The Happy-Go-Sucky Wrestling Report 07.23.08
Posted by Steve Sullivan on 07.23.2008
Eric Bischoff returning to wrestling, The Ultimate Warrior shows up at the GAB, TNA releasing Kaz, WWE's announce teams, Shelton and McCool win gold and more!
I know there's a lot of talk about DVR's ruining ratings for some shows, specifically WWE programming, but I for one, am in love with my DVR. And I realized just how much I take that DVR for granted when I watched Raw LIVE this past Monday.
It was at the point when Kelly Kelly came out to wrestle Beth Phoenix that I realized WHY God created DVR and allowed us to fast forward.
Anyway, my point is, is that I'm really curious if DVR's really are having a big effect on television ratings. If anyone has the inside scoop on that, shoot me a comment or email!
Anyway, let's wrassle!
News: In his latest blog, Eric Bischoff hinted that he might have another shot at professional wrestling. (Gerweck.net)
Basically, what's happened here is that Bischoff helped Hulk Hogan with his celebrity wrestling reality show that is supposed to show up on CMT later this Fall. Being apart of that "wet his appetite" for wrestling again.
If you read the book and remember, Bischoff ended his book "Controversy Creates Cash" with "Probably Not, But Never Say Never" in regards to making a return to professional wrestling. Bischoff responded to this in his blog as "I'm glad I did!"
You can look at this news as one of two ways.
One, Eric Bischoff may very well become the new General Manager of Raw. This would almost seem like a realistic choice. He's been out of the GM role for a few years now. Nobody is really expecting it. They've shaken things up a bit on all 3 shows. So why not?? He's a great presence on the show. Everyone loves to hate him and he creates a bit of a buzz.
With McMahon taking an apparent hiatus from the show, Bischoff in charge to put an end to all the chaos seems to be almost a perfect fit for the storyline Raw is pushing for right now.
Two, Eric Bischoff might be thinking about starting his own organization again. It was rumored awhile back that he and Hulk Hogan were going to start their own organization, but that turned into this celebrity wrestling show they just figured. TNA hasn't really shown itself to be a long term threat to WWE, especially in the last year.
It would take a lot of money and time for Eric Bischoff to compete with both TNA and the WWE from scratch. Right now, there just isn't anyone that is decent enough that isn't already apart of the WWE, TNA, or ROH. Sure there's some great indy wrestlers out there. But how many of them have enough star power to lift a company off the ground? And of course, anyone that comes over from the WWE or TNA becomes a "reject" by us Internet guys. I don't think now is the time for Bischoff to start his own company and I really don't see that being the case.
News: TNA has a message up on their website stating that they have released Kaz. He has been removed from their roster on their website.
Happy: I'm happy because more than likely, this isn't true. That's about it.
Go Sucky: OK, I'm about tired of this idiotic stuff that TNA is coming up with for its most over X Division stars. For example, Christopher Daniels. Daniels was probably one of the most over TNA wrestlers, not just in the X Division, but in TNA overall. Now he plays the role of Curry Man. Yikes. They put Kaz over big time in a huge match with Christian Cage and make him look like a Superstar against Kurt Angle. Then they make him captain of Team TNA. He loses one stinking match then loses a fantastic match to Petey Williams for the X-Division title and now it looks like they are playing some "pity party" role for Kaz. This is the definition of the problem TNA has had for the last couple of years. They get an original talent that's actually good enough and popular enough to be in the main event and they strap on a shitty gimmick, put them through storyline hell, and then drop them on their heads.
If there's anything positive that may come out of this, it's that the X Division guys will get together and band together to get him one more shot at the X Title, and he'll win it with some kind of parade and confetti afterwards. Which would just be lame.
News: The Ultimate Warrior showed up across the street from the Great American Bash in full attire and his IC Title.
Happy: If the Ultimate Warrior is really making a push at getting back into the WWE or into the WWE Hall of Fame, he's making the wrong moves, but at least he's making some moves now. I've talked about this enough but of course you know by now that he's kind of been in wrestling purgatory for the last 10 years and he really seems to be excited and enthusiastic about wrestling again. And if wrestling is at the point now that the always bitter Ultimate Warrior can be enthusiastic about it, then maybe that says something for the sport.
Go Sucky: But again, he's going the wrong way completely to accomplish all of this. The WWE knew he was there and served him with some legal papers because of all this. And in a way, the WWE was right to do so because he was taking his likeness from the WWE and using it for his own personal gain.
If the Ultimate Warrior really truly wants to get back into a WWE ring or get into the WWE Hall of Fame, he's going to have to do something I'm sure he's never done in his career. He's going to have to sacrifice something. And that something is going to have to be his giant ego. At least for now. He's not going to get back in because HE thinks he deserves it. He's going to have to prove that he wants in because of his passion for the sport and for his career in the WWE, which of course, he hasn't always spoken too kindly of.
Getting yourself in legal trouble isn't going to help your causes either. He's got to stop being selfish and for a year or so, really push the idea to the WWE that he wants to give back something to the sport that gave him his name. Even if that name is Warrior Jim Warrior Helwig Warrior Warrior Esquire Warrior Junior Warrior the Fourth…Warrior.
News: Hector Guerrero stated that Vicki Guerrero does not keep in contact with the Guerrero family.
Happy: The good part here is that Hector and the rest of the Guerrero family isn't really pissed off at Vicki, although if she was cashing in on my family name I'd be furious! Hector went on to say there is mutual respect and that she is still loved by the entire Guerrero family, but wishes Vickie would at least return the favor by communicating with them occasionally.
Go Sucky: I wouldn't have a problem with this newsbit if Vickie was really keeping up with her deceased husbands family.
The big problem I have here is remembering what Vince McMahon did for Vicki and her family after Eddie's death. Vince said she was going to make sure she and her children were taken care of. And he's done that. Heck, Vince put Vicki in one of its most important and lengthy storylines this year! But Vicki isn't a Guerrero anymore, legally or in storyline. So I think it's really time that she drop the Guerrero name, especially if she can't make the effort to stay in touch with them or show them a little love and respect.
Isn't she technically Vicki Copeland anyway?
News: There is a lot of unhappiness in the company with the Jerry Lawler/Michael Cole announce team. There has been talk of shooting an angle to get the original announce teams back together. Vince McMahon is said to be against this, instead working with Cole to become what he wants the Raw announcer to be.
Vince McMahon has been trying to get JR off the Raw broadcast team for years now and I think this was probably the best swap the WWE could have done. Michael Cole isn't really all that bad and he's growing on me a bit on Raw (although I do wish JR would have been there to call the Punk Championship match).
I can sense that there is a comfort factor between the two, but it's going to take time for the two to grow a chemistry together. JR and Lawler worked together for YEARS. They went on the road together. They knew each other inside out. Lawler and Cole have had a couple WEEKS together. Give it time! They'll gel! Cole is a young guy…still…and has years ahead of him to become the voice of Raw that the next generation of wrestling fans will remember him as.
Now had they traded Mike Adamle to Raw, then I'd expect full scale riots.
Oh and by the way, in JR's latest blog, he shot down any rumors he'd be moving back to Raw. So don't get your hopes up if you're hoping I'm wrong!
News: Shelton Benjamin is the new US Champion.
Happy: And thus begins mid-card push #4,932 for Shelton Benjamin. Good to see they've got some gold on the Gold Standard, but is the Smackdown mid-card really good enough to get him over in the next year or two as a Main Event Superstar?
Go Sucky: And that Go Sucky in front of this statement should answer the prior question. It's not. Shelton can feud with Matt Hardy, Umaga, MVP, and Mr. Kennedy all summer long, but it's not going to put him among the ranks of Edge, Triple H, Big Show, or Jeff Hardy. It looks like Shelton is in for another pointless champions transition that won't get him anywhere near where they keep trying to pretend to get him. The WWE missed its mark with Shelton Benjamin in 2003 when he was drafted to Raw and defeated Triple H the following week.
On top of that, I really hate that Matt Hardy's U.S. Title reign was so short! Yes I know he's on ECW now and will likely challenge Mark Henry at some point for the ECW World Title, but it completely wasted that fantastic feud between he and MVP last year. That feud was one of the greatest feuds the WWE had seen in a long time, and it just disappeared. Yes I know Matt was sick and sure he came back to finish the job, but it just disappeared after that. And MVP had nothing to do with it. Something about the way his reign ended irks me.
Besides, Shelton Benjamin looks like Carlton Banks in that episode Carlton dressed up as Dennis The Menace for Halloween. But that's just me.
News: Michelle McCool is the first WWE Divas Champion.
Happy: Michelle McCool was the only contestant from the first WWE Diva Search that actually bothered to learn how to wrestle. Christy Hemme, Maria, sure they "wrestle", but they stink at it. Michelle took the time needed to learn how to wrestle and even survived a couple of bad gimmicks, especially the naughty teacher of KC James and Idol Stevens. I almost feel like they designed this title for Michelle and will probably keep it on her for awhile.
I've also said this before but I'll go ahead and say it again. I really like that the WWE has finally moved its "talented female wrestlers" and its "attractive female performers" to separate rosters. It almost makes it worth it to see the not so great performers, perform because I don't have to worry about Maria defeating Beth Phoenix anymore.
Go Sucky: Other than that title being hideous, I don't see it becoming a major part of the WWE. Within the next 2 years or so, it will probably find itself on the "defunct" list of WWE titles. I feel like this title and its hideous design and colors kind of hides the fact that the majority of the women on Smackdown, other than Victoria, really can't wrestle.
They went with this rather than bringing one of the other titles back. Bring back the Hardcore title to ECW already!
Rapid Fire
News: Lena Yada may soon move from ECW to Smackdown.
Yada Yada Yada…Sorry. I got nothin'!
News: Rey Mysterio wasn't on Raw last week because he is not fully recovered from his torn biceps injury. They shot the angle and easy match with Santino to showcase him as a new Raw star, but he is a few weeks away from a fulltime return.
Wow, not only was Santino beaten by a woman, he was beaten by a cripple too! Uh oh, better not read my comments this week…
News: Jenny McCarthy has teamed up with the WWE to help fight autism.
Always good when the WWE improves its image. And Jenny McCarthy is a nice image to look at.
News: The Sandman was arrested Sunday night. When police arrived, he was flinging glasses at employees at a bar and tossed some at police too, injuring two officers.
The Sandman and Amy Winehouse should party together. That'd be fun.
News: Smackdown scored a 2.4 rating.
The rating is rising, slowly but surely. But it's still got a long way to go to surpass that elusive 3.0 rating. Even with Triple H on the show.
And with that my friends, I'm outta here. Enjoy your week and until then, may your lives be Happy…or Go Sucky!
That's kinda the problem with wrestling in general, your thinking in star power. If you put on good wrestling in a weekly time slot people will find it. If ROH had a weekly show do you think I would put up with WWE or TNA? I think providing fans with the option of great wrestling opposed to "star power" the choice would start to become very obvious
Posted By: Kip (Guest) on July 22, 2008 at 11:46 PM
"It was at the point when Kelly Kelly came out to wrestle Beth Phoenix that I realized WHY God created DVR and allowed us to fast forward."
That match was decent on its own and was really good considering Kelly's wrestling experience.
Posted By: Guest#5576 (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 12:16 AM
I'am sure the WWE release of the "The Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior" DVD.
Was in no way to descredit this man publicly.What makes you think that he wants to get back into the WWE ring.
Posted By: lenny (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 12:27 AM
HAHAHA, i thought the same thing about Shelton when i first saw him. i like his new gimmick, but i hate the hair.
Posted By: Jordan (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 01:03 AM
Lol Lenny, Warrior Warrior Warrior Warrior Warrior Warrior said he wants to wrestle at WWE.
Posted By: Guest#1735 (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 01:26 AM
Yes star power is important but if you put out a product that is superior,it will start spreading and soon it might be able to compete.star power can spike ratings but if people tune in and see it's crap,it won't do much.
Posted By: Ed (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 02:20 AM
That protracted Matt-MVP feud provided some entertaining TV but on the whole failed to elevate either man. Hardy moves on to fight for another secondary belt on ECW, while MVP is doing nothing until Kennedy finishes jobbing to Umaga.
Shelton will make a good US champion, and Smackdown has an excellent midcard for him to work with. Hopefully he has a long run with the belt which includes a face turn. If Shelton delivers then there's no reason he shouldn't move up to the main event in the next couple of years. But that's a big if.
Posted By: The Ratings Killer (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 02:30 AM
star power all day everyday
Posted By: natedogcata (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 02:36 AM
"Right now, there just isn't anyone that is decent enough that isn't already apart of the WWE, TNA, or ROH. Sure there's some great indy wrestlers out there. But how many of them have enough star power to lift a company off the ground?"
So tell me how you came to this lofty conclusion of yours. Obviously in order for a star like Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Ric Flair, John Cena, Triple H, Samoa Joe, or CM Punk to thrust their company into the spotlight some promoter somewhere had to say "This is the direction we're going."
Just because they aren't in RON?TNA?WWE does not mean somebody isn't good enough to be on TV. You see this is why unlike most of the IWC I didn't join the great big circle jerk after Wrestling Society X was cancelled. Because it meant talented stars like Jack Evans and Matt Sydal weren't going to be getting TV time. I don't believe a company should go out of business just because you don't like their show and if Eric Bischoff feels like throwing his hat in the ring well then God damn it, I say let him and fuck all you netterweb naysayers and doomsdayers.
Posted By: The Adamantium Elbow (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 03:38 AM
Alot of Shelton hatread in this one but I'm looking forward to his matches and him finally getting time to work matches on Smackdown. It's long overdue.
Posted By: Bryce (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 04:32 AM
Shelton can feud with Ron Killings
Posted By: Most Valuable Poster (Registered) on July 23, 2008 at 05:35 AM
A small point. Most women whom outlive their husbands and have taken his last name, do not revert to their maiden names. I know there are some issues with Vicki Guerrero invoking Eddie in stories (I for one do not like it). However, it is her legal last name.
Posted By: chris (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 05:46 AM
lol @ "good product" beating star power comments. Has WWF/E ever been the best in terms of in ring action? Never beyond the odd match here and there. And yet that particular behemoth has cast a shadow over the industry for going on three decades. When did WCW really challenge WWF? When they stole all the stars. When did WWF take back control? When they created bigger and better ones.
Wake up people and stop thinking that the IWC represents a majority viewpoint.
Posted By: Dr Domino (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 06:06 AM
"I really like that the WWE has finally moved its "talented female wrestlers" and its "attractive female performers" to separate rosters."
Natalya? Victoria? :P
Posted By: Kae (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 07:37 AM
For your information, Carlton Banks wasn't dressed as Dennis the Menace. He was supposed to be his idol... Macaulay Culkin!
He acutally said this in the episode.
Posted By: DrCLos (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 07:40 AM
TNA, in theory, has lots of star power. That right there shows that star power does little if MARKETING isn't used. WWE has succeeded because of marketing, regardless of who they marketed. They could have had any charismatic star in place of Hogan and still would have gotten the same result.
Posted By: Gothekain (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 08:18 AM
"That's kinda the problem with wrestling in general, your thinking in star power. If you put on good wrestling in a weekly time slot people will find it. If ROH had a weekly show do you think I would put up with WWE or TNA? I think providing fans with the option of great wrestling opposed to "star power" the choice would start to become very obvious "
Enjoy being out of business.
I guarantee the vaaaaaaast majority of people (re: casual fans, the ones who matter) would rather see Goldberg spear some dude into oblivion then see your Briscoes put on a spotfest.
Posted By: Guest#4850 (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 09:00 AM
The 411 writers need to stop bashing Kelly. She has improved a great deal if you bother to watch, and not just groan before she even hits the ring.
..."Vince McMahon is said to be against this, instead working with Cole to become what he wants the Raw announcer to be."
Why was it fine for Cole to waver between mediocre and bad on Smackdown for TEN YEARS, but when he does it on Raw it's immediately a problem that needs to be addressed?
I agree with you Steve about star power. Smackdown usually has superior in ring talent and less soap opera (Edge/Vickie notwithstanding). Despite that Raw always gets higher ratings. I would like for it to be true that superior wrestling = ratings, but if that was so the X-cup would have boosted TNA's ratings.
Posted By: Shockmaster (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Warrior is pathetic and getting more delusional with age (if that's possible). If he wants back to the E so desperately, pissing off Vince is NOT the right way to do it. After he already failed Vince so many times and since he's so worthless now, he'll have to kiss some MAJOR ass in order to get back.
Posted By: Guest#7054 (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 10:10 AM
It wasnt Dennis the Menace...It was "his idol" Macauly Culkin. Haha. But nice reference nonetheless.
It's going to sort of suck that Matt's the better wrestler of the Hardy and he'll only get a crack at the ECW title while the spot-fest Jeff was ( ) close to winning the WWE Title. Shows that its not how you wrestle, but how you connect with the fans i.e. Cena, Batista.
Posted By: David (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Michelle McCool was the only contestant from the first WWE Diva Search that actually bothered to learn how to wrestle. Christy Hemme, Maria, sure they "wrestle", but they stink at it.
IMO Candice and Michelle are the two best things to come from the search. Maria is horrible, lucky that like Ashley, she's over with the fans. Hemme used to show promise on SD, but now she's really bad everytime she steps in the ring it seems in TNA.
Posted By: Bobby (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Ratings would probably be better if they joined the roster again. The split has only caused rehashed feuds and the same title holders. How many times are we gonna see hhh/edge/cena/batista/orton as champ?How long do you think it will be before Punk drops the title to one of them? How many more times are we gonna see Cena vs. Bradshaw? Wrestling's been so predictable and boring since 2002. Where does Vince really think the viewers went? A big part of the ratings decline has been this draft bullshit.
Posted By: MBD (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 12:31 PM
"I really like that the WWE has finally moved its "talented female wrestlers" and its "attractive female performers" to separate rosters"
Sorry Steve but I think you're on crack. Kelly Kelly and Layla are soo not talented wrestlers and totaly belong on SD with that Barbie Belt.
Victoria AND Natalya (who can Germen Suplex Awsome Kong BTW) THEY belong on RAW.
Posted By: Nicole (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Hey Steve the RAW rating after WrestleMania was increased by 7.0 % and the RAW after Night of Champions increased by 7.75 percent.
Posted By: Rich (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 12:51 PM
"But Vicki isn't a Guerrero anymore, legally or in storyline. So I think it's really time that she drop the Guerrero name, especially if she can't make the effort to stay in touch with them or show them a little love and respect"
She married Eddy Guerrero and is the mother of his children. He died, so she should change her name? You sir, are a douche.
Posted By: Jeff (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 02:14 PM
Who are you to tell a widow that she no longer has the right to use her husband's name? You're a freakin' internet writer! Get a grip! That comment made me lose all respect for this column. I won't be reading it again.
Posted By: cpbasil (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 03:16 PM
On the contrary I would think that it is a mark of respect that Vickie is still keeping the Guerrero name. You know what, I guess nobody told you, but blood relation is not the only relation. i would give preference to my friends any day of the year, more so my wife, who I dont think has ever liked my relations. When she has the company of Chavo, Rey, Edge, etc. why does she need to a Hector who has never had a good relation with Eddie? Vince is the man, and I dont think Eddie will have a problem if he heard that they are using his name to buy themselves future financial security. And I dont think Rey will have a problem either, because this was the storyline which made him a world champion, which he totally deserved to be.
Posted By: Damrn (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 05:19 PM
Whet his appetite.
Not 'wet' his appetite.
Posted By: Guest#4651 (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 05:40 PM
Read the column before you post. Sullivan was referring to the fact that IN THE STORYLINE she should technically be Copeland, not Guerrero, since that's Edge's last name. This was not her last name prior to marrying Eddie. Or Eddy, even. Sheesh. RTFA.
Posted By: You Tools (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 08:03 PM
when jr got sick king and cole were the announce team for over a year dumb dumb
Posted By: Guest#6455 (Guest) on July 23, 2008 at 08:48 PM
I should have stated this in the column but Vicki has legally changed her name to Vicki LARA now. So legally, she really ISN'T a Guerrero anymore, but either she or the WWE is using the Guerrero name for profit. Sorry I left that out.
I would never tell a widow that he or she should change their name because their loved one died. Those who thought that was what I was getting at are very shallow in their thinking process.
Posted By: Steve Sullivan (Registered) on July 23, 2008 at 09:24 PM
Two things:
1) Curry Man rules.
2) Cole and Lawler were the original Smackdown team. So it's not like they'd never worked together before a month ago.
Posted By: Steve307 (Guest) on July 24, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Some people that comment on this site are way to fucking sensitive. You people will get offended over ANYTHING, fucking hell get a grip people.
Also, unrelated to the comments down lower but a few up above and that are ever present on just about every column... You know what I hate about the IWC? PEOPLE WHO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE IWC.
Why can people not just read the column and be grateful that the writers here give us something to read by taking time out of their (probably) busy lives to write this stuff?
Posted By: m8 (Guest) on July 24, 2008 at 04:18 PM
to "Damrn (Guest)"...
Actually, Eddie went on record several times (including in his book) to say that he and Hector were by far the closest of he and any of his brothers...just pointing out...
Also, Hector didn't say anything disparaging, he was just pointing out that Vickie isn't in contact with her in-laws. That doesn't necessarily mean anything bad or good, just statement of a fact.
Posted By: Mysty Glyttyr (Guest) on July 24, 2008 at 05:29 PM
uh, yeah, since when is it a requirement to stay in touch with family? who the fuck knows how well vicki and hector get along? or how present ol' hector was when eddie was still alive? sounds to me like hector is just a loud mouthed idiot airing personal, familial grievances for public consumption instead of actually approaching vicki about it. vicki was eddy's wife, the mother of his children... guerrero relations who think they can tell her what to do because she married into the family can go to hell.
Posted By: m-a-d (Guest) on July 24, 2008 at 05:36 PM
