What’s the story?
As noted by Bryan Alvarez on a recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Live, a possible reason behind the WWE changing the name of its upcoming PPV from Bad Blood to Great Balls of Fire, may be due to the fact that the inaugural edition of the former pay-per-view event coincides with the date of the death of former WWF mainstay Brian Pillman.
In case you didn’t know...
Brian Pillman was best known for his time as a member of the Hollywood Blonds alongside ‘Stunning’ Steve Austin (‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin), besides featuring as part of the latter stages of the Four Horsemen stable alongside Ric Flair, Arn Anderson and Chris Benoit.
Pillman was a veteran of Stampede Wrestling, ECW, WCW and the WWE as well. He died of arteriosclerotic heart disease on October 5th, 1997- the same day the WWF pay-per-view event ‘Bad Blood’ took place.
The heart of the matter
The WWE would go on to hold a couple of more ‘Bad Blood’ PPVs in 2003 and 2004 respectively, however, it’s essential to note that the company was more adult-oriented back then, as compared to today when the WWE strictly delivers PG-based content.
The WWE may have changed the name of their upcoming PPV event that will take place in July from Bad Blood to Great Balls of Fire, due to the fact that the name ‘Bad Blood’ has ties with Pillman’s death.
What’s next?
WWE Great Balls of Fire will be exclusive to Monday Night RAW and is scheduled to take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on July 9th. The event will be reportedly headlined by Brock Lesnar, who will defend his WWE Universal championship against an opponent to be announced.
Author’s take:
Great Balls of Fire!
Enough said.
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