What keeps us coming back for more? Has professional wrestling turned into a train wreck that we just have to see no matter how many bodies are strewn here and there? After taking a recent look at all the injuries that have sidelined a good deal of wrestlers, I have to wonder why. I realize with the exorbitant amount of money the promoters are paying the talent, they want them to work even though injured. It isn't until a major injury that the wrestler can get any time off to recover and regain his strength. Sometimes that time off comes too late.

Arn Anderson is a good example. He is an extremely talented worker. A dedicated and loyal person. He would always go the extra step for the business. And now he can't wrestle. He just wouldn't slow down and listen to his body. Or, the suits wouldn't let him listen to it. But in Arn's case the point is moot now. He is still working in the business he loves, but now in a different job.

What about the working wounded? Just last week we saw Shawn Michaels in what may well be his last match. I personally am not counting him out, but everyone knew before Wrestlemania 14 that Shawn had a serious back injury. He was told he had ruptured and herniated discs in his back. He was also told not to wrestle till he could get them fixed. But there was a lot of money riding on the event. The entire show was centered around him. So whether Shawn was pressured to work because of the money, or threatened, or voluntarily jumped in front of the train, the fact is, he reinjured himself and now his future is unknown.

Sting is another case. He is now working with an injured hip. He isn't going to take any time off to let it heal. So he is taking cortisone shots to stop the pain so he can continue to work. Most probably he will be ok, but when you numb pain, which indicates you have a problem in the first place, you run a higher risk of making the injury more severe. But how would it look to have two major draws out at the same time? With Randy Savage out for a few weeks with a major knee injury, WCW can't afford to lose Sting right now also.

Stevie Richards comes to mind. I must admit I have never seen him work. And from what I am told, I missed seeing the very best. He also had a loyalty to the business. That seems to be part of the problem. Pushing your body to the limits even when it is screaming for a little relief. And the tragedy has doubled since Stevie's vocal chords were injured in the operation to repair his neck. He doesn't know if he will ever talk the same. He knows he will never work again. I know my heart goes out to him.

I guess what I am trying to say here is, promoters sometimes overlook the good of the wrestler when it affects the money he has coming in. They want the wrestlers to take more high flying risks and when they get hurt, the promoters don't want to hear about it. There has got to be some kind of compromise. If there isn't we can look for alot more problems in the near future.

The opinions above are mine and mine alone, and not necessarily that of PWBTS or its' editor. Send any comments or differing views to me at texasgal@cris.com .