411’s Worst Wrestler of the Week 03.31.2009

Welcome to 411’s Worst Wrestler of the Week! I am your humble host, JP “JP II” Truss.

In the Worst Wrestler of the Week, I will focus on all things concerning wrestling. Every aspect of the product will be considered and in the end, two things will be decided. One will be the top event in the wrestling industry (the Worst of the Week) and the second will be the wrestler whose actions make him/her the Worst Wrestler of the Week.

First off thanks to everyone for the feedback on last week’s column, all of your comments and concerns were heard. I’ll get into some of them later on in this column, but specifically I wanted to state now that what I have in mind isn’t just concerning TNA: it just starts there. Journalism is the goal. Last week is the same as now: I believe you, the reader, deserve a greater journalistic effort from folks like me. It’s one thing to piss and moan week after week, it’s another thing to get answers for your complaints. That’s what, I believe, separates professional wrestling from every other medium and that is what I’m working to accomplish so long as I have space here on 411 Mania Wrestling to do it.

So, let’s get started. It wasn’t a very big news week but there were still a few items worth noting. First up, the Worst of the Week:

Vince and Dixie AKA when people are this nasty to each other…:

Every time I try to get out…they pull me right back in!

Look, for a very good reason (and one that was pretty heavily mocked) I try my best to avoid TNA Wrestling right now. I’m doing it because I’ve had to shovel through so much of their nonsensical, unexplainable actions that by the time Destination X came around it pretty much threw my view on the product into a blender and puréed it. I cannot be objective about the organization and it would be unfair to you to talk about something I can’t be fair about so I’ve ‘washed’ my hands of TNA Wrestling until I can be fair about covering their product.

HOWEVER, when things like TNA’s Dixie Carter and WWE’s Vince McMahon little spat reach my desk, I have no choice but to say something. For those that were fortunate enough to miss it, it went a little something like this;

“My concern with TNA is not in terms of competition. My concern with TNA is that they are TV-14, and we are PG. They have to change with the times. I think some of the things they do on television are reprehensible, but it is a TV-14 rating. That’s the only bone I have to pick with them. Their TV ratings are a fraction of ours.” – Vince McMahon, Hollywood Reporter interview

“I think it’s wonderful that Vince watches TNA iMPACT. And I agree with him that things such as the brutal beating of a sixty-year-old man, a vicious home invasion and gratuitous man-on-woman violence can be seen as reprehensible – and that’s just the last three Monday nights.” – Dixie Carter, SunSport Interview

Wow, it must have been a slow day at the office for those two. This reminds me of when I first started learning how to play golf. I remember being highly frustrated because a friend of mine had gotten the fundamentals of a golf swing down before I did. The teacher pulled me to the side and said, ‘Son, golf isn’t like any game you’ve played before. You’re not facing him, you’re facing yourself.’

Short, simple, and to the point. It’s also something that both McMahon and Carter seem to be forgetting.

WWE fanatics before I go any further shut up. Same thing goes for the TNA fanatics. Just shut up for a second and think about this; exactly what is being gained for either the WWE or TNA by Vince and Dixie getting into a public spat? What superstar in either company is going to gain something in their careers because their boss happened to be quoted in some main stream news?

Wait; let me answer that for you: no and hell no.

Both companies have their share of internal and external problems that needed to be address that both (hear me on this) companies have so far ignored. World Wrestling Entertainment is leaking from the inside out from (quite frankly) a badly managed IPO that keeps the stock from being a serious play on Wall Street outside of the Wrestlemania season as well as a creative quagmire and stale brand recognition. On the other side of the street, TNA Wrestling is growing rapidly without the corporate foundation necessary to make long term growth permanent. As stated here at the 3W before, TNA Creative is very myopic; planning near term accomplishments without concern for long term gains. Everything is done right now! It has to be done today! Shock the fans today and we’ll worry about next week…next week!

That kind of thinking didn’t work for me in my old Trigonometry classes. It didn’t work for WCW OR ECW and end up being a factor in both of their demises. I very much doubt it’ll get TNA very far

And yet, in the midst of all of these things, somehow I’m supposed to be impressed that these two executives can mimic a Middle School lunchroom fight?

Right.

Look, I understand publicity and how free publicity helps everyone involved, but in this situation all it does is highlight the reasons people look down on professional wrestling.

I’m going to say this one time and I’ll going to be through with it. Both WWE and TNA don’t need to be concerned with each other right now. They have enough things in front of them. How about actually working to be an innovative professional wrestling/sports entertainment company instead of trying to figure out who tips over the Muta Scale? Wouldn’t it be better if these guys focused on their own game, instead of worrying about the other guy?

I don’t know. Maybe that’s just me. Either way, this qualifies for Worst of the Week for being nothing but cannon fodder for everyone involved.

And now, your Worst Wrestler of the Week;

The Entire Roster of Wrestlelicious:

Okay, let’s get this out of the way now so I will never have to bring it up again. For your consideration; Exhibit A for the Prosecution;

Now, for all I know these girls are actually very skilled wrestlers and put a lot of thought and dedication into developing their craft. However, I’ll never know it because I wouldn’t be caught dead watching something called “Wrestlicous”. It doesn’t help that it appears that the roster is a collection of over-the-top, female attributed stereotypes. Or that the website describes the entire deal as “action/comedy”. I’m not joking. Google “Wrestlicious” and see for yourself. So, I guess that means anything that focuses on women in wrestling has to be a joke otherwise it won’t be taken seriously right?

I’m not saying that’s the case. I’m just saying that’s the perception.

I’ve got nothing but respect for the Mouth of the South. I’m sure Jimmy Hart has good motivations here and that he’s actually trying to do something innovative for the business at large. However, this is not it. This well-meaning venture can only become an albatross that wrestling critics will eagerly tie around the neck of the entire industry, particularly to ventures working to make women’s wrestling viable in the current male dominant market. And all of the women of the roster, regardless of their intentions are happily pushing this bad joke into the laps of other women trying to be taken seriously to clean up. For that, the roster gets a mention here and this is the last time I mention “Wrestlicious” until the day it shuts down.

I’m sure there were plenty of others I could’ve listed but I’m saving my energy for Wrestlemania. Slight cop-out on my part but really, anything with “-licious” arbitrarily tagged is hard to top of the scale of things that are just plain wrong. Plus, there’s one other thing we have to get out of the way!

JP’s Spotlight: 12 Rounds Review

Well, I am if nothing else a man of my word. This past Sunday afternoon I saw the latest WWE Studios release 12 Rounds and as promised weeks ago, this is my official review. This will not be a detailed review of the movie; for that you’ll have to go across the street to 411 Movies/TV where Bryan Kristopowitz does a great job of it. These are just my thoughts on paper. It has been hard not looking around for reviews or shows that could taint my opinion, as I sometimes do with certain movies. So, I was able to go in a give the movie a clean slate.

To be frank, it wasn’t a bad way to waste some time. I have certainly spent that amount of time doing much and 12 Rounds provides a pleasant distraction from the day. If anyone expects anything more than that, you’re just setting yourself up for disappointment.

At its core, this is an action movie and it’s in the scenes that rely on action where 12 Rounds shines. All of the chases and fight scenes, as well as the different ‘rounds, have a certain connectedness and energy to it that is definitely on par with other core action movies released in the past few years. Now, before anyone jumps down my throat let me define for you what I consider core action. Crank, The Transporter, War, Eagle Eye, Rush Hour. Seeing a connection? The whole point of these movies is that stuff happens in these movies. Something blows up, someone gets shot, stuff like that. Stuff like the new Bond series, certain superhero movies, and especially The Dark Knight have action elements but there’s more to it then that. Besides, comic movies I just call ‘comic movies’ to begin with.

Okay? Good. Let’s move on.

John Cena puts his best foot forward here in his young acting career and clearly puts everything he can into whatever scene he’s doing. He is still a long way away from being convincing as an actor, but his dedication gives WWE Studios hope for any other projects they do with Cena as the lead man. Action is his medium though and something he’ll most like get better at depending on the final results of this movie. Other than that, the only other actor that stuck out was Aidan Gillen who played Miles Jackson. The character, for the majority of the movie, felt like an actual threat to Cena’s Fisher and you can tell he was enjoying himself as well when he was on the screen. To be honest, I did not know who Gillen was before this film but I’ll be keeping an eye out for his work in the immediate future.

Now, here’s where the movie runs off the rails; there’s no reason for the audience to care about the characters. This kind of stuff just shouldn’t be a problem for a company like the WWE whose bottom line is dependent on an emotional connection between the superstars and the fans. Many different layers hinged on making that connection but there was never a “why” to the cast of 12 Rounds; it just was because that’s the way it was. Maybe 20 years ago it wouldn’t be a problem. However the general audience, just like the wrestling audience, has matured. We want to know why we’re cheering for someone and why we’re booing someone else. We want to be invested in the outcome of the movie, especially because we almost $7 and had to sit through almost 20 minutes of pointless ads just to see it. 12 Rounds just doesn’t deliver when it counts and again, the fact that a company that makes their living off character development couldn’t translate the exact same thing onto the big screen didn’t set very well with me.

Here’s the bottom line: if you’re an action junkie, then 12 Rounds is for you no question about it. However, if you want something a little deeper than an afternoon distraction you’ll have to go somewhere else.

JP’s Final Score : 3 out of 5 [Average]

JP’s Replies

Posted By: Aladdin Jones (Guest)
The biggest single problem with TNA is they have no face. Not one single standout individual that fans are willing to get behind and support. WWE has Cena, for what that’s worth, but also many other veteran’s who even casual fans recognize. TNA needs to push someone to the moon and make a big name star.

Agreed. The problem is that TNA can afford, at least in according to them, to push aside younger talent. Between A.J. Styles and Samoa Joe (who ironically were the only two not hurt by the Frontline vs. MEM debacle), they have that possible standout individual. But that would mean taking a risk and that’s something they are clearly not ready to do right now. I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it until someone in Nashville hears me; TNA is a myopic company. For them it’s about the short term. Aladdin, your suggestion makes perfect sense, but it’s a long term goal and TNA isn’t ready to cross that line yet.

Posted By: Adam Cap 82 (Guest)
JP, Good article but i have a few comments:

I honestly feel that there needs to be some sort of action taken to show TNA how serious we as fans are in regards to wanting to have our opinions not just heard, but also regarded. What course that action takes needs to be very well thought out and very well planned. A boycott for example might work, but runs the risk of doing more harm then good. Lets say that you get every 411 reader to boycott the TNA shows and PPV’s. Your intention is to show TNA that we the fans have the power, but what happens when the rating, buys, house show attendances, and sales fall? The company stops making money, that money does not reach the wrestlers, the network takes the show off the air, the Impact Zone gets closed and everyone is out of a job. Now our goal of making ourselves heard has become a mute point becuase there is nobody to listen.

An online forum type environment might work, but again, would have to be very carefully controlled. Lets use the 411 comment sections here as an example. Look at every news article that even mentions RVD and then look at the comments. If I want to read peoples thoughts on the news but have to scroll through 300 people going on and on about how its a “one shot deal” then it very quickly is going to lose my interest. The same thing has the risk of happening to a forum or public comment site. Lets say you start a site where we as fans can air our thoughts about the show, and lets say that JJ himself or Dixie Carter does decide to look at it. How many times would they look at it and see the RVD thing before then decide that its not a valuable tool for connecting with their audience? Having to wade thru 200 junk comments just to find 3 or 4 good ideas becomes unpracticle very quickly.

And on a personal note I found it rather annyoing how you say your cooking something up but dont just say what it is. You ask if its something we as fans and readers would sign our names to, but you dont tell us what your planning yet. To me that is the same thing that you fault TNA for doing. Rather then coming out with the idea, you drag it out and make it a bigger deal then it needs to be. Your talking about it the same way the Joe/Pump story is being played out. Now how about taking your own advice and following the “micheals/undertaker” route. Tell us ur idea and then let us comment on it. Do the very thing that you say you want the wrestling companies to do.

Live by example before expecting thers to follow.

Fair enough on your last comment. The way I operate, I don’t like saying ‘I’m going to do A, B, C…etc. etc. and now I want you to do the same.’ I’m more of a, ‘Here is what I’ve done.’ This isn’t to make a big deal out of it; far from it. If I wanted to make a big deal out of it I would never let you or anyone reading this article forget it. I’m not here to be an activist or a muckraker or whatever have you; journalism is the goal. I plan on posting in an article soon, ‘I’ve done this according to the plan I mentioned blah blah blah yakkety yak.’ I have moved, in the shadows of the interweb, to move forward on the things I’ve talked about and once it’s done you will see it here on the 3W.

Posted By: Sly Reference (Guest)
That pretty much sums up what’s wrong with TNA. To a certain degree WWE, too. They are so busy trying to recapture the Atitude era “anything can happen” feel that they aren’t adapting to new circumstances. The Internet and the IWC are out there, spoiler are out there, the genie is out of the bottle and all the tricks in the world won’t put it back in.

I blame the Creative Teams in general and not just Russo. What they should do is go back to the old USWA tapes, the old territory days, and see what made feuds work. Not the great feuds, but the everyday, mid-card feuds, the ones that kept people tuning in from week to week. Wrestling is not rocket science, and it’s not a post modern art form. Creative needs to get their head in gear and stop trying to trick the audience into watching. Just give us something good to watch and word will get around.

Sly, you hit the nail right on the head my friend and that is something that was lost the moment organizations like NWA and WCW died off and something that is just now beginning to reinvent itself with WWE. This sort of thing isn’t rocket science: we want someone to hate and someone to cheer for. We want a few guys guaranteed to put on a good match every week. Ironically it was what a lot of TNA fans were expecting with the growth of Impact to a two hour show. However, that fell on its face pretty fast. You’re right that both companies need to realize that a comprehensive midcard and just focus on putting on solid wrestling matches; we can only hope they get the message.

Posted By: Two cents (Guest)
Here’s the thing. The reason the internet isn’t taken as seriously regarding wrestling as ESPN is regarding football, or as Fox News or CNN regarding politics,is because of one reason.

We are outsiders pretending to be insiders. We don’t report as much as we offer opinions and speculation. If Fox News wants analysis on earmarks in the budget plan, they contact someone with some experience, they interview them, then offer analysis.

If we want analysis on the booking of a promotion, we don’t contact a former booker or a former member of creative, sit down with them, and try to get some insight. We just pretend we know more than the people getting paid to do this and spout off for 1500 words, give or take.

How inane would it be for some random afternoon desk jockey on Fox to just say “This Obama thing is NEVER going to work! Remember Reaganomics? Well, Barack needs to look back to the 80s, when financial planners knew what they were doing and stop ignoring the past! Give the people what they want, and inject a little Reagan into things. Send me your feedback. This is Doyle Wilson, and this has been The Way of Wilson.”

Then people respond, the guy discredits everything said, and then rants again. It would be ludicrous. It would be following the model of internet wrestling.

Rip TNA all you want. Bash them. Talk about their lack of storyline, their awful planning of Impact, and how they’re wasting talent like AJ, Joe,Beer Money, and Daniels. Then get offended when they don’t care because their profit margin is increasing and their ratings continue to grow.

Dumbfounded? Of course the internet is dumbfounded. We think we know everything. We think everything should be Ring of Honor, workrate, low character, reduced soap opera, highly believable action.

Well, Vince McMahon built an empire on completely ignoring that wisdom. He ran every promoter that adhered to that out of business once, and could probably do it again if he really wanted. There’s a reason RoH has never made it past drawing 500 people regularly. People don’t want Nigel McGuinness, they want John Cena.

TNA’s viewership obviously wants Sting vs. Angle more than they wanted Joe vs. Angle. Us getting pissy and thumbing our nose at it is just a result of our wounded ego because we’re being proven wrong. We’re NOT in the majority. The thing we’ve conditioned ourselves to hate is what is successful.

We begged for Joe to get his chance. He got it. Ratings didn’t budge. Christian got his opportunity. Ratings didn’t budge.

Who moved them? Sting. Angle. Booker. Nash. MEM. Frontline. Hate it if you like, but it’s working. TNA has been “on a road to failure” since the weekly ppvs. They’re still around. Obviously Jarrett knows what he’s doing.

Us?

We’re just marks with keyboards.

Just marks with keyboards? Says who 2? You? Me?

For the record, I’ve never pretended to be anything else than what I am: a guy that happens to like wrestling and had enough of hearing people that knew very little about the product slamming it. So I joined up with 411 Mania Wrestling to try and create an even playing field. That’s about it. I’m sorry if you got the impression that I was something else though.

Next, please consider the following 2. You say that TNA obviously knows that what they’re putting out now is ‘what the fans want’. But, is that something that the fans will want 6 months from now? Any company in any field does not have the luxury of assuming that they’re consumer will always want the exact same thing. McDonalds is famous because of one burger, yet every six months or less they have new items on the menu. Same thing with Coca-Cola. The company was built on a single brand, yet there’s always a new brand ready to be tested any given day.

This is done because, quite frankly, we as consumers don’t know what we want. We just want options and we’ll make the choice from there.

That’s were a competent middle ground comes in that can analyze those choices whether they be political or business. Professional Wrestling continually gets burned in the “legitimate media” because that media is unfamiliar with the business. That is where sites like 411 Mania Wrestling, in my view, should come in! This isn’t about being the next Murdoch or Turner. This is about doing something that really needs to be done right now as more and more wrestling companies go into the mainstream. There has to be a media for wrestling. There has to be a legitimate forum where things can be analyzed and that information can be called upon by both the companies and other sources because, as far as anyone on the outside looking in is concerned, only little kids and old guys in bingo halls watch this product. That is a false label that has no business being attached to this industry; not anymore.

You say we’re just marks with keyboards? I say, ESPN started with one sports nut with a camera. All it takes is doing what needs to be done. That’s my goal and for better or worse that is the goal I will chase as long as I’m apart of this website.

You got questions, comments, or just want to bite my head off? Leave a comment and I could answer it right here next week. And be sure to drop by this Friday for the 411 Weekly Smack down Report! And don’t forget to bookmark this site, 411 Mania Wrestling to get instant news from the most reliable wrestling source on the web! (Yeah, we have no choice but to include Smalls in that ‘reliability’ thing.)

Until next week; JP is DONE SON!