Five Wrestling Personalities Who The Internet Won't Criticize, But I Will

Few industries, if any, have a more defined love/hate relationship with its electronic counterpart than professional wrestling does with the Internet Wrestling Community.  A faster moving society in the information age, equipped with the powers of the new media, has translated into a reactionary platform for wrestling's most fervent followers to voice their opinions on its most prominent (and at times not so prominent) figures and current events.

However, in the wake of the new media, especially as it pertains to pro wrestling, it seems that the harshest sentiments are saved for certain wrestling personalities (Vince Russo), while others are virtually exempt despite proving themselves just as worthy of such criticism and cynicism.

I, for one, have never been one to follow a crowd, so it's only fitting that I take aim at those who have been unfairly protected from the wrath of the ubiquitous pro wrestling pundit. 

 Big Nasty is the editor of The Big Nasty Athletic Dept. Log on to twitter at twitter.com/bignasty247 and follow him until he presses charges! Friends of Big Nasty hang out at facebook.com/bignasty247.

Matt Hardy

Matt Hardy may no longer qualify for this list by the time I'm finished with it, as he has recently declared war on reporters who are critical of him as seen in the video posted above.

In fact, my fellow Bleacher Report colleague Kingly One recently issued a more than formidable tour de force against Matt Hardy that hit the criticism nail right on the head.

While there may be more critical opinions about Matt Hardy in the wake of his most recent health issues, not to mention Hardy's bizarre behavior in reaction to being sent home to his hotel for said issues, these criticisms have been a long time coming in my eyes.

Throughout his somewhat storied career, a career highlighted by his tag-team run with his brother Jeff as the Hardy Boyz, Matt Hardy has developed a strong following, especially through the Internet. 

Despite being injury prone, unprofessional, having a questionable work ethic, and making countless overly ambitious broken promises, Matt Hardy always seems to get the benefit of the doubt from Internet onlookers. 

Hardy's Internet exemption may be a direct result of his constant video blogging and tweeting that has blossomed into a love affair between him and a host of electronic admirers.

Despite the writing being on the wall that Matt Hardy is not even close to being considered main event material, a very audible portion of the special interest Internet seem to be convinced that Matt Hardy deserves a world title shot and has been getting a raw deal in the WWE for years.

What?

Matt Hardy has gotten every chance to prove himself as a main event competitor and then some.  These chances have not been marred by the WWE's signature 'start/stop' model, nor have they been half-assed.  We're talking about a guy, in Matt Hardy, who was not only reinstated after airing his dirty laundry, but who was formally reintroduced to the WWE on TV by Vince McMahon himself. 

Yet despite the most prestigious endorsement any wrestler can dream of, Hardy fell on his face during a very personal feud with Edge due to his inability to cut that one signature promo.  Hardy went on to squander countless subsequent opportunities to reach the top of the roster because of countless ill timed injuries and now faces health issues that may play a part in his ultimate demise in the WWE.

Despite constantly proving himself to be fools gold when it comes to being a top flight talent in the WWE, the popular superstar insists on making bold statements, through video blogging, that in hindsight have been nothing more than broken promises.

Remember this interview, where Matt Hardy said he's aiming for a top spot when Triple H and the Undertaker take time off?  Well, both Hunter and Taker recently took time off as they healed from  injuries.  Apparently, so did Matt Hardy's momentum.

What about this doozy?  Or this one?  Same story, same result.  Which further proves that Matt Hardy is nothing more than a slightly above average talent, with the only great quality about him being his ambition and nothing else.

There's nothing wrong with liking Matt Hardy.  In fact, I respect what he's contributed to the wrestling business.  Hell, I think it's hilarious that he's going to war with the PWTorch. 

But the fact of the matter is this guy should have been dismissed as a blow hard who squandered  legitimate opportunities to shine long ago.  And now he's apparently losing his mind. 

TNA on line one. 

Get ready for a Hardy Boyz Boys reunion.  Given the poor shape both brothers currently find themselves in, perhaps it would be more fitting to change their namesake to the Lardy Boys.

Dave Meltzer

*Cue the gasp*

How can one not respect Dave Meltzer for what he's contributed to pro wrestling, namely the dirtsheets.

As a matter of fact, if it wasn't for Dave Meltzer, people like you and me may have been rendered irrelevant if not nonexistent. 

Notice the use of the past tense. 

As a man who I've not-so-affectionately dubbed King Smark, Dave Meltzer's constant romanticism of what wrestling once was is almost as unbearable as his undying love and affection for all things Japan. 

History is a very important part of professional wrestling, and it is a valid sentiment that wrestling may not be what it once was.  Multiple eras illustrate this point.

However, it does pro wrestling (circa today) no favors to have its most prominent voice constantly reminiscing on a time where wrestling was about two grown men, rolling around in their underwears, stiffing one another (boy that sounds wrong).

I get that Jack Brisco chain wrestled Dory Funk Jr. in the 1800's for two and a half hours per night.  I'm aware of the fact that Bruiser Brody used to make his opponents bleed into submission.  I understand that Strangler Lewis used to subject his opponents to a public mutilation before sending fans home in horror. 

But now, there's a 2 in front of the four digit number that tells us what year we are in.  The times and wrestlers Dave Meltzer seems intent on emphasizing do not hold as much relevance in today's pro wrestling landscape. 

The great thing about other sports, such as the NFL, and the NBA, is that the analysts of these sports seem to be constantly changing, providing new voices and a fresh perspective on their sport.  Newly retired players turned analysts give a neat twist and a unique point of view that always creates new discussions. 

However in pro wrestling, Dave Meltzer's degenerative purist sentiments have dominated the Internet since the first issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter came out in June of 1776.  

While Meltzer does a good job integrating current events with his commentary, it's nothing short of an inevitability for Dave Meltzer to discredit current events and figures in pro wrestling with unnecessary comments about how much superior Japanese wrestling is to what we see in America, or how Bruno Sammartino would have never said "You Can't See Me".

While listening to Dave Meltzer on his Wrestling Observer Radio podcast, me and a friend dared each other to take a shot of tequila every time Dave Meltzer mentioned Japan during the podcast.

We both stopped five minutes into the podcast out of fear of sclerosis. 

It's hard for wrestling to move forward as a unit with its most influential voice doing his best impression of your embittered grandfather by shouting at your young neighbors to get off his lawn, and admonishing you for listening to Drake or Jay-Z because they're not Ray Charles or Smoky Robinson.  

Every sports and entertainment industry seems to have its own Dave Meltzer.  Even the NFL, the newly crowned king of all sports, had a Dave Meltzer.  His name was John Madden.  John Madden was universally respected.  He had a catchphrase that transcended a generation.  He also happens to be retired as the NFL continues to grow and move forward with a minimal purist influence.

Dave Meltzer is most credited as the culprit who killed kayfabe, a fact that is both good and bad for pro wrestling.  However, Dave Meltzer's omnipotent death grip on the dirt sheet may be the ladder to those interested enjoying wrestling for what it is.  Not what it was. 

And for the love of God, this Five Stars garbage needs to stop.  Did you know that this system, made famous by King Smark himself, allows pious purists to grade in quantities of 3/4 stars?  As if there is truly a tangible a difference between a 3/4 star match and a 1 star match.  Stop it, put the stars down, they're too sharp for you to be playing with, and you're embarrassing us all. 

Jim Cornette

Jim Cornette's incomparable career as a manager seems to have protected him from much deserved criticism based on his tendencies to burn bridge as well as common sense.

There's a reason the legendary manager has been fired (not quit, fired) from almost every national promotion he's ever been with. 

Cornette's prevailing unprofessional behavior, mostly put on public display on his way out, serves as a reminder of how open to criticism this man really is. 

Despite immaturely badmouthing TNA, Vince Russo, Vince McMahon, the WWE, WWE Developmental, Hulk Hogan Eric Bischoff, etc. (you get it), Cornette seems to always get the benefit of the doubt as a guy who got a raw deal. 

Really?

In fact, he once issued an ill advised, preposterous death threat aimed at Vince Russo, and the wrestling media seemed to carry on while holding the senile legend to little or no accountability. 

As frustrating as it is to watch TNA, and it's just as frustrating to know that Vince Russo still has a job there, there is no excuse for a public figure of Jim Cornette's stature to stoop to the unforeseen levels of making death threats because you lost your job. 

A favorite amongst the pro wrestling purist community, Jim Cornette now finds himself as one of the head bookers of ROH:  A math made in purist heaven.

However, if history tells us anything, there is a high likelihood that this fast talking former manager will eventually get fired by Cary Silkin for something.  And when he does, rest assured he'll pick up a phone and tell the first radio show who bothers to listen to him that ROH is filled with a bunch of undersized punks who couldn't cut a promo or get over in a legitimate national company to save their lives.

Dolph Ziggler

At this point in making this list, I stopped to think to myself what five wrestling personalities I was going to criticize.  I had four in mind, but there was one who I was forgetting.

That one I was forgetting was Dolph Ziggler, which tells you all you need to know about this budding superstar.

Dolph Ziggler has slowly developed into somewhat of an Internet darling.  The always constant 'stars who the WWE needs to push' conversation always seems to highlight Dolph Ziggler and his underwhelming skill set.

Ziggler has a good look, and he kind of looks like a star, but the fact of the matter is Dolph Ziggler, like Rick Ross, is not a star.

Packaged as a poor man's Billy Gunn, Dolph Ziggler is destined to be a pro wrestling washout for the same reason that his prototype Billy Gunn never lived up to the WWE's expectations as a singles star.

Ziggler never gets any time on the mic, and I'm convinced that even if he did he would do nothing to wow me.  His sleeperhold is a fitting maneuver for his bland, boring disposition, and Ziggler must be the only wrestler on the entire WWE roster whose character will not benefit from the Vickie Guerrero rub.

And for you Eric Escobar people, Eric Escobar is no longer on the WWE roster.  So there.

Everything about Dolph Ziggler screams tag team wrestler (like Billy Gunn).  Perhaps having his shortcomings hidden with a more charismatic star who has that natural connection with the audience (Zack Ryder, anyone?) would be a more suitable option for Ziggler, just as it was for Billy Gunn.

Dolph Ziggler is the black hole on the Smackdown roster that engulfs anything with potential into his vortex.  Go look at Billy Gunn's failed single career and it will answer every question you ever had about why the WWE still seems hesitant in pushing Dolph Ziggler.

Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice...       

Rob Van Dam

All Hulk Hogan has to do is talk, and every wrestling pundit worth his salt will meticulously decipher every letter of every word Hulk Hogan says, tweets, turning Hogan quotes into the self-serving sentiments that they may or may not be.

However, RVD has made a career of talking himself up, shoot style, at the expense of other wrestlers just as Hulk Hogan does if not worse.

But since he used to wrestle in a bingo hall, he's untouchable.

Rob Van Dam's art imitating life gesture of always pointing his thumbs to himself will tell you everything you need to know about the type of personality this man has. 

As the poster boy of the typical 'who should the WWE push' conversation, RVD satiated the appetites of many Internet fans when he was finally crowned the WWE Champion in 2006.  Just weeks later, the WWE was proven right for waiting for so long when he was arrested for possession of marijuana. 

As the hottest free agent in wrestling just months ago, RVD was courted by the upstart, second place wrestling company TNA.  Despite established wrestlers putting over TNA home grown talent being a necessity for the growth of  the company long term, RVD was insistent that he did not want to be subject to such jobbing as he has gone over the likes of the Rock and the Big Show. 

Which begs the question, what if the Big Shows and Rocks of the world didn't want to put you over?  Where would you be if that was the case? 

RVME is nothing more than a Hulk Hogan who can work (for the record, I like Hulk Hogan).  I choose not to participate in the constant Hogan bashing that has become a staple of Internet wrestling commentary, because the Internet picks and chooses who they bash for displaying these Hulk Hogan qualities (Kevin Nash, anyone?), and RVME is one of the exempt. 

Van Dam's recent comments, where he basically said that him and Hardy saved TNA, have caused the same unrest and outrage in the locker room that I predicted was an inevitability (given RVME's ego and self-oriented behavior) before he even put a pen on the dotted line for the company.

Rob Van Dam is not the team player that a company like TNA needs to move forward.  The only thing RVD is interested in moving forward is his own career.  As such, he has earned the right to be criticized by you.

 Big Nasty is the editor of The Big Nasty Athletic Dept. Log on to twitter at twitter.com/bignasty247 and follow him until he presses charges! Friends of Big Nasty hang out at facebook.com/bignasty247.