Hidden Highlights 12.03.07: Issue #118
Posted by JP Prag on 12.03.2007
Santino Marella gives Chris Jericho a little extra thrust, Joey Styles hedges his bets, Ms. Brooks keeps looking for the Rain, Rey Mysterio completely checks out, and more! All with guest co-host Chris Lansdell!
Hidden Highlights
By JP Prag
Issue #118
Hello everyone who needs that plastic-wrap like stuff you put over your windows to trap in heat because you live in a 100 year old house and don't have very good insulation, and welcome back to Hidden Highlights!!
Hidden Highlights, they are about the little things that make the product great. They are about showing the positive motions all those involved in wrestling do to make a better show. William Regal may bend his opponent's hand backwards just a little bit harder to dish out the pain. Christian Cage may reference a piece of obscure history. Tazz may bring realism to the product by describing an abdominal stretch in detail. The camera operator may take a low shot looking up at the Great Khali to make him look like a true monster. These are all examples of what Hidden Highlights is about.
Every week this article spotlights Hidden Highlights from the biggest shows on television (RAW, ECW of SciFi, iMPACT, SmackDown!, and a PPV or television special if there is one), delves into the past to find the ones never recorded before, and goes beyond to small shows, live events, tapes, and the indy scene to see what no one else sees. This article may have an author, but it is just as much written by the readers and true fans of professional wrestling—those who love what they watch and want to tell the world what they have found.
I am JP Prag, and I bring you Hidden Highlights with one goal in mind: to appreciate all those little things that make a huge difference.
JP: I think the WWE is following me around. Although I'm flattered, their stalking is getting quite creepy. Last week I was in Greensboro, NC, and they were staring at me from Charlotte. Next week I was going to be in Boston, and so were they! But I got a little scared and switched plans so I'm in Boston this week and Virginia the week after. Probably shouldn't have told them where I'll be, though… they might come after me. Much like this week's guest co-host, no doubt! He likes to tell you the The Way I C It and has been concentrating on smooth moves and the history of them over time… well, sort of. He may be a newbie, but he's also Chris Lansdell. Chris?
Chris: The man, the legend, JP. Pleasure to be here. I have to say, the in-house catering is top-notch, but your valet parking staff leave a lot to be desired. Don't they have uniforms?
JP: JT really wasn't good on the discipline when he was around, and I've had a hell of a time trying to break these folks in again. Would you feel better if I garnished their wages?
Chris: MUCH!
JP: Then consider it done. For now, let's get on with the Hidden Highlights!
Monday, November 26, 2007 by JP
JP: To the person who had the "JP" sign in the front row all night, I have to say thanks and I'm proud, but there is a sign I would much rather see:
That said, the guy who had his name upside down with the arrow pointing up during the main event… you just made me laugh.
(3) Running the line between good and evil:
The opening contest saw Triple H and Jeff Hardy (who are NOT friends) team up against Snitsky and Umaga (who could be friends, I don't see why not). During the match, Jeff Hardy had been in the ring a long time and was beat up pretty bad. He finally managed to escape the clutches of Snitsky, but was still low on energy as he crawled towards the corner. Triple H was there, cheering Hardy on and begging him to make it to the corner. As he was pacing, Triple H noticed he was getting kind of far from the corner and then went and grabbed the tag ropes as he went to make the tag. This was a smart move by Triple H because he did not want the ref to say he was not out of position as he went to make the tag in.
(2) A little extra action:
Later in the night, Santino Marella came out to interrupt Chris Jericho and prove which one was a better talker. This led to Jericho and Marella preparing for a brawl, but Marella let Jericho know he needed time to warm up, including doing squat thrusts. At the end of his warm up squat thrust, Santino actually did a pelvic thrust at Jericho, inciting him even more! Funny little extra effort by Santino, showing that this kid has the out of ring skills to the extreme.
(1) Woooooooooooooooooooo:
In the match that followed the commercial break, Santino and Jericho went at it. Shortly into the match, Santino hit Jericho with an illegal chop to the throat. This prompted Jericho to hit Santino with an illegal thumb to the eye. And who made a thumb to the eye famous? Why none other than Charlotte, North Carolina's own Ric Flair! Nice little homage by Jericho to Flair, and a foreshadow of how Jericho was going to help Flair out later in the night.
Chris: *gasp* Not foreshadowing! Somehow, I knew when Santino came out to interrupt KYJ, that the segment was going to be full of Hidden Highlight-y goodness. And a new finishing move! Shame we don't have anyone writing a column about those, huh?
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 by Chris Lansdell
Chris: So let me get this straight: I get to do a recap of sorts for ECW, and it's the one week we have no Punk? Shenanigans! Live, from Roanaoke VA, it's ECW's Beauty and Beasts hour! Oh, and Kelly Kelly + pitgtails = happy pants.
By the way, this was the first chance I got to see Jesse and Festus in detail, and I was impressed. Festus' gimmick is good if unoriginal, but what really sells it for me is the way the camera focuses on him both right before and right after the bell, so you can watch his facial expression slowly change from dolt to death and back to dolt. Great camera work and great facial mastery.
(3) OK, so she missed...:
In the Kelly Kelly vs Layla "I look like Liz Hurley" El, Kelly squared misses the cartwheel flying butt, and it was bad. But Layla rescues some degree of legitimacy to it by backing off and holding her hands up slightly, basically going "OMG WTF run away!" Quick thinking from the youngster.
(2) Hedge those bets, Joey!:
After Shelton's surprisingly good promo, Joey and Tazz were discussing his potential opponents. When talking about CM PUNK! CM PUNK!, Joey says "when Shelton gets in the ring with CM Punk, if that happens...". Great way to sell the premise that Shelton has to earn that shot, and even then Punk might have dropped the strap or gone to Raw...
(1) Nobody makes me bleed my own blood!:
In the Big Daddy V - Kane match, after V drives Kane through the table, he notices that he accidentally cut his arm open. Then, like a true monster, gets a pissed-off look and sets up another table. Hatred overcomes pain! Then, later in the match after the Henry waddle-in, he points to his elbow where the gash is and screams "You see what he did to me?!" Then, even better, when V pins Kane, he leans the cut elbow into Kane's face, leaving him covered in blood! Continuity-flavoured gold.
JP: This is the second week in a row that Layla El has gotten some love for reacting in the moment and not selling something stupid. That girl is way ahead of her time. You may not think about it, but Kelly Kelly is just 20 years old and Layla is 29. Layla has a wealth of experience, knowledge, and performances that Kelly does not, and it just makes her at a higher level than her your tart opponent.
Chris: But but but...PIGTAILS! Does Layla have pigtails? NO!
Thursday, November 29, 2007 by Chris Lansdell
Chris: As much as I have ragged on TNA in the past, and will continue to do in the future, this was a pretty good episode. We had a multi-person tag with no clusterscrew of run-ins, a fun little match between 3D and Machismo and Dutt, and the debut of BOOKAH~! against Robert Roode. But I really need someone to explain the Feast or Fired thing to me. If I'm in the match, and there's only 2 boxes left, with one of them being the pink slip, I'm just not going to care. They can't make me go for a box! Anyway, here's what I found:
(3) Someone cue the violins:
This wasn't very hidden, but I loved it because it was JIMMY RAVE! During the interview backstage with the Rock n Rave Infection (who makes these names?!?!?), Christy was complaining about being assaulted. Right at the start of the interview, Hoyt had his hand rubbing Christy's shoulder, and Jimmy started rubbing Hoyt's hand sarcastically, prompting a murderous look from the big Texan. But the best part came a little later, with Christy in full-on rant mode, and Jimmy wiping his eyes and sulking in the background!
(2) Which way did she go?:
The Roode-Brook's slow-burning split continued this week, as Steve Cook's raison d'être was seen smiling several times at Roode's misfortune. The Hidden Highlight, though, was in Ms Brooks' actions throughout the night. From the time Roode came out to interrupt Booker, throughout the promo and the match, she is looking around the arena for psycho superfan Rain. At one point, right after Roode's spinebuster in the match, we get a closeup of Booker's face as he struggles to his feet. In the background, though, Traci is staring up into the stands... right at where we had previously seen Rain! Even though she would have no way to know that she was visible, she kept up her search. Nicely done.
(1) Someone needs to switch to decaf:
All night, AJ was selling himself as uber-hyped and excited for one reason or another, even to the point of accidentally falling into the ring early in the 8-man. My favourite part of this though, and the only semi-Hidden Highlight I could find in any of it, was when AJ was begging Christian for another chance. He looked on the verge of an aneurysm when Christian told him to stop before he embarrassed himself. But did you notice Tomko, hand raised and ready to slap the hysterical right out of him? Tomko's expression and snide comments were gold all night, but this little thing made me laugh loudly.
JP: Tomko has been very well loved in this column for a long time, but that last match provided a whole lot more as well. Check out the Reader Write-In section to see a cool one involving Christian Cage and AJ Styles switching places on the ring apron!
Friday, November 30, 2007 by JP
JP: Theodore Rufus Long is back!!! I wonder if Vickie Guerrero will come back? I wonder if Teddy will keep her as an assistant? Or if Vickie will be Edge's escort? And how will they explain Krystal's absence? Or will they even care? And who was behind G-TV? And who was driving the white hummer?!?!
Chris: And who lifted the briefcase? And who shot JT?
(3) Call me, beep me // if you want to reach me:
SmackDown! opened up with the number one contender Edge coming down to the ring to tell the audience that he was thinking about retiring because they didn't care. He let everyone know that NOBODY sent him any love: no phone calls, no e-mails, not even a text message. A text message? Wasn't that how Matt Hardy found out about Edge and Lita, by reading her text messages? I don't know if Edge did that intentionally or not, but I found the reference hilarious.
(2) I'm not home right now:
During the night, Rey Mysterio and Kane teamed up to take on MVP and ECW's Big Daddy V. Late into their match, Rey Mysterio had managed to get some offence of Big Daddy V, but V turned it around with a tilt-a-whirl slam on Mysterio. As soon as Mysterio hit the mat, his eyes went completely wide and glazed right over. It is hard for Mysterio in a mask to sell things with his face, but those eyes made me believe he was completely gone in that mark out moment.
(1) Double your pleasure:
The top Hidden Highlight for SmackDown! is a double take because it came from Referee Mickie Henson in two different matches.
First up, during the tag team match featuring Finlay and Hornswaggle versus Deuce and Domino, Domino went to hit Hornswaggle with his leather belt. In order to stop Domino, Mickie Henson not only got in Domino's way, but actually wrapped the leather belt around his own arm! Nice way to stop a weapon like that instead of just yelling at Domino.
Then later in the evening, the ECW Champion CM Punk took on Kenny Dykstra in a non-title match. Kenny managed to injure Punk's left hand and wrist during the match, a pain that punk sold even after hitting the GTS. Once the pin was made, Punk continued to sell his pain, removing his take and shaking his hand. When Mickie went to raise Punk's hand in victory, you could see him point to Punk's arm and mouth, "Oh, is that injured? I'll go around!" And that is exactly what he did; he went around to the other side and raised Punk's left hand.
Chris: Ahhh, some Punk love. Good to see. And Mysterio has been amazing since coming back. It's funny how, no matter how much Smackdown loses to Raw in terms of talent, they consistently manage to elevate someone else, both in ring work and the little things we love so much.
Hidden Highlights are not just about what was written above, but about what you have seen as well. This article strives to not only spotlight the best Hidden Highlights, but to engage you, the viewers, and make you the best audience in the world.
JP: Trapped in the past? Perhaps, but that doesn't make them any less valid. So, *GENERAL WARNING*:: some parts of the following Reader Write-in Hidden Highlights may be edited for grammar, spelling, and English translation…
We'll kick it off with the return of Brandon Sloss who starts us off two weeks ago:
This hidden highlight goes to the ref of the Jeff Hardy - Umaga match, (he also was the ref in the woman's match) every single time there was a pin he checked the shoulders of the man on the ground, also he always made sure to point out what one man hit the other with (ie forearm, elbow etc)
JP: All of the refs in WWE and TNA have been doing a much better job of brining realism to the produce for the past half a year, and I hope they keep it up. Of course, then writers want to do things like make a man appear out of a box or have leprechauns walk through walls, so all that work can easily be outdone. Thankfully Nicholas Noel finds lots of good stuff, and has his first ever American Thanksgiving (see Sforcina, Australians can survive in America):
My first ever Thanksgiving, I say thumbs up to the tryptophan in my turkey.
Because of that, I only again got to see RAW and ECW on SciFi.
Oh, and just to clarify my comment last week about being under-whelmed by John Morrison. I've always loved his work as Johnny Nitro, and when he changed to John Morrison it took me a few weeks to get into his new schtik, but I WAS getting into it. I think his time off due to "Wellness" kind of derailed his improvement, hence my comment. I think he just needs a little time to get back to the "non-forced sounding" promo style.
JP: I was sad to learn that he and Melina were no longer an item that she is dating Batista, but they are still best friends. Batista, my word, just read Meehan's stuff on his trail of women.
RAW
So-So Old Man? – According to a good gay friend of mine who saw RAW this week, "Wow, Shawn Michael's tights look just like ass-less chaps. And what's the go with "Sexy Boy"? Think he needs a new song." Just thought I'd let the rest of you ruminate on that one.
JP: I can't tell if Shawn Michaels is appealing to your gay friend or not!
My TV Hates Santino – This week my television decided it had had enough of Santino in the ring and proceeded to die with a whimper as soon as he started to wrestle. Damn you Santino Marella! Stop wrestling and go back to making fun of things!
JP: It really is "personal Hidden Highlight" week with you, isn't it?
King Goes All Memphis – "After Ric Flair's promo video, the camera shot to JR and King, with JR talking about how Ric Flair is the best ever. Just for a moment, Lawler had THE best expression of disgust and disbelief on his face like he was thinking "F**K THAT". Jerry Lawler, King of Memphis.
JP: There was also a moment late into RAW this week where the King was talking about Mickie James giving the Long Kiss Goodnight to Beth Phoenix and you could see JR nodding his head going, "Oh man, I know where THIS is going, not saying a word."
Finlay Doesn't Care – Post Carlito/Hornswoggle match, after Finlay absolutely LEVELED Carlito and started walking to the back with Hornswoggle, not once did he turn around and acknowledge that Carlito even existed. The man is all business, and it works.
JP: I'm strangely looking forward to the Finlay/Great Khali match. They seem to be a fun match-up.
Not Too Sure… - But is the font on Umaga's tights the same as his "SAMOA" tattoo? Because that would be so cool. I didn't get a great look at it though, but it did look very similar.
JP: I generally don't stare at the crotches of the male wrestlers. Please ask your gay friend to stare with you.
Ghost of JT: BURN!
Chris: Nobody said anything about ghosts. This wasn't in the contract JP...
ECW
ECW Visits Survivor Series – Another nail in ECW's coffin, as when RAW and SD! Show clips from their respective matched at Survivor Series, any time there's a big move coming up they freeze the picture in black and white. On the other hand, they showed the entire end of the ECW match, no freezes. Poor ECW, the little brand that could.
JP: Well, right now there's not much buying value in ECW, so they don't see any reason to not give it away for free. When they deem it valuable, then they'll go into freeze frame.
Punk's Got The Touch – In a nice little touch, after copping a bit of punishment from Kenny the first time, Punk goes to run the ropes and as he hits them and bounces off he grabs his neck in pain. That's how you make your opponent appear dangerous. First Jamie Noble, now Kenny Dykstra. The man can make anyone appear a threat.
JP: That is EXACTLY why I compared him to Ric Flair last week.
Joey Styles Is Obviously A Drunk – It's the only reason I can come up with, as he refers to Punk's knee as a "kitchen sink". Even I can't see that one, and I'm Australian.
JP: Because he throws everything at him, even the "kitchen sink". Get it?
Dreamer's Fetish – I never read up on Dreamer's explanation as to why he now wears bandana's to the ring, but this week his stupidly yellow bandana matched the stupidly yellow trim on his boots. As least he's got a fashion sense. A bad one, but one all the same.
JP: Hahahahaha, I'm sad to report I noticed that too and was glad that they matched. Still stuck in the past is Pedro Rodriguez:
Melina is flat-out awesome. If there ever was a moment to turn her face, it would be now. But that's not what I'm here to discuss. It's her action on RAW this week that proved how much being in the background can be important. Here are some things she did during Jillian's promo:
- When Jillian said 'Hello, Miami!' and got booed, Melina was behind her laughing at the reaction.
- After Jillian referred to Spanish as Mexican Talk, Melina was clearly making the 'What the hell?' look. If you didn't know by now, Melina is half-Hispanic (Mexican ironically), yet was probably offended by what Jillian called Spanish.
- After Jillian did opera (aka screamed in the mic so loud, your ears went deaf for a while), Melina was in the back, covering her ear with her hands. When Jillian turned to her, Melina covered her tracks by slowly moving her hand down and the other touching her face.
JP: I think your first sentence covered it: Melina is flat-out awesome. And like I said above, such a shame that she is wasting her time with Batista.
Ghost of JT: And who would she waste her time with… YOU?
JP: Well, I am an A-lister…
Ghost of JT: In what circles?
JP: In the circles that I am actual real person unlike other people here who are just figments of my imagination!
Ghost of JT: Touché.
JP: Thanks. I'll take much more appreciation from Patrick Robinson who has been enjoying my solo efforts:
I meant to get this highlight in for last week's SmackDown! (the 23rd edition). Anyway, as Chuck Pulumbo was making his way to the ring, the announcer said something along the lines of "riding to the ring..." as he was on his bike rather than "approaching the ring". The announcer actually did small variations on each wrestler's entrance all night which I thought was pretty commendable.
JP: Yeah, we've picked up on that a couple of times, but it is still good. Much like this one from iMPACT and Rob Pettigrew:
You mentioned Miss Brooks being at the kiddie table which I did notice, but did you notice that during the food fight she was shielding Kurt Angle's daughter? I figured this would go perfectly with her slow face turn she is doing.
JP: I most definitely did! Someone had to protect that girl from getting a 3D! And Rick Landis certainly wasn't going to do it:
The production team is at it.
Durin' the openin' intro for Raw, they've already added Jericho's famous pose.
Just thought I'd say:
All I know, is after all this hype, he better save us.
JP: My problem is is that I like Jericho more as a heel, but I know if he is a heel he'll be shunted down the card. Bah! What can I do?
I was watchin' TNA and they showed Scott Hall and Kevin Nash in the back. I looked at Scott Halls shirt cause he's been wearin' ICP/JCW shirts. In the back Hall was wearin' a black shit with blue letters. It said "JW" the rest was covered up. When he came out at then end of what I thought was a good match, he had on the shirt from last week.
I highly doubt he'd change just to go out there. And it makes sense since they tape two Impacts at a time.
It'd make better sense if I seen Nash's but I was payin' attention.
JP: Actually, they don't tape two iMPACTS at a time anymore. They tape two episodes over two days. That said, they may mix up footage from different days (and reuse the footage of the Meehan clan in the audience gosh knows how many times!). Not as mixed up as Joe K is, though:
when Mickie James beat Melina on RAW for the #1 contendership to the Women's title, her name and accomplishment flashed across the bottom of the screen. They used to do this in the old days (like when a title changed hands) but it hasn't been done for quite some time. Don't know why, but it just makes it seem more important to see it spelled out on screen.
And does anyone notice that pink outfit Mickie wears seems to be her favorite? I have noticed she wears that particular outfit more often on RAW than not.
JP: And I noticed that it slips down in the back as often as she wears it, thus making it my favorite outfit too! That said, I agree, I like the accomplishment thing on the bottom making the win look that much more important. Not as important as Methoes, but still:
Hidden Highlight from Raw 11/26/07. During the Ric Flair, Randy Orton "chat" when Randy was thanking Ric for letting him end his career, you could just see Ric with his right had balled up in a fist ready to beat down Orton.
JP: Good old Flair, ready for a fight!
Hidden Highlight from Impact 11/29/07. During the main event Tomko was in the ring leaving Angle, Cage, and Styles on the apron, I noticed Angle was on one side of the turn buckle with Cage on the other and Styles next to him. Then the next time I looked Cage and Styles had changed positions. Nice job by the guys to show that Cage hates Angle so much he cant even stand to be stood next to him
JP: As I mentioned above, I loved this Hidden Highlight and had to include it. That said, Methoes, with all those spelling and grammar errors I fixed in your write-ins, I understand how you ended up calling me "TJ". The name is JP. And this kid's name is Chris Jacobs, and he's going to finish us off this week:
This highlight wasn't hidden, also I don't know which column to put it in, but this is my favorite column because I like all the subtleness. Anyway, when Vince McMahon told Ric Flair tonight on Raw, that his career will last as long as he wins, and he hopes he doesn't die first. What the hell was that? I mean with all the freaking deaths in this sport, mainly coming from WWE past and present, he drops a line like that to Ric Flair, Vince is an asshole, and Vince doesn't think.
JP: And to the other end of that, Ric Flair said, "I want to die in this ring!" Really? Well, I'm not usually one for self-censoring and being PC, but that was probably not the best thing to say at this time. Ah well, what's done is done!
Chris: I can't believe I missed Christian avoiding Angle on the outside. Sharp eyes on these guys. As for the Flair-McMahon thing... weird slip for two of the greatest mic workers of the last 20 years to make.
Do you have a Hidden Highlight from this or any week in history that you would like to share? Please e-mail this article at lookforme@mikefine.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… readers just like to know!
JP: Once again, thanks to another newbie getting his shine on: Chris Lansdell. Nice work this week, and maybe we'll see you next Festivus.
Chris: Jesse's cousin has his own day now? Thanks for the opportunity JP, and thanks for contributing to Lansdell Day at 411mania.com! Maybe you can return the favour and do a guest shot in my column... if you can raise your game that high. Lord knows Bayani wishes he could.
Dude, now that I think about it, is Adam Pearce your valet guy? Cos I missed a couple payments on the car, and...
JP: Wow, an NWA/ROH joke that nobody but you youngsters get. Do you know how many e-mails I have to deal with after stuff like that I have to sit there and explain? I mean, the green logo thing was enough! Bah!
While I'm preparing for the inevitable questions, be sure to catch my very own Saturday morning news report The Hamilton Ave Journal: the only wrestling news report focused on the business of wrestling.
Thank you for reading the 118th ISSUE of Hidden Highlights! Be sure to drop a line with all the other Hidden Highlights not covered this time around and everything you catch in the week to come.
Until then, you have just experienced the most positive article in all of the IWC: Hidden Highlights!
