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ANDERSON BROTHERS CLASSIC TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT December 11, 2004 - Shelby NC
The following was posted on Kayfabe Memories message board.
What a wonderful night in Shelby. While the crowd wasn't at all what George had hoped for, it didn't detract from what was a special night for anyone who grew up a fan of the Anderson Brothers. Some random thoughts - We saw a side of Ole Anderson that we first got a glimpse of at the first Charlotte Fanfest in January 2004. While being interviewed at ringside by Bob Caudle at the end of the show, Ole got very emotional and at times struggled for his words as he talked about how much Gene meant to him and how Gene was the one that really defined the Anderson Brothers in the ring. George South, who promoted this show, then talked about how no matter how bad he was feeling about things at times, he always felt better when he thought about the Andersons Brothers, that they were his heroes growing up. It got even more emotional when George brought out an actual pair of Gene Anderson’s boots and said how no one would ever be able to fill them again. George was breaking down, and most of Gene’s family were crying. Brad Anderson (Gene’s son and George’s partner for the tournament replacing David Flair) was also visibly moved. He stood in the ring with George during George’s speech. Masked Superstar Bill Eadie and Superstar #2 were an amazing team, wrestling very hard, and the only team that wrestled three times that night (George and Brad drew a bye.) Eadie looked awesome in full 1976 attire, doing all his signature moves (except the flying clothesline, which Superstar #2 did.) The Armstrongs were also amazing. Brad hasn’t lost a step, he could work rings around most of today's talent. Bob, who is in his mid-60s, looked to be in phenomenal shape, and while he wasn’t taking bumps (and who can blame him at that age?) was in high gear and worked hard in both of their matches. Brad Armstrong is simply one of the nicest people in the business. He still loves it so much, and loved the concept of paying tribute to the Anderson Brothers. He was getting extra copies of the program and poster for his brothers. Gene Anderson's wife Edie was there and was introduced to the crowd and got a nice hand. She was also very nice and was posing for pictures with many of the fans. Several other members of his family were there, including children and grandchildren. Brad Anderson told George after the show he was so pleased to see his kids react the way they did to hearing about their grandfather from George and Ole because they obviously never had the chance to know him. George South had grown muttonchop sideburns in the tradition of the 1970s Andersons. Ole got a big laugh over that. I‘m not sure anyone else really caught that inside joke. Another thing about Brad Armstrong which speaks volumes about his character: well after the show was over and George’s guys were taking down the ring, Brad came out and made a point of going up to Jason Jones and Mike Lee and others and complimenting them on their matches. You don’t see veterans do that too much these days. And they deserved it: George’s guys all did a great job, Lee and Jones in particular getting a lesson on working tight with Bill Eadie, and Jason King held his end up with Ricky Morton as the Rock and Roll Express 2004. Ricky Morton was having a great time hamming it up with fans at ringside, joking about all those world titles but that he finally made it to the big time in a tournament named for Ole Anderson. Ring Announcer: Ralph Harkey. Referee: Jamie Tucker. © 2004 Anderson Brothers Classic |