So I was sitting around last night thinking about random wrestling related things when it hit me. In the past two months (June and July) every single championship in both WWE and TNA changed hands. Some of them multiple times.
Batista won the WWE Championship at Extreme Rules, but would vacate the title days later due to injury. Randy Orton would then claim the belt on the following Raw.
Jeff Hardy won the World Heavyweight Championship at Extreme Rules. He promptly dropped the title to Mr. Money in the Bank himself, CM Punk. In July, at Night of Champions, Jeff Hardy would regain the belt.
Kurt Angle claimed the TNA Heavyweight title at Slammiversary.
Tommy Dreamer picked up the ECW Championship at Extreme Rules in June, and Christian regained the title from him at Night of Champions in July.
Kofi Kingston claimed the United States Championship on June 1st on Raw.
Kevin Nash won the TNA Legends Championship at Victory Road. On last night's Impact, he lost the belt to Mick Foley.
Chris Jericho won the Intercontinental Championship for the 9th time at Extreme Rules. Rey Mysterio would take the title back from him at The Bash.
Beer Money Inc. took back the TNA Tag Team Championship at Slammiversary but came up short at Victory Road, and Scott Steiner and Booker T are the new champions.
Chris Jericho and Edge ended the Primo and Carlito's Unified Tag Team Championship reign at The Bash. At Night of Champions, Big Show became the official replacement for the injured Edge.
Homicide claimed the X Division title from Suicide on an episode of Impact on June 26th (aired July 16th).
Tara (formerly Victoria) won the Knockouts belt on Impact, but quickly dropped the gold back to Angelina Love at July's Victory Road.
Mickie James won the Divas Championship from longtime champion Maryse at Night of Champions.
Michelle McCool picked up the Women's Championship from Melina at The Bash.
I can only imagine that all these title changes are intended to boost ratings and pay-per-view buys. I suppose people are going to be more likely to order a show if they think that the belts could very well change hands but if they keep going doing this at the rate they are, these changes are going to lose all their meaning and impacts. Some moderation would be wise.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Kendrick gets axed.
From WWE.com: World Wrestling Entertainment has come to terms on the release of Raw Superstar Brian Kendrick as of today, July 30, 2009. WWE wishes Brian the best in all future endeavors.
Anyone else getting tired of this? I'm sick of talented and promising superstars getting released for no apparent good reason. Why release Kendrick? Was he untalented? No, he was a skilled high flier and a sound ring technician. Was he boring? No, he is loaded with charisma. Was he not connecting with the crowds? Again, not the case, he was gaining crowd heat despite being treated as a complete joke.
I find it even more frustrating that this comes just days after Chris Masters makes his triumphant return to Monday Night Raw. In the past, Masters has proven to be a mediocre worker, uncharismatic, and it took almost an entire year of pushing him down our throats before he got over, drawing cricket chirps from the live crowds before that.
This isn't a fair trade.
I like to take comfort seeing the continued push of CM Punk, as he was someone who I feared would be getting the treatment Kendrick has received. Instead, Punk was allowed to keep his identity and is a two time World Champion. Punk hasn't achieved anything that Kendrick couldn't have had Kendrick been given the same opportunities. Likewise, in the last year we've seen Evan Bourne become a strong fan favorite, but at the same time I shake my fist that Paul London was never allowed to do what Bourne does.
And don't get me started on Scotty "Colt Cabana" Goldman. If WWE is completely uncapable of making stars out of London, Kendrick, and Goldman, yet insist on trying repeatedly with hacks like Masters, Vladimir Kozlov, and many others, then they shouldn't be surprised in a few years when the well of young superstars dries up.
Anyone else getting tired of this? I'm sick of talented and promising superstars getting released for no apparent good reason. Why release Kendrick? Was he untalented? No, he was a skilled high flier and a sound ring technician. Was he boring? No, he is loaded with charisma. Was he not connecting with the crowds? Again, not the case, he was gaining crowd heat despite being treated as a complete joke.
I find it even more frustrating that this comes just days after Chris Masters makes his triumphant return to Monday Night Raw. In the past, Masters has proven to be a mediocre worker, uncharismatic, and it took almost an entire year of pushing him down our throats before he got over, drawing cricket chirps from the live crowds before that.
This isn't a fair trade.
I like to take comfort seeing the continued push of CM Punk, as he was someone who I feared would be getting the treatment Kendrick has received. Instead, Punk was allowed to keep his identity and is a two time World Champion. Punk hasn't achieved anything that Kendrick couldn't have had Kendrick been given the same opportunities. Likewise, in the last year we've seen Evan Bourne become a strong fan favorite, but at the same time I shake my fist that Paul London was never allowed to do what Bourne does.
And don't get me started on Scotty "Colt Cabana" Goldman. If WWE is completely uncapable of making stars out of London, Kendrick, and Goldman, yet insist on trying repeatedly with hacks like Masters, Vladimir Kozlov, and many others, then they shouldn't be surprised in a few years when the well of young superstars dries up.
Introducing: John Cena
-Cena talks about his debut match in WWE against Kurt Angle. Cena says he started hot but was soon finding himself working up on Velocity. He tries to live without regrets, but if he could go back and change his debut, he wouldn’t have sported the goofy haircut.
-Kurt Angle was running his mouth in the ring when the no-name John Cena came down to face him. Angle demands to know what quality Cena possesses that makes him think he can face the best. “Ruthless aggression” is the answer and Cena catches Angle off guard with a lariat.
Kurt Angle vs. John Cena
Smackdown - June 27th 2002
Cena totally overwhelms Angle in the early going, knocking him all over the ring and the floor. Early cover by Cena gets 2.5. Angle hooks the leg and goes for the ankle, but it’s countered! German suplex by Angle! Cena is winded and suffers a second German. Cena counters a third suplex and gets a near fall. Angle pounds Cena into the corner. Angle is unable to get the cover and applies a front headlock. Cena fights to his feet and drops Angle hard. Cena blocks some shots and unloads with a forearm. Spinebuster by Cena gets 2.9999! Angle rakes the eyes but the Angle Slam is countered with a DDT! Series of close covers by Cena. The close falls are so close that the crowd is really starting to buy into this! Angle reverses and manages to pin Cena at 5:36. Fairly short, but Angle made Cena look like a million bucks in his debut! **½!
Winner: Kurt Angle
-Cena offers Angle a handshake, but Angle just gives him a dirty look and makes his leave.
-Kurt Angle was running his mouth in the ring when the no-name John Cena came down to face him. Angle demands to know what quality Cena possesses that makes him think he can face the best. “Ruthless aggression” is the answer and Cena catches Angle off guard with a lariat.
Kurt Angle vs. John Cena
Smackdown - June 27th 2002
Cena totally overwhelms Angle in the early going, knocking him all over the ring and the floor. Early cover by Cena gets 2.5. Angle hooks the leg and goes for the ankle, but it’s countered! German suplex by Angle! Cena is winded and suffers a second German. Cena counters a third suplex and gets a near fall. Angle pounds Cena into the corner. Angle is unable to get the cover and applies a front headlock. Cena fights to his feet and drops Angle hard. Cena blocks some shots and unloads with a forearm. Spinebuster by Cena gets 2.9999! Angle rakes the eyes but the Angle Slam is countered with a DDT! Series of close covers by Cena. The close falls are so close that the crowd is really starting to buy into this! Angle reverses and manages to pin Cena at 5:36. Fairly short, but Angle made Cena look like a million bucks in his debut! **½!
Winner: Kurt Angle
-Cena offers Angle a handshake, but Angle just gives him a dirty look and makes his leave.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Matt Cage vs. Donny Franks
Matt Cage vs. Donny Franks
June 27th 2009
Cage made an open challenge to the UWC locker room and Franks was man enough to accept. They s hake hands, with surprisingly no cheap shot. Cage mocks Franks’ attempt to get the crowd behind him and they lock up. Cage is aggressive, beating down the back. Back elbow by Cage and a clothesline! Cocky pin by Cage doesn’t work. Franks fights back, but Cage knocks him off his feet. Drop-kick by Cage gets 2. Chinlock by Cage! Big knee lift to the gut by Cage! Franks reverses a brain buster with a small package of sorts. Cage shakes it off and connects with some hard shots. Franks pokes the eyes and gets a close roll-up. Cage begs for mercy, but attacks the eyes! Cage dodges a quickened Franks and applies a crossface. Franks connects with some clotheslines and a back body drop. DDT by Franks gets 2.5. Press slam by Franks but Cage kicks out! Knee to the face by Franks and the X-Factor gets 2.9999! Cage thumbs the eyes and delivers an enziguri for 2.5! Cage blocks another X-Factor and delivers a roll-up for the win at 7:13! Hey, the rookie tried, but Cage was just too crafty. Good little showing from Franks and Cage looks like he’s ready for a bigger stage, **½.
Winner: Matt Cage
June 27th 2009
Cage made an open challenge to the UWC locker room and Franks was man enough to accept. They s hake hands, with surprisingly no cheap shot. Cage mocks Franks’ attempt to get the crowd behind him and they lock up. Cage is aggressive, beating down the back. Back elbow by Cage and a clothesline! Cocky pin by Cage doesn’t work. Franks fights back, but Cage knocks him off his feet. Drop-kick by Cage gets 2. Chinlock by Cage! Big knee lift to the gut by Cage! Franks reverses a brain buster with a small package of sorts. Cage shakes it off and connects with some hard shots. Franks pokes the eyes and gets a close roll-up. Cage begs for mercy, but attacks the eyes! Cage dodges a quickened Franks and applies a crossface. Franks connects with some clotheslines and a back body drop. DDT by Franks gets 2.5. Press slam by Franks but Cage kicks out! Knee to the face by Franks and the X-Factor gets 2.9999! Cage thumbs the eyes and delivers an enziguri for 2.5! Cage blocks another X-Factor and delivers a roll-up for the win at 7:13! Hey, the rookie tried, but Cage was just too crafty. Good little showing from Franks and Cage looks like he’s ready for a bigger stage, **½.
Winner: Matt Cage
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