Super Smackdown Live Thoughts

It’s Super Smackdown live from Wichita and it opens with John Cena calling out Alberta Del Rio, but he’s a no show.  Wade Barrett who refused to wrestle a meaningless opponent last week demands a match with Cena tonight.  Wade Barrett comes out and begins to diss Cena and it almost sounds like the crowd are about to get behind him.  A few moments later Cena makes reference to the fans and he’s getting the bigger (although still mixed) pop.

I liked the fact that the opening segment of this show did not drag on too long before we got a match.  However...wow!  That was quick, I expected more from this one.  Did John Cena even break a sweat?  I thought this might be one to put Wade Barrett over with Cena still winning, similar to what we seen last night on Raw with Randy Orton and Dolf Ziggler.  The Raw match was a fantastic opening match, this one, not so much.

Daniel Bryan and Sin Cara are up next.  Call me old school, but I would like to see the play by play guys actually call the match a little more.  I digress.....this match is decent, better than the opening bout.  What I like about this match is I am actually watching and really wondering who will win.  They seem to be pushing Sin Cara and Daniel Bryan is on a losing streak.  In the end it’s yet another loss for Daniel Bryan.  How many in a row is that now?  The kick in the face after the hand shake at the end of the match surprised me.  So I guess Sin Cara is a heel now?  Is this setting up a rivalry between these two?  Interesting.  I am suspecting a few more matches on TV maybe, but can’t see this turning into much more. 

Tag team champs Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne, or I mean Air Boom (kind of hokey isn’t it?) give a back stage interview.  I like these guys as a team and like watching them in the ring but weren’t their words just a bit too nice? 

You know I was pouring up nice glass of wine (if you’re interested) about one third of the way through the show and I am thinking, this all seems a bit too obvious.  No way Christian wins tonight, Mark Henry and Randy Orton has to be the match at Night of Champions.  And although that is what I want to see too I think it would be nice to see some sort of surprise happen here, although I don’t think it will. 

Back to the show.  Teddy Long’s “girlfriend” was there for a special ring announcer for the Diva’s match (yawn).  They missed their chance on this one a few weeks ago.

I made reference to this in yesterday’s post that as much as I love CM Punk there is just a little over exposure happening for him I think.  Tonight’s contract signing just confirmed that for me.  I was totally bored by this segment.  I understand they want to keep heat on this feud leading up to their match by it’s just endless talking going around in circles week after week.  And these guys are as crafty as anyone at pulling this off, but it’s just getting a bit much for me.  Of course it ends with Kevin Nash coming in and stirring it up, I just wish it happened sooner.  We get Nash assaulting Punk, HHH assaulting Punk then Nash with the shove on HHH.  Hmmm...maybe they’re not done here yet, a triple threat match at Night of Champions?  I don’t know, all along I was thinking it would come out that Nash and HHH are working together, but if they are trying to get me to think otherwise it’s working. 

Well it appeared there might be a split occurring between The Great Khali and Jinder Mahal a week ago but they are together tonight.  Mahal actually comes to the aid of Khali although costing him the match against Sheamus by disqualification.  The pair attempt to beat down the Celtic Warrior after the match but they come out on the losing end of that as well.  Sheamus is continuing to get a good push as a face.  What will be next for him I wonder?  I don’t see much more coming of this thing tonight with The Great Khali.  Something tells me at some point he and Mark Henry are not done with each other. 

No Alberto Del Rio again tonight.  The last time we saw him it looked like he took a nasty bump during his match with John Morrison.  I wonder if he did and if there is a week of rest here.  This is just pure speculation on my part. 

Randy Orton and Christian close the night with a good steel cage match.  These two have given us some great ones through their feud.  Just as I suspected as I was pouring my beverage earlier it ends in predictable fashion.  Enter Mark Henry after the match for the token beat down on Randy Orton.  I would love to see Henry walk away from Night of Champions with the title.  My gut right now is telling me that Orton retains.  I am looking forward to this match more than Cena and Del Rio. 

That concludes two nights of wrestling in a row. If I have time I might be back later this week with some thoughts and predictions on how I see the Night of Champions card shaping up, if not I will be posting more next week.  Enjoy the remaining days of summer everyone!!

My Mistake!!

Well somewhere along the way I got my wires crossed and made reference in an earlier post that Smackdown tonight would be coming to us live from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  That of course is incorrect information.  There will be a live Smackdown tonight, but it is not in Toronto.  There is a Smackdown scheduled for Toronto in September, but tonight it’s coming to us from Wichita, Kansas. 

What an arrogant Canadian I am – haha.  No matter where it is to, hopefully it will be a great one.  Enjoy the show, I hope to have thoughts up online tomorrow.

Raw Thoughts, August 29th

The show kicks off with another opening segment featuring HHH and who else but CM Punk.  So Kevin Nash makes it official, he is back under WWE contract.  I love CM Punk but there may be a little bit of overexposure happening as of late, he was funny tonight though.  The Nash vs. Punk match is made official (for now) at Night of Champions. Nash confesses that he did lie to HHH last week about the car wreck which proves again the WWE universe is a strange place were friends only speak to each other during Raw, Smackdown and PPV events.   

HHH makes reference to the two brands combining for the foreseeable future.  Where will they go with this?  If this stays do we need two titles?

The opening bout sees the first of the brand combining matches with The United States Champion Dolf Ziggler taking on Smackdown World Heavy Weight Champion Randy Orton.   It’s Orton picking up the win in a great match and performance from both wrestlers.  I think this match really made Ziggler look good and I am wondering if there could possibly be a face run for him in the near future.  Jack Swagger watched this match tonight from backstage and later in the evening they get in each other’s faces again during Swagger’s match with Sin Cara.  These two are very likely headed for a Night of Champions showdown.  Could Vickie Guerrero turn on Ziggler, cost him the title and leave with Swagger?

Mark Henry interrupts John Cena addressing the crowd.  Mark Henry’s motivation doesn’t make a lot of sense to me here.  Anyone else he’s went after he’s either had a match with or some issue with and he got his title shot now.  In any event it leads to Christian entering the ring, then Sheamus and we got us a main event later in evening.

The Miz finally gets a high profile match taking on CM Punk.  This one ends in disqualification when The Miz's new friend R-Truth gets involved.  Last week I was wondering if The Miz and R-Truth could end up taking on the Tag Champions Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne at the next PPV.  Truth and Miz are yet to actually be in a tag match together as a team.  That wouldn‘t stop the WWE from setting up the match.  I am thinking The Miz needs to be on this card somehow and right now I don’t see how else to get him in there.  We are still a couple weeks away so this will be one to keep an eye on. 

This is the third week in a row for a Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne (to be known as Air Boom) vs David Otunga and Michael McGillicutty.  This one doesn’t go on too long and hopefully we have seen the end of that for a while.

We have a Diva's match (yawn).  See my earlier post on the Divas when I thought (hoped) it was about to get interesting.  But it's completely fizzled again.   

No Alberto Del Rio on Raw?  I know we had Randy Orton, but no Raw brand champion on the show tonight?  I guess we will have to wait to see him on Smackdown tonight.   

Right after the main event which sees Sheamus and Cena scoring the win over Christian and Mark Henry we see CM Punk and HHH interacting back stage.  The programs ends with the announcement of a change in the earlier confirmed match for Night of Champions and it will now be HHH vs CM Punk.  I have to admit that excites me more than Nash and Punk.  This should be a great match.  But you have to think Nash and Punk will mix it up at some point.  Will we see this match happen on Raw? What role will Nash play at Night of Champions?  I see him costing Punk the match again and clearly showing his allegiance with HHH. 

Certainly shades of the Austin and McMahon feud ringing through in the Punk and HHH ensuing feud.  Not the same magnitude and will not go down in history like the former but very entertaining none the less. 

There is more wrestling tonight with a live Super Smackdown.  I am looking forward to the steel cage match.  If I get time I will be back tomorrow with full thoughts.  Enjoy the show tonight!

Wrestling Memories from Toronto

Well Tuesday night Smackdown will be broadcast live, yes live, from Toronto. In hornor of that city from my wrestling memories I present the following. This one also falls under the category of most surprsing moments.

The stage was set for Wrestlemania 6, live from Toronto's Skydome, now renamed The Roger's Centre (doesn't have the same ring). A record setting crowd of approximately 67 000 gathered for a main event that at the time was breaking new ground. World Heavy Weight Champiom Hulk Hogan would face current Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior, both titles were on the line.

To my knowlede we hadn't seen anything like this before. First of all, we had two major faces taking on each other. Secondly, we had someone walking away with both titles at the end of the evening. I had assumed that this was the (then) WWF's way of setting up the immortal Hulk Hogan to complete a task never before accomplished and he would be hulking it up at the end of the night with two titles raised in the air. To be honest, anticipating this outcome bored me and left me a little disappointed in the main event. Even though I was intrigued in the set up of two faces and two titles on the line I had grown tired of the same old Hulk Hogan act long ago.

Well, much to my surprise it was The Ultimate Warrior pinning Hulk at the end of the night and it would be him with both belts. It was an exciting moment. I hate to sound so hard on Hulk again but there are only a few matches he was in that I consider truly memorable and this was one of them. Of course Hulk was gracious in defeat and the next Wrestlemania he was crowned champ again. The Ulitmate Warrio's title reign was memorable but his career kind of floundered ever since he dropped the title later that year to Sargent Slaughter, which would set the stage for Hullk to win it back at the next Wrestlemania.

I am sure tomorrow night's Smackdown won't as memorable but it is gearing up to be very interesting for sure. Back later this week with thoughts on Smackdown and tonight's Raw.

Smackdown Thoughts, August 26th

Good opening segment featuring special guest GM Bret Hart, Christian, Mark Henry and Sheamus.  I’m always glad to see The Himan and happy to see Christian back.  Although I have to admit that Bret seemed a little rusty on the mic.   I’m already looking forward to next week’s steel cage match vs Randy Orton.  I am thinking Edge should be in attendance and playing a role in this one.  Edge and Christian have been dissing each other as of late, but I am still predicting a reunion of sorts with Edge in a limited role.  Manager? 

I still think Randy Orton walks away with the title next week and faces Mark Henry at Night of Champions.  Although Henry did say he wants his title shot next week, which I assume means after next week’s Smackdown, I am seeing this one as a PPV title shot. 

I am starting to forget when the last time I saw Daniel Bryan win a match.  What are they eventually going to do with the Money in the Bank winner who claims he is waiting until Wrestlemania to cash in?  They will probably sit on this one for a while until at least after the next PPV or even longer.

So Wade Barrett wants something more meaningful.  Any ideas what might be next for him?  Going after Daniel Bryan’s brief case? Intercontinental championship? Is he ready to be in the World Heavyweight Championship mix?

Sin Cara and Heath Slater give us a brief match.  I always loved the high flyers but I was a little underwhelmed by this one tonight for some reason.    

I love Cody Rhodes's creepy and psychotically toned voice....just saying.  Rhodes wants to resurrect the status of the Intercontinental Championship but didn’t last week he say he wasn’t satisfied with it? 

Good match from Randy Orton and Ted Tibiase. So does the Rhodes attack on Dibiase at the end of his match with Orton mean the partnership is over?  If not you can bet than sooner or later Dibiase will say enough is enough.   How about a Night of Champions match between the two with the Intercontinental Championship on the line?  Maybe give Dibiase a shot with it?  It seems we are eventually heading towards an Orton vs. Rhodes showdown.  Perhaps this could really heat up after the next PPV.

The ending to the Ezekiel Jackson and the Great Khali match surprised me.  Both these guys have been floundering and need something.  I was betting on The Great Khali instead it is Jackson with the win and by submission!  Although it looks like a split is in the works for Khali and manager Jinder Mahal and a match at some point.  This potential feud is already not intriguing me too much. 

Oh there was a Divas match here somewhere.  I went from being a little bit interested in the Divas division to not caring again. 

As the show is in the final stretch leading into the main event I realize we haven’t seen Bret Hart since the opening segment.  I didn’t think he would play a huge role but I thought slightly bigger than this. 

Speaking of the main event, the ending surprised me a little bit here too. Sheamus picks up the win by count out to even the score.  I guess Mark Henry wins the battle that takes place after the match.  I am now left wondering if we are heading to something bigger for a title match here.  We have Chody Rhodes eyeing Randy Orton.  We have Mark Henry owed a title shot.  I think Sheamus’s win has to count for something.  How will it all play out and will the world’s strongest man walk away as World Heavyweight Champion?  I’d like to see that title reign but I am thinking it is staying around Orton’s waste for a while. 

Overall it was a decent episode.  I would have liked to have seen a little more of Bret Hart.  More Canadian content next week.  The live Smackdown should be a good one.

Until next time...cheers!

Wrestling Memories (The Hart Foundation)

The world of wrestling has certainly changed and evolved over the years and for the most part I think that it is much better now than it was back then.  And that is no disrespect to the glory days, because I loved that time too and it’s what got me hooked on this crazy stuff in the first place. 

However, there are a few things I do miss from days gone by.  One of those is a meaningful tag team division.   I love tag team wrestling!!   I loved it when teams were teams and they entered the ring together, had their own entrance music and a unique team finisher.  It was a rare thing for one of them to compete in singles competition.  Days of the Hart Foundation, The British Bulldogs, Demolition, The Road Warriors and The Rockers will be hard to beat.  Recently we had Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne win the titles after just a brief time teaming together.  This type of scenario has not been uncommon over the years.  I am sure the two and their opponents will bring some exciting moments but old school tag teams just worked for me much better. 

In honour of Bret Hart’s appearance on Smackdown tonight a few words about one of my all time favourite tag teams.

In the mid 80’s the original Hart Foundation consisted of tag team partners Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart managed by “the Mouth of the South”, Jimmy Hart.  The wrestlers complimented each other well and young stars had Jimmy Hart to take care of a lot of the mic skills, although the guys weren't too shabby either.  Bret always had it in him and Jim had the trademark and almost psychotic laugh as he stroked his lengthy goatee.  I loved their promos.   They had a great finisher when the more powerful Jim would hold up an opponent in bear hug fashion and Bret would fly off the ropes connecting with the clothesline.  The two went on to hold the titles twice.  The first happened on television when they defeated the British Bulldogs and the second happened during 1990’s Summerslam with a two out of three falls victory over Demolition.  Through much of their time teaming together they were classic heels making cheating an art.  Later they would often be found with other members of Jimmy Hart’s stable including crooked referee turned wrestler Danny Davis and the Honky Tonk Man.  Of course this was only the beginning of what would be a legendary and hall of fame career for Bret Hart.

Always look forward to seeing Bret on T.V. and WWE announced on its website earlier this week that The Hitman would be the special GM for this week’s edition of Smackdown in his hometown of Calgary.  It should make for an entertaining program.  Of course later this weekend I hope to post thoughts on the show. 

Have a good one!

What to do with the Divas?

Well I, like many, was very suprised with Kelly Kelly's win over Beth Phoenix at Summerslam.  I was as intrigued by this match as any in the Diva's division for some time.  I thought we had the makings of a Mark Henry type character in Beth emerging and continuing into what would be her title reign.  However, Kelly Kelly rolling up Beth for the win was a nice surprise moment. 

I still think there is potential to keep this Beth Phoenix thing going.  However, since Summerslam all Beth did was walk out on to the ramp on give a mocking applause to Kelly Kelly and Eve Torres and gave a couple of promos not really saying much of anything.

I think they should pick up where they left off before Summerslam.  Beth should be more enraged by the loss and continue on a path of destruction which at some point should include Kelly's friend and partner Eve Torres.  At this point it should be Kelly that emerges and says enough is enough, she wants the match with Beth at Night of Champions.  Maybe even add some stipulation to this one.  Last chance for Beth?  No holds barred? 

I would end this match with a courageous effort from Kelly but a victory for Beth and let the reign of terror begin.  But I think the war path shouldn't have skipped a beat and immediately after Summerslam she needed to be on T.V. doing some damage.

We'll see where they go with all this, but for me it’s floundering right now.  I don't normally get too interested in the Divas so the fact that I am writing about it is a good sign. 

Quick Hits on Monday Night Raw for August 22nd

Quick thoughts from the Monday, August 22nd edition of RAW:

I have to admit it I was a little disappointed that I didn’t get to hear Alberto Del Rio address us a little before John Cena interrupted.  I really like him with the title more than I thought I would.  Cena and CM Punk dominated the conversation during the opening segment.  Let Alberto speak more!  I love the wins that Del Rio is picking up; it’s really putting him over as a legit champ even though he captured it using a keen Money in the Bank opportunity.  I would love to see him walk away from Night of Champions retaining his championship. 

Has any other WWE superstar in recent memory got more of mixed reaction than John Cena?

Opening match:  Ouch!! It looked like Del Rio took a nasty bump when thrown out of the ring by John Morrison.  Entertaining first match overall. 

Yes!  New Tag team champs – Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne.  I was hoping for this but I didn’t expect it so soon.  I was thinking maybe even stretch it out to Night of the Champions, giving Kofi and Bourne a chance to win a few more together.  But they did beat the now former champs in a non-title match last week so I guess it makes sense to give them the shot so quickly.  Who will be their opponents at Night of Champions? 

Lots of camera time for CM Punk.  He was in the opening segment, a midway segment with HHH and Kevin Nash and in the main event.  Who’s the real star of this show I wonder.

A few weeks ago I thought the Diva’s division was about to get real interesting with Beth Phoenix becoming a female version of Mark Henry.  I think they are dropping the ball on this one.  I have a few thoughts on this one I will post later.

It looks like we are heading for a Jack Swagger and Dolf Ziggler showdown at some point.  I am thinking the opportunistic Vickie Guerrero manages whoever walks away with the US Title and I am laying my money on Swagger.  Is this going to keep building with the match occurring at Night of Champions?  My guess is yes.   

So will John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio hold as the main event between now and the next PPV?  Or will someone else find away to work their way into this one?  I’m not sure.  The Miz’s anger is heating up on Raw!  I am not sure where or what this will escalate to.  I don’t think he will work his way into the title shot at Night of Champions, but maybe the allegations of conspiracies against him will move in that direction.  I am not really feeling that it will at this point, but I am not sure who his next big match will be against.  I am also not sure what he and R-Truth can do together.  It will be interesting to see where this goes.  Could The Miz and R-Truth be headed for a Night of Champions tag title shot.  They did say that are going to create opportunities for themselves.  That would be an entertaining match!

And the story continues, a text, a fake car accident, John Laurinaitis is involved, Stephanie Mcmahon is involved, Kevin Nash is involved...where will this all climax to?  Undoubtedly at Night of Champions .  My guess here is whatever happens it will result in the formation of a new group like the clique or the corporation.  But who’s in it and who’s out if it happens at all?

Before I sign off I have to give props to Cena and Punk for having another great match in the main event at Raw!! 

Next up, Smackdown from the home of the Hitman, Calgary Alberta.  Will he make an appearance?  We shall see....

Have a good one!!

Weekly hits (August 14th to August 20th)

Some random thoughts and quick hits on the week that was: 

Said in the tone of that guy from that beer commercial (the most interesting man in the world):  I don't always get Pay Per Views, but when I do, I get Summerslam.  It's true that due to other commitments (work and family) I am unable to order each and every PPV, but Summerslam is usually a given.  I am always on holidays, have a bit of free time on my hands and it’s always an August treat.  It seems a little late to be commenting on it now, but I thought it was solid enough.  Last two title matches were great.  I thought Mark Henry and Sheamus was decent but could have been better.  It was not without its surprises.  Not the best PPV ever, but certainly not the worst.

What's next for Christian?  He wasn't at Smackdown after he dropped the title to Randy Orton at Summerslam.  I am predicting a short break and a return with Edge as manager maybe.  He might need a little something extra to get him over now and maybe Edge could be just it.  It could be a lot of fun too.  It would be better if Edge could tag with him again, but the manager role will have to do.

What's up with The Miz?  I love The Miz.  When are they going to insert him into the title hunt again or at least a meaningful match and/or feud?

It's looking like a Mark Henry vs. Randy Orton match at Night of Champions.  Was the battle royal on Smackdown really necessary to make Henry a number one contender?  Although I do understand them doing it because if this match is not going to happen until the next PPV they have some time to fill.

What's next for Sheamus?  I like him as a face but if he and Mark Henry are done he needs a heel to tangle with.  Perhaps he and Christian could be entertaining and good for each other right now.

I’m liking the return of Kevin Nash although I was never a huge fan.  A match with CM Punk and Nash should be interesting.

I loved Alberto Del Rio's opening promo as champ on RAW.  What a classic heel he is.  I am not sure if he needed to be on Smackdown too.  His promo on that program was not as strong although he did have a great match with Daniel Bryan.

Speaking of the new champ, who will he be facing at Night of Champions, assuming he still holds the title?  Is it just going to be him and John Cena?  I am thinking this one needs more competitors for me to be interested.  Fatal fourway?  Triple Threat?

And finally for today, speaking of Cena, when is he going to turn heel and be done with it.  I know the lines of heels and faces are blurred and I think that is awesome.  But occasionally there is nothing like a good heel turn.  I am sensing the WWE universe wants this right now for Cena and how it happens could make for a classic WWE moment.  Although if you check the many excellent wrestling sites and blogs on the net there is plenty of good discussion on this topic and many opinions on if this should happen and how to handle it.  I am not sure if just mixing it up with Del Rio for the title is going be intriguing enough for me. 

OK, one more.  Who sent the text to Kevin Nash's phone?  I really don't know where the WWE is going with this one.  The obvious choice is that HHH is lying and he did it himself or his wife Stephanie sent it.  The WWE tends to like to surprise us with these kinds of things.  I am still thinking Mr. McMahon is behind it all and will emerge again at some point soon. 

Ok...I am tapping out for the day.  See you soon!

Entering the ring...

Who am I and why I am here? 

I am in my forties (early), a father of two, a teacher and a lifelong fan of professional wrestling.  It started when I was an early teen, maybe even earlier than that and continues to this day.  When I was around 30 years of age I did drift off from sports entertainment a bit.  I still followed, but from a far.  Not sure why, life was very busy and maybe I did need a little break.  But my "sort of" hiatus did not last for long as my love of the crazy world of sports entertainment could not be contained.

Of course being a wrestling fan, as I am sure you are aware, I constantly face the taunts and the clichés from others.  It's hard to find someone to sit and chat with about wrestling and have an intelligent conversation giving it the integrity it deserves.  I try to explain it to others.  I tell them they don't "get it".  Wrestling is the best story on T.V. with crazy characters and storylines unfolding each week.  I tell them they can be down on wrestling yet tune into the likes of Desperate Housewives, 24 or 90210.  No disrespect to those programs but I don't know why wrestling should be considered any more of a lowbrow form of entertainment than most of the programs on prime time.  And I tell them that unlike their favourite shows the stars of my favourite show are top notch physical athletes, awesome performers and put their body and bones on the line each week to entertain us.

But enough of that. If you're a wrestling fan you undoubtedly know what I am talking about, which brings me to this blog. This I am hoping will serve my desire to talk about wrestling and maybe make some contacts with others. What will I be posting here? Hopefully weekly updates and thoughts about what is unfolding in the WWE. Maybe some predictions. Maybe some thoughts on days gone by. Maybe analyze some storylines and angles. But whatever it is it will be all things wrestling by a fan for other fans.

So if you found this blog and you are a fan, come back often, leave a comment, send an email, let's have an online chat.

1...2...3...ring the bell....see you next time.