So, with Matt Borne dead - and that's the story, don't get me wrong: RIP Matt Borne, he was fun to watch, did some interesting things with the gimmicks that got dumped in his lap - I have to ask: does this put a damper on guys getting the costume and going around the indies as Doink?
I'd say no because, let's face it, this is wrestling we're talking about here. Plus there's been so many other people playing the character since then that it's become kind of a generic gimmick anyway.
I tell ya though, the more people that die from the 80s coke party era, the more I wonder how Hogan and Flair have made it this long given how much stuff went up their noses for the better part of 20 years.
If the gimmick was never used again, that would be appropriate
ReplyDeleteMaybe Flair wasn't lying when he said he didn't do those types of drugs? And Hogan never seemed the type either.
ReplyDeleteThe answer probably lies in money, really. For the most part, Hogan and Flair were 'names' far longer than most wrestlers usually are, so they were pulling in mega bank for years and years while others fall off the cliff financially. That's partly why I keep expecting to hear the worst with Flair, since his days making big money are now well behind him.
ReplyDeleteThen again, some wrestlers are just extraordinarily lucky when it comes to not dying (see also: Roberts, Jake; Hall, Scott).
I was wondering, does this mean we'll never see Doink portrayed on WWE television again?
ReplyDelete"because, let's face it, this is wrestling we're talking about here."
ReplyDeleteNew BoD slogan.
The people around Hulk at the time said he did mountains of the stuff, and Hogan himself has also said as much.
ReplyDeleteOh. Well nevermind then.
ReplyDeleteI guess he only did it for a brief time then?
Yeah, I've heard Flair was more of an alcoholic with a McMahon-like battery powering him.. Hogan though, was so goddamned coked up in some of his classic 80's promos it's surprising he didn't drop dead right there.. I'd assume he's been off the shit for the most part over the last 15 years because that's how long it's been since he's had main event charisma...
ReplyDeleteIn the ring, Flair has far surpassed the physical expectations of his ability given his age, not to mention the decades of wear and tear. He's a drinker, sure, but that's a whole different ballgame compared to coke or whatever else. If he says he didn't, I'd go ahead and take his word for it.
ReplyDeleteWell, they may still be functioning, but after years of abuse, look at either of Flair/Hogan's capacity for coherent thoughts. Both Hogan and Flair appear to be practically insane by this point because I'm sure their brains have rotted to nothing from the late 70's and 80's. If anyone doesn't think that those hard core drugs don't do long-term damage to your brain, look at exhibit A and B with Hogan and Flair.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Roddy Piper's heart hasn't blown up is a miracle. Raven also... damn.
ReplyDeleteI'm shocked that Flair's liver is still functioning.
ReplyDeleteIf I was to speculate, I'd say the hardcore partying probably started around the time he went Hollywood in 83, and then he would have had to cut it out completely by 91 with the government breathing down Vince's neck.
ReplyDelete"They were just vitamins, brother."
ReplyDeleteSports Entertainment.
ReplyDeleteCreating vintage reality separaton.
ReplyDeleteMaybe there's an "island of stability", like in chemistry. Take a super amount of drugs, you die. Take an extra super duper amount of drugs, you die. But just taking a super duper amount is the sweet spot to one's organs properly preserved for a long life.
ReplyDeleteYou must first build momentun
ReplyDeleteI think so, only because WWE (or WWE.com, least) is acknowledging this more as Doink's death, and not entirely Matt Borne.
ReplyDeleteIn 1987, Hulk Hogan snorted 937 pounds of cocaine. He wasn't even sure the dealer was going to sell him the drugs. Brother.
ReplyDeleteThis guy gets it.
ReplyDeleteSo no one mentions Vince "I can do eight thousand pounds of that stuff and never get addicted" McMahon? (Paraphrasing).
ReplyDeleteFlair was a drinker, never, allegedly, a drug abuser.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me see Hulk Hogan in a whole new light.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsAo2YDvZiY
Plenty of people can be addicts for years and survive. I think it's just a combo of luck & your physical make-up.
ReplyDeleteSee Richards, Keith
ReplyDeleteWell of course Hogan has survived this long. He's immortal.
ReplyDeleteWhere is Raw this week? Hopefully the crowd will be savvy enough to start a "Doink the Clown" chant.
ReplyDeleteI disagree.
ReplyDeleteIt's a character. People portraying characters die, characters live on.
Jim Henson's been dead for like 25 years and Kermit is still rolling.
Flair has a couple things going for him, health-wise. He said in his book that he did steroids, but he only cycled on them a few times here and there to enhance his image. It sounds like he stayed away from the heavy abuse.
ReplyDeleteWhile Flair is a notorious drinker, he (again, according to his book) stayed away from drugs.
In an era where a lot of guys where working out to enhance their image, and get as big as possible, Flair was obsessive about his cardio, not his bulk. Cardio health can prolong your life.
I like to see a man that's really proud of his grilling.
ReplyDeleteIt's in Sioux City, IA...in my neck of the woods...don't expect much cleverness...
ReplyDelete