Hidden Highlights 12.03.06: Issue #66
Posted by Prag-Thomlison on 12.03.2006
Lita dresses up for her final match, Christian is edited off of RAW, RVD does some quick measurements, James Mitchell keeps Abyss on a short leash, and King Booker hears the smack of the referee’s hand. All of that, plus the search begins for newest member of Hidden Highlights Hall of Fame, and a huge announcement that will change the world of positivity forever!
Hidden Highlights
By JP Prag and James "JT" Thomlison
Issue #66
Intro
Hello everyone who thought they were getting an empty row to themselves, yet found someone sitting in their seat when they got there (yes, it's another airplane intro. I write this stuff on an airplane, what do you want from me?), and welcome back to Hidden Highlights!!
There are very few positive things on the Internet. It's more about everyone's negative view of what everyone else is trying to do.
— Eric Bischoff, Controversy Creates Ca$h
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 (RAW, ECW of SciFi, iMPACT, 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 this, last, or any week in history. On top of all that, we explore the other issues that prove why this is the most positive article in the IWC.
We bring you Hidden Highlights with one goal in mind: to appreciate all those little things that make a huge difference. JT?
JT: Ladies and Gentleman, I apologize for my complete drag-ass-ed-ness in this week's issue. I've been battling a beast of a cold all week (I'm probably hacking up half a lung into my trash can as you read this), and work this week has been an absolute bitch. So, expect JP to fully carry my pitiful ass through this column.
JP: The only thing different this week is you have an excuse! Well all right JT, since I'm in charge, I know we normally save announcements for the end of the article, but this one is so big that that it can't wait!!!
JT: You mean about our mo—
JP: YES!!!!! THE PATRIOTS ARE GOING TO DESTROY THE LIONS TODAY!!! Oh, it always makes me happy to see my favorite team decimate my good friends' teams. But this is actually better because JT starts every article talking about the Lions, and I finally get to have my sweet, sweet revenge.
JT: Usually I'd defend them, but really, is there any argument that can made though sound sincere? What can I possibly offer? Roy is a beast and Kitna is putting up good numbers. Yay. Maybe I'll give a shit when that actually produces a win. Anyway, we do have a real announcement…
JP: THIS IS THE END OF HIDDEN HIGHLIGHTS AS YOU KNOW IT!!!
JT: Will you stop being dramatic?
JP: Can't help it, I'm too excited. Well kids, after 65 glorious weeks of making Sunday an actually viable day for 411mania…
Jeff Small: JERK!
JP: JT, myself, and Hidden Highlights are being promoted to the coveted Monday morning slot, the highest hit time and day of the week bar none.
Andy Clark: That's it?
JT: What do you mean "that's it"? This is a big deal!
Andy Clark: I got promoted to Monday like forever ago. And I started The Shimmy way after Hidden Highlights.
Bayani Domingo: Yeah, even I got a good weekday spot for Truth B Told.
Julian Williams: I'm a totally unproven newby and I got a Top Ten weekday spot.
Mike LaFave: Nobody knows who I am (though I'm Getting Over) and even I have a weekday spot).
JP: Yeah, In Defense of… got promoted to a weekday spot from this Sunday spot in like 16 weeks.
JT: You're not supposed to be on their side!!!
JP: Whoops, sorry, got caught up in that one.
JT: And where is your great and mighty article anyway? Is this hiatus of yours ever going to end?
JP: Errrr…. What we were saying was, thanks to everyone who supported us here in Hidden Highlights and made this article the most positive in the IWC. Starting next week, we look forward to a new chapter of our glorious experiment, and welcoming in a whole new crop of readers that may never have had the pleasure of reading this little diddy.
JT: I can hear the "if you can't beat ‘em, join em" jokes from Randle from here.
JP: Ok, enough with the self-congratulations. We need to get on with the Hidden Highlights!
Hidden Highlights for WWE RAW, SmackDown!, and ECW present Survivor Series: Sunday, November 26, 2006 by JP
JP: For a show where nothing super exciting or memorable happened (or so others say), it was certainly chocked full of Hidden Highlight goodness. I'm having a hard time narrowing it down to three, so I won't!
(BONUS) Most Valuable Cleaner:
During the first blood match between Mr. Kennedy and the Undertaker, Kennedy started "bleeding internally" and coughed up blood on the ground. MVP then came down to save the day by cleaning up the blood that was in Kennedy's face and mouth so the ref wouldn't see it. But he did way more than that! He actually cleaned up the blood that was on the ground as well, even though it was only a couple of drops that the ref would not likely see nor could link back to Kennedy. Still, excellent attention to detail there by SmackDown's own MVP.
(3) Champion of what?:
The opening contest saw a classic Survivor Series match pitting the legends of Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Arn Anderson, and Ron Simmons (with Arn Anderson) against the Spirit Squad. Somewhere into the match, JR started talking about how all four men were former World champions (Ron Simmons was the first black NWA champion, in case you were wondering). When he got to Rhodes, he started to say that Dusty was a "three time N-double…" and than trailed off. Of course, was trying to say Dusty was a three time NWA champion (never a WCW champion), but we all know where the NWA championship is today. That's right: TNA. Claim they are not competition all you want, but when you won't use their letters on TV, it's obvious that someone is thinking about them.
(2) It's just like LEGOs:
Also during the aforementioned first blood match, Mr. Kennedy and the Undertaker were fighting outside the ring. At one point, Kennedy went rolling over the Spanish Announce Table and took off the cover piece. After that, The Undertaker continued to pound Kennedy and pushed him further back towards the entrance area. But if you looked into the background, you could see the production people come over and rebuild the table! I always find it interesting to see the production crew in action, and they do not get enough love for all of the work they do. So production crew, good job out there!
(1) Double penetrating Lita:
Oh man, I love that title. As it was her last night in the WWE for the foreseeable future, I thought it was only appropriate to end this section with a double dose of Lita. First off, let's talk about the outfit. As many noted, Lita was wearing a shirt with her new band's name on it (The Luchagores, cute). Of course she was trying to put over her next project, not pimp product (IE Edge) like normal. But did you notice what else she was wearing? She had on really high boots and tucked her pants into them. This is not a style I have ever seen Lita wear. But do you know who did it all the time, including in her last match? That's right, none other than Trish Stratus. I thought this was a great little shout out/final FU from Lita to the other woman who defined this past era. As a character, she was saying, "Look Trish, I'm going to take all the glory even more than you did!" Interesting little touch.
And even though it was her last match, Lita was not phoning it in. She was pulling off moves she hasn't done in years, was hitting with ferocity, and stayed in character despite the embarrassing aftermath. More than that, though, she continued to do Hidden Highlights. Late into the match, Lita went to pin Mickey James. Mickey's arm and hand was lose, something that could lead to her getting a shoulder up. So what did Lita do? She not only held down Mickey hand, but actually clasped her hand so that there was no was that Mickey would be able to move it. Kudos, Lita, for bringing the Hidden Highlights for so long. We'll miss you in these pages.
JT: Say what you will about some of the choices she made in her personal life, but it cannot be denied that when she wasn't almost killing someone, she was one of the greatest female wrestlers the E has ever seen. Best of luck to her in her face-painting, rocking out future.
Hidden Highlights for WWE RAW: Monday, November 27, 2006 by JP
JP: After many weeks away without explanation, we were treated to an emotional return… That's right, Chloe was back in action! Sadly, we didn't get to see the patented Chloe Tush Push, but they might be saving that for New Years Revolution. I heard the main event is going to be DX and Chloe vs. Rated RKO and their new tag team partner: Heathcliff.
(3) Christian editing:
Throughout the night, the truck was showing classic Hardy Boyz clips to remember what the team was like. I remember when I couldn't tell Matt and Jeff apart, so I think they've come a long way. One of the later clips was the $100,000 Ladder Match Challenge between the Hardy Boyz and E&C. But did you notice something? That's right, the editing made it so that they never once showed Christian's face (just him face down on the mat here and here) and his name was never called. Every clip was of the Hardyz hitting Edge with something! I may not agree with it, but I have to give props to the editing department on that one. That is simply amazing that they were able to put that clip together with absolutely no Christian. That one thirty second clip probably took ten hours. Almost as long as it takes to edit JT's spelling in grammar in this article!
JT: HEY! I can totally spell!
JP: But grammar?
JT: Ok, you got me there.
(2) Give a man a hand:
Earlier in the evening, Jerry Lawler was taking on Chris Masters when Carlito came down to help distract Masters so Lawler could cheat to win. After gaining the pinfall, Lawler went outside the ring to celebrate with Carlito. And did you catch was Carlito did? That's right, he gave Lawler a congratulatory pat on the small of the back. It was hard to catch, but it was good gesture by Carlito. He's still the same evil Carlito, but he can show a little appreciation.
(1) You are in my way:
Even earlier in the broadcast (I'm totally doing this section backwards), Melina was coming out for the Women's Battle Royal. Per usual, the red carpet was rolled the photographers were there taking pictures. But the guys rolling the carpet were about two seconds slower than normal, and were still stamping it down when Melina came out. Now, your average person would just wait a couple of seconds and continue their entrance as normal. Melina, though, knows her character so well that she immediately reacted. She started making scowling faces at the men and hand motions for them to get out of the way, acting completely disgusted with their unprofessional behavior. EXCELLENT work by Melina to stay in character and add so much to her entrance in just two seconds of extra time.
JT: Ah, good old day one of my cold. Hell, I can barely even remember watching ECW. Melina doesn't make the column much so props to her.
JP: …that's it?
JT: I said I was half-assing it didn't I?
JP: Yikes, I guess you are.
Hidden Highlights for ECW on SciFi: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 by JT
JT: Paul Heyman is pumped for December to Remember, RVD and Sabu put on an entertaining match on the way to an RVD win, Team Extreme gets another victory (only to be beat down by MNM), CM Punk and Test can't play fair, or at least stay in the ring, Show talks a big game, and Lashley …well, he gets his ass kicked.
(3) Chicken Scratch!:
During the opening promo with Paul Heyman, they focused pretty exclusively on Heyman, but there were a couple of wide angle shots where you could see Tazz and Joey Styles in the background. Now, I had to check a couple of times, but I was able to confirm that while Paul was waxing poetically on the Extreme Excitement of the Elimination Chamber, Tazz was sort of looking down, writing! Look, most of us know (and for those that don't, here ya go) that the announcers come out with a few pages of "script" for the show. Well, apparently, they take notes as well! If I had to guess, Tazz was taking notes on Paul's promo in case he wanted to reference it later (which we hear announcers do all the time). It was a nice little insight to some of the things announcers do while not on camera to help keep the show rolling. If you want to give a little more love to the note-taking: when the barbed-wire baseball bat was hit onto the announce table, as Tazz is jumping back out of his chair, he reaches out (while moving back) and grabs his notes to take with him. Can't lose the notes!
(2) Do I have enough room?:
During the RVD vs. Sabu match, RVD had bounced off the ropes and headed towards Sabu. He went to leap on him, but Sabu ducked, and RVD went over the top rope, yet managed to catch himself and land on the ring outside of the ropes. As he did so, one of his arms let go and he almost fell; or so I thought because he turned his head and looked at the ground. But in fact, he was scouting! You see, he first tried a Suplex (needed to make sure that he had room to do so), and then when that failed, Sabu also failed at the jump-over Powerbomb. What did RVD do? MOONSAULT BABY! And he was able to complete that Moonsault because he knew exactly how much room he had thanks to a small glance he took nearly thirty seconds earlier. Good job of being "three steps ahead" if you will, as he knew the spot was coming and checked the area as soon as he got the chance despite the fact there were other moves to perform first.
(1) Shhhhhhhhhhh:
You know, we always try to give people love for the little things we do, and rarely do we get to give people love for the little things they DON'T do. Show – as a face – always gave us the big finger to his lips and "SHHHHH" before the chop. To be honest, I took it for granted and kind of forgot about it. He's probably done this numerous times since joining ECW, but on last's week show, I noticed that before his chop on Lashley, there was NO "shhhhhhhhhh". HEEL Big Show! I know it seems petty, but I happened to notice and thought this was a nice little touch of actually removing a fan favorite move in order to sell that he is a beast now, and cares about only himself. He is a pissed of giant, and removing the fan interaction is a minor detail that is in fact very important in selling his character.
JP: Yeah, we touch on those things from time to time, but its good to put them over again. And as for your first one, most people do not realize how much prep time goes into being an announcer. I heard Josh Matthews used to about 4 hours of prep and research before his announcing gig… on VELOCITY! Can you imagine how much Michael Cole does? I mean, in between the Chairman of the company telling him that his website sucks in a press conference.
Hidden Highlights for TNA iMPACT: Thursday, November 30, 2006 by JP
JP: A 0.9 rating on Thanksgiving? That's awesome. Do you know what got them that rating. It was this:
Damn skippy!
Now on to this week's show.
(3) Got him on a leash:
For a long time, the analogy for James Mitchell and the monster Abyss was that Mitchell had him on a leash. This week, he literally did. During the opening segment when the two came out in retaliation to Sting's remarks, Mitchell was holding Abyss by his hair, a la on a leash! I thought that was a great touch by Mitchell to show that he really was in control, and it was up to him when to unleash the monster. Later in the night, he did it again when taking Abyss away from the ring after Sting offered his hand to help Abyss up. On a side note, I loved how Abyss was reaching for the screen when James Mitchell was on it and he was in the ring. Most people don't realize how hard it is to be a credible actor without facial expressions, and Abyss does it all with body language and pointing. It's really quite impressive.
(2) More puppy business:
Continuing with the same theme as above, Sting even told Abyss that James Mitchell was leading him around like a "puppy dog". Right on that cue, someone in the audience started barking like a dog! I laughed out loud on that. Remember, the audience is an important part of the show and can make or break an entire segment. That barking made the segment for me.
(1) Just a note:
This isn't so much a Hidden Highlight, but a general commentary. What, JT did it for MVP last week, so I'm going to do it for a program! WWE management is under the impression that there were no rules in ECW and that everything was hardcore. This, as an fan of the old ECW could tell you, is simply not true. I have seen a few DQs and no contests in ECW. It's just that the rules were relaxed. For instance, if you always knew that someone used a chair in the ring, than it became expected and part of their arsenal. If someone always had interference on their part, it became part of their normal repertoire and would not longer be grounds to throw the match out. It's kind of like how laws work in Holland. In Holland, everything is illegal. It's just that society decides what become "tolerated". For instance, smoking and possessing marijuana in Holland is actually illegal. It's just that their society has decided to tolerate it, and therefore no one is really arrested for it (except large drug traffickers). So yes, essentially it is still against the rules, but the authorities just let it happen.
That's what I've seen happen in TNA. Although the rules of wrestling are still in effect, they are for the most part relaxed. You always expect Abyss to have thumbtacks, so they are generally allowed. You always expect Sting to have a bat, so it is allowed. You expect Christian to hit someone with a Conchairto, so it is allowed. But something that didn't make sense in ECW was that there was no pushback, and some things just didn't work at all. Like Tajiri could have someone in the tarantula, and yet that person could submit. How could they submit if there in the ropes? The move should have been broken.
That's what I liked about the end of the broadcast. The rules were loosened so that Samoa Joe could just come and be Angle's partner. And in more than one occasion in ECW, that happened and the titles changed hands. That part made no sense. This time, TNA had the answer. Sure, we'll allow Joe to be Angle's partner in a match, we bend the rules. But it cannot be for the titles. That is a contractual situation that must be signed off first. I like how they had the lawyer right there arguing and Jim Cornette forced to enforce it. Cornette is continuing to do what he should: enforce the rules for both faces and heels when needed but otherwise let the wrestlers go.
JT: I cannot comment folks, I don't get to see it until Saturday night (it is now Saturday afternoon as I write this). I'm sure JP is spot on though. I'm assuming, because I didn't read his HH because I hate spoilers!
Hidden Highlights for WWE SmackDown!: Friday, December 1, 2006 by JT
JT: Big Dave still has his belt, Booker is pissed, Finlay interferes, MNM steals a win, Kennedy and MVP still aren't on the same page, a great Triple Threat insues, the three men STILL can't shut up, Chavo gets the one-up on Benoit (gotta build it somehow, right?), the Divas lock up for all of three minutes, and the BOD run things! And how great was JBL talking about Batista's title win being tarnished due to cheating. Classic heel.
What can I say? I thought that the triple-threat was a FANTASTIC match, and sometimes, the goodness of one match can make an entire show enjoyable (not to say that SD wasn't enjoyable; just saying). So, since I had found several Hidden Highlights throughout the match, I decided to give each of the three men some love in this week's column. Were there a bunch of other HH? There certainly were; but when attempting to decide which of the three men I'd spotlight, I decided that it really wasn't fair to leave any of them out. With that in mind, let's get to our three honorees!
(3) Finlay!:
Okay, first and foremost, I'm calling it a shillaly, because I can't seem to find what the E calls it and I'm NOT going through 157 articles to find out what we called it before (JP the Editor's note: It's shillelagh. Now what was that comment before about JT being a good speller?). With that in mind:
At any rate, as all three men made their way to the ring for the entrance, they all somewhat do the usual spiel. Now, let's keep in mind that we've pointed out before that from a TV view perspective (when it comes to tag team matches), the faces are always in the top left, and the heels are always in the bottom right. Well, some of you may have noticed that (despite usually leaving it in the bottom right, heel corner), Finlay left his shillaly in the top right corner! I liked this for more than one reason. For one, this is a triple threat, three respective corners are required. But what I REALLY liked is the corner he chose. He kept his corner on TV (very face-ish), yet still was somewhat out of sight (very heel-ish). Can we actually declare a… TWEENER CORNER! They were clearly going for the tweener feel with Finlay, and the fact he set the shillaly down in the upper right corner was completely indicative of that. Someone might have told him in the back, but I don't care. The fact is, Finlay set it there, and it was excellent placement.
(2) Booker!:
As Finlay was punishing Batista, he took a break to go over and kick Booker (who was attempting to recover from some damage from earlier) outside of the ring. Then, as Booker was laid out on the outside of the ring, Finlay hit the ________ on Batista and went for the pin. Now, they went to the wide-angle (always look around!) for the pin, and as the ref went from the one-count to the two-count, you could see Booker's head pop up into the screen to watch the pin! He may have been beaten, busted, staggered, and out of breath, but Booker is a veteran, and as soon as he heard the first sound of the ref's hand hitting the mat, his instincts took over and he simply had to pop up (despite his condition) to see if the pin was successful.
(1) Dave!:
After the Powerbomb on Finlay, Dave went for the pin (which won the match). As he bobbed his head along with the three-count, you could see that with each head bob, he would turn his face (with eyes open, mind you) towards Booker, who was down on the mat in the corner. He was watching him to make sure that he wasn't getting up or coming at him to break up the pin! Great little move to show awareness of the fact he was in a triple threat and had to be wary of the third man as he went for the pin.
JP: Take what JT said about iMPACT and place it here for SmackDown!. Rinse, repeat. Ok, actually I do have to read it to make the teaser. But I try to jump around before JT reveals anything that will take away from the show. It's not always successful, trust me.
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 JP gets to pick our Reader Write-in Hidden Highlights of the week.
JP: PPV and the Reader Write-ins? JT, you better be doing "That Other Section".
JT: I am doing "That Other Section."
JP: I SAID YOU BETTER! So, *GENERAL WARNING*:: some parts of the following Reader Write-in Hidden Highlights may be edited for grammar, spelling, and English translation…
Our week begins (and mostly stays) in the past. We'll start off with Bram and his show spanning thoughts:
I've got a few Hidden Highlights for you this week:
The first comes from Rob Van Dam on ECW. Before his main event match, we saw him in the back practicing some high kicks, then Heyman came in and they did the usual routine, and then we went to the commercial break. Then in the first few minutes of the Main Event, RVD hit Holly with what? A high kick to the face. Good job from RVD with regards to continuity.
The second and third come from Friday Night Smackdown. After Kennedy cut his (EXCELLENT) promo against the Undertaker, 'Taker came out and Kennedy bailed, or rather "was the bigger man". As he was making his way up the ramp, blood began dripping from the ceiling and onto Kennedy. But Kennedy, unlike Orton, Kahli and anyone else Taker has ever feuded with, WASN'T SCARED. He stood in the middle of the blooderfall (see what I did there?!) and continued staring Taker down. VIVA KENNEDY! After that, we had a commercial break and came back to Finlay v. Benoit. At this point my memory gets a bit fuzzy because I fell asleep during the match (because of Black Friday, not Benoit or Finlay), but I do remember two things:
1) Finlay had blood on his shoulder and he didn't try to wipe it off. I like to think it was because his name is Finlay and he loves to fight and doesn't care about anything else.
2) When Benoit was walking down the ramp, he slipped in the same spot where all the blood had fallen, then looked back at the (now clean) spot on the floor and then continued on his way. I'm not sure if that counts as continuity or not, but it's good enough in my book.
JP: Those were really great ones, especially using the "C" word with me. And you definitely weren't the only person to pick up on Finlay and Benoit with the blood, as did many others (sorry, I can't seem to find everyone's e-mails, but I remember reading them). But man, I have two words for you: "Apostrophes" and "Spelling". Please consider both! Shylo Elliot doesn't seem to need these lessons, but Shylo is a first timer with a couple of classic ones:
I've noticed two Hidden Highlights, one that you didn't seem to notice, but you probably had better HHs on your mind:
1) On RAW, back when Shelton Benjamin and Carlito were fighting over the #1 contendership to the IC title, the week before, Carlito beats Shelton by holding the tights. So what does Shelton do the next week? He works on the arm/hand where Carlito held the tights. I'm sorry I can't be more specific with the date, but it was more than a few weeks ago.
2) Wrestlemania XIV. The first two times The Undertaker Tombstones Kane, he does his regular "darkness pin" on Kane. He kicks out both times. On the third time, The Undertaker does a textbook lateral press with a leg hook, as if to do everything he can to keep Kane down, which it does.
JP: And I think in that aforementioned match (number 1) that Shelton won that match by holding the tights. Or maybe that's when Shelton was the heel and Carlito was the face, and the weeks were reversed. I'm having trouble remembering them all. As for WrestleMania XIV, I'm pretty sure we weren't writing this article back then. Though last week we were writing, and Lynx Raven Raide wanted to correct one of his fellow readers:
One of the reader write-in HHs from issue #65 was this by Ben H:
Just adding a hidden highlight I noticed when I watched Genesis and other TNA hype shows around the PPV time. When they were hyping Joe/Angle (specifically Angle), they played the same production music used for the WWE Monday Night Wars DVD. Kind of a quick shot by the production team to say "We're competing with you now guys!" to the WWE.
It was an interesting hidden highlight, but could have an simple explanation. The music could be 'stock' music (I think it's called that, I am not sure). I can remember a couple of years ago, before it was dropped, Fox 8 here in Australia promoted TNA on their channel using the Hardy Boyz music, and, I cant remember if it was Fox 8 or Arena, but one of these two used Lita's original entrance music (the one before 'it just feels right') to promote other shows too.
JP: Actually, I kind of had the same thought when I read it too, but I like people reading too much into something. If it makes it interesting for you, all the better. I've heard Hardcore Holly's music used to promoted anything from theme parks to car dealerships. Booker T's Harlem Heat music is actually stock music as well. Always thought that was interesting that no one else really used it. Sticking in the past is the return of J2K Winger with… well, there's a lot:
I got lot's for Raw on November 20, just from the opening segment with all the Survivor Series teams.
I give the cameramen credit for the opening segment, as well. After "Edge and the Edgetones" and the "Legend Squad" came out in the crowd, when the Spirit Squad's music started playing, the cameramen started scanning the crowd instead of focusing on the stage, as if they thought "All right, the last two teams came out in the crowd, where's this bunch coming from?"
I have to say that Johnny is becoming my second favorite Spirit Squad member (after Mikey the Spaz). The glare he gave Kenny after Kenny snatched the mic back from him during the opening segment really helped underscore the slow dissolution of the Squad. He didn't just glare at Kenny, he stepped up to him, as if he was ready to have it out with him right then and there. Then Mikey showed why he's MY favorite when he put a hand on Johnny's arm, and shook his head with a sympathetic look, as if to say "Yeah, he's being a dick, but now's not the time, man."
HHH was doing his usual bit, putting down people in the way only he can. When he addresses Cena's team, and says "I know you want the Big Show to come out here, but I saw an open case of Twinkies in the back..." the camera shows Cena shaking his head, and saying, "He's never coming out," right before HHH says more or less the same thing.
During the Umaga/Sabu match, when Umaga turns and yells at the referee, rather than trying to reason with the savage, the ref turns to Armando Alejandro Estrrrrrrrada and starts lecturing him. It shows that the refs know that Umaga doesn't deal well with people other than his handler, so all lectures must go through him. Later in the match, Estrada starts freaking out when Sabu hits a springboard tornado DDT, but when Umaga starts to get back up, you can see Estrada sweep his hands and go, "He's okay!" Nice touch.
This is something that wasn't planned at all, but during the Ladder Match, late in the match, when the ladder is seen, you can see some of the rungs of the ladder have been DENTED badly. Really goes to show that Hardy and Nitro were going all out.
It was great seeing Dusty Rhodes playing the role of the cagey, crafty veteran in his match against Nicky, and Dusty showed why he's one of the very best. Late in the match, as Dusty's firing up his old Flip Flop n Fly combo, he gets a bit too eager and throws a left which fails to connect. Here's what makes Dusty cool: on the next punch, he gave his left arm a quick circular pump motion, as if winding up, and making his earlier air punch look like it was just "winding up."
On ECW, this was again a minor thing, but not only were Matt and Jeff Hardy using Jeff's music -- which was the team's old music -- but their old entrance video was playing as well. In addition, Matt was wearing a slightly different shirt than usual. Lately, on Smackdown, he's been wearing a black shirt with his logo on the back in red. On ECW, however, the logo was the old Hardy Boyz/Team Xtreme logo. I thought it was a nice touch by Matt to put over their reunion.
Finally, on TNA Impact, during the Paparazzi Productions "press conference," Kevin Nash was trying to goad Sonjay, Lethal, and Senshi (who looked uncharacteristically amused at all the antics) into taking part in the Paparazzi Championship Series. Specifically, he went after Sonjay, who said he wanted no part of it. Nash asked Sonjay if he wanted to drive that "Toyota whatever-it-was" for the rest of his life, and Sonjay immediately gets defensive, correcting him with a "It's a Honda Protege!" That one line by Sonjay cracked me up more than Nash trying to lead the lot of them in a round of "Kumbaya."
It might be a week late, but I figure it's never too late to dig up a Hidden Highlight!
JP: Damn J2K, that was quite a bit. Out of all of that, I think my favorite is the refs talking to Estrada to control Umaga instead of talking to Umaga directly. It really makes Umaga the monster and Estrada the handler. So, do you want to write next week's issue as well? Anyway, as noted above, here's Jared Smith and some more SmackDown! thoughts:
All Hail King BOOKAA - no peasant fools him TWICE!
This other HH is a personal fave because it builds on a HH I previously submitted to this column - remember the first King Booker-Batista contract signing a couple of months ago? Booker stood for the ceremony, refused to make eye contact with Batista, missed a haymaker and ate table.
His Highness obviously remembered that incident well, because here he SAT for the signing (when he was sure Batista would do the same), and NEVER took his eyes off the Animal - keeping distance between them until he was ready to strike - pushing the table over. Oh, and bringing backup in two Royal Guards and a trusty scepter weapon this time around didn't hurt either.
And that, is how a King turns the tables - quite literally.
JP: Continuity? With the same reader? How could I resist. The only way you could top that is if you were one of our lovely lady readers! Sadly, semi-regular Brad McLeod isn't a lovely lady either, but he makes some good points:
Hey guys! Thought I would pop in again for some Kennedy love. I know he gets a lot, but I haven't been watching as much as I should, so I kind of miss a lot.
However, when Taker was beating him down in the corner with the kidney punches, Kennedy wasn't selling with a normal Ohh! Oww! face. If you lookat him, instead of the usual screaming with pain, he was wincing and cringing. If you have ever taken a kidney shot (and I have), it hurts like HELL to yell. Yelling pulls on the muscles in the sides, and, in turn, pulls on the lower back. I though it was a great HH to put over that he was in THAT much pain.
Also, for the Regal HH of last week, with the shin over the throat; That is a CLASSIC spot. One of the first heel psychology spots you learn in school. Granted, it isn't used as much as it should be, but, still, it points out that Regal is a classic wrestler. I would still use it as an HH, but in a different capacity.
Oh, and Prag, you can use the recent events with Taker should you ever do a follow-up In Defense Of.... (Whatever happened to that, anyway? That was my favourite column!!) He has still yet to defeat Kennedy, and it looks like a push for MVP is in the works.
JP: Kennedy and Regal love, plus a plug to my other work, what more could I ask for in a submission. Oh right, see above. Anyway, In Defense Of… is on hiatus as I have recently changed jobs and am in the process of getting a new home and have really not found the rhythm to write the article yet. Once I get a little more settled down and can get into a pattern for writing, I'll bring it back. In the meantime, enjoy the archives! I re-read the Vince McMahon in the Death of Owen Hart case the other day, and the Eric Bischoff case a few weeks back (after reading his book). Good stuff! By the way, Adam P would like to throw in some more Kennedy love:
I hope the link works, if it takes you to the survivor series press conference photos check out the one of Kennedy. Even when he's doing a press conference he's using the circle arena type mic, don't know its proper name. Just thought it was cool when I saw it.
JP: Actually, there was no link attached, but I think your description says it all. Kennedy always being Kennedy. Regular DJ Strong sort of starts to move us into this week with some Hardy related stuff:
First off, on the RAW before Survivor Series, when all the participants of the series had different matches, I wanted to point out the Jeff Hardy (a member of team DX) had on green and black arm stockings. Green and black being the colors of DX.
Also, at the Survivor Series, on his left arm, Jeff was wearing purple and green, (the colors of a lot of Hardy merchandise) and on his right arm was more of the green and black.)
JP: Recognizing his team and the larger team? Well, Jeff Hardy is nothing if not a color-fiend. Continuing in this week, Weirdo I got own3d by KingLonewolf28 (god that was a fun name to type) said:
The one I just saw was during the HHH/HBK segment, where they sent the SS back to OVW.( Mark out moment for me).
During the entire time that D-X was packaging SS into the box, something was different about HBK. He was wearing a hat! The hat, showed the attitude of the cocky HBK because of the fact he just got into the back and still had enough time to put on a hat and relax showed a little reminder to the crowd to how D-X basically brushed them off. I think this makes sense dudes!
JP: I laughed like hell when they put an OVW sticker on there, that's for sure. I wish they'd acknowledge the development program on WWE TV. They don't have to report on it, just say they have it and that's where a lot of guys come from. Regular Todd Vote decided to take us further back again (geez, can we stay on this week) with some ECW questions:
I must be the only one in the world that caught this, but go back and watch last weeks ECW (11/21 edition). I swear during the main Event of RVD vs. Holly, I could have sworn I heard a TNA chant break out. Unfortunately I don't record the shows, so I am unable to check myself. Please let me know if I am right, or if my ears are on crack.
Oh yeah, if I am right, I think it is a hidden highlight, because that is the same Way ECW got its buzz going nationally back in the day, by the fans chanting for them at WWE events.
JP: You are not going crazy, friend, as I head them as well. At least, I thought they were TNA chants at the time. It certainly didn't sound like "RVD" which also got a lot of fanfare. I think it goes back to my last TNA one above, TNA is starting to have a lot of the old ECW feel, with some twists. So certain actions and characters seem like they belong in TNA. Ok, enough past, Gareth brings us back to the present:
Not sure if this counts or not, but during Lita's entrance for her final match with Mickie James at Survivor Series, as she came out while her music was playing, she did a little 'dance' move just before taking the belt off. I've not seen her do this since turning heel, as usually 'slutty' Lita simply walk to the ring either looking smug with herself or looking angry with the crowd.
It looked like a shout out to her previous days as one of the most over female faces ever, where she use to dance all the time during her entrance (both on her own and with the Hardy Boyz) and was almost as if she realized this was her last time stepping out through the curtain hearing her music play, and wanted to enjoy it like she used to.
She was really coming into her own and looking comfortable with her heel role, and starting to look good in the ring again, and a huge fan of hers from day one, she'll be missed. I really think the WWE could of given her a better send off - perhaps even have had her character 'redeem' herself in the eyes of the fans by coming out last night on Raw and helping the Hardy's to win the tag belts from Edge and Orton (ok, it would have made no sense storyline-wise, but it would have looked cool!)
JP: Counts in my book, and that's all that matters this week! But I have to disagree with you. I'm glad she stayed in character the entire time, it made her more Hidden Highlight and professional worthy. What I wanted was the complete opposite. I think it would have made more sense for Matt to come out and give her the Twist of Fate after the match. Because we all know that unprovoked violence against slutty women is completely acceptable in professional wrestling. And maybe we would have finally got that fifth chapter that Matt promised in his story with Edge. I'M STILL WAITING!!! Speaking of Hardyz, John Daniels has another one from ECW:
Not really sure if this counts for a hidden highlight but I did find it pretty cool that it was Joey Mercury who mocked the Hardys but doing the guns and the Jeff pelvic thrust dance during the MNM beatdown on ECW, considering the history he shares with the Hardys dating all the way back to the OMEGA promotion that the Hardys, Mercury, Moore and Helms were all major parts of it starting.
JP: You should have more confidence in yourself. That would have been good on it's own, but the OMEGA stuff really put it over the top. Regular RC also has some doubts about his memory:
Here's a minor HH from SS. When Ron Simmons came out for this match he had the theme he and Bradshaw used to use as a tagteam. But in the theme, they had snuck in a catchphrase of his, "Damn!" , in order to make the theme a bit personal for Ron Simmons. Cause I remember thinking "too bad he didn't get a theme of his own" and then upon hearing the catchphrase I thought "ah, he DID he one of his own".
ps! Not sure though if you could hear "damn!" in the old entrance song for the APA, so if you could, then this is no HH.
JP: No, I think you are right in this one, though I'm sure someone will correct me if you're not! Still unsure of himself as well (is this low self-esteem week?) is Charles H, or more correctly his dad:
This is my first time writing for a possible Hidden Highlight and maybe its nothing. I've only read your hidden highlights twice now and maybe this highlight has been touched upon, but I like the idea of finding little things within the BIG wrestling picture. This possible Hidden Highlight is for ECW on Sci-fi for Tuesday, November 28, 2006. My father actually called me on this and asked about it and here it goes something I'd like to dub:
Big Show Braces himself During Big Show's close-up interview segment regarding the Extreme Elimination Chamber, you can see that big show wear's braces on his teeth. Maybe he's always had them, maybe he just got them, I personally never noticed, but my father caught it and called me about it. Hopefully this is something interesting.
JP: I think it must be something fairly new as I've been watching him for about ten years. We know he is thinking about retiring, so maybe he is preparing to do more acting (gotta have good teeth for that)? Who knows? John Bryant has a question of his own:
I thought Petey Williams had the 2nd longest X-division title reign. hmmm guess not.
JP: Ummm… according to WikiPedia Christopher Daniels has the longest singles reign at 182 days, but I believe JT was talking about the longest number of days holding the championship combined. Oh, and I told you before privately, so I'll tell you again publicly. We don't use every write-in, so if you don't see yours one week get over it, ok? This week, Ryan gets one from HEAT:
As Shelton Benjamin was preparing for his match against Super Crazy, Shelton went over to the road agent (or whoever they are at ringside) and gave him his brand new shirt and sunnies, with the instructions don't let anybody take it only me. Seems he is still cautious of Cryme Tyme.
JP: See, even on Heat these guys are good. Shelton Benjamin is highly underrated in the Hidden Highlight department. And finally, Mike Chapman wants you to know:
I'm not a regular reader of 411, but I just stumbled across your column and I was very impressed with your positive attitude and attention to detail. Well done.
JP: Well, I hope you become a regular reader (as we have many) and that a plethora more will join you when we move to Monday mornings starting next week!
JT: Wow, an entire Reader Write In section and not one person had to correct me on anything! Wooooooooooooo! Okay, I'm sick. The enthusiasm was a bit of a show, but hey, anything for the readers. After all, they continue to send in great HH and this week was certainly no exception. I simply to not have the juice to comment on any of them.
Ron Simmons: DAMN.
JP: Yeah really, JT. What a gyp. Get healthy, it's your turn next week!
Do you have a Hidden Highlight from this or any week in history that you would like to share? Please e-mail JP..erT…er…us at jpjthidden@yahoo.com with your thoughts! Send them by Saturday 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!
That Other Section
This week, JT has something for That Other Section.
JT: Well kids, it's like this. As you know, we're a couple of months away from the WWE beginning to announce their 2007 Hall of Fame inductees, and we're five months from the actual ceremony. Now, I cannot spoil anything, but I can *hint* at you that there will be some very exciting things going on here at 411 as the time for the 2007 HOF draws near.
SO, this got the HH team thinking, "maybe it's time to have our second induction into the Hidden Highlights Hall of Fame (also big ups to a certain forum member for mentioning it)".
SO (part 2!), JP and I have decided that it is indeed time to induct #2. The problem is that we can't seem to decide on ANYTHING! We can't decide on who, where, what, when, or why. Which is why we're bringing you – the readers – in to decide EVERYTHING. We need know it all: Should we pick someone? Should you guys vote for someone? Should we do it the same way we did last time? Should we bring a fresh format (and if so, please elaborate)? Should it be a multi-part thing? Should we/it… you get the idea. We are asking for ANY suggestions for who, what, and how we should bring this induction to you.
Now, this is what we're going to do. We're going to take suggestions on EVERYTHING (who, what, where, …meh, you get the idea), and-
JP: OOOO let me let me!
JT: ….fine, go ahead.
JP: Sweet. Once we have narrowed down all of the suggestions/selections, we are going to present the five best ideas, and let you guys put it to a vote!
JT: Wait. Which one?
JP: The style/format/person/idea/whatever one.
JT: That's asking a little much isn't it? I mean, will people actually write in enough to have a vote for things?
JP: I have faith in the Hidden Highlights readers. Come on people! We need candidates, and we need formats/suggestions/ideas/styles!
JT: Fair enough! Seriously people. Write in. Tell us how YOU think the second HH HOF should go!
JP: Can we stop using slashes now?
JT: Yes. Hopefully, in addition to the great HH they send in, they'll also send in HOF suggestions, because we're running dry right now!
Exit, stage left!
JT: *cough*…….*blow nose*……*hack up flem*……*scratch throat*.
JP: JT said practically nothing this issue with his sickness, yet it was still 17 pages. Well, get better buddy. We have a big new role to fill starting next week!
Thank you for joining us for THE 66th ISSUE of Hidden Highlights, and the last ever Sunday edition. And thanks for making this article the great success it has been.
Remember, we still need you 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 for all the moments you see this and every week.
We'll catch you again next MONDAY in the reader approved most positive article in all of the IWC: Hidden Highlights! Until then!
