Every now, and then, there is some question as to whether the wrestling industry is like any other entertainment business. There is some question as to whether professional wrestlers can be compared to actors or musicians. Well, I, Dartmouth Dan Doomsday, am about to prove that the answer to this question is a resounding "YES!"

It is certain that professional wrestling is more physically demanding than any other form of entertainment. The blend of showmanship with physical and mental toughness is a combination unmatched in the entertainment industry, and probably in professional sports as well. However, the career of a professional wrestler is very similar to the career of another entertainer, for example, a musician. Don't believe me?

I've been listening to a lot of music lately. I've been working on a major project that involves a lot of time sitting at a computer. Listening to music has been the only saving grace of the project. I've dug deep into my CD collection over the last couple of weeks, and listened to music I haven't listened to in years, as well as music I've recently purchased. As I listened, I thought about the careers of some of the artists, and how they compare to the careers of various wrestlers. I was able to make some interesting connections, which I will share with you now.

Chris Benoit=Phish: (wrestler/band) who is adept at many styles of (wrestling/music), who has become popular based on talent, with little help from the (wrestling company/record) industry hype machine who is now starting to get good (push/airplay) and becoming exposed to a wider audience.

The Rock=Christina Aguilera: (wrestler/singer) who has become popular based largely on (catchphrases/sex appeal) who is sometimes maligned for being untalented, but is actually a legitimate (wrestling/singing) talent.

Mick Foley=KISS: (Wrestler/band) with fairly little (athletic/musical) ability, who has had success based largely on showmanship, plus the use of fire, blood, explosions, and flying through the air, lasting much longer than most industry "experts" would have predicted. By the way, I saw KISS in Hartford this past weekend, and it was an absolutely amazing experience.

Vince McMahon=Babyface: Great producer, who is largely responsible for the success of a good number of acts, but is also a capable performer in his own right.

Vince Russo=Puff Daddy: Fairly good producer when developing other talent, but hogs the spotlight too much, losing sight of the fact that he is a horrible performer.

The Godfather=Kid Rock: This (wrestler/singer) plays the role of a pimp, and has enjoyed success in that role. Some decry this performer's lack of (wrestling/musical) talent, but he enjoys what he does and knows very well the value of showmanship.

Triple H=Sugar Ray: Fairly good amount of early success, based largely on (catchphrases/sex appeal), prompting critics to say that the (wrestler/band) wouldn't last too long in the spotlight. The (wrestler/band) surprised the critics by showing more (wrestling/musical) skill, and producing several more successful (songs/matches), while still making good use of (mic skills/sex appeal).

Edge & Christian=Barenaked Ladies: Successful performers from north of the border who base their success mostly on their (athletic/musical) talent, but augment their performances with a fine sense of humor.

Ric Flair=Bruce Springsteen: Legendary performer who, in addition to having great (wrestling/musical) talent and leading a legendary (stable/band), is a master when it comes to showmanship, who still brings a crowd to life after more than 25 years in the business.

Jim Duggan=Poison: This (wrestler/band) never had much in the way of (wrestling/musical) talent, but suceeded in the 80's, when the major emphasis in (wrestling/music) was on having fun. After being away from the business for a while, this (wrestler/band) has returned, albeit in a much more limited role, and is still fun to (watch/listen to), despite having little to offer in the way of artistic merit.

Road Dogg=Britney Spears: (wrestler/singer) who is accused of being a walking (catchphrase/pair of breasts) and having very little (wrestling/singing) talent, but, in reality, actually IS a walking (catchphrase/pair of breasts), and has very little (wrestling/singing) talent.

Steve Austin=Billy Joel: Talented performer who was horribly mismanaged in the early part of his career, then got better management and went on to become a legend.

Bret Hart=Sammy Hagar: This performer had a good, not great run at the top, delivering several successful (matches/albums), then left his (promotion/band) under controversial circumstances. He made a couple of respectable efforts to continue on, but had limited success, and now does little more than bitch and whine about having been screwed over.

Owen Hart=Buddy Holly: This extremely talented (wrestler/singer) was taken from this world way, way, WAY too early, and was never fully appreciated as the master of his craft that he was. One shudders to think of what he might have done had he lived longer.

Now, the way I see it, wrestlers and musicians are more smilar than we might otherwise have thought. And so, dear readers, I am going to turn this one back at you. I'm going to leave this to you to make your own comparsions and send them to me, along with other feedback, at dandoomsday@wrestlingfanz.com, and the best comparisons will be featured in next week's Device. Until next week, I'm Dartmouth Dan Doomsday, reminding you to keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars! Goodnight, everybody!!