Jack Swagger: Top of the Mountain

I must be honest, when I first saw Swagger in ECW, I was not super impressed but it did not take long for him to grow on me. Clearly, he is a pure athlete with God-given talent for the sport of Wrestling as well as everything else he has ever tried. I felt he was an interesting champion on ECW and had the potential to move up the ladder on either RAW or Smackdown. When he was moved around and didn’t really do much as far as feuds or  being pushed I think many fans sort of wrote him off. Well, maybe that isn’t a fair thing to say. Written off may not be the proper term, but I think fans expected him to just job and be buried. I know I did. Further more, I did not ever expect him to win Money in the Bank at Wrestlemania 26…never did I think that would be the case. Once he did, I thought they would just let him float along and ultimately lose the case, yet I was very wrong. And I am very glad that I was so wrong…because now Jack Swagger is World Heavyweight Champion on Smackdown!

I feel the way he won the title was absolutely brilliant. Defeating a “injured” and fallen Jericho after being speared by Edge. Then going directly into a feud with both of them only to come out looking stronger then ever. I don’t know what the future holds for the performer or the title itself, but I hope he proves not to be a short-term champion. Barring some sort of major injury, I feel he has a long career ahead of him. I certainly hope so.

The Monday Night Wars: Round 2

TNA made a bold move when they decided to bring in Hogan and Bischoff…it showed they wanted to make huge moves and wanted to gain more of an audience with these huge names. Then they decided they would take the fight directly to WWE by offering an alternative to Monday Night RAW. Yes, it was a bold move. However, it was not the smartest thing they could have done in the course of things this year so far. Granted, their numbers have not been superb since switching back to Thursday night either. They simply do not have the financial ability to keep up with Vince McMahon and his juggernaut company. As a fan, I want TNA to succeed but they are making things very hard for loyal fans; much less the casual viewer. In short, the second round of the “Monday Night Wars” was very lack0-luster and a huge mistake to say the least. Better luck next time guys.

The “Heart Break Kid” Shawn Michaels

Like so many fans that have grown to love the product and sport of professional wrestling, I was and am a fan of Shawn Michaels. He was one of the few performers left from when I was growing up that still made it all real to me. So many things have been said over the years about Michaels and his work in the ring…so much so that I could never do his accomplishments justice even if I tried. I know he will be a Hall of Famer at some point and he will also always be hailed as one of the best ever to grace the sport. I agree with all of that and even more when it comes to the career of Shawn Michaels. He was one of those veterans that did not have to have a title to be in the spotlight. He was one that could work with anyone on the roster and put together something close to a masterpiece.

As Wrestlemania 26 came about,I never actually thought he would be leaving. Somehow, someway, I thought that there would be some sort of double count out or double DQ…something that did not kill the Streak or the Career. But this was not to be as we all saw the events unfold during the main event. Some people say it was not as good of a match as the previous year, however, I feel there was a different story to tell this time around. A story of two battle tested veterans putting an exclamation point on a wonderful career coming to an end. Like many others, I cried openly as HBK has always been one of my heroes over the years. Honestly, I cried harder than when Ric Flair “retired” a few years back. To be even more open about it, that entire week was very emotional for me as I am sure it was for so many other fans. I am just so happy and  honored to be able to be a part of the HBK era.

There will never be another performer quite like him in the ring or on the microphone. He will certainly be missed by myself and well as millions of others. Thank you Shawn Michaels.

NXT—My Thoughts

Like many, when the announcement came down that ECW would be ending, I was disappointed and rather disheartened. For quite some time ECW has provided a great deal of WWE’s weekly televised quality and that is a fact. I’m not saying every single angle or match was pure gold but for the most part it was a quality brand that let young talent rise. In a way, I was sad to see it go but I know that the business has to evolve and change and become something different.

I can not lie , when I first heard about the concept of NXT thoughts of Tough Enough immediately ran through my brain. I will further admit that I found Tough Enough fascinating at the time, NXT seems a far more sophisticated way to present a reality/sports-entertainment show. I am a fan of the concept and presentation thus far. With only one episode aired currently, there is no way to predict the future but it is definitely interesting.

NXT caught my attention from the beginning because it is new and fresh and I wanted to see just how it would move forward. I love the pairing of The Miz and Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson)…WWE creative knew putting them together would set a fire in the internet wrestling community and it did just that. Certainly a brilliant idea to have them at odds from the very start. I very much appreciate the fact that WWE did not try to hide Danielson’s  Indy background and history. I think that was one thing that made me want to watch even further into the program at that point.

Another positive point was having Matt Striker host while Josh Matthews and Michael Cole call the action. It seems to me that this is the time for Cole to shine…being the dismissive heel commentator seem to suit him just fine. It feels as if it gives him that extra tiny bit of depth that he was always missing.  I have always seen him as a good commentator, yet it always felt like he was being carried by his partners. In my view, this will help him reach the very top of his game.

Obviously, I feel Bryan Daniel will excel simply because of who he is and the talent he possesses. I thought Heath Slater had a good look and seemed to be right where he should be skill-wise. I’m not sure if he would ever been someone to headline in the WWE but he could have a career. Michael Tarver looked like he was already a star: He sounded great, looked great, and appeared to be confident in the ring. I look for good things out of him. At this moment I feel that David Otunga will be the breakout on the show…this young man looks like he is carved out of stone to say the least. He easily has the look and he sounds like a pro on the mic to my ears. Seeing on the squash match he was involved didn’t give me any sort of idea what skills he might have. Yet again, I see nothing but good things coming from him.

The main event was great having Bryan Daniel vs Chris Jericho. Good for television and good to hype the show in general. My only complaint is that it was a bit short but understandable so. They wanted to progress the drama between Miz and Bryan. Overall, I think it is a great show and a phenomenal concept. I look forward to seeing more.

R.I.P Survivor Series

I have stated on more than one occasion that I have been a wrestling fan for the majority of my life, since I was three years old in fact. One of the stables of many of those years was watching Survivor Series on Thanksgiving Night after a big meal. Of course, the event changed nights as the years progressed but remained in the month of November. This ppv was one of the bigger event of the year for quite some time. The Royal Rumble, Wrestlemania, Summer Slam, and Survivor Series were the shows I always wanted to see every year. Even in the later years when they decided to run at least one ppv a month if not more.

Currently the WWE has made a change to freshen things up by promoting and putting on gimmick style events. They means that some changes had to be made and some ppv’s had to be dropped or revamped. As we all know, for many years, Survivor Series was actually a gimmick show way before the concept really took off. With such history and brand-name recognition, it seems that this show could have been placed back as it once was. These days story-lines move a great deal faster than they once did so some of the old ideas don’t exactly transfer to the modern product. Yet, I can;t help but shake my head at the idea that Survivor Series would be scrapped. Maybe I am a bit too old school in my thinking but I feel like it was one that could have and should have stood the test of time….even in today’s current market, product, and audience. I will certainly miss it as a supporter and fan of wrestling/sports-entertainment.

The State of TNA Wrestling

Everyone knows that Hogan and Bischoff signed a huge deal with TNA and debuted back on January 4th. This certainly caused a great deal of publicity for the company and for Hogan…bringing news fans and raising the hopes of those already on board. Was this move a mistake? Maybe and maybe not: Yet there have been a few changes that have been nothing but dumb on the part of TNA management.

Getting rid of the trade-mark six-sided ring was a huge mistake in my view. Of course, this was just one thing that sent TNA apart from every other company but it was easily the most visible. I feel like this was just one step in a strange direction for this company. Another is going head to head with WWE on Monday nights…TNA does not have the following or the money to compete with Vince and his juggernaut. I want Dixie Carter and TNA to be successful and make as much money as possible; at the same time, they have to fact facts and understand that they are not on the same financial level as McMahon and WWE as a whole. This is unfortunate but undeniably true.

I have been a TNA fan for years and I feel that they are a better company over all but I am realistic enough to know that they starting another Monday Night War is not very smart.Yes, competition is wonderful. Yes, having more than one option is something that many true wrestling fans want. Yes, two companies feeding off of each other can only improve the products for both.  I feel they the work rate and over all talent is far better than what WWE showcases…I have stated this many times in the past. I love that TNA has grown and expanded over the years and I love that they have a solid tv deal and a two-time slot: Clearly, all these things benefit them in many ways.

There is a huge problem I have with TNA currently is that they are starting to move away from show casing tag team wrestling. They are moving away from the X Division and only leaving room for the bigger guys and the World Title situation. At one time, TNA was a grab back of all of these things and that is what drew me in at the beginning. I love how much attention Hogan can bring to the table but I certainly feel things are moving in the wrong direction. However, I still feel they have a great deal to offer if a few things were changed around just a little. A few tweaks, and they are back in the running. The coming weeks will tell the tale after they switch to Monday nights. We all all see then.

The Best of 2009—My Thoughts

A great deal comes to mind when I think of wrestling and sports-entertainment there has been alot of good and alot of bad. Like any business or entertainment entity, no one has all the answers. With all the highs and lows, there has been some damn good things happens this year. Of course this is all how I see it, so let’s get right to it.I will run down things in Total Nonstop Action and World Wrestling Entertainment.

Breakout Star of the year

WWE: Kofi Kingston

Kingston proved he was ready for the big time by defending his Intercontinental Title on numerous occasions and damn near stealing the show every single time he did. I don’t remember seeing him involved with a bad match all year…my memory could be fuzzy…but I stand behind that statement. Even after dropping the belt, he went on to feud heavily with Randy Orton, which is still ongoing as I write this. I feel this will either cement him as a main even player or have him stuck in mid-card status from now on. I feel that he will become a bigger name and possible even become a World Champion one day.

TNA: Eric Young

Some people might think that is a strange choice but I feel it is perfectly justified. Allow me to explain…Remember when he was a member of Team Canada? Remember when he was Super Eric? Remember when he was afraid of him own pyro? Thankfully those days are long gone since he became the leader of the World Elite. Whether or not you like him or the faction itself, you must admit that he is far better suited with a more serious character. It doesn’t hurt me feelings any that he plays a great heel: Furthermore, I like the fact that he seems so comfortable on the mic. I like the fact that he won the Legends Title and renamed it. I just like him all around and I would like to see him pushed higher.

Tag Team of the Year

WWE: JeriShow (Chris Jericho & Big Show)

Is there any doubt in anyone’s mind that they dominated both RAW and Smackdown respectively? They were the perfect marriage of speed and power…of the big mouth bully and the often quiet giant. Both are veterans of the wrestling game and can pretty much with anyone there is. Even in the sad tag division in the WWE lately, they still managed to run through everyone and look good doing it. I wanted them to hold the Unified Tag Titles until at least Wrestlemania…but that was no to be. Still, I feel Jericho and Big Show were a perfect match for each other, for the WWE fans, and for ratings

TNA: Beer Money

Those that really know me should not be surprised by this choice at all. I love both Robert Roode and James Storm and have been very vocal about it for some time now. They just make sense to me because they are both so damn good in the ring and on the mic. Faces or heels, it just doesn’t matter because they can work with anyone at anytime. Having held the TNA World Tag Titles on three (3) different occasions tells me that they will be at the time of the mountain again.

Comeback of the Year

WWE: The Undertaker

The Dead Man always returns with such fury and fanfare that I can’t help but be in awe. He is always at the top of his game whether in the title picture or not…that is what I appreciate most. He is such a professional at making everyone look great and still appear dominate. This has worked for years and I want to see it continue to work for many more. We all know the Phenom always delivers and that is an absolute fact. His ability allows him to come right back in and main event without too many people questioning why he is there. I am so glad to have him back on WWE television.

TNA: Christopher Daniels

Truth be told, he wasn’t really gone at all but his absence left a hole nonetheless. Sure, he did a decent job as Suicide and I found him quite entertaining as Curry Man. Even knowing he was there and on television was pretty cool but there is nothing and no one that can replace the Fallen Angel. He has been one of my favorite wrestlers for many years now and I am so happy to see him back on weekly programs as himself. I would also like to see him win at least one World Title in TNA…that would be nice.

Match of the Year

WWE: The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 25

I have watched this match at least ten times and I see something new every single time. Two pure veterans doing what they do best….Steal the show. I can run down all the praise and build the match up all day, but it is nothing like actually seeing it with your own eyes. It was pure magic that unfolded on WWE’s biggest stage of the year. I have said this before: Shawn Michaels can wrestle a broom and put on show that few could imagine. The Undertaker can make anyone look good without appearing weak. Both men know what it’s like to be on top of the world, both me know what it is like to be in a big money situation, and both men know how to deliver the good every single time. If you have no seen this match, do yourself a huge favor, go find it.

TNA: A.J. Styles vs Sting at Bound For Glory

Might seem like an odd choice to some but I have reasons. One reason is that A.J. was champion again and being booked as I felt he should be booked. Another reason is that Sting seemed to be nearing the end of his career and it seemed this just might be his last match. Even though A.J. has been in the business for some time a good number of people still see him as new blood; while Sting represented the old school element…the Icon…the Legend. It was a passing of the torch in my eyes and it was a very special moment in the history o the company, not to mention in the careers of both men. Once again, don’t take my word for it…actually go watch the match and see for yourself.

Diva/Knockout of the Year

WWE: Mickie James

I feel like she took Trish’s place when she left for good and that is not a bad thing at all. I feel that she is not only talented but good for tv as a whole. She is more than eye candy and certainly more than just some model that learned a few moves. Maybe I just really like Mickie but I think she is a great champion and can only get better. I think having her on Smackdown is a welcome change.

TNA: Angelina Love

Even though she is not currently with the company, I feel that she was easily the top Knockout. I love her bratty leadership of the Beautiful People and I loved her reign as champion. She is far better in the ring than Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne (although they have gotten better)…and worlds more talented and better looking that Lacey von Erich. I miss her on iMPACT each week and honestly hope she will return before long.

Superstar of the Year

WWE: Jeff Hardy

His feud with CM Punk made for damn near flawless television on Friday nights. The Daredevil vs the Straight Edge Superstar made so much sense in so many ways…Jeff was riding the biggest wave of his career while Punk was getting all the heat you could ever want in the best possible way. The wonderful match they had at Summerslam was a staging point for the emotional departure of Hardy from the WWE. It all worked and worked so well on so many different levels. Great television and great pay-per-view matches as well. Jeff Hardy finally got to the level so many people felt he should be at. I miss the guy and hope he can get everything sorted out and make a nice return.

TNA: Kurt Angle

Who didn’t Kurt wrestle and have consistently great matches with? Not only was he a champion but I felt he was a true ring general as he has been in  past years. No matter what company he happens to be in, Kurt Angle is a complete professional in the ring. I feel he has had plenty of matches with the best and consistently rises to the top of the heap. Doesn’t matter who he feuds with or what story line he is involved in, expect the very best from Mr. Angle. He has and continues to perform a top-notch level.

TNA vs WWE

January 4th 2010 will mark a historic day in the business life of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling…There reason being, if you have been under a rock, is that they will be running a three-hour show head-to-head with World Wrestling Entertainment. In my humble opinion, this is a very bold move on the part of TNA management since WWE is the standard in sports-entertainment today. Will this be another Monday Night War Era? Will this be a throw back to the Attitude Era or another very spirited period of competition between the two companies? I know that there is plenty for TNA to lose by running their program during that time slot…especially against WWE. This could be very, very good for them or very bad since there are so many eyes on their product currently. Since Hogan made the jump there are fans that would’ve never watched TNA before taking a look and liking what they are seeing. Knowing what I know, this will not break TNA if the Monday show does not come off like they want it to. Yet, it will be superb if the rating are there to support their superior in-ring skills.

One things is for sure, TNA will be around for a while so it is very important for them to take chances that will get them premium exposure. If they continue to deliver the action and consistent story-lines…which some do need to be revised, since no wrestling promotion is perfect…but TNA knows how to let their guys and gals work. Anyone can sit around and say how they would book and push certain talent and I no different, yet is another thing altogether to actually run a promotion successfully. And I think TNA has done a good job of building themselves up out of nothing. I wish them luck.

John Cena is Good Business

There has been so much debate on whether or not John Cena can actually wrestle or not. There has been much speculation that he is a protected superstar. And there are plenty of fans that simply do not like him either because of his look, character, or mic skills. Regardless, he has been a prominent figure in the main event scene since his Wrestlemania match with JBL in 2004. I suppose he is not for everyone but he is certainly very visible: Some fans cheer while others boo and that is what defines him in this modern time. Let me explain…

Clearly, if fans love him they will buy tickets and merchandise and PPVs to see him in action. This is good business any way you look at it. The fans that boo him will pay in the hopes to see him get beat down at every turn. For WWE, it is a win-win situation. I understand that this formula is nothing new since the wrestling business has been running straight ahead for many decades. It was done with Ric Flair of course and a host of other over the years. This is only a good thing in my view.

Not since “Stone Cold” Steve Austin have I seen a superstar that had the pure charisma and all around talent to draw and make the crowds react. I’m not talking about wrestling style or move sets, I’m talking about-face value and the ability  to move units. The last few years have been the best times in a long time for WWE in the sense that he has been the face of new fans and a new time. Clearly the Attitude Era has come and gone and with that wave came many new fans and many fans turned out after the fact. Knowing that times have changed and WWE has created a new star that has stood and delivered on many, many occasions. In my opinion he can only get better and continue to rise. Yes indeed…John Cena is good for business.

Hogan and TNA Wrestling II

Ever since my last blog about Hogan signing with Total Nonstop Action more than one person has shared very negative opinions with me about the subject. I understand how this could turn certain people off, since there are quite a few less than positive opinions floating around about Hogan. There are those that feel it was solely Hogan’s fault that WCW collapsed or that he refused to work with certain people for political reasons or they simply don’t appreciate him as a person. Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I feel that there is such a thing as being unimformed. Every since the announcement was made public, the internet wrestling community has been abuzz with all sorts of rumors and  speculation as to what his role may be and/or what he may do in the ring and backstage. So far, all I know is that he has signed with the company and it has been very good for TNA so far.

The reason I even deciced to write this blog is as follows: A good friend of mine expressed his opinion to me on this subject and it was all negative. Let me explain…He was a huge wrestling fan in the late 90′s and early 2000′s. You know, basically he rode the wave of the Attitude Era and The Monday Night Wars, along with the hardcore acton that ECW had to offer. Ever since ECW and WCW went out of business he pretty much stopped watching. Since Shawn Michaels was retired, his favorite wrestler by the way, he had no real reason to watch anymore. And on top of that, you guessed it, he is not a Hogan. He told me that WWF/WWE had killed everything that he ever loved about wrestling…which didn’t make much since to me since he absolutely refused to explain it. No, he does not watch WWE, TNA, or ROH currently…he does however watch Dragon Gate when the ppv’s air becasue another friend of ours told him it was good. He has not sense of what is good or bad currently because he refused to even give WWE or TNA a reasonable chance to know if it is watchable or not. Therefore I feel his opinion and attitude about the current product are both uninformed and somewhat closed-minded. After all, some things have changed since the Monday Night Wars ended. On top of this my friend is not the only one that has expressed this opinion to me. I could be wrong but I feel if you don’t what the current product then you don’t really have an opinion on what is good or bad.

Thanks for reading.