• OLD SCHOOL VIDEO HISTORY (November 7, 1987) – WWF Superstars of Wrestling
On this day in 1987, the World Wrestling Federation aired an episode of their weekly TV show ‘WWF Superstars of Wrestling’.
This episode was pre-taped at the War Memorial in Syracuse, New York and featured matches & storyline segments on the road to the ‘WWF Survivor Series 1987’ PPV.
Here is the card:
1. Jake Roberts vs. Rip Oliver
2. King Kong Bundy vs. Pete Lucic
3. Billy Jack Haynes & Ken Patera vs. Terry Gibbs & Ray Miller
4. Killer Khan vs. Kurt Hoffman
5. WWF Tag Team Titles: The Hart Foundation vs. Strike Force
• Shawn Michaels’ Trainer Jose Lothario Passes Away, WWE Issues Statement
Former NWA President Bruce Tharpe announced on Twitter that NWA Hall of Famer Jose Lothario (he also trained WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels) passed away at the age of 83.
Sad news today. The great JOSE LOTHARIO has passed away. So thankful that I had the opportunity to induct him into the NWA Hall of Fame while I served as President. He was so happy and it was my pleasure to induct him. God bless you Jose Lothario and may you Rest In Peace.
— R. Bruce Tharpe (@rbtharpe) November 6, 2018
The Cauliflower Alley Club is saddened to report the passing of wrestling legend Jose Lothario. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/FO4HnKzAT1
— CauliflowerAlleyClub (@CACReunion) November 7, 2018
WWE issued the following statement regarding Lothario’s death:
“WWE is saddened to learn that Jose Lothario has reportedly passed away at age 83.
Despite never winning a WWE-sanctioned championship or competing at WrestleMania, Jose Lothario – born Guadalupe Robledo on Dec. 12, 1934 – made a lasting mark on the WWE Universe by simply agreeing to train a cocky teenager from San Antonio, Texas. A cocky teenager that grew up to become WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels.
Lothario helped HBK find his footing for a career between the ropes, from selecting Shawn Michaels as a ring name to teaching The Showstopper how to effectively perform the signature kick that came to be known as Sweet Chin Music. HBK soaked up every last lesson taught by Lothario, a Saturday morning staple for wrestling fans of a certain age from the Lone Star State.
“I think every young boy who lived in Texas knew who Jose Lothario was,” Michaels told WWE Magazine in 1996. “I first saw him on TV when I was 12. He was the first Superstar to come across my screen. He is a legend in San Antonio, Cuba, Mexico… just about everywhere!”
Their relationship reached the summit at WrestleMania XII, when Lothario – having helped Michaels break into the business nearly 15 years earlier – watched from ringside as HBK realized his boyhood dream of becoming WWE World Heavyweight Champion by defeating Bret “Hit Man” Hart in an unforgettable 60-Minute Iron Man Match.
Of course, Lothario became an effective mentor only after establishing his well-traveled reputation as a gritty grappler. As an NWA mainstay, he helped usher in popular Mexican wrestling styles to the sports-entertainment scene in the United States. His fans knew him best as “Super Sock,” a nickname recognizing the punches Lothario used to dole out during his past experiences in boxing.
Lothario even briefly displayed his considerable talents before the WWE Universe, most notably by humbling Jim Cornette in a match at In Your House 10: Mind Games.
WWE extends its condolences to Robledo’s family, friends and fans.”
