The 10th Day News Report For 6.01.05
Posted by Leonard Hayhurst on 06.01.2005
June is Bustin’ Out All Over
I was out gallivanting around on Monday, it being Memorial Day and all. You know, barbecue, bitches, bourbon. I set my VCR to tape RAW, but then forgot to put the tape in. That is without a doubt the blondest thing I have ever done, aside from trying to alphabetize that bag of M&M’s. My sincerest apologies to the readership for their being no RAW Thoughts this week because of that. I know a lot of people really look forward to that and I will do my best to make sure this never happens again. Thank you for your understanding and patronage of my column.
MAILBAG
Just dropping you a line. You sort of stuck your foot in your mouth again, a la Kane's flying clothesline again. Godfather's Pimp gimmick was covert? I'm not sure how well WWE kept that on the down low, his finisher was the PIMP DROP, his catch phrases included "Pimpin ain't easy" and "Pimps up, Hoes down". If WWE had kept Godfather's Pimp gimmick a little more covert they'd added bright flashing lights and a sign that said "I'M A PIMP" on him.
I think perhaps you meant how WWE kept Godfather's & Road Dogg's pot addictions gimmicks to a minimum. Godfather would mention rolling a fattie, but never specifically said "SMOKE WEED". Just thought I'd bust ya balls a bit. Good column otherwise.
-wcwfjojo
I bust your guys' balls all the time, so feel free to bust back.
I don't think I was wrong on my Godfather point, I just wasn't clear on it. Yes, for all intents and purposes he was a pimp and they threw the word around frequently. However, we never actually saw him being a pimp. He would offer his ladies to wrestlers, but he never sold them. He didn't hit them, he did't carry a gun, he wasn't out on the streets hustling. He was a pimp in the abstract. Compare that to Val Venis who said point blank "I'm a porn star" and they showed clips from his supposed movies. Maybe a better comparison there would have been Golddust or Rico. They acted gay, they talked gay, they made allusions to being gay, everybody knew they were gay, but they never said, to my knowledge, "I am gay." With that you actually open an entire can of worms. So when the Godfather said he was a pimp it was more of in the 'pimp means cool guy' kind of way. Does that make sense? Does to me.
Another fine column that I quite enjoyed. Even though someone made a comment about you filling your column with emails, I actually enjoy that. It's not that you simply post them and toss off a one-liner to insult or agree with the person, but you post a thoughtful response to their points and it's quite refreshing, because there are issues addressed that can often be quite entertaining and thought provoking.
-Catherine
Thank you for the kind words and I do hope that most of the readers feel that way and that’s why they keep reading. As I said last week, I try to give everyone a fair chance to express themselves and I try to consider all opinions seriously.
Are people actually supposed to vote on the winners in EWR? Or do you usually decide that with suggestions from readers.
-Todd Vote
(515)574-2593
www.musicianshotline.com
I usually go with who the majority of readers want to win. If there is a tie I usually break it based on what would work best for current storylines. Everyone is encouraged to not only vote on the winners of the matches, but give their suggestions on other facets of the game and offer up new angle and character ideas. I want the EWR booked by you the readers as much as possible. Makes my job easier.
Just a reply to one of the comments in your latest: I like the teams just the way they are. Tazz and Cole don't need the whole "face play-by-play/heel color guy" thing; they do well enough getting the matches and angles over without that, especially since most of the heels on Smackdown can talk well enough to get their motivations over on their own (which is one of the main purposes for a heel color guy). I also like that Lawler and JR are friends on Raw. Call it cliche, but it teaches an important lesson to the kiddies--you can be friends with somebody even if you don't agree with them all the time.
-Chris
I think both commentating teams have that ‘friends who will rag on each other’ dynamic so that’s why I would like one of them to alter that. Although I did like Al Snow and Coach on Heat because it was heel/heel and that was rare. I really think Jim Ross is past his prime and I would like to see a new play by play man join RAW. Coach is really the only real candidate. I think it might be good if they switch Tazz and Lawler in the upcoming draft lottery.
An angle with Edge and Lita would be that they hook back up with Gangrel in order to counteract Kane’s demonic powers. That would inevitably lead to that Viscera vs. Gangrel match everybody is clamoring for. Well, I think it would be neat.
As long as all three of them came up through the fire, I like the idea. But eventually have Gangrel turn on Edge, since Edge and Christian kicked him out of the brood (or kicked his ass, then left the brood), and hook up with kane. That way, one day, when they're coming up through the fire, kane can get burned, and his storyline will go full circle.
Re: Burger King...I do like the Vader commercial where he tries to get that guy's money by saying he was his father, and then uncle...I saw it in Spanish once, but the volume was off, so I just got the subtitles....Spanish Vader would be awesome!
RVD I think has the unspoken gimmick of a stoner. What’s his gimmick otherwise? It’s how the Godfather was a pimp, but they never actually used the word ‘pimp’ toward him. There are still a lot of kids in the audience and they have to steer clear of some direct elements.
Godfather's theme song said "Pimpin' ain't easy....pimp or die"....not very unspoken there. Not to mention DX...and the times godfather would say "light a fatty for this pimp-daddy"....granted, all of that was during the Attitude era, and I understand that they're steering clear of those risque subjects nowadays, which is why it amazes me that the t-shirt exists. What's RVD's gimmick? Crazy wrestler. That's about it.
Who says that Edge can give away his money in the bank match? Wouldn’t the smart plan be to hold onto it in case he loses the belt between now and Wrestlemania next year?
Personally, I'd like to tune into RAW next week with Edge being world champion. Sure, Adam Copeland might be a prick, but Edge, the character, should've used the MitB title shot immediately after HHH beat Batista up. And win. Makes sense to me. Oops...there's the problem with that, it makes sense...my bad
-They need to get Chris Masters into a real feud. He’s treading water and the crowd seems apathetic toward him. Killing Stevie Richards again did nothing for him. If Richards squeaks out a win here and then gets destroyed post match Masters doesn’t lose any face, you elevate Stevie and you have a real feud.
Brilliant! Which is the problem with it. It'll never get used. Masters will probably feud with Jericho down the line. Or Viscera.
-Nice classy moment between Batista and Flair. I want to see where that goes too.
Please tell me you were being sarcastic? Of course its gonna end with flair crotching Batista....my question is, why is it flair ALWAYS leaves his hand there when he crotches someone? Oh yeah, because he's Ric Flair bitch. He can do whatever he wants.
-We were without Triple H for a whole two weeks. Notice that ratings have been huge since he’s been gone. I hope this overrun gets zilch.
Wow...you control the storylines, AND the ratings....and of course, the reason the ratings were so high last week was because everyone tuned in, expecting HHH to return, and since he didn't, everyone figured he wouldn't return this week, and therefore didn't tune in. Makes perfect sense. Well, to HHH, at least.
Seeing as how Vince likes to make "news relevant" storylines every now and then, how long until one of Heidenreich's "friends" accuses him of bad things, like the MJ case? You KNOW Vince has considered it...
-Manu Bumb
I like the Kane and Gangrel angle idea. I’ve been waiting for them to ‘really’ burn Kane in order to get the mask back on him.
I think Vader in any language would rock. Japanese Samurai Vader with Kung-Fu grip, beat that.
I said that Edge should cash in his money in the bank match at Judgment Day after Batista beat Triple H. What would be smart now is for him to cash it in after Dave wins the Hell in the Cell match at the next ppv. That’s a hot angle. Edge just strolls in after Batista has been beaten to a pulp and pins him. You put Edge over huge and you add to the Batista legend by putting him back on the trail for the title and have him reclaim it at SummerSlam.
I like the Masters vs. Viscera feud, because he’s too big to get the Masterlock on. So in frustration he puts it on Lillian and this pisses Viscera off and in defending Lillian she finally grows to like him. Hire us Vince!
I was being sarcastic. I was being hopeful. Every time Flair teamed up with Sting I was hoping this time it would turn out different. But inevitably Flair would woo and then can him in the nuts. Ric Flair is king of the crotch shot. I think by leaving his arm there it gives the illusion of big impact. It just wasn’t a quick hit, he nailed him.
Vince has been steering away from ‘ripped from the headlines’ characters after most of them have failed him. I also think he’s trying to get away from the attitude era and go back to more pure wrestling, just with that hint of an edge. I also think that an angle where Heidenreich was accused of molesting children would wind up being a false accusation and he would be a sympathetic face. So in turn it’s like saying the WWE believes Michael Jackson is innocent and they don’t want to go there.
So Judgment Day is behind us, and the event was very disappointing to me. It had potential, but they did nothing with it. Half the card was created in the last week or two, when they've had since Wrestlemania, what, 7 weeks to build for it. Only 3 of the matches had proper build, and one small build (Carlito and Show), and the rest no build. And while the build to the Angle - Booker match was good, the match itself disappointed me very much...I expected alot more from those two. The only two matches that I've really enjoyed and think were real good were the last two...it's like they made the whole event only for those two matches, the rest was a fill in. Only the last hour was worth watching. The only other match besides those two that I can say was at least decent was MNM vs HNH (heh). Also, I guess all the cost cutting and the guy they just fired already had an affect on the event, as the set was very modest, and there was no pyro to start the show which is very rare in WWE PPV's(although there was in the end)...Booker and Angle got no pyro either. Just seemed like the SD! set with a few additions. Ahh well...bottom line if I need to compare this event to BackLash, RAW's event did better in my eyes.
I don't think I would want to see Trips vs Kane again, we've been there before. Batista and Edge does sound like a solid main event though, their match on RAW wasn't bad.
Has anyone else noticed that during that match Jim Ross actually said that Edge won his money in the bank title shot in a BATTLE ROYAL? If not, you just have to watch again. What the hell, we know you are senile, but I didn't think it was THAT bad.
I think matches I would most want to see in the future when all 3 wrestlers are ready for it(probably in a year or two), that could resemble what we have seen with Austin, Rock and Vince back in the day the most(from the roster they have right now anyway) involve Orton, Batista and Cena. That trio working together would be great. We are probably going to get some of those matches after the draft already, can be either Orton vs. Cena, Orton vs. Batista or Batista vs. Cena, I wouldn't complain.
You took the words right out of my mouth about Jericho. It does seem kinda refreshing at first, but after thinking about it a bit, it reminds me too much of what they did with the Rock, the only difference here is that instead of a movie star, he is a "rock star"...so um yeah, maybe it isn't that original. I think Christian and Tomko putting down Jindrak means the WWE is already preparing a storyline for the two, when Christian goes over to
SD! Has the WWE completely abandoned the storyline that Edge and Christian are brothers? There is NEVER any mention of it, not by JR or King, not by either one of the two, not even when they talk to each other.
I wonder if the place Nitro and Mercury chose to put their belts on the way to the ring is any indication of what the WWE really thinks about those belts(anyone who watched would know what I mean). Also I think that when eventually they break up, and they will, it is already obvious it's going to be Nitro that the WWE will push. They had to have one of them job to Holly so that it makes people(not from the IWC obviously) believe Hn'H actually stand a legitimate chance and they chose Mercury to do the job. And if I recall correctly it was Mercury some wanted to replace at first with Capotteli. It just doesn't seem like they are thinking much of him right now, plus Nitro is bigger and we know that they think bigger is better. Although, I do agree, Nitro is also better.
-Ori
Smackdown has always played second fiddle to RAW and it seems even more so now. Backlash had less of a time for build up after Wrestlemania and while they had some tossed together matches, up and down it was much better planned out and pulled off than Judgment Day. There really isn’t much difference between RAW and Smackdown the way the rosters are laid out. After the main event you don’t really have much, but the top of the card on RAW is better booked and stronger.
I didn’t notice Jim Ross’ screw up, but he has so many anymore. It’s just sloppy on his part. Both him and Tony Schiavone used to be idiot savants when it came to remembering when and where matches took place and back-stories. Now they’re just idiots.
I’m not sold on Orton, especially since Triple H screwed him over so soon. Batista and Cena look to be the real deals. The problem is that when they get too big for their britches, especially Cena, they will fly the coop to Hollywood like the Rock and Hogan.
They acknowledge that Christian and Edge have a history, but I don’t think they play up that they’re brothers anymore. That’s a major problem with the WWE. They establish plot elements and then totally ignore them. Even on a soap opera if two characters are brothers they remain brothers or they come up with an explanation as to why they’re not, they just don’t ignore it.
Usually when a tag team breaks up it’s the guy who looks like the sure thing that fizzles out and the other guy who becomes the big star. Remember, Marty Jannetty was supposed to be the man to lead wrestling through the nineties, not Shawn Michaels. Nitro has been around longer and they have more invested in him. He and Mercury look good together and they have a good in ring chemistry. I say keep them together for years and let them dominate the tag division. The WWE can have a great tag division, but they’re not committed to it. Back in the mid-eighties they had a hell of a division because they gave all the teams credence and storylines and they kept them together for more than a few months. It will never, ever, ever happen, but if the WWE ever game me a writing job I would ask them to let me rebuild the tag division. Just give me two matches a week on Heat and Velocity and let me put some teams together and just go.
NEWS AND NOTES Note: All below factual material is derived from the attributed source. Any additional comments, whether you find them funny or not, are personal additions and should bear no reflection on the validity of the imparted information or reliability of the source. Your individual mileage may vary.
-WWE announced expansion of their On Demand 24/7 network by picking up Insight Communications as a cable carrier, including subdivisions Click! Network and MetroCast. Insight is the ninth largest MSO in the United States with 1.3 million subscribers across the lower Mid-West and New England. I still don’t get it and it burns my biscuits. Credit: WWE press release
-Terry Funk is said to not want to be apart of the upcoming ECW One Night Only pay per view and will not be in attendance. At one point it was scheduled for Funk to team with Tommy Dreamer against the Dudley Boyz. Don’t worry, because they don’t lose any star power. Kid Kash has been announced to participate. If the WWE signs him full time and gives him a pimp cup, I’m suing. Joey Styles involvement is still in limbo. Credit: PWInsider.com
-Vince McMahon and Kevin Dunn are said to still be of the same mind on ECW as they were during the Invasion angle. They believe that ‘legitimate’ WWE superstars will be needed to bolster the success of the upcoming ppv. Hence the Eric Bischoff angle where he will bring various RAW superstars to the program. We know how well that worked out last time. There are plenty of top WWE stars with an ECW background, such as Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero, that can serve as the big names on the show. The DVD didn’t sell big because they had WWE matches on there did it? Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
-The Smackdown house show in Des Moines scheduled for June 6th has been moved back to June 5th. WWE didn’t think they could find the city on the map so soon. Credit: PWInsider.com
-WWE will embark on another tour of Europe in November with RAW and Smackdown tapings on the 21st and 22nd. Perhaps to coincide, it is known that the WWE is exploring more international sponsorships. I’d make a joke about a possible sponsor here, but I’m an American and I don’t give a damn about the rest of the world. Hey, there’s a John Wayne movie on. Credit: PWInsider.com
-Jim Ross will be leading meetings coming up in order to add St. Louis Wrestling and World Class footage to the WWE’s video library. The materials would be used for DVD releases and the On Demand network. Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
-Matches have been announced for the upcoming Road Warriors DVD from WWE. It’s targeted for release on June 14th. I’m not a big LOD fan, but I’m so buying this.
Road Warriors vs. Joe Young & Randy Barber (NWA Georgia Championship Wrestling 11/06/83)
Road Warriors vs. Arn Anderson & Paul Jones (NWA Georgia Championship Wrestling 07/08/83}
Road Warriors vs. The Brisco Brothers in a Texas Tornado Match (NWA World Championship Wrestling Omni 28/08/83)
Road Warriors vs. Mike Jackson & Stone (NWA Georgia Championship Wrestling 03/01/83)
Road Warriors vs. Baron von Raschke & The Crusher for the AWA Tag Team Titles (AWA All Star Wrestling 25/08/84)
NWA Georgia Championship Wrestling (27/08/83)
AWA All Star Wrestling (28/07/84)
AWA ESPN Championship Wrestling (15/10/85)
NWA World Championship Wrestling (03/10/87)
NWA World Championship Wrestling (10/10/87)
NWA World Championship Wrestling (28/01/89)
WCW Wrestle War (25/02/90)
Brutus the Barber Beefcake's BarberShop Wrestling Challenge (28/09/91)
Royal Rumble (21/01/92)
In Your House: Degeneration X (07/12/97)
Hawk Tribute Part 1 Confidential (08/11/03)
Hawk Tribute Part 2 Confidential (08/11/03)
Trophy Room
Paul Ellering "Go For It"
Michaels Hayes "A Lesson in Striving for Success"
Road Warriors Music Video
Road Warriors vs. Larry 'the Axe' & Curt Hennig (AWA All Star Wrestling 21/08/85)
Road Warriors vs. The Fabulous Freebirds for the NWA Tag Team Titles (Superclash 28/09/85)
Road Warriors vs. Magnum TA & Ronnie Garvin (Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Tag Team Tournament Cup 19/04/86)
Road Warriors vs. vs. Ivan & Nikita Kolaff in a Russian Chain Match (Great American Bash 05/07/86)
Road Warriors vs. Midnight Express in a Scaffold Match (Starrcade 27/11/86)
Road Warriors vs. Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderson for the NWA Tag Team Titles (Starrcade 29/11/87)
Road Warriors vs. Midnight Express for the NWA World Tag Team Titles (New Orleans 29/10/88)
Road Warriors vs. Demolition (Challenge 09/02/91)
Road Warriors vs. Hart Foundation (Wrestlefest 12/03/91)
Road Warriors vs. Hulk Hogan & Genichiro Tenryu (Tokyo Egg Dome 30/03/91)
Road Warriors vs. Nasty Boys for the WWF Tag Team Titles (Summerslam 26/08/91)
Road Warriors vs. Money Inc. (Summerslam 29/08/92)
Road Warriors vs. Sting & Lex Luger for the WCW Tag Team Titles (Superbrawl 02/11/96)
Road Warriors vs. The Godwinns for the WWF Tag Team Titles (Raw 13/10/97)
-John Cena is set to appear on Canada’s “Off the Record” this coming June 6th.
-In a recent interview with the Edmonton Sun, Melina of Smackdown stated that she was dating charge Johnny Nitro outside of the ring. The girl is flexible, I’m sure they could have fun with a taffy puller and a hammock. In other news, Joey Mercury is dating his hand. Credit: slam.canoe.ca
-Rey Mysterio reportedly injured his leg at the Smackdown house show Saturday in Winnipeg. He did not perform at the show the following day in Alberta. The extent of his injuries or if he appeared during the Smackdown taping last night was unknown as of this writing. Not that it wouldn’t be easy for them to work an injury angle after what happened last week. Credit: WrestlingObserver.com
-Final box office totals for the four day Memorial Day Weekend place The Longest Yard at third in grosses at $60 million, behind Revenge of the Sith and Madagascar. At least they beat J-Lo’s supple ass in fourth place. The film stars wrestling personalities Goldberg, Steve Austin and Kevin Nash. The WWE has been hyping the film heavily even though none of those men technically work for the company anymore. Austin kind of does whenever he needs beer money.
-Rumors have the NWA:TNA in talks with Spike TV, WGN and Fox Sports Net for new programming opportunities. They are looking for a slot that would pay them a programming fee as opposed to them paying for the right to air their product as they do now with FSN. It is suspected that WGN will announce later this week a deal with TNA to give them a two hour prime time show on Monday nights going directly against RAW. It’s the Monday Night Wars all over again, well maybe a skirmish. Let’s call it a police action for right now. Additionally, Dave Nelson who was reported to be attempting a buy out of the TNA is now aligned with the Jarretts. Nelson owns several car dealerships in Columbus, Ohio. He’s no Fred Rikeart. Credit: Multichannel News
-Jimmy Hart has purchased the XWF trademark, music, video library (all six Beta tapes) and website. The site currently houses an article by former XWF employee Colin Bowman on the organization’s short history. No word yet on what Hart’s plans are for the federation. Credit: xwfwrestling.tv
-Former ECW and WWE wrestler and Howard Stern personality Nicole Bass has been arrested and sentenced to a mental ward. Police responded to the distress call of Bass’ husband Robert Fuchs, 57, Sunday evening. He reported that Bass, 40, turned to alcohol to numb the pain of her pancreatitis when she could not get the prescription on her oxycontin painkiller refilled. She then began to mumble about committing suicide. Fuchs called the police for assistance and Bass attacked him for this. When police arrived, she bit one on the hand and refused to go with the officers. The policeman was wearing a glove and was not injured. She appeared emotionally distraught according to officers and she was sent to the psychiatric ward of Elmhurst hospital for a 72 hour evaluation. Credit: nypost.com
-Independent wrestler Dan “Spyder” Quirk passed away over the weekend due to injuries suffered in a wrestling match for Ultimate Championship Wrestling in Connecticut. Quirk, 22, was hit by a moonsault from opponent the Hi-Lite Kid from the top rope to the floor. Reports say that Quirk took the full brunt of impact and his head smacked the floor at an odd angle. Blood was visible when paramedics carted him out. Funeral services will be held this Friday and police are investigating the incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Credit: connpost.com
-The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma has announced five new members to their Board of Governors. Calvin Anthony, Robert Kudwa, Wayne Renneisen and Bill Scherr will officially join the group at their semi-annual meeting on June 5th. Credit: intermatwrestle.com
-It’s time for your favorite part, the loosest news item tied to actual wrestling of the week. You know those big sumo wrestling suits that people put on and grapple around in? Jill Mattison and a fellow student were engaged doing this at a function at their high school in Arlington, Vermont. When the other girl fell down, an employee of Supersounds Entertainment of Underhill which provided the novelty suits threw her down on top of her. While it was all in fun, the stunt injured the girl’s spine. The company initially denied responsibility and stated that they had no liability insurance. As a lawsuit progressed, what do you know, they found two separate insurance policies and settled the case out of court on Tuesday. And you thought that rock wall was dangerous. Credit: benningtonbanner.com
EWR ON 411
I always like to give a shout out to those who offer good story angles and ideas and have to do that now with Chris and Catherine.
Smackdown for 6.2.05
Jamie Noble beats on IRS and keeps screaming, “where’s my money.” IRS keeps fighting back and yelling, “screw off, bitch.” Nunzio finally walks down to ringside to cheer on Noble. Noble locks in the Trailer Hitch. Nunzio starts jawing with the referee and he goes over to argue with him. IRS crawls to his corner and grabs the Halliburton briefcase. He smacks Noble in the head with it and rolls him up for the pin. IRS runs down the aisle. Nunzio acts shocked and revives Noble.
Match Rating: 62%
Tommy Dreamer enters Eric Bischoff’s office. He doesn’t remember allowing him to have an office. Well, as the head of talent relations he would do his job better with a permanent office established. Dreamer asks Bischoff what he thinks of him making himself the special guest referee for the match he booked between Matt Hardy and Kurt Angle. Bischoff thinks it’s great. He knows he’ll do a great job in calling things down the middle. He’s not mad. Why should he be? They both are just trying to make Smackdown the best it can be right? Dreamer mumbles right. That’s why Bischoff has a great idea for next week. Next week they are in Las Vegas. He’s done Raw Roulette there before, but how about Smackdown Slots (Mathew’s idea) this time. Every match a gimmick match determined by a pull of the handle. Dreamer is a little disgruntled about not being able to rile Bischoff and tells him to go ahead.
Segment Rating: 72%
Jamie Noble argues with Nunzio backstage. Nunzio was just trying to help him out. He was trying to tell the ref that IRS was going for the briefcase and he was right. He was just trying to help. Noble guesses he’s right. He’s been thinking about it and Schyster wouldn’t have screwed over Noble himself. It had to be John Bradshaw Leyfield commanding him. You know how greedy is, he must have funneled all of Noble’s money to his own accounts while IRS had access to them. Noble bets he’s right. Well, then bet him next week on Smackdown Slots and challenge him to a match.
Segment Rating: 75%
Carlito Caribbean Cool and John Cena work over Kid Kash while Cena taunts Booker T on the apron. Cool sets up the Carlito’s Way, but Kash hooks the ankle and fights out with a back heel trip. Hot tag to Booker T who cleans house. Cena hits him with the chain so the ref doesn’t see it and he trips into the Carlito’s Way. It gets a 2.9999. Cena tags in and tells Carlito to hold him for a clothesline. Booker ducks and he sends Carlito hurling to the floor. Kash tries to surprise Cena by coming off the top rope, but Cena catches him and spinebusters him. A gloating Cena dances right into the axe kick and takes the loss. Kash does a spinaroonie to celebrate and allows Booker T to drink out of the pimp cup.
Match Rating: 72%
Melina sits in the back and pets Fifi. Chavo and Rey think she’s been doing a lot better since Fifi went to her last week. Eddie protests. All she does now is mutter to that damn dog and pet it. They’ve had to feed it, water it, take it outside. Not that caring for Melina has been any better than caring for a damn dog these past weeks. Rey prickles at that remark. Eddie apologizes. This whole ordeal has just worn on him. Mysterio says not to worry about the Taylor Commission right now. They have a match with the Midnight Outlaws and they owe them for what they did to Eddie last week.
Segment Rating: 76%
Eddie rolls out in the low rider, surprisingly alone. The Midnight Outlaws attack. Holly pops the hood to hook up the jumper cables and Rey pops out with a crowbar. He bloodies Holly and the pairs brawl to the ring. In a reverse, the faces work over Holly and control the match. He comes back with a wicked dropkick and tags Gunn. He takes control for a while with a series of lariats, but Rey knocks him down with a seated dropkick. The 619 leads to the West Coast Pop and Mysterio pins him to retain the belts. Holly grabs the crowbar and lays out both faces.
Match Rating: 62%
The bell rings and Nunzio and Chavo Jr. hookup. The Taylor Commission run out and beat down both men. The referee calls for the bell and declares the match a no contest. He gets thrown to the floor. Taylor kicks Nunzio to the outside and grabs a microphone. Toland, Lashley and Dupree hold up Chavo, Jr. to Taylor. He wants his title back and he wants it back now. Dupree adds in that he wants his dog back. It doesn’t surprise Taylor that that bitch would gravitate to another bitch. In fact, Fifi means more to him than Melina ever did so he’s willing to put the dog on the line in the match too. Chavo wins and he can keep the belt and the dog.
Segment Rating: 69%
Kane takes every shot Brock Lesnar levels against him with a laugh. He then says my turn and tosses Lesnar to the corner and works him over. Kane goes up top for the flying clothesline. Lesnar grabs him in mid air and spins him into the F-5. Kane keeps the motion and makes his feet in front of Lesnar. He hits a belly to belly suplex. Lesnar kicks out at two. Kane lifts him for the choke slam, and Lesnar gets a bell ringer to break. He tackles Kane and works punches on the mat. He goes up top for the Shooting Star Press, but Kane meets him up there. He superplexes him off and that makes him susceptible to the choke slam for the win.
Match Rating: 60%
Kane calls out AJ Styles. He’s going to allow him one last chance to hand him the World Title or face the consequences at Bad Blood. Styles sprints to the ring and spring boards in with a seated dropkick. Kane goes down to his knees. He starts up and AJ head scissors him over the ropes to the floor. He poses on the turnbuckles as the fans pop. Kane points up at him and screams. His fate is sealed.
Segment Rating: 76%
Tommy Dreamer calls the match between Kurt Angle and Matt Hardy right down the middle. Of course, Angle takes offense with Dreamer at every opportunity. Angle gets the ankle lock, but Hardy refuses to submit. Angle gets angry and argues with Dreamer. Hardy is giving up, but Dreamer isn’t accepting it. Hardy schoolboys him for two. Angle clotheslines Hardy as they stand. He goes for the Angle Slam, but Hardy drops out and pushes Kurt into the ropes. They bounce off and Hardy rolls him up. Angle reverses, but grabs the tights. Dreamer sees this and pushes them back over. Hardy gets the pin. Angle is furious and throws a temper tantrum.
Match Rating: 75%
Eric Bischoff walks out applauding. He cheers Dreamer on doing a good job as referee. He has to applaud the men in the match even more. It was such a great match that the only thing better would be a rematch. Bischoff proposes a rematch next week. To get Smackdown Slots off right he proposes that they set up the first match now. Bischoff has a giant slot machine wheeled out and he pulls the lever. Three tumblers spin and all stop on the same match. Submission. Angle smiles. Hardy stands fast. Dreamer looks outwitted again.
Segment Rating: 81%
Show Rating: 69%
Velocity for 6.4.05
Kenzo Suzuki gets the claw leg sweep on Doug Basham, but Rob Van Dam distracts the referee by attacking Hiroki. Hero saves her. Doug and Danny then switch. Kenzo picks up the fresh Danny and takes a DDT. The Bashams finish with the Rock ‘em Sock ‘em.
Match Rating: 70%
Mark “Jizzy” Jindrak and Rico-Dust make an interesting sight in the ring together. Josh Mathews and Al Snow comment on how Dustin Rhodes kidnapped Marlena last week and she hasn’t been seen since. The Titran-tron then flickers to life. Dustin Rhodes shows that he has her hogtied and hanging in a shed, curing like a side of pork. Rico breaks character and is visibly upset. Jindrak lands the Shark Jump and finishes with the Pottsie Plunge.
Match Rating: 68%
Paul London ducks the buzz saw kick and lands a punch to the gut. He does a back flip kick, lands on the middle rope and moonsaults off with a body press. He finishes with the London Calling.
Match Rating: 84%
Dustin Rhodes gets a lot of heat as he battles with Rhyno. Rhyno lines up the Gore and Dustin bails to the floor. Rico runs out and attacks him. The referee yells at him to get to the back. Rhodes seeks refuge inside the ring and walks right into the Gore for the lost. Rico jumps him post match and demands to know where Marlena is. Dustin jabs a thumb in his throat and gives him a few bionic elbows. He tells Rico that he was trying to make him more like him, but Dustin is going to turn the tables on him.
Match Rating: 78%
The Idol enters the ring and calls out Billy Kidman. He’s watched Kidman for months trying to find a way. He’s caught between his own anger and the teachings of Ted Dibiase. However, he notices that Dibiase is not in the building tonight because he felt the wrath of Kane last week. Kidman is a sheep lost in the woods, but he wants him to return to the fold. To his fold. There is only one true way, the way of the Idol. Bow before me and take my hand, Billy Kidman. Kidman enters alone. It’s true that he’s been lost for months. He keeps getting caught between right and wrong, but he knows the Idol’s way is wrong. How does he know? Because he’s seen his kind before and has been lured in by him. Not again. He attacks and the match is on. (Basic idea is from Catherine)
Segment Rating: 60%
The Idol jaws at Billy Kidman the entire match and tries to get him to lose his cool. He tells him how no one cares for him. Not Dibiase, not AJ Styles, not Torrie Wilson, not the Big Show. Kidman finally can’t stand it and covers his ears and screams. The Idol smirks and gives him a full nelson slam. He finishes with the False Prophet. Big Show then runs out to scare the Idol off. The Idol yells from the aisle. The Big Show appears now that the match is over. He is no friend of yours Kidman, remember that. He only came out to make himself look good in the eyes of the fans. He is no friend of yours Kidman.
Match Rating: 80%
Show Rating: 74%
Heat for 6.5.05
Johnny Nitro goes for the Johnny on the Spot (Belly to Belly Suplex) on Lex Luger, but he blocks and bashes Nitro with the loaded forearm. He submits to the Torture Rack.
Match Rating: 77%
Bobby Heenan is in the ring with a neck brace on as a result of the attack last week by Rob Conway. Heenan is too old and injured to seek revenge himself, but he still has connections in this business to get the job done for him. He knew he needed someone crazy and mean to go after Conway and no one is crazier or meaner than a Samoan. So he called the craziest, meanest one he ever knew, Afa the Wild Samoan. Afa said he had the perfect man for Bobby. The second craziest, meanest, full tilt wrestler he’s ever known next to himself. His own son, Afa Jr. Afa enters the ring for his debut. He challenges Conway to a match next week. He does so not just at the request of his father to avenge Mr. Heenan, but to also to avenge his cousin Rosey. Rosey was fired from the WWE because Conway won the immunity battle royal and won the right to fire anyone he chose and he chose Rosey. If he wins the match next week, he wants his cousin reinstated to the WWE. (Afa, Jr. is an OVW bumpee)
Segment Rating: 64%
Lady Shini out wrestles Ivory Robinson, but Matt Cappotelli keeps interfering. Jim Cornette then pops up from behind the ring wall and brains Matt with the tennis racket. How you doin’? Ivory takes the five point exploding heart technique which stuns her for the Kill Bill Drill.
Match Rating: 65%
Jim Cornette enters the ring and announces that he has signed Lady Shini as his latest charge. She bows respectfully to Cornette. She says that it is a smart warrior who knows when she needs an army to confront an army.
Segment Rating: 62%
Edge is backstage with Marissa Mazzolla. Christian has taken Edge’s belt, cost him numerous losses and has threatened to never let him see his child. How does he feel? How does he feel? He’s mad as hell and he’s not going to take it anymore. Christian plays these little mind games with Edge and thinks he’s turned the tables on him. Thinks he has him rattled. He is more determined than ever to destroy Christian and if Trish and his own child stand in the way, so be it. He tells Christian to watch his match on RAW with William Regal. See his own demise at hand.
Segment Rating: 70%
David Flair attempts to lock Ultimo Dragon in the figure four leglock. He pushes him off into the ropes. Dragon kips up and right into an enzuiguiri. Flair goes to his knees and eats the Shining Wizard for the loss. Daffney tries to console him. David pushes her away and kicks and screams, pounding the mat. It’s not fair, it’s not fair. Waaaaaahhhhh!
Match Rating: 66%
Camp Cornette is welcoming Lady Shini into their stable backstage. Maven comes in with Ivory Robinson and Matt Cappotelli. He tries to get at Cornette and Haas stands in his way. That was dirty what he did to Matt earlier. Not as dirty as him spanking a full grown woman last week on national television. Haas says it’s a shame he’ll have to do the same later on. What? Yeah, he’ll be spanking a woman on television when he beats Maven in their upcoming match. Ivory pulls Maven off and tells him to wait.
Segment Rating: 83%
Dave and Miguel Batista are backstage getting ready for their match. Dave is glad that he and his father are on good terms again and that he agreed to team with him tonight. Was Ric Flair unavailable? He notices he’s not around tonight. C’mon, dad, that’s not it. He wanted to team with him, for the first time. The two of them in the ring together, side by side. Did Ric Flair not want to be around to see it? Stop talking about Ric Flair. Flair has done a lot for him. All the success he has in the wrestling business today is because of him, but all of his successes in life is because of his father. Miguel says to knock off that mushy crap, let’s go kick some ass.
Segment Rating: 68%
Maven and Charlie Haas do a criss cross sequence that ends with them colliding on a mutual dropkick attempt. Ivory tries to interfere but Miss Jackie grabs her by the hair and they brawl. Cappotelli tries to break up the catfight, then thinks better of it and lets it happen around him. How you doin’? Haas ducks a clothesline for a side suplex. Maven taps to the Haas of Pain.
Match Rating: 76%
Paul Heyman once again welcomes Alexis Laree and Rob F*cking Conway to the Danger Zone. Laree is hanging all over Conway. He heard Alfalfa or whoever he was out there earlier. Well, f*ck him. F*ck him in the ass with Rosey’s c*ck if that fat f*ck can find it. And his response to the match challenge? Eat sh*t and die! As for Bobby Heenan, he’s an old man who should be six feet under right now. Maybe I’ll put him there out of spite. Conway hits the floor. Heenan gets up from the commentators table and tells him to stay back. Afa, Jr. runs out and attacks Conway. They brawl to the back.
Segment Rating: 66%
Miguel Batista puts Scurvy Dog Zach Gowen in the stump puller and pulls his fake leg off. He wings it into the crowd and beats on him some more. Dave tells his dad to go easy on the kid. Here’s a life lesson son, never go easy on anybody. Gowen finally gives up just because of the pummeling he’s been taking. Dave shakes his head at his dad and they talk. He finally hugs him and they raise their arms in victory.
Match Rating: 72%
Show Rating: 68%
RAW for 6.6.05
Edge attacks William Regal before the bell and beats him down. He takes the Spear for the loss.
Match Rating: 69%
Edge beats on him more post match. Christian runs out to make the save. He is cut off by a hulking man from out of the crowd. He gives him a powerbomb to the ring stairs. Edge introduces his new ally. Johnny Stamboli. Months ago, Stamboli was shipped off to a Mongolian circus by Ultimo Dragon and Edge was the only one in the WWE to attempt to find him and bring him back. Stamboli was strapped to a wheel while a Mongolian midget threw knives at him. Joey Styles reminds everyone that Stamboli was switched to RAW at the last draft lottery. Stamboli says his time in the circus was not all bad. It’s made him faster, stronger, more agile and very good with a knife. He pulls one out and flips it toward Christian laying on the floor, it lands between his legs, inches from his crotch.
Segment Rating: 78%
Triple H is raging mad in the back. Shawn Michaels let him down and letting him down is letting Evolution down. He lost to Sting last week and had to retire. Evolution is seriously weakened. It is up to Triple H to make them strong again. He will do that tonight against Vader. Victoria reminds Hunter that Vader took two Pedigrees last week and it didn’t defeat him. Triple H spies her coldly. Tonight he falls into the Abyss.
Segment Rating: 85%
Barry Windham gets the face claw on Steven Richards. Victoria slides the white baseball bat into the ring and then distracts the referee. Richards gets his boot under it and tosses it to himself. He smacks Windham for the break. Stevie Kick gets the win.
Match Rating: 68%
Chris Jericho welcomes Randy Orton to the Highlight Reel. He is Y2J’s first round opponent for the King of the Ring and will face him in a tag match later tonight. So how does it feel to be a sacrifice on the alter of Jericho. Orton wouldn’t know. How does it feel to be an offering to the wrestling god that is Randy Orton. To be an offering you usually have to be a virgin. Something Jericho isn’t, but we all know Orton is. Orton denies that. C’mon, he knows the truth is hard. Or the Truth will be hard when Orton teams with Ron Killings later tonight. He might lose his virginity in some form. Orton sucker punches Jericho. Killings runs out. Benjamin makes the save.
Segment Rating: 86%
Chris Benoit gives Rob Conway the Rolling Germans. He elbows out on the last one and snap mares Benoit over to the mat. He gives him a kick to the back of the head. It’s time for My F*cking Finisher, but Afa, Jr. runs out and hooks Conway’s leg. He slides to the floor and they brawl. The referee is busy checking on Benoit. Conway charges for a clothesline. Afa ducks and Conway posts himself. He rolls him back into the ring and Benoit finishes with the flying headbutt. Conway recovers and accepts the match against Afa next week. He’ll wipe the f*cking floor with him.
Match Rating: 69%
Christian limps out for his IC Title defense against Chris Sabin. Because of the beating earlier, Sabin is a bit cocky. He controls the match, but Christian won’t be pinned. Hail Sabin DDT nearly gets a three. Johnny Stamboli is tired of watching and finally runs in for the DQ win for Christian. Sabin and Stamboli beat him within an inch of his life. Edge stands on the entrance stage and laughs.
Match Rating: 85%
Randy Orton hits the RKO on Jericho, but he gets his feet on the ropes. Orton can’t believe it didn’t get the win. He’s completely beside himself. This allows Jericho to get the tag to Benjamin. Orton takes the That’s Mister Exploder. Killings runs in and takes the suplex too. Benjamin pins Orton.
Match Rating: 78%
Mick Foley promo from Mathew
We see footage of Jesse The Body, holding Mankind's hand up high from SummerSlam 99.
Mick's Voice: I once said, in my books, that this was the picture that I wanted to be able to show my kids and grandkids, when they ask me what I did. But that's no longer the case.
We then see footage of Foley vs Funk in the Death Match finals from Japan.
Mick's Voice: At one stage, this was what I was most proud of. I gave my blood, my sweat, my tears, my body, my soul, in that Japanese stadium. But now, that's not what I want to be proud of.
We now see the various humorous moments of Mankind/Commish Foley.
Mick's Voice: I loved what I was able to do in this company near the end of my career. I was able to be myself, and not have to worry about hatred, violence or anything like that, I was able to have lots of fun, and hopefully made the fans happy and make them smile. But that's not going to help me now.
We now see Foley in WCW.
Mick's Voice: You know, this time made me really angry. WCW had some good points, I won't argue that, but they way they treated me and others, made me just so angry. But then, that anger drove me. That anger gave me the passion and the emotion to go to any lengths to win, and to entertain the fans.
We now see Foley in ECW.
Mick's Voice: And in this Bingo Hall, I learned to control it. I was able to harness that anger, that passion, and to learn how to turn it off. To work out just how dangerous and destructive it could be if it was left unchecked, and how to check it.
We now see Mankind's body of work.
Mick's Voice: And then I put on that mask, and everything changed. That mask was a symbol. We don't want you as you are. Be someone else. I hated it at first, but then I realised how to use it. Despite what it meant, I made it into me. It gave me the freedom to work out all my pent up, unhealthy feelings in the ring. I fought against what 'they' wanted, and did what I needed to do.
We now see the rise and fall of Dude Love.
Mick's Voice: Of course, I'm not perfect. I can be hooked in, just like anyone else. I tried to avoid it, but I was used. But eventually, I realized my mistake, and never let that happen again. I don't like to think about 'him', but I have to. He was the part of me that wanted to be accepted as normal. But he's gone now. I don't need him.
And then we see Cactus Jack's various WWE work.
Mick's Voice: For the longest time, I felt I needed this guy. I thought he was the answer to all my problems. I just had to put on that shirt, wear those trunks, those boots, maybe a flannel shirt, and everything would work out just fine. But as much as he helps, he's not the answer now. Cactus will not save the day this time around.
We now see The Rock's various actions of late.
Mick's Voice: Because I can't rely on just one aspect of me to win the day here. Rocky, for all the time we've known each other, you've been a jerk, and my best friend. You've been loved by the fans, hated, loved and now despised. You've been the rebel and the chosen one. The outcast, and the leader. You've done it all, Dwayne. And you're right,
I know that before, I've beaten you. But this is not like all those other times. You're fighting for what I know you love more than life itself, the title. And I'm...
We now see Foley, in front of him on a table the Mankind mask, tie dye clothes, the Cactus Jack boots and Mr Socko.
Mick: I'm fighting as a unit. I'm fighting as a whole man. You Rock, will not fight Mankind, or Cactus Jack, and certainly not Dude Love.
Mick sweeps them all off the table.
Mick: You're fighting Mick Foley Rock. In his last ever, bar none, match. This is my last shot at glory, but I'm not doing it for that. This is my chance to finally end our long running problems, but I'm not fighting for that. This is my chance to hold the title one last time, but I'm not fighting for that. I'm not fighting for Raw, for Vince, for the WWE, for my family, for the fans, this is not about anything like that.
Rock, this is for me.
You can call it selfish if you like, and maybe it is. But this is the best, dammit, the only way I can end my career. In that ring, no longer as a fractured man. But whole.
I can't guarantee victory. I never have been able to do that. I'm not sure what I'll come out like. I might be Cactus Jack. I might be Mankind. I could be full of energy, or barely moving. I can't tell you. But Rock, you look into my eyes, while you sip your water and sign another multi picture sponsorship deal. Because Rock, this is the end of the line. Mick Foley the wrestler dies at Bad Blood.
But Mick Foley, the story, the myth, the legend, will be born.
And it will be done at your expense Rocky.
Remember, you brought it on yourself.
Segment Rating: 83%
Vader takes the Pedigree and kicks out. Triple H looks scared and begs off. Vader slugs him down and lines up the Vader Bomb. A figure crawls out from underneath the ring and attacks Vader. He wins by DQ.
Match Rating: 73%
The man continues to destroy Vader until FATE runs out to make the save. He takes out Benoit, Molly Holly, Luger, Windham. Triple H says that this marks a new chapter in the history of Evoultion. Now all who face them will fall deep into the Abyss!
Segment Rating: 79%
Show Rating: 77%
Zach Gowen thinks he should be bumped up the card, but Val Venis thinks we should break the team up because he’s so much better than Gowen. Gowen is a lower midcarder at 66 over.
Kurt Angle wants to wrestle Tajiri
Rob Conway wants to wrestle William Regal
Shelton Benjamin thinks we’re pushing him too much
Big Show insulted some of our dudes in a radio interview. Since I booked him for next week I chose to ignore it.
Smackdown card for next week, choose all winners
Matt Hardy vs. Kurt Angle for the US Title in a submission match
Smackdown Slots (choose winners and a gimmick for each match)
Jamie Noble vs. John Bradshaw Layfield
Chavo Guerrero, Jr. vs. Scott Taylor for the Cruiserweight Title and the rights to Fifi
The Idol vs. Big Show
Eddie Guerrero vs. Rob Van Dam
Rey Mysterio vs. Paul London
Brock Lesnar vs. Dustin Rhodes
Available EWR Gimmicks to choose from for Smackdown Slots
Guest referee
Submission
Hardcore
Ladder
Tables
Cage
Texas Death
Last Man Standing
Falls Count Anywhere
Iron Man (2 out of 3 falls)
Inferno
I Quit
Hell in a Cell
First Blood
RAW for next week, choose all winners
Afa, Jr. vs. Rob Fucking Conway for the reinstatement of Rosey
Vader vs. Abyss
Charlie Haas vs. Christopher Nowinski
Christian and Ultimo Dragon vs. Edge and Johnny “The Knife” Stamboli
The Twin Towers (Luger and Windham) vs. Stevie Richards and Triple H
Batista vs. Terry Funk
Bad Blood Card, choose all winners now
Mick Foley vs. The Rock for the RAW World Title
AJ Styles vs. Kane for the Smackdown World Title
King of the Ring First Round
Smackdown
John Cena vs. Booker T
Kid Kash vs. Carlito Caribbean Cool
RAW
Shelton Benjamin vs. Ron Killings
Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho
King of the Ring Second Round
Cena/Booker vs. Kash/Cool
Benjamin/Killings vs. Orton/Jericho
King of the Ring Finals
RAW brand winner vs. Smackdown brand winner
The King of the Ring winner will receive a title shot at their respective brand champion at the next ppv. This will make the next ppv exclusive to that brand. So if John Cena wins he will face the winner of AJ Styles vs. Kane and Vengeance will be Smackdown only.
Khalid had a question on what some of the finisher moves in the EWR are. I believe I went over them once before, but let’s recap. Actually, it’s not like I remember all the moves we’ve come up with myself, so if I get something wrong or skip one, be sure to correct me. People not listed use the regular finishing and signature moves you’re used to for them.
Alexis Laree: Jumping Jack Flash-While an opponent is dazed she does five jumping jacks then does a backflip kick on the last one. She lands in a crouch and the opponent bounces off the ropes. Laree springs up with a diving clothesline.
Chris Nowinski: Hung Jury-Canadian backbreaker rack or hanging neck vice
Sustained Motion-Delay vertical suplex
Cold Steel Val Venis: The Swash Buckler-same as the Venis Flytrap
Walk the Plank-same as the Money Shot
Johnny Nitro: Johnny on the Spot-Belly to Belly Suplex
Kid Kash: Pimp Drop-Same as the Godfather’s old Pimp Drop
Lady Shini: Five Point Exploding Heart Technique-Heart Punch
Kill Bill Drill-Spinning piledriver
Mark Jindrak: The Pottsie Plunge-same as Shane Douglas’ Pittsburgh Plunge
Shark Jump-Missile dropkick
Matt Cappotelli: Sex Drive-The Flatliner, a reverse Russian leg sweep
Miguel “the Black Cat” Batista: Batista Bomb-same as Dave’s Demon Bomb
The Juicer-a stump puller
Robert “the Whip” Lashley: the Whiplash-a short arm whip into a Rock Bottom
Terry “the Tank” Toland: Tank Buster-Spinning falcon arrow
Turret-a Polish Hammer, double axe handle to the chest
Scott Taylor: Decommissioned-an off to the side piledriver
The Idol: False Prophet-Crucifix powerbomb
Rob Fuckin’ Conway: My Fucking Finisher-Rope assisted neckbreaker
Bleep This-Cradle piledriver
The Basham Brothers: Rock ‘em Sock ‘em-Double team slingshot suplex
The Graduates (Cade and Nowinski): No Class-a superbomb off the top rope
Chris Hero and Kenzo Suzuki: Fallen Hero-Suzuki puts the man on his shoulders and Hero comes off the top rope for a sunset flip
Corporate Raiders (Bradshaw and IRS): Money Clip-JBL hits the Clothesline from Wall Street as IRS gets a knee clip
Butt Pirates (Venis and Gowen): Pieces of Eight-Venis locks in a figure four while Gowen gets a triangle choke
Money Incorporated (Styles and Kidman): Money in the Bank-a double shooting star press
