Hidden Highlights 03.03.08: Issue #131

Posted by JP Prag on 03.03.2008

Vince McMahon can’t face the cameras, Tommy Dreamer is a true friend, Kaz knows his monster history, Vickie Guerrero mimics William Regal, and more! All with guest co-host Randy Isbelle!

Hidden Highlights
By JP Prag

Issue #131

Hello everyone who ever meant to watch 5 minutes of stuff on YouTube to clear your brain and ended up sitting there for three hours, 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 got an e-mail from AAA a few days ago offering me $300 off a $5000 package trip to Japan to see the opening series for the Red Sox. Well, as awesome as a 6% discount sounds, don't you think it would have been smart to send this out more than 25 days in advance? I mean, a trip like that really has to be planned months in advance. And if I could afford to just drop everything, go to Japan, and watch the Red Sox, I don't think I'd be booking through AAA. No offense to AAA, I do enjoy their towing, coupons, and insurance, but I really think this one could have been thought through a little better.

Much like I could have thought through this week's guest co-host a little better

Randy: HEY!

JP: I'm kidding, I'm kidding. But once again, we have a guy who hasn't written his own article in three months. When last we heard from him over in the Sports Zone he was giving previews for each week of the NFL. Now, let me be clear about this: we are not talking about my beloved Patriots anymore because now all that matters is my beloved Red Sox.

Randy: What about the Celtics? They're doing real good right now.

JP: Nah, I don't really care about basketball. And I used to care about hockey, but I've lost the love since the strike. And I was never a Bruins fan anyway. Before the strike I had actually become quite a Ducks fan.

Randy: Ducks!! Are you feeling all right?

JP: Not particularly, since I haven't even introduced you yet, and we are already well into the witty banter.

Randy: Well get to it then!

JP: You got it. Like I said, Sports, NFL, etc… this is Randy Isbelle. Randy?

Randy: Yes?

JP: This is where you finish the intro and talk about yourself or something else random.

Randy: Ah, right… Well as you said I haven't actually written an article for 411 in about three months, but I have started the first ever 411 Sports podcast with Ken Schmidt. It is called the Coast 2 Coast Sports Report and everybody should open up a new window right now and listen to it as you read this. Also I will actually be earning my paycheck *cough cough* again in a few weeks as I will bring everybody the first ever Rizz Rankings for the MLB. But for now, all I am doing now is sitting around and looking for Hidden Highlights and enjoying my time off.

JP: Time off? Such slackers! Let's get on with the Hidden Highlights!



Monday, February 25, 2008 by Randy Isbelle

Randy: We are heading down the road to Wrestlemania and all eyes are on the triple threat main event, but that doesn't mean that there are other great storylines and Hidden Highlights on the rest of the show.

(3) Randy Orton knows the rules:

During the tag team main event, Randy Orton was mocking the referee while holding Triple H for the DDT from the middle rope. The referee was giving the normal five count, but instead of just standing there and waiting for the ref to reach four before letting go of the hold, Randy counted along with him showing that he knows the rules and knows that he is breaking them. This was great in the fact that Randy Orton has seemed to be in the background ever since winning the title and this at least gives him another step in becoming the heel that everybody hates instead of the champion that nobody cares about.

(2) Vince McMahon doesn't know how to show true compassion:

Vince McMahon came to the ring to apologize to his "son" Hornswoggle, he gave it his best shot but you could tell that it wasn't as heart felt as he was trying to make it and there was one point that showed just how fake the apology was. When Vince finally reached the point where he said the words, "I'm Sorry", Vince never once looked at the camera, even though he knew that looking at the camera would be the closest thing to actually looking Hornswoggle in the eyes while giving the apology. It was a great job of Vince of once again playing the worst man on Earth who just was out there because somebody told him he had to apologize to not ruin his image.

(1) Who is the champion again?:

During the opening photo shoot, John Cena and Triple H were having their face off, commenting back and forth about who was the better man. During all of this the camera man had the perfect shot of all three men in the ring, but something just didn't seem right. Randy Orton, the champion, was stuck in the background while John Cena and Triple H were front and center. The image shows just who is important in this storyline and who is really only there because he is the champion.

JP: Your Hidden Highlights focused on the IWC's most hated list of Randy Orton, Vince McMahon, John Cena, and Triple H. Kudos to you! I should have given you iMPACT to see if you would have given Vince Russo and Jeff Jarrett some love.



Tuesday, February 26, 2008 by Jason Goodman

Randy: This week we were given another #1 Contender's match where everybody in their building knew who was going to win, but we were also surprised in a tag team match with somebody who gives all of us little guys a glimpse of hope.

(3) Don't ever steal another man's catchphrase:

Mike Knox was going for a splash on Stevie Richards, but before he ran at him he used an old Stevie Richards catchphrase. "I'll show you, you'll see", unfortunately for Mike Knox, he did not show Stevie as he moved out of the way and eventually won the match.

(2) A real friend:

Tommy Dreamer kept referring to Colin as buddy, showing that he truly cares about the kid and does not want to see him get hurt.

(1) Knowing his way around the ring:

During the main event, after Shelton Benjamin did his jump up to the top rope belly to belly maneuver, Benjamin went for the pin on Elijah Burke. As Burke reached for the rope to break up the pin, Benjamin reached over and grabbed his arm preventing Burke to break the pin the easy way.

JP: I heard that Mike Knox one and mentally noted it because if you didn't mention it, it sure as heck was going to come from me!



Thursday, February 28, 2008 by JP

JP: Another week where Christian Cage says two words and doesn't wrestle? Since Cage is a guru of Hidden Highlights, I feel robbed when this guy does not get enough screen time. I do have to say, TNA's upper tier is stacked so much that main even players have to be pushed to the side. This is especially true if you want to create new talent like Jay Lethal. And please create and build new talent!

(3) Got one, missed the other:

One of the things I noticed throughout the show was that Kurt Angle was wearing his 11X Champion shirt, except he had taken the time to cross out the 11 with some yellow tape or marker and had written in 12. I really liked this touch because it showed how much things had changed but that Kurt still liked the idea of his shirt. But then during the main even, Kurt was wearing his "11X" singlet! Looks like he got the shirt but missed the tights. Whoops!

(2) Proper monster training:

Out in back, Eric Young was quite concerned about the monsters in TNA and what they were going to do to him. Kaz came over to reassure Eric Young that the monsters were just gimmicks ("actors" he called them) and then proceeded to go through a list of monsters by their pictures and let Eric know that that they were all actors. He got to a certain reanimated monster at the end and called him "Frankenstein's monster". I have to say, kudos to Kaz for calling him by the proper name "Frankenstein's monster". Frankenstein was the doctor who got a bunch of used human parts and brought them to life, and the villagers called him a monster. The monster was not named Frankenstein, even though that has become common nowadays.

(1) Monster mash:

Speaking of the monsters, Team 3D did not make the weigh-in for their match with Shark Boy and Curry Man, but Rellik (that's Killer spelled backwards) and Black Reign (that's Ngier Kcalb spelled backwards) came to the ring to answer the call of battle. As the two were coming down, Mike Tenay asked the production truck if they could quickly come up with footage from last week about the two. A few moments later, a clip played and the match got underway. But I really liked that Mike Tenay had to ask for the clip, and it took a few seconds to get it into place. You see, Rellik and Reign were a surprise, so it makes sense not have a clip cued up. Instead, in a rare moment or realism, Mike Tenay had to actually ask for a clip and it took some time to set up. Nice work by all involved in that one.

Randy: It is great to see Tenay actually try and make it feel like nobody knows what is going on, although some people would argue that people in TNA really don't know what is going on, but that is another story. It still surprises me and I have to give him credit for it, especially when they could have just of easily went right to it and nobody would have complained or even noticed in most cases, but if he didn't then what would JP have to talk about each week?



Friday, February 29, 2008 by JP

JP: Attention! Attention! We had a Balls Mahoney sighting! When was the last time he was on TV at all? When was the last time he even wrestled on a house show? Well, it did happen on the Leap Day, so did it really happen? I mean, Leap Day happens outside of normal continuity, right?

Of an interesting note, in the traditional Hebrew calendar the months are on a lunar cycle (like something else I know) and therefore fall short of many days each year. So much so that every… ummm, various amounts of years, it is kind of hard to explain the system… a whole extra month is added! Imagine being born in the extra month that comes up in years 3, 6, 8, 11, 14, 17, and 19 of a 19-year cycle. Yikes!

(3) You scared me:

For the 11 billionth time, Jamie Noble and Chuck Palumbo squared off. That, of course, will not stop me from finding something new! Early in the match, the two spilled out to the floor and Chuck Palumbo made some threatening advances towards Michelle McCool. McCool was backing off when slightly off screen Jamie Noble pushed Chuck Palumbo in Michelle's direction, although actually at the ring post. But for a split second, it looked like Palumbo was lunging at McCool, and she reacted accordingly with a flinch and a jump. Smart reaction by McCool who has again earned a spot in these pages.

(2) It's all in how you say it:

Hanging out in the back, Maryse was perhaps flirting with Vickie Guerrero, or leading her on for Teddy's sake. Gosh, someone could at least mention that Teddy and Krystal decided to go their separate ways! Anyway, Batista came in and said he wanted to represent SmackDown! vs. RAW's Umaga at WrestleMania, and the GM granted it. But when she laid the match out, she pronounced Umaga's name as "You-ma-ga", just like William Regal does! Of course, as we learned in these very pages, that is the proper Samoan pronunciation, therefore Vickie was actually speaking better than everyone else. That also means that Armando Estrada is the only GM who does not pronounce Umaga's name properly.

(1) Watch your back, kid:

Later in the evening, the WWE Tag Team Champions the Miz and John Morrison lost another match, this time to Jesse and Festus. But before that could happen, the two had to actually fight in the match. Somewhere along the line, Jesse and the Miz were in the ring, and the Miz was doing a steady job of dominating. The Miz was setting Jesse up for high impact move and he started moving with back against the far (crowd side) rope, near Festus' corner. Festus, to his credit, came out of the corner and looked like he was going to try to take a swipe at Miz before the Miz left the area in a hurry, none the wiser that Festus was coming after him. This is another example of the "attempt that did not happen" that I am a big fan of. Sure, Festus didn't even get an attempted swipe in, but he was making the moves like he was going to, and that is enough for me.

Randy: So you comment on me spending all of my time talking about Randy Orton, HHH and Vince but you spend all of your time talking about two divas and The Miz? Now you sir have balls, well done sir.




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: I doubt a caveman could come up with nice ones like these. 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 this week with the slightly delayed Chris Alden:

Hey, I finally got around to watching Impact last night, and I've got a Hidden Highlight that you guys missed from the Kurt Angle/Booker T match:

At one point in the match, Booker knocked Kurt down, then turned around and started straightening out his kick pad. Kurt, sensing an opportunity, bounded to his feet and started to run at Booker -- and then Booker whipped right back around and stared Kurt to a stop. It was a very, very small touch, but it was a great way to illustrate that Kurt is a sneaky opportunist who will take advantage of any momentary distraction, and Booker is a cagey veteran who knows better than to leave himself open.

JP: Booker T is one of the smartest men in the world in that ring. Just don't put him on the Weakest Link or the Family Feud. Some people don't have smarts in the trivia area. Jumping to RAW is Adam Nelson:

I'm sure you probably picked this one up, but I loved that Jericho referred to his history with Regal, specifically his "special blend" of tea from when they were feuding (which can be seen at:



JP: Oh my goodness, I was marking out hard for all of the history referenced between the two. It was great to see that type of stuff. It doesn't have to be "hit you over the head", but I always believe in referencing history and living continuity (I still haven't got over Finlay and Batista being on a tag team together). Of course, there were so many little things in that segment that I'm sure you couldn't list them, right Randy?

Randy: Um................ no.

JP: See, no way. Chris Jacobs mentioned this one, too, but we'll hear more from him later. Anyway, Alexander Barahona would like to comment on a Reader Write-in from last week:

Just a brief comment on:

"Kennedy vs. Flair: At one stage, after getting a near fall, Kennedy raises his fist at the ref, but the ref warns him what happens if he hits him. Maybe this is where Orton got the idea from."

I would actually suggest the he got the idea from the previous double count out that almost occurred in their match. Having both jumped back in the ring at 9, Orton and Cena looked at each other, both running through their rather limit repertoire of they conveyed a message something like this.

Both stare at each other with a "that was close expression" and JR says: huge break for CENA! (thus foreshadowing the no belt change on count out)
Cena looks ready to kick ass.
Orton looks mean.
Cena and Orton stare at each other.
Orton looks to be in thought.
Cena looks confused, either because he is skeptical that Orton CAN actually think, or more likely he's puzzling over what he's thinking about.
Orton grins evily... but why?
Cena looks at Orton with a: you're on to something expression as though he knows cogs are turning in the legend killers mind.

If you got it taped just check out the to and fro of expression, I REALLY liked that bit of psychology and thought it and the commentary perfectly foreshadowed the end of the match.

JP: Well since I didn't watch the PPV in the first place, I guess I don't have it on "tape". Tape, ha! All my old ECW PPVs are on tape. I live in the digital age! Much like our next write-in via Eric Kinch:

This past week on RAW I found one when Kennedy and Orton were back stage and Kennedy was informing Orton that when he wins Money in the Bank this year, he'll use his win on Orton or whoever wins the WWE Championship match at Wrestlemania. The Double H comes from this exchange:

Orton: Kennedy...
Kenney: (interjecting) That's Mr. Kennedy.
Orton: (Continues and ignores the interruption).

That little bit had me howling but that's just my thoughts. I wanna hear what JP and that guy that isn't JP that's writing it this time around are thinking. Maybe even the Ghost of JT?

Ghost of JT: Finally someone that cares what I thi—

JP: Well I don't care what you think, so let's ask Randy.

Ghost of JT: That's so unfair! You don't see me interrupting you and shutting you down.

JP: … … … … … You are kidding me, right?

Ghost of JT: What?

JP: Have you seen many of my lovely ladies around here recently?

Ghost of JT: Have you smelled the people you have let into this article every week. I mean, the stench left over from Cook alone in Issue #122 is still overwhelming!

JP: Hmmm, I could see how that would be a problem.

Ghost of JT: See, you should listen to me sometimes.

JP: Perhaps, but not now. Randy, your thoughts?

Randy: I get to have first opinion?

JP: Don't start with me, too! I'll take it back!

Randy: I can't afford to loose any more column space!

JP: Then get to opinionating!

Randy: Okay okay, I'm glad that somebody brought up this segment because it was one of my favorites last week. The way the two interacted throughout the entire promo was gold and you have to believe that a feud between those two would just be entertaining watch. The only issue I had was the fact that the two men were two inches apart from each other the entire promo, they were in a hallway, why all the whispering?

JP: All right. Now I'm not going to add anything and instead move on to Tim Schmidt:

I thought it was a nice nod to their feud a few months back when Santino, after losing, yelled Jerry "Stupid" Lawler in his direction.

JP: Santino, how much more can I say about that guy? Apparently, quite a bit. But not as much as regular Australian living below the Mason Dixon Nick Noel:

RAW

Regal's Facial Expressions – Enough said. His look of "I KNOW where this is going to end" while Orton was talking was priceless, as was his pointing to Cena and HHH after Orton had RKO'd them with a "Look at this bloody mess" facial expression.

JP: Ok, if enough was said, then I'll say no more!

Carlito Keeps Perving – As Maria did her whole bend over kissy deal, Carlito's eyes just bugged out and he got this totally goofy grin on his face as he followed her arse around as if hypnotized. Carlito is classic to watch in the background (as previously pointed out).

JP: Do you realize it has been weeks since they've let Carlito talk, yet he still finds ways to get himself noticed. I'm confused, though, why the talked him into signing an extension when they are not really using him at all.

At Least Jericho Remembers Continuity – Because when has asked William Regal if he wanted a cup of tea I almost spat a mouthful of water all over my laptop, but instead settled for coughing fit due to laughter.

JP: See: everything said above.

ECW

Santino's Entrance – And his arrogant, Hogan-esque mannerisms. Walking down the ramp, hand cocked up to his ear, and then a small thumbs up. To both sides of the audience no less. Could this foreshadow a Hogan run-in during the Ric Flair Wrestlemania match? Survey says … no.

JP: Hahaha, stop spreading Hogan rumors! Did you read the commentary section in the Hamilton Ave Journal two weeks ago? Geez!

MIKE KNOX – Contributes to HH? As he threw Stevie into the corner and went to charge him he yelled Stevie's catch-cry of "I'll show you, you'll see!" Now, Stevie Richards has been doing that exact same maneuver for the past 2 weeks, and Knox just played it perfectly. Oh, and he has a SWEET mo'.

JP: Well thankfully Randy caught this as well, because I was soooooo going to be upset if it didn't at least show up once, if not twice in these pages.

TNA

Borash Needs Some Math Tutoring – As JB counted off Kurt's squats, when he got to 84 and Karen knocks at the door, JB asks if Kurt wants him to get it. Kurt keeps doing squats and says no … and then JB starts counting again at 85! After the Karen bit, when they start again at 90, JB counts "90, 91, 93…"

JP: By the way, JB did not skip 92. Kurt did two thrusts while JB was talking about something else.

Devine Relives Past Gimmicks – The former Production Assistant for Paparazzi Productions pulled out the old camera to help with Team 3D's diet regime. Wonder if Alex Shelley knows about this?

JP: Did Shelley ever really let him go? Maybe Paparazzi Productions is still in business?

Sharky's Mask – *I'll feel very silly if this has been pointed out in a past column* Every time I see him it seems I find something different to add to HH. Sharkboy's mask has GILLS cut into the side of it!

JP: I've actually been meaning to mention this for a while, but I'm glad you did. When readers mention things several weeks late it is much better than when I do it. You know, credibility and all that jazz. Thankfully, Adam S has none:

Watching tonight's Impact I noticed a great little highlight from Slick Johnson and Curry Man. After Team 3D unsuccessfully weighed in, then proceeded to get undressed, and unsuccessfully weigh in again.

Earl Hebner then kicked Team 3D out of the ring, but sitting on the canvas near Curry Man was Brother Ray's crotch-sock. First Slick Johnson leaned down to toss it out of the ring, the realized what it was and thought the better of it.

Curry Man then took the opportunity to kick the sock out of the ring and wipe his hands on his chest in disgust, even though he never actually touched the sock.

JP: You know what that means…. It's time for some Curry Man dancing!







Ahem… non-regular watcher of wrestling (especially SmackDown!), Matthew Calabresi is next:

I like the Edgeheads gimmick very much. I think it's unique and has potential. I especially liked it when, early on in the Ryder/Undertaker match, they were outside the ring and Ryder was poised to leap from the apron to attack Undertaker. While Ryder was waiting for Taker to turn around, he did the "c'mere" gesture that Edge does when he is preparing to spear his opponent. I thought that was a nice touch that the Edgeheads are not only aligned with Edge and adopting his look, they're also adopting his mannerisms as well.

JP: And I like that one wears a hat the other doesn't because it helps me tell them apart! As promised above, here is regular Chris Jacobs:

Smackdown HH: The commentators kept commenting on Kahli toying with his opponents and not finishing them off, Coach gets a not so hidden, but yet a highlight when he says he knows first hand how devastating the Kahli chop is, since he took it on the 15th anniversary RAW.

JP: Coach has been real good remembering all the times he's been beaten up.

Another highlight came when Kahli kept toying with Kane (don't remember, pretty sure it was Kane) you can faintly hear MVP from the corner yell out the same thing the commentators were saying, "Stop toying with the man and finish him off". Great way for MVP to remember that the opponents that night are Kane and Batista, not two people you would want to toy around with.

JP: I also liked during the match where Coach apologized and said he was wrong because Khali apparently did understand the rules of a tag match and the idea of saving one's partner. It's ok to be wrong, just admit it and move on!

Third HH comes in the Undertaker vs. Hawkins. Undertaker chokeslams Hawkins and Michael Cole yells out, "A MAJOR CHOKESLAM!" I laughed a bit since before Ryder and Hawkins were the Rated Rmy, they were known as THE MAJOR BROTHERS!!! I liked that subtle ‘lil comment that Cole made, but the move should be A FORMER MAJOR CHOKESLAM!!! lol.

JP: Cole, much like the Coach, does not get enough credit or respect. I'm not sure how I feel about them as a team, but I like them individually. Finishing us off this week is Hidden Highlights Reader Write-in Contest Finalist Nikolai Nygard:

This is for iMPACT on I think it was 2/28, during the weigh-in before the Masked Comedy Acts and Team 3D. While the former Dudleyz were busy removing everything, Shark Boy was busy raising his arms and looking away and with each piece of clothing removed, Curry Man would shake his head slowly faster and faster, probably because he didn't wanna see Bubba topless.

JP: Please don't make me show more Curry Man clips. I'll start putting Shark Boy ones in here. You watch me!

Also, in more a interesting note, after the Ladder match where Jackie Moore gets the belt down for Storm, Tenay says that Storm got a big assist from Jaqueline. SLIP UP!!! See Moore was Jaqueline in the WWE before she came and became Jackie Moore. Alright that's all I have with me and my laziness.

JP: Ouch, I can't believe how backwards you got that one. Back in WCW, she was Jaqueline, which is where Tenay comes from and how he would know her. You have ended this column in an EPIC FAILURE! All right, that line is already overused and I will no longer use it this column.

Randy: Calm down JP, you don't need to criticize the good readers, at least he gave an effort. I mean if you make fun of their opinions they might leave you and then you would have nobody reading your column..... oh wait... you have more then five readers???? I forget that the wrestling zone is the god at 411 and people actually read you guys.... maybe I need to move over here so people actually know who I am.

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 [e-mail] 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, it is nice to dust off a semi-retired writer and bring them back to goodness. Thanks again Randy!

Randy: Not a problem, we will have to do this again when you know, I'm actually doing something on the site again. Not that anybody would really notice since I'm not over on the wrestling side of things, but who knows maybe this will help get us sports guys some recognition too. Thanks for the opportunity again JP, it really does make watching wrestling that much more fun when you have to actually pay attention to the little things and find the good instead of just making fun of the mistakes.

JP: Then my work here is done, unless you all want to click over to the Sports Zone. Come on! It's good stuff, check it out.

And whether you want to check out over there or not, 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 131st 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!