Here's hoping for a Pier 6 brawl

By TOM JONES
Published May 18, 2007

Oh, it will be bedlam, pandemonium in the squared circle. You won't believe what you're seeing! We can only be talking about one thing: professional wrestling. That's right, professional wrestling. And it's coming tonight to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. It's "Legends of Wrestling" Night as the Devil Rays host the Marlins. A dozen former World Wrestling Entertainment stars will be making appearances before, during and after the game. There will be three matches on the field after the game. All will be signing autographs from 5:10 to 6:10 p.m., before the 6:40 game start. And, best of all, one lucky fan will receive tickets to Wrestlemania XXIV, which is at the Florida Citrus Bowl on March 30 in Orlando. Here's a look at the legends who will be barring no holds tonight:

Bret "Hit Man" Hart

Other nickname: Excellence of Execution.

Favorite quote: "The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be."

The fact: Inducted into WWE Hall of Fame in 2006. This will be his first appearance since then.

The Nasty Boys

Brian Knobs/Jerry Sags

Favorite quote: "Nasty as we want to be."

Signature move: Running power slam with diving elbow drop.

The fact: Once got into an actual hotel room brawl with UFC mixed martial artist Ken Shamrock.

Greg "The Hammer" Valentine

Signature move: Figure Four leg lock.

Other life: A born-again Christian who speaks at high schools and colleges.

The fact: Hall of Famer is 57 and has been wrestling for more than 30 years.

Rick Steiner

Nickname: Dog-faced Gremlin.

Signature moves: Steiner Bulldog, Steiner Driver, Steiner Line.

Favorite quote: "If you want some, come get some!"

Brutus Beefcake

Nickname: The Barber.

Favorite quote: "Struttin' and cuttin', baby."

Signature move: Barber's Chair (swinging sleeper hold).

King Haku

Other names: King Tonga, Meng.

Signature moves: Tongan Death Grip, Tongan Spike, Savate Kick.

Fun facts: He was best man in The Rock's wedding. Worked at a car dealership in Sanford.

Tatanka

Other nickname: Lakota, which means bull buffalo.

Signature moves: Wykea (swinging side slam), Trail's End (Samoan drop).

Signature taunts: Rain dance, war dance.

Jim Neidhart

Nickname: The Anvil.

Signature moves: Anvil Flattener (Sambo suplex), Anvilizer Clutch (Cobra clutch).

Favorite quote: "How would you like a 100-pound anvil dropped on your head?!"

B. Brian Blair

Known for: Being a part of the Killer Bees.

Signature move: Sleeper Hold.

Fun fact: Is a Hillsborough County commissioner.

Cuban Assassin

Other name: Fidel Sierra.

His manager: Fantasy.

Signature move: Castro Sleeper.

Gene Okerlund

Nickname: Mean Gene (given to him by Jesse "The Body" Ventura).

Known for: Being the greatest host and emcee in wrestling history.

Fun fact: Lives in Sarasota. Son Todd played on the 1988 U.S. Olympic hockey team.

[Last modified May 18, 2007, 12:04:55]