By: David Stephens of WrestleView.com
Ousta! Welcome back to the only WrestleView column covering topics both nowhere yet everywhere at once. If you are new to the column you are probably going to hate me for the first couple weeks, but then you are going to hit a point where you say ?oh wait a minute, I think he gets it?. Don?t worry, that’s exactly how it is designed to be. This column is all about gut reactions and traveling thoughts. As the great Andy Kaufman once said: ?I just want real reactions. I want people to laugh from the gut, be sad from the gut, or get angry from the gut?.
What’s in the News?
My opinions are in italics
All news is gathered from WrestleView.com unless otherwise noted
During an appearance on the Bubba the Love Sponge radio show on Friday, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff discussed a number of topics including the rumors that The Honky Tonk Man was close to signing with TNA. Bischoff said that he would “rather drive a rusty ice pick through my thigh” than work with Honky and added, “There’s no truth to that at al. Honky couldn’t draw flies if he were rolled in horse shit.”
I?ll say this, if I knew that The Honky Tonk Man was going to be appearing on a show, either for WWE or TNA, I would have absolutely no motivation whatsoever to go out of my way to turn it on. Considering his age, I fail to see his value as an in ring competitor in today’s market.
Bobby Lashley defeated Wes Sims via TKO in the first round at tonight’s Strikeforce event that was shown live on Showtime. Lashley remains undefeated in his MMA career.
Prowrestling.net is reporting that there has been talks in TNA about sending current TNA World Tag Team Champion Hernandez to AAA to work in Mexico for an extended stay. Those in the company feel this would be a good move for his career to get over even more in Mexico and return as an even bigger star.
This is a fantastic idea. Hernandez is certainly talented. This would only grant him more exposure and allow him to return to the company with increased vigor and intensity.
According to PWInsider, former WWE Tag Team Champion Joey Mercury is set to return to WWE. Mercury won the WWE Tag Team Title along with John Morrison (then Johnny Nitro) as they were part of the team “MNM.” Mercury was released by WWE in March 2007.
Mercury was very valuable in the past due to his impressive skill set. His work with Morrison did wonders for John’s career. I?d like to see him back in one role or another
PWInsider is reporting that WWE banned all non-personnel from visiting backstage at last night’s Royal Rumble PPV in Atlanta, GA in an effort to keep Edge’s return to the company as a secret.
This is the kind of report that I love to read. Kayfabe is worth keeping alive whenever possible. I fail to see the reward in being ‘spoiled?
According to The Figure Four Weekly Newsletter, the guest host concept on WWE Monday Night Raw was originally slated to go until WrestleMania and then reevaluate if they want to keep it or drop it. Were told the company is leaning towards keeping it post-WrestleMania and even more so if TNA ends up going live every Monday later this year.
Nice! I?m a big supporter of the guest host concept. Shatner performing the wrestlers? theme songs this past week pretty much cements this belief in my mind.
Eric Bischoff commented on Vince Russo on his Twitter page: Sorry to disappoint all of you who are expecting heat between Russo and I. Actually enjoy working with him so far. Ed (Ferrara) and Matt (Conway) too.
Told you so?
PWInsider is reporting that Bret Hart was seen having dinner with several people who work for TNA, including Jeremy Borash at Bailey’s in Nashville, TN.
Just a simple dinner. Oh wait, I should probably try and blow this completely out of proportion. Hmm, ok how about this: BRET HART IS BUYING TNA AND GIVING TEDDY HART EVERY SINGLE BELT!!!
Former ECW champion, WWE star and current TNA broadcaster Taz posted the folowing on his Twitter:
“So,WWE ending their “vision” of ECW (thank god).ANY ORIG ECW wrestlers get a thanks? How about Paul Heyman did he get a thanks? Classy move!”
To be fair, they gave Tommy Dreamer a very classy send off just a couple of weeks ago. The announcement from McMahon during the show was done in his heel character, so I have no problems with the way that it was handled
Former ECW and WWE star Tommy Dreamer posted the folowing on his Twitter:
“Many people have asked me why I left WWE. If you watched ECW tonight, a piece of the puzzle was revealed for my actions. Stay tuned.”
I met Dreamer a couple of weeks ago, really nice and sincere guy
Were told the issues between Awesome Kong and Bubba the Love Sponge seem to be resolved after a meeting took place with her, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff reports Prowrestling.net. Kong had initially asked for her release and refused to work the company’s UK tour despite being advertised. While they may have not granted her a release, were told there are still some financial issues between Kong and the company. According to reports, Kong was said to be touchy when she noticed how much the company was spending on newcomers and how they couldn’t afford to give talent already on the roster raises, especially the TNA Knockouts.
Weird situation all the way around. But understandable reasons are being given for Kong’s departure
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that John Cena got good news this past week after getting an MRI to check on his neck and back pain. According to the report, the damage to his neck and back wasn’t as bad as originally feared. Cena has been taking it easy in the ring as much as possible in the last few weeks and was even pulled from the originally scheduled WWE Championship match at the Royal Rumble PPV where Randy Orton was given the spot instead.
Always good to hear that a talent is in better shape than initially thought
According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Eric Bischoff continue to court Jim Ross as an announcer in TNA. Ross’ short-term contract extension with WWE is set to expire in Mid-March.
TNA pushed hard to recruit the WWE hall of famer for Impact’s three-hour live show on 1/4.
Nah, they should go after Mike Adamle instead. But seriously, I would mark out if Adamle appeared on my TV again in the wrestling industry
Ratings
RAW 1/25 ? 3.58
ECW 1/26 ? 0.9
iMpact 1/28 ? 1.4
Superstars 1/28 ? 1.0
Quick Results
RAW February 1st
-John Cena def. Cody Rhodes in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
-Triple H def. Jack Swagger in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
-Randy Orton def. Shawn Michaels in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
-Ted DiBiase def. Mark Henry in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
-Kofi Kingston def. Big Show in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
ECW February 2nd
-Vance Archer def. Shelton Benjamin
-Yoshi Tatsu def. Trent Barreta
-ECW Champion Christian vs. Zack Ryder (No Contest)
Superstars January 28th
-The Bella Twins def. Jillian & Katie Lea
-Chris Masters def. Primo and Chavo Guerrero to earn a spot in the Royal Rumble Match
-David Hart Smith def. Matt Hardy
TNA Impact January 28th
-8-Card Stud Tournament Qualifying Match: Desmond Wolfe w/Chelsea def. Sean Morley
-8-Card Stud Tournament Qualifying Match: ?Super Mex? Hernandez def. ?Fallen Angel? Christopher Daniels
-6-Knockouts Tag Team Match: The Beautiful People vs. Awesome Kong, Hamada, & Tara
-6-Man X-Division Tag Match: Motor City Machine Guns & Brian Kendrick def. Generation Me & Amazing Red
-TNA X-Division Championship: Doug Williams def. Amazing Red (c)
-Main Event: Mr. Anderson def. Jeff Jarrett
Smackdown January 29th
-Triple H def. CM Punk by disqualification
-R-Truth def. Chris Jericho
-Intercontinental Champion Drew McIntyre def. John Morrison ? No Disqualification Match for the -Intercontinental Championship
-Women’s Champion Michelle McCool def. ?Mickie James? ? WWE Women’s Championship Match
-Rey Mysterio vs. Shawn Michaels ? No contest
So ?that’s a wrap??. Love it? Hate it? Disagree with everything I said? Just want to chat wrestling? I?m always up for reading your thoughts so send them ?em on over.
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The last time I freaked out, I just kept looking down
I st-st-stuttered when you asked me what I’m thinking bout
Like I couldn’t breathe you asked what’s wrong with me
My best friend Leslie said, ?Oh she’s just being Miley?
The next time we hang out, I will redeem myself
My heart, it can’t rest till then oh, woah woah
I can’t wait to see you again
Why did I just close out my column with Miley Cyrus lyrics? Because I can
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