href="http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2005_/articles/1124738547.php">Click Here to read it). I know a lot of hardcore HBK fans are completely upset about the finish of Hogan hulking up and winning cleanly. I thought the match was as good as it could ever be and agreed that the ending of the match sucked... but I didn't let that take away from the show.
-It's NOW being revealed that Shawn Michaels and Hulk Hogan battled politically behind the scenes regarding this match and its finish. For whatever reason known to man, the WWE has given Hulk Hogan creative control over his character. Those who forget history will be condemned to repeat it. Hogan had creative control for his entire time in WCW and it caused more harm than good.
Hogan IS the Babe Ruth of Wrestling. No matter if Hogan wins or loses, he's STILL Hulk Hogan. Fans in their 20's and above remember the Hulkster as he lit the WWF on fire. In addition, you have people like me who still want to see him live. Win or lose, he's still Hulk Hogan. Did that loss to Kurt Angle, as clean as that was, hurt Hogan? Of course not. Hogan
doesn't have to win these days. It's accepted that he's old and that he's still the most popular wrestler EVER.
Shawn Michaels deserved that win on Summerslam, PERIOD. At one time, I thought Ric Flair was the best all around performer (best talker, best in-ring performer, and best at making others look great). Lately, though, I'm leaning towards Shawn Michaels. Michaels will go down as one of the in-ring greats of all time. But to let someone less superior in the ring defeat him, especially Hogan at 2005, is a disgrace.
Hogan didn't give HBK an inch. There was talk about setting up a rematch. What would happen is that HBK would win one match and Hogan would win the other. However, Hogan didn't want that. Hogan wanted to win both matches, completely leaving one of the very best wrestlers of all time in the cold. What does Hogan have to gain by beating HBK twice? It's the same ridiculous shit that led to Hogan's departure in 2002 and 2003.
Hogan needs to let go. He needs to realize that no matter what he does, he's STILL Hulk Hogan. He can put on a reality television show that clearly is pimping out his daughter's music career, yet wrestling fans tune in because it's HULK HOGAN. Shawn Michaels at least deserved to win the rematch, and it would have been at a lesser name Pay Per View too. The bigger named show usually sticks in people's memories.
I completely understand Shawn's gripe. He went to management and suggested this match up, something fans have requested for a while now. HBK has given the fans plenty and he's given the WWE his body. Seriously, he has a FUSED back and he's wrestling a full time schedule. Just watch how HBK will make Chris Masters look like a legitimate wrestler and then
wonder why Hogan was allowed to pull his creative bullshit on HBK.
-I'm reading Bret Hart interviews and yet I
notice a remaining negative tone about Shawn Michaels
and some things about the WWE. Yet, he's doing the
WWE DVD. In addition, HBK ripped Bret Hart heavily in
Montreal, even fooling fans with the Hitman music. It
reminds me a lot of Matt Hardy and how he returned to
the WWE, remember? Same things have happened. Again,
the WWE doesn't make your name public unless you're
returning in some fashion. If Bret suggests he'd
rather work for TNA, then why would the WWE even give
him an ounce of publicity?
He's signed, sealed, and delivered to the WWE.
Welcome back, Bret. I figure he's going to be
inducted into the Hall of Fame during Wrestlemania 22
in Chicago, or better yet, Wrestlemania 23 that's
RUMORED to possibly be in Canada (though I'm guessing
Boston or Philly will get the show).
-MY GAWD, the Ross Report is returning to the
WWE. The reports suggest that it was taken down for
being "too insider". That's incorrect. What I
remember from the time was that wrestlers were getting
a bit sour on some of Ross's critical remarks. As
Vice President of talent relations at the time,
wrestlers cited that he shouldn't be making such
criticisms publicly, but privately.
-Gotta love the sense of the Torrie Wilson/Candice
Michelle for Stacy Keibler/Christy Hemme trade.
Keibler is the manager of the WORLD TAG CHAMPIONS on
RAW in Rosey and Hurricane. But so much for that...
Hemme was the valet for Eugene. Well, I guess Eugene
won't be seen on television for a while, due to
negative fan reaction. They move to Smackdown where
they'll both have to re-establish themselves, though I
don't think it would take Stacy long.
On the other hand, you have Torrie Wilson and Candice
Michelle on Smackdown. I'm lagging on my care for
Smackdown, so I have no idea how relevant they were to
that show. BUT, it's odd that Candice has moved twice
now in one year. What does she even do, anyway?
She's just there to shake those large titties and give
the WWE some mainstream rub from the GoDaddy.com
commercials. That's about all she does. Torrie
Wilson, however... yum! Interesting take on how both
are heels, too, attacking poor Ashley. So let's see
here... Trish, Victoria, Candice, Lita, and Torrie
are all heels... and the faces? Oh, just Ashley.
I'm guessing that Trish Stratus will return as
a heel and probably feud with Torrie Wilson. Those
two have never really squared off and I imagine the
WWE wants that between two of their hottest chicks, by
far, in WWE history. Still, on the female side, it's
an overload of heels against one very inexperienced,
yet very cute, face in Ashley.
-I question WHY Chris Jericho would now leave
wrestling. Oddly enough, he was starting to slowly
catch fire with John Cena. Didn't at first, but did
you hear the crowds at Summerslam and RAW? Jericho
seemed to wrestle his heart out for both shows and
wrestle with an added boost of energy that he's lacked
since Triple H squashed him in 2002.
Will Jericho return to the WWE? Where is the
guaranteed money at? Thank you, he'll return to the
WWE.
-Very doubtful that I'll get Day of Reckoning
2... I'm really satisfied with DoR #1 and
wouldn't change a thing for #2. I'd honestly have to
play it first, but I doubt I'd budge on my stance
unless it were a gift...
On to the RAW portion of the program!
RAW is TITO
RAW started out with Shawn Michaels coming to
the ring and basically putting off his loss to Hogan
in a very sarcastic tone. I would, too, given Hogan's
ridiculous backstage demands. After a short while,
Chris Masters would come out and rip on
Michaels. HBK admired him for attempting to steal the
spotlight, but later attacked him after the comments
kept piling up. Masters eventually got away and that
set up Masters vs. Michaels for next week. HBK will
make Masters look like dynamite, especially if HBK
loses to the Masterlock.
The first match was impressive in Kurt Angle vs.
Shelton Benjamin. Imagine if this was on Pay Per
View?!? Both of these guys can seriously outwork
anybody. Great match that was so much faster than any
other pair of wrestlers could put on these days. Kurt
Angle won a tough match which builds credibilty for
when he attacked Cena later. I love how they are
pushing Angle to be a vicious motherfucker again and
he's going to make John Cena look like a million
bucks.
Backstage, Kerwin White bragged about being
"white" now and said he represents the Middle Class.
Wow, I hear the part about representing the Middle
Class often in politics. Maybe Kerwin ought to run
for a certain party? Kerwin looks more like he's
representing a preppy fraternity than anything remotely close to the American middle class.
Odd stuff with Gene Snitsky's foot fetish. I swear, they are pushing Maria's stupidity the wrong way. "What's a pervert?". Seriously, WWE, go watch Jessica Simpson and see how you can become insanely popular by the way she acts stupid. With Maria, they make her act more like a kid than an idiot. Oh no, Snitsky gets to the job to the Big Show again!
Next, we saw the burial of Matt Hardy continue... Rob Conway defeated Hardy with a very weak top rope elbow. Yeah, Hardy was selling the injuries of being punked out by Edge on the previous night, but a loss is a loss. Hardy has been made to look bad for two straight weeks. It's becoming very evident that Hardy should have never rejoined the WWE, as even Jeff Hardy is acknowledging. Oh well... After the match, Edge continued to kick his ass. Any redemption for stealing Lita? While I understand the punishment (though, why did you sign the guy to punish him?), it's looking bad on television and forever hurts any future drawing power of Matt.
Carlito had Ric Flair on the Cabana... funny segment, with Carlito using the same point I always make whenever I meet a hardcore Ric Flair fan. They'll say "Ric won the title 16 times". Yeah, well, he also lost it 16 times and currently doesn't have it! Carlito eventually spit apples at Flair. Carlito made a point that Ric has never won the Intercontinental Title... I wonder what might happen when these two fight?
Another crappy bout between Gene Snitsky vs. Big Show. I have nothing of significance to add to this other than WHO BOOKS THIS FUCKING CRAP?
Next, we had the newest members of RAW come out in Torrie Wilson and Candice Michelle. They wanted to welcome the Diva Contest winner in Ashley. Oddly enough, Ashley was looking hotter than both and I'm a HUGE Torrie Wilson fan. Just based on her attitude, you can tell Ashley wants to be there. The new "too hot for UPN" duo would then attack Ashley and she sold it well, instead of the usual stupidity from other Diva Search contestants.
Another solid match between Chris Jericho and John Cena. Funny how the feud was weak leading into the matches, but the matches themselves have been good. Maybe Jericho is giving it his last hurrah? NWA-TNA, I'm sure, would love his services. Nice crowd involvement once again. I've honestly haven't seen a crowd into a title match like that for a while, which says a lot since Triple H was champion a bunch... Yes, I managed to mention everyone's hero into a show review that didn't have Triple H. HOW ABOUT THAT? After the match, Bischoff fired Jericho, which pretty much makes it the second time Bischoff fired him. Jericho begged like a pussy heel, which I liked... After Jericho left, Kurt Angle rushed in and attacked Cena! YES! Angle beat the bejesus out of Cena and Angle is set to make Cena look like a MILLION BUCKS! Given that Angle first made Cena look good in wrestling upon his entry, I expect no less from Angle. Angle is the absolute best the WWE has to offer for the younger wrestlers to rub off of.
LAST WORD: This show was capped off by a good match to start the show and then a good match to end the show. Everything else, well... They TRIED to advance the storylines, though some items were just utterly ridiculous (Matt's continual burial, Snitsky vs. Big Show volume 828388387477, among other things). BUT, the veterans of the WWE (or the very best wrestlers) are set to work with 3 Ohio Valley Wrestling guys who are each in need of a good rub from the top. Masters, Carlito, and Cena should thank their lucky stars about who they get to work with.
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