You are here
Guest Columns

Aaron Marco

Main

BLAH

DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK

OK. I realize it's been awhile since most of you have heard from me. Hell, maybe some of you have NEVER heard of me. That being said, I'll just say a few quick words in the way of an introduction.

I used to write for another site. And now I don't. But since I never bash anyone on the Internet (well, hardly ever), that's all water under the bridge. Because I've now been given the opportunity to share some of my thoughts with all of you once again. 'Freelance' is where it's at these days. (butifyouwantopaymethenlet'stalk) And I'm glad to do so. So welcome back...ME! Sort of. And while the title of this article DOES refer to my return to net writing, it's also appropriate on another level. But we'll come back to that a bit later.

Anyway, it may have been awhile since I've written anything about pro wrestling. But that doesn't mean I've separated myself from things altogether. I've been out there on the net, visiting the sites, participating in chats, and exchanging emails. And I'm still up on the current news and views, on all the hot-topic stuff. But there's really only one topic anyone is writing or chatting about these past few weeks. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. The BIG story? About how the WWF-owned WCW will be the absolute death of pro wrestling?

Well, I don't buy it. At least, not totally. Let me explain: The way I see it, the WWF has been virtually without competition for quite some time. Sure, WCW was a big name in the industry, and they employed some "big-time" stars. People like Hulk Hogan, and Sting, Goldberg, and Randy Savage. But none of these major players have been on camera for any substantial amount of time for what seems like ages.

If anything, these people's bloated contracts, and salaries for just sitting on their asses at home, in fact contributed in large part to the eventual failure of WCW itself. That being said, I guess it wasn't such a bonus for WCW to having all these "marketable" names, after all.

Some say, "Hey! WCW was trying to build some new stars." And I agree. New talents like Shawn O'Haire, Mark Jindrak, and Shane Helms were on the right track. And other, established untapped talents like Billy Kidman, Lance Storm, and Mike Awesome were getting a lot of TV time just before WCW closed up shop.

But like the old adage says, "If a tree falls in the woods, and no one's there to hear it, did it make a sound?" With the poor ratings WCW was getting towards the end of their Turner run, it was in some ways detrimental to these young stars' careers in even being out there, working their asses off, all the while receiving virtually no benefit from the exposure.

But Vince McMahon's purchase of WCW has changed the entire landscape of the pro wrestling industry. From now on, the playing field is going to be a hell of a lot bigger, if not more level. And on a basic level, it is true that the lack of competition may lead to a decline in the quality of wrestling we see on TV, and in arenas and house shows. And eventually, it may even lead to a decrease in the NUMBER of live shows, and television time.

That's a bad thing for us fans of wrestling. But maybe it's a mixed blessing for the wrestlers themselves. Some of them, anyway. Not working as many dates, and having more time at home with their families would be a welcome change for some of the top stars. With the increase of available talent under the WWF umbrella now, major storylines could be booked around alternate stars, instead of relying on the same five or six guys all the time.

Let's look at has been on top of the card in the WWF for the last couple years: First, HHH. He did have that short vacation not too long ago. But he's been working virtually non-stop for most of the last 3 years. Undertaker is over again, thanks to a new "American Badass" gimmick, but is still noticeably banged up, from all his years in the ring. Ditto Steve Austin. Rock has been nothing short of a workhorse as of late, and is reportedly due for a rest. And Kurt Angle? When's the last time this guy had some vacation time?

My point being, that the WWF has gotten more than it's "bang for the buck" when it comes to their top-tier talent, almost to the point of beating the odds. You have to look at the whole thing with some perspective of how much these guys have actually worked. To me, when I look back on the last year or two, I'm honestly surprised they haven't been reduced to one or two headliners, due to injuries.

My absence from writing due to the Rant Crew's demise was actually a blessing to me in some respects. I was actually starting to get BORED with pro wrestling. And unlike the early days of the Internet wrestling scene, I couldn't count on a simple fix of some interesting "inside" info to hold my interest. Because you just couldn't escape it. It seemed if I wasn't WRITING it, I was READING it. I liked WCW as much as the next WWF fan (wink), but let's face it: There's only so much you can take of, "Raw beat Nitro again...", and the like, before you get spoiled of it. Kind of like chocolate for every meal. Eventually, you get sick of it.

Now with the influx of WCW (and more recently, ECW) talent, the WWF roster is more diverse (and thus, more interesting) than it has ever been. I know one of the biggest complaints the WCW had with the NWO angle, was that it featured the same guys week in and week out. At the same time, the WWF was growing more stale by each episode of RAW, due to equal parts gimmick lameness and oversaturation of on-screen wrestlers. It was time for a change. The WWF buyout of its chief competition will be a huge change for the industry. But by sheer roster diversity, there should be something worth watching week after week, for a LONG time. And that's more than could be said about some recent episodes of BOTH Raw and Nitro.

I predict Vince McMahon will NOT be content to just rest on his laurels, and put out a mediocre wrestling product, simply because he can afford to do so now. With the XFL debacle fresh in the minds of the viewing public, McMahon will use the new WWF-WCW synergy to it's utmost potential. Promoting both WWF and WCW across CBS/Viacom related media outlets and beyond. He'll work like hell to ensure that WCW is seen as a viable entity, and one to be respected in the pro wrestling industry again. Because in a sense, that's what REALLY drives McMahon to do what he does. RESPECT.

Heck, Vince already has more money than he knows what to do with. What he wants more than anything in the whole wide world, is to be respected in the public eye. More importantly, respected by the ever-critical eye of the news media. And he'll use the WWF/WCW sports-entertainment monster to try and acomplish that very thing. To solidify his place in wrestling history, and establish himself as the greatest promoter in the history of sports entertainment, bar none. But above all, one that should be respected.

"But what about respecting the WRESTLERS?"

Excellent question. Quite frankly, if wrestlers are worried about their salaries dropping due to the 'new boys' coming on board, maybe they should. Because that's how it is in the real world. You're worth more to your employer if you STAND OUT from your co-workers. One who is not merely content to do your job the best you can. You also have to do your job better than anybody else in your place could. Long story short? The Kevin Nashes of the everyday working world are NOT tolerated well by their employers.

As an example: I'm not just guaranteed a job in my field of choice, simply because I want one. I have to prove my worth to my bosses on a regular, if not DAILY basis. Or they'll get someone else to take my spot. Simple as that. And that's exactly how it should be.

As to the future of WCW, and the wrestlers of WCW? For the most part, they'll be fine. At least the ones worth watching, will be. Seriously, a lot of them will probably end up being used better in this new 'partnership', than they've been used in the past.

So I wouldn't worry too much about the failure of the XFL, or the buyout of WCW, or the rosters of both companies. I have a feeling, as good 'ol J.R. would say: "Business is about to pick up!", and in more ways than one. For the WWF, it's taking the form of a needed 'shot in the arm' of new talent to utilize. And for Vince McMahon? In a word: Vindication.

And in the case of the Shane McMahon 'owned' WCW, I think it's safe to say they'll be returning soon, in full force.

But don't call it a comeback. Hell, they've been there for YEARS...

- Aaron Marco -
freelance

Mail the Author
Visit http://www.delphi.com/AaronMarco
AIM: AaronMarco1

Comment about this article on the EZBoard

BLAH

Main

Design copyright © 1999-2001 Christopher Robin Zimmerman & KZiM Communications
Guest column text copyright © 2001 by the individual author and used with permission