ECW 2/26/2008, Cena on The Rock, Vince No-shows Congress & much more

Yesterday, I was bed-ridden with the flu, so much of what I'm about to rant about is old news, but oh well. I'm still sick, but at least today I'm a bit more ambulatory (walking the dog sure seems like manual labor when you have the flu). You may want to pull up a chair and sit down. There's a lot to write about and this is a long entry.

Here we go...

ECW 2/26/2008
I've never really mentioned this before, and I'm not sure why this is, but I think that ECW by far has the best intro of the three WWE shows. Ever since Smackdown! lost the rights to Marilyn Manson's 'Beautiful People', and Raw stopped using 'Across the Nation' (Move to the music... Play that f*cking music... move to the music, yeah...) I've felt ECW's intro was the best, so maybe it's the music. I think the ECW graphics and pyro are better too, though. Anyway...

ECW opened with the match I'd been dreading since it was mentioned on Raw. Kelly Kelly & Kofi Kington vs. Layla & Santino Marella in a mixed tag match. First off, who cares. Secondly, this wasn't supposed to be a tornado tag match, but that's basically what it was. For the most part, there was no tagging in or out. Not a lot to say here, at least, I don't feel like putting much thought into this match, so here are the high and low points (You can decide which are which):

Santino attempting to enter the ring like Layla. I guess the guy needs to do more stretches.

Tazz singing the J. Geils Band's 'Centerfold' (it made me gag)

A nice double drop kick by Kelly & Kofi

The return of Kofi Kingston's 'turnbuckle teabag' (I'm sorry, but this move is way more disgusting than Rikishi's Stinkface)

Kelly Kelly's sloppy, uncoordinated and oversold arsenal. At least she's making Mickie James' skills look good in my eyes. (Vince, if they can't wrestle, don't put them in the ring, dammit! )

Kelly Kelly's lame 'fameasser'

Tazz's comment of Kelly Kelly's 'tremendous athleticism'. She only did a cross body off of the turnbuckle, buddy... and a bad one at that.

Tazz singing 'Peter Cottontail'. Dude, stop singing.

Now that I look at it, with the exception of the drop kick, it's all bad. At least there wasn't the god-awful screeching and screaming that usually happens in Diva-related matches.

Next up, Stevie Richards vs. Mike Knox. If you didn't see it, you really didn't miss anything. Mike Knox worked Stevie Richard's neck the majority of the match (hotshot, knee drop, second rope choking, etc). Mike Knox threw an ugly clothesline, which landed across Richards' face. Knox handed Richards his ass to him the whole match, but then Richards won after only two stinger splashes and a Stevie-T. Kinda lame. Oh, and Stevie, your surgery was on the right side of your throat. You'd think that you'd know that. Next time, you may was to hold that side of your neck while you grimace in pain.

The following match was Tommy Dreamer & Colin Delaney (this week WWE finally signed the little guy) vs. Mike Miz and John Morrison. The star of this match was Tommy Dreamer. I'm glad they are finally giving him a push (thanks once again, internet voters). We got to see Colin Delaney wrestle a bit, but for the most part he still played the part of 'human crash test dummy'. Miz & Morrison pulled off an amazing tag-in double team move on Delaney. I'd try to put it into words, but I couldn't do it justice. Dreamer got the win after a Dreamer DDT, which appears to have set up a re-match next week with the titles on the line.

The main event was CM Punk vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Elijah Burke in a #1 Contenders match, with Chavo Guerrero as a guest commentator (who was horrible on the mic, as usual). I was actually looking forward to this match. The match started with an impressive roundhouse head kick by Shelton Benjamin, knocking Elijah Burke out of the ring. I was glad to see this right out of the gate, as I was expecting them to team up on CM Punk for the first half of the match. Elijah returned the favor by giving Shelton a low bridge when bouncing off of the rope. The show stealing move of the night: Punk and Burke when having a suplex battle across the top rope. Shelton Benjamin run in, jumping over the two and sunset flip-powerbombs CM Punk onto the floor (see video below, 2:19 in).

We knew that Shelton wouldn't win this match, as he qualified for the ladder match at WrestleMania on Friday's Smackdown, but he really should have. A very impressive performance.

Final ECW thoughts: Tazz, what the hell are you wearing? Even Jerry Lawler wouldn't wear a shirt that fugly.


John Cena's interview in The Sun
On Tuesday, the UK Tabloid The Sun posted and article with excepts from an interview they did with John Cena. In the printed article, it seems like The Sun has taken a few liberties with creative quoting that paints John Cena as bashing The Rock for 'turning his back on the business'. The article quotes John Cena as saying:

'What I kind of get peeved about — and this is my Achilles heel — is that I've wanted to do this my whole life.'

'At one point Rock loved wrestling and wanted to do this all his life.'

'So explain to me why he can't come back. Simply put it's because he wants to be an actor and there's nothing wrong with that.'

'He's very good and very successful. Associating with sports entertainment doesn't do much for his acting career — I get it.'

'Just don't f*ck me around and tell me that you love this. That's the only thing that gets me really p*ssed off.'

'Our fan base have so much admiration for him, he's got to respect that. He doesn't give anything back.'

I listened to the interview, and like the CNN steroid interview, what he said was taken out of context and a little bit different without the editing. What was left out of the article on the website was:

'This is my take on The Rock. He’s genuinely a nice guy. I’ve met him. He's a fantastic human being.'

'Like I said, he is a great guy. But I think we all know now that he wants to be an actor. And there’s nothing wrong with that, because he’s truly found another passion. He’s good at acting. His films make money.'

In regard to the Rock coming back, what he really said was:

'Explain to me why he can’t come back for our 15th anniversary show or why he can’t make an appearance at WrestleMania. Simply put, it's because he wants to be an actor. There's nothing wrong with that. He's a very good actor. He's very successful. He's done very well for himself and associating with sports entertainment doesn't do much for his acting career, it only helps out the sports entertainment audience. So I get why he doesn't come back. Just don't f*ck me around and tell me that you love this, when you're just doing this to do something else. That's the only thing that gets me really p*ssed off.'

'He has so much admiration from our audience... to have that much admiration still when he hasn't been around or hasn't been on TV, you've got to respect that from our fan base. He doesn't give anything back... I wish he’d just show up, say hi and leave... Do the eyebrow once and get out of town'

The funny thing is, I more agree with the John Cena misquotes. The Rock was 'The Great One'. He has turned his back on us. His movies aren't that spectacular, and was far more entertaining in the ring. Yes, I know Rock... movies pay more. What can I say? I'm selfish.

Listening to the interview, I have to say that I was peeved at his laughing about what Simon Rothstein and Joel Ross defined what 'proper' wrestling fans were. Not cool John, but I'll get over it. He also spoke about his injury, fans that say he can't wrestle, his time in OVW, Santino Marella, Chris Benoit and more. Given that this is the second misquoted interview with John Cena from a major media source, I can't see that WWE will let him do many more interviews.

If you want to read the article on the Sun: Cena: The Rock P***es Me Off
Whether you are a John Cena fan, or hater, I more recommend listening to the actual interview. I for one, have a bit more respect for John Cena after listening to a non-kayfabe interview. It will open up in iTunes: John Cena's Interview


Floyd Mayweather, Jr vs. Big Show: Floyd's Payday
During the WrestleMania press conference, Floyd Mayweather mentioned that he was getting $20 million dollars for his WrestleMania involvement. Shane McMahon later confirmed this figure. Jim Ross also confirmed the figure in his blog. I for one, find this figure hard to believe. Whether it's $20 million, or $10 thousand, WWE is throwing money away in my opinion. As I've said again and again, we wrestling fans are not going to get behind the guy as a face after he threw legit punches and broke Big Show's nose the night of his big return. That was supposed to be Big Show's moment, and you ruined it, Floyd.



Ohio Valley Wrestling
Last night was the final taping of 'WWE OVW'. Any titles that were held by WWE developmental talents were dropped. In an article posted on the Courier Journal (Louisville, KY) website, OVW says that they will continue the televised promotion, as well as their wrestling school. The Courier Journal quotes OVW office manager as saying:

'The only thing that's changing are the faces. We're still going to go strong.'

For the full article: Ohio Valley Wrestling knocked down, not out


Return of the 'Monday Night War'?
There's been a rumor floating around the internet that TNA, with Jeff Jarrett being the most vocal, wants to move TNA iMPACT to Monday nights to go head to head against WWE Monday Night Raw. While I think WWE definately needs competition to bring the quality way up, I don't see TNA offering competition in any way whatsoever. TNA 's writing team, as well as production values would both need a major tune-up before they take on the Monday night juggernaut. If they are silly enough to make the schedule move before this happens, I predict the death of TNA. The two products aren't even comparable.


Vince McMahon No-showed at Congress Hearing
On Wednesday, Vince McMahon was a no-show at Congress' steroid hearing. Vince cited his attorney's involvement in a lengthy criminal trial in Pittsburgh as the reason. Newsday.com quotes subcommittee chairman Bobby Rush as saying the following in resonse to Vince's abscence:

'Steroid abuse in pro wrestling is probably worse than in any professional sport or amateur sport. And while I recognize that professional wrestling is not actually a sport, it certainly requires a great deal of athletic talent, I want to insure Mr. McMahon that this subcommittee fully intends to deal with the illegal steroid abuse in professional wrestling'

For Pete's sake. This is our tax dollars at work. Don't you politicians have more pressing matters to nitpick? How about Iraq, global warming, unemployment and the price of oil, just to name a few. Sometimes I just don't get our government.

Full article: WWE's McMahon blasted by Congress

and speaking of politcians... (yeah, I know... weird segue)


Lance Storm's Knee Surgery
Lance Storm had knee surgery this week. His latest blog entry really makes me wonder about socialized medicine and universal health care. More importantly, here's to a speedy recovery, Lance. I wish you the best.

For Lance Storm's commentary about his surgery: Knee Surgery


Well, that's all for today, folks. If you made all the way through to the end, congratulations. Come back tomorrow for my ramblings on TNA iMPACT

Paul Heyman's Latest Sun Interview: This is going to p*** people off

UK tabloid, The Sun, released another frank interview with Paul Heyman today. Paul Heyman delves even further into the behind-the-scenes world of professional wrestling and sports entertainment.

In the first portion of the interview, he elaborates a bit further on his working relationship with Stephanie McMahon. I was surprised in the initial interview about Heyman's comments about Steph, and even more surprised by this one... extremely respectful and complimentary. I don't know Stephanie McMahon, but I personally don't like some of the things she's doing with creative (yeah, before you flame me, internet readers, I know she doesn't write everything... but she is the head of the team. Oh by the way, thanks for adding the term, 'The Vinc-ess' to my vocabulary, Paul. Heh).

Paul Heyman goes on to talk about his conspiracy theory about the 'heir' of WWE. Heyman believes that Vince will control WWE well into his 90's, and pass control onto one of Shane McMahon's sons so that 'a McMahon' is controlling the company. I had never considered this before, but it makes total sense. I must admit though, secretly, I'd love to see what would happen if Triple H gained some control of the company via Steph. I know, according to the rumor mill, Trips is supposedly on his high horse behind the scenes, and looks down on a lot of the talent. If it's true, while I can't say I condone looking down your (large) nose at the other talent, I honestly don't see how he couldn't be on a high horse. Trips is 'that damn good', and never fails to entertain. Maybe I've bought into the hype... maybe I'm brainwashed, but Hulk Hogan was right (I can't believe I'm standing behind Hogan).

What am I talking about, you ask? Yesterday, Hulk Hogan was on The View to promote American Gladiators No, I don't watch The View. Seriously, I watched it on the internet. What do you mean you don't believe me? Fine, here (wrestling talk is about 2:53 in):

Hogan is right. There are no more 'larger-than-life characters like The Rock or Stone Cold Steve Austin. Triple H is about as close as we come. I hate to live in the past, but how I miss WWE's 'Attitude Era'. Just a side note... I had to laugh about Hogan's mention of 'the old days' (about 5:00 in) and 'the guys' that would 'punch you in the face if someone said wrestling was fake'. Hulk, do you mean like on March 27th, 1985 when you choked out Richard Belzer and dropped him on the floor during a TV interview with you and Mr. T, when he asked you if it was fake? When you say 'guys', you mean 'guys' like you, right? You're not so innocent, Hulkster... Some of us remember... Brother.

Anyway, I'm rambling...

Paul Heyman goes on to talk about what's 'wrong' with TNA. I never realized it, but he's totally right. It should be obvious to anyone. The problem, is branding. The following quotes pretty much sum it up:

'You look at Kurt Angle and you think WWE. You look at Booker T and think WCW, five-time, five-time, five-time or King Booker in WWE. You look at The Dudleys and think ECW or WWE or even tables.'

He goes on to say:

'I don't think the problem is in the talent, it's in the BRANDING of that talent. If you walked Angle through the airport, nobody would say: "There's that guy from TNA."

Nobody equates Angle, or anybody in that company, to TNA. As a company, they desperately need to address that.'

Absolutely true.

Paul also talks about the ideas of join forces with TNA, Ring of Honor, and even MMA promotions IFL & Yamma.

It's a good read. Given the sports entertainment interviews that The Sun keeps putting up, it appears that Paul Heyman will be addressing both celebrity gossip and sports entertainment. At least, one can hope.

Find the full Paul Heyman interview here: This is going to p*** people off

There were also two more Heyman Hustle commercials put up since I've posted last.
Find the third commercial here: Heyman Hustle Third Commercial
Find the final commercial here: Heyman Hustle Final Commercial

TNA Against All Odds

So last night was TNA's Against All Odds PPV. As I said in a previous entry, I wasn't going to buy this PPV, and I didn't. So, honestly, I don't have a whole lot to comment on, with the exception of...

Apparently the Abyss vs Judas Mesias did not happen in Greenville, but instead was taped at the iMPACT! Zone in Orlando and shown to the live audience on the screens. I mean, what kind of BS is this? Heh. If you knew, TNA, that the South Carolina Athletic Commission wasn't going to allow the match, then obviously you should have done the PPV somewhere else. Seriously, TNA continues to spiral into the depths of amateur hour.

What a load of crap.

So, until TNA bring up the quality (as The Rock would say, 'waaay up!'), I, and many others will continue not to support you. I am all for supporting the little company, but you need to get your act together first.

On a positive note, Rhino made his return last night