Post by CandyKANE on Feb 7, 2003 8:46:41 GMT -5
credit:tsn.ca
2/4/2003
Picture this.
It’s a blistery February night in Montreal, Quebec. The piercing cold surrounding the Bell Centre is only counteracted by the searing action taking place from within. It’s Icon vs. Icon II, as the Immortal Hulk Hogan locks horns with The Rock. The mood is set, the time is right, and the fans are in for a real shocker.
The bout has raged for over 10 minutes - which for Hogan is a double life-sentence – and The Rock is enjoying the upper hand. Suddenly, drawing strength from his minions in attendance, Hogan “hulks up” and knocks The Rock on his derriere. With the People’s Champion groggy on the mat, Hogan lunges for the ropes, propels forward and drops the big leg. One…two…kickout!
Within an instant the momentum has swung. The Rock reaches down, grabs Hogan’s tired legs, and spins The Hulkster around until he’s face down, screaming in agony. The Sharpshooter is locked. There’s no way out.
But to his credit, Hogan won’t give in to the pain. He fights with every breath left in his frame. Hogan reaches for the ropes, but is immediately pulled back. Suddenly, Hogan notices a blurry figure starting to take shape outside the ring. It’s Vince McMahon. With Hogan unwilling to give in, McMahon plunges to his right and glares irritably at the official timekeeper.
“Ring the bell, damnit!” Yells Vince. “Ring it now!”<br>
Without hesitation, the bell is rung. McMahon barks orders at referee Mike Chioda and delivers the outcome. The Rock has won, and according to Vince, Hogan submitted to the pain.
Bewildered by the outcome, Hulk Hogan leans on the ropes and stares a hole through the eyes of Vince McMahon. A buzz runs through the arena, as the fans scramble to figure out what just happened. Boiling over with rage, Hogan spits in the direction of Vince. Bullseye. Hogan then lunges over the ropes and grabs a handful of Vince’s silver locks. He tries to pull up the company chairman, but is interrupted by The Rock, who proceeds to end Hogan’s night with a barrage of chairshots.
Vince then raises The Rock’s arms and looks down maniacally at the beaten body of Hulk Hogan. It’s a screwjob ending with a very familiar twist. But hey, it’s Montreal, would you expect anything less?
This particular scenario has been bantered around ever since The Rock announced his intentions at Smackdown! Wrestling outlets, like LiveAudioWrestling, have discussed the angle extensively and it appears to be gaining some credence. When it comes to talking about wrestling rumours and potential angles, I don’t often bite. But this particular angle is so juicy, so intriguing, so tempting, that it’s worth examining with guarded optimism.
Sure, the whole 1997 Montreal Screwjob has been recreated already – Vince assisting The Rock defeat Mankind at the 1998 Survivor Series comes to mind – but this incarnation is truly fascinating. More importantly, it could serve a specific purpose. Go figure.
The purpose for the angle would be twofold. First off, the level of hatred between Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan would escalate to the breaking point. This will lead quite nicely into a WrestleMania XIX match in Seattle.
Secondly, Hogan could attempt to exact a measure of revenge on The Rock for siding with McMahon at No Way Out. Rumour has it, Hogan will then introduce an old friend to neutralize The Rock’s momentum. The old friend will be a guy named Bill Goldberg. Heard of him?
Turning back to the original issue - What are the chances Montreal will accept being slapped in the face with another screwjob ending? It was painful enough the first time when it happened to Bret Hart, and the fans may not be willing to witness it again. It’s like spinning in circles when you were a child. Sure, the first few spins made you feel warm and fuzzy, but if you keep spinning you’ll eventually rotate out of control and fall aimlessly into jagged coffee table. Ah, the memories.
Translation: The WWE has been there, done that, when it comes to the infamous “Screwjob” ending and recreating it again could do more damage than good.
But I could be wrong. After all, has there been a wrestling event in the past 15 years that has evoked a more emotional response than the 1997 Survivor Series? Has any angle managed to manifest such passion, hatred and provocation? I think not. So trying to recreate that atmosphere may not be such a bad idea.
The WWE wants to rock their company down to its very foundation. A sudden and shocking scene at No Way Out may provide the impetus they need as WrestleMania approaches. Hogan has always surrounded himself with strong emotions, and the WWE can feed off of those emotions be recreating history in front of a very passionate crowd.
It may happen. It may not. But don’t be surprised to hear these words as WrestleMania draws closer. “Vince didn’t screw Hulk….Hulk screwed Hulk!”<br>
For TSN.ca/Wrestling, I’m the “Tuesday Morning Booker” Josh Shiaman
2/4/2003
Picture this.
It’s a blistery February night in Montreal, Quebec. The piercing cold surrounding the Bell Centre is only counteracted by the searing action taking place from within. It’s Icon vs. Icon II, as the Immortal Hulk Hogan locks horns with The Rock. The mood is set, the time is right, and the fans are in for a real shocker.
The bout has raged for over 10 minutes - which for Hogan is a double life-sentence – and The Rock is enjoying the upper hand. Suddenly, drawing strength from his minions in attendance, Hogan “hulks up” and knocks The Rock on his derriere. With the People’s Champion groggy on the mat, Hogan lunges for the ropes, propels forward and drops the big leg. One…two…kickout!
Within an instant the momentum has swung. The Rock reaches down, grabs Hogan’s tired legs, and spins The Hulkster around until he’s face down, screaming in agony. The Sharpshooter is locked. There’s no way out.
But to his credit, Hogan won’t give in to the pain. He fights with every breath left in his frame. Hogan reaches for the ropes, but is immediately pulled back. Suddenly, Hogan notices a blurry figure starting to take shape outside the ring. It’s Vince McMahon. With Hogan unwilling to give in, McMahon plunges to his right and glares irritably at the official timekeeper.
“Ring the bell, damnit!” Yells Vince. “Ring it now!”<br>
Without hesitation, the bell is rung. McMahon barks orders at referee Mike Chioda and delivers the outcome. The Rock has won, and according to Vince, Hogan submitted to the pain.
Bewildered by the outcome, Hulk Hogan leans on the ropes and stares a hole through the eyes of Vince McMahon. A buzz runs through the arena, as the fans scramble to figure out what just happened. Boiling over with rage, Hogan spits in the direction of Vince. Bullseye. Hogan then lunges over the ropes and grabs a handful of Vince’s silver locks. He tries to pull up the company chairman, but is interrupted by The Rock, who proceeds to end Hogan’s night with a barrage of chairshots.
Vince then raises The Rock’s arms and looks down maniacally at the beaten body of Hulk Hogan. It’s a screwjob ending with a very familiar twist. But hey, it’s Montreal, would you expect anything less?
This particular scenario has been bantered around ever since The Rock announced his intentions at Smackdown! Wrestling outlets, like LiveAudioWrestling, have discussed the angle extensively and it appears to be gaining some credence. When it comes to talking about wrestling rumours and potential angles, I don’t often bite. But this particular angle is so juicy, so intriguing, so tempting, that it’s worth examining with guarded optimism.
Sure, the whole 1997 Montreal Screwjob has been recreated already – Vince assisting The Rock defeat Mankind at the 1998 Survivor Series comes to mind – but this incarnation is truly fascinating. More importantly, it could serve a specific purpose. Go figure.
The purpose for the angle would be twofold. First off, the level of hatred between Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan would escalate to the breaking point. This will lead quite nicely into a WrestleMania XIX match in Seattle.
Secondly, Hogan could attempt to exact a measure of revenge on The Rock for siding with McMahon at No Way Out. Rumour has it, Hogan will then introduce an old friend to neutralize The Rock’s momentum. The old friend will be a guy named Bill Goldberg. Heard of him?
Turning back to the original issue - What are the chances Montreal will accept being slapped in the face with another screwjob ending? It was painful enough the first time when it happened to Bret Hart, and the fans may not be willing to witness it again. It’s like spinning in circles when you were a child. Sure, the first few spins made you feel warm and fuzzy, but if you keep spinning you’ll eventually rotate out of control and fall aimlessly into jagged coffee table. Ah, the memories.
Translation: The WWE has been there, done that, when it comes to the infamous “Screwjob” ending and recreating it again could do more damage than good.
But I could be wrong. After all, has there been a wrestling event in the past 15 years that has evoked a more emotional response than the 1997 Survivor Series? Has any angle managed to manifest such passion, hatred and provocation? I think not. So trying to recreate that atmosphere may not be such a bad idea.
The WWE wants to rock their company down to its very foundation. A sudden and shocking scene at No Way Out may provide the impetus they need as WrestleMania approaches. Hogan has always surrounded himself with strong emotions, and the WWE can feed off of those emotions be recreating history in front of a very passionate crowd.
It may happen. It may not. But don’t be surprised to hear these words as WrestleMania draws closer. “Vince didn’t screw Hulk….Hulk screwed Hulk!”<br>
For TSN.ca/Wrestling, I’m the “Tuesday Morning Booker” Josh Shiaman