Going by the title of my article, you may be confused what ‘dinosaurs’ I’m referring to. Although the title seems hilarious, and obnoxiously misinterpreted, it was the word used by a certain legend to refer to the old timers, who refuse to bow out of the wrestling industry. That legend was none other than Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart, when he was asked about certain individuals who were past their heyday about two decades ago, but are still lingering around, even though they’re not relevant in the business anymore. When Bret said those words, everybody agreed. Yet, there are certain people who think they’re still ‘in the spotlight’, about 20 years after they became old news.
Professional wrestling business can be addictive, and when you know that your time is over, you have trouble moving on with your life. Some of the greatest names in the business have had that trouble, to have been in the spotlight for the majority of their careers, and hence having issues moving on. When guys who’re into their sixties still think they can perform in front of the crowds, that’s when you know it won’t end well. There was a movie regarding this issue not so long ago called ‘The Wrestler’, which starred Mickey Rourke. It was about someone who couldn’t come to terms that his time was over, and lingered around the business which finally consumed him completely. Sadly, it also holds true in reality as well.
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Hulk Hogan is arguably the biggest name in professional wrestling, but his time was up two decades ago. Hogan was the centre of attention back in the 80s and early 90s, but that was when his time ended. With the NWO, he changed his character, which was only interesting for a couple of years. Hogan is the one name almost all the old school fans are familiar with. But it’s hard for a wrestling fan to see an old guy trying to walk with crutches to the ring, thinking he is still the star attraction and making himself the centre of attraction.
Hulk Hogan was always criticized as a selfish, money hungry performer who wouldn’t think twice before placing himself over a younger talent. As a matter of fact, many young performers from WCW left the company because of Hogan. But it escalates to greater heights when a 60-year-old, nearly-crippled Hogan makes his intentions clear about becoming a world champion once again. Not only does it affect the fanbase of the company and its product, but it completely turns off the fans who’ve been following professional wrestling for years.
Ric Flair
The second name that comes to mind is the Nature Boy. Ric Flair is arguably the greatest professional wrestler in the history of the business. Flair was just as big as Hogan during the 80s, carrying the NWA on his shoulders, travelling the world and popularising the sport. Flair was worshipped by the fans at that point of time, and was hailed as the crown jewel of the industry. Flair was always known as the ‘Wheelin’, dealin’, limousine ridin’, jet flyin’ son of a gun’, who took his character a little too seriously.
Ric Flair had a disastrous personal life, from messy divorces to being bankrupt. Flair’s downfall was his own success, which got over his head. Ric Flair had a fantastic career, which was supposed to end during the greatest farewell in the history of the business. Flair wrestled his last match in WWE against the Heart Break Kid at WrestleMania, and the next night was given the most memorable send–off on RAW.
But Flair’s need for money and his expenses demanded him to get out of retirement once his contract with WWE expired, and he started performing once again. Thankfully, Flair signed back with WWE on a legend’s contract, and all the fans hope that he won’t compete in any form again. People would like to remember Flair as one of the greatest performers, not as someone who couldn’t get out before being consumed by the business.
Sting
The third and last ‘performer’ in this list is none other than the legendary Stinger. During his WCW stint, Sting was ‘the guy’. He was often compared to what the Undertaker was for WWF/E, and rightfully so. After WCW folded, Stinger didn’t join the WWF/E like his peers. To this date, Sting is the only greatest name to have never signed with Vince McMahon’s company.
Sting then joined TNA to help the organization in making new stars. Unfortunately, ever since Hogan came into power, it was WCW 2.0 all over again. First, Sting fought Hogan, and now, he is once again involved in the blue-ribbon headlines. The fact that Sting is main eventing PPVs says a great deal about the way TNA is being run, and that can be anything but good for the business. One can only hope that the Stinger would retire from the business for good, and helps the younger guys, something the Finlays and Regals have done long ago.
