lol. I didn't think it was so noticable by "mainstream" america, the wrestling references and all. The whole sign thing started about 2 weeks after the first show aired, that Cartman signs started popping up on the various wrestling shows. It started with WWF Monday Night Raw on the USA network, they seemed to have it first, then WCW fans jumped in on it a couple weeks later. Even ECW fans are in on it, with their "Hardcore Eric Cartman" and "Taz Killed Kenny" signs. A couple WWF wrestlers have taken to wearing SP shirts on a regular basis as well. None the less, I guess it's no secret that the creators of the show are wrestling fans with all the "hidden" references on the toon. Rumors on wrestling hotlines say that the WWF is trying to get some sort of deal going with them, and are close to coming to one. Who knows, we might see WWF wrestlers on South Park, or South Park on Monday Night Raw some day in some form or another. Just rumors though.
For those hoping for some SP skits, or even mentions of it (besides signs) to show up on WCW television, don't count on it. The Ted Turner owned WCW and TNT networks tend to stick to the "clean image" so they don't offend people (you know how DDP got his "BANG!" saying? It's because they wouldn't let him say his old "Good Gawd" saying anymore). Now THAT'S playing it safe! Wrestlers have gotten in trouble for slipping up at times. Turner is uptight i guess :) SP obviouly offends lots of people (haha!). Meanwhile, the 1998 WWF is more adult focused, it's on at a later time, and you've got guys running around giving eachother the finger on live TV, swearing up a storm, pointing at their crotch, even playing strip poker in the ring, and mooning the cameras. Right up South Parks adult humor type alley. lol.
If the World Wrestling Federation can afford to pay Mike Tyson 6 million dollars to appear at Wrestlemania (even though the dopey announcers at WCW will try to make think they're going out of business), they can certainly afford to cough up at least a million and do something with the creators of the show. We'll see.
Kel
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