Stanman's Wrestling AfterThoughts - RAW, Smackdown and Edge
Submitted by Stanman on Friday, December 20, 2002 at 12:29 AM EST





Greetings once again to the column known as SWAT, where I take a SWAT at the WWE and/or anything else that goes on in the wrestling world. Get it? I knew you would.

Well, this month has been a big one for me. I graduated from college a couple of days ago and I am so pumped that I have nothing to worry about academically. That is, until graduate school comes around. But right now, finding a job is my main priority, which is why you haven't heard from me in a while. If any of you are currently in college, the hard work you put into it is all worth it when you get that diploma handed to you. Trust me on that.

On another note, I rented Smackdown: Shut Your Mouth from my local Blockbuster video store. Not a bad game at all. In fact, this is the best game of the Smackdown series so far. The graphics, taunts, move sets and entrances are all top-notch. The storyline/career mode is also good as you can do whatever you want. Whether it is taking the subway to The World (WWE New York) or visiting Vince McMahon in his office, it goes to show you the depth this game has. I won't go into much detail, but I do recommend at least renting this puppy.

Enough blabbing, let's get to some wrasslin'.


Ammunition For The AfterThought: Infiltrating RAW and Smackdown

Thank goodness Scott Steiner is getting the monster push now instead of later. He is a fresh face and the WWE needs to milk the hell out of his appearances before they ruin it with bullshit storylines or angles. His main event promo with Triple H was pretty good as he basically tore the Game a new one with his 'largest arms in the world' comments. I also found it funny that when they went nose to nose, Triple H's nose folded like an accordion. Funny stuff.

Booker T and Goldust are the RAW tag champs. It's about freakin' time. There is NOBODY else on that show that can hold those belts and have the fans care about it. You have the 3 Minute Warning, but it seems like they are being punished for something with all their jobbing and whatnot. Then you have the Dudleyz, but they are not even in radar vicinity of the tag belt storyline. The RAW tag scene is lackluster, but at least the current title-holders are deserving. Hopefully the WWE can build from there.

The Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho feud is money. Just give them the mic and let them talk their way into building heat for the feud. Both are decent workers so the matches will not be too bad, although their styles are a bit different. Especially after wrestling Triple H, HBK will not have to carry Y2J as much as he did with Trips.

On the Smackdown side, Kurt Angle is your new WWE champion. I question this call because it just demolishes Big Show's reign and any heat he had as a threat. Now granted, Show did not deserve the title to begin with, but since the WWE crowned him champ, why not make it believable? It would have made more sense if his match with Angle ended with Show coming out on top. From there, they would have a rematch at the Royal Rumble, where Angle would become champ. THEN, he would go on to feud with Brock Lesnar up and through Wrestlemania.

But I guess having Heyman as Kurt Angle's agent is the route the WWE took. I don't like that decision since Angle can hold his own and doesn't need a mouthpiece. Heyman needs to be used for wrestlers who are not over with the fans (i.e. Big Show).

I wonder if Chicago Bear running back Anthony Thomas is pissed that Albert took the 'A-Train' nickname. I know I am.

I don't know where this marriage angle between Dawn Marie and Al Wilson is going but it has my attention. I don't think the marriage will happen but if Torrie says 'to hell with it', so will I.

Nothing like a squash to introduce Nunzio to the WWE. What are the bookers thinking? Bill DeMott did the deed and single-handedly won the tag match pitting him and Crash going up against Jamie Noble and Nunzio. This match did NOTHING for everybody involved. Pathetic.

Well in short, RAW was the better show this week. Smackdown was poor in both wrestling and 'sports entertainment' while RAW had the entertainment value to back up the decent wrestling. I notice how it is a see-saw every week with each brand alternating on good shows. For the love of all that is good, can we please have one FULL week of good shows? That is all I ask.


Gathering Intelligence: Edgeucation II

Surprised. That is how I felt after the response I got in regard to the intelligence question I asked in my last column. Here is the question:

What are your thoughts on Edge?

I would have figured there were more Edge Heads reading this since their response to the comments I wrote two editions ago is what started this whole debate. Boy, was I wrong.

The majority of the readers that responded agreed with what I said in that Edge is missing something to get to the main event level. Despite being pushed heavily during his career with the WWE, he still has not showed signs of superstardom. And by superstardom, I mean at the level of the Austins, the Undertakers, or the Rocks.

The guy has been the same since he first started. He has not improved nor did he try to during his tenure. Now I'm basing this on what I have seen on tv. Can you honestly tell me that he has improved on his look or talent, whether it be wrestling-wise or on the mic? He showed some signs on the mic with his stint with Christian but that is about it. Other than that, he has been the same. Because of that, he seems a little on the stale side. Sure he has a cool entrance, but that is also wearing thin.

Now we can blame the WWE's glass ceiling for all this, but the lack of improvement on Edge’s part makes me reconsider.

If Edge wants to get there, he is going to have to do something eye-catching, something that sets him apart from all the others. What that is? I don’t know. He’ll have to figure that one out. After all, all I can do is praise and criticize, right? Heh.


As for this week's question, well, there isn't one. I decided that you, the readers, should be the ones who ask the questions.

This is how it goes. Basically, you email me a question that you would like to see your fellow SWATaholics answer. I will also throw in my two cents about the topic, which should make for some good debates. I will post the best questions in my coming editions with me giving my thoughts on it first and then I will ask that same question to you. That way we can get your wrestling questions answered and I can see what kind of topics interests the readers.

Many readers ask me the same questions, so I thought why not just answer it in a column and save everybody else the time to type up emails? The thing is, it will take some time to get every question answered, which in turn, will give some material to the column for a good while. Aren't I the clever one?

So yeah, send in your intelligence question!


Mission: Accomplished

That ends this edition of the AfterThoughts. I hope you enjoyed it as I know I enjoyed writing it. With college done with, I can write more freely without anything hounding my mind. But with all this free time, I have to wonder if laziness will get the best of me as far as getting my columns out..

Ah well. Don't forget to send me YOUR intelligence questions and have a Merry Christmas! And for those of you who don't celebrate it, happy holidays and have a great New Year!

-Stanman
StanmanLOP@yahoo.com









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