While watching the National football team, Super Eagles, appeared to be the toast of television in the mid 80s through the 90s, Nigerians still find time to follow professional wrestling from the United States of America. Although it is nowhere near the almost religious support bestowed on the English premier division football league now, during it’s time, watching professional wrestlers grappling and striking at one another was a popular demand. Even though it was at a time when you couldn’t say every home had at least a television set, yet you’ll never find many people who don’t know who Hulk Hogan is - that is if you find any.
Although a critical look at the contest reveals it is scripted (it had to be) and the fighting is choreographed, the captivating and energetic way it is acted is nothing short of enchanting. The Drop Kicks, Body Slams, Elbow Drops, Sleep Holds and the many other techniques including the wrestler specific ones, all spice up the fights such that you can’t help but remained glued to your television set. The manner with which the crowd’s favourite will recover from a near overpowered position, energized enough to turn the contest around to claim glory, is never short of excitement. And when any of the favourite wrestlers loses to a villain wrestler, there is always going to be an element of cheat in the game so you don’t feel let down by your favourite.
Championing the neighbourhood
Since it was at a time when pay satellite television isn’t in abundance, relying on the goodwill of terrestrial television channels and some VHS rental video clubs are the only available options of keeping abreast with the different professional wrestling tournaments including ‘The WrestleMania’ series, ‘Survivor Series’, and the ‘Royal Rumble’ to name a few. Children whose parents allow them watch wrestling at will eventually turnout to have many friends in the neighbourhood; they’ll swarm around the house hoping to catch the wrestlers manoeuvre acrobatically. The boom even ensured that some energetic ones engage in a mock faceoff with friends in the environs while others may resort to trying out the ‘Elbow Drop’ on pillows.
The popular and favourite
While it is safe to believe Hulk Hogan is most people’s favourite, judging by his popularity, there are also a couple of other famous wrestlers that enjoy good followership in the country.
There is Andre the Giant (he started off at a much earlier period though) and the painted faced Ultimate Warrior. He pinned Hulk Hogan in a WrestleMania match but will later team with Hogan at a SummerSlam contest. There is also the ominous ‘The Undertaker’ who went from being a villain to a hero in wrestling; he remains undefeated in the WrestleMania series. His stage entry music plus his ‘Tombstone Piledriver’ and the neck grabbing before body slam moves eventually got as popular as his abrupt ‘sit ups’ while recovering from a flooring attack.
Yokozuna, an overweighed Asian,is famous for testing the powers of favourite wrestlers. Portrayed as a villain and occasionally winning games by cheating with the help of his manager, Mr.Fuji. Also from Asia is ‘The Great Kabuki’. His fighting gimmick includes blowing green potion, Asian Mist, into the face of opponents to temporarily blind them. There are also Lex Lugar,Mankind, The Million Dollar Man, Roddy Piper, Shawn Michaels, the Hart brothers (Bret and Owen) and many more; the list is unending.
Although professional wrestling continues with some wrestlers from the 90s still enjoying prominence, it however has lost its bite, and of course, followership. However this isn’t a surprise; even though the names and faces are changing with some villains successfully crossing over to be favourites, professional wrestling still follows the same script and performs the same acrobatics that we’ve all seen before.
No comments:
Post a Comment