wrestling / Columns
Your News, My Views 6.19.07
TNA SLAMMIVERSARY Podcast~!
We’re back again, the wife and myself to discuss the TNA 5th Slammiversary show! We’ll discuss the good that was TNA, the bad that was TNA and the people in TNA that need to be castrated as soon as humanly possible! Dear Christi returns, we’ll also discuss Deadliest Catch, The Tudors and “THE LIST~!”
If that doesn’t work, copy and paste the following link into your browser and you’ll be fine: http://www.sendspace.com/file/czbbjh
Introduction…and Things I want to talk about~!
Welcome to the weekly dose of news and views that you crave. I, as always am you host Larry Csonka. How are we all doing today children? I hope all is well.
Supplemental Draft Ponderings~!
–TO RAW: Paul London and Brian Kendrick, The Sandman, Daivari, William Regal, Jillian Hall
–TO ECW: Viscera, The Miz, Johnny Nitro
–TO SMACKDOWN: Kenny Dykstra, Hardcore Holly, Brett and Brian Major, Victoria, Eugene
–LEAVING RAW: Kenny Dykstra, Viscera, Victoria, Eugene, Johnny Nitro
–LEAVING ECW: The Sandman, Hardcore Holly, Brett Major, Brian Major
–LEAVING SMACKDOWN: Paul London, Brian Kendrick, The Miz, Daivari, William Regal, Jillian Hall
–OVERALL FOR RAW: (+1) – All right, as far as losses go Viscera and Eugene are NO loss, they cut the fat there. Kenny wasn’t being used that much and a trip to Smackdown may in fact help him out. Victoria away from the women’s division makes no sense, and proves that they really don’t have plans to strengthen that area. Nitro is a big loss for them as he SHOULD have still been a player in the IC division with sights on him moving on up, but he was lost in the shuffle.
Now for the gains: Paul London and Brian Kendrick are a huge gain. Matches with the WGTT and Cade/Murdoch will be fun as hell, and liven up the tag ranks. The Sandman is a guilty pleasure and seeing him on Raw should be fun, unless he is relegated to HEAT. Daivari makes no sense as he is a cruiserweight, and he has no future on Raw. William Regal should fit greatly in the IC division and could MAYBE teach Santino a few things. There are rumors of a Regal push again, and I am all for it. Sadly there are not a ton of great matches for him to be had on Raw I feel. Finally Jillian Hall replaces Victoria, but the division is still lackluster and is going nowhere fast. Raw gains an extra body, which was by design.
–OVERALL FOR ECW: (-1) – All right, as far as losses go The Sandman has to be considered a loss because he was a HUGE part of what ECW was. Him being out of that element, no matter how deluded is odd. Hardcore Holly is another loss because his work was very good while in ECW. His matches will be missed. Brett Major and Major are actually no loss, since ECW has no tag division.
Now for the gains: Viscera is nothing but a big guy. The Miz could be oddly entertaining alongside Burke and Cor Von in the New Breed. The same goes for Johnny Nitro. With Benoit, Burke, Punk, Nitro and Cor Von; they have an interesting title picture going there, and it could be fun. ECW is now a developmental with TV. Freaks, Has been’s, never will be’s and guys with a TON of potential and Benoit is their teacher/grizzled veteran leader. And I mean that as a good thing. But they could have used more help in the form of a few more bodies.
ECW loses a body, which they really couldn’t afford with their limited roster.
–OVERALL FOR SMACKDOWN: (Push) – All right, as far as losses go Paul London and Brian Kendrick are HUGE. They were the foundation of what little tag division they had. They were fun and exciting, and now they are gone. The Miz is no loss since they weren’t actually doing anything with him, but JBL will miss making fun of him. Daivari leaving shows again that they have no clue what to do with him or the cruiserweight division. William Regal is also another loss as he had a huge part in teaching the youngsters. He was never utilized well in the tag or US Title pictures, and now with him gone that is weakened and Dave Taylor’s job as an onscreen character is in trouble. Jillian Hall is no loss since they had no women’s division.
Now for the gains: Kenny Dykstra is a good young talent. But he needs a lot of in ring seasoning and he can get that on Smackdown. Hardcore Holly is a “suitable” replacement for Regal. He is a good worker and someone that can leap into the US Title division, which is needed. In all honesty Brett and Brian Major had to go to Smackdown. They lost London and Kendrick in this draft and the tag ranks are in trouble. While they have a ton of potential, they are NO replacement for that great tag team. Also, I have seen them vs. the Greasers, and it is NOT pretty! Victoria basically means nothing since there is no ladies division. Maybe she can teach McCool and Krystal work. Torrie is a lost cause. Eugene means nothing. This is a push numbers wise for Smackdown.
On a closing note, I LOVE how they randomly changed the rules all through this. VIVA CONTINUITY~!
OTHER THOUGHTS~!
THE GREAT DANCE OFF~!
RESULTS~!
With 52% of the votes…the winner is…
Bask in his greatness!
Today in Wrestling History:
Births and Deaths:
Great People in Wrestling History:
Sherri Russell, also known as “Sensational” Sherri Martel to wrestling fans, passed last week at the age of 49. This is another case of a favorite leaving us too soon. Unfortunately this is no surprise as she partied hard and lived life hard. Sherri was not only a great manager, which most remember her for, but she was a damn good women’s wrestler. Former AWA and WWF Women’s champion, she was regarded as the best women’s worker in North America, and one of the best in the world.
Sherri transformed her ring presence and abilities into a managerial role for several people in the industry. Rose and Summers in the AWA, HBK, DiBiase and Savage in the WWE. And even in WCW with Flair and Harlem Heat. She is the only woman EVER win the WON manager of the year, something that might never be done again.
Whether Sensational, Sensual, Scary or Sista, Sherri Russell carved a place in wrestling history that will not soon be forgotten. Thanks for the memories Sherri, and Rest in peace.
TNA stories, scuttlebutt and rumors:
Your News: Samoa Joe is suffering from a bulging disc in his back, but is expected to make all dates this month. Joe has been working injured for a long time, both with nagging back and knee injuries.
My Views: The man is a warrior, but I have to wonder if some time off soon isn’t in order. There is a point to gutting it out, and a point to endangering your career. I just hope that Joe is careful and knows himself better then we do, because I would hate to see his career shortened due to “being a man.”
Your News: TNA MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR JIM CORNETTE TO MAKE A HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING JULY’S VICTORY ROAD! TNAwrestling.com has learned that this Thursday night on SpikeTV, TNA Management Director Jim Cornette plans to make a huge announcement regarding the main event of the July “Victory Road” Pay-Per-View spectacular. According to sources, Cornette will introduce a “new concept” for the main event and has informed all four TNA champions – World Champion Kurt Angle, Tag Team Champions Team 3D and X Champion “Black Machismo” Jay Lethal – that they are expected to be on hand for the announcement. What plans does Cornette have planned for the main event at “Victory Road” on Sunday, July 15? Tune in this Thursday night on SpikeTV to find out!
My Views: I have no clue what this is, but it sounds very interesting. Hopefully it is something cool, and not overly convoluted. Please make me care TNA!
And really, that’s all for TNA this week. They went into Slammiversary quietly and came out rather quietly. No major injuries coming out of the show, and at last report AJ Styles was fine after almost dying, again, on PPV. While no injuries and such is good, such little news is a bit discouraging and depressing. I know that they did meet with FOX officials about TV as they as looking at all options in hopes of getting 2-hours sooner than later, but that has been the case forever. Hopefully some interesting stuff comes out of the Impact tapings.
…Intermission…
LINKZ~!
Check out the latest feature from the 411 Wrestling staff, which is the 411 Independent Draft Spectacular~!
It’s the Fink’s Payload!
411’s Sunday PURO team checks in with new editions ofThe Navigation Log as well as Destiny!
The always Honorable Column of Honor!
The always great Shining a Spotlight!
And finally The Independent Mid-Card!
…AND I’M BAAAAAAACK!…
WWE/ECW news, notes and happenings to the EXTREME:
Your News: The Mr. McMahon death storyline made ESPN Sportscenter and ESPN Pardon The Interruption today. WWE management is very happy with the coverage that the Mr. McMahon car bombing is getting. The hope all along was to get mainstream attention, which is what is happening. Many WWE fans continue to believe that Vince McMahon was actually killed in the limo explosion on RAW. Some fans showed up to WWE Headquarters last night and held a candle light vigil. Once again, the entire thing is a work and McMahon is fine.
My Views: Sure they are happy. They got their name all over the place, and we all know the old saying, any publicity is good publicity. To me I was hoping that this would be some goofy thing where they showed footage the next night with him all charred and blackened and that it would be the big jackass prank. Which is why I joked about this in the news last week, but the fact that they have played this out as him being dead is some stupid shit.
First of all, in wrestling the “10-bell salute” is one of those few tings that actually still have some meaning. So the fact that they did this twice for a man that is not dead, and then preceded to run the shows like they did for Eddie and Owen is disrespectful as all fuck. I was curious and asked some of my former wrestling running buddies what they thought of this, and 99% of them thought that it was a spit in the face to people that had passed. Yes, people in the business thought this was bullshit. Some people are going to email me and say, “But Larry, they killed the character Mr. McMahon, like on a TV show. You don’t get pissed when that happens!” All right, there is a difference. When McClain Stevenson was written off M*A*S*H and Lt. Col. Henry Blake was killed over the sea of Japan, they didn’t come back on the next week and have Alan Alda talk like McClain Stevenson was dead. There is a difference, and to me this is in poor taste.
I also remember sitting here with my wife and saying, “Wow, I wonder what they’d do if, God forbid, someone that worked for them died during this.” Well, unfortunately Sensational Sherri passed away this week. There was actually some talk of pulling the Mr. McMahon angle due to the death of her, but again, it doesn’t look like that will happen as WWE.com put a story up over the weekend about how Stephanie and Shane McMahon will be spending Father’s Day without their father. That to me is disgusting. Seriously, as someone who recently lost my father, GO FUCK YOURSELVES. I hope you don’t know the feeling of the day without Vince for a long time, but when you do, you’ll look back on this and feel like shit I hope. They also have a story up today stating that this will be the first RAW ever to not have any involvement from Mr. McMahon. So here is someone in Sherri that you should run a tribute video package for, as well as do the 10-bell salute. But now, if they do this, are people going to boo and think that THIS is fake as well? Do you see where I am going with all of this? So yes, I did NOT like the angle and this it is stupid as shit, and has now cheapened something that meant something. Save your hate mail and go back to sucking Vince’s cock.
Your News: The McMahon death angle has been planned for weeks. WWE started getting the permits needed to do it several weeks back and shot the angle Sunday night with the help of a pyrotechnics firm. The footage of Mr. McMahon getting into the limo was live and then spliced with the taped footage. WWE put a burnt limo outside the arena so fans would see it as they left. The plan right now is to have the Mr. McMahon death angle run the entire summer as a mystery in search of the person behind it.
My Views: I think that it is hilarious that they can book the death of Vince so far in advance, but don’t have the same foresight for their money making booking; absolutely tremendous. But while that was the case, running the angle through the summer, there was huge disappointment in the Smackdown rating being only a 2.4 from Friday. It’s already being talked about that if the shows this week don’t show ratings improvement, that the Vince angle will be rushed into finishing. Please people, if you actually hate this, DO NOT WATCH! TANK THE RATING! 411 will have recaps for you to read, live coverage! Help a brother out!
Your News: WWE has a lot of internal pressure to get the RAW ratings up, which partly explains the Mr. McMahon limo stunt as well as the decision to load up the RAW roster in the draft while basically weakening Smackdown. RAW generates a lot more revenue for WWE than Smackdown, so it is a higher priority.
My Views: Because RAW in the almighty “A SHOW,” Smackdown is the bastard step child and ECW is the homeless person you give scraps to, because they didn’t get an equal number of picks. What a bunch of bullshit. And now they have been given another hour again next week. Kill me.
Your News: Jesse Ventura met with Vince McMahon today in Stamford, CT. No other details are available yet.
My Views: How could this BE? Vince is DEAD!
Your News: TMZ.com reports that Ashley Massaro will be taking time off from WWE to take part in CBS’s next season of Survivor in China next month. The word backstage among the wrestlers is that she will be leaving for that reason and that is why she was “suspended” on Smackdown last week.
My Views: That bitch needs to gain about 20lbs before she goes on that show or she will die if she makes it past day 9.
Your News: Steve-O of Jackass has posted another message on his MySpace page regarding his stint with WWE and how they are upset with him for spoiling the surprise that he is coming in to work a match at Summerslam.
“As for upsetting the WWE, too bad for them– they’re stuck plastering the television screen with commercial, starring only me (representing the entire cast of Jackass by myself ) and Umaga, promoting the Pay Per View event. As for “almost shutting down the Jackass match”, that’s just hype to let everyone know we’re coming (sic). As for the choke-outs, Ryan Dunn choked me out six times in one day. Umaga actually knows what he’s doing, he’s very capable of safely choking me out, and he’s the current champion of the WWE, of course I was a complete nightmare for those people doing everything in and out of my power to get footage of Umaga choking me out, and then have him sign a release form, which I was packing on the bod.”
WWE was upset with Steve-O and nearly pulled his match, feeling he was acting disrespectfully.
My Views: Yeah, I just can’t find the reason to care about this. He’s working it for all he can, so he has some CARNY in him. If they are going to sell this shit, he’ll have to keep it up.
Your News: The Coloradoan has an article up on the Undertaker’s recovery process from biceps surgery. The article also mentions that ‘Taker and a friend of his are buying $2.7 million in real estate in Colorado with plans to build an upscale office building. ‘Taker says in the article that real estate is a new adventure for him. According to the article, he won’t return to the ring until October.
My Views:First of all it is great to see that Taker is doing well. Secondly, October isn’t bad, they can work him into TV and have him return at Survivor Series, which is fitting since he debuted there. Secondly, it is great to see him getting some things se up for after wrestling. Seeing people prepare for life after the business is always a good thing I feel, so good for him and I hope he’s successful.
Independent News
Your News: The UWF has announced that they will hold a three-day tag team tournament. The event will span three days, running from 7.19.07-7.21.07 in South Carolina. The cities are North Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Columbia. The series will be called “The Rock N’ Roll Express Tag Team Tournament.” It will feature 10-teams, and is expected to include Rick and Scott Steiner, Brian Christopher and Scott Taylor reuniting as Too Cool, LAX, and Steve Corino & CW Anderson reforming the Extreme Horsemen.
My Views: Damn, this sounds pretty fucking cool actually. Obviously the Steiner’s are out, but this will probably be a fun Indy tournament. I may be in the area that weekend so I will probably try and check that out. UWF is running solid and fun cards, and Hermie Sadler pays the guys well and treats them with respect. For just a fan of the business, he sure understands it better than 90% of promoters. Good on you man.
Your News: As of today, Fathers Day Sunday June 17, 2007, Ricky Banderas, the Wrestling Society X Champion has been stripped of the Championship due to unsportsmanlike activities unbecoming to a champion.
Early last week, Mr. Banderas was held by police in Wilkes-Barre, PA and is a “person of interest” in the limousine explosion, which may or may not have killed Dr. Vincent Kennedy McMahon, Chairman of the World Wrestling Entertainment. Banderas was apprehended after a long struggle involving several chokeslams, and illegal fireballs, subjected to five hours of questioning in which three translators were called in, along with a criminologist who swore Banderas was speaking his an unknown dialect which required close captioning to understand.
Detective Colin MacNiff of the Wilkes-Barre Special Crimes Pro-Wrestling division remarked upon releasing Ricky Banderas from custody due to lack of evidence and comprehension “Mr. Banderas has some priors involving fire and pro wrestling. Hell, he won the WSX title by rigging a coffin with explosives. Even so, what part do explosions play in the wonderful world of pro wrestling? Can someone please explain to me why so many tax dollars are wasted on fruitless pro wrestling investigations?”
Wrestling Society X wishes Ricky Banderas all the best in his future endeavors. We have sent a delicious Hickory Farms summer sausage gift basket to his hospital room in Mexico City as he’s is recuperating nicely after his long awaited plastic surgery for his horrific burns courtesy of Vamprio and waiting for the heat to die down.
Details involving the future of the WSX Championship and Wrestling Society X are forthcoming.
My Views: WSX released that statement saying they have stripped Ricky Banderas of the WSX Title, now WSX is basically non-existent at the moment since they are not on TV, not running shows and have released people from contracts. But this is a clever way of keeping your name out there. The McMahon death angle is stupid as hell, but it is getting a lot of buzz. They are trying to piggyback on that, it’s the business and actually CARNY at its finest. The reason for all of this is because Banderas is set to debut with TNA soon a James Mitchell’s new monster, which should be cool.
Reader Feedback and Rants!
From Jason on the draft –
EEE Gods, what a shitfuck that was. My favorite show, Smackdown, was fucking decimated! So much for a nice Benoit/Edge program. And then they rip my fucking heart out and steal KENNEDY!?!?!? Fuck you Vince, I’m glad you blew up in that car. FNS was really hitting stride every week. Every match had mostly great participants and the wrestlers were allowed to really WORK. Now, I don’t know. I just know they are stealing my beloved Finlay on Wednesday, and they’ll turn him into Eugene’s fucking jobber partner. Awesome. I bet you now Edge loses the title and we will have… wait for it…oh yeah… Batista/KHALI!!!!!!! For the next 6 months. That will actually be fun, because it could be the biggest train wreck in the history of the company. I got 5 bucks says one of them breaks their neck. Why Larry, why does Vince have to fuck with my show?
#1: RAW is looked at as “THE A SHOW” and gets top billing because of that. #2: RAW generates a lot more revenue for WWE than Smackdown, so it is a higher priority in that regard. #3: RAW in Vince’s baby and he feels that no matter what it has to be seen as the best show, instead of building three evenly great shows.
From Jeremy who knows who killed Vince –
First and foremost another awesome column. Secondly no need to get Leslie Neilson, for I have figured it out as only I can. Our culprit must be Stevie Richards!
Motives-
Stevie Richards has barely been on TV since coming to WWE short of his Right To Censor sting. Long time roster spot jockey Scotty 2 Hotty was recently fired, thusly Richards figured out he may be gone.The World Title Battle Royal from the raw before Revolution like 2 years ago when Vince announced the chamber match instead of allowing a battle royal after HHH had his title stripped the prior week. Vince said, “we cant have our champion decided by a battle royal, you never know if a Stevie Richards will win.” How could he besmirch the good name of Stevie F’N Richards!
Finally, tonight as Vince wandered bewildered in the back, I took note of Stevie Richards discussing quietly with one Val Venis. Who was wearing a towel. Yes Val typically wears a towel….when he comes to the ring. He clearly did not wrestle on RAW. His pants were drenched in lighter fluid from setting up the limo for Stevie.
This whole angle seems retarded, but if Vince is off my TV I’m thrilled. I wonder how they really will explain it. WWE and wrestling in general has seemed really weak to me lately, it’s getting harder and harder to stay a fan. My circle of friends who use to go to every RAW or SD in town, and even fly to other state’s for PPVs has completely lost interest. And who can take these Drafts seriously when we just f’n had the Hardys who are on 2 different shows as RAW tag champs, Lashley appear on every show the past few months, granted mostly just ECW and RAW. TNA while having talent reminds me of WCW towards the end, focusing on over the hill stars, poor writing, and not giving enough time to those who could benefit from. And while I do like ROH it just lost its flair for me without Styles, Daniels, Homicide, Joe, Punk, and now Cabana.
Stevie eh? I’ll buy that, why not. And I understand losing the joy of watching certain shows or promotions. The good news is that there is a LOT of stuff out there via tape and DVD, just look for what makes you happy and go with that. Don’t be a slave to the TV shows.
From Dan –
I won’t be the first to mention this I am sure but wrestling does NOT need a death angle. Is it as offensive as Katie Vick or HBK and God, probably not. But those are simply ridiculous angles. Death in wrestling, especially over the last few years, and especially young men, is on the rise. You can make a Hall of Fame out of the recently deceased from Mike Awesome, to Bam Bam Bigelow, to Curt Hennig, Big Bossman, and of course Eddie Guerrero and even back to Owen Hart. These ten bell salutes and announcers putting on the sad true-life voice are so insulting. What must Vickie Guerrero be thinking?
I agree. And as for Vickie, FUCK her. She made her choice, she went to work for the company that exploited her husband, I have no “sympathy” for her feelings.
From Rogelio on Benoit –
I am excited to see Benoit drafted to ECW. But I am also disappointed that he is there without Lashley to go up against. That match they had on RAW Monday was some hard-hitting shit. It seems like they always tease us with Benoit going up against a star on the rise and then leave us flat. They did it with Benoit facing Lesnar a few years back on Smackdown. That match was a slept on match but they never wrestled again. Now it seems Lashley will never hook up with Benoit again, which is a shame cuz Lashley would really benefit from wrestling Benoit every other night.
I agree that Lashley to Raw takes away a possibly fun and great feud, but ECW is now a developmental with TV. Freaks, Has been’s, never will be’s and guys with a TON of potential and Benoit is their teacher/grizzled veteran leader. And I mean that as a good thing.
And finally from Travis on Vengeance –
Hey I did have one quick thing to say about Vengeance and the lack of build going into it. This is something of a kayfabe argument so please hear me out. I keep hearing everyone complain about lack of build but since the draft was happening I would think that realistically they couldn’t start stacking the card yet since they weren’t sure who would be on what brand to challenge for each title. True the E probably did know a month in advance but for storyline purposes they couldn’t start building a card or they would have made the draft preplanned because the titles and challengers would have been not drafted. Although to add to the draft they could have made a card and then completely reworked it due to the draft I suppose that would have been cool. But to keep the suspense going for the draft they needed to keep the card for vengeance under wraps since they weren’t supposed to know who was going where. Now while we haven’t seen much build in the matches they have been advertising it so we are supposed to be aware of it. Now of course over this next week we should hopefully see announcements on WWE.com to announce a few contenders for the women’s and Cruiserweight belts. To be followed by tv announcements for the mid card. Of course the E could pull a December to Dismember on us and make me look like all sorts of asshole here but hopefully they learned from that one. Thanks for letting me try to play defense a little bit for Vince and company and Keep up the good work.
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