Pro-Wrestling Tom Zenk Page

Last updated 19 October 2003

Cripple H - the Lame Game

[ great picture of HHH in Dusty's polka-dot outfit ]

From this column last week – "Carrying his injuries, HHH won't make it in the ring. Then again neither could Dusty. But Dusty had the power of the pencil and HHH is a student of the game, if you weel. .....Take my word for it – HHH's gonna be all over TV just like Big Dust as they work to keep it all in the family ....."

Smackdown ....and here we go again, 45 minutes with Cripple H, the Lame Game.

Seems the Lame-one hasn't the first clue how to swing the sledgehammer - 40 whacks to ruin the announcers table? Scary. Lizzy Borden he's not!

Big tough Cripps threatens the BOSS and the boss gives in to Cripps' demands? or the Lame Game will break his cameras? 50,000 dollars worth? Looks like the Boss is a pussy. I mean, what's 50,000 to a 'filthy rich' billionaire? (Have you any idea how long a real tough guy would take a gimp's lipservice? Not 45 minutes, that's for sure!)

Rico, Billy and Chuck are all afraid of a blown up guy with a gimp arm and leg (nicely covered with sweats)? Cripps gets the funny line "suck it" for a cheap pop, to stay cool - then kicks wimps asses to show how tough? or crazy? or angry? he is. Or he still wants to be cool. Sound familiar?

So Vince really did take that crap from a cripple? "Wait, wait, wait. Maybe I should give him want he wants. I'm so afraid of that madman! He even threw his chair out of the ring before he would sign the contract" I guess the leg must be mended!!

The main event has 2 on one for HHH (Dusty) who holds his own (WOW) and then gets to pose with the immortal Huckster. Would this be called a push or a shove? Two weeks in a row of HH and HHH posing? Did Hogan help Goldberg or anyone in WCW who might have been suited for the spot? I mean, like a guy who was healthy not gimpy? Come to think of it, did Hogan put anyone over for Ted Turner? or even try? Cripps, despite all the hype and filled in crowd noise, just doesn't have it - even with Big Steph in his corner and even as a student of the game. He has to know his drawing power is dependent on a strong undercard. Cripps can't pull off main event type matches, even covered up with tape, braces, bandages and sweatpants. But he sure was all over Smackdown, like Vince was all over Stacy. We have seen the future and it's spelled ...H...H...H.

Note to Kidman: go to the gym or look like Greg Gagne, your choice! VKM is Q...WEER for bodies!! This is the second week in a row I've seen the big Val. He's very good and should have a spot for a wrestling show like the old X-WWF. Val is sorely needed because he's a wrestler and can carry others, if properly motivated.

>>>>> Hogan says waaay deep down inside he and Angle are a lot alike. They are both former champs, they are both red, white and blue and they are both ba-ba-ba-bald. But unlike Angle, he lost his hair match to mother nature dude while Angle got his head shaved by his "main man, Edge dude" - Same promo 20 yrs later... yawn. one true champ one fake champ, but nice try for the rub. Tanning is very bad. Check the lines in the mirror brother. Bald still means old - no angle there.

On this week's showing, the only 'wave' I see coming is from Vince to former employees after the roster cuts hit.

Auzzie Austin .....
Options on the Austin walkout - (1) a shoot, or (2) a shoot about to be turned into a worked shoot. Well, you read it here first -

(1) last week when I suggested Austin may soon be gone for good - "Austin turned the company around for VKM; VKM kissed his ass for as long as he needed him. Now his body's ruined and Austin isn't getting the same quality attention from Vinnie. In fact, maybe Vinnie can't afford him any more, like Bret Hart? Any lie will do. I hope Austin is smart to what's coming..... Remember how fast Foley disappeared?"

(2) last week when I suggested Austin develop his angle into a worked shoot – "Here's my suggestion, for what its worth - The "Auzzie" Austin Show – where Steve becomes a true hero who talks shit to his boss about past wrongs, transgressions, only this time for real, with plenty of fly-on-the-wall honesty... this allows Auzzie more time acting (he wants to act, Nash Bridges, road to Hollywood) and less time wrassling (bad knees, neck). And BTW Steve CAN act. In fact, he's really the only true "star" with an awful a lot of tv time invested that can still be capitalized on."

Start packing JR....
Reading the Ross Report (June 14, 2002) you can see how Ross tries to spin Austin's walkout away from the professional and rational – (ie, Austin's reaction to the company going down the toilet, into HHH's waiting hands) to the personal and irrational (ie, Austin's supposed 'emotional issues' and 'personal betrayal'.)

"My last of many conversations over the past few weeks with Steve occurred on our cell phones as he was sitting on a Delta Airlines jet in Atlanta Monday afternoon.... Our conversation was candid and honest as they always were and he knew how strongly I felt against the emotional decision he was making."

"The Austin I know was the same guy whose bedside I sat at after what many thought was a career-ending neck surgery.... I have been at his side during an ugly divorce that would separate him from his two lovely little daughters .... We have talked each other through many tough personal issues in our lives, including my two bouts of Bells Palsy that some in the business found amusing. He was one guy I knew on a personal level I could always count on to be there for me and me for him -- until this week."

"I truly do not know everything that is bothering Stone Cold Steve Austin but my guts[!!!!] tell me it is more than simply creative issues."

Moreover, it seems that last year's wonderfully ordered locker room [remember that!] is, after all, a nest of poisonous (NWO?) vipers ..... so much so that Ross warns the young talent against taking a lead from 'negative' old hands (such as Austin?) He issues 'trouble- makers' with the threat of 'elimination' for the second week running -

"....now it looks like several new faces will be provided an opportunity to step up ..... I hope that they do not utilize the negative traits of some talents who came before them, a few still on our current roster, as their road maps to success."

"I hope that remaining veterans on our roster who have had box office and in-ring success step up and assume leadership roles in the WWE or, if not, simply step out of the way and make people miserable elsewhere. ..... Now is not the time for the remaining veterans who may see the end of their careers unfolding before their very eyes to react like insecure children and who refuse to count the many blessings that they have. This is not about ...attitudinal issues disguised as financial ones. Now is the time for all of us to step up and do our absolute best work in our specific areas. Absolutely nothing else will do or should be accepted. For those who do not feel that way, as a company, we should do all we possibly can to eliminate these individuals from our roster as quickly as humanly possible."

"We will succeed with this task only when we are surrounded by positive people who care more about the product and the company than they care about their own careers and fragile egos. .... I am very anxious to see how our entire WWE team responds over the next few weeks."

Finally, Ross puts his career on the line (has Vince already given JR an ultimatum?) After all, if talent indiscipline is tearing the company down, it's all occurred on Ross' watch, right?

"As the head of our Talent Relations department, if I am unable to accomplish this goal, maybe it is time for old J.R. to head back to Oklahoma and go fishing. However, I will not walk away from this task at hand without a fight and when I leave I will give my notice in person."

Start packing the rods, JR!

Ross and management have no f***ing balls, top to bottom. They smile to your face and stick the shiv in your back. All Ross' BS about turning the company around is too little too late. Building loyalty and trust takes time with 'workers' (aka, 'manipulators') and Ross just can't cut it. You can't rebuild trust with a stooge whom nobody trusts.

None of this happened overnight and it's going take a LONG time to fix. Meanwhile Vince needs an ASS-Kicker, but has none. Remember - Ross is an ass KISSER not an ass kicker!

If I was Vince I'd have Scotty Steiner on the next plane and get him to trash the 'negatives' who won't stay in line....remember what he did to the late DDP!!

[ picture of JR kissing VKM's ass ]

Dissing Slick Ric ....
Vince on 'Byte This' claims Smackdown is a stronger product overall than Raw. Dean Malenko on Get in the Ring radio claims that "Smackdown is recognized as having the better show - nothing against the Raw brand." Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't RAW drawing consistently better numbers than Smackdown! Remember "WWF's agreement for UPN programming expires in September 2003. WWF's agreement for TNN and MTV programming expires in September 2005. So they saddle TNN with Flair and a watered down show. And pitch for a renewed contract with UPN with the Rock, Angle and Co." Yet, against all the odds, RAW performs better than Smackdown, 4.1 over 3.3, Ric over Vince. So VKM pisses on AA, disses Ric and takes over both shows. There's only one guy can save WWE in the ratings and that's VKM. Expect plenty more of Vince over the coming months!

Hall on politics .....
Scott Hall interviewed by Dave Shyster – "I can remember sitting around talking to Kev and we'd be sitting around the locker room going "Where's all the young lions that are supposed to knock us off? Where's the guy that is supposed to take my spot?" Take it, because I'm not going to give it to you. Take it or earn it. ...... If you're over with the audience, certainly none of the boys can hold you down... The audience determines it, not the office or the other wrestlers. The audience determines who they like and who they don't like..."

Scott Hall was in the business, living in trailers how many years? (AWA, Europe, Japan, WCW,) and never got over until he was shoved down everyone's throat by the big WWF machine. He was figured in with the cocaine (Razor Ramon) gimmick and finally got to win matches. "Take his spot!?" He couldn't keep it for two months this last time around!

Bad News Allen....

Bad News Allen – "Bret get it through your head -- you DID NOT earn it. It was GIVEN to you. It means NOTHING. .... You didn't win it because you were the best -- you won it because the promoter PICKED YOU. You're not 5 times world champion you're 5 times PROMOTERS champ ... It's a WORK man-not a shoot! It's ENTERTAINMENT you suck ass. It's show business!!"
(http://www.badnewsallen.com/)

Bad News makes a perfect point to all the marks for themselves (Hall, DDP, Flair, Dusty, Nash, etc) .... they were picked by the promoters (or booker-friends in most cases) and yes, wrestling IS all about politics!! I've frequently heard the argument that Bret was a real working mark for the business. Many become that way especially when it's a family business. That's all they know? Sad. Bad News is also right on about all the old fu**s. They're just taking up space and time .....Flair, Funk, Hogan, Dusty, all fall victim to the same criticism that they, in their time, made against Verne, Fritz, blah blah blah...... Seems that, after manipulating for all those years on top, they never learned and/or saved their money. Only now have Hogan (too late) or Flair given back to the business that made them millions. Who did Flair ever make? Sting? Luger? Both of them learned from Flair and Hogan. The real test of a wrestling legend is to leave the business in good shape for everyone coming behind. By that standard, all the near departed have failed abysmally ....

Scary story .....
Bad News Brown: "[VKM] believes he is GOD and looks upon everyone else as roaches he can stomp on. While I was there Shane was fooling around with the Ultimate Warrior, Vince saw him and screamed at him to get away, saying "You're going to be the owner of this company one day, you have to remember that all wrestlers are assholes" http://www.badnewsallen.com/

Ask Tom Zenk .......
"I was wondering if you could tell the name of the fat guy that works for Bob Ryder at 1wrestling.con and what's his gimmick? As a kid I made my cousin be him while I got to play Bob, so I was curious."

TZ replies – "You were a smart kid, because as "Bob" you always get to be on top. Dave is the coffee boy and never really went anywhere in the business. Recently he's been claiming that working for Bob is a temporary setback and that he can do better, given the chance. Personally, I think he's achieved pretty much all that he can. He churns the stuff out but lacks the contacts and journalistic skills needed to rise to the next level."

Your feedback .....
I was always a huge fan of yours. I even had the Z-Man action figure from Galoob. My 4 year old nephew was playing with his HHH and Chris Jericho action figures and even he booked HHH over Jericho. And the HHH figure only had one arm missing. Zenk, you figure it out.

"When HBK trades in Jesus for Somas..." (and no this isn't me, but a pretty good likeness!!)

Better not Bitter ... I loved the last article Tom and I had to do a double take on this gem from Vince "I'm sensing a tidal wave coming our way from an attitudinal standpoint and a creative standpoint." (Vince McMahon's "State of the WWE" address) Yeah, I see a tidal wave coming your way too, Vince. One that will make the dark days of the early 90's seem like a sweet memory. What will it be this time Vince? You've got the disgruntled mid-card. - hey that's nothing new, right? But now they see shrinking downsides, working more dates to make up for empty houses (Nash's mailbox money has to come from SOMEBODY) and are banging their heads on HGH's glass ceiling while the guys they grew up watching are either dropping like flies or living in poverty waiting for organ transplants from drug use...Zahorian approved or otherwise. Maybe these working marks will finally smarten up and decide they need a union. Perhaps on the day of a major PPV. WHAT? Forget about the mid-carder's Vince, what about the top guys? The Rock, being the smartest of them all saw the writing on the wall and left the sinking ship for an acting career. I wonder if Rocky sat at the Tyson/Lewis fight with those 2 carnies Vince and good ol' JR or sat with his new Hollywood friends? Kurt Angle would rather train for the Olympics than put up with all the BS and politicking. Austin just walked out on millions despite the fact that he's stunnered the entire roster dozens of times each. I wonder what the old carnies like Dusty and Ole say about losing your smile and walking away from millions in salary and merchandise money? (if Ole would fellate men all day for $700k/yr I shudder to think what he'd do for Austin's millions). How many more will walk out Vince? How long before Nash comes down with another phantom injury, or HHH pops all his tendons or HBK trades in Jesus for Somas? Maybe the SEC will finally investigate how Vince bought WCW for a bargain basement price despite the fact there were better offers on the table. I guess you can do that when one of your stooges (Stu Snyder) is best friends with the guy in charge of the sale of WCW (Brad Siegel) Collusion? Monopoly? Anti-trust? SEC investigation in a rock bottom stock market? Can you say "penny stock" Vince?

Perhaps TNN and/or UPN decide not to re-up or try to get out of their contracts (due to sinking ratings) on the basis that Vince diluted the product with his "brand extension" or they don't like Vince's increasing use of toilet humor. Don't think Vince can fall out of favor with network execs? Just look at how fast Dick "if I was run over by a truck, I'd like him [Vince] to raise my kids" Ebersol pulled the plug on Vince's XFaiLure. Especially if ad revenue takes a hit (would YOU want YOUR product advertised on WWE when ratings are half of what they were yet the show is just as gross/raunchy as it was in the glory days?) Could Vince survive without network exposure/having to pay for tv time? Just look at ECW, WWA, POWW, Bischoff's Fusient debacle and soon-to-be NWA-TNA for the answer. Without tv you're dead in the water.

How about another controversial incident, a juicy story the mainstream press can really sink their teeth into. The media made Vince's XFaiLure a laughing-stock before the first game was even played. They would love to kick Vince when he's down. Another airplane ride from hell maybe this time with a more tragic ending? Another steroid investigation? Another attack by the PTC caused by the increase in toilet humor? More wrestlers dying from suspicious ailments? Another in-ring death and the ensuing lawsuit? More people walking away from an already dwindling fanbase.

There's a tidal wave coming Vince. It could be any one of these or maybe all of them. But I'm not sure Stephanie's flotation device implants or the crew of sycophants and yes-men you surround yourself with to protect you from the real world will be able to save you. Keep up the good work Z-Man.

Tom, What's the deal with your dislike for Sting? He was my favorite for many years (until his retirement). Just curious about the behind the scenes dirt on the "Stinger" as well as other wrestlers.

Whatever happened to workrate?

I don't know if what Tom writes is truth or not, but I find that of all that I read it's the version of the truth that sits best with me. What Tom writes is usually what I already think myself, and it's nice in a way to get a pseudo-confirmation of one's opinions.

If you read the threads on the Z-Man's booking and whatnot when in WCW, it's very interesting. Part of it points out that the Z-Man didn't get the push because cronyism and nepotism and whatnot, but also in a way pointed out that wrestling became so oriented to charisma and gimmick that workrate did not matter anymore.

In my oh so humble opinion I believe that the same is the problem today. Gimmicks are great and all, but I think a lot of wrestling fans, and particularly the die-hard fans (you know, the ones that are keeping Vince's TV rating from sinking to WCW levels) actually admire great work-rate. I know I'd rather see a great story being told in the ring rather than a zillion backstage vignettes.

My favorite ever feud was one that was essentially just a series of great matches, and I talk about none other than the Benoit vs Booker T best of 7 series for the Television title. What a great way to make the title appear as if it meant a hell of a lot, and as if the wrestlers actually wanted it. Can you imagine HHH doing something similar with Y2J? Jobbing cleanly even?!!? I think not, HHH needs to realize that to appear as if he really really really wants the belt he has to lose, and then get up again and go for the belt, lose again, get up again, that's what we like to see in a babyface, one that never gives up, that competes fairly and eventually picks up the win.

Unfortunately HHH seems to want to be a mixture of Hogan (when champion) and Austin (when going for the belt) that means essentially that he is unbeatable, but is getting screwed over all the time (which I doubt anybody buys), but is also a badass that doesn't give a damn about the rules. Hunter, Austin already did that, and it actually seemed credible because he was getting screwed over (storyline wise) at the time, and knew how to say J O B.

The simple fact is that the WWE could if they wanted to, produce some of the most exciting in-ring action ever seen, they have the stars with the talent and the desire to do so. But work-rate don't matter, gimmick and charisma does. And you wonder why that's what matters? Its because the Austins, HHH's and Rocky's can't keep up with the Angles, Edges and whatnot in the ring, and instead of realizing that their time is up, Vince goes all Sports Entertainment on us, which means essentially that what happens in the ring means squat.

It is my belief that almost all wrestlers can really only have a career lasting 10 odd years. I don't say this from personal experience or anything like that, and if someone can convince me otherwise I'll gladly eat my hat. But I figure if after 5-years you aren't heading on up the card then that's probably as high as you are going to go. It is then you have to decide whether the life on the road and the toll to your body is worth the payoff you are getting now. If, however, you are heading up the card then I think that after [10] years you should have hit your peak (this of course assumes that bad booking isn't getting in the way, but if it does, you're screwed anyways). When a wrestler hits their peak (HHH 2000, Austin 98) they should then retire, don't go away straight away perhaps, elevate some young talent for a year or so, but get out of the ring. That way wrestling (as in ring-time) looks like a credible sport, and you're body isn't screwed.

I can well imagine however the scenario that prevents this from happening, the allure of the crowd, the carrot dangling in front of your nose - whatever it is it'll keep people in the spot they're in far longer than they should be.

Tom - I'm a first time reader and it is nice too see something written by someone who doesn't sound like one of VKM's lackies. Keep it real and keep it coming!

Mr. Zenk, I would just like to say that I love reading your column every single week ...I love not just your insight into the wrestling business, but the overall quality of your writing. Your vocabulary definitely is the highlight of the column. I also enjoyed watching you wrestle in WCW when you teamed with Pillman and your singles career. I actually do have the tape of Wrestlemania 3, and I must say after the Savage/Steamboat Match your tag team match was the highlight of the card itself. .... I am emailing you, because I just wanted your opinion of the following wrestlers: Sting, Hogan, Steamboat, Cactus Jack, and Savage. So, if you can find the time to give me your opinion I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

The more we criticize a system the faster it changes ...

Ok, I'm just bullshitting here.

In truth, I'm glad that someone is finally pointing out all of the weak points of the pro wrestling business. You may be a tad bitter but that's what makes it fun to read. You don't hold anything back man. That's always a good thing because the more we criticize a system the faster it changes. It's a simple fact. The more we put pressure on the WWE, the better results we are going to get.

One a different subject, I agree with the fact that Triple H should be busted down to jobbing for Crash Holly. It's in the business man's rulebook: Get to the top by boinking the bosses daughter.

Why do all of that grunt work paying your dues and working for the good of the company like Undertaker has done for some ten years? (he's the only one I don't mind having input into the company because he has earned it) Undertaker jobbed cleanly to Mick Foley when Mankind had only been on tv for a month or so. Test has been around since at least '99 and still Trips won't take it on the chin.

When everyone else was deserting the sinking ship known as "WWF in 1998", Undertaker stuck it out. He didn't run to WCW. That's what gets me whenever people criticize him for having too much input. He's earned that by sticking with the company through thick and thin. All of a sudden Triple H had a lot of booking power once news of his relationship with Stephanie McHindenburgs came about. Sounds slightly more then coincidental to me.

Austin is another guy who has earned the right to have a bit of an ego. He pulled the WWF out of the toilet. He led the charge for WWF Attitude. He was the one doing battle with WCW and the NWO who were at the time trying to put Vince out of business. You would think Vince would want to bury the NWO guys for slandering the company that made them famous but no, they're his best buddies now. Austin should open up a real can of whoop-ass on Vince for being so stupid.

In closing, Triple H and The Rock are just two guys along for the ride. They aren't in it for the long haul. They came in, got famous, and as Kevin Nash said, they became "child(ren) who found [their] Dad's gun. They were given too much power too quickly".

That's all I have to say. Keep up the good work Tom.

HHH injecting the Gas in his Ego

I want to talk about Owen Hart for a little bit here's a guy who had all the potential in the world to be a great WWF Champion and somehow never got a push. I'm sure Bret wouldn't mind dropping the title to Owen but somehow, someone else saw it differently. ... Owen told him he was uncomfortable with the Stunt and McMahon forced him up there.... "Gee Vince I'm afraid of Snakes" – Vince: "Hey that's a great idea let's have a snake eat you alive on National Tv "? "How about a Boa Constrictor"? The point is Vince treats his talent like shit the guy who bust there asses the most should be on top why do you think Zenk is writing columns instead of being on Regis & Kelly promoting a PPV - haven't you people realized only the whiners & the old farts are making decent money. Bret Hart made a great point "Vince McMahon treats his wrestlers like Circus Animals once there done with you they'll take you to the back and put a bullet through your head".

Tom Zenk once again you have entertained me and you didn't have to have a ridiculous gimmick to do it, keep on preaching the truth someone will listen . A new fan of the Z-Man's

What's up Z-Man? I've just recently gotten into reading you columns and I had to let you know that I have enjoyed them since the first one I've read! :] If only the WWE would listen to the fans and what they wanted like they claim to do I'm sure it'd be one hell of a show. They only need your mentality to do so!

Now about the older talent.. I believe I turned my TV on and saw Hogan vs. Flair?? What the hell is that? It's bad enough that it's Hogan but pit him against old Flair as well? I thought the Hogan/Undertaker match was bad enough.. After last weeks Raw I was very disappointed that they got Tommy Dreamer to tap out to the Undertaker. The man who never taps tapped to the white trash taker. Now he has his tough guy kick everyone's ass gimmick and I try not to laugh as he talks tough on tv cuz he just can't pull it off! This weeks Raw I got a joy out of the Hardy's ass whoopin' on taker after he thought he was tough and took out Matt as he was on the phone. Good ol' J.R. stating that it took two of them to take down the taker. Blah..

Onto the next subject, Austin. I love Austin..I feel he's running out of ringtime. He is absolutely hilarious when he's talkin' smack and not wrestling. He should get into a little more of that and help the younger guys out when necessary. Short but sweet. :]

Billy and Chucky need to go away..the Hardy's need their edge back. HHH is becoming bland...you can tell he just can't hang the same anymore. Sometime soon I would just like to see some of the younger talent completely take the older guys like it was nobody's business! Just because they're older and have been around longer doesn't mean some younger guy wouldn't be able to come along and completely whoop their ass! I thought RVD was in for a push after he got the title from Undertaker and lost it right after. I figured a follow up would be done on the next RAW but that time comes and......there's really no mention of what happened the week before with RVD! I've been impressed with Guerrero and give him a congrats on his slow recovery!

One of the last few things (out of many) I wish to complain to you about would have to be..what happened to Booker? He was once on top and then he didn't even seem to be a mid-card wrestler for a while. Putting him in the NWO was lame.. thanks god he's out and now hopefully he'll get a little stronger of a push! His backstage segments are funny as hell! I just hope they don't have him end up as Goldust's partner.. I don't even know how Goldust got brought back..he's always sucked as a wrestler. I guess it's wait and see time..knowing WWE that is the direction they'll be taking poor Booker. As for all the comments on Regal.. I would love to see him back as a commissioner or something along those lines cuz he's damn entertaining in segments as well. Over all, Smackdown and Raw have the same old boring story lines since the split..if they had planned it out better they would have had more developmental wrestlers ready for the split being able to make it a more diverse show each week. That involves planning though. I don't think a lot of those people know how to do that especially when most of them are related ;]

Thanks for taking the time to read my rantings! Take it easy..

Just wondering if you still have that MULLET Z Man. Anyways.......I love your articles, we need more of the TRUTH. Some people just think your bitter at VKM for some reason and taking your frustrations out. I just know you are a talented wrestler and writer. We need a book about 70's, 80.s and 90's wrestling behind the scenes. Hope you write it some day.

TZ replies – Thanks. The book is in the works!!

I have a suggestion for you. I read all your columns and how you put down more wrestlers rather than send praise. I beg you to do a top 10 or a top 5 of the current wrestlers in the world who you think are great. I'm curious on who you pick.

Pain killers, HGH, and steroids. It's sad too see so many deaths that were probably caused by these substances. Lyle Alzado, John Matuzack, Brian Pillman, Rick Rude, Louie Spicolli, Davey Boy Smith, and probably caused Superstar Billy Grahams health problems and others. These substances are probably bad enough when you're young, but are worse when you're older and your body is past maturity. These substances changed your blood chemistry. I wonder how many other lives will be cut short from this stuff... baseball players using steroids, and wrestlers and athletes trying to make a comeback.

I am sick of the Canadian Underdog syndrome that dominates the internet. Lance Storm is a good wrestler, but so was the Brooklyn Brawler. He doesn't deserve this monstrous push that everybody is pleading for. He gets himself into the limelight and now people are up in arms because he didn't beat Triple H. Last time you cyberspace junkies had your way, Jericho ended up with the title and sent wrestling into a downturn worthy of a Moondog spot main event. Now people are crucifying Triple H for not laying down for girlie punches, mediocre mic skills and a flying dropkick. If that does it for you, bring back Taka Michinoku.

I have been reading your website for several months now. You truly are the best out there in cyberworld including the Dave Meltzers of the world. All anyone has to do is read your past posts to see that you are one of the few who has the total picture. I am 48 years old and have been a wrestling fan my entire life. I can't stand looking at HHH's ugly face. Hogan, Nash, and now HBK all make me sick. Vince just doesn't get it. I believe that the future in the industry is Angle, Jericho, Edge, Guerrero, RVD, Christian, Storm, etc... I would much rather watch these guys any night of the week instead of tired old Superstar Billy Graham ripoff HH. I think that we are in the final days of wrestling as we know it. Some smart TV guy will meet with the right promoter and steal marketshare from VKM. It is only a matter of time until TV ratings and revenue plummet below acceptable standards for profitability. Jarret's wrestlers hold more excitement than the same old HHH tripe we are fed weekly. However, the ppv concept probably will not work. Jarrett is close, someone else will eventually put the ball over the endline sooner or later.

[ This and past columns may be found at www.TomZenk.com ]