From the Desk of Mr. V #108
February 10, 2011
By: Anthony J. Valvo of Wrestleview.com
Introduction
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 coffee, cider, or bottle water. Relax as you read the 107th Installment of “From the Desk of Mr. V”.
Quote of the Week
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Isn’t this the truth, huh? All day we hear others bicker and moan about how bad their lives are and “wished they were like us”.
When I looked at this quote by the Great Dr. King, it does hit home. Many of us are divided over the simple things. It may go on at home, school, and even worldwide. It is rare to see such unity in our lives and the world that we live in. Honestly, it is a shame.
In a wrestling standpoint, this kind of reminds me of the last years of the WCW era. I am not trying to directly compare Dr. King’s quote to WCW but it seemed like the more mainstream talent the WCW had back in the day, the more problems occurred. I will spare my readers with the facts, as many of you are smart enough to realize why WCW ended. Instead of working for the better of the company, they went under and the Big, Bad Vince McMahon bought them out.
Instead of WCW “learning to live together” as one company aiming to be the best, they “perished together as fools”.
So class, challenge yourselves to live together as one. Don’t be foolish.
Teacher’s Lecture
1) The WWE is taking their WrestleMania to South Beach (in 2012).
My Thoughts: In a press release earlier this week, the WWE decided to hold WrestleMania XXVIII (28 if you don’t know Roman Numerals) in Miami, FL. Other cities have attempted to land WrestleMania at their places, but Miami won the bidding war and the event will take place on April 1st, 2012.
This will be the second time that the WWE hosted “The Super Bowl of Professional Wrestling” in Florida. The first was not so long ago, as it took place at WrestleMania XXIV in Orlando when Shawn Michaels “ended” Ric Flair’s wrestling career (since then we know what Flair did). It was rated by some as one of the best WrestleMania’s in the past ten years, and if you check out the card for the most part it delivered.
As much as I would love the WWE to have a WrestleMania in the Northeast once again, I think it was a very intelligent decision. It is also a victory for Miami. Miami is one of the most popular cities in the United States known for its warm weather, wonderful activities, and of course a few professional sports teams (Florida Panthers, Florida Marlins, Miami Heat, and Miami Dolphins).
To the city of Miami, I think this is up there with winning the rights to a Super Bowl. It sounds crazy, but every city that hosted WrestleMania recently witnessed millions of dollars in revenue. For some cities, this should be welcomed with open arms and in Miami it is no different. Miami is also a hotbed for professional wrestling as well, as not only will the WWE will hold week-long festivities there; but I am sure that other companies will hold a show or two near Miami as well.
So congratulations to Miami, FL for winning the bid to host WrestleMania. With experience in safety in part of hosting Super Bowls and College Football Bowl Games, this is a very smart decision for all involved.
2) The Green Bay Packers win the Super Bowl, celebrate their victory with WWE?
My Thoughts: As much as this pains me to type this out…but I got to do this…
My Pittsburgh Steelers lost the Super Bowl to the Green Bay Packers. But honestly, it was a very good game and I congratulate the Packers for dominating the National Football League (who know if any Packers actually read this, but it would not surprise this columnist). Now unlike the normal hold the Vince Lombardi Trophy (still cringing that it could have been the Steelers) Aaron Rodgers, the Packers quarterback, was presented with a World Heavyweight Championship Belt by Linebacker Clay Matthews. My disappointment in the Steelers losing the Super Bowl turned into a brief moment of happiness. And there I am marking out a fellow pro wrestling fan who happened to achieve something not many expected him to the moment his predecessor “retired”.
Now what happens after that? Packer football players graced their presence in the WWE ring, while Rodgers (who probably missed Smackdown because of his schedule) was awarded The Spinner Belt on Late Show with David Letterman. Smackdown even got some “Packer Fever” as well, but if I told you I would ruin Smackdown so I won’t mention.
It proves that NFL Players enjoy the sports entertainment as much as the rest of us. It is free publicity for the WWE and how convenient was the scheduling was to hold this week’s WWE shows in Wisconsin? Like I tell anyone, any publicity is good publicity (unless you are Charlie Sheen circa 2011). The WWE was at the right place at the right time. And with a little changes in the booking, the fans in Green Bay got a very special treat when their Champions were in the same building with the common fan. The fans in that building and the Packers had one bond, that they love the WWE and professional wrestling.
In closing, I want to write how proud I am of the Packers winning and showing a lot of class since winning their fourth Super Bowl. Showing their support with the WWE shows it is not a publicity stunt or anything. It was very genuine, and I applaud it.
3) Dixie Carter’s Big Mistake.
My Thoughts: Dixie Carter recently answered some questions through TNA Wrestling’s website. When asked what her “Biggest Mistake” was, she replied “The move to Monday Nights”.
Before I get really into this line, I broke it down to two scenarios. Is she honest? Is she kayfabing it?
Whose idea was it to move TNA to Mondays (and introducing me to DVR and a higher cable bill)? At the start, it was a very good move. They generated a good rating on their terms, but the problem was that it was not followed and after a few weeks of very poor ratings they went back to the Thursday timeslot (which was the best for them). Now Since the move back to Thursdays, TNA Impact has been steady in the ratings. Heck, their last couple episodes have been very successful in their eyes.
Now also, I think perhaps Carter is “kayfabing” it. I just hope I don’t get angry e-mails calling me “Pro-WWE”, but read this out before you send me a foolish reply.
Look at where she answered this on. Carter answers this question on tnawrestling.com. She is in a storyline where she is trying to regain power from Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan. I could see this “moving to Mondays” bit as a storyline shot to those two. It would not shock me after reading more of the Q&A section.
So I ended my thoughts by thinking it is a little bit of both. Even though she is in a storyline with Bischoff and Hogan, the move to Mondays was ill-timed and not done properly. And now I am still paying extra for it (I happen to enjoy DVR and can’t live without it).
Any Questions?
This is the portion where I check my e-mail and answer any question from my WrestleView Students. I do this because I do have a bit more free time.
Alright, I see a couple questions in the classroom.
Follow Up: Who is the wrestler that will appear in the WWE on 2/21/11? (From a couple more before the Monday Night Raw clips this past week).
Here is the second video promo for “2/21/11”
I provided a full, all-out detailed answer regarding this question last week, so if you need to find it click right here.
Mr. V Guess-o-Meter
(on a scale that will total 100%)
Here is who I think (right now) this will be on February 21, 2011. Keep in mind I may be subject to change.
Tyler Black – 0% (Still at 0%, if he is it then I will resign as a columnist.)
Awesome Kong – 0% (She will debut in the next couple months, but 2/21/11 is not her.)
The Undertaker – 99% (There ain’t no grave…. I think they used this song already when he was set to make a return.)
Sting – 1% (Because I am never 100% sure on anything.)
I think the second promo just answer who it will be. Look for THE UNDERTAKER to return in eleven days.
Do you think that TNA made a huge mistake by promoting ‘they’ v2.0, hinting that it could be MEM whilst bringing back Steiner, and not have Nash and Booker on secured deals? (From: Dale Smart)
This is a very good question, Dale! I can’t speak on behalf of TNA because I don’t work for anyone outside of WrestleView, but I will try and answer this to my best ability.
I don’t think TNA made a mistake at all when promoting another “they” storyline. I say this because there was no true “face power” outside of Mr. Anderson and Rob Van Dam. The others could not hang in the main event level to be honest. Adding Scott Steiner to “they” was a very good idea and had many ponder if this will be the reboot of Main Event Mafia. That would have meant bringing back Kevin Nash, Booker T, and Sting.
Well, we know that Nash and Booker T went to the WWE and I say good for them. Sting appears to no longer be interested in going back to wrestling right now, and that is his decision. One has to respect what Sting has done for professional wrestling and it is nice to know someone left on “his terms”. I would rather have “they” not show any interest when they feuded with Immortal.
I just finished watching TNA Impact and I must say that I enjoyed the fact that “they” was Fortune. I may be a minority with my peers, but TNA might have been in a pinch and this was the best way to book it. Immortal had way too many numbers anyway and still have a good bit of talent in that faction. Having AJ Styles, Robert Roode, James Storm, and Kazarian work again as faces in a main-level feud for TNA is a brilliant idea because it will interest the viewers again.
Immortal is made of guys who made their names elsewhere and now “settled” in TNA (well, except for the TNA Security members. Side Note: Keep an eye on “Gunner”, his indy work is terrific.) Fortune is made up of guys who made their names in TNA Wrestling.
In closing, I am happy they went this route rather than bring back MEM. Fortune looks like they have the fire back (AJ Styles’ mic work was at his best last Thursday), while Main Event Mafia would not have been as interesting. Honestly, this makes watching TNA Impact more interesting than it has been in months.
Well, that is all for the questions. If you have a question please e-mail me at mistervwv@hotmail.com.
Detentions
Pittsburgh Steeler bandwagon fans – You know who you are. The ones that say now that the Steeler stink poopy all because they did not win a championship. Get over it and be proud that the hometown team made it farther than 30 other NFL teams. Besides, teams in Carolina, Cleveland, and others would have loved to be in that spot.
Michael Cole – Do I need a reason? I know that his role is to be a cheerleader, but it should not override what is going on in the ring.
WWE NXT – The camera angles were very poor last week. Also, instead of watching a match all we saw was Masters chanting “turd” and Dolph Ziggler giving an elbow drop to “A Block of Cheese”.
(skip to 1:07 for the elbow drop).
Christina Aguilera – I may have spelled her name wrong, but at least I know my country’s national anthem. Didn’t they teach her that song at North Allegheny High School (this is a shot at the high school she attended by the way)?
Dave Stephens – I was told to place him in detention for playing terrible music last week.
That is all for detentions. More to follow in the later weeks.
The Time Out Chair – R-Truth
This goes to a person in detention that really needs a time out until something or someone is equally as rotten. This week, it must be done. I have to issue a Time Out to R-Truth and it is not even close.
Just when he could not “skin a cat” and have a very sloppy tag team match last week on NXT, he tells “Green Bay” what’s up? Problem was he was in Milwaukee, which though in the same state (Wisconsin) the cities are about 120 miles apart. I bet when he messed up, Truth had this feeling:
Wanna get away from the Time Out Chair? I hope he can do it because I actually do feel bad for the guy.
The Eternal Detention Rundown
Praxis and the ETS Series
Teachers that get arrested
Ryan Clark
2010 French Soccer Team
Jeff Hardy
“Undefined” Alicia Fox
Mike Tenay
Matt Hardy (yes, even YOU “Matthew”!)
Mark Cuban and/or HDNet
Hulk Hogan
Mr. V’s Weekly Honor Roll Note
At this time, I would give out my Honorable matches. However, I am looking at my column and I slacked on a couple shows from last week.
So, this weekend I will work on a BONUS issue of “From the Desk of Mr. V” that will feature my Honor Roll on the matches of pro wrestling from December 29, 2010 to February 4, 2011. That way I will give you my best and show you my Grade Book. Hey, I only want to give you the best in professional wrestling. Stay Tuned for the Honor Roll this weekend on WrestleView.com.
NOTE FROM LAST WEEK: I just caught up watching all programming up to February 4, 2011. So this weekend I should get this completed. I am sorry for the delay, as I was ill all this week.
Final Predictions from the Faculty Standings (Season 2)
Before I present the standings, I want to thanks literally the scores of readers for participating even once in the predictions game for the 2010-2011 year. It would not nearly be successful without any of you. I considered closing this predictions game down, but this season I will give it another round.
There will possibly be a big announcement regarding the predictions game in the future. One new rule will be that I will take out the Students of the Week Standings and instead I will accumulate each “students” records and present the top three each time we do the predictions. Prizes can be issued as well. I don’t know what the prizes will be, maybe a random coffee mug or even a month of WrestleView VIP. I don’t know, but this will be a incentive to be the “Head of the Class” of WrestleView, right?
Also, next season there will be a “Bonus Point” system and will be used as a tiebreaker. Stay tuned in a couple week and I will get this all planned out with the fellow staff members.
Final Scores for the 2010-2011 Season (As of Royal Rumble 2011)
1) David Stephens (That’s a Wrap and RAW Recapper)………….108-56 (2-1)
2) Josh Boutwell (Viva La Raza and TNA Recapper)……………….103-61 (3-0)
3) Anthony Valvo (From the Desk of Mr. V)…………………………….98-66 (3-0)
4) Students of the Week (The Best from Prev. PPV)………………97-67 (1-2)*
5) WrestleView Students (The Loyal Readers)………………………..96-68 (2-1)**
6) Jose Marrero (Wrestling Rumblings)……………………………………95-69 (1-2)
7) Matt O’Brien (Notes From The Nosebleeds)…………………………92-72 (1-2)
8) Daniel Browne (For Queen and Country)…………………………….91-67 (2-1)
9) Jeff Springer (WWE Superstars Recapper)……………………………82-56 (3-0)
10) Mike Tedesco (Friday Night Smackdown Recapper)……………63-48 (1-2)
11) Doug Lackey (Reality From Ringside)…………………………………..52-42 (0-0)
12) Sean Hurley (The Sharpshooter)………………………………………..38-40 (2-1)
13) Enzo Mendicino (WWE NXT Recapper)………………………………….26-22 (0-0)
14) Joe Baiamonte (Baiamonte’s Casa/2009 WV Champ)………24-20 (0-0)
15) Ryan Rivera (ROH on HDNet Recapper)……………………………….21-17 (0-3)
16) Clinton Bowman (Velvet Room Co-Host)……………………………….11-5 (2-1)
17) Nicholas Gray (Velvet Room Co-Host)……………………………………7-11 (1-2)
The First Students of the Week of the 2011-2012 Season will be Ken Konarzewski, Gregory Walek, Randy McWilliams, and Nick Latham. They all went 3-0 for the Royal Rumble.
In the next Predictions Article, we will have a special congratulatory letter to Dave Stephens by none other than 2009 Predictions Winner Joe Baiamonte! It is a letter you will not want to miss (I will read it on The Teacher’s Lounge this weekend).
Mr. V’s Gold Star Segment
Gold Stars brought to you by: ColtMerch.com! Take a look at Colt Cabana’s merchandise and you won’t be disappointed.
Also, while you are at it check out www.jrsbarbq.com. Jim Ross has some specials on all the BBQ Sauce you need. Look at his blog and maybe buy a product or two. I know I will when shipping is free.
So many Gold Stars, so little time. Here are people, places, things, or ideas that I thought earned a Gold Star this past week.
CM Punk (By: Lester Junior) – Punk earned one this week for continuing to wrestle despite a broken nose earlier on Raw. In my opinion, it shows toughness. If only we had more pro wrestlers like CM Punk.
TobyMac – I am very happy to read that another one of his songs found a way in the WWE. I mentioned this last year, but I have followed his career since his days with the Christian Rock/Rap Group DC Talk. Below is a link to the theme of Elimination Chamber.
Tinie Tempah and Eric Turner – Again, another theme song for a PPV that I can actually work with. Very good song and definitely “WrestleMania worthy”.
Claudio Castagoni – He earns one for being “Very European” and since coffee is rich in antioxidants, he must be “Very Healthy” as well.
Drew McIntyre – I think he deserves one because he is consistently improving in the ring. I was not too high on him last year at this time, but now I think he looks like a main-event guy. Hopefully his wife does not interfere with his success.
Kofi Kingston – When many say that Morrison is a great high flyer, I think one should check out what Kingston is doing recently. His in-ring work is improving as well.
TNA and Fortune – They were Fortune. Honestly, that was a nice twist and a good storyline.
Jerry Lawler – Big Zeke, Big Show, and Lawler. Those are three guys I would want behind me at a bar fight. And if there are no fights, Lawler can probably punch a jukebox so hard you could hear the entire collection of Toby Keith without paying a penny.
Derrick Bateman – He is doing a great job on NXT and improving as a wrestler. If he wins the competition, I will have no problem.
Christopher Daniels – Now that it finally aired, Daniels is the NEW ROH Television Champion (to those that don’t read the spoilers, it “happened” on 1/31’s ROH on HDNet).
Alberto Del Rio – I could be smarky and give him one for attacking Hornswoggle while Swoggle was blindfolded, but instead I will give Del Rio one for being one of the most talked about wrestlers in the world.
The Osirian Portal – For the gift of Hypnosis.
Ned Rolsma – I never knew this until a friend of mine posted it on Facebook, but Rolsma appeared on CBS’ How I Met Your Mother a few times as Marshall’s brother. It is honestly very cool because I was in a class with him back in Hopewell High School (and if you watch the show he legit IS 7 feet tall!).
Pittsburgh Steelers – For winning the AFC Championship and representing Pittsburgh well in the Super Bowl. Sure, we came short but Pittsburgh should be proud of the progress.
Hernandez – I give him a Gold Star because he is one of my favorites in TNA.
Curt Hennig (By: Paul Meade) – A Gold Star sent to the sky from me. The wrestler known as “Mr. Perfect” passed away on this date eight years ago at the age of 44. In memory, Mr. Meade dedicates this song to you.
(I have WAY too many clips, one more I promise.)
Charles M. Schultz – The legendary comic artist passed away at this time in 2000. He was known worldwide for his comic “Peanuts”, which IS my favorite comic of all-time. Still, Charlie Brown never kicked that ball.
Homework Assignment
NO Assignments until further notice.
I won’t give my readers the runaround this week. The next one may arrive in a couple weeks, as I will be working on renewing my certification to teach in Pennsylvania. Yes, if I don’t get this, I can’t call this “From the Desk of Mr. V” because; well I won’t be Mr. V. “From the Desk of V” does not even sound professional, anyway.
Dismissal
Well, that does it for me this week. I thank you all for reading this column 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 at lounge@wrestleview.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!
Facebook: Add me if you want. I am Anthony J. Valvo in the Pittsburgh, PA network
Twitter: @TheMisterV
E-Mail: mistervwv@hotmail.com or lounge@wrestleview.com
THE TEACHER’S LOUNGE IS NOW AIRING ON SATURDAYS!
The Teacher’s Lounge gives the WrestleView Radio Network Audience a complete rundown of the past week’s events in professional wrestling all in a two-hour program. We even have a few games, a detention segment, as well as interviews.
Most Recent Guest: New Guest appears this week!
Already on the archives we interviewed Jose Marrero (Wrestling Rumblings), Matt O’Brien (Notes from the Nosebleeds), Crystal Mai from Diva-Dirt.com, CJ Bowman and Nicholas Gray (co-hosts of The Velvet Room), The YouTube Sensation who had choice words to CM Punk, Josh Boutwell (WrestleView TNA Recapper), ROH Wrestler Colt Cabana, and Former WWE Diva Aloisia! For $4.99 a month, you get all of this along with many other hours of content from the other shows on the WrestleView Radio Network. Soon, we will plan on more guests.
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 lounge@wrestleview.com. To sign up, click here.