Quick News
Lance Cade was released.
This came out of nowhere, especially given how likely it seemed that Cade was in line for a big push. Cade is big and talented enough to get back and make it to the top, but here’s hoping that he gets his issues (whatever they may be) cleared up.
Cena returns at Survivor Series.
Welcome back, John, but can we get word on Randy Orton? I want to know when Punk vs. Orton will kick off!
Ric Flair is managing Reid Flair’s first pro match
If you’re in the Charlotte area, you might want to check this out. Reid has a decent shot of making it big because David sufficiently lowered the expectations.
More from the Observer (subscribe at www.f4wonline.com):
Ric Flair wants to come out of retirement for matches in Japan and Korea, but won’t because he promised Shawn Michaels his last match
Flair’s legacy is reasonably secure in all ways but one: the WWE still owns the majority of his career’s recordings. By going against their heavily hyped “last match†he puts how they will portray him in serious jeopardy.
DX will reunite again…
And again… and again… until you sheep stop buying it. The three hour Raw 11/3 from Tampa will feature them vs. Miz and Morrison (poor up and/or comers), as well as Batista vs. Jericho in a cage. Obviously, all three brands will have stars appearing, since we just mentioned guys from each brand.
In other news, JBL decided to mimic Stan Hansen when he realized he had the natural talent and charisma of Rick Bosner and, ultimately, found himself in a similar role, though for far longer.
For more WWE news, including the latest on Smackdown ratings and the Starrcade DVD, check This Week in ‘E
Wrestling the Issue
Last week, I discussed the WWE’s house style of wrestling. This format for putting together matches has lead to many great matches and certain wrestlers being able to truly define their greatness via putting their imprint on this style. This week, we’ll take a look at the best wrestlers to work this style, both ever and currently.
The best WWE style wrestler ever is, to me, clearly between two men. The style originated (or really became defined, at least) as the Attitude era came to an end. Since then the two men who, at that style, stand head and shoulders above the majority of the competition are Chris Benoit and Steve Austin. Benoit had a ridiculous ability to make any style his own. Whatever the style, whether New Japan Juniors, the ECW technical style, or WWE main event, every match was first and foremost a Benoit match. That mixed with his mastery of the little things, like how to make a hold look especially excruciating, or get a crowd response as a face or a heel, truly make him stand out. Austin was the king of getting a crowd response. No one, not Benoit, not Hulk Hogan, not Jumbo Tsuruta (the best wrestler ever), had better timing than Austin once he found his character. Since the WWE style is so … I don’t want to say stagnant, but you know, lacking variety… timing is probably the most important component, and making sure everything happened just when it would get the best response was Austin’s particular gift, even when he was in his pure punchy kicky phase.
Which of the two is better? Personally, I’ll take Benoit since he did it purely in the ring. Austin had the best promos in the business (at the time) backing his matches, helping to force people to care. Benoit had none of that; he just had his amazing skill.
Currently, the best at the format is likely Chris Jericho. Triple H slows it down too much and is really predictable in both his choices and timing. Shawn Michaels constantly seems to mess up the selling (and I love HBK) and really, due to his influence and when he broke in being prior to this style’s dominance, works his own way. Certain wrestlers, like CM Punk just haven’t shown it yet. John Cena has shown it and was really getting the timing down before his first injury, but wasn’t as good upon his return, and to be the best you need more than one incredible run. Orton has the Triple H problem, which doesn’t mean he isn’t great, he just isn’t the best. That leaves three men… Jericho, Edge and, surprisingly, Jeff Hardy.
Jeff is seemingly the oddball so we’ll take him first. Jeff works the straight WWE style, but he bumps like it’s going out of style. That makes his babyface heat phenomenal, especially since the whole style of faces making a mistake to be dominated plays into his “daredevil” persona so well. Still, until he’s actually consistent at it, he isn’t the best, and many performances, such as his match with Randy Orton should have been more.
Edge is essentially a heel Jeff. While huge bumps and daredevil maneuvers are how to get face sympathy, there’s also being totally opportunistic and smarmy for the heel, while bumping a ton to get the face looking like gold. Edge has that down to a T. Every time he wins it seems like he’s a prick who got a fluke win. Of course, he can’t figure out how to work out Batista, so he’s not first either.
Chris Jericho, at least as a heel, has the mannerisms, timing, smarminess, and everything else needed to be ranked among the all time greats, not only in this style, but all around. Like Benoit, his matches are more Jericho formula than WWE formula when he does it, perfectly straddling the line between the standard style and his on quirks (particularly his ever inventive reversal spots, especially, as a heel having his standard, might get a pop moves countered). Everything he does fits his character of proving his wrestling chops as a legend and “giving the fans the finger,” which means he can win clean, cheat, or mix it up and still be a bastard. When he wins clean, he’s shoving in the fans faces how good he is. When he cheats, he’s not caring about their rules and hypocrisy. Small mannerisms and perfect facial expressions get this across. His early give and takes are particularly strong, as he consistently busts out offense just slightly less flashy than the faces, looking awesome, but keeping the face looking a touch better. Jericho is truly the master of the WWE house style currently, making it his own.
The Smarkish Raw Ranty Short Review Thing for Raw, 10/20/08
Oh man, this is the way to keep me tuned in. A diva tag match opens Raw.
Match 1: Kelly Kelly and Candice Michelle vs. Jillian Hall and Katie Lea
The PPV has divas dressing up for Halloween. Doesn’t that make you want to spend $40? If it does, might I suggest some nice porn for you.
Jillian sings and Kelly kicks her. That should have been built to a better moment after so long of Jillian singing terribly for ages.
They do simple tag formula and Candice ends up worked over. Kelly tags and finishes with a fame asser. No spots were blown. Bravo.
Kelly Kelly and Candice defeat Jillian and Lea (Pin, Fame Asser, *)
I’m just upset that I recognize Kelly Kelly’s song.
Now Raw finally begins as Chris Jericho comes out in his suit with the big belt. Jericho proceeds to cut basically the same promo as he did last week about his special guest referee options for the PPV, while also talking up all his accomplishments. Well, it filled time. Here’s Batista. Oh, irony. Batista talks to Jericho about earning respect. How long did each work to get to the top?
Mike Adamle is out next. Both men face the same three opponents “in a gauntlet match… in a gauntlet matchâ€â€¦ thanks for that great delivery Adamle. He’s got the crowd obnoxiously chanting “what†again and now I hate him even more. Jericho smacks Batista and bails.
JBL is out to talk about his money and dignity to insult Haas for being a have been imitator. Now the “what†won’t stop, but JBL finally earns my respect (for the time being) by leaving out regular pauses to stop the “what†chants. Stone Cold Steve Haaston comes out to a nice pop. Haaston’s promo is done poorly. I never thought I’d say this, but Shark Boy’s version is better.
Match 2 JBL vs. Charlie Haas
The Haas joke is about ready to jump the shark. Haas does well with Austin’s moveset like last week before being Clothesline from Fake Razor.
FRL defeats Charlie Haas (Pin, Clothesline from Fake Razor, dud)
Fake Razor Layfield decided to say it was the bottom line because he said so. Quoting wife beater means the respect is gone.
Match 3: Rey Mysterio vs. Snitsky
Snitsky gets the superstars style box in the upper left to share his 8th grade poetry. How emo.
Snitsky beats on Rey a lot. I hope they aren’t going back to “Rey wins by flukes†because that really sucked. Rey suddenly gets control, cycles through his usual stuff and wins.
Rey defeats Snitsky (Pin, 619 and Springboard Splash, dud)
With so much wrestling, you’d think there’d be an actual good match. That was sloppy and somehow worse than the divas match.
Match 4: The Miz and John Morrison vs. CM Punk and Kofi Kingston
They talk about voting and Morrison wanted pizza Fridays to be Tofu Tuesdays, then Morrison compares their team to the best teams ever including mocking DX with “Are you fifty?†and have two words for DX “Are you jealous?†And just like that, Morrison saves Raw.
It’s CLOBBERIN TIME! Here comes Punk!
The faces begin with control over both opponents. The heels are controlled and dumped to the floor hard as Morrison is tossed onto Miz and the faces dominate some more. Kofi eventually makes a mistake and the numbers game gets him worked over momentarily into commercial. That was weird. The faces controlled way too much without enough fire, leading to a confused crowd and not much structure.
We return to a chinlock. During the break Kofi stole AJ Style’s kip up hurricanrana… that’s the kind of move you bust out during a commercial? Oh, come on! The heels control some more with double teams and rest holds.
Punk gets the hot tag and is all about the big kicks and other various strikes. Kofi tries to get in but runs himself out of the ring. Punk falls victim to the numbers game as Miz rolls Punk up as Morrison is hit with the Go to Sleep.
Miz and Morrison defeat Punk and Kofi (Pin, Roll Up, **)
The faces overly long control was to preserve face for the eventual job. At least now it makes sense. Good heel work.
In case you were wondering if this stuff still works: Shannon says (10:11:50 PM): Miz and Morrison are such cheaters, I hate them.
Jericho talks to Adamle and again demands respect.
Santino and Beth Phoenix are out. Santino Marella comes out with Roddy Piper’s kilt and Hot Rod shirt, Honky Tonk Man’s guitar and an Elvis wig, and Goldust’s face paint. Santino cuts on these three he’s dressed as, his potential Cyber Sunday opponents.
Here comes “Hacksaw†Jim Duggan for a quick payday. He yells a lot then insults Beth, so Santino decides its time to fight. Hacksaw takes the chair shot and is left lying to great heel heat.
Match 5: Gaspar and JTG vs. Ted Dibiase Jr., Cody Rhodes and Manu
The heels just do a beatdown instead of the match.
Next is the gauntlet. Let’s see, who hasn’t been used… Shawn Michaels, Kane… and… hmm, not sure on the third.
Batista and Jericho come out without actually explaining the rules, except that Batista begins.
Match 5 Part 1: Batista vs. William Regal
Batista squashes. That was ridiculous.
Match 5 Part 2: Chris Jericho vs. William Regal
Jericho his the Codebreaker immediately and we’re done.
Match 5 Part 3: Chris Jericho vs. Mark Henry
Well, I was wrong about Kane or HBK. Jericho gets an early advantage, but Henry’s strength is too much and Jericho takes a beating. Henry misses a splash and Jericho gets the lionsault. That’s only good for two. Jericho tries to take off the turnbuckle to let him get the belt to hit Henry, but the ref sees it and Jericho is disqualified. I see no reason that’s a bad thing for Jericho.
Match 5 Part 4: Batista vs. Mark Henry
Batista hits a spinebuster and wins. This isn’t remotely compelling television.
Match 5 Part 5: Chris Jericho vs. Kane
Commercials. Smackdown gives away The Undertaker vs. Triple H. Expect a shmozz.
Kane is beating up on Jericho as we begin. Jericho gets to attack the leg. Kane makes a comeback, selling slightly, but Jericho can’t hit the codebreaker. Kane is caught up top going for his big clothesline. He knocks Jericho off and Kane hits the flying lariat for two. A big boot gets three. That was ridiculously counter-productive.
Match 5 Part 6: Batista vs. Kane
Batista hits a spear and wins.
Anyone want to e-mail me what the purpose of that was? Anyone? Anyone? Shit, that wasn’t even worth the Beuller reference.
The Middle W
This isn’t a reference to our soon to be ex-President, but rather the Wrestling in World Wrestling Entertainment. Jim Cornette once said “Wrestling fans tune into a wrestling show to watch wrestlers wrestle.†For me, at the very least, this is certainly the case and I watch a ton of wrestling from all around the world. Each week I’ll be attempting to broaden WWE fans horizons with a review of a great match they might not have ever seen or even heard of.
I’m being observed at work tomorrow and then doing SAT tutoring. No time for a review, but do check out www.thecoolkidstable.net for some of the best non-WWE wrestling reviews on the ‘net.
