The No Smark Zone 5: Fact or Fiction, Backlash Predictions, and MORE!!
Welcome to the 5th installment of Kaedon’s own, No Smark Zone!! Holy shit I have been getting a lot of response from everyone from my little rants. I truly appreciate all of you who read and leave comments and I wanted to say thanks. This week we are going to have Backlash Predictions, another round of the Ultimate Fantasy Tourney, and the return of FACT or FICTION!! I would put my Raw review here, but that’s already over in the reviews section, but go check it out! After you read this of course. Anyway, onto the columnage!
Backlash Predictions
Holy shit this is the first tri-branded PPV and I have to miss it! This line up looks as good as Wrestlemania, if not better!!! Can you remember the last time every match on a WWE PPV card was a title match? Oh well, I’ll be scouring the net for a good link to watch it on. Anyway, here are my predictions….
World Tag Team Title Match
The Hardy Boyz© vs. Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch
The first of our title matches. The Hardys always get a strong reaction so I bet this match will be first. I, like a lot of others, was glad to see the Hardys get back together. If you need a good tag team to carry a tag division, you gotta go with them at this point. You COULD reunite the Brothers Of Destruction, but that leaves a hole in Smackdown’s main event scene. On the other side of the ring, we have the cowpokes Cade and Murdoch. I really wanted to see this match have a gimmick or a stipulation, like a Tag Team Texas Bull Rope Match! But this match will be pretty good none the less. For only being built up over a few weeks, it’s been done probably as well as it could be and I think that Cade and Murdoch are the most under rated tag team in the WWE right now. Did you see that flipping powerbomb thing Murdoch tried to do? Christ! If they all work that hard, this may be one of the best matches of the night! The result is kinda obvious, why would you reunite the Hardys only to have them lose their titles a month later?
Winner: The Hardy Boyz
WWE United States Title Match
Chris Benoit© vs. MVP
This really hasn’t been booked well at all but I think in this case it doesn’t really matter because the two can put on such damn good matches that it overshadows all of the outside the ring crap. While Cade and Murdoch are the most under rated tag team in the WWE right now, I believe MVP is the most under rated singles wrestler in the WWE right now. He has had some damn good matches with Benoit, and it wasn’t just Benoit taking bumps and making him look good. The guy is developing a hell of an arsenal of moves, including some stiff ass high impact moves. I think this could be as good, if not better than their Wrestlemania match, and with six matches on the card, I don’t think that should be a problem. As for a winner, I really don’t know. It COULD go either way, but I think Benoit might be due for a loss so I’m predicting the TO wannabe to win.
Winner: MVP
ECW Championship Handicap Match
Bobby Lashley© vs. Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon, and Umaga
I guess Vince is dead set on Bobby boy to become the next big thing in his company. I mean really, why couldn’t we have an actual ECW Title match instead of this handicap match bs? I don’t really see how this could top their match at Mania unless it gets a lot more brutal in terms of stiffness and the use of weapons. And we all know Shane is either gonna go coast to coast or try his elbow through the announce table. If the WWE really wanted to get creative they would use this as a way to get the title off of Lashley without him looking like too much of a chump for losing. That way, he can chase the title for a while. Chase who, I dunno, but its just an idea. I don’t see this match lasting too long as most of the people involved here aren’t in too good of shape. One more thing, look for a little interference from the man who took Umaga’s Intercontinental Title on Raw 2 weeks ago if Bobby gets in a lot of trouble. As for the winner, well who do you think?
Winner: Bobby Lashley
World Heavyweight Championship Last Man Standing Match
The Undertaker© vs. Batista
I see Smackdown getting shat on, yet again, for this PPV. It’s sad too because these guys try so hard to put on the best matches they can. You can take all the bullshit you hear about Batista, but when it comes to bell time, you can tell he is working hard. I hope Batista stays pissed off about what happened at Wrestlemania this year and I hope he channels that anger into this match. This one has a VERY GOOD CHANCE of stealing the show and when I thought about robbing a bank to pay for this PPV, it was to see this match. Sure, I love Benoit, but this one is WAY more interesting. I absolutely LOVE Last Man Standing matches. They are almost always brutal and we all know The Undertaker is willing to do some sick shit to someone to win a match, right Mick? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect Batista to take a bump like that, but I think they will definitely pull the rabbit out on this one. I’m gonna go with the Deadman to win for the same reason I picked the Hardyz to win.
Winner: The Undertaker
WWE Women’s Title Match
Melina© vs. Mickey James
Some may argue this is what the match should have been at Wrestlemania. I don’t necessarily agree because they were the two most recognizable females on WWE TV at the time. I don’t disagree with them being in the match at Wrestlemania at all, despite how shitty and short it was. But this is going to be way better for two reasons. Mickey James and Melina. These two are really good and what’s better is I think they are really good together. Melina is severely underrated as an actual wrestler as she almost always does something that makes me go “I didn’t think she could do that.†I don’t think this has been built up as well as it could have been, but then again, its only been a few weeks so it’s forgivable. I think Melina is going to lose and end up chasing the title for a bit as a heel. It might even lead to her and Johnny breaking up.
Winner: Mickey James
Fatal 4-Way for the WWE Championship
John Cena© vs. Edge vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton
This is, without a doubt, the most unusual match on the card. And its all because of one man, Randy Orton. So far nothing has been said but I still think there is a small chance that he wont be there and the WWE will just announce it the night of the PPV. I am a big fan of 4-ways because of the unpredictability factor. And despite what all of the smarks think about Cena, he has a really good chance of losing it in this one. In fact I actually think that, for once, the odds are not in his favor in this one. This match has the ability to be the best of the night, depending on how it is booked. If they let these guys go and don’t make it look so scripted, it could be the shit! But I do expect to see the usual 2 guys clear out and let two guys take center stage. I don’t necessarily disagree with it, because how else are you going to keep people’s attention? It would just turn into a small battle royal and that’s not always very interesting. I honestly have no idea who is going to win this. It really could be anyone, even Orton if the WWE are swerving everyone. I see a lot of people are picking Edge and he is just as good a choice as any, but I’m gonna play it safe and go with the champ.
Winner: John Cena
Now that we know what will happen at Backlash, its time for the second installment of FACT or FICTION!! Today we have myself, Axis, Monkeystyle, and Soulpower. So lets get this party started!
A new wrestler winning the title in his/her debut match without paying their dues should never happen as it diminshes the value of the title that they win.
Monkeystyle:Fiction. This whole paying dues shit is beyond old. Nor does it diminish the credibility of a title that has little to no credibility left. (read: The IC title, which is, I'm sure, what brought on this question.)
Fact of the matter is, if the guy holding the belt is a decent worker he can get over and bring the belt up with him. There's nothing like the excitement of a new, good wrestler to pique interest.
Axis:Fact. I think that a championship should always be the goal- the ending point. It shouldn't be the starting point. One should work towards a championship, and then work towards a bigger championship. Stars are champions, and you can't be a star without being established as such.
Soulpower:Fiction: I don't mind seeing new wrestlers win a title in their first match. What I don't like is having a situation like Santino's in which a "fan" wins the title. Had he been hyped up before the match, there wouldn't have been as many people complaining about the title change.
Kaedon: This one is a whole lotta FICTION. I really hate how people complained about Santino winning yet they kiss the ass of Christian and Carlito who did the exact same thing. I mean really, how much build up did they really get? It was a lot of storyline and almost nothing about the ability of the wrestler, which is what people are complaining about. It was a guninely suprising event and I think it was great that it happened and if they right guy comes along again, I wouldnt mind seeing it again.
With the WWE now starting to tri-brand ALL Pay Per Views, the buy rates for the WWE will go up significantly this year.
Monkeystyle:Fiction. It doesn't matter who's on the ppv's, unless its a good card with the fans interest behind it this is not a long term solution.
Sure it might pop buys for the first one or two ppvs, but if those are not good, and still feel like a waste of money then no it will make no difference at all.
Actually, I think the only place it will make a real difference is on the TV shows. As Vince uses Raw to advance his main storylines, I see SD, and ECW being ignored and their ratings taking a bit of a tumble later this year.
Axis:Fiction. I won’t be surprised if they even go down a little bit. I’m just worried that people will get sick of seeing the same eight people over and over again. At last the PPV structure that they’ve had the last few years made you wait two months to see John Cena vs Edge again. I think people will end up buying every other PPV in the end. That means that they’ll probably end up being the same. They could rise some, but not significantly.
Soulpower:Fact:I don't believe they buy rates will increase all that much, but with the fact that all the big names will take part in every PPV its pretty much a given that more casual fans will buy some of the "smaller" PPV's.
Kaedon: I defiantely think it is fact. But unless they start shuffling talent around, I dont think that its gonna be consistant. I mean how many times can we see Taker/Batista and Cena/HBK? But for the short term, the ratings are gonna go up significantly.
A match between Vince McMahon and Roddy Piper at Wrestlemania will be one of the biggest draws ever in the companies history.
Monkeystyle:Fiction. At least to me. I don't wanna see Vince in teh ring anymore, and Piper's fat and out of shape. I can see how this could've been a huge storyline like 5+ years ago, but not anymore.
If I'm going to be subjected to way past his prime Piper again, I'll take Flair/Piper thank you very much.
Axis:Fiction. Piper has lost his thunder in terms of drawing power. When I think money match, this match never even popped into my head, and I don’t think many others’. Even if Vince went the cheap way and took shots at his cancer, I can’t see this drawing more than any Austin vs Rock matches or especially Rocky vs Hogan.
Soulpower:Fiction: Hogan vs Mcmahon wasn't much of a draw just a couple of years back. It would get buys because its WM. but not because of this particular match-up.
Kaedon: I would personally love to see this. I dont know if it would be a "greatest of all time" draw but the hatred Piper can conjure up for Vince and vice versa would DEFINATELY be good enough to carry the match.
Now a days with the cynicism of fans and the openness of the wrestling industry, an angle like Piper/Mr. T could never be that big again.
Monkeystyle:Fiction. Anything is possible, its just a matter of creating the right storyline which draws in the fans.
Fans know wrestling is scripted, just like any fan of any other tv show knows its scripted, it doesn't stop them from getting into the show now does it? They tried earlier this year, but it didn't work the same way because they mixed up the dynamic.
Generally its best if the celeb is in the face role and the wrestler in the heel role. The fans are more likely to pop for the celebrity and boo the wrestler who runs down said celebrity.
Sure it can be done the other way, but its a bit more difficult to do.
Axis:Tough one, but I’m going to say fact. A perfect example is Trump vs McMahon. I’m not going to deny that the angle was big, but it was nowhere near that of Piper/Mr. T. The wrestling world and the real world just don’t mix like they used to.
Soulpower:Fiction: The Trump/Mcmahon feud was a success, even though there were lot of fans taking shots at it when it was first announced, as long as its booked right the angle would be success.
Kaedon: Fact. Sadly its a fact because our society as a whole has become so cynical that they dont allow themselves to have fun, as reflected in some of the wrestling community. Back then, Mr. T and Piper was HUGE. I mean Mr. T was the shit back then and fans actually believed it, not because they thought it was real, but because they wanted to.
If Eric Bischoff got the money, he could put together a wrestling brand that would be able to compete with the WWE.
Monkeystyle:Fact. Kind of.
Not just Eric Bischoff could do this. Anyone with the time, money and drive can create a new wrestling company. That's not the hard part.
The hard part, as TNA will attest, is getting the TV time you want.
However once you have that TV slot, if you've got everything else, and you have a brain in your head (Vince Russo, I'm looking at you, this is essential.) You can create competition.
Axis:Absofuckinglutely false. Running a wrestling brand is about more than money- just ask Dixie Carter. Bischoff has burned far too many bridges to even think about creating another company that WCW reached. Even if it was Bischoff, Heyman, Feinstein, and Cornette working together, they just couldn’t touch the E. The WWE has a brilliant indirect monopoly that seems next to impossible to break. So, no, Eric couldn’t do it. And I don’t think anybody could. I genuinely believe that the only way for the WWE to fall is through implosion, much like WCW.
Soulpower:Fiction: I don't see a lot of people lining up to work for Bischoff again, no matter how much cash he would throw at the wrestlers.. The failure of WCW is something that'll follow Bischoff for the rest of his career.
Kaedon: Fact. I think it could definately happen again. I mean say what you want about Eric, but he gave the WWE a REAL run for its money and with the right backing and the right stars, he could do it again. And I, for one, would absolutely love to see it.
It is NOW TIME for another match in the Ultimate WWE Fantasy Tourney. In this round we are going to have 2 of the best pure athletes in WWE history go at it as Mr. Perfect takes on Shelton Benjamin.
Shelton and Perfect face off in the middle of the ring. They are both smiling but Perfect slaps Shelton in the face. The younger Shelton fires back but Perfect moves and locks in a headlock. Shelton tries to get throw Perfect off but he holds on tight. Shelton tries to grab the hair but the ref warns him. Shelton finally throws Perfect into the ropes and goes for a clothesline but Perfect ducks and comes off with a perfect dropkick. He goes for another one and hits it. He goes for a 3rd and takes Shelton down again. Perfect goes for the cover but only gets a 2. Mr. Perfect goes back to work on the neck of Benjamin with a head lock. Shelton picks Perfect up for a belly to back suplex but Perfect wrenches down and bulldogs Shelton into the mat. Perfect picks up Benjamin and sends him into the ropes. Perfect goes for a backdrop but Shelton turns it into a small package 1………..2……….kick out. Perfect gets up and drops a knee on the back of Shelton’s neck. Perfect goes back to work with a reverse chin lock. Perfect talks smack to Shelton as he wrenches back. Shelton starts to feed off the crowd as Perfect tells them to shut up. Shelton makes his way up and sends Perfect into the ropes but Perfect sinks in a sleeper. Mr. Perfect locks it in and tells the ref to check Benjamin’s hand. 1………………..2…………….before it can go down for 3, Shelton hits a jawbreaker. Perfect is staggered. Shelton goes for his spin kick but Perfect blocks it and hits a neckbreaker. Perfect then hits his rolling neck snap! Shelton writhes in agony and Perfect signals that it’s over. Perfect grabs Shelton and goes for the Perfect-plex near the ropes but Shelton flips over him and rolls Perfect up….1……………..2………………….3!!!! Shelton wins!!! Shelton Benjamin has defeated Mr. Perfect!!! But wait, the ref sees Mr. Perfect had his foot on the rope as a video shows on the big screen!! Shelton is IRRATE!!! Mr. Perfect spins Shelton around and nails the Perfect-plex, 1……………2…………….3!!! That’s it! Mr. Perfect has won and advances in the Ultimate WWE Fantasy Tourney. Next week we are going to have a true clash of styles as Sabu takes on the original WWE legend, The Eighth Wonder Of The World, Andre The Giant! Vote and tell me who you think is going to win!
Before I go I wanted to tell you to check out Soulpower’s ECW Review in the Review’s section. Also check out my Raw Review.
Backlash Predictions
Holy shit this is the first tri-branded PPV and I have to miss it! This line up looks as good as Wrestlemania, if not better!!! Can you remember the last time every match on a WWE PPV card was a title match? Oh well, I’ll be scouring the net for a good link to watch it on. Anyway, here are my predictions….
World Tag Team Title Match
The Hardy Boyz© vs. Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch
The first of our title matches. The Hardys always get a strong reaction so I bet this match will be first. I, like a lot of others, was glad to see the Hardys get back together. If you need a good tag team to carry a tag division, you gotta go with them at this point. You COULD reunite the Brothers Of Destruction, but that leaves a hole in Smackdown’s main event scene. On the other side of the ring, we have the cowpokes Cade and Murdoch. I really wanted to see this match have a gimmick or a stipulation, like a Tag Team Texas Bull Rope Match! But this match will be pretty good none the less. For only being built up over a few weeks, it’s been done probably as well as it could be and I think that Cade and Murdoch are the most under rated tag team in the WWE right now. Did you see that flipping powerbomb thing Murdoch tried to do? Christ! If they all work that hard, this may be one of the best matches of the night! The result is kinda obvious, why would you reunite the Hardys only to have them lose their titles a month later?
Winner: The Hardy Boyz
WWE United States Title Match
Chris Benoit© vs. MVP
This really hasn’t been booked well at all but I think in this case it doesn’t really matter because the two can put on such damn good matches that it overshadows all of the outside the ring crap. While Cade and Murdoch are the most under rated tag team in the WWE right now, I believe MVP is the most under rated singles wrestler in the WWE right now. He has had some damn good matches with Benoit, and it wasn’t just Benoit taking bumps and making him look good. The guy is developing a hell of an arsenal of moves, including some stiff ass high impact moves. I think this could be as good, if not better than their Wrestlemania match, and with six matches on the card, I don’t think that should be a problem. As for a winner, I really don’t know. It COULD go either way, but I think Benoit might be due for a loss so I’m predicting the TO wannabe to win.
Winner: MVP
ECW Championship Handicap Match
Bobby Lashley© vs. Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon, and Umaga
I guess Vince is dead set on Bobby boy to become the next big thing in his company. I mean really, why couldn’t we have an actual ECW Title match instead of this handicap match bs? I don’t really see how this could top their match at Mania unless it gets a lot more brutal in terms of stiffness and the use of weapons. And we all know Shane is either gonna go coast to coast or try his elbow through the announce table. If the WWE really wanted to get creative they would use this as a way to get the title off of Lashley without him looking like too much of a chump for losing. That way, he can chase the title for a while. Chase who, I dunno, but its just an idea. I don’t see this match lasting too long as most of the people involved here aren’t in too good of shape. One more thing, look for a little interference from the man who took Umaga’s Intercontinental Title on Raw 2 weeks ago if Bobby gets in a lot of trouble. As for the winner, well who do you think?
Winner: Bobby Lashley
World Heavyweight Championship Last Man Standing Match
The Undertaker© vs. Batista
I see Smackdown getting shat on, yet again, for this PPV. It’s sad too because these guys try so hard to put on the best matches they can. You can take all the bullshit you hear about Batista, but when it comes to bell time, you can tell he is working hard. I hope Batista stays pissed off about what happened at Wrestlemania this year and I hope he channels that anger into this match. This one has a VERY GOOD CHANCE of stealing the show and when I thought about robbing a bank to pay for this PPV, it was to see this match. Sure, I love Benoit, but this one is WAY more interesting. I absolutely LOVE Last Man Standing matches. They are almost always brutal and we all know The Undertaker is willing to do some sick shit to someone to win a match, right Mick? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect Batista to take a bump like that, but I think they will definitely pull the rabbit out on this one. I’m gonna go with the Deadman to win for the same reason I picked the Hardyz to win.
Winner: The Undertaker
WWE Women’s Title Match
Melina© vs. Mickey James
Some may argue this is what the match should have been at Wrestlemania. I don’t necessarily agree because they were the two most recognizable females on WWE TV at the time. I don’t disagree with them being in the match at Wrestlemania at all, despite how shitty and short it was. But this is going to be way better for two reasons. Mickey James and Melina. These two are really good and what’s better is I think they are really good together. Melina is severely underrated as an actual wrestler as she almost always does something that makes me go “I didn’t think she could do that.†I don’t think this has been built up as well as it could have been, but then again, its only been a few weeks so it’s forgivable. I think Melina is going to lose and end up chasing the title for a bit as a heel. It might even lead to her and Johnny breaking up.
Winner: Mickey James
Fatal 4-Way for the WWE Championship
John Cena© vs. Edge vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton
This is, without a doubt, the most unusual match on the card. And its all because of one man, Randy Orton. So far nothing has been said but I still think there is a small chance that he wont be there and the WWE will just announce it the night of the PPV. I am a big fan of 4-ways because of the unpredictability factor. And despite what all of the smarks think about Cena, he has a really good chance of losing it in this one. In fact I actually think that, for once, the odds are not in his favor in this one. This match has the ability to be the best of the night, depending on how it is booked. If they let these guys go and don’t make it look so scripted, it could be the shit! But I do expect to see the usual 2 guys clear out and let two guys take center stage. I don’t necessarily disagree with it, because how else are you going to keep people’s attention? It would just turn into a small battle royal and that’s not always very interesting. I honestly have no idea who is going to win this. It really could be anyone, even Orton if the WWE are swerving everyone. I see a lot of people are picking Edge and he is just as good a choice as any, but I’m gonna play it safe and go with the champ.
Winner: John Cena
Now that we know what will happen at Backlash, its time for the second installment of FACT or FICTION!! Today we have myself, Axis, Monkeystyle, and Soulpower. So lets get this party started!
A new wrestler winning the title in his/her debut match without paying their dues should never happen as it diminshes the value of the title that they win.
Monkeystyle:Fiction. This whole paying dues shit is beyond old. Nor does it diminish the credibility of a title that has little to no credibility left. (read: The IC title, which is, I'm sure, what brought on this question.)
Fact of the matter is, if the guy holding the belt is a decent worker he can get over and bring the belt up with him. There's nothing like the excitement of a new, good wrestler to pique interest.
Axis:Fact. I think that a championship should always be the goal- the ending point. It shouldn't be the starting point. One should work towards a championship, and then work towards a bigger championship. Stars are champions, and you can't be a star without being established as such.
Soulpower:Fiction: I don't mind seeing new wrestlers win a title in their first match. What I don't like is having a situation like Santino's in which a "fan" wins the title. Had he been hyped up before the match, there wouldn't have been as many people complaining about the title change.
Kaedon: This one is a whole lotta FICTION. I really hate how people complained about Santino winning yet they kiss the ass of Christian and Carlito who did the exact same thing. I mean really, how much build up did they really get? It was a lot of storyline and almost nothing about the ability of the wrestler, which is what people are complaining about. It was a guninely suprising event and I think it was great that it happened and if they right guy comes along again, I wouldnt mind seeing it again.
With the WWE now starting to tri-brand ALL Pay Per Views, the buy rates for the WWE will go up significantly this year.
Monkeystyle:Fiction. It doesn't matter who's on the ppv's, unless its a good card with the fans interest behind it this is not a long term solution.
Sure it might pop buys for the first one or two ppvs, but if those are not good, and still feel like a waste of money then no it will make no difference at all.
Actually, I think the only place it will make a real difference is on the TV shows. As Vince uses Raw to advance his main storylines, I see SD, and ECW being ignored and their ratings taking a bit of a tumble later this year.
Axis:Fiction. I won’t be surprised if they even go down a little bit. I’m just worried that people will get sick of seeing the same eight people over and over again. At last the PPV structure that they’ve had the last few years made you wait two months to see John Cena vs Edge again. I think people will end up buying every other PPV in the end. That means that they’ll probably end up being the same. They could rise some, but not significantly.
Soulpower:Fact:I don't believe they buy rates will increase all that much, but with the fact that all the big names will take part in every PPV its pretty much a given that more casual fans will buy some of the "smaller" PPV's.
Kaedon: I defiantely think it is fact. But unless they start shuffling talent around, I dont think that its gonna be consistant. I mean how many times can we see Taker/Batista and Cena/HBK? But for the short term, the ratings are gonna go up significantly.
A match between Vince McMahon and Roddy Piper at Wrestlemania will be one of the biggest draws ever in the companies history.
Monkeystyle:Fiction. At least to me. I don't wanna see Vince in teh ring anymore, and Piper's fat and out of shape. I can see how this could've been a huge storyline like 5+ years ago, but not anymore.
If I'm going to be subjected to way past his prime Piper again, I'll take Flair/Piper thank you very much.
Axis:Fiction. Piper has lost his thunder in terms of drawing power. When I think money match, this match never even popped into my head, and I don’t think many others’. Even if Vince went the cheap way and took shots at his cancer, I can’t see this drawing more than any Austin vs Rock matches or especially Rocky vs Hogan.
Soulpower:Fiction: Hogan vs Mcmahon wasn't much of a draw just a couple of years back. It would get buys because its WM. but not because of this particular match-up.
Kaedon: I would personally love to see this. I dont know if it would be a "greatest of all time" draw but the hatred Piper can conjure up for Vince and vice versa would DEFINATELY be good enough to carry the match.
Now a days with the cynicism of fans and the openness of the wrestling industry, an angle like Piper/Mr. T could never be that big again.
Monkeystyle:Fiction. Anything is possible, its just a matter of creating the right storyline which draws in the fans.
Fans know wrestling is scripted, just like any fan of any other tv show knows its scripted, it doesn't stop them from getting into the show now does it? They tried earlier this year, but it didn't work the same way because they mixed up the dynamic.
Generally its best if the celeb is in the face role and the wrestler in the heel role. The fans are more likely to pop for the celebrity and boo the wrestler who runs down said celebrity.
Sure it can be done the other way, but its a bit more difficult to do.
Axis:Tough one, but I’m going to say fact. A perfect example is Trump vs McMahon. I’m not going to deny that the angle was big, but it was nowhere near that of Piper/Mr. T. The wrestling world and the real world just don’t mix like they used to.
Soulpower:Fiction: The Trump/Mcmahon feud was a success, even though there were lot of fans taking shots at it when it was first announced, as long as its booked right the angle would be success.
Kaedon: Fact. Sadly its a fact because our society as a whole has become so cynical that they dont allow themselves to have fun, as reflected in some of the wrestling community. Back then, Mr. T and Piper was HUGE. I mean Mr. T was the shit back then and fans actually believed it, not because they thought it was real, but because they wanted to.
If Eric Bischoff got the money, he could put together a wrestling brand that would be able to compete with the WWE.
Monkeystyle:Fact. Kind of.
Not just Eric Bischoff could do this. Anyone with the time, money and drive can create a new wrestling company. That's not the hard part.
The hard part, as TNA will attest, is getting the TV time you want.
However once you have that TV slot, if you've got everything else, and you have a brain in your head (Vince Russo, I'm looking at you, this is essential.) You can create competition.
Axis:Absofuckinglutely false. Running a wrestling brand is about more than money- just ask Dixie Carter. Bischoff has burned far too many bridges to even think about creating another company that WCW reached. Even if it was Bischoff, Heyman, Feinstein, and Cornette working together, they just couldn’t touch the E. The WWE has a brilliant indirect monopoly that seems next to impossible to break. So, no, Eric couldn’t do it. And I don’t think anybody could. I genuinely believe that the only way for the WWE to fall is through implosion, much like WCW.
Soulpower:Fiction: I don't see a lot of people lining up to work for Bischoff again, no matter how much cash he would throw at the wrestlers.. The failure of WCW is something that'll follow Bischoff for the rest of his career.
Kaedon: Fact. I think it could definately happen again. I mean say what you want about Eric, but he gave the WWE a REAL run for its money and with the right backing and the right stars, he could do it again. And I, for one, would absolutely love to see it.
It is NOW TIME for another match in the Ultimate WWE Fantasy Tourney. In this round we are going to have 2 of the best pure athletes in WWE history go at it as Mr. Perfect takes on Shelton Benjamin.
Shelton and Perfect face off in the middle of the ring. They are both smiling but Perfect slaps Shelton in the face. The younger Shelton fires back but Perfect moves and locks in a headlock. Shelton tries to get throw Perfect off but he holds on tight. Shelton tries to grab the hair but the ref warns him. Shelton finally throws Perfect into the ropes and goes for a clothesline but Perfect ducks and comes off with a perfect dropkick. He goes for another one and hits it. He goes for a 3rd and takes Shelton down again. Perfect goes for the cover but only gets a 2. Mr. Perfect goes back to work on the neck of Benjamin with a head lock. Shelton picks Perfect up for a belly to back suplex but Perfect wrenches down and bulldogs Shelton into the mat. Perfect picks up Benjamin and sends him into the ropes. Perfect goes for a backdrop but Shelton turns it into a small package 1………..2……….kick out. Perfect gets up and drops a knee on the back of Shelton’s neck. Perfect goes back to work with a reverse chin lock. Perfect talks smack to Shelton as he wrenches back. Shelton starts to feed off the crowd as Perfect tells them to shut up. Shelton makes his way up and sends Perfect into the ropes but Perfect sinks in a sleeper. Mr. Perfect locks it in and tells the ref to check Benjamin’s hand. 1………………..2…………….before it can go down for 3, Shelton hits a jawbreaker. Perfect is staggered. Shelton goes for his spin kick but Perfect blocks it and hits a neckbreaker. Perfect then hits his rolling neck snap! Shelton writhes in agony and Perfect signals that it’s over. Perfect grabs Shelton and goes for the Perfect-plex near the ropes but Shelton flips over him and rolls Perfect up….1……………..2………………….3!!!! Shelton wins!!! Shelton Benjamin has defeated Mr. Perfect!!! But wait, the ref sees Mr. Perfect had his foot on the rope as a video shows on the big screen!! Shelton is IRRATE!!! Mr. Perfect spins Shelton around and nails the Perfect-plex, 1……………2…………….3!!! That’s it! Mr. Perfect has won and advances in the Ultimate WWE Fantasy Tourney. Next week we are going to have a true clash of styles as Sabu takes on the original WWE legend, The Eighth Wonder Of The World, Andre The Giant! Vote and tell me who you think is going to win!
Before I go I wanted to tell you to check out Soulpower’s ECW Review in the Review’s section. Also check out my Raw Review.
