Monday night, 7:50pm CST.  Grab dinner and some homework.  Turn on TNN and pull up a chair.  For the next two or so hours, I watch men and women go at it.  It's not illegal.  It's their profession.  But watch out for those steel stairs...

Why watch it?  Well, I've got my reasons.  Like many other television shows, it's addicting.  You get sucked into the story lines, and then they've got you where they want you.  But in addition to the sordid affairs, spurned loves, broken friendships, new alliances, and the like, you get action.  And I mean serious action.  If your lover turns against you on a soap opera, you get upset, maybe spread a nasty rumor.  In the WWF, when Tori turned on Kane, he tombstoned her.  Now where else are you going to find that much vengeful aggression?

Secondly, one must admit that these people are truly awe-inspiring.  These men and women are putting their lives on the line nearly every time they step into the ring.  You have to admire that a man like Mark Callaway, who is 6'10" and weighs over 300 lbs., can walk along the top rope ("Old School!") like he's weightless.  Or people like Mick Foley who care more about the job than their body.  These men and women take risks that should require stunt doubles, but don't use them..  They put their hearts and souls into their work, and take every hit for our entertainment.  How many movies stars can say that?

Now, now.  I understand just as well as anyone else that many of the hits that these superstars take are made to be less painful.  I know that reactions are exaggerated, and that the metal is usually bent before someone takes a chair shot.  But that doesn't change the fact that Mankind jumped from the top of the cage and landed on Triple H.  And to quote Triple H's thoughts on the matter: "I just prayed he didn't land on my head."  That same match, Chyna slammed the steel cage door into Mankind's head.  He said it was the second most pain he'd ever been in.  My guess is that the impact that captured first place is accidentally falling through the Hell in a Cell against the Undertaker.  That's right.  It was awesome, but it was an accident.  The Undertaker just stood there afterwards- he said in an interview later that he thought Mick was dead.  But Mankind got up, put his game face back on, and continued the fight.

While some of the greatest hits have been taken by Mick Foley, I cannot say that I don't admire many of the other men and women of the World Wrestling Federation.  Even Mae Young.  (Hey- it takes a lot of courage to be splashed by a 500 lb. Viscera, even if it isn't real) Owen Hart died for the sport, bless his soul.  Many others have been injured- my guess is nearly every superstar has.  Stone Cold Steve Austin has had spinal surgery.  The Undertaker has been out for months at a time rehabilitating nagging injuries.  Billy Gunn, Val Venis, Droz... the list just keeps going.

Of course, then there is the fact that someone had to write all of this... kudos to the WWF Creative Team, despite the fact that I don't like what they do from time to time.  It takes talent to choreograph all these men and women.

Now then.  I've defended my devotion, and now it's time to let you know just who it is I'm devoted to.  And who I could care less about.  I respect them all, characters and persons, but even I play favorites.