The Triple Threat 6.14.09: 144th Edition - Umaga, Ttle Changes, Batista, More

Posted by David Martell on 06.14.2009

This week we talk about Umaga getting released by the WWE, all the title changes at Extreme Rules, Triple H returning on RAW, Batista being injured, and Vicky stepping down as GM and who we think should be the next RAW GM. Tommy Dreamer is our superstar highlight. Mick Foley not included. Please Enjoy!

R.I.P Mitsuharu Misawa.













Topic # 1 Umaga was released from the WWE this past week. How do you feel about this situation?

David Martell: I am quite disappointed with this because I was actually a big fan of Umaga. He is by far one of the best big men in wrestling today and he had a string of good matches to back that up. It is sad to see him released due to wellness when people like Batista, John Cena, and Triple H are still on the roster. Just the other day I was talking to Zach saying that I wouldn't mind if Umaga actually got a world title one day. I can only hope that this is only a temporary release and that we will see him back on the WWE roster in the near future. It is sad to see two big releases in such a short time and I hope that this doesn't become a trend. Umaga should bounce back because is a reliable worker who isn't afraid to job out and he plays the monster role perfectly.

Alex Mattis: Well this came out of nowhere. He must have pissed somebody off in a hurry to get a kick to the curb that quickly. And no one can say that the E didn't try with this guy; monster push, title matches, they tried everything with him and some of it worked but he always struck me as a character that was destined for the mid-card or a "jobber to the stars" as many have perfectly put it. I don't think this is a complete negative for his career though, I mean the fool's got skills and this could be a perfect opportunity to showcase them all over. TNA would have no problem hookin' the dude up with a job. But I still want to see Umaga-Necro dammit!!!

Zach Brown: This was an absolute shocker to me. I admit that I didn't like Umaga when he first debuted, but the guy definitely grew on me. He turned out to be very talented in the ring, and he rarely had a bad match. The only two matches of his that I didn't like were his matches at Wrestlemania 23 and 24. If Umaga got released for either being too injury prone or for some sort of wellness violation, I have three words for you: Batista Batista Batista. ‘Ol Dave is probably one of the most injury prone guys on the roster, and that body of his is not something you obtain naturally. So why would they make an example of a more talented wrestler? Clearly, WWE is not testing their entire roster because there are some main event guys that clearly get overlooked when it comes to testing. It's just upsetting that Umaga has been released. He had a bright future ahead of him, and I'm sad to see him go.

Topic # 2 What are your thoughts on all the title changes that took place at WWE‘s Extreme Rules?

David Martell: I didn't expect this many title changes at one PPV. I actually thought the IC title would be the only one to change hands but I was dead wrong. I think that the WWE is trying to make these lesser PPV more exciting to get more buys. If Extreme Rules can have plenty of surprises, so should The Bash, right? That exactly what they want you to think. I have no idea why they gave Batista the belt when they already knew he was injured. What's the point? It gave us a bad match and Orton got squashed out for no reason. Jericho won the IC title in an excellent fashion. The WWE is making the IC title look important again and I couldn't be happier. The feud surrounding the IC title is amazing and I can only hope it continues. Tommy Dreamer winning the ECW title was a good PPV moment and it shows that WWE respects Dreamer and that they still have faith in him. Although the World title changed hands twice at Extreme Rules, it is good for storyline purposes. Edge vs. Jeff cant last forever and it sets up a good feud with Jeff and CM Punk. Since Punk is an obvious tweener right now, him having a feud with Jeff should be great because he could use their different life styles as a selling point. Who wouldn't want Punk to cut a promo about how Jeff had a drug problem. Straight edge means hes better than Jeff right? Yeah, there were a lot of title changes, but only one that I didn't like.

Alex Mattis: Holy fuckin' fuckballs! Oh' so many title changes in one night. Certainly shaking things up. Some of these title swaps I was more stoked about than others. I was all about the Dreamer title win, the Batista one… not so much, but kudos to the E for pulling off the whole "cashin' in the MITB" thing very well. In non-world title news I was tore about Jeri's IC title win. I'm glad the E is giving him some props and putting a strap on him but I'm afraid that he's just going to fall in the same spot he was in so many times before, doing nothing on the mid-card with the IC title. Time will tell how all of these title switches play out. The E did a good job of bringing in interest, now can they capitalize with it? Btdubs… Jeff Hardy, 2-time world champion = PRESTIGE!!!

Zach Brown: Well I have to admit, WWE is doing a good job of making the fans think that they can't miss a single PPV. But isn't this trend causing way too many title changes? What ever happened to title reigns that would last for several months? This feels like WWE is only changing the titles around to try and increase buys. I understand the tactic, but I just wish it didn't involve the title being thrown around all willy nilly. Anyway, as for the actual title changes, the results were decent, save for one. Jeff Hardy winning followed by CM Punk cashing in was a great surprise, especially since I thought Edge was retaining. That was definitely highlight of the night. And as for Tommy Dreamer winning, I saw it coming since it looked like he had a slight heel turn on ECW the week prior to Extreme Rules. But Tommy Dreamer is just nowhere near as good as Christian or Jack Swagger. I fully expect Dreamer to need a good opponent to push the pace for every one of his title defenses. And then Batista won the title in a seven minute squash match. Who on God's green earth thought this was a good idea? Not only do I hate pinfall endings in cage matches, but this was match was simply done terribly. And the title could not have been given to a more boring and terrible wrestler. The only reason the match was seven minutes long is because Batista gasses in eight. And it only adds insult to...ahem...injury when you know that Batista tore his bicep BEFORE the PPV. Why then, would you have Batista go on with the same booked finish? The man is injured! Just God-awful, terrible, no-good, bad times. Overall, the title changes at Extreme Rules were great to freshen things up, but one in particular just ruined it for me.

Topic # 3 How do you feel about the return of Triple H on Monday Night RAW?

David Martell: Just shoot me. We get rid of one evil and the other one enters. I should of saw this coming but I was hoping it wouldn't happen. I am not a fan of Triple H mainly because he is incredibly stale and awfully boring. He only adds more blandness to the RAW brand. I have a feeling he is going to win the WWE title at the Three for All which will lead to another horrible storyline with Randy Orton. RAW is a shell of what it use to be and it is very hard watching it these days. Triple H doesn't help this at all for me. I want to see new faces, new storylines, and new people going for the WWE title. Give me something new and maybe I could actually handle watching Triple H on TV.

Alex Mattis: Welcome back one and all to the Triple H show. Seriously I don't know how many people in and out of the company can be honestly excited about this. If the guy drew like Austin, Hart, HBK, or ‘Taker I might understand BUT HE DOESN'T!!!! Yet he gets more on-air time than anyone in history. Expect Orton to get squashed to shit out of this whole deal and for Trips to get the belt back and hold it until he gets bored with it. Enjoy!

Zach Brown: Once Batista was injured, I saw it coming a mile away. I shouldn't be upset. There was literally nothing holding HHH back from returning. The guy wasn't injured, and he was just taking time off. So now that Batista is injured, why not have HHH come back? Now if I was a huge mark for Triple H, I would have lost my mind when the Barberrier and his nose popped on screen. But alas, WWE shoves Triple H down my throat so often that I can't help but hate him. I think he is overrated to an extent that I can not explain with words. I am so very bored by everything he does. I'm bored by his Thor rip-off gimmick with his look and his love for sledgehammers. I'm tired of his shirts that rip off Affliction and his water spitting entrance. I'm even tired of jokey Triple H, with his DX ballyhoo and telling everyone to suck it. I just don't want to play The Game anymore. Triple H does nothing for Raw. He'll feud with Randy Orton again. Wow. Haven't seen that ever in my life. If you've ever wanted to time travel back to 2002, now is your chance. I have one question for Vince McMahon: Who the hell is booking this show!?

Topic # 4 Batista tore a tendon in his bicep and will be out of action four to six months. How do you feel about this?

David Martell: It is hard to not expect this type of thing to happen. Batista is obviously roided out of his mind which makes his body more vulnerable to injuries. Batista is one of the most injury prone guys in wrestling and it is sad that WWE STILL gave him the title at Extreme Rules. I guess they really have no faith in Randy Orton, which is awful. The months before Wrestlemania, Orton was the best thing to watch in wrestling. Now he loses his title to an injured Batista. Awful. I hope Batista's career is coming to a close because he cant get much worse than he already is. He is just another RAW superstar this is boring and bland. He hasn't been interesting since he fought the Undertaker at Wrestlemania. WWE please bring back HBK so I have something to look forward to when I watch RAW.

Alex Mattis: "Ah shit bro, you're injured really bad? How does winning the title sound then?" What was the motive for giving big Dave the belt when they knew he was hurt? I don't know, but that doesn't really matter now its done. The real question should be asked "how many more chances are Vince & Co. going to give this guy?" How many times are wrestlers released for being "prone to injury?" Just ask Kennedy (… Kennedy) and a long list of others. ‘Tista didn't even last 6 months this time around. I don't expect the big guy to have a spot in the E too much longer. Expect him to get his pretty pink "Best Wishes" card within the year.

Zach Brown: Is it a bad thing to celebrate when a wrestler gets injured? Yes. Yes it is. I'm a terrible person. I shouldn't think these things. But I can't help it! Do you know what Batista has been doing on Raw lately? Weighing down the entire brand. That's all he's been up to. Why this guy is over with the crowd is beyond me. Let's break down exactly why Batista sucks. Terrible on the mic? Check. Terrible in the ring? Check. Gasses halfway through every single one of his matches? Check. All entrance and nothing else? Check. Roided physique? Check. Doesn't deserve his spot in the company? Check. I could go on and on. Now this small improvement in Raw's booking was basically voided by the appearance of Hunter the Barberrier. Once Thing 1 is gone, Thing 2 just takes it's place. I only hope that Batista's absence improves Raw's booking at least slightly. And yeah, it may seem insensitive to say that one man's injury can improve a wrestling show. But hell, I wanted the guy fired or retired over two years ago. And hey, I don't really see Batista as a victim here anyway. It's not like someone pinned him down and forced steroids into his system over the course of several years.

Topic # 5 What are your thoughts on Vicky Guerrero no longer being RAW GM and who do you think should be the next GM of RAW?

David Martell: Thank God! Removing Vicky from RAW is a step in the right direction for RAW. The show has been awful and she has only been adding to that. The feud with Santino horrendous. I want to see a more serious GM, one that can have good storylines. I hope to God that William Regal takes that role. He was amazing last year before he got caught by wellness and I think he can be amazing once again. Last year he was becoming one of the biggest heels in WWE and he was almost at the point where I thought he could actually win a world title. This could easily happen again if they book him right as the GM. We will see what happens.

Alex Mattis: Good riddance. It was infuriating to see her on TV each week disgracing the Guerrero name over and over. I never got why anyone bought into her or the angles she was apart of but hey… that's just me. New GM? Shane could be fun. I really don't know who they will have fill that spot, as at this point it really could be anyone. If I could have one request though, I would request that the new GM bring humor back into the mix ala Foley as commish in 2000-01. That shit was so much fun.

Zach Brown: I was genuinely shocked when this happened. I have to give Vickie credit. She was one of the most over heel GMs I've ever seen. She gets an ungodly amount of heat simply by being ugly and saying "Excuse me!" Her only problem was that she was getting involved in storylines, and they were never particularly good or interesting. She was in a terrible love storyline with Edge for FAR too long, and then there was her thing with Big Show, and Cena got involved and so on. It was just tired. Any maybe it's just me, but making a woman as unattractive as Vickie Guerrero to be the center of a love triangle between wrestlers is completely asinine. But oh well. So who would make a better GM? William Regal, hands down. When he was King of the Ring in 2008, he was THE most over GM I've seen in several years. Sure, Regal looks like he is in the making of a solid tag team with Matt Hardy, but that's nothing he can't get out of. But unfortunately, I fully expect Shane or Stephanie to re-assume the GM role on Raw. It just goes hand in hand with the Orton-HHH storyline.



Superstar Highlight



Our thoughts on Tommy Dreamer.

David Martell: I have never been a big fan of Tommy Dreamer but I respect him. He did a lot for ECW back in the day and he has done a great job of building up other wrestlers on WWECW. He helped put Jack Swagger on the map. I really thought he was leaving the WWE for good but when he won the ECW title at Extreme Rules, I was happy. It is good to see the WWE respect a guy who has worked very hard for this business. Tommy has never been the best wrestler or the best talker but he is entertaining and he always brought his heart to the ring. He gives matches emotion and I like that. When he won the ECW title at Extreme Rules, he actually looked like he thought it was the greatest accomplishment of his life. He made the title look like it was worth something, and it is. I hope Tommy's career will continue for awhile and I hope he continues to get the respect he deserves.

Alex Mattis: It was upsetting talking to my fellow writer Zach and his view on Tommy and realize that the large majority of the wrestling community still doesn't understand how much Tommy Dreamer has done for wrestling, how much he has given, how much he believes in it, etc. The dude does NOT get the props he deserves and probably never will. Fact is that ECW was just as much his, certainly toward the end, as it was anyone else's. The guy worked for free for almost a year because he had that much love for the biz and that much faith in what was an incredible ECW. The fact that the E put the "ECW" title on him really makes me happy as it is them showing him a bit of respect and saying "if anyone on our payroll DESERVES this title, it's you." I'm not sure how long he will have it but at least he was shown some respect for all his hard word. I hope over the years that Dreamer will be remembered in a great way and that fans, and Zach, will grow to really appreciate his contributions.

Zach Brown: You know, sometimes I know when some of my views are unpopular, but I just can't help this one. Aside from helping put ECW on the map, I've never really cared for Tommy Dreamer. When he won the title at Extreme Rules, I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Tommy Dreamer has never been in shape, he's never been all that great on the mic, and I've never really cared for his in-ring abilities. To have a good match, Tommy Dreamer needs people pushing him to keep the pace. In this case, it's Christian and Jack Swagger. In a sense, all Tommy Dreamer has to his name is being an ECW original. That alone is probably what made Tommy Dreamer's career. Man, even I feel kinda bad writing this. But hey, if I don't like a wrestler, I just don't like him. I've never been a Tommy Dreamer fan, and it's likely I never will.


That is all for this week. Feel free to comment at the bottom of the page and have a great week in wrestling. CYA!