Post Wrestlemania 28

It has been a week now just about since the biggest wrestling extravaganza of the year. And I have to say that I wasn't as impressed with it after I've seen it than I thought I would be going into it.

The opening match was one that I was interested in seeing. And should have been a great match. And then I sit down to enjoy a great start to a four hour show and see it end in roughly 18 seconds. What.the.hell.. This wasn't a good way to start. I like D Bryan as Booker would put it. And if they wanted him to drop the belt to Shamus then that was fine. I liked him before he became the 'Great White' back when that was actually an insult to him.

And things on the card didn't go a whole hell of a lot up from there. At least with the exception of the Hell in a Cell match. I need to see that one again. But, we did have three veterans working that match. And they all knew what they were doing. I found this one to be much more entertaining than last years. Which I would have to give the credit to Michaels for adding that level of uncertainty to the outcome. Although I was very very doubtful that Undertaker was ever going to lose this thing. Hopefully he will retire undefeated at Wrestlemania. Seeing I don't find anyone worthy of the rub, and with the pace of things these days it would be forgotten in weeks anyway. But if they must, I would love to see someone like Ziggler get it.

Anyway as the card wore on things didn't get much better. The Punk and Jericho match didn't thrill me either. And I know both men can work. Maybe it has something to do with the storyline. Which doesn't interest me at all. And the tag match was tossed to the dark. I've seen good womens matches, and most of them seem to be over in TNA / Impact these days. And The Rock and Cena didn't work well for me either. I was disappointed in Team Teddy losing, but maybe this will provide an opportunity to do something with Teddy. He is miles more interesting and likeable than Johnny Ace.

We get to RAW and Smackdown! and things for me just get worse. RAW was good with the Rocks promo and all downhill from there till we end with Lesnar. What anyone sees in him I will never know.

I've been watching the Wrestlemanias starting at #1 this past week. And it's going to take awhile. But so far I'm up to number six and they have all been much better than what I watch now. Maybe it's because I'm a product of the 80s and that's what I grew up with. But maybe they just did it better then. You know, they don't make things like they used to. A good example being this weeks ref reversing a decision on (Smackdown! was it??) over an incident he didn't even see.. I just saw two WM in a row where Jesse was complaining and praising the fact that the heels cheated well, and kept things hidden from the ref. And they didn't go around changing the decison for things they thought they saw.

I guess alot of this boils down to something I probably said before. Modern wrestling is now so totally shifted to the entertainment (WWE at least) that they don't even pretend to be a sport anymore. Or even act like there are rules and this is supposed to be an atletic competition. And it shows. From what I have been told I should be watching Ring of Honor. Or maybe I need to watch more Impact. But Impact has a lot of failings in other areas. But they do have some good talent.

I have quite a few WMs to get through, and it will be interesting if the decline hits your like a brick wall once I get past the Attitude Era into the PG era and rise of Cena. Maybe it's a gradual thing. Should be interesting to see..

Wrestlemania 28

It's that time of year again, time for Wrestlemania.

Now I haven't been too excited in recent years, the PPV events just don't seem to be all that grand and dazzling anymore. Compared to my memories of the early years, they just seem like extended episodes of RAW or Smackdown! Maybe returning to an outdoor arena. With the large setup might give it back some sense of atmosphere. I really need to go back and watch the old 'Manias. I remember when the WWF/E released the big boxset of all of them. I wish I could have found it for a good price. After that I would have loved a set of the Rumbles. Even if it was just a set of all the Royal Rumble matches themselves.

But oddly I am finding myself getting a little excited this year. Even though I had said I wouldn't be. After all, I saw HHH and Undertaker last year. But I am interested in seeing them now in a Hell in a Cell match, with Mr. Wrestlemania as the guest referee. And Punk and Jericho along with Rock and Cena. Against my better judgement I'm looking forward to Sunday night.

I'm even interested in the 12 man tag match, hopefully team Teddy wins.

So here we are at another Wrestlemania, one I said I wouldn't be excited about. And yet I find myself drawn to it. We shall see how it all goes by Monday night.

Summerslam 2011

What can I say, it didn't live up to the event that was Money in the Bank. Which was a fantastic PPV which is saying a lot based on all the crappy ones this year.. Wrestlemania included. The only other great one I saw this year I would say was The Royal Rumble. And that is probably more to do with the gimmick of the Rumble match itself.

Anyway, the main event for SS is what got my interest. And the way it ended, has got me interested. Seeing as how bored I was for the last several months or more.

And with RAW in the books now, they seem to have some questions and mystery cooking. And hopefully they will take their time resolving it all. And not bring it all to a conclusion too soon (As in bringing Punk back after virtually no time at all, who should have stayed out for months and just popped up all over with the WWE Title. Maybe came back for The Rumble. Kinda like the wheres Cactus Jack vignettes from WCW way back in the early 90s or so)

And I would actually like to see Nash work a few matches. But no more than that.

So here's hoping we can have some heat going between Nash, ADR, CM Punk, Cena and Triple H and really get some stuff cooking for a change.

WWE Raw 07 11 2011

This weeks edition of Monday Night Raw seems to have done the job to keep me interested in this weekends Money in the Bank PPV.

I can say that I am only really interested in how the CM Punk storyline plays out.

The whole Big Show and Mark Henry thing just seems really cheesy, the stunt this week looked bad. The mats and everything were right there. Would have been a lot better had the mats not been visible. I'm sure it looked a lot better live, where you probably didn't have the same view.

Was good to see Vince on TV, don't see much of him these days.

And I hope they bring back the WW(F) Ice Cream bars, that'd be cool. I can remember them when I was a kid, but never actually had one.

I'm going to throw my vote behind some of the speculation online. And hopefully it's true. CM Punk will beat Cena for the title, only to have Del Rio cash in and take it from Punk. And then Punk leaves (Whether to another company or some time off wouldn't really matter)

Even better for me, although I know there is no way it would happen. Would be for Punk to win and leave with the belt. Setup some elaborate work, and make it seem like he'd gone somewhere with the title. Until they bring him back in. But I can't really see any way this will happen.

In the end let's hope CM Punk does stay, because they need him. The end, with him and Cena in the ring was painful. Punk was great on the mic and then Cena starts talking.. But I don't really see any strong faces to back him up.

Other than that most of RAW was forgettable..

RAW CM Punk Promo 062711

What an awesome promo tonight from CM Punk.. Enough to get you excited about what we should be seeing on the show. Some real spark, and attitude.. But wait that was the attitude era and we don't have that anymore sadly.. These days the WWE isn't even employing Wrestlers or is even a Wrestling company anymore..

Anyway, it should be an interesting few weeks until Money in the Bank.. To see whether he actually leaves with the title or not.. Because the one problem I see with all this is that, he won't be going anywhere with any belt if they (Vince) doesn't allow it. So, all this talk about a shoot promo and such doesn't mean much when he keeps saying he's taking the title with him. Because we all know that won't happen. Medusa got away with it once years ago, and a war almost broke out over the Montreal Screw job to prevent a possibility of it a second time.

But if he's genuinely unhappy hopefully he finds a home somewhere that will be better suited for him. And maybe he'll be back, or we'll get to see his work where ever he lands.

Smackdown! 06 / 03 / 11

Well, just to be quick. This was a better week for wrestling than usual, even though the big company is no longer a wrestling company..

Anyway, Smackdown! last night looks like they are turning Christian heel. Well, I guess it's about time. And for me, it all seemed to work out pretty good. I'm liking it, and hopefully things will heat up between him and Orton. And we can have a good match or series of matches in this feud. About the only thing I would like to have seen added as Smackdown! went off the air, would have been for Christian to have flicked the nameplate off of the belt and then put it back around his waist as it fades to black.

And again, I am liking R - Truths work as a heel as well, and his wandering to the crowd and getting into it with the fans (Yes, that specific one was a planted actor) was at the least somewhat entertaining. And I actually hope he keeps the little 'Jimmy' thing going for awhile. I would like to see a slightly more darker bent to him though, hopefully as it goes along.

And finally, what's with the bodyslam coming back anyway?? And where did it ever go?!? Just a reminder to me that wrestling seems to brawl a lot more these days than actual wrestling y'know with moves and holds.

I guess this is where Impact! is headed with wrestling matters supposedly. And I'm told that Ring of Honor is totally slanted to 'Sport' over entertainment. And maybe that's where I can find more of the athletic aspect of the sports entertainment.

This week in Wrestling 05 / 23 / 11

Just thought I would toss out some random thoughts about this weeks episode..

It looks like Big Show is taking some time off?? Or least in regards to his being hit by a car I hope so.. because if he doesn't he must be having whatever it is that Cena partakes in on a weekly basis.

Speaking of Cena, when will they start to sell cans of Spinach with his picture on it??

Huge pat on the back to CM Punk for his Over The Limit pose, and certainly his Raw Main Event appearance in Savages ring attire.. Very nice.

Another Divas match swept under the rug, big surprise. As much heat as TNA, oops sorry Impact Wrestling gets they at least let their Knockouts do some work. Even if it is in skimpier outfits. I at least feel like they take the division seriously.

Evan Bourne.. maybe I didn't get the memo, but is there a reason this guy doesn't get any pushes?? Shouldn't he be in with Rey Mysterio, Sin Cara, Chavo and all the guys his size.. Why does it seem like such a waste of talent.

Apparently Ziggler is back to being Blonde.. Thank god..

OTL I Quit Match, what a joke.. We watch Miz and Riley beat the tar out of Cena for like 30 mins just for him to eat his vitamin and beat Miz in 8 seconds.. So not looking forward to Rock vs Cena next year

Impact Wrestling taking the ball and running with 'Wrestling Matters Here' Glad to see it. Hope they actually do it. With the WWE being more entertainment than wrestling (Now literally with their name change or alteration)

OTL Christian Vs Orton.. best match of the night. First real entertaining match I've seen lately. Back and forth, false finishes. All around well executed. We need more of this.

OTL King Vs Cole.. Let this be the end of it, please. Great surprise having Brett Hard on hand. Didn't really see the point of having Eve out there. I'm sure Cole pissed off a lot more people.

Speaking of Cole, and on Raw he just comes and shakes hands and all is forgiven. Could they given us a few weeks for things to settle first??

Kharma... Anyone else not impressed with her so far or all out confused at what t
he hell their plan to do with her is??

R-Truth Keep it going, liking his heel turn. Lets crank it up a notch. His beating Rey at OTL was a welcome surprise, because I sure didn't expect him to win.

RIP Randy 'Macho Man' Savage

Sad news yesterday as a real Legend of Professional Wrestling has passed away. As has another piece of my childhood.

I can remember nights watching Saturday Nights Main Event, WWF Superstars and, of course the famous Wrestlemania match with Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat.

Macho Man was one of the best, and he seemed to have gotten out of the business with his health, and some security. I hadn't seen or heard much of him in years before his marriage last year. And his return to video games with the recently released WWE All Stars. And it would have been awesome to see him inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

So here's one for the Madness!

WWE Tribute Page

WWE Draft 2011

So they apparently have decided to move up the draft after the news of Edge having to retire.

Now, I know that there are a great many reasons why the draft isn't legit. Now, we all know that it isn't. Marketing, storyline, merchandising you name it.

But wouldn't it be a hell of a lot more fun if it was. Set the whole show up, with a lottery and ticket system. Kind of like the old Royal Rumble days when they would draw numbers on the shows leading up to the Rumble for spots. Something else they really need to do..

But, a real shakeup would be awesome. And if it was legit, it would also help keep the writing fresh, and the writers on their toes in my opinion.

Once a year, everything would get a good shake. And force new matchups, and the writers would have to come up with new angles and stories to go with the new rosters.

And shakeup the announcing teams as well. I don't like having the same people virtually on both shows. RAW and Smackdown! should have separate teams. And for all intents and purposes they do. If they could just keep Cole somewhere. Announcer, Heel. Pick one, and conclude his bit as well. It's gotten old. And fast.

Undisputed

How to become world champion in 1,372 easy steps

Just finished reading this book today. Was every bit as good as the first one, and with the book ending a lot like the previous. Hopefully he is making notes to write his third book.

This book was split between his time in the WWE and Fozzy. You get to see some insight on wrestling stardom as well as being a rockstar.

Lots of great stories from the road, the ring and the stage.

Any fan of Jericho, Fozzy or the Wrestling should love the book.

3.5 stars out of 5

Wrestlemania XXVII

Is this Sunday evening.. With the quality of the PPVs in the last year, I can't say I'm all that excited about this years event. I was interested in seeing The Royal Rumble. But that had to do with the gimmick main event match. And even that, isn't what it used to be. With the number draws leading up to the event.

Will the streak end, or will The Game prevail where HBK could not.. two years in a row. I can't imagine at this point that The Undertaker will lose at Wrestlemania until he's ready to retire, and maybe not even then. I could easily see him retire with the streak intact.

As for the rest of the card, I can't even remember much of it, except Cena, Miz and The Rock. For a four hour show, they sure don't seem to have a lot of must see buzz about things. Maybe they expect buy rates to spike to see Cole get trashed by The King. Im not all that interested in that match either. Oh, we know that Cole has been training. As they've told us that week after week, with Swagger. Not that they couldn't have shown us some vignettes of the training or something..

I suppose this may have something to do with them pretty much killing anything that wasn't singles competition. No tag team division, no light weight division, and no womens division to speak of.. No variety

Guess we'll have to see how it all plays out. After all, it can't come close to being as bad as the last TNA PPV.. Where is my Sting Vs The Undertake at Wrestlemania main event. I would have liked to have seen that one..

And as for the WWE Hall of Fame.. They can't even show that until the next day. Or two days later here. Why not make it part of the show. They went four hours, why not five. I'm currently more interested in the HoF than I am most of the event card.

Ted Dibiase: The Million Dollar Man

Just finished another wrestling biography book. This time for one of the greatest heels I remember growing up. The Million Dollar Man. Who can't remember the vignettes that the then WWF ran every week for him.

The kids at the pool, the kid dribbling the ball or the kid kissing his feet after a match (Which interestingly would grow up to become the whole F'N show Rob Van Dam)

Lots of great stories, but this book was more about his experiences and not as much about the business as previous books I have read.

It was a fantastic read, and I never knew what a huge star he was well before he ever came to the WWF in the late 80s. With no internet, or anything of the sort. It was impossible really to know.

He did make one comment, that I feel is the problem with the wrestling business today. And he touches on it, towards the end of the book. When he discusses his various attempts to stay in the business, but behind the scenes. And how so much had changed, and for lack of a better term passed him by while he was away.

And that comment was.. He always felt he was a Wrestler who Entertained. NOT an Entertainer who Wrestled.. I feel that says it all really..

And backed up by what I have read lately about how the WWE doesn't want it's people referred to as Professional Wrestlers.. Their Superstars and Divas. Sounds like someone is forgetting their roots.. And what got them there unfortunately.

4 out of 5 stars

Smackdown 600th Episode

To be upfront I find Smackdown! to be the more enjoyable of the two shows. Seems to be more Wrestle oriented, and seems to have more show spread around amongst the roster. Where RAW seems to be the Cena and Orton show.

I have to say that the 600th episode started out great. The 12 man tag match with so many names in the ring at one time was a good match. Too bad they don't do things like this more often. The rest of the show was pretty bland. How many people have been fired and brought back in the last 3 months.. Cena, Edge, Ziggler.. Let's see if Ziggler can out last Cena for at least a month.. But that will be doubtful with the PPV tomorrow night.

At least the tag match was great for me.. The only other thing I find to be enjoyable for wrestling is TNAs X Division. Reminds me of the old WCW Cruiser Weights. And the TNA Knockouts, who at least try (Or allowed to try) harder to put on real matches. Where the WWE Divas just don't seem to do much at all. But, this is straying from the topic and should best be left for another entry.

The Rock returns to the WWE

Finally something interesting has come back to WWE.. It's been seven years since The Rock has retired from the ring. Hard to believe it has been so long, but then again these past seven years must have been like dog years. The Rocks return to the ring, for an end of show promo was just a breath of fresh air. Against, the tired old crap that has been going on since he left.

That's not to say that there hasn't been anything good, just that when you see him in the ring. The return of one of the old guard. You see what a stark difference there is, with what once was Sports Entertainment and what we have now. And there is no comparison.

With Cena and the Miz as the two big stars we see constantly. They just wilt against the sun of The Rock.. No wonder I keep looking back to the Attitude Era so fondly. It was just better, and not because if ass, candy ass, beer drinking or blood either. The performers were just on a whole 'nother level.

And what does it say that with Wrestlemania coming up, they have to go digging to drum up interest?? Is Edge, Cena, Miz, CM Punk and Del Rio (The last two who I think is as good as the old crew) not enough to spark interest?? Now WM was always about pomp and celebrities and what not.. But this just doesn't strike me the same. And with Austin coming back as well to host a show for the WWE.. It just makes me wonder where they are going with this so called 'New Generation'

Not too mention that they really need to do something with Michael Cole.. I know that the announce team is supposedly fed their lines in real time, over the headset by Vince himself. But, come on.. Either bring Cole out as a real heel performer or let him go back to being just an announcer. Because in the old days of Gorilla and Heenan, the heel announcer was never so bad as this. Suffice to say those days of Gorilla and Heenan are gone. But, The King and J.R. were damn good. And how I wish they would let Ole J.R. come back..

Dark Rising

I seen this movie on the shelf at Blockbuster several times. And it looked interesting if for no other reason than the green cover with the babe in some sort of bikini armor and a helmet on.

As it turns out, it's a Canadian film made about 3 years ago. And it was kind of interesting beyond said warrior woman in skimpy armor.

The star of the movie was WWE Christian. Well, he was the best friend of the star I guess. But he had the best role. He was interesting and funny. And all around a good performance.

As for the rest of the movie, beyond some brief nudity and a story that reminded me of the old Evil Dead movies without the log cabin. Wasn't much to see.

It ends with what appears to be a cliff for a sequel. But somehow, I doubt one will be coming any time soon.

So if you want to see a Horror / Comedy with some Nudity and a funny performance from Christian this is your movie.

2.5 Stars out of 5 (better rent it to be safe)

The State of Professional Wrestling

It's been at least a year now or more since I decided to start watching Pro Wrestling again. Which these days pretty much means WWF(E) since I don't get TNA and haven't seen anything of ROH.

So after a years worth of Raw and Smackdown and WWE Vintage Collection. I would have to say, I wish that they would give 'Mean' Gene Okerlund a 3 hour show every week. The old vintage matches from the 80s and 90s are so much better than what we get from week and week out.

Now, I just recently went to a live house show of Smackdown back in the spring, and it was a great show. But when I watch the shows and the PPVs week in and month out. They are supposed to be part of a bigger picture.

These pictures are just mostly boring but serviceable. Now, I grew up with this stuff. I used to go to the Atlantic Grand Prix wrestling live shows when I was a small kid every time they passed through town. I watched it on TV religiously.

The thing that seems to strike me these days is that the WWE has re branded Pro Wrestling as Sports Entertainment. But they seem to have all but forgotten the SPORTS aspect of it.

When I watch the Vintage Collection stuff, that is the part that strikes me. We all know that it's always been about entertainment. It's a soap opera for males. But it was a SPORTS oriented soap. The ref wasn't just there to be part of the show. He was there to make sure that the matches were fair and followed the rules. Y'know the rules, the part that made it appear to be a real sporting contest and not the mostly scripted and choreographed show that it was, and still is.

This comes home a lot more with the vintage stuff because you get to see much of the shtick that they don't even bother with anymore. And now the ref just seems to hang around the ring, until one person or the other is done showboating some rediculous series of moves ( Cena and MVP come to mind, although I can see that harken back to the Rocks Peoples Elbow) and he's needed to make a three count and that's it.

Maybe it's just nostalgia since everything you grew up with is better than what's around now. Or maybe it's just like everything else, they just don't make things like they used to.

I will say one thing, I hope that TNA does well, and I get to see some of it on TV soon. WWE needs some competition. Some of the best years I remember watching was during the Monday Night Wars with Raw Vs Nitro. And that's been over for a very long time now.

SummerSlam 2010

Well.. this has to be the best PPV I've seen so far this year. And that's not saying much. I miss the wrestling days of the 80s and to some extent the 90s and WCW..

May as well forget all the matches but two. Orton Vs Sheamus.. Was turning into a good match until we end up with a DQ finish.. WTF.. Sheamus keeps the belt and Orton goes to the back of the line.. I'm sure that will happen /sarcasm

WWE Seven (Raw Seven) Vs The Nexus.. Now this was probably the best main event I've seen in awhile. Cutting off the Miz and bringing out Brian Danielson was great. And to have him knock off someone right off the bat, even if it was just Darren Young was a good start. Everything was going well until just after Hart got DQed. Which I thought they handled brilliantly seeing Bretts health won't allow him to do much. But, it was good to see the shades of the old Hitman. And I liked that he has said he won't go back in the ring with the Pink & Black since he can't really perform.

Was somewhat downhill from there though.. With the Miz interference and quick win.. Was Cena really down or not.. I can't imagine anyone in the building believed that John Cena couldn't get an offence started. He's been beat down worse before to come back, and yet here he is dragging around for the whole match almost.

Oh, and Kane Vs Mysterio.. Who didn't know that 'Taker was in the casket.. Just a question of when will it open and he'd appear. Was interesting that they still play him as weak and injured and Kane still having the upper hand.

So, best PPV I saw all year. Better than Wrestlemania even. But still not as good as they used to be.

2.5 stars out of 5.

Raw is Yawn

Another yawner of a Monday Night Raw for me last night. I did get a chuckle out of the opening when Cena throw out that line out about his Mother canceling his Warcraft subscription.

The best part of the whole show me would have been the tribute to Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat and his DVD release with the WWF / WCW legends.. But that they had to go and ruin that.

I knew when I saw it coming, can we just have a nice tribute to the Dragon without any crap. And of course not. Now, I imagine they had no problem trying to help put over the new faction. But, after the first few beat downs it has gotten boring and repetitive.

Especially since the Raw and Smackdown talent was barred from contact with them. Great.. Seems like they are trying to re-create the old NWO takeover type drama. Let them take over the announcers table for a show and call it.

Or even the TV truck outside and run their own Promos.. But a beat down without opposition every week has run its course.

NXT Season 2

Well, I can say I was pleasantly surprised by the premiere of Season 2.

If we back up a bit, I enjoyed the hell out of the end of Season 1. Once Daniels flipped out and ripped into Cole with some great Work / Shoot cuts. Poor Mans JR.. I was stunned at what they allowed him to say on air. And greatly entertained. And we shall see where they go with this NXT Invasion angle they just had on Raw.

But as far as Season 2 goes, I was only entertained by one person really. "Showtime" Percy Watson. With that strained double row white smile (Grimace?) and the dancing with those thick rimmed red glasses.. Was funny as hell. I hope he wins. He even wrestles with them on.

Cool to see Mr. Perfects son in there. But, what a stupid name they gave him. And why?? Wasn't to cover up his roots obviously since they brought up his past several times. Wish I could say I was just as impressed with Husky. Which If I remember right is the son of IRS.. correct me if I'm wrong.

Anyway, overall I can say I guess that NXT in the last few weeks has been more entertaining than Raw or Smackdown.

And don't get me started right now on the crap that they called Viewers Choice Raw..

Sunday Afternoon Smackdown

Got back yesterday from WWE Smackdown house show. I haven't been to a WWE/F live event since 15 years or so ago. And let me tell you, that back then it was pretty crappy.

We had Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Duke the Dumpster, Doink, JJ, Smoking Guns.. Crappy sound system (Arena fault I would say ) no real matches, a lot of pushing, shoving some punches and kicks and just a total lack luster display.

Flash forward 15 years and we had Cody Rhodes, Rey Mysterio, Big Show, Kelly Kelly, MVP, Shad, Drew, Kofi, Christian.. Good Sound, the ring actually had the WWE Smackdown logo and colors. And the show was good. Just like every Friday night. Pretty much all the spots and finishers. I didn't expect Rey to go all out like he does on PPV or TV. But damn, if he didn't fly around the ring, jumping from the ropes, 619 (Kinda lame move really) and everything. Was a good 2 hr show. If I had anything to complain about, it would be that they had a second show 4 hrs later and a 1 hr or more drive to get there. So, we didn't get to see anyone or autographs.

We did have good seats too. And not on the floor either, just above them. So I could see the whole ring at a nice angle. And not be sitting flat on the floor looking through the ring and past other people.

But, I'll be watching for their next stop through. And hopefully Raw next time so we can see the other side. And hopefully not so rushed so we can try and get some pictures and autographs.

It only took 15 years for me, but I finally feel justified in the money I spent then. That it motivated me to go again and finally see a good show.