Jim Ross fills us in on what his deal with WWE is, some new Samoans finally show up on WWE TV and Over The Limit proved to be a haven for the walking wounded.
Opening Witty Banter
Wow it was a slow news week around the ‘E this week. Good thing JR finally gave everyone answers on where he stands in the company or you’d be stuck with fallout news from last week’s stories (which you’re getting anyways.) I went to some the Wrestlicious TV taping Friday night in Minneapolis in the historic First Avenue Nightclub. It was fairly awful but the boys of F1rst Wrestling put on a helluva second half to make up for it. Look for results later…
Let’s take some ‘E…
The News of the Week
After months of essentially teasing thing, Jim Ross has finally let the cat out the bag in regards to his new role within the company. Here are highlights straight from the horse’s mouth:
WWE Status: “I have worked out what we believe to be a win/win, employee agreement with WWE and will remain with the company that I have been with essentially since 1993 when I debuted at Wrestlemania 9. (To celebrate this occasion, as I’m writing this I’m wearing a toga.) Going forward, I will be focusing on a variety of talent relations matters, essentially as a consultant, of which will not require weekly travel. I will be visiting FCW in Tampa on a regular basis to observe the development of the young men and women who, I hope, all want to headline Wrestlemania some day. This area of the company has always been of particular interest to me including when we opened developmental areas years ago in Louisville, Cincinnati, Memphis, and Southern California. Many of the WWE’s biggest stars of this generation came from those areas.â€
Future Plans: “We are still going forward with our book concept which is evolving really well. I tell myself every day that I’m NOT going to write an ‘average,’ wrestling book. (For the record, I’m still battling on what to leave OUT of the book in order to keep it around 275-300 pages.) I’ve also been offered a position to do some free lance writing for a major, national sports website which we’ll update you on within the next 10 days or so. It will likely focus on College Football, the NFL, and MMA.â€
MMA Announcing: “The new arrangement with WWE will allow me to explore broadcast options in other, non competitive areas such as MMA if I so choose. (For now, being a MMA fan and watching the UFC this Saturday night on PPV works for me. I’m still an Evans ‘lean.’ as this one has Slobber-Knocker written all over it.)â€
Look I’m as bummed as anyone that Jim Ross won’t be returning to the booth in regards to WWE programming, but things change and people are promoted. Michael Cole (and thus Jerry Lawler) are pretty terrible in the RAW booth these days, but it seems obvious as their directive seems to be simplistic and overly eager, which leads to a dull listen for older fans. We have all seen both men’s true personalities and they aren’t allowed to shine through on Monday nights. I’m glad JR is still fully with the company, and this talent scout gig should be good for him. He brought through a lot of good talent during his days as the VP and if they listen to him he should provide great advice to the higher ups. I am already excited for a JR book, as it should be a good read. And as for some side announcing in MMA or football, it would be boon for that organizations as I would wager some wrestling fans would watch it just to hear Good Ol’ JR once again. It’s apparent WWE has decided they can coexist peacefully with MMA judging by this revelation and the fact that “Rampage†Jackson will be on RAW next week.
The legendary Carlos Colon was interviewed for the sports section of Puerto Rico’s “Primera Hora†newspaper, regarding his son Carlito’s WWE release last. Here are some notable quotes (translated from Spanish):
Drugs Carly was on: “I want to clarify that, contrary to internet and message board rumors, he did not tested positive for marihuana, cocaine, heroin or any of those drugs. He was tested because they suspected he was abusing painkillers and it proved to be true. Painkillers are somewhat of a necessary evil for pro wrestlers because of the pain and the constant travel. He started taking one or two when he broke his arm some years ago and then it seems he went out of control when he started having issues with his back. He needs help.”
Carly’s firing: “He was offered an opportunity to go to rehab, but he refused because he doesn’t believe he has a problem or at least he feels it is not an issue. He was fired because he refused, even if this was his first violation of the Wellness Policy.”
Carliy’s future: “His mom already left Puerto Rico for Houston (where Carlito lives) and she is going to spend some time with him. Eddie (Primo), Orlando (Tito Colon in FCW) and I are doing everything we can to pressure him into going to rehab and admit he has a problem. This is something that he needs to admit to himself and improve and get out of that situation. If he goes to rehab and successfully completes the program he would be reinstated, he would get his job back.â€
WWC’s upcoming anniversary show: “This situation hurts us because the main event was going to be Carlito against El Mesias. Now those plans are out of the window because if Carlito goes to rehab he can’t participate. We will find a suitable replacement. I have to put the health of my son ahead of any main event match or any show.”
How absolutely refreshing is that Carlos was completely clean and honest regarding his son’s problems and release. Without trying to be a dick, Carlos seemed like the type of guy who would do an interview like this and blame WWE and protect Carlito. With strong family support around I’m hoping Carlito can get help he apparently needs. This kind of explains Carlito’s lackadaisical attitude in the ring a lot of times, not wanting to take a lot of big bumps and working loose. That’s also kind of funny/sad/ironic that his own finisher was probably causing him a lot of pain, leading to the painkillers. As I said last, week it’s too bad for Primo, but maybe Tito/Orlando will get called up to do another Colons tandem.
Speaking of fallout from Carly’s release, in the absence of the Carlito/Primo team that were to challenge The Hart Dynasty in the upcoming weeks, this past week on RAW a new team debuted to lay their claim against The Harts. The team was identified as Jimmy & Jules Uso, twin brothers of Rikishi Fatu, and Sarona/Tamina Snuka, the daughter of Superfly Jimmy Snuka.
It’s great to have some Samoans back on WWE TV once again. It just feels…right. I mean between Samoans and hillbillies, I don’t know what is more of a company staple. Speaking of that, we need a new hillbilly now that Jimmy Wang Yang is gone. Since the ‘70s when “High Chief†Peter Maivia and the original Samoans were with the company, there hasn’t ever been too long of a time period where someone from that amazing wrestling family didn’t have someone on the roster. We are now looking at third generation Anoi’a family members. I guess I’m getting old when Rikishi has kids old enough to be on WWE TV these days. I’m looking forward to seeing what this new generation can do. But remember a year ago when Manu and Sim Snuka were around and could totally have fit into this position? Me neither.
According to PWInsider.com, the fan that”removed his eye” last week on RAW was former California independent worker and current WWE Creative Team member Joe “Schmoe” Schmociosi.
Enough with creative team members trying to get themselves on TV! Try using your creative talents to get underused roster talent on TV.
Apparently the poorly-titled Over The Limit pay per view did provide bad karma and juju that long-time fans hoped it would, being it was close to the eleven year anniversary of Owen Hart’s death at the ill-fated Over The Edge show. Injuries plagued the show and hindered half the matches. Here is roll call of the walking wounded.
CM Punk was busted open, reportedly by Rey Mysterio’s knee brace, resulting in him needing a total of 13 stitches following his match.
Randy Orton separated his shoulder, seemingly pounding the mat setting up the RKO. Later reports suggest that he may have injured the shoulder earlier in the week and/or match, but further aggravated the injury with the RKO build up.
Ted DiBiase suffered a concussion when R-Truth slapped him too hard in their match. Jerry Lawler noticed it commentary and noted how DiBiase was out of it following the move. This also explains why he saw no action on RAW.
Batista injured his back and/or tailbone in the I Quit match, either bumping on the hood of the car or through the stage floor.
John Cena lost a few teeth and later tweeted that he spent a few hours at the dentist to repair the damage.
At least there were no serious injuries, but I’d like to think it was Owen ribbing the company form above.
Speaking of injuries, Beth Phoenix underwent surgery on her torn ACL on May 18 in Birmingham under the WWE’s best friend, Dr. James Andrews, and is expected to be out of action for about six months. She injured herself in a match against Rosa Mendes on May 4 in her hometown of Buffalo, when her left knee gave way after jumping off the turnbuckle. She also suffered a bone bruise, a sprained MCL and a torn and displaced meniscus.
And in more Divas injuries news, according to PWInsider.com, Melina’s return to the ring has been pushed back. She will be undergoing another two months of rehabilitation before being cleared to return to in the ring, putting her back around mid-to-late July.
You think WWE is kicking themselves for releasing Mickie James right about now? And why hasn’t Gail Kim been moved to SmackDown to replace Beth and become the top face Diva on the show?
The Road to…Fatal 4 Way
WWE Championship
John Cena (c) v. Sheamus v. Randy Orton v. Edge
World Heavyweight Championship
Jack Swagger (c) v. Undertaker v. CM Punk v. The Big Show
Wrestler of the Week
Week of May 24 – 30: R-Truth
This past Monday on RAW, R-Truth defeated The Miz to win the United States Championship. The match was to determine a new Champion after the new RAW General Manager Bret “Hit Man†Hart vacated the U.S. Championship, which he had won the previous week. While Truth is a former two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, the very same Championship held by legends like Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat, Dusty Rhodes, Jack Brisco, Dory & Terry Funk and so many others, this is easily his most high profile and visible victory that Truth has achieved in his career.
RAW’s On Tonight!
Ashton Kutcher will guest host RAW live tonight from Austin, Texas. Arguably the biggest current mainstream star to guest host RAW up to this point, Kutcher is sure to bring some positive media attention to WWE that they so desperately crave. Kutcher will be on hand to promote his upcoming film, Killers, which comes out in theatres on June 4 and also stars Katherine Heigl. Kutcher should be a good sport while on hand to guest host RAW and should provide for a fun show. The company’s official release also hypes up his past as the host of Punk’d, which is more than likely come into play during his interaction with the stars in the WWE Universe. No matches have been set up but there is sure to be a lot of fallout stemming from last week’s show. The Fatal 4 Way main event is all set, which makes for easy main event promos and match combinations. Plus R-Truth won the vacant US Title over The Miz thanks to a match made by new RAW GM Bret “Hit Man†Hart. Surely Miz will have plenty to say about that. And speaking of The Hit Man, The Hart Dynasty got attacked by Jimmy & Jules Uso and Tamina Snuka. Don’t look now but an honest-to-goodness tag team feud is brewing, complete with the closest thing we’ve got to managers these days.
On Last Week’s Episode…
Bryan Danielson continues to bring the awesomeness to NXT. His early elimination actually has made the show much more enjoyable. And kicking the hell out of Michael Cole will always win fans’ hearts.
Last week’s RAW was full of big news and was fully covered here on Pulse by Marshall, Wheeler and Pruett.
How They Rated
SmackDown! (5.14.10) – 1.6
Superstars (5.20.10) – .77
A.M. RAW (5.23.10) – .4
RAW (5.24.10) – 3.1
NXT (5.25.10) – .86
This is Boring, What Else is There to Read?
Logan’s reviews of Monday Night RAW, circa 1995, have become one of my favorite weekly reads.
Glazer continues to write his weekly epic on the world of wrestling. It’s consistently good stuff.
Mark has been a columnist for Pulse Wrestling for over three years now, evolving from his original “Historically Speaking†column into his current Monday powerhouse “This Week in ‘E.†He also contributes to other ventures, outside of IP, most notably as the National Pro Wrestling Examiner for Examiner.com and a contributor for The Wrestling Press. Follow me on Twitter here.
