Thirty Thoughts
1. What color is your bra at this moment? I don't wear a bra - my "moobies" are free and don't need the extra support...
2. Do you wear underwear? Absolutely - I don't want to get the boys caught in the zipper or be hanging out...
3. Are you currently frustrated with a boy? I am currently frustrated with many many people - both boys AND girls.
4. Do you carry a purse? Nope - I can't find one that I like that matches my clothes and outfits.
5. Do you have a best friend? I do have a couple of people who's company I prefer over others - yes...
6. What do you want to be when you grow up? Grow up? Hell, who you talking too? Actually, I just want to be a rich white guy with enough money to tell everyone to kiss my fat white butt... lol.
7. Who or what was the last person/thing you hugged? It was Jenn the other night at the ACW Wrestling show...
8. Have you ever had your heart broken? More times than I care to remember... it's not a good feeling..
9. Have you ever thought of having plastic surgery? I've had more than enough slicing and dicing done on my person in my lifetime - no more!
10. Do you like your life? Truthfully, at the moment, no - not really..
11. Do you shop at hollister? Nope!
12. Has one of your friends ever stolen a boyfriend from you? Nope, that's never happened... I don't think. But then again, maybe it has. What was the deal with Shelley and Chris? I told her to stay away from him - it didn't take her a day. BITCH!
13. Has one of your friends ever stabbed you in the back? Yeah, it happens.
14. Did you forgive them? Yeah... mostly. Real friends do stupid things and eventually come back together anyhow... at least that's how I see it.
15. Do you have more friends that are girls or boys? I have a good mixture of both, but so far as people I actually hang out with, I think the guys outnumber the girls currently. That hasn't always been the case though - that's just the way it is right now.
16. How long have you had Facebook? Probably about four years, give or take... I didn't want to get one, but it was the only way I could talk to Theresa and Brent (they didn't like the MySpace).
17. Have you ever slapped a boy in the face? Yeppers - it has happened once or twice... lol.
18. What is your biggest fear? So many to choose from - heights, enclosed spaces, crowds, public speaking, spider-crickets, etc... but I think the main fear is being alone when I get old... that thought scares the crap out of me.
19. Have one of your friends boyfriends ever had a crush on you? Hmmmmm! It's possible, but I think they just wanted to get kinky, try something new and see if I was as skilled as they've heard - I am!
20. Have you ever cried yourself to sleep? Yeah, it has happened - life is rough and sometimes overwhelming and it gets stressful so I deal with it however I can.
21. Are you friends with your exes? The large majority of them - yes..
22. Once a cheater, always a cheater? Nope - I don't think so. It depends on the person and that's the one thing consistent about people - they're always changing...
23. Have you ever been in love? Yeppers - I am right now and have been twice before (that I'll admit too).
24. Do you think they should lower the drinking age? Definitely - if you can vote, buy cigarettes, be tried as an adult, buy a gun, join the military, be drafted, have an abortion, get married, etc - then you should be able to buy a beer.
25. Do you ever wish you were famous? Not really - I like my kind of psuedo-celebrity writing the columns. Would like to have a ton of money and be a rich guy, part of the 1% though - that would be awesome!
26. Are you currently missing someone? Every single day and every single moment - I love Cal and sometimes, not being able to be with him hurts a lot - both physically and otherwise..
27. Who is on your speed dial? Brian is first, then Sue and Tian.... (I hate a damn phone!)
28. Who do you have on your recent text list? Brian, Sue and a text from Brent that I've saved for a long, long time..
29. Do you think Advil works? I've never had any complaints about it..
30. What was the best part of your day? I had the chance to spend over an hour this morning talking to the man I want to spend the rest of my life with - that was the best moment of the past several days and a very bright spot of what has been a very dark and crappy period of my life.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
On My Mind (Survey)
On My Mind Survey...
I've come to realize that my last kiss was: just a small sample of what I should be getting every day if things were right.
I am listening to: NCIS on the TV... it's a rerun from last season and I've seen it before. That's why I'm playing on the computer and doing surveys rather than paying much attention to the show.
I talk: as little as possible - my throat is swollen up right now and is hurting a bit. If it's not better soon, I'm going to go to the doctor.
I love: my family, my friends, comic books, wrestling, jelly beans, muppets and most importantly, the man I call "Cal!"
My best friends: are pretty awesome and one of the biggest regrets of my life is that I don't get the opportunity to spend much time with them anymore. I want my friends back!
My first real kiss: wasn't all it was cracked up to be. We were both young and learning... lol. Luckily, we both got better.
I hate it when people ask: when are you getting married? what are you doing now? wanna suck my dick (straight guys love to ask this question)
Love is: a battlefield (remember that old Pat Benatar song?)
Marriage is: something that I'll probably never experience, but still staying positive and keeping my hopes alive.
Somewhere, someone is thinking: that answer about "sucking dicks" was pretty messed up... lol (but it's true - hang around a straight guy for more than an hour and especially if there's alcohol involved, as soon as he finds out I'm gay, he wants head! Go figure!)
I'll always: be me - who else would I want to be?
I have a crush on: a very special and wonderful guy that I can't be with - no, that's not a crush. That's love. So far as "crush" goes, there are a couple of guys I know that I'd love to jump their bones a time or two... for them, the answer would be "yes" - and this definitely includes the guy across the street... lol.
The last time I cried was because: I was in pain... Duh!
My cell phone: is a piece of crap Tracfone. It does what I need it for, but I don't like it and would love to replace it.
When I wake up in the morning: I am extremely thankful because it means I've made it to another day..
Before I go to bed: I pee, I make sure I have a drink in my bedroom, I set my alarm and I turn on the fan so I can sleep comfortably..
Right now I am thinking about: going to see Cal in a few minutes and then what the rest of the day holds. How long will I be able to put off going to the doctor? So many things on the mind this morning...
Babies are: a true gift from God - I love babies and wish I had one to call my own - that I was a daddy. But not going to happen... Oh well!
I get on Facebook: To talk to friends, to find out what's going on and to be nosey... just like everyone else.
Today I: have a lot to do and even though I don't really feel like it, I'm gonna suck it up and get 'er dun!
Tonight I: Will probably be exhausted from the activities of today and wishing I could find a way to get myself back on track and doing well again.
Tomorrow it will be: Hump Day and the last day of the month..
I really want to...just give up and say screw it all, but since I have certain people who depend upon me, giving up is not an option. Damn!!
I've come to realize that my last kiss was: just a small sample of what I should be getting every day if things were right.
I am listening to: NCIS on the TV... it's a rerun from last season and I've seen it before. That's why I'm playing on the computer and doing surveys rather than paying much attention to the show.
I talk: as little as possible - my throat is swollen up right now and is hurting a bit. If it's not better soon, I'm going to go to the doctor.
I love: my family, my friends, comic books, wrestling, jelly beans, muppets and most importantly, the man I call "Cal!"
My best friends: are pretty awesome and one of the biggest regrets of my life is that I don't get the opportunity to spend much time with them anymore. I want my friends back!
My first real kiss: wasn't all it was cracked up to be. We were both young and learning... lol. Luckily, we both got better.
I hate it when people ask: when are you getting married? what are you doing now? wanna suck my dick (straight guys love to ask this question)
Love is: a battlefield (remember that old Pat Benatar song?)
Marriage is: something that I'll probably never experience, but still staying positive and keeping my hopes alive.
Somewhere, someone is thinking: that answer about "sucking dicks" was pretty messed up... lol (but it's true - hang around a straight guy for more than an hour and especially if there's alcohol involved, as soon as he finds out I'm gay, he wants head! Go figure!)
I'll always: be me - who else would I want to be?
I have a crush on: a very special and wonderful guy that I can't be with - no, that's not a crush. That's love. So far as "crush" goes, there are a couple of guys I know that I'd love to jump their bones a time or two... for them, the answer would be "yes" - and this definitely includes the guy across the street... lol.
The last time I cried was because: I was in pain... Duh!
My cell phone: is a piece of crap Tracfone. It does what I need it for, but I don't like it and would love to replace it.
When I wake up in the morning: I am extremely thankful because it means I've made it to another day..
Before I go to bed: I pee, I make sure I have a drink in my bedroom, I set my alarm and I turn on the fan so I can sleep comfortably..
Right now I am thinking about: going to see Cal in a few minutes and then what the rest of the day holds. How long will I be able to put off going to the doctor? So many things on the mind this morning...
Babies are: a true gift from God - I love babies and wish I had one to call my own - that I was a daddy. But not going to happen... Oh well!
I get on Facebook: To talk to friends, to find out what's going on and to be nosey... just like everyone else.
Today I: have a lot to do and even though I don't really feel like it, I'm gonna suck it up and get 'er dun!
Tonight I: Will probably be exhausted from the activities of today and wishing I could find a way to get myself back on track and doing well again.
Tomorrow it will be: Hump Day and the last day of the month..
I really want to...just give up and say screw it all, but since I have certain people who depend upon me, giving up is not an option. Damn!!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
(Flashback) Alone - December 17, 2011
Alone - 12/17/11
"What would you do if I sang out of tune? Would you stand up and walk out on me? So lend me your ears and I'll sing you my song. I'll try not to sing out of key!" The Beatles wrote those lyrics so many years ago and Joe Cocker took the song and made it even better with his delivery and magic. And it's way true for most of us. We do get by with a little help from our friends.
But what do you do when you don't have any friends left? "A ridiculous thought", you might say, but it happens. Life takes it's various twists and turns and changes occur - people come and people go and then you wake up and wonder what happened? Where did everyone go? It's a bad and horiffic feeling. It rips out the soul and the heart and leaves a person feeling vacant and hollow and empty inside. And even though I know better, it's the feeling I feel quite so often. It's the feeling that I'm feeling right now. It's a charade. It's not real. It's simply a by-product of an over-active imagination that's reflecting quite too hard on the less than ideal circumstances of life as I know it. And the feelings, the negativity, the hurt will all be gone with the morning's light, as it often has before. But then why does it hurt so badly?
I often joke about it and make fun. I'm not a "people person" by the standards of most and my feelings of doubt and insecurities keep me from allowing myself to be part of many groups or even from allowing most people to get too close. I've always been this way and as the years go by, it's getting worse and worse. I have a very select group of people that are allowed through the walls and into my inner sanctum. And why is that? Because I'm scared that they won't like what they see? That they might judge and find me not up to their standards? Because I'm embarassed by the shape I've allowed my life to fall into? Because getting to know people takes time and effort and I'm too lazy to put forth that energy? Why ask why?
I could put forth a thousand theories, but in the end, it's always the same. I'm here and I'm alone. I have some good friends and that's the truth. But they each have their own lives and families and can't spare the time for any extra. Or else they've moved away and the long miles have nullified the support that I used to be able to draw from this. I think that's the core of my problem. I open up and start to let people in and get to caring for them and appreciating them and loving them and then something happens. Either they show true colors that they were only here for the party and when I wasn't able to "buy" their friendship, it was time to move on. Or they went on with their lives and marriage, school, families and the road they travelled took them far away. Maybe they got fed up and tired of dealing with my insecurities and self-esteem issues and are employing the "tough love" to draw me out and make me open up and let down the walls. Or maybe they just vanish forever, without notice and without warning, going from a strong and consistent presence to just a memory? It's all happened and the final results are the same.
I'm alone. Always and forever alone.
You know, my intentions for this morning were to wake up (at 4:00am) and come in here and write a long and funny blog about a series of things that I witnessed on TV and over the course of the day yesterday. I even took notes and pre-wrote a couple of quips to include in the rambling feature. And then I go to bed relatively early (for me), wake up after a very strange dream, the memories of which are fleeting, but the negative and bad feelings remain strong and powerful. And I come into this room to write. And look what the hell comes out?
I'm probably just bi-polar? Either that or it's male menopause? I'm not sure, but it's pretty damn bad. I need to quit being such a negative nellie. My life may not be ideal, but I do have a few powerful and strong good people in my life. I've got responsibilities that I enjoy and allow me to help others and give back. I've got a man who loves me and even though circumstances prevent us from being together, I know that the love is real and strong, as are my feelings for him. I've got friends that are far away physically, but alll I have to do is pick up a phone or send an e-mail and give them the slightest opening and they'd be here for me. I've got it all.
Yet these feelings still persist. And I'm fighting back the tears even as I write this. Why me? Why me?
I guess I'll quit the one man pity-party for now. I'm going to go take a walk and clear my head for a little while. I've still got a "funny" blog to attempt to write because this one sure as hell isn't going to cut the mustard. I need to quit whining and get my shit together, both inside and out. Blah! I'm taking a walk. So where are my shoes at. I'll be back.
Ubuntu!
"What would you do if I sang out of tune? Would you stand up and walk out on me? So lend me your ears and I'll sing you my song. I'll try not to sing out of key!" The Beatles wrote those lyrics so many years ago and Joe Cocker took the song and made it even better with his delivery and magic. And it's way true for most of us. We do get by with a little help from our friends.
But what do you do when you don't have any friends left? "A ridiculous thought", you might say, but it happens. Life takes it's various twists and turns and changes occur - people come and people go and then you wake up and wonder what happened? Where did everyone go? It's a bad and horiffic feeling. It rips out the soul and the heart and leaves a person feeling vacant and hollow and empty inside. And even though I know better, it's the feeling I feel quite so often. It's the feeling that I'm feeling right now. It's a charade. It's not real. It's simply a by-product of an over-active imagination that's reflecting quite too hard on the less than ideal circumstances of life as I know it. And the feelings, the negativity, the hurt will all be gone with the morning's light, as it often has before. But then why does it hurt so badly?
I often joke about it and make fun. I'm not a "people person" by the standards of most and my feelings of doubt and insecurities keep me from allowing myself to be part of many groups or even from allowing most people to get too close. I've always been this way and as the years go by, it's getting worse and worse. I have a very select group of people that are allowed through the walls and into my inner sanctum. And why is that? Because I'm scared that they won't like what they see? That they might judge and find me not up to their standards? Because I'm embarassed by the shape I've allowed my life to fall into? Because getting to know people takes time and effort and I'm too lazy to put forth that energy? Why ask why?
I could put forth a thousand theories, but in the end, it's always the same. I'm here and I'm alone. I have some good friends and that's the truth. But they each have their own lives and families and can't spare the time for any extra. Or else they've moved away and the long miles have nullified the support that I used to be able to draw from this. I think that's the core of my problem. I open up and start to let people in and get to caring for them and appreciating them and loving them and then something happens. Either they show true colors that they were only here for the party and when I wasn't able to "buy" their friendship, it was time to move on. Or they went on with their lives and marriage, school, families and the road they travelled took them far away. Maybe they got fed up and tired of dealing with my insecurities and self-esteem issues and are employing the "tough love" to draw me out and make me open up and let down the walls. Or maybe they just vanish forever, without notice and without warning, going from a strong and consistent presence to just a memory? It's all happened and the final results are the same.
I'm alone. Always and forever alone.
You know, my intentions for this morning were to wake up (at 4:00am) and come in here and write a long and funny blog about a series of things that I witnessed on TV and over the course of the day yesterday. I even took notes and pre-wrote a couple of quips to include in the rambling feature. And then I go to bed relatively early (for me), wake up after a very strange dream, the memories of which are fleeting, but the negative and bad feelings remain strong and powerful. And I come into this room to write. And look what the hell comes out?
I'm probably just bi-polar? Either that or it's male menopause? I'm not sure, but it's pretty damn bad. I need to quit being such a negative nellie. My life may not be ideal, but I do have a few powerful and strong good people in my life. I've got responsibilities that I enjoy and allow me to help others and give back. I've got a man who loves me and even though circumstances prevent us from being together, I know that the love is real and strong, as are my feelings for him. I've got friends that are far away physically, but alll I have to do is pick up a phone or send an e-mail and give them the slightest opening and they'd be here for me. I've got it all.
Yet these feelings still persist. And I'm fighting back the tears even as I write this. Why me? Why me?
I guess I'll quit the one man pity-party for now. I'm going to go take a walk and clear my head for a little while. I've still got a "funny" blog to attempt to write because this one sure as hell isn't going to cut the mustard. I need to quit whining and get my shit together, both inside and out. Blah! I'm taking a walk. So where are my shoes at. I'll be back.
Ubuntu!
American Championship Wrestling: February 25, 2012
Tossing Salt Presents: American Championship Wrestling
Live Report from Laurinburg, North Carolina
February 25, 2012
Doug Maynard
Greetings and salutations, my friends. I just got home from a great night of live wrestling action from the National Guard Armory in Laurinburg, NC... great action from the superstars of American Championship Wrestling. It was a great crowd of nearly 200 people crammed into the Armory looking for excitement and action and as expected, ACW didn't disappoint. Let's jump right to the action.
After the National Anthem, the CEO of ACW, Mr. Rusty Young came to the ring to get the show started. He introduced Brad Branson, who quickly made his way to the ring. Branson is primarily known as a tag team wrestler and one half of BD Productions (along with partner Derk Douglas), but tonight he was working alone. Brad got on the mic and mae it clear that after six long years of being ignored for title matches, he was ready to make that move and take on champions and challenge for gold.
It didn't take long before ACW United States Champion Alex Adonis came out to the ring to respond. Adonis mentioned that in his fifteen years, he's been exactly where Branson is now and he understands where Brad is coming from. Adonis mentions that he has a little problem with authority, but he'll take it upon himself to accept Branson's challenge. Adonis agrees to defend the title and makes a match for later in the night with Branson and the title is on the line. The two men shake hands and leave the ring as we get ready for the first match.
Match 1: Brute Force # 1 versus Jack Hammer
Brute Force is a masked man who usually works in a tag team with his partner, Brute Force #2. He's got a great look with the white and black outfit and has a sort of Mr. Wrestling II vibe to him. Jack Hammer is a guy who's been around ACW for a while and bears a resemblence to Dog the Bounty Hunter or maybe a mini-Thor. Just give him a helmet and hammer.
As far as the match itself goes, it was good back and forth action. Hammer would, as you expect from his name, use the power moves and hard blows to counter the sneaky, but dangerous masked man. Brute Force controlled the early part of the action with a few cheap shots behind the referee's back, but Hammer powered out of the pin attempts and made the big comeback before finally securing a win with a sunset flip out of the corner to get the three count.
Winner: Jack Hammer
After the match ended (and Brute Force complained to the referee to no avail), a drawing to win an ECW Clock was announced and then it was off to the next match.
Match 2: Johnny Lightning versus Corey Duncum
Johnny Lightning spent most of the first few minutes before the match trying to keep a piece of green plastic hidden from the referee. Corey Duncum is a nice looking kid, but he needs to eat a sammich. That boy is skinny! As for the match, it was back and forth chop after chop after chop by both men. Lightning's a little bit thicker than Corey, but it didn't help him much because Duncum was really tearing into him with chop after chop. Lightning managed to make the big comeback, using that foreign object and some sneaky behavior ro distract the referee. Duncum went down and Lightning managed to cover him for a quick two-count. Lightning tried to go to the well and use the foeign object one more time, but Duncum saw it coming and managed to nail Lightning with a huge "Shades of Kerry Von Erich" discus punch to pick up the win.
Winner: Corey Duncum
After the match, the ring announcer led the fans in a chant of "Cheater" for Johnny Lightning as he headed towards the back. Once Lightning made it to the back, the ring announcer announced the participants for the next match.
Match 3: "Screaming Eagle" Andrew Kraze (w/ The I.W.A.) versus "War Hawk" Dylan Kage
The referee quickly assumed control by sending Johnny Eagle and Watchee, the "Indians With Attitude" away from ringside and to the back. While Kraze was outside the ring, arguing with security and the referee, Kage moved quickly and really set the crowd on fire as he began to lay into Kraze with chops outside the ring. Kraze fought back with chops and punches of his own as they made it back into the ring to start the match.
Kage controlled most of the first part of the match with some high-flying dropkicks and other high-impact blows, but Kraze proved he was there to fight as he nailed Kage with a modified version of the Widow's Peak, followed by what can only be described as a "Shades of Arn Anderson spinebuster" for a two and nine-tenths count. Kage got the fans behind him and started to fight back, scoring with some heavy punches and then it was time for some "Sweet Chin Music - Dylan Kage style!".
Kraze manages to duck the superkick and nail Kage with an ensaguri. Both men are down and we see Watchee slowly making his way back out to the ringside area. While the referee and security are dealing with Watchee, the third member of the I.W.A., Johnny Eagle slides out and around the back of the crowd and makes it up to the far side of the ring, where he leveled Kage with some cheap shots from the outside.
Andrew Kraze now has the advantage over Kage and Watchee is still distracting the referee, who along with security, are trying to keep him from the ring. Here comes Chief Red Thunder from the back and he goes up to the ring to keep Jay Eagle from getting involved and interfering. The referee finally makes it back to the ring where Kage and Kraze are slugging it out. The referee sees Johnny Eagle at ringside and orders him away from the ring. Red Thunder is up on the ring apron and Kraze sees him and decides to go after Thunder. As Kraze charges, Thunder ducks and backflips Kraze to the floor. Unfortunately, this happens just as the referee is turning around and he calls for the bell, disqualifying Kage for Thunder's outside interference.
Winner by DQ: "Screaming Eagle" Andrew Kraze
As Dylan Kage argues with the referee, Watchee and Johnny Eagle grab Red Thunder and pull him from the ring and it's beatdown time. Kraze sees what's going on and quickly joins the fun, making it a three-on-one ambush. Here comes Tito Reigns out and he helps his partner, Red Thunder, fight off the I.W.A. forces. Here comes ACW CEO Rusty Young to the ring. He orders everyone to quit fighting and says that if they want to fight and make trouble, they can do it in a match. Young makes a match for later in the night as the main event. It'll be Watchee and Johnny Eagle, the Indians With Attitude versus Cheif Red Thunder and Tito Reigns. And when the I.W.A. starts to complain about the match, Young throws another curve ball their way with Dylan Kage to be the "Special Enforcer" for the tag match.
The I.W.A. head to the back while Red Thunder tries to make peace and explain to Kage that he didn't mean to get him disqualified. We get a clarification to the referee's decision with Kraze winning by DQ. Kage exchanges hugs with Eagle and Reigns as the show goes to Imtermission.
After about fifteen minutes of meeting and greeting the wrestlers and saying hello to some old friends, it was back to the ring and time for some more action.
Match 4: ACW United States Championship Match
Alex Adonis (champion) versus Brad Branson
Branson came out to a mixture of cheers and boos, but quickly got the crowd on his side by tossing candy and bubble gum to the children at ringside. He actually interrupted Adonis's entrance with his antics, but Adonis decided to stand back and let Branson have his moment in the sun before making his way towards the ring. Once in the ring, Adonis and Branson shake hands and it looks as if we're going to have a good, clean match.
That doesn't last long as Adonis uses some cheap shots to knock Branson from the ring and to the floor. Suicide dive by Adonis, but Branson manages to slide out of the way and we see Alex eat some chairs. A long count by the referee and both men manage to get into the ring and start slugging it out. Tempers have started to fly. Adonis misses a swing by Branson and locks him up for a moment in what appears to be a "Shades of CM Punk Anaconda Vice". Branson makes it to the ropes and escapes.
Adonis heads to the floor and grabs a steel chair, bringing it back into the ring. The referee stops him from using the chair and takes it away, tossing it to the floor. Branson grabs Adonis, who's still arguing with the referee and plants him with a "Shades of Raven DDT". Two count by Branson. Both men get up and Adonis powers Branson into the ropes and manages to lift the taller Branson into the air for a big "F.U." While Branson is stunned, Adonis goes outside the ring and grabs another chair, bringng it into the ring and slamming it hard across Branson's back. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner by DQ: Brad Branson
Adonis goes after Branson and throws him to the floor before grabbing a microphone. He talks crap to the crowd and turns total heel, calling the Laurinburg audience "trash" and "redneck losers". Funny! Alex Adonis is just cutting loose on the mic and issues an open challenge to anyone who wants to come out from the back and face him for his United States Championship. Here comes Jack Hammer to the ring, followed by Johnny Lightning, Corey Duncum and Andrew Kraze.
Adonis starts talking junk about how it's four on one and then he notices Branson back up on the apron and says five on one. Alex makes a promise that he'll defend his title against anyone, but since it's not fair to have five on one - that's not how they do it in ACW - why not have a Battle Royal and he'll fight the winner. We hear the ring announcer confirm it and everyone starts fighting.
Match 5: Battle Royal with the winner to face Alex Adonis for the United States Championship...
Brad Branson versus Andrew Kraze versus Jack Hammer versus Johnny Lightning versus Corey Duncum
As Alex Adonis stayed on the floor, hiding behind the ring announcer, he worked the microphone and was hilarious as he insulted and talked junk to the men still in the ring. Brad Branson was eliminated by Corey Duncum first, followed soon by Andrew Kraze, who was tossed out by Jack Hammer. The next to go was Duncum, who was tossed out by Hammer. The final two men were Johnny Lightning and Jack Hammer and it didn't take long before there was one.
Winner: Jack Hammer
Adonis entered the ring after the match to congratulate Hammer, but quickly revealed his true colors as he leveled Hammer with a side-slam, followed by a Rock-Bottom. The referee tried to get involved and Adonis put him to the mat with a headbutt. More blows to Hammer and then Adonis nailed the referee with a solid slap that sent the referee's glasses flying out of the ring and into the crowd. Ouch! Hammer was up and we got a great roll-around scuffle for a few moments and then Adonis rolled to the floor and escaped to the back.
Alex Adonis really earned his pay with these two matches. The guy is a great worker and great on the mic as well. If you want a comparison to someone from one of the "Big Two" companies, look at Austin Aries from TNA. Adonis is cut from the same mold and is really a big time star in the making. I also want to give kudos to Brad Branson for his match. I've known Mr. Branson for a long time, but I've only ever seen him work as a tag team wrestler. He proved tonight that he's extremely capable and ready to work those singles matches just as well. The man has skills and is a talent to keep an eye on.
Match 6: To Determine The # 1 Contenders For The ACW World Tag Team Championship - Special Enforcer: Dylan Kage
Indians With Attitude - Johnny Eagle & Watchee (w/ Andrew Kraze) versus Tito Reigns & Chief Red Thunder
We start off with a big brawl before the match as all three members of the I.W.A. go after Red Thunder and Tito Reigns. Dylan Kage finally comes out and gets a chair and order is restored long enough to get the match started. Tito starts off for his team against Watchee and it's almost immediately brawling and exchanging of the chops. Tito reminds me so much of the late, great Pistol Pez Whatley with his antics and mannerisms. Watchee tags out and Johnny Eagle comes in to throw some chops at Reigns, who shrugs them off and plants Eagle with a big time power-slam.
Watchee breaks up the count and uses his size to force Reigns into the corner where we see some IWA triple-teaming as Kraze gets in his shots from the outside. Dylan Kage comes over, but the security grabs him and keeps him from getting to Johnny Eagle or Andrew Kraze. I thought Kage was the special enforcer, so why would security get in the way? Doesn't sound right to me.
Thunder gets into the match to save his partner from the big time beatdown and Reigns manages to tag out and Red Thunder is in to take down the big man, Watchee. Lots of fists and chopping and it's OINGO BOINGO brawl-city. Red Thunder with a Boston Crab on Johnny Eagle as Watchee goes after Tito on the outside and slams his head hard into the ring-steps. As Red Thunder has Eagle trapped, Andrew Kraze is up on the ring apron with a title belt that he's trying to give to Johnny Eagle to help him fight back. Here comes Dylan Kage into the ring and he's in a tug of war with Kraze over the title belt. The referee is there and so is Red Thunder, trying to figure out what's going on. Kraze releases the belt and Kage's arms with the belt fly back and nails Red Thunder into the head. The referee calls for the bell and the DQ.
Winners by DQ: The Indians With Attitude - Johnny Eagle and Watchee w/ Andrew Kraze
We get a big brawl as the I.W.A. goes back after Thunder and Tito once more. Dylan joins the fun and quickly, the I.W.A. flees to the back. Cheif Red Thunder complains to the referee and Tito gets the microphone. He doesn't understand what's going on with ACW and with Dylan Kage, but he doens't care really. Tito says that they may not be the # 1 Contenders, but they're on a chase to get some answers.
And there you go... that's the show. It wasn't the best show that ACW has ever presented, but it wasn't from lack of effort. Everyone worked hard and gave 110%, but the show was lacking, in my opinion, star power. No Ethan Storm. No Main Attraction. No Ty Tyson. No Timber. It pretty much fell on Alex Adonis and Dylan Kage to be the big stars and carry the show and they did a helluva job, but something was still lacking. I think it might have been all the non-finishes. Three DQ finishes in a row? Give me a break!
Aside from that minor annoyance, I'll still give the powers that be at ACW credit. They took what was essentially a weak card, everyone busted their butts and worked hard, and it ended up making for a fun night and a good show. And next time that ACW comes to town, I'm going to be glad to be there to watch them rectify the minor flaws and kick ass as only American Championship Wrestling can do.
And that's it for me. Comments and questions can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo.com. I'm Doug and I'm outta here. Thanks for reading. Take it light, my Peeps!
Ubuntu!
Live Report from Laurinburg, North Carolina
February 25, 2012
Doug Maynard
Greetings and salutations, my friends. I just got home from a great night of live wrestling action from the National Guard Armory in Laurinburg, NC... great action from the superstars of American Championship Wrestling. It was a great crowd of nearly 200 people crammed into the Armory looking for excitement and action and as expected, ACW didn't disappoint. Let's jump right to the action.
After the National Anthem, the CEO of ACW, Mr. Rusty Young came to the ring to get the show started. He introduced Brad Branson, who quickly made his way to the ring. Branson is primarily known as a tag team wrestler and one half of BD Productions (along with partner Derk Douglas), but tonight he was working alone. Brad got on the mic and mae it clear that after six long years of being ignored for title matches, he was ready to make that move and take on champions and challenge for gold.
It didn't take long before ACW United States Champion Alex Adonis came out to the ring to respond. Adonis mentioned that in his fifteen years, he's been exactly where Branson is now and he understands where Brad is coming from. Adonis mentions that he has a little problem with authority, but he'll take it upon himself to accept Branson's challenge. Adonis agrees to defend the title and makes a match for later in the night with Branson and the title is on the line. The two men shake hands and leave the ring as we get ready for the first match.
Match 1: Brute Force # 1 versus Jack Hammer
Brute Force is a masked man who usually works in a tag team with his partner, Brute Force #2. He's got a great look with the white and black outfit and has a sort of Mr. Wrestling II vibe to him. Jack Hammer is a guy who's been around ACW for a while and bears a resemblence to Dog the Bounty Hunter or maybe a mini-Thor. Just give him a helmet and hammer.
As far as the match itself goes, it was good back and forth action. Hammer would, as you expect from his name, use the power moves and hard blows to counter the sneaky, but dangerous masked man. Brute Force controlled the early part of the action with a few cheap shots behind the referee's back, but Hammer powered out of the pin attempts and made the big comeback before finally securing a win with a sunset flip out of the corner to get the three count.
Winner: Jack Hammer
After the match ended (and Brute Force complained to the referee to no avail), a drawing to win an ECW Clock was announced and then it was off to the next match.
Match 2: Johnny Lightning versus Corey Duncum
Johnny Lightning spent most of the first few minutes before the match trying to keep a piece of green plastic hidden from the referee. Corey Duncum is a nice looking kid, but he needs to eat a sammich. That boy is skinny! As for the match, it was back and forth chop after chop after chop by both men. Lightning's a little bit thicker than Corey, but it didn't help him much because Duncum was really tearing into him with chop after chop. Lightning managed to make the big comeback, using that foreign object and some sneaky behavior ro distract the referee. Duncum went down and Lightning managed to cover him for a quick two-count. Lightning tried to go to the well and use the foeign object one more time, but Duncum saw it coming and managed to nail Lightning with a huge "Shades of Kerry Von Erich" discus punch to pick up the win.
Winner: Corey Duncum
After the match, the ring announcer led the fans in a chant of "Cheater" for Johnny Lightning as he headed towards the back. Once Lightning made it to the back, the ring announcer announced the participants for the next match.
Match 3: "Screaming Eagle" Andrew Kraze (w/ The I.W.A.) versus "War Hawk" Dylan Kage
The referee quickly assumed control by sending Johnny Eagle and Watchee, the "Indians With Attitude" away from ringside and to the back. While Kraze was outside the ring, arguing with security and the referee, Kage moved quickly and really set the crowd on fire as he began to lay into Kraze with chops outside the ring. Kraze fought back with chops and punches of his own as they made it back into the ring to start the match.
Kage controlled most of the first part of the match with some high-flying dropkicks and other high-impact blows, but Kraze proved he was there to fight as he nailed Kage with a modified version of the Widow's Peak, followed by what can only be described as a "Shades of Arn Anderson spinebuster" for a two and nine-tenths count. Kage got the fans behind him and started to fight back, scoring with some heavy punches and then it was time for some "Sweet Chin Music - Dylan Kage style!".
Kraze manages to duck the superkick and nail Kage with an ensaguri. Both men are down and we see Watchee slowly making his way back out to the ringside area. While the referee and security are dealing with Watchee, the third member of the I.W.A., Johnny Eagle slides out and around the back of the crowd and makes it up to the far side of the ring, where he leveled Kage with some cheap shots from the outside.
Andrew Kraze now has the advantage over Kage and Watchee is still distracting the referee, who along with security, are trying to keep him from the ring. Here comes Chief Red Thunder from the back and he goes up to the ring to keep Jay Eagle from getting involved and interfering. The referee finally makes it back to the ring where Kage and Kraze are slugging it out. The referee sees Johnny Eagle at ringside and orders him away from the ring. Red Thunder is up on the ring apron and Kraze sees him and decides to go after Thunder. As Kraze charges, Thunder ducks and backflips Kraze to the floor. Unfortunately, this happens just as the referee is turning around and he calls for the bell, disqualifying Kage for Thunder's outside interference.
Winner by DQ: "Screaming Eagle" Andrew Kraze
As Dylan Kage argues with the referee, Watchee and Johnny Eagle grab Red Thunder and pull him from the ring and it's beatdown time. Kraze sees what's going on and quickly joins the fun, making it a three-on-one ambush. Here comes Tito Reigns out and he helps his partner, Red Thunder, fight off the I.W.A. forces. Here comes ACW CEO Rusty Young to the ring. He orders everyone to quit fighting and says that if they want to fight and make trouble, they can do it in a match. Young makes a match for later in the night as the main event. It'll be Watchee and Johnny Eagle, the Indians With Attitude versus Cheif Red Thunder and Tito Reigns. And when the I.W.A. starts to complain about the match, Young throws another curve ball their way with Dylan Kage to be the "Special Enforcer" for the tag match.
The I.W.A. head to the back while Red Thunder tries to make peace and explain to Kage that he didn't mean to get him disqualified. We get a clarification to the referee's decision with Kraze winning by DQ. Kage exchanges hugs with Eagle and Reigns as the show goes to Imtermission.
After about fifteen minutes of meeting and greeting the wrestlers and saying hello to some old friends, it was back to the ring and time for some more action.
Match 4: ACW United States Championship Match
Alex Adonis (champion) versus Brad Branson
Branson came out to a mixture of cheers and boos, but quickly got the crowd on his side by tossing candy and bubble gum to the children at ringside. He actually interrupted Adonis's entrance with his antics, but Adonis decided to stand back and let Branson have his moment in the sun before making his way towards the ring. Once in the ring, Adonis and Branson shake hands and it looks as if we're going to have a good, clean match.
That doesn't last long as Adonis uses some cheap shots to knock Branson from the ring and to the floor. Suicide dive by Adonis, but Branson manages to slide out of the way and we see Alex eat some chairs. A long count by the referee and both men manage to get into the ring and start slugging it out. Tempers have started to fly. Adonis misses a swing by Branson and locks him up for a moment in what appears to be a "Shades of CM Punk Anaconda Vice". Branson makes it to the ropes and escapes.
Adonis heads to the floor and grabs a steel chair, bringing it back into the ring. The referee stops him from using the chair and takes it away, tossing it to the floor. Branson grabs Adonis, who's still arguing with the referee and plants him with a "Shades of Raven DDT". Two count by Branson. Both men get up and Adonis powers Branson into the ropes and manages to lift the taller Branson into the air for a big "F.U." While Branson is stunned, Adonis goes outside the ring and grabs another chair, bringng it into the ring and slamming it hard across Branson's back. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner by DQ: Brad Branson
Adonis goes after Branson and throws him to the floor before grabbing a microphone. He talks crap to the crowd and turns total heel, calling the Laurinburg audience "trash" and "redneck losers". Funny! Alex Adonis is just cutting loose on the mic and issues an open challenge to anyone who wants to come out from the back and face him for his United States Championship. Here comes Jack Hammer to the ring, followed by Johnny Lightning, Corey Duncum and Andrew Kraze.
Adonis starts talking junk about how it's four on one and then he notices Branson back up on the apron and says five on one. Alex makes a promise that he'll defend his title against anyone, but since it's not fair to have five on one - that's not how they do it in ACW - why not have a Battle Royal and he'll fight the winner. We hear the ring announcer confirm it and everyone starts fighting.
Match 5: Battle Royal with the winner to face Alex Adonis for the United States Championship...
Brad Branson versus Andrew Kraze versus Jack Hammer versus Johnny Lightning versus Corey Duncum
As Alex Adonis stayed on the floor, hiding behind the ring announcer, he worked the microphone and was hilarious as he insulted and talked junk to the men still in the ring. Brad Branson was eliminated by Corey Duncum first, followed soon by Andrew Kraze, who was tossed out by Jack Hammer. The next to go was Duncum, who was tossed out by Hammer. The final two men were Johnny Lightning and Jack Hammer and it didn't take long before there was one.
Winner: Jack Hammer
Adonis entered the ring after the match to congratulate Hammer, but quickly revealed his true colors as he leveled Hammer with a side-slam, followed by a Rock-Bottom. The referee tried to get involved and Adonis put him to the mat with a headbutt. More blows to Hammer and then Adonis nailed the referee with a solid slap that sent the referee's glasses flying out of the ring and into the crowd. Ouch! Hammer was up and we got a great roll-around scuffle for a few moments and then Adonis rolled to the floor and escaped to the back.
Alex Adonis really earned his pay with these two matches. The guy is a great worker and great on the mic as well. If you want a comparison to someone from one of the "Big Two" companies, look at Austin Aries from TNA. Adonis is cut from the same mold and is really a big time star in the making. I also want to give kudos to Brad Branson for his match. I've known Mr. Branson for a long time, but I've only ever seen him work as a tag team wrestler. He proved tonight that he's extremely capable and ready to work those singles matches just as well. The man has skills and is a talent to keep an eye on.
Match 6: To Determine The # 1 Contenders For The ACW World Tag Team Championship - Special Enforcer: Dylan Kage
Indians With Attitude - Johnny Eagle & Watchee (w/ Andrew Kraze) versus Tito Reigns & Chief Red Thunder
We start off with a big brawl before the match as all three members of the I.W.A. go after Red Thunder and Tito Reigns. Dylan Kage finally comes out and gets a chair and order is restored long enough to get the match started. Tito starts off for his team against Watchee and it's almost immediately brawling and exchanging of the chops. Tito reminds me so much of the late, great Pistol Pez Whatley with his antics and mannerisms. Watchee tags out and Johnny Eagle comes in to throw some chops at Reigns, who shrugs them off and plants Eagle with a big time power-slam.
Watchee breaks up the count and uses his size to force Reigns into the corner where we see some IWA triple-teaming as Kraze gets in his shots from the outside. Dylan Kage comes over, but the security grabs him and keeps him from getting to Johnny Eagle or Andrew Kraze. I thought Kage was the special enforcer, so why would security get in the way? Doesn't sound right to me.
Thunder gets into the match to save his partner from the big time beatdown and Reigns manages to tag out and Red Thunder is in to take down the big man, Watchee. Lots of fists and chopping and it's OINGO BOINGO brawl-city. Red Thunder with a Boston Crab on Johnny Eagle as Watchee goes after Tito on the outside and slams his head hard into the ring-steps. As Red Thunder has Eagle trapped, Andrew Kraze is up on the ring apron with a title belt that he's trying to give to Johnny Eagle to help him fight back. Here comes Dylan Kage into the ring and he's in a tug of war with Kraze over the title belt. The referee is there and so is Red Thunder, trying to figure out what's going on. Kraze releases the belt and Kage's arms with the belt fly back and nails Red Thunder into the head. The referee calls for the bell and the DQ.
Winners by DQ: The Indians With Attitude - Johnny Eagle and Watchee w/ Andrew Kraze
We get a big brawl as the I.W.A. goes back after Thunder and Tito once more. Dylan joins the fun and quickly, the I.W.A. flees to the back. Cheif Red Thunder complains to the referee and Tito gets the microphone. He doesn't understand what's going on with ACW and with Dylan Kage, but he doens't care really. Tito says that they may not be the # 1 Contenders, but they're on a chase to get some answers.
And there you go... that's the show. It wasn't the best show that ACW has ever presented, but it wasn't from lack of effort. Everyone worked hard and gave 110%, but the show was lacking, in my opinion, star power. No Ethan Storm. No Main Attraction. No Ty Tyson. No Timber. It pretty much fell on Alex Adonis and Dylan Kage to be the big stars and carry the show and they did a helluva job, but something was still lacking. I think it might have been all the non-finishes. Three DQ finishes in a row? Give me a break!
Aside from that minor annoyance, I'll still give the powers that be at ACW credit. They took what was essentially a weak card, everyone busted their butts and worked hard, and it ended up making for a fun night and a good show. And next time that ACW comes to town, I'm going to be glad to be there to watch them rectify the minor flaws and kick ass as only American Championship Wrestling can do.
And that's it for me. Comments and questions can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo.com. I'm Doug and I'm outta here. Thanks for reading. Take it light, my Peeps!
Ubuntu!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Tossing Salt - Worldwide News - February 25, 2012
Tossing Salt - Worldwide News
February 25, 2012
Doug Maynard
Okay, I admit it. I've been a bad Lil' Jimmy. No new editions of "Tossing Salt" for almost two weeks now. *Holds head down in shame!* But I have managed to, along with the aid of the baddest man on the planet, Russell Jackson, put out a couple of edtions of "Wrestling Fact Or Fiction".
So am I forgiven for my oversights? Nope? Damn! So I guess that means I need to get to stepping, right? Of course it does and here I am... with a new edition of professional wrestling's most eclectic column since 2003, "Tossing Salt - Worldwide News"...
So what's on the agenda? Not too much because I have an engagement for later this evening... a very special event called "American Championship Wrestling"... LIVE - tonight at the National Guard Armory in Laurinburg, NC. And yes, there will be a recap of the show up sometime in the next day or so. Look for it.
And now, for today's column. I want to talk about Zack Ryder & Eve, CM Punk and Chris Brown, Teddy Long versus John Laurinaitis, Santino Marella and John Cena's "shoot" on the Rock. And I'm sure that other stuff will come up as well. Let's do this...
News & Opinions...
Zack, Kane and Eve... Oh My! (And their little Cena too!)
I am so damn bored already with the Zack Ryder - Eve storyline, which I guess can be considered a spin-off of the John Cena - Kane "Embrace The Hate" crapfest, just like "Angel" was a spin-off of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer", except for this new "drama" isn't quite a good. What is the WWE thinking? Poor Zack Ryder! He worked his ass off and got himself over with the wrestling fans unlike few others have ever managed before. The fans love Zack Ryder! Everyone loves Zack Ryder. Woo Woo Woo - you know it! Well, everyone but the WWE "Creative Team" it seems.
Zack gets over with the fans. Supporters like CM Punk, John Cena, Steve Austin, etc. all lend their support. The WWE always tells their "superstars" to be creative and make their moments and they'll be rewarded. Ryder did and what happened? He was rewarded with the United States Championship. Of course it took several months and several screwy incidents, but it happened. Ryder is the U.S. Champ. The world is at peace and there is harmony in the air. So the WWE decides to screw Ryder out f the belt in a total squash, giving the title to Jack Swagger, while Ryder is turned into a cowardly idiot who's used as Kane's personal punching bag and bitch. Ryder misses out on pay-days for the Royal Rumble AND The Elimination Chamber. He's being buried deeper than the memory of Chris Benoit in the world of WWE.
The one positive thing of the whole storyline is that while Ryder is looking like an accident-prone, whimpy, ass-clown, he still has Eve. He still gets the woman, right? Nope! Eve puts the mack on John Cena and then reveals that she just used Ryder to get to Cena "because that's what people do". At least that explains why her "crocodile tears" were so obvious. As an actress, Eve makes a great wrestler. So Eve is the ultimate "Hoeski" and Cena goes on to face The Rock and what about Zack Ryder? I guess he'll fight with Kane for a bit... if he ever makes it back from the "injuries", that is.
This whole storyline started off bad and just gets more and more annoying. Hopefully, once Cena is out of the picture and focused on Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, then Zack and Kane can salvage this whole thing and turn it into something bearable and watchable. I hope so. It's basically a rehash of the entire Kane - Matt Hardy - Lita storyline from a few years ago anyhow, with a few slight changes. And we all know how well that turned out, don't we? Maybe we can luck up and get some Snitsky appearances out of the deal.
The bottom line is this. Ryder made himself a star and the WWE, despite their claims, don't like that so Zack gets buried. Eve gets her shot now to be the next Lita (remember those great "Slut" chants Lita used to get), but with one major difference. Lita had talent and Eve... well, she's hot, but that's where the similarites end. It's going to take a lot of work to save this storyline (and Zack's career... Kane's too for that matter). I hope they can do it, but I'm not holding my breath.
By the way, big kudos to John Cena for that shoot-style promo he cut on The Rock this past Monday night on RAW. It was to the point and a great example of what John should have been doing all along. Forget about the "funny" promos and the stupid jokes about Fruity Pebbles. (Okay, those were actually entertaining.) John Cena, when he gets "real" and "serious", can cut a great promo, but unfortunately, he likes to either cut jokes or whine far too often and it defeats the purpose of cutting the promos to begin with. John Cena needs to be kept focused and serious for this "feud" leading up to Wrestlemania XXVIII. That one promo did more to promote the Rock - Cena match than the entire past six months has done.
I try to be fair and balanced where Cena is concerned and while his presence pretty much totally decimated the entire "Embrace The Hate" storyline, he did a great job on Monday. Now I only hope that when Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson shows up on RAW Monday night, he keeps it just as focused and serious. The time for playing games and making jokes is over. It's time to get real and serious and I'm glad that Cena (and the WWE writers) realized that!
The Cobra Strikes...
Like most everyone else, I was a bit shocked to see Santino Marella inserted into the Elimination Chamber last weekend. After all, Santino is a comedy character and pretty much a joke and goof as a wrestler. Just ask Jim Cornette (and then be prepared to hear a forty-five minute, profanity filled tirade... lol).
But first it was the Royal Rumble last year where Santino was the next to last person to be eliminated. And now, it's the Eliomination Chamber, where the last two men are Santino and the World Champion, Daniel Bryan. Although Bryan won (as he should have), the fans were really popping and excited for Santino. It was probably the hottest moment of the night for the live audience when they thought there was a chance Santino had a real chance to be the next World Champion.
You know what? I like this. Santino is a comedy character and a goof-ball, but I'm liking the way that they're building him here. I don't think that Santino will ever be a top tier main eventer or the World or WWE Champion, but they're starting to establish that Santino, when it comes time to get into the ring, is all business. Zack Ryder is the same way. He's all goofy and perky outside the ring, but all business once that bell rings. That is the way it should be. Disco Inferno was the same way in WCW. He was an idiot in his promos and commentary, but he knew how to perform in that ring and won championships as a result. I'm not sure what they have in mind for Santino, but he's a good character that sells merchandise and puts butts in the seats, so if they want to rehabilitate his character by making him the ultimate underdog who always finds a way to succeed, so be it.
I just had a thought. Zack Ryder and Santino Marella as the tag team champions. And they could bring in Disco Inferno as their manager. Just imagine the promos and chaos. It'd be the greatest thing to happen to wrestling since the days of the b.W.o. Probably never happen, but I can hope, right?
Taking The GM Feud To The Match Beyond...
As far as the General Managers go and their little feud to gain control of both shows, what the hell? John Laurinaitis is "Mr. No Personality" and Teddy is "holla holla holla" and now both of them want to run both RAW and Smackdown. I guess Johnny Ace needs a storyline to keep him busy since the CM Punk story seems to have faded away. So what is the WWE aiming for? I've heard rumors of two things.
The first option would be a match between Johnny Ace and Teddy Long for control of both shows. Look at the age difference. Look at the size difference. This match would be a disaster from the beginning and just get worse. And even the WWE is (hopefully) smart enough to see that.
The other option is, from what I understand, a five on five match with a team of RAW Superstars (representing Lauriniatis) versus Team Smackdown (representing Teddy Long), used as a replacement for the Money In The Bank match. It'd be okay I guess, but the Raw versus Smackdown matches have been used so often in the past, it just doesn't have any kind of excitement for me. Unless a special stipulation is added to the match, that is...
And this is just my suggestion, but if we're going to end up with a five on five match to determine who will run RAW and Smackdown (which I always thought were to be kept as seperate brands so why would two brands have only one General Manager?), why not make it interesting and put this match in two rings and a steel cage? Yeppers, I'm talking about "War Games - The Match Beyond"?
I know that for Wrestlemania, where we will already have a plethora of great matches, adding a match like "War Games" would kind of be overkill, but hear me out. At Wrestlemania, they cango ahead and book the one-sided John Laurinaitis versus Teddy Long match. But since Teddy isn't and has never been a wrestler, let him have a substitute to wrestle in his place... such as Mick Foley (who still owes Laurinaitis for busting him in the head with the microphone a few months ago). Ace and Foley wrestle and Foley wins, thus giving him a big "Wrestlemania moment!". End of story, right? Wrong!
The next night, Laurinaitis and his "Legal Counsel" David Otunga come out on RAW and invoke some legal technicality that negates the Foley win. And we get a moment where Laurinaitis / Otunga confront Foley / Teddy. Here comes HHH or Vince or someone in authority, representing the Board of Directors and they say revoke the GM Powers of both men until the next pay per view where it will all be decided who is the GM of both RAW and Smackdown in a five on five "War Games" match.
Both men can spend the next few weeks picking their teams while WWE can use men like Arn Anderson, Dusty Rhodes, Road Warrior Animal, etc... who have all participated in prior "War Games" matches to put over how dangerous and brutal the match is. Thus, WWE gets a big match, a big buy-rate for the next PPV after Wrestlemania and makes a stupid storyline with two minor players into a big time event.
It's just a suggestion, but it would work and make money for the WWE, as well as make a lot of old WCW fans happy too. It probably won't happen and we'll get some stupid "GM on a Pole" match, but I had to put the idea out there and hope WWE takes the bait. We can only hope!
And I guess that's going to do it for today. Or should I....??? Yeah, I think I will. It's time for that old stand-by from columns of days past to make a comeback. Yeppers, I"m talking about the...
Who Am I?...
I'm a second generation superstar, the son of a former World Champion, who has never quite gotten the respect I deserve, despite stints in both the WWE and WCW. In the WWE, I was treated just like a piece of meat by the Divas. In WCW, I proved that I was quite a natural born thriller, but moved on soon to romancing a long legged Nitro Girl and feuding with another second-generation superstar. I wrestled on the last edition of Nitro before heading back to WWE and being a total space cadet. I now only wrestle occasionally, spending most of my time in my other profession as a chiropractor. Who Am I?
Think you know the answer? You can send it to me, along with questions, comments, etc, to Doug28352@yahoo.com. Also, go read my blog-site at www.tsfiction.blogspot.com for all things Dougie.
And I guess that's it for me today. I have to go now and get ready for a night of live ACW action at the Armory. Should be an awesome show and I'll have a recap of it up in the next few days. Thanks for reading and always remember, wrestling is real... life is fake. I'm Doug and "dat is all de' people need to know!"
Ubuntu!
February 25, 2012
Doug Maynard
Okay, I admit it. I've been a bad Lil' Jimmy. No new editions of "Tossing Salt" for almost two weeks now. *Holds head down in shame!* But I have managed to, along with the aid of the baddest man on the planet, Russell Jackson, put out a couple of edtions of "Wrestling Fact Or Fiction".
So am I forgiven for my oversights? Nope? Damn! So I guess that means I need to get to stepping, right? Of course it does and here I am... with a new edition of professional wrestling's most eclectic column since 2003, "Tossing Salt - Worldwide News"...
So what's on the agenda? Not too much because I have an engagement for later this evening... a very special event called "American Championship Wrestling"... LIVE - tonight at the National Guard Armory in Laurinburg, NC. And yes, there will be a recap of the show up sometime in the next day or so. Look for it.
And now, for today's column. I want to talk about Zack Ryder & Eve, CM Punk and Chris Brown, Teddy Long versus John Laurinaitis, Santino Marella and John Cena's "shoot" on the Rock. And I'm sure that other stuff will come up as well. Let's do this...
News & Opinions...
Zack, Kane and Eve... Oh My! (And their little Cena too!)
I am so damn bored already with the Zack Ryder - Eve storyline, which I guess can be considered a spin-off of the John Cena - Kane "Embrace The Hate" crapfest, just like "Angel" was a spin-off of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer", except for this new "drama" isn't quite a good. What is the WWE thinking? Poor Zack Ryder! He worked his ass off and got himself over with the wrestling fans unlike few others have ever managed before. The fans love Zack Ryder! Everyone loves Zack Ryder. Woo Woo Woo - you know it! Well, everyone but the WWE "Creative Team" it seems.
Zack gets over with the fans. Supporters like CM Punk, John Cena, Steve Austin, etc. all lend their support. The WWE always tells their "superstars" to be creative and make their moments and they'll be rewarded. Ryder did and what happened? He was rewarded with the United States Championship. Of course it took several months and several screwy incidents, but it happened. Ryder is the U.S. Champ. The world is at peace and there is harmony in the air. So the WWE decides to screw Ryder out f the belt in a total squash, giving the title to Jack Swagger, while Ryder is turned into a cowardly idiot who's used as Kane's personal punching bag and bitch. Ryder misses out on pay-days for the Royal Rumble AND The Elimination Chamber. He's being buried deeper than the memory of Chris Benoit in the world of WWE.
The one positive thing of the whole storyline is that while Ryder is looking like an accident-prone, whimpy, ass-clown, he still has Eve. He still gets the woman, right? Nope! Eve puts the mack on John Cena and then reveals that she just used Ryder to get to Cena "because that's what people do". At least that explains why her "crocodile tears" were so obvious. As an actress, Eve makes a great wrestler. So Eve is the ultimate "Hoeski" and Cena goes on to face The Rock and what about Zack Ryder? I guess he'll fight with Kane for a bit... if he ever makes it back from the "injuries", that is.
This whole storyline started off bad and just gets more and more annoying. Hopefully, once Cena is out of the picture and focused on Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, then Zack and Kane can salvage this whole thing and turn it into something bearable and watchable. I hope so. It's basically a rehash of the entire Kane - Matt Hardy - Lita storyline from a few years ago anyhow, with a few slight changes. And we all know how well that turned out, don't we? Maybe we can luck up and get some Snitsky appearances out of the deal.
The bottom line is this. Ryder made himself a star and the WWE, despite their claims, don't like that so Zack gets buried. Eve gets her shot now to be the next Lita (remember those great "Slut" chants Lita used to get), but with one major difference. Lita had talent and Eve... well, she's hot, but that's where the similarites end. It's going to take a lot of work to save this storyline (and Zack's career... Kane's too for that matter). I hope they can do it, but I'm not holding my breath.
By the way, big kudos to John Cena for that shoot-style promo he cut on The Rock this past Monday night on RAW. It was to the point and a great example of what John should have been doing all along. Forget about the "funny" promos and the stupid jokes about Fruity Pebbles. (Okay, those were actually entertaining.) John Cena, when he gets "real" and "serious", can cut a great promo, but unfortunately, he likes to either cut jokes or whine far too often and it defeats the purpose of cutting the promos to begin with. John Cena needs to be kept focused and serious for this "feud" leading up to Wrestlemania XXVIII. That one promo did more to promote the Rock - Cena match than the entire past six months has done.
I try to be fair and balanced where Cena is concerned and while his presence pretty much totally decimated the entire "Embrace The Hate" storyline, he did a great job on Monday. Now I only hope that when Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson shows up on RAW Monday night, he keeps it just as focused and serious. The time for playing games and making jokes is over. It's time to get real and serious and I'm glad that Cena (and the WWE writers) realized that!
The Cobra Strikes...
Like most everyone else, I was a bit shocked to see Santino Marella inserted into the Elimination Chamber last weekend. After all, Santino is a comedy character and pretty much a joke and goof as a wrestler. Just ask Jim Cornette (and then be prepared to hear a forty-five minute, profanity filled tirade... lol).
But first it was the Royal Rumble last year where Santino was the next to last person to be eliminated. And now, it's the Eliomination Chamber, where the last two men are Santino and the World Champion, Daniel Bryan. Although Bryan won (as he should have), the fans were really popping and excited for Santino. It was probably the hottest moment of the night for the live audience when they thought there was a chance Santino had a real chance to be the next World Champion.
You know what? I like this. Santino is a comedy character and a goof-ball, but I'm liking the way that they're building him here. I don't think that Santino will ever be a top tier main eventer or the World or WWE Champion, but they're starting to establish that Santino, when it comes time to get into the ring, is all business. Zack Ryder is the same way. He's all goofy and perky outside the ring, but all business once that bell rings. That is the way it should be. Disco Inferno was the same way in WCW. He was an idiot in his promos and commentary, but he knew how to perform in that ring and won championships as a result. I'm not sure what they have in mind for Santino, but he's a good character that sells merchandise and puts butts in the seats, so if they want to rehabilitate his character by making him the ultimate underdog who always finds a way to succeed, so be it.
I just had a thought. Zack Ryder and Santino Marella as the tag team champions. And they could bring in Disco Inferno as their manager. Just imagine the promos and chaos. It'd be the greatest thing to happen to wrestling since the days of the b.W.o. Probably never happen, but I can hope, right?
Taking The GM Feud To The Match Beyond...
As far as the General Managers go and their little feud to gain control of both shows, what the hell? John Laurinaitis is "Mr. No Personality" and Teddy is "holla holla holla" and now both of them want to run both RAW and Smackdown. I guess Johnny Ace needs a storyline to keep him busy since the CM Punk story seems to have faded away. So what is the WWE aiming for? I've heard rumors of two things.
The first option would be a match between Johnny Ace and Teddy Long for control of both shows. Look at the age difference. Look at the size difference. This match would be a disaster from the beginning and just get worse. And even the WWE is (hopefully) smart enough to see that.
The other option is, from what I understand, a five on five match with a team of RAW Superstars (representing Lauriniatis) versus Team Smackdown (representing Teddy Long), used as a replacement for the Money In The Bank match. It'd be okay I guess, but the Raw versus Smackdown matches have been used so often in the past, it just doesn't have any kind of excitement for me. Unless a special stipulation is added to the match, that is...
And this is just my suggestion, but if we're going to end up with a five on five match to determine who will run RAW and Smackdown (which I always thought were to be kept as seperate brands so why would two brands have only one General Manager?), why not make it interesting and put this match in two rings and a steel cage? Yeppers, I'm talking about "War Games - The Match Beyond"?
I know that for Wrestlemania, where we will already have a plethora of great matches, adding a match like "War Games" would kind of be overkill, but hear me out. At Wrestlemania, they cango ahead and book the one-sided John Laurinaitis versus Teddy Long match. But since Teddy isn't and has never been a wrestler, let him have a substitute to wrestle in his place... such as Mick Foley (who still owes Laurinaitis for busting him in the head with the microphone a few months ago). Ace and Foley wrestle and Foley wins, thus giving him a big "Wrestlemania moment!". End of story, right? Wrong!
The next night, Laurinaitis and his "Legal Counsel" David Otunga come out on RAW and invoke some legal technicality that negates the Foley win. And we get a moment where Laurinaitis / Otunga confront Foley / Teddy. Here comes HHH or Vince or someone in authority, representing the Board of Directors and they say revoke the GM Powers of both men until the next pay per view where it will all be decided who is the GM of both RAW and Smackdown in a five on five "War Games" match.
Both men can spend the next few weeks picking their teams while WWE can use men like Arn Anderson, Dusty Rhodes, Road Warrior Animal, etc... who have all participated in prior "War Games" matches to put over how dangerous and brutal the match is. Thus, WWE gets a big match, a big buy-rate for the next PPV after Wrestlemania and makes a stupid storyline with two minor players into a big time event.
It's just a suggestion, but it would work and make money for the WWE, as well as make a lot of old WCW fans happy too. It probably won't happen and we'll get some stupid "GM on a Pole" match, but I had to put the idea out there and hope WWE takes the bait. We can only hope!
And I guess that's going to do it for today. Or should I....??? Yeah, I think I will. It's time for that old stand-by from columns of days past to make a comeback. Yeppers, I"m talking about the...
Who Am I?...
I'm a second generation superstar, the son of a former World Champion, who has never quite gotten the respect I deserve, despite stints in both the WWE and WCW. In the WWE, I was treated just like a piece of meat by the Divas. In WCW, I proved that I was quite a natural born thriller, but moved on soon to romancing a long legged Nitro Girl and feuding with another second-generation superstar. I wrestled on the last edition of Nitro before heading back to WWE and being a total space cadet. I now only wrestle occasionally, spending most of my time in my other profession as a chiropractor. Who Am I?
Think you know the answer? You can send it to me, along with questions, comments, etc, to Doug28352@yahoo.com. Also, go read my blog-site at www.tsfiction.blogspot.com for all things Dougie.
And I guess that's it for me today. I have to go now and get ready for a night of live ACW action at the Armory. Should be an awesome show and I'll have a recap of it up in the next few days. Thanks for reading and always remember, wrestling is real... life is fake. I'm Doug and "dat is all de' people need to know!"
Ubuntu!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Wrestling Fact Or Fiction - February 24, 2012
Tossing Salt Presents: Wrestling Fact or Fiction
February 24, 2012
Doug Maynard
So here we are again, Friday afternoon and that means another edition of Adele's favorite reason to shoot everyone the bird, "Wrestling Fact Or Fiction". I'm Doug. the saltiest man alive, and I'm joined as always by a man with more class than Mr. Kotter (obscure 70's television reference), the one and only Mr. Russell Jackson. Questions were sent out Tuesday and are mainly about The Elimination Chamber pay per view and Monday's edition of RAW. Let's do this...
TNA should be better now that Vince Russo is no longer with the company?
Russell - FICTION: TNA SHOULD be better now that Vince Russo is no longer with the company, but they're not even close in bein better until 1) They find a suitable writer that can come up with better/more interestin storylines that will attract the wrestling fans in watchin their product & 2) They get rid of both Eric Bitchoff & "Broken Down" Hulk Hogan...
Doug - FICTION: I want to say "Fact", but I don't think it will make a bit of difference with the TNA product whether Vince Russo is there or not. The way I understand it, Bruce Pritchard, aka "Brother Love" has been the man in charge of the creative direction of TNA for a while now. Russo was writing the television, but the main thrust of the TNA direction was (is) coming from Pritchard, Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff and Dixie Carter. Russo is their fall guy for when things suck... a role that, based on his earlier roles in the destruction of WCW and the early days of TNA, is well deserved.
Russo is a good television writer and he knows the wrestling business, but he's not good as the "idea guy" and "man in charge". I expect that eventually, we see Russo back in the WWE as they attempt to recreate a new "Attitude Era" to help launch the WWE Network. And as for TNA, it'll still limp along with 1.0 ratings and living on life support, much as it has for the past several years.
You liked the WWE Elimination Chamber pay per view?
Russell - FICTION: The Elimination Chamber has got to be the WORST freakin PPV that the WWE has put out in quite some time (grant it, not that long ago)...You have 5 wrestling matches on the PPV, you have neither Elimination Chamber match (which I might add, both Elimination Chamber matches was for the WWE & World Heavyweight Championship) main event the PPV...Instead, you have the main event match be the retarded "Ambulance Match" between John Cena & Kane...I don't see how anybody would pay $39/$40 to watch a worthless PPV like that...
Doug - FICTION: I have to be honest - I didn't watch the pay per view yet. I just read the spoilers and recaps as the night progressed, but based on what I read, as well as the follow up on RAW, it just didn't really strike me as a must-see event.
I'll be getting a copy of the show from a friend later this week and I may end up changing my mind, but aside from the Elimination Chamber matches themselves, what else was there? The returns of Mark Henry, Christian and Alberto Del Rio... but none of them wrestled. Instead we got a long promo by Johnny Ace? What the... ?? And the main event was Kane versus Cena? Two matches with the World and WWE Championships on the line, plus matches for the United States and Divas Championships.. and they end the show with Cena versus Kane?
As Mean Gene would say, "Give me a break!". It seems right now that the WWE treated this show as just a throw-away event with little thought or effort. The focus is on Wrestlemania and while that's not a bad thing (so far, it's looking to be a stacked show), the Elimination Chamber PPV deserved better... and so did us fans and the WWE Universe.
The right person (CM Punk) won the RAW Elimination Chamber?
Russell - FACT: This is the only thing that the Jackasses that is the WWE got right...I've said it once b4 & I'll say it again, CM Punk is on such a hot roll right now that I don't see him losin the WWE Championship any time soon...He's doin a great job as WWE Champion.
Doug: FICTION: So now Punk will go into Wrestlemania as the WWE Champion. That's not a bad deal, but I still think Punk makes a better "chasing the title" guy than "champion" and it would have been better for Jericho to pick up the title last night and give Punk a chance to have a big time Wrestlemania moment.
Think about this. Very few people remember the wrestlers who go into Wrestlemania as Champions and then walk out as Champions. Miz did it last year, but does anyone remember that match? Nope! But when someone goes into Wrestlemania as the challenger and then wins the WWE title or wins the World title, that makes a memory and a moment.
It's hard to say that it's a bad thing for someone like Punk to be the Champion, but if Jericho is going to have any more reigns as the WWE Champion, Sunday night was the time. Not at Wrestlemania. That should be Punk's night.
The right person (Daniel Bryan) won the Smackdown Elimination Chamber?
Russell - FACT: The only reason why I'm sayin Daniel Bryan is the right person that won the Smackdown Elimination Chamber is 1 simple reason - so that Sheamus can maul through that pipsqueak in becomin the NEW World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania XXVIII...It's that simple...
Doug - FACT: In this case, the right call was made. Bryan has done a great job as the World Champion and especially in the weak field of challengers he had in the Elimination Chamber on Sunday night, he was the right man to walk out and take that trip to the pay window, if you will. I mean, look at the challengers? Santino? Great Khali?
Maybe if they had inserted Christian or Alberto into the match, there might be an argument made that Bryan wasn't the best guy in the match, but those superstars were wasted kissing up to Johnny Ace and being a part of this stupid Johnny Ace / Teddy Long rivalry. Bryan was the best guy to win in that match on Sunday night and as things stand right now in the WWE, he's the best guy to be the World Champion.
Daniel Bryan defending the World Championship against Sheamus is a great match for Wrestlemania?
Russell - FACT: Daniel Bryan defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Sheamus is a great match for WrestleMania just so that Daniel Bryan will lose the title & cry bout it at the grandest stage of them all...It will indeed be classic...We will indeed have a new World Heavyweight Champion crowned at WrestleMania XXVIII...
Doug - FICTION: It'll be a good match, but I can't look at it and call it "great". Sheamus is okay, but he's not, in my eyes, a "Wrestlemania headliner" superstar. But then again, six months ago, I wouldn't have said that Daniel Bryan was ready for that spot either, so what do I know, right?
I would love to have seen a Daniel Bryan - Christian match at the top of the card. That would be a great match. And Mark Henry deserves a prominent spot near the top of the show as well as a reward for the past year when he's really been at the top of his game. Even Miz versus Bryan interests me more than seeing Sheamus in that all-so-important match. Sheamus is okay and it'll be a good match, but I still think that the WWE still have done better.
<<< --- SWITCHEROO --- >>>
John Laurinaitis will succeed in his goal to become the (Interim) General Manager for both brands of WWE (RAW and Smackdown)?
Doug - FICTION: I sure as hell hope not. Watching Johnny Ace on RAW each week is annoying enough, but on two shows? That would be just too much. I thought the whole idea of having two brands was to keep them seperate with different identities and personalities. Having the same GM for both shows would totally negate any reason for the brand seperation. Of course, the way wrestlers go back and forth between the two shows, it's pretty much over with anyhow.
I'm scared, with the whole timing of this storyline, that we might end up with a Teddy Long versus Johnny Ace match at Wrestlemania. Lord, I hope not! Actually, if it does happen, I expect we'll see Teddy bring in a ringer to represent him (Mick Foley) and take on Ace. That's a "best case" scenario, but I actually hope that the WWE "creative team" gets distracted and totally forgets about this whole storyline and it goes into WWE Limbo (along with Brodus Clay), never to be thought of again.
Russell - FICTION: It's quite simple - John "No Charisma" Laurinaitis is too stupid to succeed in his goal, let alone run both brands as General Manager...Teddy Long, I hope, ends up as General Manager of both Raw & Smackdown...
WWE was correct to pull the character and take Brodus Clay off of televison?
Doug - FICTION: Yeah, he sucked and yeah, it was a stupid character, but if they continue to allow The Great Khali, Hornswoggle and David Otunga to wrestle on TV, despite their poor wrestling skills, the WWE can't really say anything about Clay and his matches. Hell, how can they say that his wrestling skills aren't up to standards when all he wrestles are sixty-second squashes? The whole gimmick was a bad idea to begin with and if they want to pull it because it's a stupid gimmick, then so be it. But don't blame Clay's quality of wrestling as the reason when he rarely wrestles more than a minute and you have such WWE "Superstars" as the ones I mentioned earlier, not to mention the Divas, getting plenty of airtime and TV time and they stink up the ring far more than Clay ever could.
Russell - FACT: And who says that miracles doesn't happen on a daily basis...WWE was INDEED correct to pull the character & take Brodus Clay off of television...Well not so much Brodus Clay the wrestler, but the character that Clay was doin...The character was plain out a BAD Teletubby impersonation that can't dance...Brodus Clay needs to come back as himself with a mean streak, make him a huge monster heel that was supposed to happen to begin with...
Undertaker was right when he told HHH that "Shawn is always better than you"?
Doug - FICTION: I think that Shawn is the better wrestler and entertainer than HHH, but "always better" just covers too much ground. HHH is the smarter person who has made the better life decisions overall. Shawn was a total screw-up early in his career and he had to grow as a performer, as a person, as a man. HHH seems to have avoided all the pitfalls of a wrestling career, except of course for those that can be attributed to hanging out with Shawn, like the Kilq "Curtain Call" or the "Bret Hart Screwjob". I'd rather watch Shawn wrestle than HHH almost anyday, but then again, I'd rather watch Jamie Noble than either of them so what do I know?
Russell - FICTION: I don't know where Taker got that remark from in tellin HHH that "Shawn is always better than you"...Shawn never got the job done in endin Taker's streak at back to back WrestleManias...HHH still has a shot in endin the Undertaker's streak at WrestleMania XXVIII, plain & simple...
"Hell In A Cell" is a great stipulation for the HHH versus Undertaker match at Wrestlemania?
Doug - FACT: This is the way that "Hell In A Cell" is supposed to be used... as the final chapter in a war between two of the WWE's biggest superstars. I don't like it when it's a regular part of a pay per view that has people wrestling in the big cage just for the heck of it. That defeats the whole stigma and image of the "HIAC" match. I wasn't really interested in the HHH - Undertaker rematch until now. With the new stipulation (and I'm still waiting for Shawn Michaels to be made a part of the match as well), I can honestly say that now it's become a match I want to see.
Russell - FACT: The HHH vs Undertaker match at WrestleMania XXVIII is an end of an era match so to speak, in both HHH & Undertaker bein the last 2 wrestlers from "their era"...Why not let them settle their differences in "Hell in A Cell" Match?...An end all to end all...Makes sense to me...
Putting R-Truth and Kofi Kingston together as a tag team is a good idea?
Doug - FACT: It works for me. There is no way that, as they've been presented over the past few years, that anyone can take either Truth or Kofi as serious top-level main event guys. They're both good workers with unique looks and gimmicks, but they're also both upper mid-card at best. While Primo and Epico are great wrestlers as the tag team champs, they really don't have any shine or personality. Kofi and especially Truth bring that to the table. It may not be what Kofi and Truth want (better to be a top singles star than a tag team wrestler) but in the big picture of things, it keeps them on the shows and in the spotlight and adds strength to a divsion that really needs some help and strong names. So Kofi and Truth? Why not?
Russell - FICTION: I don't see R-Truth & Kofi Kingston as a tag team for this simple reason...They are totally opposite in wrestling styles...I don't see them lasting long in the tag team division...
So in the end, we went (6 - 4), agreeing on more than we disagree, but only slightly. Actually, looking at the remarks, we actually agree, it seems, on far more than that, but just came at the questions from different angles.
I guess that'll do it for another week. My thanks once more to the man, the myth, the legend, the Putt Putt King of the World, Russell Jackson, for his help, this week and every week. You de' man Russell!! And if anyone out there would like to join Russell and myself and make this a Fact or Fiction three-way-dance, we'd love to have you. Just get in touch with me at Doug28352@yahoo.com and we can bring you aboard. Questions and comments can be sent to the same e-mail addy as well.
A quick reminder: The Superstars of American Championship Wrestling (ACW) will be at the National Guard Armory in Laurinburg, NC tomorrow (Saturday) night. Such stars as Ethan Storm, Red Thunder, Branson & Douglas (BD Productions), Dylan Kage, Ty Tyson and many, many more. ACW always puts on a great show and usually tend to see out quickly when they come to Laurinburg, so if you want to see a night of great action, old school wrestling mixed with high flying excitement, and the best performers in the business not affiliated with WWE or TNA, grab the family and come on out. I plan on being there and would love to meet some of ya'll in person. Doors open at 6:30pm and matches start at 7:30pm. Admission for adults is $10 and for children, only $5. So if you're in the Laurinburg, NC area or anywhere in south-eastern NC, come on by. Be there!!
And with that, I'm truly out of here for now. Have a great day and never forget... wrestling is real, it's life that's faked.
Ubuntu!
February 24, 2012
Doug Maynard
So here we are again, Friday afternoon and that means another edition of Adele's favorite reason to shoot everyone the bird, "Wrestling Fact Or Fiction". I'm Doug. the saltiest man alive, and I'm joined as always by a man with more class than Mr. Kotter (obscure 70's television reference), the one and only Mr. Russell Jackson. Questions were sent out Tuesday and are mainly about The Elimination Chamber pay per view and Monday's edition of RAW. Let's do this...
TNA should be better now that Vince Russo is no longer with the company?
Russell - FICTION: TNA SHOULD be better now that Vince Russo is no longer with the company, but they're not even close in bein better until 1) They find a suitable writer that can come up with better/more interestin storylines that will attract the wrestling fans in watchin their product & 2) They get rid of both Eric Bitchoff & "Broken Down" Hulk Hogan...
Doug - FICTION: I want to say "Fact", but I don't think it will make a bit of difference with the TNA product whether Vince Russo is there or not. The way I understand it, Bruce Pritchard, aka "Brother Love" has been the man in charge of the creative direction of TNA for a while now. Russo was writing the television, but the main thrust of the TNA direction was (is) coming from Pritchard, Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff and Dixie Carter. Russo is their fall guy for when things suck... a role that, based on his earlier roles in the destruction of WCW and the early days of TNA, is well deserved.
Russo is a good television writer and he knows the wrestling business, but he's not good as the "idea guy" and "man in charge". I expect that eventually, we see Russo back in the WWE as they attempt to recreate a new "Attitude Era" to help launch the WWE Network. And as for TNA, it'll still limp along with 1.0 ratings and living on life support, much as it has for the past several years.
You liked the WWE Elimination Chamber pay per view?
Russell - FICTION: The Elimination Chamber has got to be the WORST freakin PPV that the WWE has put out in quite some time (grant it, not that long ago)...You have 5 wrestling matches on the PPV, you have neither Elimination Chamber match (which I might add, both Elimination Chamber matches was for the WWE & World Heavyweight Championship) main event the PPV...Instead, you have the main event match be the retarded "Ambulance Match" between John Cena & Kane...I don't see how anybody would pay $39/$40 to watch a worthless PPV like that...
Doug - FICTION: I have to be honest - I didn't watch the pay per view yet. I just read the spoilers and recaps as the night progressed, but based on what I read, as well as the follow up on RAW, it just didn't really strike me as a must-see event.
I'll be getting a copy of the show from a friend later this week and I may end up changing my mind, but aside from the Elimination Chamber matches themselves, what else was there? The returns of Mark Henry, Christian and Alberto Del Rio... but none of them wrestled. Instead we got a long promo by Johnny Ace? What the... ?? And the main event was Kane versus Cena? Two matches with the World and WWE Championships on the line, plus matches for the United States and Divas Championships.. and they end the show with Cena versus Kane?
As Mean Gene would say, "Give me a break!". It seems right now that the WWE treated this show as just a throw-away event with little thought or effort. The focus is on Wrestlemania and while that's not a bad thing (so far, it's looking to be a stacked show), the Elimination Chamber PPV deserved better... and so did us fans and the WWE Universe.
The right person (CM Punk) won the RAW Elimination Chamber?
Russell - FACT: This is the only thing that the Jackasses that is the WWE got right...I've said it once b4 & I'll say it again, CM Punk is on such a hot roll right now that I don't see him losin the WWE Championship any time soon...He's doin a great job as WWE Champion.
Doug: FICTION: So now Punk will go into Wrestlemania as the WWE Champion. That's not a bad deal, but I still think Punk makes a better "chasing the title" guy than "champion" and it would have been better for Jericho to pick up the title last night and give Punk a chance to have a big time Wrestlemania moment.
Think about this. Very few people remember the wrestlers who go into Wrestlemania as Champions and then walk out as Champions. Miz did it last year, but does anyone remember that match? Nope! But when someone goes into Wrestlemania as the challenger and then wins the WWE title or wins the World title, that makes a memory and a moment.
It's hard to say that it's a bad thing for someone like Punk to be the Champion, but if Jericho is going to have any more reigns as the WWE Champion, Sunday night was the time. Not at Wrestlemania. That should be Punk's night.
The right person (Daniel Bryan) won the Smackdown Elimination Chamber?
Russell - FACT: The only reason why I'm sayin Daniel Bryan is the right person that won the Smackdown Elimination Chamber is 1 simple reason - so that Sheamus can maul through that pipsqueak in becomin the NEW World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania XXVIII...It's that simple...
Doug - FACT: In this case, the right call was made. Bryan has done a great job as the World Champion and especially in the weak field of challengers he had in the Elimination Chamber on Sunday night, he was the right man to walk out and take that trip to the pay window, if you will. I mean, look at the challengers? Santino? Great Khali?
Maybe if they had inserted Christian or Alberto into the match, there might be an argument made that Bryan wasn't the best guy in the match, but those superstars were wasted kissing up to Johnny Ace and being a part of this stupid Johnny Ace / Teddy Long rivalry. Bryan was the best guy to win in that match on Sunday night and as things stand right now in the WWE, he's the best guy to be the World Champion.
Daniel Bryan defending the World Championship against Sheamus is a great match for Wrestlemania?
Russell - FACT: Daniel Bryan defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Sheamus is a great match for WrestleMania just so that Daniel Bryan will lose the title & cry bout it at the grandest stage of them all...It will indeed be classic...We will indeed have a new World Heavyweight Champion crowned at WrestleMania XXVIII...
Doug - FICTION: It'll be a good match, but I can't look at it and call it "great". Sheamus is okay, but he's not, in my eyes, a "Wrestlemania headliner" superstar. But then again, six months ago, I wouldn't have said that Daniel Bryan was ready for that spot either, so what do I know, right?
I would love to have seen a Daniel Bryan - Christian match at the top of the card. That would be a great match. And Mark Henry deserves a prominent spot near the top of the show as well as a reward for the past year when he's really been at the top of his game. Even Miz versus Bryan interests me more than seeing Sheamus in that all-so-important match. Sheamus is okay and it'll be a good match, but I still think that the WWE still have done better.
<<< --- SWITCHEROO --- >>>
John Laurinaitis will succeed in his goal to become the (Interim) General Manager for both brands of WWE (RAW and Smackdown)?
Doug - FICTION: I sure as hell hope not. Watching Johnny Ace on RAW each week is annoying enough, but on two shows? That would be just too much. I thought the whole idea of having two brands was to keep them seperate with different identities and personalities. Having the same GM for both shows would totally negate any reason for the brand seperation. Of course, the way wrestlers go back and forth between the two shows, it's pretty much over with anyhow.
I'm scared, with the whole timing of this storyline, that we might end up with a Teddy Long versus Johnny Ace match at Wrestlemania. Lord, I hope not! Actually, if it does happen, I expect we'll see Teddy bring in a ringer to represent him (Mick Foley) and take on Ace. That's a "best case" scenario, but I actually hope that the WWE "creative team" gets distracted and totally forgets about this whole storyline and it goes into WWE Limbo (along with Brodus Clay), never to be thought of again.
Russell - FICTION: It's quite simple - John "No Charisma" Laurinaitis is too stupid to succeed in his goal, let alone run both brands as General Manager...Teddy Long, I hope, ends up as General Manager of both Raw & Smackdown...
WWE was correct to pull the character and take Brodus Clay off of televison?
Doug - FICTION: Yeah, he sucked and yeah, it was a stupid character, but if they continue to allow The Great Khali, Hornswoggle and David Otunga to wrestle on TV, despite their poor wrestling skills, the WWE can't really say anything about Clay and his matches. Hell, how can they say that his wrestling skills aren't up to standards when all he wrestles are sixty-second squashes? The whole gimmick was a bad idea to begin with and if they want to pull it because it's a stupid gimmick, then so be it. But don't blame Clay's quality of wrestling as the reason when he rarely wrestles more than a minute and you have such WWE "Superstars" as the ones I mentioned earlier, not to mention the Divas, getting plenty of airtime and TV time and they stink up the ring far more than Clay ever could.
Russell - FACT: And who says that miracles doesn't happen on a daily basis...WWE was INDEED correct to pull the character & take Brodus Clay off of television...Well not so much Brodus Clay the wrestler, but the character that Clay was doin...The character was plain out a BAD Teletubby impersonation that can't dance...Brodus Clay needs to come back as himself with a mean streak, make him a huge monster heel that was supposed to happen to begin with...
Undertaker was right when he told HHH that "Shawn is always better than you"?
Doug - FICTION: I think that Shawn is the better wrestler and entertainer than HHH, but "always better" just covers too much ground. HHH is the smarter person who has made the better life decisions overall. Shawn was a total screw-up early in his career and he had to grow as a performer, as a person, as a man. HHH seems to have avoided all the pitfalls of a wrestling career, except of course for those that can be attributed to hanging out with Shawn, like the Kilq "Curtain Call" or the "Bret Hart Screwjob". I'd rather watch Shawn wrestle than HHH almost anyday, but then again, I'd rather watch Jamie Noble than either of them so what do I know?
Russell - FICTION: I don't know where Taker got that remark from in tellin HHH that "Shawn is always better than you"...Shawn never got the job done in endin Taker's streak at back to back WrestleManias...HHH still has a shot in endin the Undertaker's streak at WrestleMania XXVIII, plain & simple...
"Hell In A Cell" is a great stipulation for the HHH versus Undertaker match at Wrestlemania?
Doug - FACT: This is the way that "Hell In A Cell" is supposed to be used... as the final chapter in a war between two of the WWE's biggest superstars. I don't like it when it's a regular part of a pay per view that has people wrestling in the big cage just for the heck of it. That defeats the whole stigma and image of the "HIAC" match. I wasn't really interested in the HHH - Undertaker rematch until now. With the new stipulation (and I'm still waiting for Shawn Michaels to be made a part of the match as well), I can honestly say that now it's become a match I want to see.
Russell - FACT: The HHH vs Undertaker match at WrestleMania XXVIII is an end of an era match so to speak, in both HHH & Undertaker bein the last 2 wrestlers from "their era"...Why not let them settle their differences in "Hell in A Cell" Match?...An end all to end all...Makes sense to me...
Putting R-Truth and Kofi Kingston together as a tag team is a good idea?
Doug - FACT: It works for me. There is no way that, as they've been presented over the past few years, that anyone can take either Truth or Kofi as serious top-level main event guys. They're both good workers with unique looks and gimmicks, but they're also both upper mid-card at best. While Primo and Epico are great wrestlers as the tag team champs, they really don't have any shine or personality. Kofi and especially Truth bring that to the table. It may not be what Kofi and Truth want (better to be a top singles star than a tag team wrestler) but in the big picture of things, it keeps them on the shows and in the spotlight and adds strength to a divsion that really needs some help and strong names. So Kofi and Truth? Why not?
Russell - FICTION: I don't see R-Truth & Kofi Kingston as a tag team for this simple reason...They are totally opposite in wrestling styles...I don't see them lasting long in the tag team division...
So in the end, we went (6 - 4), agreeing on more than we disagree, but only slightly. Actually, looking at the remarks, we actually agree, it seems, on far more than that, but just came at the questions from different angles.
I guess that'll do it for another week. My thanks once more to the man, the myth, the legend, the Putt Putt King of the World, Russell Jackson, for his help, this week and every week. You de' man Russell!! And if anyone out there would like to join Russell and myself and make this a Fact or Fiction three-way-dance, we'd love to have you. Just get in touch with me at Doug28352@yahoo.com and we can bring you aboard. Questions and comments can be sent to the same e-mail addy as well.
A quick reminder: The Superstars of American Championship Wrestling (ACW) will be at the National Guard Armory in Laurinburg, NC tomorrow (Saturday) night. Such stars as Ethan Storm, Red Thunder, Branson & Douglas (BD Productions), Dylan Kage, Ty Tyson and many, many more. ACW always puts on a great show and usually tend to see out quickly when they come to Laurinburg, so if you want to see a night of great action, old school wrestling mixed with high flying excitement, and the best performers in the business not affiliated with WWE or TNA, grab the family and come on out. I plan on being there and would love to meet some of ya'll in person. Doors open at 6:30pm and matches start at 7:30pm. Admission for adults is $10 and for children, only $5. So if you're in the Laurinburg, NC area or anywhere in south-eastern NC, come on by. Be there!!
And with that, I'm truly out of here for now. Have a great day and never forget... wrestling is real, it's life that's faked.
Ubuntu!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Elimination Chamber Predictions: February 18, 2012
Elimination Chamber Thoughts And Predictions - February 19, 2012
Greetings, salutations and all that stuff. Tomorrow night is the WWE Elimination Chamber pay per view and usually I'd be sitting in front of the computer right now pounding out a new "Tossing Salt - Worldwide News" column, complete with predictions for the big show as well as thoughts and comments about a whole plethora of wrestling-related topics.
Well, that's what I would "usually" be doing, but not tonight. I started on a new "TS" column earlier today, but I'm just not feeling it... the wrestling thing that is. I managed to get a paragraph about Brodus Clay written and then the muses in my head started talking about a story idea involving the mystic adventurer from the Avengers (Marvel Comics), Dr Anthony Druid, and the Scooby Gang from the TV series "Buffy The Vampire Slayer". And so I quit the column and started working on that idea instead.
But now, as the day grows to a close, I know that I can't let the Elimination Chamber show go ignored. After all, I am an "internet wrestling journalist" (whatever the hell that is) and damn it, making predictions for wrestling shows is what I do. So that's what I'm going to do. Plus I'll go ahead and post the piece about Brodus Clay that I wrote for the "TS" column that will probably never be written. So here you go...
The Wrestling Globe reports that WWE officials have decided to put Brodus Clay’s “Funkasaurus” gimmick on hold for the time being. Word is that Vince McMahon feels that Clay’s ring work wasn’t where it needed to be for WWE TV.
And this makes a rare moment where I actually agree with Vince. The whole "Brodus Clay experiment" was a disaster from the first moment that Clay was advertised to make his debut and it kept getting pushed back more and more. And then when he did debut - it was PN News meets Rikishi meets Flash Funk and none of that is a good thing for 2012.
But I kept the slightest bit of hope that maybe, this 400 plus pound monster of a man could make it work. But there were signs to the contrary. The second week that Clay was on the live Monday Night Raw broadcast, his rip away pants didn't totally rip away and he played it off well, but looked silly. And then his match against William Regal, a man capable of making the very worst of wrestlers look like a potential Ricky Steamboat, took place. And Clay almost missed his finisher, the flying cross body press.
If you can't hit your own finishing move, you don't belong on the big shows (unless your name was Batista, who flubbed his "Batista Bomb" more times than he hit it). So Clay is gone for the time being to be either retrained or repackaged. I hate it for Clay, but it'sthe right thing to do.
If this had been the 80's, there would't have been any problems, but in the world of 2012, with characters like CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Wade Barrett and The Miz taking center stage, cartoon characters just don't really fit in very well anymore. Better he gets repackaged as the killer monster heel as was the original idea. Then all he has to do is hit and kick people. Much better for all persons involved.
Wasn't that special? A great piece of work and it'll never make it into a regular column. Oh well... stuff happens. Now let's move on to something else... the main reason we're all here.
Elimination Chamber Predictions:
World champion Daniel Bryan defending against The Great Khali, Wade Barrett, Big Show, WWE Intercontinental champion Cody Rhodes and Santino Marella in the Elimination Chamber.
Okay, let's go ahead and take out the wrestlers who clearly don't stand a chance. Big Show will be moving into a program against Shaquille O'Neal for Wrestlemania, so he's out of contention. Khali sucks and doesn't even belong in the match so he's out too. Santino? Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha!! So that leaves the Champion, Daniel Bryan, The Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes and Wade Barrett. I still think we'll end up seeing Cody take on his brother, Dustin Rhodes aka Goldust at Wrestlemania, so he's out of it too. And while Wade Barrett is impressive, I don't think Wade versus Shemaus has much appeal to it, especially for a Wrestlemania match. So let's just keep the belt on Bryan who will somehow manage to sneak and slide out of the Chamber still the champion.
Winner and STILL Champion: Daniel Bryan
WWE champion CM Punk defending against Chris Jericho, Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, The Miz and R-Truth in the Elimination Chamber.
This should be the match of the night for the pay per view because it has all the good wrestlers and top talent, unlike the Smackdown match which is full of non-contenders and mid-card jokes. Kofi and Truth will NOT win and I really can't see Dolph winning either. Miz is awesome, but he's got backstage heat right now and "rewarding" him with the WWE Championship wouldn't make much sense. It's between CM Punk and Chris Jericho as to who walks out of the ring as the WWE Champion.
From what I understand, Jericho will be leaving the WWE again after Wrestlemania to handle some touring with Fozzy so if he's going to do anything and make an impact, the time is now. So look for Jericho to capture the title at the end of the night and thus, allowing CM Punk to assume the role of challenger and have that big "Wrestlemania Moment" when he regains his title in Miami. Works for me.
Winner and NEW Champion: Chris Jericho
John Cena vs. Kane in an Ambulance Match.
Who the hell cares? I just want this whole program to end. Cena finally "embraces the hate" and beats the holy hell out of Kane, but ends up on the recieving end of a Zack Ryder attack for his efforts... thus proving that Zack Ryder has "embraced the hate" as well. Cena wins the match, but Kane wins the war and Ryder's soul.
Winner: John Cena
WWE Divas champion Beth Phoenix vs. Tamina Snuka
As much as I'm glad to see Tamina finally getting a push, this is just a filler match to tide things over until Kharma (or Trish Stratus) is ready to make that challenge for the Divas Championship at Wrestlemania. I expect that Tamina will get in a lot of offense, but when the match is over, the Glamazon will still stand tall and keep the Divas Championship.
Winner and STILL Champion: Beth Phoenix
So there you go. My predictions for this show, but I have to ask, where are the United States Champion Jack Swagger and the WWE Tag Team Champions, Epico and Primo? Where is Sheamus? I know that the WWE is weak with top names right now, especially with both Randy Orton and Mark Henry on the injured list and Brodus Clay being repackaged, but this card is missing more than it's offering. That's not a way to draw fans or a buy-rate. But I guess the WWE knows what they're doing... YEAH, RIGHT!
That's going to do it for me. I'll see you in a few days with the "Fact or Fiction" column and I might get a real "TS" column out there in a few days as well. Or maybe I won't. Who knows?
I'll catch you on the flip side.
Ubuntu!
Greetings, salutations and all that stuff. Tomorrow night is the WWE Elimination Chamber pay per view and usually I'd be sitting in front of the computer right now pounding out a new "Tossing Salt - Worldwide News" column, complete with predictions for the big show as well as thoughts and comments about a whole plethora of wrestling-related topics.
Well, that's what I would "usually" be doing, but not tonight. I started on a new "TS" column earlier today, but I'm just not feeling it... the wrestling thing that is. I managed to get a paragraph about Brodus Clay written and then the muses in my head started talking about a story idea involving the mystic adventurer from the Avengers (Marvel Comics), Dr Anthony Druid, and the Scooby Gang from the TV series "Buffy The Vampire Slayer". And so I quit the column and started working on that idea instead.
But now, as the day grows to a close, I know that I can't let the Elimination Chamber show go ignored. After all, I am an "internet wrestling journalist" (whatever the hell that is) and damn it, making predictions for wrestling shows is what I do. So that's what I'm going to do. Plus I'll go ahead and post the piece about Brodus Clay that I wrote for the "TS" column that will probably never be written. So here you go...
The Wrestling Globe reports that WWE officials have decided to put Brodus Clay’s “Funkasaurus” gimmick on hold for the time being. Word is that Vince McMahon feels that Clay’s ring work wasn’t where it needed to be for WWE TV.
And this makes a rare moment where I actually agree with Vince. The whole "Brodus Clay experiment" was a disaster from the first moment that Clay was advertised to make his debut and it kept getting pushed back more and more. And then when he did debut - it was PN News meets Rikishi meets Flash Funk and none of that is a good thing for 2012.
But I kept the slightest bit of hope that maybe, this 400 plus pound monster of a man could make it work. But there were signs to the contrary. The second week that Clay was on the live Monday Night Raw broadcast, his rip away pants didn't totally rip away and he played it off well, but looked silly. And then his match against William Regal, a man capable of making the very worst of wrestlers look like a potential Ricky Steamboat, took place. And Clay almost missed his finisher, the flying cross body press.
If you can't hit your own finishing move, you don't belong on the big shows (unless your name was Batista, who flubbed his "Batista Bomb" more times than he hit it). So Clay is gone for the time being to be either retrained or repackaged. I hate it for Clay, but it'sthe right thing to do.
If this had been the 80's, there would't have been any problems, but in the world of 2012, with characters like CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Wade Barrett and The Miz taking center stage, cartoon characters just don't really fit in very well anymore. Better he gets repackaged as the killer monster heel as was the original idea. Then all he has to do is hit and kick people. Much better for all persons involved.
Wasn't that special? A great piece of work and it'll never make it into a regular column. Oh well... stuff happens. Now let's move on to something else... the main reason we're all here.
Elimination Chamber Predictions:
World champion Daniel Bryan defending against The Great Khali, Wade Barrett, Big Show, WWE Intercontinental champion Cody Rhodes and Santino Marella in the Elimination Chamber.
Okay, let's go ahead and take out the wrestlers who clearly don't stand a chance. Big Show will be moving into a program against Shaquille O'Neal for Wrestlemania, so he's out of contention. Khali sucks and doesn't even belong in the match so he's out too. Santino? Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha!! So that leaves the Champion, Daniel Bryan, The Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes and Wade Barrett. I still think we'll end up seeing Cody take on his brother, Dustin Rhodes aka Goldust at Wrestlemania, so he's out of it too. And while Wade Barrett is impressive, I don't think Wade versus Shemaus has much appeal to it, especially for a Wrestlemania match. So let's just keep the belt on Bryan who will somehow manage to sneak and slide out of the Chamber still the champion.
Winner and STILL Champion: Daniel Bryan
WWE champion CM Punk defending against Chris Jericho, Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, The Miz and R-Truth in the Elimination Chamber.
This should be the match of the night for the pay per view because it has all the good wrestlers and top talent, unlike the Smackdown match which is full of non-contenders and mid-card jokes. Kofi and Truth will NOT win and I really can't see Dolph winning either. Miz is awesome, but he's got backstage heat right now and "rewarding" him with the WWE Championship wouldn't make much sense. It's between CM Punk and Chris Jericho as to who walks out of the ring as the WWE Champion.
From what I understand, Jericho will be leaving the WWE again after Wrestlemania to handle some touring with Fozzy so if he's going to do anything and make an impact, the time is now. So look for Jericho to capture the title at the end of the night and thus, allowing CM Punk to assume the role of challenger and have that big "Wrestlemania Moment" when he regains his title in Miami. Works for me.
Winner and NEW Champion: Chris Jericho
John Cena vs. Kane in an Ambulance Match.
Who the hell cares? I just want this whole program to end. Cena finally "embraces the hate" and beats the holy hell out of Kane, but ends up on the recieving end of a Zack Ryder attack for his efforts... thus proving that Zack Ryder has "embraced the hate" as well. Cena wins the match, but Kane wins the war and Ryder's soul.
Winner: John Cena
WWE Divas champion Beth Phoenix vs. Tamina Snuka
As much as I'm glad to see Tamina finally getting a push, this is just a filler match to tide things over until Kharma (or Trish Stratus) is ready to make that challenge for the Divas Championship at Wrestlemania. I expect that Tamina will get in a lot of offense, but when the match is over, the Glamazon will still stand tall and keep the Divas Championship.
Winner and STILL Champion: Beth Phoenix
So there you go. My predictions for this show, but I have to ask, where are the United States Champion Jack Swagger and the WWE Tag Team Champions, Epico and Primo? Where is Sheamus? I know that the WWE is weak with top names right now, especially with both Randy Orton and Mark Henry on the injured list and Brodus Clay being repackaged, but this card is missing more than it's offering. That's not a way to draw fans or a buy-rate. But I guess the WWE knows what they're doing... YEAH, RIGHT!
That's going to do it for me. I'll see you in a few days with the "Fact or Fiction" column and I might get a real "TS" column out there in a few days as well. Or maybe I won't. Who knows?
I'll catch you on the flip side.
Ubuntu!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Wrestling Fact Or Fiction - February 17, 2012
Tossing Salt Presents: Wrestling Fact or Fiction
February 15, 2012
Doug Maynard
I'm just singing in the rain... singing in the rain... it's wet outside and I hate it. That's why I'm inside sitting at the computer. Wet and cold in February is not for me. Greetings and salutations to everyone and I hope that everyone had a great Valentine's Day this past Tuesday and got plenty of good loving.
Welcome to another exciting week of "Wrestling Fact or Fiction". I'm Doug and as always, I'm joined by a man more dangerous than a blind date with Joran van der Sloot, the true Insane Icon, Mr. Russell Jackson. Questions were sent out on Tuesday night and cover both the WWE and TNA. Let's do this...
Bobby Roode retaining the TNA World Championship was the correct way to end "Against All Odds"?
Doug - FACT: I personally would have preferred to see Bully Ray win the title, but for the company, it's better to quit playing musical titles and build up one person as a long term champion. Roode is the current champion and really hasn't had the chance to really shine yet as the Champion and make his mark on the title. So let his reign continue for a while longer and allow Roode to keep the challengers at bay. It's better for the company and the title this way.
Russell - FICTION: The way Bobby Roode retainin the TNA World Championship to end "Against All Odds" PPV reminded me of the way SummerSlam 1997 PPV ended in the WWE Championship between Undertaker & Bret Hart with Shawn Michaels as the special referee...Only 2 differences between SummerSlam 97 & Against All Odds - 1) AAO main event was a Fatal 4 Way & SummerSlam 97 ended with Bret Hart winnin the WWE Championship for the 5th time...The same thing happened at both PPVs - The special referee/enforcer ended up gettin in the middle of the outcome & makin the 3 count for the intended victim...TNA needs to stop relyin on what's already been done in WWEs past & needs to come up with their own creative outcome for their main event PPV matches...
Due to the serious injury to Jesse Sorenson, TNA should limit the action outside the ring and force their wrestlers to cut down on the high risk manuevers?
Doug - FICTION: Accidents happens and though what happened to Sorenson is sad, realistically it could happen to any person that steps into that squared circle. TNA needs to make sure that their wrestlers are well trained and know what they're doing, but high risk manuevers are part of the job. TNA might encourage their stars to be a little less reckless and maybe avoid some of the riskier manuevers, but in the end, it's up to the men and women who wrestle to decide just how many risks they're going to take.
Russell - FICTION: High risk manuevers are just that, high risk manuevers...Every wrestler knows what the risks are if they perform a high risk manuevers & it backfires on them...Even tho Jesse Sorenson suffered a serious injury, I don't think TNA should limit the action outside the ring & force their wrestlers to cut down on the high risk manuevers, especially when it involves the X-Division wrestlers...That's what the X-Division is all about - High risk, straight forward action...
Zack Ryder will end up turning on John Cena at the Elimination Chamber pay per view and costing him the match against Kane?
Doug - FACT: I hope so anyhow. Zack has been treated like a total idiot and moron since this whole Cena / Kane "Embrace the Hate" began and all the momentum and fan support he built up on his own is being squandered away and it totally sucks. This has hurt Ryder from the start and the only way he's going to be able to get his heat back is to stand up to Kane and stand up to Cena and have a "moment". Taking out Cena would be a great way to do so. Lay out Cena... lay out Eve... lay out Kane and maybe lay out Santino (just because) and make "Woo Woo Woo" words to be feared and respected. Ryder owes Cena for quite a bit and it's time he started collecting.
Russell - FACT: Some way, shape, or form I think not only will Zack Ryder end up turnin on John Cena and costin him the match against Kane at the Elimination Chamber PPV, but Ryder will end up costin Cena in any match that Cena is in every chance that Ryder gets after Cena & Eve playin tonsil hockey in front of Zack Ryder...I have a feelin that Ryder is gonna make life miserable for both Cena & Eve & so he should...
You're looking forward to the Kane - John Cena "Ambulance Match" at the Elimination Chamber on Sunday night?
Doug - FICTION: The only thing I'm looking forward to with these two men is for this whole crappy storyline to end. It's been crappy since day 1 and just gets more silly and stupid each week. Cena can move on to The Rock and Wrestlemania, while Kane can move on to feud with Zack Ryder, Santino or better yet, just vanish into wrestling limbo forever.
Russell - FACT: With the way that Cena screwed his "friend" over on Raw, I'm lookin forward to see how the "Ambulance Match" plays out this Sunday at the Elimination Chamber PPV...All the more reason in wantin Kane to win & see if Zack Ryder lays the Zack Attack on John Cena durin Cena's match with Kane & Cena wind up in the Ambulance...
You enjoyed the "debate" between the six Elimination Chamber participants that started off RAW Monday night?
Doug - FICTION: These are six men who are supposed to hate each other, right? They regularly beat the holy hell out of each other, right? So the WWE has them standing all together in the middle of a ring, cracking jokes and debating why they deserve to win the Elimination Chamber and the WWE Championship? Give me a freakin' break! If someone had done the things to me that Miz & R-Truth (for example) did to CM Punk just a few short months ago, there is no way I'd be standing next to them, cracking jokes and listening to Truth talk about spider stew. I know that with the WWE and the world of "sports-entertainment", we're supposed to suspend our belief sometimes, but this is ridiculous to the extreme.
Russell - FICTION: The "debate" was a BIG waste of time to start off Raw...& the Jackasses that is the WWE wants to know why they keep losin views each & every week?...Well there you have it...Here's an f'n hint ya idiots at WWE, WRESTLING FANS wants to see WRESTLING MATCHES...They do NOT wanna watch their favorite WRESTLERS ramble on & on about some retarded debate on what their gonna do in the Elimination Chamber match or their thoughts on why they should win the Elimination Chamber match...MORE WRESTLING, LESS TALKING, & GET THAT GOOF THAT IS MICHAEL COLE OFF THE ANNOUNCING TABLE, THAT IDIOT HAS NO BUSINESS CALLIN WRESTLING MATCHES WHAT-SO-FREAKIN-EVER IN THE WWE!!!!!...
<<< --- SWITCHEROO --- >>>
Miz was correct when he called Kofi Kingston "an afterthought" in the WWE?
Russell - FICTION: Miz is what I would call "an afterthought", not Kofi Kingston...Kofi Kingston has a chance to win the Elimination Chamber match, a small chance I might add...All that Miz is, is a loud mouth who's bark is much bigger than his bite...
Doug - FACT: As a singles star, Kofi has been over-looked by most of the WWE Universe. I look at Kofi right now and I'm wondering how the hell he got into this match. He's a tag team guy who held the tag titles with Evan Bourne for the past year and now, when they have a hole to fill in the Elimination Chamber, they pull him out and stick him in the slot. I personally would have used... I don't know... the United States Champion Jack Swagger to fill that spot since, via the U.S. Championship, he's automatically the # 2 guy on RAW. Kof is a good wrestler. That's for sure. And he is more than capable of holding his own against anyone in the WWE, but because of the way he's been booked and used, especially over the past year, he just doesn't fit in with the other five names in the Chamber. Punk, Miz, Jericho or even Dolph - they have a chance of winning. Kofi (and R-Truth for that matter) are just filler taking up spaces. It's sad, but it's true!
Triple H will continue to refuse to wrestle The Undertaker at Wrestlemania XXVIII?
Russell - FACT: Triple H will continue to refuse to wrestler the Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVIII UNTIL his demands are met which will be that Taker's streak is on the line & if Taker loses, Taker retires...
Doug - FACT: He'll keep refusing and making excuses and Shawn and Taker will keep baiting him. And this will drag on and on and on until about two weeks before Wrestlemania. And then, finally, something will happen and HHH will be forced to say yes.
Shawn Michaels will end up being a part of Wrestlemania XXVIII?
Russell - FACT: Shawn Michaels will end up being a part of WrestleManua XXVIII as the special referee for the Triple H vs Undertaker match...DX WILL reunite & end Taker's streak at WrestleMania XXVIII & if you're not down with that, I've got 2 words for ya...SUCK IT!!!!!...
Doug - FACT: One of his nicknames is "Mr. Wrestlemania"... I think that says it all right there.
Tamina Snuka is a good choice to challenge Beth Phoenix for the Divas Championship?
Russell - FICTION: The ONLY "Diva" that is a good choice to challenge Beth Phoenix for the Divas Championship is Kharma & ONLY Kharma WILL be the one to shut Beth Phoenix's mouth once & for all when she takes the Divas Championship away from Phoenix at WrestleMania XXVIII...
Doug - FACT: Tamina has a good look, a family history as the daughter of Jimmy Snuka, and she really hasn't been pushed or used yet which makes her a fresh face to challenge Phoenix. They can even bring in her father and brother (Cliff Compton / Deuce) if they want and make her push and desire for the Divas Championship a "family pride" type of deal if they want. It's not Kelly Kelly or Alicia Fox challenging Beth and that's a good thing. I'd rather see Kharma contend for the gold, but I'm assuming that's penciled in for Wrestlemania XXVIII pending Kharma's health. Tamina is a good talent and a good contender for Beth and a good way for the WWE Divas to kill time until Kharma is ready to return to the ring.
This weeks RAW was a good show to lead into the Elimination Chamber pay per view?
Russell - FACT: On a scale of 1 - 10, I give it a 6...With the exception of the "debate" that kicked off Raw, it was alright...Remember you idiots at WWE, MORE WRESTLING, LESS TALKING & GET THAT IDIOT, MICHAEL COLE OFF THE ANNOUNCING TABLE & PUT JIM ROSS BACK WHERE HE BELONGS!!!!!!!...
Doug - FICTION: It was an okay show, but there was absolutely nothing that made me want to blow $45 and watch the Elimination Chamber pay per view. Truthfully, the more I saw of the Kane / Cena / Ryder crap-fest, the more desire I felt to turn off the TV and say to hell with the WWE. I'm sure that the two Elimination Chamber matches will be good, but there is nothing on the card that feels "must see" to me and RAW this past week didn't help at all to change that perception.
So there you go. Another week in the books and we only batted 5-5 this time, agreeing only on fifty percent of the issues. Oh well! If we agreed on everything, just think how boring it would be.
Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo.com. And if you'd like to join Russell and myself in this great weekly debate (all we're missing are the podiums), just drop me a line at the same e-mail addy and we'd be glad to have you.
And I guess that's all. Don't forget that the Elimination Chamber is coming up on Sunday night as the WWE continues the "Road To Wrestlemania XXVIII". My thanks once again to Russell for all of his great help each week. And a special shout out to my man, Cal... Happy Valentines Day! I love ya! And on that, we're gone. A new edition of "Tossing Salt" coming up this weekend. See you on the flip side.
Ubuntu!
February 15, 2012
Doug Maynard
I'm just singing in the rain... singing in the rain... it's wet outside and I hate it. That's why I'm inside sitting at the computer. Wet and cold in February is not for me. Greetings and salutations to everyone and I hope that everyone had a great Valentine's Day this past Tuesday and got plenty of good loving.
Welcome to another exciting week of "Wrestling Fact or Fiction". I'm Doug and as always, I'm joined by a man more dangerous than a blind date with Joran van der Sloot, the true Insane Icon, Mr. Russell Jackson. Questions were sent out on Tuesday night and cover both the WWE and TNA. Let's do this...
Bobby Roode retaining the TNA World Championship was the correct way to end "Against All Odds"?
Doug - FACT: I personally would have preferred to see Bully Ray win the title, but for the company, it's better to quit playing musical titles and build up one person as a long term champion. Roode is the current champion and really hasn't had the chance to really shine yet as the Champion and make his mark on the title. So let his reign continue for a while longer and allow Roode to keep the challengers at bay. It's better for the company and the title this way.
Russell - FICTION: The way Bobby Roode retainin the TNA World Championship to end "Against All Odds" PPV reminded me of the way SummerSlam 1997 PPV ended in the WWE Championship between Undertaker & Bret Hart with Shawn Michaels as the special referee...Only 2 differences between SummerSlam 97 & Against All Odds - 1) AAO main event was a Fatal 4 Way & SummerSlam 97 ended with Bret Hart winnin the WWE Championship for the 5th time...The same thing happened at both PPVs - The special referee/enforcer ended up gettin in the middle of the outcome & makin the 3 count for the intended victim...TNA needs to stop relyin on what's already been done in WWEs past & needs to come up with their own creative outcome for their main event PPV matches...
Due to the serious injury to Jesse Sorenson, TNA should limit the action outside the ring and force their wrestlers to cut down on the high risk manuevers?
Doug - FICTION: Accidents happens and though what happened to Sorenson is sad, realistically it could happen to any person that steps into that squared circle. TNA needs to make sure that their wrestlers are well trained and know what they're doing, but high risk manuevers are part of the job. TNA might encourage their stars to be a little less reckless and maybe avoid some of the riskier manuevers, but in the end, it's up to the men and women who wrestle to decide just how many risks they're going to take.
Russell - FICTION: High risk manuevers are just that, high risk manuevers...Every wrestler knows what the risks are if they perform a high risk manuevers & it backfires on them...Even tho Jesse Sorenson suffered a serious injury, I don't think TNA should limit the action outside the ring & force their wrestlers to cut down on the high risk manuevers, especially when it involves the X-Division wrestlers...That's what the X-Division is all about - High risk, straight forward action...
Zack Ryder will end up turning on John Cena at the Elimination Chamber pay per view and costing him the match against Kane?
Doug - FACT: I hope so anyhow. Zack has been treated like a total idiot and moron since this whole Cena / Kane "Embrace the Hate" began and all the momentum and fan support he built up on his own is being squandered away and it totally sucks. This has hurt Ryder from the start and the only way he's going to be able to get his heat back is to stand up to Kane and stand up to Cena and have a "moment". Taking out Cena would be a great way to do so. Lay out Cena... lay out Eve... lay out Kane and maybe lay out Santino (just because) and make "Woo Woo Woo" words to be feared and respected. Ryder owes Cena for quite a bit and it's time he started collecting.
Russell - FACT: Some way, shape, or form I think not only will Zack Ryder end up turnin on John Cena and costin him the match against Kane at the Elimination Chamber PPV, but Ryder will end up costin Cena in any match that Cena is in every chance that Ryder gets after Cena & Eve playin tonsil hockey in front of Zack Ryder...I have a feelin that Ryder is gonna make life miserable for both Cena & Eve & so he should...
You're looking forward to the Kane - John Cena "Ambulance Match" at the Elimination Chamber on Sunday night?
Doug - FICTION: The only thing I'm looking forward to with these two men is for this whole crappy storyline to end. It's been crappy since day 1 and just gets more silly and stupid each week. Cena can move on to The Rock and Wrestlemania, while Kane can move on to feud with Zack Ryder, Santino or better yet, just vanish into wrestling limbo forever.
Russell - FACT: With the way that Cena screwed his "friend" over on Raw, I'm lookin forward to see how the "Ambulance Match" plays out this Sunday at the Elimination Chamber PPV...All the more reason in wantin Kane to win & see if Zack Ryder lays the Zack Attack on John Cena durin Cena's match with Kane & Cena wind up in the Ambulance...
You enjoyed the "debate" between the six Elimination Chamber participants that started off RAW Monday night?
Doug - FICTION: These are six men who are supposed to hate each other, right? They regularly beat the holy hell out of each other, right? So the WWE has them standing all together in the middle of a ring, cracking jokes and debating why they deserve to win the Elimination Chamber and the WWE Championship? Give me a freakin' break! If someone had done the things to me that Miz & R-Truth (for example) did to CM Punk just a few short months ago, there is no way I'd be standing next to them, cracking jokes and listening to Truth talk about spider stew. I know that with the WWE and the world of "sports-entertainment", we're supposed to suspend our belief sometimes, but this is ridiculous to the extreme.
Russell - FICTION: The "debate" was a BIG waste of time to start off Raw...& the Jackasses that is the WWE wants to know why they keep losin views each & every week?...Well there you have it...Here's an f'n hint ya idiots at WWE, WRESTLING FANS wants to see WRESTLING MATCHES...They do NOT wanna watch their favorite WRESTLERS ramble on & on about some retarded debate on what their gonna do in the Elimination Chamber match or their thoughts on why they should win the Elimination Chamber match...MORE WRESTLING, LESS TALKING, & GET THAT GOOF THAT IS MICHAEL COLE OFF THE ANNOUNCING TABLE, THAT IDIOT HAS NO BUSINESS CALLIN WRESTLING MATCHES WHAT-SO-FREAKIN-EVER IN THE WWE!!!!!...
<<< --- SWITCHEROO --- >>>
Miz was correct when he called Kofi Kingston "an afterthought" in the WWE?
Russell - FICTION: Miz is what I would call "an afterthought", not Kofi Kingston...Kofi Kingston has a chance to win the Elimination Chamber match, a small chance I might add...All that Miz is, is a loud mouth who's bark is much bigger than his bite...
Doug - FACT: As a singles star, Kofi has been over-looked by most of the WWE Universe. I look at Kofi right now and I'm wondering how the hell he got into this match. He's a tag team guy who held the tag titles with Evan Bourne for the past year and now, when they have a hole to fill in the Elimination Chamber, they pull him out and stick him in the slot. I personally would have used... I don't know... the United States Champion Jack Swagger to fill that spot since, via the U.S. Championship, he's automatically the # 2 guy on RAW. Kof is a good wrestler. That's for sure. And he is more than capable of holding his own against anyone in the WWE, but because of the way he's been booked and used, especially over the past year, he just doesn't fit in with the other five names in the Chamber. Punk, Miz, Jericho or even Dolph - they have a chance of winning. Kofi (and R-Truth for that matter) are just filler taking up spaces. It's sad, but it's true!
Triple H will continue to refuse to wrestle The Undertaker at Wrestlemania XXVIII?
Russell - FACT: Triple H will continue to refuse to wrestler the Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVIII UNTIL his demands are met which will be that Taker's streak is on the line & if Taker loses, Taker retires...
Doug - FACT: He'll keep refusing and making excuses and Shawn and Taker will keep baiting him. And this will drag on and on and on until about two weeks before Wrestlemania. And then, finally, something will happen and HHH will be forced to say yes.
Shawn Michaels will end up being a part of Wrestlemania XXVIII?
Russell - FACT: Shawn Michaels will end up being a part of WrestleManua XXVIII as the special referee for the Triple H vs Undertaker match...DX WILL reunite & end Taker's streak at WrestleMania XXVIII & if you're not down with that, I've got 2 words for ya...SUCK IT!!!!!...
Doug - FACT: One of his nicknames is "Mr. Wrestlemania"... I think that says it all right there.
Tamina Snuka is a good choice to challenge Beth Phoenix for the Divas Championship?
Russell - FICTION: The ONLY "Diva" that is a good choice to challenge Beth Phoenix for the Divas Championship is Kharma & ONLY Kharma WILL be the one to shut Beth Phoenix's mouth once & for all when she takes the Divas Championship away from Phoenix at WrestleMania XXVIII...
Doug - FACT: Tamina has a good look, a family history as the daughter of Jimmy Snuka, and she really hasn't been pushed or used yet which makes her a fresh face to challenge Phoenix. They can even bring in her father and brother (Cliff Compton / Deuce) if they want and make her push and desire for the Divas Championship a "family pride" type of deal if they want. It's not Kelly Kelly or Alicia Fox challenging Beth and that's a good thing. I'd rather see Kharma contend for the gold, but I'm assuming that's penciled in for Wrestlemania XXVIII pending Kharma's health. Tamina is a good talent and a good contender for Beth and a good way for the WWE Divas to kill time until Kharma is ready to return to the ring.
This weeks RAW was a good show to lead into the Elimination Chamber pay per view?
Russell - FACT: On a scale of 1 - 10, I give it a 6...With the exception of the "debate" that kicked off Raw, it was alright...Remember you idiots at WWE, MORE WRESTLING, LESS TALKING & GET THAT IDIOT, MICHAEL COLE OFF THE ANNOUNCING TABLE & PUT JIM ROSS BACK WHERE HE BELONGS!!!!!!!...
Doug - FICTION: It was an okay show, but there was absolutely nothing that made me want to blow $45 and watch the Elimination Chamber pay per view. Truthfully, the more I saw of the Kane / Cena / Ryder crap-fest, the more desire I felt to turn off the TV and say to hell with the WWE. I'm sure that the two Elimination Chamber matches will be good, but there is nothing on the card that feels "must see" to me and RAW this past week didn't help at all to change that perception.
So there you go. Another week in the books and we only batted 5-5 this time, agreeing only on fifty percent of the issues. Oh well! If we agreed on everything, just think how boring it would be.
Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo.com. And if you'd like to join Russell and myself in this great weekly debate (all we're missing are the podiums), just drop me a line at the same e-mail addy and we'd be glad to have you.
And I guess that's all. Don't forget that the Elimination Chamber is coming up on Sunday night as the WWE continues the "Road To Wrestlemania XXVIII". My thanks once again to Russell for all of his great help each week. And a special shout out to my man, Cal... Happy Valentines Day! I love ya! And on that, we're gone. A new edition of "Tossing Salt" coming up this weekend. See you on the flip side.
Ubuntu!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Truth Time Survey - February 12, 2012
Truth Time Survey
Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
Of course I do... unless I decide to lie
Where were you last night?
Why? What happened? I have an alibi...
What is today's date?
February 12th - this month is speeding by..
Who was the last person to call you baby/babe?
One of the ladies up at the Food Bank this past Thursday morning...
When you're at the grocery store do you use the self checkout?
There is no such device at the local stores - people would steal the store blind if they were trusted to ring up their own merchandise.
Anyone crushing on you?
Everyone crushes on me - I'm an awesome dude with major skills. Just ask your boyfriend... lol.
What is your relationship status?
I'm in love with someone I can't be with and in lust with several others (because they so damn sexy) - would give 'em all up to be with the man I love though.
Has anyone ever sang to you?
Yeah, and even though he's not a good singer, his voice was absolute magic to my ears..
Has anyone ever given you roses?
Yeah... It was pretty cool..
If you were abandoned in the wilderness, would you survive?
I might for a little while - I'm not an idiot and have a basic idea of what I'd need to do - I could handle things for a while..
Who do you text the most?:
Easily, that would be Brian..
How do you make your money?
I've been collecting unemployment but it runs out soon. I desperately need to get a job soon.
First person to text today?
No one has texted me yet today - no one loves me. *sobs*
What is your favorite color?
My favorite colors are black, purple and hot pink..
What color are your eyes?
They go back and forth between hazel and green depending on what I'm wearing and my mood..
What is a compliment you receive often?
People like my writing, my eyes and my skills to keep the men happy...lol.
How tall are you?:
6'0"
Who was the last person to say they loved you and when?
I think that was Cal, the man I love, when I last spoke to him this past Tuesday..
Do you like your parents?
For the most part, yeah. I love my Ma (she's all I got left) and I like her most of the time (even though she drives me crazy!)
Do you secretly like someone?:
I want to sodomize the guy who lives across the road - does that count?
Why did your last relationship end?
The one that matters hasn't ended - it's just been put on hold for a while because I still love him - he says he loves me - and circumstances prevent us from being together right now, but we still communicate regularly and often. As for the side-deal, he fucked up and in my mind, he's dead to me now. That simple.
Who was the last person you said you loved on the phone?
Cal - the man that I love..
Where is the furthest place you've traveled?
That was either Daytona Beach, FL or else New Haven, CT... both were long ass rides..
Which do you prefer, to eat or sleep?
I prefer to sleep, but a person can sleep only so much..
Do you look more like your mom or your dad?
Not really much like either of them or at least I don't think so..
How long does it take you to shower?
Anywhere between five - twenty minutes, depending upon how long I have and my mood (and how long the hot water holds out).
Can you do splits?
Not intentionally, but it has happened a few times... OUCH!
Are you flexible?
That depends on what you have in mind... lol.
What did you do on New Years Eve?
Stayed home and slept - I woke up for a while to watch HGTV, but didn't do anything special.
Was your mom there?
She was asleep in her room..
Can you speak any other language than English?
I can speak some spanish and some latin - also profanity, ebonics, maxton-speak and redneck... lol.
What is the last letter of your middle name?
"N"
How many hours of sleep did you get last night?
Not quite three hours - I'll take a nap later on.
Do you wear your seatbelt in the car?:
Every time I get into a car, I buckle up.
Are you scared of flying?
I really don't know - I've never tried it..
What do you sleep in?
Usually sweat pants or pajama-pants and a t-shirt... I like to be comfortable.
Who was the last person you kissed?
James
Do you like funny people or serious people?
It depends upon the situation and my mood at the time.
What are you listening to?
Watching / listening to the news - former New York City Mayor Rudy Guilliani is being interviewed.
What jewelry do you wear all the time?
There is nothing that I wear all the time anymore - I do have a gold hoop earring that I enjoy wearing sometimes though.
What do you have planned for tonight?
I haven't really thought about it yet - probably just going to wait and see what comes up.
Is the last person you kissed older than you?
Nope - he's 12 years younger...
Do you have a favorite item of clothing?
I have a couple of t-shirts (Christian - Peep Show / Four Horsemen / Soce the Elemental Wizard) that I prefer over all my others.
Do you like messages or comments better?
Messages..
Last thing you ate?
Some leftover KFC chicken and some mashed potatos & gravy from last night that I had for breakfast. Finger lickin' good!
What was last thing you drank?
A Pepsi Maz that I picked up by mistake at the Food Lion.
Are you happy right now?
Nope - not really. I'm actually kind of worried and stressing right now.
If you could have one thing right now what would it be
I'd have Cal here by my side and home for good - and lots & lots of money... I'm broke : - (
Who makes you happiest right now?
Cal makes me happiest always - period!
What were you doing at midnight last night?
Watching HGTV (House Hunters International) and playing on the computer..
Are you left handed?
Yeppers!
What was for dinner tonight?
I have no idea - I'm thinking about tacos..
What is the last thing you thought about?
About what would be good for dinner tonight.... lol.
When is your birthday?
I don't celebrate those things anymore. They suck!
Do you want to get married & have children one day?
I'd love to get married one day to the right person (Cal), but since we live in NC, that's probably not very likely to happen anytime soon. As for kids, that ship has long sailed for me. I'm too old to worry about new kids.
Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
Of course I do... unless I decide to lie
Where were you last night?
Why? What happened? I have an alibi...
What is today's date?
February 12th - this month is speeding by..
Who was the last person to call you baby/babe?
One of the ladies up at the Food Bank this past Thursday morning...
When you're at the grocery store do you use the self checkout?
There is no such device at the local stores - people would steal the store blind if they were trusted to ring up their own merchandise.
Anyone crushing on you?
Everyone crushes on me - I'm an awesome dude with major skills. Just ask your boyfriend... lol.
What is your relationship status?
I'm in love with someone I can't be with and in lust with several others (because they so damn sexy) - would give 'em all up to be with the man I love though.
Has anyone ever sang to you?
Yeah, and even though he's not a good singer, his voice was absolute magic to my ears..
Has anyone ever given you roses?
Yeah... It was pretty cool..
If you were abandoned in the wilderness, would you survive?
I might for a little while - I'm not an idiot and have a basic idea of what I'd need to do - I could handle things for a while..
Who do you text the most?:
Easily, that would be Brian..
How do you make your money?
I've been collecting unemployment but it runs out soon. I desperately need to get a job soon.
First person to text today?
No one has texted me yet today - no one loves me. *sobs*
What is your favorite color?
My favorite colors are black, purple and hot pink..
What color are your eyes?
They go back and forth between hazel and green depending on what I'm wearing and my mood..
What is a compliment you receive often?
People like my writing, my eyes and my skills to keep the men happy...lol.
How tall are you?:
6'0"
Who was the last person to say they loved you and when?
I think that was Cal, the man I love, when I last spoke to him this past Tuesday..
Do you like your parents?
For the most part, yeah. I love my Ma (she's all I got left) and I like her most of the time (even though she drives me crazy!)
Do you secretly like someone?:
I want to sodomize the guy who lives across the road - does that count?
Why did your last relationship end?
The one that matters hasn't ended - it's just been put on hold for a while because I still love him - he says he loves me - and circumstances prevent us from being together right now, but we still communicate regularly and often. As for the side-deal, he fucked up and in my mind, he's dead to me now. That simple.
Who was the last person you said you loved on the phone?
Cal - the man that I love..
Where is the furthest place you've traveled?
That was either Daytona Beach, FL or else New Haven, CT... both were long ass rides..
Which do you prefer, to eat or sleep?
I prefer to sleep, but a person can sleep only so much..
Do you look more like your mom or your dad?
Not really much like either of them or at least I don't think so..
How long does it take you to shower?
Anywhere between five - twenty minutes, depending upon how long I have and my mood (and how long the hot water holds out).
Can you do splits?
Not intentionally, but it has happened a few times... OUCH!
Are you flexible?
That depends on what you have in mind... lol.
What did you do on New Years Eve?
Stayed home and slept - I woke up for a while to watch HGTV, but didn't do anything special.
Was your mom there?
She was asleep in her room..
Can you speak any other language than English?
I can speak some spanish and some latin - also profanity, ebonics, maxton-speak and redneck... lol.
What is the last letter of your middle name?
"N"
How many hours of sleep did you get last night?
Not quite three hours - I'll take a nap later on.
Do you wear your seatbelt in the car?:
Every time I get into a car, I buckle up.
Are you scared of flying?
I really don't know - I've never tried it..
What do you sleep in?
Usually sweat pants or pajama-pants and a t-shirt... I like to be comfortable.
Who was the last person you kissed?
James
Do you like funny people or serious people?
It depends upon the situation and my mood at the time.
What are you listening to?
Watching / listening to the news - former New York City Mayor Rudy Guilliani is being interviewed.
What jewelry do you wear all the time?
There is nothing that I wear all the time anymore - I do have a gold hoop earring that I enjoy wearing sometimes though.
What do you have planned for tonight?
I haven't really thought about it yet - probably just going to wait and see what comes up.
Is the last person you kissed older than you?
Nope - he's 12 years younger...
Do you have a favorite item of clothing?
I have a couple of t-shirts (Christian - Peep Show / Four Horsemen / Soce the Elemental Wizard) that I prefer over all my others.
Do you like messages or comments better?
Messages..
Last thing you ate?
Some leftover KFC chicken and some mashed potatos & gravy from last night that I had for breakfast. Finger lickin' good!
What was last thing you drank?
A Pepsi Maz that I picked up by mistake at the Food Lion.
Are you happy right now?
Nope - not really. I'm actually kind of worried and stressing right now.
If you could have one thing right now what would it be
I'd have Cal here by my side and home for good - and lots & lots of money... I'm broke : - (
Who makes you happiest right now?
Cal makes me happiest always - period!
What were you doing at midnight last night?
Watching HGTV (House Hunters International) and playing on the computer..
Are you left handed?
Yeppers!
What was for dinner tonight?
I have no idea - I'm thinking about tacos..
What is the last thing you thought about?
About what would be good for dinner tonight.... lol.
When is your birthday?
I don't celebrate those things anymore. They suck!
Do you want to get married & have children one day?
I'd love to get married one day to the right person (Cal), but since we live in NC, that's probably not very likely to happen anytime soon. As for kids, that ship has long sailed for me. I'm too old to worry about new kids.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Wants & Wishes (Survey)
Wants & Wishes
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be either a writer, a wrestler or a weatherman. So now I write about wrestling. Still no progress on the weatherman job... lol.
In what way do you wish your childhood was different?
The things that I would like to change from the childhood are Mom and Dad's divorce (it was nasty) and maybe not have moved around quite so often.
What kinds of things did you want for Christmas as a kid?
I was into toys (action figures), books and music..
Did you wish you were an only child?
I think everyone wishes that at some point or another, but I never wished it for very long when I was a kid..
Did you want to move out of your parent's house as soon as you could?
Yeah - I did... but once I got out on my own, I realized just how good I really had it at home and was ready to go back... lol.
Is there somebody you wish you could be with right now?
Most definitely...
Is there one thing you want that you know you will never have?
True happiness seems to be elusive as does freedom from the headaches and consequences of my past.
If you had one wish guarenteed to come true- what would it be?
That Cal would be home - for good - with me.
Did you ever want to be like someone else to fit in?
When I was younger, yes... but I found that the only way I can truly fit in is by being myself or else it's not real and doesn't count.
Have you ever wished someone would just die?
Not really so much die as just vanish--- forever!
Do you want a family life right now?
I would love to have a family life but only if it's with the right person.
What's one thing you would change about yourself right now?
I'd have a job to go to and money in my pocket..
What do you wish looked different in your appearance?
I wish I was skinnier, but that's about it.
Do you wish you were somewhere else?
Yeah, I'd love to be in Wilmington... or really just about anywhere else - just so long as I'm with the right people..
What do you hope to accomplish in your life?
I've given up on most of my hopes and dreams - I just want to be with Cal and be happy. The rest doesn't matter.
What's one wish, besides "happiness", that you'd give to all your friends?
How about success at whatever it is they hope to accomplish in their lives..
What is the number 1 thing you want out of a relationship?
Respect (and great sex)
What's something you wish you never had done?
Hmmm - Where do I start? How about those DWI's back in 97' - the majority of my problems now stem from consequences of that one night..
Would you want to be extremely rich or extremely smart?
Extremely smart because then I could find ways to make money and be comfortable..
Is there something you wish you could tell someone?
I'd love to tell the guy across the road how sexy I think he is... lol.
Yeah, in all seriousness, there are a few things I'd love to be able to say.
Do you make wishes when a digital clock says 11:11?
Nah!
Are you in the field of the career you always wanted?
Sort of - just got to figure out how to start making money now..
What do you wish was different about mankind?
I wish people weren't so crazy and mean!
What's one material thing you don't have but wish you could get?
Generally don't care about material stuff, but I could use some money right now..
What do you want for dinner tonight?
Hadn't really thought about it, but Chinese would be nice..
How old were you when you started really wanting the opposite sex?
I don't know - it still hasn't happened yet. Women don't do a damn thing for me.
Is there someone you slept with that you wish you hadn't?
Yeah, there are a couple of experiences that I wish now hadn't happened, but it's too late to worry about it now. Ooops!
Do you wish on shooting stars?
Yeppers - sure enough..
Name one person you'd want to be with right now-friend, family, or relationship:
I want to be with Cal - he's a friend, my other-half, my soul-mate and the man I'm in love with.
Do you wish you had a different family?
We all do at some point and time..
Do you ever feel like you want too much out of life?
Nope - I generally seem to settle for not enough...
What do you want to happen tomorrow?
I want the woman I'm waiting for to call me to call me so I'll have a job, I want Cal to come home for good, I want to talk to Brent, I want Marshall to give me a call and I want to get my car fixed. See - not too much to hope for... lol.
What's one thing you wish could change about the economy?
I wish jobs were as available as they used to be - I need a job!
Do you ever wish you could be numb to emotions?
I've been accused of that before - not true, but there have been times I wish it was..
Have you ever laid in bed at night praying a certain someone calls you?
YES!
Have you ever wanted to date someone who was "below" you in social status in high school?
Social status never mattered to me - only the person themselves does..
Who do you think would make a good president?
None of the current people running for the job right now - that's for sure (and that includes the current President). Of the group running, my preference is Newt Gingrich, but I'd much prefer someone like Jeb Bush (who isn't running)..
What memory do you hope to never forget?
February 26, 2009 - 'Nuff said!
Do you make wishes on your birthday?
Yeppers
Do you want a cigarette right now?
Truthfully, I'd love to have a pack of Marlboro Light Menthol right now...
Do you wish you were famous?
Not really - I've rather just have the money..
What do you want to do this weekend?
Get drunk and get laid (by the guy across the road)... lol.
Who do you wish was still in your life?
Marshall & Steven... those guys were great.
Who is someone you'd do anything for to ensure their happiness?
Cal (and I would)
What is a hobby or pastime you wish you'd pick up?
Prostitution... lol. Just kidding - I'd love to learn to play the piano..
Do you want to make love to someone right now?
Yeah, the guy across the road...
Do you wish you were younger?
Yeah, I'd like to knock off about 10 - 15 years..
Do you wish you didn't know now what you didn't know then?
Sometimes...
What do you hope and or are expecting to happen this year?
Back to work and get out of Laurinburg - for good, I hope!
Do you want another chance at something?
A chance to make the guy across the road's toes curl... lol.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be either a writer, a wrestler or a weatherman. So now I write about wrestling. Still no progress on the weatherman job... lol.
In what way do you wish your childhood was different?
The things that I would like to change from the childhood are Mom and Dad's divorce (it was nasty) and maybe not have moved around quite so often.
What kinds of things did you want for Christmas as a kid?
I was into toys (action figures), books and music..
Did you wish you were an only child?
I think everyone wishes that at some point or another, but I never wished it for very long when I was a kid..
Did you want to move out of your parent's house as soon as you could?
Yeah - I did... but once I got out on my own, I realized just how good I really had it at home and was ready to go back... lol.
Is there somebody you wish you could be with right now?
Most definitely...
Is there one thing you want that you know you will never have?
True happiness seems to be elusive as does freedom from the headaches and consequences of my past.
If you had one wish guarenteed to come true- what would it be?
That Cal would be home - for good - with me.
Did you ever want to be like someone else to fit in?
When I was younger, yes... but I found that the only way I can truly fit in is by being myself or else it's not real and doesn't count.
Have you ever wished someone would just die?
Not really so much die as just vanish--- forever!
Do you want a family life right now?
I would love to have a family life but only if it's with the right person.
What's one thing you would change about yourself right now?
I'd have a job to go to and money in my pocket..
What do you wish looked different in your appearance?
I wish I was skinnier, but that's about it.
Do you wish you were somewhere else?
Yeah, I'd love to be in Wilmington... or really just about anywhere else - just so long as I'm with the right people..
What do you hope to accomplish in your life?
I've given up on most of my hopes and dreams - I just want to be with Cal and be happy. The rest doesn't matter.
What's one wish, besides "happiness", that you'd give to all your friends?
How about success at whatever it is they hope to accomplish in their lives..
What is the number 1 thing you want out of a relationship?
Respect (and great sex)
What's something you wish you never had done?
Hmmm - Where do I start? How about those DWI's back in 97' - the majority of my problems now stem from consequences of that one night..
Would you want to be extremely rich or extremely smart?
Extremely smart because then I could find ways to make money and be comfortable..
Is there something you wish you could tell someone?
I'd love to tell the guy across the road how sexy I think he is... lol.
Yeah, in all seriousness, there are a few things I'd love to be able to say.
Do you make wishes when a digital clock says 11:11?
Nah!
Are you in the field of the career you always wanted?
Sort of - just got to figure out how to start making money now..
What do you wish was different about mankind?
I wish people weren't so crazy and mean!
What's one material thing you don't have but wish you could get?
Generally don't care about material stuff, but I could use some money right now..
What do you want for dinner tonight?
Hadn't really thought about it, but Chinese would be nice..
How old were you when you started really wanting the opposite sex?
I don't know - it still hasn't happened yet. Women don't do a damn thing for me.
Is there someone you slept with that you wish you hadn't?
Yeah, there are a couple of experiences that I wish now hadn't happened, but it's too late to worry about it now. Ooops!
Do you wish on shooting stars?
Yeppers - sure enough..
Name one person you'd want to be with right now-friend, family, or relationship:
I want to be with Cal - he's a friend, my other-half, my soul-mate and the man I'm in love with.
Do you wish you had a different family?
We all do at some point and time..
Do you ever feel like you want too much out of life?
Nope - I generally seem to settle for not enough...
What do you want to happen tomorrow?
I want the woman I'm waiting for to call me to call me so I'll have a job, I want Cal to come home for good, I want to talk to Brent, I want Marshall to give me a call and I want to get my car fixed. See - not too much to hope for... lol.
What's one thing you wish could change about the economy?
I wish jobs were as available as they used to be - I need a job!
Do you ever wish you could be numb to emotions?
I've been accused of that before - not true, but there have been times I wish it was..
Have you ever laid in bed at night praying a certain someone calls you?
YES!
Have you ever wanted to date someone who was "below" you in social status in high school?
Social status never mattered to me - only the person themselves does..
Who do you think would make a good president?
None of the current people running for the job right now - that's for sure (and that includes the current President). Of the group running, my preference is Newt Gingrich, but I'd much prefer someone like Jeb Bush (who isn't running)..
What memory do you hope to never forget?
February 26, 2009 - 'Nuff said!
Do you make wishes on your birthday?
Yeppers
Do you want a cigarette right now?
Truthfully, I'd love to have a pack of Marlboro Light Menthol right now...
Do you wish you were famous?
Not really - I've rather just have the money..
What do you want to do this weekend?
Get drunk and get laid (by the guy across the road)... lol.
Who do you wish was still in your life?
Marshall & Steven... those guys were great.
Who is someone you'd do anything for to ensure their happiness?
Cal (and I would)
What is a hobby or pastime you wish you'd pick up?
Prostitution... lol. Just kidding - I'd love to learn to play the piano..
Do you want to make love to someone right now?
Yeah, the guy across the road...
Do you wish you were younger?
Yeah, I'd like to knock off about 10 - 15 years..
Do you wish you didn't know now what you didn't know then?
Sometimes...
What do you hope and or are expecting to happen this year?
Back to work and get out of Laurinburg - for good, I hope!
Do you want another chance at something?
A chance to make the guy across the road's toes curl... lol.
Tossing Salt - Worldwide News: February 10, 2012
Tossing Salt - Worldwide News
February 10, 2012
Doug Maynard
Greetings, my faithful few. It's that time again to wander into the kitchen of life, rip open the spice cabinet and start slinging condiments everywhere and anywhere. Translated, that means it's time for a little "Tossing Salt - Worldwide News". But you already knew that, didn't you?
As John Laurinaitis is my witness, this is going to be a good column with quite a bit of ground to cover. I've got thoughts and opinion on several recent news items involving such luminaries as Hulk Hogan, Madusa, Glacier and Fit Finlay. Wait a second... is this 1996 all over again? Nope, it's all current stuff. Whew! I was getting worried there for a moment.
And after I do my pundit routine, I've also got a brand new "Casting Call", as well as predictions and thoughts about the upcoming TNA "Against All Odds" pay per view. Does that sound like a plan or what?
And I'm sure that I'll probably think of a thing or two more as the column progresses... because that's how I roll. So go grab a drink from the fridge and sit up close to your computer because I'm Doug (pleased to meet you) and I'm ready to do this...
Bits & Pieces...
Ray "Lloyd" Glacier has started a wrestling advice blog at www.livingthedreamwithglacier.tumblr.com.
This is great news for all wrestling fans because I can't think of a better ex-wrestler to ask for advice about how to be a big star in the world of profesional wrestling. What's next? Dancing tips from Tank Abbott and fashion tips from Ralphus. Maybe Ric Flair can give tips advice on how to manage money as well.
Nothing against Glacier, but he was a mid-card flop at best who wouldn't have lasted more than a few weeks if he had been anywhere else, but WCW. I don't think he's the right person to be dishing out advice about how to make it and be a star, but then again, maybe his lack of success makes him the perfect person, as an example of what not to do. Hmmm!
Zack Ryder wrote the following on Twitter regarding WWE’s new “Are You Serious?” YouTube show: “There is a show called Are You Serious? on WWE’s YouTube channel? Um…#areyouseriousbro?!”
And the burial by the WWE and punishment for daring to get himself over without the blessing of the WWE Powers-That-Be for Ryder continues. They book him like a total idiot, take away his title almost immediately, do an injury-angle so he misses two of the biggest paydays of the year (Royal Rumble & Wrestlemania), totally destroy any credibility Zack has by having Kane destroy him and making him play third fiddle to both John Cena and Eve and now take his catch-phrase and use it for a WWE show that Zack has absolutely no involvement in. But the WWE still insists that they want their "stars" to take the initiative and work hard to make themselves into stars. Yeah, right!
Madusa revealed last week that she remains in possession of the WWF Women’s Championship she unceremoniously trashed during a 1995 episode of WCW Monday Nitro and that she’d like to defend it against Beth Phoenix. The legendary women’s wrestler tweeted an image of herself wearing the belt with a challenge to Phoenix reading “Are u woman enough?”
Madusa has continued taunting the WWE Divas Champion via Twitter. She wrote again to “The Glamazon,” “You will be the only one with mud on your face… And everyone laughing!”
Phoenix responded, “Bring the hate. It fuels me. #divaschampionforever.”
Madusa than vowed to take her Divas Championship. She wrote, “No hate…only love when I stomp that ass and take the diva title too! Let the schooling begin!”
I'm not sure what kind of shape Madusa is in or if she's even been inside a gym or wrestling ring in the past decade, but if she's in good enough shape, this could be a fun little feud for the WWE to use as filler once the hopefully upcoming Beth - Kharma feud is over with. Madusa was a good worker back in the day and while I doubt that she'd be any match for the likes of "The Glamazon" today, it could be a fun situation to watch and add some credibility and interest to the Divas Championship.
It looks as if Madusa is trying to get that "one last run" in and given the love of nostalgia acts by the WWE (Cody Rhodes versus Booker T anyone?), why not give it a shot and see what happens? It would have to be better than watching Natayla fart all over the place or yet another Kelly Kelly title shot.
Or, thinking outside the box here, how about a Trish Stratus versus Madusa mini-feud with the winner taking on Beth at a pay per view. Both Trish and Madusa have been making noise about Beth and that's the best way, to me anyhow, to settle it all. So how about it? Book it, Vince!
Hulk Hogan was recently interviewed by the UK Sun and had some interesting comments. My comments are in parenthesis...
On the topic of what he actually does for TNA:
“I don’t know what I do!” Hogan said. “I really don’t know! Everybody always asks me that! They’ve got a bunch of people there. They’ve got Dixie (Carter), of course. They’ve got Vince Russo who is the head writer, they’ve got Bruce Pritchard is the head of creative. Eric Bischoff is the executive producer. To me he’s between the network and the company, a middle man.
(So Hogan doesn't even know what his job is? That's a great gig to have. He just shows up, hogs the spotlight and changes storylines and cuts boring promos, but has no real reason to be there. I think someone from TNA needs to sit down with the "Hulkster" and get a little more specific with the man as to why he's there... or just can his leathery, old wrinkled ass. Whatever!)
I contribute, I’ll throw stuff out there creatively and every once in a while if I need to hit the ring I’ll slide on out there and do whatever, but I don’t really have a job description. I just try to be there, listen and contribute. If there is anything I can do to help or guide the direction, I’m there.”
(Translated, that means he listens to the storylines and uses that "stroke" of his to change things to a way that best suits Hulk Hogan. He has that "creative control" in his contract and as part of his "job", which he has no idea of what it is, he gets to influence and screw around with everyone... Brutha!)
On Bobby Roode winning the TNA Title at Bound For Glory, Hogan had the following to say:
“They were setting him up for failure. They had his parents and everybody saying what a great guy he was. You put the belt on him and he’s a good guy but he’s plain white milk toast and who is he going to work with? When I was sitting at home and I watched the interviews of his parents and his kids and his wife saying what a great guy he was I thought ‘You’ve got one of thegreatest wrestling angles set up here that I have ever seen and you don’t even know it!’
Don’t let him win the belt, have him screw everybody, turn heel, put some heat on him, keep him heel for a long time, get him red hot, and then when you turn him babyface he’s got a chance to be a Rock or a Stone Cold or a Hogan. (I thought before Bound For Glory) the way you guys have him set up now he’s just ‘one of those TNA originals that has five-star matches that don’t mean nothing’. Give the guy a chance!”
(Translated: Let's don't talk about where I used my stroke to change the match finish and keep him from winning the World Championship from Kurt Angle because that's not important. Now Hogan sees a rising star and wants to take credit for Roode and success he might enjoy, because that's just how Hogan rolls... Brutha!)
As seen on Friday’s SmackDown, Sheamus defeated WWE Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes in a non-title match. WWE’s website pointed out that Sheamus “pulled a new move out of his powerful arsenal” to get the win. That move was the Celtic Cross back-to-belly piledriver that Fit Finlay used.
First Sheamus started hanging out with the munchkin, Hornswoggle and now he's stealing Finlay's finishing move. All we need now is to have Sheamus carry a shileleigh and start busting people in the head and the transformation will be complete.
Doesn't matter though. Finlay is a tough SOB and even though the WWE "Creative" team is totally stealing his schtick, we all know who the original is. Fit Finlay > Sheamus! 'Nuff said!
CASTING CALL: The Big Bang Theory...
So here's the scenario. One of my current favorite syndicated shows is "The Big Bang Theory", starring Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons. What I'm going to do here is re-cast the show as the WWE might if they were creating their own version of the show. Yeah, a little fun and goofing off as I try to decide which WWE Superstar would best fit in each role. Let's do this...
Dr. Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki): The geeky nerdy "straight man" of the show. I'm not really sure which WWE superstar would fit this role. He'd have to be short and whiney and kind of annoying, but in a lovable way. Hmmmm! How about Josh Matthews? He's short and whiney and kind of annoying, but totally unoffensive. He'd fit this role quite well actually.
Dr. Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons): Sheldon and Randy Orton share the same haircut. That's about the only thing I can see that they might have in common, but in the world of the WWE, that would be enough. So Randy gets the nod here.
Penny (Kaley Cuoco): A talentless actress with big boobs. What WWE Diva can play this role? Just reach into the pile and pull one out. They're pretty interchangable anyhow. I'll go with Kelly Kelly... just because.
Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg): The nerdy little whine-ass that lives with his overbearing Mom and thinks that he's a stud, even though we all actually know better. That sounds like a Daniel Bryan spot to me. And A.J. looks a twee bit like the nerdy little mouse-girl that plays Howard's girlfriend on the show. Works for me.
Rajesh Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar): A nerdy brain who can't talk to women unless he's hammered. Damn, I know that feeling. I know he's an Indian in the show, but the only people of Indian descent in the WWE are Jinder Mahal or Khali and I just can't see either of them in this role. Justin Gabriel has the right look though, so unless the WWE gets Shawn Daivari (who would be perfect), my second choice would be the South African high-flyer instead. And his best friend, Heath Slater, can play the comic book shop dude. Sounds good to me.
And now, let's move on. Coming up on Sunday is the most recent TNA pay per view offering, "Against All Odds!" So that means it's time to break out the "Sister Cleo" outfit and gaze into the crystal ball. Yeppers, it's prediction time.
TNA Against All Odds Pay Per View Predictions...
TNA World Championship Match
Robert Roode (c) versus Jeff Hardy versus James Storm versus Bully Ray
If I remember right, I believe that Sting said on Thursday night that he would be the "special enforcer" for this match. That should make it pretty interesting and less likely for any major shenanigans between Roode and Bully Ray.
I don't think Jeff Hardy will be the Champ anytime soon. It's too soon in his return and in my eyes, he hasn't earned that right yet. And Storm just doesn't do it for me as of late. He started off as a singles guy strong and then kind of faltered out. So that leaves Roode and Bully Ray. Hmmmm! Ray has been looking great as of late and deserves his first World title, but I can't see them taking the belt off of Roode just yet. Look for Roode to pull a double-cross and pin Bully Ray to win the match and keep the title.
Winner and STILL TNA Impact World Champion: Robert Roode
TNA Tag Team Championship Match
Crimson & Matt Morgan (c) versus Samoa Joe & Magnus
I like both teams and I like this feud. Morgan and Crimson belong in the WWE. They just have that look about them that screams "WWE Superstar!". Joe and Magnus aren't quite as pretty, but they're a good team and tough as hell. Look for a title switch... possibly the first of many... as Joe pins Morgan in a moment of confusion and walks out, along with Magnus, as the new champs.
Winners and NEW TNA Tag Team Champions: Samoa Joe & Magnus
TNA X-Division Championship Match
Austin Aries (c) versus Alex Shelley
Where did Alex Shelley come from? He's been MIA for quite a while and now, all of a sudden, he's the # 1 Contender for the X-Division Championship? What happened to Kid Kash? The Kash - Aries feud still had quite a bit of life left to go and now, out of the blue, Alex Shelley is here and Kash is MIA. I don't get it! Glad to see Alex back in the TNA ring, but I just don't see him walking out as the Champion anytime soon.
Winner and STILL TNA X-Division Champion: Austin Aries
#1 X-Division Contenders Match
Jesse Sorenson versus Zema Ion
I like Zema Ion. He's a sexy dude, even if he does share the name of one of the nastiest alcoholic beverages ever created. Zima, the malt beverage, was nasty. Zema, the TNA high-flyer, is HOTT! And Zema > Sorenson. 'Nuff said! Ion wins.
Winner: Zema Ion
TNA Knockouts Championship Match
Gail Kim (c) versus Tara
Finally, we get to see Victoria (Tara) back in the main event of the Knockouts Division. She's awesome. She's always been awesome. Has Tara ever been the TNA Knockouts Champion? I don't think so and even if she has, it hasn't been recent. It's time for her to get some gold and glory.
Winner and NEW TNA Knockouts Champion: Tara
AJ Styles versus Kazarian (w/ Christopher Daniels)
Daniels interferes and Kazarian gets disqualified. And this weird feud that makes no sense continues.
Winner by DQ: AJ Styles
Garrett Bischoff (w/ Hulk Hogan) versus Gunner (w/ Eric Bischoff)
How much do you want to bet that this will be the semi-main event match. With the presence (and egos) of the two men at ringside, how can it go anywhere else on the card? Gunner will do his job and carry Garrett to a decent match. Eric will play the sleaze-ball and try to "screw" his son. And Hogan will find a way to make the spotlight and be all about him. And young Garrett will walk out the winner at the end of the match. Hogan's ego would allow no less.
Winner: Garrett Bischoff (w/ Hulk Hogan)
And there you go. My predictions for the TNA pay per view "Against All Odds". Woo Woo Woo - you know it!
Before I head out and call it a day, I want to compliment Sting for the way he conducts "business" as the resident TNA Authority Figure. I noticed this during Impact on Thursday night. Sting comes to the ring, says what he has to say and leaves... quick, simple and to the point. I wish that other certain men of power, especially one certain "Ace" of a guy from the WWE, would take notice of and learn from. No need for arguments or long, drawn out (scripted) promos. Just say what you have to say and leave. Sting "gets it!". I wish others would as well.
And on that note, I'm going to close this up for now. Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo.com. Also, go check out my blog-site at www.tsfiction.blogspot.com for all things Dougie.
I hope that everyone has a good weekend and a Happy Valentine's Day on Tuesday as well. I'm Doug and I guess that's all folks. Got places to go and people to do (or something like that!) Until the next time, I'll steal Sting's line and say, "Ta Ta for now!". I'll catch you on the flip side.
Ubuntu!
February 10, 2012
Doug Maynard
Greetings, my faithful few. It's that time again to wander into the kitchen of life, rip open the spice cabinet and start slinging condiments everywhere and anywhere. Translated, that means it's time for a little "Tossing Salt - Worldwide News". But you already knew that, didn't you?
As John Laurinaitis is my witness, this is going to be a good column with quite a bit of ground to cover. I've got thoughts and opinion on several recent news items involving such luminaries as Hulk Hogan, Madusa, Glacier and Fit Finlay. Wait a second... is this 1996 all over again? Nope, it's all current stuff. Whew! I was getting worried there for a moment.
And after I do my pundit routine, I've also got a brand new "Casting Call", as well as predictions and thoughts about the upcoming TNA "Against All Odds" pay per view. Does that sound like a plan or what?
And I'm sure that I'll probably think of a thing or two more as the column progresses... because that's how I roll. So go grab a drink from the fridge and sit up close to your computer because I'm Doug (pleased to meet you) and I'm ready to do this...
Bits & Pieces...
Ray "Lloyd" Glacier has started a wrestling advice blog at www.livingthedreamwithglacier.tumblr.com.
This is great news for all wrestling fans because I can't think of a better ex-wrestler to ask for advice about how to be a big star in the world of profesional wrestling. What's next? Dancing tips from Tank Abbott and fashion tips from Ralphus. Maybe Ric Flair can give tips advice on how to manage money as well.
Nothing against Glacier, but he was a mid-card flop at best who wouldn't have lasted more than a few weeks if he had been anywhere else, but WCW. I don't think he's the right person to be dishing out advice about how to make it and be a star, but then again, maybe his lack of success makes him the perfect person, as an example of what not to do. Hmmm!
Zack Ryder wrote the following on Twitter regarding WWE’s new “Are You Serious?” YouTube show: “There is a show called Are You Serious? on WWE’s YouTube channel? Um…#areyouseriousbro?!”
And the burial by the WWE and punishment for daring to get himself over without the blessing of the WWE Powers-That-Be for Ryder continues. They book him like a total idiot, take away his title almost immediately, do an injury-angle so he misses two of the biggest paydays of the year (Royal Rumble & Wrestlemania), totally destroy any credibility Zack has by having Kane destroy him and making him play third fiddle to both John Cena and Eve and now take his catch-phrase and use it for a WWE show that Zack has absolutely no involvement in. But the WWE still insists that they want their "stars" to take the initiative and work hard to make themselves into stars. Yeah, right!
Madusa revealed last week that she remains in possession of the WWF Women’s Championship she unceremoniously trashed during a 1995 episode of WCW Monday Nitro and that she’d like to defend it against Beth Phoenix. The legendary women’s wrestler tweeted an image of herself wearing the belt with a challenge to Phoenix reading “Are u woman enough?”
Madusa has continued taunting the WWE Divas Champion via Twitter. She wrote again to “The Glamazon,” “You will be the only one with mud on your face… And everyone laughing!”
Phoenix responded, “Bring the hate. It fuels me. #divaschampionforever.”
Madusa than vowed to take her Divas Championship. She wrote, “No hate…only love when I stomp that ass and take the diva title too! Let the schooling begin!”
I'm not sure what kind of shape Madusa is in or if she's even been inside a gym or wrestling ring in the past decade, but if she's in good enough shape, this could be a fun little feud for the WWE to use as filler once the hopefully upcoming Beth - Kharma feud is over with. Madusa was a good worker back in the day and while I doubt that she'd be any match for the likes of "The Glamazon" today, it could be a fun situation to watch and add some credibility and interest to the Divas Championship.
It looks as if Madusa is trying to get that "one last run" in and given the love of nostalgia acts by the WWE (Cody Rhodes versus Booker T anyone?), why not give it a shot and see what happens? It would have to be better than watching Natayla fart all over the place or yet another Kelly Kelly title shot.
Or, thinking outside the box here, how about a Trish Stratus versus Madusa mini-feud with the winner taking on Beth at a pay per view. Both Trish and Madusa have been making noise about Beth and that's the best way, to me anyhow, to settle it all. So how about it? Book it, Vince!
Hulk Hogan was recently interviewed by the UK Sun and had some interesting comments. My comments are in parenthesis...
On the topic of what he actually does for TNA:
“I don’t know what I do!” Hogan said. “I really don’t know! Everybody always asks me that! They’ve got a bunch of people there. They’ve got Dixie (Carter), of course. They’ve got Vince Russo who is the head writer, they’ve got Bruce Pritchard is the head of creative. Eric Bischoff is the executive producer. To me he’s between the network and the company, a middle man.
(So Hogan doesn't even know what his job is? That's a great gig to have. He just shows up, hogs the spotlight and changes storylines and cuts boring promos, but has no real reason to be there. I think someone from TNA needs to sit down with the "Hulkster" and get a little more specific with the man as to why he's there... or just can his leathery, old wrinkled ass. Whatever!)
I contribute, I’ll throw stuff out there creatively and every once in a while if I need to hit the ring I’ll slide on out there and do whatever, but I don’t really have a job description. I just try to be there, listen and contribute. If there is anything I can do to help or guide the direction, I’m there.”
(Translated, that means he listens to the storylines and uses that "stroke" of his to change things to a way that best suits Hulk Hogan. He has that "creative control" in his contract and as part of his "job", which he has no idea of what it is, he gets to influence and screw around with everyone... Brutha!)
On Bobby Roode winning the TNA Title at Bound For Glory, Hogan had the following to say:
“They were setting him up for failure. They had his parents and everybody saying what a great guy he was. You put the belt on him and he’s a good guy but he’s plain white milk toast and who is he going to work with? When I was sitting at home and I watched the interviews of his parents and his kids and his wife saying what a great guy he was I thought ‘You’ve got one of thegreatest wrestling angles set up here that I have ever seen and you don’t even know it!’
Don’t let him win the belt, have him screw everybody, turn heel, put some heat on him, keep him heel for a long time, get him red hot, and then when you turn him babyface he’s got a chance to be a Rock or a Stone Cold or a Hogan. (I thought before Bound For Glory) the way you guys have him set up now he’s just ‘one of those TNA originals that has five-star matches that don’t mean nothing’. Give the guy a chance!”
(Translated: Let's don't talk about where I used my stroke to change the match finish and keep him from winning the World Championship from Kurt Angle because that's not important. Now Hogan sees a rising star and wants to take credit for Roode and success he might enjoy, because that's just how Hogan rolls... Brutha!)
As seen on Friday’s SmackDown, Sheamus defeated WWE Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes in a non-title match. WWE’s website pointed out that Sheamus “pulled a new move out of his powerful arsenal” to get the win. That move was the Celtic Cross back-to-belly piledriver that Fit Finlay used.
First Sheamus started hanging out with the munchkin, Hornswoggle and now he's stealing Finlay's finishing move. All we need now is to have Sheamus carry a shileleigh and start busting people in the head and the transformation will be complete.
Doesn't matter though. Finlay is a tough SOB and even though the WWE "Creative" team is totally stealing his schtick, we all know who the original is. Fit Finlay > Sheamus! 'Nuff said!
CASTING CALL: The Big Bang Theory...
So here's the scenario. One of my current favorite syndicated shows is "The Big Bang Theory", starring Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons. What I'm going to do here is re-cast the show as the WWE might if they were creating their own version of the show. Yeah, a little fun and goofing off as I try to decide which WWE Superstar would best fit in each role. Let's do this...
Dr. Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki): The geeky nerdy "straight man" of the show. I'm not really sure which WWE superstar would fit this role. He'd have to be short and whiney and kind of annoying, but in a lovable way. Hmmmm! How about Josh Matthews? He's short and whiney and kind of annoying, but totally unoffensive. He'd fit this role quite well actually.
Dr. Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons): Sheldon and Randy Orton share the same haircut. That's about the only thing I can see that they might have in common, but in the world of the WWE, that would be enough. So Randy gets the nod here.
Penny (Kaley Cuoco): A talentless actress with big boobs. What WWE Diva can play this role? Just reach into the pile and pull one out. They're pretty interchangable anyhow. I'll go with Kelly Kelly... just because.
Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg): The nerdy little whine-ass that lives with his overbearing Mom and thinks that he's a stud, even though we all actually know better. That sounds like a Daniel Bryan spot to me. And A.J. looks a twee bit like the nerdy little mouse-girl that plays Howard's girlfriend on the show. Works for me.
Rajesh Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar): A nerdy brain who can't talk to women unless he's hammered. Damn, I know that feeling. I know he's an Indian in the show, but the only people of Indian descent in the WWE are Jinder Mahal or Khali and I just can't see either of them in this role. Justin Gabriel has the right look though, so unless the WWE gets Shawn Daivari (who would be perfect), my second choice would be the South African high-flyer instead. And his best friend, Heath Slater, can play the comic book shop dude. Sounds good to me.
And now, let's move on. Coming up on Sunday is the most recent TNA pay per view offering, "Against All Odds!" So that means it's time to break out the "Sister Cleo" outfit and gaze into the crystal ball. Yeppers, it's prediction time.
TNA Against All Odds Pay Per View Predictions...
TNA World Championship Match
Robert Roode (c) versus Jeff Hardy versus James Storm versus Bully Ray
If I remember right, I believe that Sting said on Thursday night that he would be the "special enforcer" for this match. That should make it pretty interesting and less likely for any major shenanigans between Roode and Bully Ray.
I don't think Jeff Hardy will be the Champ anytime soon. It's too soon in his return and in my eyes, he hasn't earned that right yet. And Storm just doesn't do it for me as of late. He started off as a singles guy strong and then kind of faltered out. So that leaves Roode and Bully Ray. Hmmmm! Ray has been looking great as of late and deserves his first World title, but I can't see them taking the belt off of Roode just yet. Look for Roode to pull a double-cross and pin Bully Ray to win the match and keep the title.
Winner and STILL TNA Impact World Champion: Robert Roode
TNA Tag Team Championship Match
Crimson & Matt Morgan (c) versus Samoa Joe & Magnus
I like both teams and I like this feud. Morgan and Crimson belong in the WWE. They just have that look about them that screams "WWE Superstar!". Joe and Magnus aren't quite as pretty, but they're a good team and tough as hell. Look for a title switch... possibly the first of many... as Joe pins Morgan in a moment of confusion and walks out, along with Magnus, as the new champs.
Winners and NEW TNA Tag Team Champions: Samoa Joe & Magnus
TNA X-Division Championship Match
Austin Aries (c) versus Alex Shelley
Where did Alex Shelley come from? He's been MIA for quite a while and now, all of a sudden, he's the # 1 Contender for the X-Division Championship? What happened to Kid Kash? The Kash - Aries feud still had quite a bit of life left to go and now, out of the blue, Alex Shelley is here and Kash is MIA. I don't get it! Glad to see Alex back in the TNA ring, but I just don't see him walking out as the Champion anytime soon.
Winner and STILL TNA X-Division Champion: Austin Aries
#1 X-Division Contenders Match
Jesse Sorenson versus Zema Ion
I like Zema Ion. He's a sexy dude, even if he does share the name of one of the nastiest alcoholic beverages ever created. Zima, the malt beverage, was nasty. Zema, the TNA high-flyer, is HOTT! And Zema > Sorenson. 'Nuff said! Ion wins.
Winner: Zema Ion
TNA Knockouts Championship Match
Gail Kim (c) versus Tara
Finally, we get to see Victoria (Tara) back in the main event of the Knockouts Division. She's awesome. She's always been awesome. Has Tara ever been the TNA Knockouts Champion? I don't think so and even if she has, it hasn't been recent. It's time for her to get some gold and glory.
Winner and NEW TNA Knockouts Champion: Tara
AJ Styles versus Kazarian (w/ Christopher Daniels)
Daniels interferes and Kazarian gets disqualified. And this weird feud that makes no sense continues.
Winner by DQ: AJ Styles
Garrett Bischoff (w/ Hulk Hogan) versus Gunner (w/ Eric Bischoff)
How much do you want to bet that this will be the semi-main event match. With the presence (and egos) of the two men at ringside, how can it go anywhere else on the card? Gunner will do his job and carry Garrett to a decent match. Eric will play the sleaze-ball and try to "screw" his son. And Hogan will find a way to make the spotlight and be all about him. And young Garrett will walk out the winner at the end of the match. Hogan's ego would allow no less.
Winner: Garrett Bischoff (w/ Hulk Hogan)
And there you go. My predictions for the TNA pay per view "Against All Odds". Woo Woo Woo - you know it!
Before I head out and call it a day, I want to compliment Sting for the way he conducts "business" as the resident TNA Authority Figure. I noticed this during Impact on Thursday night. Sting comes to the ring, says what he has to say and leaves... quick, simple and to the point. I wish that other certain men of power, especially one certain "Ace" of a guy from the WWE, would take notice of and learn from. No need for arguments or long, drawn out (scripted) promos. Just say what you have to say and leave. Sting "gets it!". I wish others would as well.
And on that note, I'm going to close this up for now. Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo.com. Also, go check out my blog-site at www.tsfiction.blogspot.com for all things Dougie.
I hope that everyone has a good weekend and a Happy Valentine's Day on Tuesday as well. I'm Doug and I guess that's all folks. Got places to go and people to do (or something like that!) Until the next time, I'll steal Sting's line and say, "Ta Ta for now!". I'll catch you on the flip side.
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