12.11.2003, 23:39
Guest Editorial
By Dan Vance of Fort Wayne, Ind.
PWTorch.com reader
Monday night was a normal Raw for the WWE. It was filled with over the top antics and regurgitation of the same matches and storylines. They managed to hurt the Kane-Shane feud and the Team Austin-Team Bischoff match, thus making Lita-Molly perhaps the Raw match to look forward to at Survivor Series.
However, it was what the WWE did not do that has enraged me. No, I'm not talking about their misuse of talent (though pulling Maven from TV and only giving Jon Heidenreich, Mark Jindrak, and Garrison Cade three seconds each is hardly good use of talent.) I am talking about the blatant and utter disrespect of Vince McMahon by not even acknowledging the death of Michael Lockwood.
No video package? Fine, I can deal with that. No ten bell salute? I guess that will do. Not even a graphic to show that the show was in memory of Michael to start us of? That's pushing it. But after Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler took a good deal of time in the last several weeks to talk about the life and the times of Stu Hart and Mike Hegstrand, they didn't even mention Lockwood during the broadcast.
Instead, we had near five minutes about the new WWE book? Who cares? There was no time to sneak in a few quick words about Lockwood? As far as I have read, the only tribute of the night was from Lockwood's good friend Steven Richards. But alas, it was on Heat, a show that will only air internationally this week due to Survivor Series. So why is it that we could not a lot Richards some time on Raw. Even doing the job, Richards's tribute would have been the best moment of the night for Spike TV viewers.
I'm not going to pretend that Lockwood's accomplishments in wrestling or his impact on the industry was anywhere near what Hart and Hegstrand gave. Because, in reality, there are only roughly a dozen or so people in the history of the industry that have had a bigger impact than Hegstrand (and LOD). And Stu Hart was 88, he had a lot of time to make his mark.
Yet, as Crash Holly, Lockwood had a huge impact on WWE in the last several years. Lockwood's role helped make the now-defunct Hardcore title become one of the most intriguing title hunts ever. Lockwood was a pioneer of the 24/7 rule, which is what made the WWE's version of Hardcore so far superior. When you say Hardcore, five names come to my mind: Mick Foley, Sabu, Tommy Dreamer, Abdullah the Butcher, and Michael Lockwood. And I don't think that a statement of that magnitude is made out of the situation.
Michael Lockwood may have not been the best wrestler. He may have never had the best gimmicks. But he took what he had and made it work. He became the Houdini of Hardcore by being a guy that worked hard and the WWE could count on. His impact may have not been as high as the likes of Hogan, Sting or Flair, but it was one that cannot be surpassed or taken away no matter what the case or who the man is attempting to derail it.
I am 19 years old. I have been watching WWE since before WrestleMania VIII. I have seen Mae Young birth a hand, I have seen Triple H and the disgusting Katie Vick trauma, I have seen every shocking and disturbing moment that Vince McMahon has been able to come up with for the last twelve years. Yet, I was never so appalled at the WWE as I was last night.
In the last several years, too many have gone too young. Owen Hart to Brian Pillman, Curt Hennig to Louie Spicolli, and now Michael Lockwood. I'm not asking for a special edition of Confidential. Hell, if they don't think that they can take time from The McMahon power trip to show a video montage of Lockwood's career, then don't. But how hard is it to show proper respect and say goodbye to a fallen friend.
Shame on you WWE, shame on you Vince McMahon. You should all know better. Rest in peace Michael.
By Dan Vance of Fort Wayne, Ind.
PWTorch.com reader
Monday night was a normal Raw for the WWE. It was filled with over the top antics and regurgitation of the same matches and storylines. They managed to hurt the Kane-Shane feud and the Team Austin-Team Bischoff match, thus making Lita-Molly perhaps the Raw match to look forward to at Survivor Series.
However, it was what the WWE did not do that has enraged me. No, I'm not talking about their misuse of talent (though pulling Maven from TV and only giving Jon Heidenreich, Mark Jindrak, and Garrison Cade three seconds each is hardly good use of talent.) I am talking about the blatant and utter disrespect of Vince McMahon by not even acknowledging the death of Michael Lockwood.
No video package? Fine, I can deal with that. No ten bell salute? I guess that will do. Not even a graphic to show that the show was in memory of Michael to start us of? That's pushing it. But after Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler took a good deal of time in the last several weeks to talk about the life and the times of Stu Hart and Mike Hegstrand, they didn't even mention Lockwood during the broadcast.
Instead, we had near five minutes about the new WWE book? Who cares? There was no time to sneak in a few quick words about Lockwood? As far as I have read, the only tribute of the night was from Lockwood's good friend Steven Richards. But alas, it was on Heat, a show that will only air internationally this week due to Survivor Series. So why is it that we could not a lot Richards some time on Raw. Even doing the job, Richards's tribute would have been the best moment of the night for Spike TV viewers.
I'm not going to pretend that Lockwood's accomplishments in wrestling or his impact on the industry was anywhere near what Hart and Hegstrand gave. Because, in reality, there are only roughly a dozen or so people in the history of the industry that have had a bigger impact than Hegstrand (and LOD). And Stu Hart was 88, he had a lot of time to make his mark.
Yet, as Crash Holly, Lockwood had a huge impact on WWE in the last several years. Lockwood's role helped make the now-defunct Hardcore title become one of the most intriguing title hunts ever. Lockwood was a pioneer of the 24/7 rule, which is what made the WWE's version of Hardcore so far superior. When you say Hardcore, five names come to my mind: Mick Foley, Sabu, Tommy Dreamer, Abdullah the Butcher, and Michael Lockwood. And I don't think that a statement of that magnitude is made out of the situation.
Michael Lockwood may have not been the best wrestler. He may have never had the best gimmicks. But he took what he had and made it work. He became the Houdini of Hardcore by being a guy that worked hard and the WWE could count on. His impact may have not been as high as the likes of Hogan, Sting or Flair, but it was one that cannot be surpassed or taken away no matter what the case or who the man is attempting to derail it.
I am 19 years old. I have been watching WWE since before WrestleMania VIII. I have seen Mae Young birth a hand, I have seen Triple H and the disgusting Katie Vick trauma, I have seen every shocking and disturbing moment that Vince McMahon has been able to come up with for the last twelve years. Yet, I was never so appalled at the WWE as I was last night.
In the last several years, too many have gone too young. Owen Hart to Brian Pillman, Curt Hennig to Louie Spicolli, and now Michael Lockwood. I'm not asking for a special edition of Confidential. Hell, if they don't think that they can take time from The McMahon power trip to show a video montage of Lockwood's career, then don't. But how hard is it to show proper respect and say goodbye to a fallen friend.
Shame on you WWE, shame on you Vince McMahon. You should all know better. Rest in peace Michael.