It appears as if the dawn of the 21st Century is the best time to be a wrestling fan. With wrestling more popular than its ever been, it appears that both separately and together, the "big three" have ironically found themselves at a crossroads only ten months into the new millennium that could lead all three companies to profound success - or total failure.

The WWF, which has reached a level of popularity, recognition, exposure and acceptance that dwarfs even the most popular Hulkamania days, is now ready to throw its hat from the ring into the football field as the XFL gets ready to kickoff - pardon the pun - this February. With tougher rules, more cameras then Survivor Island and the blessing of NBC, Vince McMahon will see if his Midas touch has the same effect on Astroturf that it had on canvas.

Personally - I don't think it will. There is no denying the success that McMahon has had in taking his father's company from a small regional promotion to the most popular cable show on television, but history shows that when he tries to take his talents elsewhere - it meets with little success. Want proof? Remember the World Body Building Federation? And what about IcoPro? Both didn't fly. Will the XFL? Only time will tell, but I'll tell you this - I would be happy to be proven wrong.

Moving on to the WCW, its no secret that successfully this is the worst time in history for the Atlanta based member of the "big three". With arenas hardly near capacity, wrestler fighting in the corporate offices instead of the ring - and losses of $50 to $80 million dollars a year - the company is in desperate need of someone to do a run-in and make the save if they want to survive this three way dance. Enter Mandalay Broadcasting. A company that owns several sports companies around the U.S. - and also happens to employ Eric Bischoff - which is considering purchasing the WCW from its current owner, AOL.

My opinion? I don't know if a new owner will make any difference at this stage of the game. It didn't when Time Warner bought it from Turner and when AOL swallowed Time Warner - things went from bad to worse. This does, however, give Bischoff another shot at taking the reigns of the WCW and see if he can catch up to the other members of the "big three". He did it once before with the nWo - but this is a new world - and if he can keep order in the locker room, the corporate offices, and the bridge of his sinking ship - then maybe he can cook RAW with a little Nitro.

The ECW just came off the heels of Anarchy Rules as hometown boy Jerry Lynn scores a just incredible victory to become the new ECW champion. But while Lynn celebrates his victory - Paul Heyman faces a hardcore handicap match of his own against the WWF and the National Network.

On the air with TNN for a little under a year, Heyman has already had his share of battles with "The Network" over falling ratings and foul language, but now that TNN got pop and got RAW - Heyman finds himself at a disadvantage. Once the smallest of the "big three" but the biggest wrestling show on The Nashville Network - he is now on the same network with a different name and RAW is WAR as its main draw. And if McMahon's usual affection for competition is the same as ever - Heyman will find himself off of the only network he is on - and in Extreme trouble.

So what does the 21st Century have in store for the "big three"? No one knows - but I know this - history dictates that from conflict, peril and problems comes great wrestling. So the only people who will come out winners from this are the fans.

From the locker room - this is Paul Wein.

Got something to say about something I said? Then e-mail me at Paul@ringfever.com.