EXCLUSIVE: My Gripe With TNA; I’d Like To See…

I’D LIKE TO SEE…
 
pro wrestling recycle old ideas, such as the mask concept. Not the mask as it serves Rey Mysterio, combining with his Mighty Mouse physique to make him a kiddie superhero. I’m talking Masked Superstar. I’m talking Mr. Wrestling II. I’m talking the Assassins.
 
Trying to unmask those guys was a big deal. A masked heel would taunt babyfaces: “You’ll never reveal who I am!” A masked babyface would make it a point of honor: “This mask is sacred to me!” Even if you were fairly certain who was under the mask, you didn’t know for sure until the moment of truth. Everybody knew Masked Superstar II was Big John Studd. But when he was unmasked in 1980, you still heard the marks gasp.
 
The idea of wrestling is to create points of conflict that draw money by way of sparking fan interest. A mask does that. It was a built-in point of conflict for those mentioned. Masked Superstar, Mr. Wrestling II and the Assassins were big stars. They drew money. As opposed to everybody in TNA.
 
Today’s bookers would be better off going back to the basics instead of trying to be Martin Scorsese, something they clearly aren’t qualified to be. Masks; tag teams as a focal point; legit emphasis on titles; personal issues funneled through athletic competition, not vice-versa. What’s being done isn’t working, especially in TNA. Why not try this?
 
There’s a clip on YouTube of Ric Flair taking exception to Tommy Rich doing color on his match during an episode of Georgia Championship Wrestling. It spills into the ring. Other wrestlers join in, including Masked Superstar. Rich goes for Superstar’s mask. The crowd pops. ‘Nuff said.
 
FUN AT WORK!
 
Hey, which Hardy is going to die first? Who wants to start an office pool?
 
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.