Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
On Wednesday, February 7, 2007 at 5:16 AM EST

Ok, this may be way out in the dark for a suggestion for the powers that be of WWE, but hey, I'm that kind of moron, I'll make the drop. How's about offering up some of WWE programming, LEGIT WWE programming, not HEAT, which is bogus, up on the web for us working class stiffs to check out when we can. Why am I saying this? Well, I just checked out Episode 2 of WSX, and damn, I was entertained again. Is it perfect? Hell, no, but what is? But, the sheer fact that I can check out the show, in its entirety, at my schedule, is damn enjoyable for a guy whose sked is major league wacked. WWE should take this in to consideration.

And don't tell me they are with this broadband thing, because simply put, I am a working class stiff with an archaic internet connection, so broadband doesn't work for me, either. Vince keeps claiming he's a billionaire, make some investment in that fortune, and give back to the fans, for a change. Hell, I know it's never going to happen, but damn, wouldn't it be nice to check Raw out whenever you'd like, or to be able to re-view IN ITS ENTIRETY and not for a price, a match or a moment you enjoyed? I know, you got TIVO and recording, and all that crap, but come on, just think about it for a second.

And then toss it in the trash, because it makes too much damn sense, which means nobody in their right mind with any brains is going to cash in on this idea. It takes the demented philosophies of Music Television to come up with such a simple idea that could revolutionize and revitalize the wrestling business all over the world.

I mean, HOW MANY TIMES do I get emails from people all over the world saying they can't catch this product or that product because it's not on television? Answer: Countless. But, ladies and gentlemen, we're sitting on a mechanism that can change all that, with the stroke of a key. But, like I said, it requires ingenuity, saavy, and a touch of risk to pull it off, and I doubt the sole wrestling promotions will do it. Why? Too much risk. Why is MTV doing it? Because they do it for their whole network, so it's just a case of continuing the routine. However, in doing so, they could legitimately spark a new wave of promotion and exposure for pro wrestling.

But, like I said, we all know it'll never happen, so let's just move on, shall we?

UPDATE: 9:19AM, 2/7 - I received an email from Chris from Ottawa, Canada, who told me that MTV.com does not play the WSX feed due to copyright issues. So, my elaborate plan, thinking the world was involved in the revolution that is WSX online is shot in the dark. How sad.

Two out of the three Wrestlemania 23 main event title matches are done. It's Batista vs. the Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Title, and Tag champions fight it out as John Cena battles Shawn Michaels for the WWE title. So much for the novelty from Safeco Field when tag champs fought with Eddie and Rey going at it, that novelty is out the window with this match.

Although, I gotta admit, I'm intrigued by both. Let me talk about the Cena/HBK match first. You got the champion, who if I am not mistaken, is getting a little more positive reaction lately, vs. the re-vitalized Michaels, looking for, possibly, one last run at the top of the mountain as World champion. Michaels did probably get this shot because of Triple H's injury, but let's tell it like it is, nobody in their right mind is going to admit that. Who do you think is going to win? Tell you the truth, I could see either one of them winning. I could see Cena winning, but it would provide problems down the road after Mania because there really isn't much else out there for Cena to face. I could see Michaels winning, which would re-open the whole roster for shots at HBK while continuing their 'rivalry' together.

Oh, one more thing, let's just be downright honest. Cena & Michaels will NOT be World tag team champions come Wrestlemania. I can't see that happening. Not to mention the fact, that although I bitch about this every year, it would be nice to see ALL the titles be defended at this stage, but we know damn well it will never happen. Somewhere down the road to Detroit, Cena & Michaels will stumble as a tag team and fall to someone, i.e., Haas & Benjamin, Cryme Tyme, or some goofy combo Vince throws together, because, although it does add a little spice to the matchup with the combatants being tag partners and champions, I doubt WWE is going to go through with it as such.

I won't go out on a limb and make a pick right now, but I have to say I am happy that it is HBK and not Edge & Orton. Although the chaos that could ensue with RKO's breakup would be entertaining as hell to watch, Cena vs. Michaels just provides a little more spark for the buck I believe, and I would really like to see how a face vs. face main event for one, if not two brands, fares at Wrestlemania.

Now, moving on to the other match.

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY, DO NOT LET DAVE BATISTA RETAIN THE WORLD TITLE AT THE EXPENSE OF 14 STRAIGHT VICTORIES AT WRESTLEMANIA FOR THE UNDERTAKER.

I could think of a MILLION different names to have Undertaker drop the streak to, but Batista is no where NEAR the top of that list. You want examples? Sure. Hogan, 1. Triple H, 2. Flair, 3. I'll even go so far as to say Edge, 4. (Man, that hurt.) Cena, 5. Kane, 6.

That's just off the top of my head. If you're going to have Batista "retain" the title over Taker through Wrestlemania, then have him win it back on Smackdown following Mania, if you have to. Taker's streak is liable never to be repeated as long as the company remains afloat, and to lose it to someone who has no charisma, no talent, and quite frankly, is a downright nasty individual would just be an absolute and total miscarriage of justice in every way possible.

Will it be a good match? Probably. Undertaker is one of the best in the business at telling stories in the ring, he'll carry Batista. Hell, if he can carry guys like A-Train and Big Show in a handicap match at Wrestlemania, he can do this, even at his advanced age. Will it be a show stopper? Not a chance. I also believe it should not be THE main event. If you're going to ask me which match comes on last, it's Cena/HBK. I want to see Taker with the belt one more time before he hangs up the hat and coat. If for no other reason, than I believe WWE needs to give him a proper send off. I believe this will be Undertaker's final Wrestlemania match, and I'll be damned if he's going to end his career on the grandest stage with a defeat, especially to someone like the current World Heavyweight Champion.

I really feel sorry for the ECW guys. All of them. I read the recap from ECW last night, and I have to believe, in my gut, I have to believe that Sandman, Sabu, Tommy Dreamer, Balls Mahoney & RVD, they all wanted to beat the high holy crap out of Vince McMahon like no others business. I have to believe that each of the ECW originals is sickened by the way that the new ECW has been driven in to the ground. And, let's be honest, they have a point. While we may be blessed with some blossoming talents like Kevin Thorn and CM Punk, and some career resurrection from guys like Hardcore Holly, we still have the scenario where in the biggest scene to date on the road to Wrestlemania, ECW's champion looked like a little boy in the realm of the big dogs. And that, was not Bobby Lashley's fault. It was the fault of the people around him, and the WWE creative team, I believe.

I met Lashley at an autograph session. The man is a genetic freak. He is cut beyond belief, and an absolute specimen, physically. No, he can't talk on the mike very well, but he's not Shelton Benjamin material, and he's not Batista on commentary material, thank God, but he's not tremendously verbose. BIG DEAL. Let the man compete, and let him prove, WHILE ON TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN, that he deserves to be there. Instead of being given a Wrestlemania match monday night, Vince feeds him the quintessential wanna be champion, Kenny, Don't call me Lenny Doane Dykstra. Wow, big challenge. Dykstra couldn't get by Jeff Hardy, who is half Lashley's size, and with his limited experience, you expect this kid to get through this specimen of a man for that title? Gawd, what is Vince thinking? Imagine for a second if you will.

Kenny Dykstra. ECW World Heavyweight Champion.

Makes me sick. Absolutely sick to my stomach. Anyway, when you come right down to it, ECW is NEVER going to be the way it was. It's never going to be the Scaffolding match between Dreamer and Brian Lee I watched on the ECW Extreme Rules DVD. As much as Tazz and Styles wants it, as much as the originals want it, it's not going to happen. While I have absolutely ZERO confidence in WWE creative for doing the proper thing to please the fans for ECW's future, I believe whole heartedly that the originals, en masse, should consider a mass exodus from this brand, and rekindle their own stars on the independent circuit, because where this brand is headed at this point is anybody's guess, and my guess is, the toilet is not too far away.

Doing a touch of prognostication, I believe I had gotten an email with an idea for an ECW title opponent for Wrestlemania, and it makes an absolute TON of sense, literally. Why? This man has done a program with his brand's champion, and lost. He has the "extreme" psychotic attitude to fit the desired theme of ECW, and it's not too far since his attempt at the previous title that he hasn't lost a tremendous amount of face yet. Who is this person? Take a guess.

UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAGGGGGAAAAAA!

I've said it before, I'll say it again, I hated Umaga when he came in, but he has done the job well since his arrival, and has rolled his way to the top of Raw's ladder. Now, fresh off the rope burned loss at the hands of Cena in a last man standing match, where does the Samoan Bulldozer go from here? Probably, as seen last week, back to being Coach's little packmule, but let's be honest, wouldn't you like to see Lashley vs. Umaga in an extreme rules match for the ECW title? I think that could be off the charts. Then, if Umaga wins, the title keeps its prestige, because Lashley lost to a similar opponent in stature and experience, and then Umaga can roll in to ECW, and have hellacious extreme rule programs with all the originals, and God knows how many of the newcomers. The opportunities are endless. And even if Lashley does retain the belt in this so called match, bring Umaga to tuesday nights, and let him run absolutely rampant up the ECW ladder. Come on, do you think WWE could re-light the fuse under Sabu when he was battling Abyss in TNA with a feud against Umaga? I think so, personally.

But, as we all say in the prognostication business, it's too good to be true, so it will absolutely never happen.

Hey, a man can dream, can't he?

Quick notes before I go. WWE is making a mistake if they think that they can draw the same type of result from the four way ladder match that the tag teams had at Armageddon. They're going to do it again at No Way Out, but I don't see it being as thrilling as the Armageddon match was. However, it's definitely worth checking out. I recommend the Armageddon DVD as a whole, primarily for this match between the champs London & Kendrick, MNM, the Hardys, and Regal & Taylor. I hope they can pull it off again.

Also, although I said that the WSX explosions are a bit over the top, however fake they may be, it definitely was way cool when Vampiro piledrove 6-Pac through that coffin and it exploded to win the WSX Title. Couldn't happen to a nicer dope.

Finishing up, my friends at New York Sports Works here on Long Island have two sessions coming up in the next couple of months. ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley and CM Punk are coming soon, and Raw's tag team sensations Cryme Tyme hit the Sunrise Mall in March. Come check out their website by clicking here.

As for me, Click here to check me out on myspace.

Click here to drop me an email.

Have a good one, everybody.


NOTE: The views expressed in this column are not the views of WrestleView.com and its immediate staff.