Is there a better candidate for eventual total self-destruction than Kurt Angle?
It pained me to have to type that last sentence but I've got to keep it real, especially since I view him as one of the 5 best wrestlers I've ever seen. Angle (along with Ric Flair, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, and Curt Hennig) could also get a good four-way match out of Sid Eudy, a cardboard cut-out of The Iron Shiek, and a lunchbox.
Ever since his WWE days, Angle has been on a descent physically and, it seems, mentally. His heel character in TNA gives off a maniacal instability that I don't think takes much acting for Angle to pull off. Between the rumored chemical-dependency issues in the WWE, the DUI that he was able to get out of (To be fair, he was found not guilty, but it is still damaging when you look at everything else around it), and this latest incident with Rhaka Khan (who backstage sources have described as making "Kurt look completely stable and rational"), the evidence adds up to a man on downward spiral that isn't going to slow down anytime soon unless he crashes into the pavement.
At Hard Justice, TNA sent to worst message possible to its locker room, their fans, and to the general public that views pro wrestling with a condescending eye. By keeping the TNA Heavyweight Title on Angle, it gives the appearance of doing what TNA management thinks is best for the company’s bottom line (Angle does come across as the biggest "star" they have), and not what is best for Angle. It says to the TNA locker room that if you're high enough up the booking ladder, they will turn a blind eye to any indiscretions, as long as they're able to. TNA is saying to the fans that they don't believe there is anyone that can immediately replace Angle at the top in a time of crisis. (And no matter what Angle or anyone close to him might claim, he IS in a state of crisis). But worst of all, TNA is saying to Angle that his presence being necessary for the sake of business is a higher priority than him having a forced absence for the sake of his health and well-being.
On a side-note: If Kurt Angle is dating Rhaka Khan, why is it such a backstage scandal that Karen Angle is with Jeff Jarrett? Call me old-school here, but that looks like a double-standard from here.
I must confess, I am a recent convert to the current Ring Of Honor product, and I fail to see what some of their hardcore fanbase are bitching about with how things are now.
I realize that the fans had an affinity and affection for Gabe Sapolsky and his booking style. I realize that it probably "isn't the same as it was before." What I also realize is that the in-ring product you will see in ROH is, AT WORST, the second-best wrestling you will see on a consistent basis on television. (I'm still giving a slight not to the WWE's SmackDown program).
I was at the second night of "Death Before Dishonor VII" in Toronto this past July. The one thing that kept jumping out to me that entire evening was that those guys were HUNGRY. The comparisons to ECW circa-'97/'98 are spot on to me. The passion and dedication to their craft was evident in every match. Whether it was Frankie The Mobster taunting a 9-year old for wanting to keep trying to give him a high-five (even though he was a heel) I the opening match, to Kenny Omega breaking his back to put on a show for his fellow countrymen, to The Necro Butcher's hardcore antics, to Colt Cabana's comedy, to Chris Hero putting on THE performance of his career against Lance Storm...no matter where your tastes lean in pro wrestling, there is STILL something for you in Ring Of Honor.
Another thing that jumped out to me was ROH Owner and President, Cary Silkin, walking amongst the crowd having conversations and getting feedback from the fans. (Imagine Vince McMahon doing that. Well wait a minute, doesn't he?! I'd have sworn he gives the fans what they want, and he has his finger on the pulse of current pop culture). And Cary LISTENS. The Monday before that show, we interviewed Cary, and I had asked him a question about using the Internet and social networking to increase ROH's fanbase. We had a nice little back and forth on-air, and I thought that was the end of it. When we met up at the arena (and this was the first time I ever met him in person), he immediately brought up that conversation, and we continued on with it for another 10 minutes. Cary Silkin is THE major reason to believe in ROH. Cary Silkin knows his product inside and out. He knows what the fans want, he listens to their gripes, and he addresses them directly in a polite and intelligent manner. Leadership starts from the top and works its way down. ROH may be having a rough time right now, but I believe they will survive because of Cary Silkin's passion and love of his organization and the fans who support it. If you're a long-time ROH fan who is disenchanted by Sapolsky's firing and the direction it's been going ever since, it's time to get past that. Things change. It's the way of the world. And to hold that against ROH is foolish.
Now if only Time Warner and Comcast would change their stances by putting HDNet on their cable networks. (If this is your local cable provider, I strongly recommend calling them and demanding that they do so.)
If you one of the fans I'm addressing (or you just have something to say), feel free to e-mail me at MNMChairman@aol.com. If it's intelligent and coherent, I may address your point in a future column.
When The Undertaker comes back, who is set-up for him to feud with? I mean besides Kane for the 3 Billionth time. I know who I'd like to see but that person is currently being wasted, taking losses that are (in my opinion) unacceptable if they wish to build him up (which doesn't make any sense), and has no back-built story or character development. Mike Knox, I'm looking at you.
In Knox, The Undertaker has an opponent who is young, has "the look," can wrestle a high-impact style, and is a blank storyline slate. From what I understand, Undertaker is weeks, possibly months, away from returning due to nagging injuries and a staph infection. However, in that time frame, why wouldn't they build up the usual monster heel opponent that The Undertaker’s character is always perfectly suited to face.
I see an opportunity being wasted here by the WWE. I know Michael Hayes loves The Hardy Crew, but how about building up this unstoppable monster heel waiting to happen. I'd propose portraying Knox as someone who is absolutely fearless. Pain, Pffft! Walking through Hell? A stroll in the park. The Undertaker? He's just a veteran waiting to be put out to pasture. Give him a vicious submission hold that's on par with The Undertaker’s Devil's Triangle. Maybe add a weapon that he carries to the ring. The possibilities are endless here, but time is a'wasting.
A couple of the guys here think I'm crazy, but I think Kofi Kingston is one well-done heel turn and image-tweaking away from being HUUUGGGEEE! Get rid of the goofy banana color-patterned gear. Put on some dark stone-washed FUBU jeans/ Replace that smile with a sneer, and I think we're on our way to having a WrestleMania-level star. I must admit, I couldn't stand Kingston when he debuted. The look (yellow gear), the non-stop smile, and the self-high five tuned me right out. The smoke didn't clear from my eyes until this year's WrestleMania, when he put on what I thought was the MVP performance of Money In The Bank. His athleticism is absolutely astounding, and I think he only gets better with time. Add in that well-time heel turn, lose the yellow, and I think we'll be looking at a guy who will mean green for the WWE.
Speaking of young up-and-comers, if you could jump in time and look at the booking card for WrestleMania XXX, which current younger wrestlers would you see being at the top of the card? Here's my grouping: John Morrison, Kofi Kingston, Ted DiBiase, Jr., and Jack Swagger. That may seem to be an easy call to some of you, so here's what I ask of you. Who would YOU put on that list and WHY? Send your replies to MNMChairman@aol.com. Salude!
Final Parting Shots:
*If I had to pick just ONE guy out of Ring Of Honor who I think has the look, skill, size, willingness to learn, and the intangibles needed to someday succeed in a major way in either World Wrestling Entertainment or TNA, I'd lay my money down on Chris Hero.
*Why can TNA do such a great job with their Knockouts Division, but be so completely inconsistent with their X-Division? These are two things that really set them apart from the WWE, and I think their only getting close to full mileage out of one of them.
*I think Christian and William Regal are two guys in ECW who would make great additions to the upper-tiers of SmackDown & RAW. Christian has those natural storylines involving Edge, The Hardys, and Jericho just waiting for him on SmackDown, while I thought Regal was on his way to the RAW upper-tier before his last Wellness Policy Violation derailed him. If Vince can get over his perspective of Christian as only a "mid-card talent," and Regal can regain the trust of WWE upper management, I think the WWE Universe would be better for it.
