I'm inclined to forgive a lot of crap. I'm usually willing to believe in the best in people, unless they give me a reason not to. But unless you know the people involved, who's to say where the truth lies in the muddle of speculation?

A little background first, for those who don't already know. David Lee Roth was kicked out of Van Halen by the Brothers Van Halen, Alex and Eddie, but mostly Eddie. The story from the Van Halens was that Dave quit voluntarily because he wanted to work on a solo career. Dave's story was that, yes, he wanted to do some solo stuff, but never wanted to quit the band until Eddie told him he was fired. So, having no reason not to, I bought the official Van Halen line that Dave left of his own accord. Flash forward several years to when Dave's replacement, Sammy Hagar, was forced out of the band. Sammy's story was that he didn't want to leave his pregnant wife's side in order to go to the studio, so Eddie fired him. Eddie's story was that Sammy wanted to go back to being a solo artist. Sound familiar?

I know, I know. What does any of this have to do with wrestling? I'll tell you what: People have spoken to me, and I've read on the 'Net, about Vincent K. McMahon's spitefulness. I was always willing to shrug it off as "Oh, so-and-so's just got an axe to grind." I'm afraid I can't do that any longer.

I was watching the end of the 28 May RAW, in which Chris Benoit, in Steve Austin's Crossface, did not tap out, yet Vinnie Mac called for the bell and announced the end of the match, with Austin getting the victory. This was done with Stu and Bruce Hart in attendance in the front row. I know, I know. Jericho came out and he and Benoit proceeded to beat on Vince and Austin, but the whole "Ring the damn bell" echoes of the Montreal Screwjob seemed unnecessarily crude.

Did it really add that much to the show? Wouldn't the same end result have been achieved with Vinny Mac distracting the ref, allow Austin to waffle Benoit with the title belt, then Jericho enters and the faces clean house? Why open up that painful wound when it seemed like the one caused by the death of Owen Hart was just starting to heal?

I was inclined to, while not really side with Vince in regards to Montreal, at least understand why he felt he had to do what he did. He felt he couldn't run the risk of Bret Hart showing up on WCW Monday Nitro with the WWF Heavyweight Championship Belt. So he did what he thought he had to do. It's not what I would've done if I were in his shoes, but there was a reason behind it. The Calgary Screwjob, for lack of a better term, just seemed tasteless and spiteful. When something happens once, you can rationalize it away. When the same thing happens twice, then it's time to re-evaluate the way you look at the personalities involved. Vince McMahon is an extraordinary businessman, but he's also a bitter and spiteful human being.