~~~~~THE TBL NEWSLETTER~~~~~
Volume 3, Issue 22
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Official Newsletter of:
The Balrog’s Lair
“Still an Internet Original!”
And
W.O.W Revolution
“It’s What You’ve Been Waiting For”
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We are Soooo Late
Hello friends and neighbors, this is the LATE edition of the TBL Newsletter. Sorry for the delay – but you all know how hard it is to juggle real life with wrestling stuff you don’t get paid for. So, I ask for forgiveness. And I realize most of you don’t care anyway. On with the show…
Roland G
Editor-in-Chief
Check Out Roland’s Website: Salty Ham!
rolandg77@sbcglobal.net
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Do I have some BIG NEWS for you! The Balrog’s Lair has been nominated for some awards! We always knew our site was great – and here’s a chance for you to go and vote for us and show your love!
TBL was nominated for:
Best Webmaster
Most Interactive Website
So click on over to The Ruby Awards and vote for us! We will love you forever if you do.
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Questions Surrounding WMXX Card
There seems to be a lot of people backstage in the WWE that are questioning the company’s creative plans for Wrestlemania XX. The concern is that there doesn’t seem to be any match that stands out as a blockbuster to draw a big buyrate.
Since those in the cable industry are planning to hype the show heavily, they expect it to really make an impact for their PPV revenue this year. That is a lot of pressure on the WWE to give a good show, but some are worried it isn’t going to happen.
Source: 1wrestling.com
McMahon Wants Hart
Seems Vince has been in contact with Brett Hart about an appearance at WMXX. Right now, no one knows if he will do it – but if he were to, there would be a few possibilities in the role he would play:
He could be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
He could give a farewell speech to wrestling at Madison Square Garden. Brett has publicly stated that he would like to bring closure to his career in that way.
The long shot would be to involve him in the Triple Threat Match for the World Title is some way, possibly as a referee. It would stand to reason that he could help Benoit win the match (or at least ensure he didn’t get “screwed”). But Hart is not a big fan of coming back to be part of a storyline.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Brock Mad, Nowinski Frowned On
Brock Lesnar is said to be getting very frustrated with the tough schedule the WWE demands on him. He’s mostly upset that he only gets around 30 minutes a day to work in the gym. He has been telling friends that if there were some way for him to make the same kind of money doing something else, he would quit.
Chris Nowinski is getting some heat with the boys because he has been out so long over a concussion. Since people like Kurt Angle already are back after suffering more severe injuries, many think Nowinski is playing it up a bit.
Source: 1wrestling
Kanyon and The Cat Released, Kanyon Issues Statement – Other Wrestlers To Be Released?
Chris Kanyon and Earnest “The Cat” Miller were released from the WWE this week.
Chris Kayon posted the following statement on chriskanyon.com:
“As was reported earlier today on WWE.com, I was released from my contract with the WWE effective Monday 2-9-04. For the past year or so I have not been 100% happy with the direction of my career and of my life in general. This release actually comes at a very good time for me…. I have not completely decided what I will do at this time, but there are many prospects for me in and out of pro wrestling and I am excited about the potential for my future. I know a lot of this sounds like politically correct bull, but the truth is I am happier, more motivated and more excited than I have been in a long time. My past 12 years in this business have been phenomenal and have provided me many great opportunities and memories. I am sure that whatever I decide to do in the future will provide many more great opportunities and memories for me, my family and friends. I will keep everyone updated on my future.”
Word on The Cat was that management was disappointed in the fact that Miller didn’t seem to be making the most of his situation by being serious. Lamont, Miller’s “butler”, will remain on the roster, as the WWE is still high on him.
Also, it seems the WWE may release other wrestler soon.
Source: 1wrestling
Austin To Ref Goldberg/Lesnar?
There is a rumor going around that Steve Austin will be the special ref for the Goldberg vs. Lesnar match at WMXX. This would explain the spear that Austin took on RAW last Monday.
Source: PWInsider
HHH Wants Program With Edge
HHH has made it known to upper management that he is not interested in continuing a program with Chris Benoit after Wrestlemania XX. Instead, he is pushing for Edge to return to RAW so that the two can work together.
Source: PW Torch
Brutus Beefcake Causes Anthrax Scare
Ed Leslie, known as “Brutus the Barber Beefcake” caused quite a stir last night in Boston. Leslie, who has been working as a fare collector in a subway, left a bag of cocaine unattended. When it was discovered, it was first assumed to be anthrax. Leslie later clarified that it was cocaine and that it was his.
Source: 411mania
Callis Leaving, TNA PPV Pushed Back Again?
Don Callis has taken a fulltime job outside of wrestling and will be unable to work much with NWA: TNA in the future. Callis’ new job will be a regular weekday job so his only free time will be during the weekends.
It is again being rumored that the three hour TNA Bound for Glory PPV will be pushed back from its April 4th date.
Source: PWInsider.com via 411mania
Wrestlers Lobbying for Better WM Slots
Even though most of the WMXX card has been decided, some wrestlers are still trying to push for different slots. Those without a match at the show are lobbying for one and those with slots have been pushing for a better placement.
The view is that since Shawn Michaels got his way when he lobbied to get into the Triple H/Chris Benoit match, the final card isn’t set until it is advertised.
Source: PW Torch
Maven’s Mother Passes, Return Date
Sherma Huffman, Maven’s mother, past away this past Thursday.
Maven, who had surgery to remove bone chips, is set to return March 9th.
Sourre: Mavenhuffman.com
No Way Out Results
Scotty 2 Hotty and Rikishi Def. The Bashams and Shanequa.
Noble Def. Nidia
TWGTT Def. APA
Goldberg comes out to take his seat when Heyman and Lesnar goad him into the ring. Goldberg Jackhammers Lesnar and is arrested.
Hardcore Holly Def. Rhyno (match added on Heat)
Chavo Def Rey Mesterio (Match of the Night!)
Angle def. Big Show and John Cena
Eddie Guerrero Def. Brock Lesnar to become the new WWE Champion. (Goldberg did come back and spear Brock but it did not cause the pin. Eddie got the frog splash. Great celebration afterwards).
Source: Saltyham.com
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Affiliates!
If you would like to be a TBL and WOW Revolution Newsletter affiliate and have your website reach hundreds of mailboxes every week,email me and we’ll get your link in the Newsletter.
Visit our great affiliates!
Salty Ham
Confounded Accusations
UCF World.com
The Wrestling Journal
Vomit Comet
We are always looking to feature affiliates in the Newsletter, so feel free to contact Roland G to find out how you can be featured each and every week!
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THE LOGICAL APPROACH
By Rick Elsey
Hello readers… I’m going retro in this edition of The Logical Approach. I use to write for Online Onslaught as Hatter X, penning a column called “Timeline”. I thought you might like to read it, in case you never saw it before.
Enjoy….
TIMELINE
By Hatter X (Rick Elsey)
December 1, 2001
Timeline Vol. 1 Issue 1
Vince McMahon Presents: The Blade Runners
“This is STING”, familiar words, which rang through the ears of NWA/WCW fans from late 1987 to as recently as this past March. Sting was a fixture of the Crockett territory after their purchase of the Bill Watts owned Universal Wrestling Federation. Through the territory’s many incarnations, spanning the Ted Turner owned WCW era, up until its subsequent purchase at the hands of WWFE. Sting held virtually every title the NWA/WCW could come up with and headlined countless PPV and TV specials over his nearly 15 year career with Turner. He was consistently a top draw, and one of a handful of wrestlers that were deemed impossible to make a heel. Millions loved him. He probably always will be. This was evident when on the historic simulcast of WWF Raw and WCW Nitro this past March, as Vince McMahon uttered the words for the first time on WWF programming and the WWF fans lost their collective minds.
Our question set before us is simply this: What if Sting hadn’t been available for Jim Crockett to use in the wake of his acquisition of the UWF? What if Sting had followed his former Blade Runner partner, Rock, known to fans better as The Ultimate Warrior, through the World Class territory and eventually into the arms of the WWF and Vince McMahon? Yes. In this reality, Sting would cease to exist. In this reality, 1987 would begin a new dynasty, as Vince McMahon would introduce us to his newest tag team find: The Blade Runners.
Timeline: March 1987
Location: Titan Towers
Two awesome specimens, Jim Hellwig & Steve Borden, fresh off a short stint working for Fritz Von Erich’s World Class Championship Wrestling, have been called up to the big time to meet with the self-proclaimed “Walt Disney of Wrestling”, Vince McMahon. McMahon, fresh off a second failed attempt to secure The Road Warriors, Hawk and Animal, away from Jim Crockett has decided to do what always does when his back is up against the wall, he will make his own Road Warriors. McMahon has tried in the previous months to get over a couple of older wrestlers, Bill Eadie and Randy Culley, as Ax and Smash, Demolition. But the crowds on the house show circut weren’t taking well to what they perceived as shabby Road Warrior knock-offs. It also didn’t help that Eadie & Culley were nowhere near in the physical shape that Hawk & Animal were. So Vince, just as he had with The HonkyTonk Man & Harley Race, (substitutes for Jerry Lawler) and Danny Spivey (Substitute/replacement for Barry Windham), would create his own “improved” version of the original. McMahon offered Hellwig and Borden outrageous contracts, certainly more money than the duo had ever seen before, and they happily accepted. McMahon promises them tag team gold immediately and a top spot on the tag team roster shortly after Wrestle Mania 3. He runs a few names past them, including the Demolition moniker, seeing as how it had yet to make TV. Borden & Hellwig lobbied to keep their Mid South/UWF gimmick, The Blade Runners. McMahon, never one to just give in, compromises and allows them to use the tag name, if they change their individual names. Don Muraco was penciled in to undergo a face turn in a few months and begin using “The Rock” Don Muraco, as opposed to his heel gimmick as “The Magnificent Muraco”. Vince asked Hellwig to stop using his “Rock” persona and try a different name. Hellwig mentioned their stint in World Class as The Dingo Warriors, and proposed using “Warrior” as his name. Vince liked the name and began repeating it over and over as if he was searching for something extra. Vince then proclaimed Hellwig “The Ultimate Warrior!” Vince then turned to Borden, who had been using both Flash and Sting as his previous monikers. Vince liked neither, as they reminded him of the comic book character and the singer. Vince scrambled for a name, sifting through the many papers on his desk, looking for his creative department’s submissions, tossing out names that they had planned on using over the next few years: Big Bossman, Kane The Undertaker, Damien Demento, Battle Kat, Crush… none of the names seemed to fit. Then Vince suggested that they go with The Blade Runner as Borden’s ring name and merge the two stars as Demolition. Neither man is too pleased with the idea, but they agree to give it a shot. McMahon signed the duo to a one-year deal and Vince then pencils them in to debut at the first set of Superstars Tapings the week after Wrestle Mania 3.
The night of Demolition’s TV debut, Borden & Hellwig arrive at the building, only to be told that they will be wrestling 4 times tonight. The team will be taping squash matches, introducing them to fans on four different WWF TV Shows: WWF All American Wrestling, WWF Prime Time Wrestling, WWF Superstars and WWF Challenge. The duo had never worked so many times in one night before. On the Prime Time taping they squashed the team of Omar Atlas & Steve Lombardi, on Challenge they destroyed “Iron” Mike Sharp and Renee Goulett. For All American Wrestling they ran over Lanny Poffo and SD Jones, and finally on the flagship show, Superstars, they killed veterans, “The Rebel” Dick Slater & The Junk Yard Dog. Backstage, Bill Eadie, who has returned to calling himself The Masked Superstar, did his best to talk down the new stars and trash their work ethic to the boys. Upon returning to the dressing room after their final match for the evening, the young stars were greeted with cold shoulders. Demolition was off to a shaky start.
After a long summer of stiff beatings at the hands of established teams such as The Killer Bees, The Hart Foundation, The British Bulldogs and The Dream Team; Demolition were finally positioned to take the WWF Tag Team Titles from the champions, The Hart Foundation. Demolition was about to be on top of the world, however success was not to come as expected. McMahon had recently paired former AWA Champion, Rick Martel with popular WWF mid-card player, Tito Santana, to form the extremely popular Strike Force. McMahon decided to push this new baby face team into a title feud with The Harts, which would lead to a tag title change and a baby face twist for The Hart Foundation. Hellwig was livid, as he felt cheated by McMahon, and asked for his release at the end of his deal, which ran through March of 1988. McMahon, a person who doesn’t take lightly to threats, releases Hellwig immediately. Hellwig begs Borden to come along, but Borden has always been a loyalist and decides to give McMahon another chance. Vince tells Borden he will go it alone as The Blade Runner, and he will begin working the house show circuit against Hercules Hernandez.
In March of 1988, at Wrestle Mania 4, which originated from Trump Plaza that year, The Blade Runner impressed fans and critics alike by defeating Hercules Hernandez and in the process delivering two visually stunning moves that would become his signatures: The flying body-press into the corner and The Scorpion Deathlock… not to mention his signature howl. In another significant event on the card, Strike Force would lose their titles to a young upstart heel team, signed away from Verne Gagne weeks prior to Wrestle Mania 4, known as The Midnight Rockers. Following Wrestle Mania, The Blade Runner continued to wow fans and draw crowds for the WWF. As luck would have it, just days before the WWF’s very first Summer Slam, Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake was sidelined and his opponent, Intercontinental Champion, The HonkyTonk Man, was without a challenger. The Blade Runner received the coveted spot and was given the title, before a sellout crowd at Madison Square Garden. The Blade Runner had arrived.
1989 was a strange year for Steve Borden. The Blade Runner had brought him huge success and a fat pocket book. But Borden was growing tired of the same thing night in and night out. Borden wanted to focus more on wrestling, and less on showmanship. Borden then asked to be placed in a program with the newly acquired Terry Taylor, whom Borden had worked with in Watts’ old UWF. McMahon had already lined Borden up to feud with Rick Rude over the IC title for the majority of the year and denied Borden’s request. Borden went ahead with McMahon’s plans, but the seeds of discontent have already been planted. In a bold move, Borden requested to lose the IC strap to Rude at Wrestle Mania 5, instead of squashing him, which was the plan at the time, so he could chase Rude, and play the baby face in pursuit, rather than the hulking monster McMahon has envisioned. McMahon allowed it and the match set the tone for the summer of 1989, as The Blade Runner chased Rick Rude and the Heenan Family into Summer Slam and then into a feud with the legend Andre The Giant at Survivor Series ’89. The Blade Runner captained a team of himself, newly turned faces, The (formerly Midnight) Rockers and Jim Neidhart, to face Andre’s team of himself, Haku and The Brainbusters. The Blade Runner would come out the winner and move on to the biggest challenge of his career: Focal point of the company.
At Wrestle Mania 6, WWF Champion, Hulk Hogan would pass the torch to The Blade Runner and then go off to film a movie, leaving Steve Borden to fill shoes that many thought he could never fill. Borden, though thankful for the opportunity, didn’t think that his persona would be a believable champion. He considered himself cartoonish and wasn’t pleased with the WWF’s lack of “basic wrestling”. Borden went to McMahon and proposed a huge blood feud, based on wrestling with WWF mid-card heel, “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig. Hennig has been given short brushes with the Main Event against Hogan in late ’89 and very early 1990. Many considered him the best mat talent the company ever had up to that point. Yet, Hennig, a former World Champion for Gagne’s AWA, was never given the ball in the WWF. McMahon was planning to use Hennig for an IC Title run during the summer of 1990, but gave Borden the benefit of the doubt and agreed. The IC title would be given to Rick Rude instead. 1990 signaled many changes in the dynamic of the WWF. Inspired by the classic Blade Runner/Mr. Perfect Feud, which was drawing record houses around the country, McMahon launched a new campaign to bring in talent that was on “par” with Borden & Hennig. Over the course of the year, McMahon would offer large money to names that no one ever suspected McMahon would deal with, due to their size and their style, which many would consider “southern”; such as “Stunning” Steve Austin of World Class and from WCW, Cactus Jack, Brian Pillman and Rick & Scott Steiner. Of course the occasional “big man” was brought in such as Sid Vicious, Kerry Von Erich, and The Road Warriors, and a man known as Mark Calloway, who would become The Undertaker… but the WWF was obviously leaving the era of “The Giant”. As 1990 roared to a halt, the USA was becoming increasingly more and more drawn into the Gulf War over in Iraq. McMahon wanted to capitalize off the war, so he pushed Sgt. Slaughter, formerly a USA hero, as an Iraqi sympathizer. McMahon was tempted to move Blade Runner, who has just regained the title for the 2nd time from Hennig, into a spot to drop the belt to Slaughter at the 1991 Royal Rumble. Borden went along with the idea and lost the belt, after outside interference from Hennig. Little did Borden realize that this plan was two-fold. With the title off Borden and his character pushed out of the main event spotlight, McMahon had set the stage for Hulk Hogan to take back the strap from the evil Slaughter at Wrestle Mania 7. On the under card, Blade Runner and Mr. Perfect fought a 45-minute classic inside a steel cage, which stole the show. Hogan had grown increasingly tired of the smaller wrestlers taking the spotlight and had backed McMahon into a corner. After Mania, Hogan threatened McMahon that he would walk if Vince didn’t restore the WWF to its status as “Land of the Giants”. Vince informed Hogan that he has made more money during the summer of 1990 showcasing Blade Runner vs. Mr. Perfect, than he had previously in 1989 with the Hogan/Savage war. McMahon gave Hogan the option to leave but ordered that we must drop the gold to Blade Runner at Summer Slam. Hogan balked, McMahon had called his bluff and Hogan was then put into a feud with a man that was becoming somewhat a cult phenom, The Undertaker. Meanwhile, even though they were running the upper mid-card, Blade Runner & Perfect were tearing down the house night after night through the summer. In the early Fall of 1991, the WWF signed away Ric Flair from WCW and brought him in to take over the feud with Blade Runner, when Hennig was released abruptly after a contract dispute. Flair met Blade Runner for the first time, one on one, in the Double Main Event at Summer Slam. The Match was a 1 Hour draw, which absolutely killed. Hogan defeated The Undertaker in the match that followed, before a half empty house, who began leaving shortly after the previous match.
1991 drew to a close with McMahon using Blade Runner’s drawing power to help the increasingly sagging draw that Hogan was becoming, by teaming the two, against Ric Flair & Sid Vicious. Hogan hated the idea that he was being “carried” by another star and refused to work the angle any longer. Hogan threatened McMahon for what would be the last time, leading to Vince firing Hogan on January 1, 1992. The 1992 Royal Rumble was set up to be for the vacant WWF World Title. The Winner ended up being Ric Flair, thus setting up a continuing feud between Blade Runner and Ric Flair for the WWF Title. Wrestle Mania 8 saw Blade, who had now been allowed to shorten his name, defeat Flair in a marathon 60-minute match, which saw the return of Hennig at the side of Flair. After the match, Flair reformed a WWF version of his famous stable, The 4 Horsemen, with himself, Hennig, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels.
1992 saw the WWF put on some of the greatest wrestling displays on record with intense southern storytelling and an outstanding roster consisting of talent such as, Steve Austin, Rick Rude, Paul E. Dangerously, The Horsemen, Cactus Jack, Eddie Gilbert, The Steiner’s, Sid Vicious, The Undertaker, The Road Warriors, The Great Muta, Brian Pillman, Jim Cornette, Arn Anderson, Abdullah The Butcher, Terry Funk, Vader, Tatanka, Doink, The Nasty Boys, Owen Hart, The Natural Disasters, Ted DiBiase, Yokozuna, Razor Ramon and Randy Savage. With Blade leading a lone charge against The Horsemen, Vince McMahon was raking in the dough. The “southern” success of the WWF would last well into 1994, until with Hulk Hogan as their star witness, the federal Government would successfully prosecute and send Vince McMahon to federal prison for distribution of illegal steroids.
With Vince McMahon gone, Paul Heyman, Jim Cornette & Jim Ross were left to govern the WWF. None of these men were the promotional giants that McMahon was and the business began go suffer. Meanwhile, down south, Hulk Hogan & Ted Turner had worked a deal to bring Hogan to the struggling WCW. Hogan was immediately made a focal point of the company. Back in the WWF, Paul E. Dangerously (Paul Heyman) was given the reigns of the company’s book and began to pull them back up to the level that McMahon had brought them before. Heyman brought a more violent style to the book and fans began to take notice again. Heyman’s style was more adult and didn’t sit well with Borden. After a few months, Borden tired of the style and left the WWF. Borden accepted a huge offer from Ted Turner to come to WCW, where his first match would be against Hulk Hogan. He lost. Yes, Borden suffered in WCW, although making twice what he was making in the WWF, he was an enemy of Hogan politically and was used as a whipping boy for Hogan’s buddies, such as Hacksaw Duggan, Lex Luger, Roddy Piper, Paul Orndorff, The HonkyTonk Man, Rick Steamboat and Jake Roberts. Borden, using the name Sting once again, was even jobbed to rookie and Hogan lackey, Jean-Paul LeVesque, at Starrcade ’94… in the opening match. Meanwhile, the WWF was hopping as Heyman has turned Hart baby face on the Horsemen and set him feuding with the group, replacing Hart in the stable with Steve Austin.
1995 was a heavy year for Borden. Hogan brought in Borden’s old tag team partner, Jim Hellwig, who by now had changed his name legally to “Warrior”, and feuded the duo. All the while Hogan rode atop the WCW machine, beating every potential challenger he could find. Slowly but surely, WCW began acquiring the last remaining remnants of McMahon’s old WWF. Randy Savage, The Undertaker, Yokozuna, Rick Rude, The Road Warriors and Sid Vicious all made the jump. WWF was hurting and in the meantime, even though they were losing ground, Heyman was creating new faces like Tommy Dreamer, The Sandman, The Thrill Seekers, The Eliminators, The Gangsters, Public Enemy, Raven, Chris Candido, and “The Franchise” Shane Douglas. Blade was largely becoming a forgotten name.
1996 opened up a new door for Steve Borden as a rift between Heyman and Cornette & Ross caused a shift in the WWF direction and Cornette & Ross left with many top talents, including Curt Hennig, Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Ted DiBiase, The Nasty Boys and Tatanka to join Jerry Lawler’s failing Memphis promotion the USWA. Borden received a release from WCW and join Cornette in Memphis. Blade was immediately thrusted into the Main Event against Flair and began to regain his footing. Former AWA producer, Eric Bischoff, who was also a contact to Japan, replaced Cornette in the WWF. Shane McMahon, who was now of age to begin helping out with the day to day affairs of the WWF, lead a movement to reclaim Borden for their company. Just as Cornette & Lawler were about to go national with Blade as their top star, Heyman & McMahon made a huge offer to Borden to bring him back home in February of ’96. Borden would show up on TV as the mystery partner of Bret Hart, in a tag match against the top heels of the promotion, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin & Shawn Michaels: The Dangerous Alliance. Borden would then go on to double Main Event Wrestle Mania 12 against Steve Austin, while World Champion, Shawn Michaels would face Bret Hart in an Iron Man Match. The show was a huge success, however, the WWF was still losing the ratings war.
The Team of Bischoff, Heyman & Shane McMahon, then came up with a huge idea. They brought over popular young WCW stars, Jean-Paul LeVesque and Kevin Nash, teamed them with Austin & Michaels and formed a group called the New World Order, or NWO for short. The plan was then for Hart to double-cross Blade and join them as well in a “take over” of the WWF. With Blade re-established as the top face and a hot heel invasion underway, the WWF pulled ahead of it’s opponent, WCW.
The late ’90’s saw WCW fall into a bad slump and eventually sold to Jim Cornette, Jerry Lawler & Ric Flair, as the trio had worked a deal with Fox to move the company. The company then repositioned itself to take on the WWF.
But that is another story…
Rick Elsey
rickelsey@hotmail.com
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NEW EXCLUSIVE COLUMN! Enjoy:
Road to Wrestlemania: Whassup with that?!? (10th Feb 2004)
By: Hasan Shahid
Hello Guyz and Galz! Welcome to the Road to Wrestlemania! Well, that’s what the WWE should be saying but nevertheless, being such a loyal fan and contributor to the wrestling world from so many years, I at least have the right to say something like that. Don’t I? As always, I’ll be talking about one topic in my column and this time it will not be Wrestlemania, it will be the weeks leading into the event, which are called “The Road To Wrestlemania”.
As always, the WWE are doing good work building the event. Some great matches are under construction and several superstars are looking fit and in-form, going into this event. The animosity is that the WWE people still haven’t announced any matches for WMXX. Even the championship match between Benoit and HHH is not fully decided. This will certainly lead to a bit weaker build-up of the matches and feuds.
Now, lets talk about the storylines. I think the storylines at this time are going very good. The Goldberg and Brock storyline is very well done. I was wondering how they would carry on a feud with the brand difference but I’ll have to say, this is the best way it could have been done. Putting Goldberg into No Way Out has also increased my interest in the event. I hope lots of fans along with me, will be anxious to see Goldberg’s role at NWO. This is a good feud for Wrestlemania and this gives the RTWM(Road to Wrestlemania) thumbs up from me!
Now moving on to the RAW title match. I think that feud is also well done. Adding HBK to the mix was a very good decision on the part of the WWE because seeing the matches HBK and HHH had in the past months, it was essential to put them together into WMXX. The way they have molded all three wrestlers in the main event slot, it makes me glad that the WWE people have moved onto storylines that make much more sense. It’s hard to believe that two people fight like beasts in a last man standing match one night and the next night, their feud is over and they have seemingly forgiven each other. This time, that didn’t happen. While the Sweet Chin Music delivered to Benoit makes me suspicious of a HBK heel turn I still think that the contract signing part was a good idea. Now they can put in the clause that Benoit has the right to face the champion while HBK has legally put himself into a world title match, so both will face HHH at Wrestlemania. This is the perfect way to do this, these WWE people sure have great ideas! Great storyline, that’s 10 points to the RTWM!
The Mick Foley and Randy Orton storyline is also a fine idea. The real thing that is making this story special is the performance of both superstars being used. Both Mick and Randy are doing great work with this storyline. The way they are portraying there given characters, they are doing full justice with the storyline. These two can really make this storyline something special.
Now we move on to the last and best storyline leading into WMXX, the Undertaker vs. Kane storyline. The first thing I will like to make clear is that these two guys are two of my favourite wrestlers and a feud between them is something I always love to see. This storyline, out of all their past feuds, is my favourite. I love the WWE for what they are doing. This storyline now, makes complete sense. The Undertaker had to be brought back as the “dead man”, what would be better than to kill him first or rather “Bury him Alive”, turning him into a dead man and then making him return as that. The way they are bringing him back is the best! Eerie videos are running, mysterious things are happening with Kane, these events really make The Undertaker’s return something special and unique. No fan can keep from getting glued to the screen while an Undertaker-Kane segment is running. The WWE storywriters are using both of these guys’ gimmicks perfectly. I am excited to see what more they have in store for this storyline.
The RTWM generally, is a bit weak this time. The biggest problem with it is that no matches have been announced yet. Only the people on the Internet know what matches are supposed to happen, no real announcements have been made. Well, I do think that the WWE people will announce some great matches soon, which will put more interest into the RTWM. As always I hope this Wrestlemania and RTWM is great.
That’s all for this time, till next time, Goodbye and be happy, I’ll leave you with another “Whassup”:
“Rena Mero (Sable) left the WWE because she said she had strong Christian beliefs and the WWE were making her do explicit acts, yet she has done two Playboy spreads since then, Whassup with that??”
Hasan Shahid 😉
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THE TWO SHEDS REVIEW
By: Julian Radbourne
E-mail: twosheds316@aol.com
Website: www.twoshedsreview.vze.com
WORLD ASSOCIATION OF WRESTLING; VALENTINE’S DAY MASSACRE II. The Talk, Norwich, Saturday 14th February, 2004.
WAW returned to their hometown of Norwich for the second Valentine’s Day show. This year’s show was in aid of the Tyler Abigail Charity Appeal, with all the proceeds going to help Tyler’s much-needed medical treatment. And so it was off with the action…..
ZAK ZODIAC v THUNDER DRAGON
Coming direct from his hometown of Tokyo, the masked Japanese superstar Thunder Dragon went up against Britain’s youngest professional wrestler in a contest that provided the perfect opening for the show. This best of three falls contest was a top-notch affair, with both of the masked men showing great skill.
The first fall came in the third round. After both men had almost scored the first pin, Zodiac came flying off the top rope with a cross body-block to secure the pin. The action didn’t let up as just one round later, the Dragon scored the equalising pin with a side-slam.
However, the language barrier on the part of the Dragon probably proved to be the Dragon’s downfall. Despite having seemingly beaten Zodiac several times, the Dragon continued to pull his opponent off the mat when he could have easily gained the winning fall. As he continued to use illegal tactics, the referee Mickey Stocks admonished the Dragon, but the fact that the Dragon understood very little English meant that he clearly didn’t understand what was being said to him. This eventually led to an argument of sorts as the Dragon shoved the ref away. He had no choice but to disqualify the Dragon. As the masked man contested the decision in broken English, the recovering Zodiac drop-kicked him over the top rope.
THE U.K. PITBULLS v ASHE & JAMES TIGHE
Having lost their WAW tag-team titles to the makeshift team of Ashe & Paul Tyrell at October Outrage, the Pitbulls were looking to make a statement, especially given the fact that the titles had since been vacated. They were looking to make an example out of their opponents.
It was a definite case of David v Goliath here. Ashe & Tighe, a late replacement for Phil Lea, showed a great deal of skill and fighting spirit against the big guys. Several times they managed to take the Pitbulls down despite the size difference.
But in the end it wasn’t enough, and Big Dave and the Bulk eventually dominated Ashe & Tighe with a series of devastating power moves, before finishing Tighe off with their trademark Pitbulls power bomb. As they celebrated their victory and left the ring, the Pitbulls made it clear that more than anything else, they wanted their titles back.
“THE SHINING LIGHT” STEVIE KNIGHT v “THE SHOWSTEALER” ALEX SHANE
Billed as WAW (Knight) v FWA (Shane), Knight endeared himself to the crowd early on by insulting the locals. And to think he was actually representing their local promotion! It made you realise that Stevie was definitely one of the Knight clan!
Despite the size difference, Knight gave Shane everything he had. An enjoyable contest saw both men give it their all, with moves often countered and reversed with devastating effect.
After Knight’s antics early on, the crowd were clearly behind the “invader”, as Shane lifted Knight onto his shoulders and slammed him down to the mat into an inverted power bomb-like move. An enjoyable contest.
“NAUGHTY” NIKKI BEST v RACHEL MASON
This was Rachel Mason’s big test. Her story had been well documented in the local press a few days before. Rachel, Tyler Abigail’s mother, was going up against one of the toughest female wrestlers in Britain in a special challenge match. She wasn’t going into the match to beat Nikki, she just had to survive.
And she almost did it. With the Sweet Saraya taking on the role of special referee, for the first three rounds Nikki outwrestled her, twisting and turning every part of Rachel’s body, trying to get her to submit. But she didn’t. No matter what Nikki did, Rachel just wouldn’t give up.
Then, in the fourth and final round, Rachel fought back with some submission wrestling of her own. But against a veteran like Nikki it wasn’t enough. Nikki was soon back on the attack, and as the clock ran down, she synched in a leg-lock.
As the seconds ticked away, Rachel almost did it. But with just thirty seconds of the match remaining, the pain was too much for her as she tapped out.
But credit where credit’s due. Considering she had literally no training as a professional wrestler, the girl did well. Not many other people in this world would have done what she did, and she deserved the applause she got.
The Crusher Mason Trophy
THE SUPERFLYS v THE U.K. PATRIOTS (with Crystal Clear)
A unique stipulation here for this contest – fought over the best of three falls, there would be no count outs and no disqualifications. Instead, if a wrestler broke the rules, they would be sent to the “sin bin” for one minute. This meant that at times, this tag-team contest was more like a handicap contest.
This was a hard-hitting contest between two of the finest teams in WAW history. Ricky Knight & Jimmy Ocean used every underhanded tactic they could come up with against Hot Stuff and the Zebra Kid, even though it cost both men a trip to the sin bin many times.
The first fall went to the Patriots. After Knight whipped Hot Stuff into the corner, he went for a follow-up attack, only for Hot Stuff to catch him with a sunset-flip.
The second fall came after a move I never tire of seeing. After whipping the Zebra Kid into the ropes, Knight hauled Ocean into the ring as Zebra made the return journey, and the Gentleman took Zebra down with a powerful clothesline. A three count later and the scores were even.
The third fall proved to be the most controversial. After referee Mickey Stocks was accidentally clobbered, Ocean reached into his bag of tricks and took out a sachet of powder, intending to hurl it into the Zebra Kid’s eyes. However, Zebra was having none of this, and countered Ocean’s cowardly attack and sent the strange white substance into Ocean’s face.
It seemed that with the referee down and out, mayhem could break loose. But Commissioner Steven Howard-Platt, watching the match at ringside, quickly went into action. Rushing backstage, he sent out a replacement referee – none other than Alex Shane himself. As Zebra covered Ocean, Shane made the three count and awarded the victory to the Patriots.
The Superflys were outraged to say the least. Outraged because the Commissioner had chosen an FWA man to act as a WAW special referee, and outraged that their bitter rival had cost them the victory. Grabbing chairs and standing on them so they both could stand eye-to-eye with the man mountain Shane, Knight and Ocean belittled the Showstealer and the promotion he worked for. In reply, Shane accused the Superflys of being two old guys who were behind the times, and of holding down the younger talent in WAW. With all this out of the way a potential match was agreed upon for the upcoming May Mayhem show – the Patriots and Alex Shane against the Superflys and a partner of their choice.
In conclusion, an enjoyable show. Every match was good, and it’s normally at this point I give a match of the night award. This one, however, may annoy some of the wrestling purists, but this time it’s going to the women’s match. As mentioned before, Rachel Mason put up a hell of a fight for a non-wrestler against a fifteen year veteran. She didn’t have to step in that ring, and she wasn’t doing it for herself, she was doing it for her son. My hat goes off to the woman, and I’m sure that young Tyler is proud of her for what she did in that ring. I know that everyone in WAW is.
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I’m So Sorry
I full well know that since you will get this after RAW was on tonight, that most of this will seem old hat to you. That was my fault, and I apologize. But while I may be stale, The Balrog’s Lair is ALWAYS fresh.
First and foremost, the big announcement this week was the return of The TBL Forums. I know that many of you were missing them Oh-so-much. And now you can make your voice heard again! Of course, there were other voices to be heard this week, starting with mine as I threw up another RAW Rage (another one will probably be posted by the time you read this). Following that, we heard more from Oh Captain, My Captain – Captain Lou with: Wrestlemania 20 – Too Many Rumors, Not Enough Matches. Check out that masterpiece. Then it was onto one of my favorite writers on the net, Rico Sparko (I think I’m just in love with the name, personally) who wrote: Truth is stranger than fiction……or at least as cool to watch. Read it, love it, use it. Big guy Josh Fox also came at us with: Random thoughts, from a shattered mind. From the title, I would think you have to read it, if not only for the sake of said “shattered mind”.
TBL – it’s Fantastic!
Roland G
Check Out Roland’s Website: Salty Ham!
rolandg77@sbcglobal.net
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