wrestling / Columns
The Wrestling 5 & 1 11.23.13: Sasha Banks vs Audrey Marie
Thank you, everyone, for your great comments last week! I truly wish I had the time to do what Greg did and reply to each of you within the column, but alas, you’ll have to deal with me simply using the comment section. Keep in mind, readers, you are always more than welcome to include yourself within the column if you want. Just e mail me at [email protected] with a submission of 250-500 words about any topic within the wrestling world – and you’re in! Enough talk, let’s get to….more talk.
The Cena Sensation
By Tony Acero
Since writing for this site, there have been a few things I’ve become known for. Of course, the “AJ Obsession” as some call it is first and foremost, but the love for Mountain Dew, my Stan-like fandom of Eminem, and my deep disdain for the character of John Cena are also rather prominent. It is with much surprise, then, that this particular topic came to me. I have defended John Cena before, that is not new, but it was the man I was defending many articles ago, not the character. I have simply despised the booking of John Cena for years now, and it’s the one constant that – I think – needs a change among all others. Since his return, I’ve noticed something, though. While I won’t go so far as to say that a distinctive change has been made, there is still much to be said about just where he is at and what he has been doing since his return.
As of press time, John Cena has had 6 matches, and although the end result was never in question (except maybe for the Sandow match), I’d have to argue that there is a distinctive difference in the way the matches went, and just who garnered the spotlight in a few of them. Let’s take a look:
10.27.13 Hell in a Cell: John Cena vs Alberto Del Rio
10.28.13 RAW: John Cena vs Damien Sandow
11.1.13 Smackdown: John Cena, Cody Rhodes, Goldust vs. Damien Sandow and The Real Americans
11.4.13 RAW: John Cena, Cody Rhodes, Goldust vs. Damien Sandow and The Real Americans
11.8.13 Smackdown: John Cena vs. Ryback
11.11.13 RAW: John Cena vs The Real Americans
If you were to watch the last thirty seconds of these matches and realize who won each, it’d be no surprise, and one would assume that absolutely nothing has changed within the WWE’s status quo, but I can’t help but find myself enjoying the matches as a whole, and – moreover – the spot he currently has on the card. I can harp about the loss Sandow had, and I have to a degree, but the issue I had with the match actually had NOTHING to do with John Cena. No, he wasn’t the problem, it was the loss of the briefcase I didn’t enjoy. The match as a whole was a great spectacle, and one that got praise from all over the place – namely for Sandow. What we forget, however, is that rarely ever is a match a one-person affair. Then we get to the tag team matches in which I strongly feel brought the tag team champs up moreso than bringing Cena down. In fact, if you look at all the gold on that one side of the team, I have no issues with the win being handed to them, on either occasion. Two weeks ago, John Cena and Ryback had some time and the match didn’t stink. There’s nothing wrong with Cena winning here – he’s the champion, but Ryback took him to some limits.
Of all the matches above, none was NOT entertaining. For a man that gets “You Can’t Wrestle” chants quite often, he pulled out a great match with Sandow, had a pretty solid showing with Ryback, and seemed more a part of a team than a leader when he tagged with the Rhodes. And I don’t know if anyone noticed, but Cena may have added a move or two to his set while gone. Minor, sure, but this is the dude who we’ve dubbed the innovator of the Five Moves of Doom (knowing full well that everyone has a similar attribute). This leads me to believe that during his time off, he decided he needed something else, however small, and brought it to the table.
Cena’s placement on the card should also be noted. Not once since his return have I felt that he has had the spotlight on him, and it’s refreshing as all hell. True, his promos are still stale as fuck, and I hate – HATE – his Denzel Voice (patent pending) that opts to use from time to time. But the point is that we are actually getting what we have complained for so long for. I think we are all in agreement that the World Heavyweight Championship has been a state of who-gives-a-fuck for a loooong time, now. The fact that John Cena is the one holding up the big gold of itself is a huge deal, and automatically brings up Cena, Del Rio, and anyone else in the hunt for the title. It no longer feels unimportant. Sure, there’s still some work to be done, but let’s just admit that right now, that belt means more than it has in a long, long time. Sure, Bryan isn’t the champ over on RAW, and maybe Triple H’s nose is still as big as his ego, but Cena has quite quietly been shuffled down. The interesting thing is, once he is shuffled back up, that big gold belt is going to be coming with him, and I’m very interested to see just how he gets uncrowned.
You Decide: Has Cena of the last six weeks been any different from before his injury?
Do We Need an Off-Season?
By Tony Acero
411’s own Jeffrey Harris and I had a short conversation recently regarding the unfortunate dehydration spell that AJ Lee had over the weekend. In true WWE fashion, we saw the results of said effects on RAW where Vickie and AJ mocked the very situation. Sure it was a waste of time, but we got this:
Where the conversation lead to, however, was the idea that wrestling should – in some form of the definition – have an off-season. I immediately agreed and asked why the WWE simply wouldn’t want to do such a thing. The idea stemmed from Harris’ suggestion that AJ passed out due to excessive hydration and exhaustion because of the overseas trip. I came up with a few reasons as to why an off-season, but still had trouble with the idea that this isn’t in some way reality. One proposal isn’t that the entirety of wrestling has some sort of “Off-Season,” I really don’t think that will work – or that the WWE will allow it. What I’m thinking is, instead, the wrestlers themselves create their own off-season. Let’s say three months. The idea is that these three months are to be used to rest, to spend some time with family, and to allow fans to possibly even regenerate the passion they have for your character. I fear this may cause some uprisal of “injury storylines” but there’s any number of ways to get someone off of television, and the idea can even be implemented into storylines if need be. So this leads to the question as to why not. Although I am not the scholar of the wrestling world (yet, I am A scholar within the wrestling world), I think I’ve honed in on a few big reasons, which don’t make it any less better of an idea, but perhaps may help as to why we most likely won’t see it going down.
Money:
While we don’t hear about it much – if at all – nowadays, there are stories of the wrestlers of yesteryear simply not knowing how to spend money (or, in all reality, knowing ONLY how to spend money). Because of the lifestyle they’ve picked up, they live on their income and one PPV off simply won’t allow them to continue. This, of course could cause a downward spiral I simply don’t want to get into. Suffice to say, the almighty dollar has got to be one of the many reasons. I couldn’t zero in on one particular dollar amount, but history says that wrestlers make a lot of money (depending on their spot), and I don’t think any of us would think twice about picking up some extra work if it meant we’d be getting a bonus or two. The thought process is most likely that if my body says I can keep going, then I will – and even if it doesn’t, there’s money to be made.
Fame:
Or, to be more specific, one’s spot on the card. I feel some of the wrestlers may deject the idea of an off-season due simply to the fact that they feel they may miss an opportunity that would be given to someone else. I’m sure Zack Ryder is just sitting on the edge of his seat, like the fat kid on the baseball team, just waiting for that one moment where the couch begrudgingly looks at him and says, “get in there, kid.” Three months off, whether sporadic or in one lump sum, could eradicate that moment from any one person’s career, thereby excluding them from a moment they may never have the chance to experience again! Sounds drastic, right? But I could almost guarantee that this mindset is another cause of someone sticking to their guns and worrying about their spot.
Discipline:
This one seems a bit less likely, but still as believable as any other reason. To some wrestlers, I would imagine this IS their life. This isn’t a job, or something they’d like some time off from. No, this is their every breathing and waking moment being lived out, and no one is going to tell them to take three months off from something that makes them smile. These wrestlers are those that scoff at the notion and assume you’re a pansy. They’d most likely spit at you in the face for suggesting such an idea. I’d imagine a lot of the vets are like this in that 300s days a year is their norm, and anything that breaks that is simply not welcomed.
Although I can assume there are numerous other reasons behind the idea of an off-season simply not being accepted, I wanted to ask you guys. I mean, is it even a good idea to have, or is the wrestling world simply not broken and without need for a fix. I’d question the health of some of the wrestlers, and moreover the simple idea that everyone needs a little break.
You Decide: Has Cena of the last six weeks been any different from before his injury?
In a bit of a surprise, Summer Rae loses to the almighty Audrey Marie! Who will she face next on her road towards the HOB? I think one more NXT lady should enter the arena before we send Audrey to the bigger names.
And now…..
Voting ends Wednesday night and you can vote once every hour!
Survivor Series Predictions
By Tony Acero
The unfortunate truth about the WWE’s upcoming PPV is that not only did the screw the pooch with a particular lack of build, but they practically tossed away a surefire MOTY candidate in the possible Survivor Series match that included Punk and Bryan. Instead, we get a generic tag team match, that while I think will be pretty solid, will still not be anywhere near as cool as it once could have been. The good news is that I have recapping duties, so feel free to join me this Sunday to watch the show, right here…at 411wrestling.com!! BANG BANG!
WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Big Show
The Big Show’s storyline has had so many holes in it that it may quite possibly be the least interesting storyline going into the show, at least from my seat. I have no interest in Big Show chasing the title, and it has little to do with Bryan’s push down the card. I can deal with that – but this seems like a placeholder of sorts and my only issue is that I don’t know what it’s holding the place for. I expect Orton to keep the title here and Big Show to….what? I don’t know, probably go into a feud with the newly appointed Director of Operations, The Spaniard Kane.
Winner: Randy Orton
Star Rating: ***
World Heavyweight Champion John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio
I don’t see Alberto Del Rio winning here at all, and I question who will be put in his place once this match is over. I’m not quite sure if they care, but the Del Rio character is as stale as forgotten pan dulce, and he’s not doing anything to do that. I typically hate when the announcers feel a few extra knees in a match makes them “more aggressive than ever before.” I feel like we’ve been hearing that for a while now in regards to Del Rio, and it’s getting tiring. As for Cena, he’s doing great with the gold belt and I see him continuing his reign for quite some time.
Winner: John Cena
Star Rating: ***
CM Punk & Daniel Bryan vs. Erick Rowan & Luke Harper
I think I, and everyone’s mother – including Mrs. Foley – wanted the Traditional Survivor Series that was teased, and it’s kind of upsetting that they didn’t go that route. Seriously, the Real Americans seem sort of tacked onto the other match. Still, they are a legit tag team and having The Usos face off against the Wyatts has apathy written all over it. If anything, this match is a perfect opportunity for the Wyatts to shine, and they’re in there with Bryan and Punk – what could go wrong?
Winners: CM Punk and Daniel Bryan
Star Rating: ***1/2
WWE Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes & Goldust, The Usos & Rey Mysterio vs. The Shield & The Real Americans (Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match)
It’s unfortunate, but the only person in this match that the fans seem to give less than two fucks about is Jack Swagger. Poor guy. Anyways, everyone else is sure to light the place on fire, and I can’t wait to see who the last man standing is. It should be Cesaro, but that’s just our pipe dream and if they do nothing about it afterwards, it won’t matter. This is probably my least predictable as the gut says the Rhodes team is going to take the win, but my gut also thought Dew and Vodka was a bright idea…it wasn’t.
Winners: The Shield and The Real Americans
Star Rating: ****
Natalya, The Bellas, The Funkadactyls, JoJo & Eva Marie vs. Divas Champion AJ Lee, Tamina Snuka, Kaitlyn, Rosa, Summer Rae, Aksana & Alicia Fox
Please. AJ as the last (wo)man standing.
Winner: AJ Lee
Star Rating: *****
Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz (Kickoff Match)
Sorry Miz, but your heel turn made a grand total of two people care, and neither of them was Maryse. The Miz is going to win this one since he needs some semblance of a rebuild, although him screwing Kofi was so random and unimportant that I don’t think this kickoff match will matter much until next week – if ever.
Winner: The Miz
Star Rating: **
You Decide: What are your predictions?
And the commenter with the most “likes”???
Matt Swindells: “When hornswoggle arrived at the signing there was “little” fanfare”
Think you have what it takes to win the Caption Contest? Head on over to the Yes! Yes! Yes! Facebook group and join today to see what Tony, myself and the gang post next!
Want to enter? Caption this picture:
Last week, it looked like the team of the Radicalz really took the lead. I was never a WCW guy when I was younger so I hardly knew who these guys were, only that I wanted to be Eddie Guerrero. This match, and that team, was/were pretty damned awesome. Keeping with the Survivor Series theme, let’s see which edition of the 4 in the Big 4 you enjoyed!
The lovely little lady Jo Jo is our And 1 Model of the Week!
Tony joined 411Mania in April 2010, and currently contributes in both music and wrestling. Tony is an avid drinker of Mountain Dew and Jack Daniels. He is a writer who hardly takes himself seriously, yet has an innate ability to create moments that are both human yet fearful in his writings.
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HALL OF FAME
Greg DeMarco is a graduate of Virginia Tech (Bachelor’s in Business Management) and Arizona State (Master’s in Higher & Post-Secondary Education). He works in online higher education. Greg started in improv comedy in 2001, making his stand-up debut in 2004.
Greg first appeared as a ring announcer for Rising Phoenix Wrestling in Phoenix Arizona in 2006 and served many promotions in both on-stage and back-stage roles for over six years, most notably Ring of Honor in 2010. He began writing for 411Mania in October 2010, founded The Greg DeMarco Show in May 2011 and opened WrestlingSmash.com (and Wrestling Smash Radio) in January 2013.
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Until next week…
