World Wrestling Entertainment
Submitted By: On-Nation Webmaster, October 1, 2003..Updated November 14, 2005

  World Wrestling Entertainment, or as most us of call it the WWE is something you either love, or you hate. This is an industry that seems to not have a home of recognition, not in sports, not in multimedia, and not anywhere else it seems. But there is a place it is at home, in the minds and hearts of it's fans both young, and old. Many of us grew up looking at these entertainers as our heros, and legends. We were joyed when our favorite became the champ, and equally hostile when the bad guys won. In the early days of wrestling, we would stand outside of the old National Guard Armory, or wherever they were due to wrestle hoping to get an upclose glimpse, get an autograph, or even a chance to touch our hero. Let's face it, what other sporting event can you go to prepared to adore, and despise people in almost the same moment?

 When Vince McMahon Sr created the World Wide Wrestling Federation (originally named the Capitol Wrestling Corporation) nobody really knew what an impact the future would bring for this style of entertainment. In 1982 Vince McMahon handed over the reigns to his son, Vince McMahon Jr, and there were some back then, even within the profession itself who doubted his ability to manage. How wrong they were. With Vince McMahon Jr at the helm, the wrestling business would jettison to become a leader in the world of entertainment. The genius didnt stop with Vince Jr however, his family including wife Linda, daughter Stephanie, and son Shane also got into the act of keepiing this event an everlasting enjoyment for all of us. Vince also had a great eye for talent. He created both heros, and villains alike to keep us in a neverending story of suspence, and intrigue. He signed on timeless legends that we had all grown up with. People such as Gorilla Monsoon, and Bobby Heenan were announcing the play by play action. This was very impressing to myself considering I was vitually raised on watching these guys in the ring, Seeing them still active in the business told me that this was an entertainment sport of not only physical skill, but also one of dedication.

 Inside the ring I have seen legends pass on, and new ones created. There have been champions you knew who could do no wrong, and there were champions you knew could never do no right. Then there were some who could totally confuse you about what they were doing at all. The WWE has a perfect blend of the old, and the new. Great legends such as Rick Flair wrestle side by side with the new breed such as the beloved Hurricane. There is nobody who can take getting tossed over top another wrestler better than Rick Flair can, and that is quite an accomplishment for a man who once had a broken back. The guy you love to hate Triple H aka Hunter Hearst Hemsley. This guy in my opinion is one awsome individual. Even with his smirky persona, you still have to respect his ability in the ring. He can make you love him, feel sory for him, and make you hate him all in one evening. Now that is a true entertainer. Hard to believe he used to be a semi-scrawny dude everybody took turns beating up on. Of course another who we fans have followed is Stone Cold Steve Austin, who has probably created more crowd catch phrases than anyone. From his screw authority attitude, to Austin 3:16, and his "what?", we fans just love him. Of course let us not forget the lovely ladies of wrestling as well. My favorite these days is Victoria, but overall it is probably Trish Stratus :-)

 In 2002 the WWF became the WWE it was partly because of another organization with the same initials concerned that people would confuse the two. To me it was a bit silly. Let's face it, if the other group had a wrestling show, it would most likely air on the Discovery channel. I also feel it would be called a documentry, not RAW or SMACKDOWN. So to start wrapping things up, I wish to say that even though some may say wrestling is fake. The reality is that it is a physically demanding form of entertainment on all of those performing. These folks virtually live a constant life on the road, and one, two, or even three nights a week they are getting shoved around, thrown over top ropes, and hit with anything and everything. This grueling life has left many veteran wrestlers with permanent injuries, and sadly some have even lost their lives for the sake of this sport. Why? Because they do it out of their love for the sport, and their love for their fans. Regardless of what type of sport you watch, I am sure you can appreciate that type of devotion. You will never see an athlete getting hired with multi million dollar contracts just to sit on the sidelines, or give a less than a 100% performance in this sport. I suggest that if you are a skeptic about wrestling, next time it comes near your town go see the show. I am confident once you see it live you will leave with a better understanding of why wrestling fans are such die hards. Who knows, you might even have fun as well.

 So to all of the wrestling folks from the ring, all the way back to video truck, I wish to say thank you for being a bright spot in my life so many times for so many years. To Vince, and family. Vince, you are a genius. Linda, you are one of the most classy ladies ever to grace the ring. Stephanie, what can I say? You are a doll. Shane, be careful out there. You are one risk taking dude. By the way my fellow fans, is Eric Bischoff getting younger, or is it just me seeing things?

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