I’ve spent the better part of the last seven days watching wrestling and yet I still don’t have much to talk about. Go figure.
Aside from Summerslam, RAW and ECW on Sci-Fi, I also found time for some DVD love with Summerslam 05, No Way Out 05 and TNA Final Resolution from last year. I’m almost burnt out on the wrestling crap this week. But here we go.
Summerslam…Hogan’s Old Ass Win’s Again….
Rey vs. Chavo – This Eddie stuff has to end! And from what I hear their were even more hijinks out of Vicki Guerrero on Smackdown this week!
Show vs. Sabu – I actually liked this match, but then again I enjoy anything Sabu is in. This would’ve been a million times cooler had RVD or Angle been involved. More on the Wrestling Machine later.
Orton vs. Hogan – Turned out exactly as I figured it would. At least it’s over and we can finally move on and forget about the Hulkster for awhile. I have to admit I liked the match for what it was, though.
Flair vs. Foley – Easily the match of the night. Almost too much blood and gore, but exactly what I expected from two of the greatest performers the industry has ever seen. I like that Mick only Quit to save Melina’s ass. I bet he was regretting that after RAW went dark about 24 hours later. And this just cemented the fact that Flair is a WRESTLING GAWD!!
Batista vs. King Booker – I took a shit during this match. No seriously.
The Genetic Jackhammer and The Product of Vince’s Sperm vs. DX – Talk about overbooked to the max! Where’s Vince Russo?! I did enjoy the Macs hitting tag team finishers from the 80’s. Can a Demolition DVD be on the horizon?
Edge vs. Cena – Eh, I don’t know what else I can say about these two. As much as I hate Cena I still root for him. I hate me.
Loved JBL on commentary too. Since I never see or even hear Smackdown, he was a real treat.
Gettin’ RAW
As always, I enjoyed RAW this past Monday night.
I think the return of Jeff Hardy came off well and I imagine they’ll be placing him in the upper mid-card for the time being. In fact, he’s already working with Nitro and Carlito at this weekends house shows. Jeff looked a little chubbier than he did while in TNA. Could be the WWE cameras and lighting or it could be that he’s off whatever drugs he was taking and is getting back to a healthy lifestyle. Still, Hardy is entertaining and worth a spot on the roster.
I like that Cena’s belt got thrown in the river, but dammit they just replaced it with an equally generic fagboy belt! When was the last time the WWE title was cool? I guess when JBL reigned supreme as champion for those 10 glorious months. Looking back on his time as champion, I realize how good we had it.
Mick Foley kissing Mr. McMahons ass was a neat way to write Foley out of storylines for the forseeable future. He and Melina had been in cohersion for so long now that her heel turn on him actually came as somewhat of surprise. Almost would’ve been just as good to have her turn on Foley at Summerslam and team up with Mr. Space Mountain! And is it just me or did Foley actually tongue Vince’s ass crack a little bit? The logistics of becoming a WWE superstar are starting to come together.
Sooner or later the Highlanders will be winning the Tag Titles from the Spirit Squad and when that day comes I will be a very happy wrestling fan.
Umaga’s Samoan Spike to Kane was pretty cool. Where can I get some blood capsules?
So was RAW was cool this week, but it’s just rolling along per usual. Nothing stood out to me this week as being a HUGE event.
E-C-DUB 4 LIFE
I really enjoyed ECW again this week. It’s getting really formulaic, but that’s okay at this point because the show is such a new thing still that I’m just taking it all in.
Matt Striker coming into ECW is going to be a good thing. He’s a good talker and I look forward to seeing where he goes on this brand. Rene Dupree on the other hand can suck a dick. I’ve seriously hated this young punk bitch since he snubbed me for a picture in Sacramento over three years ago when he was just a rookie. I hope he bleeds buckets and is thrown off a dozen stacked tables.
Ball Mahoney is continuing to impress me. I don’t recall being much of fan of him up until recently. His match this past Tuesday with Thorne was sort of just there for me.
Shannon Moore is a loser. I’ve never liked him much, but rather tolerated his presence on my TV because of who his running buddies are/were. His stupid quotes aren’t going to have any bearing on his in-ring capabiilities and future push. Remember Sean O’ Haire? Me either.
I really popped for the CM Punk-CW Anderson match. Both worked really hard and had a good showing. Nice to see CW finally get a little face time on Sci-Fi too…now if he can just get a new face!
I bet we’ll get some Punk-Jeff Hardy matches someday. If only the wrestling gods would be so kind.
Hardcore Holly is an interesing addition to the roster. There’s really no other good place for him right now, as a run on Smackdown would’ve resulted in nothing. He had a good quick main event push a couple of years ago against Brock Lesnar and that’s about all the fanbase could tolerate. Holly has never had the “IT FACTOR” that brought Stonecold, The Rock, Angle or HBK to the promised land. I’m not really looking forward to a feud between him and RVD. But that’s just me. I’ve been a fan for a VERY long time and Sparky Plugg has never done it for me, and never will. I harken back to the days of my youth, I was about 15 when Holly wrestled John Hawk Bradshaw before a stellar crowd at the old Spokane Colossium in 1995 or 96 maybe. Bob Holly is stale. I’d rather see RVD fead with ANYBODY else!
So what’s next for Show and Sabu? Angle’s obviously out of the picture and RVD may be kept at bay with his Holly stuff for awhile. You know what would be kinda cool though? Sabu vs Hardcore Holly with all the bells and whistles.
TNA = Zzzzz’s
TNA was so-so this week, but I think I’m starting to sour on their extremely paint-by-numbers Impact! shows. Plus, I’m starting to really, really, really, really hate Mike Tenay. I recall this same reaction after months of him on Thunder or something. His smug facial expressions whenever he’s not talking are driving me away from the show. Well that and Jeff Jarrett is a tired choice as champion.
And I don’t like LAX – I’m a white boy from Idaho, so I just don’t. While Christian, who I’m a huge mark for, isn’t on the show enough and I know he’ll just end up jobbing to Sting anyway, so what’s the point. This is like a shorter just as Jarrett filled version of late 90’s WCW that made me sick then and still does now. Samoa Joe should be all over that show every single week, main eventing and dominating all comers. Is it bad to admit to just wanting another good product? And where the hell has Jim Cornette been? I initially thought he’d be a much bigger part of the show, but not lately.
So Kevin Nash is gone from TNA for the time being. Maybe now’s the chance for the E to swoop in and bring him into the DX fold. Maybe as Vince’s hired hand or something. You just know the Kliq wants to work together One MORE Time!
Also, Monty Brown and K-Kwik are probably on their respective ways out of TNA. I couldn’t honestly care less about either one of those guys.
No Surrender is the next PPV on the docket, but Bound for Glory looks like the one to really look forward to.
Kurt Angle Released from WWE Contract
This story just broke earlier today from what I understand, and it’s a damned shame. No word yet on why he was granted an early release, but one has to think it’s got something to do with drugs or women. I’m going to go ahead not comment any further until something of substance comes to light. Kurt Angle is a future WWE Hall of Famer, and the E must of had some damn good reason to release Kurt for the time being. The way wwe.com made it sound in their press releae, it looks like Angle should be back in the not so distant future. It seems like Angle has missed more time in the last few years than most other wrestlers other than Mark Henry. Now that’s just a wild shot in the dark. But with all the neck surgeries and his latest resting period last month things seem a little fishy.
Here’s my best guess. And this is coming from a very educated wrestling smark. Over twenty years and counting, folks. Okay – To the shock of everybody looking on from outside the WWE Curtain, Angle is in fact healthy. Has been all along. His nagging injuries and whatnot have just all been a big work. Angle is being released so that he can go over to TNA and wrestle there. Just like ECW was Vince’s little farm territory back in the 90’s so is TNA here in present day. I mean their are far too many connections to simply dismiss it.
That’s for another column, another day.
Anyway – Angle will go over to TNA and once there become the NWA champion. A title that would go perfectly with his essence. Matches like Angle vs. Jarrett, Angle vs. AJ, Angle vs. SAMOA JOE would go over Big Time. It’s actually the perfect thing Kurt could do that would rejuvenate his career. There has been alot of talk lately about Angle not really fitting in within the ECW mold, but I think TNA and NWA wrestling in general has Kurt Angle written all over it. Plus, even if his health was in question, his schedule in TNA would be a helluva lot lighter.
One thing everyone needs to understand is that from top to bottom just about every single thing we see on WWE TV is a complete work. From the Hulkster slamming Andre to Vince screwing Bret to Shawn Michaels’ “back” injury that kept him out of action for a few restful years. I think Angle is just fine, the WWE media machine the PR people have all the marks believing he’s all beaten up, but he’s most likely far from it. And at the same time there is almost no one on any WWE roster that he hasn’t already worked with and beaten. Nothing fresh for the former Olympic Gold Medalist. What he needs is TNA and today when the WWE released him of his contract they also may very well have handed The Wrestling Machine over to Dixie Carter, Panda Energy and the Jarrett Clan. And that’s exactly what Vince either already knows is going to happen or at least hopes. For the well being of the business. This is Evolution folks and Kurt Angle is about to become the top star for TNA wrestling.
DVD Fever!
Writing that just now reminded me how much I DON’T miss the Disco Inferno.
Okay, so I’ve been busy watching mucho DVD’s in my down time week. Got a bunch to still watch too. Dusty Rhodes, Jake Roberts and No Way Out 06 shall be viewed over next few days.
The E is putting out another Hulk Hogan DVD set, for release this October. Looks like a good, definitive set. I mean if we can EVER get this stupid f*cking ORANGE GOBLIN(credit to whatshisname) then maybe, just maybe his match list will finally be concluded. As for this DVD set, here’s the stellar match list. And just so you know, I’ve seen almost ALL of these matches and their ALL worth another viewing.
Of special note the XWF match between Hulk and Curt Hennig. That alone sells me on the set.
And I’m saying right now that I’m going to HAVE to buy the set from Wal-Mart because the fourth disk is way too good to pass up.
Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant
9/13/80 – Shea Stadium
Hulk Hogan vs. AWA champion Nick Bockwinkel
4/24/83
WWF champion Iron Sheik vs. Hulk Hogan
Madison Square Garden – 1/23/84
WWF champion Hulk Hogan vs. Big John Studd
Madison Square Garden – 9/22/84
WWF champion Hulk Hogan vs. Roddy Piper
War To Settle The Score – 2/18/85
Hulk Hogan & Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper & Paul Orndorff
Wrestlemania – 3/31/85
WWF champion Hulk Hogan vs. King Kong Bund
Steel Cage Match
Wrestlemania 2 – 4/7/86
WWF champion Hulk Hogan vs. Paul Orndorff
The Big Event – 8/28/86
WWF champion Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant
Wrestlemania III – 3/29/87
WWF champion Randy Savage vs. Hulk Hogan
Wrestlemania V – 4/18/89
WWF champion Hulk Hogan vs. WWF Intercontinental champion Ultimate Warrior
Wrestlemania VI – 4/1/90
WWF champion Sgt. Slaughter vs. Hulk Hogan
Wrestlemania VII – 3/24/91
WWF champion The Undertaker vs. Hulk Hogan
Tuesday in Texas PPV – 12/3/91
WCW World champ Ric Flair vs. Hulk Hogan
Bash at the Beach – 7/17/94
The Formation of the NWO
Bash at the Beach – 7/7/96
WCW World champion The Giant vs. Hulk Hogan
Hog Wild – 8/10/96
WCW World champion Hulk Hogan vs. Sting
Starrcade – 12/28/97
Hulk Hogan vs. Curt Hennig
XWF TV Taping (Orlando, Florida) 11/14/01
Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock
Wrestlemania X8 – 03/17/02
WWE Undisputed Champion HHH vs. Hulk Hogan
Backlash – 4/21/02
WWE Tag Team Champions Billy & Chuck vs. Edge & Hulk Hogan
SmackDown – 07/04/02
Hulk Hogan vs. Vince McMahon
Street Fight
WrestleMania XIX – 3/30/03
WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
4/2/05
Hulk Hogan vs. Shawn Michaels
Summerslam – 8/21/05
And if you so choose to buy your DVD from the fine folks at Wal-Mart you’ll get an extra DVD which includes these matches:
Hulk Hogan vs. Tito Santana
Madison Square Garden – 3/24/80
Hulk Hogan vs. Sonny Rogers & Chuck Greenly
AWA – 08/08/81
WWF champion Hulk Hogan vs. Terry Funk
Saturday Night’s Main Event – 01/04/86
WWF champion Hulk Hogan vs. Harley Race
Saturday Night’s Main Event – 3/12/88
1990 Royal Rumble
Hulk Hogan vs. Earthquake
Summerslam – 8/27/90
“Mean” Gene Okerlund interviews Hulk Hogan
WWE Raw Homecoming – 10/3/05
The Loose Cannon on DVD
Our friends at the E are also feeding a nice little Brian Pillman career DVD package. Can’t wait for this one! There’s ALOT of stuff that I’ve always wanted to see or have heard about. This set is going to be a real keeper. Can the Owen set be too far behind?
Bruce Hart & Brian Pillman vs. Midnight Cowboys 4/23/88 for International tag team titles
Pillman vs. Lex Luger 10/28/89 Halloween Havoc
Pillman & Tom Zenk vs. Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin 2/12/90
Pillman & Austin doing “A Flare for the Old” segment on WCW TV
War Games 1991 with Pillman & Sting & Steiners vs. Four Horsemen
Pillman vs. Ricky Morton 10/27/91
Pillman & El Gigante vs. Barry Windham & Arn Anderson 6/12/91 loser leaves town match (Leads to Yellow Dog angle)
Pillman & Windham vs. Johnny Gunn & Zenk 12/26/92
Pillman & Austin vs. Ricky Steamboat & Shane Douglas 5/23/93
WCW Thundercage with Pillman & Sting & Dustin Rhodes vs. Paul Orndorff & Austin & Rick Rude
Pillman vs. Jushin Liger (First Nitro Match)
Pillman vs. Dean Malenko 1/22/96 Nitro
Pillman vs. Eddie Guerrero 1/23/96 Clash of Champions
Pillman vs. Austin 6/16/97 Raw
Calgary Stampede Hart Foundation vs. Austin & Shamrock & LOD & Goldust 7/6/97
Pillman vs. Goldust 9/7/97
Pillman vs. Liger 2/22/92 SuperBrawl from Milwaukee
That’s all for me this week. Keep loving the business and Vote for Vince in 2008!
