The Wrestling 5 & 1 11.26.11: Tiffany Versus Layla!
Posted by Greg De Marco on 11.26.2011
Tiffany takes on Layla El in Vs, R-Truth gets suspended, CM Punk takes a shot at the Rock, Trish Stratus talks about what would make her return to the ring and are wrestling fans hypocritical about the Mark Henry/Big Show finish at Survivor Series? Plus, Santana Garrett is your “& 1” Model of the Week and more!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hopefully you enjoyed your Thursday full of turkey and football, and also a Friday full of leftover turkey and more football. Before I get started on a special Thanksgiving edition of the 5&1, I need to take care of some housekeeping from last week. As you remember, Lizzy Valentine was featured as the "&1" Model of the Week. But I forgot to ask the obvious question...
I know what I think, but I'll let You Decide! Leave your answer in the comments section.
There's another quick point to make this week. I'm not going to review Survivor Series. Hell, I think our site already has more reviews of Survivor Series than we had of WrestleMania!
Also, this right here will be all of your Matt Hardy talk this week. That bastard burned me. I was the one calling for people to support him, saying that he'd be a changed man and he'd be much better on the other end. Yeah...
…not the last time I'll look stupid before the end of this column, either.
But we do have plenty to talk about it, so let's get this party started. I'm going to start by reviewing last week's comments first, since it's the oldest material. Then we'll hit the news, then the fun stuff. The format is still an open topic, so if you have a suggestion, let me know. Oh, and it was a big news week, so it's a long one!
(Yes, that is what she said.)
I'm not sure what it is, I just think hot chicks can easily get away with being crazy.
Posted By: SilentOx
It's because crazy and sexually charged usually go hand in hand. And we tend to put up with the first part due to the second part.
High Noon was the first iPPV I've ever bought and I loved it, Chikara have certainly had better and more spectacular shows but it was rock solid and I have to say I had a tear in my eye at the end of the Main Event
Posted By: Scott (Guest)
It was a great event, perfect choice for their first iPPV. There were minimal reports that the issue with the early feed was due to a spike in demand. I hope for CHIKARA's sake that it's true!
Tessmacher didn't turn heel, I don't even know how you came to that conclusion. If it's because of the Asstastic that she did to Velvet, she does that to everybody, face or heel.
Posted By: Guest#9284
If wasn't just the Asstastic, it was the way she built up to it as well. But I'm likely just reading too far into it.
ur right gatson is really good, that guy needs to be in wwe.
Posted By: necroeric
The guy really is talented. He's also a very accomplished musician.
And Ryder should've gotten the shot over Morrison. It's really not fair, and if Ryder gets dicked out of a match on another televised live New York card, I'm gonna be pissed. He deserves the shot more than Morrison. Morrison getting the shot really feels like it came out of left field. ... But what the hell, what do I know?
Posted By: Franke Sisto
You know plenty. But I think the one thing we're all failing to see is the impact of a Ryder loss. Say the WWE was 100% sure they were keeping the belt on Ziggler at Survivor Series. Considering that a given, what they did was the better option.
I like that they named a tag tournament after the Kangaroos. There was certainly tag team wrestling before they came along, but they really played off the idea of "Australian Tag Team" rules, as if being Aussies gave them some edge. They were the first with what we would recognize as a real team gimmick today. Pioneers in that sense for sure. ... I liked the gauntlet and tag title matches better than you did, but that's just a matter of taste. I do think Sorensen is starting to show something. Could be the start of Impact developing a new star here. And I'm also hopeful about the new tag champs. This might be a good way to get Crimson more seasoning, while re-elevating Morgan to the main event.
Posted By: the ghost of Buddy Rogers
I agree on both fronts. They picked the perfect team to mold the tournament after. The ECWA is a very old school promotion, so it makes perfect sense. And I definitely appreciate your positive approach towards TNA & Impact Wrestling.
I'm happy with Gargano's win, the guy's really improved and put on some great matches. I can't wait to see his title defenses.
Posted By: Guest#6743
Many, many potential great matches for Gargano. I really wanted to see Austin Aries get a run with the belt earlier in the year, but this worked out perfectly. Especially if you consider what's happened with Aries since he left!
Orton & Rhodes aren't feuding anymore. The street fight on smackdown ended it with Orton freeing Rhodes from his mask. They've been pushing Barrett for the last month or so and he's the bigger heel so he gets the captain role by default.
Posted By: Ryan Haseldine
I would have preferred to see Orton-Rhodes get blown off on PPV, but I'll take it. Cody is really looking like a star now, so their plan is working.
The criticism of Jesse Sorensen is that he's nobody, plays a poor 80's babyface goody two-shoes, looks like Randy Orton, brings nothing new to the table and TNA pushes this kid with no justification at all, at the expense of Austin Aries, who is one of the only wrestlers TNA has that can actually get over on his own talents. That's why I don't care about Jesse Sorensen. Or Crimson. Or Matt Morgan. Or 90% of the TNA roster.
Posted By: Guest#8675
I don't think that's a criticism of Jesse Sorensen, but of TNA. They haven't given us a reason to care about Jesse Sorensen. Austin Aries is an anomaly. Not everyone should be expected to get themselves over in spite of their promotion.
I'd much rather have Quackenbush as the inaugural champion and then Kingston to be the successor after his injury is healed. ... Miz is slowly becoming the Roddy Piper of his era. He isn't involved in the title situation all that often but is often the main heel.
Posted By: Guest#3936
I'd imagine we were close to having Mike Quackenbush beat Eddie Kingston thanks to Kingston's injury. But he has until at least January before he has to wrestle for CHIKARA again, and I'd imagine that factored into the decision. Which is good, because Quack would have gotten a ton of (unnecessary) heat for putting the belt on himself.
Before I address the Piper-Miz comment, let's give equal time to a dissenting opinion:
Not a friggin' chance. I understand your point, but the Miz could not lick the sole Piper's boot.
Posted By: Guest#0349
I can see why the comparison comes up, but I don't know if we can label Miz that just yet. However, the responder is overacting to you, as you did say Miz was "slowly becoming the Roddy Piper of his era." And I think you're right. It's a slow process, and the Miz has been built through modern media. Piper didn't start on a reality show, but you can't say he never would have been on one if reality TV were big when Piper was coming up. Miz had an online show and really grew as a member of a tag team. Piper had Piper's Pit and a lackey. Now, Miz did have a lackey, too. What I would love to see if The Miz gain more chances to shine. A possible weekly interview segment could be awesome (no pun intended). Regardless, I don't think you're as far off as others might initially think when you actually read the statement. He'll never be Piper. And 20 years from now people will be comparing someone new to The Miz, saying that new heel will never be Miz.
clearly, terra was talking about u. no way around it greg...
Posted By: Guest#5807
Right. She was. 100%. Except for that percentage of what she said that wasn't about me. Which was 100%. But you're entitled to your opinion, right?
Nope.
I'd say the bigger issue around the Knockouts gauntlet match is dumping out all that prior booking. Mickie against evil boss makes less sense than all the build they have for Velvet vs. Karen & co. I'd say the match quality went up. ... TNA seems to do this a lot, a build, muck up the pay-off, switch gears. Kills momentum. No wonder their ratings stay about the same.
Posted By: Guest#2322
Nothing I can really argue with here. You, sir, are...
Love the TNA analysis, and I couldn't agree more with the James "Stone Cold 2k12" Storm thing...the guy is great and feud with Angle should do nothing but help him unless TNA...well TNA's the thing and screws it up.
Posted By: Jryder13
The reason I think it works better for James "Stone Cold 2k12" Storm than Mr. Anderson is because it's happening naturally with Storm. They're not going for an Austin vibe, they're going for a James Storm vibe and it's just coming that close to Austin.
And for your complimentary nature, I want you to know that...
I would wish Buggy Nova a happy birthday, but I'm sure she has a thousand other people doing so. I guess just put this down in the "IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU THINK!" files in next week's "that was uncalled for" segment.
Posted By: Mr. Magnanimous
I'm not 100% sure you earned it. But since we're all about giving the people what they want...
It is obvious Terra was referring to you and her comment is 100% accurate. ... You can choose to defend yourself, accept some justified criticism, or pretend it was directed at somebody else. ... I could give a shit.
Posted By: Guest#6754
You're right. I talk about women just to get boobs into my column. That's why I promote the careers of Buggy, Barbi, Veda AND Terra herself. And she gave me her blessing to both post pics and promote her career. So yeah, she was talking about me.
Buggy Nova = bad butteface
Posted By: Bella (Guest)
That's just wrong on many levels, including that it's flat out incorrect.
Especially when you're just dead wrong. It's just because she talks to me and not you, huh?
Re: Lizzy Valentine.. Any girl who wears an itty bitty Supergirl shirt is winning!
Posted By: Paul in Canada
Here it is, all by itself and normal sized this time!
So is that why you think Terra was talking about me? Huh. Agree to disagree, I guess!
The biggest news coming out of RAW and this week is the suspension of R-Truth. This story coincides with an additional story that closed out last week—one that our site didn't pick-up on. Several sites reported what Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer was saying about Evan Bourne's wellness policy suspension: that he wasn't alone. Further speculation indicated that he was partaking in smoking synthetic marijuana with a member of the Survivor Series main event, but that talent was merely fined and not suspended.
Now, I am quick to point out when these sites get worked. And as I indicated on Monday's special surprise edition of The Greg DeMarco Show, I've gotten worked myself (see USA, Lucha Libre). And I was fully prepared to drop in a "You Don't Know Jack" graphic and rake Meltzer over the coals for this one. It seemed too far-fetched. Seemed newsworthy, but not rooted in any reality. And I was 100% wrong.
At the end of Monday's RAW, John Cena gave the state to The Miz & R-Truth, who briefly teased a break-up until cooler heads prevailed and made their way to the stage. It seemed like they could work things out, until The Miz finished R-Truth off with a Skull Crushing Finale on the ramp. From there, we immediately started talking about a potential Miz-Truth feud, and where it left for the rest of the RAW roster. And I'm kind of pissed at myself for not making the connection between Meltzer's report, the Survivor Series main event and the Miz-Truth break-up on Monday night. Sometimes the truth is right under your nose and you completely miss it.
R-Truth was the mystery man hanging with Evan Bourne, but the WWE put his suspension on hold to get through Survivor Series (just had to turn face, didn't you Alex Riley?!). Now it seems apparent that we're going to be treated to CM Punk feuding with Alberto Del Rio, John Cena feuding with The Miz and Dolph Ziggler feuding with Zack Ryder on RAW. And I'm okay with that. But when Miz was feuding with Truth, it left more possibilities open.
In about 30 days, we can expect a return from R-Truth. Hopefully this will be in the form of an unannounced run-in to attack The Miz. Maybe they hold off until the Royal Rumble. R-Truth as a face is an interesting option, as his comedic side is better served being paranoid of ladders with spiders on them, and conspiracy theories. But I'd imagine he could get over as a face in the same manner. Playing off of the Miz is probably a great spot for a face to be in, and those two obviously have great chemistry. So I am excited for his eventual return.
But a much larger question exists: should the WWE have waited to suspend Bourne, or should they have suspended R-Truth sooner? It just seems strange to spread their suspensions out. We all know the reason—they had a Survivor Series main event to protect. But it seems hypocritical to wait. Had they waited on Bourne and suspended them both today, we wouldn't know any different. However, we'd be talking about how we got two suspensions on the same day, and we'd raise even more questions about what goes on behind the scenes for the WWE talent.
Either way, the answer to Bourne's mystery smoking partner has been revealed. And Dave Meltzer got it right. You hear me? Dave Meltzer got it right.
I can admit when I'm wrong, or in this case, when I was going to be wrong. I could have just kept my gut reaction from all of you and you'd never know any difference. But whether or not you choose to believe it, I am in fact transparent in my errors.
You Decide: Did the WWE appropriately handle R-Truth's suspension?
Are we being hypocritical? Mark Henry and The Big Show combined to have a really good big-man match at Survivor Series. They provided multiple memorable moments. Mark Henry is at an all-time high. The Big Show delivered his best performance in years. The finish? A low-blow. The story is obvious—Big Show stepped up his game, and Mark Henry met his match. After the match, Mark Henry had his ankle destroyed by Big Show. Are they running an injury angle to take the belt off of Henry? Are they setting up a ladder match at TLC with the story that Henry can't climb a ladder? Are they setting up a chair match? Who knows.
For the finish itself, I don't have a problem with it. But imagine for a second that a TNA World Heavyweight Championship match had the same finish in pay-per-view. The Internet Wrestling Community would go off on TNA for weeks. We'd talk about it when it was old news. We'd beat that dead horse so much he'd come back to life. Yet we don't have the same outrage against the finish to Big Show-Henry. Why is that? Is it a double standard? Is it something bigger? Do we give the WWE the benefit of the doubt? I see multiple factors at play here:
It wasn't the main event.
The match went on third from the top. It wasn't the main event, and it wasn't sold as the main event. Everyone knew that the main event was The Rock & John Cena teaming up against The Miz & R-Truth. "Never Before. Never Again." The event didn't close with a DQ finish, it closed with The Rock pinning The Miz following The People's Elbow, followed by a Rock Bottom to John Cena. At the end of the night, the WWE gave the majority of people what they wanted. I've often criticized TNA for where they place a schmozz on the card. If it's the final, lasting memory, it's a mistake. Had Big Show-Mark Henry been promoted as the main event and had the same finish, the complaints would be far greater. How TNA ended Bound For Glory and Turning Point would have been tolerated more tolerable if it didn't happen in the main event match.
It wasn't the only world title match on the card.
In 411's Instant Analysis, Tony Acero said this about CM Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio: "Near 20 minutes of bad assery, this match was." The WWE has a luxury that TNA does not have—they have two world title matches on each PPV broadcast. They can great "creative" and sideways with one, and deliver the desired ending with the other. If TNA pulls what they pulled at Bound For Glory in their first world title match, then delivers what everyone wants in the second, the world is a happier place.
We do, in fact, treat the WWE and TNA differently.
The WWE and TNA are completely different companies, and they're putting out completely different products. In fact, we probably do the companies a disservice when we compare the two. I know TNA does itself a disservice when they bring up the WWE at all. And while they don't do it as often as we like to say, we never forget it when they do. The WWE has succeeded in branding themselves as an "entertainment company" first, and wrestling second. TNA is still a "wrestling company" in our eyes. We do still look to TNA to be an alternative, even if TNA doesn't want to be one. Thus, where we expect more of a "clean wrestling finish" from TNA, we're willing to accept more of an "entertainment finish" from the WWE.
For what it's worth, I am not complaining about TNA here. I wasn't happy with the finish to Bound For Glory, as TNA should have done a better job of monitoring their audience and setting themselves up for success over failure. But the finish to Turning Point made perfect sense. While I hated when TNA turned AJ Styles into Ric Flair, I do think they have an opportunity to turn Bobby Roode into a modern-day Flair himself. When Flair was the world champ, everyone and everything revolved around the world title. He had a stable whose #1 goal was to keep the world title around his waist. He would wrestle a broomstick to a 3-star match, then pin that broomstick while using the ropes for leverage. Ric Flair wrestled Lex Luger to a 30-minute classic at Starrcade 1988. How did it end? Flair pinned Luger with his foot on the ropes to retain the title. Bobby Roode and AJ Styles did much of the same at Turning Point. And if you don't think that Roode won't cheat to win at Final Resolution, you're setting yourself up for disappointment.
Let's turn this discussion over to you...
You Decide: Do we have different expectations of TNA and the WWE? Does the casual fan have different expectations of both companies?
"It doesn't help morale when the guy goes right from his limo to the dressing room to the dressing room to the ring. He's very bourgeois Hollywood. He came back, he did WWE Raw after that. He said he was never gonna leave. And the next time we saw him is a month later. ... A little hello would have been nice. He could have run by with his own entourage." The author asks Punk if The Rock acted like a Diva, to which Punk replied "I can't say that. At least the WWE Divas say hi to me in the halls."
I am as big of a CM Punk fan as you'll find. But he needs to shut-up here. They all do. Including Randy Orton, who also commented on the situation with The Rock—claiming to be "over the bitterness." Of course, he went on to explain that bitterness, which proves that he really isn't over the bitterness. From Steven Muehlhausen of Sportstown Chicago's interview, Randy says "Sure, I hate that the guy is back. I wish I was in his spot working with Cena at WrestleMania 28. Yea, I'm happy that Rock's back. I'm over the bitterness (laughs) so to speak with him being back saying he never left and all that b.s."
So…wait. Do you hate that he's back, or are you happy that he's back. Are you over the bitterness of him being back while saying he never left "and all that b.s."? Because it's hard to tell there, Randy!
There are some undeniable truths that need to be stressed here. First off, The Rock is the biggest draw in the WWE. Bar none. CM Punk is huge, the top merchandise guy and likely the company's #2 regular draw behind John Cena. But The Rock puts both guys to shame. Second, any involvement from The Rock is better for everyone else as it leads to greater exposure for the product. Third, The Rock entered into an agreement with Vince McMahon. So it's not like The Rock is randomly showing up like this—it's all part of a deal brokered nearly a year ago. Fourth, any involvement from The Rock at a WrestleMania will spike the buyrate, giving everyone on the card a bigger check. And finally, he's The Rock. If you can draw like The Rock, and you can engage a crowd like The Rock, then you have the opportunity to criticize The Rock. Right now, no one can make that challenge.
The fact is, Randy Orton, CM Punk, John Cena and everyone else in the WWE takes a backseat when The People's Champ is in town. Why? Because after seven years of inactivity, he proved that he a) still has it, and b) he still is the fans #1 choice. The WWE is a business—a publicly traded business—that wants to make money. And The Rock makes more money for the WWE in a very, very limited role than those other guys do in a full-time role. It's simple economics, and until you can outperform and outdraw The Rock, you don't have any room to talk. For now, step your game up.
You Decide: Should talent be bitter about The Rock? Should they keep those feelings to themselves?
I was in the large group of internet wrestling fans who wanted to see John Cena attack The Rock at Survivor Series. And I've been in the large group of internet wrestling fans who want to see John Cena turn heel. But I do want to clarify one point: I do not want to see John Cena turn heel before WrestleMania 28. As much as I think the build could use something like a shocking heel turn, the WWE is building this up as two of the most charismatic performers in WWE history going toe-to-toe in the center of a WWE ring on the grandest stage of the year. It's less than five months away, and make no mistakes, the first quarter of 2012 is going to be insane. The buzz will only increase, and it has the ability to bring about another golden era for the WWE. But that's another topic for another time
Turning John Cena heel before WrestleMania 28 would be a huge mistake. Yes, he'll be treading water until The Rock comes back. That's fine. He can feud with The Miz, or the WWE can continue to elevate Zack Ryder by going with Cena & Ryder vs. Miz & R-Truth in a tag team tables match at TLC. Or he can remain focused on The Rock. So focused that he starts cleanly losing matches—a loss to Dolph Ziggler would be a great place to start! (Okay, we all know that a Cena losing streak isn't going to happen!). Whatever John Cena does between now and April 1, he'll be doing it as the same bizarro-face we've had for some time now.
So what happens after the showdown?
The next key time period in John Cena's career is the time after WrestleMania 28. Does Cena win? If Cena loses, do we set-up John Cena vs. Rock II at WM29? Or are we going with Cena-Taker to retire the Deadman? None of that matters here, because each WM29 scenario would be better with Cena as a heel. That's why the RAW immediately following WrestleMania 28 needs to feature—above all else—the John Cena heel turn. I'd like to see Cena beat The Rock at ‘Mania, and beat him clean. Cena is going to get the usual bizarro reaction at WM28, and it'll give him plenty of fuel for a heel turn. A simple "I beat the Rock, and I DID IT WITHOUT YOU PEOPLE!" is the best way to play it for Cena.
I don't know if the WWE has the balls to pull it off. Sheamus's face turn has been a tremendous success, but I have no idea if he's moving any merchandise. Randy Orton will remain huge for some time to come. CM Punk is a merchandise king, and Rey Mysterio's return will definitely push some sales. There is also untapped potential in marketing John Cena's heel turn, if he can successfully become a "cool heel" that the adults cheer and the kids hate. I don't know if that can happen, but there is one factor to consider: women. If John Cena turns heel, men are likely to still hate him, and kids are likely to start hating him. But somehow I think the women will still love John Cena, and as a heel, he can easily focus on the fact that women love him. I think he could move a TON of merchandise to the female WWE customers. While females might love certain wrestlers, they don't have a wrestler that's all to their own. A heel John Cena that panders to the female demographic could be a huge benefit that no one is considering.
So yes, John Cena needs to turn heel. But that window is temporarily closed, scheduled for a re-grand opening on April 2, 2012.
You Decide: When do you think is a good time to turn John Cena heel?
As you know, I am a big supporter of women's wrestling. Hence the reason I have and support The DeMarcettes! Two stories came out regarding women's wrestling this week that I'd like to share, expand upon and get your thoughts on as well...
"When she debuted, I think it was one of the first times since I retired where I would have dropped it all to go back and step into the ring with her. That would have been an epic rivalry. I would have loved to have wrestled her. "
I don't know what Kharma's timetable for a return is. But we all know that Trish Stratus still elicits a response from a crowd, and she can still draw as a WWE Diva. Her involvement in WrestleMania 27 proves that she'll return for the right opportunity. I don't see Kharma returning in time for a WrestleMania 28 run against Trish Stratus, since she indicated she was going to be gone for a year. So looking ahead to WrestleMania 29, can you see the appeal in a Trish Stratus vs. Kharma showdown? I know Trish would be taking someone else's spot, but we all know by now that the WWE could care less about that (see Snooki, The Rock and countless other examples).
Personally, I would love to see something like that at WM29. By that time we could have six to nine months of a dominant force in Kharma, and Trish's appearance is so seamless—they can be in Canada, or could be promoting a likely second or third season of the new Tough Enough. The story of Kharma leveling Trish with an unprovoked attack followed by Trish's training for a return against the monster Diva writes itself, and the fans would go nuts for it. The first issue I have is that Kharma became a face when she left, but that's easy to resolve. The second is that the story is better if Trish wins. But there really is no gain in Trish beating Kharma, the bigger benefit is in putting Kharma over since she will be around for the foreseeable future.
You Decide: Would you be down for a Kharma-Trish WrestleMania program?
WWE not interested in veteran Lucha Libre star Faby Apache Sean Waltman has been working as a talent scout for Triple H's new talent initiative, searching for talent that can be sent to FCW for developmental work with the WWE. A big recommendation made by the former X-Pac was for Lucha Libre veteran Faby Apache, who competes for AAA in Mexico. According to DivaDirt.com and the Pro Wrestling Torch, Waltman called her "the best female worker I've seen in maybe the last ten years." Now ten years ago Waltman was inhaling many more substances than today, so who knows who he remembers from that era. But he's right, she is an amazing talent.
The WWE's stance? Not interested.
"It's just that she's a little bottom heavy like a lot of the girls down in Mexico that doesn't fit in with the look WWE is looking for with the Divas division" added Waltman. It sparked a little reaction on Twitter and Facebook. A little, but not a lot. And that doesn't surprise me at all. Why in the world is anyone surprised over the criteria for a WWE Diva? We all know it's a modeling job before anything else—and for people to try to get all high & mighty and act shocked at the report is laughable. There is a reason that Cheerleader Melissa, Madison Eagles, Sara Del Rey and so many really, really talented female wrestlers will be completely disregarded by the WWE in favor of women like Kelly Kelly and Kaitlyn. No wrestling experience and very little wrestling-related talent. Kelly Kelly has overcome a lot, and she's definitely a pleasure to look at—but no is mistaking her in-ring abilities for even Lita or Trish Stratus.
So yeah, no Faby Apache in the WWE. Okay—next.
You Decide: Do you care that the WWE is dismissing a talent like Faby Apache? Does it even register?
There's no place like bizarro world?
One point of discussion coming out of Survivor Series is the crowd. New York City can easily be included in the category of Bizarro World, alongside Chicago and Toronto. The fans are more knowledgeable, and the percentage of "smart" fans in the crowd is greater on one of those three cities. First and foremost, NYC was a pro-Rock crowd above all else. I honestly think all WWE crowds would be pro-Rock. He has a level of charisma and a level of "it-factor" that is unmatched in the wrestling business. But the Madison Square Garden crowd made themselves part of the show on more than one occasion. And the WWE knew exactly what they were doing in relation to the crowd tonight, as well.
Early on, we had the fans chanting for Zack Ryder. Whether or not Vince McMahon is willing to admit it, he has to believe that Ryder's popularity isn't going anywhere. I seriously doubt that Ryder's involvement after the match was a coincidence. They knew how the fans would react, and they gave them what they wanted. And the WWE likely knew they had to put that match on first, and knew that Ryder had to be involved. A dark match wouldn't have quieted the die-hards, and those chants would have still been around. But having him get the best of Dolph Ziggler in the PPV broadcast kept that aspect of the crowd's involvement in check for the rest of the card.
New York City was going to be a pro-CM Punk crowd as well. It's easy for casual and hardcore fans alike to give heat to Alberto Del Rio. The WWE embraced it by carting out one of the most beloved voices in WWE history—Howard Finkel. Follow that up with Punk's victory and Finkel's "and NEW WWE champion" call, Punk's crowd surfing as sure to be a memorable moment. And the reception for Finkel was another memorable moment for me. He was visibly moved—it literally stopped him in his tracks.
There was a surprise before that, and it was the reaction to Big Show-Mark Henry. I don't know what the WWE crowd expected from two 400-pound men. They delivered one of the best big-man matches in recent memory. The 5-on-5 elimination match was a tough act to follow, but I would have expected the MSG crowd to be more receptive to what they were doing in the ring. The only complaint one could have is the finish, but the fans really crapped on a match that didn't deserve to be crapped on.
For the main event, the crowd was all about The Rock. The Cena hatred was in full effect, and Rock and Cena used it to the best of their abilities. Rock really brought it for his first match in seven years, and the crowd responded in kind. I would have loved to see their reaction had Cena hit Rock with an Attitude Adjustment instead of Rock hitting Cena with the Rock Bottom—but it wasn't meant to be.
So while I personally enjoy 99% of crowds like New York City, Toronto, Chicago (and maybe a little Boston as well) taking over the shows that emanate from their arenas, I do have to see what the public in general thinks.
You Decide: Do crowds that fall into the "bizarro world" category add to an event or detract from it?
Busy, busy week in the world of wrestling, thus we have lots of bonus material this week—and we'll give the first bit of bonus time to some good old indy wrestling!
In an interesting bit of news, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis will be attending High Velocity Wrestling's Thanksgiving Showcase. Now, it's not uncommon for a company like the WWE to scout talent. But it does strike me as uncommon for the former Johnny Ace to be scouting talent for the WWE and be advertised as appearing at an event. I do wonder what his role will be—I presume that he's at least cutting a promo. He is advertised, and I'd imagine he will draw in a few extra fans for the company. But those fans will be pissed if he doesn't do something in an "on stage" capacity.
Also of note is that HVW is a member promotion of the AIWF. The Allied Independent Wrestling Federations is a member driven group that has been in existence since 1992. The affiliation has seen tremendous growth during the past year, from 16 members to 83 during 2011 alone. That's a 419% increase! The affiliation costs a promotion nothing—which is a big difference from the NWA. Does it carry the same prestige as being a member of the NWA? No, of course not. But that's the overall goal of the promotional group. For more information, visit AIWFWrestling.net.
For a look at the depth of the promotions involved, check out this video:
You Decide: Do you think affiliations are a good option for promotions?
As you might remember, I'm out here in Phoenix, Arizona. We're the sixth largest metropolitan area in the United States, but we cannot seem to support any independent wrestling. Impact Zone Wrestling ran locally for nearly eight years, but they closed up shop in early 2010 after their normal venue, a sports/combo bar titled The Sets, shut down out of the blue. We also had Rising Phoenix Wrestling, which did very well on an extremely limited basis. But they couldn't survive either. Our current independent promotion is called Elite Xtreme Wrestling, and they're on TV! But they're paying for that TV time, and their show is barely passable. Plus, that show is taped every other Tuesday in a 3,000 seat theatre, in front of less than 60 fans. And they don't even have the sense to move everyone to the entrance and shoot from that direction.
I've got a history with all three promotions listed above. I worked with RPW as a ring announcer, interviewer, and filled several backstage roles during its existence. I worked in the same roles with IZW, but you can add commentator, writer, webmaster and other production roles to the list. And I helped run production at one EXW event, but decided not to return after multiple unmet promises coincided with some other questionable business practices I saw.
The reason why I bring this up is because for the first time in a while, a promotion worth following is popping up in this area: Pure Pro Wrestling. PPW is linked to the Zero 1 family of promotions, which is slowly gaining some traction in the United States. They are only on Twitter, as their site hasn't opened yet. I have no reason other than my gut instinct to think they'll do well, but I have a feeling this promotion just might fill a serious independent wrestling void in my hometown.
So follow them on Twitter at @_PPW and see how this thing turns out!
You Decide: How is the indy wrestling in your area?
Double Bonus!
In continuing with the Thanksgiving theme, I'd like to present two matches that I am thankful for. I posted them last year as well, and they are my absolute two favorite matches. Ever. Yours might vary (it is subjective), but these are the two best I've ever seen.
The Great Muta vs. Jushin "Thunder" Liger
New Japan Pro Wrestling – October 20, 1996
Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle
WWE Wrestlemania 21 – April 3, 2005
The Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
You Decide: What is your all-time favorite match?
Triple Bonus!
As part of my ongoing support for our four DeMarcettes, I'd like to present you with their upcoming schedules. And each DeMarcette has been kind enough to provide us with some photo material as well! Enjoy, and show them your support
Buggy Nova
12/4 – Pro Wrestling Bushido (Buggy Nova vs. Savannah Riley), Stockton, CA
12/16 – Insane Wrestling League, Chino, CA
12/18 – Viva La Lucha, San Diego, CA
Terra Calaway
12/4 – NWA Hollywood television taping, Glendale, CA
12/10 – EPIC Pro Wrestling in association with WILD: World Independent Ladies Division, Lakewood, CA (Terra Calaway challenges Winter for the WILD World Title)
Veda Scott
12/3 – Ring of Honor "Southern Defiance," Spartanburg, SC
12/4 – Ring of Honor "Northern Aggression," Greensboro, NC
12/23 – Ring of Honor "Final Battle 2011," New York, NY
I got a few e-mails this week asking if I planned to add anymore DeMarcettes. Hey look, that logo can fit another one or two DeMarcettes, for sure. But, it has to be the right situation. I made an exception by having two SoCal women in the fold (Terra just completed her move to LA!), but I want to keep this thing geographically diverse. Possibly someone from the Midwest or the South? Sure. I'd also be open to suggestions from overseas as well. So while I'm happy at four, I'm open to adding someone if the she fits the mold and offers you, the loyal reader, something new.
Quadruple Bonus!
The Greg DeMarco Show had a surprise return on Monday night—even a surprise to me. I discovered Larry wouldn't have a Monday show and really had the itch to get back at it, at least for a week. Patrick O'Dowd couldn't make it—and it was last-minute (like, conceived during RAW), so you can't really blame the guy. But I was able to put together a program with Scott Slimmer that also featured Tony Acero (fresh off recapping RAW for the site), Aaron Frame and Steve Cook. We had a good turnout and the archived listens are doing surprisingly well. I highly suggest you check it out. Click here to listen, or listen here:
I am looking to a proper return, complete with Patrick O'Dowd, in early December!
Thanks to the holiday weekend, I did not watch and review Impact Wrestling prior to the time this column was submitted. I will direct your attention to our top notch coverage in the form of Larry Csonka's report.
And that does it for the news this week...now let's have some fun!
Last Week: So I didn't expect Tiffany to make it to #4. Granted, I thought she'd lose to Gail Kim, even if I prefer Tiffany over Gail. But here we are, with Tiffany looking to crack the top row!
This Week: With Tiffany sitting at #4, she steps up to challenge #4 this week.
Can Tiffany get on the top row?
Or does Layla hold her down?
YOU MAKE THE CALL!
Tiffany (Tayrn Terrell) vs. Layla El. Take your pick!
Stay tuned as next week as I'll reveal the winner!
Wondering what Low-Ki/Kaval is up to now? Well, he should be tearing it up for Ring of Honor, but so should Colt Cabana, Joey Ryan & several other talents that they're seemingly ignoring or unwilling to sign. Maybe there are other issues, but that's not what this section is for.
However, here is an insane video of Low-Ki doing "Batman Sit-Ups." He cautions that they're not for everyone. And damn, he's right. Hanging sit-ups are one thing, but "Batman Sit-Ups?" Just a little ankle weakness and you're on your head.
And as an added bonus, this video appears on his YouTube page, and it makes me wish, even more, that he was working for ROH right now.
You Decide: Should this man be in ROH??
Hit up the ‘Mania on TWITTER (so Ashish will like me, okay?)
What isn't there to talk about this week? Share your Turkey day fun, your Black Friday horror stories, and talk about some wrestling! Vote in Versus, share your opinions on the many "You Decides" in this column. Despite this being a short work week, it was a huge wrestling week. So talk it up!
Posted By: Guest#8895 (Guest) on November 25, 2011 at 11:10 PM
I have voted for tiffany but Layla owns her so Layla wins
Posted By: Guest#2075 (Guest) on November 25, 2011 at 11:16 PM
Tiffany FTW!!!
Posted By: curtis (Guest) on November 25, 2011 at 11:16 PM
Layla.
Posted By: BenPiper (Registered) on November 25, 2011 at 11:19 PM
TIFFANY
Posted By: Guest#7756 (Guest) on November 25, 2011 at 11:20 PM
Punk said himself that it's great that The Rock is back because it's good for business. He's pissed that The Rock gets to show up 5 times a year and do whatever he wants just because he's such a big draw. Sure it's The Rock, but I'd be pissed too if I was in his shoes busting my ass 300 days a year while someone else only has to wrestle twice and isn't even there for 99% of the live shows.
Posted By: SHADE (Guest) on November 25, 2011 at 11:29 PM
Posted By: Mutatron101 (Guest) on November 25, 2011 at 11:45 PM
Okay, this may come as a brainfart and all, but for Trish vs Kharma,
Why not put them both as heads of opposing stables? think about it, in Attitude Era, you got: Nation of Domination, DX, nWo, etc etc
I'm not saying this could 100% work, but putting the Divas in either side could somehow elevate the Divas section.
Trish Stratus and Mickie James vs Kharma and Beth Phoenix
Anyone?
Posted By: gene (Guest) on November 25, 2011 at 11:47 PM
"It doesn't help morale when the guy goes right from his limo to the dressing room to the dressing room to the ring. He's very bourgeois Hollywood. He came back, he did WWE Raw after that. He said he was never gonna leave. And the next time we saw him is a month later. ... A little hello would have been nice. He could have run by with his own entourage." The author asks Punk if The Rock acted like a Diva, to which Punk replied "I can't say that. At least the WWE Divas say hi to me in the halls."
I hate to be that guy...but Punk is so fucking pretentious:
So the Rock is "bourgeois Hollywood"?
I think we've got a mixed metaphor here, Phil.
Either that or you were calling him Middle Class Hollywood...while saying he's worse than a diva, which would make you an amazing moron.
It's good to see Phil, Cena, and Orton exemplify the type of back-biting, insipid locker room that killed WCW's invasion.
There's nothing worse than wrestlers burying a guy who can make them all more money out of petty jealousy.
Posted By: King Tonga (Guest) on November 25, 2011 at 11:50 PM
Layla
Surely someone is spamming for Tiffany, right? Otherwise...ew.
Posted By: Guest#2869 (Guest) on November 25, 2011 at 11:56 PM
Layla
Posted By: T-Mirk (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 12:07 AM
No thanks to Trish/Kharma. The IWC seriously overrates Trish's popularity and drawing power. She hasn't gotten a good reaction in recent appearances, and would be pushing 40 by the time the match actually happened. That match would benefit nobody outside of perhaps Trish herself, who seems to have developed a Hogan complex of not jobbing since "retiring" from active competition. Why not build a current, relevant diva like Kelly, Eve, or even Beth to face Kharma instead?
For the record, I don't hate Trish and I'm not that idiot Morrison mark. I'm just realistic about what she brings to the table at this stage. She ain't the female Rock.
Posted By: Guest#1306 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 12:07 AM
Tiffany
Posted By: Phil (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 12:09 AM
Okay, this may come as a brainfart and all, but for Trish vs Kharma,
Why not put them both as heads of opposing stables? think about it, in Attitude Era, you got: Nation of Domination, DX, nWo, etc etc
I'm not saying this could 100% work, but putting the Divas in either side could somehow elevate the Divas section.
Trish Stratus and Mickie James vs Kharma and Beth Phoenix
Anyone?
Posted By: gene (Guest) on November 25, 2011 at 11:47 PM
You want to waste the only potential "diva dream match" on a tag team bout?
Besides, WWE will never rehire Piggie James, and Beth is about a year or two away from getting released herself, unless she keeps banging Punk.
Posted By: Guest#6892 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 12:11 AM
I think Punk understands that The Rock makes the company money. I don't think anyone would be stupid enough not to see that. Orton, Cena, Punk all admitted that having The Rock around is good for business. I think their problem is with how The Rock is coming across. Now none of us work for the WWE so we can't say for sure. But it sounded like The Rock isn't really taking the time to talk to the boys, and if we ever heard any thing about how one should act in the locker room, it's to be polite and show respect. Yes, I know it's The Rock we are talking about, but you don't hear that kinda heat on Steve Austin, and I will argue till the end with anyone who doesn't think Austin is just as huge a megastar as the Rock.
And Cena/Orton/Punk are all fans of wrestling, just like us, as a fan, I was really mad that The Rock said he would never leave and only shows up a handful of times. He should've known what kinda deal he "brokered" with Vince, he should've been more careful with what he said out there. Because we, the fans, will remember. I am a big fan of the Rock, and I m excited about mania, but I think the superstars have a legit bone to pick with him.
And P.S., I hope the whole thing about him showing off how much more fan support he has than Cena is part of a storyline, because it's really petty and immature. On top of that, he kept making fun of Cena's fan base. How should the kids that like Cena feel? What about the group of grown ups that like Cena? Why is The Rock insulting a certain group of the audience just because they like Cena?
That angle seems counter-productive. You are using The Rock to make Cena look like a complete loser, you should use The Rock to make Cena look like an equal, to build the match.
I am really annoyed by this, and the funny thing is that I am a fan of The Rock's not Cena's
Posted By: Anthonio (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 12:14 AM
Tiffany
Posted By: Drew (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 12:16 AM
LAYLA!!!!
Posted By: Guest#1808 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 12:17 AM
Tiffany, keep charging along!
Posted By: Guest#3083 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 12:20 AM
What the hell is "synthetic marijuana"? Ya mean hash? Salvia? THC Pills? It's a contradiction in terms.
The reason Punk doesn't think Rock is a diva is because the Rock refuses to give him any strudel.
Posted By: Guest#6292 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 12:37 AM
I hate to be that guy...but Punk is so fucking pretentious:
So the Rock is "bourgeois Hollywood"?
I think we've got a mixed metaphor here, Phil.
Either that or you were calling him Middle Class Hollywood...while saying he's worse than a diva, which would make you an amazing moron.
Posted By: King Tonga (Guest) on November 25, 2011 at 11:50 PM
No, YOU are the amazing moron. Don't be so fucking naive and pretend that there is one single definition for bourgeois. Punk is obviously referring to him as a Hollywood capitalist, not putting in the work and getting the glory, while the other wrestlers are the proletariat, busting their ass and being second rate in comparison. This is the context of bourgeois throughout history. Go fuck yourself you smarmy douche.
Posted By: Erik... (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 12:39 AM
Last week I said Brooke's body is even better than Tiffany's but Brooke's face...ugh. Tiffany.
Both times, replace "Brooke's" with "Layla's". Tiffany again.
Posted By: guest (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 12:47 AM
Wow Greg! Cena turning heel, huh?
Boy, if the other 569,963 other times this was predicted and turned out wrong, surely this must be the time!
I can't wait for April 2nd, 2012 when once again Cena stays face, and people line up to predict a new "date" for it to occur...
Posted By: Be original! (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 12:50 AM
The only answer to your 'WWE/TNA' debate is that TNA is surrounded by tons of trash, while WWE usually puts on a great show with one or two bad booking decisions. There - one sentence is all it took.
Posted By: Guest#5997 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 12:52 AM
Punk is actually starting to outsell Cena in merch.
Oh and I agree with Punk 100% in regards to the Rock.
Posted By: Guest#2236 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 01:10 AM
"Should talent be bitter about The Rock? Should they keep those feelings to themselves?"
If these "superstars" was doing their job. WWE wouldn't need to bring The Rock or any of these other ppl in
"Would you be down for a Kharma-Trish WrestleMania program?"
3-4min isn't enough time for those two
Posted By: Guest#9775 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 01:12 AM
You Decide: Do crowds that fall into the "bizarro world" category add to an event or detract from it?
I would say that for the most part these "bizarro world" crowds, as you refer to them add to the event. I can say from experience that you will never get a more knowledgable nor a better crowd than the ones you get at the Allstate Arena in Chicago. I would even argue (and I know that this will tick some people off) that Chicago is possibly the best wrestling fan crowd in this country. Unless you sit in the arena with the fans, you can't really appreciate how great the crowds are. If we like a wrestler we'll cheer him. If we don't we'll boo him. But we do at least appreciate wrestling talent and those who have it. I mean, have you noticed how much the Chicago crowds have booed Cena at pretty much every event since Wrestlemania 22?
Posted By: The Hodge (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 01:21 AM
Yes Lizzie is obviously VS worthy.
Well, that was uncalled for!: Thanks for bringing back the U MAD pic.
6: I think if Truth was busted a lot earlier then I think he should have been suspended along with Evan. If it was after they announced the SS main event then maybe not, but it sounds like it was before it was announced. They could have found somebody else to use in that match(I'm not sure who but somebody). I'm upset they split the team but I get it. I just think Truth is better as a heel, I mean that promo at SS was hilarious from him and I doubt we will get that with face Truth. So the answer is, he should have been suspended when he was caught if it was before the SS match was announced.
5: I didn't like the end and wouldn't like it if TNA did it unless it made sense. I like both companies and don't try to be bias against either. I like WWE more but that is just opinion. Yeah a lot of people on this site don't give TNA enough credit and/or give WWE too much credit, but people like Wes and Spencer and just stupid characters made by some idiot. You aren't a troll for liking TNA, you are a troll when you say stupid shit.
4: I think Punk knows Rock being back is good for business and that is right. I think he is more upset that he is barely around and doesn't talk to the younger stars and give them some tips. I will say that maybe the Rock did talk to some younger stars while he was around and my thoughts are wrong but that is just what it seems like he is upset about. That and getting the main event spot already, which I get why he is getting it. I agree with Punk that the Rock should talk and maybe help some of the younger stars when he is around(if he didn't do that), because they could learn a lot from him.
3: I think if Cena is going to turn heel it should be at RR or soon after RR to set up the WM match, but I doubt it happens.
2: I would like a Trish/Kharma feud if Trish is willing to put her over. I think they should have signed Faby Apache.
1: Sometimes they help the event and sometimes they hurt it. When they are saying stupid stuff all night just to get attention, then the smark crowd is bad for a show. If they are just chanting for their favorites even if they are mostly heels, and when they have some great chants going. So it differs by what they are doing and saying.
BC: Yes and I don't go to indy events.
BC2: Awesome matches but I don't have A favorite match ever.
BC3: thanks for the locations.
BC4: Good show.
VS: I voted against Tiffany vs Reby, Velvet, and Assmacher and think she should have lost all 3, but not I pick her. Both are hot but Tiff wins.
Video-A-Go-Go: He should be in ROH, TNA, or WWE.
Santana is pretty hot but not a good storyline to be used in.
LOBSTER HEAD FTW!
Great column again this week.
1:
Posted By: Still Guest#8287 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 01:44 AM
Eh, Rock has already paid his dues. Like it or not the guy's a huge megastar. You don't simply add The Rock back to your show and not have him near or at the top of the card. And I'm sure this is Punk working into a future angle with Rock, as Punk is too smart not to realize why Rock is in the spot he is.
Posted By: Jerry (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 01:46 AM
Touche, that makes sense about the crazy girls being sexually charged. If they weren't nobody would put up with them longer than the weekend.
Tiff over Layla barely, but seriously either one of them needs to take down Maryse since she is done with Wrestling now.
Kharma vs Trish would be interesting, what about a Kharma vs Beth & Natalya program?
Lizzie does look VS worthy, and I'd love to learn more about/see more pics of Santana Garrett!
Posted By: SilentOx (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 01:54 AM
Easily....Layla
Posted By: Jerry (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 01:55 AM
layla
Posted By: ojmendez (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 01:59 AM
It is unfortunate that Faby Apache and others are overlooked by WWE, because I do like women's wrestling. That said, WWE does not. At best they tolerate it right now.
Even so, even if the women are only eye candy and models first, I think they are going about it wrong. Look at every Diva that isn't second generation. Only Beth Phoenix doesn't have the same general body type and look.
It's great that Vince or whoever chooses has a type. But from life experience I can tell you that different men have different tastes and that includes bottom heavy. After a while adding more of the same does not hold more fans or make more money.
Posted By: Guest#9887 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 02:00 AM
LAYLA! LAYLA! LAYLA! Also, Veda Scott makes me sad
Posted By: Crowley (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 02:10 AM
Tiffany
Yes on Lizzy
I think WWE was right in the way they handled R-Truth. He didn't get a lesser or different penalty, he got a delayed penalty. It would have hurt the build to Survivor series to break up the Awesome Truth. Sure I'd love to see Cody or Ziggler elevated by being in the match, but it would have been hard to do well.
WWE doesn't have to punish guys immediately to be sincere about Wellness or to send a message to the locker room.
Posted By: Guest#1266 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 02:13 AM
layla
Posted By: Guest#2473 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 02:28 AM
LAYLA!!!
Posted By: Guest#8515 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 02:30 AM
Muta vs Liger in 96 showed that Liger had the chops to be IWGP heavyweight champion back then.
As much as i would love a heel turn for Cena, now i'm seeing why it isn't such a good idea anymore. Even if stale goodie-goodie Cena becomes the nWo 'Cool Heel', that pleases the males, but who will the children cheer for? Right now, as it stands, children have no real role model to cheer for other than Cena and to a lesser extent Mysterio. Orton is still a psychopath despite being a face, Punk embodies the mature spirit of rebellion, and every other face does not embody the same face values as Cena. If Cena turns heel, children have NO ONE at a main event level to cheer for, other than Rey Mysterio, who should be getting phased out. It's way too big of a market to lose at this point. Women make a small percentage of the WWE fanbase, their fan status is usually linked to their children or husbands/boyfriends. They like Cena just to find something to enjoy while they're there, so marketing specifically towards them is unnessisary.
Win, lose, or draw against the Rock, Cena shouldn't and probably won't turn heel anytime in the near future. He'll make the product interesting again but at the risk of alienating their main consumer base.
Posted By: Shio (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 02:32 AM
Layla
Posted By: Vote! (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 02:46 AM
Easily Layla.
Of course, I also think Layla's the hottest of the Five.
Posted By: Guest#4206 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 02:47 AM
Layla
Posted By: Guest#9775 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 03:07 AM
Tiffany!
Posted By: Sean (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 03:09 AM
Layla
Posted By: Doc (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 03:10 AM
Thanks for the repost of Super Lizzy. Who is very VS worthy.
Layla. But that isn't fair, as ALL the DeMarcettes would also beat (or should beat) Tiffany.
Posted By: Paul in Canada (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 03:43 AM
tiffany
Posted By: Mark (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 03:47 AM
Layla
Posted By: Wayne (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 03:51 AM
I vote for Layla!
Posted By: Finn (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 03:52 AM
A bit of a nitpick, but the Muta-Liger match took place at Budokan Hall, not at the Tokyo Dome.
Posted By: Dakota (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 03:55 AM
I think the whole reason they keep teasing a Ryder run with the U.S title is to rebuild the belts credibility. It seems to be working in their favor. As soon as Ryder wins that belt it will blow the roof off of were ever it happens. Plus Ziggler is on fire as of late, so a slow burn to Ryder as U.S champ I am all for. In fact you build up both the belts and Ryder's credibility, and appeal making him hunt for it.
Posted By: Who (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 04:23 AM
Tiffany!
Posted By: Guest 5150 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 04:48 AM
Layla!
thnx for the Santana pics...yum!
Posted By: ramone (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 04:53 AM
Layla, easily
Posted By: Guest#0954 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 05:13 AM
Whats so great about Tiffany? How is she any better than the rest.
Posted By: Guest#1269 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 05:16 AM
Oh yeah, and tiffany btw lol
yeah,Guest#6892 (Guest) maybe that's true too. :/
Posted By: gene (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 05:18 AM
Tiffany for an all blond top row, though I like Brooke & Gail better
Posted By: Guest#4275 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 05:28 AM
Tiffany
Posted By: Tony (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 05:37 AM
Even assuming what Punk says about Rock's attitude is true, he should be madder at the WWE for letting things get to the point where only the Rock can generate mainstream attention. And if anyone has the right to be bitter it is Punk, as he was poised to become the next big Icon in the business, but the WWE dropped the ball and turned him into just another anti-corporate face.
Posted By: Michael L (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 06:58 AM
Layla
Posted By: Malte (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 07:17 AM
Layla easily
Posted By: Guest#5430 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 07:21 AM
LAYLA!!
Posted By: Rallo (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 07:22 AM
Tiffany by default. Layla is just so average.
Posted By: Guest#2576 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 07:24 AM
Man you guys get worked way too easy.
Punk and Orton's comments were in Character. Jeez. Just like Cena calling out the Rock all those years. Vince wants to Rock to stay, and by having another top 2 guys talking about the Rock, they are hoping he would stay for matches with them.
Guys are so easy to work on this site it is amazing.
Posted By: Worked (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 08:06 AM
Layla..how the fuck did a average blonde like Tiffany make it his far? You all need MUCH better taste than that.
Posted By: Erik (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 08:10 AM
Tiffany
Posted By: Guest#7018 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 08:11 AM
Going with Tiffany, but barely. And where did you dig up those shitty pix of both of them???
Posted By: Guest#6822 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 08:26 AM
LAYLA!!!!! seriously dunno how tiffs is higher than sky or brooke but layla is the best!
Posted By: mr pandason (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 08:29 AM
Layla!!!
Posted By: OBVIOUSLY (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 08:34 AM
Even with the bad layla pics...its layla
Posted By: Guest#2594 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 08:35 AM
Yes to Lizzy Valentine.
and Layla all the way!!
Posted By: Phobia (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 08:36 AM
I hate to be that guy...but Punk is so fucking pretentious:
So the Rock is "bourgeois Hollywood"?
I think we've got a mixed metaphor here, Phil.
Either that or you were calling him Middle Class Hollywood...while saying he's worse than a diva, which would make you an amazing moron.
It's good to see Phil, Cena, and Orton exemplify the type of back-biting, insipid locker room that killed WCW's invasion.
There's nothing worse than wrestlers burying a guy who can make them all more money out of petty jealousy.
Posted By: King Tonga (Guest) on November 25, 2011 at 11:50 PM
--
You know what really IS pretentious?
Using a wrestler's real first name like you're some sort of super-smark.
Posted By: Guest#1587 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 08:39 AM
Crows like NYC, make any WWE big event even better. Part of the essence of these shows in the crowd reaction.
I remember being at wrestle-mania 20 watching the reaction Goldberg and Brock got, and what was an otherwise terrible match, at the very least, had some real juice and electricity about it because of the crowd reaction and response. Look at RVD and Cena for the title from the hammerstein, the crowd reaction added a TON to that match.
Any crowd that isn't afraid to voice their opinion both good or bad is only a positive.
Posted By: Guest#8755 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 08:49 AM
The Lovely Layla El
Posted By: Just some Massachusetts guy (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 08:57 AM
Tiffany. Layla is hot, but Tiffany is crazy hot. And yes, both Lizzy and Buggy for VS.
Posted By: John (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 09:00 AM
My vote goes for Rock to win at Wrestlemania with Cena beating the everloving shit out of the Rock post-match; blood and all, WM17 style. A sissy promo on the RAW after WM won't get it done...
Posted By: mr_wishart (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 09:20 AM
Tiffany
Posted By: Starsky 58 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 09:30 AM
tiffany over layla
Posted By: Guest#2016 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 09:58 AM
Seriously how did Tiffany make it this far? LAYLA!!
Posted By: M Dub Cee (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 10:06 AM
Tiffany FTW!!!!!!
Posted By: bernard (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 10:07 AM
Layla, always and forever Layla
Posted By: Guest#9129 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 10:13 AM
LAYLA. That's all.
Posted By: Guest#3576 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 10:19 AM
Tiffany this week
Posted By: Guest#4164 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Layla all the way.
Posted By: 4tunate Son (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Tiffany
Posted By: Jason (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 10:52 AM
Layla, easliy.
Posted By: jfbop (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 10:55 AM
"Tiff over Layla barely, but seriously either one of them needs to take down Maryse since she is done with Wrestling now."
Done with wrestling has nothing to do with it. How many times have we heard someone is done with wrestling only to come back later? Heck, Trish has hardly been involved with wrestling for years.
The question is how hot these women are. Most importantly it's an excuse to post pics of them. If posting pics of Maryse is wrong, I don't want this site to be right.
Posted By: guest 64646 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 11:13 AM
I'm not entirely surprised that WWE would overlook a supremely talented woman because she doesn't have the right look, but I am disappointed. I thought there might be a chance of a direction change here, with the pushes for Beth Phoenix and Natalya and the signing of Kharma.
Posted By: HeartBurnKid (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 11:28 AM
You Decide: Do crowds that fall into the "bizarro world" category add to an event or detract from it?
I would say that for the most part these "bizarro world" crowds, as you refer to them add to the event. I can say from experience that you will never get a more knowledgable nor a better crowd than the ones you get at the Allstate Arena in Chicago. I would even argue (and I know that this will tick some people off) that Chicago is possibly the best wrestling fan crowd in this country. Unless you sit in the arena with the fans, you can't really appreciate how great the crowds are. If we like a wrestler we'll cheer him. If we don't we'll boo him. But we do at least appreciate wrestling talent and those who have it. I mean, have you noticed how much the Chicago crowds have booed Cena at pretty much every event since Wrestlemania 22?
Posted By: The Hodge (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 01:21 AM
100% agree. I am from Chicago, so I am very biased, but I think Chicago (or Rosemont, IL, where the arena actually is) brings it every time they are there. Ive been to plenty of shows there since WM22, and we always let our voices be heard. New York and Toronto are great, but I feel sometimes they - especially Toronto - do it to try and live up to a reputation. Booing Edge his first time there in over 2 years cause he is a stale face in 04? That was just them trying to be smarky.
Posted By: Joey (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Tiffany
Posted By: Andrew (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 11:34 AM
Tiffany. Layla is nice, but . . . Tiffany.
Posted By: Stephen (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 11:34 AM
Layla for sure. Tiffany is just another blonde in my book. Blondes are overrated, IMHO. Give me a girl with dark hair and dark eyes any day of the week. That's not to say that I wouldn't do dirty things to Tiffany and not feel bad about it, but if I were in a brothel and had to choose, it would be Layla.
Posted By: El Bubba (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 11:55 AM
Layla
Posted By: Rick (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 11:56 AM
Layla
Posted By: Guest#6507 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 12:03 PM
This comment is borrowed :-
"I gotta say, no matter how bad TNA’s booking decisions are, at least their main event scene is WAY more fresh than E’s. In a few weeks, they got a Fresh Heel champion, a veteran face challenger, a fresh main eventer Face ( potentially next # 1 contender ), and a returning Heel ( who’ll hopefully not challenge for the title for a few months ).
Not jumping on TNA’s bandwagon, but TNA is like an exciting B grade horror film, horrible but super entertaining, while WWE’s is like an Oscar nominated movie, good but long, boring & tiring"
Posted By: what time is it ?? (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Tiffany.
And Lizzy is VS worthy.
Posted By: Dubhagan (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 12:35 PM
LOL i like how you're trying to sway the votes with some of the worst Layla pics. Can't fool me, LAYLA >>>> the rest of the divas (and knockouts) roster.
Cena's not turning heel. People need to quit that. Now he may work as a heel/tweener at WM, but that's about it.
I hate that Truth will be a face when he comes back, cause he's been so refreshing as a heel. Plus, once again the WWE will be counting on people's short attention spanning to make Truth dance and praise "little jimmy" after all this time of saying he wouldn't be the "good ol R-Truth". Whatever.
Posted By: SS87 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 12:51 PM
My god, Lizzy is HOT
Posted By: SS87 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Those Batman sit ups were insane.
Posted By: Guest#1315 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 01:04 PM
I think the story that everybody's overlooking here is that Sean Waltman is a talent scout. Seriously?! "Yeah, you could really make it in this biz, you just need to start sucking up to one of the more over wrestlers. Oh, and gimme your pills. Say, did you know I used to date Chyna?"
Posted By: Andrew (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 01:05 PM
The "bizarro world" crowds definitely add to a show when they make what they like and dislike known, like the Ryder chants. They're definitely a distraction and a major annoyance when they do things solely to shit on what's going on (especially when it doesn't deserve said shit) or, and this is even worse, when they're solely trying to get themselves over.
Posted By: neverAcquiesce (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 01:09 PM
Layla, 1000 times over!
Posted By: Guest#3376 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 01:20 PM
Layla
Posted By: Guest#3192 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 01:24 PM
Layla easily. Tiff's okay at best.
Posted By: Guest#0314 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 01:36 PM
Bizarro World crowds make for the best shows.
Far more interested to watch a RAW from Calgary than from say, the Mohegan Sun Casino.
Far more interested when Wrestlemania is in MSG than Miami.
Anyplace that had a really strong territory background, really.
Posted By: Guest#4354 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 01:49 PM
Layla hands down
Posted By: Guest#4802 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 01:49 PM
Tiffany >>>>>> Layla
Posted By: brooklyn brawler (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 02:15 PM
Tiffany
Posted By: JDMPJM (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 02:15 PM
Skirt Tiffany.
Posted By: Str8EdgeCoop (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 02:27 PM
I have to go with Tiffany. I normally would go with Layla, but I just think Tiffany is better looking.
Posted By: Michael (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 02:30 PM
Tiffany X 1000000000000
Posted By: Guest#7775 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 02:35 PM
Layla
Layla
A million times Layla!
Posted By: Jimbo (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 03:07 PM
Tiffany. I agree that hot and crazy trumps hot.
Posted By: TL (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 03:16 PM
Layla
Posted By: Elevenseven (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 03:21 PM
Layla
Posted By: dudeluvgun (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 03:22 PM
Kharma might not be coming back at all, and Trish won't show her face unless she's got something to sell. Great idea for a dream match, Greg.
Posted By: Guest#4783 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 03:31 PM
Layla plz
Posted By: Guest#3131 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 03:47 PM
The Rock draws the money, so while the WWE superstars may not like it, I'm sure they understand it. But these guy's egos are through the roof. I completely understand why they might be displeased with the Rock's "movie star" attitude. Honestly if Orton and Punk are a little miffed, it makes sense. They guys are working for the WWE day in and day out, where as the Rock does not. But business is business. That's how these things work.
Posted By: SteveyMac (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 03:48 PM
defo layla shes fun to watch and brill on the mic she can actually draw heat from the crowd unlike tiffany plus no offence she aint a using bitch like tiffiany ask drew mcintrye that!!!
Posted By: kelly_kellylover13 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 03:55 PM
Tiffany.
Posted By: Jason (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 04:39 PM
Layla
Posted By: Guest#5591 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 05:12 PM
Layla
Posted By: Guest#5321 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 05:18 PM
Layla please.
And Lizzy is MORE then Vs. Worthy! =)
Posted By: RJ (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 05:29 PM
LAYLA EL!
And I like your thoughts on Cena's heel turn. The thing about Cena right now is that he doesn't have to be turned heel for the feud to work--the fans have already turned him heel. He can still come out, be the same Cena he's been for years, and the women and kids will cheer him while the guys boo the hell out of him. Hell, nowadays it sounds like the whole arena tends to hate him when he comes out so why straight up turn him right now? Although I did like the raps he did against Rock last year.
I also agree about Punk needing to shut up. Maybe The Rock was acting a little high & mighty but then again IT'S THE FUCKING ROCK. He's entitled. He comes back to plug movies and, I think, to show people that he really hasn't forgotten the business that made him a household name. Just because he wasn't telling Punk how fucking awesome he was or that he wanted some goddamn ice cream bars Punk has to act like a little bitch. I don't think the Rock's this sports entertainment god others make him out to be but I'd rather watch a Rock match with the People's Elbow instead of a Punk match with another shitty looking GTS.
Oh, and Rock promos > Punk promos.
Posted By: Zingy (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 05:32 PM
Layla
Posted By: The One (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 05:42 PM
Tiffany of course
Posted By: Guest#5627 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 05:55 PM
Layla.
Posted By: #Imjustsayin'... (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 06:09 PM
Tiffany head and shoulders over layla
Posted By: good god (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 06:38 PM
Tiffany.
Posted By: Guest#7080 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 06:43 PM
LAYLA
The people voting Tiffany need their heads examined.
Posted By: Guest#0740 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 06:58 PM
LAYLA!
Posted By: JD Nash (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 07:00 PM
Layla.
Posted By: Guest#0279 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 07:00 PM
Layla >>> Tiffany
Posted By: Guest#1984 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 07:01 PM
Layla...definitely Layla
Posted By: Skater McGee (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 07:02 PM
I gotta go with everyone's favorite Deever, Layla!
Posted By: Gibby (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 07:04 PM
Tiffany.
I'd rather see Beth Phoenix & Natalya vs Kharma & Trish Stratus at SummerSlam 2012. But there's no chance they'll still be together that long. So the obvious choice is Beth vs Natalya at WM 28. Then have Kharma face the winner when she returns.
Posted By: Ryan Haseldine (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 07:11 PM
Layla!!!
Posted By: Zig Zag Zach (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 07:22 PM
Layla, FOR GOD'S SAKE!
Posted By: Christopher (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 07:30 PM
The run ends here....Layla wins
Posted By: Guest#4618 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 07:30 PM
Did you just print "...can tiffany get on top?" I wouldnt mind her being on top of me.
Its funny that TNA had AwesomeKong and after an initial rampage lost direction for her next program, Kharma shows up in WWE for a short stint and now she has multiple possibilities. Coincidence? Not really, that is pretty much a microcosm of the difference between both promotions.
Whatever the opinions on Rock's number of appearances and programs he involved with, blame the shallow "stars" that are supposed to be headlining WWE now for not being able to get it done. If those "stars" were really getting over, Rock wouldve never been NEEDED for WM. Up and coming wrestlers always bitched about the older guys no getting out of the way for the next crop of "stars" to get their turn. Rock not only got out of the way, Rock got out of the business which left all of these "stars" more than enough opportunity to make a name for themselves.
Posted By: TheR (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 07:52 PM
tiffany
Posted By: major3737 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 08:06 PM
Layla
Posted By: J-Mo (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 08:15 PM
Layla
Posted By: Truth (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 08:39 PM
Lizzy Valentine has a good look, so yes on Versus.
Tiffany
Yes we judge TNA a bit differently, but they ask us to. They say they are an alternative and that "wrestling matters".
More of the same isn't an alternative, it is more of the same. TNA has been called WWE-lite, so we've seen it done better before. Worse too.
Wrestling matters is telling people that the Sports-Entertainment aspect is de-emphasized. Not that there is none, but not so prominent. If they don't deliver, they only have themselves to blame for putting it out there.
Plus TNA's stated mission is to become number one. To do so there must be a reason for people to switch over. A better product would be a good reason, but they hardly consistently deliver.
Don't get me wrong, sometimes they do deliver and ratings go up. Then they do another reset or Russo/Bishoff goes back to their old ways.
The talent is there, but the rest is empty promises.
Posted By: Guest#0702 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 08:45 PM
Layla! Is this Tiffany thing actually happening?!
Posted By: Guest#0729 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 09:35 PM
Tiffany and Lizzy for vs.
Posted By: Capt. Ron (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 09:46 PM
layla
Posted By: rb (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 09:48 PM
A big Tiff fan but layla is a goddess
Layla
And Lizzy is bomb as fucc especially in the black. She deserves to be in the challenge.
Bugs looks good to.
Yell
Posted By: box (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 09:52 PM
Tiffany for the win!
Posted By: Mr Tiffany (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 10:53 PM
Layla
Posted By: Guest#7690 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 11:03 PM
"But we all know that Trish Stratus still elicits a response from a crowd, and she can still draw as a WWE Diva."
Wrong and wrong. She doesn't pop a crowd anymore and how exactly is she a draw?
"I know Trish would be taking someone else's spot, but we all know by now that the WWE could care less about that (see Snooki, The Rock and countless other examples)."
Dwayne Johnson and Snooki are household names at the moment, like it or not. Trish Stratus is not.
Unless she is willing to let Kharma squash her like a bug in under 5 minutes, I see no point in giving Trish another payday.
Posted By: Guest#9724 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 11:07 PM
Yeah, not Layla's best pics as mentioned previously, but still looks better than Tiffany.
Layla
Posted By: Guest#4918 (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 11:10 PM
Tiffany.
Posted By: PJ (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 11:41 PM
Tiffany please.
Posted By: Claude (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 11:43 PM
Tough call, but I'm going with Tiffany.
"You know plenty. But I think the one thing we're all failing to see is the impact of a Ryder loss. Say the WWE was 100% sure they were keeping the belt on Ziggler at Survivor Series. Considering that a given, what they did was the better option."
Wow... I actually never thought of it that way. You're right - if Ryder lost the crowd would've been taken right out of the rest of the show. What they did really was the best thing they could've done in that situation. It actually worked out well; it's putting even more heat behind Ryder.
And it's really a shame to see that for Faby Apache, but it's not really surprising. It's for the best though; her talent would not be appreciated at all in WWE.
Posted By: Franke Sisto (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 12:06 AM
It's funny how people try to defend being hypocritical toward TNA. Like TNA put on an awesome elimination tag match and thats copying Survivor Series Tag match but WWE didnt copy TNA when they had Beth and Natalya go after Kelly Kelly for being the perky cute diva getting all the attention a few weeks or so after TNA had ODB and Jackie return and attack Velvet Sky for being the perky cute Knockout getting all the attention, sorry but WWE blatantly copied TNA with that. Or how people bitched about Bobby Roode getting huge build then losing at BFG but didnt bitch after Alberto Del Rio was built up huge as well only to lose at WM 27. Or when people stopped complaining after a few days after WWE took the title off Christian after 2 days to let the story progress yet still complain about Storm losing the title to Roode so quick. People love to complain about TNA keeping Jeff Hardy after his mistakes yet WWE also kept him after mistakes as well and currently are keeping Heath Slater who not only violated the wellness policy but also was accused of attempted rape. God there are so many examples of the hypocrisy shown toward TNA it's ridiculous. Just sayin. And before all the hate from the WWE fanboys who love to comment and bash both TNA and it's fans yes I am a TNA fan,and dont bring up TNA's cash seeing as it is a private company it's cash isnt known,do I reconize it's flaws yes I do but unlike the TNA Hater Bandwagoners I also see the positives, and lastly dont even bring up how WWE is better, both are different and are meant for different audiences, dont like it dont watch it, dont be a ignorant fool and watch TNA to bash it. There I'm done, rant over. I know most of the WWE fans will not take this to heart and see the logic in what I'm saying and will hate on me for speaking my mind
Posted By: Jeff DeSilva (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 12:15 AM
tiffany
Posted By: Guest#2344 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 12:46 AM
Layla all day
Posted By: Galen H. (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 12:52 AM
Tiffany x100,000,000
Posted By: Guest#2510 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 01:55 AM
Layla, damnit
Posted By: Guest#9558 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 02:00 AM
Layla DAMMIT!
Posted By: Guest#9847 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 02:54 AM
i was at the MITB PPV this year and the atmosphere was amazing. as for Chicago considered bizarro world? how so? the whole CM Punk supposedly leaving with the title and being the hometown hero was pretty much a given to how fans would react. what other PPV events in Chi-town made it as bizarro as NY has always been?
with that being said, i did feel people chanting for CM Punk when Show was being carted out of the arena and during the divas match was disrespectful and unnecessary. but other than that, what Chicago PPVs were considered bizarre? just curious.
Posted By: ChicagOWNED (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 02:56 AM
Tiffany. Oh and is it just me but is The Rock not the heel in this feud with Cena as much as Cena is the bad guy to the general fans. I hate The Rocks character since he came back, he feels like a school boy bully. No doubt The Rock cuts fantastic promos i.e. his one at the Survivor Series but i just ain't feeling The Rock and hoping he loses to Cena at Mania
Posted By: Mr Telling It Like It Is (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 05:10 AM
Layla easily, i miss her
Posted By: beef23 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 05:42 AM
Layla
Posted By: Carlos (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 06:07 AM
Layla El
Posted By: 963 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 06:58 AM
tiffany
Posted By: me again (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 07:35 AM
Layla
Posted By: Dude (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 08:05 AM
layla
Posted By: slicer1997 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 08:06 AM
Layla all day
Posted By: FredHampton (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 09:14 AM
Lay
Posted By: Guest#5537 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 09:46 AM
Tiffany. Lizzy, Buggy and Santana for vs.
Posted By: Theo (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 10:23 AM
Bloody El - Layla!
Posted By: Guest#0447 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Tiffany.
Posted By: The S-Man (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Ok usually I don't bother with this, but this shit just has to stop now.
Layla. Layla. 1000 times Layla!
Do NOT get the love for Tiffany at all.
Posted By: Guest#1212 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 11:07 AM
Layla
Posted By: It's true (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 11:25 AM
How stupid was it to have the Good girls bitching about the lingerie? Why in the world would Velvet Sky be upset at being called a "Stripper" when that's how she acts every week anyway?
Hmm what does grinding your twat on the ring ropes and constantly shaking your huge over sized tits tell us? My god..she's either easy to lay or she LOOKS LIKE A STRIPPER..and she's mad about someone saying that? Please.
And Brooke Adams being mad? The girl who has pictures online of her in a hooters shirt with guys squirting her tits with water? Really now?
Posted By: Baboon (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Layla easily. And Lizzy is definitely Hall material. That bitch's ass, gawddamn.
Posted By: Guest#0293 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 12:38 PM
"100% agree. I am from Chicago, so I am very biased, but I think Chicago (or Rosemont, IL, where the arena actually is) brings it every time they are there. Ive been to plenty of shows there since WM22, and we always let our voices be heard. New York and Toronto are great, but I feel sometimes they - especially Toronto - do it to try and live up to a reputation. Booing Edge his first time there in over 2 years cause he is a stale face in 04? That was just them trying to be smarky.
Posted By: Joey (Guest) on November 26, 2011 at 11:33 AM"
Exactly. I was at Judgment day '09 and Night of Champions 2010 (and would have been at Money in the Bank 2011 if my friend hadn't flaked on the tickets). The crowds at Allstate Arena are always great wrestling crowds. Heck, Survivor Series this year was the first time in awhile that I had heard MSG be a true smark crowd as it had been in the past.
Posted By: The Hodge (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 01:18 PM
Tiffany, and Lizzy and Buggy.
Posted By: RNO (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 02:40 PM
Tiffany for vs. Chicago crowds? Maybe these examples are a little dated, but WM13 Hart vs Austin. ELECTRIC...Sting comes down from the rafters to face Macho Man, Nitro January 1997. ELECTRIC...Jericho's WWF debut and verbal confrontation with the Rock...
Posted By: Ryan (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 02:56 PM
VS: Tiffany. Buggy, Santana, and Lizzy for VS. Make it happen.
Posted By: Nicholas (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 03:34 PM
Layla, EASILY
Posted By: JJ (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 03:36 PM
I wish the crowd in St. Louis where I live would be a bizarro world crowd. You'd figure the city's roots in Pro Wrestling with Wrestling at the Chase it would be, but I suppose not. I guess since it was a long time ago, none of the audience the WWE is geared toward now a days would get that.
Also, I want to disagree with you about the CM Punk story and him keeping his mouth shut (for once)about the Rock. I only disagree because of what two years ago with him and management about him wearing a suit. I know he is A MUCH bigger star now, but still.
I do however disagree with Miz slowly becoming the next Roddy Piper. Okay, first of all, remember, there is and will only be one Rowdy Roddy Piper in this and any generation. Secondly, Roddy Piper had people that wanted to and attempted TO MURDER HIM!! When it comes to the Miz, I just believe that no one cares. He won at Wrestlemania 27, but no one gave a damn after that. Lastly, the Hotrod was wild and rowdy before rowdy was cool. Miz is just one dimensional, and boring. That is just my opinion after all. If you believe I took something out of context, feel free to call me out on it. I hope I didn't, I don't like it when I do that.
Other than that, great column as always dude, and uhhh... say hello to your mother for me??? (what?) Any way, take care and spike your hair bro!
Posted By: Mr. Magnanimous (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 04:51 PM
Tiffany. Santana Garrett-yummy. Lizzy is HoB worthy. So is Buggy.
Posted By: Tron (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 05:08 PM
There's something kinda funny reading a piece that explains that the WWE doesn't want Faby Apache (who is not an unattractive woman) because she's "a little bottom heavy" by WWE standards right after finishing a piece that discusses Kharma. Granted, Kharma isn't a "Diva," but she's popular with the WWE crowds despite not fitting the Diva mold.
Posted By: JJChandler (Registered) on November 27, 2011 at 05:20 PM
I cast my vote for the lovely Tiffany!
Posted By: Guest#0706 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 05:36 PM
Tiffany
Posted By: Guest#8687 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 05:50 PM
Tiffany. Lizzy, Santana and Buggy are smokin'!
Posted By: O-Dog (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 06:49 PM
Layla
Posted By: Guest#7968 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 06:51 PM
Tiffany
Posted By: D-Train (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 07:47 PM
Layla.
Posted By: Da' Troof (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 07:59 PM
Layla FTW
Posted By: Guest#6544 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 08:01 PM
Tiffany over Layla
Posted By: Guest#1385 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 08:08 PM
Layla
Posted By: Guest#5255 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 08:17 PM
Layla
Posted By: Daffo (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 08:42 PM
Layla in a heartbeat
Posted By: HBK's Smile (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 08:45 PM
Tiffany
Posted By: Steve (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 09:04 PM
Layla.
Posted By: Guest#7405 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 09:04 PM
Tiffany.
Posted By: Thrasher (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 09:04 PM
Tiffany!!!!
Posted By: Guest#4846 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 09:16 PM
Kidding? Layla
Posted By: Guest#0212 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 09:35 PM
I gots to go with Layla & Dat Ass!
Posted By: Guest#6315 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 09:53 PM
LAYLA!
Posted By: Josh D. (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 09:56 PM
Definitely my girl Layla
Woo Woo Woo...
Posted By: ...You Know It! (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 09:59 PM
Layla, easily.
yes for Lizzy, get her in Versus immediately.
as for Jesse Sorenson, aren't you guys criticizing him pretty harshly, for a rookie? i mean really, he's young, has a great wrestling build, he has sound fundamentals in the ring, good looking guy...if he plays his cards right, he has a bright future ahead! the fact that he hasn't yet mastered ring and crowd psychology, cutting promos, developing a sound character, is not yet important for Jesse Sorenson. you expect every wrestler to be a superstar in the first few years of their wrestling career? unlikely for most, unless you have serious stroke in the business, such as Rocky Maivia. give the kid time to develop his character, fine-tune his skills and ring psychology, you never know --he could end up the next Shawn Michaels, Rick Rude, or...Randy Orton.
Posted By: cerebral_paulzie (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 10:23 PM
I get what CM Punk's beef w/ the Rock showing up a few times to a huge payday, while he busts his ass 90% of the year, but I feel this is a 'kayfabe'/ 'angle' type thing (I might be using the terms wrong) I think it doesn't bother him.
CM Punk is no dope, Wrestlers finally have a future if they work hard enough, get over & depending on the right time & place, become a star. WWE always goes back to the nostalgia barrel. That being said, CM Punk is on the track for a Rock type deal once he's done, he's probably already a lock for a Undertaker, HBK, HHH, Y2J, Foley schedule when he decides to tone it down & not do it full time.
A fued w/ the Rock ( or Stone Cold) could be his ticket to continued revenue when he decides he'll show up when needed. And doing so via twitter and the media is pretty smart (worked for Ryder).
He's past the point of a 'Legacy Contract' like Hacksaw & Gold-dust, Tatanka and others thrown our way. (Santino has that retirement package in the bag, and maybe Ryder also if he keeps going)
It's good that these guys have a solid future. 10-20 years ago, their futures would be working gym shows in North Dakota for gas money, now they stand to make a mint for 3 weeks of work when past their prime. That's awesome. Rock deserves it & so will Punk.
Posted By: Pant Log (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 10:49 PM
Tiffany, and Lizzy is worthy.
Posted By: Guest#0107 (Guest) on November 27, 2011 at 11:08 PM
Tiffany!
Posted By: Guest#4844 (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 12:07 AM
Definitely Layla
Posted By: That 1 Guy (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 12:10 AM
LAYLA
Posted By: mmm (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 02:06 AM
Fact: Zack Ryder got more of response than The Rock, and he didn't even have a match!
Posted By: Guest#7731 (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 09:49 AM
LAYLA!!!!!!
Posted By: Mike Sanders (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 10:40 AM
Layla
Posted By: Guest#3050 (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 01:46 PM
Chiming in late cause, jeebus, this has to stop. Sure, Tiff is a hot bodied, cute blonde chick...but a top row HoBer? Hells no. This is a vote for Layla. Layla, Layla, Layla.
Other thoughts:
The five - DeMarco pretty much covers the basic differences between SS Henry-Show and 90% of TNA PPV main events, but the other factor for me is that TNA has to be better if they are going to close the gap with WWE! Like fellow #2 Avis, Impact Wrestling has to try harder. Casual fans, lapsed fans, disgruntled 'E fans, indy fans - Impact can't grow their audience by being WWE lite. They need to try different things. Not everything is going to hit, but if the folks coming up with ideas produce more "bullshit" than "holy shit" moments...you probably need to get some new folks to come up with ideas.
The three - There is no reason to "turn" John Cena. He is, for all storytelling purposes, a heel for at last half the audience right now. WWE has the best of both worlds with Cena - he sells merch to kids like no one else, and adults and smarks pay to boo him and for a chance to see him get his ass kicked. Greg's "Ladies Love Cool Cena" idea is interesting, but I can't see that making up for the loss of t-shirt and toy sales to kids. Creative needs to let character alignment develop naturally for the 21st century market, especially for babyfaces. Yeah, you're gonna end up with a handful of tweeners, but booking should adapt to that rather than force crowds to act like it's 1996. Look at Orton and Punk. When the audience was "told" that they were 'faces, they fizzled. After successul heel runs, they were both turned by the audience. Heel Cena could work the same way, but I don't know if you'd ever recapture the kids. I truly believe that a lot of smarks and much of the IWC want a Cena turn so they can feel cool cheering him again. But I don't see how it makes any business sense for the WWE.
The two - I don't look to women in the WWE for anything other than eye candy, so their booking and talent decisions don't surprise or disappoint me at all.
And, you didn't ask, but I'd like to see more of Santana Garrett.
Posted By: s1rude (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 02:03 PM
Tiffany.
The difference between WWE and TNA is payoff. Both with do horrible booking and angles. Both can start good angles. But WWE gives us a payoff more often.
Did Frontline ever go over MEM? Did Immortal ever have their asses epically handed to them and implode? Do Abyss or Samoa Joe feuds go anywhere or do they just quietly die somewhere?
Pushes happen in WWE too. If Zack Ryder were in TNA, he'd be alongside Eric Young. Jay Lethal (if he were tall enough to get in) in WWE could have been in Ryder's current shoes.
TNA has mostly recycled the same talent in the main event scene. Anderson's pushes die as soon as they start. In the last couple of years, the only other new blood in the championship are Beer Money and we have yet to see how that turns out.
WWE has the Miz, Christian, and Mark Henry in the last year. Ziggler is soon to join them and Cody Rhodes has been given the time to build himself nicely.
Fandom sometimes get rewarded in WWE.
Posted By: Guest#2588 (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 02:09 PM
this week belongs to Tiffany
Posted By: dbryan (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 03:04 PM
Layla
Some of you need your eyes checked.
Posted By: Kron (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 04:12 PM
Layla, you've got me on my knees.
Layla, I'm begging, darling please.
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind.
So obviously, Layla.
Posted By: Eric Clapton (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 04:24 PM
Without question, Layla!
Posted By: Guest#4892 (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 04:26 PM
Layla >> Tiffany
Posted By: Guest#12345 (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 04:38 PM
Tiffany!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted By: Guest#9537 (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 04:54 PM
Layla
smh at the people voting Tiffany.
Posted By: Guest#1340 (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 07:00 PM
LAYLA
Posted By: Guest#5364 (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 07:41 PM
Layla
Posted By: ixctec (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 08:22 PM
Tiff by a mile.....
Posted By: Guest#0249 (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 10:00 PM
Layla
Posted By: Guest#2115 (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 10:26 PM
I'm an assman, and I approve this message:
Layla
Posted By: Guest#7206 (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 11:28 PM
LAYLA!
Posted By: Guest#2098 (Guest) on November 29, 2011 at 10:27 PM
El...Layla El
Posted By: James Bond (Guest) on November 29, 2011 at 10:28 PM
Definitely Layla!
Posted By: Guest#0637 (Guest) on November 29, 2011 at 10:30 PM
I gots to go with the British Beauty, Layla
Posted By: Josh (Guest) on November 29, 2011 at 10:32 PM
Please let it be Tiffany!
Posted By: Guest#0021 (Guest) on November 30, 2011 at 01:16 PM
What is with all the hate on Tiffany? She is world's better than Layla. Come on, man, Tiffany for the win!
Posted By: the great one (Guest) on December 01, 2011 at 02:51 PM
I agree with the great one- what's with the Tiffany hate? She rocks! My vote is for Tiffany!
Posted By: Guest#4621 (Guest) on December 01, 2011 at 09:13 PM
Layla sucks. Tiffany rules.
Posted By: Guest#7131 (Guest) on December 02, 2011 at 09:29 AM
Where did the pictures of Santana Garrett go???
Posted By: Fan (Guest) on December 27, 2011 at 10:18 PM
Copyright (c) 2011 411mania.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
Click here for our privacy policy. Please help us serve you better, fill out our survey.
Use of this site signifies your agreement to our terms of use.
Are we being hypocritical? Mark Henry and The Big Show combined to have a really good big-man match at Survivor Series. They provided multiple memorable moments. Mark Henry is at an all-time high. The Big Show delivered his best performance in years. The finish? A low-blow. The story is obvious—Big Show stepped up his game, and Mark Henry met his match. After the match, Mark Henry had his ankle destroyed by Big Show. Are they running an injury angle to take the belt off of Henry? Are they setting up a ladder match at TLC with the story that Henry can't climb a ladder? Are they setting up a chair match? Who knows.
In a recent 
Sean Waltman has been working as a talent scout for Triple H's new talent initiative, searching for talent that can be sent to FCW for developmental work with the WWE. A big recommendation made by the former X-Pac was for Lucha Libre veteran Faby Apache, who competes for AAA in Mexico. According to 
In an interesting bit of news, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis will be attending High Velocity Wrestling's Thanksgiving Showcase. Now, it's not uncommon for a company like the WWE to scout talent. But it does strike me as uncommon for the former Johnny Ace to be scouting talent for the WWE and be advertised as appearing at an event. I do wonder what his role will be—I presume that he's at least cutting a promo. He is advertised, and I'd imagine he will draw in a few extra fans for the company. But those fans will be pissed if he doesn't do something in an "on stage" capacity.
As you might remember, I'm out here in Phoenix, Arizona. We're the sixth largest metropolitan area in the United States, but we cannot seem to support any independent wrestling. Impact Zone Wrestling ran locally for nearly eight years, but they closed up shop in early 2010 after their normal venue, a sports/combo bar titled The Sets, shut down out of the blue. We also had Rising Phoenix Wrestling, which did very well on an extremely limited basis. But they couldn't survive either. Our current independent promotion is called Elite Xtreme Wrestling, and they're on TV! But they're paying for that TV time, and their show is barely passable. Plus, that show is taped every other Tuesday in a 3,000 seat theatre, in front of less than 60 fans. And they don't even have the sense to move everyone to the entrance and shoot from that direction.
