Skip to main content

Never Never Land

DomePondering Never Never Land

Never say “never” in the wrestling business.

Every wrestling fan has heard that phrase in regards to the industry that they love. In wrestling, where the demand for talent is high, the value of trust is low, and the crap shoveled behind-the-scenes due to politics is as high as the Appalachians, one would think that “never” would would indeed be a real concept.
Prone for broken relationships and bridges, the wrestling business has seen scenarios develop beyond the entertainment product and more real than life itself, still defy those justifications for the feud to continue, as clearer skies prevailed. However, with all the broken relationships, bridges, and deceit that were eventually amended, one chapter remained unfinished – Bret Hart.

Without going into a long and winding history, Hart, left the business in which he was considered one of the greatest in. From the death of his brother (Owen Hart), his career altering (and eventually ending) fallout with once close friend, Vince McMahon, to the toll that wrestling family took on his and his family’s life, Hart was bitter, and held a grudge against many within the industry. 

In certain poetic irony, Hart was born into a wrestling family, went in the family business of wrestling, and watched the wrestling business destroy it all.

However, after twelve years of being away from the business, Hart returns this Monday on Raw. After Hart boldly and confidently saying that he will never appear on WWE programming, Hart will succumb to the age-old saying in the business.

And if this Monday night couldn’t get any bigger (1 Night. 2 Companies. 3 Hours. Fans Will Get The Pin), wrestling fans are describing it as “Bret Hart’s Homecoming.” A way for Hart, McMahon, critics, fans and the Hart family to go out – the right way – the way his career and his family deserved to.

And if you know yours truly, Bret Hart is one of my all-time greats in any form of sports and entertainment. Want proof? Just take a look to the right of this blog.

Getting back on track, this Monday has a feeling that has been gone for too (and so) long. With the idea of both shows bringing their best and other interests such as Hart’s return, Hogan’s TNA debut, and all of the other rumored surprises lined up for Monday, January 4th, the anticipation is indescribable. If I could, dare I say, it’s child-like. Sort of that never-grew-up aura surrounding it.

With all the “nevers” that were said, who would've thought 2010 would begin like this for wrestling fans?
“Bret Hart will never return…”
“TNA will never make it…”
“Monday Night Raw will never have competition again…”
“Vince McMahon will never have to worry again…”
“Wrestling will never be the same again…”
I know I never did.

Never, did I think wrestling fans would have this type of excitement again.

Then again, I guess we will never learn, never say never in the wrestling business.
Labels:

Recently Read

Dome Pondering Move Review: Say You Will (2017)

What is it about? A recent high school graduate cares for his mother while attempting to navigate his first relationship following his father's suicide.  Who is in it? Travis Tope - Sam Nimitz Katherine Hughes - Ellie Vaughn Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] Sam plays his song for his mom. Favorite Quote: Ellie: "I wish we could have met down the road, maybe when we were like 27." Sam: "I think we needed each other now." Review:  Say You Will was an absolutely pleasant surprise of a watch from the Amazon Prime offerings.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this one, but after the credits rolled, it was a movie that provided authentic characters and a great lesson on life. We don't always have to have everything figured out, and it's okay if you don't.  What makes Say You Will so beautiful is that all of the characters are carrying some inner struggle that connects them in the moment and time that helps them through whatever it is. The unlike...
Read more

TNA Slammiversary 2025 Review: "One of the best TNA shows that I've ever attended"

One of the best TNA shows that I've ever attended.  That has been the bottom line regarding my immediate my thoughts on TNA Slammiversary 2025 since it my son and I walked away from UBS Arena. I attended the - the - record-breaking show for the company this past weekend in Long Island, NY, and it brought back so many feelings that I had for this company in the past, as well as created new ones in the process.  I've been fortunate enough to attend many TNA shows throughout the company's existence, including all the turbulent years. From barns, small theaters, convention halls, and historic, but smaller, venues like the Manhattan Center, there was a very surreal aura about sitting in an area for a TNA show.  In the words of Real1 (who made an appearance on the Countdown to Slammiversary)... Well, well, well...whatta we got here!  For this long-time fan, the aura and environment were pretty cool. Being part of a record-breaking night was pretty cool. Sharing that momen...
Read more

Remembering Hulkamania

What a complicated mess this news leaves me in. Hulk Hogan. Dead. At 71. I was never a fan of Hogan (in the world of pro wrestling)…I was a Macho Man Randy Savage guy, and later on, a Bret Hart guy (and still am). But like every other wrestling fan from the ’80s through now, Hulk Hogan’s presence and legend are undeniable.  Terry Bolea transcended wrestling as Hulk Hogan and helped the art form take its first step into the mainstream of pop culture.  He later reinvented the business once again with the greatest heel turn ever at Bash at the Beach 1996. Many have changed the business once, but twice? Significantly?! Hogan’s run as Hulkamania and as Hollywood makes a case for the best to ever do it - I can't think of anyone on such a high level on both sides of the pro wrestling coin as a babyface and heel. Every pro wrestling Mount Rushmore (as dumb as these lists have become) includes Hulk Hogan, period. But Hogan is also so instrumental in my ever-evolving ability to separate...
Read more