Pro Bowl Week Monday Afternoon Punter

Saw on the news that Bret "The Hitman" Hart's going to appear on Monday Night Raw tonight. Growing up, Bret Hart was my favoirite wrestler (post Hogan). Then he left for the WCW. Before he did, however, he was involved in one of the most controversial moments in pro wrestling history. I refer, of course, to the Montreal Screwjob.

First some back sotry for anyone not familliar with the incident. In the mid 90's, the WWF and WCW were in a bitter struggle. However, as time passed, the WCW began to pull out in front. Ted Turner had more financial power than Vince McMahon at the time. So he'd buy up all the most popular wrestlers. McMahon couldn't compete and the WWF was in serious trouble.

Then in 1998 Bret Hart's contract ws due to expire. So late in 97, the WCW swooped in and agreed to terms with the Hitman. The problem for the WWF was that Hart was the World Heavyweight Champion at the time. Bret Hart still had a couple of months left in the WWF and, as per his contract, had considerable creative control over his character in the end. McMahon wanted Hart to lose the title to rival Shawn Michaels at the next Pay Per View scheduled to take place in Montreal.

McMahon was worried that Hart might defect to the WCW before losing the title. He had reason to worry too. In the early 90s, the then Women's Champion jumped to WCW and, on the air, threw the belt in the trash. The WWF lost their women's division for some time after that. They wouldn't be able to recover if their ultimate title was disgraced like that.

Hart, on the other hand, didn't want to lose to Shawn Michaels (the two didn't really get along ) in Montreal. He was a Canadian hero and felt that it'd be spitting in the face of the Hitman character to lose in his home country. So he suggested that he win that night and give the title to Michaels the next night on Raw befire retiring from the WWF.

On the night of the Pay Per View, Hart belieced that how he suggested the match to go was hwo it was going to go. During the match, Michaels put Hart into the Sharpshooter, Hart's signature move. Hart was supposed to reverse the hold and take the win. Before he could, however, Vince McMahon told the ref to call for the bell and announce Michaels the winner via submission. Hart was shocked. He spat in McMahon's face and damaged equipment as he stormed out of the arena. He tried confronting McMahon in the back, but he'd locked himself in his office. Hart eventually went to WCW and McMahon and the WWF went on to record success, eventually buying out the WCW.

I contend that, not only did Vince McMahon do the right thing then, but the Screwjob directly lead to the WWf's future success. And it was the best thing that could've happened to Bret Hart.

The worries McMahon had about Hart defecting with the title were real. If that'd happened, the WWF would've been finished. His worries were compouneded when Hart showed some resistance to losing the title. He did the best thing in the interest of his company. Moreover, the incident became public knowledge. Everyone found out what had happened. How Vince had screwed Bret Hart. This spawned the wrestling persona of Mr McMahonm the CEO who goes around purposely bending the rules for his own gain. Before this, McMahon was a background character, doing commentray and things like that. The fact that he was the Chairman was rarely acknowledged. The WWF took the real incident of the Montreal Screwjob and incorperated it into their other storylines, which raised the popularity of McMahon's nemesis, Stone Cold Steve Austion. This sent the WWF to levels it never could've otherwise reached.

As for Bret Hart, the Screwjob was the best way he could've left the WWF. He became a tragic hero. If he'd just left unceremoniously, the WCW fans would've loved him while the WWF fans would've looked at him as a traitor. With the Screwjob, everyone loved him. The incident led to an optimal divorce for both parties. So much so that one would think that perhaps it was contrived. Hmmm....

Finally, on to the MAP


Pro Bowl Week Power Rankings

1.) AFC
2.) NFC

Pro Bowl Week Thoughts I Think I Thought About Thinking

1.) I don't understand why everyone hates on the Pro Bowl. I watch it. I enjoy it. People complain that it's not real football. That the guys aren't trying hard. There's no defense. That's what any All Star Game is like. Take the Pro Bowl for what it is. Some of the best people in the sport just putting on an exhibition of their talents and having fun. If they played 5 on 5 with a lineman counting Mississipi, I'd watch. I loved that it was played during the off week before the Super Bowl. Usually that Sunday's a killer. The only change I'd make is to add some skills competition like MLB and the NBA have. You know, distance throwing, best 40 times, ctaching drills, stuff like that.

2.) Okay, on to the Super Bowl. For the first time for me, I have no team I'm really rooting against or for. I like both teams and I like players on both sides. Just hope we have a good game.

3.) The Saints gameplan on defens will have to be to pressure and hit Peyton. The problem, though, is that that was their game plan last week. So it's fresh on film for Peyton to study.

4.) One of the untalked about odditites of the second half of the season is the disappearance of the Saints' high flying offense. It made a brief appearance against teh Cardinals, but it's been gone for a while.

5.) The health of Dwight Freeney is key this week. If he plays the way he should, I can't see the Saints keeping up with Indy.

6.) They key to the game will be the Saints defense. I don't care how explosive the Saints offense is, if the defense can't get a hold on Manning, the Colts will always have just enough points to be champions.

7.) The Colts will need another big game from their young WRs. Jabari Greer will do a good job on Wayne and they'll roll coverage towards Clark. I could see another huge day for Garcon.

8.) I do expect at least one big play from Reggie Bush. He excels against smaller defenses.

9.) Darren Sharper likes to jump routes at saftey. I'd watch out for a double move on him.

10.) I'll take Indy 31-21.

Limerick of the Week

Why are people talking about the Senior Bowl
When we're six days away from the Super Bowl
Peyton and Brees
Will throw with ease
So please can I stop hearing about Tim Tebow?

Peace