Stanman's Wrestling AfterThoughts - The Road To SummerSlam
Submitted by Stanman on Friday, August 23, 2002 at 9:55 AM EST





Hello all and welcome to another glorious edition of S.W.A.T. During these past few weeks, I have been very busy with work and preparing for another semester at college that it gets difficult to sit down for a couple of hours to write out my thoughts on the wrestling world.

But don't fret my SWATaholics, for things will return to normal once classes start and my schedule becomes more of a routine. Then, I can set aside some time to write this column. It's funny that during summer break, it is difficult to find free time. But once I am in college, I find the time. Especially when the collegiate years is one of the busiest times of your life. Weird.

Anyways, for this column, I will give you my thoughts on Eric Bischoff and his mind for the wrestling business as well as some of the readers' thoughts on his impact on the sport. Also, with SummerSlam looming on the horizon, why not give some predictions and critiques on the summer classic? So let's get to that first, shall we?


The Sharpshooting Gallery: The Road To SummerSlam

Well, WWE television has been better than it has been the past few weeks and with SummerSlam this Sunday, it could not have come at a better time. Nearly every feud has some heat to it and has been built up nicely ever since July's Vengeance pay-per-view. With that being said, let's start predicting!

First off, we have Edge facing Eddie Guerrero in what should be a good match. During the past few weeks, Edge has been getting pushed like no other, yet he has gone nowhere as far as status is concerned. I still see his push continuing as he wins this match in what should be a good pay-per-view opener.
Stanman's pick: Edge

Next up is Booker T and Goldust going up against Lance Storm and Christian for the WWE Tag Team championship. As much as everyone would like to see the duo of Booker and Goldust win the titles, it will not happen. I can almost guarantee it. With the UnAmericans surprisingly getting some good heel heat in the recent weeks, why kill it with a SummerSlam loss? Booker and Goldust have been receiving some good reaction from the fans without the titles so it would not make a difference whether or not they win it. See my point?
Stanman's pick: The UnAmericans

Another UnAmerican, Test will square off against the Undertaker. Knowing the Undertaker and his reluctance to put over newer talent cleanly, I see either a dirty win by Test due to some interference. Either that or Kane will make his return and help out the Undertaker in the event of an UnAmericans beatdown. My guess is as good as yours..
Stanman's pick: Test

Ric Flair vs. Chris Jericho is one match that I personally look forward to. This has Jericho winning written all over it. The great Ric Flair will put some heart into this contest and I see a lot entertainment going into the finish since both wrestlers have dramatic finishers (Figure Four and the Walls of Jericho). When it's all said and done Flair will be the legend that he is and put Jericho over.
Stanman's pick: Chris Jericho

In the battle of the best performers of the Smackdown brand, Rey Mysterio faces Kurt Angle. Tough match to call here as neither competitor will lose any heat if he happens to lose the match due to their strong characters. Well, since Rey is the newcomer and could use an extra-added push, who else is there but Angle to put him over strongly?
Stanman's pick: Rey Rey

Next up we have Rob Van Dam going up against Chris Benoit for the WWE Intercontinental title. The match has potential to be the show stealer as both can take and deliver punishment. I see no point in RVD winning back the title as he seemed to be a lame duck champ at that. It would not make sense to see the same title switching hands at consecutive pay-per-views. It would also add some credibility to Benoit's reign.
Stanman's pick: Chris Benoit

The match we have been waiting years for has finally arrived. The returning Shawn Michaels squares off against Triple H. People have been talking that Michaels no longer has "it". His back is unstable and his ring rust could effect the match negatively. But this is HBK we are talking about. This match will go beyond everybody's expectations and I see Shawn pulling a miracle.
Stanman's pick: 'The Heartbreak Kid' Shawn Michaels

Lastly, we have Brock Lesnar vs. The Rock for the WWE undisputed championship. Excellent build up for this match as the WWE had a good two months to build up Lesnar as a legit force. The production spots like the Rock's training video or Brock promos were nicely done and improves the unpredictability of the outcome of the match. That and him 'destroying' Hulkamania helped the cause as well. Many people will never bet against the Rock at a pay-per-view. But I am not one of those people as I see a NEW undisputed champ running rampant at least until Survivor Series.
Stanman's pick: Brock Lesnar

So there you have it. My SummerSlam 2002 predictions are set and now we all have to wait and see what the summer classic has in store. Since it is one of the WWE's top 5 pay-per-views, you could expect some kind of surprise happening. Whether it's Kane or something else, you can rest assured that the WWE will not disappoint. At least, let's hope so.


Gathering Intelligence: What Do You Think Of Eric Bischoff?

Eric Bischoff, the man who made wrestling what it is today. Or is he?

That is a question that has been baffling many minds ever since he entered the WWE and back when the Monday Night Wars was at its prime. So I asked this question in my last column and I received a good number of replies consisting of some interesting thoughts on the current general manager of RAW.

I believe Eric Bischoff was a lucky man who happened to be at the right place at the right time. He had Ted Turner's wallet, which when you think about it, probably is responsible for how wrestling is today.

His idea of the New World Order would have flopped if it were not for the star power. With star power comes money, and with money, you have good ol' Ted's wallet. That is what it all leads to. So in actuality, I believe Bischoff does not have a mind for leading an organization like Vince McMahon can. His on-air personality is another story as evident by the good television we've seen due to his presence.

S.W.A.T. reader Krueges writes:

Bischoff's past success in the world of professional wrestling cannot be denied. He was able to present compelling and interesting programming for his viewers night after night. However, all things must pass and so too did his dominance over the WWF in the Monday night wars.
Bischoff however is now in a position in which he does not have the power that he once had. That being said, I believe that he still has the ability to offer ways in which to improve the company that now employs him. It all depends now upon the way he conducts himself and the way he offers his advice.

Well said. Another factor to WCW's demise was Bischoff's ego. He pushed older talent instead of developing younger ones. Now that he does not have the power he once had, you could say that he has 'humbled' somewhat. Now he can contribute to the WWE with his great television personality.

S.W.A.T. reader Sheepy gives his thoughts on Bischoff. Notice how he and I share a similar response.

I have mixed feelings on Eric Bischoff's mind for the wrestling business. While he is the one who came up with the brilliant ideas of the New World Order and broadcasting WCW Monday Nitro in direct competition with RAW is WAR, I think it may have been Ted Turner that made WCW so successful. Without the pocketbook of Ted Turner, nothing Eric Bischoff did could have possibly been done. And if he was such a genius when it came to the business, why wouldn't Nitro have dominated RAW and taken it off the airwaves? Shouldn't Nitro still be here today? Eric Bischoff's success in WCW ran about four years, and that's it. So while he lit a spark under the wrestling industry, his creation crumbled, and it was Vince McMahon who came out on top. Bischoff's success lasted a minimal number of years, while the real mastermind of wrestling, Vince McMahon, has been going strong for decades now. Easy E came up with some brilliant ideas, but his empire didn't last long. So his mind for the business is good in that he won the ratings war from a practical monopoly and created the nWo and RAW vs. Nitro feud. However, his mind really can't be that great because he blundered when it came down to crunch time, with Stone Cold, DX, and Vince McMahon taking over yet again. I must say though - he's a great on-air personality.

I could not have explained it better myself. When it came down to pressure, Bischoff folded and so did WCW later on. The WWF was thriving and nobody wanted to jump ship to WCW, which made Ted Turner's money useless. Money was the only means to WCW's success and when that collapsed, so did the company. That and the lack of bringing up new talent like I mentioned before.

Switching to the Smackdown brand, this week's intelligence question is, What do you think of Stephanie McMahon's mind for the wrestling business?

Now, I know I will get bombarded with similar responses, but those who approach their answer in a different way will get their thoughts posted in my next edition with full credit given to the author.


Mission Accomplished

That will do it for this edition of the AfterThoughts. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as liked writing it. Any comments or questions can be sent to StanmanLOP@yahoo.com. Don't forget to answer the intelligence question and always remember..

Till next time, you've just been SWATTED!

-Stanman
StanmanLOP@yahoo.com










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