Before I go any further, let me express my tremendous grief over the loss of one of the greatest wrestlers to ever step into the squared circle, Curt Hennig. I would like to extend my warmest sympathies to his family and closest friends. 

As an Internet wrestling columnist, I have received many emails from fans saying I may be too critical. I have also received many more emails from fans saying I tell it like it is and I make tremendous points. However the email may be addressed to me, I take pride in the fact I do what I do and I enjoy hearing from all sorts of wrestling fans.

What bothers me the most about being an Internet wrestling columnist is I’m not taken seriously from WWE staff members and other federation staff members. There could be several reasons for this. One reason that comes to mind would have to be the many columnists out there who DO constantly criticize the wrestling world. It is because of those columnists and reporters that Internet media like myself get labeled as being a negative force behind wrestling.

I’m here to tell everyone reading this that I am far from a negative force. I write about wrestling and the changing topics surrounding wrestling because I LOVE the business. Many friends of mine have said, “Steve, since you love wrestling so much, why don’t you just become a wrestler. You are 6’5 inches tall, 220lbs, you are athletic, and all you need to do is hit the gym a little harder and add more muscle to that body and you could be a pro wrestler”. 

My words to them are, “There is no way I could be a professional wrestler because the things they do in the ring and the amount of pain they endure are way above my threshold for pain”. I say that because some people can be a wrestler and some people cannot. It’s not something just anyone can do. If so, I would be in the ring too. Just like it takes special people to be pro wrestlers, it also takes special people to report and write about the business. 

You have so many “writers” out there who think they can write columns about wrestling when they have no clue how to express neither themselves nor opinions in a respectful and educational way. There are so many Internet wrestling “columnists” who hurt the business more than they help it. 

Trust me, I don’t claim to be an expert nor do I claim to be perfect. What I can claim is that I have learned from some of the best and received a great deal of advice from many other columnists, whether it is wrestling columnists or sports columnists. I choose to write about wrestling because I love to write and I love to write about something I have grown up with and respect.

I try to provide my outlook on wrestling that derives from many years of watching and experiencing it. I have witnessed many changes in the sport and many interesting events. As a wrestling columnist, I try to get wrestling fans to look at many topics and situations in a different perspective and be objective at the same time. The whole reason behind the name “Chair Shots to the Cranium” is because I want my columns to make a lasting impression on the brain, just like a chair shot. Sometimes my ideas or thoughts come across as negative and many times they come across as positive. As a wrestling columnist, I give my opinions about topics because that is what a columnist does. But I try to do it objectively and with respect. 

Another reason the WWE may not respect Internet reporters and columnist is because they know that over half of them are teenage kids who are doing what they do because they think it is “cool” and they can tell their buddies at recess they are “columnists” and “reporters” for wrestling. 

Grant it, not all Internet wrestling staff members are like this, but there are many. It is obvious WWE does not respect us; otherwise they would thank us for all the hard work we do. Wrestling doesn’t get shown on SportsCenter or talked about by your local news sportscaster. All news involved with wrestling either comes from wrestling magazines or by Internet writers, the reporters and columnists.

The point I want to make in this particular column is that Internet media like myself who try to better the business should be given more respect from the WWE.

I have felt compelled to write this column because I’m so tired of hearing people say the Internet puts a negative twist on wrestling and I’m sick of those who are guilty of always being too critical. I write columns so die hard wrestling fans like myself can enjoy them, for the enjoyment I get out of writing, and the enjoyment I receive when I read feedback from fans all over the world. 

In order for wrestling to remove itself from this decline or “funk”, we all need to work together; the fans, the Internet writers, WWE, and every other wrestling federation in the world. I’m not saying I expect every word written on wrestling to always be positive. There are going to be certain topics or events that will have a difference in opinion and will spark a nice debate. What I am saying is that we should all respect one another. 

Enjoy the great entertainment we call professional wrestling or sports entertainment. Let us all write and talk about likes and dislikes in the business. But let’s do it with a higher degree of respect from all parties involved.

Other Cranium Thoughts…..

· It may just be me, but I’m getting absolutely no enjoyment out of Scott Steiner and his feud with Triple H. It seems “Big Poppa Pump” is much better as a heel. He should not be a face wrestler unless he plans to reunite with Rick and become “The Steiner Brothers”. Turn Scott heel and let fans get more enjoyment from his character.
· Booker T is long overdue for a World Title shot. I would love to see a program started with Triple H and Booker T for the belt. Maybe even let Booker get his shot at Wrestlemania and walk away with his much deserved title. 
· So far, I’m really enjoying The Rock’s heel status. I’ve gotten quite a few laughs from his Titontron promos. I’m glad to see him back and I can’t wait to see him lock up with Hogan in their much anticipated re-match. 
· I have not been able to catch NWA-TNA shows for several months due to other responsibilities on Wednesday nights. However, I have been reading about every show and I have been very impressed. I would love to see them get a TV deal soon so we could have that much needed variety. My hat is off to TNA and I hope they keep up the great work.
· Can anyone remember the last time the World title changed hands on a show other than a PPV? If we see a World Title match on television, we all know what the outcome will be. Why not throw in a few surprises and have a title change hands on RAW or Smackdown. It would be a pleasant surprise and a nice change of pace.

That is all for this week. As always, please feel free to email me your thoughts and opinions to Chairshots2head@yahoo.com. Also check out my newly remodeled website at www.chairshots2cranium.com. I would love to hear any new suggestions you may have for the site. When I created this site, I tried to think of every wrestling related topic to put on it. If I have missed anything you would like to see, please let me know. Until next time, take care.