Hidden Highlights 04.16.06: Issue #33
Posted by Prag-Thomlison on 04.16.2006
JT has been fired and in his place is… God?!
Hidden Highlights
By JP Prag and James "JT" Thomlison
Issue #33
Intro
Hello everyone who is full of matzos and hard boiled eggs, and welcome back to Hidden Highlights!!
Hidden Highlight (n) – a small, hardly noticeable point that makes a big, positive difference. This could be anything from a wrestler putting extra emphasis into his moves to make it believable to a person in the background reacting while not the focus to the cameraman shaking the picture to create an effect. There are just so many unsung heroes of wrestling that it is impossible to cover them all.
Every week we take the top 3 Hidden Highlights from the biggest shows on television (iMPACT!, RAW, SmackDown!, and a PPV or television special if there is one). Plus we turn to you, the readers, to let us know all the Hidden Highlights you saw or that we missed. On top of that we revisit old moments to find Classic Hidden Highlights and then explore other issues that prove why this is the most positive article in the IWC.
And who is this mysterious we, you ask?
First, there is JP Prag who also this past week posted In Defense of… Hulk Hogan (Part 3 of 4). It's the nWo through the rest of his career. Which is still going! That makes it kind of tough.
JP: I was also on Fact or Fiction for the third time, this time dismantling Ryan Byers.
JT: Two for six, I'm surprised you got that high.
JP: I know! It always makes me wonder what we would happen if we faced off.
JT: Yeah, it really would be something. Would we agree on everything, disagree?
JP: Well, there's only one way we'd ever find out.
We bring you Hidden Highlights with one goal in mind: to appreciate all those little things that make a huge difference. JT?
JT: Well, not to nag anyone in particular (*cough*achem*cough*), but I really do think that a Fact or Fiction between us would kick all kinds of ass. I mean, we're so positive here, we're never allowed to call the other one an idiot, or tell each other we're wrong, or anything like that.
JP: I agree, idiot.
JT: I know I walked into that, but come on... must you take ALL the easy ones?
JP: It's too easy not to.
Hidden Highlights for TNA iMPACT: Saturday, April 8, 2006 by JP
JP: Well, it was the last iMPACT of the SpikeTV Saturday Night Era. TNA, we've seen you grow from weekly PPV to FSN daytime to the internet to SpikeTV Saturday Night to now SpikeTV Thursday nights. Can't wait to see where else you may go. For now, here's a few things that even you probably didn't notice.
(3) The risk is worth the HSN:
During the opening contest of this penultimate iMPACT, AJ Styles was taking on Abyss in a sort-of rematch from last year's Lockdown. Halfway through the match, Styles went for some complicated maneuver that Abyss was able to easily counter. Don West then went into an excellent diatribe about the pros and cons of high risk maneuvers, finishing with, "That's what can happen with high risk moves. They can look great and be effective, but they can backfire on you just like that." I thought this was a great remark by West to really explain the psychology of high risk. Don West's skills are becoming more and more blatant that even Peter Kent has said nice things about him:
Don West talks about ring awareness! It's been fun watching West develop as a commentator.
Yes, Don West is not only fully developing on the big things, but is hitting all the small ones as well.
(2) Calling a move!:
Speaking of commentators, I was quite surprised by Mike Tenay this week. During the main event X-division three way match between Alex Shelly, Roderick Strong, and Chase Stevens, Alex Shelly went for a nice move off the ropes that fans in the far east might know as the shiranui. What did Tenay call this move? Nothing less than the name Brian Kendrick gave it: Sliced Bread #2. Why is that significant. From Wikipedia:
On January 14, 2006 in Philadelphia, Shelley and Jimmy Rave attacked ROH World Heavyweight champion Bryan Danielson after a successful title defense. Shelley performed Spanky's (long time rival of Danielson) finishing move, Sliced Bread No. 2, on Danielson, claiming it was his "Kryptonite". Shelley was set to face Danielson at the 4th Anniversary Show, but lost the title shot after Jimmy Rave used his title shot earned at the Tag Wars 2006. Shelley used his title shot and faced Bryan Danielson for the ROH World title on March 11th in Philadelphia, but came up short.
So you see, calling it Sliced Bread #2 instead of the shiranui (which you know Tenay knows the name to) was in direct reference to the storyline going on in ROH.
JT: For those of you who may not know, what JP was referencing is the fact that ROH and TNA are business partners.
JP: They aren't really partners, but more in a loose agreement for use of talent. And this is my section thank you!
(1) Now that's… how I exit:
Back in the opening contest, Christian Cage returned and attacked Abyss in the ring. After his attack, Christian began to make his exit… THROUGH THE CROWD. I thought this was a great touch by Christian. Nobody has "seen" him for two weeks, and he had not gone out back. He just drove into the arena and entered through the crowd. Since he was never in the back with the boys and management, then what reason would he have to go there? No, he went back through to the crowd to where he parked his car and left all his things. That is what makes the most sense to do!
JT: Yes, Don West is getting better. Now if—
JP: Don't you dare use that cheesy caffeine joke again!
JT: What caffeine joke? I have no idea what you're talking about …??? I was merely going to say "Now if we could get more Christian HH in the column, that would kick ass", and then I was going to give him kudos.
JP: Using your favorite wrestler to cover up a humorless, overused joke about Don West? That's low… even for you.
JT: I'll tell you what's low; the number of people that will vote not guilty in your Defense of Hulk Hogan.
JP: Will you please stop swaying my vo—
JT:
JP: WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT?!?! STOP SWAYING MY VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hidden Highlights for WWE RAW: Monday, April 10, 2006 by JP
JP: All right, I admit it. I didn't finish watching RAW. I started watching it about 11pm on Monday night and fell asleep somewhere around the church-capades. But that's all right, I already had my three Hidden Highlights!
(3) Where is your other hand?:
During the opening segment of the night, Edge, Cena, and Triple H cut lose and ran each other down in a shades of grey moment that we have not seen in a long time in the WWE. But when I was able to take my eyes away from Lita's… shirt… I noticed something. She had her hand under Edge's shirt and up his back. What a great little detail! You ever see those slutty girls at the mall? They always have their hands up their boytoys shirts or in their pockets. I thought this was a great little touch to put over her hoe character.
(2) Who is this man?:
Meanwhile, Vince and Shane went to church. If you read Fact or Fiction, then you know my overall feelings for this segment already, and I'm not going to mention them here. But I already had found something positive about it before I was asked the question in Fact or Fiction, thus proving how positive I can be and that there is good in everything. Towards the beginning of the segment, Vince started to introduce himself to God. And what did say? "Hi God. Let me introduce myself. I'm Mr. McMahon." How freaking hilarious is that? Only the most pompous heel would ever introduce himself as MISTER McMahon to God. Just a few weeks ago we talked about how Vince uses the Mr. for his heel stuff, and this was another great example.
(1) It's a whole bunch in one:
You ever watch a match that was one Hidden Highlight after another? This was one for me: Big Show and Kane versus the Spirit Squad. I kid you not! This match, while no technical masterpiece, was a Hidden Highlight goldmine! First, the Big Show lifted Johnny's shirt up so that when he hit him with the big open hand slap it would hurt a lot more. I though that was great by the Big Show to really dish out the pain. Then, when the Big Show had Nicky in the air ready for a press slam, Nicky started screaming "Nooooooo AHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOO!" like a little girl. And excellent job by Nicky to put over how cowardly and flamboyant his character is, really getting into the act (props to reader Duncan Newton-Gaines for also picking up on this one and his later screaming when Kane picked him up). And then when Big Show was outside the ring, Mikey made sure he got one extra little kick on the Big Show as he was running by. Of course a heel would never allow a guy to just lay there and would always try to get in that one extra shot. Kudos to everyone involved in this match to be a true Hidden Highlights masterpiece!
JT: Sometimes, a wrestler will be approached with a gimmick which – when first seen by the viewer – seems like it unquestionably destined to be despised and ultimately fail miserably (SEE: Mordecai). But once in a while, said wrestler(s) will take that gimmick, and be so damn good at it, that it gets over (SEE: Simon Dean). I like to think of the Spirit Squad as RAW's version of Simon Dean. Completely over the top, but you know what? So damn entertaining that it works. Not to mention they can wrestle (from what we've seen, that is). I think they've done a really good job of showing fans that they have the potential to be quite entertaining, and put on some good matches in the process.
Hidden Highlights for TNA iMPACT: Thursday, April 13, 2006 by JT
JT: Titles switch hands, champions get pissed, women fight.. what more could you ask for?
(3) Eric Young… again?:
Yes, people! While it might seem like the "obvious" move for Eric Young to be the man who faces Sting, let's not forget that for the last six weeks, while there was the whole "be on the lookout for Sting" thing, the main lookout man was Eric Young! It's only fitting that he (Young) is the one that has to bear the burden of facing Sting, considering he's had the most ‘lookout duty'. Let's also not forget the fact that Young continues to sell his fear of Sting like no other. Eric Young = HH.
(2) Primetime debut needs to grab viewers!:
The very first thing you saw in the X-Division title match between Samoa Joe and Christopher Daniels was a knee to Daniels face, and then Daniels with a face full of blood. Now, you have to remember, this is their debut, and they are trying to capture the UFC audience; an audience that is used to REAL blood and REAL violence. Despite my like or dislike for starting a show "mid-match", I thought they played exactly how they should to the UFC crowd, and hopefully sparked some interest. Not to mention the fact that the title changed hands in the first match on Thursday night.
(1) America, bitches:
When Team 3D came down to face AMERICAS most wanted, they brought an American flag with them. I thought this was so funny because AMW is aligned with Gail Kim and Jeff Jerrett, and thus by default, Team Canada. Nice little move by T3D to remember to represent US soil, even if their opponents have the word "Americas" in their name.
JP: As many of our Canadians readers will tell you, Canada is part of the Americas (North America to be exact) and it is really pompous for people from the US to lay claim to all uses of the word American. That'd be like people from China saying that they are the only Asians and people from Mongolia are from Asia Junior.
JT: What does that have to do with anything?
JP: I'm just thinking what giant heels Team 3D must be in Canada right now!
Hidden Highlights for WWE SmackDown!: Friday, April 14, 2006 by JT
JT: A female Regal, a Kennedy tease, Lashley steps up, Hardy actually wins in a squash, and Kurt Angle Will Fuck You Up For Real…. What more can you ask for?
(3) Logo's are fun!:
This was the second week I noticed this, so I figured it deserved a nod. At the end of the promo for the Miz, you'll notice that there is a large M, and at the bottom of it, it says "Reality Check". Well, let's think of where we know the Miz from… the Real World, which is a reality television show! And what show is that on? Why, it's MTV! And it just so happened that the "M" in Miz is the MTV "M", only the "TV" part of the logo has been replaced by a check, which is the second part of his motto! I think this was great by production to intertwine the fact that not only was Miz originally a reality show guy, but on the channel MTV. Nice work.
(2) This is SmackDown!, not a Pay Per View:
If you were watching closely during the Benoit / JBL match, you may have noticed that unlike most cage matches, there were no holes in the cages for the wrestlers to grab onto. At first, I thought this was just lack of time/effort to set it up. But upon further inspection, I realized that this was in fact like this all the time! The cage that they use for RAW or SD! is smaller than the cage they use for Pay-Per-Views! It may have taken me forever, but this SmackDown! made me realize that they do in fact differentiate from the free and the paid for show; something that makes you realize that buying the PPV does in fact raise the stakes.
(1) Safety first:
Sometimes, the Hidden Highlight not only happens on the current product, but also allows a glimpse of good things to come. As Booker T was ranting and raving about being the next King of The Ring, Lashley came out of nowhere and speared him. Now, I thought nothing of this, until I saw the replay. I noticed that Lashley did nothing more than charge, put his arm up against Booker, and let BOOKER take the bump. This was such a small detail to me. You see, a lot of young guys go in there with a gung ho attitude, and just throw themselves around. But again, Lashley did nothing but put his arm up and then let BOOKER take the bump, which is absolutely the safest way to execute a move like that. Bret Hart often says he wishes he could have wrestled himself, because he was the safest guy in the ring, and I think a part of that is important. You see, in the eyes of fans and booking and creative and all that, the #1 priority might be entertainment; but in the locker room, the #1 priority is generally safety. Lashley may need work in the ring, and may need work on the mic; after all, he's a rookie. But I found it very refreshing that despite his size and strength, he made sure that Booker was completely safe on this one… a skill some guys don't learn for years, and in other cases, may never learn.
JP: If Bret Hart could wrestle himself……? Remember that skit on Conan O'Brien when Max Weinberg was having sex with himself? Exactly like that!
Reader Write-in Hidden Highlights
Hidden Highlights aren't just for us to find and tell you about, but for you to spot and share with us. Don't just sit there and stare, but be a more active, attentive, and engaged viewer. Appreciate all the hard work that goes into making the wrestling we have the privilege to watch and then let us know what you caught this and every week.
This week JT gets to pick our Reader Write-in Hidden Highlights of the week.
JT: As usual, we have a ton of ema—
JP: You are so cliché'. Just get to the letters.
JT: Well THAT was certainly uncalled for!
JP: I do what I can.
JT: If I may please! So, *GENERAL WARNING*:: some parts of the following Reader Write-in Hidden Highlights may be edited for grammar, spelling, and English translation… First up is Frank, who takes us back in time:
My HH is for the production crew for WWE. They always do a great job every time a show is on. At WM 22, the first match was Masters and Carlito vs. Big Show and Kane. If you notice the background to where the wresters came out it was roughly a part of the skyline of Chicago. When the champs were introduced Kane's fire was in the background when they came out. His fire practically engulfed the whole set, it reminded me of the Great Chicago Fire. I thought it was a great visual, especially since it was the first match to kick thing off.
JT: I remember when Cena came out at the draft a couple of years ago in Detroit wearing a Barry Sanders jersey. It reminded me of the good old days when D town had the best back in the league. Nothing like a little nostalgia during a show to remind you of where you come from. Dwayne spotted someone who reminds us all of our mother:
This possible HH is from TNA. The program started off with Abyss vs AJ Styles. I thought this might be their way off getting Styles into the heavyweight picture, idk. Getting to the HH, when Abyss was on the outside of the ring Styles looked as if he was going to try to jump outside the ring on him. Abyss got onto the apron and hoisted Styles above his head, in the background right behind J. Mitchell there was a lady who grimaced as if
Abyss was going to throw AJ down to the floor. Later in the match Styles again looked as if he would try a high risk move and there was the same lady covering/turning away her face. I don't know if she was a plant or not but good crowd reaction.
JT: Hahahaha! If you want to see an upset parent, watch the mother of any major college football star anytime her baby has the ball. Great sell by the lady that wrestling is real, and she couldn't take seeing (probably her favorite) AJ get his ass handed to him. Next up we have Tammie who – unlike a young lady later in the column – will not be shamelessly hit on by JP:
On Wrestlemania, I can't remember during what match it was, but JR totally made a hidden highlight. A couple of weeks earlier on RAW, Vince had disqualified John Cena for using a "clenched fist" when he struck Shane during the Cena and Shawn Michaels vs. Shane McMahon and Triple H match. In an effort to explain this for anyone confused, during Mania, when someone was using a clenched fist, JR said something like "he's using a clenched fist, not legal, but definitely effective".
PS - We are going to BACKLASH and are taking a sign that says "This sign is a Hidden Highlight" be sure to look for it! Love your column!
JT: Yes! Tammie I'm so sorry for not commenting on your excellent Hidden Highlight, I'm just so pumped about your sign! I've taken that exact one to a show, we helped out another reader a couple weeks ago with it, and now you're taking it! That makes three appearances to date! We WILL get on TV damnit! Tammie, I will most definitely be watching for your sign all night, and if I see it, you can be sure that you will have your own Backlash Hidden Highlight! Thanks for the love.
JP: Wow, you are such a flirt!
JT: How was that flirting?!
JP: Oh Tammy! Yes, I love everything you have to say! Please, please, please write to me some more! I'll give you your own section. MWAH MWAH MWAH.
JT: That is so not what I said…
JP: Remember that section "Read Between the Lines"?
JT: Unfortunately…
JP: Exactly like that that!
JT: WHAT?! Oh, never mind. Chris Keith found something quite amusing in the Church segment from RAW (Adam also enjoyed this):
As everyone knows, during the course of the HBK/VKM feud Shane has stood by his father but keeps showing brief signs of doubt about the choices his father has made. Well this week was no different. During Raw this week Shane and Vince to church to in order to confront GOD. Shane appears to actually know what goes on in a church, more so than Vince. Throughout the whole thing Shane switches expressions just noticeably enough for those paying attention. He goes from supportive, to disbelief, to disgust, to disinterested and back again. Of course it may not have been a hidden highlight, but Shane's lack of complete faith couldn't have been more evident then when as Vince said he would bring the apocalypse down on HBK and if he was lying may GOD strike him down where he stands, and what did Shane do? Slowly sidestep away to a safe distance.
JT: You know, it has really impressed me the way that Shane and Steph have both resurfaced on television and managed to be so good at what they do, they get mention in our column! I guess that's what happens when you grow up in the business; it becomes second nature. Keeping with the church segment, Matthew followed in JP's footsteps with the multiple HH segments:
1) Vince saying "I've never been in a place like this before." Vince is often refered to as the anti-christ by JR, so of course he would have never been in a church. Also, to build off that, the fact that Shane seems to know a bit about more about churches than Vince does, which just builds off their difference (Vince almost always being the evil heel boss while Shane can be a heel or face depending on the day of the week).
2) When Vince goes to use his credit card to make a donation, he makes the comment "What kind of outfit are they running here?" Vince is the boss and a businessman, so of course his first experience with a church would be in terms of a business.
3) After Shane tells Vince not to wash his hands in the basin, Vince sticks his hands in there anyway. Vince doesn't listen to anybody and does whatever he wants.
4) The fact that Vince did the Triple H impersonation. Triple H is his son-in-law after all.
5) Shane's face after the Triple H impersonation. It was priceless.
6) Vince comparing himself to God. Only Vince McMahon is egotistical enough to actually compare himself to THE God.
7) During Vince's commandments, the camera angle switches to show both Vince and Shane from a far distance, a very common camera shot on broadcasted church sermons.
8) At the end of Shane's prayer, he turns to Vince and says "Dad, this is getting a little weird." First off, he refers to Vince as Dad, not Mr. McMahon or Vince. Second, the fact that he is referring to Vince as Dad RIGHT after the mentioning of Shane's birth.
9) Shane stepping away after Vince calls upon God to strike him down if he is lying about bringing the apocalypse to Shawn Michaels. If Shane had supreme confidence in Vince, he would have never stepped away, because there was no chance that Vince would be struck down. So, there must be a little bit of doubt...probably a lot of doubt in Shane's mind
about the chances they stand against Shawn Michaels and God.
10) The lightning sound effect at the end of the segment. Really builds up the fact that all of what Vince is saying is probably just infuriating God.
JT: Well, he clearly gets it. What I really like about this is the sound effects at the end that he referenced as if Vince was pissing off God. You can't have an angle with four people and only three get a say in it. Nice job by Vince to include God in the promos, even if in a minor way. Antony manages to stump me:
I don't know if anyone noticed this, when Cena is "getting ready" in his broom closet, he puts 2 brand new BLACK sweat bands on his right arm, when he gets in the ring though, the black bands are on his left arm. Pulled a switch-a-roo before the watch cause they are prettier on the left arm?
JT: I'm speechless. I honestly have no idea what the HH is in there, but I'll be damned if that wasn't a most excellent catch by Antony. Good eye man. Good eye indeed. Next up we have Chris Pope, whose find that Rated "R" can also mean Rated "HH":
During the HHH/John Cena vs Edge handicap match, Edge kicked out of a Cena pin attempt after a belly-to-belly suplex, but Edge did not simply kick out. Edge placed his hand on the back of Cena's head and pushed. With the momentum of the kick out, the push rolled Cena towards the opposite side of the ring with his back to Edge. This little added effort by Edge allowed him to slip out of the ring and had Cena looking around for him, which ultimately led to Cena chasing Edge and running into the distraction and a cheap shot by Edge and Lita. I thought this showed great ring savy by Edge to get himself out of Cena's line of sight after the near fall. Edge then had time to shake off the effects of the belly-to-belly and also set a little trap for Cena. It was also a perfect example of Edge's character as a sneaky bastard who will resort to anything to win even if it means putting his girlfriend in harm's way to get the jump on his opponent.
JT: Little things like that are exactly why Edge has elevated himself to main event status. People put themselves in a position all the time so that the ref can't see them, why not their opponent? Good call. Next up, Vincent has something from our favorite little ho (and yes, that's how it's spelled JP. Learn your slutismz!):
During the Edge/Cena confrontation, Cena mistakenly says that Edge only had the title for two weeks, even though it was actually three weeks. So cut away to Lita who holds up her fingers to point out to Cena that it was three weeks.
JT: Personally, I believe that Cena did that on purpose, but it still was a great little sell by Lita to defend her man. She has become very much a "background" character, and she is taking the little steps to keep herself in the picture. Great batch as usual guys.
JP: That it was! Now I sound clichéd. Ah well, it's true. I really like that there are lots of Hidden Highlights with Vince's church segment, more McMahons, and Lita, some of the IWC's most hated. It's like I say, you don't have to like the character, storyline, or promo to find SOMETHING in it. It's looking for those little Hidden Highlights that can make the show a lot more enjoyable.
Do you have a Hidden Highlight of the week? Or a Classic Hidden Highlight that you would like to share? Please e-mail JP..erT…er…us at jpjthidden@yahoo.com with your thoughts! Send them by Friday afternoon to be considered! And remember, they can be from any show, live or taped, or any house show, or anything you saw… we just like to know!
And speaking of Classic Hidden Highlights…
Classic Hidden Highlight
Every week we take a look into the past and remember something that was done to make a show that much better. Well, sometimes we don't remember, but you remember for us. Anyway, without further ado JP presents the Classic Hidden Highlight of the week:
You've got… post:
JP: British users of AOL will get the title joke. Anyway, we've gotten a bunch more classic e-mails, and I've decided to run through some of them.
JT: So you are just being lazy this week?
JP: Ummm… yeah.
Anyway, first up is Michael Weyer:
Watching the first Money in the Bank match from WM21 and noticed something I missed the first time. Right before Shetlon does the ladder ramp run, watch as Jericho and Christian are fighting. When Jericho runs Christian into the ladder, Christian seems to fumble with it. If you look closer, you can see that he's actually taking the opportunity to make sure the ladder is set in place before getting his head slammed into it again. A great move by Christian, selling the bump yet still making sure the ladder's in place for Shelton's move.
JP: Another good catch of when kayfabe meets safety… and involving a ladder. Ladders sure are precarious.
Up next is first timer Jislaine Medina, who was recommended to us by her boyfriend. I recommend you drop the boyfriend and just hang out with me. Look at the fame I can bring you here in Hidden Highlights:
At the house show, it was Chris Masters vs Val Venis. While Val Venis received a fairly warm welcome, Chris Masters walked out to blank stares and chirping crickets. When Masters hopped onto the ring apron, he beckoned the referee over and motioned for him to lower the rope like the refs do for a Diva. That's when the crowd realized "Arrogance bad!" and started booing him. If I remember correctly, he didn't even have a mic, so this was all acted out. It was a nice touch to establish him as the cocky newcomer going against the well-known and well-liked veteran. I've yet to see him do this on WWE TV, but I wish he would if he's not going to throw off his royal cloak thingie and flex anymore.
JP: See, and I'm not just including you for being a lovely, supple, and impressionable young reader. This was a—
JT: Have you NO shame? You're hitting on the girlfriend of a loyal reader!?
JP: Oh, he knows that I'm just (sort of) kiddi—
JT:
JP: You are such a bum. As I was saying, Jislaine had a really good Hidden Highlight to show how even an unknown can work a crowd with a few motions and make that connection with the audience that wrestlers truly need to get over. An excellent catch a foretelling of what Chris Master may yet become.
The less cute Joe K. gets props for going all the way back to Shotgun Saturday Night(!!!!!):
It was before King of the Ring 98 and the opener was a 6 man tag with Too Much/Jerry Lawler v. Bradshaw/Dustin Runnels/...and Terry Funk! This was in Texas (also the SSN debut of Val Venis) and the crowd is just super hot for this! There were a few great moments, such as Lawler & Funk engaging in a piledriver duel and Bradshaw absolutely MURDERING the future Scotty 2 Hotty with the lariat from hell. However, one moment stands out for me and proves once again that Jim Cornette is unparalelled King of little details...
JR and Cornette are commentating and Funk & Lawler brawl their way to the announce table. Funk completely goes bonkers and rams Uncle Jerry's head into the table a good 10-15 times within a minute. The HH turns out to be one of the first headers into the table. Both announcers get up Cornette sells the table smash's effect by shielding his face with his hands, turning his head in grimace and yelling out "Oh! Good God!" This wouldn't be too noticable until you remember how the B shows are done. The matches are taped before the live RAW airs and the announcers just sit there silently, staring into space. They are basically out there to tape the intro for the show and a few lead-ins into tape packages. They dub their commentary in over the matches during the week so the show is complete and ready to show by the weekend. 98% of the time I watched these shows, I looked over at the announce table to hear Cole or Tazz or Lawler or Bill DeMott go on an animated tirade...only to see them stare motionless at the ring. That would kind of take the flavor out at times and expose it for the taped show it really was. However, Cornette would 9 times out of 10 always be doing some sort of wild gestures at the table that would make his crazy rantings seem credible. When he sold the table shot's impact, the "OH!" part of the quote came when he threw his arms up to his face and opened his mouth wide. The "Good GOD!" part was audible when he reared his head back from the carnage! This shows that:
A: Jim Cornette knows he will be seen on TV and therefore look like a pro by actually getting into the matches.
B: He pays attention to his actions on screen and dubs his commentary to appropriately synch in with those actions as well as possible. If you had your eyeballs right up to the screen during this, you could tell it was taped and dubbed. However, the causal observer or someone a few feet away from the screen wouldn't have known the difference.
JP: Jim Cornette was incredible with the little details, as you said, and this was another great example. And man, I really miss bedtime stories with Sunny.
Since we can't stop talking about WrestleMaina, WrestePats brought us way back:
I know this really isn't a BIG HIDDEN HIGHLIGHT and may be so miniscule that you cant even see it when you look for it....BUT, after WM VI main event, when Hulk Hogan left the ring and went into that little transport-cart that takes them to and from the ring, it started moving and must have suddenly stopped as Hogan has a mis-step and looks down at whoever was near the cart. Just thought I'd add that in.
JP: Non-big Hidden Highlights are my favorite kind. The less noticeable, the better!
Well all right, that's enough for me right now. Keep them coming, and we'll keep stealing printing them!
JT: You know, the point is to use one at a time so that we don't run out. Now make sure you take these four out of the Classic folder so I don't re-use them next week.
JP: Wait, you're going to use the readers AGAIN next wee—
JT: I was kidding! …take them out though… you know, just in case.
That Other Section
That Other Section is an idea, a free forum for a few things that just don't have a place. It could be Read Between the Lines where we'll look at a news bite in more detail. It may just be a Pointless Question trying to connect the unconnected dots. You might read a Hidden Highlights Profile where we explore one of the masters of Hidden Highlights (like Chris Jericho) and explain what they do right. It could even be some additional Hidden Highlights, or something else entirely. And sometimes, it might not exist at all. Hey, if we don't have anything to talk about, why force it?
This week, JP has something for That Other Section.
JP: Say "Guilty" all you want Cook and JT, Hogan Knows Best is still awesome!
Hidden Highlights for Hogan Knows Best – Sunday April 9, 2006:
JP: With the family vacation behind them, Hulk returned to the road for a little while to have his feud with Shawn Michaels. Nick went to watch his dad in action, and then started to feel the call of crowd, brother. Much to everyone's surprise, Nick seemed to have a lot of natural ability in the ring and actually maintained a dedication to his training. Could this lead to the team of Nick Hogan and Harry Smith? Only time will tell.
(3) That's a plug:
I'm going to take this show completely backwards and start off in the third to last scene. Brian Knobs and Hogan were training Nick at the Gold's Gym. If you looked at Knobs' shirt, you'd realize he was wearing a "Trailer Park Justice" shirt. Remember from the newswire last week? That's the reality court show that recently got greenlighted! That means that even six months ago Knobs was gunning on his show being picked up and was working in plugs during his best buddy's TV show. Man, I love how much of a work this show is.
(2) Why are you wearing that:
Speaking of t-shirts, did you look at the Big Show's outfit during the opening scene when he and Cena were in the ring with Nick? It said "ECW Crew". Hahaha, why would the Big Show be wearing an ECW Crew shirt, and where did he even get one that size? I have no idea the answer to either, I just thought that was the most interesting choice of clothing for the Big Show.
(1) The best trainers today:
Speaking of the training segment, it's it amazing that Cena and the Big Show, two people who are considered some of the least technically proficient wrestlers in the world, were the ones showing Nick the ropes and the moves? And they were pulling off a lot of pure wrestling moves as well. Just goes to show you what I say almost every week in In Defense Of…: Just because they don't use the moves, doesn't mean they don't know how to wrestle. It's just as Hogan said, the showmanship is just as important as the moves. Excellent rib on the smarks of the world having Cena and Show prove how much they really know and represent wrestling in general.
JT: Did anyone else notice how nice Vince was? He was all sweet and happy and non-McMahon-ish. I thought that was an awesome glimpse into the world behind kayfabe.
Last Page
The Last Page is where we get to express something else positive in the world of wrestling. Who knows what it might be? Well, actually, you do…
Is Rey Mysterio believable?:
By JP Prag
Is it believable that Rey Mysterio, a man who weighs about 160 lbs, could be the World Heavyweight Champion? Forget that fact that wrestling is predetermined and that charisma matters more than skill. Forget anything that has to do with Eddie Guerrero or Randy Orton. Is it possible for a man of Rey's size to be a Heavyweight Champion?
Well, first, let's look at it kayfabe. Rey Mysterio back in WCW moved away from the cruiserweight division and started competing the television division. His first match against television champion Steven Regal had to be postponed due to injury, but when Rey came back he was able to defeat the already dethroned Regal. After that, he went on to World War 3, and was one of the last ten men left in the 6o person triple ring battle royal.
Later, Mysterio would face many heavyweights, even defeating the likes of Kevin Nash. Together with Kidman, he would win the World Heavyweight Tag Team championships, defending the titles successfully over the likes of the Horsemen Dean Malenko and Chris Benoit and the West Texas Rednecks.
Mysterio was already considered to be above cruiserweight in WCW. When he returned to American wrestling years later in the WWE, he completely dominated the cruiserweight division, showing how far above it he was. He was able to hang with and occasionally defeat Kurt Angle. He even defeated the Big Show on occasion, usually through count out.
The idea was, although perhaps Myserio could not regularly beat someone the size of the Big Show, he could defeat someone who could defeat the Big Show. Mysterio could beat Angle and Angle could beat the Big Show. That was believable.
Or is it? Perhaps I've let kayfabe cloud my judgement.
Thankfully, I have a real world situation to help me out in boxing.
Boxing is generally considered to be a shoot industry (though that is debatable), but for now we'll say the physicality is real.
John Ruiz was the first ever Latino world heavyweight champion. Not huge himself, he defeated Evander Holyfield for the vacated title in 2001. This reign would last two years, ending at the hands of an even smaller man. From Wikipedia:
On March 1, 2003 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ruiz's first reign as champion ended — against a light-heavyweight whom he outweighed by over 30 lbs. He lost a lopsided unanimous decision to the legendary Roy Jones, Jr. This undisputed World Light-Heavyweight Champion had grown so bored with dominating his own weight class, he wanted to see if he could also conquer the (then, reportedly weak) heavyweight division.
Furthermore:
Jones then announced he would challenge John Ruiz for the WBA's World Heavyweight Championship. On March 1 of 2003, he defeated Ruiz by a twelve-round unanimous decision to become the first World Middleweight Champion in 106 years (after Bob Fitzsimmons), and the second World Light Heavyweight Champion (after Michael Spinks) to win a World Heavyweight title.
The bottom line is, a light heavyweight was able to defeat and win the world heavyweight championship. Sure, maybe Jones would not have been able to defeat the likes of Holyfield, but he could defeat someone who could defeat Holyfield. This proves that a light/cruiserweight can be a world heavyweight champion, given the right conditions. It is totally believable in wrestling because it happened in the real world.
Oh, and just of a little closure:
Jones decided he wanted to keep campaigning as a Light-Heavyweight and eventually relinquished the WBA Heavyweight title.
In other words, Jones never lost the World Heavyweight title and instead went back to work with the smaller and quicker guys. Think AJ Styles leaving the heavyweight division to fight in the X-division, and its basically the same thing. He wanted to fight a different style of match.
Will Rey Mysterio stay a heavyweight forever? Will he eventually move back to a smaller weight division or less prominent title?
Sure, these are all possibilities. But forever Mysterio will be recognized as a World Heavyweight Champion.
And the Response
JT: I have been yelling about this for years, and I called this about two seconds after big Dave gave up the belt, so I am a happy man. He has proven time and time again that he can hang with the big dogs, and I personally think it's silly to say he discredits the championship. I was very happy that he finally defied the booking/creative/upper management/boss of the company odds and got his moment to shine.
Exit, stage left!
JT: Well, I think I've proven my point here. Hogan is guilty… Kidding aside, whether people love or hate Hogan, Cook is out of his mind. Hogan Knows Best owns. Enjoy your week, chickadees.
JP: You really have to stop using the forums. Another great week, and an amazingly early turn around time for a change. Who'd a thunk we could pull that off?
JT: Certainly not me with the way you generally work!
JP: That was low… so low… but sadly well deserved.
Thanks you for joining us for the thirty-third issue of Hidden Highlights. Be sure to drop us a line and let us know what you think and all the other Hidden Highlights we missed. Plus, we want to hear your Reader Write-ins and Classic Hidden Highlights for all the moments you see this and every week.
We'll catch you again next time in the reader approved most positive article in all of the IWC: Hidden Highlights! Until then!
