Clash of the Champions

Quick thoughts on Monday's Raw from 1/24/11.  You can also watch a recap on My 1-2-3 Cents on YouTube.

Opening Segment: When Edge came out I really thought we were going to get the Clash of the Champions match at the start of the show.  Those hopes were quickly dashed after the impromptu Royal Rumble challenge and the Corre vs. Nexus confrontation.

Did you notice Edge disappeared after that whole deal between the two groups?  I don't like how that happens.  That seems to be a trend.

Mark Henry & John Morrison vs. Albert Del Rio & King Sheamus:  I'm still not sold on Alberto.  And I find it hard to believe the "World's Strongest Man" taps out almost instantly to the arm bar submission.  You could have him tap, but it was like a second after the hold was applied.  Plus, I don't think there was any work on the arm to even weaken it, was there?

Natalya vs. Melina: That was a kick butt Sharpshooter by Natalya.  Good match between these ladies. LayCool annoys me, but I think that's their role.  I still don't like the comments about Natalya's weight.  And again it's a double standard.  The King insulted Vickie Guerrero again last night and people find it funny.  When LayCool does it, it's criminal.  Twitter was lit up with comments.  Trust me.

The Miz vs. Edge: I felt like this match could have been saved for a Pay Per View.  Why give away a match like that on free TV?  That seems to be the trend though, as they did it last week with CM Punk vs. John Cena.  The match went on pretty long, but I knew (as we all did) that Dolph Ziggler was going to interfere.


Husky Harris & Michael McGillicutty vs. Santino Marella & Vladamir Koslov: Tag team champions made to look weak once again.  I like the duo of HH & MM.  Would like to see them developed as a unit.  They have potential, and let's face it the WWE needs a tag team division.

Mixed Gender Six Person Tag: I think this was just a set up to have Gail Kim and Daniel Bryan get caught by the Bellas.  The match itself was lame.  I like the storyline, especially if it means Kim getting more in ring time.

CM Punk vs. Wade Barrett:  I think this match could have and should have been saved for pay per view.  Not the Royal Rumble.  They could have totally carried this out to Wrestlemania I believe.  And I wonder if we get a Corre vs. Nexus match at Mania.  Many factors as we head to the big event in April. Cena refereeing the match made sense, but again lately Cena has been really annoying.  I'm talking Cena the performer.  The guy outside the ring who does all the philanthropy has all my respect.

It was no surprise the show ended with a locker room clearing brawl in the ring. That's what we have come to expect in the days leading up to the Royal Rumble.  Later this week, I'll post a prediction for the Rumble, probably just on YouTube though, so check it out.

Thanks!

Let's Skip, Sheffield Please!

Courtesy: WWE

Okay, I don't write this to be mean or cruel.  Let's get that out of the way.

I have read several online reports that former WWE creative team member John Piermarini has started a blog.  I tried to get on the site today, but it just has the message: "Be Back Soon" so I can't confirm what I'm reading in these reports with his actual site.

But anyway, the claim is that Vince McMahon at some point saw or sees Skip Sheffield as the number 2 babyface in the company, behind John Cena.  Wow.  Really?  I find this claim hard to believe.  I can't imagine anyone in their right mind thinking Skip Sheffield should be the company's second highest profile figure.

Of course, maybe they're talking down the road, I don't know.  What I do know is what I saw of Skip on the first season of NXT I was not impressed.  To me, he seemed to try to hard to be like Stone Cold Steve Austin.  The look, the talk, even his finisher is similar to the Stone Cold Stunner.  I know they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but we've been there and done that.  And I do still have the t-shirt.

One reason I believe this online report may be true is due to the fact that Skip was listed pretty high on the WWE.com list "the Top 11 to Watch in 2011."  In fact, he was fifth, and that's saying a lot because he's been out with an injury since August.  

I think if creative could come up with something for him and repackage him, he'd be a legitimate threat, but right now I just see him as another Stone Cold wannabe.  I'll be curious to see if he ends up in the Corre or with Nexus upon his return.  Or will he end up like Darren Young and Michael Tarver lost in the shuffle?

I'm also curious to know what you think?  Am I too harsh?  Am I missing something here?  I'm sure my thoughts were similar back in 2002 when a fresh faced John Cena was on the scene and look where that took us...

Layin' the Smackdown on SmackDown!

Courtesy: WWE.com

Delayed reaction to Friday Night SmackDown! as I was hosting poker last night and didn't get to watch the show live.

Some quick notes and thoughts.  I like the idea behind the Corre.  Wade Barrett is a natural leader I think and if the creative team gets behind him and this group, I think it can achieve success.  I just hope we don't see the typical implosion of the group/team dynamic we've come to see so often before in the WWE.

I'm not sure why Michael Cole is on Raw and SmackDown!  Honestly, I think the guy is a tool and don't really care to hear him on either show, but I realize he is now the "voice of the WWE."  I'd rather see the WWE get behind another announcer and actually push them.  It's important to give the announcers time to develop just like the in ring talent.  I have no problem with the team of Josh Matthews and Matt Stryker calling the show.

Why was Michael Tarver inexplicably backstage when they found the unconscious Teddy Long?  Is he on SmackDown! now?  We haven't seen or heard from this guy since the Nexus fired him.

I can understand why the Miz and Alex Riley showed up on the show, but why in the world are we still getting Alberto Del Rio vs. R-Truth?  This feud should have never happened in the first place.  It's two guys from different shows.  Wasn't there someone else Del Rio could be put over?  Is he really going to be the new "Mr. Wrestlemania"?  I'm still not ready to hang my hat on those claims.  We'll wait and see.

Speaking of A-Ri, I like the character, but I think the guy has enough talent to step out of the flunky role.  It's like a modern day Virgil, only I think he gets smacked around more than Virgil and has a heck of a lot more talent than the former Million Dollar champion.

I would have liked to see Cody Rhodes get a win.  I really think it's time for Ted DiBiase to move to SmackDown! and a Priceless reunion.  That way you help two guys lost in the shuffle and make a step toward revitalizing the fledgling tag team divison.

Some wrestlers should be seen and not heard.  Yes Heath Slater, I'm talking to you.  I'm glad to see Justin Gabriel pick up a win over Edge, even if it was under nefarious circumstances.  I think he's the breakout star of Corre group and hope to see him shine a little brighter in 2011.

I never understood why wrestlers in the back don't come out to help another wrestler when they're getting attack by a group like Corre.  Especially the Big Show.  The guy should have been charging to the ring and kicking @$$.  Did they say he was on the shelf?  I did fast forward through parts of the show.  And what was the final condition on Teddy Long?  Oh well, I guess we'll find out next week, right?

I must admit, I'm really stepping onto the Dolph Ziggler bandwagon.  I liked him before, but I really think his work in recent weeks has helped him climb a few notches.  I still don't think he's going to win the title at the Royal Rumble, but I am happy to see that someone who's not been in the title picture before is getting a shot.  And I'm disappointed that Randy Orton pinned him on Raw earlier this week.
Ziggler is another one who I think will make a big mark this year.  Hope he stays healthy and creative doesn't lose him in the shuffle.

Something Old, Something New

Courtesy: WWE.com

Spoiler Alert: If you haven't watched SmackDown! yet and don't want to know what happened yet, read a previous post.  Maybe my thoughts about the Miz or my quest for a Wrestlemania costume idea.

Otherwise, let's go on...

It appears that Wade Barrett is picking up on SmackDown! where he left off on Raw.  Laying waste into the faces of the WWE.  And now he's got some help.  Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel, who chose not to beat each other with kendo sticks on Raw, have moved to Friday nights now to help Barrett in his fight.  And the trio has a new ally.  Ezekiel Jackson has apparently joined the "new" SmackDown! version of the Nexus.

I like this idea for a couple of reasons.  One, I'm glad they didn't go with the Wade Barrett face turn on Raw.  I think it's too premature for that.  Barrett works well as a heel and has a lot of potential.  SmackDown! is in need of a shakeup.  Raw had gotten all the overflow of the NXT guys from all the members of Nexus and Alex Riley.  All SD got was Kaval, and we see what happened to him.

Also, I always thought Zeke worked better as a heel.  I liked him a lot when he was under the tutelage of "King" William Regal.  Hopefully this new group will stick together and the four of them can grow and develop together.  I think it might be a good idea to give them a manager too.  If the rumors of Regal's retirement from the ring are true, I think he'd be a natural fit for this situation.

I liked they way the group (I'm not sure if they're still considered Nexus or not) manhandled the Big Show.  Zeke definitely provides some muscle the Raw version didn't really have.  I had heard that Wade, Justin, and Heath were being joined by someone else tonight, and my fear was Skip Sheffield was coming back.  I'm glad that wasn't the case, but I know it's only a matter of time before the Stone Cold wanna be is back in the ring and on my TV.

Besides the formation of this new faction, SmackDown! didn't really stand out to me.  Not sure why R-Truth (from Raw) is feuding with Alberto Del Rio (from SmackDown!)  I was kinda surprised to see Del Rio and Cody Rhodes lose to Rey Mysterio and R-Truth.  Seems like the guy you're grooming to be the next "Mr. Wrestlemania" would have had a better showing.  At least he wasn't the one who got pinned.

The Cutting Edge segment at the end was predictable and lame.  I get tired of these love triangles in wrestling.  I guess it truly adds to the "male soap opera" element of sports entertainment.

How soon before Beth Phoenix turns heel again and goes after Natalya?

I'm glad to see Kofi Kingston successfully defend the Intercontinental title.  I really like Kofi's potential and feel like he's got something to contribute.  Jack Swagger is no slouch either. I just think he got pushed too soon last year and wasn't ready to win Money in the Bank, let alone the World Heavyweight championship.

Final thoughts on SmackDown!, I dislike it when any show opens with talking heads and ends with talking heads.  That's what we got tonight.  Remember a couple of weeks ago when Raw started off with John Morrison vs. the Miz?  That's the way a wrestling show should be.  You don't have to have a high paced, action packed match like that open every show, but every once in a while it would be nice.  We know that Kofi and Swagger have a history, why not just start the show with them?  They could have set the pace for the night.

It's just my 1-2-3 Cents, and you're reading this, so you wanted to know, right?  Thanks for reading, and I invite you to check out My 1-2-3 Cents on YouTube too.

The New Nexus & Other Monday Night Ramblings

Courtesy: WWE.com

So the big news after Monday Night Raw is that Nexus apparently has a new leader.  That leader is the Messiah from the Straight Edge Society, CM Punk.

Two big questions come to mind.  Where is Wade Barrett?  And why CM Punk?  He was the other guy brutally attacked by the Nexus back in June when the group first formed on Raw.  I do however, like the idea of a "veteran" being involved with the group.  Whether Punk is the man for the job will remain to be seen.  But I have enjoyed Punk lately, especially as a heel.  I think his work in the ring is really good too, so this stands to be a win-win unless we get the breakup of the group by the time Elimination Chamber rolls around.

Thanks for giving away a potentially stellar pay per view match on Raw next week.  And I think we can pretty much all assume the Miz will win that one.  And it looks like dissention is already mounting between the Miz and A-Ri.  Personally I like these two together.  I hope they don't split them up. 

Speaking of split ups, it looked like for about 5 minutes that Tyson Kidd was going to be successful in his singles run.  He even threatened U.S. Champ Daniel Bryan.  Then he jobs to Mark Henry.  My first thought was okay, they're using Tyson as a way to help get Jackson Andrews over.  But then he gets himself punked out by Henry too.  So I'm scratching my head on this one...

No offense to the King, but why in the hell is he getting a push all the sudden?  I've complained before about making your champions look weak, and that's just what's happening to the Miz.  I know it was just a countout loss, but last week he was pinned in that six man tag match.  As Gorilla would say, "Give me a break!" 

I think it's great they're giving Santino a push.  But it's been in singles matches in recent weeks.  Isn't he a co holder of the tag team titles?  Where's Koslov?  Where are the belts for that matter?  Oh wait, it's the tag team division in the WWE, which we all know is going the way of the Dodo bird.

My guess is since Randy Orton beat Sheamus and the Miz will likely defend against John Morrison, I'm predicting an Orton-Miz rematch at the Royal Rumble.  B-O-R-I-N-G!

This is a really negative post on the WWE and the state of affairs, but I really wish they'd taking their booking in another direction.  Champions should be pushed as strong competitors.  Tag team champions should defend their titles or at least wrestle WITH their partners.  And new blood should be getting pushed. 

Okay rant over.  Thanks for reading.

Slammed!

Another year has come and gone and another Slammy awards ceremony is in the books.

Let me start off by saying when I saw David Arquette come out and started talking, I was ready to change the channel.  There is something so irritating about this man.  But I know he is a good guy because he donated the money he earned during his WCW stint to charity.  But wow, his voice last night sounded hoarse and he was hard to understand.

I think the E should have gone with former MC Todd Pettengill.  Do you remember this?  IMO, it was AWESOME!  It's creative stuff like this that the E seems to be missing out on.

The show last night was okay.  I talk via the internet with a couple of wrestling buddies, Chad and Travis a couple of times a week.  Here are some thoughts from my friend Chad.


About the only good thing about the Slammy Awards was the return of former champ David Arquette and an appearance by Angry Miz Girl. Other than that, another plodding episode with the big angle seemingly written by people who think the next show is the potential last show so need to wrap things up nicely so there are no cliffhangers.

I'm not sure, but I think he's being sarcastic about Arquette. You already read my thoughts on him. I thought the Angry Miz Girl segment could have been better. Maybe have Miz destroy the Slammy. Yeah, I like picking on kids.


Seriously, Cena is rehired before the next PPV? And he was on every show since the last PPV so what was the point of him being fired? At this point I would have been happy with him not appearing for two months and then have Juan Cena enter the Rumble. Whoever is the head writer for this angle should be replaced ASAP.

I couldn't agree more. Lots of missed opportunities with this angle. Was this the plan all along? Or did someone just drop the ball.

Liked how they threw matches together quickly to fill out a PPV that is 6 days away. I don't know what's worse, last year's TLC PPV that had one Tables match, one Chairs match and one Ladder match and several regular matches, or this year's TLC show which appears to have nothing but gimmick matches.

Guessing Morrison will beat Sheamus and get the token no chance title shot at the Rumble. At least they'll have history to play off of is Miz is still champ.

This is a good point. The Royal Rumble typically features a title match that the contender doesn't stand a chance. Remember Hardcore Holly a few years back? And Test for the ECW title. I'm by no means putting Morrison in the same class as those two. I actually think it will be a good match if it actually happens.

A Diva's table match? really? why?

Enough said.

More of my own thoughts, I'm glad the Miz actually pinned Rey, but I was hoping he would get a clean pin.

Cena winning SOTY was weak and lame. But not a surprise.

Michael Cole still annoys me. Not like he used to, but he's still irritating. That's the point, I know.

Will we ever see Michael Tarver or Darren Young again? I know Skip Sheffield is hurt. But is he still Nexus?

Later this week I'll collect my thoughts on TLC. I know you can't wait.

Tuesday Afternoon Booker

Because I get up at 3 a.m. everyday I'm not able to watch all of Raw and blog about it on Monday nights, so I doing this review a bit late.  Please bear with me.
Here are my random thoughts of last night's show:

Cole getting the RKO at the beginning of the show was great.  I know he's playing a character right now, but the dude irritates me in many ways.  I just wish JR would have come out to fill in, instead of Josh Matthews.

I'm really not digging the whole Daniel Bryan-Bella Twins gimmick.  And the whole switch-a-roo thing lost it's luster when the Killer Bees donned the yellow and black masks back in the 80's.

Could Cena face assault charges for attacking Otunga and Harris in a hotel room?

Glad we got to see Smith vs. Kidd on Raw and not just Superstars.  That match could have been a heck of a lot longer.  Not sure what I think about the meathead who accompanied Kidd.  Looks like more rookies putting over more rookies.  Is this going to be an Ezekiel Jackson-Brian Kendrick relationship?

I really do think of the Wendy's girl every time I see Heath Slater.

Wow, 4 tag teams competing in the ring at the same time.  I think this is the entire division, isn't it?  And one of them just formed last week.  Wow.  The Usos actually aren't so bad.  I wonder why they keep getting passed over.  Maybe they'd be more over if they rubbed their bare bottoms in the faces of their opponents.

While I'm happy to see Santino enjoying a bit of a push, what exactly is the Cobra supposed to do?  How is it a finisher?  And can I call the Santino-Koslov match for Wrestlemania now?

Really Sheamus, that's your idea of how a king should dress?  Interesting choice in wardrobe.   Guess Morrison agrees with me.

Why does Alex Riley carry the Money in the Bank briefcase?  None of the past winners carried the case after cashing in.  Just seems a little weird to me.

Miz, yes you are awesome.  However, table matches are not.  Especially when it's a title match.

Will Alex Riley ever come out of the Miz's shadow and not be the whippin' boy?  Cena, Zeke, and now Orton have all made A-Ri their bitch.

Barrett's promo actually made sense.  Why is Cena still around?  And how did Barrett get so much power? How can he hire and fire people?  Didn't he have a hand in taking out the CEO of the company? Logically, wouldn't McMahon fire him?  Or is he still in a coma?

So Cena will be back next week.  Officially.  How soon before Triple H is back too?

Overall, the show was okay.  Pretty predictable.  Tag team title change was a surprise.  Everything else was so-so.  What did you think?