Reader comments (and editor response) on Jesse Ventura for president, The Rock, Robbie McAllister

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I would not vote for Jesse Ventura even as a joke, simply because think that’s how he got elected as governor in the first place: “Oh, this will be funny, let’s vote for the wrestler for governor just for shits and giggles.” Next thing you know, you are the laughing stock of the country because you are swearing in a muscled up steroid riddled freak as governor who has outlandish views and very limited political experience. I mean what kind of idiots do such a thing. You wouldn’t see the great people of California doing anything like this, now would you?

Shaun Corbett

Powell replies: I've often wondered how many Minnesotans voted for Jesse just to send a message, yet would have voted for someone else if they thought going in that he had a chance to win the governor's race. Remember, he was a heavy underdog heading into election day. Your comments remind me of Eddie Murphy's old standup routine bit about white people getting drunk and voting for Jesse Jackson. I'm pretty sure this bit was on "Delirious," which was finally released on DVD recently.

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All of these responses talk about what The Rock does or doesn't owe WWE. He doesn't owe WWE anything as he has fulfilled his contractual obligations. What we should be talking about is wether or not The Rock owes the fans anything. The answer again is technically no but at the same time he wouldn't be enjoying his current success without those fans. So basically The Rock doesn't owe anything but I also don't blame the fans who think he's a jerk for not giving anything.
 
I don't agree with your assessment that The Rock's HOF appearance proves that he is grateful to WWE or his fans. The Rock was there for his family, what was he going to blow off his old man and his grandfather. If he comes back to induct someone like Steve Austin maybe I'll cut him some slack. I also believe that The Rock is clearly trying to distance himself from his wrestling past. Again I think it was only his family honor that brought him back. I do give The Rock credit for doing some of his speech in character, that show's that he has not completely turned his back on it.
  
Have you noticed that hardly anyone complains about Brock Lesnar or Bobby Lashley leaving WWE. The reason is that The Rock connected with the fans like few performers ever have. I think his detractors really just miss him and really want him back. You notice that in spite of many fans having hard or mixed feelings about him, he was very well received when he came out at the HOF. I think The Rock's detractors are bitter because they are essentially jilted ex-lovers.
                                                                                         
Rob S.

Powell replies: I don't feel like Rock should feel obligated to wrestle to give something back to his fans. I was a big fan of Vikings running back Robert Smith, who retired young following his best year in the NFL. As a fan, I wanted to see him play longer, but as a season ticket holder I didn't feel like he owed me anything. I agree with your assessment, though, that many fans are bitter because they want him to return so badly.

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Wow, this will be lost on most fans but TNA has really shown me an ugly side in their handling of there Robbie McAllister. It's bad enough that they put him on screen during Impact putting his job in jeopardy but then to use the incident again to push it's mobile service is unconscionable. They really didn't accomplish anything by putting McAllister on screen. Most fans probably didn't even know who it was.

Robby is not a big enough star to impress anyone by his presence especially when they used his real name. I just feel TNA has shown a total lack of class and a lack of respect for wrestlers by exposing and exploiting this young man trying to get a foothold in the business.

I realize that McAllister should not have put himself in that position but he was minding his own business and keeping a low profile and TNA should have left well enough alone. If it was a WWE performer with some real name recognition like Matt Hardy, then I wouldn't have blamed TNA for taking advantage, but this situation accomplished nothing except putting a career in jeopardy.
                                                                                               
Rob S.

Powell replies: Total agreement on this one, Rob. I've stated in the past that I would understand if a star wrestler showed up at the taping. They could have gained something by showing Batista on camera. It would have created a buzz for TNA and such a wrestler probably wouldn't be punished as severely as McAllister.

This accomplished nothing more than putting a wrestler's job in jeopardy and getting people like us talking on pro wrestling websites. Casual viewers probably had no idea who they were seeing because they referred to Robbie by his real name. It was a bad decision by McAllister and he definitely put himself at risk, but TNA could have shown more class.