WWE cleaned out the bottom of the talent pool, Kennedy gets hurt again and apparently Hardcore Holly is still an asshole. I know, I’m as shocked as you are.
Opening Witty Banter
I got nothing this week. Let’s get to the news…
The Top Story
This week was apparently cleaning time for talent relations department up in Stamford. In the past week seven talents have been released. Here’s my expert analysis of the seven newly departed.
Braden Walker:
The former Chris Harris finally made his WWE television debut just a few weeks ago after being in developmental for months. When he finally debuted he was easily 20 pounds heavier than his time in TNA, wore a plain black singlet and the generic “Chris Harris†name was replaced with the moronic “Braden Walker†mantra. He looked like a jobber, was out-of-shape and had a terribly bland and basic moveset. His second TV match with James Curtis stunk up ECW television and was probably the catalyst for his dismissal. It seemed as if he burned his bridges with TNA as well, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he heads to Italy for Rikishi’s Nu Wrestling Federation after spending a few months cleaning up on the indy circuit while his asking price is still high.
Big Daddy V:
This one kind of surprised me. V is one of those guys that McMahon seems to have soft spot for and usually finds his way back onto the roster. I wouldn’t be surprised if he returns down the road after maybe losing some of his massive girth. Viscera is still under 40 years old and I think he’s got at least one more national company run left in him before he settles into that “over the hill†category.
Shannon Moore:
This is Shannon’s third release I think? The poor guy never seems to catch a break. I could realistically see him ending up back in TNA as the X-Division is slowly being pushed once again. Other than that he’ll make some good coin on the indy circuit. I’ve always liked Shannon, but it never seemed like WWE would get behind him. I thought they might have had something back in 2006 when he was working his Prince of Punk gimmick in ECW in 2006 but after he was jobbed out to CM Punk two weeks in a row it was back to jobber row for him.
Nunzio:
Nunzio is in virtually the same exact position as Shannon. Maybe Nunzio will be able to return to Ring of Honor and reinvent himself much like Jamie Noble did a few years back. I don’t think Nunzio won a televised match on TV in years other than that eight man tag against La Familia a few weeks ago on SmackDown! He’s another guy I’ve always liked but hi departure isn’t realy a big loss in the scheme of things.
Domino:
As soon as Deuce got sent to RAW during June’s supplemental draft everyone and their dog could see this release coming. I’m frankly surprised it took this long.
James Curtis:
The former KC James always just looked like the type of bland vanilla guy that would get lost in the shuffle of the WWE Universe. A couple summers ago when he was teaming with Aaron Stevens he looked and wrestled like a poor man’s Bobby Eaton. When he resurfaced on ECW months ago with his new moniker he looked cleaned up, and had the look that made him blend right in with the Kenny Dykstras and other young guys of the roster, which I guess could be a good thing or a bad thing. I don’t know if his abysmal match with Braden Walker on last week’s ECW had anything to do with his release, but Curtis seems like a guy who might be able to catch a second break somewhere down the line when WWE goes on another hiring binge.
Nick Patrick:
A lot of the guys on the message boards seemed to be more up in arms about Patrick’s dismissal than anyone else who got release but frankly I didn’t even notice he was still employed by the company. He hasn’t been on TV refereeing for SmackDown! like he used to, and had been working in developmental instead. I’m sure Patrick will end up on his feet in no time, and of all of these guys I would expect him to show up in TNA first of anyone else.
Meanwhile at this point I would expect guys like Hardcore Holly, Funaki, Val Venis, Stevie Richards, Charlie Haas, Paul London and Robbie McAllister are worried about answering their phones in case if the company decides to release any more of their talent. But then again we have been saying that about Venis, Holly and Funaki for a long time. Seems like every time roster cuts come around those three are predicted to be the next to go, but they’ve all still kept going. Does Funaki have some incriminating photos of Vince with an underage ring boy or something?
Everything Else Fit For Print
As a follow-up to last week’s story, it is official that Ric Flair and WWE have mutually parted ways. Ric Flair released the following statement about his departure via WrestlingFigs.com.
“WWE and I parted on the best of terms. This gives me the chance to pursue new opportunities…corporate speaking engagements, product sponsorships, autograph shows for my loyal fans (who made me what I am today) and film and television roles. My agent and I are very excited about what the future holds!”
Apparently his new asking price is $15,000 per engagement, and the rumors are swirling that there is a bidding war for his first ever shoot interview. It’s kind of weird to think that Ric Flair is now an independent talent. I really hope that he doesn’t tarnish his legacy by stepping back in the ring…ever again. He’ll do fine working the legends conventions and speaking engagements. I’m sure he’ll be popping back into WWE periodically much like Piper, Austin and so many others do these days.
Mick Foley’s WWE contract and it’s really up in the air on whether he will re-sign with the company. His contract runs out on September 1.
He has been unhappy with how Vince McMahon has been treating him and yelling into his ear during SmackDown! broadcasts. His beatdown by Edge a couple weeks ago on SD! gave the company some options. Should he choose to come back he will have built in heat with Edge and would make for some interesting TV. If he doesn’t come back, this injury angle is already there to explain his absence.
Mr. Kennedy suffered a shoulder injury last week during a house show match with Shelton Benjamin. He has been to various surgeons, including the renowned Dr. James Andrews, to determine the severity of the injury. If he is forced to have surgery he will be out for up to six months. If it isn’t that serious he will be out a few weeks for extensive rehab.
Kennedy really can’t seem to catch a break. Whenever he seems to gain a little momentum, an injury or some sort of Wellness~! violation puts him back to square one. It’s going to be hard for the company to get behind a guy who is so seemingly injury prone.
Here’s a little tidbit from the Wrestling Observer that has been pretty much overlooked: “Hardcore Holly, who has been with the company for the better part of 14 years, is on the endangered species list. He’s no longer being used, and at 45, he may not be brought back. The feeling is that someone like Undertaker would have to go to bat for him one more time. Holly has had a rep for being like a Japanese veteran, in that he works very stiff with newcomers (like the Matt Cappotelli incident on “Tough Enough”) with the old-school mentality that they have to prove they can survive in a tough profession. His role would have been to be in a tag team feuding with DiBiase & Rhodes, but the feeling was he wouldn’t get them over in the right way (he’d lose but make them look bad) and his only role would be to make the newer pushed guys look better than they are. Reportedly Holly’s promo work to further the Rhodes turn program was done, but they decided against airing it because the interviews weren’t good enough. Vince is said to be generally indifferent on Holly, in that he’s kept him around like Funaki forever, but they don’t have any plans to ever do anything with him.”
I was wondering why Holly hadn’t been brought back on TV at least once to put over the new kids.
Randy Orton said in an interview on the UKâ€s Sky Sports News that he would be returning very soon from his collarbone injury and hinted he may be making an appearance at SummerSlam.
Someone’s got to lead Rhodes and DiBiase and kick this second generation stable off.
This little tidbit was buried deep in WWE’s quarterly stock filing.
“Levy et al. On July 24, 2008, we were served with a summons from three of our former talent purporting to be on behalf of themselves and a class of similarly situated persons. The lawsuit alleges breach of contract and unjust enrichment arising from our treating them as independent contractors rather than employees, which the plaintiffs allege is an erroneous classification. We have not formally responded to the suit but intend to deny any liability for claims asserted against us and to defend vigorously against the suit.”
The Levy mentioned is one Scott “Raven†Levy, and basically he is challenging the WWE’s classification of what they call their in-ring talent. The company labels its wrestlers “independent contractors†which gets them away from paying benefits and withholding other things that would standard for regular employees. I’m not up all the legal language, so I don’t know if WWE is breaking any laws or not, but if Raven gets this thing through, it could lead to some major shake-ups within the WWE corporate structure.
WWE Hall of Famer Walter “Killer†Kowalski suffered a heart attack this past week, and is serious condition. He is 81 years old.
Kowalski has had a helluva career and transitioned into a phenomenal trainer. It’s refreshing to read about a former professional wrestler leading a full life and not bowing out at age 40 due to drug problems.
Wrestler of the Week
I’m trying to think of new ways to change up/improve this column so each week I will highlight who I think was WWE’s Wrestler of the Week, kind of like what JR does on wwe.com. As this is still in its early stages I don’t really have any criteria, but I’m sure my choice will come from a combination of kayfabe and real-life factors.
For the week of August 4 – 10: John Morrison & The Miz
No other talents on WWE TV just plain entertained me more than these two thanks to their live Dirt Sheet on ECW. After they lost the WWE Tag Championships I feared that they would be broken up immediately but it looks as if they may be kept together for the time being. That is fantastic news as they are easily the most entertaining act on TV this side of Santino Marella when it comes to pure entertainment value. I don’t care if they don’t wrestle for six months, just give them fifteen minutes a week of ECW TV and let them do their thing. It would be much more entertaining than any “expose†or little person shenanigans or Ricky Ortiz match.
RAW’s On Tonight!
Tonight John Cena and Batista will defend their World Tag Championships against Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase in a rematch from last week. I truly hope Rhodes and DiBiase get their belts back and won’t lose the momentum they are slowly gaining. Plus the rumor is swirling that JBL is challenging CM Punk to a gimmick contest that Punk can’t possibly win. A beer drinking contest? Seems logical to me. Oh and The Adamle will uncover what is in Kane’s mysterious burlap bag. Kane’s old mask or another Adamle original~! Tune in to find out.
On Last Week’s Episode…
SmackDown!
How They Rated
A.M. RAW (8.3.08) – .6
RAW (8.4.08) – 3.4
ECW (8.5.08) – 1.5
SmackDown! (8.8.08) –
This is Boring, What Else is There to Read?
Wiswell wonders who’s left for Nigel McGuiness to fight.
Kirschner reports that CHIKAA is bring back BattleBowl~! I knew there was a reason that company was my favorite indy for a reason.
Ditch talks G-1.
Pulse Wrestling’s residentace breaks down Ring of Honor’s top show based on ZIP code.
