WWF Superstars quiz from mental_floss

My friend Kathleen introduced me to mental_floss magazine about a year ago. Since then, I've picked up a few of their books (I love the Genius instruction Manual) and I've become a daily reader of the mental_floss blog. I think a lot of WWdN readers will dig it, too, especially if you enjoyed the Intellectual Devotional book that I mentioned last year.

They run quizzes on their blog that always kick my ass . . .  until today's WWF action figure quiz.

I loved these action figures when I was a kid. They were heavy, they were sculpted, they were totally different than any other action figure before or since, and during an era when wrestling video games didn't exist (this is before Exciting Hour gave us the Insane Worrier and his pals) playing with them in the Sling 'Em-Fling 'Em Wrestling Ring was the closest we could get to recreating our favorite matches . . . or inventing our own stories and rivalries:

"The Iron Sheik would never team up with Hulk Hogan!"
"Oh yeah, watch this!"

Ah, youth.

This is probably one of those generational things, but if you used to get up early on the weekends to watch Mean Gene and Jesse The Body Ventura do commentary while The Hart Foundation took on The Killer Bees, you're going to love it.

I took the quiz this morning, and scored 86% (12 out of 14.) I would have scored 13 out of 14 if I hadn't second-guessed myself on [redacted] when I should have just trusted my instincts. I do that a lot, goddammit. In my defense, there was one guy who I've never heard of, because he was, sadly, after my time. God, it kills me to say that. Why can't wrestling stay preserved in amber, existing only from 1980-1986? Because we wouldn't have Mankind and The Undertaker's legendary Hell in a Cell match if we did, that's why.

Comments

[Becky..Absent Minded Housewife]

Didn't those mini M.U.S.C.L.E. men come free in cans of chocolate milk powder? We drank so much of that shit.

[Starr01]

Hey Wil have you signed the petition to make St Patrick's day a national holiday yet? Guiness is sponsering the petition.
http://www.proposition317.com/stpats.html

[ToddCommish]

13/14. Never heard of Ted Arcidi. One of my great memories from the early 80's was attending a WWF match (lumberjack matchup between Roddy Piper and Mr. Wonderful) and swatting Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart with my program as he passed by. Good times.

[JennyW]

Now I'm addicted to the Mental Floss quizzes. Thanks, Wil! Like I needed another time suckage device!

[Alan]

Did you see the season finale of The Sarah Conner Chronicals? That was awesome. I predict that FOX cancels it according to their SOP.

[Lee]

Wil,

Gary Gygax has passed on. FARKers seek your commentary.

An age ends.

[Thane9]

Lee,

I came here immediately after seeing the news as well. It's unbelievable how much of an impact Gygax had on my life, and given what Wil has written about his experiences I can only imagine he'll feel the same.

This is an enormous loss.

[Merbrat]

Huh.
My grandfather loved that stuff. So, I was watching it around 1964!
I don't know if he believed it, but I thought it was phoney when I was 10!
Names? How about brutal, bloody "The Sheik" and Bobo Brazil, Johnny Valentine,
and "Abdullah the Butcher". Then, of course, "Gorgeous George".
http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/bios/halloffame/index.html

I just remembered...he also watched Roller Derby back then, too!
Just as 'real'! (Austin has LoneStar Roller Girls!)
I choose to believe he -knew- it was staged. He was a motorcycle stuntman
in the silent movies! Cool old dude!

Welcome back, Wil!

[fairnhite451]

I too thought of Wil's place as soon as I read of GGG's passing.

The predictable "he missed his last saving throw" and "who can put up the 1000 gp gem" comments aside, it was through D&D that I met people I still call friend 20 years later, and how I connected with a creative streak which I still find occasion to trot out whenever I can.

A glass of the good stuff goes down tonight when I get home in his honour. And then maybe I'l play some NWN on the PC, since I don't think my IRL friends are going to feel much like gaming right away.