The Wrasslin’ Countdown: 01.26.11: The End of an Era?

Hello, again, and welcome to another edition of The Wrasslin’ Countdown. It’s been a solid week of professional wrestling and the stuff that happened backstage was pretty exciting too. We’ve got retirement rumors, money fights and contract extensions. What else could you ask for?

January 19 – I can’t remember when, but when I learned Randy Savage was going to be in WWE All-Stars I started getting excited over the game. I’m not a huge video game buyer but WWE All-Stars jumped into first day buy when I saw the cover. Hulk Hogan is right there, front and center, sparring with John Cena. How awesome is that? I didn’t expect Hogan’s inclusion because of his affiliation with TNA so seeing him on the cover made me mark out. I cannot wait to purchase this game, fire up the Xbox 360 and beat some guys down with the Hulkster. I’ve heard nothing but good reviews from everyone that has looked at this game. An ESPN.com article compared it to NBA Jam and that game plays like heaven!

January 20 – How nice of TNA to let us know that Jeff Jarrett and Kurt Angle are their main stars by giving their feud more segments than I can remember! Karen Angle? Confrontations? Word exchanging? Last week’s Impact had it all. If I didn’t recall their former feud, this wouldn’t earn that big of a complaint from me but it’s still pretty fresh. Why give these guys all of that screen time? They’re more than talented enough to get their point across in a segment or two. What they did just came off as overkill.

January 21 – Okay, so this is more minor nitpicking but why does The Corre have two r’s in its name? The stable is off to a pretty okay start but why do we get two r’s? Why not Wade and the Barretts if they wanted to give us a faction name with more than one r. This won’t damn the faction from the start but it takes away some legitimacy. Maybe they’re doing it just to stand out but it’s not helping Wade Barrett and company at all. By the way, Ezekiel Jackson’s accent is very smooth. Is that the first time he spoke on WWE TV?

January 22 – In an interview done by ESPN, Hulk Hogan said the New Jersey Jets would keep on winning as long as they kept “taking smack over there.” Well, they stopped talking smack and they lost so was the Hulkster right? The Bart Scott trash talk after the Patriots-Steelers game was enough to get Hogan to switch alliances as he described himself as Steelers fan and said the Jets would win the game. Of course, Hulkster said that trash talk reminded him of himself from the Hulkamania days. I’m not so sure but it made for a nice Saturday morning read.

January 23 – Speaking of nice reads, former WWE Creative Writer, John Piermarini opened up a blog over the weekend. In the blog, he detailed the 2010 Money in the Bank pay-per-view and some backstage thoughts over certain wrestlers (like Ted DiBiase and Michelle McCool). I found myself enjoying the content of the blog and went back to quote some of his lines for you guys, sadly, Piermarini took down everything he wrote. That’s a big bummer.

This adds some legitimacy to his claims. Perhaps somebody in the WWE saw what he wrote and pointed out how it violated some sort of clause in his contract? That’s the explanation that makes most sense to me. One of the few things I can remember is how he said Vince McMahon doesn’t like John Morrison because he feels Morrison couldn’t win a real fight and that Skip Sheffield is viewed as a future number two babyface by McMahon. I love myself some Skip Sheffield but that seems too high of a projection for his career. I don’t know. I hope Piermarini re-uploads his entries.

January 24 – Lost in John Cena’s PG-heavy character is how much of a dick he’s been to everybody. Sometimes this stuff is hilarious, other times it’s annoying. When Cena is shown backstage, we see him giving away his dog tags or messing with someone’s food. That is funny. He’s gotten increasingly lamer in his promos but sometimes that has the “so bad it’s good” quality. I found myself loving his disqualification of both CM Punk and Wade Barrett for excessive profanity during Raw. That made for tons of laughs and I’m sure it made some of the most smarkiest members of the WWE Universe angry. I think they can balance Cena’s lame qualities and his hilarious ones and create Cena’s best character yet.

January 25 – Jim Ross described Percy Watson as “arguably the most athletically gifted athlete WWE has signed in many, many years” in his blog and it pumped me up for Watson’s future re-debut. I’ve already talked about how much I enjoyed his NXT character but this is the first time I can remember someone describe Watson physically. I can’t recall any good match from Watson’s NXT stint but I can’t recall any good NXT matches besides the Chris Jericho-Daniel Bryan one from the opener. I’ve seen some of his stuff on Youtube but none that would scream “athletically gifted,” so maybe he’s keeping that in or just brings it out in the special matches. Either way, I predict greatness for the Watson era. OH YEAH~!

There have been rumors that Edge will retire in 2012, when his contract expires. Word is that he isn’t enjoying being on the road so much, and that he has told friends that he could use a break after all of the years, injuries and rehabbing those injuries. With that being said, there is no confirmation that he will retire. Many wrestlers that have made good money discuss retiring at the end of their next contract, and either sign a new deal, or take a retirement that turns out to be a break. (PWInsider)

I’m pretty sure I’ve said in this column that I don’t consider myself a fan of Edge. I find his mannerisms to be annoying and his matches to be boring and I don’t necessarily have a picky taste for wrestling. Anyways, he’s been a workhorse for the WWE and I can admire that. Since that injury stretch a few years back, Edge has been there for the WWE every Monday or Tuesday, depending on the brand he was on. He had that little injury last year but he’s been back for almost a year and has still delivered a main event level of work. He’s been wrestling for ages and has earned his dues so although I don’t like him, I understand how important he is to the WWE.

His retirement would be a pretty bad blow for the WWE, who have already lost tons of main event talent in the past year. The Undertaker and Triple H may come back but who knows for how long. Taker seems to be hurt every year and H is already working on non-wrestling things backstage. There are wrestlers on the way but some of them don’t feel like they’d be good replacements for a guy like Edge. I mean, the most predictable title match in memory is this Dolph Ziggler-Edge bout in a few days. Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, Jack Swagger, the list goes on. Lots of these guys have provided good-to-great wrestling but none of them have the main event vibe of Edge. It’d be a difficult blow but I’m sure Smackdown could recover.

Besides, Edge has built a Hall of Fame career in the WWE. He’s done more than enough and probably made enough money to live a happy life. He’s been through injuries but you never hear about him limping or whatever like you do most people who have done what he’s done.

Of course, retirement rumors are thrown around with older wrestlers all the time. The only time I remember one coming true was Shawn Michaels’ a few years ago. 2012 is a while away and Edge should just be enjoyed right now.

In an interview, Bret Hart described his WWE status as “in limbo,” and said he would be open to inducting Shawn Michaels into the WWE Hall of Fame. (The Law)

It’s good to hear from Bret Hart now that he isn’t wasting his time managing The Hart Dynasty or whatever he was doing the last time we saw him on WWE programming. If the WWE were to call him, like he detailed in his interview, I would hope it wouldn’t devolve to him being placed in matches only for the WWE to have DH Smith or some face to bail him out. That got old very fast last year. Maybe it could work for one more time but Hart is above that stuff…right? There are hardcore Hart fans that have seen enough of that and desire to see Hart in some other non-wrestling fashion. I’m not sure how they could use him so I don’t really see it happening but if Vince McMahon and friends feel the buyrate for WrestleMania is going to be low, it could happen. As for him wanting to induct Shawn Michaels, I can’t see it happening. Surely Triple H is ahead of Hart on that list. They were tag partners and rivals for years in the WWE and it only makes sense. At least neither man is acting childish over what happened over a decade ago. That “feud” was just silly.

Sources in TNA have confirmed that Ric Flair missed the TNA event in Germany due to, “Flair refusing to get on the plane to Germany.” Those sources have also state that the reason he did not get on the plane was due to a blow up with a member of TNA Management over money in Dublin, Ireland. (PWInsider)

At first glance, I thought this was a small thing that could evolve into something bigger, potentially ending Flair’s affiliation with TNA. It then began to grow as the day went on and started convincing me that the Nature Boy’s time with TNA may be coming to a close. You would hope that somebody with Flair’s credentials built a solid foundation for him and his family but its professional wrestling, that’s almost never a guarantee.

The reports of people making fun of Flair by using his mannerisms don’t sound too swell. I know he has been reported to be a very prideful person and attacking him like that can only hurt his chances of continuing with TNA. He’s done some good down in Florida but it’d be very easy to just cut him out of the Fortune/IMMORTAL storyline. Perhaps the people who made fun of Naitch’s slogans and moves know that TNA doesn’t need him? Sure he adds some legitimacy and you’ve got to believe that there are a few people who tune in simply to see him but I think TNA would recover if he were to leave.

Maybe he needs the money and is going to swallow said pride? I can’t see that happening but the Hulkster said it best when he said never said never.

After his appearance on Smackdown, Michael Tarver is scheduled to return to television on the brand. (The Wrestling Observer)

This news broke before his Raw appearance so it leaves room for the dirt sheets to back off or alter their report but I think Smackdown would make more sense for Michael Tarver. Raw is already on the Road to WrestleMania and is filled with guys from Smackdown trying to get people interested in the upcoming shows. On Smackdown, Tarver can create a nice foundation in the midcard or higher if that is what the WWE wants to do with him. I’m not sure their plan but I find myself enjoying Tarver’s work more often than not. He’s got a sweet sounding voice that could work for himself or for another wrestler if they give Tarver a managerial role. His backstory from NXT would also get some people behind him. He already looks like he’s going to be involved in some storyline based on his appearance over Teddy Long on Smackdown. It’d be too easy to make him the assailant but it makes sense. Nothing wrong with that. Plus, The Corre needs another guy.

Former WWE and ECW star Nunzio/Little Guido refereed last night’s dark match between William Regal and Percy Watson at the Raw taping in Detroit, Michigan. He previously worked in this role at Madison Square Garden show in New York City. (PWInsider)

For viewers that get a hard-on for former ECW personalities, this has to excite them. Little Guido was never impressive to me but he has his following. I can’t really see there being a downside in this potential agreement between Nunzio and the WWE. Like many, I don’t really enjoy referee angles but I can’t recall the last time the WWE had one. You bring that back to a possibility with Nunzio. Some people are questioning whether or not he can pass as a ref but he’s small enough that he won’t make any wrestlers look bad and he obviously likes the business if he’s still hanging out in it. I’d like him to be that tough referee that doesn’t back down since he has a wrestling background. I think it could work and Nunzio could create a nice little niche for himself. How sweet would that job be?

Ring of Honor has signed The Briscoe Brothers to a contract extension. (ROH)

One of my major problems with Ring of Honor necessarily isn’t their fault. Most of their big stars get raided by the WWE and TNA. If I were in that industry and I were given the chance to work with either of them, I’d probably take that leap, especially knowing ROH would welcome me back any time. Combine that with a lack of new stars and you find yourself in some trouble. Luckily for Ring of Honor, they still have plenty of people with talent and The Briscoe Brothers exemplify that. Originally, the contracts were set to expire in late 2011 but Ring of Honor (smartly) extended them. I can’t see this being a bad thing for the company as both have the ability to work decent singles matches and very good to great tag team matches. There are also loads of possibilities with these guys with new guys (like the World’s Greatest Tag Team), current wrestlers and wrestlers that tried the WWE/TNA but found themselves back in Ring of Honor. Solid signing that should benefit both parties.

• Aaron Hubbard breaks every rule I know by not placing Hulk Hogan’s theme at number but still provides a very good read with this week’s Contentious Twenty. Super-sized for the Rumble, I see.
• Speaking of the Royal Rumble, James Cooke and his positivity are back with a look at the go home show for the Rumble in Positively Raw.
• Ring of Honor may be separating from HDNet but that’s not for while. Until then you can get all of your ROH on HDNet recaps here. Why not start with this week’s?

And we’ll end halftime of the column with a TWITTER PLUG.
@411mania
@411Wrestling
@411Movies/TV
@411Music
@411Games
@411MMA
@411Boxing
You can find me @steamedhams

1. Every big man ever – It’s Royal Rumble time so naturally, we’re getting hype from the WWE about how EVERY BIG MAN in the WWE is going to be the most difficult to eliminate from the Rumble. Sheamus, Henry, Big Show, these guys (when they’re heels) lose to the smallest competition yet we’re supposed to believe they’re suddenly unstoppable in the Rumble. You can argue that it’s tradition or whatever but it gets kind of old. I can’t imagine anyone was shocked when Mark Henry came out when Ted DiBiase challenged the locker room to an over-the-top-rope match. I love the Royal Rumble and this won’t create an ounce of harm for my enjoyment but we can do without it.

2. Amateur Wrestling – We got an amateur wrestling challenge with MVP, it was talked about much in his feud with The Big Show and it happened last week in an amateur wrestling challenge with Kofi Kingston last week on Smackdown. I love Jack Swagger and what he brings to the table but it seems like every feud goes down the same way. This point was brought up in the 411mania Smackdown review and it reminded me of the MVP and Show feuds. Amateur wrestling is a fine part of Swagger’s character but he can bring so much more. The Swagger-Kofi part of Smackdown was so boring. Both men are very talented and should churn out better stuff in their sleep! It’s neither Kofi’s nor Swagger’s fault that the quality was down so no one should turn their TV off any time they get on screen. Amateur wrestling, for me, is great in doses but not in every Swagger feud.

Bring back the Eagle!

3. Gail Kim – And because this is supposed to be the positive part of the column, Gail Kim FINALLY has a story. She left TNA for the WWE ages ago but I can’t remember one memorable thing she’s done. All of my Gail Kim memories are of botches which is unfortunate since her match with Awesome Kong was the first time I really enjoyed a female wrestling bout. That stuff was really good. I don’t think Gail Kim is as good as she showed in her Awesome Kong feud but I don’t think she’s as bad as she’s been in the WWE. She just needs to find the right partner or something. Maybe finally giving her a spotlight in the United States Champion will allow her to put on some more high quality work. After all, I’ve heard on the internet how much the WWE is wasting her talent and she’s yet to showcase that in the E. Like most people, I’m rooting for her. She can be a very valuable asset to the Divas Division and Daniel Bryan‘s career.

If the popular ESPN program “Pardon the Interruption” taught us anything, it’s that there’s always time to get happy. This segment is dedicated to birthdays, anniversaries, departures and the like.

Happy Anniversary, Sid Vicious! – Chris Benoit beat Sid Vicious for the vacant WCW at Souled Out 2000 but that result was shortly reversed on Monday Nitro as it was ruled Vicious wasn’t actually pinned. Chris Benoit left for the WWF/E and that left Sid Vicious with a feud against Kevin Nash. On this day in 2000, Big Sid Vicious beat Big Sexy and one of the Harris brothers on an episode of Thunder (that was actually taped the 25th). Vicious would hold on to the title for a few months before every WCW title was made vacant by the powers that be.

Vicious is actually in the news because he was arrested for various reasons (including marijuana possession and driving sans a license). Sadly that stuff isn’t as bright as it was over a decade ago when Sid was main eventing WCW…although if you really hated WCW, you could argue that he’s doing better today. Sid was rumored to do some stuff with the WWE a few months ago (maybe even a year) but it seems like those rumors get thrown around with nearly every former guy.

Happy 51st Birthday, Road Warrior Animal! – I’ll always (unfairly) remember Animal because of his late WWE run. I started getting into the dirt sheets and my first favorite report was over Animal pitching main event storylines for himself to creative. I’m not big on tag team wrestling but I can admit it has its place and Animal, along with Road Warrior Hawk was perfect as far as tag teams went. I’ve seen a ton of their matches on Youtube and various WWE DVD releases (the Starrcade DVD comes to mind first). The guy seems to have built a very good career and I see some people making cases for his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame every day. I’m not sure that day will ever come but I think it should. Animal and Hawk were memorable enough to merit an induction and it’d be sweet to hear that theme song on WWE TV again. I’m pretty sure Animal has an okay relationship with the WWE since his brother, Johnny Ace, is still working with them.

Ricardo Rodriguez – TWITTER

Just like the guy he introduces, I didn’t think too much of Ricardo Rodriguez when I first saw him on WWE TV. Sure, he sounded good and his Spanish was as Spanish-y as one could achieve. His first few appearances were pretty short and bland; he just introduced Alberto Del Rio. Nothing wrong with that, after all, he was billed as Del Rio’s personal announcer. Since then he’s been one of the most undervalued pieces of the WWE Universe. He’s hilarious. Whether he’s holding down Rey Mysterio‘s knee or keeping R-Truth out of the ring by shouting “WHAT’S UP,” Rodriguez is good for more than a few laughs. I really dig this guy’s character.

His Twitter page ranges from entertaining to actually pretty funny but the follow is always worth it. Although there’s some things I could do without, his page remains one of the few that I actually find myself looking at when I log on to the social media site. He stays in touch with fans as well as his fellow WWE’ers and it just makes for a solid follow. He won’t produce any hard-hitting information but why would you follow a wrestler for that stuff in the first place?

I’m not sure what Rodriguez’s ceiling is with the WWE. We’ve seen good people like Rodriguez end up in obscurity (Armando Estrada comes to mind). Maybe he follows in Estrada’s footsteps or maybe he carves out a solid career as Del Rio’s ring announcer. Either way, I hope the future holds more Ricardo Rodriguez.

I’ll be back next week with another (probably) entertaining episode of this news report. I hope the lack of real football won’t make this stretch of time last forever but we might as well get used to it with one more game remaining. Oh, and there’s that looming lockout. LUCKILY for us, baseball season is right around the corner.

Until next Wednesday, have a good one and thanks for the read.