The Wrath of Tito - Rob Van Dam/Sabu dropped the ball, Trish, UFC, Brooke, more
Submitted by Mr. Tito on Monday, July 3, 2006 at 8:22 PM EST
Welcome to the Wrath of Tito. Normally, I wouldn't write until after the RAW or ECW shows are over... However, I'm inspired to write at this time of day and I'm excited because I have tomorrow off. Good to have the 4th of July on a weekday...
With the 4th of July, a lot of people like to have fun. In some cases, they have fun like Rob Van Dam and Sabu, the two biggest pillars in ECW. On Sunday night, RVD was caught with 18 grams of pot by Ohio highway patrol while Sabu was busted for drug paraphernalia and pills. With this incident, ECW just died. It's absolutely over, as these two guys were the only ones getting face time on the ECW show. They just put the WWE in a ridiculously tough spot as since Eddie Guerrero's death, the WWE has been stressing a "tough" drug policy. The likes of Eugene, Joey Mercury, and Chris Masters have all fell victim on the new policy. If the WWE gives Sabu and Van Dam a free pass, then a double standard has been put into place.
Sabu and RVD couldn't have picked a worse time to get caught. I'm sure they've been doing it for years and have driven many times, while lit up. But at the same time, you're in a company where they are paying you 6-figures per year in a profession where there's only one company who can pay you that kind of money. In my opinion, it sets a bad example to the WWE to have a caught drug user as your WWE Champion. It's embarrassing. There's no way that Vince McMahon can even go light on him.
With Rob Van Dam, smoking weed, in my opinion, is one of the factors that has kept Rob Van Dam down for much of his career. For example, he's often out of breath in the ring. Watch One Night Stand and see John Cena outworking a winded RVD, and RVD, in parts, couldn't take the weardown offense of Kurt Angle. RVD is red in the face for all of his matches and often takes long breaks between spots. Additionally, he does the same match each time he's out there, and therefore, he's able to be lazy and work within a comfort zone. RVD's drug use has disabled him from evolving to a Main Event worthy wrestler. It's enabled him to be lazy and obsolete with his wrestling character. The entire wrestling business has evolved past Rob Van Dam because he's stuck in a rut from many lazy factors on his part, and I'm sure drugs have something to do with it.
With Sabu, he's probably always abused for the pain he suffers. I don't blame him in that sense, as he gets paid to be death-defying. However, drugs are still illegal, mmmkay, and a certain responsibility must be upheld to the corporation who just signed you to a 3 year deal worth 6-figures. In addition, Sabu has made a major comeback here in 2006, as many thought he was finished due to what was perceived as an attitude problem on the indy circuit as well as bad health problems. In his early 40's, this was Sabu's last shot to really make it big and he was beginning to remake a name for himself again on WWE and ECW shows. Now, he throws it all away...
When you're in a big prominent position, it's time to put the drugs away or at least do them somewhere other than in a car on a highway. While on top, bad news like this can bring you down. Look at Robert Downey Jr. How about Rush Limbaugh? Biggest Conservative/Republican media person of all time, just risking bad press for his cause by doctor shopping 2 years ago for pain pills and recently with falsely prescribed Viagara. Kate Moss almost lost her modeling career after openly snorting Coke. When you're in a big position that affects entire industries or something that would earn profits, you have a major responsibility to uphold.
Rob Van Dam, as WWE Champion, got caught smoking pot while driving. Yeah, what a great company guy. The entire WWE lockerroom has to be proud to have that guy as their champion. Additionally, I'm sure that the Science Fiction Channel just LOVES to have two guys who just got caught, doing drugs, on their network. I'm already sure that Sci-Fi executives have made a few phone calls to the WWE and Universal regarding this situation. The WWE did a degree of begging to get the ECW show and put some integrity on the line with Universal for that show, only for the show's 2 biggest ECW stars to throw it all away. What great company guys. They just put the first of many nails in the ECW coffin. I cannot see how Vince McMahon will let these two guys embarrass his company the way that they just did. The integrity of the WWE lockerroom cannot afford a double standard to ruin what has been said to be a tough and respectable drug policy...
Oh wait, RVD and Sabu weren't caught by the WWE drug policy! They were busted by highway troopers! That means that both guys probably somehow passed a drug test or two, or the WWE just didn't suspect two guys, who have been very open about their use ("High Times" magazine anyone?), of substance abuse. If RVD and Sabu got by the system, then the supposed toughened system since Eddie Guerrero's death has plenty of holes that need covering up. Who knows what WWE wrestlers are taking if two longtime reported users weren't caught by the drug policy. In consideration of the fact that RVD/Sabu might have passed tests before this incident, the WWE better rethink their policies and maybe punish itself for failing to bust their employees for substance abuse.
FINGER OF SHAME to Rob Van Dam/Sabu for blowing a great thing that they had going recently in the WWE. Folks, RVD is the WWE Champion after 5 years of playing the WWE game to get that title. Sabu signed a huge contract with the WWE to finally get paid well to be a professional wrestler. Both screwed it up and have the potential to get released, and if not, demoralized for the remainders of their long WWE contracts. Also, FINGER OF SHAME to the WWE drug policy for not being strong enough. If abusers can slip through the cracks, then it's not working. The WWE must double their efforts if they desire a drug-free lockerroom.
~APPLE DUMPLINGS~
-I absolutely loved reading the New York Post trashing Brooke Hogan. She's an absolute fake. I hate to call her that, for I can imagine she's a sweet girl. But the fact is that Hulk Hogan is living his musical dreams through his daughter, Brooke. Hogan tried to make it as a musician before he wrestled, as Hogan can reportedly play a mean bass (as some of you noticed in the Vince video that DX played). However, Hogan obviously didn't make it and he became a wrestler... didn't do too bad there. Brooke Hogan has ZERO musical talent that could sell millions of records. Maybe she could sing well in a church choir, but to have a voice to even sing a remotely catchy pop song is harder than it looks. And speaking of looks, Brooke is just another blonde in California. She looks hot, but she's not Britney, Christina, or Jessica hot. When you lack singing ability, you must be a perfect 10 to sell albums, period. Brooke looks good, but not great. Therefore, her marginal singing skills aren't going to sell due to her decent looks.
But Brooke is pushed by her daddy, who is living out his musical dream through his daughter, and it's making her look like an absolute fake. While I understand that father's play a big role in their daughters' careers (like Jessica Simpson's), Hogan is overbearing and very controlling, as well as Brooke's mom. Seeing Brooke's mom panic about her looks at the video shoot said it all. I'd love to see how much Hulk Hogan has invested in his daughter's failed music career. It has to be millions, even though the Hogan Knows Best show is probably footing the tab easily.
With Brooke's failure as a musician, it would be a BAD idea to bring her to the WWE. I'm sensing that Hulk might push the WWE to get her involved as a WWE Diva since the music career is tanking (or use the WWE for publicity), but the WWE fans will see through it. From Hogan knows best, they can see the Hulkster clearly pulling strings for his daughter and how she couldn't make it without Hulk's money. Can you imagine New York City fans tearing into Brooke? Oh my...... Plus, if the WWE is to do Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Orton at Wrestlemania, I'd seriously worry about Randy Orton's conduct around Brooke. This feud could create sizzling tension backstage when Orton shows his immaturity to Brooke. With that being said, I'm actually looking forward to the feud now...
-Here's what I tell the Ultimate Fighting Championship with their response to the Kurt Angle open challenge storyline in ECW: JUST SHUT UP. UFC needs to realize that they will never be as popular as the WWE. Right now, UFC is seeing larger live crowds than in the last 5 or so years... However, they were pretty hot during the mid-1990's and soon sizzled out, too. UFC is a complete fad and it's already dying off with diminishing ratings on Spike TV. But to "respond" to the WWE is laughable. UFC, you aren't even in the same class as the WWE financially and on success terms. Secondly, I'll take a HEALTHY Kurt Angle over any of your UFC fighters. Make sure you read my word "healthy", as an Olympic Gold Medalist being trained to be a MMA fighter would absolutely kill any fighter that UFC has to offer. In fact, it wouldn't even be close. Even with UFC's adjusted rules to limit ground fighters, Angle would still kick UFC's ass. UFC can talk smack in return all they want. They know that a healthy Kurt Angle could mop the floor with any of their fighters. Therefore, UFC should just shut up and realize that mixed martial arts and professional wrestling are two different entities and should be focused on as such.
-I'm sure I speak for many WWE fans when I say: Trish Stratus: PLEASE STAY IN THE WWE! Her contract reportedly runs out in August and rumor has it that she might not return to wrestling. Noooooooooooooo! Trish is in the same great class as Miss Elizabeth, Sunny, and Sable for those who transcended the rest of the women in her sport. With Trish, however, not only is she a complete knock-out in the looks department (and I curse myself for ripping on her implants years ago), but she's an incredible worker. Seriously, in the span of 5 years, she's become one of the best female workers around. She is an asset that the WWE cannot let go and should pay well. Give her limited dates! Give her millions! Keep her in the WWE and let her eventually retire into a role in the WWE to help other women in the future. Concede to her wishes! I'm assuming that with Trish getting married (boy does she keep her personal life quiet!), she may want to settle down and listen to that biological clock ticking. But damn, it's been an honor to watch her perform and carry the women's division to something watchable. If anybody attends any autograph signings of Trish's in the next few months, do what you can... Get on your hands and knees and beg, plead, and insist that Trish stays in the WWE for many years to come.
-ECW continues to be messed with by Vince McMahon... While Heyman has a vision of establishing his old ECW stars, Vince McMahon has visions of pushing crash TV storylines he's always wanted to do in the WWE. Amazing... I'll agree with Vince, in some sense, that a lot of the ECW guys are washed-up. I can't disagree with that. However, where are the new guys that we've been promised? Ohio Valley Wrestling prospects and CM Punk? Where are you? I predicted that Vince McMahon couldn't keep his hands off this product and I was absolutely correct. Bow down, ECW haters, who told me that I was wrong.
Time to get ready for RAW... Happy 4th of July, to one and all...
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