The Wrestling News Experience: 06.15.09
Posted by Stephen Randle on 06.15.2009
We've got a preview of tonight's semi-special 3 hour Raw so secret that even the wrestlers aren't sure who'll be appearing, plus Flair snubs ROH, the Comments section snubs Foley, and Japanese wrestling loses an icon.
Monday, June 15th, 2009
From 411Mania's Canadian offices in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, this is The Wrestling News Experience, with Stephen Randle!
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Experience, I am Stephen Randle.
There's nothing like working a twelve hour shift to make you want to write a news report, butI guess I can console myself with the knowledge that the second season of Burn Notice comes out this week. I discovered this show on DVD during last year's writer's strike (entirely because it had Bruce Campbell in it), and was instantly upset that it only had like a dozen episodes before the strike. Plus, I don't get USA (as far as I know), so I've been waiting months to find out what the hell happened. Just a note, if you try to be clever and put spoilers in the Comments section, I will hunt you down. Right after I get to the ex-employee who decided that today was a good day to quit by just not showing up and not telling anyone. He will pay. And then you.
On another note, congratulations to the Pittsburgh Penguins, winners of the oldest regularly-awarded trophy in North America, and really the only one that matters. I have to get this out here, so I don't start gloating the next time I see my fiancee's father, a Red Wings fan. That would be bad.
Moving on.
What's On Tap - WWE Raw for June 15th
Tonight is a very special (okay, well, that's stretching it) three hour edition of Raw, featuring 3 World title matches. From ECW, Tommy Dreamer defends his newly-won title against Christian. From Smackdown, CM Punk makes his first defense against Jeff Hardy and Edge in a triple threat match. And from Raw, due to the injury suffered by Batista at the hands of Legacy (or prior to Extreme Rules, depending on your world view), the WWE title will be up for grabs in a fatal four-way match between John Cena, Big Show, Triple H, and Randy Orton.
Plus, Vickie Guerrero dropped a bombshell last week as she resigned as General Manager of Raw? Who will step forward to take the reigns of WWE's alleged flagship show? Will anyone?
And wrestlers from all three brands will be participating in matches throughout the night. The action gets started early, at 8 pm (but airs as normal at 9 pm in Canada, without the usual fifteen-minute intro show), so don't miss a moment of the WWE Raw 3-For-All event!
The Wrestling Threatdown
5. Mick Foley vs 411 Comments
Last week, Mick Foley announced that he would be releasing a fourth autobiography. Apparently the response he received was not exactly what Foley was looking for, as he quickly issued a statement on his new blog, specifically targeting the Comments section of a certain #1 independent wrestling website.
"I think it's great that so many of the wrestling websites pick up and print my blogs. I was interested to know what kind of feedback the Knoebel's Grove Park was getting, so I did something a little unusual for me - I went on a couple of those sites. I have to admit, I was a little surprised by all the negativity, especially on Wrestling 411, and can't help but think that these fans who post comments can't be indicative of most big wrestling fans - which would be people who acually seem to LIKE wrestling. There were 15 comments about my upcoming book, and 14 of them were negative - with the one person who was positive being made fun of for having the audacity to make a typing error.
I would just like to ask a little favor of these "fans" who made the comments: let me know a little bit about you. Honestly. As many of them pointed out, this will be my fourth autobiographical book, so my life is literally something of an open book. Let me know a little bit about yourselves. I'll check back on the 411 site in a couple of days, and see if any of the commenters will care to tell me their age, if they happen to be married, have kids, what they do for work, and what it is they currently like or dislike about wrestling. Specifically, I would like the one person who said he'd heard enough stories about me helping youngsters to last him a lifetime to let me know if he's ever done a single thing to help out someone in need. Because my gut says "no".
Now, to be completely fair to Mick, he handwrote most of his books, so he's probably just now catching up on the fact that the Internet exists only for people to anonymously slander other people without fear of retribution (commonly known as John Gabriel's Internet F***wad Theory - warning, Penny Arcade often contains language not suitable for younger readers). And, to be fair to the 411 Comments Section, Mick's last biography, The Hardcore Diaries, was a massive step down from his first two efforts, so worry that his next book will be less than excellent are probably semi-justified.
Also, if he thinks being mocked for typings errors is bad, he should see the guys who tried to make fun of me for using the term "rocket surgery" in last week's Fact or Fiction, as if I didn't do that on purpose. THAT WAS THE JOKE.
So, Mick, meet me at Camera Three.
*swivels chair*
Hey, Mick, I'm Stephen Randle, beloved wrestling writer and flagship of 411 Wrestling. I own all your books and love them all. Well, okay, I didn't entirely like Hardcore Diaries, but I'm just not a fan of the whole "blog-style" books. I'm 28, engaged, I have two degrees in Computers and English, and if you can get me a review copy of your new book, I promise to read it and give a fair and balanced review right here in this very news report. Besides, those bastards in the Comments section managed to catch that I forget to amend my report last week to include Punk's title win in my "Who's Holding Gold" section and I'd love to show them all up. Well, not all of them, most of my readers are nice and supportive people. Where was I? Oh yeah. Can I have a free book now?
Moving on.
4. Who's On Raw?
In the wake of the release of Umaga after suffering his second Wellness strike and refusing rehab, it seems that more suspensions and/or releases of contracted WWE talent might be in the offing, as early last week the WWE Creative team was given a super secret, not for leaking to those nasty Internet people (and apparently they really, really meant it, because we still haven't found it), list of wrestlers that could not be booked on the special three-hour Raw tonight.
And in breaking news on a slow Sunday, it seems that WWE still has not let any wrestlers (outside of the obvious inclusions in the title matches), especially those on Smackdown and ECW, know if they will be on the show tonight. Given WWE's most recent crackdown on leaks (again, this time they seem to mean it), this may be yet another attempt to stay ahead of the Internet. Or find out how many more wrestlers will refuse rehab in favour of a life on the independent scene. Personally, I'm just shocked that there are currently no Samoans in WWE. When was the last time that happened?
3. Tara Benoit?
Now appearing as "Tara" in TNA, the Diva formerly known as Victoria issued a statement this past week in which she forcibly denied Internet rumours that she was the secret mistress of Chris Benoit prior to the events of his murder-suicide. In the statement, Tara says that
"let me say, this is absolutely false. I invite the "reporter" from that website to come to my home city, and I will submit myself to a polygraph. If this website is at all concerned with the truth, they should jump at the opportunity. But frankly, I think they are just concerned about sensational headlines, and couldn't care less about the facts behind it."
Obviously, the site in question was not 411, as we're all too busy taking a crap on Mick Foley's new book. But I have to ask, what website of any credibility came up with that crazy rumour in the first place? That's so insane that it'd be like me starting a totally untrue rumour that Chris Lansdell is actually a large Hispanic woman with two kids and a husband in Iraq. See how crazy and probably not true at all that is? You heard it here first.
2. Unfair Flair?
In an event that 411's own Ari Berenstein went so far as to call a "fiasco", apparently Ric Flair left this weekend's ROH show prior to the main event, despite the fact that the booking for the night had included Flair's participation as an enforcer in the main event match. Apparently Flair, who was paid in advance for the show, signed autographs before the event, then cut a promo during the show, and left shortly afterwards. Blame for this has apparently been placed squarely on Flair, who, as mentioned, was paid for the event and was aware that plans were in place for him to take part in the main event well ahead of time. Flair allegedly did not wish to appear due to the presence of HDNet cameras, which were taping parts of the show to air on television. I have to agree with Flair's reluctance, because that High Definition really shows every wrinkle.
The best part is that Flair is still contracted to appear at two more ROH shows for autograph signings and promos. Given how ROH responds to wrestlers that they don't like (and writers…hey Larry!), I can't imagine what kind of reception Flair is in for at the next show. Actually I can, and it's delicious.
1. Death of a Legend
The world lost a giant force in Japanese pro wrestling this past week, as innovative, revolutionary, and well-respected wrestler Mitsuharu Misawa passed away in the ring from a suspected heart attack after receiving a back suplex during a tag title match. Misawa was known for a library of excellent matches and trademark maneuvers, as well as spearheading the creation of a new wrestling organization in Japan. He was 47.
WWE released a statement about his death that you can read here.
TNA released a statement about his death that you can read here.
Chris Hero and Low Ki released statements about Misawa's death that you can read by following links here.
The thoughts and prayers of all of us here at the Experience go out to the family and friends of Misawa.
The Injury Bug Bites
Inactive List as of 06.01.09
WWE Raw
- Triple H, out indefinitely as of April 26th (kayfabe, Orton punt)
WWE SmackDown
- Candice Michelle, out 6-8 weeks as of March 8th (ankle)
- The Undertaker, SD!, out indefinitely as of May 2009 (hip/knee)
ECW
- No reported injuries
TNA
- Christy Hemme, out indefinitely as of January 10th (neck surgery)
- Hernandez, TNA, out 6-9 months as of May 2009 (neck)
- Rhaka Khan, TNA, out sixty days as of April 30th (suspension)
Transactions
- Batista, RAW, out 4 months as of June 9th (triceps)
- Hernandez, TNA, injury rehabilitation completed, cleared to return to action
- Triple H, RAW, returned to action on June 8th Raw
- Vickie Guerrero, RAW, requested release from her contract
- Umaga, SD!, released from his contract
Who's Holding Gold
And tonight, we are guaranteed to have the even twentieth (at least) World title change in the last year in WWE. Can we hit thirty by the end of 2009?
WWE
**NEW** WWE Champion: VACANT
- former champion Batista forced to forfeit due to injury
- Next title match: John Cena vs The Big Show vs Randy Orton vs Triple H, June 15th Raw
World Heavyweight Champion: CM Punk
- 8 day reign, defeated Jeff Hardy by cashing in Money in the Bank on June 7th (Extreme Rules PPV)
- Next title defense: vs Jeff Hardy and Edge, June 15th Raw
ECW Champion: Tommy Dreamer
- 8 day reign, defeated former champion Christian and Jack Swagger in a Triple Threat Match on June 7th (Extreme Rules PPV)
- Next title defense: vs Christian, June 15th Raw
WWE Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho
- 8 day reign, defeated Rey Mysterio in a No Holds Barred Match on June 7th (Extreme Rules PPV)
WWE United States Champion: Kofi Kingston
- 15 day reign, defeated MVP on June 1st Raw
WWE Undisputed Tag Team Champions: Carlito and Primo Colon
- 71 day reign (+191 day reign as WWE Tag Team Champions), defeated World Tag Team Champions The Miz and John Morrison in a Tag Team Title Unification Lumberjack Match on April 5th (WrestleMania XXV PPV)
WWE Women's Champion: Melina
- 141 day reign, defeated Beth Phoenix on January 25th (Royal Rumble PPV)
WWE Diva's Champion: Maryse
- 179 day reign, defeated Michelle McCool on December 26th (Smackdown)
TNA
TNA Heavyweight Champion: Mick Foley
- 57 day reign, defeated Sting in a Six Sides of Steel Match on April 19th (Lockdown PPV)
- Next title defense: King of the Mountain Match, Slammiversary PPV
TNA Tag Team Champions: Team 3D
- 57 day reign, defeated Beer Money, Inc. in a Six Sides of Steel Match on April 19th (Lockdown PPV)
- Next title defense: vs Beer Money, Inc, Slammiversary PPV
TNA X-Division Champion: Suicide
- 97 day reign, defeated former champion Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Jay Lethal, and Consequences Creed in an Ultimate X Match on March 15th (Destination X PPV)
- Next title defense: X Division King of the Mountain Match, Slammiversary PPV
TNA Knockouts Champion: Angelina Love
- 57 day reign, defeated former champion Awesome Kong and Taylor Wilde in a Triple Threat Six Sides of Steel Match on April 19th (Lockdown PPV)
- Next title defense: vs Tara, Slammiversary PPV
TNA Legends Champion: AJ Styles
- 90 day reign, defeated Booker T on March 15th (Destination X PPV)
411 will have live coverage of Raw tonight starting at 8 pm EDT.
Remember, if you love poker, and are in the Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo area, check out Player's Poker League.
And for the drunken ramblings of Sean Carless and his merry band of reprobates, check out The Wrestling Fan.
Next, from our promotional department, I've been informed that if you really do like 411Mania and all it provides, or even just me (and really, who doesn't like me), don't forget to bookmark the site in your browser or make 411 your homepage, and tell all your friends about how awesome 411 is.
And don't forget, you can follow all the everyday goings on in 411 on Twitter.
Actually, I only used the "f" word because I was looking to use alliteration.
Posted By: SAVE_BEAR.729 (Registered) on June 15, 2009 at 01:15 AM
Mitsuharu Misawa was not 47 he was 46
he would have turn 47 on the 18 of this
month
Posted By: O.J Mendez (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 01:27 AM
I for one am not looking forward to another foley book. After a brilliant first book the other two were pretty bad. I did like tietam brown, bring on another novel instead
Posted By: Seaneb14 (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 01:38 AM
Even Randle is CAPITALIZING!
Posted By: Heyyo (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 01:44 AM
The WWE title is not vacated according to the WWE. Batista is still champion.
Posted By: Guest#4715 (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 01:48 AM
The Injury Bug Bites
Inactive List as of 06.01.09
WWE Raw
- Triple H, out indefinitely as of April 26th (kayfabe, Orton punt)
What are you, some sort of inbred, retard!?!?! HHH ain't injured!!!
See Mick, we ARE constructive!!
Posted By: I'm Right!!! (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 01:52 AM
I agree that Foley's third autobiography wasn't up to par with the first two, but that doesn't mean that the fourth won't be good. I'm interested to hear stories about what has happened since the last book.
Posted By: BK (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 03:04 AM
Transactions
- Batista, RAW, out 4 months as of June 9th (triceps)
- Hernandez, TNA, injury rehabilitation completed, cleared to return to action
- Triple H, RAW, returned to action on June 8th Raw
Reading is fun
Posted By: 1st grader (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 03:10 AM
It's remarkable how dangerous the Tiger Driver '91 can be, but how safely Misawa executes it. The first time I saw that clip I couldn't understand how Kawada's neck could have survived, but when I watch it more closely it is apparent that Misawa positions him in air to land on his shoulders rather than his head. That is the genius of Mitsuharu Misawa and it what makes him one of the best professional wrestlers ever. I am grateful to Aki's WCW vs The World for introducing me to Wu Fang back when my interest in Puro was just beginning to bud. R.I.P Misawa Mitsuharu.
Posted By: Beard $ (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 03:10 AM
i noticed Mutoh in that top 10 of misawa video. did they EVER have a 1 on 1 match?
Posted By: Guest#4908 (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 03:19 AM
I swear, if you look up the definition of "whore" in the dictionary, there has to be a picture of Mick Foley.
I used to be a huge fan of his up until his final WWE run. He is just a fraction of the man he used to be and seriously needs to consider staying out of the public limelight.
I consider myself a well educated man, but I can't help but feel ashamed whenever I see Mick Foley trying to whore himself out for a few extra dollars.
Posted By: William (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 05:50 AM
Aren't Manu & Slim Snuka still under contract? theres 2 Samoans for you
Posted By: RM (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 05:58 AM
Hernandez was supposed to be out 6-9 Months as of .. a month ago, and now suddenly his rehab is complete and he's ready to return? Was his injury not as bad as they originally thought? If it was, what was the point of giving the Feast or Fired briefcases to the British Invasion if Hernandez was going to be able to come back in a month .. that just seems silly.
Posted By: Jake C (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 07:28 AM
Gabrielle Anwar is so hot...
Posted By: The Yak (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Hernandez was supposed to be out 6-9 Months as of .. a month ago, and now suddenly his rehab is complete and he's ready to return? Was his injury not as bad as they originally thought? If it was, what was the point of giving the Feast or Fired briefcases to the British Invasion if Hernandez was going to be able to come back in a month .. that just seems silly.
Posted By: Jake C (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 07:28 AM
Silly, NO!
Russorific, YES!
Posted By: William (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 10:48 AM
MISAWA!
MISAWA!
MISAWA!
MISAWA!
MISAWA!
Posted By: cj_316 (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Dear Mick Foley:
I'm a single, 32 year old accountant. I've been a fan since '86 and a fan of yours since you popped out of the gift box and attacked my hero Sting. I was never a mark for the face/heel dynamic, so that cool debut made an instant impact on me.
I own your DVD but none of your books. In most cases I have found that the less I know about an athlete's personal life the easier it is to still cheer for him. That and I'm more of a numbers guy than a reader.
While I love a good promo, I value workrate above all else. This is why I get steamed when most modern TV matches are given no more than three minutes, and even many PPV matches are given little more. Guys who are capable of marathons are forced to do the 50 meter dash instead.
Skilled young men are told creative "can't find anything for them to do" and are let go, while those who get tepid responses but have "the look" are kept on payroll.
Broken down old timers who swore they wouldn't outstay their welcome do so anyway, at the expense of those who should be today's stars. Talents like Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin get jobbed out to a guy who can barely walk down the ramp.
I am put in the awkward position of watching someone who once helped make me a fan preventing the next generation from keeping me one. I hope in vain that my former favorite will stop being selfish and pass the torch. I sigh, thinking about the fact that by the time they are finally allowed to be on top, their bodies will already be breaking down. For all Steve Austin's success, imagine if he had been a world champion before his knees were shot and his neck injured. But a certain old timer in yellow and red denied us that chance.
So as a fan of over 20 years, I watch former heroes ignore their own bodies telling them to stop, knowing they tempt an early grave. I watch the future of my favorite "sport" get squandered as a result, and it both saddens and angers me.
I hope this helps you understand that what you perceive as negativity is actually an appeal for reason.
Posted By: Shockmaster (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 11:08 AM
SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
Posted By: insane japanese announcer (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Aren't Manu & Slim Snuka still under contract? theres 2 Samoans for you
---
Afa Jr/Manu and Sim Snuka both got released, and Snuka is Fijian anyway.
So none of the Anoa'i family: Afa, Sika, Yokozuna (RIP), Rosey, Samu, Manu, Tonga Kid, LA Smooth, Rikishi, Umaga or The Rock currently work for Vince. Neither do Samoa Joe or The Barbarian. Or for that matter Mana The Polynesian Warrior who is a Maori, Jimmy Snuka or Sim Snuka who are Fijian or Haku who is Tongan.
When IS the last time the WWE has been a no Islander zone?
Oh and...
MI-SA-WA! MI-SA-WA! MI-SA-WA!
Posted By: BlueMeanieUK (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 11:37 AM
The Hernandez injury was not as bad as reported, and giving the British Invasion the breif cases was a smart move, let them take on 3D/Beer Money then have LAX come back for the cases, I would love a 3D vs Beer Money vs LAX vs British Invasion match, plus stuff like Doug Williams vs Homicide would be great.
Posted By: Curtis (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 11:56 AM
i noticed Mutoh in that top 10 of misawa video. did they EVER have a 1 on 1 match?
Posted By: Guest#4908 (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 03:19 AM
He didnt, he teamed up with Ogawa to defnd GCH TaG Titles vs Kea and Mutoh and teamed with Mutoh to take on Sasaki and Hase
Posted By: Drew (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 02:32 PM
The Thrust is a Must!
Posted By: Rhett Titus (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 04:56 PM
It's so sad about Misawa, R.I.P.
Those Japanese moves are far too dangerous dropping on heads etc, just unnecessary.
People complain about WWE banning moves but it really is for the best.
Posted By: MGB (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 06:37 PM
I wanted to pass along that the guy that made up the Victoria (Lisa Marie Varon)-Chris Benoit story is Daniel Pena. He writes for lordsofpain.net and owns pwpix.net and made up the story about Victoria being Chris Benoit's mistress, which is 100 percent untrue. He posts on the Wrestling Observer board. I think it's only fair for this to get out since he's already damaged her reputation and this should clear up Victoria's name in something she had nothing to do with in the first place.
Daniel Pena, on the Observer board, when he was criticized for making up the rumor that could be damaging to Lisa Varon's reputation he wrote:
What can I say, I'm a paying customer.
I'm the opposite of Mike Johnson in that I'm surprised anyone would even know who I am. I always assume I fly under the radar, and no one will notice what I do. Which means, I post what I want and "The Internet" will get blamed if I cause something, not me specifically.
I actually had no plans to respond, but to my shock, my name was actually mentioned here. I don't have to talk anymore though as I made my case.
Apparently he has a history of making things up. Missy Hyatt, who also posts on the Observer board took him to task for another posting on his website unrelated to Victoria and Chris Benoit.
To send Daniel Pena hate mail, email him at danndogg75[at]yahoo[dot]com
Posted By: Daniel Pena wrote this B.S. (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 07:22 PM
Dear Mick Foley:
I'm a single, 32 year old accountant. I've been a fan since '86 and a fan of yours since you popped out of the gift box and attacked my hero Sting. I was never a mark for the face/heel dynamic, so that cool debut made an instant impact on me.
I own your DVD but none of your books. In most cases I have found that the less I know about an athlete's personal life the easier it is to still cheer for him. That and I'm more of a numbers guy than a reader.
While I love a good promo, I value workrate above all else. This is why I get steamed when most modern TV matches are given no more than three minutes, and even many PPV matches are given little more. Guys who are capable of marathons are forced to do the 50 meter dash instead.
Skilled young men are told creative "can't find anything for them to do" and are let go, while those who get tepid responses but have "the look" are kept on payroll.
Broken down old timers who swore they wouldn't outstay their welcome do so anyway, at the expense of those who should be today's stars. Talents like Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin get jobbed out to a guy who can barely walk down the ramp.
I am put in the awkward position of watching someone who once helped make me a fan preventing the next generation from keeping me one. I hope in vain that my former favorite will stop being selfish and pass the torch. I sigh, thinking about the fact that by the time they are finally allowed to be on top, their bodies will already be breaking down. For all Steve Austin's success, imagine if he had been a world champion before his knees were shot and his neck injured. But a certain old timer in yellow and red denied us that chance.
So as a fan of over 20 years, I watch former heroes ignore their own bodies telling them to stop, knowing they tempt an early grave. I watch the future of my favorite "sport" get squandered as a result, and it both saddens and angers me.
I hope this helps you understand that what you perceive as negativity is actually an appeal for reason.
Posted By: Shockmaster (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 11:08 AM
As the same long time viewer. I sir applaud you. You are so correct.
Bravo
Posted By: Soul (Guest) on June 16, 2009 at 11:05 AM
I dont know whats wrong with Foley. Maybe all the estrogen from his fat made him a little emotional. Keep holding down the younger guys Foley and bragging about giving to charity. Fuck em Foley, keep doing what youre doing, brother. Glorified stuntman.
Posted By: guestwwe (Guest) on June 17, 2009 at 04:36 PM
5. Mick Foley vs 411 Comments
