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Ask 411 Wrestling 07.10.13: Gangrel In WWE, AJ Styles, Stone Cold, More

July 10, 2013 | Posted by Justin Watry

Hopefully, everybody had a safe and happy 4th of July holiday. I know I did!

On the wrestling side last week, there was not much going on. Raw was a pretty bland show. TNA Impact Wrestling was not seen, due to the holiday Smackdown was pretty good and actually may have been the best WWE show. Either way, tons of things are lined up for next week. Should be interesting!

About this column, I have been fairly content with everything thus far. Since day one, I made it very clear nobody will ever ‘replace’ the former host. Also, this continues to be a work in progress. Not every single thing was going to click right off the bat. There will be constant changes and improvements as time goes on. For the most part though, I like the direction but am still testing out ideas. Just to experiment, I’m going to attempt something different today. Instead of showcasing a ton of questions and short answers, let’s try to flip the script – lesser topics but longer discussion. Let me know what you think. All feedback is still welcome! Without any more stalling, here is the money shot…

BANNER!

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Backtalking

Just a simple reminder: All of YOU pick the topics, not me. The email address is listed below.

Your Turn, Smart Guy…

Last week’s question was how many pay-per-view matches Triple H has won since April 2010. Just like previous weeks, only ONE person was correct. Props to Matias here! The Game has won just three matches since then: Night of Champions 2011 vs. CM Punk, TLC 2011 vs. Kevin Nash, and WrestleMania 29 vs. Brock Lesnar – Triple H did not win a single PPV match in 2012. I tell you; that ego of his is out of control! This week’s question revolves around the Money in the Bank stipulation.

How many current WWE Hall of Famers have competed in a MITB ladder match? Name them.

Questions, Questions, Who’s Got The Questions?

Let’s start things off in a big way with the one and only Mathew asking some questions! Yes, THAT Mathew.

For each of the following, what’s your favorite (the one you love/respect/whatever the most) and the one you think is the best of all time so far? They can be the same one, sure, but they don’t have to be. One’s your favorite, the other is the ‘objective’ best…

Male Wrestler

Female Wrestler

Tag Team

Manager/Valet/Hanger-On-er

Match

Feud

Storyline (or combine those two if you like)

Specific PPV

Specific Promo

Theme Music

Video Package

Aspect of Victoria/Tara

Very nice. Thank you sir for the topics. Let me try and get to each one:

Male Wrestler: Growing up, I always loved Mick Foley. I didn’t look like him, weighed as much as him, acted like him, or anything even close. Yet, he drew me in the most. Now, in 2013, the greatest of all-time is Shawn Michaels. Sorry Bret hart, but HBK was the best there is, best there was, and best there ever will be.

Female Wrestler: This one is easy. It goes to Trish Stratus. She is the reason why I laugh whenever people whine and complain about WWE hiring models. Um yeah, you know where Trish started? Modeling. Nice try. She is the greatest, with Lita close behind. Of course, Victoria is also in consideration. : )

Tag Team: Based on title victories and impact, the answer is Dudleyz or LOD. For myself, Edge and Christian were the perfect blend of everything great about tag teams. Comedic? Serious? Brawling? Technical masterpieces? High spots? They could do it all. Plus, both became World Champion. Very few teams can claim that accolade.

Manager: I know there is this love affair with managers (for some reason). They are a nice act and can add a ton to someone lacking mic skills. At the end of the day though, the action is inside the ring. There are tons to chose from: Miss Elizabeth, Bobby Heenan, etc. For this generation though, the top choice is Paul Heyman. Hey, he made Heidenreich, Matt Morgan, and Nathan Jones into stars…right? Good luck Curtis Axel.

Match: For those of you who have read my columns over the past few years, you already know this story. Yes, what youa re about to read actually took place. However, it has yet to be told for the wonderful 411mania audience. Get ready – it is long. Back in 2009, I had a (good looking, save the jokes) lady friend over to my apartment late at night. Usually, a horror movie would be the selection for the evening. We’d sit on the couch and watch it, while catching up. This time, she suggested one of my ‘wrestling movies.’ I was shocked but open to the idea (of course). She never watched WWE but suggested we just watch ONE match. What to do? If you could show a non-fan ONE match, what would it be? I was faced with that decision. Without any hesitation, I popped in my new WWE WrestleMania 25 DVD and went straight to Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker.

After a couple of explanations about the ‘scripts’ and ‘characters’ on the show, the entrances were beginning. Things got off to a great start, when she praised how each man appeared (Shawn from above, Taker from below). The two locked up, and I knew we were in store for a memorable 45 minutes. Slowly but surely, she got into the match. After a couple of false finishes in the bout, you knew things were getting good. At one point, she looked over and told me both guys had to win. She couldn’t imagine somebody losing. Perfect! Within ten minutes, I had somebody hooked on WWE. When Taker jumped over the top rope and landed on his head, she jumped about five feet in the air with terror. Planned or not, she knew that HAD to hurt!

By the time we got to the Sweet Chin Music moves, Tombstones, and big moments, she had lost her mind. I still specifically remember one quote after a superkick. Standing on the couch, she was yelling ‘No, The Streak can’t end!’ Clearly, she had picked a side at this point: Undertaker. When the match finally ended, there a loud sigh of relief. It was like we had run a 10 mile marathon after simply watching a WWE match! The Dead Man was still undefeated at the grandest stage of them all, and Mr. WrestleMania was the best performer alive. We never did watch another WWE DVD again, but that was enough for me. If the match wasn’t amazing before, it was officially the greatest thing ever now. Just watching a non-fan get caught up in the drama and react that way sealed it for me.

Feud/Storyline: I am combining the two. For me, it is probably Stone Cold vs. Vince McMahon. Amazing they feuded for years, yet rarely were in a match together? That is the true tale of a great feud. Other options include the HBK/Taker saga I just discussed, John Cena vs. Randy Orton (very underappreciated), and the entire Evolution story line. Triple H made Randy Orton into a star and created one out of thin air with Batista. Amazing to see play out.

Specific PPV: ECW One Night Stand in 2005 was great. WrestleMania 22 was also (top to bottom) one of the best events. I suppose WM17 is up there as well, even though the first hour was filler nonsense. Summerslam 2002 had a quality outing all night. There are a bunch of pay-per-view that I love to re-watch. Picking one is nearly impossible though.

Specific Promo: Anything with Mick Foley? As noted, growing up, this guy just spoke to me even though I had zero in common with him. Somehow, he made it work. I know this will catch me some flack (what doesn’t?), but the promos leading up to John Cena vs. The Rock were excellent…especially Cena. That guy did his best work in the build up to WrestleMania 28. Of course, The Rock, Stone Cold, and others are worth a mention. Don’t forget the original nWo-heel turn promo and Shawn Michaels ripping Canada in 2005 before Summerslam. Excellent stuff!

Theme Music: Real American from the 1980’s is still a song I listen to this day. For that alone, it gets top billing thanks to The Hulkster using it. Even though others had it, he is best known for the song. Triple H has had a lot of good themes. I actually enjoy The Great Khali’s song, believe it or not. For today’s top stars, you can’t go wrong with Mark Henry. Right when that beat hits, you know trouble is coming.

Video Package: Two main choices – The Limp Bizkit video hyping up The Rock vs. Stone Cold for WrestleMania 17 or Placebo with HBK/Taker at WrestleMania 26? Both had their own personality. I think I did a column on this topic last year and gave the nod to HBK/Taker at WM26. Thus, it would only be fair to continue that line of thinking. Close call though, no doubt.

Aspect of Victoria/Tara: Her longevity is amazing. Think of all the past female wrestlers to enter WWE. From Torrie Wilson to Stacy to Eve to Beth Phoenix to even Trish Stratus, they all had a solid run before leaving the company. A decade later, she is still performing at a high level. Whether it is 2002 or 2013, the girl is a top talent in ANY wrestling organization.

We continue on with a question about Gangrel from Connor!

Why didn’t Gangrel get a big push? He was a very intriguing character and solid in the ring, at least give him the European title.

I don’t know…

To me, it was just way too crowded. Sadly, there was just not room for EVERY SINGLE WRESTLER to get a spotlight during the Attitude Era. Gangrel fit into that picture. With D’Lo Brown, Val Venis, Mark Henry, Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero, X-Pac, and others battling for the mid-card titles, some performers just had to miss out. It is the same thing looking back at the 1980’s. Hulk Hogan SHOULD have been WWE Champion for the majority of that decade, and he was. Unfortunately, that meant plenty of top guys missed out on the title. Ted DiBiase, Roddy Piper, Mr. Perfect, and others were just never going to get a solid run with the belt. Wrong place, wrong time. The Hulkster was going to be in the main event, regardless of your thoughts on him. Nowadays, I’m sure Gangrel could get a mid-card title reign. During the late 90’s though? The roster was filled to capacity with great WWE Superstars.

A TNA Impact Wrestling question? It is true, thanks to Drunken Mark bringing up AJ Styles and Samoa Joe:

In 2005, Samoa Joe chose TNA over WWE. Prior to that, AJ Styles was obviously in TNA with rumors he turned down the WWE. Up until about a year ago, I always thought they made the right move but recently with CM Punk becoming the #2 guy in the fed (and should anything happen to Cena, he would be #1). And additionally with Daniel Bryan being about to be pushed to the moon… Do AJ and Joe regret their respective decisions to go to TNA? This question was inspired by the Foley DVD and the mention of him recruiting Joe and Punk.

Mick Foley also mentioned trying to recruit Joe and Punk in one of his WWE autobiographies years ago.

First, we are going to assume WWE even wants to sign them. The older they get, the less interest there is. Let’s not just pretend WWE is losing sleep over not having them. Vince McMahon is doing just fine folks. To be honest, there is going to be regret no matter what happens to Samoa Joe and AJ Styles. If they stay with TNA, retire in five years, and have a big sendoff, in the back of their minds will always be the question of ‘What if I went to WWE?’ On the flip side, let’s say they go to WWE next year. Could they regret going, as they lose on Superstars every week or are stuck in dark matches? Or do they shoot to the top, become WWE/World Champions like CM Punk and Daniel Bryan, only to wonder ‘What if we jumped ship earlier during our prime years?’ You see, good or bad – there will be some regret involved, regardless of what either man will say publicly.

In my mind, it is worth a shot. If WWE uses them poorly and the two are miserable, they could simply ask for their release and head back to TNA 90 days later. Dixie Carter would welcome them with open arms, a TNA Title run, and probably even MORE money than before. It is not as if TNA would reject them, and WWE would ‘ruin’ the rest of their career. Of course, Joe and AJ would easily go back to TNA should things turn sour in WWE. It is win-win for them.

One point is the age old ‘big fish in a small pond’ argument. Just a few examples: You can be the best minor leaguer player in the world, but until you prove it on the MLB level, it won’t have as much meaning. You can be a great football player. Unless you sign with an NFL team and win those games, how much effect will it really have? That is the same with any genre, especially. Sting is the ‘best wrestler to never sign with Vince McMahon.’ Um, great? Like it or not, WWE is king of the business and owns just about every worth while piece of video footage. Yet, it is supposed to be some kind of legacy for NEVER going there? Okay, whatever. AJ Styles and Samoa Joe are in that same boat, not counting their ‘jobber’ appearances. You can rule TNA, ROH, and every other indy fed all day long. Congrats! That is being a big fish in a small pond. Head on over to the ocean and swim with sharks. Do it on the premiere stage in front of the world at WrestleMania with 80,000 fans in attendance and over a million pay-per-view buys.

The reason they should sign with WWE is exactly what Sting must be thinking in 2013. Why not go? You are afraid of being made to look like a fool? Boo hoo!Newsflash: You don’t think CM Punk had reservations about leaving a top spot in ROH for WWE? You don’t think Daniel Bryan was nervous about going to WWE years ago? You don’t think Chris Jericho was apprehensive about heading to unknown waters? You don’t think EVERY SINGLE HUMAN BEING ALIVE had doubts about going to a new employer? Cry me a river if you are so worried. All that tells me is you are insecure about your abilities. Booker T said it best in 2001. He had guaranteed money from WCW and a fat contract to sit at home. Instead, he took less to prove his worth in WWE. Booker was confident in himself. He didn’t sit at home, biting his finger nails over a potential “bad” story line, or stay out of WWE due to fear of his spot. The man knew how good he was and would show it. Credit to him. Three months ago, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

If AJ Styles and Samoa Joe are top stars, WWE will treat them as top stars. Show confidence you belong in the biggest wrestling company in the world, not fear for what might happen. That is ridiculous. You have to find out, instead of thinking so long. Before you know it, AJ and Joe will be 40 years old and winding down their in-ring careers. That is where regret comes in. Could AJ Styles end up as the next Kaval in WWE? Sure, he could. Could Samoa Joe end up as the next Braden Walker in WWE? Sure, he could. Guess what though? AJ Styles could also be the next CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Daniel Bryan, etc. Samoa Joe could be the next Umaga, Dusty Rhodes, Kane, etc. You don’t know until you know.

Ed keeps us moving with a few questions about Survivor Series 1999!

I was thinking recently about the 1999 Survivor Series and the dream main event we never got to see between Triple H, Rock, and Stone Cold for the WWE title, and I have a few questions. Now I know the reason the match didn’t happen is because Austin’s neck was too injured and he needed surgery.

1. How far in advance did WWE know Austin wouldn’t be able to do the match?

2. What was the plan for the match before Austin had to pull out?

3. Why, of all the ways to write Austin out of the match, did they choose to have him get run over? Did they have an initial plan for who would be revealed as the driver, then change their minds?

4. I figure they went with a title change for the shock factor, but why did they choose Big Show?

Good stuff – nice flashback at a very important time period in WWE history…

1. I went online to search but couldn’t find an exact timeline when WWE knew Stone Cold couldn’t compete. My best ‘find’ was they knew a week or two before the pay-per-view. Exact date or close, the company DID know beforehand. To go off on a tangent here (stay with me), that still bugs me a decade later. WWE was on fire and didn’t need to use any dirty tactics for PPV buys or ticket sales. WWE was blatantly false advertising a pay-per-view main event. They knew full well that Austin was not going to be healthy, yet kept promoting as such. Come on! That is ridiculous. WWE was doing record business. Those kind of things are just uncalled for. Imagine hyping up The Rock vs. John Cena at WrestleMania 28 ALL YEAR. During 2011 and the beginning months of 2012, it was nothing but promos for Rocky/Cena. Yet, WWE knew all along Rocky would not come back due to his movie schedule. Then at WM28, The Miz attacks him backstage and faces Cena instead. While it was on a smaller stage, that is precisely what WWE did. Not very cool at all…

2. At that point, it still looked like a Triple H vs. The Rock WrestleMania 2000 main event was on the horizon. Mick Foley was heading towards retirement. Big Show was getting a face run but not getting over that much. Stone Cold would probably find his way into the main event picture come WM. Remember the initial idea in early 1999 was for the WM2000 main event to be Stone Cold vs. Big Show! Imagine that. Rocky winning the title or even Austin at Survivor Series did not make much sense. WWE was gearing up Triple H for the run of his lifetime.

3. This is a prime example of why ‘swerves’ and being unpredictable do more harm than good. You want that kind of nonsense? Just say Funaki ran over Stone Cold or The Kat…or Rikishi. Oops! I’ve read so many rumors about who was the planned driver. One story said it was going to be The Rock, leading up to their WMX-7 match in 2001. However, Rocky would not turn heel due to his great run and merchandise sales. The story I believe is that Triple H was always going to be the mastermind, which we did get in the end. However, since the Attitude Era was built on ridiculous plot twists that made no sense, we had to endure Rikishi turning heel. Of course. A few weeks later, Triple H was revealed to have hired Rikishi, and the spotlight was back on HHH-Austin, where it should have been all along.

4. Once Austin was out, WWE had to do the title change. It was to ‘make it up’ to the fans for switching the main event on them. The big rumor when Big Show signed with WWE in early 1999 was that he was promised a title shot within his first year. Since time was running out, it was (allegedly) coming due. Plus, as noted, he was getting a nice push due to the story line with Big Bossman over his father. if you are going to do something, go big or go home, right? I do not like fantasy booking that much, but this seemed like the perfect spot for Test to jump into the main event instead of Big Show. Test was, of course, feuding with HHH at the time over Stephanie and was getting more and more over with the fans. Why not insert him and ‘shock’ the world with him beating Triple H for the title? Made more story line sense than Show! The problem with that scenario is WWE (and WCW) just went through some writing team changes. Once Vince Russo left for WCW, Test (one of his main projects) fell down the card very quickly. Bad timing there…too bad!

My Darn Opinion

Where is the love for Canadian wrestling history?

This is not your usual, annual ‘WrestleMania to Toronto’ rant. I am not even discussing the desire to see Natalya (though she did just follow me on Twitter), Tyson Kidd, or any other Canadian get a nice spotlight in WWE. The topic is just in broad terms – showing some attention to roots and history. In a lot of cases, this follows suit for Sheamus, Wade Barrett, and other foreign stars.

When they enter the ring, talk about their childhood and/or favorite wrestlers from the specific region. Mentioning Tyson Kidd and the Hart Dungeon is a great start but can be expanded on. Saying that The Celtic Warrior is Irish is obvious – tell me more about it. Wade Barrett is a bare knuckle fighter – great! What else about his upbringing overseas? See my point? So much to grow on…

Recently, I did a list of Top 5 Canadian Born Wrestlers. For those wondering, the list included, Edge, Bret Hart, Christian, Roddy Piper, and Trish Stratus. Of those, how many were pushed as Canadian wrestlers instead of your basic wrestlers? Mention their past. The Canada federations. Hart family legacy. There is just SO much untapped material to use. WWE owns nearly every tape library worth having in the industry. There is tons of video footage at their exposal.

Now, use it.

Self-Promoting Finale

Now, let’s get some “ME!” plugs out there for all of you…

Just follow me on Twitter! You can find all my columns there.

Justin Watry on Twitter!
Send Ask 411 Wrestling Questions: [email protected]

Until next time, leave a comment below and let me know what you think!

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