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The Navigtor

Here's one spectacle I'll pass on, thanks

By RICK GERSHMAN
Published September 8, 2006

I don't watch professional wrestling. Never have, never will.

But don't get me wrong.

I don't have anything against professional wrestlers. Especially when you consider that so many of them live in Tampa, probably at least one of the people reading this column is a professional wrestler.

Mind you, I'm actually impressed by them. These men and some women have to be in incredible physical condition and must coordinate their moves perfectly to avoid serious injury. The best ones are great entertainers.

From Hulk Hogan to the Rock to whomever today's stars are - again, I wouldn't know - you have my respect.

But not my attention.

Watching people pretend to beat each other up just isn't my deal. And as my buddy Jonathan pointed out, there's plenty of real violence to enjoy these days if that's your thing.

I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from checking out World Wrestling Entertainment's big show tonight at the St. Pete Times Forum, even though I don't think WWE impresario Vince McMahon needs the moola.

If pro wrestling's your thing, no namby-pamby journalist's going to change your mind.

My usual disclaimer: I have buddies who are going. They're going to get sufficiently drunk to enjoy the theatrics. Me, I can't get that drunk. And that's saying something.

I'm told Edge will be there in one of these ubiquitous "championship" matches against John Cena. I met Edge one night at Channelside with some friends, and he was really friendly. So, um, go Edge.

I tried to educate myself further at the World Wrestling Entertainment Web site, wwe.com, but checking out the home page, my eyes were drawn to this recent match "result":

Candice Michelle defeated Torrie Wilson in a Back to Schoolgirl Paddle on a Pole Match.

It was followed by a link labeled Photos.

No, I'm still not going to watch wrestling. Nope, I won't be there tonight.

But yeah, I checked out the photos.

Nice work, Vince.

Rick Gershman can be reached at rgershman@sptimes.com or 226-3431. His Times blog, the Ill Literate, is at www.sptimes.com/blogs/tampaarts.

IF YOU GO

WWE Raw: The DX Reunion Tour is 7:30 tonight at the St. Pete Times Forum. Tickets are $21.75-$61.75. Call 287-8844.

[Last modified September 7, 2006, 11:38:52]