This has to be said

Sry to all; i try to not bombard people with blog after blog, however after reading some reviews on the internet I feel as a wrestling fan and wrestling blogger I have to comment.  Apparently the 3-3-11, promo from TNA has made a lot of people angry.  I understand what all of them are saying...why rip off the WWE?  be more creative?  Why would the return of Sting be the biggest shocker in TNA?  I can see how many people might feel this way.  I myself simply do not.  Why rip off the WWE?  To get ratings, to throw a punch, to do what it did and make people angry.  WCW used to give away the matches on Raw and nobody except WWE employees thought it was that bad.  Honestly, WWE made a promo and until two promo's later when they clarified, everyone thought it was about Sting.  Why not smack them in the face with an exact copy of their promo, but this one is actually about Sting.  TNA does do a lot of original things...look at the X Divison which is exclusive to TNA.  Also, I don't think any true wrestling fan would look at both TNA and WWE products and say that WWE's wrestling was better.  So TNA has that going for them.  The only thing I think TNA did wrong with this promo was use it  when their shows are taped.  I mean it is Monday and already by way of the internet I know what is going to happen on Impact on Thursday.  So I feel they should have kept this in their pocket and made the return of Sting a complete surprise.  However, that is the only problem I have with this promo.  I feel that when in competition, you can't pull your punches.  I feel like all TNA did was take the gloves off.  I will admit that I am a TNA fan, but I am also a WWE fan.  Honestly I am a wrestling fan!!!!!  I just felt someone should stand up and explain why TNA's promo decision was not necessarily a terrible one. 

Smackdown review/Raw preview

So last week on Smackdown, it finally happened...Vickie Guerrero was fired!!!!!  Finally, now if they would just fire Michael Cole all would be right with the world.  Anyway Smackdown saw Dusty Rhodes, that's right the American Dream came back and helped his son Cody assault Rey Mysterio.  There was a match between the Big Show and Wade Barrett, after the match the corre came down only to be ran off by the steel chair that Big Show had picked up.  Then came the match...Vickie and Drew against Edge and Kelly...if Vickie's team lost she would be fired.  Well in a very anticlimactic ending that is exactly what happened.  My only fear now is that Vickie will end up on Raw.  Speaking of Raw, what will tonight's Raw have in store for us as fans.  One thing for sure is that The Game will be there.  What will he have to say?  Will the Undertaker's presence be felt?  What will John Cena do to the Miz for leaving him high and dry last week in the tag match?  How will the storyline between Randy Orton and CM Punk unfold?  Hopefully all these questions will be answered tonight on RAW.

3-3-11

No this isn't a misprint and it is not outdated.  This is a slap in the face the way that only Eric Bishoff can slap somebody in the face.  However, I will get back to that.  Now as far as last week's Impact.  It was a good show and one that I give a rating of 7.  There were many highlights:  the triple threat main event was great, the showdown between scott steiner and rob terry was interesting.    The biggest let down of the night to me was the "match" between ric flair and aj styles.  It wasn't a match at all, flair called aj out and an all out brawl ensued.  Here is my biggest problem with how fourtune is being used.  Fourtune is supposed to be a tight nit group, then why was it a two on one against aj for a long time before we ever saw a fourtune member.  That would have never happened to the four horseman not would it have happened to evolution.  So i think they need to start portraying them as a more tight nit group.  Anyway now back to the 3-3-11 thing.  So we in the wrestling world all saw the 2-21-11 promo in the WWE for the return of the underrtaker.  Many people believed that it was for sting.  Well at the end of Impact as it went of the air, there was a very similar promo...there was rain and a guy in a trench coat with a bat.  As if that wasn't bad enough...it went a step further in using the same font and format as the numbers 3-3-11 came onto the screen.  The only difference was the color of the numbers!!!!  I myself like this.  Many people are going to say that they being TNA are robbing the WWE and in many ways they are.  However, many people believed the WWE promo was sting and it got a lot of hype.  So considering that TNA is actually bringing sting back why wouldn't they go with a promo that they already know works.  The biggest questions for me are what will sting's agenda be and will anyone else come back that night?  We will all have to tune in this week, as Hulk Hogan returns and apparently so does the icon sting.   

2-21-11

So this past Monday marked the ominous 2-21-11.  While we all new it was the undertaker's return, we had questions.  What was he doing on Raw?  Why was his arrival so anti-climatic?  The undertaker made his way to the ring and before his music went off it happened...ITS TIME TO PLAY THE GAME...echoed throughout the arena.  I being a huge triple h fan almost fell out of my chair.   However what would happen when the game got into the ring?  As they both stood there nose to nose, they looked up at the wrestlemania sign.  While at first it seemed like the undertaker was going to say no, at the last minute he turned around and gave a stern yes.  Here is a link to see it for yourself:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBnmms5xw9A  Now I had been wondering since the end of the elimination chamber what was going to be the draw for wrestlemania, and boy did I find out.  While they have met at wrestlemania before with the undertaker coming out on top, it was not this personal.  Remember it was the undertaker who retired triple h's friend shawn michaels.  So this year might be the year the undertaker loses.  I feel like this was a good angle to go with, the wwe had to bring in somebody that the fans would at least somewhat think had a chance at the undertaker at wrestlemania.  Not many people currently on their roster fit this bill.  With shawn michaels being inducted into the hall of fame the night before, it would not shock me if we were in for a few more surprises.  Can anyone say special referee????

Elimination Chamber

So here is a rundown of what happened at the Elimination Chamber.  First and foremost, Edge retained the world title.  New tag team champs were crowned in members of the Core.  Trish Stratus was announced as one of the trainers for Tough Enough.  The Miz retained the WWE Championship.  Del Rio defeated Kofi Kingston.  and in the Raw elimination chamber...John Cena was victorious.  So the main events for Wrestlemania are set...It looks like it will be the Miz to defend against John Cena, and Edge will defend against Del Rio.  All in All I give the Pay-Per-View a rating of 6.5.  It could have been a lot better.  However tonight is 2-21-11...So I look forward to seeing the Undertaker's return.  However what will the deadman's return mean for Wrestlemania.  And now that the dust has settled from the elimination chamber, what will be the reactions.

My wife and I with the Hardcore Legend Mick Foley

My Wife and I in the ring with Kurt Angle

TNA Live

Ok, so I went to a live TNA show last night.  I have been to several WWE shows including live RAW's and Pay-Per-View events.  However the TNA show last night was awesome.  The matches were good and it was very interactive.  They had people set up to sign autographs, and they had people come out early and after the show to sign more autographs.  They gave away backstage passes, and offered a package for the first eighteen people to go backstage twice.  I was one of these lucky ones.  I was able to meet Mick Foley, get his autograph and get a picture.  Later I was able to meet and get pictures with several other superstar's including the Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle.  It was an incredible experience and one that I would not only do again but that I would recommend to anyone.  I would like to thank TNA for being so fan friendly, and a thanks to the TNA Superstars for making themselves so available to us...the fans.  So if you ever have the opportunity to see TNA live...take it.

TNA Impact

Last Night's Impact was highlighted by the return of Ric Flair.  The show opened with immortal and jeff hardy celebrating Hardy's win over Mr. Anderson to regain the TNA heavyweight championship.  Ric Flair came out and said that he does what he wants and he can bring immortal back together or tear it apart.  There was a brawl backstage between immortal and fortune, then Flair shows up and is drinking with fortune.  However during AJ Styles match with Matt Hardy, Flair interferes costing Styles the match.  This would result in Styles issuing a challenge to Flair for a match next week which Flair answered.  So that match is set to happen next week.  The entire night there were vignettes of the Jarrett's celebrating Jeff's win over Kurt Angle.  The last one the Jarrett's were at a restaurant and out of the kitchen comes Angle.  It was kind of funny.  As always there were some good matches, Kazarian against Robby E, the beautiful people had a good match, AJ against Matt Hardy.  The highlight of the night was the Heavyweight title match between Hardy and Van Dam.  Mr. Anderson was the special referee.  He ended up in the match because he confronted Bishoff earlier and wanted a rematch, bishoff wouldn't give him one and said that he could be the ref.  Anderson's response was ok, and then a mic check to Bishoff.  So the title match took place it was a good match, Van Dam was getting the upper hand when without Mr. Anderson seeing Hardy landed a low blow and then hit the twist of hate to pick up the win.  After the match Van Dam confronted Mr. Anderson only to end up on the receiving end of a mic check himself.  This was a good show...I give it a 6.5.  The one weird thing is that Mr. Anderson kind of reminded me of Stone Cold with his actions.  Hitting his finisher on management and then on somebody else, but both times he got down next to there ear and was doing some trash talking like Austin used to do.  I don't know if this was what TNA was going for with Anderson, but it was the feeling I got.  Anyway, Styles and Flair for next week should be an amazing match.  Knowing TNA they are bound to have something else in store for us as well.  Let's face it we still need a #1 contender for the heavyweight title.

IT HAPPENED!!!!

Last night on Raw, it happened...the night was marked by the fact that the guest host of wrestlemania was going to be unveiled.  There were some good matches, but all night I was hoping the guest host announcement would not be a let down.  It wasn't...when the music started I thought oh lord here we go again, another celeb.  Then as it went on I thought the WWE wouldn't give a celeb this type of entrance, so I began to watch more closely.  Then it happened...IF YOU SMELL!!!!!  The Rocks music hit and then out came the Rock!!!!!  The response from the crowd was the best response the WWE has had in the last six months with the exception of the night HBK came out.  The Rock started his promo and I loved every minute of it.  Especially the part where he put Michael Cole in his place.  I have been waiting on that for months.  The Rock then turned his attention to John Cena.  The Rock made fun of John Cena, which when the Rock makes fun of anyone it is hilarious.  the big question that remains is how long is the Rock here for.  Will he be here after Wrestlemania, or is that his stopping point.  I really hope not, but we will all have to wait and see.  I say as wrestling fans we just enjoy the ride, because the people's champ is now the one driving.

Genesis

So I did not see the Genesis pay-per-view, however here is a rundown of a couple of matches.  The TNA world title changed hands as Jeff Hardy defeated Mr. Anderson.  Jeff Jarrett defeated Kurt Angle, so now Kurt must walk Karen down the isle on the March 3rd edition of Impact.  This will be interesting, with Hardy the champ to see how the balance of power shifts or if it shifts to immortal.  I am sure Mr. Anderson has a rematch clause so maybe we will get to see that live on Impact this week.  As for Kurt, I know that Kurt is not happy with the current story line involving his ex-wife and kids.  Kurt's contract is up in August, so it would not be too far fetched to think that he might not renew.  All of this probably depends on how TNA decides to use him from now till August.  Also, with Bishoff at the helm there are bound to be more surprises to come in TNA.  I can't wait to see what TNA has in store for us next.

smackdown

Friday night's Smackdown was okay.  It started with a celebration by Alberto Del Rio, which was quickly spoiled by Kofi Kingston.  This would result in a match between the two, which Del Rio won.  There were some other good matches Wade Barrett against Rey Mysterio.  In the end, it was the World Title Match that took the show.  No surprise there.  Edge vs. Dolph with Vickie as special ref.  Towards the end of the match Vickie tries to spear edge...(you heard me right) and hurts her ankle.  Edge spears Dolph not once but twice and then Clay Matthews of the Super Bowl winning Green Bay Packers appears in a referees shirt and comes down to count Dolph's shoulders.  All in all it was a decent event, I rate it a 5.5.  I do have to say one thing though, can we kick Michael Cole off Smackdown.  It's bad enough I have to listen to him on Raw but Smackdown too.  I mean Smackdown has three announcers, I think it would be perfectly fine with just two.  Just my opinion.

TNA Impact

Last Night's Impact began with Immortal in the ring.  They called out Fortune, and this led to an all out brawl.  The night was filled with good matches, the six man tag team tables match was pretty good and the diva's match was also good.  However, I am starting to question the story line with winter.  The world title was on the line last night as Mr. Anderson defended against the Blueprint Matt Morgan.  The match was pretty good, Mr. Anderson ended up getting the win and retaining the title after Hernandez came out and attacked the Blueprint.  The contract signing between Jeff Jarrett and Kurt Angle went as expected with a lot of security in the ring.  The stipulations were interesting to say the least:  If Jarrett wins, Angle has to walk Karen down the Isle March 3rd when the Jarretts renew their vows.  If Angle wins, he gets custody of their two kids.  In the main event, Jeff Hardy teamed with Jeff Jarrett to face Kurt Angle and AJ Styles.  Every time Angle got in the ring, Jarrett got out.  The match ended with AJ and Kurt picking up the win and then Immortal hit the ring.  Then of course Fortune hit the ring.  Fortune was losing the fight when Mr. Anderson came to the ring and ran off all of Immortal.  Genesis this Sunday should be a great pay-per-view from beginning to end, just looking at the card.  For last night's Impact, I rate it a 7 on my 10 point scale.  There is still a question that is unanswered concerning Fortune and Immortal...Where is Flair????????

update: 2/21/11

So this is coming a little late, but this past week on Raw was another 2/21/11 promo.  This one was slightly different it went inside the cabin and then showed a figure with a black trenchcoat and black boots walking out.  The biggest difference and the one that is the "tell"  is the song that played.  It was Johnny Cash's "Ain't No Grave."  So fellow wrestling fans it looks like we are going to witness the return of the Undertaker.  The question now is what is going to be his agenda and why is he coming back on a Raw.  I guess we will have to wait and see.

Raw 2/7/2011

Raw opened with Mr. Mcmahon, don't get excited he was just announcing that next week they will unveil the guest host of Wrestlemania.  After this Randy Orton hit the ring and was then attacked by the New Nexus.  The show pretty much went that way with the New Nexus taking on members of the elimination chamber match and pretty much destroying them.  The end of the night was showcased with John Cena vs. CM Punk.  The match was okay, and the ending was kinda funny when Cena just shrugged his shoulders and low blowed Punk.  After this Nexus comes out but Jerry Lawler handed Cena a chair and the show went off with Cena standing tall in the middle of the ring.  I am going to start giving shows an overall rating on a 10 point scale; 1 being horrible and 10 being very exciting.  Last Night's Raw, I give a 4.  It was a little more entertaining than normal but was hardly a can't turn your head away show.

Smackdown

Smackdown started off with Booker T...Don't get excited he is only the new announcer.  Then Vickie came out with Dolph and then Kelly came out and then Edge.  It was a pretty good opening segment.  There was a tag match, between the champs and members of the core, the members of the core won.  Throughout the night there were elimination chamber qualifying matches, and after the dust settled we now have in the elimination chamber: Edge, Dolph, Rey Mysterio, Kane, Drew Macintire, and Wade Barrett.  This makes for an interesting chamber match.  At the end of the night was the match for the World Title.  Kelly Kelly ends up getting the win for Edge, and thus Edge retains the Championship.  After the match, Vickie fired Kelly Kelly.  Vickie also announced that next week Edge would defend the title yet again against Dolph.  This time however, Vickie announced that she would be the special guest referee.  Will Edge be able to make it to the elimination chamber champion?  It looks like Vickie will stop at nothing to take the title from her ex-husband.  We will have to wait and see if the Ultimate Opportunist can find an opportunity to escape next week's predicament.

Current Sate of WWE

I have been a wrestling fan for about 20 years, since I was a little boy.  I grew up a fan of then WWF and continued to be a fan when it changed to the WWE.  I loyally watch Raw every week and continue to purchase they're pay-per-view events.(For how much longer, I don't know)  However, a lot has changed in the WWE and I am not sure it has been for the better.  I know every one has an opinion and with the internet everyone can get their opinion heard.  Most of these opinions come from people who know nothing about the wrestling business, and I am not saying that I do.  I do however feel that as a fan I pretty much have a handle on what the audience wants.  First let's examine the WWE's tag team division or lack there of.  Santino and Vladamir are the champs...what an odd pairing.  The Uso's might be the only tag team in the WWE that reminds me of the old tag teams.  I mean of course you have the new Nexus, but it is really more of a faction than a team.  I feel that the tag team division in the WWE has lost all importance.  Now let's turn to the Diva's division.  This is just simply a joke.  There are three diva's that can actually wrestle:  Natalya, Beth Phoenix, and for the most part Melina.  Now the WWE has been rumored to be getting Awesome Kong.  I don't know what they are going to do with her.  This division is just simply weak, almost every week during the diva's match you can hear the crowd chanting "boring," they are right.  Now we come to the Heavyweight title picture.  Smackdown has Edge who is a formidable champion.  He is established and people believe he deserves the belt.  On Raw, it's the Miz.  Now I am not a fan of the Miz and never have been, however he has some talent.  That being said if the WWE wants the audience to actually believe the Miz deserves the belt they should let him win a match straight out.  Without any interference from Alex Ryley or anyone else.  I think that it is sad that the WWE had to put the Miz against Jerry Lawler in order for the crowd to just maybe think that the Miz won't get destroyed.  I take nothing away from The King, he is a Hall a Famer and derserves the respect.  However, with guys like Orton, Punk, Cena, Sheamus, and others; this is the best match that the WWE could put on???  There are a couple things the WWE is doing that is even more annoying than that.  First the anonymous GM of Raw, can we stop with the computer already.  Just bring back someone to be the GM.  I am tired of hearing Cole read the damn emails.  This brings up the other thing...Michael Cole!!!!  The constant bickering back and forth between the King and Cole is taking away from the matches.  That needs to end, whether it be putting them in a match, or just taking Cole and making him the Miz's spokesperson...something has to give.  Since the WWE has gone PG, they have lost their edge.  Now I know the Attitude Era is over and is not coming back, but I think we can all agree that as wrestling fans who are paying for a product...we deserve better. 

They're Here

Last night's Impact marked the arrival once again of "they."  However we will get to that in a minute.  The night started off with Immortal in the ring calling out Scott Steiner.  It was during this segment we found out that Hulk Hogan was not going to be there, do to a continuance in the legal proceeding.  (I am guessing he just is not medically ready to come back yet)  After this was a tag match, Ink Inc. was impressive but let's face it they just beat Gunner and Murphy.  Throughout the night were promo's of Jeff Jarrett and wife Karen in their home with their kids.  These promo's were interesting, but really  were just to set up the Jarrett's renewing their vows live on Impact.  (Gee, wonder what will happen there)  There was another triple threat x division match, which saw another member of Generation ME win.  There was supposed to be a tag match between the Pope and Bully Ray against Samoa Joe and Dvon.  This just turned out to be a brawl and never really turned into a match.  I would  like to take this time to point out that I feel Samoa Joe could be used more effectively by TNA.  Not sure were they are going with his character, but I hope they put him back in the spotlight soon.  There was a diva's taped fist match which was between Mickie James and Sarita (not sure on spelling)  anyway Mickie wins only to be laid out from behind by Madison Rayne.  Then came the Heavyweight Title match.  Jeff Hardy controlled the action for most of the match, then the ref goes down.  Immortal hits the ring;  then "they" arrive, well actually they have been here for a while.  Fortune led by AJ Styles turns on Immortal.  They lay out Jeff Hardy, and Mr. Anderson picks up the win and retains the belt.  After this there were some heated words between Aj and Eric Bishoff.  All in all it was a good night.  It was entertaining and surprising, everything a wrestling program should be.  It did leave us with questions though,  where does Ric Flair stand?  Flair was not there last night.  Will he side with Eric or will he continue to lead his creation...Fortune.  Maybe we will find out next week.

2/21/11

This is the date that kept popping up on this past week's edition of Monday Night Raw.  This date popped up after a video portraying a superstar's either debut or return.  The video was very dark with sounds of thunder and lightning.  It portrayed a wrestler in a long black coat with black boots.  Many people are speculating this is the debut of Sting.  Others are saying it is the return of The Undertaker.  Both of these fit the style of the promo.  Sting said he would never work for the WWE, but as we as wrestling fans have learned...nothing is ever for sure.  The Undertaker's return is more likely, however the promo aired on RAW and normally the Undertaker's return is a surprise event.  The Monday Night Raw on the 21st airs from California, which is Sting's home state.  One thing is for certain, one night removed from the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view will mark one of the biggest surprises in RAW's recent history.  With the WWE going PG, and with most wrestling fans waiting on the WWE to do something to shock them...This could be the event we have been waiting for.

Tonights TNA Impact

Tonight's TNA Impact is set to once again provide us with who "they" are.  There has been a lot of speculation on this subject...however with the appearance of Scott Steiner last week a lot of people are saying the Main Event Mafia are returning.  I don't know.  Kevin Nash and Booker T both members of the Main Event Mafia were on WWE's Royal Rumble pay-per-view this past Sunday.  This does not rule them out for tonight, but to me makes this idea highly unlikely.  Sting also a member of the Main Event Mafia, has not been heard from in a while and is actually rumored to be appearing on WWE programming soon.  Checking on normal spoiler sites, some are saying tonight is the night Fortune turns on Immortal.  While this would make for great television, I personally would like to see another return or debut of a big name superstar.  I guess we will all just have to wait and see what happens.