The Wrestling News Experience: 09.22.08
Posted by Stephen Randle on 09.22.2008
We've got the 800th episode of Raw to preview, plus TV woes of all sorts, more non-news about Jeff Hardy, and cheap shots at the NWA. Because I can, that's why.
Monday, September 22nd, 2008
From 411Mania's Canadian offices in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, this is The Wrestling News Experience, with Stephen Randle!
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Experience. I am Stephen Randle, and I have to question why every single show that I and my girlfriend actually watch is on during the same three hour timespan on Monday nights. Seriously, Big Bang Theory, Heroes, Raw, plus One Tree Hill and The Hills (her, not me…duh), it's getting so that two TVs and VCRs aren't enough to keep up. And yet there's absolutely nothing worth watching on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday night. Go figure.
Well, baseball winds down this week (for me, anyway) and hockey is nearly back. Except there's something missing in Toronto this year…I think it's hope. On the bright side, at least this season won't cause me about a dozen heart attacks due to heartbreaking losses, because let's face it, winning anything will be a pleasant surprise. Plus, it's the Leafs, and no matter how bad they get, they'll still have first shot at being televised in Ontario. Eat it, Ottawa.
Wrestling news? Why don't we.
What's On Tap: WWE Raw for September 22nd
This week is the 800th Raw in history, which means little outside of being a large round number. And you can tell, because WWE.com isn't even really promoting anything special for tonight. We've got promises of more confrontations between Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels, Kane and Rey Mysterio, and Batista and JBL, but you could probably guess that anyway.
I mean, come on, the official WWE Raw preview poses the question "who will Charlie Haas impersonate tonight?" as a selling point. Have they not written the script for tonight or something?
Around The Horn
The big news of last week, which turned into the big non-news of last week, was Jeff Hardy being removed from an airplane by security. Of course, since we're in the sort of line of work where we instantly leap to the most "newsworthy" conclusion, within hours the stories were circulating that Jeff may have suffered his third strike, which brings with it immediate termination. Anyway, it turns out Jeff was just taken off the flight due to being over-inebriated. Apparently the pilot didn't want competition. In the end, even WWE is considering it a non-issue (although isn't it lucky that they had Vladimir Kozlov around as a potential last-minute substitute for No Mercy?). Consequently, everyone looks foolish by running a story without facts that was eventually proven to be incorrect. We learned it from you, supposed legitimate news media! We learned it from youuuuuu!!!
And the Raw rating for last week was the lowest it has been for 11 years, and in fact was so low that Smackdown actually drew more viewers, which I'm sure did great things for Triple H's ego. Monday Night Football is apparently to blame, as it did draw a record-setting rating for an exciting game. Really, I eagerly await the day that there isn't a convenient outside factor that causes low WWE ratings. This week, I'd put money on the heavily-hyped Heroes season premiere taking the fall. Next week…maybe they'll find Bin Ladin.
Meanwhile, after several delays due to Hurricane Ike and its effects on the site of WrestleMania XXV, WWE has announced that tickets for the big show will go on sale on November 8th. Which, actually, is right around my birthday, so, you know, if you're looking for something to get me…hint, hint.
A growing list of kudos is forming for former wrestler Sonny Siaki, who has decided to retire from pro wrestling in favour of donating a kidney to his brother. It's such a selfless act that I won't even make jokes, even though the fact that he wasn't a very good pro wrestler in the first place is right there. Seriously though, a class act by Siaki, giving up his dream career to save a life.
THQ has announced a Smackdown vs Raw Online game for the PC among their upcoming projects, but it doesn't sound like Wrath of the Lich King, so I lost interest pretty quickly.
Oh, WWE has already taped Smackdown and ECW for this week, due to…I assume an overseas tour. If you want spoilers, go look for them. Or you could, you know, watch Smackdown and ECW this week when they air.
And before I leave this segment, a new NWA champion was crowned this weekend, because apparently the NWA did not die after being abandoned by Vince, WCW, ECW, and TNA. I guess it's proof that, even if Stephanie runs WWE into the ground once Vince kicks it, that pro wrestling will still manage to survive.
Speaking of which, I wonder how WWFE stock did during that little stock market "episode" this past week? I don't know much about the whole thing myself, what with all my money being tied up in food, shelter, and prospective engagement rings, but don't we have a guy around here who's supposed to analyse the business side of wrestling?
The Injury Bug Bites
Inactive List as of 09.15.08
WWE Raw
- John Cena, out 2-3 months as of August 27th (neck)
- Melina, out indefinitely as of June 23rd (fractured heel)
- Randy Orton, out 7-8 months as of June 1st (broken collarbone, re-injured August 15th)
WWE SmackDown
- Gregory Helms, out indefinitely as of May 17th, 2007 (neck surgery)
- Mr. Kennedy, out 6 months as of August 4th (dislocated shoulder)
- Umaga, SD!, out indefinitely as of August 20th (PCL)
ECW
- The Boogeyman, out indefinitely (calf)
TNA
- Moose, TNA, out 6 months as of July 7th (broken femur)
- Scott Steiner, TNA, out 4-6 months as of June 24th (torn ACL)
Transactions
- Gregory "Hurricane" Helms, SD!, made TV appearances on September 19th Smackdown in preparation for his return
- Mick Foley, TNA, made TV debut on September 18th Impact
- Todd Grisham, ECW, inactive for this week's broadcast (personal)
Who's Holding Gold
WWE
WWE Champion: Triple H
- 148 day reign, defeated former champion Randy Orton, JBL, and John Cena in a Fatal Four-Way Elimination Match on April 27th (Backlash PPV)
- Next title defense: vs Jeff Hardy, No Mercy PPV
World Heavyweight Champion: Chris Jericho
- 15 day reign, defeated Batista, Rey Mysterio, Kane, and JBL in a Scramble Match on September 7th (Unforgiven PPV) to claim the vacated title.
- Next title defense: vs Shawn Michaels, Ladder match, No Mercy PPV
ECW Champion: Matt Hardy
- 15 day reign, defeated former champion Mark Henry, The Miz, Finlay, and Chavo Guerrero in a Scramble Match on September 7th (Unforgiven PPV)
- Next title defense: vs Mark Henry, No Mercy PPV
WWE Intercontinental Champion: Santino Marella
- 36 day reign, with Beth Phoenix, defeated Kofi Kingston and Mickie James in a Winner Take All match on August 17th (Summerslam PPV)
WWE United States Champion: Shelton Benjamin
- 64 day reign, defeated Matt Hardy on July 20th (Great American Bash PPV)
World Tag Team Champions: Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase
- 41 day title reign, defeated Batista and John Cena on August 11th (Raw)
WWE Tag Team Champions: Curt Hawkins & Zach Ryder
- 64 day reign, defeated former champions The Miz & John Morrison, Jesse & Festus, and Finlay & Hornswoggle in a Fatal Four-Way match on July 20th (Great American Bash PPV)
WWE Women's Champion: Beth Phoenix
- 36 day reign, with Santino Marella, defeated Mickie James and Kofi Kingston in a Winner Take All match on August 17th (Summerslam PPV)
WWE Diva's Champion: Michelle McCool
- 64 day reign, defeated Natalya Neidhart on July 20th to win the newly-created title (Great American Bash PPV)
TNA
TNA Heavyweight Champion: Samoa Joe
- 163 day reign, defeated Kurt Angle on April 13th (Lockdown PPV)
- Next title defense: vs Sting, Bound For Glory IV PPV
TNA Tag Team Champions: Beer Money Inc
- 43 day reign, defeated LAX on August 10th (Hard Justice PPV)
TNA X-Division Champion: Sheik Abdul Bashir
- 8 day reign, defeated former champion Petey Williams and Consequences Creed in a Triple Threat match on September 14th (No Surrender PPV)
TNA Knockouts Champion: Taylor Wilde
- 74 day reign, defeated Awesome Kong on July 10th (Impact)
Ma thinks you do good stuff!
I enjoy pudding....
You get free Slurpees for life...
just don't tell Habib---
Posted By: Darth Mortis (Registered) (Guest) on September 22, 2008 at 01:53 AM
That moment of Zen was effing incredible
Posted By: Matt (Guest) on September 22, 2008 at 03:12 AM
WWE stock barely reacted at all. It beat the Dow, NASDAQ, and S&P 500 Mon-Wed by staying flat since there was no reason to sell. Then, the stock jumped on Thursday and stayed at that level ending up 8.8% for the week.
Why did it jump? Most likely just hit a general level in some fund it is in or some company like Fidelity changed the mix in a 401K portfolio. It's basically in line with the 1 month average but still down from the peak 6 months ago before people realized that the WWE's costs are rising at a faster rate than revenue.
It was kind of a non-issue, which is why I didn't cover it, but now your readers get a free preview of the Journal! I also recommend going back and checking out the Marketplace section where I address the exact things you say about the RAW rating. And yes, blaming outside factors is far off the mark, but I look forward to whatever excuses they come up with for the next few weeks.
Posted By: JP Prag (Registered) on September 22, 2008 at 04:41 AM
Where do you get your injury information from?
Cena out for 2-3 months? I dont think so, he has a herniated disk in his neck and is out indefinitely..bit longer than 3 months I think.
Orton will not be out for as long as that, he is already on TV backstage..I doubt he'l be around backstage for up to Mania!
Posted By: Woz8005 (Registered) on September 22, 2008 at 05:24 AM
Agreed, although it's doing my head in trying to remember which song it's based on.
Posted By: T.G. Corke (Registered) on September 22, 2008 at 06:25 AM
It's a parody of "Part of That World" from Little Mermaid.
Posted By: Adam! (Guest) on September 22, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Seriously, that's it?
How long did this take you to write? Maybe 15-20 minutes? Furthermore, it *would* have been nice if you didn't take any shots at Siaki, but in true classless internet-twat fashion you DID take a shot, anyway. Also, the "legitimite news media" only reported that there had been an incedent. (Which was true) It was the forums and comments sections of the internet that did all the speculation. There was absolutely nothing in this column outside of the injury report that couldn't quickly be found elsewhere on this website.
In short, I think you kinda suck as a writer.
Posted By: MDK (Guest) on September 22, 2008 at 10:06 AM
ONE TREE HILL AND THE HILLS.......
fuck youre gay....
Posted By: Guest#9490 (Guest) on September 22, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Nothing worth watching Tuesday night?! My god man, do you not get House up there?
Posted By: Guest#9327 (Guest) on September 22, 2008 at 11:49 AM
You need to take Moose out of the TNA injury section...she's not under contract and they lost interest in her.
Fuck yeah for the WotLK reference and LFG video.
Posted By: Ramsey (Guest) on September 22, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Prison Break is also on at the same time. Douches!
Posted By: Mr. C. (Guest) on September 22, 2008 at 12:57 PM
The video is of a character named Richard from a webcomic called looking for group. Very funny. He has another video as well.
Posted By: Shameless plug (Guest) on September 22, 2008 at 01:19 PM
"I have to question why every single show that I and my girlfriend actually watch "
My girlfriend and I.
Posted By: jeff (Guest) on September 22, 2008 at 01:25 PM
That was awfully short, Randle.
Posted By: G-Walla (Guest) on September 22, 2008 at 08:57 PM
Ah lahk ta burn thangs!
Posted By: Jeff Hardy (Guest) on September 22, 2008 at 09:53 PM
Theres a easier solution to your Monday night problem: Dump her and become a player.
Posted By: Ted (Guest) on September 23, 2008 at 03:59 AM
Yeah, but like you, he probably doesn't really have a woman. And if he did, he paid good money for her and he's not gonna just let her go to waste.
Posted By: Pepa (Guest) on September 23, 2008 at 10:51 AM
VINTAGE MORTIS!
Posted By: michael cole (Guest) on September 23, 2008 at 09:54 PM
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