Hello and welcome to another heart stopping edition of the "20-Minute Promo." Ok, your heart probably doesn't stop, but I bet you get all riled up. Ok, maybe a little excited. Anyway, we got a lot of stuff to cover so let's get right to the rundown.

Feedback
Hot Topic
Wrestling Report Card
"Thought of the Week" by Tommy's Grandmom
Ask Wregenie
Jenny Jones Vote
Beat The Columnist
BattleCage


Feedback

I want to address the "How I Would Push" section from last week. I will outright admit that the angle is loosely based on the plot summary of "Rocky 5." Never once did I pawn the material off as original. I will take responsibility for not crediting the movie, but in all honesty, I didn't think there were that many "Rocky" fans out there. As far as violating intellectual property rules, the angle has some significant differences (such as names and wrestling instead of boxing) from the movie that avoids any copyright infringement. Thanks for hearing me out on the situation and I encourage everyone to keep sending me feedback on the column.


Hot Topic- Cutting Wrestlers Lose

If there's one positive element that comes from the WWF being the only big name wrestling conglomerate it's that they have more flexibility in shaping wrestlers' behaviors. Wrestlers are faced with the dilemma of keeping their act together or losing their job, with no chance of jumping ship to a competitor. Vince McMahon has made it "his way or the highway."

Wrestling has been known as a sport plagued with personal problems of wrestlers. Due to the many lonely nights on the road, working in pain, and the temptations that are ominous in the world, wrestlers often fall into a vicious cycle of drugs, pain killers, and alcohol that they can't escape. When there were rival promotions taking revenue away from the WWF, such drug use was legal. Any addict with good looks or mic skills could get or keep a job, just ask Sunny or Jake Roberts. Now, the tide has shifted and wrestlers with their own personal demons are often found on the outside looking in. Nothing proves this point more than the firings of Road Dogg, Grandmaster Sexy, and now Eddie Guerrero.

While these wrestlers have faced these problems throughout their careers the WWF, their contracts were not cut loose until their situations made public. With the pressure the WWF is receiving from advertisers and private coalitions to clean up their act, do they really need the exposure of their wrestlers having chronic drug problems, DUI, or getting stopped at the border for having drugs? The WWF has made their decision to trim the roster to avoid these problems in the future and set an example as the kind of employee they want working for their promotion, and I couldn't agree more. By their continued problems, these stars have shown their unwillingness to accept change and the lack of respect they have for the company they work for. Whether they are in the ring or not, wrestlers are representatives of the WWF and they should not want to tarnish the company's name. They are in the spotlight, and they should hold themselves to a higher standard. And when they don't, the WWF lets them know about it.

But don't these wrestlers deserve second chances? They have put their lives on the line for the company; the least the WWF can do is give them a second chance? The fact of the matter is that these stars have been given repeated chances. Road Dogg was in and out of drug rehabs and Eddie Guerrero was in or had just completed rehab when his incident occurred. And in both situations, rehab was endorsed by the WWF. That's about as big of a second chance as one can get. Do you think the janitors at WWF headquarters have paid rehab, or do they just get the axe? How about the manager of the Accounts Payable department, do you think he gets the same treatment as the wrestlers? The WWF treats their wrestlers with care, and they expect the feeling to be reciprocated by the wrestlers.

However, how stringent they will stay to these policies remains to be seen. Rumors are circulating now that the WWF would like to bring Scott Hall and Kevin Nash back into the WWF fold. It's no mystery that Scott Hall has had his problems with drugs and alcohol in the past. Will the same policies pertain to Scott Hall, perhaps a bigger draw than the other three, if his problems arise while under WWF contract? If the WWF wants to establish itself as a true force against irrational behavior by its talent, they must stick to their policies in all situations.


While the behaviors of some wrestling talent will never be changed, the WWF is changing the shape of their locker room by cutting lose some of the talent more focused on living an erratic lifestyle than being wrestling superstars. And for this, I commend the WWF.


Wrestling Report Card

Big Show

Ring Work: For a man of his gigantic size, his wrestling skills are relatively decent. He moves around well and get his offense in, albeit at a slower and somewhat awkward pace.
He shows massive power and strength in the ring, qualities that help his in ring performance. He also sells decently for what is expected of a man of his size and stature. On the downside, Big Show doesn't seem as if he puts forth a full effort in his matches.
Grade: B

Mic Skills: One of Big Show's talents is his ability to act out his lines on the mic. He is one of the more believable guys on the mic when he is showing anger or happiness. However, his presentation leaves much to be desired. Big Show's voice seems obstructed as if talking with something in his mouth. On occasion, Big Show is even guilty of tripping over his words.
Grade: B-

Entertainment: Big Show's acting ability adds to his entertainment element and presents him as a more enjoyable character. His impressions of other superstars are also on key and hilarious. In the ring, Big Show's battles against smaller competitors provide a sharp contrast in size and give us the "David vs. Goliath" type feel, provided he is working to his fullest potential
Grade: B

Draw Power: Perhaps the biggest kink in Show's armor is his inability to get himself over. The Big Show has been placed in the main event scene several times and has not established himself as a top superstar. When not involved in a main event angle, Big Show finds himself lurking in the lower card range, usually as a jobber. Nonetheless, Big Show still manages a decent pop when he comes to the ring.
Grade: C+

Overall Grade: 2.75 (B-/B)


"Thought of the Week" by Tommy's Grandmom

Grandmom comments once again on Rob Van Dam

"Does he think he's a wrestler or a gymnast."


Ask Wregenie

SKUZLBUT asks: I went to Raw on Long Island on 11/5 and I saw a reporter that looked a LOT like Scott Hall. Is it possible that it was him? I got a $50 bet on it
with my friend.
Wregenie: Was the reporter trying to interview the beer man? If so, tell you're friend to pay up.

LUKEEPER15 asks: Does Kurt Angle need Rogaine?
Wregenie: He needs something to cover up his male pattern baldness. But why use Rogaine when Vince can make an angle out of this? Have Angle wear a red, white, and blue yarmulke to cover it and call him the "American Olympic Rabbi."

Wregenie: Hey people, listen up. The only way I can keep my job here is if you ask questions. What the hell's the point of a know it all genie if nobody is going to ask me anything? Please don't let my ass fired, send in some questions; or else I'll be whoring myself off on E-Bay like the Road Dogg.


Jenny Jones Vote

Last Week: Big Show - "Really Great Guy"
This Week:

Survivor Series
"I Can't Wait" Or "Too Little Too Late"


Beat The Columnist

Here are the columnist's PPV picks for the Survivor Series. Think you have a shot at beating the columnist? Send in your picks and let's see how good you do!

Matches announced as of Thurs., Nov. 15th: 11:23 am

Team WWF vs. Team Alliance
Winner: Team Alliance

Edge vs. Test
Winner: Edge

Hardy Boyz vs. Dudley Boyz
Winner: Dudley Boyz

William Regal vs. Tajiri
Winner: Tajiri

Mighty Molly vs. Lita vs. Trish Stratus vs. Ivory vs. Jacqueline vs. ::Smackdown Spoiler:: guest superstar::
Winner: Lita

Immunity Battle Royal
Winner: Tazz


BattleCage

The Champion is riding a high tide in the BattleCage and looks to be unstoppable. But the Canadian Champion must do battle this week against another maple leaf hero. The combatants are:

Champion: Bret Hart-Consecutive Wins: 3
Vs.
Challenger: Chris Benoit

The products of the Dungeon collide in the cage. Will it be Hart or Benoit? Get your votes in to crown a BattleCage Champion.


That wrap's up another edition of the "20-Minute Promo." Oh, don't be sad, I'll be back next week. Ok, so you probably weren't said, but you were bummed out. Ok, enough of this. Be sure to get all of your feedback, comments, questions, votes, suggestions, and wrestling chat in to me. Oh, and if you're a decent looking woman, you can send your phone number in too. Nooch! Anyway, be sure to enjoy Survivor Series this weekend if you choose to watch it. Until next time, thanks for reading, check out the links below, and take care.


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