Mark mags on RVD

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

It's been a while since I have looked at a wrestling magazine.

 

With the exception of the PWI 500 (a guilty pleasure) and the almanac (purely for title histories and card results and such) I usually forget they exist. (also...special occasions like reading the WWE spin on the Austin walkout warrant a purchase)

 

But when I went shopping today I decided to buy a couple and see what they have to say about the current state of wrestling.

 

The most intriguing thing about them...was their opinions on Rob Van Dam.

 

The first issue was the PWI midyear report.

 

Now...RVD received an "A" for his first half of the year. No big surprise there...he's had a great year...

 

But what struck me as funny was the line attached to his name:

 

"Rob Van Dam is a star whom WWE won't be able to hold down much longer"

 

hmm...I think alot of people would agree...it's just funny to see in print.

 

I knew that these magazines (specifically the Stu Saks published ones like PWI and the Wrestler and whatnot) had moved away from Kayfabe stories for the most part.

 

But man...are they brutally honest sometimes.

 

From the Wrestler with the cover story "Who's Next?: The stars that could replace Stone Cold":

 

RVD was obviously one of the people they picked...and here it is...my opinion of RVD perfectly rolled into magazine form:

 

"Rob Van Dam is Vince McMahon's most controversial employee. Here's a guy who has it all: unheard of athleticism, uncanny in-ring tendencies, an incredibly loyal fan following, and the confidence to wear the undisputed WWE World heavyweight title tomorrow if asked.

 

*three paragraphs that keep kayfabe about his almost win against Taker and how Flair overturned the decision followed*

 

Whenever a main-event push is discussed for RVD, the usual criticisms prevent it from happening: He's too small; he doesn't know how to work the WWE style; he's too sloppy with his kicks and punches; his promos are weak, lack intensity, and seem contrived.

 

Of course, the one thing that often gets lost in these discussions is that Van Dam is uniquely entertaining. He brings a style to WWE that no other wrestler on the planet could deliver as effectively. And for that, RVD isn't just liked or admired - he's outright loved. Arena fans don't chant "R-V-D!" because it's easy to do or because they've been prompted. They do it because they want to see Van Dam win and ascend that WWE ladder.

 

*This last paragraph coming up is my favorite, and also my current point of contention with Vince and WWE*

 

WWE needs to watch out. The longer Van Dam is kept down at the ladder's mid-point, the harder that ladder to the top will be. Just ask Chris Jericho about that."

 

 

 

In a nutshell...I agree with this.

 

In a bigger nutshell...I beleive that the WWE's failure to push what is popular, instead of what they want...is a part of the attendance problem. Why show up and cheer for RVD, or boo Jericho...when HHH, Taker and Brock get the pushes...despite not being over in their roles...or frankly...any good at this point? (by over in roles I mean Taker when he was a heel, HHH when he was a face (yes he got pops for his music...but the matches had no heat...because no one roots for HHH), or Brock...um...at all)

 

Why then...when those first two people failed...did they just turn them back how people wanted them...ELAVATING NO ONE IN THE PROCESS?

 

HHH turned heel on Shawn Micheals...who despite his return at SS is not a wrestler.

 

Taker turned face...um...actually I don't know why...it didn't involve anyone.

 

On a side note...when did the mark mags get so...smart?

[Guest Austin3164life]

You're right about RVD and I share your sentiments about why Vince wont elevate the guy. People chant his name, by the foam fingers and point to themselves not because they're monkeys, but because they pay to see Rob Van Dam. Simple as that. RVD is the next Shawn Michaels, and Kurt Angle is the next Bret Hart. These two are the WWE's future. Don't let the opportunities pass you, Vince.

[Guest Valcourt]

Well the RVD thing can be argued forever. But to talk about the mark mags, I can sum it up best by quoting all the oldschool guys that work for the Indie fed I work with....

 

Old School guy #1 "Fuck, no one knows anythign about Kay Fabe anymore"

 

Old School guy #2 "Heh, Kayfabe, he was a good worker back in the 70's"

 

(Yeah the second is a joke)

 

Kayfabe is dead and those mags will probably slowly change into "dirtmags"

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

you know...I'm reminded of a conversation I had with Loss4Words after KOTR this year.

 

He didn't see it, and asked me how the RVD vs. Jericho match was (since this was coming after JEricho's tirade about how great the match was, while bashing the internet)

 

I told him it was pretty good...but not as good as Jericho thought it was.

 

But I said, Jericho was dead right about one thing...that match had heat...and the rest of the matches on the card (with the exception of the Hogan anomoly) did not.

 

Why?

 

Because despite not being pushed as top guys...

 

at the end of the day...

 

RVD and Chris Jericho are people that fans want to see.

[Guest Shaved Bear]

good point AustinHHH, but do you think Angle might be leaving for commitment to the Olympics sooner than later

[Guest MrRant]

RVD and Angle have been entertaining to me each time I have seen them.

 

I have seen Angle 4 times live and RVD 3 times and they have always had entertaining matches but hey what do I know?

[Guest Shaved Bear]

oh man, when I went to Raw and SD earlier this year, the roof absolutley blew off for RVD

[Guest Brian]

I think Angle is eventually not going to the Olympics. It seems like he's much more hesitant towards it now. I think in the end he'll see that he's not fully commited to the fact that he can win, and he'll stay.

[Guest Quik]

Hmm. Vince temporarily stopped his big man fetish after the Mabel abortion. Save for a Sid run or two, it was smaller guys getting pushed to the top.

 

Maybe Brock will be a good thing. Maybe when he dicks up his run, Vince will realize this isn't working and we'll see Jericho, Angle, RVD, and Benoit at the top with guys Hunter being pushed to the side.

 

I agree with bps. Hunter is being made the focus, when the champion should be the focus. I mean, the guy's cutting half hour interviews at the end of the show to pimp a match Vince just shat out as a quick fix. Seriously, this is not just HHHating, he is what's wrong with the WWE today. He loses the belt, but stays on top. It's bullshit.

 

Great, now I'm angry.

[Guest Cubbie78]

About Angle, I honestly dont think he is gonna try the Olympics again....Because Id think hed want to win and despite how great he is technically as a pro wrestler, I think hed get KILLED in olympic wrestling, based on his age, conditioning (specifically, the kind of conditioning you need for amateur) and hes been out oif it too long...Hed do well Im sure, Bronze maybe?...but he wouldnt get gold and I think he knows that, so I dont see any point in trying to enter tyhe olympics again, from his standpoint

[Guest Kid Kablam]

Or Angle will have a WWE flashback moment and nail someone with a rolling German suplex and get DQ ed.

[Guest Kid Kablam]

That tells you something about Vince's way of doing things when even mark mags are getting fed up. Anger induces intelligence.

[Guest MrSCARY]

I agree with anyone who says RVD should be pushed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brock Lesnar might be "The Next Big Thing" but Rob Van Dam is "The Whole Fucking Show!"

[Guest The Metal Maniac]

Or Angle will have a WWE flashback moment and nail someone with a rolling German suplex and get DQ ed.

 

Actually, if memory serves me correctly, if he could pull that off in the Olympics, he'd win the match before he got to the third one.

 

Assuming Olympic wrestling runs under the same rules I'm familiar with, a throw like that is worth 5 points.

 

10 points earns you a win. Simple as that.

 

Just sayin'.

[Guest Kid Kablam]

Or Angle will have a WWE flashback moment and nail someone with a rolling German suplex and get DQ ed.

 

Actually, if memory serves me correctly, if he could pull that off in the Olympics, he'd win the match before he got to the third one.

 

Assuming Olympic wrestling runs under the same rules I'm familiar with, a throw like that is worth 5 points.

 

10 points earns you a win. Simple as that.

 

Just sayin'.

I knew I should have said DDT.

 

::Devil's Voice::

SHUT UP JUST SHUT UP!

::End devil's voice::