Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
On Friday, January 19, 2007 at 3:02 AM EST

After 11 talents walked the plank in WWE yesterday, It's only fitting to provide a little opinion as to the reasons behind the releases, and what is next for the company as a whole.

By the way, credit to Adam Martin and Martin H. (I don't remember how to spell your name), for the use of the title...thanks much, guys. :)

SYLVESTER TERKAY

While an incomporable athlete, Terkay's lack of ability on the microphone essentially killed his opportunity to shine on in pro wrestling. Teaming him with Elijah Burke was a smart move, because Burke can talk someone's ear off, but the facts are the facts. When you can't promo, you're doomed. The only thing that saved Shelton Benjamin from the same fate is Charlie Haas. Trust me, it's probably not too far off from that. Terkay would do wonders, I think, in UFC. But, who knows what happens next.

C.W. ANDERSON

An original ECW star, Anderson never got out of the blocks as a new breed extremist. Losing to Punk in the one time I can remember seeing him on Sci Fi, then changing his name to "Christopher W." to avoid any similarities to Punk, it just didn't seem to fit well for C.W. Shame, too, because any man in the wrestling business with the Anderson name is someone I would want to see on a regular basis. Once he recovers from his back trouble, I would assume he would jump back in to some indy bookings, but who knows. Time is a ticking for the Enforcer.

JAZZ

I've asked this question before, and I'll ask it again. I never once saw Jazz appear on Sci Fi with ECW. Jazz can tear it up, but that's not what Vinnie Mac is looking for with his female competitors. And Jazz doesn't have the sex appeal that McMahon is looking for, so it was inevitable that she would falter with ECW. Her next move is anyone's guess, but you'd have to think she still has some years left in the tank.

RODNEY MACK

Hired to mentor the youth on the rosters of WWE, Mack had to know his time was going to be up sooner rather than later once Vince took a look at the budgets. Sure enough, Mack's name was back on the chopping block. Mack and Jazz make a formidable mixed tag team, and I would suspect they would return to independent bookings for the forseeable future.

TONY MAMALUKE

I am puzzled by this one, because Mamaluke had a role as a member of the FBI with Guido and Trinity. Personally, I think it's a good move for Mamaluke, because he can return to Ring of Honor, re team with Sal Rinauro, and go after the tag belts. ROH needs teams again, and Mamaluke and Rinauro are former ROH tag team champs. However, back at the ranch, Maritato I think may be in trouble, because he is a Heyman loyalist, as far as I can tell, and his role is going to diminish even further without the FBI to back him up.

DANNY & DOUG BASHAM

A pair of Ohio Valley Wrestling legends, Danny currently employed in Louisville as OVW's troubleshooter. It's puzzling to see what will happen there, if Basham goes off the show, or continues to work there without a WWE contract. Doug is recovering from injuries sustained while donning the gear for Heyman. I personally was never too fond of either of them, but both are decent combatants, and I would not be surprised to see them flourish in independent work, provided they can stay healthy.

What is WWE going to do about the troubleshooter character if Basham does not return to the company is anyone's guess. Hopefully, we'll soon find out.

AL SNOW

Released from his wrestling duties, Snow is staying with WWE as a trainer. I think Snow is welcoming this. He doesn't have to worry about being a part of a product that is struggling, and he can continue his work as a trainer, which is what he was born to do. He may take an indy booking or two here and there, I would think, if the desire hits, (and if WWE lets him), but his role is as the dahli llama of pro wrestling is set in stone, and this just sealed it with a pen stroke.

MIKE & TODD SHANE - THE GYMINI

I really feel bad for these guys. They never got out of the blocks. Simon Dean managed them for a hiccup on the roster, then disappeared. They got hurt, and then disappeared. They've never been able to get over the hump down in DSW, and make it back to the main roster. And it's a shame, because WWE is desperately needing tag teams, yet they got rid of two viable ones here. Injuries plagued the Shane Boys while in WWE, so hopefully, now that the stress is gone, the money may dwindle, but the injuries may cease. At least, they hope it does.

DAVID HEATH - GANGREL

Until I started checking out the DSW website since it's relaunch, I wasn't even certain that this guy was under contract. I have read reports of his poor work ethic, and low morale or presentation while competing, Whether valid or not, it's obvious that this guy's prime while in WWE was back in the 90's with Edge and Christian as the Brood. Now, it's light's out for the vampire.

SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS

I would suspect some signifcant roster moves in the coming weeks to restock ECW. If the rumours are true that Mike Knox and Tantanka are next on the list to be let go, I am not surprised on one of those names. Tatanka has seemingly been spinning his wheels with low level programs for months on Smackdown, only appearing on television sporadically since changing his appearance to the black and white face paint. Knox would surprise me a little, being so soon after dumping Kelly Kelly, but the scenario probably is when Knox dumped Kelly, he also more than likely signed his own death warrant. I don't see him competing in a major program anytime soon.

Some surprising aspects of this "Black thursday" is that none of the original extremists with a gripe as to how the product is being portrayed was let go. Sandman, Sabu, Tommy Dreamer, RVD, etc. All of the so called traditionalists with a big beef against WWE for how ECW is proceeding currently are still on board. I would tend to think as the ECW roster gets shook up a little more and restocked that some of those names may end up on the chopping block anyway. Sabu and Sandman are the most likely beginning victims, both as Heyman guys, and both have expressed discontent as to how things have been run to this point in ECW.

Congrats to Cassidy Reilly and Ace Steel for getting deals. I could see both men getting called up to the roster pretty quickly. Reilly would be an excellent cruiserweight in a division starkly lacking talent, and Steel has the gimmick power to go anywhere and perform anything. If anyone can wrestle in that goatee like Steel did in the deplorable Donald vs. Rosie skit, then he has my respect. And how do we spell respect?

R-E-S-P-E-C-K. (Credit to Ed Lover from the movie, "Undisputed") Bad attempt at a joke. Moving on...

Where does EC-Dub go from here? Lashley has Test at the rumble. No issue there who wins. It's been said that Monty "Marquis Cor Von" Brown is going to be pushed as a title contender. Have to say, the Alpha Male vs. the ECW Champ would be something I would be interested to see. If Punk is depushed, then so be it, but personally, I think Arn and Finlay oughta look at the bigger picture rather than taking the brash attitude of Punk and making it a personal vendetta. Punk can promo like crazy if given the chance, and his technical skills could allow him in to a program with anybody. I would like to see a long program with Punk and RVD. I would think possibly a good program like that may bring Van Dam ba around and be more supportive of the brand.

I would suspect more of the original ECW stars to drop off the roster as a whole. I would think within a year, most if not all of the original ECW stars that were on the roster when ECW re-launched will be gone. This is turning in to a new brand, entirely, with new faces, new rules, and hopefully, a new attitude. Only time will tell.

Sad about Bob Holly getting hurt again. Nerve damage from what I read. Talk about being snake bit.

Is it possible that WWE will put the World title on Mr. Kennedy? Kennedy challenges Batista for the title at the Rumble. While I doubt he would win there, he makes a viable heel challenger for Batista with a history and a potential for winning. Kennedy reminds me of a young Ric Flair, which I think is a hell of a comparison, and as I think about it, seeing Mr. Kennedy as World champion I think I would be interested in.

I have to recant on some prior statements I had been saying about WWE planning on breaking up London and Kendrick. Obviously, I was wrong. I thought that the puzzle pieces were in place for the duo to go their separate ways in to the cruiserweight division at Armageddon with their match vs. Regal and Taylor. But, when the smoke cleared, the ladder match was done, the champs were still on top, and I had egg on my face. Oh well, not the first time, and it won't be the last.

SOME RANDOM TNA THOUGHTS

I'm sorry, guys, but let's be honest. Christian Cage vs. Kurt Angle for the World title at Against All Odds? One word, YAWN.

Now, however. this past week on Impact, (as in last night), Kurt Angle vs. AJ Styles. Next week, Christian Cage vs. The Fallen Angel. Matches on television that nobody has ever seen before. That's what Impact! should be focusing on, imho.

I have zero issues with seeing Christy Hemme on television in a more expanded role. But, can we avoid using one company's program to sit there and talk about past skits from another company nearly 20 years ago? Joanie Laurer! I can't believe that name was used in a pro wrestling program seriously! Talk about grasping at straws.

Anyone else think the consultant that Cage has for his match with Angle is Big Poppa Pump?

Is Sting a wrestler, or a prophet? What is the big deal with this secret thing with Abyss? I don't want him to talk, I don't want him to reveal a thing about Abyss. Sting in a program with Abyss as a wrestling program intrigues me, but the gimmick and the "secret" offend me to no end. That's all I got to say about that.

That's all for now, ladies and gentlemen. Till next time.