I’m not talking about a real goat here so please stay with me! 🐐 So, warriors what does an actual goat have to do with this week’s post? I thought about that for a bit and realized how hilarious it would be to use a REAL goat instead of my original idea. Am sure you’ve all heard this expression by now of #GOAT. If you haven’t, it stands for the“Greatest of All Time.” Some athletes have even uttered (or should I say uddered!) 😉it about themselves or use with their twitter handle. My original idea involving pro-wrestlers was to list so many names- mostly from my generation on a huge piece of paper. I still will make that list in this post but an actual pic of a goat made me laugh! It’s great to have humor…
The Greatest of All Time is such a huge concept to even consider. We only seem to mention this with sports for some reasons. If it does apply to other interests, let me know! Do we say we’re the greatest parent of all time? No, because none of us parents are. How about other professions like teaching? I never said that about myself and never will. Does anyone say they’re the greatest driver of all time? Cook? Dancer? How about writer? ( wink, wink!) ~~ Sub any words of your choice. Maybe some use that expression but most don’t. Why is it just for athletes? Even movie stars or other famous people don’t refer to #GOAT.
After the horrific helicopter crash ending the life of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and several others💔, my son had a conversation with me and his Dad. He was deeply affected by this tragedy. Of course, Kobe and his very exceptional life achievements were all over the news. My son asked if Kobe would be considered a #GOAT. So interesting to answer considering his remarkable career. My answer to him was that I believe it to be generational. I know this is how it comes across with other sports and not just basketball. 🏀
There is so much to factor in with the equation of being a #GOAT. Sure, some use it as an ego boost and in many ways, that does help. Some use it too much in an unhealthy way where humility is forgotten. Kobe Bryant had tremendous respect for others in his sport before him that set such precedents. For his generation, yes he would be a #GOAT but overall, no. I bet he’d agree. You might not and that’s fine. I mean absolutely no disrespect to him at all.
Just because someone is your favorite athlete, would that make them a #GOAT? Nope, that’s just your opinion and you can have one. For women, it is a little different considering they haven’t participated in professional sports as long as men so the generation gap will be closer together. It’s similar to someone getting inducted into a Hall of Fame. Popularity isn’t the only factor. It’s quite an arduous process. Maybe some of you think I’d be extremely biased and choose the Ultimate Warrior as a #GOAT. I would not. There are those that will agree but there are those that won’t. Lots factor in. Warrior didn’t even truly want a title belt much so being a #GOAT would not be part of his mindset. Realistically, it shouldn’t even be a hashtag or part of social media at all. It certainly does spark conversations though that never seem to end.
Brother Love of WWE fame is quoted as saying at the time of the steel cage match between “Macho King” Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior that the Macho King is “the Greatest World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion of all time past, present, and future.” That was in 1991. I know Randy and Warrior were close but is Randy a #GOAT? BTW– that steel cage match is mentioned in my book Spirit and Belief as “Me Next!”
Hulk Hogan started a whole new generation of entertainment with his All-American look which skyrocketed to mainstream culture. Is he a #GOAT? Well, Mean Gene Okerlund stated that before Hulk’s WMVI interview. Some could say definitely yes but again generations play a significant role. One cannot even compare yesteryear’s “technical” wrestlers to today’s “entertaining” performers. The #GOAT’s will always be there and we all have a say.
Well, here’s my list I mentioned from the beginning so keep in mind many others. Again, my generation as you will all have yours…
*** Possible #GOAT’s? ( am not listing Tag Teams or women)
* Hulk Hogan, *”Macho Man” Randy Savage, 💙Ultimate Warrior, Andre the Giant, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Honky Tonk Man, Bret “The Hitman” Hart, *Undertaker, *“Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Sting, Shawn Michaels, “Ravishing” Rick Rude, “The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith ( HOF this year!) “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson, and John Cena.
*** I tried to list a few more than just the 80’s! You can add others as I trimmed this list! ~~Notice how I * the Undertaker for those who have heard my stories! U.W. gets a 💙not an *. Also, you can’t compare Hulk’s generation to that of John Cena’s.
P.S. Whoever your #GOAT is, I’m kinda fond of the REAL goat up above. They’ve always been my favorite on a farm or petting zoo! They’re so animated and entertainers “of All Time!”
~~~ Personally, Warrior will always be my #GOAT for many reasons. 💙😉🙏🏻
mywarriorwritings.com 