Raw

So Raw was pretty sweet last night - some parts were more or less predictable than others, but it was a solid show which I enjoyed immensely.

I was surprised at Chris Jericho's firing, especially how seriously it was treated in the follow up - now I'm assuming this is a kayfabe firing unless there's something mega-serious going on that we don't know, but it was handled well and it will be interesting to see how it is gotten around. Will Jericho get shipped to Smackdown? Will (more likely) Vince overrule his daughter's edict? It's just one more thing that we know will be followed up upon, presumably next week when Vince is on the air.

Also surprising was Ted Dibiase's return; although once he did, I saw his turning on Manu and Sim Snuka coming a mile away. Orton-Rhodes-Dibiase is a much stronger faction than anything that would have involved Manu and Snuka, so I'm glad this is how it shook out. Personally I wish they could get another really mayjah name or two involved - would that The Rock were still around - so that it didn't still look like Randy Orton and his two stooges, but if they take this the route they did Evolution 5 years ago, it won't be long for Rhodes and Dibiase to come off as strong and worthy members of the Legacy.

Not surprised at the sneak attacks of the show - Rosa Mendez attacking Melina and Mike Knox attacking Rey Mysterio has been par for the course for weeks. Excited again about next week, that they're finally going to have a Knox-Mysterio match. Also hoping Mendez's being barred from ringside is a ban of Steph's that VKM will lift upon his return next Monday - along the lines of Matt Hardy when he was doing a similar schtick, 'if you can't beat 'em, and there's money to be made, join 'em'.

Match wise, I think I'll forgive the Punk-Regal bungle #2 because it will lead to a definitive match next week with no DQ. My guess is Punk will go over here, as the IC belt is one they're willing to bat around on TV a bit. Shawn Michaels vs. John Cena was also spectacular, and Shawn going over clean ... usually I would disapprove of this even as a Shawn fan (1 - he's older and Cena should get the rub, 2 - it should be a very rare thing for your champ to be beaten clean), but it made sense here. Shawn has a real case for entry into the Rumble, or perhaps even to interject himself into the contract signing on Monday between his boss JBL and John Cena. He has a pinfall win over the world champ at 'his Wrestlemania' - this, to me, is the beginning of his writing his own ticket out of servitude.

Add all this to the newsworthy announcement of Steve Austin's induction into the Hall of Fame in his home state of Texas this year, and it was a great show, and next week is shaping up to be strong and newsworthy as well. Ooooh if only they'd book this well year round, instead of when they have weeks to go between PPVs to keep interesting, and the road to Wrestlemania to start down. EXCELLENT Raw.

Brief update

Hi guys - sorry this weekend was crazy busy, though I think I've been keeping up here pretty well of late so no major apologies. ;) Just wanted to let you know to watch for my thoughts on Raw later tonight/first thing tomorrow, and to extend my congrats to Mickey Rourke for winning the Best Actor Golden Globe last night for "The Wrestler". I suppose some true movie snobs must be eating their hats that a movie about wrestling was such an awards show contender this year, but *I* think it's great - provided it was well done and intelligently-handled, which I get the sense it was; I'll let you know when I actually watch it myself. ;)

In This Very Ring

ITVR as promised - click entry heading to access.

Goodnight! :D

JBL blogs! :)

Click the title of this entry to read a really good blog by "Wrestling God" JBL over at the WWE Universe. :) And be sure and check back later tonight (or first thing in the a.m. depending how things go) for In This Very Ring, complete with our thoughts on Raw, how the Royal Rumble in two weeks is shaping up, and much more. See you then! :)

Congressional Steroid Investigation - the McMahons

So the findings of the Congressional committee investigating the impact of performance-enhancing drugs in pro wrestling in light of the deaths of Chris Benoit and his family a year and a half ago, were released over the weekend - in particular interviews with the McMahon family - and let's just say that as per usual, they do not come off in the most flattering light. And as we are well-removed from arguable the best and most important work the McMahons do every year - the tribute to the troops show in Iraq - I feel relatively little compunction about bringing them to task on this.

First, and on a less offensive note, was Stephanie McMahon talking about how wrestling was an art form, claiming that Steve Austin - unarguably a gifted wrestler who became a huge star - was a bigger draw in his time than the much less talented Hulk Hogan. An arguable point - although she backpedalled later when she realized she was on the record (can't burn those bridges can we?). However a few things to keep in mind: firstly, let's not undersell Hogan's success, and he was fairly little more than a 'roid monster. His selling poing was his size. Secondly, Austin spent most of the peak of his career plagued by injuries and unable to perform at the level he became known for as a midcarder. While I won't speak to whether or not his recovery times were aided by steroids, painkillers, or anything else, it is also known that he at least had an alcohol problem, if not worse, which manifested itself in abusing his third wife, Debra Williams. Steve Austin is not exactly the person I'd hold up as a shining example of the drug-free environment of the WWE.

But more offensive is Vince McMahon. Upon responding to being asked whether or not he'd used Human Growth Hormone since his steroid trial in 1996, his answer was an unequivocal no. When asked if he'd used any other performance enhancers in that time, he refused to answer - his right, given it was a voluntary interview, but very bad PR. He also went on to explain that he was not subject to the "Wellness Policy" drug tests, as he was not a regular performer on WWE television (his 'injury' which got him off screen basically to this day being timed around those interviews notwithstanding). Again, possibly so - but the culture towards drugs in this industry starts at the top, and Vince's is unacceptable. Hopefully he'll realize eventually his anti-authoritarian, arrogant, 'I don't have to answer to you' attitude doesn't work in the real world, or at LEAST makes himself and the company he represents look bad; somehow though, I doubt it. Major disappointment in the McMahons, although I can't honestly cop to surprise.

Smackdown

Smackdown was pretty entertaining last night. Now don't get me wrong - not terribly interested in seeing naked Vicki Guerrero pictures, but her interactions with Triple H and nephew Chavo were hilarious.

I also enjoyed Kizarny's debut. The gimmick is either epic lame or epic genius, but the guy can wrestle! I think they need to start thinking about wrapping up MVP's losing streak before it comes off as more than bad luck, but I didn't mind one more loss to a debuting wrestler they've been pushing with vignettes and promos.

Edge is an awesome character when stressed - decent match between himself, Big Show and the Hardy brothers. Enjoyed that too.

Announced Royal Rumble participants thus far were really no surprise: Triple H, Vladimir Kozlov, Big Show, and Shelton Benjamin. Mark my words with the mini-push they gave Shelton last night that he will make a decent run in the Rumble.

Other stuff going on too - Michelle McCool cementing her heel turn, Festus and Jesse vs. Ryder and Hawkins, etc. But that was really the newsworthy portion. Not to put down the rest though; while it was filler it was entertaining filler. Which basically sums up this Smackdown. It was still a holiday show so they weren't offering us their biggest and best ever - but some Triple H amusement, a decent main event, and solid action with some newsworthiness (Rumble participants announced) along the way makes those of us who tuned in glad we did, and will keep us coming back next week.

Final verdict: A solid show - 7.5 or 8 out of 10 on the scale depending on what you might think of the more controversial aspects (Triple H-heavy, Kizarny, I'm sure there are some who don't like the new Vicki angle ...)

New Year's ITVR

Click the title of the post. Happy New Year all. :)

Peace and headlocks - Sar.