A Trip Back
By: Kitty

In my June column (2002) titled "Reflecting," I said that I knew nothing would be as sweet as Sean's return to prime time. AIN'T IT! Regardless of his role, regardless of whom he wrestles, or doesn't wrestle. HE IS ON PRIME TIME EVERY WEEK AND WE GET TO SEE HIM. Lately there has been much debate all over the Internet about the way WWE is using Sean. Many feel his alignment with Piper is great, others do not. Some feel that his opponents of late are not worthy. Most question whether WWE has dropped the ball entirely on his character, which we saw developing through his promos. All of these things make for great conversations. However, before Sean fans get too deep into these matters let us take a brief trip down memory lane.

Remember when we use to not see Sean, but we could keep up with what he was doing via OVW's website and Aaron Wilson's reports? Remember how thrilled we were when he began doing house shows and then disappointed when he wasn't? How about when we first saw him on Sunday Night Heat? How about when we saw him on TV for several weeks in a row and then NOTHING! How about that groin injury? No news! Then in January we started seeing those hot promos and then we saw him. He made his official return to TV on Pipers Pit?! Now, be honest . . . Who saw that one coming? Not me. So is Sean good with Piper? Well it is clear that we all have different opinions on that matter. Time will tell. My main point in this harangue is that for me, never mind Piper, Hogan/Mr.. America, Rikishi, Benoit, etc. I am just thrilled that Sean is on TV and I get to see him.

Since his promos began to air there has been much ado about Sean. At Sean O'Haire Central the Fan list has grown from 152 in February to 216. The message board membership has grown from 66 registered users to 93. It is amazing considering that when I joined the site I listed as 77 on the fan list. It has almost tripled. Check any wrestling site or group somebody there is talking about Sean. He was even mentioned on a recent Sunday Night Heat. People who know him are contacting the owners of fan sites. Let's face it finally the rest of the world is noticing just how big Sean O'Haire is going to be. Sean is the talk from those in the business all the way to fan reports of results. Everyone from Droz to fans that post on the fan forum at lordsofpain.net is discussing Sean. Many of them view the Sean/Piper connection as a good thing. They think that the nostalgic return of older talent is the perfect way to introduce and push newer talent. As I said before, time will tell.

What I know for sure is that Sean's time in OVW was well spent. In a September 2002 issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated Sean himself said that the time there was giving him the opportunity to slow down, learn, and have fun with the sport. I say that it looks as if that is just what he is doing. He said that he has high expectations for himself. He has worked hard to get this far and we all know that he will continue to work hard to get to where he wants to be. I think it is great that he is also enjoying what he is doing. That is very important. You have to like what you do. I have always heard that the journey is more important that reaching your destination.

Just briefly, everything else besides Sean . . . Ric Flair is still the dirtiest player in the game! And so continues my 20+ year love/hate relationship with him. How about the Test/Steiner/Stacy triangle. Test is hot, but I would like to see Steiner play the hero in this one. After all Test has acted like a pig lately. It is way past time for HHH to drop the title. Glad to see Randy Orton back, but cannot wait for Batista. I do like Christian's new look, much better. Jericho needs a serious ass whoopin. He is such a great heel though. Admittedly I am so sick of the Mr. America thing. Be glad when that is over. I am also interested to see how they bring Billy Gunn back and which persona he will play. I think it is interesting that they sent him to OVW to get use to things again. That to me really puts OVW in a highly respectable place. Sean was not sent there because he wasn't good enough. He was sent there to get better the right way. Not like the way he was pushed through the Power Plant. Many superstars have been there for training after injury and to take on some of the OVW talent. It is a perfect place to regroup after rehab. I have to say though that I am disappointed in the way they wrote Sean out. He did not have a big feud with Kenny Bolin and Kenny never showed on Smackdown for a confrontation. Oh well. We have Sean now weekly.

Here is my take on the summer movies. X2 was better after I saw X-men. Ha Ha. T3? It will probably suck, but I will see it anyway. Dumb and Dumberer. So stupid it will be hilarious. But, what is with the whole prequel thing? The next Tomb Raider and the second edition of Legally Blonde will be good. Angelina rocks and Witherspoon is so cute. Sweet Home Alabama was wonderful. The next installment of Charlie's Angels? I hope Demi kicks Cameron's ass! I am most looking forward to two movies. One will be out in August. Freddy V Jason. I love horror flicks. It most likely won't be scary and might even be stupid, but I just love horror. The second one is the Hulk. My friend Brett thinks the animated Hulk is stupid and he won't go see it. I can kind of see what he is saying. It worked it Scooby-Doo, but ehhh I donā€™t know. We will just have to wait and see.

Speaking of the Hulk, I think instead of that huge animated Hulk, Sean would have made a great Hulk. I would be more than happy to paint him green daily. (Big Cheshire Cat Smile) Oh, so I am back to Sean again. Well imagine that. I was thinking that it is good that Sean is not on RAW. Why? Because there are too many ego's on there. I fear that he would get lost in the shuffle. On Smackdown I think he gets to showcase his talent more. This is true of Velocity too. (Some weeks we get a double shot of Sean) In that respect I think the brand expansion is a good thing. It definitely gives more people opportunity. I am not sure about the separate PPV's. I think it could be good in the same respect. However, the Smackdown writers really need to work hard on building the story lines. Don't blow it! For my final statements on Sean I want to re-state what I said in my Optimist V Pessimist column. Sean is a warrior. He is strong, ambitious, determined, confident, and above all patient. These characteristics will take him far. In OVW he gained experience and character. He has maintained and believe it or not, improved his physical aspects. His in-ring psychology has greatly improved. His move transition is much smoother. His character is still developing, but most all characters are in some sort of growth stage. He will, when the time is right, reach the pinnacle and be the champion. His fans are ready. The rest of the world had better get that way.

Finally, I cannot go away without addressing JT's encounter with Sean. Heaven's to Betsy! (Who is Betsy anyway?) What a lucky gal! White shorts, blue sleeveless shirt. Have mercy on a girl! Chocolate milk! Milk really does do the body good! Sorry guys, I couldn't help myself. I am, after all, just a girl. I will probably never even get within fifty feet of him. WWE only hits my town every few years. I will just have to travel then. I might be in DC this month when he is, but I don't have tickets and I am sure there are not any good ones left. Oh! Whoa is me! (Pity needed here) Hopefully, JT will have another opportunity to hobnob with Sean. Maybe she can get an exclusive interview out of him. Time will tell.

Be well,

Kitty