YOUTH MOVEMENT
There’s a report WWE isn’t hiring any talent over 30. Good policy. If you want guys to work WWE-style, you don’t want experienced independent performers. Them, you have to un-teach. You want to prepare guys for the big stage, not the high school gym. No need to rush youngsters, either. You can wait until they’re truly ready.
It reminds me of when Jim Cornette ran developmental territories for WWE. He wasn’t preparing his workers for WWE. He was preparing them for Mid-South Wrestling in the ‘80s. Cornette was schooling them in his vision, not WWE’s. When those visions coincided, good. If not, that was WWE’s problem. Cornette never understood the business passing him by was HIS FAULT. He refused to adjust.
MULTI-TASKING
WWE and TNA may both have pay-per-views July 17. What a thrill it’s going to be to NOT WATCH two PPVs at the same time. That’s assuming neither company develops a compelling product between now and then. I know which way I’m betting.
TNA will change its date. Bet on it. The cable companies will demand it. Going head-to-head Monday nights didn’t work for TNA. Going head-to-head on a given Sunday – with paid admission required – would be even worse.
FRONT ROW, SECTION DUH
As always, school marm Bruce Mitchell’s Year-End Quiz in the current Pro Wrestling Torch is a devastating summary of the most recently-completed rasslin’ calendar even if much of it was ghost-written by Jonny Fairplay and even though Wade Keller’s disjointed, hard-to-read answer key ruined the whole thing.
It’s scary when Bruce points out that Jeff Hardy spent his entire reign as TNA World Champion under felony drug indictment. Amazing. How could TNA allow that? What kind of message does that send?
Enjoy Bruce’s Year-End Quiz while you can. We’re nearing the end of days. Not for the world, but for wrestling.
Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM, Pittsburgh. Check out the Mark Madden page at WXDX.com. Contact Mark via wzmarkmadden@hotmail.com.
