The Troublemaker
Wrestlers Ramblings.com wrestling news

Whenever Mr. Mal and I discuss the WWE’s undefeated phenom Umaga, the conversation generally ends rather abruptly with my fellow masked man asserting that the giant Samoan’s aura of invincibility will vanish immediately after his first loss. While I won’t dispute that a little shine will wear off the image, I have to disagree with the notion that such a talented performer will fall by the wayside when he ceases to prove unbeatable. On the contrary, I happen to think his first defeat could open the door to a variety of entertaining angles. Here are just three avenues I think Umaga could take, post winning streak.

1) Feud of the Year – With the right running mate, Umaga could spark unprecedented turn–of–the–century heat if the powers that be make the right choice. Let’s face it here, when was the last time a feud not involving the McMahon family piqued anyone’s interest? An ideal choice outside of obviously John Cena would be “The Game� Triple H. Having been the decided favorite in virtually every one of his main event matches, the King of Kings could use the tag of underdog to resurrect a career that is floundering under the weight of the current DX shenanigans.

2) The About Face – Perhaps a first loss punctuated by manager Estrada’s interference could cause a rift, enabling Umaga to garner the sympathy of the WWE faithful. This could help both men’s careers as Estrada could then assemble a stable of assassins to eliminate his former protégé. While winning the majority of these contests, Umaga could also drop the odd one (due to Estrada’s interference of course) in an effort to help push his ex - managers up – and – coming talent.

3) The Undertaker–Kane aura:Umaga could ultimately be groomed as one of those special performers who becomes the measuring stick for whom all other wrestlers must one day measure up to. A victory over Umaga would mean instant credibility. Throw in a short title reign every now and then and a legendary legacy will one day be in the offing.
 
Long gone are the days when men like Kamala, Abdullah, and of course Brody Bruiser (remember, International Wrestling fans?) roamed the squared circle. Men who in the words of Milt Avruskin “asked no-quarter and gave none.� With essentially one ruling body in this thing we now call sports entertainment, the reality for any performer is the likelihood that at some point he will have to take a fall and put somebody over. Just ask Triple H. Fortunately today’s wrestling fan has an extremely short memory and puts less and less stock in wins and losses.

By Mr. Mal Occhio
Wrestlers Ramblings.com wrestling blog 

In the grand tradition of the monster heels of yesteryear, Umaga’s rise to the top of World Wrestling Entertainment is nearly complete — and subsequently — his run as a top performer. Unfortunately for him, unlike in the territory days, Umaga will have nowhere to go but down after his inevitable job to John Cena. And down in today’s pro wrestling scene in the WWE means midcard, a face turn, a short run with a top heel and finally his ticket out of town. It’s unfortunate, but Mr. Mal sees no other ending ahead. It’s a shame, too. Umaga can really work inside that ring, and the aura they have built up around him has all the markings of other past beasts (such as those mentioned by The Troublemaker) along with lesser-remembered unbeatable heels such as Killer Kahn and Bad News Brown. But with Vince McMahon holding all the cards, workers that are pushed with an 80s-style Road Warriors push invariably come crashing down to earth in a hurry once they put someone over. It’s also why workers such Abdullah the Butcher, Stan Hansen or Bruiser Brody never took Vinnie’s cash back in the 80s, just to come in and job to Hulk Hogan and thereby douse their international heat. They knew enough to stay away. It’s one thing for Abby to drop-by and run wild over Mr. Mal (as seen below) it’s another thing to be fed to a champion and be tossed aside with all the other vanquished challengers.  

I also disagree with The Troublemaker that Kane still has any aura whatsoever. He lost that when they took the mask off of him. As for the Undertaker? Well, let’s just say Umaga ain’t no Taker, and leave it at that. Yes, I see Estrada bringing in another heel for the inevitable slobberknocker of a feud with a face Umaga (when does Abyss’ contract expire in Total Non-Stop Action?) and — yes — I see the fans getting behind the wild Samoan. But when the invincible lose their invincibility, they simply become another worker. And in the WWE, that simply means cannon fodder for HHH and whoever else happens to be in his inner circle at the moment. 

Fans of Umaga should hope that either he or Cena get hurt in the near-future and delay this inevitable downslide. That way they could sidestep him into another non-title-centered feud and prolong his stay. If not, you can cue the strands of The Doors “The End” and let the program begin. Umaga . . . it’s been a nice run. Short of heel title run (yeah, right) you can book the degeneration into anonymity . . . starting . . .  NOW.

Who do you agree with? Who do you think has won this round of Máscara v Máscara? Let us know! Leave a comment and get in on the discussion! And don’t forget our Rowdy Roddy Piper contest! Win a copy of Roddy’s bio —  – just for writing something about the kilted Scotsman! Winner will be notified by email. Deadline for submissions is January 1, 2007. Good luck! Keep coming back to WrestlersRamblings.com for more contests and giveaways in the months ahead as we work toward Wrestlemania XXIII!!

Above photo copyright Wrestlers Ramblings.com and The Troublemaker. All Rights Reserved.

This is it fans - the first installment of Máscara v Máscara: a squaring-off between WrestlersRamblings’ Mr. Mal Occhio and The Troublemaker. We’ll let you readers decide who wins each contest, judging from your comments left at the bottom of this link. Here we go!

Since famously proclaiming during the mid-eighties that he was the Walt Disney of wrestling, Vince McMahon has indeed gone on to monopolize the squared circle. Has this been good or bad for wrestling?

The Troublemaker says: If anyone was suited to be the sole proprietor-or as Pro Wrestling Illustrated used to lament, carnival barker-of the business, Mr. McMahon would have to be the one. Ruthless, unforgiving, and in possession of more business acumen than Thurston Howell III, this guy changed the wrestling landscape the last 20-years as much as his rippling physique.

Sure, I still long for the days of Saturday morning squash matches and regional coverage from the south (get out those rabbit ears) but to be honest with you some of the recent in ring action has been the finest I have witnessed in my 34 years. The Verdict: Grudgingly, Troublemaker says Yay to Mr. McMahon.

Mr. Mal Occhio says: Surely you jest, Troublemaker. Not only has McMahon’s greed gobbled up the fantastically-entertaining system of the old territories, it has forced untested talent in front of a nations’ eyes like never before. He has been forced - for the first time - to develop his own talent, on live shows for the most part, and we have all suffered for it as fans. At least when he had independent promoters testing and creating the talent for him it was (almost always) worthy of one’s attention by the time in got to Madison Square Garden. But now? We get no-talents like Albert forced down our throats on RAW when he should have been working - and refining - over in Portland, or down in Georgia, or Mid-South, or any number of the great old leagues. This goes without saying that the boys also make less money than ever. He’s ruined wrestling for a lot of people - Mr. Mal included. I watch because I love it, not him, and not necessarily the WWE.

With the return of ECW, will Vince McMahon fare better or worse with this style of action than his previous attempts?

The Troublemaker says: The WWE Hardcore division seemed to be on par at times with their old skits involving the “Nacho Man.� From the ghetto belt christened by Mick Foley, to the multiple pinfalls one night on Raw, (had to be more than 10) I was thought the WWE version of hardcore was a farce.

Hopefully McMahon just lets Paul Hayman run ECW as he sees fit. With almost a dozen pay-per-view’s a year, I’m sure all the inter-promotional battles will allow McMahon some influence with his newest toy. The Verdict: ECW will be a hit.

Mr. Mal Occhio says: Vinnie Mac just can’t seem to keep his hands out of the batter, you know? Let the cooks cook, and let Heyman do the booking - and he might have a chance. Early indications are that he is doing anything but that, however - and if it continues - ECW will be over and out in no time. Remember how poorly he handled the WCW “invasion” angle? This is shaping up as no different. Just because he owns wrestling doesn’t mean he knows how to book all of wrestling. Vince can’t do hardcore - it’s not in his nature. His idea of something extreme is having Outback Jack carry a boomerang to ringside.

With the return of ECW, more dangerous working condition than ever-before will soon be enveloping the world of wrestling. Is it time for a wrestlers’ union?

The Troublemaker says: Prior to the start of either Wrestlemania I or III, Jesse Ventura begged his fellow wrestlers to strike while the iron was hot and unionize themselves right there in that very locker room. As the story goes Hulk Hogan ratted out Ventura, ending a long friendship. It truly baffles me how long overdue this concept is. With wrestlers dying in bunches every year I can’t believe some Jimmy Hoffa like personality hasn’t been able to rally the boys in the back to form some type of association for there own protection. The Verdict: Oh hell yeah, it’s time!

Mr. Mal Occhio says: Even Mr. Mal cannot disagree with you on this one, herr Troublemaker. The time for a union is long-overdue in the world of wrestling - whether it is a 100 percent consensus or not. Surely, if properly organized and implemented, all the boys (and women too) would soon learn that safe working conditions for all is a right - not a privilege. Rest assured, there would still be those willing to go beyond the acceptable in the urge to gain the greatest pops - but if you didn’t want to, well, it shouldn’t cost you your job. Further, unionization would allow for expenses like hotel rooms, car rentals and gas to be paid for by the employer - as it should be. These people don’t make enough to simply rely on tax breaks and such as independent contractors. McMahon has had things his way for far too-long. Also – no more sexual harassment either. Whatever would some of the guy’s from the Terry Garvin/Pat Patterson school of defense ever do with themselves then, eh? Last but not least, an effective drug-treatment program could be put in place without the worry of being fired while trying to help overcome an addiction, let alone a serious injury. Ask Davey Boy Smith about that sometime . . . oh yeah, we can’t. The British Bulldog is now putting over the Original Sheik in that great squared circle in the sky.