I’ll focus on Wrestlemania XXI in a little bit, but first, what a super week the WWE has given us. Last weeks’ SmackDown! and this weeks’ Raw were completely different shows, but quite good in their individuality. Thursday’s program had more emphasis on entertainment than wrestling, and that is normally not what I prefer. In this case though, it worked. All of the hoop-la that went on for the party celebrating John Bradshaw Layfield was fun, and I couldn’t help but feel badly, knowing that the pretty set they had designed would most certainly be destroyed a few minutes later. It was rather funny when John Cena tried to frame JBL – literally – with his own picture, only to have said picture not give in to the pressure and only bounce off JBL’s head. Oops! Oh well, they handled it like the pros they are, with JBL acting as if he was really pounded anyway. By the way, didn’t handsome Orlando Jordan look like a young Sidney Poitier? Come on, didn’t he?
Would Theodore Long remain the SmackDown! General Manager? CEO Linda McMahon would deliver that decision, and Carlito Cool could barely stand it. He just couldn’t wait to wave goodbye to Long, but disappointment would be his instead. Mrs. McMahon left Long as the GM, and to add insult to injury, told Carlito to stop calling! Wow, was Long over with the crowd, and I was really happy to hear those “Teddy” chants. In fact, my friend Linda, who watches with me (over the phone) went so far as to say that if they got rid of Long she might just stop watching – she feels he adds that much to the show. I must say I agree that he does, so all’s right in our world right now.
Our Wrestlemania tease of the night was when Kurt Angle was shown a tape of the challenge brought forth by Shawn Michaels, demanding a match between himself and Angle. Well, Kurt, what will it be? Of course, we were made to wait for that answer, as Angle looked disgusted, throwing down the microphone and stomping out of the ring.
I really liked Raw this past Monday; it delivered a lot. It didn’t start off much differently than any other Monday night, as Triple H came out for his patented long segment. But I sure enjoyed his tirade – he was just spitting mad at Batista’s decision to face him at WM for the World Heavyweight Championship. He went on and on, showing yet again why he the best heel in the business today. Boy, do the fans love to get on him, and the more they do so, the better he gets. He threatened Batista, saying when he shows up on Raw, he’ll regret it, though not in those words. We’ll see.
The first match after this was one between Chris Benoit and Muhammad Hassan. Hassan is another character who is understandably drawing a lot of heel heat, and I think he is doing a great job with his controversial persona. Besides that, the man has talent! I thought this was a good match, with Benoit allowing Hassan to showcase his abilities, and these two did a good job together. I did get a laugh when the crowd would go into their “USA!” chants, though. Benoit is, as Lilian Garcia tells us each week, residing in Atlanta, Georgia, but don’t forget, he’s CANADIAN guys! That’s OK, it just illustrates how much the fans get into the shows, and that is what’s necessary for the business.
Batista arrived, and gave a good promo in the middle of the ring. Then, here he comes, tough guy HHH, with Ric Flair running shotgun, as usual. Funny though, he does nothing to Batista, but instead allows Flair to be absolutely destroyed. Later, he has the nerve to whine to Eric Bischoff, saying “Nobody does that to Ric Flair!” Really? Somebody just did, and nothing happened! Triple H will fix Batista all right, ‘cause next week he will have to face…Ric Flair! But not to worry, 3H will be in Flair’s corner. Yep, that would make me feel safe alright, especially after how much protection he was a bit earlier.
Edge and Michaels had a good old-fashioned Street Fight, and this was a pay-per-view match, in my opinion. They laid it all out there, and even though HBK was the eventual winner, Edge showed again why he is deserving of that final push. He has paid his dues. His time should be now, but for some reason the WWE doesn’t seem to feel he can pull the cart. I disagree, but that’s worth the paper this is written on, right? That is to take nothing away from HBK, who is still as good as they come. Again, one person’s opinion.
Ok, moving on to my Wrestlemania countdown, and I’ll continue with the match I just mentioned. Remember Shawn’s challenge to Angle, and Kurt’s refusal to respond? Well, he answered on this night, as he invaded Raw, pounding on an already beaten-down and bloody Michaels before he gave his reply – YES! This will be good, and I’m getting really excited already.
Another match that has been alluded to but not confirmed was taken a step further on Monday night. “Superstar” Billy Graham was seen talking with Randy Orton, acknowledging that he did something big last year at Wrestlemania XX when he beat Mick Foley. But this year, he believes that Orton should go further and do something original. He walks off, leaving Randy staring at a picture of Undertaker, who is gracing the cover of SmackDown! magazine. So it seems that this match will be a go. I can only hope that ‘Taker doesn’t suffer his first ‘Mania loss at the hands of Orton – I hate to cry in public!
Chris Jericho told us that he wants a piece of the pie as well, and leave it to him to want to be involved in a dangerous match. All we know right now is that it will involve himself, five other superstars, and a ladder. Wow, that says it all right there. And thank God that Y2J will be included in WM! He is being left out in the cold, for reasons that I can’t begin to fathom. He is as good a worker as there is in the company; entertaining in all aspects of the business. I only hope that this honest and hard-working athlete will have another moment in the sun.
In was announced that Wrestlemania XXI will bring the return of Piper’s Pit, with a surprise guest, none other than Stone Cold Steve Austin! That will bring the house down for sure, and I am becoming very impatient here. I can’t wait to see what the next several weeks bring as we forge ahead on the countdown to Wrestlemania!
Finally, kudos to the WWE for adding Hulk Hogan to the already-named greats in the wrestling world – “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, the afore-mentioned Graham, “Cowboy” Bob Orton, “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart, The Iron Sheik, and Nikolai Volkoff. These men will be inducted into the Hall of Fame the Saturday before ‘Mania, and all deserve a big congratulations. I got so into this that last night I bought tickets to the induction. Might as well have an entire Wrestlemania weekend, right?
Be safe and God Bless,
Barb.
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