From: v113np2v@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (George D Emmons)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.pro-wrestling
Subject: Let's settle this Warrior thing...
Date: 15 Apr 92 03:15:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41


     Okay, I'm officially entering the "I'm not a mark/
Yes, you are!" debate so I can put an end to this annoying thread.
Yes, Herb, you are right that workrate is important. However, you
yourself have adknowledged that even awesomely talented performers
can put on boring matches. The bottom line is: Who puts on an 
entertaining, dramatic match? I have been following wrestling for 
as long as I can remember, and in the past few years, I've come to
realize that, though people can bitch and moan about how Hogan
and Warrior are given such a push, they are, in fact, as good a
pair of _PERFORMERS_ as Flair and Riger, just in a different 
manner. This is directed at everyone, now; not just Herb. A while
back in one of his TidBits posts, Herb made probably the most 
astute judgment I have seen since coming on this newsgroup last 
August. He stated, regarding the difference between Tiger Mask and
Yamada, that while Tiger Mask provides a few good moves with a 
match, Riger gives a match with a few good moves, and that makes 
all the difference. It's all about who can keep the crowd into it.
Riger does it by doing crazy sh*t in the air. Flair does it by 
making you think he's finally going to lose. Bollea & Hellwig do
it by making you want to get in there and help them take the other
guy's head off. In the end, if you watch just the match, and not
the crowd, the wrestler's game faces, and interviews (which, like
it or not have become intrinsic to North American wrestling), yes,
I can see where you're coming from. However, the wrestling scene 
has been irrevocably altered by Vinnie Junior. To paraphrase Slick
Ric, "Whether you like it or you don't like it, learn to love it,
'cause it's the only thing going." And give the boys some credit.
They do put on exciting, dramatic matches in their own way.

Now. To answer a few other things that have come up over the past
few days concerning the Warrior.


1. Warrior came into the WWF in July, 1987, after leaving Von
Cripple country. He was alternately billed as The Warrior and The
Dingo Warrior during that first month at house shows, much like 
Papa Shango came in as "Sir Charles" back in December. When Vinnie
decided to give him a push, he became the Ultimate Warrior, began
his TV stint with one or two squashes on a syndie in October, a BIG
win over Frenchy Martin (replacing Bob Orton, who had left the 
organization) at a televised MSG card, and THEN went on to get 
tossed in the ten-man battle royal. He competed in the Nassau 
Coliseum Bunkhouse Brawl in January, 1988, and began his first
significant feud (I don't qualify Steve Lombardi complaining about
losing to him in an issue of WWF Magazine a legitimate feud) with
Hercules, culminating in the only non-title singles match in Mania
Four.

2. He has also been known during his career as "Blade Runner Rock"
"The Justice" (Powerteam, never used the name in a match) and, in
his first match ever, back when he was still in Chiropractic 
School, "The American" (Mark Tendler was training him at the time).

3. Contrary to popular opinion, James can talk. The yelling only
perpetuates the image of a crazy man from beyond this galaxy. If
anyone saw his appearance last summer on Prime Time, where he had
a quiet chat with Vince, he was really articulate and soft-spoken.
Also, James' interviews do not follow the " From somewhere else to
you in the powers of everything wouldn't you like to be a Pepper
too?" format. Listen to one. Yes, they're not "I'm gonna get you
sucka" interviews, but they read great if you write them down. 
Sorta like a wierd science fiction novel, but great nonetheless.

                                Thanks for putting up with that.
                                      George
"Only one crossed over to my world, but he was torn to shreds
by my warriors before he got past the gates..."
                                     -James Hellwig
P.S. BTW, any ideas who the "one" he referred to was?