Celebrating Kevin Sullivan's Life & Career | Busted Open

Dave LaGreca is joined by Tommy Dreamer, Eric Bischoff and Scott D'Amore to celebrate the life and career of Kevin Sullivan.
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Busted Open airs seven days a week, 9am-12pm ET on SiriusXM Fight Nation 156. Host Dave LaGreca discusses all aspects of pro wrestling with the greatest cast of co-hosts in the industry: WWE Hall of Famers Bully Ray & Mark Henry, ECW legend Tommy Dreamer, Nic Nemeth, Thunder Rosa, and Denise Salcedo.
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[@jasonshorn4386]

I had the privilege and honor to meet him way back in the mid 90's working at a Taco Bell in South Daytona, Florida. He and his former wife Nancy came in together and I was working the front cash register and it didn't register immediately who they were (cuz who would think that 2 of the most well known people in the wrestling business would just randomly walk in to a Taco Bell for dinner lol) but once I realized who they were while I was taking their order I told them I was a huge wrestling fan and Kevin reached out and shook my hand and told me that I should watch the career of someone that was going to be a major star in the business eventually and he said his name is Paul Wight a.k.a. The Big Show. I'll never forget that night and how nice and friendly of a person he and Nancy were to me R.I.P. Mr. Sullivan 😥

[@JRJrsx85]

Kevin Sullivan changed the wrestling business forever. 1982-1985 Florida is some of the best and most violent wrestling tv ever and was an influence on ECW and The Attitude Era. Without the Sullivan Army Of Darkness, there wouldn’t be a Ravens Flock, Ministry Of Darkness or Wyatt Family.

[@moonhead8550]

I never saw anything from Florida back then but would read all about the wars Kevin Sullivan’s army had in the wrestling mags. I thought it was the most fascinating thing and way different than anything else going on in wrestling. Then I saw him put together the Varsity Club in WCW and thought that was a great group as well. He was one of a kind

[@williamgonzalez6239]

Fact

[@tracyworobe8699]

His Stuff in Smokey Mountain in 92/93 was also a fun watch

[@DateMike22]

RIP Kevin Sullivan 🕊️🌹🙏🏼.

[@vanessabrumage]

Kevin was such a nice guy. He helped an independent company that I would go to semi-regularly. I would sometimes help set up before shows, and watching how he interacted with established performers and the newest of the new to the ring was amazing. He always was kind to their trainees; if someone asked his opinion on their bit he made sure he understood what the performer was going for versus was was interpreted by the audience before critiquing. He also did a wonderful job helping them think about things from multiple angles before they do a bit to make sure the it was bulletproof for even the newest fan to get what's happening. My personal favorite was him discussing with several guys who needed to buy their first pieces of real gear, and he explained how the gear help tells a story, how important their boots were for safety and not just grab whatever off the shelf because sneakers can be safer than uncomfortable boots. One guy who was NEW to watching and performing asked about the difference between shiny and matte black boots, someone tried to tease the poor guy, but Kevin understood the question and intent perfectly. He explained the fact of maintaining their outfit was as important as picking out the items. If you couldn't commit to keeping your shiny boots nice, unless them looking like trash is part of the gimmick to get the matte black. Watching how he could meet new people at their level of understanding different aspects of the business and lifting them up without belittling them was wonderful for the 2 or so years he was a regular there.

[@kevinh5780]

This is sad news indeed. Rest in peace Kevin, The wrestling world is better because you were in it. Always remembered.

[@brianhawk955]

Dusty and Kevin are up there right now as we speak booking one hell of a banger. RIP Kevin Sullivan

[@vicredes]

Love Tommy's story 5:33 so funny! 😂RIP Kevin Sullivan

[@dannyelrod9607]

Heaven just got another legend My condolences goes out to his family and friends and fans

[@MrChrisStingray]

Kevin Sullivan’s influence to the business cannot be denied. RIP

[@kristieparker8597]

Well done Busted Open, RIP to the great Kevin Sullivan

[@arturoalmazan5262]

RIP Kevin Sullivan. the taskmaster . wrestling legend will never be forgotten. we losing the greatest wrestling legends. Terry funk; superstar Billy Graham and now Mr Kevin Sullivan 😢

[@Difrentstyles]

Rip to a legend great panel glad to sit in as a fan of 32 yrs Good stuff Tommy great story lol

[@michaelrood2751]

“The wrath of Abuddadein…” RIP Sullivan greatest heel of all time

[@WCWMidnight]

I worked at WCW as Midnight with the Harlem Heat during my tenure with them, and I remember Kevin as being a very nice man. I had no idea he was ill and I am sorry to hear of his passing. May he rest in peace! 😢

[@WCWMidnight]

It was not fun. A lot of backstabbing, jealousy, cheating on spouses, drugs, etc. There were very few wrestlers that were good people like Kevin. The guys and girls in the s hiil were genuine. ​@justinentz-ip7bl

[@f2walsh]

I had the great opportunity to meet Kevin and he so, very personable!

[@KingGamer321]

Rip Kevin Sullivan. The taskmaster. Will never forget what he did in this business aswell as all the stories he told. He truly lived life. Rip

[@hervehightower2364]

this a very sad day but we remember and celebrate one great creavite minds ever in pro wrestling kevin sullivan he would saying things out no where you didn't know but he made understand i remember been scared of him when i was kid but as got older not anymore he's was different televison my heart and prayers go out to every one who knew him rest in peace kevin with much love and respect thank you for all you did.

[@robertcornelius3514]

Eric is the best. He tells us so in every podcast.

[@jamesreding6336]

RIp Kevin Sullivan praying for his family

[@craigstrachan]

Forgot to mention that the Tag Title match they won was against The Nasty Boys at WCW Slamboree '94 in a Broad Street Bully Match refereed by Philadelphia Flyer David Schultz . Those 2 teams had some violent , brutal matches . Hardcore Wrestling at its best . Have them also on VHS/DVD .

[@paulsutherlandgolspie]

No way Kevin gave us some epic storie lines rip

[@janwright7162]

R.I.P. they Original Prince of Darkness

[@kshinokevin]

the Taskmaster, the Prince of Darkness, the Varsity Club (stable) member (Mike Rotunda, Rick Steiner/the Dog Faced gremlin, "Dr. Death" Steve Williams, "Dangerous" Dan Spivey (the Skyscrapers; Waylon Mercy (WWF); and Leia Meow (valet): Kimona Wanalaya in ECW); a co-leader for the "Dungeon of Doom" stable (in WCW), the "Booker Man" of WCW (see Brian Pillman's infamous "Superbrawl VI (1996)" promo; during a Leather Strap match). Sullivan had this thick New England (Cambridge, Mass.) "Bostonian" accent. If he was still alive, Kevin Sullivan, like a "Dirty" Dutch Mantel(l), would be an asset to any pro wrestling company (either as a booker (in the back) or an on-air talent). I remembered seeing a Sullivan vs. Chris Benoit street fight feud, where they fought in the men's restroom (WCW Monday Nitro: Jan. 20, 1997). Wild. Did Sullivan have a real-life grudge against the Canadian Crippler because Chris had taken his gal, Woman (Nancy (Sullivan) aka "The Fallen Angel") ? We wouldn't have a Sinister Minister (Father James Mitchell/Vandenberg) if it weren't for the Taskmaster. No.. the legendary (Hawai'ian) King Curtis Iaukea, the leader of the Dungeon of Doom stable, had a kid named Rocky (credit; wikipedia); Prince Iaukea aka "The Artist (The Artist Formerly Known as Prince Iaukea)" is NOT related to King Curtis. "Brother, that was heat !" = Kevin Sullivan; "I almost died !" = Tommy Dreamer The pro wrestling business has lost another son... In the 1980's, there was such a thing called the "Satanic Panic"; was there a correlation between heavy metal/hard rock music and the devil ? Sullivan was like a "Anton LaVey" character; Church of Satan, author of the "Satanic Bible" (1930-1997). Kevin's looks reminded me of a Flash Gordon (1980) antagonist, The Emperor (Ming, the Merciless; who was played by Max Von Sydow) or General Zod (who was apart of a Kryptonian gang; played by Terence Stamp) from the first Superman (1978) film with Christopher Reeve.

[@kshinokevin]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5Wsha1_j9umbrc - Chris Benoit vs. Kevin Sullivan . Nitro 01.20.97 (8 mins. 33 sec.) - by: Ring Ropes on Jul 9, 2017

[@anthonycampos8057]

RIP..........booker man

[@davespieler4971]

To be honest with you, I met Kevin Sullivan over at Woodbury Heights Community Center in Woodbury Heights New Jersey at The Very First H2O Wrestling Show of Hardcore Hustle Organization, it was Kevin Sullivan did Took on The Bulldozer Matt Tremont before Jeff Cannonball had to ruin the fun before Joe Mintz Formally Known as Kaide Lohbrok or Stockade made the save for Tremont. That was the last time I seen Kevin Sullivan alive

[@terrimitchell5236]

Kevin Sullivan was a great Booker too.

[@jamiemark]

R.I.P. Kevin Sullivan. He was a great heel and a very creative mind in the wrestling business. I think that Eric Bischoff forgot that King Curtis appeared in several Dungeon of Doom segments at least a couple of years before the Hawaii airport story he described. Unless he wasn't ever around when those vignettes were filmed, I dunno.

[@williamhanrahan8086]

Rip kevin sullivan great wrestler

[@shanebrandy6074]

R.I.P Kevin Sullivan 🕊️

[@jamesstevens8822]

The Taskmaster

[@anthonysulpizio2269]

The wrestling world has lost one of its best people in Kevin Sullivan.

[@StephenLawler-ux2vj]

Kevin was my no2 favorite villian of all time. My no1 is Ox Baker

[@mitchellandrews1015]

Big influence within the Freemasons too. Interesting I thought

[@gastrointestinalhemorrhage]

Rip Kevin 🪦

[@szczesciejestkoloruczarneg749]

IQWrestler has a great MV on Kevin. RIP Kevin

[@szczesciejestkoloruczarneg749]

-> _「IQHL」Kevin Sullivan Is The Devil_

[@jaw-knee-5]

Tommy Bahama. Great Sullivan story. LOL

[@craigstrachan]

RIP to Kevin Sullivan . A pioneer of Hardcore Wrestling and 1 of the best promo guys ever with his evil Satanic Cult Leader character that was just downright evil and sadistic . His Run in Florida during the 80's against Dusty Rhodes , Blacjack Mulligan and Barry Windham was legendary . Hist time in the NWA , early ECW and SMW and WCW were legendary and were some of the most violent and bloody matchups . Favourite matches were his 2 against Yukihiro (W*ING) Kanemura . The 1st match in SMW where Sullivan bloodied Knemura and Kanemura bladed his arm that they put a red X over it ,2nd being their match in the W*ING promtion in Japan that was a sheer bloodbath and Sullivan stabs Kanemura in the eye ending the match . Also liked when him and Cactus Jack teamed up to win the WCW Tag Team Titles in a Broad Street Bully Match back in '94 then they teamed up in ECW to face Public Enemy for the ECW Tag Team Titles but Kevin turns on Cactus after he spits on 1 of the belts . His matches against "Prime Time " Brian Lee in SMW were good as well . The matches that he had against Chris Benoit were violent spectacles and considering that angle turned into real life when Sullivan's then wife Nancy aka Woman (RIP) left Sullivan for Benoit and the matches between those 2 were off the charts . Have the forementioned matches and many other of his on VHS and DVD . Respect to him and his legacy in Wrestling .He will be missed .

[@InnocentFurryCat-we6yz]

The dungeon of doom put hulk over big time I'm still shocked he passed away

[@TrishGuinta]

I'll miss my little older brother all the training at his gym in the keys Rip. My friend

[@Julian-yc4hn]

Rest in Paradise Kevin Sullivan

[@bigroy38]

RIP

[@CeemPlay]

Rest Easy breeda

[@randdeutsch9943]

RIP Kev

[@bxsolx5086]

Kevin Sullivan, one of the greatest of all-TIMES

[@daytonflyerr7608]

Kevin was wrestling

[@williamspitznagel1811]

Rip brutha

[@kshinokevin]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppKqYnmphL-IfdU - Kevin Sullivan Promo (1985) (Championship Wrestling From Florida) (1 mins. 52 sec.) - by: 106 N. Albany on Oct 31, 2018; a Kevin Sullivan promo about Blackjack Mulligan, and the Windham brothers (Kendall and Barry); featuring Woman.

[@JeffTullock-yx1hd]

Did Sullivan ever make a man named Dreamer bleed? If yes, did Dreamer enjoy it?

[@victorhamilton4141]

I've never heard Eric B say anything good about anyone. RIP Taskmaster. Thank you

[@kshinokevin]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqbZnnRna6mlgas - Kevin Sullivan on his controversial "Satan-Worshiping" gimmick (3 mins. 20 sec.) - by: Card Subject To Change on Dec 23, 2018

[@jasonpepe7617]

Yep the Dungeon Of Doom changed the face of professional wrestling forever. RIP - you will be missed

[@demarcoadams8975]

Cmon now that’s a reach .. Sullivan is a legend , no doubt .. One of the best minds for the business, but Dungeon of Doom diner change anything

[@jasonpepe7617]

@@demarcoadams8975 the D O D was the best group of heels - scary big ugly men had the kid me afraid to watch sometimes.

[@kshinokevin]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZbLZJahoqyfj7s - Kevin Sullivan promo (09 02 1995 WCW Saturday Night) (2 mins. 30 sec.) - by: Al Balog on Sep 26, 2020

[@CeemPlay]

Da Gardan

[@demarcoadams8975]

Sullivan believed in Kayfabe so much, he sacrificed his marriage for it

[@alextreecko4449]

And the Benoit family. Confession or not.

[@cheesygorditacrunch1]

@@alextreecko4449 💯

[@dannyelrod9607]

Surely not Tommy

[@kshinokevin]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIGwp3d4dt6Bfck - Woman & Kevin Sullivan NWA Pro 14/10/89 (2 mins. 1 sec.) - by: BorntoFight92 on Mar 16, 2013; Woman & Kevin Sullivan NWA Pro 14/10/89; ring announcer: Gary Michael Cappetta (the old NWA days; before it transformed into WCW)

[@caughtlooking2019]

Anyone know, before he died,if Sullivan believed in joe hendry?

[@alphatoddio]

Dude really 😕

[@kshinokevin]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHPJkH6lfJmqn7M - Flyin’ Brian vs. The Taskmaster - Leather Strap Match: WCW SuperBrawl VI (WWE Network) (2 mins.) - by: WWE Deutschland on Feb 11, 2016; commentary: Tony Schiavone; the "American Dream," Dusty Rhodes and Bobby "the Brain/Weasel" Heenan.

[@CalebEvanssoon]

The idea you can get deadly infections in a hospital is ridiculous.

[@yappers2011]

Catching a deadly infection where deadly infections are being treated?

[@Stranglehold138]

I like to imagine Kevin walking into Heaven and everyone pissing themselves cause the Prince of Darkness just waltzed through the Pearly Gates.

[@fenixvlogs8666]

Rip Mr Benoit this coward got his already

[@SherylLethbridge-n7w]

First to view 😊😊😊😊😊😊 0:12

[@wallyview8435]

Dreamer should not be invited to any shows. Grape Apologist should be banned.

[@WrestlingGod-f4v]

He doesn’t Deserve to get celebrated

[@wa2k99]

Explain

[@WrestlingGod-f4v]

@@wa2k99 OK you want me to explain OK I’ll explain it’s just that I just think that it’s all bullshit for the way that he just died now Do you think that he decided to have that accident just so that way? People wouldn’t find out that there was something about him had something to do with Nancy and Daniel and Chris’s death around the time back in 2007 because there is proof of him, Vince and someone who maybe used to work for WWE around the time I think all three of them and other people had something to do with the Benoit families death but if you really wanna hear it, you just need to listen to my theory

[@KClouisville]

@@wa2k99 Benoit truthers brother! They've come out of the woodwork since Sullivan died. They're a sorry lot.

[@SPACEBOYSTINK]

Sullivan was the one person I wish Tony Khan would learn from directly