Changing with the Times
In the latest edition of TWP e-magazine Phil Austin examines the varying wrestling trends of the 1950’s to modern day. From wartime bad guys to MTV inspired entertainers to freakish musclemen; wrestling fans have seen them all. But what’s next for an industry falling out of favour with a mainstream audience? Phil might not be able to predict the future but he is certainly adept at recalling the past.
Also in this issue a former ring announcer relives the moment his blunder enraged a wrestler so much she flew into a rage in front of a live crowd.
WWE skits involving racism, sexism and homophobia have come back to bite Linda McMahon square on the backside! The Cynic gleefully reminds us why Linda cannot achieve legitimacy in the political arena.
From Ric Flair to the Rock, Shannon Rose has worked with them all. Here he discusses how he overcame a crippling disease in order to achieve his goals and live his dreams.
All the latest Hulk Hogan news is detailed, as well as thoughts of those in the industry regarding his alignment with TNA.
Also included: Extensive UK News & All Star Interview, World News, Women’s Wrestling, Indy News, Heel/Face Dynamics, AAA Wrestlers Fighting The Good Fight, Bigotry in Wrestling, Consequences of Shane McMahon’s WWE Departure, and much more.
Read this November issue for free at www.thewrestlingpress.com
I’m not in this issue because I just don’t enjoy writing columns and decided to bow out, but I’m thinking of trying again with something like the Wrestling Challenge rants, which are easier for me to write.
Man there’s so much British wrestling stuff in that magazine, half of it is just not worth reading at all
I hope you read my thing on page 26, which talks about how nobody wrestles as a heel anymore and that the fans are capable of being reconditioned to accept heelish behavior.
Nobody? Chris Jericho.
There were some very good points—but the thesis teeters on a yearning for nostalgia.
Does he still use flashy, crowd pleasing moves like the Lionsault?
Yes?
Then no, he doesn’t work like a heel.
What does that have anything to do with it? I think one of your better points, which eludes to the absence of squash matches, should be elaborated—or maybe I could do it for you?
If working “heel” limits you to strictly punching, kicking, racking the eyes, low blows and pulling up your opponent by the hair on the two count; then good riddance. Jericho rarely uses the Lionsault anymore btw.
No, I mean explosive moves who’s only function is to pop a crowd.
The heel should not be trying to pop a crowd. They should be heating up the babyface so THEY can pop the crowd even louder.
I’m not suggesting they should use crappy moves. Just not moves that are considered high risk.
I totally agree with Charlie, I think Jericho shoulda shaved the lionsault from his move-set until he turned back face, unless it was specifically used to make him look cocky. That way there’d also be more focus on the liontamer/walls of jericho/codebreaker. I know he has a background in lucha as well, but that’s never really focussed upon and the lionsault is just one of the flashiest moves in WWE right now.
It’s a lil’ like the Bret Owen mania-match. Apparently they had planned a gang of high-spots which Bret then shot down, so Owen wouldn’t get pops for them and might actually draw some heat for beating Bret…which he did.
Scott,
I’d love to see some more Legacy rants. Maybe Superstars from 1989-90?
OK, I know that this doesn’t have anything to do with any of this, but there isn’t a forum here really, and I don’t think it’ll come up, but I just have to vent…
WHY…WHY in all of Holy Fuck did Jim “I Ate 2 Fucking Anvils” Neidhart beat Black Machismo?! I remember reading on WWE’s Where Are They Now? page that Anvil said he thinks he could still go a couple rounds and all this crap. The motherfucker doesn’t look like he’s spent more than 10 calories since he was fired from WCW. He was a walking clusterfuck that whole match, and then he beats, cleanly might I add, one of TNA’s top talents. It was absolutely disgusting.
What did you guys think? Oh, I also enjoyed the “You still got it” chants, as Jim had delivered, oh, about 2 punches, and looked like he’d just wrestled 3 back-to-back iron man matches with King Kong Bundy on his back.
- Caliber
scrublife.wordpress.com – Man Movie Encyclopedia: Terminator, Double Impact, me going Hulkamania on a bitch, and much, much more. Well, kinda much more.
Simple and accurate answer to your question, because the two douches are booking TNA…Russo and Ferrara.
Neidhart is in TNA?
He recently acted in my buddy’s movie “Booted” and apparently stole the director’s ex-girlfriend’s cell phone. Some funny shit right there.
Hasn’t Anvil always been way stronger and had better cardio than he appeared to?
During his shoot he talks about when he was a consultant/trainer in OVW. He mentions the guys getting worn out during warm ups. Take it for what it is.
Sean Mooney returns to the WWE??? = WTF????
Too bad Curt Henning isnt alive to say “SHUT UP MOONEY” when getting interviewed.
Who’s next? Lord Alfred Hayes?
Only if he can successfully be re-animated. On the other hand, they could always rehire Todd Pettengill.
As long as he hasn’t switched to decaf, I wouldn’t mind seeing Charlie Minh again.
Good stuff.
Thoughts on Turning Point? For one night, it seemed like TNA became WWF circa 1996-1998. Small roster, awful undercard and midcard but the main event(s) saves the day. Angle-McGuinness and Joe-Daniels-Styles were incredible.
The “bow to my howl” line will live in wrestling infamy. Well, maybe.
Aside from Lashley/Steiner, I didn’t think the undercard was too terrible. The X-Division match was okay, same for Kong/Tara. The tag title match should have been much better than what it was, & the 6 man delivered exactly how I thought it would.