September, 1999
by Kevin Kelly
Cleveland's Municipal Stadium is now just a distant memory. The "Mistake by the Lake," as it was known, was a miserable old yard highlighted by howling winds and bad sight lines. It was once the home of the baseball Indians and the football Browns.
It was also home on winter Sunday afternoons to a rowdy bunch known as "The Dog Pound"-- loyal Browns' fans who usually braved inclement weather to make the Browns' opponents miserable. They occupied one end of the field and when they weren't pitching snowballs at the enemy team, they were woofing and howling in hopes of distracting their foe's offensive flow. Teams hated going to Cleveland and they hated facing the wrath of the Pound!
The Road Dogg has grown up before our eyes in the World Wrestling Federation. Fresh out of military service in the U.S. Marine Corps as a part of Operation Desert Storm in Kuwait, we were first introduced to the youngest member of the famous Armstrong wrestling family as The Roadie, a loyal sidekick of Double J Jeff Jarrett. While playing second fiddle to the purported country singer, the Roadie was entertaining as an annoying distraction to Jarrett's foes.
Later miscast as the "Real" Double J Jesse James, the Road Dogg got back to his roots when he teamed with Badd Ass Billy Gunn to form the New Age Outlaws-- perhaps the greatest tag team ever in the Federation. When the Outlaws were absorbed as part of D-Generation X, they maintained their unique charm and charisma, but it was under the banner of the degenerate army. As the popularity of DX and the Outlaws continued to grow, we began to see the Road Dogg emerge with his own unique energy and we saw a solo star begin to blossom.
That energy became his safety net when the Outlaws broke up. Perhaps hindsight shows us that the breakup of the New Age Outlaws had little to do with jealousy and more to do with both men just growing into their own characters, considering the solo success each is now enjoying. While "Mr. A-Double-Crooked-Letter" has alienated a number of fans who used to cheer for him, the Road Dogg has made the crowd even more a part of his show than when he was an Outlaw. To that extent, Road Dogg, who had only known Federation success as a part of a group or unit is now a star in his own right. He is the "Leader of the Pack" and the audience responds to every command!
This young man has also matured a great deal before our eyes as well. Is he now ready to lead his own group of Federation Superstars fighting under the Dogg House banner? If so, who could be part of the crew?
The first name that jumps off the page is Hardcore Holly. We have seen how tough this man is and he has elevated his game to that mythical "next level." Holly and the Dogg are no strangers and the former Hardcore Champion perhaps hits harder than anyone on the roster. One thing that Holly has captured over the past year is a command of psychology or the reasoning behind executing a particular move at the right time. The right psychology in the ring brings about economy of movement and a more efficient use of energy. Holly's fantastic conditioning gives him a bigger reserve tank than most, but his recent improvements are leading to faster wins and matches that make more sense.
Despite his improvements, Holly might benefit from time in the right group. His J.O.B. Squad experience helped, but it was unfortunately short-lived. Running with the "Big Dogs" in the House might be the most logical source of further growth and development for Hardcore Holly.
It is me or has the Big Boss Man improved more than just about anyone? It's hard to believe that a veteran of over 15 years in the ring would still have the internal drive to clean up areas of his game that he was dissatisfied with in order to grow. That self-improvement campaign has brought about significant improvement and re-energized a certian mean streak that always burned inside the former corrections officer, but had been relatively dormant prior to his return to the Federation.
History will record the Big Boss Man as one of the toughest men ever to enter the squared circle and can't you just picture him rolling with the Road Dogg as a member of the Dogg House? He has the look, the size and the intensity to conquer any challenge placed before him and his renaissance has been the biggest obstacle that he cleared with room to spare. The Boss Man is certainly one man you don't want to have a bone to pick with!
They've been friends for years and were former mates within DX, so it's only logical to put X-Pac in this snarling pen. The multi-time European and Federation Tag team Champion whose face should be in the dictionary next to the word "resilient," is one of the most underrated tacticians. A true student of the game, X-Pac could be the grounding force in this speculative venture. A young veteran and a savvy fighter, the Bronco Buster's creator has blended martial arts expertise with years of skill to form a hybrid of styles that's difficult to scout.
It might be difficult to see that someone who usually runs on pure adrenaline like X-Pac could be a calming force within any group; but what has happened to this young man since WrestleMania XV when Triple H betrayed his trust and friendship has brought about focus, maturity and a thicker skin. Believe it or not, X-Pac is better for all the negative events that have occurred in his life.
How about a reunion with Jeff Jarrett? He and Road Dogg certainly know each other well and that chemistry could get the group off the ground quickly. Jarrett has never shown to be a good team player, but this time could be different. He is a big-time player and may find strength in numbers the Dogg House would offer to be an attractive enticement.
Speaking of attractive enticements, Debra's name must be included in any discussion of the Dogg House. After all, she is an animal lover. (OK, you caught me!) Her puppies could be right at home in the Dogg House! (There, I said it! Are you happy?)
Now that the animals living in the end zone of the old Municipal Stadium get set to bark again with the Browns return to the NFL, the intimidation and home field advantage for the newer, improved Cleveland franchise will be immediate. If the Road Dogg gets his Dogg House filled with the right kind of beasts, there may be no escape for their opponents as they would enjoy the home field advantage every night.
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