Don't try this at home
Mat Matters
Informative views and insights on the wrestling world from SLAM! Sports.
By JOHN POWELL
SLAM!
Sports
The way they've carried on you'd think Mick Foley was decapitated during
the Hell In A Cell match at King Of The Ring. By "they" I mean the
prestigious editors and columnists of other fine wrestling publications.
Foley's triple gainer off the Hell Cell onto the Spanish announce team's
table (Someone give them crash helmets for heaven's sake!) was cause for
shock, horror, disbelief and reams of copy admonishing hard-core wrestling
fans.
Not mine. I praised Foley's efforts as I would any movie stuntman taking
daring risks to augment the entertainment value. The fall itself fractured
Foley's jaw, knocked some teeth loose and gave him a mild concussion. That
was his price for unparalleled fame. A price he consciously paid in full.
As brutal as the injuries were, I don't feel the slightest bit sorry for
Mick Foley. As a fan, I appreciate his efforts but I don't feel guilty
about the rush I got witnessing the bump to end all bumps. During his
interview with SLAM! Wrestling and The Law, Crash Test Dummy Foley came off
as a sensible and reasonable person unlike the whacked-out persona he
portrays. As fantastic as it may sound, Foley does indeed have a functional
brain inside that thick skull. He knew the danger involved and calculated
the risk before he ever launched himself into thin air. He made that
decision not the fans.
What if Foley had died or been permanently injured on the live telecast,
wrote my esteemed colleagues in the wrestling journalism biz. It would have
been horrifying sight, no two ways about it. Then again, I've seen NASCAR
racers like the late J.D. Mcduffie die in violent wrecks. I've seen
unconscious hockey and football players carried off on stretchers after
coming out on the losing end of a jarring hit.
Do I feel ashamed for watching? No, I don't. They knew the inherent danger
before lacing up their equipment or firing up the engine. It's the nature
of the beast. The risk of potential harm goes with the sport. Do I shed a
tear for the beloved family and friends? Yes, I most certainly do. Do I
blame the fans for indirectly encouraging the aggressiveness? No. Each of
us should bear the personal responsibility for the choices we make in life
whether it be jumping off a steel cage, speeding on the freeway or skipping
class. Foley exercised his own freewill. Don't blame the fans, blame him.
Goldberg's next
According to Bret Hart, he's gonna be the one to end Goldberg's much-hyped
unbeaten streak. That comment got me thinking. Who will WCW bestow the
honor upon? First in line is Hollywood Hogan. He took one for the company
jobbing to Goldberg so the ratings would improve. Plain and simple, WCW
will return the favor. How about the still unveiled Ultimate Warrior? He's
championship and killer merchandising material. First he's gotta wipe that
Renegade Warrior rip-off out. It a matter of pride don't you know?
In listing the potential Goldberg slayers, Bret's right, you can't factor
him out or Sting, or Kevin Nash or even Diamond Dallas Page.
Whoever it may be, Goldberg won't have a extended title run. I give the
untalented, overblown excuse for a pro-wrestler four to six months tops
until his fans really see him for the fraud that he is handing him a one
way ticket back to the Power Plant so he can learn a few holds besides the
three he knows. Why fans turned on Rocky Miavia when he leap-frogged to
stardom but cheer Goldberg confounds me whenever I blink and miss one of
his title defences.
MAILBAG
The previous SLAM! Wrestling editorial
I'm sorry but I totally disagree with you about the boxing (Brawl For It All) matches. They are a great way to mix things up and you have to admit it was a ton better than watching Eric singlehandedly kill an entire Monday night with his "look at me" talk show.
Aaron L.
I think I've discovered the reason why your SLAM! Wrestling Site is soo
popular and respected. Your recent Paul Ellering article, complete with
pictures from the latest RAW, shows the overall knowledge and commitment
that you have to your website. You run a poll, discover that the fans
don't know something as well as they should, and write a detailed history
of the facts in question... I mean, that amazing. It shows that you're not
just running through the paces, jumping from RAW to Nitro to various PPVs,
it shows that you KNOW the world of wrestling and can do more than spew out
TV recaps disguised as "articles".
Rob Shaw.
I wanted to enlighten you on why I was one of the 49% who voted
"Who is Paul Ellering?" It's not that I actually have never heard of
him--his name is still synonomous with the Road Warriors. I chose the
answer that most reflected my indifference towards his heel turn. I never
really saw him manage the NWA's Road Warirors when I got into wrestling in
the 80's, though I was very much aware of the trio's presence. The first
look I got at Paul Ellering was during his brief stint as the LOD's manager
in the WWF in the early 90's. Maybe other fans can appreciate the imminent
LOD-DOA feud more than I, but I think it will be boring even with the added
twist of the LOD's mentor being on the other side.
Michael Lieff
