• Payback's faux-pas: Is it just me, or did anyone else notice that if Chad Wilson was around before Bo Schembechler, he'd be pushing 80 years old now? No wonder the Pit Boss would think the Wolverine's a pushover!
• The Swedish revolution: Sweden... I forgave you for Ace of Base and ABBA. Please take these guys back! What did we ever do to you to deserve this?
• Venue misplacement: Location, location, location! For a few days, I thought I was watching that NBC reality show "Lost!" Now there's a concept; drop 4 RCW wrestlers somewhere remote and have them find their way to the next card's arena. Where's my cell phone and Mark Burnett's number?
• New jobbers: Sure, the ones we got are okay, but I really want to see some fresh blood... like Curt Anjerker or Rob Van Dammit!
• Tournament draw: I said this before, I'll say it again. Who's bright idea was it to put a time limit on these things? Somewhere, there's ghosts in the Astrodome chanting "Let them play! Let them play!" (two "Bad News Bears" references in two consecutive articles? I gotta get out more!)
  

  There. Now this looks like a regular Masked Mark production. As Bartles and James used to say, thank you for your support... and always keep your identity a secret.
  

  --MM
  

So now that we've started things up again, and we're heading into the World/North American Title tournament (Brad Steele, wherever you are, thanks for the memories), I started thinking that some of the fellas from the previous RCW run might have a bit of an edge. That made me look even harder at the roster, and I noticed that some of the guys from before are showing up and pulling their weight, some ain't; some of the new faces look like they can really carry RCW forward and keep it on top of the game, some don't. After some studying, I took a moment and mapped out who exactly is passing the baton, and who's flat-out dropping the ball.

I'll start with who's doing it, and the first name out is Vic Payback. Never liked the way the kid conducts business, but his wit and skill have always impressed me. And now that we've started anew, he looks to have re-invented himself, coming at us with a new inspiration. Everybody knows which side of the fence I'm on, but I also understand that this business needs lots of different personalities, and personality is something that Payback is never short on. He seems to have turned it up the way I always expected him to the last go-'round. He's mean, he's sneaky, and I expect even bigger things this time out.

Next is one of my favorites; it ain't no secret that I think he's a real talent, Jonathan Steel. He had before, he's got it now. Granted, I don't hear from him quite as often as I'd like, but I'm sure he'll get on track (the prez told me about what happened, kid; whatever you need, I'm here for you). Before, Steel was really pacing himself, trying not to bite off more than he could chew. This time, he's got his eyes on the prize and he ain't wavering for nobody. I like his grit and determination, and I trust him to kick into a higher gear.

Then there's Tony Bravo. What can I say? I hate the kid's guts. And that's perfect; he does the big shot very well, and he was on his way to big things when we were forced to close up shop. On this track I see Top 5 contendership for Bravo easily, as long as he can keep the verbal jabs popping, and his ring skills sharp. He's got some feisty ones snapping at his heels, so he'd do good to pull away now, and show 'em all how a veteran gets it done.

On the other hand, there are those fellas who don't seem to have it all together, even after having been in RCW, and are already familiar with how things work around here. First case is this T-Bone kid. Son, I don't know if the prez told you or not, or even if wants you to know, but I had a hand in getting you in the door personally; I liked the idea you had for yourself, and thought you would mix well with the talent we already had to create some good matchups. Now every time we go out to shoot a little pool, I gotta hear it from Gary Jackson, Night Train and McGriff about how K.C. can't pick 'em. There ain't too many people on this good planet that can make K.C. Colossus look like a fool, and you ain't one of 'em. Get your act together and make a name for yourself; you ain't got to go and be hardcore, just do your thing the best you can. You say you love RCW, that you'd willingly bleed for it? Well, start acting like it. Do what you need to do to get better. I don't plan on being the butt of too many more jokes.

Jake Rockwell. You know, I've noticed that every time I say your name I do so with a sigh. From the first time you showed up here, I knew you had what it took to get to the top. You were well on your way, too. Then you started half-@$$ing it; mailing it in with crowbars or buddies interfering in your matches. I can't begin to tell you what a waste that was/is. Either way, nobody here has more to prove than you do. The only man here who actually knows what it's like and what it takes to be RCW World Champion, and you barely open your damn mouth. With you leading the way, it's no wonder so many of these kids are confused. I still believe that you can get it done, but that don't mean squat if you don't believe it or act like it.

Not all of the new jacks are screwed up though; there are a few that I think are headed in the right direction. Kata Yoshikawa has something special. He brings a philosophy and insight to the business that we haven't seen in a very long time. I grew up on some of Japan's best wrestlers, even did a couple of tours over there (found out years after I'd come back home that my name over there translated to "Twilight Wonder." WTH?). It's good to have a representative of the fighting spirit here in RCW. I'm looking for big things out of this kid.

Then there's "Sandman" Shawn Pierce. This kid's starry eyes, big dreams, and big heart remindme of when I was wrestling for next to nothing in empty barns and smoky bars. I did it all because I loved what I did, and I can see that same fire in him. he's hungry, he wants it all, and I think he can get it. As long as he stays focused and doesn't get impatient (which leads to things like joining The Corporation, but NTJ can tell you that one), he can have some serious success here. Don't lose that drive, Pierce; you'll learn in time that it's the best thing you've got.

Speaking of The Corporation, Adam Adonis is somewhere beaming with pride at "California Kid" Seth Gavin. Not saying that Gavin's a ripoff or a copy, but you can see the influence, just as you could see the Gorgeous George and Adrian Adonis influence in The Heartbreaker. The most important thing is that Gavin does the prima donna better than I've seen it done in a while. Better than that, he's got the ring skills to make it all pay off.

And of course, a front-runner for Best Rookie is Rob Holiday, He's a clean, no-frills attitude and persona, plus he just exudes that very-hard-to-find 'mean sumb!+(#'aura. He's solid all the way around, especially in the ring; he starting off hot, and I want to see what else he can bring to the table. His presentation and disposition remind me of Jack Hammer, and that's saying something. Out of all of the rooks, I'd say that I expect the most out of Holiday. Don't make me regret that kid.

And the term "regret" brings me to the other end of the rookie spectrum, to guys like Irons. What is it, son? What are trying to do? If you're trying to be a poet, it's been done already, and far better. If you're trying to be enigmatic and mysterious, it's been done already and far better. I can't make heads or tails out of you, and that ain't good for your case. Pick a horse and ride it, or turn in your saddle, son.

Finally, there's "The Herring Strangler" Gottfrid Reidarsson. So you think a can of bad sardines and a Swedish flag is gonna make it, huh? Son, you've got a lot to learn, and if you don't tighten up quick-like, all of those lessons will be beaten all over your hindparts. If I'm mistaken, prove me wrong. If I'm right, get it together in a New York hurry.

That's it; the best and worst from ol' K.C.'s perspective. Regardless of who you are, by virtue of making it through the door, all of you have proven that you've got something that could become special here in RCW, and I expect big things out of all of you. On that note the biggest thing of them all will be decided soon, and some of the guys were needling me for picks. I may be battered and bruised, but I ain't stupid; this is a tough race to call, so I won't go out on any limbs to call a winner, but I will say that I expect Steel, Holiday, Silver, and ---in an upset--- Bravo to make the final four. After that, you're on your own. Of course, I'll be watching; hell, I'll probably be at Davis Memorial Palace for the finals. Until then, good folks.

See you at the top.

---K.C. Colossus