you were somewhat ashamed to learn you didn't know. 

So I was watching the 2008 Royal Rumble match this afternoon , the one with Flair's career on the line in the opening match and I learned through commentary that Flair's first ever wrestling match took place in Rice Lake , Wisconsin. Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things but Rice Lake is about 20 minutes from my front door and a town I've frequented for years and know pretty well , it's probably my second hometown and a place I still spend hours at every Sunday for my daughters figure skating. 

Now for the normal person this probably wouldn't matter , but I've always thought I knew a lot about wrestling and am pretty decent at trivia so this took me by surprise. How did I not know this? And why the hell was there wrestling taking place in Rice Lake , WI? Nothing happens there and I'd gather a wrestling event hasn't taken place there since I can remember. 


Anyways , are there any wrestling facts or some wrestling knowledge you're somewhat embarrassed to admit you didn't learn until long after you shoulve have?

Jan 28, 2018 20:20:30 GMT UT said:

And why the hell was there wrestling taking place in Rice Lake , WI? 

It was an AWA thing. Even in their dying days they were forever running shows in tiny Upper Midwest towns so obscure I imagine most residents of the veritable metropolis that is Menomonie wouldn't even have been able to tell you where they were.

My lack of knowledge was far more embarrassing....

I had been watching wrestling for about 7 years before finally learning Vince McMahon owned WWF. Before that I just assumed Jack Tunney really was in charge.

It was years before I found out Undertaker, Razor Ramon & IRS had been Mean Mark, Scott Hall & Mike Rotunda in their previous lives. Same goes for the many gimmicks of Barry Darsow. And it was months before I learned the true identities of Goldust, The Ringmaster, Dean Douglas and the Godwinns. It was very much a case of "out of sight, out of mind" for me in those days.

I wasn't completely convinced Japanese Wrestling was a real thing until some time between 93 & 95. Before that I thought it might just be a gimmick promoters used to hype a guy up or explain away an absence. Same concept applies to "Rocky" (Smoky) Mountain Wrestling. "If it's not on tv (in my area) how can it be?"- pre-1996 Baker 

I also grew up thinking all non-WWF promotions were (loosely) affiliated thanks to the UWF/Crockett split and AWA going out of business.

When I first learned about "the Indies" via the Apter Mags in 95-96 I thought it was referring to an apparently thriving wrestling scene in the West Indies.

I was SHOCKED to discover King Harley Race and The Model had both been former World Champions. And 7 times in Harley's case!

Bob Backlund was WWF champion for over 5 years. Half of that reign took place in the 80s. Yet I had been watching wrestling for over 5 years before I even knew he existed.

Nearly all of these I found out about in the early 90's when some avid wrestling fans moved into my neighborhood unless otherwise stated:

Jerry Lawler was a territory legend winning nearly 50 Heavyweight and Southern Heavyweight championships.

Bob Backlund's dominance of the WWF in the 70's and 80's when he came back in 1992

Curt Hennig was an accomplished World Champion in the AWA

Randy Savage was not a Vince McMahon creation and had been in outlaw territories and Memphis

Superstar Graham's career before 1986 (when I first saw him) which I didn't find out about until 1995/96 thanks to the PWI Almanac.

Scott Hall's AWA run also from PWI in the mid 90's

Raven was Johnny Polo/Scotty Flamingo (PWI 1996/97ish)

I legit thought wrestling was real until I was like 14 years old.

Jan 29, 2018 1:59:36 GMT Shootist said:

Nearly all of these I found out about in the early 90's when some avid wrestling fans moved into my neighborhood unless otherwise stated:

Jerry Lawler was a territory legend winning nearly 50 Heavyweight and Southern Heavyweight championships.

Bob Backlund's dominance of the WWF in the 70's and 80's when he came back in 1992

Curt Hennig was an accomplished World Champion in the AWA

Randy Savage was not a Vince McMahon creation and had been in outlaw territories and Memphis

Superstar Graham's career before 1986 (when I first saw him) which I didn't find out about until 1995/96 thanks to the PWI Almanac.

Scott Hall's AWA run also from PWI in the mid 90's

Raven was Johnny Polo/Scotty Flamingo (PWI 1996/97ish)

Lawler is a good shout, forever I thought he was some hack wrestler who found his way to the announcing booth. He was Bret's personal jobber to me. 

Jan 29, 2018 0:12:02 GMT Baker said:

Jan 28, 2018 20:20:30 GMT UT said:

And why the hell was there wrestling taking place in Rice Lake , WI? 

It was an AWA thing. Even in their dying days they were forever running shows in tiny Upper Midwest towns so obscure I imagine most residents of the veritable metropolis that is Menomonie wouldn't even have been able to tell you where they were.

My lack of knowledge was far more embarrassing....

I had been watching wrestling for about 7 years before finally learning Vince McMahon owned WWF. Before that I just assumed Jack Tunney really was in charge.

It was years before I found out Undertaker, Razor Ramon & IRS had been Mean Mark, Scott Hall & Mike Rotunda in their previous lives. Same goes for the many gimmicks of Barry Darsow. And it was months before I learned the true identities of Goldust, The Ringmaster, Dean Douglas and the Godwinns. It was very much a case of "out of sight, out of mind" for me in those days.

I wasn't completely convinced Japanese Wrestling was a real thing until some time between 93 & 95. Before that I thought it might just be a gimmick promoters used to hype a guy up or explain away an absence. Same concept applies to "Rocky" (Smoky) Mountain Wrestling. "If it's not on tv (in my area) how can it be?"- pre-1996 Baker 

I also grew up thinking all non-WWF promotions were (loosely) affiliated thanks to the UWF/Crockett split and AWA going out of business.

When I first learned about "the Indies" via the Apter Mags in 95-96 I thought it was referring to an apparently thriving wrestling scene in the West Indies.

I was SHOCKED to discover King Harley Race and The Model had both been former World Champions. And 7 times in Harley's case!

Bob Backlund was WWF champion for over 5 years. Half of that reign took place in the 80s. Yet I had been watching wrestling for over 5 years before I even knew he existed.

Wait , what's this about Menominee? 

Jan 29, 2018 2:45:39 GMT UT said:

Jan 29, 2018 0:12:02 GMT Baker said:

It was an AWA thing. Even in their dying days they were forever running shows in tiny Upper Midwest towns so obscure I imagine most residents of the veritable metropolis that is Menomonie wouldn't even have been able to tell you where they were.

My lack of knowledge was far more embarrassing....

I had been watching wrestling for about 7 years before finally learning Vince McMahon owned WWF. Before that I just assumed Jack Tunney really was in charge.

It was years before I found out Undertaker, Razor Ramon & IRS had been Mean Mark, Scott Hall & Mike Rotunda in their previous lives. Same goes for the many gimmicks of Barry Darsow. And it was months before I learned the true identities of Goldust, The Ringmaster, Dean Douglas and the Godwinns. It was very much a case of "out of sight, out of mind" for me in those days.

I wasn't completely convinced Japanese Wrestling was a real thing until some time between 93 & 95. Before that I thought it might just be a gimmick promoters used to hype a guy up or explain away an absence. Same concept applies to "Rocky" (Smoky) Mountain Wrestling. "If it's not on tv (in my area) how can it be?"- pre-1996 Baker 

I also grew up thinking all non-WWF promotions were (loosely) affiliated thanks to the UWF/Crockett split and AWA going out of business.

When I first learned about "the Indies" via the Apter Mags in 95-96 I thought it was referring to an apparently thriving wrestling scene in the West Indies.

I was SHOCKED to discover King Harley Race and The Model had both been former World Champions. And 7 times in Harley's case!

Bob Backlund was WWF champion for over 5 years. Half of that reign took place in the 80s. Yet I had been watching wrestling for over 5 years before I even knew he existed.

Wait , what's this about Menominee? 

:lol:  I once knew somebody from there and needed a smallish (but not TOO small, for Menomonie has practically double the population of Rick's Lake!) upper midwestern city to make my point. 

I’m constantly learning about wrestling so it’s hard to pick. Probably more of an embarrassment today if ppl don’t know something b/c we have the internet.

Jan 29, 2018 2:26:29 GMT shinobimusashi said:

I legit thought wrestling was real until I was like 14 years old.

I was 12 when I found out wrestling wasn't legit. I was a pretty big Val Venis fan and always wondered why he kept losing after gaining momentum after wins. He would lose 1 match after winning 3. I wanted a big Valvolski main event push. :lol: