So the latest WWE survey that has gone out seems to possibly hint that the WWE is considering bringing the War Games match out of retirement to become the focus of the May Pay-Per-View formerly known as Judgment Day. Or they could simply be stealing the name but for arguments sake let's just say they are bringing back the fan favorite event.
My first concern with bringing this match back would be the possibility of having overkill since they now have a Hell In a Cell themed event as well. Obviously the two bouts are different but the overall theme of having bouts inside a completely enclosed structure remains the same, you are mainly modifying the number of participants. Yeah the rules are different but it's not like they have a penalty box and a reverse ladder gimmick so I don't think they warrant a mention.
Do we really need two cage themed events though? Sure War Games would only feature one bout inside the cage but the whole event would be based around that primary feud just like Hell In a Cell would have it's event focused around the three main events. Not only would it be too much to have two events like this in the same calendar year but this two particular ones would only be a mere five months apart.
My suggestion is to do away with the Hell in A Cell event and put War Games in it's place. Then take the Smackdown vs Raw tag match you have planned for Bragging Rights and have that be your War Games match, that way you could have all the matches at War Games have some sort of importance towards the main event. The only downside to this would be the possible time constraints so you'd have to make some adjustments. I'd stick to a simply 4 on 4 format rather than the 5 on 5 we've had a few times in the past. This would right away cut your matches down to only needing 8 rather than 10 to fill your teams.
I'd also have both the Smackdown and Raw champions be declared captains of their respective teams and thus not have to wrestle to earn their spot. Some may question this move, but it's not like they won't be wrestling it's just that they won't be wrestling twice. This also plays into something I've mentioned in the past about not needing titles to be defended on every last event, let feuds build over time rather than every month having a rushed feud.
Now you are down to having six matches plus the main event which I think is more than doable. It even allows for an ECW title match to be thrown in for good measure bringing your event total to the standard eight bouts.
For once I got to say I'm actually interested in how this particular event change plays out and what it will mean in the long haul.
Day 72
So awhile back I more or less insinuated that the Miz would be gone within a year's time. Actually I didn't insinuate it, I flat out said it. It's not so much that I hate the Miz or more that I don't get the hype. Though I suppose the same could be said about my love for John Morrison in some folks eyes. We'll get to that in due time.
I do respect the fact the Mike is living the dream that he's been talking about since his Real World days, but lets face facts here. Anybody that ever say his appearances there knows that "The Miz" came about by Mike doing a piss poor impersonation of the Rock. Given it was never flat out said but with such gems as "If you Smell What the Miz is cooking" didn't really leave much to the imagination.
Luckily for him when he came to the WWE he toned down his "hyper active, red-blooded American" personality and started to focus more on the cockiness aspect rather than that "rawr I'm going to beat your ass" aspect. In turn I actually started to warm up to the Miz and felt maybe he had an inkling of potential years down the road.
That wasn't the plan though and like most things the Miz was thrown to the wolves to develop on his own. To his credit though he had finally started piecing together a wrestling character which was his saving grace. Make no mistake about it, during his early Smackdown run and ECW days the guys in ring work never stepped above average. In fact, I think if that character I spoke of hadn't started to take form, that the Miz would be taking bumps in some High School in Ohio right now.
That brings me to the Miz/Morrison team. This was the best thing to happen to these two guys. On one hand you had the prospect John Morrison who was developing a very flashy and crowd pleasing in ring style yet had the personality of a cardboard box. Actually I take that back, a cardboard box with a few pretty cool nicknames. Then you had the Miz, a guy who could talk the talk but was still trying to get that whole walking thing down. Together they complemented each other perfectly and could each do what the other couldn't.
The split was incredibly premature but obviously the WWE saw something in both and was ready to throw them out of the nest. Here is where opinions differ: Morrison still is a bit of a bland character but his in ring work has all the pieces he needs to succeed. The only downside for Morrison is that he needs to make his moves meaningful rather than just flashy for the sake of being flashy.
The Miz on the other hand really took his character to new heights but has yet to really bring the wrestling game up to where it needs to be. For the first time though, I've seen that intangible that others speak of. I can't say it exists every time he steps into the ring but it is there. Most notably in his one one one encounters with Evan Bourne as well as Kofi and also the four way a few weeks ago on Raw against Kofi, Swagger, and Carlito.
I still think Morrison has made the bigger strides but he needs to put as much time into developing a true character as his does showcasing a new move. That's the one thing that separates him from the big belt at the moment and always will if he doesn't make that next step.
As for Mike, is he awesome? No not quite but for the first time since he started his singles career I actually am finally starting to think he might be pretty good.
Day 73
Maybe I'm just being too picky, but sometimes I wonder just what logic is applied to the writing of a wrestling show. Don't get me wrong, I actually loved last night's Raw and outside of the premature ending to the Jericho/Big Show bout felt that it was a solid all around program. That doesn't take away from the fact that last night there were simply things that had me scratching my head.
Take for instance this Diva's trade. We are supposed to believe that this was a legit trade and not just some cheap way to get the belt off of Mickie James and onto Melina correct? Well why would the Raw GM trade their Diva's champion off the brand? After all James would have technically been champion when the trade allegedly occurred. Furthermore, why would you book the champion whom you just traded away in a match with Jillian Hall? Sure Jillian won but who actually predicted that outcome? What's that her first singles win in 2-3 years?
Then the whole thing with Melina seemed silly. If the intention was to simply get the belt off Mickie and onto Melina then why not have a triple threat where you introduce Melina as the newest Raw diva? Just seems absurd to have two matches simply because you didn't want a face diva to take the belt off of another face diva. Maybe I'm just looking over analyzing the situation too much.
That wasn't the only thing that bugged me though nor was it even the main thing. For a couple of weeks we've heard about Bragging Rights with last week the official promotion started. At which time it was announced that the winners of the matches during the PPV event would take place in a Raw vs Smackdown tag match at the end of the night. I was definitely intrigued and it brought back memories of the Survivor Series years ago when the same logic applied.
Last night though much like had happened to the Morrison/Ziggler match at Breaking Point; things changed. Now apparently the whole idea has been scrapped all together and they are going with a more traditional 7 on 7 Raw vs Smackdown match where the participants are known beforehand.
I suppose I can understand wanting your matches to be known before hand especially in the case of one of your main events, but this type of rash decision making makes you look bad. It shows that the booking was made on the fly and changes are being made up until the last second. Why I say this makes them look weak is simple: if even the WWE can't get the facts straight about their new event then how are the fans supposed to. An event that the fans don't know the proper details about will typically lead to an event that the fans have no interest in. Of course an event that fans have no interest in, will lead to poor buyrates.
It's a simple cycle but one that the WWE had been repeating a little too often lately. The bottom line is that if you wish to make so many changes to your pay-per-view events; make sure you know what exactly those changes are before you announce them.
Day 74
So captain Lou died today. While I never like to hear about a wrestling personality pass I'd be lying if I said that I had many memories of Lou in the wrestling world. In fact my biggest memory of Albano is catching him play Mario as he introduced the animated Super Mario Brothers cartoon before I went to school in the morning.
His death did remind me of something else though? This is yet another part of the history of wrestling that is slipping away. Lou was mainly known for his manager skills back in the day and with his passing it's just yet another reminder how dead an art that manager has become.
I'll never understand why either. A good manager was always the perfect fit for workers who had the look and ring ethic but didn't have the speech to back it up. While wrestling will definitely take you places, it's the talkers whom are able to make that connection with the crowd much faster.
Like I mentioned with John Morrison previously, imagine how much he would benefit from someone who did his talking for him. I guess that's where things seemed to go south for managers. Maybe the newer generation started looking at it as an insult to be assigned a manager. As if they didn't need somebody to help get them over, they were fine on their own.
Completely missing the point that a good manager is meant to bring out the best in the wrestler not take the spotlight away from the wrestler. Yet here we are with another death of another legend in the world of wrestling managers. Pretty soon the act will be a completely dead art form and with it another part of my wrestling memories dead and buried.
While I may not remember much of Lou's career as it happened I can respect what he brought to the table and mourn that which we've lost. A wrestler, an entertainer, as well as an art form.
Day 75
It took years but I think I finally understand my predicament. Me and several of my peers are hypocrites. I don't mean that in a demeaning way because chances are they were just like me and were simply unaware. I suppose a bit of an explanation is in order so here it goes.
Like so many other wrestling fans I clamor for the superstars to abide by the old slogan of "shut up and wrestle." It's not so much that I don't like entertainment because I do, but I feel that I watch wrestling shows to see actual wrestling. Doesn't seem like that large of a request to make nor does it seem unreasonable. Though today while driving in my car on my way home from work it hit me. That I unfairly judge wrestling organizations when I sit there and fall into the same trap that I claim to be against.
When I came to this site and starting originally writing columns seven years ago I didn't do it because I had aspirations of being some sort of wrestling journalist (if such a thing exists). I honestly came here because two of my buddies (Cavalou and Sandman) had started writing columns in the forum and I said what the heck. It had more to do with me having an abundance of free time then it did with me desiring to write about wrestling.
Don't get me wrong I've always had a passion for writing. Whether I'm writing stories, lyrics, poems, skits, etc. it simply didn't matter. So when I started writing wrestling columns I merely wanted to incorporate my passions and style into a column about wrestling. It took awhile to accomplish this but some years later I'd say I'm moderately good at getting my point across.
That brings me to the other force that drives me, wrestling. I've been a wrestling fan for close to 20 years and am very passionate about the "sport." Which as much should be fairly obvious by the fact that I manage to maintain these daily blogs. Yet for some reason I get bored if I feel confined to strictly writing a straight forward wrestling column. That's not to say that I don't write that type of columns but I don't like to feel as if I have no choice but to write in that style.
So here I am as a wrestling columnist yet I'd say for about 90% of my columns I've written in the past that actual wrestling is secondary. Instead I focus a lot on emotions and getting some sort of emotional investment back from my readers. In a nutshell whether it's love, hate, or flat out anger I want my reader to feel something when I put out my full length columns. Then there are times when I simply want to entertain you, in fact I suppose that's the main thing I strive for. The entertainment of myself and my reader.
That's why me and some of my peers are hypocrites. We chastise the WWE for putting entertainment first yet we do the same very thing. I'm not here writing columns because I strictly have a passion for wrestling. I'm here because I have a passion for wrestling and writing and use the two to deliver a product that I want to entertain with. Much like not all wrestlers simply want to wrestle. Some want to act as well, and while they know acting isn't a logical choice, wrestling allows for both to a certain degree.
While I sit here and say that wrestling should take precedent maybe I should be more appreciative of what I'm seeing. Maybe I should be happy for someone who has found a way to take two passions and find a medium that allows for the expression of both. Entertainment can never be secondary, when you have an audience that you wish to entertain.
Day 76
She said "I'll throw myself away." All I could do was look at her stunned unsure how things had drastically changed so much. Something that at one time she seemed so passionate about she now had a disdain for. I felt it too but I knew I had to be strong. Not only for here but my own sanity too. I couldn't let her carry on in this way destroying prized possessions in this manner.
Martha, calm down and stop throwing all that stuff in the trash.
Why should I they're just photos after all.
That may be but throwing those pictures away won't make the hurt stop.
(Martha glances at the crumbled photo in her hand)
No matter what, I can't make you hang around. I can't wash you off my skin. I just want you here with me right now but nothing I can say or do is going to make that a reality.
I wanted to be reassuring. Say something that will make her feel better I thought. Say something that will make me feel better.
You are right Martha those are just photos. Outside the frame is what we're leaving out. You won't remember anyway. As traumatizing as these events seem today focus on the good memories. Let's not dwell on his death but rather celebrate his life.
I can go with the flow Bret. I can pretend that I'm the same but I'll never be the same. You'll never be the same, this whole damn family has been forever changed. It doesn't matter anymore.
Don't say it doesn't matter anymore. It will always matter Martha. I can go with the flow too but that's not what I'm asking. I'm not asking you to be emotionless I'm simply asking you to not give up.
Do you honestly believe that Bret? Do you believe it in your head? Do you believe it in your heart?
You have to trust me Martha, this is hard for both of us. He was your husband but he was my brother. When I think about the way he died all I can do is think back to the days of wrestling around in the dungeon. He always thought it was some sort of game that we played down there. I remember reassure mom that Owen would be fine. There was nothing to worry about playing with us. It's so safe to play along with us, we'll never let him get hurt. Yet where was I when he needed me most? Little soldiers in a row, that's how mom described us when we were down there listening to dad's instructions. What would he think of me now? The business he was so passionate about. I have to be honest dad I'm falling in and out of love with this sport. I can never be like you. I'm falling out of love with myself. Martha, you throw this pictures of Owen away to hide that which causes you pain. How do I do that? I'm the one who causes me so much pain, I'm the one that wasn't there to protect Owen when he needed it most.
You are right Bret, I do need to get rid of these pictures of him in order to hide my pain. Something sweet to throw away, these photos but so hurtful at the same time. His face brings me so much joy yet so much pain I just feel like I can't go on. I want something good to die for, to make it beautiful to live.
Don't say that Martha, you aren't to blame. If either of us is to blame it's me. I know that doesn't bring him back to us but I want to accept full responsibility for my mistake.
Mistake? That's the best adjective you have for the event that will destroy this family. Will if this is a "mistake" than I want a new mistake. Owen is gone but he lived his life to the fullest Bret. I want him here more than anything but at the same time I know he lived like he wanted to live. He never hesitated, even to a fault.
He never should have agreed to get in that stupid harness. Vince never should have put him in that situation. For once he should have hesitated. Lose is more than hesitate. As much as I blame myself I blame Vince. He's the reason with both suffer so much today.
Do you believe it in your head Bret?
Dedicated to Owen Hart Inspired by the Queens of the Stone Age Song "Go With the Flow"
Day 77
Yesterday we changed gears a little bit which is something that fits in with what I had brought up previously in terms of entertainment. I felt I wanted to do something outside of the normal routine to keep from seeming too redundant and hopefully it worked. If not, hey at least I gave it a shot. Also I don't want to jinx myself but it looks like that sometime tomorrow night you guys should be seeing #69 of the Eyes of a Monkey in addition to my typical blog so keep on the look out for that one.
The thing about writing these blogs is at no specific time do I know what I'm going to write about. I'd say a good 99% of the time the idea is settled on as I'm typing and more times than not I'll make a last second change. So was the case with yesterday's blog. Being the big music fan that I am it was simply a case of listening to a song and this ideas just hit me and I had to go with it. Thus I missed out on talking about a current issue that has unfolded.
As everyone knows by now, Shane McMahon is no longer a part of WWE. To say that two McMahons jumping ship in the span of a month is a bit shocking is putting it pretty mildly. Though at the same time I think some people may be looking into this a little too much.
Same say it's some sort of crazy storyline, others say it's temporary, others say maybe he's even dabbling into MMA. While I do think that he may be involved in his mother's Senate campaign, I have serious trouble believing that was the sole motivation behind this decision. Quite frankly I do think perhaps he wanted to try his hands at something new.
Is that to say I expect to see him involved with a MMA company? I don't know if I'd go that far, though perhaps down the road. Maybe Shane just needed a break from it all, it's not like he's exactly strapped for cash. Also look at this thing realistically, everyone knows that Stephanie and Hunter will be running the show when Vince calls it a day. Even Shane has to know that, it's no big secret. With that in mind I ask you, what was Shane's motivation to stay?
If you are in a company and know that you've absolutely reached the highest point you can reach, where is the challenge anymore? After Shane is a McMahon and why would he want to sit around and play second string. You would have to assume that he wants to continue the McMahon tradition of being innovators in business and sports entertainment. What that means in the long run is anybodies guess.
Either way you look at it though it's a win/win situation. If Shane goes out and tries his hand at something new and it doesn't work out he can always come back. It's his family business, so it's not like he burnt the bridge down on the way out. I say go for it, because sometimes opportunity doesn't come up to you and fall in your lap. You need to go out and grab it.
As always I'm the Monkey and you've just seen the world through my eyes.
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