Musings From Scotland with Sean David

January 18, 2009

The Sid Vicious photographs that have circulated recently featuring his new hairstyle seem to have polarized the opinions of fans everywhere. They definitely immediately had a friend and I discussing how important one's image is. We were both in agreement that if Sid returned to TNA looking like that, we'd be totally fine with it. It's something new for him, but it's something he's going to be identifiable with and most of all just having an image of his own is imperative. There's nothing worse to me than not having one at all.

Last summer for example, Bret Hart had come to Sheffield here in the UK to appear for 1PW. The event attracted national press beforehand and the vast majority of fans present had also attended the afternoon Q&A session with the Hitman. I had worked on an event the evening prior and was invited to check out the Sheffield show which also included Abyss, Nigel McGuinness and a fantastic match by Colt Cabana and Johnny Saint. Nevertheless, there's no doubt people were there to see and hear from Bret but despite this I had been overcome with the feeling that had it not been for the free ticket, I wouldn't have made the journey.

I remember seeing Bret Hart live for the first time in 2001 as part of the WWA. Commissioner Hart sent everyone here in Glasgow home happy with Jeff Jarrett stuck in the Sharpshooter. But eight years later, I found myself wracking my brain in an effort to understand my apathy for a wrestling legend.

Eventually, it became apparent to me why Bret stood out in a negative manner from other Hall of Famers. Hulk Hogan is always clad in all black or red and yellow. Ric Flair is always in a suit. Roddy Piper is always in his t-shirt, kilt and leather jacket. Johnny Saint was as straight laced as they come and is more remembered for the in-ring ability that made him a British household name. But at 67 years of age, he proved he could still offer a candidate for match of the night. However, Bret Hart walked through the curtain with plain street clothes and grey hair. There was no nostalgia act when it came to Bret. He was who everyone in Sheffield came to see and regardless of the high esteem in which he is held, there was no pink and black or any sign of the shades to pass to a fan at ringside but rather one witnessed the former “Hitman”, Bret Hart. There was no visible attempt to be the star you would remember.

Leading up to Raw on January 4th, my apathy remained but still couldn't hamper my excitement for his return. Bret Hart appearing live on Monday Night Raw would be the nostalgia I craved but with Impact airing opposite the programme that night, I just couldn't see how a grey, dowdily dressed Hart could help WWE against an opposing product that - while also including older stars - would still deliver the gimmicks that made them famous in the first place.

And then Bret returned, his hair dyed, and in the pink and black leather jacket and shades just like it was the 1990s again. That's the Hitman I would travel to see. Regardless of his activity in the ring, if he wrestles or not - or whether he even can or not at this stage - is completely irrelevant to me. There was never any doubt in my mind about his status as a legend to be revered, but during this run in WWE “The best there was...” has to be out there making everybody believe that in his mind, he's still “The best there is and the best there ever will be”.

While Bret thankfully donned the trademark colours for his return, Hulk Hogan made what in my mind is an incredibly smart move on Impact by infact not putting on the red and yellow. January 4th saw him essentially bring you Hollywood Hogan instead. The all black attire and the New World Order style theme music in favour of the primary colours or “American Made” blasting over the PA means that while TNA deliver with his presence on television, you really haven't seen Hulkamania on the screen just yet.

Why rush when you can stretch the arrival of the real nostalgia act to a later date? More specifically, a pay per view. It makes sense and is an good example of the positive influence that the new regime can bring, slowing down the often frenzied style of writing in TNA.

My favourite match of the last week has to be Generation Me versus Motor City Machine Guns from Impact. Since the Young Bucks debuted in Dragon Gate USA, they immediately became an act I had to see given the rave reviews they received. Early last week I saw highlights of their DGUSA match against CIMA and Yokosuka but it was only while seeing their match with MCMG in full that I realized just how exciting these guys are, and with Sabin and Shelley being favourites of mine anyway, I can't wait to see what happens next time these four guys get in the ring.

My only complaints are that in their DGUSA appearance, they did look a lot like the Hardy Boys in the 90s. The new look in TNA however has the exact same problem, if not worse given their attire was so plain. More so, the name Generation Me means nothing yet, and is somewhat contradictory given they're a partnership and arguably would make far more sense as Generation Us. Nor does the moniker suit the pair unless they are going to turn heel, in which case they might have benefited from earning the name after doing so rather than us and even them having to suffer from any clumsy backwards rationalization.

That said, the two more than overcome any problems with their new identity by raising the bar for highlight reels everywhere and being a must see for the quality of the action.

Whether you're Bret, Hulk or Sid making your way back into the wrestling world or the Young Bucks hopefully set for stardom; this month so far proves that finding, maintaining and knowing how to use your image is absolutely paramount.

A lot of what you'll have read so far today will address the TNA pay per view. I also watched, and will share my thoughts very soon here on pwrshow.com!

Sean David

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it