ITVR :( - and some other wrestling thoughts

So guys - this week just got away from us. Between my teaching, tutoring, and directing a play, and Ari's work and a few other projects going on (the aforementioned deadline etc.) It's been insane, and something had to give. ITVR was it. Never fear, of course - we will be back on Wednesday with a brand new episode rehashing No Mercy and all that. And I of course will be blogging in the meantime - particularly tomorrow/early Sunday with my NM predictions!

For tonight however, for those of you looking for your ITVR fix, here are some wrestling thoughts and tidbits to keep you going until the next episode.

The Edge Interview: I promised you to discuss the interview with Adam Copeland featured on Between the Ropes this week. It was a very interesting interview in which he revealed he asked for the time off that he is currently taking, no one made him take a break (not surprising; why WWE would ask their #1 guy, really, to take a sabbatical would have been beyond me). He said he isn't seriously injured but nursing a few nagging aches and pains and wanted to refresh after some burnout. He expresses hope that old buddy Christian Cage will return to the WWE as his TNA contract winds down, and discusses working with the Undertaker - particularly their recent Hell in a Cell match. A must listen at http://www.betweentheropes.com.

Kevin Nash and the WWE: Kevin Nash spoke on his contractual status with TNA this week, revealing that a deal was nearly made but not quite, and he would not be appearing on TNA television until it was done. He has also spoken to WWE, he said, although he suspects he'd have to dye his hair if he wanted to return (a go-between between him and Vince told him as much). Again not surprising, given WWE's image-conscious nature, and their emphasis on the youth movement of late.

Matt Hardy Dating Katie Lea?: He denies it, although the rumour has been circulating. I can only hope not, and that Matt has learned his lesson about dating WWE Divas. It did not work out with Amy "Lita" Dumas, nor did it work out with Ashley Massaro. A girl outside of the biz might be a good option at this point for the founder of Mattitude.

And last but certainly not least (in fact, probably the biggest news this week ...)

Smackdown's Big Move: SD debuted tonight on MyNetworkTV in the states, and from what I could tell was successful. I didn't find it an especially stellar show but it was smooth, it flowed, it certailny had entertaining moments. I don't quite get the point of burying Chavo, however amusing it was to see just how big the odds stacked against him were, and I REALLY didn't see the point of burying Michelle McCool on her OWN brand's big night, but overall the extent of the show I caught was solid, and merits a 7.0 out of 10. The only reason I don't find that satisfactory is that as a new start on a new, harder-to-find network, the show should have been much more. Even a strong main event featuring the company's three champions - the type of match usually reserved for a major Raw episode - was a great way to hype the card, although the ending was predictable even before one read the spoilers or watched the show; Triple H was going to get the victory as (a) the champion of the brand being celebrated tonight and (b) as ... well ... as Triple frickin' H. And they weren't going to have the Raw champ (who happens to be McMahon favourite Chris Jericho) pinned when the ECW champ (who happens to be a *eeew* Hardy) happened to be available to do the job. So good show - even very good - just not enough for what should have been a special night.

And that's it for me folks - tune in tomorrow, or Sunday morning latest, for my No Mercy predictions, Monday for my thoughts on the PPV, Tuesday for my Raw thoughts, and Wednesday for ITVR - it should be a blog-heavy week folks, now that I've cleared some room on my plate. Hope you'll be along for the ride.