Quick Talkdown 09.22.07: Wrestling Doomed?
Posted by Phill Feltham on 09.22.2007
The five facts that are killing professional wrestling
By PHILL FELTHAM
The wrestling world is in pretty sad shape at the moment. I know it sounds like déjà vu--and yes, I have written that before. Now, why would I make such a not outrageous claim--well, let's look at the top 5.
5.) HORNSWOOGLE--This little guy is a pile of laughs. The pranks that he's played on his fellow superstars (specifically Jamie Knoble) have been hilarious. However, there is a line--and giving the Cruiserweight title to the little guy was over the line. I'm not even going to talk about the bogus illegitimate son angle--that's an article onto itself, but these ‘important' spots that they're giving to Hornswoogle cheapens the product and proves that WWE is not taking storylines, nor its fans seriously.
4.) CHRIS BENOIT--I almost have to say thank you to Chris. Now before I continue, may I place the disclaimer that what he did to his wife and son was totally barbaric. Now that I've said that, I'll make my point. For years, wrestlers have been dying left, right and center. This year alone we've seen a number of tragedies that could have been prevented. The Benoit murders pushed wrestling's dirty laundry into the spotlight. Now Vince and company is willing to help former performers get back to their feet--very generous. It's too bad that three lives had to be lost to make that point.
3.) ROB VAN DAM--He's tired, burned out and fed up with the horse shit. Let's add Ric Flair to that mix. Other wrestlers like The Sandman, and most recently Marcus Cor Von and a number of other wrestlers have been shown the door for whatever reason leaves the WWE with a thinner roster. Eventually, the WWE won't have enough big names to pick up the slack and all the other potentials will be scooped up by TNA when they're able to financially afford it. Speaking of TNA, they've given a glimmer of hope to the business with their new two-hour show. Good for you--just don't drop the ball.
2.) JOHN MORRISON--When I heard that many WWE wrestlers were placed on suspension due to the possible use of steroids, I was shocked--although, it's a step in the right direction. Steroids have no place in wrestling or any other sport. Am I purist? Damn straight. Storylines and title reigns have been messed up because of shit that has been pushed under the rug. Well, it's time to deal with it now.
1.) VINCE McMAHON--Vince, I used to think you were the sharpest knife in the drawer. You took local wrestling and turned it into a multi-billion-dollar industry. But I'm sorry to say, you don't have it anymore. It may be time to pass the torch to someone who'll take the business a little more serious and that has the creative flare you once had. Don't be ashamed, we all lose it sometime or another. It might be better to leave before your product is gone for good.
Phill Feltham is the Senior Editor for Maximum Fitness magazine for men. He's also the Publisher for The Weekly Wanderer Dot Com. If you're interested in emailing Phill, feel free to contact him at metrodivisions@yahoo.com.
