But seriously, I was watching some old Scott Hall matches on the web last night, and even caught a few from his AWA days on television. Yes, AWA does air on American television. But I'm sure you knew that. Not! Does Vince McMahon own the AWA programming? He owns everything else in the biz. But back to our regular programming. . . . So I am having a few cold beers and am sympathizing with Scott. Maybe it is easy to sympathize with Scott after you've had a few?

Scott may still be one of the greatest talents in the biz. Why do you say that, you may ask? Here is why: He was blessed with one of the greatest bodies in wrestling, in my humble opinion, and he was blessed with good looks, and he was blessed with personality. He still has two of the three today. And two out of three ain't bad, if we are to believe the old Meatloaf song.

But his self-destructive behavior . . . can you really blame him? And remember that I am not defending his behavior--but the facts are the facts. This man has taken years of abuse in the ring. This man has lost many of his closest friends. Is it not a wonder that he is not completely destroyed--and not just showing a little ringrust?

That being said, I am rooting for Scott, and am hoping that TNA management has enough sense to keep him on board. His recent appearances have been high spots on Impact.

I would also like to take few moments to remember one of the greats. I am speaking of Mr. Perfect, Curt Hening, who died seven years ago this month. I grew up idolizing the man, and one can hardly talk AWA, or “Big Scott Hall” without mentioning the second generation star and former World Champion. We love and miss you Curt. You will always be perfect to us fans.

Now on to other matters. Saw the segment with Eric Bischoff and Mick Foley on Impact last week, and am expecting a new Foley persona to emerge. The thought of “The Hardcore Legend”, bringing back “The Dude” did occur. And that brings me to a notion that I eluded to earlier. Just how much of the biz does Vince McMahon own? And how awful is it when you love a character, like Dude love, and they disappear sight unseen? I know many of my favorite characters have been banished forever, to a land where only Giants roam. Think Repoman, think Doink, think IRS. I am sure McMahon owns the Mankind and Dude Love characters, but does he own Cactus Jack? I am sure by the time you read this we will all know what kind of turn Mick Foley is going to make, if he is going to make one at all.

Thank you for reading this. Next time I will do better. And let me know some of your favorite banished characters below.

*S. David Jones is the author of the novel Nothing Ventured, Nothing lost*