Miscellaneous Ramblings on Current Taker News

Well, nothing Taker-related has gone down lately that warrants a full-blown, take no prisoners bitchfest. It's actually quite good because this means the boy hasn't stepped into any major bullshit. Good job, Taker. :) So this latest piece will cover some of the current Taker-related happenings and my two cents thrown in on each one. Without further ado, here we go...

 

 

If you haven't been watching WWF in any shape or form for a month, this will be news to you: HHH is coming back Monday. What does this have to do with Taker, you may ask? Well, some fans are mad that ol' Undie didn't have the deal like HHH had concerning his return.

Actually, looking in hindsight, I think it was cooler for him to show up kind of unannounced instead of "Undertaker Returns yada, yada, yada" being put up on the TV. And it wasn't like he popped in out of thin air; before his Judgment Day return, they had those jump rope girls on for a month or more before. I think they might have been going the mysterious biker route with him, anyway, leading up to his return so that fit in much better. Also, it fit in with his post-return stuff where he talked about the Undertaker leaving that night in 1999 and just traveling around, finding himself. Showing up without the announcement date like HHH kind of was like well, he rode around enough and that day, he decided to come back and kick a little ass for revenge. An American Badass isn't going to RSVP, after all.

I also think HHH wouldn't be getting all this U2 "Beautiful Day" treatment if the WWF wasn't in its current state. Ratings and revenue have been in a slide as they're on the cusp of the bust period. It's understandable because wrestling is cyclical and they sure aren't churning out great shows with consistency. Since HHH is one of the main-eventers they are relying on this hype to bring people into the fold again, therefore made sure to set a solid date of Jan 7th. because they know after a while, people will get tired of the waiting game.

 

Scenario- RVD is celebrating his victory over Matt Hardy a few couple weeks ago. Then here comes this man in a flannel shirt, with a bandanna and short, burgandy hair. Waitaminute- that's Taker, coming back from missing shows over a proclaimed "family emergency," who has obviously been attacked with dog clippers.

Then the big discussions begin about Taker's hair (or current lack thereof) began. Some have been pretty damn heated, between people who hate and like the new 'do (or don't, depending on what side you represent). And most of this has been over the folks who are in the "I'll support Mark 100% until the end" crowd getting pissy because some don't like it. Personally, I can't see the big fight over it. Yes, it's a big change but I can't see why some can't agree to disagree because this is such a petty thing, if you ask me. Get a grip- it's only hair.

Now onto my opinion on Taker deciding to cut his hair. Yes, his longer hair was dyed and greased down to within an inch of its life but I really liked him with longer hair. Just suited him better, I think. There was something with him and the long hair that clicked. I did go through my mourning and shock period as I did with Dancin' Stevie and Mick when they were clipped. However, it's his head, his hair, and if he wants it really, really short I sure as hell can't stop him from really living up to the Big Dead Dork moniker I pull out to describe him once in awhile. :)

I also can't get off of this without addressing the WWF interview they did post-cut. Sounds like Sara did the cutting, which I persumed when I saw him with the short hair. I had a snide-ass remark I made about her cutting his hair when he first showed up shorn but I'll refrain for saying it. And the last thing I have to say is I hope to hell he doesn't do that "wash my hair with soap" deal. Man, just because it's short doesn't mean you don't have to do some upkeep on it.

 

The hair ain't the only thing different; he's also turned heel, as you all know. At first, I thought it just wouldn't work. He was still getting pops and I doubted the fans could dig him as a heel since he's been mega-face for quite awhile. I also wondered what the hell they'd have him do- who would he feud with, could he get some major heat? I'd be lying if I said I thought this was all a swell idea from the get-go, especially after he turned in that RAW segment with Ross, Vince, and Angle.

But there is development now. His deal isn't completely solidified but it's gelling. He's pissed after years of what he feels was disrespect on McMahon's part. Yeah, kind of fucked up but whatever- at least it's a reason. So instead of settling this in a gentlemanly way, he's decided to take his aggressions out on the roster and whoever decides to cross him.

I think he's also doing a pretty good job as a heel and is sinking back into that comfortable niche again. And I do dig this vicious side of him, especially when he's talking trash to the audience and the overall aggressive attitude. However, I can do without those overexaggerated facial expressions which just look cartoonish instead of evil. And Taker has cemented himself as one of the top three heels in the company, with Jericho and Angle. Actually, the turn was needed on the grand scheme of things because one of the things that has been burying the WWF (outside of the ugly booking) was the huge amount of faces they've had. There hasn't been a dominant heel for the good guys to go up against so enter Taker and his badass self.

But where does this all lead? It's kind of early to tell because right now he's just beating the hell out of anyone. I do hope this leads to a solid feud with someone who can help bring the best out of Taker and vice versa. And there are two that really do get the fires lit with Taker- HHH and Austin. However, if this route was taken, I hope they try something new and not stick with the same formulas they've had in the past. But Taker as a heel might spice it up a bit if they went this way, storyline-wise.

 

Damn, this stuff won't die, will it? Of course, after the news of her Diva shoot and her "training," it seems inevitable that she'll be on TV again in some form. Well, so much for that "I only did the stalker angle for my husband" deal. Hell, even the WWF stopped the propaganda after the 'net wasn't buying into it; her extreme ambition to make something of herself and use Taker and the WWF as a stepping stone is damn obvious.

As of late, I've actually been looking through more of the Taker fanbase on the web and the sites within it- that's what happens when you're on break and have time to piss away. And I've been able to see more of this one-sided war going on that the Sara Supporters have waged against those who don't like the woman's presence on TV. All I can really say about all of this is it's un-fuckin'-believable. And surfing around the 'net I found a place where they were talking about the Sara Supporters and their objects of attack. One interesting point was brought up- they really only go after the women who don't like her, not the men.

It's not like all the male wrestling fans like her. Hell, from what I've seen at RSPW and other forums, the only positive thing they have said about her is her implants are nice. For the most part, they think she's about as talented as a bag of rocks and I won't even go into what they've said about her appearance, the majority of which isn't nice at all. Of course, it must be a whole lot easier to tell a bunch of women you don't even know that they're "jeluss of sarah becuz shes pretty and butiful and telented and she marryed taker" and "dellusioonal becuz u think taker wood like u lol!!!" because those are the only two come-backs I've seen spread over the 'net. Also, if you think I'm exaggerating with the nasty grammar I used in the previous sentence, I'm not- I've seen shit that compares to it.

Regarding the come-backs, I find them ridiculous and pathetic. And so far, it's one of three things: if you don't like her, you are either "jealous," "delusional" (also paired with "psycho" at times), or a combo of both. Anyone with any common sense would know if you're going to do verbal sparring, you better be able to be coherent and be able to logically back up what you say, without sounding like a myna bird.

Yes, there are a few out there who can fit into the "jealous" and "delusional" categories concerning their dislike, which can stretch to pure hatred, of Sara but from what I've seen, they're the small minority. The majority of fans who don't like Sara's presence can tell you why they don't like it in a logical manner. And it's not like some of the Sara fans can start labeling the group who don't like her, either. They also have their fair smattering of people who aren't exactly dealing with a full deck, along with people who have a genuine affection for her, not based on last name only or fall into that "whatever Taker does, I have to support it 100%" crowd.

And I have a one more thing to say. Honestly, after taking a longer look around at this "war," I think the reason some of the Sara Supporters are so agressive is they really don't have much of a pot to piss in regarding defending her.

 

 

Date Written: (12-21-01)