Wrestling Star Arrested on Drug Charge (Miss Elizabeth dead; WCW's Lex Lugar in jail)

WSB-TV/DT Atllanta ^ | 5.1.03

[ewing]

Elizabeth had 'great presence' in the ring, she basically did the same schtick for 20 some years and was truly the 'First Lady of Wrestling..'

[pupdog]

In addition to the great sadness of losing Ms. Hulette, this could very well do in the WWE.

Not only have they lost a number of stars in the last few years, but one of them died in an in-ring accident (Owen Hart). Now after this has occureed (and this is after, I thought, a ostenisble "flushing out" of steroids) they're probably going to be under attack by every parental group and regulatory organization in existence.

And the WWE has in the last decade changed to an "almost reality" format. They now, for example, do shows where they interview wrestlers "out of character", and just let them let loose. So whereas in the 80's a current or former star dying they would just sweep under the carpet, they now have been following the policy of bringing things out in the open. But how do you do that for something as damning as this?

The only thing that I think can save them is the fact that a large percentage of their fan base "doesn't care". This is not to mean that they are not going to be sad at this loss, and possibly angry at the organization for not doing more to stop this. This means that they accept that, contrary to those who laugh at pro wrestling as nothing more than a grown-up game of make-believe, that this really is an "extreme" sport. The fans, in fact, make it so, by demanding nothing less than feats which at this point are literally death-defying.

Think I'm exaggerating? Kurt Angle just recently wrestled in a match at Wrestlemania that several doctors told him if he did he might not live through. Shane McMahon a few years ago did a, what, 40 foot jump onto the Big Show? (Watching that, especially him crossing himself right before jumping still gives me chills). And then there is the mere career of Mick Foley: if you know him, you know nothing more needs to be said.

So while this is a sadness, and they in no way wanted to see it, they also understand this as being simply a part of the nature of the business, that these things happen. Please understand: I'm neither endorsing nor condemning this view, just stating that I believe it is the case.

Yet while all of that is the case, we are living in the warning-label era of civilization, where every time a drop of blood is spilled a lawsuit follows. At one coffeehouse I worked I once had a customer insist that we needed to have a sign posted next to a divet in the concrete that was maybe half-an-inch high, no joke. In that kind of environment, I don't know if pro wrestling can survive this latest incident, however supporting its fans are. McMahon is a better spinmeister than most individuals in governmental positions, and if there's anyone who can bring his organization out of it it's him. Still, I don't think even he can wiggle out of this one. The WWE might be down for the count.

[TomHarkinIsNotFromIowa]

I am (NOT) a wrestling fan. One of my favorite Christian bands (NEWSBOYS) were in Minneapolis recently. They were doing a program called Aquire The Fire. Several wrestlers were giving testimony and talks at the event. One of them was a wrestler called (STING?) and a couple of others I can't remember their names. People with a concience have left ProWrestling or are leaving.

[AppyPappy]

Cause they tell it.

[MrLeRoy]

Cause they tell it.

You've spoken with a large radom sample?

[MrLeRoy]

radom --> random

[majordivit]

I believe the correct response would be:

Ohhh yeaahhhhh

oooooooohhhhhh yeeeeeahhhhhhhhh! you are correct...

[majordivit]

Hulk Hogan - correct ...and whatcha gonna do (insert wrestler name) when the worlds biggest arms..these 24 inch pythons and Hulkamania run wild on you? (run like hell..my momma didn't raise no dummy)

I thought that was Macho Man - ooooooooohhhhh yeeeeeeeeaaaaaahhhhh!!

? (Rick Steiner...Big Poppa Pump)...This goes out to all you freaks out there..Big Poppa Pump is your hook-up..Holla if ya hear me... * .when I come to town all the hoochies run to see the big bad booty daddy" * "...I look into the crowd and all I see is a bunch of tobacco-chewing, scumbag rednecks" * "...because Big Poppa Pump is a genetic freak" * To Diamond Dallas Trash, "While you're in the hospital screaming in pain, your wife will be on her back screaming my name" * "...because you are all a bunch of, loooooooooooossssssssers".. lol

Mr. Perfect (Curt Henning - RIP) - correct again.. I used to love Henning's segments on wwf. He picks up a bowling bowl for the first time and throws..yep..you guessed it ..a perfect game...."Bret your're excellent, but you're NOT perfect"..(Mr Perfect at summerslam in 1991 on his match against Bret Hart)..lol

Stone Cold - Hell yeah..right again....the rattlesnake stone cold steve austin.."I got nothing to say to you. Just park my damn truck, and if you scratch it, you're gonna get get your ass whipped."

Rock? - right again.. The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) .. The peoples champ delivering a knockout blow with the peoples elbow... Can you smell what the rock is cookin!!!!

[arielb]

oh man how can anyone not remember the days of Miss Elizabeth and Randy Savage and Jesse the Body Ventura and Hulk Hogan? oh wait Hulk is still around but who would've thought that Miss Elizabeth would die?