It's a pity, really. I think McMahon was absolutely brilliant as a ring announcer pretending he wasn't the owner, quite on a par with the contrived outrage of Gene Okerlin.
A couple of weeks ago we were treated to a Jerry Lawler birthday match with Rick Flair. Those two old guys could still put on a show, and I hope the pumped-up wannabes in the locker room were taking notes. And one last thing - I wish Lawler had broken Andy Kaufman's neck...
Actually I don't think Bischoff was nearly as creative as Paul E. His one great idea - turning Hogan and forming the NWO - was actually stolen from Japan. Also at the time he had an unlimited checkbook from Turner to raid the WWF's talent.
His big mistake was giving the Hall's and Nash's of the world guaranteed contracts and not allowing the younger, more exciting guys (Jericho, Steve Austin, et. al) get a push after the NWO angle ran its course.
Actually I think McMahon's first trip into the ring (against Stone Cold) was brilliant. He had built up to that for about a year w/ the evil "Mr. McMahon" character, and his getting his a$$ kicked in the ring was something the fans paid huge $$ to see, and was the perfect blow-off for the feud.
I've loved Flair for years, but he's a parody of himself now. But still, any of these guys today (I haven't watched for about 3 year) could take a lesson from Ric Flair about how to wrestle, hold the crowd, and tell a story in the ring. Just watch his tapes from the mid 80's NWA. The guy was the best.
Actually I don't think Bischoff was nearly as creative as Paul E. His one great idea - turning Hogan and forming the NWO - was actually stolen from Japan. Also at the time he had an unlimited checkbook from Turner to raid the WWF's talent.
His big mistake was giving the Hall's and Nash's of the world guaranteed contracts and not allowing the younger, more exciting guys (Jericho, Steve Austin, et. al) get a push after the NWO angle ran its course.
Actually I think McMahon's first trip into the ring (against Stone Cold) was brilliant. He had built up to that for about a year w/ the evil "Mr. McMahon" character, and his getting his a$$ kicked in the ring was something the fans paid huge $$ to see, and was the perfect blow-off for the feud.
I've loved Flair for years, but he's a parody of himself now. But still, any of these guys today (I haven't watched for about 3 year) could take a lesson from Ric Flair about how to wrestle, hold the crowd, and tell a story in the ring. Just watch his tapes from the mid 80's NWA. The guy was the best.