Your News, My Views 3.20.07
Posted by Larry Csonka on 03.20.2007
I got nothing. I put all of my creative powers into the news.
Introduction…and Things I want to talk about~!
Welcome to the weekly dose of news and views that you crave. I, as always am you host Larry Csonka. How are we all doing today children? Good I hope. I am not, quite pissed actually, so let's just get to work.
411 on MySpace? Yeah baby, the rumors are true! Go and check it out @ www.myspace.com/411mania
So woke up Monday morning, got my coffee and went outside to get my newspaper and discovered that some cocksucker stole my bike. I had it Sunday, rode a few miles on it but woke up Monday morning and it was gone. Some ghetto ass motherfucker is going to pay.
I spent about 7-hours helping some friends paint their new house Sunday. I have to say that a good time was had as we worked, talked, drank some beers and then shared a wonderful meal the wife prepared for us all.
I am so fucking pissed.
411 is hiring again, so flood my inbox with applications. Just be serious about writing here and remember 500 words isn't really all that thrilling a sample. Also, don't send an email without a sample. That is annoying. Don't steal column concepts. Don't be a clone. Don't waste my time. That is all.
Did I mention that I was pissed that someone stole my bike?
Also, from the 3R's and I will say it here: For those that asked, What do I think the WrestleMania buy rate will be?It will top 1-million buys, with 710,000 domestic. Bookmark that shit kids.
ON NOTICE~!
And now back to Gene Krupa's syncopated style…
Today in Wrestling History:
1983 - Killer Brooks defeated Paul Orndorff for the Georgia National Heavyweight title, but sold the title to Larry Zbyzsko
1983 - Larry Zbyszko stripped of the Georgia National Heavyweight title
1994 - Event - WrestleMania X, Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
1994 - Bret Hart defeated Yokozuna for the WWF Heavyweight title
1996 - Shinjiro Otani defeated Chris Benoit in a tournament final for the WCW Cruiserweight title
Births and Deaths:
1944 - Born - Rugged Ronnie Garvin
1959 - Born - Sting
1995 - Died - Big John Studd of Hodgkin's disease at 46
2003 - Died - Sailor Art Thomas of cancer at 79
TNA stories, scuttlebutt and rumors:
Your News: During the Samoa Joe/Tyson Tomko match, Scott Steiner hit a legitimate punch to Joe's temple that knocked Joe silly. There was talk of taking him to a hospital as he was showing the signs of having a concussion but as he was involved in so many more elements of the tapings they kept him around. Losing to Tomko and getting beaten up so many times on TV recently is punishment as the booking team are very unhappy with Joe's remarks in ROH about 'hurting his knee tripping over some bad booking' in TNA. Some are so angry that they don't want him to get the title at all.
My Views: All right, we have multiple issues here. First of all, if he was slightly concussed via a Steiner punch, take the guy to the hospital or have EMT's give you some clearance that he is good to go. I understand that he was a big part of the tapings, but safety-first kids. The getting beaten up on TV thing is and always has been a tool for booking and punishment. That will never change, although it can be VERY counter productive. Now onto the fact that they seem to be pissed about the Joe booking comment. This is my opinion there. No disrespect intended to ROH, but why the FUCK would TNA care about a comment made in front of 400 people that never made the DVD? It is stupid ass shit like this that constantly hurts TNA, cutting off the nose to spite the face, robbing Peter to pay Paul; use whatever analogy you wish, but that is what they are doing. If the guys that are pushing for him to not get the title get their way, well then they have once again proven whey they will never compete with WWE. Remove head from ass people.
Your News: David Sahadi, Jim Cornette, Mike Tenay, Don West, Vince Russo and others have all taken to sitting around the Monday after PPV's and reading the Internet Reviews of the shows. Basically at the end of the readings they get REAL MAD and it ends with everyone agreeing that all these reports come from people on the "WWE PAYROLL."
As for the fans rebelling with chanting during the shows, they have decided that these are nothing but "Smarks" trying to get themselves over.
My Views: This is a glorious news bite. So last year, when TNA was putting on a great run of PPV's I was being called biased and on the TNA Payroll. Now as are porter I am dissatisfied with the product and am on Vince's Payroll. You know, for a guy on multi-million dollar payroll, why the FUCK am I working three jobs? But seriously I was TNA's best friend last year; thank you letters, some DVD's and such. Now I am a WWE employee, all because of VINNIE RU~! Yeah, everyone that hates the product right now is on the WWE roll, just like those guys that have emailed me that WERE fans and are now not because of this booking run of his. As for the fans chanting, this partially true. They are trying to get themselves over, but the chant came at the perfect time and was during a part that showed what that PPV was all about. Forcing one of the most talented rosters around to fight an uphill battle to even make it to mediocrity due to GIMMICK-PALOOZA~!
Your News: TNA officials did have meetings with Keiji Mutoh over the weekend, but there are currently no talent trading plans or future appearances from Mutoh or any other All Japan stars scheduled at this time.
My Views: That sucks. I so wanted Muta to appear from the deathbed, mist Sting and cost him the loss. I would have marked the hell out for that and I think they would have had a fun match. Oh well, TNA is too fucked up right now anyway and really need to focus on their own talent and issues.
Your News: Kurt Angle, Sting, Christian Cage, Abyss, Rhino, Jeff Jarrett, Team 3D, Rhino, Samoa Joe, Scott Steiner, Tomko, Eric Young, Robert Roode, Kevin Nash, AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Raven, Serotonin, Petey Williams, James Storm, Chris Harris, LAX, Voodoo Kin Mafia, Lance Hoyt, Jerry Lynn, Chris Sabin, Don West, Mike Tenay, James Mitchell, Ron Killings, Senshi, Jay Lethal, Austin Starr, Alex Shelley, Christy Hemme, Gail Kim, Jackie Moore, Tracy Brooks, So Cal Val, Jeremy Borash, and Sonjay Dutt are all scheduled to sign on 4.14.07 at the Lockdown Fan Interaction in St. Louis. Tickets for the event are $40, and autographs are free with your admission. Polaroid's and 8x10's are available for an additional fee.
My Views: Now for as much of a problem as I am having with the booking of the promotion, this is one thing that they do right. I know a few people that have attended the fan fests, and they have nothing but good things to say about that. Sure WWE has the WM Fan Access and all, but TNA for a lot of their shows make their WHOLE roster available for the fans, and that is awesome. If you are in St. Louis, get a ticket for this. You'll have a great time I promise.
Your News: Devon of Team 3D is in the process of opening a Smoothie Store called "3D's PowerBlendz" in Melbourne, Florida.
My Views: All right, everyone say it with me.
DEVON…GET THE SMOOTHIES~!
…Intermission…
LINKZ~!
Have you seen that 411 has begun the Countdown to WrestleMania 23? Oh yes, it began last Sunday and will continue all the way up to the day of WrestleMania 23. It also kicks 7-shades of ass. So far we have seen:
-WrestleMania I
-WrestleMania II
WWE/ECW news, notes and happenings to the EXTREME:
Your News: "According to the official documents we reviewed, (Arizona Dr. David) Wilbirt was billed for HCG and the steroid stanozolol that were sent to WWE star Eddie Guerrero in early 2005. (Guerrero died on Nov. 13, 2005, in a Minneapolis hotel room due to what a coroner later ruled as heart disease, complicated by an enlarged heart resulting from a history of anabolic steroid use.) Wilbirt also allegedly issued prescriptions for the steroids nandrolone and stanozolol to Oscar Gutierrez, whose stage name is Rey Mysterio. (Through the WWE, Gutierrez declined comment.)"
"In total, there were 11 professional wrestlers listed in the documents that we saw. Some of these wrestlers are working as independents; some are out of the business entirely; others are first-tier stars. Consider Randy Orton, who allegedly received eight prescriptions for six different drugs -- stanozolol, nandrolone, anastrozole, Clomiphene citrate, oxandrolone and testosterone -- between March 2004 and August 2004. (Through the WWE, Orton declined comment.) Interestingly, according to the documents, Orton's prescriptions came from the same two doctors whose names appeared on the prescriptions in major league outfielder Gary Matthews Jr.'s file."
"The skill-set required for pro wrestling is obviously different from that of most other competitive sports. According to the documents two prominent wrestlers, Adam Copeland, a.k.a. Edge, and Shane Helms, a.k.a. The Hurricane, received HGH. (Through the WWE, Copeland and Helms didn't respond to a request for comment.) But virtually all the others allegedly received a wide variety of anabolic steroids. In each case these were supplied by Applied, the Mobile, Ala., compounding pharmacy that was raided last fall."
My Views: Well, well, well. Now things are getting rather interesting. It was one thing when it was just wacky Kurt Angle, but now we have a list of guys who are being implicated in the mess. And that in and of itself could be a mess. But it may not, because I suppose that the good news for the wrestlers is that the government is attempting to shut down the distributors and arrest them, and not the athletes listed, so they don't appear to be in danger of legal trouble, as of now anyway. WWE spokesperson Gary Davis said that the company policy does not allow for prescription drugs obtained from the Internet. That is where there are some problems. The doctor said that the wrestlers had blood work and lab work done and then came to see him, but paperwork can be faked as we all know.
Now the time frame of all these documents is from 2004 and 2005. WWE did have a drug policy then, although not strictly enforced or tested for. All of these drugs listed above were illegal under the WWE drug policy, but there was no testing until 2006, after the death of Eddie Guerrero. That is where things are sticky again. But the fact is that SI is breaking this, and there is a real investigation. This isn't the early days of BALCO and guesswork, this is on right now.
People have been discussing if WWE is still enforcing the drug policy and if it is working. Well, I think it is "kind of" working and that they are "kind of" enforcing it. First of all I hated that they took the suspensions away and keep the guys on TV, only taking pay and keeping them off the road. It is like when those assholes on Fantasy Sports rewrite the rules half way through so they can make a trade to benefit themselves. Anyway, sure guys like Rene Dupree, Test, Masters and small names have been busted. But the fact is look around at Lashley and Batista. I guess they haven't been selected for the random testing. The Undertaker is in his 40's and in the best shape of his life. I guess he missed that day as well. All I am saying is that you could see guys losing mass, the ladies looking softer and then all of the sudden it went back to the way it was. I am sure they are enforcing it to a point and they are making it look good for their stockholders, but in the end they aren't going about it the way they intended. I wonder if John McCaine and the government will start looking to wrestling in this regard as they have been with the quote unquote "real sports."
On one final note, DAMN Randy! Did no one teach you how to properly abuse the system?
Your News: WWE has announced that they will run a RAW taping at Madison Square Garden on 8/13. Tickets for the taping will go on sale 4/21.
It is likely that the Smackdown/ECW taping the following night will also take place at MSG.
There is also talk of holding the 2008 Royal Rumble at MSG.
WWE hasn't run a show at MSG since September of 2006.
My Views: I think it is great that they are returning to MSG. WWF and MSG have a great history, a successful history together, and it was a shame that money was getting between them. WWF, even WWE in the Garden is a natural thing and it needs to stay that way.
Your News: WWE has announced that all future PPVs will include talent from all three WWE brands. The press release below says the policy will begin with Backlash, although No Way Out also featured talent from all brands. The decision to do this was made back in January after continued decline in WWE PPV numbers compared to the huge growth of UFC PPV numbers. The buyrates for the single branded PPVs in November and December also helped push WWE to make this decision.
My Views: I discussed this a bit before, and I think everyone knows how I feel about it, it sucks. Here is the rant I had a few weeks ago, slightly dated but has the same effect:
The brand extension is supposed to allow them to create and utilize more and newer stars. They have done that to a degree. Also, the brand extension is designed to keep wrestlers away from each other, so that when they jump to a new show or meet up in the Rumble, Survivor Series Match or special Inter-Promotional Match at WrestleMania or Summerslam it means something. For a while they did that, but then you see PPV's like Cyber Sunday, December to Dismember and No Way Out and they are killing that specialty, the importance of these special matches.
Now we head to WrestleMania, a time when there are special inter-promotional matches like the Money in the Bank match and we are already blowing that concept 40-days out from the show. First of all we have Kennedy crossing over to ECW for another title match, which he loses and gets to go back to Smackdown and have no chance to get the win back, and blowing what could have been built to a decent feud for a PPV. Then there is Raw on Monday. They have the first qualifying match for the MITB match, and it is Raw vs…ECW? Now from what I heard it was supposed to be 2 from Raw, 2 from Smackdown and 2 from ECW. So you would assume that they would have 2 qualifying matches on Raw, Smackdown and ECW. You keep the matches in house so that then when they all meet at WrestleMania, they are coming together for the first time, hence kept apart, hence more important. On ECW we then had another Raw vs. ECW match, screwing the pooch again. On Smackdown they will have a novel concept happen, SD vs. SD wrestlers for their first slot in the match. The way it should be.
The bottom line is this; the brand extension is the WRONG execution of the RIGHT idea. If done right, the company would make even more money I feel, but they continue to throw it all away at a whim because there is no long term planning. The Cruiserweight Open is the perfect explanation of that. Khali and Daivari's recent moves are proof of that. Some continuity and actually dedication to the concept is all I ask. Instead they just do what they want with no explanation and it is hurting what was a good concept.
Add to that the fact that the lower card guys that get no time now will get even less PPV and TV time, and the brand extension might as well be ended because by doing this they have basically said that it is. BOO URNS.
Your News: According to the Wrestling Observer newsletter, the ECW Originals are done after WrestleMania. With the exception of RVD, there aren't currently plans for any of them to come back to TV.
My Views: Dreamer will probably go back to an office position since he has friends in the company, but Sandman and Sabu have been in and out of trouble and will probably released. RVD is the only one I see having any chance for anything, and that all depends on if he is going to resign or not. ECW really is a developmental like Linda said. I hope that they can do something good with it, but man, losing the Originals hurts to an extent I feel.
Your News: Rene Dupree has been suspended again by WWE.
My Views: Poor little guy, he just can't keep things out of his ass can he? Word going around is that this may be the final straw for Rene in the E, and he could get his walking papers soon.
DVD News: Coming out this year:
The Ladder Match 8/28/07
The Triumph & Tragedy of WCCW 9/18/07
Rey Mysterio The Biggest Little Man 10/23/07
John Cena: My Life 11/06/07
Stone Cold Steve Austin's Life & Legacy 11/20/07
Rumored (Possibly 2008):
The Life and Times of Mr. Perfect
A twenty disc Summerslam Anthology DVD set
A two disc set on Batista
Another Shawn Michaels DVD set
A Hell In The Cell DVD set
My Views: I talked about some of these. The Ladder Match DVD should be fun, sign me up for the WCCW DVD, I'll pass on Rey's and Cena's and will rent the Austin one, as I am hoping it will be a more complete collection, not an addition to the 43 other VHS and DVD releases he has had.
Onto the rumored stuff!
-The Life and Times of Mr. Perfect: Yes sir I will not only buy this bad boy, but it is a top priority purchase! Curt Hennig/Mr. Perfect was always a favorite of mine and having a DVD set about his life and career needs to be a part of my collection.
-A twenty disc Summerslam Anthology DVD set: This is one, like the Rumble and Wm set that I will be getting parts of to round out my DVD collections of the sets. I am glad that they are releasing sets of the big PPV's as they help complete collections like mine.
-A two disc set on Batista: Why? I mean besides the chance to make money of course. This will not be something I will be buying, sorry kids, you Boretista fans can snag that up and put it next to you Great Khali DVDR's you have made.
-Another Shawn Michaels DVD set: This one will be a rental. They have to prove tome, much like the Austin set that this one will be more complete, and not all kayfabe–a-riffic. It obviously has the chance to be a tremendous DVD set, and I hope that it is.
-A Hell In The Cell DVD set: Yes please. I like the HIAC match, there have been some really good HIAC matches and much like the Ladder Match DVD, it is a natural one to make and should be an easy seller, much like the Best Cage Matches DVD when it came out. I will buy it, although it isn't a top priority.
Your News: Teddy Hart may be headed to WWE once his current deal with MTV/WSX ends. There is even some talk of Hart, Harry Smith, and Nattie Neidhart joining to form a new Hart Foundation.
My Views: This sounds awful familiar…like me three or four months ago.
Your News: WWE has doubled (and in some cases, tripled) the price of booking WWE talent for autograph sessions. Because of this, it is likely that WWE talent will start to appear less and less for autograph signings. WWE made the change to bring their talent up to the price they feel they are worth on the market.
My Views: So $5 and THREE ham sandwiches for a Snitsky appearance then?
Everything else that needs covering in wrestling…and maybe some MMA
Your News: MTV has removed the WSX Finale from the scheduled 10:30 time slot next week. It has been replaced by an airing of the Real World. MTV sources claimed that the episode was never officially set to air, but up until yesterday the TV Guide and the MTV website's schedule had the show set in the schedule. There is no word if the show will air now, which was to have an Electrified Steel Cage and Piranha Death Match.
My Views: Just Fuck MTV, WSX was fun for what it was and at least they could have finished it out last week all at once. Jerk offs.
Your News: In WSX contract news, WSX wrestler contracts are worded to expire "90-days" after the initial airing of the Season One series finale. If the finale never airs, it will be interesting to see where that leaves the performers' options legally to sign elsewhere should they get offers from TNA or WWE.
My Views: I would imagine that there has to be some form of clause in there for the series being cancelled. It will be interested to see if any of the guys get picked up by WWE or TNA. TNA could stand to pick up some tag teams and rebuild that division, as well as some X-Talent.
Your News: The WSX marathon on MTV on Tuesday night started with a 0.6 for the first episode, then did 0.4 ratings for the next three episodes, and finished with a 0.3 for the final episode.
My Views: Not that it matters, but that is what they did. Also, for all of those that were excited by the debut rating, I told you one week means absolutely nothing.
Your News: According to WWE.com, The "Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland passed away late Tuesday evening at the age of 82. He died with his wife at his side.
Skaaland is a member of the WWE Hall of Fame and has been a member of the WWE family for over 50-years. He was a known manager, wrestler and promoter and one of the stockholders of the early Capitol Wrestling Corporation.
1967 saw he and Spiros Arion win the WWE United States Tag Team Championship. Another career highlight was when he served as the referee for the famous 1962 match in Japan between "Classy" Freddie Blassie and Rikidozan. What most fans remember Skaaland for is the "throwing in of the towel" in the Bob Backlund vs. Iron Sheik WWF Title match in 1983.
My Views: Another wrestling death this week as 2007 has not been a kind year to wrestlers or their fans in that regard. I suppose the good thing is that the Golden Boy had his wife at his side and lived a full life. He worked for Jess, Vince Sr. and Jr. and was possibly one of the most trusted men in this crazy business. My condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Reader Feedback and Rants!
From Dan on TNA and their Gimmick Fetish -
WOW!!! You said it last week about TNA running too many gimmick matches, well that is 6 of 9 matches have added stips. They also keep coming up with complicated gimmicks with stupid names. How many possible names can there be for a streetfight...Little Italy, Border Brawl, Ghetto fight...they are all the same! Basically you can call them HARDCORE matches. I will give them a break on Elevation X and 2/3 falls because this is the X-Division showcase ppv but why do Senshi/Starr and the mixed tag feuds need gimmicks? Can't they just these matches as rematches from the last ppv, as the feuds have not ended. Plus the next ppv is Lockdown where EVERY match by definition of the ppv has a gimmick.
Plus I think they should've run a Backlund vs. Starr match where Senshi would turn on Backlund and side with Starr. Then they could run a NWO/WCW style angle with the X-Division with the Heels (Renegades of X) name patent pending, consisting of Starr, Senshi, Sabin and Shelley against faces led by Lynn, Lethal, Dutt, and Petey.
From Matt on Melina/Candice -
After reading some of the Melina/Candice thing, I have come to this conclusion, or better yet my opinion. Candice doesn't get to complain about anything ever, she hasn't been around long enough and is merely on WWE TV by the pure grace of God, or Vince. People in a workplace don't all get along, that is how it works, and it's odd how Candice is the only one that seems to be championing this whole Melina is evil thing. I have people in my office who I think are problems, but part of being a mature person in a professional environment is dealing with it and not letting it affect you.
From Manu with a VERY interesting point on TNA -
So netflix finally picked up TNA. At first, I was excited, because I had been asking for months because I wanted to see some of the non-ppv discs. Then my roommate suggested it could help us save money if we don't order some of the shows, and rent them instead, because last year, we decided we were going to order every TNA show, and not bother with WWE shows anymore outside of WM, since netflix has them and if the show was good, we could always rent them. This is when I realized something - we order the TNA ppvs, not because we _have to know_ who won, like back in the late 90s/2000, but rather, because we want to see the cool shit they do. Not just the insane stuff involving tables and barbed wire, but the good wrestling too. For the most part, I couldn't care less who wins in TNA (especially when JJ is around), as long as the stuff between the bells is interesting.
I don't know about you, but to me, that pretty much sums up why TNA isn't growing - they might be wrestling, but no one cares about their guys.
And finally from the Goldberg Fan -
I want to get your thoughts on a few things regarding TNA. 1. When do you think TNA will put the belt on Samoa Joe? 2. Who is TNA's biggest star; Angle or Joe? 3. Do you see RVD coming to TNA? 4. How do you think Vince Russo has done thus far in TNA as a writer? 5. Do you see a possible Angle vs. Sting match down the line?
1. Slammiversary
2. Angle because of the mainstream attention he has.
3. Possibly.
4. Sucks a nut.
5. If they are smart, yes.
