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Wrestling History & News: Facts, Origins & Dirt Sheets

by Luis Mendoza - Sport Editor
written by Luis Mendoza - Sport Editor

A recent Instagram post sparked a wave of nostalgia for wrestling fans, featuring a visit to a WWF cafe in Recent York City and reflections on the sport’s golden era. The post, accompanied by the hashtag #WWE, #wrestling and #thingstodonyc, tapped into a deep well of memories for those who experienced the rise of professional wrestling in the 1980s. The core of this reminiscence centers around a pivotal year for the World Wrestling Federation: 1984.

That year marked a turning point for what would become WWE, witnessing key events that propelled the organization – and its stars – into the mainstream. From championship changes to landmark events, 1984 laid the foundation for “Hulkamania” and the wrestling boom of the late 80s and early 90s. The WWF roster in 1984 was a diverse mix of established veterans and rising stars, all vying for championship glory and fan adoration.

One of the most significant moments of 1984 occurred on January 23rd, when Hulk Hogan defeated the Iron Sheik to win the WWF Championship at Madison Square Garden. This match, broadcast live on both the MSG Network and USA Network, is widely considered the event that launched “Hulkamania,” transforming Hogan into a cultural icon. The victory wasn’t just a title change; it signaled a shift in the WWF’s direction, focusing on Hogan as its central figure.

Beyond Hogan’s ascent, 1984 saw several other notable events unfold within the WWF and the broader professional wrestling landscape. On July 23rd, at The Brawl to Complete It All in New York, Hulk Hogan defended his WWF World Heavyweight Championship against Greg Valentine. Also on that night, Wendi Richter defeated The Fabulous Moolah to claim the WWF Women’s Championship, a significant moment for women’s wrestling within the promotion.

An episode of All Star Wrestling from 1984, featuring commentary from Vince McMahon and Gene Okerlund. Watch the full episode on YouTube.

The Universal Wrestling Association (UWA) also held a significant event on January 29th, with El Canek defeating André the Giant for the UWA World Heavyweight Championship at the UWA 9th Anniversary Show in Naucalpan, Mexico. Meanwhile, Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) saw Dusty Rhodes defeat Ric Flair by disqualification on June 30th in Miami, Florida, for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. These events highlight the vibrant and competitive landscape of professional wrestling in 1984, extending beyond the WWF’s sphere of influence.

The World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) also played a role in the year’s wrestling narrative. On May 6th, Kerry Von Erich defeated Ric Flair in Irving, Texas, to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. This victory underscored the Von Erich family’s prominence in the wrestling world and their ability to challenge established champions.

The WWF roster itself was a melting pot of talent. Alongside Hogan, key figures included Bob Backlund, Andre the Giant, and Jesse “The Body” Ventura. The roster also featured a growing number of international stars, like Ivan Putski and The Iron Sheik, adding diversity to the WWF’s offerings. A comprehensive list of the 1984 WWF roster can be found on The SmackDown Hotel.

The year wasn’t without its share of other notable moments. The EMLL (Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre) held its 28th Anniversary show on April 8th in Mexico City, featuring a Lucha de Apuestas hair vs. Hair match between Super Halcón and Pirata Morgan. WWC (World Wrestling Council) hosted its 11th Anniversary show on September 14th in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with a double disqualification match between Abdullah the Butcher and Carlos Colón against Stan Hansen and Bruiser Brody.

Looking ahead, the impact of 1984 on professional wrestling is undeniable. The events of that year set the stage for the WWF’s dominance in the years to come, solidifying Hulk Hogan’s status as a global superstar and paving the way for the “Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection” that would further mainstream the sport. The memories shared through posts like the recent Instagram feature serve as a reminder of the enduring legacy of this pivotal era in wrestling history.

What are your favorite memories of 1984 wrestling? Share your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to share this article with fellow wrestling fans!

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News

NYC Rental Ripoff Hearings: Dates & How to Tell Your Landlord Story

by James Carter Senior News Editor
written by James Carter Senior News Editor

New York City tenants now have a direct line to City Hall to report issues with their landlords. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has launched a series of “rental ripoff” hearings across the five boroughs, offering residents a chance to share their experiences with poor housing conditions and questionable landlord practices. The initiative, announced in early February 2026, aims to inform future policy changes and improve housing quality throughout the city.

The hearings represent a significant early move by Mayor Mamdani, who took office on January 1, 2026, after a historic election victory. He’s framing the sessions as a crucial step toward addressing long-standing concerns about tenant protections and holding landlords accountable. The move comes as New Yorkers continue to grapple with a competitive rental market and rising housing costs.

“This is your chance to tell City government what’s working, what isn’t, and what needs to change,” the city’s website states, encouraging participation. The administration intends to use the testimony gathered to develop a comprehensive housing plan focused on improving conditions for all New Yorkers, including those in public housing.

What are the ‘Rental Ripoff’ Hearings?

The “rental ripoff” hearings are a series of public forums where New York City residents can directly address city officials about issues they’ve faced with their landlords. Government workers with expertise in tenant stability, housing quality, and consumer protection will be present at each session. According to an executive order signed by Mayor Mamdani, a report detailing recommendations for policy changes and action plans will be released within 90 days of the final hearing.

Hearing Schedule and Registration

The hearings are scheduled to take place between February and April 2026, with multiple sessions offered in each borough. Registration is required to attend, and some hearings have already reached capacity. Here’s the schedule:

  • Brooklyn: February 26
  • Queens: March 5
  • Bronx: March 11
  • Manhattan: March 28
  • Staten Island: April

Attendees will have the opportunity to provide policy recommendations, share their experiences directly with agency leadership, and learn about available city housing resources. Residents are not required to attend a hearing in their own borough.

Who Can Attend?

The hearings are open to all New York City renters, with one key exception: residents of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments. While NYCHA residents are not eligible to participate in the formal hearings, city staff will be on hand to address their concerns, take repair requests, and log complaints regarding heat and hot water. The administration has indicated that a separate housing plan specifically addressing the needs of NYCHA residents will be released in the coming months.

During a press conference on Sunday, Mayor Mamdani also announced the appointment of Dina Levy as commissioner of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. According to the mayor, Levy brings decades of experience in developing and promoting safe and affordable housing for New Yorkers.

What’s Next?

The upcoming hearings represent a significant opportunity for New York City tenants to voice their concerns and contribute to the development of new housing policies. The administration’s commitment to releasing a report within 90 days of the final hearing suggests a swift response to the issues raised. The success of this initiative will likely depend on the level of tenant participation and the city’s ability to translate the feedback received into concrete action. The city will be closely watching to see how these hearings shape the future of tenant protections in New York City.

What are your experiences as a renter in New York City? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and please share this article with your network.

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Sport

Milan Cortina Olympics: Most-Watched Winter Games Since 2014

by Luis Mendoza - Sport Editor
written by Luis Mendoza - Sport Editor

The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics concluded on a high note, attracting the largest viewership for a Winter Games since the 2014 Sochi Games. An average of 23.5 million viewers in the United States tuned in to NBCUniversal’s coverage, marking a significant 96% increase compared to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, according to Nielsen data. The games, which spanned from February 6th to February 22nd, captivated audiences across NBC, Peacock, CNBC, USA Network, and various digital platforms.

This surge in viewership signals a strong rebound for the Winter Olympics, particularly after the 2022 Beijing Games experienced record-low primetime numbers. The success of Milan Cortina is attributed to a combination of factors, including compelling athletic performances, stunning Italian venues, and innovative broadcasting technologies. NBCUniversal’s extensive coverage, totaling over 3,200 hours and 116 events, played a crucial role in reaching a wider audience.

The figures are based on Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel ratings through February 19th, supplemented by preliminary data from February 20th-22nd, and digital data from Adobe Analytics. Notably, the U.S. Men’s hockey team’s thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over Canada on Sunday drew significant attention, with Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reporting 8.7 million viewers in Canada during Jack Hughes’ game-winning goal (NBC New York).

Streaming Numbers Soar on Peacock

The Milan Cortina Olympics also delivered record-breaking streaming numbers on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service. A total of 16.7 billion minutes of content were streamed during the games, more than double the combined total of all previous Winter Olympics combined (6.9 billion minutes) (NBC Sports Pressbox). Peacock streamed over 850 live events over a 17-day period, demonstrating the platform’s growing importance in Olympic coverage.

“I perceive in so many ways that these Winter Olympics exceeded our expectations. We were reminded that the Olympics are the most exciting, unpredictable and biggest stage in sports,” said Molly Solomon, the executive producer of NBC’s Olympics coverage. “And what I think came together in Italy was that the settings were stunningly beautiful, the access we had to the athletes and their lives was unprecedented. And then you take the technology, the first-person view drones, the audio, and it took the audience inside the stories in fresh, meaningful ways.”

NBCUniversal’s February Sports Lineup

The success of the Milan Cortina Olympics was part of a broader strong February for NBCUniversal, which also broadcast Super Bowl 60 and the NBA All-Star Game. This marked the first time a network aired all three major events in the same month. Super Bowl 60 averaged 125.6 million viewers across NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo, becoming the second-most-watched program in U.S. History (Deadline). The NBA All-Star Game also saw its highest audience in 15 years, averaging 8.8 million viewers, and a Lakers-Knicks game on February 1st averaged 4.5 million.

According to Nielsen, a total of 215.6 million U.S. Viewers tuned in to at least one of these events, reflecting a broader trend of increased viewership driven by a new Nielsen rating system that lowered the minimum viewing requirement from 5 to 3 minutes.

“I have to say it’s probably better than we expected. This doesn’t happen through luck or happenstance. This happens through just really good planning and then execution across the month. So really happy overall and I don’t think it could have gone better, honestly,” said Rick Cordella, NBC Sports President.

Looking Ahead

The strong performance of the Milan Cortina Olympics underscores the enduring appeal of the Games and NBCUniversal’s ability to deliver a compelling viewing experience. As the sporting world shifts towards increasingly fragmented media consumption, the ability to attract large audiences across both traditional television and streaming platforms will be crucial. The viewership numbers for the men’s hockey final are expected to be released Tuesday, providing a final data point for the overall success of the games. The focus now shifts to planning for future Olympic broadcasts and continuing to innovate in sports presentation.

What are your thoughts on the Milan Cortina Olympics? Share your comments below and let us know what moments stood out to you!

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News

NYC Mayor Mamdani Scraps Adams’ NYPD Hiring Plan, Faces Criticism | CBS News

by James Carter Senior News Editor
written by James Carter Senior News Editor

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing criticism after effectively halting a plan by former Mayor Eric Adams to add 5,000 officers to the New York Police Department. The decision comes as the NYPD grapples with a significant number of officers leaving the force, creating a challenge for the new administration. Although Adams characterized the hiring plan as essential for public safety, Mamdani is prioritizing alternative approaches to address the city’s safety concerns.

The dispute centers on the future size and role of the NYPD. Adams’ proposal, which would have brought the department’s headcount to approximately 40,000 – a level not seen since the Giuliani administration from 1994 to 2001 – was intended to stabilize the force and reduce reliance on costly overtime. Although, Mamdani has signaled a shift in strategy, focusing on addressing the reasons officers are leaving and exploring alternative methods for handling certain types of calls.

Adams Calls Decision a “Serious Mistake”

Former Mayor Adams strongly condemned Mamdani’s decision, calling it a “serious mistake” through spokesman Todd Shapiro. “Five thousand officers is not excess. It is necessary to stabilize the force, reduce crushing overtime, and ensure the health, safety, and well-being of every New Yorker,” Shapiro stated. The disagreement highlights a fundamental difference in approach to public safety between the two mayors.

The NYPD is currently operating with just over 34,000 officers, approximately 1,000 fewer than the budgeted number. Patrick Hendry, President of the Police Benevolent Association, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “My message is, right now, we need to keep our police officers in the department. We are losing 250 to 300 a month. That needs to change right away.” This officer attrition rate is a key factor driving the debate over staffing levels.

Mamdani’s Focus on Department of Community Safety

Mayor Mamdani is advocating for the creation of a Department of Community Safety, a key component of his campaign platform. The goal is to relieve the NYPD of responsibilities better suited to civilian responders, such as calls related to homelessness and mental health crises. During a recent interview with CBS News New York’s Marcia Kramer, Mamdani explained, “I’ve said time and again that for too long the city has added additional responsibilities onto the NYPD. We see at this point the NYPD responsible for responding to about 200,000 mental health calls a year.”

However, Hendry argues that shifting responsibilities won’t significantly alleviate the workload on police officers. “It’s not going to change anything for the NYPD. We still have a huge workload. This is only 2% of our workload, mental health jobs. We need to keep police officers in this department,” he said. The disagreement underscores the challenge of finding solutions that address both the immediate staffing shortage and the long-term demands placed on the NYPD.

The debate over the NYPD’s future comes at a critical time for New York City. As the city continues to navigate complex challenges related to public safety and social services, the decisions made by Mayor Mamdani will have a significant impact on the lives of New Yorkers. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether his alternative approach can effectively address the concerns raised by both law enforcement officials and the public.

What remains to be seen is whether Mamdani’s Department of Community Safety can effectively address the issues currently handled by the NYPD, and whether his administration can stem the tide of officers leaving the force. The city will be closely watching the implementation of these new strategies and their impact on public safety in the months ahead.

Share your thoughts on the future of policing in New York City in the comments below.

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