I’ve got this poster of Bret Hart putting the sharpshooter on what looks like some nameless jobber, and in it I can see that his bootlace is about to come undone. It’s on my office wall (and it causes some raised eyebrows when people walk in, I can tell you that), and every time I look up at it I wonder about that tenuous bootlace and how much longer it can retain its grip on Bret’s boot.

Sometimes I feel that way about WWE. I wonder how much longer I can retain interest. Sometimes I feel it inexorably slipping, just as I know the bootlace must have done seconds after the photo was taken.

I should warn you now, dear readers, that I have a streaming cold and wasn’t at all sure I’d even get this Editorial out. As it is, a head full of pheasants and machinery is likely to affect my current view on things, because I know that when I start to feel better, I’ll once again see the positives in the WWE product. Right now though, I’m struggling. But then, I’m also struggling to stay awake.

After my last piece, which dealt with Chris Benoit’s brain damage and the drug abuse that is rampant throughout WWE, I had decided that I’d go the other way in my next Editorial and focus on the positive. I wanted to author a light-hearted, fun read. I had some good reasons to want to do so; I liked SummerSlam and Unforgiven, and I’m very much enjoying the return of Chuck Palumbo… just as long as I can manage to keep any images of Kip James out of the way. (Billy n’ Chuck…. Brrr.) I’m also totally on board with the Diva Search being mostly relegated to WWE.com. And I’m not saying that it won’t ever be written… but now isn’t that time. I’m just so TIRED of seeing Vince McMahon on my screen. I remember the halcyon days when a McMahon appearance was a really big deal, just because there were so few. I can remember when the last one was: Royal Rumble, 2005. Since then there’s been a solid dose of Vince, Vince and more Vince. He’s getting up there with Britney, Lindsay and Paris in terms of over-saturation… and I just don’t CARE.

My last Editorial did provoke some interesting reactions from you, the readers, and for me it’s always a joy to receive your emails, whether you agree with me or not, commenting on my work and opinions. I enjoy entering into a dialogue with people who put some thought into how they voice their opinions. A nice example of this is from Bronagh:

Another very good editorial there, leaving me thoughtful once again.  I'm enjoying (if that's appropriate) the staff pieces around the Benoit tragedy and its effects.  You and Troy have both written what seem (to me??) such REASONABLE opinions and thoughts when others can be more hysterical in their reactions.

Whether it's just because I agree with what you've written or not, I find calm and thoughtful opinions more valuable in terms of the effects to WWE and the fans in the future.  It's hard to be a wrestling fan right now and to continue to enjoy a product that you do have serious criticism for, criticism that's outside just who you want to hold gold or how you want to see matches.  How does wanting to change the industry gel with wanting to continue watching every week?

In any case, thank you for the compelling read.

You’re welcome Bee, and the dilemma you raise is certainly one shared by many a fan, I should think. A dilemma that is most definitely not helped by hysterical and biased reporting, as many in the mainstream media love to do. There’s no doubt that it’s difficult to be a wrestling fan right now, and without getting too bitchy I really feel that WWE aren’t helping their own cause at the moment… as I alluded to a moment ago. And this is a shame, because initially they handled events surrounding the Benoit tragedy well.

Speaking of the tragedy, and its fallout, Ang provided some very interesting context to the points I had made:

On the Benoit situation, now that the brain injury has come to light, I feel like there are two distinct issues his death has brought to light - the steroids in one circle, the brain injuries in another - Benoit sits where those two circles overlap. I do think the steroids, AND the pain medication, AND the unhealthy habits of not being able to let injuries fully heal before returning to action, all played a part in Benoit’s deterioration. And I think the wrestling world has been DAMNED lucky not to have had a situation as extreme as what we're currently going through before this.

But then again, maybe we have? Superfly Jimmy Snuka, according to the wrestling gossip, killed a ring rat in a hotel room. If that wasn't covered up so well by Vince (allegedly pretending Snuka didn’t speak English for the cops and speaking on his behalf), maybe the investigation would have seen similar results - brain injury from all those massive leaps off the top of cages etc. And of course there have been stories of domestic violence, murder, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, running rampant for so long. The difference is, we can’t examine the brains of still living wrestlers to see what’s happening inside. Who knows what they'll find when they crack open Snuka’s skull?

As I mentioned in my email to you Ang, I had no idea about Jimmy Snuka. I can’t think how this escaped me, because it seems like it would have been pretty big news. And even more than before, I feel that WWE needs to take a look at the effects of multiple concussions on their talent, as well as the moves that cause them. But as you quite rightly point out, a combination of factors do seem to be involved where Benoit is concerned, although I can’t help but feel that had the brain damage not been one of them, I doubt that he would have done what he did.

If there’s anyone else who, like me, was unaware of the events surrounding Jimmy Snuka, Ang provided me with a highly interesting link that goes into detail about it, which you can check out here. Thanks Ang – that was certainly illuminating!

And with that, I’m leaving the negativity of WWE and the Benoit tragedy behind for now. As I mentioned before, it’s difficult to stay positive at the moment, and as my mum always said: “if you can’t say anything nice about anyone… come sit by me.” Just kidding. But I’m moving on from WWE for now.

That’s not to say that I can’t find positive things to focus on in the world of wrestling, because I absolutely can, cold or no cold. WWE are not the be-all and end-all of pro-wrestling, and in fact I don’t have to look much further than dear old En Zed for inspiration. I’ve written previously about the wealth of talent right here at home, but with the second annual NZPWI Invitational approaching, the spotlight has been trained on the cream of the crop. I’ve been fortunate enough to interview two of them – “The Deal” Dal Knox and IPW Champion Jon E. King. Though it was Dal’s first interview, he handled it like a pro, and as for King… well, encouraging him to be loquacious was hardly Job #1. On Sunday I get to chat with another Invitational entrant, so I’m counting myself as rather lucky.

The Invitational itself is definitely taking shape, and in some rather exciting ways. I won’t go into detail for fear of spoiling y’all, but I think it’s fair to say it’ll outshine last year’s show… and that’s not easy to do. And speaking of last year’s show, it’s available on DVD. If you haven’t seen it, you really are missing out on some spectacular action.

If, for some unfathomable reason, you miss out on this year’s event, we’ve had word from SKY1 that they’ll be airing it on Saturday, December 9 at 8.30pm – right after SmackDown. And if you miss that, you can catch it again throughout 2008, as SKY1 has plans to replay it several times.

In other New Zealand action, NZWPW Champion D-Hoya retained the gold at Colossus on September 23 in Levin, and IPW fans received the very welcome news that the weekly TV show, Ignition, is set to return in its original and highly popular format on Thursday, September 27. Ignition, an hour-long show hosted by NZPWI Editor-in-Chief Dion McCracken, and IPW Commissioner Daddy Kool, showcases the best of IPW and is definitely worth checking out. Still with IPW, you can catch them live on Saturday, September 29 at the Lynfield YMCA for IPW Fallout.

The popularity of wrestling continues to increase for the Armageddon Expo. An event where IPW have traditionally performed as one of the most popular attractions of the show, the October event also sees international wrestling stars Rob Van Dam, Raven and Christy Hemme welcomed as special guests.

Right here on NZPWI itself there’ve been many positives to focus on and enjoy. The NZPWI Roundtable welcomed PPV and IPW Reporter Dayna Wall, and TV, KPW and NZWPW Reporter David Dunn into the fold for WWE’s Unforgiven pay-per-view. Dayna then proceeded to leave us all for dust by getting 7 of the 8 picks correct. With Dayna and David now permanent members of the Roundtable, the rest of us will have to pick up our game or be left looking somewhat foolish.

Simon Sweetman brought us a review of the excellent Eddie Guerrero DVD, Cheating Death, Stealing Life. And in other Sweetman-related news, you can check out his daily music blog on online news website Stuff. Blog On The Tracks already has three entries and are, in inimitable Sweetman fashion, a great read. Although I question his choice of blogging on The Carpenters. I really do.

Troy Rawhiti-Forbes brings us WWE! True Hollywood Stories, a look back at some of the more embarrassing moments associated with the sport of pro-wrestling. And though it’s presented in hilarious R-F style, I’m sensing an underlying frustration, one which I am certainly at the moment, sympathetic to. It’s hard to be understanding of some of the tripe pro-wrestling is responsible for when you’ve got a head stuffed full of cotton wool.

On the other hand, Matt Sparnon takes a look at the reality of pro-wrestling, and illustrates it with yet another of his fantastic tales of the biz: The Sell vs. MIW: A “fans bring the wrestlers” match. Classic storytelling, and well worth a read.

The NZPWI Columns team brings you two editions of Gimme Five, in which topics such as Unforgiven, the TNA Women’s Division, Ric Flair Finance and William Regal, as well as much more, are bandied about by our team of columnists.

Ugh. I do hate being sick. I’m well aware that this particular Editorial is not my best work, and it seems unfair on you, dear reader, to have to suffer through it any more. I am, as ever, appreciative that you took the time to read my musings, never more so than now when they’re definitely sub-par.

I wonder if I can guilt-trip the boss into letting me go home early…?

Letters to the Editor: