wrestling / Columns

The Wednesday Wrestling Week That Was 10.24.12: Issue #8

October 24, 2012 | Posted by Sam Smith

What’s up, nerds? I’m Sam Smith, back with another steaming hot pile of wrestling news – it’s The Wednesday Wrestling Week That Was! As always, I’m extremely happy to be right here, on the internet!

foleyisgood

Remember to follow me on Twitter and read my blog!

In brightest day, in blackest night, no sex tape shall escape my sight. Let those who worship Bubba’s might, beware my power, Hulk Hogan’s light!

theweekthatwasbanner

– In our weekly Hulk Hogan news, Gawker.com have responded to the $100 million lawsuit filed by the Hulkster over their publishing of a clip of his sex tape. Gawker’s lawyer Cameron Stracher told Reuters that the case is “meritless” and he will be asking a judge to dismiss it. He added “He’s having sex with another man’s wife in another man’s home. I’m not sure it’s reasonable to say he has an expectation of privacy under the circumstances.” Zing! That right there is a zinger.

United States District Judge James Whittemore later turned down Hogan’s request for a preliminary injunction against Gawker and other defendants that would have forced them to removed the content immediately. Whittemore said Hulk had “failed to show that immediate and irreparable injury, loss or damage” would occur if the material was not removed before the defendants could respond to the court and argue against the injunction. Instead, a hearing has been set for November 8, where all sides will argue the motion with the judge making a final ruling.

All in all, not the best week for the Hulkster. Plus all that Aces and 8’s stuff to deal with at the day job! Power through it, Hogan. Hulkamania still lives within my heart.

– Speaking of Aces and 8’s, word is that the decision to reveal Devon as a member was not a long-term plan, but a choice made in the last couple of weeks. Devon’s contract with TNA did expire, and similarly to Matt Morgan, the company had been looking for ways to bring him back.

I gave credit before to TNA in how they managed to convince everyone they had actually released Devon, but now….. now I don’t know what to believe in. Everything I once knew is a lie.

– Tammy “Sunny” Sytch, who by this point should really need no introduction, posted the following on Facebook last week:

“HEY GUYS! IM OFF TO REHAB FOR 3 MONTHS! NOT BECAUSE IM DRINKING AGAIN OR HIT ROCK BOTTOM, BUT TO GET MYSELF TO THE PLACE I NEED AND WANT TO BE. MY ATTY, ROB SERAFINOWICZ, WILL BE UPDATING YOU PERIODICALLY TO KEEP YOU APPRISED. I AM WELL AND HAPPY! LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW CHAPTER IN MY LIFE! SOMEDAY ILL FIND HAPPINESS IN A RELATIONSHIP AGAIN….THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! ESPECIALLY THANKS TO THE WWE! LOVE YOU!”

I bet you love the WWE, Tammy. Someone’s gotta foot those rehab bills, right? At least she says she isn’t drinking again. Although if that’s the case, what’s the excuse for the BLOCK CAPITALS?

Sytch also changed her relationship status to “single”. Hogan help us all. What do you think, CM Punk?

punkunimpressed

Exactly.

– WWE are talking with Charlie Sheen about being involved in a non-wrestling capacity for WrestleMania 29. Sheen was in talks for a Summerslam appearance, but it fell through due to his asking price. I’m not sure what Vince’s obsession with Mr. Tiger-Blood is. Maybe he reminds him of the good old locker room days – lots of drugs and eating burgers off the floor.

WWE is also looking to work with Alana Thompson, star of TV show Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. The only exposure I’ve had to that show is through South Park, and that’s enough for me. Shit like that makes me fear for the future of humanity.

……..seriously, WWE? Honey Fucking Boo Boo? Really?

– SuperLuchas.net is reporting that Big Dave Batista could be returning to WWE at the Royal Rumble. This probably isn’t true. I’d be happy to be wrong, though.

– Johnny Curtis (who?) apparently has a new ballroom dancer gimmick. Eh, at least it’s original. Can’t be worse than his last gimmick! Because he didn’t have one, hahahahahahahah

– Brodus Clay appears in a new Hot Pockets commercial. Makes sense. Man looks like he enjoys the occasional Hot Pocket.

I’d make a joke about Snoop Dogg selling out, but I’d be about fifteen years behind the fact.

– WWE writers are having a hard time coming up with a finish to the impending CM Punk/Ryback match at Hell in a Cell. Probably should have thought about this stuff beforehand, guys. Rather than just praying to any god that would listen for Cena to recover in time.

An idea that has been thrown around everywhere is for Brock Lesnar to cost Ryback the match. Of all available outcomes, this seems like the best to me. Punk keeps the title, Ryback doesn’t look like a total choke artist, and we get a Ryback/Lesnar match down the line. WWE are hestitant about this plan because it uses up one of Lesnar’s contracted dates and may delay a rematch between him and Triple H. I speak for everyone (on the internet) when I say I don’t give a shit about a Lesnar/Trips rematch.

– Make-A-Wish have recognized John Cena for granting 300 wishes during his WWE career. Cena hit the milestone in June and was awarded as part of the foundation’s “Evening of Excellence” event. Dislike Cena the wrestler all you like (and I do!) but Cena the man deserves nothing but utmost respect. Nice work, John-boy.

– WWE want to have CM punk star in a movie, but at the same time do not want him to miss time from his normal schedule. Orton has worked TV but missed house shows whilst filming whatever it is he is in, but WWE want to keep Punk on house shows to sell tickets.

The company is also considering a fourth Marine movie, this time with Eve Torres in the lead role. I have another suggestion guys: stop making shitty movies!

– The decision of whether to work at WrestleMania is being left up to the Undertaker, and rightly so. I think the guy has earned the right to choose when and if he wrestles at this point. There is also talk of Taker being a surprise Royal Rumble entrant if he doesn’t appear at WrestleMania.

– Finally, something I noticed whilst watching Smackdown last Friday. Not every WWE PPV is actually a pay-per-view in England – some air for free. Considering it’s hard enough to convince a person to shell out for a PPV these days, factor in that it airs at 1am and you have quite a hard sell. Most PPVs are still PPVs, but some of the smaller shows are free. Hell in a Cell is one of these shows. During the UK broadcast of Smackdown, I noticed the words “pay-per-view” had actually been edited out every time Josh Matthews mentioned HitC. Example: “Orton and Berto will fight blah blah blah at the Hell in a Cell ——- !” I don’t know if this is the first time this has been done, but it’s the first time I noticed it. Sounded weird.

Photobucket

Raw! It’s war, so I’ve heard.

Rey Cara vs. The Rhodes Scholars

Oh hey, my prediction was correct! Suck my dick, Nostradamus.

I liked Sandow’s jumping in the way of the three count being made. Don’t see that very often.

Kofi Kingston vs. Michael McGillicuty

I looked away for one second and it was over! I want my money back.

I appreciate another mild push for Kofi, but for him to really reach that next level he needs a serious blood feud that people can get invested in. Kinda like he had with Orton before that all went to pot. Stupid. Stupid! STUPID

Cena plays cheerleader

Cena throwing his support behind Ryback just seems off to me. The guy has said over and over how much he wants to be champ again. Couple that with all that “Never Give Up” business and it just seems weird how he….. gave up.

Antonio Cesaro vs. Justin Gabriel

Both men continue to impress. The beginnings of a feud for the title? Yes please.

A really long promo bit with Vince and AJ and Heyman and Vickie and aaaaagh I don’t caaaaaaare

Reaaaally don’t care.

Ryback vs. The Miz

Oof. Squash city. Poor Miz can’t catch a break. At least you didn’t get legitimately knocked out this time, buddy! Which is an odd segue to –

Photobucket

No.

Daniel Bryan vs. Dolph Ziggler

This was a fantastic little match, but is that a surprise? I salivate to think of what these two could do with an hour.

Ziggler wins! This is unprecedented!

The Newly….tag Game?

This was not a thing that needed to happen. If you have to kill time, WWE (3-hour Raw, woooo), just give a couple of matches five extra minutes? Please?

Big Show vs. Kane

Punch. Punch. Punch. Repeat.

Alberto del Rio vs. Zack Ryder

I swear we have seen this exact same match many, many times.

Sheamus vs. CM Punk

This started out slow but built into a decent match. It’s just a shame that the crowd seemed so dead for the majority of it.

Punk gets the cheeky win, Sheamus still beat up about half the roster, and Ryback looks like a beast. Good stuff, all round.

Two decent matches this week, but plenty of other stuff that was banal and dull. A very average episode.

BONUS SEGMENT! Let’s do some Hell in a Cell predictions!

Photobucket

Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rioooooooooooo

Orton wins. Derp.

I could see Del Rio winning if it somehow lead to Orton’s heel turn, but I don’t think that’s gonna happen just yet.

Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz – Intercontinental Championship

Obligatory rematch. Kofi wins.

Team Hell No vs. Team Rhodes Scholars – Tag Team Championship

This should be a decent match. Team Hell No are arguably the hottest thing in the WWE right now, so there is no way they are dropping the titles yet. Team Friendship win.

Sheamus vs. The Big Show – World Heavyweight Championship

Hmmmm. This one could go either way. And you have to imagine Dolph Ziggler will factor into the decision somehow.

I’m gonna say Show wins, gets Brogue kicked, and Ziggler cashes in in an amusing repeat of last year.

CM Punk vs. Ryback – WWE Championship

HMMMMM. As you all know by now, I’m a fan of The Ryback, but having him win the title here would be a big mistake. He simply isn’t ready. Punk clearly has a date with The Rock set for the Rumble, and I’d hate for that to be derailed due to short-term planning by the bookers.

I’m gonna say CM Punk wins, and hope it happens.

Photobucket

Time to interact with you vermin. Let me put on my gloves.

Jay El Bee –

Wait you’re a Ryback fan yet you continue to post that picture wondering if he has killed anyone yet. I guess if you mean it in the same way that Samoa Joe “kills” people then that’s fine, I just doesn’t seem like that’s the way it’s supposed to be taken to me.

Yes, I am a Ryback fan. I can still acknowledge that he is a tad green and has had a few botches in the past. It’s just supposed to be a bit of fun, like the rest of this column. After all, it wouldn’t be the internet without some blatant contradiction, yknow?

Just saying –

You are correct. It is hypocritical. He also likes it when the Miz takes a kick, full force to the head from a bodybuilder named Kofi. Funny stuff for a child writing a wrestling column for free in his parents house.

I….. well…… nah, that’s actually quite accurate.

Can’t we be friends, Just saying? Is that your real name? And why the jab at Kofi? Remember buddy, it takes more muscles to frown than smile. After all –

Photobucket

Yes I love that picture and yes I am going to use it at every opportunity.

jmac –

I think the reason I’m somewhat anti-Ryback is that we’ve just seen a muscled-up guy with little personality dominate the main event for seven years. To “pass the torch”, as it seems they want to do, from Cena to Ryback seems like another situation where the WWE wants to pick “the guy” themselves instead of letting it happen naturally and they want to pretty much be the same kind of guy with little difference. I just can’t stand yet ANOTHER face in the WWE that is just some big guy with a limited moveset and a limited personality. Sheamus is already in the “John Cena SuperFace” club and Punk was on his way there until he turned– which, of course, he HAD to do because a face can’t be interesting and still be a face. That would be absurd. So, I guess I’m not anti-Ryback specifically, I’m just tired of the same-old, same-old face archetype that he represents.

Chris Johnson has a good reply to this –

I’m pretty sure Ryback isn’t getting his push because they fabricated the whole thing. He seemed to get over, despite some hefty criticism and lofty comparisons, with everyone, and then they pulled the trigger based on fan reactions. As far as Ryback’s archetype, aside from his move set he isn’t anything like the John Cena archetype. In fact we don’t really know what he’s like aside from being insatiable and utterly brutalizing people there has been no real character development yet.
That’s not to say he won’t just become a glad handing, smiling, imbecilic, bad joke machine…just that he hasn’t thus far been such.

I totally understand the fear of another John Cena, but I agree that we still have no idea if that is how Ryback is going to turn out. Who knows, he might end up being a huge heel in a year’s time. I’m not sure we will ever see another Cena, staying face for so long despite a considerable amount of fan disapproval. Heck, even Austin turned heel for a bit.

Bonerfied –

I love the Team Hell No dynamic, but is anyone else thinking about the last red hot face who was put into a program with Kane and what happened to him? If Daniel Bryan becomes the next Ryder I may actually have to start watching TNA…

I’m not sure if anything could derail D-Bry’s momentum and over-ness at this point. It’s only a matter of time until he turns proper face, and I can’t wait. The crowd is going be behind him like freaking crazy.

That’ll do me for this week. If you made it this far, thankyou for reading, and please leave a comment. I’ll feature the best (and worst) next week.

As always, follow me on Twitter and read my blog. I’m Sam Smith, and I’ll see you all next week.

NULL

article topics

Sam Smith

Comments are closed.