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1994: The Year in Pro Wrestling: All the WWF and WCW supershows plus historic shows from ECW, AAA and UWF
1987: The Year in Pro Wrestling now available for pre-order
"The best independent wrestling author I have read by a long shot." (Amazon review)
1994 – the year the WWF embraced the New Generation and WCW sold their soul to previous one. The year Hulk Hogan would sell more for a woman than he would for Ric Flair, while Bret Hart injured his knee on every pay per view. In WCW, the first half of 1994 sees Ric Flair working through his bucket list and having one more main event with the likes of Steamboat, Windham and Sting. The second half of 1994 sees Flair unable to beat Hulk Hogan despite the use of weapons, assassins and legal advice. In the WWF, the Kliq begins to get a strangle hold on the company, the Hart family airs its dirty laundry in public and the Undertaker faces his gravest challenge – his noticeably shorter twin brother.
When people look back at 1994 they ridicule the New WWF Generation slogan for being hypocritical and spiteful but was it? Or had the company genuinely changed in many (but, sadly, not all) ways? They also look at WCW and dismiss everything that happened once Hogan arrived as worthless, ego-driven garbage. Was the divide so clear and so sharp? Was the second half the year completely awful?
In this book I'm going to tell the story of the year through every PPV and Clash of the Champions broadcast (as well as a few side steps and archive rarities). The matches, the angles, the interviews and the talent - it's all here along with a healthy dose of humour. Forget star ratings - this is a lapsed fan enjoying some frequently awful pro wrestling and gaining a new understanding of a year where both companies changed philosophy but only one embraced the change whole-heartedly. Not necessarily for the better.
Extract (from King of the Ring 1994)
Art Donovan has no idea who the guy with the beard is but he wants to know how much he weighs. Maybe Donovan had a form of autism which meant he couldn’t recognise human faces but he could identify people by weight. He might be introduced to Hulk Hogan and shrug his shoulders. Then someone whispers “three hundred and two pounds” and he exclaims “Mr Hogan – nice to see you again. How are Brooke and little Nicky?”
"The best independent wrestling author I have read by a long shot." (Amazon review)
1994 – the year the WWF embraced the New Generation and WCW sold their soul to previous one. The year Hulk Hogan would sell more for a woman than he would for Ric Flair, while Bret Hart injured his knee on every pay per view. In WCW, the first half of 1994 sees Ric Flair working through his bucket list and having one more main event with the likes of Steamboat, Windham and Sting. The second half of 1994 sees Flair unable to beat Hulk Hogan despite the use of weapons, assassins and legal advice. In the WWF, the Kliq begins to get a strangle hold on the company, the Hart family airs its dirty laundry in public and the Undertaker faces his gravest challenge – his noticeably shorter twin brother.
When people look back at 1994 they ridicule the New WWF Generation slogan for being hypocritical and spiteful but was it? Or had the company genuinely changed in many (but, sadly, not all) ways? They also look at WCW and dismiss everything that happened once Hogan arrived as worthless, ego-driven garbage. Was the divide so clear and so sharp? Was the second half the year completely awful?
In this book I'm going to tell the story of the year through every PPV and Clash of the Champions broadcast (as well as a few side steps and archive rarities). The matches, the angles, the interviews and the talent - it's all here along with a healthy dose of humour. Forget star ratings - this is a lapsed fan enjoying some frequently awful pro wrestling and gaining a new understanding of a year where both companies changed philosophy but only one embraced the change whole-heartedly. Not necessarily for the better.
Extract (from King of the Ring 1994)
Art Donovan has no idea who the guy with the beard is but he wants to know how much he weighs. Maybe Donovan had a form of autism which meant he couldn’t recognise human faces but he could identify people by weight. He might be introduced to Hulk Hogan and shrug his shoulders. Then someone whispers “three hundred and two pounds” and he exclaims “Mr Hogan – nice to see you again. How are Brooke and little Nicky?”
- GenresSports
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 10, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 17, 2022
I really like how the book gives a wider picture of what was happening in professional wrestling in 1994--he goes beyond the WWF and even WCW to discuss major independent promotions as well as AAA in Mexico. There was some big stuff happening in Japan, which could have warranted a review along the way, but the main focus is the pay-per-views and supercards of the two big American promotions. He describes the matches well, with some backstory at times, and doesn't go into painstaking detail. When a match is particularly noteworthy--whether because of the quality of the wrestling or the inherent comedy, he definitely comments on it in enough detail to grasp and appreciate the situation.
The author's biases are evident, but not as much as in some other books that discuss the time period. While opinions are certainly welcome, I find myself disagreeing with him quite often. This is probably more me than him, though--I enjoyed (most of) the ridiculous gimmicks and thought that 1994 was actually a high point for the WWF. There's a good chance that's some nostalgia at work, but I rewatched the events, and I consistently enjoyed them quite a bit more than the author. We can agree to disagree, though--he doesn't write the book to tear down the era, so the opinions aren't too intrusive.
I learned some interesting facts about the independent promotions in 1994, and even a few facts about the big two, which added to the reviews and overall narrative. I also liked how it was wrapped up with a recap and some fun extras. Some more proofreading could definitely help, as typos were evident at times.
I was disappointed to see that there isn't a 1995 book. I would definitely buy it if the author decides to keep the series going. (I enjoyed much of 1995, but even I can admit that there were some low points for the major companies...)
The author's biases are evident, but not as much as in some other books that discuss the time period. While opinions are certainly welcome, I find myself disagreeing with him quite often. This is probably more me than him, though--I enjoyed (most of) the ridiculous gimmicks and thought that 1994 was actually a high point for the WWF. There's a good chance that's some nostalgia at work, but I rewatched the events, and I consistently enjoyed them quite a bit more than the author. We can agree to disagree, though--he doesn't write the book to tear down the era, so the opinions aren't too intrusive.
I learned some interesting facts about the independent promotions in 1994, and even a few facts about the big two, which added to the reviews and overall narrative. I also liked how it was wrapped up with a recap and some fun extras. Some more proofreading could definitely help, as typos were evident at times.
I was disappointed to see that there isn't a 1995 book. I would definitely buy it if the author decides to keep the series going. (I enjoyed much of 1995, but even I can admit that there were some low points for the major companies...)
August 13, 2020
Excellent Read lots of fun
I have reviewed Nick Temple other books as well and all are enjoyable. In the 1993 book when he had Lexs son call him Hulk Hogan I laughed my ass off. Mr Temple is a true old school wrestling fan like most of you that would look at this review. I thought reviewing ppvs from the old days would be boring. I was dead wrong. He makes every year seem like yesterday and has put me back in front of the tv as a kid watching wrestling. He does this with great humour and facts about that period. I would like a little more of the back stories but that does not mean he doesn't cram a ton of info into these reviews. The author also does a excellent job at the end of the books summarizing said year and it is also funny as well as entertaining. Thank you Nick Temple for torturing yourself watching these horrible matches ,(with some awesome ones sprinkled here and there) for our benefit. I'm sad I ran out of years and I have to start his video reviews. Mr Temple please write about 1995 - 2002 or even 1984 - 1987. Any and every year you review I promise I will read. Thank you.
I have reviewed Nick Temple other books as well and all are enjoyable. In the 1993 book when he had Lexs son call him Hulk Hogan I laughed my ass off. Mr Temple is a true old school wrestling fan like most of you that would look at this review. I thought reviewing ppvs from the old days would be boring. I was dead wrong. He makes every year seem like yesterday and has put me back in front of the tv as a kid watching wrestling. He does this with great humour and facts about that period. I would like a little more of the back stories but that does not mean he doesn't cram a ton of info into these reviews. The author also does a excellent job at the end of the books summarizing said year and it is also funny as well as entertaining. Thank you Nick Temple for torturing yourself watching these horrible matches ,(with some awesome ones sprinkled here and there) for our benefit. I'm sad I ran out of years and I have to start his video reviews. Mr Temple please write about 1995 - 2002 or even 1984 - 1987. Any and every year you review I promise I will read. Thank you.
August 14, 2017
Fun afternoon read about the major events of pro wrestling in 1994.
The book mainly covers WWF (now WWE) and WCW as they both struggle to find their way to gaining new audiences, with both ultimately deciding to take drastically different directions by the close of the year.
Author's insight and takes are insightful and often humorous. Definitely will have to read some of the other years the author has covered.
3.5/5
The book mainly covers WWF (now WWE) and WCW as they both struggle to find their way to gaining new audiences, with both ultimately deciding to take drastically different directions by the close of the year.
Author's insight and takes are insightful and often humorous. Definitely will have to read some of the other years the author has covered.
3.5/5
January 19, 2024
It was fine. It worked well with my 1994 rewatch (actually first watch since I quit watching when i was 13 in 1993). I wish it had more detail if behind the scenes and was less cynical of the storylines. I also wish there was a 1995 book.
August 18, 2019
Entertaining
Entertaining reviews, but he could have used a proofreader. I will check out a few years more. Good research material.
Entertaining reviews, but he could have used a proofreader. I will check out a few years more. Good research material.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews