For Valentine, This Was a Long Time Coming
By Franklin Faulkner 2010-03-17
Vivica J. Valentine has certainly gone out of her way to alienate a fanbase that once adored her. She cheated Clyde Fox out of a World Title shot. She turned on Andy Murray. She spat in the face of everything she once stood for.
All those things were surprising. But this shouldn't surprise anyone. This was inevitable.
The fans booed Valentine after she assaulted the GCW World Champion at WorldWide this week. They boo pretty much everything she does at this point, so that's not newsworthy.
What is notable is that the fans seemed to get LeStatt Knight's back. That is interesting.
Make no mistake about it: people do not cheer LeStatt Knight because they like him. People don't like LeStatt Knight. That's not what it's about. He's been around so long and accomplished so much that he's transcended such analysis. It doesn't matter whether or not you like the man (and trust me, you don't). At the end of the day, if you're a GCW fan, you simply have to appreciate what he's done for the company to make it what it is today.
Somehow, outside of GCW, the man is still underrated. Because that's LeStatt Knight's style. He doesn't do it for the recognition. He simply goes about his business, and he's so much better at it than anyone else that the casual observer can take notice.
The GCW roster collectively shuddered when they learned Mayhem had been given the keys to the new Hardcore division. In bloodying the returning Phil Atken, Mayhem proved that he's right at home as Hardcore Champion. They may want to retire it again; Mayhem is unbeatable in that division.
After his big NC-17 win, SurReal may have been favored to win the TV title. But PAZUZU continued his unlikely streak to retain the belt. I'm not burying SurReal, he's still on track to do great things. He just may need a bit of guidance to avoid another setback.
Tim Shipley: The Just promoter may have lost out on his chance to run GCW, but he proved he can handle himself in the ring.
Chris Storm: He returned and may have just run his old buddy right out of GCW. Storm is highly talented and is about to be unleashed on GCW.
AXEL Action: Tough start to 2010 for GCW's Next Big Thing. Don't worry, he'll straighten it out.
DigiMort: That's two impressive wins in as many weeks. I sure hope you're paying attention.
Markus Stone: After stealing the show at NC-17 and earning high praise, rumor has it Stone is now retreating all the way out of the company.
Vivica J. Valentine, even in her fairer days, does it for the attention. She needs it. She thrives on it. So when someone who desperately needs the attention loses it to someone who gets it so effortlessly, well... it means trouble.
But this can't be reduced to sudden and simply jealousy. This moment has been creeping up for years. In 2006 Knight faced Valentine in a World Title match at Devil's Night-- ironically, Valentine was also then US Champion. Valentine was still a bright up and comer, and Knight had already stamped his ticket to the Hall of Fame. Knight won that match, but since then the rivalry has been all Valentine.
At Warpath 2007, a tournament to decide the next number one contender went to Jordan White. But in the second round, Knight and Valentine met again, and this time Valentine came out on top.
Months later at Dangerous Games, with another World Title shot at stake, Valentine once again bested Knight. As the final two in the Dangerous Games match, Valentine somehow endured an inhuman beating from Knight and a savage injury inflicted by Bryan Mayhem. She eliminated Knight, went to NC-17 and became GCW Champion.
A few skirmishes have taken place since then, usually favoring Valentine. And yet, when you look back at the last few years, who has been more successful?
With four World Title reigns, it's LeStatt Knight, and it's not even close.
So we shouldn't be surprised that Valentine finally went after him. Valentine is the one wrestler in GCW history who can claim to have Knight's number, and yet Knight continues to earn all the accolades Valentine so desperately needs. And somehow, to this point, Knight and Valentine have avoided a true showdown.
The first match was early in Valentine's career. The Warpath and Dangerous Games battles were part of a bigger picture.
This time is seems Valentine is ready for a final confrontation. LeStatt Knight is the GCW World Champion yet again, and while Valentine reinvents her career in the United States Title division, she can't sit by any longer and watch Knight sit atop the GCW throne.
There will be some critics if Valentine meets the GCW Champion again. There will be those who say she doesn't deserve it. But this isn't even about Knight's fourth title reign. It's not about Valentine's US belt. It's about three years of history, three years of battling, three years of striving to reach the top.
The fans seem to be siding with LeStatt. That's not an unreasonable position given Valentine's blatant lack of respect. Just remember the next time you boo her that, for all her moaning, she's got a point.
Valentine doesn't deserve a shot at the GCW World Title. But she absolutely deserves a shot at LeStatt Knight.
By Franklin Faulkner 2010-03-17
Vivica J. Valentine has certainly gone out of her way to alienate a fanbase that once adored her. She cheated Clyde Fox out of a World Title shot. She turned on Andy Murray. She spat in the face of everything she once stood for.
All those things were surprising. But this shouldn't surprise anyone. This was inevitable.
The fans booed Valentine after she assaulted the GCW World Champion at WorldWide this week. They boo pretty much everything she does at this point, so that's not newsworthy.
What is notable is that the fans seemed to get LeStatt Knight's back. That is interesting.
Make no mistake about it: people do not cheer LeStatt Knight because they like him. People don't like LeStatt Knight. That's not what it's about. He's been around so long and accomplished so much that he's transcended such analysis. It doesn't matter whether or not you like the man (and trust me, you don't). At the end of the day, if you're a GCW fan, you simply have to appreciate what he's done for the company to make it what it is today.
Somehow, outside of GCW, the man is still underrated. Because that's LeStatt Knight's style. He doesn't do it for the recognition. He simply goes about his business, and he's so much better at it than anyone else that the casual observer can take notice.
WorldWide Stud
Bryan MayhemThe GCW roster collectively shuddered when they learned Mayhem had been given the keys to the new Hardcore division. In bloodying the returning Phil Atken, Mayhem proved that he's right at home as Hardcore Champion. They may want to retire it again; Mayhem is unbeatable in that division.
WorldWide Dud
SurRealAfter his big NC-17 win, SurReal may have been favored to win the TV title. But PAZUZU continued his unlikely streak to retain the belt. I'm not burying SurReal, he's still on track to do great things. He just may need a bit of guidance to avoid another setback.
Stock Watch
Tim Shipley: The Just promoter may have lost out on his chance to run GCW, but he proved he can handle himself in the ring.Chris Storm: He returned and may have just run his old buddy right out of GCW. Storm is highly talented and is about to be unleashed on GCW.AXEL Action: Tough start to 2010 for GCW's Next Big Thing. Don't worry, he'll straighten it out.DigiMort: That's two impressive wins in as many weeks. I sure hope you're paying attention.Markus Stone: After stealing the show at NC-17 and earning high praise, rumor has it Stone is now retreating all the way out of the company.Vivica J. Valentine, even in her fairer days, does it for the attention. She needs it. She thrives on it. So when someone who desperately needs the attention loses it to someone who gets it so effortlessly, well... it means trouble.
But this can't be reduced to sudden and simply jealousy. This moment has been creeping up for years. In 2006 Knight faced Valentine in a World Title match at Devil's Night-- ironically, Valentine was also then US Champion. Valentine was still a bright up and comer, and Knight had already stamped his ticket to the Hall of Fame. Knight won that match, but since then the rivalry has been all Valentine.
At Warpath 2007, a tournament to decide the next number one contender went to Jordan White. But in the second round, Knight and Valentine met again, and this time Valentine came out on top.
Months later at Dangerous Games, with another World Title shot at stake, Valentine once again bested Knight. As the final two in the Dangerous Games match, Valentine somehow endured an inhuman beating from Knight and a savage injury inflicted by Bryan Mayhem. She eliminated Knight, went to NC-17 and became GCW Champion.
A few skirmishes have taken place since then, usually favoring Valentine. And yet, when you look back at the last few years, who has been more successful?
With four World Title reigns, it's LeStatt Knight, and it's not even close.
So we shouldn't be surprised that Valentine finally went after him. Valentine is the one wrestler in GCW history who can claim to have Knight's number, and yet Knight continues to earn all the accolades Valentine so desperately needs. And somehow, to this point, Knight and Valentine have avoided a true showdown.
The first match was early in Valentine's career. The Warpath and Dangerous Games battles were part of a bigger picture.
This time is seems Valentine is ready for a final confrontation. LeStatt Knight is the GCW World Champion yet again, and while Valentine reinvents her career in the United States Title division, she can't sit by any longer and watch Knight sit atop the GCW throne.
There will be some critics if Valentine meets the GCW Champion again. There will be those who say she doesn't deserve it. But this isn't even about Knight's fourth title reign. It's not about Valentine's US belt. It's about three years of history, three years of battling, three years of striving to reach the top.
The fans seem to be siding with LeStatt. That's not an unreasonable position given Valentine's blatant lack of respect. Just remember the next time you boo her that, for all her moaning, she's got a point.
Valentine doesn't deserve a shot at the GCW World Title. But she absolutely deserves a shot at LeStatt Knight.