FROM THE DESK OF...
By Greg Prowse
07/12/09
I got the text that didn't shock me to the core admittedly as in the case of those such as Owen Hart, Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero, but I learnt that one of the individuals I had witnessed barely two weeks ago live on the Hulkamania tour - Eddie Fatu - had passed away. At the age of just 36, another member of the wrestling fraternity had been erased well before he was due. There's talk of a heart attack, which I find unbelievable. I'd say if that is the case, it wasn't naturally caused, and was helped along. While I'm saddened to hear of another man's passing, I have to wonder why? He was having problems in WWE, they wanted him to go into rehab, and he refused. Evidentally he had a problem and should have dealt with it.
Are wrestlers working too much? Is there too much stress and pressure for a spot on the roster? There's probably many reasons for wrestlers taking steroids, pain pills, etc etc., that I could never understand, and nor could any fan. The problem though is Fatu was no longer with WWE. He wasn't working their schedule, to my knowledge he was working this Australian tour, probably taking dates here and there. Did he do something to himself that required self-medicating? I wish one day it would get sorted out, and pro wrestling will no longer have this terrible mortality rate.
---
Speaking of Hulkamania and Hulk Hogan, there is of course a lot of talk about Hogan going to TNA. Impact is looking to be competitive with RAW by going up against them on the same night, with their new weapon Hulk Hogan armed and ready. Hulk has had plenty to say about the writers, and wanting to make TNA a competitive brand. All this talk will have to result in something, or it will be a huge flop, as tends to happen to TNA unfortunately. There's a lot of speculation on what Hogan's role will be with the company, and many people are fantasy booking as I write.
Me being the pessimistic old fan that I am, I can see TNA ballsing it up by having Hulk work on a regular basis. From watching him live in Brisbane, I can tell you the guy is close to being knackered. In his matches with Flair, he used Jimmy Hart's megaphone, rather then his patented legdrop because he couldnt physically execute it. Hogan is damaged goods, but only if TNA go down the silly route and have him work a bunch of matches. If Hogan is really just a partner - as the TNA hype has suggested - they should run with it and have Hulk as more of an authority then in-ring performer. I honestly dont think people will tune in to see Hogan wrestle. People will tune in out of curiosity, to see Hulk in a new environment, and to see if TNA can find a way to ruin it, or to the really optimistic fan, witness the beginning of a new full-scale wrestling war.
I'm hearing they are going to rehash the old vs. the new storyline. Hogan will lead AJ and co., while Mick Foley will lead the "old guard" of Angle and so on. Pretty sure I've seen this storyline before, both in WCW and TNA, and both times, they royally sucked. For mine, I'd have TNA narrow focus and go with Hulk and Kurt Angle.
Angle was the first real big signing in TNA history. Raven got signed when he left WWE and made some noise feuding with Jeff Jarrett, but Angle is the guy that made things happen. Along with names like Sting, TNA were able to get a great deal with Spike TV to air Impact, get merchandisers on board, and all the other things that previously were unattainable. Angle was a big fish in a small pond, now all the talk in TNA is Hulk Hogan. The greatest attraction of the 80s, who had a resurgence as one of wrestlings most hated villains in the mid 90s, now coming to revolutionise TNA. Angle was the franchise, now he's going to play second fiddle to the Hulkster.
For me, there's nobody else in TNA that Hogan should feud with than Angle. You cant rehash something that hasn't worked in the past and expect people to get with it. Having Hulk lead the new and Mick Foley the old is very, very lame. It's been done, and done miserably by TNA on at least a couple of occasions that I can think of. For me, I'd be narrow focusing, something TNA doesn't do very well. Focus on one main feud, and that could be Hulk and Angle. In my mind, the storyline writes itself, Angle was the big fish in a small pond, but couldnt make the pond bigger. Now Hulk is here, as an even bigger fish, and his plan is to make it a bigger pond. Hulk is rocking the status quo of TNA, and that is going to deeply affect people, but I think Angle has more to lose than anyone else.
---
In February, some fans are going to have to make a decision. TNA couldn't have picked a worse time in my opinion to come to Australia. February will be the month when the UFC comes into town. You know, that company that is now kicking Vince's arse on pay per view and is a much bigger threat to WWE than any other pro wrestling organisation? Yeah, those guys. In Sydney, it may be a no brainer; go to Acer and see UFC live for the very first time, where you know by reputation your going to see a killer show. For me, I may end up making the trek, unless TNA want to use my six sided ring, and then I'll be their biggest fan-boy (more on that a bit later). Not to mention we have seen Hulkamania that guzzled us at the merch stands (50 bucks for a shirt, c'mon Hulk!), then Christmas, then TNA come in the same month as Dana and the crew. I think it's going to be tough for TNA to draw a good crowd - fans including myself got upgraded because it was no-where near a sell out - and I dare say that Hulk is a bigger brand than TNA. Could be wrong, but it's going to be interesting.
---
As some people may or may not know, I'm starting up a pro wrestling company for next year called PROWL. I'll be using a six sided ring - as I mentioned just before - and hoping to kickstart things in around March-April with a combination of local and interstate talent. Training will commence before then. If you would like more info, just email me.
Until Next Time...
