This is the 20th edition of The No Smark Zone!!! Wooooooo I made it to 20!!! I have never had this record for writing ever. I have tried many times to do this in the past but I always quit. Thanks everyone for keeping me going. In this column I will be doing yet another installment of Fact or Fiction along with following up on last weeks column about the suspension of disbelief.
For this weeks Fact or Fiction we have or most esteemed contributors yet. First off we have the man with the shortest answers in the west and resident S-Mod, Monkeystyle. Next up we have a relative new comer to my column, Flair For The Gold. Batting clean up is a guy who has been on a few times already, soul brutha number one, SOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUULPOWER. And last, but not least we have the mod who will “kill you, you cock-a-roach†Montana. Is there someone else? Oh yeah, there’s me! Lets get started!
With the recent reviews of the WWE’s second biggest PPV of the year, it is quite clear that the WWE booking is in a downward spiral and something needs to change drastically.
Monkeystyle:Fact.They know it too, but will they do anything about it? I doubt it. The WWE and more Vince McMahon has been known to be very pig headed. In the end they need to change things up, but I doubt that we will see any sweeping changes any time soon.
Flair for The Gold: Fact. I realize there are a bevy of stars injured at the moment, but thats no reason that matches such as the IC title match at SummerSlam couldn't have gotten more than 7 minutes. Thats the problem. It isn't the quality of talent in WWE at the moment, its the priorities that the bookers have with that talent, and the fact they the talent doesn't get sufficient in ring time on PPVs, etc.
SoulpowerFACT:WWE booking has been on a downward spiral for a while now, maybe things would be different if Vince hired some people that actually know about wrestling.
MontanaFact, I wouldn’t say the booking is the main problem. There are a few minor problems, that combine. Injuries have played a role. Lack of star power and faces hurt. But ultimately it all comes down to booking. I would say "drasically" but the booking needs a shake up.
KaedonFiction: WWE’s Summerslam was nowhere NEAR as bad as people said it was. Yeah, John Cena won, big fucking deal. I am very willing to bet Vince saw how a lot of people saw that a title change was imminent and decided at the last minute to change it just because it would have been rather obvious. The show was very good-great from top to bottom. The WWE is NOT in trouble.
As the WWE begin to release and suspend more and more stars, they will become weaker and weaker, thus allowing TNA to get stronger and stronger with by adding said superstars and capitalizing on what should be some lackluster TV programming from the WWE.
Monkeystyle:Fiction.If anything it will make a stronger more cohesive roster. Not to mention freeing up some spare cash. The WWE has so many guys on contract they just don't need. If they start heavier firings, it could certainly work in the WWE's favor.
Flair for The Gold: Fiction. Backstage problems in WWE will not contribute to any success TNA may have. Remember, if TNA pick up released good talent from WWE, they still have to book them correctly, which is a trouble they have been having for quite some time. Besides, WWE has some excellent talent in OVW at the moment and if too many stars are getting released/suspended, call ups will be made if WWE is smart, thus making the product not suffer talent wise
SoulpowerPush:Yes, TNA will get stronger, but the fact is TNA will continue to bury their own stars while pushing the former WWE guys, thus making their pick-ups irrelevant.
MontanaFictionThis a joke? So what if they add a couple more names to tna. The fact is people have given tna a chance, and they just didnt like it for whatever reason. I think the winner in the long will be ROH. ROH has lost about 8 big names stars, and they still put on the best shows today.
KaedonFactish: I do believe that with the recent lettings go of guys like Booker T and Cryme Tyme, TNA has chance to capitalize on legit WWE draws and truly make a better show. That being said, they don’t know how to fucking book anyway so in the end it wont matter.
The WWE are making a tough but right call by releasing information about title changes on WWE.com because they are going to be “leaked†out anyway so it might as well be from the WWE’s own website.
Monkeystyle: Fiction.That's bullshit. They are making it harder for people like myself to avoid spoilers. Very annoying. Its bad enough that you have jerks on wrestling forums spoiling it for everyone (You know who you are), WWE can at least try and keep its fans who don't go for spoilers in the dark.
Flair for The Gold: Fiction. Since most WWE results that aren't on PPV are leaked anyway, I don't see how this situation makes too much of a difference, other than making a statement on Morrison's release IMO. Marks/people who don't read spoilers should be able to be shocked while watching the program, since they obviously have no interest in finding out the results beforehand.
SoulpowerFact:A ton of sites were reporting it, why not adds hits to their own site by spoiling it too? Besides, they believe that they'll be a Foley/Schiavone effect with everyone tuning in to see the title change... Whatever or not it works, that's another story.
MontanaFiction People don't like to be spoiled.
KaedonFact: I have to agree with SP on this. And you all know I hate having shit spoiled but I cant fault them for trying to get more traffic on their site. I mean really, for all intents and purposes Id have to avoid the internet in these situations so who cares.
With the names linked to the steroid scandal, the WWE’s once bright future (Kennedy, Umaga, Morrison, etc) now looks significantly dimmer.
Monkeystyle: Fiction As the saying goes, this too shall pass. Vince won't care at all. These suspensions are just for show. I firmly believe that Vince would prefer it if his guys were on the juice and therefore will not derail their careers for something as trivial as this.
Flair for The Gold: Fiction. WWE's future is most certainly not in danger. If this steroid situation really breaks open and we start seeing a lot of releases, there is still a lot of developmental talent to pick up the slack. Colt Cabana, Harry Smith, Teddy Hart, Paul Burchill, Matt Sydal and others could easily steer WWE back in the right direction if talent is released, so there isn't much to be worried about IMO.
SoulpowerFact:This is mostly due to your boy Kennedy. As some one who straight up blasted the media about the steroid scandal, only to find himself named in the list of wrestlers who were recieving steroids, we could see Ken's push go down the drain. Morrison already lost his title and word is Umaga will drop his as well, so its a fact.
MontanaFiction There is always another guy who can step up. CM Punk, MVP, and Colt Cabana could easily fill in that main event role.
KaedonFiction:I think for now it will be a bit of a rough going. Booker T, Ken Kennedy, Johnny Nitro, and Umaga, and then we have Lashley, Edge, and HBK are injured. Believe it or not, ALL of these guys are legit draws (with Umaga being a weak draw)
With the supposed “new†standards for the WWE drug testing policy, while there will be a lot more suspensions and releases to come, it will make the WWE better in the long run.
Monkeystyle: Fact and FictionIt can go either way. It really depends on what they do with what they have left. I can't really say for certain here. If Vince reacts properly he can certainly make the most of a poor situation. But if he reacts in typical Vince fashion he might just send his programming further down the tubes.
Flair for The Gold:Fact. It will look on WWE's part by dropping guys who have broken policy, plus we could see a push of all the good developmental talent WWE currently has. It could also slow down the hiring of "muscleheads" who Vince in the past has liked to get involved with. WWE could have the opportunity to have better in ring talent while still keeping the entertainment edge that made them popular in the first place. I can't say I wish anyone to lose their job, but on the other hand if a lot of the guys I consider untalented would get fired/leave we could really see a turnaround in WWE from all aspects.
SoulpowerFiction:It might clean up the WWE a bit, but it won't make it better. That still depends on the booking of the shows.
MontanaFiction I don't see how this helps the wwe any. It really doesn't do much in my eyes. The wrestler gets a slap on the wrist and some much needed time off. (unless fired) But the wwe was built around muscle heads, and i think they will always go for people with "the look".
KaedonIt depends: Perhaps I should have been a lot more clear when it came to this. When I said “better†I didn’t necessarily mean TV quality wise. I mean a better, healthier company. I think, if the WWE would actually stick to this damn thing and STRICTLY test people it would be a fact. Less people on drugs, less people dying early, a healthier WWE. But I don’t believe that they will because its about making money.
Suspension Follow Up
I have done some thinking since I wrote my last column and I wanted to make one thing perfectly clear. I am not saying YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED to watching wrestling and not suspend disbelief. I’m not even saying you can’t watch it and pick it apart. But I AM saying that I believe that I have a broader (READ B-R-O-A-D-E-R NOT B-E-T-T-E-R) view of wrestling because of it. That doesn’t mean it’s better but I see it as being better FOR ME. What I don’t like, however, is condescending cocksuckers who constantly look down on “marks†who cheer for John Cena and booo JBL. It irritates me to no end. They think they know better because they perceive themselves to be “smarter†and have no qualms with telling you about it.
And this doesn’t stop at wrestling. Everyone in our society is very jaded and to an extent it has always been that way. That is why kids can get into something and parents go “god that is so dumb.†I saw on That 70’s Show, Eric was talking to his dad and his dad said something about people being able to speak English a long time ago in a galaxy far away. Eric said “EITHER YOU BELIEVE IT OR YOU DON’T!†And that’s how it is with wrestling as well. Only not, people are getting a lot more disillusioned at a lot younger age. Just look at those fucking morons who were bashing TNA AND THEY WERE ONLY TEN FUCK YEARS OLD!! They don’t know shit about shit and they are already more jaded than anyone was at 10.
People drink, smoke (weed and other things), take drugs, fuck a lot, get lost in music, and eat too much (among other things) as an escape from the world. Because the world is 00ber fucked up. So why not take a few hours every other day and get out of it and say “Jim Cornette you’re a no good faggot†or “Randy Orton is a god damned prick!†or whatever you want to say. If you sit there with a score card and say “Oh well that match only had 17 total moves and the other one had 24 therefore the other one was better†you’re just letting the rest of your bullshit IMO. You’re allowing your bullshit cynicism impede on something that is TRYING to avoid all that.
Ok that’s it for this week. Before I go, I wanted to say thanks to a few people. Soulpower, PeepShow, CenaMark, and MattHardyV1 for regularly commenting on this little bit of insanity, Monkeystyle and Montana for regularly contributing his opinions to my fact or fiction, and everyone else who has commented and/or contributed. You people make writing this column really easy and I truly appreciate you all reading and caring about my little opinion.
Until next time!!
For this weeks Fact or Fiction we have or most esteemed contributors yet. First off we have the man with the shortest answers in the west and resident S-Mod, Monkeystyle. Next up we have a relative new comer to my column, Flair For The Gold. Batting clean up is a guy who has been on a few times already, soul brutha number one, SOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUULPOWER. And last, but not least we have the mod who will “kill you, you cock-a-roach†Montana. Is there someone else? Oh yeah, there’s me! Lets get started!
With the recent reviews of the WWE’s second biggest PPV of the year, it is quite clear that the WWE booking is in a downward spiral and something needs to change drastically.
Monkeystyle:Fact.They know it too, but will they do anything about it? I doubt it. The WWE and more Vince McMahon has been known to be very pig headed. In the end they need to change things up, but I doubt that we will see any sweeping changes any time soon.
Flair for The Gold: Fact. I realize there are a bevy of stars injured at the moment, but thats no reason that matches such as the IC title match at SummerSlam couldn't have gotten more than 7 minutes. Thats the problem. It isn't the quality of talent in WWE at the moment, its the priorities that the bookers have with that talent, and the fact they the talent doesn't get sufficient in ring time on PPVs, etc.
SoulpowerFACT:WWE booking has been on a downward spiral for a while now, maybe things would be different if Vince hired some people that actually know about wrestling.
MontanaFact, I wouldn’t say the booking is the main problem. There are a few minor problems, that combine. Injuries have played a role. Lack of star power and faces hurt. But ultimately it all comes down to booking. I would say "drasically" but the booking needs a shake up.
KaedonFiction: WWE’s Summerslam was nowhere NEAR as bad as people said it was. Yeah, John Cena won, big fucking deal. I am very willing to bet Vince saw how a lot of people saw that a title change was imminent and decided at the last minute to change it just because it would have been rather obvious. The show was very good-great from top to bottom. The WWE is NOT in trouble.
As the WWE begin to release and suspend more and more stars, they will become weaker and weaker, thus allowing TNA to get stronger and stronger with by adding said superstars and capitalizing on what should be some lackluster TV programming from the WWE.
Monkeystyle:Fiction.If anything it will make a stronger more cohesive roster. Not to mention freeing up some spare cash. The WWE has so many guys on contract they just don't need. If they start heavier firings, it could certainly work in the WWE's favor.
Flair for The Gold: Fiction. Backstage problems in WWE will not contribute to any success TNA may have. Remember, if TNA pick up released good talent from WWE, they still have to book them correctly, which is a trouble they have been having for quite some time. Besides, WWE has some excellent talent in OVW at the moment and if too many stars are getting released/suspended, call ups will be made if WWE is smart, thus making the product not suffer talent wise
SoulpowerPush:Yes, TNA will get stronger, but the fact is TNA will continue to bury their own stars while pushing the former WWE guys, thus making their pick-ups irrelevant.
MontanaFictionThis a joke? So what if they add a couple more names to tna. The fact is people have given tna a chance, and they just didnt like it for whatever reason. I think the winner in the long will be ROH. ROH has lost about 8 big names stars, and they still put on the best shows today.
KaedonFactish: I do believe that with the recent lettings go of guys like Booker T and Cryme Tyme, TNA has chance to capitalize on legit WWE draws and truly make a better show. That being said, they don’t know how to fucking book anyway so in the end it wont matter.
The WWE are making a tough but right call by releasing information about title changes on WWE.com because they are going to be “leaked†out anyway so it might as well be from the WWE’s own website.
Monkeystyle: Fiction.That's bullshit. They are making it harder for people like myself to avoid spoilers. Very annoying. Its bad enough that you have jerks on wrestling forums spoiling it for everyone (You know who you are), WWE can at least try and keep its fans who don't go for spoilers in the dark.
Flair for The Gold: Fiction. Since most WWE results that aren't on PPV are leaked anyway, I don't see how this situation makes too much of a difference, other than making a statement on Morrison's release IMO. Marks/people who don't read spoilers should be able to be shocked while watching the program, since they obviously have no interest in finding out the results beforehand.
SoulpowerFact:A ton of sites were reporting it, why not adds hits to their own site by spoiling it too? Besides, they believe that they'll be a Foley/Schiavone effect with everyone tuning in to see the title change... Whatever or not it works, that's another story.
MontanaFiction People don't like to be spoiled.
KaedonFact: I have to agree with SP on this. And you all know I hate having shit spoiled but I cant fault them for trying to get more traffic on their site. I mean really, for all intents and purposes Id have to avoid the internet in these situations so who cares.
With the names linked to the steroid scandal, the WWE’s once bright future (Kennedy, Umaga, Morrison, etc) now looks significantly dimmer.
Monkeystyle: Fiction As the saying goes, this too shall pass. Vince won't care at all. These suspensions are just for show. I firmly believe that Vince would prefer it if his guys were on the juice and therefore will not derail their careers for something as trivial as this.
Flair for The Gold: Fiction. WWE's future is most certainly not in danger. If this steroid situation really breaks open and we start seeing a lot of releases, there is still a lot of developmental talent to pick up the slack. Colt Cabana, Harry Smith, Teddy Hart, Paul Burchill, Matt Sydal and others could easily steer WWE back in the right direction if talent is released, so there isn't much to be worried about IMO.
SoulpowerFact:This is mostly due to your boy Kennedy. As some one who straight up blasted the media about the steroid scandal, only to find himself named in the list of wrestlers who were recieving steroids, we could see Ken's push go down the drain. Morrison already lost his title and word is Umaga will drop his as well, so its a fact.
MontanaFiction There is always another guy who can step up. CM Punk, MVP, and Colt Cabana could easily fill in that main event role.
KaedonFiction:I think for now it will be a bit of a rough going. Booker T, Ken Kennedy, Johnny Nitro, and Umaga, and then we have Lashley, Edge, and HBK are injured. Believe it or not, ALL of these guys are legit draws (with Umaga being a weak draw)
With the supposed “new†standards for the WWE drug testing policy, while there will be a lot more suspensions and releases to come, it will make the WWE better in the long run.
Monkeystyle: Fact and FictionIt can go either way. It really depends on what they do with what they have left. I can't really say for certain here. If Vince reacts properly he can certainly make the most of a poor situation. But if he reacts in typical Vince fashion he might just send his programming further down the tubes.
Flair for The Gold:Fact. It will look on WWE's part by dropping guys who have broken policy, plus we could see a push of all the good developmental talent WWE currently has. It could also slow down the hiring of "muscleheads" who Vince in the past has liked to get involved with. WWE could have the opportunity to have better in ring talent while still keeping the entertainment edge that made them popular in the first place. I can't say I wish anyone to lose their job, but on the other hand if a lot of the guys I consider untalented would get fired/leave we could really see a turnaround in WWE from all aspects.
SoulpowerFiction:It might clean up the WWE a bit, but it won't make it better. That still depends on the booking of the shows.
MontanaFiction I don't see how this helps the wwe any. It really doesn't do much in my eyes. The wrestler gets a slap on the wrist and some much needed time off. (unless fired) But the wwe was built around muscle heads, and i think they will always go for people with "the look".
KaedonIt depends: Perhaps I should have been a lot more clear when it came to this. When I said “better†I didn’t necessarily mean TV quality wise. I mean a better, healthier company. I think, if the WWE would actually stick to this damn thing and STRICTLY test people it would be a fact. Less people on drugs, less people dying early, a healthier WWE. But I don’t believe that they will because its about making money.
Suspension Follow Up
I have done some thinking since I wrote my last column and I wanted to make one thing perfectly clear. I am not saying YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED to watching wrestling and not suspend disbelief. I’m not even saying you can’t watch it and pick it apart. But I AM saying that I believe that I have a broader (READ B-R-O-A-D-E-R NOT B-E-T-T-E-R) view of wrestling because of it. That doesn’t mean it’s better but I see it as being better FOR ME. What I don’t like, however, is condescending cocksuckers who constantly look down on “marks†who cheer for John Cena and booo JBL. It irritates me to no end. They think they know better because they perceive themselves to be “smarter†and have no qualms with telling you about it.
And this doesn’t stop at wrestling. Everyone in our society is very jaded and to an extent it has always been that way. That is why kids can get into something and parents go “god that is so dumb.†I saw on That 70’s Show, Eric was talking to his dad and his dad said something about people being able to speak English a long time ago in a galaxy far away. Eric said “EITHER YOU BELIEVE IT OR YOU DON’T!†And that’s how it is with wrestling as well. Only not, people are getting a lot more disillusioned at a lot younger age. Just look at those fucking morons who were bashing TNA AND THEY WERE ONLY TEN FUCK YEARS OLD!! They don’t know shit about shit and they are already more jaded than anyone was at 10.
People drink, smoke (weed and other things), take drugs, fuck a lot, get lost in music, and eat too much (among other things) as an escape from the world. Because the world is 00ber fucked up. So why not take a few hours every other day and get out of it and say “Jim Cornette you’re a no good faggot†or “Randy Orton is a god damned prick!†or whatever you want to say. If you sit there with a score card and say “Oh well that match only had 17 total moves and the other one had 24 therefore the other one was better†you’re just letting the rest of your bullshit IMO. You’re allowing your bullshit cynicism impede on something that is TRYING to avoid all that.
Ok that’s it for this week. Before I go, I wanted to say thanks to a few people. Soulpower, PeepShow, CenaMark, and MattHardyV1 for regularly commenting on this little bit of insanity, Monkeystyle and Montana for regularly contributing his opinions to my fact or fiction, and everyone else who has commented and/or contributed. You people make writing this column really easy and I truly appreciate you all reading and caring about my little opinion.
Until next time!!
