Thunder Struck: The Nature Boy & TNA
Posted by TWV Guest Columnists
on 09/29/2006
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Guest Column By Joe Thunder
Welcome to Thunder Struck! In this rare edition, I would like to just briefly address two topics and generate a little bit of discussion. Obviously, this column must address the biggest news of the week in the world of wrestling as well as a topic that I just want to get off my chest. That being said; let's get to it.
The first topic of today's discussion will be Ric Flair. I have recently finished reading the Nature Boy's book. I don't want to harp too much on this matter, but I really feel like there are some things that have to be discussed. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to admit to the world that I was extremely impressed with a lot of what I read. On the contrary, however, I also found this book to contain information that was used for the sole purpose of insulting and degrading certain individuals. In regards to that, the ego of Ric Flair is so massively huge in this book that it becomes very clear where things are exaggerated and downplayed depending on how Flair viewed the specific situation.
Flair, of course, takes credit in his book as being an individual in WCW who told Eric Bischoff of all the potential stardom he saw in Steve Austin. This seems relatively difficult to believe considering that when Austin's WCW release occurred in early 1995, it is well known that the Nature Boy had a considerably larger amount of say on what happened in the company. That is to say, if Slick Ric had truly felt Steve Austin could be a star, he would not have allowed Bischoff to so easily toss the Texas Rattlesnake out of the company.
Mick Foley sacrificed his body for the sole purpose of entertaining the fans. The dedication he put into his contests throughout his career deserve a remarkable amount of recognition. In the sense that Ric Flair called Foley a glorified stuntman, I would have to say Flair is absolutely correct. Foley did a lot for the business of sports entertainment, whereas Ric Flair did more in his career for the NWA and early WCW. Both of these men have contributed a lot to the business and both were able to put aside personal animosity to put on one terrific contest at Summerslam. Sports entertainment has been given contributions in many forms by so many wrestlers and superstars that it really is hard to judge who the "better man" really is or was.
As far as Bret Hart goes, Ric Flair felt losing the title to Hart was ridiculous for his image. He considered himself to be Hart's superior and didn't want to drop the title to the younger guy at that point in his career. Being an egomaniac, Ric demanded a non-televised match. After the match occurred, Flair called it a disaster. Unfortunately for Flair, that match can be viewed by just about anyone now thanks the world wide web, and it seems to me after viewing the contest that the only real problem someone like Ric Flair would have had with the match is the fact that he did not retain his title.
WCW was a disaster throughout its entirety. There were about two good years worth of wrestling in the history of the company. Ric Flair, aside from guest appearances as a Horseman and a few big matches, did very little to contribute to the company during its tenure. Flair brought in the ratings when the ratings needed to be brought in, however, his vast success in the company can be contributed to the fact that he had a large amount of influence with management and owners alike, and also the fact that he had done so much for the NWA and early World Championship Wrestling.
I guess one could argue that it is a little late for a column like this to come out. However, given that I finally took the opportunity to read the book, I feel like it was a very fitting time to discuss some of it seeing as Ric is still very active in the ring. Ric Flair has done a lot for the business and I certainly have some newfound respect for the Nature Boy. Obviously there are things about him that people don't like, but I must say his book made for a most interesting read.
Now, it is time for the next order of business. Kurt Angle has signed with Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling! Despite what anyone says, I find this to be very exciting news for the sports entertainment industry. Yes, Kurt Angle is a workaholic who needs some time off. What I can't comprehend is why people don't realize that is exactly what he is doing right at the moment. Kurt Angle is on ring hiatus, even from TNA. You can certainly count on promotional videos to air for a fair length of time until our Olympic hero is ready to make his in ring return. Yes, we are all slightly concerned for the health of these men who work 250+ days a year. Fortunately for Kurt, as of right now, TNA doesn't have that much of a hectic schedule. Angle has what it takes to bring the company up from where it stands now and his debut centering around the move to prime time will certainly put my butt in a chair ready to start watching TNA. The prime time move is going to bring in many new fans, including the columnist before you.
There you have it. That is my small address to the issue of Kurt Angle and TNA. As for a full time return of Thunder Struck, it appears as though the month of the Survivor Series, TNA's move to prime time, and most importantly Thanksgiving will be when Thunder Struck begins appearing on a frequent basis once again. Unfortunately for me, plans can always go astray.
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JoeThunder06@hotmail.com.
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