Skip to main content

Remembering A Blueprint

Professional wrestling has come a long way since it’s inception in the early 1930’s, and its pivotal evolution as hybrid-sports and entertainment in the mid 1980’s. With a collection of various talent, wrestling took off, and has yet to look back. We can name many who have paved the way and given their bodies, souls, and livelihoods for the current business we all enjoy. From Hulk Hogan to the Iron Sheik, the 80’s brought us many who were and are a blueprint in the wrestling business. 

Yesterday, the wrestling world lost one of those blueprints in Captain Lou Albano. The Captain, a wrestler in his earlier days (1950’s) became famous for his legendary crazed tactics and personality, and as a manager of various Tag Team Champions.

Besides his ability to manage various champions, and talent as a promo guy and “mouthpiece” as is said in the wrestling business, Captain was one of the first guys that crossed over onto the big screen, appearing in “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” with Cindy Lauper. The Captain truly had a connection with fans of the past and the mainstream media, as wrestling fans of the past that no longer follow the current industry, such as my father, were saddened of Captain’s death. 

The death of Captain Lou Albano is one that was shocking, and at the same time very eyebrow raising.
Captain, is of a kind that is dying – wrestling managers. Male wrestling managers. The art of helping wrestlers who are unable to “cut a promo” or convey themselves in front of the camera had various managers to help them along. Guys such as Albano, Bobby Heenan, Jim Cornette, Jimmy Hart, Colonel Parker, Master Fuji, and others were great in that role. Today, the industry has demanded more from wrestlers in schools, academies, and camps across the globe. And yet with more demands, there are still tremendous talents that still and will struggle in verbal communication when the red light comes on. Today, they are usually paired with attractive women with no art or flair for the role. It’s all about the ratings now, and blueprints like the Captain are being wasted – but that makes for another piece on another day.

Nonetheless, the Captain will be missed. However, the memories, contributions, and guidelines will not be forgotten.

Captain Lou Albano (1933-2009)
Labels:

Recently Read

Dome Pondering Move Review: Say You Will (2017)

What is it about? A recent high school graduate cares for his mother while attempting to navigate his first relationship following his father's suicide.  Who is in it? Travis Tope - Sam Nimitz Katherine Hughes - Ellie Vaughn Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] Sam plays his song for his mom. Favorite Quote: Ellie: "I wish we could have met down the road, maybe when we were like 27." Sam: "I think we needed each other now." Review:  Say You Will was an absolutely pleasant surprise of a watch from the Amazon Prime offerings.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this one, but after the credits rolled, it was a movie that provided authentic characters and a great lesson on life. We don't always have to have everything figured out, and it's okay if you don't.  What makes Say You Will so beautiful is that all of the characters are carrying some inner struggle that connects them in the moment and time that helps them through whatever it is. The unlike...
Read more

TNA Slammiversary 2025 Review: "One of the best TNA shows that I've ever attended"

One of the best TNA shows that I've ever attended.  That has been the bottom line regarding my immediate my thoughts on TNA Slammiversary 2025 since it my son and I walked away from UBS Arena. I attended the - the - record-breaking show for the company this past weekend in Long Island, NY, and it brought back so many feelings that I had for this company in the past, as well as created new ones in the process.  I've been fortunate enough to attend many TNA shows throughout the company's existence, including all the turbulent years. From barns, small theaters, convention halls, and historic, but smaller, venues like the Manhattan Center, there was a very surreal aura about sitting in an area for a TNA show.  In the words of Real1 (who made an appearance on the Countdown to Slammiversary)... Well, well, well...whatta we got here!  For this long-time fan, the aura and environment were pretty cool. Being part of a record-breaking night was pretty cool. Sharing that momen...
Read more

Remembering Hulkamania

What a complicated mess this news leaves me in. Hulk Hogan. Dead. At 71. I was never a fan of Hogan (in the world of pro wrestling)…I was a Macho Man Randy Savage guy, and later on, a Bret Hart guy (and still am). But like every other wrestling fan from the ’80s through now, Hulk Hogan’s presence and legend are undeniable.  Terry Bolea transcended wrestling as Hulk Hogan and helped the art form take its first step into the mainstream of pop culture.  He later reinvented the business once again with the greatest heel turn ever at Bash at the Beach 1996. Many have changed the business once, but twice? Significantly?! Hogan’s run as Hulkamania and as Hollywood makes a case for the best to ever do it - I can't think of anyone on such a high level on both sides of the pro wrestling coin as a babyface and heel. Every pro wrestling Mount Rushmore (as dumb as these lists have become) includes Hulk Hogan, period. But Hogan is also so instrumental in my ever-evolving ability to separate...
Read more