Earlier today I was reading Bill Simmons’ outstanding recap of WrestleMania 26. In addition to being the best recap out there (which shouldn’t be surprising since Simmons is one of the most entertaining writers in the world), it made me realize why it’s going to be hard for me to enjoy WWE Monday Night Raw going forward. Here’s the passage that resonated with me:
I have no favorite wrestlers left. Snuka, Savage, Hogan, Austin, Michaels … they’re all gone. You know what that means? It’s time to stop ordering WrestleMania after 26 years. Like with Michaels, it was a long and memorable run. Like with Michaels, you have to know when it’s time to walk away. And I will. Twenty-six was enough.
HBK retiring is like…having part of my youth disappear. Last night’s Raw is probably the last time any of us will see Michaels, Bret Hart, and The Undertaker on the same show. It was just comforting to watch wrestlers that I’ve been enjoying since I was a teenager. Now one of the links to my childhood is gone.
Sure, there are still plenty of guys that I like in the WWE. Chris Jericho is phenomenal. I have high hopes for Bryan Danielson. The Straight Edge Society is such a great gimmick. I’ll still watch WWE programming…but it’s not going to be the same.
It’s funny. I’ve been watching Shawn since his AWA days. It took me a long time to warm up to him. I’ve said several times in the past that I thought he was the lesser Midnight Rocker (oops). I loved his ladder match against Razor Ramon at WrestleMania X, but I never bought into the whole “boyhood dream” thing at WrestleMania XII. I really started digging his work in the Attitude Era and I really loved his work after he took four years off due to a back injury. He was one of the best all-around performers ever and I put him right up there with Ric Flair. With “The Nature Boy” in mind, here’s another quote from Simmons:
We’ve seen a handful of phenomenal wrestlers and phenomenal performers over the years; only Ric Flair and Michaels can say they were both at once.
I disagree with that last quote. I'd put Jericho in that category.
Now is it just me, or is there absolutely nothing homoerotic about 2 oiled up, shaved, and toned men sharing a kiss at the end of last night's Raw?
PG went out the window at that moment.
@N8R Yeah, I could see Jericho being classified the same way, but I don’t think his career is at the level of Michaels’ and Flair’s just yet. It’s achievable, but he has a long way to go.
@ Ray
What’s he gotta do? Break 20 years?
I was just watching his WWE debut (Raw is Jericho) and that was in 99. Considering his time in WCW, he’s hit at least 15 years by now. I think the difference is, Jericho has mainly been a heel the whole time… because he’s excellent at it.
@N8R Jericho hasn’t carried the WWE the way that HBK did and the way Flair did for NWA/WCW. While he has been entertaining for a long, long time, he’s taken his game to another level these last three years. To me, those are the only three years that are comparable to Shawn’s and Ric’s best years.
@ Ray
Meanwhile, I’m of the opinion that his wrestling (mainly his execution and less so his selling) has gone downhill. The Liontamer/Walls has become a half ass Boston Crab.
It’s also a different era now. In the days of Flair and early HBK, some promoter decided on whether pr not you are a heel or a face. Nowadays, it’s decided by the fans. There are some people who can try like hell to be heels and are still loved. Vice versa as well, just not as often. Jericho might be one of the few that people respect and prefer to hate.
@n8r
his liontamer/walls of Jericho is a half crab because they don’t want anyone getting hurt. It’s not his choice. I think he put one of the nxt kids in the real walls of Jericho in the first episode. I was hoping it was the beginning of the move being allowed to come back again but it was not meant to be! Also I was there when Jericho debuted on raw in august of 99 At the allstate arena. He was on fire that night and the Rock seemed a little intimidated by him( well speaking on the mic wise)
@ Ray
I wasn't saying it like that, I meant it in the sense that Jericho is special. Austin, Rock, and Undertaker all tried to be heels at one point and even though they did heel things, people would still cheer them. Jericho can stay the heel and still be considered in high regard. People get it, and boo him anyway to participate in the show.
Then, enter Cena. Here's a guy that gets "You can't wrestle" chants but is loved by fans of a younger age. Cena is kinda setting back things to the way they used to be.
Ultimately, my point is Jericho is a different breed.
I feel the same way about football whenever a player from my childhood steps away. Brett Favre for example. Lots don’t like him for various reasons, but I won’t like the game as much without him.
@ Smartguy;
Don’t worry, Favre will come back with some team or other.
-M
*RPAD.TV T Shirt*
@N8R I don’t see what fan reaction vs. straight booking has to do with carrying the company.
Yay im registered now!
Pax was great btw
@RPAD
I have some pics with me and my RPAD.TV @ pax but they suck for the most part, would you like me send some anyway?
@iceman
It was the same when Montana and Young retired. Reggie White as well.
@N8R I think every wrestler is different. As far as your point goes, I don’t think it’s all that different from Ric Flair during his NWA title reigns. Fans loved and respected his wrestling, but they hated him for beating up faces like Dusty Rhodes and disqualifying himself after an excellent 30-minute match.
@Big Blak Of course I want them!!! Send away please.