The Wichita State Shockers shocked the world (note: I am a great writer) with a 78-65 victory over the second-seeded Kansas Jayhawks on Sunday, ruining the few remaining perfect NCAA tournament brackets. One could even call it a “swerve.” Where could Wichita State have learned such a thing?
♫ WeeEEEEEEeeell …. ♫
It’s at this point in the tournament we have to remind you that in the early 90s, Wichita State’s blue-chipper center was none other than WWE Superstar Big Show, years before he’d join WCW, break Hulk Hogan’s neck twice in a month, and fall off a building and die following a rooftop monster truck sumo battle. Wrestling is weird. Here’s Show in simpler times:
Don’t worry though, he was still the man you know. Here’s an anecdote from Fox Sports depicting teen Paul Wight as the victim of college basketball smarks.
I should point out that I worked in Wichita while Wight was playing there and remember specifically that when he came into the games, parts of the crowd would start singing the theme from the Addams Family. “That happened once,” he said.
He was just so huge, nearly 7 feet, and most people didn’t realize he was actually athletic. He didn’t look it. So the comparison to Lurch was right there in front of snarky college kids.
I wonder if he cried when it happened?
Wichita State is really missing out by not having Show at games to hold his hand in the air, curl it down into a fist and say the Shockers are about to “knock someone out” of the tournament. Maybe Notre Dame will bring in Kane?
