Vader vs. Stride Pro Wrestling

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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About a week ago, the wrestling world lost the legendary Big Van Vader. In his prime (WCW years) he was a monster heel that rolled through the competition, winning the World Championship three times. By the time he arrived in WWF, the company pulled back the reigns it would seem. Although he had some amazing matches with the Undertaker, Shawn Michaels and Goldust.

Shawn Michaels vs. Vader
Courtesy: WWE

There are plenty of guys on WWE's current roster I'd love to have seen Vader go one on one against, including Braun Strowman, Brock Lesnar and Samoa Joe. However, I'm dedicating this blog to the memory of Vader and some of the awesome talents on the Stride Pro Wrestling roster.

Roger Matheus
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Roger Matheus is probably the most Vader-like competitor on the current Stride roster. The former champion is nearly 300 pounds of striking force and intimidation. No doubt he'd go toe to toe with the former WCW Champion and would hang with him throughout the brawl. 

A tale two entrances

Matheus not only has pro wrestling experience but also excelled in the United States Army and the world of Mixed Martial Arts. This would create a formidable trio against Vader. For those who attended Stride Goes Steel, imagine Matheus' entrance and Vader's old entrance with the smoking helmet. That visual alone would be worth the price of admission.

Matheus vs. Hunsperger

Matheus has dominated the Stride roster for more than two years. I will give credit where it's due. It took three of us and a taser to beat him at Stride Goes Steel. A kick in the dick and a fast count by me cost him a match against Cash Borden. And he lost the title only because he didn't answer the 10 count in a last man standing match. To my recollection, Chris Hargas is the only Stride wrestler to pin Matheus cleanly.

Stride fans, who else on the roster would give Vader a great match? Weigh in here or on the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page.

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Old guys yelling at clouds

By Chad Smart

@chadsmart & @my123cents on Twitter
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Kevin has recently taken to using a Simpsons reference whenever I criticize/complain about something. He refers to a throwaway newspaper picture of Grandpa Simpson with the caption, “old man yells at clouds.” It’s actually annoying because it’s a go to phrase. At least he’s stopped saying, “too soon.” I’ve decided to take Kevin’s love of that phrase and turn it into a weekly segment.

The intent is to find people who complain about something and take them to task for it and not to be the old man yelling at the clouds. The first installment looks at recent Twitter comments made by wrestling veteran Vader towards a New Japan match between Ricochet and Will Ospreay. Vader had the following to say about the match.

Before I saw Vader’s tweet, I saw another tweet that included a 30-second GIF from the match. Based on the GIF, I was inclined to agree with Vader. The acrobatics of Ricochet and Ospreay, while impressive, highlighted an aspect of independent wrestling that has been slowly pushing me away as a fan for the past few years. I can appreciate the talent and athleticism involved however when a wrestling match looks more like a ballet than a fight. For me, if a match looks too choreographed it takes me out of the action and there’s no emotional impact. Instead of wanting to see who can win the match, I’m simply watching to see who can do the most impressive flip. Whether Vader’s criticism contributed or if it was their plan from the beginning, New Japan put the entire match up on YouTube for free.

After watching the entire match, I still think there are some valid complaints to be made. However, my initial skepticism of the match was unfounded. The original GIF was from the first two minutes of the match. In context it comes off as the evolution of the counter-counter- stand off moves Jerry Lynn and Rob Van Dam were doing in ECW in the late ‘90s. After that segment the match progressed into a wrestling match. Granted, a wrestling match filled with more flips and insane counters than any match involving Vader.

If you haven’t seen the match, I’d suggest you watch it and make up your own mind. Is it a competitive wrestling match or is it a perfect example of what Lance Storm once said would be justification for including professional wrestling as an Olympic sport. Is it a fight or figure skating without ice? I don’t know if Vader saw the whole match or just the GIF. If Vader had not watched the whole match before tweeting, I hope he’s taken the time to watch it and would be curious to know if he had the same opinion. If he had seen the whole match, I think he’s failed to understand wrestling has changed since he was running wild and getting his eye popped out of his head by Stan Hansen.

Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions. In this case, my opinion is Vader was yelling at clouds.

Rumble Ramblings: 1997

1997
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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The 1997 Royal Rumble match has one of my favorite endings.  For those who don't remember, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin  was a rising star in the company.  He had drawn number five and had gone on two total elimination runs, leaving just himself in the ring.

Waiting for more victims
Courtesy: WWE

Then Bret "The Hitman" Hart came out and the action intensified.  The two had a great feud going at the time and I think the rub from Hart helped to build the Stone Cold character.  The two battled for about 90 seconds until Jerry "The King" Lawler left commentary and entered the ring.  He was eliminated about four seconds later, courtesy of Hart.

Stone Cold wins
Courtesy: WWE 

They battled it out alone until the ring slowly filled again.  In the end it was The Undertaker, Vader, Hart, Austin and Diesel.  Hart tossed Austin over the top rope, but because the referees were distracted by Terry Funk and Mankind brawling on the floor, Austin slipped back in the ring.  He pushed Undertaker and Vader over the top as Bret threw Diesel out.  Of course Bret thought he'd won, only to to be thrown over by Austin.  Since the refs hadn't seen the prior elimination Austin was declared the winner.  As a Stone Cold fan, this made me happy.  Nineteen years later it's a textbook example of how to help get a guy over even more.

Despite Austin winning the Rumble, he did not get the "guaranteed" championship match at Wrestlemania that year.  The newly crowned champion Shawn Michaels gave up the belt and Bret won it in a special four man match at the In Your House pay per view, only to lose it the next night to Sid thanks to Austin's interference.  That set up the Mania match between Austin and Hart and Sid defended against The Undertaker.

Here are some other ramblings about the 97 event...

Vader roughing up Rocky
Courtesy: WWE

• Toward the end, I thought it was cool watching it today and seeing all the future mega stars in the ring with established Superstars and legends.  Terry Funk, Vader, The Undertaker, Bret Hart, Steve Austin, "Diesel" (now Kane), Rocky Maivia (The Rock), and Mankind were in there together.

• JR made the same joke I did about Flash and Terry Funk not being related.  Of course more people heard Ross than me...

Mil Mascaras

• There was more inconsistency with the eliminations as Mil Mascaras jumped off the top rope and to the floor.  When Randy Savage did a similar move in 1992, he was allowed back into the match.  

• Faarooq also eliminated himself trying to escape Ahmed Johnson who had eliminated himself earlier in the evening.  I never understood why guys not involved in the match could do this, but I digress.

Bottom line as Stone Cold would say, I enjoyed this Rumble and think the ending is second only to Ric Flair's historical win in 1992.

He Urned His Hall of Fame Spot

Paul Bearer
Photo courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

The latest announcement for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2014 is the late, great Paul Bearer.  I don't think many people were surprised by this induction, as there was speculation last year that he'd go in, just weeks after his unexpected death.  Obviously, he is worthy of this honor, and I'm sad that he will not be there to accept this recognition.  

My first memories of Paul Bearer are actually of his alter ego, Percy Pringle III.  He was a flamboyant manager in World Class Championship Wrestling when I first saw him.  He had blond hair, wore horrible suits, and usually carried a cane.  More often than not, that cane would be used to run interference in a match and help his guy win.  (I know his history is deeper than WCCW, but this is when I first came to know of him.)

Rick Rude & Percy Pringle
Photo courtesy: WWE

Rick Rude was Percy's main man in World Class.  He managed the Ravishing One to the WCCW title.  I can still remember the anger I felt when he whacked Lance Von Erich with the cane and interfered when Kerry Von Erich was on the verge of winning the belt from Rude.  This was the perfect heel-manager combo going.  They were the duo I loved to hate.

Undertaker & Paul Bearer
Photo courtesy: WWE

Eventually Percy would trade those brightly colored suit coats and blond hair for jet black locks and a dark suit.  He carried an urn and talked with a quiver in his voice.  Percy was now Paul Bearer, manager of the Undertaker.  

These two worked together so well.  Bearer's mannerisms and emotions helped convince fans that he and the Undertaker were in fact very real and not some flash in the pan gimmick.  Even after he split from 'Taker in 1996, the Bearer character continued on.  Just like the Undertaker, Paul Bearer had to evolve as a character.  He lost the pale face and dyed black hair and seemed more natural.  He was borderline evil when he brought Kane into the WWE.  He also managed Mankind and Vader for a time.

Paul Bearer
Photo courtesy: WWE

I don't know for sure, but I think it's safe to say that Paul Bearer may have been the longest serving manager in the WWE.  His first stint in the company lasted more than 11 years before the was "killed off."  He returned a couple more times, before meeting his demise again and again.


I'm looking forward to learning more about William Moody, the man who played Paul Bearer.  I'll be at the Hall of Fame Ceremony in New Orleans.  May he rest in peace.

Throwback Thursday: Maybe It Should Have Been Censored...

Uncensored 1995
Photo courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Turning back the hands of time, and  heading back to March 1995.  WCW held its first Uncensored pay per view.  This was before the Monday Night Wars were officially in place, as Nitro was still about six months from debuting, but WCW definitely was ready for a war.

The company had signed big names like Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Jimmy Hart, and Brutus Beefcake from WWF the year prior.  The main event of Uncensored featured a horrific strap match between WCW champion Hogan and top contender and former champ Vader.  Ric Flair was in Vader's corner for the contest, and long story short ended up costing his man the match.

For some reason, and maybe because it was uncensored, Hogan was allowed to drag Flair to all four corners of the ring and win the match.  It was an encounter filled with mystery men, sneak attacks, and general non-sense.  Flair had been involved in Savage's match against Avalanche earlier in the night.  This time though the Nature Boy was in drag.  Yes, Flair attacked Savage dressed like a woman.

Hogan haters unite
Uncensored 1996
Photo courtesy: WWE

Indeed this was a ridiculous night of wrestling action, but the following year may have taken the cake.  The main event featured Hogan and Savage teaming up in Doomsday Cage Match against the Alliance to End Hulkamania.  Really that could have been millions of people, myself included, but on that particular night, the alliance included the likes of Flair, Arn Anderson, Meng, the Barbarian, Lex Luger, Kevin Sullivan, Z-Gangsta (Zeus), and The Ultimate Solution.  The two baby faces overcame the odds and beat the gang of eight heels.

Dustin Rhodes vs BTBully
Uncensored 1995
Photo courtesy: WWWE

Year after year though WCW presented a craptastic pay per view in March with Uncensored.  I never enjoyed the event, but hey what do I know?  Hey without it, we may have never gotten Goldust, since Dustin Rhodes was fired after his King of the Road match with the Blacktop Bully.  So something good did come out of the event after all.

RIP Paul Bearer

Rest in Peace Paul Bearer
Photo courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents

I was saddened this morning to learn that William "Paul Bearer" Moody had passed away.  Just the other day I watched a bit of a shoot video with him and Jim Cornette.  Just 48 hours ago, fans on the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page brought up the idea of Bearer return to Raw with the Undertaker.

I know he'd had some health issues over the years, including morbid obesity and surgery to help correct that problem.  He also had gall bladder trouble.  Sadly, his body has given out and a legend is gone much too soon.

Rick Rude & Percy Pringle

My first memories of Bearer date back to his days in World Class Championship Wrestling.  He was the rich and pompous Percy Pringle or Percival Pringle III.  Pringle managed guys like Matt Bourne and Buzz Sawyer, but I think his most notable charge was an up and coming "Ravishing" Rick Rude.  Pringle played his role well, interfering in his men's matches and leading them to gold.  Rude was the World Class heavyweight champion for quite some time and many of his wins came after Pringle got involved.  I still remember when my favorite Kerry Von Erich was wrestling Rude for the title and Pringle whacked Kerry with a cane and allowing Rude to score in my mind the biggest upset of the year.

I was happy to see Pringle make his way to the WWF in 1991.  He had a new look and sound, but continued to put his expertise on display.  As Paul Bearer he managed the Undertaker for years, taking the Dead Man to new heights as well.  When he turned his back on 'Taker at SummerSlam 96 and aligned with Mankind fans were shocked.  A year later when he brought "his son" Kane to the WWF, Bearer helped breath new fire in his story against the Undertaker.

Through the years in WWE, Bearer had many men in his stable.  I think his pairing with Undertaker is my obvious favorite, but I enjoyed the work he did with Kane too, especially early on.  His talk show "The Funeral Parlor" was also memorable with his unique voice and macabre look.  While the show wasn't my favorite of all time, it certainly was memorable and found its niche on Superstars. The Ultimate Warrior being locked in the coffin was probably the most infamous angle done on that set.

Kane and Paul Bearer
Photo courtesy: WWE

The last time we saw him on WWE TV I believe was when Randy Orton put him in a freezer last year leading up to Kane's match with Orton at Wrestlemania.  I think storyline wise this was the third time the character had been killed off.  It almost seemed to be a rib that the mortician kept dying on TV.

I asked our friends on the Facebook page today to share their favorite memories of Paul Bearer.  Here's what folks are saying.  Thanks for reading, and Rest in Peace Paul Bearer.

• 

  Martin Endersby When he introduced Kane to the world. Some classic over the top in-ring interviews with McMahon then. Also when Jake DDT'd him on The Funeral Parlour. 

  9 hours ago via mobile · Like
• 

  Adam Hackbarth I remember the first time he came out as Paul Bearer. I was all, "WTF!? That's Percy Pringle!"

  8 hours ago · Like
• 

  Mike Logsdon Mine is more personal. I took my son to SmackDown a couple of years ago in Bloomington, IL on the night he returned to help Undertaker fight then champion Kane. My son was only 8 years old but I am so glad he got to see the return of one of the very best. RIP

  8 hours ago via mobile · Like · 3

Hall of Fame: Foley is Good!

The 3 Faces of Foley
Cactus Jack, Dude Love, Mankind 

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents

Even though it hasn't officially been announced on Raw, the WWE has let the cat (or sock) out of the bag with the announcement of the first inductee into the Hall of Fame this year.  It's none other than Mick Foley.

Personally, I think this is a good call by the WWE for a number of reasons.  Obviously, Foley is worthy of the honor.  It makes sense to induct the legend in his own backyard at Madison Square Garden.  Foley has no doubt had a Hall of Fame career.  He went places in the business very few have.  I'm not going to review his resume for you, as if you're a wrestling fan (and most likely you are) you already know Foley's list of accomplishments.

Cactus Jack vs. Vader
Photo courtesy: WWE

I remember Mick Foley's early days as Cactus Jack and even Cactus Jack Manson back in his days in CWA, World Class Championship Wrestling, and the remake of UWF.  I really took notice of him when he entered WCW and began feuding with the likes of Van Hammer (why?) and Sting.  He and Abdullah the Butcher formed a creepy alliance before Jack finally turned face to feud with Vader and team with Max Payne.

Foley falls
Photo courtesy: WWE

Arguably though Foley's star rose significantly upon signing with the WWF.  When he first entered as Mankind, I had no idea he'd excel the way he did.  A couple of personal favorites for me, most notably would be the 1998 King of the Ring Hell in a Cell match with the Undertaker.  The toss from the top of the cage and through the Spanish announce table is a spot that is forever burned in my brain. He literally put his life in the Undertaker's hands that night and luckily it paid off.  JR's emotion that night helped to sell what was already one of the most amazing things I'd ever seen at a wrestling show.

Foley didn't give up though, as that was in the opening minutes of the match.  He climbed back to the top, only to be choke slammed through the top of the structure.  Again, when most guys would have been carried away, Foley came right back to fight the good fight.  He came up short in the end, but earned the admiration and respect of fans everywhere.

Foley wins the gold
Photo courtesy: WWE

Another one of my favorite Foley moments came when he won the WWF title from the Rock the first time around.  It was an unexpected surprise (despite the spoiler given by WCW Nitro)  Foley proved he was the go-to guy in the company.  Sure his body was starting to turn against him, but Foley's years of toiling had paid off.

I'm stoked to see this year's HOF ceremony at Madison Square Garden, and seeing Foley go in as a first ballot candidate will be a true pleasure.  As his book title suggests, Foley is Good!

Seasons Beatings: Gold Christmas

The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust
Merry Christmas
Photo courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

The Attitude Era created some very memorable characters and storylines.  One of my favorite stars before the era official started was Goldust.  By 1997, after a face turn, Goldie went back to his heel ways, but changing his name to the Artist Formerly Known as Goldust.  He broke away from his traditional garb, but had that air of mystic about him still.  He also dumped Marlena (or Terri) and added Luna Vachon as he valet/sidekick.

In late 97, the two were feuding with Vader.  The couple had come out to the ring during a Raw in Christmas gear.  TAFKAG was dressed liked a Christmas tree.  He paraded around the ring with lights that lit up and was even topped with a star. Luna was a deranged looking Mrs. Claus.  TAFKAG started reading Twas the Night Before Christmas when Santa interrupted by handing out gifts to the fans.

The aftermath

The two heels didn't appreciate the interruption and when they asked St. Nick to leave, he came into the ring and blindsided the former golden one with a sack full of goodies.  Santa then pulled off his beard and hat and revealed himself to be Vader.  It was a short segment as Goldie and his companion quickly left the ringside area.

Props to Dustin Rhodes for playing the Goldust character so well.  Without a doubt he was one of my favorite characters ever.  Click here to watch the segment.

It's Slater Time

Heath Slater finishes off Doink the Clown
Photo by WWE.com

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

I have to admit, Heath Slater has grown on me in recent weeks.  I wasn't a real big fan of his during NXT, although I wasn't completely against him.  Then when the Nexus angle was born and died and morphed into the Corre, I put Heath among my least favorites.

Now as the Legends' whipping boy, I'm impressed.  I can't put my finger on why.  Even with Vader and Sid and Diamond Dallas Page and Cyndi Lauper and Roddy Piper and Wendi Richter all making him look like a chump, he's not as annoying as I once found him.  Is it the way a former tag team champion (but does that really mean anything anymore) should be treated?  Probably not, but let's face it, this is wrestling and not everyone is going to be in the main event and not everyone is going to be a champion (or at least they shouldn't be).

The segments are brief, they're good comedy relief to help with the pacing of the show, and who doesn't like to see a legend return from time to time?  I was a bit surprised that Slater pinned Doink on the most recent Raw.  Does anyone know who was the clown?  I'm not sure that it was Matt Bourne (no relation to Evan) this time around.  Also, one quick correction from what Michael Cole said about Doink.  He claimed the clown wrestled at Wrestlemanias 9 and 17.  This is true, but he was also on the Wrestlemania X card, teaming with Dink and losing to Bam Bam Bigelow and Luna Vachon.

Vader Time!!!!
Photo by WWE.com

I assume these returns and beatings will continue until Raw's 1,000th episode later this month.  Let it run its course and maybe by the time it's over, Slater will be more over with the fans and this will result in some kind of a push.  I think this could have been a good position for a heel Zack Ryder to have been in.  He peaked too soon, Broski.

Which WWE Legend would you like to see come out next?  Weigh in here or on our Facebook page.

Step Right Up and Claim the Brass Ring

Dolph Ziggler pins Christian
Photo courtesy: WWE.com

By Chad Smart

@chadsmart & @my123cents on Twitter

About a week or two ago, Paul Heyman took to Twitter and unleashed a flurry of tweets basically telling wrestlers who had not yet made main event status to stop waiting for their moment and create it themselves. This sounds like good advice and maybe in a normal work environment it would be helpful to be the squeaky wheel, but would it really work in the wrestling business? I’m not an expert on the wrestling business and the only time I’ve been backstage at a wrestling show was when I had to take Kevin a referee shirt at an AAPW show. So what I’m about to write is how a fan, or a smark, perceives the elevation of talent inside a WWE ring.

As of June 13, 2012, Chris Jericho still has nine days to go on his 30-day suspension. Randy Orton won’t return from his suspension for at least another 40 days. Alberto Del Rio, who was slated to challenge for the World Title at No Way Out on Sunday is out with a concussion. Rey Mysterio is on the sidelines due to injury/suspension. With four guys currently off the roster and a roster that is firmly split between current/former champions and enhancement talents, now is the prime time for guys to step up and show they belong in the spotlight. There’s very little doubt a number of guys have the talent to be major players.  The major question is how do those guys get the chance to shine?

Over the last 20 years, wrestling has been redefined as Sports-Entertainment and unfortunately a lot of the time the top guys lean more heavily to the entertainment side than the sports side. Hulk Hogan’s technical prowess paled in comparison to Ric Flair.  Steve Austin became popular after trading in mat wrestling for a couple of middle fingers. The Rock was John Cena with sexual innuendos instead of poop jokes. The key issue to point out is all the top guys got time on the microphone to get their personalities over.

The Kliq says good-bye

One of the most popular “what if” questions is what would have happened if the Kliq didn’t do the MSG Curtain Call when Kevin Nash and Scott Hall were on their way to WCW. If that moment hadn’t happened, Triple H wouldn’t have been punished and would have won King of the Ring 1996 instead of Steve Austin. If Austin doesn’t win King of the Ring, more than likely the phrase “Austin 3:16” never would have been uttered and the Attitude Era very well never would have happened. Or it would have happened without the biggest star of that time as the focal point.

Jump ahead to today and look at the average episode of RAW. Who is getting extended promo time on a weekly basis? The usual suspects are John Laurinitis (a non-wrestler), John Cena (the focal point of the last 9 years), Big Show (Cena’s current feud), CM Punk (the current WWE Champion), Sheamus (current World Champion) and guys the audience has never seen before (Ryback’s weekly victims). While other guys may get some backstage promos, those segments are usually short and according to several reports, highly scripted. Superstars aren’t getting the chance to show their true personality.

Piper's Pit

This is something that I’ve never understood. Looking at the history of wrestling and some of the great talkers like Hogan, Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Roddy Piper, Stone Cold, The Rock, Jake Roberts, all of them were allowed to showcase their personality and that’s part of the reason fans cheered for them. Now promos are scripted and instead of showing off personalities wrestlers are trying to remember word for word what they’re supposed to say. Why not give guys bullet points and let them connect the dots?  If wrestlers were given the opportunity to be more natural and connect with the audience, maybe the audience would care more about the wrestlers.

Though given the chance to talk may help some stars emerge, the bigger problem is how guys are presented to the audience.  I was looking at the WWE roster on wwe.com this morning and noticed with the exception of Sin Cara, Ryback, Tensai and Antonio Cesaro everyone one the roster falls into two categories:  current/former champions or jobbers. Technically I guess you could say guys like Kofi Kingston, R-Truth, Santino, Miz, Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger would be the centerpiece of a VIN diagram.   If your name isn’t John Cena or Randy Orton though, once you don’t have a belt around your waist, you’re not going to be presented as a major star unless you happen to be feuding with Cena or Orton.

CM Punk has been WWE Champion since November of 2011. The last time he was in the main event of a Pay Per View was December 2011. Including No Way Out, there have been six PPVs this year. John Cena has been in the main event of every PPV despite not being champion nor challenging for the title. (except the Royal Rumble) When it comes to RAW, CM Punk is usually relegated to the top of the second hour slot while Cena’s angle get the main event slot. Even it there’s no match-taking place.  What I’m trying to get at is WWE is training its audience to view Cena as the only true star.

Big Show vs. Kofi Kingston
Photo courtesy: WWE.com

The next factor, and probably the biggest, is the fact wrestling matches have predetermined finishes and the people in charge select whom they see as being stars.  For example take the cage match between the Big Show and Kofi Kingston from the June 11^th Raw. Kofi is an athletic guy. He could probably go in the ring and run circles around Big Show using a hit and retreat style to have a somewhat competitive match. In the process Kofi could show the audience it’s not the size of the dog in the fight but rather the size of the fight in the dog. Instead, Kofi was sent into the match and tossed around like a rag doll. One half of the Tag-Team Champions (you know, the guys who are supposed to be the best) was put into a position guys like “Iron” Mike Sharpe or Rusty Brooks would have been in twenty years ago. Dolph Ziggler is another guy who could arguably be a breakout star but for whatever reason is used primarily to make other wrestlers look good.

Getting back to the predetermined factor, how is a wrestler supposed to get himself over when he’s being told what to do and when that plan makes the wrestler look less than impressive? Then you have a guy like Zack Ryder who found a way to get his personality to the masses and got himself over at a time he was barely on TV. What happened to him? He got a brief run with the United States title that few probably remember and then was annihilated by Kane on a weekly basis and betrayed by the object of his affection without ever getting redemption on either person. Zack was made to look like a fool and just as quickly as the crowd got behind him they moved on because they realized their cheers were pointless. No matter how many signs they made, headbands they bought, or how many times they shouted Woo, Zack was never going to be presented as anything other than an over tanned goofball.

So how does a wrestler take control of his destiny? I don’t have any answers. As I stated at the beginning, I don’t know what happens backstage in a wrestling company. Is it as simple (or simple sounding) as constantly pitching ideas to the writers or management? Will they listen to the wrestlers or will they get tired of being harassed and either not use the wrestler or use them in a way guaranteed to make the wrestler look bad? 

Vader Time
Photo courtesy: WWE.com

Right now RAW is counting down to the 1000^th episode. It’s rumored, and was evident on this week’s show, WWE is looking to bring in some past stars to celebrate the occasion. This week we got the return of Vader in a match where he defeated Heath Slater. I enjoy nostalgia and am curious to see who shows up in the next few weeks. However when a 57 year old with bad knees beats a twenty-something wrestler who could be a potential star, what message is being sent to the fans?

Cena vs. Rock 2???
Photo courtesy: WWE.com

However the way, something needs to be done and done quickly. I have heard from a few reliable sources that the penciled in main event for Wrestlemania 29 is a rematch between Rock and John Cena because Vince McMahon doesn’t think any other match will sell out.  First off, I hate seeing rematches at Wrestlemania so I hate this idea. Second, this year’s match was billed as “Once in a Lifetime” and therefore I have my lawyer working on a class action lawsuit for false advertisement should the match happen two years in a row. Third, and most disturbing, we still have ten months until Wrestlemania and Vince is thinking no one on his roster can be trusted to headline the biggest show of the year. Instead of looking to the past maybe Vince should try and create a new star. The only way that’s going to happen is if he admits the standard procedure hasn’t worked in ten years and WWE needs to toss out the playbook and do something new. That’s how the Attitude Era happened. Staying the course is the easy path but it won’t lead to different results.

I wish I had some great words to finish this blog. Some great idea that would revitalize wrestling and lead to the next breakout superstar. Even if I did, I’m sure it would fall on deaf ears. As a fan, I’ll continue to watch every week and marvel at how underused some guys are while at the same time being treated to the same main events I’ve been watching for the past five years. Then I’ll get on the computer and punch out another thousand words about how disappointed I am in the major wrestling promotions. The sun will rise. The sun will set. Lather, rinse, and repeat.

Do you have any suggestions on how WWE (or any wrestling company for that matter) can create new stars? I’m curious to hear your feedback. Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.