Someone who liked my opinion told me that it's been making some ripples (that might be considered waves by now) in a couple places (Yahoo Clubs, especially). With that news, I was shocked as all hell that the opinion that has been on my site for some time now is finally being noticed and making people talk. As I checked out some of the places where people have mentioned my opinion (and the feedback was surprisingly positive), I noticed questions or statements people made.

From most of what I've seen, I'm regarded as this mysterious figure who wrote a blistering opinion on "Plots 'n' Tombstones." So I figured I better pony up some info for the inquisitive and try to answer some other questions that might pop up down the road. And I'd appreciate it if you read the whole thing, not just what you want to and then twist stuff around without getting the facts.

 

 

 

 

Q. Who wrote this?

A. My name is Diana. I have a last name, or course, but that's private with this being the Internet and all. I want to maintain a certain degree of anonymity because you don't know who the hell's out there and I really don't want to encounter some knife-wielding psycho on my doorstep. And I don't have one of those highly creative names some people use in lieu of their real names. I'm just not that creative.

I also don't run in any of the Undertaker fan circles or clubs on the Internet, although I do keep in touch with people who participate in some of the groups out there. Not that I have a problem with clubs/groups, they're just not my thing. I do participate in a forum about wrestling, but it's run by people who have a site that most UT fans don't like, or at least the UT.net contingent doesn't, anyway.

That's probably still not telling you much, so I'll give you some more info as to where I have hung out in the UT fan realm. Maybe some of you have seen me there. Some might have seen my posts a long time ago on undertaker.net, under the username "countrygirl." And I still pop into the moontribes.com chat room at times if there's a chat going on and will post on the board there once in awhile. Other than that, I'm really nowhere to be seen in the Undertaker fan realm.

Well, that above probably will still leave you scratching your head. So if there are any out there who want to converse with me, regarding the opinion piece or otherwise, there are many ways to do it. First of all, I offer up my e-mail address. I also have a chat room . If you or a group would like to chat with me just mail me, we'll set up a day and time convenient for all, and I'll meet you there. And there's always my message board. Actually, I've been hoping to light it up with posts for awhile now, so if you would like to join the forum, just read the rules and post to your heart's content. So, as you can see, even though I don't run in UT fan circles, I'm pretty easy to reach.

I'd also like to address something else I've seen pop up and want to clear the air before any rumors might be started as to my identity. There is someone with the Yahoo! ID thedarkshadow1 or something like that who found the opinion and is spreading the news on many Yahoo! Clubs, it seems. I don't know who this person is but I'm figuring they're a disgruntled member of PnT. Actually, I'm sure they're a disgruntled member since I checked their profile. If they'd like to contact me about it, to vent or whatever, they're more than welcome to. He/she won't be the first and I'm sure they won't be the last. Also, as those who have contacted me before know, I keep all correspondence anonymous.

 

 

Q. Have you been affiliated with PnT?

A. No. Never have been and never will be. I formulated my opinion based on the criteria shown at the beginning of the piece.

 

 

Q. Well, if you haven't been a part of PnT, why write about it?

There was a time, when I was fresh to the Internet, that I entertained the idea of joining this club. A "fan club" boasting all of those features looks pretty tempting. But after looking through the place and gaining a critical eye of its claims (along with what I see on the Internet, in general), I decided against it. Things just didn't add up for me.

It was hard to believe that this amateurish site was the "Official Mark Callaway Fan Club." And personally, a couple pictures scattered around with the webmistress/president/CEO/master of ceremonies/whatever with Paul Bearer or Taker aren't enough to convince me of PnT's 100% legitimacy and, therefore, earn my "ask no questions" undying loyalty. Anymore, it's common to see pictures taken of people with their favorite wrestlers, managers, etc. so they really had no meaning to me other than she's been in their same airspace at least once or twice.

And while I thought the place might not be on the up and up, so to speak, I was shocked at some of the things I've been told by people who I know are being truthful with me. Now how do I know they're being truthful, you may ask? Well, I've received many e-mails and chatted with people regarding PnT. And most of them don't know each other and what they've told me is essentially the same story. But those who have known the "president" personally have told me much more than what most "members" know. Those items won't be printed.

Now, even with the extra ammo I could use, I'm not out to viciously slander the woman behind the site. My objective with the opinion piece is to make people ask and evaluate before jumping into joining this club. Actually, this rule of thumb is beneficial in many aspects of the Internet, clubs or otherwise. Also, while I resisted joining the club, I know that there are people drawn to the allure of this possibly being an "official fan club." Whether they're new to the Internet or might just be too trusting, I don't know. But what I do know is that people have come off of that club, a lot of whom losing money and/or left with a bad taste in their mouths.

Other than that, there are other things that don't make me a fan of this place. I have a major problem with people feeling cheated and stupid for joining up and receiving nothing in return. I've received e-mails from people who feel that way about PnT. And I also have a problem with people being treated in a vicious way and/or censored by "Druidess" or some of the faithful if they don't wholly agree with what's going on with the "club." I can understand banning real trolls, like the jackasses who show up on a regular basis and post such thought-out gems like, "THE UnDERTAkER SUX AND YOU ALL SUX HAHAHAHAHAHA MORONS LOL!!!!!!" or threaten people. But it's just plain censorship to ban and/or not respond to someone regarding honestly constructive criticism. These things are what I wanted to write about and did, just to form the argument and evidence to back up my opinion.

And remember, this is an opinion and is meant to be taken that way. Yes, I meant to do that to the word. I'd put it up in lights if I could but I guess a teal coloring will have to do. I know some like to jump the gun and I want to make sure they see that particular word before they get their panties in too much of a bunch. Since this is my opinion, you're entitled to yours. If you think I'm full of shit, that's your perogative. If you think I'm dead-on, well it's cool that we're on the same page and I'm glad you dug what I wrote.

 

 

Q. Are you organizing a group to shut PnT down?

A. No I'm not. I've seen where it's been insinuated that is my plan, but it's not. I wrote an opinion about PnT, giving my two cents about it. I knew of people who got the shaft by this "club," which was what got me started. The opinion grew from there and has been revised many times. Actually, I never expected it to touch a nerve like it has.

What seems to have grown out of people now starting to talk is that some might think I'm this crusader for justice (makes me sound like a superhero, doesn't it?) and the leader of this ever-growing group of outspoken PnT opponents. That's one role I won't take or would want to. The only thing I have done, other than write the opinion, has been conversing with people regarding their PnT experiences after they saw my piece. And I've been glad that some people have taken the time to do so. But if some of you aren't happy with me not taking a more outspoken role in what's been going on and if you have to peg something on me, I guess you can say I threw some fuel on the fire. It was unintentional but it happened.

I also don't desire to instigate some great war with the folks of PnT or their supporters. I can't stand any of that fighting bullshit and won't partake in it. Most of the time, it ends up with childish taunting or insulting which is absolutely loathsome, due to the fact some people become brave behind their computer screens and completely revert to some primitive level of communication and asinine behavior. And another reason I find it despicable is I've seen some who have taken part in it are older than me (I'm in my early twenties). Oh, that shows some maturity there- to get brave and fight over some stupid shit. So if your main thrill is to do this, please get a life outside of the computer. Anyway, sorry to anyone who was dying for some dishy fight but I have more important things to do with my time.

Back to the whole shutting down thing. I feel if anyone were to feel strongly enough to form a group or contact the WWFE (World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Incorporated) regarding PnT, it should be those who are or have been affiliated with the site in some manner. I don't have any first-hand ties to the "organization," my word wouldn't be as valid as someone who has felt burned personally.

 

 

Q. Are you just zoning in on PnT with your opinions?

A. No. Regular visitors to my site know I have written many other opinions, relating to Taker and/or other things in the Undertaker fan realm Those can be seen here. Also, if any of you are sensitive to hearing critiques about Undertaker, just steer clear of that page, because I really don't need to listen to people tell me how much I hate Taker when that's far from the truth and I have nothing but respect for him.

I treat this opinion as equally as I do the rest I've written. It's just that this one has made the biggest waves and has gotten the most attention, which is why the FAQ was tacked on after seeing questions popping up.

 

 

Q. Do you think everyone who is in PnT or associated with it is a bad person?

A. No I don't. Like with anything, there are people who are good and there are others who like to start stuff.

 

 

Q. Why are you jealous of PnT?

A. Why would I be jealous? First of all, it's not my nature to be jealous of things. And second of all, that statement is useless to say, in my opinion, because it has no grounding. Now if I ran some kind of club then I might vaguely see how someone might come up with that. Maybe they would think that I feel PnT is competition or something. But I run no club and don't want to run a club so why would I feel jealous towards PnT? And if I'm supposed to be jealous over the artwork or whatever there, think again. I've seen it and it's not my thing. But to each their own, I say.

 

Q. Can't you stop bothering those in PnT?

A. I don't find using webspace I signed up for and exercising my First Amendment right on it as bothering anyone. If you do, you don't believe in free speech. All I've done, as stated before, is write the opinion about what I felt about PnT's business practices and how some have been treated by the club that I felt was sufficiently backed-up to support my claims. Someone picked up on it, liked it, and spread the word on the Yahoo! and MSN clubs. That's it.

The world isn't rose-colored. People have differing opinions. And just because you might not like what someone has written gives you no reason to be hostile towards another for their (here comes that word again) OPINION. Now if I started forcing my OPINION on others or consistently trailed those who like PnT and demanded they believe me in an insistent or even in a threatening manner, then I would be bothering.

 

 

 

IN CLOSING:

I know it's obvious that there are some who like PnT. And it's obvious there are people who don't. Now if I said that what I wrote is the only way it is, then I could see people who love PnT getting huffy about it, because it's apparent that there are some who are satisfied with PnT. But it's an opinion and it's meant to be taken that way. Opinions are to be discussed in a civil an intelligent manner, even if you don't like it. Not to start some of this foolishness I've seen about shutting so and do down, so and so's stupid, so and so's jealous, etc. That's a knee-jerk reaction, plain and simple, along with misreading things or not even bothering to carefully read anything.

Yes, I did write an opinion of PnT that painted it in a more negative light. But it's my opinion. I am entitled to mine and you are entitled to yours, plain and simple.