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/wrestling /guests /Scotso |
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/wrestling /guests /Scotso |
| Guest Columns | Scotso |
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IT AIN'T NEWS Another exciting week in wrestling, another exciting column. Let's get it on! One of the biggest news stories going around in the past week or so has been the apparent departure from ECW of the six time former Tag Team Champions, The Dudleys. Coming at a time when ECW stands to gain major recognition, and the few big stars that the company possesses can finally cross over to become major celebrities rather than minor league talents...or so they would have us believe. Of course, jumping on to national TV (just like jumping on to pay per view) might not spell instant success for ECW, although everyone on the internet would make you think so. Yes, wrestling is hot, but wasn't the WWF hot for many years while companies with national cable deals, namely Jim Crockett promotions, failed to get anywhere? And didn't companies like World Class, the AWA, and the once exciting Global Wrestling Federation (which once boasted a talent roster with the likes of Cactus Jack, Lightning Kid/a.k.a. X-Pac, The Patriot, and Jerry Lynn, to name a few) ALL have national deals on ESPN and fail to gain mainstream recognition? OK, I am being cynical here, and don't write me a million letters telling me why ESPN is different than TNN, or why daytime is different than prime time, or why ECW is different from all the others. I am just making a point that everyone is so quick to assume that ECW will be contending with WCW for second place this fall, but in reality it is a major long shot that ECW will draw such a huge following...at least not right away. It could take years. But there is a possibility that this whole wrestling boom, the one that probably brought most of you readers to this site, will eventually end, and with SO many hours of wrestling on TV this fall, namely the addition of two hours on Thursday nights in the form of Smackdown, where will it all end? Will we have any energy to come back Friday nights for more? And will Rob Van Dam now be called "Mr. Friday Night?" So, about our original subject (bet you forgot, didn't you?), Buh Buh Ray and D-Von, The Dudley Boys. I think they are doing the right thing by leaving for the WWF, where they have a great chance of being superstars. These guys have been in ECW for years, where they started out as a joke and "Buh Buh" could barely say that much of his name, no less cut a promo or draw crowd heat. Since then, they turned heel, shocked us with a win over The Eliminators for the tag belts, and have since gone through EVERY major team in ECW, including Public Enemy, who returned just long enough to be on the Dudleys' resume. Who is left for them to face? What could possibly be left for them to do there? This year, Buh Buh Ray even headlined a pay per view by wrestling for the World title against Taz. ECW can't keep finding opponents for these guys, and the "open challenge" gimmick is getting old. The WWF offers them not only fame and fortune beyond the possibilities of ECW, but also a fresh and ever changing roster of tag teams and a new set of belts to shoot for. People may call them pure brawlers who draw cheap heat, but anyone who has watched them closely over the last few years knows better. D-Von is quite agile for a man his size, and both men know their fair share of actual wrestling holds. They have done exceptionally well against the well-rounded team of Sabu & RVD, and I think, they could hold their own against most teams that the WWF could throw at them. However, it's true, they are good brawlers, but: 1) we've just seen more brawling from them because it seems they're always facing someone like Balls Mahoney or New Jack (hell, they DO work in ECW, what do expect?); and 2) in today's WWF, does being a great brawler NOT help you tremendously? As for their mic skills, even without Joel "I see more pussy than a litter box" Gertner at their side, they know EXACTLY what buttons to push to piss off a packed house. They are classic heels, and they will do very well with the WWF "attitude." Besides, there is much less of a chance in the WWF that they'll get attacked or killed by some crazy fan that they incite. I think it would be a good idea for the Dudleys to come in, unlike Public Enemy, with some build up and a definite gimmick. Perhaps putting them into a story with the returning Legion of Doom would be the perfect way to jump-start their career in the WWF. You know, I really want to use "Titan" as a synonym for "WWF," but those bastards go and change their name on us. Well, you'll just have to get used to repetitive writing. Another rumored arrival in the WWF is another former ECW star, Stevie Richards. I have always thought Richards was underrated, and I would love to see him finally get his big break. He could do a lot in the WWF, including being a part of the Light Heavyweight division (should they choose to recreate one), finally get his buddy and former BWO partner the Blue Meanie over, or be the long lost brother of Shawn Michaels (some of you may even remember Richards getting beaten up in a WWF locker room on RAW in 1997 because he was mistaken for Shawn.) Stevie perfected the comic relief that has lately gotten Chris Jericho and Steve Corino so much attention, and he has the look to be marketable combined with the skill to make those of us, who actually watch that wrestling stuff they do between skits, happy. I just hope that with Jericho set to debut soon, Richards isn't pushed to the background as he was for a long time in ECW and during his short stay in WCW. With both the Dudleys and Stevie, I hope the WWF is really interested in making the most of these wrestlers, and not just looking to add some names to their roster. Of course, WCW would like to wave some more money in front of some ECW talent to reduce the threat of losing ratings points to Heyman's group. Word has it that they wanted Van Dam, who is most likely to be the centerpiece that ECW is eventually built around. Does anyone else remember when RVD, then known as Robbie V., actually did compete on the WCW roster in 1993? He would be prone to about the same lack of success this time around, stuck on the mid-card with other former ECW greats like Perry Saturn and Mikey Whipwreck, instead of being the front man of ECW if they do succeed on a national level. Of course, even though WCW was interested in him, there was no word that RVD was interested in leaving, so he should remain where he is. And now for something completely different... Some people are bothered by the fact that last week Kane broke kayfabe by referring to his little buddy X-Pac as Sean in a rare interview. That, to me, adds to the story of their relationship and shows a true bond, not between characters, but true friends. But why, tell me why, does he call X-Pac Sean, yet refers to his own brother as The Undertaker? Hell, even Stephanie called him Mark! Has anyone noticed that GTV has been missing from WWF TV for a few weeks? Don't tell me they've dropped the idea already. Can't somebody be appointed to ensure that the WWF (forget WCW, they're a lost cause at this) does not begin an angle without having a definite end to it? Well, I suppose someone in WCW said something about that hummer angle...I guess Savage just needed a few weeks to remember who it was that was driving. I should just continue my policy of not hurting my brain by pretending to understand a WCW angle. But Nash is a heel now and it doesn't matter! Sid is WITH Nash now! OUCH! Why did I try? And by the way, what does a fat albino in a suit have to do with a tattoo artist? He looks more like a long lost relative of Brother Love to me. Well, that's all I have to write for this week. Kids, don't try to understand wrestling at home, it may result in serious injuries or brain damage. Just watch it for fun, leave the dangerous stuff to me! As always, feel free to send me your thoughts, I appreciate the fan mail I get, and if you have something intelligent to say, I'll even think about putting it in my column. I'll steal it and use it as my own, of course, but don't let that deter you. Until next time... I'll see you in the new millennium.
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