Reaching For The Ropes
Submitted by Vince Migliore on Monday, March 25, 2002 at 4:45 PM EST
How is everyone doing today? Welcome to a late edition of Reaching For The Ropes. Sorry it is up late but working all weekend leaves me little time to do much of anything else. So enough of that crap and onto the real deal. There is a lot to discuss this week so how about I just go ahead and get started.
Table Of Contents
I. Short Comments On Debatable Issues
A. Austin
B. Brock & Heyman
II. Keeping An Eye Open
III. Main Topic - WrestleMania Post-Thoughts
IV. Question Of The Week
V. My Wrestling Wish List
VI. Closing Comments
Short Comments On Debatable Issues
Austin
So word has it that Steve Austin is displeased with his current role in the WWF and there is even question to if he will be at RAW on Monday. A lot of people have been saying that Austin's ego is too big and that is why he is upset, but I disagree. Apparently the WWF wanted Steve Austin to job to Scott Hall at WrestleMania last Sunday. Now normally I would say that there is no problem with Austin doing the job, but not for Scott Hall at WrestleMania. I'm sorry but the way I feel is that Scott Hall has been given so many second chances that he doesn't deserve a win at the biggest show of the year against one of the biggest superstars in wrestling history. Call me crazy but wouldn't having Hall win be called a reward? So if this was one of the issues I can totally understand Austin's side of it. No one really seems to know what really is going on, but I just hope that everything can be worked out. I hate to say it, but history doesn't favor Austin staying in the WWF if he is truly having problem with Vince. Remember Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, and Shawn Michaels. So I guess we will just have to wait and see.
Brock & Heyman
I have seen pictures of Brock Lesner before, but never did I realize how big this man is. When he came out and just destroyed Maven, Al Snow, and Spike my mouth was completely on the floor. If the WWF doesn't mess this up Brock Lesner is going to be a star in a few years. I know Vince isn't going to give up on him easy because he has a huge build, and Vince always pushes the big guys. What I really like about Brock is the fact that they have paired him with Paul Heyman. Yes that is right MANAGERS ARE BACK IN WRESTLING!! Heyman is just awesome on the mic so with him talking for Brock, and Brock just killing everyone he should get over I hope. I am telling you all this is the future of the WWF, and a new star is on the rise.
Keeping An Eye Open
Keep an eye open for these things this week
1. Who is picked as number 1 in the draft?
2. Will Stephanie book herself to win the belt?
3. Eddie Guerrero to return
4. Rey Mysterio Jr. to come to the WWF
5. Will Austin be on RAW?
6. Heyman to cut a promo about Brock
7. The first post-split show (smackdown)
8. Dudley Boyz on Tough Enough
9. Backlash booking to start
Main Topic
WrestleMania Post Thoughts
If you read my column last week you could tell that I didn't have to high of expectations for the Pay Per View. I will say that my expectations were exceeded after watching it, but I think my opinion might differ on some of the matches than a lot of other peoples. Let me just quickly run down the card and tell you what I thought.
Hardcore Championship: Golddust versus Maven(champion)
Well this didn't turn out to be a match at all. Three minutes into the madness Spike Dudley gets the win out of nowhere, and the madness ensues from there. I actually liked the whole Hardcore Hijinx, and thought it provided some nice comic relief throughout the evening. It is definitely something the WWF can't do all the time anymore, but it did a decent job taking over the comedy role that the Gimmick Battle Royal handed over last year.
European Championship: Christian versus Diamond Dallas Page(champion)
Unfortunately this match was only eight minutes long, but for the short amount of time it was given they did a good job. DDP never ceases to amaze me by working so well at his age. I am glad he got the win, and I hope he can be given some better direction and make a run at the World Title just one more time.
Edge versus Booker T
I didn't like this match at all. Granted it wasn't abysmal, but there just wasn't anything in here that was exciting to watch. I was definitely let down because I thought that these two could tear the house down, but I guess on this given night they couldn't.
Kane versus Kurt Angle
I've said it before and I will say it again that Kurt Angle can get a great match out of anyone. Kane is a pretty good worker for his size, but isn't really known for being able to put on really good matches. I don't know if it was the whole WrestleMania atmosphere or if it was just Kurt Angle, but this match came across really well. The only thing that didn't really work out was the finish, but it was a good match nonetheless. Too bad this didn't mean anything for either of their characters.
Intercontinental Championship: Rob Van Dam versus William Regal(champion)
Smart move as having this match for the opener. Both of these guys worked well together which kind of surprised me because I expected their styles to clash. Some stiff looking offense given on both sides, and Regal gets bloody again on PPV.
Women's Championship: Trish Stratus vs. Lita vs. Jazz(champion)
Was short and didn't suck horribly. My only problem with it is that the hometown girl didn't win.
World Tag Team Championship: APA vs. Hardy Boys vs. Dudley Boyz vs. Billy & Chuck(champions)
I was expecting the finals to come down to the Dudleyz and the Hardyz, but I guess I don't have a problem with Chuck & Billy winning. Overall it was a well-worked match, and I enjoyed. D-Von took one nasty spill through that table, and the camera did a good job of almost missing it. Hopefully after all the split business the WWF can get the tag team division on fire again.
Ric Flair vs. The Undertaker
I have done my fair share of dissing on the dead man, but I am going to give credit where credit is due. This in my eyes was the match of the night. Truthfully this is Undertakers last good match since last years WrestleMania against HHH. Ric Flair is another man who never ceases to amaze me. No matter how old this man gets he can still perform in the ring and put on some really good matches. There is nothing more I can really say except damn good match.
Scott Hall versus Stone Cold Steve Austin
This match was about what I expected out of the two of them. Hall actually looked pretty good in the match, and Austin worked well as always on PPV. I read a lot of people bitching that Austin didn't sell the stunner right so he has a big ego. First off people I don't know if you ever noticed this, but on both of Austin's knees he has a big ass knee brace. Add this to the fact that you must land on your knees to take a stunner, and you now know why Austin came down with it the way he did. A lot shorter than I expected this match to be, but overall it was good.
The Rock versus "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan
After the PPV went off the air people were going nuts on how great this match was, but in all actuality it sucked a lot. Yes the crowd was extremely hot and it was very nostalgic with Hogan hulking up and everything, but the offense just looked terrible. Don't get me wrong I actually enjoyed the match just because of the fact that the crowd was so into it, but without that crowd making it feel so awesome the match would have stunk up the place. The big question seems to be did Hogan pass the torch? Honestly I really don't think so, but I guess only time can tell. This match will definitely be memorable, but it won't be remembered for it's ring-work.
Undisputed World Championship: Triple H versus Chris Jericho(champion)
I expected this to be the match of the night and I was wrong. Unfortunately after 4 hours of wrestling, which included the WrestleMania comeback of Hulk Hogan, the crowd was exhausted so they weren't into this match at all. This wasn't a bad match, but compared with the other matches that they have had it wasn't up to par. This match pretty much solidified my feelings that HHH isn't the same HHH before he got hurt. I don't know if he is just being too timid in the ring or if it's extra weight he put on, but his matches just haven't had that ring work that we have become so used to. Although the crowd was dead because the Hogan/Rock match I still stick my guns that this deserved to be the main event.
So overall it was a good PPV. Of course this was nowhere near the level of last years WrestleMania, but that is a level almost impossible to achieve. With exception of the Edge/Booker match I found something enjoyable in every match. If you didn't get the chance to watch it I would suggest you watch it because it is definitely worth your time.
Question Of The Week
So last week I asked you to give your comments on what you thought about the PPV, and here is one email I received.
Chris Chapman wrote:
I pure and simply was amazed by this wrestlemania. My reasons are because of the botched booking it looked to be another wrestlemania 11[and that's a bad thing]. Nearly all the matches were great my only disappointments were the Four way for the tag belts because Billy & Chuck are unworthy champs and Kane and Kurt Angle it came nowhere near too their Smackdown match. My top five matches of the night were [In this order] 5.Christian v DDP-these two put on a entertaining match and deserve more TV time. 4.RVD v William Regal-The right guy won 3.Ric Flair v Taker-Flair is still the man and Taker pulled his game up. 2.Hall v Austin-Both made their best effort in years Austin hasn't been better since Wrestlemania 13. 1.Rock v Hogan-My two favorite guys of all time hogan passed his torch to the right guy.
This week I want to know What do you think of the roster split? You can give booking ideas or just tell me what you think the long term/short term effect of this angle will be. As always send your responses to NYYanks24@attbi.com
My Wrestling Wish List
1. Stephanie doesn't win the title
2. Stephanie doesn't win the title
3. Stephanie doesn't win the title
4. Stephanie doesn't win the title
5. Stephanie doesn't win the title
6. Stephanie doesn't win the title
7. Stephanie doesn't win the title
8. Stephanie doesn't win the title
9. Did I say I don't want Stephanie winning the damn title?
********
Another column in the books for the week. I know the column sucked, but whatcha gonna do right? I will be back on time next week…err…this week with another edition so until then ADIOS.
~"That's just my opinion I could be wrong" - Dennis Miller~
*NEW GALLERY* Wow! The Amazing RED CORSET Bedroom Photos of WWE's Maryse!
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