wrestling / Columns
Your News, My Views 3.25.08
Today in Wrestling History:
1991 – Event – Wrestlemania VII, LA Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
1991 – Hulk Hogan defeated Sgt. Slaughter for the WWF Heavyweight title
1991 – The Nasty Boys defeated the Hart Foundation for the WWF Tag Team title
1994 – Jerry Lawler defeated Eddie Gilbert for the USWA Unified Heavyweight title
2001 – Flash Flanagan defeated Randy Orton for the Ohio Valley Hardcore title
2002 – Shannon Moore defeated Chad Collyer for the Heartland Wrestling Association Cruiserweight Title
2003 – Lance Storm & Sean Morley became WWE Raw Tag Team Champions when William Regal was forced to vacate due to illness
Births and Deaths:
1962 – Born – The Undertaker aka Mean Mark Callus
1986 – Died – Warren Bockwinkel of Alzheimer’s Disease at 74
1997 – Died – Dr. Bill Miller of a heart attack at 69
Is it hot in here, or is it just Csonka?
WWE/ECW news, notes and happenings to the EXTREME:
Your News: The current plan for Ric Flair’s post wrestling career is that he will be kept off of TV and work for the company in an Ambassador’s role. It is believed after the hiatus from TV, he will be brought back on in a non-wrestling role.
My Views: The plan makes sense to me. Flair traveling the country, to the UK and other places giving interviews, doing autograph sessions and such for the company works as a positive media tool for them, allows him to stay close to the business he loves and allows him to keep earning a pay check. It is a win-win for Flair and the company. As far as bringing him back to TV down the line in a non-wrestling role, I am also all for that. I have said for years that when the time comes for Flair to retire that he would make a great manager. He’ll be able to talk for someone, take bumps and really help someone out.
Your News: Ric Flair will be appearing on the new CBS show, Secret Talents of the Stars. The show debuts next month. Their description of the show reads: “CBS uncovers the fascinating and unique abilities of some of your favorite celebrities and then makes them face off against each other in a tournament style talent competition!”
My Views: Ric Flair will be on network PRIME TIME TV showing his secret skill of SALSA DANCING. This in fact could result in the greatest moment of TV ever. I can see it now, they introduce him, some salsa music plays, Flair comes strutting out in his robe, doing the river dance and “woooooooing” all the way. Oh yes, I will watch this show.
Your News: Former TNA star Chris Harris has been training at Florida Championship Wrestling recently.
My Views: Harris has already worked a dark match for WWE, and reports say that the Wildcat looked more like the “Fat Cat.” Harris wrestled in a singlet and was reportedly heavier than when he left TNA. I figure that he’ll spend a good amount of time in developmental to “get into ring shape.” Harris doesn’t need work on his in ring, he is a good performer, but the time should also allow him to work on promos, which was the weak part of his game. I wish Harris the best as this is what he wanted, but it looks as if he’ll really have to work at it before he makes the main roster.
Your News:While WWE wants their developmental talents to attend the WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony and WrestleMania XXIV PPV, they apparently won’t be allowed into the post-PPV party. Some of the WWE developmental talent is a bit upset about this.
My Views: First of all I understand this to a point. They want the guys to be at the Hall of Fame to show respect and because they are a part of the company. The trip to WrestleMania is to see how the biggest show of them all goes down. That’s a party in and of itself. But the after party is for the people that put the work into the shows. Think of it like this. You’re in a play. You audition, make it, practice hard and then do the performance. And then you go to the after party and a group of people, that didn’t make it past auditions are there. It doesn’t make sense does it? Why? Because they didn’t earn it. I also figure that it is a cost cutting deal. The developmental roster is around 40 guys or so, and they are spending a lot of money as is. Sure it is a small amount to consider, but that’s why Vince hires the bean counters.
Your News: In accordance with its Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy, WWE has suspended Afa Anoai, a developmental talent in the WWE farm system (Florida Championship Wrestling), for 30 days for his first violation of the company’s policy.
My Views: Off of the heels of the Jeff hardy suspension, this is the wrong time to be messing around with anything. I am waiting for after Mania, because I think we’ll see some releases and some more suspensions be announced shortly after.
Your News: Ricky Hatton revealed this week that he also turned down the chance to be a part of WrestleMania 24. Hatton was likely offered the spot teaming with Mysterio after de La Hoya passed on the role. Hatton would have likely meant a big boost to international PPV buys, as his fight with Mayweather did a reported 900,000-1.2 Million buys in the UK alone.
My Views: Well since they couldn’t get de La Hoya, this was the next best option and a smart move to attempt. Hatton is a big wrestling fan and I would have thought that there would have been more of a chance getting him anyway. Hatton vs. Mayweather did around 900,000 buys in the US and as mentioned above an additional 900,000-1.2 Million buys in the UK alone. It is a “what if” now, but if they could have scored Hatton, I truly feel that they would have done some big business in the UK due to his participation and that they could have set some big overall records for Mania. I am actually upset that it didn’t happen, because I am really interested to see what kind of business they would have done. One thing is for sure, they tried to pull out some major shit for this year’s show.
Your News: Katie Lea Burchill’s role could be changing soon as she has been booked as a heel wrestler on the road and tagging with Beth Phoenix a lot.
My Views: I am all for this. Katie Lea would be better used as a wrestler than the sex kitten sister of Pirate Paul. Of course this also means that they would have to book the ladies well, which I have little confidence that they will. It isn’t that they can’t, it’s all about them just deciding to do it and sticking with it.
Your News: Variety has an article up with Shane McMahon, discussing the company’s recommitment to providing the young audience with new and fun age-appropriate content. WWE is planning to market, aggressively to children as young as age 6 with the new kids magazine, the WWEKids.com web site as well as a potential animated series.
My Views: While there has been some joking about this, it is far from a bad idea. WWE is a business, and a business tries to make money, maximize profits. If they have a solid plan they can do that here by setting up stuff specifically for children. I like the idea of the animated show along with the other proposed ideas. Stars like Rey Mysterio are already huge with kids, and magazines, web sites and or an animates series with a guy like him will make some money, plain and simple.
Your News: Candice Michelle was injured on Raw last week. She is reportedly going to tough it out through WrestleMania.
My Views: There are reports out there that she BROKE her clavicle again. Not a bruise or a pull or anything like that, BROKE her clavicle again. If this is the case I would like to think that WWE would have the sense to not allow her to wrestle. I have been on record as a guy that is not in support of the “tough it out” theory. Look at Rey Mysterio. He gets injured, wrestles two more times, and makes it worse. I know it is WrestleMania, but sometimes common sense needs to reign supreme over “toughing it out” or your payday for the night.
EDIT: After this column was finished and posted, it was announced that Candice Michelle had surgery to repair the re-broken clavicle she suffered on Raw last week and that she WILL miss WrestleMania. I am glad that common sense prevailed and that she is getting the treatment that she needs. I know that she hates the miss the event, but she needs to get healthy.
Intermission kids, let’s party!
…Intermission…
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TNA stories, scuttlebutt and rumors:
Your News:Former TNA star Konnan has filed a lawsuit against TNA over their treatment of him as he was dealing with several health issues, including a hip replacement. What is known is that TNA gave Konnan money to undergo the operation which later led to him finding out he needed kidney replacement. He then later underwent kidney transplant procedure after a fan donated his kidney.
Konnan’s lawsuit against TNA claims racial discrimination and also claims that top TNA executives did drugs. He also claims that TNA never paid him for his hip replacement surgery and also didn’t pay for Ron Killings’ knee surgery (but did pay for Scott Steiner’s throat surgery). The lawsuit mentions Vince Russo’s comments in 2000 stating that Americans don’t want to see Japanese and Mexicans in the main events.
My Views: This is a hard one to discuss. We don’t know all the details of the suit first of all. The whole situation is weird, first of all you have his hip surgery, which was due to years if in ring abuse. There was discussion at the time if TNA should have just paid for it, and while it would have been nice if they did, I can understand why they didn’t. Killings was injured on an Independent show, but that show was booked through TNA and in my opinion they should have just paid for his surgery. They did pay for Steiner’s surgery, which wasn’t an official TNA show, although there was a lot of TNA talent on the show and they booked him. Of course Steiner may have a clause in his contract that says that they have to pay for any injuries, we just don’t know. Add on top of that the fact that he is charging racial discrimination and that that top TNA executives did drugs, and this is going to be a very messy situation. To me this is a wait and see type of deal, because it is very likely that this will take years to settle.
Your News: With Matt Morgan getting a contract with American Gladiators, it is expected that TNA will start pushing him as a wrestler very soon and possibly in a high profile role.
My Views: That makes complete sense. When Morgan was brought in the feeling was that he had spent enough time away from WWE to not be seen as another guy coming over just because of that. The idea was to establish him in a character role out of the ring, and with his past relationship with Cornette in OVW (who also thinks VERY highly of him) he was a perfect fit for his muscle. Things obviously stalled as he has still not had a match, but with the Gladiators gig the time is now in the eyes of TNA and it makes a lot of sense. With Morgan being on NBC, on a show that gets well over 5-million viewers a week, they need to have him as a wrestler now more than ever. I still maintain that TV ratings are not the end all be all. Sure the TNA ratings are stagnant, but if Spike is happy that’s fine. The thing that I still stand by is PPV conversion from those viewers. That is where TNA fails. But if they could gain the interest of some of the American Gladiators crowd, and some new viewers start watching the show and then buy PPV it is good news. Whether that happens is up to how TNA promotes him and how well they book shows to keep the potential new viewers. In the end I think that it is great that Morgan will finally be getting his shot in the ring, I have thought for a long time that he has great potential and hopefully he can live up to that.
Your News: Raisha Saeed (Cheerleader Melissa) will be wearing a new costume and some form of traditional wrestling mask when she makes her in ring debut.
My Views: This makes complete sense. They made the call to not use the “Cheerleader Melissa” persona, for better or for worse and to introduce her as Kong’s associate. With the costume they selected, it makes sense for her to have an in ring costume that covers her as well and that also includes some kind of mask. The one thing I know is this, I will be VERY happy to finally see her in the ring in TNA and it can only add to what has been a great division thus far.
Your News: LAX winning the #1 contenders match at Destination X looks to be the first step in a renewed push for the team.
My Views: We can only hope so. At Destination X it was great to see LAX BE LAX. They looked like they were the kings of the world in that three-way match and seemed to have gotten their swagger back. Homicide is great, although I wish he got the chance to talk more because while Salinas is a great piece of ass to have with them, she’s not the one to be cutting their promos. When they lost Konnan they lost a very important part of what made the group so great. I think Homicide can recapture some of that. Also Hernandez has been on a roll. All of his stuff is over, he has been impressing management with his work on the house shows and also getting great reactions there. The bottom line is that they were the hottest act n the company at one time, and if they have the chance to try and do it again, they need to jump on it.
Your News: The TNA House Show in Aiken, SC (March 12th) drew a full house of 1,100. The following night in Salem, Virginia they drew 1,000. The next night was in Pikeville, Kentucky, which drew 4,000 paid. Pikeville was a hot town for Smokey Mountain Wrestling, but the promotion never drew more than 2,000 there.
My Views: For as much as I call TNA out on bad business moves I am more than happy to discuss the good that happens. After a successful swing in New York and the news of great ticket sales for Lockdown, the road to Lockdown seems to be going just as well. After good sales in small venues, they scored big in Pikeville, Kentucky with 4,000 paid. As mentioned above, Pikeville was a hot town for Smokey Mountain Wrestling, as the promotion was booked in the style that the area loved and had the stars that the area loved. And while they drew well there, the promotion never drew more than 2,000 in Pikeville. The fact that TNA was able to draw so well there is a very positive sign for them, and it has to make the guys happy when they get to perform in front crowds that size. Good for you TNA.
~The HOTTNESS of Rebecca Knox~
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Independent News
Your News:BJ Whitmer has departed from ROH. He is still under contract but is taking what the company calls an extended leave. No word on when or if he will return.
My Views: Basically Whitmer explained to ROH officials that he was burned out and needed some time off, and it was granted by management. Whitmer has been with ROH since October of 2003, well over four-years. We all know the pains and pressures of the wrestling business, so to hear about a guy feeling the burn out isn’t anything surprising. It is likely the best thing for the company, the guys he works with, himself and his loved ones that he takes a break if he is that burnt out. I think the last thing that any of us want is to see him or someone he is working with get injured because his concentration may be off. I hope he gets his stuff together and gets everything right with himself, and then if he wants to come back great, if not, that’s cool too. I won’t proclaim to be a “Whitmer fan.” I don’t hate him either, but it isn’t like I see him on a card and get excited either. But the fact is that he has worked hard and been loyal to ROH, and that is commendable.
Your News: Takeshi Morishima and Naomichi Marujufi are both confirmed for the May 10th Hammerstein Ballroom show. Advance ticket sales have gone very well and the company could end up setting an attendance record.
My Views: Ticket sales are rolling on, and they haven’t even announced a card so they are getting a great showing for their first trip to the big ballroom. Adding Takeshi Morishima and Naomichi Marujufi should not only help the quality of the show, but could also push some people on the fence to buy tickets. RH had stated that they wouldn’t bring in anyone that wasn’t with the company, no new names, and even though many disagreed with the strategy, they seem to be doing very well. It’s also nice that after weeks of “cost cutting and poor buy rate” discussions to discuss a good positive on the financial side of the company.
Your News: Joey Matthews is working behind the scenes with a lot of the ROH talent, primarily on ring psychology.
My Views: I think that this is an excellent idea. Matthews was a trainer for OVW, and if Danny Davis and Rip Rogers hire you, you know your shit, it is just that simple. The thing that most people do not realize is that Joey has been around forever! Seriously, he debuted back in 1996. The man has been working in the business for 12-years, he has been in ECW, he’s worked the Indies, he has done a lot. Basically, Joey knows his shit and he would still be with WWE if he didn’t have his issues with drugs. The main thing Joey will excel in is ring psychology in tag team matches. This is a guy that has spent a large part of his career in tag teams. Look what he did with Nitro. Yes, I said that. When MNM was brought up, Nitro was a hell of an athlete, and nobody will disagree with that fact. But as far as a worker he was green as hell. Joey kept that team together, he laid everything out, he also taught Nitro and in the early days carried the team in that aspect. Nitro learned, he evolved and now we see the finished product of those early days of teaching as now Morrison is playing that role with Miz.
Your News:Former pro-wrestling star Kid Kash made his MMA debut on 3/21 in the main event of a show promoted by Premier Sports Group in Frankfort, Kentucky. Kash lost via decision by one point in the three round fight and was said to have looked good.
My Views: And there is already video of this, turn down the volume a bit as it is a music video of the fight and check it out:
Ok, everyone get to see that? I have to say, Buff Bagwell aside, there isn’t anyone I want to see punched in the face more than Kid Kash. What an asshole. I will say that from what I could see he seemed to hold his own rather well, of course he was fighting an unknown as I couldn’t find any info on the guy. This is an interesting move because Kash is nearing 40 (38 right now) and while some people have had success in MMA at that age, it isn’t the prime age to break in. That being said, MMA is hot and there are tons of small shows popping up everywhere. If he can stay healthy he could probably make a lot of money fighting on them in areas where people know his name. It probably will never get past that phase, unless he is some kind of prodigy, but hey if it is what he wants, good for him.
And I’m out of here!
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