Hey guys, TJ here doing a little writing from the road to WrestleMania!!! So as you have probably noticed here at the pink and black attack, we have been kinda MIA, just wanted to send a quick apology as we all have been busy back in Canada tending to some family issues. All is well in Calgary, but it was good to get up there and spend some time with my friends and the people I consider family.
After Nattie's dad, my future father-in-law, made his appearance on RAW and questioned our alliances here in the WWE, it really made each of us take a step back and really consider where we are, and where we are headed. Needless to say, we had a long talk with pretty much the whole family, and now that everyone has had a chance to make their points, it seems like the Shawn Michaels situation is cleared up. How crazy is it that even as relative newcomers to the big time, here we are appearing at WM25 in a tag team title match!!! We all are extremely grateful for this opportunity, and regardless of the outcome just know that this match is one you do NOT want to miss. The work we have been able to do with the John Morrison, Joey Nebraska, and that other guy have done wonders for us in a very short amount of time. I can only imagine that the tag team division here in the E is about to have an extended run as a focal point of our shows, and to hold the titles will mean even that much more!
So the three of us are actually driving down to Texas and we cannot wait to get involved in some of the work up to the big day. We have not had a chance to work any of the house shows in Texas, but I am sure we will have some dates in the next day or two, nost likely get some work in with Chavo or Rey...keep a look out here for details. Also, I am pretty sure we will be at fan axxess signing autographs and taking pictures for anyone that wants to get some face time with the best young tag team in the WWE! The nerves of performing at WrestleMania haven't kicked in just yet, although I am sure they will come on rather quickly as the day draws closer...I can say, while we were home we had a chance to talk to Bret and Jim about the spectacle that is WM and how they dealt with the nerves, which really helped! We even brought back some tapes of their WM matches, and I think DH and I are going to sit and watch through them to see if we can bring back some memories of the Hart Foundation's WrestleMania history.
Somehow I got stuck in the back seat with DH driving, and unfortuantely that means Nattie has control of the radio...and don't tell her I said this, but her taste in music SUCKS!!!
I must say, I cannot wait until we get to Houston...I love traveling and seeing the country, but this trip has been nothing but lakes and corn...pretty boring if you ask me. Not to mention, I haven't really had the chance to talk to any of the guys lately and it will be good to catch up with them and get back to the normal banter we are used to. The few times I have had the chance to text one of the guys it was usually late or they were at a show, so we didnt really get to chat. All is good though, I hear from Jeff that Assassin is still a virgin and he shot me a text to let me know Arkham Asylum rawks (his word, not mine). It also seems like the guys are excited about the annual release of our polygoned clones for the Playstation and XBox, although the feelings about whether or not THQ did a good job of putting the game together seem to be mixed.
So DH just asked why I was writing a book in the backseat, told him I was blogging...he and Natalya say hello to everyone...oh lord, I hope she doesn't read it now that she knows I am writing one, she will KILL ME and probably cut off my beautiful hair! Anyways, it is time to stop and get some grub so we will catch up with you guys soon, much sooner now that we are going to be back in the loop!
Hello Chavo here and I got a couple things to say before us Latino Legacy will be the new tag team champions. Hart Dynasty if you think your going to steal our championships you got another thing coming. I will make sure that you will regret coming in the ring with the Latino Legacy. I respect what you doing though ese. Trying to honor your relatives is a great thing. Maybe the billion dollar princess owes your family of something. Either way I will make sure that we will be champions for our family. And with all that said I hope your at your best because we will not give till we have those belts around our waist. Adios mi hombres and bye Hart Dynasty!
God im fucked lol
just spent the night in a sport bar that was airing some Indy wrestling shit in the company of jeff hardy,michael shane , the three hart kids and mvp.
we just spent the night chatting about wrestling in general and watching the stuff on tv , michael shane was constantly in and out of the bar on his phone and jeff dissapeared early on which is unlike him , usually im the one having an early night,
some indy wrestler named jackson healy??? introduced himself to us and tried to join us for a drink which was met with a stern look.
montel was so smashed he fell asleep and woke up with half an hour to closing time so i basically was on my own with my thoughts and my diet coke untill a bleary eyed mickie james fell in the door just as i was heading off, did nobody bother to give her a wake up call? lol
ill probably have one last drink with mickie and head back too the hotel and my bed
untill then
Im Ryan Simmons and Your Not!!!!!
Hey all, been a while since I updated my great fans on the Universe, too long in fact. Vince recently approached me and asked me to upload some more blogs and keep you guys up to date with the goings on at the shows, on the road and the like as we travel down this figurative and litteral road to Wrestlemania 25.
Currently I'm typing this blog post up in the back of a rental car next to Michael Shane, Simmons up front and the lovable Morten Hansen up front. At my behest we're currently blasting out Springsteen's Working On A Dream, my new obsession.
Things have been relatively quiet backstage, Saturday Night's Main Event went off without a hitch though. From start to end it felt like a Wrestlemania go-home show, both in the ring and in the back. My own angle finally reached boiling point and seemed to go down really well with the crowd, they're really split down the middle. Since my return from suspension everyone has welcomed me back into the fold, there's still some tension between Mickie and I despite my best efforts but hey....I ain't the only one on that front. Flair wasn't as welcoming as the rest of the roster though.
He's not come right out and told me but I know he's disappointed with me, the looks he's giving me tell me more than words ever could. I can't say I blame him, he agreed to work an angle with me, him a sixteen time World Heavyweight Champion....me, the scrawny kid from Cameron and I screwed up again, affecting him as much as I have affected myself. I can dig that, I don't make any excuses for the way I live my life and I'm not ashamed to hit a few bumps on the road but I heard he wanted to cut a shoot promo on me at SNME.....something he went straight to Vince with, didn't even think to talk to me about first. Ain't that a great way to get me over. I respect Ric Flair as much as if not more than the next guy, he's bigger than the Beatles in my hometown but this rivalry extends past what you see in the ring.
I think our segment went really well though, when we're in the ring together cutting a promo we just seem to gel, the intensity, the animosity, the emotions that we run through in the space of ten minutes surpass anything I think I've done with anyone else. The one thing that seemed to add everything over the last few months was definitely the finish. For the first time in over a year the WWE allowed me to perform a highspot. This was hardly the most highrisk or innovative highspot I've ever done but it got over HUGE with the crowd and the thrill of standing atop the turnbuckle, leapfrogging over a fifteen foot ladder, hearing the collective gasp from the capacity crowd as I soar only to explode and leap to their feet when I come crashing to the canvas......nothing....NOTHING over the past twelve months has made me feel as alive as that single moment......though my ass is STILL hurting. (Make all the jokes you want, boys.)
The backstage atmosphere is much the sameas it's ever been really, Shane and I have kissed and made up (keep that image in mind, folks) and our backstage antics are once again reaching you from headlines of the local dirstsheets. These headlines couldn't be further from the truth. We're all actually getting along for once!
The only person that seems to be being ribbed these days is the little Assassin....for obvious reasons of course. I won't reveal his newest nick nam-....who am I kidding, the twink can't do anything.
I've kept myself rather composed backstage, hanging out with the likes of Mort and the new tag on the scene in The Hart Dynasty, two really cool guys who I've had the pleasure of getting to know better over the last couple of weeks, they have such an intense passion and respect for this business, it's so refreshing to have these two laid back guys in the locker, they have a calming effect on myself and others no doubt.
Currently I'm tossing some jokes Simmon's way, lighthearted stuff about his (lackluster) career.....but I'm glad by the look on his face that he's in the front and I've got a large Dane barking at him to sit still!
We're about to pull in and grab some bagels (at Shane's request and to Mort's chagrin) so I'd better post this now.
Look for another blog from me each day in the run up to 'Mania!
Jeff Nero Hardy
AAHHHH….WHAT A RUSH!!!! Sorry to steal a line from a legendary team of the past, but there is really no other way to describe it! It felt so good to get back in the ring again, and there are so many exciting things happening in the WWE right now. I can imagine all of you out there were excited to see the pink and black attack on TV again.
I will tell you what guys, I hope you are liking the work between us and MNM as much as we are. It is a joy to be able to get in the ring with guys that can elevate your performance as well. Tonight was a great example, Joey and I don’t exactly have styles that would mesh well, but we definitely made it work and that is a credit to my counterparts ability to work well in many situations. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not getting all buddy buddy with those overly conceited guys, and Joey Nebraska is someone that is definitely not a part of the Hart Dynasty bandwagon, as evidenced by his long-winded rant in the Universe a few weeks back…but when it comes to what goes down in the ring, I will gladly work with those guys any day. Trust me, it’s only going to get more exciting from here on out. Not only in the ring, but man John, Joey, and yeah even Mike…okay maybe not Mike are bringing out the best in us all over the place, its all good though because we have some things we definitely need to say in return to their below the belt jabs tonight.
The tag team division is getting ready to explode here in the WWE, and I can speak for TJ when I say I am damn glad we are going to be major players in making that happen. There are quite a few teams chasing that gold around the waists of MNM and we for one are not going to stop until we claim those straps as our own. That’s our promise to you!
And wouldn’t ya know it, rumors are flying that Jim Neidhart is going to making an appearance at Saturday Night Main Event…Nattie doesn’t seem to want to let us in on the scoop though, which is typical of her. Canadian women are quite stubborn I tell ya. None the less, make sure you guys tune into SNME to what goes down when and if The Anvil shows up!
Controversial and Joey Nebraska seem to go hand-in-hand. But ‘controversial’ appears to have become a dirty word. People hear ‘controversial’ and they automatically assume controversy means lies. But this isn’t the case. Just because something is controversial, doesn’t take away any of its legitimacy.
Ever since The Opium Den was pulled before it ever even aired, for being “too controversial”, and since ECW on Sci-Fi got scrapped, the Narcotic Nightmare & MNM have been largely without a voice – the Parents Television Council placing pressure on US Network & MyNetwork TV executives to get WWE to reduce our on-screen air time and edit our segments. For too long we have had to endure censorship bordering on suppression. (yes kids, this is the legacy ‘cool’ Michael Shane has left us with).
But there’s some things you cannot edit, censor or hold down, and Joey Nebraska is one of them! So using the medium of the internet, I bring to you, the WWE Universe, MNM 2009’s first on-line dirt sheet – and our topic of discussion this week – DH Smith & the Hart Triology.
Harry, last week on RAW – in only your second televised appearance, you had the audacity to call me out. But you didn’t just start a war of words – you went down the ‘personal’ path, bringing my personal life into my business.
Lets start with the facts, with what you did get right – I AM Canadian by birth… but that is where the truth ends. Had you of dug a little deeper, you may have uncovered more of my story.
My parents were separated when I was still young, and I spent my holidays travelling between Canada & the States. My father was well-to-do. My mother, although the picture of respectability, was, with all due respect, never an intellect. She was vulnerable. Although their divorce appeared civilized on the outside, behind closed doors it was bitter. My father’s mistress fell pregnant soon after the split, and his allegiances and focus changed. We were very much his ‘other’ family, whilst his attention turned to his new brood. Despite being young, I was fully aware of my mother’s delicate and fragile state of mind, so I made the choice to put further distance between myself and my father, by moving permanently to Stateside to be by my mother’s side. It is a decision I resented her for. And one, which despite our animosity towards each other, strangely drew me & my father closer together. Our relationship was not a loving one, yet a strong one.
As a result, I spent term time with my mother, and was educated in Boston, MA. Ever since I can remember I was brought up an American, in America. My father, of dual nationality himself, never challenged this. My nationality seemed more of an issue to the playground bullies, already full of ammunition for the ‘single-parent’ kid, then it ever did to me. As I grew older, I learned about my Canadian roots, but I always considered myself to be American. It was not until later again, until I came to travel the world in pursuit of my dream to become a professional wrestler, travelling to overseas shores, such as Mexico & Japan, when I came to apply for a passport, that my nationality would again become an issue. You see, all my life, my nationality has been more about other people, than it ever has about me. Nationality doesn’t define me, it doesn’t define anybody! Nationality is just a branding device. A tool deployed by prejudice bigots, or more than likely, brain-dead patriots.
That said… I am not without objection to Canada. Canada has, afterall, helped sodomize the business I love – Pro-AMERICAN-Wrestling.
There’s no point denying it. Quite simply – you people need to get over it. It was over a decade ago – and without it, the WWE and wrestling itself would never have got to the heights that it did. It defined and helped spawned an era. An era which in turn captivated the minds of youthful America – of minds like me. Got me addicted. Got me hooked. And which turned me into a fan, and then a wrestler. Wrestling needed Montreal. But what seemed at first like a gift, has turned into a curse.
I am sick of hearing about Montreal. SICK! Everybody knows that Bret screwed Bret. His ego, his own sense of self gratification wouldn’t allow him to drop the belt under anything than his own conditions. He got what he deserved. WCW sucked. He sucked in WCW. And WCW failed. Where is Bret Hart now? But still, it goes on.
Everytime the WWE rolls in Canada, they can’t help but remind us. But they do not benefit us or themselves. They will openly boo the person portraying the good guy, Shawn Michaels. And openly cheer the person portraying the bad guy, JUST because he happens to be Canadian. Well, I’m sorry, but on my way to the top, to the big league, I jobbed a thousand times in my own hometown, busting a gut to do what I love. Hell, I’d go right out there now and do it again if it was right for business. It isn’t disrespect, it’s part of a story.
My second issue with Canada, is it’s loveaffair, it’s affinity with everything Hart. It’s delusion at the Hart Dungeon and it’s worth in today’s scene. And today we have the last three surviving students, the final three graduates from Grampa Stu’s basement: Harry Smith, TJ Wilson & Natayla Neidhart on our active roster. Yes, there's an Elisabeth Fritzl joke in there somewhere.
Now I don’t just talk to all Canadians, but to Harry Smith directly himself:
Perhaps the biggest insult of all, is your blinkered and blinded view on the Hart Family Dungeon, and the fact that you disregard and disrespect any Canadian athlete who succeeds in this business, who ISN’T a product of Fuhrer Stu’s famed academy. And that’s the point.
For every Canadian wrestler who busts their gut trying to make it and fails, you can bet your ass there’s a Hart, or part of their extensive family, willing and waiting just to pussyfoot into the next available generic tactical technician role in any number of backward wrestling promotions across the score. The list of wrestlers who have been buried as a direct result of having no connections with the Harts is vast and plentiful, but I’ll mention just a few:
Sean Morley – better known to most people as ‘Val Venis’. A great and talented wrestler – but when it came down to it, he was lumbered a lousy, one trick-pony gimmick which amused fans for all of 1998 before it got tedious and later forgotten. Sean has my respect because he didn’t feel the need to play up his heritage. He never felt that it mattered what his nationality was, and therefore never made it a forefront of his persona. Had Sean trained under the tutelage of Stu Hart, I have no doubt we would never have seen Val Venis. I also believe Sean Morley would be a former World Champion, remembered for being a brilliant worker. But ultimately, on the downside, we would also have had the fact that he was Canadian shoved down our throats week-in, week-out, and the Harts taking all the glory of his success. Sean didn’t sell-out. As a result he was less successful in the squared circle, and walked away less well-off financially. But he did it as a matter of principle. He did things his way.
But he’s not alone. There are more. Chris Jericho – the Liontamer. Y2J. One of the biggest personalities this business has ever seen – openly, and accurately dismissed his leg of training in the Dungeon as a waste of time – a rip-off in fact. No more than a tick-box fast track to pretentious, hollow success – a Fool’s Gold medal. I think there’s no coincidence that Jericho happens to be a larger-than-life, in-your-face, charismatic, loud and eccentric entertainer who saw the Hart Dungeon as a joke. Jericho is the ying to their yang. Jericho embodies everything that a Hart is not – individual. Unique. Funny. Compelling.
I could go on – Lance Storm. Another son of Canadian wrestling lost in the void. And another who had nothing but a damning verdict on the actual legitimacy of Stu Hart’s Dungeon. A man who, I might add, now runs his own very successful wrestling training academy.
Lance Storm – surely a guy you can sympathize with and relate too, Harry. A man with an abundance of talent, but no charisma. No character. A man who, if you were unfortunate enough to be stuck in a conversation with, would send you to sleep through the sheer boredom of his one-dimensional, robotic personality. A man who was stuck with a shitty gimmick, and although he had the ability to stand amongst World Champions, ultimately chose the dignified option of walking away himself before he became just another joke in the history of Canadian professional wrestling.
I didn’t enrol in the Dungeon, not because I wasn’t talented enough, but because I was smart enough to see the Dungeon for what it truly was. Because I wanted to make it in my own right. To prove that to be the best you don’t just have to jump on the bandwagon of an institution that lives off its past reputation. I didn’t enrol at the Dungeon because I wanted to be my own man. I didn’t enrol at the Dungeon because this business does not need another star with the Sharpshooter as a finisher. I didn’t enrol at the Dungeon because Stu Hart is a senile dictator, too disillusioned by his own freakshow family and own sense of self-importance that he and his understudies have lost touch with modern wrestling. And I didn’t enrol at the Dungeon, because graduating from the Dungeon is not a gift, but a curse.
Take a look. The evidence is there for all to see. I won’t mention names – we are all, regrettably, all too familiar with the events and tragedies that seem to emanate from Calgary, Alberta. (Surely the most evil place on the planet, it could be argued – Austrians take note).
I have never denied my Canadian roots, but I will support and defend my American allegiance to the hills! But quite frankly, I’m not Joey Nebraska ‘the’ Canadian, neither I am Joey Nebraska ‘the’ American – I am simply Joey Nebraska ‘WRESTLER’! And my actions will speak louder and resonate around this industry for decades to come than any patriotic, borderline racist talk ever will. And perhaps that’s something the Hart Dynasty, and Canadian wrestling fans, need to take a long, hard look at.
Fuck...it's been along time since I did one of these. Well anyways I was just wondering by and saw that new kid...what's his name...the one with the funny lookin' hair...oh thats right, TJ Wilson, on his laptop writing a blog so I thought I may as well do one in my spare time...But before I begin I have to say, the New Hart Foundation has really impressed me so far and they've only appeared twice. I saw them on FCW a few weeks back but I think they really shone last night on Raw. There promo was very proffesional and some are even calling it one of the best first promo's ever. These guys are the future of the business and I hope they don't stuff it up somewhere along the line like so many other Superstars have.
Now, on to business, so to speak. It's been a while since I've done one of these as I mentioned before...I think the last time was around the Royal Rumble...jeez that seems so long ago now I think about it. So much has happened since then backstage and in the ring. I was also just looking then at the amount of blogs being done recently and I have to say I'm a bit dissapointed...yes I know I am partly to blame for this but I still think that it is a bit dissapointing. I have to admit that around the time of the Royal Rumble when everyone was blogging I really enjoyed it. It added that little extra to the occasion and I think I speak for quite a few of the other superstars when I say it was most of all...fun. That's why whilst I am writing this I hope that I can send the message through to other superstars backstage to start blogging again and get this Universe active once more.
Now that that is out of the way with I would like to start with the situation that has been spoken about quite a bit backstage, that being the recent Suspension of Jeff Hardy. Now I won't go into too much depth here or I may get in trouble lol. I consider Jeff to be one of my close mates backstage and he has really taught me quite a lot during my time so far in the WWE. Now, I still respect him but I do think that he may have gone a bit over the top in recent times but I also agree with alot of what he said. I won't go into any details but I will say that I think what Mickie James said at certain times were not "the right things to say" and I see why Jeff reacted to them.
Anyways, that is all behind us now and we all have to move on and do our jobs to produce the best Raw we can every week. So that brings me to last nights Raw, as most of you would know I am currently in a Feud with none other than Mick Foley. At the moment I am really enjoying where we are taking this and I believe that it is good for me and my future. Hopefully we can continue to put on a good show for the fans and perform to the best of our abilities. I also got to meet with Ultimate Warrior earlier and I was suprised that he is back after a fairly long time away from the ring. The rumours going around are that him and Steph have had a talk so I'm keen to know what will happen with him in the future. May I also add that he is a great bloke to speak to and I hope that he sticks around with us for as long as possible.
The last thing I would like to add is the current situation with the Third member of Legacy, I'm loving how he (or she lol) is being kept a mystery because it really does build up to the moment where the mask comes off and his (or her lol) identity is revealed. I am still unsure on when that time is but I'm sure that Steph has a plan and that it is a good one. Well I better be off, just saw Foley hobbling past and there is something I need to discuss with him regarding Smackdown this week.
Until next time.
Assassin.
Hey guys TJ here, just sitting in the locker room down here in Birmingham…what a night! I’m not gonna lie to any of you, it is quite surreal for DH, Nattie, and myself to be doing what we are doing right now. You wouldn’t think that would be the case, what with Nattie and DH being second generation superstars here I the WWE. David would be the first to tell you though, last week when we were standing tall in that ring with Shawn Michaels…I mean really no one thought that would ever happen.
One thing I can tell you is what you saw tonight from David was real, he did not take kindly to what John had to say about Owen Hart. You all know how sad a day it was when Owen lost his life, it really hit the family hard, as you could probably tell by the David’s reaction to it. Looks like he will get to take some of that aggression out on Johnny boys ex-Canadian buddy on Smackdown, I can’t wait for that! Oh yeah, and he is gonna pull something out of his bag of tricks…nothing major, but what can I say the Hart family does it right!
Being involved with one of the most iconic families in wrestling history is actually much tougher than you guys out there might think. What you see on TV is great, but you wouldn’t believe the work we have to put in, earning respect around here is tough…it definitely doesn’t just come with a name. Speaking of, I don’t want any emails from the fans asking if we are going to join Legacy. We got our hands full with that trio of B-list movie stars to deal with right now.
Man, I didn’t even have a match tonight and I am beat…the traveling from Tampa to New York, back to Tampa, and then to Birmingham alone has started to take its toll. None the less, big things going on for The Hart Dynasty right now…you see my girl Natalya tonight, quite impressive out there isn’t she? Which reminds me, I definitely need to keep my tabs on her when Michael Shane is around, never know if he is gonna look for another locker room fling. He is a good guy and all, well when he isn’t finger painting with blood at least.
All in all it was a pretty good night…I think Nat, David, and myself are gonna meet up with some of the other guys for a drink or two. Doubt I for one will make it too much longer though, I think we are going to try to make a stop into some of our old stomping grounds down here in the south before we head to Tampa to make an FCW appearance. Don’t worry though, we will keep the updates coming, giving the fans of the pink and black a glimpse into our worlds. Feel free to email questions for any of us, and send us any pictures you may have taken if you were at any of the shows. I can’t guarantee we will answer all of the emails, but we will try! Get at you guys soon…gotta run, Teddy is calling…usually never a good thing when he is calling this late.
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.
As I take a (well deserved) break from writing Raw, I thought I'd blog on WWE matters and what else could I possibly talk about other than WrestleMania?
I'm going to do two pieces, one on my personal memories of WrestleMania (that's this one), and secondly, my predictions and hopes for this years event.
In the beginning... Vince created WrestleMania.
WrestleMania at the beginning really wasn't seen as "the Superbowl of professional wrestling", it really wasn't as grand as all that. The NWA had already promoted their Starrcade supercards and WWE had produced Showdown at Shea, make no mistake, WrestleMania was the answer to Starrcade.
Vince McMahon is the kind of man, much like myself lol, who has to do everything bigger, better and badder than the opposition. Vince will have looked at Starrcade and thought - how can we blow that out of the water. At this time Vince was at the forefront of new innovation and technology, something WWE is NOT in 2009. Vince looked at cable and MTV in particular, he looked at the 1980's political landscape and gave us Hogan, Volkoff etc... he looked to pay-per-view.
PPV was the single invention that changed wrestling forever, talking it out of local arenas and barns and into the front room, the revenue allowed companies to suddenly become major TV players and increase production values and wages tenfold. People like Hulk Hogan became mainstream celebrities, all from this one event. Vince apparently figuratively stakes the family jewels on this being a success... and it was. The celebrity endorsement brought in new fans and exposure and WrestleMania, in one night, made the WWF the hottest thing in America, burying the NWA in the process.
My first WrestleMania was apparently WrestleMania III though I remember nothing of it. My father was allegedly something of a fan in the 1980's and literally everybody watched WrestleMania 3, I was allowed to stay up for it. Even though I don't remember it, maybe it left a subconscious memory that led me to VWWE some 15 years later lol. What follows next is my own memories of the events I saw live at the time. Many of these I, in truth, haven't watched fully again since then, so I'm just remembering off the top of my head what I can (I nearly forgot the ladder match at WM16 for one lol, so sorry if I miss anything really important out)
My first actual memory of a WrestleMania is WrestleMania IX at Caesars Palace with those absurd toga costumes. All I remember remembering is how much Hulk Hogan sucked and at that time I'd wished Bret Hart had left with the title lol. In truth I probably still believe that, Hulk Hogan winning the title at WM9 being the moment Hogan Jumped the Shark in the WWF, it was one of the most shameful power plays ever seen. Bret should have left WM9 as champion and although it didn't hurt his career, it could easily have done.
WrestleMania X I remember a lot more, by this point I was watching the WWF regularly with the likes of Shawn Michaels, Diesel, Razor Ramon etc being my favorites (even Bret Hart). WrestleMania X is still one of my favorite PPV's and one of the best ever WrestleMania's with Owen Hart going over Bret and the infamous Ladder Match. This was imo the PPV where the New Generation really came into their own. The main event, like last year and next year was forgettable however - Bret vs Yokozuna and I don't think imo that WrestleMania had really reached its "Superbowl" status yet and wouldn't for a long time.
WrestleMania XI and the involvement of Lawrence Taylor I remember, funnily it's really only the celebrities I remembered from this PPV, Pamala Anderson of course being there with Jenny McCarthy. I didn't remember a thing about any of the matches which says everything about the quality of the show. This was a PPV where they tried to mask the lameness of the card with the celebs. Did it work? nope.
WrestleMania 12 was the Ironman match and of course the Warrior vs Helmsley, losing in 12 seconds which is hilarious now... but I was pissed back then. Not for Helmsley who I hated but if there was one person I hated more it was the Warrior. I was a total New Generation freak at the time and ANYBODY who I saw as being from the 80's I hated - Hogan, Warrior, Slaughter. An Ultimate Warrior return filled me with dread, luckily it didn't last. I haven't seen the Ironman match in ages but it's always been one of my favorite matches.. yet thinking back to it, I really think HBK has had better matches since. Id certainly rather watch his Flair match or Jericho matches. Maybe I've just forgotten how great it was, I'll have to rewatch sometime.
WrestleMania 13 came at a time I was becoming exasperated, for want of another word, with the WWF. I'd been watching WCW a lot in the latter half of 1996 and it was on fire, the WWF was in transition but mostly lame and WrestleMania 13 didn't buck the trend. I remember little of it and haven't seen it since first broadcast I don't think. I really had little interest in it. The only match that stands out is Bret Hart vs Steve Austin... and i'm gunna leave my thoughts on that for my 1997 history blogs lol.
What a difference a year made... WrestleMania 14 and it could have been a whole different company. This was the "official" start of attitude with Tyson, Austin and Michaels being so memorable. Throughout that match it really felt like the end of an era but HBK was in such visible pain its still amazing they had the match they did. The final punch by Tyson and the 3:16 T-Shirt over the face were absolute perfect. There was much more to this PPV though, the DX Band murdering America the Beautiful was perfect for this era, LOD and Sunny was great, the dumpster match... great PPV and at this point, my favorite of them all.
A year later and the WWF was now trouncing WCW... but in my own opinion, WrestleMania 15 wasn't as memorable as the year befores and all that stands out is the very poor Hell in a Cell match and the main event. The HIAC really was a snooze fest from a feud undeserving of the stipulation, it seemed tacked on and there simply to build on the reputation of the Taker/Mankind HIAC. The main event however was, like last year, genuinely the best two guys in the company and the hottest acts in wrestling. The right result with Austin again being champion led to the main event for the second year in a row being particularly memorable.
WrestleMania 2000, XVI, 16, whatever you call it... it was shoite. Possibly the biggest disappointment in WrestleMania history for me, WrestleMania 16 should have been so much more. With the roster they had, the total domination... they decided for some reason to simply stick as many people as they could on the card. I'm struggling to remember much about the event, its another I haven't seen in a long time despite buying the DVD a few weeks back. Ice T I remember of course and there was the Angle/Benoit/Jericho match that was very good but could have been more. Plans I've always presumed originally featured the Undertaker who'd been scheduled to return at the 2000 Royal Rumble but in the end they had the four way that was excellent all told. Mick Foley's return however was lame and he should never have been in the match. Mick's career ending so close to WrestleMania was a perfect tragic ending to a career, it told a story. Coming back for this one match ruined that and would only have worked had Mick won the title for the fairytale ending. In the end we broke with tradition and Triple H won when many were expecting the Rock to do so. The ONLY great thing on the show as the triple threat ladder match, that's all that saved this card from being a disaster. That alone and the fact that all the matches, while not stellar, were good ranks it over WM15. Not my favorite event though....
But the next one was.
WrestleMania 17 from the Houston Astrodome was simply the greatest night in the history of wrestling, I'll not hear otherwise. This show was the final act in the attitude era, the last hurrah before the onset of a dark period. From top to bottom the card was utter quality. I remember watching this one live with some mates from college as everybody was still into wrestling at this point, something unthinkable just a year later. This night for me personally was the peak of wrestling's popularity even though ratings had already started to fall, but in terms of quality, passion from the fans, productions, talent, everything on this night was aligned.
We had the TLC match, the gimmick battle royal, that awesome Limp Bizkit theme song, Undertaker and Triple H, the great garage brawl with Kane, Show and Raven, Angle and Benoit.
McMahon vs McMahon for me at the time was just absolutely brilliant, it had been built perfectly with Shane buying WCW and on the night it was amazing storytelling with Linda rising up and kicking Vince in the balls, Shane going coast to coast - it was a fine start to the Alliance feud that sadly never lived up to these heights.
The match of the evening however was Austin vs The Rock and frankly, this was one of the best built matches of all time. Austin and The Roc in the run up to this contest put in some of their finest ever performances, from Austin's NEED to be champion to the Rocks quest to actually win the belt from Kurt Angle, it was all brilliant and on the night they gave us one of the greatest WrestleMania main events ever. I loved them stealing each others finishers lol, you never seen that these days.... but the finish was what always made this special. I knew very little of backstage happenings at this point so it was a complete shock, Austin turning heel was the greatest swerve of all time, that image of Austin shaking hands with McMahon was one of the great pictures in wrestling history, played perfectly by JR and Paul Heyman. As much as I'd loved King, this event wouldn't have been quite as good without Heyman imo. It was a perfect end to a perfect show. The greatest WrestleMania of em all.
For me, WrestleMania 17 was the moment that WrestleMania became WWE's answer to the Superbowl. Unlike other recent Manias, the crowd was huge, over 70,000, I cant remember the exact number. Every match on the card was fantastically built and a huge collision, the performances were off the chat as was the production. WrestleMania 17 heralded a new dawn for WrestleMania.
WrestleMania 18 the year after was the first of the VWWE era, for many of our younger members, that must seem an age ago lol. The problem with WrestleMania 18 is that it followed 17 and could never live up to the previous years event despite the fact that WWE followed exactly the same formula almost. There was the big arena and crowd, the massive set, a live band... the problem? the matches.
I'm as big a Chris Jericho fan as anybody but the decision to put the belt on Jericho at Vengeance in December 2001 was one of the biggest mistakes in WWE history. Following what happened at WrestleMania 17, the logical and poetic finale to the year 2001 was The Rock vs Steve Austin for the Undisputed Championship with The Rock winning and avenging his loss at WM17, possibly going on to WM18 to face Triple H. However... WWE threw us a swerve and had Jericho win and the had him hook up with Stephanie McMahon. In just a year WWE had gone from some of the greatest TV ever seen... to shoite. Jericho was a poor champion, a weak champion.. and there was never any doubt in anybodys mind that Triple H would roll over him at WM. That said, Triple H's return at the Rumble had been awesome.. but the whole fake pregnancy? not so. And Steph really looks a slut at this point as a side note lol.
Steve Austin was completely wasted on this show and I've never understood why. From being the biggest draw in wrestling just 6 months previously, Austin was reduced to facing Scott Hall (no disrespect to him) in an undercard match... why? Personally, I'd have gone for - Nash and Hall challenge for the tag titles, Hogan faces The Rock, Austin faces Triple H, Undertaker faces Ric Flair. THAT would have been a challenger to WrestleMania 17.
But the show wasn't a complete disaster, The Rock and Hulk Hogan was as well built as Austin/Rock had been the year previously. Who can forget "Yes.... or no?", one of the great promos of the decade? the match was absolutely electric, a magnificent example of psychology and working a crowd. This was the final answer to the idiots who believe that the likes of American Dragon have what it takes to be stars. These two men held the crowd in their palm and, frankly, out of an average match in the ring, gave us an ICONIC match through the manipulation of the crowd and the audience. The told a story and THAT is what this business is all about.
Often forgotten on the card tragically is the Undertaker vs Ric Flair. Another fantastically built match, I LOVED this heel Undertaker, demanding respect and taking it if he didn't get it. Taker was awesome in the run up to this match with his beat down of David Flair for example. The match is a great street fight, another example of great storytelling but in truth, also the best actual match on the card. I MARKED for the run-in of Arn Anderson in the match, that was a WrestleMania moment for me.
The main event as I mentioned... was crap. The crowd burned themselves out with Hogan/Rock which should have main evented, but besides that.. it just wasn't a good match. I never believed Jericho stood a change and frankly... his ring attire was vile. This match really marked a MASSIVE downturn in the quality of the main events in WWE for about the next six months. We had the atrocious Triple H/Hogan and Hogan/Undertaker in the moths that followed and ratings plummeted.
Over all.. a letdown of a WrestleMania, but maybe not as bad as many people remember.
WrestleMania XIX the year later was a return to form and a big improvement all round. WWE once again were following that formula of the past two events - big arena, live music, even Limp Bizkit returned this time.
Matt Hardy vs Rey Mysterio started us off if I remember and it was a great opening match, Limp Bizkit played Taker to the ring.. Fred Durst looking an absolute midget next to Taker.
This was the first WWE branded PPV and the first with the two titles. The WWE Championship match was poorly and offensively built with a vaguely racist Angle built around Triple H and Booker T which I thought was beneath Triple H and Ric Flair and even if they'd gone there, Booker T had to win the blow off... which of course he didn't. This match really held little interest for me or anybody else as I remember, there were three other matches on the card of prime importance - Michaels vs Jericho, Lesnar vs Angle and Hogan vs McMahon.
There was always a sense in the early days of HBK's return, as far up to this match at WM19 that we should expect too much from him, his back could give out at any moment and going into the event, although we expected a good match, we didn't think it'd be a classic as this was. This was the moment we realized "Michaels is truly back" The ending where Jericho kicked him in the balls was great storytelling again and really got Jericho over as a heel at that point.
Lesnar vs Angle was a match where Lesnar had to step up, it was make or break for him. Luckily he and Angle had a great match but what everybody talks about is that final moment where Lesnar was supposed to win with the Shooting Star Press and botched it. There was complete shock both in chat and the arena, a moment of silence where the whole world thought "he's dead". Luckily he wasn't and recovered enough, Angle has the intelligence to work a finish on the fly and all was well, but that was nearly the worst possible moment in WrestleMania history.
The big match promoted here however was McMahon vs Hogan, twenty years in the making. In one way, it would have been cool had they held this off to WM20 but as it was this was built fantastically with a lot of great promos from both Hogan and McMahon on who was really responsible for the success of WrestleMania. In WWE, few people really are as good at this type of street fight as Vince McMahon, he's really pretty much mastered it over the years. The ladder and bloody Vince with the pipe were both great moments but the return of Roddy Piper was just brilliant. Very similarly booked to Undertaker vs Flair the year before in many ways.
One year later and the WWE was really up shit creek. Raw had been poor, SmackDown had descended into shit central and VWWE was closed nearly, my own interest in WWE was dwindling a little, one of the few saving graces WrestleMania XX on the horizon from the iconic Madison Square Garden.... but WWE really dropped the ball here. WrestleMania 20 should have been the greatest card of all time, yet like at WrestleMania 16 WWE decided to simply cram the card with as many people as possible. There were a few saving graces going in - Evolution vs Rock/Sock, Angle vs Eddie, The Triple Threat and Christian vs Jericho.
Christian vs Chris Jericho had been one of WWE's better booked programs going into the event with Christian playing the Creepy Little Bastard to perfection, perving after Trish Stratus. It was an excellent match with a great swerve finish with Trish turning on Jericho... and watch this space for VWWE ripping that Angle off soon enough :)
The Rock and Sock Connection vs Evolution was a match that let me down on a lot of levels and I know many in VWWE were angry about the match and in particular by the performance of The Rock and Mick Foley that was just not up to standard. A lot of backlash went against The Rock after this in some quarters while Mick salvaged a lot with his excellent match against Orton at Backlash. However, watching iMPACT this week and Mick's words about WrestleMania... fuck him. And talking of TNA wastes... Kurt Angle. In seriousness, Angle and Eddie were on top of their games at this point, it was the height of both men's careers and after the euphoria of Eddie Guerrero winning the title at No Way Out, I think a lot was expected of this match... and for me... it failed to deliver. The match was excellent and certainly one of the best on the card... but it wasn't quite the 5 star match we were expecting and it was something of a letdown as well. After 5 hours almost, I was tired and exhausted by the main event but what happened next certainly kept me awake.
The triple threat WAS a 5/5 star match. I remember the early talk in the locker was about how awesome Triple H's combination of white boots and black trunks was... which gives you an idea how "Queer Eye" Sam was back in those days lol. The match was another masterclass and an answer to the critics who'd been out in force for Triple H for well over a year. What happened after the match however is something that has changed since then. When Eddie came out to congratulate Chris Benoit in 2004, it was a poetic finale to the show, the two friends who were like brothers after all these years, champions together at last. Now it's a symbol of tragedy, the two friends locked together by a fateful future. What was once the most joyous end to a WrestleMania, is now the saddest.
WrestleMania 21 had a theme - Hollywood, despite not actually being held in Hollywood. The commercials for this WrestleMania were probably the best thing about it with the "You lookin a me" one actually helping to build up Batista's character at the time I think. My personnel favorite was Austin's Gladiator one, being a big fan of that film but the Braveheart one with Flair falling off the donkey was hilarious. The event itself really marked the beginning of a new generation in WWE with Randy Orton, John Cena and Batista all in prominent singles matches for the first time.
The build before the show was all about Batista, it had been going on for about six months and was the best turn WWE probably ever did. It was so subtle and Batista and Triple H played it to perfection, each week Tista got a little bit further away from Evolution. When he finally turned and powerbombed Triple H through that table, a viewing audience cheered in unison. It really seemed that Batista was the next big thing at this point, everybody was behind him. Unfortunately after his 3-0 winning streak over Triple H he got sent to SmackDown and was found out very quickly, he never reached these heights again which says a lot about Triple H's fantastic ability and is the final word to people who believe Helmsley wont do what's right for the business.
Batista's victory was met with a massive response.. but on the undercard, Cena's wasn't. At this time Cena was over as a face, not to Batista's level at that time but certainly over. His win over JBL was more expected I think, the program was nowhere near as good, the crowd were bored of JBL as champion, the match was atrocious for a World title match at WrestleMania and Cole completely, as usual, failed to get the moment and its significance across. The Cena era started with a whimper.
Elsewhere on the card Undertaker downed Randy Orton in a great match that's started their excellent feud and Shawn Michaels faced Kurt Angle in the match of the night, Shawn against stealing the show. To be honest though, I cant remember off the top of my head who won here, I'm pretty certain it was Angle but I wouldn't bet on it. I could go and look it up on Wiki... but I'll leave it lol.
WrestleMania 21 marked a move back away from the big arenas that had made WrestleMania's 17 to 19 so great, 20 being excepted due to it being MSG and WrestleMania 21 to me always seems far smaller and less grand than many other manias, even WrestleMania 22 which was at just a small arena.
WrestleMania 22 marked WWE with the Cena era in full swing and again, this isn't one of my favorite WrestleMania's. The Edge vs Mick Foley match was the highlight and an excellent match as Mick always manages in that environment, nothing less was expected. There were some great touches with the barbed wire, fire and Lita and it probably stole the show. However, there was some crap here too - the Boogeyman's involvement, Undertaker being landed with Mark Henry, Rey Mysterio winning the World title. Cena vs Triple H was excellent and I remember everybody was rooting for Triple H, having turned on Cena in the proceeding year... yet Cena won. Shawn Michaels vs Vince McMahon was another excellent match.. yet with two street fights on the card, it may have been overbooking in retrospect. Though the elbow off the ladder onto the trash canned Vince = WrestleMania moment. At the time I was caught in the atmosphere of WrestleMania and the good points outweighed the bad... but in retrospect, this was an average WrestleMania I'm sad to now say. The theme song rawked though, it was also the first web era WrestleMania for VWWE.
WrestleMania 23 felt somewhat different to WrestleMania 22 to me, it was nearer WrestleMania's 17 -19 in terms of scale. WWE went back to the big arenas for it and the build up was brilliant. I've always put over the three months of Raw prior to WrestleMania 23 as some of the best Raw's ever and I still think that. With Cena, Orton, Edge and Michaels, the four of them gave us great match after great match in the build to Mania that year, coupling that with The Donald and you already had a great lineup and in truth, I was a little disappointed when Orton and Edge were put in the MITB as I thought they deserved to be in singles action after their awesome performances.
Undertaker vs Batista was again, very well built on SmackDown.. even if nobody believed for a moment Batista stood a chance. Undertaker winning the title was an added bonus. Much of the build however surrounded that hair vs hair match. The less said about Bobby Lashley the better but the match was decent enough, an enjoyable clusterfuck and the crowd got what they wanted with Vince being shaved, a nice added epilogue to the McMahon/Austin feud.
Much like WrestleMania 22 the main event featured John Cena, as a face, squaring off against a man who most people wanted to beat him, this time Shawn Michaels. Original plan seemed to be Triple H vs John Cena again but Helmsley of course got injured. This was really the best opportunity WWE had to put the belt on Michaels at a time most fans believed he deserved it, a lot of people thought he'd win... but no. Excellent match however and the trend of great main events continued. WrestleMania 23 was overall an excellent PPV... the feel and format of which WWE's again followed last year at WrestleMania 24 and again tonight for WrestleMania 25.
WrestleMania 24 is probably my favorite WrestleMania since WrestleMania 17. The outdoors nature gave it a unique look and the set looked absolutely awesome as well. Those great images of the pyro, a lot of the entrances couldn't have been done indoors. A decent opener from Finlay and JBL, nothing spectacular but it warmed the crowd up. The MITB, which I haven't mentioned at all this blog, was fucking amazing. Remember that Morrison bump? and Kennedy with the Green Bay Plunge to Hornswoggle? Batista vs Umaga = passable and Kane defeating Chavo, while disrespectful possibly to Chavo... was funny as hell.
But now it was down to serious business - namely Ric Flair vs Shawn Michaels. When thinking of my favorite match of all time... I can't think of anything better than this. Is it either mans best match? no. Was it the best ACTUAL wrestling match of 2008? no. Was it probably the best wrestling match of the decade? oh yes. This was about spectacle, about that storytelling and that psychology. That image of Ric Flair getting up, begging Michaels to finish it and Shawn telling Ric he loved him before pulling the trigger was THEE most memorable moment in the history of WrestleMania for me personally. For most its probably Hogan slamming Andre or some huge moment... this was so different. Subtle almost, quiet.. but just as emotional. It was the death of a career and an era, Michaels and Flair told the perfect story, the perfect ending to a perfect career and no true wrestling fan can have watched that without a mix of emotions. Delight that Flair had gone out in such style, sadness that it was all over and so much more. A rollercoaster and in my humble opinion, the greatest 30 minutes in WrestleMania history and why these two men are and were peerless in this industry.
The Triple Threat was excellent and somewhat unexpected as I think many believed Orton would lose the title, The Undertaker and Edge giving us a hell of a main event, definitely deserving of the spot after Taker got bumped last year, winning the title for the second year in a row.
Like WrestleMania 23, much of the hype and advertising centered on the celebrity involvement - this year being Floyd Mayweather Jnr. I'd always been a fan of Floyd, getting even bigger when he beat the crap out of the annoying Ricky Hatton. Mayweather and Big Show were excellent in the run up to the event I thought, building it like they would a boxing contest. Celebrities either "get" it.. or they don't, Pete Rose for example "got it" as did Kevin Federline and Mike Tyson all those years ago, while other celebrities remain aloof backstage and believe they're above the business. Mayweather luckily "got it" and was said to be very willing to learn and very sociable. Mayweather totally performed above my expectations and his match may actually be my favorite celebrity match of them all.
So... there ya go, my memories of WrestleMania. I expect WrestleMania 25 will follow the format of the past two years and I think we've seen that already - big arena, big set, celebrity, big matches, well built. The event is fitting into a predefined template almost and now at the 25th anniversary, is truly... the Superbowl of Wrestling.
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
Welcome to the first of a new series of regular blogs looking at the history of WWE and Monday Night Raw. These blogs won't be VWWE connected, though i may make reference to angles we stole etc lol, they will instead simply be my reviews, thoughts, opinions and knowledge on all things WWF.
Starting on January 6, 1997, i will review every episode of Raw and the PPVs in order, giving those thoughts and a retrospective look at the product, how it compares to today. I'll go through the entire attitude era, from the start of 1997 and the debut of Raw is War two months later up to WrestleMania 17 and Stone Colds heel turn, possibly taking in the alliance afterward. Maybe right up to the debut of VWWE and the onset of the WWE down period... those two events entire coincidental, i can assure you.
January 6, 1997 then. Lets set the scene. The Monday Night Wars are in full swing and WCW is destroying the WWF in the ratings, the nWo that was formed last year in 1996 is the hottest thing the business has seen since Hulkamania, a poor WWF product has however started to slowly improve. An unknown writer by the name of Vince Russo is working hand in hand with Vince McMahon, influenced by WCWs styles and that of the adult ECW, to also make the product adult and darker in tone. As we start off, i expect to see an odd mix of attitude and mid-90s wrestlecrap, a product not quite there yet.
I also have the January 6, 1997 episode of Monday Nitro in my collection so i MAY review that also :D get both sides of the tale. Outside wrestling, Bill Clinton is President and John Major is the British Prime Minister still, Jerry McGuire, Scream and Mars Attacks were in the top 10 grossing movies the weekend just gone and your number one songs? the UK was still obsessed with the Spice Girls, 2 become 1 being their number one while Stateside.... it was Toni Braxton and Unbreak My Heart. The X-Files is probably the biggest show on TV, Seinfeld, Friends and Frasier make up a trio of classic comedy still on the air and the Nintendo 64 had just been launched.
Good times :D on with the show
TV-PG!!!!!! that'll soon change. I loved that "for over fifty years" intro too.
We start off with a quick pre-credits promo by Vader, you don't see anything like that any more, either in terms of the Vader style or the placement on the show. Vader i've always said was one of the biggest wastes of talent ever by the WWF, as a hell he had NO peers. He was one of those rare heels that was scary and imposing without having a gimmick like the Undertaker or Kane or being a psychopath like Sid. When he got in that ring you genuinely felt that he could and would hurt his opponent, no matter how much you knew about the business. Unrivaled power and skill as well, should be a WWE Hall of Famer some day... if Vince can admit he fucked up with him in the WWF lol. Bret Hart vs Vader is our main event apparently and HBK will be at ringside.
Brief recap of Shotgun Saturday Night. This show was really where attitude was born. WWE were allowed to get away with things they couldn't at that point on Raw, we have Mankind i think it is laying out Ahmed Johnson with a chair, Ahmed giving on of the Nation the Pearl River Plunge on a car and Marlena exposing herself. You DEFINITELY don't see any of that on Raw any more lol.
As we enter the arena, Owen Hart is on the way to the ring with his Slammys, no pyro. The production values compared to today are poor, its dark and grimy... but i kinda like that, it looks like a wrestling arena and not a TV studio and set as it does too often these days. Mankinds out next and this will be a familiar phrase in these blogs.. you don't see anything like this any more either and that's a sad thing. The original Mankind in the brown attire with his Ode to Freud theme was a stunning piece of characterization before he became the clown he did in 1999. This mentally disturbed Foley was a brilliant heel, the vignettes in 1996 with him in the basement with the rat were brilliant and he was a multi-layed character. In one way you felt sorry for him, in another hated his actions. This character really was the first of the attitude characters.
Note: Vince really sucked on commentary lol
The rulebook is certainly not in effect like today here, Mankind sent onto the exposed railings... those things must have hurt, Owen hitting him with a belt and the Referee (i like its Jimmy Korderas) doesnt bat an eyelid. Seeing that ECW influence there. King is brilliant here, complete heel, joking about Mexican food blocking Jose Lotharios arteries after he'd done a heart attack angle. Jose being HBKs mentor and occasional manager in these days btw. Nice Enzuguri by Owen.. into the barrier by Foley.... hit with a plastic tray and up goes an ECW chant by a single fan lol
Commercials... Freddie Blassie advertising Full Metal: The Album
Owen counters the Mandible Claw.. but cant escape the Piledriver - Mankind wins. A decent opener which showed what both men are about, Owens athleticism and Foleys hardcore nature.
HBK is backstage, with hair and as much fashion sense as always. Shawn was talking to the wrong camera for half the promo. These things happened in the days when everything wasn't scripted and a lot pre-recorded i guess. Standard promo, building up Shawn's feud with Sycho Sid.
Shotgun Saturday Night Recap 2.... THE FLYING NUNS!!!!! The sisters of love lol, watch this space in VWWE, i love it.
Here's Kane as the Fake Diesel... and the Fake Razor. This is the wrestlecap i spoke of. Whatever gave the WWF the impression this would work i dunno.... and here's the Honky Tonk Man, looking for a protege. After Mankind, this really shows the battle backstage between the Russo camp who wanted that adult modern style and those wanting to keep the mid-90s style. The fakes will face Doug Furnas and Phil Lafon. I'm fast forwarding this, no doubt this is the point that the nation switched to Nitro. 16 minutes in... i'll check that Nitro episode later, see what was on.
Commercials, Royal Rumble commercial... comes to you live from San Antonio, HBK will face Sycho Sid for his WWF Championship and Ahmed Johnson will face Faarooq.
The match is still going on... back to the fast forward. 26 minutes in and it's over. I really cant believe they gave that 10 minutes of a one hour show as Raw was at this point.
Here's Bret, randomly stood backstage. That's all.
More Shotgun Saturday Night recaps, Marlena (Terri Runnels) exposing herself to The Sultan (Rikishi) and the crowd to give Goldust the win. A good amount of this show has already been spent recapping SSN, too much imo. People who'd already seen the show... must surely have flicked straight to Nitro, not wanting to see what they watched just two days ago once more?
Back to Bret. Anti-HBK promo... an apt way to start 1997... cut off by Sycho Sids music, looks pissed, leaves.
Commercials and we're now half way through the show. My thoughts.... um. As i thought it'd be, its half way between heaven and hell, the attitude era is hinted at in Mankind but the mid-90s wrestlecrap is still here and the booking, when faced with Nitro.. i have to question. The tag match was 10 minutes too long and there's too many recaps of Shotgun Saturday. But on with the show....
Heeeeeeeeeres Sid. We're back to the attitude here, the fans are clearly cheering Sid despite the fact he's supposed to be an evil heel. Sid is the reigning WWE Champion, will face HBK at the Rumble as noted earlier. JR is in the ring for an interview. Sid shouts and does the "constipated smile" he does quite often. Sid seems to be a cliche of what many people thing of when they thing "wrestler" - big, dumb, shouts a lot lol. For some reason they didn't turn Sids music off during the whole interview. What Sid said seemed to make little sense but it sounded impressive and that's good enough for both me and the crowd. He is the master and the ruler of the World.
OH.. OH.. OH... SHAWN... here comes HBK... in a robe and sunglasses.... Shawn proceeds to climb on the announce desk and in a stripper fashion remove his robe. Sid is amused. If you people think Jeff Hardy is gay... you really need to see this lol. Sid is actually waving at HBK from the ring... Sid leaves and HBK is unfastening his belt and pants as we go to commercials....
Commercial for the Superstar Line... y'know.. the same thing that the WWF ran down WCW for running lol
Back live and here comes Bret Hart o a big reaction, HBK is on commentary, we cant see whether he's sans-pants or not. Earl Hebner is the Referee... heh
IT'S TIME... IT'S TIME... IT'S VADER TIME!!!!!
Vince is talking about Attitude, Shawn references losing his smile as now we get a recap from Superstars yesterday.... Undertaker Tombstones Jim Cornette... fantastic, cant believe that wasn't saved for Raw. Vince calls JR the best play-by-play man in the business.... so whys he not on Raw FFS? lol
Vader into the steps early, follows with the ringpost and we're just informed that Vader will be facing the Undertaker at the Rumble. Apparently Bret has been saying we was screwed out of the WWF Championship..... this really is such an apt start to the year isn't it? :D
Stone Cold is backstage and is watching the match.... commercials. Rewind to Shotgun again on the return, Ahmed Johnson with the Pearl River Plunge on the car.
Back live Vader has ten command of this match.... FROG SPLASH... Jesus lol, Vader + Frog Splash are two terms which really should not go together ever. The athleticism and power of Vader were off the chart as was his ability, he could have seriously injured Bret with that but as far as i'm aware, he never hurt anybody except one young man in Germany i believe it was, Mick Foley telling the tale of how he wept when this guys neck was broken and what a gentle giant Vader was.
Few shoot comments from HBK on Bret being no angel on commentary... Bret gets the Knees up on the Vader Bomb. Shawn says it's "The same all the time" as Bret goes into his Five Moves of Doom lol, Austins still watching and doesn't look impressed.
Sid comes out and for no reason at all pulls a cameraman backstage. Austins out now, Stunners Bret. Quite why Sid kidnapped a cameraman isn't clear.
Vader Bomb - one.. two... three, Vader wins. Good match while it lasted, bit of a clusterfuck ending, could seriously have gone on longer if the show hadn't had that tag match or so many recaps.
Backstage we get answers, Sid is strangling Jose Lothario's son. Shawn dashes backstage (wearing pants), Joses son is powerbombed on a very unrigged table. Commercial Break.
Back again and Aldo Montoya (complete with jockstrap on his face) is making up the numbers in a small crowd, HBK tending to Pete Lothario. And thats all, thats your show.
Overall.. a mixed bag. There's signs os what the show will become with HBK/Sid and Mankind but also the old wrestlecrap of the mid-90s like the fake Razor and Diesel. Some of the booking was shocking such as that tag match which i'm sure turned off a huge number, there were also too many recaps for my liking. The star power in some cases, like with Austin, no Undertaker either, was slightly wasted but that maybe understandable considering the one hour format. Over all i can't however give this opening Raw of 1997 anything more than 5 out of 10.
Stay tuned this weekend and i'll review the next episode which i believe is the last one before the Royal Rumble 1997.
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.