Wow. Yeah, I gotta agree that's a bull**** induction then.
Glad you agree. I'd rather a wrestler got inducted, never mind one that was a former World champion. But since the WWE's HOF already has questionable inductees, like the aforementioned Perry, UW would only add to the wrestling star power.
I'm sure Warrior made it very clear, even early in his career, he was only in it for the money. He had no 'die-hard love' for the industry. And given his success, I believe he did make more money in his brief 4 year stint on top, than say, Bob Holly's entire WWE career.
The holding-up Vince for money deal, like every story, has two sides. Warrior claims that Vince owed him money from Wrestlemania VII (5 months prior), and refused to work until he was paid that. In any 'normal' profession, it is acceptable not to continue work if you have not been paid your fair due. But this doesn't apply to wrestlers (which in turn leads to problems with the industry, which I'll avoid).
I think this is one of the issues that will be contended in the upcoming lawsuit, and until its proven, we can only speculate, and believe whatever side we like.
Yes, I do agree that his actions screwed over the fans, and he has never really answered for them. Michael Jackson has screwed over his fans in recent years, and has done plenty of questionable things. But do his post-music-career activities nullify his qualification into a music HOF? Neither do Warrior's actions.
No-one has succeeded in being the next 'Hogan'. Warrior failed. Luger failed. Goldberg failed. As other posters have said, his title reign was marred by sub-par challengers. Earthquake should have immediately fueded with Warrior, after he squashed Hogan. But it wasn't so. Also, Vince interfered with the UW character and tried to make him more appealing to the mass audience, rather than just to Metallica fans - i.e. the Amanda Warrior skits, less face paint etc.
A kid-friendly Warrior was not the Warrior that got over. It was a face-character with a maniacal edge, that kicked ass regardless of the opposition.
I do not agree with your 'silver platter' arguement. Warrior's history is well documented. He
did pay his dues in the smaller promotions. He
did live on $10 a night, slept on floorboards etc. The Warrior's success is 50/50. 50 parts Warrior's own charisma and character, 50 parts McMahon's platform and marketing machine. They couldn't find just any bodybuilder and put tassles and paint on him, and make it work. Warrior has acknowledged this on his website. Also, as proven in court of law, the UW character, is indeed, Hellwig's own creation.
To his part, Warrior did care enough to abstain from partying with the boys and spend every lonely night in the gym to keep in 'Warrior' shape. He invested in his colourful costumes and facepaint to make the character as imaginitive as possible.
Since we are talking opinions, I'm one to believe a job should never take precedence over family. Looking back at Benoit matches, and factoring the brain damage, some of the risks he took were pretty damn stupid. And to what end? So that the fans go home happy? No. It lead to the killing of his young wife and child. Nancy's killing is often overlooked, but not Daniel's. Both are as bad.
I'd take a hate-mongering, greedy, money-grabbing so-and-so like Warrior any day of the week. In the end, its only a wrestling show. Its a free country and what he's doing isn't illegal. You (generally speaking) don't like Warrior, don't pay any attention to him. He screwed the business? Well, it only momentarily harmed my viewing pleasure. It didn't result in a tragic crime.
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I must say, I commend you on keeping this Warrior arguement civil. Usually it ends up with "You're a smurfing so-and-so for liking that homophobe" and someone being banned.
