Tom, about the vintage wrestlers...

[pikemojo]

Are you planning on continuing to release cards of the truly vintage wrestlers like Gotch, Hackenschmidt, Lewis, Londos, and The Terrible Turk? I ask because I really enjoy them and would love to see more and find out about more of the famous or even the not so famous stars of yesteryear.
I know there are tons more guys that could potentially be signed. Earl Caddock for one.

[TDalton]

I think the "vintage" guys will always be an option. I've contacted Earl Caddock's granddaughter, who lives in Michigan. I believe Tom sent her a game edition recently.

Based on my conversation with her, I'd say it would be a long shot, but not impossible. She had issues with the fact that this was a game with "fake" wrestlers, where Earl was the real deal. She was going to discuss it with other family members. That's the last I heard. I don't know if she responded to Tom.

[GalactiKing]

Hopefully. I'd also like to get Joe Stecher and Stansialus Zbyszko.

[Tom]

Great to hear there are vintage wrestling fans out there! As everyone knows, we are presenting the ENTIRE history of professional wrestling in the Legends game, not just the last couple decades like some other games do.

We'll usually include one or two vintage wrestlers per game edition UNLESS the theme is vintage wrestlers, like our VINTAGE game edition, where there were many more. So you'll be seeing new (old?) blood every edition. And keep watching, another VINTAGE-type edition could be in the works in the next couple years.

Tim gave you an update on some of the wrestlers we're trying to sign. Tim has done a fantastic job of putting me in contact with some of these old-time legends.

The excitement mounts! We'll cover the ENTIRE history of wrestling by hook or by crook! No one can stop us! The Terrible Turk playing card will take us to the turn of the 19th century. We'll keep exploring those early eras in coming game editions.

But for now, enjoy FEVER, which covers the last couple decades with some wrestling stars all modern fans remember.

Thanks for your support of the least-remembered but most important stars who built the sport to where it is today.

[canadianpittbull]

I love having the vintage wrestlers in the game and pitting them against the wrestlers of other years it makes for not only interesting matches but it also pays tribute to some of the founding fathers of the sport. I think ackknowleging those who were true shoot wrestlers before the spectacle end came to the sport is a must as they really set the ground work for what wrestling has become today.

I enjoy anyone that you bring to the game Tom as I know that your love for wrestling and your mission to celebrate wrestling, not only pay tribute but to educate your fanbase with wrestlers of other eras is a constant joy for myself and for others. Keep up the good work!

[TheOtherTravis]

I know that I've been curious about the earlier eras of wrestling ever since buying my copy of the 1996 PWI Wrestling Almanac and Book of Facts and seeing a pic of George Hackenschmidt. That kind of grabbed me and hasn't let go. Seeing Frank Gotch and Hackenschmidt in a game system that I absolutely love is just awesome. ;D

Peace.

~Travis

[Mike M]

At first, I wasn't excited when I heard that Frank Gotch was in the game. But over time, I've really enjoyed learning about Gotch, Hackenschmidt, Lewis, Londos, et al. It's been great seeing some one the greats who made wrestling into an "event" before the modern era.

[pikemojo]

I guess I wasn't excited at first either. It was just someone who I hadn't heard of and, at that point, didn't care about. By doing a bit of research I have come to enjoy having these legends in the game and wouldn't have it any other way.
One more question...How in the world are you able to find these contacts? Like the Terrible Turk for instance, he seems like he would be a hard one to find relatives of.
Is it possible for someone to be such a historical figure that you wouldn't have to contact their relatives?

[Mad Dog]

My hope is to one day see Abe Lincoln getting a card in the game.

[Tom]

I love this idea, except there wasn't anything resembling pro wrestling in Lincoln's time. If someone can tell me otherwise, please do.

I created an Honest Abe (Abraham Lincoln) playing card as a bootleg character for an edition released by Sam Luptak Jr. years ago, by the way. So it's funny you mentioned it.

[pistonhurricane]

I overheard Jim Cornette once say that the NWA world title can trace its lineage to Abe Lincoln.

I am currently illustrating a graphic novel titled " Abe Lincoln: Pit Fighter" which will be put out through The Vicious Circle Project. In doing research i found something interesting: Tom Hanks is a decendant of Abe Lincoln! Lincolns second wifes maiden name was Hanks.... funny.

[ferg]

Abe Lincoln would be good. I know George Washington was a historical wrestling figure before American Revolution and president taft was a wrestler as well. I would love to reunite the founding fathers in low like i did in the rampage game

[tystates]

In general, there is a time limit for a person to be deceased before you don't need family pemission. At least that is the way Tom has been doing cards for the likes of Gotch and Hackenschmidt.

[pistonhurricane]

If i remember correctly too, major historical figures dont fall into the "family permission" peramiters...ill do some checking.

[thefamoustommyz]

Yeah, I believe political figures fall under public domain, basically.

[Tom]

I believe the time period is 65 years after the death of a public figure...I can't remember, my lawyer knows!

[GalactiKing]

Hopefully that means we'll be getting more of those great vintage guys.

[pikemojo]

Do you still try to get permission then or is it kinda pointless?

[Tom]

No, if the person died so long ago that permission isn't necessary, we just produce the cards. I can't remember who is in that category. It's not many wrestlers.

[Shon Maxx]

Cool, I like some of the older cards, especially when I don't know who they are. That way, I can basically do whatever I want with their character.

Jay