OK, so I was trying to decide whether to suffer through the usual banalities on Monday Night Raw or continue feeling awesome while playing God of War II (thanks C-vay!). I was going to just play on through the "Edge of Creation" level, but catching Vincent Kennedy McMahon's promo while setting up my DVR, I knew that tonight may be (hopefully will be) different.
McMahon's delivery brings back the days of controversial, interesting storylines, hardline and deep characters, and snazzy all gray suit and tie combos. His speech centered on well-known critiques of WWE, particularly that there is not any young promise, not as much action, etc. He called the crowd hypocrites for wanting Bret Hart back, which is true. An aging, motion-challenged Hart is not what the promotion needs, at least not as much as upcoming talent. And I am guilty of this as much as anyone. I'd much rather see Hart speak from an arm-chair than watch most of the undercard at WWE. Because what he is saying is true; even if it is an asshole position, McMahon's promo involves us emotionally.
This is how to write storylines, creative: have the pressure of reality, let your angles dig into the audience and piss them off, give them what they want, but harder, too hard for comfort. This is a way to make Hart relevant today.
The Undertaker just interrupted the action, sporting a beautifully died beard. Now he's cutting a promo on both VKM and HBK, pointing a j'accuse at McMahon, and addressing HBK's challenge for a two in the row for Wrestlemania.
While Michaels is sauntering to the ring, I'll give you a recap of last year's match. Michaels v. Undertaker was easily the highlight of Wrestlemania 25, and probably the highlight of both of their later careers. Undertaker's epic streak went unbroken; Michaels saved face by kicking out of a tombstone.
And thank God the Undertaker just denied Shawn Michaels a rematch. Now some photo op, some slightly embarrassing talk of souls. One of the main problems with the WWE is that it overscripts things. Everything is overdetermined. It is not enough that the Undertaker have a cool entrance made meaningful by basically campy promos twenty years ago, but he still has to say the same things as then.
Next up, Sheamus and "the most-highflying-jobber" Evan Bourne--who should really be the next 1-2-3 Kid, but isn't, due to the lack of imagination for guys under 200 pounds in WWE creative. At least he just got a Razor's Edge from Sheamus, something early nineties Sean Waltman would have felt privileged to take.
Pointless comedy ensues.
Guest Host issue. OK, so the guest host, a usually unconnected celebrity, picks sides--babyface or heel. Their job is to create drama on the show and plug their new stuff. Got it. This time it's Nash Bridges (known to many as Don Johnson) and the guy who played Napoleon Dynamite (something Heder). So they're split down the middle, Nash likes DX and Napoleon is friends with the Miz. Alright. But the big dramatic main event... DX v. Miz and Big Show? Can I think of a more boring attraction? I might just switch the channel and watch Leno or perhaps public access television.
I understand the necessity of exhibition matches. I really do. But to have someone who seems to be on WWE TV because he thinks the concept is funny and ironic hype an epic battle, one that is "new" to use his exact words, between DX and Jerishow minus the charismatic half and adding a random midcarder is pretty much as lame as it gets. Well, there will probably be more awkward Diva/Hornswoggle/DX humor later on.
At least there was a cute moment when Napoleon leaped into Big Show's arms and seems to have surprised the giant with a kiss on the cheek. Show has a great grin when its genuine, and I bet he's a hell of a nice guy in person.
Overall, the show is better than last week's, mainly because of McMahon's promo. The Trips "turn" on HBK (just for the Rumble) was ok, but botched due to a delay in Cena's interruption music (you can see HBK yell "finally"). But we didn't get Bret Hart, and we didn't get any astounding wrestling. Maybe next week...
Showing posts with label Wrestling Woes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wrestling Woes. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
TNA's nWo PPV & lackluster routine
TNA's first pay-per-view since the dawning of the Hogan-Bischoff era aired last night. The most salient difference from previous TNA incarnations, of course, was the imposition of a traditional four-sided ring (a topic for an upcoming post). And unfortunately did not quite live up to the last Thursday's impact, but still provided a solid two and three quarters hours of show.
The most interesting thing is that the new WWE and nostalgia acquisitions were mainly embarrassed by the hungry, talented, younger TNA roster. While the night seemed rough on Brian Kendrick, he'll likely be a solid entertainer in the company. Kennedy, however, was sloppy and unentertaining, which is somewhat of a surprise given the hype around him. Perhaps he was ill-suited to fighting with Abyss, whose brawling-style didn't necessarily go with Kennedy's more traditional move-set. I don't know, but the match was a low point.
An equal low-point, and I really really hate to say it, was the Kliq versus Beer Money Incorporated. And it wasn't because of Beer Money. Kevin Nash, TNA staple and most responsible member of the Kliq aside from Triple H, looked tired. In fact, he looked aggravated that he had to compete with the 1-2-3 Kid, Sean Waltman, whose in-ring moniker is either X-Pac or 6-Pac (?) according to the commentators. Scott Hall aka Razor Ramon bowed out of the match, which was a change in advertisement and leads one to wonder if there is some problem with the Bad Guy. This and a shoot-style assault on a fan that was ill-addressed (so could possibly be unscripted?) gives one the impression that either Hall is high or management is still trying to sell a stoned Ramon. Either situation sucks.
The highlights of the event were Daniels, The Pope, Desmond Wolfe, and the main event. The three young guys seem to have a legitimate chance at longevity and character depth and in-ring prowess. Wolfe's explosive speed and bizarre habit of throwing his opponents into the bottom ropes gave him the border-line edge that Randy Orton has been trying to do for years. And the Pope might be the most entertaining man in wrestling. And I love Daniels' character of being a vicious if prudish man. I don't even need to mention Kurt Angle and A. J. Styles, except to say that I like Kurt as a face, and turning Styles heel will probably turn out to be a good decision.
What does this mean for WWE, who's still no-selling TNA? After watching four hours of WWE programming last week, there's little to say. The Raw skits are lame. The women's wrestling is below mediocre and the feuds nonexistant. The characters overly static and one-dimensional. As for young talent, there is Kofi Kingston, who's learning WWE vets' habit of sticking to a limited moveset; Dolph Ziggler, who looks good, unpredictable, but needs to fight people in his weight class and develop his in-ring character more; Evan Bourne, who needs to switch to TNA where there is actually a cruiserweight division; and the new monster heels Drew McIntyre and Sheamus, who are both mean and boring but who unfettered could have serious potential.
This is the time of year when WWE storylines should congeal, become epic, and lean toward Wrestlemania. The only reason to watch the Royal Rumble this year is to see if any surprises take place during the rumble. The Bret Hart issue could be exciting, but may not be, we'll have to see. Maybe the guest host concept is what is killing Raw? All I can tell is that the variety show layout is making the show less and less tolerable, which is truly a shame.
Rambly post, I know. I'm trying to get in the habit of posting so that I don't kill this blog before it starts. I'll post tonight during Raw for some in depth coverage.
The most interesting thing is that the new WWE and nostalgia acquisitions were mainly embarrassed by the hungry, talented, younger TNA roster. While the night seemed rough on Brian Kendrick, he'll likely be a solid entertainer in the company. Kennedy, however, was sloppy and unentertaining, which is somewhat of a surprise given the hype around him. Perhaps he was ill-suited to fighting with Abyss, whose brawling-style didn't necessarily go with Kennedy's more traditional move-set. I don't know, but the match was a low point.
An equal low-point, and I really really hate to say it, was the Kliq versus Beer Money Incorporated. And it wasn't because of Beer Money. Kevin Nash, TNA staple and most responsible member of the Kliq aside from Triple H, looked tired. In fact, he looked aggravated that he had to compete with the 1-2-3 Kid, Sean Waltman, whose in-ring moniker is either X-Pac or 6-Pac (?) according to the commentators. Scott Hall aka Razor Ramon bowed out of the match, which was a change in advertisement and leads one to wonder if there is some problem with the Bad Guy. This and a shoot-style assault on a fan that was ill-addressed (so could possibly be unscripted?) gives one the impression that either Hall is high or management is still trying to sell a stoned Ramon. Either situation sucks.
The highlights of the event were Daniels, The Pope, Desmond Wolfe, and the main event. The three young guys seem to have a legitimate chance at longevity and character depth and in-ring prowess. Wolfe's explosive speed and bizarre habit of throwing his opponents into the bottom ropes gave him the border-line edge that Randy Orton has been trying to do for years. And the Pope might be the most entertaining man in wrestling. And I love Daniels' character of being a vicious if prudish man. I don't even need to mention Kurt Angle and A. J. Styles, except to say that I like Kurt as a face, and turning Styles heel will probably turn out to be a good decision.
What does this mean for WWE, who's still no-selling TNA? After watching four hours of WWE programming last week, there's little to say. The Raw skits are lame. The women's wrestling is below mediocre and the feuds nonexistant. The characters overly static and one-dimensional. As for young talent, there is Kofi Kingston, who's learning WWE vets' habit of sticking to a limited moveset; Dolph Ziggler, who looks good, unpredictable, but needs to fight people in his weight class and develop his in-ring character more; Evan Bourne, who needs to switch to TNA where there is actually a cruiserweight division; and the new monster heels Drew McIntyre and Sheamus, who are both mean and boring but who unfettered could have serious potential.
This is the time of year when WWE storylines should congeal, become epic, and lean toward Wrestlemania. The only reason to watch the Royal Rumble this year is to see if any surprises take place during the rumble. The Bret Hart issue could be exciting, but may not be, we'll have to see. Maybe the guest host concept is what is killing Raw? All I can tell is that the variety show layout is making the show less and less tolerable, which is truly a shame.
Rambly post, I know. I'm trying to get in the habit of posting so that I don't kill this blog before it starts. I'll post tonight during Raw for some in depth coverage.
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