Tossing Salt Is American Idol
March 28, 2012
Doug Maynard
Can you believe that it's Week 4 of the competition already? It's American Idol and last week, the men and women who want to be the next American Idol sang the songs of the man himself, Billy Joel. And when the smoke cleared, it was she who cut her hair and changed her look, Erika Van Pelt, who had performed "New York State Of Mind" who was knocked out of contention by the votes of the fans and kicked off the island. And now, this week it's time to do it again.
The judges are Steven Tyler, Randy Jackson and Jennifer Lopez. The coach is Jimmy Iovine and assisting him tonight is the legendary Stevie Nicks. The host is Ryan Seacrest. And me... I'm just happy as a clam. The contestants are singing songs from their own personal idols. I don't know what was in the water tonight, but everyone did a great job and every single contestant stepped up and pushed their skills to the max. A fantastic night of singing. Let's do this!
Colton Dixon started off the show by doing the song "Everything" by Lighthouse. And he set the bar for the rest of the night by doing a great job. It was a little pitchy to me in the beginning, but got better and better as the song went along, plus it showed a side of Colton that we hadn't seen yet. I think he did very well. J-Lo said that she was really moved and the song was beautiful. Randy said that he could feel Colton's heart and passion and the song was "unbelievable". And Steven said that Colton was an American Idol Judges' "dream come true" and that Colton has "star quality".
Skylar Laine was the next to perform and her song pick was the Miranda Lambert song "Gunpowder And Lead". Skylar was really in her element with this song and really did a good job. Skylar has that Gretchen Wilson vibe about her and will have, I think, a good future in country music. J-Lo said that Skylar had "unbridled energy" and that this was the "perfect song for her". Randy loved it and called Skylar a great performer and powerhouse singer. And Steven said that it was "over the top" and "beautiful".
Next up was our first "trio" songfest as Colton, Elise and Phillip worked together to do a melody of Fleetwood Mac songs in honor of the guest mentor, Stevie Nicks. Steven Tyler said that the merry threesome was "damn good" and "most excellent".
And the Clown Prince of Idol, Heejun Han was the next to perform. His choice was "A Song For You", originally done by Leon Russell and guess what? Heejun left the jokes in the back and sang his heart out. The young man showed exactly why he was selected to be on Idol in the first place and did an amazing job. He got a standing ovation from the judges and most of the audience. Steven, who last week ripped Heejun a new one, said that Heejun "did it" and made the song "come alive" and was "great". Randy said that Heejun was "back" and while the song wasn't perfect, it had a beautiful tone. And J-Lo said that when Heejun connects with the song, it really moves people.
Hollie Cavanagh was the next to perform and her selection was a Carrie Underwood song called "Jesus At The Wheel". Hollie was really emotionally into the song and it showed with every movement and every expression on her face. J-Lo said that it was one of her best and she really connected with the song. Randy said that Hollie had a few pitchy moments, but did a good job and he was impressed. Steven said that he could feel the emotion, but he wished that she had picked and performed a different song. This one was just "okay" to him.
The Hairy One, DeAndre Brockensick was the next to come up and perform and his song was a song called "Sometimes I Cry" by Eric Benot. Damn, DeAndre can sing! Those high pitched notes and that falsetto coming from his throat just isn't natural. He did an amazing job. Steven said that it was 100% passion, beautiful and that DeAndre could give Prince a run for his money. J-Lo said that people need to pick up the phones and vote for DeAndre, saying that his music went straight to the heart. And Randy called it "beautiful", noting that DeAndre knows who he is and where he should be and that, just like Heejun earlier, DeAndre is back!
Jessica Sanchez came up next and the song she performed was "Sweet Dreams", originally done by Beyonce. Jessica slowed it down a bit and made it into a ballad and did a really good job. She has an amazing voice. J-Lo said that it was really, really beautiful and left them wanting more. Steven called it a great performance and said that Jessica was a star, no matter what. She really knows her notes and was "delicious". And Randy said that Jessica had "unbelievable talent" and was one of the "best singers in many years".
And then we got a melody of Michael Jackson songs from the trio of Heejun, DeAndre and Joshua who proved that they're great singers, but not very good dancers. It was a fun performance to watch though and J-Lo gave them all an "A" for effort and said it was perfect.
Phillip Phillips was the next to perform and he did the Johnny Lang classic, "Still Raining". Phillip really gets into his music and he's probably the most real and natural performer competing this year. In my opinion, he's definitely the front-runner of a very talented pack of singers and entertainers. J-Lo said that Phillip makes everyone feel the music and everything else just goes away. She called Phillip "amazing". Steven said that Phillip owns every song that he sings and that he "loves it!" And Randy said that Johnny Lang is probably very proud right now and that Phillip has big things in front of him.
Here comes Joshua Ledet up next and his song is the Mariah Carey song "Without You". That's a tough song and though the start was a little pitchy, Joshua really got into the song and took it over and did a great job, breaking into a few tears at the end. The emotion was amazing! Steven said Joshua pushed his limits and did it so well. It was "beautiful" and Joshua poured his heart out. J-Lo called Joshua a "phenom" and an "angel from Heaven" and closed by calling him "something special". And Randy noted that Joshua has a giant voice made for big songs and this was flawless and brilliant.
One more trio of talent as Hollie, Skylar and Jessica came out and did a melody of Madonna songs. Randy called the effort "very fun", "cool" and "very nice".
And finally,we got our last performance of the night, Elise Testone, who brought down the house and did an amazing rendition of the Led Zeppelin classic "Whole Lotta Love". So far this season, Elise hasn't impressed me very much, but she owned this song and did an unbelievable job. I was very impressed. J-Lo called her a "real rock star" and said it was "crazy". Randy noted that her choice was one of the hardest songs in the world to sing and that Elise did an amazing job. And Steven said Elise "made Robert Plant proud tonight".
And that closed the show of what was easily was the best night, voice-wise, this season by far. Everyone brought their A-games tonight and did some amazing jobs. So who will be going home tomorrow night? The voters and fans really have their work cut out for them tonight. But as is my way, I've got my picks for the Bottom Three. I don't think they're actually the worst singers in the competion, but everyone did so well tonight, I just think these were just slightly behind the curve. So who will it be? I think the "Bottom Three" tomorrow night will be: Heejun Han, Hollie Cavanagh and Joshua Ledet. And when the votes are counted and the final bell tolls, it will be Hollie Cavanagh taking that "Walk of Shame" and heading home.
So what did you think of Idol tonight? Am I right with my "Bottom Three" or am I totally full of it and clueless? Let me know what you think.
And on that, I'm out of here until next week. Don't forget to watch Wrestlemania XXVIII on Sunday night at 7:00pm. Thanks for reading. Im Doug and I'll catch you on the flip side.
Ubuntu!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Wrestling Fact Or Fiction - March 27, 2012
Wrestling Fact Or Fiction
March 28, 2012
Doug Maynard & Russell Jackson
Welcome once more to what I think will be a very, very special edition of "Wrestling Fact Or Fiction". Why is it so special, you ask? Well, it's Wrestlemania Week and most of the questions are geared towards Wrestlemania XXVIII (or) the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012. It's me, it's me, the Saltiest Man In The Universe, Doug and my partner in crime this week is the man who even Mike Tyson calls "The Baddest Man In The World", the one and only Russell Jackson. We're doing the "Fact or Fiction" thing. And just like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, that's the bottom line because we just said so. Let's do this.
1) Having AJ in his corner is an asset to World Champion Daniel Bryan?
Russell - FICTION: Daniel Bryan havin AJ in his corner has given him chances to come out on top of his matches recently...With the way that Daniel Bryan has insulted AJ for the past few weeks, every chance he's had to do so, it all comes to an end this Sunday at WM XXVIII...Look for AJ in some way, shape, or form help Sheamus in winning the World Heavyweight Championship from Daniel Bryan...
Doug - FACT: For now, she's a benefit to Bryan because she gives him someone to use to really build his heel character and look like a total wimp-ass toady boy. It adds a level of interest to the Daniel Bryan character because you just have to wonder how long will the Bryan - AJ "relationship" last and when will AJ say enough is enough and turn on Bryan? Or will she end up being the brains behind the brawn, similar to the way a character named Robin Green evolved into "Woman" in the early days of WCW? For now, having AJ with Bryan has more pros than cons in my opinion and I'm interested in seeing just how this all turns out.
2) The WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012 is one of the strongest Hall of Fame classes ever?
Russell - FACT: All in all with the exception of havin Mike Tyson bein in the HOF Class of 2012, I'd say the 2012 HOF Class is one of the strongest classes ever...You have THE greatest & first factions in pro wrestling history, The Four Horsemen; you have the "Man of 1000 Masks" Mil Mascaras; you have the late, great Yokozuna, "The Ultimate Opportunist" Edge; The first African - American WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ron Simmons...Inducting not only Mike Tyson into The HOF Class but inducting Celebrities in general that aren't professional wrestlers is a complete joke...How bout the great wrestlers of yester year that hasn't been inducted yet?...Such a shame...
Doug - FACT: Look at this group. The Horsemen! Edge! Ron Simmons! Mil Mascaras! Yokozuna! Mike Tyson! There's not a weak name in the bunch. No James Dudley's in this group. This is arguably the strongest class for the HOF since they started doing this thing. It's superstar after superstar (plus some extremely big names doing the inducting as well). The way they've done it this year is how a Hall of Fame class should be done. I'm still waiting on Bruno, Backlund and Ivan Koloff though.
3) TNA will allow Ric Flair to participate in the WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony?
Russell - FACT: TNA would be f'n stupid if they didn't allow Ric Flair to participate in the WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony...EVEN if TNA didn't allow Flair to participate, I'd be willin to place a bet that "Naitch" would show up anyway & participate in the Hall of Fame Ceremony...Through out the history of the 4 Horsemen faction, reguardless of who was in the group, the 2 original members were always Arn Anderson & Ric Flair...It's only fitting & doesn't take a rocket scientist or a genius to understand that Ric Flair takes his spot along with Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson, Barry Windham & JJ Dillan into the Hall of Fame Ceremony...
Doug - FACT: The news broke just a few minutes before I started typing my answers (Tuesday afternoon.) Ric Flair WILL BE at the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Can't do the Horsemen without the "Nature Boy" and I think TNA realized what all the rest of us already knew. Whether they agreed or not, Ric Flair transcends rival companies and wrestling politics. He would have been there regardless and if TNA had tried to stop him, they would have been the ones to bleed, sweat and pay the price. And there definitely would have been a big backlash against TNA and hell to pay. So TNA tells Ric congratulations and to enjoy his day. And we get to see Ric and the Horsemen all together, stylin' and profilin' as only they can do. Woooooooooo!
4) Wrestlemania XXVIII is shaping up to be the greatest Wrestlemania of all time?
Russell - FICTION: You have a 4 hour PPV that ONLY has 8 matches on the card, mistake #1...Out of the 8 matches on the card, there's only 3 matches that I'm interested in: 1) The WWE Championship match, 2) The World Heavyweight Championship Match, 3) The "End of an Era" Hell in a Cell Match between Triple H & Undertaker...That's down right sad that even The Rock vs John Cena match doesn't even interest me, even tho I want The Rock to win...Again, such a shame...
Doug - FICTION: It's going to be an okay show, but aside from Rock versus Cena (which I really don't care much about) and the Undertaker - HHH match, what really stands out and makes this show "must see"? Nothing! The best thing about the twelve man tag was Christian and he's been pulled from the match. CM Punk versus Jericho might be good, but it just doesn't have that big show appeal to me. Eight matches signed to fill four hours and none of them jump out and make that demand to "watch me" in my eyes. Wrestlemania is always entertaining and a good show, but alas, a "good show" rarely turns out to be the "greatest of all time!".
5) The Miz and Drew McIntyre (replacing the injured Christian) are good choices to fill out "Team Johnny"?
Russell - FICTION: The Miz, is a good choice to be a member on "Team Johnny", after all, he is a former WWE Champion & I could see him put on a good match...Drew McIntyre though, doesn't seem like a good choice to be in the 12 man tag match, with the way that he's been used as of late...
Doug - FICTION: The Miz is a good pick for Team Johnny and I'm glad to see he's got a spot on the Wrestlemania card. He's a helluva worker and deserves it. Drew on the other hand... well, I actually like him and think he's a good talent, but based on how his character has been used this past year, he just really doesn't fit in on that team and especially not as a replacement for Christian. Christian made me want to see this match and see what kind of shenanigans that "Captain Charisma" would pull to help his team and help himself obtain that goal of "one more match". And now, he gets to sit in the back while others get to enjoy the spotlight. I don't get it at all what WWE is thinking, but I don't agree at all.
<<< --- SWITCHEROO --- >>>
6) Booker T is the right choice to fill out "Team Teddy"?
Doug - FACT: Well, my original choice was Mick Foley, who was petitioning for a Wrestlemania match and actually owes John Laurinaitis some retribution for a punch in the head a few months ago, but that would be logical and when has the WWE ever cared about logic? So Booker T is the sixth man and guess what? If I can't have Foley, Booker will work just fine. Booker sucks as a commentator, but he's still fun for the occasional match here and there. I'm not sure what the other wrestlers in the locker room think about an announcer getting a prime spot on the Wrestlemania card when so many full time wrestlers are being left in the locker room, but that seems to be the theme of this show anyhow. Look at it. Booker is a part time wrestler. So is The Rock... and Chris Jericho... and Undertaker... and HHH... and HBK is retired. The card is full of either part time wrestlers or wrestlers who were out for a while with "injuries" (either real or kayfabe), such as Big Show, Khali, Kane, Zack Ryder, Randy Orton, etc... Staying healthy and working a full schedule in the WWE only seems to ensure that a person WON'T be part of Wrestlemania. But anyhow, Booker will do well and the crowd will pop and we'll get a bunch of spineroonies to make the fans happy. So no real complaints here.
Russell - FICTION: Booker T. shouldn't have been chosen by Teddy Long to fill out "Team Teddy"...Booker T. is at the end of his wrestling career, he should help announce the WM XXVIII PPV instead of wrestling on it...The Jackasses that is the WWE should have a younger wrestler fillin out "Team Teddy" to help make the match interestin to watch...
7) Kelly Kelly is the hottest Diva currently in the WWE?
Doug - FICTION: Well, she's definitely no "Ivory" (the hottest Diva of ALL TIME) and in my opinion, she's not even all that sexy. Some people like walking Barbie dolls with big boobs and fake smiles, but I'm not one of them. I think she looks like she caught a major case of the mumps (definitely implants) and just doesn't float my boat at all. Eve looks better. Alicia Foz looks better. Tamina looks better. Hell, for a woman of her years, Vickie looks pretty damn hot. As for Kelly, she reeks of fakeness and is just another wannabe in my eyes.
Russell - FICTION: The Barbie Doll of the WWE is lame as is with the rest of the quote/unquote "WWE Divas"...Such a waste of time puttin them on WWE programming...
8) Brodus Clay should be given a match at Wrestlemania XXVIII?
Doug - FICTION: No chance in hell should Brodus be involved in a match at Wrestlemania. While I can see him wasting our time in a backstage segment (dancing with Mae Young while Ron Simmons stands by and says "DAMN!", he hasn't really gotten over with the fans enough yet to be worthy of a match at the biggest show of all. I just don't want to watch him on my TV screen jiggling!
Russell - FICTION: The ONLY way Brodus Clay should be given a match at WM XXVIII is if he did away with the "Funkasaurus" gimmick...The cheap, poor excuse of a Teletubby wannabe is a waste on WWE programming, he shouldn't even be on Superstars or FCW TV at that...
9) You'd be interested in seeing a feud between CM Punk and Christian?
Doug - FACT: I think the injury angle on Monday night was just setting the seeds for a feud with Christian versus CM Punk. And that would definitely be one worth watching. They're about the same size and both men are fantastic on the mic. And unlike Chris Jericho, who took several weeks to really get into the groove during the build for his match with Punk at Wrestlemania, Christian could just come out, whine about how Punk cost him a match at Wrestlemania and how he deserves "one more match" and the feud would just take off and be exciting. Both men are so talented and polished, they could easily steal the show and become the hottest thing in the WWE for the past several years. I'd love to see it happen.
Russell - FACT: CM Punk & Christian could be a pretty good feud after what Punk did to Christian on Monday Night Raw...Could make an interestin feud between the 2 over the WWE Championship...
10) The Rock versus John Cena should be the main event and close Wrestlemania XXVIII?
Doug - FACT: They've been building this match for a year now. Cena is the WWE's biggest star right now and The Rock is one of wrestling's biggest stars ever. While my own personal choice to close the show would be Undertaker versus HHH in the Hell In A Cell, the money match for this show that the majority of fans are really wanting to see is Cena versus The Rock. Since that's the match with the build, that's the match that ends the show. 'Nuff said!
Russell - FICTION: The Rock vs John Cena match SHOULD NOT & I repeat, SHOULD NOT main event & close WrestleMania XXVIII...I rightly don't give a shit if both The Rock & John Cena are the 2 BIGGEST stars in the WWE, that match shouldn't be the last match on the card...The slogan from the Royal Rumble PPV was & I quote: "The winner of the Royal Rumble will go after the championship of his chosing & MAIN EVENT WRESTLEMANIA XXVIII."...Now since Sheamus won the 2012 Royal Rumble match & has chosen to face Daniel Bryan for the World Heavyweight Championship, it's only right & fitting for the World Heavyweight Championship match, Sheamus vs Daniel Bryan to main event & close WM XXVIII...Let The Rock vs Cena match be the next to last match...Not right, not right at all...
Bonus Question: If you could pick three people to be added to the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012, who would you pick?
Doug: The most obvious choices are Bruno Sammartino, Bob Backlund and Ivan Koloff, but those are too obvious and I think that Backlund and Koloff will be inducted within the next few years while Bruno will be holding out and refusing to be inducted probably up until the day he dies. So taking those names out of the equation, the three names I'd love to see inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, and who I'd induct if I had the power to do so are... The Midnight Express w/ Jim Cornette. For this induction, it would be all the members of the Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton, Dennis Condrey and Stan Lane) along with manager Jim Cornette. It's a package deal and they do truly deserve the honors. The second person I'd induct would be Bill Eadie aka "The Masked Superstar" / "Demolition Ax". His career and legacy speaks for itself as to why he deserves to be inducted. And finally, the third person I'd induct would be Leon White, aka "Vader". His career in WCW and Japan established him as one of the most dominant big men in wrestling history. A 400-plus pound man who could do moves like Vader did in the early nineties. He was unique and definitely in a league of his own. I can think of several other guys who also deserve induction, such as Brusier Brody, Stan Hansen, Sting, Larry Zbyszko, Mr. Wrestling II, The Rock & Roll Express, etc... but if the choice was mine, these three (The Midnight Express, Bill Eadie and Vader) would be my first picks.
Russell: If I could pick 3 wrestlers to be added to the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012 that hasn't already been chosen, I'd have to pick 1) "Macho Man" Randy Savage 2) "Sting" Steve Borden 3) Owen Hart...All 3, without a doubt in my mind, should be picked to be in the WWE Hall of Fame...
So there you go. Another edition of Fact or Fiction in the books. My thanks to the "real World Champion" Russell Jackson for his participation and help with this column. Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo.com. I'm Doug and I guess that's a wrap. Don't forget Wrestlemania XXVIII on Sunday night. Have a great week and we'll see you on the flip side.
Ubuntu!
March 28, 2012
Doug Maynard & Russell Jackson
Welcome once more to what I think will be a very, very special edition of "Wrestling Fact Or Fiction". Why is it so special, you ask? Well, it's Wrestlemania Week and most of the questions are geared towards Wrestlemania XXVIII (or) the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012. It's me, it's me, the Saltiest Man In The Universe, Doug and my partner in crime this week is the man who even Mike Tyson calls "The Baddest Man In The World", the one and only Russell Jackson. We're doing the "Fact or Fiction" thing. And just like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, that's the bottom line because we just said so. Let's do this.
1) Having AJ in his corner is an asset to World Champion Daniel Bryan?
Russell - FICTION: Daniel Bryan havin AJ in his corner has given him chances to come out on top of his matches recently...With the way that Daniel Bryan has insulted AJ for the past few weeks, every chance he's had to do so, it all comes to an end this Sunday at WM XXVIII...Look for AJ in some way, shape, or form help Sheamus in winning the World Heavyweight Championship from Daniel Bryan...
Doug - FACT: For now, she's a benefit to Bryan because she gives him someone to use to really build his heel character and look like a total wimp-ass toady boy. It adds a level of interest to the Daniel Bryan character because you just have to wonder how long will the Bryan - AJ "relationship" last and when will AJ say enough is enough and turn on Bryan? Or will she end up being the brains behind the brawn, similar to the way a character named Robin Green evolved into "Woman" in the early days of WCW? For now, having AJ with Bryan has more pros than cons in my opinion and I'm interested in seeing just how this all turns out.
2) The WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012 is one of the strongest Hall of Fame classes ever?
Russell - FACT: All in all with the exception of havin Mike Tyson bein in the HOF Class of 2012, I'd say the 2012 HOF Class is one of the strongest classes ever...You have THE greatest & first factions in pro wrestling history, The Four Horsemen; you have the "Man of 1000 Masks" Mil Mascaras; you have the late, great Yokozuna, "The Ultimate Opportunist" Edge; The first African - American WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ron Simmons...Inducting not only Mike Tyson into The HOF Class but inducting Celebrities in general that aren't professional wrestlers is a complete joke...How bout the great wrestlers of yester year that hasn't been inducted yet?...Such a shame...
Doug - FACT: Look at this group. The Horsemen! Edge! Ron Simmons! Mil Mascaras! Yokozuna! Mike Tyson! There's not a weak name in the bunch. No James Dudley's in this group. This is arguably the strongest class for the HOF since they started doing this thing. It's superstar after superstar (plus some extremely big names doing the inducting as well). The way they've done it this year is how a Hall of Fame class should be done. I'm still waiting on Bruno, Backlund and Ivan Koloff though.
3) TNA will allow Ric Flair to participate in the WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony?
Russell - FACT: TNA would be f'n stupid if they didn't allow Ric Flair to participate in the WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony...EVEN if TNA didn't allow Flair to participate, I'd be willin to place a bet that "Naitch" would show up anyway & participate in the Hall of Fame Ceremony...Through out the history of the 4 Horsemen faction, reguardless of who was in the group, the 2 original members were always Arn Anderson & Ric Flair...It's only fitting & doesn't take a rocket scientist or a genius to understand that Ric Flair takes his spot along with Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson, Barry Windham & JJ Dillan into the Hall of Fame Ceremony...
Doug - FACT: The news broke just a few minutes before I started typing my answers (Tuesday afternoon.) Ric Flair WILL BE at the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Can't do the Horsemen without the "Nature Boy" and I think TNA realized what all the rest of us already knew. Whether they agreed or not, Ric Flair transcends rival companies and wrestling politics. He would have been there regardless and if TNA had tried to stop him, they would have been the ones to bleed, sweat and pay the price. And there definitely would have been a big backlash against TNA and hell to pay. So TNA tells Ric congratulations and to enjoy his day. And we get to see Ric and the Horsemen all together, stylin' and profilin' as only they can do. Woooooooooo!
4) Wrestlemania XXVIII is shaping up to be the greatest Wrestlemania of all time?
Russell - FICTION: You have a 4 hour PPV that ONLY has 8 matches on the card, mistake #1...Out of the 8 matches on the card, there's only 3 matches that I'm interested in: 1) The WWE Championship match, 2) The World Heavyweight Championship Match, 3) The "End of an Era" Hell in a Cell Match between Triple H & Undertaker...That's down right sad that even The Rock vs John Cena match doesn't even interest me, even tho I want The Rock to win...Again, such a shame...
Doug - FICTION: It's going to be an okay show, but aside from Rock versus Cena (which I really don't care much about) and the Undertaker - HHH match, what really stands out and makes this show "must see"? Nothing! The best thing about the twelve man tag was Christian and he's been pulled from the match. CM Punk versus Jericho might be good, but it just doesn't have that big show appeal to me. Eight matches signed to fill four hours and none of them jump out and make that demand to "watch me" in my eyes. Wrestlemania is always entertaining and a good show, but alas, a "good show" rarely turns out to be the "greatest of all time!".
5) The Miz and Drew McIntyre (replacing the injured Christian) are good choices to fill out "Team Johnny"?
Russell - FICTION: The Miz, is a good choice to be a member on "Team Johnny", after all, he is a former WWE Champion & I could see him put on a good match...Drew McIntyre though, doesn't seem like a good choice to be in the 12 man tag match, with the way that he's been used as of late...
Doug - FICTION: The Miz is a good pick for Team Johnny and I'm glad to see he's got a spot on the Wrestlemania card. He's a helluva worker and deserves it. Drew on the other hand... well, I actually like him and think he's a good talent, but based on how his character has been used this past year, he just really doesn't fit in on that team and especially not as a replacement for Christian. Christian made me want to see this match and see what kind of shenanigans that "Captain Charisma" would pull to help his team and help himself obtain that goal of "one more match". And now, he gets to sit in the back while others get to enjoy the spotlight. I don't get it at all what WWE is thinking, but I don't agree at all.
<<< --- SWITCHEROO --- >>>
6) Booker T is the right choice to fill out "Team Teddy"?
Doug - FACT: Well, my original choice was Mick Foley, who was petitioning for a Wrestlemania match and actually owes John Laurinaitis some retribution for a punch in the head a few months ago, but that would be logical and when has the WWE ever cared about logic? So Booker T is the sixth man and guess what? If I can't have Foley, Booker will work just fine. Booker sucks as a commentator, but he's still fun for the occasional match here and there. I'm not sure what the other wrestlers in the locker room think about an announcer getting a prime spot on the Wrestlemania card when so many full time wrestlers are being left in the locker room, but that seems to be the theme of this show anyhow. Look at it. Booker is a part time wrestler. So is The Rock... and Chris Jericho... and Undertaker... and HHH... and HBK is retired. The card is full of either part time wrestlers or wrestlers who were out for a while with "injuries" (either real or kayfabe), such as Big Show, Khali, Kane, Zack Ryder, Randy Orton, etc... Staying healthy and working a full schedule in the WWE only seems to ensure that a person WON'T be part of Wrestlemania. But anyhow, Booker will do well and the crowd will pop and we'll get a bunch of spineroonies to make the fans happy. So no real complaints here.
Russell - FICTION: Booker T. shouldn't have been chosen by Teddy Long to fill out "Team Teddy"...Booker T. is at the end of his wrestling career, he should help announce the WM XXVIII PPV instead of wrestling on it...The Jackasses that is the WWE should have a younger wrestler fillin out "Team Teddy" to help make the match interestin to watch...
7) Kelly Kelly is the hottest Diva currently in the WWE?
Doug - FICTION: Well, she's definitely no "Ivory" (the hottest Diva of ALL TIME) and in my opinion, she's not even all that sexy. Some people like walking Barbie dolls with big boobs and fake smiles, but I'm not one of them. I think she looks like she caught a major case of the mumps (definitely implants) and just doesn't float my boat at all. Eve looks better. Alicia Foz looks better. Tamina looks better. Hell, for a woman of her years, Vickie looks pretty damn hot. As for Kelly, she reeks of fakeness and is just another wannabe in my eyes.
Russell - FICTION: The Barbie Doll of the WWE is lame as is with the rest of the quote/unquote "WWE Divas"...Such a waste of time puttin them on WWE programming...
8) Brodus Clay should be given a match at Wrestlemania XXVIII?
Doug - FICTION: No chance in hell should Brodus be involved in a match at Wrestlemania. While I can see him wasting our time in a backstage segment (dancing with Mae Young while Ron Simmons stands by and says "DAMN!", he hasn't really gotten over with the fans enough yet to be worthy of a match at the biggest show of all. I just don't want to watch him on my TV screen jiggling!
Russell - FICTION: The ONLY way Brodus Clay should be given a match at WM XXVIII is if he did away with the "Funkasaurus" gimmick...The cheap, poor excuse of a Teletubby wannabe is a waste on WWE programming, he shouldn't even be on Superstars or FCW TV at that...
9) You'd be interested in seeing a feud between CM Punk and Christian?
Doug - FACT: I think the injury angle on Monday night was just setting the seeds for a feud with Christian versus CM Punk. And that would definitely be one worth watching. They're about the same size and both men are fantastic on the mic. And unlike Chris Jericho, who took several weeks to really get into the groove during the build for his match with Punk at Wrestlemania, Christian could just come out, whine about how Punk cost him a match at Wrestlemania and how he deserves "one more match" and the feud would just take off and be exciting. Both men are so talented and polished, they could easily steal the show and become the hottest thing in the WWE for the past several years. I'd love to see it happen.
Russell - FACT: CM Punk & Christian could be a pretty good feud after what Punk did to Christian on Monday Night Raw...Could make an interestin feud between the 2 over the WWE Championship...
10) The Rock versus John Cena should be the main event and close Wrestlemania XXVIII?
Doug - FACT: They've been building this match for a year now. Cena is the WWE's biggest star right now and The Rock is one of wrestling's biggest stars ever. While my own personal choice to close the show would be Undertaker versus HHH in the Hell In A Cell, the money match for this show that the majority of fans are really wanting to see is Cena versus The Rock. Since that's the match with the build, that's the match that ends the show. 'Nuff said!
Russell - FICTION: The Rock vs John Cena match SHOULD NOT & I repeat, SHOULD NOT main event & close WrestleMania XXVIII...I rightly don't give a shit if both The Rock & John Cena are the 2 BIGGEST stars in the WWE, that match shouldn't be the last match on the card...The slogan from the Royal Rumble PPV was & I quote: "The winner of the Royal Rumble will go after the championship of his chosing & MAIN EVENT WRESTLEMANIA XXVIII."...Now since Sheamus won the 2012 Royal Rumble match & has chosen to face Daniel Bryan for the World Heavyweight Championship, it's only right & fitting for the World Heavyweight Championship match, Sheamus vs Daniel Bryan to main event & close WM XXVIII...Let The Rock vs Cena match be the next to last match...Not right, not right at all...
Bonus Question: If you could pick three people to be added to the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012, who would you pick?
Doug: The most obvious choices are Bruno Sammartino, Bob Backlund and Ivan Koloff, but those are too obvious and I think that Backlund and Koloff will be inducted within the next few years while Bruno will be holding out and refusing to be inducted probably up until the day he dies. So taking those names out of the equation, the three names I'd love to see inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, and who I'd induct if I had the power to do so are... The Midnight Express w/ Jim Cornette. For this induction, it would be all the members of the Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton, Dennis Condrey and Stan Lane) along with manager Jim Cornette. It's a package deal and they do truly deserve the honors. The second person I'd induct would be Bill Eadie aka "The Masked Superstar" / "Demolition Ax". His career and legacy speaks for itself as to why he deserves to be inducted. And finally, the third person I'd induct would be Leon White, aka "Vader". His career in WCW and Japan established him as one of the most dominant big men in wrestling history. A 400-plus pound man who could do moves like Vader did in the early nineties. He was unique and definitely in a league of his own. I can think of several other guys who also deserve induction, such as Brusier Brody, Stan Hansen, Sting, Larry Zbyszko, Mr. Wrestling II, The Rock & Roll Express, etc... but if the choice was mine, these three (The Midnight Express, Bill Eadie and Vader) would be my first picks.
Russell: If I could pick 3 wrestlers to be added to the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012 that hasn't already been chosen, I'd have to pick 1) "Macho Man" Randy Savage 2) "Sting" Steve Borden 3) Owen Hart...All 3, without a doubt in my mind, should be picked to be in the WWE Hall of Fame...
So there you go. Another edition of Fact or Fiction in the books. My thanks to the "real World Champion" Russell Jackson for his participation and help with this column. Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo.com. I'm Doug and I guess that's a wrap. Don't forget Wrestlemania XXVIII on Sunday night. Have a great week and we'll see you on the flip side.
Ubuntu!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Tossing Salt - Worldwide News: March 26, 2012
Tossing Salt - Worldwide News
March 26, 2012
Doug Maynard
It's been a while, but guess what? I'm back. I'm Doug and this is Pro Wrestling's Most Eclectic Column, the one and only "Tossing Salt - Worldwide News". Guess what happens this week? My kitty-kat is getting fixed. No kitties for my kitty.
And also, we have this little tiny wrestling show on Sunday called "Wrestlemania XXVIII". Maybe you've heard of it? And we've got Hall of Fame Inductions too. Not the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I'm still waiting for The Pet Shop Boys to be inducted. Instead, it's the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012 Induction Ceremony. Despite my team, the UNC Tarheels getting kicked out of the NCAA Basketball Tournament last night,
I'm still jakked. I'm happy. I'm excited. I'm as perky as a baby in a washing machine. This is going to be one helluva week. And let's don't even start talking about the trailer for the new Dark Shadows movie. It comes out in May and it's going to be damn good! Let's get this party started. Let's do this...
There are two subjects on my mind before I get into my Hall of Fame thoughts and my predictions for Wrestlemania XXVIII that I want to get into. The first one is something reported by LordsOfPain.net where Alberto Del Rio reportedly said in an interview that he has been told that he will not be a part of any of the matches at Wrestlemania XXVIII.
And you know what? I hate it for Del Rio, but he's been out of action for the past several months and it really wouldn't be fair to bring him back a week before the biggest show of the year (and the biggest payday) when there are so many other talents who have been here week in and week out, day in and day out, who don't have a spot on the show.
It's not Del Rio's fault that he was injured, but he'll have the chance to make up for it after Wrestlemania with several main events and a spot near the top of the WWE ladder. So no big match on Sunday. So what? He'll still be making appearances and be a part of the excitement. Maybe they can slide him in as part of a "bonus match" against some other wrestler who was left off the card (Miz, Brodus Clay, William Regal, Heath Ledger, Justin Gabriel, The Usos, etc). I'm sure the WWE will find some kind of use for him at the biggest event of the year. And if not, he can just enjoy the vacation while it lasts and be ready to go to work Monday night instead.
The other topic is a rumor that possibly at Wrestlemania XXVIIII, we might be looking at a main event of The Rock, back for another year, against "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar. And that, I think, would be awesome. If the Rock is going to keep coming back and being a part of Wrestlemania every year, the hardest part will be trying to find someone each and every year that is a big enough name to be matched up against The Rock. Who really is there in the WWE these days that could be a "money opponent" for Dwayne Johnson? We have John Cena this year, CM Punk at some point, maybe The Miz and then who else? HHH? Been there and done that. Chris Jericho? Same thing. But The Rock and Brock never wrestled and their careers and times in the WWE just missed each other, so why the heck not?
It's pretty obvious that at some point, Brock will be back in the WWE (and my guess will be Sunday night). He left to do his "football camp" thing and then went on to moderate success with the UFC. And now, since that career has ended, it's time to come full circle and climb back into that squared circle. Just imagine the promos. Just imagine the physical match-up. Bring Brock in on Sunday night (or Monday at RAW) and have him declare that he's back for good. Have him make the challenge for The Rock one year from now at next year's Wrestlemania. And as for the time between now and then, Brock can set his eyes on "The World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry, Kane, John Cena, etc.
I don't know if this rumor is true, but I expect that we'll find out soon enough if Brock is truly coming back to rejoin the WWE. And if he is coming back, then having Brock take on Cena and then Rock seems like a no-brainer to me. I would like to see it happen and I hope that it does.
Update: I wrote the first part of this (the part above) on Sunday night and since then, there's been a new development. Last night, Mick Foley and The Miz engaged in a twitter war that might be indicating that Miz and Foley will be the two mystery men and the final components of Team Teddy and Team Johnny. It makes sense.
Mick still owes John Laurinaitis for a punch in the mouth a few months ago and Miz is a former WWE Champion (and AWESOME) so he'd fit in quite well with the rest of "Team Johnny" which consists entirely of former World and WWE Champs (and Otunga who's married to a big movie / singing star). Don't know if it's true or if it's just something being thrown out there to generate talk and interest.
Whatever the case, having Mick Foley (who wants to have one more Wrestlemania moment to show his kids) and The Miz as the final two men works for me. Let's move on...
WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012 Thoughts...
Now, let's move on to what I feel is the strongest class of legends and superstars to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at one time since they started this whole thing and of course, I'm talking about the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012. Let's go over the Inductees and whether or not the person (or persons) are truly worthy of the honor being bestowed upon them.
The Four Horsemen: Four of the best wrestlers of the eighties, arguably the greatest "clique" of all time, and one of the greatest managers (and behind the scenes players too). Nothing is wrong with this selection except for it's a slight bit overdue. Meethinks that Atlanta, GA, the home of last year's Wrestlemania, would have been more appropiate for the men who made and carried WCW for so long, but that's just my thoughts. Miami works well since Dillon, Windham and Flair all had some very memorable Florida moments as well in their careers. I still think that Ole Anderson was given the royal shaft, but given the great love between Ole and Vince McMahon, it's understandable. And I'm sure that we'll hear some of the Horsemen (most likely Arn) give Ole his props when making his speech.
The only thing that I'm still not sure about this induction is will Ric Flair be there and be able to attend the HOF ceremony? So far, there's been no official word one way or the other if Flair (who's currently under contract to TNA) will be allowed to appear. From what I understand, WWE and TNA are talking about this and most likely it will happen. I wouldn't expect to see Ric at Wrestlemania or RAW the next night though after the Induction ceremony. That might be asking TNA for too much. But I do think (hope) that on that stage Saturday night, we'll get to see Ric, Arn, Tully and J.J. all together.
I also haven't heard anything about whether or not Barry Windham will be able to attend the ceremony, as he's currently recovering from a heart attack and stroke. It would be a shame if Windham isn't able to be there and accept the honor, but if he's not, it's understandable. Getting better has to be his first priority. And there are plenty of persons of note (Blackjack Mulligan, Mike Rotundo, Husky Harris, Kendall Windham) who could step in and accept the award for Barry. He's truly one of the all-time greats and all of us here at Tossing Salt Media wish him the very best in a speedy and full recovery.
A thought here. I wonder how many former Horsemen will be visiting and sitting in the audience during the Induction ceremonies? I know that Lex Luger has said that he will definitely be there. Dean Malenko works as an agent for the WWE so he'll be there too. But what about Steve "Mongo" McMichael? But what about Sid Vicious? I doubt we'll see Paul Roma anywhere and I know that Ole wouldn't attend even if he could. Maybe we'll catch of glimpse of Sting in the audience? It could happen. And I hope that someone decides to give a shout out to the former Horsemen who are no longer with us, like Miss Elizabeth, Woman, Brian Pillman, Chris Benoit and Curt Henning. Despite what some may think of some of these people, they all made a strong impact and helped build the legacy that was that of the Four Horsemen. The Horsemen's four fingers in the air was (and is) considered "the symbol of excellence"... and these men (and women) most certainly were that.
Edge: The only problem I can see about Edge going into the HOF now is that maybe it's too early. He retired a year ago due to injuries and I think that factors into it, plus he was the World Champion at the time of his last match. Not a bad way to go. Edge is certainly deserving of the honor and had a fantastic career second to none. It's just hard to picture Edge being inducted when we're still waiting on Bruno Sammartino, Bob Backlund and Ivan Koloff (the two longest running WWF Champions of all time and the man who shocked the world when he ended Bruno's first reign) to be inducted. As great as Edge is (and he is), these other men should be there first. But I'm not complaining. Edge is a great performer and one of my personal favorites. He's no Christian, but he certainly belongs in the elite company of the Class of 2012.
Ron Simmons: The first black World Champion. A great athlete and dominating wrestler who helped found The Nation of Domination and jump-start the careers of Mark Henry and The Rock. A member of the tag team (along with Butch Reed) of DOOM! One of the Acolytes Protection Agency with John Bradshaw Layfield. A man who can electrify an arena with just one simple word. Ron Simmons is a true legend and icon in this business. And he most definitely belongs in this company and in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Mil Mascaras: The man of a thousand masks, Mil has long been one of the biggest wrestling attractions all over the world. He's been a big star in Japan and in Mexico. And during the late 70's, a month didn't go by without Mil's masked face gracing the covers of wrestling magazines everywhere. He's made movies and tv shows in Mexico. He's a true legend and icon, pure and simple. And does he deserve to go into the Hall of Fame. Damn straight he does.
Yokozuna: A former multiple time WWF Champion and tag team champion, Yoko was indeed a very unique and special person in the history of the WWE. He defeated both Bret "The Hitman" Hart and Hulk Hogan in seperate matches to capture WWF Gold and this was at a time that Bret didn't lose often and Hogan never lost. (Hogan still never loses... lol). Despite his huge size, Yoko could move quite well around that ring and I've never heard tell of him accidentially hurting anyone. That's pretty amazing too. Yoko was a talented and strong performer for the WWE and despite being a bit later than one might have hoped (twelve years after his death), Yoko certainly deserves this honor and tribute.
Mike Tyson: The Inductee to the Celebrity wing of the Hall of Fame, "Iron" Mike Tyson is one hell of a boxing legend. And while I can think of a few other celebrities that may deserve, at least in my opinion, to be inducted first (such as Cyndi Lauper), I have absolutely no problem with Tyson being part of this class. It was his presence that gave that extra kick to Wrestlemania XIII when Steve Austin faced Shawn Michaels and helped bring the WWF back from the verge of bankruptcy.
Truth be known, I have absolutely no problem with any of the persons who are being inducted this year into the WWE Hall of Fame. All of them are strong, good, deserving picks and very worthy. I still wonder when Vince and the WWE are going to induct Bruno and Backlund, but I've already ranted about that and will let it go for now. And what happened to the idea of inducting a female wrestler into the Hall of Fame each year? I can think of a few names right now, such as the late Penny Banner, Madusa, Missy Hyatt, Candi Devine, Misty Blue, etc. Or since they're inducting the Horsemen, why not a young woman who was a big part of the Horsemen's early years, Baby Doll? Just for her role in the Dusty - Tully - Magnum TA wars of the eighties, she's deserving. And where's Magnum TA for that matter. He's definitely deserving of a spot.
So many names are deserving and yet so few are chosen. It's kind of sad, but I guess that's just the way things roll sometimes. But the WWE and Vince did right this year with their picks. Truly the best of the best of the best. And all truly worthy and deserving of their new place and spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Speaking of The Four Horsemen, I did a fic a few weeks ago about a new beginning for the Horseman franchise. Check it out here: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7917464/1/Here_Comes_That_Rainbow_Again
Let's move on...
Wrestlemania XXVIII Predictions...
John Cena versus The Rock
The biggest star in the WWE today against truly one of the biggest stars of all time. I keep trying to decide who needs to win this match more. John Cena can't really afford to lose because if he does, he's lost all his credibility. After all, his biggest complaint is that The Rock isn't a full time WWE Superstar and is a part-timer at best. So what does it say if the face of the company loses to a part timer?
As for The Rock, wouldn't all of the trash talking and creative insults fall a bit flat and make him look like a giant stroudle if he was to be pinned by Mr. Fruity Pebbles, he of the lady parts? Plus it would kind of blow any selling point for having Rock return next year for Wrestlemania 29, as he's rumored to have agreed to do. After all, what's the point in having "The Great One" coming back if all he's going to do is talk trash and then choke when it comes time to back it up.
Neither man can really afford to lose. So here's what I think might happen. We get a helluva great match that goes twenty-five to thirty minutes with near fall after near fall for both men. The fans are screaming and cheering with every move. And then we get a collision in the middle of the ring and both men are down. And here's where the rumor I mentioned at the start of the column comes into play. We see Brock Lesnar come from out of nowhere and hit the ring. F-5 for Cena. F-5 for The Rock. Both men are out and the match is ruled a no-contest. The fans scream in anger and boos fill the arena as Brock stands tall over his two fallen rivals. And then we get Brock - Cena for the next several months to really cement Brock's place back as part of the WWE. And we get Brock - Rock at Wrestlemania 29. And the world is talking because once again, the old saying having been proven true... "Anything can happen in the WWE!". Works for me.
Results: NO CONTEST due to Brock interference...
WWE Championship
CM Punk versus Chris Jericho
With his comments and promos about Punk's father and sister over the past few weeks, Chris Jericho has really dominated the mind games and made CM Punk his bitch. That being said, when the bell rings and the match starts, I expect that we'll see Punk get his revenge and get the last laugh. As much as I like Chris Jericho, I just can't really see him at this point and time as the WWE Champion. Punk, I think makes a better challenger than champion, but with the current RAW roster as it is, he's the best guy around right now to hold that title. Like with the Rock / Cena match, I think we'll see one helluva great match with lots of near-falls and back and forth action. But when the dust settles and the smoke has cleared, I think Jericho will be taking a nap and we'll see CM Punk standing tall not only as the WWE Champion, but also clearly "The Best Wrestler In The World".
Winner: CM Punk
World Championship
Daniel Bryan w/ AJ versus Sheamus
I really like Daniel Bryan's character and his antics during his run as the World Champion, but the writing is easily on the wall and Sunday night will be his Waterloo. Look for AJ to accidentially cause a distraction of some sort and Sheamus to take advantage and kick Bryan's head off to get the pin. New Champion at Wrestlemania XXVIII!
Winner and NEW World Champion: Sheamus
Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes versus The Big Show
I'm not sure if this is a title match or not. That hasn't been mentioned in any of the build-up for this match, but I would assume it is. What's the point in having a champion wrestle a singles match at Wrestlemania if he's not defending his title? This should be an interesting match. Big Show is hit or miss with most of his matches (mostly miss), but Cody has really become quite a capable performer and should be able to carry Show to a good match. Cody has dominated most of the build thus far, but I don't think his luck will hold up once they hit the ring on Sunday. Cody can afford a loss. Show has such a history of "choking" at Wrestlemania and they've made it a major part of the backstory for this match, so I think that means it's time for the "choking" to end. Look for Show to take out Cody with a clean chokeslam and pin.
Winner: The Big Show
Kane versus Randy Orton
Randy wins! 'Nuff said!
Winner: Randy Orton
Divas Tag Team Match
Beth Phoenix & Eve versus Kelly Kelly & Maria Menounos
And this is where I get mad because we get to see a non-wrestler and a Barbie Doll compete against the Divas Champion and the Hoeski. Beth and Eve are both competent (well, semi-competent in Eve's case) wrestlers. Kelly is passable with her three moves of doom, but is otherwise, in my opinion, a waste of space. And then we have Ms. TV Star. She might be a good TV journalist and maybe even a good ballroom dancer, but she has no business at all in a wrestling ring. So of course, that means she'll end up pinning the champ. WWE logic, right? Well, it sucks!
Winners: Kelly Kelly and Maria Menounos.
Team Teddy (Santino, Kofi, R-Truth, Zack Ryder, Great Khali, Mick Foley (?)) w/ Teddy Long, Aksana & Hornswoggle
versus
Team Johnny (David Otunga, Christian, Mark Henry, Jack Swagger, Dolph Ziggler, The Miz (?)) w/ John Lauriniatis & Vickie Guerrero
The big twelve man tag match that was added to take the spot of "Money In The Bank" and to determine which General Manager, Teddy Long or John Laurinaitis, will bein charge of both RAW and Smackdown, thus effectively ending any idea of a brand split or even seperate brands. No matter who wins, we all lose as we end up with two cookie-cutter, copy cat shows. I have no idea who to pick for this match since I don't know where they're headed storyline wise. If Teddy wins, he's the GM of both brands, but since Johnny is the V.P. of Talent Relations, he's still Teddy's boss technically and can cause problems. And if Johnny wins, it means we get to see more and more of Mr. Personality each and every week. I don't like seeing too much of Johnny, so I'll pull for Team Teddy. Team Teddy wins when Hornswoggle hits Miz with a Tadpole Splash and Foley gets the pin. Why not?
Winners: TEAM TEDDY
Hell In A Cell - The End Of An Era Match
Special Referee: Shawn Michaels
Triple H versus The Undertaker
And now we're at what I feel will be the main event and the biggest match of the night. It's The Undertaker and HHH in a Hell In A Cell Match. And "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels is the special guest referee. What kind of role will HBK play? I think he'll call it down the middle and actually be a non-factor in this match. HHH and Undertaker will beat the holy hell out of each other and do their best to top the match from last year. It'll be brutal. There will be blood. And when all is said and done, the streak continues and The Undertaker goes 20-0 for Wrestlemania. HHH will come so very close, but in the end, it's the Dead Man who wins.
Winner: The Undertaker
Final Thoughts:
Today is March 23, 2012. Eleven years ago, the "Monday Night Wars" ended and the wrestling world was changed forever. It was the final episode of WCW Monday Nitro, live from Panama City, FL. And it was there that the announcement was made as first Vince and then Shane McMahon showed up on our television screen. The WWE had bought out WCW. I remember watching the show. I remember watching Shawn Stasiak defeat Bam Bam Bigelow. I remember watching then WCW United States Champion Booker T defeated then WCW World Champion Scott Steiner to capture the WCW World Championship for the final time. And Ric Flair lost to Sting. And I cried. Yes, I admit it now.
As the show progressed and it became more and more obvious that WCW, which had sprang from the NWA Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions, the wrestling that I grew up watching and attending for my entire life, was being pulled off life support and was being dead. I know that Vince teased a new WCW, a seperate but equal branch of the WWF, but it never happened. I kept hoping he would, but he never did use the WCW talent and brand properly.
Instead, we got "The Invasion" with children Shane and Stephanie leading their brands of "WCW" and "ECW" against Vince and his "WWF". And it sucked! Instead we got Goldberg being brought in and lasting a year. Instead we got Kronik being brought in for one match (with Stevie Richards as their manager) and then terminated. Anything and everything that was World Championship Wrestling, the brand and legacy that I loved, was mocked, ridiculed, kicked around and finally flushed down the toliet.
Yes, I'm still resentful. And I admit it. And the thing is, I don't blame Vince McMahon. He won and his ego demanded that he crow and brag while he decimated his fallen foe. The fault falls on an AOL - Time Warner Executive named Jamie Kellner, who was in charge of the Turner Network programming and decided that professional wrestling was low-brow and didn't fit the image that they wanted for their networks. This effectively destroyed a deal that Eric Bischoff had arranged to take over control of WCW and keep the company alive and allowed Vince to buy up all of WCW's video-assets and properties for just a little over four million dollars total.
Jamie Kellner didn't want wrestling on "his" network despite that WCW, even at it's worst, drew better ratings than any other show on the Turner Networks and in fact, had consistent ratings better than anything currently on TBS or TNT and are currently in line with the ratings that WWE pulls today on SyFy and the USA Network. Despite all the flaws, Nitro and Thunder were successful television shows and drew ratings and fans. That's a fact! And if Kellner hadn't been such a total piece of ass-clown garbage and so damn hasty, WCW could still be alive today and making money for a lot of people, including Jamie Kellner.
But he pulled the plug on WCW televison. Eric Bischoff and his partners were forced to withdraw. And WCW became just a memory and a footnote in wrestling history. That's sad. That's wrong. It deserved better and we, the WCW fans, deserved better. WCW may be dead and gone, but the great matches, the crazy storylines, the iconic figures such as The Four Horsemen, The nWo, Sting, etc. and such legacies as Starcade, The Clash of Champions, Battle Bowl, Halloween Havoc, The Crockett Cup, etc... I miss that stuff. I miss a company that had tons of great entertainment and still lived up to the promise each and every night that "We Wrestle" as well. WCW was truly where "The Big Boys Play!".
World Championship Wrestling (RIP) - You will never be forgotten!
And there you go. That's going to wrap this up for me. Comments and questions can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo.com. Talk to me! I don't bite (much). To go read all things Dougie, go check out my blogsite at www.tsfiction.blogspot.com. Also, I have a profile up with access to some of my fiction stories at http://www.fanfiction.net/~tsfiction19 . Go check it out.
I'll be back later in the week with "Wrestling Fact Or Fiction" along with my partner in crime, Russell Jackson. Until then, never forget that wrestling is real. It's life that's fake. I'm Doug and I'll catch you on the flip side.
Ubuntu!
March 26, 2012
Doug Maynard
It's been a while, but guess what? I'm back. I'm Doug and this is Pro Wrestling's Most Eclectic Column, the one and only "Tossing Salt - Worldwide News". Guess what happens this week? My kitty-kat is getting fixed. No kitties for my kitty.
And also, we have this little tiny wrestling show on Sunday called "Wrestlemania XXVIII". Maybe you've heard of it? And we've got Hall of Fame Inductions too. Not the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I'm still waiting for The Pet Shop Boys to be inducted. Instead, it's the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012 Induction Ceremony. Despite my team, the UNC Tarheels getting kicked out of the NCAA Basketball Tournament last night,
I'm still jakked. I'm happy. I'm excited. I'm as perky as a baby in a washing machine. This is going to be one helluva week. And let's don't even start talking about the trailer for the new Dark Shadows movie. It comes out in May and it's going to be damn good! Let's get this party started. Let's do this...
There are two subjects on my mind before I get into my Hall of Fame thoughts and my predictions for Wrestlemania XXVIII that I want to get into. The first one is something reported by LordsOfPain.net where Alberto Del Rio reportedly said in an interview that he has been told that he will not be a part of any of the matches at Wrestlemania XXVIII.
And you know what? I hate it for Del Rio, but he's been out of action for the past several months and it really wouldn't be fair to bring him back a week before the biggest show of the year (and the biggest payday) when there are so many other talents who have been here week in and week out, day in and day out, who don't have a spot on the show.
It's not Del Rio's fault that he was injured, but he'll have the chance to make up for it after Wrestlemania with several main events and a spot near the top of the WWE ladder. So no big match on Sunday. So what? He'll still be making appearances and be a part of the excitement. Maybe they can slide him in as part of a "bonus match" against some other wrestler who was left off the card (Miz, Brodus Clay, William Regal, Heath Ledger, Justin Gabriel, The Usos, etc). I'm sure the WWE will find some kind of use for him at the biggest event of the year. And if not, he can just enjoy the vacation while it lasts and be ready to go to work Monday night instead.
The other topic is a rumor that possibly at Wrestlemania XXVIIII, we might be looking at a main event of The Rock, back for another year, against "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar. And that, I think, would be awesome. If the Rock is going to keep coming back and being a part of Wrestlemania every year, the hardest part will be trying to find someone each and every year that is a big enough name to be matched up against The Rock. Who really is there in the WWE these days that could be a "money opponent" for Dwayne Johnson? We have John Cena this year, CM Punk at some point, maybe The Miz and then who else? HHH? Been there and done that. Chris Jericho? Same thing. But The Rock and Brock never wrestled and their careers and times in the WWE just missed each other, so why the heck not?
It's pretty obvious that at some point, Brock will be back in the WWE (and my guess will be Sunday night). He left to do his "football camp" thing and then went on to moderate success with the UFC. And now, since that career has ended, it's time to come full circle and climb back into that squared circle. Just imagine the promos. Just imagine the physical match-up. Bring Brock in on Sunday night (or Monday at RAW) and have him declare that he's back for good. Have him make the challenge for The Rock one year from now at next year's Wrestlemania. And as for the time between now and then, Brock can set his eyes on "The World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry, Kane, John Cena, etc.
I don't know if this rumor is true, but I expect that we'll find out soon enough if Brock is truly coming back to rejoin the WWE. And if he is coming back, then having Brock take on Cena and then Rock seems like a no-brainer to me. I would like to see it happen and I hope that it does.
Update: I wrote the first part of this (the part above) on Sunday night and since then, there's been a new development. Last night, Mick Foley and The Miz engaged in a twitter war that might be indicating that Miz and Foley will be the two mystery men and the final components of Team Teddy and Team Johnny. It makes sense.
Mick still owes John Laurinaitis for a punch in the mouth a few months ago and Miz is a former WWE Champion (and AWESOME) so he'd fit in quite well with the rest of "Team Johnny" which consists entirely of former World and WWE Champs (and Otunga who's married to a big movie / singing star). Don't know if it's true or if it's just something being thrown out there to generate talk and interest.
Whatever the case, having Mick Foley (who wants to have one more Wrestlemania moment to show his kids) and The Miz as the final two men works for me. Let's move on...
WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012 Thoughts...
Now, let's move on to what I feel is the strongest class of legends and superstars to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at one time since they started this whole thing and of course, I'm talking about the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012. Let's go over the Inductees and whether or not the person (or persons) are truly worthy of the honor being bestowed upon them.
The Four Horsemen: Four of the best wrestlers of the eighties, arguably the greatest "clique" of all time, and one of the greatest managers (and behind the scenes players too). Nothing is wrong with this selection except for it's a slight bit overdue. Meethinks that Atlanta, GA, the home of last year's Wrestlemania, would have been more appropiate for the men who made and carried WCW for so long, but that's just my thoughts. Miami works well since Dillon, Windham and Flair all had some very memorable Florida moments as well in their careers. I still think that Ole Anderson was given the royal shaft, but given the great love between Ole and Vince McMahon, it's understandable. And I'm sure that we'll hear some of the Horsemen (most likely Arn) give Ole his props when making his speech.
The only thing that I'm still not sure about this induction is will Ric Flair be there and be able to attend the HOF ceremony? So far, there's been no official word one way or the other if Flair (who's currently under contract to TNA) will be allowed to appear. From what I understand, WWE and TNA are talking about this and most likely it will happen. I wouldn't expect to see Ric at Wrestlemania or RAW the next night though after the Induction ceremony. That might be asking TNA for too much. But I do think (hope) that on that stage Saturday night, we'll get to see Ric, Arn, Tully and J.J. all together.
I also haven't heard anything about whether or not Barry Windham will be able to attend the ceremony, as he's currently recovering from a heart attack and stroke. It would be a shame if Windham isn't able to be there and accept the honor, but if he's not, it's understandable. Getting better has to be his first priority. And there are plenty of persons of note (Blackjack Mulligan, Mike Rotundo, Husky Harris, Kendall Windham) who could step in and accept the award for Barry. He's truly one of the all-time greats and all of us here at Tossing Salt Media wish him the very best in a speedy and full recovery.
A thought here. I wonder how many former Horsemen will be visiting and sitting in the audience during the Induction ceremonies? I know that Lex Luger has said that he will definitely be there. Dean Malenko works as an agent for the WWE so he'll be there too. But what about Steve "Mongo" McMichael? But what about Sid Vicious? I doubt we'll see Paul Roma anywhere and I know that Ole wouldn't attend even if he could. Maybe we'll catch of glimpse of Sting in the audience? It could happen. And I hope that someone decides to give a shout out to the former Horsemen who are no longer with us, like Miss Elizabeth, Woman, Brian Pillman, Chris Benoit and Curt Henning. Despite what some may think of some of these people, they all made a strong impact and helped build the legacy that was that of the Four Horsemen. The Horsemen's four fingers in the air was (and is) considered "the symbol of excellence"... and these men (and women) most certainly were that.
Edge: The only problem I can see about Edge going into the HOF now is that maybe it's too early. He retired a year ago due to injuries and I think that factors into it, plus he was the World Champion at the time of his last match. Not a bad way to go. Edge is certainly deserving of the honor and had a fantastic career second to none. It's just hard to picture Edge being inducted when we're still waiting on Bruno Sammartino, Bob Backlund and Ivan Koloff (the two longest running WWF Champions of all time and the man who shocked the world when he ended Bruno's first reign) to be inducted. As great as Edge is (and he is), these other men should be there first. But I'm not complaining. Edge is a great performer and one of my personal favorites. He's no Christian, but he certainly belongs in the elite company of the Class of 2012.
Ron Simmons: The first black World Champion. A great athlete and dominating wrestler who helped found The Nation of Domination and jump-start the careers of Mark Henry and The Rock. A member of the tag team (along with Butch Reed) of DOOM! One of the Acolytes Protection Agency with John Bradshaw Layfield. A man who can electrify an arena with just one simple word. Ron Simmons is a true legend and icon in this business. And he most definitely belongs in this company and in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Mil Mascaras: The man of a thousand masks, Mil has long been one of the biggest wrestling attractions all over the world. He's been a big star in Japan and in Mexico. And during the late 70's, a month didn't go by without Mil's masked face gracing the covers of wrestling magazines everywhere. He's made movies and tv shows in Mexico. He's a true legend and icon, pure and simple. And does he deserve to go into the Hall of Fame. Damn straight he does.
Yokozuna: A former multiple time WWF Champion and tag team champion, Yoko was indeed a very unique and special person in the history of the WWE. He defeated both Bret "The Hitman" Hart and Hulk Hogan in seperate matches to capture WWF Gold and this was at a time that Bret didn't lose often and Hogan never lost. (Hogan still never loses... lol). Despite his huge size, Yoko could move quite well around that ring and I've never heard tell of him accidentially hurting anyone. That's pretty amazing too. Yoko was a talented and strong performer for the WWE and despite being a bit later than one might have hoped (twelve years after his death), Yoko certainly deserves this honor and tribute.
Mike Tyson: The Inductee to the Celebrity wing of the Hall of Fame, "Iron" Mike Tyson is one hell of a boxing legend. And while I can think of a few other celebrities that may deserve, at least in my opinion, to be inducted first (such as Cyndi Lauper), I have absolutely no problem with Tyson being part of this class. It was his presence that gave that extra kick to Wrestlemania XIII when Steve Austin faced Shawn Michaels and helped bring the WWF back from the verge of bankruptcy.
Truth be known, I have absolutely no problem with any of the persons who are being inducted this year into the WWE Hall of Fame. All of them are strong, good, deserving picks and very worthy. I still wonder when Vince and the WWE are going to induct Bruno and Backlund, but I've already ranted about that and will let it go for now. And what happened to the idea of inducting a female wrestler into the Hall of Fame each year? I can think of a few names right now, such as the late Penny Banner, Madusa, Missy Hyatt, Candi Devine, Misty Blue, etc. Or since they're inducting the Horsemen, why not a young woman who was a big part of the Horsemen's early years, Baby Doll? Just for her role in the Dusty - Tully - Magnum TA wars of the eighties, she's deserving. And where's Magnum TA for that matter. He's definitely deserving of a spot.
So many names are deserving and yet so few are chosen. It's kind of sad, but I guess that's just the way things roll sometimes. But the WWE and Vince did right this year with their picks. Truly the best of the best of the best. And all truly worthy and deserving of their new place and spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Speaking of The Four Horsemen, I did a fic a few weeks ago about a new beginning for the Horseman franchise. Check it out here: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7917464/1/Here_Comes_That_Rainbow_Again
Let's move on...
Wrestlemania XXVIII Predictions...
John Cena versus The Rock
The biggest star in the WWE today against truly one of the biggest stars of all time. I keep trying to decide who needs to win this match more. John Cena can't really afford to lose because if he does, he's lost all his credibility. After all, his biggest complaint is that The Rock isn't a full time WWE Superstar and is a part-timer at best. So what does it say if the face of the company loses to a part timer?
As for The Rock, wouldn't all of the trash talking and creative insults fall a bit flat and make him look like a giant stroudle if he was to be pinned by Mr. Fruity Pebbles, he of the lady parts? Plus it would kind of blow any selling point for having Rock return next year for Wrestlemania 29, as he's rumored to have agreed to do. After all, what's the point in having "The Great One" coming back if all he's going to do is talk trash and then choke when it comes time to back it up.
Neither man can really afford to lose. So here's what I think might happen. We get a helluva great match that goes twenty-five to thirty minutes with near fall after near fall for both men. The fans are screaming and cheering with every move. And then we get a collision in the middle of the ring and both men are down. And here's where the rumor I mentioned at the start of the column comes into play. We see Brock Lesnar come from out of nowhere and hit the ring. F-5 for Cena. F-5 for The Rock. Both men are out and the match is ruled a no-contest. The fans scream in anger and boos fill the arena as Brock stands tall over his two fallen rivals. And then we get Brock - Cena for the next several months to really cement Brock's place back as part of the WWE. And we get Brock - Rock at Wrestlemania 29. And the world is talking because once again, the old saying having been proven true... "Anything can happen in the WWE!". Works for me.
Results: NO CONTEST due to Brock interference...
WWE Championship
CM Punk versus Chris Jericho
With his comments and promos about Punk's father and sister over the past few weeks, Chris Jericho has really dominated the mind games and made CM Punk his bitch. That being said, when the bell rings and the match starts, I expect that we'll see Punk get his revenge and get the last laugh. As much as I like Chris Jericho, I just can't really see him at this point and time as the WWE Champion. Punk, I think makes a better challenger than champion, but with the current RAW roster as it is, he's the best guy around right now to hold that title. Like with the Rock / Cena match, I think we'll see one helluva great match with lots of near-falls and back and forth action. But when the dust settles and the smoke has cleared, I think Jericho will be taking a nap and we'll see CM Punk standing tall not only as the WWE Champion, but also clearly "The Best Wrestler In The World".
Winner: CM Punk
World Championship
Daniel Bryan w/ AJ versus Sheamus
I really like Daniel Bryan's character and his antics during his run as the World Champion, but the writing is easily on the wall and Sunday night will be his Waterloo. Look for AJ to accidentially cause a distraction of some sort and Sheamus to take advantage and kick Bryan's head off to get the pin. New Champion at Wrestlemania XXVIII!
Winner and NEW World Champion: Sheamus
Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes versus The Big Show
I'm not sure if this is a title match or not. That hasn't been mentioned in any of the build-up for this match, but I would assume it is. What's the point in having a champion wrestle a singles match at Wrestlemania if he's not defending his title? This should be an interesting match. Big Show is hit or miss with most of his matches (mostly miss), but Cody has really become quite a capable performer and should be able to carry Show to a good match. Cody has dominated most of the build thus far, but I don't think his luck will hold up once they hit the ring on Sunday. Cody can afford a loss. Show has such a history of "choking" at Wrestlemania and they've made it a major part of the backstory for this match, so I think that means it's time for the "choking" to end. Look for Show to take out Cody with a clean chokeslam and pin.
Winner: The Big Show
Kane versus Randy Orton
Randy wins! 'Nuff said!
Winner: Randy Orton
Divas Tag Team Match
Beth Phoenix & Eve versus Kelly Kelly & Maria Menounos
And this is where I get mad because we get to see a non-wrestler and a Barbie Doll compete against the Divas Champion and the Hoeski. Beth and Eve are both competent (well, semi-competent in Eve's case) wrestlers. Kelly is passable with her three moves of doom, but is otherwise, in my opinion, a waste of space. And then we have Ms. TV Star. She might be a good TV journalist and maybe even a good ballroom dancer, but she has no business at all in a wrestling ring. So of course, that means she'll end up pinning the champ. WWE logic, right? Well, it sucks!
Winners: Kelly Kelly and Maria Menounos.
Team Teddy (Santino, Kofi, R-Truth, Zack Ryder, Great Khali, Mick Foley (?)) w/ Teddy Long, Aksana & Hornswoggle
versus
Team Johnny (David Otunga, Christian, Mark Henry, Jack Swagger, Dolph Ziggler, The Miz (?)) w/ John Lauriniatis & Vickie Guerrero
The big twelve man tag match that was added to take the spot of "Money In The Bank" and to determine which General Manager, Teddy Long or John Laurinaitis, will bein charge of both RAW and Smackdown, thus effectively ending any idea of a brand split or even seperate brands. No matter who wins, we all lose as we end up with two cookie-cutter, copy cat shows. I have no idea who to pick for this match since I don't know where they're headed storyline wise. If Teddy wins, he's the GM of both brands, but since Johnny is the V.P. of Talent Relations, he's still Teddy's boss technically and can cause problems. And if Johnny wins, it means we get to see more and more of Mr. Personality each and every week. I don't like seeing too much of Johnny, so I'll pull for Team Teddy. Team Teddy wins when Hornswoggle hits Miz with a Tadpole Splash and Foley gets the pin. Why not?
Winners: TEAM TEDDY
Hell In A Cell - The End Of An Era Match
Special Referee: Shawn Michaels
Triple H versus The Undertaker
And now we're at what I feel will be the main event and the biggest match of the night. It's The Undertaker and HHH in a Hell In A Cell Match. And "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels is the special guest referee. What kind of role will HBK play? I think he'll call it down the middle and actually be a non-factor in this match. HHH and Undertaker will beat the holy hell out of each other and do their best to top the match from last year. It'll be brutal. There will be blood. And when all is said and done, the streak continues and The Undertaker goes 20-0 for Wrestlemania. HHH will come so very close, but in the end, it's the Dead Man who wins.
Winner: The Undertaker
Final Thoughts:
Today is March 23, 2012. Eleven years ago, the "Monday Night Wars" ended and the wrestling world was changed forever. It was the final episode of WCW Monday Nitro, live from Panama City, FL. And it was there that the announcement was made as first Vince and then Shane McMahon showed up on our television screen. The WWE had bought out WCW. I remember watching the show. I remember watching Shawn Stasiak defeat Bam Bam Bigelow. I remember watching then WCW United States Champion Booker T defeated then WCW World Champion Scott Steiner to capture the WCW World Championship for the final time. And Ric Flair lost to Sting. And I cried. Yes, I admit it now.
As the show progressed and it became more and more obvious that WCW, which had sprang from the NWA Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions, the wrestling that I grew up watching and attending for my entire life, was being pulled off life support and was being dead. I know that Vince teased a new WCW, a seperate but equal branch of the WWF, but it never happened. I kept hoping he would, but he never did use the WCW talent and brand properly.
Instead, we got "The Invasion" with children Shane and Stephanie leading their brands of "WCW" and "ECW" against Vince and his "WWF". And it sucked! Instead we got Goldberg being brought in and lasting a year. Instead we got Kronik being brought in for one match (with Stevie Richards as their manager) and then terminated. Anything and everything that was World Championship Wrestling, the brand and legacy that I loved, was mocked, ridiculed, kicked around and finally flushed down the toliet.
Yes, I'm still resentful. And I admit it. And the thing is, I don't blame Vince McMahon. He won and his ego demanded that he crow and brag while he decimated his fallen foe. The fault falls on an AOL - Time Warner Executive named Jamie Kellner, who was in charge of the Turner Network programming and decided that professional wrestling was low-brow and didn't fit the image that they wanted for their networks. This effectively destroyed a deal that Eric Bischoff had arranged to take over control of WCW and keep the company alive and allowed Vince to buy up all of WCW's video-assets and properties for just a little over four million dollars total.
Jamie Kellner didn't want wrestling on "his" network despite that WCW, even at it's worst, drew better ratings than any other show on the Turner Networks and in fact, had consistent ratings better than anything currently on TBS or TNT and are currently in line with the ratings that WWE pulls today on SyFy and the USA Network. Despite all the flaws, Nitro and Thunder were successful television shows and drew ratings and fans. That's a fact! And if Kellner hadn't been such a total piece of ass-clown garbage and so damn hasty, WCW could still be alive today and making money for a lot of people, including Jamie Kellner.
But he pulled the plug on WCW televison. Eric Bischoff and his partners were forced to withdraw. And WCW became just a memory and a footnote in wrestling history. That's sad. That's wrong. It deserved better and we, the WCW fans, deserved better. WCW may be dead and gone, but the great matches, the crazy storylines, the iconic figures such as The Four Horsemen, The nWo, Sting, etc. and such legacies as Starcade, The Clash of Champions, Battle Bowl, Halloween Havoc, The Crockett Cup, etc... I miss that stuff. I miss a company that had tons of great entertainment and still lived up to the promise each and every night that "We Wrestle" as well. WCW was truly where "The Big Boys Play!".
World Championship Wrestling (RIP) - You will never be forgotten!
And there you go. That's going to wrap this up for me. Comments and questions can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo.com. Talk to me! I don't bite (much). To go read all things Dougie, go check out my blogsite at www.tsfiction.blogspot.com. Also, I have a profile up with access to some of my fiction stories at http://www.fanfiction.net/~tsfiction19 . Go check it out.
I'll be back later in the week with "Wrestling Fact Or Fiction" along with my partner in crime, Russell Jackson. Until then, never forget that wrestling is real. It's life that's fake. I'm Doug and I'll catch you on the flip side.
Ubuntu!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Wrestling Fact Or Fiction - March 24, 2012
-Wrestling Fact Or Fiction
March 24, 2012
Doug & Russell
More regular than Grandpa after his bran cereal and glass of prune juice, it's Wrestling Fact or Fiction. I'm Doug Maynard and along with the baddest man on the planet, Russell Jackson, we're here once more to be the wrestling pundits that we are and debate the questions that need to be debated. Let's jump right to it and do this...
1) TNA Victory Road was a good show?
Doug - FACT: I read the recaps and reviews and from all indications, it was a good show. But putting on good pay per views is not TNA's problem. The problem they have is that while the pay per views are good, the TV shows that sell the pay per views are usually somewhat lackluster and no one bothers to watch or care. TNA draws roughly a third of the audience of RAW and no matter what they do, it never gets any better. TNA is stuck in a major rut and while getting rid of Vince Russo is a postive step, the over-reliance of such dinosaurs as Hogan, Flair, Sting, Angle, etc. is still a significant factor that keeps the company from making any major gains. TNA - the best wrestling that no one ever bothers watching. That's sad!
Russell - FICTION: I read the results from TNA Victory Road PPV after it happened this past Sunday night & from what I read, I didn't think Victory Road was that much of a good, quality wrestling PPV to watch...To put it plain & simple, TNA needs to have interesting storylines & interesting matches for a PPV of theirs to work & it isn't workin for them in my eyes...
(0-1) Not a great start. TNA is like a wrestling yo-yo and all over the place.
2) Chris Jericho is winning the battle of mind games against CM Punk?
Doug - FACT: First it was the alcoholic father and now the drug addict sister. And while Punk's reactions and facial expressions have been great, he's only been able to react to Jericho's words and is stuck on the defense, being forced to always respond and not gain any initiative or momentum. I wish Jericho had started with these mind games a month ago so we could have some good back and forth and see Punk and Jericho really showcase their promo skills, but WWE waited too late to really build on Jericho's charges. All we get is Punk getting upset. I get it though. Punk is getting mad and frustrated and will take it out on Jericho at Wrestlemania and that's all well and good, but until the actual match happens, it seems that Jericho is owning Punk big time.
Russell - FACT: Seems like since the WWE Championship match was set with CM Punk defendin the championship against Chris Jericho at WrestleMania XXVIII, Chris Jericho has been pokin'n'jabbin at CM Punk on Monday Night Raw for the past couple weeks...First, Jericho brought to light of CM Punk's father's alcoholism 2 weeks ago, then Jericho made mention of CM Punk's sister's drug use...Even though it appears that Chris Jericho is edging out in the psychology department against CM Punk at this point, the ultimate conclusion of "winning the battle of mind games" will be at the end of the WWE Championship match at WM XXVIII...
(1-1) Jericho is the master of mind games.
3) The Rock is correct when he says that he has to beat John Cena to prove he's "the best of all time"?
Doug - FICTION: The Rock's spot in wrestling history is already pretty much cemented in and regardless of what happens in the match with Cena, no one is going to think any less of "The Great One" or think he's any less of a "sports entertainer". But so far as being the "best of all time" goes though, neither The Rock nor John Cena for that matter are even close to being able to lay claim to that title. Ric Flair can arguably make that claim. So can Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. And I'd put Harley Race over any of them. And as good as The Rock and Cena both are, neither of them are ready to step into the elite grouping of the truly "best of all time"... at least not in my view.
Russell - FICTION: As far as I'm concerned, The Rock DOES NOT NEED to beat John Cena to prove he's "the best of all time"...John Cena is just another wrestler that needed a storyline fued to carry through WrestleMania...In my mind, The Rock is already the best of all time or at least one of the best...
(2-1) There is nobody quite like "The Rock".
4) Zack Ryder's parking lot rally events will help him earn a place on "Team Teddy"?
Doug - FACT: Zack always seems to get what he wants when he rallies the fans behind him and since he's Teddy's "former assistant", he'll end up a part of "Team Teddy". The WWE has really hosed the young man big time over the past five months and I think they're starting to realize that people are taking notice. Ryder deserves to be a part of Wrestlemania and he'll get his place in the spotlight as part of Teddy Long's team.
Russell - FACT: What a better way to get on the WrestleMania PPV than for Zack Ryder to be on "Team Teddy" 12 man tag team match...It's a win win situation all around for Ryder & the fans of Ryder...It could be that Zack Ryder will lead "Team Teddy" to victory against "Team Laurinaitis", WOO WOO WOO, YOU KNOW IT!!!!!!!!
(3-1) The Ryder Rebound has begun. Woo Woo Woo - you know it, bro!
5) Yokozuna is a good choice to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012?
Doug - FACT: A multiple time WWE Champion and tag team champion who really made a great impact during his short time in pro wrestling, plus he's the Rock's cousin and was well liked by everyone who ever met him or worked with him. Yoko was a unique wrestler and a good champion for the WWE. He deserves the honor and I'm glad to see him be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.
Russell - FACT: Yokozuna has been dead 12 years ago, yeaaaaaaaaaa I'd say not only is he a good choice to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012, but it's way over due...Yoko held the WWE Championship 2 different times & also is a former co-holder of the WWE Tag Team Championship with the late, great Owen Hart...It's bout time that he finally gets recognized for his accomplishments in the WWE
(4-1)Yokozuna is definitely Hall of Fame worthy!
<<-- SWITCHEROO -->>
6) Vickie Guerrero is the best "manager" currently in pro wrestling today?
Russell - FICTION: Vickie Guerrero is nothin more than an over bearing loud mouth that wants as much TV time as she can get, case closed...
Doug - FACT: She kind of earns the honor by default since she's essentially the only manager of any kind of real status in either the WWE or TNA these days. Who is there to compete with her? Rose Mendez? Eric Bischoff? Rosa is a joke and Eric isn't really a manager as much as he's just an ass-clown. Vickie has two people who she's with consistently (Swagger and Dolph) and she still can get more heat just by saying those magical two words (Excuse Me!) than almost any heel in the business. I wish that the WWE would do more with her sometimes, but she's found a great little niche and she's really came into her own since becoming part of the WWE. I watch her on RAW and all I can think is that I'm sure that Eddie is very proud of his "mamacita". And he should be. She's really done quite a great job and gets better each and every week.
(4-2) Love her or hate her, Vickie always gets a reaction.
7) Having Maria Menounos from the TV show "Extra" wrestle in a Divas Tag Match at Wrestlemania XXVIII will help draw fans?
Russell - FICTION: Having Maria Menounos from the TV show "Extra" wrestle in a Divas Tag Match at WrestleMania is yet a stupid move by WWE to have a "Celebrity" wrestle in any kind of match on the "Grandest Stage" that is WrestleMania...Here's a hint of an idea to the Jackasses that is the WWE: Have the WRESTLERS that wrestles in YOUR organization wrestle in matches on your WrestleMania PPVs, NOT celebrities that doesn't have a clue what to do in the squared circle...
Doug - FICTION: Who the hell is this woman anyhow? I can understand the reasoning for WWE wanting to use her to help promote Wrestlemania XXVIII. She's one of the hosts of a nightly tabloid show and one of the current contestants on Dancing With The Stars so that means lots of mentions and publicity to help promote the show. So it makes sense to a degree, but let's be honest. No one gives a damn about Maria Menounos and having her as the special guest celebrity (and in the ring no less) isn't going to sell a single extra ticket or put any extra butts in the seat. It's all a publicity angle, but in my opinion, it's just a waste of money and time and there are many better ways to promote the show.
(5-2) Celebrities don't belong in the ring. Leave the wrestling to the wrestlers...
8) Rumors are rampant that the WWE will be bringing back former WWE Star Albert (A-Train). This is a good move by the WWE?
Russell - FACT: Back in the "Attitude Era", A-Train, AKA Prince Albert, AKA Albert was a pretty good wrestler all around...I think, if the rumors are true, that A-Train (or whatever he's gonna be called) will be a major player & make this run with the company count...
Doug - FACT: And they have definitely done so, repackaging the former Intercontinental and Tag Team Champion as a character named "Lord Tensai". It's a good move in my opinion and here's why. Albert was a solid mid-card performer during his last run in the WWE and since that run, he's had nearly a decade of working almost exclusively in Japan where he has gained experience and become a truly main event level player. The WWE is hurting right now for solid main event level wrestlers who can be counted on to carry matches, draw fans and be a leader in the locker room as well. Albert definitely can carry matches and be that backstage leader that the WWE wants and needs. As for drawing fans, well we'll have to wait and see, but all in all, I think that the WWE made a definite good investment and Albert, aka Lord Tensai, can be their 2012 version of the 1991 Vader character if they play it right. He'd definitely got all the tools.
(6-2) Bringing back Albert / A-Train is a great move!
9) Having Sting step down as the TNA "Authority Figure" is a good move for TNA?
Russell - FICTION: Havin Sting as the "Authority Figure" in TNA makes more sense than havin him wrestling in matches...TNA has an IQ of a door knob to let Sting step down as the Authority Figure...
Doug - FICTION: TNA had finally found a role for Sting that he seemed to be custom made for. He's made short appearances every so often, got to play up the crazy "Joker-Sting" character and be very entertaining. And now, he's getting moved back to being a part time wrestler. Why? If it's not broke, they shouldn't try and fix it. Sting as the "Authority Figure" wasn't broke. This is definitely not a good move, especially when you look at who will most likely be replacing The Stinger in his role.
(7-2) TNA is screwing up. Leave Sting as the boss-man!
10) Hulk Hogan is the right choice to replace Sting as the TNA "Authority Figure"?
Russell - FICTION: See the last sentence for question 9...Hogan has no business bein on any of TNA programming, plain & simple...
Doug - FICTION: Hogan in 2012 DOES NOT draw fans. Hogan doesn't belong on the TNA television or even with the company in my opinion. The man is currently part of a sex tape being shopped around (look out Animal Planet!), in the middle of a defamation suit against his ex-wife and just plain gets on my freakin' nerves. Sting belongs in the role of the "Authority Figure" and that's how it should stay. Hogan is currently part of the Garrett Bischoff versus Eric Bischoff versus Gunner triangle and if he wants to be there, so be it. He shouldn't be doing that AND being an on-air executive too. It's a definite conflict of interest. And if TNA really needs a former wrestler to be their match-maker and authority figure, why do the same-old / same old with Hogan anyhow? Give someone new a chance. Al Snow is there every week. So is D-Lo Brown. So is Hector Guerrero. Hell, use RVD for this role. TNA sure as hell isn't using him for anything important anyhow and it'd be cool to see "The Whole F'kin Show" on tv every week in a semi-significant role. Anybody (and I do mean ANYBODY) but Hogan. 'Nuff said!
(8-2) HOGAN SUCKS! 'Nuff said!
So there you go. We ran 7-2 this time around, disagreeing on Vickie Guerrero and TNA Victory Road, but pretty much in agreement on everything else. Not too shabby at all. Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo.com and if you'd be interested in joining Russell and myself in discussing the issues that are pro wrestling each week, just let me know at the same addy and we'd be glad to have you join in.
And that's all for this week. We'll be back next week with more. Don't forget that next Sunday, there's this little show called Wrestlemania XXVIII going on and I'll have my predictions for that event up in the next few days. And I guess that's all so I'm out out of here. Never forget, it's wrestling that's real. Life is what's fake. Take it easy and have a great week and we'll see you on the flip side.
Ubuntu!
March 24, 2012
Doug & Russell
More regular than Grandpa after his bran cereal and glass of prune juice, it's Wrestling Fact or Fiction. I'm Doug Maynard and along with the baddest man on the planet, Russell Jackson, we're here once more to be the wrestling pundits that we are and debate the questions that need to be debated. Let's jump right to it and do this...
1) TNA Victory Road was a good show?
Doug - FACT: I read the recaps and reviews and from all indications, it was a good show. But putting on good pay per views is not TNA's problem. The problem they have is that while the pay per views are good, the TV shows that sell the pay per views are usually somewhat lackluster and no one bothers to watch or care. TNA draws roughly a third of the audience of RAW and no matter what they do, it never gets any better. TNA is stuck in a major rut and while getting rid of Vince Russo is a postive step, the over-reliance of such dinosaurs as Hogan, Flair, Sting, Angle, etc. is still a significant factor that keeps the company from making any major gains. TNA - the best wrestling that no one ever bothers watching. That's sad!
Russell - FICTION: I read the results from TNA Victory Road PPV after it happened this past Sunday night & from what I read, I didn't think Victory Road was that much of a good, quality wrestling PPV to watch...To put it plain & simple, TNA needs to have interesting storylines & interesting matches for a PPV of theirs to work & it isn't workin for them in my eyes...
(0-1) Not a great start. TNA is like a wrestling yo-yo and all over the place.
2) Chris Jericho is winning the battle of mind games against CM Punk?
Doug - FACT: First it was the alcoholic father and now the drug addict sister. And while Punk's reactions and facial expressions have been great, he's only been able to react to Jericho's words and is stuck on the defense, being forced to always respond and not gain any initiative or momentum. I wish Jericho had started with these mind games a month ago so we could have some good back and forth and see Punk and Jericho really showcase their promo skills, but WWE waited too late to really build on Jericho's charges. All we get is Punk getting upset. I get it though. Punk is getting mad and frustrated and will take it out on Jericho at Wrestlemania and that's all well and good, but until the actual match happens, it seems that Jericho is owning Punk big time.
Russell - FACT: Seems like since the WWE Championship match was set with CM Punk defendin the championship against Chris Jericho at WrestleMania XXVIII, Chris Jericho has been pokin'n'jabbin at CM Punk on Monday Night Raw for the past couple weeks...First, Jericho brought to light of CM Punk's father's alcoholism 2 weeks ago, then Jericho made mention of CM Punk's sister's drug use...Even though it appears that Chris Jericho is edging out in the psychology department against CM Punk at this point, the ultimate conclusion of "winning the battle of mind games" will be at the end of the WWE Championship match at WM XXVIII...
(1-1) Jericho is the master of mind games.
3) The Rock is correct when he says that he has to beat John Cena to prove he's "the best of all time"?
Doug - FICTION: The Rock's spot in wrestling history is already pretty much cemented in and regardless of what happens in the match with Cena, no one is going to think any less of "The Great One" or think he's any less of a "sports entertainer". But so far as being the "best of all time" goes though, neither The Rock nor John Cena for that matter are even close to being able to lay claim to that title. Ric Flair can arguably make that claim. So can Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. And I'd put Harley Race over any of them. And as good as The Rock and Cena both are, neither of them are ready to step into the elite grouping of the truly "best of all time"... at least not in my view.
Russell - FICTION: As far as I'm concerned, The Rock DOES NOT NEED to beat John Cena to prove he's "the best of all time"...John Cena is just another wrestler that needed a storyline fued to carry through WrestleMania...In my mind, The Rock is already the best of all time or at least one of the best...
(2-1) There is nobody quite like "The Rock".
4) Zack Ryder's parking lot rally events will help him earn a place on "Team Teddy"?
Doug - FACT: Zack always seems to get what he wants when he rallies the fans behind him and since he's Teddy's "former assistant", he'll end up a part of "Team Teddy". The WWE has really hosed the young man big time over the past five months and I think they're starting to realize that people are taking notice. Ryder deserves to be a part of Wrestlemania and he'll get his place in the spotlight as part of Teddy Long's team.
Russell - FACT: What a better way to get on the WrestleMania PPV than for Zack Ryder to be on "Team Teddy" 12 man tag team match...It's a win win situation all around for Ryder & the fans of Ryder...It could be that Zack Ryder will lead "Team Teddy" to victory against "Team Laurinaitis", WOO WOO WOO, YOU KNOW IT!!!!!!!!
(3-1) The Ryder Rebound has begun. Woo Woo Woo - you know it, bro!
5) Yokozuna is a good choice to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012?
Doug - FACT: A multiple time WWE Champion and tag team champion who really made a great impact during his short time in pro wrestling, plus he's the Rock's cousin and was well liked by everyone who ever met him or worked with him. Yoko was a unique wrestler and a good champion for the WWE. He deserves the honor and I'm glad to see him be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.
Russell - FACT: Yokozuna has been dead 12 years ago, yeaaaaaaaaaa I'd say not only is he a good choice to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012, but it's way over due...Yoko held the WWE Championship 2 different times & also is a former co-holder of the WWE Tag Team Championship with the late, great Owen Hart...It's bout time that he finally gets recognized for his accomplishments in the WWE
(4-1)Yokozuna is definitely Hall of Fame worthy!
<<-- SWITCHEROO -->>
6) Vickie Guerrero is the best "manager" currently in pro wrestling today?
Russell - FICTION: Vickie Guerrero is nothin more than an over bearing loud mouth that wants as much TV time as she can get, case closed...
Doug - FACT: She kind of earns the honor by default since she's essentially the only manager of any kind of real status in either the WWE or TNA these days. Who is there to compete with her? Rose Mendez? Eric Bischoff? Rosa is a joke and Eric isn't really a manager as much as he's just an ass-clown. Vickie has two people who she's with consistently (Swagger and Dolph) and she still can get more heat just by saying those magical two words (Excuse Me!) than almost any heel in the business. I wish that the WWE would do more with her sometimes, but she's found a great little niche and she's really came into her own since becoming part of the WWE. I watch her on RAW and all I can think is that I'm sure that Eddie is very proud of his "mamacita". And he should be. She's really done quite a great job and gets better each and every week.
(4-2) Love her or hate her, Vickie always gets a reaction.
7) Having Maria Menounos from the TV show "Extra" wrestle in a Divas Tag Match at Wrestlemania XXVIII will help draw fans?
Russell - FICTION: Having Maria Menounos from the TV show "Extra" wrestle in a Divas Tag Match at WrestleMania is yet a stupid move by WWE to have a "Celebrity" wrestle in any kind of match on the "Grandest Stage" that is WrestleMania...Here's a hint of an idea to the Jackasses that is the WWE: Have the WRESTLERS that wrestles in YOUR organization wrestle in matches on your WrestleMania PPVs, NOT celebrities that doesn't have a clue what to do in the squared circle...
Doug - FICTION: Who the hell is this woman anyhow? I can understand the reasoning for WWE wanting to use her to help promote Wrestlemania XXVIII. She's one of the hosts of a nightly tabloid show and one of the current contestants on Dancing With The Stars so that means lots of mentions and publicity to help promote the show. So it makes sense to a degree, but let's be honest. No one gives a damn about Maria Menounos and having her as the special guest celebrity (and in the ring no less) isn't going to sell a single extra ticket or put any extra butts in the seat. It's all a publicity angle, but in my opinion, it's just a waste of money and time and there are many better ways to promote the show.
(5-2) Celebrities don't belong in the ring. Leave the wrestling to the wrestlers...
8) Rumors are rampant that the WWE will be bringing back former WWE Star Albert (A-Train). This is a good move by the WWE?
Russell - FACT: Back in the "Attitude Era", A-Train, AKA Prince Albert, AKA Albert was a pretty good wrestler all around...I think, if the rumors are true, that A-Train (or whatever he's gonna be called) will be a major player & make this run with the company count...
Doug - FACT: And they have definitely done so, repackaging the former Intercontinental and Tag Team Champion as a character named "Lord Tensai". It's a good move in my opinion and here's why. Albert was a solid mid-card performer during his last run in the WWE and since that run, he's had nearly a decade of working almost exclusively in Japan where he has gained experience and become a truly main event level player. The WWE is hurting right now for solid main event level wrestlers who can be counted on to carry matches, draw fans and be a leader in the locker room as well. Albert definitely can carry matches and be that backstage leader that the WWE wants and needs. As for drawing fans, well we'll have to wait and see, but all in all, I think that the WWE made a definite good investment and Albert, aka Lord Tensai, can be their 2012 version of the 1991 Vader character if they play it right. He'd definitely got all the tools.
(6-2) Bringing back Albert / A-Train is a great move!
9) Having Sting step down as the TNA "Authority Figure" is a good move for TNA?
Russell - FICTION: Havin Sting as the "Authority Figure" in TNA makes more sense than havin him wrestling in matches...TNA has an IQ of a door knob to let Sting step down as the Authority Figure...
Doug - FICTION: TNA had finally found a role for Sting that he seemed to be custom made for. He's made short appearances every so often, got to play up the crazy "Joker-Sting" character and be very entertaining. And now, he's getting moved back to being a part time wrestler. Why? If it's not broke, they shouldn't try and fix it. Sting as the "Authority Figure" wasn't broke. This is definitely not a good move, especially when you look at who will most likely be replacing The Stinger in his role.
(7-2) TNA is screwing up. Leave Sting as the boss-man!
10) Hulk Hogan is the right choice to replace Sting as the TNA "Authority Figure"?
Russell - FICTION: See the last sentence for question 9...Hogan has no business bein on any of TNA programming, plain & simple...
Doug - FICTION: Hogan in 2012 DOES NOT draw fans. Hogan doesn't belong on the TNA television or even with the company in my opinion. The man is currently part of a sex tape being shopped around (look out Animal Planet!), in the middle of a defamation suit against his ex-wife and just plain gets on my freakin' nerves. Sting belongs in the role of the "Authority Figure" and that's how it should stay. Hogan is currently part of the Garrett Bischoff versus Eric Bischoff versus Gunner triangle and if he wants to be there, so be it. He shouldn't be doing that AND being an on-air executive too. It's a definite conflict of interest. And if TNA really needs a former wrestler to be their match-maker and authority figure, why do the same-old / same old with Hogan anyhow? Give someone new a chance. Al Snow is there every week. So is D-Lo Brown. So is Hector Guerrero. Hell, use RVD for this role. TNA sure as hell isn't using him for anything important anyhow and it'd be cool to see "The Whole F'kin Show" on tv every week in a semi-significant role. Anybody (and I do mean ANYBODY) but Hogan. 'Nuff said!
(8-2) HOGAN SUCKS! 'Nuff said!
So there you go. We ran 7-2 this time around, disagreeing on Vickie Guerrero and TNA Victory Road, but pretty much in agreement on everything else. Not too shabby at all. Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo.com and if you'd be interested in joining Russell and myself in discussing the issues that are pro wrestling each week, just let me know at the same addy and we'd be glad to have you join in.
And that's all for this week. We'll be back next week with more. Don't forget that next Sunday, there's this little show called Wrestlemania XXVIII going on and I'll have my predictions for that event up in the next few days. And I guess that's all so I'm out out of here. Never forget, it's wrestling that's real. Life is what's fake. Take it easy and have a great week and we'll see you on the flip side.
Ubuntu!
(Flashback) Sunday Night Heat - 1/18/04
Sunday Night Heat - 1/18/04
Hey all and welcome to the Wrestling Informer Sunday Night Heat recap. I'm the Wrestling Informer's resident degenerate, Doug Maynard with all the action that is Sunday Night Heat. And also, a few updates from the NFC Championship football game as I am currently flipping back and forth between HEAT! and the Panthers/Eagles game. All I can say about this so far is "GO PANTHERS".
The men calling the play by play are the WWE's #1 Sunday Night announce team, Al Snow & The Coach!
Mark Jindrak & Garrison Cade versus Rosey & The Hurricane
We join this match in progress, because I was watching the opening kickoff of the football game. We see a doubleteam on Rosey by "Pure Vanilla" as they work on the arm. Jindrak in and he takes Rosey down with a big arm-splat. Cade tagged in and he continues the work, concentrating on one body part and working it over. Rosey comes back with a big kick and rolls to the corner to tag in the Hurricane.
The former "Sugar Shane" is on fire with fists and a dropkick that hits home. A splash on Jindrak for two. A big leg lariat and Hurricane gets another two count on Jindrak. The referee is distracted by Rosey and puts him out of the ring. Cade lands a cheap shot from behind and the Hurricane is down. Jindrak gets the pin.
Winners: "Pure Vanilla" Mark Jindrak & Garrison Cade
We see Booker T as he talks about his song on the new "WWE Originals" CD. Buy it now. Now can you dig that, sucka!
From Monday Night RAW - we see some highlights from the HHH-HBK promo that rocked the world. HBK talks - and lays out the Coach! He's not always my favorite, but a five-star move from the "Heartbreak Kid".
ROYAL RUMBLE QUALIFYING MATCH
Rico w/ Miss Jackie versus Tommy Dreamer
Tommy starts off with a headlock, but ends up being ridden by Rico. He thinks he's a cowboy and Dreamer is the bucking bronco. A slap and a slam by Dreamer. He sends Rico to the floor. Dreamer in control, but Jackie grabs the kendo stick and Tommy grabs Jackie. Rico attacks to take over control. Fists and a slam followed by a choke.
The "Exotic One" is in control. Jackie gets in some choke-time too for good measure. Tommy comes back with a big power-bomb and both men are down. Tommy throws some fists and hits an inverted atomic drop. A side slam by Tommy for 2. Rico lands a kick, but Dreamer hits a pumphandle. Rico makes the ropes at two with a little help from Miss Jackie. Tommy rolls up Rico again for another 2. Jackie lands a stiff shot from the outside and nails Tommy in the back. Rico lands a stiff kick and gets the pin.
Winner: Rico
PANTHERS VERSUS EAGLES UPDATE: 2nd Quarter - it's still 0 - 0.
"The Stone Cold Truth" by Steve Austin - is available now. Buy it!
From Monday Night RAW - Stone Cold has a confrontation with Matt Hardy Version 1. Matt wants some action. Austin gives him Goldberg. Cut to the action: Matt lands a side-effect and gets 1. He tries some clubbering to no avail as the former World Champion, Goldberg hits a big press slam and follows with the spear and jackhammer.
Winner: Bill Goldberg
Al Snow & Coach plug the Royal Rumble and run down the matches for the RAW side of things.
CAROLINA VERSUS EAGLES : 2nd Quarter - 10:12 left.. 7-0 Carolina
WWE STING OF THE NIGHT: From RAW, Kane destroys Booker T. with a big tombstone piledriver.
Rob Conway (with Rene Dupree) versus Spike Dudley
Spike starts with a headlock, but Rob lands a shoulder and misses an elbow. An inverted drop by Spike and he goes back to the headlock. Spike backdrops Rob to the floor. A dropkick and stomp by Spike. Spike slammed hard into corner and Rob take over. Rob puts the boots to Spike, and Dupree lands a cheap shot from the outside. Rob gets 2. Several elbows from Conway and he gets another 2 count. Spike lands some elbows and a headscissors on Rob.
Conway to the floor where he is quickly consoled by partner Dupree. Spike to the top and takes out La Resistance. Spike up again, but Rob catches him and goes for a superplex. Spike shoves him off and hits the big stomp. Spike gets 2. Dupree lands a shot from the outside and nails Spike hard. A slingshot suplex and Conway gets the pin.
Winner: Rob Conway
CAROLINA VERSUS EAGLES: 5:35 left in the 2nd quarter - it's 7 - 0 Carolina. An all out blitz takes out Eagles QB Donavan McNabb.
The friends and supporters of Randy Orton show their commercial in support of the new "Hardcore Legend" Randy Orton.
From Monday Night - Intercontinential Championship Match
RVD versus Randy Orton (champion)
RVD with fists and a kick to send Orton to the floor. RVD lands some more kicks and puts Orton into the steel post. (cut to) Orton sends RVD to the floor. Both are down. Orton attacks and posts RVD. RVD eats ring barrier. (cut to) A kick by RVD takes out the referee. Orton lands the low blow and covers, but no referee is there to count. Orton plays possum while the referee counts. He's up, but RVD is faster, and lands a kick. A roll-up by RVD and he gets 2. RVD goes to the top, but Orton hits the ropes and RVD hits a high note. Big DDT by Orton and he gets the pin.
Winner and still champion: Randy Orton
PANTHERS - EAGLES UPDATE: 2:56 left in the 2nd half - It's 7-3 Carolina.
JVC DIGITAL PLAY OF THE NIGHT: From RAW - Test gives Victoria the big boot.
"Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner versus "I'll Show You! You'll See" Stevie Richards
Stevie is wearing a white armband in honor of his injured "flower", but it doesn't help as he never really gets in any offense in this match. It's a total Steiner squash as Scotty is just the dominate player all through the match with some clubbering and a "Steiner-line" to control the action. Stevie's one shining moment - he hits a "hotshot" on the top rope to rollup "Big Bad Booty Daddy" for a two count. But Steiner with a flatliner front slam and he gets the pin.
Winner: Scott Steiner
Test comes in to share the spotlight with "Big Poppa Pump" Scotty. He gives Stevie a big boot because he can.
Tommorow night on RAW - it's Scott Steiner versus Goldberg.
It was a decent show and had some decent action. I want to apologize to everyone for not giving HEAT! my undivided attention tonight, but Carolina is one game away from the Super Bowl. I live in NC, and after several years of playing like crap, the Panthers are ready to grab for the gold.
Right now as I sign off - it's 3:51 left in the 3rd quarter. It's 14 - 3 and the Panthers are still in the lead. I've got a football game to watch. I hope everyone has a good remainder of the weekend, and I'll see you tommorow night with the RAW recap. If you have any questions, comments, or anything else, drop me a line at either Doug28352@yahoo.com or DougMaynard@wrestlinginformer.net. Have a great night all! I'm Doug Maynard. GO PANTHERS!
Hey all and welcome to the Wrestling Informer Sunday Night Heat recap. I'm the Wrestling Informer's resident degenerate, Doug Maynard with all the action that is Sunday Night Heat. And also, a few updates from the NFC Championship football game as I am currently flipping back and forth between HEAT! and the Panthers/Eagles game. All I can say about this so far is "GO PANTHERS".
The men calling the play by play are the WWE's #1 Sunday Night announce team, Al Snow & The Coach!
Mark Jindrak & Garrison Cade versus Rosey & The Hurricane
We join this match in progress, because I was watching the opening kickoff of the football game. We see a doubleteam on Rosey by "Pure Vanilla" as they work on the arm. Jindrak in and he takes Rosey down with a big arm-splat. Cade tagged in and he continues the work, concentrating on one body part and working it over. Rosey comes back with a big kick and rolls to the corner to tag in the Hurricane.
The former "Sugar Shane" is on fire with fists and a dropkick that hits home. A splash on Jindrak for two. A big leg lariat and Hurricane gets another two count on Jindrak. The referee is distracted by Rosey and puts him out of the ring. Cade lands a cheap shot from behind and the Hurricane is down. Jindrak gets the pin.
Winners: "Pure Vanilla" Mark Jindrak & Garrison Cade
We see Booker T as he talks about his song on the new "WWE Originals" CD. Buy it now. Now can you dig that, sucka!
From Monday Night RAW - we see some highlights from the HHH-HBK promo that rocked the world. HBK talks - and lays out the Coach! He's not always my favorite, but a five-star move from the "Heartbreak Kid".
ROYAL RUMBLE QUALIFYING MATCH
Rico w/ Miss Jackie versus Tommy Dreamer
Tommy starts off with a headlock, but ends up being ridden by Rico. He thinks he's a cowboy and Dreamer is the bucking bronco. A slap and a slam by Dreamer. He sends Rico to the floor. Dreamer in control, but Jackie grabs the kendo stick and Tommy grabs Jackie. Rico attacks to take over control. Fists and a slam followed by a choke.
The "Exotic One" is in control. Jackie gets in some choke-time too for good measure. Tommy comes back with a big power-bomb and both men are down. Tommy throws some fists and hits an inverted atomic drop. A side slam by Tommy for 2. Rico lands a kick, but Dreamer hits a pumphandle. Rico makes the ropes at two with a little help from Miss Jackie. Tommy rolls up Rico again for another 2. Jackie lands a stiff shot from the outside and nails Tommy in the back. Rico lands a stiff kick and gets the pin.
Winner: Rico
PANTHERS VERSUS EAGLES UPDATE: 2nd Quarter - it's still 0 - 0.
"The Stone Cold Truth" by Steve Austin - is available now. Buy it!
From Monday Night RAW - Stone Cold has a confrontation with Matt Hardy Version 1. Matt wants some action. Austin gives him Goldberg. Cut to the action: Matt lands a side-effect and gets 1. He tries some clubbering to no avail as the former World Champion, Goldberg hits a big press slam and follows with the spear and jackhammer.
Winner: Bill Goldberg
Al Snow & Coach plug the Royal Rumble and run down the matches for the RAW side of things.
CAROLINA VERSUS EAGLES : 2nd Quarter - 10:12 left.. 7-0 Carolina
WWE STING OF THE NIGHT: From RAW, Kane destroys Booker T. with a big tombstone piledriver.
Rob Conway (with Rene Dupree) versus Spike Dudley
Spike starts with a headlock, but Rob lands a shoulder and misses an elbow. An inverted drop by Spike and he goes back to the headlock. Spike backdrops Rob to the floor. A dropkick and stomp by Spike. Spike slammed hard into corner and Rob take over. Rob puts the boots to Spike, and Dupree lands a cheap shot from the outside. Rob gets 2. Several elbows from Conway and he gets another 2 count. Spike lands some elbows and a headscissors on Rob.
Conway to the floor where he is quickly consoled by partner Dupree. Spike to the top and takes out La Resistance. Spike up again, but Rob catches him and goes for a superplex. Spike shoves him off and hits the big stomp. Spike gets 2. Dupree lands a shot from the outside and nails Spike hard. A slingshot suplex and Conway gets the pin.
Winner: Rob Conway
CAROLINA VERSUS EAGLES: 5:35 left in the 2nd quarter - it's 7 - 0 Carolina. An all out blitz takes out Eagles QB Donavan McNabb.
The friends and supporters of Randy Orton show their commercial in support of the new "Hardcore Legend" Randy Orton.
From Monday Night - Intercontinential Championship Match
RVD versus Randy Orton (champion)
RVD with fists and a kick to send Orton to the floor. RVD lands some more kicks and puts Orton into the steel post. (cut to) Orton sends RVD to the floor. Both are down. Orton attacks and posts RVD. RVD eats ring barrier. (cut to) A kick by RVD takes out the referee. Orton lands the low blow and covers, but no referee is there to count. Orton plays possum while the referee counts. He's up, but RVD is faster, and lands a kick. A roll-up by RVD and he gets 2. RVD goes to the top, but Orton hits the ropes and RVD hits a high note. Big DDT by Orton and he gets the pin.
Winner and still champion: Randy Orton
PANTHERS - EAGLES UPDATE: 2:56 left in the 2nd half - It's 7-3 Carolina.
JVC DIGITAL PLAY OF THE NIGHT: From RAW - Test gives Victoria the big boot.
"Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner versus "I'll Show You! You'll See" Stevie Richards
Stevie is wearing a white armband in honor of his injured "flower", but it doesn't help as he never really gets in any offense in this match. It's a total Steiner squash as Scotty is just the dominate player all through the match with some clubbering and a "Steiner-line" to control the action. Stevie's one shining moment - he hits a "hotshot" on the top rope to rollup "Big Bad Booty Daddy" for a two count. But Steiner with a flatliner front slam and he gets the pin.
Winner: Scott Steiner
Test comes in to share the spotlight with "Big Poppa Pump" Scotty. He gives Stevie a big boot because he can.
Tommorow night on RAW - it's Scott Steiner versus Goldberg.
It was a decent show and had some decent action. I want to apologize to everyone for not giving HEAT! my undivided attention tonight, but Carolina is one game away from the Super Bowl. I live in NC, and after several years of playing like crap, the Panthers are ready to grab for the gold.
Right now as I sign off - it's 3:51 left in the 3rd quarter. It's 14 - 3 and the Panthers are still in the lead. I've got a football game to watch. I hope everyone has a good remainder of the weekend, and I'll see you tommorow night with the RAW recap. If you have any questions, comments, or anything else, drop me a line at either Doug28352@yahoo.com or DougMaynard@wrestlinginformer.net. Have a great night all! I'm Doug Maynard. GO PANTHERS!
(Flashback) Monday Night RAW - 1/12/04
Monday Night RAW 1/12/04
Greetings all, and welcome to the Wrestling Informer Monday Night RAW recap. I'm the Informer's resident degenerate, Doug Maynard with all the happenings on the #1 wrestling show on cable TV, Monday Night RAW.
Tonite's show is from Long Island,NY and is live on Spike TV. The men calling the action are Jerry "The King" Lawler and Jim Ross. I expect that we'll see Coach around too before the night is done. Let's quit talking and get to the action. Now, it's time to get RAW!
JR and the King are talking about what's coming up tonite. Two big main events. The IC title is on the line as Randy Orton defends against RVD. Plus it's Booker T as he takes on Kane. And here's the Coach. He's part of the announce team tonite, and says that later on - he's going to interview both HHH and HBK together in the middle of the ring.
Trish Stratus & Lita versus Molly Holly & Jazz (with Theodore Long)
Trish attacks Jazz as she enters the ring. They go to the floor and Molly and Lita square off in the ring. Lita lands a dropkick and flips the Women's champ. Jazz is in, but Lita takes her over with a firemans' carry and some knees and forearms. Suplex by Lita, but Molly lands a cheap shot from outside and Jazz takes over, working on the arm. Molly is tagged in and works on the arm.
Lita comes back with fists and kicks, but Jazz plants a sneaky knee from the outside and Molly is in control once more. Jazz comes back in and works on the arm, but misses a splash, giving Lita a chance for the hot tag to Trish. Trish opens up with a Thesz-press and some fists-a-flying. A big slam and spinebuster by Trish for 2. Jazz in with an elbow and she heads to the top. A Trishcurrana and Trish gets 2. Lita in to take Molly to the flor. Trish in control, but Teddy Long provides the distraction and Jazz with a roll-up for the win.
Winners: Jazz & Molly Holly
Trish attacks Jazz after the match, but Teddy comes in to pull Trish off. Here comes Chris Jericho to make the save. Jazz flees, but Chris catches Teddy. Here's Mark Henry in for the save and he flattens Jericho, laying him out as Trish looks on, and Teddy and Jazz head up the ramp.
Matt Hardy is in the ring. He's tired of people stealing his glory - people like Jeff, Lita, and Steve Austin. He wants some action. Here comes Stone Cold and he's ready to fight. But Matt doesn't want Stone Cold. He wants someone new. He gets Goldberg.
Matt Hardy Version 1 versus Bill Goldberg
Matt attacks with some clubbing fists. Goldberg shrugs him off. A clothesline and Goldberg shoves Matt into the corner. Goes for pumphandle slam, but Matt escapes with kicks and hits a side-effect for a 1 count. Matt throws some more punches and goes for a "Twist of Fate", but Goldberg responds with a press slam. It's all GOldberg from then on with the spear and jackhammer for the pin.
Winner: Bill Goldberg
Goldberg gets the mic. He's back to get his world title, and win the Royal Rumble.
We see Booker T. talking a bit about his song on WWE Originals - which comes out tommorow.
Eric Bischoff confronts "Sheriff" Austin in the back. What's up with Goldberg being back? Austin asks the questions and Eric didn't dot the I's and cross the T's so Goldberg is back. Eric tells Austin he can't make anymore matches. Austin tells Eric not to piss him off.
We see a "commercial" by the friends and supporters of Randy Orton proclaiming Mick Foley a coward and Orton the new Hardcore Legend.
Randy Orton cuts a promo about Mick Foley. He has a ticket and seat reserved for Mick at ringside so they can finish what they started. He wants Foley...tonight!
WWE REWIND: The Dudley Boyz 3-D Ric Flair last Monday night on RAW in the main event. HHH provides a distraction and Batista powerbombs D-Von to hell for the win.
D-Von Dudley (with Bubba) versus Batista (with Ric Flair)
Batista attacks D-Von with some boots and clubbing blows. A choke in the corner followed by some knees and a clothesline. Batista gets 2. A suplex only gets a 2 count so Batista uses a big neck vice to make D-Von suffer. D-Von fights back with fists and elbows, and finally scores with a jawbreaker. Flying shoulder by D-Von and he goes to the top. On the outside, Flair attacks Bubba and sends him into the barrier. D-Von lands the big flying headbutt on Batista. Flair works over Bubba outside the ring. Batista lands the big powerbomb on D-Von and gets the pin.
Winner: Batista
Flair gets the table and Batista sets it up. D-Von to get plastered, but Bubba in and Batista sent to floor. Bubba overpowers Flair and gets ready to powerbomb him through the table, but Batista back in and makes the save.
We see Randy Orton back in the garage area. He's sending a limo to go pick up Mick Foley.
Teddy Long talks to Mark Henry and Jazz. He spouts the usual racial garbage and directs it toward Eric Bischoff. Tonight, it's Mark Henry versus Chris Jericho - or as Teddy puts it - just another white boy. Belee' dat!
Goldberg and Scott Steiner have a face to face confrontation. Scott's in the Royal Rumble. He wants Goldberg. Goldberg says how about tonight, but Scott says next week.
BIG INTERVIEW: Coach is in the ring and we get an interview with HHH and HBK. Both men come to the ring, and HBK clears out the furniture. Very intense and very good promo building on the history of the two men. It's all about who's better. HHH admits HBK is one of the very best, but he's better. HBK says it's just a second difference over who's better. And he lays out Coach with a superkick. See you at the Rumble.
CAN YOU DIG IT, SUCKA!
Booker T versus Kane
Booker throws fists, but Kane levels him with a clothesline. Kane works over Booker in the corner. Booker fights back with fists and a big spin-kick. Kane dumps Booker to the floor. Kane follows and nails Booker with some hard fists. Slams Boker twice into the steps and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner by DQ - Booker T
Kane takes a chair and tries to take out Booker, but Booker ducks. Kane stomps Booker and puts him in the ring. Big Tombstone by Kane and he laughs as he leaves the ring with the referees checking on Booker.
The "friends and supporters" of Randy Orton have another commercial shown that says Mick Foley - Hardcore Legend? I don't think so. More propaganda by the "Legend Killer".
Mark Henry (with Teddy Long & Jazz) versus Chris Jericho
Y2J starts off with fists, but Henry hits him with a knee and just pounds on Jericho. Y2J runs for a second and nails a dropkick on Henry. Chris throws some fists, but Henry rams him into the apron. Jericho throws some chops and fists, but Henry just tosses him aside.
Missle dropkick by Y2J for 2. Henry just knocks Chris down and stands on his throat. Chops and a backbreaker by Henry. Jericho lands some knees and tries to take the legs out from under Henry. Henry with a bearhug. Jericho punches his way out and goes back to the legs. Chris hits a big boot and a bulldog. Goes for a lionsault, but Jazz interferes.
Here's Trish from the back and she attacks Jazz. Jericho clips Mark Henry and applies the Walls of Jericho. Jazz and Trish in the ring and the ref is clipped. Henry taps, but the ref doesn't see it. Mark Henry lands the big power slam for the win.
Winner: Mark Henry
In the back, we see Stacy Keibler talking to Trish. She tells Trish to talk to Jericho. Trish agrees.
King and JR plug the Royal Rumble. Two big RAW main events so far. For the World Championship - it's Last Man Standing as Triple H defends against Shawn Michaels.
In a Tables Match, Ric Flair and Batista defend the World Tag Team Championship against the Dudley Boyz.
Christian talks to Chris Jericho. He tells him to forget Trish. She doesn't care. He has some peeps lined up and it's time to do them "sexy beast style". Chris and Christian leave. As they leave, Trish walks up to talk to Chris , but she just missed them. Damn the luck!
Evolution is in the parking garage. HHH tells Orton that if Mick Foley shows up, they'll personally escort him to his seat. And they have Randy's back. Here comes the "Sheriff" on his ATV. He tells Evolution to behave and stay away from Orton's match. Austin does some donuts on the ice and spins out - just having a grand old time.
WWE STING OF THE NIGHT:
From last month - Mick Foley walks out of the match with Orton and RAW!
Intercontinential Championship Match
Randy Orton (c) versus Rob Van Dam
A fantastic match that I have to admit, I spent more time watching than taking notes. It went back and forth, but mostly RVD controlled the first part until Randy got posted and busted open. Then the mean streak in Randy came out and he took control with a dropkick and then different variations of the body scissors. RVD would attempt to come back with elbows, but Orton would bear in and resume control.
Fast forward towards the end. A rolling slam and a moonsault by RVD for a 2 count. Another kick by RVD, but Orton comes back with a forearm shot. RVD goes for a spinkick and misses - hitting the referee instead. Orton lands a low blow and a neckbreaker on RVD and covers. But there's no referee. Orton plays possum as the ref recovers and counts. He goes for a RKO, but RVD nails him with a kick for 2. Oklahoma roll by RVD for another 2. RVD goes to the top, but Orton hits the ropes,. causing RVD to hit a high note. Gruesome DDT by Orton and he gets the pin.
Winner and still champion: Randy Orton
HHH comes to the ring to congratulate Orton and point to the chair reserved for Mick Foley. It's still empty. And RAW is off the air.
And that's RAW for tonite. A good show. The promo with HHH and HBK was awesome, but the main event match between RVD and Randy Orton stole the show. It's still only January, but we have a possible MOTY candidate right here with these two up and coming legends. Any thoughts or comments, just drop me a line at either Doug28352@yahoo.com or at DougMaynard@wrestlinginformer.net.
I'm Doug Maynard. This has been the Wrestling Informer RAW recap. It's late now, and I'm going to bed. Gotta be up in 3 hours for work. So have a great night and until next time, take it light!
Greetings all, and welcome to the Wrestling Informer Monday Night RAW recap. I'm the Informer's resident degenerate, Doug Maynard with all the happenings on the #1 wrestling show on cable TV, Monday Night RAW.
Tonite's show is from Long Island,NY and is live on Spike TV. The men calling the action are Jerry "The King" Lawler and Jim Ross. I expect that we'll see Coach around too before the night is done. Let's quit talking and get to the action. Now, it's time to get RAW!
JR and the King are talking about what's coming up tonite. Two big main events. The IC title is on the line as Randy Orton defends against RVD. Plus it's Booker T as he takes on Kane. And here's the Coach. He's part of the announce team tonite, and says that later on - he's going to interview both HHH and HBK together in the middle of the ring.
Trish Stratus & Lita versus Molly Holly & Jazz (with Theodore Long)
Trish attacks Jazz as she enters the ring. They go to the floor and Molly and Lita square off in the ring. Lita lands a dropkick and flips the Women's champ. Jazz is in, but Lita takes her over with a firemans' carry and some knees and forearms. Suplex by Lita, but Molly lands a cheap shot from outside and Jazz takes over, working on the arm. Molly is tagged in and works on the arm.
Lita comes back with fists and kicks, but Jazz plants a sneaky knee from the outside and Molly is in control once more. Jazz comes back in and works on the arm, but misses a splash, giving Lita a chance for the hot tag to Trish. Trish opens up with a Thesz-press and some fists-a-flying. A big slam and spinebuster by Trish for 2. Jazz in with an elbow and she heads to the top. A Trishcurrana and Trish gets 2. Lita in to take Molly to the flor. Trish in control, but Teddy Long provides the distraction and Jazz with a roll-up for the win.
Winners: Jazz & Molly Holly
Trish attacks Jazz after the match, but Teddy comes in to pull Trish off. Here comes Chris Jericho to make the save. Jazz flees, but Chris catches Teddy. Here's Mark Henry in for the save and he flattens Jericho, laying him out as Trish looks on, and Teddy and Jazz head up the ramp.
Matt Hardy is in the ring. He's tired of people stealing his glory - people like Jeff, Lita, and Steve Austin. He wants some action. Here comes Stone Cold and he's ready to fight. But Matt doesn't want Stone Cold. He wants someone new. He gets Goldberg.
Matt Hardy Version 1 versus Bill Goldberg
Matt attacks with some clubbing fists. Goldberg shrugs him off. A clothesline and Goldberg shoves Matt into the corner. Goes for pumphandle slam, but Matt escapes with kicks and hits a side-effect for a 1 count. Matt throws some more punches and goes for a "Twist of Fate", but Goldberg responds with a press slam. It's all GOldberg from then on with the spear and jackhammer for the pin.
Winner: Bill Goldberg
Goldberg gets the mic. He's back to get his world title, and win the Royal Rumble.
We see Booker T. talking a bit about his song on WWE Originals - which comes out tommorow.
Eric Bischoff confronts "Sheriff" Austin in the back. What's up with Goldberg being back? Austin asks the questions and Eric didn't dot the I's and cross the T's so Goldberg is back. Eric tells Austin he can't make anymore matches. Austin tells Eric not to piss him off.
We see a "commercial" by the friends and supporters of Randy Orton proclaiming Mick Foley a coward and Orton the new Hardcore Legend.
Randy Orton cuts a promo about Mick Foley. He has a ticket and seat reserved for Mick at ringside so they can finish what they started. He wants Foley...tonight!
WWE REWIND: The Dudley Boyz 3-D Ric Flair last Monday night on RAW in the main event. HHH provides a distraction and Batista powerbombs D-Von to hell for the win.
D-Von Dudley (with Bubba) versus Batista (with Ric Flair)
Batista attacks D-Von with some boots and clubbing blows. A choke in the corner followed by some knees and a clothesline. Batista gets 2. A suplex only gets a 2 count so Batista uses a big neck vice to make D-Von suffer. D-Von fights back with fists and elbows, and finally scores with a jawbreaker. Flying shoulder by D-Von and he goes to the top. On the outside, Flair attacks Bubba and sends him into the barrier. D-Von lands the big flying headbutt on Batista. Flair works over Bubba outside the ring. Batista lands the big powerbomb on D-Von and gets the pin.
Winner: Batista
Flair gets the table and Batista sets it up. D-Von to get plastered, but Bubba in and Batista sent to floor. Bubba overpowers Flair and gets ready to powerbomb him through the table, but Batista back in and makes the save.
We see Randy Orton back in the garage area. He's sending a limo to go pick up Mick Foley.
Teddy Long talks to Mark Henry and Jazz. He spouts the usual racial garbage and directs it toward Eric Bischoff. Tonight, it's Mark Henry versus Chris Jericho - or as Teddy puts it - just another white boy. Belee' dat!
Goldberg and Scott Steiner have a face to face confrontation. Scott's in the Royal Rumble. He wants Goldberg. Goldberg says how about tonight, but Scott says next week.
BIG INTERVIEW: Coach is in the ring and we get an interview with HHH and HBK. Both men come to the ring, and HBK clears out the furniture. Very intense and very good promo building on the history of the two men. It's all about who's better. HHH admits HBK is one of the very best, but he's better. HBK says it's just a second difference over who's better. And he lays out Coach with a superkick. See you at the Rumble.
CAN YOU DIG IT, SUCKA!
Booker T versus Kane
Booker throws fists, but Kane levels him with a clothesline. Kane works over Booker in the corner. Booker fights back with fists and a big spin-kick. Kane dumps Booker to the floor. Kane follows and nails Booker with some hard fists. Slams Boker twice into the steps and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner by DQ - Booker T
Kane takes a chair and tries to take out Booker, but Booker ducks. Kane stomps Booker and puts him in the ring. Big Tombstone by Kane and he laughs as he leaves the ring with the referees checking on Booker.
The "friends and supporters" of Randy Orton have another commercial shown that says Mick Foley - Hardcore Legend? I don't think so. More propaganda by the "Legend Killer".
Mark Henry (with Teddy Long & Jazz) versus Chris Jericho
Y2J starts off with fists, but Henry hits him with a knee and just pounds on Jericho. Y2J runs for a second and nails a dropkick on Henry. Chris throws some fists, but Henry rams him into the apron. Jericho throws some chops and fists, but Henry just tosses him aside.
Missle dropkick by Y2J for 2. Henry just knocks Chris down and stands on his throat. Chops and a backbreaker by Henry. Jericho lands some knees and tries to take the legs out from under Henry. Henry with a bearhug. Jericho punches his way out and goes back to the legs. Chris hits a big boot and a bulldog. Goes for a lionsault, but Jazz interferes.
Here's Trish from the back and she attacks Jazz. Jericho clips Mark Henry and applies the Walls of Jericho. Jazz and Trish in the ring and the ref is clipped. Henry taps, but the ref doesn't see it. Mark Henry lands the big power slam for the win.
Winner: Mark Henry
In the back, we see Stacy Keibler talking to Trish. She tells Trish to talk to Jericho. Trish agrees.
King and JR plug the Royal Rumble. Two big RAW main events so far. For the World Championship - it's Last Man Standing as Triple H defends against Shawn Michaels.
In a Tables Match, Ric Flair and Batista defend the World Tag Team Championship against the Dudley Boyz.
Christian talks to Chris Jericho. He tells him to forget Trish. She doesn't care. He has some peeps lined up and it's time to do them "sexy beast style". Chris and Christian leave. As they leave, Trish walks up to talk to Chris , but she just missed them. Damn the luck!
Evolution is in the parking garage. HHH tells Orton that if Mick Foley shows up, they'll personally escort him to his seat. And they have Randy's back. Here comes the "Sheriff" on his ATV. He tells Evolution to behave and stay away from Orton's match. Austin does some donuts on the ice and spins out - just having a grand old time.
WWE STING OF THE NIGHT:
From last month - Mick Foley walks out of the match with Orton and RAW!
Intercontinential Championship Match
Randy Orton (c) versus Rob Van Dam
A fantastic match that I have to admit, I spent more time watching than taking notes. It went back and forth, but mostly RVD controlled the first part until Randy got posted and busted open. Then the mean streak in Randy came out and he took control with a dropkick and then different variations of the body scissors. RVD would attempt to come back with elbows, but Orton would bear in and resume control.
Fast forward towards the end. A rolling slam and a moonsault by RVD for a 2 count. Another kick by RVD, but Orton comes back with a forearm shot. RVD goes for a spinkick and misses - hitting the referee instead. Orton lands a low blow and a neckbreaker on RVD and covers. But there's no referee. Orton plays possum as the ref recovers and counts. He goes for a RKO, but RVD nails him with a kick for 2. Oklahoma roll by RVD for another 2. RVD goes to the top, but Orton hits the ropes,. causing RVD to hit a high note. Gruesome DDT by Orton and he gets the pin.
Winner and still champion: Randy Orton
HHH comes to the ring to congratulate Orton and point to the chair reserved for Mick Foley. It's still empty. And RAW is off the air.
And that's RAW for tonite. A good show. The promo with HHH and HBK was awesome, but the main event match between RVD and Randy Orton stole the show. It's still only January, but we have a possible MOTY candidate right here with these two up and coming legends. Any thoughts or comments, just drop me a line at either Doug28352@yahoo.com or at DougMaynard@wrestlinginformer.net.
I'm Doug Maynard. This has been the Wrestling Informer RAW recap. It's late now, and I'm going to bed. Gotta be up in 3 hours for work. So have a great night and until next time, take it light!
Wrestling Survey - March 24, 2012
WWE Survey - March 24, 2012
1. Current favorite male wrestler(s): CM Punk, Zack Ryder, The Miz, Michael McGillicutty
2. Your first ever favorite male(s): Ric Flair, Barry Windham, Arn Anderson
3. Your ALL TIME favorite male wrestler: Ric Flair/Arn Anderson (tie) (followed closely by Harley Race. Blackjack Mulligan and The Masked Superstar)
4. Current favorite divas: Kharma, Beth Phoenix
5. First favorite female wrestler: Woman
6. All time favorite female wrestler: Do you really have to ask? Ivory still gets this spot - always will <3 7. Wrestler(s) you get the most heat for liking: Miz, Mark Henry 8. Favorite commentator(s): William Regal, Tony Schiavone 9. Favorite old school wrestler: William Regal 10. Least favorite wrestlers/divas: Randy Orton, Undertaker, Kelly Kelly 11. All time least favorite wrestler: Hollywood Hulk Hogan 12. Favorite WWE Show: Raw 13. Do you have an idol(s) in the business?: The Living Legend, Larry Zbyszko 14. So who's the prettiest diva?: Of all time - Woman (RIP) and Ivory Current: Victoria (Tara) 15. Best entrance theme(s)?: Ric Flair's theme music, CM Punk's theme (Cult of Personality) 16. Coolest entrance: Alberto Del Rio's (nothing beats classic cars and a private ring announcer) 17. Which wrestlers have you met: Kid Kash, Greg Valentine, Jimmy Valiant, Rock & Roll Express, The Ringlords, Matt Hardy, Jamie Noble, Lodi, and a few others.. 18. Who was the nicest?: Lodi, Greg Valentine, Kash, Ringlord Speedy 19. Out of those released or injured who do you miss the most?: Christian (He's back) & Edge (he's not coming back) 20. Best ring attire (Female): They all look alike and pretty generic now... *sighs* - how about Vickie. For an old woman, she's pretty hot! "Excuse Me!" 21. Best ring attire (Male): Zack Ryder (I like the headbands)... lol. 22. Favorite Tough Enough winner: Luke (oh wait - he didn't win - "Silent Rage" Andy did - bad decision) 23. Who do you hate the most currently?: Randy Orton (he bores the heck out of me) 24. Who do you like that you never thought you would?: Mark Henry 25. Best foreign object: Santino and his "Cobra"... lol 26. Do you want to be a wrestler?: No - I'm past that. Now I just want to be a wrestling journalist :>)
27. Dream match: Harley Race, Vader & The Masked Superstar and The Midnight Express (in primes) against Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham and Larry Zbyszko in a elimination-style, no dq and no count out match.
28. Been to any WWE tapings?: Nope. Been to see WCW and hundreds of Indy shows though..
29. All time favorite tag team?: The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane) with Jim Cornette
30. The most important, WWE or TNA?: Both have their moments and both good and bad points, but in the end, WWE is a hundred times better than TNA in the big picture of things. WWE knows who they are and what they want to do - TNA is still struggling to find their identity, even after all these years.
1. Current favorite male wrestler(s): CM Punk, Zack Ryder, The Miz, Michael McGillicutty
2. Your first ever favorite male(s): Ric Flair, Barry Windham, Arn Anderson
3. Your ALL TIME favorite male wrestler: Ric Flair/Arn Anderson (tie) (followed closely by Harley Race. Blackjack Mulligan and The Masked Superstar)
4. Current favorite divas: Kharma, Beth Phoenix
5. First favorite female wrestler: Woman
6. All time favorite female wrestler: Do you really have to ask? Ivory still gets this spot - always will <3 7. Wrestler(s) you get the most heat for liking: Miz, Mark Henry 8. Favorite commentator(s): William Regal, Tony Schiavone 9. Favorite old school wrestler: William Regal 10. Least favorite wrestlers/divas: Randy Orton, Undertaker, Kelly Kelly 11. All time least favorite wrestler: Hollywood Hulk Hogan 12. Favorite WWE Show: Raw 13. Do you have an idol(s) in the business?: The Living Legend, Larry Zbyszko 14. So who's the prettiest diva?: Of all time - Woman (RIP) and Ivory Current: Victoria (Tara) 15. Best entrance theme(s)?: Ric Flair's theme music, CM Punk's theme (Cult of Personality) 16. Coolest entrance: Alberto Del Rio's (nothing beats classic cars and a private ring announcer) 17. Which wrestlers have you met: Kid Kash, Greg Valentine, Jimmy Valiant, Rock & Roll Express, The Ringlords, Matt Hardy, Jamie Noble, Lodi, and a few others.. 18. Who was the nicest?: Lodi, Greg Valentine, Kash, Ringlord Speedy 19. Out of those released or injured who do you miss the most?: Christian (He's back) & Edge (he's not coming back) 20. Best ring attire (Female): They all look alike and pretty generic now... *sighs* - how about Vickie. For an old woman, she's pretty hot! "Excuse Me!" 21. Best ring attire (Male): Zack Ryder (I like the headbands)... lol. 22. Favorite Tough Enough winner: Luke (oh wait - he didn't win - "Silent Rage" Andy did - bad decision) 23. Who do you hate the most currently?: Randy Orton (he bores the heck out of me) 24. Who do you like that you never thought you would?: Mark Henry 25. Best foreign object: Santino and his "Cobra"... lol 26. Do you want to be a wrestler?: No - I'm past that. Now I just want to be a wrestling journalist :>)
27. Dream match: Harley Race, Vader & The Masked Superstar and The Midnight Express (in primes) against Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham and Larry Zbyszko in a elimination-style, no dq and no count out match.
28. Been to any WWE tapings?: Nope. Been to see WCW and hundreds of Indy shows though..
29. All time favorite tag team?: The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane) with Jim Cornette
30. The most important, WWE or TNA?: Both have their moments and both good and bad points, but in the end, WWE is a hundred times better than TNA in the big picture of things. WWE knows who they are and what they want to do - TNA is still struggling to find their identity, even after all these years.
Friday, March 23, 2012
(Flashback) Tossing Salt - January 12, 2004
Tossing Salt - 1/12/04
What up all and welcome again to the lastest edition of the Wrestling Informer's most eclectic column, "Tossing Salt!". I'm Doug Maynard with a whole mess of stuff to talk about for your wrestling pleasure. Another parody - this one concerning the gone, but not forgotten Slammy Awards.
The results of my last "Who Am I?", plus a new one for you to take a gander at. Wrestling results from Japan, some great quotes from such wrestling alumni as Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Jim Cornette, and Roddy Piper. And just to keep the boss happy, a little bit of wrestling related news. So much to talk about, but so little time. Let's jump straight into it with a little thingee that I like to refer to as:
ASSORTED SPICES:
Japanese legend Antonio Inoki has announced that the next Inoki "Bom Ba Ye" show will be held in April in none other than Las Vegas, Nevada. After the dissapointing show this past New Year's Eve, Inoki needs to pull something spectacular to save face, and apparently feels that Vegas is the place to do. He's hoping to convince Ken Shamrock to work the event in order to land some publicity here in the states. Already expected to work the show are Inoki-loyalist Emelianenko Fedor, Bob Sapp, & Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic. What is up with Inoki. He needs to concentrate his time and energy to New Japan and work on bringing it back to it's former status and glory.
But Inoki seems far more concerned with his MMA ventures instead of what made him the legend he is. He's the first to complain about problems at New Japan with the direction of the promotion, but he doesn't have the time to do anything to help out in solving problems, even though he's the majority owner. That just doesn't make sense. If he isn't going to do anything to help New Japan, he needs to just sell off his interests and shut up already. Watching Inoki as the owner/power behind New Japan makes me realize just how lucky WCW was to have men such as Bill Watts, Ole Anderson, & Jim Herd in control. As bad as they were,at least they're not Inoki.
Zero-One and Dreamstages have made the announcement that Hustle-2 will be on March 7th at the Yokohama Arena. Participants announced for the event thus far are Keiji Mutoh (The Great Muta) and Bill Goldberg. But I'm not really sure that the WWE is going to allow Goldberg to participate in such an event so close to Wrestlemania XX. Goldberg is not expected to re-sign with the WWE when his contract expires after WMXX, but he is still expected to be a major part of the event at Madison Square Garden.
I really can't see Vince McMahon allowing Goldberg to take part in such a big event as Hustle-2. It's still early now, but I wouldn't really count on Bill being a part of both events. If he does appear at the Hustle 2 event, it's because the WWE decided to basically forget about Goldberg and concentrate on stars with a WWE future. If Goldberg does recieve a big WMXX push, do not expect him to appear at the Hustle 2 event. Me thinks the Zero- One people are jumping the gun a bit with that anouncement.
Someone who does have a big future with the WWE is John Cena. There are rumours floating about that the plans for the SmackDown rap star are to move him to RAW after Wrestlemania XX. The speculation is that if Goldberg doesn't stay with the WWE, RAW is going to need someone to fill the position of top "face" to lead the battle against HHH and Evolution (among others).
I'd like to see Cena on RAW, and think it would be a good move for him, but what's this about leader and top face? What about Booker T? Or RVD? Even the Dudleys or Steven Richards could step up to the plate and handle that role if done correctly. Not to mention Shawn Michaels. Or even Al Snow. Bring back "Head" and do a face change for Al. Cena would be a welcome addition to RAW, but he's not the man to be the "top face" - not when so many others, who are already there, could do it so much better.
Finally, Yomiuri Sports has announced that World Japan Pro Wrestling is going into a "two month pause" due to financial difficulties. Fukada, the "money man" behind WJ wants to leave the company and devote himself to his other business ventures such as real estate and resturants. So the promotion is being left in the able hands of Riki Choshu and Katsuji Nagashima to see if they can turn things around. Good luck to them because from all I've seen recently of World Japan Pro, they have surely got a major headache on their hands.
BOBBY HEENAN QUOTE OF THE NIGHT:
(Talking about the Ultimate Warrior)
"This guy makes coffee nervous!"
JIM CORNETTE QUOTE OF THE NIGHT:
"The judge won't allow for Pee Wee to defend himself, and Pee Wee knows for sure he can get himself off!"
I did a little Slammy award parody back in October of last year. It's a little dated on some references, but all in all, I think it's pretty decent. I hope you folks enjoy!
There hasn't been any Slammy Awards in a while, but there ought to be. It's the WWE's answer to the Grammys, the Oscars, and the Tony's all wrapped up in one event. Here is a version of what just might happen if the WWE was to resurrect this lost treasure.
The 2003 Slammy Awards (Live from Madison Square Garden)
Fireworks and applause. Here is your host - Chris Jericho..
Y2J: What up assclowns? Welcome to the Slammy's Are Jericho! They wanted the best host
they could find for this show. Carson and Letterman are washed-up losers! Billy Crystal
is just a third-rate comic and Whoopie Goldberg is off somewhere hanging with her loser
brother, Bill. So, the Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla is here and we're ready to present some
awards. Presenting to some loser the Slammy for Best Commentator is a blast from the past
- where'd they dig this joke up - the Boogie Woogie Man from New York City - Handsome -
I think someone lied to him - Jimmy Valiant.
The song "Boy From New York City" plays as Jimmy Valiant comes on the stage..
Valiant: Ooooh, mercy! The boogie man feel good tonite, baby! Yeah! Boogie has to give out
the award for best man on the stick - mercy baby. The best commentator. Oooh yeah!
Make Boogie look good. And the nominees are .. mercy..
A pre-recorded voiceover booms out:
Jim Ross, Jerry "The King" Lawler, Taz, and Ernest "the Cat" Miller..
Valiant: Mercy baby! The winner is...
Valiant rips open the envelope.
Valiant: My man, the Cat. Ernest "the Cat" Miller. Have mercy..
Ernest Miller comes on stage..
Ernest: Man, I didn't expect this. Someone call my mama - I'm gonna have to beat somebody up.
Thanks to everyone. You know what! You know what Boogie-man? I feel like dancing.
Somebody hit my music..
James Brown music blares from the loudspeakers as Ernest Miller and Jimmy Valiant start dancing on stage.
Chris Jericho: Someone get those two assclowns off the stage. I see being a moron transcends
all generations. If that's the kind of losers we have to see all night, this is going to
be a long one. Here is the next presenter for the Slammy for Best Buns. This can't
be right. It is? OK - here is Hulk Hogan..
Real American blares over the spreaker-system as Hulk Hogan climbs on the stage.
Hogan: You know bruthuhs, Vince McMahon didn't want the Hulkster to be here tonite.
Jericho (from his announce position) Why are you here, Hogan? I thought you were fired after
your little Mr. America ruse fell through.
Hogan: Well, you know bro, that Hulkamania lives forever! And let me make one think perfectly
clear. I am not Mr. America, bruthuh!
Jericho: We all saw the video of you unmasking. Why continue with this charade. It's over,
Sulk!
Hogan: I wouldn't lie to all the Hulkamaniacs out there, bruthuh! Say your prayers and take your
vitamins. Whatcha gonna do ...
Jericho: Just announce the nominees, you steriod infected, bald headed assclown..
Hogan: What nominees? It's all about Hulkamania, bruthuh! Whatcha gonna do ... whatcha ...
Jericho: Get that loser off the stage - someone do the nominee things.
Several security men run onstage and grab Hogan who tries to no-sell their attempts to subdue
him.. He starts to Hulk up, and gets sprayed by pepper spray. He starts to no sell, but falls to the
ground, gasping for air.
Hogan: Bruthuh - supposed to job.. (cough - cough) put me over (cough) .. why?
Hogan passes out as the security guards haul him off.
Chris Jericho: Good riddance, you jackass! And the nominees are:
Pre-recorded voiceover fills the arena.
The Nominees for Best Buns Are: Rickishi, Mr. McMahon, Mr. Ass Billy Gunn, & Torrie Wilson.
Jericho: and the Best Buns Slammy goes to: our boss, Mr. McMahon..
Vince's music plays, but no one comes out.
Jericho: Mr. McMahon couldn't be here tonite. He's having Patterson and Brisco' s lips
surgicially removed from his extraordinary posterier, so I'll accept this for him. Thank
you very much. And now our next presenters.. Here is Booker T.
Booker T comes out to great applause.
Booker: What's up? It's time for the five-time,five time, five time, five time, five time WCW champion, and the current WWE Intercontinential champion.. Don't hate the playa - hate the game. These are the nominees for the slammy for "best death". And while these people announce the nominees, it's time for a slammy-spineroonie.
Booker does a "spineroonie" while the names are read over the speaker system.
Pre-recorded voice over: The nominees for "best death" are Al Wilson, Roddy Piper, Hulk Hogan, and Kevin Nash.
Booker: And the winner is: Hulk Hogan. Now can you dig that, suckah!
Hulk Hogan comes out to accept his slammy.
Hogan: Well, it's like this bruthuh!(cough) I've got these 24 inch pythons and Hulkamania is the strongest force in the Universe. I just got pepper sprayed, but I don't job for nobody, bruthuh! McMahon thought I was through. Bruthuh! Well, this slammy proves, once and for all, that Hulkamania is running wild! So what ya gonna do. What ya gonna do.
Jericho (from the sidelines): Hey Hogan! Hogan!
Hogan: What do you want, Jericho?
Jericho: I want to see you get your ass kicked by security again. Did you read the slammy, you freak? It's for death, like your career, like Hulkamania, like this crowd everytime you start to speak...
Hogan: Death? Bruthuh? Who died bruthuh? Hulkamania isn't dead, bruthuh! It's the strongest force in the universe. What ya gonna do..
Jericho: Cut his mic off. Security, get this moron out of here. Ask not for who the Undertaker comes Hogan - he comes for you - you bald headed Thunderlipped jackass. And here's our next presenter. Straight from an AA meeting near you - it's Scott Hall.
Massive applause as Scott comes to the podium.. You see Hogan come by, being chased by security.
Scott Hall: Hey yo! Before we do this award thing, I think it's time for a little survey. You know how this works, OK. Hey yo!
Crowd is totally silent..
Hall: So, are you all here to see ... WCW?
The crowd remains totally silent!
Hall: Or.. are you here to see the N.W.O.?
Crowd is still totally silent.
Jericho: Hey, Scott! The NWO is gone - WCW is gone - it's all WWE now, you greased up monkey!
Hall: Gone? What about the Wolfpac?
Jericho: Gone!
Hall: When did all this happen, Jericho?
Jericho: About 2 1/2 years ago.. Where have you been?
Hall: I went to the 7-11 for a beer and - I don't remember - hey, yo!
Jericho: You don't remember?
Hall: Hey, yo! Hey, yo! Hmmmmmm! Hey yo!
Jericho: This assclown has lost it - someone get him off the stage.
Kevin Nash comes out and leads Hall off the stage. A voice reads over the soundsystem: And the nominees for Best Dressed Slammy are : Ric Flair, William Regal, Golddust, and Rico..
Jericho: The winner is (and it should be me - I'm a Hollywood fashion plate) William Regal.
William Regal comes out to the podium.
Regal: Thank you. I didn't really expect all you commoners and lowlifes to be able to look past your fashions by Wal-Mart to realize what an elegant and dapper appearance can do for a man. I only wear the very best, custom-made, by my own personal designer in London. It's so hard to maintain a proper appearance when dealing with lower forms of life so often. But every so often, it is appreciated and for that, and this award, as your good will ambassador, I thank you.
Jericho: What the? What the hell did that pompous ass-clown say? Go sip some tea, you biscuit and crumpet eating jackass. Here is the next award - the Slammy for Best Diva. Your presenters are Chris Benoit and Jerry "the King" Lawler.
Applause as Beniot and the King come to the podium.
Chris: You know, King, an important part of the WWE these days are it's Diva's.
Lawler: Puppies!
Chris: Not just puppies, but the intensity and effort put forth - these ladies are how I like 'em - silent but violent.
Lawler: They can get violent with me anytime - sticks and stones may break my bones, but whips and chains excite me.. whoo-hoo!
Benoit: You're a sick man, King.
Announcers voice: The nominees for best Diva are: Sable, Ivory, Trish, and Torrie Wilson
Benoit: And the winner is:
Lawler: Puppies!
Benoit: Sable
Absolutely no reaction from the audience as Sable comes out..
Sable: Thank you for this award. I do deserve it cause I am so Sablicious. All the men want to be with me and all the women want to be with me. (To Benoit and Lawler) - how about you men? Do you want to have a sablicious good time?
Lawler: Puppies! (he falls to the ground, clutching his heart!) puppies! puppies!
Benoit: Ha!
Benoit grabs Sable and puts her in the crippler-crossface as the audience goes nuts. Security runs in and pulls Benoit off as Lawler continues to roll around on the floor, grasping his heart..
Lawler: Puppies! I want puppies!
Jericho: Well, Benoit! I guess that's one way to leave an impression on a lady. But that was no lady. That was a nasty, skanky, sleezy, bottom-feeding, trashbag, ho!
Stephaine McMahon (from offstage): What?
Jericho: Not you Steph - the other nasty, skanky, sleazy, bottom-feeding trashbag ho!
Stephaine: OK!
Lawler and Sable are stretchered off stage as the show continues.
Jericho: And now, presenting the Slammy for Locker Room Leader is: Brother Love..
Brother Love comes out.
Love: I looooovvveee you! Yes, brothers and sisters. It's me - here to talk about loooovvvvve! The looovvvve of men in a locker room - the loooovvvve of a man for his brothers and sisters that he provides leadership - he offers advice - he provides looovvvveeeee!
He is a leader. And the slammy for providing the most loooovvveee as a locker room leader goes to:
Voice on speaker: The nominees are: Undertaker, Bill DeMott, Al Snow, Tommy Dreamer
Love: Yes! Yes! Thank you, brother announcer. The winner for the slammy of looovvee is: Brother Undertaker..
Undertaker comes out to deafening applause.
Taker: It's all about respect. This is my yard, and if you want to make a name here..
Love: Brother Undertaker... Brother Undertaker..
Taker: What?
Love: You talk about respect. You talk about looovveee! but what about respect for me. What about respect for Brother Love? I brought you into the WWE and I demand re...........
Undertaker grabs Brother Love by the throat and chokeslams him off the stage. Then Taker walks off the stage as the audience goes nuts.
Jericho: Someone call the EMT's. I guess that red-faced baboon found out all about the Undertaker's love. Jackass! Here is another blast from the past - where do they find these dinosaurs - the Macho Man Randy Savage..
The Macho Man comes out!
Macho: Ooooohh - yeah! The macho man is back! Oooohhh - yeah! Got some nominees - gonna get a slammy - yeah! What it's all about tonite - yeah! The nominees for Most Inspirationial Wrestler are ... Oooohhhhhh - yeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhh! Dig it!
Voice of Announcer: Kurt Angle, Zach Gowen, Christian, Randy Orton, Stone Cold Steve Austin...
Savage: Feel the chill and savor the moment - yeah! The winner is, dig it, Steve Austin. Ooohhhh Yeeeeaaaahhhhh!!!
Here comes Stone Cold...
Austin: Most inspiratioial, huh?
Audience: What?
Austin: I inspire!
Audience: What?
Austin: I kick ass!
Audience: What?
Austin: I run RAW!
Audience: What?
Austin: And I drink beer!
Audience: What?
Austin: I said I drink beer!
Audience: What?
Austin: A lot of beer.
Audience: What?
Austin: And I'm an inspiration?
Audience: What?
Austin: A hero?
Audience: What?
Austin: A role model?
Audience: What?
Austin: Buuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrpppppppp!!!
Audience goes nuts...
Austin: And that's the bottom line, cause Stone Cold said so...
Macho Man: Oooooooooooohhhhhh - yeeeeeaaaaaahhhhhh! Dig it!
Jericho: That was truly a hallmark moment of inspiration by our general manager, not! I don't know how much more of this journey into dweebdom I can take. I've got to go for a little bit now! My band Fozzy, the worlds greatest Rock and Roll band, will be playing in a little bit, and we have to get ready. Taking over in the announce position is, from WCW Nitro, your favorite announcer, but not mine, Tony Schiavone.
And that's where it ends. I could finish it up, but it's all about clearing out all the old stuff so I can start with some new material. I realize it's not fair ending it like that, but my Tony Schiavone parodies are not nearly as funny as the Jericho ones, so you're much better off this way. Believe me! Time to move on!
The past couple of columns have featured something I borrowed from my other home at Yahoo - wwefanzzone@yayoogroups.com that really seems to have taken off. The answer to the last "Who Am I? was none other than the "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd.
The first person to get it right was my fellow moderator at DXSuckit@yahoogroups.com Rick, aka High Voltage. So, congrats to you , Rick! A great job. Also answering correctly were Keith Miller, Chad aka Loverman14850, Dan Fitzgibbon, & Peter Maltice. A great job by all of you. Now, on to this week's person.
I was trained by Walter "Killer" Kowalski and got my first major push as Kowalski's partner in the WWWF where we wrestled as the Masked Executioners. After leaving the WWWF, I moved to the Mid-Atlantic region where I won tag team gold with both Ric Flair and Ken Patera, and had a long running feud with Blackjack Mulligan. Eventually, I traveled back to the WWF where I was managed by Bobby Heenan and had a long feud with Andre the Giant. My big gimmick was offering $10,000 to any man who could bodyslam me. Who Am I?
Know the answer. Send me your guess, and if you're correct, you'll get a big mention in the next "Tossing Salt" column. My addresses are at the end of the column.
BOBBY HEENAN QUOTE OF THE NIGHT # 2:
(Talking about Frankie - Koko B. Ware's parrot)
"If he was in my house, he'd be in a shake 'n' bake bag!"
ADDITIONAL SEASONINGS:
WORLD JAPAN PRO WRESTLING 1/11/04 Sapporo, Japan
Tiesen Hall (Two shows - one afternoon & one evening)
3:00PM Show:
Takashi Uwano defeated Katsuhiko Nakajima in 12:07
Yoshito Saaki beat Kuniyoshi Wada in 7:41
Masato Tanaka over Ichiro Yaguchi in 12:22
Shinjiro Ohtani beat Masahiko Kochi in 10:07
Takao Omori & Shiro Koshinaka stopped Hiro Yokai & Kohei Sato in 11:53
Riki Choshu & Tomohiro Ishii beat Shin'ya Hashimoto & Naohiro Hoshikawa in 11:36
Evening Show:
Masahiko Kochi defeated Katsuhiko Nakajima in 11:39
Naohiro Hoshikawa stopped Kuniyoshi Wada in 6:16
Tomohiro Ishii beat Yoshito Sasaki in 10:45
Shiro Koshinaka defeated Kohei Sato in 9:40
Masato Tanaka & Shinjiro Ohtani beat Takao Omori & Takashi Uwano in 15:34
Shin'ya Hashimoto & Hiro Yokoi beat Riki Choshu & Ichiro Vaguchi in 9:39
NOAH 1/10/04 Tokyo, Japan Nippon Budokan
Attendance: 16,000 paid
Juventud Guerrera defeated Yasuhiro Suzuki in 13:55
Donavan Morgan & Richard Slinger beat Masaji Aoyagi & Mitsuo Momota in 8:37
IZU, Bison Smith, & Scorpio defeated Kishin Kawabata, Mohammed Yone, & Daisuke Ikeda in 13:30.
Naoki Sano stopped Masao Inoue in 12:55
Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Akira Taue, & Yoshihiro Takayama defeated Takashi Sugiura, Akitoshi Saito, & Tamon Honda in 12:48
Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, Takeshi Morishima, & Jun Akiyama defeated Makatu Hashi, Takeshi Rikio, & Kenta Kobashi in 21:48
GHC JUNIOR TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
KENTA & Naomichi Marafuji defeated Wataru Inoue & El Samurai in 28:01
GHC TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Yoshinari Ogawa & Mistu Misawa defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yuji Nagata in 29:41
RODDY PIPER QUOTE OF THE NIGHT:
(On Ole Anderson)
"He's as strong as an ox, and almost as smart!"
And I guess that's it for today. Thanks for reading. If you know the answer to the latest "Who Am I?" or have any questions or comments, just drop me a line at either Doug28352@yahoo.com or at DougMaynard@wrestlinginformer.net. Keep that mail coming! I'm Doug M. and I'll see you all next time. GO PANTHERS! Until then, take it light!
What up all and welcome again to the lastest edition of the Wrestling Informer's most eclectic column, "Tossing Salt!". I'm Doug Maynard with a whole mess of stuff to talk about for your wrestling pleasure. Another parody - this one concerning the gone, but not forgotten Slammy Awards.
The results of my last "Who Am I?", plus a new one for you to take a gander at. Wrestling results from Japan, some great quotes from such wrestling alumni as Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Jim Cornette, and Roddy Piper. And just to keep the boss happy, a little bit of wrestling related news. So much to talk about, but so little time. Let's jump straight into it with a little thingee that I like to refer to as:
ASSORTED SPICES:
Japanese legend Antonio Inoki has announced that the next Inoki "Bom Ba Ye" show will be held in April in none other than Las Vegas, Nevada. After the dissapointing show this past New Year's Eve, Inoki needs to pull something spectacular to save face, and apparently feels that Vegas is the place to do. He's hoping to convince Ken Shamrock to work the event in order to land some publicity here in the states. Already expected to work the show are Inoki-loyalist Emelianenko Fedor, Bob Sapp, & Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic. What is up with Inoki. He needs to concentrate his time and energy to New Japan and work on bringing it back to it's former status and glory.
But Inoki seems far more concerned with his MMA ventures instead of what made him the legend he is. He's the first to complain about problems at New Japan with the direction of the promotion, but he doesn't have the time to do anything to help out in solving problems, even though he's the majority owner. That just doesn't make sense. If he isn't going to do anything to help New Japan, he needs to just sell off his interests and shut up already. Watching Inoki as the owner/power behind New Japan makes me realize just how lucky WCW was to have men such as Bill Watts, Ole Anderson, & Jim Herd in control. As bad as they were,at least they're not Inoki.
Zero-One and Dreamstages have made the announcement that Hustle-2 will be on March 7th at the Yokohama Arena. Participants announced for the event thus far are Keiji Mutoh (The Great Muta) and Bill Goldberg. But I'm not really sure that the WWE is going to allow Goldberg to participate in such an event so close to Wrestlemania XX. Goldberg is not expected to re-sign with the WWE when his contract expires after WMXX, but he is still expected to be a major part of the event at Madison Square Garden.
I really can't see Vince McMahon allowing Goldberg to take part in such a big event as Hustle-2. It's still early now, but I wouldn't really count on Bill being a part of both events. If he does appear at the Hustle 2 event, it's because the WWE decided to basically forget about Goldberg and concentrate on stars with a WWE future. If Goldberg does recieve a big WMXX push, do not expect him to appear at the Hustle 2 event. Me thinks the Zero- One people are jumping the gun a bit with that anouncement.
Someone who does have a big future with the WWE is John Cena. There are rumours floating about that the plans for the SmackDown rap star are to move him to RAW after Wrestlemania XX. The speculation is that if Goldberg doesn't stay with the WWE, RAW is going to need someone to fill the position of top "face" to lead the battle against HHH and Evolution (among others).
I'd like to see Cena on RAW, and think it would be a good move for him, but what's this about leader and top face? What about Booker T? Or RVD? Even the Dudleys or Steven Richards could step up to the plate and handle that role if done correctly. Not to mention Shawn Michaels. Or even Al Snow. Bring back "Head" and do a face change for Al. Cena would be a welcome addition to RAW, but he's not the man to be the "top face" - not when so many others, who are already there, could do it so much better.
Finally, Yomiuri Sports has announced that World Japan Pro Wrestling is going into a "two month pause" due to financial difficulties. Fukada, the "money man" behind WJ wants to leave the company and devote himself to his other business ventures such as real estate and resturants. So the promotion is being left in the able hands of Riki Choshu and Katsuji Nagashima to see if they can turn things around. Good luck to them because from all I've seen recently of World Japan Pro, they have surely got a major headache on their hands.
BOBBY HEENAN QUOTE OF THE NIGHT:
(Talking about the Ultimate Warrior)
"This guy makes coffee nervous!"
JIM CORNETTE QUOTE OF THE NIGHT:
"The judge won't allow for Pee Wee to defend himself, and Pee Wee knows for sure he can get himself off!"
I did a little Slammy award parody back in October of last year. It's a little dated on some references, but all in all, I think it's pretty decent. I hope you folks enjoy!
There hasn't been any Slammy Awards in a while, but there ought to be. It's the WWE's answer to the Grammys, the Oscars, and the Tony's all wrapped up in one event. Here is a version of what just might happen if the WWE was to resurrect this lost treasure.
The 2003 Slammy Awards (Live from Madison Square Garden)
Fireworks and applause. Here is your host - Chris Jericho..
Y2J: What up assclowns? Welcome to the Slammy's Are Jericho! They wanted the best host
they could find for this show. Carson and Letterman are washed-up losers! Billy Crystal
is just a third-rate comic and Whoopie Goldberg is off somewhere hanging with her loser
brother, Bill. So, the Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla is here and we're ready to present some
awards. Presenting to some loser the Slammy for Best Commentator is a blast from the past
- where'd they dig this joke up - the Boogie Woogie Man from New York City - Handsome -
I think someone lied to him - Jimmy Valiant.
The song "Boy From New York City" plays as Jimmy Valiant comes on the stage..
Valiant: Ooooh, mercy! The boogie man feel good tonite, baby! Yeah! Boogie has to give out
the award for best man on the stick - mercy baby. The best commentator. Oooh yeah!
Make Boogie look good. And the nominees are .. mercy..
A pre-recorded voiceover booms out:
Jim Ross, Jerry "The King" Lawler, Taz, and Ernest "the Cat" Miller..
Valiant: Mercy baby! The winner is...
Valiant rips open the envelope.
Valiant: My man, the Cat. Ernest "the Cat" Miller. Have mercy..
Ernest Miller comes on stage..
Ernest: Man, I didn't expect this. Someone call my mama - I'm gonna have to beat somebody up.
Thanks to everyone. You know what! You know what Boogie-man? I feel like dancing.
Somebody hit my music..
James Brown music blares from the loudspeakers as Ernest Miller and Jimmy Valiant start dancing on stage.
Chris Jericho: Someone get those two assclowns off the stage. I see being a moron transcends
all generations. If that's the kind of losers we have to see all night, this is going to
be a long one. Here is the next presenter for the Slammy for Best Buns. This can't
be right. It is? OK - here is Hulk Hogan..
Real American blares over the spreaker-system as Hulk Hogan climbs on the stage.
Hogan: You know bruthuhs, Vince McMahon didn't want the Hulkster to be here tonite.
Jericho (from his announce position) Why are you here, Hogan? I thought you were fired after
your little Mr. America ruse fell through.
Hogan: Well, you know bro, that Hulkamania lives forever! And let me make one think perfectly
clear. I am not Mr. America, bruthuh!
Jericho: We all saw the video of you unmasking. Why continue with this charade. It's over,
Sulk!
Hogan: I wouldn't lie to all the Hulkamaniacs out there, bruthuh! Say your prayers and take your
vitamins. Whatcha gonna do ...
Jericho: Just announce the nominees, you steriod infected, bald headed assclown..
Hogan: What nominees? It's all about Hulkamania, bruthuh! Whatcha gonna do ... whatcha ...
Jericho: Get that loser off the stage - someone do the nominee things.
Several security men run onstage and grab Hogan who tries to no-sell their attempts to subdue
him.. He starts to Hulk up, and gets sprayed by pepper spray. He starts to no sell, but falls to the
ground, gasping for air.
Hogan: Bruthuh - supposed to job.. (cough - cough) put me over (cough) .. why?
Hogan passes out as the security guards haul him off.
Chris Jericho: Good riddance, you jackass! And the nominees are:
Pre-recorded voiceover fills the arena.
The Nominees for Best Buns Are: Rickishi, Mr. McMahon, Mr. Ass Billy Gunn, & Torrie Wilson.
Jericho: and the Best Buns Slammy goes to: our boss, Mr. McMahon..
Vince's music plays, but no one comes out.
Jericho: Mr. McMahon couldn't be here tonite. He's having Patterson and Brisco' s lips
surgicially removed from his extraordinary posterier, so I'll accept this for him. Thank
you very much. And now our next presenters.. Here is Booker T.
Booker T comes out to great applause.
Booker: What's up? It's time for the five-time,five time, five time, five time, five time WCW champion, and the current WWE Intercontinential champion.. Don't hate the playa - hate the game. These are the nominees for the slammy for "best death". And while these people announce the nominees, it's time for a slammy-spineroonie.
Booker does a "spineroonie" while the names are read over the speaker system.
Pre-recorded voice over: The nominees for "best death" are Al Wilson, Roddy Piper, Hulk Hogan, and Kevin Nash.
Booker: And the winner is: Hulk Hogan. Now can you dig that, suckah!
Hulk Hogan comes out to accept his slammy.
Hogan: Well, it's like this bruthuh!(cough) I've got these 24 inch pythons and Hulkamania is the strongest force in the Universe. I just got pepper sprayed, but I don't job for nobody, bruthuh! McMahon thought I was through. Bruthuh! Well, this slammy proves, once and for all, that Hulkamania is running wild! So what ya gonna do. What ya gonna do.
Jericho (from the sidelines): Hey Hogan! Hogan!
Hogan: What do you want, Jericho?
Jericho: I want to see you get your ass kicked by security again. Did you read the slammy, you freak? It's for death, like your career, like Hulkamania, like this crowd everytime you start to speak...
Hogan: Death? Bruthuh? Who died bruthuh? Hulkamania isn't dead, bruthuh! It's the strongest force in the universe. What ya gonna do..
Jericho: Cut his mic off. Security, get this moron out of here. Ask not for who the Undertaker comes Hogan - he comes for you - you bald headed Thunderlipped jackass. And here's our next presenter. Straight from an AA meeting near you - it's Scott Hall.
Massive applause as Scott comes to the podium.. You see Hogan come by, being chased by security.
Scott Hall: Hey yo! Before we do this award thing, I think it's time for a little survey. You know how this works, OK. Hey yo!
Crowd is totally silent..
Hall: So, are you all here to see ... WCW?
The crowd remains totally silent!
Hall: Or.. are you here to see the N.W.O.?
Crowd is still totally silent.
Jericho: Hey, Scott! The NWO is gone - WCW is gone - it's all WWE now, you greased up monkey!
Hall: Gone? What about the Wolfpac?
Jericho: Gone!
Hall: When did all this happen, Jericho?
Jericho: About 2 1/2 years ago.. Where have you been?
Hall: I went to the 7-11 for a beer and - I don't remember - hey, yo!
Jericho: You don't remember?
Hall: Hey, yo! Hey, yo! Hmmmmmm! Hey yo!
Jericho: This assclown has lost it - someone get him off the stage.
Kevin Nash comes out and leads Hall off the stage. A voice reads over the soundsystem: And the nominees for Best Dressed Slammy are : Ric Flair, William Regal, Golddust, and Rico..
Jericho: The winner is (and it should be me - I'm a Hollywood fashion plate) William Regal.
William Regal comes out to the podium.
Regal: Thank you. I didn't really expect all you commoners and lowlifes to be able to look past your fashions by Wal-Mart to realize what an elegant and dapper appearance can do for a man. I only wear the very best, custom-made, by my own personal designer in London. It's so hard to maintain a proper appearance when dealing with lower forms of life so often. But every so often, it is appreciated and for that, and this award, as your good will ambassador, I thank you.
Jericho: What the? What the hell did that pompous ass-clown say? Go sip some tea, you biscuit and crumpet eating jackass. Here is the next award - the Slammy for Best Diva. Your presenters are Chris Benoit and Jerry "the King" Lawler.
Applause as Beniot and the King come to the podium.
Chris: You know, King, an important part of the WWE these days are it's Diva's.
Lawler: Puppies!
Chris: Not just puppies, but the intensity and effort put forth - these ladies are how I like 'em - silent but violent.
Lawler: They can get violent with me anytime - sticks and stones may break my bones, but whips and chains excite me.. whoo-hoo!
Benoit: You're a sick man, King.
Announcers voice: The nominees for best Diva are: Sable, Ivory, Trish, and Torrie Wilson
Benoit: And the winner is:
Lawler: Puppies!
Benoit: Sable
Absolutely no reaction from the audience as Sable comes out..
Sable: Thank you for this award. I do deserve it cause I am so Sablicious. All the men want to be with me and all the women want to be with me. (To Benoit and Lawler) - how about you men? Do you want to have a sablicious good time?
Lawler: Puppies! (he falls to the ground, clutching his heart!) puppies! puppies!
Benoit: Ha!
Benoit grabs Sable and puts her in the crippler-crossface as the audience goes nuts. Security runs in and pulls Benoit off as Lawler continues to roll around on the floor, grasping his heart..
Lawler: Puppies! I want puppies!
Jericho: Well, Benoit! I guess that's one way to leave an impression on a lady. But that was no lady. That was a nasty, skanky, sleezy, bottom-feeding, trashbag, ho!
Stephaine McMahon (from offstage): What?
Jericho: Not you Steph - the other nasty, skanky, sleazy, bottom-feeding trashbag ho!
Stephaine: OK!
Lawler and Sable are stretchered off stage as the show continues.
Jericho: And now, presenting the Slammy for Locker Room Leader is: Brother Love..
Brother Love comes out.
Love: I looooovvveee you! Yes, brothers and sisters. It's me - here to talk about loooovvvvve! The looovvvve of men in a locker room - the loooovvvve of a man for his brothers and sisters that he provides leadership - he offers advice - he provides looovvvveeeee!
He is a leader. And the slammy for providing the most loooovvveee as a locker room leader goes to:
Voice on speaker: The nominees are: Undertaker, Bill DeMott, Al Snow, Tommy Dreamer
Love: Yes! Yes! Thank you, brother announcer. The winner for the slammy of looovvee is: Brother Undertaker..
Undertaker comes out to deafening applause.
Taker: It's all about respect. This is my yard, and if you want to make a name here..
Love: Brother Undertaker... Brother Undertaker..
Taker: What?
Love: You talk about respect. You talk about looovveee! but what about respect for me. What about respect for Brother Love? I brought you into the WWE and I demand re...........
Undertaker grabs Brother Love by the throat and chokeslams him off the stage. Then Taker walks off the stage as the audience goes nuts.
Jericho: Someone call the EMT's. I guess that red-faced baboon found out all about the Undertaker's love. Jackass! Here is another blast from the past - where do they find these dinosaurs - the Macho Man Randy Savage..
The Macho Man comes out!
Macho: Ooooohh - yeah! The macho man is back! Oooohhh - yeah! Got some nominees - gonna get a slammy - yeah! What it's all about tonite - yeah! The nominees for Most Inspirationial Wrestler are ... Oooohhhhhh - yeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhh! Dig it!
Voice of Announcer: Kurt Angle, Zach Gowen, Christian, Randy Orton, Stone Cold Steve Austin...
Savage: Feel the chill and savor the moment - yeah! The winner is, dig it, Steve Austin. Ooohhhh Yeeeeaaaahhhhh!!!
Here comes Stone Cold...
Austin: Most inspiratioial, huh?
Audience: What?
Austin: I inspire!
Audience: What?
Austin: I kick ass!
Audience: What?
Austin: I run RAW!
Audience: What?
Austin: And I drink beer!
Audience: What?
Austin: I said I drink beer!
Audience: What?
Austin: A lot of beer.
Audience: What?
Austin: And I'm an inspiration?
Audience: What?
Austin: A hero?
Audience: What?
Austin: A role model?
Audience: What?
Austin: Buuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrpppppppp!!!
Audience goes nuts...
Austin: And that's the bottom line, cause Stone Cold said so...
Macho Man: Oooooooooooohhhhhh - yeeeeeaaaaaahhhhhh! Dig it!
Jericho: That was truly a hallmark moment of inspiration by our general manager, not! I don't know how much more of this journey into dweebdom I can take. I've got to go for a little bit now! My band Fozzy, the worlds greatest Rock and Roll band, will be playing in a little bit, and we have to get ready. Taking over in the announce position is, from WCW Nitro, your favorite announcer, but not mine, Tony Schiavone.
And that's where it ends. I could finish it up, but it's all about clearing out all the old stuff so I can start with some new material. I realize it's not fair ending it like that, but my Tony Schiavone parodies are not nearly as funny as the Jericho ones, so you're much better off this way. Believe me! Time to move on!
The past couple of columns have featured something I borrowed from my other home at Yahoo - wwefanzzone@yayoogroups.com that really seems to have taken off. The answer to the last "Who Am I? was none other than the "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd.
The first person to get it right was my fellow moderator at DXSuckit@yahoogroups.com Rick, aka High Voltage. So, congrats to you , Rick! A great job. Also answering correctly were Keith Miller, Chad aka Loverman14850, Dan Fitzgibbon, & Peter Maltice. A great job by all of you. Now, on to this week's person.
I was trained by Walter "Killer" Kowalski and got my first major push as Kowalski's partner in the WWWF where we wrestled as the Masked Executioners. After leaving the WWWF, I moved to the Mid-Atlantic region where I won tag team gold with both Ric Flair and Ken Patera, and had a long running feud with Blackjack Mulligan. Eventually, I traveled back to the WWF where I was managed by Bobby Heenan and had a long feud with Andre the Giant. My big gimmick was offering $10,000 to any man who could bodyslam me. Who Am I?
Know the answer. Send me your guess, and if you're correct, you'll get a big mention in the next "Tossing Salt" column. My addresses are at the end of the column.
BOBBY HEENAN QUOTE OF THE NIGHT # 2:
(Talking about Frankie - Koko B. Ware's parrot)
"If he was in my house, he'd be in a shake 'n' bake bag!"
ADDITIONAL SEASONINGS:
WORLD JAPAN PRO WRESTLING 1/11/04 Sapporo, Japan
Tiesen Hall (Two shows - one afternoon & one evening)
3:00PM Show:
Takashi Uwano defeated Katsuhiko Nakajima in 12:07
Yoshito Saaki beat Kuniyoshi Wada in 7:41
Masato Tanaka over Ichiro Yaguchi in 12:22
Shinjiro Ohtani beat Masahiko Kochi in 10:07
Takao Omori & Shiro Koshinaka stopped Hiro Yokai & Kohei Sato in 11:53
Riki Choshu & Tomohiro Ishii beat Shin'ya Hashimoto & Naohiro Hoshikawa in 11:36
Evening Show:
Masahiko Kochi defeated Katsuhiko Nakajima in 11:39
Naohiro Hoshikawa stopped Kuniyoshi Wada in 6:16
Tomohiro Ishii beat Yoshito Sasaki in 10:45
Shiro Koshinaka defeated Kohei Sato in 9:40
Masato Tanaka & Shinjiro Ohtani beat Takao Omori & Takashi Uwano in 15:34
Shin'ya Hashimoto & Hiro Yokoi beat Riki Choshu & Ichiro Vaguchi in 9:39
NOAH 1/10/04 Tokyo, Japan Nippon Budokan
Attendance: 16,000 paid
Juventud Guerrera defeated Yasuhiro Suzuki in 13:55
Donavan Morgan & Richard Slinger beat Masaji Aoyagi & Mitsuo Momota in 8:37
IZU, Bison Smith, & Scorpio defeated Kishin Kawabata, Mohammed Yone, & Daisuke Ikeda in 13:30.
Naoki Sano stopped Masao Inoue in 12:55
Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Akira Taue, & Yoshihiro Takayama defeated Takashi Sugiura, Akitoshi Saito, & Tamon Honda in 12:48
Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, Takeshi Morishima, & Jun Akiyama defeated Makatu Hashi, Takeshi Rikio, & Kenta Kobashi in 21:48
GHC JUNIOR TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
KENTA & Naomichi Marafuji defeated Wataru Inoue & El Samurai in 28:01
GHC TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Yoshinari Ogawa & Mistu Misawa defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yuji Nagata in 29:41
RODDY PIPER QUOTE OF THE NIGHT:
(On Ole Anderson)
"He's as strong as an ox, and almost as smart!"
And I guess that's it for today. Thanks for reading. If you know the answer to the latest "Who Am I?" or have any questions or comments, just drop me a line at either Doug28352@yahoo.com or at DougMaynard@wrestlinginformer.net. Keep that mail coming! I'm Doug M. and I'll see you all next time. GO PANTHERS! Until then, take it light!
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