WWF Brawl For All
Encyclopedia
The WWF Brawl for All was a shootfighting
tournament held in the World Wrestling Federation
that lasted from June 29, 1998 to August 24, 1998.
s around the country.
Participation in the tournament was strictly voluntary.
.
The tournament also resulted in a number of legitimate injuries -- Steve Blackman
and Road Warrior Hawk
were unable to work in usual WWF capacities for a while after. Savio Vega
aggravated an old arm injury and would never work for WWF again.
UFC
veteran Dan "The Beast" Severn
was pulled from the tournament after it was believed a loss would harm his MMA career.
Bart Gunn defeated Bradshaw by TKO on the August 24, 1998 episode of Raw is War to win the tournament and $75,000. Bradshaw received $25,000. During this bout, Shawn Michaels provided guest commentary alongside Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross.
A follow-up to the tournament had the winner, Bart Gunn, matched against pro boxer Eric "Butterbean" Esch
at WrestleMania XV
. Gunn was knocked out approximately 30 seconds into the bout and soon after was out of the WWF. Though Gunn's legitimate knockout of Williams did not bring him success in the WWF, he was seen with great mystique in Japan where Williams is highly regarded. He tours the independent circuit and Japan under the name Mike Barton.
NOTE: Steve Blackman defeated Marc Mero but was unable to compete in the next round, permitting re-entry into the tournament for Mero.
NOTE: Dan Severn defeated The Godfather but withdrew from the tournament, citing he had nothing to prove and permitting re-entry for The Godfather.
Shoot (professional wrestling)
A shoot in professional wrestling is a term that refers to any unplanned, unscripted or real-life occurrence within a wrestling event. Contrary to popular belief, the name does not originate from "shooting in" for a takedown, as in amateur wrestling - rather it is a carny term shortened from...
tournament held in the World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
that lasted from June 29, 1998 to August 24, 1998.
Inception
Throughout 1998, the WWF experienced a growth in roster size but due to limited amount of TV time a number of their more genuine "tough guys" were left without much to do. As a result, the idea for a legit tough guy tournament was bandied about as a way to both utilize some of these men and capitalize on the recent interest in Toughman ContestToughman Contest
The Toughman Contest, founded in 1979 in Bay City, Michigan by boxing promoter Art Dore, is a chance for the novice amateur fighters to test themselves in the ring.-Format:...
s around the country.
Participation in the tournament was strictly voluntary.
Rules
Each match consisted of three one-minute rounds. Whichever wrestler connected with the most punches per round scored 5 points. In addition, a "clean" takedown scored 5 points and a knockdown was worth 10. If a wrestler was knocked out (decided by an eight-count rather than a ten-count), the match ended. The matches were scored by ringside judges including Gorilla MonsoonGorilla Monsoon
Robert James "Gino" Marella , better known by his ring name of Gorilla Monsoon, was an American professional wrestler, play-by-play announcer, and booker...
.
Reception
WWF audiences grew impatient with the relatively complicated rules, lack of explosive scripted-style finishes and generally slower action (in the first week, crowds chanted, "We want wrestling").The tournament also resulted in a number of legitimate injuries -- Steve Blackman
Steve Blackman
Steve Blackman is a American professional wrestler who is best known for his career in the World Wrestling Federation under his own name.-Stampede Wrestling and South Africa :...
and Road Warrior Hawk
Road Warrior Hawk
Michael James Hegstrand was an American professional wrestler. He is best remembered as Road Warrior Hawk, one half of the tag team known as the Road Warriors or The Legion of Doom , with Road Warrior Animal.-Early life:While living in Chicago, Hegstrand met Joe Lauranaitis, who would be later...
were unable to work in usual WWF capacities for a while after. Savio Vega
Savio Vega
Juan Rivera is a professional wrestler best known under the name Savio Vega. During the mid-late 1990s, he was an active wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation...
aggravated an old arm injury and would never work for WWF again.
UFC
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
veteran Dan "The Beast" Severn
Dan Severn
Daniel DeWayne Severn is an American mixed martial artist and professional wrestler, notable for his success in the early years of Ultimate Fighting Championship tournaments. Severn has fought and wrestled for many mixed martial arts and professional wrestling promotions, including King of the...
was pulled from the tournament after it was believed a loss would harm his MMA career.
Aftermath
WWF management's favorite, "Doctor Death" Steve Williams, got knocked out by Bart Gunn in the third round of his match, which lessened the tough-guy mystique being built for his character, effectively ending his push.Bart Gunn defeated Bradshaw by TKO on the August 24, 1998 episode of Raw is War to win the tournament and $75,000. Bradshaw received $25,000. During this bout, Shawn Michaels provided guest commentary alongside Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross.
A follow-up to the tournament had the winner, Bart Gunn, matched against pro boxer Eric "Butterbean" Esch
Eric Esch
Eric Scott Esch is an American heavyweight boxer, kick-boxer, professional wrestler, and mixed martial artist commonly referred to as Butterbean....
at WrestleMania XV
WrestleMania XV
WrestleMania XV was the fifteenth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation , which took place on March 28, 1999 at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
. Gunn was knocked out approximately 30 seconds into the bout and soon after was out of the WWF. Though Gunn's legitimate knockout of Williams did not bring him success in the WWF, he was seen with great mystique in Japan where Williams is highly regarded. He tours the independent circuit and Japan under the name Mike Barton.
Brawl for All tournament bracket
KO - knockout; TKO - technical knockout; Pts - points; Dec - referee's/judge's decisionNOTE: Steve Blackman defeated Marc Mero but was unable to compete in the next round, permitting re-entry into the tournament for Mero.
NOTE: Dan Severn defeated The Godfather but withdrew from the tournament, citing he had nothing to prove and permitting re-entry for The Godfather.