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 us 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?.
Indy Misconceptions
Alright guys, it’s time that we need to have a talk, just you and I. I don?t want to sound condescending, and because of that I?ll freely admit that some of the things we shall be discussing I may have even partaken in myself at one point or another. Regardless, we need to have a chat on wrestling etiquette, and more importantly Indy wrestling etiquette. So to all of the ROH, CZW, IWA, Dragon Gate, Chikara, et. al., fans out there, this one is for you.
As many of you no doubt know, I am a self avowed Indy fan. This is to say that I watch/buy Indy DVDs, attend shows, check forums, watch clips on YouTube, and so on. I?m not one to whole heartedly believe stereotypes, but the ones that ?Mainstream? wrestling fans have for ?Indy? fans are devastatingly truthful at times. In the next couple paragraphs I hope that you and I can grow together, fix our mistakes, and maybe even convince a couple mainstream guys to join us. Hey, you never know!
It needs to be established that the opinions I have, or stories I draw from are a direct result of first person interactions. I?m not going to commentate on anything unless I actually was in attendance and witnessed or experienced it. I?m hoping that will quell any fears as well as allow me to stand behind my thoughts 100% for the inevitable angry e-mail. Alas, here we go into my collection of Indy wrestling misconceptions.
Indy Misconception #1: Indy fans live in their mother’s basement
Reality: Not true, I know many Indy fans that live on the same floor level as their parents, or even in the attic!
Indy Misconception #2: Indy fans smell worse than three week old egg salad that was left to rot in the Sahara
Reality: There is some truth to this one. I don?t know what it is but at far too many shows I?ve loved the wrestling, but been disappointed by the experience because of those around me. Not because they were boisterous, but because the stench was simply overwhelming. This is the kind of fan I have a problem with because they make the rest of us look bad. If you have a friend that falls into the ‘smelly? category (I said friend cause let’s be honest, we are more willing to admit it’s our friend than ourselves) please implore them to clean up a bit before attending the event. If not for themselves, then for those around them. Deodorant & Showering will do wonders. That being said, when a bottle of Shampoo reads ?2-in-1? that means Shampoo and Conditioner NOT Shampoo and Body Wash. Just wanted to get that out there. You might think I?m overreacting but until you sit through a show next to someone convinced that it’s the Dark Ages and that bathing more than once a year is immoral, you just don?t understand.
Indy Misconception #3: Indy fans are fat
Reality: I?m willing to disagree and say that the proportion of ?fat? fans is no greater than the proportion of obese Americans. So there you go, misconception BUSTED.
Indy Misconception #4: Indy fans are disrespectful drunkards
Reality: I?ve been at a number of shows where a few fans got out of hand due to a little bit too much ‘sippy sippy? as Kanye West would say. The most notable was from CZW Tournament of Death VIII in which a fan was making over-the-line comments and vulgar statements and was thus removed from the event. I have great respect for promotions that quickly take care of such incidents and ensure a safe environment for their fans. On the flip side, I have been at shows where the amount of event staff was not adequate for the size of the crowds. A brawl almost broke out at a JAPW show last year, which if not for a couple of smart acting fans, it could have gotten ugly. Even taking all of this into account, I will say that the drunken misconception is a result of a few unruly fans giving the bulk of the audience a black eye.
Indy Misconception #5: Indy fans are 13 year old marks
Reality: Actually, I?ve noticed that the age range is generally in the 17-24 with plenty of demographic additions thrown in.
Indy Misconception #6: Indy fans think everything is a ‘shoot?
Reality: A shoot? Damn, I didn?t even know it wasn?t real. This is depressing.
I pull these misconceptions together, agreeing with some and disagreeing with others to show you that while certain things have truth, most are taken out of context or isolated to small groups of fans. I may add to the list in the future, so please e-mail me about other ?Indy Misconceptions? that you may have, or that you have heard.
The next time you head to an Indy show, remember that the ?facts? I listed are misconceptions, so please don?t allow them to become self-fulfilling prophecies. We can do better than that!
What’s in the News?
All news is gathered from WrestleView.com unless otherwise noted
WWE.com is no longer featuring an “Industry News” tab on its front page. This section was started a year ago in February 2008 using stories from prominent pro wrestling news websites including WrestleView.com. In the past few months, crediting wrestling news websites became less and less and instead focused on media interviews with WWE talent. The initial idea behind the section was that WWE wanted to make its website the #1 stop for all things wrestling with the feeling being that they could increase traffic by including “insider news” to prevent people from going to other wrestling websites
-They ran into a wall when trying to balance protecting kayfabe, while trying to take the wind out of the sails of the big wrestling newssites (Observer, PWInsider, Torch, WrestleView and a few others). Noble attempt but resulted in failure because they couldn?t produce the commentary and gossip that Internet fans desire
Alex Marvez has an interview up with TNA star and new Impact commentator Taz. On his frustrations with commentating in WWE:
-“At times, it’s a little obnoxious to have so many people in your ear. You have to listen to your (announcing) partner, the executive producer and the company owner while trying to follow the talent in the ring and tell a story. I only have two ears, not six. If you have thick skin and want to be a WWE announcer, you’ll do good. If not, you’ll flop quick. Vince doesn’t mean anything personally. He’s just very aggressive when it comes to the announcing because he’s very well aware of how important it is. It’s the last line of communication to the audience to sell the product.”
Jeff Hardy has signed a deal with Fox 21 studios for his reality show reports The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The hope is to expand his fan base while being away from WWE television and building for a big return. Jeff’s brother Matt Hardy threw him a big farewell part during his final night on Tuesday in Phoenix, AZ following the Smackdown tapings.
-It should be noted that Matt stated in a blog that Jeff had been wrestling on two herniated discs in his lower back, nagging neck injuries and was suffering from “restless leg syndrome” which makes it difficult to sleep. Hardy has been given many public appearance and independent date offers since leaving WWE and is in a position to charge as much as $15,000 according to those close to him. He isn’t said to be interested in doing any appearances at the moment as he wants to enjoy his time away from WWE and give his body time to heal. A majority of his focus is said to be on his new reality show series and his band.
IGN.com has an interview up with TNA star AJ Styles. On WWE’s Michelle McCool using his “Styles Clash” finisher:
-“Gail Kim’s one of my really good friends, and I asked her about that and we talked about it and she (McCool) does do my move, but I’m flattered that she would think to use that move. It doesn’t bother me at all. I guess it might be different if a guy was doing it and calling it something else. At one point Crash Holly was doing the “Crash Landing” which was The Styles Clash, but little did I know that they were just big fans of the move. Crash was a good guy. We got along great. We actually did an independent show and we both were going for the Styles Clash and we got into an argument. It was really funny. The fact of the matter is this. People know it. That’s the Styles Clash. That’s my move. I came up with it on my own. It’s okay. I understand, you gotta come up with something and there’s not a lot of moves in the world. It’s hard to be different. But it’s cool with me.”
Actor Jeremy Piven and WWE Diva Kelly Kelly were spotted together at the New York Jets/Philadelphia Eagles NFL preseason game last night reports PWInsider. It had been revealed by Jim Ross on his website that Piven had gotten Kelly’s phone number when he hosted Raw back in August.
-As if Jeremy Piven couldn?t be any more awesome, he’s now seduced Kelly Kelly. I?m not going to lie I?m a bit jealous (and by bit I mean INCREDIBLY, just for the record)
Nigel McGuinness has commented about his signing with WWE, which according to him is still in the process of being finalized, to The Sun in the UK. McGuinness added
-“I am not 100 percent on board yet. I still have to cross some I’s and dot some T’s but it’s looking positive. It’s been a long time coming for sure. Ten years since I first took a bump and about eighteen since that fateful day I sat in Wembley Stadium [at SummerSlam 1992] and said I was one day going be a pro-wrestler. Still, like I said, I don’t want to tempt fate until it’s all signed sealed and delivered.”
During an appearance on “Bubba the Love Sponge” radio yesterday, Hulk Hogan was on and talked about Kurt Angle’s current women problems. They ended up calling Angle and Angle suggested that Hogan put the red, white and blue back on and they could have a feud together in TNA. Hogan responded saying he could definitely make that happen. At this point Bubba tried to call TNA President Dixie Carter, but no one answered. This again seems to be another attempt by Hogan to get back into WWE that he seems to do every year.
-The Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online did note that Hogan and Bubba were both drinking as they did the show, don?t think there is anything I can add that will top that ?revelation?
According to a report by The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the belief is that Rey Mysterio’s 30 day suspension from WWE will cost him in excess of $100,000. This figure has been determined due to Mysterio missing two PPV events (he will miss next Sunday’s Breaking Point PPV and will likely miss the Hell in a Cell PPV on October 4 since they would have no TV time to build up a match) and four weeks of house show events.
-?Like other drug-related suspensions in WWE, Mysterio will not be getting paid his downside guarantee and will not be able to collect the normal money he would make from appearing on house show and PPV events if he was still performing. He will still be collecting merchandise revenue during his 30 day suspension though, which is still a huge revenue source for him in WWE. It is believed that Mysterio is earning in the range of $1.5 million annually, but a good deal of that comes from strong merchandise sales as he is one of the top sellers in WWE. It is interesting to note that his money earning ability from merchandise has always been strong and even continued to be while he was out battling injuries on a frequent basis. Mysterio dropped the Intercontinental Championship to John Morrison on this past week’s Friday Night Smackdown and Morrison will now defend that title against Dolph Ziggler at Breaking Point next Sunday?
R-Truth’s “Pretty Ricky” character has apparently not been scrapped. The Smackdown wrestler’s alter-ego appears in the latest edition of “The Palace of Wisdom” with John Morrison.
-I know a lot of you probably despise this character, but something about it just amuses me to unbelievable levels. A chuckle is guaranteed when the grills go in his mouth
Despite an apparent real-life feud, Jeff Jarrett noted Kurt Angle as the best in-ring performer in the history of the wrestling industry during a media appearance in Australia over the weekend.
-“He doesn’t have a peer in this business for his ability once the bell rings,” Jarrett said. “From bell to bell I think he may be the best this business has ever produced.”
Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness was announced for Ring of Honor’s sold out Glory By Honor VIII event in New York City on September 26
-That should be an emotional, and epic match for these two great performers
In regards to earlier statements that WWE was taking further notice of Ring of Honor when the company’s TV show on HDNet was moved to Monday night and looking at a possible “talent raid”, The Figure Four Weekly Newsletter reports that Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness were the only two major hold outs in regards to signing a new contract with ROH and that mostly everyone else on the roster is locked up. There is one rumor that several talents could still get out of their deals if they were to give a 30 day notice, although one ROH source noted that if there was a case where WWE was offering talent a full-time living that it was doubtful ROH would try and prevent it. One WWE source even added, “If WWE wanted to raid, they’d take any and everything including the stapler in an ROH office desk.”
-I?m going to have to agree. I really don?t think that there are that many guys in Ring of Honor that the WWE would truly be interested in. I don?t mean that as a knock in any way, some guys are just better suited for the Indy environment
PWInsider is reporting that the talk at last night’s Raw taping in Chicago was a backstage fight between The Great Khali and Big Show that took place at Saturday’s WWE Smackdown/ECW house show event in Arecibo, Puerto Rico at the Manuel Iguina Coliseum. According to several sources, there was said to have been some heat between the two even before the fight took place. This includes Show reportedly being upset with Khali using moves that he feels should be exclusive to him as a “giant” in WWE.
-?Big Show reportedly threw the first punch as one source described it. Khali blocked it (in what some described as the same exact way he does it in the ring) and the two began fighting. Show then slipped on something and went down leading to Khali jumping on top of him. At this point several wrestlers broke it up and the crew was ordered at that point to keep them apart of the rest of the tour in Puerto Rico. For what it is worth, Big Show was seen as being at fault for the fight among the wrestlers?
WWE Stock Update
Week Ending September 4th 2009
Open ? 14.24
Close ? 14.31
Low ? 13.67
High ? 14.60
Volume ? 1,147,021
Quick Results
RAW August 31st
-WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes ended in a no contest
-Divas Champion Mickie James def. Beth Phoenix
-United States Champion Kofi Kingston def. The Miz, Jack Swagger and Carlito
-Mark Henry def. Unified WWE Tag Team Champion Big Show by disqualification
-Hornswoggle def. Chavo Guerrero in a Bull Rope Match
-Unified WWE Tag Team Champion Chris Jericho def. MVP
-Beth Phoenix def. Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim, Rosa Mendes, Jillian and Alicia Fox in an ?American Dream? Six-Diva Battle Royal
ECW September 1st
-Shelton Benjamin def. Zack Ryder
-Ezekiel Jackson & Vladimir Kozlov def. local competitors
-Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels ? The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania Special
-Sheamus def. Goldust
Superstars September 3rd
-Evan Bourne def. ?The Masterpiece? Chris Masters
-William Regal def. Tyler Reks
-The Hart Dynasty def. Cryme Tyme and Eve in a Six-Person Mixed Tag Team Match
TNA Impact September 3rd
-No Surrender 4-Way Qualifying Tournament Bracket 1: ?The Icon? Sting def. ?War Machine? Rhino
-No Surrender 4-Way Qualifying Tournament Bracket 2: ?The Phenomenal? AJ Styles def. Chris Sabin w/Alex Shelley
-No Surrender 4-Way Qualifying Tournament Bracket 2: Doug Williams def. Suicide
-TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships Tournament 1st Round: Tara & Christy Hemme def. Sojo Bolt & Hamada
-No Surrender 4-Way Qualifying Tournament Bracket 1: ?Super Mex? Hernandez def. ?Notorious 1-8-7? Homicide
-No Surrender 4-Way Qualifying Tournament Bracket 2 Finals: ?The Phenomenal? AJ Styles def. Doug Williams
-No Surrender 4-Way Qualifying Tournament Bracket 1 Finals: ?The Icon? Sting def. ?Super Mex? Hernandez
Smackdown September 4th
-Finlay & The Great Khali def. Kane & Mike Knox
-John Morrison def. Rey Mysterio (New Intercontinental Champion)
-Maria & Eve def. Layla & Natalya
-Matt Hardy vs. World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk (No Contest, Non-Title)
Must Read WrestleView Column of the Week
2009 WrestleView Student Choice Awards by: Anthony Valvo & WrestleView Readers
An impressive effort that brought in 47 different Readers to determine the ?Best and Worst? of the wrestling year so far. Definitely a great read and follow-up to the WrestleView Staff edition. Always nice to see the varying opinions present on the site, and some results are surprising!
Click the Icon to Join!
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.
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