Your News, My Views 02.14.06
Posted by Larry Csonka on 02.14.2006
I am clean and sober for this one, so it could go either way. I’m working the CM Punk gimmick, I’m straight edge, which mean’s I’m better than you. And that doesn’t say much…
Introduction!:
Welcome, I am coming off the heels of being sick a mother-fucker. I think I got food poisoning or some shit. About two hours before the PPV last night I wasn't feeling great, so I laid down and tried to sleep it off. By the time I woke up it was 7:20 and I felt worse, but there was no time to get a replacement. So I sat here with a bucket, recapped the PPV and puked when needed, which was often. I was up until 5 am puking, and then I could sleep it off and feel human. It is 9:36pm Monday as I start this, so let's see what I have to give ya.
Last Week's Poll!:
Is the WWE Dishonoring the Memory of Eddie Guerrero by continuing to use his name to further storylines?
Definitely: 724 - 58.6%
A little: 244 - 19.8%
No: 216 - 17.5%
I don't care, it's just wrestling: 51 - 4.1%
Thanks to the over 1200 people that voted for last week's poll!
This Week's Poll!:
TNA is moving to Thursdays in Prime Time this coming April. With that in mind, this week I pose this question:
O Rly?:
With no RAW this week I thought I'd toss out a special "O Rly" for you guys. This is regarding wrestling event spoilers that I post on 411. First of all, I DO NOT GO TO EVERY TAPING OF SMACKDOWN OR IMPACT EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT! That is logistically impossible. Some of you asshole write is and say, "how can you trash so and so" or " we're you a bit harsh on so and so." Spoilers are either emailed to 411, or we obtain them from another site where someone sent them in. People, read the bottom of the spoilers, they will say: "Credit: Sonny Shithead" of "Credit: Danny Douchebag and someothersite.com." Do you get that explanation? Are you sure, because every week I have over 30-assholes email me about this stuff.
I got a ton regarding the MTV Wrestling Society X tapings, because the writer of the spoilers blasted the music group that played, here is an example: csonka, with all due respect, u show your lack of music knowledge if in fact it was black label society playing. respect ur opinion but obviously music is not your specialty like wrestling. obviously an mtv publicity stunt but a pretty popular band in its genre.
And then there was this: Hey I normally like reading your column, but apparently your expertise on musical talent is not up to par with that of your wrestling analysis. Black
Label Society is not a stupid rock band. Their front man Zak Wylde has been named Guitar World's MVP on multiple occasions. And as for there songs being too long, apparently your attention span can't last over 4 1/2 mins. You probably listen to Gwen Stefani or Fall out Boy or something
First we'll ignore the stellar grammar in the first, but this is what I am talking about. First of all, if I did write that and let's say I do hate Black Label Society that would be my opinion. As a matter of fact, it would be an even more informed opinion than my wrestling opinions as I have been a musician since age 8, and hold a Music Performance as well as Music Education Degree. So basically what I am saying is, use some thought before emailing me about shit that I didn't write, only reported. As for your little bitchings every week, I have not, nor ever will I give a flying shit.
WWE news, notes and happenings:
Rumor time: There was one person that heavily disagreed and spoke up to management about it. If you saw the Royal Rumble PPV, you probably can figure out who it is by the short match and job that former champion had.
At Eddie Guerrero's funeral, many WWE employee's were upset with a "certain member of management," not a McMahon, that used the "event" as a recruiting stop. This is how they got in contact with Charlie Haas about coming back.
WWE News from the Wrestling Observer (My Comments in Bold):
WWE drew 4,000 fans for a recent Tokyo Smackdown House Show, which is the smallest gate drawn in WWE history in Tokyo.
This is what I talked about a while ago. They are starting to over saturate the international markets to where it isn't special. 4,000 fans isn't good when you are dragging the roster and all of that equipment over there. That is why expanding the international dates in the same places was a mistake.
Terry Funk is currently turning down all booking offers. It is thought that he wants another match with Dusty Rhodes and the ECW PPV and he may finally call it a career.
I hope that the E gives Funk a really nice pay out, and possibly DVD deal. He needs to stop wrestling, and if it is at the next ECW PPV, make it so. The man sold the famous Double Cross Ranch, so he may be having money problems. Why else would he still be working, and I don't buy all of the "he doesn't know better" or "it's in his blood" stuff at this stage,
Bret Hart is now considering going in the Hall of Fame this year. Vince and Jim Ross have both talked recently with him and are really trying to make this happen.
This looks to be a done deal.
Dusty Rhodes is about to sign a long-term WWE deal (as long as he can still work Indies) and his power is growing backstage. He is still thought to be the odds on favorite for RAW GM.
I like Dusty, as long as he doesn't have sole booking authority.
Dusty was offered a program that would lead to him and Flair teaming @ WrestleMania but he turned it down. Dusty's 2 Disc DVD will be released in March. WWE is trying to get the rights to re-release his book with new chapters added, with McMahon revisions most likely.
Damn you Dusty! Work on the match AGAINST Flair now! I m so down with the Dusty DVD. Also, the revised book should be…something.
Vince McMahon makes the final call on everyone that goes into the WWE Hall of Fame. Bret Hart, Eddie Guerrero and Dusty Rhodes are who Vince wants as the big three names for this year. Others considered are Ricky Steamboat, Ted Dibiase, The Freebirds, and Arn Anderson.
Bret is a lock I think, Eddie I am not that great with to be honest with you and Dusty is cool. I also agree with the others.
Bruce Pritchard is the major force pushing for Paul Burchill's face turn. They want to turn him into a new age British Superhero ala the Bulldog, to help draw in the UK.
So what the FUCK does being a pirate have to do with all of that?
The writing team was against using the "Eddie is in Hell" storyline, but Vince really wanted to go this direction. Apparently the Eddie/Rey/Orton angle is only going to get worse in the next few weeks as they have what are being described as "deplorable" plans ahead.
It will get worse? Wow…just…wow.
Goldust will be working part time with WWE. He has signed to a 100 dates a year contract. Dustin is 36 years old and has back problems.
As long as he is kept to short matches and comedy segments, rock on.
Your News: New Japan Pro Wrestling President Simon Inoki is at WWE Headquarters today. There are no other details as of now, but speculation is that this has something to do with Brock Lesnar's continuing legal battle. Lesnar is currently working for New Japan and is the IWGP Champion. It could also have something to do with WWE being interested in NJPW video footage.
WWE.com has updated their earlier post about Simon Inoki visiting WWE headquarters. The article now features John Laurinaitis saying that WWE would like to have a working relationship with New Japan Pro Wrestling.
My Views: I had a whole rant planned on this, and then I read what the right and good Mr. Kent wrote in his blog on the subject: "WWE wants a working relationship with New Japan. Supposedly. TNA right now has a working relationship, but I don't see why NJ would pick them over the giant money machine that is the WWE.
But the WWE is not exactly known for making the competition look good. And I can't ever imagine Vince booking a fed vs. fed feud. The closest he ever came was the InVasion and that was the most disastrous angle in wrestling history. New Japan would probably get some token mentions, some Velocity guys would be sent to japan, a couple NJ heavies would be given appearances and booked to look like nothing special... Then the WWE can end the agreement and the de-valued New Japan can work with TNA all they want.
Here's what I'd do if I was TNA. LET THEM GO! Go on and get a working agreement with Pro Wrestling NOAH! Misawa, Kobashi, KENTA and Marufuji - that's where it's at, anyway. Joe/Kobashi was the MOTY 2005, and it's right there for TNA's taking.
And then TNA could hook up with CMLL - Mistico, Perro Aguayo jr., Dr. Wagner and Dos Caras jr. = MONEY."
Word dude, well said and a lot shorter than what I had planned.
PPV Buy-Rate News: -New Year's Revolution 300,000 buys
-Armageddon 290,000 buys
-Survivor Series 375,000 buys
-Taboo Tuesday (which will become Cyber Sunday next year) 220,000 buys
My Views: NYR is down, but in a month where they have two PPV's, and one of those being the Royal Rumble I consider that a good number.
Armageddon is in December, not a bad number with the Christmas season and it being a single brand PPV.
Survivor Series is a let down in my eyes. This was also a 2 PPV month, but it was one of the big four and had a ton of cross-branded matches, the E has to see this as a disappointment.
TT also has to be let down as they had the return of Foley, a cross branded match and they were leading up to Stone Cold's return, and even though he pulled out the show had a ton of buzz heading into it.
Your News: WWE has gotten Vickie Guerrero and her daughters to agree to appearing ringside at No Way Out during the Rey Mysterio vs. Randy Orton match. Many backstage are very upset at the decision to use them as part of an angle.
My Views: Some people think that this is a sign that they approve of the angle. WRONG. Blackmail folks. There was no paperwork signed saying the E would provide them with the money from Eddie's stuff. Vince could pull that at anytime. Members of the Guerrero family still want to be involved in wrestling as well. Basically they feel that they have to say yes to Vince, or he'll take it all away.
The worst part is that she is bringing her kids. I would be fine if she felt SHE had to do this, but the kids are another thing entirely. I can see it now, Randy is killing Rey in full Beyond the Mat fashion right in front of Vickie and the kids, looks over and says, "I'm gonna kill Rey so he can see your daddy in HEEEELLLLLL!" Ah, that will be a moment.
Your News: The Heart Throbs have been released by WWE.
My Views: (Insert usual rant about WWE killing off tag team wrestling here.) Their gimmick was over in OVW, that got changed and they lost their mouthpiece so that didn't help. Oh, they were the shits in the ring as well.
Your News: WWE is considering keeping Hacksaw Jim Duggan as a regular character and putting him and Goldust together as a tag team.
My Views: Well that will certainly fix things.
That was sarcasm.
…Intermission…
…AND I'M BAAAAAAACK!…
TNA stories, scuttlebutt and rumors:
TNA News from the Wrestling Observer (My Comments in Bold):
Jeff Jarrett's goal for TNA is a 90-min slot on Monday night's on SPIKE.
8-9:30 would rule, I have said this for a while. The short over run would allow them to see where they stand.
There is talk of a 2-hour special on April 13th, but that is not confirmed.
Make it so.
TNA has a new CEO and he's prepped to make changes and remove "dead weight" where he finds it necessary.
They need to cut a few people, great idea.
Nash wants to do more TNA dates soon, TNA lacks interest
Let the man do commentary! Nash + Mic = GOLD!
Your News: TNA Impact did a 0.7 rating this past Saturday,
The Monday night replay of TNA Impact scored a 0.7 rating.
My Views: There was a huge UFC PPV this weekend. Liddell vs. Coture garnered the biggest live gate (money wise) in US history for Wrestling, Boxing or MMA. The last time there was a UFC PPV, Impact scored a 0.6; because it is a proven fact that TNA's newer viewers have been UFC fans, which is why ratings have gone up but buy-rates haven't that much. They just aren't interested in the PPV's as of yet. The replay scored a 0.7 rating as well, so that's a 1.4 combined rating for both nights. They average 0.8 on Saturday and 0.5 or so on Monday, which is 1.3 combined. So they did just fine. Overall, nothing to worry about unless this becomes a steady thing.
Your News: Konnan and Homicide are pushing to get Low Ki back in TNA.
My Views: They might as well, he would be better than "No Show" Apolo and "Machete," until he refuses to job.
Your News: Due to bad weather conditions expected in the Northeast Saturday night, TNA told their talent to get to Orlando as soon as possible so they don't miss the PPV. A lot of TNA talent was scheduled for the ROH show that night, but Homicide, Alex Shelley and Jay Lethal all left that show so they could get to Florida. Austin Aries and Roderick Strong worked the ROH show and were apparently going to leave after the PPV.
My Views: And the ROH board exploded with "FUCK TNA" posts and stories of how TNA was trying to destroy ROH. Forget the fact that TNA was trying to protect their PPV, a money-making show you know? Those guys were all booked in matches, and while they weren't in huge matches, ALL PPV matches are important, especially when you have a new CEO that want to ax dead weight. I also like the, "Aries and Strong are the MAN for telling TNA to fuck of and staying for the show." Yeah, I am sure that is EXACTLY how it went down. I am sure they told Dixie Carter and Jeff Jarrett to fuck off. More like they begged to stay at the show since they felt they needed to be there, and probably worked things out to where they could.
Your News: Terry Taylor was interested in working a backstage role at the MTV pilot today but TNA did not allow him to.
My Views: Good for TNA, if they are limiting their talents they need to do so with backstage people as well.
Your News: During an appearance on the Bubba the Love Sponge Radio Show today on Sirius, Bill Goldberg said that if SpikeTV and TNA are ready to invest some money and go after WWE, he would be interested in getting involved. He added that he and Sting have had recent talks about TNA.
Goldberg also mentioned that he thought WWE "blew it" with his WrestleMania XX match against Brock Lesnar and thanked Hulk Hogan for helping him find his current agent.
My Views: No, just no. And the E didn't make your WM XX match suck.
Everything else that needs covering:
Your News: The Legends PPV will tape on 3.5.06 and air 4.29.06 for $19.95.
My Views: I am interested, I want to see it. $20 isn't too bad a price.
Your News: Tickets for the World Wrestling Legends PPV on 3/5 will go on sale this Saturday. The show will be held at Hard Rock Live in Orlando, Florida. The following matches have been announced for the show.
* Diamond Dallas Page vs. Chris Kanyon
* Hacksaw Duggan vs. Nikolai Volkoff (with the Iron Sheik)
* The Midnight Express (Stan Lane, Bobby Eaton, & Dennis Condrey w/ Jim Cornette) vs. Bob, Brad, & Scott Armstrong
* Jimmy Snuka vs. Greg Valentine
Other names scheduled to appear on the taping include Tully Blanchard, Jimmy Hart, Vampiro, Bruno Sammartino, Bobby Heenan, Jake Roberts, Hacksaw Duggan, Rick Steiner, Lance Russell (calling his first PPV broadcast), Buff Bagwell, Kamala, Koko B. Ware, Mike Graham, Virgil, Tom Prichard, Johnny B Badd, David Flair, Norman Smiley, Ron Niemi, The Blue Meanie, and Disco Inferno.
My Views: There is all the info, the Armstrong's vs. Midnights rocks. DDP and Kanyon "could" be good. I'll give it a try, could be fun.
Your News: Joel Maximo, one half of the SAT tag team, got stabbed in Queens, NY last night in a mugging attempt and is currently hospitalized. Maximo and another Indy wrestler, Xavier, were approached by three man while walking the streets of Bushwick, Brooklyn. One of the men tried to get Maximo to hand over his belongings, which led Maximo to begin swinging punches. Before he knew it, he had been stabbed several times. The muggers ended up not stealing anything.
Maximo is said to be in good condition and will likely be released from the hospital tomorrow.
My Views: Kids, this is why you don't be a hard ass. Give the nice man with the knife your cash and hope to live another day. Maximo is like 4 feet tall and 70lbs, like he can fight off a robber. Luckily he will be ok, common sense man, common sense.
Wrestling Society X News: The warehouse where they taped the Wrestling Society X pilot yesterday was designed to look rundown with the fans standing around the ring like a mosh pit. Some fans who attended have complained about the look, thinking it was a sign of not being organized, but the look was how it was intended to be.
- Delirious and Joey Ryan declined to sign agreements with the promotion, which is why they ended up not appearing on the show.
- The plan now is to post-produce the show and hope to sell it.
- Eventually, WSX wants to run house shows of sorts where they go on the road with different rock bands.
My Views: That sounds cool for a set up, but I'll have to see it first.
Delirious is smart, these guys had to sign contracts, exclusive ones and if the show doesn't fly, they are obligated to MTV for a few months. Which would suck. Also, word on the streets is that Delirious may beheaded back to TNA. Rock on. Remind me to tell you about my Delirious and Sharky tag team idea.
Hope they sell it, that doesn't sound too positive.
So they want to go into house shows. This could work for them with the bans along.
Your News: Judge Christopher Droney denied Brock Lesnar's attempts to prevent WWE from deposing his primary attorney David Bradley Olsen in a ruling issued on 2/8.
WWE will now get to depose Olsen and argue their case before Droney. He will then decide whether the case will go to trial or a Summary Judgment will be issued to Lesnar.
My Views: Can we end this please. Brock, do you agree?
Reader Email Time:
None this week, I have to drink more Gatorade.
Thanks for the emails!
Pimpin ain't easy…because no one wants to return the pimp, ya fuckers!
Read everyone that pimped me this week, forget the rest.
