'Wildcat' Chris Harris

If the WWE is willing to sign Chris Harris to a developmental deal, I'm sure they'd be willing to sign other, better TNA wrestlers.

Kaz is getting burried in a program with Dustin Rhodes. I'm sure he's not too happy going from one of the best matches of the year - the ladder match with Christian Cage - to nearly beating Kurt Angle for the TNA World Championship to wrestling Dustin Rhodes for a white rat. Maybe Kaz should give Vince McMahon or J.R. a call.

Kevin Nash gave an interview recently with somebody that isn't important and said that he really like the long-term plans that TNA has for Samoa Joe. That's good because Samoa Joe may be the best pro-wrestler not only in that company, but possibly in any North American company (WWE). However, I'd give a pinky to see Samoa Joe jump ship to the WWE. I'm sure he'd get burried on SmackDown, but he might not... Seeing how the crowd reacted to him on his first appearance would be the most interesting thing.

There is plenty of underused talent in TNA and I'm sure they are looking at Chris Harris' new WWE deal and saying to themselves -- 'Hey, I wonder what would happen if I gave the WWE a call. I know what happens if I stay here. I'll watch Kurt Angle cut promos for half an entire show and then I'll have a five minute squash match every other week and take a risky bump. Granted, if I get an opportunity in the WWE, I have to watch John Cena arm wrestle people as the main event, but there are two other brands in that company in which I can flourish. I would also make allot more money with the WWE. Hmmm....' -- at least that is what I would be saying to myself.

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

New WWE Developmental Territory/ Carlito

The WWE has opened a developmental territory in Florida... uh-oh!!!!
Doesn't TNA call Florida home?
Uh-oh!!!
What's up with that?
I believe the WWE's developmental promotion is called Florida Championship Wrestling.

I wonder what Jeff Jarrett thinks of this move. I bet he wishes he had a developmental territory so that he could develop Scott Hall's skills.

Dustin Runnells needs to work on his skills also.

AJ Style's skills are just fine.

The WWE needs a developmental territory more than TNA. There is a tremendous lack of skills in the WWE... starting with the writers and ending with Cody Rhodes.

Also, it's official that Carlito has given his notice to the WWE. I guess he'll be Kurt Angle's mystery partner at the next TNA Pay-Per-View.

Total? Nonstop? Action?

Allow me to take the wheel on TNA discussion this week. The Kidd is m.i.a... or m.i.t.n.a. rather.

TNA is geared toward the real wrestling fan. I don't like it more than the WWE, as horrible as the WWE shows have been since the Chris Benoit tragedy. I could very easily like it more, but there is something wrong. It's eerie... it's not tangible... it's out there floating around... it's the calm before the storm.

I was reading an article by Kevin Kelly - he was the fat dude who interviewed 'talent' 'backstage' on Raw telecasts during the 'Attitude' era - and he labeled TNA as a safe haven for all the WWE talent who didn't want to comply with the WWE Wellness Policy. I guess there is some truth to that. I personally don't harp on steroid abuse in any sport. If the athlete wants to destroy his or her body and his or her family and his or her life, they should be allowed to. This is America after all. If the athletes become more durable, a little faster, a little stronger, and a little more entertaining because of a drug, than I'm all for it. Don't take this as 'Seannie Wan supports steroid abuse.' It's not that at all. My point is that if somebody wants to do something illegal, they're going to do it and the powers that be may as well let them do it. It's their choice. I'm off track. The point of this post wasn't steroids, it was TNA Wrestling.

Yes, the calm before the storm. TNA is geared towards fans like The Kidd and myself. We are fans that want an intriguing story and an interesting match with high points that work well not just because they're high points but because the interest in the match and the result has been built up through good storytelling and athletic ability. That is what Jeff Jarrett is working for. Vince McMahon, on the other hand, is at a place where he is trying to figure out - hopefully - what direction his promotion is going to go in. The WWE seems geared for children right now... and that's fine as long as the pay-per-views don't suffer. As long as I can watch several well-worked matches, I'm OK with the stories being geared towards kids. TNA is geared for an older audience.

TNA's problem is that they're handing out contracts to talent that has run their course with the WWE in a bad way. Booker T... Andrew Martin... Junior Fatu... Scott Hall... More talent will arrive with great buildup and this talent will be pushed front and center. I understand that TNA needs somewhat well-known names now that they have a 2 hour program. However, pushing the talent that has been rejected by World Wrestling Entertainment simply because they're known talent is going to backfire. The young talent that has been with TNA through it all - the guys like AJ Styles and Samoa Joe and Christopher Daniels and James Storm - are being buried in mid-card matches while Kurt Angle and Booker T headline a pay-per-view. TNA believes that their fans want to see Hall and Nash face Angle and a mystery opponent who is making his TNA debut after a long stint with the WWE (this is just an example, there is no former WWE wrestler set to make his debut at the next ppv), when in actuality, their fans want to see Samoa Joe win the world title and AJ Styles work a program with Christian Cage. This way of thinking will shoot Jeff Jarrett in the foot. The real talent that this promotion can be built around will lose their drive - especially working for 250 bucks a show - and think about the greener pastures of Connecticut. And yes! That was also WCW's downfall... i.e. Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Paul Wight, etc.

I really like TNA. Impact was pretty good on Thursday. I think the Team 3-D/x-Division feud is interesting. I didn't see the Havoc swerve coming... mostly because he is so uninteresting that I would expect something better... but regardless, I think it's a pretty cool feud. I really like the Motor City Machine Guns. I think AJ and Tomko jump from Christian to Angle is a nice story also. Rellik is pretty lame and Dustin Runnells must be very upset with how his career has turned out. Jay Lethal is a great talent, but his 'black Macho Man' gimmick is getting stale. There are ups and downs, but they are all interesting.

Overall, there is reason to get excited about Thursday night, but I just don't feel it yet. I feel very calm about TNA. It's a promotion on the brink of bankruptcy that continues to bring in over-the-hill talent as opposed to building up their own guys. Is there a storm coming? It's not James Storm, that's for sure. Something is going to give at some point.

I'll leave it up to The Kidd to comment further.

Survivor Series tomorrow night....

Peace Out

- Seannie Wan

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

Couple of Quickies...

Rumors have been circulating that CM Punk had bashed both ECW and the ECW Championship during a radio interview. Rumors have also circulated that CM Punk would be booked to drop his title because of these comments. These are untrue rumors.

This is the actual quote by CM Punk: "I've got a decent spot, I'm at all the pay-per-views defending my title but I do feel that ECW is a little bit of the redheaded stepchild of WWE. But that's not all negative, either. I actually embrace that."

No big deal. He's right too. CM Punk is too smart and too hungry and too respectful to say anything damaging or demeaning about World Wrestling Entertainment. He has such a bright future with the company and he is well aware of it.

Also, Joannie Laurner... or whatever the hell her name is... has officially changed her name to Chyna and upon exiting the court at which her name was legally changed she challenged Vince McMahon to a fight... a REAL fight. I believe after that she went home and smoked crack.

Apparently, TNA tried to create some mysterious messages - much like the 'save_us' videos but more like a puzzle that the internet browser visiting TNAWRESTLING.COM can solve - on their website presenting clues on Sting's mystery partner at 'Genesis.' Lame...

I'm going to purchase Bret Hart's new book... and Chris Jericho's new book... but not Dave Batista's new book... although I may buy Greg Batista's new book... I'm still unsure about that one.

theKidd's tNa Genesis results are in, and i only lost one match!!

That's right, damn aj styles and tomko went off script i tell ya!! Don't argue with fate. So I called every other match correctly though, and that's real, that's really super-damn real. This includes two matches I went out on a limb for by backing the underdog. So that's cool. I thought the show was very good, altogether. That basically means it fulfilled my own personal expectations of this card at this time in history. Genesis entertained me as a wrestling fan watching a wrestling product, not comically, or at least nearly as comically as will the Survivor Series next week.
Several matches deserve and will be granted a rewatch.

Black Macho Man and Sonjay Dutt stole the show for me personally. Great wrestling, the two work great together, and they played excellently off the back stories of being friends, both faces, the whole gimmick thing and how that got involved and there were emotions flaring, it was nice. A story unfolded i believe, and by the end, even though the belt didn't change i feel like a change occured with both men and how they view each other. Really good job boys.

Great job for booker nice debut.

Congratulations to Kaz on winning and for putting on a hell of a ladder match and good job Instant Classic for the latter(pun intended) only, sorry Champ.

One Final Congrats...that's right, the big one. The reception of my one and only big shout out for the evening of 111107 is shared by both members of the Motor City Machine Guns for winning the biggest upset of the night with a team close to twice the size of them, and whose inring accomplishments need not be listed, the Dugly boys. Not only do they get the big Shout out for that but they get a double big shout out- if you(the reader) will excuse my laziness with the shift button-just for putting on such a great match with the dudley boys. I'm sorry but it needs to be said. Somebodies way too big, physically.
So motor city machine guns, i salute you(left index to right palm{i think i got it wrong last time})

Anyone who voted for kaz v Angle as a future main event(me only), good job.

A correction from earlier on the recurring Outside Interference *exclusive* contraversy involving ???? Batista's name in the WWe after he was Deacon Batista but before he was and is ____ Batista. This is an issue that's documented, factually numerous places on the internet and in wrestling libraries, and can be easily uncovered by myself or Sean, perhaps if we spent less time blogging. But that's the sacrifice we make, and it's worth it every damn day. But any way to save time and brain space i am 89.5% sure the answer is dave and 100% sure the answer can be found elsewhere on the internet. So there, some from free promotion for the rest of the internet.

I'm Liam the Kidd(left index meets right palm now)

The Kidd's View: tNa Genesis

Card for tonights grandios spectaculaur, tNa Genesis:

tNa WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Kurt Angle(c) and Kevin Nash vs. Sting and a Mystery Partner
Kidd picks: Angle!! It's real, it's damn real bc the value of the world title outweighs the shock value of having Kevin Nash or King Booker win the belt in their return/debut, respectively. As for Sting winning, can somebody say Rock/Mankind?

tNa X DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
“Black Machismo” Jay Lethal vs. “The Guru” Sonjay Dutt
Kidd picks: Jay Lethal!! who will be delivering wrestling manuevers versus hugs and handshakes

tNa WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
AJ Styles and Tomko (c) vs. The Steiner Brothers
Kidd picks: The Steiners, and hopefully the end of AJ as a lacky.

tNa WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Gail Kim (c) vs. Roxxi Laveaux vs. ODB vs. Angel Williams
Kidd picks: Gail Kim, the only knockout who didn't get to hold the belt on Impact.

FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT TOURNAMENT FINAL LADDER MATCH
Kaz vs. “The Instant Classic” Christian Cage
Kidd picks: Kazarian to let new blood flow into the title picture. Sorry Champ.

Little SHOP OF HORRORS MATCH
Abyss vs. Black Reign
Kidd picks: Abyss bc he imitates others but ups the anty, which is better than imitating himself and making it lame, in my view.

“The Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe vs. Robert Roode w/ Ms. Brooks
Kidd picks: Samoa Joe bc do I have some sense.

Team 3D vs. The Motor City Machineguns
Kidd picks: Motor City Machineguns because they rule and there my favorite. Can't wait for this one. (right index to left palm)

Do you want me to say that this pay perview is going to be sick?, because it is. Would you like to hear that even though some of tNa's storylines aren't the greatest or freshest in history, their in-ring action and it's frequency help the product to be undeniably better than it's currently higher rated competition, because all that's true too. Read it again if necessary. So sit back, relax and watch the action unfold itself and tNa delivers as it always does.

Unrelatedly, i take full responsibility for Sean's Dave Batista/Greg Batista mishap. I think I planted the seed in his(Sean's) head that Greg Batista(Batista) used to go by Dave Batista(wrong) and not Greg Batista(again, real Batista) because either a) that's just how i remembered it, or b)I wanted Sean to believe that about Greg Batista(real Batista) because I thought the name Dave was just more fitting of such a high-class warrior, or animal. Well which was it, you ask? You decide!