WWE.com has a video of Hornswoggle addressing the fans after his Smackdown wish. You have to wonder how he made it through life previously without talking. Kind of crazy to hear after so many years of grunts.
Daniel Bryan is nominated for "Most Animal-Friendly Athlete" by PETA2 for his vegan lifestyle. That's somewhat amusing given that his finisher in ROH was called the Cattle Mutilation.
Here's the preview for next week's Impact Wrestling. Nice matches and stories set up for the show.
Jonah Hill talked about growing up as a wrestling fan on CBS Sports ahead of what was supposed to be an appearance on Raw. Fair point about the Globetrotters.
FCW's Damien Sandow worked a Smackdown brand house show, losing to Tyson Kidd. He's got a rather peculiar gimmick, but he's another name I'm interested in seeing work with the main roster.
SRG Films is planning a film adaptation of "Ring of Hell", a controversial, disputed take on the Chris Benoit incident. While I think it's a story that needs to be told, there are better sources to pull from.
WWE's new YouTube channel will open on 2/1/12.
After the break, I go into the rest of the day's news, including PWInsider.com's questions. Up next, Glacier responds to being on WWE's "Turkey List".
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Hornswoggle talks, Bryan up for PETA2 award, Impact Wrestling preview, Hill talks wrestling, FCW talent works house show, Benoit biopic in the works, new WWE YouTube channel on its way, Glacier responds to being on "Turkey" List, new WWE trademarks, Tyler Reks' "Midcard Mafia" animated series, updated Final Resolution line-up, Questions on Survivor Series, Taker vs. Kane, Arn in the Hall, combining titles, and backyard wrestling, Tessmacher and Foley interviews, Dreamer looks at WWE positives, Abdullah positive for Hep C?, and a return from injury
Knockout's contract up, Booker returns to the ring, Bourne update, Questions on Diva and Knockout storylines, Cena turning heel, and Neal/Toxxin in TNA, more on TNA's India project, Slammy commercial, Piper interview, Khali does WWE promo work, Cena's Zubaz pants covered, Foley interview, and the Impact Wrestling rating
This one apparently slipped through the cracks recently: Jackie Moore's TNA contract is officially up and there's been no word of her re-signing. She is, however, still on the roster page.
Booker T. is working against Cody Rhodes on Smackdown house shows. Obviously they're headed for a feud on TV. I think he might still be able to "go".
Evan Bourne is back doing promotional work and house shows for WWE, so expect him on TV again soon.
For Friday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Presumably they're building towards Kaitlyn turning heel and perhaps AJ teaming with Alicia. As for why the Divas of Doom backed off, maybe they felt that they had made their point?
Nothing to add to 2, as it was just recently asked. For 3, I actually thought that match was rather dismal. I expect Gail to win and the feud to continue. I'd like the Knockouts division to keep in a positive direction as well.
After the break, I look at the rest of the day's news and the other PWInsider.com questions, starting with whether it's possible that John Cena turns heel at WrestleMania.
Booker T. is working against Cody Rhodes on Smackdown house shows. Obviously they're headed for a feud on TV. I think he might still be able to "go".
Evan Bourne is back doing promotional work and house shows for WWE, so expect him on TV again soon.
For Friday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Presumably they're building towards Kaitlyn turning heel and perhaps AJ teaming with Alicia. As for why the Divas of Doom backed off, maybe they felt that they had made their point?
Nothing to add to 2, as it was just recently asked. For 3, I actually thought that match was rather dismal. I expect Gail to win and the feud to continue. I'd like the Knockouts division to keep in a positive direction as well.
After the break, I look at the rest of the day's news and the other PWInsider.com questions, starting with whether it's possible that John Cena turns heel at WrestleMania.
Friday, December 2, 2011
JR blog, Maryse and Lawler interviews, Japanese cameos, Smackdown rating, Chyna makes bogus claims, WWE '12 sales update, FCW talents to get tryouts, Questions on NXT, "Where are They Now" on Jim Dotson, Vader, and Midnight, and The Rock after Mania, Bourne ok to return, Ziggler interview, TTTT press release reveals impressive celebrity cameos, January PPV posters, WWE looks at the Kaitlyn/AJ story, Foley-Wife Swap press release, Morgan talks TNA/WWE and the Impact Wrestling post-show
Jim Ross posted a new blog on Undertaker, Cena, Morrison, and a good deal more. Whatever Morrison's future, I hope to see him on TV wrestling again. If he needs time off beforehand, that's understandable.
Maryse talked to Diva-Dirt about her time in WWE and her future. It's hard to picture her as a babyface given how natural she is as a heel. As for her thoughts on the Divas' division, I agree. I hate that so many of the workers there have been just "Face Diva Number ______" or "Heel Diva Number _____". I think this area has been improved upon a good deal lately (especially on NXT), but they can do better. A lot of them have potential to be distinct, likeable (or booable) characters and athletes, but they're not getting as much of a chance to do that as I'd like. Granted, this goes for a number of male athletes as well.
Jerry Lawler talked about the critically acclaimed "Memphis Heat" documentary and his history in the business. There's WAY too much overthinking in wrestling today. Possibly the biggest thing hurting the business.
Trendrr (no, that's not a typo) has Smackdown and Raw once more in the top 10 buzzed-about shows. Obviously WWE will be happy to know that.
On the 12/1 Raw house show in Japan, Funaki worked as the special referee for the Divas' Title match before being eating a Skull Crushing Finale by Miz. Brilliant. Also, hilariously, John Cena wore Zubaz pants in his match. He should stick to his regular attire since it's "what his character wears".
The 11/29 Smackdown pulled in a 2.12 rating. Not bad, but I think they should have hoped for higher with a Tuesday airing, hyped main event, and Mick Foley hosting. The holiday goofiness could have turned fans off.
After the break, I go into the rest of the day's news, including PWInsider.com's questions. Up next, Chyna's latest off-the-wall claims.
Maryse talked to Diva-Dirt about her time in WWE and her future. It's hard to picture her as a babyface given how natural she is as a heel. As for her thoughts on the Divas' division, I agree. I hate that so many of the workers there have been just "Face Diva Number ______" or "Heel Diva Number _____". I think this area has been improved upon a good deal lately (especially on NXT), but they can do better. A lot of them have potential to be distinct, likeable (or booable) characters and athletes, but they're not getting as much of a chance to do that as I'd like. Granted, this goes for a number of male athletes as well.
Jerry Lawler talked about the critically acclaimed "Memphis Heat" documentary and his history in the business. There's WAY too much overthinking in wrestling today. Possibly the biggest thing hurting the business.
Trendrr (no, that's not a typo) has Smackdown and Raw once more in the top 10 buzzed-about shows. Obviously WWE will be happy to know that.
On the 12/1 Raw house show in Japan, Funaki worked as the special referee for the Divas' Title match before being eating a Skull Crushing Finale by Miz. Brilliant. Also, hilariously, John Cena wore Zubaz pants in his match. He should stick to his regular attire since it's "what his character wears".
The 11/29 Smackdown pulled in a 2.12 rating. Not bad, but I think they should have hoped for higher with a Tuesday airing, hyped main event, and Mick Foley hosting. The holiday goofiness could have turned fans off.
After the break, I go into the rest of the day's news, including PWInsider.com's questions. Up next, Chyna's latest off-the-wall claims.
Superstars (with in-attendance notes) and Impact Wrestling thoughts- 12/1/11
On WWE Superstars, one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions is in action as Kofi Kingston faces Primo. Can the former holder of that title get himself and Epico in the running? Then, on Impact Wrestling, Sting addresses Bobby Roode, Karen Angle addresses the Knockouts, Rob Van Dam challenges for the TV Title, and 3 teams compete to see who will challenge the new Tag Team Champions. Will it be Mexican America, Ink, Inc., or Devon and D'Angelo Dinero? Read on for my thoughts on the shows as they happen, with in-attendance notes for the Smackdown half of Superstars in parentheses.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
JBL's scooter stolen, Hart angry at Canadian ad, Buchanan interview, Questions on WWE building stars and attractive Divas/Knockouts, Impact Wrestling and Final Resolution previews, Raw rating, Japanese star visits WWE, former FCW Champion returns, JR talks turning Cena heel and Austin wrestling, and an interview with A-Ryin interview
TMZ has a story on JBL's scooter being stolen in Bermuda and possibly being sold for scraps. Not to make light of this serious criminal situation, but the idea of JBL's character riding a scooter is hilarious to me.
Bret Hart is (justifyingly) peeved at a Canadian ad portraying wrestlers poorly. That was bad and they should feel bad. I hope they get tons of angry letters. Or tonnes if they prefer.
Bull Buchanan talked about his recent cameo and what's going on in his life. Good stuff.
As for Wednesday's PWInsider.com questions and my thoughts on them:
1. I think we need to retire the word "buried". There's a difference between being hit with snowballs and getting caught underneath an avalanche. Buried should be saved for the latter type of case. That said, yes, Survivor Series was about Rock. I agree that Cena, Miz, and Truth could and should have looked better. Thankfully they're being built more now to correct that. Booker could have been in-character I suppose. They had a big feud during the 2001 Invasion angle. I could be way off, and his commentary is quite the trainwreck in general that there's not much telling what goes on there. I think they'll continue to do well (but not perfect) with Punk. They know he's the real deal now.
2's specific to them, and 3's a potential powderkeg. There are a number of females in both companies who are quite good-looking. I honestly feel kind of weird talking about my tastes in women on a wrestling blog. If someone really wants to know, leave a comment and I'll go into it.
There's nothing to add to 4, and they summed up 5 very nicely, so I'll move on after the break.
Bret Hart is (justifyingly) peeved at a Canadian ad portraying wrestlers poorly. That was bad and they should feel bad. I hope they get tons of angry letters. Or tonnes if they prefer.
Bull Buchanan talked about his recent cameo and what's going on in his life. Good stuff.
As for Wednesday's PWInsider.com questions and my thoughts on them:
1. I think we need to retire the word "buried". There's a difference between being hit with snowballs and getting caught underneath an avalanche. Buried should be saved for the latter type of case. That said, yes, Survivor Series was about Rock. I agree that Cena, Miz, and Truth could and should have looked better. Thankfully they're being built more now to correct that. Booker could have been in-character I suppose. They had a big feud during the 2001 Invasion angle. I could be way off, and his commentary is quite the trainwreck in general that there's not much telling what goes on there. I think they'll continue to do well (but not perfect) with Punk. They know he's the real deal now.
2's specific to them, and 3's a potential powderkeg. There are a number of females in both companies who are quite good-looking. I honestly feel kind of weird talking about my tastes in women on a wrestling blog. If someone really wants to know, leave a comment and I'll go into it.
There's nothing to add to 4, and they summed up 5 very nicely, so I'll move on after the break.
NXT thoughts- 11/30/11 (with in-attendance notes)
Today on NXT: Redemption, the competition to become the next breakout star of WWE hits Week 39. Derrick Bateman, Titus O'Neil, and Darren Young bring three different styles to the table; which one will be most successful in pushing them forward this week? Of course, they'll be joined by a number of other overlooked Superstars also with something to prove. Read on for my thoughts on the show as it happens, coupled with my impressions from being in the crowd that night in parentheses.
Smackdown thoughts- 11/29/11 (with in-attendance notes)
On this live edition of Smackdown, Mick Foley brings holiday cheer to the WWE Universe. But on the opposite end of the spectrum, Mark Henry looks to deck the Hall of Pain with Daniel Bryan as they face off in a steel cage match. Can Mr. Money in the Bank win the World Title (for real this time)? Read on for my thoughts on the show as it happens, with my personal notes from attending the show in-person in parenthesis.
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