Submission Period for "PWI 500" Now Open!!!

ATTENTION WRESTLERS & PROMOTERS!!!

If you would like to be considered for inclusion in the 2012 "PWI 500," please submit your information at www.pwi-online.com/pages/500form.html or send to PWI500@kappapublishing.com . All info is due by Monday, July 2, 2012.

The Hulk Hogan Double-Standard

Having just watched the manner in which the Philadelphia Flyers-Pittsburgh Penguins Eastern Conference quarterfinal Stanley Cup playoff series was officiated, I’ve come to learn that few things frustrate me more than a double-standard.

Even when it is applied to Hulk Hogan, who seems to embody the best and worst traits of an aging pro wrestler, I feel compelled to point out a double-standard when I see one. And, folks, whether you like him or not, Hulk Hogan is the focal point of a double-standard that becomes more obvious with each passing week.

On our homepage of our website, pwi-online.com, is a link to a news item “Backstage Heat On Hulk Hogan For Recent Comments About TNA's Problems.” Apparently Hogan made the unconscionable faux pas of tweeting that taking Impact Wrestling live on Thursday nights would solve “75% of TNA’s problems.”

Of course, what, if any, problems a live show would fix can be debated. But it seems some folks at TNA and in the Internet wrestling community are livid that Hogan would dare tweet such an opinion during a time when TNA is facing so many “problems.”

Then again, some people will claim that it's okay to blast Hogan. He has it coming, right? He gets paid big bucks and was given lots of power to drive Nielsen ratings and pay-per-view buys for TNA, and the return on that investment has been relatively nil. Besides, any hopes for success or actual gains by TNA are in spite of Hogan's contributions. Plus, he still promotes himself at the expense of TNA’s younger stars, he's a manipulator and con artist, he can no longer work in the ring, he doesn't do anything that doesn't benefit himself, blah, blah, blah …

All that might or might not be true. Regardless, jumping all over the guy for putting his opinion out there like all users of social media do, and for expressing an idea that may just help TNA at some point—which, by the way, happens to be his job—is ridiculous.

I am not defending Hogan’s track record in the wrestling business, nor am I endorsing his premise that live TV will right the TNA ship. I am, however pointing out that Hogan is snared in a double-standard: Criticism is heaped upon him for making a simple suggestion while a somewhat gracious act at Lockdown went entirely unnoticed by the IWC. I read not a single news report, tweet, or post after Hogan magnanimously and unequivocally told Ric Flair at the PPV that he - Flair - was the greatest wrestler of all-time.

Anybody who knows anything about the infamous Hogan ego, knows that delivering that line with a straight face must have torn his guts out. Does Hogan deserve a parade or a medal for doing something gracious? No. But if he’s going to be ripped for his tweets, he should also be recognized when he does something cool. To have it any other way is a double-standard.

Frank Krewda

Editor-in-Chief

Sssssshhhhhh!!! I'm Watching Lockdown!

Having watched TNA Lockdown from the comfort of my livingroom, I have no idea what was going on with the crowd at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium on April 15. All I know is the fans in attendance, how ever many or few, were eerily silent throughout the show, and their silence cast a pall over the pay-per-view broadcast, making for a very tepid show.

Granted, Lockdown 2012 wasn’t what I would call a great PPV, but it wasn’t TNA’s worst, either. If it were such a poor show, I’d have expected the fans to at least boo once in a while, but there was hardly any discernable reaction from them until Jeff Hardy hit Kurt Angle with a Swanton from the top of the steel cage.

What happened? Was the crowd inadequately miked? Were the fans hoarse from cheering on their Predators, who defeated the Detroit Red Wings earlier in the day? Or were the fans so uninspired by the action that they didn’t care to express themselves in any way.

If you’re in the know, or were in the crowd at Lockdown, please give me a shout.

—Frank Krewda
Editor-in-Chief

WrestleMania 28: Some Quick Impressions

With so much to digest, analyze, and comment on coming out of WrestleMania 28 last night, a full recap will be forthcoming soon. For the time being, though, I just wanted to see if you noticed the same things I noticed on the pay-per-view broadcast. Aside from three epic main-event matches, here’s what jumped out at me:

Maria Menounos, Flo Rida, P-Diddy, Machine Gun Kelly, Brodus and Mama Clay (with The Bridge Club) were all given way more airtime than Daniel Bryan and Sheamus were given for a World title match.

Just when it looked like Justin Gabriel could make something of himself as a singles wrestler, he’s saddled with Heath Slater again

Kane twice thwarted Randy Orton’s RKO attempts.

The WWE broadcast team made at least five “vintage” wrestler references.

Brie Bella called the Divas “classy.” Apparently, Natalya wasn’t within smelling distance when Brie said that.

The much leaner Mike Tyson is hopelessly infatuated with the DeGeneration-X crotch chop.

The censors cut out the words “Suck it” when Triple-H crotch chopped Undertaker. For $60, everything should get through.

John Cena’s body language in the first few minutes of his match with The Rock subtly but demonstratively teased a heel turn, which after long last, might actually occur on Raw tonight.

For a show that’s traditionally been all about wrapping up storylines, there was a curious lack of resolution this year—e.g. what becomes of The Rock, Cena, and Chris Jericho now?

What do you think?

Frank Krewda

Editor-in-Chief