Huge-hitting heavyweight Butterbean knocked the dwelling daylights out of WWE celebrity, ending an ill-fated event branded a failure by insiders.
Going through the four-round knockout specialist was someway seen because the prize for whoever got here out on prime of the 1998 WWE’ Brawl For All’ Sequence on Monday Evening Uncooked. The brainchild of Vince Russo, who would depart the corporate months after Gunn confronted Butterbean at Wrestlemania XV.
The preliminary thought for the competitors was to pit sixteen WWE wrestlers towards one another in an precise boxing match over three one-minute rounds. The bouts would happen over two months on Uncooked from June to August 1998, and ultimately, one man could be topped the champion.
Nevertheless, the entire association was doomed from the start.
Extreme accidents started to impression superstars from the off as they weren’t accustomed to taking the heavy blows dished out from athletes who generally weighed over 300 kilos. However proper from off, Bart Gunn stood out as an early favourite. Gunn, actual identify Michael Polchlopek, defeated Bob Holly by determination earlier than occurring a knockout streak.
Gunn stopped Steve’ Dr Demise’ Williams, ‘The Godfather’ Charles Wright [also known as Papa Shango], and John Bradshaw Layfield from claiming the trophy and the $75,000 prize.
His reward was a combat towards Butterbean on March 28, 1999, at Wrestlemania XV, one thing wrestling historian and former promoter Jim Cornette was later important of in an episode of ‘Darkish Aspect Of The Ring’ charting the story.
The competition towards Butterbean was primarily a technique to finish the story. WWE inventive had been at a loss as to what to do with Gunn, as their most well-liked winner was ‘Dr Demise’ Williams. Gunn’s first sufferer, Holly, later claimed the Butterbean combat was organized as punishment for the victory over Williams.
Pitching a wrestler towards a thunderous skilled boxer, even in a sideshow capability with out safeguarding in place, proved to be a catastrophe. Gunn was knocked out badly in 35 seconds on the Wells Fargo Middle in Philadelphia and will have been badly injured.
After his loss, Gunn was subsequently fired and moved to Japan to wrestle as ‘Mike Barton’ amid claims by former referee Mike Chioda that these damaging 35 seconds had been someway scripted. Chioda cited Gunn’s openness within the combat as his reasoning for these views.
TJR Wrestling documented Chioda’s phrases from his Monday Mailbag Podcast.
“I actually do suppose it was a piece, man, as a result of I’ve by no means seen Bart not cowl [up]. He didn’t cowl up. I don’t know. It was bizarre, man,” mentioned Chioda. It was frickin bizarre. I feel it was simply, okay, this shall be constructed across the boxer. You already know, Butterbean. You already know what I’m saying?
“I’m not saying Butterbean was no joke or something. He took a proper hook from him. He had some energy. Don’t get me fallacious, however Bart was 6’4, I feel 6’3. He was robust. I imply, he simply went too quick, too.
“You already know, I’m saying? It went too quick. I feel it was within the first spherical, proper? I’m fairly positive it was within the first spherical. I requested Bart, and Bart was kayfabe-ing.”
He added, “I feel it was a payday to construct up the boxer. I didn’t suppose they’d job Butterbean out and make him look dangerous. That’s why I say I feel it was a piece. I actually do. Not the fights [at the Brawl For All] to construct all the way in which as much as the end. Simply that major occasion.”
On the Darkish Aspect Of The Ring taping, Butterbean backed up claims about Gunn’s punishment.
“My understanding is that when Bart knocked out Dr. Demise,’ Vince bought p***ed, in order that they known as me in for his punishment,” Esch defined. “Vince smiled at me once I went to the ring.
“He knew that it was over for Bart. He knew that I used to be going to knock him out, and he wished me to knock him out.”
Learn all articles and unique interviews by Phil Jay. Study extra concerning the creator, skilled boxing author, and World Boxing Information Editor since 2010. Comply with on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
