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By CHRIS JOHNSON chrisj@leader.net
Tuesday, February 01, 2000 Page: 1A
WILKES-BARRE TWP. – Monday night’s WCW “Nitro” at the First Union Arena
showcased everything people love and loathe about professional wrestling: bad
language, violent gestures and sexual tension.
And that was just the audience.
More than 8,000 people filled the sold-out arena, and most came fired up.
Typical was Gary Yale, an 18-year-old woodworker from Plains Township.
Minutes before the action began, Yale walked up to a blue railing on the
arena’s lower level, thrust his hips forward and shot up his arms like a Super
Bowl champion.
“Yeah,” he screamed at no one in particular.
Excitement was encouraged. From 8 to 10 p.m., “Nitro,” a weekly feature
on TNT, is broadcast live.
“It’s a nice showcase for the new building,” said arena marketing
director Kathleen Bird. “There’s nothing like getting national coverage for a
building that’s only been open a few months.”
Fans knew it and came prepared.
Joe Jasulevicz, 13, of Wilkes-Barre, spent part of his day off from school
Monday decorating posterboard signs with phrases such as “Buff is the
Stuff.”
“It’s like a soap opera,” he said. “You’ve got to stay tuned.”
When the arena’s doors opened at 6:30 p.m., hundreds were already waiting
in line. A few came with their faces painted white with black accents like the
wrestler Sting. Others paid $5 for plastic Sting masks.
Young men and teenage boys comprised most, but not all, of the
knowledgeable crowd. A.J. Pollack, 18, of Hazleton, accompanied her boyfriend,
John Jadush.
“I came to see Buff (Bagwell),” Pollack said. “I think he’s got a good
body, that’s why I like to watch (Nitro).”
“That’s fine by me,” Jadush, 19, responded.
“That’s all right, he’ll be checking out the Nitro Girls anyway,” Pollack
said.
Before the televised show began, the Nitro Girls warmed up the audience
with a loosely choreographed dance number. They wore bikini tops and shiny,
tight shorts.
The announcer brought the crowd to a frenzy.
“Thirty seconds, we’re going live all the way around the world. Get up on
your feet,” he said.
A countdown. Some loud fireworks, and the fans came to their feet, many
shaking homemade signs touting things such as “Flair is God,” “N.E.P.A
Loves Goldberg,” and “Hi, I’m Jon.”
The ring was in the middle of the arena floor. At one end hung a curtain
from which the wrestlers emerged. Two large television screens showed what
“Nitro” looked like to fans at home.
The show started with members of nWo, a renegade sect of the WCW, walking
to the mat.
The audience immediately showered them with chants of “You Suck” and
later a refrain of “A–hole.” Others waved their middle fingers and appeared
genuinely angry at the wrestlers, who taunted them in return.
Fans were rewarded with the return of Ric Flair, a wrestling icon who’d
been away from the game. They were also rewarded with action.
Within the first hour, wrestlers had beat up on each other with a crutch, a
garbage can and a folding metal chair.
It was what fans know and love about the sport.
“I get a kick out of it for the kids,” said Tom Hoppey of Hazleton, who
bought tickets for his sons Kyle, 13 and Cody, 11, as Christmas presents.
Call Johnson at 829-7226.