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Legitimate badasses


marrklarr

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I know Harley Race is legendary for being the baddest motherfucker in every dressing room he set foot in. (One of my favorite stories comes from Flair's autobiography in which Flair was set to defend the NWA title somewhere overseas, and there was some concern that the promoters there would stage a screwjob finish to steal the belt. Harley was sent along to be Flair's manager with the understanding that as long as he was there no one was going to take the strap away from Flair.)

 

But I was wondering if there was a discussion to be had as to who were the legitimate badasses in wrestling history. Who were the guys that the other guys just NEVER fucked with? Andre comes to mind. I would imagine Andre could manhandle anyone he wanted. (Although, I think Dynamite Kid said in his book that Andre backed down when challenged once by Bad News Brown. Of course, that doesn't mean that Andre wouldn't have torn him limb for limb.)

 

I think I've also heard that Haku had a reputation for being a very dangerous man, so don't EVER mess with the Colossal Connection, I guess.

 

Anyone else come to mind?

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Meng, Barbarian, Bad News, these are the obvious ones.

 

Not that obvious : Raymond Rougeau was not someone you'd want to mess with apparently. Bob Backlund was a gentleman who probaby was a legit tough guy. Cornette told a story about Hercules Hernandez once that would make you think twice about it. Gary Hart said that Don "The Spoiler" Jardine was a vicious son of a bitch. JBL would tell you to not fuck around with Joey Styles.

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Raymond Rougeau was not someone you'd want to mess with apparently.

Raymond Rougeau was an honest-to-goodness ass stomper? Wow! The guy looked like a youth pastor. See, I love finding out shit like that. Reminds me of the time I learned Dr. Ruth was a sniper for the Israeli army. Astonishing.

 

Bret Hart told in a shoot interview that Dynamite Kid would mess around with Jacques but didn't go after Raymond even when he was injured because he knew Ray was not a guy to be fucking with. Not to mention he was a smart guy too, getting out of the ring at 35 with his health and plenty of money.

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I announced a show recently that had Barbarian on it. While talking to him I jokingly asked who would win if he and Meng got in a fight, Barbarian laughed and said "Meng, All Day Long brother!" I then said "Yeah, I've heard the stories." He replied" Brother, I LIVED the stories" which got a huge chuckle from Kevin Sullivan who was sitting at the table next to him.

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That's pretty cool.

 

Talking about women, of course Luna Vachon was supposed to be tough as nails (the infamous story of a young Luna being slapped by Sullivan and shouting at him after the take because he hit her "like a pussy"). I believe I heard about Etsuko Mita from LCO being a tough one too back in the days.

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I know Harley Race is legendary for being the baddest motherfucker in every dressing room he set foot in. (One of my favorite stories comes from Flair's autobiography in which Flair was set to defend the NWA title somewhere overseas, and there was some concern that the promoters there would stage a screwjob finish to steal the belt. Harley was sent along to be Flair's manager with the understanding that as long as he was there no one was going to take the strap away from Flair.)

 

flair expounds upon this during his interview on the steve austin podcast. the story goes like this- word got back to the NWA bosses that a swerve was planned during Flair's title match with Jumbo Tsurata. Harley was sent to make sure this title switch wouldn't happen. The match took place and everything worked out fine with the exception of what was described as jumbo not following flair's in ring "calls". So after the match, Harley has flair follow him into baba's office where Jumbo was also at. Harley proceeds to slap Tsurata in the face and chides him for doing a spot in the ring that flair didnt call.......i heard that in the podcast and i was thinking...that takes balls....on their turf......f'kn awesome...... Harley is god.

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The Meng/Haku stuff is interesting in that it seems to be balanced by people in wrestling calling him an incredibly nice guy too.

Yes. And also very safe and light as fuck (chops excepted) to work with apparently. I don't remember who talked about Haku being as light as a feather in the ring.

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Rick Rude.

Who has been known to knock people out with a slap during his bouncer days.

 

According to a buddy's mom who went to high school w/ Rude and Curt Hennig, they both would toss refrigerators and various other appliances into swimming pools at parties. A contractor that did some work in my basement used to roll w/ Hawk and Animal back in the day. He told me a story about having to leave the bar quickly one time because Hawk tore a urinal off the wall in the bathroom and threw it at a guy.

 

Not sure if that stuff makes any of them legit tough guys, but they're cool stories :)

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The Meng/Haku stuff is interesting in that it seems to be balanced by people in wrestling calling him an incredibly nice guy too. Just don't cross him I guess.

My favorite part of the aforementioned Powers Of Pain shoot came when Warlord talked about being there when Haku bit a guy's nose off in a bar. The interviewer asked what did the other guy do to provoke him, Warlord replied, "Looked at him."

 

Bobby Heenan seemed to back up the paradox that is Haku. Class man, big heart, just wants to work to take care of his family ... just don't mess with him.

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