Greetings everyone. Welcome back to your weekly installment of the Internet Wrestling Community’s only happy place, A Look on the Bright Side.
Around the Pulse
Since I don’t think there’s a been a true “Intro to V3” anywhere recently, we’ll take a look around the site today, and point you to areas that you may be interested in, but might have overlooked (or, you might not understand just what some of these new Zone names actually mean). You can instantly get to any of the zones by using the drop-down menu at the top of page (the one that says “– jump to zone –“).
Ellie, when she’s not ruling over the forums with an iron fist of nice-itude, writes about life, love and food (especially food – she’s Italian, after all) over in Moodspins, the “people, prose, and politics” site.
Tailgate Crashers is the Sports section of the site. Every Sunday, Nick Pomczak runs his “Pancakes in the Age of Enlightenment” column, covering all of the day’s NFL action as it happens.
Beyond the Threshold covers goth, metal, horror, and other random “outside” elements of society. If you’re wondering where Gloomchen went – look over there. She’ll all over the place.
Broken Dial covers the indie music scene. Check out Kyle David Paul’s (how does somebody end up with three first names, anyway?) latest mixed tape list.
Machine Gun Funk covers rap, hip-hop, and the urban lifestyle. Excellent writings from the likes of Mathan, Fernandez, and Aaron.
The You Tube Video of the Week
Again – Jon Stewart is my hero, and should be yours too. (Be sure to stick around to the end.)
The Happy Fifteen (or so)
And now, we get to the meat of the column. The idea is fairly simple: I point out (at least) 5 things from each major show that should be getting more attention, but aren’t. (And occasionally, I just point out some absurdity just to tweak the rest of the IWC.) There’s way too much negativity infused into columnists who write about pro wrestling: this is just my little attempt to balance it out a bit.
Love the concept? Hate it? Think I missed something important from last week? See something this week that you think should be here? Email me by Tuesday evening.
And be sure to take part in the Insidepulse Forum for A Look on the Bright Side thread too.
Friday Night Smackdown
1. The crowd reaction to Cena was pretty positive, but I wonder how much editing they did – there seem to be a lot of people on camera with thumbs down (of course, there’s a lot more saluting and clapping). Of course, it wouldn’t exactly be shocking to learn that Tulsa, OK is not a hub of smarkdom.
2. “The Whitney Houston to my Bobby Brown.” Wow. I think I could write an entire column just on the psychological implications of that one.
3. I know they’re on different shows, but what’s the over/under on the first feud and/or tag team between Elijah Burke and Shelton Benjamin?
4. What’s with the sudden breakout of dropkicks to the knee/shin in the WWE? I swear I never saw that move before 3 months ago, and now I feel like it gets used in every other match on both shows.
5. Is there any character in all of wrestling with better video packages than the Undertaker? The music, the entrance, the “eyes rolled into the head” thing (I’m amazed no one has ever spoofed that in a promo), the number and variety of matches and opponents he’s had over the year, and combined with the fact that he just happens to be 6’10”- honestly, it must be irritating to come up with something “only” a minute long or so. (Hell, the WWE once managed to even make The Underfaker angle look cool in a video package – THAT is some talent right there.)
6. I was called out in the Insidepulse Forum for this last week (and he was right), so I’ll be sure to make note here: Kennedy’s facial expression when the *bong* hit was freaking PRICELESS.
7. Thank you, King Booker – there just aren’t enough uses of the word “rapscallion” in sports entertainment today. (Plus, Cena’s gimmick was as a rapper – get it, “rap”? Ha.)
8. As for the Tatanka/Miz match, well… hey, Eric’s comparison of Smackdown to Deadwood was truly inspired. (But let me get this straight, Eric – you watch Deadwood, but can’t get into The Sopranos? Wassup wit dat?)
9. JBL: “And you talk about Eric Bischoff’s book – Eric Bischoff goes into great detail talking what a blowhard and not tough guy that Bill Watts from Oklahoma is.” Wait – really? Okay, I’ve read no shortage of critical comments about Watts and his handling of WCW, but not tough? Okay, that’s new.
10. The powerslam by Lashley onto Booker was just insane – Lashley had to spin him over 180 degrees to get him down. Normally, powerslams are done with the victim already spinning halfway through the move – this one was done on pure power. Damn – Lashley is a FREAK.
Monday Night Raw
1. JR, describing D-X: “The class of Raw, no doubt about it.” Umm..?
2. I don’t think I’ve seen this before: Johnny Nitro comes into the ring with IC belt hanging from his belt buckle; Melina drops down to her knees in front of it, and gives a big ole kiss to the center of the belt. Umm, yeah – that’ll help her get over. And hey – how much does/did she charge per hour?
3. Okay – how anyone else besides me noticed that Jeff Hardy’s entrance, when he does the same moves with his brother next to him, looks okay – but when he does it solo, it looks totally retarded? I mean, I like Jeff’s music somewhat, but when he does the “white man’s overbite” while nodding his head at the top of the ramp, it just kills the whole entrance.
4. JR: “Johnny ‘Don’t Call Me Monday’ Nitro fighting for his life here…”
5. Jeff Hardy is now the I-C title holder? Well, shit… I never thought they’d actually go with it. Well, okay then – topic for discussion this week: which is more prestigious, the TNA World Title (assuming your last name is not “Jarrett”), the Intercontinental Title, or the U.S. Title?
6. Wow – the comedic lee-way they gave Jeff Hardy on his interview with Maria was impressive, especially with Melina’s interaction. In general, and this has been proven over and over again, the theory of comedic interaction is: it’s funny… too much, it’s not funny… okay, it’s funny again.
7. They are getting some good mileage out of the WWE Creative writer that isn’t afraid to strip to a g-string and grind against a random male member of the WWE roster. Really, I have to think that pool of talent is somewhat small. (Seriously, how many times is someone going to get a chance to type that first sentence? I feel like Magellen.)
8. I just want to state for the record: I am more excited about the release of The Departed than I have been for any movie since The Matrix series ended. I will be taking off early from work, just to see this movie — and I’m not even signed up to review it for Popcorn Junkies.
9. I have no idea how this happened, but Carlito has moved himself into my Top 5 Wrestlers on Raw list. He played off the damage done to his left arm, he showed some great psychology, he kept pulling out the moves that we’ve come to expect recently – honestly, I don’t have many complaints about him.
10. So, Carlito pulls a 2nd-rope corkscrew plancha, followed immediately by a Lionsault — and he doesn’t get a pin? C’mon now – seriously – either one of those would have been enough to win the IC title back in 1998.
11. HHH: “What’re ya doin’, gratuitous book club?” “What’re ya gonna call it – how to lost 50 lbs in 4 weeks?” Holy hell – I don’t care whose Demon Spawn he was responsible for, HHH is giving some the best semi-smark promos in the history of the business.
ECW on Sci Fi
1. Correct me if I’m wrong, but Test hasn’t said a single word since he arrived in ECW, has he? (And yes, in case you’re wondering – that is indeed a positive point about the show. He’s much better with this “constantly look like someone just pissed on your wrestling boots” thing.)
2. Striker asking The Big Show to put up the big boot with “May I have your boot, please?” just struck me as hilarious for some reason. A polite heel – whoda thunk it? And then he follows it up with the Samoa Joe face washes in the corner? Yup – Striker is definitely becoming one of my most favoritest parts of this show.
3. Somebody posted nude photos of Ariel in the forums recently. Unfortunately, the site was down by the time I found it, but the follow-up commentary made it obvious she couldn’t get away with the “two aces” trick Kelly pulled earlier. (Hey, someone wanna re-post those photos in my forum thread? Thanks.)
4. Danny Doring is from Wildwood, NJ? How did I not know that before? I *heart* Wildwood – many, many days of my misspent youth were spent on the beaches and boardwalks there. I practically lived on Mack’s Pizza, Mike’s Water Ice, and ice cream waffle sandwiches for the summer of 1987.
5. Wow. They had to have pumped in that crowd noise when Kelly appeared, right? Did she actually get over without me noticing at all?
6. Yeah, the non-fight between Punk and Knox seemed like a bit of a cop-out, but it’s honestly a very, very good sign for ECW. This was a confrontation between two guys introduced on this show, with no ties to the WWE at all, and the crowd was very, very anxious to see it. Good stuff.
7. Test’s top-rope chair drop onto RVD’s head was the most vicious-looking spot I’ve seen in quite a while. The camera angle was spot-on perfect. I honestly expected Rob’s head to be flat.
And that’s it for this week. See you next Wednesday
