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52 Search Results for "live blog"

• WrestleMania approaches!

  • From: Tatanka
  • Description:
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    Hau kola, my Little Braves. I'm sitting here on a plane, waiting to arrive for the biggest show ever in the history of this business...WrestleMania 25! I'm excited to be a part of it, Pre-Show Match or not. It'll be R-Truth, JTG and Shad (Cryme Tyme) vs. Jason Cooper, Jack Swagger and myself,Tatanka, in a big six man match to get the lucky fans who get to attend WM25 live all pumped up.

     

    I'm not really too familiar with the other men participating in the match but that matters little. I will go out and give 1000% for all you fans out there each and every single time I walk that aisle, whether it be in a bingo hall, high school gymnasium or a capacity arena. I will always give my all and I will never do otherwise.

     

    I've worked very hard to make my return to the squared circle and I am proud that WWE has given me the opportunity to do it here. The front office has been great to work with and they really seem to respect and understand what I want out of this stage of my career.

     

    Titles don't matter as much as they used to to me at this stage of the game...though I wouldn't turn down any title opportunities that come my way, obviously. I'm more into simply making sure I give all my Little Braves the best matches I can. Period. If that means a golden belt finds its way around my waist, well then that's just a bonus.

     

    I will see all of you in the arenas as I make a new name for myself in the WWE...a new name for a new warrior.

     

    YIYIYIYI YI YI YI!

  • Blog post
  • 1 month ago
  • Views: 26

• The road I walk... companions

  • From: Primal
  • Description:

    AHHHH nothing like a night backstage with the guys.

     

    We have just finished off another houseshow and I have been sitting around with Hardy, Shane, Cena and Joe, having a very interesting conversation about all from Lord of the Rings to a tournament of death involving Barney.

    Its been a long time since I last spend this much time backstage with the other guys, Ive been a bit stressed out with both keeping up with the houseshows and keeping some personal projects alive as well, but it was a great feeling being back.

    Like I have mentioned in an earlier blog I tend to go nostalgic at this time of the year and so Ill do again lol

    I remember back when I started in WWE, actually a couple of months before, when I first walked into the locker. Back then I was working for XFW and Scott Neaman had invited me down to a houseshow WWE was doing in the area.

    The locker was filled with the stars and I nearly shit myself as Neaman suddenly pulled me over and introduced me to the crowd, the first one to react was Vince, who took a long look at me and told me to call him the next day before rushing off. I stayed close to Scott for about half an hour where I didnt dare talking to anyone, I mean all these guys were the big names, Hunter, Ryan Simmons, Michael Shane, James Steele and The Undertaker, believe me I was scared stiff.

    After a while Hunter came up to me and we started talking, we had met earlier at some of SFW's shows where I had wrestled a couple of dark matches, but without any success and I didnt actually think he rememberred me. as the night went on I started to talk with some of the others, I got the hint from Shane that Vince probely would love to book me for some dark matches, due to my size. Sadly the Boogeyman heard that and quickly jumped into the conversation. Marty wasnt happy with the direction of his character at that point and was trying to find a partner to form a tagteam, first off I thought this is my big chance and we started brainstorming on ideas right there. Luckily Ryan, Michael and some of the others could see where it all was headed and they quickly jumped in to safe me.

    Following that night I became a regular backstage, I also got to wrestle a few dark matches and eventually signing a contract which I still have lol

    During my time here I made a lot of good friends, some better than others.

    When I first arrived I remember I was terrified of James Steele, I was sure he hated me or something, then one day I walked into the locker and noone else was there but him, no need to say that the first few minutes were tence, but suddenly we started talking and to this day I think that this guy is one of my favorite persons in the business.

    Around the same time as me, Adult Viewing signed with WWE and Butch and Romeo alongside James and I started hanging out backstage, often joined by Michael Shane and Hunter, we would spend very much time together both entertaining and annoying people with our own brand of humor (Im not totally sure if Butch and Romeo actually took it serious lol) later Min Sing joined the group and became somekind of running joke, who never had a momments piece.

    A year or so later a veteran came back in the shape of Doomsday, I didnt know if I should run or pass out when I first met him, but he actually turned out to be an awesome person, Nik and I spend a lot of time working together off screen, he thought me how to be more than a generic big man in the ring, training with me develaoping new moves and facets of my ring work, but also taught me a lot about how to act in front of the camera in generel. when he wasnt in work mode, he was just one crazy sob who I loved hanging out withcause it was never boring.

    Many others have passed through my live like that, people like Goldberg, Scorpio, and in newer days Jeff, Assasin, Tatanka and many more, I keep learning from them and I hope some of them learn something from me, but the one I learned the most from and who never learned anything from me (despite my efforts to teach him) was the Boogeyman, this guy taught everything I needed to know on how not to act in this business.

    Well I better head off and grab a beer with the others before this turns into a dirtsheet rant on Marty.

     

    Hygge All 

  • Blog post
  • 2 months ago
  • Views: 33
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• Locked Out

  • From: Assassin
  • Description:

    Well here I am once more, sitting on the laptop typing up a blog. I can't say I'm very comfortable at the moment as I'm sitting outside waiting for someone to open the doors so I can get into the arena we are meant to be wrestling in. So now I'm stuck outside on a hard bench, which really isn't helping my back. See what we do for you WWE Universe? Anyway I decided to log on to the computer to keep myself occupied whilst I wait for the door to be unlocked and I saw that you fans have been treated to quite a few blogs lately. So I decided not to feel left out and to do a blog of my own to tell the WWE Universe about what has been going on lately in the WWE.

    At the moment I'm alone and sometimes this is how I like it...I can see Jeff Hardy every now and then looking quite serious so I presume he is doing something important but beside that it is just me at the moment. I have to say the anticipation has been gradually building for Wrestlemania and were are now only 12 days away from what should be one of the greatest Wrestling moments ever. I certainly can't wait and I'm getting butterflies just thinking about it and I've spoken to several other guys and they seem like they feel exactly the same. Yesterday I had the opportunity to catch up with a recent signee, Jason Cooper who finally has broken into the WWE after spending alot of time in the Indies. I know it has been said earlier by Jeff in his blog but this guy is going to be a star and he has all the credentials to become one. The other day I got to see him cut a quick promo whilst doing a house show and he was fantastic on the mic for a new guy (far better than me I must add, after looking at some tapes of my earlier stuff). He is also a good guy to talk to outside the ring and yesterday we got talking about video games (What? WWE Superstars can't play video games?) and eventually it led to the new Smackdown vs Raw Video Game which brings me to the next thing I would like to talk about.

    Just this last Saturday a bunch of us WWE Superstars, myself, Cooper, Jeff and Chavo to name a few, got to go to a big press conference thing about the new Smackdown vs Raw video game. First we got a run down by some dude, Corey I think his name was...wasn't paying much attention to tell the truth and after that we got the opportunity to roam around, get interviewed by some internet nerds (they said they were from Gamingfling...or was it Gamingring? Again I can't remember) and the main reason I went and I presume the others, to play the game. Jeff and I got to have the first go and when we first got on to the game it lead you to some sort of tutorial screen which we skipped right past. After that the main menu appeared and whilst some things were blacked out, there was still a fair amount of things we could chose from. Jeff persisted that we have a look at the new Create a Diving Finisher first (Typical) but I managed to convince him to play a First Blood Match first. I chose to be myself in the game and so did he and then we were into it.

    At first glance I could've sworn it was real life the graphics are that good and everything was so detailed, like my tattoo's and scar and Jeff's face paint and arm bands. It then got me thinking about the time that we had to go into THQ and get scanned and speak lines and even grunts into a microphone a few months back. I suppose that payed off as everything looks great. We then got into the actual match and whilst Jeff was trying his hardest to beat me I was more testing out the new things you can do in the game like moves on the apron and leapfrogging an opponent. The one new thing that I didn't like however was the new momentum halo instead of a HUD which got a bit annoying at times. At the end of the match I made Jeff bleed after two Assassinations (which look great!) and a chair shot to the head.

    We then took a quick look at two of the new Create modes - Create a Diving Finisher where we ended up creating a move that consisted of several flips and then the Story Mode Designer. The Story Mode Designer was very in depth and you could do a tonne of cool cutscenes (there was even a Michael Jackson based cutscene, maybe based off the time Cena and Shane entered to his music on Raw) as well as making matches and who will win and lose them. Our time was stopped short however as Chavo and MVP kicked us off claiming we had been on it for too long.

    Overall it was good fun seeing the new game and seeing myself in Video Game form and I will certainly be buying it when it gets released! I even tried enquiring whether I could get it early but that idea was turned down fairly quickly. Anyway I think someone just arrived with a key so I better be off or I'll be in trouble. I'll hopefully get to speak to you in another blog soon but I'm making no promises as Wrestlemania week I'm sure will be very hectic!

    Until then, farewell and I urge you to buy the new Smackdown vs Raw 2010 Video Game (Yes I was told by THQ to plug it lol).

    Yours truly, Assassin.

  • Blog post
  • 2 months ago
  • Views: 42
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• The road I walk

  • From: Primal
  • Description:

    The road stretches ahead of us as we travel towards Wrestlemania.

     

    Im sitting in a car with Hardy and some others.... read his blog he has told everything about my current company and whereabouts, so I dont want to waste time on that.

    It feels strange once again moving closer to Mania and taking another step down the path, that we as wrestlers have choosen. Everyone is looking forward to this, but still there is the fear of the day after, when its all over and the road again branches out filling our world with options, choices and challenges that we will have to conquer to get on our way to the next Wrestlemania.

    I know I shouldnt think of the future, but live in the moment, but in my world Wrestlemania is the defining moment of my career, its where I prove, why I deserve to be in the spot where I am and why I should be in WWE all together. Now this may sound like I dont do anything else during the year, but its actually the direct opposit. The time between Mania's is what I defiened as the road to Wrestlemania, its in this time you earn yourself the privelidge to wretle at Mania, its in this time you prepare to go that extra mile when you enter the ring at Mania.

    I remember descriping the road to Mania in my first Wrestlemania promo, it was back in 2006 and I was new crowned European Champion, management giving both me and my opponent (Roberto Rossi) a big chance here, as we both only had been in WWE for a few months, but had already started a heated feud. back to the promo I remember it being a video package, where I was walking down a dusty road, talking about, the blood sweat and tears I shed to be there, mentioning the people who helped me to get there as my then manager A.A Estrada joined me and in the end standing in front of the crossroad that is Wrestlemania, depending on what happens there you will choose what way to go, You can choose to go back to where you came from, stay where you are, take the high or low road, all this is how I experience Wrestlemania and is how I look at my road to Wrestlemania or rather to being a wrestler in the WWE.

    Well Sergio is starting to yell out for a pit stop thanks to Jeff's healthy taco thingy, so I might as well head off and get some beers for the rest of the ride

     

    see ya around 

     

  • Blog post
  • 3 months ago
  • Views: 29
  • Not yet rated

• An Apathetic Lifestyle?

  • From: JeffHardy
  • Description:

    Busy, busy, busy. That's what things are like in the WWE right about now.

    We're right around the corner from Wrestlemania 25, the granddaddy of 'em all, the showcase of the immortals, the grandest stage of them all....the most nerve wracking experience of my life.

    I've performed live on Raw in a main event match, I've performed at big PPVs like Summerslam and Survivor Series, hell I've performed at Wrestlemania on the undercard....but never have I performed in one of the five big matches on an event of this magnitude, never. With all due respect to Ric he's not a young man anymore, in order for our match to be the match I know it can be we're going to need Ric's quarter of a century in experience and I'm going to have to bare the brunt of the physical work. Don't get me wrong, I have complete confidence that Ric can and will put on a fantastic showing and wow the crowd but it will not be easy. Can we do it? Will we do it? You're damn right.

    Things lately in the WWE have been quiet, a lot of the guys seem to be a bit down to be frank. I'd theorize that like myself they're all worried and stressed out about Wrestlemania, this is make or break time for an awful lot of us, this show could send some of us to heights we could have never imagined....or it could end in heart ache. We're feeling the pressure. You know what though? I guarantee you that when they hit the ring, be it Assassin, Sergio Griffon, Simmons, Hansen, Edge, anyone of them, that the moment they hit the ring all of that nervousness flies out of the window and every single one of them will give the match absolutely everything they have. They're all out to steal the show.

    There's been some humor backstage though, Assassin is still a straight-edge virgin, Ryan Simmons is still an offensive cross-dresser and the Texas Rattlesnake, Stone Cold Steve Austin himself has been backstage at a lot of the events. Steve appears to be going through a rough period in his personal life at the moment but he's just as good humored and entertaining as ever. His banter with 'Taker and Shawn is legendary. He's an assett to have backstage. As for a return......I don't know. Steve is pretty much finished with the business as far as I can tell but in wrestling one can never say never. Lord knows the fans would go absolutely ape-shit. 

    I wanna give a brief honorable mention to a guy called Jason Cooper by the way. Trust me, this guy is the shit. The dude has gone from more brands than Jimmy freaking Fatal (who is STILL a talented bloke imo) so he's never been given his time to shine but from what I've seen this guys got talent. I watched some of his TNA work which somehow got lost in the clusterfuck that is iMPACT but was impressive nonetheless. He's not a spot monkey who no-sells big moves like 99.9% of the X-Division this guy combines these flashy moves with a bit of ring savvy and an entertaining persona. From his mic work to his blogs, the guy has got undoubted charisma. Not to mention that he's a genuinely nice guy who's just been waiting for his chance to shine. I have no doubt that when he gets his shot after 'Mania he'll be a star. Who knows, this time next year I could be sitting here typing about Cooper/Hardy at 'Mania 26...never say never.

    I've not much else to tell you my friends, I'm typing to you all from the magic of wireless internet in the back seat of a rental car, squeezed between the ample sized Morten Hansen and Suffering, Sergio Griffon having somehow commandeered the front seat while John Morrison takes the wheel. A diverse group to be sure. Travelling down this road gets lonely sometimes but having your wrestling brothers around you makes all of the difference. Be it Joe, Morten, Shane, I don't know where I'd be without them all. They keep me grounded, they keep me safe and despite all of the problems I've caused and had this year they've stood beside me and got me through it. I will forever be in debt to these guys and most of the others backstage, we really have to each other going as we cruise to the next show at 70 miles an hour. Wrestling is indeed an interesting business when 6'5 foot muscleheads (and not so 6'5 muscleheads) depend on each other for their emotional well-being. 

    I must away for now my friends, I'm hearing grumblings about the nearest grease bucket.....I must locate the nearest place one can obtain a nice healthy wrap. Tortilla bread = Life.

    Later,

    Jeff

     

  • Blog post
  • 3 months ago
  • Views: 41
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• A Day Off

  • From: JeffHardy
  • Description:

    Hello there WWE Universe, been too long since my last blog so I thought I'd update all of you on the goings on in the WWE. Right about now I'm sitting on my plush hotel room bed eating a nice healthy wrap having a very rare day off between shows and promotional appearences leading up to Wrestlemania so I'm going to use my time wisely and blog. 

    I've been working with Suffering, Flair and Shane more often than not during these house shows which has been a blessing indeed, I've worked with Joe so much this past year that we can put on a good match with our eyes closed and Shane.....well, he can put on a "5 Star Match" with Munk...'nuff said. Flair on the other hand is a lot more difficult to work with. Our personal differences haven't always been kayfabe but I have a lot of respect for Naitch and he's never taken liberties with me in the ring or acted in any way unprofessional, our differences come from our different styles of working. When I started in this business, especially in the indies, 90% of the action was called in the ring we only ever planned our the finish. Sometimes that can make for a great match but sometimes, especially for today's standards, it can be clunky and awkward. When I work with guys like Shane we prepare some spots before we even go out there and then we let some of the magic play itself out, same with Suffering. Flair is an older style worker, he likes to improvise in the ring.

    We've only worked tag matches leading up to 'Mania but we're still trying to feel each other out, he's still getting used to some of my spots and I'm still getting used to calling it all in the ring. It's been hard adapting to the other's style of working but at this stage I have no doubt whatsoever that come Wrestlemenia Flair and I can put on one of the best matches of the night. Y'know what? Even at 60 I think Flair and I could quite possibly steal the show, you heard it here first.

    I'd like to offer my congratulations to Assassin, today marks his first full year on the active roster. I can't say I liked Assassin from the beginning....he was hella green and (somewhat) impatient, though I was still on the lower-midcard so I said nothing. Within a month however, Assassin calmed down, became a very respectful and talented kid who I knew once he paid his dues that he was going to become something. It took a long time, months in fact, but at the Royal Rumble this year it all paid off for the kid, he joined Legacy and started his first major push into the midcard. I'm proud to call Assassin a friend of mine, I'm proud to see a young kid who actually reminds me a bit of myself at his age getting the push and attention he deserves. Ladies and gentlemen, this kid has yet to hold gold in the WWE but mark my words, he will be the Intercontinental Champion before the year is out. Despite his less than reputable father, this kid Assassin is going to be huge.

    My plan tonight is to take the kid out tonight and perhaps even buy him his first beer but I fear he'd much rather stay in and watch a DVD......sigh, Shane and I have our work cut out for us.

    Speaking of Shane, as many of you have probably read on the dirt sheets there's been some trouble backstage at WWE events....involving the always controversial Mickie James. Man, you all know my opinion of Mickie but.....this just takes the cake, the girl needs help, lots of it. It's probably best if I leave it at that.

    I'm actually a bit nervous at present, I'm not usually a promotional tool for the WWE to use but apparently all of that has changed....they've booked me and Ric to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live. If you want me to perform in front of 80,000 plus fans I can do it no problem, if you want me to get on the mic and whip out a promo I can do it, if you want me to dive off a twenty foot ladder onto a stack of tables, I can do it.....but outside the wrestling ring? I dunno. Some guys like Cena can do all that, some guys like Shane can extend their characters beyond the ring but I've never done it before....thankfully Ric is the best in the biz so I've got someone to hide behind but I suppose if I want to progress and climb further up the ladder I need to put up or shut up.

    It's been a tough week for me, things outside the wrestling business have been weighing heavily on my mind. I've been feeling increasingly isolated, depressed and burned out for reasons unknown to me, there are certain things I'm sure are contributing and it may be the fact I'm ignoring the problems as best as I can but I remain unsure on this road to wrestlemania.

    You've heard me vow to steal 'Mania, you've heard me make proclamations and you've heard me moan and complain, now it's time for me to get into the hotel's jacuzzi and rest this tired body before I inflict more pain and anguish on it tomorrow night.

    Until then,

    Jeff Hardy

     

     

  • Blog post
  • 3 months ago
  • Views: 47
  • Not yet rated

• One Year Down

  • From: Assassin
  • Description:

    Well, here I am. Sitting in the lockeroom here in Texas, preparing for Wrestlemania 25...exactly a year after I joined the WWE. We are currently doing a house show here in San Antonio which is scheduled to begin in less than twenty hours. Lately everything has been very frantic getting ready for the big one - Wrestlemania 25 and as I look back a year ago I wouldn't know how I would cope. But I have grown over the past year...immensely. My first match, in a 6 man tag team match, teaming with AKM and Kofi against Sphere, Showtime and Psycho Joe was a real big test, I was worried I would blow it all by botching a move or forgeting what I was meant to do but after hitting that first punch on Sphere...I never turned back.

    I've worked with many different wrestlers over the past year, some good, some bad and some who taught me a whole lot. I've seen many wrestlers come and go, TNA rise...TNA fall and I've also made some great friendships along the way. It has been tough at times but through help and the will to keep keeping on...I have gotten through them. 

    There have been a lot of defining moments in the short career of mine so far...from when I teamed with Ric Flair at Survivor Series and being the last man standing for our team to working with Roddy Piper at Cyber Sunday but none, in my opinion, have been as defining as this years Royal Rumble. Going in to the event I had lost three straight to William Regal and a couple more at house shows. At the time I was working as a face and I hadn't really been getting over with the crowd much. After the win against Regal I felt over the moon. I thought I did well and the final Punt at the end I believe to be the turning point in my career. Later in the night I stood alongside my new mentor, Randy Orton in the newly formed Legacy.

    Since that moment I have felt like I have developed well as a superstar and I hope that I continue to do so at Wrestlemania and then after it. Speaking of Wrestlemania, it is only a short period of time away and I can't believe I am going to be performing on the Grandest Stage of All against Mick Foley. I am a tiny bit dissapointed that it has been fairly quiet lately backstage and there hasn't been a real "buzz" like at the Royal Rumble but I'm sure that will come over time and until then I have to keep preparing and to make sure everything that I am involved with at Wrestlemania goes according to plan.

    Well I think it is about time that I end my blog as I have a few things I have to attend to and prepare for the upcoming house show. So one year down and hopefully many more to come, many more moments to remember and more friendships to be made...I'll see y'all at Wrestlemania.

    Have a nice day :D

  • Blog post
  • 3 months ago
  • Views: 45
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• THEE BLOG 4:46am

  • From: THEE_RYAN_SIMMONS
  • Description:

    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!!!!!

  • Blog post
  • 3 months ago
  • Views: 39
  • Not yet rated

• THEE BLOG

  • From: THEE_RYAN_SIMMONS
  • Description:

    Here i am sitting at the arena in Amarillo with a glass of Semi-Skimmed milk watching the goings on around me,i see suffering in one corner his head stuck in a laptop and a big angry dane in the other shouting in danish at his laptop, i havent posted a blog in ages but since my life has changed in recent weeks ill update yall , i was recently diagnosed as diabetic, i havd been feeling extremely tired after matches and training and majority of the time i was sleeping whilst going between events, it was put down to `burn out` but im thankfull ive ben diagnosed tbh ive felt a lot better than ive ever been even though ive had to cut a lot of my favourite things out of my life.

    Anyhoo onto other things, my feud with Morten Hansen has been going well ,plenty of sick bumps for me and morten and more surprisingly for kelly who is very resillient for a girl of her stature. talking of Morten i can see him across the room screaming in danish at his laptop again which appears to have died on him lol

    after Wrestlemania im hoping to head in a new direction with my on screen persona, during my feud i feel ive been helped along by the big dane because i havent been totally in the game due to my illnes. i wont say too much at the moment untill things are finalised and ill sign off here as i have a big dane breathing down my neck eyeing up my laptop.

     

    untill then

    LATERS!

  • Blog post
  • 3 months ago
  • Views: 40
  • Not yet rated

• Is This The Way To Amarillo?

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD
    
    My apologies for that random outburst of blasphemy, but we've just stopped at the most disgusting looking fast food joint you could imagine, a world famous brand I'm probably not allowed to mention but it sounds a little like Clucking Bell.. and so do my thoughts on the place.
    
    As you may, or may not, have gathered, I'm on the road again, headed over from Houston to Amarillo for one of the Road to WrestleMania house shows we're doing all over Texas in the run up to Mania. I'm here with MVP, Jeff Hardy, Mickie James and Morten Hansen. Lemme tell ya, things can get rather uncomfortable in the back seat of a car when both Mickie and Jeff are trying to sit on your lap.. not to mention the fact I keep getting hit in the face by Jeff's elbow as he applies his make up in the mirror.
    
    Still, everything was going fine.... when, as usual, Morten decided he was hungry. Seriously, he has the appetite of an elephant... a Danish elephant, with a beard. But unfortunately for us, Clucking Bell was the first restaurant we came across.
    
    I'm afraid in my old age of 25 I'm becoming something of a snob, been watching too many episodes of Fraiser maybe.. but Michael Shane and fast food don't mix anymore so I decide to wait in the car, risking carjacking by irate Texans and desperately trying to hide the "I voted Obama" window sticker.. before we get hit by a rocket, starting to pen my latest missive for you.. the WWE Universe (or fans, as you used to be known)
    
    The road to WrestleMania to all the WWE fans is one smooth transition from Raw to SNME, all the cool extras, Hall of Fame, WrestleMania Sunday... but to us, the workers, its a lot harder than that. There's no breaks, no time to prepare or change out routine. We do the same thing we do every night Pinky... try to entertain the fans.
    
    So tonight, we're off to Amarillo, a great and historic wrestling town, made (in)famous by the Funk clan.
    
    Tonight I'll have the honor of teaming with Ric Flair to take on Matt and Jeff Hardy, WWE always loving these little reunions for the fans off camera, but the biggest honor of the match will be that Terry Funk will be the special guest referee.
    
    Strangely, I've never met Terry despite being on such good terms with his contempories Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes and Ricky Steamboat and actually being on the same card at One Night Stand 2007 when MNM defeated CM Punk and Colt Cabana. All speak very highly of him as did Mick Foley when we were on speaking terms. Having achieved so much in this business it'll be a pleasure being in the same ring as the icon, plus the cool thing is that the camera will be there as they're filing the match for some sort of Ric Flair special on the Vintage Collection later this year or some such, so you guys may get to see it too.
    
    But the point is, after tonight, we'll be headed back to Houston, our base of operations for this whole month, late, get about 6 hours sleep before having to be up, to the gym, lines to rehearse for the Press Conference we're holding soon (yes, its all scripted, sorry to ruin the magic) and then I've personally an interview for a local radio station, Wednesday I FINALLY manage to get myself on the Howard Stern Show on SIRUS as a phone in guest and then it's another live event Thursday.
    
    What's taking so long... I look at my watch and see, Mickie is climbing all over Morten as they wait for the order, it seems there's some sort of hold up with the sheer volume. Then I see why, Ryan Simmons is here.... nah he's not, but I like a good cheap shot.
    
    Anyway, it's gunna be a hectic few days but I'll still give 110 percent ever night cause every fan deserves to see the best of Michael Shane, the best of Jeff Hardy and the best of all of us. I know many hold back at these house shows, don't give all they could, but these fans are the ones who buy our merchandise, who buy the tickets, they're just as special whether the cameras are there or not. So to all those fans reading in Amarillo tonight, you maybe in for a treat from us....
    
    And...wha... Jesus, as I look out of the window back into Clucking Bell, not only does Morten seem to have enough bacon tacos to give the whole of Reliant Stadium Swine Flu, Jeff Hardy is happily handing me a huge coke, chicken tacos, fries and heaven knows what.... I think I'll need to find a homeless person to hand this off to as my good deed and go grab some bagels (and ask him if indeed, this IS the way to Amarillo, while I'm at it. I always wanted to ask somebody that).
    
    As MVP starts the car, looking around in alarm at a distant police siren, my thoughts about WrestleMania, this good company, Terry Funk and my legacy in the business start to drift away as only one thought fills my head....
    
    They do do bagels in Amarillo, right?

  • Blog post
  • 3 months ago
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• The Road Stretches On

  • From: JeffHardy
  • Description:

    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

  • Blog post
  • 3 months ago
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• Retro Blog: Stu's Take - Write

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    Original Printed: May 25, 2007

     

    Efeds. A word that has many meanings and brings up different feelings in all who come across them. To the outsiders, the people who aren’t fans of Efeds or wrestling in general it can be a boring, stupid, some even say a childish game, many slate the people who are members but most of them stay clear fearing it will lower their reputation as a hip/funky whatever they see themselves as person if they are in any way connected to them. To the people who are members or enjoy reading the great shows put on by many a great writer it can be many different things, all good but different, a place to get away from the stresses of everyday life, relax and chill out in the company of other like minded people all over the world, to the most imaginative person it can be a time to go into a fantasy world where they base their character or characters on themselves and get to live out the dream they have in their imagination, to others it can be a time to enjoy a good read whether it be a column or regular show put on by the many dedicated writers we have these days or just have a laugh in the chat rooms we have. Whatever the reason you like them, love them, dislike them or despise them, they are there and will be for the foreseeable future, online and on mobile wap.
    
    Writers. If you don’t have one of these there is no point in an efed, they write the shows, they tell the stories and in most cases own the efed. I’ve had the privilege to know many writers in my time, some great, some bad, some can’t be beaten and I have also had the privilege to write myself. A huge amount of imagination is a must for an efed writer and a great knowledge of wrestling moves and in most cases the actual wrestlers themselves in the cases of Efeds who base themselves on current wrestling corporations I.e. WWE and TNA, all of these are a must. A writer has to paint a picture, has to make you feel like your there, make you imagine it in your head, make you feel the emotion that so many people get when watching real wrestling i.e. angry or happy. It’s not an easy task to accomplish, many people criticise writers these days claiming it’s the easiest thing to do in the world but I can tell you from experience and I’m sure many of the other writers I know will tell you it is extremely difficult, to capture the emotion to get across the effort and power and strength and will of the characters we write about. I’ve seen so many Efeds come and go, somebody thinks they can do it and starts one up and when they have to meet deadlines and keep the consistency up it gets too much and the fed closes within weeks. Some web based feds I have visited over the past few weeks don’t actually write shows, in the feds that I have been in and seen, the writer/s have written each match whether it’s been good or not is nothing but these web based feds don’t write the matches they just post results, for example: Joe Bloggs beat Steve Davis via pin, and basically that’s all you get, they seem to put so much effort into the site as in how it looks and how it is presented that they either don’t have time or plain can’t be bothered to write even a semi decent show and I sat there and saw all these people ranting and raving about these web based feds saying they were the best, no one could beat them, I looked at the actual sites and thought what a load of bolloks quite frankly. I clicked on my address bar and I saw the address for WVW which is on mywap, basically a small wap and web site you can use supplied by O2, it’s very basic but also very popular with small Efeds and I thought I’d rather join this fed than most of the web based sites, at least they put in the effort when it comes to shows etc, Andy and Fi two good friends of mine do a great job there. It used to be and in many cases still is that people partially judged your writing on how long a match actually was but I think we’re at the stage now were it’s not the length it’s the quality (drums) A thank yow! In my humble opinion that is. On average I think a decent length for a normal show match is about 4 pages of Microsoft word, it all depends on the writer really. I end this paragraph by taking off my hat to the writers I know and the good writers I don’t. I think I speak for many when I say thank you to all of them (They know who they are) for the time they take and the effort they put in to giving us all a great show to read. Thank you guys.
    
    Characters. Another of the main components in an efed, if you don’t have these then you don’t have a show simply because there’s no one to write about. In my almost five years in Efeds I’ve seen a mixed bag of characters, ranging from the lowest of the low, people like Osama bin laden, Ben Dover and Phil McCraken, to the legendary characters, Nightmare, Doomsday and his famous hockey mask, and the awesome characters from the past two years, people like Ryan Simmons, Primal, James Steele, Michael Shane, Nathan James etc. The first three names I mentioned are a plain insult to Efeds in general and thankfully these idiots were in the “Conference league” Efeds if you will so no one really heard of them. Whether your making your own character or using one of the current superstars of WWE or TNA, it can be the easiest or most difficult thing to do. I’m sure I speak for quite a few people here when I say, you expect the world when you first start in Efeds, you have this idea in your head and you think it’s awesome, it’s so good no one can beat it and you think you’ll be heavyweight champ of a fed within weeks, as I’m sure every young start has found out up until now, it doesn’t work like that and that’s what causes so many arguments and problems in Efeds, these new starts don’t get their own way, the dummy has been thrown and the arms are wailing all over the place. In a way a fed is a like a social ladder, if you’re a champ in a fed you feel in some ways like a somebody, it feels like an achievement even if it is the luck of a guess so you always hope your gonna be next when you first start, always looking for your spot and when it doesn’t these guys can be quite disheartened. I think to create a great character knowledge is once again a must, you need to know the basics of how to cut a promo, when I first started out my promo’s were probably about four lines long and consisted of me saying I’m gonna kick someone’s ass and that was it, but as you gain more experience in Efeds the promo’s get longer and more detailed, I.e. the background, the mood, the tone of voice used, description of the characters etc. You also need to build a persona for your character, I think whether some people like to admit it or not there is a bit of reality in our characters, for instance there could be the cockiness of Edge mixed with the confidence of HBK mixed with the defiance of John Cena and so on but it all makes for some great characters but unfortunately It can make for some rubbish ones too. A couple of my personal favourites are Primal, a great character by a great bloke, Morten’s promos are awesome, there are many destructive monsters in Efeds but I think Primal takes it to a new level and not all of them are Danish lol. Another is Ryan Simmons, I personally don’t know Graeme that well but I can see by his promos and feuds that he very detailed with Simmons, most people as I said before go for the dominant monster type in their characters but Graeme has went for something totally different with Simmons, I see him as the CM punk character of Efeds, not the typical moves nor typical character which is actually quite refreshing. All in all you need to really work at your character whether that be a Nathan James or a Randy Orton, have a bit of patience give across your idea’s and hope that the fed owner is decent enough to give them a go or put you into an enjoyable feud but I will say this, sure you may have your idea’s and in your head they may be great but it might just be in your head, I’m Sure the person who had the cheek to be Osama bin laden had a vision of one day becoming a heavyweight champion and I’m sure he thought it was an amazing idea.
    
    My opinions on here some people may agree with some people will not that’s life as they say. In my opinion Efeds are great and whoever started this craze I’d like to shake their hand, it is to me a time to get away from the stress of real life troubles and a time to relax and let my imagination run away for a bit, a time to have a laugh and enjoy some awesome writing by some talented people. Efeds in general will be around forever I think, it is a craze that will spread even more than it already has but in a way it is still an unknown to many, we must spread the word and expand them. To those who have been here since WWW, things have changed, to those who have just started, things are going to change. In my time here there have been casualties of bitter wars, Wars of word and sabotage, we’ve seen traitors, fed jumpers, the humiliation of people who have deserved it, the coming and going of some awesome and some not so awesome Efeds, the coming together of several and the demise of many. It’s been a roller coaster ride from day one and I guarantee if I live to be 100 and Efeds are still about then so shall i.
    
    If you’ve read this far, I appreciate it thanks.

  • Blog post
  • 4 months ago
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• Men In The Mirror: How The Cul

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    When i was growing up in New York in the 1980s and early 1990s, there was no bigger star than Michael Jackson, his fame and talent cannot be comprehended by many younger fans and people who'll read this blog. He was the Barack Obama of his age and yet, so much more. He was Obama and Elvis Presley all in one. He united black and white, young and old, gay and straight, Christian, athiest, Jew and Muslim all singing and dancing to the tune of all those great albums and works of genius such as Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal and Beat It. Michael Jackson was as much an American icon as McDonalds and Coca-Cola.
    
    Michael Jackson made world leaders listen far more than even Bono could imagine, just like when Presley met Nixon, Reagan wanted to be in the spotlight with Jackson. He was the first MTV megastar, standing alongsode other icons of that era from Madonna to Arnaold Swartzanegger and our own Hulk Hogan. From Motown to the Staples Center, the career of Michael Jackson was played out before our eyes. Before the watching millions, before the fans that loved him and adored him.
    
    And the fans that killed him.
    
    You see when it's all said and done, a heart attack or a drug overdose did not kill Michael Jackson... you did.
    
    Just like you killed Eddie Guerrero... and just like you killed Chris Benoit.
    
    And when it's all said and done, you'll kill me too.
    
    You see, Michael Jackson was the real world Truman Burbank, for anybody who's ever seen that movie The Truman Show. From birth right up until death, the camera and media were on Michael Jackson, he was watched 24/7, fans across the globe wanted a piece of the King, wanted to know every last fact about him. At what point do we stop being a human being with free will and freedom of thought and simply become a prisioner inside our own existance with you the fans and the celebrity obsessed media as our jailers?
    
    But it's not simply some kid wanting an autograph in a resturant, not simply some new story on TMZ, some new lurid false rumor in the New York Post, oh no, it's far more.
    
    You believe we OWE you something, that because you buy our merchandise, because you "pay our wages" you have a right to make a demand of us.
    
    Of course we all love to perform, we all become addicted to the adulation of the crowds, we become high on the love you all give to us and when that's taken from us, just like Ric Flair or Scorpio who signed for TNA, we'll do anything for one last injection of fan appriciation, we're as much to blame... but the fans... well the fans always want more.
    
    "Tell me, can you ask for a little bit more?" asked the song, and you do. You chant for Steve Austin to have one more match despite the fact most of you know he cant and would risk paralysis, you chant for 60 year old men like Ric Flair to have one more match, you beg Jeff Hardy to put his broken, battered and drug addled body through one more table. The sicker of you almost pray at night that John Cena suffers an injury, that CM Punk would break his neck. From "Die Rocky Die" to "Cane Dewey" the wrestling fans have shown that they don't really care about us.
    
    Sat in your comfortable chairs, beer in hand, you demand that i perform for you like a monkey in a freak show or a puppet on your strings. You want me to perform in ever more athletic matches, giving our your little ratings and stars in dirtsheets, you chant "you fucked up" when i prove i'm human, cheer as my blood covers the canvas. When i'm injured, you feel sad for a few minutes... then you start to talk about who'll take my spot. You want matches with ladders and cages.. WWE are now even thinking about a pay-per-view all inside Hell in a Cell... all because you fans will pay a few extra bucks to see me lose few extra braincells. I have to perform like a machine every Monday night, you demand match after match, segment after segment, demand that i perform to your standards, that i serve you on your terms, you want me to be Michael Shane, WWE Superstar, 24/7 just like you demanded album after album from Michael Jackson, demanded he produce another Thriller, demanded songs and performances but called him "Wacko Jacko", mocked and ridiculed him when what he needed was help. Just like you disrespect me and the rest of us in this business whenever we don't come up to your standards or expectectations.
    
    See, Michael Jackson never had any hope of completing his stint at London's o2, it would have been a marathon for him in his prime let alone the man who died dependent on drugs to seemingly even get up in the morning. It would be like Ric Flair, no offense to him, main eventing WrestleMania 50 times in a single year and being expected to put on a thriller and potentially a match of the year each time. It's a ludricous suggestion.
    
    But Michael Jackson had to do it. Don't kid yourself that it was all about paying off debts, he had to do it because he, and you, believed he owed you one last spectacular, one last show, one last memory. Bigger, better, more, and more... and more... and more. Take, take, take. And the greedy music industry, the yes men around him were all to willing to let him kill himself for the money, the fans were all too willing to let him kill himself for one last show. It seems like a fair trade doesn't it... all your love and adulation in exchange for suicide, pushing the body beyond reasonable limits, pumping drugs into our vains to keep us going, our heads screwed up from every crazy little moment. Whether its through a concert at the o2 or just another match at a house show in some tiny town in Florida, this is the deal made between every celebrity and every fan.
    
    You people do not know us. You may think you do, you may watch the characters we play every week on television, read our books and blogs, listen to our music. You may see what you think we are, you may even believe you form a bond with us, like all those fans holding vigils for Michael this past week.... but you don't know us and you don't know me. You weren't there when i went to school, laughed with my friends, when i had my first kiss, lost my virginity or nearly died. You aren't there when i hold my girlfriend at night, when i kiss her goodbye, you aren't there when i share a moment with my parents, when i mock my brother or comfort a friend. You aren't there as i make bagels in the morning or do push ups, you aren't there as i watch TV, down a Coke Zero, workout or go to bed. It's the little things, the normal things we do offscreen that make us who we are, that make us human beings... and mean that you can never know the real us.
    
    You see, that was half the reason for us being in a state of shock and trauma over the Chris Benoit tragedy, we all thought we knew the man. Thought that what we saw of TV gave us a connection, led us to believe he wasn't capable of such an action.. but all we saw was what WWE and WCW before them wanted us to see, what Chris wanted to show us. We didn't know Chris Benoit, we don't know what he was capable of or what was going on inside his own head.
    
    So is it any wonder that Michael Jackson hid himself away inside Neverland and died pumped full of drugs just like Elvis Presley before him? any wonder that Kurt Cobain blew his head off or Eddie Guerrero pumped himself full of drugs as well? is it any wonder that Ric Flair just cannot ever have one last match or Amy Winehouse is drugged up in Jamaica, that Ricky Steamboat and Tommy Dreamer come back for one more chance, one last moment in the spotlight. That for every person we've already lost because of the demands of fame, dozens more are secretly already dying through drug habits and all manner of disorder.
    
    The pressures and demands that you the fans and the mass celebrity obsessed media put upon us is something that you cannot understand. While you think that we live an easy life, that we are rich beyond our dreams, that celebrity and money are a Godsend... it's not as easy as all that. We have to be perfect, beautiful and infallable, the new royalty. We are the World. One hair out of place and we're mocked, one move wrong and the message boards are calling us past it, too fat and WWE are sending you home, too old and you're consigned to TNA.
    
    So the next time Jeff Hardy is suspended for pumping his body full of painkillers and going off the wall.. the next time Mickie James is in the Observer for saying the wrong thing... or the next time i don't put on a 5 star match, or act how you expect... remember one thing - you don't know me. You don't know any of us, whats going on in our heads or our lives.
    
    So the next time you tell me i fucked up, criticize my performance in a match, shoot down my ideas and statements or demand that i perform for you, just picture Michael Shane aged 50, body shattered from years of abuse, pumped with drugs so he can make it down that aisle one more time. Picture his heart giving out before one last night in the sun at a WrestleMania.
    
    And realize... it would be all your fault.
    
    "I'm starting with the man in the mirror, I'm asking him to change his ways and no message could have been any clearer, if you wanna make the world a better place take a look at yourself and make a change"
    
    And to all the Michael Shane fans out there, please don't take this as a personal insult, you know you rock my world... but it's just the way you make me feel. Don't worry, no matter what.... I just can't stop loving you ;)
    
    Michael Shane (OWWW!, I'm bad, i'm bad, ya know it)

  • Audio blog post
  • 4 months ago
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• Title? Who needs a Title?

  • From: Assassin
  • Description:

    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.

  • Blog post
  • 5 months ago
  • Views: 58
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• Michael Shane: Setting The Rec

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    Alright, first of all I'd like to personally thank all those fans who've been in touch with me via messages her at the Universe or to the website. The support of my peers and my fans are the only reason that I'm posting this right now because yesterday after No Way Out I felt like taking my ball and going home. I'd also like to apologize to WWE for using the WWE Universe to publish this...
    
    BUT
    
    As much as I respect the boys in the back, despite what some people THINK I respect everybody a hell of a lot, and despite my love for you fans... I do NOT wish to air my laundry in public or speak about other individuals who value their privacy.
    
    I'm not going to confirm or deny anything except to say there was and IS on ongoing situation concerning myself and Mickie James, what that is will remain private.
    
    However, I WILL address a number of individual publications, in particular the Wrestling Observer and the PWTorch Newsletter.
    
    Now Dave Meltzer and myself have been friends for a number of years ever since he used to send that bitch (lol) Bryan Alvarez to come watch my matches and he used to masturbate over me in the Observer. I still have that "Shane vs Punk, five star match" edition from ROH on my wall. And as much as the Observer has irritate me, as least they've pretty much reported facts.
    
    Unlike two other people.
    
    Wade Keller and James Caudwell.
    
    Who the fuck do you think you are?
    
    Keller, you need to get your Goddamn facts right before you start printing them in your little dirtsheet. You think this is entertainment for your legions of 10 year old smarks? that you can treat me like some cut price fucking Lindsay Lohan in a tabloid newspaper? splash lies about me all over the Internet? even compare Mickie to a Courtney Love. Fuck you.
    
    You are the reason that this business stinks and why your name is a joke in every locker room in the country.
    
    Let me state CLEARLY here and now that I do not have any kind of drug addiction, no mental health issues. Yes, I may take prescription medicine.... I am a WRESTLER. My body HURTS. I am not addicted to anything and I do not shirk the Wellness Policy.
    
    I don't care what you think about me leaving after the PPV. I'm an emotional guy. Maybe that's not cool, that's not what WWE should be, but I was upset, I admit it, I was very upset by what happened. I'm not in an mentally unstable state, not on drugs, no drunk. I'm emotionally burnt out by this business. A business you do not understand. Guess I lost my smile somewhere on the road to WrestleMania.
    
    And Caudwell? who the hell even are you? you think your opinion matters? that tomorrow ANYBODY will be bringing up your name in a WWE Creative meet? you'd be so damn lucky. I don't give a fuck what you think. Selfish young man? maybe, but when I speak, WWE takes notice, when I go in front of those camera I mean something. You mean NOTHING.
    
    Talk about burning bridges, how WWE could replace me? aw hell no. Replace me? this is the ERA of Michael Shane and I wage war on you Internet dirtsheets, I wage war on the Internet smarks who've ruined our business. One minute giving me 5 star ratings and jerking off when I do a moonsault, the next running me down as an addict and a lowlife, criticizing my personal life.
    
    Congratulations netmarks, you've just pissed me off, you've just made me angry again... and last time I was this pissed off? I created a boom period with John Cena. So you think I've taken my ball? like hell I have. I'll be there next Monday on Raw and I may just have a few things to say live on national TV.
    
    Peace and love.

  • Blog post
  • 6 months ago
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• Backlash Predictions

  • From: Rob_Van_Dam
  • Description:

    As I proved with my Wrestlemania 25 predictions, i am rubbish! But anyway, these are my predictions for Backlash:

     

    HHH, Shane McMahon and Batista vs Legacy: I am not sure about this match, I think it may be a great match, or a huge disappointment like the Wrestlemania Main Event. I can see Batista screwing HHH in this match but i think that they are going to want to make this fued last longer, so what i see is that HHH retains the championship after Batista gets the pin, then on RAW, HHH comes out and starts talking, then Orton comes out and demands a rematch, then Batista comes out saying that he deserves a title match as he got the pin. This will then lead to Vickie coming out and announcing that at Judgement Day, it will be a triple treat match. I think thhat HHH's team wins but i want Lecay to.

     

    John Cena vs Edge: Again I am not sure about this match, it could be a great match, or another disappointment.I can see 1 of 3 things happening.

    1. Edge wins and takes the title to Smackdown

    2. Cena wins and keeps the title on RAW until Judgement Day where he is in a match with another Smackdown Superstar.

    3. Cena wins then CM Punk cashes in the MITB

    I can definatly  see Edge winning this match, but even though I am aa huge Edge fan, and I hate Cena, I hope that Cena leaves acklash with the title. I think that it is stupid that at every PPV since Survivor Series there has been either a new WWE or World Heavyweight Champion so I hope that we don't crown a new one because if WWE do, then the world titles will not mean anything so I hope that Cena wins and think he will be lose it at the next PPV.

     

    Christian vs Jack Swagger: I am looking forward to this match! I think that this match will finally make ECW something. I can again see this match going either way. I would not be suprised if Jack Swagger wins, but will not be suprised if Christian wins. I think that Christian will win the title though for a few reasons. The first is that it would make the PPV better for the fans as Christian is now one of the most popular superstars in WWE. The second is that I think that they need to crown at least one new champion and I think this could be the match. The final reason is that with the other titles they need somebody to hold it for a while, but with the ECW, they have only had 4 diferent champions since Wrestlemania 24 so that title already means something, so again I hope that and think that Christian wins this. 

     

    Jeff Hardy vs Matt Hardy: I can only see this match going one way, a win for Jeff. Matt has two huge wins over Jeff in the past few wins but i think that Jeff will win this one. If Matt wins this, then I will be shocked a bit, but I think that if Matt does win, then WWE are trying to push him into the Main Event with some possible world title shots coming soon. I still think though that Jeff will win this one but will not be shocked if he doesn't as there has been some rumours...I won't say any more as it may spoil what happens over the next few months. If you want to know just post a comment and i will tell you 

     

    Chris Jericho vs Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat: I am looking forward to this match a lot. After seeing how good Steamboat still is at Wrestlemania, I think he may win this. If it had of been Jimmy Snuka or Roddy Piper in this match I think Jericho would win because they did'nt look good at Mania but steamboat was amazing. I hope that Steamboat wins because he isn't one of those legends who makes appearances every year, Steamboat hardly maakes appearances and that makes the ones he makes even more special. I want WWE to give him one last moment in the spotlight because he deserves it and I think that WWE will!

     

    CM Punk vs Kane: I am not looking forward to this match at all. I hope that Kane wins but this match just seems pointless. They threw this together at the last minute as they needed more matches. I am expecting a prtty boring match here with Kane winning.

     

    I don't get why they didn't make another title match. They could still have made a Diva's, Women's, IC, US and Tag team title match. They may announce some more on Smackdown and on wwe.com and even some at Backlash but overall I think it is going to be a disapointment. Only 3 title matches! I won't e watching this live and really, I don't mind. Out of these matches I want to see Matt vs Jeff, Jericho vs Steamboat and maybe the ECW and World heavyweight title match. I think they should have had it next week as they new that they only really had 2 shows to make matches because of the draft! 
    

  • Blog post
  • 7 months ago
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• Characters Welcome

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

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

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

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

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

  • Blog post
  • 7 months ago
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• Mania Predictions

  • From: Orton
  • Description:

    My predictions are famously inaccurate hence why I rarely make any but given that its mania I shall endeavour to make the effort...

    Tag Team Unification Match.....

    In spite of every effort being made to make me give a shit about the Colons.....I don't. I'm sure it's a very respectable wrestling name but in this day and age having a tag team named after offal will enjoy no buys. With the only other credible tag team being preoccupied with the main event then hopefully Miz and Morrison will win and feud with Legacy down the line. I suspect I am hoping for too much here however.

    Rey V JBL

    Another difficult one. Rey has been boring for more years than I care to remember, I'm still haunted by the embarrassment of him being Heavyweight Champion. JBL clearly peaked around the Eddie feud period and despite somewhat of a renaissance against HBK I'd still rather see him back behind the announce desk. The outcome of this match probably hinges on the much vaunted 'Historical' happening we have been promised. I suspect this will be an almighty anticlimax however. I will hope it will be something positive for JBL and as a result he will lose this one prior to it. Rey for the win.

    MITB

    This may well be down to my personal preference as much as anything else here but unsurprisingly I'm going for Christian to win Money in the Bank. I suspect this alleged dislike of Christian by Vince is a smokescreen, I can't see why they'd bother hiring him just to bury him and its better for them to strike while the iron is hot and the fans are hot for the guy than later when he's probably a bit stale. As for the other competitors, Shelton is just there to provide this years spots as I suspect is Kofi. Henry.....Well I'm not sure that requires comment, they may as well have put Yokozuna in a ladder match ffs. Finlay is increasingly becoming an irrelevance particularly as he is seemingly shackled to little bastard for eternity. An argument could be made for any of the others winning I suppose but a win for any of the rest bar Kane just fills me full of meh so Christian it is.

    Jericho v Legends

    Seems to be nailed on this one. Jericho will beat two legends, get cheap shotted by Flair and Rourke and then end up losing. Probably to Piper as I suspect the Superfly would be the deah of Snuka. Legends win.

    Hardy v Hardy

    Come on Matt!!! Jeff wins, just because he and the bookers like to annoy me.

    Divas Match

    I fear Mae Young. On many levels. Having her win this would just be pissing on the efforts of all the other Divas so hopefully common sense prevails and Trish or one of the leading current Divas wins leading to a decent feud. I'll go with Trish.

    Triple Threat

    I really couldn't care less who wins. The feud bores me. Shows KO punch is a dreadful imitation of the punt and frankly he's looking a lot worse than when he returned. Cena needs better than this, Edge needs better than this. The whole thing just needs to die and be forgotten by Backlash but I fear that won't happen. Apparently Cena has filming to do, Show looks dreadful so I'll plump for Edge but in all honesty Vickie could win for all I care about this 'feud' right now.

    HBK/Taker

    Prior to this I really couldn't see myself having much interest in this. Silent Taker was boring me, HBK seemed on to a loser from the start but over the last few weeks Taker has opened his mouth and made me care again and HBK's mind games have been very, very well done so I'm now thoroughly looking forward to this one. If JBL is to do something relevant then he may have some involvement here but barring that I imagine after a hard fought brawl HBK will get Tombstoned and pinned leaving Taker the winner. Again.

    Orton/HHH

    I would sell my Grandmother for an Orton win. She's a bit senile now and thinks I have a daughter called Jack rather than a son called Jake so i wouldn't get much for her but that's neither here nor there. I am going to go against any sensible logic and predict an Orton win, presumeably with Vince screwing H and revealing that it was the plan all along. I suspect I'll be worng and H will win in a predictable manner without anything unorthodox happening but I live in hope.

  • Blog post
  • 7 months ago
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• WrestleMania Memories

  • From: VWWE
  • Description:

    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.

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