Hello fans and welcome to another edition Old School’s Take. It’s been a while since I sat down and wrote one of theses and I would like to apologies to my fans. Send all feedback to dodgerdude42@yahoo.com and on my AIM SN WZoldschool. The Talking Points memo this column has to do with TNA taking on the risk of an all steel cage PPV called Lock Down. It takes great risk to attempt what TNA is about to embark on and put all their chips to the center of the table. Some may question if this move is a desperate attempt to avoid the same end that WCW and ECW met. However, seeing this as a fan first, I’m so pumped to see what direction the company will go after the PPV. This is very ECW like in many ways. Before I get huge heat for comparing TNA to ECW, let me explain. I’m not saying TNA is turning into ECW. What I am saying is when the ECW concept first started; it was a huge risk that the mainstream wrestling world was not used to. The all cage PPV has the same feeling to it. Although fans do not see it now, if TNA does go on and succeed into becoming a competitor for WWE, People will look to this PPV as a key factor in shaping its success. The same will apply if it fails. Fans will point to this PPV as the beginning of the end for TNA. To read bout this issue in depth, check out the newest edition of The Wright Idea By Jordon Wright. It can be found on several sites all over the net.
Now onto the main column.
We’ve all heard the saying, “Nice guys finish last.” Most people would say it’s true. Actually, for the most part I would say it’s true. If it’s a job someone else got, or get turned down for a big date. People have the worst luck sometimes. However, the statement of, “Nice Guys finish last,” could not be more inaccurate when it comes to Wrestlemania. When it comes to WrestleMania, “Nice guys finish first.” It’s a pattern WWE has followed since they began WrestleMania in 1985 with Hulk Hogan and Mr. T defeating Paul Orndorff and Roddy Piper.
The same pattern has been followed throughout every Wrestlemania except for four. At Wrestlemania IX, Yokozona defeated Bret Hart in what was supposed to be the main event. Bret had Yoko in the sharpshooter and it was only a matter of time till Yoko tapped. However, Mr. Fuji, Yoko’s manager, threw salt in Bret’s eyes which blinded him and allowed Yoko to land the Banzi Drop and get the victory. After the match was over, Hulk Hogan, who and teamed with Brutus Beefcake earlier in the night and lost by DQ to Money INC. (Ted Dibiase and Irwin R. Schyster), cane to ringside to aid the fallen Hit Man. The challenge was laid down by Fuji for a Hogan vs. Yoko fight to happen immediately. Hogan did not go for the idea at first until Bret motioned for Hogan to accept the challenge and the crowd was cheering Hogan on as well. Hogan did enter the ring to take Yoko on, and 21 seconds later we had a new Champion. So even at this Mania, We still had a face come out on top when it was all said and done.
The next Wrestlemania will look at is WrestleMania XVII. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock, the makings of an ultimate classic. The build up for this match was Austin coming back and claiming that he needs to win and will do whatever it takes. Basically, it was an Old School “This Town isn’t big enough for the both of us,” type of feud. Austin had just made a return to the ring after a career-threatening neck Injury. Rock on the other hand was on top of the WWE with the title feuding with Triple H. These two superstars have history dating back two years previous to this from WrestleMania XV. Debra, Stone Cold’s wife on air and in real life played a big role in this build up. Debra was forced to become Rocks Manager by orders of Commissioner William Regal and Vince McMahon. When the match was about to start, In Ring announcer Howard Finkel announced that this match would be a No-Dq match and grew the tension even more.
During the fight, Rock was constantly distracted by Ringside spectator Vince McMahon. Vince even made a save for Stone Cold, which made fans began to get a weird felling about what they were witnessing. The ref was knocked out and Austin pounded Rock with a chair to get the victory. Vince then got in the ring and shook hands with Vince McMahon and drank beer with him. The big question here is did a heel win this match? First off, they were in Texas and the crowd didn’t really care that Austin turned heel. Secondly, Austin did not turn heel until after the match. Therefore, I feel that a face won this match but it could go either way. That’s just my take on the matter.
The next two WrestleMania’s can really be grouped into one since they involve the same man, that man being Triple H. Love him or hate him, you have to respect him for what he’s done in his career. The fact of him being married to Stephanie McMahon has nothing to do with his success and anyone who thinks otherwise is really naïve. But this is for another time. These two WrestleMania’s we will discuss are 2000 and XIX. WrestleMania 2000, which I found to be one of the worst WrestleMania’s in history, had Triple H winning in a four way dance against Big Show, Mick Foley and The Rock. This was really the first time in history that a heel had won the main event at a Mania. Like I said before, Yokozona vs. Bret Hart does not count. In my opinion the match itself had very little build up. It was more of the McMahon feud that was the buildup to the match. Looking back at the match right now, we see that The Rock has sold out to Hollywood, Mick Foley disappeared after having his debate with JBL on ABC News, and Big Show is Sumo Wrestling in a thong. So I guess the match did have a huge effect on the face of the company as Triple H is the only one who is still on top of his game.
WrestleMania XIX also had Triple H in a World Title match against Booker T. This match had some great build up with Booker T’s Criminal Record leaking and Triple H and Ric Flair exploiting it on TV. Booker T was saying he was a changed man and that he would regain the World Title for the sixth time. The match itself was the show stealer and was up to par with the Austin vs. Rock and Brock vs. Kurt matches. This is one time where I think Triple H should have done the job to Booker T. His career really never recovered since then and Booker could have had a nice little run with the title. Although it all comes down to the bookers, and there’s a reason I’m writing this column and they’re writing for the WWE.
This past Year we had two faces come on top once again as usual. This whole pattern shows something special in the WWE when they present WrestleMania every year. They really have only one goal and that is to send the fans home happy. It’s been like that since the origin of WrestleMania and things won’t change in the near future. This is really cool. I’ve been to WrestleMania XII and 21 and I must say that those two Manias are among my favorites, although nothing tops Mania XIX. I think that not only do the faces finish first but so do the fans. The ordinary everyday fan and Internet fans for that matter have always made pro wrestling what it is today, (Canadian fans not included) and they are the ultimate face or good guy that pro wrestling has seen.
So in reality this topic has so much meaning when it comes to WrestleMania, not only with the superstars, but to the fans as well. It makes me sick when I hear columnist and other journalist in the IWC analyze WrestleMania 21 to the tee, and missed out in a huge opportunity to just enjoy being a wrestling fan. Those who saw the event and can find more negatives then positives really have a problem, just for the fact that it’s WrestleMania. The one event of the Year every wrestling fan, even us “educated,” wrestling fans need to just chill out and enjoy the event for what it is, the biggest event of the year.
The Most Ridiculous Item of The Day comes from the recent WWE releases. It’s kind of odd to me that Lita cheated on Matt Hardy with Edge, which got Hardy taken of the Mania card. Then Hardy loses his job over it. Rhyno also got released a few months before the ECW PPV. I wonder if he will work the event. Molly got her release on Tuesday, a night after working a tag match on Raw. These releases are Ridiculous.
That’s all for this week fans. These columns will be coming weekly or biweekly from now on. None of this Monthly stuff anymore. I promise. Don’t forget to give me some feedback via E Mail or AIM. Ill give you a shout out on my audio show “The Wrestling Oddballs,” which can be heard at barbaricwrestling.com, and nodq.com to name a few. Till next time fans Take Care and God Bless.
