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Jerry Root

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THE MAT POTATO

Dreams die hard. At least, that's how it appears at first glance from the results of "No Way Out".

OK, so I fast talked mama, and plunked down my $30. (Thanks to the marvels of modern technology, and digital cable I'm able to order it through my tv, set up the VCR, and then switch the old A/B switch and watch the stuff that I normally watch Sunday night. Hey, what can I do? I have young kids, so I can't watch it "live".)

Anyway, I do manage to watch it, and one of the great things about having it on tape is that I don't have to subject myself to the promos, the clips, etc. Yeah, I know they provide background, etc, but they just don't do it for me. Besides, I paid for wrestling, and that's what I'm going to watch!

I won't bore you with a recap. If you want results, there are two very good recaps available here on CRZ. Catch either Ian Serotkin's workrate recap (a must read), or Marvelous Martin's excellent recap (another must read). I'm just here for some quick opinions, and a couple of questions that keep nagging me.

First, WHO BOOKS THIS CRAP? OK, sorry about that. I just had to get that out of my system. But seriously, who's brilliant idea was it to put that trainwreck that was the BBM/Tazzzzz match? I could have lived the rest of my life and not subjected myself to that one.

Add the Mid(i/e)on/Mark Henry match to the pile. That's another one that should have been left in the booking committee's cutting room.

Personal opinion? I can live without Too Cool/Rikishi Fatu. Sorry, but I just didn't find that one entertaining. I know the crowd was totally into it, and went nuts when Scotty did the Worm, but really now! Oh well, perhaps I am truly just a dinosaur. What can I say?

However, the question remains, WHO BOOKS THIS CRAP? I was thoroughly enjoying watching X-pac get his ass handed to him. I was marking out big every time Kane did the sit-up after getting clocked. I was having flashbacks to the early days of the Undertaker when he would sit back up and seem totally indestructible. However, the ending was just unsatisfying. I really wanted Kane to win this one and end this garbage feud. Oh well, perhaps at WM Kane can finally win the blow-off match and then X-pac can get his walking papers. (Hey, I can dream!)

So, it's the Big Slow v. HHH at WM? Why? After the Big Slow's whiney promo, I wanted to throw my shoe at the t.v. (However, I settled for fast forwarding through it instead, so I didn't get the full flavor of the whine. Hey, Slow, how about a little cheese to go with that whine, huh?)

On a final note, Foley's future with the company is an open ended question now. What of Mick? What does the future hold for him? Personally, I would love to see him manager either a wrestler, or a team, that has great in-ring talent, but has no mic skills. Foley is gold on the stick, and this would allow him to keep his hand in.

Or a spot at the desk? However, the King and JR are a decent team, so there's no real hurry there.

Whatever capacity Foley is used in, I'll always carry with me the memory of him laying in that hole in the ring. That is something that just doesn't fade easily.

Thanks, Mick. You made it truly memorable. I wish you well in whatever the future holds for you, now apply the same dedication you showed wrestling in raising your family, and I'm positive that they'll turn out fine. After all, you have shown them that hard work is not only it's own reward, but can often lead you to your final goal.

You have a lifetime of triumphs, and disappointments to give show them. You will be able to show them that grit and determination can help you overcome any obstacle placed in your path. That even if you aren't blessed with natural talent or ability, hard work and dedication can elevate you to levels you only dreamed of.

Above all, you have shown us that sometimes we all fall short of our dreams. But it's how we handle ourselves when it happens that is the true measure of a man.

As I said earlier, dreams die hard.

Jerry Root
[slash] wrestling

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