Hello, all you X-ists. I’m sure there aren’t many, if ANY who question why I never delivered last week’s column on Raw, Smackdown, or the wrestler ideas many great fans submitted. My cousin is back home, so all is well there. Other than that, I had one or two minor personal problems, along with a ton of schoolwork, that was bearing down on me, but now I’m back on the column track, and ready to entertain you! This will merely be a mini-column, to get back into the game.
Now, what do we do about four shows? Two Raws, one Smackdown, and one big PPV. Instead of writing four columns, I’m going to devote this column to all four. No, I won’t be going point by point, because I have neither the time nor the energy to do that, plus that would be WAY too long, so let’s stick to the basics for now. Since Smackdown was the least important of the four shows, I’ll start with that. Let’s start with a major annoyance called Carlito Caribbean Cool. Don’t get me wrong, I like Carlito. But something about him is becoming a little annoying to me. I was really hyped two weeks ago, but now I’m not so sure. How long before Cena is back? I wish it would be soon, because it’s become unbearable to see him with the title. Like I said, I was all for it, but I just wish now that he wouldn’t act so arrogant, or wasn’t the champion. Maybe improvement is needed on Mr. Cool.
I loved Booker T turning on JBL. This is awesome, and I hope that it turns into a match at Survivor Series, and who knows? Maybe even a win? Booker deserves it, because, let’s face it. Not all of these veterans can last forever. He deserves one last reign as champion. As for the Tough Enough Challenge… I’m not feeling it. You mean I need to put up with this each week now for a few weeks? Now I hear some guy dropped out of it. No, don’t shorten it by a week, WWE. Instead, they just put it off for another week. Then, we’re supposed to feel bad for this guy who drops some weights on his chest/throat. Last time, and only times I saw that happen, were on sitcoms, where some little guy tried to lift more than he could handle, and it always ends in humorous results, so I found it difficult to feel for the guy. Then, they spoon feed him an OVW contract. Why? He’s not even all that great. We’ll see what happens in the coming weeks.
Now, how about Raw last week? Well, it was all right. Nothing sensational, by any means. Mostly everything tried to tie all of the loose ends up, but it didn’t seem to mesh really well. It came off as too little, too late. Gene Snitsky and Eugene made Eugene look bad for losing, and Snitsky look bad because Kane wasn’t there. Why couldn’t Kane be at the show? That was really dumb, since he was leaving anyway for his movie. It sounds as dumb as something like some other dude coming back only twice a year, amidst all of his movies like “Walking Tall” and “The Rundown”, just to make someone look good, or fight with Mick Foley. If only there was some guy like that, who I could make as an example.
Taboo Tuesday was great, I think. It was a strong effort from WWE and the wrestlers. I think the two Diva matches were pointless, but that’s okay. We all know the Diva Division needs some fine tuning. Kane being put out of action was all right, I suppose, although I don’t like Snitsky very much at all. If you combine him and Heidenreich, you may have a good wrestler, but alone, they aren’t much to be looked at. Chris Benoit winning the tag titles without Edge was AWESOME! I was on the edge of my seat, when he slapped on the Crossface to Conway. It was the second best moment of the night. Edge’s pure determination and rage is phenomenal work. He really is doing an incredible job with the new persona, and I can’t wait to see where it goes. I am finally an Edge-head again.
Shelton Benjamin winning the competition, then the title, were two shockers. I didn’t know if the audience would choose popularity over a heel, but they did, and I’m glad. Shelton deserves the title a lot, but it kills any future competition with Edge and Jericho, which I would loved to have seen. Triple H and HBK was well done, for the amount of work and will HBK had. I respect this man more and more every week, and despite a self-titled cheesy speech, he made one classy speech for the crowds, and put forth one awesome performance in this match. And finally, Flair and Orton had match of the night, and I was glad to see it as a main event, despite it being in place of the World Title match. These two put on a good show (yes, even you Flair), and I was very pleased by both. Respect was gained inside that cage.
And finally, a little on Raw, before I wrap up this extra small edition of The X-Factor. I LOVED Eric Bischoff. His match with Eugene was subpar, but everything after it was AWESOME. I loved the whole segment, with Vince and Coach involved. Mind you, seeing it again on Raw wasn’t that great, but then he does this in-ring segment that I adored. His new look is so great, and I hope he keeps it. He can’t really go back to straight, black hair, because people know he dyes it now. Anyway, the little line that I loved was “The inmates are running the asylum”. It was PERFECT. Bischoff couldn’t have said it any better, nor could he have made a foreshadowing any better, to foresee what happens later in the night.
As I said before, Edge and HBK had really solid segments, that both elevated their personas a bit. Edge is more ruthless and a strong heel now, and HBK keeps getting the popularity vote from the fans. William Regal being DESTROYED by Snitsky was just another example of good talent wasted. Why make Regal get humiliated by Snitsky? Let it be someone like Steven Richards, who doesn’t have a WWE career to begin with. No blame on you, Stevie, WWE has really misguided you for a few years now.
And finally, what a solid, on-going backlash against Evolution. I was so happy to FINALLY see people step up against the mighty faction. I probably wasn’t this happy over WWE since Shelton Benjamin FIRST beat Triple H, way back in March. Everyone rallied against Evolution, then when Hunter screwed Orton out of the title, all of the babyfaces rallied against them one last time. Randy RKO’d Flair, and they beat down Triple H, something he usually does to someone else. Seeing Hunter drink his own medicine was a lot of fun, and it makes Orton look vicious, especially with his quest for the title. How will they work it in for him to face Hunter down the road? I’m hoping to see an awesome Survivor Series match, on November 14th.
Well, that wasn’t so bad, was it? Not at all. Anyway, this was a bit of a mild return to the column world, and I hope you all didn’t forget me. It’s tough juggling everything at once, without letting it all fall down, so I’m glad to be back on track, and able to write for whoever reads. That weekend column is still on the way soon, most likely this weekend, so look forward to that. Also, if you’re looking to submit any favorite moments of the year 2004 in wrestling (WWE, NWA, etc.), send them early, because the last weekend in 2004, I will be making my top 10 best and worst lists of the year. I should be back on Wednesday with my official return to my column work. Until then, I’m Mr. X saying Happy Belated Halloween, and Happy Early Thanksgiving to my American friends. Buh-bye!
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