My latest column on upgruv.com and their app is a letter penned voicing the feelings of the Superkick move and its use in professional wrestling. Here’s an excerpt:
Dear professional wrestlers,
I’m a Superkick, and I don’t feel respected.
I feel abused. Taken for granted. My worth is going unrecognized. My powers no longer work on you or the audience.
This is not how it is supposed to work.
I’m a showstopper, not just some move. In fact, I’m the move that launched theShowstopper.
I remember that segment like it was yesterday. Shawn Michaels and I had something special.
Sure, he would add some foot tapping, assign some pet names. But I was down with “Sweet Chin Music”; made me sound sexier.
Still, it was me behind all of Shawn’s bravado when he “tuned up the band.” And it was me who got the call to end Ric Flair’s legendary in-ring career at WrestleMania.
That spot didn’t go to the “big boot and leg drop.” It wasn’t reserved for “the People’s elbow” or a “Tombstone.”
Nope, The Nature Boy was bested by the Superkick. Woo!
Now look, I realize nobody is perfect. Nor am I. And I will take to my grave the part I played in prematurely ending Bret Hart’s career. There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t think to replay the 15th minute of the video below without wondering whether Bret’s current health issues are all my fault.
Even though I would like to think of myself as one of wrestling’s great “finishers,” none of us ever want to be thought of that way literally.
But I am a “finisher,” damn it!
Some of you seem to have forgotten that entirely.
To be fair, there’s more performers and programming than ever before. That has forced us moves to put in a lot more work. The audience has evolved and expects more.
Still, you’re all using me too much, and bouncing up like I’m a basic “punch” or “chop.” It’s embarrassing.
It’s starting to feel personal, too.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the letter which addresses the Curb Stomp, The Young Bucks and back yard wrestling.
