The Wrestling Thread Nearly Broke Hornswoggle In Half; THAT'S WHAT WE DO! - Part 86

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Dr. Evil]

Who's the Asian chick?

 

[Benstamania]

Gail Kim.

 

[bullets]

I'm not that surprised considering that the WWE for the last few years has been referencing the attitude era a lot.

I expect everyone who's not Owen Hart, Chris Benoit, or Chyna (and others I cant name off the top of my head) to be mentioned.

It seems like the right move for WWE to mention it's past superstars considering they use them to sell dvds and other merchandise. I think times have changed since the Hall Of Fame and three hour specials. We get to see a lot of the legends. Also WWE mentioning Mick Foley's book while he was on the TNA roster was a big step. Having Christian appear for TNA was even bigger. I wonder if Vince really did set his sights on TNA's roster much like he did ECW. I didn't read to much into the lawsuit, but wouldn't be surpised if there was soem truth to it.

I didn't like The Rock promo but it was interesting that he referenced Jeff Jarrett. That's the first time Jarrett has been mentioned on WWE TV since 1999.

Jeff Jarrett was trending worldwide on Monday.

From: http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/wire/2013/0213/wire44413/92203/

Update on The Undertaker's WWE future; Is he retiring in 2014? By Sharon Glencross(Featured Columnist) on February 13, 2013



This scenario fits with my prediction on the old thread:

Cena vs. Undertaker at WM30 is something that's been talked about for awhile now. So I'm right with you on that. The only two marquee stars left (unless we count Brock and The Rock) who will conceivably end the streak are Punk and Cena. Some people prefer it not to end at all and others think last year should of been his last match. I wan to see it end in the ring. I figured if Taker was unhealthy they would all want him to hold off for WM30 , it's more historical.

 

[bullets]

If he does its really absurd to me. They should have just kept the belt on Punk all the way to Mania. Beyond the win Rocks nostalgia run has been pretty "meh."

Punk having to do the job to Cena (if Punk were to lose) would be more obscene to me than Rock doing it.

Punk dropping the belt only to regain it 3 weeks later just really overcomplicates things IMO. Especially if the point is just for Cena to regain the title. Lose to Rock, beat Rock (screwily I'm sure), lose to Cena? Just leave sa bad taste to bury Punk twice to put over TWO guys who don't need it. I think Punk does the job at EC but even if he wins its bizzare.

If Vince had any sense for long term business Punk would have retained at the Rumble and then gone over Rock and Cena at Mania. Thats a huge rub for anybody. And Vince still gets his huge WM buyrate with a Punk vs Cena vs Rock main event. That New York crowd goes home happy because theres a good chance they'd cheer Punk while booing Rock and Cena.

I wish Punk's reign didn't end so anti-climatically. My girlfriend said when Punk took the spinebuster Rock must of knee'd Punk's balls really hard for him to stay down. Now we have a no win situation. Rock is going to lose the title and his fans will be disspointed. Cena is going to win and most of the fanbase hates his guts. Who knows what CM Punk will be doing.

AJ holding that comic is perfect in so many ways. She is the Harley Quinn of WWE.

Cena wins the title to end Mania this year, Cena ends the streak and Taker's career next year? oh joy!

Wouldn't it be great if he had a year long championship reign so that next years Wrestlemanic could be Streak vs Streak

 

[Lantern Venom]

But like I said more than anything this was about Vince chasing the same f***ing mainstream media exposure and acceptance he's chased for thirty damn years... He's the same trailer park boy embaressed that he's in the wrasslin business and wants to be seen as a guy who "makes movies." He's actually said that about making movies. On camera.

Rock wants to tap into that magical 18-34 demographic (give or take) to promote and get even more interest in his movies. After years of degrading himself in kiddie nonsense he wants to step back into more serious stuff instead of being only the punchine of tooth fairy jokes. He knows he has a built in fanbase and audience with WWE.

Agree on Vince...he still seeks out Hollywood for validation. You're a millionaire, Vince. You're a shrewd businessman. You're eloquent. We know you aren't a hillbilly. Get over it and stop kissing up to the outskirts of mainstream entertainment like Kevin Federline and the Jersey Shore.

Disagree on Rock...he's back because he loves performing. I'm not sure how much this comeback is going to influence his 5 upcoming movies. None of them appear to be close to his Rock persona or have a bareknuckles/MMA/wrestling feel. Those are going to sink or swim on their writing.

Jake "The Snake" Roberts provided an update on Scott Hall living with Diamond Dallas Page, writing on Twitter, "Say miracles abound. R u ready? Oh it's true. Scott hall to arrive Monday. Seen him yesterday and we r so happy to report clean 4 16days"

"Will b biggest move 4either of us. Sharing road to health, sobriety and happiness. Ddp yoga will take us there just add hope, prayers love"

WWE reportedly has been making an effort to get Scott Hall back into a rehab facility.

http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/362813336.php

Awesome news! Throw out the beer and embrace the down dogs, Scott!

 

[The Apocalypse]

Jake "The Snake" Roberts provided an update on Scott Hall living with Diamond Dallas Page, writing on Twitter, "Say miracles abound. R u ready? Oh it's true. Scott hall to arrive Monday. Seen him yesterday and we r so happy to report clean 4 16days"

"Will b biggest move 4either of us. Sharing road to health, sobriety and happiness. Ddp yoga will take us there just add hope, prayers love"

WWE reportedly has been making an effort to get Scott Hall back into a rehab facility.

http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/362813336.php

This is great news. I hope Hall recovers. When I saw that E60 report on him I nearly cried. That was horrible.

 

[E-Man]

My plan to expose 'Mr. E' worked then, I see..

 

[nite-owl]

 

[NDX]

Never hated Robert Irvine so much in my life as I do right now.

 

[Slushy]

Went to Raw last night. I don't care who had to get buried or lose a Wrestlemania spot in the process, because I got to see this and that's better than any other alternative that could have happened:

10 years to become a 10 time world champion. Now that is awesome!

Rock is going to win clean. Every time I remember this stipulation being used the champion won.

True, but then again, Christian was the exception to this.

I didn't like The Rock promo but it was interesting that he referenced Jeff Jarrett. That's the first time Jarrett has been mentioned on WWE TV since 1999.

2001 when Vince fired him publically.

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

Ahh come on the plan is cena vs taker and mania 30 and cena to take the streak

Sorry but I think I just threw up a little.

 

[SuperBatman]

Hell if you don't think Cena is hated right now just think how hated he will be if that actually happens.

 

[JabarR]

Gail still got no butt, but I like her.

 

[TheFuture]

Henry started to turn it around sometime around 2006 in my eyes. I enjoyed his run as ECW champion too. Thats when I REALLY started to notice that he was finally improving.

Bradshaws a guy I didn't see anything in at first. I remember the Hawk Bradshaw stuff and The New Blackjacks. I couldn't have cared less. When he formed the Acolytes with Farooq my opinion on him changed. Then I really became a fan with the APA. I wasn't sure he was main event material but when he really got into the swing of it with JBL I could buy him as an upper midcard/occasional main event guy because he was so good on the mic.

I always knew Eddie had it. Especially after he left WCW. They never really gave him the best characters or material. Hell I knew he had it before he started gaining mass in WCW. He was a solid face and heel and in the ring he was incredible. I was more sure of him than I ever was of Mysterio making it in the main event scene.

Henry improved in WWECW, but I still didn't consider of making the jump into the through main event. But he has absolutely embraced this hall of pain gimmick, and he hasn't missed a beat since returning. I actually wouldn't mind seeing him in the WHC picture at Mania at all. May I also give kudos to Big Show for someone who's doing his best work to date recently.

With Eddie and Bradshaw, I did enjoy their work.....but when the main event was full of Taker, Trips, Rock and Austin, I just couldn't see Eddie and Bradshaw making the jump. Eddie in particular, maybe it was the mullet but I just couldn't take him seriously at all.

Absolutely. She's become a good character in her own right. Forget that she was ever married to Eddie. She's a good manager for the right kind of guy but she's even better as a heel authority figure because she gets such heat and is so believble in her role.

Ziggler needed her more than Edge. He's the perfect example of the new stars Vickie should be put with. Guys bland on their own personality wise. Ziggler has finally grown into his character though and doesn't need Vickie. The trick is not to let Vickie manage anyone for too long because after a while their character begins to stagnant and then regress in the sense that she's the one getting all the heat instead of transferring it to her star. Dolphs on his own now and can get his own heat and do his own talking.

Yeah and you could see that happening. Ziggler would say some great stuff but the crowd was so focused on Vickie that he didn't get half the reaction he deserved.

 

[Pink Ranger]

Good luck, I hope they both keep on getting better, gotta hand it to DDP for helping these guys.

I feel the kind of self-improvement philosophy that DDP promotes is more effective than the traditional rehab/AA model. I hope all these guys do well.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Gail Kim looks different.

Also, I don't see El Generico keeping his gimmick.

 

[Wheels]

Gail Kim looks different.

Also, I don't see El Generico keeping his gimmick.

Not really a fan of El Generico but the kids are going to love the guy. Vince is going to sell lots of masks and capes. He has potential to be more over than Santino ond Zack Ryder.

 

[Metallo]

Sting may be older than Taker and still wrestles, but from what I understand, he's not that good to see now. Flair too, even more than Sting.

They could just as easily postpone Taker vs Punk and do it next year as Taker's close out match, with Punk being the one to end the streak. Cena/Taker seems like the most obvious direction they'll go in.

Of course, they could try to build Ryback up as the person to beat Taker. *shudders*

Sting can get around pretty well in the ring but he's not what he once was. And its clear he doesnt leave it all out there because he wants to extend his in ring career and his health. He wrestles more than Taker these days but like Hunter said he hasn't ever really done the kind of high risk high impact matches The Undertaker has so thats given him a bit more longevity. I can't imagine Taker wanting to hold back like that or play it safe. Its one reason I'm hapy Foley is retired. he'll never be what he was and I don't want to see him take any risks at this stage in his life.

Agreed on Punk. If The Undertaker can't work this year save Punk vs Taker for next year. Thats if Austin isn't working WM30 with Punk of course. It raises an interesting question though. What if Austin is open to the match with Punk at WM30 and Punk has to choose between facing Taker and Austin?

Originally Posted by Hunter Rider
Definitely a refreshing change from that conveyor belt deal that was going on, there is the Boss Man on 98 in their look without a doubt, they come in like a SWAT team.

Exactly, there is a militant vibe to them and it is why they have gotten over so well IMO. I think this group would have been a better way for Cesaro to debut than his current Ludvig Borga gimmick, I mean I have nothing against Reigns bu imagine Cesaro as their power guy? They'd have 3 good workers as well as opposed to 2 and a rookie.

I swear that for a while rookies new to the roster were all sporting the same haircut and the same GQ model bodytype. Stephanie and Johnny Aces contributions to the roster. Variety makes this business. Thats why I loved Kevin Kellys article on black and white (aka good and evil) vs shades of gray.

Yeah militant. Good description. They are a hit and run guerilla type group but they do it so much better than groups like Aces and 8's or Nexus. I think the small numbers help that. Its better than bloated gangs trying to be nimble in their attacks and getaways. Plus the three Shield guys all bring something to their group instead of it being full of guys only there to bolster the ranks. There was a lot of untrimmed fat in Nexus and only a couple of them could actually work at the time. A&8's has a few more experienced workers but none are amazing on the mic or in the ring.

Great idea about Cesaro. He could make it in a singles debut too but if he were part of Shield they would be even better. All three guys could fully carry their weight in the ring and he easily brings as much power as Reigns.

Originally Posted by Hunter Rider
No balls, it's Mania, Lesnar is working it this year as well, the buyrate was gonna be huge no matter what so why go with a match that craps on the premise of the previous Mania's main event and is a match the fanbase in general are not keen on? I think the extra thing hampering this rematch is there is NO doubt over who is winning and for many shelling out $60 to see the start of Cena title reign number 13 is not an enticing prospect, at least with the first match there was the uncertainty over who was going over.

Ditto. With the big names back now is THE perfect time to take risks in the main event. Much like nine or ten years ago the big names can sell the event while fresher faces get main event spots.

Originally Posted by Hunter Rider

Man...Gail even LOOKS better since she went back to TNA. And what I'm talking about goes beyond make up. Seems clear she's more at ease and confident on tv and ppv. Thats what feeling appreciated will do I guess.

Originally Posted by bullets
It seems like the right move for WWE to mention it's past superstars considering they use them to sell dvds and other merchandise. I think times have changed since the Hall Of Fame and three hour specials. We get to see a lot of the legends. Also WWE mentioning Mick Foley's book while he was on the TNA roster was a big step. Having Christian appear for TNA was even bigger. I wonder if Vince really did set his sights on TNA's roster much like he did ECW. I didn't read to much into the lawsuit, but wouldn't be surpised if there was soem truth to it.

Its one way WWE has kept pace with the overall entertainment industry in the last decade. There's this great history and body of work in the past. It may as well be exploted in the best ways to make money. Its one place where WWE is smart. Todays product might not be aces but they know there are a lof of nostslgics out there yearning for their good old days. May as well sell them pieces of that. It also educates the younger audience on WWE's past.

I totally believe there was something fishy with the whole TNA inside info situatuion on WWE's end. Maybe not as bad as TNA claims but Vince has done business that way for decades. he's got to know TNA may not be strong competition but they are a viable talent pool to draw from. He did the same thing to the AWA and to a lesser extent ECW. At least he gave Heyman some money and support in other ways after getting his talent.

I say...if Vince did it once why wouldn't he do it again?

Cena vs. Undertaker at WM30 is something that's been talked about for awhile now. So I'm right with you on that. The only two marquee stars left (unless we count Brock and The Rock) who will conceivably end the streak are Punk and Cena. Some people prefer it not to end at all and others think last year should of been his last match. I wan to see it end in the ring. I figured if Taker was unhealthy they would all want him to hold off for WM30 , it's more historical.

Yeah people here have talked about it for years. Its the last big match left for either one that has has a strong chance of happening.

Originally Posted by bullets

AJ holding that comic is perfect in so many ways. She is the Harley Quinn of WWE.

Absolutly. Certainly during her crazy chick run with Punk Bryan and Kane. I can see why people wanted her paired with Ambrose.

Originally Posted by Scar Predator
Agree on Vince...he still seeks out Hollywood for validation. You're a millionaire, Vince. You're a shrewd businessman. You're eloquent. We know you aren't a hillbilly. Get over it and stop kissing up to the outskirts of mainstream entertainment like Kevin Federline and the Jersey Shore.

Disagree on Rock...he's back because he loves performing. I'm not sure how much this comeback is going to influence his 5 upcoming movies. None of them appear to be close to his Rock persona or have a bareknuckles/MMA/wrestling feel. Those are going to sink or swim on their writing.

Oh I'm sure he loves the business on some level but that doesn't mean he's not in it for something else as well. Rocks a businessman. A smart one. He's not doing these returns for free or on love alone. He's getting paid. And there has to be something there to make it worthwhile for him. he didn't just come back to fight nobodies. he came back to face the biggest stars currently in WWE for a reason. Thats worth his time. Those are matches with the biggest marquee value. If it was only about love he'd wrestle anyone at any other WWE shows. They'd still draw huge wouldn't they? He's doing the marquee stuff because it gets the most exposure to the wrestling fanbase. He and Vince are both getting benefits from this in various ways. At least thats what they hope.

Originally Posted by TheFuture
Henry improved in WWECW, but I still didn't consider of making the jump into the through main event. But he has absolutely embraced this hall of pain gimmick, and he hasn't missed a beat since returning. I actually wouldn't mind seeing him in the WHC picture at Mania at all. May I also give kudos to Big Show for someone who's doing his best work to date recently.

I think they've both gotten better in the last 7 years or so but I agree they are doing their best overall work right now. Henry has the character fire in him now. Back in WWECW Henry was strong for that brand but I couldn't see him carrying the two big shows. Now I can. He and Christian did some damn good work together back then though.

With Eddie and Bradshaw, I did enjoy their work.....but when the main event was full of Taker, Trips, Rock and Austin, I just couldn't see Eddie and Bradshaw making the jump. Eddie in particular, maybe it was the mullet but I just couldn't take him seriously at all.

Once Eddie got his sh** sorted out and came back to WWE I thought he was really on the top of his game. People had held his size against him but by 2004 he could hang with anybody. WWE gave him a real chance then. Hell he's a big reason JBL was getting elevated in the first place. Any time you can do that for sombody you deserve a top spot. Eddie probably had more main event potential than JBL beyond size though.

If Eddie had lived to work with Big Dave some more he might have started sucking less a lot sooner. The real sin is we never got to see Eddie Guererro vs Shawn Michaels. JR would have called the hell out of that match since they would have stolen then show

Yeah and you could see that happening. Ziggler would say some great stuff but the crowd was so focused on Vickie that he didn't get half the reaction he deserved.

Exactly.

 

[Team Andino]

Been watching the Best of Nitro Volume two set and it's got some underwhelming matches and finishes on them. What's more annoying no doubt though is having to hear Larry Zsbisco speak every other second is pure agony. What a moron.

 

[The Sage]

- As noted before, the February 11th WWE RAW did a 3.15 cable rating with 4.25 million viewers. The viewership is the lowest so far for 2013.

In the segment breakdown, the show opened strong with a 3.33 quarter rating with Paul Heyman and CM Punk. Mark Henry vs. The Great Khali lost 328,000 viewers. Daniel Bryan vs. Chris Jericho gained 84,000 viewers. Sheamus, John Cena and Ryback vs. 3MB in the 9pm timeslot gained 267,000 viewers for a 3.34 quarter rating.

Zack Ryder vs. Jack Swagger lost 253,000 viewers. The Miz vs. Cody Rhodes lost 19,000 more viewers. Tensai and Brodus Clay vs. Primo and Epico lost another 242,000 viewers. The Shield speaking and the brawl with Cena, Sheamus and Ryback gained 392,000 viewers in the 10pm timeslot for a 3.25 quarter rating.

Alberto Del Rio vs. Damien Sandow lost 419,000 viewers and Wade Barrett vs. Kofi Kingston lost 37,000 more. Dolph Ziggler vs. Kane gained 186,000 viewers. The final segment with The Rock and CM Punk gained 578,000 viewers for a 3.48 overrun rating.

- Here are some recent WWE attendance figures:

* RAW on February 8th in Poplar Bluff, MO drew 4,000 fans for $100,000
* RAW on February 9th in Springfield, MO drew 4,800 fans for $135,000
* SmackDown on February 9th in Champaign, IL drew 5,500 fans for $160,000
* RAW on February 10th in Cape Girardeau, MO drew 3,200 fans for $95,000
* SmackDown on February 10th in Louisville, KY drew 7,500 fans for $220,000

- One of the reasons WWE booked the smaller Broomfield, Colorado on March 9th is because both of the major arenas in Denver were booked for hockey and basketball that weekend.

- WWE may be trying to acquire the World of Sport tape library from the UK. The library is owned by ITV, not a former wrestler promoter or someone like that, so the deal may be harder to put together.

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

WWE has released a statement to CagesideSeats.com and for the first time ever, they have publicly stated that they will no longer fund rehab for a former talent. Here is the statement from WWE:

"As part of the Former Talent Rehabilitation Program, WWE has sent Ms. Sytch to rehabilitation numerous times, with all costs covered by WWE. Unfortunately, Ms. Sytch has continued to make poor personal choices and is ultimately responsible for the consequences of these decisions. WWE has always provided rehabilitation at a certified treatment center; however, given Ms. Sytch’s inability to change her lifestyle and successfully complete treatment, WWE will no longer fund her rehabilitation."

http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/362855175.php
http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/362854045.php
http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/362852400.php

 

[Metallo]

I don't feel sorry for Sunny at all. She brought this on herself and WWE is right to say enough is enough as far as her using their generosity.

Even though they are trying to help her they are enabling her on some level. She knows that every time she gets in trouble and gets arrested she can blame the booze and the pills and claim she's going to rehab on WWE's dime. She's basically used that as an almost literal "get out of jail free card" before. Breaking the law and getting arrested 6 times in a few months goes well beyond only substance abuse. Its one thing to have that problem but another when you keep on beaking and entering and trespassing and don't learn. How many times does she keep getting help only to ruin it?

She needs to hit rock bottom and know that there will be nobody there to bail her out of these messes anymore. Thats the only thing thats going to scare her into waking the f*** up. She admitted in her upcoming shoot thats she's lied in past shoots. Jeez. What a b****. If she admits that why should anyone even pay for her upcoming KC shoot interview?

Been watching the Best of Nitro Volume two set and it's got some underwhelming matches and finishes on them. What's more annoying no doubt though is having to hear Larry Zsbisco speak every other second is pure agony. What a moron.

One thing thats really annoying me on WWE dvd releases of older WCW material is how they've edited Jesse Ventuera's commentary out (glaringly in places) just so they don't have to pay him.

I mean...its bad enough to sit there with dead air while Schiavonne or Ross occasionally do play by play "by themselves" but its even worse when its going on even though I can see Ventura right f***ing there at ringside at the announce table.

Hell sometimes you can even still hear Ventura's voice in the background with the rest of the ringside noise the other mics are picking up.

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

-
- WWE may be trying to acquire the World of Sport tape library from the UK. The library is owned by ITV, not a former wrestler promoter or someone like that, so the deal may be harder to put together.

if this turns out i hope it leads to some great dvds or even the likes of big daddy, kendo and giant haystacks getting into the hof

 

[Metallo]

Watching the video where Jake Roberts and DDP call Scott Hall and convince him to move in with them in Atlanta. Sure hope they can help Razor. Its amazing how good Roberts looks and sounds. He hasn't looked that healthy in years. DDP's really doing good things.