As the days count down to this Sunday, and the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, I must say that I had a myriad of emotions about viewing last night's Raw telecast. There's no doubt that for the two + hours that were telecast, the entire card emanating from Houston was chronicled in some way, shape, or form. This edition of Raw Ramblings will be spread over two installments, as I will go over the WrestleMania matches, and my thoughts on them.
You wanted glitz, glitter, and glamour? You got it right out of the gatelast night with the 18 Diva tag team match, which was part and parcel with the 25 Diva Battle Royal to crown Miss WrestleMania. And shame on me, there will be no first match debut for Tiffany at WM, as she was in-ring last night, and scored the pin for the win for her team. The only criticism I have about this match is that there are going to be "Divas from the past" that are going to be participating, and I would have at least liked to have found out who they were. It would have added a nice touch to this contest by mention being made of some of them. Thus, I am not going to pick a winner here in this match, as the field of 25 is not yet complete. And to Santino Marella: The sight of you in your "mankini" posing to Kid Rock's "So Hot" was one for the ages, perhaps the "dark ages". And did you see the mood of Beth Phoenix change ever so quickly by this? Wow...
I give Jerry "The King" Lawler a big "E" for effort in his attempt to derail Chris Jericho last night. Close, but no cigar. So now we get to Houston, and the match between Jericho and Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat, and Jimmy Snuka will be an elimination style match, not a perceived 3-on-1 Handicap Match. With Ric Flair in the Legends' corner, on paper Jericho seems to be out-numbered. But I am going to go with Jericho in this match, simply because of two words: Stamina and endurance. But with the dirtiest player in the game at ringside, he could very well be the wild card here. And not withstanding the greatness of both the Hot Rod and the Superfly, I am salivating at the prospect of seeing Steamboat and Jericho colliding in this match. If Ricky can bring forth something from within from his great past to exhibit against Jericho, then that will be something well worth seeing!
I have said this before, and I will say it again: I am delighted that both the World and WWE Team Championships will be unified this Sunday. Now originally, I was iron clad in my thoughts that the Miz and John Morrison would prevail. But this past weekend in Laredo and Hidalgo, Texas, I had the chance to watch Carlito and Primo in action. The sons of legendary Puerto Rican competitor Carlos Colon have got their stuff together. They're teamwork is excellent, and they also have the smarts to out-fox their opponents at their own game if need be. That being said, I am going to change my tune, and give the nod to Carlito and Primo to come out of their Lumberjack Match against the Miz and John Morrison as the new Unified WWE Tag Team Champions!
Does Rey Mysterio now have the psychological advantage over John Bradshaw Layfield, based on his non-title victory last night? Perhaps. These two have had a history between each other, and come this Sunday, I still believe that the Texan turned New Yorker will mean business. OK, he did not win last night, but as shocked as he was, I would think that at least he now knows what adjustments he needs to make to thwart the dynamic style that Rey possesses. He'll tell you that last night was just a bump in the road, and that he will still do something historic and decisive this Sunday that will forever be associated with his career. I believe that JBL will do just that, and retain his Intercontinental Championship, in a squeaker.
To me, it's somewhat difficult to showcase the eight Money in the Bank Ladder Match participants to properly promote the whats and whys of the match. Last night's Battle Royal indeed was interesting competition, and a victory achieved by Kane. But again, the question that I raise is can big men like Kane and Mark Henry persevere and literally rise to the top to gain the briefcase that garners them either a World or WWE Championship match? I'm not sure. But with the different players in this game as a former MITB winner (CM Punk), first timer Kofi Kingston, and MITB veterans like Finlay, Christian, MVP, and Shelton Benjamin, this is a very unique mix of size and strength, quickness and agility. But I believe that when all is said and done, it will be Christian that emerges with the briefcase. He is a veteran of these type of matches (especially with the involvement of the ladder) has the savvy, and is most anxious to show his stuff to prevail. Nonetheless, the men carrying the MITB briefcase through the years all have went on cash in their chips successfully, my point being that that person has the distinct advantage every year of gaining the gold. The existing Champion has no time to prepare, while the MITB winner goes in with guns ablazing!
That's it for now. I will be back tomorrow (or sooner) with my thoughts on the remaining four matches that round out the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, in addition to comments on the Hall of Fame (I think I'm being inducted, yes? :) ), and Fan Axxess.
As always, thanks for reading, and of course, comments are welcomed.
With one week to go before the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, WWE has begun its invasion of Texas! And I am thrilled to be "back in the saddle again" this weekend, getting in the ring, doing the announcing, and letting the voice be heard again!
I blog to you good Universe folks from Laredo, Texas, where last night superstars from Raw, ECW, and SmackDown "blew the roof" of the Laredo Entertainment Center (LEC). The largest crowd ever to witness an event in the history of the LEC came out in full force, and no doubt were highly entertained.
When I got to the arena, I had not seen the majority of those superstars who were on the card for some time, so not only was it a great to renew acquaintances, it was also a wonderful feeling to be congratulated by those I saw last night on my forthcoming induction into WWE's Hall of Fame. I now admit that the aura of what is going to happen to me on April 4 is starting ever so slowly to sink in :) One person I was happy to see was Christian. It's been over three years since we last saw each other, and we spent some "chewing the fat" and catching up on things.
That being said, let me just be point blank about this: If you have never been to a WWE live event, you don't know what you're missing! And I think that close to 9400 fans in Laredo last night can attest to that. It's an experience that is amazing! People from all walks of life, from young and old alike came to the event, wanted to be entertained, and overall had a feel good experience second to none. I know that after all these years, going out in the arena and seeing a full house still gives me goosebumps; it's a great sight to behold!
Now Laredo is located right on the border with Mexico, and of course that brings a certain demographic into your audience. Now add to the mix that the incomparable Rey Mysterio was featured on the card. Well, when Rey made his entrance after I announced him, he received an amazing reaction. It was like a hometown hero had returned. And before he started his match, he took the microphone from me and said in Spanish, "what's up my people". And the reaction from that was even greater than the first reaction that he got. Also, Shawn Michaels was in action as well, and the Heartbreak Kid was received very strongly. Hailing about two hours away from San Antonio, HBK was also enthusiastically hailed by the crowd as well. A native son of Texas was representing the people. So to me, for Rey and HBK to get the response that they did last night not only was given to them based of their respective superstar status, but also because of the personal and emotional bond that the Laredo faithful obviously had for both of them, which was so impressive to see.
Believe me, if WWE comes to your area with a live event, you should experience it first hand. It's fan interactive, and there's nothing like it. There's no doubt that we put smiles on people's faces; I saw it first hand for myself last night!
Shortly, I am going to be heading out, hit the road, and head to another great location: Hidalgo, Texas, where we will have the pleasure of doing it all over again. Tonight's event has been sold out for quite some time; all I can say is...WOW !!
They closed the show last week; they opened the show this week. And that ain't a bad thing, because in watching last night's ECW on SciFi telecast. I thought that Carlito and John Morrison had themselves a darn good contest to start off the program. Plus, one had to factor in the respective accompaniments of Primo and Brie Bella on one side, and The Miz and Nikki Bella on the other side. I did not like seeing Morrison and friends attempt to take a walk in the match and call it a night. However, I did like seeing ECW General Manager Theodore Long, now regaled in threads appropriate for a GM, not only ordering the match to continue, but furthering proclaiming that their match at WrestleMania 25 to see who will become the unified WWE Tag Team Champions would be a Lumberjack Match. Then, enter the lumberjacks to ensure we would have a conclusive decision in the Carlito-Morrison match, which we did, with Carlito emerging victorious. So with the lumberjacks in place last night, they served their purpose for the match. And when we get to have this Unification Lumberjack Match take place on April 5, obviously there is going to be no count out, but let's also make sure the there is also no disqualification in place as well. Pinfall or submission should be the only way that victory can be attained for a match of this importance.
A message to Tommy Dreamer: The clock is ticking. You have less than three months remaining in your ECW contract. Dude, what are you doing in a tag team match? Great, you and the amazing Evan Bourne got the best of ECW Champion Jack Swagger and Tyson Kidd last night. But Tommy, you're not doing yourself any favors by being in a tag team match like last night, or a six man tag match like you were a few weeks ago! I think the world of you Tommy, and you've got to put pedal to the medal and get to where you have to be...getting that ECW Championship match with Swagger. If victorious, fantastic. If unsuccessful, then it was what it was. 80 days and counting, my friend. I would be lobbying Theodore Long for that opportunity. But it also could be a moot point if you get drafted to either Raw or SmackDown on April 13. Now is the time my friend, now is the time!
I never thought that MVP's VIP Lounge would be as busy as it was last night. It was standing room only with the all of the Money in the Bank Ladder Match participants all getting a chance to discuss their chances in attempting to garner the briefcase come April 5, and get that guaranteed WWE or World Championship Match within one year's time. And although on paper this looks to be the most unique line-up of superstars of all shapes and sizes to compete in this contest, I believe that Christian is going to be the one to rise above everyone involved and take home the prize.
This and That...I am still researching this, and of course this excludes celebrities, but as mentioned last week, Tiffany is on the verge of making WWE History on April 5, as she will be the first person that I can ever remember who made their WWE in-ring debut at a WrestleMania event, as she is a part of the 25 Diva Battle Royal to see who will become Miss WrestleMania .That will be one for the record books......Get well wishes to my friend Jim Ross, continuing to recover from a battle with pneumonia. JR is the best at what he does, and is a valuable contributor to the wwe.com team......
Finally, I just want to take this opportunity to comment on my forthcoming induction into WWE's Hall of Fame, Class of 2009: It is an elite honor to be recognized for what I have brought to the table, as it relates to the ring announcing that I have done through the years. I love what I do in the ring, am passionate about it, and continue to enjoy it today when the opportunity presents itself. Everything else that has happened to me from a standpoint of "ha-ha" (thanks for the term, Chief!) was what it was; that was all just a part of being "The Fink". I look forward to April 4, and am equally delighted that the one and only Mean Gene Okerlund will do the honors of presenting me on that evening. Oh, by the way: To Matt Striker and Todd Grisham: Thanks for the kind words. And a special note to Matt: Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, but your "Good Evening, Houston" mention from last night on ECW-TV would have had Chuck Barris' group of Rex Reed, Jaye P. Morgan, and Rip Taylor (for those of you who remember; I'm dating myself) "GONG" you for your efforts!!!
Thanks for reading, everyone....... Comments are always welcomed......I'm out........
Intense. Personal. Aggressive. To me, those three words sum up last night's Raw, and those three aforementioned words that were paved into the Road to WrestleMana based on what I saw last night has me in a "can't wait" mode for # 25 to take place in twelve days.
If you are like me, you want to see what the final outcome is going to be between WWE Champion Triple H and Randy Orton. I think that perhaps the aggressiveness of this intense, deeply personal issue has made the importance of the WWE Championship being on the line unintentionally second nature. Both men would like nothing better than to put each other out of commission once and for all. Adding to the mix was the presence of Stephanie McMahon, who once again felt the wrath of the Legacy captain, while The Game was rendered helpless thanks to being handcuffed to the ropes. And how repulsive was Orton in giving Stephanie a kiss, then nailing Triple H with a sledgehammer shot? My take now is that I believe both men should not be allowed near each other next week. Keep them at a significant distance. The next time these two should be near each other is when it's time for them to step into the ring at WM 25 and do battle. And what a battle that should be!
Based on the intense, personal, and brutally aggressive attack that was suffered by Ric Flair at the hands of Chris Jericho, I feel that the Nature Boy is going to be hard pressed to stay retired, as opposed to seeking a measure of revenge on the smarmy Jericho. By the same token, I know that Naitch has supreme confidence in his trifecta of amigos in Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat, and Jimmy Snuka, who are all gunning for Jericho in thirteen days' time in Houston. And what about Jericho also smashing Flair's Rolex watch, a symbolic gift given to him at last year's WrestleMania by Shawn Michaels? That was absolute sacreilge, to say the least. Folks, I have had nothing but respect for Jericho through the nearly ten years that he has been a part of the WWE family. Heck, I even agreed with him to a point about some talent still "hawking their wares" in high school gyms, not knowing when it was time to hang 'em up. But there was no rhyme nor reason as to what he did to one of the most iconic figures in the history of our industry last night. It went way, way far over the line (And as an aside: I sure hope that Jerry "The King" Lawler knows what he's getting into by wanting to take on Jericho on Raw next week; we shall see) Nonetheless, I firmly believe that the consortium of Piper, Snuka, Steamboat (with encouragement from both Flair and Mickey Rourke not that far away) are going to add new meaning to the term "blast from the past" in due time.
Interesting to see that Shawn Michaels was not in the Spirit Center in Kansas City last night. Last week the Heartbreak Kid got the last kick in on his then tag team partner The Undertaker. But the mind games intensified last night, with HBK painting a picture in a cemetary that he was going to bury the Undertaker's 16-0 WrestleMania streak come April 5. Now the one thing I noticed last night that is seldom (if ever) seen was some emotion coming from the phenom himself after Shawn had spoken. I do believe that Michaels has gotten to the Undertaker, unlike any of his prior sixteen victims. However, mind games notwithstanding, the Undertaker still remains one of WWE's most stalwart competitors, who I still believe will rise above it all and keep his streak alive and up it to 17-0 against the Heartbreak Kid. (I guess I just made a prediction, huh?)
Another wheelchair trip for Vickie Guerrero? Sorry to see it. However, in lieu of flowers, I think she just wants to be loved. But the question is, by who? At least John Cena had a "get well greeting" for her; that's the extent of his emotion. You know, I think that Cena is playing this whole scenario between him, Big Show, and Edge quite smartly, kind of like both ends against the middle. Let the husband and lover of the aforementioned Ms. Guerrero continue to battle it out both professionally and personally, and when April 5 rolls around, Cena will do what he needs to do to regain the World Heavyweight Championship in Houston. "You can't see me" might hold true to form there. Oh, on a side note if may: Although I think you know this, here's another reminder for you that Cena's 12 Rounds movie opens up this Friday at theatres everywhere.
Here and There..... Nice to see Jeff Hardy make an appearance on Raw last night. And it was Dolph Ziggler who attempted to derail the complex, enigmatic Hardy in an Extreme Rules Match, but let's face it: Jeff is way, way too focused now on his upcoming WrestleMania encounter with his brother Matt. And folks, I don't know about you, but I have high expectations that this match of brother against brother will be one for the ages.....Although I am not an over the top aficionado of celebrities being a part of WrestleMania, I am definitely stoked that Kid Rock will be performing on the grandest stage of them all!!! Now it makes sense to me when I heard Kid Rock's song So Hot play under the graphic on Raw last week of the 25 Diva Battle Royal; he's on his way. And So Hot is now one of the official theme songs of WM 25. I met Kid Rock in Vancouver back in May of 2000, when he and his band performed on Raw. One of Kid Rock's buddies, Joe C. ,who is no longer with us I'm sure is smiling down on his friend now. Joe C was a huge WWE fan...Also, Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger will be performing America the Beautiful to kick things off......Speaking of the 25 Diva Battle Royal, I'm still wondering who the former WWE Divas are who have signed to compete. At least we won't have Santino Marella to worry about! If Santino were to have gained entry, then I would have lobbied for former Women's Champion Hervina to enter the fray...... Now that would have been interesting!... Finally, don't forget that WWE's Legends of WrestleMania game is now out and available. This is an unbelievable way to go back in the time tunnel and relive, recreate, and redefine some great moments with some legendary superstars.
That's it for this week. Thanks, and of course, comments are welcomed.
Further to that, I was thrilled to see last night that ECW received the spotlight for a challenge that was needed long ago, and an acceptance that was given as well.
I have been an advocate of getting the World and WWE Tag Team Championships unified, and it shall come to pass at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, when WWE tag titleholders Carlito and Primo face World Tag Champions John Morrison and the Miz.
For years, tag team wrestling was considered to be a very integral part of the wrestling landscape. Its position of importance was right up there with the major championships being defended on a nightly basis. But that was then and this is now, and in my opinion, tag team wrestling, although still somewhat prominent, has lost its luster. To unify the respective tag titles on April 5 is hopefully something that will be accepted with more than a passing interest. As I said last week, Whether it be Miz and Morrison or Carlito and Primo, whomever emerges victorious at WrestleMania should be defending the Tag Titles on all WWE TV programs, and not be specifically branded to one group. We shall see how things shake out.
But in the process of unification, we also received a case of deeper division, or a current non-case of "sisterly love" concerning the Bella Twins. Last night, there was bad blood a brewing between Brie and Nikki. They've made their loyalties known in the Miz/Morrison -vs- Carlito/Primo issue, but it looks as if an apple a day (thanks to the Colons) won't keep these two away!
The bar in ECW has once again been raised with the return last night of Evan Bourne, and he looked like he didn't miss a beat during his recovery process. He earned his victory over Jamie Noble, and nailing Noble with the Shooting Star Press was quite the thing to see. Speaking of see, Tyson Kidd and Natalya took some time to look at the high flyer's return as well last night. I don't know about you, but if a confrontation between Evan Bourne and Tyson Kidd can materialize, I truly believe that it would be a pleasure to watch.
Interesting tag team match last night featuring Money in the Bank Ladder Match participants Christian, MVP, Mark Henry, and Shelton Benjamin. I enjoyed the energy exhibited, showcasing half of the field gunning for the briefcase on April 5.
What was up with Hornswoggle last night? I guess he really was celebrating St. Patrick's Day more than anyone I knew!. He must have been still on Cloud 9 for getting a chance to do some color commentary on Raw the night before. :), and almost did an encore performance last night as well!! I thought that my ECW broadcast amigo Matt Striker would have said that Hornswoggle was "green with envy" about the broadcast team, and wanted to do it again...it didn't happen...Way to go, Matthew! :)
From the "where have you been" department: ECW's esteemed General Manager Theodore Long returned and made a "strong" fashion statement last night...Thank goodness we'll only see it around the March 17 time frame!!......Mr. Long's lovely assistant Tiffany returned and had this idea of having a Diva's Night for an episode of ECW. Nice thinking, Tiffany. Yes, it has never been done before, and I know it would pique my interest. By the way, I see that Tiffany will be a part of the Divas Battle Royal at WrestleMania 25. I hope she knows what she's getting into. I mean, have you seen her in any in-ring competition yet on ECW-TV? Nope. It would be a bold way to make her WWE in-ring debut, and at the biggest event of the year, no less.....Go for it Tiff! And finally, ECW Champion Jack Swagger returned after a brief absence, but was as quick as could be on camera last night. Seemed to me as if he was just passing through. With WrestleMania getting ready to head towards the home stretch, I'm wondering if we're going to see the native Oklahoman appear in some form or fashion on the grandest stage of them all. Let's see what transpires.
That's it for now. Thanks for reading, and as always, comments are welcomed.
