Rather Brilliant Torch Column

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Ummmm...... yes it does.

 

Your all about bashing Luger about mistakes in his life but when people bring up your favorites like Raven, Austin, etc. you defend them and it seems to come down to "well I like him, so it's not as bad".

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

I like the argument that the WWE does it, so it's okay for TNA to as well.

 

I thought TNA was alternative, shouldn't the alternative be almost as good/as good/better?

[Guest Dave O'Neill, Journalist]

There's a reply up on the Torch's website

 

The gist is:

Don't hate Luger, he has a right to a job, Fuck Jarrett and Panda for bringing him in.

 

I'd agree, oddly enough, but I still think Luger is a scumbag, so

 

 

Fuck Jarrett

[Styles 0]

I sent a reaction to the Torch, let's see if they post it.

I also sent this to the TNA and Panda email addresses provided:

 

Hello, as a result of an internet editorial I'm sure you are getting some negative feedback to the hiring of Lex Luger. I would just like to express my support and appreciation that you are giving someone down on his luck a second chance. I will be rooting hard for him this Wednesday, and hoping he

turns in the best performance of his life and will not judge him until then. I order TNA every week, and it is truly wonderful that they give opputunities to young wrestlers who would not get a break otherwise, and past stars, allowing them another shot in the spotlight. Thank you to Panda, Jeff and Jerry Jarrett and all other parties involved for delivering an excellent product.

Edited November 9, 2003 by Slapnuts00

[Guest TDinDC1112]

Dave - Do you realize that probably over 75% of professional wrestlers use some sort of illegal narcotic? Wrestling is full of scum bags. Innocent until proven guilty. Being implicated doesn't mean anything. There are scum bags everywhere in this world - that's life.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

I love how any negative article is "brilliant" to 1inch.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

Lugers ''involvement'' with Liz's death should have him blackballed?

 

Jimmy Snuka (allegedly) murdered his girlfriend back in 1981-82. And he is STILL Around.

 

try arguing that.

[2GOLD 0]

I personally don't like Lex as a wrestler but the man was NOT convicted or hell, even arrested in dealing with the death of Liz.

 

Luger deserves the second chance.

 

Is he an arrogant fuck? More than likely and if you want to make that argument against them, then go ahead. But placing the terrible tragedy of her death on his shoulders?

[Guest MikeSC]

Hello, as a result of an internet editorial I'm sure you are getting some negative feedback to the hiring of Lex Luger. I would just like to express my support and appreciation that you are giving someone down on his luck a second chance. I will be rooting hard for him this Wednesday, and hoping he

turns in the best performance of his life and will not judge him until then. I order TNA every week, and it is truly wonderful that they give opputunities to young wrestlers who would not get a break otherwise, and past stars, allowing them another shot in the spotlight. Thank you to Panda, Jeff and Jerry Jarrett and all other parties involved for delivering an excellent product.

 

I remember when WCW was tanking. I remember how out of touch the hardcore WCW marks were.

 

You sound JUST LIKE THEM. It's like deja vu all over again here.

 

Is there nothing TNA could do that might be viewed as "bad" by you? They bring in a horrid worker who nobody wants to touch and they stick him IN THE MAIN EVENT. He'll make more in one show than several of the boys make in a month. Honestly, I could see TNA re-enacting the ENTIRE Kane v HHH program and you'd call it "great and compelling television".

 

And for what? Increased buys? That is HIGHLY unlikely. For a great match? Not going to happen.

 

Luger getting a "second chance"? Luger has been given TONS of chances and has bombed. Vince gives him numerous chances, preps him for a BIG program that began with his run-in at SummerSlam '95 (because Luger said he was going to re-sign) --- only to find him on Nitro the next night.

 

So he's a lying shit.

 

He pitched a hissy fit about jobbing to O'Haire & Palumbo and decided to show his ass on PPV.

 

So, he's unprofessional.

 

He has gotten progressively worse over the years. He hasn't put over a SOUL in his ENTIRE career. Not one person was helped by working with Lex.

 

Oh, but they're giving a guy down on his luck a second chance.

 

Heck, Iron Sheik is available. He's physically in bad shape. Sign him. Tony Atlas is suffering. Sign him.

-=Mike

[Styles 0]

Hello, as a result of an internet editorial I'm sure you are getting some negative feedback to the hiring of Lex Luger. I would just like to express my support and appreciation that you are giving someone down on his luck a second chance. I will be rooting hard for him this Wednesday, and hoping he

turns in the best performance of his life and will not judge him until then. I order TNA every week, and it is truly wonderful that they give opputunities to young wrestlers who would not get a break otherwise, and past stars, allowing them another shot in the spotlight. Thank you to Panda, Jeff and Jerry Jarrett and all other parties involved for delivering an excellent product.

 

I remember when WCW was tanking. I remember how out of touch the hardcore WCW marks were.

 

You sound JUST LIKE THEM. It's like deja vu all over again here.

 

Is there nothing TNA could do that might be viewed as "bad" by you? They bring in a horrid worker who nobody wants to touch and they stick him IN THE MAIN EVENT. He'll make more in one show than several of the boys make in a month. Honestly, I could see TNA re-enacting the ENTIRE Kane v HHH program and you'd call it "great and compelling television".

 

And for what? Increased buys? That is HIGHLY unlikely. For a great match? Not going to happen.

 

Luger getting a "second chance"? Luger has been given TONS of chances and has bombed. Vince gives him numerous chances, preps him for a BIG program that began with his run-in at SummerSlam '95 (because Luger said he was going to re-sign) --- only to find him on Nitro the next night.

 

So he's a lying shit.

 

He pitched a hissy fit about jobbing to O'Haire & Palumbo and decided to show his ass on PPV.

 

So, he's unprofessional.

 

He has gotten progressively worse over the years. He hasn't put over a SOUL in his ENTIRE career. Not one person was helped by working with Lex.

 

Oh, but they're giving a guy down on his luck a second chance.

 

Heck, Iron Sheik is available. He's physically in bad shape. Sign him. Tony Atlas is suffering. Sign him.

-=Mike

I'm not a Luger fan, but I feel the criticism they are recieving for hiring him based on his recent situation is unfair and am simply expressing my support as a reaction to the detractors.

[Guest MikeSC]

I'm not a Luger fan, but I feel the criticism they are recieving for hiring him based on his recent situation is unfair and am simply expressing my support as a reaction to the detractors.

They DESERVE the criticism. They are signing a HORRID worker who has never drawn a dime in his life and pushing him above A LOT of the talented guys on the roster. And who cares WHY? As a favor to Sting? Sting is overrated, has been garbage in the ring since 1997 and has never drawn in HIS life, either. To give him a second chance? There are far more deserving people.

 

When criticism is deserved, you shouldn't give them praise. I prefer the WWE --- but I'm not going to say that bringing back Nathan Jones is anything more than a horrible, horrible decision.

-=Mike

[Styles 0]

I'm not a Luger fan, but I feel the criticism they are recieving for hiring him based on his recent situation is unfair and am simply expressing my support as a reaction to the detractors.

They DESERVE the criticism. They are signing a HORRID worker who has never drawn a dime in his life and pushing him above A LOT of the talented guys on the roster. And who cares WHY? As a favor to Sting? Sting is overrated, has been garbage in the ring since 1997 and has never drawn in HIS life, either. To give him a second chance? There are far more deserving people.

 

When criticism is deserved, you shouldn't give them praise. I prefer the WWE --- but I'm not going to say that bringing back Nathan Jones is anything more than a horrible, horrible decision.

-=Mike

No one is using that criteriam. Everyone is harping on his drug charges and Liz's death, including the actual column that I was responsing to which encouraged readers to contact TNA and its parent company based on these circumstances. Not "he's a bad worker" but "he's a drug addict with an anxiety problems who's contributing to death in wrestling" or some nonsense.

[bob_barron 0]

I am- TNA should not hire him because

 

 

a) He sucks

b) Is an unprofessional shit

c) He won't draw

d) He's a waste of $

[Styles 0]

I am- TNA should not hire him because

 

 

a) He sucks

b) Is an unprofessional shit

c) He won't draw

d) He's a waste of $

Fine, in principal I agree, but the author was making one erroneous point and encouraging others to make the same point to the owners, and I felt the need to point out the errors.

And just give Luger a chance. If he sucks, he'll be gone.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

I am- TNA should not hire him because

 

 

a) He sucks

b) Is an unprofessional shit

c) He won't draw

d) He's a waste of $

Sadly I can't disagree any of those.

 

Except Maybe a. You mean as a wrestler, or as a human being?

[bob_barron 0]

As a wrestler.

 

But he doesn't sound like a great human being

[Guest MikeSC]

I am- TNA should not hire him because

 

 

a) He sucks

b) Is an unprofessional shit

c) He won't draw

d) He's a waste of $

Fine, in principal I agree, but the author was making one erroneous point and encouraging others to make the same point to the owners, and I felt the need to point out the errors.

And just give Luger a chance. If he sucks, he'll be gone.

Signing a guy who is KNOWN to be a rather big and PUBLIC drug addict is bad business. Raven may have done MORE --- but Luger's indiscretions were made PUBLIC. World of difference.

 

And, again, Luger has been given NUMEROUS chances. I'm sure there are plenty of guys who could --- and should --- be given the air time before Lex.

-=Mike

[Guest dvkorn]

That Torch article was horrid... Just another one of the reasons why the Torch blows...

 

Luger has drawn... he's been in the main event of a number of good - large buyrates for WCW/NWA... granted they were against Flair and Sting and looky who's in the ring with him next show...

 

And nobody knows whether he will or won't draw... they see him and sting in the ring together again... a wave of nostalgia (however you spell it) might kick in.

 

And if it a only a one or two deal then i see nothing wrong with it... TNA are trying to reach that next level and bringing in names and trying to get their own talent over is a good way to go about it...

Edited November 9, 2003 by dvkorn

[tommytomlin 0]

Unless Luger comes in and beats AJ or Sting 1-2-3, I haven't got a problem with TNA bringing in Luger. Yes, he's not going to pop a huge buyrate, and yes, he uses drugs and doesn't like jobbing, and yes, he hasn't wrestled a decent match since 1998, but he has name value, and if they feed him to AJ like I think they will, it will have been worth it.

 

Have said that, I say we reserve our judgement to Wednesday after the PPV.

[Guest Coffey]

I liked the cage match that Lex Lugar had with Barry Windham from the NWA/WCW title. Back when Mr. Hughes became Lugar's "body guard" and Harley Race became his "manager."

 

Windham kicked out of everything until Race came down to the ring and told Lugar to "use my Piledriver!"

 

That did it.

[Guest TDinDC1112]

I am- TNA should not hire him because

 

 

a) He sucks

b) Is an unprofessional shit

c) He won't draw

d) He's a waste of $

Fine, in principal I agree, but the author was making one erroneous point and encouraging others to make the same point to the owners, and I felt the need to point out the errors.

And just give Luger a chance. If he sucks, he'll be gone.

Signing a guy who is KNOWN to be a rather big and PUBLIC drug addict is bad business. Raven may have done MORE --- but Luger's indiscretions were made PUBLIC. World of difference.

 

And, again, Luger has been given NUMEROUS chances. I'm sure there are plenty of guys who could --- and should --- be given the air time before Lex.

-=Mike

Raven has gone out of his way to make his drug use public.

[eirejmcmahon 0]

Luger was nothing more than a punchline to a joke two weeks ago and now people are openly supporting his working with NWATNA, I just don't get it.

[Guest TDinDC1112]

Luger was nothing more than a punchline to a joke two weeks ago and now people are openly supporting his working with NWATNA, I just don't get it.

What's the joke?

[Guest MikeSC]

Raven has gone out of his way to make his drug use public.

Managed to avoid getting press coverage of his problems.

-=Mike

[Guest MikeSC]

Luger has drawn... he's been in the main event of a number of good - large buyrates for WCW/NWA... granted they were against Flair and Sting and looky who's in the ring with him next show...

 

Or, in other words, he doesn't draw.

 

At all.

 

Never has.

 

And nobody knows whether he will or won't draw... they see him and sting in the ring together again... a wave of nostalgia (however you spell it) might kick in.

 

Funny, didn't work in WCW for, well, that period between 1999 and its demise.

 

See, most fans are aware that Luger is crap and that Sting is nothing special.

 

Sting's drawing prowess is hardly impressive.

 

And if it a only a one or two deal then i see nothing wrong with it... TNA are trying to reach that next level and bringing in names and trying to get their own talent over is a good way to go about it...

 

Who has gotten over by the usage of these "former stars"? Jarrett seems to be the only one thus far.

-=Mike

[Guest MikeSC]

Luger was nothing more than a punchline to a joke two weeks ago and now people are openly supporting his working with NWATNA, I just don't get it.

What's the joke?

His ring work?

His horrid promos?

His jerk behavior?

-=Mike

[Guest Dids]

Then you have the safety issue. One of the drugs Pfohl was arrested with was Xanax, a drug described for individuals with mood-disorders, namely anxiety. The notion of allowing a wrestler who needs drugs to control a psychological disorder into the ring and trusting him with the lives and careers of his fellow employees, gives new meaning to the term "unsafe working conditions."

 

Here's the part of the editorial that should make you realize that whoever wrote is is an idiot. Xanax is a pretty mild anti-anxiety drug. The notion that somebody taking it has a "psychological disorder" or could create "unsafe working conditions" is pretty fucking stupid.

 

Plus, if TNA was really concerned about setting a "precedent by condoning and promoting the use of deadly and illegal drugs within their company" then Raven- who's worked his drug use into an angle in another promotion is the place you start.

 

It's a lousy idea to bring Luger the wrestler in- because he's lousy and mostly won't draw. You could even argue that he'll draw less because of his behavior and connection to Elizabeth's death- but to paint it is a moral failing on TNA/Panda's part is idiotic.

 

Dave, your defense of Raven:

 

Raven isn't a complete and utter scumbag who

 

-is/was implicated in the death of a known wrestling personality in the past years

 

-refused to job to Sean O'Haire on the last WCW PPV out of spite

 

-up until the incident where Elizabeth died, had been bragging that the WWE was gonna call him "any day", and furthermore, belongs to an "elite" group of gobshites who believe that their physical look, not their wrestling talent, or lack therof, will secure them a WWE Job

 

Has NOTHING to do with the issues that the "brilliant column" raised about Luger. I think everybody agrees with you that for some of the reasons you listed it's a lousy idea to bring Luger in- but trying to make this a "Fuck Jarrett for bringing in this sociopath" debate- and ignoring that the guy you mark out for has a worse history than Luger is the same flame baiting bullshit that got you threatened with banning in the first place.

[Guest TDinDC1112]

Luger was nothing more than a punchline to a joke two weeks ago and now people are openly supporting his working with NWATNA, I just don't get it.

What's the joke?

His ring work?

His horrid promos?

His jerk behavior?

-=Mike

Doesn't that joke apply to like 75% of professional wrestlers?

[Jack_Bauer 0]

I'm only gonna say one thing here.

 

Yes, Raven has been involved in drugs and alcohol and things, but his credibility has increased before he got work at TNA, so for them to bring him in wasn't that bad for business. He is also over and could be a money maker for TNA if he were to fued with JJ again.

 

Luger is good for the simple reason that TV channels will look at him as a big name and therefore favour TNA for having him. I know that this point has already been made, but for that reason, I aint against TNA having Luger. Infact, I'm all for it.

[Guest Dave O'Neill, Journalist]

I remember when WCW was tanking. I remember how out of touch the hardcore WCW marks were.

 

You sound JUST LIKE THEM. It's like deja vu all over again here.

 

Is there nothing TNA could do that might be viewed as "bad" by you? They bring in a horrid worker who nobody wants to touch and they stick him IN THE MAIN EVENT. He'll make more in one show than several of the boys make in a month. Honestly, I could see TNA re-enacting the ENTIRE Kane v HHH program and you'd call it "great and compelling television".

 

And for what? Increased buys? That is HIGHLY unlikely. For a great match? Not going to happen.

 

Luger getting a "second chance"? Luger has been given TONS of chances and has bombed. Vince gives him numerous chances, preps him for a BIG program that began with his run-in at SummerSlam '95 (because Luger said he was going to re-sign) --- only to find him on Nitro the next night.

 

So he's a lying shit.

 

He pitched a hissy fit about jobbing to O'Haire & Palumbo and decided to show his ass on PPV.

 

So, he's unprofessional.

 

He has gotten progressively worse over the years. He hasn't put over a SOUL in his ENTIRE career. Not one person was helped by working with Lex.

 

Oh, but they're giving a guy down on his luck a second chance.

 

Heck, Iron Sheik is available. He's physically in bad shape. Sign him. Tony Atlas is suffering. Sign him.

-=Mike

Best. Post. EVER

 

And it sums up that column i said i was writing, but never bothered to post because I knew TNA Apologists like bps and Mad Dog would flame the shit out of me for it

 

Fuck Jarrett, and Fuck Luger. And Sting and AJ for even agreeing to get in the same ring as him.

 

I hope to God Hogan and Vince settle their differences so they can kill this disgrace of a promotion before they decide to bring in more wastes of humanity