We return to the standard format this week (while 411 goes with a new one, I feel so old-fashioned) and that means a reader’s pick will kick things off. A reader from Australia whose name I did not obtain is a big fan of a character that has not gotten much attention anywhere:
Readers’ Picks I: Hail to the Chief
I have been enjoying Sean Morley’s antics on Raw lately and last Monday was no different. The incident that I am talking about is when Chief walked into to tell Test and Stacey about their match against Chris(tian) Jericho. When Test got angry and he raised his hands, smirked and said “touch me and your fired”. Priceless
I have been impressed with his wrestler with executive perks character and more importantly with his intensity in the ring. I really need to hit whatever beach Mr. Morley has been hitting this winter.
Anyhow, the road to Wrestlemania continues. While feuds are unfolding this week, the theme for this column is reiteration. Several themes and points I have made in the past returned to the surface for the 3.03.2003 edition of RAW:
1. Cover Your Rear
As trivial as it may be, I will not let go of it until it is corrected. I can easily buy the idea of 2 guys that look like Rosey and Jamal doing something seedy like jumping someone from behind with lead pipes. No problem. However, a guy with outrageous sideburns in a tiger-print jumpsuit attacking someone with a lead pipe? Even if it were in a circus I could not take this idea seriously. It is time to move Rico in the direction of Batista, John Cena and Brock and give him his own character. The time for him to serve as a sideshow gag a la Batista’s “deacon†character has long expired. He doesn’t have enough Dustin in him to make the character over-the-top enough to be entertaining, either, in case you were wondering.
2. Count On It
Were it not for the Rock, Jericho would have won the MVP honors for last night. Be it calling Christian a “sexy beastâ€Â, brushing his increasingly outlandish goatee, or trying to ruin the relationship between Test and Stacy, Jericho has been on a real roll as of late with his heel character. It also helps tremendously that Shawn Michaels was willing to perform a convincing blade job on his behalf.
Test even showed hints of a personality and may have gotten a sizable face pop had one thing occurred. When Jericho (very humorously) asked the ref to put a 10 count on Test, the ref should have been allowed to administer 9 of these seconds. The build up would have created more anticipation and response to Test’s arrival.
3. In the Stratusphere
Besides the obvious, I’m a really big fan of Trish’s ring entrance. My favorite part is that split second or 2 we get to see her silhouette behind that screen. I can’t think of a better way to introduce a diva like her. Ahem, besides the obvious.
4. Give the Devil His Due
I will not be among the IWC columnists who bash HHH for his promo against Booker T last night. Quite the opposite, I think it was damn near perfect in establishing HHH as the arrogant heel reminiscent of his old blue blood from Greenwich character and Booker as the challenger that needs to prove himself. The gum smacking, insincere smirk, old WCW references and return of the long hair and sideburns look all helps get the message across.
As for the racial undertones so what? Wouldn’t you expect a character like HHH’s to hold this attitude towards a character like Booker’s? HHH’s character is built upon the contention that he thinks he is the master of the sport and is better than everyone else. Hell, he even hangs around a guy that thinks the same way and made his living in the southeastern part of the country. As long as it is handled with subtlety (and it was), the lines between reality and sports entertainment are blurred just perfectly enough to rile up both smart and mark alike over this feud. And from what I’ve been reading this morning, mission accomplished.
However, irony will not let me leave out the fact that the same belt David Arquette and Vince Russo once held was draped across HHH’s shoulder. The little things in life are so amusing sometimes.
5. Rock Me Like a Hurricane
Instead of miscellany, I’m going to reserve this section for praise for the Rock until he leaves. I would not be ridiculous enough to assume Rock reads my column, but it is obvious he understands its premise – little things done consistently and correctly add immensely to the audience’s entertainment. The cell phone returned to set up a hilarious joke against the Hurricane, the water bottle was by the Great One’s side both in the back and out on the ramp, the guitar bits will never get old and neither will the McDonald Land character jokes. It’s almost heartbreaking, really, to know that a performer in his absolute prime is going to break our hearts again and fly off to Hollywood to make movies in the near future. I’d almost suggest a boycott of his movies to drive him back to the squared circle, but that is both selfish and implausible. Isn’t it?
I can truly say from being a fan of the Rock that I know what a Seattle Mariners fan feels like when the hot stove league heats up. Funniest moment of the night was a close contest this week but I’d have to say it was when Rock told Coach to go wash his ass out of the blue. You just can’t script comments like that.
I still believe the added star power is making for an interesting build-up to Wrestlemania. Keep the comments coming and I’ll see you next week here at the newly refurbrished 411mania.
