Máscara v Máscara - McMahon, ECW, unions
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.