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GUEST EDITORIAL
By Terrie Neilson of Las Vegas, Nev.
PWTorch.com Reader

Over the past 48 hours, I've been hearing negative "noise" from "smart" fans who have trouble buying Shawn Michaels's promo at Armageddon that led to his accepting JBL's proposal. Do I believe that Shawn Michaels is as indigent as he claims to be in his promo? No, I don't, not in the least.

But unlike the negative noise, I have chosen to play along with the storyline, to "suspend my belief" in the likely fact that Shawn Michaels isn't "broke," and instead grade the promo on
its execution. The execution asks, is the story is plausible enough for fans to believe? The answer to that question is fairly yes.

Before Armageddon: JBL originally began his feud with Shawn Michaels because, in his mind, Shawn cost him an agreed upon future title match with Chris Jericho at Cyber Sunday. Shawn wasn't the only factor in the match as all three special referees got involved, as well as Randy
Orton, and Chris Jericho himself could not complete the task. JBL chose to continue to focus his attention on Shawn. JBL has no claim whatsoever to the title, and Jericho is no longer in position to grant JBL any more chances. But he's still angry at Shawn, so what does he do
next? What's fitting in his character: follow the money.

Two weeks ago, it was announced that JBL had left open a job position to Shawn due
to his current financial situation. It was not mentioned during JBL's proposition that WWE's once mighty stock has also taken a major parallel tumble (down close to ten dollars a share recently). Recent attendance has been down (due to other people's shaky finances), and merchandise sales have probably also downsized (why there are many merchandise
plugs). All this may have opened the door for JBL to relieve WWE of Shawn's contract as a cost cutting measure, if Shawn were to agree to JBL's proposal.

Armageddon promo, part one, Shawn's 20s: He said in promo that in his younger years, he wasn't as smart with his money. He was immature and spent more than he saved. Doing what I do at my job - money services at a Walmart in Las Vegas - I've witnessed plenty of young people
contemplating taking their now-cashed checks and having some fun instead of paying on a bill.

There have been references to M.C. Hammer among the negative noise, but there is another reference. Once upon a time there was a popular young rapper who eventually realized that he had spent nearly all of his income in the span of one year - $1 million-plus - before he was 20 years old. The young man woke up and realized he needed to do better, and these days "The Fresh Prince" is a renowned actor, husband and father.

Armageddon promo, part two, Shawn's 30s: His high-flying style does come with a price, in the form of injuries to his knees, back, and probably just about every other body part. From age 33-37 Shawn was not competing at all. He may or may not have still had contract benefits,
but if he did he wouldn't have been receiving a full salary. Medical care isn't cheap as anyone can attest to.

Those in high-risk occupations (wrestlers would share the risk with stuntmen, construction workers, fire fighters, and police officers) are likely to incur costs in both higher monthly premiums and out-of-pocket when the annual/lifetime coverage limits run out. And not all companies provide medical coverage to its employees.

This leaves the possibility Shawn made the "I paid my own medical bills" statement as a cover to note that WWE may not cover its wrestlers as a company. This complaint was something I heard over and over last year post-Benoit, but now it seems to not be a problem anymore?

Armageddon promo, part three, Shawn's 40s: [For the record, this is the weakest part of the promo, due to lack of filling in blanks as explained further.] The twilight of his stellar career is coming, and plans were made to make sure he and family were set post-wrestling. He was making the mature decisions of a husband, church member, and father. He tithed to his church and other charitable organizations, but probably not enough to chip away at any major savings.

People can understand the term "stock market" for the volatile entity it is to know that enough
bad investment decisions can clean the houses of even the smartest and most organized people. Enron and Worldcom, anyone? Shawn is a Texan - Enron was a Texas company; it's easy enough to do the math where some of his finances could have gone.

It's been seven years since then, and just as things are back in business, the stock market goes on the wildest ride ever. Add to it the current home market situation is going into the toilet (Shawn's home could still be a real-life wild card), and Shawn's storyline finances could easily take a major tumble.

Another factor not given the light of day: anyone of a decent income likely has some sort of advisor or organizer to keep things in check. Could Shawn's adviser (if he had one) have been slowly embezzling from him leaving him where he is now? Scams of this kind can happen to rich or poor. Could some sort of one-time ID theft have happened? It's more common than most people think. Everything gone in one swoop, and usually it doesn't come back even if the culprit is found.

All that was really missing from this promo was clarity; an EXACT explanation for how Shawn is currently in dire financial straits.

Casual fans were willing to take the leap because for them, there was not much to read into and plenty of perspective to grasp from. For the "smart" fans, maybe sometimes all that is needed is to just play along and enjoy the mic work.

RELATED STORY at PWTorch.com: "Con" Argument - Insulting to wrestling fans.

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[JBL photo by Nick Menecci (c) PWTorch]

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