Why is Ryback dead? Or is he dead? Somebody needs to get the stooges that put Raw together on the same page…I read this recent article by Nick Paglino and the key line, jumping out at me, is that everyone except Vince thinks Ryback’s unsafe. Since Vince doesn’t think Ryback is unsafe, then Ryback is not unsafe.
Prediction – while my Undertaker streak guess is probably not going to happen, I think Ryback keeps going because of his look, avoiding the “future endeavored” line.
Are you interested in buying TNA? Why? Vince bought WCW and their entire film library for $2 million so what would TNA be worth? Great talent but since Russo poisoned the well for so long, I have to wonder what that does to TNA’s value.
Prediction – Jeff Jarrett takes over and runs a stripped down version of TNA.
What the heck is Ring of Honor doing to find a technological solution to the iPPV equation? The repeated issues disappoint and turn off the fan base and frustrate the office. No matter what business you own, work in or sell for, you are in the customer service business. Until technology advances far beyond where it is today, should ROH forget about iPPV?
Prediction – ROH will return to pay-per-view in 2014.
For the wrestlers out there, my last article focused on hitting your times. This article deals with fundamentals.
“I told them I was interested in players, not athletes. I want a baseball player. I can find a lot of guys who can dunk a basketball. I can also find a lot of guys who can't hit one. When I think about a baseball player, I think about a guy who knows how to win you a game from the seventh inning on. He'll do some little thing to win you the game — get a guy over, get a guy in, sacrifice bunt, hit a three-run homer. Those are the guys that I want. I made it pretty obvious.” – Recently retired Major League Baseball Manager, Jim Leyland.
This is why Leyland was a winner everywhere he coached. He knew that fundamentals and the right mind for the game of baseball are integral to success in the game. I don’t care if the guy can dunk. I want a guy who makes free throws in the clutch. For wrestling, it’s about being able to command the fundamentals in such a way that the audience is captivated enough to spend their money repeatedly to see you (or others like you).
WWE Needs Wrestlers, Not Athletes
Also, this Jim Leyland quote should be sent to the WWE offices regarding their repeated errors with developing talent. They should be interested in professional wrestlers, not athletes.
Watching the Sunday Night NFL game with the Houston Texans against Chad Collyer’s Indianapolis Colts, I was struck how Case Keenum went undrafted. He threw for almost 20,000 yards for the University of Houston and became the most statistically prolific passer in NCAA history. He signed with the Texans and bided his time. He’s “only” 6’ 1” and that probably held him back. He “only” ran a 4.82 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine, which probably turned some teams off.
WWE looks at wrestlers the same way. Now, if you come from another genre, you’re all set. Unfortunately for wrestlers, there is not 31 other organizations vying for your services like you have in the NFL. There is one game in town… one GM, one mindset.
But you can’t worry about the WWE if they don’t want you. There is a big world out there and fundamentals are appreciated somewhere. Who knows? Maybe one day, the WWE will truly go in another direction.
Young Wrestlers Need to Be Pushed in Practice
The New York Knicks want to win the NBA Championship this season. Word is that superstar forward Carmelo Anthony will want to leave the team if the Knicks don’t win a title this year.
I believe the Knicks can do it because of this quote, regarding the grueling pace of practice and emphasis on defense.
“That’s the only way we can get better, if we push each other. Sometimes me and Iman (Shumpert are) on the same team, we both guard Melo and we try to make it hard on him, so when he gets out there on the floor, it will be easy and he can, you know, be the leading scorer, and not only be the leading scorer, but be the leading guy this year in the NBA. We want Melo to be the leading guy in the NBA this year. But we’ve got to do that together.” – Metta World Peace. Metta is one of the best defensive players in the league but I have to think the Knicks brought him in to make Carmelo a better practice player. Better practice play leads to better game play.
The same can be said for wrestling. Young wrestlers need to be pushed in practice. Some wrestling schools have classes two or three nights a week but I’ve seen some training sessions that have a lot of down time and BS.
The emphasis needs to be on fundamentals through strict practice to make matches on shows easier. Also, young wrestlers need to find disciplined veterans with sound fundamentals to train with. Guys like Delirious in Ring of Honor, Brutal Bob Evans in Rhode Island, Mike Mondo in New York, Rip Rogers in OVW and Brian Fury in Massachusetts all stress the fundamentals.
Too many wrestling schools feature the blind leading the blind. Open your eyes, young wrestlers, and find a veteran with whom to advance your training. Step outside your comfort zone. Or don’t. There are thousands of wrestlers out there and there is always someone better than you. The choice is yours.
“Young people need role models, not critics” – John Wooden
Twitter – @RealKevinKelly
