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News, Results, Columns, and more
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WWE News: WrestleMania XXV Press Conference Scheduled For Next Week in Houston, Texas
World Wrestling Entertainment sent out the following this afternoon:
WWE will be holding a special WrestleMania(r) XXV news conference at the Toyota Center in Houston, TX on Tuesday, June 24
at 12 Noon, and all WWE Fans are invited to attend this free event. Join WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon(r) and WWE Superstars as
a special announcement will be made regarding WrestleMania XXV.
What: Special WrestleMania XXV news conference with WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon and WWE Superstars Triple H(r), John Cena(r),
CM Punk(tm), Edge(r), Batista(r) and more.
When: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 12 Noon
Where: Toyota Center, Main Entrance (LaBranch and Polk)
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ECW Results 06-17-08: A Very Big Confrontation
ECW on Sci-Fi
Tuesdays 10/9 CT
Oroville, California: HP Pavilion
Tonight on ECW, we will witness a confrontation between two of WWE’s most successful giants as Kane and the Big Show
meet face to face. Will tensions break loose to the point where a brawl overcomes the two behemoths? Let’s find out…
ECW video package rolls and we are welcomed with fireworks as Tazz and Mike Adamle introduce us to yet another edition of
ECW on Sci-Fi.
Adamle and Tazz inform us that tonight CM Punk will take on John Morrison in a singles match. In addition, there will be a
rather big confrontation between Kane and the Big Show.
Hornswoggle’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring alone. No Finlay. Lots of kids were cheering on their
little leprechaun.
Armando Estrada then makes his way down to the ring to a chord of boos.
Match 1: Hornswoggle v. Armando Estrada
As the bell rings, Hornswoggle is in position of one of Estrada’s Cuban cigar. He smells it and is disgusted. As a result,
he breaks it in half throws it in Estrada’s face and proceeds to runs around outside of the ring with Estrada in hot
pursuit. After chasing the little guy around, Estrada slips on a pile of marbles scattered around by Hornswoggle. At this
point, Hornswoggle runs underneath the ring and pulls out a squirt gun and a toy shillelagh. Back in the ring, he proceeds
to squirt Estrada in the face with it. Seconds later, Hornswoggle teases the crowd by holding up to the toy shillelagh. As
he whacks Estrada to no avail, the referee takes it away, and confiscates all of Hornswoggle’s toys. In the meantime,
Estrada rolls out of the ring and cleans the water out of his eyes while Hornswoggle runs around the ring and squirting water,
thus causing the referee to be distracted. Unfortunately for Estrada, Finlay comes out from under the ring and blasts Estrada
in the face with a Super Soaker. Afterwards, he proceeded to roll him inside the ring. Hornswoggle sees the oppurtunity and
connects with the Tadpole Splash for the win. (Rating: 2.5/5. Entertaining, but for how long? In all actuality, these stunts
get old after a while. Sigh.)
Post-Match: Tazz interviews Finlay. He asks Finlay what kind of stuff is under the ring. Finlay responds by saying that there
are hobbits, fat, skinny, and Tazz-sized people. Finlay then gets in the ring and dances with Hornswoggle.
-Commercial-
Night of Champions Hype: Triple H v. John Cena
Back, we are shown a footage of Layla who dances for the crowd during the break. They state it could be her last dance and
for more information, check out the WWE exclusive on WWE.com.
Your former Social Studies teacher, Matt Striker is then shown standing in the middle of the ring awaiting his opponent.
His opponent is none other than ECW newcomer, Evan Bourne.
Match 2: Matt Striker v. Evan Bourne
As the match gets underway, Striker appears to be in advantage with a head-lock. He snapmares Bourne, but the very much athletic
Bourne lands on his feet. The two exchange some grapple maneuvers, but Bourne gets the advantage with a headscissors take
down. Striker gets up slowly in the corner and Bourne charges at him. Striker however tosses Bourne over the top rope. Unfortunately
for Striker, Bourne lands on the apron. As Bourne tries to leap, Striker catches him and hits an amazing swinging neckbreaker
off the top rope! However, Striker only gets a 2 count. Striker then lifts Bourne up and connects with a reverse face buster.
Striker goes for the cover again, but he gets another 2 count. Striker then applies a chinlock and yells “you’re
not going to get a name off of me.” Crowd cheers Bourne on. Bourne makes his way back up and nicely manages to hit a
knee lift. This is immediately followed by a standing hurricanrana. After both men make it back to their feet, Striker charges
at Bourne and attempts to kick him, but Bourne catches him and leg sweeps the former teacher. Bourne then tries a standing
moonsault, but Striker catches him with a foot right in the gut. As Bourne gets up slowly in the corner, Striker charges at
him, but only to be kicked back down. Bourne then connects with a perfect Shooting Star Press for the win. (Rating: 3/5. Maybe
I am rating this match a little too high, but the reason behind it is Evan Bourne. Folks, if you don’t watch ECW and
simply read these reports, take my word and actually watch an Evan Bourne match. This young kid has great potential. Also
it was good to see the Shooting Star Press again!)
Post-Match: The crowd gives Bourne a well-deserved round of applause. They show a replay of the finish. While Bourne continues
to celebrate, Mike Knox emerges to the scene and drills Bourne with a big boot which is then followed by Knox’s version
of the neckbreaker.
-Commercial-
Be sure to watch Raw on June 23rd! It’s the 3-hour WWE Draft Special.
Back, we see Knox still standing in the ring awaiting his opponent…Kofi Kingston.
Match 3: Mike Knox v. Kofi Kingston.
Just as the bell rings, Knox strikes Kingston in the guts with a knee and corners the Jamaican sensation. Knox continues the
punishment with a body splash. When he tries to do it again, Kingston puts his feet up and stuns the big man. Kingston then
delivers numerous kicks to the leg of Knox and follows it up with a running dropkick to Knox’s face. Kingston then tries
what looks like a judo flip, but Knox grabs Kingston by the face and over-powers him into the turnbuckle. Knox then successfully
hits a double arm suplex. Knox then proceeds with a couple of submission holds. Not long after, Kingston regains momentum
as counters a charge and drops his signature double leg drop. “Ain’t No Stoppin Me Now!” Yes that’s
right, Shelton Benjamins music hits during the match as he makes his way down to the ring.
Kingston is in his unique fighting stance and awaits Benjamin. Benjamin gets in the ring and spears the heck out of Kingston.
The two continue to fight as Benjamin tries to nail the signature kick that he does. Unfortunately, Kingston doges it and
Benjamin mistakenly hits Mike Knox. Kingston escapes the ring and walks back up the ramp.
(Rating: 3/5. Including the after-match, this segment turned out to be acceptable. We can finally get the feeling that there
is some hot blood between the athletes. I would definitely like to see another Benjamin/Kingston matchup, but hopefully in
a unique match.)
Bejamin and Knox argue as we go to break.
Still later tonight, we will witness an open forum between Big Show and Kane.
-Commercial-
The Rock’s new DVD hype is shown.
As we return to ECW, we are shown a recap of McMahons Million Dollar Mania from last night. It actually killed about 3-4 minutes
of TV time.
We head backstage with Teddy Long and his beautiful assistant, Tiffany. They give Finlay a contract to sign that makes his
and Hornswoggle’s match against Miz and Morrison at Night of Champions official. Finlay gives Hornswoggle the contract
to sign. He takes it and signs it with a thick green marker instead. Tiffany then mentions that what might happen to the little
Hornswoggle if he is separated from Finlay in the upcoming Draft. Finlay makes a joke about it until Miz intervenes. He asks
Long if he is serious about giving Finlay and Hornswoggle a chance to fight for the championships. Finlay nails Miz in the
head with the shillelaigh and responds to Miz’s word with a yes.
Back in the arena, CM Punk’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring to a decent ovation from the audience.
-Commercial-
John Morrison is introduced as Punk’s opponent.
Match 4: CM Punk v. John Morrison
The two lock up as the bell rings and Punk backs Morrison into the far left corner. The referee breaks it up as Punk and Morrison
exchange a few words. A couple of shoves are then exchanged and Punk manages to apply headlock. Punk then connects with a
shoulder block, but Morrison gets up and slaps Punk. Punk slaps him back. Punk strikes Morrison with a kick and gets on the
apron, but Morrison with a spinning leg sweep from the canvas that sends Punk face first into the mat. Morrison then hits
a baseball slide and Punk looks on in pain. After some time, Morrison brings Punk back in the ring and delivers a kick to
the abdomen and gets a 2 count. Morrison then locks in a submission hold focused on the ribs. Morrison’s knee driven
into the side of Punk’s torso and he elbows out of it. Morrison snaps up and drives him into the corner. Repeated knee’s
to the ribs now and one more puts Punk on the mat for a pin that gets 2. Morrison goes back to the same hold, pulling on the
leg and arm bringing them together as Punk lays on his side, with Morrison’s knee placed in the ribcage. Punk whips
out an inside cradle out of it for 2. Morrison keeps control out of that and hangs Punk up on the ropes. More knees from Morrison
into the mid-section. Another kick to the ribs and Morrison goes for another cover that comes up short. Morrison slaps on
a seated abdominal stretch hold now and Punk elbows out and gets to his feet. Out of nowhere he lifts Morrison up into the
GTS position, but Morrison elbows out of it and keeps Punk grounded still. John mounts him and throws fist after fist into
Punks mug then tries another pin. 1,2, kick out follows. Morrison then locks in a bodyscissors. Punk, feeding off the crowd,
wiggles out and ends up with a grip on Morrison’s legs. He lifts him up and it’s an airplane spin! Afterwards,
Punk hits the running knee in the corner, the bulldog is blocked, and Morrison hits the ropes, but Punk catches him in a snap
powerslam for another 2 count. Both are winded and wounded, but Punk hits a couple kicks, only to be countered by Morrison
who comes off the ropes with a knee to the face for 2. Morrison then connects with a back suplex and goes for yet another
cover, but yet another 2 count. Morrison tries taking advantage, but Punk sends him into the corner. As Punk charges, Morrison
slides onto the apron and leaps over the ropes, but only to be caught in mid-air in position for the GTS. Punk connects and
this bout is over! (Rating: 3.5/5. A very good match between the two superstars. I really hope Morrison gets another push
in the near future as he is a pure wrestler. As for Punk, the sky is the limit for him…only time will tell when he cashes
in the MITB briefcase.)
Post-Match: After the replays are shown, Morrison is crawling to the back, but stops at the top when the Miz comes out. He
simply says, “Still one half of the tag team champions, John Morrison. Be jealous!”
The Confrontation between Kane and the Big Show is next!
-Commercial-
Night of Champions Hype: Edge v. Batista.
Back, we see GM Long standing in the middle of the ring with a mic in hand. He restates that in 2 weeks, at Night of Champions,
the ECW Championship will be defended. He then introduces the challenger, The Big Show, then the ECW Champion, Kane.
Long says that this is forum where both men are given the opportunity to say whatever they want to say to each other.
Big Show starts first. He says that they have been opponents, partners, and even champions together, but the cold hard fact
is that he wants the ECW Championship that Kane is in possession of.
Kane gets on the mic. and says that Show may be the World’s Largest Athlete and one of the most dominant superstars
in the entire history of the WWE, but one thing he will not be is ECW Champion. Kane further mentions that Show knows what
Kane is capable of, but does not know what he is willing to do to retain the championship.
Big Show then agrees with Kane, saying that he does know Kane very well. He is a sick, twisted, sadistic, freak. Show further
mentions that he went through hell to get this title shot, and if need be, he will put Kane through hell to win the title.
Kane replies, “Well big man, hell is standing right here in front of you!”
They get face to face when all of a sudden Mark Henry’s music hits.
Henry stops at the ramp way and says that both men need to watch it and calm down for just a minute, because they are going
to need to save their strength. He then pauses and walks into the ring and claims that if he isn’t drafted on Monday
night to a different brand that he will come after the winner of the title match at Night of Champions. Henry laughs and tells
them to count on that.
Big Show and Kane stare at each other and grab Henry by the throat. They then deliver a thunderous double Chokeslam to the
World’s Strongest Man.
Big Show and Kane have a staredown as ECW rolls off the air.
(Segment Rating: 4/5. A good ending to the broadcast that just adds more to the fire between Kane/Show/Henry.)
Quick Match Results:
-Hornswoggle def. Armando Estrada via. Tadpole Splash
-Evan Bourne def. Matt Striker via. Shooting Star Splash
-Kofi Kingston def. Mike Knox via. DQ
-CM Punk def. John Morrison via. GTS
Highlight of the Night: CM Punk v. John Morrison
Tonight’s show was a good one mainly because of the Punk/Morrison match. Evan Bourne was impressive as well. However,
The McMahon Million Dollar segments are just frustrating to watch. Nontheless, I guess this was the last report before the
Draft. Hopefully, the entire WWE will be ‘shaken up’ before everything is done. Final Rating: 6.5. (Worth a Watch.
C+)
In the meantime, these are just a few draft picks I think will occur:
-MVP will be drafted to RAW
-Umaga will be drafted to SmackDown
-Carlito will be drafted to SmackDown
-Mark Henry will be drafted to ECW
-Rey Mysterio will be drafted to ECW or RAW
Be sure to watch RAW this Monday!
Questions, Comments, Concerns can be sent to akbarsaadi@yahoo.com
How will the draft affect the land of extreme? Will ECW lose any superstars? What will come about the Kane/Big Show rivalry?
All these questions and more will be answered next Tuesday on ECW on Sci-Fi!
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Yes it has returned after an extended absence. Welcome one and all to the June edition of LoP‘s Fact or Fiction!
We have some interesting characters gathered here today including three columnists (two of those being recent promotions),
a British hoodlum who is well known around these parts as well as two younger individuals who're experiencing their first
tripod exposure. Figured we would break them in sooner rather than later. And if your math is any good, you may have realized
I listed six people. That wasn't a grammatical error. Due to some miscommunication on my part, there will be six people involved
in this tango (rather than the ordinary five). So for those who aren't familiar with how this column works, listen up. We
will be taking a look at five different topics and declaring them either “FACT“ or “FICTION“, as well
as give reasons for answering the way we did. But before we get things rolling, introductions are in order. Please feel free
to click on the links below, in bold, to get a look at everyone's latest column.
Joining the chaos this time around are...
anonymous author of Inside the Mind
SkittleZ author of Taste My Rainbow
Hustle author of Hustle Is Posting Right Now
PnkTinkerbell author of Pnk's Thnks
mavsman22 author of Nothing But Net
ManWithThePlan author of Just Business
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
FACT or FICTION: Out of the entire WWE roster, Umaga is most in need of a brand switch via the upcoming Draft Lottery.
(anonymous) There are a lot of stars who could do with a brand switch. We've got stars like Charlie Haas, Kenny Dykstra and
even Big Daddy V who don't even appear on television and could do with being a fresh face on a different show. But, there
aren't to many prominent upper mid-carders who I can see benefiting except for three in my book. Umaga, Rey Mysterio and Carlito.
Carlito's being destroyed on Raw and a move to somewhere like Smackdown or ECW could give him another chance to shine. Meanwhile,
Umaga's getting really stale and has feuded with nearly everyone possible. But, I don't think he should go anywhere. Recently,
we've seen Umaga get quite a few face teases. Turning on Orton an Edge, destroying unpopular segments and even the crowd occasionally
gives him a favorable reaction. I think a fully fledged face turn on Raw would be fantastic. Scaring Santino or feuding with
someone like Bradshaw or even Regal ( plus "Umanga" promos) would be the most entertaining option.
Which leaves us with Rey. Rey's been on Smackdown for ages. He's had a lot of feuds and it's time to move on. His fast style
could really work on Raw against opponents like Michaels and Jeff Hardy, whilst the Raw heels need someone new to feud with.
I also think Rey is more stale than Umaga right now. A new start on Raw would be most beneficial. Basically, I'm saying FICTION.
(SkittleZ) Up until WrestleMania, I sincerely felt that Jericho would benefit from a change of scenery just as much (if not
more) as Umaga. However, Y2J finds himself smack dab in the middle of a tremendous feud with Shawn Michaels so those feelings
have swayed somewhat over the past several weeks. Since around SummerSlam last year, Umaga's the one who's been getting bulldozed
over and over again by the opposition. All the time and effort WWE put into building Umaga's credibility has all but evaporated
over the last year due to the jobber syndrome he appears to be suffering from. It doesn't matter very much if Umaga ends up
on ECW because of the talent exchange. Just get the damn man off RAW where he has quickly become a laughing stock among the
IWC. Umaga has the ability to put on solid matches with all of SmackDown's elites (Batista, Undertaker, Big Show, Matt Hardy,
Finlay, etc.) and could really elevate the brand in my opinion with a Randy Orton-esque title reign. Adding a talented big
men such as Umaga to the brand will help breath some fresh air into the main event picture. So obviously, I say FACT.
(Hustle) This is a tough question to answer, as there are 4 or 5 names that could realistically be the answer for who is most
in need of a brand switch. For the sake of this column, though, I'll say FACT. With names like Triple H, John Cena, and Randy
Orton all on Raw at the moment, it will be next to impossible for Umaga to be anything more than he is or has been recently.
The same can really be said about anybody currently not in the "Holy Trinity" on Raw, with the exception of Jeff Hardy. If
he can move away from the entire trio, he should be able to do just fine, especially with some fresh feud opportunities...
*cough* Undertaker *cough*.
(PnkTinkerbell) So here's the deal. Before No Way Out, I would have said no to any need to move him at all. Then Jeff Hardy
beats him, soon after returning for being a crack fiend (allegedly). So now, yeah Umaga needs a move to the blue label. But
is he in most need of the move? Nah. In fact, I can think of plenty other people in more need of a move for example. Batista
as a face on Smackdown got old a year ago. He has done everything humanly possible he can on the brand, and Edge Vs. Batista
is not something I want to see yet again. Especially when Batista has to sell a spear. Jericho, as I have argued in the past
may be the most in need for a change although lately with his heel turn, that may not be needed anymore. He finally got a
direction so he could possibly be just fine on RAW. There are plenty of other people who need to be moved around. Is Umaga
the most in need of this change? No. Therefore FICTION.
(mavsman22) BIG FACT. If I can, in my first column, Nothing But Net: The Anatomy of a Monster [/cheap plug] as I was talking
about Umaga’s lack of fresh feuds on Raw, I wrote, “ This basically boils down to Umaga being out of things to
do on Raw without turning face. He’s feuded with HHH and Jeff Hardy. He semi-feuded with Shawn Michaels in the DX days
(New DX, not old DX, big difference there). The only possible feud that is really left for him to do on Raw as a heel is a
feud with Chris Jericho. That will buy you a couple of months, but not much else. Now, look at Smackdown. Due to the ECW-Smackdown
exchange, he could feud with The Undertaker, Batista (already been done, but there’s still some life there IMO), The
Big Show, CM Punk, Matt Hardy, and others such as Kane (also been done, but in a year or so we could be ready for it). It
really makes more sense for him to move to Smackdown, which has been rumored to happen anyways. This would be a good move
by the WWE.”
Keep in mind that this was written before the ECW-Raw exchange was reported, but most of the names on there were Smackdown
guys anyways. The only two who weren’t were CM Punk and Kane, and I predict CM Punk gets drafted to Smackdown anyways.
This is the most urgent roster move the WWE needs to make. Umaga has tons of potential but has been given shit for a push
lately. Hopefully that changes with a move to Smackdown.
(ManWithThePlan) First off, let me just say that I’m one of the biggest Youmanga fans ever! Yes, I say Youmanga because
I’m English and Mister Regal, as drugged up as he is, set the bar on that one. Blame him. Back to the point. I love
the Samoan Bulldozer and genuinely believe this guy can have a run with one of the top tier titles. On Raw he may seem displaced.
On Smackdown, given the penchant for it being the home of the big man, he’d fit right in. Youmanga/Taker Hell in a Cell
please. I say a nice big fat juicy biased FACT.
FACT or FICTION: The Paul Burchill/Katie Lea incest angle will flop faster than good guy Santino Marella.
(anonymous) I don't want to think about this. FACT. Now I've got to get those nasty images out of my head.
(SkittleZ) I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say FICTION. Average wrestling fans knew very little about Santino when he
burst onto the scene early last year. I think it's safe to say that the 'Milan Miracle' did little to help get Marella over
with the fans. Something just didn't click. His in-ring talent was average at best and his clean cut foreigner act wasn't
winning him much of a following. And kicking off his career with a string of lifeless matches against Chris Masters didn't
help his cause either. At least Burchill has been placed in a respectable feud against Mr. Kennedy. The 'E should've learned
their lesson from the Katie Vick storyline but I suppose Vince is so sick and twisted that a rehashed edition was simply irresistible.
The incest angle may fail in the long term but I can see some early success from Burchill and his hot sister. Shit, I'd hit
that.... wouldn't you? If she wasn't my sister of course. Yeah, that would be kinky.
(Hustle) FACT. Hasn't it technically flopped already? One week, they're siblings who fuck each other, and the next week there's
no mention of them being related, only to go back to being cast members of the "Taboo" porn series the following week.
(PnkTinkerbell) FACT. Although, hasn't it already? Incest twins are the grossest things ever. Even though I know it's an angle
and they aren't even related, every time I see them I imagine they are related and bumping ugly parts before matches. But
from what I've been able to tell, it seems that the WWE can't make up their mind if they are screwing one another or not.
One week we get a sign of a closer relationship than needed, the next we get what seems to be a normal one. They need to make
up their minds. But in that case, obviously it's already flopped.
(mavsman22) Santino’s face run lasted all of two or three months. Paul and Katie Lea first appeared on Raw in February.
And honestly, I don’t think the incest angle is even going on anymore. Even on the racier Raw, where we have seen necrophilia
and retarded nephews of the General Manager, Vince (or someone with enough influence to change Vince’s mind) realized
that brothers and sisters “loving” each other on our television weekly might be counter productive to gaining
more viewers. Also, parents of younger children who watch wrestling might stop allowing them to tune into Raw. There goes
another demographic. So, given all that, and considering I only remember the incest angle being hinted at a couple of times
over about a month, I will have to say FACT to this one.
(ManWithThePlan) I didn’t know it was still in the expected books. =/ If it is then I say FACT. It may even become Katie
Vick Mark II. I’m shuddering at the thought. This feud with Kennedy might be interesting though. I’d love to see
a mini-stable when Regal comes back. Oh, and what face run? SANTINO NEVER HAD A FACE RUN! IT DIDN’T HAPPEN! OK?!
FACT or FICTION: CM Punk will never be allowed to transform into a main event star because of his constant backstage heat.
(anonymous) FICTION. CM Punk will never be a main event star because he's an overrated, undersized guy who doesn't fit the
WWE main event style. If he wins anything, it's going to be the ECW title but, he's not getting anywhere near the others.
I just don't think his mic work is good enough and his ring work is too spotty and messy (queue hate mail). If they pushed
him to the title he'd end up being like Rey Mysterio. He'd be an unrealistic champion and he'd lose fans because of it. The
role of a popular upper-midcarder is made for him. He'll always be a nearly man but never because he was an idiot backstage.
(SkittleZ) Well, Punk has certainly done himself zero favors with his backstage antics. He was swabbing spit with Maria within
his first few months with the company and talking back to legend Tony Atlas during his ECW Championship reign. While the latter
can be disputed, it's no secret that Punk is a guy who likes to speak his mind. WWE tends to frown on outspoken talent but
I think Punk will be just fine. His RoH fan base has followed him into WWE and the guy is mega over with live audiences around
the globe. Jeff Hardy may have been originally booked to win Money in the Bank but Punk isn't exactly what I'd called a poor
substitute. Whether he is able to cash in on the MITB opportunity is yet to be seen although I foresee Punk having a bright
future with the WWE. Will that translate into a permanent spot in the main event? Eventually it will. Perhaps not this year
but definitely before 2009 comes to an end. This one is FICTION.
(Hustle) I'm gonna say FICTION for this one. Why? Because I think the stories of Punk's backstage heat are, for the most part,
bullshit. How's that for a simple and straight-forward answer? I'm not saying that Punk is on his path to becoming the single
biggest star in the history of the business or anything, but you can't believe everything you read on the internet, people.
It'll give you cancer.
(PnkTinkerbell) I'll go with FICTION for this one. He has heat? Are we all 100% sure about it? Honestly, MitB should have
been a sign that he's eventually going to get the shot at a main event spot on the blue or red brands. What he'll do with
it? Well that's up to him. I really can't see him holding on to a main event spot for too long. Oh me, of little faith.
(mavsman22) FICTION. There comes a time in every jackass wrestler’s life, where no matter how much heat you have on
you, if you are extremely over with the fans, the WWE will push you. In the end, it is about money. They want Punk to go out
there and sell T-shirts and hats and all the other crap they can put his face on. He may be an asshole backstage, and he may
rub some people the wrong way, but when push comes to shove, the fans want to see him. As an entertainment company, if you
don’t give the fans what they want, you are risking losing business. In a day and age where ratings are plummeting,
you can’t afford to lose customers, and I think at the end of the day, the WWE knows that.
(ManWithThePlan) CM Punk is a dick. He is bland. He’s average. He’s cocky and arrogant (apparently) and has his
own Moves of Doom that are even less entertaining than those Mister Cena employs. His entrance music is cringe worthy and
he didn’t, and doesn’t, deserve the Money in the Bank briefcase. His finisher is awful; what’s worse than
a fireman’s carry? A knee to the head. He has no lips. And there‘s more charisma in the little finger of someone
with chronic leprosy. He is just downright, 100% crap. And yet for some truly unfathomable reason he’s over with the
fans!
Will he ever become a true main event star? Bias aside, I still struggle to see it. While he is good in the ring, he just
isn’t outstanding. I don’t know how much merchandise he shifts and while his pops are pretty healthy for now they
are by no means the biggest of the night. I think before backstage heat it’s these factors that will stop him from main
eventing. I’m saying FICTION though knowing how much the ‘E likes to fuck up I’m most likely wrong. I say
send him to Raw and put Terminator Levesque circa ‘03 up against him. Hopefully there he’ll get left behind.
FACT or FICTION: The Great Khali can be successful portraying a babyface.
(anonymous) This has got to be FICTION. In today's smarkish world, a Khali babyface turn would be impossible to complete successfully.
Too many people hate him because he isn't a great wrestler, he can't talk on the mic and he has been pushed down our throats
too much. Even if he cured the common cold, cancer and cataracts, he'd still be hated by the majority of wrestling fans.
(SkittleZ) I've been pulling for this since Khali's program with Big Show expired. Where do you go from here with the Punjabi
Nightmare? He's been tossed around brands since 2006 and has basically put over every major babyface. It appears as though
a Khali face turn may already be in the works and I applaud that move. It shows that the Creative Team aren't so mentally
handicapped after all. Start him off by squashing a few heel jobbers and midcarders, get Khali a nice line/catchphrase and
include him in some funny skits. It ain't that difficult people. I compare it to Santino's situation (only flip flopped).
The crowd wasn't buying Santino so management switched him into full blown heel and Marella's character took off. Just think
of that same formula being applied to Khali. While its unlikely we'll see Khali winning many championships, he can undoubtedly
contribute in other ways just as Santino has done. I claim FACT with quite a bit of confidence.
(Hustle) FACT. The comedic possibilities of a Khali face turn are rather plentiful. Hell, even if they don't make it comedic,
it could easily work out, maybe as some sort of a "bodyguard" character for some Diva or a smaller wrestler. It would also
be fun to have John Cena take him under his wing, so to speak, and teach him the hip-hop culture. Yes, that idea was tossed
around on LoP a while back for Cena and Umaga, but so what?
(PnkTinkerbell) That one will be a sure fire FACT. He's strong, he's funny to watch attempt to talk. Honestly, if Khali turns
into a face, he'd win over everyone. He can even throw those fun Bollywood parties and invite fans from the crowd to dance
with his harem. He has a character that could pull off being a good guy. I'm a firm believer being a BIG guy doesn't need
to force you into a MONSTER character. He can be the friendly giant of sorts.
(mavsman22) FACT. I am of the belief that anybody can portray a babyface depending upon how they are booked. The Great Khali
is almost to the WWE what Yao Ming is to the NBA in Japan. He is helping the WWE reach a previously unreached demographic,
and a babyface turn could help solidify WWE's presence in India. I can easily see Khali in a gentle giant role. Holding babies
backstage, saving jobbers from destruction, simple things like that can make him look like a compassionate person. With all
that being said, I can see the WWE pulling the trigger on a Khali babyface turn.
(ManWithThePlan) Hmmm. I'm going with a great big fat juicy FICTION. I mean come on, this guy can't even successfully portray
a heel now can he? As a matter of fact, it's a struggle to say he can successfully portray a wrestler full stop. The great
lummox can barely bloody move. He can't sell for white steaming dog turd (sorry about that graphic image there folks) and
I'll be damned...he brought a goat into a wrestling ring!
I've heard the rumors. Khali can wrestle, they just don't let him. Well I can only judge by what I see and what I see, every
time the guy steps into the ring, is one giant enormous car wreck of a match. Be it against Big Show or Rey Mysterio the guy
couldn't pull out a decent match if it slapped him hard in the face and pissed in his hair. Khali can't portray a babyface.
Khali can't portray anything unless it fits into the definition of "Giant useless waste of space". I'd love to see him dance
in a Bollywood movie though. That would be sweet.
FACT or FICTION: Spending a few months behind bars will do Nick Hogan more good than harm.
(anonymous) Nick Hogan's in jail? First I've actually heard of it. *Goes on the internet to see the story* Fair enough then,
FACT. If Nick wants to drive like a manic (he'd been ticketed 5 times before this) then he deserves everything he gets. I'm
glad the judge had the balls (or other organs if it was a woman) to give him a sentence as so many would be lenient on a celebrity.
Going to jail will give him a new perspective, take him away from the perfect life he's been given and give him a sense of
reality. When he comes out he'll be a better man for it and he might even teach his father to be less of a douche-bag as well.....Maybe
not the last bit.
(SkittleZ) The kid got off easy in my opinion. Nick's friend will be hospitalized for the rest of his life and all he got
for it was eight months in the slammer. Big deal. Do your time and shut up. House arrest? Who do you think you are? ... Paris
Hilton? Hogan is in there with a pair of juveniles. It isn't like the kid has to watch over his shoulder constantly for large
black men looking for some midnight lovin'. I'm sure Nick is pampered and catered to a certain degree. Without question, I'm
going FACT here. As sad as it sounds, something like this will force the Hulkster's son to put life in perspective. Hopefully,
Nick treats his sentence as a learning experience. If he decides to simply do his time and run back to daddy, I envision several
more screw ups down the road.
(Hustle) Let's go with FICTION again. I don't think prison will do anything to help that idiot. Personally, I don't think
this will be his last stint behind bars. He's just stupid enough to not stop driving recklessly, even though he obviously
has some of the world's worst driving skills. If I were a friend of his and I didn't have my own car, I'd go out and purchase
a bus pass, posthaste. You wouldn't be able to pay me to get in a vehicle with that asshat.
(PnkTinkerbell) FICTION. Why? Because he's a douche who thinks that he shouldn't be in jail. Being in there a little longer
isn't going to change that. He said he wishes he would have gone to trial but trust me he would have gotten ALOT more time
had he gone to trial. He's going to come out of there crying how he's been mistreated and abused and it's not fair he had
to suffer. I don't understand what he's crying about anyways. His room in prison is bigger than my dorm room freshman year,
he's alone so no need to worry about playing tummy sticks at night with his roommate. Moral of the story is he should be thanking
his lucky stars his "friend" (can he even call him that anymore or pretend he is after the bad things he's said about him?)
hasn't given up living yet because if he dies, that's manslaughter. He'll get a lot more than 8 months for that. What a cry
baby.... He's going to come out of there even more of a spoiled brat.
(mavsman22) I haven’t even been following this story that closely. Didn’t he kill a guy? Oh, he’s not dead
he’s in a coma? Huh. Who knew? As far as the question goes, FACT. Nick will hopefully realize just how good he has it
on the outside and straighten up during his eight month prison sentence. Wait… his friend in the crash is going to need
to be in a nursing home for the rest of his life, and Nick only gets eight months!? I wish MY dad was Hulk Hogan…
(ManWithThePlan) To be quite frank I really don’t give a toss as to what any of the Hogans are doing. I have no time
for the lives of celebrities these days. Let him say what he wants, let him do what he wants, let him curl up and cry like
a baby, I seriously don’t care. But, as for my answer, because his dad is all weird up there, I’ll say FICTION.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
I'm afraid the June edition of Wrestling Legend;s Fact or Fiction has come to an end, kiddies. Don't be shy folks... tell
us what you thought of this clusterfuck. Please send your feedback to any of the participants via the links below and if you
had a blast, there's more where this came from! You can check out full length columns by these individuals as well as others
in the LoP Columns Forum. We hope you enjoyed it and don't forget to be on the look out for a brand new FACT or FICTION next
month, exclusively here on wrestlinglegend.tripod.com!
Click Here to Email anonymous (beware though as he may be slightly intoxicated)
Click Here to Email SkittleZ (if you're single and looking for a life partner)
Click Here to Email Hustle (but brace yourself.... this guy has a potty mouth)
Click Here to Email PnkTinkerbell (good luck... it's THAT time of the month if you get my drift)
Click Here to Email mavsman22 (and expect to be bombarded with uninteresting sports talk)
Click Here to Email ManWithThePlan (a foreigner who loves to feel wanted so be sure to lay it on thick)
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