Hi, my name is Bill W and I'm an addict. I'm addicted to the professional wrestling industry.
No, my name is not really Bill W, but I choose it as my nom de plume because I wish to remain anonymous. Bill W was one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous and I figure it's appropriate considering all of the friends in wrestling I've lost due to drug and alcohol addiction. I've been addicted to and part of the pro wrestling industry all of my life. I've been a wrestler for over 20 years. I've worked on or near the top of the card for every promotion I've worked for. WWE/WWF, WCW, TNA. I've main evented Madison Square Garden. I've worked big matches at WrestleMania and every other major WWE/WWF PPV. I choose to remain anonymous, just because I want to. I'm not afraid to write any of this under my own name - I just dont want to. If you read my column, you will understand that I'm the real deal. So don't bother trying to figure out my true identity, as I will never reveal myself to you. Just know I will never bullshit you. My only agenda is the truth and trying to enlighten you to things about my industry that very few people can do better than me. I hope you all find my columns insightful as this is only the beginning. This is a new movement in wrestling and there are much bigger things to come. Get ready.
Before I go any further, I would like to congratulate The Road Warriors on their coming induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. It hasn't been announced yet and very few people know. Both Joe & Mike were great to work with and in my opinion, they are the greatest tag team in the history of wrestling. Mike Hegstrand is one of the greatest guys I've ever known in or out of wrestling. A real man's man. Never took shit from anyone, but would give you his last dime at the same time. I miss you very much Mike. I look forward to seeing Joe accept the induction and really hope Paul Ellering is there as well.
I will definitely be watching the Hall of Fame for this and to see the induction of probably the greatest in ring performer of all time, Shawn Michaels. I've read rumblings about the entire Clique of Shawn, HHH, Nash, Hall, and Waltman being a part of the Hall of Fame. I wouldn't hold my breath for that to happen. I know Kevin Nash will be there for sure, but I know 1st hand that Vince was sour on the idea of Hall being there. And probably Waltman as well. They are worried about Scott showing up to the ceremony and causing a scene. As far as Waltman goes, I can think of a list of reasons they may not want to have him there, considering the PG direction the company has moved towards in the past few years.
Random thoughts on current topics:
There's been a lot of talk in the industry about Rey Mysterio's future with WWE. The last time I talked to Rey, he was really feeling the effects of all the years of working the type of style he does. He expressed a lot of frustration with the company and at the time we talked, he was seriously entertaining an offer from AAA in Mexico. Anyone who knows Vince will tell you that Rey does not fit his image of a main eventer. However, numbers dont lie and Rey's merchandise sales alone, in my opinion, tell Vince that his image of a main eventer does not always represent the "WWE Universe's" image of what makes a top guy. Rey played hardball in his last negotiations and we're not seeing him on any AAA Galavison shows, so I wonder who got what they wanted when that deal was finally ironed out. Obviously the WWE isn't counting on Rey being around much longer as they have really concentrated on pushing Del Rio lately.
Alberto Del Rio (Dos Caras Jr) has all of the tools, but I find his in ring work to be lacking any explosiveness & intensity. I know Del Rio and have known his father for 20 years. I've had the pleasure of working with his father (Dos Caras) who was fantastic and a 1st class guy.
I wonder how Rey feels about the fact that WWE signed Mystico. First of all, WWE already has the original Mystico down at FCW in Tampa working as Unico, who I know for a fact is about to be brought up to one of the main rosters. I wonder if they will change Mystico's name. Obviously they weren't worried about capitalizing on Del Rio's heritage in Mexico, so my money is on them changing his name. The thing about Mystico is that I dont know if he will be able to adjust to the difference in style. I've never been a big fan of his anyway, to be honest. He's going to be in FCW for quite a while trying to lose some of those awful habits in the ring that come with working that lucha libre style.
Also, does anyone else not think that Mystico is a direct rip off of Rey's gimmick anyway?
I was less than impressed with this year's actual Rumble match. Ive been in several Royal Rumble matches and they are formula matches that are not that hard to put together. Just not a very good Rumble in my opinion.
I know this isn't that current of a topic anymore, but after seeing the whole interaction between Taker and Lesnar after Brock's fight - that he ended up losing badly - I will bet my life they planned to shoot the angle after the fight because everyone stupidly assumed Brock would win. The guy started interviewing Taker, Brock just walked by and Taker actually said to him "You want to do this?" or something like that. Obviously Brock wasnt feeling it after getting beat down in such brutal fashion. Ive known Taker forever and I've known Brock since he signed a developmental deal right out of college. I've teamed with Brock and worked many a match with Taker. There is no legit heat between them and that was definitely them trying to shoot an angle. Taker vs Brock at Mania would obviously be huge. Not happening now though. I feel bad for Taker as I don't see a whole lot of options of big time opponents for him to face at this year's WrestleMania. Wade Barrett is just fine as an opponent for Taker, but I don't think it's much of a way to follow last years WM match. Then again, how do you follow last years match he had with Shawn Michaels?
I don't even want to get started on TNA right now, but I will. They do that terrible angle with Abyss coming out with a ball bat with spikes stuck in his upper back. That was a terrible idea and whoever wrote it should be fired.
Sad to see Flair acting like a child over in Europe and no showing an event over there recently, reportedly over the fact that the agent on duty wouldn't give Ric a draw (spending money that is deducted from your check). While I think it's stupid not to give the guys a draw on the road - I had an issue with TNA over the exact same thing - you don't pitch a fit and refuse to get on the bus. If you act like that and no-show an event, then you don't deverve to be treated like the legend you are. I know you "can" do it, but it doesn't mean you should Ric. And please, quit wrestling! My God, have you looked in the mirror lately? You haven't much hair left at all and your body looks like meat on a hanger. Other than that, I love you Ric. You're the man. I've had some great matches with Ric and it was definitely an honor.
How ******ed must TNA feel right now after their big angle went to hell with the appearances of Nash & Booker T at the Rumble? No one in that company really feels loyal to them (TNA). They probably would if they weren't paid like shit and treated the same.
I'm done for now, but I'll be back. You can count on it.
