wrestling / Columns
The MeeThinks Friday FreeThinks: 10.05.07
Welcome back, to your regularly scheduled- week-end dose of the positive spin… err… slant on the past seven days of ‘rasslin news. We’ve got a TON of stuff to get through this week, and some major stories to discuss. No time for jibber-jabber, so let’s see what we’ve got:
On Tap This Week:
Rock & Roll
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John Cena Tears Pectoral Muscle, Surrenders WWE Championship
Champ Out for 6-12 Months, New Champion to Be Crowned at No Mercy
Obviously the biggest news of the week — perhaps even the month — is that WWE Champion and main-event-mainstay John Cena is officially sidelined with a complete tear of his right pectoral muscle. The injury — similar to the one suffered by Adam “Edge” Copeland earlier this year — will require complete reconstructive surgery and extensive rehabilitation thereafter, meaning that “Da’ Champ” is probably looking at anywhere between six months to a year away from WWE television.
Ouch.
Now then, there is little denying that this is a HUGE loss for WWE at this juncture, as Cena is not only the champion of their flagship brand, he is also the company’s single most-marketable (and highest-drawing) performer. In other words, they don’t call him “the franchise” and “the poster boy” for nothin.
All that said —
Since this column is supposed to focus on the “positive” slant on the weekly news in the wrestling world, let’s see if we can’t find a few passably “good” things to be had from all this. Devastating though the Cena injury may be, MeeThinks there are at least a few blessings in disguise to be had from the situation when all’s said and done. Here’s five:
1) Window of Opportunity: A lot of folks have said that “John Cena is stale.” Though live gate attendance, PPV buyrates, and merchandise sales would seem to indicate otherwise (kids and ladies simply can’t get enough of the guy), the bottom line is that Cena had pretty well worn out his welcome with many a “smart” fan (you know — the ones who write ‘rasslin columns online, but are “too cool” to wear a pro wrestling t-shirt in public).
But even if John Cena himself wasn’t really “stale” after all, there’s little room to doubt that just about all of his available feuds (with the already-established stars on RAW) were. Six months to a year on the shelf, however, means that RAW has got the better part of a calendar year to start building credible new baddies (or babyfaces, if they decide to turn Cena megaheel upon his return) to face off against “Da’ [uncrowned] Champ” when he’s back from the injured reserve list.
Six months of no Cena = plenty of time to cultivate a new crop of headliners to help freshen the mix up once the guy gets back.
2) Departure Circumstances: Losing Cena to injury sucks, no question… especially when the injury is a muscle tear, which *plenty* of folks are automatically going to assume “MUST” be related to steroid use. But with Cena out indefinitely, such critics are gonna’ have a hard time pinning the injury on “definitive” supplement use or abuse. In other words — it’s a close call, but there’s enough room for reasonable doubt to simply write things off as a “freak injury.”
BUT —
What if Cena were lost to a clear-cut Wellness issue instead?
With WWE Wellness coming under heavy fire from the U.S. Congress, the absolute LAST thing that the company could afford right now is to have its number one star (not “one of their big stars,” THE NUMBER ONE, SINGLE BIGGEST STAR!) get nailed for a drug-related infraction. If Cena sidelined due to steroids and *not* a “freak injury,” Congress would have had an absolute field day with the guy, pillorying both him *and* World Wrestling Entertainment at large if it were revealed that the company’s “public face” (and most popular “role model” for the kiddies) was nothing more than a drug-addict “like the rest of those ‘rasslers.” That, friends, is a public relations NIGHTMARE. If you think it was bad when (then-ECW Champ) Rob Van Dam got caught with a bit of the ganja — just WAIT to see how relentless Congress (and the media) would if they were to get some high-profile scandal involving the ‘E’s “company man” in John Cena.
Again —
Whether or not Cena *was* or *was not* on the ‘juice (again, I’m not here to speculate on these sorts of things) — the bottom line is that for as sucky as it is to lose the guy to injury, it would be just as devastating (if not MORESO) to have him get busted for being on the gas now that Congress is watching, and just WAITING for a high-profile foul-up from the ‘E. Now rather than force him to stay on TV (and perhaps, on meds) to continue performing — WWE can keep Cena off television, off the “wrestling=steroids” radar, and well on his way to a proper and healthy road to recovery.
3) Perspective and Inevitability: Losing John Cena is a major blow, no question. But if you step back for a second and look at the bigger picture here… there may well be a solid case to be made that (sucky though it is to say it) John Cena was simply *due* for some “untimely” time off. Between injuries, suicides, scandals, contract disputes and steroid investigations, Cena was pretty much the one remaining “main eventer” on the WWE roster *not* to have been sidelined over the past two years. Though a handful of up-and-comers-to-upper-midcarders have remained problem-free (namely Carlito, Punk, Finlay, Matt Hardy, and Kane), just about every other major WWE star has been on one sort of hiatus or another over the past two years. Since the death of Eddie Guerrero in 2005, WWE has seen the losses of (in a rough order of prominence):
Chris Benoit – Wellness/Death
The Undertaker – Injury
Triple H – Injury
Shawn Michaels – Injury
Kurt Angle – Wellness/Contract Release
Edge – Injury
Big Show – Contract Expiration/(later Wellness)
Batista – Injury
Randy Orton – Wellness/ Injury
Bobby Lashley – Liver Enzymes/Injury
Rey Mysterio – Injury
Booker T – Wellness/Contract Dispute
MVP – Wellness/Heart Condition
RVD – Wellness/Contract Expiration
Jeff Hardy – Wellness
John Morrison – Wellness
Umaga – Wellness
The Great Khali – Wellness/Liver Enzymes
Mr. Kennedy – Injury/Wellness
Ric Flair – Contract Dispute
Mark Henry – Injury
Chavo Guerrero – Wellness
Gregory Helms – Injury
Hardcore Holly – Injury
Sabu – Wellness/ Contract Release
William Regal – Wellness
The Sandman – Contract Release
Balls Mahony – Wellness
Cryme Tyme – Contract Release
Joey Mercury – Injury/Wellness/Contract Release
Chris Masters – Wellness
Snitsky – Wellness
Charlie Haas- Wellness
Eugene – Wellness
Funaki – Wellness
Renee Dupree – Wellness
Rob Conway – Wellness
Again, does this soften the blow of losing yet ANOTHER big name? Of course not. But it might just help us appreciate something of a broader perspective on the matter. Namely, the fact that in a physical business such as professional wrestling, just about *EVERYONE* is gonna’ find themselves sidelined due to an injury or burnout at one time or another in their career.
4) Timing: As suspect as the fresh-off-suspension crop of wrestlers may well be, the bottom line is that suspect or no, they are indeed BACK from suspension, and many of them are undeniably still “fresh” and just waiting for a high-profile program. Sure, the Cena injury is untimely — but can you imagine if it had happened, say, two weeks ago when half of the RAW roster was on the sidelines? Again, things are bad — but they most certainly could have been worse.
And speaking of timing…
5) Savior_Self: In case you needed any further proof that WWE is in serious need of a “Savior” these days, this untimely loss of John Cena gives us all the more reason to believe that something BIG is on the horizon — perhaps even much sooner than we’d all anticipated. Hey! That sounds a lot like…
All in all —
Losing John Cena is a serious blow. But thanks to a number of outside variables, MeeThinks WWE execs are breathing a few mini-sighs of relief on this one — as things could have been a LOT, lot worse if ‘Da Champ had gone down in a more scandalous (or untimely) manner. Heck, with an extreme degree of luck on his side — Cena *miiiiiiiight* even be able to make it back to the ring in time for the Big Dance on March 30, 2008 (which pretty much gives the ‘E a marketing plan that practically writes itself). So again, things could be worse.
Speaking of…
TNA News
Kurt Angle Arrested for DUI
TNA Champ Nabbed by Pittsburgh Police Last Friday Afternoon
The unequivocal “good news” here is that Kurt Angle didn’t injure himself or any other innocent bystanders as he groggily made his way home from the neighborhood watering hole.
That said — while many folks are (quite understandably) pissed at our Olympic Hero for this particular transgression, MeeThinks it is a *bit* unfair for so many an armchair critic to automatically jump from their seats and decry how Kurt Angle’s DUI is “just another example of the substance abuse problem in the professional wrestling industry.”
Yes and no.
Make no mistake about it, DUI (in the early afternoon, no less) is a serious and noteworthy problem — both for Kurt Angle in particular and for the American society at large. But when you back up a second and look at the roll call of Hollywood Wannabes and semi-famous-folk who’ve been nailed for all sorts of drinking-and-driving-related infractions over the past few years, it’s both sad and readily apparent that this particular vice is hardly one unique to the world of professional wrestling. Between Paris Hilton, Mel Gibson, Kiefer Sutherland, Britney Spears, Nicole Richie, Michael Phelps (the swimmer Gold-Medalist), and just about everyone in the cast of LOST — it’s pretty clear that “sports entertainers” aren’t the only pseudo-celebs who think that they’re above the law when it comes to driving while under the influence.
Drunk driving is serious bidness, folks. And frankly, with upwards of some 16,000 alcohol-related driving fatalities in the United States IN THE PAST YEAR ALONE… it seems like any Congress with its head on straight would pay closer attention to stuff like *this* and less time grandstanding over paper-thin inquiries into jocks with needles in their asses. After all, isn’t their whole justification for the steroid investigation “to curb dangerous behaviors among America’s role models?”
With 100+ wrestlers dead in 10 years, you’ve clearly got a problem — and one that needs addressing so that others don’t suffer a similar fate. But when 16 THOUSAND Americans are killed each year from drunk drivers, isn’t it a tad bit hypocritical to let DUI and DWI “role model” celebs off the hook with little more than a slap on the wrist? In fairness, Angle will probably lose his license for a year over this one. But if Congress wants folks to take this sort of thing seriously, penalties like the one Kurt received should be the RULE and not just the exception. After all, you can’t help but think that they’re sending a mixed message every time aNOTHER celeb gets busted for booze behind the wheel only to pay a small fine or (at most) a week behind bars.
Again, good to see that Angle walked out of this unharmed and without harming anyone else in the process. I’d like to hope that — with a suspended license and a year’s probation — he’s learned his lesson here and that many a fan and non-fan alike can take this as a clear example why *not* to drink and drive. But sadly, if (and when) this blows over and the next C-lebrity gets let off the hook for a similar offense, MeeThinks it’s going to be a LONG time before the American public takes news of this sort with any real degree of seriousness. Which is pretty darned sad for about 16,000 reasons each year, when you think about it.
Can we get some good news in here, for a change?
PacMan Jones Buys 1,500 Bound For Glory Tickets for Students in Fulton County, Georgia
Footballer-Turned-Tag-Champ’s Tix Reward “Academic Achievement and Good Conduct”
In an impressive and unexpected gesture, TNA Tag Champion Adam “PacMan” Jones killed two huge birds this week by personally buying some 1,500 tickets to TNA’s “Bound For Glory” pay-per-view event, scheduled for NEXT SUNDAY, Oct. 14, at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Ga. (a suburb of Atlanta). Even though PacMan has done little to impress wrestling fans while in a TNA ring since signing with the company early this summer (face it, he’s a black hole of charisma), this is a teriffic move on so many levels.
1) Speaking from the perspective of somebody who’s worked in the Washington, D.C. school system — I can’t tell you how many inner-city school kids absolutely LOVE pro sports and pro wrestling. Having a pro star turn around and reward them for staying on the straight and narrow? A great, GREAT idea.
2) In just about a month’s time (after Nov. 10, I believe) — the NFL will have the option to review PacMan’s appeal for reinstatement. Now I’m no parole officer or anything, but I’ve gotta’ believe that things like “good behavior” and charitable endeavors go a LONG way in smoothing over past transgressions in cases like this. Even if the motives here are so much as the *slightest* bit selfish — at least it proves that Jones didn’t spend his sabbatical hanging around (and shooting up) strip clubs.
3) The Gwinnett Center can hold ten-thousand-plus, but the usual audience in the Impact Zone is barely north of 1,000. Needless to say, it’s a major jump for the company to try and fill a stadium that’s quite literally TEN TIMES the size of their weekly attendance (as of late Thursday evening, plenty of tickets including floor seats were still available for the show). Enter PacMan Jones, and PRESTO — TNA gets to pad out their “larger than usual” audience with a bunch of excited fans.
4) PacMan himself has been pretty underwhelming during his TNA stint, and *many* a wrestling fan in attendance has taken to booing the guy. Not in a “we hate you, badguy!” kinda-way either… but more like a “seriously, dude, get the hell out of our ring” sort of way. Given the high-profile nature of his PPV showdown (BFG is TNA’s “WrestleMania,” you know) — it would most definitely suck to have an arena filled with people who couldn’t care less about the guy. But thanks to his charity ticket purchase, PacMan’s GUARANTEED himself at least 1500 “new fans” — if only for just one night. And once the rest of the audience gets word that Pac dropped his personal funds to help make the event a success, at least they might be willing to ease up on the poor bastard no matter how uninteresting he just so happens to be.
Since we’re talking charity, though…
General Wrestling News
The Rock Donates $1 Million to University of Miami
Former WWE Champ and [Ex] Wife Make Largest Athletic Gift in School’s History
Huge news out of Coral Gables, Fla., this week, as former pro wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and his (soon-to-be-ex) wife Dany Garcia Johnson donated a whopping $1 million to the University of Miami’s Football Facilities Renovation Fund. The Rock earned his Bachelor’s degree in General Studies from Miami in 1995, while his (ex) wife earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the school in 1992, and both were student athletes during their time at the school (Rocky played foozeball, Dany was on the crew team). The gift marks the largest single alumni donation to the school’s athletic department in the entire history of the University of Miami.
Obviously, this is great, great news for all parties involved. From The Rock’s camp, the guy looks like a million bucks for having donated a million bucks to a well-known athletic program. Plus, the guy is currently boasting the number one movie in the country right now (Disney’s “The Game Plan”), and so both the school *and* the studio (not to mention The Rock himself) get all the more media coverage out of the deal thanks to his relative high-profile in the current box office landscape.
For wrestling fans?
While a bittersweet reminder that “The Great One” has — as he might once have said — “without a shadow of a doubt” made the permanent switch to greener pastures and away from the world of pseudo-combat, it is both encouraging and welcome to see a guy who can walk away from the business with not only his health, but also his public image *and* his bank account intact. For all of the flack that “the wrestling business” and “the wrestling lifestyle” gets from jaded ex-grapplers these days, it’s great to see a former pro wrestler doing well — both for himself AND for his community.
Plus, every time a loudmouth like Bill O’Riley tries to say how “wrestlers are just a bunch of drug-abusing derelicts,” it’s nice to know that we fans have guys like The Rock among the proud ranks of ‘rasslin’ alums. That way we can point to stuff like this and kindly remind people like Papa Bear to…
Hulk Hogan to Co-Host “American Gladiators”
NBC Signs Wrestling Icon for Mid-season Revival of Hit Franchise
Well, they don’t call it “Hollywierd” for nothing.
Seems as if The Immortal Hulk Hogan has landed himself a new gig beginning in January of 2008 when he’ll join the NBC network in their new-and-improved revival of American Gladiators.
Now in case you’ve forgotten how incredibly AWESOME the original American Gladiators was back in its heyday:
I for one think that picking up the Hulkster for this project is, in the immortal words of Gladiator “Malibu,” a “most excellent” idea. With all sorts of outlandish gladiator names (“Nitro!” “Turbo!” “Lazer!”) and all sorts of equally ridiculous gimmick competitions (“The Eliminator!” “The Joust!” “Human Cannonball!”), a fair chunk of the original show’s appeal was that it was just so unapologetically over-the-top and campy that you simply couldn’t help but enjoy it in spite of yourself.
Throwing Hulk Hogan into the mix for round 2?
A familiar mix of athleticism and entertainment, and a perfect way to tell your target audience “don’t worry, folks, we’re not taking ourselves *too* seriously with this one…” which is precisely why the first incarnation of the show was such a hit. If things keep up at this rate, this should be a blast for wrestling fans and American Gladiator fans alike.
The MeeThinks Pay Per View Tracker
WWE pulls double-duty in October with not one but TWO pay-per-view offerings in a 30-day span. On the bright side, a Cena injury has GUARANTEED us that at least one new champ will be crowned this weekend, and this weekend’s big show may well signal what direction WWE programming will be taking for the better part of the next six months. Here goes nothing:
WWE New Year’s Revolution – N/A
TNA Final Resolution – 3/7
WWE Royal Rumble – 2/5
TNA Against All Odds – 2/9
WWE No Way Out – N/A
TNA Destination X – 4/9
WWE WrestleMania 23 – 4/8
TNA Lockdown – 7/9
WWE Backlash – 2/6
TNA Sacrifice – 5/9
WWE Judgment Day – 5/7
WWE One Night Stand – 7/8
TNA SlammiVersary – 3/8
WWE Vengeance – 8/9
TNA Victory Road – 5/7
WWE Great American Bash – 7/8
TNA Hard Justice – 4/9
WWE Summerslam – 4/7
TNA No Surrender – 6/8
WWE Unforgiven – 6/8
Cumulative Total: 85/140
Percent Correct: 60.71%
No complaints here, as we’re well on our way to establishing some serious cred as “the guy who’s right more than half of the time!” Hey, beggars can’t be choosers, ya’ know?
This weekend, look for: Beth Phoenix, Rey Mysterio, Triple H, Tag Champs Retain, Punk Retains, Batista retains, and a surprising upset from the guy OPPOSITE Randy Orton for the WWE title.
YouThinks Reader Mail
Thomas Stump gets us started with a clever bit of Jericho trickery:
Hey Meehan!
Thought of another possible link for the promo video.
222 could be a reference to the Dewey Decimal System. 222 is designated as Historical Books of the Old Testament. I’m not a biblical scholar, but isn’t the story of Jericho part of the Old Testament?
Later,
– Tom
Indeed it is, Tom. Joshua and the Battle of Jericho is one of those MAJOR stories of the Old Testament, actually. Nicely done.
More Jerichonspiracy theory (see what I did there?) from Dave Singh:
Hey again,
Forgot to mention it in my original email, but I decided to do my own detective work with the ‘Save_US.222’ clip and I found this interesting little gem:
On the clip, pause it and go through frame by frame, looking at 00:02, 00:03, 00:07, 00:08, 00:13 and 00:15 seconds. These freeze frames are clips of when numbers are on the screen. Now what I noticed was similar on all these clips was the use of the numbers ‘(3)925’, in particular the numbers 925. They would always be in that order, whether diagonally, vertical or horizontal or a mixture of both. Now I thought and tried to link it to Jericho, but I couldn’t, until I came across something quite clever. You see at the time, I was texting on my mobile and that is when it stuck me. Get your mobile now, and type a message using these numbers: press 9 three times, press the number 2 and then press 5. What do you get?
Y2J
Look at the freeze frame at 00:07, move it around a bit untill you find a screen. It has the numbers 925(3) towards the center of the screen. At the same time, it has Save_US.222 flashed across the middle of the screen….
Save_US Y2J?
Could be. Never know!
Take care,
– Dave Singh
Good eye, Dave. I can’t tell whether we keep seeing new “clues” that it’s Jericho simply because we *want* to see them or because they really are right there in front of our faces all along — but I am thoroughly loving this viral-vid marketing campaign that the ‘E has been using to help generate a buzz for this angle, WHATEVER it may be. With this week’s video’s talk of a “Savior” and an all-too-recurrent “8.2.11” sequence, a lot of folks are already speculating that we might be in store for a return of the 8.2.11 (HBK) himself. But again, WHATEVER it may be — I know that many wrestling fans are absolutely digging it and looking forward to seeing where it goes in the weeks to come.
Seems as if at least one fella was steamed over what I had to say to Mr. Muchnick last week. But don’t take my word for it — here’s Kenny Fasolo:
your no journalist
Sorry, you are not going to beat mr. Muchnick. I vaulr his word over yours any day of the week. I thank God everyweek for men who have the set of balls needed to proclaim the truth about the darker side of wrestling.
BTW: hoe much is pappa vinnie paying this site to spread his lies?
– Kenny Fasolo
Ah yes, the “different standards in the blogosphere” strikes again. In case you’re keeping track at home, that’s five typos in four lines of text — an average of 1.25 every ten words or so.
Tremendous work there, Kenny. Thanks for showing us the type of “informed” readership on which our good friend Irv has come to depend.
BTW: If 411 is indeed receiving payola from the ‘E, that’s news to Mee. Perhaps you wanna’ set your hero, “wrestling insider journalist expert” Irv Muchnick on the case to see what kinda’ dirt he can come up with. Word on the street is that he can make a story out of ANYTHING, no matter what the evidence says to the contrary.
Another letter regarding the Muchnick pseudo-suicide-story came from Brandon Conda. On the bright side — looks like he’s brought VIDEO EVIDENCE (that Irv’s grasping at straws ;-):
I think I know where Mushnick received his information from.
-Brandon Conda
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Nicely done, Brandon. I’d forgotten about that video! Good call.
Speaking of the Muchnick brouhaha, here’s a letter from Eric Cohen, pro wrestling expert from About.com (a subsidary of The New York Times:
Hi John,
I’m glad you were able to use my review to help in your battle with Muchnick.
Thanks,
– Eric
My pleasure, Eric. Thanks again for your informative, even-handed and well-researched review, and I look forward to reading more of *your* stuff in the future, as well!
Chris seems to side with Mee on the Muchnick Ado About Nothing as well:
Dear Mr. Meehan,
I just wanted to commend you on calling out Phil “Irv” Muchnick on his “article” involving Randy Orton’s suicide attempt. To report a story like this requires finding actual facts and accurate detail. Muchnick is nothing more than an industry pariah, and his book title – which I refuse to reapeat – is sickening. He’s nothing more than a coward using what’s left of his “reputation” to make a guick buck and keep his name out there in the wake of The Benoit Murders. He won’t respond to you personally. Than would require a spine and a pair or, well… cojones. And Muchnick has proven over the years to be a joke.
Keep up the great work.
– Chris
Thanks for the support, Chris.
Travis Bucklaschuk wins the award for longest last name of the week, and earns double-points for siding with Mee in the Muchnick debate:
First off, way to go on showing Irv how much of a failure he is at throwing down. Honestly I think bringing in the personal life of a celebrity/superstar/ect is pretty bad unless it’s been publicly acknowledged that they have done the act. And well thanks to our friend Irv, we now see how much of an ass you look like when you can’t back up your claims with sources who won’t leave you out in the cold, or even undeniable truth. Honestly if I wanted to read a book about someone pulling “facts” out of their ass, I’d write one myself and claim to be an “insider.” This is one of the many reasons I mainly trust 411mania’s Wrestling section when it comes to news reports, I don’t recall a single columnist claim to be an “insider.” So to actually show I’m making a point and not rambling, I will say up to last week in your column I’ve never heard of Irv, nor will I ever look into his blog again, the guy came off as a douchebag and shall keep that status. Jack Thompson has some competition for the “Douchebag of the Year” award.
And a little mini-youthinks on my part…. If the whole “Save_US.22” thing does turn out to be the Hart Foundation 2.0, and they come out with a Anti-American gimmick, I can see their first feud (I’m going to take for granted they will debut on Raw on this) will be against Mr. Jim Duggan and his friend Woody. After all, who’s more patriotic on the roster than he is?
– Travis
Great letter, Travis — and thanks again.
Regarding the Harts: word has it that they’re actually destined for a Smackdown! debut, so a program against Jim Duggan could still be a while off yet. Then again, we all know that trades and/or inexplicable one-night-swaps between shows aren’t exactly unprecedented these days… so a big ole’ Duggan beat down, CANADIAN STYLE (plus DiBiase!) might not be that much of a longshot after all!
Haveta just wait and see, eh?
Keith O’Reilly likewise sided with Mee in my thrashing of Mr. Muchnick, and proves that when looking to see your letter published, there’s always room for some good old-fashioned butt kissin.
Hey John, first time writer, long time reader here. Hope it doesn’t come across like blatant ass kissing, but yours is one of the most entertaining columns on 411. You always seem to find a postive spin on things that I can’t see one in hehe.
Anyway, I read your thesis at work (you can thank a lack of stuff to do for that), and I found it an awesome read. It made me realise just how much better off wrestling would be with a union. And your points about differing treatment of workers ring true today with the Wellness issues. I mean, you’ll never see HHH suspended for a violation, probably even if he blatantly broke the policy in front of the entire locker room (that might be stretching it, but you get my point I’m sure).
Some clarifications though (minor as they may be):
Bret Hart isn’t from Montreal.
The brand extension was in 2002.Sorry to nitpick man.
Anyway, that Irv guy is an uninformed ass. I enjoy reading your so called ‘net feuds’ though. Always good fun.
Finally, this Save_US stuff had better be Jericho. And if it is, I hope they keep him off Raw away from HHH (and I like HHH, but with their alleged past problems, I think Jericho should be on SD).
Keep up the good work John!
– Keith O’Reilly
P.S: Who’s that girl in your banner? I always wondered that
Thanks for writing, Keith. I dunno her real name, but I’ve dubbed the girl in my banner the “crowd plant hottie.” Basically, TNA hires her to show up and cheer at their show tapings in Orlando. You can read all about her and my trip to the Impact Zone here.
Ditto “thanks” for the edits on (coughcoughcheapplugcoming) my award-winning undergraduate thesis regarding labor unions and worker rights in the wild world of professional wrestling. Your edits are duly noted (these sorts of things would be what we call “minor” errors, Irv), and if I ever get around to optioning the paper into a longer-form inquiry (pipe dream, I know), I’ll be sure to make those changes where appropriate.
As far as whether or not Jericho will end up on Smackdown, MeeThinks that one is gonna’ be a longshot. Especially now that Cena’s out of action on RAW, the flagship broadcast is in *serious* need of some star power… and Jericho fits the bill. But again — it’s the ‘E, and “anything can happen,” right?
Stay tuned!
Finally, a letter all the way from Chile, courtesy of José Miguel Velasco Meneses:
The National Domestic Violence Hotline : 1-800-799-SAFE.
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