Sportsbeat. Taking up an interest in the WWE

All right, so maybe the next subject may not qualify as a bonafide sport in many peoples? eyes, where there is actual competition with wins and losses and divisional races, but it does involve athletes entertaining people. I?ve been keeping this close to the vest for nearly a year now; and since my main idea for my sports column didn?t work out this week, I?m ready to come out of the closet — I?m ready to climb to the top of the metal stairs at Quarry View, extend my arms out and shut out to anyone that will listen that I?m part of the WWE Universe.

Again, it?s not my fault my story idea didn?t work out this week and the person didn?t call back in time, but the WWE, if you don?t know is World Wrestling Entertainment, or professional wrestling. Here?s how a Wikipedia author put it: ?WWE?s business focus is on professional wrestling, a simulated sport that consists of wrestling combined with acting and theatre.?

That?s about right. Some wrestlers are better actors than others, but it can be quite entertaining at times. Thanks to my oldest, Mark, I?ve been hooked recently. I believe professional wrestling interest is cyclical and it will grow old after awhile. For now I?m interested, so much so, that I was at the pay per view event ?Over the Limit? in Detroit, May 23 at Joe Louis Arena. Mark bought himself a $107 floor seat, while I sat in the rafters of the upper bowl with my youngest, Luke. Someone had to drive him to downtown Detroit. I certainly didn?t complain. What was really cool during the main event between John Cena and Bautista, the wrestlers left the ring, went into the upper bowl of the arena, and on the return trip down, Bautista

grabbed Mark?s pant leg as he flailed on the floor. We just bought the DVD of the event, but unfortunately the only thing we could see was the tip of Mark?s shoe. So, we?ll never be throwing that away.

I was a really big fan in the 1980s, attending several meaningless house shows at the Joe, but I also had the opportunity to go to WrestleMania III at the Pontiac Silverdome, which set a North American attendance record for an indoor sporting event. I hardly remember a thing about it, other than Brutus the Beefcake cut someone?s hair, or had his hair cut. Hulk Hogan also wrestled the late Andre the Giant.

My son foams at the mouth with jealousy anytime WrestleMania comes up. Now that he?s been to a pay per view event, he?s ready to save every dime he earns around the house, plus any bottles and cans he collects on a future WrestleMania. I told him the next one in Atlanta is too far, unless he saves enough can money to buy two admission and airline tickets. I guess I could pick up the cost of the cab. How long will it last? Who knows? Until the story lines get boring again.

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