“The Wrestling Match”
Season 1, Episode 17
3/27/1953
Settle in for a classic show featuring some old school wrestling with more comedic gags than a Colt Cabana match.
Tag: TV Show
Cody “The Crusader” Conway
Medium: Television
Title: Walker, Texas Ranger
Bio: Against doctor’s orders, the once-retired Cody “The Crusader” goes on to headline a long-awaited rematch against his greatest rival, The Warlock. Reports state that Cody was paid half a million dollars for his return bout, making it one of the largest paydays in both real and fictional wrestling history.
Signature Move: Overcoming an aneurysm.
Walker, Texas Ranger
“Crusader”
Season 6, Episode 16
1/31/1998
I can’t believe it’s already been a year since Roddy Piper passed away. He was as big a personality in the world of entertainment as he was in wrestling. But for every They Live or It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia memorable part that Piper had a hand in, there were other lesser-known roles that he was just as entertaining in. Such is the case in this episode of Walker, Texas Ranger. RIP Hot Rod.
Tiger Davis
Medium: Television
Title: Mister Ed
Bio: Looking to curb his overeating and sudden weight gain, Tiger turned to ballet to get back in shape and even incorporated it into his wrestling style. It proved so successful that he hung up his wrestling boots for a pair of ballet slippers.
Signature Movie: The pirouette.
Baywatch
“Bash at the Beach”
Season 6, Episode 15
2/19/1996
Some people stand in the darkness. Afraid to step into the light. Some people need to help somebody, when the edge of surrender’s in sight. When it comes crashing down and it hurts inside, you gotta take a stand it don’t help to hide. I am a real American. Forever and always, I’m always here.
Just as I was able to seamlessly mash up “Real American” and “I’m Always Here”, so were the producers of Baywatch who brought together two of the most popular, half naked, blondes of the 90’s.
Supernatural
“Beyond the Mat”
Season 11, Episode 15
2/26/2016
The Supernatural Bros., Sam and Dean Winchester, investigate the sudden death of a wrestler. Which, in the world of professional wrestling, isn’t really that strange until you factor in that the death wasn’t due to heart failure, suicide, or drug overdose. Okay, maybe that’s not the best way to start this post. Did I mention The Miz makes a cameo? Wait… come back.
The Beefy Boys
Medium: Television
Title: Rumble
Bio: Having retired from the construction game, Melvin and Neville turned to pro wrestling to exert their girth in a more productive manner. Besides a win over The Forces of Evil, The Beefy Boys were mostly known for their larger than life presence than their impressive winning record. They even landed a part in a fast food commercial.
Signature Move: Being duped into doing things.
Lord Byron
Medium: Television
Title: Rumble
Bio: Lord Byron is the face and owner of the Global Wrestling Federation. The GWF is constantly at war with the Real American Wrestling faction, despite rumors that Byron is secretly funding RAW. Proving that money can buy everything, Byron bought the Lord Mount Evans Tag Team Title even though he mostly wrestles as a singles wrestler. He then lost the same title in a singles match against The Prophet.
Signature Move: Spending money frivolously.
The Prophet
Medium: Television
Title: Rumble
Bio: Like how most retired wrestlers are wont to do, The Prophet returned to the squared-circle after having taken a vow to spread the gospel and cure little girls of being deaf. He challenged Britain’s best, Lord Byron, in a winner-takes-all match, which included the Lord Mount Evan’s Tag Team Championship belt, and Byron’s love interest, Georgy.
Signature Move: Spreading the word of God.
Rumble
I know not all British sitcoms are going to be Fawlty Towers, The Young Ones, Peep Show, The Office, or even The IT Crowd, but who knew England could give the U.S. a run for its money when it comes to producing dumbed-down tripe. Rumble is not only offensive to British sitcoms, but sitcoms in general and, more specifically, to professional wrestling.
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