After whatsaface won the diva search some more have now been signed. In fact three more have been signed. I don't know which ones and to be honest I don't really care.
Here's the problem with the current crop of divas: they're just too normal. Every single one of them is hot but, it's nothing I couldn't see by taking a walk into my town centre. The divas used to be over because they were something special. They used to have personsality and be sexy, they used to be untouchable.
I know that when I turned on my TV I would see not a girl but a woman. A woman who was untouchable, a woman who I wouldn't be able to pull in a thousand years; a Sable, a Debra, a Miss Elizabeth. These days if I wanted an Ashley I could walk down the street and happily chat away to a 'girl next door' with no worries at all.
Look at the example of Trish Stratus. When she first came on the scene in 2000 she was untouchable. She wore her short skirts and cowboy hats and I would have given anything to be with her. These days she comes to the ring in jeans and a top, probably what she's had on all day. I'd still give my back teeth to be with her but she doesn't have that x factor any longer.
These women used to be something out of this world, now they're nameless faces. Good luck to the three new divas. See you at the dole office in twelve months.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Too Cool v2
With DX back, Jeff Hardy returning and even Tatanka being a permanent fixture on the Smackdown roster WWE are attempting to return to the glory days of old. Accoriding to the Observer Too Cool are going to be revived. Rikishi and Grandmaster Sexay will both be brought back and TNA star Ron Killings (who has asked for his release) is thought to be on the verge of signing to join the stable.
Will Too Cool be able to dance their way back into the hearts of today's young wrestling fans? I have to admit to liking Too Cool back in 2000 and they could freshen up a very boring Smackdown. They're not going to set the place alight but they could be fun for a while at least.
In an unrealted note, Attitude era favourite and former European Champion Mideon will not be returning to the company.
Will Too Cool be able to dance their way back into the hearts of today's young wrestling fans? I have to admit to liking Too Cool back in 2000 and they could freshen up a very boring Smackdown. They're not going to set the place alight but they could be fun for a while at least.
In an unrealted note, Attitude era favourite and former European Champion Mideon will not be returning to the company.
Raw Thoughts
Raw was pretty decent this week. The Edge/Cena feud is really hotting up. This is the side of Cena which many people have been begging for all throughout his run last year. It's good to see what he can do when he is chasing and Edge is such a great heel that Cena looks like a star.
Jeff Hardy's return was rather random and they've put him over strong in his almost-win over Edge (although the finish was messed up). This has been done with Hardy before in his matches with Hunter in 2001 and Taker in 2002. The problem lies in the fact that they don't do anything with him after that. He could easyily move into a program with Johnny Nitro over the IC belt and out some fresh energy into the stale Carlito, Shelton, Nitro mid-card.
It never ends. The DX/McMahon feud must continue and it must continue with an angle that was actually shot weeks ago. With both Vince and Hunter involved in this angle it must of course be billed as the main event of every show, but it certainly doesn't deserve to be there. The faces won on Sunday so why do they need to carry on tormenting the heels? Give me a reason why DX are doing this to the McMahons and it might interest me a little.
What makes it OK to not let the live (5,000 people) crowd know you've been broken but allow four million people at home to know?
Foley's face turn was probably a good thing because as good a heel as he is, crowds weren't booing him because he is Mick Foley. Whether he'll be off TV now or whether an angle will be made of the Melina betrayl we will have to wait and see.
It looks like Randy Orton will be moving from Hulk Hogan, arugably the biggest star in wrestling history to Carlito arguably the most unmotivated guy on the roster. Yay.
If Orton pinned Flair decisivley how can the ref reverse the decision to a Flair win? Surely the match should have been restarted?
The Spirit Squad are being jobbed out. They were beaten last week by Eugene and Hacksaw, were anhilated by DX (again) at Summerslam and the Highlanders beat them on Monday. They're not even getting an entrance these days so it looks like they're finished on Raw possibly after Unforgiven when they loose tag belts, or possibly even sooner.
Kane is going to be feuding with Umaga. The Samoan Bulldozer has to go over in this one.
Despite both women leaving the company it looks like Trish will take on Lita for the Women's title in the near future (it has to be in the very near future). Trish is slated to leave in September when she gets married so may take on Lita in a loser leaves town match with Lita going over. Lita is scheduled until November time so I'd expect a similar deal with her around that time. Of course both women may just disappear from TV such is the usual course WWE take.
Overall the show was decent with Edge and Cena grabbing all the right strings to move their feud along. The DX stuff is getting stale but a few more angles are being pursued and that can't be a bad thing.
Jeff Hardy's return was rather random and they've put him over strong in his almost-win over Edge (although the finish was messed up). This has been done with Hardy before in his matches with Hunter in 2001 and Taker in 2002. The problem lies in the fact that they don't do anything with him after that. He could easyily move into a program with Johnny Nitro over the IC belt and out some fresh energy into the stale Carlito, Shelton, Nitro mid-card.
It never ends. The DX/McMahon feud must continue and it must continue with an angle that was actually shot weeks ago. With both Vince and Hunter involved in this angle it must of course be billed as the main event of every show, but it certainly doesn't deserve to be there. The faces won on Sunday so why do they need to carry on tormenting the heels? Give me a reason why DX are doing this to the McMahons and it might interest me a little.
What makes it OK to not let the live (5,000 people) crowd know you've been broken but allow four million people at home to know?
Foley's face turn was probably a good thing because as good a heel as he is, crowds weren't booing him because he is Mick Foley. Whether he'll be off TV now or whether an angle will be made of the Melina betrayl we will have to wait and see.
It looks like Randy Orton will be moving from Hulk Hogan, arugably the biggest star in wrestling history to Carlito arguably the most unmotivated guy on the roster. Yay.
If Orton pinned Flair decisivley how can the ref reverse the decision to a Flair win? Surely the match should have been restarted?
The Spirit Squad are being jobbed out. They were beaten last week by Eugene and Hacksaw, were anhilated by DX (again) at Summerslam and the Highlanders beat them on Monday. They're not even getting an entrance these days so it looks like they're finished on Raw possibly after Unforgiven when they loose tag belts, or possibly even sooner.
Kane is going to be feuding with Umaga. The Samoan Bulldozer has to go over in this one.
Despite both women leaving the company it looks like Trish will take on Lita for the Women's title in the near future (it has to be in the very near future). Trish is slated to leave in September when she gets married so may take on Lita in a loser leaves town match with Lita going over. Lita is scheduled until November time so I'd expect a similar deal with her around that time. Of course both women may just disappear from TV such is the usual course WWE take.
Overall the show was decent with Edge and Cena grabbing all the right strings to move their feud along. The DX stuff is getting stale but a few more angles are being pursued and that can't be a bad thing.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Looking for a Loan?
If you're looking to raise a bit of cash then why not borrow from the Nature Boy himself?
Ric Flair Finance is the single greatest website I think I have ever seen.
Money advice from a guy who spent more than he made for the first twenty years of his carrer and is taking bumps every night at sixty years of age to pay off the tax man. WOOOOO!
Ric Flair Finance is the single greatest website I think I have ever seen.
Money advice from a guy who spent more than he made for the first twenty years of his carrer and is taking bumps every night at sixty years of age to pay off the tax man. WOOOOO!
ECW PPV Named
The much anticipated (ha) December ECW PPV has been officially announced and officially named. What is it to be called? DECEMBER TO DISMEMBER! You get it right? November To Remember so this is December To... you get it. The PPV takes place from the Augusta-Richmond Civic Center in Augusta, Georgia on December 3rd. Mark it on your calenders kids.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Summerslam Results
I watched the first three matches on the Summerslam PPV last night and upto now I have to say it's shaping up to be a good PPV.
For the love of Eddie - Rey Mysterio vs Chavo Guerrero
Very good opener for the first part of the match. Like I said; Chavo is really good when he is in there with a Rey Mysterio. Plenty of high flying, plenty of good comebacks from Rey but the only problem is the angle. The crowd didn't really know what to think and how to react so it never got the reaction it could have done had this angle been based around Chavo's jealousy of Rey winning the World Title, not Eddie. The interference of Vickie Guerrero really took away from what would have been a solid match if they weren't fighting over the love of a dead man.
ECW Championship - Sabu vs Big Show
What you'd expect. Nothing stand out just Sabu bumping all over the place and Big Show being a giant. In usual Sabu mode he botched a few spots and was generally sloppy, I love it when Styles andTazz try and cover for him. The finish was good with Big Show chokeslamming Sabu through the table set up on the steps.
Hulk Hogan vs Randy Orton
Surprising that this match was where it was on the card. Then again it was the way it should be; there's no way Hogan and Orton could have gone twenty minutes. Usual Hogan (and Orton match) with Hogan overpowering Orton and Randy having to revert to the knee to get any heat. Hogan was well protected taking only two minor bumps (RKO and dropick) and considering he'll get the biggest payoff of the evening he's obviously done alright for himself. There's two ways that this can go now a) Orton gets a rematch, they build up a good angle (possibly involving Brooke) and Orton pins Hogan or b) the feud ends, Orton plays up that he beat Hogan and makes the audience believe that he did and is on his level of stardom. Whichever way they go the feud has to elevate Orton rather than inflate Hogan's ego.
Right, I've watched the rest of Summerslam and to be honest it was quite a boring show.
I Quit Match - Mick Foley vs Ric Flair
This match was somewhat disapointing, I was expecting a classic but in reality it was just another match. The stuff they did to each other was pretty brutal and looked really good but it just felt like a spot-fest. I liked the way they ended the match and Flair demanded to carry on showing his hatred for Foley but the finish was somewhat undecisive. I plead for these two legends to given thirty minutes on the next Raw PPV and let them have the classic they deserve.
World Heavyweight Championship - King Booker vs Big Dave Batista
Batista has lost two steps since being out for eight months and his confidence has gone since the Hammerstein Incident the other week. It's a shame because when he was working with Eddie last year he was just starting to look really good. Batista couldn't do anything right tonight, he botched a spinebuster having to drop Booker on the ropes instead, nearly dropped him on his head doing a jackhammer and needed some assistance in getting Booker up for the Batista bomb. Booker tired his hardest and looked good for the most part but Dave couldn't get anything out of the big man. The finish was fine although I would have thought of something more imaginative than the Sharmell interferance. Putting the belt on Big Dave at this stage would be monsterous considering his in-ring and the fact that Booker is the best thing on Smackdown at the moment.
DX vs The McMahons
I liked the 10 man 'beatdown' on DX at the start of the match at least it makes it more realistic that the heels can get the heat on one man. Pretty well booked in the fact that Vince and Shane weren't in there too long and the match didn't go too long. I liked the finish but the match itself wasn't anything to write home about. This feud should end right here. I doubt it will, but it should.
WWE Championship - John Cena vs Edge w/Lita
Surprisingly good. They got the crowd into the comebacks and near falls at the end of the match. Both men worked very hard and this was the best match these two have had together. The crowd would have popped huge had Cena won the belt but it was right for business keeping the title on Edge allowing him to go into the next PPV in his hometown as champ.
Overall, I wasn't impressed with this PPV. It was decent but it could have been a lot better than it was with some creative booking before the actual show allowing the crowd to get into it a bit more. Cena/Edge was the best match on the card and Rey/Chavo would have been close behind if it wasn't for the bullshit finish.
For the love of Eddie - Rey Mysterio vs Chavo Guerrero
Very good opener for the first part of the match. Like I said; Chavo is really good when he is in there with a Rey Mysterio. Plenty of high flying, plenty of good comebacks from Rey but the only problem is the angle. The crowd didn't really know what to think and how to react so it never got the reaction it could have done had this angle been based around Chavo's jealousy of Rey winning the World Title, not Eddie. The interference of Vickie Guerrero really took away from what would have been a solid match if they weren't fighting over the love of a dead man.
ECW Championship - Sabu vs Big Show
What you'd expect. Nothing stand out just Sabu bumping all over the place and Big Show being a giant. In usual Sabu mode he botched a few spots and was generally sloppy, I love it when Styles andTazz try and cover for him. The finish was good with Big Show chokeslamming Sabu through the table set up on the steps.
Hulk Hogan vs Randy Orton
Surprising that this match was where it was on the card. Then again it was the way it should be; there's no way Hogan and Orton could have gone twenty minutes. Usual Hogan (and Orton match) with Hogan overpowering Orton and Randy having to revert to the knee to get any heat. Hogan was well protected taking only two minor bumps (RKO and dropick) and considering he'll get the biggest payoff of the evening he's obviously done alright for himself. There's two ways that this can go now a) Orton gets a rematch, they build up a good angle (possibly involving Brooke) and Orton pins Hogan or b) the feud ends, Orton plays up that he beat Hogan and makes the audience believe that he did and is on his level of stardom. Whichever way they go the feud has to elevate Orton rather than inflate Hogan's ego.
Right, I've watched the rest of Summerslam and to be honest it was quite a boring show.
I Quit Match - Mick Foley vs Ric Flair
This match was somewhat disapointing, I was expecting a classic but in reality it was just another match. The stuff they did to each other was pretty brutal and looked really good but it just felt like a spot-fest. I liked the way they ended the match and Flair demanded to carry on showing his hatred for Foley but the finish was somewhat undecisive. I plead for these two legends to given thirty minutes on the next Raw PPV and let them have the classic they deserve.
World Heavyweight Championship - King Booker vs Big Dave Batista
Batista has lost two steps since being out for eight months and his confidence has gone since the Hammerstein Incident the other week. It's a shame because when he was working with Eddie last year he was just starting to look really good. Batista couldn't do anything right tonight, he botched a spinebuster having to drop Booker on the ropes instead, nearly dropped him on his head doing a jackhammer and needed some assistance in getting Booker up for the Batista bomb. Booker tired his hardest and looked good for the most part but Dave couldn't get anything out of the big man. The finish was fine although I would have thought of something more imaginative than the Sharmell interferance. Putting the belt on Big Dave at this stage would be monsterous considering his in-ring and the fact that Booker is the best thing on Smackdown at the moment.
DX vs The McMahons
I liked the 10 man 'beatdown' on DX at the start of the match at least it makes it more realistic that the heels can get the heat on one man. Pretty well booked in the fact that Vince and Shane weren't in there too long and the match didn't go too long. I liked the finish but the match itself wasn't anything to write home about. This feud should end right here. I doubt it will, but it should.
WWE Championship - John Cena vs Edge w/Lita
Surprisingly good. They got the crowd into the comebacks and near falls at the end of the match. Both men worked very hard and this was the best match these two have had together. The crowd would have popped huge had Cena won the belt but it was right for business keeping the title on Edge allowing him to go into the next PPV in his hometown as champ.
Overall, I wasn't impressed with this PPV. It was decent but it could have been a lot better than it was with some creative booking before the actual show allowing the crowd to get into it a bit more. Cena/Edge was the best match on the card and Rey/Chavo would have been close behind if it wasn't for the bullshit finish.
Monday, August 21, 2006
TNA Pictures
I went to Flordia last month and happened to stumble upon a little promotion called TNA. You might not have heard of them because they aren't having much impact (get it - impact) on the wrestling world. But I went there and it was pretty good. The hardcore fans think they're so smart but in reality they know jack shit. The Impact Zone is tiny, holding only like 800 people and the part behind the camera is actually empty. They do a fine job of hiding how small this place is on TV.
It was a fun night and I saw Joe, Christian, Steiner (me love me some Scotty), JJ, Sting, Rhyno, Monty Brown, AJ, Daniels and the rest of the TNA crew. There weren't any particularly stand out matches although Joe and Rhyno had a fun little brawl. Speaking of Rhyno, in that crowd he is the most over guy; even more so than Joe which surprised the hell out of me. Eric Young is also over as hell. Mainly because he has personality unlike everybody else on the roster.
Having been to the show, it's obvious TNA's problem is that they are simply not making a name for themselves. They have no stars, no main eventers, just one big huge mid-card where everybody is on the same level. Some clever booking, a few big name signings, moving out of Orlando (at least for PPVs) and a shit hot character (JOE!) could see TNA make some Impact!
Here's some pictures from the tapings:
It was a fun night and I saw Joe, Christian, Steiner (me love me some Scotty), JJ, Sting, Rhyno, Monty Brown, AJ, Daniels and the rest of the TNA crew. There weren't any particularly stand out matches although Joe and Rhyno had a fun little brawl. Speaking of Rhyno, in that crowd he is the most over guy; even more so than Joe which surprised the hell out of me. Eric Young is also over as hell. Mainly because he has personality unlike everybody else on the roster.
Having been to the show, it's obvious TNA's problem is that they are simply not making a name for themselves. They have no stars, no main eventers, just one big huge mid-card where everybody is on the same level. Some clever booking, a few big name signings, moving out of Orlando (at least for PPVs) and a shit hot character (JOE!) could see TNA make some Impact!
Here's some pictures from the tapings:
Joe challenges Rhyno.
Rhyno and Joe brawl.
Joe has to be pulled back from the man beast.
Showtime teams with the New Age Ou... sorry The James Gang.
The new tag champs make their way to the ring.
Me and legendary manager Jimmy Hart.
Rhyno and Joe brawl.
Joe has to be pulled back from the man beast.
Showtime teams with the New Age Ou... sorry The James Gang.
The new tag champs make their way to the ring.
Me and legendary manager Jimmy Hart.End of an era... kind of
At twenty episodes, I'm saying goodbye to the podcast. With little time to post anything of decent proportions, I'm bowing out. It's been fun doing it and I thank everybody who has taken the time to email me in the past with their thoughts and comments.
I'm hoping to continue to post on the blog with a few pieces that I'm going to get around to writing, so please continue to check back on a regular basis to read them. I'm a frequent poster over on The Oratory, one of the best message boards regarding wrestling out there and I'll be posting my columns in their forum. You can contact me through there (paul_robson is my user name), my emailing me: robsonmania@yahoo.co.uk.
If you're after wrestling podcasts may I recommend to you f4wonlie.com home of the Figure Four Weekly Newsletter. Death of WCW (awesome book) author Bryan Alvarez hosts a daily radio show with guests such as Dave Meltzer, Homicide, Lance Storm, Mike Tenay and a whole host of others and you get the weekly newsletter for only $6.95 per month.
Thanks for all the contributions and positive feedback I've recieved and I hope you all enjoyed the ride.
Paul
I'm hoping to continue to post on the blog with a few pieces that I'm going to get around to writing, so please continue to check back on a regular basis to read them. I'm a frequent poster over on The Oratory, one of the best message boards regarding wrestling out there and I'll be posting my columns in their forum. You can contact me through there (paul_robson is my user name), my emailing me: robsonmania@yahoo.co.uk.
If you're after wrestling podcasts may I recommend to you f4wonlie.com home of the Figure Four Weekly Newsletter. Death of WCW (awesome book) author Bryan Alvarez hosts a daily radio show with guests such as Dave Meltzer, Homicide, Lance Storm, Mike Tenay and a whole host of others and you get the weekly newsletter for only $6.95 per month.
Thanks for all the contributions and positive feedback I've recieved and I hope you all enjoyed the ride.
Paul
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Summerslam Lineup
Summerslam airs tonight on PPV (for those of you who may have forgotten), the card:
Rey Mysterio vs Chavo Guerrero
I'm sure this will be a fine match as Rey is awesome and Chavo can be good when working with a Rey Mysterio. The problem lies in the fact that I don't give two shits about the match.
World Championship - Booker T vs Batista
Another bad feud with no substance to it at all. Ideally Booker T wins via screwiness allowing Bid Dave to chase him to No Mercy. Therefore expect Batista to get his belt back.
Randy Orton vs Hulk Hogan
This could have sold the PPV. Instead a terrible build up has made this match very cold indeed. Who wants to see a match based on the fact Hogan 'beat up' fake Hogan. Further lazy booking by WWE. A Hogan win is the only answer here.
ECW Championship - Sabu vs Big Show
Could be really good or dire depending if extreme rules are in play. Expect Big Show to win and have RVD chase him to ECW PPV.
I Quit Match - Mick Foley vs Ric Flair
The BEST thing on this show. This will be great. The build has been really good for this one and is easily the hottest angle on the show. Unlike the Hogan/Orton match neither guy wants to win! Foley think Flair is god and Flair doesn't need the win. Considering both guys have legitamate heat, they're both being really nice about this. I predict a Flair win as he is the babyface.
DX vs The McMahons
What are they feuding about again? Nothing. Cold, cold, cold. DX win.
WWE Championship - Edge vs John Cena
Got hot too late to sell a huge number of PPVs. Edge and Cena are the hottest guys on Raw for the younger market, but they've been pushed behind DX in the pecking order. Should be a solid encounter where Edge needs to screw Cena out of the title, a nice long chase for Cena will sell some future PPVs. However, as we're in Cena's hometown, expect Cena to win and Edge to regain next month under TLC rules.
The PPV is typical of WWE booking, a solid card on paper but going into it the feeling is very lukewarm. In reality, this could be booked as one of the hottest cards of recent times but bad build and some of the time even a lack of build have caused me not to care. When it's over, I'm sure it will have been a good PPV but if I was a casual fan I'd be saving my money.
Rey Mysterio vs Chavo Guerrero
I'm sure this will be a fine match as Rey is awesome and Chavo can be good when working with a Rey Mysterio. The problem lies in the fact that I don't give two shits about the match.
World Championship - Booker T vs Batista
Another bad feud with no substance to it at all. Ideally Booker T wins via screwiness allowing Bid Dave to chase him to No Mercy. Therefore expect Batista to get his belt back.
Randy Orton vs Hulk Hogan
This could have sold the PPV. Instead a terrible build up has made this match very cold indeed. Who wants to see a match based on the fact Hogan 'beat up' fake Hogan. Further lazy booking by WWE. A Hogan win is the only answer here.
ECW Championship - Sabu vs Big Show
Could be really good or dire depending if extreme rules are in play. Expect Big Show to win and have RVD chase him to ECW PPV.
I Quit Match - Mick Foley vs Ric Flair
The BEST thing on this show. This will be great. The build has been really good for this one and is easily the hottest angle on the show. Unlike the Hogan/Orton match neither guy wants to win! Foley think Flair is god and Flair doesn't need the win. Considering both guys have legitamate heat, they're both being really nice about this. I predict a Flair win as he is the babyface.
DX vs The McMahons
What are they feuding about again? Nothing. Cold, cold, cold. DX win.
WWE Championship - Edge vs John Cena
Got hot too late to sell a huge number of PPVs. Edge and Cena are the hottest guys on Raw for the younger market, but they've been pushed behind DX in the pecking order. Should be a solid encounter where Edge needs to screw Cena out of the title, a nice long chase for Cena will sell some future PPVs. However, as we're in Cena's hometown, expect Cena to win and Edge to regain next month under TLC rules.
The PPV is typical of WWE booking, a solid card on paper but going into it the feeling is very lukewarm. In reality, this could be booked as one of the hottest cards of recent times but bad build and some of the time even a lack of build have caused me not to care. When it's over, I'm sure it will have been a good PPV but if I was a casual fan I'd be saving my money.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
ROH in Liverpool
I went to see Ring of Honor in Liverpool last night and my god what a show it was. People rave about ROH and how good it is; now I understand why. It was a solid card from top to bottom with stand out performances from Colt Cabana, Matt Sydel and Davey Richards.
Austin Aries and Roderick Strong put their tag belts on the line in a tremendous match against the Briscoes. This was awesome. Best match of the night has to go to Bryan Danielson vs Nigel McGuiness in a Pure vs World Championship match. Danielson is a great heel and McGuiness' comeback after getting his face smashed into the ring post five times and beating the twenty count was one of the greatest live moments I've witnessed. Danielson eventually won when the Londoner passed out winning the Pure title from McGuiness.
All I can say is, buy the DVD!
Austin Aries and Roderick Strong put their tag belts on the line in a tremendous match against the Briscoes. This was awesome. Best match of the night has to go to Bryan Danielson vs Nigel McGuiness in a Pure vs World Championship match. Danielson is a great heel and McGuiness' comeback after getting his face smashed into the ring post five times and beating the twenty count was one of the greatest live moments I've witnessed. Danielson eventually won when the Londoner passed out winning the Pure title from McGuiness.
All I can say is, buy the DVD!
Monday, June 26, 2006
Behind The Angle #2: Three Random Letters
When the ECW relaunch was announced a mere two months ago there was much speculation regarding what the product would look like. The ECW hardcore and many traditionalists expected Extreme Championship Wrestling of the later half of the 90s, but from the word go it was obvious this wouldn't and even couldn't be the case.
The signings of a handful of ECW alumni such as everyone's favourite uncle Sandman, the dude whose gimmick it is to get stiffed with a steel chair Balls Mahoney and don't worry about him jobbing to Angle because it's only Justin Credible. Plus the out of retirement to do the job to Big Show Tommy Dreamer and the pulled from the depth of the Raw mid-card Rob Van Dam, have all given some legitamacy to the name 'ECW' but anybody expecting this to be ECW, well I told you from the start, you're wrong.
ECW died. ECW failed. For it's niche hardcore, fanatical audience it was the best thing going, it was the bee's knees, it was the holy grail. But for the millions of other of wrestling fans who were watching WWF and WCW the three letters synonomous with hardcore meant as much as Rey's world title reign.
Vince McMahon was made a hell of a lot of money from the ECW name. The Rise and Fall of ECW DVD, last year's One Night Stand and the various angles the ECW name has played a part of in the last decade has added to Vince's fortune. In doing so, he has been very clever, using the positives of the old ECW to boost his own empire. In relaunching the new ECW he has again been very clever. He has recognised that the old ECW died, therefore if the new version were to succeed things had to change. It had to appeal to a wider audience, it couldn't be as politically incorrect (because of the wider audience and the time of rebellion has passed) and it couldn't carry on where things left off five years ago.
So when we watch ECW, taped in front of a WWE Smackdown audience, we are not watching ECW from five years ago. We are watching an ECW whose goal is to sell pay-per-views in their thousands, an ECW whose job it is to stand along side Raw and Smackdown as a third brand of sports entertainment. That's why we're seeing Kurt Angle and Big Show as ECW's top stars, because they have that main stream appeal and name recognition. Throw Justin Credible in that position and you're heading towards a brick wall. That's why we've seen both John Cena and Edge on both ECW shows; they give WWE fans a reason to tune in on Tuesday nights as well as Monday nights. The Zomibe and Macho Libre may well disgust the fanatical fan but from people I've spoken to and the emails I've recieved, people love to see the Sandman beating the living shit out of them. It's booking to your strengths, and that's what they're doing.
If you're an ECW moaner then look at it like this; the new ECW could be called anything, it just happens to be called 'ECW' which ironically is the name of a promotion run by an evil genius from a bingo hall. This new ECW has nothing to do with the old ECW, the only thing it shares is it's name. At the end of the day, this is basically what the complaints are about. If this new brand wasn't called ECW, but three other random letters, I'm sure the mood would be very different and there would be nothing but praise for the new promotion. But throw three recognisable characters in there and the mood has been very much downbeat. Lighten up, you might even enjoy it.
ECW lover? ECW hater? Let me know what you think: paul@behindtheangle.com
PS. One thing I do know, Kelly sucks. Trust me. I know.
The signings of a handful of ECW alumni such as everyone's favourite uncle Sandman, the dude whose gimmick it is to get stiffed with a steel chair Balls Mahoney and don't worry about him jobbing to Angle because it's only Justin Credible. Plus the out of retirement to do the job to Big Show Tommy Dreamer and the pulled from the depth of the Raw mid-card Rob Van Dam, have all given some legitamacy to the name 'ECW' but anybody expecting this to be ECW, well I told you from the start, you're wrong.
ECW died. ECW failed. For it's niche hardcore, fanatical audience it was the best thing going, it was the bee's knees, it was the holy grail. But for the millions of other of wrestling fans who were watching WWF and WCW the three letters synonomous with hardcore meant as much as Rey's world title reign.
Vince McMahon was made a hell of a lot of money from the ECW name. The Rise and Fall of ECW DVD, last year's One Night Stand and the various angles the ECW name has played a part of in the last decade has added to Vince's fortune. In doing so, he has been very clever, using the positives of the old ECW to boost his own empire. In relaunching the new ECW he has again been very clever. He has recognised that the old ECW died, therefore if the new version were to succeed things had to change. It had to appeal to a wider audience, it couldn't be as politically incorrect (because of the wider audience and the time of rebellion has passed) and it couldn't carry on where things left off five years ago.
So when we watch ECW, taped in front of a WWE Smackdown audience, we are not watching ECW from five years ago. We are watching an ECW whose goal is to sell pay-per-views in their thousands, an ECW whose job it is to stand along side Raw and Smackdown as a third brand of sports entertainment. That's why we're seeing Kurt Angle and Big Show as ECW's top stars, because they have that main stream appeal and name recognition. Throw Justin Credible in that position and you're heading towards a brick wall. That's why we've seen both John Cena and Edge on both ECW shows; they give WWE fans a reason to tune in on Tuesday nights as well as Monday nights. The Zomibe and Macho Libre may well disgust the fanatical fan but from people I've spoken to and the emails I've recieved, people love to see the Sandman beating the living shit out of them. It's booking to your strengths, and that's what they're doing.
If you're an ECW moaner then look at it like this; the new ECW could be called anything, it just happens to be called 'ECW' which ironically is the name of a promotion run by an evil genius from a bingo hall. This new ECW has nothing to do with the old ECW, the only thing it shares is it's name. At the end of the day, this is basically what the complaints are about. If this new brand wasn't called ECW, but three other random letters, I'm sure the mood would be very different and there would be nothing but praise for the new promotion. But throw three recognisable characters in there and the mood has been very much downbeat. Lighten up, you might even enjoy it.
ECW lover? ECW hater? Let me know what you think: paul@behindtheangle.com
PS. One thing I do know, Kelly sucks. Trust me. I know.
Monday, June 05, 2006
The ECW Championship?
ECW One Night Stand returns on Sunday evening and both of WWE's world championships will be on the line. ECW's own Rob Van Dam challenges John Cena and in a match announced on Frdiay Night Smackdown, Rey Mysterio will defend against ECW legend Sabu.
Paul Heyman was alluding to the fact that at least one of the belts will switch and a new 'ECW Champion' will be crowned. For that reason I don't think any titles will be changing hands, but contreversial decisions may lead to ECW recognising one of their men as world champion thus creating their title.
As I've said before this deal has gone through at super speed so there are no plans and nothing is set in stone. In reality, anything can happen!
Paul Heyman was alluding to the fact that at least one of the belts will switch and a new 'ECW Champion' will be crowned. For that reason I don't think any titles will be changing hands, but contreversial decisions may lead to ECW recognising one of their men as world champion thus creating their title.
As I've said before this deal has gone through at super speed so there are no plans and nothing is set in stone. In reality, anything can happen!
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
ECW Draft Picks
Friday's Smackdown saw Paul Heyman make a mention on WWE TV regarding the return of ECW as a full time brand and on Raw, Heyman announced he was allowed two draft picks to take with him. From Raw it was Mr Monday Night himself RVD, and from Smackdown? Well the result was somewhat surprising. After Friday's Smackdown many beleived Matt Hardy would be heading to Heyman's new vision, but on Monday none other than Kurt Angle burst through the curtain and revealed himself as Heyman's Smackdown draft pick.
The pick has shocked many including myself and it'll be interesting to see how Angle is used over in ECW. If a feud does indeed take place between WWE and ECW, I wouldn't be surprised to see Angle as a WWE mole in the ECW camp. Only time will tell how things will turn out.
Thoughts on the return of ECW? Email me!
The pick has shocked many including myself and it'll be interesting to see how Angle is used over in ECW. If a feud does indeed take place between WWE and ECW, I wouldn't be surprised to see Angle as a WWE mole in the ECW camp. Only time will tell how things will turn out.
Thoughts on the return of ECW? Email me!
Relive the original ECW One Night Stand
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Judgment Day Impresses
Smackdown's latest pay-per-view Judgment Day turned out to be a damn good show. This follows the trend of Smackdown and TNA pay-per-views this year; they're good shows but nobody's buying them due to poor build and poor booking. It's ironic really, because the booking of the show couldn't have been better. Every result was the right thing to do, nobody got too much time and even the Undertaker lost clean as a whistle!
Full Judgment Day Results:
Paul London & Brian Kendrick defeated MNM for the WWE Tag Team Titles
Jillian Hall defeated Melina
Chris Benoit defeated Fit Finlay
Booker T defeated Bobby Lashley to become King of the Ring 2006
Gregory Helms defeated Super crazy to retain the WWE Cruiserweight Championship (of the world)
Great Khali defeated The Undertaker
Mark Henry defeated Kurt Angle via disqualification
Rey Mysterio defeated JBL to retain the World Haevyweight Championship
Full Judgment Day Results:
Paul London & Brian Kendrick defeated MNM for the WWE Tag Team Titles
Jillian Hall defeated Melina
Chris Benoit defeated Fit Finlay
Booker T defeated Bobby Lashley to become King of the Ring 2006
Gregory Helms defeated Super crazy to retain the WWE Cruiserweight Championship (of the world)
Great Khali defeated The Undertaker
Mark Henry defeated Kurt Angle via disqualification
Rey Mysterio defeated JBL to retain the World Haevyweight Championship
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Judgment Day Lineup
Smackdown's Judgment Day takes place tonight and it could be a disaster or a decent show depending on what happens on the show. The lineup:
World Heavyweight Championship
Rey Mysterio vs JBL
Fit Finlay vs Chris Benoit
King of the Ring Final
Booker T vs Bobby Lashley
WWE Tag Team Championship
MNM vs Paul London & Brian Kendrick
Jillian Hall vs Melina
Undertaker vs Great Khali
Kurt Angle vs Mark Henry
Let me know what you think of the show by emailing me: paul@behindtheangle.com.
World Heavyweight Championship
Rey Mysterio vs JBL
Fit Finlay vs Chris Benoit
King of the Ring Final
Booker T vs Bobby Lashley
WWE Tag Team Championship
MNM vs Paul London & Brian Kendrick
Jillian Hall vs Melina
Undertaker vs Great Khali
Kurt Angle vs Mark Henry
Let me know what you think of the show by emailing me: paul@behindtheangle.com.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Behind The Angle Column #1: To Bury Champion, Belt and Audience
At the rumble I marked hard. At Wrestlemania I marked even harder but Smackdown has left me with a bitter taste in my mouth for the past few weeks. Of course I’m talking about the ultimate underdog Rey Mysterio. The Rey experiment (at this moment in time) has failed, ratings have dropped, Judgment Day will probably do less buys than No Way Out and the fastest growing market in America is tuning out on Friday nights. Why has this happened, and why shouldn’t it have happened?
As soon as Rey arrived in Stanford he was treated differently than every other cruiserweight. WWE is the land of the giant genetic freaks but there’s something about Rey which has allowed him to stand out from the rest of the cruiserweights. His instant push into the upper mid-card tearing it up with Benoit, Angle, Eddie and Edge in 2002 showed Rey was thought of as different by the bookers. They knew he had talent and wanted to exploit this. The topic of Rey being world champion is something which has come and gone over the last few years, but last summer, all of a sudden, it seemed a damn good idea.
It was a good idea because it was a simple idea. Rey Mysterio is possibly the easiest person to book for in the whole of the company. He’s smaller than virtually every guy in the company, he’s over as hell and the fans truly believe he can beat anybody and has been booked in a way that he looks like he can beat anybody. He is the ultimate underdog. Clichéd it may be, but it’s true and it works. Going into Wrestlemania the build was simple. You take a heel champion, for example Randy Orton. You take Rey Mysterio and book a match for the world title at Wrestlemania. You have Orton goad Rey all the way about the fact that he’s too small, had never performed at the highest level and most of all couldn’t beat him. You have Rey prove he is worthy of being there, nearly beating Orton in various tags but Orton always worming his way out of a loss. Then finally, at Wrestlemania one million people by a pay-per-view to finally see Rey win the belt, the roof comes off the place and everybody goes home happy.
It’s simple, but not every story has to be complex to be good. When WWE seemed to catch on to the idea this would work they booked Rey to go from number two in the royal rumble and go all the way to win the damn thing. The pop was huge, fans were excited, and finally Rey would get his chance to become world champion. A growing Latino audience would be delighted as would every single fan out there who bought Rey as a legitimate title contender.
Of course, it got fucked up. Rey only won the rumble because of help from beyond the grave. It was pushed upon us that Rey’s victory was total fluke. Rather than having Rey come out there and prove it wasn’t fluke and build him up further as number one contender, they had him, they had him, hold on. They had him virtually admit it!
After loosing his title shot to Orton at No Way Out the dream looked to be over for one Rey Mysterio. That was until booking decisions changed and Rey was put in the main event at Wrestlemania. So what angle did they use to get him in there? Did they build him up and make him look strong by beating a monster? Did they have him perform an impossible feat and get to the main event? Sadly no. The angle was Teddy Long felt sorry for him and put him in the main event. Rey was pushed as a charity case who got into the Wrestlemania main event through sympathy.
It seemed like sense was finally reached when they put the belt on Rey. His win got a good reaction and him as champion was something new. It was also something exciting. Everybody believes that Rey can beat anybody (OK Undertaker excluded), but they also believe anybody can beat Rey. Having a champion who can loose his belt at any given time can make for some very interesting television. The Smackdown off the back off Wrestlemania put him in a world title against Randy Orton. The theory worked as many people were questioning if WWE were going to do the switch here putting the belt on Orton. It later came out that Orton was going to be suspended so it made sense for him to put Rey over in a very good match. One thing should be made clear though. It wasn’t the main event. Oh no, the main event was the debut of The Great Khali (incidentally a seven foot three genetic freak). The confidence shown in Rey was seen from the word go.
The next week was even better when Rey was kept off television and actually worked a dark match! The new world champion, the new face of Smackdown, the guy to take the company to a whole new audience wrestled a dark match. Since that Rey has been destroyed on television. Admitting he was about to tap to Angle, Mark Henry not killing him only by request of JBL, The Great Khali eating him for breakfast and today is May 19th so work out who he’s going to be facing. Secondly guess what they result’s going to be.
Rey’s been buried beyond belief and has taken the belt with him. The fact is, Rey’s the easiest guy on the roster to book for. The Judgment Day build could be simple. JBL is bigger than Rey and believes Rey to be easy pickings. Rey proves otherwise and at the pay-per-view they have a fight. It’s not going to set the world on fire, but it keeps Rey and the belt strong. It might not add a million viewers, but you’re loyal fan base is continuing to watch and buy pay-per-views. Rey hasn’t been even been made to look like he can win on Sunday. He looks like a joke champion, Smackdown looks like a joke and nobody’s going to tune in on Sunday to potentially see Rey Mysterio have the shit kicked out of him.
I don’t know whose idea it was to book Rey this way. I don’t know if they thought it was a good idea or if they simply hate Rey. All I know is that they’ve taken a new, exciting and most importantly simple to book storyline and fucked it up. One of the basic rules of booking is play to your talent’s strengths. Rey’s strengths aren’t brawling, they aren’t promos and they aren’t getting beaten up every week. Rey’s strengths are good matches, crazy, innovative moves and being the ultimate underdog. If JBL wins the belt this Sunday, what’s he going to have done? He’ll have won a nothing belt from a nothing champion and we’ll have another tune out title reign from the self-proclaimed wrestling god. The sad thing is, it could have all been a completely different (simple) story.
Comments? Email me: paul@behindtheangle.com.
As soon as Rey arrived in Stanford he was treated differently than every other cruiserweight. WWE is the land of the giant genetic freaks but there’s something about Rey which has allowed him to stand out from the rest of the cruiserweights. His instant push into the upper mid-card tearing it up with Benoit, Angle, Eddie and Edge in 2002 showed Rey was thought of as different by the bookers. They knew he had talent and wanted to exploit this. The topic of Rey being world champion is something which has come and gone over the last few years, but last summer, all of a sudden, it seemed a damn good idea.
It was a good idea because it was a simple idea. Rey Mysterio is possibly the easiest person to book for in the whole of the company. He’s smaller than virtually every guy in the company, he’s over as hell and the fans truly believe he can beat anybody and has been booked in a way that he looks like he can beat anybody. He is the ultimate underdog. Clichéd it may be, but it’s true and it works. Going into Wrestlemania the build was simple. You take a heel champion, for example Randy Orton. You take Rey Mysterio and book a match for the world title at Wrestlemania. You have Orton goad Rey all the way about the fact that he’s too small, had never performed at the highest level and most of all couldn’t beat him. You have Rey prove he is worthy of being there, nearly beating Orton in various tags but Orton always worming his way out of a loss. Then finally, at Wrestlemania one million people by a pay-per-view to finally see Rey win the belt, the roof comes off the place and everybody goes home happy.
It’s simple, but not every story has to be complex to be good. When WWE seemed to catch on to the idea this would work they booked Rey to go from number two in the royal rumble and go all the way to win the damn thing. The pop was huge, fans were excited, and finally Rey would get his chance to become world champion. A growing Latino audience would be delighted as would every single fan out there who bought Rey as a legitimate title contender.
Of course, it got fucked up. Rey only won the rumble because of help from beyond the grave. It was pushed upon us that Rey’s victory was total fluke. Rather than having Rey come out there and prove it wasn’t fluke and build him up further as number one contender, they had him, they had him, hold on. They had him virtually admit it!
After loosing his title shot to Orton at No Way Out the dream looked to be over for one Rey Mysterio. That was until booking decisions changed and Rey was put in the main event at Wrestlemania. So what angle did they use to get him in there? Did they build him up and make him look strong by beating a monster? Did they have him perform an impossible feat and get to the main event? Sadly no. The angle was Teddy Long felt sorry for him and put him in the main event. Rey was pushed as a charity case who got into the Wrestlemania main event through sympathy.
It seemed like sense was finally reached when they put the belt on Rey. His win got a good reaction and him as champion was something new. It was also something exciting. Everybody believes that Rey can beat anybody (OK Undertaker excluded), but they also believe anybody can beat Rey. Having a champion who can loose his belt at any given time can make for some very interesting television. The Smackdown off the back off Wrestlemania put him in a world title against Randy Orton. The theory worked as many people were questioning if WWE were going to do the switch here putting the belt on Orton. It later came out that Orton was going to be suspended so it made sense for him to put Rey over in a very good match. One thing should be made clear though. It wasn’t the main event. Oh no, the main event was the debut of The Great Khali (incidentally a seven foot three genetic freak). The confidence shown in Rey was seen from the word go.
The next week was even better when Rey was kept off television and actually worked a dark match! The new world champion, the new face of Smackdown, the guy to take the company to a whole new audience wrestled a dark match. Since that Rey has been destroyed on television. Admitting he was about to tap to Angle, Mark Henry not killing him only by request of JBL, The Great Khali eating him for breakfast and today is May 19th so work out who he’s going to be facing. Secondly guess what they result’s going to be.
Rey’s been buried beyond belief and has taken the belt with him. The fact is, Rey’s the easiest guy on the roster to book for. The Judgment Day build could be simple. JBL is bigger than Rey and believes Rey to be easy pickings. Rey proves otherwise and at the pay-per-view they have a fight. It’s not going to set the world on fire, but it keeps Rey and the belt strong. It might not add a million viewers, but you’re loyal fan base is continuing to watch and buy pay-per-views. Rey hasn’t been even been made to look like he can win on Sunday. He looks like a joke champion, Smackdown looks like a joke and nobody’s going to tune in on Sunday to potentially see Rey Mysterio have the shit kicked out of him.
I don’t know whose idea it was to book Rey this way. I don’t know if they thought it was a good idea or if they simply hate Rey. All I know is that they’ve taken a new, exciting and most importantly simple to book storyline and fucked it up. One of the basic rules of booking is play to your talent’s strengths. Rey’s strengths aren’t brawling, they aren’t promos and they aren’t getting beaten up every week. Rey’s strengths are good matches, crazy, innovative moves and being the ultimate underdog. If JBL wins the belt this Sunday, what’s he going to have done? He’ll have won a nothing belt from a nothing champion and we’ll have another tune out title reign from the self-proclaimed wrestling god. The sad thing is, it could have all been a completely different (simple) story.
Comments? Email me: paul@behindtheangle.com.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Finlay/Benoit added to Judgment Day
After their awesome match on Smackdown and now both men have been eliminated from the King of the Ring tournament, Chris Benoit and Fit Finaly have nothing to do. Thank God. Michael Cole announced in the press conference today that the powers that be have thrown them together in a match at Judgment Day on Sunday. I've got no problem with this at all and I'm sure we'll see another classic on an otherwise shambles of a pay-per-view.
Episode 13 is now up, use the link on the right hand side of the page to download it.
Episode 13 is now up, use the link on the right hand side of the page to download it.
Tazz to ECW?
For those of you who watched Friday's Smackdown you may have noticed the (scripted) tension between Tazz and his 'broadcast colleague' Michael Cole. With Joey Styles already heading for the ECW announce booth, Paul Heyman and Tazz have been the two names banded about to be his right hand man. With Heyman in charge of booking it's likely he'll need to be hands on so Tazz is the next best candidate for the job. Hints were dropped on Friday and soon we could see the former human wrecking machine leave the Smackdown booth and become more extreme. Where this leaves the state of Smackdown's announce team in undertermined. Hold on, Coach isn't up to anything, or is he?
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Regal/Benoit on Velocity
After Benoit and Finaly had an awesome match on Smackdown last week, Benoit's on Velocity this week but not to worry as he's going toe to toe with Regal. Be sure to check this out because as always it's great.
Click here to watch it online or if you to are 'geographically blocked' then you can watch in on Sky Sports 3 probably anytime as Velocity seems to be on about 453 times a week.
The latest podcast, episode 13, is up with all the news on the ECW return and Finlay's sidekick. Use the link on the right to download it.
Click here to watch it online or if you to are 'geographically blocked' then you can watch in on Sky Sports 3 probably anytime as Velocity seems to be on about 453 times a week.
The latest podcast, episode 13, is up with all the news on the ECW return and Finlay's sidekick. Use the link on the right to download it.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Foley to turn?
Mick Foley will take on Edge in a Wrestlemania rematch on tonight's Raw. Their Wrestlemania match stole the show but tonight's match might not even take place once Raw hits the airwaves. It's been reported that Foley is all set to turn heel, potentially heading an invasion along with Joey Styles (who turned last week) and numerous other ECW lifers.
This could be a very interesting situation which should be hotting up over the next few weeks.
Remember to stay tuned to Behind The Angle for all the lastest news, views and information on ECW!
This could be a very interesting situation which should be hotting up over the next few weeks.
Remember to stay tuned to Behind The Angle for all the lastest news, views and information on ECW!
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