Professional Wrestling (WWE, TNA, ROH, etc)

[Lean]

[Andrew]

Yeah, it's a shame. Hopefully they can work out a new deal though, seems unlikely he'd go to TNA as from all accounts he's not on the best terms with Bischoff.

[Lean]

And hopefully it's only because of the tour with Fozzy.

WWE needs guys like Y2J. So probably, if ever they come up with a new deal, Jericho would be face again.

[Andrew]

I'd say so. He'd probably at least get a face reaction upon his return, seems everyone gets a face pop in that situation.

[koberulz]

Meanwhile, sounds like Jericho is done with WWE, at least for the moment.

Quoting spoilers. Bad idea.

Anyway, I wouldn't be too quick to draw that conclusion:
http://twitter.com/IAmJericho/status/25005945451
http://twitter.com/IAmJericho/status/25007336218

Seems like he doesn't agree with the dirtsheets' conclusions.

[Andrew]

He hadn't shot down those rumours at the time that article was posted. If that's not the case then great, it'd be a shame for them to lose him.

[Lean]

WWE Champion Randy Orton to face Chris Jericho next week

His losing streak persisting, Chris Jericho is lashing out. After threatening to reveal the identity of the anonymous Raw General Manager, Jericho was confronted by new WWE Champion Randy Orton. The Viper challenged Jericho to a match the following week, stating that if he wins, he’s confident he won’t have to see Jericho’s face again “for a long, long time.” Jericho agreed to the match, claiming he’s made a career out of “embarrassing people who underestimate me.”

What do you guys think?

[Andrew]

Could be a way to write him out but just as easily be a swerve or a contingency plan just in case they can't work out a new deal. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

[buzzy]

IAmJericho

Hey Internet...Im a heel. Heels lie, therefore if I say something boastfully and reneg on it, it's not an official stipulation. Smarten up!

Gotta love him

[JaoSming]

they taped next week's RAW last night
Jericho gets punted, stretchered out, bye Y2J

[buzzy]

Damn.

[Lean]

For (kayfabe) real?

[Andrew]

Word is that he'll return or at least resume negotiations after taking some time off for projects away from wrestling so it's not all doom and gloom just yet.

[Chino]

Looks like Matt Hardy will not be staying in WWE because he wanted to go to a different direction:

phpBB [video]

[Andrew]

Yeah, WNW is reporting that he's asked for his release and it's been worked out.

I don't think anyone can blame Hardy for feeling frustrated with his position, WWE missed their biggest opportunity to make something of him when the feud with Edge back in 2006 went nowhere because Hardy did the job every time. He's still pretty over and going to waste, a lot of his friends (and of course his brother) are in TNA and they'll offer a lighter schedule. As a former WWE "name", his chances of getting a push in TNA are at least decent.

Still...not being a huge name in WWE (at least in terms of how he was pushed), his chances aren't stellar and I could see him getting lost in the shuffle in TNA as well, for far less pay. Consider how Bischoff overlooked Jericho for years and has been very dismissive of his career, he doesn't have the eye for talent a lot of people claim he does. Russo's history in the business is well-documented, Dixie Carter has even less of a head for wrestling and Hogan's currently absent, though even if he was there he's more about pushing his pals, the old guard or former main eventers. Perhaps Matt Hardy will be happier, but if I were him I'd be careful what I wish for.

Also, a Smackdown spoiler (you've been warned): Paul Bearer has returned and gotten involved with the Undertaker/Kane angle.

[Chino]

Also, a Smackdown spoiler (you've been warned): Paul Bearer has returned and gotten involved with the Undertaker/Kane angle.

Ooooh Yeeeess! Hopefully this will make the fued more interesting.

[J@3]

I've never liked Matt Hardy. Always saw him as the fatter, more useless brother. Couldn't understand how he got so over as a singles wrestler.

[Andrew]

Maybe just a case of people liking the underdog. The rest is probably mainly residual support from his tag team days with Jeff.

[JaoSming]

That Smackdown spoiler is amazing.....I'm really happy that happened.


Matt is going to do good in TNA. They can get Jeff out of the crowded title contention and get another tag team to feud with Beer Money.

I wonder if Matt is trying to get the 90 day no compete clause waived.

[Lean]

Seen NoC. Not a pretty bad PPV IMO. The show has pretty good spots for Daniel Bryan, and Randy is really put over.

Anyway:





RIO

[JaoSming]

evidently Mickie James has officially signed with TNA and will debut on the Live Impact on the 7th or at the PPV.

[Lean]

Yet Michelle McCool is still getting the push in the WWE. So much for being married to 'Taker.

[Andrew]

You know it's funny, Orton's booked pretty much the same as Cena yet he's over as a face. Just goes to show that if the character has a bit of an edge and isn't over-the-top corny, a face that's booked to look dominant can get over.

[Lean]

But Orton is not part of the Chain Gang.

The part in the Six-Pack WWE Title match where Barrett is jabbing Cena -- groggy and all -- then suddenly dodged and ran past Barrett to do his usual ass-looking shoulder blocks got me at it.

[Andrew]

Oh yeah, they don't do any favours with the Superman booking. But they do kind of book Orton that way too, not to mention Undertaker. I'm just saying it works if people like the character.

Steve Austin is a good example. Taking a look at 1998 PPVs:

- Won the Rumble
- Was on the winning team of the eight man tag match, got the pinfall
- Defeated Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 14 for his first championship
- Lost to Dude Love by DQ at Unforgiven when McMahon's cronies overturned the result. Essentially won, certainly stood tall to end the PPV
- Defeated Dude Love to retain at Over the Edge, overcoming McMahon as the guest referee and his cronies at ringside
- Lost the title to Kane at King of the Ring in a First Blood match when Undertaker hit him with a chair, drawing blood. Won the title back on RAW
- Won the tag titles with Undertaker at Fully Loaded, from memory Taker got the pin though
- Defeated Undertaker at Summerslam to retain the title
- Lost the title as both Undertaker and Kane pinned him in a triple threat match at Breakdown, basically got screwed over by McMahon
- As the guest referee, screwed Kane and Taker at Judgement Day. Was "fired", but didn't go anywhere as he continued to get the best of Vince
- Lost to Mankind in the title tournament at Survivor Series, was screwed by Shane and Vince
- Defeated Taker, Kane and Mankind in a four way match at Capital Carnage despite Gerald Brisco being the guest referee
- Defeated Taker in a Buried Alive match at Rock Bottom

I'm not trying to take anything away from Austin, he made money, drew huge crowds and helped turn the tide of the ratings war. But again, that kind of booking - overcoming the odds, winning more often than not on PPV, holding the championship, looking dominant - is fine so long as people like and are entertained by the character. Which is the main problem with Cena, his character's just too corny for older fans like us to enjoy.