A former comedy performer is now a serious performer with a dead serious angle.

The man was at 300 pounds willing to do flying splashes from the top turnbuckle to the FLOOR, and at over 400 (?) does superflies off cages. He doesn't hold back and his weight is not so much a problem to his work ethic a la Big Slow or Mark Henry.

Austin's first opponent back also had to be someone who he could work out ring rust against. No, the match isn't going to be pretty, but it will allow Austin to kick ass and be dominant and not be shown up by his opponent.

His explanation made sense. People mention Yokozuna got a huge push (for his huge tush), but he was an islander who was made out to be Japanese. We'll see if that's brought up. No, the explanation isn't perfect, but THE GUY'S A HEEL! His logic is SUPPOSED to be flawed! Are you people out there telling me that there is, anywhere in the universe, a GOOD reason to run somebody down with a car? People wanted it to be Jericho... why? Because he is a better worker? SO? What would his explanation be? Quick advancement up the card? People wanted it to be Michaels... why? Because Austin beat him in his last match? THESE ARE GOOD REASONS TO RUN SOMEBODY OVER WITH A CAR? Hogan running Austin over because he's jealous that Austin surpassed his popularity, THAT would have been sweet but then the matches would have stunk up the joint worse than Rikishi could ever stoop to and the damage Hogan causes just by being there is more damaging in the long run (see WCW, 1996-2000).

But the problem people have... is the race card.

Gear up, everyone, because it's rant time.

I read many, many, MANY wrestling opinion sites. I read Torch feedback, I listen to Meltzer's radio show. I've been hearing it from all corners.

TO ALL WRESTLING WRITERS, TO ALL WRESTLING SMARKS... GET OVER YOURSELVES.

There are people who don't like the angle because they don't think it could draw. They don't like the angle because they don't like the Rikishi-Austin matchup (which is a legitimate reason). They don't like the angle because they fear this will degenerate to exploitative race-baiting (another legitimate reason to worry). But there are many of you, who say this about the HHH/Angle storyline as well, that don't like the BECAUSE THERE IS NO CLEAR FACE/HEEL AT THE MOMENT AND YOU ARE CONFUSED AS TO WHO TO CHEER FOR, or even more asinine, fear the MARKS WON'T KNOW WHO TO CHEER FOR.

What condescending bullshit is THAT? We, the 'smarks', should be after a more intelligent product. Go look at www.wrestlecrap.com if you would, and look at the long storied history of the wrestling business hoisting complete bullshit upon us. And we hated it. Look at tournaments in the US and the incredible 'coincidence' of having face/heel matchups all the way through. Is this good? Is this what you want?

Blaming your want of a simplistic, no-brain formula onto the 'poor, confused marks.' YOU ARE THE MARKS. Because you've been Russofied. Reduced to MTV attention spans. HHH's wrestling marriage doesn't fall apart in 3 weeks and you throw fits. 'Oh, it is boring and drawn out!' Austin's driver is revealed, not as an instant pop but as a device for a deeper story. 'Oh, what a letdown, I want my payoff now now now!' You're all acting like three year olds. Grow up.

Remember Hogan-Savage 89? That drew out over an ENTIRE YEAR. More, actually. With sometimes MONTHS in between any real development. And that feud was BIG BIG money. Buddy Rogers and Pat O'Connor in the 60s was a story and chase that lasted over 3 years, and resulted in the biggest crowd ever for wrestling at the time. 'Oh,' the smart MARKS cry, 'the business has changed!'

Has it really?

Goldberg's title win over Hogan was HUGE business, and that was 9 months in the making and rushed as it was. The seed for Wrestelmania main events are sewn 6 months ahead of time (hmmm, what time is it?) every year and Wrestlemania continues to humble all other buyrates (save 97). The Michaels-Hart showdown at Survivor Series 97 was the result of an 18 month storyline that was actually drawn out TOO long because of backstage shenanigans, and don't let the new marks fool you, it was still a BIG deal and BIG business before Hart got screwed.

Marketable stars, lengthy, meaningful storylines that are real enough for emotional involvement.

The WWF has TWO. One that will resolve soon (HHH-Angle), another that won't until next spring. This is wrestling how it was, how it is, and how it will be in the future for any patient and intelligent performer.

You're all just pissed because the driver wasn't the guy YOU picked.

Deal with it.

Marks.