It wasn’t exactly the perfect end to this semester when it came to “Backlash.” The WWF’s latest pay-per-view was regrettably poor compared to the rest of the 2001 PPVs. The only high points I found were the surprisingly good Hardcore Title match between Raven and Rhyno and the 50-foot fall Shane McMahon took onto a unconscious Big Show in a Last Man Standing match.
Even the Benoit/Angle 30-minute submission match was boring for 20 of the 30 minutes. At least Papa’s Pizza provided the show so I didn’t have to pay my hard earned money for it.
Hopefully, this show was a small speed bump in the great season of PPVs the WWF has provided this year.
Speaking of the end of the semester, the PWF is back in full swing for the last two weeks of school. Last Wednesday, in order to get back in shape for Last Call Sunday, May 5, at 5pm, the wrestlers of the PWF warmed up by allowing the fans to choose the night’s matches. Needless to say, we were all a bit rusty, but we put on an entertaining show for the few fans in attendance.
This coming Wednesday, May 2, will be the final show before Last Call. Titles will be on the line, and all points will lead to the PWF’s final show of the semester. I invite you all to join us at the Reynolds Volleyball court Wednesday at 9:30pm and Sunday at 5pm for some good ol’ Cullowhee wrasslin’!
But enough about that. Let me get to my real point behind this column. This is regrettably my last column for the Western Carolinian. It’s true, Servo is graduating in August and will soon leave the confines of this university for greener pastures in the working world. I have had a wonderful time in the past three years writing this column and sharing my knowledge of wrestling with the fans here in Cullowhee.
These past years have seen some very interesting developments in pro wrestling. From the death of Owen Hart, to the purchase of WCW, these years have been memorable to say the least.
Whether you like wrestling or not, you cannot shake the impact it has on the entertainment world. Wrestlers are appearing on television series, talk shows, commercials, and even Playboy. The Rock is even staring in a third installment of “The Mummy,” based on his character he played in the last one. Mick Foley, The Rock, and Chyna have written best selling autobiographies, and the credibility of wrestlers as entertainers and actors becomes greater by the day.
However, wrestling has become the target of blame for children’s deaths due to wrestling maneuvers. While I believe the parents are partly to blame, I do feel that the violence in wrestling has gone beyond what it used to be.
The world was awed when Jimmy “Superfly” Shnuka dove from the top of the steel cage ten years ago, now we are seeing Shane McMahon fall 50 feet. Just like the rest of American culture, it has to get bigger. Wrestling has gone with that flow and is paying the price for it in legal battles with angry parents and censorship organizations.
Professional wrestling has been around for a long time. Whether you consider it a sport, glorified male soap opera, or both, you have to admit the athletic ability of wrestling superstars and the commitment they have to entertain the millions “and millions” of fans all over the world.
Servo Sez: “Thank you. I have had a blast writing this article and wish to express my thanks to Daniel Hooker for giving me this chance three years ago. Wish me luck in the coming years. This is Servo a.k.a., Matt Rogers, signing off.”