The Media Frenzy pt.4

Side by side at the Garden, their boyhood dreams finally realized, the easy going, Mexican-born Guerrero and the intense, Canadian-born Benoit stood on the mountaintop, seemingly in peak physical form.

Within a little more than three years, both would be dead.

-The Washington Post, Thursday August 16th 2007

Paul Farhi - a staff writer for the Washington Post - has written the best piece in regards to the drug and steroid culture within the world of wrestling.

'Death Grip - Pro Wrestlers' Grim Cycle: Pain, Drugs and Doom' is the first article by a mainstream writer who seems to get it.

His use of wording is incredible. As an example his descriptive analogy of the friendship that existed between Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero was through 'thin times and thickening bodies'. How powerful is that sentence?

The piece uses both Benoit and Guerrero as the examples of the culture which is sweeping through the industry. The writer uses their career high as a launching pad for the article.

The final moments of Wrestlemania XX was the professional highlight for both of these wrestlers. The writer realises this and sends the reader straight back down to earth with the acknowledgement that neither man will live to see Wrestlemania XXIV.

The piece also quotes many of the people who have appeared in the reporting of the troubles associated with the business.

Professional wrestling writers; Dave Meltzer and Wade Keller make astute observations on the situation. The latter even calls for mandatory time off for all performers. An avenue the companies should consider in the wake of the deaths.

Marc Mero and Konnan - two of the most outspoken wrestlers who have appeared in the news in recent weeks - are also quoted. Their analysis is more truthful than that of the current stars who are trying to defend the business that pays their bills.

I cannot even give this article justice. You need to check it out for yourself on the website of the Washington Post. It is a real eye opener.

I hope the Congressmen were alert when commuting to work on Thursday morning.