wrestling / Columns
Hidden Highlights 05.28.07: Issue #91
Hidden Highlights
By JP Prag and James “JT” Thomlison
Issue #91
Intro
Hello everyone enjoying this way too hot Memorial Day weekend (unless you are not American; in which case Happy Monday!), and welcome back to Hidden Highlights!!
There are very few positive things on the Internet. It’s more about everyone’s negative view of what everyone else is trying to do.
— Eric Bischoff, Controversy Creates Ca$h
Hidden Highlight (n) – a small, hardly noticeable point that makes a big, positive difference. This could be anything from a wrestler putting extra emphasis into his moves to make it believable to a person in the background reacting while not the focus to the cameraman shaking the picture to create an effect. There are just so many unsung heroes of wrestling that it is impossible to cover them all.
Every week we take the top 3 Hidden Highlights from the biggest shows on television (RAW, ECW of SciFi, iMPACT, SmackDown!, and a PPV or television special if there is one). Plus we turn to you, the readers, to let us know all the Hidden Highlights you saw this, last, or any week in history. On top of all that, we explore the other issues that prove why this is the most positive article in the IWC.
And who is this mysterious we, you ask?
Why none other than JP Prag and James “JT” Thomlison, of course!
We bring you Hidden Highlights with one goal in mind: to appreciate all those little things that make a huge difference. JT?
JT: I think I’m going to start with some witty banter. So here: witty banter.
JP: Wait. Where’s the witty banter?
JT: It’s right here. This is the witty banter.
JP: But you haven’t said anything witty yet.
JT: See, there you go!
JP: You’re not concerned this will bore the readers?
JT: No. Although, some of the readers seem to skip the Reader Write In Section. So, I don’t know if that’s bad because it’s boring, or good because we just get so many emails they don’t have time.
JP: Well, in positive fashion, I’d say the latter. Maybe we should just put pictures of a bunch of hot chicks randomly throughout the middle of that section? Oh wait… you already did that in Issue #2!
JT: That just may work. Or… since our readership is fairly intelligent, they may just scroll a bit slower and check out the pics without reading the section.
JP: This is true, but see what you can do. Now, can we get started?
JT: Absolutely. Let me just say that I went to game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals and it rocked. Big ups to my man Duane Mitchell for being the designated driver (JP can tell you that as long as I have one of those, I am quite fun to be around watch), as I had a fabulous time. Also, let me point out that it’s Monday and – unlike 80% of the business world (no, working at a restaurant does not count) – I am sitting at F’N work today. And I worked Saturday. I love working for Eddie Lee. I sometimes hate that I do so in the Bail Bond business. We are truly 24/7, 365. Yes, even on Christmas kids.
JP: And on the opposite end of the spectrum, not only do I have the whole weekend off, but I get to work from home the rest of the week, too, just because they care! I really like my work. But you didn’t come here for that. On with the Hidden Highlights!
Hidden Highlights for WWE RAW, SmackDown!, and ECW Present Judgment Day: Sunday, May 20, 2007 by The Readers
JP: Oh readers, you are starting to come through for me!
JT: Wait, why are you doing this section? I’m the reader guy this week!?
JP: So, what’s the big deal? Did you already write comments for these and thus I’m sort of wasting your time?
JT: No, but I did already write comments for these thus you’re sort of wasting my time.
JP: That’s what I just- bah, never mind. Haven’t I been doing the PPV section since New Years (including that one where you actually saw)? You know what; I’m doing this section and you can feel free to contribute if you’d like.
(3) I’m hearing voices:
We’ll start off with Michael Thomas who (when talking about Judgment Day) said:
BTW if you watch the PPV (as is the case with Backlash) with headphones, you can pick up on all sorts of noises and voices.
JP: Well be sure to share some of those noises and voices and what they are saying!
JT: Um, have to take your word for it on that one Michael; when I watch them, I watch them on the TV without sound constrictions. What I can say though is that if you are listening on headphones and pick something up, send it in!
(2) Taking a break here boss:
JP: Michael Thomas continued:
Say, did you notice that when Tony Chimmel flubbed and announced “The following is the… uh-match. Two out of three falls…” you can see (as JBL took a swig of soda), Michael Cole gestured towards his general direction and looked to his left and right almost mockingly.
JP:I think the Hidden Highlight was JBL drinking the soda, but Michael Cole (or anyone for that matter) mocking Chimmel is a good time.
JT: This is hilarious. When you are getting ribbed by Michael Cole, you have certainly seen better days. I mean, can you imagine how you’d feel if you’re standing there and you hear Michael Cole say (about you): “Sheesh, can you believe this fucking guy?”. Ouch!
(1) Buyer beware:
JP: Our top one from Judgment Day comes from Scott Sumner (really?):
Last night, during the Judgment Day “free for all” they were running down the Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton match. After they showed the video package and were showing the picture with both guys on it that’s showing that they’re fighting each other on the card… there was a little note at the bottom of the screen that said “Subject to Shawn Michael’s condition”. This instantly stood out to me because the announcer didn’t mention the idea that HBK might not be able to wrestle, and we’d also heard rumors of a knee injury that might keep Shawn from competing. Low and behold, the HBK vs. Randy Orton match did take place, but only for about 3 minutes before Shawn collapsed and we had the weird no contest ending…
So was this WWE’s way of warning the fans that HBK and Orton wouldn’t really be having a match or was this just a subtle thing to sell HBK’s concussion a bit more?
JP: I would have to think this was two-fold. One, it was a legitimate warning to consumers since they didn’t know when they made the video if Shawn would be able to wrestle given his knee. The second is that it was foreshadowing the attack that was coming later. Man, I really hope that Christopher Nowinski comes out on RAW next week to talk to Randy Orton about post-concussion syndrome. Of course, that means that Orton would have to try to go for the RKO, which could kill Nowinski. That would suck! I really do miss Nowinski, he was Hidden Highlight machine!
JT: I thought they did a pretty good job of teasing that HBK might not be there, but I think once the Doctor said “Sorry, there is NO WAY you’re wrestling tonight”, the world knew that HBK would definitely be making at the very least an appearance. I mean, after all no one – and he means NO ONE – tells the showstoppa’ what to do.
Hidden Highlights for WWE RAW: Monday, May 21, 2007 by JP
JP: So if the ECW Champion never appears on ECW, and the number one contender is decided on RAW, what is everyone else in ECW doing? Huh? Oh right, we’re supposed to be talking about RAW here! Well, some RAW stuff happened on RAW… like Carlito finally got to spit on Flair and Candice Michelle beat the Women’s Champ Melina in a non-title match (which according to JR was a “special attraction”). Oh, and the Great Khali hit a chop. Yep, usual RAW stuff.
(3) Getting “classy”:
In another one of those mixed brand moments, the WWE Divas made their way out to introduce the new Timberland song. I actually find the song pretty catchy, but I’m so sick of it being pushed down my throat that I refuse to listen to it. Also, I don’t particularly care for the Hives. Anyway, this has nothing to do with the topic at hand. The parade of Divas began with Torrie Wilson making her way to the ring. I noticed in the corner that a purple and pink box appeared saying that the WWE Divas had been dressed by so-and-so (the image consultant who I refuse to give free advertising to) and that you can check out her website. If that was not enough, I recalled the news-bit that said this image consultant was hired to make the Divas look less “slutty” and appear in a more classy light. That’s where the real Hidden Highlight comes into play as out next came Extreme Expose dressed as slutty as you could get! This was especially true with Brooke who was wearing what I can only describe as shiny underwear. So yeah, image consultant who isn’t Jillian Hall, great job of classing up the ladies!
(2) He is the champ:
Rarely on television do we get a chance to watch the creative entrance videos that the production team puts together for the wresters. Even in the arena it is hard to watch them because we are busy keeping our eyes on the live action. Still, over time there are videos that we see enough of that we can recognize what they are about. Someone in particular this applies to is Mr. McMahon and his “No Chance in Hell” montage. Over the past few years, the video has always began with a text box saying “Chairman of the Board” with a picture of Vince sitting behind the desk pointed. That’s why this week I was quite shocked to see that his video had changed! Instead it said “ECW World Champion” and had a picture of Vince holding up the ECW title. Major props to the production crew for putting in that detail and changing up the video just for this storyline. Nice job!
(1) Oh right, that does hurt:
During one of our RAW moments of the night, Carlito and Ric Flair squared off in a rematch from the night before. The match was built around the idea that Carlito had injured Flair’s elbow the night before and that he was continuing to work on that night. After working on the elbow for several minutes, Carlito walked away for a second (Flair had made it to the ropes) and came back to drag Flair back to the center of the ring. Carlito, of course, grabbed the arm that was nearest to him to drag Flair, which also happened to be the injured one. That, though, is not the Hidden Highlight. No, when Carlito began to drag Flair, Flair let out the most painful believable scream you could imagine! Excellent work by Flair to remember that that was his injured arm and to sell the pain even when Carlito was not applying a move, but just moving him around.
JT: I love how you successfully managed to use your Hidden Highlights to not only bash the Hives, but also call the ECW Divas complete sluts. Nice. Way to stay positive! I kid. I completely agree on the Timbaland video though; some things are simply not defendable. One thing I did like though was how Kenny magically had pants that matched Nitro’s. Possible tag team in the forming?
Hidden Highlights for ECW on SciFi: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 by JT
JT: Snitsky puts Dreamer in his place much to the chagrin of RVD, Thorn destroys Wayne Laura or something, Striker gets a win over Brett Major in a pretty… well… major way, and RVD and Punk get a win in the column books while taking a loss in the ring… it’d be longer, but they had so many video packages (plus the Timbaland video). We only have an hour people!
(3) SIGN GUY! …not really, but close enough:
Okay, so this one may seem negative because of context but please bear with me. For one, we always love it when great signs make it on TV. For another, we always like to think of the live audience. Well, this time we get to do both. As the RVD/CM Punk vs. Marcus Cor Von/Elijah Burke match got underway, some fan got a sign up and on TV that said “CM PUNK IS A POSER!”… he then turned that sign over and it said “CM PUNK”… only the P in PUNK had been spray painted over with a J to read “CM JUNK”. Now, as positive as we try to be around here, the fact is that we will all forever have our favorites, and our one or two guys who everyone else loves but we hate. Clearly, this is the case for this guy and CM Punk. So to me, I was happy he got it on because as a Punk hater, he is probably ten times as thrilled to get his very unique sign onto television as we would be to get our common “KENNEDY RULES!” or “VINCE SUCKS” signs on. The E just watches signs so closely, it was nice to see someone get one on that not only goes against what the E would like, but also against what most of the general wrestling fan population thinks about a guy. Kudos to you, Punk hater and your Punk hating sign! I’m sure you enjoyed it, and that’s the point around here.
(2) Which way is out?:
Just a little funny one I noticed in the background, as you know we like to let our eyes wander most of the time. When Elijah Burke and Marcus Cor Von were “strategizing” (and scolding Striker at the same time), behind Burke’s right shoulder you could see a wall running North/South. On this wall was one of those small, white, light up (in red) “EXIT” signs that you see in just about every building that isn’t residential. Underneath it, to no one’s surprise, was a door, which I’m assuming leads out. When it panned to the other side of the screen though (which would be over Burke’s left shoulder and also over Cor Von’s right), there is a wall that runs East/West. This wall, despite being maybe 10 feet from the other wall, also had an EXIT sign on it. The only problem was, NO DOOR! Nothing underneath it but a plain wall! Now, I’m sure there could be a thousand reasons for this. Maybe there used to be a door there, or maybe it’s just another sign for idiots who can’t see the one eight feet from it, who knows. But it was just amusing to me because I don’t think I can ever in my life recall an EXIT sign without a door under it, and I am POSITIVE I have never seen another EXIT sign that close to another EXIT sign (unless there are multiple doors). It just seemed so random and out of place that my first thought was to chuckle and think “well, that’s certainly out of place”.
(1) Look me in the eye:
After Rob Van Dam made the save for Tommy Dreamer, Snitsky angrily left the ring, and turned around to give RVD the stare down as he walked up the ramp backwards. They shot back to the ring, and as they panned up to see RVD, you could see him standing there holding the chair. What you might not have caught was the split second that you could see Tommy Dreamer. He was actually laying there, holding on to the bottom bar of the chair with his head up towards Snitsky! It was almost as if he couldn’t support himself after the beating he had just taken! Nice little use of your environment to do whatever it takes to help get yourself off the ground enough to eyeball your enemy.
JP: Do you know what makes an even better sign on TV that the E conventional wisdom does not want you to get in there?
Hidden Highlights for TNA iMPACT: Thursday, May 24, 2007 by JP
JP: The shape of Slammiversary continued to shape up as the second person was added to the King of the Mountain match and another match was added to the card in the Steiner Bros. versus Team 3D for the TNA World Tag Team Championships. Let me just say that I am so much more excited for this tag team match than I am for any of the other potential and sure matchups for this card. I’m a huge Steiner Bros. mark, and this match was sold for me in about ten seconds. The opening promo where Scott ran down how little Team 3D has accomplished (“I have no problem with you calling it the ECW Bingo Hall Tag Team Championship”… classic!) and how much the Steiners have done (“North Korea in front of 170,000 three nights in a row defending our titles!”). My god, that promo was the epitome of what Vince Russo always claims he is trying to create but never does: the swork! That was real life issues and feelings used a in a storyline. Their thoughts and what they said felt totally real and I was 100% sucked in. I’ll get back to this again in our number one Hidden Highlight for iMPACT, but for now…
(3) Chivalry isn’t dead:
Before VKM members Lance Hoyt and Kip James took on Christy Hemme’s super team of Basham and Damaja, Hoyt let everyone know that Kip was the only one with chivalry and that he was not afraid to hit a woman. That’s nice, Hoyt. So modern of you. Anyway, I came to believe that Hoyt was lying when he said that. During the match between the teams, Hoyt got tired of Hemme’s interference and picked her up over his shoulders to carry her away. That’s when I noticed something. Hoyt actually worked his hands into position to keep Hemme’s dress from being flipped up as he carried her by. So although Hoyt claimed he had no chivalry, he certainly took some effort to keep Heeme’s posterior protected.
(2) Interesting reversal:
I always enjoy when a wrestler reverses a move with something so obvious you go, “Oh, why hasn’t everyone done that. That’s brilliant!” That’s why this week I was glad to see Sting take care of Samoa Joe in such an obvious but still creative fashion. About halfway into their match, Samoa Joe went for one of his 270-lbs dropkicks. Sting, in his infinite wisdom and experience, just picked Joe by the ankle while the latter was in midair and flipped him over, thus blocking the move. It was so simple and basic, yet absolutely affective! When someone is in the middle of the air, you have all the control, and Sting proved it at that moment.
(1) Miles and miles long:
In the aforementioned interview between the Steiner Bros. and Team 3D, Rick Steiner pulled out a list about a mile long that listed all the teams that the Steiner Bros. have beat. But did you notice something interesting about the paper? It was printed out on a dot matrix printer!! Where in the world do you get a dot matrix printer in this day and age? It was just one of those funny moments that just said “Steiners are from the 80s and early 90s” and that their props should reflect it.
Man, I hope the Steiners win the titles at Slammiversary…
JT: Speaking of Matrix, that one you mentioned about Sting; I immediately pictured the very first fight scene from the first Matrix (Trinity’s opening scene doesn’t count because it wasn’t a fight, she destroyed those cops), in which Morpheus catches a kick from Neo and just flips him like three times and he falls to the ground. Goodness I love that movie.
Hidden Highlights for WWE SmackDown!: Friday, May 25, 2007 by JT
JT: Edge will see a new contender, London and Kendrick get a win via DQ, ah, Hell, you saw it… Also, not to nitpick, but how did Mark Henry know (in what was a BLATANTLY OBVIOUS pre-taped video) that the match at ONS would be in a cage? Are him and Teddy boys? Are they in each other’s Fave 5? Just seemed odd to me that they would show that when Long had only “officially” announced the match a bit earlier. Also, some props to MVP. He pointed out that nobody has ever beaten him in two straight falls; that is true. MVP is showing that all that homework he does and knowledge of wrestling history he has is paying off. Oh, and how about this little gem: “WWE Magazine Presents the RAW Rebound”… what, they’re sponsoring themselves now? Was RGX not available for this!? Oh, by the way, that chick is also now doing some hair product commercial where blondes and brunettes make fun of each other. Also, Batista, learn to sell your Irish Whips better… just a little public service announcement from your boy J to the motha’ fuckin T ( © Xzibit, Talib Kweli presents The Beautiful Mix Tape).
(3) I feel your pain:
During the opening tag match, Kendrick found himself with a hurt knee courtesy of a toss outside of the ring by Dave Taylor. Kendrick did manage to get back into the ring to stop the 10-count, but Taylor immediately went back on the offensive. He set Kendrick up onto the top ropes, grabbed him by the stomach, and threw him over his back with a devastating Fallaway Slam. As soon as he did this, if you were watching Paul London, you would have seen than he actually stuck his hand on his own back! Look, I’m in no way going to stand here and tell you that the two are so close, if one feels pain, so does the other. That’s just nonsense. What I liked about this is that usually the ref is the one we sometimes see grimacing or grabbing a body part when a real devastating move is hit, not the wrestlers. Nice move on London’s part to throw in a little sympathetic gesture for his partner to show that they are one of the most tight-knit tag teams in the E.
(2) The same but different:
When Deuce and Domino were out to “observe” the aforementioned tag team match, they showed the back of Deuce’s jacket, which said “Deuce Rules”, and at the top of it (where you’d find a WWE logo on a shirt) it had two little cards, both deuces. Later, when Domino interfered, I had to look for it, but eventually was able to catch a quick glimpse of the back of Domino’s jacket. It said “Domino Rules”, and yup! Two little dominoes at the top. Now, this certainly isn’t earth-shattering news that is not to be expected, but I just thought it was great on the costume departments part to make these guys look like a matching tag team (something JP loves), yet still gave it a bit of an individual feel; similar to when AJ Styles and Daniels had matching outfits, but their jackets (while the same color) were a little different styles from one another to match their usual attire.
(1) Spooky!:
I’ll be the first to admit that the first few weeks Hornswaggle was around, I was not necessarily a huge fan. I didn’t think Finlay needed him, as it almost creates a comedic atmosphere, and that just doesn’t fit Finlay. He likes to fight, he’s a mean S.O.B., you need nothing else. That being said, I will admit that they haven’t gotten ridiculously over the top with it and most of the fans have embraced Hornswaggle, so if people enjoy them, then I say good for him. The more enjoyable things, the merrier. That being said, this HH doesn’t go to him. As we all, a camera was backstage and caught him running out of a locker room being chased by Edge because he had stolen the World Heavyweight Championship belt. Edge chased him a bit (under the ladder made me laugh), and eventually bumped into Finlay. They exchanged words, and at the end of it, Hornswaggle “barked” at Edge. What I loved was Edge flinched! It was if he had no idea it was coming, and he played off of it in improv fashion beautifully. (Also kudos to Edge’s work and demeanor at the announce table) Edge might slowly be becoming one of the greats. More on that later, or next week, depending on what JP has planned for That Other Section.
JP: What I’ve planned? Sounds like you may have planned something for me! But JT, I’m a little disappointed in you. Of course Teddy Long and Mark Henry are friends! Teddy Long was his manager just a few short years ago. Remember? They were fighting racism for a while and then forgot about it? How do you think someone like Mark Henry can just walk in off the street and get a number one contender match? Teddy Long is always giving this guy some extra secret love. And not the kind he’s giving to Kristal either. That woman is… wow… just an amazing figure. Wait, what were we talking about? Vickie Guerrero? Oh yeah, she’s going to sue Teddy for sexual harassment and Kristal will back her up. Then Vickie will gain control of SmackDown! and a new reign of terror will begin!!
Reader Write-in Hidden Highlights
Hidden Highlights aren’t just for us to find and tell you about, but for you to spot and share with us. Don’t just sit there and stare, but be a more active, attentive, and engaged viewer. Appreciate all the hard work that goes into making the wrestling we have the privilege to watch and then let us know what you caught this and every week.
This week JT gets to pick our Reader Write-in Hidden Highlights of the week.
JP: Bit of a short week, but that works as I was swamped due to someone at work quitting. So, *GENERAL WARNING*:: some parts of the following Reader Write-in Hidden Highlights may be edited for grammar, spelling, and English translation…
Before we get started with our usual spiel, I will go out of order, and present a HH from fellow 411 writer Ron Gamble. But I don’t present it because he writes for us. I present it because I would like to again congratulate him on his 40th birthday; while most consider that to be a burden, for him it is an accomplishment. If you haven’t heard the story and think I’m just being humorous because he’s over the hill, the you should really stop and just GO READ HIS STORY ALREADY. Ron has been with us for quite some time and has gone through much more than a lot of us. Yes, we all have college coming up (I don’t, I’m a grown ass man), or a bitchy girlfriend, or a new job, or stress, etc F’N etc. Go read his story. If you’ve devoted this much time to 411, you can give the man another two minutes. Because J’Spose he hadn’t made it… I for one think it’s amazing that he is here with us, with wife and kid no less. Keep it up Ron.
Now that we’ve done the sappy, sappy, let’s get on to his HH:
After Rick and Scott Steiner broke into Jim Cornette’s office, Rick was holding the door to the office. Scott demanded a match with 3D, and Cornette okayed the match. Scott left, then Rick looked around for a place to put the door. He finally leaned it up against his desk, said, “Sorry,” and left.
This was great, because it reminded everyone that Rick, who has been out of the ring for a while, is a big strong guy who is also kind of a goofball. Scott may have changed from the thinking younger brother to the Genetic Freak, but Rick is still the same Rick Steiner we remember from the heyday of their team.
JT: And, while we’re on that Ron, I have to also give credit to Karl D., who also felt very similar:
Yet another impact HH for you, and once again, involving the brothers Steiner. As Scott was in the process of berating James E Cornette about Team 3D, Rick is lurking in the background, holding something, but it’s kinda only just in the shot, and it’s not until they leave, Rick looks a little confused as to what to do, turns, places the door they’ve just knocked off the hinges against the desk, and apologizes somewhat sheepishly to James E.
Brilliant little touch that does a lot to highlight the rage and destruction the Steiners are more than capable of, and have been for the best part of probably 20 years, and also, the slightly bonkers edge that Rick has also always had…
JT: Completely agree with both of you. Rick has always been kind of the playful one while Scotty went from ‘it’s all good’ to ‘I need to be a beast’… Look, nothing about Scott Steiner (while he might be doing a good job now) is going to scream original “Steiners”, because he is SO different now. Rick on the other hand has always – even when differing – kept his base the same, which is just go out there, have fun, and outwrestle some people (Michigan boys after all).
First up for RA—
JP: Oh come on JT! This low class again?
JT: Didn’t you just go drooling off after Kristal when you were talking about Teddy Long?
JP: Yeah, but that was… you know… it was… oh, just go on!
JT: Thank you. Now, with RAW is Nikolai N., who wants to give Carlito some love. Like JP would ever let me leave that one out!:
I just wanted to mention something I noticed about the RAW that followed JD. In the first match (Carlito vs Ric Flair). If you look at Carlito when he walks down the ramp he’s walking a bit oddly. Normally Carlito has a type of swagger but it was replaced on Monday with a bit of an uncomfortable looking bow legged walk. This was supposed to be a result of the Figure Four that he tapped to but nobody commented on it so I figured I might as well give it the needed response or something….
JT: You see, even in the doghouse, and even when he hates his position in the company (by many accounts), Carlito still does the little shit that people don’t notice. While we’re throwing love his way, I’ll go ahead and spoil anyone who doesn’t know by telling you that he in fact doesn’t have that accent. Yeah, he’s like Dr. House (who has a British accent yet pulls off American beautifully. You own Hugh Laurie, shame you haven’t won an Emmy, PERIOD. Same goes to you John C. McGinley). Jim Mc.D has one for ECW which I completely agree with:
As much as it pains me to give a Hidden Highlight to Snitzky, I have to give his some credit this week. He pretty much had his way with Tommy Dreamer the entire match, tossing him around like a rag doll. He connected with a vicious clothesline that nearly took Dreamers head off. Then placed that big boot to the side of his head. Even though no one has kicked out of that big boot to the head, when Snitzky covered Dreamer, he hooked the leg and then did the un-necessary: he locked his hands together to keep Dreamer from kicking out! Nice attention to detail and a nice touch by Snitzky. Considering he is probably 100 pounds heavier and at least a head taller than Tommy Dreamer, to be concerned enough to the little things like that in a match shows some maturity in the ring.
JT: First off Jim, it shouldn’t pain you; we’re here to give credit to anyone, no matter how others see them or where they are on the card! As I said, I completely agree with this. Snitsky had no reason to lock his hands because the boot had worked so effectively with every other opponent he has faced in ECW. Him doing so is a great little move that not only shows his ring awareness, but helps to put over the fact that Dreamer is a legitimate opponent, unlike most of the jobbers who he has faced. Turning our attention to Impact, this either comes from Joe K., or James M, depending on who sent the email or who wrote it, as those two things conflict. Either way:
Something I noticed about the VKM’s theme music. It starts out with a 911 operator and a woman screaming “Help! They’re in my house”. At first, I just thought this was merely disturbing but oddly enough, it fits Kip James’ current character mindset. He hates that women are in wrestling and doesn’t want them in the biz. Just struck me as kind of odd (and still disturbing).
JT: To my knowledge, this is a new addition to the theme song, and I had not noticed it, so I will be watching next week or at the PPV to see it! Definitely in agreement here that having a helpless woman phone 911 to start the theme for VKM is great as like you said, fits right in with the Kip character of hating women. Not only that, but the most recent episode of Impact! furthers this by having Lance Hoyt hoot and holler about how he doesn’t fear hitting a woman only drives it home.
None for SmackDown! this week (like I said, slow week), but heading us into the other section this week is Randy, who actually just wants to send a message to JP due to last week’s column:
I’m sure it’s probably been sent to you a hundred times since the article came out but the ESPN Classic that shows the retro TNA shows and PPVs is ESPN Classic Canada. They have an entire night devoted to TNA (Wednesday or Thursday I believe) where they show old PPV’s from the Nashville weekly PPV days and classics from the 3 hour PPVs and tv shows. Just wanted to throw that out there to let you guys know since I’m a big fan of the column..
JT: Well there you go. Makes sense considering I have closely followed all of ESPN channels for years and never saw anything from TNA. Move to Canada, JP, I’m sure Randle will be more than happy to let you stay in his room at his place. Finishing us off is Fixxer, who found a classic for us from 13 years ago!:
I would not really say this was a hidden highlight per se, but perhaps more of a continuity error. Dustin Rhodes has a bunkhouse match with Bunkhouse Buck. After about 14 minutes of back & forth action, Col. Parker gives Buck some type of foreign object to go around the hand. He nails Dustin with the object and then hides it, slipping it into his tights after the match. The major question I had after the match was over was “why bother?” Since this was a bunkhouse match, Buck would not have been DQd. And if I remember the character, Buck would not have been the type of person to care about getting caught anyway. Thus, little things can not only heighten a match, they can also drag the match down a shade.
JT: BOOOOOOOOO! While this isn’t the most positive of finds, I did want to include it because I’m sure JP always wants to know about another member of the continuity police. I haven’t seen this match or remember much about Bunkhouse, but if I had to guess I’d say it would be out of habit. Wrestlers are used to hiding their actions from the refs, and sometimes they may simply do it because it’s what they would normally do. One funny story here though. When myself and my mother were driving back from Tennessee one time (we had picked up my cousin who lived there), we passed this sign on the highway that said “Bucksnort: 20 miles”. This spawned literally a 10 minute hysterics session from us. We legitimately could not stop laughing at the thought of a town being named Bucksnort. My cousin – being from Tennessee – actually took offense to this and was quite upset. To bad for her, that shit is funny still to this day. Point here, Bunkhouse Buck is from Bucksnort, the poor bastard.
JP: And another picture right before I’m supposed to talk? You just want me to say something to bury myself, don’t you. Well forget that, I’m just going to laugh at Bucksnort for a little while!
Do you have a Hidden Highlight from this or any week in history that you would like to share? Please e-mail JP..erT…er…us at [email protected] with your thoughts! Send them by Saturday afternoon to be considered! And remember, they can be from any show, live or taped, or any house show, or anything you saw… we just like to know!
That Other Section
This week, JT has something for That Other Section.
JT: As I had previously mentioned, this section would depend on whether or not JP had something planned. He didn’t, and therefore I get to take over. So with that in mind, I present:
Is Edge [slowly becoming] a legend (and getting no credit for it)?
JT: Ask yourself this, and please try and be as honest with yourself. If you have no time to contemplate, no time to think, you simply had to respond immediately similar to word association; if someone walked up and asked you if you thought Edge was one of the best ever, what would you say?
Yes, I used the word ever. Not currently, ever. I’ll be honest, with no line of thought I would have immediately said no. I think most of you (unless you’re a super Edge fanatic) probably answered no as well. But is that really the case? As I was watching SmackDown on Friday, it got me thinking about Edge and it made me realize that greatness might be happening in front of our eyes and we don’t even realize it. Don’t get me wrong, most people will tell you that Edge is one of the hottest things going on right now, and I will certainly not call him a legend, but it is the fact that he is potentially becoming a legend is what I feel may be being overlooked. With that in mind I decided this week to take a look – comparatively with Shawn Michaels – at the career and accomplishments of Edge, and see if maybe we indeed ARE watching (and have watched for years) a legend being born before our very eyes. Before I start though, I want to make a couple of things crystal clear.
A. I am not calling Edge Shawn Michaels. Edge is NOT Shawn Michaels, and chances are no matter what status he attains he will never BE Shawn Michaels. Michaels is a legend the likes we may never see again. This is not a comparison between the two; I am merely using Shawn’s career and mirroring it against Edge’s because Shawn is a legend, and Edge’s potential to be a legend is what I am trying to predict.
B. Another reason that I use HBK is because he is 9 years older than Edge, and got into the business 8 years before him, so they are relatively close on that note. If you take into account that Shawn took a few years off, this makes perfect sense because I am essentially talking about what may be in say, 5 years.
C. Obviously, Shawn’s single career even if you do the comparative math has been much longer and he was also on top as a single’s performer much longer than Edge. Again, potential is key word here, not just what has happened up to this point. With that in mind, let’s get to the list! (Info will be for Edge, HBK’s provided in parenthesis)
*Stats/Info will be for Edge, HBK’s provided in parenthesis*
Wrestling Ability: Above Average (HBK: Legendary)
Promo Ability: Excellent (Legendary)
The “Look”: Good (Above Average)
The “It” Factor: Continuously improved over the last 10 years (Legendary)
Charisma: Excellent (Legendary)
In Ring Psychology/Storytelling: Good (Legendary)
Selling: Above Average (Legendary, although overly zealous at times)
Face Role Character: Above Average (Legendary)
Heel Role Character: Excellent (Legendary)
Other – King Of The Ring Tournament: 1-Time (HBK: 0)
Other – Money In The Bank Match: 1-Time [2 by beating MITB winner Kennedy], (0 – Although never participated)
Other – Royal Rumble Match: 0-Time (2)
European Championship: 0-Time (1)
WWE Tag Team Titles: 9-Time (2)
World Tag Team Titles: 3 [total of 12-Time], (1) [total of 3]
Intercontinental Championship: 5-Time (3)
WWE Championship: 2-Time (3)
World Heavyweight Championship: 1-Time [total of 3-time], (1) [total of 4]
*Fun with bullet points!*
As I said before, Edge is not Shawn Michaels. He will never be Shawn Michaels. He will never have as important matches at WrestleMania, and he will never lead a stable that helps put a rival company out of business. The fact is Shawn Michaels had a lot more exposure for a lot longer time. While Shawn was thrust to the top fairly quickly, Edge has had to take his time. He spent MUCH longer in the tag ranks, and MUCH longer in the mid-card scene; there is no denying this.
But reviewing his accomplishments made me realize that maybe we do overlook a few of the legends – maybe not later in life – but at least as we’re watching them currently. Edge will never be Shawn Michaels, but I wonder if in making that comparison, we can recognize that he has certainly accomplished (and continues to accomplish) great things despite how long it has taken for his career to find the path of success. I answered the original question with “no”. I now get the strong feeling that if someone asks me that question in 10 years, I will immediately answer yes. Pay attention to Edge people, for I feel we may be watching one of the great ones form right before our eyes.
JP: Edge is also a future entant into the Hidden Highlights Hall of Fame. Again, he, Christian, Regal… they are all going in someday, just not while they are so active. It’s almost like I’m trying to think of someone to induct… someone before a major milestone of this very article…
Exit, stage left!
JT: Microsoft Word has fucked me. That is all. Have a great week my little Nestle Crunches!
JP: Yeah, I have no idea what caused the issues in Word, but I figured out how to fix them. Anyone know how sections of an article can suddenly turn to French? Personally, I blame Cook.
Thank you for joining us for THE 91st ISSUE of Hidden Highlights! Be sure to drop us a line and let us know what you think and all the other Hidden Highlights we missed. Plus, we want to hear your Reader Write-ins for all the moments you see this and every week.
We’ll catch you next time in the reader approved most positive article in all of the IWC: Hidden Highlights! Until then!
