Wrestlingslams back into the spotlight

by Jim Snook photography editor

Sports are among the few things in life where nobody knows the outcome beforehand. That's what makes them exciting. And let's face it, that's also what makes them disappointing.

Enter professional wrestling.

Pro wrestling is not only fantastic entertainment, it's also a cultural phenomenon. It produces epic battles worthy of Homer and the most poignant morality tales since Hawthorne.

The world's interest in professional wrestling has reached a peak not seen since Hulk Hogan teamed with Mr. T at the original Wrestlemania in 1985.

Sure, wrestling might not command the respect of "real" sports like baseball, hockey or football. It might not get much mainstream press coverage, and maybe evolutionists would rather pretend it didn't exist. But professional wrestling is here, and it's here to stay.

Professional wrestling has rebounded from an early '90s slump to become a $400 million business that can outdraw the NFL on TV. Two of the three highest rated shows on cable are wrestling programs.

Three-and-a-half million households view an average episode of WCW (World Class Wrestling) Nitro or WWF (World Wrestling Federation) Raw. Combined, there are over a dozen hours of televised wrestling each week.

To skeptics, wrestling is like Pamela Anderson's chest: everyone knows it's fake, but guys Jove watching it anyway. But fake is the wrong word (for wrestling, at least). A better term is assisted. There are microphones beneath the mat to make falls sound more painful and most moves require cooperation from the victim.

Wrestling may be a silicone sport, but it still requires serious skills. Jackie Chan is considered the world's greatest action star in part because he does all his own stunts.

So, why can't wrestling be the greatest action sport for the same reason?

Back in the mid '80s, the WWF had a near-monopoly on national wrestling. Then in 1993, the WWF's owner, Vince McMahon, was indicted for intent to distribute anabolic steroids.

In the wake of the scandal, WWF superstars began defecting en masse to the WCW, a rival league owned by Ted Turner.

These days, the real battle isn't being fought in the ring. It's being fought during the 9-to-11 p.m. slot on Monday night television. The USA network now programs WWF's Raw head-to-head with TNT's WCW Nitro-and in the battle royale for ratings, big matches happen weekly.

Every match promises a monumental, bigger-than-life victory, courtesy of competitors who themselves are monumental and certainly bigger than you are.

Some of the more popular competitors include WWF's "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and WCW's Bill Goldberg. And the capacity crowd always goes bananas.

In wrestling, good guys always beat the bad guys in the end, even if they look like they're down for the three-count. Wrestling is the only sport where competi- tors can take a lickin' and resume asskickin'.

In trying to buff its image, the WCW has recently booked mainstream celebrities such as the Utah Jazz's Karl Malone and TV's Jay Leno to draw the unconverted. And wrestling fans are buying it up.

Revenues have grown tenfold since 1994. Together, the WCW and the WWF attracted $55.3 million in advertising alone last year.

Ex-wrestler Jesse "The Body" Ventura has had roles in several movies including "Predator" and "Batman and Robin." In 1991 he was elected mayor of Brooklyn

Park, Minn. Recently "The Body" was elected governor of that same state. Wrestling is indeed everywhere. Wrestling cannot be stopped. It cannot be contained. It's a fixture of American life, ifs here to stay and it's going to the top rope. It's dropping the elbow and it's going for the pin.

If you would like to go to the top rope-or maybe just view a live wrestling match-fear not, WCW is at the First Union Center on Wednesday, Dec. 30. Tickets range from $12 to $35. For more information call 215336-3600.

You are cordially invited to attend the •

To be held at the Valley Forge Hilton on Friday, December 11, from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m.

Tickets will be on sale in the cafeteria and food court starting December 7. Tickets are $19 per person and $35 per couple before the dance. At the door, tickets will be $23 • per person and $40 per couple.

e Rooms are available by contacting • • the Valley Forge Hilton --------•