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In my opinion, the greatest piece of writing Meltzer has ever done, and that covers quite a bit of ground.
This is not the obit Meltzer wrote in 1997. This was in response to the Pillman DVD WWE put out almost a decade later, which Dave clearly insinuates was structured on his original obit (and he cites WWE using the same incorrect date of death that he accidentally used in his obit as the proof).
A few things that stick out...
-Paul Heyman, as usual, being ahead of the curve in seeing stardom in Pillman before almost anybody else, and Heyman also eerily predicting his death to Shane Douglas & others.
-I'm still amazed Pillman was able to successfully work not only Eric Bischoff, who everybody worked, but also Kevin Sullivan & Vince McMahon.
-Meltzer clearly downplays their friendship and his role in helping to manifest the Loose Cannon gimmick, something he has admitted at other times.
-Heyman has a way of always finding himself in the middle of things somehow, doesn't he? He needs to write a book, it would be the greatest thing ever if he could somehow avoid the inevitable bullshit it will be littered with. Actually, it would probably be even better if he fills it with his bullshit.
-The story with his kids at the wake. Jeez.
-The Pillman/Angle comparisons are even scarier seven years or so later.
-I was sitting ringside for SummerSlam '97 and distinctly remember Pillman limping to the ring with his boots untied. Dude's ankle must have been blown up like a balloon.
-Interesting that Pillman saw the landscape changing and knew he couldn't continue with "Flyin" Brian once the lucha flying hit the U.S. He really was the last of the old school flyers in hindsight.
-I would love to hear those loony phone calls to Mark Madden & Lou Thesz.
This is not the obit Meltzer wrote in 1997. This was in response to the Pillman DVD WWE put out almost a decade later, which Dave clearly insinuates was structured on his original obit (and he cites WWE using the same incorrect date of death that he accidentally used in his obit as the proof).
A few things that stick out...
-Paul Heyman, as usual, being ahead of the curve in seeing stardom in Pillman before almost anybody else, and Heyman also eerily predicting his death to Shane Douglas & others.
-I'm still amazed Pillman was able to successfully work not only Eric Bischoff, who everybody worked, but also Kevin Sullivan & Vince McMahon.
-Meltzer clearly downplays their friendship and his role in helping to manifest the Loose Cannon gimmick, something he has admitted at other times.
-Heyman has a way of always finding himself in the middle of things somehow, doesn't he? He needs to write a book, it would be the greatest thing ever if he could somehow avoid the inevitable bullshit it will be littered with. Actually, it would probably be even better if he fills it with his bullshit.
-The story with his kids at the wake. Jeez.
-The Pillman/Angle comparisons are even scarier seven years or so later.
-I was sitting ringside for SummerSlam '97 and distinctly remember Pillman limping to the ring with his boots untied. Dude's ankle must have been blown up like a balloon.
-Interesting that Pillman saw the landscape changing and knew he couldn't continue with "Flyin" Brian once the lucha flying hit the U.S. He really was the last of the old school flyers in hindsight.
-I would love to hear those loony phone calls to Mark Madden & Lou Thesz.
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