The Wrath of Tito - RAW review, Bush/Kerry/WWE, Bradshaw, Lesnar, and more
Submitted by Mr. Tito on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 at 12:56 PM EST
Welcome to the Wrath of Tito, the column the pros read. Today, we'll look at various wrestling news and review RAW. Sorry about the delay, for Tuesday was a busy day for me, as it usually is anymore. Regardless, I'm here today and am set for probably 2 hours of typing for this column, baby!
-Congrats to Willygoat Valley Wrestling for a fantastic show on Sunday. Yes, they are a backyard fed, but they put their heart and soul into their last event. Especially to GW and Dirty Harry, who wrestled a vicious match where both competitors were busted open the hardway, both by accident. One of them did a headscissors grab on his opponent to throw him over the top rope. As his opponent came down, the middle rope snapped right into the guy's nose, busting it right open! What many fans don't realize is how dangerous that ring can be. After all, Mick Foley had an ear torn off getting twisted between the ropes and many injuries have resulted from ropes breaking, etc. Getting back on subject, great event WVW!
-WWE is coming to my area for a houseshow in Wheeling, WV (which I may attend) and for RAW in Pittsburgh, PA (which depends if I'll attend). I enjoy the WWE houseshows more than the televised shows, lately. For 2 Smackdowns I've viewed, I went to the houseshow before the televised event (one was Wheeling/Columbus and the other was Wheeling/Pittsburgh). And to be honest, the houseshows were better. I enjoy a show that's more or less a WRESTLING show and on houseshows, wrestlers have more creative freedoms in the ring. I remember when D'von Dudley was a heel on the Smackdown roster with his preacher gimmick. He cut a HUGE promo on the crowd at the Wheeling houseshow, but the next night in Columbus, he didn't try the same thing for heel heat and was lame. I might just save myself some money and just attend the houseshow, but we'll see. I love to watch live wrestling, usually regardless of what it is.
And while I'm on the subject of live events, I have yet to attend a live wrestling event that has beat seeing ECW live. I saw them on a houseshow at West Liberty State College one time and this was before all of the WCW defections. I got to saw the early Dudley Boys, the Eliminators, Sandman, Raven, Tommy Dreamer, Shane Douglas, Stevie Richards, and many more. The atmosphere was great, the sound system was great, the merchandise table was loaded (bought myself a Sandman t-shirt that night), and the show was awesome. I have yet to see something to top this show.
-I wouldn't exactly get your hopes up on seeing John Kerry or George W. Bush on an episode of RAW or Smackdown, anytime soon. It would be quite politically damaging to either guy if they came out to the ring and had a bunch of rabid wrestling fans booing them heavily. I guarantee that both, around election time, will send a representative from their campaigns to show support for the "Smackdown Your Vote" campaign OR they'll present taped interviews instead (which will protect both from heckling wrestling fans). Just look in 2000 when the WWE challenged Bush and Al Gore to debate on RAW, there was no response from either parties. Gee, I wonder why? It appears, though, that interest from both campaigns in the WWE is from the WWE's effort on signing registered voters. It's not from ratings. Ratings in the WWE are down and the so-called key demographics they are both going after won't matter in November. Hence their messages on the Smackdown Your Vote website, http://www.smackdownyourvote.com/. That's actually a pretty good website by the WWE and provides links to both major parties.
-Some have asked if I was the one Bradshaw blamed for losing his job on CNBC, as he told Howard Stern on Friday. I was not, as I've been more supportive of Bradshaw's gimmick than others. Plus, I never said a word about Bradshaw losing work on a television financial show for his actions, and you can search my columns for that. I guess the "some little guy that had a pro wrestling site" in question encouraged readers to email CNBC with complaints about Bradshaw's Nazi salute (I don't know the person nor the wrestling website). So no, it wasn't me. The only thing I've demanded out of Bradshaw was a simple apology to German fans and that's it. He shouldn't lose any work for something he did out of the spur of the moment to attract heel heat, although he should receive some sort of punishment by the WWE, for Bradshaw could have been arrested for making that salute in Germany.
-I missed NWA-TNA Impact again this week. I'm sorry, but Fridays are busy for me and my short term memory isn't the best to set the VCR timer. I'll try to catch it this week, but no guarantees.
-I saw parts of Smackdown, but not enough to review it. Dudleys are once again tag champions, although this comes from an injury suffered to Rico. I DO NOT like Bradshaw's use of "Liberal Media" in his promo. Yes, I agree that the media slants more to the left than right, but keep it out of your promos, please. Save that for your talk radio show, Bradshaw. The stuff with Heyman and the Undertaker is actually a pretty decent storyline, for the record. That, or it's presented well with a person with great mic skills (Heyman) putting it over. From the parts I saw, the show looks to be getting better, but in my opinion, the show still lacks star power that RAW has.
-What's with the WWE going reality? Linda McMahon said in her 4th Quarter conference call (oh sweet, I can do some economic analysis of the WWE's 4th quarter in a future column!) that Smackdown will have "Tough Enough" segments to develop wrestlers. Wow, nothing like exposing your business on a WRESTLING show. Tough Enough should have its own show, not be a part of a wrestling show. The WWE, in hopes to boost ratings AND to attract a probable female audience (which is doubtful), they are hoping to steal thunder from the likes of American Idol or other lame reality shows. In my humble opinion, this will weaken the WWE shows and it's to NWA-TNA's advantage that the WWE is setting itself up for a fall in this aspect.
-For ESPN, Brock Lesnar said in an interview regarding any steroid allegations that he'd "piss in a cup" and prove he wasn't on roids. Firstly, I'm sure the NFL Players Association gave Lesnar a call and said NOOOOOOOOOOOO, don't do that, for the NFL has mandatory drug testing and you'll be tested when the NFL wants to test you. It's the same matter with several Major League Baseball players who said they'd piss in a cup for reporters, but only retract their statements. I don't honestly think Lesnar is on roids, though. Lesnar has a big frame and can naturally pack on muscle, unlike other wrestlers, who exceed muscle capacity on their frames. Plus, Lesnar has been the same size throughout his WWE career and he was pretty muscular when he wrestled in college. Best of luck to Lesnar in his NFL venture.
-On VH1's Best Week Ever last week, the panel discussed Aaron Carter dating Hulk Hogan's daughter, Brooke Bollea and how Hogan and Carter didn't get a long at a BBQ or something, or Hogan gave him words of advice. One comedian responded to Aaron Carter in saying "in other words, Hogan said don't fuck my daughter". Oh man, I laughed for a while at that, among other comments, like one black comedian talking about Russian orphans that Jennifer Lopez was supposed to see but married Marc Anthony instead (the comedian said "what are they gonna do? cry to their parents?"). So wrong...
-Voice of Wrestling claims that Marty Jannetty recently followed the same path as Shawn Michaels in religion, getting baptized at the Athletes International Mintistries convention. Shawn Michaels actually attended this and was in the water to assist in the baptism. Good for Jannetty. Whether it's using religion or not, Jannetty needed to turn a corner in his life. Jannetty was reportedly heavy into drugs, among other things, during his tag team run with Michaels and thereafter. His disappearances and reappearances in the WWE have been from that very fact. It's also good to see that Michaels and Jannetty are still friends, too, making you wonder if the Rockers will one day reunite (I imagine Jannetty needs to get into shape, though). Good for Jannetty.
-My WWE-Labor Unions column is still in the works. I finally finished up my Master's work and have time to write such a thing. I have a bunch of notes actually written down to write this column. It's been a busy summer for yours truly, getting worked like a dog when there's more hours of work available. Maybe it will come in the next few weeks? We'll see.
Ok, on to the RAW part of the column.
RAW is TITO
The show started off with the Rock making his return to Miami and doing a LONG promo... I like the Rock, ever since his return to the WWE during the summer of 2001, but man, you don't have to speak forever. This would eventually prompt Randy Orton to come down and possibly get some much needed heat. Rock and Orton had a good verbal spout and it eventually came to blows, with Rock getting the upperhand. Eric Bischoff would have enough and want Rock escorted from the arena. Rock would then mouth off to everyone on his way out, including Bischoff, saying "no wonder WCW went out of business". Looks like a future program with Randy Orton and the Rock could happen? Actually, the WWE should do something else... After the show ended, the fans were heavily chanting for "Rocky" when Triple H gave his beatdown. Yes, it's time for another HHH vs. Rock feud, given how much they've avoided each other on camera and for the MANY potshots they give each other in their interviews. Maybe do that for Wrestlemania 21? Before Rock left the arena, he told Randy Orton to wait 3 seconds and then Edge attacked him.
Backstage, Chris Benoit begged Eric Bischoff to not have Eugene fighting Triple H for the #1 contendership, for Benoit will fight HHH any place, any time.
Our next match was Victoria vs. Trish Stratus, which wasn't a bad match overall, for both are decent performers. Victoria lost after being distracted by the "Problem Solver", Tyson Tomko. After the match, Victoria was saved by a man in drag, looking a lot like Steven Richards. How did I know it was him? He's dressed up in drag before... Victoria and Richards are reunited, so expect many mixed tag team matches to now happen. Yipee...
Backstage, William Regal pleaded with Bischoff about Eugene's match with HHH, but Bischoff responded by making Regal's first match happen that very night. Regal had to fight Kane, and the match didn't happen for Kane won the brawling on the outside and knocked Regal out. I was amazed to see Regal taking the bumps on the outside, given how fragile his body is.
Next week, it's Chris Benoit vs. Kane for the World Title. Good to see that long term booking is still in place on RAW. In my opinion, it has kept the RAW ratings stable throughout competition from the NHL and NBA playoffs.
The Diva Search was such a bore. Yeah, the women looked great in bikinis, but I can change the channel to find something like that elsewhere or look for that on the internet. An added diva is just going to take up space and a salary in the WWE once this "search" concludes. Just remember, the Nitro Girl contest didn't draw much interest, even though it gave the wrestling world Stacy Keibler.
Next match was Randy Orton/Batista vs. Edge/Chris Jericho. Pretty solid tag team match, with Edge getting destroyed by doubleteaming at the end to lose the match. Can't complain with the hype for Orton vs. Edge, as Edge attacked Orton earlier but was defeated by Orton in this tag team match. Evolution also knocked Jericho out during this match, which was well prepared booking by the WWE to now take Jericho, Rock, and Regal out (maybe Benoit, too? I forget if Bischoff threatened him?) in order to leave Eugene alone with Triple H. Credit is given...
Backstage, Matt Hardy told Stacy Keibler that he's going to propose to Lita. Keibler is in the middle of every secret, and it's unfortunate that neither Lita or Matt Hardy tapes RAW every Monday Night or Matt would know that Lita's pregnant and Lita would know that a proposal is coming. And now the proposal... Just as Matt Hardy was about to propose to Lita, the big red machine Kane interrupted and said he knocked up Lita. SHADES OF JERRY SPRINGER! This segment actually turned the fans in Miami against Lita, because nobody likes a two-timer. Even worse, when we were backstage, Lita was backstage with Matt Hardy saying "the baby could be yours". That's the best turn-on line of the year. :rollseyes: The WWE will probably build up a paternity test, and fuck it, why not fly in Ricki Lake, Jerry Springer, or even Geraldo for the deed?
Earlier, Eugene arrived with Triple H in his limo and they'd make their way to Eric Bischoff's office. HHH put on a great acting job to slam Bischoff in front of Eugene, but once Eugene leaves, Evolution, HHH, and Bischoff laugh their heads off. I actually laughed at that, and yes, I'm going to hell too. HHH has been pretty dead on with his acting skills for this storyline.
The main event was Eugene vs. Triple H.. it was decent overall, with Eugene hitting HHH with very basic fundamentals until HHH snapped and pounding on Eugene. Eventually, HHH hit the Pedigree but Bischoff didn't want Eugene defeated... he wanted a massive beatdown, and only then would HHH get his title shot. Triple H went for the steel chair but Chris Benoit ran down. Benoit accidentally hit Eugene with the chair when trying to hit HHH. Benoit, in shock, would leave himself open for a Triple H attack and it's another show ended with HHH giving the Pedigree to Benoit.
LAST WORD: Like last week, it was a good storyline show with just a few matches worth watching. Since the WWE is at least doing better on the storylines, I'll go upgrade this week and give this show a [ B ]. The creative team needs to keep up whatever they are doing right now for RAW because it's kept my interest for wrestling on Monday nights lately.
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@That's all for today. Thanks a million for reading.
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