A IMPORTANT FANS’ LETTER, A MUST READ
- 09/13/2009 (4:31:32 pm)
- Georgiann Makropoulos
….
Hey Georgie,
I just read that update about the Kevin Thorn signing and I just wanted to say that it's great to read some news like that. At it's core wrestling should be about kids or at the very least entertaining and a distraction from the worries of life. In the days of the internet where sensational headlines will garner the most views and talk, it's great to read about cool stuff where fans are treated with respect and appreciated as much as the wrestlers themselves are treated. You do an excellent job of reporting on the good things in wrestling and should be applauded for that. In a world sorely lacking heroes and role models, you reporting on the experiences that make someone's life better is great. We never know how the small kind things we do can impact someone's life. Even the smallest courtesy or going the extra mile can really alleviate the troubles and cruelty of the world at large.
Furthermore, the news of the last couple of weeks with two of the biggest children's heroes (Jeff Hardy & Rey Mysterio) of the WWE and their alleged abuse of drugs is really a sad state of affairs. While we don't know all the details and shouldn't judge these people, the fact remains that if they were 100% clean there wouldn't be an issue to begin with.
I often wonder if there had been a wellness policy or more people watching for drug use back when I was a super fan as a kid, how many of my childhood heroes would've been busted for drugs? But for any of the admitted drug use from back then, I remember some of these people that I've heard in later life admit to heavy drug use, well, they were still always great to their fans. Much like Rey and Mr. Hardy, who are both extremely good to their fans and both of whom who have extensive injuries. I think that many people are too quick to judge, these men have been through extreme injuries, injuries that many people in the world collect disability checks for. Now some will make the argument that they are wealthy people and the ends justify the means, but I wonder how many of these so called drug addicts in wrestling are just people trying to cope and perform at a level THEY are comfortable with or THEY feel the fans expect from them. I wish these performers could understand that their fans would understand that they can't continue like they always have and that most of them appreciate them for what they are and what they've accomplished. The fans, at least I'd think, would rather have these guys alive and healthy with a slower style and less high risk moves, than to not have them at all or have them destroying themselves. Attendance at autograph signings, meet and greets, Hall of Fames, and listeners and viewers of audio and video interview programs are proof that fans are fans of the individual personality and while the in ring athleticism is a big part of the appeal, I think Jeff Hardy's fans would be okay with Jeff not jumping off ladders and through tables so much that he's in constant pain and needs all the drugs just to exist on a daily level. These are incredible people in incredible situations, I highly doubt that IF these were all Mr. Hardy's personal drugs he was using these to get "high" in the manner that people are used to hearing about in the news. Multiple knee surgeries, bone spurs, cracked or broken tailbones, broken fingers and toes, the list goes on and on, these are not simple injuries, just one of those alone keep most people from doing their regular jobs and require the use of medication, sometimes for the rest of someone's life. Fans need to understand that before they call these people druggies. Do accidents and over medication happen? Of course they do, these are dangerous controlled substances for a reason, BUT, we only need to examine the situations and the events surrounding this. Rey probably did have a valid prescription, and Jeff Hardy obviously realized he needed to slow down. Hence his sabbatical from wrestling. Is it disappointing? Maybe to the unaware, maybe to someone who just glances with a cursory eye over the story, taking the amounts out of context and what have you.
I guess I'm really trying to say that fans love the wrestlers because of who they are and not what they do. The best analogy I can come up with is this: If Madonna or Justin Timberlake or James Hetfield from Metallica had a throat infection or some sort of minor injury, they aren't going to do something that will compound that injury for the short term gain, they are going to address the issue and get healthy. If Madonna cancels a show for having a throat infection, her fans might be disappointed that the show was rescheduled, BUT the fans understand and don't want her to hurt herself or worse yet ruin her voice for the sake of one show. The same is true for wrestlers. Your fans love you and would understand. Vince McMahon and Dixie Carter and any promoter really need to implement some sort of way for talents at all levels to have a way to be healthier and if they are injured, not to use macho b.s. "show must go on" mentality. To me personally, wrestling is a show that it written, anything that can be written in or explained, the whole "losing your spot" or losing a push is really nonsense, otherwise every wrestler who is working is getting pushed all the time, which isn't the case.
In closing, the wrestler's personalities make wrestling what it is. The fans want the wrestlers healthy and able to perform at a sufficient level without hurting themselves for a long time. The promoters are in a position to make this able to happen, without fear or repercussions.
Well, I just wanted to share my thoughts on the subjects, keep up the great work. You do some really amazing work Georgie, and I really appreciate it. In November I'd like to do something with you as far as doing a giveaway for probably four chatterbox subscriptions. Maybe we could come up with some sort of contest, maybe something where someone could enter the contest but the subscription would be for their friends or family member and they could write a paragraph on why their friend NEEDS The Chatterbox or something like that.
Okay, gotta run, I have trade shows Monday and Tuesday and I'll be doing a video interview with B. Brian Blair this week!
Thanks for adding me on facebook!
Your friend,
Dwight Hatfield
Clearwater, FL
A Chatterbox giveaway in November would be wonderful and I'm sure the fans would love it. Something for them to look forward to.
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