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WHY DIESEL’S SUCCESS EATS RAZOR RAMON ALIVE

( Three page article in four images with the first one being the title featuring Razor and Diesel)

(Page 1)

By Bryan Ethier

THERE ARE NIGHTS when he can’t bear to hear the deafening blare of the diesel truck’s horn. There are nights when the ring announcer’s echoing introduction of “Big Daddy Cool” nearly sends him running from the wrestling arena, and away from the sport that once made him an icon.

Today, he is a man on the razor’s edge.

(A year ago, Razor Ramon was Intercontinental champ and the most popular man in the WWF. Now the “Bad Guy” isn’t such a hot commodity. And it burns him to see that Diesel is.)

[BOLD, SMALL TEXT] One reason Ramon seethes as soon as he sees Diesel is Jeff Jarrett. Diesel manhandled “Double-J” in a series of bouts (top left), while Razor, although he pinned Jarrett several times (above), ultimately came up short in their feud.

A year ago, Razor Ramon towered over the rest of the WWF community. He was the street-smart, 6′8“ Intercontinental champ, the “Bad Guy” with the devilish, crooked grin. He walked around with a toothpick jutting [...] [CONTINUED ON PAGE 2] [...] out of one corner of his mouth, the slick hair, and the 48-hour beard. He looked every bit the cool, entertaining Miami socialite.

Then a funny thing happened, only Ramon found nothing humorous in it. On his way to taking over as the best wrestler in the WWF, an ostentatious bleached-blond with dreams of ruling the billboard country singles chart beat him and took away his Intercontinental title. And when Jeff Jarrett beat Razor Ramon for the I-C crown, he stripped the “Bad Guy” of his gold, and in the process, much of his heart, his drive, ... and his power over the souls of his fans.

Although tall enough to pick up Michael Jordon, Razor Ramon today looks small. Perhaps that’s because every time he sees Diesel wearing the WWF World belt, he feels like he stands about 4′10“. These days, the “Bad Guy” is the “Jealous Guy.” He knows that he should be the one serenading fair maidens, as Diesel has done. He recognises that he is as talented as Diesel, as powerful as Diesel, as intimidating as Diesel, and almost as big as Diesel.

But why can’t Ramon come to grips with the fact that Diesel today is the WWF personified?

“It’s more than jealousy,” confided one WWF fan favorite. “Razor once beat Diesel for the I-C title. He is as physically dominating a wrestler as is Diesel. But he lacks these things: He lacks the friends, he lacks Diesel’s confidence and steely glare, and he lacks the mettle to consistently win big matches. It’s killing him, and his wrestling has suffered for it.”

The demographics prove Diesel is today’s true superstar. He is popular with fans of all ages. Ramon’s popularity is somewhat limited to women who love a man [...] [CONTINUED ON PAGE 3]

[BOLD, SMALL TEXT] Tatanka is just one of many, many men Diesel has pinned this year. On the other hand, Razor has had trouble putting together even modest winning streaks after fully expected 1995 to be his year.

[...] who oozes machismo. More important, no wrestler today has an entourage as charismatic and influential as Diesel. Consider that his unofficial list of cornermen includes news I-C champ Shawn Michaels and Bam Bam Bigelow, two of wrestling’s most popular wrestlers. These three effuse so much energy that it’s impossible to dislike them.

Conversely, Razor’s closest ally is Savio Vega, a friend and capable wrestler. But this duo has yet to distinguish itself in the tag team division. And Vega, unlike Michaels, doesn’t have movie-star looks and attitude.

Then there is the Diesel stare, which is as formidable as Waylon’s Mercy’s sleeperhold. Ramon’s peckish grin works well ... If he has a belt around his [...] [CONTINUED IN NEXT ROW]

[BOLD, SMALL TEXT] Ramon probably feels like exploding when he sees pictures like this. We’re not saying WWF head Vince McMahon shows favoritism towards “Big Daddy Cool,” but it’s no secret he thinks he makes a terrific champion.

[BOLD, SMALL TEXT] You can only expect Ramon to let this jealousy eat at him for a little while longer. He’ll have to act on his feelings sooner or later. When he does, expect more Diesel-Ramon wars.

[...] waist. Therein lies Ramon’s problem. He is a champion stripped of his badge of greatness. And Diesel seems reluctant to offer his nemesis a shot at the World belt.

So just how jealous is Ramon, and will it affect his future in the WWF? People are already beginning to talk about the possibility of him turning rule breaker.

It seems hard to believe that a man as upbeat as the “Bad Guy” could turn had just because he is jealous. Furthermore, Ramon has yet to publicly denounce “Big Daddy Cool.”

Maybe he should. Perhaps he should just have a man-to-man chat with Diesel and open up to him. Be a little vulnerable. Cry a bit. Talk about his emotions. Who are we kidding? That will never happen. What could occur is this: Razor Ramon will continue to struggle in the ring, continue to lose tag team matches with Savio Vega, and his popularity will continue to wane. Depression will set in, but just briefly.