On Monday, September 29, 2008 at 2:27 AM EST
It's been a while since the Palace has barked its opinions, so allow me the opportunity, if you would be so kind.
First off, congratulations go out to the Wrestleview administration for the new design. It's very attractive. Also, congratulations to Hunter and Tom for their respective promotions. I hope Hunter can understand that I'm not exactly, well, um, nevermind, I better not go there. Anyways....
In the not too distant future, expect a review of the "Best of Dragon Gate, Volume One" Double DVD. I have not made it private knowledge that I am very interested in Japanese puroresu, and with this release coinciding with Dragon Gate's recent invasion of the west coast, this is the chance for me to finally see some of the talents that I have only read about. I have not had the chance to see the whole thing yet, I only got it saturday, but what I have seen, I have enjoyed immensely. The one difference with Japanese wrestling compared to the US, which may be a contradiction, but I don't care, is the Japanese product is extremely fast and emotional, while the American product focuses a little too much on stories, and not enough on athleticism. I have also noted some assemblance of laughter in the product from Japan, which is often difficult to see on television in the United States.
Staying on the topic of Japanese wrestling, I was asked in an email about my reaction to WWE signing former New Japan wrestler Naofumi Yamamoto. My answers to that is kind of complicated. I personally am not familiar with Yamamoto's work, as my exposure to New Japan has been limited to mostly the TNA Global Impact DVD. While I have had more exposure to NOAH and Dragon Gate wrestlers, I would tend to believe that if Yamamoto was allowed to be himself, and not have to adapt to WWE standards of wrestling, I think the signing would be an advantage.
What I mean by WWE's standard of wrestling, is I firmly believe WWE trains their talents in Florida to take a significant edge off their arsenal of moves in a vain attempt to curtail injuries. I think the first attempt they have made in lessening these mandates has been with Matt "Evan Bourne" Sydal, because I would have believed when he went in to WWE developmental, that he would have come out a much different combatant. Apparently, WWE may have seen the light a little bit, and allowed a guy like Bourne to showcase his true talents. I would believe, if Yamamoto is allowed to showcase his true abilities, then anything is possible. If he's forced to adapt to the WWE style, well, then your guess is as good as mine.
I guess my pipe dream that was beginning to blossom by the NWA title being defended (and changed hands twice) in ROH rings has come and gone, as ROH has parted ways with Adam Pearce, new NWA World Champion, as a cost cutting measure. While I respect the budget of ROH, and the need to, at times, trim the finances, I don't think this was good for business, as the name recognition of the NWA would have surely benefited ROH, short term and long term. I also noted from lurking on the ROH message boards that they recently postponed a tour in Florida for next weekend. The reaction was less than stellar, which leads me to believe that, well, nevermind, I don't want to say it because I'm sure the new admins at WV would not be pleased if I truly said what I felt regarding the reaction to the postponement of ROH's Florida shows.
MOVING ON....
I had thought the idea to bring TNA's Video Game main character, "Suicide" in to the live product would be an awesome idea to build up the reputation of the game, but apparently, that has been scuttled with Frankie Kazarian's recent injury. It's really sad, too, because I would have supported this idea immensely, as I thought it was thinking outside the box and innovative. Now, if they do bring Kazarian back as the Suicide character when he returns, it's going to be so late in the game it won't have half the impact it would have if he had been able to do this gimmick presently. It's a shame too, because I think it would have bolstered sales of the game, which I have grown to enjoy tremendously, once finishing the story mode.
I am really disappointed with the WWE's lack of use with regard to Colt "Scotty Goldman" Cabana. While I am incredibly happy for Cabana to have made it to the WWE main roster, his "jobber" status makes me think that nobody in creative has any clue what this guy can do, and that is a mistake. I have seen this man get hardcore in matches with Homicide of LAX back in ROH, and I have seen this man do comedy like nobody's business with Delirious back in ROH. To me that is the complete package, if you can run the gamut between both of those extremes. To have a guy with that much talent jobbing to a walking tree trunk like the Great Khali is as big a miscarriage of justice there is. Hopefully, somebody at WWE will see the light, but frankly, I doubt it. I am kind of disappointed that Punk hasn't spoken up and wanted to see Cabana work with him as a tag team partner. I can see the Saints reuniting in WWE a hell of a lot more than I can see CM Punk teaming up with Kofi Kingston.
Which brings me to CM Punk. How the mighty have fallen. From wanting revenge on Randy Orton and Chris Jericho for basically stealing the World Heavyweight Championship from him at Unforgiven, to finding a partner to go after DiBiase and Rhodes for the World Tag Team Championship. What did Punk do to deserve such a demotion? It's mind boggling how one minute you can be main eventing a pay per view, and the next moment, you're in the opening dark match of a Raw house show. It's pathetic how stupidly WWE suits use some of their more talented competitors.
I've read the reports of how the young stars on Smackdown are not enjoying the treatment that the Game has been giving them, and that the Game is using these tactics as a political ploy to piss off the Undertaker, to eventually lead the Game and the Dead Man to a match at Wrestlemania, where Trips beats Undertaker for the first time. Obviously, I'm no source, and I don't intend to say that I ever could be one, but if there's a shred of truth in these findings, then I have lost a lot of respect for Triple H. H can be one of the top dogs on the brand for his resume alone, and it speaks volumes to the younger guys, but to publicly humiliate them when they need all the help they can get to connect with the fans is really kind of low. Hopefully, the dust will settle on this problem before it becomes a whirling tornado.
I have to talk briefly about the WWE title match at No Mercy. I am stunned, and I will say I am wrong, right here and now. I said when Jeff Hardy returned from his latest stint of suspension after violating the wellness policy that he wouldn't sniff the WWE title again. Obviously, I am mistaken. And, unfortunately, so is he. I believe whole heartedly that Jeff had a legitimate shot to unseat the Game and take the big gold strap home to North Carolina following his trip to the Rose Garden, but I believe whatever deeds that occurred in the Nashville airport to make a newsworthy story has taken that chance away from Jeff. WWE has to be scared blind to put that type of responsibility on someone's shoulders who is not reliable. And whether you like it or not, Jeff Hardy is not a reliable source to take the responsibility of a major championship in this company. I also would like to see a little more animosity grow during this feud, which leads me to believe even more that the Game will triumph. Whether its in Portland, or down the road, Jeff Hardy's chances to win the WWE Championship dwindled when that plane left Nashville, Tennessee, and he wasn't on it.
Batista is frustrated, and wants time off. Well, two things of note here. One, I think I would be frustrated too, if I was involved in vignettes with Santino Marella. I know people are gonna say they love this guy, but I don't see it. Two, I can relate if Batista is severely sore and banged up, and needs to heal. However, with the product in as big a transition period as it has been, regardless of his reactions from the fans, I would think Batista would do wise to shut up, get with the program, and keep doing what he's doing. He's obviously still a major draw inside the WWE Universe, and to pull out now because he's upset about his spot on the show is really rather patheitc. WWE gave this guy a win over their top dog, their absolute top dog, before he got hurt, at Summerslam, and Batista's still not satisfied. To me, that smells like a one word answer. Primadonna. That's something nobody needs or deserves in the wrestling business.
Let's peek at the card for the MyNetwork TV debut of Smackdown. Santino Marella vs. Shelton Benjamin. Man, this is a mismatch in every level. Beth Phoenix better figure out a way to make this match more even sided, because Shelton's gonna kill Santino. And from where I sit, I'm gonna enjoy seeing the US champion dismantle the so called Intercontinental champion.
Divas Champion Michelle McCool vs. Women's Champion Beth Phoenix. I don't see how McCool can win this match, as Phoenix outperforms McCool in virtually every aspect. I think Smackdown will lose this one, and lose it huge.
JBL, Kendrick. MVP & Kane vs. Finlay, Rey, Jeff & Batista. First off, Kendrick oughta be thanking the good Lord above that he's getting this main event push. I don't know how he's gotten it, but he has, and to his credit, he's done pretty well with it. Finlay being on this eight man is kind of a surprise, but hey, he loves to fight, and I got zero problems seeing it. The rest of this doesn't really thrill me, but it's not too bad. Eight mans are never easy to call because they always turn in to cluster bombs.
Jericho vs. The Game vs. Matt Hardy. This is probably Matt's biggest match since winning the ECW title. With Mark Henry looming on the horizon, is Matt going to overlook the WWE and World Champions? He better not, or he's going to get his ass kicked. It's going to surprise me if there's a clean winner here, because I would be shocked if WWE would put one champion over the other, but if there's going to be one, I would think Jericho would beat Matt first. But, one way or another, it's going to be fun to see how this match unfolds.
Speaking of Matt, there's a report about which diva Matt is currently dating. Question, has the internet wrestling community turned in to TMZ? WHO CARES! I don't. So, I won't go any further in to it.
A little TNA chat. Question. Is it policy in Total Non Stop Action to always allow Sting a world title match at Bound For Glory? I mean, think about it, Sting gets the shot this year, he had the shot last year against Angle, and two years ago, he had the shot against Jarrett. Hello, is this getting a little redundant ladies and gentlemen? Please! I mean, in both other cases, Sting won the gold, and I don't think that'll be the case here, but come on, how about a little more variety, Jeff? Is it possible? Can we do that please? Why the hell hasn't AJ Styles had a shot at the World title? He's been out of the loop since the NWA dropped the ball. How about putting your BEST ATHLETE back in to the mix for the top prize in your company? Isn't that going to be GOOD FOR BUSINESS? I would think so, and I would tend to believe that most other readers and fans of this column would too.
The X Division title match at Bound For Glory. Sheik Abdul "Don't call me Daivari" Bashir vs. Consequences "Apollo" Creed. Um. Ok, variety is good, don't get me wrong on that one, but why the hell does this match have to go down at all when you have the former TerrorDome on the card? PUT THE BELT ON THE LINE IN THE DOME! At least there you got a reason to put these two guys in to the card, and have more other WELL KNOWN X Division stars alongside them. (Petey, Sonjay, Curry Man, Eric Young, etc.) I just don't think a title match on the biggest card of the year for TNA needs to be this meaningless. And truthfully, the X title match at BFG is meaningless. Especially with the Dome match also on the card.
However, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the idea of the tag team monster's ball title match. Storm & Roode vs. LAX vs. Abyss & Morgan vs. 3D is BEAUTIFUL. Chaos, weapons, blood, and gore unleashed. This will make me buy the DVD. No question about it.
Anyways, that's all for now. I know I'm going to have more in the coming days and weeks, but its been nearly two weeks since I yelled, and with the new design, it was time to make my contribution. SO, here it is. Hope you liked it.
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