The Heat and the Shine

There is an intrinsic pleasure found in feeling important, and one former pro wrestling great surely felt it this weekend.  Vader, the Hall of Fame "monster" who at one time was among the best big men in the business, surely had that feeling after his Tweet-shaming of the Will Ospreay vs. Riccocet match at New Japan's "Best of the Super Juniors" triggered a storm of arguments about what pro wrestling is and should be. Vader's initial Tweet came after he was forwarded an out-of-context clip of a synchronized highspot that occurred early in their match: This is a memorized gymnastic/dance rountine it saddenens me to see the direction wrestling is headed https://t.co/TvU9eTkBC0 — Big Van Vader (@itsvadertime) May 27, 2016 Vader offered praise after watching the full match , but the damage was done.  Battle lines had been drawn, with fans of a more grounded style on one side and people citing wrestling's need to "evolve" on the other