings. They led the winning team inside the War Games Steel Cage, with "Dr. Death" Steve Williams and The Midnight Express. That explains Stan Lane's leap into #10 with a perfect 4-0. Future main event draw Sting also makes his debut as reigning World Television Champion. An unsuccessful play at the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship cost Ricky Steamboat his Top 3 rank and also finally gives Lex Luger a PPV win further down the list!

Those new names joining the PPV ranks? Sid Vicious, Scott Hall, Brian Pillman, Ron Simmons, and even Jim Cornette and Paul E. Dangerously! The pressure is back on WWF as they gear up for Summerslam! Will the Federation be able to rest control from the 60% share of the Top 10? Or is NWA turning the tide with the addition of yet more pay-per-views? They'll be back in October with Halloween Havoc! Things are heating up!
 
Top Ten Singles PPV Players
#1 [--] Randy Savage (11-4-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Hulk Hogan (7-2-1) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#3 [+1] Ric Flair (7-3-1) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#4 [-1] Ricky Steamboat (7-5-0) (NWA)
#5 [--] Road Warrior Hawk (6-2-0) (NWA)
#6 [--] Dynamite Kid (5-3-1) (WWF)
#7 [--] Smash (5-3-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [new] Road Warrior Animal (5-3-0) (NWA)
#9 [new] Sting (4-0-2) (NWA) [World Television Champion]
#10 [new] Stan Lane (4-0-0) (NWA)
 
Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players
#1 [+1] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (5-2-0) (NWA)
#2 [+2] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (4-0-0) (NWA)
#3 [-2] Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (4-2-0) (WWF)
#4 [-1] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (3-0-0) (NWA)
#5 [--] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (3-2-1) (WWF)
#6 [--] Ax & Smash (3-2-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champions]
#7 [--] Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik (2-0-0) (WWF)
#8 [--] Paul Roma & Jim Powers (2-0-0) (WWF)
#9 [--] Andre the Giant & Rick Rude (2-0-0) (WWF)
#10 [--] Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage (2-0-0) (WWF)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rockin' Robin (2-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Itsuki Yamazaki (1-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Noriyo Tateno (1-0-0) (WWF)
 
Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- NWA The Great American Bash '89 (July 23, 1989)
- NWA WrestleWar (May 7, 1989)
- WWF Wrestlemania V (April 2, 1989)
- NWA Chi-Town Rumble (February 20, 1989)
- WWF Royal Rumble (January 15, 1989)
- NWA Starrcade '88 (December 26, 1988)
 
The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intend to take into account pay-per-view events promoted by NWA, WWF, WCW, ECW, WWE & TNA wrestling organizations. Only broadcast results contribute to the cumulative tally of win/loss record of wrestlers. Pre-show matches will not be included.

Songbook: Golden Brown



The Stranglers - Golden Brown (1982) [Original Post (Day 157)]

Thursday, December 05, 2013

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #18 - May 1989

#1 Randy Savage [--] (11-4-0) (WWF)
The Varsity Club contests the NWA World & US Tag Team Championships in a surprising double header at the close of the first WCW produced WrestleWar! More pertinent to the top of the rankings was the NWA World Heavyweight Championship match that saw Ric Flair reclaim the title belt from Ricky Steamboat! The battle included special guest judges: Terry Funk, Pat O'Connor and Lou Thesz!

The Road Warriors emerge victorious against Mike Rotunda & "Dr. Death" Steve Williams, but fail to capture the World Tag Team Championships via the disqualification finish. Fellow Varsity Club members Kevin Sullivan & Dan Spivey were unsuccessful in their attempts to take the US Tag Team titles from the combination of Eddie Gilbert & Rick Steiner.

With their DQ win, The Road Warriors become the top ranked NWA Tag Team, surpassing The Rock 'n' Roll Express in their absence from pay-per-view. "Dynamic Dudes" Shane Douglas & Johnny Ace debut as Pay-Per-View Players with a win over The Samoan Swat Team. The rise of Sting continues with another win -- this time defending the NWA World Television Championship against The Iron Sheik. The United States Heavyweight title changed hands, leaving Lex Luger with another loss courtesy of Michael Hayes.

The NWA has the inside track as the pay-per-view countdown heads toward the summer! The Great American Bash comes around for another year in July, with WWF's Summerslam the following August. The momentum is NWA's to seize! Let's see how it unfolds!
 
Top Ten Singles PPV Players
#1 [--] Randy Savage (11-4-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Hulk Hogan (7-2-1) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#3 [--] Ricky Steamboat (7-4-0) (NWA)
#4 [--] Ric Flair (6-3-1) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#5 [+5] Road Warrior Hawk (5-2-0) (NWA)
#6 [-1] Dynamite Kid (5-3-1) (WWF)
#7 [-1] Smash (5-3-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [-1] Rick Rude (4-1-1) (WWF) [Intercontinental Champion]
#9 [-1] Brutus Beefcake (4-2-2) (WWF)
#10 [-1] Davey Boy Smith (4-2-1) (WWF)
 
Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players
#1 [--] Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (4-2-0) (WWF)
#2 [+4] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (4-2-0) (NWA)
#3 [-1] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (3-0-0) (NWA)
#4 [-1] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (3-0-0) (NWA)
#5 [-1] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (3-2-1) (WWF)
#6 [-1] Ax & Smash (3-2-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champions]
#7 [--] Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik (2-0-0) (WWF)
#8 [--] Paul Roma & Jim Powers (2-0-0) (WWF)
#9 [--] Andre the Giant & Rick Rude (2-0-0) (WWF)
#10 [--] Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage (2-0-0) (WWF)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Rockin' Robin (2-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Itsuki Yamazaki (1-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Noriyo Tateno (1-0-0) (WWF)
 
Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- NWA WrestleWar (May 7, 1989)
- WWF Wrestlemania V (April 2, 1989)
- NWA Chi-Town Rumble (February 20, 1989)
- WWF Royal Rumble (January 15, 1989)
- NWA Starrcade '88 (December 26, 1988)
- WWF Survivor Series (November 24, 1988)
 
The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intend to take into account pay-per-view events promoted by NWA, WWF, WCW, ECW, WWE & TNA wrestling organizations. Only broadcast results contribute to the cumulative tally of win/loss record of wrestlers. Pre-show matches will not be included.