The Race for the Championship '08

First and foremost, congratulations to the New York Football Giants for their SuperBowl 42 victory. It was the most exciting football game I've ever seen, and I've seen allot of them. I hope Vince McMahon payed close attention to the Giant's storyline this season. It greatly resembled Jeff Hardy's storyline. (By the way, Vince, SuperBowl 42 was the most watched sporting event in history... so maybe rethink your 'John Cena fixation.')

With absolutely nothing happening in the world of pro-wrestling over the weekend... save ShellyMartinez - ECW's Ariel, OIW's good friend Kevin Thorn(e?)'s former valet - appearing in a porn video... OIW has decided to announce it's endorsements for the major championships much like major news publications and politicians are announcing their endorsements for President of the United States. When I say OIW, I really mean just me... Seannie Wan. I'm sure that The Kidd will have different and somewhat abstract endorsements for the major titles and I'm sure Chris Jericho will be involved in one of the MAJOR major titles.

OIW officially endorse Jeff Hardy as the next WWE Champion. He still gets the biggest pops when his music hits. He has put on the most exciting matches in 2007 and thus far in 2008. He is, in my very knowledgeable and wise opinion, the hardest worker in the WWE.

OIW officially endorses The Undertaker as the next World Heavyweight Champion. His title reign ended early due to injury last year. Yes, that is no reason to give him the title back, but he owns Wrestlemania and on the Smackdown roster, he is most deserving of the title. Also, I feel his title reign would have been one of the more interesting storylines and could have quite possibly culminated with him losing said title at Wrestlemania 24. So, let's see him lose at Wrestlemania 25 instead.

OIW officially endorses Samoa Joe as the next TNA World Champion. Joe IS Total NonStop Action Wrestling. He - or possibly AJ Styles - is the most talented wrestler and easily the most popular wrestler in TNA. He is long overdue for a ride at the top of the promotion. As much as I'd like to see him in the WWE, he deserves the top honors in TNA.

OIW officially endorses CM Punk as the next Intercontinental Champion. CM Punk needs to get out of ECW. He can't possibly carry that pile of smelly garbola. He should be on RAW. He should have a major title. He would bring prestige to the Intercontinental title... not that Jeff Hardy doesn't, but Jeff Hardy should be moving on to bigger and better things. CM Punk is the future of this business.

OIW officially endorses Matt Hardy as the next United States Champion. He got hurt and that killed his momentum. However, if he can get back to action even three weeks before Wrestlemania, a showdown with MVP in Orlando is a guarantee. Matt has been working hard in the WWE - even harder than Jeff - for years now and deserves a title. I want some Mattitude at Wrestlemania.

OIW officially endorses 'Black Machismo' Jay Lethal as the next X Division Champion. He is endorsed by default because there is nobody else in the X Division that deserves a title. In all honesty, OIW endorses the end of the X Division and the creation of a new mid-card title that talent such as AJ Styles and Tomko can carry while Kurt Angle is in the midst of his never-ending world title reign.

OIW officially endorses Santino Marella and Carlito as the next World Tag Team Champions. They are funny together and they are funny apart. Neither will ever be successful as a singles wrestler, but together they can reach Edge and Christian-like popularity. With a hot momma Playbody centerfold valet at their side, they are the perfect tag team for 2008.

OIW officially endorses Team 3D as the next TNA Tag Team Champions. I am sold that Buh Buh Ray and Devon are the greatest Tag Team that I've ever seen... if not of all time. They will bring validity to the TNA Tag Team ranks. Admit it, AJ and Tomko have the titles because they can't get a singles title because of Kurt Angle.

OIW does not recognize the other titles - such as the WWE Tag Team Championship and the ECW Championship - because they're lame.

Check back for my Raw review and feel free to comment on our endorsements.

Also, check back for The Kidd's official ripping of my endorsements.

Peace out...

Seannie Wan

Boycott the Main Event?

In response to the Kidd...

If I were booked in a match and I wasn't announced the winner after the closing bell, I would call myself a 'non-loser.' ('Non-loser' is trademarked as of now and I own the trademark and if anyone uses the term 'non-loser,' thou shalt pay me a hefty sum.)

As far as Wrestlemania 24...

MAIN EVENT FOR THE WWE CHAMPIONSHIP (and the match with the opening bell representing not only the beginning of this match, but the point at which I head to the parking lot.)
John Cena (c) v. Triple H v. Randy Orton

WINNER: Do I really need to tell you...

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Edge (c) v. The Undertaker

WINNER: The Undertaker, take 2...

UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
M.V.P. (c) v. Matt Hardy

WINNER: Matt Hardy... Matt Hardy will finally get a big win. What? The U.S. title isn't a big win? Chris Benoit held this title... Ric Flair held this title... Arn Anderson... Steve Austin... John Cena... ugh. I hate Cena.

RIC FLAIR'S FINAL MATCH
Ric Flair v. Shawn Michaels

WINNER: Ric Flair... JK! LOL! Although I do think Flair should be ending Michael's career. It would have been daring and interesting and compelling to book Mr. Kennedy in Michael's place. However, Cena has returned and it's back to formula!!!!

MONEY IN THE BANK
Jeff Hardy (in possibly his final match due to death during this match) v. Mr. Kennedy v. Umaga v. Kane v. Rey Mysterio v. C.M. Punk

WINNER: Jeff Hardy - to make up for dropping him down the ladder he's worked his ass off to climb at the first sign of Cena... or Mr. Kennedy - to make up for dropping him down the heel ladder he's worked his ass off to climb at the first sign of Triple H turning heel because Cena is back... or C.M. Punk - to make up for the lack of building any superstar up, besides Jeff Hardy who for some reason is still relegated to Ladder Matches... I'm going with Jeff Hardy because he deserves it the most.

SOME SORT OF GIMMICK MATCH
Chris Jericho v. J.B.L.

WINNER: Chris Jericho... This feud is good for everybody except the wrestling fan. Having worked a combined 4 matches over the last 2 years, they're both ironing out kinks. And who better to work with for either wrestler? Y2J gets to work out kinks with a slow super-heel and J.B.L. gets to work on his speed with a fast super-face. Their popularity will outshine their shit matches. However, by Wrestlemania, I believe these two professionals will be firing on all cylinders and put on the best match of the night.

WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Cody Rhodes and Hardcore Holly (c) v. Santino Marella and Carlito

WINNER: Santino Marella and Carlito... these guys are the most entertaining part of Raw more often than not and they deserve more television time. Also, the tag titles should be put on an interesting team.

WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
Beth Phoenix (c) v. Ashley (if Vince still thinks people care about her)... or Maria (if the focus is to sell her Playboy issue)... or Mickie James (if the focus of this match is wrestling)

WINNER: People that have already used the bathroom because the bathroom is going to be packed out during this match.

BATISTA MATCH
Batista v. The Big Show

WINNER: Batis...duh...

VINCE MCMAHON MATCH
Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon and The Great Khali v. Hornswoggle and Finlay and Mick Foley

WINNER: Vince McMahon for 24 years of Wrestlemanias!


So there you have it OIW Nation. That's my Wrestlemania. It's not what I expected ten days ago, but it could have been worse... there could be no Jericho and no JBL. What can I do? Vince is all about the kiddies and the kiddies are all about John Cena just like I was all about Hulk Hogan when I was a little boy.

However! Here is my 'Wrestlemania Challenge' to the Kidd... nay, not only the Kidd but every 'real' wrestling fan attending Wrestlemania that was excited for Wrestlemania up until John Cena entered the Royal Rumble...BOYCOTT THE MAIN EVENT!!! I want Cena to make Triple H tap out... again... in front of an empty stadium... or a half-full - yes, I'm an optimist - stadium.

BOYCOTT THE MAIN EVENT. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD. TELL VINCE THAT HE IS KIND OF AN IDIOT WHEN IT COMES TO TALENT. TELL TRIPLE H THAT THIS SHIT WILL NOT FLY WHEN VINCE IS GONE. TELL JOHN CENA THAT THE WORLD IS NOT HIS OYSTER. STAND UP FOR JEFF HARDY AND MR. KENNEDY AND ALL THE TALENT THAT MADE RAW INTERESTING WHILE CENA WAS GONE.

Peace out...

P.S.
TNA was kind of lame. Actually, it was decent, but anytime I see Billy Gunn I just think of wrestling as lame.

Seannie-Wan

Vince McMahon Is Sabotaging Himself?

I doubt that he is doing it on purpose. I just don't understand why he thinks some of the ideas he has are... well, good.

What an awesome broadcast Raw was on 11/26. It had it all-- comedy, well-worked matches, drama, and suspense. Honestly, I haven't seen a Raw as good as that in a few years. I can't even remember the last memorable Raw broadcast. The main reason the broadcast was so good was the return of Ric Flair and the new story line that accompanies him. It is a well-thought out story and - if done right - it may end up being the best story line/angle since The Rock's heel turn at Survivor Series 1998. Every match that Flair works will be a main-event caliber match because every match he works may be his last. Each match will have suspense and each match will build the story line more and more. It's genius.

The other reason that Raw was so good was Chris Jericho. He is already the most entertaining person on the roster. The bit with him and Santino Marella was hilarious. I mean, he has done much more entertaining bits - Jericho, not Santino - but considering the lack of humor and the lack of anything 'fun' on Raw or in the WWE over the last three years, that bit was a masterpiece.

The return of both Jericho and Flair have taken Raw to a level I didn't think would be possible until Vince had been long gone from contributing anything creative to the product. For the first time in a very long time I can say, 'I can't wait for Monday night.'

I don't like Jericho being thrown into the main event though. Yes, he is more talented overall than anyone else on the roster, but it is a slap in the face to the guys who have been working hard all year long to see someone who had quit the business and hadn't worked a match in two years return with a huge push and be thrust into a title match. It's a Hogan move. (By the way, after Raw went off the air, Randy Orton accepted Chris Jericho's challenge thus making the main event of Armageddon Randy Orton v. Chris Jericho for the WWE Championship.)

I'm not going to downplay the importance of Chris Jericho to the WWE right now. He is truly saving the company in my opinion. However, there is no need for him to have a belt to get over with fans. I would be more interested in Ric Flair making a title run and winning the WWE Championship. I explained what I've heard the story is going to be like in my last post and I am a big fan of that coming to fruition.

Back to Vince McMahon; why on Earth would he decide to turn Hornswoggle into a magical leprechaun... at all?!?... let alone on a night when such a fantastic-the-stars-have-aligned-in-perfect-harmony booking was to be broadcast?!? It was awkward to watch at first and then I became so irritated by the stupidity of the concept and the tremendous wast of time that the entire Hornswoggle push has been and apparently will continue to be that I was unable to enjoy the Ric Flair/Randy Orton non-title match as much as I should have. I should have been more excited for the main event. I should have been in joy. I should have been savoring the promise of Raws to come. Instead I was angry and hurt and part of me even wanted to watch the Steelers and the Dolphins play in what may have been the worst Monday Night Football game ever. On top of the sheer ferocity at the idea of Hornswoggle being a magic leprechaun is the horrible direction and production from a television viewpoint. Vince should suspend himself from any ideas for a little while.

He refuses to give up on the 'Hornswoggle is my son' story. There can't be any way that he is getting any positive feedback from anyone about this idea. Where are Shane and Stephanie? They should say, 'hey, Dad, Raw is getting fresh and creative and somewhat innovative right now... maybe we should just forget the Hornswoggle idea...' At this point in time, Vince should be looking for some fresh writers.. ahem, me... to develop some interesting ideas to capitalize on the Ric Flair and Chris Jericho and Jeff Hardy stories. Steve Austin pitched an idea to have Ric Flair win a title, preferably the WWE Championship, and hold on to it until Wrestlemania 24. At this point, Flair would lay down for a deserving wrestler. It would be a passing of the torch. Whether that wrestler be Jericho of Jeff Hardy or Randy Orton or Edge or hell even Kenny Dykstra, the idea is so right and pure that it would be one of the greatest Wrestlemania moments. Maybe Vince should let Austin pitch some more ideas. I'd rather that than having Vince drag him out every three months for a pay-per-view to give some poor schmuck a stunner and drink a beer.

Listen, I'm sure Vince isn't purposely sabotaging himself... duh. And I'm sure that Hornswoggle is a nice guy. And I know that Finlay is a hard worker and he's been in the business for years and years and he deserves to have some spotlight finally shine on him a little bit. However, there is too much 'good' happening right now that a 'bad' as 'bad' as this angle can make all the 'good' disappear. I don't even want to write about it anymore because it's ruining my mood.

So, in summation, I am very excited about Raw on Monday. I am very excited about Armageddon in 2 weeks. I am so excited that I can't even comment on the mess Smackdown is getting itself into or the positive things that are happening on ECW.

Check back for my Smackdown/ECW post tomorrow and The Kidd's update on the happenings - and there are allot of them - on TNA real soon.

Peace Out

-Seannie Wan

Lots and Lots and Lots of Pre-Raw Notes and Opinions 11/26/07

Lots to write about tonight my children...

Most important bit of news is Ric Flair's return to Raw tonight. It's not going to be as exciting as the 2nd Coming of Christ... er, Chris Jericho, but if booked properly it will be a helluva farewell tour. Disputably the greatest professional wrestler of all time, Ric Flair is going to wrestle his final match at Wrestlemania 24 in Orlando, Florida. Raw is in Charlotte, North Carolina tonight and I imagine Flair's pop will be bigger than Chris Jericho's was last week. What I find most interesting about Flair's return/farewell tour is how it will be booked and the fact that Steve Austin is lending his own ideas for a storyline. Rumors are circulating that he will have a title run that will end at Wrestlemania.

My initial reaction to Ric Flair losing his final match was 'What?!?,' but the more I think about it the more I like it. Both The Kidd and myself have been yearning for Flair to become either World Heavyweight Champion or WWE Champion for over a year. He is easily one of the top draws in the company and he is the dirtiest player in the game and he is more than deserving of one last title run. When I think of pro-wrestling champions, I think of Ric Flair first and foremost. If he is booked to win a belt and drops it to a deserving opponent at Wrestlemania - and when I say deserving I mean DESERVING (which is a topic of discussion for another day) - it will be a true 'passing of the torch.' The writers and bookers and Vince McMahon must be very careful and very smart about Flair's final 4 months in the WWE.

Speaking of possible Wrestlemania 24 spoilers, HHH wants to turn heel. HHH is best booked as a heel. He is a villian. Fans love to hate him. I lose respect for him as a face because he has the ability to book himself in anyway that he wants. HHH has the most political power any talent has ever had in any promotion and he could use that power to headline himself in a Wrestlemania main-event and win the WWE Championship. However, he is smart enough to know that that would not go over well with the locker room or any educated (by educated, I mean wrestling educated) wrestling fan. HHH's original idea was to book himself heel against John Cena a la Wrestlemania 22... with Cena out, the idea being kicked around is HHH v. HBK in Orlando. I don't like this idea. I like my idea of HHH v. Jeff Hardy. Jeff Hardy should get a title shot if not a title run. HBK should put over a deserving, younger wrestler. While HHH still has some years left in him, HBK is getting pretty painful to watch. He needs to be replaced and doing the job for someone at Wrestlemania is the right thing.

Speaking of Shawn Michaels, he has said that he sees allot of his younger self in Randy Orton. I guess this is a promising observation on Hickenbottom's part. Randy Orton can be a huge star. The potential is there. However, this title run he is on is not working out... at least as far as I'm concerned. I really liked his 'clean' win over Michaels at the Survivor Series, but - like Edge - Orton is trying too hard at being a 'bad guy.' Orton needs to study video of The Rock to learn how to convert his real-life personality into a professional wrestling persona. I have faith that he can one day be the top man in the company, but he is further away from that position now than he was six months ago. He is digressing.

Edge will most likely win the World Heavyweight Title in the next couple of weeks. I'm assuming this will set up a Edge/Taker feud culminating at Wrestlemania. I don't know how Batista is going to be booked over the next couple of months, but I don't think he fits into any interesting story lines. It's a shame because he was really growing on me... I'm serious... I can't explain it... I don't think any reasonable man can explain how Batista gets over. The Kidd believes it has much to do with his pyro. I guess I can agree with that.

As of now, these are the unofficial, unconfirmed Armageddon matches...
Chris Jericho v. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship
Batista v. The Undertaker v. Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship
Shawn Michaels v. Ken Kennedy
If seven months ago you had told me that these were booked matches and asked me to guess which pay-per-view event they were booked for, I would have replied 'Wrestlemania,' and pumped my fists.

Carlito - I don't know why I keep talking about him but I'd guess it's because I like his hair and when he spits apple - has officially given his notice to the WWE. He is being released and upon release will be allowed to work anywhere EXCEPT for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Hmmm... I wonder if Vince McMahon is feeling threatened... well, I did wonder if Vince McMahon was feeling threatened until I saw the Angle Family Thanksgiving dinner spot on Impact... it was sort of funny but not really at all... so bottom line, I really don't see TNA as a threat to the WWE... yet...

Mark Henry is headed to ECW. I like this move almost as much as I like the Shelton Benjamin to ECW move. I'm getting tired of seeing Smackdown guys 'appearing' on ECW, but if these Smackdown guys become ECW guys I'd be happy-- or at least as happy as ECW could possibly make someone. ECW needs a stable roster that consists of more than 9 wrestlers. CM Punk needs some talent besides John Morrisson to work with-- no knocking of John Morrisson, but I'm just bored of that program. And to be honest, I think that Smackdown is a little thick on talent. The World Title picture just got way too crowded with the return of Edge. There are five former champions (and that's just a quick count) on the roster that have held the title at least once over the last two years. It's going to be tough to book Batista without the Championship being involved and Rey Mysterio has gotten to the point of putting over M.V.P. on Friday Night Smackdown on the CW network.... didn't he win the title at Wrestlemania 22? Wow. So, Mark Henry to ECW is good for everyone involved... much like Shelton Benjamin's jump from Raw.

Bobby Lashley will be returning to action in early December. I don't know where he is going to fit in. He has a great opportunity to turn into the next Ahmed Johnson! I don't make that comparison because they're both black. I make the comparison because both wrestlers were taking strides in the company and both went down to injury and both did steroids (I can't prove this, but come on). Ahmed Johnson came back to a scenario that didn't need his presence and he lost his star power and he came back in horrible shape. As far as Bobby is concerned, Raw doesn't need Lashley and I don't think that many fans are going to be enthusiastic about his return - fans are excited about Christ Jericho... er, Chris Jericho... and Ric Flair and Jeff Hardy - and after the WWE Wellness Program controversy, I don't see Lashley being nearly as muscular or physically fit as he was when he went down with a 'shoulder injury.' Maybe he and Ron Simmons and D-Lo Brown can join Mark Henry in ECW and re-start one of the most racially degrading stables in pro-wrestling history: The Nation of Domination. Heck (and I use 'Heck' not 'Hell' because this is a family-friendly wrestling blog), maybe Cryme Tyme can get their jobs back also. Hey! Where is Ahmed Johnson anyhow?!? The Nation of Domination can return and it can be bigger than the nWo.

Enjoy Raw tonight! I'm expecting a good show. I'm excited to see Chris Jericho and Ric Flair. These two professional entertainers will easily take the broadcast up several notches. I'm excited to see Jeff Hardy in action (I've become a total Jeff Hardy mark, much to The Kidd's dismay). I'm excited to see Shawn Michaels and Ken Kennedy develop their program. I'm NOT excited to see Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes continue their awkward father/mentor/son/learner storyline, but I'm sure that I'm going to see them booked together in some sort of lame match around 8:34.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read this novel of a post... sorry for the lack of posts over the holiday weekend...

Peace out.

- Seannie Wan

Random Notes and Random Thoughts On A Random Thanksgiving Eve 11/23/07

Biggest news to report: Shelton Benjamin has been switched from Raw to the ECW roster. I don't think this bodes well for Charlie Haas. However, I think this is great for Shelton Benjamin. He is one of the top five wrestlers on the Raw brand and he gets buried so much he is seen but once a month on television. It's sad that a guy with that much talent gets such little television time. Part of the problem is that he had been paired with Haas again. I'm not knocking Haas, but this is clearly a case of Shawn Michaels/Marty Jannetty.

Benjamin can make a big impact on ECW. He is deserving of a belt and he held the Intercontinental Title for a fairly long period of time. He should be thrown into the ECW Championship mix and I think he would work a great program with CM Punk. I'm excited to tune into ECW on Tuesdays and see how Shelton fits.

TNA news: Tomko has had emergency surgery on a torn muscle. There is no word yet on how long he will be out of action. TNA can clean up this mess by teaming Christian with Styles and having the two drop the Tag Belts to the Steiners or - even better - Team 3D. This could push a Christian Cage - AJ Styles feud and a Team 3D - Motor City Machine Guns feud for the Tag Belts. I like Tomko, but this is not a horrible situation... except for Tomko... and I guess Prince Albert (A-Train) whom he shares the New Japan Tag Titles with (disclaimer: it may not be Albert that he shares the title with and it may not be New Japan that he wrestles for and he may already have lost that title... I guess I should have done some more research : - ( ).

I'm very curious to see how the Chris Jericho/Randy Orton program will be booked. I'm very curious to see how Edge is booked. I'm most curious to see if Triple H will book himself in a heel turn which, in my opinion, would then push Jeff Hardy to the top face - I guess only behind Jericho - on Raw.

Matt Hardy has had surgery on his appendix and will be out for 8 to 10 weeks. Jeez... more bad luck for the WWE. Matt Hardy is probably the hardest worker on Smackdown... if not the WWE. It works that they could play his absence as a knee injury courtesy of MVP. I guess MVP v. Matt Hardy for the U.S. Title at Wrestlemania 24?

I've actually been brainstorming a possible card for Wrestlemania... What do you think?...

Triple H v. Jeff Hardy for the WWE Championship - Triple H has won the belt from Randy Orton due to Chris Jericho's help and turned heel on Jeff Hardy who has won the Royal Rumble.

Edge v. The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship - Edge has won the World Title from Batista.

Chris Jericho (should he still be around) v. Randy Orton in some kind of special stipulation match... should the feud last this long...

Shawn Michaels v. Ken Kennedy should they still be feuding. I think this should be a great program. I hope Michaels lays down for Kennedy.

Ric Flair v. Ricky Steamboat - this is going to be Flair's last match and who better - besides I guess Sting - to work with in his farewell match. This is also dependent upon Steamboat's ability to work a match... a good match.

Batista v. Umaga v. Snitsky v. John Morrison v. the Miz v. Finlay in the Money in the Bank Match - this is because I have no idea how else to book these guys.

MVP v. Matt Hardy for the U.S. Championship - this feud can be booked longer and built better with Matt Hardy's injury.

Who am I missing? What do you think? I'm sure The Kidd will have something to say. I'll give some more thought and do a re-post.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our loyal readers!!!

Peace Out
- Seannie Wan

By The Way

Dear The Kidd,

I'm not sure about my tivoed Raw situation. I normally set it to record until 11:10. I think the Jericho spot was longer than that. I watched it live and I knew I would watch it live ergo I didn't think to adjust my tivo... Nor did I think that Raw would run longer than normal.

Also, I don't know who Scott Hudson is, but he sounds like an enemy.

Seannie Wan

Random Notes - Post Second Coming

I had hoped to have a video of Chris Jericho's return to Raw but I have been unable to find one. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough? Truth be told I became frustrated. I figure, if you didn't watch Raw last night for Chris Jericho's return, yet you read a pro-wrestling blog you need to take a good look in the mirror.

Chris Jericho ended the program and ratings for Raw were down from last week. Hmmm... maybe because people weren't interested in Jericho enough to sit through a horrible Diva tag match and Hornswagle v. Carlito?

I was excited to see Jericho. It was the furthest thing from a surprise as it's been speculated for months and confirmed for weeks.

I would like to see Triple H win the WWE title from Orton and turn heel on Jeff Hardy and have the feud culminate at Wrestlemania. I would like to see Michaels work a long program with Ken Kennedy. However, I have no idea what I would like to see Chris Jericho do. Where does he fit? He's already in the title picture... a spot that Jeff Hardy and Ken Kennedy are more deserving of.

I'm not going to knock Chris Jericho at all. I think it's great that he's back in wrestling. However, I also thought it was great when the Ultimate Warrior made his triumphant return at Wrestlemania 12.

Overall, I am excited to tune in on Monday.

As far as Edge, the Armageddon main event will most likely be a triple threat match between him, the Undertaker and Batista for Batista's World Heavyweight Championship.

I'll post a video as soon as I find one.

Peace Out

-Seannie Wan

Y2j!!Y2j!!Y2j!!Y2j!!

Finally!! I had to wait longer than most for less Jericho, which i'll explain in a minute, but coll darnit was it worth it. I honestly haven't felt so alive since august of 99( look it up). Jericho is back, he looks great, and he promos* like a rock star now!! I actually think his voice has moved up a step or two in pitch, or sounds it because of his lead singer style delivery. Jerichos great. Phenomenal entrance, with visual reminders of his original debut in the wwe, stupendous. I loved it. Super excited himself to be back. Seemed very confident in the things he said and the message. More confident than a man acting like a wrestler who is confident, or, the norm. His words were carefully chosen and overall i give the rebut(new word) of Y2j Chris Jericho an 8. Don't be alarmed fellow Jerichoholics, thats on a scale from 2 to 8:)

Scott Hudson says Jericho is all hype with no payoff. Scott Hudson says to wait and see. Ok Scott Hudson. Scott Hudson is a communist.


(one minute later)... I had to work tonight so I couldnt watch the return of the best wrestler ever live with my equally excited friends. Why i couldn't get out of work where others would have been able to, well, that can be the subject of a different blog at a different time. I did get to watch at 3am on dvr, alone, and cold, but ofcourse i hadnt planned on main event jericho so my dvr cut out half-way(i can only assume) through. Sean and i don't usually use this blog for direct contact with one another but i know you're reading this before your seeing me so please save your tivoed raw and save me buddy, by crossing your fingers that your recording contraption picked up the slack of my recording contraption and saved us up some steamy Y2j.
Thanks, Sean, and possibly tivo but definately not dvr,
-Liam




*I will be verbing the word promo from now on. The same is true with the word verb, which will intern have to verb up to it's name

Survivor Series 2007

... and the Ultimate Survivor ended up being yours truly. What a mush job of a card. I've never seen the WWE in such a sorry state. Honestly, the early nineties were much more interesting. If Adam Bomb were around today he would be deserving of a title push.

Well, that's ridiculous, but I'm angry. I keep giving Vince the benefit of the doubt. I'm waiting for the ship to right itself. I'm waiting to be entertained. It's just not happening!!!
Why do I still watch? After watching a pay-per-view like Survivor Series, I can't come up with a reason why I still watch. I can't come up with a good reason why I devote so much time and money and brain matter towards the WWE product. I guess it's because of hope. I guess I hold onto the hope that one day the WWE will again be entertaining. I'm a glutton for punishment.

The highlight of the night was the Triple Threat Match for the ECW Championship. It was the opening match. The Miz is pretty lame, but Cm Punk and John Morrison carried him well. I knew Punk would retain simply because the other two are undeserving of a belt... wait... they just won the Smackdown tag titles... argh.

The Hell in a Cell bout between Taker and Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship was allot worse than I thought it would be. I actually had somewhat high expectation for this match. My bad! I figured that both superstars would put the pedal to the metal and put on the best show possible considering the dire straits that the WWE is in. I was way wrong! The Undertaker looked like he was sleeping through the match. Batista is totally incapable of carrying a big ppv match on his own. Sure, he can work five minutes with Mark Henry on Smackdown... but main event stuff? Nope.

Shawn Michaels and Randy Orton could have been the best finish in the last couple of years but... well, I knew nothing of interest would happen. At least Orton finally got a clean win. I can't remember the last time he got a clean win over a big time guy like Michaels.

Another highlight: Jeff Hardy getting the last pin fall in the traditional elimination match. Hunter letting him steal the spotlight further supports my 'Jeff Hardy wins the Royal Rumble theory.' I guess that's all up to HHH.

The Hornswaggle-Great Khali match was so lame that I can't come up with words to describe it. Vince's expression as he left ringside says it all. Why would he book that match? What did he think would happen? The nearly sold-out crowd was much more interested in Shaquille O'Neal sitting ringside than they were in the match.

I really hate dwelling on the negative, but it's impossible with this one.

On a scale of 1 to 10, did I hate this ppv? Yes.
That didn't make any sense... sort of a microcosm of the WWE.

The superstar I'm most excited to see on a regular basis is Santino Marella.

I really hope that Chris Jericho 'saves_us' tonight.

Post Smackdown Notes 11/16/07

I really liked the MVP/Matt Hardy Tag Team Champions storyline. I knew that it was going to end eventually but I thought it could have gone on for awhile longer. I think MVP can be a top star with the WWE. His names is almost as bad as Kaz and his entrance is lame and I'm sick of overblown elbow drops, but he is a pretty funny guy with the microphone and he can work a good match.

I think that if the story continued for awhile longer it would have picked up more steam and would have been beneficial for both MVP and Hardy. Maybe something more interesting will come of it. For example, Jeff Hardy skipped out before Matt Hardy's match. Maybe Matt will get angry at Jeff. Who knows? I hope MVP and Matt Hardy put on a good match for the US Title. Matt Hardy deserves a belt. He's a hard worker with allot of respect for the business. MVP is sure to gain some heat out of his turn on Matt. It'll be nice to hear some sort of reaction when he enters the arena as opposed to the uncomfortable silence that usually accompanies his lame, overblown entrance.

I'm looking forward to the Hell in a Cell.

Smackdown is more entertaining than Raw and has been for the last month.

Rey Mysterio doesn't seem like he is interested in wrestling anymore. He looks like he's half-assing it.

Finlay is a good heel. I hate him and I don't normally hate talent because of the character they portray.

I like that The Miz and John Morrison have the belts. It'll add some heat to ECW and those characters. I just hate that it is at the expense of MVP and Matt Hardy. Honestly, MVP turning on Matt is predictable, but if they built up a friendship more and some better successful title defenses, the whole story would have been a helluva lot better.

I think it was hilarious that there were close-ups of fans on the verge of tears in the audience while MVP worked Matt's knee.

Sick of Jericho promos. I just want Jericho.

The Kidd had to call some girl to work his shift at McDonalds in New Jersey the first time Chris Jericho showed up on Raw. He has to do the same this time although he has a different place of employment. I told him he should call the same girl for nostalgic reasons.

Edge on Sunday, Jericho on Monday... We just need RVD at ECW on Tuesday and it will be the best week for the WWE in the last three years.

I really hope Shawn Michaels turns heel on Sunday by repeating the Montreal Screwjob.

Random Notes and Opinions 11/16/07

Junior Fatu was very unpopular with the TNA talent. He showed no respect to the unknown guys - according to the unknown guys who he apparently didn't show respect to. He called Robert Roode Rick Rude. Overall, it seemed as if he was just there to collect a paycheck. I only go to my job to collect a paycheck. I think that probably 80% of Americans only go to work because they get paid. But, it's different with a wrestling promotion and especially a promotion attempting to grow the way Total Nonstop Action is attempting to grow. All of the talent has to be working together and be committed and truly care about the show. So, if all of this is true, and it all seems to be true, it's good that Junior Fatu is gone; it's good for TNA and it's good for me - the guy that watches TNA and isn't really interested in leftover WWE talent from 1999.

Edge is going to return at Sunday's Survivor Series. I'm a big fan of Edge although I think he tries to hard at being a heel. It's overkill but he's still probably my favorite wrestler. I'm sure he'll bounce right back into the world title picture. I'm thinking that Taker will win the title because of Edge's interference setting up a Batista-Edge feud. I can't see the Undertaker not winning the belt. It was the plan at Wrestlemania 23 for him to have a long title run. Neither The Undertaker or Batista really need the belt to get over.

It was cool to see Scott Hall and Kevin Nash together in the ring beating up Kurt Angle and Tomko and AJ Styles... sort of. I'm a little sketchy about TNA right now. I think they're pushing WWE leftovers where they should be pushing the home grown talent. If WCW had pushed Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit instead of Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage, I think they would still be around today. So if TNA is going to push Hall and Nash instead of AJ Styles and Samoa Joe they're not going to be around in a couple of years.

Speaking of Samoa Joe, he has yet to agree to a new contract with TNA. It's interesting because he and AJ Styles are the only true TNA talent that I think would be successful in the WWE. It'd be cool to see what kind of crowd reaction they would receive if they showed up on Raw. Ah... knowing Vince they'd probably be put on the ECW roster... which is really thin. They don't even have enough guys to fill a one hour show.

I'm a little more excited about Survivor Series now than I was when I posted my preview. I'm most excited about Monday... Y2J... I can't wait for the countdown. You know you can't either.

Peace Out

- Seannie Wan

Backstage Scuffle at Smackdown/ECW

JBL got mad at The Miz and John Morrisonitro because they disrespected CM Punk as a wrestler and not as a character during their guest commentary for his match. I don't know who Punk was wrestling and I don't think it's relevant. In fact, I don't think that it's relevant that JBL getting mad at The Miz and John Morrisonitro is relevant. In fact, I don't think that The Miz and John Morrisonitro are relevant. In fact, I'm not sure that this post is relevant.

However, I must report the truth... or at least what I hear from other people... or read on the Internet. JBL demanded that The Miz and John Morrisonitro (I'll stop using that name) apologize to Punk. The Miz apologized immediately and John Morrison told JBL to 'mind his own business.' They had to be separated by the other talent at one point. My money would have been on JBL. That dude is huge.

I seem to notice that JBL gets into disagreements with talent on a fairly regular basis. He's well respected by WWE upper-management and uses his position for political purposes, meaning if he doesn't like somebody in particular, that somebody can be buried or fired if JBL wants that somebody to be fired or buried. Yikes! He should be switched from Smackdown to Raw.

I know what you're wondering: Where the hell is Kevin Thorne?!? You had picked him to win the Royal Rumble in January... you had picked him to score the decisive pin in the New Breed v. ECW Originals match at Wrestlemania 23... you figured him a shoe-in to win the ECW Championship once Bobby Lashley had to vacate the title upon his move to Raw. Well, he performed a very dangerous move during a dark match and screwed it up. He could have seriously hurt his opponent and those in power - I guess JBL - got angry with him and are punishing him by not putting him on television. Our loss.

I could give you the results of Smackdown, but then why would you watch?

Chris Jericho is on the cover of next month's issue of WWE magazine. I guess that's it for the big surprise. In the world of fast-paced communication and state-of-the-are technology I'm glad to see that the Professional Wrestling community completely ignores the possibility of someone using the technology to communicate this 'big surprise.'

So, Yes: Chris Jericho WILL be on Raw 11/19 and No: Kevin Throne will not be on ECW 11/20. I guess that's life. You take the good and you take the bad.

'Was That a Joke?' - Post-Raw Notes 11/13/07

Was that a joke? I mean, what was that? Was that a wrestling program? I have no idea what that was... I think it was a wrestling program because I thought I saw a wrestling match... or was it? I know I saw a bunch of women wrestling... I thought I saw some men wrestling... I guess it was a wrestling program.

I don't know how else to sum up the 11/12/07 edition of Monday Night Raw.

The 'debate' between 'The Legend Killer' and 'The Heartbreak Kid' was a piece of art that should be locked in a time capsule and blasted off into space so that if aggressive intelligent alien life finds it in their search for planets to conquer and enslave and watches the footage they will decide that our planet isn't even worth the effort it would take to conquer and enslave us. You know what? If the 'debate' is thought of in that way... Hell, Michaels and Orton may have just saved the planet Earth. They are heroes!

Besides saving our planet, what else did Raw accomplish last night?

The new 'save_us' promo all but guarantees us Chris Jericho live on Raw next Monday. It's no surprise, but it's nice to know that there is no way in hell that Jericho can't show up... and at this point, he will truly be saving_us. Hell... I think at this point I miss John Cena. At this point, I think Smackdown is by far... by far... a better brand.

I'm angry at the WWE right now. They aren't entertaining and what's worse is that they aren't trying to entertain. I hate to knock professionals. I'm sure the talent wasn't sitting around in the locker room planning a horrible show. It's just that I watch TNA and I wonder how the creative team with WWE can't give a little more effort or show a greater sense of urgency. The best they've been able to do over the last month was drag out Steve Austin to push his box office dud that should have been straight to DVD in the first place and to reunite a stable that is better off unreunited (and yes, I have trademarked the term 'unreunited' and yes, you must pay me royalties if you wish to use it and yes, that includes The Kidd).

I fear for World Wrestling Entertainment. It's not entertaining and it doesn't seem to be headed in the direction of entertainment. It's easy to knock WWE right now and anybody can do it... especially fair weather fans who haven't watched a WWE program in a few years. I hate hearing people say things like 'It used to be awesome when The Rock was around. Remember the New Age Outlaws? What happened to Val Venis?' Those people aren't ever going to be impressed by a WWE product again. I'm not asking for Vince McMahon to bring back the late '90s. I'm just asking Vince and his creative team to make an effort. Tell me an interesting story and book some interesting matches. Ahhh... maybe it's more difficult than I think it is.

At this point, I don't think Chris Jericho is going to make much of a difference. And to be honest, I don't think he's going to be returning on a full-time basis. I think he's going to make a few appearances and work a couple of matches to push the crap out of his book and then he's going to go on the Fozzy 2008 reunion tour.

High point of the night: As much as I'm bashing last night's Raw, there were a few high points. The highest point of all of these high points was Santino Marella. This guy makes me laugh everytime he takes the microphone which is saying allot. Honestly, I have fun everytime he shows up. I don't care much for his in-ring ability, but I'm not sure the WWE is even interested in that sort of thing anymore. Also, the new 'save_us' video pretty much guaranteed Chris Jericho on Raw next Monday. As far as in-ring action, the Rey Mysterio double 619 into a Jeff Hardy Swanton Bomb on M.V.P. (who is, by the way, the winner of the 2nd Worst Name in Pro-Wrestling Award) for the victory was pretty sweet.

I have nothing else to say.

Peace out...

- Seannie Wan

November 19th?

I'm really hoping that I see Chris Jericho on Raw on November 19th. I feel as though I'd be happy if I see him on November 19th. I really don't see how I cannot see him. I'm willing to wager allot of money that he'll be there.