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/wrestling /guests /Scotso |
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/wrestling /guests /Scotso |
| Guest Columns | Scotso |
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IT STILL AIN'T NEWS Welcome, fans, to the second installment of my column. There may be a few changes, but, since I doubt that many people read my first column, no one should notice. For those actually keeping score, however, last time I tried to basically introduce myself as the writer, whereas this time I intend to focus a little more on the wrestling. So then, let's get right into it... Speaking of changes, plenty took place this week on Nitro. Now some may have gotten the idea that I hate WCW, but that is not really true. I hate stupidity. I like entertaining or amusing segments and good wresting. WCW has been short on both for a while now, but when they do something well, I will give them credit. Not that what they did this week was great, but they at least made some changes. That is the key, and that is why the WWF is number one right now. Back in 1996, the WWF started losing. They were getting beaten so badly that they started trying new things, and they got away from what they had long assumed to be the "winning formula" that they'd been using for years. Rather than trying to create a new Hogan or new Warrior to replace their lost stars, they scrapped the recipe and started from scratch. Sure, there were some failures. It took them a while. Talented young wrestlers like Glenn Jacobs put up with gimmicks like Isaac Yankem, D.D.S. and the "New Diesel" before succeeding as Kane. Al Snow had to play Leif Cassidy. Steve Austin tried The Ringmaster and The Rock was a smiling, quiet babyface who embodied the idea of the perfect gentleman. When they realized that people didn't care about these characters, they started to let the wrestlers do things a little differently. Faarooq and the Nation played the race card, which proved to not be the greatest idea. Bret Hart stopped being a nice guy and pushed around his boss on TV, in a moment that totally shocked most of the wrestling world. Austin did and said whatever he wanted, and rather than pushing vitamins, he was a living beer commercial. Goldust talked to us as Dustin Runnels, and we saw the childhood dreams of Mick Foley rather than the rantings of Mankind. Vince and Company did something totally different, and it took them a long time, but they made it back to first place. Now WCW is in the same spot, needing a drastic makeover. And it will take a long time. This week's ratings showed them still getting killed, but I loved the WWF product for about six months before they caught up in the ratings. They have to keep it up, and not change things back right away. See what starts to work and what doesn't, and listen to your audience, WCW, and you may just be able to succeed. One of the bright spots was the announcer switch, putting Scott Hudson in place of Tony Schiavonne. This was an experiment, and WCW had planned on putting Hudson on for a few weeks to see how things go. I hope they follow through and give him a chance, and don't just put back Schiavonne. I think Heenan's commentary is so dated that they should think about pulling him as well, provided they could find a skilled replacement on color commentary to spice up the broadcasts, but remember, small steps. Let's look into some of the other changes that took place recently in WCW: Shane Douglas debuts. Great move. Douglas is exactly what they need to compete with the WWF, someone who is entertaining, good at interviews, and can do a solid wrestling match. I have been a long time fan of Douglas (except maybe when he was a Dynamic Dude), and I believe he has the skills, if put to use properly, to be a major player in the company, and to get the fans back into it. The word going around has been that Douglas will be part of a new Horsemen angle, as he has already aligned with former Triple Threat members Benoit and Malenko, as well as former ECW star Perry Saturn. How long before we get a rematch with Bigelow as well? Rodman returns. Not the best idea, in my book. See: Master P, Kevin Greene, Jay Leno, Karl Malone, and Rodman last year. And why exactly is he feuding with Randy Savage? Did I miss something there? Oh, wait, I know! So, that's where Savage got that feathery pink jacket of his... ICP Arrive with Vampiro. Well, ICP did get a bunch of crappy wrestlers over in the WWF, and temporarily revitalized the career of John "Sharkquakealanche" Tenta, so they can't be totally worthless. At least they really want to be involved in wrestling and will obviously take bumps when needed, whereas Rodman seems to just want to be cool. And I have to give major credit to Nash for actually pushing Vampiro and putting him over Konnan. I can picture K-Dog crying in the back... remember the time the NWO turned on him, and he just kept crying, "Kev! Help me, Kev! Don't let them beat the bowdy outta me!" Of course, just like then, Nash was not at all interested in helping out his former buddy, no matter how much he cried. I just wish they had showed that on camera. These (well-anticipated) surprises on Nitro were at least something different. So was giving Kidman a match with Savage, and deciding (however ill advised it may be) to push Rick Steiner up to a main event angle. Let's just see how WCW does in keeping up this momentum and how the ratings are effected. I know this took up a lot of space, so we'll go light on other news going on right now. I know you're asking, how does the WWF respond to WCW's new efforts? Well, they're still first, but they'd be stupid to let things get stale so that they can be beaten. The set up for next Sunday's Fully Loaded and the early buzz for Summerslam proves they are far from losing ground. With Edge getting a big push, he is likely to take the IC belt from Jeff Jarrett this Sunday, and Dave Scherer reports that Debra may even side with Edge when all is said and done. I can only assume that this only adds to the eventual showdown between Edge and Gangrel, most likely at Summerslam, as it can now be a title match. But where does this leave Jarrett? I keep listening to Billy Gunn's theme song when he comes out, and let me tell you, that's too much ass! And why does he "like to stick em"? Another big story is the temporary departure of Ken Shamrock, who will be returning to the UFC in the near future. It's really unfortunate for the WWF, because they have really been pushing Shamrock to the top lately...just don't let the guy say too much and he could be huge. Don't despair, however, because we all know Mankind is on his way back (probably after Summerslam) and there has been talk of a Hell in a Cell match to settle the score with the guy who sledge hammered him out of action, Triple H. What could he possibly do to top himself this time? Personally, though, I would have liked to see Mankind come out when the Rock was telling us about Billy Gunn's prayers, and he should have started responding to Gunn, confirming once and for all that, in fact, Foley IS God. Well, fans, again, if anyone read this far, you probably have too much free time on your hands. Why are you reading this column, anyway? Didn't you realize that it ain't news?! Until I have more non-news to report, or CRZ pulls the plug on me, that'll do it for me. Send me feedback letters so I can laugh at you. Even though IT DOESN'T MATTER what my name is, I am still, SCOTSO Mail the Author |
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