The Hardest Part of Letting Go - Seniority in Wrestling

Hai


I usually delve into the current affairs when it comes to sports entertainment. This is basically why I barely update this blog. I figured it's time to write something on a wrestling - related topic, but outside of my usual business critique. This might be short, as - like always - I write this on the fly, without any clue what I'll end up talking about.


In this entry, I'll be taking a look at everyone's favorites, from 20 years ago.


These days, older wrestling fans still have the choice to watch the idols from their youth wrestle on a weekly basis. But in all seriousness, is this truly what we want to see happening? Is our dependance on nostalgia overpowering our desire to see good wrestling?


On a personal level, I've never cared much as to who is wrestling, as long as it is a good match. Through that very reason, I've managed to discover great wrestlers from all over the world, several of which ended up building their careers on a worldwide level. CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, Low Ki etc. you name 'em.


There are however a lot of people who couldn't care less about what constitutes good wrestling, as long as they look charismatic and flashy while trying. This is how many achieved longevity in the business, despite being well past their primes.


Hulk Hogan is probably the prime example of this phenomenon. He was a poor wrestler to begin with, but his typical in-ring shtick endured the rigors of routinous performances and to this day, it makes him a popular fixture in professional wrestling. Why? Because he's recognisable. Say the words "bandana" and "moustache" in one sentence and people will say "Hulk Hogan". What's sad is that Hogan has mistakenly interpreted this as people still being interested in seeing him perform that same shtick for at least a decade after he was served out. Today, Hogan is still involved in wrestling, working for the one company on this planet who shares his philosophy: TNA.


Person at fault here, besides Hogan? Vince McMahon. For all his impactful and successful decisions that made wrestling a global phenomenon, consistently bringing Hogan back to tv wasn't one of them. Not to mention the dealbreakers Vince offered him in the process. Would any old icon say 'no' to a hefty payday and  full creative control for as long as the deal lasts? I don't think so. Hogan didn't either, and used his creative control to make sure he'd still be winning matches as much as possible, not caring how many up-and-coming stars he'd bury along the way. I take solace in the fact that Shawn Michaels oversold every single one of his crummy hits during their match in 2006. It was also the first Hogan match that I managed to sit out completely.


Shawn Michaels is another story. The man that managed to dominate from the late 80's to the late 90's until a back injury forced him to retire. Shawn was still around afterwards, in a non-wrestling capacity and rightfully so. Shawn pisses charisma on a daily basis and it still made use of his talents. In 2002, Shawn Michaels felt his back had healed enough to the point where he could return full-time. Was it a bad decision for Vince to put him in the limelight again? 


Not one bit, because Shawn was still able to work entertaining matches and get over with the crowd. He did that until he retired for good from in-ring competition in 2010. The return turned out to be a blessing for Vince, because unlike before, Shawn was willing to put other people over. Before his first retirement, Shawn was infamous for refusing to job. From 2002-2010 he has put numerous people over. Something to ponder over, Terry. Instead of frantically attempting to preserve his own star like Hogan did, Shawn attempted to ensure the future of this business, by helping to build up those who would main event the shows of tomorrow. Now, he makes sporadic appearances, usually to help sell a story to the fans. Case in point being the upcoming match between Triple H and the Undertaker.




Onto the next, Ric Flair. Inarguably one of the best professional wrestlers of all time. He was the guy people would go to if they needed someone over. That's what Ric did best, he put over everyone, even the local jobbers but made himself look good in the process. Who hasn't heard the tales of Ric Flair wrestling an hour against a local boy and turn that boy into a superstar, even if for one night?


For years, the star of Ric Flair has been fading. After wrestling well past his prime, with his physique visibly deteriorating, he had one final WWE match in 2008, against the equally legendary Shawn Michaels. For one night only, he pulled out all the stops. While his matches the 5 years before had consisted of little more than chops, woo's and figure 4's .. his final match was a typical Flair match, including the typical shtick that made Ric a star in the 70's and 80's. 


He finally retired, his last match being the perfect send-off. That is, until he ruined it all. Deciding he couldn't live on his (I've heard) 500.000$ a year deal with WWE, he went on to the only place that would still put him on the card consistently: TNA. Despite officially retiring, he proceeded to still wrestle in matches that would end up tainting his legacy. To this very day, he is still employed by TNA, who had hoped that having Flair on their roster would bring in the ratings ... which, of course, it hasn't.


TNA featured a lot of performers who were better off not being there for the sake of their own legacy. Mick Foley was one of those guys. Seriously, Foley wasn't the stereotypical wrestler in any way to begin with. He wasn't buff, nor particularly gifted as a wrestler. Nevertheless, Foley had his legitimate share of great matches during his career. This was particularly because of his crazy gimmicks, ability to talk and his ability to take relentless punishment. 

The 1998 Hell in a Cell match needs no introduction. This match showed what a tough cookie Foley really is. Having already lost an ear against Vader in 1994, Foley upped the ante in this match, by taking a dive off the cell, through an announcers table (the Spanish one). Despite attempts from medical personnel and Chainsaw Charlie to be wheeled off to the nearest hospital, Foley got back up like a prostitute at happy hour and continued the match, despite his front teeth coming out through his nose. He then proceeded to take a dive through the cell's ceiling before his opponent ended his misery. That's what built Foley's legacy and that's what made TNA decide to put the world title on him mere months after he signed with the company. 


Thankfully for him, he wised up fairly quickly and signed a new deal with WWE in 2011, appearing in some capacity, but only sporadically. Foley still has a legacy that's intact, now.


Another one in TNA would be Sting. Steve Borden, currently age 52, still wrestles and has done so for TNA since 2003 with a small break from 2005-2006. Unlike most past stars in TNA, Sting can still put on a good match if he wants to. Now, he's the general manager of TNA's impact wrestling show, which puts him in a good spot. Less wrestling, more involvement otherwise.


There are plenty of people who got the idea. Just retire and make appearances whenever they want you to. This is the way WWE handles most of their legends and it's only right. Steve Austin, Bret Hart, Roddy Piper, Dusty Rhodes, Ted DiBiase sr, Iron Sheik, Shawn Michaels with Kevin Nash narrowly added to that list. They all learned what their involvement in the business should be limited to, and adhere to it. 


Of course, some will never learn, will they? Terry? Terry? Mr Funk?




~D.