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Jerry Root

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THE MAT POTATO II
French Fries

Every time I hear somebody (Hogan included) go on about how He (Hogan again) "invented wrestling as it is today", or some such sewage, I am reminded of an old (like there's a "new"?) episode of the Brady Bunch.

The upshot of that one was that Greg was offered a job as the newest teen heartthrob rock and roll singer.

He was all full of himself as he expounded on his "talent", and so forth. This goes on for the whole show while he becomes totally insufferable. (Sound familiar?)

Then the truth hits home. He tries to make a change to what is going on, but that's when he's told the real reason he was chosen.

"The suit fits".

That's it. That's the only reason. "The suit fits".

Hogan just happened to be in the right place at the right time to pick up the championship. Where was he before this? Was he any sort of name? Would he even be arrested if it weren't for Vince giving him the gold, and then pushing the hell out of him?

Granted, it takes two to tango, and if the fans aren't behind you, all the push in the world isn't going to do a damned thing for you.

However hard it may be to swallow, especially when you've been told for the past 20 years that you're the greatest thing since sliced bread, and the fans still cheer you out of name recognition alone, the sad fact remains, "the suit fit".

I just got done reading a great article over on Wrestleline covering black wrestlers from the past. It was in two parts, and if you haven't read it (both parts) I strongly urge you to go over and get a bit of a history lesson. (I do hope they haven't removed it.)

It struck home in a couple of ways. First, and foremost, it brought back so many memories of wrestlers from my past. Great names like Thunderbolt Patterson, Ernie Ladd, and more. Some I've never seen in action, some I have very fond memories of. It's always great to remind ourselves of the roots of wrestling, as it were.

Secondly, it brought about a rather painful memory. I remember the first time I saw the gimmick really screw up wrestling for me. It was when Vince had the "brilliant" idea of turning Tito Santana into "The Toreador". Oh, brother! There was Santana, wearing a suit of lights, and generally being a stereotypical Latino. I was totally turned off. (It didn't last long, but you get the hint).

Why was I reminded of this? Because of Vince's insistence on using characters like "Flash Funk", "The Godfather", "D-Lo Pimp" and "Sexual Chocolate". I mean, come on now. Isn't this getting a bit out of hand?

"Tradition bites".

Yeah, but look what it gets you when you totally ignore it. There's something to be said for tradition.

Jerry Root
[slash] wrestling

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