Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #13 - November 1988

#1 Randy Savage [--] (11-2-0) (WWF)
(World Heavyweight Champion)

The saga of the Mega Powers continues with a massive Survivor Series victory! The traditional 10-man elimination matches gives WWF the statistical edge to completely dominate NWA's brightest stars! Giving them a boost is the delay of this year's Starrcade to December. When it rolls over they'll be short some of the familiar names. Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard among the tag team typhoon present at Survivor Series '88. Nothing like crossing over to WWF to drop you out with a fresh loss.

That same 5-team 20-man Survivor Series elimination match decimates the NWA tag ranks, shunting five new teams into the Top 10! The Mega Powers (Savage & Hogan) themselves impact as the 7th best tag team on pay-per-view -- hot on the heels of the Survivor Series team-up of Andre the Giant & Rick Rude. The spread relegates Tag Team Champions Ax & Smash, while their Hart Foundation rivals Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart shoot their way into the stack! The pressure is on the tried and true legend of The Rock 'n' Roll Express and The Road Warriors to champion NWA at Starrcade!

 

Top Ten Singles PPV Players

#1 [--] Randy Savage (11-2-0) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#2 [+1] Hulk Hogan (6-1-1) (WWF)
#3 [-1] Ricky Steamboat (6-3-0) (WWF)
#4 [+2] Dynamite Kid (5-3-1) (WWF)
#5 [+5] Brutus Beefcake (4-1-1) (WWF)
#6 [-1] Ric Flair (4-2-1) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#7 [RE] Davey Boy Smith (4-2-1) (WWF)
#8 [RE} Andre the Giant (4-2-1) (WWF)
#9 [-5] Smash (4-2-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champion]
#10 [-3] Junkyard Dog (4-4-0) (WWF)
 

Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players

#1 [--] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (3-0-0) (NWA)
#2 [+3] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (3-2-1) (WWF)
#3 [-1] Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik (2-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [new] The Barbarian & The Warlord (2-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [new] Paul Roma & Jim Powers (2-0-0) (WWF)
#6 [new] Andre the Giant & Rick Rude (2-0-0) (WWF)
#7 [new] Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage (2-0-0) (WWF)
#8 [-4] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (2-1-0) (NWA)
#9 [-6] Ax & Smash (2-2-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champions]
#10 [new] Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (2-2-0) (WWF)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#3 [--] Rockin' Robin (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 24, 1988)
- WWF Summerslam (August 29, 1988)
- NWA The Great American Bash (July 10, 1988)
- WWF Wrestlemania IV (March 27, 1988)
- NWA Bunkhouse Stampede (January24, 1988)
- WWF Survivor Series (November 26, 1987)

 

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: Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)

Pet Shop Boys - Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money) (1985) [Original Post (Day 151)]

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #12 - August 1988

#1 Randy Savage [--] (10-2-0) (WWF)
(World Heavyweight Champion)

The Mega-Powers have arrived! While Randy Savage enjoys his stay at the top as WWF Heavyweight Champion -- Hulk Hogan finds a way  to share the spotlight as the super-powered partner in this ultimate tag team union! Who better to oppose these Mega-Powers than the dastardly combo of their individual rivals? The Mega-Bucks Ted Dibiase & Andre the Giant may share the main event, but the Pay-Per-View Players lurk somewhere closer to the gold at the first annual SummerSlam!

WWF answer NWA's summer Bash and tag team injection with their own invention known as Demolition! The Road Warrior alternates reign as WWF Tag Team Champions, launching into the #3 tag team spot with their 3rd PPV match. His NWA record as Krusher Khruschev in tact: Smash also smashes into the Top 5 singles ranks, leapfrogging NWA World Champion Ric Flair!

Unsuccessful in their Tag Team Championship bid is none other than The Hart Foundation of Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart! Like Davey Boy Smith; Bret Hart will be an interesting name to watch in the coming years as his star rises from middling tag team competitor to main event draw!

 

Top Ten Singles PPV Players

#1 [--] Randy Savage (10-2-0) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#2 [--] Ricky Steamboat (6-3-0) (WWF)
#3 [--] Hulk Hogan (5-1-1) (WWF)
#4 [new] Smash (4-1-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champion]
#5 [-1] Ric Flair (4-2-1) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#6 [-1] Dynamite Kid (4-3-1) (WWF)
#7 [-1] Junkyard Dog (4-4-0) (WWF)
#8 [-1] Ricky Morton (3-0-0) (NWA)
#9 [-1] Robert Gibson (3-0-0) (NWA)
#10 [--] Brutus Beefcake (3-1-1) (WWF)
 

Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players

#1 [--] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (3-0-0) (NWA)
#2 [--] Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik (2-0-0) (WWF)
#3 [new] Ax & Smash (2-1-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champions]
#4 [-1] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (2-1-0) (NWA)
#5 [-1] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (2-2-1) (WWF)
#6 [-1] Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (1-0-1) (NWA) [World Tag Team Champions]
#7 [-1] Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood (1-0-0) (NWA)
#8 [-1] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (1-0-0) (NWA) [US Tag Team Champions]
#9 [-1] Bob Orton Jr & Dick Slater (1-0-0) (NWA)
#10 [-1] Kevin Sullivan & Mark Lewin (1-0-0) (NWA)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#3 [--] Rockin' Robin (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 29, 1988)
- NWA The Great American Bash (July 10, 1988)
- WWF Wrestlemania IV (March 27, 1988)
- NWA Bunkhouse Stampede (January24, 1988)
- WWF Survivor Series (November 26, 1987)
- NWA Starrcade '87 (November 26, 1987)

 

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: Wired for Sound

b(if)tek feat. Julee Cruise - Wired for Sound (2000) [Original Post (Day 150)]

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #11 - July 1988

#1 Randy Savage [--] (9-2-0) (WWF)
(World Heavyweight Champion)

The World Heavyweight Champion celebrates a successful defense at The Great American Bash '88 to leap back into the upper echelon of Pay-Per-View Players! Ric Flair is now in step with his arch-rival Hulk Hogan, his return to the top ranks at the expense of would-be usurper of Mania: Lex Luger! Meanwhile, further down the card, Sting makes his second PPV appearance and earns his second draw. An interesting start to what is sure to be a PPV legacy.

NWA fire back with tag team pedigree up the yin yang! Welcome The Road Warriors to the top tag team rankings! They arrive with fellow legendary duos: World Tag Team Champions Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard and US Tag Team Champions The Midnight Express II: Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane! With Morton & Gibson still Rockin 'n' Rollin in the top, WWF are  going to have to fund some legit tag teams to fire back in the 2-man stakes! If you know your Summerslam history you know things are about to get very interesting!

 

Top Ten Singles PPV Players

#1 [--] Randy Savage (9-2-0) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#2 [--] Ricky Steamboat (6-3-0) (WWF)
#3 [--] Hulk Hogan (4-1-1) (WWF)
#4 [RE] Ric Flair (4-2-1) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#5 [-1] Dynamite Kid (4-3-0) (WWF)
#6 [-1] Junkyard Dog (4-3-0) (WWF)
#7 [-1] Ricky Morton (3-0-0) (NWA)
#8 [-1] Robert Gibson (3-0-0) (NWA)
#9 [-1] Andre the Giant (3-1-1) (WWF)
#10 [-1] Brutus Beefcake (3-1-1) (WWF)
 

Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players

#1 [--] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (3-0-0) (NWA)
#2 [--] Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik (2-0-0) (WWF)
#3 [new] Road Warrior Hawk & Animal (2-1-0) (NWA)
#4 [-1] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (2-2-0) (WWF)
#5 [new] Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (1-0-1) (NWA) [World Tag Team Champions]
#6 [-2] Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood (1-0-0) (NWA)
#7 [new] Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (1-0-0) (NWA) [US Tag Team Champions]
#8 [-3] Bob Orton Jr & Dick Slater (1-0-0) (NWA)
#9 [-3] Kevin Sullivan & Mark Lewin (1-0-0) (NWA)
#10 [-3] Assassin #1 & Assassin #2 (1-0-0) (NWA)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#3 [--] Rockin' Robin (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 10, 1988)
- WWF Wrestlemania IV (March 27, 1988)
- NWA Bunkhouse Stampede (January24, 1988)
- WWF Survivor Series (November 26, 1987)
- NWA Starrcade '87 (November 26, 1987)
- WWF Wrestlemania III (March 29, 1987)

 

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: Music Sounds Better With You

Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You (1998) [Original Post (Day 149)]

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #10 - March 1988

#1 Randy Savage [+1] (9-2-0) (WWF)
(World Heavyweight Champion)

"The Macho Man" Randy Savage officially arrives in the most spectacular fashion imaginable! With the WWF World Heavyweight Championship vacant -- Wrestlemania IV plays host to a 14-man elimination tournament! Savage was runner-up in the Wrestling Classic a couple of years ago - but this time the bracket delivers him to the WWF title and an insurmountable pay-per-view win/loss lead of 9-2!

Further down the bracket; a double bye defaults a marquee Wrestelmania 3 rematch as Hulk Hogan & Andre the Giant wrestle to a stunning Round 2 double disqualification! The result keeps The Hulkster strong at #3, while Andre the Giant manages to lumber up to #9 even with the neutral result!

Brutus Beefcake is the other long mover -- leaping into the Top 10 after a DQ win over The Honky Tonk Man in an unsuccessful Intercontinental Championship challenge. More successful is the monosyllabic combo of Demolition's Ax & Smash -- new WWF Tag Team Champions with a win over Strike Force in only their second PPV match! The British Bulldogs weren't so lucky in their 6-man encounter with The Islanders -- but I'm already anticipating Davey Boy Smith's future a decade from now.

No ladies on this card, but WWF stay strong with a decisive focus on top stars and a packed tournament card. NWA will be back in the Summer with another PPV debut to fire back, but WWF will be right behind them with their own slam of the Summer. The competition is heating up!

 

Top Ten Singles PPV Players

#1 [+1] Randy Savage (9-2-0) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#2 [-1] Ricky Steamboat (6-3-0) (WWF)
#3 [--] Hulk Hogan (4-1-1) (WWF)
#4 [--] Dynamite Kid (4-3-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Junkyard Dog (4-3-0) (WWF)
#6 [--] Ricky Morton (3-0-0) (NWA)
#7 [--] Robert Gibson (3-0-0) (NWA)
#8 [+1] Andre the Giant (3-1-1) (WWF)
#9 [new] Brutus Beefcake (3-1-1) (WWF)
#10 [-2] Jimmy Valiant (3-1-0) (NWA)
 

Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players

#1 [--] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (3-0-0) (NWA)
#2 [--] Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik (2-0-0) (WWF)
#3 [--] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (2-2-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood (1-0-0) (NWA)
#5 [--] Bob Orton Jr & Dick Slater (1-0-0) (NWA)
#6 [--] Kevin Sullivan & Mark Lewin (1-0-0) (NWA)
#7 [--] Assassin #1 & Assassin #2 (1-0-0) (NWA)
#8 [--] The Assassin & Buzz Tyler (1-0-0) (NWA)
#9 [--] Hulk Hogan & Mr. T (1-0-0) (WWF)
#10 [--] Jimmy Valiant & Ron Garvin (1-0-0) (NWA)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#3 [--] Rockin' Robin (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 IV (March 27, 1988)
- NWA Bunkhouse Stampede (January24, 1988)
- WWF Survivor Series (November 26, 1987)
- NWA Starrcade '87 (November 26, 1987)
- WWF Wrestlemania III (March 29, 1987)
- NWA Starrcade '86: Night of the Skywalkers (November 27, 1986)

 

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: Cassius 1999

Cassius - Cassius 1999 (1999) [Original Post (Day 148)]

Songbook: Body Movin

Beastie Boys - Body Movin' (1998) [Original Post (Day 147)]

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #8 - November 1987

#1 Ricky Steamboat [--] (6-2-0) (WWF)
(Intercontinental Champion)

It's WWF going head-to-head with NWA in a November 26 pay-per-view face-off! The stacked card of the annual Starrcade may have granted Ric Flair a return entry to the Top 10 -- but WWF's 5-on-5 Survivor Series keeps the entire Top 5 firmly in the grasp of the yankee promoter. Leading the charge for WWF is still the darling of Wrestlemania 3: Ricky Steamboat -- while down at third the perfect record of Hulk Hogan is besmirched courtesy of sole survivor Andre the Giant and the wall of humanity that kept Hogan out of the ring for a 10 count: King Kong Bundy & One Man Gang!

1987 fuels the Rock 'n' Roll Express as they become the new top ranked NWA stars (#6 & #7) -- top of the tag team ranks as well, of course. NWA's tag pedigree persists as Tully Blanchard creeps into an individual 10th with the World Tag Team Championships around he and Arn Anderson's waists! WWF aren't to be outdone: The British Bulldogs bursting back into the Top 3 tag teams as one of twenty duos participating in a massive Tag Team Survivor Series variant!

Meanwhile, the war of the fairer sex is completely one sided! A women's Survivor Series match bumps the total ranking divas to 11! International talent rounds out the list, but the stroke of The Fabulous Moolah pushes Cyndi Lauper's Wrestlemania leading lady: Wendi Richter. It's worth noting "The Spider Lady" Moolah contributed to stripping Richter of the title this time 2 years ago, beating Montreal to the punch by more than a decade. Allow me also to register personal amazement at Dawn Marie's involvement in the inaugural Survivor Series. I missed that one!

 

Top Ten Singles PPV Players

#1 [--] Ricky Steamboat (6-2-0) (WWF) [Intercontinental Champion]
#2 [+1] Randy Savage (5-2-0) (WWF)
#3 [-1] Hulk Hogan (4-1-0) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#4 [+2] Dynamite Kid (4-2-0) (WWF)
#5 [-1] Junkyard Dog (4-2-0) (WWF)
#6 [+2] Ricky Morton (3-0-0) (NWA)
#7 [+2] Robert Gibson (3-0-0) (NWA)
#8 [RE] Ric Flair (3-1-1) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#9 [-4] Jimmy Valiant (3-1-0) (NWA)
#10 [new] Tully Blanchard (3-1-0) (NWA) [World Tag Taem Champion]

 

Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players

#1 [--] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (3-0-0) (NWA)
#2 [--] Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik (2-0-0) (WWF)
#3 [RE] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (2-1-0) (WWF)
#4 [-1] Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood (1-0-0) (NWA)
#5 [-1] Bob Orton Jr & Dick Slater (1-0-0) (NWA)
#6 [-1] Kevin Sullivan & Mark Lewin (1-0-0) (NWA)
#7 [-1] Assassin #1 & Assassin #2 (1-0-0) (NWA)
#8 [-1] The Assassin & Buzz Tyler (1-0-0) (NWA)
#9 [-1] Hulk Hogan & Mr. T (1-0-0) (WWF)
#10 [-1] Jimmy Valiant & Ron Garvin (1-0-0) (NWA)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [+1] The Fabulous Moolah (2-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [-1] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#3 [new] Rockin' Robin (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [new] Itsuki Yamazaki (1-0-0) (WWF)
#5 [new] Noriyo Tateno (1-0-0) (WWF)

 

Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- WWF Survivor Series (November 26, 1987)
- NWA Starrcade '87 (November 26, 1987)
- WWF Wrestlemania III (March 29, 1987)
- NWA Starrcade '86: Night of the Skywalkers (November 27, 1986)
- WWF Wrestlemania 2 (April 7, 1986)

 

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: Intergalactic

Beastie Boys - Intergalactic (1998) [Original Post (Day 146)]

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #7 - March 1987

#1 Ricky Steamboat [+2] (5-2-0) (WWF)
(Intercontinental Champion)

It's fitting that Ricky Steamboat rises to become the hottest Pay-Per-View Player off the back of one of the most talked about matches on any card - let alone a Wrestlemania! Steamboat became Intercontinental Champion when he defeated Randy Savage in a match that has come to define the tradition of the secondary quality Wrestlemania match! An instant classic!

Meanwhile, Hulk Hogan runs wild with the bodyslam heard around the world -- another Wrestlemania 3 classic! Hogan's domination of Andre the Giant exemplifies the other side of the annual event - the larger than life spectacle of Wrestlemania. This successful WWF Heavyweight Championship defense propels Hogan one step short of the best perfect PPV record.

Women disappear from Wrestlemania in 1987, but the tag team of Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff deliver the second duo to go 2-0. Do they have what it takes to challenge the tag team strength of The Rock 'n' Roll Express? It's there for the taking for any team willing and able!

 

Top Ten Singles PPV Players

#1 [+2] Ricky Steamboat (5-2-0) (WWF) [Intercontinental Champion]
#2 [+2] Hulk Hogan (4-0-0) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#3 [-1] Randy Savage (4-2-0) (WWF)
#4 [-3] Junkyard Dog (4-2-0) (WWF)
#5 [--] Jimmy Valiant (3-1-0) (NWA)
#6 [--] The Dynamite Kid (3-2-0) (WWF)
#7 [--] Krusher Khruschev (2-0-0) (NWA)
#8 [--] Ricky Morton (2-0-0) (NWA)
#9 [--] Robert Gibson (2-0-0) (NWA)
#10 [--] The Assassin (2-0-0) (NWA)

 

Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players

#1 [--] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (2-0-0) (NWA) [World Tag Team Champion]
#2 [+1] Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik (2-0-0) (WWF)
#3 [-1] Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood (1-0-0) (NWA)
#4 [+1] Bob Orton Jr & Dick Slater (1-0-0) (NWA)
#5 [+1] Kevin Sullivan & Mark Lewin (1-0-0) (NWA)
#6 [+1] Assassin #1 & Assassin #2 (1-0-0) (NWA)
#7 [+1] The Assassin & Buzz Tyler (1-0-0) (NWA)
#8 [+1] Hulk Hogan & Mr. T (1-0-0) (WWF)
#9 [+1] Jimmy Valiant & Ron Garvin (1-0-0) (NWA)
#10 [new] Terry Funk & Hoss Funk (1-0-0) (WWF)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (1-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [--] Leilani Kai (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Velvet McIntyre (0-1-0) (WWF)

 

Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- WWF Wrestlemania III (March 29, 1987)
- NWA Starrcade '86: Night of the Skywalkers (November 27, 1986)
- WWF Wrestlemania 2 (April 7, 1986)
- NWA Starrcade '85: The Gathering (November 28, 1985)
- WWF The Wrestling Classic (November 7, 1985)
- WWF Wrestlemania (March 31, 1985)

 

The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intends 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.

Songbook: Oil 1

Moby - Oil 1 (1997) [Original Post (Day 145)]

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #6 - November 1986

#1 Junkyard Dog [--] (4-1-0) (WWF)

A double disqualification keeps the NWA World Heavyweight Championship around the waist of Ric Flair, but "The Night of the Skywalkers" also keeps The Nature Boy from reclaiming his place amongst the Top 10 Pay-Per-View Players! His opponent NWA United States Champion Nikita Koloff was a late replacement for Magnum TA -- whose life and career was changed forever by a car accident that left him paralyzed.

Victory in a hair vs hair match over Paul Jones delivers the unlikely top ranked NWA star of Jimmy Valiant to the #5 spot. More thrilling might be the rise of The Rock 'n' Roll Express -- NWA World Tag Team Champions Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson! Their second Starrcade win puts them at the top of the NWA dominated tag team rankings, while Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey (The Midnight Express) drop to the bottom with their second loss.

 

Top Ten Singles PPV Players

#1 [--] Junkyard Dog (4-1-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Randy Savage (4-1-0) (WWF) [Intercontinental Champion]
#3 [--] Ricky Steamboat (4-2-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Hulk Hogan (3-0-0) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#5 [RE] Jimmy Valiant (3-1-0) (NWA)
#6 [-1] The Dynamite Kid (3-1-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champion]
#7 [new] Krusher Khruschev (2-0-0) (NWA) [US Tag Team Champion]
#8 [new] Ricky Morton (2-0-0) (NWA) [World Tag Team Champion]
#9 [new] Robert Gibson (2-0-0) (NWA) [World Tag Team Champion]
#10 [-4] The Assassin (2-0-0) (NWA)

 

Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players

#1 [+2] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (2-0-0) (NWA) [World Tag Team Champion]
#2 [-1] Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood (1-0-0) (NWA)
#3 [-1] Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (1-0-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champions]
#5 [--] Bob Orton Jr & Dick Slater (1-0-0) (NWA)
#6 [--] Kevin Sullivan & Mark Lewin (1-0-0) (NWA)
#7 [--] Assassin #1 & Assassin #2 (1-0-0) (NWA)
#8 [--] The Assassin & Buzz Tyler (1-0-0) (NWA)
#9 [--] Hulk Hogan & Mr. T (1-0-0) (WWF)
#10 [new] Jimmy Valiant & Ron Garvin (1-0-0) (NWA)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] The Fabulous Moolah (1-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [--] Leilani Kai (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [--] Velvet McIntyre (0-1-0) (WWF)

 

Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- NWA Starrcade '86: Night of the Skywalkers (November 27, 1986)
- WWF Wrestlemania 2 (April 7, 1986)
- NWA Starrcade '85: The Gathering (November 28, 1985)
- WWF The Wrestling Classic (November 7, 1985)
- WWF Wrestlemania (March 31, 1985)

 

The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intends 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.

Songbook: Put it on Wax

Ozi Batla - Put it on Wax (2010) [Original Post (Day 144)]

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #5 - April 1986

#1 Junkyard Dog [--] (4-1-0) (WWF)

The multi-match stats of November's The Wrestling Classic keeps Junkyard Dog in the top spot, even as tournament runner-up Randy Savage makes history with his Intercontinental title defense against George "The Animal" Steele in the now classic Wrestlemania 2 undercard grudge bout!

Once again it's the limitations of the early wrestling pay-per-view calendar that are most evident in the rankings, delivering a slightly less than legendary list. Hulk Hogan reigns over the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in a classic steel cage WWF Championship defense against King Kong Bundy! It was the third arena main event of the night -- one-upping NWA's two town extravaganza at Starrcade '85 (in North Carolina & Georgia)! An impressive feat, even if history forgets its responsive nature to speak to ingenuity.

As Hulkamania charges toward an inevitable collision with the #1 pay-per-view rank -- his NWA rival Ric Flair disappears from the Top 10! With no WWF counter programming to contend with, Flair will have full opportunity to return in November via the main event stage of Starrcade '86! If he wins, he'll displace several big name rankings debuts: Dynamite Kid (WWF Tag Team Champion w/ Davey Boy Smith), Mr. T (d. Roddy Piper) & 20-man battle royal winner Andre the Giant - who last eliminated Bret Hart in his PPV debut!

 

Top Ten Singles PPV Players

#1 [--] Junkyard Dog (4-1-0) (WWF)
#2 [--] Randy Savage (4-1-0) (WWF) [Intercontinental Champion]
#3 [--] Ricky Steamboat (4-2-0) (WWF)
#4 [+2] Hulk Hogan (3-0-0) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#5 [new] The Dynamite Kid (3-1-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champion]
#6 [-1] The Assassin (2-0-0) (NWA)
#7 [--] Manny Fernandez (2-0-0) (NWA)
#8 [new] Mr. T (2-0-0) (WWF)
#9 [new] Andre The Giant (2-0-0) (WWF)
#10 [-6] Tito Santana (2-1-1) (WWF)

 

Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players

#1 [--] Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood (1-0-0) (NWA)
#2 [--] Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik (1-0-0) (WWF)
#3 [--] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (1-0-0) (NWA) [World Tag Team Champions]
#4 [new] Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid (1-0-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champions]
#5 [-1] Bob Orton Jr & Dick Slater (1-0-0) (NWA)
#6 [-1] Kevin Sullivan & Mark Lewin (1-0-0) (NWA)
#7 [-1] Assassin #1 & Assassin #2 (1-0-0) (NWA)
#8 [--] The Assassin & Buzz Tyler (1-0-0) (NWA)
#9 [--] Hulk Hogan & Mr. T (1-0-0) (WWF)
#10 [--] Ole Anderson & Arn Anderson (1-0-0) (NWA) [National Tag Team Champions]

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [new] The Fabulous Moolah (1-0-0) (WWF) [Women's Champion]
#3 [-1] Leilani Kai (1-0-0) (WWF)
#4 [new] Velvet McIntyre (0-1-0) (WWF)

 

Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- WWF Wrestlemania 2 (April 7, 1986)
- NWA Starrcade '85: The Gathering (November 28, 1985)
- WWF The Wrestling Classic (November 7, 1985)
- WWF Wrestlemania (March 31, 1985)
- NWA Starrcade '84: The Million Dollar Challenge (November 22, 1984)

 

The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intends 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.

Songbook: All That I Need is to Be Loved

Moby - All That I Need is to Be Loved (1995) [Original Post (Day 143)]

Songbook: Destroy

The Japanese Popstars feat. Jon Spencer - Destroy (2010) [Original Post (Day 142)]

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #4 - November 1985

#1 Junkyard Dog [new] (4-0-0) (WWF)

As if anticipating the prestigious rankings of the PPV Players -- WWF launch a second pay-per-view event to counter the NWA's annual spectacular. Starrcade '85: The Gathering packed a punch with its catalogue of national stars, but WWF stormed the stats with their The Wrestling Classic tournament timed a deliberate three weeks ahead on November 7th. The result is (presumably) one of the most unlikely top ranked stars we'll see throughout the ages: Wrestling Classic winner "JYD" Junkyard Dog!

Ric Flair notably concedes the top spot, trading the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and his '84 victory back to Dusty Rhodes in '85. That lone loss has shocking statistical implications as the steadfast "Nature Boy" plummets beneath WWF's tournament challengers and crossover talent. Randy Savage sure knows how to make an impression, debuting as tournament runner-up and #2 PPV Player as of November '85. Hulk Hogan has the WWF World Heavyweight Championship and his first Top 10 ranking. Ever the second - workhorse Ricky Steamboat rides his Wrestling Classic campaign to remain steady at #3.

Tag team wrestling remains a little on the sparse side, but the big news this month is the official registration of new NWA World Tag Team Champions: The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson)! Also on the winners list is defending NWA National Tag Team Champions: "The Minnesota Wrecking Crew" Ole & Arn Anderson! We'll see if/how WWF respond!

 

Top Ten Singles PPV Players

#1 [new] Junkyard Dog (4-0-0) (WWF)
#2 [new] Randy Savage (3-1-0) (WWF)
#3 [--] Ricky Steamboat (3-2-0) (WWF)
#4 [new] Tito Santana (2-0-1) (WWF)
#5 [-3] The Assassin (2-0-0) (NWA)
#6 [new] Hulk Hogan (2-0-0) (WWF) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#7 [new] Manny Fernandez (2-0-0) (NWA)
#8 [-7] Ric Flair (2-1-0) (NWA)
#9 [new] Jimmy Valiant (2-1-0) (NWA)
#10 [new] Ron Bass (2-1-0) (NWA)

 

Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players

#1 [--] Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood (1-0-0) (NWA)
#2 [--] Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik (1-0-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champions]
#3 [new] Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (1-0-0) (NWA) [World Tag Team Champions]
#4 [-1] Bob Orton Jr & Dick Slater (1-0-0) (NWA)
#5 [-1] Kevin Sullivan & Mark Lewin (1-0-0) (NWA)
#6 [-1] Assassin #1 & Assassin #2 (1-0-0) (NWA)
#7 [-1] Ivan Koloff & Nikita Koloff (1-0-0) (NWA)
#8 [-1] The Assassin & Buzz Tyler (1-0-0) (NWA)
#9 [-1] Hulk Hogan & Mr. T (1-0-0) (WWF)
#10 [new] Ole Anderson & Arn Anderson (1-0-0) (NWA) [National Tag Team Champions]

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF) [Womens Champion]
#2 [--] Leilani Kai (1-0-0) (WWF)

 

Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- NWA Starrcade '85: The Gathering (November 28, 1985)
- WWF The Wrestling Classic (November 7, 1985)
- WWF Wrestlemania (March 31, 1985)
- NWA Starrcade '84: The Million Dollar Challenge (November 22, 1984)
- NWA Starrcade '83: A Flair for the Gold (November 24, 1983)

 

The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intends 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.

Songbook: Windowlicker

Aphex Twin - Windowlicker (1999) [Original Post (Day 142)]

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #3 - March 1985

#1 Ric Flair [--] (2-0-0) (NWA)
(World Heavyweight Champion)

The World Wrestling Federation has officially entered the pay-per-view game. In 2013, Wrestlemania has the benefit of writing the history as its ultimate winner. After the first 'Mania, Ric Flair remains secure as the top PPV Player -- a two-time Starrcade main eventer. We shall see just how potent Wrestlemania proves as WWF encroaches further on the pay-per-view landscape. What is unmistakable is that Hulk Hogan has registered his first of many wins. He may be behind the chase and outside the Top 10 by default, but we know that will change in time. Not a matter of if -- but when!

The headache of trying to reflect the promotional rift in wrestling can officially begin here. Ricky Steamboat crosses lines to return to the Top 10 as a WWF star. He defeated the late Matt Borne in the third match on the card -- a modest method to become the highest ranked WWF talent after their first entry. "Cowboy" Bob Orton spent his March 31st interfering in the melee of Wrestlemania's famous first main event: a tag team bout officially between Hulk Hogan & Mr. T against Rowdy Roddy Piper & "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff. If that makes him a Pay-Per-View Player of headlining value, he'll have to settle for riding his Starrcade '83 win to #8. I'm sure we'll see the Hulkster at the top of the Tag ranks in no time, legendary team player that he is.

In the interest of proportions, a women's division can be added to the rankings list. I don't know how often we'll see the likes of Wendi Richter. The ebb and flow of womens wrestling on the main stage may prove to be one of the more interesting elements. We've a long way to go before the heights of Sable, Trish Stratus and other women as draws.

 

Top Ten Singles PPV Players

#1 [--] Ric Flair (2-0-0) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#2 [--] The Assassin (2-0-0) (NWA)
#3 [RE] Ricky Steamboat (2-1-0) (WWF)
#4 [-1] Denny Brown (1-0-0) (NWA) [World Junior Heavyweight Champion]
#5 [-1] Jay Youngblood (1-0-0) (NWA)
#6 [new] Nikolai Volkoff (1-0-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champion]
#7 [new] The Iron Sheik (1-0-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [-2] Bob Orton Jr (1-0-0) (WWF)
#9 [-2] Abdullah the Butcher (1-0-0) (NWA)
#10 [-2] Kevin Sullivan (1-0-0) (NWA)

 

Top Ten Tag Team PPV Players

#1 [--] Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood (1-0-0) (NWA)
#2 [new] Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik (1-0-0) (WWF) [Tag Team Champions]
#3 [-1] Bob Orton Jr & Dick Slater (1-0-0) (NWA)
#4 [-1] Kevin Sullivan & Mark Lewin (1-0-0) (NWA)
#5 [-1] Assassin #1 & Assassin #2 (1-0-0) (NWA)
#6 [-1] Ivan Koloff & Nikita Koloff (1-0-0) (NWA)
#7 [-1] The Assassin & Buzz Tyler (1-0-0) (NWA)
#8 [new] Hulk Hogan & Mr. T (1-0-0) (WWF)
#9 [-2] Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco (0-1-0) (NWA)
#10 [-2] Mark Youngblood & Wahoo McDaniel (0-1-0) (NWA)

Top Womens PPV Players
#1 [--] Wendi Richter (1-0-0) (WWF) [Womens Champion]
#2 [--] Leilani Kai (1-0-0) (WWF)

 

Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- WWF Wrestlemania (March 31, 1985)
- NWA Starrcade '84: The Million Dollar Challenge (November 22, 1984)
- NWA Starrcade '83: A Flair for the Gold (November 24, 1983)

 

The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intends 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.

Songbook: Talk Like That

The Presets - Talk Like That (2008) [Original Post (Day 141)]

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players #2 - Nov. 1984

#1 Ric Flair [--] (2-0-0) (NWA)
(World Heavyweight Champion)

The early days of pay-per-view means Ric Flair rides a successful NWA World Heavyweight Championship defense to a consolidating second PPV win. He defeated Dusty Rhodes in the titular "Million Dollar Challenge" main event at Starrcade '84.

 

The win/loss weighting means headlining stars like Rhodes and Harley Race must dwell outside the Top 10 players -- bumped for the virgin winners of Starrcades '83 & '84. Longevity will be the key to this calbre of superstar reflecting their status. Ultimately, the PPV Player rankings cannot be entirely 'fair to Flair' and the wrestlers of this period. A spartan PPV schedule will give way to an increasing calendar that goes in excess of monthly events in much later years -- a statistical advantage to later generations.

 

It's going to be very interesting to watch the tale of Ric Flair's career as told in statistics. This cold narrative will measure various elements of his storied career, not the least of which will be his reputation for putting over new talent, and the changing investment in his value as a money draw. These numbers will only tell a piece of the story, but it should be telling as time rolls on. The legend of WCW sometimes overwhelms the reality in all its shades. I'm interested to see if the numbers of this formative PPV period contrast against the eventual conflicts between Flair and Eric Bischoff's WCW.

 

The changing landscape will certainly be reflected between now and the next count! Starrcade '83 may have got this ball rolling, but the NWA is about to be joined by a competing event that will ultimately determine the perspective of history. 1985 begins the Wrestlemania era -- and with it, the inevitable rise of Hulk Hogan.

 

Top Ten Singles PPV Players

#1 [--] Ric Flair (2-0-0) (NWA) [World Heavyweight Champion]
#2 [new] The Assassin (2-0-0) (NWA)
#3 [new] Denny Brown (1-0-0) (NWA) [World Junior Heavyweight Champion]
#4 [-1] Jay Youngblood (1-0-0) (NWA)
#5 [--] Roddy Piper (1-0-0) (NWA)
#6 [--] Bob Orton Jr (1-0-0) (NWA)
#7 [+1] Abdullah the Butcher (1-0-0) (NWA)
#8 [+1] Kevin Sullivan (1-0-0) (NWA)
#9 [+1] Mark Lewin (1-0-0) (NWA)
#10 [new] Assassin #2 (1-0-0) (NWA)

 

Top Tag Team PPV Players

#1 [--] Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood (1-0-0) (NWA) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [--] Bob Orton Jr & Dick Slater (1-0-0) (NWA)
#3 [--] Kevin Sullivan & Mark Lewin (1-0-0) (NWA)
#4 [--] Assassin #1 & Assassin #2 (1-0-0) (NWA)
#5 [new] Ivan Koloff & Nikita Koloff (1-0-0) (NWA)
#6 [new] The Assassin & Buzz Tyler (1-0-0) (NWA)
#7 [-2] Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco (0-1-0) (NWA)
#8 [-2] Mark Youngblood & Wahoo McDaniel (0-1-0) (NWA)
#9 [-2] Scott McGhee & Johnny Weaver (0-1-0) (NWA)
#10 [-2] Rufus R. Jones & Bugsy McGraw (0-1-0) (NWA)

 

Recent Pay-Per-View Event Results
- NWA Starrcade '84: The Million Dollar Challenge (November 22, 1984)
- NWA Starrcade '83: A Flair for the Gold (November 24, 1983)

 

The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intends 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.

Songbook: Det snurrar i min skalle

Familjen - Det snurrar I min skalle (2007) [Original Post (Day 140)]

Wrestling: Pay-Per-View Players - November 1983

#1 Ric Flair [--] (1-0-0) (NWA)
(World Heavyweight Champion)

Ric Flair defeated Harley Race in a steel cage match at Starrcade '83 to become the NWA World Heavyweight Champion. With a win priority and weighted losses, this makes Ric Flair the first #1 ranked PPV Player, while Harley Race is forced outside the Top 10 by default of booking.

 

As in the Kayfabe Countdown, championship victories break the tie to organize Ric Flair at the top. PPV title wins will be tallied additionally from future results, but individual belt reigns will not be.

From eight Starrcade matches: 12 wrestlers secured victories. The Assassins are the only winners outside the inaugural Top 10, having won an opening tag team bout against Rufus R. Jones & Bugsy McGraw. Both teams have been included in the tag ranks [below].

 

Top Ten Singles PPV Players

#1 [--] Ric Flair (1-0-0) (NWA) (World Heavyweight Champion)

#2 [--] Ricky Steamboat (1-0-0) (NWA) (Tag Team Champion)
#3 [--] Jay Youngblood (1-0-0) (NWA) (Tag Team Champion)

#4 [--] Charlie Brown (1-0-0) (NWA) (Television Champion)
#5 [--] Roddy Piper (1-0-0) (NWA)
#6 [--] Bob Orton Jr (1-0-0) (NWA)
#7 [--] Dick Slater (1-0-0) (NWA)
#8 [--] Abdullah the Butcher (1-0-0) (NWA)
#9 [--] Kevin Sullivan (1-0-0) (NWA)
#10 [--] Mark Lewin (1-0-0) (NWA)

 

Top Tag Team PPV Players

#1 [--] Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood (1-0-0) (NWA) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [--] Bob Orton Jr & Dick Slater (1-0-0) (NWA)
#3 [--] Kevin Sullivan & Mark Lewin (1-0-0) (NWA)
#4 [--] Assassin #1 & Assassin #2 (1-0-0) (NWA)
#5 [--] Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco (0-1-0) (NWA)
#6 [--] Mark Youngblood & Wahoo McDaniel (0-1-0) (NWA)
#7 [--] Scott McGhee & Johnny Weaver (0-1-0) (NWA)
#8 [--] Rufus R. Jones & Bugsy McGraw (0-1-0) (NWA)

 

Events Featured In November 1983
- NWA: Starrcade (November 24, 1983)

 

The Pay-Per-View Players rankings intends 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.

Songbook: Young Folks

Peter, Bjorn & John - Young Folks (2006) [Original Post (Day 139)]

Songbook: Hyperballad

Björk - Hyperballad (1996) [Original Post (Day 138)]

Songbook: Chicago

Groove Armada - Chicago (1999) [Original Post (Day 137)]

Songbook: Novio

Moby - Novio (1997) [Original Post (Day 136)]

Songbook: In My Heart

Moby - In My Heart (2003) [Original Post (Day 135)]

Songbook: Let Forever Be

The Chemical Brothers - Let Forever Be (1999) [Original Post (Day 134)]

Songbook: Devils Haircut

Beck - Devils Haircut (1996) [Original Post (Day 133)]

Songbook: God Moving Over the Face of the Waters

Moby - God Moving Over the Face of the Waters (1995) [Original Post (Day 132)]

Songbook: Go

Moby - Go (1991) [Original Post (Day 131)]

Songbook: Rainbowarriors

CocoRosie - Rainbowarriors (2007) [Original Post (Day 130)]

Songbook: My Weakness

Moby - My Weakness (1999) [Original Post (Day 129)]

Songbook: Flying Foxes

Moby - Flying Foxes (1999) [Original Post (Day 128)]

Songbook: So Flute

St. Germain - So Flute (2001) [Original Post (Day 127)]

Songbook: Heart's a Mess

Gotye - Heart's a Mess (2007) [Original Post (Day 126)]

Songbook: God Lead Your Soul

The Sleepy Jackson - God Lead Your Soul (2006) [Original Post (Day 125)]

Songbook: We Are The People

Empire of the Sun - We Are The People (2008) [Original Post (Day 124)]

Songbook: Good Thing it's a Ghost Town Around Here

Still Flyin' - Good Thing it's a Ghost Town Around Here (2008) [Original Post (Day 123)]