Post by havoc7179 on Jan 28, 2014 17:53:16 GMT -5
Truly an interesting discussion. I assume we are just staying with those who had a big place in the US History of Professional Wrestling.
My picks, with a little rationale at the end of each are as follows:
1) Vince K. McMahon, Jr. = Let's be real. He's a pioneer in this business. He took it from a regional show to a nationwide audience to a world wide audience. Some may argue he became a monopoly on the business and therefore halted the boom he helped create, but he's done more with this business than anyone else. He was responsible for the nWo's success. (Why? Well without creating Hogan, Hogan's heel turn would not have meant anything. It would be akin to Double J jumping shift from Nitro to Raw. It was shocking, but nothing big happened because he just didn't have the star power at the time). This leads us to...
2)Hulk Hogan - Whereas McMahon Jr. may have had the vision, you still needed someone with broad appeal to make that vision a reality. A coach is only as good as the talent, and Hogan, while he may have chosen to show off only a basic set of moves when wrestling in the States, was the talent McMahon needed to move this industry into a global business. He became the face of pro-wrestling, not just the WWF/WWE. He was one of the talents responsible for the 90s boost.
3) Toss up between Paul Heyman and Eric Bischoff. Either of these two helped change the landscape. Heyman brought in the luchadores, which Bischoff then imported into WCW and a larger audience. Without their hectic, frenzied style, the hybrid wrestling of today that of strikers and grapplers (e.g. Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, Samoe Joe, Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne, Jericho) would not be a thing. The stage would still be dominated by big men. Who is more responsible? I couldn't tell you. As I argued, both brought in luchadores (Heyman was first; Bischoff capitalized on it). Both added new dimensions to wrestling style.
4) Toss up between Steve Austin/The Rock. While Heyman and Bischoff added to the wrestling style, the Rock and Stone Cold redefined the entertainment aspect. Both are talented wrestlers, but both knew how to entertain with a microphone in their hand. These two finally got wrestlers to move on from the same promo structure into something that felt organic. It changed the landscape and made wrestlers into entertainers--for better or for worse. Now, whether its TNA, ROH, or WWE, unless you can connect with an audience on a personal level with your words, the actions in the ring mean nothing. Yes, you have the few exceptions where subpar speakers become champions(The Canadian Who Shall not Be Named, Rey Mysterio). But a majority of wrestlers now have to have that ability to go and entertain with their wit, as well as represent the company on speaking tours. Rock and Stone Cold ushered in this era. I would have used Nash or Hall in this category, but unfortunately Nash was never seen as a good worker who personified both the wrestler and entertainer in the same vain as Rock or Austin. And, sadly, Hall's personal problems kept him from being seen as a upper echelon superstar with broad appeal. Same goes for Brian Pillman. I truly believe that had Pillman not died, he would have been heavily associated with the change from sport to sport entertainment.
I realize my mountain is McMahon, Hogan, and hybrids of Heyman/Bischoff and Rock/Austin, but I think if I had the opportunity I'd choose some combination.
(As a fan, I'd much rather have Sting up there. Oh wells).
My picks, with a little rationale at the end of each are as follows:
1) Vince K. McMahon, Jr. = Let's be real. He's a pioneer in this business. He took it from a regional show to a nationwide audience to a world wide audience. Some may argue he became a monopoly on the business and therefore halted the boom he helped create, but he's done more with this business than anyone else. He was responsible for the nWo's success. (Why? Well without creating Hogan, Hogan's heel turn would not have meant anything. It would be akin to Double J jumping shift from Nitro to Raw. It was shocking, but nothing big happened because he just didn't have the star power at the time). This leads us to...
2)Hulk Hogan - Whereas McMahon Jr. may have had the vision, you still needed someone with broad appeal to make that vision a reality. A coach is only as good as the talent, and Hogan, while he may have chosen to show off only a basic set of moves when wrestling in the States, was the talent McMahon needed to move this industry into a global business. He became the face of pro-wrestling, not just the WWF/WWE. He was one of the talents responsible for the 90s boost.
3) Toss up between Paul Heyman and Eric Bischoff. Either of these two helped change the landscape. Heyman brought in the luchadores, which Bischoff then imported into WCW and a larger audience. Without their hectic, frenzied style, the hybrid wrestling of today that of strikers and grapplers (e.g. Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, Samoe Joe, Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne, Jericho) would not be a thing. The stage would still be dominated by big men. Who is more responsible? I couldn't tell you. As I argued, both brought in luchadores (Heyman was first; Bischoff capitalized on it). Both added new dimensions to wrestling style.
4) Toss up between Steve Austin/The Rock. While Heyman and Bischoff added to the wrestling style, the Rock and Stone Cold redefined the entertainment aspect. Both are talented wrestlers, but both knew how to entertain with a microphone in their hand. These two finally got wrestlers to move on from the same promo structure into something that felt organic. It changed the landscape and made wrestlers into entertainers--for better or for worse. Now, whether its TNA, ROH, or WWE, unless you can connect with an audience on a personal level with your words, the actions in the ring mean nothing. Yes, you have the few exceptions where subpar speakers become champions(The Canadian Who Shall not Be Named, Rey Mysterio). But a majority of wrestlers now have to have that ability to go and entertain with their wit, as well as represent the company on speaking tours. Rock and Stone Cold ushered in this era. I would have used Nash or Hall in this category, but unfortunately Nash was never seen as a good worker who personified both the wrestler and entertainer in the same vain as Rock or Austin. And, sadly, Hall's personal problems kept him from being seen as a upper echelon superstar with broad appeal. Same goes for Brian Pillman. I truly believe that had Pillman not died, he would have been heavily associated with the change from sport to sport entertainment.
I realize my mountain is McMahon, Hogan, and hybrids of Heyman/Bischoff and Rock/Austin, but I think if I had the opportunity I'd choose some combination.
(As a fan, I'd much rather have Sting up there. Oh wells).