Their Days Are Numbered... (Or At Least Should Be)

by Alfonso Colasuonno

First of all, let me state that experience is extremely valuable in most situations, inclusive of pro wrestling. However, with experience in pro wrestling comes the eventual bodily breakdown. This article is a plea to four legendary (well, maybe not Tommy Dreamer...make that three legendary) superstars to hang up the wrestling tights and call it a career. These four are the hardcore innovator Mick Foley, the once amazingly agile giant Kevin Nash, the iconic Sting, and the extreme Tommy Dreamer.

Watching pro wrestling this last year or so has led me to think that these four, and only these four, should hang up the tights. I've discussed this with friends who would extend it to others, including Scott Steiner and Booker T., but I think they can still put on an entertaining match. Of course, advanced age for an athlete doesn't necessarily mean that you should retire (although usually it does, Michael Jordan). Clearly the best match at Wrestlemania 25 was between fortysomethings Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker. Though their hair may be thinning, their talent is still as full as when they were some of the main draws of the WWE. Of course there are other wrestlers who it be argued should hang it up but I won't really elaborate on them for the following reasons. Hacksaw Jim Duggan is barely used by the WWE nowadays. Furthermore, he never really had much going for him in the beginning of his career other than how easily wrestling fans mark out for patriotism. Jerry Lawler, the god of Memphis, is barely ever used in WWE and has settled nicely over the last fifteen or so years as commentator first, wrestler second (these days a distant second).

Commentator first, wrestler second - ah, wouldn't those words be ideal for fans of the sport in regards to Mick Foley and Kevin Nash. Kevin Nash is one of the all-time greatest mic workers in the sport and Mick Foley proved his chops in the WWE as a commentator. Can you think of how much more intriguing TNA Impact would be if they got rid of the dweeby Mike Tenay and the "how much of a heel should I be this week" Don West and replaced them with Foley and Nash. Yes, I firmly believe that Mick Foley and Kevin Nash should retire and become the new commentators on the Impact Zone. Mick Foley was never one of the most agile wrestlers around but today with a little extra padding around his midsection, he is far too slow to put on a decent match. Kevin Nash doesn't look old so much as bored when in the ring. Nash was once nicknamed "Big Lazy" and when I see him wrestle a match I can see how he earned the moniker. Kevin Nash in his prime with the NWO or as a main eventer in the WWE as Diesel was a genuine star. Cactus Jack was a legend of the indies. Losing an ear in a match against Vader and continuing on. Well, the dude was just always willing to put on an amazing show. But there is a new Cactus Jack these days....Necro Butcher of ROH fame. Sure, Foley should stick to making the indie rounds in hardcore matches but his days as a legitimate star in wrestling should be numbered.

Sting. Sting is the only wrestler of the four mentioned who has broken the half-century mark (he's 50). Personally, I think Sting has been done as someone worth viewing since he debuted the Dark Sting angle in WCW. He's had a great career, multiple time TNA and WCW champion. He also can hold his head high for never selling out to join his nemesis Vince McMahon. But watching Sting wrestle guys who can put on a great show like Kurt Angle is just painful. This is not the Stinger of early 90s WCW fame whose combination of strength and speed gave headaches to Vader and Flair. No, Sting looks old in the ring. This one might just have a happy ending as in recent episodes of Impact! Sting insinuated that if he lost the TNA World Title he might call it a career or at least give it a rest.

Tommy Dreamer is only 38. However, I still think Tommy Dreamer should retire because he's gotten kind of fat and is slower than ever. Watching him, I hope his contract runs out without an ECW championship simply because he is tarnishing the good name of ECW past and his own career by wrestling in the new ECW. Whereas Sandman and Stevie Richards have moved on, Dreamer remains the last link to the old ECW. Dreamer was best in hardcore domain and having to wrestle straight matches really shows how limited he is. Hey, maybe Mick Foley and Tommy Dreamer can feud in hardcore matches at an indie card near you soon enough, if the Gods be just. (I'd rather see Abdullah the Butcher, though)

There comes a time in every wrestler's career when they know to step out of the spotlight. Even Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan have seemingly ended their careers to the surprise of all. Maybe Chris Jericho does have a point. Some of these legends are just tarnishing their image by continuing on. Let's just hope Rick Steamboat, Roddy Piper, and worst of all, Jimmy Snuka, don't decide to give it another try. Of course, TNA seemingly is always willing to hire any such over-the-hill legend to wrestle (their contract offer to Ric Flair, case in point). Let's not chance it. Step away and give the young guys a chance!