Main Event:
I still crack up seeing Kane wrestle in his current outfit. It's definitely a new take on the character.
I really enjoyed Bryan vs. Kane. I would like for Bryan to get a major win over Kane before facing HHH at Mania, preferably via submission, to sell him as a major threat. Especially since HHH is treating him as something of a non-issue.
Looks like I'm going to be covering Main Event on Tuesdays now. I can see them moving it if Smackdown gets placed on a Tuesday. That's a LOT of wrestling between Monday and Tuesday.
More selling of Bryan as a non-threat. Kane might have just lost to a former multiple-time WWE and World Champion, but the guy who beat him is just some lucky chump.
That was kind of an odd segment in the tag team title situation. I'm guessing the goal was to prolong the feud without NAO wrestling tonight. Thankfully this gives some more build to the rematch so it means more. I wouldn't be surprised to see a feud-ender at WrestleMania, maybe even a multiple-team match with Cody/Goldust and Ryback/Axel.
I liked the tag match well enough to continue to establish the Usos. I hope they do get a chance to show what they can do as champs.
I wasn't too crazy about the ending, but it was what it was. WWE likes their silliness. I'm guessing we get NAO vs. Los Matadores and THEN we get the tag title rematch? There's no telling. I'd be fine with that. I just don't want them to stretch out NAO's run too much longer. I feel like we've passed the sweet spot of nostalgia.
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Main Event Reax - 3/4/14, Query on Rhett Titus-WWE, Dory remembers Billy Robinson, more from MVP, live report from Chicago Raw, Raw visitor, NXT stars on the road, Interviews with Shield/Foley/Big E, new WWE signing, former TNA Creative member speaks, Raw reactions, WWE appearances, football star to WWE?, update on Main Event and Questions on NXTizing WWE, watching PPVs on the Network, Super Bowl vs. WrestleMania and fans walking out of WM30
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Latest Jarrett tease, TNA press, a look at the Punk-WWE situation, Interviews with Rollins/MVP, Vince a battling billionaire, TNA status of new X-Division Champ, Billy Robinson passes, JR projects, Smackdown audience, a look at WWE's business, Questions on WWE arenas, Bryan winning twice at Mania, the WWE Network
The Jarrett hype train keeps going with a new video. So umm... what does this have to do with wrestling? I like Karen and Jeff, but this is a wrestling blog and they need to be working on something wrestling-related for me to keep covering them.
TriCities.com covered a local wrestler competing on a TNA live event. As far as I know, this wasn't any kind of tryout or anything. It might have just been a squash match to build Shaw before he faces Anderson.
PWInsider.com has a great look at what's going down between Punk and WWE. It seems like some people in WWE are taking note of us wanting new names in the mix, but there's also HHH throwing Bryan under a bus. There's a difference between implying someone's "good, but not good enough to face HHH" and insinuating they're not in the same league as someone who's largely retired.
Seth Rollins talked in Chicago. Insightful read as always from him. The Shield's an impressive group of guys.
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
Vince McMahon made Forbes' list of billionaires for the first time.
I can just picture him strutting around saying "I'M A BILLIONAIRE, DAMMIT!"
New TNA X-Division Champion Seiya Sanada will be part of the company for an "indefinite excursion" as part of TNA's relationship with Wrestle-1. That's pretty cool. I hope he's worth the hype.
Billy Robinson passed away at 74. PWInsider.com has a solid recap of his career. He definitely had a big influence on things. Rest in peace, Billy.
Jim Ross talked about being interviewed for an ESPN piece on the WWE Performance Center as well as the upcoming Paul Heyman DVD. I'm looking forward to both of those!
Smackdown's audience this week was approximately 2.80 million viewers, a jump from the previous week. If they do jump to Tuesday nights, they'll likely pull in even more people.
WWE filed a 10-K with a lot of business info, including how many performers they have under contract and what they consider to be competition. I'm surprised there hasn't been a big blood-letting of talent outside of NXT. That had become the norm for a while.
MVP was interviewed about Dixie Carter as an on-screen character and more. It makes sense to phase her out if (when) MVP's team gets the win at Lockdown. I think she's served her purpose for now, though I do enjoy her as something of a guilty pleasure.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Yep, WWE plays favorites with arenas based on who helped them out in the past. They already have a relationship with that arena and don't see a reason to change things up or go to a competing arena.
2. It might get a little dicey with ensuring the fans there won't be yet another screwjob ending after Bryan beats HHH or after winning the title. And of course, Bryan has to actually go over those two. I'm a fan of heel Batista and it makes sense for him to be champion as they hype his movie, but I think it's Bryan's time. The fans have spoken.
3. I think they really underestimated the difficulties of putting so much content up for so many people to download. There will be more shows available in time.
4. I would MMMMUUUUUCCCCCHHHHHH rather see AJ vs. Paige than the never-ending "Total Divas" feud, but I suspect we'll have to wait until Season 2 kicks off before anything changes in that area of the company.
5. Vince has a different philosophy of what the women should be used for than HHH and the shows are different accordingly. I'd like to think we'll see more solid wrestling as the Performance Center continues to crank talents out.
More wrestling tomorrow.
TriCities.com covered a local wrestler competing on a TNA live event. As far as I know, this wasn't any kind of tryout or anything. It might have just been a squash match to build Shaw before he faces Anderson.
PWInsider.com has a great look at what's going down between Punk and WWE. It seems like some people in WWE are taking note of us wanting new names in the mix, but there's also HHH throwing Bryan under a bus. There's a difference between implying someone's "good, but not good enough to face HHH" and insinuating they're not in the same league as someone who's largely retired.
Seth Rollins talked in Chicago. Insightful read as always from him. The Shield's an impressive group of guys.
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
Vince McMahon made Forbes' list of billionaires for the first time.
New TNA X-Division Champion Seiya Sanada will be part of the company for an "indefinite excursion" as part of TNA's relationship with Wrestle-1. That's pretty cool. I hope he's worth the hype.
Billy Robinson passed away at 74. PWInsider.com has a solid recap of his career. He definitely had a big influence on things. Rest in peace, Billy.
Jim Ross talked about being interviewed for an ESPN piece on the WWE Performance Center as well as the upcoming Paul Heyman DVD. I'm looking forward to both of those!
Smackdown's audience this week was approximately 2.80 million viewers, a jump from the previous week. If they do jump to Tuesday nights, they'll likely pull in even more people.
WWE filed a 10-K with a lot of business info, including how many performers they have under contract and what they consider to be competition. I'm surprised there hasn't been a big blood-letting of talent outside of NXT. That had become the norm for a while.
MVP was interviewed about Dixie Carter as an on-screen character and more. It makes sense to phase her out if (when) MVP's team gets the win at Lockdown. I think she's served her purpose for now, though I do enjoy her as something of a guilty pleasure.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Yep, WWE plays favorites with arenas based on who helped them out in the past. They already have a relationship with that arena and don't see a reason to change things up or go to a competing arena.
2. It might get a little dicey with ensuring the fans there won't be yet another screwjob ending after Bryan beats HHH or after winning the title. And of course, Bryan has to actually go over those two. I'm a fan of heel Batista and it makes sense for him to be champion as they hype his movie, but I think it's Bryan's time. The fans have spoken.
3. I think they really underestimated the difficulties of putting so much content up for so many people to download. There will be more shows available in time.
4. I would MMMMUUUUUCCCCCHHHHHH rather see AJ vs. Paige than the never-ending "Total Divas" feud, but I suspect we'll have to wait until Season 2 kicks off before anything changes in that area of the company.
5. Vince has a different philosophy of what the women should be used for than HHH and the shows are different accordingly. I'd like to think we'll see more solid wrestling as the Performance Center continues to crank talents out.
More wrestling tomorrow.
Monday, March 3, 2014
WWE mention on ESPN, Interviews with Foley/Hogan, TNA title changes, WWE live event notes, more on WWE Network, Questions on Ziggler walking out, shoot interviews, Shane leaving, terrible way to end WM30 and testing the Network
WWE was mentioned on SportsCenter in relation to LeBron James and the Miami Heat having replica WWE Championships.
Mick Foley talked about his history of concussions and more. I could tell Foley really enjoyed his work as Commissioner. I have a soft spot for that role in that time. I hope the people today relying on big bumps and a lot of weapons take note of the toll it took on Foley. I think he's onto something about not having a character be too stagnant. That's where a good number of performers are now I'm afraid. I remember the Mr. McMahon hospital skit. Much better than some of the stuff we're subjected to today.
TNA filmed two title changes at their Wrestle-1 PPV. Even though the events haven't aired yet, TNA is acknowledging the changes on their website. Wrestle-1's Sanada is now X-Division Champion, while the Bro-Mans are once again Tag Team Champions.
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
Mick Foley talked about his history of concussions and more. I could tell Foley really enjoyed his work as Commissioner. I have a soft spot for that role in that time. I hope the people today relying on big bumps and a lot of weapons take note of the toll it took on Foley. I think he's onto something about not having a character be too stagnant. That's where a good number of performers are now I'm afraid. I remember the Mr. McMahon hospital skit. Much better than some of the stuff we're subjected to today.
TNA filmed two title changes at their Wrestle-1 PPV. Even though the events haven't aired yet, TNA is acknowledging the changes on their website. Wrestle-1's Sanada is now X-Division Champion, while the Bro-Mans are once again Tag Team Champions.
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Ziggler takes shots at WWE, Interviews with Foley/Otunga/JR, note on new TNA name, Wrestle-1 names working Lockdown, more on WWE Network, Foley talks Batista, more on AAA in the States, Cena update, more from Jarrett, TNA loses international TV home, WWE name change and Questions on WWE Network edits, airing NXT and bringing back the six-sided ring
Dolph Ziggler took to Twitter after WWE edited the crowd response to him on Smackdown. Can't have anyone getting over with the audience without the WWE stamp of approval! This is the kind of @&$# that gets fans in the mood to chant for announcers and generally bury the product and is the absolute wrong way to go.
Mick Foley was interviewed. The stakes are high for WWE to deliver at WrestleMania. The fans are tired of some of the same old acts at the top.
David Otunga was interviewed in a piece that didn't focus much on wrestling, but was still quite a read. I have heard/read exactly ZILCH about him coming back to the ring or anything anytime soon. It wouldn't shock me if WWE just let his contract expire (whenever that will take place) and/or just use him as something of an ambassador.
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
Mick Foley was interviewed. The stakes are high for WWE to deliver at WrestleMania. The fans are tired of some of the same old acts at the top.
David Otunga was interviewed in a piece that didn't focus much on wrestling, but was still quite a read. I have heard/read exactly ZILCH about him coming back to the ring or anything anytime soon. It wouldn't shock me if WWE just let his contract expire (whenever that will take place) and/or just use him as something of an ambassador.
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Query on Tye Dillinger, NXT Arrival notes, lots of #AskDixie questions, current Lockdown card, Impact Wrestling audience and notes, why Boo-Tista?, NXT taping note, Cena injury update and Questions on Robocop in wrestling, the WWE Network, Bryan and Bill DeMott
First up, a query:
1. NXT's Tye Dillinger might be better known as Gavin Spears from the old ECW brand's "new superstar initiative". This is his second stint in WWE developmental. I saw a promo from him as a "split personality" character that was intriguing. I feel one of the best compliments I can give after watching a talent is me being interested in seeing them again in more depth.
PWInsider has some notes from people attending NXT Arrival. They did have some issues that night, but all in all it sounds quite successful! Cena deserves props for letting Neville close the night. That's very classy.
Update: footage of Cena's promo is up. I hope Neville's as big of a star as some online expect him to be.
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
1. NXT's Tye Dillinger might be better known as Gavin Spears from the old ECW brand's "new superstar initiative". This is his second stint in WWE developmental. I saw a promo from him as a "split personality" character that was intriguing. I feel one of the best compliments I can give after watching a talent is me being interested in seeing them again in more depth.
PWInsider has some notes from people attending NXT Arrival. They did have some issues that night, but all in all it sounds quite successful! Cena deserves props for letting Neville close the night. That's very classy.
Update: footage of Cena's promo is up. I hope Neville's as big of a star as some online expect him to be.
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
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