Unfortunately, I have the sad opportunity to start out today’s report with yet another rest in peace wish. Yes, the wrestling world has once again suffered a tragic blow, as we’ve lost yet another wrestler. Jerry Tuite, which many of you know from WCW as The Wall, or from TNA as Malice, passed away this weekend. Tuite was 36 at the time of his death, and although nothing has been made official as of this time, the cause of death is reported as an “acute heart attack.” On behalf of TBL, I’d like to extend my condolences to Tuite’s family and friends, as well as all his fans. Rest in peace.
This past year has been horrible for the wrestling industry. We lost a lot of great people, some of whom simply shouldn’t have left this world. I really don’t know what to say because I’m saddened by all this, and frankly don’t want to think about it too much. It’s time for things to turn around and for the positive to once again rule this industry. Maybe I’m just a dreamer lost in a world far from reality, but if that’s the case, I’d like to stay there. The deaths need to stop, the problems need to stop, and wrestling has to become a positive thing again. I hope we can somehow help make that happen. Let’s try and move on…
The WWE SmackDown crew was on their Asia-Australia tour when the news broke that Nathan Jones basically took his bags and left the company. First, the WWE had a hell of a plane ride to Korea, where their plane took a very ugly landing, which shook up most of the guys on board. I guess that was the final blow to Jones who said he’s sick of the business and wants to leave. After Paul Heyman, Brock Lesnar, and The Big Show tried to talk him out of it, nothing was changed, and Jones simply took his bags and left the company. We’ll see what happens from here, but I don’t expect to see him back.
Moving back to this Thursday night, SmackDown was one heck of a show in my opinion, mainly due to the two matches Chris Benoit was involved with and thanks to a very hot crowd. For those of you who missed, it make sure to check out the SmackDown coverage, or if you can, get a tape. It’s definitely worth seeing again.
Lesnar and Benoit were given 20 minutes for the main event, and I think they did a wonderful job. Benoit was great, he managed to carry Lesnar through a hell of a match, whereas Lesnar was able to get in the ring and hang in there with Benoit for the whole bout. Overall, it was probably one of the best matches WWE has aired on free TV lately, and certainly the best SmackDown bout since the Iron Man Match several months ago. Big ups go to both guys for putting together this match. As far as the world title picture goes, it does look like Benoit will be the man to challenge Lesnar first, as WWE had Big Show interfere and cause Cena the title shot in the Benoit-Cena match.
At this point, John Cena’s push should be a main point in the company’s agenda. I do believe that it’s too early for him to once again feud Lesnar. The time is just not right and this could be held off even until WrestleMania. That’s where it’ll matter more if you ask me. The bottom line remains that Cena is very over with the crowd right now, and they shouldn’t repeat the same mistake they did with Eddie Guerrero. They should use that heat and create programs that will enable Cena to remain a fresh face who the crowd enjoys until they go on and feud him with Lesnar. With Kurt Angle, and Undertaker out, Benoit should step up and be used as a main event wrestler. Quite frankly, I’m sick of seeing Angle, Lesnar, Big Show, and ‘Taker in the main event. I want to see someone new, a fresh face. As far as Angle goes, last I heard he’ll be back in time for the Royal Rumble, and he was planning on turning heel in order to feud with Cena once again. While I think that’s a great move to see those two go at it again, Angle should really be careful because usually when a wrestler of high caliber starts turning heel/face constantly, it doesn’t end good.
Man, are they really shitting on Eddie Guerrero or what. Wow. I can’t stand the storyline with Chavo. I’m just lost in it. I don’t even want to comment on that, no offense to anyone. I guess I will, since it’s my job, but that storyline is starting to tick me off. I don’t understand how they’re trying to portray the two, nor do I quite frankly understand what’s the goal here, or the reason behind all this. Chavo’s jealousy, obviously, but that has been portrayed very poorly, and left unclear. I hope they get it over with soon, because this isn’t doing good for anyone. Eddie is being held, and the push is given to Chavo, a cruiserweight who isn’t all that good of a wrestler and won’t do anything on SmackDown by himself.
The Basham brothers have been doing better lately when it comes to in-ring work, but their storylines does leave a lot to desire. Their gimmick just isn’t getting over, and it never did, so I think they should go ahead and abandon that. As easy as that. I hope that the end of their match on SmackDown, with Shaniqua yelling at that was the beginning of the end.
Elsewhere on the show they’re going ahead with the Jamie Noble/Nidia stuff, as these two seem to be headed to Splitsville, and Noble will probably turn heel. WWE needs to use their cruiserweights much better than they’re currently doing. Mysterio can be used better. Ultimo Dragon isn’t even used in any way. They have Paul London and Spanky stuck on Velocity, and even though he isn’t around, even if he was, nobody remembers who Billy Kidman is. Tajiri as the cruiserweight champion is a great move, but the feud with Noble is long outlived. Move on!
I’ll have to cut this report short and wrap it up here. In some better news, I’m going to RAW in Anaheim tomorrow, so I will have some live notes, as usual. Check back next week for another report. Thanks everyone. Have a good week.
Thanks for reading. See ya.
Eddie
