From the Desk of Mr. V #80
July 29, 2010
By: Anthony J. Valvo of Wrestleview.com
Introduction (By: Max Werling)
Coming to you from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania… He is a school teacher for 9-10 months of the year (whether you include snow days or not), and is a Notable Alumni from Edinboro University… MISSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR V!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!… V!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the great introduction, Max. Scroll down to get your gold star for the week.
Welcome to the latest edition of “From the Desk of Mr. V”. I am Anthony “Mr. V” Valvo, your WrestleView resident teacher with the same material as last time, but different names, matches, and articles.
So sit back and grab some iced coffee. Relax as you read the 80th Installment of “From the Desk of Mr. V.”
Quote of the Week
“Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won’t taste good.” – Joe Paterno
Even though Joe Paterno is not one of my favorite coaches in the world (he refused to put Pitt on the schedule for Penn St. in fear of getting destroyed), but I really enjoyed this quote. You can easily become a successful person, but with honor it would be unfulfilled. Remember that this week, students.
Teacher’s Lecture
1) Eli Cottonwood is eliminated from NXT.
It was a very slow wrestling week and unless something picks up soon, “The Teacher’s Lounge (with David Stephens) will be a slow week as well.
As every week, I watched WWE NXT and in Mr. V #72, I made my predictions on what will happen for NXT’s second season. I did a little report on each NXT member and I am still proud of that piece.
Remember my first prediction for how the elimination will play out? Well, I was right on Titus O’Neil a few weeks ago (though his closing words were actually uplifting), but where was why I thought Cottonwood would have been the 2nd man eliminated from competition.
(From Mr. V #72 aka NXT Season 2 review)
Eli Cottonwood – He is not close to being ready as a “dominant force”. He only makes it past the first elimination because he is a big guy. He needs to really bulk up and show a better display of power.
Well, other than last Tuesday’s performance I can still type that he needs to be that dominant force and he was nowhere near that. Giants in the WWE are not supposed to be taken down buy guys like Kaval and Michael McGillicutty (Note: I know Eli defeated Kaval, but Kaval did take him down with kicks). Giants are supposed to be elevated to the big picture and Cottonwood is still nowhere near that. I think if it was not for Morrison as his pro he would have been the first to go.
In the matches that I saw of him as a WWE rookie, I saw a bit of promise. He is not agile, but if he was he would be playing in the NBA somewhere and not competing in FCW. I saw that he improved every time he was out there. His last match proved it. I thought for the most part he controlled the match against McGillicutty quite well. But he lost that match. In the ridiculous challenges, he did not help himself either. He struggled on the mic and on the obstacle course. Also, why on earth would he wear a shirt with the word “Mustache” on it? Actually, I would wear a shirt with that rather than “I Got Lucky” (or I Love Lucy for that matter).
I think we saw a good bit of his FCW gimmick of being psycho near the end of his run. He was calm, but when he found out he was eliminated he snapped. That was a good showing of intensity. Still, it was too little too late for Cottonwood.
Also, many out there consider Cottonwood as a release in waiting. I don’t see it that way. I see Cottonwood getting maybe another year or two in developmental because there is still a hint of potential. However, the guy is 35 years old now and if he does not get better fast, then he will be future endeavored.
So, students may ask me “Who’s NXT to be eliminated?” My answer is very clear and if he does not get voted off soon I will be very disappointed. It must be Lucky Cannon.
That is all for the Lecture.
If any readers out there want me to discuss anything in my column, remember it is yours as well as mine. Send me an e-mail at mistervwv@hotmail.com and I will give you my opinion on the topic at hand. Thanks to those who would like to ask me anything.
Detentions
Only a few detentions will be handed out by yours truly. Here are the things in wrestling, sports, and pop culture that deserve to be placed in Detention until I tell them it is ok.
Tommy Dreamer – I have a bad feeling that his tears are real. I would tear up too if my friends got fired, but in reality it is business. Pro Wrestling is a harsh business. Dreamer should be lucky that Vince McMahon gave him a nice sendoff from WWE programming because what has he done except be that last ECW guy standing (though some can say it is Joey Styles). Then Dreamer goes to TNA and says “Exactly” when some fan said Vince sucks? Perhaps Vince McMahon does not do things that please the audience, but he does it for business. Why spend money on something if you are not getting a profit? It’s common sense.
Dixie Carter – She is on here again for her segment on Impact. I know the emotions were there, but I just wished it was for her TNA roster rather than men from the 1990s.
Nexus – They were very dominant in their 7 on 7 contest for Raw, but you could tell that some of these guys are still too green for WWE TV.
Michael Cole – Just because he did not say his lines right when the GM “e-mailed” him.
My air conditioner – For breaking on a 94 degree day. I will never forgive you.
“Jersey Shore” – Seriously, what do they do that is right with America? Why were they at Wall Street and not someone with, you know, a college degree? These people just makes me with Gallagher would clobber all of them with the Sledge-O-Matic…all of them!
Eternal Detention (Dedicated to those voted by Mr. V and David Stephens on The Teacher’s Lounge)
The 2010 French Soccer Team
Praxis and the ETS Series
Teachers that get arrested
Ryan Clark
The Bee and Wasp family
Bubba The Love Sponge
The Pittsburgh Pirates Front Office
The dorky fan caught on YouTube yelling at The Miz at E3
Alicia Fox
Mr. V’s Weekly Honor Roll for the week of July 19 – July 25, 2010
I will not be doing an explanation this week as why I graded these top three matches very high. You will have to take my word for it. Check out video clips and you won’t be disappointed with this top three. Overall, I have to say wrestling was pretty good and told solid stories.
7/19 – Graded WWE Monday Night Raw Matches
7/20 – Graded WWE NXT Matches
7/21 – Column Writing. After that, I watched ROH on YouTube and recap the show.
7/22 – Graded WWE Superstars and TNA Impact Matches.
7/23 – Graded Smackdown Matches
7/24 – OFF DAY
7/25 – OFF DAY
Distinguished Honors – Steve Corino and Kevin Steen vs. El Generico and Colt Cabana, ROH on HDNet July 19
How it ended – In this “Anything Goes” contest, it was ended with Steve Corino Superplexed Colt Cabana off a table placed at the top turnbuckle into another table in the ring. Corino pinned Cabana in an amazing finish.
Grade: A.
High Honors – Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho vs. Edge, Monday Night Raw, July 19
How it ended – In a match to determine the #1 Contender for Sheamus’ WWE Championship, Randy Orton escaped both Jericho and Edge with RKOs. Orton pinned Edge to earn a title shot.
Grade: B.
Honors – Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre vs. Christian and Matt Hardy, Friday Night Smackdown, July 23
How it ended – The four men competed fiercely just days after competing in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. In the end, Matt Hardy accidently connected with Christian’s head and when Matt looked down, Drew McIntyre took Hardy out with a boot and pinned him.
Grade: B.
Mr. V’s Grade Book for the past week
A+, A, or A-: Kevin Steen and Steve Corino vs. Colt Cabana and El Generico (ROH).
B+: None to Report.
B: Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho vs. Edge (RAW); Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith vs. Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso; and Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes vs. Matt Hardy and Christian (Smackdown)
B-: Sheamus vs. Evan Bourne (RAW); Husky Harris and Cody Rhodes vs. MVP and Percy Watson (NXT); Primo vs. Yoshi Tatsu (Superstars); Jeff Hardy vs. Samoa Joe (TNA); Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston (Smackdown); and Rey Mysterio vs. Jack Swagger (Smackdown)
C+: Kurt Angle vs. Hernandez (TNA)
C: Rasche Brown vs. Erick Stevens (ROH); MVP and Chris Masters vs. Caylen Croft and Trent Barreta (Superstars); AJ Styles vs. Rob Terry (TNA); and James Storm and Robert Roode vs. Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley (TNA)
C-: Lance Lude and J-Sin vs. Cheech and Cloudy (ROH); Wade Barrett vs. Mark Henry (RAW); Chavo Guerrero vs. JTG (Superstars); Angelina Love and Taylor Wilde vs. Madison Rayne and Sarita (TNA); and Mr. Anderson vs. Matt Morgan (TNA)
D+, D, or D-: Sara Del Ray vs. Jamilia Craft (ROH); Eve Torres vs. Maryse (RAW); Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov vs. William Regal and Zack Ryder (RAW); Alex Riley vs. Lucky Cannon (NXT); and The Big Show vs. Joey Mercury (Smackdown)
F or INC: None to Report.
Current Predictions from the Faculty Standings
2010-2011 Season (As of WWE’s Money in the Bank)
1) David Stephens (That’s a Wrap and RAW Recapper)………….57-32 (4-3)
2) Josh Boutwell (Viva La Raza and TNA Recapper)……………….57-32 (4-3)
3) Jose Marrero (Wrestling Rumblings)……………………………………57-32 (4-3)
4) Students of the Week (The Best from Prev. PPV)………………54-35 (5-2)*
5) Daniel Browne (For Queen and Country)……………………………..53-36 (4-3)
6) Matt O’Brien (Notes From The Nosebleeds)…………………………53-36 (5-2)
7) Anthony Valvo (From the Desk of Mr. V/ROH Recaps)……….52-37 (5-2)
8) Doug Lackey (Reality From Ringside)…………………………………..51-38 (6-1)
9) WrestleView Students (The Loyal Readers)………………………..51-38 (4-3)
10) Mike Tedesco (Smackdown and NXT Recapper)…………………42-32 (3-4)
11) Jeff Springer (WWE Superstars Recapper)……………………………38-31 (3-4)
12) Sean Hurley (The Sharpshooter)………………………………………..28-32 (NR)
13) Joe Baiamonte (Baiamonte’s Casa/2009 WV Champ)………24-20 (NR)
Frank Contorno will be the next Student of the Week. Frank’s choices will be for the Hardcore Justice TNA PPV.
Mr. V’s Gold Star Segment (Brought to you by JR’s BBQ)
James Lacerenza – He is in serious contention for winning a $50,000 grant for the Pepsi Refresh Project. He is currently in 18th as the time I sent this out to Adam and with a few more votes; he could very well earn the money with a top 10 finish. The Link is right here. You can vote every day until the end of the weekend, so please vote.
Zedrick Patterson – For answering this one question on Facebook and said he would get one. Better late than never, I always say.
Claudio Castagnoli – He continues to stay “Very European”.
Samoa Joe vs. Jeff Hardy – It was a pretty good match…until the last few seconds.
Tyson Kidd – He did an amazing finish on Superstars last week with the Hart Attack Clothesline while dropkicking the other Uso. It was excellent.
Michael McGillicutty – He is #1 on the NXT poll.
The Miz – He earned one for being so good in all aspects on Raw.
Steve Corino – He was simply fantastic in the ROH on HDNet Main Event for July 19th. He took the most dangerous bumps and I am happy he got the win.
Josh Mathews – He is so good at the announce table that he is making Cole speechless. I enjoy how he counters many of Cole’s quips on NXT. I say this because we know that Cole is a tool.
A wrestling fan in Corpus Christi, TX – He held up a sign that said “PercyMania” to spoof Hulkamania. Isn’t funny that more people want to watch Percy Watson than Hulk Hogan now? It’s sad if you are Hogan.
Randy Orton – He earns one for his impressive in-ring work.
Drew McIntyre – He has been improving for many weeks now and is showing the world his potential.
Alberto Del Rio – For having exquisite artwork and a glorious kitchen. Seriously class, this is my dream kitchen.
The Mr. V Readers – Thank you all (as well as the WrestleView powers) for letting me write 80 columns! Thank you all for reading them, as always.
A Bright Gold Star goes out to John Barbero, the longtime Pittsburgh Penguins public address announcer who passed away after he had complications with a brain tumor at the age of 65. Not only was he the voice that Penguins fans hear at the Mellon (Civic) Arena from 1972-2009, but he was in fact a principal at a local high school and was a teacher for almost thirty years as well. It is a shame that he won’t be able to announce at the new arena, Mr. Barbero will truly be missed.
When Fox Sports Pittsburgh did a segment on him in 2007…
And one of his famous goal announcements…
With all due respect, Mr. Anderson from TNA got nothing on this guy.
R.I.P. Mr. Barbero, your voice will truly be missed in the city of Pittsburgh.
Homework Assignment (Assignment will begin Next Week)
Think of your choices for the Best of the Half-Year 2010.
Also, are there any topics you would like to be presented to the WrestleView Faculty?
I am not sure how many categories there will be, but right now there are twenty four topics, but I may cut it down to twenty. I will give you a few of the categories so you can figure out what you would select.
Best Wrestler of the Half-Year
Most Outstanding (Pound-for-Pound) Wrestler of the Half-Year
Best Feud
Most Undeserved Push
Bold Prediction for the Second Half of 2010
And so many more!
For the next couple weeks, I ask my students to consider your selections wisely because some of your comments will be posted on the 2010 WrestleView Students Half-Year Awards. Good Luck!
Dismissal
Well, that does it for me this week. I thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoyed this column as much as I typed it out. If you want to get a hold of me during the week, please e-mail me at mistervwv@hotmail.com or by leaving me a message on Facebook. I do get a lot of e-mails and may not reply in a timely fashion, but I will do my best to give you a quicker reply.
Now, students you are allowed to leave the classroom. Please push in your chairs, line up straight, and exit to the closest door around you. Until next week, you are all……DISMISSED!!!!
Look for Mr. V on Facebook under Anthony J. Valvo in the Pittsburgh Network
If you enjoy Mr. V’s WrestleView columns, then take a look at my work on my other site Examiner.com
NEW MATERIAL definitely coming soon, got everything situated now. (Please check it out and help me earn a penny or two)!
http://www.examiner.com/x-26526-Pittsburgh-Pro-Wrestling-Examiner
THE TEACHER’S LOUNGE IS NOW AIRING ON SATURDAYS!
Already on the archives we interviewed Jose Marrero (Wrestling Rumblings), Matt O’Brien (Notes from the Nosebleeds), Crystal Mai from Diva-Dirt.com, and The YouTube Sensation who had choice words to CM Punk.
David Stephens (That’s A Wrap and Raw recapper) and I have a weekly Internet show only on the WrestleView Radio Network. It does cost a bit of money, but we will do our best to make it worth it. If you want to be a part of the Lounge for our “E-mails” section, you may drop us a line at teacherslounge@hotmail.com.
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