The Fight Club 11.8.00
Posted by Josh Nason on 11.08.2000
Professional sports is full of sad stories of athletes who have suffered multiple concussions and still played on.
Professional sports is full of sad stories of athletes who have
suffered multiple concussions and still played on. Troy Aikman, Pat
LaFontaine, Eric Lindros and multiple boxers head the list of those who
have been given bad advice regarding their most important muscle -
their brain - or those that are just too stubborn to say no.
Wrestling is no stranger to head injuries, especially concussions. One
of the greatest ever, Bret Hart, was forced to hang up the boots less
than a month ago due to head injuries that wouldn't allow him to
compete due to doctor's orders. Bret was smart in getting out now, but
it is hard to tell what side WCW sat on. Why? Because of their
treatment of the recent concussions suffered by Vampiro.
Vamp got the injury during his Halloween Havoc match with Mike Awesome.
Injuries happen, but that is not the concern here. What is concerning
is what WCW had Vamp do the next night during the Thunder tapings in
taking another Awesome Bomb in a tag match. Less than 24 hours after
suffering a bruised brain, the damage done to Ian Hodgkinson could have
been much, much worse.
The desire to not lose your spot is also present in professional
sports, and rules the world of wrestling. Guys are afraid that if they
sit out with an injury, they will not be in the same role as they had
upon their return. Vampiro is one of those stars that seems destined
for great things if he can get with a good angle in WCW. It is easy to
think that under any circumstances, he wouldn't want to sit out
especially after a lengthy absence due to personal reasons.
But it is at that time when WCW should have said no. Indications are
that Vamp didn't want to take another power bomb due to the injury, but
that WCW insisted. if this is the case, something is definitely wrong.
They are in a bad enough spot as it is, but having one of their
wrestlers risk permanent head damage is not the way to turn things
around. Part of running an organization is a sense of responsibility
for those who work for you. If WCW knew Vamp had a concussion, they
should have held him out - no questions asked.
As wrestling fans, we sometimes demand way too much of those who seek
to entertain us. We scream for blood, violence and puppies at every
chance necessary. Often, we don't think enough about those who we are
yelling at. Vampiro is one of those guys who deserved better from the
management that employs him and I hope he makes it through this o.k.
Next time you are cheering for a body to be put through a table, think
about the person that will take the ride.
