WRESTLING LOVE

One of the more common ways to meet your significant other, is within the work place. Now most pro wrestlers/sports entertainers will joke about how they don't have a "real job". Which is somewhat true being they are similar to "rock stars" (especially in the 80's), but they are on "tour" 300 days a years. Add the fact that each show could consist of the equivalent to stage diving without an audience. And every day they get up, possibly hit the gym, and do it all over again. Not a "real" job, but damn.
Back to the point, relationships develop in all lines of work. Wrestling included. A group of buff guys around a group of modelesque women, things are going to happen. Listed below are a those that have worked, or at least things seem to be working, and a list of those that didn't last. And this isn't a "complete" list either, as there many others I have forgotten about, or haven't heard about yet.

Success (Thus Far):

Triple H & Stephanie McMahon
-The industries true power couple (behind Vince and Linda, of course). And sure enough it happened at work. And yes there is the whole Chyna side of things at the beginning. But, let's not get into that.

Undertaker & Michelle McCool
-Why do you think McCool started rocking the crosses that looked similar to that of the Deadman. Marriage can cause similarities in style. Which can be a good or horrible thing. Luckily these 2 seemed to have a nice balance between light and dark.

The Miz & Maryse
-Ya, The Miz not only landed a hotty, he married her. For him it is definitely, "Awesome!", for her it is more of a "Really?"

Booker T & Sharmell
-While many look back on their WCW tenures with displeasure, but Booker T and Sharmell can at least look back at their days and remember when they met. Still together after all of these years, so it must be fond memories in that sense.

Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella
-There is the other ways to tell the Bella's apart, but one can simply look at their move sets. Brie has clearly developed a style close to that of her hubby.

Jimmy Uso & Naomi
-Hopefully got the right Uso twin. Now can't help but wonder if Naomi has ever gotten them wrong. If only once for a moment. Nothing dirty...well.

CM Punk & AJ Lee
-Possibly were the most talented couples in WWE and wrestling in general. But, both are gone for now. Hopefully not forever.

Bram & Charlotte
-Don't know too much about Bram past a few viewings of TNA's product when it was still on Spike. But, one thing is for sure something about him caught the eye of future WWE Divas Champion (you know it will happen at least once), Charlotte. Also known as Ric Flair's daughter, and genetics didn't skip anything this round.

John Cena & Nikki Bella
-Not married yet, but basically same thing said about Daniel and Brie applies here. With Nikki developing a power based game similar to John.

Tyson Kidd & Natalya
-Thanks to "Total Divas", it is hard at times to picture them happy. However, since it is not only a reality show, it is a WWE reality show it quickly changes the picture to a happy marriage. Here's hoping Tyson is able to make a comeback from his neck surgery.

Matt Hardy & Reby Sky
-We'll just say that they recently had a baby. Matt's been a tad nutty so we'll see how fatherhood affects him.

Jeff Jarrett & Karen Jarrett (formerly Angle)
-We'll see how GFW does before we give them "power couple" status, but they are one of the bigger names, and the situation is almost similar to that of Triple H and Stephanie, except this one made for a great feud between Jeff and Kurt Angle.

Chris Candido & Sunny (despite Sunny Days)
-Perhaps Chris was simply okay with it. Given that he stayed with Sunny (Tammy Lynn) until his death. That or he was blind to it, and in a state of utter and pure denial. We move on.

Edge & Beth Phoenix
-Wasn't even aware of this for the longest time to be honest. Happily married with a new baby. Showing that there is life after wrestling.

Brock Lesner & Sable
-Is it still considered "robbing the cradle" if the cradle contains a beast incarnate? Regardless of the age gap, the size difference makes the mind wonder of the fun. Again, we move on.


Failed:

Randy Savage & Miss Elizabeth
-Stories will almost always point to Randy being over-protective and "controlling" Elizabeth's life. However, it isn't hard to wonder if perhaps her tragic death wouldn't have been different if she had been able to work things out with Savage.

Steve Austin & Debra
-This one didn't end well. The story hit the airwaves. The end result though, was the Austin beer bath in the early 2000's. What?

DDP & Kimberly
-Unlike above, this ended pretty well. Even today they get along, and Kimberly helped DDP get into yoga, which obviously led to his DDP Yoga. BANG!

Triple H & Chyna
-Will we ever see this resolved? Or will we see another melt down from Chyna? Either during or after her documentary. It is hard to really tell fact from fiction given who tells the stories.

X-Pac & Chyna
-This one will however live on in film. Locate if you must, you are warned. X-rated, and well, Chyna and X-Pac. But, One Night In Chyna. *shudders* You can't un-see it.

Goldust & Terri
- They remain on good terms, mainly for their daughter, Dakota. Goldie has remarried, Terri....search the net. You'll likely come across some stories.

Matt Hardy & Lita
-This was the Attitude Era's "Randy and Elizabeth". Even more of a fit given styles of wrestling, and that they both wrestled. The end led to the next couple, but made for an amazing storyline between Matt and Edge.

Edge & Lita
-Lita cheated on Matt with Edge. His inring rival. It was almost made for a wrestling storyline. Except it was real. And again, made for a great time in wrestling.

CM Punk & Lita
-No b.s. came from this. Just happened. Ended well it seems.

CM Punk & Beth Phoenix
-Given the "degrees of Kevin Bacon" (Edge/Lita/CM Punk/Beth Phoenix) here if you've paid attention, nothing negative came from any of this. Although there was once a time where it was possible. As everyone involved are now gone, Edge for good in the ring.

Kurt Angle & Karen Angle (now Jarrett)
-Just like Matt Hardy and Lita. Except Jeff Jarrett had more stroke (pun intended) around TNA which led to some negative ramifications for him. 

Marc Mero & Sable
-Initially thought this had ended right after Sable's rise, and Mero's departure from WWE. However, they were together until 2003, and divorced in 2004. Which Sable quickly began her relationship with Lesner.

Billy Kidman & Torrie Wilson
-At least when Torrie was with Kidman she was with someone with talent and no real need for the juice. Yes, that was a jab at A-Rod.

That is all for now. Pretty sure that there are many more from the past, and present. As you can already see, WWE isn't an exception to love in the workplace. Okay, not all is "love", but you get the idea. If we focused on just hook-ups, we'd have entire articles for people like Sunny and Terri. Even then it is hard to tell from fact or fiction.


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WRESTLING WHAT IF's VOL.I

"What If...?" was a favorite Marvel Comics title in my youth, and watching the WWE Network non-stop has forced me to apply this to the world of wrestling and sports entertainment. From outcomes, signings, to behind the scenes, backstage stuff there are almost endless possibilities in regards to what could have been or might have been if something was done different. Large to very small, the decisions and occurrences throughout the years have made impact.

What If...Vince McMahon Had Picked Turner Over USA Network?
Immediately you think of the Monday Night Wars. Rightfully so. There might not have been a war if Vince and Ted had continued to work together. Of course things could have soured later on and the two parted ways, but would there still have been a war? What would it have been like? And what would have become of Jim Crockett Promotions if this hadn't of happened? Someone else could have bought the company, then again, who's to say that something else wouldn't have happened that made for better business for Crockett? Would Eric Bischoff have been involved in this at all? The Butterfly Effect on this one decision (that was forced by Ted Turner) is pretty massive to say the least.


What If...Triple H Hadn't Married Stephanie?
This one is almost cliche. It doesn't mean things wouldn't have been effected. Triple H would have still been the icon he is. Zero argument here. The questions that arise are would Trips be in the position he is in now? Would Vince have seen the drive, knowledge, and work ethic Paul Levesque brings to the table? It is possible. It is also just as unlikely. So, how would the WWE look at the top of corporate? A simple answer would be that Stephanie simply took on more of the work load and filled her fathers shoes alone. She is a McMahon, and constantly referred to being just like her dad. The other options raise some questions though as well. Would Shane be involved in some fashion? It is his families company, and if Steph needed help he is likely the first name to pop into your head. Linda would be next possibly. Would she have left the company and pursued her political goals? Or would she have possibly stayed on to help with the transition (not that Vinnie Mac is going anywhere right now).


What If...Jeff Hadn't "Stolen" Karen From Kurt?
Almost as cliche as Triple H and Stephanie's  addition to all of this, but given the current state of things it belongs here. Why? First, would we have witnessed the great matches between Jeff Jarrett and Kurt Angle? Would they have been as good it they still happened? Possibly, but also possibly not. There is a good chance the real life situation is what made the matches that much more. Then of course there was the "repercussions" from the real life aspect of all of this. It was the true downfall of Jarrett in TNA. Most importantly, behind the scenes. There were almost legal ramifications from all of this. Sure, they are now married and even Kurt has moved on, but it did effect business. Would Dixie have been "more involved" if Jarrett wasn't in good with management, or was that inevitable? The "WWE" talent that TNA aquired during the time Double J was making most if not all the calls was done properly. Christian (Christian Cage) had a really good run in TNA, The Dudleys (Team 3D), Gail Kim, and Tara Vachon. Can't believe Dixie is allowing Jarrett back in, although only a "talent", in full GFW promotion mode. Even a "crossover" or "invasion" seems only to be smart on Jarrett's side. Dixie's not so much.


What If...Hulk Hogan Versus Ric Flair Happened At Wrestlemania?
An off the wall "what if...?", but curious as to what could have been with this one. There is always speculation as to why. Most likely of them being that the two sides couldn't come to an agreement on who should be put over. Regardless, what would have happened if they did? Would it have drawn massive numbers? If it did, then it would be safe to wonder this would have changed McMahon's outlook on how he approached the "youth movement. Which seems to be the reason Flair returned to WCW, and Hogan (amongst others) eventually followed suit. Would we have seen more of a mix of old and new? Instead of Macho Man Randy Savage behind the announce table, or Hogan being allowed out of his contract. Would we have possibly seen some epic showdowns between Savage and HBK? Come to think of it, the Butterfly Effect is pretty big here. Would this have meant WCW alum turned WWE legends like Stone Cold Steve Austin, Chris Jericho, amongst others, not have come over? More room to grow without Hogan and others atop the glass ceiling. What if it had bombed? Would WCW have acquired Hogan later on, or would they have possibly seen Hogan with less drawing power?

The list is truly endless, and we hadn't even touched anything that happened "during" the Monday Night Wars and the Attitude Era. Or even if a wrestlers life hadn't ended so early. Those will eventually make their way into the mix, but best to leave the deaths for when drawing a blank much later on.

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RETURNING TO GLORY

Randomly caught an episode of Global Supercard Wrestling. Seeing a list of superstars before the Attitude Era/Monday Night Wars. Guys like Booker T and his brother, Stevie Ray. Which made me think, we're all waiting on Sting to finally step foot into a WWE ring. Whether it for a match, or a simple interview segment, it will be historic. But, what about all the stars of yesteryear? Sure we had Booker T, and he is now a WWE Hall Of Famer, but what about his brother? More notably, their Harlem Heat tag team? After Vince McMahon and WWE bought out WCW back in 2001, we were provided with an opportunity for all the stars WCW made to make their mark on WWE. There were a variety of reasons for their absences. Some opted to take time off and finish collecting the guaranteed money form their WCW contracts. Some simply weren't offered a spot, while some refused to go to the WWE. Regardless of the reasons, we were denied.

With us now over a decade removed from the demise of WCW, and age being the proverbial biatch when it comes to athletics, it becomes less and less likely that we will ever see these stars make a WWE debut. Sure, we now have the WWE Network now so that we can watch all of our favorite moments from the past. And all the new found attention some of the wrestlers will get, could earn them an induction into the WWE Hall Of Fame. That would be great, for both the performers and fans alike. The "Legends Contracts" and deserved props from the fans for the wrestlers, and a final chance to say "thank-you" for the dedication and sacrafice simply to entertain us for us fans. However, as we have seen in some cases, although time is running out, some of these veterans can "still go". Remember Steamboat after he was inducted into the HOF, facing off with Chris Jericho. And the "You Still Got It" chant was extremely apt. Or even more recently with the New Age Outlaws, or the resurgence of Goldust keeping up and tagging up with his younger bro Cody (Stardust).

So, the point of all of this is to name off some guys who I wouldn't mind seeing making their debut, or return to a WWE ring. Guys from WCW's glory days, or even recently from TNA. Whether it be for one last run on the main stage, or a simple one match and done type situation. Even if that comes in the form of say a 6-man tag team match. Here are those I want to see debut or return to a WWE ring and eventually be inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame...

Harlem Heat
Not too sure about Stevie Ray's status, and although Booker takes on more of a promoter/commentator/general manager type role, I would like to see a reunion of the brother tag team. A reunion that is also a WWE debut for the team and for Stevie Ray, as well as a return to in ring action for Booker. As far as I know, this tandem hasn't been in a WWE ring together. It wouldn't have to be a run like NAO had, or Goldust is currently on. Would hate for the world to see Stevie Ray's main stage career end with is part in the mock WCW at the end of the company. And I want this tag team in the WWE Hall Of Fame. Which could never happen with Booker having a successful WWE career on his own. What about you? Can you dig it?


Scott Steiner
Although we aren't supposed to say "never" in this business, this return is very unlikely. Which would be a shame really. I was ecstatic about Big Poppa Pump being in the WWE, I wasn't too keen on how they utilized him. And given the now near PG level of product (at least not full blown PG anymore), Freakzilla wouldn't quite fit into the scheme of things. Scott Steiner teamed with his brother, Rick, worked in years prior to the Attitude Era. But, the awesomeness that he became on his own unfortunately does not. Would be nice to see a proper run, even with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship since he was denied back when Triple H was playing the new age heel (his run with the World title was almost to peeve off the haters who said it was because of Stephanie). If not though, hopefully there is a spot for him in the WWE Hall Of Fame at least. Both for himself, as well as with his Dog Faced Gremlin bro Rick as the Steiner Brothers.


TNA Wrestlers (Past & Present)
Sure they aren't really who I was referring to, but for some of them, their careers are winding down or could possibly end at any moment given the high risk in this business. And lets be honest, as good as the performers are at TNA, the company itself has turned into somewhat of a joke. And if they don't get into the WWE now, then we could "lose them" forever in regards to main stages. Which can be important in developing stories that add to the matches. Gives them "reason". Who would I want to see? AJ Styles would be top of the list. The other guys would be Robert Roode and Eric Young. EY could be utilized as the WWE's mix of Santino Marella and Daniel Bryan. Comedy or underdog. I would say Samoa Joe, but would be fearful of how the WWE would use him. Especially with "Joe's Gonna Kill You" chant not fitting under the current format. Too many changes at the moment.


Jeff Jarrett
Yes, I still spell his name "J-E-Double F, J-A-Double R-E-Double T" in my head while writing/typing his name.And I didn't mention him in the TNA crew as he is a special case in comparison to those mentioned. Jarrett went to the WWE a somewhat established name, had a decent run in the WWE (although with a mid-card and tag team peak). He put over Chyna before he left for WCW, where he rose to the main event in a company with that proverbial glass ceiling. After WCW folded, instead of returning to the WWE Jarrett created  TNA. And too many out there, the company was a legit contender when he was in charge of things. Now, he is building another wrestling company. Add the fact that he has never really had a good relationship with the WWE, it makes this one of the most unlikely returns. Perhaps a HOF induction could happen one day, but even that seems unlikely. Never say never though right?


Bully Ray
More than any of the other "WWE Guys" on the TNA roster, I would want Bully Ray to return to the WWE. Not saying I don't want Devon to ever join him, I just appreciate how Bubba Ray has become Bully Ray. He would be a perfect heel, especially with an anti-bully campaign. And likely willing to take the heat for his role. A solo run, possibly with the WWE Wolrd Heavyweight Championship, ending with a Dudley Boys reunion. Capped off with an induction into the WWE Hall Of Fame. Yes, they just did this in TNA. This would be better, no?


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