Wrestling history says Cardinals can beat Steelers in Super Bowl
Members of Steeler Nation may not want to continue reading. This post is for Ravens fans and fellow Steelers haters around the globe.
With the second-biggest event of the year (to WrestleMania, of course) just a few hours away, I was depressed about what will likely be an easy win for Pittsburgh over the Arizona Cardinals. That means a whole year of gloating from a bunch of obnoxious, towel-waving black-and-gold-clad miscreants. I'd sooner watch repeated showings of The Best of The Great Khali DVD than have to endure that.
Then I remembered something that gave me hope. The last time a representative from Pittsburgh met a representative from Arizona with a major championship at stake, the heavy underdog from Arizona overcame insurmountable odds to pull off a monumental victory. It took place in a wrestling ring.
Like the Steelers, the Pittsburgh wrestler had a rich championship tradition and was considered nearly unbeatable, while the Arizona wrestler never had a taste of championship gold in his career.
Just as the Super Bowl is contested at a neutral site, so was this match. Although, as will most surely be the case today in Tampa with the Steelers and Cardinals, fans of the Pittsburgh wrestler vastly outnumbered fans of the Arizona wrestler.
But despite a hostile crowd and no one giving the Arizona wrestler a chance, he defeated the Pittsburgh wrestler to become the WWF champion. One wrestling magazine proclaimed it “The Upset of the Century.”
And it took place right here in Baltimore. As anyone with knowledge of wrestling history has surely figured out, I’m talking about the victory by Superstar Billy Graham – billed from Paradise Valley, Arizona – over “The Living Legend” Bruno Sammartino on April 30, 1977. Sure, Graham cheated, but it’s only cheating if you get caught, as they say in wrestling. When it comes to the Steelers, you beat them by any means necessary.
How great would it be to see “The Upset of The Century” splashed across the next issue of Sports Illustrated? Perhaps the cover shot could be a recreation of the wrestling magazine that showed Graham about to deliver a chop to Sammartino’s throat, only this time it’s Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald with a stiff arm to the goozel of Steelers safety Troy Polamalu on his way to the end zone.
I just finished watching the Graham-Sammartino match on DVD to get fired up for the game. Can history repeat itself? Dare to dream.
C’mon, Kurt Warner. Be the man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour.
Comments
"As anyone with knowledge of wrestling history has surely figured out..."
I was feeling pretty good about my knowledge till that line. :-(
Posted by: Marko50 | February 1, 2009 4:39 PM
The Cardinals winning would be like another title match but not the one you said. It would be like Ronnie Garvin beating Ric Flair. It would be an embarassment for the NFL just like that was for the NWA.
Posted by: Zach Ruth | February 1, 2009 6:20 PM
"too sweet to be sour", ah , memories. Go Cards !
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | February 1, 2009 7:32 PM
Kevin, you are on point about the obnoxious black and gold fans. However, while I would have loved to have seen a "feathered" Super Bowl, I am very proud of the Ravens for coming out of a 5-11 season to give their proud fans an 11-5 season. I truly hope they can take the momentum they finished the year with and apply it to next year.
Posted by: Gwen | February 1, 2009 8:55 PM
Sorry, Kevin.
About two seconds ago, the Steelers won.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Oh, well. At least it was a good game.
Posted by: Mike | February 1, 2009 10:17 PM
Pffft!
The Cardinals blew it like WWE blew the Orton storline.
Posted by: Christopher | February 1, 2009 10:37 PM
So if the Cardinals are Billy Graham, are they now going to start shaving their heads and wearing tie-dye shirts?
Posted by: Grand Wizard | February 1, 2009 11:49 PM
In the end the Steelers had it all along. They only had a chance because they messed up a little. Arizona got stomped! Go Steelers!
Posted by: Patrick Britton | February 2, 2009 12:13 AM
As said before I am a Steelers fan but that Cardinals team is one to watch for sure. If they can get a pass rusher that D could be really, really good to go with that offense.
So they can sign Suggs and it means my Steelers don't have to face that Demon twice a year! That guy is awesome
Posted by: Teal Wilder | February 2, 2009 12:14 AM
Not only are you Ravens fans the most obnoxious jerks in football you are also the biggest cry babies. You had 3 chances to beat the Steelers and couldn't get it done.GET OVER IT!!! Oh I forgot the reffs cheated every time.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I'm over it. I have no problem admitting the Steelers are the better team. But that doesn't mean I have to like them. The Ravens and Steelers are division rivals, so of course I don't root for them. Oh, and a Steeler fan calling fans of another team obnoxious jerks.? That has to be a joke.
Posted by: Tom from Frederick | February 2, 2009 8:18 AM
Heh, glad you got to watch a real champion last night Kev.
It was quite a back and forth game though!
Posted by: Bob | February 2, 2009 8:19 AM
Yeah, too bad football isn't scripted.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: At least not that we know.
Posted by: Woody | February 2, 2009 8:37 AM
tom brady is coming back next season. good luck afc.
Posted by: ravensfan | February 2, 2009 10:29 AM
I was at the Civic Center the night Superstar Billy Graham won the title from Bruno. I distinctly remember looking around the arena and seeing large lights and cameras that were not commonplace at these house shows. I knew something was "up." I was also there not too many months later when Ivan Putski defeated Graham and everybody, and I mean everybody, left the Civic Center believing that Putski was the new champ. We had to wait until next Saturday's tv show to find out that Graham did not loose his title. BTW, Superstar Billy Graham was my favorite, all-time wrestler and, believe me, I've seen tham all.
Posted by: Magnificent Mark | February 2, 2009 11:11 AM
Drats ! In keeping with the context of a wrestling blog , I'll say it was a "valiant" (bros.) effort by the Cards .
Not real impressed by Bruce's halftime show , but not bad . I was a fan 20 years ago though . My favorite halftime show goes hands down to , go figure , "the artist formerly known as Prince". Now going by Prince again :)
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | February 2, 2009 12:09 PM
Some prediction....you obviously don't get it....Don't hate, just because your not part of the greatest fan base on earth...yes even here in B'more, if you look you'll find us.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: It wasn't a prediction. It was a tongue-in-cheek piece on a wrestling blog. My prediction was a Steelers blowout.
Posted by: Bob | February 2, 2009 12:22 PM
Thanks for clarifying that....Don't worry training camp will open before you know it......
Posted by: Bob | February 2, 2009 3:21 PM