Wow. Can you believe that “September 11th” took place six years ago today? Unbelievable. Personally, I like that the major news media takes today to show images from various memorial ceremonies. I also like that they continue to show the disturbing, yet real images from September 11th. “Never forget” is a phrase that is thrown around too often when talking about major national tragedies, but it is extremely important that none of us ever forget what happened on the morning of September 11th.
Never forget.
This week and next week I want to look at WWE’s “troubles” and TNA’s “triumphs.” I’ve never done a two-part column before, so bare with me. Anyway, I put those two words in quotation marks because I believe that these labels are really up to interpretation. For example, with all of the negative press being levied against WWE right now, some may say that they still have a great position because they are the pre-eminent wrestling organization on the planet. In the same light, some may say that anything “good” happening to TNA is nullified by the fact that hardcore wrestling fans do not respect (or watch) their product. The decision is up to you, but for what they’re worth – here are my thoughts!
I am legitimately happy that WWE is being scrutinized on all ends right now. I am also glad that King Booker and Ric Flair have turned in their 2 week notices. Folks, WWE has some major problems – the type of problems that would be considered corporate scandal in other professions. In fact, I wonder why the stockholders aren’t up in arms and demanding that the company replace their existing leadership. Oh wait, the McMahons own some 87% of all outstanding stock in the company…why would they vote out their own family?
A better question seems to be why anyone would purchase WWE stock with such a lopsided division of power. You figure the common stockholder must have a fraction of a percent ownership stake in the company. Why even bother? Why be associated with an organization that looks to have raised the ire of Congress and the mass media?
You can answer this rhetorical question on your own.
It has been reported that Ric Flair handed in his 2 week notice to WWE because he didn’t like the way his character has been used. Will he actually quit WWE? Who knows. There is always the possibility that Vince will agree to give him another World Title run or two. What does it say about the current WWE roster that a man who is nearing 60 years old is one of the most popular wrestlers on each card as well as one of the most looked-forward-to in-ring performers? Anyone who has seen a Flair match lately knows that he’s a few steps off from his hey day; but his connection with the audience is something that none of the younger talent have today.
Ric Flair is a living legend. He is a man that truly can call himself an icon. I got news for everyone out there – Roddy Piper isn’t an icon; Shawn Michaels isn’t an icon; D-Generation X is not an icon. Ric Flair is an icon. Are Piper and Michaels legends? Obviously. They are Hall of Fame caliber wrestlers who have left lasting marks on the wrestling business…but Ric Flair is the definition of the word icon. I’m tired of people throwing around terms and bastardizing their true definitions!
Digest that for a minute. Tastes good, huh?
And then there is the news that King Booker handed in his notice. One would assume that this will be the end of Queen Sharmell, too. Now, I know that a big reason for Booker doing this was because WWE set up a new farm organization in Florida instead of using Booker’s already functioning (and mildly successful) PWA promotion out of Houston. I also know that he is upset about being suspended as a result of the recent steroid scandal. But I have to think that there is something more to Booker’s decision.
For example, do you think the fact that his character was moved to RAW, built up, and then crushed by a powerfully politically-connected opponent had something to do with it? Don’t answer right away, but try to put yourself in Booker’s mindset and see if that wasn’t a big kick in the ass.
As a side note, how is it that Levesque is involved in almost every storyline on RAW? He’s sorta fighting with Carlito, he interjected himself into the McMahon Bastard Son storyline, and he just “feuded” with King Booker. Hey Stephanie – OVERKILL. Enough already.
Come back in just a short 7 days to get the next part of this column!
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[…] haven’t read last week’s precursor column to this week’s column, you may want to head back and take a gander at some of my previous thoughts about WWE’s current […]