Modern wrestling is such a farce, but it’s hilarious at the same time so I find it entertaining. Tonight “The Great Coli,” a giant of 7 feet or so with a protruding chin that almost looks like a plasticene mask, sent out a challenge to “whoever would come” to fight him in the ring. That was when Batista came out and took up the gauntlet. The rock-n-roll pyrotechnics and synchronized crowd chants that followed were nothing short of camp. I watch these because my 8 year old students watch this stuff with relish. They know all the stats just like a kid of my generation might know the true identity of a Star Wars stormtrooper or the baseball stats of a team. I wonder what example this gives them about success and excitement. In wrestling it’s defined as in-your-face threats that don’t back down and blood is cool. Parents wonder why we teachers try to inject a little morality into the curriculum sometimes . . . well, this week it’s because of challenges from pop-culture giants the the Great Coli.
Hi. I'm Damien Riley, MA.
