March 22nd 2014

I loved the Leo Kruger character on NXT, I hate to the point of wanting to throw the tv out the window, the Adam Rose character the wrestler is now doing.
"Leo Kruger" was one of the main reasons I watched NXT.  Now, this rock star Russell Brand wanna be gimmick is vomit worthy.  There was nothing wrong with the character before, I don't understand why WWE felt the need to change it?  Were they not making their quota with the silly three ring circus acts? Cause that's all I can think of for them stooping so low.
If by chance, the wrestler himself choose this direction, then dude, that feels like a desperate move. Sorry, but I just don't understand why - and I'm saying this as a fan- why you would want to go from an unstoppable force to a hip swinging hair flicker?

Wrestlemaina 30...I'm waiting to be interested. So far, nothing on the short list of matches has any value to me. 
And if they end up putting the Shield in a 6 man tag against Kane and the New Age Outlaws, which is where it looks like it's headed, then I will throw the tv out the window. That would be such a waste of the Shield. Waste!  The Shield deserve better.

Yes, this is a rant. 

Shield as ultimate untouchables = glued to the tv,  Shield having vulnerabilities = not happy me.

Yes, totally get that not everyone can win all the time, and all the characters have to swing from heel to face and back every so often, but after having them just begin to feud with the Wyatts, then downgrade them like that...dude, why?  The Shield vs the Wyatts has so much more potential.
I also get that the Shield are being put in a position to be the good guys, which on one level is great. Fans love them, I frealing love them to the point I want to see them on Smackdown for the whole 2 hours every week. Hell, they could stand there with nothing but the announce booth headsets reading the scripts, flipping the pages and it would still be killer. But I was liking their return to destroying everyone. I fully expected to start seeing them digging graves and building coffins or something for their opponents.

Moral of this story, fix Leo Kruger, and give the Shield someone worthy to destroy. And maybe get Seth Rollins to dye his hair one colour....

love Ardeth Blood.

What I hope to see in 2014

I hope to see in WWE... in this year...

1) Seth Rollins with a singles title, like say the Intercontinental Championship.

2) The Shield destroy Batista thirty seconds after he arrives forcing him to leave again.

3) NXT go to two hours.

4) Leo Kruger winning the NXT title

5) Dean Ambrose punch out JBL, letting Ambrose take over the commentary booth for a full two hours of Smackdown...And Seth Rollins scaring Micheal Cole into giving him his seat as well.

6) Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns to win back their Tag Titles

7) Brad Maddox getting a half hour straight of air time.


What I'd like to see in TNA in 2014...

The return of the MotorCityMachine Guns! 


Love Ardeth Blood

They need a little push

Who would I like to see get a push in the course of the next few months in WWE?


Honestly, it's time to let Seth Rollins back on top for awhile.  Yes, he's got some gold as half the Tag Team champs right now, and he's in the Shield, but he's sort of been hiding in the background the last while behind his curtain of hair. Let him take some of the lead for a bit. And you know maybe pick one colour and stick with it, still hoping to see him go back to full on dark side.

Brad Maddox, he has been holding his own on NXT but that's about it.  He needs more air time in general.

Leo Kruger and Kassius Ohno. Damn it! They need to be given a big push onto Smackdown! Imagine what they could do if actually given a proper storyline. As a tag team, or as singles they could be good for the summer feud with anyone from Wade Barrett to even the Shield.
Think of the technical submission matches we could see if Ohno were allowed to dip into Smackdown against Rollins... sorry drooling now.

Well, that's what's on my mind on this Saturday morning.
Love Ardeth Blood

Are the best wrestling Villains truly on the mic?

One of the reasons I have always loved wrestling, happens to be the commentators.  It's something I would honestly love to do myself, just once even.   But, I think part of the reason I love the commentators so much, is they can say anything and get away with it.

In other words, if you're in the announce booth you're probably there because you're an excellent heel. Sympathetic to the troubles and disrespect that the big bad in the ring is subject to from fans. (I'm waiting for the day The Shield take over Smackdown's announce booth for the night. Just one episode, don't make me beg.)

Bobby the Brain Heenan, Cyrus, Joel Gertner, Tazz, Michael Cole,  all known as much for pissing people off as they are for anything else, and all with the simple use of their voice.

When I get into conversations with other fans, everyone asks me who my biggest influence growing up was, and my answer is always Bobby the Brain Heenan.   Hands down. I loved the way he could manipulate a microphone more so then anything else he ever did in an actual ring.

I first started to watch ECW on tv because I was a fan of Raven, I continued watching because of Joel Gertner.  I loved anticipating who would be the baseline for his jokes every week.  And who didn't have a laugh fest every time he'd ball up his fists and give a silent open mouthed laugh in the style of a two year old?   Dude, priceless.

JCW is as much known for having 3D and Gweedo (the wrestling on air persona of Violent J, and Shaggy 2 Dope) as they are for helping bring guys like the late Trent Acid to a wider audience.  Those two pulled no punches when calling a match. And created stories within stories within inside jokes each episode. Sometimes expanding on a character.

Currently, NXT has William Regal as the center piece for the mouth pieces, but I've yet to see the WWE really put stock into bringing the next generation of announcers into the forefront.  Michael Cole has been carrying the Monday and Friday night shows on his back now for the last few years. Brad Maddox and Josh Mathews could, if given an honest shot, become the next generation of voices to carry fans into the next few decades.

This is one thing, I'm sorry to say, TNA is short on. We have Tazz as colour commentator, but no one else on the Impact announce booth crew (say that three times fast) seems to be as charasmatic. Nor do I see anyone jumping in any time soon.  This would be an excellent use of Christopher Daniels or Austin Aries between matches, as they are both wicked on the mic.

I've actually been on the receiving end of a mouth full of nasty comments from Cyrus at autograph signings and live events, even when he's off he's on. But that doesn't change the fact I think he's one of the best microphone masters around.

When we think of a really great match, we think of the wrestlers, but when we think of a really great episode, many of us remember the one liners and the catch phrases at just the right point in a match, as much as who was in the ring itself that night. Guest announcers for matches, can make or break the concentration of the regular announce crew, adding to or taking from what normally could have been a really great commentary.  A great announcer can jump script and steer a sinking segment into smoother waters, while others flounder in their notes.

Usually, its the villains who end up saving the segment.


Love Ardeth Blood

Random wrestling thoughts Aug 17th

Tag teams.

I've thrown my thoughts into the ring in the past on this topic a few billion times.
But I just feel like I need to bring this topic back to the surface. Specially after watching the first half of Smackdown just now.

The team of Reks and Hawkins.   WHY?  That was just ... retarded... I was thinking they need to stop and put their pants back on. Not hot, just a bad choice boys.
As well, the Ascension over on NXT.  This is a masterful tag team.   But here's the thing, it doesn't matter how fabulous A team is if there is no one as fabulous to work against.  The Usos are good, skills are even above Ascension at the moment, but the Usos are a little on the tired side.  They need to upgrade their gimmick or something.
Then you have the Prime Time Players.... why?  They are beyond annoying. Just give them a new gimmick now.

-Love Ardeth Blood,

Week of May 12 2012 - Highlights and Thoughts

This is a bit of a quickie for the two  major companies for the week.

Start with WWE Raw-  The return of Paul Heyman was cool, but the fact he was there to represent Lesnar, not a happy.  I think I know where they are heading with this storyline and it gets a major thumbs down from me.

 CM Punk and Laurinaitis... they work well off each other. This is a feud that has many more months of promise for it.  Not too sure why they decided to thrown in Cena?

Smackdown-  The whole Sheamus vs Orton vs Del Rio vs Jericho... what do I think about that?  I think that there are too many players in this game.  Jericho and Orton should be off in another round and let Sheamus vs Del Rio hold the hour.   But that didn't happen, instead all the ingredients were tossed into the pot together.  Now, at their next ppv it's going to be a big 4 way match.   Dude, that is just too predictable and not necessary.   You all know this means that Orton will get the win over someone and take the belt.  And no I don't think that it would lead to a very interesting feud between Orton and Sheamus down the line, I think it would be a mistake.


Now, on to TNA Impact...  Where do I start?  I've been covering TNA on my personal blog most the time, but felt I would add just a snapshot of thought on it here...  I feel like they are grasping at straws right now.   Teasing the fans for the last 4 and a half months with a major life altering issue with A. J. Styles only to have it be what they showed this past week; too much like a bad soap opera and I know bad soap operas...

I really hate the fact that the main events are being given to RVD and Hardy over and over and over.  It's just old news on a deja vu loop.

I am loving the push that Austin Aries has had.  He's a lighthouse in the fog.  I was a big fan of his few years back when he made his other runs in TNA, and think that now he's finally getting the respect he deserves.

I just wish that this Zema Ion character would go away.  That or upgrade his gimmick, cause he's doing nothing to keep my attention.

And that's the view from my sofa this week.
Love Ardeth Blood

Can we talk about....

I used screen capture for this post

Johnny Curtis for a moment?

I mean man, what's not to dig here?   A hot wrestler who has been doing a gimmick with food for the last month.  First he was crying over spilled milk, then he had a chip on his shoulder, and now says "you didn't cut the mustard"
Dude! I love this!

Yeah, there was an interruption with a joke about an ace in the hole, but we'll bypass that and just go with the flow.

It's got me wondering and giggling, about what his character will be like when they finally let him on air on Smackdown?  It looks to me like he's going to have an easier time establishing himself as a Face {though I think he'd have major fan backing as a Heel too} then some of the other guys on air right now.   I would love to see him in a feud with Sheamus or Wade Barrett.

Hey, anyone know what happened to Husky Harris?


As you can see, I have a sort of screen shot, sort of photo here.   It's actually a photo of the television. Which I suppose makes it a screen shot?  You can see the Score's headlines running at the bottom of the photo, I left it in on purpose.   This is why, to answer the one email I got,  I do not have shots of WWE stuff compared to TNA/Impact.   Impact, I watch online, WWE, I watch on tv. {I do not have cable, and my mom who puts up with me watching stuff at her house only has basic cable which means no Spike} So my Spudguns, you know my dirty little secret.

My predictions for WWE NXT Season 5

I've been following Season 5 of NXT but not reviewing it.  For the simple fact, it's been a bit of a time waster.

The idea this season, to let 6 Rookies earn a spot on season 6. 
Yeah, they are not even fighting for a chance to be on Smackdown or Raw but to be the star of the next season.  How stupid is that?
The upside, they get to pick their Pro in season 6.

The show is down to 3 Rookies.  It started off this season by chancing it's name to NXT Redemption.  Okay, I get that.  And we saw the return of Conor O'Brian, Byron Saxton, Darren Young, Jacob Novak, Titus O'Neil and Lucky Cannon.

The remaining Rookies are Conor O'Brian, Darren Young and Titus O'Neil.

Jacob Novak's biggest weakness was not having a proper identity.  They tried pairing him up with JTG and feuding him with William Regal, but even Regal could not keep Novak on air.  He was the first eliminated.

Byron Saxton had been teamed up with Yoshi Tatsu. Which also failed to bring forth anything solid from Saxton in the identity area.  It was painful to think that had the creative team stepped in with something better then having him slighted over Tatsu's distractions, Saxton might still be on air. But he was the next to be eliminated.

Lucky Cannon was teamed up with Tyson Kidd.  He just got eliminated.  Putting him squarely as a Heel was a brilliant move, as I could never look at him and think Face.  Sorry, but if Lucky Cannon ever pops up on my screen again, I damn sure hope it's with about 5 inches of that stringy hair gone. { he just makes me think of Wickham from Pride and Prejudice  not a good thing }

Titus O'Neil is teamed up with Hornswaggle.  And it's truly his only saving grace. Brilliant move, as he's got the in house crowds full attention. Let's face it, and as much as I hate to say it, he's going to win. Not on talent, but on the fact his Pro is an over the top character.

Darren Young is teamed up with Chavo.  Another brilliant move here.  Young has already established himself from being part of Nexus last year, as a Heel. Teaming him with one of the heeliest of the classic Heels puts him in a solid spot in people's minds. The talent is there, the ring awareness is there, and now he's got a proper identity to cling to.

Conor O'Brian is teamed with Kozlov.   Another brilliant move. He's dropped the extreme gimmicks and just seems to be having a chance to show more of his talents in the ring. I also like this version of his character because it's one that can establish him as either Face or Heel without too much of a shock down the road. I think it would give him enough fan backing to carry him through to land him on Smackdown.  Just think of the feuds he could easily fit into if he were to make it. {against Wade Barrett, against Sheamus, against Johnny Curtis} The announce team keeps commenting each week how O'Brian has been able to physically prepare himself since teaming with Kozlov.  They would make a fabulous tag team if the voters bother to go on talent and actually look at the win/lose side of things.

What I would like to see happen: I would like to see Conor O'Brian get a contract for Smackdown.

What I believe will happen: I believe that Titus O'Neil will get the season 6 pass by having been on Hornswaggle's coattails. 

I'm not too sure if there are two episodes or only one left.

Dear Wade Barrett

Dear Wade Barrett:

Every week I watch you do your thing on Smackdown, and every week I have one question that burns my mind up so much I get very distracted.
What's up with your hair?
Seriously.  Dude, it never moves.  This week's episode (April 22nd 2011) you were slammed down hard on the outside of the ring by Kofi Kingston, (oh how is your hand?) but your hair never so much as had a breeze touch it.  What's going on there?  Did you shellac it? ( just ask Mr. Sabin from TNA. He'll tell you I'm honestly wanting to know about the hair situation) Can you come to the ring for one match, just one, without the product heavy hair?  Just once I would like to see some movement with it.

Love Ardeth Blood. 

Smackdown Highlights for April 8th 2011

We opened with Alberto Del Rio and his crew before Edge came out to the ring with the destroyed car from the ppv.

Match #1 was Big Show/Kane/Santio/Kofi Kingston  vs the Corre. This was a 2 out of 3 falls match.
The first fall went to Kofi over Gabriel
The second fall went to Wade over Santino
Then the whole thing became chaos, and I thought it was a double DQ but the ref awarded the third fall to Santino.   I think because BS knocked out Gabriel and he was down for a ten count.  I know, sounds odd to me too.

Match #2 was Cody Rhodes vs Trent Barreta.  This went to Rhodes.  I've made comments before about not liking Trent Barreta, but the more I see this dude on the show, the more he's sort of grown on me. Would be nice to see him win once.

Match #3 Divas. LayCool vs KellyKelly/Phoenix.  KellyKelly got the win

Match #4 Alberto Del Rio vs Christian.

And you know what, the match of the week goes once again to Del Rio and Christian.

We started with what was looking like a collar tie up, but Del Rio turned into a go behind then slammed a hard closed fist to the shoulders of Christian. Del Rio then followed it up with a tree chop and a kick to the face. Del Rio continued to have control of things getting Christian in a side headlock before both bounced off the ropes. This broke the hold, but Del Rio smoothly turned this into a shoulder block knocking Christian to the mat. Del Rio then went for an early cover but only got a one count.
Both men on their feet now, as Del Rio delivered another series of kicks and chops to Christian. Christian did manage to get an upper hand for a moment sending Del Rio into the ropes then using a leap frog turned into a shoulder block. Christian went for a cover but only managed a one count. Christian followed this with a short flip, getting Del Rio down on the mat in another headlock.  Del Rio fought out of it with yet another hight knee and a punch combo making his way back to his feet.
Christian bounced off the ropes delivering a hard slap to Del Rio rocking him before following it up with a slingshot to the outside of the ring, going for his trademark Trade Up, but missed as Del Rio moved.
Christian back in the ring, tossing Del Rio out to the announce booth. Before Del Rio could climb back to the ring, he was met face first by a mini dropkick from Christian, sending him flying again into the booth.
Del Rio managed to turn it around long enough to grab Christian pulling him out of the ring on the far side, slamming him into the stairs.
Back in the ring, and we see Del Rio try for a cover but failed. He then locked on another side headlock on Christian, just before both managed to fight to their feet. Christian fought out of the hold, with a series of elbows to the chest of Del Rio. Del Rio delivered a headbutt rocking Christian and keeping control of things. This was followed up with a backbreaker.
Del Rio went for yet one more cover, but found no use as Christian crawled to the bottom rope. Del Rio then kicked him in the back before kneling on his throat.
Christian managed to move to the corner where upon Del Rio charged him, connecting a hard knee to the jaw. Out of nowhere, Christian delivered a hard right hand rocking Del Rio to the mat. Christian then went to the turnbuckle, but Del Rio countered with a superplex off the top rope. Both men were down in the middle of the ring.
Del Rio got to his feet first, but Christian grabbed him for a small package. This only got him a near fall.
Del Rio then with an angry looking dropkick to the skull of Christian.
Christian came back at him with a running clothesline toppling them both back out to the floor. Del Rio then drove Christian face first into the post before tossing him back into the ring.  He followed this up with an attempt at a centon off the second rope, but missed as Christian moved out of the way.
Christian answered this with a drop kick from the second turnbuckle. He then went outside the ring connecting with his trade mark  Trade Up and was climbing to the top delievering a crossbody.
Del Rio went for his cross armbreaker, but found it countered as Christian sent him into the corner face first. Christian then charged at him, but Del Rio moved out of the way.
Christian managed a mule kick springboard combo from the second turnbuckle, which he somehow smoothly turned into a sunset flip rollup. But Del Rio found a way to counter it, locking on his cross armbreaker. Christian broke the hold by wrapping his legs around the bottom rope.
Christian once more got things around to his favour with a reversed hangman off the top rope leaving Del Rio flat.
A distraction was then caused by  Brodus Clay and Edge outside of the ring, giving Del Rio a chance to use an enzuigiri in the corner for the win.

Del Rio is now the #1 Contender again.

The match of the week

It has been months since I felt that there was a match worthy of being the match of the week. I also realized how rusty I am at this so....

Smackdown from March 25th 2011
Christian vs Albetro Del Rio

They started with a collar tie up, which Del Rio broke by using a high knee to the chest of Christian. Then followed it up with a hard elbow to the back of his neck. Del Rio in control with a headlock on Christian which Christian broke by backing them into the ropes.
Christian then took control of things with a running shoulder block sending Del Rio to the mat. He tried for a cover but only got a two count. Christian still in control with another side headlock.  Del Rio pushed him then into the corner, getting a break on the hold and delivering a high kick to the ribs of Christian. He followed this by a hard right hand to the side of the skull and a kick.
Christian was down at this point, in the corner. Del Rio then whipped him into the far corner, going full steam at him but Christian flipped him out of the ring. Christian followed this up with a flying cross body.  Both men were then on the floor outside of the ring.
Back in the ring, Christian was in the corner, as Del Rio charged but was met with a mule kick. Christian then managed to get a flying sunset flip off the turnbuckle on Del Rio. He got only a two count.
Del Rio turned all this around for about a second with a tree chop before getting sent back outside of the ring by a short clothesline. Christian followed him with a baseball slide, but missed as Del Rio took him by the left arm, slamming him hard into the stairs.
Back in the ring, and Del Rio went for a cover but only got a near fall. He turned this smoothly into his armbar, working once more on the left side of Christian.
Trying to fight out of it, Christian got a headbutt from Del Rio. Del Rio then stomped on Christian before heading up to the second turnbuckle. He used a flying centon landing hard on the shoulder of Christian. He went again for the cover but Christian kicked out.
Del Rio followed all this up with a series of punches and a sharp kick to the side of the skull on Christian. This was the set up again for his armbar. Christian tried to fight out again, but just couldn't.
Bouncing off the ropes, Del Rio delievered another kick to Christian's side, then once more headed to the turnbuckle, but Christian managed to up end him, with a hard punch before delievering a hurricanrana. Christian tried for a cover but only gained himself a near fall.
Both got to their feet, with Christian landing a series of punches to Del Rio, following it with a running clothesline before going outside for his trademark slap -which I'm now calling the Trade Up-
Christian was heading for another cross body but missed as Del Rio rolled out of the way. Del Rio then with a full on running enzuigiri but missed. Then Christian off the second turnbuckle with a DDT and went once more for the cover but only got a two count as Del Rio's assistant got his leg on the rope.
Del Rio went for his cross armbreaker, but was countered by Christian who was going for his trademark killswitch. BUT this too was countered by Del Rio flipping him over.
Del Rio responded with another standing enzuigiri, going again for the cover but Christian rolled out.
Del Rio then managed to lock on his cross armbreaker, thinking he had it, until Christian got to the ropes breaking the hold.
Both men then to their feet and both went for a running clothesline and both ended up on their backs.
Outside the ring, Edge and Brodus Clay were causing a distraction.
Del Rio then with another kick to the left arm of Christian, but Christian managed to use the distraction outside the ring to slap on his killswitch and get the win.

* why is Brodus Clay around constantly when Johnny Curtis won their Season of NXT and we've yet to see Curtis on either Smackdown or Raw?*

Smackdown for Feb 18th 2011- Highlights

I thought it was time for a new icon.


This was the 600th episode of Smackdown.  It's been on air now for 12 years.

Match #1 was a 12man tag with members from both Raw and Smackdown.

• Edge
• Randy Orton
• John Morrison
• R-Truth
• Rey Mysterio
• John Cena

they went against

• CM Punk
• Sheamus
• Wade Barrett
• Drew McIntyre
• Kane
• Dolph Ziggler

Edge got the win for his team over Ziggler. This was after Mysterio had 619ed both Ziggler and Barrett. Wow. Not even the 619 could knock loose the hair gel from Barrett's Jughead Jones hair style.

Then Vickie came out to the ring, with her footage from few weeks ago telling Edge that he's been sort of stripped of the belt, saying Dolph Ziggler was the real champ and then fired Edge.

Match #2 Was a Diva's tag match.  Layla/Maryse vs Eve/Beth.   Layla got the win

Match#3 Kofi Kingston vs Miz.    The Miz got the win with a distraction from... Alberto Del Rio of all people.  I'm sort of shocked that the Bore-Spore Alex Riley behaved himself. But he was looking spiffy in a white tie.   Riley I mean.

Match #4 was Gabriel/Slater vs Santino/Kozlov.  This got a large DQ when the rest of the Corre interrupted.  Then the Big Show came out and cleaned house.

We ended the show with what was suppose to be the handing over of the belt to Ziggler, but what happened was that Teddy Long came to the ring and told Vickie he knew it had been her all this time who attacked him. He then re-hired Edge

Match #5- Edge vs Ziggler for the title.  Edge got the win and was once again named the champ.
Teddy Long then fired Ziggler.

I have to wonder what that storyline is setting up for?

I know the ppv is tonight, and I know the promos for the Undertaker have been saying 2/21/11  which would be tomorrow.  So I am guessing that means the Undertaker will be switching over to Raw.

Is it time for the trades?

Wade Barrett has come over to Smackdown from Raw in the last week, bringing with him Slater and Gabriele. 

Is this a wise move?

Well, if you've been reading this blog for a bit, then you know I am a massive fan of Wade Barrett. Bringing him over to the Friday night show is a very very very very good thing.

Bringing, Slater and Gabriele with him... not so much.   I was very hyper on the idea of the match between Barrett and Big Show this past week, as I was hoping we would finally get a chance to see what he was capable of doing in singles matches.  (You must remember, the first season of NXT was not available in most of Canada. and cause of Hulu being the main provider of WWE videos online, Canada misses lots of footage) then to my dismay, the rest of the new team of Slater/Gabriele/Jackson came out to ruin the match. 

Wade Barrett should be given a chance to rise on his own. I thought this was the chance, as they even gave him his own theme song that was not Nexus centered. 
Best this blogger can figure is that while he's Heel, he'll be in a group.  When he finally turns Face, he'll be on his own.

I have to admit, I've never really paid much attention to the time of year that the trades happen in WWE.  But, I'm guessing this is the time for this season's switch ups.

Who would I like to see Wade Barrett feud against now that he's over on Smackdown.... that's easy, Alberto Del Rio.  That my Spudguns, would be a hell of a few months.

2010- How I felt TNA vs WWE stacked up

I used screen capture for this post

Spudguns!  You all know that I am Team TNA.  And more specifically Team MotorCityMachine Guns!    Even before they were officially a tag team I was 100% behind both Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin.  I'm a tag team addict to say the lest.
So, you would think that I would love every second no matter how bad it was of TNA's shows.  Well, not so fast there.  You also know from my silly posts over the years (those of you who read my main blog) that I refer to my addiction to wrestling like a relationship.  2010 had me not feeling the love from my team and nearly asking for a divorce.

I actually found myself enjoying WWE more in 2010.  Mostly because of Season 2 of NXT, Raw having Sheamus, and Smackdown having both Alberto Del Rio and Dolph Ziggler.  I also thought the announce team of Josh Mathews and Todd Grisham and Matt Striker to be more comforting then having to listen to the ones over on TNA's Impact. Not to mention the badly done interview styles of Jason Hervey .... I kept waiting for someone to force feed him a stepped on chocolate bar like in Monster Squad now that would have been funny!

The year of 2010 started off with the return of the Monday Night Wars.   Jan 4th and to say the lest, it sucked goat balls.  It was down hill for TNA for months.

TNA's scores:
* Seriously, the only hot spot was indeed the Best of 5 that MotorCityMachine Guns!  and Beer Money Inc had during the summer for the belts.
*I did like the storyline Abyss was given of being off his handle.
*Putting the TV title on Douglas Williams was brilliant as well.
*Letting Jay Lethal be Jay Lethal and giving him back the X belt. 

WWE's scores: 
*NXT Season 2 was fabulous. It brought up some interesting talent.
*Putting CM Punk on the announce team for Raw was also a score as he brought both a grounding to the booth and some long over due comedic verse.
*Nexus in general was brilliant, giving a chance to make some of the Heels have a reason to turn Face for a few months.
*Alex Riley, or as I have been calling him, The Bore-Spore, has shown that he's got what it takes to become a major talent.
*Alberto Del Rio came out of almost nowhere and just dominated the scene. I haven't seen a Heel with that kind of in ring skill in years. The fact they made him a Pro for Season 4 of NXT shows he's got the goods, and I'm betting his Rookie will be on Smackdown soon.
*KnuckleHead  the movie.  Oh my god.  I can not remember the last time there was a movie released with a WWE wrestler in it that was good.  This might actually be a first for them in that regard.
* The PG era.  Most likely the most brilliant move they've done in over 20 years. It forced them to cut back on the crap and actually increase the wrestling and therefore push the guys who actually have the skills and talent to wrestle.
*Moving Edge to Smackdown, strong bold flavour there.
*Putting a belt on Dolph Ziggler. He's one of the most solid wrestlers in the business at the moment. Brilliant, simply brilliant move.
*Bringing in Daniel Bryan.  You just can not hate this guy, he's too good.  It's also nice to hear the WWE giving on air credit to guys who have been in the business for years in other companies.
*Sheamus.  The first time I saw Sheamus over a year ago on Raw I was hit by lighting. I remembered some of his indie stuff that I had seen online, and having seen him on in a documentary. All I have to say is what took WWE so damned long to get him? He's a Heel you love to hate and has the talent, the mic skills, the look the voice... sorry bit of a drool fest here for him. 

WWE's Failures:
*Kaval is one of the most talented wrestlers around, but yet they fail to use him for anything other then jobber of the week.  He should have been given a bigger push.
*Micheal Cole and his damned computer.  Stop it. Just dump the computer stuff and shut Cole up.
*Edge and Kane's comedy soap opera.  That was just alot of wasted time.
*The Tag Team Division.  It is a mess. They're going to need to do a hell of alot more clean up still with this.
*Cody Rhodes and his dashing crap. Just drop the gimmick and wrestle

TNA's Failures:
*Reaction. It's like it just did not have it's identity in place until the last four episodes.
*Changing the TNA belt to fit Jeff Hardy's personality. Frealing stupid frealing move. Just bad.
*Bringing in Jeff Hardy. I understand you wanted to pull fans from the other company but I don't like him. Nor do I feel you have been using him properly. If you were going to build things on his name, then you should have done it differently, and made him more independent from any factions.
*Robbie E and Cookie.  Just bad. You should have left them as Orlando's gay-bi-fruit flies. They are just annoying now.
*The whole thing between Flair and Lethal.  It was just pointless. Jay Lethal needed a push I understand that, but dropping him into that gimmick right after letting him be him again after what; nearly four years of being Macho Man, it was too much sugar coated crap ontop of sugar coated crap.
*London Brawling. Miss Matched at best. That's a fashion don't ontop of a bad mistake.
*A.J. Styles as the mini Flair. It was not even laughable it was that bad an idea. And don't even get me started on the Flaired version of Styles' robe.
*Not having JB doing interviews backstage this year.  When fans think of the VOICE of TNA they think JB
*Hulk Hogan. It was just... I'm not even going to waste my breath complaining other then to say ... frealing stupid putting that old goat on air.
*Taking Shark Boy off air.  Fans love him, bring him back to Impact!
*Mr. Shelley, Mr. Sabin... getting rid of the red pants. 

That's how I felt about our love affair this past year. Every relationship has it's rough patches, so here's hoping the romance gets better in 2011. Kiss Kiss Noise.
Love Ardeth Blood

Pssstt... Riley what's in the case?

Since it's the holidays, I thought I would post something light.

I made a comment last week about how Bore-Spore Alex Riley was still carrying around the old red beat in Money in the Bank briefcase that had belonged to the Miz.   Well as of the Christmas Eve episode of Smackdown,  Riley was carrying a brand new silver briefcase of his very own.
I want to know what's in it. 

I know when Riley started out, his main gimmick was "The Varsity Villain."   BUT cause I'm who I am, I think my Bore-Spore is actually a secret geeky-nerd.  
Yes indeed I do.   So I think, like all good little geeky-nerds, what he's got in the shinny silver case is in fact 100% geek approved. 

Item #1 - An autographed photo of William Shattner. 

Item #2- A mixed CD of old 80's heavy metal bands

Item #3- A well worn copy of  Save the Assistants by Lilit Marcus

Item #4- Empty mini bottles of whiskey that you get on flights (oh come on it was a ready made joke)

Item #5-A rejected design for an Alex Riley tee that simply says "Bore-Spore" in a blood red splatter on an off white that reminds you of those old Hammer horror films on the front and A-Rye on the back

Well, that's what I think he's got in that shinny new case.

Anyways, hope everyone has a safe New Year.  See you all in 2011

Knucklehead- review

Plot: A kitchen fire burns down the orphanage where Walter lives. They have been given one week by the health inspector to rebuild the kitchen or else everyone will be turned out.  Walter is then spotted by a fight agent who sees only one thing, someone big enough to destroy the other fighters. Walter agrees to go on a short tour, the whole time being taped and becoming the biggest thing on youtube.  Not only do they have to survive the week, they soon learn that a loan shark has kidnapped one of the other orphans and in order to get him back, Walter needs to loose the biggest tournament. Will they fall under the pressure or battle their way out?


The plot is thin but it's very workable as it's a buddy movie. In one scene, you see actress Wendie Malick (who on IMDb is not credited in this film) drag Big Show around by the ear, giving her character more laughs then the rest of the cast.  Mark Feuerstein (Sex and the City, In Her Shoes, Practical Magic) , picks up the other half of the buddy end of this buddy film, carrying all the heavier dialogue. The combination is seamless as we see Big Show earn his weight in gold as a innocent pawn who proves he's more then just the big guy.
Two unlikely love stories unfold through this, one between Feuerstein's character and Mary (Melora Hardin) a former party girl turned orphanage-landlord,  and between Walter (Big Show) and a trailer park resident (Rebecca Creskoff). Which I must admit, threw me for a loop as the first few scenes make you think Walter and Mary are an item.

This did at times remind me of the Jack Black movie from few years ago, Nacho-Libra but thankfully was more thought out and a hell of alot funnier.

I really liked this film.  I have never been much of a fan of the Big Show, until he started to do comedy on Smackdown the last few months, in promotion of this film.
He's the star that WWE has been needing with their movie base. Hope there is a sequel in the works.

Smackdown for Dec 3rd 2010 -Thoughts and Highlights

This was the show after the King of the Ring (that Sheamus won) and we open with Rey Mysterio talking about how he was cheated out of a shot at King of the Ring by Alberto Del Rio.  Rio then came out and got in Rey's face.

I really like Alberto Del Rio, he's got the talent and the mic skills that so many are lacking lately.  He's someone I hope stays Heel for a few years.

Match #1 Drew McIntyre/Dolph Ziggler vs MVP/Kaval.  Ziggler got the win

Kane came out and demanded Edge to return Paul. 

Match #2 Kofi Kingston vs Jack Swagger. Kofi got the win.

Match #3 Chris Masters vs Cody Rhodes.   Rhodes got the win.

Looks like the end of the Edge sitcom.  And the start of the Eagle sitcom. Why do we need to see some dude running around in a bird costume?   We don't and the punning was bad really bad from the announce team. 

Main Event was Kane vs Edge.  Edge won and gets to pick the stipulation at the TLC ppv next week. Which ended up being a Tables-Ladders-Chairs match itself.  Then Kane beat up a Paul look a like. And the sitcom continues.

Not the best of shows this week as there was more flash backs to last week's Raw than anything else.
I am really trying to understand why the WWE is dragging out this whole chase sitcom with Edge and Kane?  At first I was thinking that maybe Edge was slightly injured and they just needed a way to give him some air time, but he's wrestled a few times in the last few weeks so that's not the case.  Are they just trying to show off how large the backstage areas are?  Are they just getting a laugh out of seeing Kane run? 
I'm hoping there is a big pay off to this sitcom after next week. Also hoping to see Edge win the belt.

Death of the Tag Teams

Well only for WWE anyways.   It's the talk as of late for fans.  It has also been the topic of a few other spoiler sheets and pro-wrestling articles.   The end of the tag team division for the biggest company around. 
I'm not shocked either.  No one is. 

The second Nexus took the belts, the nails were charged into the coffin lid.  Now, this week's episode of Raw, saw the end of the Hart Dynasty.  Tyson Kidd walked away leaving Smith to the wolves.  Honestly, as sad as I am to see the only legit tag team in the company crumble, I'm sort of glad too.  Kidd has more talent then Smith, I don't care who his family is, Smith was the weak link.

As far as Nexus goes,  Slater is the weak link. Toss him, I'll feel better.  And talk about belts that are needing a make over. God those things are ugly. I don't care how new or expensive they are, they hurt my eyes.

Can anything save the WWE's tag division at this point?  Nothing is really coming to mind.  Team Uso might, if you gave them someone of their training to feud with.

Here's what I would do if it was me in the writing room,  wait till Evan Bourne returns from surgery in a few months and either have him join Nexus therefore replacing Slater by teaming him up with Gabriel or kick Gabriel out of Nexus letting him team with Bourne. 
And I can't stand either of those guys. I just think they would make a glueable (cohesive) team. They have the same style and speed, not too sure on their heights but Gabriel looks to be closer to Bourne's height. 

Miz and Bore-Spore Alex Riley make an impressionable image.  I would have Miz cash in his Money in the Bank contract and loose, opening the door for an official tag team with his unofficial tag partner the Bore-Spore.

Let's turn to the darkside for a moment, this new dude Tyler Reks.  I could see him teaming with Drew McIntyre and forming a solid team.

 All I can say is that I've been a tag team fan for decades and have been disappointed greatly in the last six years by WWE's tag division.  Either step it up or just drop it for a year until you get some real tag team talent.

Smackdown Highlights for Oct 22nd 2010

Team Raw was on the show this week to help promote the ppv this weekend, Bragging Rights. 

 The first match of the night was a 6 man tag, Team Raw (Jackson, Miz, Sheamus) vs Team Smackdown (Big Show, Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio)  Team Smackdown ended up getting the win 

Second match of the night, Jack Swagger vs Santino with Swagger getting the win. 

Match number three gave us Ablerto Del Rio vs John Morrison.  Alberto Del Rio won.

Match four, Edge vs CM Punk. This ended up being a dq because Miz and his Bore-Spore Alex Riley got involved. This then lead to each member of both Teams coming into the ring one by one using their finishing moves on each other, coming full circle with Edge spearing Punk. 

The main event was Kane vs Randy Orton in a champion vs champion match.  Orton managed to secure a win with the help of a distraction from Undertaker.  Undertaker then came from under the ring pulling a screaming Kane down through a rip in the canvas, disappearing into the darkness. 

And your match of the night.... Morrison vs Del Rio. 

They started with a collar tie up, Morrison in the corner, Del Rio landing a high knee to his chest. Del Rio then with a hard punch before slamming Morrison face first into the top turnbuckle. He followed this up with a snapmare. Morrison finally got into the match with a baseball slide catching Del Rio off guard before using a double leg take down. Morrison then proceeded to attack Del Rio with a series of punches and a running knee to the jaw of Del Rio. Morrison went for a cover at this point but only got a two count. Del Rio managed to get things turned around to his favour with a simple trip up, sending Morrison face first again into the ring post. Del Rio added a back breaker before slapping on a modified camel clutch on Morrison. Morrison was able to fight out of this, but found himself tossed across the ring. Now in the corner, Del Rio was able to kick Morrison in the spine, setting him up for a side suplex. Del Rio went for another cover, but once again only got a two count. He continued to work on the spine of Morrison for the next few minutes, managing again to put Morrison in a camel clutch move. Again, Morrison fought out of it, getting Del Rio in a roll up but only landing himself a near fall. Del Rio went charging at Morrison, missing and landed on his neck in the corner stunning himself and giving Morrison a breather. Del Rio then walked right into a series of short clotheslines from Morrison.  Morrison then used his scissors kick. From out of nowhere, Del Rio slapped on a Northern Lights suplex going for another pin but only getting a two count. This was followed up by a series of shoulder blocks in the corner, setting up for an enzuigiri that missed as Morrison ducked. Del Rio landed himself hard on the mat giving Morrison the chance to ready himself for starship pain. Del Rio got his knees up just as Morrison made contact. Both back to their feet, and in one smooth swing, Del Rio used a standing roll over turning it into a cross arm breaker submission forcing Morrison to tap out.

It will be interesting to see what kind of new feuds will develop after this week's ppv. Honestly, I've seen enough of Undertaker and am personally hoping that Kane manages to bury him. The wild card will be the new guy Tyler Reks, whom really has not impressed me at all. And Dolph Ziggler vs Daniel Bryan... that's got the potential to be something big, if they bring Bryan over to Smackdown after Bragging Rights.

Raw for Oct 18th 2010

We open with Theodore Long from Smackdown syaing he's taking over Raw this week, then the "Anonymous GM" emailed with a threat.  This is all of course setting up for the ppv this weekend Bragging Rights.

First match  Cody Rhodes/Drew McIntyre vs Hart Dynasty.    Rhodes/McIntyre won this one.

Second match of the night, Goldust vs Zack Ryder.  Goldust won

Third match of the night, John Cena/Randy Orton vs Husky Harris/Micheal McGillicuty.  Orton/Cena won this one.

Vicky came out with Dolph Ziggler, and Vicky was in this fabulous black dress but the ankle strapped shoes have to go.  They really chop up your legs.

Main Event was set to be Big Show vs Miz in a captain vs captain match but it soon was turned into a battle royal with team Smackdown getting the win.  During this, Hornswaggle was beating the crap out of announcer Michel Cole with a flag pole then stole his headset. 

And your match of the night.... Orton/Cena vs Husky Harris/Micheal McGillicuty.
Cena and McGillicuty started this one with a collar tie up, Cena pounding McGillicuty to the mat.  He then cornered McGillicuty with a series of punches before charging shoulder first at McGillicuty. Cena then tossed him from one corner of the ring to the other before delivering a fisherman's suplex. Orton then tagged in delivering a drop kick on McGillicuty. Cena tagged back in as they double teamed McGillicuty. Cena then with another series of punches but walked into a standing drop kick from McGillicuty who finally got some headway in this match. Husky Harris tagged in with a series of hard punches of his own to Cena's jaw, setting Cena up in the corner for his tank-splash. Harris went for a cover but only got a two count. McGillicuty tagged back in delivering a few stomps to Cena before giving Cena a flying whiplash from the second turnbuckle. He went for a cover but again only got a near fall. Harris tagged back in going off the ropes with another flying shoulder tackle on Cena. He went for a cover here too, but Cena kicked out. Harris managed to get Cena in the middle of the ring in a submission move, but Cena fought to get to his feet. Harris with a knee to the spine of Cena staggering him enough to slap a scoop slam on Cena. Harris went for a running splash but Cena rolled out and tagged in Orton. McGillicuty also tagged in, running right into a few clotheslines from Orton, as Orton out of nowhere got him up in a scoop slam. Orton then with his trademark second rope DDT on McGillicuty just as Harris ran into the ring. Cena caught Harris midmove and put him into the attitude adjustment, giving Orton the chance to RKO McGillicuty for the win.