wrestling / Columns
The MeeThinks Friday FreeThinks 11.16.07
Welcome back, all — and here’s hoping you’re as pumped as I am for what should most definitely be a HUGE week in professional wrestling… particularly for a little company known as WWE, who seems (once again) to be dominating the ‘rasslin news of the past seven days, and who is likely going to be responsible for this very site crashing next Monday night at, say, 9:27 p.m. (Eastern). But that’s news for next time! Let’s see what we’ve got…
On Tap This Week:
Yes, Rock & Roll.
|
 |
Chris Jericho to Make WWE Return
Y2J Set for Big Comeback… This Monday!?!
As if there were any doubts left in ANYONE’s minds that yes, in fact, the “Save_Us” videos have been teasing a Chris Jericho return all along…
This photo of the new issue of WWE magazine was leaked to los intrawebz early in the week, which all but confirms that yup, Y2J is officially on his way.
Since WWE’s been asking if we can “break the code,” however — just as a matter of formality… according to this video that aired on WWE television last Monday (titled “Next_Monday,” but saved under the file name “Break_The_Walls” on WWE.com):
X+1=Y (X is actually equal to one less than Y)
J=9+1 (J is actually equal to nine plus one…)
Now if I’m trying to break the code, then simple algebra tells Mee that “Save_Us.X29” would *actually* equal…
“Save_Us.(Y-1)2(J-1)”
Ok, so yeah, there are Y’s and J’s all over the place… but it’s nice to know that “the code” doesn’t *quite* jive with those golden rules of mathematics we all were supposed to have mastered all those years ago. I mean, they get points for showing their work along the way and all… but “the answer is the code” pretty much proves that basic eigth grade algebra seems to elude the marketing geniuses up at WWE headquarters, and that we English-minded types are hardly alone in sucking at math. 🙂
Regardless —
Chris Jericho is BACK, baby! And WWE will never…
Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhver…
Be the same…
Agayne!
WWE Busts CNN For Controversial Editing
News Outlet Unfairly Depicted Champ as a Cocky Drug User
Last week, CNN aired a documentary about drug use in professional wrestling. Titled “Death Grip,” the quote-unquote “news” program featured in-depth interviews with WWE bosses Vince and Linda McMahon, as well as a number of additional excerpts of conversations with professional wrestlers past and present. One such wrestler? None other than former WWE Champion John Cena.
In the piece that aired, the interviewer was heard to have asked Cena — point blank — “have you ever used steroids?” Cena’s answer (as it aired last Wednesday night), showed ‘Da Champ saying:
“I’m not going to tell you that I haven’t, but you’ll never be able to prove that I *have*.”
Obviously this seemingly careful choice of words from the WWE’s poster boy seemed to reflect a substantial shift in the company (and the performer’s) policy toward addressing steroid usage. As I said last week, this more nuanced reply seemed to have shifted the onus *away* from the question of “did you or didn’t you?” and *onto* one of “hey, I passed the tests, didn’t I?”
An interesting development, to be sure… but one that would be made all the more interesting in the days that followed. Late on Friday afternoon, WWE came forth with an UNEDITED version of the CNN interview, in which Cena flat out denies ever taking steroids — and then proceded to elaborate on his answer more in detail, which provided the CNN editors the “smoking gun” sound-byte they were after in order to make the guy look like something of a cocky juice head who’d rather hide behind semantics than give a straight answer.
Here’s the two videos side-by-side for your viewing convenience, edification and enlightenment:
|
The Edited Version |
The Unedited Version |
|
After this second video was made public by WWE, CNN then re-inserted the additional portion of the Cena interview back into their re-run of the “Death Grip” documentary (which aired again on Sunday night). Wednesday’s broadcast had only managed to draw a 0.6 Nielsen rating, however… so chances are pretty good that anybody who cared enough about the “controversial tell-all” to watch in the first place probably saw the show during it’s initial airing on Wednesday night. In short, CNN’s late-breaking edits might have done a fine job to give the illusion that the company was owning up to its mistakes… but as far as Cena and World Wrestling Entertainment were concerned? The damage had already been done.
More on this subject…
Major News Outlets Pick Up on CNN Editing Shenanigans
Cable News Source Slammed for Slanted Report
On Tuesday afternoon, gossip site TMZ.com picked up on this editing controversy and how it related to both WWE and CNN. Calling the tale “a case of he said — but you never got to hear it,” and following WWE’s lead, TMZ chided the fact that the quote-unquote “reputable news outlet” clearly took the superstar’s remarks completely out of context simply for the sake of airing a more controversial story.
Similar criticisms were published throughout the week, and on Wednesday morning, WWE.com provided a catalog of articles agreeing with their side of the story that had appeared in mainstream media outlets across the United States. Among them:
“I don’t see how a respected news organization such as CNN – or any responsible journalist, for that matter – could omit Cena’s initial response to the question, which was a clear and direct denial to having ever taken steroids.”
– Kevin Eck, Baltimore Sun, November 12, 2007
“I have to agree with the WWE here. The way the interview was edited was unfair, taking out the part where Cena states clearly that he hasn’t used steroids and leaving in an ambiguous, out-of-context statement.”
– Michael David Smith, aol.com, November 12, 2007
And of course, this all led to…
John Cena, WWE Demand CNN Apology
Former WWE Champ Voices Disappointment with Edited Documentary
With a number of mainstream outlets on their side, WWE (through John Cena) then took to the airwaves of WWE.com on Tuesday night to demand a public apology from the folks at CNN for having slandered ‘Da Champ’s name. After all, whether or he *looks* like a juice-jockey or not… bottom line is that when CNN flat out ASKED the guy “ever been on the gas?” he said NO and they edited things together to make it look like he actually said “I dare you to prove it, bitches.”
Speaking directly of the damage that might have been caused to his character by the imprudent editing of the CNN documentary, John Cena told WWE.com:
I know there’s a lot of parents that watch our program that tuned into that documentary to see testimony from the WWE talent. There’s a lot of potential business sponsorship. Something like that, one phrase like that, CNN doesn’t know the credibility they ruined. They’re just trying to drive their point home, which is just a matter of opinion. It’s not fact. And for them to throw somebody who’s hardworking and honest to the wolves like that, they have no idea what backlash that could’ve cost me. I’m really glad that WWE got on it early, but I mean, even still it’s a matter of if you saw the CNN special and you haven’t seen anything on WWE, then you believe what you hear.
On Wednesday, WWE posted an article demanding a public apology from the folks at CNN who’d so recklessly put the reputation of one of their biggest meal tickets in jeopardy. Hours later, they reported the following:
WWE received the following statement Tuesday night at 10:00 pm EST from CNN’s Director of Public Relations, Jennifer Dargan:
“CNN felt that Mr. Cena’s statement in the interview:
“My answer to that question ‘have you ever used steroids’ is — the only thing I can say — I can’t tell you that I haven’t, but you’ll never be able to prove that I have” was a more expansive and complete answer — and that’s why we used it in the first run of the program. And we stand by that decision. But, we added the other quote on the Sunday replay where Mr. Cena first denied using steroids. We did this because of his complaint and the attention it received so that viewers could see how he said it both times.”
MeeThinks in all of this?
WWE is sitting pretty right now, as (in a rare turn of events) it’s the other guy and not World Wrestling Entertainment who’s walking out of this one with egg on their faces. As many a fellow critic and fan of WWE have already said — pro wrestling (and World Wrestling Entertainment in particular) have PLENTY of skeletons in their closet the way it is, and they do MORE than a fine enough job of giving folks inroads to criticism the way it is. To flat out doctor up additional stuff to help land WWE (and the ‘rasslin biz) in hot water is not only excessive… it is completely unnecessary, and it is indicative of slanted and biased reporting.
You wanna’ blame WWE for gratuitous T&A?
Slag on ’em for setting a bad example?
Nail the company for not having a workers’ union?
Heck, even hold them accountable for the (sometimes) flawed and (sometimes) non-existent Wellness policy?
MORE POWER TO YA’. All valid arguments, with tons of “loose ends” and plenty of points worth probing therein.
But if you actually set out to make *the* (long sounding “eee”) company’s single biggest star out to be a drug addict — especially AFTER he flat out denied that such allegations were true on not one but TWO cameras filming the same interview at once? That’s just opening yourself up to a shitstorm of controversy, and totally shooting your outlet’s remaining credibility in the foot.
Simply put — it’s proof that CNN could care less about “the truth” of the matter and is only out for “the controversy” of the matter. Because just like a certain L.A. Detective who planted a bloody white glove can tell ya’ — even if the guy you’re after really is guilty in the end… fabricating a case against ’em is only going to burn your ass at the end of the day, while the other guy is gonna’ walk away completely unscathed.
CNN goofed on this one, BIG TIME, and by doing so they have instantly cost themselves any attention that they might have had from those “fringe fans” or those “hardcore fans” who might otherwise have perked up their ears and listened to hear what criticisms and controversies the report may have brought to the surface. Straight critics of wrestling will ALWAYS be there, and will ALWAYS side against WWE and its ilk *regardless* of who says what on whichever latest documentary or news program happens to catch folks attention. Simply put, folks like Brent Bozell and the P.T.C. *ain’t* gonna’ turn around and start watching WWE television the moment that Vince McMahon can promise that the roster is 100% drug free, ya’ know?
Face it —
The 0.6 rating to the CNN documentary makes it pretty clear that not too many folks outside of the average Joe ‘Rasslin fan even bothered to watch this latest “tell-all” in the first place. As a result, folks shouldn’t be all that surprised when Vince & Co. don’t feel the need to cave to the pressures from outside sources… as most of ’em (let’s face it) simply couldn’t care less about his little strongman sideshow unless one of its trained attractions just so happens to go AWOL and murder his wife and son.
Bottom line?
If you’re ever going to affect a change in the industry, it’s going to have to happen by reaching the people who *really do care* about the business the most:
The fans and the performers themselves.
You wanna’ know why “Beyond The Mat” and “Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows” are both — to this day — STILL so insightful and highly regarded by wrestling fans the world over? It’s because they don’t come off like they’ve got an axe to grind against the industry itself, and they allow the performers’ stories and un-edited interviews to speak for themselves.
Bret Hart says “Vince McMahon has always had this mentality of treating wrestlers as circus animals. All of these wrestlers that have broken their backs working this long for years end up with nothing when it’s over. And then they take you out back and they put a slug in the back of your head and they dump you out… that’s the life of a professional wrestler.”
People believe him and take the guy’s words to heart. In fact, a bunch of people stopped watching WWE after The Montreal Screwjob out of protest. Heck — a few guys *in* the WWE locker room even walked out in protest.
Mick Foley watches himself get smacked in the face repeatedly with a steel chair as his kids are shown crying and screaming in the background says:“I don’t feel like a very good dad.”
Again, people can’t help but believe the guy… and they sympathize with Foley as he matter-of-factly admits that maybe he’d be better off being remembered as “the guy who pulls the sock out of his pants” and makes people laugh rather than the guy who gets his skull caved in as his kids watch in horror from the front row.
John Cena says “I’m not going to tell you that I haven’t [done steroids], but you’ll never be able to prove that I *have*.”
And all it takes is a second video tape with an unedited version of the footage in order to completely negate any and all impact that the Cena interview might otherwise have had.
Perhaps that’s the biggest shame in all of this, because whether or not John Cena *did* or *didn’t* use drugs, the bottom line is that the CNN story — which *easily* could have helped raise casual fan-and-critic awareness of what may well be a very real and very dangerous epidemic within the wrestling industry — now stinks of “hack journalism.” Which means:
1) Nobody with any credibility is going to care WHAT the piece had to say.
2) ‘The Biz” will be able to point to this latest “slander” attempt as grounds to keep things hush-hush, and…
3) Not a damned thing will be changed in the wrestling business as a result.
Remember when all of those people who were swearing up and down that the Benoit Family Tragedy was going to be the tipping point in making *something* change for the better in the wrestling business? And remember how all of those media outlets suddenly “cared” that something *must* be done to save this industry before it was too late?
Oh yeah, and remember how I said that for as devastating as the tragedy was, an even greater tragedy was that folks were actually deluding themselves into thinking that outside pressures, Congressional inquiries, and a media microscope sadly weren’t even gonna’ amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world?
To quote the late, great, Curt Hennig… “I hate to be the kinda’ guy to say ‘I toldja’ so,’ but…”
JBL Gets Physical With John Morrison Backstage
Two Former Champs Collide Off-Camera!
Late on Wednesday afternoon, it was reported that former WWE champion John “Bradshaw” Layfield got into something of a shaming-turned-shouting-turned-shoving match with current ECW superstar John Morrison backstage at this week’s ECW/Smackdown! tapings. The long and short of it is that:
1) Morrison and Miz were on commentary, and in the ring.
2) JBL thought they did a crappy job.
3) He asked ’em to apologize to the guys they’d made look bad (C.M. Punk, Matt HArdy).
4) Miz said ok, Morrison said no way.
5) Shouting turned to shoving… and the agents had to break up the fight.
MeeThinks?
This is really one of those non-news news bits of the week, if you asked Mee. JBL has had a LONG history of being something of a backstage bully/ locker room leader (depending on who you ask), and the guy has gone out of his way to make EVERYONE look as good as possible since making the swap to his current role as a color commentator.
Miz and Morrison have long struggled to find each of their respective “voices” behind the microphone, and so their chance to “shine” this Tuesday on ECW was really just more of the same; two guys who ain’t that comfortable or polished on the mic looking to put themselves over as best as they knew how. Ditto for their in-ring abilities… some guys just ain’t all that great, is all.
The backstage fracas seems both warranted and insignificant, as a vet like JBL was probably well within his rights to ask these two fellas to own up for their shortcomings. At the same time, Morrison and Miz seem to be doing pretty alright for themselves these days (both are in the ECW title match this weekend), and even though they probably could stand to learn a thing or two from as talented a talker as Bradshaw, the bottom line is that both of these up-and-coming ECW superstars probably had bigger fish to fry (read: “don’t screw up!”) than to worry about if they, as heels, were making it look like they thought it was a foregone conclusion that they could easily overcome a babyface champ like C.M. Punk.
All in all?
From the way things have shaped up thus far, it doesn’t appear that anyone will be losing a job over this one (at least in the immediate future). Likewise, wrestling fans should remember that “bad news” doesn’t always translate to an automatic, onscreen punishment, either (lest we forget — JBL’s “Nazi salute” in Germany netted him a WWE Title run, ya’ know).
Though it sucks to hear that two guys who (in theory) could be in high-profile matches for WrestleMania (JBL and Morrison) don’t happen to be the best of buddies once the cameras go dark — simple fact of the matter is that people in ALL lines of work get into little tiffs with one another on a pretty freakin’ regular basis, and so siezing on this particular run-in and making it out to be any bigger a deal than is necessary seems pretty lame, at this point.
If Morrison loses a job or is chased out of town on a rail, then we’ll talk. ‘Till then? File this one under “only reported because there’s little else going on these days.”
The MeeThinks Pay Per View Tracker
It’s Survivor Series time! WWE kicks off the unofficial “road-to-the-Road-to-WrestleMania” with their fourth-biggest PPV of the year this weekend, so let’s see how we’ve done so far:
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
WWE No Mercy – 5/6
TNA No Surrender – 7/9
WWE Cyber Sunday – 11/12
TNA Genesis – 8/9
Cumulative Total: 116/178
Percent Correct: 65.17%
DO YOU SEE THAT? I AM ON A ROLL, BABY!
This weekend:
Hornswoggle, Tag Champs retain (unless it’s Cody & Hardcore), The babyface ladies (if it’s single-elimination, the heels if it’s elimination style), Morrison!, Hunter’s Team, Orton retains, Batista retains (shenanigans!).
Bonus prediction: Edge!
YouThinks Reader Mail
The Jza gets us started…
Section 107 nigga! The Jza’s off to the big dance! (so long as his passport holds up!)
What’s the word on what TNA are up to at that time?
– The Jza
Good to hear another 411’er will be at the big dance.
As for TNA’s plans for ‘Mania week… they’d be stupid *NOT* to stage at least SOME show of their own in close proximity, given the fact that there will be thousands of wrestling fans descending on the Orlando area during the week just prior to (and following) March 30. No official word out of TNA-ville yet, however… but they tend to tape shows at least two days a week twice a month, if I’m not mistaken.
Still a little too early for them to release any taping plans for March, just yet… (their website and the Universal Studios website both only go up through the end of January so far) — but stay tuned, as I’m sure we’ll see something from the *other* folks in O-town for the week of March 30 sooner than later!
This next letter comes from Jim Bowerman, who wins double points both for being a true veteran fan of this pseudo-sport of kings, as well as for being just a gosh-darned nice guy, if I might say so myself!
From a 66 year old wrestling fan and an avid reader of detective stories and anything in sci fi,
Meehan, you’re the best damn writer on 411. I truly hope you expand your talent to something besides wrestling (not that wrestling is bad).You have the talent to write about anything, so do it, kiddo.
Jim Bowerman
Mishawaka, Indiana
Thanks for writing, Mr. Bowerman. It’s always great to hear from readers who appreciate the effort I’m putting into these things on a weekly basis… and it’s most definitely assuring to hear that my writing ability (talent? Well, maybe we won’t quite go *that* far) — is justifying all of those hours I’m spending in vain pursuit of this second degree in English. Money well spent, I tellz’ ya.
In all seriousness, though — thank you again for the support and the kind words, and if you (or anybody you know!) just so happen to be looking to hire a freelance writer with a flair for long-form essays and that all-important “gift of gab,” well, you know where to find Mee 😉
Thanks again!
Quick, somebody make Mee humble before I go strutting about on a “Wow, I’m pretty awesome!” ego trip! Justin Rosenbluth, your turn:
I got my tickets last thursday during the internet pre-sale. I’m in section F16 row H yes the F stands for floor and according to the seating chart I will be sitting right by the ramp.
As for the guys you’ve met I think I have you beat. My brother is a good friend of Gregory Helms and when we went to Detroit for Wrestlemania 23 in Detroit my brother was invited to a cocktail party at the hotel where all the boys were staying at as well as the after party for the show. So basically anybody you think he could’ve met he did.
Back to the guys I’ve met. I was working for catering for Raw on April 9th in Bridgeport. I was working hospitality so I was dropping off coolers of water and gatorade in the locker room, setting up Vince’s office (he likes his bottled water at room temperature btw), dropping off coolers under the ring at ringside, dropping coolers off at Gorilla and delivering hot tea and honey to JR 15 minutes before showtime. So here’s the list of guys I met there.
John Cena (quite guy keeps to himself, liked, just does his job)
Triple H (very professional, hung out with road agents mostly)
Shawn Micheals I talked with him at the salad bar! (very nice guy, kinda cocky)
Randy Orton (he’s a clown, acts like a kid, nice guy in general though fun to be around)
Edge (grade A asshole from what I gathered, thinks he’s god’s gift to women)
Vince McMahon (pretty quite “keeps his cards close to him” if you know what I mean, very professional)
Shane McMahon (“one of the guys”, very professional)
Stephanie McMahon (professional, polite, very nice)
Mick Foley (this guy is the same guy you see on TV, he’s awesome)At the after party at 4:40 am my brother ran into Mick Foley and asked him if he wanted to gimme a call and talk to me over the phone. Mick was very nice and called me on my brother’s phone. Certainly and experience I will never forget.
Gerald Brisco (nice old guy)
Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo (quite guys, first people to show up after the crew)
Dusty Rhodes (good guy hung out with HHH, HBK, and all the other road agents, they all stuck together for the most part)Cryme Time (very cool guys I chilled with them after their Heat taping match we watched Raw together with a bunch of the guys on the promo set that has the screen)
Kenny Dykstra (he certainly acts his age but kind and polite)
Mickie James (acts her age and has Dykstra whipped)
Torrie Wilson (definition of woman)
Candice and Victoria (two girls I’d love to party with very energetic and fun to be around)
Maria (gorgeous OMG!!!! adorable)
Bobby Lashley (big as a mother fucker quite)
Khali (bigger as a mother fucker)
Umaga (cool dude kept to himself mostly vey professional and business oriented)
Shelton and Carlito (quite and that sense of entitlement that they are supposed to be there, they struck me the wrong way)Our recently terminated CHRIS MASTERS! (one of the nicest guys on the roster very polite and just a good all around guy)
Matt Hardy (good guy consimate pro)
Jefft Hardy (very quite but a classy guy)Finally….The Nature Boy Ric Flair!!!! (Now I know why they call him Slic Ric…Flair was getting his hair sprayed and with water at the make up and costume aread and every so often he would take the spray bottle and spray Candice Michelle. It amazed me how playful and happy this guy manages to be despite his age and the crap he’s had to go through in this business. Oh yeah I met Flair in Bradley Internatioal Airport in CT the day before Bash at the Beach ’96 he was flying on my plain down to Florida of course he was flying first class. He was traveling with Arn Anderson and Ms. Elizabeth. Elizabeth was a very quite lady very sweet looking, she looked like she could be someones mom that’s what I gathered from her. Arn was carrying that infamous silver suitcase that Mongo always had with him. When I was boarding the plan I was right behind Double A and I touched the suitcase it was awesome for me being a 6 year old. Arn was also in Bridgeport and he’s a very respected guy that people listen to and ask for advice. Flair was a nice guy even way back then giving me and my brothers high 5’s as we walked through first class to our seats. He styles and profiles 24/7 not just on camera. I have the up-most respect for Ric Flair
Well that’s about it for guys I’ve met for the most part….Tomorrow I’m goin to ringside fest in Times Square to meet my all time favorite wrestler Bret Hart and the Hart Foundation. This is my second time meeting him. When I was 5 or 6 I believe he came to Hartford for an autograph session along with a bunch of other guys like HBK and Ted Dibiase but I wanted to see Bret. He’s one of the greatest!!!!!
– Justin Rosenblum
Alright, it’s official… this guy is most definitely THE (long-sounding “eee”) man to beat when it comes to being a wrestling superfan. That’s like, THIRTY superstars past and present, plus a crapload of world champions from all sorts of eras in this wacky and wonderful world of pro ‘rasslin. No joke, the combined length of the world title reigns of the guys you’ve met alone could easily total a longer amount of time than I’ve actually spent alive on this planet, dude.
(That’s 25 years as of two weeks ago on Monday, for those keeping track at home).
Nicely done, and good for you, bro. And with FLOOR seats for this year’s “big dance” — chances are pretty freakin’ good that you’re likely to come toe-to-toe with another superstar or two before all is said and done.
Ya’ know, one time at a house show in Pennsylvania, my brother and I leaned over the front guardrail as Brock Lesnar was walking down the aisle. Foolishly, my brother decided it’d be a *good* idea to shout “I WILL EAT YOUR CHILDREN, BROCK LESNAR!” at the guy. Needless to say, you can imagine how well *that* one went over. 😉
And With That, I’m Outta’ Here
That’ll do it for Mee ’till next Friday, folks. With Thanksgiving (U.S.) right around the corner — here’s to a happy and healthy holiday to you and yours. As for Mee? I’ll be making the trip back up to Jersey for the long weekend… which means plenty of football, food, and — you guessed it — RASSLIN. Looking forward to a nice open-faced turkey sammich whilst I watch next week’s Smackdown!, ya’ know? ‘Till then, enjoy the weekend (and the PPV!). FlexGames rock (GO PATS GO!), so if you’re too cheap/broke for the PPV, there’s sure to be a great (and FREE!) alternative over on ESPN. So buckle up for a killer weekend no matter *what* you’re watching, and always stay positive!
-Meehan
More Trending Stories
- Note On Possible WWE Storyline & Faction For The Creed Brothers (POSSIBLE SPOILERS)
- Tony Khan Weighs In On Warning From Oklahoma Athletic Commission Over Nyla Rose Match
- Backstage Update on WWE’s Plans for WrestleMania 41, Possible Move to March or May
- Jim Ross Recalls Dustin Rhodes Being Fired From WCW For Not Following No-Blood Policy
