THE BUFF REPORT
Supplemental
Hello.
I am Buff, your Friendly Neighborhood Superhero.
I begin in the interest of clarity and correctness (izzat a word?).
It seems that Mr. Root (fellow CRZ columnist, plug, plug) has taken
slight umbrage with my past column. And I admit, I said some
things
that might get a few old school fans riled.
But I never said, "get used to it." That infers that my editorial was
mean spirited, which I did not intend. The gist of what I was
saying
was that if it's entertaining, even if it's not in-ring action, there's
no need to pan it. I never said that actual wrestling wasn't
entertaining.
It's the primary reason I watch wrestling. I enjoy every
stenton-bomb,
jackhammer, plancha, bump and "oh-shit!" moment of it; been watching it
since the early 80's, when I was but a wee lad - I think my babysitter
even dated Ivan Putski a few times...
But I like the other stuff too. I went-off, so to speak,
because
of the outrage expressed at Flair/Crowbar being the tag champs. I find
them entertaining. And I think Daphne is way hot. Yes, Buff likes
the goth-girls.
Anyway, I like wrestling. If you like only wrestling,
check
out your local indie. Hell, the Buffster was actually approached
couple of years back to join a local indie (no lie). I'm actually
still considering it.
Oh. You might have taken that as an apology, but you'd be
wrong.
I don't apologize for my opinions.
Onward.
Strong Words (my letters section):
FROM: Daniel Taylor <thegame2001@hotmail.com>
I just wanted to write a quick note telling you how much I
enjoyed
your recent column.
There are two things I especially agreed with:
First of all, I couldn't agree more with your comment about
entertainment
on television. There
are a number of people who are excellent *wrestlers,* but just
aren't
entertaining to watch.
Without the performing skills, they don't fit into the
package.
I'm a fan of the Hardys, and
they ARE entertaining to watch, but the one thing I think
every week is: "The one thing that's
keeping them from being break-out stars is their lack of
interview
ability or character
development." Sure, they're mildly popular, but often
get pops that pale in comparison to
those of Too Cool. If they could get the full
package,
they'd no doubt surpass the New Age
Outlaws in terms of popularity. Performing AND wrestling
ability
is a rare combination... but
when it works, it's a goldmine.
Secondly, I'm glad I'm not the only one who is a fan of
David,
Crowbar, and Daffney. (Daphne?
What spelling are they settling on?) They are the most
entertaining
thing on WCW's programming
right now, in my opinion. (That's not saying much, but
still...)
Since you are a fan, and
apparently a fellow admirer of Daffney, I'll ask: Do
you have any information on her? I have
never seen her before this. Also, any idea where one
could get some pictures of her? I've
e-mailed WCW's website about a photo gallery, yet to no
avail.
She definitely looks better than
a lot of the Nitro Girls. My fear is that David Flair will
eventually go back to normal (He's
healed! He was insane but got better) after his father
retires,
and attempt a career as a
"serious" wrestler. By that time, Daffney and Crowbar will
be sent off to Saturday Night, if
they're not dumped altogether. ::sigh::
Thanks for your time.
A fan,
Daniel Taylor
Well it seems that Daphne's fan-base is growing. No pun
intended.
It also seems that David has a Daphne fan site at:
http://members.xoom.com/_XMCM/TheGame2K/daffney.html
It has a few good pictures, and I'm sure he would appreciate any that
you,
the
Buff-o-maniacs, could send him. And since I'm on the subject, and there
seems to be an interest, I ask:
Where the hell did she come from? If anybody has any info
about
her past, let me know and I will collect and report, as it were. Maybe
I'll devote an entire column to it! Not that I'm obsessed, but hey, I
said
it several times... Buff likes goth-girls.
Onward!
First off, I must say that this will mark the last lengthy
preamble
to my columns. Too much shite to muddle through before getting to
the real poop. And if you understood that...
Buff's Mark-Out Moment of the Week:
The Superfly Splash! 'Nuff Said.
Now...
I touched on ECW last week and how they could improve their
broadcast.
I have thought about it, and wish to expand on it.
First off :
The Promos:
Admittedly, I cringe every time I see one on ECW. Wrestlers
talking
to a disembodied camera is too low-budget for a nationally aired
program.
It cheapens the performance, no matter how good on the stick a wrestler
is. Paul E, spring for an interviewer to be there for the promos.
You'd be surprised how much a warm body would help production values and
add credibility. Not to mention the potential for sneak-attacks during
interviews and a whole host of other deviltry. But I admit that
disembodied
cameras are good for a few things.... e.g. shots of wrestlers, et. al.
WALKING!!! (TM CRZ)
2nd:
Now I know this is stealing from competition, but a big-screen
"jumbo-tron"
would also help. Not only would people in the cheap seats be able
to see close-up action, but it could be an invaluable tool to advance
story
lines. Wrestlers could see replays of dusty finishes, backstage
antics
of their rivals and at the same time have cool entrance videos.
3rd:
Better cameras and an actual live production. Instead of
post-production
editing of the shows, why not have a live technical director calling the
shots and switching between live video feeds? It would give the
show
a more professional feel, as well as a more believable "you are there"
atmosphere. This brings me to-
4th:
Put the announcers ringside! It's been around for so long
because
it works! A live commentary is much more believable than
post-production
voice-overs.
If it seems like most of what I am saying has to do with production
values, it's because it is. The product and its workers are what
makes ECW what it is, but to compete with the BIG TWO, Paul E. must
start
thinking globally. These are issues that aren't going to fix
themselves.
True, it is going to take a bit of financial investment from TNN.
True, it's going to take Paul E. loosening his tight-fisted grip on
company
control, i.e. his way or the highway. But this would improve the
product's
presentation immensely.
I make the analogy:
Would you buy an action figure in a damaged box? The figure
and
accessories are all there and in good shape, but the box is damaged and
lying in a pile of other damaged box items in a bin on the floor.
Nothing is wrong with it. It will provide just as much enjoyment
to the one actually playing with the toy. But the box is damaged
and the product is poorly displayed. Would you buy the figure? No?
Probably not.
Get the picture? Paul E, presentation is everything - get used to it!
(There, I said it!) If it wasn't Britney Spears wouldn't be a
best-selling
artist (and I use that term loosely).
Maybe someone could forward this to Mr. Dangerously. Maybe not.
Either way, I am right.
I am Buff.
And now... the picture...
This is from my last band Kill Alex Rogan (vague
reference [tm Michaelangelo]).
Yes, we wore face paint and played wall-of-noise metal. It
was fun. You only get a head-shot because I am vain and at that
time,
I was not as buff as I am now. I had a shoulder injury that
prevented
me from lifting weights. But soon, you will get a recent picture.
Promise.