[quote name='mykevermin']But they didn't have to "out right label him" as a homosexual. The presentation of the character led the crowd to the conclusion, and that conclusion was what the WWF wanted the crowd to come to.
Same with the Outsiders/nWo early on. Scott Hall's "you know who I am" promo, and all of what he and Nash did prior to the Bash at the Beach Hogan turn, was sculpted and written in a way to make the crowd think a certain way. Not "Hall and Nash have joined WCW!," but "Razor Ramon and Diesel, who are still with the WWF, are invading WCW!" The WWF filed a lawsuit against WCW for trying to imply as such (under the guise of copyright infringement and/or libel, I believe.
Let's not act like WWF didn't know what they were doing with Goldust - after all, the style of luchador he was based on (the exoticos) are *overtly* homosexual in their characters and in-ring antics - hell, many of them are openly gay men outside of the ring, too. Effeminate men = homosexual = instant heel. Worked for Gorgeous George Wagner over half a century ago, and worked for (in the past quarter century) Adrian Adonis, Rico, Billy and Chuck, the Rainbow Express (whatever the Lodi/Lenny WCW tag team was called), and to a lesser extent, Adrian Street (who Rico was later based on entirely) and "Model"-era Rick Martel.
I still marvel that men who dressed in the way Superstar Bill Graham and Jesse The Body Ventura did were never accused of being gay men.
I don't think it was out of line - I was just surprised that it was not bleeped out. Big difference 12 years makes, huh? He was a heel, cutting a heel promo, and Lawler did a *great* job of it. I wanted to punch his in' face in, hearing that. It took 45 seconds and got everything across he needed to, and get the crowd irate. You can't get a single wrestler in WWE/TNA to generate half that heat in a 20-minute segment anymore. Lawler was simply doing his job.
Heels are supposed to be assholes. What do assholes do? Call people "$$$$$$s."
I object to the use of sexuality to make someone a heel, though. At least give them a reason for being a heel other than their homosexuality. I believe ROH did a decent job of that with the Christopher Street Connection - they worked on both sides during their ROH tenure, and their biggest problem was they looked like a miniature version of Da Hit Squad.
I think it's shock, really. Lawler lays down at least 3-4 wickedly sharp personal jabs in 45 seconds. Remember, at this point Goldust has come out as Dusty Rhodes' son (which they had not mentioned prior to this angle), given out his birth name on tv, admitted to being married to Marlena and having a daughter - on top of all this, having a personality crisis related to Dusty's fatherly affection (or the lack of). So Goldust as a character is pretty far removed from being homosexual.
Now, his 1998 (1999?) run with Luna, when he showed up wearing god-only-knows-what the week in and week out, he was a heel again, and began to re-emphasize his sexuality - not as a homosexual this time, but as just generally open about various sexuality-related proclivities (like wrestling in a negligee) that made people uncomfortable. Similar to his early run, but different enough that it wasn't wholly (homo)sexual in nature.
I don't believe WWE fans would be largely supportive of *any* openly gay babyface, even now, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't be appalled if a heel challenged their orientation was challenged.[/QUOTE]
I am not completely defending his gay angle. I pretty much agree with you...I guess what I liked was the weird and unconventionally of the angle.
I always remember the announcers making it known that Goldust was not necessarily gay he was just getting in his opponent's head or as Larry Zbyszko would say "that human game of chess".
When people bitch about RAW and changing the channel and being proud of doing something else, they should also be talking about TNA. It's garbage television and those of you who keep watching it are doing a disservice to the professional wrestling industry by keeping that company in business. However if you want to keep watching it, the by all means, go ahead. I'm free to reserve the right to think that it's foolish to support a company that isn't even booked by people who like professional wrestling.
WWE by far is the better option. Vince McMahon might be a delusional prick but at least he gives a shit about the business. Vince Russo doesn't care one bit about professional wrestling.
Really, if you're going to swear off any wrestling promotion that isn't on your TV because I called you a fool for watching something I personally dislike, and in general is considered pretty convoluted and nonsensical by the general fan, well you've got to get your priorities in check.
Either way I didn't mean anything personal by it, but I'm not going to take back anything I said either.[/QUOTE]
You missed my point so I'll boil it down for you. You get more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. It's not about which company is better than which or even wrestling at all. It's about not belittling those that you're trying to convince to agree with your point of view. Insulting someone who doesn't agree with you isn't conducive to bringing them around to your way of seeing something. Once you understand that your chances of swaying someone will markedly increase.
BTW, I do watch ROH and enjoy it. I also watch SD and TNA and enjoy some of the things on those shows as well. The fact that you think someone like myself is a fool because I don't agree exactly with your point of view speaks volumes about you.
[quote name='neocisco']You missed my point so I'll boil it down for you. You get more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. It's not about which company is better than which or even wrestling at all. It's about not belittling those that you're trying to convince to agree with your point of view. Insulting someone who doesn't agree with you isn't conducive to bringing them around to your way of seeing something. Once you understand that your chances of swaying someone will markedly increase.
BTW, I do watch ROH and enjoy it. I also watch SD and TNA and enjoy some of the things on those shows as well. The fact that you think someone like myself is a fool because I don't agree exactly with your point of view speaks volumes about you.[/QUOTE]
Are you telling me you've never been friends with anyone who has done something foolish in their lives?
Aaron: i hate tna so much
Rickshankshaw: i'm afraid to ask why..
Rickshankshaw: whatever i live for the thrill
Rickshankshaw: why?
Aaron: okay
Aaron: the week before BFG they do AJ vs. Angle for the title
Aaron: not the main event of the show, of course
Aaron: they have a decent match, then spam finishes, each kikcing out of everything
Aaron: so... killing all the finishers.
Aaron: great
Aaron: then, though AJ is face and champion, Angle gets him in the ankle lock and grapevine
Aaron: AJ is ready to tap
Aaron: the face is champion, the week before his PPV main event
Aaron: and the bell rings for the time limit
Aaron: so the champion is now main eventing against sting for a title he only kept on a technicality
Aaron: on the companies biggest ppv
Aaron: but the show before he had all his finishes killed
Aaron: what the
Good show intro...then things got Impact-ariffic as they had the lead heels and faces get into a big brawl after Angle rambled on forever. Then there was an awful 3-on-3 knockouts match where the faces sabotaged each other. With Kong, it's fine because she's more of a tweener, but Tara's supposed to be a face...so of course she kicks the shit out of her partner, the women's champion, who LOSES AGAIN. TBP all looked awful in the ring, and even the finish was botched here - it was supposed to be a schoolboy but turned into just a basic pin cover.
Then they do a deal in the back saying that Homicide's been suspended, but never talk about it - that's saved for later during the Red-Suicide match when it's revealed that he was suspended for INSUBORDINATION. The Pope said things during this bit, which ruled. He had bills to pay and made Lauren feel him up so she could feel that he had the heart of a lion. Then Red faced Suicide in a fine little match that was highlighted by DW being revealed as the new manager for Red. Awesome move, as Red can't talk and DW damn sure can. The match was too short to be memorable, and they made it clear in a video package that Red didn't really earn the title - Lashley gave it to him.
Hernandez came out in his old tag gear for his "run the gauntlet" match, so now we know the difference between a TNA "gauntlet" (Royal Rumble-style match, unlike every other company's gauntlet match) and the traditional gauntlet match. He proceeded to make the IWGP tag champs look like jobbers, which bugged me. They tried to cover for it by saying that they aren't all that experienced in singles matches, but still, they shouldn't have been in this role. They could have killed Kiyoshi and Bashir here - they aren't in a PPV title match. They did further try to get over the shoulder block, which is sold like a pounce, which I like as it makes it seem like a credible finisher. And the use of the Batista Bomb as more than a transitional move is good - they've now tried to get four big moves over for him as finishers, but I don't know why they didn't have him wear his supermex gear - he looks like a star in it and seems like just another dude in his street gear.
The weird CNN-ish split screen deal with Tenay and all of the captains for the teams for the double tag team title full metal mayhem match was hilarious for all the wrong reasons. And then everyone started yelling over each other, then they cut to the back with EVERYONE fighting for some reason. Way too much happened at once here and nothing meant anything.
Dinero vs. Daniels was a really good, but short match. I loved the Pope's new falling Dinero entrance. It's a shame they didn't save that FOR THE BIGGEST PPV OF THE YEAR! Especially since he lost. Still, they had a really good match for the five minutes it lasted. They blended together really well and I'm looking forward to seeing them go at it in Ultimate X - hopefully leading to the Pope winning the X Title. Homicide coming out and attacking Daniels was great - especially when he unmasked, mugged for the camera, then got an OH SHIITTT! look on his face as security came out. His backstage promo was interesting - it seems like he's going to blackmail Suicide to not spill his secret, which is at least better than doing nothing with either guy, even if it makes more sense to have Hernandez vs. Homicide than it does to have Hernandez vie for the Legends title.
Foley's deal where he showed 10 seconds of footage to prove how big a rip-off Abyss is was a bit brief - accurate, but short, and then Abyss came out and got tricked because Lauren was held hostage. After having a bat held to his throat, Foley just went back and ate popcorn while the shot showed a fan wearing a "seriously" shirt sat right next to him in camera view - that ruled. Heel Foley just sucks - way too over the top here, and the prior build for this match was way better. Still, I'm sure they'll kill each other for this show, so it should at least serve the purposes of the feud.
Hamada vs. Flash was a good little match. Too short, but they really build up the table spot well - teasing it at the beginning and then paying it off at the end. Not sure I'd book this three days before a match involving tables in the tag title match, and one that will likely involve them in the monster's ball, but it was a fine match on its own.
Lashley vs. Rhino was built up pretty poorly. They built Rhino up kinda well for Lashley, and then he's just off TV for three weeks until tonight when we're expected to care. And then the guy gets the edge before the match and still can't beat Lashley. God, what a loser. The match was nothing special, but I preferred the "drag the guy in a stretcher to an ambulance" stip as opposed to WWE's CROSS THE FINISH LINE! one. Makes things seem more real. Rhino needs to stop doing the gore so much - it led to him slamming into a wall early on in the match and then getting kicked and full nelson slammed into a guardrail later. As a match, it failed, but it at least led to Lashley getting a rib injury, which Joe exploited with a chair after the match. So it theoretically worked at building up the PPV match, even though I was left with less desire to see it. Also, why bother building up Lashley as an MMA guy if he's just going to have the same kind of matches as everyone else?
Then Abyss gets tricked by Foley, Stevie, and Daffney in a cartoonish bit right out of a Hanna Barbera TV show, with Daffney dressed as Lauren, screaming in terror for help, so Abyss comes to help and gets beaten up. Then they go from this to saying that Angle vs. AJ is next. Bizarre placement for this stuff, and it really undermined the main event after seeing stupid shit like this right before it.
AJ vs. Angle was fantastic. It was definitely a PPV-quality match, which created some problems as it was really a better match than either man's PPV match could hope to be. This was the best match on Impact in a long time - it really stood out as something different, in part, because of so many things it did right that are rarely done on Impact. It started off slow - they didn't do anything beyond basic groundwork for about five or so minutes, and it was great because you rarely see stuff like this on TV. Angle's tope was crazy, and scary since he barely hit and appeared to smack his back on the floor, but I'm sure it'll make a highlight reel. Taz really added to this match by putting over all of the amateur stuff that Angle did as deadly - and doing so in a believable manner. He was seemingly made for this kind of match, and added more to it than DW ever could have because his first-hand experience was responsible for the commentary being so good. Well, good for him - Tenay took away from it a bit by yelling a lot and saying stupid stuff like " AJ GOES SPRINGBOARD" and "ANGLE GOES CHEAPSHOT".
I've got mixed feelings about the Styles Clash getting a 2- that almost never happens, which helped make this seem special and played into the story when AJ kicked out of the Angle Slam, but it kind of undermined the champion's finisher heading into the PPV main event. And then Angle kicked out of another one when he kicked out of the springboard 450. Given that the story they're telling is that AJ arguably doesn't deserve the title, this kind of stuff doesn't help. And then he's saved by the bell during the ankle lock - so he would've been beaten had the time limit not expired. Great match, but AJ looked weaker than he should have heading into the PPV. And then Sting FINALLY appeared after the match - you'd think he'd do SOMETHING since that match is being billed as possibly his last in the company, but nope - nothing. That build has largely been limited to the ads, which makes no sense.
The PPV preview stuff was good, but not up to par with the UFC Countdown stuff I've seen. Lashley-Joe at least humanized Lashley, but didn't do much for Joe at all. The Monster's Ball one was hurt by the ridiculousness of the storyline, and Foley kind of flying in the face of it by saying that he and Abyss are out to have a great match. Hell of a blood feud. Morgan-Angle was really well built-up, with Angle saying that he's the best, but hasn't been able to prove it at BFG, so he will this year, while Morgan said that this is all-consuming and he won't be happy just having a great match - HE MUST WIN! Awesome all around, and I love that they added in how important it was for Angle to win at this particular event.
The AJ-Sting deal made Sting out to seem like a huge deal, and I also love that built up his BFG streak - they certainly took to it faster than WWE did with 'Taker's streak, although it obviously doesn't mean as much, even though it involves him winning the world title each year. This thing didn't do too much for me, which is an accurate reflection of the feud as a whole - just nothing really happening with it. I liked seeing the Memphis footage shown here, but that was about it.
This show was really disappointing in a lot of ways. It made me want to see some PPV matches less than I did before - and that's with the additional buildup provided by the preview show, and the matches on the main show were largely way too short even with the additional hour of programming time.
Screens -
HIYA!
Quotes -
Ad Guy - Three hours of TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION! IT’S THE MOST ANITICIPATED IMPACT IN HISTORY!
Tenay - WE OPEN SUPER IMPACT WITH THE MAIN EVENT MAFIA!
Angle - I am dressed for battle. Uusually, I come out here and preach in a suit and tie and talk about the wonders of the MEM! But tonight, tonight is a very special night. Because tonight, I face the TNA World Heavyweight champion, one on one - AJ Styles.
Tenay - THAT’S A PPV QUALITY MAIN EVENT!
Angle - But I’m not here to talk about that - I’m here to talk about the one year anniversary of the greatest group of men ever to be assembled as one! At BFG, THIS WILL BE OUR ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! At BFG, everyone knows that this is the biggest PPV OF ALL! AND I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT MY MEN, MY WARRIORS ARE READY! SO I DIDN’T COME OUT HERE FOR ALL YOU - I CAME OUT HERE FOR THEM! Nash! You are the legends champion, and why is that? BECAUSE YOU ARE A LEGEND! NOT ERIC YOUNG! NOT HERNANDEZ! YOU! AND YOU WILL KICK THEIR ASSES AT BFG! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR!? Joe! YOU HAVE LASHLEY! ONE OF THE MOST DOMINANT MMA FIGHTERS IN THE WORLD! YOU BRING THE NATION OF VIOLENCE, AND SHOW HIM WHY YOU’RE THE MOST DOMINANT WRESTLER IN TNA! SCOTTY STEINER! BOOKER T! WHAT CAN I SAY MORE ABOUT YOU GUYS!? YOU TWO HAVE HELD MORE WORLD TITLES, TAG TEAM AND SINGLES, THEN ANY PERSON COMBINED! ALL I WANT YOU TO DO IS WHAT YOU DO BEST - WIN! WIN IN THAT FULL METAL MAYHEM MATCH! AND AS THE GODFATHER OF THE MAIN EVENT MAFIA, I WILL HOLD UP MY END BY TAKING MATT MORGAN, THE BLUE PRINT, AND TURNING THAT GIANT INTO A MOUSE! WEAR HIM DOWN AND DEFEAT HIM! AND WHEN I DO, I WILL GET MY SHOT AT MY TNA WORLD TITLE! GENTLEMEN, THIS IS OUR TIME! AND THE TIME IS NOW! (The MEM’s BFG foes come out)
Ray - I’m just curious - is everyone else sick and tired as we are at looking at you guys! LADIES AND GENTLMEN, OUR TNA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, AJ STYLES!
AJ - I don’t know if I heard you correctly, Kurt, but did you say that this was a make or break PPV for the MEM?? THE BIGGEST PPV OF THE YEAR, BFG!? WELL LET ME IN ON A SECRET, IT IS A BREAK PPV FOR THE MAIN EVENT MAFIA! WE ARE THREE DAYS AWAY FROM THE MEM CEASING TO EXIST!
Morgan - AJ, I don’t know about you, but we’re not gonna wait…(the rush the ring)
Tenay - WELCOME TO SUPER IMPACT!
(at 9:15)Tenay - WE’RE A COUPLE MINUTES INTO THE SHOW, AND THINGS ARE CRAZY!
Taz - Last week, Kong tried to destroy Poison - Tara’s pet, friend, gimmick. Something.
Tenay - IT’S HER TRADEMARK!
Taz - Mike, you ever been triple teamed by three girls?
Tenay - LET ME REMIND YOU TAZ THAT 30 MINUTES BEFORE BFG, WE’LL HAVE A MATCH ON TNAWRESTLING.COM!
Tenay - NICE NIP UP!
Taz - Don’t say nip.
Tenay - UP!
Taz - Tag to the butt. You don’t see that much.
Tenay - BUT YA WANT TO!
(after she kicks ODB and leaves)Tara - WHERE’S MY SPIDER!?
Lauren - Pope…
Pope - POPE HAS TO PAY MORE BILLS! NOTHING CAN KEEP POPE DOWN - BUT THIS STACKER 2 ENERGY DRINK KEEPS ME GOING!
Lauren - How do you feel about being in your first-ever Ultimate X teaming with the currently-suspended Homicide?
Pope - WHO WOULD QESTION YOUR POPE! TONIGHT, DANIELS WILL BE A POTHOLE ON POPE’S ROAD TO GLORY! HALLELUAR! ARE THOSE HANDS CLEAN? CAN YOU FEEL THAT! FEEL THE ELECTRICITY! THE POWER! HEY! SNAP OUT OF IT! Pope’s trying to get you to see that inside this chest is the heart of a lion! THAT CANNOT BE CONTAINED! JUST LIKE MY SIX HOUR POWER ENERGY DRINK! X DIVISION - BOW DOWN AND KISS THE POPE’S RING!
Lauren - Lashley, last week you were beaten by Joe, how do you remain so cool?
Lashley - Because I’m cool.
Rhino - THERE’S WON’T BE A BOUND FOR GLORY FOR YOU, BECAUSE YOU WON’T MAKE IT THROUGH TONIGHT!
Taz - THAT’S DON WEST!
West - WE’RE GONNA DO SOMETHING! REDDDDD!
Crowd - LET’S GO RED! LET’S GO RED!
Taz - What’s Mr. Cool doing here?!
Tenay - Well, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen Don cheer on Red - there was one time when he climbed up on the table and led the crowd in cheer him!
Taz - Did he get off headset for that!?
Tenay - OF COURSE NOT!
Tenay - When Homicide arrived here today, he was sent home for INSUBORDINATION!
Taz - I GOT IT! MAYBE THERE’S A NEW LINE OF BASEBALL CARDS WITH RED ON HIM AND HE’S SELLING THEM!
Tenay - NOT THE POPE! HOW MANY MORE TIMES CAN HE COME OUT AND INTERFERE IN SUICIDE’S MATCHES!?
Tenay - I THINK HE WAS TRYING TO MAKE SURE SUICIDE DIDN’T WIN THE TITLE!
Taz - Yeah…that’s a safe assessment!
(after Red prevents Pope from attacking Suicide more)Pope - HEY, YOU DON’T TOUCH POPE!
Taz - Nice shirt, Don.
DW - I HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST AMAZING RED FAN THAN ANYONE IN THIS BUSINESS! RED CAME TO ME AND SAID I WANT YOU TO BE MY OFFICIAL PROMOTER! AND IT’S GONNA START AT BFG - THERE’S A MATCH CALLED ULTIMATE X - FOUR MEN MEET TO BECOME X DIVISION CHAMPION! RED TOLD ME HE’S NEVER BEEN IN AN ULTIMATE X! THIS MATCH WAS MADE FOR THIS MAN! THERE’S GONNA BE AN ULTIMATE X MATCH…AND THEY’RE GONNA BE JOINED BY THE AMAZING RED AND IT’S GONNA BE FOR THE X DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP! OH YEAH!
Penzer - INTRODUCING THE LEADER OF WORLD ELITE - ERIC YOUNG! (fans do nothing)
Penzer - THE FOLLOWING IS A RUN THE GAUNTLET MATCH! HERE IS HERNANDEZ!
Hernandez - ERIC, OUT OF RESPECT FOR MIKE AND TAZ, I WON’T ATTACK YOU HERE! BUT AT BFG, I’LL BREAK EVERY BONE IN YOUR BODY!
EY - HE’S LUCKY HE RAN - I WOULD HAVE ENDED HIS NIGHT!
Taz - Your tie’s all wrinkled up, bro.
EY - HE’LL GET A DRY CLEANING BILL FOR THIS TIE!
Tenay - What about that big money offer to Nash last week?
EY - MONEY MEANS NOTHING TO ME!
Taz - Hernandez is straight up like a bull. Getting hit by him must be like facing a pole!
(after one of his guys is beaten and another is Border Tossed)EY - THE PLAN IS WORKING PERFECTLY!
Taz - It looks like Rob’s lifted some weights. But weights don’t fight back.
EY - THE PLAN IS IN PLACE!
Taz - YOU KEEP SAYING THAT BUT HERNANDEZ IS 2-0!
EY - BIG PICTURE!
Taz - What’s it like!?
EY - Beautiful.
Taz - Okay. I been dere.
Tenay - SITOUT POWERBOMB!
Taz - So was that in the plan, EY?
EY - No…
Tenay - TODAY, I HAD A CHANCE TO CONDUCT A SITDOWN INTERVIEW! AND IT GOT A LITTLE CRAZY!
Tenay - BROTHER RAY, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE MATCH GOING FROM A LADDER MATCH TO FULL METAL MAYHEM!?
Ray - TABLES ALLOWED! CHAIR ALLOWED! LADDERS ALLOWED! ANYTHING’S ALLOWED! WE HAVE ONE THING ON OUR MIND - REGAIN THE TWO SETS OF TITLES WE’VE BEEN SCREWED OUT OF!
Tenay - TO ROBRET ROODE! CAN YOU AND 3D WORK TOGETHER!??
Roode - It’s every team for itselves - it’s our chance to regain the TNA Tag titles and win the IWGP Tag titles.
Tenay - TO BOOKER T! YOU AND THE BRITISH INVASION HAVE BEEN AT EACH OTHER’S THROATS!
Booker - YOU SHOULD HAVE COME TO ME FIRST! I’M ONE HALF OF THE WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! BEER MONEY IS A COUPLE OF ROOKIES! THEY’RE TITLE-HUGRY! AS FAR MAGNUS AND PAUL WILLIAMS, WHATEVER THEIR NAMES ARE! WE’RE GONNA DESTROY EM!
Doug - JUST WHEN YOU THINK HE CAN’T BE ANY MORE RIDICULOUS!
Tenay -HANG ON, YOUR PARTNERS ARE INVOLVED IN A BRAWL IN CATERING! LET’S GO THERE RIGHT NOW!
Tenay - LOOK!
Taz - IT’S RAINING DINERO!
Taz - I’m looking at the money that fell - they don’t have Ben Frank on ‘em, they got Dinero on them. They’re Dinero bucks. Like Disney.
Taz - Pope’s got one of those blindfold mask things on. Reminds me of the Gimp from Pulp Fiction, remembner ihm?
Tenay - How could anyone forget?
Taz - (muffles)
Tenay - HE’S GOT HIGH MORAL STANDARDS! BUT HE ATTACKS PEOPLE!
Taz - Who? Pope or the Gimp?
Tenay - THE POPE!
Taz - I go to the Pope for moral cleansing. You should go too - you live in Vegas.
Taz - FOREARM SHIVER! SHAVES OF WILLY VENEAR!?
Tenay - Didn’t he retire in ‘75? Couldn’t you at least go with an Ernie Ladd?
Tenay - MICK FOLEY COMES DOWN TO THE RING WITH SNACKS!
Taz - He’s also got something on his head - and I don’t mean his hair.
Foley - SCARY! SPOOKY! I REMEMBER WEARING ONE OF THESE MASKS FOR THREE YEARS, AND ON HALLOWEEN, THESE MASKS WERE MASS-MARKETED, WHICH MEANS THAT ANYONE WOULD PRETEND TO BE MICK FOLEY! Including Chris Parks. On the eve for BFG, facing the Monster’s Ball match, with Dr. Stevie as the referee, I thought I’d take a moment to compliment Abyss for while he may be a blatant Mick Foley knock-off, but as far as they go, he’s pretty good. I’d like you to relax as we recap some of Abyss’s greatest hits. NOT SINCE 1996 WHEN MICK FOLEY DEBUTED HAVE WE SEEN A MASK LIKE THAT! LIKE A DERANGED SANTA, WHAT LITTLE GIRL WOULDN’T LIKE A BAG OF TACKS! NOT SEEN SINCE I INVENTED THAT BACK IN JAPAN IN 1995! AND OUR THRID CLIP - BLAZING RIP-OFF! WATCH THE MONSTER…HE’S ENGULFED BY FLAMES! BEARING A STRIKING RESEMBLANCE TO A MATCH WITH MICK FOLEY INVOLVING EDGE IN THE 2006 MATCH OF THE YEAR! CLIP NUMBER 4...(Abyss comes out)
Taz - Try the pause button - maybe it’ll make Abyss stop!
Foley - LOOK AT THE SCREEN!
Tenay - THAT’S DR. STEVIE’S VOICE!
Foley - SHE’S IN DANGER, CHRIS! RUN!
Homicide - Suicide, I saw you in the dressing room and BOOM! YOU GOT JACKED! SUICIDE, YOU’RE AN UGLY SUCKA! I SWEAR! I KNOW WHO YOU ARE! IT’LL BE OUR SECRET! I KNEW IT WAS YOU ALL ALONG! (as security comes)OH HELL NAW!
Taz - Homicide…just a little nutty.
Tenay - SHE’S GONNA TOSS HER OFF THE RAMP!
Taz - it’s not really that big a fall. Unless you’re a little person.
Taz - This looks like one of my family reunions!
Taz - TOPE OFF THE IMPACT RAMPAGE!
Taz - LASHLEY’S BEATING RHINO FROM PILLAR TO POST! Well, from railing to railing.
Tenay - ABYSS IS LOOKING FOR THE KIDNAPPED LAUREN!
(he hears screams)Abyss - LAUREN, LAUREN! (cut to commercial)
Foley - HE THOUGHT THAT DAFFNEY WAS LAUREN! DON’T BE FOOLED BY CHEAP IMITATIONS, CHRIS!
Tenay - THIS IS WHAT WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR - KURT ANGLE VERSUS AJ STYLES! NEXT!
Taz - Kurt’s offense is fundamental - but perfect!
Tenay - KURT GOES CHEAPSHOT!
(during a knuckle lock)Tenay - You ever shake hands with Danny Hodge?
Taz - Yeah, he can take an apple and crush it!
Tenay - And bend pliers with just his grip!
Taz - Angle has the same kind of grip strength!
Tenay - AJ GOES SPRINGBOARD!
(after a tope con hilo to the floor)Taz - WOAH!
Tenay - You’d expect the first high-risk move would come from AJ, but it came from Kurt!
Taz - Angle caught him with…the heels of his feet!
Crowd - AN-GLE! AN-GLE!
(during an Angle bodyscissor)Taz - See what AJ’s doing by gripping his own hand? That helps alleviate the pressure.
Taz - This is science - I love it! Where I used to be, you never saw stuff like this!
Taz - See how quick Angle slipped in there? That’s called a slip-by!
Taz - AJ IS TNA CHAMPION! HE IS THAT DAMN GOOD!
Tenay - WHO WILL WIN THE SUPER IMPACT MAIN EVENT!?
Taz - It’s the Germans - again, the grip strength of Angle!
During the PPV Preview Special
Taz - I think that Joe has had one of the best years of his career here - I think he can get the upset win over Lashley.
Joe - Lashley, there’s no training you can do to train for the pain I’m gonna inflict on you!
Foley - This is the biggest match in Abyss’s career - not in terms of prestige, but in terms of what it means to him. Much like how this is my chance to show people in 2009 that I’ve still got it - just like I did in 2004.
Foley - At BFG, people won’t be looking at two carbon copies - we’re looking to have the best hardcore match possible and tear the house down.
Angle - Right now, I’m wrestler better than I ever have before.
Angle - I’ve never won at BFG - this is not my best PPV. In order to be the best, I have to win at our biggest PPV.
Morgan - There’s not a better wrestler bell-to-bell than Kurt Angle.
Morgan - I’m the only giant with a set of abs - they’re not there for show, they can go!
Dixie - I think that Kurt Angle vs. Matt Morgan is going to be one of Matt’s best matches ever.
Morgan - My wife may not like it, but this match is the most important thing in my life.
Morgan - I respect Kurt Angle, but I’m also gonna hand him his ass!
Morgan - I HAVE TO BEAT ANGLE AND I HAVE TO BEAT HIM CONVINCINGLY TO GO HOME HAPPY!
Super Impact cutaway
JB - Kurt, if the match went just a few more seconds, would he have tapped out?
Angle - A tapout is a technicality - we know who the winner is. I know it, AJ knows it, and the world knows it. I proved that I’m the greatest wrestler on the planet. How is the TNA Champion going to deal with it?
JB - I’ve known you many years, but I’ve never seen you this confident before.
Angle - I just beat the TNA World Champion! I’ll beat Morgan at BFG, and then, I’ll become the TNA World Champion!
PPV Preview
Sting - It wasn’t wrestling that nearly did me in - it was me.
Sting - It was great to have one more shot.
Taz - Sting’s a living legend.
Tenay - For years in baseball, there was a Mr. Baseball - for TNA, it’s Sting. He’s become TNA World Champion every year.
Styles - Sting’s got too many devastating moves that I can’t just let happen.
Styles - Knowing that Sting is 3-0 at BFG and knowing that he’s won the title 3 times at BFG…it does worry me.
Sting - I can’t say it doesn’t matter - it would be cool to keep the streak going. Especially at this point in my career.
Styles - This is one of the biggest matches of my career. He never gives up!
Tenay - IS THIS STING’S LAST MATCH!? I hope it isn’t. I hear the reaction he gets every time he comes out, and I’d hate to have that not be a part of TNA.
Sting - It might be it. I’ve been thinking about it every year.
Dixie - Every year, Sting tells me “one more year”, or I convince him. This might be it! There will never be another Sting!
Super Impact Cutaway
JB - AJ, you didn’t win or lose the match, but it seems like you’re taking this as a loss. If it had gone longer, if he had you in the ankle lock…
AJ - YOU SAID IT MAN! I DIDN’T WIN IT! OR LOSE IT! I WAS EMOTIONAL WHEN IT OOK THAT MATCH WITH KURT! I WANTED HIM SO BAD! I GOT SOMETHING TO PROVE! WHAT AM I DOING 3 DAYS BEFORE THE BIGGEST SHOW OF THE YEAR!? FACING KURT ANGLE!? I DIDN’T LOSE THAT MATCH! I DIDN’T WIN IT! THE ONLY THING I CAN DO IS LEARN FROM IT!
Taz - WE’RE IN THE GROWTH OF TNA RIGHT NOW!
STAMFORD, CT – Shane McMahon, Executive Vice President of Global Media, announced today he has tendered his resignation effective January 1, 2010.
Shane stated, “It has been an incredible experience to help build WWE® into a global phenomenon. However, having been associated with this organization for the majority of my life, I feel this is the opportune time in my career to pursue outside ventures.”
“Even though I am personally saddened by Shane’s decision to leave the company, I am proud of the enormous contributions he has made. He will unquestionably bring passion, commitment and extensive business experience to any endeavor he pursues,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman and CEO.
I mean, sure, WWE's bad, but when you're working in the "family biz" making millions upon millions of dollars, what could possibly, *possibly* lead you to thinking the grass is greener on the other side?
Linda will be back when her campaign inevitably dies.
She's already a laughing stock in CT because she donated money to Democrats in 2006. They didn't even have to create political ads using the traditional political attack ad memes (grainy b&w video at far-too-close angles) using WWE footage of her kicking Vince in the junk. I have to admit I'm disappointed.
EDIT:
It is with great sadness that I announce my resignation from the WWE, effective January 1, 2010.
I have never even considered a future outside the walls of the WWE. However, sometimes life takes an unexpected turn and while it is the most difficult decision I have ever made, it is time for me to move on.
First and foremost, I would like to thank my father for the incredible education working with him has provided and for giving me the opportunity to play a role in building WWE into the global phenomenon that it is today. I am extremely proud to have been the 4th generation in this business, and I am grateful for everyday I was able to work along side not only my own, but the entire WWE family.
Thank you to all of the WWE Superstars both past and present for your passion, pride and dedication. You are truly the engine of the organization and it has been a pleasure to work with, learn from and get to know all of you. Thank you for the privilege of sharing the stage with you and for allowing me to become but a momentary member of your elite brotherhood. I have so much appreciation for the many sacrifices you endure, both physically and personally, to make this business the success that it is. The respect I have for each of you is immeasurable.
Finally, there are no words to express my gratitude to WWE fans the world over for supporting this company through good times and bad and for your unbridled passion that fuels the Superstars’ performances. I am profoundly grateful to have been able to entertain you both in front of the camera and from behind the scenes. You are the greatest fans in the world.
I will always love this business and will remain a fan forever.
It's ing sad that someone even needs to SAY that Shane isn't going to another promotion. Christ.
If we're venturing into the absurd, I do hope they have someone storyline kill him...although since he's jumped from near Owen Hart-heights onto people in the past, someone will probably have to give him a cartoonish meat-grinder death or something.
I'm going to miss Super Shane lasting 20 minutes with the WWE champion, and beating up THE ENTIRE TOP HEEL FACTION IN THE COMPANY on his own. Seriously though, this is major news, and it'll be interesting to see just what happens to WWE after he leaves, and where he goes. It's well-known that he's a big MMA fan - perhaps he'll join UFC or start up his own MMA group. A MCMAHON HAS LEFT WWE...craziness.
Shane's leaving because Vince was going to send him to FCW. I wonder if Shane has a no-compete clause. I bet Vince has his name under contract and he'll have to go by Larry Higgins from now on.
Connecticut Democrats have come out swinging against WWE CEO Linda McMahon's Republican senatorial bid for the State of Connecticut today. They have discovered videos on YouTube including infamous Katie Vick angle where Linda's son-in-law Triple H humped a mannequin while mocking Kane, a "simulated rape" between Scott Steiner and Linda's daughter Stephanie McMahon, and the "live sex celebration" between Edge and Lita.
Connecticut Democrats' spokeswoman Colleen Flanagan commented, "As WWE Chief Operating Officer, Linda McMahon presided over programming that showed simulated rape, public sex and necrophilia, and now she wants to be our U.S. Senator? People across this state, not to mention the millions of women who are the victims of sexual violence every year, would be horrified and embarrassed to know that the person who seeks to represent them condones this kind of behavior. That kind of programming has no place in our society, and Linda McMahon has no place in the U.S. Senate."
Linda McMahon's spokesperson, Ed Patru, responded, ""Every American understands the difference between scripted TV entertainment and real life betrayal of trust by Washington politicians," he said. "With 15 million Americans out of work and a jobless rate in Connecticut approaching 10%, people want a Senator who knows how to fix the economy and put people back to work. It's stunning that Chris Dodd's supporters are more concerned with PG TV programming than job creation."
If I had to guess I would say that with Shane working in WWE's marketing department and getting a lot of world wide contracts, that the man has made some contacts. I'm sure he sees the writing on the wall that Steph and Trips are going to be getting the company and that he might as well get into something else rather than play 2nd fiddle to them. I can't say I blame him.
Better show than last week - which I didn't even feel like covering at all. Jericho's opening was great and made Team SD and the Bragging Rights match seem like a huge deal. Kane being co-captain is a good way to keep him near the top of the card - he's an awesome promo guy and cut a good one here. Dolph vs. Finlay vs. Knox wasn't anywhere near as good as I'd hoped it would be, although it did at least give Dolph a chance to not only win - but shine with the awesome splash.
Cryme Tyme vs. the Hart Dynasty was too short, but really good while it lasted. DH boogeying down to get JTG to not ram into him was awesome, and I hope they try JTG out as a singles guy because he's being held back by Shad and is clearly the star of this team. Escobar vs. Matt Hardy was also entirely too short and wasn't particularly good. Escobar has some presence, but would look like more of a star with long tights - the trunks make him look like just another guy on the roster, only one with constantly-slick hair.
The Dirt Sheet was awesome - not so much due to the wacky insults, but due to the intense promo work from Miz and Morrison that showed that each man really has evolved since their team - and that was just a matter of months ago. Morrison showed an intensity that he has never had before, as did Miz to a lesser extent. Morrison's digs on Raw were a bit too on-point, but I liked it since they were actually quite valid - moreso than HHH's digs on SD.
Drew vs. Truth was just boring. I loved the video package before it as it made both men come off as starts, but the match had nothing happening for seemingly ever until the ending, which I liked. The leg drop on the steps looked sick and made McIntyre come off as smart while allowing Truth to lose without hurting him here. I'm not quite sure why they had him lose via pinfall in their first singles match and by countout here, but I liked this ending aside from that.
Batista vs. Rey was a better partner vs. partner match than Jericho-Show from Raw, but didn't quite capture the same chemistry that they have as a team. Still a fine match though, and Batista actually took the rana, which surprised me. He's been pretty good since returning - I just hope that he can remain healthy for more than a few months this time around. The buildup to Punk-Taker for next week was also good, and I'm interested in seeing just how they book that since the PPV is just two days later.
Screens -
Quotes -
Grisham - Please welcome Michael Cole!
Cole - I’m happy to be here to scout for the Raw team!
Long - One week from this Sunday, WWE PRESENTS A NEW PAY-PER-VIEW, BRAGGING RIGHTS. IN ADDITION TO THE WWE TITLE AND WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCHES, THERE WILL BE A 7-ON-7 TAG TEAM MATCH TO PROVE WHICH SHOW IS BETTER! TO PRESERVE THE HERITAGE OF THIS SHOW, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE BEST TEAM POSSIBLE! To counter Raw’s team, here is the captain of team SD - CHRIS JERICHO!
Grisham - I hope things go better for you now than they did the last time you were on SD - you threw up on Jericho.
Cole - I apologized about that.
Jericho - AFTER YEARS OF INCOMPITANCE, TEDDY LONG HAS MADE ME THE CAPTAIN OF TEAM SMACKDOWN! I don’t care if you like it, that’s the way it is. When Orton beats Cena in the I-ron man match, it means that he’ll want to return to the place where he started - SmackDown. Things have changed since you left - I AM THE MAN AROUND HERE NOW! If you want to return to this show, you’re gonna have to go through me! I HAVE LED THAT LOCKER ROOM BY EXAMPLE, BY HONESTY, BY INTEGRITY! I AM THE BEST IN THE WORLD AT WHAT I DO! AND I AM THE REASON…THAT ALL OF YOU PARASITES ARE HERE TONIGHT! WE WILL BEAT RAW THAT IS LED BY THIS DUO THAT WROTE THIS PIECE OF FLATULENCE KNOWN AS DX! TWO MISCRIENTS MORE INTERESTED IN PUSHING THEIR WORTHLESS MERCHANDISE THAT YOU SHEEP ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO BUY - DX SHIRTS, DX GLOW STICKS, AND A BOOK FILLED WITH LIES! Know what I think of DX? (he tears the book) YOU SEE WHAT I DID TO THIS BOOK IS THE SAME THING I’LL TO DO DX AT BRAGGING RIGHTS! I WILL OPEN YOUR EYES AND YOU WILL TRULY SEE…(Kane comes out)
Cole - I never thought I’d be so happy to see Kane.
Grisham - Maybe he’s not a fan of censorship.
Cole - I don’t think he’s a fan of much. At all.
Grisham - If Jericho isn’t quaking in his loafers, he should be!
Kane - Your team? Chris, we need to talk. I’ve been listening to your every word, and I’ve come out here to tell you that I am now the CO-CAPTAIN OF THE SMACKDOWN SIDE!
Jericho - Well of course you are- I was thinking the same thing. I was just going to announce it, because the combination of your strength and my genius - combine those two factors - the Raw team doesn’t stand a chance.
Kane - This book - DX, and the entire Team raw can all go up in flames! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
Cole - IT’S THE HOODFELLAS!
Grisham - DH Smith with the ankle lock!
Grisham - There’s Long and Jericho watching the match.
Cole - Where’s Kane?
Grisham - Hopefully not starting fires. He did say they’d go up in flames.
(on Rey vs. Batista)Cole - Tonight, LIFELONG FRIENDS SQUARE OFF TONIGHT!
Jericho - I need a group of ruffians, tramps, and vagabonds! Michelle, can I count on you?
McCool - You can count on me. I MAKE HISTORY! I’m the first diva to win the divas and womens titles - I CAN BEAT ANY WOMAN ON ANY SHOW!
Punk - Sorry to interrupt…
Vince - Can I help you?
Punk - Yes. I think I deserve a rematch with Taker - one-on-one.
Vince - I agree. I liked that submission match rematch idea you had. LET’S HAVE ARMSTRONG BACK AS THE REFEREE AND WE HAVE IT NEXT WEEK HERE ON SMACKDOWN!
Cole - Vickie is quite the cougar.
Grisham - Vickie doesn’t associate with losers - she obviously sees big things in this man.
(after Punk-Taker is discussed)Cole - Can I come back to SmackDown next week!?
Grisham - I’ll ask J.R.
Cole - Escobar says he’s cultured and worldly.
Grisham - He also said some stuff in Spanish - but I didn’t understand it. Maybe it was uno, dos, tres.
Cole - Which show is better? Raw or SmackDown? I think it’s Raw - with our 16 years on the air and 835 episodes!
Grisham - Escobar wins in his debut and goes onto the main event of a major Pay-Per-View!
Cole - AND HIS HAIR DIDN’T MOVE ONCE DURING THE MATCH!
Cole - I can’t believe I’m gonna have to root for the Miz at Bragging Rights.
Grisham - Just pretend.
Cole - No, I can’t - IT’S 1 NIGHT ONLY!
Grisham - The Dirt Sheet won a Slammy - it’s very hard to do!
Cole - I’ve never won one!
Grisham - Well, they don’t just hand them out.
Morrison - At Bragging Rights, I’m going to prove why it’s so great to be Intercontinental Champion…hey you’ve got a belt! Is that real, or did you buy it on WWEShop.com!?
Miz - It’s real AND I’M YOUR UNITED STATES CHAMPION!
Miz - Throughout history, there have been great dueos where one has become a star and the other has toiled in obscurity. Mork and Mindy.
Morrison - Bill and Ted.
Miz - Regis and Kathie Lea. The Rockers. Shawn Michaels went on to become SHAWN MICHAELS and Marty Jannetty became…Marty…Jannetty…and at Bragging Rights, I’ll show that I’m Shawn and you’re Jannetty!
Morrison - I can’t be him - I’ve got a T-Shirt! Your Mom bought one!
Miz - There can’t be two Jannettys!
Morrison - Sure there can be - he can be Marty and you can be MIZZY! AND WE’RE AWESOME! See what happens when you don’t have a girlfriend?
Miz - YES I HAVE ONE!
Morrison - You haven’t changed. All you’ve done is conform - you used to have a hat, capris - you had the courage to be yourself. Now you’re a mix of Michael Phelps, Pink, Mr. Ed, and BIG DICK JOHNSON.
Miz - I have great hair - the women love the my pearly whites, AND I LOOK GOOD IN TRUNKS!
Morrison - If by that you mean “husky”, yeah.
Miz - Husky?
Morrison- Yeah, the word mothers used to describe their fat kids.
Miz - YOU ALL THINK I’M HUSKY!? REALLY!? These mistakes are just jealous!
Morrison - If what?
Miz - MY AMAZING BODY! AT BRAGGING RIGHTS, THERE WILL BE NO DEBATE ABOUT IT - I’LL PROVE THAT I’M BETTER THAN YOU!
Morrison - Why wait? Prove it right now?
Miz - I’m not gonna do this in this second-rate city, on this second-rate show - I’ll do it at the PPV!
Morrison - You think this is second rate? YOU THINK THAT SD IS SECOND-RATE AND THAT RAW IS THE A SHOW!? All Raw is now is a cheap version of SNL - if you want to tune in for the star power of Nancy O’Dell and Al Sharpton? Who’s next? Big Bird!? IF YOU WANT ACTION, WATCH FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN! I think these people are tired of the boring Miz!
Miz - I CARRIED YOU FOR TWO YEARS BECAUSE I’M THE MIX AND I’M AWESOME!
Morrison - You’re the Miz and all you do is run your mouth! FOR TWO YEARS, ALL I’VE HEARD IS BE JEALOUS, HOORAH - TALK IS CHEAP, THIS ISN’T RAW! I’M NOT GONNA JUST LET YOU TALK! WHY DON’T YOU STAND UP AND ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING!? GET UP AND ACT LIKE A CHAMPION! COME ON! I DARE YOU TO TAKE A SHOT AT ME! (Miz backs off) See you at Bragging Rights, Jannetty!
Grisham - Miz likes to brag, but he hasn’t earned the right!
Grisham - R-Truth knows WHAT’S UP for grabs here! The honor of defending his brand!
Taker - History has a habit of repeating itself - BUT NOT IN MY YARD! Punk, Long, and Scott Armstrong have decided to tempt their fate and attempt to get the holy grail from death’s grip. Once you enter Hell’s gates, there’s no turning back! CM Punk, at Bragging Rights, I will take your soul! And in one week’s time, I will give you your last rites.
Cole - This Monday, Snoop Dogg is the guest host!
Grisham - Yippie-yo-yippie-yay!
Cole - Earlier, Batista called Rey his little brother!
Grisham - I call you my little brother.
Cole - Great. What’s J.R.?
Grisham - My father.
Wow, can't believe Shane left. I don't blame him. He's been involved in wrestling all his life, he probably wants to do new things. There's also probably some politics involved like usual. I'm glad he's leaving. One less guy on the roster pretending to be a wrestler. I still can't believe he was beating the shit out of Orton and Legacy. Total joke.
[quote name='Blackout']I still can't believe he was beating the shit out of Orton and Legacy. Total joke.[/QUOTE]
I don't get how they're supposed to be a threat if, like most WWE heels, they lose 90% of the time.
[quote name='JaytheGamefan']The best part of that whole bit isn't in the clip - Steph's skirt flying up as she exits the ring showing off her ass.[/QUOTE]
in' face in, hearing that. It took 45 seconds and got everything across he needed to, and get the crowd irate. You can't get a single wrestler in WWE/TNA to generate half that heat in a 20-minute segment anymore. Lawler was simply doing his job.
