As I See It - June 25, 2009
Hello and welcome to the return of the highly acclaimed As I See It series. It may only be highly acclaimed in my own mind but that’s neither here nor there because this marks a significant part of Pinfall Recall history. As we edge ever closer to the fourth anniversary of the creation of Pinfall Recall, I am pleased to return to your computer screens with my thoughts on the world of professional wrestling and, what’s more, I’m pleased to once again improve your lives by giving you something to read that can only be described as simply ‘Genius’.
Since Pinfall Recall began this journey about 4 years ago, we’ve all had to endure some pretty horrendous wrestling from WWE and TNA alike. However, I think there are definite signs that we are finally being rewarded for the years of disillusion as the WWE product at this point is pretty damn good. Well, to be honest, Raw is still quite terrible on most occasions but I really can’t speak highly enough of the other 3 shows that WWE puts out on a weekly basis. Smackdown really demonstrates some of the best wrestling programming that I personally have seen in quite a long time to be honest with you. ECW consistently puts out a solid hour of TV each week and the last episode of Superstars that I caught had John Morrison and Chris Jericho tear down the house.
Now whilst we’re finally being repaid for our years of loyalty to the product, the powers that be may not be so pleased as the sheer awesomeness of the aforementioned television shows is not portrayed in the slightest when it comes to the ever important ratings. And it is that fact alone that leaves me with a bit of trepidation going forward as I’m concerned that these really good shows will not be given the time to blossom before some change is inevitable. But for the time being, wrestling fans all over the World should join me in taking pleasure in the extremely high quality of the perceived “B” shows.
Now whether it’s down to the intriguing direction CM Punk is going or the great matches put on each and every week by the mid and upper card respectively, Friday Night Smackdown has been a joy to watch every week for quite some time now. I think it’s no real coincidence that the shows that have blossomed have been the shows that were left to their own creative devices without any array of McMahon influence. Touching back to the point I made a little earlier and with the under-performance in the ratings department, I am a little concerned that big ol’ Vinnie will feel the need to get involved and give it that extra special touch we all know and love…and by ‘love’ I of course mean ‘absolutely despise’. But that’s not something I want to delve too deeply into at this stage as, for the moment at least, we’re being treated to some damn good television.
Whilst on the subject of ratings, I wanted to take full advantage and take a cheap shot at TNA. That being the fact that WWE Superstars airs on the same night (albeit an hour earlier) to a fraction of the potential viewers that TNA iMPACT! reaches yet is only a 0.1 or 0.2 down in the ratings on a weekly basis. I don’t hate TNA by all means but facts like that should be made fun of, simple as that.
So what I’m getting at with this is that it is your duty as a fan of great wrestling that you watch Smackdown each and every week to show the powers that be within WWE that it is this type of show that we wrestling fans like to see. And I’m 100% confident that if you do watch the so called “B shows” (Smackdown in particular) then you will agree with me implicitly. In the past I’ve been first in line to take shots at WWE and I think that it should be noted and appreciated when they outperform the relatively low expectations that I have for their creative team.
I touched earlier on the direction that CM Punk is taking, which is another big factor that is keeping me drawn to Friday Night Smackdown each and every week. They’ve not turned him full on heel, they’ve kind of just let him linger and I really think that Punk is one of the few guys that can pull this off.
I really do think that the direction they are taking CM Punk has been quite genius in execution thus far. I’ve heard in some pockets of the IWC that Punk should attack Hardy for having a past riddled with drug problems whilst he has reached the top by completely clean and “straight edge”. In my opinion, this would be the wrong way to proceed. Don’t get me wrong, it would definitely add an intriguing aspect to the storyline but in it’s current form I think it would be detrimental to the progress Hardy has made to step up to the main event level. To focus solely on the somewhat shady and questionable past of our supposed hero would be a quite absurd thing to do in my opinion. Let alone the impact that it could have with regards the views of the parents of the WWE Universe by highlighting the drug addicted past of their youngster’s idol. What it boils down to is the fact that they haven’t put all their eggs in one basket by turning Punk heel straight away, they’re letting the crowd make their own minds up on him and to me that’s the best way to handle him. My only hope now is that they can give him some good storylines going forward to keep him at the top of the card and a fresh heel run may eventually the way to go with him.
Changing tact a little bit, has there ever been a bigger waste of our time than the Donald Trump storyline that lasted 7 whole days? I certainly can’t think of any in recent memory. I cannot see how that enhanced the product in any way shape or form. The whole thing was stupid and it actually resulted in them losing money as some retarded shareholders actually believed this shit to be real. I must admit, I’m not sure how I’d progress with Raw in terms of the management/authority figure but surely there was a more logical way than what we saw with this Trump fiasco. If, as rumoured, Ric Flair is to be the new general manager of Raw then I do not see the problem in having the Trump angle run a little longer but have Flair running the show for him and Donny would be seen rarely, if ever. I would much rather have seen something like that happen than what we were indeed treated to.
As it pertains to this Sunday’s ridiculously named Pay-Per-View “The Bash”, I think it has to the potential to be a fairly interesting show. Either way, it’s free to air in the UK on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD1 so I’m not fussed one way or the other. There’s definitely a few matches in there that I’m down for…and there’s the added bonus that as it stands three days away from the PPV, there is no Big Show to be seen on the card! I’m interested in seeing The Miz against Cena, purely as a result of the long (by today’s standards) drawn out development of this angle. The Tag Title match with Legacy against Carlito and Primo should be another exceptional contest in my eyes, especially since the Colons are easily one of the best teams I’ve seen in quite a while. So with a fairly stacked mid-card and a couple good main event matches on the card hopefully this year’s Bash will not be the joke that it has been in pretty much every year that the WWE has promoted the show.
So that’s that ladies and gents, the returning column from yours truly is in the books. I hope you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read and by all means get in touch either by commenting on the blog or posting on the forums or even sending me an e-mail at AK@pinfallrecall.com.
Thank you for reading and may the next week of wrestling viewing be a happy one!
-Andrew Kearney
Pinfall Recall News Feed for March 17, 2009
WWE
New match added for WrestleMania 25
- The Miz and John Morrison vs. The Colons with both the World and WWE tag-team titles at stake has been added to the official line-up for WrestleMania 25. With that now known, here is an updated look at the card - as things stand now - for the year’s biggest event:
* WWE Title:
Triple H (c) vs. Randy Orton
* World Title:
Edge (c) vs. John Cena vs. The Big Show
* Brother vs. Brother:
Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy
* Undefeated Streak On The Line:
Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker
* World & WWE Tag-Titles:
The Miz & John Morrison vs. The Colons
* 3-On-1 Handicap Match:
Chris Jericho vs. Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat & Jimmy Snuka (w/ Ric Flair)
* Money in the Bank Ladder Match
* 25-Diva Battle Royal Match
Credit: wrestlezone.com
Discuss WrestleMania and everything wrestling on the Pinfall Recall Message Boards. The topic is here
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Raw and Smackdown ratings, WWE lowers ticket prices
- The February 27th episode of Smackdown scored a 2.3 rating, so along with Raw, Smackdown is also slipping in the ratings right now.
- The 3/16 edition of Monday Night Raw saw World Wrestling Entertainment’s recent ratings drop continue as the show did just a 3.6 cable rating. That is down from last week’s 3.7 and also from the 4s that they were doing as the build for WrestleMania began.
- WWE is lowering their lowest ticket prices down to $20-$25 for live events in order to counteract the recession.
Credit: 411mania.com/PWinsider.com
Talk Raw, Smackdown, and tickets with our forum members here
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TNA
TNA DVD and house show news
- “Second to None - TNA’s Toughest Tag Teams” is set for a May 5th release date. Team 3D will host the DVD and be featured on the cover.
- The company has opened up a website to hype the April 14th release of the Jeff Jarrett: King of the Mountain DVD set. You can check out the website here.
- This Friday, tickets will go on sale for the following TNA house shows:
* Knoxville, TN on April 30th
* Corbin, KY on May 1st
* Huntington, WV on May 2nd
* Pikeville, Kentucky on May 3rd
Credit: 411mania.com
Talk TNA here on the boards
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ROH
Kevin Steen injured, Matches for Houston shows, Lineup for April TV tapings
- Ring of Honor tag-team champion Kevin Steen will miss this weekend’s ROH shows due to an injury in his knee. He’s definitely off the Pittsburgh show and may try and work through his scheduled date in New York City, where he’s scheduled for a tag-title defense against The American Wolves.
- Added to the April 3rd show in Houston, Texas (the “Supercard of Honor”) is AAA’s Alex Koslov vs. Bryan Danielson and a six-man featuring Eddie Edwards, Chris Hero & Incognito vs. Kevin Steen, Jay Briscoe & Magno.
- KENTA and Tyler Black vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima and Austin Aries has been signed for the ROH Take No Prisoners 2009 PPV, which will be taped on April 4th in Houston, Texas.
- And finally, added to April’s ROH on HDNet tapings are Bryan Danielson, Nigel McGuinness, Tyler Black, Prince Nana, Rhett Titus, Kenny King, Chris Hero and Eddie Kingston.
Credit: 411mania.com/wrestlezone.com
Discuss Ring of Honor on 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
RDB@pinfallrecall.com
Milo@pinfallrecall.com
Ed@pinfallrecall.com
DC@pinfallrecall.com
Pinfall Recall News Feed For October 31, 2008
WWE
Non-Spoiler Smackdown Match Listing
- Non-Title Match: The Colons © vs. Miz and John Morrison
- Jimmy Wang Yang vs. The Brian Kendrick w/Ezekiel
- The Hardys and Rey Mysterio vs. Mark Henry, Kane and MVP
- Michelle McCool, Maria and Brie Bella vs. Maryse, Natalya and Victoria
- Casket Match: The Undertaker vs. Chavo Guerrero
credit: 411mania.com
Discuss this week’s smackdown right here!
Evan Bourne Injury Update
- The official word on Evan Bourne is that he has suffered a torn deltoid ligament and a dislocated ankle and has been fitted with a huge boot.
credit: WrestlingObserver.com
Let us know what a deltoid ligament is right here!
TNA
Impact Ratings Last Week
TNA Impact did a 1.2 rating this week.
credit: 411mania.com
TNA fan? Discuss last week’s impact and future episodes of Impact right here!
Other
Random News For October 31st
- TMZ reports that Steve Austin broke MMA fighter Paul Lazenby’s nose while filming a scene for his new movie, Damage. Austin accidently hit Lazenby with a left hook which broke his nose.
- The new issue of Entertainment Weekly apparently features an article on Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler as well as star Mickey Rourke.
- On a new Hart Foundation: I have read “rumors” of a new formation of an updated Hart Foundation. I am not big on repackaging old personas and have made that point clear which is exactly why this creative manifestation is likely to happen.
- On Brock Lesnar: UFC star and former WWE Champ Brock Lesnar apparently has issues with who the referee is going to be for his November 15 fight with Randy Couture. Not suer if this is Brock’s issue or “his people” but I would suggest that the Lesnar camp focus on beating the veteran Couture and not worry about officiating. I am still feeling a Lesnar win but much like the Presidential election I am not fully sure of my choice. Straddling the fence is not so comfortable.
credit: 411mania.com
Discuss these news articles right here!
Pinfall Recall News Feed for October 17, 2008
WWE
*Non-Spoiler* Smackdown match listing for tonight
-The following matches/segments are confirmed for tonight’s edition of Friday Night SmackDown on MyNetwork TV:
Big Show announces the 3 potential stipulations for his match with The Undertaker at Cyber Sunday
Carlito & Primo Colon vs. Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins
R-Truth vs. MVP
Ezekiel Jackson vs. Super Crazy
Undertaker vs. The Great Khali
“Las Vegas Poll Match” with Maria, Victoria, Natalya, Maryse and Brie Bella
Jesse & Festus vs. Kenny Dykstra & Brian Kendrick
Jeff Hardy vs. Vladamir Kozlov with Triple H doing guest commentary
credit: wrestlezone.com
Discuss this week’s edition of Smackdown with members of the Pinfall Recall Community right here.
Steve Austin Set to Film New Movie
- Steve Austin is set to resume work on his next movie today in Vancouver. The film, titled Damages, is about a recently paroled convict (Austin) who is forced into the illegal world of underground fights. Austin is also still scheduled to appear at the Cyber Sunday PPV.
credit: 411mania.com
Are you excited about Stone Cold’s new movie? Let us know why you aren’t right here!
Umaga’s Return Being Advertised
- Posted on the Izod Center website in East Rutherford, NJ is the main event for the Smackdown/ECW taping on December 30th. It lists Triple H, Undertaker, & Jeff Hardy VS Big Show, Vladimir Kozlov, & Umaga
credit: wrestlezone.com
How do you feel about Umaga’s impending return? Let us know right here
TNA
Backstage Changes to TNA’s Creative Process
- The buzz at the iMPACT taping on Tuesday was that the agents have been given more control over laying out the matches and finishes. In the past, the TNA creative team did the bulk of the work and the agents basically conveyed their direct orders to the talent. The general feeling is that TNA’s house show matches have been better than their televised matches because the agents had more input.
The creative team will obviously still determine who wins and loses, with Jeff Jarrett having the final say, but the feeling among wrestlers is that this was a much-needed move by the company. The wrestlers believe they can talk over their concerns with the agents more, and even lobby for positive changes in the match layouts. Whereas before, the agents had no choice but to stick to the script they were given by the creative team, even if they agreed with the ideas the wrestlers were giving them.
The wheels started going in motion on this at the Bound For Glory PPV. There isn’t expected to be a major noticeable difference at first, but it is a move the wrestlers are happy with.
credit: wrestlezone.com, prowrestling.net
Friday TNA Tidbits
- TNA’s storyline about Kurt Angle attacking staff last night during Impact is that he was fined $10,000 for it.
- The TNA Impact replay will be airing at 9AM on Saturdays for the next few weeks.
- TNA Impact did a 1.1 rating last night.
credit: 411mania.com
Discuss in our forums!
Other
Eric Bishoff’s Wrestlezone Interview
-On the goal of Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling: “It would achieve two things, one, as you know, there’s a big audience for good reality television, but the reality that works has a very distinct and unique kind of formula and format. So our goal is two fold, is to produce a wrestling show that would really appeal to those fans that are reality fans but at the same time satisfy the wrestling audience by showing them not necessarily anything new but maybe giving them a look inside the world of pro wrestling…we want to take them inside the art form of pro wrestling.”
- On the rumors that he and Hogan might be starting a new promotion together: “I’m happy to answer in one sense but reluctant to in another because every time I do an interview like this inevitably some internet writer somewhere is going to take a bit or a piece of what I’m going to say and then misconstrue it and turn it into something completely different. I recently read on-line all kinds of different stories that were born out of interviews that I’ve done. Here’s where we’re at really. I’ve said this before, I have no real interest in starting a wrestling company or a promotion, if you will, unless we can figure out a way quite honestly to come up with an interesting business model. Meaning, to do it differently not only from a creative point of view but from a business model point of view, to do it differently than one would expect you would launch a traditional wrestling promotion.”
- When asked if there was any truth to the idea that Jerry Jarrett may have been responsible for the NWO idea: “Jerry lives in a creative matchbox. He knows Memphis wrestling and that’s all he’s ever known and for him or for anybody to suggest that Jerry Jarrett came up with the idea for the NWO quite honestly is pretty damn laughable. Listen, I’ve heard so many people try to take credit for the NWO and all of the positives, and here’s the interesting thing about looking back and having the perspective I do, because I know exactly how it came to be. I know exactly who I talked to about it because I didn’t talk to too many people about it…like Kevin Nash and Scott Hall didn’t really have any idea what I was doing as I was doing it, they didn’t know up until the day before that Hulk Hogan was going to be the third man, they didn’t find out really until the morning of. But I’ve listened to, I’ve heard Terry Taylor try to take credit for it, I’ve heard Kevin Sullivan try to take credit for it, I can’t even remember the number of people I’ve heard try to take credit for the good things that happened during that time.”
- On Hulk Hogan vs Steve Austin: “Do I think it would be a great match? I think on paper anybody who’s a wrestling fan would love to see that. On paper. But in reality, in today’s environment unless the match was part of an ongoing, slow build that played itself out on television, you know in kind of a longer way built up over a period of a couple months, on Raw, I’m just not sure it would make any sense creatively. I don’t think in today’s environment you can take two guys as big as Steve Austin is and as big as Hogan is and as big as those names are, I just don’t think you can throw two big names in a big match and expect it to have the kind of impact that one would think that kind of match would have. I think it would take, as big as those names are, it would take a lot of great storytelling and a lot of build up and a lot of exposure to get people really excited about seeing it and really buying into that story. That’s number one. Number two, do I think it will ever happen? No, I really don’t. And I don’t think it will happen for a couple of reasons, one is neither one of these guys need it, they don’t need it financially, and they don’t need it, and when I say ego wise, I don’t mean ego to sound negative, but both of these guy have been to the mountain top, a couple of times, in Hogan’s case, quite a few times. And at this stage in their lives, in order to make the kind of commitment and in order to pull off something of this magnitude, they would both have to be really excited to do it and really feel the need to do it, just from a performers point of view, and I don’t think either one of them are there. ”
- On Hogan’s desire to get back into the ring: “We have talked about it and we continue to talk about it and I think if the right situation presented itself, and I don’t know what that situation is by the way, I’m not trying to hide anything. I think anybody, whether you’re a rock star or a wrestler or a boxer, anybody that’s been a performer, been in the limelight, nobody ever wants to look at themselves and go “you know what, that portion of my life is completely over.” So there’s always a part of people who are competitive people who have been there, people who have that drive to get them there in the first place, there’s always a desire to do it one more time. But there’s also the realization that if you’re gonna do it one more time it has to be for the right reasons and it has to be the right situation. And we continue to talk about what that right situation is, so I wouldn’t rule it out for Hulk. He’s the type of guy that if he makes up his mind that he’s gonna get back in the ring he will get himself in shape. He has been working out pretty hard lately he will do the things that he needs to do to be able to get in the ring and put on a show. Do I think it’ll ever happen again? I think there’s a possibility, but again there has to be an exact right situation.”
credit: wrestlezone.com
How do you feel about Bischoff’s Hogan-related comments? Let us know!