Posted By James Walsh on 11/08/17


The other day, my oldest wanted a sweatshirt. For the first time in a few years, after a customer service debacle made us swear off the store, we opted to check out KMart. After all, they are relatively inexpensive and typically had decent sweatshirts and kids clothing. We pulled in to the last KMart standing in the area, for now, and saw the "Liquidation Sale, Everything Must Go" sign. KMart is no more.

KMart was the wrestling department store over the years. The WWE, then WWF, had Hulk Hogan gear on the shelves in the late 80's and early 90's. And, many wrestling titles, especially in the days ov VHS tapes, found their way onto KMart video shelves that did not find their way onto any other store's shelves. For example, many of the AWA video releases of the late 80's such as the Hulk Hogan Highlights, Sgt. Slaughter, and Road Warriors tapes were virtually KMart exclusives.

In the later 90's, both WWE and WCW had their merchandise on KMart shelves including nWo logo shirts, Buff Bagwell shirts, and Austin 3:16 shirts.

In more recent years, WWE signed an exclusive deal with KMart for some action figure releases and sponsored the dying discount department store. John Cena's own line even appeared at KMart locations. It was still wrestling's go to place. And, by the way, it was also one of the few national retailers that stocked Impact Wrestling figures when they still were producing them.

In the age of cell phones and constant internet imput and internet impulse shopping, we must remember that brick and morter locations are a necessity.

Oh well. I guess there's always Walmart.