JoeDirt

8. Raven/Saturn vs Malenko/Benoit (Horseman) - Spring Stampede 99 (15-4) 29. Team USA vs Hart Foundation - Canadian Stampede (16-3) 11. Steiners vs Bret/Owen Hart - Wrestlefest 94 (10-9) 2. Edge/Rey vs Benoit/ Angle- No Mercy (13-6)

I've seen varied, everything from ***** MOTY to good, but not as good as London vs. Dragon 2/3 falls, to something that was way too long.

Sounds like a decent show, though not as good as other recent ROH shows. I guess it all depends on if Dragon/Aries was ***** or more like ***1/2.

Good picks.

PM me if you can hook me up with any of the follownig stuff that I'm interested in for one reason or another: Monday Night RAW 11/16/98 (Night after Survivor Series 98) Sunday Night Heat 6/6/99 Sunday Night Heat 6/20/99 Sunday Night Heat 7/11/99 Sunday Night Heat 8/8/99 Sunday Night Heat 8/15/99 Monday Night RAW 8/16/99 IWA-MS King of the Deathmatch 2002 IWA-MS Ted Petty Invitational Tournament 2002 IWA-MS Volcano Girls CZW Tournament of Death 3 (I know it's new, but still...) I may also be interested in any IWA-MS stuff from 2001-2003. Let me know what you have, I may want it. Thanks!

Too bad about the 8/13 show, but when no card had been announced yet you knew it would be axed. I'd actually rather see Punk/B-Boy than Joe/B-Boy. Can't wait for 8/21!

Has anyone heard how the latest 3PW show was supposed to be? (The one with Daniels/Styles for 35 minutes, Lynn vs. Ki, and Slyk Wagner Brown vs. Joey Matthews)

A lot of great picks on here, though I didn't like CZW Retribution that much. My picks (though I'm about to see a lot more soon so this will change) IWA-MS You Gotta See This ROH Battle Lines are Drawn IWA-MS One More Time IWA-MS Shot of Southern Comfort ROH Generation Next ROH World Title Classic is good too

I thought this article would make for interesting discussion: ===================================================== What Casual Fans Want I've always been fascinated by casual fans. I totally don't understand the phenomena, as I was constantly getting more and more into the product from the first time I tuned in. However, in an effort to understand this, I'm going to take a look at what draws me in as a casual fan of other forms of entertainment, particularly sports, as well as suggesting ways for WWE to capitalize on the casual fans out there. Personalities: There are probably lots of good players on every decent professional sports team. However, casual fans don't care about how solid player X is. They want stars. They want the Kobes and the Shaqs, not the Guy-With-An-Overly-Long-Foreign-Name-Who-Can't-Speak-English. Sadly, WWE has lost a large number of their top stars from their peak in recent years, including the Rock, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, and Mick Foley. They've also lost one of their biggest homegrown stars, Brock Lesnar. Plus, they couldn't figure out what to do with former WCW stars Goldberg and Scott Steiner. WWE has to put their nose to the grindstone in creating new stars. They can't go halfway like they're trying to do with Paul London and Billy Kidman, expecting them to magically catch on without any background on commentary, without promos, without build-up. These guys aren't personalities. You could insert any two young cruisers into their spot, and most fans wouldn't know the difference. Simplicity: This applies in a variety of ways. First, the sport itself must be easy to follow. Wrestling gets this right for the most part, particularly when matches result in clean finishes. Problems begin to arise when we get into more complicated matches, such as the WWE's nasty habit of changing the rules every time they have a cage match. Can you pin the other person? What about climbing out? You can just walk out the door? Why doesn't everyone just do that? You don't want fans asking these questions, you want them focusing on the product. Also, the storylines need to be easy to follow. This doesn't mean that you should dumb them down, but they need to be something that someone tuning in at any moment can pick up. You don't want people saying "Wait, why is Lita agreeing to marry that big ugly guy?" You want a first time viewer to get indoctrinated and wrapped up in things as soon as possible. The announcers are an important part of this, putting over a character's personality when they don't have the chance to grab a microphone. Variety: Sadly, most Americans today have the attention span of a small hamster, including myself. This is where variety comes in. Give us fast-paced insanity. The casual fan doesn't want a nice, logical, slowly paced twenty, thirty minute match. They want to know in five or ten minutes who the better man is, and then they want to move onto something new. Outside of pacing, it's also important to mix up the match styles. Give us a singles match, a tag match, a cruiser match, a hardcore match, and then surprise us. Don't expect fans to pay attention to generic Undercard Wrestler A versus Undercard Wrestler B matches without much build-up, then wonder why your ratings aren't doing better. The Raw women haven't even gotten to wrestle on the A show that much lately. WWE is missing an opportunity to provide more variety, and with how hard the Raw women work, it's hard to imagine why they aren't utilizing them more. Gossip: Not everyone follows the NBA, particularly early in the season. Almost everyone has at least kept an eye on the Kobe Bryant rape trial. People want outrageous, gossipy entertainment. This is why good backstage segments are so vital. You want to be able to provide outrageousness while still maintaining a certain level of believability. This is why people will talk about the stories from the National Enquirer (Mary-Kate's on drugs! Kirstie Alley's fat!), but once you get to the Weekly World News (Dick Cheney really a robot! Bat Boy's sex slaves!), it becomes too laughable to generate any discussion. WWE seems to go to the Weekly World News well far too often, and would be better served to take a cue from the semi-believableness of the Enquirer. Results: Ultimately, it's all about results. Hardcore sports fans will buy the satellite package that lets them watch some game 24 hours a day. Casual fans will check out the highlights on the local news or SportsCenter. Compare a WWE recap show to SportsCenter or even that local news cast, and you'll find that it falls far short. Even if you keep the long highlight segments, you need to drill those hosts into upping their game. About the only recap host that seems genuinely excited is Josh Matthews. Marc Loyd doesn't come off as someone who can't wait to tell you about what happened, and he hasn't shown the ability to come up with witty, snarky comments about the action. Sit those recap guys down and make them watch some real sports recap, and I guarantee that their coverage will improve by leaps and bounds. During the show itself, the casual fans want to know the match results. Making it seem like a match will end at any moment will draw in the casual fans, and as we've proven, matches where you know they won't end for sixty minutes don't. I hate to say it, but I think that shorter TV matches are, in general, a good idea. Throw on something a bit longer in the main event slot, but keep it short and sweet other than that.

Got this from PWTBS.com - interesting that there will be a ppv in Puerto Rico, if this is true. ======= Posted on 8/06/104 by Manuel Jean-Raul Bergugnat This is an official calendar for the WWE 2004/05 PPVs. At the moment, WWE is scheduled to have 15 PPVs next year, with the first PPV scheduled for a unnamed site in Puerto Rico. 8/15/04: SUMMERSLAM Toronto, CN 9/12/04: UNFORGIVEN (RAW) Portland, OR 10/3/04: NO MERCY (SD) Continental Airlines Arena, NJ 10/19/04: TABOO TUESDAY (RAW) Milwakee, WI 11/14/04: SURVIVOR SERIES Cleveland, OH 12/12/04: ARMAGEDDON (SD) Atlanta, GA 1/9/05: TBA (RAW) Puerto Rico 1/30/05: ROYAL RUMBLE Fresno, CA 2/20/05: NO WAY OUT (SD) Pittsburgh, PA 4/3/05: WRESTLEMANIA XXI Los Angeles, CA 5/1/05: BACKLASH (RAW) 5/22/05: JUDGMENT DAY (SD) 6/12/05: 2005 BAD BLOOD (RAW) 6/26/05: GREAT AMERICAN BASH (SD) 7/24/05: VENGEANCE (RAW) 8/21/05: SUMMERSLAM 9/18/05: UNFORGIVEN (SD) 10/9/05: NO MERCY (RAW) 10/30/05 TBA (SD) 11/27/05: SURVIVOR SERIES 12/18/05: ARMAGEDDON (RAW)

But the weird thing is that the fans were flocking to the WWF in 1999 when they had shitty angles like the Ministry kidnapping Stephanie and trying to sacrifice her and shit like that.

From the Socaluncensored boards... SoCal fans missed one of the best shows this year. I kid you not. More detailed review later. Here are the quick results: First Round Jardi Frantz over Disco Machine Lil Cholo over Phoenix Star JJ Perez over Puma B-Boy over Cheerleader Melissa BRUTAL~!!!!!!!!, seriously, this was so wrong on so many levels. Great match. Semi Finals Jardi Frantz over Lil Cholo B-Boy over JJ Perez JJ Perez needs to booked in PWG ASAP. Chris Bosh, Infernal, Infernal Jr., Steve Pain, Catastrophe, Chippy Sanchez over Quicksilver, Human Tornado, Sexy Chino, R2K, Kid Omega, Silver Tyger This was seriously one of my favorite scramble matches, ever. You may think this is just empty hype for any empty show, but I kid you not... Finals B-Boy over Jardi Frantz to win the Best of the West 2004 Trophy. Seriously, the best damn show nobody saw. Big review coming soon from both me and Stan aka SoCal Strong Style. If you don't believe me or Stan, ask the Rev Pro crew, ask fellow SCU poster Lizard King. You missed a helluva show. If PWG held the exact same show, it would have gotten so much praise. SoCal fans are seriously spoiled these days... Granted, the show started ONE HOUR LATE and there were 30 people in attendance, but still, one helluva show. Every single wrestler gave it their all and not once was a performance "mailed in". One helluva show. Once again, big review coming soon.

I haven't posted one of these in a while, and I always love to learn about different guys I don't know much about. So fill me in! Let me know some background, their strengths, weaknesses, your opinions, etc. 1) Sabian 2) Larry Sweeney 3) Hallowicked 4) Xcalibur 5) Disco Machine 6) Shawn Daivari I'll add more as I think of them. Thanks!

With Amdrag off the show this match is going to have to deliver...but I really think that it will. Both guys are just so great at working the crowd, they should be really into it.

Posted at iwamidsouthwrestling.com: FIRST SIXTEEN WRESTLERS FOR 2004 TED PETTY INVITATIONAL ANNOUNCED! IWA Mid-South Wrestling management announced the first official sixteen wrestlers who will compete as part of the 2004 Ted Petty Invitational on Tuesday, August 3rd. The tournament itself will take place at the Lincoln Center (2450 Lincoln Street) in Highland, IN on Friday & Saturday, September 17th & 18th. Tickets are currently available at all live IWA Mid-South events. 1. AUSTIN ARIES. The first wrestler invited for TPI participation by Ian Rotten, after a match against Matt Sydal on 4/17 in Lafayette. Went to the finals of the ECWA Super 8 tournament this year, while also frequently competing for ROH and IWA. This will be his first SS16/TPI appearance. 2. MATT SYDAL. Former IWA Light Heavyweight Champion; was also invited for TPI participation on 4/17 in Lafayette. Made his IWA debut in November 2003, and quickly established himself, winning the Light Heavyweight Title in January 2004, and having a Match of the Year contender against AJ Styles during April. This will be his first SS16/TPI appearance. 3. "Spyder" NATE WEBB. Was invited by Ian Rotten after their bout in the first round of the 2004 KOTDM tournament. Former IWA Light Heavyweight Champion. Will likely be the only wrestler to compete in both the KOTDM and TPI tournaments during 2004. This will be his third SS16/TPI appearance. 4. BJ WHITMER. Winner of 2002 Ted Petty Invitational tournament, defeating CM Punk in the finals. Former multiple time IWA World Heavyweight Champion. This will be his fourth SS16/TPI appearance. 5. RODERICK STRONG. Trainer at NWA Florida's wrestling school. Made his IWA debut in April 2004 and made an immediate impact over the April Bloodshowers/Simply The Best 5 weekend. Has made great strides across the independent wrestling scene this year. This will be his first SS16/TPI appearance. 6. CHRIS HERO. Trainer at Chikara Wrestle Factory. Winner of 2000 Sweet Science Sixteen tournament, defeating Harry Palmer in the finals. Former multiple time IWA World Heavyweight Champion. Made it to the finals last year against Alex Shelley and Danny Daniels. This will be his fifth SS16/TPI appearance. 7. PETEY WILLIAMS. Current IWA World Heavyweight Champion, after defeating BJ Whitmer on 5/8 in Highland, IN. Strongly considered for TPI participation last year, this Canadian athlete is a prominent member of the current TNA roster, representing Team Canada in competition. This will be his first SS16/TPI appearance. 8. "Soul Assassin" RAINMAN. This NWA Wildside based athlete made his IWA debut on 7/23 in Lafayette, impressing IWA management with his performance. This will be his first SS16/TPI appearance. 9. DELIRIOUS. Current IWA Light Heavyweight Champion, after defeating Matt Sydal on 6/26 in Oolitic, IN. Made his IWA debut in October 2003, and made a strong impression in matches against the likes of Matt Sydal, Arik Cannon, Jerry Lynn, and most recently a victory over AJ Styles. This will be his first SS16/TPI appearance. 10. TODD SEXTON. Trainer at NWA Wildside's wrestling school. Had a strong first round match last year against AJ Styles, and has been invited to return to TPI competition again this year. This will be his second SS16/TPI appearance. 11. CHRIS SABIN. This star of TNA's X Division appeared for IWA before building his name on TNA PPV, and has continued to compete for the company ever since. Went out first round last year to Alex Shelley. This will be his second SS16/TPI appearance. 12. RAY GORDY. This second generation NWA Wildside competitor made his IWA debut KOTDM weekend, and returned with a hard fought bout against Ian Rotten on 7/23 in Lafayette. This will be his first SS16/TPI appearance. 13. ALEX SHELLEY. Currently a featured competitor in TNA as well as ROH, this Baby Bear gained a great deal of his early experience in IWA rings, particularly during a series of matches against Jimmy Jacobs. Went to the finals last year against Chris Hero and Danny Daniels. This will be his second SS16/TPI appearance. 14. JIMMY RAVE. This Georgia based athlete has competed in NWA Wildside, ROH, and CZW rings as of late, while making appearances every so often for IWA as well. Made it to the second round of the past two TPI tournaments. This will be his third SS16/TPI appearance. 15. HALLOWICKED. Star of the first graduating class at Chikara Wrestle Factory, this masked competitor, trained by Reckless Youth and Mike Quackenbush, is largely considered to be the best all around singles wrestler produced by the school. This will be his first SS16/TPI appearance. 16. "Anarchist" ARIK CANNON. After making his IWA debut on July 4, 2003, this Minnesota based grappler went on to have a strong first round match last year against Chris Hero. In the time since has had memorable bouts against the likes of Delirious, Ian Rotten, Samoa Joe, Tracy Smothers, and Hero (in rematches). Earned an impressive victory against "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson on 7/31. This will be his second SS16/TPI appearance. NOTES: The tournament will be comprised of twenty-four wrestlers, over three eight man brackets, with a three-way elimination final. The remaining eight competitors will be determined and announced over the course of the next several weeks... Both Samoa Joe and B-Boy were originally scheduled to be a part of TPI competition, but had to withdraw from the tournament. Samoa Joe has the opportunity to participate in a Japan tour during the weekend of TPI, while B-Boy had a lucrative offer to wrestle on several shows on the east coast that weekend, which IWA could not match financially. We wish both men well as they compete elsewhere on TPI weekend, and hope to see them back in IWA rings shortly thereafter.

Wow, that should be a great match.

Actually it says it's on January 9th.

Worst...name...EVER!

Maybe Amdrag vs. Homicide or Samoa Joe vs. CM Punk's 60 minute draw from ROH? Maybe the super loud Joe vs. Chris Hero match from IWA-MS? Hero and Punk's 56 minute match at IWA-MS One More Time? Maybe Joe and Dragon's 30 minute draw from PWG? What's your pick for indy match of the midyear? Obviously we're all limited to stuff we've actually SEEN...but what's your pick?

CZW has announced that they will have their first one hour PPV on September 2, with a PPV designed to introduce people to CZW. Their 9/11 show will now actually be two shows - an afternoon card and an evening card. The evening card will be their first PPV show taping. The previously-announced IWS four way match will take place on the evening card. What do you think about CZW on PPV and the two cards they are running on 9/11?

Wanted happened before when they were going to be on PPV? I'm not familiar.

Hmmm...slicing someone's arm with a sword...

I didn't notice it if it was announced earlier, but CM Punk vs. Ricky Reyes should be sweet.

So the numbers went down as the summer continued. I guess I'm interested to see how the September/October PPVs do. And really, it will be interesting to see how Summerslam does compared to the past few years.

For those replying, I'd also like to hear if you saw the match live. I'm sure at times it's completely different than how it translates on tape because of the whole "experience" of being there. And Michrome - will you be getting PWG The Musical? I'm sure Dragon/Joe for 30 minutes might be up there on the list.