#15
May 19th and time for the latest edition of the best damn column there ever was, The People's Column. As usual, I begin with some introspection about the 'sport' of pro wrestling. I have often wondered about how wrestling has changed- for me and for every fan. The effect of the revolutionary changes that pro wrestling has undergone in the recent years can be summed up in one sentence. Earlier used to look for heroes, now we look for entertainers.
When I was a nine year-old kid (and thought wrestling was real) I used to cheer the loudest for the guy who I worshipped the most. People like Hogan and Bret Hart weren't mere wrestlers for me, they were role models and heroes. But today, I cheer for the guy who can entertain me the most. Hulk Hogan is an over-the-hill also-ran who, till recently, dominated the WCW title and was held singly responsible for the decline of WCW. Bret Hart is a forgotten man, barely of any consequence except for a small band of die-hard fans (of whom I am one!). 1999 and people like the Rock, Steve Austin and Mick Foley are the stars. Not because they are role models and super heroes but because they can put up a great match or do well on the mic.
So am I complaining? Hell, no! Wrestling, like any other sport, must evolve and get bigger. To get bigger it needs a larger audience. And the only way to get a larger audience is to be sensationalistic. I am a happy fan. I like both Raw and Nitro, the stars, the matches and the valets. Anytime I long for the old days, I turn to my trusty VCR.
Not that I have said all I can say about this, it's time for a few random thoughts.
When Kevin Nash vs. Duh Dunce Page draws a rating of 2.6 and each of them earns above 1.5 million a year, we know WCW is in trouble. It's time the potential retirement home inamtes are weeded out and new talent allowed to flourish. Raven, Saturn, Kidman, Blitzkrieg and the Disco Inferno are just one of the many WCW wrestlers with potential.
Someone suggested on some newsletter that a Sting vs. Raven feud would have been great. I agree whole-heartedly. The Crow Sting versus the tortured soul, makings of a great angle. Another plus is that someone like Raven would have gotten a push much earlier. Oh well, it is WCW after all.
Please, oh please, let's have Nicole Bass vs. Chyna.
That's all for this edition of TPC, keep checking this page for updates.