Friday, APRIL 3 - 2:55 PM (CT)

-WrestleMania weekend is upon us as the biggest show of the year in professional wrestling has now become a three day event. Eventually, Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker will retire and when they do, they will both be showered with a sendoff worthy of their respective status, not only in WWE, but in wrestling history.

Last year in Orlando, arguably the greatest wrestler of all time, Ric Flair, was the star of WrestleMania weekend. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday night, he wrestled for the last time at the event on Sunday, and on Monday, one of the most memorable segments in the history of Raw saw Flair receive a grand goodbye courtesy of his peers and family.

Moments like these will be remembered forever by wrestling fans. They are also moments that are very few and far between. Steve Austin is going into the Hall of Fame this weekend and I don't imagine we will see anything for him on Monday night, and if we do, it would be very difficult to match what Flair was given last year. As we gear up for WrestleMania, it is fun to think about great moments from past events, and Flair's weekend last year ranks right there at the top.

-It was a shock to many people when Tazz left WWE earlier this week. With WrestleMania just around the corner, one would think he would have worked the big show before bidding farewell. Jim Ross informed us earlier in the week, via his blog, that he will be calling Mania with Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole in a three man booth.

I have never been a fan of a three man booth and I am especially not looking forward to seeing it on Sunday. I know it would be disloyal to Cole to have JR and King call the entire show. I would not mind seeing Cole work with Matt Striker for a few matches and allow JR and King to call the big matches. I am going to think, every time Cole opens his mouth, that JR could be talking at that very moment.

Looking ahead, especially with WWE adding a fourth show, one has to wonder who will be announcing. Sim Snuka has been rumored to fill one of the color analyst slots. Based on what I have seen of Snuka, that could definitely work. JBL is always a possibility and he could resume his role during Mania. I would love to see Paul Heyman back in the booth.

-Remember, in case you need more wrestling this week, ROH airs on HDNet this Saturday night, featuring Bryan Danielson in the main event. If you have not seen him, I highly recommend tuning in to do so.

Thursday, APRIL 2 – 2:55 PM (CT)

-Usually, the big stories just days before WrestleMania involve the event itself. Various media appearances, historical articles and pieces, and other “feel good” material is what a wrestling fan will find in the news. However, Paul Heyman changed all of that today when he questioned WWE’s inclusion of Bill Watts into the Hall of Fame because of anti-Semitic comments he made towards and about Heyman. If you missed it, all of the information is on the main page.

In my opinion, a lot of people in the wrestling industry like to have things both ways. They want to be respected in the mainstream and not looked down upon by those in other entertainment avenues and mediums, yet a lot of old school “traditions” unfortunately remain the same. Demeaning racial comments are nothing new in the wrestling business, but unfortunately, they are not a thing of the past.

Colt Cabana was referenced in the same article saying that a higher-up in WWE Developmental referred to him as ‘Kike Cabana.’ Fortunately for that person, who may still work for the company, a name was not disclosed. Cabana said nothing of the incident at the time because what choice did he have? Had he said something, he may have been released soon thereafter. He may not have been sent up to television.

I thought both Heyman and Cabana were very professional and mature in their comments. Heyman put over Watts and his contributions to the wrestling business while talking about these incidents. Cabana did not sound angry or upset, he was just bringing this information to everyone’s attention. I think a lot of people unfairly bitch and moan in situations like these, even asking for (or demanding) unfair amounts of retribution, but neither Heyman nor Cabana did so here. Both men should be commended for what they had to say.

As for WWE, I am sure there are people in the company that were aware of Watts’ history and things he may have said in the past. That is purely speculative, but if anyone, say Jim Ross, knows him well, they probably are aware of these views. Hopefully Watts has changed and become a better man.

The Hall of Fame induction of Watts, or the fact that Michael Hayes, who was suspended last year for using a racial slur toward Mark Henry, is handling an induction speech this year, could be risky for WWE, who does not want this type of negative publicity. However, the wrestling fans can overlook certain things.

I recently raised the question of the induction of Stone Cold Steve Austin, given his past as a domestic abuser. Former WWE diva and ex-wife of Austin, Debra, recently gave an interview that did not paint Austin in a very positive light, referring to him as a repeated offender of domestic violence. Austin is revered as a hero in WWE and in wrestling overall, and his induction will be handled as such. However, does he deserve to get in?

Everyone has skeletons in their closet, everyone has made mistakes, and everyone has a past. The question is: when do we (or more specifically, WWE) draw the line in terms of when to forget certain people, and when to celebrate them? There are people that argue Chris Benoit should be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. WWE once used Mike Tyson, a convicted rapist, in a main event WrestleMania angle.

Does racism, domestic violence, and even murder matter when we are talking about a main event talent? Food for thought.

Wednesday, APRIL 1 - 10:00 AM (CT)

-With WrestleMania ever so close, I want to look back at the last time the biggest show of the year came to Houston, Texas. WrestleMania X-Seven, which emulated from the Houston Astrodome, is the only WrestleMania to date I have been to live. That show is also widely regarded as one of the best WrestleManias ever.

This was arguably the last show of the Attitude Era, as Vince McMahon had already purchased WCW and ECW. A lot of people think the product went downhill from this point. However, if this was the last show of that Era, it was a damn good way to go out.

This was also the first WrestleMania to feature the huge stage, screen, and ramp that has become a fixture every year since. Every year, it is very fun to see how WWE is able to top themselves in terms of the set and stage.

That year, Steve Austin and The Rock tore the roof off of the place in a fantastic no disqualification main event for the then WWF Championship. It also was the night Austin turned heel and joined his longtime nemesis, Vince McMahon.

The heel turn was well done because not a lot of people saw it coming. Of course, Vince sort of gave it away earlier in the show when he said, "Shocking? Later tonight, I'll show you shocking." Well, the Houston crowd could not have cared less, as they cheered Austin loudly and for the first time since becoming an ultra popular babyface, The Rock heard boos directed at him.

This show had a fantastic undercard that featured matches that were all built up nicely. It also had the very fun and nostalgic gimmick battle royal, which was a nice blast from the past. I'll never forget Bobby Heenan saying, as The Iron Sheik came to the ring, "By the time The Iron Sheik gets to the ring, it'll be WrestleMania 37!" Classic line and the entire show just clicked.

From TLC II, to Chris Jericho vs. William Regal for the Intercontinental Championship, the card was packed from top to bottom. Oddly enough, Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels would return at the next two WrestleManias, respectively, but this show is the one that gets the most praise.

This Sunday, WrestleMania returns to Houston. This show does not have the steam going into it that WrestleMania X-Seven had, but who knows? Perhaps the fans will get fortunate and will witness one of the best Manias of all time.

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