411 Fact or Fiction 08.31.06: Carlito, Trish, Benoit, More

Posted by Ashish on 08.31.2006

It's week NINETY SIX of Fact or Fiction with O'Dog, Dave Martell, and Trish's future...

Welcome back to another week of Fact or Fiction! This week, 411's O'Dog takes on one third of the Triple Threat, Dave Martell! Let's get rolling!


1. Carlito has a right to be upset over how he is being used on RAW.

Dave Martell: FACT. Of course, Carlito has the right! I know that a lot of the other wrestling columnists are enjoying the Carlito and Trish hook up, but I think it's a waste of time. Trish is supposedly going to retire so this whole Carlito & Trish love connection isn't going to last. Ever since Carlito has had his face turn it's all been downhill. Back before his face turn, he had more television time, a WWE title shot, and he was a hell of a lot funnier. Carlito wants to be used to his full potential, so let him. Build him back up to be a title contender, let him use his moves, and by God sakes let him bring out the jokes because that… that's cool.

O'Dog: FACT. This is kind of a no-brainer, isn't it? Carlito has been gaining steam since his turn on Chris Masters following WrestleMania and they've done nothing with him. I'm not saying they had to bump him all the way to the main event, but a nice feud and a win somewhere would have been nice, right? The Trish thing is cute and all but we've seen this with Trish about eight times and she's leaving anyway. I don't think Carlito's face turn is to blame, I think it's the fact he hasn't had anything to do since then.

Score: 1 for 1


2. Chris Benoit should be moved to ECW when he returns.

Dave Martell: FICTION. Benoit needs to stay on Smackdown. Right now, the Smackdown roster is full of a billion rookies and only a hand full of veterans. Some in ring time with the rookies would allow them to improve their skills and make some new stars. If Benoit gets bumped to the ECW roster he's going to be put in numerous 2 minute squash matches that end up being meaningless. Until ECW gets a two hour show they shouldn't be moving big names off of the other two rosters, onto the ECW roster. ECW will have its time but, for now, let the Rabid Wolverine run wild on Smackdown.

O'Dog: FICTION. Only because I want to see Finlay and Benoit beat the snot out of each other. In reality, there are plenty of guys on ECW now and that should be the show the young guys go to pay their dues. If you look at SmackDown's roster, it gets real thin after Lashley and Batista and Benoit is over enough that he could give a rub to some young heels and/or teach a few things in the ring. SmackDown needs some name recognition and Benoit, as a former World champ, gives them that. He'll become even more vital to SD! when Rey-Rey goes off to get his knee surgery.

Score: 2 for 2


3. Trish Stratus is done for good as a fulltime wrestler.

Dave Martell: FICTION. Trish has had a long run, but now it's her time to take a break. She wants to live her life a little bit, and there is nothing wrong with that. She's getting married and wants to get off that vigorous work schedule to settle down for a while, and spend time with her soon to be husband. I think she will be back though, I don't know when, but it's all a matter of time. Trish IS the women's division. So in no time, I expect WWE will be calling her back, and for the right price she just might do it. Let's enjoy her last month. Well at least we can still look at her half naked pictures on the internet, even if she doesn't come back.

O'Dog: FACT. I know you never say never in pro wrestling but I think Trish is done. Why would she keep wrestling? Unless she has a tremendous desire to do so, I think she's done. I think we could see her come back for maybe a couple months run like what Hogan does but there's no reason for her to keep wrestling. Trish can make plenty by looking pretty and, now that she's getting married, maybe being on the road isn't for her anymore. If she does come back, and I don't think she will, it would not be for a long time.

Score: 2 for 3


---SWITCHAROO!!!---


4. Trish Stratus has established herself as one of the top three greatest women wrestlers ever.

O'Dog: FACT.Trish Stratus, despite all her greatness, has actually been underutilized by the WWE during her stay. She has been one of the best female workers in the world since late 2002, which insane to think of how she started with the WWE, and is also incredibly attractive, good on the mic and excels as both a heel and a face. What more could you ask for? Her run in 2004, when she played the female Ric Flair, was my favorite but she was also enjoyable. Her matches with Victoria in 2003 were usually the highlight of a very, very sub par show at that time. I can't really think of a female wrestler that matches her, unless you want to argue Wendi Richter from the mid-80's but that's about it. Trish is the Rock of female wrestling.

Dave Martell: FACT. This is a no brainer. Trish is definitely in the top three, if not number one. After all, she is a 6 time WWE Woman's Champion and has even held the hardcore title. Trish has had great feuds with Jazz, Victoria, and Lita, and has even barked like a dog in the middle of the ring. Really, what else could you possibly ask for? As a woman wrestler, she has nothing else to prove. She has done it all and damn, she looked good doing it. Like my buddy here said, she is the woman equivalent to The Rock.

Score: 3 for 4


5. Kurt Angle will eventually return to WWE as a wrestler.

O'Dog: FACT. I don't think there's any doubt that Angle will return if/when he gets his personal business in order. The E has released many wrestlers over the years but not too many are done so with an open invitation to return. I can't see Angle wrestling anywhere and I would hope he's made/saved enough money that he can take some time off without being forced to wrestle just to get paid. Although it would be funny to see Angle stroll into TNA and prove just how bush league Jeff Jarrett is.

Dave Martell: FACT. No doubt about it. Kurt lives and breathes wrestling. It is in this man's blood. This is Kurt Angle's life, and nothing is going to stop him from doing what he does best. Yeah, Kurt does need a break from the stress and the beating, that has been put on his body, but that's not going to stop him. Kurt is arguably the greatest wrestler of all time ability wise, and he will do anything to continue his legacy. Give him a year off, a few glasses of milk, and we could see the wrestling machine back, giving us five star matches in no time.

Score: 4 for 5


6. Chris Masters needs to be repackaged under a new persona.

O'Dog: FICTION. Chris Masters needs to learn how to wrestle and deliver a promo. There's nothing wrong with his Masterpiece persona, unless he becomes a flabby mess when the steroids wear off. Gee, weren't you shocked he was on the juice? Anyway, the persona is fine and can work if Masters improves in the ring. He's okay on the mic but nothing spectacular, but he has been truly awful in the ring at times. Monday night's match with Cena gave some hope so I say it's Masters the wrestler, not the persona, that needs changing.

Dave Martell: FICTION. He's still a masterpiece right? Ok, maybe Wellness caught up to Mr. Masters but, he is still one of the biggest guys on the roster. It may not be the best gimmick of all time, but it works for him. Masters looks like an arrogant meat head and isn't too bad acting like one either. He does have a lot to improve on, but he's still young and if used right, his character can build some major heel heat. I mean who needs huge muscles to be a masterpiece? Look at me! I'm a glorified sexy beast.

Score: 5 for 6


These two finish 5 for 6! Join us next week for more Fact or Fiction!