Questions are below, so let's start with the election.
The election of Donald Trump was a wakeup call for many Americans. As recently as last week most thought he had no chance, a year ago that number was exponentially larger. Today he's the president-elect. While Trump didn't win the popular vote, he was within .001 percent of the total votes cast. Those numbers and the incredible difference in rhetoric from the candidates points to a nation divided.
We can all agree that the wrestling community, as with much of the country, came a little unglued during this election cycle. While many progressives focused on the drum roll of insults laid out by president-elect Trump, the other half of the country focused on the corruption of the elite ruling class. Within our sport those who held blood and soil tightest tended to repeal any notion of continued balanced governance -- they thirsted for a revolt.
Within our sport the fights took place online -- the tip-tap of keystroked aggression ramping up as Election Day neared. The online echo chamber creates ideological silos, but with wrestling there seems to be enough overlap in politics to cause mass agitation, resulting is repeated shouts in to the abyss -- none fruitful, and all meant to sizzle and stoke rather than provide substantial calories of intellect.
Agree or disagree with the outcome, civil revolt by the people is what America does best. Nobody will die as a direct result of the next 90 days and the transition of power, despite the riots and despite the seeming uptick in racist and xenophobic acts. For America the pride comes from the electoral process, not being correct in your selection of the next leader, or self-righteous in the virtues of the runner-up. The elites were complacent and the system worked. Disruption won the day.
Maybe it's the fresh mountain air of Patagonia, or cruising on motorcycles watching indescribable vistas come and go, but I'm ready to move forward and greet the next cycle. Showboat if you must, despair if necessary, but each of us should be ready to engage in the next step of the democratic process.
We should all invest in those things we care about, love our neighbors and leave behind the divisiveness of 2016 so that in 2017 we do … not just shout.
To your questions …
J'den Cox at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Q: Do you think that there's any chance J'den Cox would move up to 285 pounds for the NCAA Championships? Barring injury, he's basically assured of a third title (with no redshirt year) at 197, which would be an awesome feat. But there are maybe 20 three-time champions. J'den would join the top of the all-time list (maybe right after Cael, alongside Gable) if he could win his third title by beating the defending Olympic champion. Think how awesome this would be. They could probably weigh in relatively close to one another (say, 215-230) so size wouldn't be a big deal. And it would be great for Snyder also, giving him the opportunity to defeat two different two-time champions in the finals (probably also something that hasn't been done before).
-- Irvonian
Foley: While this is a compelling matchup it feels more like a high-level scrimmage between bored wrestlers! These guys may certainly win their next titles with little issue, but I don't think they need to scan up or down to find their toughest opponent when they are constantly traveling overseas and wrestling the Caucuses.
The real question becomes, can either repeat their medal performance in Tokyo, and if so will that make them one of the all-tine best for the Stars and Stripes?
Q: With a number of wrestling documentaries bursting onto the scene, between the ones on Flo and the ones that you worked on for UWW, could you list a few wrestlers who you would like to see future documentaries filmed about? Obviously, if someone went to Russia and did one on Alexander Karelin that would be amazing. I would also put Chris Campbell out there. I think he was supposed to be on the Olympic team in 1980 when the U.S. boycotted, and then he came back in '92 and won bronze in Barcelona when he was almost 38. Probably an interesting story to tell there.
-- Mark R.
Foley: The docu-film industry in the sport of wrestling is BOOMING! Yes, United World Wrestling and FloWrestling have both been producing some great docs, but I'd keep your eye out for the Olympic Channel as well. They have a number of original series featuring Olympians and future Olympians from all their sports. Wrestling has been promoted a few times, and there is work to get a lot more in the future.
One item that seems to be coming for sure is a documentary on Alexander Karelin! Not sure in what format or length, but the production company is excellent and the Olympic channel doesn't do bad content.
As for specific UWW projects in the works -- we'll see!
MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME
UFC 205 on Saturday night in NYC is going to be legit …
Q: Of these wrestlers turned MMA fighters, who in your opinion made the best transition and why: Logan Storley, Ed Ruth, Henry Cejudo, and T.J. Dillashaw?
-- Gregg Y.
Foley: Big ups to Ed Ruth and Tyrell Fortune for winning their Bellator debuts last week. While I was happy to see them both come out as dominating forces, I think the experience likely worked to humble both. Ruth was rocked early and you could tell he hadn't been hit like that in the gym.
From your list I think T.J. Dillashaw is clearly the most successful and made the most impressive transition. He's a confident fighter with superb striking and solid grappling.
We still have to see about Logan Storley…
Q: Do you happen to know why Macedonia and Montenegro were suspended by the UWW? The website just states that they were suspended but doesn't give any additional info.
-- Mark R.
Foley: Failure to pay necessary fees.
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