It's been a while since my last DVD review and it seems like these might be wrapping up as less companies sell DVD's now and are moving to the more profitable streaming or digital download. The Back to the Territory series allows wrestling fans the chance to hope in the wrestling time machine and learn about wrestling history. Even though they haven't hit every territory they've covered a lot of them and this was my first time heading to the "great white north." Wrestling has a very long lineage in Canada and in many ways Canada is the Japan of North America based on the respect that fans have for the sport of wrestling. I don't know a lot about Canadian wrestling, but this was another interesting and well done installment of one of my favorite series, I just wish they still allowed for DVD copies to be sold. Either way I highly recommend Kayfabecommentaries.com if you want to learn about the history of wrestling. Some of what was talked about on this DVD includes: 

- Early days of Stampede 
- The Hart Family and their legacy 
- Bruce Hart's booking 
- Smith Hart stories 
- International Talent getting their starts in Stampede 
- Stu Hart training Billy Graham, Fritz Von Erich, Joe Blanchard, and various others
- Vince McMahon buying out the territory and the aftermath 
- Plus much more 

​As always wrestling gives us both great memories and memories we try and forget, but with the amount of moments worth remembering that have happened we are bound to forget some. The same could be said about some talent that were very much underrated during their career or never at the top of a company during a run this unfortunately makes it easier for fans to forget certain talent. These two are very different talent and had two very different careers while they worked in this great business. Sometimes we encounter those that deserve to be remembered and acknowledged. I would like to wish a very big Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating their special day today and especially to the one featured below.​

Nerd Note: One thing worth noting about Noriyo Tateno is she was one half of the Jumping Bomb Angels tag team with Itsuki Yamazaki. The Jump Bomb Angels were a part of the original Women's Tag Team division and were big stars across the Pacific in the All Japan Women's Promotion. 

​As always wrestling gives us both great memories and memories we try and forget, but with the amount of moments worth remembering that have happened we are bound to forget some. The same could be said about some talent that were very much underrated during their career or never at the top of a company during a run this unfortunately makes it easier for fans to forget certain talent. These two are very different talent and had two very different careers while they worked in this great business. Sometimes we encounter those that deserve to be remembered and acknowledged. I would like to wish a very big Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating their special day today and especially to the one featured below.​

Nerd Note: Blackjack Mulligan is the father of Barry Windham, grandfather of Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas, and the father-in law of Mike Rotunda. The Windham/Rotunda family lineage is one of the most underrated multi-generational wrestling families that is never spoken about in history. 

​As always wrestling gives us both great memories and memories we try and forget, but with the amount of moments worth remembering that have happened we are bound to forget some. The same could be said about some talent that were very much underrated during their career or never at the top of a company during a run this unfortunately makes it easier for fans to forget certain talent. These two are very different talent and had two very different careers while they worked in this great business. Sometimes we encounter those that deserve to be remembered and acknowledged. I would like to wish a very big Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating their special day today and especially to the one featured below.​

Nerd Note: For a short period of time Bob Orton Jr was one of a handful of talent that was blackballed from the NWA while he worked for International Championship Wrestling which was an outlaw company. The legacy continues for the Von Erich dynasty with Ross & Marshall Von Erich as third generation stars carrying on the legacy. 

​As always wrestling gives us both great memories and memories we try and forget, but with the amount of moments worth remembering that have happened we are bound to forget some. The same could be said about some talent that were very much underrated during their career or never at the top of a company during a run this unfortunately makes it easier for fans to forget certain talent. These two are very different talent and had two very different careers while they worked in this great business. Sometimes we encounter those that deserve to be remembered and acknowledged. I would like to wish a very big Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating their special day today and especially to the one featured below.​

Nerd Note: After making Tough Enough brand exclusive the year before Raw needed something special like Tough Enough. Enter the Divas Search as WWE was in search for new women to add into the Women's Division. Christy Hemme would win the Divas Search and even though she didn't have a long career in the ring she was a good manager and spent time as the ring announcer for TNA Wrestling. 

​As always wrestling gives us both great memories and memories we try and forget, but with the amount of moments worth remembering that have happened we are bound to forget some. The same could be said about some talent that were very much underrated during their career or never at the top of a company during a run this unfortunately makes it easier for fans to forget certain talent. These two are very different talent and had two very different careers while they worked in this great business. Sometimes we encounter those that deserve to be remembered and acknowledged. I would like to wish a very big Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating their special day today and especially to the one featured below.​

Nerd Note: As a way to avoid having to go to every town back in the day the owner would give talent the opportunity to book shows in smaller towns to learn the ropes. During his time in Florida Dick Slater would co-book with Kevin Sullivan and would later book in San Antonio and the Carolina's. 

Vince McMahon had everything to gain. Inheriting his fathers company was the start of a long lasting career. You can say Vince was fed a silver spoon, but you cannot deny the way he transformed the business into just that: a million dollar industry. He had an incredible roster to work with, wrestlers from NWA who already had a following. What really defines Vince as a visionary is the attitude era. The mid to late 90s in wrestling was such a crucial time. Wrestling was being used by the teenagers of America as a way to rebel against the system. Wrestling was our rock and roll. It was a form of expression and art. It was a subculture, the antithesis to the mainstream culture being shoved down our throats. ​

Now, Vince doesn't deserve all the credit. He would be nowhere without pioneers and mic masters like the Undertaker, Mankind, and Stone Cold. These wrestlers weren't known for being the best technical wrestlers but their ability to connect with the audience to build a story and fan base was incredible. Something Vince couldn't compete with, so he ran with it. Vince didn't want to make himself look bad in the story line, unless it ultimately made him more money and earned more grandeur reviews. So he let Stone cold make him the evil corporate heel. It was genius, but Vince also thought he could make this last forever. He started losing an audience after the attitude era faded out, and after he made wrestling more of a pg sport entertainment entity, and less of a rock and roll entertainment spectacle. Wrestling isn't relatable anymore.

The definition of masculinity has shifted in society. Vince is over doing it with the muscle heads. He needs to have wrestlers who are good actors on the mic who can win over fans, and can create real controversies. Stop casting Brock Lesnar wannabes. Bring back the Mankinds and the X-Pac's. And Vince needs to let the wrestlers be themselves. Blocking the wrestlers from showing personality hinders the wrestlers visions from becoming realities. Don't say you can't repeat trends in a similar way, because that's all the music business ever does. And they make billions. 


~Mark Fuhrer
(Marijuana and wrestling enthusiast, professional songwriter)