Professional Wrestling (WWE, TNA, ROH, etc)

[Andrew]

Who knows the way they go back and forth on WWE.com with shoot and kayfabe articles. Supposedly even the locker room doesn't know for sure, though sounds like it's legit.

[Andrew]

For what it's worth, apparently MJ was backstage at RAW last night.

Eve Torres wrote on Twitter today that none other than NBA legend Michael Jordan was backstage at last night's WWE Raw from the Time Warner Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jordan is the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats and their venue is the Time Warner Arena.

I wouldn't mind seeing him guest host.

[koberulz]

Another US title change? Seriously?

[Andrew]

Three week reign, a little short. Guess that ends R-Truth's push.

[koberulz]

Was it really that long? It felt shorter.

Interesting that the kayfabe reason for Bryan's absence is that he had sympathy, whereas the legit reason for it is that he was more brutal than the rest of them (albeit on a completely arbitrary scale).

What makes no sense to me about this is that they could surely have handed out merely a fine or suspension, rather than a firing, and what exactly is the big deal with choking anyway? Is it any worse than any other wrestling move?

Unfortunately, there seem few other reasons to believe this is a work, particularly after its handling on RAW.

[Andrew]

Supposedly they're wary of connections being made to the Chris Benoit murder-suicide, since he choked his wife and son before hanging himself with exercise equipment. I can see where they're coming from and distancing themselves from that is obviously a good idea but...yeah, it's a real stretch, they're either really paranoid about it and Linda McMahon's senate campaign or there's a lot more to the story. It seems flimsy to me, but that's the rumour making the rounds.

Like you said, a fine or suspension would seem appropriate if they're really that upset about it.

[koberulz]

Thing is, Shawn and Hunter have been pulling out the crossface fairly frequently. Which has a tad more to do with Benoit specifically, rather than any wrestling angle ever. Drawing a connection due to choking can only be done if one is thinking of it to begin with. It's absurd.

Best thing that's happened on WWE television in years, and it's ruined by some arbitrary PC kiddy-friendly rule.

[Andrew]

Exactly, though I think it's good that they have used the move and "taken it back", as it were. You could probably also distinguish between the crossface as a "legitimate" wrestling move and choking someone with a rope or whatever being more extreme violence, the kind of thing the moral guardians get up in arms about which is probably what they've done here, since The Undertaker's Hell's Gate is billed as a chokehold (and of course, there's the chokeslam and simply goozling opponents which still takes place).

It's kind of a sloppy line they've drawn, I see where they're coming from but it really does seem an overreaction.

[koberulz]

That settles that, I guess.

[Lean]

That whole thing is just lame for me. Which is slowly leading me not to watch WWE programming anymore.

[Andrew]

But just to make things interesting: WWE Asks Fans If They Should Re-Sign Daniel Bryan

One of the weirdest stories in recent memories just keeps getting weirder. WWE posted a picture of Daniel Bryan on their Facebook page today with the following caption under it: It's been the hottest topic for the WWE Universe in recent memory, so let's talk about it. Here's your LIKE/DISLIKE of the Day: "WWE should re-sign NXT Season 1 Rookie Daniel Bryan." (Click LIKE to agree, or click COMMENT to tell us why you disagree.)

Still up on their Facebook page here.

[J@3]

This whole thing is bizarre from start to finish. Though it would be typical WWE to be on a good thing and just fuck it up somehow (firing the most recognizable rookie, Jericho as their leader or something).

[Andrew]

No doubt. If it is a work then I've got to give them credit, they've gotten people talking and are keeping everyone guessing as one thing points to it being legit and something else suggests it's kayfabe.

[J@3]

Yeah if it's a work it's genius and has a lot of possible outcomes (i.e Danielson coming back and taking on the leader of NXT) but if it's not then it's pretty disappointing. People aren't going to automatically think of Benoit everytime someone applies a chokehold. That is unless the guy who does it is then fired for it, of course.

I really think though if the leader of NXT is a current wrestler, like Jericho or whoever (hell, Cena maybe) it'd be a mistake. The whole idea is that the rookies are trying to take over. Sort of makes no point for them to be lead by someone who's already established in the company. There was a purpose to Bischoff/Hogan joining the nWo, it gave them power that the rest of the roster didn't have despite having bigger numbers. Personally I'd just keep Barrett as the leader and have them gradually cherrypick new NXT people to join the stable over time. Would remind me a lot of Stone Cold joining the Alliance.

[Andrew]

Seems to change on a daily basis. Today's articles on the situation once again point to it being legit and Danielson has a fair amount of independent bookings lined up so right now, looks like it's indeed a disappointment.

The whole Alliance/Invasion angle is a really good example of sticking an established WWE name with the new group to try and get them over, first Stone Cold and then Kurt Angle, not to mention the involvement of the McMahons in another family feud. I guess it gives the group some credibility but the established name is certainly going to overshadow the group. It surely has to do much more for the NXT guys if they come in and make a name for themselves against workers in the lower-upper-middle card or higher than if one of those workers is leading them.

[Andrew]

Bret Hart is done with WWE...at least for the short term.

The word going around on Bret Hart is that he has indeed left WWE for the time being. His departure is in direct relation to his Lloyd's of London insurance policy and he reportedly didn't leave on bad terms.

Hopefully he'll be able to make another appearance at some point to wrap up the GM angle properly or go out on a high, though he'll obviously need to sort out the situation with Lloyd's of London first.

[Lean]

Seen Fatal 4-Way (heck they should stop using gimmick matches for PPV names), and the only match that I could say a "great match" was Bourne vs Jericho.

[Lean]

Great times.

phpBB [video]

[Andrew]

Jericho's a special talent. Bischoff can spin it any way he wants, but he undervalued and underestimated Jericho in WCW.

Meanwhile, looks like the Bryan Danielson situation is legit.

[koberulz]

Reports are that Wade Barrett's visa has expired, so he can no longer work. Between that and the Danielson situation, I'm starting to think nobody in the company gives a damn about making this angle work.

[Andrew]

Apparently Drew McIntyre is in the same boat at the moment. These things happen and could be their fault rather than WWE's, I'm sure it'll get cleared up fairly quickly. Supposedly Danielson could be back once the (non-existent) controversy over the tie-choking "incident" dies down...or in other words, Linda McMahon's election campaign is formally over.

[koberulz]

You'd think WWE (and TNA, it happened with Angelina Love) would keep track of these things.

[Andrew]

I guess, but it seems to me that's ultimately the individual's responsibility.

[JaoSming]

yesh

Report: Vince McMahon Bans a Popular Move From WWE
by Nick Paglino
Jul 04, 2010
The Wrestling Observer is reporting that Vince McMahon has banned the "knife edge" chop from use in WWE matches. The chop, which was made famous by Ric Flair, generally gets a "woo" reaction from the crowd after it's used by a wrestler, and Vince does not want the crowd woo'ing as it of course reminds them of Flair, who works for TNA right now. It should be noted that straight down chops like the ones used by The Great Khali and Big Show are still being allowed as they don't draw a "woo" reaction from the fans.

[buzzy]