Old School is Still Cool

Some of the Legends & Hall of Famers on Old School Raw
Photo Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Regular readers of this blog know I love it when the WWE brings back Legends for the Old School edition of Raw.  The January 6, 2014 show left me wanting more. I know that I complain about the part timers coming in and taking opportunities from the men and women on the current roster, but I view that much differently from these themed Raw and SmackDown! shows.

I felt like for the first time in a while, the WWE had a little more diversity with the Legends and Hall of Famers.  The usual suspects like Roddy Piper, Sgt. Slaughter, and Booker T were on hand.  But it was nice seeing Bob Backlund (I know he's been around more lately), DDP, and Jake "The Snake" Roberts back on the show.  I don't think Roberts has been on Raw since Randy Orton was doing the Legend Killer gimmick and preparing for the Undertaker at Wrestlemania 21, nearly a decade ago.  I could be wrong about that, and if I am, I apologize.

Jake "The Snake" Returns
Photo Courtesy: WWE

I get up quite early in the morning, so I finish Raw on Tuesday afternoon, but I usually know what's going to happen as co-workers discuss the show or I see something on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.  That's what happened with Jake "The Snake" being a part of the main event.  I saw a picture of him on social media as I was scrolling through my feeds as part of my morning ritual.  Even though the cat, or in this case, snake was let out of the bag, I still got goosebumps when I heard Roberts' theme music hit and he came to the ring to save CM Punk and the New Age Outlaws from the Shield.

Jake's appearance has fueled speculation over whether he'll be in the 2014 Royal Rumble.  This is an idea I've endorsed since he first started talking about it on social media last year.  Jake has really turned his life around and looked great when he was on Raw.  I would love for him to get that shot at the Rumble and more importantly, I want to see him inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year during Wrestlemania Weekend.  It seems to make sense doing it now, because of his connection to Mid South Wrestling back in the day, which ran in New Orleans (site of Wrestlemania 30).

Diamond Dallas Page has done amazing work with Jake and Scott Hall for that matter.  I thought it was great seeing DDP as a part of Old School Raw too, but I don't feel like I've missed him as I see him on my DDP Yoga workouts.  The one thing I noticed about Raw when they called the Legends out was some of the Hall of Famers had a lower third chyron that read "WWE Legend" instead of Hall of Famer.  I know that was the case for Nikolai Volkoff and Ron Simmons.  Also noted, there were no lady legends (or should I say Divas?) on the show, but they did mention Mae Young is sick and I know Trish Stratus recently had a baby.

Too Cool & Rikishi
Photo Courtesy: WWE

As I mentioned, I'm glad they had some of the Legends from the 80's, 90's, and now 00's.  It was a nice mix.  But I have a wish list of guys and gals I'd like to see used on future Old School shows, and I wonder if they'll ever include any WCW or AWA exclusives.  Personally, I'd like to see the Midnight Express on a show.  Also, the Ultimate Warrior, One Man Gang, and Missy Hyatt are on my list.  What about you?  Who would you like to see make a one night comeback?