By: David Stephens of WrestleView.com
Ousta! Welcome back to the only WrestleView column covering topics both nowhere yet everywhere at once. If you are new to the column you are probably going to hate me for the first couple weeks, but then you are going to hit a point where you say ‘oh wait a minute, I think he gets it’. Don’t worry, that’s exactly how it is designed to be. This column is all about gut reactions and traveling thoughts. As the great Andy Kaufman once said: “I just want real reactions. I want people to laugh from the gut, be sad from the gut, or get angry from the gut”.
Are you ready? The stop questioning your heart and join me, because it’s time for “That’s a Wrap”!
What’s in the News?
My opinions are in italics
All news is gathered from WrestleView.com unless otherwise noted
TNA President Dixie Carter announced on her official Twitter account that the company will be working on a “Best of Mick Foley” DVD release. The DVD is expected to be released in April 2011.
-this will make sense as soon as the Washington Wizards release a best of DVD for Michael Jordan
Todd Grisham was officially removed from the Smackdown broadcast team in favor of Josh Mathews. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that it was suggested that Grisham should try and apply for a full-time position with the Fox Soccer Channel, which is what he does part-time. Grisham had not been on Vince McMahon’s good side in the last few months, explaining why Michael Cole was added to the Smackdown team back in October.
-Grisham is a good guy, and I’ve always considered myself a fan. That being said, he did seem to be getting stale recently. I’m a Josh Mathews fan as well, so I suppose one man’s loss is another’s gain
R-Truth is currently off the road with WWE due to walking pneumonia. He contracted it this past week and ended up going into convulsions while traveling. He was immediately rushed to a hospital and several WWE talent were with him when it happened including referee Jack Doan and Rey Mysterio. Truth was later told he was very lucky because oxygen wasn’t getting to his brain and if they hadn’t gotten him to the hospital quickly he could have died reports The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. He confirmed on Twitter this week that he was hospitalized.
-and that’s what’s up
CM Punk is listed for upcoming WWE Smackdown house show events next week, including main eventing a series of events in four way cage matches involving Kane, Edge and Big Show reports PWInsider. There appears to be no talk of moving Punk back to the Smackdown brand at this time as this is another example of WWE’s experimental scheduling using talent from both shows.
-as the RAW Recapper I’m glad to know he isn’t going anywhere
It appears the recent case brought by Martha Hart (the late widow of Owen Hart) against World Wrestling Entertainment over the company releasing footage of Owen is moving forward. Martha is also seeking royalties on what has already been released. WWE and Martha attempted to settle the case out of court, but efforts were unsuccessful. WWE has filed a motion for January to dismiss the case, reports the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Martha is no longer attempting to stop WWE from using Owen footage in future releases, but is now focused on preventing WWE from using the name Owen Hart on DVD covers or to promote professional wrestling.
-I don’t get it. The WWE isn’t exploiting his death in any way. I support using his image and likeness because it is away to keep his memory and legacy alive
The Undertaker has already started physical therapy on his shoulder and has been described as doing all he can to be ready for Wrestlemania next year reports The Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
-I did read that they are considering placing him in a tag match if he isn’t 100 percent ready to go. Personally, I don’t like that idea.
LAS VEGAS — Police say boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been freed from a Las Vegas jail following his arrest on a misdemeanor warrant alleging he poked a security guard in the face last month outside his home.
-Come on man, this isn’t helping my desire to see him fight Pacquiao
According to a report by The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, MVP has shown interest in working in Europe and Japan mostly since his release from WWE. He has stated that he left WWE on good terms and that the door is open for a return down the road. MVP was reportedly even told this by WWE management because of the way he handled it and would welcomed back, although a signing with TNA would do him no favors. The belief is that he has no interest in signing with TNA to burn that bridge, assuming of course TNA had any interest.
-The upcoming Tokyo Dome show perhaps?
Randy Orton has continued to battle through neck problems and was told to take some time off, explaining why he has only working TV and PPV tapings for the company as he undergoes therapy reports The Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
-unless I had read about it, I’d have no idea he was combating a serious injury
WWE star Goldust responded to our earlier report via Twitter stating he was not happy with a lack of promotion for his new book from WWE during Raw. Goldust wrote back briefly, “Not true dipsh*t.”
The source for this story was from Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, as noted in the original report posted this afternoon.
-stay classy, Goldust
During the intermission of last night’s Ring of Honor “Final Battle 2010” iPPV event, The World’s Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) announced they would be joining ROH full-time in 2011 and their goal was to capture the ROH Tag Team Championships.
-an intermission which went 30 very long minutes
Michael Cole is scheduled to start playing a “heel referee” during dark matches at WWE Monday Night raw tapings beginning tomorrow night in Austin, TX reports The Wrestling Observer.
-Don’t panic, I don’t see him playing that role on TV. It’s just a way to help get the Miz over
Dragon Gate USA has posted what they have described as a “first chapter” of their business plan heading into 2011. The changes include adding several American wrestlers to the roster, PAC becoming a regular member of the roster, more American talent touring with Dragon Gate in Japan and ticket prices will be frozen meaning no increases in 2011. For more visit DGUSA.tv.
-if you’ve never seen PAC wrestle then you are really missing out on some fun matches. He’s one of my favorite current wrestlers
According to RadarOnline.com, Hulk Hogan checked into a Tampa, FL hospital on Tuesday morning for immediate surgery on his back. A source told the website that Hogan is “attempting to stabilize his back problems which have grown worse recently” and added that the “idea is to look for real solutions because of the ongoing wear and tear.”
-please no excrement videos, please
Triple H is slated to take on a much more involved role at upcoming WWE TV tapings in the coming weeks reports The Wrestling Observer. Triple H, who now officially has the “Senior Advisor” tag under Vince McMahon, took on this role at TV tapings in the UK recently and the word making the rounds was that the environment was much less stressful with him in charge.
-the winds of change are blowing
The 12/19 Ring of Honor “Final Battle 2010” iPPV event in New York City, NY at the Manhattan Center drew a sold out crowd of 1,300 fans reports The Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
-impressive
The early buyrate estimate for WWE’s Survivor Series PPV on November 21 is in the 240,000-250,000 range reports PWInsider.
-not as impressive (relatively speaking)
Ratings
RAW 12/20 – 3.3
iMpact 12/16 – 1.12
Smackdown 12/17 – 1.7
WWE Stock Report
Week Ending Dec. 17 2010
Open: 14.24 ↑
High: 14.50 ↓
Low: 14.03 ↓
Close: 14.28 ↓
Volume: 1,874,918 ↓
Quick Results
RAW Dec. 20
* Melina def. Eve and Alicia Fox in a Triple Threat Match
* U.S. Champion Daniel Bryan def. William Regal
* WWE Tag Team Champion Santino Marella & Tamina def. Ted DiBiase & Maryse
* John Cena def. Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler in a Non-Title Match
* Randy Orton, John Morrison & Jerry Lawler def. WWE Champion The Miz, Alex Riley & Sheamus
Superstars Dec. 16
• JTG def. Curt Hawkins
• Zack Ryder def. Darren Young
• Drew McIntyre def. Yoshi Tatsu
Smackdown Dec. 21
# Randy Orton def. WWE Champion The Miz by Disqualification
# WWE Tag Team Champion Santino Marella def. Chavo Guerrero
# Drew McIntyre def. Kaval
# Rey Mysterio & Kofi Kingston def. Alberto Del Rio & Jack Swagger
# John Cena def. Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler & Official SmackDown Consultant Vickie Guerrero (2-on-1 Handicap Match)
Final Thoughts
-The first man to distill bourbon whiskey in the United States was a Baptist preacher, in 1789
-The ancient Egyptians recommended mixing half an onion with beer foam as a way of warding off death
-You can’t plow a cotton field with an elephant in North Carolina
-Every citizen of Kentucky is required by law to take a bath at least once a year
-Orchids are grown from seed so small that it would take thirty thousand to weigh as much as one grain of wheat
So ‘that’s a wrap’…. Love it? Hate it? Disagree with everything I said? Just want to chat wrestling? I’m always up for reading your thoughts so send them ’em on over.
Look for latest edition of “The Teacher’s Lounge” featuring Anthony Valvo (From the Desk of Mr. V) and myself this Saturday on the WrestleView Radio Network
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