The Stomping Ground: An Announcement and Some Random Thoughts

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This is one of those weeks when pretty much everything I wanted to cover has already been talked about in length by my peers here at the Pulse. However, rather than just take a week off, I am a creature of habit; therefore, I come to you with only the briefest of columns…but one with a bit of an announcement.

For those of you who have read Steven Gepp’s latest entry (and many shames upon your head if you haven’t), you’ll recall that he answered an e-mail about what it’s like to work in the wrestling industry as a performer. In the comments I mentioned that I have a friend who trained under Johnny Rodz in his training facility in Brooklyn, NY. Well, the big announcement is this: I’ve secured an interview with my pal for an upcoming installment of The Stomping Ground! I already have a list of questions I plan on asking him, but if you have any you’d like me to throw his way, send ’em at me courtesy of the comments section below.

And now for my thoughts on shit that’s been going down…..

1. I apologize for those of you who have been wondering where my Smackdown recaps have gone. At first it was basically just a situation of me being worn out with the show recaps; they are quite time-consuming, especially during the Summer. However, I really did want to do the most recent show…and found that my DVR was not recording it. Apparently the title of the show changed ever-so-slightly in the channel guide and my irascible recorder did not recognize it. That problem has been solved, and I might have a recap up for you Saturday morning. No promises.

2. When I first heard that Christian earned a title shot at SummerSlam over Rob Van Dam and Randy Orton, I was a little confused. RVD is over huge right now and, with his limited contract, you’d think he’d get the spot over perennial “short straw” Christian. Based on the way things are going, however, I suspect we’ll see a Triple Threat for the gold by the time SummerSlam rolls around.

3. Joel Leonard recently posted a great column on Sheamus’s injury and he essentially said all the things I wanted to bring up when I first heard about it. Frankly, the time off will be good for him and us. Creative has clearly been souring on him as of late, with no discernible angle in plain sight. With Sheamus out of the picture, it frees up an upper card slot for other talent. I say let Sheamus come back as an anti-hero ass-kicker; enough of the bullshit anti-bully malarkey he’s been hypocritically spewing since his face turn. I suspect we’ll be seeing a return at next year’s Royal Rumble.

4. The heat for the Cody Rhodes/Damien Sandow feud has cooled off after Rhodes tossed the briefcase in the Gulf of Mexico. That’s a shame, because this feud was a good way to give both guys more exposure. Apparently their match for SummerSlam ISN’T for the contract (unless that changes between now and next Sunday), so I’m not quite sure what’s in store for either wrestler after their battle.

5. How epic have these CM Punk and Brock Lesnar confrontations become?! I haven’t been this excited for a Lesnar match since he went up against John Cena at Extreme Rules last year. At first I was sure that Lesnar would win thanks to Heyman interference, but the way Punk keeps getting his ass kicked leads me to believe that the Second City Saint will pull out a victory at the PPV.

6. The Shield is an example of a hot gimmick that has no end game in sight. Ever since they were allegedly in the doghouse for some backstage slights, their agenda has been to randomly come out and attack people. No more cool shaky-cam promos. What exactly is their ultimate goal as a unit after winning the straps? And is their business with Mark Henry and the Usos over just like that? I had heard Big Show was supposed to work with Henry against The Shield at the PPV, but he’s still not medically cleared. Not that I’m complaining.

7. I’m not sure this “Ring of Fire” match is going to be an Inferno match, especially in the era of PG. If Kane would wear his full-body suit again, I might reconsider, but all signs point to a regular match surrounded by pyro. Oh, and the worry over “Husky Harris” chants diluting the gimmick? Unwarranted. You’re welcome.

8. I actually caught a scene from last week’s Total Divas episode, when Eva Marie lied to Johnny Curtis about her dancing ability just to get on the main roster as his dance partner. At least she wasn’t offering to be his ring rat, although from Fandango’s stares you’d think that’s where they were going with this.

Well, that’s all for me. Remember to toss me a question or two you’d like to have answered by my friend in the comments below.

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

Since February of 2011, "The Master of Smarkasm" Mike Gojira has tickled the funny bones of Inside Pulse readers with his insightful comedy, timely wit, and irreverent musings on the world of professional wrestling. Catch his insanely popular column, The Stomping Ground, whenever he feels like posting a new edition (hey, I've earned the right). He is also totally modest and doesn't know the meaning of hyperbole.