droptoehold:

This Day In Wrestling History - Shane Douglas Threw Down the NWA Title [August 27th, 1994]

And Extreme Championship Wrestling was born.

“In the tradition of Lou Thesz, in the tradition of Jack Brisco of the Brisco Brothers, of Dory Funk Jr., of Terry Funk— the man who will never die. As the real Nature Boy Buddy Rogers, upstairs tonight. From the Harley Races, to the Barry Windhams, to the Ric Flairs, I accept this heavyweight title. … Wait a second, I’m Kerry Von Erich. I’m the fat man himself, Dusty Rhodes. This is it tonight, Dad. God, that’s beautiful. And Rick Steamboat, and they can all kiss my ass.

I am not the man who accepts a torch to be handed down to me from an organization that died seven years ago. The Franchise, Shane Douglas, is the man who ignites the new flame of the sport of professional wrestling.”