I would like to preface this article with a few things that I "know" about Professional Wrestling. #1 Programs are scripted. #2 Old wrestlers come back for a well deserved pop (and paycheck) after their days in the squared circle have past. #3 It is in the best interests for a promotion to push young talent therefore creating a strong foundation for the future (apparently Bischoff's WCW never got that memo). #4 The bigger a heel someone is, the more dynamic a babyface they will become (and vise versa). #5 Old wrestlers help young wrestlers get over.

However, there is no excuse for the appalling behavior that took place this past Monday on Raw. When I saw the spit leave Randy Orton's mouth and land on Harley Race's face, I could not have been more outraged. Honestly, I didn't think he was going to do it considering the way Orton was playing up to the crowd. I thought they were going to shake hands and then have Race as manager for the main event. No, of course not, let's have Orton spit in Race's face so we can create some heat for Orton and Benjamin's program. Now, of course I realize Race acquiesced to being spat upon. Yet, what bothers me the most is the plain lack of respect this is showing the wrestling fans and the workers in the industry. I believe if respect is taken away from professional wrestling, its time to say goodnight.

Is this what it has come to" Could you see Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Gene Kiniski, Jack Brisco, Terry Funk, Dory Funk Jr. or Ricky Steamboat getting spat on" And then just standing there after it happened""" A few unkind words, sure...a beat down, why not...but what happened to Harley Race wrong, a real shame. I consciously left out the WWF/E champions to make this point. Harley Race and the other guys mentioned above carried the National Wrestling Alliance world title. When Shane Douglas threw this belt in the trash in 1994, it became a sort of joke. Anyone born after 1990 really has no concept of the importance the NWA title had and that's a shame. But, for the people that understand this title's significance, the actions of Randy Orton was a slap (or spit) in the face. Harley Race is arguably the greatest NWA champion of all time (even Flair said Race was the toughest guy he has ever faced), now reduced to embarrassment on national television. While a young Ric Flair was gaining momentum and cementing his place in Pro Wrestling history, he still gave respect to opponents in his promos. He understood if he gave respect, he would receive respect in return.

Although I do think Orton is a decent talent, I also think this 'legend' gimmick flat out sucks. More importantly, who the hell is Randy Orton" What has he done" He's a young pitcher who only throws in the Old Timer's game. The old timer's can still hit, but it doesn't impress me. Let's see how he does against guys his own age. Maybe he should learn a few things from Ric Flair; maybe he should become a Real Estate agent. Whatever the case, he had better smarten up. If I were Orton, I would talk to the powers that be and ask them if I could try in ring work to solidify my character, instead of just using my mouth.

by Larry..