The Cheap Shot [Issue 2]

- I have to say I was saddened somewhat at hearing the news of John Cena's latest injury. Not only because now he will surely (AGAIN) be out of November's Raw house show in Belfast, but because we all know how hard the guy battles to be the best in the business, only to be met with injury and obstacle. The surgery is said to have gone well. WWE.com says, "Cena's surgery was successful and Dr. Joseph Maroon, renowned neurosurgeon, Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was very positive regarding Cena's condition." Get well soon, you annoying legend.

- Shawn Michaels is also said to have been injured on Raw last night, but is still expected to go ahead with his match with monotone-Y2J (has someone been taking promo lessons from Randy Orton?). It will no doubt suffer a little in quality...but will probably still crap all over the 'championship scrambles.' Is anyone else completely sick of looking at his weird wife's puffy face though?

- Candice Michelle made a...welcome...return on Raw this week. It's been far too long since a diva has stumbled around the ring botching the most simple of moves. Oh wait...scratch that.


- On the subject of Michelle "second time's a charm" McCool...I wonder if her recent Diva's title win over the 100X more talented Natalya is anything to do with the fact that she's currently boinking The Undertaker (renowned backstage politician)???? Pah...speculation.

-It was actually good to see Randy Orton on Raw last night. And yes...his music is still the dog's danglies.

- WWEShop.com has released a line of official superstar New-Era baseball caps. They seem to be the first aesthetically pleasing item that the WWE has released in well over ten years (since the Cactus Jack t-shirt of course!). Check their sweetness out here.



- You've gotta feel sorry for Charlie Haas at the moment. Cheap gimmick infringement gags and acting jobber to the stars, sounds like something a late attitude era, somewhat irrelevant Big Show would do (Showkishi, anyone?). It could be worse though, your former tag team partner could be getting the push of his life, could have won the U.S. title, could be in the main event at Unforgiven and could be getting favoured over MVP by management at present. What? Oh...sorry Charlito.

-RIP Killer Kowalski.

A leave of absence, a feeling of...optimism?!

I hope everyone had a peaceful and relaxing and chaotic and blurry summer (delete as appropriate). I was going to come on here and blog about last night's Summerslam to get things going again. I have a point to make about Chris Jericho apparently legit making fist contact with Mrs. HBK (although most likely accidental), but it can wait for another few days. It doesn't look like it's a problem that will be quickly brought to light and solved anyway.

Instead, through slightly gritted teeth, I want to post an old blog that I didn't post on here for one reason or another, and (domestic violence references aside) try to paint a more positive picture of the structure of WWE. This was written on the 7th of July (the first week of shows after the draft) when I had some free time, and when held against the current situation of the company, makes for fairly positive reading. Especially after last night, when Punk went over clean against JBL. Check it out...

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I’m fully aware that in the world of pro-wrestling journalism (both professional, amateur and…ahem…very amateur) statements made one week can be rendered completely redundant and almost comical the next. Now, I’m also fully aware that opening a blog with a disclaimer is hardly the best way of engaging an audience, but I’m about to say something that I haven’t said in a very long time. Here goes…

I loved every moment of Raw and Smackdown this week.

This is a tentative time to be a WWE fan. The draft, and the way the title situation has been handled since has played absolutely perfectly into the hands of both of the shows. Even the internet experts had Night of Champions booked to be a tie-up-loose-ends pay per view. Most said Matt Hardy would drop his U.S. title and go on to pursue the ECW strap (he STILL has it after retaining in a fatal four way on Smackdown!), they said John Cena would most likely win the WWE title back from trips to keep it on Raw and that Edge would enter into a lengthy feud with the Game and the Undertaker for his Heavyweight title. Heck, I even said it myself. What we were given on night of champions was the blueprint to a re-vamped and fresh WWE. It was not the best of PPV’s by any means, but the two main events (asides from the finish of Edge and Batista’s match) were wrestling gems. Triple H and Cena told a simple and gripping story and had the crowd drawn straight in. Have you ever noticed that there’s something about a main event involving Cena and a top face? The split in the crowd is reminiscent of the old ECW arena. Fans get emotionally involved in the matches, and that is exactly what the company needs in these post-kayfabe days. But I digress…

It’s not only what I’ve mentioned already that is resulting in a product I’d almost be happy to spend money on. There is something else, something which I consider myself a world authority in harping on about. It’s probably another statement which deserves its own paragraph. Are you ready for this one?

Vince McMahon is pushing smaller athletes.

Kofi Kingston is put over by Chris Jericho for the Intercontinental title at N.O.C., the crowd pops hard. CM Punk cashes in his briefcase with a tasty big GTS on Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship, crowd loses its mind. I’m so glad that the younger, and smaller guys have a chance to prove just how desired they are in the main event spots. The bottom line is this. Fans want superstars, and heroes that they can relate to. Wrestlers who could be any average Joe, who look like fans themselves. Why on this earth do you think Jeff Hardy has remained a firm fan favourite over some 10 years, pushed or buried, heel or face, high or rehabbing? Because he is one of us! It is beyond me what Vince hasn’t noticed this many years ago. It’s not like him to miss out on a big payday. My only concern for this current trend is that it’s a stopgap measure. Was CM Punk the ‘pull the wool over the fans’ eyes’ option for getting a title onto Raw again, or are the company investing time in him? Y2J only won the IC title because Jeff was on his way out on his second suspension. Is giving it to Kingston just a way of moving it off the caretaker champion, and onto another?

Like I said, redundant statements and tentative long term restructure. Only time will tell if the WWE has decided to make some legitimate changes, or if it is all just temporary cement to help prop up draft week.

*************************************************************************************

"PAUL! I can't feel my legs!"

Anything familiar about Raw last night? Cast your mind back to one year ago. At the WWE Draft. At the end of the show. I'll give you a hint...



Take 2 perhaps?...thanks a lot Chris Benoit. No doubt a fantastic storyline is due to emerge from Vince's little 'accident' on-stage straight after giving away $500,000. Also, conveniently, as planned, the Million Dollar giveaway is cancelled on its third week until further notice.

Anyways...at last! The much sought-after shake up that the WWE needed. The most obvious thing that we can take away from this years WWE Draft is that renewed time and effort is set to be poured upon the company's B-show, Smackdown. It's a welcome idea for most fans, I would imagine. Here are the initial draft picks and a few thoughts on each:

Matt Hardy to ECW:
Dear oh dear...are they actually trying to kill ECW? Matt Hardy, as much as I like him, is not the single-handed solution to ECW's problems. One can only assume they'll be bolstered a little by the supplemental draft? I await with baited breath. One year ago it was Benoit going to ECW...how times have changed.

Rey Mysterio to Raw:
Returning from injury with no real past grudges from before he left, except for maybe the Big Show (who kayfabe 'injured' Rey in the run-up to Wrestlemania). I'd expect him to settle quite comfortably into the higher mid-card spot that Jeff Hardy has carved out over at Raw. Perhaps a contender for the under-valued IC title before long.

CM Punk to Raw:
A little predictable, Punk is a superstar who seems to be in for the push of his life (contrary to recent reports that he has spent a little while in Vinnie Mac's bad books). The problem here is that he was practically the main draw on ECW, and with nothing really to fill the void after his departure (Matt Hardy the main eventer?), the already sinking third tier show may just hit the bottom. Oh, and Punk won't have that case for much longer.

Michael Cole to Raw:
I've grown up with this stuff, and to me Michael Cole is the voice of Smackdown. It's going to be very strange acclimatising to his voice on the red show, alongside Jerry Lawler. I think, despite the negative feeling among a lot of WWE fans for as long as I can remember, that Michael calls a good match. He lacks a certain charisma, I know, but he is solid and thorough in his knowledge. Creative seems to have gone for the pure shock value here, almost underlining that the draft can mean anything goes. I was definately taken aback.

Batista to Raw:
A main-eventer on Smackdown who has feuded with just about everyone possible, it was no surprise that Big Dave ambled his way onto Raw. Edge was never moving across, he has far too many ties on Smackdown with long-term storylines and of course the W.H. Title. I would imagine that Batista will lose at N.O.C., and go on to feud with John Cena/Randy Orton, which frees up Edge to feud with the brand new top babyface on Smackdown. I'm getting to all of that...don't worry.

Kane to Raw:
I'm not sure where they're going with this, other than that Kane is sure to drop the ECW title at Night Of Champions to The Big Show, who will most likely go on to reign at the top of ECW. There's no way they can shaft ECW so hard as to take away their top draw and their title. It's an undermined belt as it is.

Jeff Hardy to Smackdown:
My initial thought on this was that Jeff was being relegated to the lower league as punishment for all the Crystal Meth...but as the night wore on it became clear that he is part of the new school that has been sent to the blue to revive it. Something tells me that Jeff could flourish a whole lot better on Smackdown that he did on Raw, if given the correct opportunities. The most obvious first feud is with MVP, but until Matt drops the U.S. title and it can get back to Smackdown, there's nothing really for him to aim for. He'll be spending a while in a certain Mr. Levesque's shadow if he's pushed to the Heavyweight title.

J.R. to Smackdown:
This was a real shock to the system. Jim Ross is an institution on Monday Night Raw alongside King, but I had to remind myself that I said on a number of occasions about how stale I thought they had become as an announce team. J.R. seemed to be in the early stages of old-age-forgetfulness, and just seemed to have lost his edge when it came to the less-important main events. To hand him a charismatic wordsmith in Mick Foley and give him a brand new show to work on? It could just mean that we could see the last great run of his career.

Umaga to Smackdown:
This has been rumoured ever since the Raw v. Smackdown feud he had with Batista. The "Samoan Bulldog" [(c) Mike Adamle] has lacked any kind of programme or feud with anyone over the past few months, and maybe this time he can enter something on substance, instead of just being a hired heavy to do the dirty work of the higher placed heels. Just, for the sake of all things pure, keep him away from Khali.

Mr. Kennedy to Smackdown:
After spending a year on Raw that didn't really see him accomplish anything at all, Ken's back off to Smackdown in search of some kind of longevity. He'd be a good match for MVP and Jeff Hardy, and don't be surprised if he finds himself in the main event picture after throwing Edge an "I'm coming for you" rant on Raw.

Triple H to Smackdown:
We all knew the last draft pick was going to be a big one. Triple H is a big, big name for Smackdown to acquire, and may almost single handedly bolster ratings and perhaps even get it back onto a major U.S. television network. I'm going to predict (as everyone kinda did) that he'll drop the title to John Cena (for Batista, or yet another Randy Orton title feud?) at Night Of Champions and cut to the chase with Edge until Taker comes back. The thought of Undertaker, Edge and Triple H all chasing one belt makes the average fan dribble all over his ROH t-shirt. Appealing across the board in my humble opinion. The smark's favourite heel, the old-school legend and the top babyface? Bring it on.

Million Dollar Moron...

...buying viewers?

My oh my...You know it's been a bad Raw when the highlight is either a man from southern USA saying the phrase 'hooouwwley sheeeiit' live on television, or Vince McMahon getting telephone Rick Roll'd. Laugh-out-loud television.

Yes, the first night of "Mr. McMahon's Million Dollar Mania" left me feeling a little uneasy. Not only due to the (strangely funny) practical dead-air time from watching Vinnie Mac desperately struggle to use the common telephone, not only the fact that directionless skits (Haas??!! v. Mae Young/Jillian Hall v. Trevor Murdoch) were thrown in only to advance the sweepstakes, but mainly due to the fact that I sat and watched the head of the most successful wrestling company of all time stoop to a brand new low. For the first time in my life, I watched Vincent K. McMahon, the man and not the character, look...pathetic...

Let's take a realistic look at what's going on here. Vinnie is giving away a million dollars "of his oooowwn money" in a bid to bring back fans to the WWE. New fans, jaded fans and TNA backsliders. Reading between the lines, he is effectively saying 'okay, so...I can't draw you people with wrestling any more, so i'll pimp myself, my dignity and my company out in a desperate bit to spike ratings. Take this money! YEAH! ....monaaaay...USA network don't like it when no-one watches us...did I mention the money?' I've never seen a more fundamentally flawed sports-entertainment idea before in my life. Of course, it's not the first time WWE has done this. My long-term memory has frozen images of an early 90's summerslam in which a young Michael Cole and ex-diva Sunny played with padlocks and keys with live callers...presumably for money. Thank goodness for The Attitude Era then, when the WWE didn't need a cheap telephone competition in order to captivate fans into comsuming its product. So what now, have we come full circle?

What's most frustrating about this is that it's a simple formula which Vince can't seem to understand. Perhaps its his stubborn attitude, perhaps it's the fact that he's somewhat out of touch with what works in wrestling today, most likely it's a mixture of both, but if he would stop putting over the great big beefcakes who cannot wrestle for their lives and give a fundamental, slow push to the athletes. The clean, non-ripped and gassed guys who can tell a thrilling story and take the belief of the audience from the lowest of lows to the dizzying heights. Guys who dwell on the undercard like CM Punk, Jimmy Yang (who was sadly suspended for his first violation of wellness this week), Chavo Guerrero, Shelton Benjamin, Vladimir Kozlov (I love this man), Y2J and Jeff Hardy. Vince needs to focus on the pure wrestling over the gimmick laden soap operas that Raw and Smackdown have become.

He needs to realise what has become stale and stop rehashing old storylines on a monthly basis. The fact that he was interrupting the immediate end of matches in a desperate bid to throw more money at potential viewers was sad indication of where he places the actual art of wrestling within a 'wrestling show'. If ROH were to produce an episode of Raw for one night, I believe we could see the difference and know what we're missing on a massive scale. Bryan Danielson v. Jeff Hardy in the main event? I'd pay...If Vince would put a little bit more effort into the show and get rid of tired old writers like the ever-bigoted Michael Hayes he would see the results that he desires in a long term capacity, as opposed to this quick-fix giveaway.


the american dragon...Wrestlemania headliner?

Perhaps the most stunning aspect of all of this is that WWE isn't even in dire-straits. It's making as much money as ever...but I think Vince knows that kids are fickle. They'll buy your John Cena shirts for a while, but deep down he knows that he needs to get back in touch with the hardcore wrestling fans. The ones who will follow regardless of age. I just fear that he has no idea how...

$ is certainly not how.

The Cheap Shot [issue 1]

uh....ohhhh....

Hot off the heels of yet another WWE Pay-Per-View, and with only two weeks (seriously) until the next one, I thought I'd fire this brand new concept onto the EC/WC in the same ramshackle and disjointed way that we're being presented with World Wrestling Entertainment at present. It's called The Cheap Shot, and I'll toss a few of them out each month to air some general views in between 'properly written' pieces of journalism.

-Judgement Day: Definately not worth the fifteen quid. The only match I could really get into was HBK v. Y2J. Shawn could drag a five star match out of The Great Khali, so it's no wonder the two men worked so well off each other. Nice show of respect afterwards too.

-Jeff Hardy's back, and he's looking great. However, i'm not entirely impressed by his return-results. For him to have violated wellness for a second time (reportedly with Crystal-Meth) and return from a 60-day suspension to pick up wins over MVP and Umaga x2 doesn't exactly display a great role model. I'd like to see Hardy fighting his way back to where he was, get jobbed a few times and put some heels over, as opposed to having it handed to him. Perhaps the house fire means WWE are going easy on him? Either way, Hardy: thumbs up.

-Speaking of the Wellness Issue, it was reported on WWE.com this week that William Regal (see top) has been suspended for 60 days for his second violation. We saw Ken Kennedy tying up the loose storyline ends on Raw, but with Teddy Long looking to Holla his way into the GM spot on Raw, what will be left for Regal upon his return? I hope he doesn't waste the wrestling talent that he has. It's sad to see another man getting some deserved recognition with a main-event push, only to squander it.

-Randy Orton's new music is the dog's danglies.

-Did you hear the heel-heat that Vickie Guerrero got at Judgement Day? I thought the roof of the arena was coming down. I haven't heard that much spiteful hate since John Cena took on RVD at the first WWE controlled One Night Stand in the old ECW arena...(and if you haven't seen that match before: [contains swearing...and rabid, rabid hate]) It's definately good to have the top heel of your brand get such a reception, but it leaves you wondering how much more WWE fans can take of La Familia. She's not just a heel...the woman makes me want to scratch my eyes out. Edge could be used a whole lot better.

-Am I the only one getting slightly bored of main events involving Randy Orton and HHH? If Orton applies one more resthold, or indeed if HHH wrestles any slower, the image of the pair will forever be burned into my TV. Not good.

-Miz and Morrison: is it so wrong that they're quickly becoming two of my favourite wrestlers in the WWE? I hope they continue restoring credability to the tag titles...well, half of the tag titles. *sigh* Johnny's gimmick change from Nitro to Morrison is the greatest thing that ever happened to him.

-John Cena seems to be taking a lot less heat across the board than times of old. Maybe taking the title off him and not pushing him so hard will finally give him the organic positive crowd reaction that WWE has been looking for, a-la Jeff Hardy.

-Can anyone explain the end of Smackdown! to me last week? It was my understanding that if Vickie and La Familia lost to the Undertaker she would lose her spot as GM? It ended as a no-contest? Alright...I can't lie, I fast-forward through most of Smackdown...what have I missed?

-It was apparently Vince McMahon's personal decision to take the title off the Undertaker. Something along the lines of wanting a top face to be chasing a top heel. The rumours are that he wants it back on Edge. Better for business? You decide.

-Speaking of which... CM Punk for World Heavyweight Champ? Or will he turn on his new buddy Kane? Just a thought...

Twelve Down, Five To Go...

(image from wwe.com)

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together? Triple H bringing the Age of Orton (tm) to an end at Backlash this week confirmed to all present that everything is back on track. When Trips came back from injury to completely squash Booker [stuff this crap, i'm off to...] T(NA) at Summerslam 07', it was no secret that he was booked for a title win at Wrestlemania in early 2008. When the official Biggest Swerve of The Year was pulled by creative and Orton retained, everyone sat back and waited for the inevitable. I just didn't think it would be this night, at Backlash, and it just doesn't sit right with me.

See the thing is, I was secretly really happy that Hunter didn't pick up the strap at WM24. Everyone knows the story with The Game, married to the bosses daughter, one time member of 'The Cliq' (which allegedly had almost more control over the locker room than the McMahon's at the time), and avid, rabid...determined pursuer of Ric Flair's all-time world championship record (Tally stroke at No Mercy last year, anyone?). One of the letters in Fighting Spirit Magazine this month said; "I hope Triple H has enough respect for Ric Flair to never become a seventeen time world champion". I couldn't agree more. Ric carved a path in professional wrestling over a career spanning thirty six years, and set the standards of greatness both for the business, and for anyone who ever dared lace a pair of wrestling boots. The world was privvy to one of, if not the most, historical weekends in the history of professional wrestling with the naitch's tearful final defeat and goodbye the next night on Raw. For Triple H to reign at the top once again so close to something that long-term wrestling fans will mourn for a while...well, it was bittersweet.

Don't get me wrong here, it was the lesser of two evils, and the man born Paul Levesque has worked damn hard to get where he is in the business. You don't command so much creative control and so much reverence overnight. He has been jobbed out, screwed over, humiliated and physically torn apart on a number of occasions. The thing is that he does command creative control. Where I can't begrudge him a title run, I also cannot hold it in almost the same prestige as the naitch's NWA, WCW and WWF/E title reigns, and for him to pick it up so close to Flair's final farewell is a sobering reminder. If Triple H was to beat RF's record he would be stamping all over his legacy, and for the sake of the wrestling business as a whole, and whatever integrity it has left, I hope he doesn't.

Even when we consider the more immediate effects of HHH being back on top, there are definate problems. See, I spent many years gone by craving my four weekly hours of Attitude Era WWF, and back then D-Generation X was a heel stable, full of men (X-Pac) that made you spit angry-mark venom like no other. The bottom line here is, that HHH is a solid wrestler, a marketing gem, and an entertaining enough babyface character...but the man is a demonic, anger inducing and ruthless heel! Cast your mind back to the Corporation and the McMahon/Helmsley Era.


(The photoshopping is the fault of the Pandas.)

In order to make this title run worth something, seeing as it has to happen, I believe Hunter needs to turn heel, lose the Orton feud after Judgement Day and work on getting guys like John Cena over with the relentlessly 'smart' fans. Smart as mud.

In other news:

-I was glad to see Matt Hardy take the U.S. Championship from MVP at Backlash for both of their sakes. Matt needs to re-establish himself as a solid mid-carder, and continue giving the belt the credability that MVP has given it. Montel is on for bigger and better things, and in order to climb the ladder, he needed to lose it. Keep a close eye on him this year.

-Mike 'Jeff Harvey' Adamle as ECW colour commentator?! You get one problem solved (Coach) and another one just slips into it's place. What was with the walkout on ECW this past week? Work or shoot?

-Kenta Kobashi wrestling in the UK with Pro Wrestling Noah this June? I would love to be there so much. There isn't much left in the old master, especially after his recovery from Cancer just recently. It could be the UK fan's only chance to see him in action...and alongside the best the UK has to offer. Nigel McGuinness, Bryan Danielson, Doug Williams. I wish I lived in Coventry.

-12 person diva tag match? Trips v. Orton for the WWE title? Backlash? Nope! Two matches, two times, in two nights. Booking diversity at its finest.

until next time.
J

what PPV is it THIS week?!

I'd like to start off this week by plugging the TNA Blog listed at the top of my links on the right hand side of the page. It's written by Slim, an old friend from Stroke City oop North, and is well worth a read. Seeing as the lucky, lucky swine is about to take off to Florida for a year to watch more live TNA than the human body can even deal with for FREE. That's more 'something-on-a-pole' matches than I can even get my head around. Thank you, Vince Russo. Thank you.


"hey, no sweat..."

Anyways, despite only being a month removed from Wrestlemania, and despite having been offered a once-hallowed tournament (KOTR) on an overpacked episode of Raw, this month's WWE Pay-per-view (or if you're in the UK, 'relief...- it's- on- sky- sports- 1- Per- View'), Backlash, is upon us. It's set to be a pretty good offering from what I can see, despite it's sardine-tin-like positioning, and indeed some have said that last year's Backlash upstaged even Wrestlemania. Can the boys replicate?

I have to say, I find it hard to get excited about these midway PPV's that are sandwiched between the 4 or 5 ones actually worth watching in a year. However, I'd like to personally thank Steph McM and the writers for turning Big Dave heel, if he does actually complete the turn. It would make it slightly easier to bear Smackdown...which I'm fast-forwarding through these days largely to get to the Wang Yang, Morrison, and MVP action...is it wrong that the Miz is so damn funny?

Before I get to the matches, here's a passage from Gerweck.net that I couldn't help but identify with:

"I also want to take a second to ask if Batista is turning heel? It sure seemed like it, but it’s been pushed away a bit. He still gets a face reaction on Smackdown, but if he says something bad about HBK he’s booed. On the other hand, is Jericho a heel or not? They’ve been leaning him that way for several weeks, but always do just enough to make you wonder if he is. Like having him wrestle Umaga who is a heel, but then they have him put his feet on the ropes to get the pin? Or is Umaga face now, since he put an end to that Obama and Clinton debacle and got cheered for it? Please tell me if you know."

If only my five-year-old brother had some creative sway in the WWE, "Joel...is Randy Orton a goodie or a baddie?" That's a matter of opinion if I ever saw it...

So, the card.

1. MVP v. Matt Hardy (US Title Match)
This is finally the one that has been teased for a long time, and now that Matt is back and 100% after his appendectomy, I'm fairly certain he'll take the gold at Backlash. MVP giving him a belt to the skull on Smackdown on Friday is evidence if any more was needed. The pair had worked up an excellent chemistry and feud last year, and most people, people much smarter than I, are expecting this to be the blowoff for the storyline. Matt comes back and establishes himself midcard with the title, and MVP does what I have mentioned many times already, and goes on to shatter that glass ceiling...main eventer before the end of 08? Just wait...
prediction: Matt Hardy Wins US Title

2. Big Show v. Great Khali
I'm making this predicition based solely on what the insiders are saying right now. Khali is set to go back to India for anywhere up to a month to have knee surgery and to open...believe it or not...a wrestling school. The Big Show is only just back from a lengthy leave of absence, and hence a PPV loss this early would not be good for him. Expect to see very little of Khali in the next month or so apparently....YAY.
prediction: Big Show Wins

3. Kane v. Chavo Guerrero (ECW Title Match)
With the beat-downs that Kane has recieved from Chavo and his new enforer Bam Neely over the past few weeks, it will not be a surprise to me to see Kane retain the ECW title. This storyline could go anywhere though, as Kane beat Chavo at Wrestlemania in 8 seconds...it just wasn't right. These were the actions of a heel. It's all a bit muddled...and it's all Chavo's fault for going to watch TNA. BAD CHAVO!
prediction: Kane Retains...but perhaps not clean

4. BETH PHOENIX & MELINA & JILLIAN & LAYLA & VICTORIA & NATALYA NEIDHART VS. MICKIE JAMES & MARIA & MICHELLE McCOOL & CHERRY & KELLY KELLY & ASHLEY
I predict the face team win. I also predict that my minimal typing approach to the WWE Diva's division rules.

5. Batista v. Shawn Michaels
I can see Batista winning this, but to be honest, I'm dissappointed by the build up to this match. It's been so here and there that its hard for fans to fully make up their mind about who to boo and who to cheer. See passage above. Shawn seems to have gotten the upper hand on Smackdown with his sneak-attack superkick, so I'm expecting Batista to win it with a big ol' bomb. The Jericho element is an interesting one, as he looks set to call it down the middle. If that's so, why have him in it? I remain adamant that Y2J is going heel...perhaps we'll see some advancement to this.
prediction: Batista Wins

6. Randy Orton v. JBL v. Triple H v. John Cena (Fatal Four Way Elimination WWE Championship Match)
As we saw at Wrestlemania, the decision can be made in the 11th hour to completely swerve a match, and to be honest, who even knows what's going to happen here? I know for sure that JBL is NOT winning, and seeing as it's an elimination match, I'm going to go with him being eliminated early, or at least before the final two. My gut instinct is for Orton to retain, just as Cena did this time last year...and I think Triple H is in line for the title (and a heel turn...I'll keep saying it)...just not yet.
prediction: Orton Retains (...but don't forget the CM Punk element)

7. Edge v. The Undertaker (World Heavyweight Championship Match)
The Undertaker is set to hold the belt for the best part of the year, up until he decides to call it quits. I'm absolutely certain that he's retaining here. No question for me, unless they pull a huge swerve.
prediction: Undertaker Retains

I've only got a week left at Uni, and hopefully after that I'll have more time to properly watch the weeklies and talk a little more about the newest of the news. I hope everyone who decides to watch Backlash has fun.

J

Wrestlemania 24 Recap: woooooo!

Okay, so it's been a while. I hope this finds everyone well. We're well on the road to Backlash now (preview blog/predictions to follow), and I thought I'd take some time (while I have time) to recap my Wrestlemania thoughts and set them against what actually happened at the Citrus Bowl on the night. Sorry it's a little late.

For me, WM24 was spectacular. I can honestly say that I enjoyed the PPV as a whole, and despite the obvious stinkers (ones you knew would bite before they even happened *cough*bunnymania*cough*mayweather) the card was strong and meaty. Well worth the fans money. This, though, is still relevant to the WWE's problem. It was Wrestlemania. I don't know if there has ever been a Wrestlemania that could be described as wholly 'bad'. As long as the company continues to spew out more Pay Per Views than there are months in a year, and continuously saturate the market with its product, WWE programming will stay as bland and disposible as it has become, save for magical nights like Wrestlemania, The Royal Rumble and Summerslam. For now, I suppose all we can do is appreciate those special nights and hope for better...or more accurately, less...from Titan Towers.

My predictions? Okay, I know they weren't as fine tuned as I'd like them to have been, but I feel there is justification with hindsight to my advantage. Isn't there always? Let's look at the results:

1. JBL def. Finlay (w/Hornswoggle): Belfast Brawl (Predicted: Finlay)
Okay, this one still makes no sense to me. The storyline had been built up so well (save for the rampant and blatant visual references to child abuse), with so much emotion on both sides. Finlay was due his revenge in order to wrap up the storyline, but it never materialised. Fair enough if creative intend to wind this storyline out for a while longer, but from what I can see post-Mania...there is no such intention. Why leave fans so unfulfilled?

2. CM Punk def. John Morrison, Y2J, Mr. Kennedy, MVP, Carlito and Shelton Benjamin: Money In The Bank (Predicted: Mr. Kennedy)
To quote myself "Punk will get his push someday...just not yet." Boy how wrong was I? I'm genuinely glad to see a pure wrestler, a proper-non man mountain wrestler, win a big money match on the grandest stage of them all. The ROH legend CM Punk deserves the recognition that this victory attains...but let me also quote myself on something else. "The concept of wasting such a big match for the sake of the ECW title just doesn't make sense, and the idea of one of these guys entering a main event programme makes even less." I am more than interested, even perhaps apprehensive, to see where this is going. What's encouraging though is that some of my smaller predictions for this match, notably involving MVP, were spot on.

3. Batista def. Umaga: Smackdown! vs. Raw (predicted: Batista)
Big Dave wins a match declaring SD's supremacy over Raw, and then quickly turns heel and enters a program with one of Raw's top guys...HBK. You show em', oul boy.

4. Kane (wins 24 man battle royal earlier) then... def. Chavo Guerrero: New ECW Champion (predicted: Kane to win Battle Royal/ Kane to win ECW title)
Watch, as I bask in the heat of my own big brain. The funny thing about this match is that Chavo was squashed in the match by Kane in around 5 seconds because he was reportedly filmed at TNA Impact tapings along with other WWE superstars (The Highlanders being two). What do you expect when you hold your biggest PPV in the same town as your employees old friends?

5. Shawn Michaels def. Ric Flair: Career Threatening Match, Flair retires. (predicted: Shawn Michaels)
No surprises at all here. An absolute show-stopper. One of the most memorable moments that I think I have ever seen since I started to watch wrestling at age 5. I sat choking back tears...and I don't know one person who saw it live and didn't. It was my girlfriend's first Wrestlemania...and I can't think of anything better to give a relatively new fan an idea of why long-term fans love the business so much. Thank you, Naitch. WOOOOOO!

6. Beth Phoenix/Melina def. Ashley/Maria: Bunnymania Lumberjack Match (predicted: Ashley/Maria)
Yes, Phoenix and Melina got the three count, but Maria and Ashley got the Snoop-Dogg tasting upper hand by the end of it all...that's what I was getting at. Let's not waste any more letters on a WWE Diva's match, however. Not when such things as the TNA Knockout division exists. That's for you, Slim.

7. Randy Orton retains and def. John Cena and HHH: WWE Championship Match (predicted: HHH)
Quoting myself again, "One thing is for sure, this will be an interesting match, and it's not unlike WWE to change their plans last minute." The mobile-poll taken during Wrestlemania asking fans who they thought would win this match said it all, Randy Orton got a whole 8% of the public vote. This was a classic swerve tactic. Give the fans a moment of disbelief in a match where it seemed like there could be none. It's also worth noting that as soon as I saw this match on the undercard, and not the main event, I knew the Undertaker would win clean.

8. Floyd Mayweather def. Big Show (predicted: Floyd Mayweather)
Absolutely no surprises here. None. Barely even any entertainment actually...

9. Undertaker def. Edge: New World Heavyweight Champion (predicted: Undertaker by DQ)
Edges streak comes to an end, and Taker's lives on. Early rumours have suggested that next years Wrestlemania, taking place in the Deadman's home state of Texas, will be his last. With the WWE title match having the swerve ending, this was the only logical conclusion to Wrestlemania 24, but it was still a great one. This is looking like the long term-title reign before his impending retirement that Taker was promised and had begun at last years WM, but his bicep injury put an end to that. Here's hoping she's a good-un.

Overall prediction result: 6/10
Not so bad, considering the nature of the ones I called wrong.

Finally, before I go, Smackdown debutant Vladimir Kozlov...West Brom manager Tony Mowbray's brother???




you can call that one...

Wrestlemania XXIV: Preview

It's just gone midnight on Thursday/Friday, I'm really...really...tired, and with so much stuff to do, including two shows to play this weekend (Lisburn tomorrow...er...tonight, and Larne on Saturday) I'm probably not going to be able to get near my blog until after Wrestlemania 24. So here, briefly, are my thoughts on how it's going to pan out. I'd like to state beforehand that I would love to be proven wrong with any of these thoughts, and they are just that. That would mean that the company are doing their job right, and swerving the fans off the scent. Plus, there are definately more than one possibility as to how the matches can end with a view to a longer term storyline. That's what makes it all the more watchable people!

MATCH 1: Beth Phoenix/Melina V. Ashley/Maria
('Bunnymania Lumberjack Match')

This is, as usual with the WWE Women's division, a little bit of a nothing match. Especially seeing as Candice (who, after breaking her clavicle yet again) has been replaced at the last minute by Ashley. Maria is being pushed through the roof at the moment, especially because of her Playboy cover this month. Mickie James seems to have lost the push she was being given towards the women's title, as she never quite got close enough to Phoenix, and the WWE look set to run with Maria, as they're realising her drawing potential. Expect a Maria/Phoenix programme in the coming months. The most logical explanation for this would be the pushed Diva going over...but really, who cares?
Prediction: Maria/Ashley Win.

MATCH 2: Finlay V. John 'Bradshaw' Layfield
(Belfast Brawl)

The build up to this particular match has been played really well by Finlay. The passion he's shown has made the fans believe in this storyline all the more. It's a shame that it's all over the little bearded-midget, but it should make for entertaining viewing nonetheless. JBL has had the upper hand in the weekly shows, assaulting and brutalising the vulnerable Hornswoggle when Finlay was powerless to help, so it makes sense that Finlay will get his own back in a big way at Wrestlemania, closing up the storyline.
Prediction: Finlay Wins.

MATCH 3: 24-Man Battle Royal
(Winner faces ECW Champion)

This one could go one of many ways, and to be honest I haven't really thought about it at length, but with CM-Punk and John Morrison both tied up with the Money In The Bank match, I'm going to put my money on Kane. The other giants have a shot (Khali, Mark Henry and Daddy V were both in the match at last report), but Kane seems to be the experienced veteran who could run with the belt and possibly store credibility to the failing self-parody that is ECW...
Prediction: Kane Wins (...and goes on to take the strap).

MATCH 4: Batista V. Umaga
(Smackdown! V. Raw)

Please feel free to take a moment and ignore the old cynic, but the battle for brand supremacy seems to be a last minute rushed storyline, crammed in so that Big Dave has something to do. He's arguably smackdown's biggest draw, and didn't have a role in the run up to 'mania. I really could care less who wins, because I think this match is going to be a horror-fest of slow moving Big Daveness, but if I had to pick a winner I'd go with him. He had the greatest match of last year's show, and indeed of the year, with Taker (as stunning as that sounds), so I think they'll let him have a chance to steal the show again this year. Umaga is like a mercenary heel on Raw. They may as well change his name to 'A Mystery Opponent'. I'd like to be pleasantly surprised by this match.
Prediction: Batista Wins.

MATCH 5: John Morrison V. CM Punk V. Carlito V. Shelton Benjamin V. Mr Kennedy V. MVP V. Chris Jericho
(Money In The Bank Ladder Match- winner gets title shot)

Okay, let's look at this one logically. The ECW guys Punk, Morrison and Benjamin, although top-rate in their own class, are there as filler to this match. The concept of wasting such a big match for the sake of the ECW title just doesn't make sense, and the idea of one of these guys entering a main event programme makes even less. Punk will get his push someday...just not yet. Unfortunately. Carlito is still being subtly punished for trying to jump ship to TNA. He was persuaded to stay because the WWE sees a long term investment for him as they expand into south America. It's unlikely the company will go with him for a main event push, unless the latter means enough to them. Which it doesn't.

MVP is currently all over Smackdown restoring credability to the U.S. Championship, and is set (I hope) to enter the programme that he never had with Matt Hardy prior to Hardy's injury. It provided one of the best storylines of last year, and while it baffles me why Hardy isn't in the match, it's looking good in the long term for the pair of them. Speaking of currently holding belts, Chris Jericho (caretaker) has his newly acquired Intercontinental title to play with for now, and was rumoured to be on the verge of a long term feud with Jeff Hardy prior to his suspension. Creative are likely to pick it up and run with it on Hardy's return, so there's little need for Jericho to be climbing to the top again, so quickly after his return push with Randall K. Orton.

As you may have guessed by now, it's only Ken Kennedy for me in this match. Stripped of both his money in the bank win of 07', and of the main event storyline as Mr. McMahon's illegitimate son because of his Wellness Policy violations and subsequent mouthing off (all as a result of the Benoit tragedies), WWE looks ready (as the Finlay/Hornswoggle thing would indicate) to go with Ken again, and maybe even track back to the original plan. He's the most likely (and because Jeff's out for 60 days) only real possibility for Money In The Bank......Bank.
Prediction: Mr. Kennedy Wins.

MATCH 6: Shawn Michaels V. Ric Flair
(Career Threatening Match)

It all seems to have boiled down to this one for the Nature Boy, and all indications point to him bowing out at Wrestlemania 24. He and Vince agreed to put their differences behind them and give Ric his last run as an active wrestler some time in the last year, and since then Ric has looked like he's been on his farewell tour. His tearful goodbye to MSG at this years Rumble should have been indication enough, but if it wasn't, how about his last Raw being in his home-state of Carolina. Not only that, but he got the pin...in the main event. Also worth noting, the small factor of Ric being inducted into the Hall of fame this year, on the eve of WM24.

Michaels has tried his best, and done well, at making a heel turn in time for this bout, but I think the fans are smart enough to know the score. However, JR has stated on a number of occasions that we should perhaps not take this match as a gimme. Don't put it past the WWE to throw the biggest curveballs into the most obvious of situations, but for me and for most, this is the end of Naitch.
Prediction: Shawn Michaels Wins (...and not a dry eye in the house).

MATCH 7: Big Show V. Floyd 'Money' Mayweather
(Boxer V. Wrestler...a.k.a the customary celebrity match)

Big Show and Mayweather is the Trump/McMahon of 2008...and asides from being the money match this year, I don't really think there will be a lot to endear this match to the more experienced wrestling fan. Now, tradition dictates that the Celebrity (especially in this case when his job is to fight...in real life) gets the win at Wrestlemania, and it wouldn't be a surprise this year, as Show has been ambling around the weeklies cutting promos and trying to make the fans care. I don't hold out much hope for this being spectacular.
Prediction: Mayweather Wins (...I'm just not sure how yet).

MATCH 8: Edge V. Undertaker
(World Heavyweight Championship Match)

This will be an interesting match. Both men have unbeaten streaks to preserve at Wrestlemania, and both men have pretty strong cases for going home with the Gold. My initial perspective was that the Undertaker was promised one last lengthy run with the title (i.e. his win at WM23), but injury prevented that. It makes logical sense then that he'd win it back this year and carry it until his retirement (rumoured to be next year). However, with Edge getting the upper hand on Smackdown last week, it leaves it wide open for Taker to end tomorrow night's Smackdown with the advantage (generally meaning that he would lose at Wrestlemania).

There's every possibility that this match can end in a curveball. Edge will sacrifice his unbeaten streak to save his title, going for the Disqualification and hence preserving Taker's 15-0 record. Taker can always win and close the storyline next month. It's a 50-50 for me, and because there has to be at least one great big screwover, I have a feeling this could be it. If I'm wrong, and I'd like to be, blame Con.
Prediction: Undertaker Wins by DQ- Edge retains.

MATCH 9: HHH V. Randy Orton V. John Cena
(WWE Championship Match)

The bottom line here is this, Randy Orton is losing his title at Wrestlemania. Those of you who have followed backstage goings-on for the past while will know that HHH has been booked, literally since he returned and humiliated Booker T at Summerslam 07', to win the WWE title at WM24. The late addition of the seemingly invincible John Cena has cast doubts over this for me though, because I think the man is still the only one worthy of carrying the company at the moment. That's maybe a personal view though. I'd love to see John win the title back. Watching the twentysomething male 'smarks' get all hot under the collar is enough to keep me tuning in every week.

With that said though, sometimes it's good for business to have a top babyface chasing a heel champion...and I still think HHH's turn is on the way. One thing is for sure, this will be an interesting match, and it's not unlike WWE to change their plans last minute. It's a 50/50 between the two contenders, but I'm going for Hunter...perhaps against the more logical approach.
Prediction: HHH Wins.

So, there you go. A quick overview of how I'm feeling as we countdown the last few days to the grandaddy of them all 08'. I will not be surprised if the majority of my predicitions are wrong, but that's how I'm feeling about the current state of things.

Wishful thinking is generally the opposite of reality when Vinnie Mac is involved. Expect something to happen.

The Fallen Hero...

I'm probably not alone as I type this, but as I got word from Con (my Sky+ has been on the blink, and I've missed a fortnight of wrestling) that Jeff Hardy was facing his second WWE-related suspension through violation of the Wellness Policy, my initial thought was "well Jeff, you've dug your own grave this time". I posted on my Bebo page that Hardy was a 'tool', because, personally I felt a little hard done-by that one of my favourite all time wrestlers (who has dwelled within the upper mid-card for years, and never really got the break he deserved) was a matter of months away from shattering that elusive glass ceiling, and had apparently felt content to throw it all away. It's not the first time he's acted thus either. Hardy's (not-helpful-in-his-chosen-career-path) occasional interest in recreational substances has been well documented in the past, and in terms of his contract with WWE, well, three strikes and you're out. Jeff's just hit strike two.

I realise now that my initial comments were insensitive, and it is a gross generalisation to make assumptions based on the little knowledge that the public have at present. Furthermore, it is unrealistic to expect someone not to have be human, and make mistakes, just because he or she appears on television. It has long been a downfall of man that we place those we look up to on a pedestal, and when they hit a rough patch or do something we disapprove of, it becomes all the more shocking. It is frankly unfair.

As if the man's life couldn't get any worse, a few days after Jeff was suspended and stripped of his IC title, it was reported to almost every industry news website online that his home in Cameron, North Carolina had burned to the ground, destroying everything that Jeff owned, including his beloved pet dog Jack. It's the kind of heartbreak that you could only find in a Kayfabe storyline, but the sobering reality is that this time, it's real. Worth mentioning, however, is the overwhelming support that Matt has poured onto his brother, only reinforcing the long-known fact that he is a stellar human being, both inside the ring and out. Matt has posted a blog on his official MySpace (you can read it on Gerweck.net) about the whole event, and if it doesn't sadden you just a little, I don't know what will.

Why this blog then? I just wanted to offer my two cents on the situation, and I guess I wanted to publicly show support for Jeff as he tries to rebuild what he has left of his life. This event could perhaps be the straw that breaks the camels back. This weeks poll on Gerweck asked if readers thought Hardy would ever get the main event push that he was in line for again, and a narrow 53% won with NO. I'd like to inject a little counter-optimism into proceedings though. The state of mind that he finds himself in right now just might light a fire under him and fuel a determination that he has not felt before. No-one would want to feel the way Jeff is feeling right now, and I only hope he can channel those feelings into something positive. Who are we to judge another man's downfalls? When an event like the house fire is set in contrast with his suspension, it only serves to show us what's important in life, and hopefully remind us that we ourselves have downfalls. Downfalls that, at one time or another during our life, we're bound to pay the price for. We'd like to think that our family, friends, well-wishers or otherwise would rally around us and see us back to 100%, I don't see why it should be any different for someone who gives so much to so many...

...one thing is certainly clear, the fans will still be there upon his return, to chant his name, and suspend disbelief for the high-flying rainbow haired warrior one more time.

Good luck Jeff.

WWE Raw (Mon 3rd March 08): Getting Back To Business

On June 24th 2007, when one Chris Benoit, a legend in the wrestling business, and a WWE veteran at the time, killed his 7-year old son Daniel, and his Wife Nancy, before hanging himself on a weights machine at his home in Atlanta, the proverbial hit the fan. Once the dust had eventually settled on the confusion, the bitterness, and the mourning process it became clear that the steroid controversy would rage on for many months, even years to come. With that in mind WWE and it's fans slowly turned back to the matter at hand: wrestling.

As a result of the Benoit tragedy, the main storyline at the time, and one that WWE were ready to pick up and run with, was axed. Vince McMahon, who had been 'blown up' when his Limo exploded, broke kayfabe by appearing on Raw in an empty arena to deliver the news of the three deaths. The storyline, in what must have been a ridiculous hurry, was re-hashed, and we learned that Mr. McMahon had an illegitimate son. The to-ing and fro-ing went on for weeks until we finally were let in on the secret. Thats right, MISSTTEERRRR .....KKEEENNEEDDD...oh, wait....

As the steroid allegations came raining down like Benoit-fallout, many of the company's top guys were suspended under the WWE's 'Wellness Policy' (read: "keep your nose clean, Vince, Policy"), including the man who was allegedly lined up to be McMahon's son: Mr. Kennedy. So, what do we get? The 3 foot tall, bleach blonde, bearded leprechan, and then WWE Cruiserweight Champion (no, seriously), Hornswoggle.


you can actually see the company circling the drain in Vinnie's eyes...

Fast forward some eight months and here we are on the road to Wrestlemania. It is only now, almost a year since the death of Benoit, that the WWE is beginning to get back to business as usual. On Raw this week it was announced (SHOCK) by JBL the midget-beater, that Hornswoggle in fact is NOT Vince's son, but is the fruit of (Belfast's own) Finlay's loins. This of course has lead to the type of classic bad blood match that must be included somewhere on the undercard at each years mania.

[As a sidenote, Sky Sports 1, and World Wrestling Entertainment cannot be held responsible for any damage incurred to viewers eyes this past Monday as a direct result of Finlay's jumper choice.]

Could it be that now Ken Kennedy is keeping his mouth shut and his little blogging fingers still about his participation in aquiring steroids online ('absolutely not...oh wait, THOSE ones...let me explain') that he is going to get the mega-push that creative felt he was due, or will he continue to pay his dues to the higher mid-carders while the storyline is put to rest in that big old Wrestlecrap vault alongside 'The Katie Vick Incident', Mae Young and Mark Henry's...baby...and many, many more. Time will tell...


"roids...what roids?!"

In other news, business as usual seems to be returning to the comeback kids, as Chris Jericho and Trips look set to make their long awaited heel turns. It's a no-brainer to me that the fans love to hate these two men more than they love to love them, and it was great to see Jeff Hardy (the fan's babyface) plant Y2J with a Twist of Fate on the Highlight Reel. Only one thing remains to be done before the year can progress though, get Jeff in a programme to drop the I.C. belt before it becomes permanently lodged to his waist. The rainbow-haired warrior needs to shatter the glass ceiling and hit main-event status soon, or it may never happen.

HHH's turn (if indeed there will even be one) seems to be taking on a far more subtle approach though, and I find myself doubting if the writers will get him over as a heel when week after week he's laying out, and being laid out by whiter-than whitemeat babyface Mr. Cena. It wouldn't be a surprise to hear the 20-30 male demographic (the one that makes up most of WWE's viewing percentage) backing HHH even more, and pouring the heat onto John, especially when I'm almost sure he's due to pick up the WWE Championship again.

The road to wrestlemania's going to be an interesting one...

Origins...

Welcome to the East Coast Wrestling Collective. My name is Joel. There's a profile for me over at the side. This blog is a combination of two interests in my life. One, obviously, is Professional Wrestling. The other being journalism. I'm going to be updating on a pretty regular basis. My life sometimes doesn't free up enough time for me to sit on the internet and regurgitate my opinions to anyone who will listen, but if there's something blog-worthy, I'm sure I'll cover it.

I'd really like for this blog to be about your participation as much as mine. If you have questions, or your own opinions on something I've written about (and I'm sure you will...), or even if you want to shout out your thoughts on what's going down in the weeklies or the PPV's, drop an e-mail to:

eastcoastwrestlingcollective@hotmail.co.uk

It can be about any company or brand, and if it's worth putting up here I'll quote it and credit it to you along with any internet link (your Bebo or Myspace etc) you want posted alongside it. My focus is mainly on WWE, so input about everything else will always be much appreciated. So with that out of the way, a little bit of background...

I've been a wrestling fan for as long as I can remember. When I was around five years old I recall my Dad taking me to some kind of wrestling show in the King's Hall in Belfast. I'm convinved it was WWF, because I'm sure I watched Tatanka and Kevin 'Diesel' Nash wrestle, although it could well have been one of those travelling promotions that dress wrestlers up like the current WWE main-eventers. I also remember buying my first wrestling magazine around this time. It had black and white pages. I think Bret Hart was on the cover. It was non-kayfabe, and I didn't have a clue what it was on about.



Over the years it's safe to say I've smartened up a fair bit. I spent the infamous 'Monday Night Wars' on the side of the WWF as the attitude era exploded, taking every young male teenage mind that I knew with it. It was incredible, everything a young teenage boy could have ever dreamed of. My brother and I would base our weekend around watching Raw Is War on a Friday night, and then the new show, Smackdown, on a Saturday Morning. As the new millenium arrived, we were just switching off the TV as Raw ended. That's dedication. I never liked WCW, and I'd seen very little ECW at this point. It was hard to find in Northern Ireland as far as I'm concerned.

During the disastrous Invasion angle that occurred between WWF/E and WCW, then eventually ECW, my passion for the art that I had grown up around began to dilute. It became painfully obvious that the Attitude Era was over, and without any real competition to spur it on, the WWE was becoming stale. It's ironic that the victory Vince McMahon spent years fighting for has been the catalyst that has sent his company into turmoil. The tri-branded split (Raw, Smackdown, ECW) was the only realistic move at the time, but the WWE has never fully recovered from toppling Ted Turner, Paul Heyman et. al.

So, where do I stand now? Well, I guess I'd better tip over this apple cart right from the get-go. Unlike many people who have known the industry that I knew as a kid, and are still around watching today (i.e. males over 20), I am PRO-JOHN CENA. That's right. I said it. Here's something I wrote on Bebo a few weeks back:

"Say what you want about Johnathan Cena, but I'm glad he's back. The problem with the WWE right now is that they don't have the all-rounder characters that made the attitude era so successful. Who on the roster now can cut a promo like The Rock could? Bar Y2J, and Mr. Cena...no-one. The man is a 24/7 work horse, and his in-ring ability, although not Benoit esque in it's technicality, is solid and clean, AND improving by the month...remember, 'Rocky Miavia' had to endure years of 'rocky sucks' chants as he tried to save face and pretend the smarks [probably the older brothers of the Cena-haters] loved him. He became one of the all time greats. Add 2 and 2 you swines."


The only man capable of carrying the company today...is that a sad reflection?

I think the WWE today is a sad state of affairs. The Benoit tragedy has certainly played a major part in this, but I think the fact that the company has no real competition (TNA are a few years off it yet...and no, I haven't forgotten about them) has led to poor booking, repetitive storylines and no real sense of direction. Vince McMahon's idea of wrestling, and that of the majority today, are somewhat different. With a few exceptions, gassed up roid' museums like Big Dave Batista and genetic freaks like The Great Khali are topping the bills at PPV's, while true fan favourites (or truly hated heels...and therefore still technically fan favourites), pure-wrestlers like Jeff Hardy, CM Punk, Chavo Guerrero, Shelton Benjamin, MVP and Jimmy Yang are left in Intercontinental hell, ECW hell, Smackdown hell and ridiculous gimmick hell respectively.

There are TWELVE, count em', TWELVE Pay-Per-Views in a year, with little incentive to buy into them save for the Rumble, Summerslam and the Grandaddy of em' all. Storylines are shoddy and short term, and we see the kind of matches at Raw or Smackdown that we are made to pay for at the end of every month anyway...so why bother?

...and this is only the tip of the iceberg. Bookmark this blog my friends.

With all of that said though, there are the occasional moments of genius, and the very rare 'mark-out' moment that make it all worthwhile (Jeff Hardy v. Y2J on Raw this week for instance), but I sense some re-formative years ahead for the backroom boys at Titan Towers. Watch this space...

So, welcome to the blog. Check back regularly, and get e-mailing. I figure we have a lot to talk about.

...I might even mention TNA.

Till next time,
Joel