There's a certain kind of person in this world that I've never been able to figure out. Admittedly, I can't claim to be Sigmund Freud. There are all sorts of people in this world that I've yet to totally understand. Perhaps if my grasp of the female mind was a little better I'd be a little less single right now. ( Internet Wrestling Writer Stereotype #233 upheld in style there I think... ). However, this particular group is a complete mystery to me.

You might know someone that fits into this group. You might be related to one. You might even be in this group yourself. If this is the case get your flame pens out and ready as this will probably rub you up the wrong way. Deservedly so though, as this group has been rubbing me up the wrong way for years. There's a simple test to see if you know, have known or are one of them yourself. Are the following statements familiar...

"I liked their music at first, back before they signed that recording deal and started to get too popular."

"Yeah, he was funny on the stand up circuit but now that he's been on TV he's just not funny at all."

"She knew how to act when she was making those indie films, now she's just some starlet that can't act to save her life."

Familiar? Yep, these are the people that I cannot for the life of me understand. Anyone that can follow someone's work passionately and then suddenly go cold on them when they finally achieve the sort of success they've been fighting for all along. A twisted sort of selfishness over the fact that they now have to share the talent "they" discovered with everyone else.

You don't need me to tell you that this particular group absolutely thrives in the wrestling fan base. Throughout 1998 the most popular three syllable chant of the year was "You Sold Out". Closely followed of course by "Three-Six-Teen", "U-S-A" and the obligatory "Rock-Ee-Sucks". The passion that some fans in this business have over the whole "sell out" thing is overwhelming. Just ask Rob Van Dam. He took a rumour that he was leaving ECW and used it to become the single most loathed human being in the promotion. Needless to say he's never looked back since.

That may be the only time that some good has come from the whole sorry mess. Last Autumn the news broke that Mr Suplex himself, Taz was on his way to the WWF from ECW. Personally I was overjoyed. At that point, as ECW champion, he was one of the hardest working men in the business. He'd paid his dues and helped to turn ECW from the cultish bush-league promotion of it's roots into the number three promotion in America. Need I remind you that he played a significant part in the build up for their very first Pay Per View? Bad attitude, tough talk, foul mouth and one hell of a fighter. For years he was ECW personified.

Then he had the chance to go to the WWF and make a name for himself in the top promotion in the US. It was a brave decision. To go from being the shark in the ECW bay to the fish in the WWF ocean cannot have been an easy move to make. Suddenly all the criticisms that he'd laid to rest in ECW through nearly a decade of effort were back on people's lips again.

He's too small.

He'll never get over with that gimmick.

No-one will take him seriously.

He'll never be any more than a mid-card novelty act.

The thing that amazed me most? The fact that the people shouting this louder than anyone were many of the same people that had chanted his name at him in Philadelphia. The same people that bought the FTW gear. The same people that cheered as he choked out everyone from Bam Bam Bigelow to Shane Douglas were now waiting for him to choke in the big leagues. If you don't believe me then listen to the abuse he got at Anarchy Rulz last year when he passed on the ECW title.

These are the same people that proudly called themselves Taz fans? Doesn't seem that way to me. If you're a fan of Taz. A fan of the way Pete Senerca carries himself and performs then why aren't you happy to see him succeed? Why aren't you still supporting him now? How come you're sat back in judgement with your arms folded waiting for him to fail? Personally I think it all comes down to the selfishness thing again. Some people just don't like sharing. Last week I saw that the top piece of merchandise wasn't bearing the likeness of The Rock, Y2J, DX or even Mae Young. It was the T-shirt bearing the Tazz logo. That's right, he's Tazz with two Zs and, like it or not, he's winning people over in the WWF. After fighting his way through the business since the '80s he's finally in the position to reap the rewards. Right now he's reaching more people, making more money and (hopefully) having more fun now than at any stage of his career. It's an exciting time to be in the WWF and it must be an exiting time to be Tazz too. I for one cannot wait to finally see him in person come May.

He's reaping the rewards of all his hard work and dedication. I, for one, hope it leads him to WWF gold in the very near future. On that day I will be on my feet cheering as loud as anyone.

As for all those people that chanted "you sold out" and then deserted their favourite wrestler. Be happy for him or do us all a favour and stop whining. All about the UK Grappler.

Chris Brooker
freelance

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Every Sunday there's the now obligatory Sunday Night Greet (pun intended) when Nat and myself will be there to talk about anything and everything with anyone and everyone. 7pm GMT

Starting with No Way Out every WWF PPV will have match by match results posted by myself. I'll also gladly do WCW PPVs when the tight fisted millionaire bastards at Turner see fit to actually let us see them over here. If anyone wants to cover the WCW events then that would be much appreciated by the millions ( And Millions ) of UK fans.

There's also going to be the chance to trade tapes, merchandise and even your creations for WWF 2000, WCW Mayhem, Attitude and so on.

Who knows, if things take off we might even be able to get a few exclusive guests and interviews. ( How about it CRZ? ) Join in anytime, the more the merrier and I guarantee this is one club you will not regret being a part of.

Click it. You know you want to. <http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/ukgrappler>