Listen up!

Class is in session.

It's lecture time this week, and ECW champ Bobby Lashley once again takes center stage. Lashley, as you may know, is taking on Umaga at "WrestleMania 23" in the "Battle Of The Billionaires Hair vs. Hair" match. If Lashley loses, Donald Trump must shave his head. If Umaga loses, then Vince McMahon gets the buzz job.

A few weeks ago, I wrote that Lashley is being wasted in this match, and someone like The Great Khali should take his spot instead. A champ should defend his belt, and not be stuck in a gimmick match. I also said Lashley simply couldn't wrestle, which is true. He's awful. But a few of you wanted to burn me in effigy for taking that stance. Here's a sample of some of the hate mail I received:

What do you mean Lashley can't wrestle? (He's) an All-American, Armed Forces Champion! Do I need to go on? -- Alex

I don't agree with you about Lashley not being able to wrestle, I think he is a good wrestler and a good ECW champ. -- Brenda

I enjoy your comments each week. I look forward to reading them. That being said however, I must disagree with you on Lashley not being a wrestler. He has a strong background in it, and yes he is a big muscle guy, like alot of the WWE wrestlers are. However to say Khali is a better idea (in the Hair vs. Hair match) is off-the-chart wrong. TGK is the biggest waste of time I have seen in WWE in a long LONG TIME. What you said about Lashley is wrong. -- Daniel

I have come to the conclusion that you sir, are no professor of anything. Your column is the most asinine thing I've ever read. To quote: "First and foremost, Lashley can't wrestle." Then a couple sentences down: "Who should get the match? I'd say The Great Khali." Khali (I refuse to call him Great) can wrestle? Since when? He has fewer moves than Tucker Carlson on "Dancing With The Stars." Now go to detention. You are not dismissed! -– Thomas

OK, fine. You've had your say. Well, let me reiterate that you're wrong. Lashley. Can't. Wrestle.

He's slow in the ring. He has no fluid moves. He hits. And punches. He's a brawler.

He's not a good wrestler. That doesn't mean he can't learn his all-around craft over time, but right now he just doesn't have it.

Who has it? That list is pretty long.

Randy Orton can wrestle. So can Shawn Michaels, Booker T, Triple H, Edge, Rey Mysterio, Chris Benoit, Finlay, Undertaker, Mr. Kennedy, Ric Flair (the greatest), Johnny Nitro, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Super Crazy and Chavo Guerrero -- just to name a few in WWE.

Who doesn't have it in the ring? That list is pretty long, too.

Bobby Lashley can't wrestle. Neither can Kane, Goldberg, Hulk Hogan, Umaga, The Great Khali, The Big Show, John Cena or Batista -- just to name a few.

Sorry, but after decades of watching this stuff, I think I know which guys can fly around in the ring and which guys can't. That's not to say that the brawler-types can't be entertaining. They can. In fact, they're among the most entertaining in the business. But don't tell me they're good in-ring grapplers when they're not.

The thing is, Vince McMahon loves big wrestlers. And if they have chiseled bodies, all the better. It doesn't really matter to him if they can wrestle. I'm guessing he likes the chiseled look because he's a bodybuilder himself. So, those who have perfect pecs are given the biggest push: Lashley, Batista and Cena.

Sometimes the plan backfires, though. Chris Masters -- another chiseled "Superstar" -- is stuck doing his dumb "you can't break the Master Lock" gimmick. Why? Because he can't wrestle.

I know a lot of you students won't agree with me, but it's a fact. Half the people you see in the ring just can't work a good match.

Try this on for size: Stone Cold Steve Austin can't wrestle. Neither can The Rock. But they will go down as two of the greatest. Why? Because they knew how to manipulate a crowd. Their wrestling was secondary to their ultra-magnetic personalties, interview skills and overall ring psychology. As a result, they're legends. The same with Hogan, by the way. And like it or not, Cena is approaching legend status. He can't wrestle, but his overall game can be great. Batista has all the tools, but he's not there yet.

Lashley? He seems like a nice kid. But right now he can't wrestle, and he's not much of a performer. I hope that changes, but he has some work to do.

For more on Lashley, make sure to download the "Old School, New School" podcast this week. In Episode 24, Dr. Mike Lano, George Schire and yours truly talk about the "Hair vs. Hair" match, honor the late Ernie Ladd and catch up with legends Mr. Fuji and Billy Red Lyons. It's a fantastic audio classroom, and you can get it RIGHT HERE!

Now scram!

Class is dismissed!

(Professor Wrestling is a masked employee of Internet Broadcasting. Got a question, comment, complaint? E-mail him right here. )