I finished the book and of course wondered what other people thought. I liked it at first but the farther I went I came to dislike the somewhat blatant ass-kissing of HHH, Michaels, and the McMahon family.
I understand you don't bite the hand that feeds you but HHH is by no means one of the best ever in the business. I couldn't see him anywhere near the top 50 U.S wrestlers. Right time, right place describes HHH to me, as opposed to Flair's denounciation of Hart as a guy that was made by Vince.
Why didn't Flair bring up this whole WCW, Paul Levesque bad-French accent story I've heard many times before? Skirting the issue made alot of the praise of Trips seems even more bogus.
If you read The Observer, Meltzer def helps out in filling in alot of the blanks and clearing up certain things for those that aren't as versed in pro wrestling history, and without really letting his own bias or opinion cloud his review. He did make his points and I'm happy he did, but he wasn't shoving it down my throat.
But back to Flair, I would think more then anything, you just don't mention Vince McMahon as much as this beacon of all that is right with pro wrestling. Maybe a thank you for what you've done for me, here and there, but all the praise seems like bullshit.
Everyone got into the whole Hart back and forth with Flair as well as the Foley "reciept", but the venom there didn't interest me as much as the lack of honesty that I feel there was when it involved the McMahons. Maybe Flair does think these things about them.
Personally, I'd like to read a book from him, or anyone really, after he's out of wrestling for good.
I understand you don't bite the hand that feeds you but HHH is by no means one of the best ever in the business. I couldn't see him anywhere near the top 50 U.S wrestlers. Right time, right place describes HHH to me, as opposed to Flair's denounciation of Hart as a guy that was made by Vince.
I think Triple H can have a legit claim to being the best overall wrestler in the business today. Like Flair, he wasn't a technical master, a psychological master, but while you couldn't rate him as a 10 in any one in-ring attribute, I think he's an 8 or 9 in just about everything. One of the most well-rounded competitors we'll see today, and a great heel to boot. I don't think he'll fair the test of time too well, but he is without doubt one of the top men around today. I should also note that Trips played a large part in inspiring me to start training to become a pro-wrestler, no BS.
I have no qualms about HHH's abilities, and he could go at one time, better then he can today. Maybe his backstage politics effect my opinion of him, and of course, what the f do I know cuz I'm just an observer, not in the biz.
And I think Trips is a good heel.
But he's not a draw, and if I am wrong I'd like to be shown proof.
Workrate, if you included Japan, he's outclassed by many.
Interviews, if you include Japan, I have no idea. But U.S., yeah, he's pretty decent, but he never really blows me away. I'd rate him average, really.
Right place, right time, right wife, just enough talent.
Originally posted by TheGreekPhysiqueI have no qualms about HHH's abilities, and he could go at one time, better then he can today. Maybe his backstage politics effect my opinion of him, and of course, what the f do I know cuz I'm just an observer, not in the biz.
And I think Trips is a good heel.
But he's not a draw, and if I am wrong I'd like to be shown proof
Look in 2000.
There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened. - The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
While that's true, out of those six the only major drawing cards he was working with were Rock and Austin, and he played the perfect villain to them so can be equally attributed for being a draw in both of those feuds. Otherwise, he was the top man while business was still thriving, so I can't really detract from him even though he had the highest quality opposition.
Originally posted by leggoFoley, Rock, Jericho, Angle, Benoit, Austin.
Austin and Rock took a number of house shows off, leaving HHH as the top guy advertised, and some of those houses did record numbers, in spite of Austin and Rock not advertised. Foley is an arguable case, but after WrestleMania, it was similar to Austin and Rock in that he was never there. Angle and Benoit weren't built as main eventers; therefore weren't ticket-sellers. Same goes for Jericho, to an extent.
I'm not a huge HHH at all, but it's hard not to give him a large amount of credit for the money drawn in 2000.
Originally posted by TheGreekPhysiqueBut back to Flair, I would think more then anything, you just don't mention Vince McMahon as much as this beacon of all that is right with pro wrestling. Maybe a thank you for what you've done for me, here and there, but all the praise seems like bullshit.
Everyone got into the whole Hart back and forth with Flair as well as the Foley "reciept", but the venom there didn't interest me as much as the lack of honesty that I feel there was when it involved the McMahons. Maybe Flair does think these things about them.
Personally, I'd like to read a book from him, or anyone really, after he's out of wrestling for good.
You're right, Flair should have dissed the McMahons.
After all, it was Vince who:
- Treated him with a boatload of respect after he was fired by Herd. Flair got to stay Flair and wasn't demoralized.
- Let him go back to WCW early when Bill Watts made him an offer. And let him go out with respect.
- Hired him back in 2001, when Flair was thought to be finished as a worker and debuted him in Charlotte and with a good role.
- Let him take the time he needed with heart problems and kept him in his spot.
- Honored him in May 2003 after Raw.
- Did not punish him for trying to start the fight with Bischoff.
- Gave him a DVD set that speaks for itself.
- Paid big bucks for the book contract and let him have pretty free reign over the content.
- Gives him a wonderful schedule so that he can spend time with his kids.
- Continues to treat him with dignity.
Oh yeah. Flair has a lot to be upset about with Vince.
(edited by Snowball on 23.7.04 0554) all animals are equal but some are more equal than others