Most of you knew him as Umaga. Eddie Fatu passed away today. There is no official word yet as what the cause of death was, but it appears to have been drug-related.
Fatu wasn't my favorite wrestler. He did, however, occasionally bust out a great match. I especially liked his work with John Cena and Jeff Hardy.
This is one of those nights where I question my fandom of the pro wrestling industry. The business has brought me so much entertainment and joy over the years, but when these tragedies continue to pile up, it really makes me wonder if it's really worth it.
I had hoped this younger generation of grapplers would rise above the mistakes of the past generation. But with Andrew Martin, Mike Lockwood, and now Eddie Fatu gone, it appears the deadly trend is going to continue.
We'll have to wait and see, I suppose.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Lots and lots of title changes.
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.
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.
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
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Matt Cage vs. Tank Roberts
Matt Cage vs. Tank Roberts
Special Referee: Victor E. Doom
QCW Blood Feud Brawl
March 26th 2009
Lock up with a clean break by Roberts. They lock up again with Roberts gaining a headlock. Cage goes for the hair, to which his other arch nemesis, Doom, breaks. Third lock up gets a break in the corner. The bald Cage claims his hair was pulled. The commentator reminds Cage that there’s no rule against pulling skin. Headlock by Roberts. Doom then applies a headlock of his own on Cage! But that’s not fair! Cage scurries to ringside to assess the situation. Cage returns and nails some uppercuts on Roberts. Roberts reverses a whip and nails a clothesline. Scoop slam by Roberts and a big splash gets 2. Side slam by Roberts gets another cover for 2. Cage rebounds, poking the eyes and pummeling Roberts into the corner. Hard whip and clothesline by Cage. Roll-up by Roberts but Cage rebounds with a clothesline. Doom yells at Cage for targeting the eyes. Cage chokes Roberts on the ropes. Swinging neckbreaker by Cage, but a slow 2 count from Doom. Reverse headlock by Cage. Roberts elbows out but Cage nails a drop kick for 1. Mounted shots in the turnbuckles by Cage, but it’s countered into an atomic drop. Roberts plants Cage hard for 2. Roberts catches Cage for a black hole slam but only gets 2 on the cover. Cage escapes the Lock n’ Load and nails an enziguri. Cover by Cage gets a slow 2.5. Cage blocks the finisher again and applies a crossface! Roberts manages a rope break. Cage argues with the referee, but Roberts misses a clothesline and knocks out Doom. Hard closed fist shots by Cage gets the slowest 2.5 count. Cage yells at Doom, but gets pushed into the Lock n’ Load. That’s enough for the win at 10:47. Cage was robbed, man. Solid, well rounded match up, I was genuinely into the story here. ***
Winner: Matt Cage
SUPPORT INDY WRESTLING!
Special Referee: Victor E. Doom
QCW Blood Feud Brawl
March 26th 2009
Lock up with a clean break by Roberts. They lock up again with Roberts gaining a headlock. Cage goes for the hair, to which his other arch nemesis, Doom, breaks. Third lock up gets a break in the corner. The bald Cage claims his hair was pulled. The commentator reminds Cage that there’s no rule against pulling skin. Headlock by Roberts. Doom then applies a headlock of his own on Cage! But that’s not fair! Cage scurries to ringside to assess the situation. Cage returns and nails some uppercuts on Roberts. Roberts reverses a whip and nails a clothesline. Scoop slam by Roberts and a big splash gets 2. Side slam by Roberts gets another cover for 2. Cage rebounds, poking the eyes and pummeling Roberts into the corner. Hard whip and clothesline by Cage. Roll-up by Roberts but Cage rebounds with a clothesline. Doom yells at Cage for targeting the eyes. Cage chokes Roberts on the ropes. Swinging neckbreaker by Cage, but a slow 2 count from Doom. Reverse headlock by Cage. Roberts elbows out but Cage nails a drop kick for 1. Mounted shots in the turnbuckles by Cage, but it’s countered into an atomic drop. Roberts plants Cage hard for 2. Roberts catches Cage for a black hole slam but only gets 2 on the cover. Cage escapes the Lock n’ Load and nails an enziguri. Cover by Cage gets a slow 2.5. Cage blocks the finisher again and applies a crossface! Roberts manages a rope break. Cage argues with the referee, but Roberts misses a clothesline and knocks out Doom. Hard closed fist shots by Cage gets the slowest 2.5 count. Cage yells at Doom, but gets pushed into the Lock n’ Load. That’s enough for the win at 10:47. Cage was robbed, man. Solid, well rounded match up, I was genuinely into the story here. ***
Winner: Matt Cage
SUPPORT INDY WRESTLING!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Matt Cage vs. Zach Gowen
GAW Central States Championship:
Matt Cage © vs. Zach Gowen
January 3rd 2008
Cage is sure to take his sweet time getting to the ring, much to the annoyance of some rowdy individuals in the crowd. Cage has his hands full tonight, as he’ll be squaring off with the one legged wonder who beat the Big Show. Gowen takes even longer to get the ring, as he seems to be under the impression that fans like him (just kidding, they do). Cage makes out with his belt before the match begins, and who can blame him, his challenger used to pal around with Hulk Hogan! They lock up and Cage easily corners Gowen before mocking his challenger’s obvious handicap. Gowen threatens with a golf club, which Cage doesn’t seem to like one bit. They lock up again, this time Gowen corners and slaps Cage across the face. That douche! Cage regroups at ringside. Back to the ring, Cage gets caught in a side headlock takedown. Cage counters into a pinning predicament, but Gowen keeps the hold. Head scissors counter by Cage, and the match restarts to a loud “Gowen” chant. Gowen goes back to work on the head. Cage counters into a head scissors, I think he’s trying to make Gowen jealous. Gowen uses a head stand to escape and drop-kicks the head. Cage retreats to ringside and gets heckled by a fan in the front row. Cage returns and the match restarts, with Cage targeting the midsection. Gowen kicks him off and nails a missile drop-kick! Cover by Gowen gets 2! Cage takes a hike and eats a drop-kick on his way back in. Gowen takes a swig of water and throws the bottle violently at Cage. Back to the ring, Gowen whips himself onto Cage for a near fall, but Cage drops him neck first on the ropes. Enziguri by Cage gets 2! Cage has established control and is targeting the head and neck area with his attacks. Cage dances but misses an elbow drop. Cage tries again, but Gowen is too quick. Gowen retaliates by slapping and gets a small package for 2. Clothesline by Cage hits hard. Cage continues his assault at ringside. A fan is desperately trying to get his “Tiger Woods on welfare” insult over but no one is buying. Gotta love indy fans. Gowen sits Cage in a chair and wipes him out off the apron! Back to the ring, Gowen smashes the head but gets rammed into the corner. Cage charges with a head of steam into Gowen’s boot. Cage repeats his mistake and stumbles to the mat. Gowen attempts a moonsault, but Cage pushes the referee into the ropes to knock him off. Cover by Cage gets 2. Cage fetches a cane and fights with the referee over it, ultimately knocking the official down. Low blow by Gowen and a small package, but the ref is out! Gowen checks on the ref but Cage spears him out of his boot! Cover by Cage gets 2.9! FALSE FINISH! Cage is upset and decks the referee. Cage grabs the golf course and prepares to finish what Brock Lesnar started all those years ago. Unfortunately, one of Cage’s rivals runs in and powerbombs him. Gowen hits the moonsault and the intruder makes the ref count to three. Gowen appears to have won the belt at 15:55! I am extremely impressed by how much Cage has improved since the last time I reviewed one of his matches, he’s a much more well rounded performer and worked well with Gowen (who is also much more well rounded than I remembered him). Sadly for Gowen, an official reverses the decision due to outside interference, so Cage retains! ***
Winner by DQ and still GAW Central States Champion: Matt Cage
Matt Cage © vs. Zach Gowen
January 3rd 2008
Cage is sure to take his sweet time getting to the ring, much to the annoyance of some rowdy individuals in the crowd. Cage has his hands full tonight, as he’ll be squaring off with the one legged wonder who beat the Big Show. Gowen takes even longer to get the ring, as he seems to be under the impression that fans like him (just kidding, they do). Cage makes out with his belt before the match begins, and who can blame him, his challenger used to pal around with Hulk Hogan! They lock up and Cage easily corners Gowen before mocking his challenger’s obvious handicap. Gowen threatens with a golf club, which Cage doesn’t seem to like one bit. They lock up again, this time Gowen corners and slaps Cage across the face. That douche! Cage regroups at ringside. Back to the ring, Cage gets caught in a side headlock takedown. Cage counters into a pinning predicament, but Gowen keeps the hold. Head scissors counter by Cage, and the match restarts to a loud “Gowen” chant. Gowen goes back to work on the head. Cage counters into a head scissors, I think he’s trying to make Gowen jealous. Gowen uses a head stand to escape and drop-kicks the head. Cage retreats to ringside and gets heckled by a fan in the front row. Cage returns and the match restarts, with Cage targeting the midsection. Gowen kicks him off and nails a missile drop-kick! Cover by Gowen gets 2! Cage takes a hike and eats a drop-kick on his way back in. Gowen takes a swig of water and throws the bottle violently at Cage. Back to the ring, Gowen whips himself onto Cage for a near fall, but Cage drops him neck first on the ropes. Enziguri by Cage gets 2! Cage has established control and is targeting the head and neck area with his attacks. Cage dances but misses an elbow drop. Cage tries again, but Gowen is too quick. Gowen retaliates by slapping and gets a small package for 2. Clothesline by Cage hits hard. Cage continues his assault at ringside. A fan is desperately trying to get his “Tiger Woods on welfare” insult over but no one is buying. Gotta love indy fans. Gowen sits Cage in a chair and wipes him out off the apron! Back to the ring, Gowen smashes the head but gets rammed into the corner. Cage charges with a head of steam into Gowen’s boot. Cage repeats his mistake and stumbles to the mat. Gowen attempts a moonsault, but Cage pushes the referee into the ropes to knock him off. Cover by Cage gets 2. Cage fetches a cane and fights with the referee over it, ultimately knocking the official down. Low blow by Gowen and a small package, but the ref is out! Gowen checks on the ref but Cage spears him out of his boot! Cover by Cage gets 2.9! FALSE FINISH! Cage is upset and decks the referee. Cage grabs the golf course and prepares to finish what Brock Lesnar started all those years ago. Unfortunately, one of Cage’s rivals runs in and powerbombs him. Gowen hits the moonsault and the intruder makes the ref count to three. Gowen appears to have won the belt at 15:55! I am extremely impressed by how much Cage has improved since the last time I reviewed one of his matches, he’s a much more well rounded performer and worked well with Gowen (who is also much more well rounded than I remembered him). Sadly for Gowen, an official reverses the decision due to outside interference, so Cage retains! ***
Winner by DQ and still GAW Central States Champion: Matt Cage
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