Make Movement: Bambi’s in Baltimore and Greg Is Taking Over!

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Originally Written: May 3, 2006
Greg Ragland: RengadeInc@aol.com

When Bambi approached me about pinch hitting for this week’s Column, I was in a quandary. Anyone that remembers my glory days as a Columnist on Wrestling Resource and other sites knows that what I do is Rant. But, would Ranting be a good fill in for the Bammer’s excellent in depth articles? I was worried at first – But now I am over it, and I will do just what it is I have always done.

Recently in some forums I inhabit, I was ranting about the lack of respect being shown by Internet Wrestling Journalists. I still feel that many of them have no place writing about wrestling, as they show no respect (Or love for that matter) for the product.

BUT

Is it possible that maybe.. Just maybe… That they have just had too much?

I understand being frustrated with the product. Really, I do. The Backlash PPV was a good example of the increasing frustration of the fans. Yes, we all know that Backlash isn’t supposed to be Wrestlemania caliber, but it is supposed to be better than our weekly installments of RAW and Smackdown. Backlash 2006 didn’t even come close to the following night’s RAW lineup.

And that is truly scary.

You see, once upon a time the WWE was wise about PPVs. They knew they had to use their weekly show(s) to set up the PPV, so they could get a good buy-rate. As a result, WWE PPV programming enjoyed some of (If not THE) highest buy-rates in the industry.

Something has changed.

I’m not sure why, but it’s like nobody has the grapefruits to tell Vince McMahon that he has lost touch with his fan base. Sure, we know why Vince does this occasionally – Hating Vince (As a fan) is a great way to supply the company with a Heel whenever the shows don’t have a fully blown Heel wrestler. And face it, right now RAW has only one fully realized Heel in Triple H, and they are showing all kinds of hints that he is going Face again, via a new DX stable. So, Vince yet again is becoming the top Heel.

However, this time around Vince is taking the wrong track. The playing off of the Religion angle isn’t just in poor taste, it’s downright boring. And that’s a damned shame, because in the past, Vince vs (Insert name here) has elevated the company in times of need. Who can forget Stone Cold vs the Boss? It was fresh, it helped RAW beat WCW, and it made a major superstar out of someone who up to that point was known as a Tag Team specialist.

Wide open hint to WWE. Someone grow some grapefruits as big as Vince claims to have. Don’t just say Yes because Vince has an idea to elevate someone, or thinks the show needs him as a Heel. While you’re at it, stop hiring TV writers to write RAW, because frankly, while they MAY write a great sit-com, they absolutely SUCK at writing vignettes for a show like RAW.

And for everyone’s sake, just bring DX back. You’ve hinted enough already, it’s time for the blow off. Stop dragging this useless gimmick out, and get to it – RAW will enjoy a ratings spike if you do.

I guaran-damn-tee it.