I always get annoyed when columnists, even some of the more well-respected writers on various web sites claim that they know that higher ups in the WWE, TNA, or whatever are reading them because of something they previously mentioned. It’s pretentious, egotistical, and likely false. That being said, I won’t take claim for my previous column, which called for a quick title change, nor that it might spark ratings, which have been in the mid to upper 4’s for most of the month of January. The reason for the mid-four’s is that I actually believe the WWE is putting over an improved and more entertaining show than it had towards the end of last year.
Monday night I was able to see what former wrestling fans thought when I put RAW on the TV. Immediately they moaned, one even didn’t realize it was still on the air. It also just so happened to be the Trish Stratus/Mickie/Ashley segment. Immediately, the first reaction from one of the guys was “Wow, they really don’t take themselves seriously anymore, this might actually be worth watching again.” The guys, all in their 20s and 30s were impressed by the Divas, and even when the Spirit Squad came out chuckled at just how over-the-top the WWE has evolved.
I don’t really read opinion columns anymore, but I know many were upset over the Royal Rumble and people will always complain, you can’t please everyone. That being said, I honestly think that WWE is starting to find its niche as being entertaining, but not ridiculously crude (Katie Vick), or dumb (Al Wilson), or flat out insulting.
That’s why, this week I’m going to run down some of the things I really like right now, bullet point style, about the current state of wrestling.
The RAW Title setup: I really actually like the Cena/Edge feud as far as the title situation is actually no longer dormant. As I talked about in my last column, the nine month title reigns aren’t necessarily the best idea in an A.D.D. society. You can argue the merits for having Cena regain the championship all you want, but even after Monday night’s main event, it seemed as if another title match would be right around the corner. Plus, you have Triple H always looming on the horizon, and title changes bring interest to the product. How many of you see Cena holding the title he won on Sunday in June? I don’t, which makes the title situation interesting.
Trish/Mickie They’re actually giving the Divas a long, developing storyline for the first time…since I can even remember. The last time the Women’s Title had any relevance in my book was when Lita won the belt from Stephanie McMahon, which I believe was 5 years ago, 5 years! The crowd’s loud “She’s a Psycho” chant shows that there really isn’t apathy towards this angle, and my first-hand witnessing of non-wrestling fans seeing the angle Monday night. Now only if they can turn this momentum to the Cruiserweight division…
The Boogeyman Yes, he can’t wrestle, and no, I don’t see him as anything much more than a Eugene-styled gimmick that will lose its legs in the long run, but for now it falls under the category of solid mid-card entertainment. While it won’t be a five star classic, I think this character just screams for a match with The Undertaker in a battle of the mind game gimmicks, where Undertaker can beat him in 30 seconds at a PPV, but as of RIGHT NOW, this character still has legs, might as well push him until it inevitably gets old.
Kurt Angle He’s almost a cliché to list in the good category, because everyone knows he’s great, but why he makes his list was how he instantly turned face upon jumping to SmackDown. I don’t know if anyone has even mentioned this but exactly one month ago, Angle was on a superheel roll by bashing on the troops and how he wasn’t going to support them. He just got Daivari as his manager and was the hottest heel in the company. Two weeks later he jumps to the other show and gets instant face pops, and the transition to face was amazingly simple for someone getting booed out of the building a matter of days earlier. When you can get face or heel heat depending on what you’re asking for, that’s the sign of a Hall of Famer. I’ll disregard the “match” at the Royal Rumble, because, as I’ve already stated, this week its all about the good.
Shelton Benjamin & Mama I did NOT like this idea when I heard it was being tossed around. It just seemed like it would make Benjamin even more bland and unentertaining as they were already portraying him with the negative push. To my surprise, Mama is just right in terms of being over-the-top and Shelton’s interaction/delivery is absolutely spot-on for someone who has struggled with the mic in the past. It looks like an IC Title reign is up next, now hopefully they can find him a legitimate feud to build to a great Wrestlemania match.
Rey Mysterio Last, but not least, is Mysterio who unfortunately doesn’t sound like he’s going to get the WrestleMania main event as has been rumored. Since it’s moved to Friday nights, I’ve recorded SmackDown and watched it later all but once, which can lead to chronic fast-forwarding through the un-noteworthy stuff. I will never fast forward through a Rey Mysterio match. He’s still so much fun to watch and so unbelievably over. I really hope they give him the belt, sooner rather than later.
Honorable Mention: Matt Hardy, Carlito, Shawn Michaels, Melina, MNM, Michael Cole & Tazz, and Mr. Kennedy…Kennedy.
Before you think I’m a naïve optimist who just loves everything about WWE and thinks it’s perfect. Fear not, there’s stuff that needs work, which I’ll highlight in the next installment. Until then, thanks for reading!
