The Wrestling 5&1 06.16.12: Kelly Kelly vs. Cameron

I really like this edition of the 5&1, and I think we can get some great discussion going. I hope you participate! So much so, that we’ll leave out the girls…till the end!

Listen while you read, with Shane Douglas and Joey Ryan!

YouTube Free-4-All Match
Brodus Clay vs. David Otunga
It’s well documented that I am a big fan of Brodus Clay. What’s not documented is that I am also a big fan of 99% of what David Otunga does. He’s a great heel in and out of the ring, and is the perfect sidekick to John Laurinaitis. And since he’s a great heel, we love to see him lose. Which is exactly what will happen here. Now, can we find something for Brodus to do, please? I hear Kofi needs a partner…
Winner: Brodus Clay

Tuxedo Match
United States Champion Santino vs. Ricardo Rodriguez
So your Open the Owarai Gate United States Champion is wrestling a ring announcer in a Tuxdeo Match? Right. Ricardo, who is more over than the man he seconds, is honestly this close to being the United States Champion. And I think he eventually gets the strap. This will be a step in that direction.
Winner: Ricardo Rodriguez

Dragon Gate’s Open The Owarai (Comedy) Gate Championship

WWE Divas Championship
Layla (champion) vs. Beth Phoenix
Someone realized on Monday’s RAW that we had no reason to have a Divas Championship Match, so they created one. Hell, it worked for TNA! The Divas continue to be placed on the back burner in favor of AJ—and rightfully so. She’s the most consistent performer in the division and she barely ever wrestles. I don’t want to see her even win that title, she’s better where she is. Wait, why am I talking about AJ here? That’s right, because this match is inconsequential.
Winner and STILL Divas Champion: Layla

WWE Intercontinental Championship
Christian (champion) vs. Cody Rhodes
“The Greatest House Show Wrestler On The Roster” Christian defends the Intercontinental Championship against the man who did more to elevate that championship in recent years, Cody Rhodes. Both of Cody’s recent title losses have come with the thought that he’s being elevated to bigger and better things, and both times we’ve seen him remain in the division. I think Cody is the perfect opponent for Sheamus a SummerSlam, but I also think he can do it with this very title around his waist. Which is why I see him winning here and going old school—breaking out “the rulebook” to show that the Intercontinental Champion is the #1 Contender and demanding a title match. Plus, I think a long-term champion can look strong by losing and winning his title right back.
Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Cody Rhodes

World Heavyweight Championship
Sheamus (champion) vs. Dolph Ziggler
Alberto Del Rio was originally slated for this title shot, and I actually liked the build in recent weeks. He suffered a concussion, and the WWE is taking those seriously now, so Del Rio is out. I wish him a speedy recovery and a return that does not see lingering effects. That said, as a viewer I think we just got an upgrade. Adding Dolph Ziggler to the match means we get a faster pace and likely a better match. I’ve been a Ziggler supporter for a long time now, and I’d love to pick him to shock the world. He’s ready. But the rocket is strapped to Sheamus’s arse, and he’s not losing it here.
Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Sheamus

WWE Championship – Triple Threat Match
CM Punk (champion) vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Kane – Starring AJ!
CM Punk and Daniel Bryan have “The Midas Touch.” Add in a love triangle? Great! Put a plodding Kane into the match? Fantastic! No matter what they’re given, it turns to gold. This is the most I’ve cared about Kane since his return, and it has more to do with Punk, Bryan and AJ than Kane. I expect this to compete with Sheamus-Ziggler for match of the night honors. The best testament to the build of this match is that it’s nearly impossible to pick a winner. All three men could win, and all three could end up with AJ. In the end I think AJ does help one man win—Daniel Bryan. But contrary to some theories I’ve seen, they are NOT in this together. It will be as much of a surprise to D-Bry as anyone else, and AJ will leave ringside alone—still he most intriguing part of the story.
Winner and NEW WWE Champion: Daniel Bryan

I think we’re all starting to dig crazy chicks by now…

Steel Cage Match
John Cena vs The Big Show
If Show Loses – John Laurinaitis is fired; if Cena Loses, He’s Fired
So with the added stipulations and Vince McMahon involvement, I now care about this match less than I did before. And I actually cared about it! The character change for The Big Show has been brilliant, and I feel as though Mark Henry 2k12 could really work here. Win, lose, draw—Cena gains and loses nothing at this point. So a standard one-on-one cage match would have been fine. But now someone is going to be fired (and not actually go away, mind you). Thanks Vince, I really needed you to screw up my match. Can’t I just have a dominant Big Show? Huh, maybe I can. Maybe Vince just wants to take the power back, and getting rid of John Cena and John Laurinaitis would do the trick.
Winner: The Big Show, Vince fires John Cena, then fires John Laurinaitis. Vince later puts Teddy Long in charge of Smackdown (so he can focus on RAW), where Teddy hires the hottest free agent in all of wrestling—John Cena.

Overall Thoughts
In the past week we’ve gotten a serious upgrade (Dolph Ziggler in the World Heavyweight Championship match) and a serious downgrade (Vince McMahon and additional stipulations added to the main event) on this card. It’s a wash there. What we do have is a show with Cody-Christian, Sheamus-Ziggler, and Punk-Bryan-Kane. Yes please!

You Decide: Buy or No Buy for WWE No Way Out? Is the card better after this week’s developments?

For those of you who like to call me a TNA shill…you might want to skip this point. Better yet—read it. Read it and complain. I always enjoy a good laugh.

But it’s time to take notice of TNA. The company has been around for ten years, and they’ve experienced some ups and some downs. But since last October’s Bound For Glory pay-per-view, the company has been good more than it’s been bad. In fact, the quality of programming put out by TNA rivals that of the WWE. And this week’s Impact Wrestling is proof that they’re hitting a high point in the booking and in-ring product.

Don’t believe me? Fine. You still have a great point below this one about the value of the world titles in the WWE. But I think you should read this point, first. Let’s take a look at some of the good things going on in TNA right now. And just to be fair, I will recognize the drawbacks of each of these situations as well.

The Elevation of Austin Aries.
Less than a year ago, Austin Aries joined TNA by “winning” a contract at Destination X. He soon captured the X-Division Championship from Brian Kendrick, and he hasn’t looked back. In fact, he’s looked so far forward that he’s dominated his own division and has many people (including Hulk Hogan) calling him the best in-ring performer in the world today. He won fans over, to the point that “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived” was turned face in response, and it only elevated him more. His feud against Bully Ray was perfectly executed—it was quick and saw Aries go over. No “getting Bully’s heat back” or any of that garbage.

At Slammiversary, he put on a match with Samoa Joe that would have been a match of the night on any other event had it not been for AJ Styles, Kurt Angle, Frankie Kazarian and Christopher Daniels. Now Aries has gotten too big for the X-Division, and he’s moving into the World Championship picture. I don’t think he’ll win it (although it’s easy to see him doing it), but he will remain up the card with the likes of Christopher Daniels, AJ Styles, Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Jeff Hardy, Mr. Anderson and Rob Van Dam. He’s ascended to the highest level of his entire career. The past 12 months have been amazing for Austin Aries, and we owe TNA for giving him that chance.

The negative: The monster push for Austin Aries hasn’t been without consequence. After being rebuilt, the X-Division is once again in need of a revamping. Former Gut Check contestant Joey Ryan would be the perfect candidate to be 2012’s Austin Aries in that division, and it might be time to pluck away a few top independent names. Roderick Strong, Adam Cole, El Generico and Ricochet would look great in the division alongside Zema Ion and Chris Sabin. Add in the aforementioned Joey Ryan and fellow SoCal talent Scorpio Sky, and the division is back! I’d love to see Low Ki return full time as well.

Bobby Roode As The Dominant World Champion.
Several weeks ago, Hulk Hogan made the proclamation that Bobby Roode was being booked in reverse. While “The Hulkster” didn’t elaborate, what he’s alluding to is obvious. Bobby Roode started his reign as a paranoid champion on the ropes, after he cheated to win the title from James Storm. It appeared as if he was in jeopardy in every single outing. He didn’t win with a finisher for months. He had to blatantly get disqualified or walk away to hold his title. And he lost numerous times to Sting. But now Roode is being booked as a legit world champion. He’s racked up clean wins, and his reestablished the Fisherman’s Suplex and the Crossface as his finishers. His promos shine. His in-ring work is rivaled only by that of Austin Aries, AJ Styles, Kurt Angle & Christopher Daniels. And he’s over as a heel. Boy is he ever over as a heel! The longest reigning champion in TNA’s history is also the best champion in TNA’s history. That’s a bold statement—but that doesn’t mean it’s not true.

The negative: Despite his dominant rise to the top of the wrestling world, Bobby Roode—with wins over Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, Rob Van Dam and Mr. Anderson—still can’t beat a 53 year old Hall of Famer in the form of Sting. Roode has never beaten Sting clean—he either loses in weak fashion or cheats to win. Roode needs to get past Sting, and I see that happening before Bound For Glory.

Bully Ray vs. Joseph Park.
Abyss is a worker that I have often had a hard time getting into. His look is cheap, his work is basic and his mannerisms and promos are ineffective for me. But as Joseph Park? He’s hit a home run. The facial expressions are gold, his over the top antics are perfect for the character, and the interpersonal interactions he’s had have been fantastic. And Bully Ray was the perfect foil for Park. Really, this story has spanned all of 2012 to date, and it’s been very entertaining to see happen. It’s allowed Bully Ray to continue to shine, and it’s allowed me to appreciate Abyss’s talents (even if it’s not as Abyss!).

The negative: Abyss has to come back. And that’s a sad, sad fact. The only payoff to Joseph Park is the revelation that it’s been Abyss all along, and that means the end of the best work Abyss has ever done. Once we’re back to seeing Abyss full time, I don’t see myself caring about him anymore.

James Storm As The Mega Face.
With TNA having the top heel established—Bobby Roode—they also have the top face in James Storm. The Tennessee Cowboy, who was of course Roode’s Beer Money tag team partner, shocked the world last October when he pinned Kurt Angle in less than three minutes to become the TNA World Heavyweight Champion. In doing so, he actually became part of the story that was Bobby Roode’s ascension to the top of TNA. In February, Storm was announced as Roode’s opponent for April’s Lockdown PPV event. We all know what happened there—Storm superkicked Roode out of the cage, allowing the champ to retain. But Storm himself also retained. He retained his immense level of popularity. And when he returned from a short hiatus, he immediately ended Crimson’s win streak and has taken the early lead in the Bound For Glory Series. It does appear to be a foregone conclusion that Storm will win the BFG Series and face Bobby Roode at Bound For Glory. But sometimes obvious booking is still good booking. TNA needs their top face to oppose Bobby Roode. It’s not Mr. Anderson, it’s not Jeff Hardy and it’s not Rob Van Dam. It’s James Storm, and he’s ready for the spotlight.

The negative: A choice has to be made. Does Storm win the title at Bound For Glory, or does Roode retain. Because the loss is going to hurt someone. If Storm loses, what’s next? If Roode loses, where does he go after becoming a dominant champion over the course of a year?

As you can see, there’s a lot of good going on in TNA. But it doesn’t end with the major items listed above. Here are some of the other great things going on—complete with their negative counterpart.

Positive: Miss Tessmacher is built into a new face of the Knockouts Division.
Negative: Brooke Hogan steals her first name—and most of the spotlight in the Knockouts Division.

Positive: AJ Styles, Kurt Angle, Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian put on TNA’s first real Match of the Year candidate.
Negative: Styles & Angle are tag team champs after not really earning their shot, and Kazarian already seems forgotten about as he was left out of the BFG Series.

Positive: The use of Jeff Hardy, Mr. Anderson and Rob Van Dam to elevate talent such as Bobby Roode.
Negative: Is there really one? I’m not sure there is. Hell, if Austin Aries does give up the X-Division Championship and loses to Roode, Aries versus any of these three could be awesome.

Positive: TNA has had two straight good PPV events in Sacrifice and Slammiversary. Destination X is traditionally a great show. They’re on a PPV roll.
Negative: I remember Bound For Glory…and Lockdown.

You Decide: Can you cast your own bias aside and take an objective look at TNA?

December 18, 2011.

What is the significance of that date? The event held on that day was the 2011 installment of WWE TLC—Tables, Ladders & Chairs. The main event? CM Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. The Miz in a Triple Threat Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match for Punk’s WWE Championship.

“Yeah? So what!”

That’s the last time that either the WWE or World Heavyweight Championship has main evented a WWE PPV. And as Greg DeMarco Show analyst Chad Perry so eloquently pointed out on Tuesday’s recording, you have to go back to October 3, 2010 for the last time the World Heavyweight Championship was defended in the main event—a Hall in a Cell match between Kane and his challenger The Undertaker.

Now, I don’t have a problem with the occasional special attraction match serving as the main event of a WWE PPV. Hell, I’m fine with them doing it two PPV’s in a row for WrestleMania 28 (The Rock vs. John Cena) and Extreme Rules (Cena vs. Brock Lesnar). But we’re into the June 2012 PPV and we still don’t have a title match main eventing a PPV? That just doesn’t seem right.

In my opinion, a title match should have main evented the last PPV, Over The Limit, as the Fatal Four Way for the World Heavyweight Championship (Sheamus defending against Chris Jericho, Randy Orton and Alberto Del Rio) should have closed out the show. And I don’t think Punk-Bryan should have gone on right before it, either. You sandwich Cena-Laurinaitis in between them and I think you have a great presentation that sends the fans—and viewers—home happy.

Now I know that many feel like “the belts are just props,” and as John Cena and Vince McMahon confirmed on RAW, wins and losses mean nothing—but this is just ridiculous. You had Chris Jericho and CM Punk arguing over who the Best Wrestler in the World was leading up to WrestleMania, and they both established that the very best deserves to wear that title. Well shouldn’t the best be involved in the main event? Does Big Show-John Cena have to main event the next PPV? Do we have to wait for John Cena to wear the WWE Championship again for it to be in the main event? I just feel as though we’ve lost sight of the importance of one of the most important aspects of the business—the world title.

You Decide: Should the World Championship be defended in the main event of each PPV? Most of them?

NOTE: I went back and checked the archive, and Chad did in fact call Hell in a Cell the last time the World Heavyweight Championship was defended in the main event. That has been corrected. I also emailed the site of archived WWE results that listed Kane-Taker as the main event of Bragging Rights and they have since changed their listing. Thanks to everyone for pointing that out!

You really thought Gut Check was real? Wow, your low amount of credibility keeps on sinking…
Posted By: Guest#2954

You really think women like you? I guess I’ll have to take you at your word, number 2954…

Hahaha! In other words, you need more guests for your show and need more ‘girls’ to promote each week like they are actually friends. It never gets old…
Posted By: Guest#2213

I know, it’s hilarious! Right?! Unbelievable!

You’re jealous, it’s cool.

TNA had its lowest viewership since June 2010 last night. Good job promoting them more on purpose over WWE every column Greg…you are doing wonders trying to prop them up!
Posted By: Guest#7716

You do realize I talked more WWE than TNA this week, right?

THANK YOU Greg DeMarco!!!!! You actually have the guts to point out what I(and a few others) have been trying to all week about the end of RAW. *TONY ACERO PLEASE TAKE NOTE*. Fact or Fiction was a JOKE this week.

This is simply another EXCUSE to bash John Cena. The use of B A Star is a piece of propaganda in the NEVERENDING quest by the IWC to tear down Cena. Hello…..Michael Cole is the bully! Has been for YEARS. He was just getting what was coming. Ask Make-A-Wish about Cena being a bully and see what reaction you get?

As DeMarco, myself and others have pointed out, THE LIVE CROWD LOVED EVERY SECOND!!!!! There is a reason the so called “smart fans” are in the MINORITY. They are not the target, nor the money makers for WWE. Then again, these are the same “fans”(I use that term in the LOOSEST possible fashion) that chant “Albert” at Tensai and “Sexual Chocolate” at Mark Henry…

Doesn’t say much. You people wouldn’t know how to have fun if it jumped up and bit you in the face!

It really must kill some of you that John Cena is the face of WWE and will be for YEARS TO COME and to top it all off is, by all accounts, a really decent guy in real life! A bully? Not if you had a million wishes.

Posted By: Truth Hurts

Tony and I did in fact disagree on this issue, but that’s okay. We still get along.

I go for the Diva who had to take turns trying to seduce Kamala (she was giggling the most while trying to do it) & who said Fozzy was her favourite Muppet.
Posted By: Guest#8084

You were not alone…

The whole concept of attacking bullying is silly in that anyone doing anything negative towards anyone else can be perceived as being a bully regardless of his/her reasons. This makes it especially ridiculous for a wrestling company to take on the role of anti-bullying since almost every action every character takes against every other character could be considered bullying. That being said, forget B-A-Star for a minute; can’t we just hate this week’s Raw main event because it was pointless, furthered nothing, and generally sucked total ass?

I won’t use B-A-Star to bash John Cena, but using Make-A-Wish to defend him isn’t any different. Can’t we all just agree that having Cena on top and going in the direction the company has been going in for the last five years or so has resulted in lower ratings and generally less buzz around the product then has been seen in the past? Regardless of how you feel about Cena, those facts aren’t really in dispute are they?

Posted By: jmac

Both B-A-Star… Make-A-Wish… Whatever-A-Whatever… It doesn’t matter. They all exist outside of the televised product. It shouldn’t be that hard to separate the two. My 6 year old can do it.

hey greg, if I know a wrestler or two who might be interested in coming the DeMarco show how would they go about getting booked? Also I sent you info on spw in Sacramento, forgot the website so email me back if you are interested
Posted By: The Saint

I did get it, and I’ll email you this weekend…

Bravo on the Cena/Cole bit! Just perfect. Pull a “Sandow” and say, “You’re welcome.”.
Posted By: The Great Capt. Smooth

You might have given birth to a new graphic…

What you were saying about the whole “if it’s on TV, it’s a work” thing, I agree with you. Unfortunately, if it’s someone the IWC loves(Daniel bryan, CM Punk, Paul Heyman, Joey Styles etc,.) people will push that it’s a shoot when it clearly isn’t
Posted By: Guest#8507

It’s hard, because with suspension of disbelief, there are times when you actually want to think it’s real (as has been pointed out by readers here before).

You seem extremely bitter this week, has it got something to do with Buggy?
Posted By: Guest#1855

How can I be bitter when I talked to our Candyland Princess both last week and this week?

Hey, let’s talk ratings, shall we?

There’s this perspective…

Completely agree about the ratings stuff. I wonder if some of these guys wait for the ratings to come in before deciding what other TV shows they like as well. It’s a shame they can’t think for themselves and need the validation of the masses.

Also if people are honest, there’s nobody in wrestling that should be bragging about their ratings.

In my opinion Impact surpassed Raw in quality going back to the fall of last year after the Summer of Punk was bogged down and eventually wasted with Ace/Nash/HHH feud to nowhere.

That’s not to say Impact doesn’t have a shitload of room for improvement, but it is a much more entertaining show than Raw.

And before I’m accused of being a troll or fanboy, let me assure you that I’m hoping very much that WWE will right their ship and start providing a better product.

But right now TNA has more talent and does a better job of utilizing it in an entertaining way.

Posted By: Nick

And there’s this perspective…

If you are a fan of ANY TV show, you BETTER care about their ratings. If not, you are kidding yourself.

Ask Community fans how irrelevant ratings are. Aks 30 Rock fans how little ratings mean. Ask fans of countless other “great” shows how they don’t care about ratings, as they are on the verge of being canceled.

Cerainly Raw (or Impact) will not be canned anytime soon, but ratings mean a ton. Just ignoring them, especially when they are dipping is stupid.

If not, enjoy the announcement of a “series finale” coming up soon or watching the DVD box sets forever. Without good ratings, the shows end.

Simple as that.

Posted By: Brad B

Here’s the thing. You’re BOTH right.

As is Ronnie…

Nobody is saying “I hope nobody watches wrestling and the ratings suck, because I don’t care.”

Of course wrestling fans want Raw, Impact, Smackdown, and ROH to all post Monday Night War numbers…but even if they do and Impact has the highest number, it does not indicate Impact is the highest quality show.

I think by the Spring/Summer of 97, Raw was a better show than Nitro…but the ratings did not reflect that.

I think 1986-1988 Jim Crockett’s WCW was better than any of WWF’s shows…but the ratings didn’t reflect that.

I think ECW in 1995 was better than Nitro or Raw…but the ratings didn’t reflect that.

You’re confusing commerce with art.

If I decided to judge art based solely on economics, then I’d have to say the music of Britney Spears is superior to Alice in Chains because she sold more albums and had more hit singles.

I’d have to say Michael Bay is superior to Martin Scorcese because Armageddon and Transformers made more money that Goodfellas and Raging Bull.

I don’t think the vast majority of people believe that popularity is synonymous with greatness.

Posted By: Ronnie

As true fans we need to take both sides on occasion. That makes all three of you…

I hate the “Heatwave” crap. The girls won the required 4 match-ups to make the HoB… Why should they have to defend their spot? It just seems silly to me.

Also, you need an Indy to introduce? Try 3XW based in Des Moines, Iowa. Fantastic wrestling, great management, diehard fans… It’s a great little company.

Posted By: Guest#6298

As for part two, I will definitely check them out. As for part one…

Voting using a poll instead of spam votes is going to reverse a lot of earlier, obvious errors. Maria obliterates Brooke.

Posted By: Guest#8038

8038 is right. Velvet was dominant. The others had many close calls. The fact is, the highest vote tally I ever got was ~250 using the comment section. Now we’ll routinely get between 1000 & 2000. This is more accurate. And I gave them a chance to stay, they just lost. And Tiffany and Brooke both lost big time.

Your hall is a joke as long as you keep glorifying chicks that quit wrestling (in Trish’s case, many years ago). Either stick to just current ones, or induct every notable model to ever work in WWE. Seriously, how is Tiffany (who didn’t even last a year in WWE), hotter than someone like Torrie Wilson or Stacy Keibler?

Posted By: Guest#3440

Because history exists, and we shouldn’t ignore it.

Hell yes the main event of Raw was bullying, and at least if it was D-Bry it would have made more sense seeing as if Daniel is a heel and given his and Cole’s history. Punk it would have been fine as well, because even though he is a baby face right now, he did state he is no role model (at least as a face) nor does he wear a white cap.
Instead it was THE FACE OF COMPANY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO DUDLEY DOO RIGHT/CAPTAIN AMERICA/SUPERMAN THAT IS FEUDING WITH A MAN FOR TURNING INTO A BULLY!!!
Apologies, I just don’t get how you don’t see that, but it is your column and your opinion and I appreciate how you are calling out all of the hypocrites that hate Cena for no reason. I don’t like him because he is still being forced our throats, although it is not his fault (then again maybe it is, idk).
Anyway, thanks for the Regal/Ambrose video. Ambrose is great and it is needless to say Regal is the most underrated wrestler in the company.
My friend and I argue about Ambrose on the main show and how people will take to him. My buddy says he doesn’t havde the “it” factor because he is scrawny. I tell him to go jerk off to Batista matches because you don’t be on steroids to have “it”, ’cause steroids definitely don’t give you “it”. Now I am not an expert on whether or not anyone has the “it” factor but Dean is definitely different and I really enjoy that. I also believe that Vince doesn’t want him on the main roster yet because he hasn’t figured out a way to cut his little Deanies off yet.
Sorry for the long post, I just had to add my 36 cents on a few things. Your column is always a good read to me and I appreciate that.

Posted By: Mr. Magnanimous

I appreciate both the passion and the compliments. But take a look at history. John Cena has rarely been Dudley Doo Right, Captain America or Superman. He’s had super powers, but he’s been partaking in “heelish” actions since his rise to the top. That’s what babyfaces do, honestly.

Cena’s character is presented as a bully. He makes fun of his opponents and takes glee in punishing and embarrassing people weaker than him. END OF DISCUSSION.

Posted By: Guest#9369

Usually those weaker than him do something, storyline wise, to deserve it. But yes, he—and many other WWE superstars—are often bullies. ON TELEVISION. That seems to be a key point people (not you) are ignoring.

The build for Slammiversary, which is supposed to be one of their “big” PPVs, has sucked. No way around it, they just haven’t done much to make us care about most of these matches; or to make us care about a Slammiversary without a King of the Mountain match. That being said, they have managed to construct a card with about half of the matches having something to interest us. It might be whether “Joseph” or Abyss shows up to meet Bully Ray, or it may be anticipating a good technical battle in the tag title match. As I say, about half the matches are at least semi-intriguing. Slammiversary should be better than that, but it’s something.

Joey Ryan. I think we all wanted the Gut Check thing to be a shoot. The more we can suspend disbelief, the more fun wrestling is, and a shoot would be the ultimate suspension of disbelief. Plus, face it, his promo really did suck, and it was easy to believe it would piss Taz off. Most of Ryan’s online stuff was similarly whiny, so it was also easy to believe. Then Hogan’s name got involved, and the light bulb went off. Definitely a work, with Hogan using Ryan to put himself over. Any doubt was erased with the “candid, backstage” footage on Impact this week. So it goes; hey, maybe Goldberg will show up Sunday and shoot on Crimson! 8^)

Posted By: the ghost of Buddy Rogers

Yes, the build sucked. But the show was good. And what followed was even better.

First, I don’t see how anybody can defend the Cena VS Cole crap. No, I don’t want to hear that “it’s just a show” nonsense. The problem with WWE is that they think they are somehow not a wrestling company. That’s why this company does so many stupid things and why their product is unwatchable most of the time. I don’t care if it was CM Punk (Cena for WWE-fan smarks) or Daniel Bryan. That segment has no business being on a wrestling show and anyway Jerry Lawler and Booker T are much more annoying than Cole.

On the subject of Joey Ryan, I believe it is a shoot. I believe he really is the disrespectful punk he appears to be and if that is the case, TNA made the right decision not to hire him. I don’t care how talented he is. He’s a locker room cancer. TNA airing the comments didn’t change my mind because they are going in a reality direction.

Posted By: Guest#4021

First off…

You made a LOT of great points, but I picked these two. The WWE doesn’t need to accept that it’s a wrestling company. We need to accept that it’s a TV show (the longest running episodic television show in history, actually) or we need to watch something else. Yes, they do plenty of stupid things. And if you simply didn’t like Cena-Cole, then fine. But it wasn’t bullying, which you might actually agree with.

As for your take on Joey Ryan, I simply put it here because no one else has shared that opinion, except for you. And it’s one that’s worth exploring, accurate or not.

Okay, what moderator decided not to post my second comment? It was just a simple prediction that Christian Cage will answer the open challenge from Crimson. That’s the payback for letting Flair attend that HoF farce. (Any one promotion “Hall of Fame” is a farce. There is a Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame, which is the only one that really matters.) Oh, and it will be a screwed up, no decision match, as neither promotion would want their guy to lose.

Posted By: the ghost of Buddy Rogers

We’ve addressed he comments thing before. Plenty of eloquent, valid comments don’t get through. And I like what they did with Crimson more than using Christian.

Really? You honestly think, in 2012, that Montreal was a work? This stupid myth is more ridiculous than the Savage/Stephanie bullshit because at least that rumor is based entirely on rumor and is thus unprovable. Perpetuating the “Montreal was a work!” line became officially asinine after Bret’s return in 2010.

Posted By: neverAcquiesce

So people can call me stupid for believing in Joey Ryan’s Gut Check being a shoot, AND call me stupid for not believing Montreal was? Sounds logical to me.

Cena was absolutely a bully for what he did. When you physically assault someone half your size, then go the extra mile to humiliate them, that’s the definition of bullying. If some petulant adolescent kept verbally chastising me to extremes because he was sure I wouldn’t do anything, then I surprised him with an ass kicking and ripped his clothes off, I would go to PRISON.

I’ve been screaming for years that today’s faces are just heels who suck up to fans rather than mock them. Cena is the worst example of it, frequently becoming violent without provocation. If a heel did that to JR, it would make sense within their character. For Cena to wear a shirt to the ring every week that says RISE ABOVE HATE and then do that, it’s the definition of hypocrisy.

I freely admit that I hate Cena’s stale, boring one dimensional character, but I long solved that problem by skipping Raw and only reading recaps. He does not get a free pass on valid criticism just because those doing so happen to dislike him.

Posted By: Jason Douglas

But you don’t always go to prison on a television show where you’re giving the “bad guy” what he deserves. Rise Above Hate is marketing. It’s not who he is. He’s a television character, just like Michael Cole.

Are you an independent wrestling promoter, wrestler or fan looking to get more exposure for your promotion? Send me an e-mail at [email protected] and I will check it out! Each week, one independent promotion will be featured in this column. Because independent wrestling is the future of the business.

This week’s independent promotion is…
WOMEN SUPERSTARS UNCENSORED

Women Superstars Uncensored presents their annual iPPV Uncensored Rumble V this Saturday night. The show emanates from the NYWC Sportatorium in Deer Park, NY. The event features the yearly Uncensored Rumble (where the winner gets a title shot at their next event), a Casket Match for the WSU Championship between champ Jessicka Havok and Mercedes Martinez and our own DeMarcette Terra Calaway making her east coast debut against Allysin Kay.

Seriously, how awesome is that Casket Match?!?!

Details per the promotion:

Saturday June 16, 2012
WSU Uncensored Rumble V
Meet & Greet: 4:00 PM Belltime: 6:00 PM
Live iPPV: 7:00 PM @ GFL.TV
NYWC Sportatorium
435-13 Brook Avenue
Deer Park, New York 11729

WSU World Championship Casket Match
Jessicka Havok (champion) vs. Mercedes Martinez

Uncensored Rules
WSU Tag Champion Sassy Stephanie vs. J-Cup 2012 Winner Brittney Savage

Alicia vs. Lexus

Uncensored Rumble
Winner Becomes Number 1 Contender to WSU World Championship

Terra Callaway vs. Allysin Kay

NCW Championship Match
Kalamity (champion) vs. Sweet Cherrie

Tina San Antonio vs. Annie Social

Also Appearing
Rain, Jenny Rose, Jessie Brooks, Jana, Latasha, Kimber Lee, Jennifer Cruz, Ezavel Suena, Nikki Syx & More

More information can be found here, and you can order the event here.

Remember, this is the first half of the biggest weekend of Terra Calaway’s career, as she returns to SoCal on Sunday to take part in Apex Pro Wrestling’s second event. That was covered in last week’s Wrestling 5&1 here.

Yours truly will be at the event representing The Greg DeMarco Show, who will have a banner hanging from the ring apron! Tony Acero will be there with me, and we’ll be recording some content for the show as well. Stop by and say Hi!

You Decide: Will you check out WSU Uncensored Rumble V?

Last Week: In the final Versus Heatwave match-up, Brooke Tessmacher’s place in the Hall was in jeopardy as she faced the challenge of Maria Kanellis. And thanks to Polldaddy, here are the results!

Brooke Tessmacher may have captured the TNA Knockouts Championship at Slammiversary, but she is officially out of the Hall of Bang!

As a result of the three week long Heatwave Challenge, the Hall of Bang will have a new look next week, and only five members. However, as promised, the following holds true for the Versus Contestants…

* Christy Hemme still retains her one victory from before Heatwave, and will continue in her quest for the Hall.
*AJ Lee now sits at two victories after Heatwave (one prior win plus her victory over Tiffany), and will continue in her quest for the Hall.
* Maria Kanellis gains a victory (over Brooke Tessmacher), and will now start her own quest as well!
* Tiffany and Brooke Tessmacher will both receive new opportunities at the Hall as soon as the opportunity is available. They will not be challengers against Christy, AJ or Maria.

This Week: The traditional Versus match-ups are back, but as the risk of overexposure it does not include any of the above participants! This week two new participants will get their shot at a quest for immortality in the Wrestling 5&1 Hall of Bang!

Kelly Kelly!

Cameron!

The Choice Is Yours!

CAMERON vs. KELLY KELLY
Take your pick and vote in the poll below!

Remember, you can vote multiple times—once every 12 hours.
And you can track the results right here, too!

I’ve been looking for this match for quite a while, and finally found a copy. It’s proof that Ring of Honor can be different, but still great. Here is it, GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion KENTA defending against Low Ki at Final Battle 2005. Enjoy.

The Greg DeMarco Show welcomes a wrestling legend in “The Franchise” Shane Douglas, a legend in the making in Joey Ryan, and offers legendary wrestling opinions and analysis!

The Greg DeMarco Show, presented by 411Mania.com/Wrestling, streams all weekend at VOCNation.com. Greg and Patrick O’Dowd are joined by regular contributors Tony Acero, Justin Freemyer and Chad Perry! Plus, you never know who might call in or stop by “The Snake Pit” (chatroom).

This week:
The Greg DeMarco Show welcomes the man who started the revolution that was Extreme Championship Wrestling—“The Franchise” Shane Douglas! During this 45 minute interview, Shane discusses the famous promo where he tossed the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship and turned Eastern Championship Wrestling into Extreme. He also talks candidly about his run as Dean Douglas in the WWF, who he blames for its failure and what he would have done with himself back in the WWF. Shane also talks about the recent Extreme Reunion even, and what everyone can expect from the company in the future.

Former TNA Gut Check participant Joey Ryan makes his second DeMarco Show appearance to talk about the competition itself, the recent behind the scenes footage with Al Snow, his in-ring confrontation with Taz, what he was told before the competition started and what type of contact he’s had with TNA since.

Finally, midwestern indy standout “The Punk Rock Icon” Tony Sly talks about his near 8-year career and his role in the upcoming George Tragos/Lou Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Plus more wrestling talk as 411Mania’s Tony Acero covers RAW, Justin Freemyer takes a look at wrestling history, and Chad Perry previews WWE No Way Out!

To listen to the show, head here (starting on Saturday), or listen here:

About the show:
The Greg DeMarco Show with Greg DeMarco & Patrick O’Dowd, presented by 411Mania and streaming worldwide through the Voice of Choice Nation—airs live every Tuesday at 10:30 PM eastern time and is heard by over 10,000 listeners throughout each week. Discussing current events in professional wrestling—including WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, TNA, Ring of Honor and many US independent promotions and regularly featuring guests from Ring of Honor, Extreme Reunion, Chikara Pro, and countless other promotions, Greg and Patrick present opinionated analysis on the wrestling world that remains rooted in a love, passion and respect for the business. The show is presented live on Tuesday nights by 411Mania at http://www.411wrestling.com/wrestling and streams worldwide each Saturday through Monday via Bruce Wirt’s Voice of Choice Nation at http://www.vocnation.com. You can reach the show via e-mail at [email protected], Facebook by searching for “Greg DeMarco Show” or Twitter @gregdemarcoshow.

Hit up the ‘Mania on the TWITTER (so Ashish will like me, okay?)

http://www.twitter.com/411mania
http://www.twitter.com/411wrestling
http://www.twitter.com/411moviestv
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http://www.twitter.com/411games
http://www.twitter.com/411mma
http://www.twitter.com/gregdemarcoshow – that’s me!

At 24 years old she’s already a nine year veteran of the ring! She competes primarily in Europe, but one extended stay in the United States could see her land in one of the big two promotions. She’s Erin Angel!

Get reading!

Randle’s Wrestling News Experience!
The News from Cook’s Corner!
Marsico presents The Wednesday Wire!
Kelly’s Sports Entertainment News Report!
Napier’s Handicapping the News!
Fact or Fiction!

Tony Acero presents The Low End Theory!

Plenty to talk about in the comments!
What are your thoughts on WWE No Way Out?
Is TNA hitting their stride? Better than most are willing to admit?
Are the world titles important? To you? To the WWE? To TNA?
What do you think of WSU Uncensored Rumble V?
Can you believe that Erin Angel is a 9 year pro?
Plus, vote in the poll above—Kelly Kelly vs. Cameron!

Until next time…

Find me:

Listen to the show!