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TORCH QUESTION OF THE WEEK Reax #3: More reaction to Shawn Michaels applying crossface at Survivor Series Nov 26, 2007 - 9:03:49 AM
For last week's Question of the Week, we asked Torch readers about Shawn Michaels's crossface hold at Survivor Series, and whether there's a place in wrestling for that hold. We received tremendous feedback that we're running reaction again this week. You can still contribute! Click on the "Contact Us" link above and send me an email with your response.
Sean, Torch VIP member: Watching the PPV last night, I was both surprised and shocked to see HBK use the crossface on Orton. At first I was upset because I do feel it's far too early to re-introduce the move. I think that if WWE wants to have someone use the move and take it away from the connection to Benoit they should wait until all the hearings are done and WWE is out of the spotlight. I think a good year to two year break would be best. I think the move is a good finisher and something that shouldn't be banned simply because it's associated with Benoit. I think this was McMahon's way of being defiant to all the criticism, and on a minor note I think that if you're going to attempt the move, then do it right. HBK's use of it was sloppy and he didn't apply it correctly.
Tyler Henderson of Omaha, Neb.: My feelings are that obviously the hold brings back recent tragic memories, but, at the same time it's still just a hold. When a child mimicked the Rock Bottom on his brother and killed him, did the Rock stop using the Rock Bottom? I think Michaels was making a statement that wrestlers should be able to use that hold, there's no unspoken rule about respect and as far as when you can re-introduce a taboo hold, and he knew what he was doing.
Alex Barcham of Arlington, Va.: While I'm not personally offended by Shawn Michaels using the Crippler crossface, I think it was a stupid move on Shawn's and WWE's part. The Benoit tragedy is still a very sore subject and they should avoid it unless absolutely necessary. This was not a situation where referencing Benoit was a necessity. There are plenty of other submission maneuvers that Shawn could have tried to use. It would have actually been really cool if Michaels tried using the Walls of Jericho as a tease for Y2J's impending return. WWE would be best served not to remind people that one of their wrestler's murdered his family, not that people can forget. Shawn using the crossface didn't make terribly much sense, other than that he was desperate. He is a face, but he decided to steal the finishing move of a murderer. And now it appears that Benoit may actually have used the move to kill Daniel. It just makes Shawn look like a jerk and draws WWE more unwanted attention.
David Knapp, Torch reader: I know the connotations of the crossface will always be most closely associated with Chris Benoit, and this year's biggest news story was the tragedy that over shadowed a great wrestler's contribution to the industry. I also am no stranger to how truly out of touch and blind to the feelings of his audience Vince McMahon is - how he expresses himself through his product like a miniature Rupert Murdoch. The WWE is his company and his tool for propaganda. As such when I'm watching Raw, Smackdown, or any WWE production, I try not to think of the (possible) behind the scenes motivations. I do that after I reflect. If I did it as I watched, then bottom line is I wouldn't watch. When Michaels slapped on the crossface last night, I'll stand up and admit that I marked out. I watch wrestling because it entertains me first and foremost. If it didn't, I wouldn't watch. I wouldn't read web sites. I wouldn't fantasy book in my head on the way to work. I wouldn't pay for a PPV. I marked out for the crossface as applied by Michaels for the plain and simple reason that it is a match finishing move and as a fan I was after a Michaels win.
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