Hello Promo fans and welcome to another edition of the “20-Minute Promo.” Yours truly, Tommy Rock, is here to deliver another solid column. Take a look at the rundown for this week’s column:

Feedback- The Columnist’s response to your opinions.
Hot Topic- Perspective and opinion on the Wrestling World.
Wrestling Report Card
“Thought of the Week” by Tommy’s Grandmom
Ask Wregenie
Jenny Jones Vote
Beat The Columnist- Face off against Tommy Rock in PPV predictions.
BattleCage

This column is more loaded than last week with two sections making their debut on LOP. As you can see, there is a new format to the column, giving it a tighter look and making it more reader-friendly. Starting next week, the column will be dipping into the archives section. They will appear in the place of the normal sections, but simply be portions that have already appeared. I’ve produced some solid material in the past (if I can pat myself on the back for a little bit) that I think new readers would enjoy.


Feedback

I included the Feedback section this week to respond to all the e-mail that was sent. I want to thank the people who sent their kind words and the new readers who will make reading the “Promo” a part of their LOP experience. A lot of people sent me e-mails about last week’s Rant, saying that British people call cigarettes “fags” and not “faggots.” I do apologize for the error, but since it didn’t change the scope of the section too much, I don’t consider it a huge problem. Continue to get your e-mails and feedback in. I try to respond to all e-mail, unless they contain votes only, so your voice will always be heard.


Hot Topic

"What We Do In Life Echoes Through Eternity" ~Maximus, The Gladiator

This quote taken from the Oscar winning movie, The Gladiator, is a call for heroism. To make your impact on the world and have your legacy left for future generations to cherish. To change the scope of the world as we know it for the better. To stand tall above the rest. There's no better quote to fit the wrestling world. These men are heroes that have left their impact on the world and have changed the scope of the wrestling world as we all know it.

"What we do in life echoes through eternity."

A take down move specialized by Lou Thesz, one of the sport's greats, that has become a staple in professional wrestling and is still used in the ring to this day. The Lou Thesz press is one of the only moves widely recognized by the wrestler that mastered it.

"What we do in life echoes through eternity."

A bodyslam on Andre The Giant by Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania III in front of a record crowd is one of the greatest highlights in professional wrestling. It symbolizes the heroism of the face, Hulk Hogan, as the underdog against the mammoth Andre the Giant. The bodyslam is an example of defeating the odds and relays the moral that hard work produces success. A moral learned by wrestling fans and non-wrestling fans alike.

"What we do in life echoes through eternity."

A fateful leap by Owen Hart at Over The Edge in May of 1999 that took his life. It is the most widely recognized story of a wrestler's death in the ring. It opened the world's eyes to the dangers that happen in the ring and the pressure these wrestlers are put under to perform. It is an eye-opener to wrestlers that realize their life is at risk whenever they are in the ring or trying to enter it. It displays a man's determination to entertain the people who support and cheer for him. Most notably, it leaves behind the legacy of a wrestler that left this world too soon.

"What we do in life echoes through eternity."

An interview cut by Steve Austin after winning the King of The Ring in 1996. The interview catapulted Steve Austin to the top of the wrestling world and brought wrestling back into the mainstream of society. People were again fans of wrestling as millions walked around with shirts that read "Austin 3:16." Austin brought a sport that was dying and losing a solid fan base back to the top of the entertainment industry where it has rested for the past five years. Wrestling has become more accepted in modern society through a simple post-match interview.

"What we do in life echoes through eternity."

A dream by a young promoter, Vince McMahon, to make his wrestling promotion nationally recognized. As wrestling was dominated by territorial promotions, McMahon looked at the big picture and dreamed of uniting the wrestling world under one flag. Wrestling has grown from a "redneck" sport into one of the most widely recognized forms of entertainment the world has seen. Wrestling and sports-entertainment would not be what it is today without one man's dream to change the wrestling world and leave an impact on American pop culture that cannot be forgotten.

There are plenty of tales of how wrestling or the world has been shaped due to the heroics of the members of the wrestling community. The legacies of those mentioned above, and others, will reign in eternity for their ability to change the scope of wrestling and real life. It all started off with something small, but has revolutionized the way wrestling is today. They have all made sure that wrestling, the sport we all love, will forever echo through eternity.


Wrestling Report Card

Shane McMahon

Ring Work: For a man that is not a trained wrestler, he doesn’t do a bad job. Shane is willing to put his body on the line with huge bumps and sells decently. However, his offense is limited. Besides the one highspot for every match, Shane’s offense is limited to punching and other brawling tactics.
Grade: C+

Mic Skills: Shane McMahon puts a lot of energy into his mic time. His screaming and hyperactivity can only be compared to a child with A.D.D. and no Ritalin. However, the man has used his mic power to get himself and others over as both heels and faces. He works the crowd well, rallying support or hostility.
Grade: B

Entertainment: Shane entertains the fans with his in-ring performances, simply by leaving the fans wondering what he is going to do next. His highspots are often show-stealers and the highlight of PPVs. Outside of the ring, McMahon shows decent acting ability in some backstage segments, but can get annoying with excessive mic time.
Grade: B

Draw Power: McMahon’s many turns from face to heel, and vice versa, have shown his flexibility in getting himself over as both a heel and a face. As a McMahon, recognition by the audience is almost unquestionable. As a wrestler, McMahon is far from being one of the top stars, despite his popularity.
Grade: B+

Overall Grade: 2.92 (B)


“Thought of the Week” by Tommy’s Grandmom

Grandmom’s thoughts on DDP and his new gimmick.

“I don’t know which irks me more, him or his teeth.”


Ask Wregenie

Blake Stoudt asks: Will HBK ever return?
Wregenie: Yeah, Vince has this urge to screw up his locker room every now and then.

Blake Stoudt asks: Will Lita ever pose for Playboy?
Wregenie: With that tattoo, she has a better shot posing for “Biker World.”

Blake Stoudt asks: Will I get to go to the December PPV in San Diego?
Wregenie: You’re sure as hell not getting tickets from me. I’m not that kind of genie.

Michael Nunes asks: Will Mick Foley be shaving his head again?
Wregenie: Most likely, the man would do anything to sell his books.

Neil asks: Who do you think will win the triple threat match at No Mercy?
Wregenie: It’s a tough call. I don’t know whether to go with the man with no hair, the man with no neck, or the man with no humility?

SheepDogg02 asks: What would win: The People's Elbow or the Atomic Leg Drop?
Wregenie: The People’s Elbow. Taking off the elbow pad makes that move twice as lethal.

SheepDogg02 asks: Out of every wrestler on the WWF roster, who most deserves death?
Wregenie: The Undertaker, to stay in character of course. He’ll probably be easier to work against too.

J@ckel asks: Do you think that wrestling will bounce back up in popularity? If so, when will it happen?
Wregenie: Yes, I think wrestling will bounce back as soon as Vince McMahon reveals himself as the arch-nemesis to the Hurricane.

El Oso asks: Where does Tommy Rock get off stealing El Oso's patented phrase 'the Rant' and using it to propel himself to LoP main page status without any recognition of the man who brought the phrase to prominence?
Wregenie: Don’t be a playa hater! I still think you’re cool ::Thumbs up::.


Jenny Jones Vote

Last week: Lita- “Ain’t No Thing”

The Rock “He’s The Best” or “I’d Rather Watch Test”

Vote now for The Rock!


Beat The Columnist

Last month, the unbeaten streak continued for the columnist. This month will be no different. See if you can beat these PPV picks:

Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle vs. Rob Van Dam
Winner: Steve Austin

The Rock vs. Chris Jericho
Winner: The Rock

Edge vs. Christian
Winner: Edge

The Undertaker vs. Bokker T
Winner: The Undertaker

Kane vs. Test
Winner: Test

Torrie Wilson vs. Stacy Keibler
Winner: Stacy Keibler

Rumored Matches

X-Pac vs. Billy Kidman
Winner: X-Pac

Big Show/Spike Dudley vs. The Dudley Boys
Winner: The Dudley Boys

The Hardy Boyz vs. Lance Storm/Hurricane
Winner: Lance Storm/Hurricane


BattleCage

It wasn’t even close in last week’s BattleCage. The Champion remains victorious for the second week in a row. But a blast from the past meets him this week. The combatants are:

Champion: Shawn Michaels-Consecutive Wins: 2
Vs.
Challenger: Marty Jannetty

A Rocker looking for revenge takes on the Champion in the BattleCage. It’s the has been against the never was. Get your votes in to crown a Champion.


So concludes another glorious edition of the “20-Minute Promo.” Be sure to keep sending me your feedback along with your votes, picks, hate mail, and monetary donations. Until next time, thanks for reading, check out the links below, and take care.