Sunday, July 17, 2011
MITB Preview
Sorry for the delay in posts, I had a busy work week, this week, but no fear, I am back just in time for WWE Money In The Bank... (Please bare with me, as I am writing this right after working an overnight shift..)
I have not been this excited for a WWE pay per view in quite some time. In fact, I often do not even order WWE pay per views, however, this one looks like one that can not be missed. Here I will preview each match, and give my predictions...
In what I assume will be the opening match, unless they go the Wrestlemania route, and open with one of the main events, i.e. the money in the bank ladder match, it will be: Hot girl that can't wrestle number 1 vs. Hot girl that can't wrestle number 2, for the Butterfly Championship...
In what I guess, is their best attempt at a storyline, the Bellas and Kelly Kelly, have been "feuding" since Kelly, beat Brie for the diva's championship. This feud, which featured the Bella's; despite being on the commercial for the "be a star" campaign; bullying Kelly Kelly. In what will be a terrible match, I see Nikki having something to do with the finish, but Kelly retaining her title. With a post match beat down by the Bellas, with someone making the save....Randy Orton?
Big Show vs.Mark Henry should be, for a match between two guys that are not technicians by any means, be somewhat entertaining. I foresee a lot of no-selling, with Henry beating show, to further build the monster character, they are trying to do with Henry, maybe Big Show being carried out on a stretcher, again....
In the Smack Down money in the bank match, I see either Sheamus winning, or if they want to go a different route, Cody Rhodes. I would love to see, as I've said before Daniel Bryan win, but I doubt that will happen. Gabriel and Sin Cara will probably have some sick spots, that will steal the match.
Christian and Randy Orton will probably end with Christian cheating to win the title, and his own contract clause, of the bad officiating or whatever, working against him. In the end, Orton will retain his championship.
I have a feeling Zack Ryder will pop up somewhere...
In the Raw Money In The Bank match, I see The Miz, or R-Truth coming out with the briefcase, maybe some kind of scenario where, after a ref bump, Riley has the briefcase, and Miz knocks Riley out, and has it in hand when the ref comes-to, leading to The Miz winning the match, possibly setting up a match between The Miz and Riley for the briefcase. You can rest assured however, that that briefcase is gonna get got....
And in the main event, I can't really predict what will happen. I can't see Punk loosing, given everything, but I don't know how he will win, or what will happen. Maybe a Chicago screw job?
That is what makes this pay per view a must buy, the fact that the end is unpredictable, something most every other pay per view this year has lacked. I will definitely be ordering this pay per view, and I hope everyone else does as well, because it will send a message to WWE, that people like CM Punk, are who we want to see, and that the same old crap won't fly forever, or even if it will, there is more money to be had in trying new things.
I commend the WWE for as CM Punk put it, "having the balls" to do this angle. However it ends, it will be memorable, I just hope they don't blow it...
-Mark X
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
WWE Ice Cream Bars
A strange vibe was surrounding Raw tonight, as I watched; a vibe that I couldn't quite put my finger on.
All day, I anxiously awaited both The Home Run Derbey, and WWE Raw, knowing that I had my trusty DVR ready to record both programs, that way I didn't miss a bit of either show.
The Home Run Derby, of course, began an hour earlier than Raw, and so I watched the Derby unfold, texting updates to a friend of mine that I usually watch the Derby with every year, but this year had to work.
As much of a wrestling fan I am, I am also a big, big, baseball fan.
Anyway, as I watched the Derby, which always ends up being much more boring than I anticipate, and as I watched the clock, waiting for Raw to begin; because I had a feeling the show would start with CM Punk; something horrible happened....
My cable went out.....
On a night I needed cable more than any other, the go-home show for MITB, the Home Run Derby, my cable went out. Frantically, I scrambled to figure out why, and rectify it as soon as possible, nothing seemed to work. Finally at about a quarter after, my cable came back, but my DVR had shut off in the fracas...
I missed CM Punk's promo to begin the show, and as I tuned in, Cena was beating the New Nexus in a handicapped match. I had a feeling the show would continue to go downhill from here.
I watched the rest of Raw, and it had a very strange vibe to it. Lines seemed like they were being flubbed by almost everyone, there was some sort of running gag that Vince had bad breath. They did the whole everyone in the MITB match would cut a small promo, which then turned into a match that inexplicably did not have Del Rio or Mysterio, only to end with Del Rio doing a nonsenscial run-in, beating everyone down with ladders.
The divas had another 5star match, which had the Bella's doing commentary, and then bullying Kelly Kelly after. The Big Show faced Ziggler, and McIntyre in a handicapped match, which ended with Henry attacking Big Show and a double count-out they never announced.
Finally, in the closing segment, it was time for the Punk/Vince Contract negotiation. Usually WWE segments run with impecable smoothness, and always seem to make sense, and contribute to the angle, unlike TNA segments, which are free for alls with no clear purpose, whatsoever.
Punk and Vince went back and fourth, with Punk coming off as the sort of heel, the fans love, a la Austin. Vince was coming off as the boss that was finally getting called out, and now had to answer to Punk, who was also coming off as a mega superstar that Vince couldn't afford to loose, and thus needed to keep despite his hatred for him, a la Austin again. They carried out a segment, that made Punk look unstoppable, and Vince look very uncomfortable. Punk came up with perks of his contract that were ridiculous, and hilarious , and Vince was so afraid to loose him, that he was ready to sign....
Then Derek Jeter, I mean Cena came to the ring. ....
He buried Punk, comparing him to the Rock, calling him the biggest hypocrite of all, and criticizing him for leaving the fans, the same fans that Punk had already stated he was leaving because of.....HUH?
It was as if the promo that started it all was forgotten?
This segment, had morphed into a TNA segment, it became nonsensical, confusing, and was seemingly all about making Cena look better.
Worst of all, all of the strength Punk had built up, with what he said to Vince, was squashed, when Cena comes out and says that they were both being immature....
Hulk Hogan, then came out and put over immortal, and announced Gunner Vs. Cena, in a career vs. hair match... No that didn't actually happen, but with how nonsensical it was coming off here, I wouldn't be surprised....
Yadda, Yadda, Yadda, the segment ends with Punk comparing Cena and the city of Boston, to the Yankees, a dynasty. Which quite frankly, is a comparison, as a baseball fan, I have been making for awhile. But I digress, anyway Punk makes the comparison, and Cena punches him, as if to say "say what you want, but don't call me the Yankees" and Punk leaves the ring, grabs the contract from Vince, and declares that after Sunday, everyone can say goodbye to Cena, the WWE Title, and CM Punk, and rips apart the contract.
A very awkward segment, Punk was built up huge, with his stuff with Vince, but once Cena came out, he basically forgot what Punk had been saying, put himself over for never leaving, and attempted to bury Punk.
I don't know what purpose was served with Cena doing that, maybe time will tell, or maybe they are blowing this like they blew the Nexus angle, and the Invasion angle...
-Mark X
All day, I anxiously awaited both The Home Run Derbey, and WWE Raw, knowing that I had my trusty DVR ready to record both programs, that way I didn't miss a bit of either show.
The Home Run Derby, of course, began an hour earlier than Raw, and so I watched the Derby unfold, texting updates to a friend of mine that I usually watch the Derby with every year, but this year had to work.
As much of a wrestling fan I am, I am also a big, big, baseball fan.
Anyway, as I watched the Derby, which always ends up being much more boring than I anticipate, and as I watched the clock, waiting for Raw to begin; because I had a feeling the show would start with CM Punk; something horrible happened....
My cable went out.....
On a night I needed cable more than any other, the go-home show for MITB, the Home Run Derby, my cable went out. Frantically, I scrambled to figure out why, and rectify it as soon as possible, nothing seemed to work. Finally at about a quarter after, my cable came back, but my DVR had shut off in the fracas...
I missed CM Punk's promo to begin the show, and as I tuned in, Cena was beating the New Nexus in a handicapped match. I had a feeling the show would continue to go downhill from here.
I watched the rest of Raw, and it had a very strange vibe to it. Lines seemed like they were being flubbed by almost everyone, there was some sort of running gag that Vince had bad breath. They did the whole everyone in the MITB match would cut a small promo, which then turned into a match that inexplicably did not have Del Rio or Mysterio, only to end with Del Rio doing a nonsenscial run-in, beating everyone down with ladders.
The divas had another 5star match, which had the Bella's doing commentary, and then bullying Kelly Kelly after. The Big Show faced Ziggler, and McIntyre in a handicapped match, which ended with Henry attacking Big Show and a double count-out they never announced.
Finally, in the closing segment, it was time for the Punk/Vince Contract negotiation. Usually WWE segments run with impecable smoothness, and always seem to make sense, and contribute to the angle, unlike TNA segments, which are free for alls with no clear purpose, whatsoever.
Punk and Vince went back and fourth, with Punk coming off as the sort of heel, the fans love, a la Austin. Vince was coming off as the boss that was finally getting called out, and now had to answer to Punk, who was also coming off as a mega superstar that Vince couldn't afford to loose, and thus needed to keep despite his hatred for him, a la Austin again. They carried out a segment, that made Punk look unstoppable, and Vince look very uncomfortable. Punk came up with perks of his contract that were ridiculous, and hilarious , and Vince was so afraid to loose him, that he was ready to sign....
Then Derek Jeter, I mean Cena came to the ring. ....
He buried Punk, comparing him to the Rock, calling him the biggest hypocrite of all, and criticizing him for leaving the fans, the same fans that Punk had already stated he was leaving because of.....HUH?
It was as if the promo that started it all was forgotten?
This segment, had morphed into a TNA segment, it became nonsensical, confusing, and was seemingly all about making Cena look better.
Worst of all, all of the strength Punk had built up, with what he said to Vince, was squashed, when Cena comes out and says that they were both being immature....
Hulk Hogan, then came out and put over immortal, and announced Gunner Vs. Cena, in a career vs. hair match... No that didn't actually happen, but with how nonsensical it was coming off here, I wouldn't be surprised....
Yadda, Yadda, Yadda, the segment ends with Punk comparing Cena and the city of Boston, to the Yankees, a dynasty. Which quite frankly, is a comparison, as a baseball fan, I have been making for awhile. But I digress, anyway Punk makes the comparison, and Cena punches him, as if to say "say what you want, but don't call me the Yankees" and Punk leaves the ring, grabs the contract from Vince, and declares that after Sunday, everyone can say goodbye to Cena, the WWE Title, and CM Punk, and rips apart the contract.
A very awkward segment, Punk was built up huge, with his stuff with Vince, but once Cena came out, he basically forgot what Punk had been saying, put himself over for never leaving, and attempted to bury Punk.
I don't know what purpose was served with Cena doing that, maybe time will tell, or maybe they are blowing this like they blew the Nexus angle, and the Invasion angle...
-Mark X
Saturday, July 9, 2011
It's Cornette Day
Every Saturday is Cornette Day here at Secret Mark, where I share one of my favorite bits of Jim Cornette awesomeness, this week, it's one of my favorite stories of his:
Santino should have used the Cobra......
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Hey Creative, Get Creative
Typically, I find Fantasy Bookings to be too fanatical, and never really realistic. Usually they are an entertaining read, but usually they are too far-fetched. Because of these reasons, I rarely partake in fantasy bookings.
However, with everyone talking about what will happen with CM Punk, and many people putting out how they would book it, or how they feel it should be booked, I decided I might as well give it a shot.
So, here is how I would book it....
At Money In The Bank, I would have Daniel Bryan win the Smackdown Money In The Bank match, sounds crazy, because WWE would probably never do that, but keep in mind,they let Punk say what he said on Raw.
In the main event, I would have Punk win, clean, after a long back and fourth match. Following the match, Vince McMahon would come to the ring with the members of the New Nexus. As he would be about to tell Cena, that he is fired, Cena would tell Vince, that he quits, and would then leave through the crowd. Vince, would be so filled with anger and rage, that he would direct the members of the New Nexus, to beat Punk down and take the belt back, as they begin beating him down, while Vince directs them, Paul Heyman, and Brock Lesnar, would come out of the crowd, and Lesnar would give both of them F5's, and would go after Vince, until an entire hoard of WWE guys would come to the ring, at which point Lesnar, Heyman and Punk would leave through the crowd.
7/18
The following night on Raw, CM Punk, would send a video message to Raw, with him and the belt, he would rip out the center piece on the belt that has the WWE logo.
Later that night, Vince would be shown with the new nexus, telling them that it is their job to track Punk down, and get the belt back. He would also introduce Skip Sheffield as the newest member of the New Nexus. One of the members would speak up and say that he thinks they need John Cena to help, to which Vince would get angry, and say that Cena is never coming back, and that they don't need him.
The main event for tonight is announced as Alex Riley vs. Miz, with Miz challenging for the Money In The Bank briefcase, that Riley had won the night before.
During the main event, as it looks like Riley is about to win, Lesnar hits the ring, from the crowd, with Heyman, and Lesnar lays out the Miz, and Riley, as the New Nexus runs out to the ring. Lesnar, beats down all of them, and suddenly Cena runs out of the crowd, and makes the save, and Lesnar with Heyman, runs back through the crowd. Vince is being held back by the new members of the New Nexus, from attacking Cena; Vince gets a microphone and screams at Cena that he is fired, and that they don't need his help.
Cena leaves through the crowd.
7/22
During Smackdown, Daniel Bryan cuts a promo about winning the Money In The Bank, and he says that he knows exactly what to do with it. But he will keep that under wraps for now.
7/25
The next week on Raw, another video message from Punk would be shown, with him doing all sorts of things with the title, like a comedic montage.
Vince is shown with the New Nexus, and he is fuming mad, he says that they will continue to gain reinforcements, until the find Punk and get the title back. He introduces Brodus Clay as the newest member.
The main event is announced, as a Tag Team Title match with Otunga, and McGuilicuty, going up against Mysterio and Evan Bourne. Before the match is to begin however, Mysterio and Bourne are found laid out, and can not compete. Vince, preoccupied with everything, and seeming un-interested tells them to issue an open challenge.
In the main event, they do issue the open challenge, and say that they can beat anyone. The lights go out, and in the ring are Claudio Castagnoli, and Chris Hero, the Kings Of Wrestling. They begin the match, and the two teams go back and forth, the finish of the match sees Lesnar and Heyman again, interfere, while the ref is down, which causes The K.O.W. to win the match, and the Tag Team Titles.
The K.O.W along with Heyman, and Lesnar, leave through the crowd once again.
7/29
That week on SmackDown, Daniel Bryan would get a submission victory over Christian, with the Cattle Mutilation. He would also cut a promo, wherein he states that he is The American Dragon.
8/1
The following week on Raw, Punk would again send in a Video Message, this time stating that he would take his WWE Title, to Ring Of Honor in Chicago on August 13th.
Vince is shown with the New Nexus, angry as hell, he says that there is only one man that he can get to fix this, and he picks up his phone, as it goes to a commercial.
We come back from commercial, and the New Nexus looks curious as to who it could be, Vince tells them they will see tonight.
Later that night Vince comes down to the ring, with the New Nexus, and tells the fans that he had to do it, he said that on August 13th, he will be sending his best bet to get his title back, to Chicago, and John Cena's music hits. He cuts a promo on Vince, and tells Vince that he will do this not for him, but for the WWE fans. He vowed to get the championship back into the WWE.
The Kings Of Wrestling come out from the crowd, and start attacking Cena, and The New Nexus. Cena, fights them off, and gives them both "AA's". Lesnar jumps the guardrail, while Cena is the only one left in the ring, and the two have a stare down, before Heyman pulls Lesnar away.
8/5
On Smackdown, Daniel Bryan wrestles Randy Orton to a draw, and the two shake hands after the match.
8/8
CM Punk, with Heyman and Lesnar, and The Kings Of Wrestling, send in another video message, saying that it doesn't matter who the WWE sends, the CM Punk, will remain the WWE champion, and in front of his hometown crowd, he will again walk away from a WWE Title match, as the WWE Champion.
Vince, Cena, and the New Nexus are shown together, with Vince going over tactics to get the belt back, and it is obvious that he and Cena are not on the same page.
The Kings Of Wrestling, come out to the ring, and get into an argument with Jerry Lawler, Lawler tells them that they may be kings in the "Ring Of Horror" but they are certainly not kings in the WWE. They tell him to find a partner, and they'll put their tag team championships on the line.
In the Main Event, The Kings Of Wrestling, come out and await Lawler, and his partner. Lawler's partner is Alex Riley. The Kings defeat The King and Riley by DQ, when they hit King with the belt, they then continue beating The King, and Riley down, until Cena, Vince, and The New Nexus make the save.
8/12
Daniel Bryan in the opening match, beats Sheamus with a submission, he cuts a promo about how he is the best in the world, and he will take on all challengers.
Rhodes comes out and Bryan beats him with a different submission. He then gets on the mic, and challenges anyone else, Dibiase come sout, and Bryan makes him tap, with another different submission. He then walks away as medics come to check out Rhodes, and Dibiase.
Cena is shown getting ready to challenge CM Punk in Chicago. Tonight he will go up against, Christian in the Main Event.
In the Main Event, Cena gets the win with the attitude adjustment, Daniel Bryan comes out to the ring, and stares down Cena, he offers to shake Cena's hand, Cena, confused puts his hand out, to which Bryan snaps into a submission hold. and holds it with tons of officials, trying to break it up, he holds it, and holds it, with a crazy look in his eyes. Cena is heard screaming, "I think it's broke". Bryan holds on the Briefcase.
8/13 ROH from Chicago
Buzz is swirling over the events from Smackdown, as Cena suffered a broken arm as a result of Daniel Bryan, so who, if anyone will challenge for CM Punk's Championship.
Punk comes out to the ring to start the show to a huge ovation, he cuts a promo on WWE, and mentions how his mic will not get cut tonight. Cornette comes out and tells him that he will have to defend the title tonight.
In the main event, CM Punk comes out to the ring, and cuts another promo, with the title, he talks about how it's a shame Cena will not be able to compete tonight. He shoots on Vince, The Rock, everything, suddenly, Daniel Bryan comes out with a microphone. He says that he is the American Dragon BRIAN DANIELSON and he is also, Mr. Money In The Bank, and he is cashing it in, here tonight, in a Ring Of Honor Ring.
Punk and Danielson, go close to an hour, with Punk finally tapping to the Cattle Mutilation.. Punk and Danielson, shake hands after the match.
Punk then shows up on WWE tv again a few weeks later, with Heyman and Lesnar...
This while seeming far fetched, according to reports of the K.O.W. talking to WWE, and Lesnar and Heyman talking to WWE, and with Danielson in the Money In The Bank match, could all happen. Plus,Vince would make a great leader of the New Nexus, especially if he turned them on Punk. It would certainly be interesting television...
-Mark X
However, with everyone talking about what will happen with CM Punk, and many people putting out how they would book it, or how they feel it should be booked, I decided I might as well give it a shot.
So, here is how I would book it....
At Money In The Bank, I would have Daniel Bryan win the Smackdown Money In The Bank match, sounds crazy, because WWE would probably never do that, but keep in mind,they let Punk say what he said on Raw.
In the main event, I would have Punk win, clean, after a long back and fourth match. Following the match, Vince McMahon would come to the ring with the members of the New Nexus. As he would be about to tell Cena, that he is fired, Cena would tell Vince, that he quits, and would then leave through the crowd. Vince, would be so filled with anger and rage, that he would direct the members of the New Nexus, to beat Punk down and take the belt back, as they begin beating him down, while Vince directs them, Paul Heyman, and Brock Lesnar, would come out of the crowd, and Lesnar would give both of them F5's, and would go after Vince, until an entire hoard of WWE guys would come to the ring, at which point Lesnar, Heyman and Punk would leave through the crowd.
7/18
The following night on Raw, CM Punk, would send a video message to Raw, with him and the belt, he would rip out the center piece on the belt that has the WWE logo.
Later that night, Vince would be shown with the new nexus, telling them that it is their job to track Punk down, and get the belt back. He would also introduce Skip Sheffield as the newest member of the New Nexus. One of the members would speak up and say that he thinks they need John Cena to help, to which Vince would get angry, and say that Cena is never coming back, and that they don't need him.
The main event for tonight is announced as Alex Riley vs. Miz, with Miz challenging for the Money In The Bank briefcase, that Riley had won the night before.
During the main event, as it looks like Riley is about to win, Lesnar hits the ring, from the crowd, with Heyman, and Lesnar lays out the Miz, and Riley, as the New Nexus runs out to the ring. Lesnar, beats down all of them, and suddenly Cena runs out of the crowd, and makes the save, and Lesnar with Heyman, runs back through the crowd. Vince is being held back by the new members of the New Nexus, from attacking Cena; Vince gets a microphone and screams at Cena that he is fired, and that they don't need his help.
Cena leaves through the crowd.
7/22
During Smackdown, Daniel Bryan cuts a promo about winning the Money In The Bank, and he says that he knows exactly what to do with it. But he will keep that under wraps for now.
7/25
The next week on Raw, another video message from Punk would be shown, with him doing all sorts of things with the title, like a comedic montage.
Vince is shown with the New Nexus, and he is fuming mad, he says that they will continue to gain reinforcements, until the find Punk and get the title back. He introduces Brodus Clay as the newest member.
The main event is announced, as a Tag Team Title match with Otunga, and McGuilicuty, going up against Mysterio and Evan Bourne. Before the match is to begin however, Mysterio and Bourne are found laid out, and can not compete. Vince, preoccupied with everything, and seeming un-interested tells them to issue an open challenge.
In the main event, they do issue the open challenge, and say that they can beat anyone. The lights go out, and in the ring are Claudio Castagnoli, and Chris Hero, the Kings Of Wrestling. They begin the match, and the two teams go back and forth, the finish of the match sees Lesnar and Heyman again, interfere, while the ref is down, which causes The K.O.W. to win the match, and the Tag Team Titles.
The K.O.W along with Heyman, and Lesnar, leave through the crowd once again.
7/29
That week on SmackDown, Daniel Bryan would get a submission victory over Christian, with the Cattle Mutilation. He would also cut a promo, wherein he states that he is The American Dragon.
8/1
The following week on Raw, Punk would again send in a Video Message, this time stating that he would take his WWE Title, to Ring Of Honor in Chicago on August 13th.
Vince is shown with the New Nexus, angry as hell, he says that there is only one man that he can get to fix this, and he picks up his phone, as it goes to a commercial.
We come back from commercial, and the New Nexus looks curious as to who it could be, Vince tells them they will see tonight.
Later that night Vince comes down to the ring, with the New Nexus, and tells the fans that he had to do it, he said that on August 13th, he will be sending his best bet to get his title back, to Chicago, and John Cena's music hits. He cuts a promo on Vince, and tells Vince that he will do this not for him, but for the WWE fans. He vowed to get the championship back into the WWE.
The Kings Of Wrestling come out from the crowd, and start attacking Cena, and The New Nexus. Cena, fights them off, and gives them both "AA's". Lesnar jumps the guardrail, while Cena is the only one left in the ring, and the two have a stare down, before Heyman pulls Lesnar away.
8/5
On Smackdown, Daniel Bryan wrestles Randy Orton to a draw, and the two shake hands after the match.
8/8
CM Punk, with Heyman and Lesnar, and The Kings Of Wrestling, send in another video message, saying that it doesn't matter who the WWE sends, the CM Punk, will remain the WWE champion, and in front of his hometown crowd, he will again walk away from a WWE Title match, as the WWE Champion.
Vince, Cena, and the New Nexus are shown together, with Vince going over tactics to get the belt back, and it is obvious that he and Cena are not on the same page.
The Kings Of Wrestling, come out to the ring, and get into an argument with Jerry Lawler, Lawler tells them that they may be kings in the "Ring Of Horror" but they are certainly not kings in the WWE. They tell him to find a partner, and they'll put their tag team championships on the line.
In the Main Event, The Kings Of Wrestling, come out and await Lawler, and his partner. Lawler's partner is Alex Riley. The Kings defeat The King and Riley by DQ, when they hit King with the belt, they then continue beating The King, and Riley down, until Cena, Vince, and The New Nexus make the save.
8/12
Daniel Bryan in the opening match, beats Sheamus with a submission, he cuts a promo about how he is the best in the world, and he will take on all challengers.
Rhodes comes out and Bryan beats him with a different submission. He then gets on the mic, and challenges anyone else, Dibiase come sout, and Bryan makes him tap, with another different submission. He then walks away as medics come to check out Rhodes, and Dibiase.
Cena is shown getting ready to challenge CM Punk in Chicago. Tonight he will go up against, Christian in the Main Event.
In the Main Event, Cena gets the win with the attitude adjustment, Daniel Bryan comes out to the ring, and stares down Cena, he offers to shake Cena's hand, Cena, confused puts his hand out, to which Bryan snaps into a submission hold. and holds it with tons of officials, trying to break it up, he holds it, and holds it, with a crazy look in his eyes. Cena is heard screaming, "I think it's broke". Bryan holds on the Briefcase.
8/13 ROH from Chicago
Buzz is swirling over the events from Smackdown, as Cena suffered a broken arm as a result of Daniel Bryan, so who, if anyone will challenge for CM Punk's Championship.
Punk comes out to the ring to start the show to a huge ovation, he cuts a promo on WWE, and mentions how his mic will not get cut tonight. Cornette comes out and tells him that he will have to defend the title tonight.
In the main event, CM Punk comes out to the ring, and cuts another promo, with the title, he talks about how it's a shame Cena will not be able to compete tonight. He shoots on Vince, The Rock, everything, suddenly, Daniel Bryan comes out with a microphone. He says that he is the American Dragon BRIAN DANIELSON and he is also, Mr. Money In The Bank, and he is cashing it in, here tonight, in a Ring Of Honor Ring.
Punk and Danielson, go close to an hour, with Punk finally tapping to the Cattle Mutilation.. Punk and Danielson, shake hands after the match.
Punk then shows up on WWE tv again a few weeks later, with Heyman and Lesnar...
This while seeming far fetched, according to reports of the K.O.W. talking to WWE, and Lesnar and Heyman talking to WWE, and with Danielson in the Money In The Bank match, could all happen. Plus,Vince would make a great leader of the New Nexus, especially if he turned them on Punk. It would certainly be interesting television...
-Mark X
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
"They made the belt a butterfly?"
As I watched Raw this past week, with my brother, who has not watched any wrestling for some time, I gained the perspective of a casual fan.
Make no mistake, my brother is not the typical casual fan, he, like me, is a huge "smart" mark, and at one point was a huge fan, but has been so turned off of wrestling as of late, because of the lack of actual wrestling, and to quote Regal, "absolutely diabolical" angles, that he has not watched in quite some time.
As we watched, the Women's, I mean Divas, match was about to take place. Before the match, as is now custom, there was a quick backstage segment, with the Women, I mean Divas, walking to the ring, before the commercial.
It was at this point that he pointed out something, that to me that seemed merely a subtle difference, until I thought about it. As Randy Orton's favorite diva walked out, and held her "Diva's Championship" my brother said something to me that struck me, he questioned laughingly "they made the Women's championship a butterfly?"
I had realized it before, but never put much thought in to it. Yes, they had made a new Women's championship, or atleast renamed it, and made it into the shape of a butterfly. This got me thinking, and I realized that the reshaping of the physical belt, into the shape of a butterfly, was a microcosm of what the woman's division has become in WWE.
Gone, are the days of women that could actual wrestle; such as Trish, Lita, Molly Holly, and others, long gone. There was a time where it mattered whether or not the women could wrestle, and it seems now, that all they are required to do is look pretty, and what does a butterfly do? All it does is look pretty.
Which makes me wonder, was this a conscious decision, made to reflect the division, was it made so as to not insult the women of the past? Or did some jackass just say "uhh yeah make it a butterfly, why not?" In the structured world of WWE, I don't think it was as haphazard as that.
They apparently made an organization decision (despite going PG) to just have the women, I mean Divas, as eye candy. They've begun the practice of hiring models first, and then trying to train them. This, in my estimation began with the Divas search.
Contrary to popular belief, or what WWE programming will have you believe, there are hot women, that can actually wrestle. For the most part, the "Knockouts" of TNA can actually wrestle, at least better than the Divas. There are plenty of female wrestlers on the independent circuit that are terrific wrestlers, *cough* Sara Del Ray *cough*.
It seems as though with the WWE Divas, that wrestling does not even matter at all, if a Diva is hot, they are put on TV, and given a championship. Half of the women on the roster would not even make Stone Cold's cut on Tough Enough.
And, I'd like to think that, their all time favorite match wouldn't be Melina Vs. Alicia Fox....
-Mark X
Make no mistake, my brother is not the typical casual fan, he, like me, is a huge "smart" mark, and at one point was a huge fan, but has been so turned off of wrestling as of late, because of the lack of actual wrestling, and to quote Regal, "absolutely diabolical" angles, that he has not watched in quite some time.
As we watched, the Women's, I mean Divas, match was about to take place. Before the match, as is now custom, there was a quick backstage segment, with the Women, I mean Divas, walking to the ring, before the commercial.
It was at this point that he pointed out something, that to me that seemed merely a subtle difference, until I thought about it. As Randy Orton's favorite diva walked out, and held her "Diva's Championship" my brother said something to me that struck me, he questioned laughingly "they made the Women's championship a butterfly?"
I had realized it before, but never put much thought in to it. Yes, they had made a new Women's championship, or atleast renamed it, and made it into the shape of a butterfly. This got me thinking, and I realized that the reshaping of the physical belt, into the shape of a butterfly, was a microcosm of what the woman's division has become in WWE.
Gone, are the days of women that could actual wrestle; such as Trish, Lita, Molly Holly, and others, long gone. There was a time where it mattered whether or not the women could wrestle, and it seems now, that all they are required to do is look pretty, and what does a butterfly do? All it does is look pretty.
Which makes me wonder, was this a conscious decision, made to reflect the division, was it made so as to not insult the women of the past? Or did some jackass just say "uhh yeah make it a butterfly, why not?" In the structured world of WWE, I don't think it was as haphazard as that.
They apparently made an organization decision (despite going PG) to just have the women, I mean Divas, as eye candy. They've begun the practice of hiring models first, and then trying to train them. This, in my estimation began with the Divas search.
Contrary to popular belief, or what WWE programming will have you believe, there are hot women, that can actually wrestle. For the most part, the "Knockouts" of TNA can actually wrestle, at least better than the Divas. There are plenty of female wrestlers on the independent circuit that are terrific wrestlers, *cough* Sara Del Ray *cough*.
It seems as though with the WWE Divas, that wrestling does not even matter at all, if a Diva is hot, they are put on TV, and given a championship. Half of the women on the roster would not even make Stone Cold's cut on Tough Enough.
And, I'd like to think that, their all time favorite match wouldn't be Melina Vs. Alicia Fox....
-Mark X
Monday, July 4, 2011
The Vincent K.iBosh
The year was 1999, ECW had just gotten onto TNN, their first television deal, and were going full steam, as hot as they ever were.
Going into their first national TV deal, the biggest stars ECW had at the time, were their World Champion, Taz, not Tazz whoever that is; and their Tag Team Champions, The Dudley Boys.
ECW at the time was picking up steam like never before, they had a magazine, a video game deal, and their Pay Per Views, were successful.
Taz, was a star, that was completely manufactured by ECW. Built up to be a monster, and given a plethora of monikers, in that monster mold. Monikers such as "The Human Suplex Machine" and things of the like.
Taz, at the time, was ECW's guy, after so many guys had left ECW, Taz stayed loyal.....
Loyal only until, the WWE came calling.
Oddly enough, just as ECW was making a real go at being a competitor to Vincent K. McMahon, he, as he often does, but the K. bosh, on it (you see what I did there).
Vince has claimed in public, on his DVD releases, and in other various places, that he simply wanted Taz, as if he thought Taz would make an impact in the WWE. I have bought a lot of things he has sold, be it merchandise, pay per views, etc. but this is one thing, I don't buy....
More likely than not, Vince saw the threat ECW presented and did what he did to the AWA, take their top stars. If WCW had any top stars, that he didn't already create, he would have taken theirs as well.
He does his business, by absolutely crushing other people until they have nothing left. This is not what bothers me, as I understand business. What bothers me, is the fact that on his DVD's and in other places, he has made a point of saying how he wished he hadn't crushed the territorial system, for the sole fact that now, up and coming wrestlers don't have a place to get over, so that he can then take them.
So, having said that in the past, which was most likely easy to say, because he didn't have an opportunity to do so, since the closure of ECW, the first opportunity of a promotion beginning to gain steam, ROH, the kind of steam ECW was getting in 1999, what is he doing?
Well, the rumor is that the Kings Of Wrestling; Chris Hero, and Claudio Cas...Cas.. Casta...Castagnoli, (don't even act like that is easy to say, you know it's not), are being looked at by WWE.
Hmm...very curious, the WWE, who right now, might as well not even have a Tag Team Championship, because their Tag Team division is non existent, is looking at one of the top tag teams in ROH. A very curious situation.
Are they looking at them to fortify their tag team division?
Are they looking at them for possible singles runs?
Do they just need to get "cast members" for the next season of NXT?
Or, is Vince trying to kill ROH, as they are picking up steam?
What's next, do they sign Davey Richards, shove him in FCW, and re-name him Rich Davidson?
Do they sign Eddie Edwards, pair him with some idiotic guy from FCW that can talk, but can't wrestle, as his manager?
Do they give Charlie Haas so much money that he gives in, again?
ROH prospering, would help the WWE, because if they got large enough to where their wrestlers had national exposure, Vince and the WWE, and the "gladhanding, nonsensical, douche bag yes men" he is surrounded by, could see how they performed, if they got over etc. which is what he says he wished the territories were still around to do.
So, by attempting to crush ROH, which is what he may be doing here, he is hurting himself in the long run, because you can have a product, with a bunch of 'roided up freaks, who can't wrestle, but that will only get you so far.
However, if you do sign the Kings Of Wrestling, or any other ROH stars, please, when I tune into Smackdown a year or so from now, please don't let them be washed up commentators....
Taz has been missing for about 10 years now, while Tazz is adding some color to the old outhouse, down in Florida.
Basically, what I am saying is, don't take them, unless you plan to use them.....
-Mark X
Going into their first national TV deal, the biggest stars ECW had at the time, were their World Champion, Taz, not Tazz whoever that is; and their Tag Team Champions, The Dudley Boys.
ECW at the time was picking up steam like never before, they had a magazine, a video game deal, and their Pay Per Views, were successful.
Taz, was a star, that was completely manufactured by ECW. Built up to be a monster, and given a plethora of monikers, in that monster mold. Monikers such as "The Human Suplex Machine" and things of the like.
Taz, at the time, was ECW's guy, after so many guys had left ECW, Taz stayed loyal.....
Loyal only until, the WWE came calling.
Oddly enough, just as ECW was making a real go at being a competitor to Vincent K. McMahon, he, as he often does, but the K. bosh, on it (you see what I did there).
Vince has claimed in public, on his DVD releases, and in other various places, that he simply wanted Taz, as if he thought Taz would make an impact in the WWE. I have bought a lot of things he has sold, be it merchandise, pay per views, etc. but this is one thing, I don't buy....
More likely than not, Vince saw the threat ECW presented and did what he did to the AWA, take their top stars. If WCW had any top stars, that he didn't already create, he would have taken theirs as well.
He does his business, by absolutely crushing other people until they have nothing left. This is not what bothers me, as I understand business. What bothers me, is the fact that on his DVD's and in other places, he has made a point of saying how he wished he hadn't crushed the territorial system, for the sole fact that now, up and coming wrestlers don't have a place to get over, so that he can then take them.
So, having said that in the past, which was most likely easy to say, because he didn't have an opportunity to do so, since the closure of ECW, the first opportunity of a promotion beginning to gain steam, ROH, the kind of steam ECW was getting in 1999, what is he doing?
Well, the rumor is that the Kings Of Wrestling; Chris Hero, and Claudio Cas...Cas.. Casta...Castagnoli, (don't even act like that is easy to say, you know it's not), are being looked at by WWE.
Hmm...very curious, the WWE, who right now, might as well not even have a Tag Team Championship, because their Tag Team division is non existent, is looking at one of the top tag teams in ROH. A very curious situation.
Are they looking at them to fortify their tag team division?
Are they looking at them for possible singles runs?
Do they just need to get "cast members" for the next season of NXT?
Or, is Vince trying to kill ROH, as they are picking up steam?
What's next, do they sign Davey Richards, shove him in FCW, and re-name him Rich Davidson?
Do they sign Eddie Edwards, pair him with some idiotic guy from FCW that can talk, but can't wrestle, as his manager?
Do they give Charlie Haas so much money that he gives in, again?
ROH prospering, would help the WWE, because if they got large enough to where their wrestlers had national exposure, Vince and the WWE, and the "gladhanding, nonsensical, douche bag yes men" he is surrounded by, could see how they performed, if they got over etc. which is what he says he wished the territories were still around to do.
So, by attempting to crush ROH, which is what he may be doing here, he is hurting himself in the long run, because you can have a product, with a bunch of 'roided up freaks, who can't wrestle, but that will only get you so far.
However, if you do sign the Kings Of Wrestling, or any other ROH stars, please, when I tune into Smackdown a year or so from now, please don't let them be washed up commentators....
Taz has been missing for about 10 years now, while Tazz is adding some color to the old outhouse, down in Florida.
Basically, what I am saying is, don't take them, unless you plan to use them.....
-Mark X
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Bischoff The One Hit Wonder
For the last 20 years in wrestling, one name has been synonymous with both awesome wrestling programming, and terrible garbage, no one wants to watch.....
One name has been at the top of the wrestling world, and the very, very bottom...
He is credited with the advent of the nWo, but yet also has a hand in the steaming pile that is TNA....
He has said that controversy creates cash, well to that I say, so does not putting garbage on TV on a weekly basis.
Eric Bischoff....
Eric Bischoff in the 90's had a very successful wrestling program, with the creation of WCW Monday Nitro, a cable wrestling program, that aired in prime time on Monday nights, an idea he stole.
He had some of the most athletic wrestling matches seen on TV at that time, using wrestlers who first appeared on the main stage in ECW. Showcasing athletic wrestlers, an idea he stole.
Bischoff created his nWo with former WWE superstars, usually performing as the same characters they had in the WWE.
I will say it here, Eric Bischoff is a moron. However, he is smart, smart enough to steal great concepts from other promoters, and to know which ones to use, and which ones, not to use.
He may be a great salesman, and a smooth talker, but when it comes to wrestling, he is not all that bright.
One main problem that bothers me about Eric Bischoff, is the fact that it seems as though he doesn't understand the concept of a heel. From what i've seen, and from a common sense point of a view, a heel's job is to be hated enough to where people want to pay to see you get your ass kicked, JR will agree with this.
That being said, the heel should at some point, usually at the end of an angle, get his ass kicked, to provide closure to the angle. Bischoff's problem is, that in almost every angle, without fail, over the course of his involvement in anything, the heel always comes out the best. When the bad guy always wins, no one cares....
Another thing is, it seems as though right now Hogan is supposed to be a heel, yet all he does is try to get the fans to cheer him? Then they have this heel stable known as immortal, with Gunner, who acts like a face against Anderson? WHAAAT... I understand that Bischoff is not a writer, but he is involved with this, and if he were the genius everyone claims him to be, I would like to think that he would not let this happen...
IT MAKES NO SENSE... But then again, neither does TNA.
Another thing that makes me question him, is the fact that TNA was built on the smart mark audience. The people that were fed up at the time and looking for an alternative. The ex ECW fans, the ROH fans, and fans of indy wrestling, which is where they created their original talent pool from, TNA was built on this audience, and Bischoff comes out publicly, bashing the very audience that TNA was founded on? HUH?
They create this wrestling matters campaign, and change their name, the name may have changed, but the product sure hasn't.
When an episode of TNA begins with Bischoff coming out with the rest of this group of has beens, or never were's, to a rip off version of the nWo song, it sets the tone for the rest of the show, that it will be garbage.
Bischoff, you were able to sell yourself, and you are a great salesmen, but so is Don West, and he is not the executive producer of anything. Maybe the worst part of the closinf of the AWA, is that you were unleashed on the wrestling world.
Don't get me wrong, the Monday Night Wars, and the run of WCW would not have been possible without you, but enough is enough, produce your shows with Kevin Arnold's brother, and leave the wrestling to the people who give more of a damn about the show, and entertaining people; be it with good matches, or good angles; then getting Hogan over....
Thank You for WCW, and the Monday night wars, but I think it's time to admit that you are a one hit wonder, and no matter how many times you try to re-create the nWo, it will not work....
-Mark X
One name has been at the top of the wrestling world, and the very, very bottom...
He is credited with the advent of the nWo, but yet also has a hand in the steaming pile that is TNA....
He has said that controversy creates cash, well to that I say, so does not putting garbage on TV on a weekly basis.
Eric Bischoff....
Eric Bischoff in the 90's had a very successful wrestling program, with the creation of WCW Monday Nitro, a cable wrestling program, that aired in prime time on Monday nights, an idea he stole.
He had some of the most athletic wrestling matches seen on TV at that time, using wrestlers who first appeared on the main stage in ECW. Showcasing athletic wrestlers, an idea he stole.
Bischoff created his nWo with former WWE superstars, usually performing as the same characters they had in the WWE.
I will say it here, Eric Bischoff is a moron. However, he is smart, smart enough to steal great concepts from other promoters, and to know which ones to use, and which ones, not to use.
He may be a great salesman, and a smooth talker, but when it comes to wrestling, he is not all that bright.
One main problem that bothers me about Eric Bischoff, is the fact that it seems as though he doesn't understand the concept of a heel. From what i've seen, and from a common sense point of a view, a heel's job is to be hated enough to where people want to pay to see you get your ass kicked, JR will agree with this.
That being said, the heel should at some point, usually at the end of an angle, get his ass kicked, to provide closure to the angle. Bischoff's problem is, that in almost every angle, without fail, over the course of his involvement in anything, the heel always comes out the best. When the bad guy always wins, no one cares....
Another thing is, it seems as though right now Hogan is supposed to be a heel, yet all he does is try to get the fans to cheer him? Then they have this heel stable known as immortal, with Gunner, who acts like a face against Anderson? WHAAAT... I understand that Bischoff is not a writer, but he is involved with this, and if he were the genius everyone claims him to be, I would like to think that he would not let this happen...
IT MAKES NO SENSE... But then again, neither does TNA.
Another thing that makes me question him, is the fact that TNA was built on the smart mark audience. The people that were fed up at the time and looking for an alternative. The ex ECW fans, the ROH fans, and fans of indy wrestling, which is where they created their original talent pool from, TNA was built on this audience, and Bischoff comes out publicly, bashing the very audience that TNA was founded on? HUH?
They create this wrestling matters campaign, and change their name, the name may have changed, but the product sure hasn't.
When an episode of TNA begins with Bischoff coming out with the rest of this group of has beens, or never were's, to a rip off version of the nWo song, it sets the tone for the rest of the show, that it will be garbage.
Bischoff, you were able to sell yourself, and you are a great salesmen, but so is Don West, and he is not the executive producer of anything. Maybe the worst part of the closinf of the AWA, is that you were unleashed on the wrestling world.
Don't get me wrong, the Monday Night Wars, and the run of WCW would not have been possible without you, but enough is enough, produce your shows with Kevin Arnold's brother, and leave the wrestling to the people who give more of a damn about the show, and entertaining people; be it with good matches, or good angles; then getting Hogan over....
Thank You for WCW, and the Monday night wars, but I think it's time to admit that you are a one hit wonder, and no matter how many times you try to re-create the nWo, it will not work....
-Mark X
Weekend Update w/ Mark X
In what has been somewhat of a slow news weekend, this is the Secret Mark, Weekend Update...
This weekend, the CM Punk angle was continued during the live tour in Australia.
At the beginning of the show Michael Cole's favorite ring announcer, Tony Chimel, announced that CM Punk was suspended, but had agreed to fulfill his live event commitments. Which is the same thing WWE ran on their website, probably because fans in Australia would think he wouldn't be there, and they know he is the only one anyone wants to see. Punk then cut a promo dissing the McMahon family,before his mic was cut off, before jobbing to Rey Mysterio....
I would love to see this sort of thing continue on TV. Or at least have some sort of fan cam angle to document CM Punk's live event stuff.
Also this weekend Zack Ryder was introduced as the Internet Champion, and even defended it against Primo. He had with him the belt from Z! True Long Island Story.
If they made this a real belt, or at least real in the sense that the FTW belt was real, it would be awesome. If that's all creative will give Zack Ryder, I'll take it, and you know he will run with it.
Butterfly and gumdrop enthusiast Christina from Tough Enough, has re-signed with WWE, she is currently performing in FCW, under the name Caylee Turner. In other news FCW wishes it was OVW.
In news from the dump, Ric Flair and TNA are having some sort of issue with him not appearing at the Brooklyn show, but appearing in the Asbury show. Issues that I'm sure no one cares about, because Flair is washed up, and TNA sucks.
From the, I really, really, want attention department; an independent wrestler, apparently proposed to Octo Mom at a celebrity boxing event; wait, she's a celebrity? wait she's boxing?
Apparently, upon being dragged away he begged her to marry him, telling her that he was a Paul Heyman guy. Does that work?
More vague news came out about the Heyman, Lesnar, WWE deal. Vague enough to keep everyone guessing...
Finally, Sin Cara received his first loss Friday night, against Christian, will this be the end of his mood lighting during matches? Hopefully, and maybe when the lights are normal, he'll stop botching so much. Or he will just keep botching, because he is Botcho The Magnificent.
This has been Weekend Update...
-Mark X
This weekend, the CM Punk angle was continued during the live tour in Australia.
At the beginning of the show Michael Cole's favorite ring announcer, Tony Chimel, announced that CM Punk was suspended, but had agreed to fulfill his live event commitments. Which is the same thing WWE ran on their website, probably because fans in Australia would think he wouldn't be there, and they know he is the only one anyone wants to see. Punk then cut a promo dissing the McMahon family,before his mic was cut off, before jobbing to Rey Mysterio....
I would love to see this sort of thing continue on TV. Or at least have some sort of fan cam angle to document CM Punk's live event stuff.
Also this weekend Zack Ryder was introduced as the Internet Champion, and even defended it against Primo. He had with him the belt from Z! True Long Island Story.
If they made this a real belt, or at least real in the sense that the FTW belt was real, it would be awesome. If that's all creative will give Zack Ryder, I'll take it, and you know he will run with it.
Butterfly and gumdrop enthusiast Christina from Tough Enough, has re-signed with WWE, she is currently performing in FCW, under the name Caylee Turner. In other news FCW wishes it was OVW.
In news from the dump, Ric Flair and TNA are having some sort of issue with him not appearing at the Brooklyn show, but appearing in the Asbury show. Issues that I'm sure no one cares about, because Flair is washed up, and TNA sucks.
From the, I really, really, want attention department; an independent wrestler, apparently proposed to Octo Mom at a celebrity boxing event; wait, she's a celebrity? wait she's boxing?
Apparently, upon being dragged away he begged her to marry him, telling her that he was a Paul Heyman guy. Does that work?
More vague news came out about the Heyman, Lesnar, WWE deal. Vague enough to keep everyone guessing...
Finally, Sin Cara received his first loss Friday night, against Christian, will this be the end of his mood lighting during matches? Hopefully, and maybe when the lights are normal, he'll stop botching so much. Or he will just keep botching, because he is Botcho The Magnificent.
This has been Weekend Update...
-Mark X
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Happy Cornette Day
That means, that each week, on Saturday, I will post something related to the awesomeness that is Jim Cornette.
Feel free to send in Cornette stuff to secretmarkx@yahoo.com....
In this weeks celebration of Jim Cornette, we will have two items.
The first, is his take on CM Punk, from 1wrestling.com:
(Sounds like he is in on the work...)
And the second is one of my favorites, the infamous Dairy Queen incident:
And now, Cornette shooting on the incident:
Happy Jim Cornette Day...
-Mark X
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