Truth B Told 9.25.08: PAUSE

Posted by Bayani Domingo on 09.25.2008

The world of wrestling isn’t always like clockwork, but it doesn’t stop us from staring at the minutes tick away as we keep pressing “Refresh”.

We have lives outside of wrestling. Well most of us. We have jobs, we have families, we have relationships, we have friends, and some of us have a crippling addiction to Japanese porn. Okay, most of us do. Point is that I kind of started writing this column…yesterday. I was busy with work and I'm not even at home right now, just north of Oakland and Berkley in some place called Concord. I had no clue what I was going to write about, even though I wanted to talk a bit about CM Punk and his erstwhile fall from the Big Belt to the afterthought tag titles. It'll be interesting to see him and Kofi go after the titles. Let's go ahead and put the straight-edge dude with the guy from the most pot smokingest country in the entire planet. Maybe they'll be called, "I didn't inhale". Anyways, I was kind of stuck and surfing the net for some ideas. I hit the usual spots, 411mania, the DGUSA site, and of course the PWG website. But…I didn't even bother checking the board again. I already knew what I would find…or rather, wouldn't find.

By now some of you know that PWG is considering postponing, yet again, their Battle of Los Angeles show, the biggest show/tournament of the year. I stopped checking out the message board for updates on Monday. I figured if anything happened and something was announced one of my buddies would let me know. It just got a little depressing. Even the usually loyal PWG lemmings…I mean fans had gotten tired of the wait. It seems like every decisions that PWG makes, good or bad, always has some level of support on the message board. PWG could run a show featuring only Joey Ryan and Top Gun Talwar wrestling in an inflatable kiddie pool filled with Jello pudding and you'd have at least 3 or 4 posters praising them and telling everyone they can't wait to get there early and get a good seat. Not this time however. Clearly this has become a bigger issue than I think even the "PWG 6" considered. The fans it seems…might just be revolting. Not just the way they are usually revolting either…mainly the faint smell of urine and Mountain Dew in their unkempt greasy hair, but they are actually getting pissed off.

The "Bloom is off the rose" so to speak now that BoLA, once a highly anticipated show, has become just a big cock tease for most of the fans. I'm starting to see the usually docile messages become more desperate or even worse…indifferent toward the whole show. That's not good. I understand the trepidation with PWG wanting to not compete with TNA, but at some point they have to shit or get off the pot. Actually it's kind of hard for me to shit while I'm on pot. I don't know, maybe its just a digestion thing, but I digress. There is some serious backlash from all of the pussyfooting around and its becoming very apparent to me that perhaps this whole wrestling thing is being taken a little more seriously than it should. It's hard to realize just how ingrained wrestling becomes to some people until you really see it for yourself.

It seems a bit surreal and it is almost a little depressing in a way. I remember reading this string of messages once PWG delayed their show and it went from encouragement and faith in the delay to a impatience and unease to flat out anxiety and discontent. It was like someone told all these people that Christmas might not happen this year, but they swear that next year's Christmas was going to be even better…with TWO tries this time. In an odd way it was like a glimpse into the addiction that wrestling has become for some people. If people can be alcoholics and drug addicts, why can't there be wrestlaholics. Then again maybe there is more to it than that. Anyone can get their fix of wrestling thanks to the modern miracle known as the internet. Along with DVDs and video games there is an almost endless stream of wrestling media right there at your very finger tips. So what is it about this uncertainty about a simple weekend of wrestling that seems to be sparking quite a panic…or at least concern?

Thinking back on it I am reminded of a chance encounter I had last week when I was coming back from a weekly meeting in Ventura County. It was maybe 3 o'clock in the afternoon and I figured there was no point in going home to check my e-mails because I'd be back in the office anyways the next day so I dropped by a local mall to browse and get some coffee. I saw a guy I see a lot at PWG shows that I'll call "Sonjaya" for now…okay I call him that behind his back every time I see him and fully expect to see him in a pony hawk at any given show, but for now "Sonjaya" will do. I saw the kid hanging out with some friends in the food court and realized he must be a high school student. I hadn't seen any of his friends at a show before and often saw him alone seated in the front row enjoying the show quietly to himself. I remember he tried to talk to me once but I blew him off several months ago. He was walking by and he recognized me, shook my hand and we talked a bit. I think he thought I was in college or only a few years older than him because he asked me what I was doing there, if I lived near the area, and what high school I graduated from. We just had a bit of small talk about the past show he missed, BoLA being delayed, and what have you. He had to leave and he said he'd probably see me at the next show and left. Still no idea what that kid's real name is, but I have a feeling now he'll probably say "hi" again next time I see him at a show and might be sitting a bit closer to my own crew than usual. Weird, but I think that kid is really indicative of why there are at any given time a dozen wrestling fans checking on the PWG site just hoping for some new news of BoLA.

I see little cliqs of kids at shows and even families attending. It's the social aspect, the gathering of wrestling nerds being indulged in all things wrestling for a matter of 4 or 5 hours, depending on when you start standing in line, that is so appealing. I think that's why you see people lined up for shows 2 or even 3 hours in advance. It's not because they need to have those prime front row seats, it's the anticipation of belonging to something that you think is special. It's the fact that for a couple hours on a Saturday or Sunday night you aren't an "outsider" anymore because everyone on the inside is just as much on the "outside" as you are. I've seen people trek from as far away as San Diego by themselves just to watch a show. I don't think it has as much to do with the show as it is that feeling of being able to be comfortable in your own skin, if even for a single night. Its kind of weird but there are these odd wrestling friendships formed while waiting to get into a venue. People show up to a show alone, sit next to another loner and next thing you know you see them at every show hanging out. It's a weird male, hetero, dating service of sorts. Or…not so hetero, hey…I don't judge. Okay, that's a lie, but I won't judge to your face. The reason people were looking so forward to BoLA is because of the expectation of not just a great weekend of wrestling action and entertainment, but it's like every show for some of these people are like a family reunion. That's both very touching and very disturbing all at once. Especially when you figure out that someone is going to be "Creepy Uncle Chester". You know who you are.

I think people feel a bit robbed of the "wrestling experience". No, it has nothing to do with Randle and his quest towards total Canadian dominance over North America, but it has to do with the social aspect of the show. Friends who might not get together otherwise get to hang out for a while. Fans who might not have a lot of friends, or really any at all can feel like they do for a night. All the geek wrestling stuff you want to talk to other people about but can't can just come spewing out of you like that 5th AM/PM hot dog that seemed like a better idea an hour and two 40's of Mickey's ago. The feeling of belonging…the feeling of being understood…the feeling of just feeling normal is a very powerful thing. People go through a lot to attain it. People join cults, become drug addicts, get weird shit tattooed on their ass cheeks just to fit in. Or even worse…vote republican. I can see how there is some restlessness of the fact that for a weekend there might not be any wrestlingness. Is that even a word? It is now bitches!!

The Truth

Okay, so a good number of folks are just pissed that they might be missing out on some good wrestling or they can't make travel arrangements and ask for time off work to see the show. But you know that there is also a decent amount of people who just enjoy that fix, that "hit", the "high" of social interaction that they would not otherwise get. not to say everyone who loves wrestling is a friendless wonder, but…I think there are enough out there to understand where I'm coming from. I'll admit that there are friends of mine I don't see nearly enough unless there is a wrestling show. Maybe it's my fault…okay, probably theirs, but we'll call it even. There is something very comforting about being able to discuss serious and important topics such as "who has the best SSP" and "what was the worst stable Russo ever booked", that you would otherwise never be able to slip into a business lunch or on a date. There are few of us who get to "geek out" on a regular basis and yet still live a normal life. Because if most of your friends are wrestling fans…then you do not by definition live a normal life my friend. Not by a long shot. You just gotta get in where you fit in. Let's just hope you can schedule that "fit in" a little better than PWG did.

Coming Up Short

You guys remember when Paul London had a bright future in the "e"? He had a long tag team title reign with Kendrick, he had a valet in Ashley, he was a former cruiserweight champion. He even had a small part in the Jericho vs HBK saga as Jericho was making an example of him in the name of his teacher. Now he's a an Albatross. No, not like dragging down RAW, he's an "endangered species". I hate the fact that this might have been one of the few really compelling storylines of his career in the "e" if he was acting as HBK's ally against Jericho and Cade, or better yet let him side with Jericho after he "sees the light" and he and Cade can both be Jericho's flunkies or even join forces as a tag team since they are both former champions. Considering how popular that Matt Sydal has become its hard to believe that "creative" hasn't come around on the cruisers. Hell, even Kendrick is getting a push on Smackdown. I wonder whose shoe London shit in to get him this far into the dog house. For some reason I just see London kicking around for a good long while until he finally fades away and ends up back on the Indy scene. Whether it was his own undoing or his diminutive size it just seems like this is another case of a cruiserweight coming up short. Well, it'll be cool to see him in a month or two in TNA as "suicide" anyways.

6 Degrees of…



Is the honeymoon over for the Gun Toting former Ms. Congeniality and 2nd runner-up of the Miss Alaska pageant? Perhaps, but not before we link the prospective VP to another woman who has been known to tote some…



Major Gunns. The former Ms. Gunns is now a certified porn star, which is a far cry from Team Canada and the MisFits In Action. Well, not that far…

Whatchu talkin' bout readers?...aka Comment on THIS!!

The cake is a lie.

Also, HA HA HA to this comment: "I decided the other day that anyone I see wearing a "Tap Out", "UFC", or any other MMA related t-shirt out in public should be open to receiving a "Superman Punch" or flying knee from anyone. I figure it's gotta be like false advertising if they aren't actually in MMA."

I guess all that POSITIVITY doesn't spread beyond pro wrestling? Could you make it any more transparent that you're jealous of the success of MMA? Or are you just sad that a grown man can't wear WWE shirts in public without getting beaten up or spit on?

Posted By: The REAL MP

The cake is the TRUTH!! Wait…I don't even remember what the hell the cake was in the first place.

Anyways, I actually do follow MMA periodically. I'm a fan to of MMA, no jealousy involved. That being said…a grown man can't wear a WWE shirt in public without getting clowned. Truth. Doesn't stop them from doing it, but you know, what the hell. The difference is that you don't see grown men wearing Ric Flair robes and leather vests with smoking skulls on them. okay, in Idaho maybe…okay, probably. If you wear a Tom Brady or Kobe Bryant jersey you can show you are a fan of the player of the team…if you're sporting a Tap Out shirt and trying to walk around like you might just be a fighter…well…Superman that HO!!

next week you should do the top 10 Asian pornstars vs. the top 10 Latina pornstars

Posted By: jim jones

Now that's an idea. I couldn't name 10 of each off the top of my head but I'd be open to suggestions. Fire away boys.

I think he's going with Hammer of the Gods now. It was the alarm clock for some time, and it was the Go 2 Sleep 2.0 while KENTA was still mentoring him.

Posted By: ausjimmy

The "Hammer of the Gods"? I knew I should have copyrighted that before it got out. I'm still puzzled though how he heard about my nickname for my wang.

6 Degrees Results

#2

Jason

Going for an all rehab 6 degrees. Had to brave a couple of celeb gossip
sites for this so I should get extra credit.

1. Multiple rehabbber Amy Winehouse has been filmed hanging out while
very high with fellow multiple rehabber Pete Doherty.
2. Pete Doherty dated Kate Moss who has also been to rehab.
3. Kate Moss and Lindsay Lohan (multiple rehabs for her too) both dated
some guy named Jamie Burke.
4. Lindsay Lohan guest starred on That 70's Show. Another person who
guested on That 70s Show is Jack Osbourne, who went to rehab when he was 17.
5. Jack is Ozzy Osbourne's son. Ozzy has been in rehab multiple times.
6. Ozzy was in the corner of the British Bulldogs at Wrestlemania 2.
Jake "The Snake" Roberts (just got out of rehab) wrestled George Wells
on the same ppv.

What the hell happened to those Osbourne kids? When TMZ doesn't even give a damn…you are fucked.

#1.

Had to participate in this one.

1. Jake Roberts lost to the Undertaker at WrestleMania VIII
2. Undertaker's entrance theme was "Rollin' (Air Raid Vehicle)" by Limp Bizkit
3. Limp Bizkit front man Fred Durst bragged publicly about his one-night stand with Lindsay Lohan
4. Lindsay Lohan is in a close relationship (of whatever kind) with DJ Samantha Ronson
5. Samantha Ronson is the sister of music producer Mark Ronson
6. Mark Ronson was a producer on Back in Black, Amy Winehouse's breakout album.

Check that out...got a couple extra rehab patients in there in Durst and Lohan. Woot!

Jeremy Thomas

Jeremy wins this week and…wait a second…wasn't Jeremy Thomas a defensive man for the Blackhawks? See? I know about "white guy sports" too. C'mon…Anson Carter aside, you know it's true. I'm surprised we didn't get more Lezy/rehab links this week, but I guess that's just how the crack pipe crumbles.

Left Overs…

Kevin Steen and El Generico FINALLY won the RoH Tag Team Champion titles. While some use the old adage, "Better late than never". The difference is between those is getting knocked up and menopause. Steen and Generico were another month away from hot flashes.

The Angles are apparently getting a divorce. Or what some are also calling a "bisection".

Good to see my boy Adam Pearce won back his NWA World Heavyweight championship last weekend. Clearly the good mojo that is TBT has struck again. Those who don't believe me have only to look to Andy Milonakis as further proof. Where ever he is. I hear he's doing dinner theater now…meaning he'll do a little dance for you if you give him your leftovers down on 3rd St Santa Monica. Dance for me fat boy, dance.

Is it just me or are they setting up Teddy Long's assistant, Tiffany, to be the next Ricky O Rally Towel. I mean…nut rag.

Eric Bischoff is pitching his new wrestling company to CMT around a proposed Goldberg vs Hogan match. He is also pitching a similar hot and "currently relevant" idea for a match between "The theory that the Earth is round" vs "Creationism".

If you have an eBay account you can buy a date with Shelly Martinez, aka Salinas. You have the option of paying with a cashier's check, paypal, or a wad of crumped $20's left on the nightstand in the morning.

I guess when people used to say, "Shelly Martinez can't sell to save her ass" they meant" Shelly Martinez didn't save, now she has to sell her ass".

The Great Booty Debate 2008

Did anyone else realize it was Hispanic Heritage Month? Okay, so the Hispanic people, but anyone else? Shit, it's almost month's end and I just found out thanks to a McDonald's ad. I guess in order to make up for it I'll let Selena Spice lead off this week against Abby M. How's THAT for celebration?

Random Latina Bitch Lookin' Good Pic of the Week



Someone needs to talk to her tailor. Looks like they hemmed it a bit too much.

Random Asian Bitch Lookin' Good Pic of the Week



Taste the rainbow.

Pictures were recently released from the Jeff Hardy plane incident where the flight crew thought he appeared intoxicated. To take a look at the pictures click HERE.

Rumors are still circulating that Dos Caras Jr. will be signing soon with the "e" after they've recently signed a former Puro star to a development contract. Early reports have it that Dos Caras Jr. will be receiving an immediate push and even a t-shirt upon debuting that read: So Good…I should be illegal.



Pimpin' In High Places

Ask 411 answers the question…what does Lansdell feel about Csonka. Purely hetero though…at least this version is.

Campbell...possibilities.

The R's

Evo Scheme

HH, the hidden Haaslights.

CoH is poppin' bottles and f'n models for Steen-erico.

Threat x 3

J-Weazy

D-Dubya

Sorry for the relative brevity of this week's column folks. I hate that all this actual paid work is getting in the way of my unpaid column writing. Seriously, I need to find a job where all I do is write wrestling jokes, look at pictures of half naked fake breasted bitches, and try to think up as many gay innuendos involving oiled up spandex wearing men as possible. Where the hell did Freddie Prinze Jr. find that opening on monster.com?

Till then, the Truth will set you free.
-B