I’m starting off with what some may feel is the trivia portion of my column. Last week I mentioned that I was interested in finding out just how many superstars on the Raw and SmackDown! rosters were under-utilized. Since it appeared to me that we see the same match-ups over and over, I thought there had to be many athletes who did not get to see action on the major Monday and Thursday shows, so I started checking into it. By the time I eliminated announcers, and those who appear on Velocity and Sunday Night Heat more regularly then prime time, as well as those who are out injured, there were 27 active wrestlers on Raw and 26 on SmackDown!. Both shows end up averaging about the same as far as how many superstars we get to see each week, be it actual ring work, or promos, run-ins and the like. As far as I’m concerned, Rico, Steven Richards, Shannon Moore, and Hurricane are entertaining performers who could add to their respective shows, but this is also, unfortunately at times, a game of supply and demand.
For whatever reason you would like to pick, Raw has most often been considered the better of the two shows. But in looking back, Raw is the most guilty of having two or more athletes face off against each other in repetitious fashion. Surprisingly, SmackDown! does more to mix and match their talent, creating different scenarios for their fans. For the most part however, this goes unnoticed, by me as well. As usual, and at the risk of beating a dead horse here, it all boils down to story lines. Just how long can the same ideas hold the viewers’ attention? Is there a purpose to the same wrestlers repeatedly going at it? At the end of the story line, did it matter to the fans? Yes this is sports entertainment and not reality, but when some ideas are so far-fetched or in extremely bad taste, (the Katie Vick angle, for instance), you lose the viewers, and the WWE can’t afford that. Presently, the Diva search is falling on its face. When attractive women are booed at the Raw events, something is wrong. Vince McMahon couldn’t back down once he started this ‘contest’, but I’m sure he is pounding his fists each week at the responses they get.
Love him or hate him, Paul Heyman is a very positive force behind which ever show he is affiliated with. From what I have read, he is not liked by a lot of people, including McMahon. But Vince is the first one to usually do what is right for his business, and for my money that means letting Heyman be in charge of creative for the company. Hell, if he could handle it he should work both shows. He is sharp enough to wear a hat for Raw and a different one for SmackDown!, and each time he has been involved with the writing, the show has improved. That says it all for me. Paul’s creative juices run wild and should be channeled in the right direction for an affirmative impact.
After my disappointment with Summerslam I hesitate to say much about this Sunday’s pay-per-view, Unforgiven. But then again, I just can’t sit back and ignore a PPV, now can I? Once again, the matches that have been assigned thus far look good on paper. The six that I know will occur could all be strong ones, and one more time I look forward to enjoying the evening. Let’s take a look at them, shall we?
We have two tag team matches. The first is not for any title, but there is enough heat between these men to lend credence to it. Chris Benoit and William Regal will team up against Batista and Ric Flair. We have an interesting combination going here. Benoit is the raw technician of the four. The Rabid Wolverine has also proven his staying power, which is a good thing, since the powerhouse Batista is involved. Regal also has technical skills – he is in fact, underrated, in my opinion. William is a solid wrestler who can hopefully showcase that here. Also, Regal will try to avenge the attacks on Eugene against any that may have been involved, and here are members of Evolution ripe for the pickings. Back to Batista, he definitely has the strength of the quartette, and his ability to brutalize has been proven. Couple that with the ‘dirtiest player in the game’ Flair, and they are a dangerous twosome. This will most probably be the opening match, and it should kick things off quite nicely.
Here is another grudge match on the card, with Shawn Michaels against Kane. Kane put HBK out of action some time ago, and now Michaels is back to settle the score. With two entirely different styles, not to mention the size differences between the two men, this could be an interesting contest. Shawn has every reason to show ring rust to be sure, but then again this IS Shawn Michaels we are talking about. The man is magic and should bring out the best in Kane. It should be a good match.
Next are the matches that have titles on the line. Women’s’ Champion Trish Stratus defends her belt against Victoria. I have sung the praises of Stratus before – I don’t think that anyone has worked harder to improve their skills than Trish, and it has really shown over the past year or so. But I am quite high on Victoria also. She has the tools and style to give Stratus a good fight, and I expect just that. Again, good match expected.
What should have been Chris Jericho facing Edge for the Intercontinental Championship has taken a turn. After a legit injury, Edge was stripped of his belt. Timing is everything, and Christian returned from the injured list just in time to step in and challenge for the title. These two know each other well, and the match would have been good without any additions. Add that ladder in there, and now we have a Ladder Match for the IC belt. This should be a great match. Y2J will pull out all the stops to be sure, and Christian will do as much as his recent return will allow, which I expect to be a lot. This should be a super, albeit sometimes scary, contest.
The World Tag Team Championship will be defended by La Resistance, who will face Tajiri and Rhyno. I am so glad to see that Rhyno has been put back in good graces, for he is a super athlete, and he and Tajiri have made a great team. La Resistance – Rob Conway and Sylvain Grenier – are annoying to be sure, but they have done what it takes to maintain the belts. No telling just what will happen here, but again, it should be good watching.
And finally, for the biggest grudge match of the night, the World Heavyweight Championship will pit the Champion Randy Orton against his former Evolution partner, Triple H. HHH has been, well, rather upset since Orton has had the belt around his waist, or as 3H put it, HIS belt around Orton’s waist. Undoubtedly The Cerebral Assassin will pull out all the stops against his opponent to do whatever it takes to bring the championship back where he feels it belongs. If Randy does win, what a feather in the cap of this very young wrestler. Either way, I don’t think the feud will stop here.
Let me sum up my predications for you.
Benoit and Regal v. Batista and Flair – Benoit and Regal
HBK v. Kane – HBK
Trish Stratus (Ch) v. Victoria – Stratus
Christian v. Y2J – Y2J
La Resistance (Ch) v. Tajiri and Rhyno – Tajiri and Rhyno
Orton (Ch) v. Triple H – Orton
So once again I look forward to Sunday afternoon. Let me know your thoughts on the upcoming PPV and who you think might walk away victorious. Also, sorry this is a day late. Yesterday I had a very long day, but was planning to go home and finish this up when my car broke down on the freeway last night. When the tow truck finally came to pick me up, the tow truck broke down also! Could it be me??
Be safe and God Bless,
Barb.
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