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Torch Trivia
Torch Trivia: How much do you know about shameless promotions? Jun 4, 2008 - 11:33:00 AM
Here comes the money! Money talks. Here comes the money. Money, money, money, money, money, money… Ian Hunter here, walking on out to the theme of Shane O’Mac. The real person who should have introduced this million dollar contest. Honestly, I’m tired of Vince. If Shane came out and did that same speech with just as much gusto, I would have taken a little more interest. He may be 38, but he appeals to my age group a lot more than his almost 63 year old father. I will give Vinnie some credit, at least he admitted flat out that he’s trying to bring viewers back. But as I ranted on Monday about (which I’d like to know how many of you agree or disagree with that) there are much easier ways to make me wanna watch the show than cash. So in tribute to this shameless promotion, this week’s trivia is based on other shameless promotions in wrestling. But first, we need to answer last week’s questions.
1: The Great Zimm was in fact Waldo Von Erich.
2: B. DiBiase was the opponent for Hulk Hogan's debut match in the WWWF. Hogan later recalled the match in his book saying he was so nervous he threw up before the match. Hogan, of course, lost.
3: C. Patterson convinced DiBiase by telling him the new gimmick he would get “would be the one Vince himself would use if he wrestled.” Not far from reality a decade later.
4: The title of the show was “The Main Event.” A major thing for NBC back in the day.
5: The two attacked Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake. It really launched their careers as they revived the rivalry with Hogan, and won. Which would later lead to Vince starting the Million Dollar Corporation stable.
A lot of people tried, but only four got all five correct. Stian Karlson, Jarrett Edison, Troy Richison and Robert Carrone. You each get $100 bill. And then I have you thrown out on your backside by scary Sherri. Mwahahahahaha! Moving on, we got fans to patronize and merchandise to sell, so let’s get to the questions. Answer the questions and email your answers to TorchTrivia@gmail.com. We'll post the names of those who got ALL FIVE correct. Good luck to you all!
1. First will be a write-in question. During the years that the NWA was mainly run out of Jim Crockett Promotions, the marketing department did their best to compete with the WWF’s massive marketing. With McMahon pumping out everything from toys to breakfast cereal, Crockett decided to go another direction by targeting the older audience. And he used the Four Horsemen to do it. At about 1987 they decided to market vitamin pills that were “specially designed for the Horsemen." While they were a multivitamin pill, it was marketed as if it was a muscle enhancer and a sexual stimulant at the same time. In all the commercials that were run for it, one of the Horsemen did not appear in any of the commercials. Which one?
2. Let’s do another write-in, shall we? While were in the NWA, let’s fast forward a little to one of the most embarrassing moments in all of pro wrestling. The introduction of Robocop! WCW was trying to make a stance in the early 90’s and assumed that bringing in movie stars would help out their promotion. Which isn’t a bad idea. But bringing in fictional characters always backfires. You’d think they would have learned that lesson from WWF’s introduction of Zuse. But no. The company brought in the star of Robocop 2 to come save Sting who was trapped in a cage by the Horsemen. You could actually see the glare in Gordon Solie’s eyes when he’s introducing Robocop to the audience as if to say “why are we doing this?” Name the event that this was done at.
3. The WWF did some horrible marketing campaigns themselves. A number of times they’d bring in people from films sit at ringside so they could plug their films or DVD’s. This practice was very common in the Attitude Era where stars would be seen backstage having an active roll in whatever was happening that night. Some made for comedic gold, while others fell flat on their face. Which of these films only had stars at ringside and did not have them participate in the story of the night?
A. Rollerball
B. Planet Of The Apes
C. Kung Pow
D. Shaft
E. Josie & The Pussycats
4. Going back to WCW, anyone remember Pastamania? WCW Monday Nitro premieres in the Mall of America, one of the biggest nights in all of pro wrestling and the start of the Monday Night War, and the best idea they could come up with then champion Hulk Hogan was… a pasta themed restaurant in the food court. Nevermind the fact that Hogan was trying to shill a product that he himself wouldn’t be caught dead eating (say what you will about him, the man did have a diet), the real laughing point of the product is that all the food was made in Canada and by many accounts tasted horrible. Wade? You’re up north, how was it for you? Our Question to you… which of these was NOT an actual item on the Pastamania menu?
A. Hulk-U’s
B. Lasagna Of Champions
C. Hulkaroo's
D. Runnin’ Wild Rigatoni
E. Macho Meatballs
5. Wrestling and movies are a strange combination. Some times they work like “The Wrestler”, and other times they fail horribly… like “Ready To Rumble.” Making fun of the movie and watching Oliver Platt’s career go down the tube is too easy to make fun of, so we’ll focus on just the WCW aspect. The movie’s interaction led to star David Arquette becoming the WCW World Champion, and eventually leading to a three level cage match that was inspired (ripped off) from the film. He would eventually turn heel and then give up the belt when it was time for him to move onto another film. Who did Arquette pin to win the belt in the first place?
A. Eric Bischoff
B. Jeff Jarrett
C. Hulk Hogan
D. Diamond Dallas Page
E. Vince Russo
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