HAPPY 25TH ANNIVERSARY SMALLVILLE!!!

 

Twenty-Five years ago Smallville debuted on the WB (now the CW network) in the fall of 2001. The producers of the show turned the town of Smallville into a character unto itself. Clark Kent's arrival in a rocket ship caused a meteor shower and changed everyone's lives. Today there is an explosion of superhero movies and TV shows on every channel but in 2001 that was not the case. In syndication you had Hercules and Xena but they were starting to wind down their runs.  Most networks were focusing on teen dramas once the WB network found success with Dawson's Creek. 

The genius of Smallville was that it was a superhero show mixed with teen drama featuring a young Clark Kent who is 16, in high school, and finds out that he is an alien. In Smallville Clark Kent (Tom Welling) was a nerd, an outsider who never fit in. He was in love with his best friend Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) but he couldn't say anything because she was in a relationship with the football captain. Like any regular teenager that deals with puberty, Clark's powers would manifest themselves at awkward times. All these things made Superman who has been portrayed as so perfect since the end of World War Two, more relatable to the audience. 

One of the biggest reasons that Smallville succeeded was because of the relationship between Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) and Clark Kent. As fans we not only got to see the evolution of Clark Kent into Superman but we also see how Lex Luthor becomes the man he is. Through the machinations of his father Lionel Luthor (John Glover), Lex becomes the tyrant we know him to be. Clark and Lex start as friends but over 7 seasons Clark and Lex become enemies as they both embrace their destinies. 

As Smallville moved on they introduced new characters and other heroes into the show. Characters like Lois Lane (Erica Durance) and Green Arrow (Justin Hartley) entered Smallville. When Kristin Kreuk and Michael Rosenbaum left the show in season 8, the relationship between Clark and Lois became the centerpiece of the show until its end in season 10. 

In Season 8 Clark moved to Metropolis and embraced his superhero identity known as "The Blur". As a fan I always wanted to see Tom Welling in the classic Superman suit and I always thought it was wrong that he never wore it on the show. In hindsight, Clark never needed the classic suit and his "blur" costumes were very modern and would fit well in today's superhero culture.  

Since it ended in 2010, superheroes have become big business in movies and television with Marvel and DC battling for supremacy. The CW network has garnered big ratings with shows like Arrow, Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow on its programming slate. Today, Warner Brothers has struggled to make Superman relevant with movies like Man of Steel and Batman vs. Superman being critically panned. Its possible that if they stayed with the formula that Smallville started they might be more successful. 

Smallville was one of the most successful TV shows ever, airing for 10 seasons. It introduced Clark Kent and Superman to a new generation of fans and delighted longtime fans. 25 years after its debut, it is still fondly remembered as a precursor to what we see now.

Thank you Smallville. 

THE PROFESSOR

 

THANK YOU BROCK LESNAR

 

At SummerSlam Oba Femi defeated Brock Lesnar and on Tuesday August 4^th Lesnar announced his retirement from WWE. Brock Lesnar at 6 foot 3 and 287 pounds has been one of the most dominant and intimidating big men in professional wrestling for the last 25 years. He has had great feuds with The Rock, Kurt Angle, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Bobby Lashley, Cody Rhodes and Oba Femi. Lesnar has won championships in WWE and UFC. 

He is widely considered as the most decorated athlete in combat sports. His accomplishments include being a 10-time WWE World Champion, Former IWGP Heavyweight Champion in NJPW, 2002 King of the Ring winner, 2 Time Royal Rumble winner, 2019 Money in the Bank winner. He ended The Undertaker's legendary 21-0 WrestleMania undefeated streak. Lesnar is an NCAA Division I Heavyweight Wrestling Champion and a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. Brock Lesnar is one of the biggest crossover stars in combat sports history.

Brock Lesnar is a once in a lifetime superstar like Andre The Giant, Hulk Hogan, Macho Man, or The Rock. Other wrestlers and MMA stars will be compared to him but Lesnar is 1 of 1. Thank you Brock Lesnar for the impact you made on combat sports. You're a living legend. 

Class Dismissed,

The Pop Culture Professor

THANK YOU JOHN CENA

 

Tonight John Cena, the face of the WWE since 2005 has his last match against Gunther on Saturday Night's Main Event. For many wrestling fans this is an end of an era in professional wrestling. 

Like Bruno Sammartino and Hulk Hogan before him, WWE marketed Cena to kids and families as a superhero. Cena has had major feuds with Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Rob Van Dam, The Big Show, Brock Lesnar,  Triple H, Batista, CM Punk, Kevin Owens, A.J. Styles, Dominik Mysterio and The Rock. Cena has taken his success in wrestling and parlayed that into a successful Hollywood career

For two decades, John Cena has been the top star in pro wrestling. No other champion in WWE history has had that type of longevity in pro wrestling. He has held 17 World Championships. Now he moves aside so that men like Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns can shape the future of WWE. 

Thank you John Cena for what you've done for the wrestling industry. Whether fans loved you or hated you you always gave us everything you had. The last time may be now, but your legend will last forever. 

THE POP CULTURE PROFESSOR

R.I.P. HULK HOGAN AND THANK YOU

 

On July 24th, 2025, Hulk Hogan (a.k.a. Terry Gene Bollea), the biggest wrestling superstar in modern wrestling history died. I became a fan of Hogan in 1991 during the time of Wrestlemania 7. Hogan would face Sgt. Slaughter for the World Heavyweight Championship. Hogan's career began in the 1970's in the south in places like Alabama and Tennessee when wrestling was broken up in to different territories. From 1979 to 1981, Hulk worked for Vincent J. McMahon. in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). In 1981, Hulk left the WWWF to appear in Rocky 3 as Thunderlips. Hogan entered the American Wrestling Association (AWA) in 1981 and became a hero to the fans there. He left in 1983 to work for Vincent K. McMahon in the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). 

When Hulk Hogan entered the WWE in 1983, he was marketed as a superhero. He defeated the Iron Sheik, an Iranian sympathizer in 1984 to become the World Champion. This was a time when fans still remembered the Iranian hostage crisis and Hulk Hogan was an American hero. At 6'7 and 300 pounds, Hulk Hogan had a superhero appeal to fans. WWE marketed him to the hilt having him face all the major villains of that era like Rowdy Roddy Piper and monsters like King Kong Bundy. Hogan would have his biggest win, literally and figuratively against Andre The Giant at Wrestlemania 3. With that win Hogan cemented his legacy as a superstar. In 1994, Hogan left WWE for World Championship Wrestling. His presence in WCW made the company into a national powerhouse. Hulk Hogan is the only wrestler that was apart of two companies that he helped become mainstream entities.

Hulk Hogan was the biggest superstar in the modern era. His success in the 1980's provided the foundation for the success WWE enjoys today. He had a complicated personal life but we all do. I hope his legacy is his love for people and his love for the wrestling business. Thank you Hulkster for the memories.

THE POP CULTURE PROFESSOR

THANK YOU BILL GOLDBERG

 

Bill Goldberg a.k.a. Goldberg will wrestle tonight on Saturday Night's Main Event against Gunther, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Whether Goldberg wins or loses and if as rumors suggest, this is his last match I just want to use this platform to say Thank you to one of the most intense, and polarizing personalities to step into a pro wrestling ring. 

On September 22, 1997 Bill Goldberg debuted on WCW Monday Nitro and was a relative unknown to the wrestling fans in the arena as well as the TV audience. Standing at 6 foot 4 inches and weighing 285 pounds, the former football player, certainly had an impressive look and presence. That night he would go on to defeat his opponent, using two moves that would become his trademark, the spear and the jackhammer.

After that night, Bill Goldberg went on a winning streak that catapulted him to the top of the wrestling industry. Fans were captivated by his intensity and the fact that it seemed that he could destroy anyone.  Goldberg was also a man of few words, like Clint Eastwood in the spaghetti westerns. After winning a match he would look into the camera and ask one question: "Who's Next?" 

With over 100 wins he faced Hulk Hogan for the World Heavyweight Championship on July 6, 1998 less than a year after he officially debuted. Goldberg would defeat Hulk Hogan that night and win the World Championship. After that night Goldberg was thrust into the national spotlight appearing on talk shows and tv commercials. 

In 2001 WCW was sold to the WWE. Goldberg would not appear in WWE until 2003 due to his contract with WCW. In WWE, Goldberg would have feuds with stars like The Rock, Triple H, and Brock Lesnar in WWE from 2003 to 2004. Goldberg would leave the WWE in 2004 after winning a match against Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 20. 

Goldberg would return to the WWE in 2016 after being challenged to a match by Brock Lesnar at that year's Survivor Series event. He would defeat Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series and make sporadic appearances in WWE for the next 9 years facing stars like Brock Lesnar, Bobby Lashley, Dolph Ziggler, and Kevin Owens. In 2018 Goldberg was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. 

Thank you Bill Goldberg for your contributions to the wrestling industry. You were a superhero to many fans around the world including myself and I hope you enjoy this last run.

Class Dismissed, 

THE POP CULTURE PROFESSOR

THANK YOU STING

 

On Sunday, March 3rd, Sting will have his last match at Revolution. The next pay-per-view event for All Elite Wrestling. With his athletic ability, muscular physique, and painted face, Sting captured the imagination of fans all over the world. Sting began his career in 1985 and for almost 40 years has worked in every major promotion in the United States including the NWA, WCW, TNA, WWE, and AEW. 

During his legendary career, Sting has faced some of the biggest stars in pro wrestling including, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Macho Man Randy Savage, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Lex Luger, The Big Show, Nikita Koloff, Big Van Vader, Rick Rude, The Great Muta, and Scott Steiner. Sting has won 14 World titles during his career in WCW and TNA.

The biggest moment in Sting's career happened when he defeated Hollywood Hulk Hogan at Starrcade'97 to become WCW World heavyweight champion. Sting became a global superstar and a wrestling icon at Starrcade. 

Thank you Stinger. Thank you for all the wonderful moments you gave to millions of fans around the world. When Sting retires on March 3rd, it will truly be the end of an era. 

THE PROFESSOR

OPINION: PART II OF THE TOP 5 MOST IMPORTANT AND MEMORABLE BIG MEN AND GIANTS IN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING

 

Welcome to Part 2 (Part 1 is here) of this article on the most memorable big men and giants that have left an indelible mark in the annals of pro wrestling. I would like to start with the one of the best villains in pro wrestling: 

4. ERNIE LADD

Ernie Ladd was one one of the biggest men to ever enter the wrestling ring at 6 foot 9 and 320 pounds. Ladd started his career in wrestling in the 60's after a successful NFL career with teams like the Chargers and the Oilers. The 60's was a time of racial turmoil in America and Ernie Ladd was one of the first black villains. He won many championships in the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) during the territory days while having great feuds with Andre The Giant, Dusty Rhodes, The Von Erichs, and The Junkyard Dog.

5. BROCK LESNAR

Brock Lesnar at 6 foot 3 and 287 pounds has been one of the most dominant and intimidating big men in professional wrestling for the last 20 years. He has had great feuds with The Rock, Kurt Angle, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Bobby Lashley, and Cody Rhodes. Lesnar has won championships in WWE and UFC. He is widely considered as the most decorated athlete in combat sports. 

Professional wrestling has been filled with many big men and giants during the past 50 years. These five men have left an indelible mark in pro wrestling for not only their size but their impact on this business. I hope you enjoyed Part 2 of this article.

THE POP CULTURE PROFESSOR