Reflections of... Bruno Sammartino and retiring the Impact Zone

The WWE Hall of Face Class of 2013 pretty much just became the best class in history.

Mick Foley appeared to be the obvious headliner for some time initially, as the man known for some of the Attitude Era's greatest moments finally will get the chance to be recognized for all his achievements.

Trish Stratus, WWE's most decorated women's wrestler (7-time Women's World Champion) has more than earned her position of induction.

And Bob Backlund, champion for more than 1,000 days; champion when World Wide Wrestling Federation broke from the NWA for good to become the WWF; biggest 1970s attraction besides Andre the Giant, also gets his time.

But all these greats will pale in comparison to a man who should have been in the first class, and honestly was going in whenever he decided to approve. This year, Madison Square Garden will honor the longest-reigning WWWF/WWF/WWE World Champion in history: Bruno Sammartino.

In the days when regionalism reigned and three companies divided the country (AWA in the west, NWA in the south, WWWF in the northeast), Sammartino was the epitome of a wrestling draw.

This man sold out MSG more times than any wrestler before or after him. He held the championship for nearly eight years, and then won it back in the early 70s for another 1000-plus-day reign.

Crowds idolized his mix of iconic size and strength and skill. His matches were technical brilliance. Bruno had always been a huge proponent of Kurt Angle when WWE brass never really took to him.

He is a wrestling purist who predates the purists who troll the Internet today. He best represents the vision of wrestling Vincent J. McMahon had when he first broke WWWF away from the NWA, and in many ways can best contrast that vision with what Vincent K. McMahon has done with the company since taking over.

WWE has had many icons who drove the brand - Andre, Hulk Hogan, Macho Man, Bret Hart, Stone Cold, The Rock, Triple H, John Cena - but before any of them, Bruno was WWE's original icon. Congrats to Mr. Sammartino for finally getting his well-deserved recognition.

To honor him, here's one of his greatest matches: From August of 1977, a WWWF Championship match with Superstar Billy Graham.

TNA on tour

Dixie Carter gave one of her usual "this will change the sport of wrestling forever" announcements, and for once, it actually meant something. Once TNA tapes their next set of "One Night Only" pay-per-views in March, Impact Wrestling is leaving the Impact Zone in Orlando permanently.

They are ending their lease on the Universal Studios building that once housed "American Gladiators," WCW, and all of Nickelodeon's 90s game shows (GUTS, Legends of the Hidden Temple, Double Dare, etc.) and permanently taping their shows on their tour.

I love this move on the part of TNA for the sole reason that the crowds in Orlando were starting to go flat. There's only so much energy that can be drawn at shows where Universal tourists go in for free and are told who to cheer for.

The move made sense years ago because it guaranteed a full house for tapings and PPVs, but it's time to let the 5,000-seat arenas worldwide go crazy for the talent they see on TV every week.

There is a different feel to shows outside of Orlando. The UK pops for everything that happens, and most sites in the U.S. and Canada have reflected that at PPV events as well.

I will miss the Impact Zone, but a different layout every few shows is necessary to keep things fresh.

Best of luck to Impact Wrestling on these moves this year. Between this, their 4-PPV-per-year model and some surprisingly compelling storylines recently, TNA appears well on its way to being the superior watch during the week.

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