The Happy-Go-Sucky Wrestling Report 12.03.08

Posted by Steve Sullivan on 12.03.2008

The WWE offers a couple of former world champions long contracts, Foley wrestling in TNA, no love for Brother Love, Smackdown taping two shows at once and more!

So I went to McDonald's the other day and realized just how bad the economy has become.

I know Larry enjoys complaining and protesting against the McRib, but I now want to protest McDonald's newest Dollar Menu item…the "McDouble".

You might be thinking to yourself right now, but isn't there already a double cheeseburger on the dollar menu! And to that, you are apparently….WRONG!

Yes my friends it is a sad day for the American economy because we are now forced to order the McDouble, which costs a dollar compared to the double cheeseburger which is now $1.19. What's the difference? ONE STINKIN' SLICE OF CHEESE!

Times are tough…I'll tell ya.

Anyway, thanks to Ryan Byers who valiantly filled in for me last week! Now, let's rassle!

News: The WWE is currently trying to sign Randy Orton to a new 10 year contract, and Rey Mysterio to a 5 year contract.

Happy: This is excellent news for these guys. They are going to make a LOT of money and be around to entertain wrestling fans for a long time. On top of that, it makes them franchise players and pretty much ensures a spot in the Hall of Fame, especially for someone like Randy Orton who has already spent a good 6 or 7 years in the ring now.

I like the fact that the WWE is signing on these guys for the long haul. They're proven hard workers and are over with the crowds. They represent the type of program the WWE is looking to build for the future. Rey ,the over, kid friendly super hero like face, and Randy Orton, the vile, scheming villain just makes sense to have on board when, 5 to 10 years from now, new up and coming talent need someone to help get them over.

Go Sucky: On the other hand, I have some issues with this. First off, I'm not a person who is familiar with how much and how long every person on the WWE's roster contract is. But what I do remember is when the WWE signed Mark Henry to a 10 year contract. Henry of course, maybe only worked in the WWE for about 3 or 4 of those years on that contract and didn't win anything but the European title during that contract period. So what does this have to do with Orton and Mysterio?

Henry didn't work much during the extent of his contract because he was injury prone. He was injured on what seemed like a regular basis. How many times has Randy Orton and Rey Mysterio been shelved due to major injuries in the last 2 or 3 years? Several times. So what I don't understand is why would you extend a contract for such a long time and a large amount of money to a couple of guys who quite frankly, may not be physically fit to work that much longer. Rey's not the high flyer he once was and seems to limp everytime he comes to the ring.

But with Orton, you have several issues. First, you have a guy who has failed Wellness. People have lost or quit their jobs after just one strike on Wellness, and here's Orton, who I believe is sitting on 1 and a half strikes. What a great way to reward those who have followed company policies to a tee, especially those who no longer work for the WWE anymore. Then, you are faced with Orton's attitude. Sure over the next 10 years he's going to grow up and become more mature. But again, it seems like the WWE is rewarding a guy who made a public scene and has been an arrogant jerk to people OUTSIDE the ring. I'm not trying to take anything away from what Orton does INSIDE the ring, but OUTSIDE the ring, the guy's been a douche. To be a long term rep of a business, the idea I get is someone who carries himself well both AT THE JOB and OUTSIDE the job. And Orton hasn't done that in the past.

When you're struggling to cut $20 million dollars of costs out, it just seems kind of silly to sign a couple of guys you may have to pay a ton of money to who may not even be able to physically produce for you.

News: Long time WWE producer and employee Bruce Pritchard (aka Brother Love) has been released by the WWE.

I wish I knew more about this, but as of time of press I don't. What I can take from this is that perhaps the WWE is trying to freshen things up a bit. Pritchard has been with the WWE for a LONG time. Heck the Brother Love character came about in the late 80's. Given the guy was a producer, perhaps he may have been responsible for some of the stale creative writing. Although it's really odd to think that the man who has been known as Vince's "Right Hand", has been released. There could be an interesting story behind this. But if this is just a budget cut, then if you're a WWE employee, from wrestlers to roadies, I'd be worried when Vince fires the guy who had as much tenure as Pritchard did.

News: According to the description of TNA's Pay-per-view Genesis, it would appear that TNA is hyping a match featuring Mick Foley. The description reads; "He crossed the line and came to TNA to challenge some of the greatest athletes and legends. Now he's ready to make history inside the six sided ring."

Happy: I suppose if you're a big fan of Mick Foley, you're a big fan of this newsbit. I have to say, that even though Mick Foley hasn't exactly GAINED TNA any increase in the ratings, he has given TNA some buzz. I enjoy seeing the guy get in the ring and give one of his speeches. I especially enjoy it when Mick Foley comes in and gives guys a career boost. Look what he did for Randy Orton and Edge! And one thought comes to my mind, is he trying to do the same thing for Alex Shelly?

Having him possibly headline a pay-per-view would be nice in a way. Foley vs. Sting for the TNA Title would generate quite a bit of buzz on the net. But if TNA wants to INCREASE its ratings and buys, then TNA needs to market it. There are still some old wrestling fans out there who, if they heard that Mick Foley was going to wrestle Sting, might tune in to rehash old memories of wrestling's heyday. And there are a few guys in TNA who could learn from Foley in the ring, which probably wouldn't be a bad thing.

Go Sucky: Unfortunately, I get the idea that TNA wants to have Mick Foley on their alumni list. They want his name on the history of their title, even if it's for just a couple of weeks. And to make that happen, they're going to put him in the ring, despite how out of shape he is.

What's ironic here is by putting him in ANY kind of match, it takes away from what the storyline supposedly has him supporting. If he gets into a title match, or any kind of match for that matter, that's one less spot for one of the TNA Originals, er, TNA Frontline members to wrestle in.

As big of a fan of Mick Foley as I am, having him wrestle in TNA just doesn't seem right. He hurts them more than helps just because of the contradiction you read about above. On top of that, it's not secret that Foley isn't exactly reliable to have around for long periods of time. How many times did he disappear from the WWE? And when he was given a permanent job, how long did it take for him to jump to a different company?

Foley wrestling occasionally is cool, but if he is seriously going to get back in the ring to challenge "athletes and legends", then it would seem that he's preparing to do more than just be an executive stockholder or whatever the hell his position is. And if that's the case, then this isn't going to help any of TNA's bugaboos at all.

News: Smackdown will begin taping two shows at a time.

Happy: This totally makes sense when you break down the numbers. I read somewhere that if Smackdown cuts their production in half, they'd save close to the 20 million dollars they wanted to cut this year. If taping Smackdown, which is almost always taped anyway, helps keep some of the personnel employeed, then I'm all for it!

If anything, the WWE now also has a reason to increase ticket prices. Fans will be paying the price to see two shows. Higher ticket prices means more money, so hopefully they can dig their way out of the hole they're in this year and stay out.

I've read quite a few opinions about this too, but I don't think I've actually read anyone considering the fact that by doing a double taping of the show, it makes for an easier travel schedule for the wrestlers. And that's been the biggest reason a lot of the guys in TNA who wrestled for the WWE are in TNA. They have limited travelling. They do the occasional house show, just the way that I'm sure Smackdown will continue to do. And yeah, I'm sure some of the wrestlers will probably take a pay cut.

But by having Smackdown become a "light travel" brand, will this be the answer to those in the WWE who want a lighter travel schedule to keep them from jumping over to TNA for that same reason? And will the current TNA/former WWE guys see this change and consider jumping back over? This could be pretty interesting.

Go Sucky: I only see this ending happy if the WWE only does this for a year. I think after a year, wrestlers and fans will begin to burn out. Guys on Smackdown who are taking the pay cut and aren't making as much as guys like Triple H, Edge, and The Undertaker are going to start asking for their releases.

On top of that, for the fans in attendance, wouldn't it be kind of strange to see Jeff Hardy get the crap beat out of him to the point he's helped backstage at the end of the show only to come back out 10 minutes later just fine and pointing out the fact that he got beat up "last week" at the beginning of the next show? Talk about a burnout. I can't imagine the crowd would be as excited or as fun watching the 2nd show as they would the first.


News: Speaking of Smackdown, it would appear that Gail Kim will be wrestling there.

Gail Kim was at Smackdown shooting some vignettes and stuff recently and I have to say Smackdown is probably a good home for her. Even if I can't see it! 

Smackdown however would seem to be a better place for her to return, especially if she's going to be a face. While Michelle McCool apparently prepares to turn heel, Gail Kim coming in and challenging and possibly winning the WWE Divas title would really give a good boost to a struggling Divas division. I haven't been able to watch Smackdown for about 2 months now but last I watched, the Divas were barely getting any face time at all.

As much as I'd like to see her on Raw, Gail Kim needs to make an immediate impact on the champion. Raw is obviously heading in the direction of Beth Phoenix vs. Melina now that she's returned and of course Mickie James is always up for a run at anytime too along with Candice Michelle. So there's plenty of talent on Raw and not enough space for someone the WWE fans may or may not remember. Not everyone watches TNA ya know.

News: TNA scored a 1.1 in the ratings on 11/27.

Happy: Normally, this is Rapid Fire caliber news, but this week, I find the rating amazing. Why is it amazing? Because TNA scored a consistent 1.1 rating on a holiday. That's something the WWE rarely does. Remember Smackdown's awful 4th of July rating?

For TNA to compete with Thanksgiving dinners, football games, and Christmas movies, and keep their normal rating, I find that fascinating and wonder what the rating may have been had the show not fallen on Thanksgiving. That's pretty encouraging news for this coming Thursday if you're TNA. Anyone wanna shoot for a 1.2 or 1.3?

Go Sucky: This is one of those news stories where it's hard to find anything negative to say, but for the sake of Go Suckyness, I guess one could take the idea that TNA, competing with a few semi-boring football games and Christmas specials that nobody wants to see just yet coupled together with many people not having to work that next Friday could have done better with their rating. But that's just reaching for something to be negative about.

Rapid Fire

News: Charley Hill, Linda Hogan's 19 year old boyfriend tried to file a restraining order against Hulk Hogan after Hulk followed him in his car and stared him down at a red light. The court denied the claim however saying that Hulk wasn't out to hurt him.

We all know how dangerous those Hogans can be when they get behind the wheel! I can't blame the kid! Does anyone else picture this scenario with Hogan rolling his window down and pointing "YOU!"?

News: William Regal is still out with an illness he caught while in Europe.

Regal has recovered from some crazy illnesses before so here's hoping he can make a quick recovery here!

News: Vince McMahon says the reason why he has banned anyone who works for Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling from working for the WWE again is because it "exposes the wrestling business".

Wait, isn't that our job?

News: George W. Bush sent a video to the WWE thanking them for doing their Tribute To The Troops Show in Iraq.

Wrestlemania 25 Main Event: Chris Jericho vs. George W. Bush in a "Say WWE Funny Match". Jericho's "Dubba Dubba E" vs. Bush's "Dubya Dubya Ye".

News: TNA originally wanted to call TNA's Frontline "Xtacy".

Instead now, I think about my dog's flea and tick medicine.

I was kind of digging them being called the TNA Originals. I felt like I had a part in that! Which reminds me, this Saturday, I'm hoping to do my best to make it out to Lawrenceburg, KY and take in my first TNA show. I have a fun little parade I have to be in on Saturday afternoon so if that finishes up quick enough, I'll be there! Anyone that's going to be at the show, give me a shout!

Anyway, that'll do it for this week. Until next week, may your lives be happy…or go sucky!