It’s also a vicious battleground of criticisms, insults and threats. It’s a place where minor disagreements can lead to all-out verbal war, for the whole world to see.
And, man is it fun to watch it unfold.
Like driving by an accident, it’s just so hard to keep from slowing down to get a closer look. Suddenly, everyday normal people stop what they’re doing, to get a glimpse of the wreckage that’s before them.
It’s no different in the world of professional wrestling, where the use of social media is at an all-time high, among some of the biggest names in the business.
John Cena vs. the Rock. CM Punk vs. Chris Brown. Batista vs., well, everyone.
Can you say “trending worldwide?”
Well, don’t look now, but we have a new slugfest happening on Twitter as we speak. Hulk Hogan vs. Scott Steiner.
The guy who drew more money than anyone WWE has ever seen, and the guy who couldn’t draw flies if he were dipped in Eric Bischoff.
Hey, I don’t curse in my columns, had to find a suitable substitute. I’m PG over here.
It all started back on April 2, when suddenly, Steiner, who is not really known for being very subtle about much of anything, began ranting on Twitter about both Hogan and Bischoff.
“Right now im trying to save tna bcuz it’s the titanic and its sinking fast bcuz Hogan n bischoff r doing the same bull****”
Just the notion that Scott Steiner, who has pretty much always been all about Scott Steiner and no one else, would actually want to save a promotion, to me, is somewhat laughable.
But, it did not end there.
“It took them 1 ½ months to drive tna to its lowest ratings ever…the best way to save it is jump off and be the voice for the guys…”
Don’t misunderstand me here, what Scotty is saying sounds great. To speak up for his fellow workers is an admirable thing to do. After all, he is a veteran, his words should carry some weight to them, right?
Unfortunately for Scott, he just comes off as venting for the sake of venting. He’s the Ozzie Guillen, the Dennis Rodman, of TNA. He just doesn’t know when to shut up.
TNA has its issues, no doubt about it. Since the moment that Hogan and Bischoff arrived on the scene, it’s been a rollercoaster ride of ego, disgruntled workers, and pointless storylines that just go nowhere.
But, Scotty’s beef with Hogan began because he was sent home from TV, and evidently blamed Hulk for the incident. Hogan, however, immediately posted on Twitter himself that he was very surprised by Steiner’s words.
“I heard the news and I was lobbying hard to bring him back the right way because I see money and talent in him.”
Wow. Really?
Here’s the thing. Hulk Hogan, as a personality, as a showman, as an all-around entertainer, was great. He knew how to work a crowd, and he knew how to get over like no else could. Fans paid good money to see him, and he did put the business on the map for mainstream America.
But, now? As an evaluator of talent? As a guy who sits in judgment over a locker-room full of talent who are light years better than he ever was in the ring?
This is the same guy who said that Robert Roode was not ready to be the top guy in TNA, despite the fact that Dixie Carter, and the “whole world,” might think he is.
Correct me if I’m wrong here, but isn’t it the fans who make the stars in this business? Was it Vince McMahon who decided the Rock would become a household name? Or, that Stone Cold Steve Austin would become the megastar that he did, in such a short amount of time?
Pretty sure the fans made that call.
By the same token, was it Eric Bischoff’s call back in WCW that Goldberg would have the monster following that he had? Anyone else could have been put in that role, on that undefeated streak, and it likely would have failed miserably.
Goldberg made fans want to see him. He had the charisma and explosiveness that fans could not get enough of.
That’s really all I have for Eric in WCW. Let’s face it, no one else was brought up, or allowed to shine, without playing second fiddle to the established talent.
The point is, there is fault on both sides. Scott Steiner is in no way a top money draw, and never has been. His ego is the stuff of legend, and he has not been shy about blowing off steam whenever the mood strikes him.
Hulk Hogan, though he has a Hall of Fame career behind him, has always had the reputation of caring more about himself, and how he looked, than anyone else he was ever in the ring with. His time in TNA has arguably done very little, if anything, for that company. Again, it seems to be all about him.
I have to be honest here, I get the real sense that Scott has not said anything that fans don’t already know.
I also get the sense that while a lot of fans agree with him, they recognize who the source is, and that his words are likely not being spoken for anyone’s benefit other than his own.
So, where are you on this? Do you care about this new little war of words between Scott Steiner and Hulk Hogan? Or is it just another external sign of the internal problems within TNA?
Are you one of those rubbernecks who has slowed down to a snail’s pace, so you can survey the damage that’s been done?
Move along, people. Nothing to see here.
source:bleacherreport.com
