Nostalgia For Some Of Us
So, I've professed my enjoyment of sports entertainment (aka pro wrestling) for the better part of this blog. Whether you are, or likely are not, you had to have known someone who was a fan at least in the late 90's. Sure, Hulk Hogan is a pop culture name, but the boom of the industry was easily during the era known as the Monday Night Wars. That's where people like Stone Cold and The Rock launched. It was such a hot time because of competition between the WWE and WCW (which WWE later bought because largely due to a number of business and contract decisions). Competition breeds quality, plain and simple. Without any competition for over half a dozen years, WWE's product hasn't been consistently good. They've had some great moments, but they were only that.
Now we look at the present, and more specifically tomorrow night. The only other competition in the business is TNA. They made some news late in '09 when they signed Hulk Hogan to a contract. Sure, Hulk's 80-something figuratively, but his name draws. One of the first things the company did was decide to go up against WWE live on a Monday night. Again, it's been years since they had any competition, let alone on the same night. What did WWE do to respond? They looked to have The Rock come back and host Monday Night RAW but his shooting schedule for a new movie didn't allow it. Instead they're bringing back someone who fans never thought they'd see in a WWE ring again: Bret Hart.
If you're unfamiliar, Bret's final night as a performer in WWE is well documented. Even during his Hall of Fame induction a few years ago he did so under the premise that Shawn Michaels not even be in the same room. Obviously some things have changed over time (which seems to have a funny way of happening as we get older), but everyone is talking about it.
Will there be another "Monday Night War?" I wouldn't go that far. TNA hasn't made any long term plans with Spike TV, but it's certainly interesting to speculate on what might happen on both shows tomorrow night...including what big names in the game might appear where.
Goodness knows wrestling fans pounce on rumours faster than the media on `ol Perez Hilton.
Now we look at the present, and more specifically tomorrow night. The only other competition in the business is TNA. They made some news late in '09 when they signed Hulk Hogan to a contract. Sure, Hulk's 80-something figuratively, but his name draws. One of the first things the company did was decide to go up against WWE live on a Monday night. Again, it's been years since they had any competition, let alone on the same night. What did WWE do to respond? They looked to have The Rock come back and host Monday Night RAW but his shooting schedule for a new movie didn't allow it. Instead they're bringing back someone who fans never thought they'd see in a WWE ring again: Bret Hart.
If you're unfamiliar, Bret's final night as a performer in WWE is well documented. Even during his Hall of Fame induction a few years ago he did so under the premise that Shawn Michaels not even be in the same room. Obviously some things have changed over time (which seems to have a funny way of happening as we get older), but everyone is talking about it.
Will there be another "Monday Night War?" I wouldn't go that far. TNA hasn't made any long term plans with Spike TV, but it's certainly interesting to speculate on what might happen on both shows tomorrow night...including what big names in the game might appear where.
Goodness knows wrestling fans pounce on rumours faster than the media on `ol Perez Hilton.