RedJed

Hmmm, results sound......interesting. The picks were kind of predictable, but they work. The Rey-Eddy thing is very strange though and I'm scared of seeing where this goes - they dont need to ruin a feud that already was pretty much kicking on all cylanders. The JBL thing is perplexing - here is a guy that has gotten in hot water almost this same time last year (over the goosestepping), and then he got the freaking title for a long run. Now he's in (assumed) heat over the ECW incident and now is getting another title shot when he's already been shown up by Cena in their matches. I would assume this is just JBL putting over Batista to get it over with, as Batista's first real big title win over on Smackdown. I still think its unfair though as JBL getting the large payout for the next ppv as the main event is just wrong at this point but I think it's basically just that he's going to job out to him strong and the idea is to make Batista look like a million bucks like Cena did at Judgment Day. From the way it sounded in spoilers, the crowd was heavy into Christian. I think it's time he turns face and gets a strong push into Smackdown MEs consistently. So when are the trades announced? Apparently they have til midnight on Thurs to "finalize" them so does that mean next week we have another round of jumps? Benjamin and Jericho need to go to Smackdown, that much I know.... GAB ppv might shape up nicely. JBL v. Batista, Orton v. Taker perhaps (unless Orton isnt ready to wrestle yet), and another Rey/Eddy match (my best advice would be to make that a parking lot brawl) sounds like a strong upper card.

Can't you sneak on the bus or something? There's gotta be a way....such a shame that a good ticket is going to be left unclaimed.

People being big HBK fans tends to add snowflakes like candy to the equation. Neither match was bad, but neither was an epic, near perfect match considering the sheer lack of psychology and pacing in both. Again, if these were free TV matches, I might be more generous, but neither actually "made" the PPV they were on in my mind, so I'm tired of people calling me blind, or an idiot for not "enjoying" matches that I found to be rather boring, and downright irritating in most spots. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think the problem is not that, but that you think if anyone likes either HBK-Angle match, they must be some blinded HBK fan, which isnt the case with myself. It's oddball logic like that which makes me hard to understand where you are coming from, and likely others here are feeling the same way. Nobody is disputing your opinion on the match as much as it's more that if people liked it, you use this ridiculous reasoning why they did. Nobody is really wrong, its just opinion either way.

Something worth posting while reading this week's Observer..... Apparently last week when Smackdown came back from Europe, they rushed the obvious talents to Raw that needed to be there - Angle, Cena and the debuting Carlito, but they also sent Big Show and Teddy Long as well for no good reason. There was not any speculation from Meltzer himself, but it could be possible that those two are the draft picks tonight. Long leaving Smackdown could maybe put him in a position of co-GM with Bischoff on Raw (note that Bischoff was talking shit about Long last week IIRC) and that would leave perhaps Heyman to return to Smackdown or who knows what.

While I agree that HHH has really put over Batista with their three big matches, there was some instances in the storylines that Batista, whether it is HHH's influence or not, Batista looked like a shitty ass babyface who, for being world champion, was not being portrayed effectively as such. But with that said, when it comes down to it, HHH did put him over 3 freaking times clean (well Backlash could maybe be disputed there to a degree) which is how you really should do it to really build up a new long term champion. So I definately give him credit, now lets just hope another strong babyface doesnt have to pay for it - ie Cena. I dont think HHH is, by any means, buried. He needs to realize he's like Flair in that he can lose and lose and lose and will still be ok.

Has WWE even addressed how they are handling the actual trades between the two brands? I know there will be two picks tonight for Raw roster, but when will be announce what/if will be any trades? Hopefully they announce if any trades have been made tonight instead of waiting for Smackdown to do so. For what its worth, I think Rene Dupree may be picked tonight to go to Raw or they may do something where Dupree comes to Raw and Rob Conway goes to Smackdown and then is pushed as a single. Another possibility is Heidenreich to Raw, which he could then feud with Shitsky as the worst feud ever and/or team up with him as the worst tag team ever. It could easily go the other way around with Shitsky going to Smackdown too. Thought has crossed my mind that MNM could be drafted to Raw tonight too, which would probably force a hand to merge the tag titles together. Not a bad idea by any means. Keep the tag titles on Raw, along with the Womens title. Smackdown could have the CW title and perhaps a returning hardcore title to play into the ECW resurgence. Ideally I'd like Big Show and JBL to go to Raw tonight but I think that would be watering Smackdown even more, plus add way too much doubt about the 6 way match on Smackdown.

While I agree that the business needs to go back some steps to make talent shine more in the ring by showcasing their movesets against lesser talent at times, I think it's really impossible to do so completely like back in the day of WWF Superstars or Challenge. If a guy is already established, I dont see the real point of having them take on enhancement talent. However, if he's new or just turned and has some new moves he wants to debut as such, I dont see the problem. Ideally, a perfect way to have a new guy debut is by having him take on someone known, but not really over as a whole. Give the opponent a little offense but not enough to make much of a difference. Good example was Samoa Joe v. Sonjay Dutt at the last TNA ppv.

While I agree it sounds questionable about the Hardy situation, it could easily be Hardy and TNA working the sheets and IWC since both parties are smart to the influence of the net and the sheets on the industry. They may quite simply want to surprise the fans when/if he comes into TNA. Yes, it looks like WWE could certainly get him back at this point but I still have to think Hardy would by a complete hypocrite to return and WWE would be risking the chance of a complete and utter lack of professionalism by having Edge and Hardy feuding in a storyline with Lita additionally involved. It would be way too close to reality and even though it would be huge, I think it's just something that will never happen much like Bret ever returning to work an onscreen feud with McMahon. Now if this was just a huge work by Hardy, Lita, Edge, and WWE, I can understand it but it clearly isn't. I would bet Edge and Lita would be VERY uncomfortable to work a storyline v. Hardy and Matt would probably never feel comfortable playing into reality like this. So in other words, it's far from fact that Hardy is back onto WWE land anytime soon. If nothing goes down tonite on Raw, I would bet it's not going to happen.

Given that Raven had basically been a jobber leading up to the PPV and that the fans had been really wanting to see Brown finally beat Jarrett, it's safe to say Brown v. JJ was a much bigger money match <{POST_SNAPBACK}> At Slam yes. Not at Bound for Glory with Raven back on the destiny chase and with 4 months of build behind him. Brown-JJ could never top something like that. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> First, I dont think Raven needed to do another long drawn out title chase. It's been done, everyone knows the story who is smart to the TNA dynamic of the past few years (ie that Jarrett held down anyone from really getting pushed to the title), and he's been on a decent push ahead for some months now, so getting the title as he got it (from a storyline perspective) its fine. That promo he did on the pre-show of the ppv as well as the promo later that night made it all worthwhile much how people were clamoring that AJ HAD to win the title last month after Sahidi did that vignette with him. I would have actually been bored to death with another title chase for Raven myself and in being dark currently without cable clearance, as well as the ECW resurgence, this was actually a strong decision to make, be it to spite Jarrett or not. I guess that was my intial point I was trying to make when saying this move was not anywhere near such a bad desicion by the bookers in hindsight. I agree about Brown being treated unfairly in the past and currently. I think HE should be the long term goal to build to as champ. They certainly had their chance and the ball was dropped by Rhodes when he turned Brown back a few months ago. Ideally, following up IMMEDIATELY after Final Resolution should have been key - instead we got Jarrett v. Nash and then DDP and then came the Brown turn. Fans were most definately clamoring to give Brown the title from Jarrett and I think if brought back to the forefront with a Jarrett-Brown match for a title shot at Bound for Glory against Raven, that would work. Now TNA just has to get Jarrett-Raven 2 hopefully at the August ppv. Especially if they are planning to be in the dark until late September, they have to get Jarrett to put Raven over finally, and then force Jarrett to put over Brown in Sept to build to Brown/Raven at Bound for Glory. My whole point here is that if anything Brown is the person that needs to be used for the long term title chase. While Raven can draw in due time, Brown is the fresh talent and even though was fucked over v. Jarrett, he needs to be re-turned as a face and really booked strong for months before he gets the belt. With Jarrett falling out of grace, Styles publicly saying he wants to be back in the X division and having no problems not being NWA champion (plus he should have never got the belt again in the first place in May so I'm glad to see the bookers right a wrong here), and Brown/Abyss not quite ready for the title at this point, the only logical solution was Raven, especially considering how over the ECW resurgence is right now. Raven was going to get a large push anyway, so I dont see why some are so against what happened. If the bookers did it just to spite Jarrett and nothing more, I can see the argument but it just so happens that there are more than just that reason (to stick it to Jarrett) that Raven got the belt. Styles v. Waltman would have been shit as a main event for the NWA title, and those two as well as Lynn will now hopefully segway into the X division. Add Joe and Daniels, as well as all of the other X division regulars and the X division will be huge.

Did you get a good seat, Matt? I wish I had the chance to take another vacation right now...damn! Anyway all I know is I'm pumped for tonite's Raw and looking forward to staying up for awhile to read results for SD.

With Benjamin, this is why he needs to go to SD. I think he could get over with that persona over there, as Raw, typically but maybe not as much as before, was more reliant on promos and an actual unique standpoint character to get over with the fans - charisma is probably more key on Raw than Smackdown. On Smackdown, at times the wrestling could be pushed more as a way to get the worker over, or at least more emphasized and the fans would take it more, plus if he's paired with other workers who rely on more workrate to get over, its nothing but a good thing, I'm thinking guys like Benoit and Eddy. This seemed more evident when Heyman was booking SD, but I think its still a formula that Vince should consider returning to in helping to seperate the brands to generate two unique shows a week and also to find out different ways to work with talents highpoints and not to expose workers weaknesses. In generalities, Raw = guys who rely more on the mic than the workrate to get over (ie Cena, Christian, Carlito) and SD = vice versa (ie Benoit, Benjamin). This is also why Batista would probably benefit from a move to Smackdown. He really is not good at all on the mic (same with Benjamin) and if the company accepts that and puts him in a place where it's not so much of an issue, it's all good.

Neither HBK/Angle match was THAT good, and tonight's wasn't even close to their WM encounter. If they do end up having a third match, I'm sure some will clamor that it too is one of the greatest matches of all time just because it's the thing to do. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> While last night's HBK/Angle match was nowhere near **** 3/4, I would still put it at a solid ****. Did get the feeling that it was not as good as the Mania match (I had that at **** 1/4 to **** 1/2 IIRC), and I can definately see a finale match at SummerSlam, perhaps an Ironman match? I dont understand how you can't say either of their matches were that good though, that's a ludicrous statement - even the most pessimistic fans can see that there was magic there, especially at Mania. It sounds like you are thinking that viewpoint just to spite the consensus, almost the same thing you are bitching about other people saying "its the thing to do" so you have to go with the opposite viewpoint. Maybe I'm wrong but its just the feeling I get from reading your posts. If a match is good, it's good. It's not a crime to enjoy a match when it's worth enjoying, even if other's feel the same way.

Overall it was a strong show with a few low points . I dont agree with any real strong rating given to Benjamin-Carlito, I just wasnt feeling it but the finish was good. Shelton needs to be off to SD. Womens match was ok. Kane-Edge was better than it had any right to be at *** 1/2. From that point on, all of the other last 3 matches were at least **** with the HIAC surprising me as being better than HBK-Angle even, which I really didnt think was as good as Mania 21 match but still just slightly below it. The Vis segment was awful bad with Lilian signing, etc. Ended up funny though and how the hell did Lilian really cry on cue? That should have been saved for Raw. Seemed like HHH-Batista was trying to work a "better" garbage style match to a shot at the ECW show with the main event. It worked on most levels though and was the right move to make with Batista retaining. Cena was either carried bigtime by Jericho/Christian or else actually can work a really solid ME style match without even blood, gimmicks, etc. Good show overall, we've been lucky lately and had solid TNA and WWE ppvs (and of course ECW ppv) the last few months. They finally seem worth it consistently.

I ended up watching this on Sunshine Network last night as they have appeared to drop Explosion now and have strictly Impact as their syndicated show - although it's irrelevant since Xplosion was a glorified episode of Impact with promos in between matches by Borash and Douglas. Anyway the show was WAY better than I thought it would be. Storm-Shane and Skipper-Daniels were strong matches for a one hour show, and generally everything pretty much clicked. Consider me surprised!

I'm thinking it's just going to come down to Cena being drafted/traded back to Smackdown. Since he's been on Raw the past few weeks, he's already turned into a less of a star because of the nature of that show (with HHH as the usual focus and/or Batista). There really isnt much of a chance Christian or Jericho should win on Sunday. The Smackdown brand has been working hard and good on the Cena title run (I just watched the Judgment Day ppv on DVD last night and am still amazed how over he got from that match with JBL) and I think the move was just a way to get the Christian interaction out of the way, and of course have a Cena match on a Raw ppv be a potential buyrate draw on top of the other world title match.

When it's coming from more reputable sources like Torch or whoever, I would say it's pretty much a given it holds merit, unless it's a complete work that everyone in the company is trying to play into the dirt sheets. Very highly doubtful though. Plus judging by how Jarrett was used at Impact tapings, and I think this is pretty much damn near fact that this was the reality of the situation. Why should the booking committee be fired if Jarrett did this? That makes no sense, hell even to spite Jarrett and give Raven the title, I dont see the problem since it's trying to "right a wrong" from over 2 years ago and it's just smart to give the guy who really drew the only real numbers in TNA's history to have a run at the belt. D'Amore and the rest of the booking crew have tremendous potential and are just trying to eliminate the people in it for themselves and in turn reward the people who deserve a push. Raven, to me, is a clear example of that. He has put up with a ton of politics, most from Jarrett, in his TNA run and yet has been a company person, never publicly being critical of the product, etc. To me, Styles as champ was a mistake anyway at this point in time - and maybe the team realized this too, and went with someone new on top. Better than the same old NWA champs in Styles or Jarrett. Neither guy helped the overall revenue of TNA as being champ. I think they need to keep Styles, for the most part, out of the world title division, and more back into X division. That's his style, plain and simple.

There never was a rule that a drafted person loses their title. Don't worry, it'll make sense next week when one of the champions is brought back to Smackdown. It's all likely just a way to add a major main event program leading into the next SD ppv with the WWE or World Champ v. the interim Smackdown champ.

On their "newsboard" they said their next project is going to be a docu on New Jack. That might be interesting, albeit a little twisted. I had no choice, the DVD sounds so interesting I threw down the money towards it already. Goddamn wrestling addiction!

I could see maybe the Gladiator one but I have seen 2-3 versions of Jaws on DVD and from one to another, they all seem relatively similar.

I'm only about half way through Smackdown so far but quick question - did they play up the Rey/Eddy match as their blowoff? Even though the match sounds good (and went 28:00?) I think there still would be steam left on this program if they wanted to keep going with it. A relatively significant match (maybe on the next SD ppv) where Eddy finally goes over Rey in quite possibly a major ass kicking would be smart (maybe do a parking lot brawl match like Eddy and Cena did that one time) and then do a final mexican death match type blowoff at SummerSlam?

Yah thats what I meant to say, but left out "large" near the end of my last post for some reason.

I pretty much agree with that. While him and Styles had a good match at the all cage ppv, I just didnt feel that as the main event, nor as Abyss as a real legitimate contender to the title. But with that said, he's been baited and switched long enough to where a title match is warranted. I just think it would have been better fit for not right now, as TNA needs a really strong main event now that they are without TV. Mitchell managing him will likely help though.

So you actually think she got in Playboy because she really is what they look for? In my opinion, she's definately good looking but not anywhere near Playboy material. She had to have known someone who got her a connection to get in and/or else, yes, she did have to "do something" to get an in. When you are talking about a situation like this, I dont think it's sexist at all more than it's just how it is when it comes to getting a spot in Playboy if you aren't top notch. It's the nature of the profession.

Exactly - with that said, I have no fucking idea what makes her Playboy material. She must have known or blown someone who knows someone if you know what I mean!

I guess it depends what you like and what kind of stuff you've seen from the Japan scene before. Generally the Big Japan matches they have on these ppvs are mostly the more notable matches from their history. They are complete garbage style matches though and make no mistake about it, they aren't five star classics but fun to watch if you are into hardcore. Usually they put in a semi-decent bout or two from M-Pro and/or All Japan Women too, so it rounds out to a good two hours of wrestling for a decent price. I think I've gotten all of them and except one, never felt ripped off. The commentary is usually not that great but the announcers are smart to the workers' histories and such though, so that part of it isnt too bad either.