cawthon777

Thus are the tales of Buffy ... Slayer of the Vampires. Much appreciated.

They had a few bouts right before Warrior left in 92. ...AND had a world title match at the Tokyo Dome right after WrestleMania VI.

I wrote this little article for my college paper and I think I'll pass it around to some of the local newspapers as well and see if anyone's interested. Not sure about a title. Any ideas? Of course I can't include EVERYTHING cool that happened in the series, but I think it's a good synopsis of what needs to be known. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- “In every generation there is a chosen one. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness. She is the slayer.” With those words, Buffy the Vampire Slayer made its debut as a WB mid-season replacement in March of 1997. Picking up where the 1992 film left off, few imagined the series would see a second season. It almost didn’t. The brainchild of writer / director / producer Joss Whedon, the show was allowed something few others are – a chance to develop despite less than stellar ratings. That opportunity proved beneficial for all involved. The second and each consecutive season thereafter brought with it higher ratings, a broader audience, deeper and darker plot lines, smarter wit-driven writing, and a massive merchandising campaign – which included everything from action figures and video games to bumper stickers and novels. Its stars Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson Hannigan, Seth Green, Emma Caulfield, and Eliza Dushku have all transcended their TV roles into a growing film career as a result of the popularity of the show. One of the more significant reasons behind the long-term success of the program is the well-crafted character development. The roles have become complex over the past seven years due to something we all suffer from – life. The heroes are far from perfect, each possessing vulnerabilities and darker sides to their personality, while the villains are too likable to hate. Buffy (Gellar) has lost a mother but gained a sister, Dawn, whom she protects as she would her own daughter. She also died…twice. Willow (Hannigan) has transformed from a shy, mousy, bookworm into a powerful Wicca vixen whose murderous rampage last season almost led to the destruction of the world. Faith (Dushku), the untamed rouge Slayer whose turbulent upbringing and thirst for power set her on a path of ruin several seasons ago, turned herself into the police and has willingly spent the last three years in prison as payback for crimes committed. Angel and Spike, both vicious legendary vampires in their time, have searched for redemption for past wrongs – something they, like Faith, may never find. The show has been a favorite of publications such as Time, USA Today, and Entertainment Weekly largely in part to the smart, sharply-written dialogue that has been a mainstay of the series since its beginning. Referred to by many as ‘Buffy Speak’, the blending of slang, wit, and intelligently-placed pop culture references gives each character their own distinctive style of the English language. In any one episode, there may be citations to anything from Star Wars to the Real World or Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel (of Simpsons’ fame) to film director M. Night Shyamalan. “Want to see my impression of Ghandi?” Buffy once assuredly asked a demon seconds before she brutally killed it. “Ghandi?” questioned the would-be victim of the demon. “Well, you know, if he was really pissed off,” responded the Slayer. So after six years, seven seasons, a successful spin-off (Angel), two TV networks (the WB and UPN), and with reruns distributed in syndication around the globe, the critically acclaimed series has run its course. Earlier this month it was announced after a lengthy period of speculation that Sarah Michelle Gellar would be leaving the show following this season. The final episode, entitled ‘Chosen’, will air May 20th on UPN. The fate of Buffy, Willow, Xander, Spike, Anya, Dawn, and Giles is unknown but, if the season continues as it has begun, don’t expect a happy ending. Unlike previous years, in which armageddon was averted each May without fail, this final chapter pits Buffy and the ‘Scoobies’ not against a demon determined to end the world but against the very entity that created ‘evil’ itself, known simply as the First. Intent on ridding the world not only of the Slayer but also of the younger Slayers-in-Training prepared to take her place in the event of her death, the First has methodically plotted against Buffy and her friends – racking up an unprecedented death toll of reoccurring characters in the process. With a tremendous climactic battle on the horizon, expect to see the long-awaited return of several familiar faces before all is said and done. Though the series is ending, Joss Whedon is currently in talks to produce a second spin-off that would feature the survivors of this season as well as occasional guest appearances by Buffy herself. Whether this plan comes to fruition or not and whatever the fate may be of the WB’s Angel, it’s safe to say that after years of international critical acclaim the influence of the Buffy universe will live on far beyond May 2003.

that's what happens with theories. regardless, this one fits rather well considering the guy's campaign was funded by oil. and you won't ever convince me that it has nothing to do with the war, even if it's just an ulterior motive. Politicians are driven by money. Wow, Bush must be the devil if he would send troops to war for his own personal benefit... My impression of O'Reilly: "I'm sorry Senator *throws up hands* ... I'm not buying it."

2. Val Venis 3. Ted Dibiase 4. Eddie Guerrero, Chavo Guerrero Jr. ... I believe Rey wore the shirt as well but ended up feuding with the group rather than joining it 5. Koko B. Ware 6. that was late 89 ... hmm ... no clue 7. Adrian Adonis at WrestleMania III ... Johnny V soon followed 8. Antonio Inoki 9. Shawn Michaels at the hands of the Big Bossman at WrestleMania V 10. I believe Mustafa's last WWF appearance was 92 ... I'll go out on a limb and say Owen Hart

It's a possibility. Although I've heard numerous interviews with Joss in which he makes it clear that he had no intentions of ever killing off Willow when she was put in danger in earlier seasons. I believe the quote was "I'll never kill Willow."

I find it very odd that Neidhart ever teamed up with JYD. From what I remember and what I've seen on tape since, Neidhart didn't show up until the spring of 93 and stayed until MAYBE August - while JYD didn't make another appearance after fall 92. I remember reading Neidhart had house show matches against Arn Anderson in 93, with Double A coming out on top.

LMAO That is gold. I remember watching that live as a 15 year old ubermark. Everyone seemed to be pro-Austin at that point and that whole incident gave me a bad taste in my mouth. Bret had never been anything other than a stand up guy on screen and I didn't like the fact they were tampering with that image.

Goldberg

Actually, It might be higher...Some people might look at WM as a Nice Break from The War, Remember how Baseball ratings SHOT after 9/11...People wanted a diverson...WM could actually benefit in some ways...If that makes sense...and besides...It won't be a Knock out punch War.... I would think it would be higher, myself. On an interesting note, WrestleMania VII (which took place toward the end of the Gulf War) aired to the largest PPV audience to date at that time.

Finally, someone with pre-2000 trivia... 1. Bobby Eaton 2. As I remember, Jesse only did one match at Slamboree (the tag title brawl) ... not a clue 3. Lex Luger, Roddy Piper, Sting, Jacques Rougeau 4. Arn Anderson on Nitro; Feb 96 after a high heel to the eye 5. WCW Saturday Night match against Lex Luger in which he dropped the TV title after DDP interfered and hit the Diamond Cutter on the floor

Them be fighting words.

Okay, is this thread invented so that you can bash Fox or because you have a valid idea? Why the hell would TNN preempt anything?

ANSWERS ... since mine didn't get many responses... 1. The Undertaker 2. The Rockers vs. the Fabulous Rougeaus in 1989 3. The Rougeaus (87) and the Rockers (90) 4. The Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan 5. Mr. Perfect

Just answering the ones that aren't already correct. 1. Pedro Morales 4. Diesel

5 new ones... 1) Upon his arrival to the WWF, Razor Ramon picked up pinfall victories over all these men except whom? Randy Savage, the Undertaker, the Big Bossman, Bret Hart 2) What was the first WWF marathon / Ironman-rules match? 3) What two teams did the Hart Foundation "lose" the tag titles to, only for the decision to be later overturned? 4) What two men pinned the Undertaker during his "undefeated" streak prior to the 1991 Survivor Series? 5) The British Bulldog picked up pinfalls over all these men in the WWF except whom? Ric Flair, Bret Hart, Ted Dibiase, Mr. Perfect

(walking around in the ghetto) You call this the land of opportunity? America is crumbling, Lex Luger. And when you step into the ring with Ludvig Borga, you will crumble just like it.

1) Brain Busters, Conquistadors, Bolsheviks, and the Rougeaus 2) The Red Rooster 3) The Rock 4) Mike Tyson, Muhammed Ali, Joe Frazier 5) Pedro Morales, Bruno Sammartino 6) Lance Storm 7) X-Pac? 8) no clue 9) The Hardy Boyz? 10) D-Von Dudley?

Sure it would. Fox is a major network while UPN, though up there, is not in the same league as Fox, NBC, CBS, or ABC. Those channels are available in just about every market known to man while UPN and the WB are not. That's one reason why UPN and WB ratings are nothing compared to those of the Big 4.

I'd call it more of a rivalry than a feud. It started with Tatanka going over HBK in a non-title match on Superstars, taped the day after the Rumble. Then he pinned HBK a second time in a 6-man tag on Raw. That was pretty impressive since HBK had been just about untouchable since winning the IC title. Yep, HBK jumped Perfect after the match - which led to one of the best feuds of the year.

WrestleMania IX was actually the first PPV I ordered so I have a soft spot in my heart for that show - even though it did, in retrospect, blow. The buildup to Hart / Yoko was great. Yoko goes over everyone - even Savage - and puts Duggan on the DL for months. He and Fuji think they'll have a cake walk against Bret. Bret, meanwhile, has beaten just about everyone on the roster - from Flair to HBK to Razor to Bigelow. Yoko's size had been too much for everyone he had stepped into the ring with at that point but Bret had walked into just about all of his title defenses as the underdog and left with the belt. I was watching it with my parents so when Bret lost I couldn't scream "FUCK!" like I wanted - but it was there just waiting to come out. I also liked the Steiners / Headshrinkers match and the IC title bout. The rest of the card wasn't bad from a matchup perspective - but I saw no reason for just about every heel to go over in some controversial fashion. Have you seen Perfect vs. Luger? LAME ASS FINISH! I'm a mark for outdoor events.

Ask her for her phone #

It was fine until the day after Spring Stampede 98. Sting chases Hogan for a year ... finally wins the world title ... loses it to Savage due to the friction within the nWo ... the next freaking day, Hogan wins it back AND Bret Hart turns heel for no reason. Yes, the WWF had retaken the ratings war right after WrestleMania XIV but that moment right there is when WCW clearly dropped the ball and the blunders just continued from there.

Taker. This was during the "I can only lose to World Champion Kurt Angle by henious means ... everyone else I can beat quite easily" Taker era.

LOVED: Bret Hart Mr. Perfect Ric Flair The British Bulldog Jake Roberts HATED: Yokozuna Rick Rude The Hollywood Blondes Shawn Michaels