It was hard, but I did it. I left the online world for a few weeks because I had to see for myself the intense summer whirlwind that struck professional wrestling. We are now in the midst of the transition from routine to unpredictable.
Let’s Be Pro-Realistic: The Hell is Going On?
I wrote about it earlier in the year, how Rob Van Dam would single handedly alter the very stable atmosphere that the WWE had become over the last decade. Although I had become very critical about RVD’s overall ability lately, his passion has once again overshadowed his lacking features. RVD took the WWE title from Cena in a very controversial incident with Paul Heyman at One Night Stand. All of a sudden, we have ECW on Tuesday nights. An ECW that is nothing more than a cross between Raw and Heat. But is it? For once I see the hopes and fears inside wrestlers again. Although they have everything they need, is ECW really going to be able to maintain their legacy and passion they once had? Outside of Philly, ECW appears to be nothing more than a memory that gives us the feeling of ECW. But we all don’t want to admit that it might be true what Bubba Ray said on a recent TNA, that they should have left it dead and buried.
John Cena made Sabu tap @ Vengenace. What crap. John Cena should have lost, now it seems blatantly obvious they want to make John Cena credible to the eyes of the ECW roster. This isn’t good, this isn’t ECW. Tommy Dreamer took a million Sycamore cane shots to his back to create his right of passage, and even then it was during his assault on Raven when he struck his pose that truly earned the respect of ECW. It was these kinds of moments that made ECW what it was. Instead we have John Cena, the very essence of Sports Entertainment, making the Suicidal, Homicidal, Genocidal Sabu tap out! John Cena will never become respected this way. Unless I see the vicious look in his eyes with a crimson mask pouring out the blood, sweat, and tears that wrestlers should have, I will not cheer you Cena. You haven’t shown me anything but your willingness to obey Mr. McMahon. Does everyone want to know a secret? John Cena joined Mr. McMahon’s Kiss My Ass Club last year, but it wasn’t public.
But from one negative, I want to jump to an awesome positive. Last night during Vengeance, a man offered me and my friends a seat at Hooters when there was no tables available. This man turned out to be a professional wrestler himself. I sat the whole night talking about the inside workings of this sport in a way I have never gotten a chance too. It was awesome to meet and befriend someone who lives the very thing I obsess over day and day out. If I get his ring name right, “Da Lion” wrestles locally around my area. He told me about the big names he faced, like Bob Holly and how hardcore he really was with those chops. He told me about when he worked with Rikishi once and how much he fought with him over if to take the Stink Face or not. It was really cool and a chance to learn about a wrestler’s perspective.
During the insanity that Vengeance turned into at Hooters, my friend smashed a pitcher of beer over his head. It was funny.
Anyways back to the point of my column, the stuff going lately has been intense. WWE vs ECW was a great show, as was ECW One Night Stand. I definitely thought Rey Mysterio had killed himself during the match. I had a knot in my stomach the size of a baseball the rest of the show. As well as when I thought Terry Funk lost his eyes! But during all of this, another thing has stuck out MORE than an invasion. D-Generation X. It came back as speculated since Wrestlemania, and took the main event spot at a PPV. It must be the first ever handicap main event without a title on the line. It was a step back in time as HHH & HBK seem to be having genuine fun in the ring. How long will this last? Who knows, but I don’t mind it. The thing about wrestling is that it’s the only real venue where you can watch history come back live for the next generation of viewers. I couldn’t imagine growing up a child and not having my DX influence. People who make fun of me for watching wrestling have told me lately that they have flipped by the channel and saw DX and watched their segments. They remember what it was like to watch them. The jokes haven’t changed and their attitude and excitement added to a show is unparallel.
From D-Generation X to the Masked Kane walking around on Raw, it feels like the wrestling that was on in the late 90’s. Is Kane really going to pass the torch to this new Kane? Maybe this character can evolve and be recycled every so many years, creating a legacy that is unique. Undertaker will always be an original, but maybe the curse of Kane can last for the duration of the WWE. It would be a very different concept but a cool one. This has been my thought on the matter.
It is a treat to see two close friends and former WWE Tag Team Champions both holding the World Titles in the WWE at the same time. For those who say that the tag division isn’t still the launching pad for future main stars, take another look. The Division may be lacking in depth, but its talent has always been near the top. Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas, Nitro & Mercury, RVD & Mysterio, Chavo & Eddie Guerrero, so many people’s careers really took off shortly after departing the tag division. Some more than others, but not everyone can sit at the top. Mysterio has been the very champion I had envisioned. It would be foolish for him to beat every giant in his way, but when it counts, he pulls it off. He uses a steel chair every time he wins but he is an ECW Alumni. It only makes sense he uses whatever means necessary to achieve victory. His title reign has been filled with losses, but he is a worthy champion. He fights every match like it’s the big one. That’s the passion John Cena lacks.
So much is going on that I wanted to throw my thoughts on several of the key areas. What the hell happened to the WWE since I last posted my last column? It is almost July and I have no idea what to expect. How will Batista impact Smackdown? Is Ken Kennedy the next big thing? Is the Booker vs Lashley feud one of the growing greats of 2006? Is Finlay truly the best character of all time? How will DX break it down? Is Cena about to win the title back? There is so much still about to happen but I promise to be here to give another perspective just as soon as I can. Until then, continue to be a fan and not a critic.
Want to argue me or support my ideas? Email me @ tdumais@bridgew.edu
I’m pretty busy working 60+ hours a week so I’m doing all that I can.
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