Right, where to start:
J.R. did in fact say that 'Taker was one of the top 5 BIG MEN in the history of WWE. Not top 5 in WWE or wrestling, but among the superheavyweights over the 'E's history.
Furthermore, J.R.s opinion is a lot more valid than anyone here on WZ forums. A 30+ year veteran announcer and former head of talent relations for WWE compared to a bunch of guys who watch the show and read the dirtsheets (half of which is bullshit anyway). No contest.
DX is only NOW considered to be a tag team. Before it was a stable of 3, that had the occassional tag match. It also was not all about HHH. HBK was the primary focus of that group, and while HHH and Chyna were a big part of it, HBK was the star. When the expanded DX formed, what did it accomplish? Nothing, it just gave a returning X-Pac somewhere to fit and the NAO something to do as well. By then, the focus was on the group as a whole, NOT just HHH.
HHH has also not been a constant ME draw. He didn't even get a sniff at the ME until '99 after joining the company in like '94? '95? So roughly 4 years, when guys like Taker and Cena were both winning their first World titles in half that time. In fact Taker did it in half the time Cena did it as well, going over Hulk Hogan of all people.
The Attitude Era was not successful JUST because of Rock and Austin. To say that is an insult not only to Taker, but HBK, Bret, Foley, Kane, Big Show and the scores of other talent that worked their asses off to give us so many wonderful memories, as well as Vince and his writers, during a time where their jobs could have been taken from them at any given moment.
Taker is not on Hogan, Austin or Rock's level. They are the pinnacle of success in wrestling. He IS on the same level as HBK, Bret, Savage, Sting etc. Flair is on a level all his own, and Cena is in none of ther leagues. Another 5 years and i'll say he is, but not yet.
To say that HHH is helping out new guys is a joke. He might be helping Legacy out at the moment, in between DX segments and while he waits for his next title reign, but it'll never be enough to outweigh the number of people he's buried over the years i.e. Booker T, Foley, Orton etc.
Flair wasn't really a draw during his last run either was he? He was more of a novelty act put their for nostalgia and arguably only drew during his retirement angle which he had to ask for in the first place. If he hadn't kicked up a massive fuss, he'd have been jobbing for another 5 months until WM.
To say Taker hasn't accomplished anything is stupid as well. How many gimmick matches do we have now based on his character alone? He made the HIAC match what it is today (as did HBK and Foley). When new guys need a rub, or are debuting wth no build up, they more often than not fued with Taker and he does all he can to make them look good. He accomplished making you give a fuck about god knows how many people. Kennedy is a great example.
I am also so sick of people saying 'he takes so much time off'. So does HBK, where's the 'HBK should retire thread' then, eh? Perhaps Taker has so much time off because he's been burnt, buried, thrown off stages, smashed in the face with just about anything you can name, slammed through tables, pushed off ladders to the arena floor, driven through the ring on 2 separate occassions, had his hand broken with a gas canister, flew off the turnbuckle through the announce table well before Shane was doing it, and diving on to guys WHO DON'T FUCKIN CATCH HIM, for the better part of 20 years, and that's not even including his WCW run. Name another wrestler who wrestled with a shattered orbital bone, or had a HIAC match with a broken foot, or had a Last Man Standing match with a torn bicep.
He adapts his repetoire frequently, sticks up for the boys, and gives his all. You can not be a fan, that's your perogative, but to state that he's achieved nothing and is over the hill is fucking bullshit.
He'll retire when he's good and ready or (god forbid) suffers a career ending injury, and not before. Get over it.
And GOD, word of advice, if you want to stay a member of this forum, stop making assumptions about people. The MODs will blatently imprison you, and if you don't wise up you'll be gone.
