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http://www.wwe.com/news/commentary/droz/1252355

Droz's first column of 2004
by Droz
Jan. 5, 2004

Let me start off by wishing everyone a Happy New Year. I hope that all
of you had a wonderful time, however you celebrated. I myself ended up
at a bar, go figure! I was with David, my aide, and my sister and
brother-in-law, who were celebrating their nine-year wedding
anniversary as well. I definitely hadn't planned on going out to a
bar, but after a nice seafood dinner, we decided to stop by one of our
local drinking holes. There actually wasn't handicapped access -- this
place had been around for a long time -- but after much head knocking,
an old friend of mine from high school went home and got two boards he
uses to get his riding lawnmower into his truck, and I wheeled right
into the bar. Like I said, I hadn't planned on going out, and it was
10 p.m. when I finally got in there. I was only going to stay for a
little while, and the next thing I knew, the ball was dropping and it
was midnight. I saw quite a few friends that I hadn't seen in years,
so it made for an entertaining night, and it was the first time that I
was up, so to speak, to celebrate the New Year. Who knows, maybe one
of these years, I will be up to celebrate New Year's.
Last Monday night on RAW, everyone anxiously awaited the WWE board of
directors' decision on whether Stone Cold Steve Austin would be
reinstated. With all of the signatures on Austin's petition, you had
to know that they were going to reinstate him. When that time finally
came, and he used his authority to order a rematch between Shawn
Michaels and Triple H – and, oh by the way, stun Eric Bischoff in the
process -- the crowd seemed more than pleased. What a match that was
between those two! They left everything in the ring, and it was a
shame, in my eyes, that it ended up the way that it did, especially
for Shawn. I understand "both shoulders down" and things of that
nature, but after a match like that, it seemed like highway robbery
that HBK did not win the World Heavyweight Championship. I am looking
forward to the rematch, whenever that may be, as I am sure all of you
are.

I know that the announcers stated this during SmackDown!, but what a
way to kick off the New Year with the match that Tajiri and Rey
Mysterio had. Those two set the bar so high for the show that I was
wondering if the rest of the show would live up to the stellar start.

Those two have always put on great matches, and to top all that off,
Rey-Rey picked up the Cruiserweight Title.
It is great to see Hardcore Holly become a major player once again in
WWE. After the injury he suffered to his neck almost two years ago, it
is great seeing him in there doing what he does best: kicking a$$.
Holly has always been a tough S.O.B., and seeing him doing what he
does best gives me a good feeling. I have said it before: He is one of
the guys I wrestled just before stepping into the WWE spotlight, and
he definitely put me through a serious initiation. After it was all
said and done, I actually got a kick out of it and had gained myself a
friend in the WWE family. I am really interested to see how this
situation works out with Big Show, and I am sure Hardcore will make
the best of it. I just want to wish him the best of luck.

Kurt Angle's return was an overwhelming hit with the crowd, as it
always seems to be. I am looking forward, as I am sure you all are, to
seeing him in the Royal Rumble on Sunday, Jan. 25 in Philadelphia,
which I am also looking forward to. I am sure that Kurt is being very
smart in dealing with his neck problems, and I just hope that he makes
sure that everything stays a-okay. He is a great competitor, I love
seeing him in the ring and hopefully he will have a long and
prosperous career.

Well, make sure that you tune into the shows this week, and I will
make sure to keep answering those e-mails.

Until next week …

Droz – Peace
Droz2cents{at}aol.com


--- Internet Rex 2.29