On the Legitimacy of External Criticism

"You're not in the business, kid."

When conversing with anyone within the wrestling business, no matter how tenuously connected, this phrase is likely to ring out with all of the predictability of a bowel movement. Whether it is the terribly dim and thoroughly mediocre talent Al Snow, mouthing off on an internet radio show, or the otherwise intelligent Kevin Nash using false analogies - "Would you tell a chef how to cook his meals?" - this will surely be the go-to retort to any perceived criticism. This storyline makes no sense. "You're not in the business, kid." This promo is boring and unfunny. "You're not in the business kid." This is offensive on every conceivable level; to my intellect, to my emotional substance, to my support of professional wrestling for two decades. "You're not in the business, kid." I'm here to suggest, not only why this is a childish, babyish response to descent, but how it is keeping professional wrestling from genuine progression.

Wrestling's Modern Heel Problem

The run-up to WrestleMania, and the spotlight taken by a half in/ half out, Dwayne Johnson has been highly entertaining. His interaction with WWE's biggest star of the last decade, John Cena, and their great hope for turnaround, The Miz, has shown the potential of the roster, as much as it has their limitations. John Cena has been motivated in a way not seen since 2006's classic One Night Stand 2, and it has been good television to watch him verbally lock horns with the Brahma Bull. The Miz has clearly modelled himself on the kind of egotism that defined The Rock's success as both a heel and a babyface and anywhere in between, as well as somewhat unfortunately adopting the suited up, soft spoken act of Chris Jericho. Is this the only option for a modern day heel? To play off of the hope that the crowd is turned off by your egotism?

Jeff Hardy: Where does TNA go from here?

The Jeff Hardy situation at Victory Road has thrown a spotlight on TNA, and it's hardly the one they would have hoped for. With WWE currently engaging Twitter fans with a war of words between The Rock, John Cena and The Miz, the only thing being discussed about TNA is how Jeff Hardy ever made it to the ring.

To be frank, that the decision to cut short the match appeared to take place only after both Hardy and Sting had made their way to the ring was nothing short of ludicrous, showing a stark contrast in levels of professionalism between TNA and the WWE. Does anyone believe that if Jerry Lawler had turned up clearly unfit to compete that he would ever have made it out for his match against The Miz at Elimination Chamber last month? It's unthinkable. Chances are he'd never have left the dressing room. Yet when this situation occurs in TNA, it took until Hardy's entrance music hitting for anyone to realise there was a serious problem.

Falling: The Shameful Tragedy of Jeff Hardy

This past Sunday saw the latest in a long stretch of incidents of Jeff Hardy's personal life conflicting with his professional one. Seeing that Jeff Hardy was in no state to work a main event match, Eric Bischoff altered the finish, live on Pay Per View, leading to a disgraceful ninety second long conclusion to TNA's Victory Road. One would be tempted to suggest that this is a failure that should not be laid on TNA's slender shoulders - Jeff Hardy failed to meet his most basic obligations, after all - until of course the realisation that it was TNA's limp reaction to substance abuse within professional wrestling that was key in luring Hardy from WWE. That Hardy is facing the  impending fallout from his plea bargain, following charges of drug trafficking, and that he has proven yet again that he is incapable of keeping his self-destruction in check, shows how much we and Hardy have lost.

No Holds Barred, No Effort Spared

As you've no doubt gathered from the post below, I was somewhat skeptical of the Undertaker-Triple H match scheduled for Wrestlemania 27.

However, thus far, the WWE seems to have avoided all the traps I feared they would fall into. Triple H has not put his career on the line, and the talk has simply been of both men leaving it all in the ring, which is as it should be. No Holds Barred means we can actually get that. For once it's not to allow someone to win by underhand means legally, it's simply so that the pair can go hell for leather, with no concerns other than giving the audience the best possible match they can.

The Shame Event?

The following was originally posted on February 23rd, and is copied in here to provide context for the next post.

So, The Undertaker against Triple H looks to be on at Wrestlemania 27. It should be a tremendous match. You've got two of the biggest names and best performers of the last two decades making their long awaited returns. So why don't I want to see it?

It comes down to, as ever, the rumours circulating about Triple H. If they are to be believed, he's wanting to call it a day. Whilst I absolutely think it's the wrong decision if he wants to call it a day, then I can't really argue. He'd be going out, much like his longtime friend Shawn Michaels on top of his game, if you'll excuse the pun. Which is clearly better than continuing long after you have anything to offer, as another friend of his, Scott Hall has done.