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Cactus Jack:
I attended No Way Out last night in Hartford and witnessed the Hell in the
Cell match between Cactus Jack and HHH.  From what I know of Cactus it was
pretty clear that he was going to take some serious bumps last night.
Luckily he ended up taking 'minor' bumps when compared to his last HITC
match where he practically killed himself.  But nevertheless these were
still 2 serious bumps, in addition to everything else that went on in the
match.  The risks associated with these moves is incredibly high and why
someone would want to attempt these is beyond me.  Actually, I do understand
why Cactus did this but it still baffles me that he does this.  I, as well
as a lot of other people, watched that match hoping that he wouldn't maim
himself again (and I'm sure there were some sick people who couldn't wait
for it).  Knowing that Cactus might actually seriously injure himself again
took away from my enjoyment of the match.  It also didn't help that he was
lost and is now retired as an active wrestler (although I'm guessing he'll
show up every once and a while in the future).

When you think about it, it was pretty amazing that Cactus ended up being as
over as he was.  He was the antithesis of the 'prototypical' great wrestler.
He wasn't terribly big, he was actually on the small side.  He didn't have
'the look', and with a missing ear and teeth he was somewhat unsightly.  His
moves were less than extraordinary, in fact they were rather average at
best.  He wasn't especially athletic, in fact he was rather non-athletic.
He wasn't especially strong, he in fact actually considers himself
especially weak.  You add that all up and you're looking at someone who
shouldn't even be a jobber.  But yet he's one of the greatest wrestlers of
our time.

But how did Cactus get to the level he did?  It was a combination of desire,
a great wrestling 'sense', the ability to cut some of the best promos, and
the ability (and/or willingness) to bump like no one else.  This last point
is somewhat disturbing to me.

There should never be a point in wrestling where a wrestler intentionally is
willing to injure themselves.  It's one thing to take a chair shot (although
numerous chairshots like Tanaka takes isn't good), go through a table, land
on thumbtacks or even expose yourself to barbwire. These things can all be
extremely painful but there really isn't any long term risks associated with
them.  If a wrestler is willing to put themselves in those situations I
don't have a big problem with it.  I think the line should be drawn though
when there's a chance for serious injury, which leads me to my next
topic.....

Balls:
I've read that Balls has come back from Japan and is planning to use
explosives in his match this weekend at Asbury Park.  While this is
definitely a good place for explosives (you know what I mean if you've been
there) I really don't want to see them used in a match.  We all know Balls
is a little crazy but there is no need for him to do this.

Dudley Boyz:
The high point of No Way Out was the Dudley Boyz winning the tag team belts
from the most overrated tag team in history.  I never considered myself a
huge Dudley Boyz mark but I am only 1 of 2 paying customers (my tag team
partner, Y2Jason being the other) to witness in person The Dudleys' last
match in ECW, their first match in the WWF, their last tag team championship
in ECW and their first tag team championship in the WWF.

(In your best Rock imitation) Finally, ECW has come back to New England:
After many, many months (too many to remember) ECW makes its return to New
England the weekend after Living Dangerously.  March 17th is at the
Palladium (one of my favorite ECW venues) which figures to be quite a night
being that its St. Patricks Day and The Irish Times is just across the
street.  There will probably even be an unofficial ECW meet and greet there
after the show where you can buy your favorite ECW wrestler a green beer!!

March 18th is a TNN taping in Salem, NH.  TV tapings in NE are as rare so be
sure to check it out.  If anyone makes an ECWNews.com sign and shows it on
camera throughout the taping I'll be sure to hook you up with a fabulous
prize (that's in the budget, right?).[Note from the management- how fabulous?]

In addition Spike Dudley will be promoting the event on Wednesday in Salem.
Check out the newsboard for more details on that.