Friday, August 05, 2005

OVW TV for 7/22 & 7/29

We open with Ken Anderson in the locker room watching last week's show on a big screen TV. Clips are shown in black and white and letterboxed of last week's show as Anderson talks about them. God, this is so Tarantino/ECW style, with Anderson even cutting a Dreamer/Raven type ECW promo. Anyway, read last week's report. The jist of it is Anderson says he may not be a nice guy, but he'd never attack someone from behind. Anderson was impressed with Albright and says he's the man. He always does business face to face. Tonight you will see a different Mr. Anderson. Really cool intro to the show with Anderson's promo acting as a recap and a prologue to this week's show, almost in a sort of narrator context. Buy the frigging July OVW tape already.

Let the BODIES Hit the Floor!

Maria starts us off and she's lost her IQ points again. It's “Tank and Chad the Tolands” with a “Blonde Bombers” chyron. Ah, Jillian Hall with an unobstructed face. Maria interviews Jillian. Maria is all stupid again. Apparently the Tolands are the most dominant tag team in OVW history or something and they're going to face the winners of a Battle Royal (Seth Skyfire and Paul Burchill OMG SPOILERZ OF A HOUSE SHOW YOU CAN'T GO TO OR SEE UNLESS YOU HAVE A TIME MACHINE) at Six Flags. Anyway, Jillian talks about how they've beaten everyone and crap. They're going to draw two random names to fight them tonight. It's Deuce Shade. It's DA BEAST.

Blonde Bombers (w/ Jillian Hall) v.s. Deuce Shade/Da Beast
Dean Hill says Al Snow is going to be in the Hall of Fame. Yeah right. Da Beast is a small hoss but he looks huge compared to the midget Tolands. Hell, Maria looked huge earlier. Beast tosses the Tolands around until he punches one of them and then hurts his hand. Shade in. He does some cartwheels and moderately impressive moves but I hit FF because I only have a half hour before this week's OVW show starts. Anyway, Jillian inteferes but Shade fights her and Chad off, only to get booted by Tank. Snow isn't calling Toland Wicks this week. One of the Tolands hits the cravate about 3 minutes in. Shade goes for the hot tag at the four minute mark. Beast has left because he's “hurt”. Shade hits his lame comeback, gets cut off, vegematic gets the 3 at exactly 6 minutes.

Da Beast stands in front of the announce table while Dean Hill and Al Snow run down the card for this week's show, blocking the camera so you can just see his backside. Cool shot. Hill says we'll talk to you after the break.

Cornette's voice lives! Steal the GAB with OVW! OVW card guaranteed to be better than the GAB card! OVW in E-Town!

We're back, and Da Beast is cutting a promo. Beast says he would fight for my bruddah, this ain't the streets and Shade isn't Beast's bruddah.

Here comes Elijah Burke! He stares down Da Beast. He says Beast abandoned his partner out there. Beast says his hand in broke. Burke says you cross Shade, you cross me. Beast says “go wrestle”.

Elijah Burke v.s. Russell Simpson.
Some usual stuff to start. Burke reels him in like he's Petey Wiliams about one minute in. X-Factor. Snow says Simpson is done. 1-2-3!
Your Winner: Elijah Burke (=~ 1 min)

Let's go backstage where we see the camera move up in the hallway to Elijah Burke. Apparently our announcers can talk to the wrestlers this way. Albright has his arm slinged up... in fact it looks exactly like Orlando Jordan's arm was this past week (7/28) on Smackdown. Snow asks Albright for a comment. Albright has no comment about getting keylocked by Puder. Snow badgers him as he goes into the locker room. Doring, Roadkill, and Thrillseekers are in there. Snow gets another “no comment” from Albright. Cappotelli says that's messed up, that was the same move that almost took out Kurt Angle. Albright gets in his face and says Matt needs to show respect and be less concerned about what he did to Kurt Angle and be more concerned about what Puder did to Albright. He's sick of people talking about Kurt Angle. Matt says he needs to get out of his face because he's not the one going after Albright's OVW title... yet. Albright gives him a headlock with his good arm. Albright tells Jeter to control his parnter, which gets Jeter all pissed. Albright says he'll take on anyone as some random jobbers hold him back.

OVW in Vernon! OVW in London... KY!

Aaron Stevens and Beth Phoenix are out. Here's Ken Anderson out with a mic. He says he does things face to face, eyeball to eyeball. I would never do something behind your back... which brings me to HER. Because... if you'd have seen what she was trying to do in the locker room last week. Stevens turns to look at Phoenix... allowing Anderson to jump him from behind! Big DDT! Anderson shakes Stevens' hand. Rolling Samoan Drop (Rocca Roll). Up to the top... SWANTON BOMB! 3-count. Where'd that come from? Squash!

Let's go backstage to where Maria and Alexis Laree are bouncing as Alexis is going to announce her big announcement. Beth Phoenix is whining about Stevens getting beat right off camera and the noise screws the interview up. Cat fight coming. Alexis says Phoenix shouldn't worry about the stuff in the ring from Idol, but who he's doing backstage. Slut! Hooker! Tramp! Maria gives us a “poopy pants”. They make a match for Six Flags and Idol pulls Phoenix away.

Backstage, Seth Skyfire is cutting a promo about being in the Battle Royal at Six Flags. OMG the lights go out.. there's some crashing and noise of stuff flying around.

Hahahahaha. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SOUL I'M GOING TO TAKE HOME WITH ME TONIGHT. HAHAHA ARE YOU STILL AWAKE? SHOULDN'T YOU BE SLEEPING? HISSSSS. GRUNT AAHHHH HAHAHAHAHAHAHA IM DA BOOGEYMAN AND SOMEBODY'S GONNA DIE.

RIP Seth Skyfire

Back at ringside, Hill and Snow have Lawlergasms over the prospect of Beth Phoenix v.s. Alexis Laree at Six Flags. They do some recap of stuff, particularly Ken Doane taking out Ric Flair at Six Flags.

Nick Nemeth is out. He says last week Ken Doane, the 19-year punk gave him a RKO and blindslided him. He says Doane overlooked him. Kenny Bolin is out. He starts a promo but Nemeth starts choking him out. He pummels Bolin... but gets RKOed out of nowhere on the concrete! There's Ken Doane! Nemeth is dead. Doane hits the Orton pose in the ring. Jobbers are out to attend to Nemeth as we take a quick break.

Doane says... look, is that Seven? Hey, redhead, I'm talking to you. It's Seven/Mordecai/Kevin Fertig. Wasn't he FIRED? He has the baseball cap of annoyance. Doane says you're an OVW legend. Rats chant “Seven”. Doane says if the has been had his gear on, he'd give him a TV title shot. Staredown in the ring. Refs separate them. Seven says he'll take the title and shove it up his ass. Doane says he doesn't have his gear and may not even have a ticket, he's not supposed to be in this building. One of the refs calls Doane chicken and he accepts the challenge.

“The Golden Boy” Ken Doane (w/ Desiree) v.s. Seven
Snow says Seven is on a “World Tour” and just stopped by OVW to say hello. Lots of stalling and a headlock. Hoss shoulderblock. Wristlock and shoulders against the arm and that's your two minutes of action. Shoulderblock. Headbutt. 2 count. Elbow. Clothesline. 2 count. Seven goes for Desiree. Doane goes for the RKO blow , low blow. Doane takes Seven's belt and WHIPS HIM LIKE A GUVAMENT MULE BY GAWD. Chris Kay notices the belt and takes it away. Stomps. Reverse chinlock takes us to the break!

Big dropkick by Doane! 2 count. Knees, 2 count. Seven makes his Nash-like comeback, but Doane cuts him off with an eyepoke that gets 2. Doane unhooks the turnbuckle. Doane chokes out Seven with his wrist tape. Big headlock. Elbows by Doane. Headbutt misses. Seven with right hands and more right hands, clothesline. Clothesline. Whip to the buckle, splash, splash. Samoan drop. 2 count. He goes for another Samoan Drop, Doane gets out, ducks a clothesline... DOANEation! 2.99! Doane calls for the RKO.. blocked! Kick to the head, Seven goes for a powerbomb, Doane shakes free and flips off the rope to get to his feet, then hits an RKO! Seven is dead and motionless 3-count.
Your Winner: Ken Doane (9:30)

Backstage, Puder is coming to the ring.

Next week, MNM returns to OVW!

Backstage Ms Blue and Mike Mondo tend to Kenny Bolin, who is koed and is talking in a squeaky voice. Quite funny. He freaks out over a medical guy who has a plastic glove on his hand (ala a Prostate exam). Doane and Desiree come in. Doane says he took out Nick Nemeth 2x, Ric Flair, and Seven. One of these things is not like the others. He says this Friday Night at Six Flags, he's coming for Orton!

Hill and Snow run down the card for Six Flags at the announce desk.

Dan Puder comes out with a mic. Ken Anderson comes out and says he's disappointed in Puder. He says Puder is no man because a man doesn't hit people from behind. Face to face, eyeball to eyeball, blah blah. The day I attacks someone from behind is the day I'm just like you Puder, nothing more than a CHICKENSHIT! Puder says we can go right now. Albright runs in as the two circle. Anderson tries to get Albright to fight Puder. Albright looks to have the better of Puder as Anderson watches. Anderson hits Albright from behind! Puder locks in the keylock! Albright tries to fight out as we go off the air!

We start with Maria in a hallway as MNM enter the Arena. Maria calls them former tag team champions causing Melina to choke a bitch. OH MY GOD. Melina says she doesn't want to hear that from a Raw girl. Nitro: “How'd she ever get a microphone?”

O-V-Dub chants as we go to the ring! Dean Hill says there will be a big announcement or something

Ken Anderson/Dan Puder v.s. James Smith and Jason Nelly
Ken Anderson does the ring announcing. Looks like OVW finally bought a wireless microphone... which is EXTREME for Louisville. Anderson has a great announcer voice. He says the opposing team weighs in at “935 and ¾ pounds”. Anderson says he's the Franchise of O V Dub and a bunch of other stuff. He repeats his name a few time for kicks. Puder comes out and it's all knuckle-up time or something as he's all MMAed out.

Puder starts out and is wrestling totally UFC style! Double leg takedown, waistlock, throwing the guy around. His partner in... sick double leg slam. Mounted punches. Fallaway slam! Ken Anderson gets tagged in and hits the swanton off the top for a 3 count! Anderson/Puder win!

Backstage, MNM and The Tolands get in a confrontation over MNM stealing Jillian Hall from them. MNM says they're going to take back the Southern Tag Team Titles. Chad thinks Melina is kinda cute as we leave.

Chett the Jet v.s “The Golden Boy” Ken Doane (w/ Desiree, Kenny “Starmaker” Bolin, Ms. Blue, and the TV title trophy)
Doane puts the TV title on the announce desk. Desiree has a new name but I'm too lazy to decipher it (Sosay?) Shoulderblock, Hiptoss blocked, armdrag, another, armbar. Chops. Jet in control. 2 count. Chet goes up top, but Doane dropkicks him off the top! Looks like there's no more “Over the Top Rope = DQ” rule. Doane stomps away as Jet is hung up. 2 count. Elbow. Stone Cold Elbow. 2-Count. Doane chokes Jet with the tape on his wrist. Randy Orton headlock. Doane backdropped over the top rope but holds on, but gets backdropped back in. Clotheslines a plenty, head to the buckle. Stinger splash, bicycle kick to the face gets TWO. 10-punch count in the corner, pushed off, Doane on the 2nd rope.. jumps into a spinebuster for 2.99! Doane goes to bail but is stopped, some whips around and then RKO attempt blocked, Novocaine by Jet gets 2.99!

Suplex reversed, spun around, Doane hits the RKO! 1-2-3!
Your Winner: Ken Doane

Nick Nemuth runs out. Grabs Sosay, kisses her. Doane pissed, Nemuth hits a baseball slide on Bolin. Chases Doane around the ring. Finally hits a RKO on Ken Doane! Play his lame Collective Soul Song. Nemuth hits the Doane ripoff of the Orton pose.

Meanwhile in the locker room, MNM run into the Thrillseekers. Matt respects MNM because they represent OVW. MNM say that should have been a speech at Hawk's funeral, what a ruuush. Jeter says they'd like to wrestle them but they already have a match tonight. Matt says he can get that changed. They agree to wrestle later tonight, winner gets a title shot at the Southern Tag Titles. Tension between Jeter and Matt.

Here comes Deuce Shade. Hill and Snow run down the next Six Flags card when Da Beast blocks the view of the desk.

Deuce Shade v.s. Osama (w/ Mo Green)
Total squash more or less for Shade. Hits the Deuce's Wild for the 1-2-3.

Beast and Shade face off. Beat goes to hit Shade but his hand is hurt.

MNM run into Brent Albright. Albright says the Tolands are a tough team. Any time, any place, he'll put the belt on the line if you guys want to see how tough you really are.

MNM v.s. The Thrillseekers (Winner gets Southern Tag Team Title Shot, person scoring the winning pinfall gets an OVW Heavyweight Title shot)
MNM get their titantron entrance, which is kinda lame. LOD chants. Great noncensored ass shot from the cameraman. This is your MAIN EVENT.

Get a coke or something because this is a long one. First let's take a break.

Match starts as we come back. Chris Kay your ref. Mercury and Cappotelli starting off. Collar and Elbow, both guys reverse and push each other around. Waistlock by Matt, reversed. Mercury takes him down. Bit of matwork, Matt gets up. LOD chants from the crowd. Another tieup. Headlock by Matt. Reversed to an armbar, back to the headlock by Matt now. Mercury reverses to his own headlock. Into the ropes, shoulderblock by Mercury, goes for the elbow but nobody home. Armdrag, armbar. Jeter in. Jeter off the top with an axehandle. Kick in the corner, Mercury tags in Nitro. Kicks tin the corner, kneelift, headlock. Into the ropes, shoulderblock, leapfrog on the 2nd try, armdrag by Jeter blocked, kick to the gut, Jeter goes for a Rocker Dropper but gets flipped... Jeter turns it into a rana! Kick to the gut, Matt in.

Punch, Head to the buckle, Irish whip to the buckle. Nitro slides in REALLY fast but Matt jumps over him. Armdrag by Matt. Nitro grabs the hair, tags in Mercury, doubleteam in the corner. Head to the buckle, again, chop WOOO. GO MATT GO CHANTS. Chop. Mercury poses, turns around into a choke, Matt comes back with chops. Biiig powerslam, 2 count. Mercury grabs the tights and throws Matt into the 2nd turnbuckle. Nitro in. Double whip, double clothesline ducked, double clothesline by Matt!. Jeter in, double hiptoss, double nipup, double forearm to Mercury outside the ring. Jeter gets a 2 count. Whip, double sledge gets two. Nitro whips Jeter to the buckle, runs into a boot, another armdrag to an armbar. Matt in, axehandle to the arm, thumb to the eye, head to the buckle by Nitro, Mercury in. Suplex, reversed to a waistlock, Mercury pushed into the buckle, Matt follows him in and runs into an elbow. Whip to the buckle, Mercury runs into a boot, but gets pissed and lariats Matt over the top rope!!

Nitro with the big kneelift. Nitro pose. Stomp. Punches. Modified Octopus-type hold from Nitro, into a real Octopus. Nitro exposes his back to the heel corner and tags in Mercurty, who smacks Matt in the back! Nice. Whip, knee to the gut. 2 count. Eddy Guerrero stomp to the face. Melina chokes Matt, which draws Jeter in. Doubleteam stomps. Nitro with kick to the abdomen. Double legdrop, Nitro in between the legs and Mercury on the neck as Mercury is tagged in. 2 count. Whip to the buckle. Big spear into the corner knocks Matt through the ropes. Matt pulled back in, waistlock but Matt draws on his Fighting Spirit(TM). Matt tries to elbow out, but misses an elbow as Mercury releases the hold! Northern Lights Suplex (w/ Bridge) gets 2!! Headlock, Nitro in. Double gutbuster. 2 count. Belly to back suplex attempt, Matt lands on his feet, shoves Nitro into Jeter who punches him, Matt rolls around Nitro to get the tag! Jeter in.

Clotheslines, flying forearm, backbreaker, 2 count! Whip, a little sequence... jumping spin kick by Jeter(~!~!). 2.99 as Mercury pulls the ref out. Melina distracts the ref. Mercury throws Jeter into the ringpost! Aww yeah, extended Southern Tag Formula baby! Melina gets thrown out! WEGOTTAGOTOABREAK!

As we come back from the 30-second break, Jeter tries to fight out of a headlock. Punches, Whip, reversed, sunset flip but blind tag before that! Nitro tagged in. Right hands, 2-count. Leglock by Nitro, Mercury tagged in and drops the leg, 2 count. Jeter tries to fight back as the crowd chants GO JETER GO. A couple punches create space until Mercury comes back with a sick kick to the head. Mercury puts his arm around the ref to tell him something while Nitro elbows Jeter on the apron. Slingshot into the bottom rope. Jeter outside and gets tossed back in. Whip to the heel corner, big clothesline. Nitro chokes him. Mercury steps on Jeter's throat, Nitro in. Headlock sets up crossfaces from Nitro. A couple more. Cravate~! Seriously, is Chris Hero an OVW trainer now? There's a cravate in every match now. 17 minutes in at this point.

Punches and an armdrag frees Jeter, but Nitro knocks Matt off the apron! Jeter pulled to the heel corner. Big kneedrop by Mercury behind the ref's back. Suplex. 2 count. Crowd really starting to buzz. Backbreaker. Mercury mocks Heidenreich's arm motion. Big elbow. 2 count thanks to sloppy cover. Nitro tagged in, Mr. Perfect neck snap, Nitro slingshots into the ring with an elbowdrop! Nice! Matt breaks up the pin attempt immediately. Mercurty tagged back in, back rake. Another backbreaker into a submission attempt. Jeter kicks out of the hold. Jeter tries to get to his corner, but gets grabbed by the tights. Scoop slam reversed into a Jeter inverted DDT!! Race to Tag Time! Nitro in to stop Jeter! He grabs a leg but Jeter hops and tags in Matt!!! Punch, clothesline, whip, backdrop! Swinging neckbreaker. Punches in the corner. Whip, MNM sandwiched in the corner, big kneelift, jumping leg lariat on Nitro, Mercury clotheslined over the top rope. Big D'Lo Brown Legdrop... 2.999!! 20 minutes in! Whip, revsered, Mercury grabs Matt. Mercury is grabbed by the hair. Nitro goes to hit Matt, misses and hits Mercury! Rollup, 2.9!

Crisscross, double clothesline! Melina back out with a chair. Kay tries to kick her out. Mercury nails Chris Kay from behind! He's out. Mercury takes the chair in the ring. He goes to blister Matt... hits Nitro!! Matt dropkicks the chair into Mercury's face, knocking him outside the ring! Cover, no ref! Matt goes to revive the ref, throws him into the ring gingerly. Matt and Nitro fight, Matt whipped into the ref on the apron! Kick to the gut. Chop by Jeter, Chop by Matt, repeat for about 30 seconds, double chop, double fist. Matt holds Nitro as Jeter goes for something, but Mercury lowbridges him! Lowblow by Nitro. 25 minutes gone. They call for the Snapshot. They hit it! No ref still. Nitro covers him. Mercury clals for another ref. 2.9999!!! Big pop for the kickout. MNM can't believe it. They go for another one, no double whip, they go for a flapjack... reversed into a double DDT! Matt goes up top. Melina knocks him off the top! Maria out... here's Heyman's contribution to the Southern Tag Team Formula... CATFIIIIGHT CATFIIIIGHT! ECW-style of course.

About 3 or 4 refs are suddenly out to break it up (where were they earlier when the ref got bumped?) They get them broken up. Jeter finally gets up. All four men in the ring. DOUBLE SUPERKICK. 1-2-3! Both Chris Kay and Ray Ramsey (the other ref) count different people.

About 27:30 all together. I rate that *** 3/4
Your Winners; The Thrillseekers... Your Number One Contender for the OVW Heavyweight Title is now... Matt Capotelli AND Johnny Jeter??

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Wrestling News August 4, 2005

WWE is close to yet another major acquisition. World Wrestling Entertainment is close to finalizing a deal for the World Class Championship Wrestling video library, currently owned by the last surviving member of the Von Erich family, Kevin Von Erich. WWE is currently auditing the library to inspect the condition of the footage before they make their final offer.

SD: Huge news. Absolutely huge. I have seen very, very little World Class but it has a huge following so there has to be something to it. Just considering the number of performers who went through that territory is a who’s who list of wrestling legends. Hopefully the footage is all in good shape.

Former WWE Champion Bret Hart arrived at WWE Headquarters Wednesday. The “Hit Man” met with WWE officials regarding the possibility of an upcoming DVD. Hart will be in Stamford for the remainder of the week.

SD: As I suspected. If he’s there for the entirety of the week then the three possibilities are 1) very aggressive contract negotiations to be going on, 2) content disputes or 3) DVD documentary and/or alternative match commentary being recorded. Since this DVD has been rumored for a few months now I am going with #3.


WWE.com posted this yesterday evening about the meeting with Dusty. Dusty Rhodes’ meeting with Stephanie McMahon has ended. When asked about the meeting, McMahon responded:

“Dusty is an incredible asset both creatively and as a talent. We are exploring all possibilities of working with Dusty in the future.”


SD: Of course this is all about joining the creative team. That’s Stephanie’s job. Based on his history as a booker he’d be a good fit.

In some good news, Bob Ryder is reporting that Kid Kash has signed a WWE developmental contract. He’s been assigned to the DSW territory.

SD: He’s a natural for that territory. If he’s used as a heel then the news of near-riots at the shows should be waiting in the wings. Well…depending on who the booker will be. On a related note, I’m fairly certain Stephanie isn’t in charge of territory coordination. Dusty would be an excellent fit as booker for Deep South IMO. His brand of booking will be the perfect lead-in for the WWE proper team of writers.

Misc. WWE News and Notes:
- The pairing of CM Punk and Alexis Laree is reportedly dead. A shame on many levels.
- Boogeyman hyperextended both of his knees in a match against Steven Richards recently. Some WWE wrestlers blame this on wrestlers being called up way too soon. I’m sure Stevie is just glad he wasn’t the one injured yet again in a match against a rookie.
- According to the Torch newsletter, Hogan wanted the feud with HBK to start by HBK superkicking Nick Hogan. HBK nixed the idea right away and wanted it to have a legends build-up instead. Good call, sir. Good call.
- Add Daivari to the DSW territory. Hassan is supposed to return to OVW but I personally expect him to be sat out for a while first.
- Sorry there is only WWE news today.

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Wrestling News August 3, 2005

Update 3:00PM EST
Dusty Rhodes has just arrived at WWE Headquarters. The former World Champion is scheduled to meet with Stephanie McMahon. WWE.com will have more on their meeting once it concludes.

SD: Obviously he is meeting about joining the creative team. Because Dusty finishes are what we've been missing in the WWE.

Bret “Hit Man” Hart is scheduled to arrive at WWE Headquarters at 4:00 p.m. ET today to meet with WWE officials.

SD: That’s all it says. It’s most likely about the DVD box set in the works. Check back for any potential updates.

WWE.com offered some sad news if you believe it. After verbally agreeing to terms with WWE, Brock Lesnar has decided to withdraw from any involvement with the company.

But a PWInsider reader sets things straight for all of us: "As a an attorney I can tell you that this is a work. There is/was a lawsuit pending between the WWE and Lesnar. As was properly pointed out on yesterday's hotline, the lawyers involved would have NEVER allowed either side to publicly comment on negotiations between the parties during litigation. This is clearly a work."

SD: What the hell is up with WWE.com and their news anyway? They’re getting very annoying with their constant hopping between kayfabe and straight news. I can understand the company need to do it but they just aren’t handling it well. I know they want to try to make their site the only source of company news and it’s admirable for them to do so. But can’t we just get back to the days of the Ross Report where they were a little more sraight-up with their fans? Yes, a little mystery and shocks are good for the fans. But play it right. You already dropped the ball with the Matt Hardy stuff the first week after convincing the majority of fans he was gone for mood. So don’t you think your tactics need to change a little bit?

Two more shows are joining Velocity and Experience in the cancellation line. World Wrestling Entertainment issued a notice to their television carriers that both WWE Afterburn (a Smackdown recap show hosted by Josh Matthews) and WWE Bottom Line (a Raw recap show hosted by Todd Grisham) would be canceled in the fall, airing until the end of September. The shows air in different syndicated markets.

SD: And that explains why Mark Loyd is gone. This is a sad move for WWE fans who don't have cable. It's almost like WWE is encouraging fans to get online to find out what is going on with the company.

Once again we get a reminder that WWE isn’t heartless as “Tatanka” Chris Chavis” is offered a contract. From his message board: "So I was just offered a WWE contract. Stay tuned as I lose those extra pounds and get back to the old Tatanka that you remember.

HEEYEEYEEYEEYEEYEE HEE HEE HEE!"


SD: Yes, I left in the yell! I mark for it. Congratulations to Tatanka and the WWE for making good on another veteran’s career as short-lived as it may turn out to be. In other WWE signing news, Matt Striker is now apparently under contract as well. I hope the writers realize that he could be one hell of a monkey wrench in the Kurt Angle/Eugene match this Monday. Kurt called him a liar but then Eugene and Kurt both lied in the Invitationals. It’s just begging for a triple threat match at SummerSlam.

ROH News and Notes:
- "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson told ROH officials that he will return to ROH on 9/17 in Long Island.
- Everybody under WWE contract who is signed to wrestle their shows in August will still be making the shows. I don’t think there is anybody but Matt Hardy, but that’s what they said.
- Harley Race is having a special camp where you can train with NOAH stars Kenta Kobashi, Marufuji and KENTA. The camp will be in Eldon, MO and runs from September 21st-24th. This is a must go if you can possibly make it.

MMA News
UFC want to remind you that they have a great, free even for you this Saturday: Ultimate Fight Night on SpikeTV! The event starts at 7:15PM live but the cable telecast starts at 9:00PM. The card is as follows:

Middleweight Bout
Nathan Marquardt vs. Ivan Salaverry

Welterweight Bout
Pete Spratt vs. Josh Koscheck

Middleweight Bout
Pete Sell vs. Nate Quarry

Light Heavyweight Bout
Sam Hoger vs. Stephen Bonnar

Middleweight Bout
Patrick Cote vs. Chris Leben
Mike Swick vs Keith Rockel

Welterweight Bout
Kenny Florian vs Alex Karalexis
Drew Fickett vs Josh Neer

SD: Some potentially good stuff here. I know UFC isn’t as well liked but hell if I don’t like the Ultimate Fighter kids. They’re the future of MMA and it’ll be nice to see them develop from this stage on. If you notice, there is no Diego Sanchez or Forrest Griffin on the card. Diego has a fight on the August 20 PPV against Brian Gassaway while Forrest is in training for his next fight which is rumored to be a #1 contender fight for the Light Heavyweight championship currently held by his TUF trainer Chuck Liddell.

PrideFC moves a little bit closer towards putting on a show in California due to some small approvals by the California State Athletic Commission according to Sherdog. This amended legislation, which allows for the use of a ring, the 10-5-5 round system and special equipment like gis and wrestling shoes, but not the option to kick or knee to the head on the ground, extends the regulation process by at least 45 days and puts in jeopardy the entire legislation if it is not finalized by a drop-dead date of December 9.

SD: Let’s all hope this works out.

Monday, August 01, 2005

Wrestling News August 1, 2005

Vince Russo finally announces his latest venture: Ring of Glory. What is Ring of Glory, you ask? Russo: ”“Ring of Glory” is using the “art” form of wrestling to bring people to Jesus Christ. It’s some of the greatest athletes in the world just going out in the ring and performing—doing what they do best--with all the glory going to God. It’s all about God. Without him none of us would have the gifts that we have. The problem is that we live our lives using those gifts to our benefit . . . not God’s. From there its wrestling meets Broadway meets the Gospel. Through God I translate the Bible into 2005—putting it out there in a format that is easy for everyone to understand and relate to. The message is clear—the characters are clear—and at the end with have an altar call where we steer the lost to God.”

Among those already a part of the fed are Jim Mitchell (the Sinister Minister in ECW), AJ Styles, “Prime Time” Elix Skipper, Chris Harris (of AMW), Abyss, Jimmy Rave, “Above Average” Mike Sanders, Glenn Gilbertti (Disco Inferno), Kim “Desire” Nielsen, Sonny Siaki, Tracy Brooks, Andrew Mincey and Alan Funk. The production team includes TNA’s David Sahidi and Jeremy Borash and the announcers will be Tony Schiavone and Scott Hudson.

SD: Christianity within the form of professional wrestling has a spotty history at best in my opinion. That isn’t to say that a venture like this couldn’t work, because I believe it absolutely could, but there is a very narrow line for them to toe. It’ll be rough to get their message across without having the empty, turning-off feeling that a Christian rock festival has for non-believers. I’m intrigued anyway.

Russo also goes into detail with his side of the infamous Hulk Hogan Bash at the Beach “shoot” that you can read here. I don’t have much to say on this because I doubt the legitimacy of this write-up which stems from it being a very one-sided story about how a real lawsuit came about. There are many discrepancies in the story as well including how Hogan’s contract and payment.

Over the weekend Tough Enough 3 winner and WWE developmental worker Matt Cappotelli broke his leg. This write-up is via Rich Jones from The Pain Clinic. I learned that Matt Cappotelli did not have to have an MRI this morning for his broken fibula. According to his mom Martha,

"The orthopedic Dr. said he didn't need an MRI as he could tell via xray and exam that the bones were lined up the way they should be and there was no ligament/tendon damage. He needs to keep weight off it for 2 weeks, and will probably be out of action for 6-8 weeks. I guess that's the best we could hope for!"


SD: This is a shame. This makes, I think, the third time Matt was about to be called to the main roster and he suffered an injury. I saw him in a dark match last Monday and he looked very crisp. Here’s hoping he recovers soon and can take his spot on the main roster.

WWE developmental territory Deep South Wrestling set to open soon according to PWInsider. DSW is looking at the third or fourth Thursday of August to hold their first TV taping, so they are close to their "official" grand opening. The Deep South facility, said to be smaller than OVW's Davis Arena, is located in a strip mall in McDonough, Georgia.

The promotion doesn't have any TV timeslots lined up yet, although Bill Behrens will be handling that aspect.

Among those currently training down in Deep South are the Shane Twins and Million Dollar Tough Enough runner-up Mike Mizanin.


SD: Good news for the industry hopefully. It makes me wonder how large they will allow these territories to get. Unless they want to stifle DSW and OVW from being as successful at training these workers as they can then the WWE needs to allow them the opportunity to actually use their regions as best as possible. This includes traveling, work at other venues, etc. Let these guys become stars in their region so that they’ll have more than just a 1 city following.

IWA-Mid South had a bit of a shake-up over the weekend as one wrestler was pulled for a few shows and others quit the company. Announcer Dave Prazak wrote: “Just got back from the IWA Mid-South show in Plymouth, IN... which was my last. Due to the unfair treatment and subsequent termination of BJ Whitmer on Friday night in Herrin, in combination with money issues and the general direction of things, I, along with Danny Daniels, Brad Bradley, and Kevin Harvey all elected to leave the promotion. It's just not a place we're comfortable working anymore, and I'm sad things have gotten this way.”

Says promoter Ian Rotton
: Friday night when I called to check in on the show, I was made aware of a sitatution in which BJ Whitmer refused to do what was asked of him because of his current position with another company. And because of this, I had to set an example that the wrestlers don't run the show and pulled BJ Whitmer off of 3 upcoming shows he had with IWA. This was an action I had to take, to maintain my authority. When I spoke to BJ, he said he felt he was doing what he had to do and he understood I was doing what I had to do. The door is open for BJ to return to IWA sometime in the future if we agree on it. As far as the other 3 who have left the company, they certainly were not treated like "greenhorns" , they were treated the best they could be. And if they can't understand that, during these tough times, then I wish them the best of luck wherever they can go to be treated better. I do the best I can with what I have , and that is all there is to it. I did what I had to do to protect IWA and that is what I will always do.

SD: Does anybody know what is going on here? IWA-MS is one of the larger indie feds out there right now so it’s a shame to see these things going on.