From the Desk of Mr. V #128
July 14, 2011
By: Gregory “Grash” Walek of Wrestleview.com
Note: Grash, Wrestleview’s NXT’s Recaper, is filling in for Mr. V this week. And more importantly keeping the unbroken streak alive!
Introduction
Welcome to this special edition of “From the Desk of Mr. V”. I am Gregory “Grash” Walek, Wrestleview’s NXT Recaper, and right now your teacher. Mr. V is away this week, spending some quality time up in the mountain on a long overdue vacation. Fear not, I am a professor. So I know what I am doing. So, turn off your cell phones, and get your notebooks and pens out. Pay attention to the project as I demonstrate this week’s material.
Quote of the Week
This week’s quote comes from author Stephen Covey, “Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly.” Now as nice as that sounds, Terry Pratchett may have explained the situation much better, “Give a man a fire and he’s warm for the day. But set fire to him and he’s warm for the rest of his life.”
While you let that sink in with you, here’s some music to warm you up for lecture.
The Lecture
MacGuffins
In my recap of NXT this week, I commented on the feud that is running between Tyson Kidd and Yoshi Tatsu. When you read down below, the top honors for matches that Mr.V gave was for the July 5th NXT match between the two. For those who aren’t following the show, here’s what you need to know. Yoshi has a mobile shrine for mediation which he brings with him and sets up back stage each week. In this shrine there is the action figure of himself. During these backstage segments, an offering is made by Yoshi and placed in the hands of the action figure. It is intended to evokes a cheap pop from the crowd when they pay attention. For Example, on the NXT show this week a casino chip was offered because they were in Mohegan Sun Casino. During this segment two weeks ago, Tyson Kidd interrupted, grabbed the action figure, ripped it apart, and walked off with the leg. This was the lead up to the match later in the show. Since then, the pair have locked up again each week. These matches have now been defined by Kidd flaunting the leg from the broken Yoshi action figure I used the term “MacGuffin” in my column to describe the action figure leg. This is a term coined by the legendary director Alfred Hitchcock. The definition of a MacGuffin is that it is a plot element which is the ignition point for the conflict within a story. Classic MacGuffins in cinema have been the meaning of the word Rosebud in Citizen Kane, to the Maltese Falcon, the briefcase and the watch from Pulp Fiction, to the Death Star plans in R2D2 from Star Wars. These were all items which drove the story ahead. Now, there’s one point about the Macguffin that needs to be stressed. When things finally resolve themselves, the Macguffin may not exist or matters.
Now, the title purists out there are going to dismissing the argument I am going to make here. Unfortunately there’s not much I can do as our view points on the matter diverge so greatly. I hold the view point that today’s product has more in common now with Greek theater than it does with Greek Wrestling. And is under this understanding of today product, I put forward that a title is one if not the most common MacGuffin today. Regulars of this site will have heard multiple times that the title is a prop. The two are the same.
If we look back at some notable feuds we can see that the title got things going, but by the blow off, the title was secondary to the built storyline. The Cena-Orton feud that blew off at Braggin’ Rights ’09 started with title swapping. By the time Bragging rights rolled in the story was not about the WWE Championship. It was about who was top dog. Looking to right now, Punk-Cena started off with Punk demanding a title match cause he had beaten the field, including Cena. In three weeks it’s blown up to more than just a mere title fight. I will talk more about this match.
Back to NXT and Yoshi and Kidd. The action figure leg is what jump started a single match into a competitive feud between the two. It is what is driving the feud. We are seeing it in the reaction in Yoshi when Kidd comes to the ring with the leg. It was re-inforced because the action leg as Striker got out of Yoshi is not just an action figure leg. It is the representation of loss honor in Yoshi’s eyes. Tyson knows this, and to continue to hold the action figure leg denies Yoshi redemption of full honor. We have our Good. We have our Bad. Now enjoy the fight.
CM Punk and Cena – Money in the Bank
There’s so much in play in with Cena an Punk going in to this Sunday’s PPV. The Title is up for grabs. Punk is going to have his last match on his current contract with WWE. Then you have the outlying factors going on. You have Vince on edge about CM Punk. Cena could be fired if Punk Leaves the WWE with the Title. Then the big ‘what if’ question of if The Raw Money in the Bank Match winner will cash in right away on the PPV. It’s a ball of chaos which will eventually be resolved to the most part come 11pm this Sunday. At this point, I am waiting to see what will actually happen than to run on a potential red herring. Though Punk saying he’s “tired” to finish his last promo is one that I’m irked to find out more on.
One basic rule of thumb with the WWE today is that anything and everything that has to deal with Vince McMahon is a big deal. This promo has been no different, but it has benefited from two factors in play here. First the power and authority over the entire WWE all flows through Vince. The second is that WWE has managed to keep Vince off of TV a lot more than he has been on. He’s been blown up in a limo. He’s had the Raw set dropped on him. Nexus put him in a coma. The cost of his wife’s election last year put him back into it. The result of these two factors is that in pulling back on Vince on TV, he’s become more effective when he shows up. It means more. It has more impact on the viewer. Looking ahead, it’s likely we’ll see Vince again on TV still to wrap up this storyline. As long as we stay clear from booking God into match again, what we will see will of the same golden stuff we’ve seen so far in this storyline.
Any Questions?
Unfortunately, I did not get any questions to tackle this week. If you have question you want answered by Mr. V, send it to him at mistervwv@hotmail.com.
Detentions
Josh Boutwell – Do not taunt the Happy Fun ball that is CAC.
All the former WWE Creatives who loved Punk’s stuff because he called Steph, HHH, and others names. Genetlemen, time to move on.
John Cena for suggesting that people destroy rugs. No Thank you. I like the rug in my room, it pulls the room together.
Alexandr Kolobnev, Cyclist. Was removed from the Tour de France for Doping. Cheater.
NFL and NBA. Why? One Word. Lockout.
The WWE. Why? No Ice Cream Sandwiches any more.
CN Pasta – Time to stop making fun of Adam Martin and making podcasts. When is the next CAC Podcast coming out anyway?
National League Central Team, Except the Pirates. Get Better.
The owner of the Dodgers, Frank Mccourt. Keep up your antics, and you might find you self a few lines down between Stinkbugs and 2010 French Soccer Team.
Dino Puglia, For running a horrible Tribute Show in Macho Man’s Name and not doing the paperwork to do a proper donation that you promised to do.
The Time Out Chair
Mr. Claudio Castagnoli. You were out of line taking a stab at Baseball . It’s time for you to sit down and have a time out, sir. And for the Record, The USA Woman’s Team is in the finals.
Eternal Detention
Praxis and the ETS Series
Teachers that get arrested
Stinkbugs
2010 French Soccer Team
Jeff Hardy and “The Other” Hardy
“Undefined” Alicia Fox
Mike Tenay
Westboro Baptist Church
Toni Morrison
“Roggio”
“The Brody”
Scottie Poindexter, Thank you for this song. 100% Mr. V Approved.
As previously announced on Mr. V #120, this is a feature to the column after given the blessing by Editor-In-Chief Adam Martin. Under the Watchful eye of Mr. V, a crack team of scouts toil in search of those whom post the ridiculous, the uneducated, and the puzzling under articles, columns, or recaps on Wrestleview.com.
This week we had some great contenders for the award. One of these came my July 5th NXT Recap, I commented on how Daniel Bryan worked a match in ROH flippy flip style. Needless to say that one Gilbert El-Dick was not happy with me.
“Sorry you don’t like the ‘flippy flippies’, Grash. Some of us call that talent, but everyone watches wrestling for different reasons…especially as this is WWE. Thanks for the recap!”
I’m not sure where you are going with the “This is WWE” and your previous point about Gymnastics and Wrestling ability. But thanks for liking my recap.
When an article posted on Mayson Ryan and his WWE status one Smackdown Recaper and now Raw-Recap Reliever, Mike Tedesco, honed on Bat… I mean.. Mayson . This brought out the contender worthy quote with: “Is it bad that I never noticed he was gone?” While you may come up short here, you’re indirectly responsible for this week’s winner.
Blowing these two out of the water was one Nud Fundrin. Nud is a regular and was in full form this this week. He was commenting on a report that Goldust is working behind the scenes. Nud was first to the scene with the comment that, “[Goldust] He’s kinda creepy with all the young girls too.” Dom Tesauro, would come to the defense with: “Leave Goldust alone.” Please. And brush your hand through your hair, Dom. It would set off Nud to come back four more times. And if nothing else happened this week, Nud would have taken the honors.
Now Punk has been quite the polarizing and energizing character to the internet community. It is from these whom found themselves commenting on this week’s Raw recap from Mike Tedesco created a winner which we haven’t seen yet. This is a man who lives on a plane of existence of his own. This is a man that broke Nud’s return and fire comment record this week. Easily. This is a man that broke one, not two, but three deadly sins in one night. A man whom unspeakable acts are uttererd. Man who thinks. “If Punk ate babies, would you still root for him”
Fred Zanfardino, this “Brody” is for you.
If you see one whom has become worth of a “The Brody” then join the team of specialists and send our fearless Leader, MR. V, an email at mistervwv@hotmail.com. Use the Subject: The Brody.
Mr. V’s Honor Roll for the Week of July 4 – July 10, 2011
7/04 – WWE Monday Night Raw
7/05 – WWE NXT
7/06 – Column writing (this was when I worked on Mr. V #127)
7/07 – WWE Superstars and Impact Wrestling
7/08 – WWE Friday Night Smackdown
7/09 – This was the day Mr. V spent time away “From the Desk”
7/10 – OFF DAY
Even though Mr. V is currently “away from the desk”, he still spending some time watching all the wrestling programming on WWE.com and on the laptop. What he saw was described as average wrestling and nothing truly stood out. I know some in the “Wrestleview forums” would nominate some for Match of the Year, but Mr. V does not recommend any of the matches because none of them were at their best. The below is what MR. V game me for the matches this past week.
Distinguished Honors – Tyson Kidd vs. Yoshi Tatsu, WWE NXT, July 5.
How did it end? In a very solid back and forth match, it ended when Tyson Kidd countered Tatsu’s finishing kick. Kidd then used what I called in my notes a “Hooking Neckbreaker (don’t correct me if I am wrong, no one is perfect)” to pin Tatsu for the win.
Grade: B.
High Honors – Alberto Del Rio vs. R-Truth vs. Rey Mysterio, WWE Monday Night Raw, July 4.
How did it end? The match had it all when it came to a three-way match. However, there was a bit too many spots near the end. However in the end Mysterio hit the 619 on R-Truth and hit a top rope splash and almost won the #1 Contender spot for the WWE Championship (CM Punk got the title back moments later during the Vince/Cena confrontation). Alberto Del Rio then seized him moment, blocked the three count and applied the Cross Arm Breaker to win the match over Mysterio and R-Truth
Grade: B- (leaned toward a B).
Honors – Alicia Fox vs. Natalya, WWE Superstars, July 7.
How did it end? I know I will get backlash on this (especially since Alicia Fox is not a very good wrestler), but this was a rare divas match where there was some good wrestling, a pretty decent story (it really was “on” when Natalya ripped off Fox’s hair), and limited botching. After a series of reversals, Fox was able to rollup Natalya for a clean pinfall victory. Still, it is a match to see between these two women wrestlers.
Grade: B- (leaned toward a C+).
Mr V’s Grade Book for 7/4 – 7/10
A+, A, or A- : None to report.
B+: None to report.
B: Tyson Kidd vs. Yoshi Tatsu (NXT).
B-: Alberto Del Rio vs. R-Truth vs. Rey Mysterio (RAW); Alicia Fox vs. Natalya (Superstars).
C+: Alex Riley vs. The Miz (RAW); Daniel Bryan and Derrick Bateman vs. Darren Young and Titus O’Neil (NXT); Zack Ryder vs. Drew McIntyre (Superstars); Crimson vs. Bobby Roode (IMPACT); Jack Evans vs. Tony Nese vs. Jesse Sorenson (IMPACT); Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase, Jr. vs. Daniel Bryan and Ezekiel Jackson (Smackdown); Mark Henry vs. Kane (Smackdown); Randy Orton vs. Sheamus (Smackdown).
C: Velvet Sky vs. ODB and Miss Jackie (IMPACT); Rob Van Dam vs. Daniels vs. AJ Styles vs. Jerry Lynn (IMPACT); Bully Ray, Abyss, Scott Steiner, and Gunner vs. Kurt Angle (IMPACT); Sin Cara vs. Tyson Kidd (Smackdown); Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso vs. Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater (Smackdown).
C-: Kelly Kelly and Eve Torres vs. Brie Bella and Nikki Bella (RAW); David Otunga and Michael McGillicutty vs. Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov (RAW); D’Angelo Dinero and Devon vs. Matt Morgan and James Storm (IMPACT); Tamina vs. AJ (Smackdown).
D+, D, or D-: Jack Swagger vs. Sgt. Slaughter (RAW); Wade Barrett vs. Don Gonzales (Superstars); Jinder Mahal vs. Trent Barreta (Smackdown).
F or INC.: None to report.
Current Wrestleview Prediction Standings
This Sunday is WWE’s Money in the Bank PPV. You can e-mail your predictions to Mr. V or Mike Tedesco before July 10th! Faculty standings were updated this week, but Students will not be updated till after Money in the Bank.
2011-2012 Predictions from the Faculty Roster (As of TNA’s Destination X)
1) Ryan Rivera (ROH on HDNet Recaps)…………………………………………………52-28 (6-1)
2) Dave Stephens (Raw Recaps/That’s a Wrap/Teachers Lounge)…………………………….51-29 (5-2)
3) Jose Marrero (Wrestling Rumblings/The Eye Gouge)……………………………………51-28 (3-4)
4) Josh Boutwell (TNA Impact Recaps/Viva La Raza)……………………………………..50-30 (5-2)
5) Wrestleview Students (The Readers of the article)…………………………………..50-30 (4-3)
6) Nicholas Gray (The Velvet Room)…………………………………………………..50-30 (3-4)
7) Gregory “Grash” Walek (WWE NXT Recapper)…………………………………………..49-31 (4-3)
8) Mike Tedesco (WWE Smackdown Recapper)……………………………………………..47-33 (4-3)
9) Greg McNeish (The Velvet Room)……………………………………………………47-33 (3-4)
10) Darragh O’Connor (WV International Desk)………………………………………….46-29 (5-2)
11) Evan O’Brien (WV International Desk)……………………………………………..45-35 (4-3)
12) Anthony Valvo (From the Desk of Mr. V/Teacher’s Lounge)…………………………….45-35 (3-4)
13) Matt O’Brien (Notes from the Nosebleeds)………………………………………….43-37 (3-4)
14) Andrew Hayman (WWE Superstars Recapper)…………………………………………..39-28 (3-4)
2011-2012 Predictions from the Students Roster (As of WWE’s Capitol Punishment)
The Top Five readers are listed below. The first set of parentheses is the W/L record for WWE’s Capitol Punishment. The second parentheses are the Tie-Breaker points.
1) Jason Namako…………………………………………………52-21 (2-5) (22) – #1
2) Michael Fox……………………………………………………51-22 (4-3) (23) – #2
3) Paul Meade……………………………………………………..51-22 (5-2) (22) – #3
4) Nick Latham…………………………………………………….50-23 (5-2) (23)
5) Jordan Benterman…………………………………………..50-23 (6-1) (22)
The person with the most picks incorrect is currently 43-30 with 16 tiebreaker points.
Gold Stars brought to you by: ColtMerch.com! Take a look at Colt Cabana’s merchandise and you won’t be disappointed. Hi Colt!
Also, while you are at it check out www.jrsbarbq.com. Jim Ross has some specials on all the Beef Jerky you can consume. Look at his blog and maybe buy a product or two.
Finally, some Gold Stars! These are the people, teams, and many other things that I think did a great job in wrestling, sports, news, and even charity. So, here is who I am giving a Gold Star to:
Mr. V’s Daughter gets the first the first gold star this week for being a die hard Zack Pack gal. Her birthday was also this week. And for this, it’s happy birthday sing along time with CM Punk.
Joey Styles also gets a Birthday Gold Star!
Scott Stanford, The next biggest Zack Ryder Fan after Mr. V’s Kid. Also a great on the commentary desk too.
CM Punk. You sir have the sold PPV for this weekend.
Austin Aries, for making many illegal streamers of TNA PPV choke this previous weekend.
Samuel Sanchez, the man in the Tour De France Climber’s Poka Dot Jersey
Mark Cavendish, the points leader of the Tour De France and in the Green Jersey
Thomas Voekler, the man in the maillot jaune , the current leader of the Tour De France
America’s Women World Cup Soccer Team, they have reached the finals again. GO USA
The Boston Bruins for Bringing Stanley home after 39 years.
The Pirates, You should never be this good.
Microsoft, For giving away XBOX 360’s with new Window 7 Machines. Excellent Deal.
And finally, the last gold star goes to Jessie.
And that is all for now. If you want to give out a Gold Star let Mr. V know at mistervwv@hotmail.com.
Homework Assignment
With the mid year upon us, the WV staff was brought together for their mid year awards. After reading the staff choices, we turn it over to you for your turn now. Below is the link for the ballot. You can send them to mistervwv@hotmail.com or at lounge@Wrestleview.com and I will be able to record your postings before I announce the Readers’ Choice on July 21, 2011.
http://www.Wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1310321315
Dismissal
Well, that is your class for this week. I thank you all for reading this column and thank Mr. V for letting me fill in for him this week. If you didn’t like it, well next week it will be back to normal. And if you have to tell me I sucked, email me at liveshow@Wrestleview.com. For those of you have questions and other comments about this week column, drop me an email at grashuriza@gmail.com.
You have your assignment. Class is over.
– Grash
THE TEACHER’S LOUNGE IS NOW AIRING ON SATURDAYS!
Note: Both Dave and V are on Vaction this week. Mr. V will return the next week with a new edition of the Teacher’s Lounge
Along with Wrestleview’s Raw Recapper and Columnist Dave Stephens, The Teacher’s Lounge gives the Wrestleview Radio Network Audience a complete rundown of the past week’s events in professional wrestling all in a one to two-hour program. We even have a few games, a detention segment, as well as interviews.
Most Recent Guest (on the 6/4/2011 edition of The Teacher’s Lounge)
Ring of Honor, SHIMMER, and Chikara Professional Wrestler Sara Del Rey
Sara Del Rey joined Dave and V on June 4th, 2011 to discuss Ring of Honor’s sale to Sinclair, portrayal of women’s wrestling, wrestling in Japan, SHIMMER, Chikara, the BDK, and Starbucks. This is an interview you truly do not want to miss.
Already on the archives we interviewed Wrestleview.com staff members, including:
• Jose Marrero (Wrestling Rumblings and FYB Radio host)
• Matt O’Brien (Notes from the Nosebleeds)
• Josh Boutwell (TNA Recapper and Viva La Raza columnist)
• Mike Tedesco (WWE Smackdown recapper)
• Nicholas Gray (The Velvet Room)
• Adam Martin even guest hosted an episode (find out which one) (Editor-In-Chief)
• Paul Nemer (Site Owner)
But wait, here is plenty more!
The Teacher’s Lounge also interviewed professional wrestlers and amazing writers, including:
• Ring of Honor Wrestler and Former NWA World Champion Colt Cabana.
• TNA Superstar Hernandez
• Isis The Amazon (formerly Aloisia of WWE)
• Lori Carrington (Author of “The Cruiserweight)
• Crystal Mai (from Diva-Dirt.com)
• ROH, SHIMMER, and Chikara Professional Wrestler Sara Del Rey
As always, Dave Stephens and Mr. V thank all their listeners as well as our readers. For $4.99 a month, you get all of this along with many other hours of content from the other shows on the Wrestleview Radio Network. It does cost a bit of money, but they make it worth it. If you want to be a part of the Lounge for our “E-mails” section, you may drop us a line at lounge@Wrestleview.com. To sign up, click here.