The Whole Ref’N Show w/Tony S. – Week 2

By Ted Skowronski at September 2, 2010 | 12:00 am | Print

Folks as everyone knows in the wrestling business you never know what to expect next and when The Ref  Tony S. was called away on a special assignment Week 2 of the Whole Ref’N Show was delayed. But Tony just arrived back and has submitted his responses to my questions. Enjoy Week 2 of “The Whole Ref’N Show.

1)       What do you think is the best and worst gimmick currently in wrestling?

Perception is reality and in my opinion, a gimmick can be an advantage or a detriment of certain talent, just how they’re portrayed on television. I also think that the best gimmicks are not intended to be one, but play off of the real-life attributes that define a person and make them unique.

Before he TNA dropped him using this persona, I enjoyed Jay Lethal’s imitations of “Macho Man” Randy Savage. I’ve been a fan of imitation in wrestling, not as a sign of disrespect, but respect and admiration to the individual that is being imitated. It’s one thing to imitate someone and not back up your work inside the squared circle, but Lethal more can back up his work; his credentials include a reign as Pure Champion in Ring Of Honor and in his TNA career, has been a World Tag Team Champion as well as three X Division Championship reigns.

Although the “Black Machismo” persona was good to see for a while, I th9ink that we needed to see the true, real, Jay Lethal and that’s the opportunity that we have right now to see the real Jay Lethal…let’s just hope that TNA Wrestling stays with that decision.

I think that how AJ Styles is being portrayed now in TNA is just them grasping at straws to try to compete with WWE by attempting to transform one of their originals, which to me, is not sending their organization in the direction that they should. In my opinion, he does not need Ric Flair or any of his robes to be “phenomenal.” In his over decade-long career, he has done it all, including holding the ROH Tag Team & Pure Wrestling Championships, and since his inception into TNA Wrestling at the promotions’ first event, has been a company staple and mainstay, becoming the first member of both the TNA Triple Crown & Grand Slam Clubs (an honor which he has held more than once), including six reigns as X Division Champion, three runs as NWA World Heavyweight Champion, and a stint as TNA World Heavyweight Champion.

Styles’ risk-taking style as well has his ability to do the unthinkable and attempt the unimaginable, made fans and admirers worldwide of his work. It was his commitment and work ethic that made him one of the best in the world. Either on his own or in a team, AJ Styles’ star has always shined through. Many fans around the world know “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles, not “Nature Boy” AJ Flair; this is not the fault of AJ Styles, or even Ric Flair, but TNA Wrestling. I feel that TNA should have more of a pure wrestling aspect and less of a sports-entertainment feel; it’s all about pure athletic competition to bring the people into the arenas and wrestling is what this industry is all about.

2)      What is your favorite match that you have called involving WWE or TNA Superstars?

I have been very fortunate and blessed to be involved in this industry for nearly five years and it is a pleasure to share the same ring with the best in the business today. Whether the talent that you’ve worked with have competed overseas, or made it to one of the top organizations, either for a one-night tryout, still on a contract, or coming off of a stint and returning to the independents, being able to work with such great talent is surely a rewarding experience.

In April of 2008, I had the opportunity to work with then-TNA Superstar Christian Cage. I, like many who are currently involved in this industry, are wrestling fans and I, like many, had many favorite superstars growing up and the “Instant Classic” was one of them. I could remember myself and my best friend emulating Edge & Christian’s “five-second pose” and their signature catchphrases; and to have the chance to meet and work with him in a main event was a rewarding experience. His opponent, Dan Frietas, had the unique chance to wrestle against the “Instant Classic” in his hometown. Dan is a person that I have great respect for and since I broke in the independent scene, whenever I officiated his matches, has always told me, “Tonight, your career is on the line”, and that night, it was.

The match did what it intended to do and in the end, and after the match, Dan, Christian, and I took part in the famous “five-second pose” as well as Christian & I engaging in a “Spinnaroonie Challenge”. Overall, everyone involved came out the better for it and it was a match and night that I won’t soon forget.

In November 2009, I also had the chance to work with then-released WWE Superstar “Mr. Kennedy” Ken Anderson, before he signed with TNA Wrestling; it was also his first match in the United States since being released from WWE. I had enjoyed Anderson’s work throughout his WWE tenure, including his unique promo ability. His opponent, was then-Top Rope Promotions Heavyweight Champion “The Epic” Mike Bennett, who is one of the finest talents in the independent scene today, and who recently signed a contract to Ring Of Honor.

Having the best seat in the house, I witnessed a great match and it served as a proving ground for both men, especially Bennett, who in my book is one of the future superstars of tomorrow. I believe that just like working with Christian, working with Mr. Anderson proved to me, at least in my mind, that I am ready, one day in the future, to officiate in a high level organization.

The irony is that Christian along with Mr. Anderson returned to their roots, to the independent scene, to help out the younger, up-and-coming talent that is ready to make an impact, and become superstars in the very near future. It’s all about giving back and adding positive momentum to the future and longevity of the industry, and I have unlimited respect for them and it was indeed an honor and a privilege to share the same ring with those great competitors, as well as everyone playing their trade on the independent scene today.

3)       Who would you rank as the five greatest Tag Teams in wrestling history?

In the long and illustrious history of this great sport, there have been some tremendous tag teams to step into the ring. Some designed to be paired together, some not, but the two individuals that are fortunate to be paired together to bond as one to engage in tag team competition have one goal in mind, to be recognized and remembered as the best in the world. The debate as to who are the true greatest tag teams of all-time will continue forever; however, here is my unofficial top five rankings and why.

5. Steiner Brothers
The Steiner Brothers is definitely regarded as one of the top and most athletic tag teams in wrestling history; standouts in amateur wrestling at the University Of Michigan, Rick & Scott went through singles competition in the independent circuit before joining NWA’s Jim Crockett Promotions in 1988; and first teaming together the following year.

Their combination of amateur wrestling as well as power, speed and agility quickly made them one of the top teams in the industry and in their first stint with the NWA & WCW, picked up every single tag team championship that promotion had including a WCW World Television Championship for Scott. In 1992, the two departed WCW for the World Wrestling Federation as their momentum continued by becoming WWF Tag Team Champions on two occasions, both times defeating Money, Inc. After leaving the WWF in 1994, they went to Extreme Championship Wrestling for one year before resigning with WCW in 1995.

A few months after resigning with the company, they regained possession of the WCW World Tag Team Championship from Harlem Heat, which would be the final major tag team gold the two would hold together. The major split of the Steiner Brothers came in February 1998 when Scott turned on his brother Rick and joined the New World Order. It’s been 12 years since the initial split of the Steiner Brothers and although they have sporadically reunited in TNA Wrestling as well as the independents, I’ll always remember their initial run as a team to be reckoned with; defeating teams like the Fabulous Freebirds, the Midnight Express, Money, Inc., the Nasty Boys and other is no small feat, and obtaining the NWA & WCW United States Tag Team Championships, as well as the NWA World, WCW World and WWF Tag Team Championships and making wrestling history.

4. Edge & Christian
The future “Rated R Superstar” and “Captain Charisma” debuted in 1998 as members of The Brood (along with Gangrel), and from their initial inception, gradually showed that they had the potential to be today’s top stars. In fact, three weeks after Christian’s debut, in his first match with the WWF, became Light Heavyweight Champion; but for E&C, direction in 1999 with their initial feud with the Hardy Boyz as their matches of high-risk, reckless abandon and tag team execution electrified fans across the country.

However, at the end of 1999, a team crossed over to the World Wrestling Federation from the land of extreme to add some much needed fuel to the fire of the E&C/Hardy Boyz rivalry: Bubba Ray & D-Von, the Dudley Boyz, who were known for putting their opponents through tables…add them to the Hardy Boyz, who were on top of their game when it came to using ladders and E&C were the resident “chair-men” of the WWF: put them all together and you have one of the most dangerous matches in wrestling: the Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match. This new concept took the word “death-defying” to a whole new level as these three teams risked their careers for the WWF Tag Team Championship, and with each maneuver, each chair shot, each risk taking situation, these men took was to get to the ultimate…to become champions.

These teams actually competed in the first three official TLC Matches with Edge & Christian victorious in the first two and as I watched these matches, I saw the transformation from comedic fan-favorites to two individuals who would do whatever it takes, no matter what the circumstance to win a match. All together, Edge & Christian became 7-time WWF Tag Team Champions, which is a record in WWF history, before the company’s name change in 2002; E&C broke up in 2001, and battled over the Intercontinental Championship.

Ironically, in my opinion, it was the momentum of the split that makes them one of the greatest teams ever, as tag team success led to individual career-highs. In the “Rated R Superstar’s” over 12-year WWF/E career, has held many accolades including the Tag Team Championship on 15 occasions with six different partners, a five-time Intercontinental Champion, and has obtained not only the World Heavyweight Championship five times (tied for the most in the history of the championship), but the ultimate, the WWE Championship on four separate occasions.

As for “Captain Charisma” his storied career has been full of championship gold as well. In his 15-year career, he has been a Tag Team Champion 9 times with 3 different partners as well as a 3-time Intercontinental Champion and the “Instant Classic” has proven that he can reach the main-event status as well, by becoming a two-time undefeated NWA World Heavyweight Champion in TNA and in his return to the WWE, became ECW Champion on two occasions.

In my book, great tag team success, followed by great individual success on both ends deserves a spot on this list and that surely “reeks of awesomeness”.

3. Hollywood Blonds
The original and most famous brush with greatness, the Hollywood Blonds of “Stunning” Steve Austin & “Flyin” Brian Pillman in my book will go down as one of the best and most cunning teams ever. In WCW, Austin came from a run in the Paul E. Dangerously led “Dangerous Alliance” where he was World Television Champion; Pillman was just starting to turn against the wrestling fans after being on their side for so long. After they were first paired together in 1992, I knew that it was tag team gold.

Their feuds with the teams of Shane Douglas & Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat as well as Four Horsemen members Ric Flair & Arn Anderson showed the toughness, ruthlessness and the will to win mentality of the Hollywood Blonds; as well as their comedic side on Flair & Anderson on “A Flair for the Gold”.  They called themselves the “Tag Team of the 90’s” and in my book, they definitely are high on that list.

I firmly believe that WCW had a diamond in the rough with this team and if they had stayed with them longer than one year, this team could go down as one of the best ever. Their “brush with greatness officially ended” in 1993 after they were defeated for the NWA & WCW World Tag Team Championships, but their legacy continued long after the breakup, as Brian Pillman became a “loose cannon” and one of the most memorable and respected athletes ever and as for Steve Austin, going from “Stunning” to “Stone Cold” doesn’t seem like a bad idea.

2. Hart Foundation
The Hit Man; the Anvil; the Pink & Black Attack. The Hart Foundation took tag team wrestling to a new level. There have been many incarnations of this group, but the original two, Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart set the pace for all others to follow.

In 1985, the two were paired and along with their manager Jimmy Hart, slowly rose to prominence with their tag team mechanics as well as their standout matches with the British Bulldogs, which they defeated for the WWF Tag Team Championship, their first of two. At a time where championships meant that you’re were the best at what you did, in a time where championships changing hands meant something, a time where you had to earn your way to the top of the sport because of what you accomplished inside the squared circle, becoming champions were no small feat.

Perseverance, heart, determination and finesse defined the team and they took it to teams like Deomlition & The Rockers and at SummerSlam in 1990, defeated Demolition to win their second and final Tag Team Championship. Their championship reigns I will remember as dominant and enduring due to the caliber of tag teams compositing at the time.

Even though the original Hart Foundation ended in 1991, the legacy continued throughout the decade and today, David Hart Smith, Natalya and Tyson Kidd as the Hart Dynasty, keeps the name and success alive where they are the current WWE Tag Team Champions.

The foundation that Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart laid down is currently being felt thanks to the next generation of Harts and it will continue for many years to come.

1. Road Warriors
The originators; the innovators; the originals. There have been many incarnations with many members, but there is one Legion of Doom, Animal & Hawk, the Road Warriors.

The Road Warriors throughout their career had three states of mind: power, intimidation and domination. Beginning in 1983, along with their manager “Precious” Paul Ellering, made an immediate statement, every time they went to the ring. The face paint, the haircuts, the physiques, the power; when you saw them come down the aisle to Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man”, you knew that someone was going to get hurt and hurt badly. In fact, when some opponents found out that they were going to face them, they would shake in fear or worse, leave the building altogether.

On June 11, 1983, less than six months after their debut, Hawk & Animal won a tournament to become NWA National Tag Team Champions, and since that night, the momentum never stopped. The fans gravitated to these larger-than-life individuals, because they knew who they were; they didn’t come out to the ring pretending to be anyone other than who they really were, and that was two big, strong, street fighters, that didn’t need to use pretty technique to get the job done. Rivalries with the Fabulous Freebirds, the Midnight Express, Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderson of the Four Horsemen and others, solidified them as one of the top teams in the industry.

The masters of the dreaded “Doomsday Device” went through the NWA, AWA, WWF, WCW and all major international promotions of that time period, dismantling all opposition and by doing so, have the honor of being the only tag team in history to hold the original top three worldwide promotions’ championships, the AWA World, NWA World and WWF Tag Team Championships.

In my opinion, it wasn’t just the in-ring chemistry that made them successful; it was their overall chemistry and longevity. They knew each other, they grew up together, they were as close as brothers, and when you have that kind of rapport with your teammate, you are a tough team to beat, and when you’re a team as dominant as the Road Warriors, you are.

The Road Warriors…number one. What a rush! I’m anxious to see how you rank the top five tag teams in wrestling history. Maybe teams like the Fabulous Freebirds, Midnight Express, Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderson and others rank on yours…let the debate rage on!

You will have the opportunity to see me in action on Saturday, September 18 at the MWF’s “Big Bang Birthday Bash”; Saturday, October 2 for Powerhouse Wrestling’s “Decade Of Destruction” in Worcester, MA and Friday, October 8 for Top Rope Promotions in Fall River, MA.

Check out my website, http://refereetonys.tripod.com for contact, booking and general information as to where I will be heading next.

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