Memorial Shows

[Y 2 Jake]

Anyone else think they feel staged and contrived? Some aspects of them are really touching. I thought the Benoit one was really nice. But moments in the Owen Hart & Eddie Guerrero ones made me cringe.

For example the ending of the Owen show. Steve Austin came out. He did his usual shit with his beer and that was the end of the show. But why? Because he was WWE's biggest star? Shouldn't it have ended with one of Owen's friends making a speech? Austin even stated in his book that he was resentful towards Owen because he didn't call after he broke his neck.

One of the Eddie Guerrero shows started with Batista coming to the ring. Not Benoit, Malenko, Chavo or even Rey Mysterio. But Batista. A storyline ally. They might have been friends. But were they close like he probably was with Benoit, or his cousin Chavo?

And what about the Rey Mysterio speech. I believe it was a pre taped interview. He cries. I'm sure he's sad. But at the end he removes his mask. Why was he wearing it anyway? Fans wouldn't care about seeing him without his mask if a well loved wrestler has just died. It just felt so staged to me.

[TheOneBigWill]

I was personally disgusted by Steve Austin and the Owen Hart tribute show. Because to me, guys like Triple H., Jeff Jarrett, Debra, Mark Henry.. especially personal friends of Owen, they all showed tremendous emotions.

Then you have a prick come out, cut his normal in-ring segment with the beer, and basically say "Here's one for ya." He drinks, raises a can to the sky, then leaves it in the ring. Absolutely distasteful in my opinion.

As far as the Chris Benoit tribute show. I feel as if it was too sudden. I understand being the live event Raw is, that they had a pre-arranged 3 hour special, but to turn the entire thing into a 3 hour special to Chris Benoit, only for them on the next night during E.C.W. to basically say they jumped the gun on the whole thing, and more or less say it was a mistake. Thats distasteful and disrespectful to me too.

What they should've did, was aired some type of "best of" W.W.E. moments show, instead of doing the Benoit tribute show instantly. Especially when the whole issue of his death was surrounded in such mystery. But instead, they didn't think, they just ran with a tribute show.. then apologized for it the following night, making it out to be nothing but a mistake, which is heartless to me.

If you really think about it, the Owen Hart and Eddie Guerrero tribute shows, were nothing more "special" or "individual" (meaning about them) than the fricken 9/11 tribute Smackdown.. its nothing but staged, and put on for the fans.

That being said. I appreciate the tribute shows. I cried during them. I loved them. But as you've said, they have moments in them, where you just feel sick watching it unfold, because apart of you knows its not real so much as staged.

[Y 2 Jake]

I didn't have a problem with the Benoit show. Because really what happened is one of the last things you would and WWE would have expected to have happened. I thought it was a fitting tribute to a well respected wrestler.

But what I also don't like is all this pointing to the sky stuff. I just feel it's all for the fans. Which it shouldn't be if a wrestler has died. They maybe should have matches, but it should be between wrestlers who didn't really associate with the deceased. When Chavo beat JBL at the Eddie tribute show people were like OMG Chavo beat JBL. Which is the wrong reaction in my opinion.

[TheOneBigWill]

Originally Posted by Y 2 Jake

But what I also don't like is all this pointing to the sky stuff. I just feel it's all for the fans. Which it shouldn't be if a wrestler has died. They maybe should have matches, but it should be between wrestlers who didn't really associate with the deceased. When Chavo beat JBL at the Eddie tribute show people were like OMG Chavo beat JBL. Which is the wrong reaction in my opinion.

The pointing to the sky stuff if more of the "on-paper" religious aspect of things. As most people relate to a lost love one, to pointing/looking to the sky, as in knowing/feeling they're in heaven looking on. (I know you knew that) I think when its done on television, its just another aspect of the whole thing being non-real, so much as "what they think you want to see."

I fully agree that they should've had matches in place of a best of career show. Especially since it was a 3 hour special. But at the same time, the surrounding of the Chris Benoit death not only took his life, but his immediate Family's lives. I think that in itself was just cause on why they completely cancelled the entire show. Because I can imagine how close Benoit was to a lot of them, and how emotionally broken up about the whole situation they all would've/could've been.

Again, that being said, I would've liked to seen a tribute show. But as you said, people also give crap reactions just because someone you wouldn't see winning, wins. All in all, had they of done it, they would've done it wrong. The main event would've likely seen Triple H. v. Rey Mysterio, or something along those lines.. when in reality, the Main Event for a Benoit tribute show should've been.. Rey Mysterio v. Chavo Guerrero, or Dean Malenko returning for one night.

As you've also said, to showcase their closest friends and family, not just the biggest on-screen stars who've worked with him and presume to know him.

[Freedom 35]

Originally Posted by TheOneBigWill

The pointing to the sky stuff if more of the "on-paper" religious aspect of things. As most people relate to a lost love one, to pointing/looking to the sky, as in knowing/feeling they're in heaven looking on. (I know you knew that) I think when its done on television, its just another aspect of the whole thing being non-real, so much as "what they think you want to see."

I fully agree that they should've had matches in place of a best of career show. Especially since it was a 3 hour special. But at the same time, the surrounding of the Chris Benoit death not only took his life, but his immediate Family's lives. I think that in itself was just cause on why they completely cancelled the entire show. Because I can imagine how close Benoit was to a lot of them, and how emotionally broken up about the whole situation they all would've/could've been.

Again, that being said, I would've liked to seen a tribute show. But as you said, people also give crap reactions just because someone you wouldn't see winning, wins. All in all, had they of done it, they would've done it wrong. The main event would've likely seen Triple H. v. Rey Mysterio, or something along those lines.. when in reality, the Main Event for a Benoit tribute show should've been.. Rey Mysterio v. Chavo Guerrero, or Dean Malenko returning for one night.

As you've also said, to showcase their closest friends and family, not just the biggest on-screen stars who've worked with him and presume to know him.

this right here IMO was what made the Benoit show good was it was all personal reflections on him from people close to him, you had CM Punk talking about his career and all the respect he had for him and how hed wishes he could have worked with him more, you had Rey and Chavo close personal friends talking on his behalf, there was John Cena who I have no idea about but was probably just there because hes the top guy but the interview that made that show for me was with Edge, Edge was a wreck and really gave a good emotional reflection on Benoits career and that if it didnt make you just a bit emotional I dont know what will. thats why IMO that was the most meaningful tribute show

[Michael]

Austin was the WWE's top guy, him being the final guy to say good bye to Hart represented the WWE saying good bye as a whole.

Rey's mask isn't there just to shift merch but is part of his heritage, removing the mask is a sign of respect.

How do you know how close Batistia and Eddie were off camera?

Who are you tell people how to remember their loved ones? We don't know these people nor do we know their personal relationships and shame on all of you for claming those shows were staged.

[Y 2 Jake]

Originally Posted by Michael

Austin was the WWE's top guy, him being the final guy to say good bye to Hart represented the WWE saying good bye as a whole.

Main guy doesn't mean shit when somebodys died.

Originally Posted by Michael

Rey's mask isn't there just to shift merch but is part of his heritage, removing the mask is a sign of respect.

Which he removed in WCW in 1999. Does he really wear that thing all the time? No.

Originally Posted by Michael

How do you know how close Batistia and Eddie were off camera?

I'm not saying they weren't close. But how come he got more of a spot on the show than Chris Benoit. How come Dean Mslenko only got a quick promo. How come Chavo didn't make a speech to the crowd.

Originally Posted by Michael

Who are you tell people how to remember their loved ones? We don't know these people nor do we know their personal relationships and shame on all of you for claming those shows were staged.

Austin celebrating with beer in the ring not staged? Batista laying his WHC on the low rider not staged?

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Y 2 Jake

Main guy doesn't mean shit when somebodys died.

He's representing the whole company saying good bye to Owen, it was touching and classy

Which he removed in WCW in 1999. Does he really wear that thing all the time? No.

Yeah and regretted since and was bored in TJ because of it. The mask is important and removing it was a sign of respect. That is a fact.

I'm not saying they weren't close. But how come he got more of a spot on the show than Chris Benoit. How come Dean Mslenko only got a quick promo. How come Chavo didn't make a speech to the crowd.

Benoit was in the main-event and he and Malenko closed the show. Maybe Chavo didn't want to.
I can't answer any of that because I don't know the people involved and I'm not going to judge their intentions because I don't know them.

Austin celebrating with beer in the ring not staged? Batista laying his WHC on the low rider not staged?

No, staged implies something designed to create fake emotion. Neither were fake.

[Y 2 Jake]

Originally Posted by Michael

He's representing the whole company saying good bye to Owen, it was touching and classy

With Austin doing his usual deal? Beer classy?

Originally Posted by Michael

Yeah and regretted since and was bored in TJ because of it. The mask is important and removing it was a sign of respect. That is a fact.

But when you're in an emotional state as I'm sure he was why would he put the mask on? Does he wear that thing at home? Will he wear it to his mothers funeral?

Originally Posted by Michael

Benoit was in the main-event and he and Malenko closed the show. Maybe Chavo didn't want to.
I can't answer any of that because I don't know the people involved and I'm not going to judge their intentions because I don't know them.

Then why participate in the thread?

Originally Posted by Michael

No, staged implies something designed to create fake emotion. Neither were fake.

Austin drinking beer like he usually did. Then laying a can in the middle of the ring to end the show not fake? Please.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Y 2 Jake

With Austin doing his usual deal? Beer classy?

Yeah it was, that's why it got so many positive reviews.

But when you're in an emotional state as I'm sure he was why would he put the mask on? Does he wear that thing at home? Will he wear it to his mothers funeral?

He put his mask on because showing his face at a wrestling event goes against his heritage which is why taking it off was so powerful

Then why participate in the thread?

Because I'm trying to make you and othres understand that you have know right to cgo after these guys for how they choose to remeber their friends after they died. We don't know these people, or their relationships or what is important to them and to sit in judgement of them in this way is wrong and shameful

Austin drinking beer like he usually did. Then laying a can in the middle of the ring to end the show not fake? Please.

Who are you to tell us what Austin intentions were at that moment? Do you know him personally? Did you ask him how he felt at the time? I'm betting the answer is no, which means that not only do you have know right to sit in judgement of him but also no basis to do so.