VWWE Universe

32 Search Results for "2009"

• Inglorious Bastards: The Histo

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    Inglorious Bastards: The History of the New World Order
    

    Many of WWE's newer fans, and even Superstars, will not know of the (in)glorious history of the New World Order within the business. While originally a WCW concept, the first instance of the nWo we shall deal with will be the one former in January of 2002 in the now defunct Fantasy Wrestling Championship (FWC).
    
    Shawn Michaels had recently comeback from a career ending back injury, persuaded by money, by his own admission, he joined the upstart FWC, reuniting with Razor Ramon and Diesel, better known as Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. The trio would soon form the nWo and the FWC Championship around the waist of Michaels. Despite the accolades and plaudits Michaels received, he and many other Superstars were unhappy in FWC due to the booking flaws of the company.
    
    In March, he and the entire nWo defected to the then WWF.
    
    In a memorable month, the group invaded Madison Square Garden, declared war on the World Wrestling Federation and laid waste Superstars such as Silent Assassin, Kane, Hollywood Nitro and Steve Austin, spraying their familiar "nWo" logo on the backs of their enemies. Michaels in particular was noted for becoming the most hated man in the industry both on TV and backstage. The New World Order era not just a gimmick, they were for real. It wasn't to last however and after the WWF decided to turn Michaels face at WrestleMania 18, the nWo drifted apart, but significantly, all it's members left Skydome as a title holder, Michaels the Undisputed Champion and The Outsiders the World Tag Team Champions.
    
    With the Monday Night Wars against FWC in full swing, WWE decided they needed to hit FWC where it hurt - in the ratings. Hell in a Cell - Steve Austin - the nWo, three knockout blows from which WWE figured FWC would never recover.. they were right.
    
    The summer of 2002 was the summer of the nWo. Forming in May, this second version of the nWo is considered the "nWo classic", the definitive and most successful version of the group.
    
    Since being in WWE Michaels had formed a backstage Kliq, a group of Superstars closely allied and working to advance their own careers and "have some fun" as HBK put it in a 2004 interview. The Kliq were loved and loathed alike, many seeing them as the saviors of the business, the ones taking the war to FWC, while others saw them as arrogant, obnoxious and holding good Superstars down. The Kliq consisted of Michaels, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, Nightmare and Silent Assassin, the 5 men who would play a key role in what was to come.
    
    The nWo centered around three of the five members of the Kliq - Michaels, Hogan and Nightmare, with Urban-Wolf as the forth member and Shane McMahon in a management role. Triple H had been in the group for only a week but due to heat with the Kliq, was released from the company in the first sign of things to come.
    
    To feud with the nWo? Team WWE, led by Kliq member Steve Austin and later Silent Assassin.
    
    The havoc caused the first time around was nothing compared to the carnage this time, Steve Austin was stripped of the WWE Championship, Nightmare became WWE commissioner and split the brands, the nWo literally bought the company and fired Vince McMahon. HBK was awarded the WWE Championship and anybody who argued was beaten and abused. WWE was in the grip of an nWo dictatorship.
    
      A 5 on 5 elimination match for total control of WWE was arranged for SummerSlam 2002, but little know to the nWo, Shawn Michaels had become increasingly insecure about his own position within the group, Hulk Hogan having become Undisputed Champion several weeks before with Shawn struggling to get back into the title picture. Unknown to anybody, Michaels had a secret agenda and during the match betrayed the nWo to form D-Generation X with Silent Assassin, it was a tear from which the nWo Classics would not recover.
    
    Hulk Hogan immediately formed a new nWo with the returning Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, Nightmare being drafted to SmackDown and also leaving the group. While it looked like the nWo's time maybe over however, they received an unexpected boost as another consequence of the brand split - Eric Bischoff became General Manager of Raw. An nWo sympathizer since the WCW days, Bischoff brought Hogan to Raw and instantly made him World Heavyweight Champion.
    
    The nWo continued in much the same way it had, invading UWW at one point, ejecting Randy Savage from the company and creating all manner of havoc, but their power was broken - Nash and Hall were not Nightmare and Shawn Michaels. Hogan soon became disillusioned with the black and white and as America geared up for war with Iraq, Hogan's patriotic strings were pulled. In one memorable moment in early 2003, Hogan returned in the red and yellow, ready to do battle against the Iron Sheik and the Weapons of Mass Destruction tag team, finally headed to the main event of WrestleMania XIX against Steve Austin in the Icon vs Icon match. The nWo was dead.
    
    But as somebody once said, maybe everything that dies one day comes back... and it was certainly true for the nWo.
    
    With no competition, WWE's creative department became lax and by 2004 ratings had dropped like a stone. Coupled with a scandal concerning steroid and recreational drug use backstage at WWE events, WWE was in serious danger of being taken off the air. WWE decided that once again, the nWo were needed.
    
    At WrestleMania XX, Vince McMahon claimed that if the performers did not please him, he would kill WWE there and then. As he watched from a skybox at Madison Square Garden, it became ever increasingly obvious he was not happy, calling Evolution - Triple H, Batista, Ric Flair and Suffering, along with Goldberg into the skybox to watch the Main Event. As Hulk Hogan pinned Shawn Michaels, dethroning Showtime as World Champion in the process, it became clear this was no ordinary match. Eric Bischoff, X-Pac, Nash and Hall all came out - the nWo were not going to let the company die, Hulk Hogan proclaiming this was the "house that Hogan built", they were here to take what they could from the ailing company. Vince put his thumbs up, WWE lived and he accepted the challenge.
    
    The last nWo were more vicious than ever, throwing people through glass doors, belt whippings, not even interested in winning matches anymore - just taking all they could and making sure they remained on top as the likes of Evolution tried to save the company, tried to make new stars. The nWo died a few months later inside a Wargames match, the first and only such match on Raw. It would be the nWo versus Evolution, Silent Assassin and Goldberg. Suffering pinned Michaels, his future seemingly made, the nWo in crisis... but we never found out what happened next as the USA Network pulled the plug on Raw, taken off the air.
    
    And that would have been the end of the story, the final chapter ending on the last episode of the old Raw inside the cell.
    
    
    But the nWo... cannot die. Everytime WWE is in crisis, every time Hulk Hogan rears his head or Shawn Michaels hints at the past, the name is there, lurking in the background. One such moment was during the dark days of the New Generation war.
    
    The parallels are there for all to see, the upstart group led by Shane McMahon, trying to take over the WWE, even some of the same figures were present - Vince McMahon and Stone Cold leading Team WWE. But this time, McMahon had little success against his son and the New Generation, a group who's sole aim was to destroy the WWE Originals. McMahon became increasingly frustrated at the war he's fighting, ever more unhinged.
    
    Then one week he did the unthinkable - he signed a deal to reunite the original nWo, to ally Team WWE with the very men they fought such a bitter war against - a unified WWE and nWo to fight off the challenge of the New Generation.
    
    It never happened, Vince balked on the deal at the last moment... but was Vince as mad as he appears?
    
    The nWo made a career out of putting themselves over young stars, of beating down, holding down and throwing upstarts out of the company. Could it be that Vince saw this as an asset in fighting the New Generation? there can be no doubt that the nWo will stoop to tactics even Randy Orton, Suffering or Legacy would not even consider.
    
    
    The nWo were even rumored to be the power behind Eric Bischoffs half ownership just this year.... but now, we have the most interesting twist in the tale of the nWo for some time because with WWE's 2009 finincial crisis, the company was forced to sell a lot of it's trademarked names, logos and entities to rival organizations... and rumor has it one of those was the nWo.
    
    
    What would happen if the nWo were to invade TNA? would that company cumble under the weight and assault the nWo would inflict? or, like WWE, would the nWo build the company, would he lead TNA into a war with WWE that TNA could possibly win with the force of the balck and white behind it?
    
    Would buying the rights to the nWo be a smart move by Dixie Carter? possibly, but watch your back because the poison covered knife carried by Hogan, Michaels and the original Kliq will always be ready and waiting to strike...
  • Blog post
  • 4 months ago
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• VWWE 3.0: Come Back To What Yo

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    There's been a lot of talk over the past week about VWWE 3.0, what it's going to mean, a lot of hype, ideas thrown around... but what does it REALLY mean... and when you strip away all the bullshit, is it going to work, or am I selling you a dream that can never become reality?
    
    The VWWE Originals are becoming and ever rare bunch of people in the VWWE Universe, even those who remember the Monday Night Wars are starting to dwindle, the Monday Wars era is unknown by the majority of VWWE's members for possibly the first time ever.
    
    Here's the history
    
    VWWE was not originally a web E-Fed, it was designed for use with the now defunct WAP platform created in the very late 1990s, WAP being the original form of mobile Internet for cellphones. Cellphone Internet technology being in it's infancy meant that VWWE was a pioneer of sorts in the medium.. but also that shows and scenarios had to be very simple and very short for reading on the old green and black, low powered screens and devices.
    
    VWWE also luckily caught the WAP interest at just about the time the medium peaked, VWWE becoming a leader on the mobile Internet. It may seem amazing now, but VWWE once could have expected 24 hour posting in its chatroom, 1000s of hits every day and over 100 members using the chat. Within the community up to ten rival companies existed at once.
    
    It was a golden era.
    
    Those days are long gone. The mass usership has been replaced by higher production values, a fantastic (and genuinely award winning) website, long shows with excellent writing, more intelligent and experienced members, better posting in the chat.
    
    Yet the old VWWE crew often see something as "missing"
    
    While VWWEs production is at the highest peak its ever been... shows lag behind, there is often an "empty feeling", people become dissatisfied and the excitement that once ran through VWWE, except for a few months in 2008, died.
    
    Its sad to me that people such as Jon, Nath, Nathan and all VWWE's other members never experienced VWWE in full flight. That boom period last year? imagine that for two whole years. Imagine what we could achieve if we produced that boom period last year... at LENGTH, production values, site, shows and chat, all together.
    
    This morning I was excited, believed it was possible... by lunch time, doubt crept into my mind.
    
    Am I selling a dream, a fantasy, that I just cannot pull off? is this going to be another failure to tarnish a legacy?
    
    The honest answer is... I don't know.
    
    I'm not the man I was in 2002. The angry punk has given way to... whatever the hell you see now lol and the same can be said of VWWEs other originals.
    
    In a way, I feel like a band who had great success a few years ago and then a few years of mediocrity, maybe the odd hit... but is now getting ready for a comeback album (no Eminem comparisons please)... can we do it? can we possibly make a comeback and be as great as we once were?
    
    I would love to show so many of you guys what made that era so special, when we had two shows a week regularly, great atmosphere...
    
    And as concerned I am that this will fail... I will do my best to make it happen. I will sweat blood today to finish this list, this LONG list of tasks to do. I will give everything I have today and from now on to bring this fed back up.
    
    The rebranding was inspired by the likes of Batman Begins and Star Trek. What those movies did was strip away the bullshit and went back to what made the franchise great in the first place... and that's what we're going to do. VWWE isnt about these blogs, or about Twitter and videos - its about shows and a community. That's all it is.
    
    There will be no fourth chance, no 4.0. I go back to university in September, I know a lot of others will be going back as well, going to college etc... this maybe truly our last chance to make history.
    
    The movie Gladiator, my all time favorite, gave us a quote
    
    "What we do in life... echoes in eternity"
    
    I ask you to join with me as you have done so often, be inspired, be unified.. be creative and as fantastic as you always are. Join with me and the rest of VWWE in making new legacies, new moments and memories, in recreating the magic for 2009. Destiny awaits us all... and I ask you now, as Gladiator also said....
    
    To "Unleash hell"

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  • 6 months ago
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• A NEW SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM?

  • From: TonyWellard
  • Description:

    When Charlie Hass was drafted to SmackDown in the 2009 Supplemental Draft many WWE fans thought that the World's Greatest Tag Team (Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Hass) would reunite. It dosent appear that will happen as Charlie Hass might of found a new tag team partner in Mike Knox. Charlie teamed with Mike at a recant house show in a loss against The Colons (Carlito & Primo). It is now possible that Mike Knox will turn face or Charlie Hass will turn heel and start teaming together on WWE programing on Friday Night Smackdown.

  • Blog post
  • 7 months ago
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• The Fall of the Hardcore Legen

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    Foley was great once, that there is no argument over, a legendary promo and he sacrificed his body a thousand times over.
    
    But Hulk Hogan was great in the 80s as well.
    
    Mick Foley, like many in the business, seems to have fallen into the trap of believing the generated hype. As far as i'll forever be concerned, as "Mick Foley" and not Cactus Jack or Mankind he's never been as popular as the characterizations. His more successful post retirement run was against Orton, a feud that was lame when he was Foley in the Rock and Sock part of the feud... when he started to act like Cactus? gold.
    
    His feud with edge, the same... till he turned heel, a run that didn't connect with the fans at all in my opinokn despite the later feud with Flair that produced good matches.
    
    What really got the alarm bells ringing at this point was Foleys assertion that WWE "dropped the ball" with Terry Funk and Tommy Dreamer. The fact that Foley genuinely believed WWE should have treated Dreamer like a megastar is ludicrous in 2006 i think it was. Unfortunately Mick seems to be one who doesn't see how WWE has changed and that maybe down to the massive amounts of time off he has.
    
    The commentary deal? i have no words. Foley was a WWE veteran since 1996, there's no way he didn't know how it was done and that he'd have Vince in his ear. I would have expected he's have spoken to Tazz or JBL or King on the matter. I suspect he was "quietly arrogant" enough to believe his status would warrant different treatment or he simply decided it wasn't for him and looked for an excuse to get out of it. Micks always seemed to be a guy for me who gets restless, he moves from gimmick to gimmick, has little short WWE runs, even in TNA hes already gone from on air persona to wrestler, he'll probably be Mankind in a few weeks. What annoyed me was how the Netmarks treated it as "yayz somebodys stood up to nasty Vince!!". Crap, Vince was as usual, right.
    
    Onto TNA.. this fact alone made me sick and we're harking right back to feelings from the Monday Night Wars here.
    
    WWE made Mick Foley. I don't care about WCW or ECW, Foley was made a star and a millionaire in WWE. Mick Foley owes everything he has, his book career, his home, car, everything to Vince McMahon. Its not like Kurt Angle imo who was already an Olympic Gold Medalist, Foley was washed up and broke when he signed for WWE. I personally think that deserved a little loyalty from Foley.
    
    That.. maybe i can get over, one misjudgment... but then Foley decides to run down WrestleMania on iMPACT! 2 weeks ago. That is unforgivable.
    
    Joining a rival is one thing, actively trying to destroy the company and man who made you? well that's another. Foley has become the very thing he once spoke out against. How is Mick Foley trashing WrestleMania while trying to sell a few extra Lockdowns ANY different than Tony Schivone's "that outta put asses on seats" line that Foley mentions so often?
    
    And now.. the coup de grace, Mick Foley is TNA Champion.
    
    After a clusterfuck of a cage match that i will only describe as the natural successor to "Age in the Cage", WCW's Hogan vs Flair contest at Uncensored 1999, Foley defeated the 76 year old Sting to become champion.
    
    Woo, yeah wayda go Mick, *blows party horn*
    
    Remind me again why you joined TNA?
    
    Wasn't is to help young Superstars in TNA, to help TNA challenge?
    
    I'm sure you being champion is REALLY helping the likes of Samoa Joe isn't it.
    
    The sad fact of the matter is, Mick Foleys run is not about TNA, it's not about helping anybody. Its about Mick Foley. An ego-trip directed at Vince McMahon, proving to WWE that Mick Foley still has value, that WWE were wrong. Mick Foley from being a legend has become just another WCW style hasbeen, a Hulk Hogan for 2009, taking a spot that could belong to somebody else, serving his own interests in a business that is leaving him behind.
    
    Is there a place in this business in the era of John Cena, Randy Orton, Edge, MVP, CM Punk, Jack Swagger, Batista, Chris Jericho and Jeff Hardy for Mick Foley? i'm not convinced there is. Still... should all make his latest book interesting shouldn't it.
    
    After being such a fan of Mick Foley for so many years, once listing him amongst my favorite wrestlers of all time, it'd sad to see the man reduced to the levels that i now see him at. Long ago, a man once said something about Mick that i've finally come to realize is true....
    
    "Mick Foley. You're a prostitute"

  • Blog post
  • 7 months ago
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• Raw: Draft Special Review

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    The WWE draft is something that's sharply divided opinion but like with most things, I always like to take an objective view, look at things from all sides and draw mixed conclusions, the Raw draft is now different.
    
    The opening segment really held little interest for me, we've seen this before and it seemed a little flat. With the monotone Batista and uber-serious Triple H, it really didn't have a spark of life, I'd have much rather gone in with Mysterio vs Borne as a longer opening match, build the crowd up and given them the first big draft of the evening. Not a good start to the Show.. but it wasn't REALLY a disaster, 6/10.
    
    Rey Mysterio vs Evan Bourne. Everybody loved Bourne... and he has potential.. but.... to be honest I'm not feeling it. In ring ability is no guarantee of success, ask Shelton Benjamin, Bourne will also need to learn mat psychology and gain personality, he's rather generic in terms of look and isn't what WWE usually go for. With no cruiserweight division, where does he really fit in? could you really see Evan Bourne as WWE Champion? ... match was too short to amount to much, Rey won, which at this stage of Bourne's career was the correct decision. First draft MVP.
    
    MVP to Raw was a call I made in the run up to the Show and makes absolute sense. MVP is WAY over on SmackDown and needs to be moved to the next level, moving to Raw will do that without pushing him up as far as the main events. Equally, if he'd been pushed to the main event on SmackDown instead of on Raw, in my honest opinion it would mean far less. Raw has the bigger audience and the bigger appeal, its a higher accolade to be in that position on the red brand. I'm eagerly looking forward to MVP on Raw, though its hard to say who he'll feud with. I'm sure Matt Hardy will be in the mix as will Cody and Ted, though who else? maybe one of the later draftees such as Miz or anybody from the supplemental draft.
    
    Kane vs Brian Kendrick went as expected and I fear management has lost a lot of faith in Kendrick. Kendrick is in the same boat as Evan Bourne, talented in the extreme, with an actual personality this time.. but his size and style just do not allow him a chance. Send him to ECW possibly where the smaller guys seems to at least get decent airtime. If I was WWE, id reinstigate the CW title on that brand, make it one of the draws of it. Anyway, squash, Raw gets another pick.
    
    Big Show to Raw. This is called also... well.. I said either Edge or Big Show, with Vickie being on Raw it was obvious. This does bring a few new feuds - Big Show vs HBK? id LOVE to see that, HBK having a history with bigger men.. (that sounds gay lol), Big Show vs Batista, Orton, Triple H again, a good move.
    
    Orton's segments with Vickie = all kinds of great. I like how Orton basically doesn't care whether people are faces or heels, very Steve Austin.... now turn him face and keep it the same.
    
    Divas match - blah.
    
    Melina to SD, this did surprise me as Melina is one of Raw's better divas and of course the champion, sad to see her go :( to be honest, I don't see the point of the swap but more on that later.
    
    Cena vs Swagger: If WWE had the balls, Swagger would have gone over and become a major star in one event, just imagine the reaction had he beaten Cena? WWE have done it before like when Shelton Benjamin beat Triple H and it wouldn't have hurt Cena. In the end Cena went over but Swagger was allowed a lot of decent offense and looked good here, he wasn't buried and that's something. Trust, Swagger will be a star. A lot of people mention his lisp as a drawback, I disagree, I think its an asset, it gives opponents and crowds something easy to mock and is hardly crippling, like having one leg or something. Jack Swagger will be World Champion on day, etch it in stone, remember it, write it down. Match of the night certainly... and we get two picks for Raw.
    
    Matt Hardy: I call this one too lol, yup, expected, good move for Matt and I expect him straight into the US mix after his blow off with Jeff at Backlash
    
    Triple H: there was NOTHING shocking about this, I called it long ago. It was treated as a big deal as it should have been... but cummon guys, he's been on Raw all year lol. What does perturb me is the fact that we're back to a very familiar line up of Batista-Triple H-Orton-Cena-Michaels on Raw, it does feel like we've been here before and I have to ask what feuds there possibly is in that? the drafting of somebody like the Undertaker would have freshened everything up... but anyway, now Raw has two world titles again. Gee... I wonder what happened last time we had that scenario *que up horrific images of CM Punk pinning Edge*
    
    Santino/Khali = all kinds of greatness, even if Khali can barely keep a straight face during any of it. I do think there's potential for comedy in Khali as witnessed at last years draft with the telephone and a few other times since, this is defo the route they should take with him.
    
    Khali wins another squash, really just so SD gets a pick... and thank fucking God its Punk. I don't watch SD as religiously as Raw and often DVR it so I can just skip past him now lol, though it probably means Punk will be world champion soon to get a title on the brand... ugh.
    
    Can I also say at this point that Michael Cole was at his absolute worst during this Show, excruciatingly painful.
    
    Miz vs Kofi was a decent match... Kofi wins... and Miz goes to Raw.
    
    I have issues with what happened afterward, after so long of teaming.. Miz just turning on Morrison like that made little sense at all, no build up. The two should have gone their separate ways amicably or have been drafted together. Miz on his own is not going to be a star but at least Morrison gets a chance to shine again. Maybe he'll move in the supplemental.
    
    Next was the battle royal... and as I always say... I hate battle royals. They just seem so 1980's, there's no psychology or technical skill involved and seems a piss poor way to decide anything. This was always coming down to Edge and Big Show which made sense... Edge won two picks for SmackDown - blah, if you like battle royals I guess this was fine.
    
    Kane to SmackDown, not one of my pre-Show picks but I called it as soon as Big Show went to Raw. He's a perfect replacement for Show in the big man role. Kane is really the new Chris Ben**t in the fact that he gets swapped in every draft.
    
    Chris Jericho: To be honest... im a little sad at that as Jericho was a highlight on Raw over the past year but now he's new opponents and scenarios and I'm already thinking The Undertaker vs Jericho, I'd really like them to save that for WrestleMania however. Jericho has a lot more opportunity now with the thinner main event picture over on the blue brand, a good move for him.
    
    Shelton Benjamin vs Christian was a good match but again, not really enough time to make it special. I like both these guys and was hoping Christian would move to Raw to get in that US mix... not to be. Christian wins ECW a pick... and its Kozlov.
    
    Kozlov suits ECW, he's been buried a little recently so in ECW he can rebuild his reputation, squash some of the chaff like DJ Gabriel and build his way up. I can see Swagger losing to Christian maybe, Christian to Kozlov and the Kozlov vs Dreamer at Extreme Rules, the underdog story for Dreamer, something like that anyway. Good move for Kozlov.
    
    CM Punk vs Matt Hardy: Decent match again, nothing offensive here as you'd expect... Jeff's run in was good and I got a sense that CM Punk may bring it up with Jeff on SmackDown. Punk desperately needs to turn heel, he's MADE to be a heel, he was awesome as a heel in ROH... so whys he a damn face ffs. Have him beat the shit out of Jeff on SD please WWE :) I expect to see TLC at Backlash as the blowoff, Jeff getting the win. Anyway, Matt wins by DQ, giving Raw the win... and....
    
    Maryse to Raw. Obvious but ugh. Frankly I cant stand Maryse and swapping her for Melina = no buys.
    
    Jericho's out next... followed by Dreamer... which means SmackDown will win lol... and sure enough, Dreamer got some offense which is some consolation, but Jericho wins... and.... Rey Mysterio to SmackDown. Another of my calls, it became a lock when MVP went to Raw. And to the person who said "That's not very likely Mick, he was drafted in 2008" ... fuck off :)
    
    Draft makes sense, Rey will re add the Hispanic audience to SmackDown and frankly, he should never have left in the first place.
    
    And that's your lot. What let it down was the fact that the last draft was not last on the show and wasn't a huge name this year so it wasn't as exciting. Had the last draft been Triple H and been the last act of the Show... that would probably have left the audience with a better taste from those who disliked it.
    
    Anyway, still the Legacy shenanigans to come... and whadda ya know, Legacy lose again.
    
    Cody and Ted losing is becoming a farce, are they serious henchmen or jobbers? as they never win a match, why is Orton hanging with them? just what exactly to Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase offer to Randy Orton? an no, beating up the Colons doesn't count. Rhodes and Dibiase need to get their heat back, they've lost match after match recently are have zero credibility to me at the moment.
    
    The Batista/Shane/Trips uneasy alliance is a nice and interesting aspect but I think Batista needs to directly address the fact he'll be defending Triple H's WWE title. Why not have Vickie add a stip whereby if Batista wins at Backlash... HE will become Champion?
    
    Anyway, Orton vs Triple H next week? well lets hope its better than WrestleMania.

  • Blog post
  • 7 months ago
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• Characters Welcome

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    There were a few posts today in the chat about what makes a good created character and I've a few views on this that I've brought up in the past in creative meetings. Good characterization and character development is one of the key facets of good drama and good television and as owner and head writer, I probably have a good perspective on this... so here goes, my two cents.
    
    When VWWE started (as VWWF) it was very simple and very basic, plot depth was virtually none existent, same with characterization. What we basically looked for back then was somebody exciting, with something to say and a cool name, which was still far more than our rivals looked for who basically hired anybody, no matter how absurd. A wrestling monkey for instance.
    
    Out of these days came VWWE characters such as Silent Assassin, Mr Showtime, Sphere and Nightmare and while Nightmare has evolved through the years, technical master to Ric Flairs protege to wrestling obsessed franchise ala Triple H and latterly the veteran of VWWE, some of those other characters did not. Mr Showtime has forever been "like RVD/Y2J" and that's the sum extent of his character and background.
    
    One character that would never find a home in the VWWE of 2009 is Silent Assassin, one of the two characters I'll be using for this blog as two ends of a single spectrum. SA debuted in that simple world of 2002 and had little characterization. He had no history, his look was taken from Spike out of Buffy the Vampire slayer and personality laying like a cross between Sting and William Regal. Never was any of this explained and worst of all was that he was allowed to put himself over in promos and actions against his opponents with now giving back. Sadly, this was somewhat atypical in those days.
    
    But lets look at each aspect and compare it with a modern created character - Michael Shane. I've picked simply because I know most about him and frankly, he's brilliant. History, look/moves, character development.
    
    SA never had any history, like so many characters, he just seemingly arrived in FWC like magic. We knew he was English.. but that was it. No background. Later when he was in VWWE we managed, under protest from Jon (his handler, not OUR Jon), to construct a history where he'd started out in the Allstar Promotions in the UK in the 80's alongside the likes of Finlay and Regal and moved to the States when the NWA were looking for their answer to the WWF's British Bulldogs. Assassin then went to the WWF, WCW etc etc, I'm not reciting it all lol, but now he HAD a history, he had events that shaped him. It wasn't perfect, but it was better than nothing. Look was never expanded on, he looked the same and wore the same stuff for 5 years and kept the same moves. Character development.... well that's difficult because I'm tempted to say fuck all. SA saw himself as top dog and always wanted to be it, he did NOT put people over or show ass, I really cannot honestly think how he changed a single bit in 5 years.
    
    Characters don't need prearranged targets of where they're going to go as a character or a big master plan. What the need is the room for them to develop, they need places to potentially go.
    
    Michael Shane was a character that was developed in the space between the "old VWWE" and the "new VWWE" in mid-2005 just before our comeback and I think he was genuinely one of the first characters that was thought about as WWE would think about a character. In the era of James Steele, John Cupbord and Michael Steven Northmore, he was a new thing. After that we saw great characters such as Ryan Simmons, Primal, Adan Reyes, Joey Nebraska and the new Suffering, plus the all new generation of Assassin and Sergio Griffon.
    
    WWE always say that the best characters are the ones who are en extension of the real personality behind the character such as John Cena, Steve Austin, Badass Undertaker, The Rock, MVP, exaggerated forms of reality. Shane is no different, he is Mick in exaggerated form... some may even say not too exaggerated. He even started as a Republican and became a Democrat lol
    
    Arrogant to the point of being obnoxious but deeply respectful of the business, he loves wrestling but loves being controversial. He loves being the center of attention and is clearly a genius. He knows it. Snappy dresser, ladies man. Sadistic streak.
    
    That's a basic MO... then around that, you can fit a look. Would that gimmick and attitude fit a 7 foot Indian? no. It suits a smaller man, a good looking man, somebody akin to Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels or John Morrison. Again, his look is inspired by myself, long hair, unshaven.
    
    Once you have a look, you have a move set. Again, power moves would never have suited... so why would he do them? the times ive seen requests that 7 footers do Luchadore moves or cruiserweights use Powerbombs etc is countless. Also, get a WELL ROUNDED move set, don't fill it with finishers.
    
    In the beginning, Shane was far more influenced by Lucha-Libre than today where the Ric Flair influence is more paramount. I was a big fan at that point and it was about 6 or so months before Eddie passed, he was massive at the time and I was a huge Eddie mark. The moveset was heavily influenced by Eddie and HBK so from Eddie came the Mexican influence and the suggestion he'd worked in Mexico, been trained by Gory, the Gory Bomb finisher.
    
    Once you have all that, you've a character, a history can be created from what you have by answering questions - whys he arrogant, what reason? whys he have the lucha moves? whys he get into wrestling?
    
    Also, id suggest giving him backstage gimmicks. Shane, being an arrogant prick, was also said to be trouble backstage in those days... shitting in bags and taking drugs etc (now in 2009, long gone as he's grown up and is respected by his peers, having won that over the past 4 years). So on day one you have this drug taking prick who was arrogant... but he was hugely talented and had great potential, he'd been trained in Mexico and had friends high in WWE with the likes of HBK. He was a rebel and potentially trouble... but also potentially a future legend. Which way would he go? giving him the arrogance and the drug abuse, these are character flaws that are ESSENTIAL. SA never had a single flw, he m,ay as well have been an automation. Theres no need to make a character a failure or a loser, but having a few things in a characters life that are wrong or they're not proud of makes them human.
    
    Now... this is the key thing for me - character development, both in terms of gimmick and emotion.
    
    Shane started off there and started in the tag division, he developed from being a tag team wrestler into the singles star. He grew in confidence and stature, bringing in the whole hip-hop styling with the new Kanye West theme and attitude, being a bit of a playboy, obsessed with money and women. But that started to get old and he rediscovered his love of wrestling during his feud with Flair. It was really this feud that marked a change again. Shane started to "grow up" around WrestleMania 24. He became serious in his wrestling talent and desire to win championships, his feud with Flair led to the New Generation attitude, the hip-hop styling's starting to vanish as he found Ashley and became a one women man. The controversial nature of their relationship with the "Rated R" segments later becoming a genuine relationship between the characters, developing over time. In 2009, Shane had his belief in wrestling tested with the Suffering incident and will have his relationship with Ashley tested. Two weeks ago there was the darker Shane in the black with the leather jacket, this we'll see again, this is the consequence of the actions and scenarios he's been put in. His mental state one that's depressed, bitter and angry. It wouldn't work if he remained an arrogant pretty boy. Its the exact same principle WWE used for Triple H after Orton RKOd Stephanie, if Trips had feuded with Randy with his DX joker gimmick.. then would truly have been no buys.
    
    A lot of where Shane had been and gone does come from myself and I really cant urge enough people to do likewise, insert yourself into the characters, change them as you change and grow. If you're a Goth... make a gothic character, emo? go emo. If you're a chav, create Ryan Simmons lol.
    
    Characters need to develop and change to stop becoming stale, they need their beliefs tested as Shane has had his belief in wrestling tested and will have his relationships tested. These tests of character create drama and emotional growth, they allow the character to develop from one thing to another and become more multi-faceted and deep.
    
    Three dimensional characters are what VWWE requires and in fact expects in 2009 and I think we have, the likes of Suffering, Joey Nebraska and Ryan Simmons have developed just as well and have just as deep histories, they are a world away from the likes of Plinny, Kohl and AWO that graced feds in 2002 when we started. In 2009 I think the majority of VWWE understand the fact that VWWE is about far more than winning and losing - its about the show. We all pull together to make a great show each week for each others enjoyment, we write promos for others to enjoy and collectively make absolute greatness. If we win... that's awesome, the titles being the highest achievement and also a fantastic feeling to win... but VWWE is so much more. Now in 2009 I think many realize that telling a story is what this game is really all about.... juts like with the WWE Superstars our job is to entertain, to tell a story. And nobody tells a story quite like VWWE :D

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• WrestleMania 25: The Late Revi

  • From: VWWE
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    Well... what a weekend WrestleMania weekend was. All VWWE records were broken as you people went wild for Raw and ECW.... and something called WrestleMania too.. but meh, you know it was Raw you loved more lol.
    
    And lets be honest... you people won't know what to think about WrestleMania 25 till I've reviewed it... so here we go.
    
    As usual, the opening video was absolutely fantastic and a great trip down memory lane, nice to see all the classic moments acknowledged though I felt that a few people were definitely missing giving their thoughts such as Randy Orton, though I guess they wanted to keep it faces only. Maybe doing an updated version of the "20 years ago...." video would have been cool as well.
    
    We kicked off business with Nicole Scherzewatsit singing America the Beautiful. She managed not to massacre the song which was a bonus but WWE always do this with immense class.... and here we go, kicking straight off with the Money in the Bank ladder match.
    
    I'm not going to go over every spot or bump here because I'm not actually watching the show lol, but a few standout moments was that absolutely stunning leap off the ladder in the aisle by Shelton Benjamin. Shelton Benjamin is an enigma to me, he has as much personality and talent as Jeff Hardy as well as the same willingness to do crazy stunts like that but has never come close to getting a push like Jeff. He does desperately need a marketable character, that's the ONLY thing stopping him from being a world champion. Mark Henry throwing the ladder and trying to kill Michael Cole would have been great if only he'd not missed... blown spot obviously.
    
    I'd never been more tired and bored of Hornswoggle than here. As shown in the chat, he's designed to appeal to kids up to about 12 who've amusement level is still at the "poopy" level. Little ladder... very cute.
    
    "You fucked up" is the most ignorant chant in wrestling, Sam said it in chat and was spot on. Lets see how well you chanting morons would do in the match. If you couldn't do better, shut the fuck up.
    
    There was a lot of new innovation in this match which elevated it a lot, Kofi's leap though the ladder, the bumps onto it.. I loved the match BUT....
    
    FUCKING CM PUNK!!!!
    
    A familiar theme this evening - the wrong person won. I really thought MVP was gunna be given the ball this year and was being built to it. The match was brilliant, maybe a few minutes short... but it would have been a lot more memorable for me had somebody other than Punk won... who is still not over to the level that WWE want despite winning everything in sight. CM punk is really the perfect example of how you cannot MAKE a crowd love somebody.
    
    Straight to Kid Rock.. which was a shock as I thought he'd be on far later. Enjoyable performance and he played All Summer Long so that rawked :D hopefully they'll do this every year, it was certainly reminiscent of the Superbowl halftime show style medley of songs. Next time though, maybe keep it for halfway to allow better piss break position.
    
    The Diva Battle Royal.... FAIL. This is going to be an unpopular comment but I fear Santino Marella has jumped the shark. While funny to watch at the PPV, the thing with Santino before WrestleMania was that he was seemingly oblivious to the absurd comments he was making and believed he was a serious wrestler, much of the humor coming from that. There was really no logical reason for Santino to even want to be in this match and as with all characters who take a humorous tone, there's a line that when crossed turned you from being funny into BEING an actual joke. When you look at Santina... that's a former Intercontinental Champion and you have to question where Santino can actually go from here.
    
    Jericho vs the Legends.... no doubt here the legends, class acts they all are, wanted to put Jericho over and it was the right choice but I think it would have been believable had Steamboat won considering his performance. Snuka probably put in the most inept performance ever.. I've never been a fan to be honest and he's really on the bad side of the veteran wrestlers argument. He should never have been in the ring and imo Jerry Lawler deserved his spot in the match. Piper did well and didn't disgrace himself... but this was Steamboats match. I anticipated he'd put on a good show but this was excellent considering he is 56 years old I believe and hasn't wrestler in 15 years. He got the crowd into his hands and I really hope we see a one on one between him and Jericho, maybe at Backlash or as late as SummerSlam.
    
    Post-match angle with Rourke was fine, a good finale and it was nice to see Rourke paying respect to Flair as well as taking the pop, he seems a class act who respects the business.
    
    Extreme Rules... Matt's look is fresh, he still looks odd in tights but I think we'll get used to it The vacuum cleaner was random... nice table spot, haven't seen that before... but this match was about two spots, both at the death. Jeff's leap over the ladder was fucking insane and the Twist of Fate in the chair sick, Matt deserved the win here and it'll elevate him back up the card imo. The feud is still alive and this one will hopefully end with a TLC match. Again, could maybe have had a few more minutes but an excellent match none the less.
    
    JBL vs Rey Mysterio... Great promo from JBL showing why he's such a great heel one last time. Rey looked absurd in my opinion though some people liked it... the match was really not a justified ending to JBL's career. JBL really deserved a much better built match to end it and Rey gained nothing from this.
    
    The Intercontinental Championship has now been held by CM Punk, JBL and Rey Rey... all former World Champions who are, frankly, on their way back down. The title was once used for people who were being built into the next generation, not for washed up former champions. This belt should be being traded between the likes of Ted Dibiase, Cody Rhodes, MVP, Kennedy.
    
    The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels... well what am I supposed to say? lol
    
    There's been a lot said about this match and there's nothing I can add that would do the match justice. Was it the greatest match of all time? possibly. My favorite match of all time? possibly. The greatest match in WrestleMania history? definitely. You know they've always called Savage vs Steamboat the greatest... but this topped it. EVERY young superstar should watch this match, this is what the business is all about.
    
    Seriously, don't you dare fucking tell that two jumping beans in a barn in front of 100 fans, jumping around like the spot monkeys they are can hold a candle to this. This was sports entertainment, it told a story from start to finish, right from the contrasting entrances. This was drama, it was poetry on a canvas, an epic with twists, turns and everything in between.
    
    I KNEW in my heart and head that the Undertaker would not lose, I was one hundred and ten percent certain... but its a testament to the genius of these two men that I truly believed at two points that Shawn Michaels had won the match - when the Undertaker appeared to be legitimately injured and was being counted out and when Shawn hit Sweet Chin Music late on. When  match can get you SO into it that you deny everything you know to be true... then its something special.
    
    This match will be watched and talked of in another 25 years and I've no doubt that when I have kids and they're talking about whatever epic match the veteran Randy Orton had at WrestleMania 40 with the veteran John Cena maybe... I'll be scoffing and telling them of this.
    
    We saw history.
    
    After that, what was ANYBODY gunna do? let alone John Cena lol. To be honest most of the triple threat was lost in me recovering from the match before. I can barely remember what happened except for the yearly Cena absurd entrance and title win. Cena winning the title just felt totally "meh" to me. Cena's been champion so often that he's just like Hogan was at one point. The crowd seemed like the couldn't care less and neither could I. Good match... just didn't care.
    
    And we were onto the main event....
    
    I've major problems with this match to be honest and it marked the biggest letdown ending to a WrestleMania since Triple H downed Chris Jericho at WrestleMania 18.
    
    The build up was absolutely brilliant television and the sense that these two would tare each other apart was immense... and what happened? a bit of a brawl and Triple H won with a single pedigree. I was stunned when Triple H won like that and fully expected Orton to kick out. There was no passion in the match. Triple H and in 2009 Randy Orton are amongst the finest storytellers in the business but for me, and I know its easy for me to criticize from an armchair, but they failed to deliver on what was expected. They didn't get over the hatred, the will to end each other on the biggest stage.
    
    A lot of people were expecting a screwy finish with Shane McMahon or even Stephanie ala WrestleMania 17 or for a Randy Orton win and title change for a shocking ending, none of what came and after the show stealing Undertaker vs HBK, this match really needed it to pull itself up there alongside it. In the end the finale was totally flat.
    
    Overall, the show was as excellent as any WrestleMania, a true and historic spectacle... BUT... it was frustrating, because this should had the potential to have been the greatest WrestleMania of them all. The finish totally let it down while some results were the wrong decision imo - Punk winning, Cena winning, the Rey Mysterio situation.
    
    In terms of matches - 8/10, there were great moments and Undertaker/HBK is still being talked about a week later and im sure will be for a LONG time. In terms of spectacle and historic atmosphere - a full 10/10. Nobody does a big event like WWE, every year they seem to pull up their game to a stunning level, this year was no different.
    
    A flawed masterpiece.

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  • 7 months ago
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• 25 Years in the Making: Wrestl

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    So here we are WrestleMania 25, butterflies in stomachs, lights on bright, careers to be made and broken, titles to be won and moments that will echo through the ages to be created.
    
    WrestleMania 25 will emanate live from the huge Reliant Stadium in Houston, the arena that replaced the iconic Astrodome in 2002, host to WrestleMania 17. Over 70,000 will be on hand for the 25th anniversary spectacular (for 24th anniversay if you're pedantic) but what exactly will go down.... well here's my thoughts.
    
    Nicole Scherzinger is scheduled to open the show with America The Beautiful, Scherzinger for those not in the know is the lead Pussycat Doll and current girlfriend of Lewis Hamilton. She's probably a better driver than he is also... but singer? well we'll see. Either way.. I doubt she'll top Aretha Franklin last year. Being the complete MTV whore that I am, apparently Nicole was struck down by an illness this week and the Dolls had to pull out of supporting Britney in concert so who knows if she'll even show.
    
    But that's really irrelevant.. because it's wrestling we're here for, I'll predict in the rumored run order for the show but personally, I DON'T think this is how things will go.
    
    Rey Mysterio vs John Bradshaw Layfield: After this was given away for FREE on Raw, I have serious doubts this match will even. JBL has suggested he will do something historic at the event and will win "the most complete victory ever" this can mean a few things in my estimation - he will kill Rey Mysterio in the ring, it doesn't come more complete.. or more likely he will leave WrestleMania with more than he entered it with. I personally think that somehow he'll end up with either the United States Title, the MITB or the WWE Championship. With so little information, I cant really even make a guess as to what's gunna happen here... maybe he trades the IC Title for the MITB or buys it, cashes it in, leaves as IC and WWE Champion... for once, I've no idea. I count out JBL retiring at WrestleMania as some have predicted to return to the commentary booth, I don't feel that.
    
    The Money in the Bank Ladder Match: My original process of elimination went like this - WWE don't rate Christian, he won't win. They don't see Kane as a Main Eventer and he doesn't need the case anyway, Finlay, Kofi Kingston and Mark Henry? no chance by common sense. There's been "late betting" on Shelton Benjamin as many seem to think that he's in favor with Vince at the moment... but in favor enough to get a World Title shot? no. Which leaves two men - CM Punk and MVP. Originally I believed that CM Punk was a dead cert to win it back to back.. but I've changed my mind. Management seems to be back in favor and has a lot of momentum on SmackDown, he's over as a face and I think he maybe WWE's project for 2009 - your winner, MVP. Expect an insane splash off the ladder by Mark Henry, a bump by Tony Atlas and something nasty to happen to Hornswoggle.
    
    The Legends match: well the script has long been written for this one, Chris Jericho loses the match after interference by Mickey Rourke and as much as we've joked or speculated that Rourke may turn on the legends... no he won't. Rourke is a one shot deal. As a side note, what a class act of him to be at the HOF last night? I get the sense he genuinely respects this business and he's one of the celebrities who "gets it" like I mentioned in my other blog. We've joked a little about Jimmy Snuka and the state of his health but it is something I am seriously concerned about for both his health and the match quality. Snuka was atrocious in the Royal Rumble two years ago and in his promo with Jericho looks like he could barely walk. Maybe they should bring back the 80's gondolas that stood on to come to the ring as well as Jimmy getting to the ring will probably take longer than the match. Snuka will be eliminate quickly by Jericho and who's eliminated then will depend on how management feel about Ricky Steamboat. Steamboat vs Jericho has long been considered a dream match so MAY get the lions share but depending on ring rust, it's probably more likely to be Piper. Your winner however... will be the legends.
    
    The Tag Team Unification match: Ah, the excuse to get everybody on the show lol, at least it wasn't like at WM20 when everybody actually had matches. I think the winners here will fairly obviously be Miz and Morrison. WWE are building them as the best tag team of this generation and they're already on every brand almost anyway. I just don't see the Colons being high enough in managements estimation to be given the accolade of first undisputed tag champions, I've heard nothing to suggest managements opinion of Carlito in particular has changed.
    
    Matt Hardy vs Jeff Hardy: Smart money is on Jeff... but no, I'm calling Matt Hardy in a nod to Bret Hart vs Owen Hart at another anniversary PPV, WrestleMania 10 where Owen won. This is a feud that is NOT ending here, this is going to go on a lot longer than this and take in a ladder match or TLC before it ends. If Jeff wins, the need for the face to get the win isn't there, there's just no point in going on with the feud if the good guy has already won. Jeff I anticipate will also want to put his brother over and to be honest, I don't think Jeff needs this win while Matt does. A win over Jeff on a show like this will propel Matt into being a genuine upper midcarder player. Your winner? Matthew Moore Hardy.
    
    Next up we'll have an intermission with a medley of Kid Rocks hits. This is WWE doing the Superbowl halftime show frankly... and I like it. On a four hour show a break half way through for a piss and a change to grab snacks could be fantastic, giving the fans change to recharge their batterys. Like the Superbowl, Kid Rock will play four songs apparently... none of them however the ones I want lol. If he doesn't play American Badass and All Summer Long as well as Cowboy... that would be lame. I'd like him to play Fuck You Blind as well.. but that maybe too much to ask for.
    
    Back to the show and we'll now be onto serious business - the Divas Battle Royal, the reason we're all watching.
    
    The sheer fact that if anybody throws Mae Young over the top rope, she will die... leads me to believe Mae will most likely win this thing. WWE have a habit of Mae shenanigans and so long as she's not exposed.. we should be alright. I'd personally like to see Sunny win... but for no other reason than I still all these years on.. have an adolescent fixation on her... the same as Stacy Keibler.. but she isn't there :( I would like to see a few surprises even at this late stage like Stacy or somebody absurd like Bull Nakano just for a bit of fun. The winner could realistically be any number of people, Mae would be a good bet... but I've a feeling Trish Stratus will win... so I'll pick Trish.
    
    Triple Threat: This match really hasn't interested me too much to be honest. It's interesting... but doesn't interest me, if that makes sense. I just get the feeling we've seen it all before, Cena and Edge have feuded for a long time and Cena was involved with a Triple Threat  last year. The two have been constantly in the title picture for a while now and it seems like Edge certainly always has a title of some kind. I know I'm probably in the minority but just to be different and give us something new, I really wouldn't mind seeing Big Show leaving as Champion. No matter what happens - Vickie Guerrero will be instrumental in the finish. It'll most likely be John Cena leaving as champion after Vickie accidentally costs Edge the title... but as I say, id rather see it be Show leaving as Champion thanks to Vickie.
    
    Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels. Simply for me, this is match of the decade. I'm concerned that we maybe hyping the match too much but I say that every year, I did last year with HBK/Flair. This match will be the match of the night and I think almost everything has already been said about this match. I really hope the feud doesn't end here but I suspect it will. WWE, as they did last year, have done a good job of making many believe that the Undertakers streak is in jeopardy, against Michaels, its believable in kayfabe terms the Undertaker faces his biggest threat. The build up has been absolute quality... and totally in HBK's favor... and if you didn't believe HBK will lose before, you should because of that fact. Shawn, realistically, stands no chance in hell... the streak continues.
    
    And finally....
    
    Randy Orton vs Triple H. This is hard to judge. Vince always likes to end the show on a positive note and WrestleMania especially. Its no coincidence that it wasn't until WrestleMania 16 a heel left Mania as Champion. Triple H has been abused big style in the run up and everything points to Triple H beating Randy Orton and retaining. The fact that Shane and Vince are now allied with him suggests the new McMahon-Helmsley faction will be facing Legacy at Backlash in a six man. Personally? I'd enjoy a WrestleMania 17 scenario with maybe Shane McMahon turning heel and joining Legacy, as a third generation Superstar he'd fit perfectly... but I'm calling Triple H to retain, i really can't see a swerve being in WWE's mind after Shane and Vince came out last week.
    
    So that's your lot... shenanigans with JBL, MVP to become Mr MITB, Miz and Morrison to win the undisputed tag titles, Undertaers streak to continue, Triple H to retain... and as for the triple threat? well i'd like Big Show, but it'll probably be Cena.
    
    Predictable? we'll soon see.
    
    See you at Wrestlemania folks.

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  • 7 months ago
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• WWF History: January 13, 1997

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    Welcome back to my review of WWE history which started last week on January 6, 1997. I wount recap any of that... you can read it below :)
    
    We are now however just one week away from the Royal Rumble so this is the go home show. In the world outside wrestling, the past week we saw the TV debut of King of the Hill, the box office hits were The Relic... which i mentioned last week, still haven't seen if it was any good or not, Scream and Jerry McGuire still being big. For a quick link to 2009, Bruce Springsteen also sang an awesome song on the soundtrack to Jerry McGuire as he did The Wrestler called Secret Garden. An awesome song. Your billboard number one was still Unbreak My Heart while in the UK... no change either, still the Spice Girls and 2 become 1.
    
    Random fact for January 97.. the biggest selling video game in the US was Super Mario 64 while the SNES was still shifting units, Donkey Kong Country 2 one of the top games in the charts.
    
    On with the show.
    
    We start with a recap from last week of Sycho Sids attack on Jose Lotharios son last week and a look at Superstars where Stone Cold attacked Bret Hart, apparently Shawn will join us live from San Antonio. Not much of a preview but as we kick off the show Hunter Herst Helmsley is entering the ring... his theme rawked :D
    
    Honky Tonk Man is on commentary, still looking for a protege.... sigh. Like it was ever gunna be Triple H lol (the business would have been quite different if it had been) his opponent will be Marc Mero. Sable gets the pop. She didn't look as slutty in these early days lol.
    
    We now notice that Jerry Lawler is prepped to fight at ringside. There's no explanation for this but it appears this is in fact a tag match as Goldusts coming out (no pun intended). So our match is in fact Jerry Lawler and Helmsley vs Goldust and Marc Mero. Its quite shocking this isn't made clear by Vince on commentary to be honest.
     
    Goldust pairs off with Trips, Lawler with Mero and the faces clean house, King telling the crowd to shut up. Honkey is decent on color commentary, i'm surprised he was never offered a perminant spot. Vince plugs Shawn being live from San Antonio and tonights matches - Undertaker vs Crush (that'll draw...) and somebody called Rocky Maivia versus The British Bulldog.
    
    "Shades of Sugar Ray Leonard" - Vince on Marc Mero. That's almost Michael Cole like lol
    
    I actually liked Mero in his early WCW days as Johnny B. Badd, the Mero character i always found bland and colorless, it was only Sable that kept him employed so long. Vince plugs whats coming up once more and this is one of the problems i have with the commentary on this show and last weeks, Vince, King and now Honky don't talk about the action in the ring half as much as they should do. They're either off topic, talking about whats coming or recapping whats been. Its fantastic watching the early days of Triple H, there's no way i'd believe this man would in 2009 be giving performances like he has been doing alongside Randy orton or become as successful as he has been. Just think thouigh, this was 12 years ago... just imagine how good Randy Orton will be in 12 years? its a staggering thought.
    
    Commercials. So far... i'd have turned to Nitro. This is a poor match to kick off Raw with. Nitro always started their show usually with a lucha match to excite the crowd, smart booking. This match would only have served to turn me over to TNT. Once again, the attitude era ideas are here but not fully here yet. Goldust was DQd and he's facing Trips on Sunday at the Rumble allegedly. Triple H is also Intercontinental Champion apparently, this fact not being mentioned until the match is over. This show in January 1997 is completely frustrating.
    
    Shawn is in San Antonio, we go live, there's a hot chick behind him. He is in high spirits.
    
    Rather worryingly at this point, we go to Sycho Sid who's in the empty Alamo Dome. Sid uses the exact same quote Michael Shane used on VWWE Raw this week from Neitziche about "he who fights monsters". Now thats just a weird coincidence. Sid gives his quietly mad promo, a very good one. Sid was underestimated on the mic, a lot of the time he could cut a very good heel promo as he does here, coming across as genuinely dangerous and unbalanced... which he probably was. Sid mentions HBK's family being at ringside and watching as Sid destroys HBK. Excellent go home promo from Sid.
    
    Back to Shawn for a second before we get a Taker/Crush graphic, commercials, back to Shawn amidst fans somewhere in San Antonio, fans mob Shawn. We get another replay of Sid/Lothario last week. 
    
    Shawn gives a equally good promo, putting over San Antonio and Texas. One thing that strikes me again here is how natural all the promos are compared with today, these are neither not scripted at all or the Superstars have just been given vague instructions, they barely seem scripted at all. In one way, thats good as its far more natural but equally you probably would never be able to have gotten highly scripted segments like Orton/Triple H at this point in time. It really did mean that you had to get by on your own talent and not the talent of a Hollywood writer though.
    
    HBK namechecks Stalin... possibly his only ever reference on WWE TV lol, gives the old favorite teeth down the throat line and adds that Sid will see them next morning in his stool sample... classic. Shawn directly talks to Vince as the Chairman which wasn't being acknowledged at this time.
    
    Back live we get the screech and beats - it's Bret, limping out after Steve Austins attack yesterday on Superstars. Steve is still been treated as a full blown heel at this point which seems odd to watch to be honest.
    
    Commercials. Quick flick back to Shawn, that cute chick pressed against him, fans everywhere, some have beer and HBK puts up the Hook-em Horns. Can there be any doubt that HBK was THEE man in 1997? lol
    
    In the arena, the Bulldog is in the ring. One of the first things you really notice is that physique which was essentially the death of him, its rare to see somebody that size now but was pretty common back then pre-Attitude when look became secondary.
    
    "I think Rocky has shown more promise than any wrestler i've ever seen in the World Wrestling Federation" - Bret Hart... see, he did once talk sense. Rocks haircut was a farce though, very mid-90s. Rocky had only been in the WWF two months at this point, it'll be a treat watching his career progress over this blog series. We get a recap from Shotgun Saturday of an altercation between Rocky and Marc Mero. Rocky looks bigger than the image we're all more familiar with at this point.
    
    Bret on commentary is a classic example of why the double turn at WrestleMania 13 happened. Bret is complaining that guys like Steve Austin are trying to end his career and it comes across as very whiny. In the 80s and early 90s it would have been a fine face interview, but from this point on when you have the tough Steve Austin, coupled with the change in attitude i mentioned in my Attitude blog, this isn't what the fans wated to hear.
    
    Bret makes a few references to Rocky Johnson and Peter Maivia, always nice to see history referenced, guess this is history within history. Honky Tonk Man suggests Bret could be his new protege... which is plainly absurd. The fact this angles getting so much air time is as well considering who eventually he selects. Waste of time imo.
    
    We get a ringside shot.. wonder where Raw was tonight, they look rather inbred. Here comes Owen Hart with his slammys to boos which his puts on the announce desk in front of Bret.... break.
     
    The Bulldog is in control, of this match, some of those nice arm drags from Rocky. Some nice near falls for Maivia.... here's Austin - Stunner to the Bulldog, fingers to Bret, Owen chases after him. Rocky wins via countout. Probably the first time The Rock and Stone Cold ever appeared together on TV.
    
    There's a Rocky chant and frankly... it sounds fake lol
    
    The Nation is backstage, Faarooq was fucking brilliant in this role as the leader of the Nation. Crush... really didn't fit.... here's Taker, an entrance that was just as awesome then as now. We cut back to Shawn in San Antonio, go to commercials.
    
    Back live, the Nation are coming out, the rappers rawked, this is pure attitude era here as was the Crush character that played on his real life jail time. Taker attacks Crush in the aisle, the Nation scatter, Faarooq looks pissed.
    
    The Undertaker had that ginger beard he has now back then, his costume very much the Phenom also, has that tear on the cheek... which is emo well before it's time. Vader suddenly appears on stage looking on at the match.. and that's our que for another break.
    
    After the break we get a Starburst sponsored rewind showing us Austins attack earlier. Live however, Crush is in control of Taker. Taker fails to Tombstone Crush... but hits the Chokeslam and the Nation storm the ring to mob the Underatker, Vader runs in and its a beat down on the Deadman, the Nation move Taker to the ropes and Vader hits the Vader Bomb on the Deadman. The bell rings frantically as Vader goes up again... second Vader Bomb.... and here's AHmed Johnson with a 2x4, stolen by Faarooq... and down goes Johnson. Faarooq smashes Ahmed in the back with the wood... and that's your show. A decent ending that promoted the Vader/Undertaker match and the Johnson/Faarooq feud, i think they'll fight at the Rumble, i'm not sure, not watching or reviewing Superstars or Shotgun Saturday obviously a slight issue. I think in these days Raw really wasn't seen as the flagship as it is today, that really didn't come in until Raw is War and the two hour format, so angles are spread out over the three shows.
    
    Although it was a strong ending.. again, i don't think highly of this episode. The oepning match was a bore. Sid and HBK gave strong go home promos however.. yet i don't see why they kept going back to Shawn after he'd said his piece, again, like last week, it seems a waste of time on a show that can't afford to be doing it. Austin was underutilized again but Rocky Maivia got his first run out of the year in a decent encounter with Bulldog. Feuds were advanced certainly.. but there's wasn't much to get excited about and i doubt this show would have persuaded me to buy the Rumble - 6/10.
    
    Next time... i'll be reviewing the Royal Rumble 1997, the first PPV of the year that will lead us to WrestleMania 13 :D

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• Attitude: The Great American R

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    This blog started life as a single paragraph in my next Raw 1997 review but i got writing so much i couldn't conceivably put it in... so here's a whole new blog.
    
    This one off blog looks at the reasons, causes, rise and fall of the WWF Attitude era. I intended it to be a little background initially but i think it may be interesting for those who don't remember these years. Much of it is just my opinion and thoughts. You'll probably also get a little insight into me and my own booking style as well cause this is where i came from lol
    
    To understand why the attitude era happened and why it was a success you need to look at 90's youth culture in America.
    
    The ultra-patriotism and successful capitalism of the 80s had given way to nationwide scorn of the American political landscape, the continual scandal of the Clinton administration, in particular the resurfacing of the Jennifer Flowers allegations and the national outrage and feelings of injustice over OJ Simpson, in 1995 and 1996 respectively, the Monica Lewinsky scandal following in early 1998, led to a feeling of complete failure in Americas institutions.
    
    Americans, particularly the youth, lost their faith in the America that their parents had known in the 1980s that promoted saying your prayers and eating your vitamins and increasingly turned to alternative culture.
    
    The Grunge scene of the early 1990s with bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana gave way to seemingly newly rebellious sounds like Rage Against The Machine, new punk like Green Day and  The Offspring and a resurgent metal with the likes of Marilyn Manson (who would heavily influence the attitude era and had released Antichrist Superstar in 1996 to great morale furor) and bands such as Korn, Slipknot and The Nine Inch Nails. The rebellion even broke onto TV with networks pushing the envelope as far as they could, starting with one show that probably influenced WWE far more than will ever be realized - The Jerry Springer Show.
    
    The Jerry Springer Show by 1997/1998 was a phenomenon, seemingly well adjusted Americans would tune in to "trash TV" in their millions to see what "trailer trash" were doing this week. The nation was gripped by tales of midgets, incest, affairs, rednecks, alien abduction, transvestites and sexual depravity. It was a modern day freak show, a car crash that didn't take itself seriously and became beloved for it as the worst excess of American bad taste.
    
    The envelope was being pushed... and soon others followed suit. South Park debuted in 1997, the tale of four foul mouthed high school kids that took bad taste to whole new levels. Shock Jocks like Howard Stern ruled the airwaves and there wasn't a day gone by that some moral guardian like the PTC wasn't up in arms about some new outrage, laying the blame for the nations moral corruption at the feet of Marilyn Manson, Tupac Shakur or Bill Clinton.
    
    The WWF however, was still stuck very much in the 1980s still. Cartoon characters, traditional faces and 80s presentation. While the World around them changed, the WWF remained the same. The WWF was uncool.
    
    One company however had managed to tap into the 1990s counterculture - ECW. Paul Heyman had seen what the WWF had done in the 80s and applied the same principle in the 1990s. In the 80s, the WWF tapped into popular culture with the Rock and Wrestling era, they tapped into the Cold War with anti-American heels, they tapped into the wave of ultra patriotism and gave us Hulk Hogan, into the new generation of TV viewers - the MTV generation. Wrestlers helds their heads high alongside the rock stars of the day... but not in the 1990s.
    
    In the 1990s, ECW tapped into popular culture just as Vince had done. They carved out a niche, promoted an adult product and gained a loyal following. While i don't believe ECW was as influential in the WWF Attitude era as some internet marks do, there's no doubt that the WWF and Vince Russo and McMahon looks toward ECW for ideas.  
    
    Russo, who was appointed to the creative team in late 1996 realized exactly what Heyman had realized - that to survive the WWF had to tap into popular culture. With Vince controlling his wilder ideas, the two made a perfect team.
    
    Russo gave the rebellious American youth their anti-hero face in Steve Austin, rebelling against authority, the obnoxious punk rebels in DX, the gang wars and angles straight off Springer. The closet homosexual pervert in Goldust, transvestites with Mark Henry, Satan worshiping with the Ministry and so much more. The WWF was cool again, the viewers flocked in droves and the rest is history.
    
    By 2000 and 2001 however, the public's appetite for trash TV had been worn out, the ratings for shows such as South Park and Jerry Springer began to fall and in the place of this crash TV we saw the rise of reality TV, shows such as American Idol capturing the public's attention anew. The onset of the Bush Administration meant that what was previously acceptable on TV was no longer going to happen. Two particular incidents however put paid to "attitude" forever.
    
    The September 11th terror attacks quashed the public's appetite for trash TV forever as the nation "lost its innocence", things such as South Park didn't seem funny anymore, the time for rebelling was over, the nation was united. An era of introspection had begun.
    
    On February 1, 2004 at the Super Bowl half time show, Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson were involved in a controversy when Jackson's right breast was exposed following a dance routine.. the infamous "wardrobe malfunction."
    
    The Bush era will possibly be remembered politically for the rise of the Religious-Right in politics and public life, individuals such as Rush Limburgh promoting a conservative mob agenda. The reaction to this incident was just that - a mob reaction. A conservative powerbase, in power four years and feeling confident, just waiting for the excuse to go on a moral crusade to clean up the TV that had been spiraling out of control since those heady days of South Park, Raw is War and Springer. No longer would TV be allowed to get away with what they had been doing for the past 8 years, new standards were in place and attitude slipped into a fading memory.
    
    Once i believed that WWE needed to go back to the attitude era, to produce crash TV the like of which TNA iMPACT often does these days. This was more to do with fond memories of the era than common sense. While it was fun while it lasted, this era was a unique point in time just like Rock and Wrestling, it wouldn't work in 2009, American and the viewing audience is a whole different place.
    
    To truly become a force in the ratings again, WWE need to once again tap into popular culture, to promote angles and characters relevant to their target audiences in 2009, to promote an adult product that doesn't talk down to the audience but doesn't descend into trash TV. Going off the quality of Raw over the past few weeks, maybe... just maybe... WWE are starting to do just that.

     

    WWF Attitude: 1997 - 2001, RIP

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• Michael Shane: On The Road To

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    Michael Shane here, been a while since i blogged... hell, been a while since anybody blogged. Attention spans of mice some people :( 
    
    Anyway, guess y'all saw me on Raw this week.
    
    In one way i did think it would have been wise to stay away from TV to sell the injuries but as two weeks had passed, it was kinda irrelevant anyway but as the angle was so hot coming out of the Rumble Vince, rightly i think, decided we needed to follow up on it straight away.
    
    Joe was brilliant with JR, giving a truly well rounded portrayal of a sociopath, certainly far better than certain other superstars who shout a lot, beat people up and get called psychotic. My own two promos i hope got over my own character, the former idealist who's had his world shattered, who's only one thing left in his own World, questioning everything he's believed up to this point but with the strut at the end of the show, still with that New Generation Nature Boy inside him underneath the raw emotion.
    
    I don't think it's any secret that Joe is aping Heath Ledgers excellent portrayal of the Joker in Batman: The Dark Knight and i think the creative team will certainly take element from that "feud" between Batman and the Joker. Look for Shane to certainly be darker and start losing his own grip. By WrestleMania 25, some fans may just be question who the face and who the heel is.
    
    And no, Shane hasn't gone emo or become Sting!
    
    It's nice to add a new facet to the character, show a new side instead of a one dimensional guy.. no names mentioned. I think in 2009, people want real characters, real emotions and character development. They don't want flat characters, cardboard cutouts and cartoon gimmicks. I hope I'm doing that on Raw, i know Joe certainly is.
    
    It wa salso nice to see the Intercontinental Championship given such respect in the main event, i think that's something WWE have always done so well. The Intercontinental Championship is a prestigious title in WWE and a true step on the road to the WWE Championship.
    
    Anyway, we're on the way to Cameron at the moment, the heart of Flair country. The Charlotte crowd are in for a treat next Monday with that hug tag match and Shawn facing Taker but for me? that Ric Flair vs Suffering match could be one for the ages. Ric, like Shawn, thrives on the big match and i know a lot of people are saying he's past his prime... don't believe it for a second. He won't disappoint next week and i think it'll be a hell of a match.
    
    Vince apparently flew the entire creative team down to Boca Raton for a meeting, part of which was gunna be about what my role will be in that match... but he wasn't there and they had to fly back. Paul E missed his flight and subsequently half of Raw last night so i still don't know what exactly i'll be doing next week... but i can guarantee... this feud is only just getting warm :)
    
    Catch ya soon.

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• Saliva - Hunt You Down

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    The official theme song for No Way Out

  • 8 months ago
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• What We Hold To Be True

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    Often i'm asked by VWWE members, or problems arise from the issue - just what is canon in VWWE?
    
    For those who don't know, the canon is simply what is recognized as the true set of facts in an ongoing series of media, novels, movies, TV shows. For example, what is understood to be recognized as the true overall story of the Harry Potter franchise or the James Bond franchise? 
    
    Taking Bond as an example, many purists only acknowledge the original Ian Fleming novels as the true Bond canon, ignoring anything from the movies. Yet Sean Connery's portrayal of Bond influenced Fleming to give Bond a Scottish ancestry in his next novel following the release of Dr No in 1962. If you take only the movies as canon, then how do you explain the fact that Bond appears differently on six separate occasions - Connery, Lazenby, Moore, Dalton, Brosnan and Craig. And for that matter how can you possibly reconcile the fact that Bond only achieves his Double-O status in Casino Royale? 
    
    Reconciling these differences is part of what canon is and the end product is a sort of history book, a definitive account of what happened to who and when and why. Some things are set in canon and connect be changed, while others can be retconned. Retconning is the art of changing established facts to fit the overall canon.
    
    VWWE's problems with canon are wide raging but i believe over the past seven years we've managed to reconcile most of them.. all be it, sometimes in wild circumstances.
    
    Lets take a look first at life and death.
    
    VWWE has employed over the years several characters who were deceased in the real World at the time and on one occasion, resurrected a character we'd claimed had died.
    
    In 2003 Andre The Giant teamed with The Iron Sheik at the height of the Iraq war to face Hulk Hogan, shades somewhat of Sgt Slaughters role in the WWF during the first conflict. Of course this means that in VWWE, Andre The Giant was alive and well. The solution to this is simple, after a storied career in the 1980s, including the famous WrestleMania III match - Andre The Giant retired home to France where he lived happily in retirement until in 2003 Vince McMahon made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Taking the big pay check, Andre fought Hogan but sadly passed away later that year. Andre the Giant died in VWWE in 2003.
    
    The British Bulldogs alive/deceased status has been a matter of some controversy but he was confirmed to be alive after appearing on SmackDown in 2004. The Bulldog was in ill health and did not last long before being released from the company, he died the same year.
    
    Eddie Guerrero died in 2005 as in real life, VWWE posted tribute the week after on Raw and despite a suggested return on a VWWE show, he never did and therefore there is no conflict in Eddies status in the VWWE world.
    
    In 2007, Chris Benoit, while under contract to VWWE's ECW brand killed Nancy and Daniel Benoit and himself, for the same reasons as WWE, this tragedy has never been referenced on the product.
    
    Love Machine Art Barr is a wrestler who's status is a matter of controversy also. While not that famous in America, Barr was a star in Mexico in the mid-90s as Los Gringos Locos, teaming with Eddie, Louie Spicolli and Konnan in AAA. He died in 94 just before he was scheduled to leave for ECW with Eddie. However in 2003, Barr was brought into VWWE to team with Guerrero. Easy to reconcile...? not so. VWWE declared Barr dead in 2004 before he returned to the company for that years WrestleMania. What we say happened was, that Barr, who didnt die in 94 but in fact went on to have a great career in ECW and then WCW in the 90s, faked his own death, a crime for which is was imprisoned following his WWE release. Art Barr in VWWE's world died in 2005, a matter of weeks before Eddie, while awaiting trial on this charge. Both members of VWWE's Los Gringos Locos tag team who had my favorite ever tag match in VWWE... are therefore deceased.
    
    All other deceased wrestlers died as in real life and Diddy, former owner of the WWW fed is also dead.
    
    Also, what of those stars who debuted in VWWE as midcard wrestlers having been major real life stars?
    
    In 2002, Hulk Hogan debuted in such a scenario as did Bret Hart later that year, as did Randy Savage and others
    
    In the case of Hulk Hogan, i would suggest that after signing with the WWE to be a part of the debuting nWo with Shawn Michaels, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, Hogan unfortunately suffered an injury, forcing a change in plans. Hogan had a few matches with the likes of Pimp while he recovered simply as a way to keep him on TV, he then moved into that feud with Randy Savage, Vince seeing money in a resumption of the famous 80s feud. The original plan of Hogan being a part of the nWo then took place following that feud.
    
    In Bret Harts case he was simply being punished. 2002 was the year of the Kliq led by Sahwn Michaels, they made sure Hart was buried in the midcard.
    
    Onto more plesent matters... how about shows? what of all those great events pre-VWWE.. did they happen?
    
    Yes is the simple answer. Hogan did slam Andre, Mr T did main event a WrestleMania, Bret and Shawn did have the Ironman match and Montreal happened just at it was supposed to. Of course the likes of Nightmare etc also appeared on these shows, for example it's quite possible taht at WrestleMania 17 Nightmare faced Chris Jericho on that card or some such. This however has not been revealed and its likely that the cards for pre-VWWE shows never will be referenced unless it's a match between two real stars eg Rock vs Austin at that same event.
    
    The two companies seperate on March 4, 2002 and here's the scenario:
    
    Fresh off winning the 5 on 5 match at Survivor Series 2001 agaisnt the WCW/ECW Alliance, Vince thinks his world is back at peace... not so. Ric Flair is revealed the next night as the new co-owner of the WWF an proceeds to drive Vince round the bend. McMahon is at his wits end and goes as far as to suggest he's going to inject the poision - the nWo into the WWF. Rumors of the return of Shawn Michaels, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall from FWC as the nWo run rampant and Flair begs McMahon not to do it - no luck. McMahon declares that he'd rather destroy the WWF than let Flair have it. On the last Raw of February - McMahon snaps and declares that next week, March 3, 2002 - he's taring the WWF down - a rebranding will take place. All titles up for grabs... and the nWo are coming. Vince decalres war on Ric, raw will truly be war again, the new name is in place, the figures are in place.... and VWWF is about to be born.
    
    Thats the origins :)
    
    Finally, what about titles... if we recognize all the PPVs, do we recognize all the prior title holders prior to VWWE? what about other E-Fed titles?
    
    Firstly, lets deal with E-Feds
    
    VWWE does NOT recognize ANY titles outside of the VWWE led community. Web feds are an irrelevance.
    
    We recognize the following as world titles:
    
    The WCW World Heavyweight Championship
    The FWC Championship
    The ECW Championship
    The TNA Championship
    
    We do not recognize any other titles as World Titles. Simply calling a title a "World Title" is not good enough, the Fed in question has to achieve a relative amount of exposure and fame to have this distinction.
    
    Onto real life... what do we count?
    
    All WWE Royal Rumble and KOTR winners up to 2002 are recognized however, no other title holders are. For example, we do NOT recognize HBK as having won three WWE Championships prior to VWWE.
     
    However, we recognize the following
    
    The complete run of all ECW and WCW Championships up to 2001
    The NWA Championship from 1900 to 2009, including its run in TNA
    We recognize all Mexican and Japanese belts
    We recognize Ring of Honor
    
    We do NOT recognize the current TNA Championships due to conflict with Virtual TNA. We partially recognize OVW and FCW but will change their title histories to build up new stars.
    
    And thats about it....
    
    Next time, i'll blog on another factor in TV terminology - the fabled Jumping The Shark.

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  • 8 months ago
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• Michael Shane: No Line on the

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    Hey, Michael Shane here, public enemy number two according to the PTC.
    
    This is one of those times i really haven't any one particular thing to say but feel the need to blog anyway. As it currently is I'm here in Tampa with everybody else as we get set for a live event tonight.. a house show as they used to be known.
    
    I'm feeling pretty under the weather to be honest as a few of the boys seem to have been over the past few days.... maybe it was something i ate. Jeff Hardy looks into my screen and tries to write "HAHA" but it's very probably true, when you're stuck in a car in the Florida heat with The Big Show, Suffering and CM Punk like i was yesterday, show filling the car with a mixture of the vile smell of McDonalds and methane gas.... you're bound to catch something.
    
    Anyway, the show must go on and although I'll be "selling" my injuries on TV and not having another match on Raw till No Way Out, I'll still be on all the house shows, giving the fans what they came to see - me lol. My opponent tonight will be none other than Punk, the man who i pretty much made my name against 7 years ago in Ring of Honor. We've both come a long way since those days and its a great pleasure to get back in the ring with him. As an added little bonus a certain Samoan TNA star has made the short trip up from Orlando and will be in the front row.... I'd best watch that guy, he's still sulking about what happened at Genesis.
    
    The long trip down here though gave me a chance to listen to the new album by U2. Any longtime Michael Shane fans will probably know of my love for the band which is why i was a little disappointed on first listen of No Line on the Horizon. I think with all the hype that the band had given the album, i was expecting classic U2 and another Joshua Tree when after one listen i was convinced this was another Zooropa and nothing but a disaster.... however... this is one of those albums that NEEDs a second, third and fourth listen because every time i listen to it, it seems to get better and better. Don't get me wrong, this is far from being the Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby or even as good as All The You Cant Leave Behind or How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, but this IS classic U2. There's no real standout track, no big epic song like Beautiful Day but personally, i think there's a lot to be said for the title track - No Line on the Horizon which kicks off a fine opening trio of songs, following it with Magnificent and Moment of Surrender. I love Unknown Caller as well even though it's a very different sound to what you usually expect from U2 i think. A worthy 8/10 or two and three quarters of a thumb up.
    
    I hope it's true about us trying to get U2 for WrestleMania 25 as I'd just mark the fuck out for that. And if they made a second appearance for us... surely U2 would be a dead cert for the Hall of Fame? lol
    
    Last and certainly least i really need to address something that i read online this week. I had the great misfortune to read on WWE.com that L Brent Bozell, the leader (Fuhrer) of the Parents Television Council had issued complains to the company and advertisers concerning the angle between Suffering/The Gathering and myself at the Royal Rumble. His claim being that the angle was violent, unnecessary and a step beyond the bounds of decency. That children and those of a sensitive nature could be hurt by what they saw. You know the deal.
    
    Idiot.
    
    Mr Bozell unfortunately is from the section of our society who are arrogant enough to believe that they can dictate to the rest of us what is and what is not morally acceptable. The kind of people who believe that our minds need to be controlled by religion and dreams of sweet salvation or we'll all descend into barbarism. In short, Mr Bozell is a religious nut.  
    
    Ignoring the fact that religion kills hundreds of thousands around the world every year, i continue...
    
    I firmly believe that the biggest threat to the United States in 2009 is not the threat posed by outside forces such as those of Islamic extremism or Communist China, rather the biggest threat to the peace, security and democracy that all out forefathers fought and died for is from within out own borders. For too long not the religious right, a group to which this man belongs, has been gaining a foothold in public life. The Presidency of George W Bush, who for the record i believe at heart to have been a good man, however allowed individuals like Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin to so nearly ascend to the highest position in the land. When individuals such as these, Rush Limburgh and Bozell are allowed to actively encourage the curtailing of our freedoms and repeal of civil rights, what hope can we possibly have of extending democracy outside our own borders?
    
    The right to freedom of expression, what this company engages in EVERY week, is one that is written in our constitution and one for which i would proudly defend to my death. I believe that the people of this great nation want to stand as free citizens, free to choose what is morally acceptable for them themselves without people like the PTC telling them they are wrong. In the case of children watching... quite frankly we were on PPV with a TV-14 rating, it is not our responsibility to act as a guardian. Its the parents responsibility to make sure that their children are not watching something unsuitable.
    
    WWE is an art form, but its a violent one. Blood, sweat and tears are shed every week, bones are broken, egos run rampant. Its not always pretty. Why should this company tone down its product and be forced to talk down to an adult audience simply because a small number of people complain or because parents cannot take responsibility for their product? WWE is adult entertainment and i would suggest to anybody that is offended by the Royal Rumble that they stop watching because having spoken to Vince McMahon, he has no intention of toning down his product and rightly so.
    
    Well, rant over. Think i'm getting roid rage? lol
    
    Anyway, here's Punk, better dash, he'll need every spot laying out as usual :)
    
    Laters peeps
    
    Oh and PS....
    
    Fuck you Vince Russo, you're a disgrace to my city and my profession.

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• The Founding Fathers

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    I was reminded by Tone earlier that today marks the 7th anniversary or the first ever edition of VWWE (or VWWF as it was then) Raw, you can read whats left of the show here:

    Tony then said that there are only 3 survivors of that show still in VWWE... so lets now take a look back at what became of the VWWE Founding Fathers

    Nightmare: Nightmare went on the become a VWWE Hall of Famer and icon, winning a record 8 WWE Titles, being a member of the nWo, the Horseman and Kliq. He is an icon of the game.

    The Nick Show: Didn't do anything more in the game and really has no claim to fame.

    Edge: The original Edge went on to be a star on SmackDown following the brand split, winning four WWE Tag Team Titles with Mick as Christian and winning two Intercontinental Championships. The character will make a splash in 2009 in ECW.

    Reaper: Reaper was one of the first "indy characters" and while finding leittle success in VWWE, he had success elsewhere, notably XIW

    Phoenix: A life long enhancement talent Phoenix was another with little claim to fame other than a never ending feud with Blizzard and Angel. In 2008 his character was retconned in the VWWF Retro Fed and controlled by Nath.

    Manny: Vanished from the business but made a little impact in FWC's Crusierweight Division i believe

    Ultimate Warrior: His one and only VWWE appearance lol

    Stevie Dragon: Famous as VWWE's first ever member, this Welshman may get into the Hall of Fame one day for that alone. Hey... Vince's driver got in. One and only appearance.
    
    Banshee: One of the original members of VWWFs four man board with Jon the pervert, Tony and Mick she became one of the most controversial figures in history and regarded as a threat to VWWE's security. Her relationship to Jon has been questioned and some suspect she may have been a work.
    

    Mallory: My own then GF, i press ganged her into joining lol, the name was taken from the film Natural Born Killers and the couple Mickey and Mallory. Went onto success as Lita before we broke up.

    Rogue: The story of Fi is well known. Going on to become VWWE Womens Champion and later James Steele, Fi left in 2007 after an incident with FWC. She now lives with Mike aka Goldberg.

    Venus: One of the biggest womens stars of the era, Venus will probably be retconned into being Venus Vulu at some point lol. A far bigger star in FWC and elsewhere however, she never really got over with the VWWE crowd.
    
    Randy Savage: Seen as a potential headline act for years to come, Marty or the ginger tosser as he called himself had a major falling out with VWWE in late 2002 following the "WWWF Incident" as it's generally refereed to. Became a Bruno Sammartino like figure, bitter about what happened. He returned only once - to object to his inclusion in the HOF. A tosser indeed.

    nWoKane: Despite his objections that he did, this man later went on to play Booker T and become KOTR 2002 and United States Champion. Seen as a major breakout start for later that year and 2003, he unfortunately vanished. Was a tennis prodigy who played in national youth tournaments and for i know, may very well have been Andy Murrey lol
    
    Rob Van Dam: Irish Rob went on to be World and WWE Champion. He is a Guinness delivery man and makes sporabic appearances in the chat and VWWE. Also winning Intercontinental and tag gold in VWWE and having success in many other feds of the era, he is a Hall of Famer.

    Sandman: Gary went on to major success in FWC, becoming FWC Champion before making the switch to VWWE and taking up the mantle of William Regal. He is now VWWE Chief of Staff.

    Pimp: Became on of the most beloved superstars in VWWE history and one of VWWEs only Asian members. His debauched evenings of weed and women set the tone for the whole of VWWE. Becoming the greatest hardcore champion ever, he also won tag gold and a HOF spot. His legacy will forever live on.

    Steve Austin: Tone went on to be the face of VWWE for a generation. Main eventing three WrestleManias, having the Icion vs Icon match, leading the Monday Night Wars and becoming a great friend. Tone was the centerpiece of VWWE for the attitude era. Tony MAY be haaving one last match at WrestleMania 25... watch this space.
    
    Triple H: Possibly the most eventful career in history. Will was always the insurgent in the midst, ready to attempt to seize power at any moment and comically failing. As Triple H he main evented the first WrestleMania but never rose to that height again thanks to his backstage attitude. He took over the WWWF E-fed and absurdly allowed VWWE on board while VWWE made him 49 percent owner of VWWE, a meaningless gesture. He was involve in scandal after scandal and generally became to be considered as the plaything of the Kliq. Made numerous comebacks an attempts to takeover or subvert VWWE till finally just leaving. The characters was taken over by Mark who finally led him to the WWE Title in 2007. In 2009 he will return under a new controller on the ECW brand.

    Angel and Janus: Both men went on to be life long jobbers in VWWE, though Angel did carve out a short lived career in the indies of the day. He is also responsible for the worst VWWE angle of all time - Mr America, being the "fake" Mr America to Sam's "real" one.

    Craig Gilbert: Seen as a sort of Paul Ellering figure, he did little after VWWE's first month and vanish as quickly as his nWd charges.

    Unforgiven and Forsaken (New World Disorder): Made more famous by Morten than they ever were as themselves, the nWd were the Road Warriors of March 2002. They did little and vanished quickly. The were resurrected in 2008 by Morten and have had a little backstory added to them. Quite random.
    
    Nitro: Debate rages over whether Kyle was black or not. Originally conceived as being white, he was retconned into being VWWE's (and WWE's) first ever African-American champion in 2007. He went on to be World and as mentioned, WWE Champion. Many in hindsight consider him the 2nd worst VWWE Champion of all timebut he never lost his sense of his own self importance. Formed TNA in 2002 and has rarely been seen since then.

    Paz: God knows what became of him lol, i really have nothing to offer here. Did nothing, ever.

    Kane: Danny was an icon of the business in 2002 and was what Neal is to VWWE now. Beloved and popular, he could promo, write and was great in the chat. Winning four WWE Titles at that time was a stunning achievement and he is rightfully one of our first Hall of Famers. One of the biggest ever losses to VWWE. The character of Kane of course lives on in the excellently capable hands of Stu, one of the few members i know can carry on Dannys legacy.
    
    Chris Jericho: I dont remember much of the original Jericho besides the fact he was Intercontinental Champion and a star in FWC as well. He vanished in mid-2002.

    Ringmaster: Formerly Physio in WWW, Ringmaster cursed himself with his character that was never going to survive next to Steve Austin. An intelligent and popular member however, he was good friends with SA and Banshee and from what was gathered at the time had a falling out with them and was done away with. Not seen since then.

    HBK: Well this is me obviously, you don't need me to tell you what happened... well... OK then. HBK went on to win 5 world titles and have some of the greatest matches ever. Mick went on to win the Monday Wars and make VWWE the biggest and greatest name in all E-Feds. You know the deal :)

    SA: Became managements right ahnd man in 2002. A schemer, he always looked for ways to consolidate his own power. AFter trying to seiaze power in E-Feds in 2003, the relationship changed and faced terminal mektdown a year later afetr one famous argument. Jon's once glorious career became akin to that of the Warrior.

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• Assassin's Royal Rumble 2009,

  • From: Assassin
  • Description:

    Sorry for the interruption last time guys, I had to tend to a few things for Raw this week. Now, where were we last? That's right, after being congratulated by some fellow superstars after my match I headed back to the showers to have a quick wash, to remove all the sweat my body was producing. After I had fully cleaned I got changed into some casual clothes as I wasn't going to appear on screen for a little longer and decided to watch a bit more of The Royal Rumble by myself. When I turned on the TV it was upto the Suffering/Shane segment, I started to watch it, not knowing of any plans and then was shocked as I saw my close friend Sergio Griffon appear, after hitting Michael Shane. Serge hadn't told me anything about this and I started to grin, happy that he was getting a "push".

    As the segment finished I decided to go find someone to watch the Chamber match with. After a while of searching I found Jeff Hardy and Mort (Primal) watching it and asked if I could join in. They agreed and I sat down next to them, Mort offered me a beer but I declined and we begun to watch the Chamber match. Another great match and I have to say this is an early candidate for Match Of The Year, every superstar put in 110% effort and it resulted in a great match. I didn't have time to sit around however as my next segment was up next as I went to find Randy and Taker. I found them quite easily and we started to film the segment straight away. Suprisingly, I felt much more comfortable and relaxed this time, maybe it was because it was my second promo or the fact that I was working with two of the "top dogs" in the business.

    After everything ran smoothly I casually started to head to the "gorilla" position, taking my time as I was to enter very late in the Rumble match. I arrived just as Joe was heading out to the ring and decided to hang around with people that were there. The time seemed to fly and before I knew it, it was time for me to enter the Rumble match. As I stepped through the curtain and saw all the superstars currently in the ring a rush of excitement ran through me and I raced down to the ring. The next 10-20 minutes you should all know what happens so I won't go through that.

    After I arrived backstage, I decide to stay around for a bit with Randy and celebrate, meeting up with several other stars again and then Sergio for the first time since I saw him earlier on in the night. We talked for a solid few minutes and I congratulated him on becoming a member of the Gathering and he congratulated me on becoming apart of The Legacy. I then left him, saying goodbye and then decided to have an early night as I said see ya to everyone else and then head back to my hotel...

    That's it for now guys, until you see me next time...farewell,

    Assassin.

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• Assassin's Royal Rumble 2009,

  • From: Assassin
  • Description:

    Ok first just to clear things up this blog is going to be semi-kayfabe, more to the side of non-kayfabe

    ---------------

    Welcome all Assassin Lovers....or should I say haters? That doesn't really matter lol, so welcome everyone to my second blog as a WWE Superstar. Last time I blogged it was just before the biggest and best night of my career in the WWE, the Royal Rumble. So I think we will pick up from where we last left of...

    After finishing my last blog I had to go meet with Randy briefly to talk about a few of the things we would be doing that night and quickly going over our promo. Our meeting was then cut short as he had something else to go to...man, I thought I was busy but Randy seemed to be going non-stop. After meeting with Randy I decided to head back to my lockeroom and finally prepare for the Rumble itself. I decided to watch the first Match by myself, pleased that Ted and Cody lost because that would mean Orton wouldn't see them being good enough for his "stable" and I wasn't to keen on working with those two, no offense but I just think they need more time in the business to learn the basics. A few minutes later just as the Primal and Jeff Hardy promo was about to begin Sergio entered the room and chucked me a Powerade, which I took with a "thanks" and started to take several sips of as he took a seat and we begun to watch the Hardy/Primal promo. Wow what can I say, a brilliant performance from both guys ending in a great Promo early on in the show. We then started to watch the Simmons vs. Rey match and both looked on in horror as Ryan botched his moonsault and landed nastily on his neck. After Simmons had been carried backstage, Sergio left to check on him as I had to get ready for my up coming promo. I got changed into some more suitable clothes and then headed of to were the segment was going to be...

    I arrived at the area to see Evan Bourne waiting there for me already as we shook hands and then turned to see Orton come into view, we finalised a few things and then "got into positions" as we got the good to go, we were live on air. My nerves are tingling as the promo begins ut as it goes on they cease and i am "in the zone." After the promo finishes, all running smoothly, Randy heads of and I have to rush to the gorilla position ready for my match, as I arrive Regal is already heading out to the ring. I try and mentally prepare myself for the match ahead but get cut short as my music blares and I step out from behind the curtain. All nerves go as the crowd cheer me and I realize this is a wonder of wrestling, going out doing what you love and getting cheered on by the crowd. Unfortunately I doubt Ill be getting any more cheers for a while lol but still being jeered at is good in its own way.

    After my match with William Regal I arrive backstage and get quite a few congratulations from fellow starts, including Jeff Hardy, Primal and Randy Orton. I was stoked at all the praises I was recieving and I didn't expect all of it. I then headed to the medical room to get some treatment on a small cut I recieved in the match and then got the all clear. On my way out I met briefly with Regal and congratulated him on putting on a great performance. After that I headed back to my lockeroom to have a quick shower before my next segment...

    I now have to go as I just go an important call about something, I will update this as soon as possible,

    Assassin.

    -----

    Had to cut it short as I have to leave i'll do a part 2 asap, feed back please guys

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  • 8 months ago
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• Heyman Hustle

  • From: JeffHardy
  • Description:

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first edition of the Heyman Hustle. I'm at a loss as to where to begin, after an event the caliber of the 2009 Royal Rumble it can become hard to process everything that went down. Let's start with the most memorable moment, shall we? Suffering and Shane.

    It's not everyday that a guy who returned from banishment shoots straight to the top of our industry but that is exactly what Joe did last night at the Royal Rumble. Joe had a shaky start upon his return, a strong first couple of weeks before he was thrown into the Primal/Hardy feud. Sure Suffering impressed everyone during that feud but it was ultimately aimed at furthering the rise of Jeff Hardy as opposed to building up Joe. 

    It's amazing how one night can change an entire career, the visual of Shane being hung, Suffering bathing in Shane's blood, soaking it up like it was a sweet nectar, Shane's life source seaping into Joe's hair, his skin, his entire being....that was the most shocking incident since Foley was thrown from the cell in my opinion and told more of a story than any mere high spot could ever tell. 

    Right now Suffering has completely over taken Jeff Hardy in becoming the single hottest property in the entire WWE, there is nobody moving higher, faster or on his level at the moment. Except Michael Shane. To me, Shane is more than just "the new HBK" or "the new Flair" he's a seperate entity that hasn't carved a niche for himself, he's ripped one open and forced his way inside (poor Ashley), he's that cocky prick one day and the savior of the fans the next day, not many men can claim to be as versatile as Shane is. 

    With Suffering fearing the wrath of not only the fans but the entire locker room it's obvious that Shane/Suffering is going to steal the show at Wrestlemania, there is no feud more personal, more telling or more innovative than this feud right here ladies and gentlemen. These two men represent everything the New Generation in the WWE should be, everyone else should look at this feud and learn from it, this is the future.

    Also on the Royal Rumble card was the Elimination Chamber, a hellish gimmick match that truly rivals the Hell in a Cell in terms of brutality and hype. You should all know that I don't do super-babyfaces, show up save the day, kiss the babies and suck up to the crowd but Vince McMahon disagrees with me and is pushing our WWE Champion in this fashion. Don't get me wrong at all, John is perfectly placed at the top, the right man retained, the right man is heading to 'Mania and John can pick up any ball and run a mile with it, a fantastic talent and a helluva guy. I just don't like this gimmick at all. In a world where heels are pure evil and unstable like Orton and Suffering, where men with attitudes like Ryan Simmons are respected, where babyfaces like Jeff Hardy show that they're human, that they have flaws, where guys like Morten Hansen show that they have emotions, where the babyfaces don't always make the right choices, I don't think there's room for Super Cena, the perfect wrestler. Obviously Cena is needed as a face but I for one am hoping that he'll adopt an edgier gimmick post-'Mania, where I'm sure he WILL tear the house down, Super Cena or not. 

    Let's move swiftly on to young Assassin, the kid who FINALLY made an impact in the WWE. It's been no secret that I've seen potential in him from day one and like Vince have been a huge advocate to give him a large push and a large rub. However, never did I think he'd run with the ball like he did this Sunday. The look in his eyes, the sneer on his face, the expression as his boot connected with the temple, the sound as his foot smashed into Regal's skull, the intensity shown by Assassin truly rivaled his new mentor Randy Orton in this man's personal opinion.  Everything just went right for this young Aussie native, he proved more than one of his critics wrong. 

    My personal problem with Assassin is holding myself back from demanding he be pushed faster than is smart to do, if it were up to me he'd be Intercontinental Champion by the end of the week....but this would do more damage than good to his career, all of that glory can come later on down the line. He's nearly there in the words of a colleague of mine, but he's not there yet. He is definitely going to be to 2009 what Jeff Hardy was to 2008 or what John Cena was to 2007, he's going to leave his mark in the WWE whether the fans like it or not. I just hope Orton will truly take him under his wing and teach him the ins and outs, that's what he needs right now and Orton is just the man to help him, this is a match made in heaven.

    Finally I move on to the man himself, the be all and end all of villainy in our sport, the man who has transcended past any heel we've ever seen in the past, the 2009 Royal Rumble winner, Randy Orton. I've said it during my interviews with the Sun, this guy is on a completely different level than all of the other heels currently in the WWE and formerly in the WWE, never before has a villain performed such dispicable acts, relished in them, basked in the jeers the crowd give him while also being almost shocked at how far he will go to achieve his goals, just how low and dispicable he can become, there's no heel that can currently match Orton in the WWE or the wrestling industry as a whole. 

    Without a doubt, be it Orton/'Taker, Orton/Cena, Orton/HBK or a mixture of all of them, Orton will deliver the goods at Wrestlemania and will be the main draw at what is quickly turning out to be the largest, the most hyped and what I'm positive will be the most successful Wrestlemania of all time. Look for a special wing in the Hall of Fame to be prepared for Orton after this event, nothing less will be acceptable. 

    That brings our first Heyman Hustle to an end, I'll endeaver to bring more of my thoughts, opinions and ideas as often as I can produce them with my hectic Creative Team schedule. Next time I'll be doing the easiest blog imaginable, I'll be poking holes and critisizing every aspect of the Creative product and looking at where we're dropping the ball and where we need to step up. Until then, enoy the Road to Wrestlemania.

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  • 8 months ago
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• Ross Report: March 2, 2009

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    Good evening once again folks, I'm Jim Ross welcoming you to the first edition of the reinstated Ross Report, now finding it's home right here on the WWE Universe. It's been a long time since i had this privilege so i maybe a little rusty but ya can be sure I've got a lot ta say.
    
    Of course we're coming right off the back of that amazing Royal rumble Pay-Per-view, a lot has been said and i don't believe there's much new insight an old Sooner like myself can add but my thanks and congratulations go out to all the performers on that show. The WWE roster did one of the best jobs I've seen in 30 years of putting on an entertaining show from start to finish. To my mind there really wasn't a bad thing on this show and in todays business, that's a rarity. It was an honor an a privilege to be at ringside to call the action over four epic hours.
    
    With the Royal Rumble over we're truly on that fabled road to WrestleMania but there's on last junction before that event, that being No Way Out. From what I've heard from a friend of a friend on the grapevine... this could be even better than  the Rumble. That's not pride talking, that's just a stone cold fact.
    
    Talking of stone cold, the latest news I'm hearing from Texas is that Steve has certainly expressed interest in working one last match in Houston at WrestleMania, don't be surprised when this one happens.
    
    Of all the surprises last night, Assassin was one of the shocking. While our fans may not like his change in attitude, Randy Orton can only be of benefit to this young Superstar and i wouldn't be surprised if Legacy does for him what Evolution did for Randy Orton and Batista.
    
    Ryan Simmons maybe a little sore this morning but it could have been a whole lot worse. After seeing that tragic injury to Steve Austin and being told first hand by Sabu and Hayabusa of their own, i know that careers can often be cut short or decided in seconds. Ryan is a very lucky man and by the look of his lady friend, in more ways that one.
     
    The Suffering incident really doesn't need me to say a whole lot more on it, nor would i even if it did. This heinous act deserves no publicity from either yours truly or WWE. Michael Shane was and is the most talented wrestler inWWE, his personality may rile but his passion, humor and love of this business won his a hell of a lot of friends and admirers amongst the locker room and our fans, a fact shown live. Sufferings actions will be remembered for a long time to come.
    
    Is there anybody better in this business right now than Randy Orton? and the scary fact folks is that Randy is not yet even 30. Shocked he will main event three WrestleManias in a row? donm't be, by the time he's done it could be 13.
    
    Random thoughts from under the black Resistol hat...
    
    AKM is as good now as he's ever be and may ever will be, thats not an understatement.
    
    Is the carer of Jeff Hardy over? only a fool would count out the man who's already made more comebacks in his career than FWC.
    
    Sources in the entertainment business are rumored to believe that WWE are looking to have U2 play WrestleMania in homage to the 18th edition of that great event 7 years ago. I wouldn't know about that but with Mickey Rourke looking like he maybe in attendance, i know the Boss may just very well have a song to play as well and i don't mean Mr McMahon.
    
    How great was it to see Primal back to his best form?
    
    And to see Shawn Michaels back in a WWE ring?
    
    Just how far can Cody Rhodes go? from what i can see, he can go as far as it appears he can.
    
    One thing i would very much like to add to the Ross report next week would be a Q&A section, if any of you great fans out there in the WWE Universe have a question for old JR, drop me a line and i'll make sure i answer it in next weeks edition.

     

    But for now, so long folks

    J.R. (Boomer Sooner!)

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• Vince Russo: The voice from TN

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    Yeah, yeah, the Royal Rumble was great, really really great.
    
    Marks.
    
    Let me tell ya something, before the powers that be remove this blog, the Royal Rumble was NOTHING but a poorly constructed ass kissing of the marks that make up "Vince Mcmahon TV"s little audience.
    
    Injury angle, let me guess, that chick at ringside is gunna be stolen by Primal while Ryans recouperating... PURLEASE.
    
    Mysterio... he cant speak English can he? whatever, Mexicans have no place on TV, people want to see AMERICANS. Buy American, watch American. Japanese and Mexican crap has no place on my TV. Stars like Kurt Angle and Sting are what people want to see.
    
    What was next? i cant even remenber because my mind was NUMB by this point.... oh yeah, that's right.... Assassin does a Mick Foley impression. Was the punt supposed to be "smart", to show psychology? it was lame. People dont just change their lives like that like a switch going on and off. Nobody wants to see evil heels and perfect babyfaces, its such a dead concept. So 80s.
    
    Regal is worthless. So he can "wrestle" .. whats THAT supposed to mean? so can Bryan danielson and he looks like he has AIDs. NOT ON MY TV,THANK YOU!
    
    Jeff Hardy... this is WWE trying to be "cool" and present an emo character
    
    Primal... WOAH, THE WARRIOR WANTS HIS GIMMICK BACK
    
    And now we come to the bullshit amongst bullshit, something for all the mark kids to try out tomorrow, to say "heeey, dat wuz so coolz!!!"
    
    Michael "i wish i was Flair" Shane and Suffering, a Raven wannabe, engaged in something that had i done it, id have bee vilified for. Im just WAITING for the first kid to be found dangling with his head cut open, for some pathetic prick to try this shit out. Learn responsibility.
    
    Nebraska and Morrison, standard fare, usual arrogant gimmick. Cheap heat. Heat went out of this PPV with the Gathering angle. Steamboat... he still alive then? get these VETERANS off your show Vince.
    
    Primal/Rey, whatever.
    
    Eliminaation Chamber, stupid idea they ripped off MY idea for Hell in a Cell, MY creation, though do i get credit? nope. Anyway, we got the crap 80s babyface Cena and the stale Shawn Michaels battling for what seemed an eternity. Nobody wants to sit though a match that lasts 30/40 minutes, more matches, quicker paced, unique finishes, thats what matters. I dont think we had a single run in at this event.
    
    And the Royal Rumble... well was that a mistake? Orton vs Cena again?
    
    Well at least you're giving TNA a chance to beat you again this year like when we BEAT your ECW show last year. This PPV was nothing but a series of spots and incidents to please the WWE fanboys.
    
    Thats my opinion.
    
    Peace
    
    Vince Russo (New Yoik)

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