WWE gets rid of lot of talent to make room for a TNA franchise player while Carlito apparently is unhappy once again, but still keeps his job. I’m sure Stevie Richards and Shannon Moore are happy to hear about that.
Opening Witty Banter
This week was light on the news from Connecticut. Let’s see if we can find anything lying around that can constitute a column.
The Top Story
In the latest battle in the “war†between WWE and TNA, Gail Kim is officially done with TNA and by all accounts looks to be heading back to WWE. Her last match for TNA was a street fight against Awesome Kong that aired on last week’s episode of Impact. WWE has apparently re-activated their trademarks and copyrights for “Gail Kim†and she has already met with John Laurinitis in regards to the details of a new contract. Gail also reportedly showed up at Florida Championship Wrestling’s most recent taping in Tampa, as she already lives in the area. By all reports the move was strictly a financial one as her TNA contract was up and WWE was able to offer her more money. She left TNA on good terms and didn’t burn any bridges with the company on the way out.
Gail has done worlds of good for TNA Wrestling and helped put their fledgling Knockouts division on the map. During her three years as a TNA employee she greatly improved her own stock and that of North American women’s wrestling in general. Unfortunately for her it looked as if she had knocked out of the number one All-American babyface position by Taylor Wilde and so it was the right time for a move. Since Gail was released from TNA in the fall of 2004 WWE has put more of an emphasis on women’s wrestling thanks to the addition of another women’s championship as well as the addition of talented women like Beth Phoenix and Nattie Neidhart. I would expect that she will show up on SmackDown! to help shore up their weak women’s roster and could provide some good on-the-job training for women like Maria and Maryse while mixing it up competitively with Nattie, Victoria and Michelle McCool.
Everything Else Fit For Print
Carlito is reportedly grumbling about his position in the company once again and is asking for his release.
In other news, the sun will come up tomorrow. I wonder if this is why they debuted his brother Eddie “Primo†Colon on the RAW brand, away from him. Then again the way Eddie got buried in his debut doesn’t help his cause anyways.
Mr. Kennedy’s contract comes up for negotiations this fall, and the rumor mill is saying that he may not be offered an extension.
Between his numerous injuries, suspensions and failed pushes, Mr. Kennedy hasn’t really become the hot sensation a lot of people expected and predicted. Of course this all rumor and he could be re-signed by the time you read this.
WWE.com is reporting that Batista, Shelton Benjamin, and Candice Michelle will all be attending the Democratic National Convention while Shawn Michaels, Mr. Kennedy, and Mickie James will be attending the Republican National Convention.
I’ll be working at the RNC (even thought I’m not Republican) so I’d be more excited about the potential meeting of Mickie or Shawn than I would meeting someone like McCain.
Vince McMahon turned 63 yesterday (Sunday).
Happy birthday to the greatest promoter living today.
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.
Week of August 18 – 24: The Brian Kendrick
I would never imagine that Brian Kendrick would end up in the SmackDown! main event at a PPV, let alone in a match vying for the WWE Championship in the same match as Triple H. I’m sure Kendrick will probably be the guy to eat the final pinfall during the Championship Scramble, but how many guys have gotten to say they challenged for the WWE Championship on pay per view? He looked like a great sneaky heel by the way he won the battle royal on SmackDown! this past week and if Jim Ross continues to push him as a Brian Pillman-like “Loose Cannon†it can only help raise Brian’s stock in the fans eyes. I’m excited Kendrick’s push, especially considering he’s probably the lightest guy on the roster now that Colin Delaney has been released. Somewhere Paul London is crying in Ashley Massaro’s bosom.
RAW’s On Tonight!
WWE.com’s official RAW preview is especially bland and generic this week. According to the preview, expect some tension between the five men in the Championship Scramble. Plus Kane almost murdered Rey Mysterio and now Batista wants revenge. Speaking of revenge, expect more fallout from Chris Jericho punching Shawn Michaels’ wife in the face.
On Last Week’s Episode…
Sissy speaks on SmackDown!
Blatt and Bones double team ECW.
Marshall and Daniels tag team RAW like the New Age Outlaws of old.
How They Rated
A.M. RAW (8.17.08) – .7
RAW (8.18.08) – 3.3
ECW (8.19.08) – 1.5
SmackDown! (8.22.08) –
This is Boring, What Else is There to Read?
Glazer does a fantastic job looking back at Ring of Honor alumni.
Buckledee debuts another puro column. We are really getting the most diverse wrestling coverage on the net here at Pulse Wrestling.
Ditch is back with more puro goodness, including his thoughts on Morishima going to WWE.
Kirschner presents the evolution of Shane Storm, part one.
