RedJed

In this weeks Observer, there is stuff that the show is in fact at least "half scripted." The pilot was always going to be Brooke going on a date with an older guy, VH1 actually pushed that idea themselves. Supposedly, they had Brian Knobs and Co. actually following Brooke around on her "date" intially but the network thought that looked too worked so they actually re-did the whole date thing with the car detector idea. They told Hogan and Knobs to train together in that segment and then discuss using the car sensor idea, with Knobs on camera taking credit for it, although it was the producers idea. I figured that segment was worked anyway since Knobs actually working out is a fucking joke in itself. Also, this past weeks show was somewhat of a work too. Someone from the crew found a condom wrapper laying around somwhere in the house and suggested then that they do an angle out of it with the Hogans "finding it" in Nick's room.

Yeah I think Daniels could have a long run with that belt much like RVD with the ECW TV title. I'd even go beyond Bound for Glory - Joe doesnt have to get the X division title. In due time it will turn him into an over babyface, or maybe already kind of has.

The way I look at it is this way - Angle for Orton, fair trade, both are viable main eventers TBS for Hassan, fair trade, both stink it up IMO Christian for Carlito, fair trade - both have potential but are just kind of there right now RVD for Benoit, seems fair to me also Those trades didnt amount to shit on either side and were more a joke than anything since many got released, on both sides. The only people who have benefitted (or at least got airtime) since then is Chavo, Dupree, and Simon Dean.

Yeah but we are getting relatively close to where admitting some things are "real" and other things "arent" confuse the casual viewer. All I'm asking is to play to some storylines as well as continuing to work this "shoot" - I dont think it's alot to ask, plus it would give Kane some purpose being involved in all of this mess still. Plus how many weeks are you just going to have Hardy jump Edge? It's going to get old fast unless they figure out some side plans to build to the assumed SummerSlam match.

I dont see how that would have worked. RAW is already low on talent. They needed Haas more than SD needed Shelton. Why does everybody have to go to SD? My thought I've always had was that Raw should be the predominant "sports entertainers" show and Smackdown could be of the more pure wrestlers who could get over in a brand that wouldnt emphasize the importance of mic skills as much, and more push the strong points of a person's workrate. With that said, Shelton should have been sent to Smackdown. I fear he's going to flounder on Raw without any decent opponents to work with long term. And IMO I dont see where Smackdown got the best of the deal and Raw is "low on talent" at all. It seemed very much like an even trade back and forth with the talent.

I guess this is the right place for this, but just a thought about the Hardy thing last night. Was anyone kind of let down by the lack of creativity in how they handled that last night? I did expect him to show back up again much like last week, but that was the writer's fault for teasing it with Hardy escaping security and running into the crowd. Would have much rather seen Hardy just show up to actually cost Edge a chance to win by climbing the cage and attacking him as he was about to escape the cage. Another thought brought up when a friend and myself were watching last night. I know they are desperately trying to play this whole thing off as a worked shoot, but since this IS being played out on live TV and is a work, and even the most ridiculous marks can now even see that, why isnt Hardy pissed at Kane at all? This was the guy that basically raped his girl, married her, and "hurt him" so that he was off of TV for months. Not that I need to see Kane v. Hardy but it's just kind of unusual and illogical how they are handling this. I guess its supposed to play into the whole worked shoot aspect. I can already see the Hardy appearance next week, as the ambulance driver or else just sitting in the back of the ambulance when someone puts the stretcher into it.

Quick thought about the Carlito/Benjamin match last night. Was Shelton "working it" or was he slipping and shaking when he would do top rope spots, generally looking a little clumsy? That could be intentional, playing into the past match regarding that. But hell, he even slipped when he ran out during the lumberjack match. Weird.

Yeah, all it would have taken was Hass to Raw or Shelton to Smackdown (which in hindsight I think would have been the better idea) and there ya go. I think this Carlito/Benjamin feud is getting old and there is no need for anymore matches other than another on Raw where Shelton wins convincingly just to prove it can be done, of course doesnt have to be for the title. I hate to devalue the IC title, but have him cut a promo saying he accomplished what he wanted by having the IC title before and now wants the WWE title. Cue Angle and you have a start of a program beginning with a SummerSlam match. Carlito can then work against someone else for the title at SummerSlam like Kane for all I care. Team Angle Pusher basically summarized how Shelton could get some credibility back to lead to an Angle feud...

It's definately not his last match. Meltz reported there are relatively concrete plans for Austin/Hogan at Mania already, and I'm surprised this hasnt been reported much around, but Hogan has apparently signed a 20 year contract with WWE now. Not sure what that all entails, as its probably more like the merchandising contract alot of the legends are doing, but on top of it I'm sure it's a certain amount of appearances/matches each year too. Also on top of that, the rumor is (and this came from Hogan himself so take it with a grain of salt) that Vince gave Hogan complete creative control with the contract as well??? So yeah this is far from his last match, in fact I bet him and Michaels will have another match down the road again too after SummerSlam.

Considering that Flair was penciled in to go babyface against HHH like right now, and lead to a SummerSlam match (which of course HHH nixed by "taking time off") I'd say that they stilll are going to do that here when HHH and Flair returns but just slow build it more. With that said, I expect HHH and Flair to show up at SummerSlam and cost Hogan the match when they help Michaels beat him. From there, you have Piper returning on TV to actually team up with Hogan in the storyline against HHH, Flair, and Michaels (Piper would still be pissed at Michaels kicking him). Incorporate Angle into the mix as well in due time, as well as a Flair face turn soon after HHH and Flair returning, so you would have an interesting deal of HHH/Angle/HBK v. Hogan/Flair/Piper, possibly for Survivor Series or if you wanted to rush it, Unforgiven?

I'm in the same boat here. While I am a strong supporter of TNA, this Jarrett shit has got to be put in it's place. It might very well already though (this is the hopefulness in me) be by a compromise of the booking team to put Jarrett in the main event again with feuds with Brown and Raven during the summer and into the fall that would lead to him hopefully putting both over. Then after that, he gets put down a step or two, hell maybe even out of the company altogether. It sounds like either all of the Jarrett stuff from the past few months was complete bullshit that the company made up to the sheets or else its VERY political right now and there is a huge power struggle and if thats the case, I dont think Jarrett will, in the long run, win this battle if he's doing what reports are saying that he is doing. Anyway I'm hoping this tag match is the time that Monte Brown joins up with Raven to take on Rhino and Jarrett. To me, that is the only way to even do that match in the first place as realistically, I was expecting Raven/Rhino at the next ppv. Brown then getting back into the main event mix and feuding with Rhino and Jarrett makes sense. I'd do Brown/Jarrett at the Sept ppv and Rhino/Raven as well, and then Brown/Rhino and Jarrett/Raven at Bound for Glory. What would be key here is Jarrett doing a somewhat convincing job to Monte Brown in Sept, and a completely clean job to Raven at Bound for Glory. It MIGHT not be a bad idea to have Raven job to Rhino for the title as well (after interference from Jarrett), which would have Brown v. Rhino for the belt instead at Bound for Glory, which would make sense since jobbing to Brown in Sept should not logically mean Jarrett then gets a title shot anyway. Then you have Brown do a title run, Jarrett can finally get his title match after Bound for Glory against Brown in a blowoff match of their feud, and Raven can then be built up long term for a feud with Brown as the next big title program in x number of montgs.

Normally I would be against a deal that has them paying for the time, but in this case, I think it's gotta happen to be where they need to be. This should be a huge step up in theory as its right before their "WrestleMania" type show and I would bet by that time the booking situation will be relatively strong too, with new stars being brought in as well. Theres been speculation of doing the natural thing and bringing in Shamrock and Ortiz to work a feud to start out the Spike TV run to cross promote with UFC stuff. I heard rumors they might also bring in Dan Severn too. Another thing to consider is that I believe once in a great while they will be going head to head a little bit with Saturday Night's Main Event when WWE does that on NBC in the fall/wintertime. So this is an interesting move in more than one way. That is surely an interesting way to get discussion going about the company with a backwards promo to open the ppv with the announcer saying some really wild stuff, its the same James Earl Jones type voice that did it, so that link that has the promo playing the other (well actually the right way forward) is legitimate with what he said. Vince fears Jeff Jarrett? Boy, I wonder who's idea that line was.... If the company can keep a solid foot (dare I say increasingly stronger) until October, we may finally have a legitimate competitor to WWE here.

I like that lineup, makes sense to keep everyone from the company and not try to overstep themselves and sign up more names right now unless they were going to turn this into something like a 32 man tournament or something - which would actually have been a fun idea in theory, maybe next year. Looking forward to the brackets....its gotta be Samoa Joe winning this all, just gotta be. This is kind of how I would do it...alot of first round hot matches, thats for sure. Styles-Sabin Shocker-Dutt Shelley-Shane Joe-Williams From there, you do Styles-Shocker and Joe/Shelley/Shane (Shelley and Shane do some elaborate work to keep both of them in the running for the second round) and then of course AJ-Joe.

I have to agree here, it killed off Monte Brown's popularity when he joined up at Jarrett's lackey and now it seems Rhino is going to be the same. With all of this said, I am starting to question whether all of the Jarrett backstage stuff was all BS and it was all a work to lead to this angle they are apparently going to do with Jarrett and ex-WWE guys against TNA guys. And yes, I'm not too excited about it. If anytjhing Rhino should have been broight in immediately to feud with Jarrett (there was no need for a swerve of sorts there) - he could have gored Jarrett and that was that to end the show. Then from there, Rhino is put over Jarrett, then feuds with Monte Brown. It just makes sense. Now instead, it kind of looks like we might see Jarrett v. Raven out of all of this, I'm already scared of the worst come Sept or Oct, whenever that match would happen. I watched the ppv show again and most definately alot of good wrestling. Xpac-Styles was ten million times better than I thought it would be. Main event was fun, albeit a little typical hardcore action of sorts, as it wasnt particularly memorable and definately wont hold up in future viewings. Abyss is starting to get predictable with taking bumps on thumbtacks over and over. Joe-Sabin and Daniels-Williams were perfectly fine stuff, each at a strong *** 1/2 for sure. But that ending just ruined the overall feel of the show from top to bottom. While it was definately not the best TNA ppv so far, everyone worked really hard as usual to make it a very solid show, booking not withstanding. Oh yeah Kip James is a weak ringname. I can already see what they are going to do with the old New Age Outlaws. I imagine they will be called the New James Gang or something to that effect?

I'll post more when I get done watching the replay but the first intial thoughts is that it was a very good wrestling show with a lame ass angle to lead to Rhino joining Jarrett. Completely underwhelmed the whole point of saving the Rhino appearance til the end.

Coincidentally or not I dont know, but the WWE Fear Factor with Matt Hardy winning the thing was on the local UPN station here in MN in syndication this weekend.

Take this for what its worth, but Matt Hardy and Rhyno are going to work indy dates together even as late as Aug 28, where they take on the Dudleys in an indy show somewhere - this was reported by Pat McNeil of PW Torch today. Not sure if this means TNA might possibly be able to use Hardy then til even that date or what. He might very well show up tomorrow and be used for next ppv, etc. Who knows. Also begins speculation that the Duds could show up on TNA alot earlier than expected if they are already working indy dates by late August.

Only reasonable idea would be to have a Hardy Boys v. ??? at next ppv and Matt doesnt play the central role of the team, its more to put over Jeff and a return to TNA for him, if that makes any sense. Like for example Hardy Boys v. Jarrett and ??? and Jeff ends up pinning Jarrett. Other than that, yeah its just a bad idea. Will TNA do it? I highly think they might.

Bring this thread up to get a question answered - other than a few songs on the official website, does any file sharing programs have some of the Live 8 performances on mp3 or something? I havent been able to find shit but was hoping someone would have had to done a recording of the show and converted the audio to mp3 files.

Thing is 1) We dont need Jarrett shooting his mouth off anymore about guys that he "took out" when he never even really did so just to get (very) cheap heel heat and 2) I think people see through that whole thing about running off to somewhere else, as in there is a reason they did so, ie TNA isnt good enough for them. Again, it makes TNA look completely bush league, second rate, and far from competitive (and I think TNA needs to at least TRY to always be up against WWE) when you let a WWE contracted wrestler show up on your show just to put over a WWE ran storyline/character/etc.

From just me as a fan perspective, hell yes, I'd love to see it. Even better I'd love to see it lead to either a singles match with Hardy and whoever at the next ppv or even better, a one night only Hardy Boys reunion match. If they could get Hardy and WWE to agree to THAT, then I say go for it. But from a business perspective, it's quite the risk to just have him in one time. Its kind of like the thing with Hogan - that seemed, to me, to make TNA look more bush league in that they didnt get him signed to a long term deal and not even one live appearance. This would be the same kind of thing I think - so Hardy is in for a run-in one time only and then goes long term to WWE. Not very cool from a business perspective.

I cant believe this - just posted from Meltzer.... TNA runs its PPV from Orlando on Sunday and we'll have a full rundown tomorrow. Raven vs. Abyss for the NWA title in a dog collar match is on top, plus Christopher Daniels vs. Petey Williams for the TNA X Division title. It is believed the decision will be made today regarding whether Matt Hardy appears on the show or not doing an unexplained run-in. WWE has okayed it to get over his angle. TNA had not okayed it as of yesterday. ----Just bad for business for Hardy to appear if he's not going to actually do anything long term.

Those two matches, and especially the no DQ stip on that tag, make the card much stronger overall, I agree. Even though I am not totally blown away by the whole lineup, I think this will definately be a strong show.

I'm missing where she was justified in her reasons at all to be honest. Care to elaborate? Also if she was justified in what she did, wouldnt that actually make her a face? Good heels arent justified in their actions - because that would draw sympathy towards them. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Sorry, mis-typed there. I meant she FEELS justified in her actions. She believes her reasons whole heartingly. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ok make sense now. Assuming the cheating was real, and if that was really her reasons/excuses why, Lita will never have a decent relationship until she wakes up and stops being so emotionally unattractive.

I'm missing where she was justified in her reasons at all to be honest. Care to elaborate? Also if she was justified in what she did, wouldnt that actually make her a face? Good heels arent justified in their actions - because that would draw sympathy towards them.