By Patty Therre
I would like to thank everyone who wrote me expressing their thanks for a column from a woman's perspective. I guess it was long overdue! I also want to thank those who pointed out (loud and clear) that three important "chick magnets" were left out of my list last week: Goldberg, Kidman and Vampiro. As different as three men can be, Goldberg, Kidman and Vamp have captured the hearts of the female fans everywhere.
Goldberg burst on the scene in September 1997 and, frankly, we didn't know WHAT to make of him. He was big, brawny and bald. And he took on opponent after opponent with ease, saying only, "Who's Next?" Somehow, we saw through the pyro-snorting, head-banging, wild-eyed monster and saw a kinder, gentler side that even Goldberg may not have wanted to reveal. While the male fans were seeing a wrecking machine with no mercy, we saw something else - something in Goldberg's eyes, that told us he was, indeed, a force to be reckoned with, but he ran far more deeply than just brute strength. It turns out that we were right. While Goldberg continues to demolish everyone around him, he also takes time out for charity events, autograph signings and animal rights. Yes, there is indeed a kinder, gentler side to Goldberg and we female fans saw that long before we saw the photo of a smiling Goldberg with a kitten on his shoulder. Call it women's intuition, call it whatever you like, but female fans seem to flock to Goldberg as a real hero, both in and out of the ring.
Then there is Kidman. Who suspected that this quiet, hard-working guy would join the now-defunct flock, start scratching like a dog with fleas, eventually leave that group and become WCW's newest heartthrob? We did. Women were noticing Kidman long before his opponents were and long before he became a name synonomous with WCW. Even when he went through his disheveled, scratchy phase, women fans were singing the praises of this high flyer. Through all the phases Kidman has been through, his female fans remain strongly devoted. Now, he seems to really be coming into his own and, with his amazing Shooting Star Press finisher, the masses are taking notice. It took Kidman a long time and a lot of work to get where he is today in the eyes of the general public but perhaps even he doesn't realize how many female fans were rallying behind him from day one. Or maybe he does know that. He may look innocent but underneath, there is a devil inside waiting to have some fun. Literally. Next time you see him, ask to see his little devil. (It's a tattoo, people, a tattoo!)
Another oddly charismatic grappler on the WCW scene is Vampiro. There is something about him that makes women, especially the younger ones, swoon. I can't explain it, I don't really understand it, but it is most certainly there. Vampiro has a legion of female fans who dig his goth look and appreciate his in-ring talent. While Vamp has yet to make a huge impact in WCW, many women are patiently waiting for his day in the championship sun. Barring that, any match that he is involved in is enough to keep the girls watching. Vamp has that certain something and his fan base grows stronger by the day. Three men, all vastly different, yet very much on the minds of the female fan. Why? Who knows? They each possess the traits that turn heads and makes hearts flutter.
Rest assured that we are not just scouting charismatic wrestlers when we tune into Nitro, Thunder and Saturday Night. We love a great match with two opponents who take each other to the limit and thrill us with great technical moves and agility. We enjoy the backstage brawls, the twists and turns that the shows bring and we appreciate all the wrestlers do to keep us at the edge of our seats. We listen intently to Commissioner Nash, follow Disco Inferno's wild adventures into cement shoe land, and we curse interference from the enemy during a great match. Some of us love the nWo, others hate it. Some love technical match-ups, others prefers brawls like those of Tank Abbott and Jerry Flynn. Still others prefer the hardcore scene and enjoy the extreme matches, complete with trash cans and cookie sheets. All of us appreciate great work and, even if we don't necessarily have a poster of the wrestler tacked to our wall, we give credit where credit is due. Hey, we even give The Cat props when he deserves them!
Case in point, Jeff Jarrett. If there is a huge female fan base for him, I have never heard about it and I hear about just about every opinion on my website. Yet, we have to give him his due for wrestling in a great ladder match and for going strong in three matches in one night. Despite the dreaded guitar and the lovely catchphrase "slapnuts," we see that Jeff is a star about to rise. We see that all his hard work has paid off and, as long as he stays away from that awful white turtleneck cutout, one-piece outfit and the long blond locks and stays cutting edge, he just may be the World Champion in the not too distant future. He may not make our hearts pound when he comes out (unless it is out of anger when he slams a guitar over one of our favorite wrestler's head), but there is no denying the charisma that Jarrett has, along with the talent he possesses. Jarrett has really come into his own as of late and he is on his way to the top.
Maybe he is worth a second look after all, ladies. There is nothing more attractive than the sweet aura of success. Until next week, remember: Be true to yourself and you will never have to apologize to anyone about who you are.
