Weekend Wrap Up: Smackdown 2/22/2008, Oscars & More

So... I haven't posted an Entry in a couple days. Honestly, I just haven't felt like it. That's alright, I'll kill three birds with one stone.

WWE Friday Night Smackdown! 2/22/2008
I didn't write my normal commentary on Smackdown, because, well... I thought it sucked. The only entertaining portion was the Money in the Bank qualifying match between Shelton Benjamin and Jimmy Wang Yang. This match, is exactly what I was talking about in my 'WWE Monday Night Raw, 2/18/2008' entry. As much as I would like to see Jimmy Wang Yang in a ladder match, I knew that Shelton Benjamin would get the win (who has been awesome in past ladder matches, by the way). My whole point here, is they put Shelton in the match with an opponent that made it competitive. It was a fantastic, high flying match. These two guys are great talents.

The only other redeeming quality about Friday's airing was the epiphany I had. If they ever decide to do a re-make of Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein, Festus would be the perfect guy to play Peter Boyle's monster. I also think that it's too bad that Festus isn't hairier. He be the perfect son of George 'The Animal' Steele.

80th Annual Academy Awards. 'The Oscars'
I trudged through this crap last night, basically because there wasn't much else on. I was surprised to see Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson as a presenter. I gotta tell you Rock, I know you're living out your whole movie star fantasy, but please come back. Your movies are okay, but they aren't terribly spectacular. You were much more entertaining in the ring. Plus, I gotta say, seeing you in a tuxedo is just plain wrong (yes, more wrong than a T-shirt and stretchy man-panties.

WWE WrestleMania 24 Press Conference
While yes, I live here in Los Angeles, and could easily have gone to the Staples Center to see this live, I chose to sit here and watch the video stream on the internet. Fighting LA traffic all the way into downtown is not my idea of fun. Anyway, here's the recap:

Jonathan Coachman opens the press the press conference to introduce Vince McMahon. Thankfully, Vince walks out normally and doesn't so that awful 'powerwalk'. I guess he reserves that for the entrance ramp. Vince went on to define 'WWE', as if the world doesn't get it. World: Vince calls the WWE the world's greatest export. Wrestling: Here he talks abit about wrestling, but goes on to call WWE 'the only variety show left on television'. Entertainment: Vince claims to 'entertain our audience better than anyone else in the world'. Vince McMahon talks a bit about the first WrestleMania, and references the Hulk Hogan & Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper & Paul Orndorf, and then elaborates on celebrity involvement. He made it a point to note that for only the second time WrestleMania 24 will be held in an outdoor venue, and that it will 'allow us to do things that we can't do indoors'. Hopefully, he means something besides just more pyro (Rumor has it that this year's WrestleMania will have 10 times more pyro than any prior events). That's cool and all, but I don't buy pay per views to watch fireworks on TV.

Coach then introduces John Cena, who gets a mixed reaction from the crowd, but there certainly seemed to be more 'boos'. Many of the crowd begin to chant 'you suck'. Cena praises and thanks Vince McMahon. He goes on to say that he, 'won't predict a win or loss, but guarantees history will be made'.

Coach then brings out Randy Orton. Randy Orton had a bad wardrobe day. He was wearing jeans with what looked like a tuxedo jacket. Typical Orton dialogue. John Cena giggles like a school girl when the crowd start chanting 'Cena'. Disgusting. Randy Orton wraps things up by saying, 'March 30th, I will not only walk out WWE champion, but no longer will I be known as the Legend Killer. March 30th I will be known as a Legend'

Next out is Triple H. Again, like Orton, typical Triple H ramblings. Hunter seemed to lose his train of thought and called the crowd 'crazy', followed with 'I forgot we were in LA'.
Triple H vows that at WrestleMania the 'King of Kings goes back on his throne'.

Coach re-takes the podium and starts talking about the Diva search. My stomach drops, because I know they are about to announce something stupid for WrestleMania. Candice Michelle and Maria come out to announce the 'first ever Playboy Bunny Mania match'. Whatever the hell that is, you can bet your ass it's gonna suck. Candice announces that it's Maria's birthday, which results in the crowd giving the worst rendition of 'Happy Birthday' that I've ever heard in my life.

The divas are followed by Edge, who basically said the same things he said on Friday Night Smackdown. 'I'm undefeated at WrestleMania too...' Blah, blah, blah...

Coach announces Rey Mysterio. Rey was wearing a god-awful black velvet mask with purple trim. It didn't go particularly well with a pinstripe suit. When Rey took the podium the mics were tall than he and began standing on his tip toes before lower the mic. He talked a bit about his injury and speaks to the crowd in a mix of English and Spanish. This would have been fine, but he never repeated in English what he said in Spanish like Ediie Guerrero used to do. Rey announced that his bicep surgery will be on Wednesday, but that it 'won't effect him helping his boy, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Every time Rey would mention Floyd Mayweather's name, the crowd erupted in boos. Vince, I hope you took note. We, the audience, do not like Floyd Mayweather.

The next bit confused me a little. I'm not sure whey it took a progression of three guys, to announce one guy.

For some reason, Coach brings out Mike Adamle. Mike rattles on about smalls guys being victorious over big guys. When Mike Adamle mentions Floyd Mayweather, the crowd boos. Mike Adamle introduces Shane McMahon.

Shane McMahon takes the podium and talks about WWE and Floyd Mayweather 'joining forces; The crowd boos. He mentions how the world is watching, and third parties such as HBO, Direct TV and Dish Network are nervous about the outcome. Personally, I don't care. After how unprofessional Mayweather was the night of Big Show's return, I hope he gets injured. That's right, I'm wishing ill on another human being. Sue me. For no apparent reason, the crowd starts a 'Cena' chant, followed by a 'Triple H' chant for no apparent reason in the middle of Shane McMahon's speech.

Shane introduces Floyd Mayweather. The fans are not happy to see him and he draw immediate heat from the crowd. The crowd stars chanting 'Yankees Suck' in response to Floyd's outfit. He stood there dumbfounded, saying nothing for roughly 5 minutes. For some reason he pulls a bundle of $100 bills out of his jacket and shows the crowd. He finally speaks... well kinda... he kept repeating 'I got all day'. The guy definitely looked rattled. The fans begin chanting 'you suck', which was followed by a 'de la Hoya' chant, which was followed by a 'Big Show' chant. Flord Mayweather then took Big Show's name placard off the table and ripped it up. For a guy that is supposedly so 'good on the mic' according to some sports writers, Floyd Mayweather is out of his element. He still is standing speechless, removed the bundle of cash and acts as if he is going to throw it into the crowd. He's that desperate, drowning that badly, that he is going to attempt to pay off the crowd. He stands on the table, flashing his money, inciting the crowd. He then jumps down and starts 'listening to the crowd' like Hulk Hogan would do. He ends up tossing money into the non-media section of the audience. After picking up the money, they continue to boo him. Floyd returns to the mic, apparently now ready to speak. He says that he is going to change the name of the WWE to the MME, Money Mayweather Entertainment. He also claims that he 'owns this city now', that he 'runs LA' and also 'runs WWE'. The crowd responds by chanting 'you suck big time'. The brags about his 'lifestyle', his 'money', and 'how good I look'. Boy, you sure do know how to win friends and influence people, Floyd. He says that he'll give people money if they tell him that he's the champ. Paying off the crowd? C'mon. Keep in mind, that this moron is saying all of these things with Shane McMahon directly to his left, champions Orton and Edge behind him, and Vince McMahon just behind the curtain. Finally, (Fi-nal-ly! ) he sits down. This was a fiasco and I want that half hour of my life back. Heh.

Mike Adamle returns to the podium to announce the Big Show. Apparently, Big Show is too big for the internet, because as his music started playing and came through the curtain my video stream disconnected. I wasn't able to rejoin the web feed. Too bad too, I would have liked to have heard the crowd chant Big Show's name and embarrass the little bastard.

I hope Vince took notes. We, the viewing audience, decide who's a heel, and who's a face. You can't force-feed us Floyd Mayweather as a face. We don't care if Rey Mysterio is supposedly his friend, and supposedly training him or not. This storyline needed a change of direction last week. I'd recommend changing it tonight on Raw. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Lindsay Lohan Backstage at WWE Monday Night Raw, 2/18/2008

As reported on WWE.com, at last night's taping on WWE Monday Night Raw in Anaheim, Lindsay Lohan was backstage, to meet WWE Superstars (John Cena, Rey Mysterio, JBL) and kids from Canada's version of the Make A Wish Foundation, Sunshine Foundation.

I'm not sure why, but WWE is referring to her as an 'A' list celebrity, when this trainwreck is a D-list celebrity, at best. I truly find it hard to believe that this documented alcoholic and apparent coke-head gives a rat's ass about the sick children. In my opinion, this was simply for publicity. I am astounded that 1) WWE would even admit that she was backstage, given their new anti-substance campaign, and 2) that they'd make the connection between Lidnsay Lohan and the Sunshine Foundation.

In my opinion, Lindsay Lohan is a horrible role model for children and should be nowhere near them. I offer the following proof:

On various occasions, she has been photographed at night clubs in the company of Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, two other poor role models. This alone makes you look awful.

August, 2004: Car accident in Studio City, CA

October, 2004: Car accident in West Hollywood, CA

July, 2006: Lindsay Lohan admitted to a Los Angeles hospital for treatment of 'overheating and dehydration', her third hospital visit in 2006. James G. Robinson, CEO of the film's production company for Georgia Rule wrote: "You and your representatives have told us that your various late arrivals and absences from the set have been the result of illness; today we were told it was 'heat exhaustion'. We are well aware that your ongoing all night heavy partying is the real reason for your so-called 'exhaustion'."

September, 2006: Hospitalized at St. Vincent's in NYC for what was called a 'broken wrist'.

November, 2006: Car accident in Los Angeles, CA

January, 2007: Checked herself into rehab. She later said in an interview with E! Online that "It's so weird that I went to rehab. I always said I would die before I went to rehab.", and "I don't know that I'm necessarily an addict" (Admitting your problem is the first step, tramp). She also addressed the rumor about the text message she supposedly sent to her boyfriend at that time about why she left rehab, that she missed "sex and McDonald's". In response to the rumor, she told E! Online that "I'm a sexual person..."

May, 2007: Arrested after a car accident. Police on the scene found cocaine in her car. Charged with drunk driving.

July, 2007: Arrested after an allegedly chasing her former assistant, Tracie Rice, in a car. Lindsay Lohan refused a breathalyzer. At the police station, a blood test proved her over California's legal limit. Cocaine found in her pocket. Arrested and charged with felony possession of cocaine and transportation of a narcotic, in addition to misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license

Yeah, she's a great role model for children.

I am sick of WWE.com's new 'TMZ' style celebrity reports. I'm not sure if they are just trying a different format, or if they have were trying to beat Paul Heyman's 'Heyman Hustle' to the punch.

I suppose I should be happy that they didn't put her on the air, which I think is the real reason she showed up in the first place... she wanted to be on TV.

In any case, stay the hell away from my kids, Lindsay. In my opinion, you're a scumbag and a waste of skin.

For the WWE article: Lindsay Lohan Drops by Raw
For the E! Online article: Rehabbed Lindsay: I'm Not an Addict
For the Sunshine Foundation: Sunshine Foundation

Rey Mysterio Injured in Santiago, Chile

WWE has recently posted a news article about Rey Mysterio. He has been injured while on WWE's South American tour. According to the article, last night Rey Mysterio partnered with Kane against Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins at a house show at Arena Santiago in Santiago, Chile.

During the match, Rey received an injury to his right bicep. The article says that Rey completed the match (kudos, a true champ). Apparently, Rey is now in a hospital in Gulf Breeze, FL, waiting to meet with surgeon Dr. James Andrews for diagnosis. Dr. Andrews has previously operated on 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, John Cena, Edge, Shawn Michaels & Triple H, among others.

WWE reports that regardless of Dr. Andrews' findings, Rey 'has his heart set on competing this Sunday night at No Way Out'.

I truly hope that this is a just a gimmick to hype the match at the pay per view this Sunday.

Rey, if this isn't a kayfabe injury, we certainly wish you the best and a speedy recovery.

To read the full article, click here: Rey Mysterio Injured During South American Tour

WWE Friday Night Smackdown! 2/8/08

This is late, but better late than never...

Smackdown began with the 6 Elimination Chamber entrants trading words in the ring. Typical WWE fare... Batista starts by being interviewed by Michael Cole, then superstar after superstar interrupts until everyone is in the ring. This match at the upcoming No Way Out PPV confuses me a bit... Batista, Khali, Big Daddy V and Undertaker all make sense. I'm still confused as to why MVP and Finlay are in this match. I don't think anyone can take the idea of either MVP or Finlay winning that match seriously, so why bother putting them in it? If it were me booking the match, I would have included Kane, and re-introduced Big Show (The internet rumor mill suggested that Big Show would be unveiled at the Royal Rumble, but that never happened). I mean, if you are going to have a match filled with giants, make them all giants. Don't get me wrong, as Batista said, there will be a ton of men in the Smackdown Elimination Chamber... but I think my version would be far better.

Next up we saw Kane vs. Shelton Benjamin. I'm not sure what it is, but Shelton Benjamin's mic skills have waned. He used to be quite good on the mic, particularly during the Shelton Benjamin/Triple H feud. My gut tells me that he's really quite a humble guy, and it's hard for him to play the part of the conceited 'gold standard' of ECW. This was an entertaining match. SB did an impressive flying neck breaker off the turnbuckle... it put John Cena's 'throwback' to shame.

After commercial, we were served another bland episode of 'Chuck Palumbo fights with Jamie Noble over Michelle McCool'. Actually, I was pleasantly surprised by this match, It was actually a good, quick-paced match... but of course, that would soon be ruined. After the Chuck pinned Noble... this whole episode... dragged on... forever. Seriously, all the oversold (Chuck, you're not a good actor) street fight garbage lasted longer than the wrestling match (Trust me, I timed it). You know, I think my biggest gripe with this whole story line is, how are we supposed to believe the new. 'American Bad Ass Rip-off' Chuck Palumbo (see Exhibit A), when all that we can remember is the 'ambiguously gay Billy & Chuck', Chuck Palumbo (see Exhibit B)












Seriously... I think this is why, at least in my mind, he never got over in the 'new' version of the F.B.I. stable.

Jamie & Festus vs. Deuce & Domino: Ugh... please don't waste my time.

Cutting Edge with Vickie Guerrero & Rey Mysterio. I am more sick of this storyline than other. Seriously, it's really in poor taste. After the whole Matt Hardy/Lita/Edge fiasco, I don't put anything past Edge, but I am astounded that Vickie, Rey & Chavo would agree to have anything to do with this storyline, especially in light of Eddie Guerrero's death. Yes, I know Eddie would want the show to go on, but I hardly think that he's condone this nonsense. Plus, Vickie is the worst on the mic than anyone. ...and I repeat what I said in a previous entry, put away and forget the 'GM in a wheelchair' storyline. It's lame, and we're really sick of seeing it.

Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins got over on Jimmy Yang Wang and Shannon Moore again. Should be any day now before they are given the tag titles.

The Main Event presented the Elimination Chamber entrants in a 3-on-3 tag. Seriously, did you guys really need to come back from commercial to show the 6 entrances, just to go back to commercial when they're over? On a side note, I still chuckle when I think about the Royal Rumble... I think the real reason Undertaker was the first in the ring was due to the length of his entrance. If he was anywhere but #1, the next three guys would have made it to the ring before he even got there. Heh.

Anyhow, when we returned from commercial I was pleasantly surprised at the speed of this match considering the size of the men in it. Things wrapped up with Batista, Undertaker and Finlay in the middle of the ring staring down each other. I could help but laugh... Finlay, seriously, you have no chance... You and MVP shouldn't be in the chamber at No Way Out.

WWE Smackdown! 2/1/08

Posted by Fenn Feb 2 2008 at 12:25:23 PM

I don't have a whole lot to comment on from last night's show, with the exception that it was announced that at No Way Out there will be two Elimination Chamber matches. Other than the lame 'Brothers of Destruction' reunion (was a pretty dull match, especially for a main event), that's the only thing worth talking about. T.Lo also announced there will be a Mysterio vs Edge rematch at No Way Out, but seriously, who cares? (I don't even feel the need to comment on last night's Edge/Chavo vs. Mysterio/CM Punk match)

No Way Out is shaping up to be quite the Pay Per View. So far we have two chamber matches (Smackdown: Batista, Undertaker, Big Daddy V, Khali, Finlay and MVP. Raw: Triple H, Jeff Hardy, HBK, Y2J, JBL & Umaga)), Rey Mysterio vs. Edge, John Cena vs Randy Orton and Mr. Kennedy vs. Ric Flair. My guess is that they'll have to go and ruin things by also throwing in some lame Diva T&A match.

Smackdown has certainly gone downhill... not as bad as ECW, but still down hill. No one cares about the Chuck Palumbo storyline. Honestly, I can't look at that guy without remembering him prancing around in pigtails with Billy Gunn and Rico. Not to mention, he can't pull off the biker character which is an obvious rip-off of Taker's American Bad Ass.

We also don't care about Deuce & Domino. Seriously, 50's greasers are the best gimmick you can come up with?

On second thought, there was something else besides the No Way out announcement. I always enjoy watch the Jimmy Yang Wang matches... James Yun does some amazing things... I just wish his character was a little better. Ryder and Hawkins got over Shannon Moore/Yang Wang last night which makes sense... Edge & Chavo have gold... it makes sense that the rest of the stable have gold too. I suspect that this was a push for Ryder/Hawkins to win tag belts.