I’m sure Seth could shed much more light on this subject than I could, but reading all about Hulk Hogan’s embarrassing behavior as of late, and checking out this interview with Jeff Jarrett on Between the Ropes, I got to thinking about wrestling’s nice people, and wrestling’s jerks.
I’ve defended Hulk Hogan on occasion over the years as he’s received often-justifiable bashings from his critics, but if ever I had a doubt about the Hulkster’s true make up, it’s been erased over the last several weeks as his dirty laundry has been out there for all to see.
Listening to the taped jailhouse conversations between Hogan and his son Nick in which both badmouthed John Graziano - Nick’s teenage passenger who remains in a comatose state after Nick was involved in a high-speed crash - was sickening. If that wasn’t enough, in the same conversation the two Hogans brainstormed ideas for a reality show based on Nick trying to better himself after being released from prison. Way to have your priorities straight, brother.
On the other end of the spectrum are wrestling’s true “good guys.” Over the years, I’ve interviewed a number of pro wrestlers, and while I’m sure it’s impossible to get a true sense of a person just by a few brief conversations, I do feel like I’ve gotten glimpses at what lies underneath the characters we see on TV.
And, it may sound odd, but I can honestly say that the most genuine wrestler I’ve ever had the opportunity to speak with was Jeff Jarrett.
This is to say nothing about Jarrett’s often-flawed vision for wrestling, how he’s run TNA, and how he’s handled – or mishandled, at times – his career. And for all I know, Jarrett could be slaughtering kittens behind closed doors. But in a lengthy phone conversation back in 2006, I was really taken aback by how sincere, open and plain-old nice Jarrett was. He answered all of my questions, at length, went out of his way to help me out, and seemed genuinely touched when I told him I was watching TNA in its earliest days when it offered weekly $10 pay per views.
When the subject turned to steroids and drug testing, the phone connection mysteriously cut out. I remember thinking to myself, “What a weasel. I should have expected it.” Seconds later, the phone rang, and it was an apologetic Jarrett explaining that he was driving through a no-coverage zone and lost the signal. He even joked about the convenient timing of our disconnection. He went on to field every last question I had – even the ones to which he didn’t have very good answers.
Several months later when I learned that Jarrett’s wife, Jill, had passed, and that Jeff was left to raise his young daughters by himself, I was deeply saddened. I remember watching him pay tribute to his wife in a classy and touching segment at last year’s Slammiversary. Coincidentally, that aired right around the same time WWE aired the “tribute” to Mr. McMahon after he exploded in his limo.
Again, a case of two different ends of the spectrum.
Over the last year, Jarrett has stepped away from the wrestling business to focus on the stuff that really matters - taking care of his children and stabilizing his home life. There are indications that he may be returning to the ring soon - some speculate as early as this Sunday's Slammiversary, which features Jarrett's signature match, the King of the Mountain.
I'm not a huge fan of Jarrett's work, but I've always appreciated what he did in the ring. Over the last year, I've come to appreciate what he's done outside it, as well.
Comments (51)
I wish you would get some f'n perspective. Hogan said those things about Joe to his TEENAGE SON who is in PRISON. God forbid he tries to make him feel the slightest bit better and help him deal with the situation.
It's not like they were chatting casually over Sunday Lunch. What do you want him to say "Well, I know you're a kid and you're scared ****less, but just remember, this is all you fault, brother..."
So you're saying a reasonable alternative to coming down hard on your son while he is prison is to negotiate a deal to produce a reality series and to bash the victim of the crime?
Jarret's wife really did die, Vince really didn't. Why does everyone get so worked up over something on a television show, something that loads of television shows do?
I got punched in the face once. Have I got to complain to every wrestling company going that they bring back in every match back traumatic memories of when I had my nose broken?
As for Hogan, I agree with Rhys. Heaven forbid he tries to make his son feel better while he's going through something that hopefully any of us won't have to experience in our lives.
wweisright,
You are seriously defending Hogan here? I mean, there's a difference between consoling your son and being a money grubbing, greedy, backstabbing bastard.
Consoling: "Nick, it's gonna be ok, we'll get through this as a family, we still love you and support you."
Hogan: "Once you get out of here, we'll get you a TV show and a new car and we'll tape your races and...what was the name of that kid again? Maybe we can do a Leif Garrett 'Behind The Music' gimmick and he can forgive you, we'll pay him if he wants it."
I mean, give me a break. There is NOTHING redeemable about Hogan's conversations in prison.
I totally agree that, with your son in shock over being incarcerated, a parent's role is to be supportive and offer words of encouragement, along the lines of, "I know it's gotta be tough, but you can be sure you're whole family supports you. Just get through these eight months."
But how anybody can defend Nick and Hulk Hogan essentially saying that tha reason John Graziano will never be able to feed himself again is because he's "a negative person" and "God laid some heavy ---- on him"? And if the only way to make your son "feel better" is to discuss ways to cash in on the tragedy, that's pretty pathetic. Shouldn't we have higher standards than that for any person?
Secondly, the whole, "Why can other television shows do this and we can't argument?" is a disingenuous one. WWE went out of its way to portray the McMahon death in the same way it had portrayed the very real deaths of several wrestlers before.
I'm not a big fan of using death in storylines at all, but at least in the past it was handle a bit tongue-in-cheek, as was the case with the Al Wilson storyline. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler clearly tried to imitate the same somber inflection they had when Owen Hart died. And having the wrestlers stand on the stage for a ten bell salute and give tearful testimonials served to communicate to fans that, "This is just like when Brian, Owen and Eddie died."
With the justification that "It's just television," WWE can rationalize just about anything - child rape, incest, lynchings, whatever. But shouldn't some things be off limits? Is it too much to ask for WWE to keep tributes to fallen superstars sacred, instead of making light of them?
WWE is not Law & Order, nor is it Saturday Night Live, and any fan who is honest with himself knows that.
I have officially been convinced that wweisright is either a) a work, some guy doing a gimmick where wwe is always good or b) is a complete dolt. I had my arguments with you last week over WWE's current product and I stopped battling verbally with you over it simply because you are soooo on one side of the track its scary. I hope you don't act this way with real life situations. If so I envision you as either a bleeding heart tree hugging liberal or a strictly conservative republican.
In any event what Hulk Hogan did with his son on the phone was NOT making him feel better. It just showed how cowardice and spoiled Nick Hogan is and where he got these traits. I never was the biggest Hulk Hogan fan. You have to admit he made wrestling mainstream etc etc, but his character backstage always seemed like a real jerk. He is the epitome of fake and I am so glad his family is being outed as the real idiots they are. Those phone conversations made Paris Hilton sound like a rhode scholar. Defend WWE all you want about their horrid giveaway contest, but if you really believe that some punk who has been spoiled all his life and nearly killed someone (and could have injured or killed more) should be told it was that Grazziano kids fault that this accident because he was a "negative person" then you my friend are just as bad as the Hogan family when it comes to real morales.
Nick Hogan...enjoy the next 8 months...reckless drivers and drunk drivers deserve every second they get behind bars. Boo hoo he didn't like his cell and wanted house arrest. Sorry Nicky boy this time you can not weasel your way out of this with some cash or your dad's roided muscles. I suggest a few things to pass the time while in jail.
1)pray...that bubba doesn't wrestle with you in the showers
2) take your vitamins...you will need the energy to out run the gang members.
3) and dont drop the soap
...now whatcha gonna do brotha!
Speaking of genuine good guys in the business -
I work in television and have had the occasion to shoot interviews with a good number of wrestlers (along with dozens/hundreds of other celebs). And hands down, the nicest and most down to earth of them all (including the wrestlers and the celebs) was John Cena.
He takes a lot of flak (sometimes deserved) about his in-ring work and whatnot, but no matter how tired I get of him being champ, I never begrudge him. He was exceptional to interview, easy-going, polite, genuine.
And at the end, he thanked us and congratulated us on our success (in tv). This from a guy who was US champ (at the time) and obviously being groomed for the top spot.
Not my favourite wrestler by a longshot, but a hell of a good guy.
I couldn't agree more with you regarding Cena. While a lot of fans may have problems with Cena, WWE coulndn't ask for a better poster boy - young, hardworking and good to his fans. When the Benoit scandal broke last year, WWE was lucky to have Cena to serve as the perfect spokesman. Every time I've seen or listened to Cena make an appearance somewhere, he's always appeared genuine, kind, humble, and likeable. I don't think that's ever been Hogan's reputation.
The Hogans are one of the reasons I can't stand pop culture these days. How are people so underhanded and greedy on TV everyday? It's not like this is the first time Hulk has pulled the wool over our eyes. He was taking steroids while he was an advocate for not using drugs. I think Hulk's idea of a reality show summerizes our country today. Most things, in pop culture, that are pushed as positive cause negative effects on people; and I think the Hogans have fallen victim to that.
About Mr. McMahon's death angle:
The WWE bases its programming on coming across as real and live. And obviously people know its scripted, but it feels different because the wrestlers actually acknowledge the fans. They come across more as a sport than a regular TV show.
Law & Order is different because it's not made to be live in front of an audience with free will. Law & Order is made to be a real life depiction of events that may or may not have happened. They often start shows with a graphic stating 'The events in this episode are based on real life events.' Therefore admitting it is fake.
It doesn't matter if someone dies on Law & Order because they say its fake. WWE prides itself on the realness of the product. That's how death is different on WWE and other programming.
I know its been said time and time again by wrestlers, but I had the privilege of meeting the late great Owen Hart when working as an intern for a tv show in 1997. Owen was doing an interview and at the time I was the biggest Owen mark. My boss said "After he is done go and ask him for an autograph." I replied "what can he sign? My napkin? Thats too weird."
So since I did not have an 8X10 of him handy I simply wanted to meet him and he was so nice to me and the other people who approached him that it made me even a bigger fan of him. Anyways when he was leaving the studio I joked around and said something along the lines of "maybe next time I will have something for you to sign." He actually stopped in his tracks, said "d o you have a pen?" I said yeah and he said ok give me your address and when I am home I will send you an autograph. I was taken aback. This is Owen f'n Hart asking me for my address. I wrote it down all nervously in front of him and he placed it in his bag.
Well weeks went by and honestly I had forgotten about the whole address situation. One week before SummerSlam 1997 my mom tells me "you have a package from Canada?". Sure enough...a yellow envelope with Calgary, Alberta, Canada on the front was on my bed. I was like "holy shit" haha. I open it and I had an 8X10 of Owen Hart and his slammy glossy picture with a personally signed autograph that said "Dear Andy, the pleasure is all yours,Owen Hart" That moment as some 17 yr old geek into wrestling really made my day...actually my year. It was so cool that this larger than life character on tv took the time to mail me an autograph.
I still have that Owen Hart autograph in plastic put away somewhere and whenever I come across it, it makes me smile and get a little sad that he is no longer with us.
Also I met Bret Hart a few times at the same studio and he was really nice to everyone.
Congratulations on writing a blog titled "Wrestling's Real Good Guys And Bad Guys" without mentioning the name of Chris Benoit. Bravo!!
Haven't got much time to respond to a lot of the stuff thrown my way, but I will just say:
I'm not the only person defending Hogan.
Cryme Tyme doing skits offering to sell some 'Vince death memorabilia' has to be the most tongue in cheek thing ever. Al Wilson featured Torrie crying, clearly trying to portray some illusion of realism. It also featured funeral scenes - which would reach a hell of a lot more people relating to death than a ten bell salute would, but it was still all part of the show. A massive thing is being made about the ten bell salute, but it's no worse than showing Torrie and Dawn in a funeral home and then having a cat-fight break out for crying out loud.
As for 'it's infront of a live audience and the wrestlers acknowledge the crowd' it's still exactly the same. They are still following a script - except when someone clearly isn't - e.g. 'Chris Benoit is dead'.
They are all playing characters. Just because they use their real names, they are still playing characters. Mr Mcmahon is totally different from Vince Mcmahon. The Rock is totally different from Dwayne Johnson. Santino Marella is different from Anthony Carelli. Torrie Wilson the diva and Torrie Wilson the person are different people.
They are all characters. It's exactly the same as a TV show apart from the fact that there's a live crowd there. I guess broadway theatre that features death should be slammed as well then?
We get it, wweisright, you aren't offended. But can you seriously not see why people would be when it's been laid out for you about 7 times? Think, man, think.
Oh right, but people's opinions don't matter, they've never been in the business...... yawn.
I know people don't like to be told they don't know as much as they think they do, but it's the truth. Only way anyone is ever going to realise that is to get to the top of an industry they like to comment so much on when they aren't in it/at the bottom, then they'll realise how truly blind to it they really were.
Wow, you can almost HEAR these comments going over your head.
Neeeeeevermind.
Leatherface...don't waste your time on this guy...he is too smart for us.
stop bashing the hulkster brother,whatever his idiot son did and what hulk says to him,takes nothing away from what he has done for every little puke thats in wrestling today...brother
Yeah thats why I said Hulk Hogan the character made wrestling. No denying that Hulkamania ran wild for 25 years and made people a lot of money and gave fans a lot of memories. But its the man himself that is truly sleazy.Now its out there for all to see and he has even spawned 2 brats that are as shallow and fake as the Hulkster.
I am gonna defend the WWE Vince storyline... It was on Live TV at the very end of the show, The show was Vince Appreciation Night, It was shown over and over and over again the next week on RAW, and the following Smackdowns and ECWs, The story was up in a matter of minutes on WWE.com, A bunch of related articles were posted just as quickly.
I guess what I am trying to say is... If Vince actually did blow up I think the majority of WWE fans are smart enough to know that it wouldve been handled way differently if it was in real life... Case and Point just looking at the crowd at Over the Edge. It was plain and simple entertainment and I dont think should even be dared to compare to Owen, Brian, or Eddie.
You could tell Vince was a storyline in an instant. You could tell Owen, Brian, and Eddie were real in an instant.
I have a friend who works at TNA in the offices and he said Jarrett is the nicest guy there. He said Jarrett is all around a awesome guy to work for.
As for fans getting offended by death angles, that's fine. As fans we are given that right due to the fact that it is entertainment. If we get offended then it tells the company (whoever it is) that the fans, a large group or small group, don't like what they are doing. If it's a large group, they will react, if it's a small group then they may not care. We certainly have that right. I don't have an opinion either way. I keep watching so I can't be too offended I guess. As for Hogan. Who cares? Nobody has the right to judge a man except on their own experiences. Quite frankly it's none of our business what he is saying to his son. I do find what he is saying and the stuff about the reality show as shallow and distasteful but that's just me judging him. Don't judge lest you be judged I guess. But based on Alfonso's experience with Jarrett and Hogan, I see what he's trying to say.
When someone dies on tv, they don't stop the show and have everyone break character to talk about how great the actor was. Tha
They didn't have anyone break character, stop the show, or talk about how great VINCE McMahon was, they talked about how great Mr McMahon was. Massive difference. They also had Cryme Tyme sell of Mr McMahon memorabilia, and they had the federal investigation into his death happen live, ongoing on TV. It was massively tongue in cheek, over the top and obvious it was a story from the moment it happened.
They didn't have anyone break character, stop the show, or talk about how great VINCE McMahon was, they talked about how great Mr McMahon was. Massive difference. They also had Cryme Tyme sell of Mr McMahon memorabilia, and they had the federal investigation into his death happen live, ongoing on TV. It was massively tongue in cheek, over the top and obvious it was a story from the moment it happened.
Is it not funny that this story was basically talking about Jeff Jarrett and it somehow morphed into Mr. McMahon getting blown up? Anyway, it's good to hear about Jeff Jarrett and the kind of guy he is. I think we all like reading about stories of the wrestlers we see on TV and how they are in the real world. Thanks and keep them coming.
I real "good guy" I was able to meet was Ray Trayor/Big Bossman/Big Bubba/the Boss (and he signed all those name on my autograph. I worked in Sturgis during Hog Wild 87 & met him backstage at my work. We talked, he was nice. Same trip saw many others, Hulk Hogan was a jerk. I saw Hulk in an airport (w Beefcake) a week or so later and he was a jerk, again. In a surprise, Dennis Rodman was very cool to everyone but very shy seeming.
I have officially been convinced that wweisright is either a) a work, some guy doing a gimmick where wwe is always good or b) is a complete dolt.
wweisright? Gimmick poster. And not a particularly original one at that.
I met lots of wrestlers, but Chris Candido the coulpe of times I met him during his Skip persona. He was really nice Also Molly Holly was very nice to the fans after shows she was usually one of the first wrestlers in back of the building taking pix and signing autographs she also stayed longer than any other wrestler as most just waved and drove away in their rentals. On the flip side Randy Orton was the biggest jerk, he shook no hands, signed no autographs he just stood on top of a car and mooned us all.Batisa stopped taking pix and started rolling so maybe Randy has grown up a little after all it was about 2003
Alfonso-
I disagree with your assessment of how Cena handled himself on TV in the Benoit aftermath. He was the most transparently phony wrestler interviewed during the whole mess, whether he (an exercise physiologist and former competitive bodybuilder) was feigning ignorance as to why Benoit would have so much testosterone (in vials on his property and in his body) or his fake crying when asked if he takes steroids.
As far as the Vince death, it was tongue in cheek enough that I didn't find it offensive, but they screwed up majorly by parodying the tribute shows and exposing them as giant works designed to put over the promotion as caring people with no culpability in the death.
Alfonso-
I disagree with your assessment of how Cena handled himself on TV in the Benoit aftermath. He was the most transparently phony wrestler interviewed during the whole mess, whether he (an exercise physiologist and former competitive bodybuilder) was feigning ignorance as to why Benoit would have so much testosterone (in vials on his property and in his body) or his fake crying when asked if he takes steroids.
As far as the Vince death, it was tongue in cheek enough that I didn't find it offensive, but they screwed up majorly by parodying the tribute shows and exposing them as giant works designed to put over the promotion as caring people with no culpability in the death.
Amazing site.
Thanks, admin.
Amazine site
Thanks, webmaster.
Amazine site
Thanks, webmaster.
Amazing site.
Thanks, admin.
Beautiful design.
Thanks, admin.
Beautiful design.
Thanks, webmaster.
Beautiful design.
Thanks, admin.
Amazing site.
Thanks, admin.
Nice site.
Thanks, admin.
Nice site.
Thanks, admin.
Beautiful design.
Thanks, admin.
Nice site.
Thanks, admin.
Cool blog.
Thanks, admin.
Cool blog.
Thanks, webmaster.
Cool blog.
Thanks, admin.
Cool blog.
Thanks, webmaster.
Beautiful design.
Thanks, webmaster.
Nice site.
Thanks, webmaster.
Amazing site.
Thanks, admin.
Amazing site
Thank your.