Blood, Sweat and Jeers
By: Grace Anastasia
There's an old saying that "no one is an overnight success." No matter how meteoric the rise to Superstardom looks, you can be sure plenty of hard work, sweat, energy and frustation happened long before the lights came up and the fans started cheering and shouting for more.
In March 1997 at WrestleMania 13, two young men competed for the Intercontionental Championship. The match was a good one, with plenty of action from both combatants. But despite the best efforts of the warriors, the audience remained less than thrilled with the perfomance, and chants of "Boring!" could be heard echoing through the rafters in Rosemont, Illinois. Fast forward three years to a SmackDown! event at the very same arena. Ironicallythe same two men are on the card that evening although they're not fighting each other. This time the audience goes wild for these Superstars - both The Rock and Rikishi Phatu have "gotten over."
When you're young and hungry for fame, three years can seem like an awfully long time to wait for recognition, especially when you're giving it your all. The Big Show is experiencing the same kind of frustration that The Rock and Rikishi Phatu felt during the early years of their careers.
Ruched into servie with only the barest of essentials for training, the Big Show donned the tights for his former employer long before he was ready for prime time. History shows that those unprepared for the spotlight of the starring role in the ring usually burn up from the heat. But since joining the Feseration, the Show has proved he's made of stronger stuff. Because of who he is on the inside, the Show was able to grab the World Wrestling Federation heavyweight championship belt early on in his career. Though he lost it shortly afterward, the 7 - foot man-monster has yet to show his full in-ring potential.
Whether it's through "cookin'" or "dancin'," The Rock and Rikishi Phatu have made a tremendous fan impression outside the squared circle, and the Big Show has also revealed that kind of heart. Show loves to make others laugh and is not afraid to poke fun at himself. He's always willing to stop, sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans.
So, should the Big Show be worried about his future? Not in the least. As fans get to really know the Show, in the same way they've come to know The Rock and Rikishi Phatu, he'll "get over." No question about it. It takes time to build a legend...but once a legend is made, it lasts forever - just ask the "most electrifying man in sports-entertainment."
The Big Show, The Rock and Rikishi Phatu all have enormous, competitive egos. No doubt they will clash, collide and battle over the World Wrestling Federation Championship many times in the next decade - and it's the fans who are going to come out the winners.