A few months ago I wrote the following in one of my columns regarding what Triple H said about Chris Benoit during the Benoit Tribute RAW:
Think about what Levesque said there for a minute. Essentially, he said that this young wrestler was hazed and then hazed again the following day. Do you think that this is a man who wants to see real-world change in WWE? What about the spouses who are being abused, the wrestlers who are alcoholics, the young guys who are turning to steroids to get better bodies so they are considered for higher profile matches? Do you think some self-righteous, self-impressed punk like Levesque will allow “this industry’s” version of the word “respect” to change to prevent more tragedies?
Put the entire Chris Benoit situation aside and try to understand what Triple H is saying. He’s trying to give us a description of his definition of respect – hazing. And it’s not just hazing, it’s the entire concept of a backstage hierarchy based off of a version of “respect” that is a true holdover from the carny days of wrestling last century. Yes, the concepts of bigger, better, stronger, and still being the most kayfabe in and out of the ring are alive and well in World Wrestling Entertainment. Frankly, it’s disgusting.
But folks, the scary thing here is the fact that Triple H has become the type of guy who believes that whatever he says to the guys backstage is correct because he said it. From our friend Andy Steven in his recent report on the newsboard:
Also, before the ECW/SmackDown taping took place on Saturday, Triple H addressed the stars during a pre-show meeting. He told the stars that the whole industry is now being under attack and it’s now time for everyone to stick together.
Is this Triple H guy fucking crazy?! I will assume that Andy’s report is correct and I will also assume that it doesn’t go nearly far enough in describing the depth of what Triple H said to the roster. Let’s think about this a little bit more, folks…
Put aside the current steroid fiasco for a moment. Can you imagine being one of the younger talents backstage (let’s say Hardy or CM Punk or Gregory Helms, etc) and being forced to sit there and listen to this pompous, self-righteous, son of a bitch tell you that the industry is under attack and that now is the time to band together? Is he out of his fucking mind?!
Imagine being one of these talents that is forced to take a second, third, or fourth position in the backstage hierarchy because this pompous ass continues to push an antiquated version of “respect” backstage. It’s enough to make you want to vomit.
Mark my words – Triple H will kill “this industry” if he is allowed to cut off the wrestling business from dealing with the realities of the day. The answer to the current steroid problem is NOT to isolate the wrestling world or the performers. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. The wrestlers need to be more open about what really goes on backstage and if that means that some of the false idols that are held up in positions of high esteem are shot down and looked upon in scorn, then so be it. And with Triple H seemingly blowing up in size over the last decade, he might be at the bottom the barrel.
What is more important? Pompous performers like Triple H holding on to some ridiculous vision of what the wrestling business should be or the wrestling business surviving the current Congressional and media onslaught and coming out better for it? I think the answer is obvious. If Vince McMahon doesn’t open his eyes, retake his business from his Stephanie and Triple H, and follow-through on reforms, the entire face of professional wrestling will change – for the worse.
Left unchecked, Triple H will kill this industry.
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