CMLL wrestler Thunder has passed away at 34. See remembrances/bios here and here. That's not old at all. It's a sad day for lucha fans.
Darren
Young, with Bob Backlund, unsuccessfully challenged for the
Intercontinental Championship at live events this weekend. It looks like
that pairing will get to appear together live on TV soon. I expect
those two and the Shining Stars will get more room to grow after the
brand split.
Big Show and Kane worked together against
Strowman and Rowan this weekend. I imagine they'll be back more
regularly post-draft, too.
Scott Hall and RVD remembered "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig:
- Glad to hear Hennig was a positive influence and good teacher for Hall.
- Some of those ribs are more cruel than funny.
- Part of me wants to see Curtis Axel team with Cody Hall.
- Hennig had the right attitude about losing. The business means people who can give back in the ring. Not everyone can go over.
- Interesting stories about WWE TV rules.
Cody Rhodes discussed leaving WWE and more.
He made the most he could out of Stardust, despite it not being his
ideal role. That's admirable, but I can see how it wasn't easy for him.
UK talent Johnny Moss was a guest coach at the WWEPC recently. I really like the guest coach idea.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1.
The real world is usually a lot less clear about faces and heels, and
this is no exception. Arguments can be made for either man being in the
right or in the wrong here. I don't think Cornette cares about coming
across as a heel where Russo is concerned. He legitimately hates Vinny
Ru. As for some specifics:
a. The "Russo got TNA kicked off Spike" story has been refuted by a Spike executive.
It's possible that executive was "kayfabing" for some reason, but it's
more likely there were some anti-Russo sources who fed the wrestling
press that story. Sadly, workers using the wrestling media to parrot
their views/spread rumors probably happens fairly frequently.
b.
I doubt Russo offered his services JUST to help out his friends, but I
wouldn't be surprised if he believes he's the answer to saving TNA and
his friends.
c. I don't see how Russo's words cost
anyone and jobs. Like with Spike, Destination America was going to drop
TNA regardless of Russo's actions. Pop has a bigger reach than DA, so
it's not really a bad thing they switched channels.
d.
I definitely think due diligence needs to be done with more stories.
That applies to every story and every reporter and reader (including
myself).
e. I think Russo can be viewed
sympathetically, even when disagreeing with him, due to Cornette's level
of hatred and threatening nature. There's disliking someone, but saying
you'd kill them if you could get away with it is crossing a serious
line.
2. If New Day ever splits up or cools off or
whatever, they might have to cut their losses on Booty-O's. I don't know
if ice cream bars would have been a hit, but I'm sure there was
internal talk of whether it would be worth a shot to make them. It's a
long process to make something like that. They'd have to work out a deal
with someone to make the ice cream bars and all that.
3.
In the near future? No. Vince wants to promote WWE superstars. Having a
few people from other promotions working in NXT is a different level
than having them regularly be on Raw or Smackdown. Vince would rather
sign any names that could be used and make them WWE names. It's
something of a control thing. As for years from now, theoretically
pretty much anything is possible. Maybe once we get Wrestlemania
(WWEMania?) on the moon, we'll see people from other promotions and
other planets competing.
4. It's a chance to get
Young over as a face due to working with the wacky veteran. He's kind of
lost in the shuffle with the pending brand extension, but maybe this is
all leading to something more once there's time to focus on him on one
show or the other.
5. Hopefully it's not too much longer before Ax and Smash are in the Hall. They certainly belong.
More wrestling tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment