Gettin’ RAW!
Monday Night RAW eminated from Madison Square Garden this week and began with a helluva tribute to 9/11. The video package was pretty amazing, especially interlaced with images of the New York City audience and Lillian’s very well done rendition of America the Beautiful. The moment of silence was touching also. Just a rough day every year for all of us I think, from coast to coast.
I really enjoyed seeing Roddy Piper make his surprise appearance alongside the soon-to-be Tag champs The Highlanders. I’m Irish and popped for the segment. It was nice to see The Hot Rod pick up the pinfall after his storied history in the Garden. Piper’s one of the best in the business to ever step through the curtain. And his DVD set, Born to Controversy will soon be part of my collection!
The 6 man tag bout that started RAW’s second hour was a strong match, that totally kept me awake and tuned in. All 6 guys put out a good effort and I think it helped build all three feuds to Sunday’s PPV.
What’s up with Cryme Time? I don’t like this yet, but I’m going to give it some time to mature. For all I know these guys could actually be good in-ring talents, but I doubt it. Stupid gimmick…and bordering on racist if done in-correctly.
Maybe Super Crazy can just come out and beat the piss out of Chris Masters every single week from now on? I mean, can watching Masters job ever get old?
The Week in Wrestling segment once again brought back a bucketfull of memories. I think we were all shaken up by the attacks back in 2001 and for me as a HUGE wrestling fan having Vince McMahon come out on TV in the very first televised live event in the country and tell us everything’s going to be okay actually did help me move on. It’s on nights like those that we should all remember than whenever Mr. McMahon wants to flip the switch on “serious/endearing Vince” he does it with perfection. He’s going to make an incredible President of these United States. I can’t wait!
Trish supposedly had her Final Raw match this past Monday night. That’s all well and good. But I think we all know, that sooner or later Ms. Stratusfaction will be gracing our squared circle again. Didn’t really pick up a vibe from the live audience that showed any care at all for Trish’s departure. Of course, that should be altogether different come Sunday in her hometown of Toronto. And has anyone wondered what could happen if Trish actually beats Lita and wins the Women’s title? Will Trish still retire or will the title be put up in some sort of tournament? Eh, I digress, cause I bet Lita’s going to get the cheap victory and retain anyway.
The RAW main event sure turned into a stupid PPV sell, didn’t it? I guess I’m just so tired of these weekly pointless beatdowns, no matter whose side it’s coming from. I do think the Hell in the Cell bout this Sunday will be fun though, but I’m sure it will be overbooked to the max just like Summerslam. Maybe a finish involving Big Show getting tossed off the top of the cage. That would be a money shot type of visual.
Unforgiven – Sunday from Toronto live on PPV
Shaped up to be a pretty nice card this year. Let’s take a look. If you want predictions, then look elsewhere – like the IP Roundtable that I’m sure PK or Matt Michaels will be posting sometime this weekend.
Carlito vs. Randy Orton
Kane vs. Umaga
Lita vs. Trish – Women’s Title
The Highlanders vs. The Spirit Squad – Tag Title
Johnny Nitro vs. Jeffrey Hardy – IC Title
Edge vs. John Cena – WWE Title
DX vs. Vince, Shane & Big Show
See, how I chose my winners by putting them in bold. Pretty sneaky, eh?
ECW is GOOD
Damn, it’s getting mighty cold here in Idaho this week – the first signs of a long, long winter.
It’s also going to be a long winter for one Shannon Moore. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again right here – the guy is a doofus and his Extreme Slaying at the hands of CM Punk this past week was quite possibly my favorite match of the week.
And Punk looked fierce this week. I’m really starting dig him, as I knew I would. And the eventual feud between him and Mike Knox over the drool worthy affections of Kelly Kelly will make for some memorable TV as the year rolls on. And, yes CM Punk will be ECW champion soon. Not to soon, or it won’t be a big deal.
Actually, my favorite match was Big Show vs. Sabu. Not because of Show, but due to Sabu’s insane ability to keep me entertained no matter what. I knew he wasn’t going to leave MSG with title, but it sure was fun to hope.
I truely hate Rene Dupree and for all the reason WWE wants us too. He’s no Rick Martel, and he better find some weapons quick or his tenure in ECW will be short-lived. Can you fathom the reaction Dupree would’ve garnered at the Hammerstein ballroom? If he ever does make it there, he’ll be eaten alive.
Sooner or later I’m thinking that Paul E’s henchmen will have to be revealed. And even when this actually happens, will ANYONE give one tenth of a shit about the f*cking Basham Brothers?? It’s just one of many angles that will eventually go no where and provide little to no payoff for tuning in each week.
Kinda like Kevin Thorn’s whole career. The E needs to drop the Kevin part, which could make Thorn seem a little more cool.
Don’t call me The Rock…
Ya, so Rocky wants Hollyweird to start billing him under his real name Dwayne Johnson. I saw him this morning on Regis and Kelly where he was in fact introduced as such. He’s such a charasmatic, easy to like personality that I would imagine he’ll sell movie tickets and keep people’s butts in seats no matter what his name is. I still think he’s on the verge of being the next Denzel, but first he needs a serious Oscar contending film under his belt – something like Glory – and I’m not sure if he has pure drama in him.
Either way his little name change is nothing major. He’ll always be THE ROCK to us fans and if some desperate housewife goes to see Gridiron Gang only because of the Big Johnson stars, then so be it.
Showin’ Some DVD Love
My DVD Pick of the Week is: WWE ACTION!
I bought this one up at a pawn shop here in town a couple of weeks ago for the totally bargain price of THREE DOLLARS. More than worth it. I have most of the PPVs and even some RAW/SD eppys taped from the 2001, but this DVD really puts a finishing touch on what a great year 01 was. It’s mostly about the first half of 01, and is chalk full of some great extra matches. The main part is hosted by a still babyface Coachman and goes over the Hardcore title storylines involving the likes of the Hollys, Raven, plus Saturn and his good friend Moppy. The DVD also delves into the unholy alliance made between Steve Austin, Triple H and Vince that totally rocked back in the day. Plus old vids about the relationship between Molly Holly and Spike, and the very early stages of the ECW-WCW InVasion into the company. Here are some of the extras, the matches are shown in their entirity too!
Booker T vs Kurt Angle – Angle wins the WCW title here! (7.26.01)
Chris Jericho vs Austin – 4 star match from Smackdown(6.4.01)
Jeff Hardy vs Triple H – Another goodie(4.12.01)
Kurt Angle vs Austin(1.8.01)
Chris Jericho v Triple H – Remember when Y2J was the coolest Canadian around?(4.5.01)
Edge, Christian & Rhyno v Dudley Boyz & Spike – TNA! TNA!(3.22.01)
The Rock v Stone Cold(4.2.01)
Really, one of the best DVD’s I’ve ever bought and I can’t believe I never picked it up before. This was originally released prior to WWE DVD’s going all gangbusters on us, and it shows as this one was a little less sleekly produced but it MORE than makes up for it in content. Great for any wrestling fan, new or old!
And it totally reminded how much I miss that era in the wrestling business. So much was going on, all at once. It actually takes a DVD like this one to once again put it all into perspective and see where we’ve gone from that point in 2001.
Find it, buy it and love it.
Closing Thoughts
Won’t be buying Unforgiven this weekend, but as always I will be picking up the DVD within the next few months. Christmas is right around the corner. Actually, for me personally, I buy more DVD’s with my tax return than any other time of the year. Anywho…
I’m anxiously awaiting the return of Smackdown to my TV next week. This column will most likely see a sudden shift into more Smackdown analysis, as that show will now be freshest on my mind.
The brand-spanking Widro-friendly Inside Pulse Version 3 will be headed your way this Monday so be sure to keep coming back to see all the neat changes everyone here at the Pulse has in store for you the beloved reader.
Until next time, keep loving the business o’ wrestling and of course…
Vote McMahon in 2008!
WE SHOULD ALL BE VERY JEALOUS OF CM PUNK:
