INSIDE THE RING NEWSLETTER
Edition 35
by Trevor Hunnicutt & Eddie T.
TBL Poll Results
What did you think of the execution of the Batista turn on RAW?
— Perfect – 68%
— Good – 14%
— Fair – 7%
— Bad – 4%
— Horrible – 11%
RAW THOUGHTS
Trevor’s Thoughts
7.5
RAW was a solid and thoroughly entertaining show on Monday. The main focus of the show, the crowning of Batista as number one contender and turning him on Triple H, was executed well and timed appropriately. HHH could have made the case that Evolution could be a reincarnation of the Clique in 1997 when Michaels and Triple H were in WWF and Kevin Nash and Scott Hall were in WCW. I wasn’t really seeing that Evolution controls the company anymore with Batista as champion on Smackdown, especially considering that title is meaningless as it is, perhaps because the idea of Arn Anderson as WWF champion in 1987 was such a mind boggling concept. But WWE worked hard to get to this point with Batista and I suppose deserved that segment. This wasn’t as strong as Randy Orton turning from an emotional standpoint, but it was close enough and the better booked in the long run. I can’t get the image out of my head of Ric Flair at the Survivor Series and during the swerve jumping up and down with his thumbs up like a Cheshire cat. His character seems ridiculously useless at the point: HHH can do his own talking, no? But going forward the real question is if Batista is going to be able to deliver the promos that this feud will need.
Another great match this week featuring Christian and Randy Orton, this time a tag team match also featuring Edge and Shawn Michaels. Really an impressive match. Maybe they’ll make Christian more than a comedy heel at this point (wishful thinking?). Trish Stratus, Molly Holly, and Victoria, the three best female workers in the company, had a good match. (Her conflict with Christy Hemme and Godaddy girl is hilarious because she’s funny, but the problem is she’s the face). On the other hand, two good workers in Chris Jericho and Shelton Benjamin were stuck with having to put over bad gimmicks, Simon Dean and Gene Snitsky. Unfortunately, Benjamin/Snitsky is now a program. “The Masterpiece” Chris Masters, this year’s first reprised gimmick from year’s past was just what you would’ve expected from it. On a serious note, WWE has no card for WrestleMania and really needs to get its act together in that area.
Eddie’s Thoughts
8
This past week’s edition of RAW was a very strong effort, with a good mix of in-ring action, and the long-awaited turn. The big story coming out of the show was, of course, Dave Batista’s turn and how it was handled. As indicated by the TBL Poll above, fans seemed to like the turn, although a group of people felt it was illogical. There are some areas that didn’t quite add up, but overall it was executed pretty well in my opinion. I agree with Trevor that this lacked the emotion the Randy Orton turn was able to provide, but while that is true, people really wanted to see this turn, which helped save the segment. I also liked the thumbs down gimmick, that they teased successfully at New Year’s Revolution, where H was on Batista’s shoulders with Flair doing the thumbs up. Of course, the first time they used it was with Orton’s turn. I think they could have had Big Dave go all out, and sign the SmackDown contract, then raise Triple H on his shoulders, while Flair does the thumbs up. Then point his thumbs down, drop H through the table, and knock out Flair, but I guess I’ll leave the fantasy booking to everyone out there! From here on, it’s all up in the air. Let’s see if Batista can carry the ball, and let’s see if their build-up to WrestleMania will be just as good as it has been up to this point. It’s crucial that it is, because if they deliver, they might, for once, actually have something going for them following WrestleMania. Another thing that needs to be addressed right away is Flair’s involvement on RAW. Now that Evolution is broken up, what will he do? Triple H certainly doesn’t need someone to cut promos for him, while another youngster might use that to his/her advantage.
I was very upset that I couldn’t do a report last week due to my sickness, but Trevor did a good job of noting something I’ve been talking about for what seems to be an year now. Christian, at this poitn, MUST be considered a more serious character on the show. He has been working very hard for a long time, and has always delivered good and above-average matches on TV and PPV. This week was no different, and the tag match was the “one good match” that WWE has lately had in their weird format. Stratus is no apparently face. Since nobody likes Hemme. I can’t help but admit that Trish is hilarious, and makes me laugh every time she does a segment with Hemme. I love Stratus! I felt bad for Chris Masters. I really can’t understand why the crowd was so dead for him. It’s clear that this gimmick will never get over, and this was clear since the start, but fans always buzz for a debut, no matter what. Master’s was well-executed I thought. I was always a believer of the idea that if you’re going to do a weird gimmick, you need to go all out with it. Unfortunately, most of the time, they’re bad. Benjamin and Snitsky actually has some potential, and although doing the char shots they’ve been doing is stupid in today’s wrestling world, I’ve enjoyed the program so far. I also, for once, have managed to enjoy something Mohammad Hassan is a part of, although not entirely. They need to keep the ball rolling as WrestleMania comes our way.
SMACKDOWN THOUGHTS
The fact of the matter is this — Neither one of us saw SmackDown. As wrestling “writers,” this is unforgivable. As human beings, it’s understandable. The show has taken a long fall, and at this point in time, WrestleMania and what happens afterwords, a potential draft, will either save it, or completely destroy it. It seems that SmackDown has been booking “on the go” for the past year or so, but the problem is that “the go” is yet to end. Trevor didn’t get the opportunity to see the show, and I taped it again, only I have no desire to see the tape. I hope we’ll have some thoughts next week. I just wanted to include this paragraph to show you how bad things have gotten. Neither one of us would miss a wrestling show only an year or two ago. It’s sad.
STEVE AUSTIN TO APPEAR AT WRESTLEMANIA 21
Stone Cold Steve Austin is confirmed to appear at the biggest PPV of the year – WrestleMania 21, live from the Staples in Los Angeles, this April.
Austin, who is currently working on a movie project with WWE, is said to be a lock for at least an appearance at the PPV. At this point in time, it’s very doubftul he will wrestle (I’d say impossible), however, he could be involved in a segment, or even a match as a special guest referee, perhaps.
Austin is also featured on next month’s RAW Magazine, as he’s on the cover and the title teases the story behind his “return” to WWE.
VINCE MCMAHON IN A WHEELCHAIR FOR SIX MONTHS
There has been a lot of controversy lately as far as Vince McMahon’s injuries go, so I just wanted to go on the board, and set the record straight.
Following the freak accident at the Royal Rumble PPV, Vince ended up tearing both his quadricept muscles. Triple H suffered of a similar injury that took him out of action for almost an year. McMahon’s condition is said to be very bad at the moment, as he’s wheel-chair bound at the moment, and will remain that way for a lengthy period of time (reported to be up to six months by Dave Meltzer).
Exactly how bad is it that he’s in a wheelchair? From what’s being reported, McMahon, a man of pride and a man who always looks after his health and strength, can’t even get to his own bed by himself, nor can he stand up from the wheelchair without the help of someone else.
The situation is very bad in a different way as well, because Vince is not going to any WWE shows, with some even questioning whether he will be at WrestleMania. It might end up being the first WrestleMania (or first PPV in general?) that he will ever miss. Although he certainly still plays an important role in booking and decision-making, the years and this injury will wear McMahon out a lot. This also leaves a lot of room for outsiders to take control. Although the “outsiders” in WWE, are the other McMahons, in my opinion, currently headed by Triple H and Stephanie.
We wish Vince McMahon the best of health, a speedy recovery, and hopefully better health in the future.
CHICAGO GETS WRESTLEMANIA 22
Congratulations to the city of Chicago! Wind City has been selected as the official home of WrestleMania 22! The WWE will make an official announcement concerning next year’s extravaganza this Friday. The PPV will be held in the All-State Arena, making it the third WrestleMania that aired live from the venue. WrestleMania II, featuring a Battle Royal with some of the Chicago Bears football players at the time was held here in 1986. The arena was also host of WrestleMania 13, which featured the unforgettable Austin/Hart match, back in 1997. What impact on pro wrestling history will WrestleMania 22 have in 2006?
RAW & ULTIMATE FIGHTER DELIVER
WWE RAW scored a 4.0 rating this past week. The second best of the year so far. With WrestleMania next month, ratings have certainly been on the good side for the company.
Ultimate Fighter was the big story this past week. The anticipation for the show in the MMA and pro wrestling circles (mostly MMA) was huge, and the rating proved that. Ultimate Fighter scored its highest rating to day – a 2.0, following Monday Night RAW. This can be only good news for UFC and SpikeTV.
E-MAIL US
Trevor Hunnicutt — THunnicutt at aol.com
Eddie T. — Levski11 at aol.com
