September 2011

Drawing Power is Everything

IFOWrestling • September 25, 2011
Hulk Hogan | Illegal Foreign Object

Kevin Nash was once asked who he believed was the greatest worker of all time. “Hogan”, he replied. “He made the most money.”For many, the origin of the quote is reason enough to dismiss out of hand because Kevin Nash, if he’s remembered for nothing else, will most assuredly be remembered as one of the more polarizing figures in the history of Pro Wrestling. However, if you dig deeper into the statement you’ll find there’s a great deal of truth in what he said.Professional Wrestling began as a side show attraction in travelling carnivals before names like Frank Gotch, Georg Hackenschmidt, Ed “Strangler” Lewis and many others gave it the popularity it needed to become a stand alone business. It was initially a legitimate competitive sporting event, but reached much greater heights when the Greco-Roman, ‘grab a hold and hang on’ concept gave way to more theatrics and an increased level of style and flash.

The Good, the Bad & the Urgent of TNA

IFOWrestling • September 18, 2011
TNA Impact Wrestling | Illegal Foreign Object

I make no bones about the fact that I am head over heels for TNA Wrestling. I am a huge fan of a good many of the members of their roster and have greatly enjoyed some of the storylines they’ve produced over the last several years. They are unquestionably the #2 organization in pro wrestling, but the distance between them and #3 (Ring Of Honor) is far narrower than the gap between them and the obvious #1, the WWE. There are many who get their druthers from criticizing TNA’s misses, paying no attention whatsoever to their successes. To each his own, but in doing so they accomplish little more than adding fuel to a fire fanned for the most part by dirt sheets and rumor mongers. It is highly unlikely TNA will ever truly be considered a formidable competitor for the WWE’s top spot. The WWE is a global media monster, a billion dollar, publicly traded company with several decades worth of a head start on TNA, something you simply cannot put a price on.

Punk vs. Cena: How the WWE dropped the ball

IFOWrestling • September 11, 2011
CM Punk | Illegal Foreign Object

For a short period of time it almost seemed like the WWE knew exactly where they were going. CM Punk had talked his way into the #1 heel spot on the roster, had crossed over and become someone the outside media deemed worthy of their attention, and was in a heated feud with John Cena, the biggest name in pro wrestling over the last seven years. The promos leading up to their match in Chicago at the Money in the Bank PPV were the best the business had seen in more than a decade. So good were these promos they even managed to overshadow a very good match between the two men. The weeks that followed the PPV (won by CM Punk) were very well done, with the WWE doing a great job of utilizing the Internet and other outside media outlets to keep the feud hot.

Skandor Akbar and my $50 WCCW payoff

IFOWrestling • September 3, 2011
Sportatorium, Dallas, TX | Illegal Foreign Object

I was 12 years old the first and only time my dad took me to the “World Famous” Sportatorium in Dallas. After having seen the World Class Championship Wrestling shows on television for so many years, and having only been to one other live wrestling event, a WCCW show at my 3rd grade gym in 1985, the idea of seeing guys like Kerry & Kevin Von Erich and “Gentleman” Chris Adams live and in person had me more than a little fired up.

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