In the most humble way possible I want to start off by saying it’s my birthday week! I myself personally don’t have much interest in celebrating birthdays, so instead I’ve decided to write about superstars who share the same birth month as me. That’s right, February…the shortest month of the year and frankly the corniest. The corny factor is due to its holidays, Groundhog Day(love it) and Valentine’s day(laaame). So here we go…famous wrestlers born in the month of FEBRUARY!
I first wanted to start off with Buddy Rogers. Born February 20, 1921, Buddy was the original “Nature Boy” in professional wrestling and also the first ever WWWF Champion. This fits perfectly in with the next performer that needs to be mentioned…Ric Flair!
Ric Flair, who was born on February 25, 1949, is one of the most popular superstars to ever come out of the business. Still somewhat active today in TNA, we’ve seen Flair hold almost every title in the business imaginable, and have some of the most memorable matches of the last century. I’m happy to share the same birth month with these legends, especially Ric Flair who I’ve grown up watching. I can’t actually pick a favorite Ric Flair moment, but the Rumble when he won the WWF Title was pretty epic. Also his WCW Horsemen run was quite epic, and I was able to catch the last few groupings of the stable before it crumbled.
Jim Neidhart, father of Natalya and brother-in-law of Bret Hart, was born February 8, 1955. Growing up I also had the privilege to watch the career of the Hart Foundation grow into a whole Hart movement. Jim, being the power and muscle of the tag team, went together perfectly with Bret’s technical skills and great wrestling ability. I always enjoyed their tag team work and even further on when Jim would team with Owen Hart and create the New Foundation. Even after this we would see a stable version of the Hart Foundation, bringing the family back together to take on the non-respecters. Even to this day buddies from work and I pretend to grab our Anvil goaties….now that’s cool!
Norman Smiley is known to us all due to his big…..wiggle! Back in the WCW Norman never really made it too far, but I must say I never hated his work. I thought it was kind of strange how the technician, born February 28, 1965, wore shoes instead of boots. Norman is actually still in the business today, down in FCW training the up and comers. Obviously the guy has the skills, just never really had that special lift-off some of the others get. Perhaps it was his normal look and almost lack of gimmick, or just the fact that he was overshadowed by all the rest of the big names in WCW at the time.
Ricky Steamboat? Nice! February 28, 1953 was when this legend was brought into this world as Richard Henry Blood. I had to mention his real name because I think it’s pretty damn killer. Obviously we all remember the legend Steamboat from his insane matches with Randy Savage and Ric Flair, but we can’t forget that the old guy has still got it. Remember WrestleMania 25 when Steamboat came out of retirement and teamed with Jimmy Snuka and Roddy Piper to face Chris Jericho? It was a phenomenal return. The crowd was so into it they couldn’t stop chanting “you still got it” every time Steamboat set foot in the ring. That year he also made it into the Hall of Fame, a well-deserved praise.
Honourable mentions have to go to Sherri Martel, one of my favorite managers of all times and a great women’s wrestler back in her day. I absolutely loved her with the heel versions of Macho Man and Shawn Michaels, as she did wonders for their careers in that sense. Another H.M. goes to Lance Hoyt, who’s made a name for himself in the minor leagues and TNA, but who also made it to WWE TV. Although it didn’t last at least he can say it happened. We also couldn’t do honourable mentions without mentioning this man…Ricaaaardo Rooodrrrriiiguez! There’s so much more coming from this guy, but he’s already grown a following just from his work as Alberto Del Rio’s personal ring announcer. What a cool guy to share a birth month with! With my last honorable mention it’s time to get a little funky, because Brodus Clay is also born in the month of Feb. I have high hopes for this guy and although there’s been reports he was taken off TV because he just isn’t ready, I’m excited for the day he is.
As you can see there have been lots and lots of amazing talent born in February. There’s actually quite a bit more out there and it was quite a surprise to take a look and see. If you’re bored, I suggest you do the same thing for your month and see what big names you have on your team. Once again, thanks for the read. If you have any memories of these guys feel free to share or if you feel like checking out your month, post some of the wrestlers that share the same birth month as you. It will be interesting to see who has the most talented month.
James Bones
@violentshadows
violentshadows@hotmail.com
Firstly, Happy Birthday 😀
Funny enough, I knew it was Flair’s 63rd birthday today and was thinking if I should write something up on it but you bet me to it with a great idea!
Interesting column, maybe we should have somebody do this every month? Even if their birthday doesn’t land in that month, you could if you enjoyed writing it, or I could, don’t mind 🙂
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Yeah that sounds fun to me. It’s actually quite surprising all the talent. Or you could have whoevers staff birthday month it is do it or their birthday present. Lol. If there’s a month without a birthday I’ll fill in. Either way, it was really kind of neat to see the list. I can just imagine the more popular months for popping out babies.
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Yes we can do that then.
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That was a great article man, really interesting, I’ve never seen an article like this and I think it worked!
My favourite February born superstar you mentioned would be Ricky Steamboat, cos he was a fantastic wrestler! Brought something new to the table back then.
Ray, like you mentioned I think the birthday thing would be a really good thing to have on WR. Who from WR is born in March? If there’s no one born on a certain month we could still write a Birthday article for the readers because I’m sure the readers all land in each month.
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Thanks man I didn’t know what the heck to write about this week and after remembering it was my birthday it all came together.
It would be awesome to do every month. Let’s make it happen!
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Yeah I know how you feel. Writers block sucks! But you’ve put together a really neat Birthday article here. So good job! You have been the creator of a monthly article, you smart cookie!
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When I’m sending out the next email, we can find out who’s born in March.
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Ha interesting concept for an article mate. Didn’t know Norman Smiley was involved in FCW. Remeber when he was involved in WCWs terrible attempt at a hardcore division??
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I do remember that my god. It was a straight rip off. At that point it seemed WCW tried to hire as many ECW guys as possible but also turn some of their own into “hardcore” performers. Norman was the exact opposite of hardcore. lol
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Aue you’re right. They brought in sandman and renamed him “hack”. Sick.
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Buddy Rogers vs. Ric Flair vs. Jim Niedhart vs. Norman Smiley vs. Ricky Steamboat vs. Lance Hoyt vs. Ricardo Rodriguez vs. Brodus Clay in a Battle Royal with Sherri Martel in Flair’s corner. Anybody?
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I’ve got £100 on Ricardo Rodriguez to win!
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I want to see Smiley vs. Clay in a dance off 🙂
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I’ve gotta say my favourite out of those mentioned, Norman Smiley. He entertained me a lot and made me laugh at times too. Was quite a cool guy too when I met him in 2000. 😀
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Wher did you meet him pal? I am tr biggest mark of anyone from 1998-2001 WCW hah
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Holy crap you met him?! I always thought he wasn’t given many opportunities but he also didn’t have a good look I guess. I could always tell he had technical skills and knew how to work the ring.
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It was at a WCW show in 2000, when they did a tour over here in the UK. He came out by the entrance area just after interval to meet his parents. After he spoke with them, he signed autographs and spoke to fans, so I got my WCW programme signed by him. Seemed very down to earth and happy to chat with people…unlike some on that tour!
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Ah man one of my bigger regrets as a wrestling fan was no going to that 2000 WCW UK tour 😦 I remember watching the nitro they taped here and being genuinely gutted.
Who was a dick on the tour like?
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Brian Knobbs was living up to his last name, Dustin Rhodes was and one of the Marmalukes. Can’t think if it was Johnny the Bull or Vito. When they returned later that year, the only one I saw causing grief was (as expected) Scott Steiner.
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Un-Happy belated birthday to you?
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Thank you. 🙂 hahah!
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