Howdy Blog O'Doomers!
Not much happening this week as we prepare for the final stretch before Summerslam. I actually downloaded all 28 In Your Houses (or 27 depending on whether Backlash 1999 was considered an IYH or not) to prepare to watch and possibly review. A couple of things really stood out to me.
-- They tried and tried and tried and tried and tried to find something that Bradshaw could do to get over and oddly enough I think the one thing that worked (APA) really seemed to get over by chance more than anything.
-- If not for Shawn Michaels, the earlier cards would easily be considered among the most boring PPVs of all time.
-- If I go back and review the Austin-Vega strap match it'll likely get five stars. I think the first time I did it it was about ****1/2 but rewatching it again it was Austin's second best match in the WWF pre-injury, with the Survivor Series match against Bret Hart being the clear number one. Definitely the best strap match EVER.
-- In the much later cards it looks like they were experimenting with a born-again Christian gimmick for Dustin Rhodes. He came out before the bikini showdown between Sable and Jackie and said a prayer. Was this the first time they tried this? I don't remember. However, they eventually went the total opposite direction and did "The Artist Formerly Known As" gimmick.
Something else I wanted to ask but I've forgotten so I'll remind myself later.
With Summerslam heading in and the high expectations for it we have a good chance at the WWE hitting a three-in-row streak for kick ass PPVs. Hopefully tonight is the big sell. So enjoy the show and come out swinging but try to keep it clean!
Not much happening this week as we prepare for the final stretch before Summerslam. I actually downloaded all 28 In Your Houses (or 27 depending on whether Backlash 1999 was considered an IYH or not) to prepare to watch and possibly review. A couple of things really stood out to me.
-- They tried and tried and tried and tried and tried to find something that Bradshaw could do to get over and oddly enough I think the one thing that worked (APA) really seemed to get over by chance more than anything.
-- If not for Shawn Michaels, the earlier cards would easily be considered among the most boring PPVs of all time.
-- If I go back and review the Austin-Vega strap match it'll likely get five stars. I think the first time I did it it was about ****1/2 but rewatching it again it was Austin's second best match in the WWF pre-injury, with the Survivor Series match against Bret Hart being the clear number one. Definitely the best strap match EVER.
-- In the much later cards it looks like they were experimenting with a born-again Christian gimmick for Dustin Rhodes. He came out before the bikini showdown between Sable and Jackie and said a prayer. Was this the first time they tried this? I don't remember. However, they eventually went the total opposite direction and did "The Artist Formerly Known As" gimmick.
Something else I wanted to ask but I've forgotten so I'll remind myself later.
With Summerslam heading in and the high expectations for it we have a good chance at the WWE hitting a three-in-row streak for kick ass PPVs. Hopefully tonight is the big sell. So enjoy the show and come out swinging but try to keep it clean!
You've got it backwards with Rhodes. The "Born Again" gimmick came AFTER TAFKA. For a while he carried a sign saying "He is coming BACK!" "He," at the spurning of Val Venis sleeping with Terri, ended up being Goldust.
ReplyDeleteI actually found the "Born Again" gimmick to be pretty interesting, especially in matches when he would try to be a good sport after losing.
ReplyDeleteBradshaw is the epitome of the "Be yourself with the volume turned way up" school of getting over.
ReplyDeleteYeah, you're right, my time period was off, he debuted TAFKA at or around Survivor Series 1997 and the time period between that and Survivor Series 1998 gets mixed up for me.
ReplyDeleteif 3 hours isn't enough for you ESPN Classic has had GWF on as a nice little prelude to raw.
ReplyDeleteDepending on how much you considered the Brood to be part of the Ministry of Darkness, the APA was the best thing to come out of that faction.
ReplyDeleteWHat about the Artist Formerly Known as Prince Iakeau??
ReplyDeleteHe sucked.
ReplyDeleteThe Lightning Kid when he was an indy/smart darling! LOVE IT.
ReplyDeleteThis is it guys, six days until Daniel Bryan is (briefly) WWE Champion!
ReplyDelete'If I go back and review the Austin-Vega strap match it'll likely get
ReplyDeletefive stars. I think the first time I did it it was about ****1/2 but
rewatching it again it was Austin's second best match in the WWF
pre-injury, with the Survivor Series match against Bret Hart being the
clear number one. Definitely the best strap match EVER.'
no, no its not. the austin/savio matches are wayyyyyyyyy overrated, just like the hhh/rck summerslam ladder match
i will never understand the love people give to the austin/savio matches
eddie/jbl - now theres a good strap match
think that was raven on commentary too.
ReplyDeletebtw, backlash was def an iyh event
ReplyDeletehis arms must get tired.
ReplyDeleteAs this match gets underway, I would just like to remind people that Wade Barrett won NXT and was therefore selected as the leader of the Nexus ahead of Daniel Bryan.
ReplyDeleteHe just flew in all the way from Aberdeen.
ReplyDeleteHa! I just said that.
ReplyDeletewhile carrying half the roster!
ReplyDeleteMaddox should have worn a size smedium referee shirt. Own your gimmick, young man.
ReplyDeleteHey, Maddox has main event refereeing experience.
ReplyDeleteDid Wade Barrett even get an entrance? Does silence count as his 12th entrance theme?
ReplyDeleteIf that's the case, then the crowd noise for his other themes counts as a mash-up.
ReplyDeleteNope, was in the ring as the show came on. Not sure why Bryan needs to squash him two shows in a row. Could of given Bryan someone different to squash tonight.
ReplyDeletePresented by Doritos? And here I figured it would be sponsored by the newest Doritos Locos Taco, Flamas.
ReplyDeleteThis lousy Smarch weather...
ReplyDeleteMeatball subs, Monday Night Raw, and the BLOG OF DOOM.
ReplyDeleteLife ain't bad.
There was an early Steve Austin match(1991) on there sometime in the last week, as well. Plus all the Stevie Ray you can handle. My DVR loves it.
ReplyDeleteMan, what did they do to Barrett's heat? During the Nexus gimmick, dude was over. Now...*crickets*.
ReplyDeleteVader vs Sting is the best strap match ever. Eddy/JBL is good as is Austin/Vega but neither approach Sting vs Vader
ReplyDeleteWay to give away the ending of Summerslam, JBL.
ReplyDeleteThey're being presented by the entire Doritos *brand*, thus including all of the Locos Tacos.
ReplyDeleteMan, these guys are sloppy good tonight
ReplyDeleteLike manwiches or a night with Missy Hyatte.
ReplyDeleteYeah. Spoiling the end of PPVs is Cole's job.
ReplyDelete"But who's side is he ON, Schiavone?"
ReplyDeleteBARRETT WINS A MATCH?!? There's hope for him yet!
ReplyDeleteLike a nice Sunny day
ReplyDeleteThey need to get Det. R-Truth in his Sherlock Holmes get-up to solve the mystery of why Brad Maddox gets so much damn TV time.
ReplyDeleteWWE: Every Heel Is The Honky Tonk Man
ReplyDeleteIt's one of the unsolved mysteries of...Unsolved Mysteries.
ReplyDeleteExactly what is controversial about Miz TV?
ReplyDeleteUgh, Miz TV.
ReplyDeleteSO glad I went on a beer run.
Sandow's new briefcase is awesome.
ReplyDeleteOh good, at least they're making sure the Miz is getting on tv.
ReplyDeleteNot sure what the point of that finish was. Does Vince try to kick him out of the ME so Cena can give an empassioned speech to "save" his title shot?
ReplyDeleteIt's still allowed to air?
ReplyDeleteWhy it is still a segment when even an appearance by Paul Heyman couldn't make it enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteThe BOD should be receiving royalties for that idea.
ReplyDeleteIt violates international sanctions against torture.
ReplyDeleteWhat did he say?
ReplyDeleteGotta love Sandow's briefcase. IS THAT MAHOGANY?!
ReplyDeleteIt sits next to his leather-bound books.
ReplyDeleteI really thought the Austin/Savio WM12 match was overrated and can't understand people who give it ***1/2 since the crowd was dead, the announcers could have cared less as they were more interested in the Piper/Goldust saga and the finish was awful too, but I did really like their strap match, though I agree that ***** is pretty absurd.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that a eunuch landed Maryse.
ReplyDeleteis MizTV controversial because of the fact that it fucking sucks a whole bunch of dicks or something?
ReplyDeleteAd Break Topic #1:
ReplyDeleteSeriously, how great was The Last of Us?
No spoilers, but I finally purchased it and beat it in a few days and bawled like a small child.
Don't even know what that is.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of the most gutwrenching openings to a video game that I can recall.
ReplyDeleteIt NEEDS to be referred to as his investment portfolio.
ReplyDelete37?
ReplyDeleteReally? I heard it sucked so I passed on it.
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah...looks interesting.
ReplyDelete"Damian Sandow is an educated man, Monsoon!"
ReplyDelete"As he so helpfully reminds us each week."
"Hey, he's way smarter than that hick grandson of a plumber Cody Rhodes! You know, I heard they had to cancel both driver's ed AND sexual education at Cody's old high school."
"And why is that, Brain?"
"Their mule died!"
"WILL YOU BE SERIOUS?!"
I feel better about tonight now.
ReplyDeletecan't he just open it and take the contract?
ReplyDeleteHow long until Sandow gets cuffed and beaten?
ReplyDeleteYou can tell the wrestlers WWE really wants to push. They're the only ones who get full entrances.
ReplyDeleteOk, I didn't watch Smackdown so I had only read about the new briefcase until now...that thing is awesome
ReplyDeleteI've yet to read a single negative review of it except for an article on Forbes bitching about the ending.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a little while to get going, but it's one of the best games I've played in years. Naughty Dog is outstanding at making incredibly cinematic games that are still fun and challenging to play.
Love it so much.
Tremendous.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the briefcase.
ReplyDeleteOh, couple of minutes yet.
ReplyDeleteMost of the complaints I heard came from friends.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll check it out regardless.
That new briefcase of Sandow's is really great, but you KNOW it would job to Orton's briefcase.
ReplyDeleteI kind of want him to hold onto it forever now.
ReplyDeleteIf Orton jobs to Sandow here (don't laugh), he's definitely turning Sunday. WWE logic says that someone on the verge of a turn puts everyone over, because no one will remember after the turn anyway.
ReplyDeleteSo if Sandow loses, he's turning?
ReplyDeleteI only regret that I have but one upvote to give.
ReplyDelete*Is hanged*
No, that means he's getting the title.
ReplyDeleteI'm kinda surprised Cena never got a briefcase with a spinner in it.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember if they were over or not, but 99 Acolytes were pretty cool as asskicking machines, and I felt the 2000 APA stuff was too hokey and watered down, which pretty much ruined them as they quickly lost credibility shortly after. They went from winning tag team titles and tag team turmoils to jobbing to the friggin' Bossman and Bull Buchanan..
ReplyDeleteI get that they want Cody as this suave suit-wearing babyface in the vein of Flair and Rock, I get that. But the guy hasn't developed the kind of charisma to support that kind of character.
ReplyDeleteWhat was in Mongo's briefcase? Was that ever explained?
ReplyDeleteSo incredibly stupid...why the hell would Cody stop Sandow from cashing in? Why wouldn't he just let him so his match at SummerSlam could be for the title?
ReplyDeleteMan, those sour grapes are sure gonna help Cody get over as a face.
ReplyDeleteCocaine. A mountain of cocaine.
ReplyDeletehe needs an on air run with his dad by his side.
ReplyDeleteI said this last week -- a couple of guys in suits fighting isn't going to work. Cody really needs to dress like an everyman first.
ReplyDeleteLove JBL pointing it out too, and Cody having no comeback. Because WWE science.
ReplyDeleteOriginally I think it was a cash payoff from the Horsemen.
ReplyDeleteAd Break Topic #2:
ReplyDeleteMoment in a work of fiction that most provokes manly tears.
For me, it's either the ending to Gran Torino, the ending of the last fight in Warrior, or Savage/Elizabeth reuniting at WM7.
Right in the feels.
A match-up between Money in the Bank briefcase holders is so rare, we just saw it two weeks ago on Smackdown.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely WM7. Still the best moment in wrestling history.
ReplyDeleteNobody watches Smackdown, though.
ReplyDeleteI actually kind of liked "Sandow isn't going to win the title before I do" line.
ReplyDeleteNah, he just needs a personality. He's not over the top enough with the gimmick. People started cheering heel Rock in 1998 because he was just so much fucking fun in that role. His Wrestlemania 14 speech about poor people is genuinely hilarious. Also note how Barack has tried to borrow Rock's swag.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2QUZ9T_KhI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnKQo9n7M6Q
ReplyDelete"Hey! Dad? Wanna have a catch?"
ReplyDelete"I'd like that."
Iron giant's superman scene.
ReplyDeleteBraveheart makes me cry like a little girl every time.
ReplyDeleteThe elves showing up at Helm's Deep in Two Towers.
The Green Mile.
Foley winning the WWE title for the first time.
His divorce papers from Debra.
ReplyDeleteOh man, I forgot about LOTR.
ReplyDelete"My friends, you bow to no one."
ALL THE CRIES.
I feel it's just not a true 'manly tears' discussion if we don't bring up Brian's Song..
ReplyDeleteand Sapphire!!!
ReplyDeleteTrue story the last 20 minutes of Toy Story 3 do it to me.
ReplyDeleteOh, totally. Many moments in that series. That's right there too.
ReplyDeleteIt's rarer than someone mandhandling The Undertaker.
ReplyDeleteHe tried to explain, no one understood
ReplyDeleteIt's as good an explanation as any, but you get my point. The booking is fundamentally flawed. It's not his fault.
ReplyDeleteThis is sad replacement for smash or pass. Couldn't we do it, just without the links?
ReplyDelete:(
Zombie Sapphire?
ReplyDeleteI'm in.
OHGODYES!!!!
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
ReplyDeleteSame. Although I was too terrified during the climax to be anything but numb. I seriously thought they were going to go through with the incinerator.
ReplyDelete"Polka dots...must...have...polka dots..."
ReplyDeleteLOL, have to love all of the announcers burying his face turn, because it makes no sense.
ReplyDeleteEh, depends on if others would be willing to do the googling.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Randy Quaid flying into the enemy spaceship at Independence Day?
ReplyDeleteAnyone who says they didn't feel it when they all held hands in the incinerator is a damn liar :-)
ReplyDelete"Randy Orton is my mentor in sports entertainment..."
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody ever think to themselves how stupid a statement like that sounds?
Besides the obvious contagion problem, I can see Zombie Sapphire becoming popular with the fans.. Sure would improve her promo skills..
ReplyDeleteWell, you can still do the links.
ReplyDeleteDamn right.
ReplyDeleteI had a brief moment of doubt. Talk about quality film-making. Getting the audience to believe they're going to kill off a bunch of toys in a kids movie.
ReplyDeleteJBL is killing Cody out there.
ReplyDeleteI still can believe its Vin Diesel doing the voice,so much emotion he put it in the character.
ReplyDeleteHe now knows how to trash a hotel room with the best of them.
ReplyDeletethe alternative universe ending to the 2001 World Series, where Mo actually did close out Game 7.
ReplyDeleteBusting his balls big time
ReplyDeleteTrue or False: Cody is a better talker than Dustin, but Dustin is the better worker. Discuss.
ReplyDeleteTime to take this home.
ReplyDeleteAnd then they're going to shocked (SHOCKED!) in a few weeks when said face turn isn't working and wonder how the hell this could be happening.
ReplyDeleteIt seems they are testing Cody and improvisation and is failing miserably.
ReplyDeleteCody can talk but he's bland as hell.
ReplyDeleteYeah.. that was crazy good..
ReplyDeleteIt's obviously going to be Cody's fault.
ReplyDeleteOh, and the opening scenes in Up! and the Star Trek reboot.
ReplyDeleteBecause that's how you get people over! By making them look like dopes at the commentary table!
ReplyDeleteTerminator 2 arnie's death scene.
ReplyDeleteWas that a picture of Pee-Wee Herman?
ReplyDeleteCody just said that he'll be damned if Sandow becomes champion before him. Just because he's feuding with Sandow doesn't mean he's entitled to a title shot. Technically, Del Rio would just use his rematch clause at SummerSlam.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the ending to Oldboy? Are those considered manly tears?
ReplyDeleteI tear up during 'Brian's Song', the last Bruce Willis scene in 'Armageddon'... and sometimes during 'Rudy'.
ReplyDeleteDustin wouldn't have been put in that position. I don't remember Goldust ever getting sent to the announce table, just so everyone there could troll him.
ReplyDeleteHe also knows what to poop in when a toilet isn't nearby.
ReplyDeleteWWE: where every heel is dumber than a shitload of bricks.
ReplyDeleteFalse. Dustin at least has some memorable promos.
ReplyDeleteFuck Randy Orton.
ReplyDeleteThat is all.
Well...the really smart, cool, good heels get over as faces. Eventually.
ReplyDeleteYou could say that about more than half the babyfaces, too.
ReplyDelete...execpt Triple H. Because he's awesome in every facet.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they have second thoughts about turning Orton heel, on certain nights, this guy gets the biggest pops of any face...
ReplyDeleteOh, MAN. Someone so should kick RVD right in the junk with that shot.
ReplyDeleteExcept Cena,he tricked all the kids.
ReplyDeleteWith Vince's Genetic Jackhammer, Hunter's Sledgehammer, or Stephanie's...
ReplyDeleteOkay, time to end that train of thought.
Sweet! A "We have nothing better for these 20 guys to do!" battle royale!
ReplyDeleteThe Shield are in the Ninja Turtles' lair.
ReplyDeleteThe Shield needs Jimmy Jacobs.
ReplyDeletethank you!
ReplyDeleteStephanie's...voice?
ReplyDeleteNow THAT'S decent motivation for The Shield.
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, Roberto Benigni in Life is Beautiful. Everything. He. Does.
ReplyDeleteI just got back into the product a few years ago.. Has Cody ever had either a manger or female valet? He seems like the kind of guy that could benefit from that.
ReplyDeletehmm any chance mark Henry wins due to his feud against the Shield? Not telegraphed at all.
ReplyDeleteOk, this has always irritated me, since the inception of The Shield. How exactly are they dispensing justice? Have they given any kind of clue?
ReplyDeleteDean fuckin' Ambrose!
ReplyDeleteOkay, by popular demand, an image-free Smash or Pass:
ReplyDeleteThis week's theme, competitive reality show contestants.
First up, RC from Survivor: Philippines!
http://survivorfandom.com/survivor-philippines-secret-scene-33894/
Ambrose FTW.
ReplyDelete"Wait a minute... THAT'S ANDRE THE GIANT'S GHOST'S MUSIC!"
ReplyDeleteDo cops give clues when they dispense justice? No, they FIND them!
ReplyDeleteA star is born.
ReplyDeleteWould he still be afraid of snakes?
ReplyDeleteWay to wait until literally the last minute to try and book matches for both the US and Tag titles... Sheesh..
ReplyDeleteI thought that was the point. They're hiding behind the label of 'justice' to further their own interests.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinkin' Smash.
ReplyDeleteRandy Savage's money.
ReplyDeleteSo...RVD wins the battle royal, Henry and Big Show challenge for the tag titles?
ReplyDeleteAd Break Topic #3:
ReplyDeleteWhat's your best pick-up line?
Only if Show gets to turn on Henry.
ReplyDeleteyeah...I guess I just missed it, or don't get it. I subscribe to the idea that the heel has to believe he's right, and I just don't quite get that from them.
ReplyDelete"Do you have flood insurance?"
ReplyDelete"No, why?"
"Because, baby, I'm about to get you wet."
So that would be another two turns in a week for Show?
ReplyDeleteI'm rich, and I'm generous.
ReplyDeleteDayum girl did you fall from heaven because your pelvis looks shattered and your shins look scuffed up girl
ReplyDelete*LOOKS FROM AFAR*
ReplyDelete*APPROACHES*
So I thought I'd take a closer look.
*SLAP*
Excuse me Miss, does this handkerchief smell like chloroform to you?
ReplyDelete"Let me check the label on your dress. Just as I thought: 'Made in Taiwan.'"
ReplyDeleteYou must be a magic mushroom, 'cuz you're making me grow
ReplyDeleteYou know, it's interesting to note that WWE would literally announce a match was happening at the PPV randomly on commentary on the go home show back in late 1999.
ReplyDeleteSuck my dick.
ReplyDelete(I like to just be honest sometimes)
Here's a fun idea! This Sunday during the Brock/Punk match, take a drink every time someone says either "Best" or "Beast"! Just make sure someone has 911 on speed dial.
ReplyDeleteI would like to actually *remember* the match.
ReplyDeleteBrock looks like he's reading cue cards. Beginners in MMA is a GOLDEN LINE!
ReplyDeleteNot going to lie.
ReplyDeleteI cried during Click. Now shut the fuck up and stop staring at me like that.
Reason we don't here Lesnar speak much - this promo.
ReplyDelete*Does "come here" gesture with index finger*
ReplyDelete*Female approaches*
"I made you come with one finger, imagine what I could do with my whole hand."
But but . . . isn't RVD already booked for the pre-show match?
ReplyDeleteGetting your drunk friend chokeslammed isn't nice...
ReplyDeleteOh, I like that one.
ReplyDelete(applause)
This feud has been so fucking money.
ReplyDelete