The Little Things 07.23.03: Victoria, HHH, Y2J & More

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To The Rescue

Last week, I made a bit of a fuss about the readers jumping the gun and sending in their picks of the week BEFORE the column had even been written.

Boy, am I glad you guys don’t listen. Last night, I was only able to see half of RAW due to delayed flights and general unpacking from vacation. However, from what I saw, what I’ve read here on 411Mania, and from the picks I have in the mail, I think we can bang out a decent column together.

So, Let’s do this.

Readers’ Picks: Keep Dreaming

A bit of a surprise winner from last week’s submissions that were made after the column came up. Apparently, Tommy Dreamer’s work caught the eye of many a fan although he barely made a peep. Well, frankly I’m glad I write a column where such intangible actions from a truly hard-nosed veteran can earn some attention. Mathew Sforcina, whose name I’ve seen before in this section, was first and will do the honors:

I enjoyed the Jericho petition parts, for several reasons, but the best part of them was Tommy Dreamer. He didn’t look very happy with Jericho as Jericho was talking about how bad a Co-GM Austin was, and we didn’t see Dreamer sign the petition. But when we went quickly backstage, as the heels were chanting “Hell No Stone Cold”, which was also cool, as we went backstage, there was Dreamer, looking ashamed, in the corner, still there

Gotta give the guy credit for staying in character. But it does not stop there as Keith Hibbets notes something from the taping that really shows that Dreamer’s head…and arm…are in the game at all times:

I know you don’t generally cover Heat, but I was at RAW this Monday and Tommy Dreamer did a little thing worthy of mention during a match taped for Heat. He wrestled Nick Dinsmore, and during the match Dinsmore repeatedly worked over Tommy’s left arm. Tommy won, and afterwards the ref went to raise his arm (his left one). Tommy clutched the arm, shook his head, and made the ref switch to raising his right arm. Very nice.

Martin John Gore, KLitke7967 and Jason D. also voiced their support for Tommy.

Now, let’s call in the reserves and take a look at the Little Five for the 07.22.2003 edition of RAW:

1. Head’s Up

I was not amazed to have found yet another gem from a Y2J performance. The sequence where he used his head and the turnbuckle to keep leverage over Shawn Michaels while he had him in the Walls is what we have come to expect from Mr. Irvine. However, I was flat out shocked that The King was able to pull his heads out of the clouds and porno mags to actually CALL THE ACTION appropriately. Well, Coachman certainly wasn’t going to do it, at any rate.

Coren has some additional praise:

The guy’s already great at the little things, but he’s showing why he’s one of the best tonight against HBK. His little idiosyncracies like “Ask him!” when he has the most basic hold applied. Not stopping to confront the ref about a questionable (in his mind) count, but yelling at him as he continues. The innovation of not doing the typical counters to holds. The ever-popular stealing of mannerisms…tonight it’s HBK and Hogan who were borrowed from. Sheer genius.

2. Shocking Return

This part of the column is for me. I stopped everything that I was doing when I heard that familiar voice and stuttering coming from my set once again. I’m so happy that Goldust is back! Definitely a little thing (especially if they are sending him to the midcard gave to resurrect some inanimate characters), but definitely a presence I sorely missed on the show.

3. Open Auditions

Reader Scott Childers appreciated a celebrity touch to the Lance Storm gimmick:

Four words: “Pay attention Mr. Reiner”

That’s all that needs to be said, really. This is the type of stuff that I felt was lacking at Wrestlemania XIX, by the way, for those of you who remember my complaints about that show.

4. Unwanted Visitor

The readers continue to make my life easier, making sure to praise the resident Queen. Aaron Rueter notes:

The one who made the match though was definitely your fav and mine, Victoria. She was throwing punches better than most male wrestlers do. She had a lot of intensity in each punch and it looked like she was trying to knock both Trish and Gail out. However,
the best part was after Gail was pinned, they had a close-up of Victoria as she was walking up the ramp. “Welcome to RAW, Gail” was just a great line. She had informed Gail that RAW was not a place to show off your body and cool moves. This is a smash-mouth fighting show where only the strong survive.

Dammit, I always hate to miss a Victoria Victory.

JoeEZ28 also chimed in with similar praise. I’m glad it’s not just me!

5. Set Up Shop

Well, no heat on me this time for the inclusion of the Darth Vader of the IWC, Mr. Paul Levesque. You the readers, well one of you anyway, thought something HHH said was worthy of mentioning. So, Floydvai83, take it away:

You have to mention HHH’s “stop, drop, and roll” comment in your
little things

Consider it done. And to be fair, that is ABSOLUTELY the thing HHH should be saying to establish himself as a pompous asshole.

Thanks a lot, guys, you were money in the bank this week. I promise a better effort next week, but do keep the comments coming (you never know when they’ll come in handy)!