The Fall of Big Time Wrestling: An In-Depth Look | Bigtime Memories | ROX-TV

[@adamlane6453]

You fellas make me nostalgic for a time I never lived. (I'm 36) I love wrestling but I can't stand the modern stuff. So my "new" wrestling is old wrestling. And you guys cover so much uncharted territory (forgive the pun) as far as my wrestling knowledge goes. So, much appreciation, fellas. Glad you guys have thia platform to share these memories.

[@goredongoredon]

I was a teenager in the 70s and lived near lansing, so this episode kind of fills in some of my TV wrestling memories. I didn't know the behind the scenes reasons for the decline of Big Time Wrestling but once our house got cable my attention shifted to the TBS show and (if I was lucky) Memphis and Texas. It was easier to figure out the schedule for these shows and it probably didn't hurt that the wrestlers were both younger and fresh to me also.

[@mattbadish7840]

i remembe terry sullivan doing bruise bedlum wwa wrestling on sat mornings on wjbk channel 2 here in the detroit area in 1986

[@joef5416]

I used to watch this on Channel 61 in Cleveland every Saturday.

[@adamlane6453]

What year(s) would that have been?

[@joef5416]

@@adamlane6453 I would say from '69 thru '74

[@ccfunk1]

They had a young Randy Macho Man Savage in as well a one point. i remember Gary Hart managing Ox Baker. i also remember The Sheik turning and teaming with Bobo. it was on the 6 O' Clock local news.

[@greatesttoysevermade3693]

In 1980, the federal minimum wage was $3.10/hour, so $5-$6.00 for a wrestling ticket was significant. High inflation, and the downfall of the Big Three brought on by factors self inflicted and otherwise also were major contributors. The territory was aging out as were the gimmicks. Cable television was a factor in the changes in professional wrestling as well.

[@ernestcruz6316]

The Rick Bolton Dave mentions is the guy who wrestled George Steele on WWF's All Star Wrestling in 1981, in the infamous TV match where Steele dislocated Bolton's shoulder. (Bolton was one of those people who could dislocate their arm at will, so he wasn't really hurt. Still it was kinda gnarly to see.)

[@kenstoller1079]

Wonderful new wrestling Podcast for me. I am thrilled to learn about the wrestlers and Big Time Wresting. You two guys are the Best! Loved the Shiek's post home visit. Your programs years ago never came to the East..NY. ETC...Have you written a book about the original Shiek? Thank you. Ken. Long Island, NY...Never knew Detroit was booming!!

[@markhealey3660]

I watch you guys to learn more about the territories. I grew up in Indianapolis when Dick and Wilbur owned it. Great stuff from the two of ya. Thank you very much.

[@thomashenley1903]

After reading Shiek's book, I became a fan of Shiek and Big Time Wrestling. Watched all the episodes that you can find, bought I Like to Hurt People, and I think Terry Sullivan is going to be part of a series on Big Time on WLN

[@Jx83xB]

I didn't know that Sheik was paying to be on TV. I always thought that they were paying to have Big Time Wrestling on their station not the other way around.

[@brucesturton8521]

Detroit big time wrestling had some great wrestlers,yet they went belly up ,whereas all star wrestling in Vancouver and stampede wrestling in Calgary lasted much longer despite not having as many good wrestlers.

[@timothy4772]

I remember when bulldog Don Kent was champion. He had the lamest finishing move. He would lift his opponent and drop his neck over the top rope. He did it to Lannie Poffo who is forever a jobber. Back then his brother Randy Savage was known as Randy Poffo and his finishing move was the abdominal stretch.

[@phillipstankey8881]

Why did he lose channel 50? Moving to channel 62 instead of channel 20 was a mistake....channel 20 was a little better,..at least it was available in Toledo on cable

[@brucesturton8521]

Maybe if big time wrestling, would stop having the sheik constantly win they might have lasted longer. In Toronto the sheik came in February 69 and constantly won ,but, when he beat Andre the giant in August 74 . After that everyone knew the sheik would never lose and attendance went down. In 77 frank tunny no longer used him.

[@Bandana_Boi]

I'm sure you guys have read Brian Soloman's book on The Sheik?

[@hattorihanzo2275]

Of course. I have a signed copy I ordered directly from Soloman.

[@Bandana_Boi]

@@hattorihanzo2275 What an enlightening piece of wrestling history that book is. Sheik spent his entire life covering up those details, and it's got endless information. I'll also say: Insane Clown Posse, who I'm sure you Detroit boys are well aware of, were obviously inspired by Sheik's violence, blood & fire. They even worked the Detroit independents with Sheik in the late 80s as underneath job guys.

[@ccfunk1]

Ax Grossman lol

[@timwickens2605]

Are they going to do new ones? This is an old show reposted.

[@ROXTVDETROIT]

These were reuploaded after we fixed some music , as of right now , no plans are in place for new ones

[@thehillbillygamer2183]

The Nature Boy Buddy Rogers what's Ric Flair stole his gimmick sold everything off of me

[@dougdospoy5920]

very true

[@tomjones5650]

❤Heather Feather Tickled My 3rd Leg.❤

[@thack57]

The poor fans were cheated out of what could've been a historic tag team match with Capt. Ed George and George Gulas. The possibilities 😂😂😂

[@thomasswafford250]

Daddy said sell and bleed.

[@thack57]

@@thomasswafford250...And oh yeah, by the way daddy also said the box office was robbed!

[@thomasswafford250]

@@thack57 yeah I heard about that.

[@thomasswafford250]

Then they could have turned on each other and had an epic feud.

[@Jx83xB]

Fuckin eh lol

[@John.Flower.Productions]

_THE FALL OF BIG TIME WRESTLING_ was inevitable; as was _THE FALL OF DETROIT._ Anyone that does not know the reason for the complete collapse of Detroit is trying very hard to be oblivious.

[@joef5416]

Hosted by Lord Layton

[@thehillbillygamer2183]

Wrestling sucks now it stinks none of the new so-called Superstars can hold a candle to the guys in the attitude for the guys in the Golden Age there's no comparison

[@Jx83xB]

There are in the indy promotions but not on WWE or TNA. Some of the guys in AEW are but they aren't booked right.