In Defense of Kurt Angle

So last night I was reading the Camel Clutch blog. Normally, I'm a fan, and agree with what Eric Gargiulo writes.

Last night was different. Eric's article yesterday was a 'Let's bash Kurt Angle' article, or as he put it, "the newest edition of 'Kurt Angle... idiot'". Now I don't have any issues with Eric or Camel Clutch specifically... and I am by no means 'calling him out'... and I'm not intending to pick a fight,

but...

Eric's article is the straw that broke Shawn Michael's back. There seems to be a growing trend with wrestling blogs, news and gossip sites, and frankly, I have had enough. It seems like many have turned their back on Kurt Angle, and unjustly so.

So where do I begin?

I suppose we'll start with Eric Gargiulo's rant. The focus of Eric's bashing was in response to Kurt Angle's appearance on The Scott Ferrel Show on Sirius satellite radio. I didn't listen to the show, so I'm trusting that what Eric is writing about is accurate. In the interview, Kurt Angle apparently voiced interest in fighting Randy Couture. Well, first of all, let's address what Eric said:

"Couture just signed a deal with HD Net, Mark Cuban’s MMA promotion. Cuban has the resources to make this fight happen, but so does UFC."

Well, the possibilities of this happening, at least before October, are no, Randy's not with the UFC anymore. Randy retired with UFC due to their inability to sign Fedor Emelianenko... and no, due to the non-compete clause, Randy Couture can't work with any rival companies until at least October. (Zuffa LLC Files Injunction Against Hall of Famer)

As for Kurt Angle's 'excuse after excuse' about why he won't take fights, and Dana White 'calling bullsh*t'. It's well known that Dana wouldn't allow Kurt Angle to continue to wrestle if he signed a deal with UFC. Kurt is loyal to TNA for obvious reasons (we'll talk more about that later).

I wonder what examples you are thinking of, exactly, Eric. Do you mean the challenge from Ken Shamrock? Who would be willing to face Ken Shamrock with only 2.5 months of training allowed before the fight? Are you talking about Daniel Puder? I don't think anyone in pro wrestling would give Puder the respect of facing him after he took the easy way into the business and then bailed on his Tough Enough contract. As for Randy Couture, who knows if Kurt Angle would stand a chance... but if you think Angle wouldn't be successful in MMA, you're a fool. Regardless of prior injuries, the guy is built like, and moves like, a jungle cat. Anyway, I'm sorry that this entry so far seems to be directed at you, Eric, it wasn't meant to be.

Moving on. I'm sick of hearing that Kurt Angle is 'delusional', or 'in denial', or 'insane'. So cut it out, bucko.

First let's address the new TNA iMPACT! video game being done by Midway. Kurt Angle drew a lot of heat for remarks he made about the game. Read on:

"Midway made us all care about [the game], because it made us all realize how important the video game industry is for our sport,"

"WWE don't care. They just want to put something together, hurry it up and get it out there just to make money. We spent a lot of money to make this the most authentic wrestling game ever, and we did it."

"This thing is going to be the biggest hit of any video game ever, especially in the wrestling industry, is the most authentic wrestling game ever made. The game is so realistic, it looks like our television show.

"Within two or three years, TNA is going to be the biggest company in the wrestling world, and this game is going to be our kick-off,"

Okay. Well, WWE doesn't care about video games. This is evidenced by the latest WWE game, Smackdown vs. Raw 2008. If you haven't played it, read my review here on Wrestling Rant. Pong! was a better wrestling game than SvR 2008. It's obvious from looking at the screenshots that TNA's game is a far cry from any other wrestling titles. I don't know that TNA's new game would overtake Halo 3, but it's going to sell well in the sports and action titles. As for the last statement... while it's a little ambitious, I don't necessarily know that it's delusional. A lot can happen in three years... and no one but TNA knows what their business plan is. If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I am the furthest thing from a fan of the TNA product, but I honestly hope they do get their act together and succeed.

Now let's talk about Kurt's statements about TNA itself. Sure, Kurt Angle might be a bit liberal or broad when talking about the margin between WWE and TNA ratings... but you know what? That's marketing. Do you expect him to say, 'Oh yeah Vince is kicking our ass in the ratings this week'. Of course not. He believes in the product, and he's going to do whatever he can to help the company along. Kurt Angle is standing behind the company that stood behind him in the aftermath of Kurt Angle's WWE release.

Does no one remember the whole (I'm paraphrasing) "Olympic Gold Medals and 50 cents will get you a cup of coffee." comment made by Vince McMahon?

I mean geezus... I wouldn't go so far as to say Kurt Angle carried WWE, but ever since Kurt Angle blew his nose in Tiger Ali Singh's flag in March of '99, he was the staple of the company through 2006. When Triple H was injured... when Shawn Michaels was injured... when Undertaker was on hiatus... when the The Rock left... when Brock Lesnar left... when 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin left... when Mick Foley left... (etc. etc. etc.) Kurt Angle was there. Hell, even when he re-injured his neck after Wrestlemania 20 he stayed on board in the god-awful GM-in-a-wheelchair storyline on Smackdown. Most guys would have taken off. With all the things he did for WWE, Vince had the nerve to make the 'cup of coffee' comment because Kurt was asking for a lighter schedule? To make matters worse, Vince McMahon insinuates the Kurt Angle was being released because had a drug problem? Ridiculous.

The guy put his ass on the line for us for years. He busted his ass for us for years. Did I forget to mention that he won an Olympic gold medal with a 'broken freakin' neck'? Give Kurt Angle the respect he deserves, and stop nitpicking. Whether you like it or not, Kurt Angle is one of the all-time greats. Oh it's true, it's damn true.



Find Eric Gargiulo Camel Clutch article here: Guess who Kurt wants to Fight Now?
I also highly recommend Professor Netwon Gimmick's article and timeline on TNA News: The Professor's Position on Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle Website: Kurt Angle

Rumor Mill: Eminem signs with the WWE?

This morning mediatakeout.com is reporting that Eminem, (yes, that Eminem), has signed a wrestling deal with the WWE. According to a (unnamed, mind you) source 'inside Eminem's camp', the rapper has signed a deal with WWE and is currently training.

Media Take Out quotes the source as saying, 'He's not doing this as a joke either, he's really committed to being a wrestler. Wait and see, he's going to be flipping [other wrestlers] and doing all that crazy [EXPLETIVE]'

I gotta say, that if, if, IF this is true, I have mixed feelings about it. Although, John Cena hasn't 'really' used the hip hop gimmick in some time, it could either resurface, or become even more subdued. The obvious scenarios are a feud with, or teaming with, John Cena. At least the MNM stable with Melina, Nitro & Mercury is gone... although a feud over the name is a better angle, I think.

In a time when the legit 'I busted my ass to get here' guys-in-the-back seem desperately trying to break-out of wrestling, celebrities that many (not me, mind you) might call 'has-beens' or D-listers are trying to break in.

Trouble is, it never has seemed to work (Kevin 'K-Fed' Federline, Donald Trump, Pete Rose, Mr. T, Andy Kaufman etc). I'm still waiting for Fred Durst to show up ever since I unlocked his hidden character in the Smackdown: Just Bring It! video game in 2001.

Let's see... hip hop act & wrestlers 'Insane Clown Posse' are from Michigan, hip hop act Eminem & apparently wanna-be wrestler Eminem is from Michigan. Maybe it's something in the water... (This is becoming the cliche of the week). Perhaps this is the angle WWE should go with. Bring back ICP to feud with Eminem. The two acts have had a well-documented, real-life feud in the past.

To read the article on Media Take Out: Eminem to Join the WWE

Video Game Preview: Midway's TNA iMPACT! Screenshots

Midway has released new screenies for the upcoming TNA iMPACT! video game. I must say, they look great. It appears a few of them are from Kurt Angle, Booker T and Scott Steiner's entrances. They look dead on. Photograph quality.

To date Midway has announced the inclusion of the following wrestlers from the TNA stable: Abyss, Kurt Angle, Christian Cage, Christopher Daniels, Sonjay Dutt, Hernandez, Homicide, Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal, Rhino, Chris Sabin, Samoa Joe, Senshi, Alex Shelley, Scott Steiner, Sting, A.J. Styles & Eric Young. You also see Jeff Hardy in the image above. we'll have to wait and see if he'll be included in the final release. A complete roster will be available closer to the game's launch.

In addition to the more than 25 wrestlers, TNA iMPACT! will feature a create-a-wrestler (CAW) mode that allows the player to play their own wrestler in story mode.

The game is slated for release for 'Spring 08) for the Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and the Wii.

Video Game Review: Smackdown! vs. Raw 2008

Posted by Fenn Jan 31 2008 at 12:21:04 PM

I'll keep this short and 'sweet'. (Short for me, anyway. Heh)



Last week I picked up a copy of THQ's WWE Smackdown! vs. Raw 2008 for PS2 (Hey, I can't afford a new console. PPVs are expensive). This week, I took it back to the store. I was tempted to drive up the street to THQ and leave it on their doorstep in flames.

This year's version of SvR is a nearly-identical copy of SvR 2007... except it sucks.

Here's what you have to look forward to:

* An incomplete, inaccurate roster with a nearly vacant Cruiserweight class. There are only roughly 50 wrestlers in SvR 2008. Last year there were over 70 wrestlers.

* The complete absence of online mode. The replay value here is non-existent.

* A botched story mode (24/7 mode). I suffered through three 'storylines'. Here's an example:

• The first storyline was my wrestler fighting for the #1 contender slot, which I won.

• One would expect the next logical storyline would be challenging for the title... Not so fast... instead of that, I am now competing with Carlito to impress Stephanie McMahon for a starring role in a WWE Films movie? WTF? I win this storyline, just to hear that Stephanie will 'be in touch'.

• The next storyline, I am again competing for a #1 contenders spot, which I already won in the first storyline.

* Story mode is driven by choices given to the player. Unfortunately, this doesn't work either. In the first story line, I was asked by another wrestler if I want to trade opponents for my next match. Is answered no. Guess what, the game traded anyway! Yay! In another storyline I was given the option of three wrestlers to choose as my tag team partner, of the three, Randy Orton was the most dominant and logical choice, so I choose RKO. The game gave me Johnny Nitro (now John Morrison) as my tag partner.

* Announcer commentary: You are going to hear the same, canned lines that you have heard ever since the beginning of the series.

* You can now gain reputation with the fans and cash by cutting promos, making appearances, trophy dates, etc. While this may sound cool, you'll never see your Superstar ever actually DO any of these things.

* There is a skill improvement mini-game-type thing now where you must complete a set number of moves within 2 minutes. The payoff is not worth the wait while it loads.

* Loading times are horrendous overall. See a cut scene, loading screen. See an entrance, loading screen. See the next entrance, loading screen. Start the match, loading screen. In fact, I'd bet at least a third of your time with this game is looking at loading screens. They tried to make it interesting with little fact and figures about Superstars, but after you read it once, that's pretty much the end of 'interesting'. (I didn't need to know that Mickie James used to wait tables at the Olive Garden, and who really cares about Cryme Time anyway?)

I could go on and on, but the above is really enough. It's obvious that this title was rushed to market before bug testing/QA was finished.

The only good thing I found about SvR 2008 was the new ECW Extreme Rules match. While this isn't much different than the hardcore match, it does open up a new feature when you get a weapon from under the ring apron. There is now a 'wheel' that appears that allows you to select the weapon you want. There are now also what I would call 'ECW finishers', such as lighting a barbed-wire bat or table on fire. Other ECW additions include fans handing you weapons (ala 'Bring your Own Weapon Night' and being able to approach fans with signs and cheer with them if you are a face, or ripping their signs up if you're a heel. Other new functions here, barely worthy of comment, is a Legend mode where to are able to recreate famous matches from the last (i.e. Montreal Screw-job), the L1 button replacing Triangle as run (you can now control where you run, instead of in a straight line. Triangle is now the finisher button), stamina replenishes during 'rest activities' now and the recover stamina button is now gone, and General Manager mode being nearly identical to the 24/7 mode. Oh, I forgot to mention... there are now 8 unique fighting styles. This is a good feature and helps keeping the wrestlers in character (Example: Someone like Jeff Hardy doesn't remove turnbuckle covers), however with the botched story mode, and no online play, it's really quite pointless.

I suggest buying 'WWE Smackdown! vs Raw 2007'. The series debuted with 'WWF Just Bring It!' debuted on the PS2 back in 2001. SvR 2007 is far the best out of all of them. Furthermore, it has the most complete roster of any of the games, even though it is now 2008. It has online play with voice chat. It makes the best use of the 'new' ultimate control grapple system. (The only real downside here is the Chris Benoit is featured in quite a few storylines. It's a little creepy) You should be able to find it on eBay, or any retailer that carries used games.

The bottom line, I wouldn't wipe my butt with 'Smackdown! vs Raw 2008', and you shouldn't either.