The Pro Wrestling Exuberant
@prowrestlingexub.bsky.social
'80s/'90s centric free pro wrestling email newsletter & website, and independent wrestling showcase podcast.
Free pro wrestling newsletter: https://russellfranklin.substack.com/
Free pro wrestling newsletter: https://russellfranklin.substack.com/
To me as a new #prowrestling viewer in the ‘80s, NWA’s Nikita Koloff had a commanding presence on TV with intense stares and an ultra-physical wrestling style. The image here of him is from my Crockett Cup 1988 match program. On this card, Nikita challenged Ric Flair for the NWA title.
July 30, 2025 at 9:09 PM
To me as a new #prowrestling viewer in the ‘80s, NWA’s Nikita Koloff had a commanding presence on TV with intense stares and an ultra-physical wrestling style. The image here of him is from my Crockett Cup 1988 match program. On this card, Nikita challenged Ric Flair for the NWA title.
This photo I took from my ringside seat at The Great American Bash 89 is out of focus but there’s something special about it to me because I think it captures the spirit of the often chaotic ending of NWA #prowrestling matches in the ‘80s. Sting brawls with Great Muta after Flair vs Funk.
July 26, 2025 at 3:17 AM
This photo I took from my ringside seat at The Great American Bash 89 is out of focus but there’s something special about it to me because I think it captures the spirit of the often chaotic ending of NWA #prowrestling matches in the ‘80s. Sting brawls with Great Muta after Flair vs Funk.
I took this photo from my ringside seat at The Great American Bash 1989. Terry Funk's wild eyes darted around after he battered Flair a few feet away from me, selling the moment to the fans, his body appearing to lightly convulse in some sort of mix of rage and elation. #Prowrestling at its best.
July 25, 2025 at 3:06 AM
I took this photo from my ringside seat at The Great American Bash 1989. Terry Funk's wild eyes darted around after he battered Flair a few feet away from me, selling the moment to the fans, his body appearing to lightly convulse in some sort of mix of rage and elation. #Prowrestling at its best.
There is one match that sticks out the most in my memory when I think about watching The Great American Bash shows in the ‘80s and also defines for me the spirt of the NWA style of #prowrestling from that glorious era: Ric Flair vs Terry Funk in 1989.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/reflection...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/reflection...
July 25, 2025 at 3:01 AM
There is one match that sticks out the most in my memory when I think about watching The Great American Bash shows in the ‘80s and also defines for me the spirt of the NWA style of #prowrestling from that glorious era: Ric Flair vs Terry Funk in 1989.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/reflection...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/reflection...
These images here are from the program for a joint NWA/AWA #prowrestling show called Rage in the Cage from early 1986. The Pro Wrestling USA logo, that was on an NWA/AWA joint show program from a few months prior, is missing on the front cover.
July 8, 2025 at 4:07 AM
These images here are from the program for a joint NWA/AWA #prowrestling show called Rage in the Cage from early 1986. The Pro Wrestling USA logo, that was on an NWA/AWA joint show program from a few months prior, is missing on the front cover.
Check out this image of the "Official Rankings” for #wwe from a March 1983 house show program in my collection.
Most of the listed pro wrestlers will be gone two years later when WrestleMania 1 is about to occur.
There's also an ad for Johnny Valentine's school of #prowrestling correspondence.
Most of the listed pro wrestlers will be gone two years later when WrestleMania 1 is about to occur.
There's also an ad for Johnny Valentine's school of #prowrestling correspondence.
July 3, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Check out this image of the "Official Rankings” for #wwe from a March 1983 house show program in my collection.
Most of the listed pro wrestlers will be gone two years later when WrestleMania 1 is about to occur.
There's also an ad for Johnny Valentine's school of #prowrestling correspondence.
Most of the listed pro wrestlers will be gone two years later when WrestleMania 1 is about to occur.
There's also an ad for Johnny Valentine's school of #prowrestling correspondence.
The images here are from the program for a #wwe card at Madison Square Garden in March of 1983. This was two years before I actually started watching #prowrestling. I bought this from the publisher many years ago when he was liquidating his stock and got AWA and Mid-South programs too.
July 1, 2025 at 9:12 PM
The images here are from the program for a #wwe card at Madison Square Garden in March of 1983. This was two years before I actually started watching #prowrestling. I bought this from the publisher many years ago when he was liquidating his stock and got AWA and Mid-South programs too.
I was pleased to find a single copy of the recent
@ecwpress.bsky.social release Bigger! Better! Badder! in a bookstore this week.
I'm a quarter of the way through and it's a great read. Focus is WrestleMania III and the 1987 #prowrestling scene.
Full review to be posted soon in my newsletter.
#wwe
@ecwpress.bsky.social release Bigger! Better! Badder! in a bookstore this week.
I'm a quarter of the way through and it's a great read. Focus is WrestleMania III and the 1987 #prowrestling scene.
Full review to be posted soon in my newsletter.
#wwe
April 29, 2025 at 10:10 PM
I was pleased to find a single copy of the recent
@ecwpress.bsky.social release Bigger! Better! Badder! in a bookstore this week.
I'm a quarter of the way through and it's a great read. Focus is WrestleMania III and the 1987 #prowrestling scene.
Full review to be posted soon in my newsletter.
#wwe
@ecwpress.bsky.social release Bigger! Better! Badder! in a bookstore this week.
I'm a quarter of the way through and it's a great read. Focus is WrestleMania III and the 1987 #prowrestling scene.
Full review to be posted soon in my newsletter.
#wwe
The most memorable #WrestleMania for me has always been the first one I ever saw on TV live. That was WrestleMania III. The images here are from the official match program, which was sold at newsstands shortly after the event.
#wwe #prowrestling
#wwe #prowrestling
April 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
The most memorable #WrestleMania for me has always been the first one I ever saw on TV live. That was WrestleMania III. The images here are from the official match program, which was sold at newsstands shortly after the event.
#wwe #prowrestling
#wwe #prowrestling
Match programs are one of my favorite pieces of #prowrestling memorabilia. Here’s one from an NWA house show (live event) I attended in November 1988.
NWA live shows were always a blast, with an outstanding roster of wrestlers that delivered exciting matches from opener to main event.
NWA live shows were always a blast, with an outstanding roster of wrestlers that delivered exciting matches from opener to main event.
April 7, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Match programs are one of my favorite pieces of #prowrestling memorabilia. Here’s one from an NWA house show (live event) I attended in November 1988.
NWA live shows were always a blast, with an outstanding roster of wrestlers that delivered exciting matches from opener to main event.
NWA live shows were always a blast, with an outstanding roster of wrestlers that delivered exciting matches from opener to main event.
I just found this match photo I took of ‘80s NWA star Nikita Koloff in a box of old #prowrestling memorabilia. It’s from 1989 at an independent #wrestling show. The second photo is Nikita posing for me at a pro wrestling fan club luncheon he was the guest at the day after.
March 25, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I just found this match photo I took of ‘80s NWA star Nikita Koloff in a box of old #prowrestling memorabilia. It’s from 1989 at an independent #wrestling show. The second photo is Nikita posing for me at a pro wrestling fan club luncheon he was the guest at the day after.
This pair of Road Warriors figures are two of the oldest in my #prowrestling figure collection and among the first I ever bought.
They were released in the mid-80s as part of an AWA line of figures from Remco and packaged with their manager, Paul Ellering.
They were released in the mid-80s as part of an AWA line of figures from Remco and packaged with their manager, Paul Ellering.
March 25, 2025 at 4:50 PM
This pair of Road Warriors figures are two of the oldest in my #prowrestling figure collection and among the first I ever bought.
They were released in the mid-80s as part of an AWA line of figures from Remco and packaged with their manager, Paul Ellering.
They were released in the mid-80s as part of an AWA line of figures from Remco and packaged with their manager, Paul Ellering.
I’m looking for others, #prowrestling writers, immersed fans and non-wrestling #writers who are interested in collaborating with me on some pro wrestling #writing posts for The Pro Wrestling Exuberant Newsletter at russellfranklin.substack.com.
Send me a message on Chat here if interested.
Send me a message on Chat here if interested.
March 25, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I’m looking for others, #prowrestling writers, immersed fans and non-wrestling #writers who are interested in collaborating with me on some pro wrestling #writing posts for The Pro Wrestling Exuberant Newsletter at russellfranklin.substack.com.
Send me a message on Chat here if interested.
Send me a message on Chat here if interested.
WrestleMania III was the first #prowrestling pay-per-view that was available on my local cable provider system. WWF Magazine was the main way to see up close pictures from #wwe #wrestling shows back then. WWF banned all the other wrestling magazines from ringside photography privileges.
February 4, 2025 at 8:42 PM
WrestleMania III was the first #prowrestling pay-per-view that was available on my local cable provider system. WWF Magazine was the main way to see up close pictures from #wwe #wrestling shows back then. WWF banned all the other wrestling magazines from ringside photography privileges.
One of the first Japanese professional wrestlers I ever watched was Jushin “Thunder” Liger when he arrived in WCW in late 1991.
I recently got this import figure of Liger, and I think it’s an excellent depiction of how I recall him looking when he was in WCW back then.
#prowrestling #wrestling
I recently got this import figure of Liger, and I think it’s an excellent depiction of how I recall him looking when he was in WCW back then.
#prowrestling #wrestling
January 14, 2025 at 5:32 AM
One of the first Japanese professional wrestlers I ever watched was Jushin “Thunder” Liger when he arrived in WCW in late 1991.
I recently got this import figure of Liger, and I think it’s an excellent depiction of how I recall him looking when he was in WCW back then.
#prowrestling #wrestling
I recently got this import figure of Liger, and I think it’s an excellent depiction of how I recall him looking when he was in WCW back then.
#prowrestling #wrestling
NWA’s Great American Bash 1986 tour went to 14 different cities between July 1 and August 2, many of them held at football stadiums. On the next to last show on the tour, Dusty Rhodes defeated Ric Flair to win the NWA world title.
#prowrestling #wrestling
#prowrestling #wrestling
January 10, 2025 at 5:17 AM
NWA’s Great American Bash 1986 tour went to 14 different cities between July 1 and August 2, many of them held at football stadiums. On the next to last show on the tour, Dusty Rhodes defeated Ric Flair to win the NWA world title.
#prowrestling #wrestling
#prowrestling #wrestling
When I think about dominant #prowrestling superstars of the 1980s, the main tag team I think of is The Road Warriors.
They were exhilarating to watch live.
Here’s one of my favorite #wrestling magazine covers of The Road Warriors, circa 1987, that I think captures their intense aura quite well.
They were exhilarating to watch live.
Here’s one of my favorite #wrestling magazine covers of The Road Warriors, circa 1987, that I think captures their intense aura quite well.
January 3, 2025 at 5:37 PM
When I think about dominant #prowrestling superstars of the 1980s, the main tag team I think of is The Road Warriors.
They were exhilarating to watch live.
Here’s one of my favorite #wrestling magazine covers of The Road Warriors, circa 1987, that I think captures their intense aura quite well.
They were exhilarating to watch live.
Here’s one of my favorite #wrestling magazine covers of The Road Warriors, circa 1987, that I think captures their intense aura quite well.
In the year leading up to Sting winning his first world title in July 1990, he was hyped heavily in the newsstand #prowrestling magazines and on many covers, including this one from my collection that has an October 1990 issue date.
#wrestling #aew
#wrestling #aew
December 27, 2024 at 5:56 PM
In the year leading up to Sting winning his first world title in July 1990, he was hyped heavily in the newsstand #prowrestling magazines and on many covers, including this one from my collection that has an October 1990 issue date.
#wrestling #aew
#wrestling #aew
This #prowrestling magazine from 1987 focused on #wwe WrestleMania III and NWA’s (2nd) Crockett Cup Tag Team Tournament, but inside the issue World Class’s 4th Annual David Von Erich Parade of Champions and UWF’s Superblast at the Superdome received substantial coverage.
#wrestling #wwe
December 23, 2024 at 10:11 PM
This #prowrestling magazine from 1987 focused on #wwe WrestleMania III and NWA’s (2nd) Crockett Cup Tag Team Tournament, but inside the issue World Class’s 4th Annual David Von Erich Parade of Champions and UWF’s Superblast at the Superdome received substantial coverage.
#wrestling #wwe
These action shots were given to me in the early '90s by The Lightening Kid (the future 1-2-3 Kid/X-Pac) for a #prowrestling magazine article I was writing about him. They show off his aerial ability and athleticism very nice, which was unique for the era.
#wwe #wrestling
#wwe #wrestling
December 19, 2024 at 9:33 PM
These action shots were given to me in the early '90s by The Lightening Kid (the future 1-2-3 Kid/X-Pac) for a #prowrestling magazine article I was writing about him. They show off his aerial ability and athleticism very nice, which was unique for the era.
#wwe #wrestling
#wwe #wrestling
This is one of my favorite covers in my #prowrestling magazine collection. I recently asked Nikita Koloff online if he remembered the cover and he said he did and credited it as a major factor in helping get the storyline over of him turning "good" when he aligned with Dusty Rhodes.
#wrestling
#wrestling
December 19, 2024 at 5:01 AM
This is one of my favorite covers in my #prowrestling magazine collection. I recently asked Nikita Koloff online if he remembered the cover and he said he did and credited it as a major factor in helping get the storyline over of him turning "good" when he aligned with Dusty Rhodes.
#wrestling
#wrestling
I remember driving around to 7-11s looking for this Roddy Piper cup back when this was released as part of a SummerSlam promotion in the early 2010s. Searching for all the collectible cups for this was part of the experience.
#prowrestling #wrestling #wwe
#prowrestling #wrestling #wwe
December 17, 2024 at 6:24 AM
I remember driving around to 7-11s looking for this Roddy Piper cup back when this was released as part of a SummerSlam promotion in the early 2010s. Searching for all the collectible cups for this was part of the experience.
#prowrestling #wrestling #wwe
#prowrestling #wrestling #wwe
This AJ Styles compilation was one of the many #tna DVDs I purchased in the mid-2000s. TNA DVDs were sold at all the major retailers back then.
#wwe #wrestling #prowrestling
#wwe #wrestling #prowrestling
December 17, 2024 at 6:20 AM
This AJ Styles compilation was one of the many #tna DVDs I purchased in the mid-2000s. TNA DVDs were sold at all the major retailers back then.
#wwe #wrestling #prowrestling
#wwe #wrestling #prowrestling
Sean Waltman was a key player in some pivotal moments in pro wrestling history as a member the NWO in WCW and then D-Generation X in WWE.
Before all that, he was The Lightening Kid. Here's some of his story.
#prowrestling #wwe #wrestling
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/how-sean-w...
Before all that, he was The Lightening Kid. Here's some of his story.
#prowrestling #wwe #wrestling
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/how-sean-w...
December 12, 2024 at 8:25 PM
Sean Waltman was a key player in some pivotal moments in pro wrestling history as a member the NWO in WCW and then D-Generation X in WWE.
Before all that, he was The Lightening Kid. Here's some of his story.
#prowrestling #wwe #wrestling
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/how-sean-w...
Before all that, he was The Lightening Kid. Here's some of his story.
#prowrestling #wwe #wrestling
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/how-sean-w...
This wrestling autobiography was given to me by the author, '70s WWE tag team champion Pat Barret, in 1990 after I wrote him a letter requesting an interview so I could write about him for a newsstand wrestling magazine.
#prowrestling #wrestling #wwe
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/irish-pat-...
#prowrestling #wrestling #wwe
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/irish-pat-...
December 12, 2024 at 8:02 PM
This wrestling autobiography was given to me by the author, '70s WWE tag team champion Pat Barret, in 1990 after I wrote him a letter requesting an interview so I could write about him for a newsstand wrestling magazine.
#prowrestling #wrestling #wwe
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/irish-pat-...
#prowrestling #wrestling #wwe
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/irish-pat-...