08-19-2014, 10:37 PM | #1 |
Posts: 665
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SANDERS STILL BEING SANDERS
pyroandballyhoo.com
When I was actively working in the wrestling business, I was drawn to two things; honesty, and those who weren’t afraid to just be themselves. Now, talent really wasn’t a unique feature while I was writing scripts and formats for the better part of 20 years–I was blessed with the opportunity to work alongside some of the most gifted athletes walking this planet. But, honesty? Being yourself? Never changing your stripes to just survive in the political jungle? Those individuals were few and far between, and “Above Average” Mike Sanders was at the top of that list. When I first met Mike Sanders, aside from his movie-star good looks—which he still has–nothing immediately stood out to me. Yeah, he keeps himself in shape, had a good physique for a guy his size, and he could work; Dutch Mantell used to call a guy like Mike Sanders “a good little hand”. And, on the surface that’s what Mike was. But, then, when I really started evaluating the hopefuls at the then-Power Plant, and I put Mike under the same microscope as I did everybody else—I began to see something much, much different. The first thing that kicked my !@#$% concerning Sanders was the level of confidence that he carried as a guy just trying to make it in the wrestling business. Even though at the time Mike was competing with GIANTS like Mark Jindrak and Sean O’Hare, at 5’9″, 210 lbs.–maybe–Above Average not only THOUGHT he was better than the bigger and the stronger—he KNEW he was. It was just something you saw in the way he carried himself. To put it bluntly, Mike Sanders thought his SHIT didn’t stink. And whereas I found that trait TREMENDOUS—-others not so much. You see, in wrestling when you think you’re THAT good, and you actually ARE—that just rubs some in the locker room the wrong way. Why? Simply because they’re not used to it, and rather than embrace the confidence of that individual as someone who could help “The Team”–even though one doesn’t exist—you become intimidated. You start worrying about your “spot”, and if this little punk with a chip on his shoulder the size of MOUNT EVEREST, is going to take it from you. So here’s what happens—rather than stick around and find out—you start burying the guy, to the other guys who are as concerned about their spots. All of a sudden, by the time the lunch bell rings—Mike Sanders has HEAT with everybody!!! RALPHUS INCLUDED!!! Folks, that’s the BULLSHIT of the wrestling business. And, that’s what Mike was a victim of. He was too good for his own good—and, he knew it. But, Sanders being Sanders—he couldn’t help himself. While others in fear of being surpassed by him stared holes through his Hawaiian shirt, Mike was busy telling stories of when he “broke into the business in 98′” IN 98′!!! That was the beauty of Mike. While half of the boys were walking around the locker room playing “Wrestling Stratego”, trying to figure who’s *** they had to kiss to get ahead, Mike was telling jokes about the Disco Inferno at the coffee canister. Stupid? Maybe. Respectful—hell, yeah! When I had ‘The Book” at WCW, Mike knew that I was one *** that he never had to kiss. With me—it was all about what you brought to our table for dinner. Were you going to bring the Turkey, or, were you going to bring the dollar cranberry sauce that plops on the dish in the form of the can it had lay stagnant in? That’s all I cared about. Mike Sanders? Mike brought the whole damn feast!!! Turkey, potatoes, stuffing, yams, the HOT BLONDE AT THE END OF THE TABLE—he brought it all!!! Mike Sanders was one of the top five mic-men that I ever worked with. Over in WCW he and Ernest Miller were THE BEST. Of course you had Big Poppa Pump, and that’s a novel within’ itself, but, when you needed to get a story across, or, somebody over—SANDERS WAS YOUR GUY—PERIOD. I knew that—I embraced it, others knew that—they shoveled 10 pounds of cow turds on him. God forbid they were challenged by somebody who might even be better than they were. Just last night I watched the announce team on RAW, and I’m sorry, maybe JBL was a good in-ring talent, but, when it comes to color commentary—-well, let’s just say that Mike Sanders would be “buried out on the ranch” if he ever auditioned to be the third man in the WWE booth. But, that’s why Sanders is Sanders, and after knowing him for 15 years now—I’m still the guy’s biggest fan. You will be too when you here his comments on our interview later tonight. Comments that didn’t come from MY MOUTH, but let’s just say – - – I didn’t disagree with too much. It was good to see that the bengal hasn’t changed his strips—and, why should he? I’d rather be a proud man and a proud father, than a main eventer who cracks a mirror every time he looks in it. http://www.tpwwforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=31 TNARICK™ "The Legend" & R.I.C.K. Entertainment Provide you with the best forum signatures, topics, and polls available on the net. Reality Is Controlled Knowledge RUSSO 4 LIFE |
08-19-2014, 10:59 PM | #2 |
it's really real meat
Posts: 7,366
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k
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08-19-2014, 11:15 PM | #3 |
Loque Ja
Posts: 87,868
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SANDERS STILL BEING ABOVE AVERAGE
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08-20-2014, 07:39 PM | #4 |
TEW2016!!!
Posts: 159
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I use to think sanders was the shit aswell
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08-20-2014, 07:47 PM | #5 |
wekasauce
Posts: 106,736
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bob sanders
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08-20-2014, 07:48 PM | #6 |
Loque Ja
Posts: 87,868
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Colonel Sanders
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08-20-2014, 10:55 PM | #7 |
Former TPWW Royalty
Posts: 66,588
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Deion Sanders
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08-20-2014, 11:00 PM | #8 |
Quark is Less Impressed.
Posts: 38,371
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Sanders claim to fame
"You people are rednecks!!!" Crowd: Boooo! |
08-20-2014, 11:38 PM | #9 |
Posts: 60,919
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People on here used to love Sanders. Not sure how if they loved him as much as Russo seems to, but they loved him. Would love to see him get a try at commentary if he is really that good.
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08-22-2014, 08:29 AM | #10 |
Rigged from the start
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08-22-2014, 08:59 AM | #11 |
Fire up Chips!
Posts: 27,456
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Steve Sanders
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08-22-2014, 06:38 PM | #12 |
Loque Ja
Posts: 87,868
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Shiera Sanders
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08-22-2014, 06:58 PM | #13 |
Best Poster
Posts: 56,903
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Sanders Ozolinch
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08-22-2014, 11:09 PM | #14 |
boop/bop/beep
Posts: 38,427
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