WWE had a huge list of legends in attendance for Bad Blood and the likes of such had its fair share of ties to Atlanta, GA.

The company started off the PLE by showing that Goldberg was in attendance with his son Gage who nearly got physical with GUNTHER after the WWE World Heavyweight Champion called ‘Da Man’ out later on in the show.

However, there was a quite the plethora of names taking in the action. In addition to Goldberg, Bad Blood also featured several WCW luminaries including Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Diamond Dallas Page, Booker T, Scott Steiner and Syxx aka Sean Waltman.

Other names also in the crowd were Jacqueline Moore, Lillian Garcia and Mickie James.

Arn Anderson may have gotten the biggest pop out of all the legends and for good reason. ‘The Enforcer’ shocked the fans at WWE SummerSlam in Cleveland when he so happened to share a few words of wisdom for Cody Rhodes before he went out for his WWE Undisputed Title defense against Solo Sikoa. Arn’s attendance at Bad Blood constitutes as a full circle moment as Cody Rhodes will be tagging up with Roman Reigns to face Solo once again. However, this time Sikoa has Jacob Fatu as his tag team partner.

WWE legends weren’t the only dignitaries in town. Hip-hop artists Killer Mike, Metro Boomin’ and Lil Baby were also seen sitting at ringside. Killer Mike was sitting beside Goldberg to start off the show who seems to be good friends with the WWE Hall of Famer.

Wrestling legend Tully Blanchard recently confirmed his departure from AEW and ROH last year will be permanent.

The Four Horseman original managed Shawn Spears and FTR for much of his time with the promotion. Later on, he moved into AEW’s ROH angles, where he managed Brian Cage and The Gates of Agony. Together, the group were known as Tully Blanchard Enterprises.

Ultimately, the faction didn’t last long in this format as Blanchard was quickly replaced by longtime ROH personality Prince Nana.

On a recent edition of The Two Man Power Trip podcast, Blanchard reunited with old tag partner Arn Anderson. The Brainbusters discussed a variety of topics before focusing on Blanchard’s surprise AEW departure.

Tully Blanchard Suggests Departure Was “Complex”

Blanchard explained that there was more to the closure of his time in AEW and ROH than a simple contract expiry.

“No, it [Blanchard leaving] was a little more complex than that, but my contract is up and I’m gone.”

Blanchard ultimately opted out of shedding any further light on the situation. His comments do raise some questions as to what might have prompted his sudden departure from the company. Renowned for his intensity and technical skill in his wrestling heyday, Blanchard was also notorious for often being difficult to work with.

The man himself went on to opine that his time in the wrestling business is likely up. His daughter, Tessa Blanchard, was widely regarded as one of the best women’s wrestlers in the world late into last decade. A variety of personal and professional issues have led to her essentially being blacklisted in multiple promotions.

When asked for his thoughts on her daughter’s future, Blanchard was encouraging of her recent decision to return to college and finish getting a degree. The podcast was record prior to Monday’s announcement that Tessa Blanchard and former Impact Wrestling act DAGA are getting divorced.

During Friday’s episode of AEW Rampage, it was announced that Tully Blanchard Enterprises would be in action during the kick off show to Ring of Honor’s Pay Per View Death Before Dishonor.

However during the ROH Death Before Dishonor Zero Hour we learned that Prince Nana had acquired Tully Blanchard Enterprises.

Brian Cage along with the Gates Of Agony members Toa Liona and Kaun now becoming part of The Embassy.

Prince Nana accompanied the new additions to The Embassy in their trios match against Alex Zayne, Blake Christian and Tony Deppen. The three men continued their dominance in Ring of Honor by picking up the pinfall victory on Deppen.

In the Death Before Dishonor post-show media scrum, president of AEW Tony Khan was asked about the status of Tully Blanchard.

“Tully’s good. I think for the workload and the things we’re asking I would just say and where he is in this stage I think it was a good fit and now the business transaction that went down here in Ring of Honor between Tully and Princess Nana.

“I think Tully, he’s doing really well, personally and thriving and I’m happy for him and excited and now Prince Nana.

“He’s a legend, it’s great to have Prince Nana and the Embassy back in Ring of Honor. So I think that’s something to be excited about its great group of wrestlers and very excited about that and wish Tully the best.

“And you know, we certainly could see him around AEW, Ring of Honor again. But now that transition and that transaction got Prince Nana back here, which is awesome.”

Tony Khan on Tully Blanchard’s status

With Tully Blanchard seen on the match graphic the day before the pay per view and no where to be found the day of, many speculated there might have been more to this story.

That hunch was correct as Fightful reports Tully is essentially done with AEW & ROH.

This week’s episode of AEW Dynamite ended with the spectacle of the Blood & Guts match. This is a bout that had been in consideration since 2020, although originally it was believed that Chris Jericho and The Inner Circle would be taking on The Elite.

With the COVID-19 pandemic putting those plans on hold, we had to wait over a year to see exactly how AEW would pull off their own version of WarGames. This time we would see MJF and The Pinnacle take on The Inner Circle, with MJF and his group taking the win after The Inner Circle had to surrender to try and save their leader, Jericho.

MJF threw Le Champion off the top of the cell anyway, with the show going off air with EMTs and The Inner Circle helping the former AEW Champion. After the match, The Pinnacle’s ‘mentor’ and Four Horsemen legend Tully Blanchard spoke to cameras backstage about the group and their massive win on Dynamite.

Tully Blanchard on The Pinnacle

“What you’re looking at is King of Blood & Guts!” Blanchard began. “These guys right here took everything that the Inner Circle could dish out.”

“And yet, they’re over there waving down, ‘No, no, no, no! We give up, we give up!” Blanchard continued, slamming The Inner Circle. “And that’s all it took to get our hands raised. You guys right here [pointing at The Pinnacle], you dug deep inside, you took everything they could dish out, and you walked out on top.”

“That’s the way it is! That’s what it’s about, being on the top!” Tully Blanchard concluded. “Being at the Pinnacle, that’s what it’s about. Ladies and gentlemen, it is your honor to look at these five guys.”

Do you think that the feud between MJF and Chris Jericho will continue? Let us know in the comments

AEW on-air personalities Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard recently appeared on Chris Jericho’s Talk Is Jericho podcast.

This episode of Talk Is Jericho saw the iconic duo appear on a podcast together for the first time ever. Tully and Arn would discuss a number of topics from their time together in the ring as well as the current crop of stars appearing on All Elite Wrestling.

One of the questions posed by Jericho revolved around the FTR tag team. Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler have made it abundantly clear in the past that they model themselves after Tully and Arn, but Jericho wanted to know what Arn Anderson saw in the former WWE tag team that set them apart from the rest of pack.

Arn Anderson on FTR

“I think it was an absolute effort on their part to pattern ourselves after our style” Arn Anderson began on the podcast. “But I also saw that they took the concept of, whatever it may be. Sucker punching a guy and making them chase you, then rolling back in [the ring] and getting the referee’s back turned to your opponent. [Followed by] A tag he doesn’t see, the other guy steps in from behind and ploughs him. That kind of psychology, but they put their tweak on it.”

Arn Anderson would then hugely praise Harwood and Wheeler, saying “you know they’re…they’re a hell of a lot; I don’t know if you notice, they’re a hell of a lot more athletic than you [Tully] and me were! But, it’s the same concept, they truly are [like we were]. They give you, at the end of the day, they’re a team that knows what their partner’s doing at all times. That’s what makes a great team I think.”

Do you agree with The Enforcer? Let us know in the comments

Also Check Out:

• Brandi Rhodes Comments On First AEW Heels Event
• AEW Adds Stipulation To Chris Jericho vs Orange Cassidy
• Impact Wrestling EVP Open To Interpromotional Match With FTR
• Vickie Guerrero Officially Signs With AEW
• Update On Rey Mysterio’s Future, Including Strong Offer from AEW

Tully Blanchard is not satisfied with protégé Shawn Spears’ lack of ambition. A video was released on Monday featuring the Four Horsemen legend mercilessly berating him.

Blanchard took Spears under his wing last summer. Spears has had mixed success. His AEW record is 5-8 this year. In recent months, Spears has been conducting a search to find the perfect tag team partner. The search was fruitless.

Blanchard says the search is over and they are moving on. “What I’ve seen in the last couple of months, Shawn, has changed my thought process,” said Blanchard. He thought they had synergy and thought the same way.

Things took a weird turn for this duo last weekend at AEW Double or Nothing. Spears wrestled to Dustin Rhodes. He lost the match, but that wasn’t the worst part. During the bout, Spears’ pants were ripped off to reveal a photo of Tully Blanchard’s face on the crotch. Blanchard was watching the PPV at home with friends. Awkward!

Blanchard screamed, “In what freakin’ world did you think that was funny? That’s not what my legacy is going to be Shawn, I promise you that!” He challenged Spears to reach deep inside himself, dig something out of his heart and think about the legacy he wants to leave.

Watch Tully Blanchard prove he is still one of the best talkers in all of professional wrestling in the video below:

FTR Takes Notice

AEW newcomers FTR liked what they saw. Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood tweeted a response. Wheeler said Spears is ‘so good’ but “just needs a little help.” Harwood wants to see more of this on AEW Dynamite.

Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard were known as the Brain Busters during their run in WWE from 1988-89. The duo defeated Demolition to win the tag team championships in the summer of 1989 but would drop them back to former champs that October. Blanchard was gone from WWE the following month and it would later be revealed he failed a drug test shortly before this and was taken off the road. Anderson was back in WCW that December.

Arn recently discussed Blanchard’s failed drug test on an episode of the Arn Show.

“First thing that happened they wanted to get the belts off of us,” Anderson said. “So, we dropped them back to Demolition, made sure that was done very business-like, which I enjoyed working with those guys, no problem there.”

The Brain Busters dropped the titles back to Demolition that October. Anderson then expressed some skepticism regarding Blanchard’s failed drug test.

“The actual drug test that they claim Tully failed was like two drug tests ago, it wasn’t the last one that he had taken, does that make sense? So if you go back and say ‘ok, well if he failed that one why did they let him work up until the point where he took another supposed drug test that he failed?”

Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard in 1989

Arn Anderson was on the Survivor Series PPV but Blanchard had been sent home by then. Anderson was gone from WWE shortly after as well and returned to WCW that December.

“I think (Tully) had like, of the 3 months about half that time was left still. So they sent Tully home, they put Haku in his place and we continued to work the bookings which was with Demolition mostly.”

Both Tully and Arn are now managers in AEW. Blanchard has been managing Shawn Spears and Anderson was recently announced as Cody Rhodes’ new manager/head coach.

“So Tully just went home early and said ok I’m fine with that,” Arn continued.

Anderson’s comments can be viewed in the player below:

On this week’s episode of Dynamite, Shawn Spears was involved in a triple threat match against Darby Allin and “the Librarian” Peter Avalon. During the match, Spears’ opponent from Full Gear, Joey Janela, came down to the ring and dragged Spears away from the match.

Afterward, both Spears and his manager Tully Blanchard were interviewed in the back and sent a message to Janela.

“I’m rarely speechless and I’m almost that way right now,” said Blanchard in the video. “You take a guy out at Full Gear and it’s over with, it’s done! Move on to the next chapter of your life or your career. Shawn is moving up the ladder and that’s where it’s at. You keep sticking your nose in and there’s a lot of people tried to stick their nose in over my lifetime but it never paid off and Shawn you will take him down like never before.”

The full interview can be viewed in the Instagram post below:

Shawn Spears and Tully Blanchard

Before AEW Dynamite launched on TNT, Spears spoke to Muscle and Fitness magazine about what fans can expect from the new show.

“We are gonna do our thing on Wednesday nights, we’re gonna tear it up and if you watch, fantastic, we think you are in for one hell of a treat, and if you don’t watch, you are missing one hell of a show, it is really that simple,” Spears said.

• Shawn Spears Talks AEW Going Head-To-Head With NXT

Shawn Spears contracted Tully Blanchard for his guidance ahead of his grudge match against Cody Rhodes. The two will clash at tonight’s All Elite Wrestling (AEW) event, All Out.

Speaking to the media during Starrcast III, Blanchard revealed that, despite being away from pro wrestling, he still has undeniable knowledge to share.

Looking back on how he first became associated with Spears, Blanchard said:

“He contacted me, and then I talked to Arn a little bit about it, […] Arn said all the right, positive things, and then Shawn and I had a couple of conversations and then we did the interview thing with J.R. [Jim Ross] down in Jacksonville at the stadium, and you know, sometimes you just gotta keep your mouth shut, and let actions speak louder than words.”

“He Can Raise Up And Take His Game To A Whole New Level”

When asked about the kind of advice he has been imparting to Spears, Blanchard stated that you’ve got to live in the moment.

“I mean that’s the thing, you’ve got to embrace it. I know that Shawn’s had a lot of things going on in his life, and I haven’t had a lot of contact with him in the last couple of weeks, and it’s a little bit disappointing, but the few texts and stuff that we’ve had have been good, so I’m sure that he’s in a good mental place,” Blachard confessed.

“I think he’s got enough experience, I think he can raise up and take his game to a whole new level, and that’s what I’m looking for.”

He was asked over which AEW talent he is excited about besides Shawn Spears. Blanchard admitted that he hasn’t watched a lot of wrestling over the past 30 years, but is looking forward to All Out to find out the answer for himself.

Following the news of WWE Hall of Famer Tully Blanchard serving as the manager of Shawn Spears, AEW has announced that the legendary pro wrestler has signed a contract with the promotion. 

All Elite Wrestling issued a press release on Thursday revealing that Blanchard has signed a multi-show contract with AEW and Spears. Rather than the term manager, AEW noted that Blanchard will serve as his Exclusive Advisor in AEW.

Blanchard, who was a member of the Four Horsemen, held the NWA World Television Title and multiple tag team titles during his career. 

Shawn Spears Challenges Cody, Aligns With Tully Blanchard

The pro wrestling legend is slated to be in Spears’ corner when he steps into the squared circle to take on Cody Rhodes at AEW All Out. AEW President and CEO Tony Khan commented on the signing via the press release. 

“Shawn Spears’ new advisor Tully Blanchard is a legendary retired wrestler and a canny tactician known worldwide for his vicious streak and penchant for chicanery. Given the challenge that Shawn has issued to Cody for a match at ALL OUT as well as the long, bitter history between Tully and the Rhodes family, plus Shawn’s recent behavior in AEW, it appears that Tully Blanchard has a great deal of influence over Shawn’s intents and actions. This indicates that going forward Shawn Spears will be one of the most feared and unpredictable wrestlers in AEW.”

AEW All Out will take place on August 31st at the Sears Centre in Chicago, IL and has already sold out.

– There was a Four Horsemen reunion at Saturday’s Maryland Championship Wrestling (MCW) show in Joppa, Maryland with WWE Hall of Famers Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham and J.J. Dillon.

Sold Out!! Looking As Only We Can Look! WOOOOO! pic.twitter.com/feqrggZLlG

— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) February 18, 2018

After signing autographs, the Horsemen spoke before a packed crowd at the MCW Arena. They shared fond memories of being back together, the good times they enjoyed in Baltimore and asked the crowd to enjoy the show.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfUmm_Rn7Ld/

Former WWE star Rosa Mendes, who was making her first appearance at an independent wrestling show, introduced the Horsemen. Before the show, she also met with fans.

Yours Truly with former @WWE Superstar @LaRosaMendes at @MCWWrestling & she’s as lovely as ever. pic.twitter.com/EiKqIbogHZ

— Alex Fuentes ????? (@AlexFuentes91) February 17, 2018

• Lex Luger responds to rumors of his death

The format of the returning WWE Tough Enough reality show is going to be completely revamped compared to past seasons.

There will be training and in-house footage shot during the week, which will air on the Tuesday show. So when you watch an episode, the training and drama in the house we see will be from the previous week, very similar to The Ultimate Fighter season that they tried to do semi-live, as well as the UFC Primetime and “Embedded” specials which they try to keep up-to-date.

The television show will air each Tuesday, with footage shot during the week as well as a live show in front of a studio audience.

While Chris Jericho is scheduled to be the host of the show, it’s said that he will have somewhat of a “Ryan Seacrest role,” and won’t be hosting the show in the style that WWE had “Stone Cold” Steve Austin do several years ago.

As far as the rest of the cast, Hulk Hogan, Paige and Daniel Bryan will serve as panelists, mentors and judges, while Booker T, Billy Gunn and Lita will serve as the actual trainers for the contestants. Each week on the show there will be a judges vote and an audience vote to decide who goes home.

WWE has reportedly gone out of their way to recruit certain people to be cast members on the show, including Tessa Blanchard, daughter of WWE Hall Of Famer Tully Blanchard. It’s also said that they badly wanted Moose on the show.

Apparently WWE is telling people that they are recruiting to be on the program that they will be guaranteed a spot on the show, however the actual winner of the season will not be pre-determined and will be completely legitimate based on the fan voting.

• RONDA ROUSEY Worried About Nude Photos Of Her Leaking Online!

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

– Stephanie McMahon is scheduled to be at NXT Takeover: “Unstoppable” tonight.

– Ahead of tonight’s NXT special, WWE has released new t-shirts for Hideo Itami, Enzo Amore and Big Cass and Becky Lynch, which says “Lass Licker.”

– Real-life WWE couple Stardust (Cody Rhodes) and ring announcer Eden recently bought a house together in Texas and noted that they plan to move into the home this week.

– On social media, WWE Diva Paige praised third generation wrestler Tessa Blanchard, daughter of WWE Hall Of Famer Tully Blanchard. Paige tweeted the following:

https://twitter.com/RealPaigeWWE/status/600954592533344256

• Ronda Rousey BLASTS Floyd Mayweather Over His Past With Domestic Abuse!

As noted recently, WWE Hall Of Famer Tully Blanchard suffered an injury while executing a run-in during his daughter Tessa Blanchard’s match at a recent Pro Wrestling Syndicate event.

Blanchard reportedly injured himself while getting in the ring for a run-in, but went on to perform multiple dropkicks.

The Pro Wrestling Syndicate promotion has reported that Blanchard suffered what is being described as a partially torn tendon in his left biceps. Tully commented, “It hurts to exert the muscle, but I’ll live.”

A lot of the factors in pro wrestling are subjective. Some people enjoy this, some people enjoy that. Some fans prefer a better in-ring technician, some like a strong promo guy and others enjoy a great character. No one is wrong, because it’s all personal preference.

Generally speaking, when an editorial features a list, it’s “the best of” or “the worst of.” Today, we are going to switch gears a bit.

In keeping with the subjective theme, today we are going to look at who I personally consider to be the five best factions in the history of the business. Not the five best, my five favorite. And I’ll explain why, starting with …

#5. The Varsity Club

Many of the current generation of wrestling fans may have never even heard of The Varsity Club. Growing up, they were one of my favorite wrestling stables.

The original group consisted of Kevin Sullivan, Mike Rotunda and Rick Steiner, all of which wore their amateur wrestling letterman jackets. The guys were among the most legitimate tough guys in the business at the time, and the group had the perception of being the baddest son of a bitches on the planet.

As is the case with any wrestling stable, as time went on the group was watered down. Members such as “Dr. Death” Steve Williams and “Dangerous” Dan Spivey were added to the mix, and before too long, the group ceased to exist. While they were around though, in my opinion, they were pretty damn cool.

#4. The Fabulous Freebirds

As far as I’m concerned any writer who doesn’t include The Fabulous Freebirds on their “top stables” or “top factions” lists should have their head examined. The Freebirds were as cool as it got when I was a youngster.

The group was led by Michael “P.S.” Hayes, a current WWE creative team member who is credited with introducing theme music to the ring-walk portion of the professional wrestling presentation. The group consisted of Hayes, Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy and Buddy Roberts. Roberts was considered a great in-ring technician, and prior to the Birds, had a lengthy career worthy of Hall Of Fame status. In fact, Roberts was part of the original “Hollywood Blondes” tag-team, a name that was later used for the team of “Stunning” Steve Austin and “Flyin'” Brian Pillman. Gordy was a legend in Japan and portrayed the “enforcer” role in the group. Hayes was a rock star and easily one of the most charismatic wrestlers of his time, if not of all-time.

Later on, Hayes and Jimmy “Jam” Garvin would bring back The Fabulous Freebirds as a straight tag-team act. How this group has yet to receive an induction into the WWE Hall Of Fame confuses me to this very day.

#3. D-Generation X

I’m of the belief that there is not a fan of North American professional wrestling that has not heard of D-Generation X. That would mean they did their jobs and left a lasting legacy in the business.

D-X consisted of Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Chyna and Rick Rude. When the group officially formed, you could make the argument that along with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, they officially ushered in the infamous “Attitude Era” in WWE. They did things for shock value at a time when Howard Stern, The Jerry Springer Show and many other shock-television style shows reigned supreme. It was a natural fit, and the group really cemented Triple H as a main event performer in WWE.

Later on, as is the case with every faction or stable in history, an attempt was made to get the gang back together, only this time — it worked. You could argue that the second version of D-X was actually more successful than the first. The second group featured Triple H as the leader instead of Michaels, and his group consisted of Chyna, Sean “X-Pac” Waltman, “Bad Ass” Billy Gunn and “The Road Dogg” Jesse James. Anyone who saw WWE RAW the night that D-X “invaded” WCW will never forget that moment. It was amazing entertainment and really symbolized the “Monday Night War” going on at the time between WWE and WCW.

D-X was brought back again in the 2000s as a straight tag-team act that featured the two original members — Triple H and Shawn Michaels. Personally, I didn’t enjoy that run nearly as much as their first run, but it was still a cool thing to see the two back together having fun.

Continued on page two …

– Darren Young made his WWE in-ring return at the live event in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on Saturday night. Young defeated Justin Gabriel in the opening match of the evening, but was then beaten down by Seth Rollins.

– WWE Hall Of Famer Tully Blanchard reportedly suffered a torn biceps at the Pro Wrestling Syndicate event on Saturday night. The injury took place when Blanchard did a run-in after his daughter, Tessa Blanchard’s match.

– Tessa Blanchard, daughter of WWE Hall Of Famer and original Four Horsemen member Tully Blanchard, is getting a tryout with WWE this weekend.

– The latest edition of “WWE Top 10,” which you can see below, takes a look at the ten kisses that “rocked” WWE the most.

The following are highlights of a new Post & Courier interview with WWE Hall Of Famer Arn Anderson:

Being a Horseman: “Being a Horseman isn’t something you put on in the morning and take off at night. It’s a state of mind. It’s excelling to the best of your ability. It’s four individuals thinking singularly, acting collectively.”

Fans supporting him all these years: “For me to still be recognized after all these years of not being on TV, by anybody anywhere, is still a thrill and I really appreciate it. You know the guys who did it for the money … they’re not around. You knows the ones who did it for the glamor … they’re not around. But when we went through that curtain, we tried to outdo each other. Tully and I would try to outdo Barry and Ric, and Ole and I went out and tried to outdo Tully. We were feeding our own egos to see if we could do it, but it basically was for the fans. They were the benefactors. They got the best show possible. It was for them, and we always knew that. Without them, nothing happens.”

Learning from Tully Blanchard and J.J. Dillon: “I learned from them. Both of them, in their own way, were a lot better than I was. I was very fortunate and very lucky to have been in their presence. There was a time that – I don’t think, I know – we were the best in the world. And I have no problem saying that. It was each man carrying his own weight. J.J. was a smart man, a great talker, a great organizer. Tully was a great performer – as good as anybody out there – and a great partner. So it was a very special time, and it will be great to relive that at this event. It will be a celebration of just that.”

What might have been if he would have been able to continuing competing: “I would think for sure I would have had at least five more years. Without the last neck injury, even running on fumes for the first two, I could have gotten by. But who knows? Maybe 10 more years. Thirty-seven is not that old. The crazy thing is that I had those terrible neck injuries, and I wasn’t one to come off the top (rope). I really feel for these guys today.”

Working with Dolph Ziggler, who he says has potential to be a top WWE money maker and is one of the best in the business: “Dolph has got to be one of the toughest men to put on a pair of boots. But he’s going to be like Cactus Jack (Mick Foley) in another five years because that kid beats his body up more than anybody on the crew. I do know this. In my dealings with him, when I’m his producer, he gives everything he’s got. He does some really phenomenal, athletic stuff.”

Check out the complete interview at PostAndCourier.com.

The following are highlights of a recent WGD Weekly interview with Tully Blanchard:

On what it meant and still means to be a Horseman: “When it was happening, you had nothing to compare it to, so you really didn’t and couldn’t know the impact. As we got into it, the promotion company and the reason that it is so well remembered, is it was not a promoter’s idea. It wasn’t Crockett and Dusty and all the powers that be sitting around and saying, oh, we’re going to put these four guys together and call them the Four Horseman…It was great entertainment, we sold out buildings…it was impactful, but I think it hit me the most, when I was in the car, driving to the airport in Charlotte, North Carolina and I pulled up behind a school bus. In street clothes, in my car, whatever and one of the kids in the back of the school bus looking out the back window recognized me and you could see him turn around and get frantic. Then there must have been forty little hands stick out the school bus windows on the sides with the four fingers. I can remember sitting there…and I’m going, oh my, this thing is coming cultish…and it was just amazing because nothing in wrestling had ever done that. Maybe Lou Thez or Ed “Strangler” Lewis back in the 30’s or 40’s, but modern day, nothing had ever impacted like that…it was just amazing to be a part of.”

On how he came to be one of the original Four Horsemen: “It was the World’s Heavyweight Champion, it was Ole and Arn, the World’s Tag Team Champions, who were related, Flair was a cousin of the Andersons and me, because I was wrestling the booker and the booker wanted to be part of the show, I go to be involved, so I was the fourth, I was the World’s Television Champion.”

On the reason the later versions of the group failed to live up to the original: “Later on, as WCW tried to resurrect the Horseman and the eighty five guys they put in there, and all the talent they put in there and never resurrected it, just lets you know it was about chemistry, it wasn’t just about talent. The chemistry that Ric and Arn and I had, and your throw Barry in there or Ole or Luger, and J.J. and there was a tremendous chemistry that happened, and a magic that happened that not everybody, if though they were great performers, could not generate that kind of magic in the ring.”

On the incident between himself and JBL when he was going to return to WWE: “I’d gone up basically as an interview, you know to see and scope out, or as Vince told me to absorb, because the wrestling business had changed. They were getting ready to do the taping in St. Louis. I never really had actually remembered meeting JBL, and he started telling me from across the room that I was a fake preacher and I was this and I was that and I didn’t belong there and that I treated him bad when I was a star and he was just starting…it caught me very off guard, because…I didn’t treat people bad. If I didn’t like you, I just said hello, and I didn’t mess with you, that’s just the way I was. I didn’t remember it, so I told him, well it’s very possible that I did treat you poorly, and I hope you can forgive me. That’s all that was said on my part and we departed.”

On failing a drug test when he was planning to return to WCW: “Arn and I just made a phone call and they had offered us a large sum of money if we would leave the WWF and reform the Four Horsemen. That’s what we were going to do. In that process, my life ended up getting changed, because we had that agreement with WCW, then I flunked a drug test and Vince suspended me on November 2 of 1989, as their drug policy was. So, I got suspended and Arn went on to do the Survivor Series. We were supposed to start that Saturday after with WCW and they reneged on the deal with me and hired Arn back at a substantially less amount than they promised. That lets you know probably one of the reasons why they are out of business, because they aren’t stand up people…Anyway, in that process, when Flair called me on November 13, at one o’clock in the morning and told me they weren’t going to give me the contract, I was all of a sudden in eleven days, I was a world champion and promised three quarters of a million dollars to unemployed. At 35 years old, I didn’t quite know how to handle that.”

Check out the complete interview above.