Hidden Highlights 03.31.08: Issue #135

Posted by JP Prag on 03.31.2008

Just because WresleMania was last night, it doesn’t mean guest co-host Dan Haggerty and I have that for you. Instead, Lillian Garcia times it perfectly with MVP, Jesse gives Festus a lot of attention (almost as much as our readers), Karen Angle gets a little modesty, Teddy Long looks for the drum roll, and more!

Hidden Highlights
By JP Prag

Issue #135

Hello everyone who is still in Florida enjoying the wrestling bonanza, 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: Ok, we are working on negative time this week kids! I have been wrapping up a client project, being at WrestleMania weekend, dealing with the fam, doing taxes (I owe) and building an office. Needless to say, there's not much time for anything, not even an intro! So instead I turn you over to a man you see all over the Music Zone, keeping you up to date with important music happenings like band MySpace pages are less popular than their Wikipedia pages. This is Dan Haggerty. Dan?

Dan: And they funny part of that story is all the money the labels dump into those MySpace pages. As you would say over here in the wrestling zone – NO BUYS! Anyway, this is real exciting for me. You were one of the first columns I read on 411 back when I discovered the site, so it's kind of like coming full circle. And if that wasn't great, I get to cover TNA too! How cool is that? It's one of my favorite shows if I happen to get the chance to watch TV now days. It has some great wrestlers: Black Reign, Rellik, Junior Fatu, and Big Daddy V. Does Bischoff still book this show? He's doing a great job.

[Dramatic Pause]


Dan: JUST KIDDING!!! Oh man, the look on your face. Seriously, I know the deal. I watch the shows each week and I even got a membership card for the IWC, so I'm up to speed. I'm really looking forward to being on the show, and I hope I can keep up with the high standards of previous co-hosts and the readers!

JP: I hope so, too, because that intro gave me second thoughts. But no matter, let's get on with the Hidden Highlights!



Monday, March 24, 2008 by JP

JP: Well this was the buildup. RAW began its final show before WrestleMania and did some fun, yet predictable, stuff. At the same time, I was short of availability this week, so fast forwarding through every Big Show/Mayweather promo and Triple H's into saved me over a half an hour that I did not have before. Of course, I used that half hour not for sleep, but finishing up the Hamilton Ave Journal a day 36 hours early (you may have noticed it conspicuously missing news related to Thursday and Friday, especially regarding WWE wrestlers appearing at TNA events. Ah well!).

(3) I don't recognize that voice:

During the opening promo of the night, one-by-one the RAW participants at WrestleMania and the Big Show (he is officially on SmackDown! according to the roster page) came down to talk about why they should be remembered. Part way into this, Umaga came down to the ring and ripped the microphone from Randy Orton's hands. And while I would like to give this Hidden Highlight to Randy Orton's priceless look of confusion about why Umaga would take the mic in the first place, the real Hidden Highlight goes to Umaga himself. As he spoke into the microphone, Umaga suddenly backed away from it, shocked at the sounds and loudness of his own voice! I thought that was the perfect way to react as Umaga has not used the microphone and is rather unacquainted with its results. Even they way he held it like a 2-year old holds a spoon added to his character as a savage that is just unfamiliar with the technologies around him.

(2) Timing is in the pyro:

Later in the evening, MVP was making his way to the ring for a tag match with Carlito against Chris Jericho and the man that has become everyone's job boy: CM Punk. Before I get too far, I'd like to point out a pattern in the WWE. When one of their wrestlers starts to get really hot for the first time, they push them way down the card and job them out. I've seen them do it with Eddie Guerrero, RVD, Chris Jericho, and may others. While company pushed men like Brock Lesnar, John Cena, and Bobby Lashley have not had to undergo this treatment, almost anyone that has worked their way up on their own has. This seems like their litmus test; let's see is the wrestler is still as popular after this and then we'll push them under our own terms. And so men like Guerrero, Jericho, and RVD succeeded, but there lies the failure of a plethora of others who never broke through. Do I agree with their methodologies? Can't say that I do. I'm more in agreement with Marc Mero that if someone can get over and can wrestle, there is no reason not to push them immediately. Sure, bookers want to feel like they did something, but sometimes you just have to accept lighting in a bottle when it comes.

Anyway, we do have a Hidden Highlight here, but it is for Lillian Garcia, as MVP made his way to the ring, Lillian was doing her intro for him when MVP's fireworks went off. Lillian actually timed it perfectly so that between each blast she was able to get off one letter of MVP's name. It made for an impressive ring introduction that should be emulated more in the future.

(1) Even Snoopy the Dog cannot stop a'me:

Another match that came out of random fighting was Santino Marella teaming with Beth Phoenix and Melina against Jerry Lawler, Ashley, and Santino's still girlfriend Maria (they are just having a disagreement, according to Santino, nothing to worry about). During the match, Santino spilled to the outside where Lawler was waiting to punch him in the face again. Santino did not want to stick around, and then tried to escape through the crowd! If that was not good enough, the best part came when the crowd pushed him back, not allowing him to get anywhere! Nice work by Santino and the crowd to make that whole series come together.

Dan: Ah… Yes. Santino. Proof that a wrestler lacking in-ring skills can be successful in this crazy business, if that wrestler can just finds his strengths and run with them; I just hope he's seriously working on his mat skills so he can stay in Hidden Highlights^TM for years to come!



Tuesday, March 25, 2008 by JP

JP: ECW, as the highest rated show of the week, also seemed to have the most number of wrestlers appearing. The show began with a 12-on-12 tag team match pitting the apparent battle royal participants against each other (I'm writing this before WrestleMania, so I am unsure of who will actually end up in there, namely Big Daddy V. How do you go to someone like Brian Kendrick and say, "Sorry, it was a mistake to include you in the match, we need to bump you for Big Daddy V."? Speaking of Brian Kendrick, that guy needs some heel tights stat. If he is going to fully turn, then he can't be dressing as happy-go-luck Kendrick anymore). Wow, that was a long side note, I have nothing more to say.

(3) He's sending you an S-O-S, for sure:

Although we joined the wrestlers coming down to the ring in progress, Kofi Kingston's entrance had me catch something quite funny. As Kofi came to ringside, he began to take off his ring jacket and whatnot. In the first row, there was a girl about ten or eleven, who was just staring at Kofi strip down and got the biggest, goofiest, embarrassed smile on her face. It was too funny not to note, but hey, a girl has to get her enjoyment somewhere!

(2) Keep him in line:

Also during the aforementioned large match, Jesse and Festus were on the ring apron when the bell rang. Festus went through his normal transformation sure enough, but he could not be held still. For the first minute of the match, I watch Jesse try to hold back Festus, talk him down, explain to him that he had to be tagged in, etc…. Jesse was doing so many things to stay involved with Festus and have his own side story that they are too much to cover, but I'd just like to give Jesse props for not just standing there and actually giving Festus lots of attention.

(1) Doing my job for me:

Call this one a cop out if you will, but I do have to give our top Hidden Highlight for ECW to Tazz. Tazz was really on his game at various points tonight, but especially so during the Carlito vs. Shelton Benjamin match (heel vs. heel again, quite odd). Tazz took time to point out many Hidden Highlights that the competitors did. My favorites where he talked about Carlito digging his knee into the back of Shelton's neck to dish out extra damage, mentioning how Carlito clasped his hands to make a move harder to break, and all of the conversation around how controlling the head controls the entire body. This is the type of in depth analysis that I enjoy that puts other the athleticism of the contest and not just the sports entertainment or the selling. I was glad to hear some of that break through despite the WWE's policies and look forward to hearing more of it in the future.

Dan: Tazz on his game is a good thing indeed, be it his style of promoting the matches or making quips with Styles (and Cole before). In fact, someone needs to get his ass back over to helping out on Smackdown! stat!

You know? I never asked if there is a language restriction in your column. Maybe your target demographic is the family. Hope I'm not fucking up here and using inappropriate language. I don't want to put you in the shitter with your core fans – That would suck worse than Hardy's new music.

JP: Don't you remember the language JT used to use? Heck, he's apologizing to me right now for the language he just used as I'm typing this sentence.



Thursday, March 27, 2008 by Dan Haggerty

Dan: I was really glad to get TNA tonight, as it turned out over all to be a good show. I like the Kurt and Joe build. Lethal Lockdown looks hot. Plus we got some great promos from Booker and Roode. The usual goofs were nowhere in site while the crowd was on fire. Either that or they were drinking. Plus the wrestlers were on their game as I found tons of little highlights.

(3) Miss Brook really wants a piece of Banks:

As tempting as it was to put Brooks, in that tight sweater, running down to the ring as the hidden highlight, I won't. But DAMN. Some of you savvy readers should do a gif of that for JP. Where was I… Oh yea, later on when the brawl went down and security separated Booker, Brooks, Banks, and Bobbie (couldn't resist the ‘B' theme), then came the actual hidden highlight. Brooks was so pissed and wanted a piece of Banks that security wasn't going to stop her; even though she was being restrained she pulled her shoe off and chucked it at Banks. Way to stay in character and keep trying to find a way to punish the enemy with everything you got!

(2) Karen Angle Dresses For Success:

During Karen Angle's sit down interview with Tenay, I was struck by the outfit that Karen was wearing. She was dressed modestly with a simple necklace to highlight the attire. In previous weeks, she was dressed to kill… When she was the ruthless wife of heel Kurt Angle, but now that she is separating from Kurt, suddenly the low cut outfits must have joined her marriage in history. Baby face Karen acts different and looks different, after all she's worried about being a good mom for her kids. Good job by whoever gets the Knockouts their outfits and planning Karen to dress (and portray) her new role. But don't worry guys, I'm sure we'll see her turn again soon and be back to the outfits I know you love to hate!

Tag Teams Know How To Play The Game:

During the main event, the approach to the match was vastly different for the heels than the faces. The faces each tagged into the ring – Once; while the heels tagged repeatedly. What? You ask… Of course the heels tagged out and left a face in trouble. That's the basic formula of a tag match.

Well not quite this time. Only Rhino played face in peril. The others just kept taking the fight back and forth to the enemy. Why would they do this? Because in kayfabe they are all single stars, while all four heels are experienced tag team champions (or former champions). Naturally they would fall into the tag strategy of making quick tags while the single stars just plowed ahead without such consideration. Great job to whoever booked the wrestlers to portray their ring approach in line with their current onscreen characters.

JP: For the record, I just saw Tracy Brooks in person on Friday backstage at the iMPACT Zone (more details later, but let me get my first plug in for our good friends at Midway games, makers of the TNA iMPACT video game, coming this summer!!!).



Friday, March 28, 2008 by Dan Haggerty

Dan: Oh man, the go away show to Wrestlemania… How cool is that? Actually, I was just happy CW didn't preempt the show till Sunday again! The real question is, how many hidden highlights can one find in the final push to the "Granddaddy of them All"(^TM JR)? Turns out a lot actually, especially when this shows talent brings their ‘A' game for the final push to Sunday. But these would be my favorites for the night – Part comedy, part in ring skill:

(3) Victory Walks The Walk:

This was too funny. Victory, being the greatest female in the Fed, comes out of the "Wet and Wild" match wearing a snorkel, arm-floaties, and flippers. As she was stomping her way down to the ring thanks to those flippers on her feet, my wife noticed they were clipped on top of the shoe. That's when it hit me, Victory didn't have to stomp around due to being restricted by the flippers, she just did it to act like they were real flippers that restricted her. Go Victoria!

(2) Where did that come from?

While Teddy Long was with the Divas in the back, he went to announce which one would be removed from the Smackdown! Diva contest. That's when the drum roll hit, just like it had previously when they were out on stage for this segment. But they weren't on stage; they were in Teddy's (Vicky's?) office, so where did the drum roll come from? Teddy thought it was a good question also, as he started to look up and around with a look on his face that said "Where in the hell is that coming from?" Not as hidden, but certainly a highlight as moments like that do more than save a pointless Diva angle and make wrestling the great thing it is - Big kudos to Teddy for that.

(1) John Morrison bumps his way into another… Bump:

During the Morrison/Punk match, Punk monkey flipped Morrison into a prone position, then went off the ropes and drop kicked the guru of greatness in the face. The hidden highlight comes from Morrison, who upon landing from the monkey flip, bounced like he had momentum from Punks attack, but bounced backwards and into the center of the ring; the perfect place to receive Punks drop kick. If Morrison had just stayed where he had landed, Punk couldn't have successfully pulled off that move. Big time props to Morrison for being savvy to his position, to the move set, and making sure it all looked natural.

JP: All I can do is trust everything you said because I have not seen this show and will most likely not see it until NEXT Friday!




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'll admit it now, I did this section wicked early! Yes, those who got it in late we'll see their writings next week. 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 David Dunn and a little 17-man action:

On this week's edition of Raw, during the 17-on-2 Handicap Match, John Cena went to give DH Smith the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Instead of running off the ropes he would normally use, he instead ran the same way DH Smith was laying, thus avoiding any possible confrontations with Umaga. Just goes to show Cena's always aware of who is where in the ring.

JP: I did notice that as well and thought it was very smart of Cena to stay as far away from the ropes as possible. The double team moves he and Orton pulled off were really impressive as well. Did they ever team together in OVW? Either way, I'd like to see them in a wacky tag team in the future. RAW has enough people to have a few "superpower" tag teams that can hold the titles for a while. Remember, the SmackDown! Six was the main event and tag scene, so it can work. Jumping ahead to iMPACT in the past is Sean:

Not so Hidden, but, cool no less, Impact, 3/13, during The Dudley's Team 3D's backstage promo. Devon used a variation of Taz's old ECW catchphrase; "beat us if you can, survive if we let you". The variation, of course, being "us" and "we" in place of "me" and "I". Also, in the same promo, Ray used Devon's usual punch-line "Oh, my brother, testify". I found that interesting. It compelled me to write, and submit, a column to the newsletter for which I write. Happy days!

JP: Yeah, that really threw me off when I was watching it (the Tazz catchphrase, not so much the role reversal). I wondered why they decided to use that old line at that particular moment. For me, it was even more interesting because I was just contemplating some old Taz matches and angles from the original ECW just a couple of days beforehand, so it felt like my mind was being probed. Or perhaps I was picking up psychic transmissions from Brother Devon. I have been reading a lot of Tom Robbins recently. Don Rongers, on the other hand, I'm not convinced is reading any books:

I'm with you that Rocka Cahn is a man. During Thursday's airing of Impact there was a low camera angle of "it" and I could have sworn I saw a "man lump" in the tights just my opinion.

JP: For the record, ****I**** didn't say anything like that; that was all my guest co-host. And don't confuse camel toe for man junk. Long lost Chris Jacons returns with some toe of his own:

During Stevie and Kelly vs. Knox and Layla, Joey Styles made a comment that is either a HH, or continuity, however you would like to say it. When Knox tripped up Kelly (I refuse to say it twice, that is retarded) Joey Styles said "Well, that is no way to treat an ex-girlfriend". Continuity from way back when ECW was fairly new and Knox (who looked a lot better) was dating Kelly and they had a nasty falling out at the first ECW branded PPV from the Sci-Fi era.

JP: Joey was having some great continuity moments that night, the one you mentioned among them.

The second came when Tommy Dreamer did a running bulldog DDT on Chavo. Dreamer's sell job was a nice little HH, because most of the time when someone hits a offensive move, they don't sell it. I mean, Dreamer is a big guy, and anyone that runs and leaps 3 feet in the air, and lands on their ass (whether the move is successful or not) it will hurt. Instead of grabbing his butt, he sold where it actually would, all of his weight comes down and will put pressure at the base of the spine, and that is where Tommy grabbed. He got up, leaned against the ropes, and held onto his back right at the base where all of his weight would have impacted on his spine. Realism is always nice.

JP: Not to mention that Tommy Dreamer has severe spinal degeneration that caused him to retire from the ring for years. I'm still not sure why he started wrestling again (twice!) after he's had to stop. Although somehow Shawn Michaels can still walk, so I guess anything is possible. Another one of our regulars Trevor Alexander also has some ECW goodness:

The DirecTV program description for ECW this week was "Staring the monster Kane." So a Smackdown star is the star of ECW. I would think it would be the ECW champion… HA HA who am I kidding even Pepe is more over than Chavo.

JP: And did you notice ECW's true biggest homegrown star (CM Punk) was no where to be found!

So they spent the past year building Big Daddy V into a monster and he can't even get a spot in the ECW battle royal… what's up with that! I always believed if the Raw championship match wasn't a triple threat they would have thrown Big Daddy V in the Batista vs. Umaga battle of the brands match.

JP: Maybe that is why he is out of the battle royal! Guess by now I'll know the answer to that.

After the tag match Festus stayed in character after the bell rang and even though all 24 guys were squaring off with each other he stood by the ropes in a world of his own.

JP: Jesse and Festus are so good at the little things. Plus I love the theme song. If only they would take out the clip of them in their entrance video where they are the Doltons in a totally different gimmick. Get on that production! Meanwhile, I'll get on to Josh Huff and even more ECW:

During ECW's main event, all the talent participating in the #1 contenders battle royal was at ringside to watch Dreamer vs. Guerrero. And even though it was something that is probably second nature to him by now, Festus playing his character throughout MADE MY NIGHT. I couldn't catch his reaction when the opening bell rung, but about twenty seconds in we saw Jesse holding him back from the ring as he did his hyperactive moving head deal. And after the match, everyone hit the ring to attack Chavo...except Festus, who because the bell had rung just stood there at ringside staring at them all. On the postshow of the online version, Chavo was pushed out of the ring right next to Festus, and Festus just gave him a dull look and stood there as Chavo backed up the ramp. Colin Delaney came out to throw Chavo back into the fire, and Festus just kept standing there. It really made me chuckle to see him stay in character the whole evening despite having a bit role.

JP: So much Festus love! Is Festus the next Chris Jericho? Well, judging by this much evidence, I'm going to say yes. Marshall takes us away from Festus, ECW, and WWE in general all the way to TNA iMPACT:

The hidden highlight is a continuing one-it's during the "Rough Cuts" segments. If you notice, every interview with BG James he is sitting. He is still selling his injury from when Kip hit him with the metal crutch.

JP: Honestly, I hadn't even thought about it. That is a good one! And finishing us up this week (like I said, I did this section early) is the man of 1004 Hidden Highlights, Nick Noel:

You may be right about the NWA Women's Title, but you could make the argument the the WWE(F) popularized the championship and brought it to a wider audience.

JP: Only if you are talking about the late 90's. For the better part of three decades the WWE forgot about the Women's Championship. They almost got behind it with Alundra Blaze, but then forgot about it again, and she promptly dropped it in the trash. By the way, today Medusa is a monster truck driver. Check it out!

RAW

Samoa Advances To The 21st Century – Umaga's look of shock when he started talking into the mic and it broadcast over the PA was priceless. WWE – Rehabilitating Samoans One Savage At A Time

JP: I listened to an interview on NPR with the "governor" or Samoa talking about how grateful they are to be part of the USA and whatnot. Then they poignantly asked him if he is upset that the US basically invaded them not two generations ago, took over, and destroyed their traditions. He basically said, "No, it's cool."

Randy Orton Breaks Character – As Cena was "translating" for Umaga, Randy Orton just kind of dropped his head and tried to hide this massive smile. Maybe he really DOES like sperm whales.

JP: I've never seen a picture of his "wife", so it is hard to say!

Khail Forgot To Tie His Left Boot – Really, what can you say? Where's Runjan Singh when you need him?


JP: Khali's laces are seven feet away! How is he supposed to see all the way down there? That's why the WWE hires little people!

ECW

Festus Plays His Character – At the end of the 12 man tag as everyone got back into the ring to face off, Festus was his docile self, just hanging around at the back. Dedication!

JP: ‘nuff said on this subject for this week!

PRODUCTION! – I'm positive that in the Wrestlemania ad that I saw tonight had about a two second clip of Ashley

JP: I like how JR mentioned that he hoped Ashley didn't come back too soon from injury like Candice Michelle. Those two are waaaaaaaaay too brittle to be in the ring.

TNA

Robert Roode Shows Respect – In a TOTALLY heelish manner. He wipes his feet before he gets into the ring, but tonight he did it so over the top and exaggerated, it looked so disdainful. Thumbs up Bobby!

JP: I'll watch "Live" iMPACT on my TIVO sometime next week. Thankfully, I won't have to watch any other wrestling this week on TV aside from TNA because I will have seen ***ALL OF IT*** LIVE!!! Look forward to that next week.

Dan: You have quite the active fan base. You certainly have one of the most dynamic and interactive columns in wrestling, that's for sure. Damn, you readers wouldn't believe all the people who are lined up here just to see JP and comment on the shows. And you guys do a great job too, looking for the great things in this crazy business, showing all the hard work people put into making it the great pastime we spend hours and hours a week indulging in. You guys rock.


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: Thanks again to Dan Haggerty for singing his way in here and providing some good ones!

Dan: My pleasure and thanks for having me on, its been a blast. Next time drinks are on me. You have a great time at the big one, and I'll be looking to see you holding a hidden highlights sign!

JP: I am literally walking out the door to WrestleMania as I type this, so I will. Also, next week be sure to tune in for an extra special LIVE edition of Hidden Highlights and the biggest guest co-host ever!

Dan: Who's it going to be?

JP: You'll just have to wait and see.

While you are waiting, 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 135th 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!