On ESPN.com today, MMA writer Jake Rossen had the following to say about Bobby Lashley's TNA debut at LockDown:Lashley popped up during something called "TNA Lockdown" Sunday night, which appears to be professional wrestling slang for "embarrassment to the human race." Lashley greeted former WWE pal Kurt Angle in the ring. I assume some poorly performed theater for the hygiene-challenged ensued.
Lashley obviously can do as he pleases to earn a buck, but I don't think his hybrid career will do the sport of MMA any favors in the States. It's a deranged spectacle, full of drug-addled performers taxing their adrenal glands in a poorly scripted imitation of athletics.
Max von Sydow had the quote in a Woody Allen film: "Can you imagine the level of a mind that watches wrestling?" I really don't want to try.
Where to begin?
First of all, let me say that I understand that the immature title of this post plays to Rossen's stereotype of a lowered "level of mind" wrestling fan. I also understand that at least part of his reasoning in writing what he did was to increase ESPN web traffic - in essence, then, I'm reacting just how he wants me to react.
But I don't care. Let me repeat: Fuck off Rossen.
Ok, now that's out of the way . . .
I actually agree with Rossen that Lashley's jump to TNA will hinder his chances of endearing himself to American MMA fans, and in landing a UFC contract. Although there are many fans who enjoy watching both pro wrestling and mixed martial arts (myself included, and I'm sure many of you reading this fall into that category as well), we all know that there are MMA "purists" out there who detest the so-called "fake" sport, and will never give fighters with pro wrestling on their resume a chance. It's safe to say Rossen fits this category.
Of course these are the same people who are bitching about Brock Lesnar, even after the Next Big Thing soundly defeated one of the greatest MMA fighters ever, Randy Couture.
Also, Dana White has said on many occassions that he doesn't think pro wrestlers have what it takes to make it inside the Octagon - Lesnar, to White, is an exception.
So then - it seems as if Rossen had plenty of ammunition if he wanted to criticize Lashey for hindering his chances at attaining success in MMA, by returning to the squared circ-- er, 6-sided ring. But instead, he decided to use most of his word count rudely and unfairly criticizing both wrestlers and fans. I'm offended by both.
Wrestling is one of the hardest things in the world to learn. No, I don't know from experience -- but it's easy to see by anyone who pays close enough attention. (Rossen clearly doesn't). Look no further than Danny Bonaduce's showing on LockDown's pre-show last night. Bonaduce has been trained inside a ring for nearly a year (granted, he didn't train very seriously, as I understand), but he couldn't even take a simple bump.
And of course, I've had professional wrestlers tell me how hard it is to perform even the most routine moves inside the ring, let alone find success while doing it. I'll never forget talking to Cody Deaner on the drive home from his very first training session. He told me he had just endured the most painful experience of his life. Dangerboy Derek Wylde, I'm sure, would be happy to hear that.
Wrestlers, then, not only sacrifice a lot to perform, but they need a boatload of talent to pull it off successfully. Athleticism, charisma, the look -- the best ones have it all.
As for Rossen's criticisms of wrestling fans - well . . . they're nothing more than baseless attacks. I consider myself a well-read young man with a high-level of education. Hell, I literally just wrote a 3-hour, 4th-year exam on U.S. Foreign Relations an hour before I read Rossen's bullshit post.
Wrestling fans are not stupid. Of course, you have your dumbass or two amongst any fanbase. But most wrestling fans understand pro wrestling for what it truly is: a mix of sport and theatre that can oftentimes be utterly captivating to watch.
Memo to Rossen: buy a copy of WrestleMania 25, watch Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker, and get back to me.
Well, I think I've said enough, O-sters. I'll let you have at it now.
Oh -- but one more thing: Jake Rossen can go fuck himself.
12 comments: on "Jake Rossen Can Go Fuck Himself"
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it kinda hypocritical(big word by the way) for him to say that wrestling is "full of drug-addled performers" when it could be found in other sports as well. I think he doesn't have a clue what he is talking about and probably just threw this out there just to get attention. Lashley, for as much as I dislike him, is probably weighing his options, making a quick buck, and building up some attention which, last time I checked, is what all pro athletes do to get what they need be it a new contract, better terms, etc. Lashley is doing good business even though I still think he's gonna be somebody's bad publicity someday.
I know its not MMA's fault but this makes me not like MMA even more
Dude, I hear you! With that said, his opinion is way to common to single out. Skip Bayless and many others on ESPN threw out the same rhetoric when Mayweather worked at WM24.
The one media member comment that got to me the most was during the presidential election after Obama, McCain, and Clinton had their promos aired on Raw. I remember the next morning overhearing Kathie Lee Gifford say (and I quote) "I didn't think THOSE PEOPLE were allowed to vote"; referring to wrestling fans.
I had to do a double-take, rewind and hear those words come from her smug bird lips again.
The misconception that wrestling fans still believe that it's a real competitive sport is what keeps the stigma alive.
"Dude, that stuff is fake." (in asshole, douche-bag voice)
Is it really? I don't believe it. Every fight i've ever been in looked just like a wrestling match. I'd throw the guy into the bar he ran back at me, i'd hit the clothesline, he popped back up and came in for another, rinse and repeat ASSHOLE!!!
WE KNOW THE SECRET!!! You're not that clever! It's fixed, we got it!
I get the feeling that these critics found out a little late and were upset to find out that they were worked. And then found out daddy wasn't actually checking their temperature all those times. FUCK JACK RUSSELL!!!
I've learned to just not waste my time explaining the business to people like this. There no point! You'll just waste you're breath. They either get it or they don't. I totally stopped caring if people like wrestling or not! I'm the wwf guy around my area and I get made fun of all the time but I will never stop watching! The guys at ESPN made fun of Eddy Guerrero too. Tasteless. Don't let it get you down guys! J Rock
Besides getting attention he also made himself sound like a goofy asshole that got jumped by jocks in school. Most MMA fans were first fans of wrestling but instead of moving on they turned on it and decided to look like the same fuckers that used to shove them into lockers and take their lunch money.
These are the same kinds of people that point out strings at magic shows, make sure you know which scenes on movies had special effects, and laugh at people that get the same treatment they used to while crying on the inside.
Dont worry. Lately there have been more and more MMA guys being caught juicing and it will just get worse as time goes on. They will try and blame wrestling but not football, boxing, and baseball. Folks need to grow the fuck up.
Jake Rosenbag sucks a horse cock. I hope I'm playing into his "level of mind" comment. Fuck him, fuck the site that employs him and fuck fuck.
Seriously though, Dante is right about the critics. The bitches got worked. They got pissed and now want to make "us" look like bigger goofs. Guess what? We know and accept it, but would most likely pay money to see one of them get in the ring since it's so fake.
Not only did they not know their pops wasn't really taking their temperature, they thought they were getting a prostate exam and the doc had a hand on each shoulder.
Fuck Jake the Flake Rossen.
What makes me laugh is the comments about "poorly performed theater for the hygiene-challenged" and the use of the Woody Allen quote - as if MMA is some highbrow affair and its fans watch and discuss the matches during their MENSA meetings.
I can see his point.
Just because you fine fellas have an extended vocab, does not excuse the fact that a HUGE majority of wrestling fans are living from welfare check to welfare check.
Don't think for one second that Mr. Rossen speaks for the majority of MMA fans just like I wouldn't expect Black Prophet to speak for the majority of black people or any of you smarks to speak for the majority of wrestling fans. You have too many teeth for that.
Clearly Bobby Lashley is a smart business man and if you think it will hinder his chances to make money in MMA, think again. He has already signed to fight Bob Sapp in June I believe and as much as Bob will not move him up the ladder of MMA ranks, it will put more money in his pockets and with some more impressive matches, he will now have no choice but to be noticed and then Jake Rossen will have no choice but to give it up for Bobby.
Somebody copy the Jake Rossen thingy because when he changes his tune you can send it to him signed "from a pro wrestling fan".
That is of course if you arent busy changing the siding on your trailers. Or saving your energy making a really neato John Cena sign.
I can see his point.
Just because you fine fellas have an extended vocab, does not excuse the fact that a HUGE majority of wrestling fans are living from welfare check to welfare check.
Don't think for one second that Mr. Rossen speaks for the majority of MMA fans just like I wouldn't expect Black Prophet to speak for the majority of black people or any of you smarks to speak for the majority of wrestling fans. You have too many teeth for that.
Clearly Bobby Lashley is a smart business man and if you think it will hinder his chances to make money in MMA, think again. He has already signed to fight Bob Sapp in June I believe and as much as Bob will not move him up the ladder of MMA ranks, it will put more money in his pockets and with some more impressive matches, he will now have no choice but to be noticed and then Jake Rossen will have no choice but to give it up for Bobby.
Somebody copy the Jake Rossen thingy because when he changes his tune you can send it to him signed "from a pro wrestling fan".
That is of course if you arent busy changing the siding on your trailers. Or saving your energy making a really neato John Cena sign.
I certainly don't think that Rossen speaks for all MMA fans, or Black Prophet speaks for all black people, or that I, or anyone else at Tha O show, speak for all wrestling fans. My problem with Rossen is that he's trying to group ALL wrestling fans together as dumb, smelly rejects.
Of course some wrestling fans are on welfare -- so are MMA fans, hockey fans, football fans . . . there's just a lot of people on welfare.
But wrestling fans come from all walks of life, levels of education, levels of income, etc. Look at all the celebrities, from Hollywood, sports and music -- Adam Sandler, A.J. Pierzynski, David Ecksein, Billy Corgan (to name a few off the top of my head) -- that are huge wrestling fans. And it seems like every other week, there's some sports team sitting front row on Raw, hamming it up when the camera shows them on the TitanTron.
My main thing is -- why did Rossen even go there? He didn't need to, and it didn't have anything to do with Lashley/MMA. So he can go fuck himself.
Do you have any idea how hard it is to fuck yourself? First you have to make sure you dont eat so that your stomach is a bit smaller. Then you have to get it stiff but bendable. Then you have to lower any distractions in the room. Man, its too hard. I mean, I haven't tried but I used to sell porn so I know these things.
They need to update the wrestling fan stereotype. You dont picture boxing fans as cigar smoking men in derby's anymore or baseball players as snuff spitting big gut having guys. A wrestling fan in my head looks like a skinny ass guy sitting at home fantasy booking and mad at the world. MMA fans? Frat boy jocks. The guys Tid hates the most.
I think that it's still the old saying about wrestling. "For those who 'get it' no explanation is needed. For those who don't, no explanation will ever be enough." If Lashley can make two nice paychecks, good for him. Let him cash on while he's young and profitable. If people will pay to see him and he puts asses in seats, all others be damned.
Big H
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