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Pro's from the Palace (#52) - The Junior Nightmare & Raw Roster Tidbits |
» Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
» On Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 1:59 AM EST
Ok, for the first time in a while, a topic has really gotten to me. So here we go.
Have we reverted back to the 1980's? I mean, let's think about this...
WWE has taken so many legends, and either A) brought them back to television in some inexplicable role of no consequence, or B), had them wrestle well past their prime. Now, the brand that needs the most help, even though they have probably one of my most favorites on it, and quite frankly, possibly the MVP of the WWE outside of the Undertaker, that being the US Champion Chris Benoit, Friday Night Smackdown is introducing the Juniors Division.
Now, before anyone says a word about anything. I am not prejudice against ANYONE. I have friends of all shapes, sizes, and every possible variable that you can think of. That is not my point here. My point is this. Wrestling, I think, according to the WWE has become more E than W. More entertainment than wrestling. I just got done watching Impact this week, and I have purchased three out of the four DVDs from TNA that were released in the stores. That, my friends, is some of the best WRESTLING that the country has to offer, yet Vincent Kennedy McMahon thinks its best to engulf a new era on Raw with his entire family stifling that brand till it coughs up its last breath, and the blue and white brand, painfully desperate for some marketable talent, is bringing midgets to compete on prime time television.
I sound like Andrew Dice Clay talking about this. I think it's dispicible. No, I got nothing at all against ANYONE, AND I DO MEAN ANYONE trying to compete, and make a living in sports, and sports entertainment whatsoever. But, do I want to see it on friday nights? It's bad enough with Smackdown on friday nights, I barely watch it anymore because I'm normally out with my kids, and then when I get back, Smackdown is last on my mind. Then, when I look to watch recaps, Velocity is on the web, which is tuff for someone with an antique dial up connection, and Experience is now in the trash-heap, thanks to the merger back to USA, so I guess I'm out of luck. But, maybe that's a blessing in disguise, because now we got midgets.
Gimmicks are one thing. Specialty matches are another thing. Injuries are a part of this business. But this, this is getting insane. When will WWE realize that WRESTLING is the reason people like you, me, and the person sitting next to you are turning on the television to watch their programming. To watch person A beat up person B within an inch of their preverbial life, and then brag about it. Does the person have to be 2 feet tall? I mean, is it supposed to be funny? Is it supposed to be legitimate competition? You can't sit here and tell me with a straight face that a "juniors division" match will not end up being anything more than a comedy festival. You can't do it. You'd be lying through your teeth.
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe these talents have a place in the business. But, let's think about this. WWE releases a boat load of talent, who are trickling in to their competition, and who do they replace them with? Unrecognizable talent that are significantly less aesthitcally pleasing to the eye. Meanwhile, down in Florida, guys like the Dudleys, Gail Kim, soon to be Jackie Gayda, and Shannon Moore are on the virge of getting championship style pushes in TNA storylines that seem to focus more on who gets beat up first rather than who gets kicked in the gonads first. Sorry, boys and girls, but at this rate, you won't be hearing me talk about WWE much longer, period, outside of my periodic quests to meet the talents that do signings near me. Speaking of that, November 11th, 6pm to 8pm, CARLITO and ASHLEY come by to do an appearance. I am torn which belt for Carlito to sign, the US belt or the IC belt. How bout both? Click here to check out the site of the appearance.
Anyway, I thought, to try and keep this a WWE based column, and not continue to rant and rave as to how much I am loving TNA and ROH, I'd go through the rosters and give a one sentence thought as to their current progress....
Ok?
Let's do this:
RAW:
John Cena - Simply put, the franchise of the WWE. The high player, the money maker, the gold bringer. He's got it, everyone wants it, and I don't suspect he's gonna lose it, anytime soon. By the way, sorry about the pun, Shane Douglas.
Ric Flair - On his twilight run as Intercontinental champion. Thrilled that he has one more shot as a singles champion, but his time has long since past. Hopefully, his run with the Game will be his swansong. A legendary career needs to go out on a flourish, not a whimper.
Trish Stratus - What exactly does Trish have to do? Nobody's left to compete with outside of Victoria and a one legged screwball with red hair. Torrie's not in Trish's league as a wrestler, so what happens with the women's title? Good question.
Cade & Murdoch - The World Tag Team Champions. Have they defended the belts yet since they won them? And, have they appeared on Raw since they won them? Answer, I don't think so. Does the tag title mean you're automatically relegated to Heat?
The Heart Throbs - Perennial runner ups in the weakness that is the WWE Tag Team Division.
Ashley Massaro - If she trains hard, she has potential, but right now, wrestling is just really not her cup of tea.
Big Show - He's a good face, don't get me wrong, and his slimmed down physique makes him less awkward in the ring, but what has he really gone through lately? Snitsky? Not much to provide a real impact on Raw.
Candice Michelle - Beautiful. Goregous. Ravishing. But not a competitor.
Carlito - Has turned in to one of the best heels on Raw. And possibly even one of the best heels in WWE.
Chris Masters - If he is smart and has the passion, his time with Flair and Michaels should help his development. He still has a lot to learn. He's not there yet, by a long shot.
Danny Basham - He still has a job? I see the Damaja (or is it the Machine) is returning back in Louisville. So much for his time on prime time television.
Edge - This guy is a real prick. Plain and simple. He's not a heel, he's a sleazeball. I hope WWE doesn't plan a title run for this one soon. But I fear they will.
Eric Bischoff - Another professional at being obnoxious. I can say I hate him, but he does his job beautifully. Has to have been, for being the sole GM to remain in post since the beginning of the brand extension.
Eugene - The gimmick worked well at the beginning up to Taboo Tuesday last year. His time as a tag champ with Regal was also enjoyable. Since then, what has Dinsmore really been able to do? Not much.
Snitsky - Come on, does this guy really deserve to be employed with this company?
Hulk Hogan - At way over the 50 year mark, this one needs to have his wrestling gear burned.
Jerry Lawler - I wonder if Jim Ross's departure will affect his performance. Odds are, I think so.
Johnny Parisi - A former independent superstart who has dwindled in to obscurity in WWE.
Coach - Why is Coach listed as a superstar?
Kane - What will they do with Kane? That will be the only way I can properly address his character. He's gotta be fuming after how Matt Hardy stole his spotlight, literally.
Kerwin White - Explain to me how this is supposed to be effective. I can't see it.
Kurt Angle - Arguably, one of the best in the business today. A pure hall of fame competitor.
Lilian Garcia - Talented, but is she a superstar too? I thought superstars were supposed to be competitors.
Lita - I guess with her reputation and repetoire of ending careers, they decided to not let this one wrestle again, because she's too lethal. I really have no respect for her character, or her person, after what we've seen and heard.
Maria Kanellis - Dump this dumb blonde routine. She is hotter than a pistol. They don't try to make this one compete, which is the right thing to do. Let her do what she is best doing. Being hot.
Matt Striker - If Striker is ever given the chance, dollars to doughnuts says he will flourish. The problem is getting that chance.
Mick Foley - I think when all is said and done, Foley will realize he made a mistake resigning with the WWE.
Rene Dupree - Has he had any success since the breakup of La Resistance, or has he just been the bouncing ball between shows?
Rob Conway - Anyone with the cahones to wear those tights needs applause. He has a plethora of potential. Hopefully WWE lets him use it.
Rob Van Dam - I hope WWE doesn't do what they are prone to doing, fire their injured talent. Although I think Mark Henry has been injured longer than the size of the Mississippi River, so I guess anything is possible.
Rosey & The Hurricane - Since their loss of the tag titles, where have they gone? Obscurity? I think so.
Shawn Michaels - See Kurt Angle.
Shelton Benjamin - Someone who the WWE is royally screwing. Big time. Why? Because they're not letting the man be athletic. And it's repulsive.
Stone Cold - Are they gonna let Austin compete again with his neck and knees? Who knows. Should he? Nope. But, he's a wrestler. Sigh.
Tajiri - He lost his partner (Regal), he lost his henchmen (Akio & Sakoda), he has no role, and not much of a storyline. Could be the next one on the chopping block.
The Rock - Why is he still listed on this page?
Todd Grisham - What the hell is this guy doing on this page in the first place, period?
Torrie Wilson - Nowhere near the league of wrestler to challenge for gold.
Triple H - If we get the Triple H who does what he does to Ric Flair day in day out, then Triple H is the best heel in wrestling period. If we get the Evolution Triple H again, he turns in to a joke. He is the best, when he wants to be. I hope he wants it now, because it's there for him to take.
Tyson Tomko - How does this tattooed freak still have a job?
Val Venis - A good competitor, but a B-lister at best. I am surprised he has survived this long.
Victoria - The only other true ladies wrestler on the entire Raw roster.
Viscera - I think his days are numbered.
Next chapter of the palace, I'll go through my thoughts on the Smackdown superstars.
Click here to drop a dime.
KImosabe, Sumo!?!????!??
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