2006.06.28

I cannot stand the current WWE "product". I cannot stand "sports entertainment". I hate it when "entertainers" talk about "the business".

I grew up watching "wrestling". I could watch a 60-minute Ric Flair vs. Sting match and never blink. It was called "wrestling". The commentators called the matches as though it were a "sport". Flair was a "wrestler" and not an "entertainer". Pro-wrestling was a "sport" and not a "business".

I became so disgusted with the WWE "product" that I stopped watching the garbage being placed on TV. I tried to watch ECW a couple of weeks ago. The new ECW looks a lot like the old Sunday Night Heat. No thank you.

I know that it can easily be argued that pro-wrestling was much more believable during the 1960's and 1970's when Dory Funk, Jr and Harley Race were the top guys. I can't dispute that. Those matches still largely stand the test of time. But, I didn't grow up watching Dory and Harley in their prime.

To fill my wrestling fix, I have watched some pro-wrestling NOAH from Japan. I appreciate their wrestling style. But, the lack of crowd response combined with the Japanese announcers takes away my viewing enjoyment.

I have tried to watch some Lucha Libre on our spanish channel. Once again, my inability to understand the announcers hurts my enjoyment of the show. Plus, I can only stand watching a few minutes of the "flippies" before I zone out.

To put in terms wrestling fans can relate to... "I lost my smile." I lost my smile in 2003. For 3 years I have been smile-less.

Cyrus Poe and Tommy Chill loaned me some RoH DVDs. Cyrus told me to watch the Samoa Joe vs Kobashi match. I did. Wow. Absolutely wow. I will repeat the same phrase as the crowd, "This is awesome."

I was instantly hooked. I felt like a little kid again. It was amazing. I feel inspired. I feel... a "smile" has returned to my face.

With that in mind... this Saturday night, the BBC will be in action. I will climb in the ring for the 3rd time in as many weeks.

Two weeks ago, I wrestled as part of a 6-man tag team match that saw the BBC dismantle 1/2 of the NEW tag team champions as well as Logan Caine and Alexander Drago. I could rely on my two partners.

Last week, I wrestled as part of a tag team match that saw me and Sharkboy score a pinfall victory over the HWA tag team champions Foreign Intelligence. I was able to rely on the energy of 200 screaming fans and the uncanny prowess of Sharkboy.

This week, I am on my own. For the first time in close to 2 years, I will wrestle a one-on-one match. I will not have a partner to rely on. I will not have 200 fans rooting me to victory. This Saturday at NEW, I will stand alone.

I feel bad for the guy who will be standing across the ring from me. I really do.