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Turnbuckle Memories


Turnbuckle Memories
Photo Information
Copyright: Sam Charupakorn (shahzzam) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 350 W: 15 N: 248] (1633)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 1985
Categories: HPP [Heavily Post-Processed]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2006-04-02 4:02
Viewed: 483
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Today is April 2, 2006. It is "Wrestle-Mania" Sunday here in the United States, number 22 since the first one in 1985. It's a little embarrassing to admit, but yes, I was indeed a big wrestling fan back in the day, as they say. So in commemoration, I offer you this photo and essay today.

Pro wrestling is one of those "sports" that many people, especially kids really love. And then someone ruins it for them by telling them it's fake...I shot this image around 1985 as a budding young photographer. The camera was a Minolta X-700 manual focus camera with a 50mm lens. To this day, I don't know how we got those ringside seats in the sold out arena!!

The image was taken in the most famous sporting arena in the world, New York's legendary Madison Square Garden. The participants were (left) Big Swede Hanson versus the Iron Sheik, a former WWE World champion. The fellow on the bottom left is the cameraman. Swede was what they call a "jobber." Someone paid to lose. The Iron Sheik was a transitional champion, only holding the title for a month until he lost the title to Hulk Hogan, who ushered in wrestling's new golden era. The WWE has created a whole new field unto itself called "sports-entertainment."

I haven't followed pro wrestling in a while, I don't even know who the participants are in today's main event. Wrestling is, and probably always was scripted. Funny thing is when they finally came clean about it a few years back, people thought it would be the end. Instead pro wrestling is more popular than ever, and is today a billion dollar industry.

Note: I found this print in one of my boxes, half-rotten. I tried to restore it, but realized it would take more work than I had time for, so I turned it into "Wrestle-Art" using one of the artistic filters in photoshop, I don't remember which one because I did this a while back.
lebjohnson, anavazao, ScottHale, pablominto has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To ScottHale: Thanks Scott!shahzzam 1 05-18 20:48
To brettf1: Hello Kev!shahzzam 1 04-04 02:53
To Sans1: Hey Steve!shahzzam 1 04-03 23:23
To anavazao: Thanks Ana!shahzzam 1 04-03 00:24
To wck: Thanks Wong!shahzzam 1 04-03 00:22
To lebjohnson: Thanks Lois!shahzzam 3 04-02 22:55
To degetica: Thanks Sabina!shahzzam 2 04-02 15:34
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Critiques [Translate]

This is so cool! It now looks like an illustration from the Saturday Evening Post circa 1930-40 when stories were illustrated with art, not photography. Art from a half-rotten photograph, taken 21 years ago, quite an accomplishment. This is a tribute to a "sport" where win or lose is pre-planned.
Rgards,
Lois

hmmm....how old are you?

;-)))))))


you sure captured the soul of this, even if I never understood what is all about;-))
But I can feel your passion into the photo, and the movement is greatly captured.
Sabina

Hi,
nice note the photo is not very Clear but is a good shot!
Great colours and composition!
Thanks Ana:)

  • Great 
  • wck Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 757 W: 37 N: 423] (3843)
  • [2006-04-02 23:40]
  • [+]

Hey Sam, your favourite's more then Kung Fu ;) I found Western Kung Fu as i interested when i was a child ;) This shot is a classic WWF, Im almost forgot the days, Thanks for reminds buddy!

Wong

  • Great 
  • Sans1 Gold Star Critiquer [C: 463 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2006-04-03 11:11]
  • [+]

Hi Sam- what a great vintage photo- i used to watch this as a kid on saturdays- brought back alot of memories! TFS

Best wishes,
Steve

WOW this goes back a bit Sam. I remember these guys! My brother was and still is a wrestling fan and this was the period when he was really heavy into the WWF. Good restoration job on the photograph and a good moment captured.

Actually I will get to meet the Iron Sheik in October. A good friend of mine wrestles locally and has been the "jobber" for a few of these guys and the Shiek was one of them. They are good friends and the Sheik will be at my friend's wedding in October. I'm told he is quite the character and relly enjoys a good time.
TFS Sam!

Love and Peace always
Kevin

Sam,
These wrestler brought back memories of "Wrestling at the Chase" taped in Saint Louis. It started it all. Harley Race, Pat O'Connell, Dick the Bruiser, Bluuldog Bob Brown, Dory Funk and the Von Ericks. I was too young to know much about Fritz Von Erick. Anyway, I didn't enjoy wrestling much except when my grandma would jump on the couch and yell, "get him in the sleeper hold!". I got into it then but just for the humor factor.
Anyway, it's a bit blurred, and has a strong orange color cast which I know you completely aware of. Ever though about converting them to B&W? I have found that out of focus shot's don't seem to so severe. You really brought back some memories with this one, honestly, Thanks for sharing it, it mase my day.
Scott

Hello Sam...
This is kind of fun capture, my friend!
Not really an action photograph, neither is it sports photo but something strange on the side...
I like the composition where you include the cameraman!
The post processing enhances the feeling of times gone by... Impressive 21 years ago!
Greetings,
Pablo -

:-) BRB! OK-

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