Stanman's Wrestling AfterThoughts - Random Thoughts on Backlash
Submitted by Stanman on Friday, April 25, 2003 at 12:32 AM EST



Hello all, and welcome to another edition of SWAT. Well, it has been nearly a month since I wrote my last edition. With me graduating from college last December and all this free time I have, you would think I have plenty of time to write this very column.

But that is not the case. In college, I would be more organized and set aside time to write the column. But now, with all the time in the world, I keep putting it off or something else would get in the way. My point? Life after college is grand.

Nonetheless, it looks like I am just in time for this Sunday's WWE extravaganza, Backlash. Ah yes, the pay-per-view with the swinging pendulums in its logo. I love it!

On with the column..


The Sharpshooting Gallery: Random Thoughts

This week's RAW was one many fans were looking forward to. I was one of them as I always look forward to shows held in big cities or venues. I am a big fan of an arena's atmosphere for a show and big venues would usually give off that PPV-like energy. I always preach that with a hot crowd, a wrestling show can be *that* much better.

Atlanta was the sight of RAW this past Monday. The crowd was fantastic, which made the show a whole lot better. Without them, this show would have sucked due to the poor quality of a couple of particular segments.

The main event was one of those segments. Man, talk about a clusterfuck. Everyone and their mother interfered in the Booker/Triple H match. And the way the match ended with no winner was just pure crap. At least have a DQ! No need to pull a Nitro here. But when it is all said and done, this will all be a swerve and that low blow Nash took from Triple H would be "one for the team." The Kliq WILL reform at Backlash. No doubt about it.

The Rock Concert II was entertaining at some points. It was funny hearing the people cheering despite Rock ripping on them with his songs. Goldberg did not get the upper hand when it was all over, which makes me happy. Now, I know it is his hometown and all, but we have seen it all before. Spear, jackhammer and growl. It's already getting repetitive. Since it's a given that Rock is putting him over at Backlash, some heat on Rocky going into the match wouldn't hurt.

Eric Bischoff is getting annoying. The boss vs. employee angle is played out. Do something new, Vince!

Thank goodness for Hurricane and Chris Jericho. These under appreciated workers are one of the few reasons why I watch RAW. I am really digging Hurricane's matches lately. You can tell that he enjoys his gimmick and is doing his best to entertain the fans. Reward him, WWE!

Speaking of getting rewarded, I also am enjoying the work of the master of thugonomics, John Cena. He is finally getting a nice push on Smackdown for his hard work in improving his character. I applaud the WWE on that part. The only thing lacking is his interaction with Brock Lesnar. You have to interact more with the champ if you want the fans to see Cena as a threat for the gold. Smackdown had some, but this feud has been going on for a while now.

I feel for Rey Mysterio. Getting squashed at Backlash by the Big Show won't help his career at all. Hell, it won't even help Big Show since he is worthless anyway. All it does is bury Mysterio. It's a shame too since he can produce a great match with anybody else. Once again, Rey has NO CHANCE IN HELL of winning this match.

Roddy Piper is a godsend. Sean O'Haire doesn't know how lucky he is to be the student. I mark out for the old school tactics Piper does. O'Haire can only go up from here. He has the look, but he needs to learn the psychology better. Hopefully, Piper can teach him that.

Well those were my notables of the week. Overall, it was a decent week of television. The WWE tends to be in coast mode after Wrestlemania and it seems like it is going the same way this year. The company is relying on the big signings (Goldberg) and comebacks (Nash) to make the product better heading to the split brand pay-per-views. If the WWE strives for pushing the young blood (i.e. John Cena), then the product will definitely be in good shape. These big signings can only go so far.

As for the shows, I liked RAW better than Smackdown this week. More drama for RAW and more wrestling for Smackdown. I would choose dramatic, decent wrestling over awesome, non-dramatic wrestling any day. Hence, RAW wins this week.


Gathering Intelligence: Who Will Triple H Drop It To?

Last time, no question was asked. So there were no reader replies to discuss about.

This week's question is:

Who the hell will Triple H drop the title to?

Excuse the mild language in the intelligence question. But it pretty much explains the frustration we all have been feeling lately towards the WWE, especially Triple H.

Send in your answers to the e-mail address below. Be as negative or as positive as you want so long as it's professional. The best replies MAY be posted in my next column. So send them in!


Mission: Accomplished

Finish! That will do it for this edition of the AfterThoughts. As always, any feedback, comments and/or suggestions are welcome.

On another note, the NFL draft is all weekend long so I am definitely looking forward to whom my Bears are going to pick. Maybe a defensive lineman? Who knows?

Anyway, remember to answer the intelligence question and enjoy Backlash!

Thanks a million for reading.

-Stan
StanmanLOP@yahoo.com

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