Materazzi used 'very hard words', says Zidane

[sabra]

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=19&art_id=iol115272613812Z350&set_id=

Materazzi used 'very hard words', says Zidane

Paris - French football icon Zinedine Zidane on Wednesday said he was sorry for head-butting an Italian opponent during the World Cup final against Italy.

But he said in a French television interview that defender Marco Materazzi had brought on the gesture by insulting him with some "very hard words".

"I want to ask for forgiveness from all the children who watched that. There was no excuse for it," he said.

"I want to be open and honest about it because it was seen by two or three billion people watching on television and millions and millions of children were watching."

Asked what exactly Materazzi had said, Zidane would only say that it was "very personal and concerned his mother and his sister".

[jobycom]

1. At least he understands that children were watching

I'm so damn sick of American athletes feeling it's okay to start a brawl over insults or even minor physical attacks. "I had to bean him, he enjoyed his home run off me too much." "I had to rush the mound, he had a mean look on his face when thay ball brushed me back."

Yeah, good example to kids. That's what I want my kid learning--you hit someone for looking at you funny or saying the wrong thing.

Zidane was wrong, not to mention selfish for what he cost his team, but at least he says the right thing afterwards. None of this "I'm a man and had to do what I did" crap.

Rant over. Sorry to bother everyone. Get back to the posts that actually say something.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. I'd have hit him too.

Especially in the context of a sports match.

[jobycom]

3. Well my kids won't be watching you, either!

:rofl:

[alcibiades_mystery]

4. Classy move by Zidane

Just sayin'...Maybe all the haters will shut up now. OK, not likely...

[President Kerry]

5. Absolutely agreed.

The points go to Zizou. Materazzi is a scumbag, and Zidane defended himself. It wasn't a vicious punch or elbow, and there was no possibility of serious injury. And he stood up for something bigger than football.

[alcibiades_mystery]

6. I wasn't talking about the headbutt

I was referring to his comments today.

[President Kerry]

14. I know. The head-butt of course is not "classy", but nor is it as

reprehensible as some have made it out to be, given the context. His apology to the kids is classy, and shows that he is a true pro deserving of the Golden Boot (aside from his obvious technical skill).

[Bacchus39]

10. the Cup goes to Italy

it looked pretty hard to me. the hardest and dirtiest foul of the tournament. something tells me that Zidane wasn't the only player in the tournament to be insulted but he was the only one to act like an ass.

[mcar]

21. Points go to Zizou?

Why? He headbutted the guy and because he admits he did something wrong, he gets points and his victim is a scumbag?

I will never understand this way of thinking - blame the victim. It happens over and over again. I have no idea what Materazzi said - and neither do you, BTW - but he's a scumbag just because Zidane apologized.

It was apparent that both men were taunting each other and Zidane overreacted. How, exactly, does that make the other man a scumbag?

So, the next time two people have a verbal argument and one physically attacks the other, but apologizes a few days later, he's a hero and the other person is scum? :eyes:

[tkmorris]

41. No. Absolutely wrong.

There was no "verbal argument". It is NOT apparent (nor true) that "both men were taunting each other". Matarazzi was simply spouting the worst kind of racist sexist nasty playground trash he could in an effort to get under Zidane's skin. The fact that he finally found a button to push that set Zidane off does not make him a victim. He WANTED this to happen.

Here we have two men who have committed entirely different acts. One mercilessly baited his opponent game long, taunting him not just about the game but including the basest, most vile insults possible about his family and his heritage. The other man played the game, until in a moment of weakness one of those comments caught him so completely unaware, was so over the top, that he snapped.

Is it a good thing for Fidane to have done? Of course not, especially when and where he did, but it is a thing borne of outrage, not intent. Matarazzi's actions however, are intentional, and frankly have no place in sport at any level.

[mcar]

47. I don't think taunting has any place in sport at all

and I hate to see it happening. Unfortunately, it does and in every sport. I wonder how many black athletes have had to endure racial insults, threats and taunting during their careers - and even during this World Cup. How many of them turned around and attacked their taunter?

Materazzi is classless; Zidane was a fool. But I highly doubt that Zidane was bravely enduring Materazzi's taunts gamelong in humble silence. C'mon.

[brentspeak]

50. Zidane said the insults were about his mother and sister

He didn't say anything about a racial taunt.

In any case, Zidane was an idiot for behaving like a thug, regardless of what was said.

[0007]

26. cough cough bigger than football?

Your killing me!!

[ronnykmarshall]

36. Defended himself?

From what?

Words?

Cry me a fucking river for the butt head, head butter.

[paulk]

42. actually, you can kill someone by striking them in the chest

like that...

he stood up for something bigger than football?

he stood up for himself.

he put himself above his teammates.


How do the points go to Zizou? He very possibly cost his team the game. The championship game of the world cup - the most important soccer game there is.

[brentspeak]

54. Defended himself? From what -- mean names?

And yes, there is a possibility of serious injury; you can break a person's sternum with a blow like that. And depending on how bad the break or blow is, the victim could end up paralyzed or suffer a heart attack.

Materazzi is a slimeball, but Zizou was "ZiZero" for that incident.

[Bacchus39]

8. classy move by headbutting him?

sticks and stones Zidane.

[alcibiades_mystery]

12. No

Classy move by saying it was wrong, as I've already stated.

[MrPrax]

7. No problem here...

Too many times the little boy logic of 'what happens on the field, stays on the field' and 'what a cry baby' is passed off as 'commentary' -- when in fact the jocks I've known who believe this shit are usually the biggest in-yer-face assholes when it comes to THINGS they think are worth a fight.

Oh yes...the children, the children...won't anyone think of the children!!

Of course teaching children not be little racists is secondary to teaching them to accept their lot as some bully's punching bag which is part and parcel to 'growing up' to some deluded folks.

[yellowcanine]

9. He headbutted someone for a mother/sister insult? Oldest trick in the

book and he fell for it. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. I guess you showed him, Zidane.
By the way, the smart response is, "I guess you would know about that, wouldn't you?" or its equivalent. Words, Zidane, retaliate with words. If your tongue is sharp enough, maybe you get him to lose control.

[Ex Lion Tamer]

11. Agreed.

I don't care what Materazzi said: They were just words between two people. He's an idiot--laugh at him, taunt him back, ignore him, whatever. But it's macho bullshit to think you're justified to head butt to protect your mother's/sister's/country's/nation's/race's/whatever's honor. Particularly in light of the fact that the words were between just the two of them.

And I don't believe his statement about no regrets. His team lost, he's disgraced, and he may be stripped of the award. And everybody now knows what Matarazzi said. Hardly a good outcome. But ignore him, win the game and award, and you're idolized. I'd say it was a very, very bad decision.

And I say this as a Pacer fan--and you know what happened to us!

[Bake]

13. Don't they have trash-talk in soccer?

Geez, if there was a fight or a flagrant attack like this every time an NFL'er or NBA'er said "YO MAMMA!", they'd all be playing hockey!

Zidane was not just wrong, he was FLAGRANTLY wrong. Too bad he was such a PUSSY and waited until the end when there could be no possibility of retaliation against him. What a MANLY man! NOT! He just ruined a career of great play (or so I'm told) because he will always be remembered for the head butt. He might as well have run up behind the guy and cold-cocked him in the back of the head.

Bake

[alcibiades_mystery]

15. "Or so I'm told"

Well, that really says it all.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

20. LOL.

It's great, all the people who've never heard of Zidane or never watched a match acting like they know something.

The American sports audience has gotten so weird. It's like they think sports is some kind of soap opera.

[Bake]

22. One need not follow a sport to know poor sportsmanship.

The heat-butt clip pretty much speaks for itself, try as you may to defend the great Z. The fact is, he ambushed the guy and he did it at the end of the extra time knowing he'd get thrown out, there'd be no more matches where he would be in danger of retaliation. He's not only a poor sport, he's a coward to boot. Go ahead, argue THAT. Oh, that's right, you CAN'T. Yo mamma!

And he will be remembered for that for as long as for his playing record.

And since FIFA was most certainly hoping for a wider U.S. audience for soccer, this incident probably didn't help in that regard.

Bake

[alcibiades_mystery]

24. "Knowing he'd get thrown out..."

Ay yay yay, the bullshit gets deeper and deeper. Stick to law, where you know what you're talking about dbaker. It's well and good to think Zidane was wrong for the headbutt. That's a fine opinion, shared by many, I'm sure. But the rest of your nonsense on this matter is so laughably uninformed that even you should object. Cheers.

[Bake]

27. Are you telling me he didn't EXPECT a red card?

Were they just gonna give him a WARNING?

Bake

[alcibiades_mystery]

29. I'm telling you he didn't think through consequences at all

It was a snap action, a complete loss of control. Your version is much more ridiculous: he considered the consequences, and thought getting thrown out of the world cup final in extra time when it seemed destined for penalty kicks was PREFERABLE to facing retaliation measures from the (excuse me while I spit up laughing) Italian side or - even more hilarious - Materazzi himself? That's just, well, I like you, but I have to say it, plain stupid.

This was a tunnel vision, snap action. There was no deliberatrion involved. There was no weighing of costs and benefits. There was no "Hmm, well, if I attack him now, then I won't have to face retaliation because I'll be thrown out of the game" (your version of events!). That's just dumb. And what's more, you KNOW it is.

As for Zidane's reputation, the simple fact is, as you so nicely admit in your qualifier (or so I'm told) you don't know shit about it. Just admit it. Zidane will continue to be loved not only in France, but throughout the world, regardless of this event. And yes, people will remember this: it will be one of the things people talk about when they talk about Zidane. No question. But will it overshadow the fact that he was one of the greatest attacking midfielders (that's a position in soccer, you know?) ever to play the game. No. We're definitely NOT in Pete Rose territory here, and that's the point. Salud!

[Bake]

Hey, I freely admit to ignorance of soccer.

Frankly, it's blissful ignorance. I've TRIED to watch the sport. I'd rather watch paint dry. But that doesn't mean I don't recognize an asshole when I see one.

Was this a momentary loss of control? Imagine this basketball scenario: I go up for a shot and get flagrantly hacked by somebody who has been trash-talking me all night long. Possible responses: (a) I immediately come up swinging, or (b) I wait a few trips up and down the court and then cold-cock the guy. If (a), that's more logically a momentary loss of concentration and loss of temper. If (b), that's a little more premediatated. Or suppose I'm at bat, and the pitcher throws a fastball at my ear. Do I (a) immediately charge the mound, or (b) wait until the pitcher is walking off after the end of the inning. Same principle.

You and I both saw the clip of the head butt (hell, EVERYBODY saw it). Materazzi was nowhere near Zidane, who is trotting down the field. Zidane TURNS, waits for Materazzi, and then head-butts him. That's a bit more like scenario (b) in my hypotheticals. I'm not saying he necessarily considered all the possible consequences, but he most certainly went out of his way to nail Materazzi. That smacks of some premeditation.

Bake

[alcibiades_mystery]

52. Oh stop it

There was a second of premeditation if that. It's nothing like either of your little hypotheticals. Zidane's reaction was about as immediate as can be. He certainly didn't wait "a couple of trips up and down the court" (and you know it), nor did he wait until Materazzi was coming off the field. Materazzi called after him, he turned around, and covered the 6 or 8 feet in short order. And you know it. Be serious.

[brentspeak]

84. I disagree

Before Zidane head-butted Materazzi, he he must have known the referee's attention was focused elsewhere (on France's goal). After which, he turned around and laid the head-butt. Then when the ref pulled out the red card, Zidane was incredulous, because he knew the referee hadn't personally witnessed the act: "Hey, you didn't see it; therefore it 'didn't happen'," judging from his gestures with the referee.

[alcibiades_mystery]

Eh

It was behind the play for sure, but he didn't also peek at the assistants, who were still back there. Could go either way.

In any case, your scenario also contradicts dbaker's, who thinks Zidane was more concerned about retaliation than getting throw out of the game (perhaps the most ridiculous assertion I've seen on this matter), supposing there was any consideration of consequences at all, which seems extremely unlikely to me. If I were to accept that Zidane considered consequences before the action, I would certainly think that the major BAD consequence would be getting red-carded, rather than having to face the wrath of the Italians (I can't get over how funny this claim is). But the problem there is that the consequence so outweighs the benefit that nobody thinking about it would do it. Looks like he snapped to me. :shrug:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

28. He's a coward for head-butting?

That doesn't even make any sense. There's nothing to argue.

Saying Zidane's going to be remembered for this is like saying everybody remembers Babe Ruth for punching Tilly Walker.

You don't even know what you're talking about so I've no idea what you're so upset about.

[Bake]

30. The timing was cowardly.

He gets thrown out, no fear of retaliation. Also, it just struck me as a sneak attack. Hence, cowardly. Are you so blinded by your admiration for The Great Zidane that you can't see that?

It was a chicken shit thing to do. And a stupid thing to do. And selfish, since his team lost the damn match. I wonder how his teammates feel about it?

Bake

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

33. I, like you, have never heard of Zidane before this.

You're notion that Zidane was a coward because he got ejected for fighting is ridiculous.

[Bake]

37. That was hardly a fight.

It looked to me like one cheap shot. Cheap shots are usually cowardly.

Bake

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

40. Cheap shots are when you hit somebody that's not looking.

Zidane was squared up and looking him right in the eye.

Looks like you know as little about fighting as you do about soccer.

[Bake]

86. Squared up? Hardly.

He ran back to wait for Materazzi (who is obviously no peach either). There was no raised fist to indicate that he was about to initiate the hostilities. No "puttin' up yer dukes." From what the clip showed, he might as well have been waiting for Materazzi so he could wish him a nice day. Or perhaps trash-talk back.

That's why I called it a cheap shot. And I stand by that. I don't care for cheap shot "artists" whether they play soccer, baseball, basketball, or whatever. I don't like a boxer who swings after the bell or hits below the belt.

I repeat: it was a cheap shot, it was stupid since it very likely cost his team the game, it was poor sportsmanship, and it was unnecessary. You don't respond to trash talk by taking a cheap shot. You respond by outplaying the trashtalker and making him/her eat the words. I don't give a flying fuck how great a player he was. All the soccer mavens here have said Zidane has a history of this kind of thing (did I read fourtenn red cards in his career?). In my book that makes him a jerk.

Bake

[alcibiades_mystery]

31. No, don't you get it...he only attacked THEN to avoid retaliation!

:rofl:

Yes, in the three seconds between turning around and landing the headbutt, Zidane drew up a cost-benefit analysis, and decided that he could hit the opposing player without real cost, since he would only get thrown out of the World Cup final in extra time, and wouldn't have to face retaliation from the Italians....(Oh! It gets bettah!)

[liberalcanuck]

48. I guess it's not important that Marco Materazzi has a well-deserved

reputation as a nasty instigator. I would never argue that Zidane didn't overreact but Materazzi brought his country no honor by goading Zidane with racist remarks. We have only rumors so far of what was actually said but even trash-talking in the US rarely crosses the line where the attacks are extremely personal.

Not only is Zidane's legacy marred by this incident but Materazzi will always be known as a racist bum.

[Bake]

88. I'm certailny not defending Materazzi.

I believe I said elsewhere, charitably, "he's no peach himself." Personally I have no use for slurs on or off the field.

Bake

[liberalcanuck]

51. That's an interesting remark considering Zidane scored a PK in the

quarterfinals to help take Italy out of the world cup in 1998. He also scored in the 27th minute of the final against Brazil to win France's first world cup.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_World_Cup_1998

[zara]

17. Lack of control...

might have had something to do with sprinting for 2 hours.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

19. They've got fights in soccer too.

What's the matter? Scared of a little roughhousing?

Bock bock bock.

[Bake]

25. Scared? Hardly.

But it's not something to be emulated. I just thought the way Zidane went about it was pretty chicken-shit and a cheap shot. Bock bock bock yourself.

Oh, and Michael Jordan has more class in his little toe than Zidane will EVER have. The way you shut up trash talk is to let your PLAY do the talking.

Bake

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

32. Would you call Zidane a coward to his face?

I doubt it.

[Bake]

38. Sure. He didn't look all that tough to me.

But I probably wouldn't turn my back on him.

Bake

[HuckleB]

16. Apology accepted.

Still, we can't forget that Zidane showed a trend for this sort of reaction throughout his career, and it cannot be forgotten. There is no excuse for whatever Materazzi said, but whatever Materazzi said is not an excuse for Zidane's actions.

[SixStrings]

18. I've heard much worse during my hockey days.

That was nothing. The fact he retaliated shows how weak he really is. Pathetic. At least he 'apologized', but really, is he apologizing out of sincerity or political correctness? I think we know the answer.
To the people who think the trash-talking was out of line? Well, if someone can get that worked up over 'words', especially in that context, I hope they never run into any real problems or confrontations in life.

[alcibiades_mystery]

23. Yeah, and only weaklings lose it and attack in hockey

:crazy:

And yeah, Zidane never had any real problems in life, growing up in the lap of luxury to immigrant parents in a French housing project...:eyes:

[Bake]

44. Break my heart!

That describes just about every superstar in the NBA. So Z had a rough life. Boo fuckin' hoo. So have a lot of people. I'd guess he somehow got past that. What he didn't get past was being an asshole. You yourself said he has had a history of this kind of stuff. I'd say that makes him an asshole. It also makes his apology rather suspect, as if he's now more concerned that he tarnished his legacy.

Bake

[alcibiades_mystery]

53. Uh, read the previous post

His rough life is not an excuse, nor is my post stating that. I know your ridiculous assertions up thread must look ridiculous even to you now (despite your continued ridiculous defense of them, which is just pride talkin'), but that's no reason to misrepresent my posts.

And I too recognize an asshole when I see one, believe me...

[Bake]

87. I did not intend to misrepresent your post.

You brought up his impoverished childhood (unless you were being sarcastic; I really don't know). I was simply responding to that. My apologies for misinterpreting your post.

Bake

[Bake]

89. Are you calling me an asshole?

Oh no, you DIDINT just call me an asshole! I KNOW you didn't just call me an asshole!!

I guess I'd be justified then in head-butting you. Seemed to work OK for Zidane, what with all his defenders here ...

:-)

Bake

[ronnykmarshall]

34. and Zidane used his very hard head.

Sorry pal, :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity:

[Canadian_moderate]

35. There is no excuse for what Zidane did

Trash-talking is part of any sport. Who gives a shit what some stranger says about your sister or mother. I doubt Matterazzi knew them, so why should Zidane be deeply hurt?

Matterazzi did what many defenders do in soccer. You use whatever tricks to throw opposing players of their game. Zidane's violent response was stupid, senseless, selfish and he hurt his team's chances as a result. I cannot understand why France is supporting his stupidity. They should feel sorry for him, but condoning what he did was dead wrong.

[ronnykmarshall]

43. What's so funny about is ...

If this would have been a white american guy from a "red" state that hit the Italian dude, everyone would be throwing shit fits.

"Oh he's a stupid freeper! Probably voted for Bush! Why isn't he in Iraq?"

I love DU, but sometimes the hypocrisy around here is so easy to spot.

[Bake]

45. BINGO! n/t

Bake

[Canadian_moderate]

49. I don't think politics had anything to do with the incident

Zidane should have responded verbally or simply by ignoring the wind-up comments. After that many years as pro, he should have known better. His act of violence was disgraceful.

[ronnykmarshall]

55. Oh I agree with you about what he SHOULD have done.

But I'm getting such a kick out of people bending over backwards to defend this asshole.

[alcibiades_mystery]

80. It's easy to see hypocrisy when you attribute hypocritical positions

to your opponents. It's also rank straw-manning, but that is as common on DU as this supposed hypocrisy, to be sure.

What's funny is the prognostication of admitted know-nothings. But, at the end of the day, they don't really matter either. What a bunch of Americans may think of Mr. Zidane is pretty much without importance.

[ronnykmarshall]

83. Um, ok.

Anything you say, Chief.

Damn! I need to sit down. All that spining has made me a little light headed.

[alcibiades_mystery]

85. Good comeback

:eyes:

[DelawareValleyDem]

39. Whenever I received a comment during a competition

that I felt went over the line, I would calmly invite the speaker to repeat it after the game, preferably with no one around. That usually met with no response, and the one or two that verbally accepted the invite didn't show up.

[ozone_man]

46. BBC lip readers decode the "harsh words".

"An ugly death to you and all of your family"

and an expletive that cannot be said on TV.

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2178137

[kurth]

56. Confirmed he was called "the son of a terrorist whore":

Il a affirmé avoir été insulté avec "des mots très durs". Interrogé sur la teneur exacte des propos de Materazzi, Zidane a indiqué que "c'étaient des choses très personnelles, cela touche à la maman, à la sœur. Il dit des mots et il les répète plusieurs fois. Vous les écoutez une fois, vous essayez de partir. C'est ce que je fais parce que je m'en vais en fait. Vous écoutez deux fois, et puis la troisième fois..." Michel Denisot lui a demandé si la réalité "recoupait" ce qu'avaient rapporté les tabloïds anglais qui, s'appuyant sur des spécialistes de la lecture labiale, ont accusé l'Italien d'avoir dit : "On sait tous que tu es le fils d'une pute terroriste." Zidane a juste répondu : "Ben oui".

http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0@2-3242,36-794882@51-734920,0.html

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

57. Zidane's mother sees red

"LOOK out Marco Materazzi. Zinedine Zidane's mother knows that you sledged her son and she wants you to know she's not happy.

In fact, she wants something more.

"I have nothing but contempt for Materazzi and, if what he said is true, then I want his balls on a platter," Malika Zidane was reported as saying in a London newspaper.

Mrs Zidane was reacting to the infamous exchange between Materazzi and Zidane which led to the latter being sent off in the World Cup final won by Italy on Monday morning.

Zidane headbutted Materazzi in the chest during extra time and the sporting world is still waiting to learn what he said to enrage the Frenchman.

One theory goes that Materazzi said: "We all know you are the son of a terrorist whore".

"http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,19766740-5003412,00.html

[goodhue]

58. balls on a platter

yikes

[Name removed]

60. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MADem]

59. I want his balls on a platter, said the Queen!!!

Well, she's not a word-mincer, is she??

[zonkers]

61. How 'bout Materazzi's mom vs.Zidane's in a texas cage match, pay per view?

Might just gross more $ than the World Cup.

[sui generis]

62. I'll buy that fer a dollar. /nt

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

63. Huh?

:shrug:

[zonkers]

64. AKA steel cage match --

From Wiki ---

Traditionally, the steel cage match is used to settle the most personal and vindictive of feuds, or in instances when a series of matches have been fraught with interference. The cage is used as a barrier to keep the competitors inside, and keep the interference on the outside. The cage is an open-topped enclosure, with sides often made from sturdy plastic or chain-link fencing. Traditionally, the only way to win is to escape from the cage either by climbing over the top of the cage or through the door that the wrestlers enter at the start of the match, and having both feet planted on the ground. However, it is not uncommon for cage matches to permit pinfalls or submissions. In such a case a referee is also placed in the cage, and should the inside referee be knocked out, escape becomes the only possible winning method.


History

According to some historians, the first "cage match" on any kind took place on July 2, 1937 in Atlanta, Georgia. This match, between Jack Bloomfield and Count Petro Rossi, took place in a ring surrounded by chicken wire, in order to keep the athletes inside and any potential interference out of the action. While exact details of this match are sketchy at best, it is entirely possible that this match represented the earliest form of a steel cage match in recorded history.


Invention

There are those who credit late promoter Paul Boesch with the idea of the steel cage match. Author Joe Jares wrote in the 1974 book Whatever Happened to Gorgeous George?, "...Texas wrestling is just wild and nutty enough that it is possible he's not kidding me", joking about creating the cage match concept. The roots of the cage match can be traced back to Galveston, Texas, where officials wrapped a ring in fishing net for a match between Wild Bull Curry and Dirty Don Evans. The concept was not well received, but the idea did, however, pave the way for something more attractive: the fence match. The fence match predates the steel cage match, but was similar in style and execution to the cage matches seen in later years.

The idea behind the classic steel cage match known to fans today could also be traced back to Los Angeles, California, and the famous Grand Olympic Auditorium. In the late 1960s, Freddie Blassie, with promoter Mike LeBell, created and promoted the "Blassie Cage" to blow off his feuds with wrestlers like John Tolos and The Sheik, which was a one-of-a-kind idea at the time. It is believed the winning concept of escaping by climbing over the top or exiting through the door was indeed, the brainchild of Fred Blassie himself.
Hulk Hogan and King Kong Bundy in a cage match. This shows the steel cage more commonly used in the 1970s through 1990s in WWE.
Enlarge


Promotional Usage


World Wrestling Entertainment

The World Wrestling Federation originally used a chain link cage but later switched to a thick, grid-like cage as part of a storyline between Hulk Hogan and King Kong Bundy leading up to WrestleMania 2 in 1986, but then switched back to the chain link in 1999 because it had more give. They have mostly used Fred Blassie's concept of winning by exiting the cage, with few exceptions.

WWE has also experimented in other types of cages, involving the usage of a roof, a larger cage that surrounded the ringside area (Hell in a Cell), and the Elimination Chamber.

Despite the popularity of cage matches in WWE, no one had won either of WWE's heavyweight titles in a cage match until 2002. Shawn Michaels became the first to accomplish this, winning the World Heavyweight Championship at Survivor Series 2002 in the Elimination Chamber. Triple H accomplished this same feat in the Chamber at New Year's Revolution in 2005.

Soon after that match, Lita and Victoria took part in the WWE's first Diva Steel Cage match shortly after Lita returned from a broken neck.


World Championship Wrestling

World Championship Wrestling used several types of cage. Some of the cages encompassed only the ring, while others would encompass the ringside area as well. They would often have a roof on the cage, and would always only allow victory by means of pinfall or submission (apart from special matches, such as the Triple Cage, where to win, one of the participants had to take the title belt which was hanging from the ceiling above the third cage).

Variations of the Steel Cage match in WCW included a special steel cage created by Ric Flair, as well as the Thundercage (the original Hell in a Cell), the Thunderdome Cage (a roofless cage with walls that curved inward in a semi-domed fashion), the WarGames Cage, and the Triple Cage.


Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
"Primetime" Elix Skipper walks the cage at TNA Turning Point 2004. This shows the TNA's Six Sides of Steel.
Enlarge
"Primetime" Elix Skipper walks the cage at TNA Turning Point 2004. This shows the TNA's Six Sides of Steel.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling originally used a four-sided ring and prided themselves on having the tallest cages in wrestling, which not only made for less interference but also for more incredible highspots. They have since switched to a six sided ring and, thus, have a six sided cage, which they refer to as the "Six Sides of Steel".

TNA took this concept to a new level at their Lockdown Pay Per View, in which they utilized the Six Sides of Steel Cage for every match. Added stipulations such as a tables match, a blindfold match, a flag match, a #1 contender's match, a classic escape match, and Lethal Lockdown (a variation on WCW's Wargames Match) were used for variety.

The most famous matchup in TNA history to have taken place in a steel cage is the America's Most Wanted vs. Triple X match from TNA Turning Point 2004. During the match, Elix Skipper walked on the top steel cage and gave a hurricanrana to Chris Harris. James Storm and Chris Harris defeated Christopher Daniels and Elix Skipper by pinfall. As a result, Daniels and Skipper are no longer allowed to tag team in TNA Wrestling ever again.


Ring of Honor

Ring of Honor has used the steel cage two ways: a feud ender, and for scramble cage matches. One famous incident happened at the ROH Show At Our Best, where Jay Briscoe faced Samoa Joe for the ROH World Title. During the match, Jay Briscoe began to bleed from his head so badly that the blood actually began to clot. ROH has also used the cage for Scramble Cage Melee, a multi-man match where the only way to win was to hit your opponent with a move from the top of the cage. Jack Evans won after hitting a 630 Senton on Trent Acid. So many people were injured that ROH has not done another Scramble Cage Melee.

ROH mainly uses the cage, however, as a feud-ending match. Bryan Danielson defeated Homicide in a steel cage at The Final Showdown after an Airplane Spin with 101 rotations. CM Punk defeated Jimmy Rave in a cage match at Nowhere To Run after a superplex with both men standing on top of the cage. And Generation Next defeated The Embassy in a Steel Cage Warfare match, which is similar to the Wargames matches WCW ran.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel_Cage_Match

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

65. I know what a steel cage match is

I just don't get the joke

No offense intended

[ozone_man]

74. For one thing Materazzi's is dead.

I'd rather see a match between some of the players that Materazzi has trampled during game play and Materazzi. Rather than go for the ball, he goes for the body. Check this video out.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WJPKM5aJGW8&mode=related&search=materazzi

[HuckleB]

66. Are we this bored?

Do we actually care about this type of Jerry Springer nonsense?

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

67. I do - and You were bored enough to respond to this thread

So yes, I guess.

Sorry if this is beneath you. But I appreciate the condescension. :thumbsup:

[HuckleB]

69. I'm puzzled why this story has been allowed on LBN all week...

especially considering how many more serious matters are badgered off of LBN on a regular basis. It seems like this should be in sports or the lounge. I'm clearly in the minority in this belief, however.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

72. It is news to people who care. You do not.

You can use the hide thread function any time.

[HuckleB]

73. Interesting.

So LBN now includes tabloid sensation, while science stories are shuffled off to "health" or "science," even when many people respond to them. What's the difference between LBN and the Lounge, if this is allowed in LBN? You might as well combine the two.

[muriel_volestrangler]

75. Alleged racism at the most watched TV programme in the world can be news

just like Janet Jackson showing a nipple at the Superbowl was news.

[Up2Late]

68. "One theory goes..." What? They said yesterday that somebody...

...hired a lipreader to figure out what he said, but I never heard what they said was actually said.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

70. All the lipreaders said something different

In his 1st interview today Zidane said only that he said something extremely harsh about his sister and his mother and that he'd rather have been punched in the face than have heard that.

[HuckleB]

71. Every lip reader came up with a different epithet.

In other words, none of them could figure it out.

[frylock]

76. you have to love the passion of soccer..

or, if you're like me, not. Frankly, I don't blame Zidane for what he did. If that punk-ass Matarazzi were running his shit at me for 2 hours, I'd have probably done the same or worse. But the best part of the whole exchange was Materazzi lying on the carpet like he was dying, and then the miraculous recovery once Zidane was booted. The whole flopping thing in soccer is a damn disgrace.

[RandomKoolzip]

77. Is this another hockey thread?

[ecoalex]

78. Ah... Italian Mt. Oysters

[Name removed]

79. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JVS]

81. Nothing to help dispell the notion of one being a "terrorist whore"

than to call for the mutilation of your foes

[fedsron2us]

82. Its catching

[Moderator]

90. Lock

When posters can't discuss a sports subject without flames and personal attacks, it's time to kick this one off the field.