WM XXV pics

Nine minutes until the granddaddy of 'em all...here we go:

• Jericho vs. legends: This is such a waste of Jericho's talent. For balance sake, Jericho to win, only to get his comeuppance after thebell.
  
• 25-diva battle royal, "Miss WM": If Trish appears, she takes it. Otherwise, I can't see it mattering much.
  
• MITB: Tempted to say CM Punk to repeat. It's a bit soon for Christian, I'm not seeing Kane get the recognition he deserves. Otherwise, there may be no stopping MVP.
  
• Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker: 17-0. Nuff said.
  
• Tag Team Unification Match: Miz and Morrison are it, and deservedly so. Sorry Colons.
  
• Brother vs. Brother: Jeff comes out on top.
  
• JBL vs. Mysterio: I'm hoping JBL retires to take back the announce position, and reuniting him with Michael Cole on SD, and fixing the divorce that never should have been, with the King and JR on Raw.
  
• Triple Threat: Cena takes the belt, Edge and Show can fight over Vicky at Backlash.
  
• HHH vs. Orton: I'd love to see Orton come out on top, but you can't have the perfect heel win the last match of the night. So Trips to come out on top and avenge the Macmahon clan.
  

No Way Out picks

Sadly, for one of the smaller PPV's that I usually look forward to, this year's lineup is just underwhelming. Nonetheless, here we go:

Jack Swagger vs. Finlay: With the returning Christian in the wings, I can only imagine Swagger coming out on top for the more interesting feud. Swagger retains.

Shawn Michaels vs. JBL: Again, I can't really be bothered with this storyline. It's a weird moment for things to be coming to a head; where will that leave either of them for WMania? Unless things somehow get "postponed", HBK s bound to come out on top eventually.

Randy Orton vs. Shane McMahon: What does it say about your top heel when the owner's son can kick your ass? Orton on top, always and forever.

SD Elimination Chamber: Undertaker's streak make him being champion at WM too unlikely. Kozlov - don't get me started. Big Show - fun but not enough. Whic leaves Triple H, Edge and Hardy. I'm always nervous that they'll hand WM main event to Trips, but my gut says Edge, with Edge vs. Hardy at the show.

Raw Elimination Chamber: Even more stuffing than the SD version. This really boils down to Jericho vs. Cena. Cena to retain, against all odds, once more.

On the Rumble

In some cases, my reasoning was totally off, but results-wise, I was pretty close, essentially calling everything but the rumble itself. So they take Jeff's belt away, but they give him the one thing he says he hasn't accomplished yet: fight his brother. Should be fun - god knows his fight against Edge was, if you exclude the presence of the Guerreros.

Melina has to learn not to sell the result of the match as she's approaching the ring. I know you're excited, honey, but take a valium.

Could someone please remove weed from the wellness program and re-hire RVD??!? His pop was off the charts, as it should be. It was nice to see MVP generate interest as well, and I thought Morrison, and the whole first 5 or 6 participants, were very interesting - fast-paced, bouncy...until of course, they decide to throw in the Great Khali and Vladimir Kozlov. Yawn.

For a moment, there, I was afraid that Triple H would once again overcome the odds and headline the 25th edition of Wrestlemania. Ho hum. But now, they've actually gone with the much-improved Randy Orton. Yay! Which reminds me - certain people have been ranting and raving about the young Debiase, seeing in him the next Randy Orton. I generally concur that he is Orton-esque, but there's one slight problem: we already HAVE a Randy Orton, and he ROCKS. On his own. No legacy needed.

Rumble predictions

Hey, I've actually made it a whole day before the PPV...not procrastinating so much is kinda part of my cleanup resolution. It's about cleaning up my to-do lists, I guess. So here goes:

• Jack Swagger vs. Matt Hardy: Hardy held the title for a good while, and Jack Swagger has been on a roll (from what I've seen - I'm still not totally on board ECW.) So I don't see anyone interrupting that push right away. Besides, having Matt "free" may come in handy in coming months, if the rumors are true. Jack Swagger retains.
  
  
• John Cena vs. JBL: Yawn. Unlike many, the whole HBK storyline isn't really doing it for me. However, I refuse to admit that JBL could walk away with the belt, especially since Cena has a new movie coming out. Cena retains.
  
  
• Beth Phoenix vs. Melina: Should actually be interesting. I'd love to see Melina coming out on top, perhaps with inadvertent assistance from Santino or Beth's new pet, Rosa whoever.
  
  
• Jeff Hardy vs. Edge: This is almost as tough to call as the Rumble itself. I could certainly see Jeff retain against all odds and his attacker revealed. Besides, Edge is so cute when he's angry and bitter. On the other hand, said attacker may well help Edge recapture the gold (7 second pose, anyone?), and it would avoid having Jeff main event Wrestlemania, just in case...then again, there's always No Way Out. Well, if the face wins this, then a heel must win the Rumble, or vice versa. Edge to win, attacker revealed, setup for Jeff vs. Cage at No Way Out. (Or Cage wins the Rumble and Hardy retains, but I doubt it, since I can't imagine giving Cage the Wrestlemania main event on his first night back.)
  
  
• Which means a face wins the Rumble. Although the Big Show could be funny, to face Edge. But it isn't Wrestlemania material. After last week's punt (nicely done, too), I can't imagine Orton's future right now. Maybe Jericho, or Triple H. I'm still seeing a major player/former champion taking it, maybe even a former winner. Dark horse is CM Punk.
  

On Armageddon

Overall, my predictions were totally shaky, but in most cases, boy was I happy to be wrong.

A few notes:

I should have figured that Kozlov's undefeated streak would not end quite yet. I wonder who'll they'll bestow the honor to. I really don't care, the man consistently fails to impress me.

I didn't think I'd be so...pardon the pun...right on the nose (I warned ya!) about CM Punk's difficulty in administering a GTS to five-foot-six Mysterio. Ouch. Still, that was one of the top matches of the year, entertaining as all get out.

I am thrilled to see Jeff Hardy win the belt, finally; then again, I gotta wonder whether the WWE isn't hedging its bets by giving it to him now, as opposed to WrestleMania. Just in case he should screw up again...I sure hope not, but now the field is waaaay-wide open for the Rumble. Unless something materializes in coming weeks, I'm seeing an already-top contender, maybe even a previous winner, taking the rumble match. Dave would be nice, but now it appears he's out with a torn hamstring. Really wishful thinking? Kennedy. There's a guy who deserves a push, if only he can stay healthy.

On a side note: the Tribute to the Troops show was down to one hour, and had all of two matches. Two. *sigh*

And lastly, man was it nice to see Trish again. Makes me realize just how much work lies ahead of our current slate of divas. Either that, or it sends me running to TNA, which I can never quite stand for very very long. Somehow, I knew Kelly Kelly would not main event, and being in Toronto, right before Xmas, they had me hoping against hope that we would see our Canadian bombshell (sorry Maryse, your official title is our Montreal sexpot.) for a one-night-only return. Besides, against Beth, it could only be good. And yummy goodness it was. She could still show Triple H how to throw a punch.

Armageddon picks

Here goes:

Finlay vs. Mark Henry (Belfast Brawl): I can't imagine ever rooting for Mark Henry, or ever understanding any push he may receive in his life. Finlay, all the way.

Matt Hardy vs. Kozlov: See above. Matt Hardy.

Rey Mysterio vs CM Punk, IC Tournament: I would have picked Rey, were it not for the recent developments concerning the Tag titles. With Miz and Morrison regaining the tag belts in a most unusual manner, in a house show in nowhere, Ontario, doesn't that just pave the way to new Slammy winner Punk to regaining the IC title? I'm not sure how Rey's height will affect the administration of a GTS, though. Punk for gold.

Eight Diva match: With Michelle McCool's recent heel turn, I doubt her team will work well together. Combine that with the talent resting squarely on the official heel side, and I see Maryse the hometown girl coming out on top.

Batista vs. Orton: Orton has been gearing up since his return, and Batista's only been used to put various heels over. I don't see this trend reversing anytime soon. Orton wins. (Sorry, Dave! You know I love you anyways, right? :-) )

Edge vs. Jeff Hardy vs. HHH: Hardy is looking more and more like a Rumble shoo-in. I see Trips and Jeffro going at each other mercilessly once more, with Edge sneaking in to eke out the win.

John Cena vs. Chris Jericho: They've been building Jericho so far up lately (Superstar of the Year? Really?), it can only be to have Cena fight the good fight and conquer the not-so-big but oh-so-nasty Y2J.

On a side note, I will begin writing again, I promise. I'll even explain why I haven't been writing, and hopefully, it won't sound too much like an excuse. We'll see. But for now, there's wrestling on.

Survivor Series picks

Just over an hour to go before the WWE's fall classic. So here goes with my picks for Survivor Series:

• Undertaker vs. Big Show: I find Undertaker's impressive display this last Friday worrisome, since that is usually the prerogative of the PPV loser. I really can't imagine Big Show coming out on top. Then again, Undertaker has been working on nagging injuries and casket matches are usually how he gets dispatched into semi-retirement/injury leave. My heart is still with the deadman, though.
  

• Hardy vs. HHH vs. Kozlov: Hardy came out on top on Friday, and rumor has it the whole "found unconscious in a stairwell" is a work (maybe to bring back Edge?), so either way, now is not yet his time. I can't imagine Kozlov as champ, so HHH pulls it out.
  

• Team Batista vs. team Orton: These are tough to call. There are so many possible combinations. It would be neat to see a one-on-one final between Batista and Orton, but unlikely. It would be nice to see CM Punk outlast everybody. There could be massive infighting within the Orton team. It could be a one way massacre. Bottom line, though, this may serve to begin building momentum for Orton.

• Team HBK vs. team JBL: I hate JBL. HBK has been his old funny DX self, which is always enjoyable, but Jericho was the stronger member of their feud, in my eyes. Khali is useless. Cryme Tyme? *yawn*. I'm quite fond of the rest of the heel team, however. They could pull off the upset.

• Diva team Raw vs. team Smackdown: Let's line them up. Beth is tops, bar none. Each side has two solid wrestlers - Beth and Mickie on one side, Natalya and Victoria on the other. Which leaves Maryse, Maria and McCool vs. Jillian, Kelly Kelly and Candice. Maria is most useless, Maryse may be most improved with Kelly Kelly, so call that a wash, Candice and McCool are both overrated. I'll go with team Raw, just for the sake of better unity.

• Jericho vs. Cena: Back in the good old days, the triumphant return of the former champion would have guaranteed a victory in a cakewalk. Here's to hoping Vince is keeping up with the times, and Cena's road back won't be quite so simple. Then again, would they really have invested all that money in make-your-mother-cry promos just to have Jericho retain? Sadly, I think not. Cena wins.
  

the Glama-Haas

I'm sorry, that was the funniest thing the WWE has come up with this year. Sadly, it may also be his best interpretation. I'm not sure whether that's worse for Haas or Phoenix.

So I guess that at a time when the wrestling itself is having a hard time, with a number of big names on the sidelines, and a few feuds that aren't connecting the way they should, I will be nice and mention that their humour has gotten back on track lately.

(So far, second place goes to Miz/Morrison for "Are you fifty? No, I said, are you fifty?" Third is probably some Santino quip - you've got plenty of choice.)

While I'm at it, the Jesse & Festus + mariachis + Maria storming by Carlito & Primo is worthy of mention. It kinda brought me back to the days of the Rock and Shaun Staziak. Oh, and one last shout out: Jeff Hardy saying Morisson was as interesting to listen to as watching paint dry - then seeing him appear randomly in the background with a paintbrush, or staring at the wall. To quote Hurricane: just sayin'.

(185)

on differences

Cyber Sunday was never my favourite PPV, and this year, somehow, it's gotten worse.

Was it the fact that voting was restricted to the US audience and that it was a paid system? Was it the Big Show telling Kozlov he'd never get in because he wasn't American? Was it because the Big Show was right?

For a company that prides itself on criss-crossing the world and being watched across the planet, for a company that in an acknowledgement of its international appeal changed its audience program from WWE Nation to WWE Universe, where on earth does this restrictive, America-centric navel-gazing fit in?

Yes, once upon a time, USA chants had their place. But, really, in 2008? Actually, it goes back further than that, back when Chris Benoit was announced as being from Atlanta, because he was a babyface, but Edge has always been, and probably always will be from Toronto. (Then again, if you want to keep Benoit, have him. But I want Jericho back. He is a heel, isn't he?)

Sometimes I think I just don't understand this longing for division, for independence, for being standalone. Oh look, we're different, and I'm better. Hm. Right. So really, can't we just all get along?

(205)

post cyber sunday analysis

OK, I was really out in left field with some of my picks.

First off, Mickie James as Lara Croft wins? Why do I suddenly doubt the integrity of these surveys? Am I too cynical to think being Cena's off-again, on-again has its advantages? Or is the WWE Universe really made up of aging geeks?

Glad to see Rey pick up the win, but it made for a face-heavy PPV.

Obviously, I haven't been paying enough attention to the online war of words between Miz/Morrison and Cryme Tyme. So be it, it was OK.

Santino: but, but, wait...wait...how come no one got smashed with the GUITAR??? And really, once you know that the Honky Tonk Man is Jerry the King Lawler's cousin, you can't help but notice how much they look alike!

Considering I haven't been watching ECW, I give myself part marks for that match: who knew Evan Bourne was so big these days? Very interesting match.

Nailed the Undertaker match, and the Trips one (my money is still on Hardy for the Rumble.)

And wow, I was so wrong, there I was thinking we weren't anywhere done with Jericho! Sincere congrats to Batista, for my totally favourite upset of the night. Yay Dave! And it's so nice to see Stone Cold in such great shape. *waves* *throws beer*

cyber sunday picks

According to my local PPV provider, Cyber Sunday starts in 5:34 as I type this, so here we go, quickly:

WWE Diva Halloween contest: don't get me started on Halloween costumes, please. It doesn't really matter anyhow.

Pick the tag teams: Gee, I guess I haven't been paying much attention, since I hadn't even noticed this match. Punk and Kingston vs. Team Priceless. Champions retain thanks to dubious tactics.

Santino vs. old-timer: Probably Piper, but any of the three will be ridiculous. The Honk-O-Meter will not die.

ECW CHampionship: Matt Hardy pulls off the upset over Finlay. Although Evan Bourne would make for a great match.

Kane vs. Mysterio: No holds barred, Kane with the win.

Jericho retains against all odds against Batista, with Stone Cold reffing.

Undertaker over Big Show in a Last Man Standing.

HHH over Jeff Hardy.

It's on.

very very random bits

Well, I guess that puts me right in NaNoWriMo-land: typing randomly just to up my word count :) On the other hand, my "Effective Communications" professor would call this the computer equivalent of freewriting, I presume. I have to admit, it was a totally fun class, even though it implied dragging myself up MacTavish for thirteen weeks. It did get me writing, including some character descriptions of random people who caught my eye on the train. Like the fifty-something year-old drunk who got caught sipping his beer from a paper bag (I'm not sure where he was going - he seemed like such a downtown core type of hobo) and had to call his mom to come pick him up at...oh what the hell is it called, it used to be Val-Royal...whatever. Or inversely, the very upper-crust lady executive with the pearl necklace, tapping anxiously on her blackberry the entire ride from Central Station to Roxboro.

I don't really miss the train, particularly a) at rush hour b) running for it c) missing it by thirty seconds and having to wait for an hour. I will make an effort in coming weeks, though, as I must remember to make it downtown for the NaNoWriMo get-together/write-in in the Second Cup at Central Station. I keep remembering it's on Wednesdays...usually on Thursdays. Oh well.

In other news, if anyone out there was reading my canine worries from yesterday, it appears that whatever was ailing old Droz has been, uh, cleared. In the middle of the night, my boyfriend went to get him two cheeseburgers from McDonald's, which he promptly gobbled up. This evening, he partook in the (canine) family meal, returning a little later to polish off any leftovers. In orther words, he seems back to his old self. With any luck, he will have learned from his experience and not keep putting odd things in his mouth...oh, but who am I kidding? The big goof will never learn, and that's half of his charm.

In other news, I discovered OneNote this evening, after someone on the NaNo forums raved about using Google documents to organize his/her notes and outline. It also reminds me of Evernote, freeware that I picked up along the way but whose organizing functions I never quite mastered to my satisfaction. Is it procrastinating when I'm actually doing something useful? Sure, because there's a freelance contract I just haven't really gotten into. There is time yet.
Isn't there always, in the end? Well, yeah, except in November ;p

It's Cyber Sunday this weekend, and I really couldn't care less. This is the one PPV I've just never gotten into, and this year's lineup is so-so at best. The people's "choices" don't really feel like choices at all, and there is no way in H-E-double-hockey-sticks that I would pay for a selection that is only marginally better than "none of the above." Will I buy it? Probably, just in case Orton returns, and because Stone Cold is gonna show up. Otherwise, if recent shows are any indication, both major champs will retain, I don't care about ECW (sorry!) and the divas' costume contest or whatever? *yawn* That reminds me, I need some sleep. 'Night all.

(551)

it's really been far too long

So, just to make things worse, I'm going to have another one of those rambling, multi-topic, what-the-hey posts that I said I'd sworn off for good. But isn't changing my mind a girl's prerogative? Here goes.

First, about my Unforgiven picks: I give myself four and a half out of six, because was I really off-base by saying "Jericho with the shocker"? OK, so it wasn't the match I was thinking, but it was pretty spot on nonetheless.

I was sad to see Mick Foley officially go. I'm sad to hear Kennedy expects to be released after he returns from injury. The man has the potential to be the next generation's Stone Cold. I don't expect to see Jeff Hardy succeed just yet, but my early money's on him for the Rumble.

On to writing. I'm really worried that I won't get anywhere near 50,000 words in one month. Just looking at my word count in this blog's right-hand column makes me cringe. November is rapidly gaining on us, and I still don't have a laptop to drag around to force myself to create.

I'd love to say that freelancing has kept me too busy to write, but that would be stretching the truth. Thankfully, things have picked up, but certainly nowhere near enough to prevent me from stringing thoughts together. I would lay far more blame on facebook.

Finally, last weekend was the Art Montreal tattoo convention, which meant another 3-odd hours of squirming under Scott's fairly gentle needles. I look at pictures of my back, or in the mirror, and I can't help but smile. It still isn't completely done, and it will probably wind up having taken the best part of a decade to put together, but it's wonderful to me. After so long of having grounded birds, my ravens have taken flight this year. It is so uplifting...

(312)

unforgiven picks

The show's just starting, so here we go, in really, really condensed form:

ECW Championship scramble: Matt Hardy.

The other two champions retain.

McCool over Maryse, although the latter would be more interesting.

Rhodes and DeBiase over Cryme Time.

Jericho with the shocker.

5/8

As soon as I published my predictions, I realized they were a little face-heavy, so I knew I would be off on some matches.

I nailed the four main matches, and technically Matt hardy did win (so I gave myself a half point), and Shawn will be back (another half), regardless of what he said. (Points to Rebecca for taking that punch - it looked really, really good.)

I screwed up on the Winner Take All match; I'm OK as far as the Women's title is concerned, but I really miss the days when the IC title meant something. Now it's just for the king of the mid-carders.

It really is too bad that they haven't just thrown Jeff Hardy right back in the mix after coming back from his suspension. I am pleased for MVP, who I believe has grown by leaps and bounds since breaking out of that Matt Hardy rut. By the way, am I the only one that thinks CM Punk is the happy recipient of the path that had initially been laid for Jeff Hardy?

I also wonder whether Cena hasn't gotten so comfortable in being the company's spokesperson/go-to guy/whatever that he's forgotten to be a little selfish, a little hungry for the title?

Lastly, HIAC matches are awesome enough as it is, especially when they turn into TLCIAC - they don't need that fluffy, what the hell was that ending. I wish they'd leave the ring surface well enough alone. It might impress the kiddies, but it really doesn't do the wrestlers justice, and it doesn't do it for me.

(266)

really quick Summerslam picks

PPV starts in under ten minutes. Here goes:

Shawn Michaels - don't care, but I think he'll be back. D'uh.

Winner take all - Go with the faces; the heels will at least have each other.

MVP vs. Jeff Hardy - Could really go either way. Jeff Hardy.

John Cena vs. Batista - Could also go either way. Batista.

Mark Henry vs. Matt Hardy - Please, please, Matt Hardy.

CM Punk vs. JBL - Please, please CM Punk.

Triple H vs. Great Khali - Trips all the way.

Edge vs. Undertaker - Nothing can stop the Deadman's return.

american bash

...'cause I wouldn't go so far as to call it great. Thin overall, sometimes borderline irrelevant, with some bright spots.

First off, the fatal 4-way. I'll grant it was time for Miz & Morrison to lose the belts, even though they remain undisputedly the best tag team on the WWE horizon. But to give the belts to Hawkins & Ryder? To me, that's painting themselves into a corner unless it's meant as a transition reign. We'll see where they plan to go with this. One positive sidenote: dressing Hawkins & Ryder in different colours is a good idea; at least I can tell them apart now. And maybe they'll actually develop individual personalities.

Matt Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin: see my post "the value of unexpectedness" dated July 14. It was an OK match, but I thought they didn't flow as well as they used to back in the day. No emotional interest whatsoever.

Mark Henry vs. Tommy Dreamer: I must admit I haven't watched a single episode of ECW since Kane dropped the belt and was drafted back to Raw. Tony Atlas? Colin Delaney? Yawn. Even less interest than the previous match. Time to turn things around.

Y2J vs. HBK: Finally, something to keep my attention. For a moment, I thought they were heading down the "but is it real?" route the minute Shawn started clutching at his ribs, but they played it fairly clean. I cheered throughout, except when we got close-ups of Y2J pursing his lips (someone slap him for me), and even harder once the blood started pouring. Viva evil Y2J!

Two non-match related comments: first, great Summerslam ad. Second, interesting survey question, which added up to "So, who's the best heel?" Glad to see Vickie's victory here.

Michelle McCool vs. Natalya Neidhart: How awful is that belt, anyways? It's pink, it's bedazzled, it's shaped like a butterfly. It looks like a Bratz accessory! I can't seriously see Natalya holding something so ridiculous. Let's see if Michelle can be taken seriously with it. Dull match, even though I have previously given props for girls using submission moves.

CM Punk vs. Batista: This redeemed everything else. It's another one of these great combinations: Punk forces Batista to move faster, Batista makes Punk put all his weight behind each move. I loved the back and forth; I was hoping Punk would retain, even though I am an Animal lover at heart. Kane's interference was perfect: Punk keeps the belt, at no cost to Batista, and Kane remains involved at championship level. I also enjoyed how they used the shot taken from the downed cameraman in the replay of Kane's attack - it was like the missing end shot from the Blair Witch Project. Great job.

JBL vs. Cena: I honestly can't remember the last time I enjoyed a JBL match. Oh look. This wasn't any better. The moves were clunky; the stunts were only so-so and predictable from a mile away. Psycho Cena doesn't do it for me.

HHH vs. Edge: I was actually expecting Vickie to "excuse me" her way into changing stipulations or something, right from the get-go. When it didn't happen, we were actually treated to a match - no gimmicks, no constant interference, no crooked refereeing - a real match. A good one, at that. We all knew it was too good to be true, so the arrival of Alicia Fox with Vickie right on her heels, was unavoidable. But it was good, other than the fact Alicia needs to learn to start doing backhanded maneuvers BEHIND the referee's back. As to the spear, what can I say, except Eddie must be so proud of his mamacita.

I can't wait 'till next week to see how things develop. I was quite entertained when Edge and Vickie had broken up; the hell she could stand to put him through...I thought that hadn't been explored to its fullest. I guess there more to come. So things ended on a high note, after a highly uneven card.

(669)

the value of unexpectedness

I haven’t written about CM Punk’s championship victory on Raw a few weeks back. It was beautiful, it was unexpected, and it was exactly the type of thing the WWE should do more often to ensure week-to-week ratings. Surprise us. Make us wonder what you’re going to do next. It takes more creative juices, but it doesn’t cost a million bucks a week.

A lot of viewers have become too jaded; people are so busy watching the man behind the curtain, they’re forgetting to watch the show. It’s like the movies: beyond the cinematography, lighting, costumes, and so on, there’s a story just waiting for you to suspend disbelief. But again, that can be tricky when the quality is lacking.

On to last week. Waaaaaaay too much JBL; glad to see Kane still involved at main event level. Cena’s stooping to new juvenile lows – Triple H was right when he said Cena’s fans would be in bed by the time the main event rolled around. And that’s sad because the guy has skills often beyond what a lot of people give him credit for, IMHO. Last but not least, while I have no qualms with Y2J’s heel turn, I’m having a hard time with the relatively soft-spoken, reflective approach. I want my loud, funny, sarcastic, rockstar Jericho back. (And don’t get me started on HBK’s band-aids as an indicator of eye injury; they’re almost as funny as Christian’s bloody towel from a few weeks back!)

On a side note, JR objected to the speculation that Mark Henry was awarded the ECW title due to race issues. Apart from the fact he’s been there forever and has never been deemed worthy of a half-decent push, and that I believe he’s among the more dangerous super-heavyweights around, let me just say this: how can I not be tempted to think that when Kofi Kingston is crowned Intercontinental champion at the same PPV, and if Cryme Tyme gets involved in main event action that same week? Leave Shelton Benjamin to rot to prove me wrong.

And one last thing: did anyone else see the irony in Cena hiring Cryme Tyme against JBL to reprise the role the APA once held? I miss the cigar smoking, poker playing, goddamn-it there’s a door Bradshaw. *sigh*

(381)

e.l.b.o.w.

That's shorthand for the club I'm thinking about starting up, "Educated ladies blogging on wrestling". I read a lot of stuff online, including about the WWE, but between incessant pop-ups and lame adolescent chatter, I find little to sink my teeth into.

However, I've come across Ms. Linda Robin's blog on ProWrestling.com. I don't always agree with her, but I certainly respect what she has to say. You can read her draft review here. So with that, I officially extend the invitation to become the second member of my elite club; hopefully, there are more of us out there...

One other thing I thought I'd mention: at no point during Raw did it dawn on me that J.R. didn't know what was going on. He's J.R., for Pete's sake! That's so unbelievably harsh; I thought the days of proverbially "screwing Bret" were over. As I watch the reactions again, Cole knew. He had to know. *sigh* I read that one all wrong. Darn - I still get suckered in sometimes.

But, I am happy to read J.R.'s second blog post, and I hope he realizes the influence he has on a show's success. All the best to both new teams, and to Tazz for having to continue dealing with Adamle.

(210)

Paul? Paul! Paul!

The 2008 WWE draft has just concluded, and it has opened up some very interesting possibilities. A quick overview:

• Ray Mysterio to Raw: a great thing, in that it avoids him instantly falling back into feuding with la familia. I would have loved to see him go against Jeff Hardy, but unfortunately, that's not going to happen. I'm looking forward to his return to see who they have in store for him. Perhaps he could position himself as contender and be Randy Orton's official welcoming committee when he returns.
  
• Jeff Hardy to Smackdown: quite possibly a great thing. He was often utilized on Raw as an alternate opponent to the usual Orton/HHH feuders; maybe now he can have a good run with Edge. Heck, they made magic together back in the golden days of tag teams. Hopefully the switch isn't perceived or meant as a demotion; as they say, better to rule in hell than serve in heaven.
  
• Matt Hardy to ECW: not sure what to make of this. Reuniting the Hardys for one night was one of Vickie Guerrero's best decisions, but I can certainly understand the wisdom behind not having the brothers on the same brand, to continue building each brother individually. Once again, it avoids the obvious pitfalls, but since Smackdown and ECW overlap fairly often, it opens the door to the occasional run-in.
  
• CM Punk to Raw: good for him - more exposure, new opponents - but not so hot for ECW, which is the clear loser by the end all is said and done. Pat still doesn't like him, but this guy really has grown on me. Give him room; maybe a run with Jericho could be entertaining. Anything but HBK, really.
  
• Batista to Raw: fair enough, just to change from Edge/Undertaker. Would've been nice to have an Evolution renewal - heck, Randy Orton does have the odd good idea sometimes - but no. So now what? Well, as of next week, John Cena's gonna need a dancing partner.
  
• Umaga to Smackdown: well, it's where the very big boys congregate, so why not? Of course, I need to specify that there are two types of very big boys: there's the surprisingly talented considering their size, e.g. the aforementioned Samoan bulldozer and the Big Show, and then there's those whose size is apparently their sole redeeming attribute, e.g. Mark Henry and the Great Khali on most days. I hope they use him well, because he is fairly enjoyable, in a snarling, Polynesian kind of way.
  
• Kane to Raw: this is another one of those ruling in hell types. I love seeing Kane back on Raw; I just hope he doesn't get lost back in the shuffle like he was before going over in the first place. I've always had a soft spot for the younger brother of destruction; welcome back, honey - and give 'em hell.
  
• Mr. Kennedy to Smackdown: I was never quite sure why he was on Raw; apart from his couple of run-ins with Regal, which were priceless, he never really found his niche. So the loudmouth from Green Bay goes back home to Smackdown, and I hope he starts seriously nipping at the heels of the champ. He's close, so close; just a little more, a few more wow moments, and he'll make his way to the top tier. Jeff Hardy has the lead in this particular race, but Kennedy has the mad mike skills. Gentlemen, start your engines.
  
• Triple H to Smackdown: OK, this was unexpected. But I like it. Except it means one of two things, really: either Cena wins or Batista wins come Sunday, so as to keep one belt on each show. We'll know more after that, but I'm thinking Triple H is gonna mow through the current roster, and he'll have to make new stars. See previous bullet, re: Jeff Hardy and Mr. Kennedy. The stage is now fully set.
  
• Michael Cole vs. Jim Ross: Not so unexpected, since Foley's been laying it on thick about working with J.R. for the past few weeks. However, it fits. Adamle is in no position to go anywhere, Tazz is the last remaining link to the original ECW, and shifting Jerry Lawler to Smackdown would really have been seen as a demotion. J.R. is a habitual victim of evil WWE machinations and bad breaks, so it's fitting that he should bounce over to Smackdown. It really is the best thing that could happen to Mick Foley. Opinions are mixed, but he's the best hope we have right now; this is such a difficult job, and it just has to be learned on the job. He's got the affable personality and the ring experience to really grow into a respectable commentator; hell, he's already better than JBL ever was! The only bit that bothered me a little was hearing Michael Cole say he'd called every Smackdown except two; he's the one caught in the midst of this shuffle, and I know he'll do well no matter who he's paired with, but I thought that fact needed to be acknowledged.
  

In other news, I really enjoyed this episode of Raw for the most part. McMahon's Million Dollar Mania still pisses me off, and I thought it was entirely inappropriate to close off such a momentous evening with a @#$% phone call, until it all went awry and we were treated to another one of Vinnie Mac's Oscar-winning moments. "Paul? Paul! Paul!" The only thing missing was him sitting up and winking at the audience. Ah well, if that's what it takes to put an end to this vulgar attempt at bribing the audience, so be it.

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