Ever play an unlicensed video game? You know, where they couldn’t license a big league or big promotion so you wind up with the character “El Tigre” instead of “Tiger Mask” a la Tecmo World Wrestling on the old school NES? Heroes of Wrestling, what was billed as a wrestling supercard that was meant to be the first of a franchise of pay-per-views, feels a bit like that. It’s an unlicensed wrestling event. Some approximation of the real thing. It’s no wonder that rather than being the first of a franchise, the October 10, 1999 event from Casino Magic in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi was the only event produced under the Heroes of Wrestling banner, and perhaps the worst wrestling event ever staged.
At the heart of Heroes of Wrestling was a fundamental misunderstanding of what wrestling fans wanted in 1999. By that year, wrestling fans were more sophisticated and discerning, thanks to the rapid evolution of the industry during the ’90s. The days of purely character-driven, larger-than-life gimmicks were giving way to more athletic, intense, and storyline-rich programming. Promotions like ECW were pushing the boundaries of what could be done in the ring, and WCW was showcasing the talents of cruiserweights who brought a faster, more dynamic style to mainstream wrestling. Meanwhile, WWE’s Attitude Era was capturing the cultural zeitgeist with its edgy, adult-oriented content.
The problem with Heroes of Wrestling was that it completely ignored these developments. It was as if the promoters were stuck in a time warp, banking on the idea that simply assembling a card of past stars would be enough to draw interest. They failed to recognize that the wrestling audience had changed; fans had grown up, their tastes had matured, and they demanded more than just nostalgia.
The Decline of the Legends
One of the most glaring issues with Heroes of Wrestling was the physical and mental state of the wrestlers. By 1999, many of the performers on the card were far removed from their prime years. This wasn’t just about age—many were dealing with the cumulative toll of years of physical punishment, substance abuse, and the harsh realities of life on the road.
Jake Roberts is perhaps the most poignant example of this decline. In his prime, Roberts was a master of psychology and promo work, his “snake” gimmick adding an extra layer of menace and mystique. But by 1999, his struggles with addiction had taken over. His appearance at Heroes of Wrestling was tragic to watch—his slurred speech, erratic behavior, and inability to perform at even a basic level were a stark contrast to the Jake Roberts that fans remembered. The fact that he ended up simulating sexual acts with his snake was not just bizarre; it was a heartbreaking illustration of how far he had fallen.
Yokozuna, once a dominating presence in the WWF, was another sad case. His significant weight gain had made it nearly impossible for him to move in the ring, let alone deliver the kind of performance fans once expected from him. Watching him struggle through his match was painful, a reminder of how unforgiving the wrestling business can be to those who aren’t able to maintain their health.
And it wasn’t just Roberts and Yokozuna. The card was filled with wrestlers who were either out of shape, out of practice, or both. The Bushwhackers, who had been a comedy act even in their prime, were not the kind of performers who could deliver a match that would satisfy the more discerning fans of 1999. The same goes for Greg Valentine, George Steele, and others who were long past their heyday.
The Bizarre Commentary
If the in-ring action was a trainwreck, the commentary was the wrecking ball that demolished whatever credibility the show might have had. Commentary is crucial in professional wrestling; it helps tell the story of the match, adds context, and can elevate the action in the ring. Unfortunately, Randy Rosenbloom’s performance did none of that.
Rosenbloom’s lack of knowledge about wrestling was painfully evident from the start. His misidentification of moves and awkward attempts at describing the action were jarring for viewers. For fans who had become accustomed to the smooth, knowledgeable commentary of Jim Ross or even the colorful, if less polished, work of Tony Schiavone, Rosenbloom’s fumbling attempts were a slap in the face. The fact that he was replacing Gordon Solie, a legend in the field, only made matters worse. It was as if the promoters had taken one of the most revered aspects of wrestling presentation and replaced it with something that actively detracted from the experience.
The Legacy of Heroes of Wrestling
In the years since, Heroes of Wrestling has become a kind of infamous legend among wrestling fans. It’s often cited as a cautionary tale about the dangers of over-relying on nostalgia without considering the current state of the business or the actual condition of the performers. It also serves as a reminder of how important it is for promoters to stay in tune with what their audience wants.
From a historical perspective, Heroes of Wrestling marks the end of an era in many ways. The late ’90s were a transitional period for professional wrestling, where the old guard was making way for a new generation of stars who would define the industry for years to come. The fact that Heroes of Wrestling was such a spectacular failure underscores the reality that the wrestling business had moved on from the simpler, more gimmick-driven approach of the ’80s and early ’90s.
Interestingly, in the years following Heroes of Wrestling, there has been a resurgence of interest in the old school, as seen in the success of events like WWE’s “Legends” programs or independent shows that feature older stars. However, these events are often handled with more care and understanding of what the audience expects. They don’t try to sell the past as the present but instead celebrate it in a way that acknowledges its place in history.
The Human Element
It’s also important to consider the human cost of events like Heroes of Wrestling. The wrestling industry is notoriously hard on its performers, both physically and mentally. Many of the stars who appeared at this event were dealing with serious personal issues, from health problems to addiction. The fact that they were even asked to perform in such a state is a reflection of the often brutal nature of the wrestling business.
Jake Roberts’ journey, in particular, is a powerful story of redemption. In the years following Heroes of Wrestling, he would hit rock bottom before eventually finding help and beginning the long road to recovery, as documented in The Resurrection of Jake The Snake. His story is a reminder that while events like Heroes of Wrestling can be easy to mock, they also represent the real struggles of the people involved.
The Card
The Samoan Swat Team (Samu and Fatu) vs. Marty Jannetty and Tommy Rogers
- This was the opening tag team match, featuring The Samoan Swat Team (not to be confused with The Headshrinkers, despite the similar members), taking on former Rocker Marty Jannetty and Tommy Rogers of The Fantastics.
Greg Valentine vs. George “The Animal” Steele
- In this singles match, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine took on the wild and eccentric George “The Animal” Steele. Valentine was managed by Sherri Martel, while Steele was accompanied by his trademark stuffed animal, “Mine.”
2 Cold Scorpio vs. Julio Fantastico
- This match was a bit of an outlier on the card, featuring 2 Cold Scorpio, who was still relatively active and capable, against Julio Fantastico, also known as Julio Dinero.
The Bushwhackers (Butch and Luke) vs. The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff
- A tag team match featuring the cartoonish and fan-favorite Bushwhackers against the classic foreign heel duo of The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff, accompanied by their manager, “The Doctor of Style” Slick.
Tully Blanchard vs. Stan Lane
- This singles match featured two former members of The Four Horsemen (Blanchard) and The Midnight Express (Lane). The match was notable for being one of the more technically sound bouts on the card, though it was far from either man’s prime.
Abdullah the Butcher vs. One Man Gang
- A hardcore-style match between two large, brawling wrestlers known for their rough, bloody matches. This match ended in a double count-out.
Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka vs. “Cowboy” Bob Orton
- A singles match between two veterans of the wrestling world, Snuka and Orton. Snuka was accompanied to the ring by his son, Sim Snuka.
Main Event: Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart and King Kong Bundy vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts and Yokozuna
- Originally, Jake Roberts was scheduled to face Jim Neidhart in a singles match, and King Kong Bundy was set to face Yokozuna. However, due to Roberts’ condition, the matches were combined into a tag team match. Roberts, visibly intoxicated, teamed with Yokozuna, and the match ended with Bundy pinning Roberts after a splash.
Conclusion
Heroes of Wrestling remains a fascinating, if deeply flawed, piece of wrestling history. It’s a snapshot of a moment in time when the wrestling world was in transition, and the clash between past and present resulted in one of the most infamous pay-per-views ever produced. For all its faults, it’s a reminder of just how difficult it is to capture lightning in a bottle, and how quickly the magic of professional wrestling can evaporate when the right elements aren’t in place.
For fans and historians alike, watching Heroes of Wrestling is an exercise in understanding what can go wrong in the world of professional wrestling, but it’s also a testament to the enduring appeal of the sport. Even in its most disastrous moments, wrestling has a way of captivating us, whether through triumph or failure.
