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Submitted by BlazingPhoenix on Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 10:36 AM EST
Out of the AshesWelcome, one and all, to Out of the Ashes. As always, I am your host, BlazingPhoenix, and I hope you’ve all had a good two weeks, which were hopefully much cooler than mine. I tell you, heat really sucks, especially when you’re doing physical labor either outside or in non-air-conditioned areas. Or when you’re a big guy. I write this as my ears ring from a show I went to last night. Actually, a show that I also played in. Yesterday afternoon, I stopped at one of my best friend’s house, and he asked me if I would fill in as bass player for his band for the night. I had to learn 4 songs while jammed with my bass in the backseat of the singer’s car while driving frantically to make it in time, but it all turned out very well. It reminds me how much I love performing. Maybe my band at school will get off their asses this semester and we can actually play some shows. But the point is that you should support your local music scene. The show was a hardcore/straightedge show, composed entirely of kids who play because they love to, and because they believe in what they’re singing about. Support that like bras support bountiful bosoms. Mmmmm, bountiful bosoms… I had some trouble coming up with a topic for today. I originally wanted to talk about Lance Storm, but lately there’s been a whole rash of people talking about the UnAmericans as a stable, and examining the individuals. So that was out. Instead, I came up with one that I think will be interesting, especially given the circumstances in wrestling these days. Onto the column… Flashfrying Raw and Smackdown – Quick ThoughtsIn theory, shouldn’t Brock Lesnar have hung around for most of Raw in order to make people wonder what he was doing there? When Rock was begging Bischoff for a match with Triple H, he reminded me of Phil Lamarr’s UBS Delivery character from Mad TV. I think it was because he was bouncing around so much. I really liked Chris Nowinski’s finisher on Spike Dudley. It was kind of a butterfly suplex into a Rock Bottom. Nowinski’s character in general is improving greatly, as well. OH MY GOD! THEY KILLED MINI-DUST! (tiny voice from the back: YOU BASTARDS!) Seriously though, that was fucking brutal. I hope they paid that little man well. He was a great little character, too. No offense, but Stacy Keibler was a fairly worthless trade. I know I called it and everything, but I also thought that she might be part of a package deal or something. Not that I’m complaining about the performance she gave, though. Tommy Dreamer and Steven Richards are single-handedly reviving ECW within the Hardcore division, and I love every second of it. Great, Matt Hardy’s jumping to Smackdown. Hear me cheer? How about the fans on Smackdown? I bet you hear the crickets chirping, though. Great main event, in my opinion. Summerslam is shaping up to be pretty interesting. I like the new ref shirts on Smackdown. It really sets them apart. Am I the only one who likes Billy and Chuck’s music? Not like I would ever listen to it on CD or anything, but it is unique, and better than stock music. Fairly good match, too. Dawn Marie has a great character right now. For the ECW fans, she was always a bitch, but now she plays this very demure person. I’d like to see her role expanded a bit, though. Stephanie, on the other hand, has already reverted back to being a heel. How long has it been? 3 weeks? Must be a new record. Rey vs. Kurt at Summerslam. I’m orgasming at the thought of it. Dear Diary: Last week I ended Hulkamania. Soon, I will beat The Rock for the WWE Undisputed Championship. But this week, I have to face Rikishi and Paul Heyman has to help distract him so I can get the win. Love, Brock. Batista’s on his own. Sweet. Read on as to why I think so. LOL at the “Subway commercial” with Eric Bischoff. That’s exactly the reason that Bischoff was a great pick-up to be the Raw GM. Great tag match with Edge/Rey/Guerreros, although not sure how Chavo got involved. Terrible ending, though. However, I absolutely love the 619, as I believe that swinging kick is called. Benoit vs. Rock was great as only Benoit can make it. Then, of course, the Rock jumps up after being punished most of the match. Great booking there. (sarcastic applause) Brock vs. Rock is a very nicely developed feud. Fanning the Flames – The New BreedFor a long time before the split, Jim Ross was constantly putting over HWA and OVW talent as being “ready for the big time”. Then they were “almost ready”. “Waiting to be called up”. “Jim Cornette sings the praises of (so-and-so), but we have no spot for them at the moment, regardless of the crapfests we keep on our roster”. Finally, the split. Brock Lesnar, John Cena, and Batista are all called up from the farm leagues. Personally, I would have liked to see it earlier, but let’s examine each of these cases. Brock – Made an impact right away by randomly showing up and cleaning house, then Paul Heyman comes in, raises his hand, and they leave. A great debut, as it left people wondering what would happen next. His popularity grew, and now he’s about to get a shot at the Rock for the Undisputed Championship. John Cena – Responded to an open challenge from Kurt Angle in the whole “ruthless aggression” thing. Terrible debut, in that the fans had no idea who he was. I thought the match itself was very good, but I only knew who he was because I had seen some specials on (I believe) A&E about UPW, where he was originally trained. Now, he’s been sort of wallowing in the mud because of this intro, but has lately been getting a little better reaction. Batista – Another fairly crappy debut, but at least he made some appearances on TV with D’Von before he actually began to do anything. Actually, he’s just finally making his break. And that seems to be following the trend of professional wrestling. The young guys are FINALLY getting their chances. With the walkout of Steve Austin, the aging of Hogan and Undertaker, the injuries to Nash, Michaels, and Triple H, and the budding movie career of the Rock, the older generation is at long last losing their stranglehold on the top spots in the WWE. I only include the Rock in there because he's been the champion numerous times, even though he’s only 28 or something like that. Now, this isn’t to say that only the younger guys are getting chances now. Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Jericho, and Lance Storm are getting new chances to shine. Edge is getting a true opportunity at being a singles star. Rey Misterio (not that he’s old, either) is developing a whole new fanbase. Tommy Dreamer and Steven Richards are breaking away from their…ummm…less favorable gimmicks, and are revitalizing the Hardcore division. RVD is, well, RVD. Even Eric Bischoff is getting a new lease on life. I believe it was the late, great Owen Hart whose theme for a time said “Enough is enough, it’s time for a change.” If I am wrong, please feel free to correct me. But at any rate, it has been enough, and it sounds like Vince and the WWE are finally listening to the fans and making some changes. Because of the style of entertainment that Vince has conditioned the fans to, he must constantly keep the product fresh. The only way to do that is to constantly elevate new talent, which is now happening. And it's about damn time. Dousing the BlazeAnd so ends the 21st edition of Out of the Ashes. Looking at that number makes me want to go out and have a beer, especially in this heat. Unfortunately, I’m not quite legal yet, so I can’t go out. Not that I’m much of a drinker anyways, but that’s besides the point. As always, I appreciate feedback. Comments, questions, criticisms, suggestions, etc. are all welcome. You will get a response, I promise, as well as proper credit if I use your ideas. Thank you for reading, and I hope you’ll join me the next time that I rise Out of the Ashes. Until then, I am… BlazingPhoenix Email: HuckFins@aol.com Interested in joining an efed? HIW is now accepting applications. Join the revolution! *NEW GALLERY* Exclusive Photos of WWE's 12 Rounds Starring JOHN CENA!
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