Australian Pride

Does anybody know when the last time a long running champion (of, say, more than 3 month title reign) was beaten on something other than PPV? I dont think it has happened in the era of monthly PPV's. These are all that I can remember, and they are all rather short runs: Angle (2003) - held title less than 2 months before losing to Lesnar in an Iron man match Angle (2001) - less than 1 monthe before losing to Austin Big Show (1999) - less than 2 months before losing to HHH Mankind (1999) - 1 day and then lost to HHH Undertaker (1999) - about 1 month and then lost to Austin Mankind (1999) - less than 1 month before losing to Rock Rock (1999) - less than 2 months before losing to Mankind Kane (1998) - 1 day and then lost to Austin Bret Hart (1997) - 1 day and then lost to Sid I guess all this really shows that if Benoit does lose Monday it will be a massive kick in the nuts for him. To hold the belt for approximately 5 months only to lose 2 weeks prior to the second-biggest PPV of the year, in a gimmick match on Raw, would have to be a real letdown.

I could probably buy Ric Flair playing a 'crazy old man' type character in a supporting role. He seems to be good at that sort of thing.

Isn't he larger than both the current RAW champion, and the last SD champ? Maybe in height, but his body definately doesnt have the definition of Benoit/Guererro.

Guess this means there wont be a Cena heel turn anytime soon.

And Spike will provide this 'prestige' you speak of? You're right though, he is a shadow of what he was in the late-nineties, but he could still work a decent match when motivated, and i think Rey and him could do a nice little match. Right or wrong, due to backstage influence WWE management would be more willing to promote a CW title match between Rey/X-Pac than they would for Rey/Anyone Else. As long as Rey wins, it's not that bad a thing.

If X-Pac is coming back he's better off on Smackdown. He did have an entertaining ladder match with Eddie back in WCW so maybe, if he's motivated, he could work a decent mini-feud putting Eddie over. Then move him onto the CW division - X-Pac/Rey has to be better than Rey/Spike.

65. Vinnie Vegas 66. Oz 67. The Shockmaster 68. El Gigante 69. The Kiss Demon

a) All i did was present a theory, and i said it was probably way off the mark. It was just a joke, and if that makes me an idiot then i guess i'm an idiot. Maybe you should take it as a compliment that i consider you to be that smart. b) I said you were 'about' the only person to say you liked BITH, not the only one.

Goldust as Darth Vader was classic. "No Big Show, I am your father" And i always liked HBK's promo at the DX PPV in 1997 "Girth Brooks, you fat tub of goo"

Okay, conspiracy lovers: Is it possible that Birds in the Hotel is actually Choken One in disguise? It may be a big scheme by CO, with assistance from cobainwasmurdered and Sass. Some points to consider - a) BITH showed up a couple of days prior to CO getting banned. This was actually a pre-emptive strike to lead us all off the track. b) CWM announced that he liked BITH almost immediately after he started posting, and is thus far about the only person to say that. c) CWM also said he spoke to CO, and CO said he wasnt worried about being banned and was bored with TSM. If he was bored why did he still post at his usual rate? d) CWM (again) said he was talking to Sass when the banning took place. This could also be another swerve to lead us down the wrong track. They may have included Sass in their plan, which would technically make the statement true, while still leading us in another direction. e) BITH the hotel has pretty much just posted in the HD folder, where his former identity will be disguised by the stupidity/insults associated with that folder. So, CO/CWM set up a joke on all of us which involved a pre-emptive arrival of a new poster (BITH), the 'banning' of CO, and CWM dropping lines here and there to lead us down the wrong track. Even if it's completely off the mark, it makes for an interesting scenario, dont you think?

I believe IB was one of us - he started a thread about State of Origin at one stage so that seems to be a good hint.

I'm happy to see the cruisers getting some time, but why the hell is Spike Dudley number 1 Contender??? I guess we can expect a swerve with him turning heel and joining his brothers when he gets his title shot.

I had a Macho Man shirt with a picture of him on the front. The only time i wore it was to an 80's themed party a couple of years ago, and now just around the house. My sister also gave me an NWO: We Be Bad shirt, which is also strictly for around the house.

Dont forget Ultimate Submission against Kurt Angle in 2001. This had a 30 minute time limit and went into OT. And the next month at Judgement Day he wrestled 2/3 falls vs Angle and then partnered Jericho in the Tag Turmoil match.

Say this match ends in a draw and the title declared vacant (as mentioned earlier), would they go down the Survivor Series 98 path and have a tournament at SummerSlam? You could have either an 8 man set-up or just the final 4, which would allow Evolution to screw Benoit in the semi-finals and set up Egde/HHH for the title match. Maybe throw in a swerve that kicks HHH out of Evolution and installs Edge as top heel and world champ and it opens up a few new opportunites. The major problem with this is that SummerSlam is a joint production and not just a Raw PPV, but otherwise this could of been an interesting concept.

I would like to see a an early cross face tap out to put Benoit up 1-0. this way it would keep the crowd into every submission attempt he goes for during the remainder of the match. After that HHH will likely surge ahead with a couple of falls from moves to the head (DDT, pedigree) to play up the concussion. Evolution will probably cost HHH another fall by DQ while he is in the sharpshooter, but Benoit will still be behind by at least one fall. The end of the match will see HHH hold on while locked in either the sharpshooter or crossface to pick up the title. Alternate scenario is that he taps with 5 seconds left which evens up the score and then we get a Hart/Michaels type sudden death overtime in which HHH hits the pedigree for the final pin.

33. Paying The Warrior a 7 figure amount to do one job and then never appear again.

Having just read through this whole thread that doesn't surprise me in the slightest!

24. Nobody jobbing because they all have 'creative control clauses' in their contracts. 25. Roddy Piper PINNING Buff bagwell in a BOXING match. 26. Ric Flair PINNING Hogan in a First Blood match.

What is the Smackdown schedule (in terms of PPV's) between now and WM21? If they have one per month then it will be very hard to hold that match off until March next year. A 10 man at SurSer should be on the cards, and as much as i dont like the idea of it there may be a Cena/Angle title match in there somewhere as well (possibly Royal Rumble)

Hart Foundation vs Demolition - SummerSlam 90 Owen/Bulldog vs Michaels/Austin - Raw 1997 Austin/HHH vs Jericho/Benoit - Raw 2001 The Rockers vs Orient Express - Royal Rumble 90 Hart Foundation vs Brain Busters - SummerSlam 89 Flair/Ramon vs Savage/Perfect - Survivor Series 92 Not sure whether these count for this kind of tournament: Hardy's vs Dudleys - Royal Rumble 2000 Hardy's vs Edge/Christian - No Mercy 1999 Team USA vs Hart Foundation - Canadian Stampede 1997

I thought that Flair, as booker, was directly responsible for holding Austin down?

Yeah, i noticed that comment too and couldn't work out if he was being serious, sarcastic or just brain dead.

At the time i remember liking the UT promo that was on the screen, but part of me was thinking 'there's no way he could be laying flat on his back in that casket'. It was built to the specifics of yokozuna's body, and the casket wasnt long enough for Taker to lay flat in.

Garrison Cade perhaps? He is a former HBK student so there is a link there. Only problem is that Cade has shown very little potential so fare.