Pinfall Recall
The Best Wrestling You’ve Ever Heard

 

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JG and CK continue to bring you yet another mind-blowing episode of their wrestling podcast, Pinfall Recall.  We give great analysis of Monday Night RAW and help you understand who brings you “The Best Wrestling You’ve Ever Heard.”  Listen while we pull it apart and maybe piece it back together better than creative would.

If you’d like to talk to other folks about the things you’ve heard, it’s very easy.  All you have to do is visit OUR FORUMS!

Do you want to SUBSCRIBE to Pinfall Recall on iTunes and you’re too lazy to look it up in the store? In that case, JUST CLICK HERE and it’ll do all the hard work for you!

Welcome to Pinfall Recall’s Wrestling News Digest, your daily collection of all the news in the professional wrestling world.  Each day we collect all the news from WWE, TNA, ROH, and more, and deliver it to you in one easy to read posting.  No more clicking 30 links and loading 30 pages to read 3 lines of text.  Just point your browser to Pinfall Recall every day for all the wrestling news you need.

After the jump (the read more button) you’ll find today’s top stories,  immediately followed by all of your news divided up by organization, for your viewing pleasure.

So, for the latest on Vince McMahon’s treatment of the creative team, yet another Gail Kim return announcement, and the tale of two more tragic wrestling deaths…

(more…)

WWE

New WrestleMania match, Two employees released

- There will be a 25 Diva Battle Royal at WrestleMania 25. WWE is looking into booking some women from the company’s past to fill out the 25 spots.

- WWE creative team member John Carle and Hall of Famer, Afa have been released from the company.

Credit: 411mania.com and wrestlezone.com

Discuss WrestleMania and more on the Pinfall Recall Message Boards. The topic is here

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Boogeyman news, ECW rating

- The Boogeyman is already booking himself on the independents as he’s set to appear at Signamania on April 25th in Pennsylvania and at the “Legends of the Ring” convention in May.  Interestingly, he is using his full gimmick and costume that should be owned and controlled by the WWE as they do all their intellectual property.

- Tuesday night’s ECW broadcast finished with a final 1.4 cable rating which is up from last week.

Credit: wrestlezone.com

Talk about The Boogeyman and ECW right here on our forums

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JBL makes big statement for WrestleMania, WWE on VH1

- JBL recently posted the following blog on his WWE Universe account regarding his participation at WrestleMania 25:

“I have said all along I am going to do something historic at WrestleMania…Believe me when I tell you - it will blow you away what will happen with JBL at WrestleMania.”

- WWE.com is promoting that John Cena, John Morrison, The Miz, Big Show and Maria will be appearing on VH1’s Top 20 Music Video Countdown this Saturday.

Credit: PWinsider.com and wrestlezone.com

Will JBL fulfill his promise? Discuss it here on the forums

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TNA

Knockouts’ go to Iraq, Booker T books more names to convention

- Traci Brooks and SoCal Val will be making a trip to Iraq to visit with military personnel.

- Booker T has added Rikishi, Diamond Dallas Page and Kimberly Page to his Legends of Wrestling Fanfest over WrestleMania weekend in Houston, Texas. You can get more details by going here.

Credit: 411mania.com

Talk TNA right here with our forum members

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ROH

ROH trailers

- The trailer for the first ROH show can be viewed here

- The ROH Video Wire for today which features a Ric Flair tease involving champion Nigel McGuinness is here

Credit: PWinsider.com and 411mania.com

Talk about Ring of Honor right here on the boards

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Other

Stevie Richards loses job, 1990’s wrestler arrested for bank robbery

- According to the AP, the Connecticut School of Broadcasting shut down all of their campuses with no warning, and are now out of business. Stevie Richards had recently taken a teaching job there

- Former professional wrestler Jeff Gaylord, 50, was arrested in late January at his home in Littleton, Colorado for committing two bank robberies. Gaylord worked for many promotions, including the UWF, World Class, the USWA, the GWF, the AWF, Memphis as well as stints in Puerto Rico.

Gaylord has previously been convicted of bank robbery back in 2001 and entered a plea of guilty. He was then sentenced to six and a half years in prison. This time, he was caught at a second robbery as a witness was able to get his license plate number. Gaylord would reportedly disguise himself with sunglasses, a hooded sweatshirt, a band-aid over his nose and even a fake beard. For more details, you can check out the following article from The Colorado Tribune.

Credit: 411mania.com

Discuss this news right here on the the PFRC Forums here

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If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact the Pinfall Recall team on the forums or via e-mail.

CK@pinfallrecall.com

JG@pinfallrecall.com

DC@pinfallrecall.com

RDB@pinfallrecall.com

Milo@pinfallrecall.com

Ladies and menz,

Welcome to Pinfall Recall’s 150th episode.  Eventually we will have a celebration but for today you’re going to get a show with “The Greatest Hosts You’ve Ever Heard” who will of course bring you “The Greatest Wrestling You’ve Ever Heard”.

Listen to us analyze Monday Night RAW and rule the podcast world as we usually do by CLICKING HERE.

Do you want to SUBSCRIBE to Pinfall Recall on iTunes and you’re too lazy to look it up in the store? In that case, JUST CLICK HERE and it’ll do all the hard work for you!

WWE

2nd Generation Wrestler Signed

The son of former WWE Tag Team champ Barry “Demolition Smash” Darsow, Dakota Darsow, has signed a WWE developmental deal and is starting this week with Florida Championship Wrestling. Dakota is 21 years old and had a tryout a few months ago. 

As far as other second generation wrestlers are concerned, Taylor Rotunda, the son of Mike Rotunda, nephew of Barry Windham and grandson of Blackjack Mulligan, is training in Florida Championship Wrestling as well. 

Source: PWinsider.com

Discuss here!

Tribute to the Troops Show Results (Spoiler Alert)!

- Taped today in Baghdad, Iraq. The show will air on NBC December 20th.

- Jeff Hardy, CM Punk and R-Truth defeated JBL, John Morrison and The Miz

- Rey Mysterio, Batista, John Cena defeated Randy Orton, Big Show and Chris Jericho

- The show is only one hour so those were the only bouts taped. 

- They did the usual Christmas stuff, as well as the return of Vince McMahon to television doing an interview (not sure if that will air). 

- Cryme Tyme and several of the women were there. 

- They also did a dark match with Kelly Kelly over Maria 

credit: 411mania.com

Discuss here!

TNA

TNA Notches Record High Rating!

This past Thursday night’s TNA iMPACT! broadcast scored a final 1.2 cable rating. The show pulled in 1.8 million viewers, making it the most watched edition of TNA iMPACT! since its inception. 

credit: wrestlingobservor.com

Discuss here!

ROH

The house was full.

- A return date of March 13th was announced.

- Kenny Omega defeats Kenny King with a counter in to a roll up. This was a really good opener that got the crowd hot.

- Sal Rinuaro and Rhett Titus defeat Grizzly Redwood and Bushwhacker Luke when Titus rolls up Redwood holding the tights. Better than it had any right to be.

- Bao Nguyen defeats Tony Kozina with a sloppy German Suplex. Average match going way too long. Got boring chants. 

- Jay & Mark Briscoe defeat Brent Albright and Erick Stevens, Davey Richards and Bobby Dempsey, and Irish Airborne in a Gauntlet Match to move on to Final Battle 2008. Stevens and Albright first eliminated Irish Airborne. SNS Inc. sent out Richards and Dempsey to the Briscoe’s theme. Dempsey was getting in offense, but was always cut off by his own partner. Stevens got his team DQ’d getting caught using Sweeney’s boot as a weapon. Jay and Mark Briscoe disposed of SNS Inc. to win the Gauntlet.

- Necro Butcher and Ace Steel defeat Jimmy Jacobs and Delirious when Necro pins Delirious with a Tiger Driver. Delirious was set to spike Necro in the face, but D. Haze came to the ring and convinced him not to.

- Tyler Black defeats Austin Aries clean in the middle with the God’s Last Gift from out of nowhere. Tyler was out for the match alone. After the match Aries had what was an almost delirious look on his face, and just kept laughing out at the fans. Weird.

- Bryan Danielson and Jerry Lynn defeat World Champion Nigel McGuinness and Claudio Castagnoli when Lynn pins Claudio with a Cradle Piledriver.

credit: 411mania.com

Discuss here!

Other

Eric Bischoff Comments On Future of CCW

Wrestlezone had a chance to speak with Eric Bischoff, the current Executive Producer of Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling, prior to this past Monday night’s Voice of Wrestling broadcast. Bischoff told us that CMT has been very pleased with the ratings for CCW and the reception the show has received from viewers. In addition, he said that he would be very surprised if the show did not get picked up for a second season. 

credit: wrestlezone.com

Discuss here!

CK and JG again bring you “The Best Wrestling You’ve Ever Heard” with our newest RAWcast.  Listen as we freak out over Melina’s new finisher… and talk about how Cena basically killed Y2J.  All you have to do is CLICK HERE

If you’d like you can talk about this on OUR FORUMS with other amazing wrestling fans.

Do you want to SUBSCRIBE to Pinfall Recall on iTunes and you’re too lazy to look it up in the store? In that case, JUST CLICK HERE and it’ll do all the hard work for you!

CK and JG come to you with another special podcast.  We’re here to talk about Survivor Series, Divas, beardspears and more.  So if you want some fucking awesome wrestling analysis, CLICK HERE.

Also you’re welcome to discuss this on OUR FORUMS with other awesome wrestling fans.

Do you want to SUBSCRIBE to Pinfall Recall on iTunes and you’re too lazy to look it up in the store? In that case, JUST CLICK HERE and it’ll do all the hard work for you!

CK and JG once again provide you with “The Best Wrestling You’ve Ever Heard”.  Listen as they tell you riveting tales of yore and what was extreme about last week’s Smackdown.

Click HERE to be whisked away to listening heaven.

Do you want to SUBSCRIBE to Pinfall Recall on iTunes and you’re too lazy to look it up in the store? In that case, JUST CLICK HERE and it’ll do all the hard work for you!

WWE

This Day In WWE History

On this day in history in ….

1992 - Jerry Lawler defeats Todd Champion in Memphis, Tennessee for the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title, starting Lawler’s 13th reign with the belt.

1998 - In Houston, Texas, Vince McMahon creates the WWF “Hardcore Championship” and awards it to Mankind (Mick Foley). Ironically, Mankind would hold the title for less than a month, and never win it back. Despite this, the Hardcore Title is often associated with Foley.

1999 - Mankind & Al Snow defeat Hardcore & Crash Holly for the WWF World Tag Team Title in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

2000 - The WWF released the following regarding the Owen Hart lawsuit:

World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. Announces Settlement in Owen Hart Case

STAMFORD, Conn.–Nov. 2, 2000–World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWF) announced today that it has agreed to a settlement in a previously disclosed lawsuit filed by the members of the family of Owen Hart, a professional wrestler, whose accidental death occurred while performing under contract with the Company. Under the terms of the agreement, the WWFE will receive a full release from any further liability in the case.

`It has always been our intention to settle this case and we tried to do what we felt was in the best interest for all those involved, particularly for the family of Owen Hart,” said Linda McMahon, CEO.

As a result of the settlement, the WWFE will take a charge of $7 million which is net of its insurance recoveries and will retain the right to pursue contribution and indemnity from the companies that manufactured and sold the equipment involved in the accident. The charge will be recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended October 27, 2000.

That was the ending to one of the most tragic stories in the history of wrestling. Kansas City Circuit Judge Douglas Long. Jr. approved the settlement, and the family of Owen Hart received $18 million dollars for the loss of Owen Hart on May 23, 1999 when his harness at the Kemper Arena malfunctioned and he fell to his death during the Over The Edge pay-per-view. The WWF told stockholders that they would pay $7million of the payment, and they wanted the rigging and harness companies to pay the other half. One of the companies, Amspec, Inc., filed for bankruptcy right before the judgment, possibly in anticipation of the payment.

Owen’s wife, Martha, received $10 million. Their children, Oje, 8, and Athena, 5, received $3 million each. Stu and Helen Hart, Owen’s parents, each received $1 million. After the hearing, Martha took her children to the Kemper Arena to see where Owen died. Martha announced that she was using $2 million of the money to start the Owen Hart Foundation to help the less fortunate.

Perhaps the saddest part of the story is how the Hart family, once thought to be a very tight unit, was now in shambles. Bret and Keith Hart sided with Martha, Stu and Helen, while sisters Diana and Ellie did not. Of course, their respective husbands, Davey Boy Smith and Jim Neidhart signed contracts with the WWF after the incident. Martha had some stinging comments about the situation after the settlement in the Calgary Sun.

“This is not a close-knit family and I’m not part of it anymore — we carry the same last name but that’s as far as it goes. They betrayed Owen by working against me and his children and I will never consider myself, or my children, a part of that family anymore. I will respect Owen’s parents and I will stay in touch with a select few of them but people need to know that Owen was a white sheep in a black family.”

2004 - At the Smackdown taping in St. Louis, Missouri, Kurt Angle made a challenge to the current crop of WWE Tough Enough contestants, one that nearly ended in disaster.  Here is the report from that show:

We then went to the ring, where Al Snow had all the contestants assembled.  Kurt Angle was then brought to the ring. Angle went down the line, asking each contestant their name, then insulting them while getting into their face. When he got in the face of Nick, he asked him to turn his eyes away, and when he wouldn’t, he shoved him.  Angle seemed to take great pleasure in ripping into Dan R. (the smartass) and Dan P. (the MMA fighter).  Some of the contestants cracked smiles and laughed during the segment, and Angle would yell at them and shove them to shut them up. Angle talked about what it takes to succeed in wrestling, and told the contestants that he hated them, since they were getting a chance to win a million dollars.  Angle (who was wearing his amateur wrestling shoes) did some squat thrusts (squat into pushup and back to standing position).  Angle then told the group they would be doing squat thrusts, and whoever did the most without messing up would win a special prize. While Angle berated the group, last week’s segment with the Big Show was recapped. After the recap, Angle brought two referees to watch the group and eliminate whoever messed up. Ryan appeared to be able to do them much faster than the rest. Justice was eliminated first, then one by one they gave out, including Ryan. The last two were Daniel Puder and Chris Nawrocki, with Nawrocki winning.  Nawrocki was then told his special prize was his first match ever … right now with Kurt Angle. Apparently, this was shoot-style wrestling, using “professional wrestling rules”.

Kurt Angle vs. Chris Nawrocki. Angle took Nawrocki down with a front facelock, but Nawrocki grabbed the ropes.  Angle then reapplied the hold, and easily took Nawrocki down for a pin. Winner: Kurt Angle.

Angle then asked the other contestants if anyone else wanted to take him on. Daniel Puder volunteered.

Kurt Angle vs. Daniel Puder. They grappled, and Puder went for an arm, but Angle backed him into the ropes.  As they came off, Angle grabbed a front facelock, but Puder got away.  The crowd was chanting “UFC” for Puder (who, while he does have a MMA background, never actually fought in UFC).  They locked up again, and went to the mat. Angle was on top, and Puder went for a keylock, but his shoulders were down, so he was pinned (although it appeared his shoulder was up). Winner: Kurt Angle.

Puder reached out for a handshake, but Angle got in his face, and the two were talking nose to nose. You couldn’t make out what they said, other than Angle saying “Now get out of my face” at the end.  Tazz said Angle was telling him that you have to stay off your back in a wrestling contest, although that obviously was not what was being said.  Angle then told all the contestants that as far as he was concerned, none of them were Tough Enough.

In truth, replays of the “match” showed that Puder had Angle’s arm locked up and was probably moments away from submitting Angle when referee Earl Hebner counted a fast pin on Puder, who obviously didn’t have his shoulders down.  Angle was embarrassed, Puder gained a measure of popularity (that he still plays off of to this day), and many experts wondered what the hell WWE was thinking when they came up with the idea for the segment.

2007 - Harry Smith and Chris Masters were suspended by WWE for Wellness Policy violations. They were the first two workers to be named under the terms of the revised provision where Wellness Policy violators’ names would be released to the public.  Masters would later be released from the company.

World Wrestling Entertainment Suspends Two Performers

STAMFORD, Conn., November 2, 2007 – In accordance with its Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy, WWE today suspended the following performers for violations: Chris Mordetzky (Chris Masters) for 60 days (second violation) and Harry Smith (D. H. Smith) for 30 days (first violation).

credit: pwinsider.com

Discuss this timeline right here!

The Miz Forced To Remain In Character In TV Spot

Eric Sturrock sent word that The Miz did a guest spot on Sci Fi’s Ghosthunters and stayed in character throughout the marathon broadcast, which he was told to do by Sci Fi/WWE.  It was during a seven hour block so the network wanted to cross-promote, according to Ghosthunters Co-Founder Grant Wilson, who wrote about it in his blog.  About Miz Wilson wrote, “The Miz, or Mike, as we called him. Was honestly, a very nice guy. He was told to play his wrestling character on this investigation. I asked him personally before the show “What is the worst part about being a wrestler?” to which he replied “Have to portray this cocky womanizer. I have to make everyone hate me, and it sucks”. So, as anyone could tell from watching the live show, we weren’t too happy with the constant talking about wrestling and the Real World. But that aside, Mike is a really really nice guy.”  A recap of it airs Wednesday at 9 p.m. on Sci Fi.

credit: pwinsider.com

What do you think of the WWE’s decision to keep the Miz in character? Please, discuss!

Two Matches Announced For Next Week’s Smackdown

On Friday’s Halloween edition of Smackdown, WWE announced The Undertaker vs. Vladimir Kozlov as the main event of next week’s broadcast. If Kozlov wins the match, he will challenge Triple H for the WWE
Title at the Survivor Series pay-per-view.

We also previously reported that WWE announced that Shelton Benjamin will defend the U.S. Title against R-Truth next week.

credit: wrestlezone.com

Do these matches excite you? Let us know why or why not!

Roster For Upcoming WWE Game Released

Heard from a wrestlezone.com fan that the final roster for SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 has been totally revealed, as has a large amount of downloadable content.

He says proof of most of these can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmarQMFv01M

Raw:
Ashley
Batista
Beth Phoenix
Candice
Chris Jericho
Chuck Palumbo
CM Punk
Cody Rhodes
Hardcore Holly
JBL
Jillian
John Cena
JTG
Kane
Kelly Kelly
Kofi Kingston
Lance Cade
Layla
Melina
Mickie James
Mr. McMahon
Paul London
Randy Orton
Rey Mysterio
Santino Marella
Shad
Shawn Michaels
Snitsky
William Regal

SmackDown:
Big Show
Brian Kendrick
Carlito
Curt Hawkins
Edge
Festus
Jeff Hardy
Jesse
Jimmy Wang Yang
Maria
Michelle McCool
Mr. Kennedy
MVP
Ric Flair
Shelton Benjamin
The Great Khali
The Undertaker
Trevor Murdoch
Triple H
Umaga
Victoria
Zack Ryder

ECW:
Big Daddy V
Boogeyman
Chavo Guerrero
Elijah Burke
Finlay
Hornswoggle
John Morrison
Mark Henry
Matt Hardy
Tazz
The Miz
Tommy Dreamer

Downloadable:
Charlie Haas
Evan Bourne
Super Crazy
Ted DiBiase

Other:
Masked Man
Tony
Zombie Finlay
Zombie Santino

credit: wrestlezone.com

Are you a gamer? Let us know what you think of the roster in our forums!

TNA

Gamestop Cuts Price of TNA Game

In an effort to increase sales of the Midway/TNA Video Game going into Christmas, one major retailer GAMESTOP, has cut it’s price by $20 accross the board on all gaming platforms offered, WII, X-Box, & PlayStation 2.

creidt: wrestlezone.com

Have you played the latest TNA video game? Let us know if it was worth the wait, or vastly overhyped.

Midway Games Announces Downloadable Features For TNA Game

Midway Games made the following announcement concerning their TNA Impact Video Game:

“Next week, TNA iMPACT! fans will be able to complete their rosters with the first ever downloadable characters in a wrestling game. Starting November 6th, the Maple Leaf Muscle Petey Williams and the Hot and Spicy Curry Man will be available to download from the Xbox®360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Available for just 100 Microsoft points, TNA iMPACT! owners can round out the 27-man roster while finishing the competition with the Canadian Destroyer. As an added bonus, TNA announcer Mike Tenay will also be available to download, free of charge.”

credit: wrestlezone.com

Will you be utlizing these downloadable features? Let us know why not!

Other

Jim Ross Writes New Blog Entry

http://www.jrsbarbq.com/blog/good-news-shipping-costspost-smackdown-random-thoughtsbeyond-matsailors-need-thick-skin

What a great football weekend here in Norman with temps today scheduled to be in the upper 70’s or low 80’s. Oklahoma plays our most respected rival, Nebraska, Saturday night at 8/7 central on ESPN where yours truly will be manning the sidelines spending my favorite time of the entire week watching “my team” play. This will be a much more positive experience than reading on the ‘net how “ridiculous” I looked Friday night in the sailor’s outfit on Smackdown. I think that was the general idea and, if so, mission accomplished. The truth hurts sometimes.

Overall, I enjoyed Friday Night Smackdown. I have certainly been a part of worse broadcasts and without question on better ones as well. Because it was Halloween and I was providing moral support for the Mrs as she gave out Halloween candy to all the little ghouls and goblins in our neighborhood, I actually watched the show as it aired and not via DVR.

Wife Jan was unaware that I was in costume until she saw the show and without question she laughed out loud and started calling relatives and friends. I felt so proud. Thanks, honey.

Speaking of Halloween and the generation we live in and what our society may look forward to in the future, some little 7 or 8 year old spoiled brat asked Jan if she had Kit Kat bars and she said no that she had Snickers, Milky Ways, M&M’s and several other prominent name brand candy. After finding out that there were no Kit Kat bars the boy told my wife, “Keep your candy lady” and walked off. His mommy was waiting for the child in their Mercedes at the end of our drive way but what I would have given to have been at the door when the little jerk showed complete disrespect to someone providing him FREE stuff.

Get back to your video game you little turd or go critique a wrestling show on the internet.

I saw some criticism of Chavo Guerrero being ‘Taker’s Casket Match opponent as if anyone thought Chavo was going to be any thing more than a sacrificial lamb and set the table for the Big Show. I thought that was pretty well established without saying such long before the final segment of the show.

Yes, I made a factual error as the Undertaker has lost the isolated, casket match here and there including one that I called against the late Yokozuna. That was a mental lapse on my end and ironically no one ever corrected me.  I had asked for more info earlier in the day on Casket Matches but that info never materialized. No mistaking, this was my error but sometimes a guy needs a little help remembering all the details considering I’ve got more going on in my life than wrestling….or entertainment…or whatever. Nonetheless I apologize for the mistake. Perhaps my sailor hat was on too tight.

The Masked Magician segment was forgettable. But now I’m sounding as cynical as those that described yours truly in a variety of unique ways last night including “ridiculous”, Pillsbury Doughboy”, etc.  Oh well,  I wonder what the masked magician does in his day job.

Jimmy Yang is grossly underrated and with such a lack of talent depth why Yang isn’t being utilized more prominently is a question I won’t venture to ask.

For Big Zeke to improve and get to the next level both financially and talent wise, he needs to start wrestling more and managing or what ever it is he does less. Nice look, solid athleticism, but the only way a young guy gets better is to get into the ring and get after it. We all know Kendrick is really good, just small, which can work to Brian’s advantage with Zeke in the picture.

I have no idea where the seemingly nicer Great Khali is going but I am thankful that he is heterosexual. Ranjin’s sideburns are outrageous and are just a little width away from the lamb chop level, Honky Tonk Man level. Could these two natives of India, not HTM,  be preparing to be the next comedy pairing in their native land? Stranger things have happened friends and neighbors.

Why didn’t Michael Cole mention that the King and HTM are first cousins when they all did their “entertaining” commentary Monday Night? I would have loved to have heard the reactions.

I really enjoyed the 6 man tag on Friday Night Smackdown. Really nice energy and execution. Plus, the world’s “Angriest Announcer” was particularly good in this contest. He was oh so “entertaining” and isn’t that what matters most for a TV performer?

The submission hold that the Undertaker uses has no official name for the record. Gogoplata it is not even though it isn’t if you know what I mean. We aren’t allowed to say choke but it does slip by occasionally.

Said it before…I like where Vladimir Kozlov is headed but how much better would he be with a bona fide, main event level manager? BTW there are none available which speaks to the shape the business is in regarding talent development.

Some naysayers who seemingly love to bitch about virtually every segment of every broadcast took issue at the Monday Night Raw promotion within Friday Night Smackdown. Were you surprised that the WWE pushed promoting the 3 hour Raw this Monday in Tampa? Raw sells more PPV’s than any other WWE vehicle and getting Raw healthy with strong ratings is a must.

Speaking of Raw, what a jaw dropping night it would be if Miz and Morrison beat DX and Jericho beat Batista in the World’s Title Bout. I’m just saying…..

Yours truly made the mistake of watching “Beyond the Mat” late Friday night and watching it still pisses me off. I honestly feel as if I was duped during the production of this film which I was told specifically was only going to be an “art film” and released only in a few selected art theaters. No one ever mentioned a DVD release or the fact that the film was produced in 1999 and is still playing on cable. Bottom line, I spend many, many hours in helping facilitate WWE talents for the film not to mention helping provide unlimited access and got not as much as a thank you in the credits much less a pay day. The film goes to great lengths to sensationalize the negative aspect of the business, some deservedly so, and without question the production had its stellar moments. But a thanks and a check would have been nice to have received as I assure you that the film made someone some cash.

Just for the record, we broke the Austin breaking the extras nose on the set of Steve’s movie last week. We had that here on Monday. Steve always texts me on game day or I him and he will hopefully be able to find ESPN Saturday night in Vancouver to watch the OU-Nebraska game. Many eyes Saturday night will be in Lubbock Texas where Texas Tech hopes to upset #1 ranked Texas which most college football fans other than those who support UT are pulling for as well. I see Texas winning but a Tech win would not shock me either in what will be a rabid Lubbock, Texas Saturday night on ABC.

Just a personal opinion, but I would love to see more pieces like the Cena vignette utilized to help establish more wrestler’s personas. In order for any talent to become marketable, the audience must make an emotional investment in that individual and understand what the athlete is about. What do they do outside the ring as in what are their hobbies, their personal backgrounds, what are their families like, essentially what makes these men and women tick?. The smallest detail can actually link a fan to the wrestler and then the foundation begins to be established or strengthened.

BTW is there anything sadder when watching TV wrestling than to seeing a non skilled verbalizer attempt to be a comedian?

Got a nice email from a fan who actually did remember Sailor Art Thomas on a night where the ultra powerful Thomas with a body builders psychique before the advent of “you know what” teaming with Dick “The Bruiser” (no kids that not a porn star) vs. the Blackjacks, Mulligan and Lanza, managed but the incomparable Bobby Heenan. BTW if Heenan were in is prime today and was managing Kozlov, I would pencil the big Russian in the Main Event at Wrestlemania as we speak.

I plan on answering a bunch of your questions/comments on our Q&A section before I head to Orlando this week. Depending on how the OU-NU games comes out they might be a little edgy.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by. Oh yea, our store is open for those of you that feel like supporting the cause here. Your biz is greatly appreciated. We have positive news on our shipping issues so that problem is solved for most of you via the United States Postal Service.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.

Discuss JR’s new blog right here!