Slickster

First of all, do you stand to benefit financially in any way from your wife's death? SCHIAVO: There is no money. I will receive not a penny. BURY: You did receive something of a malpractice settlement north of $1 million at one point, is that correct? SCHIAVO: Yes. [...] FELOS: Michael didn't receive those funds. Those were received in Terri's guardianship and it was a bank who was her guardian of the property that administered those funds. BURY: But the question remains: What happened to those funds? FELOS: Well, those funds have been used for Terri's medical care and guardianship expenses and costs and fees over many, many years. Those funds are virtually gone, and Mr. Schiavo is not going to inherit or gain one penny by the result of Terri's death. BURY: And so, Michael, who is now -- and let's get the camera over to Michael if we can -- Michael, who is now paying for Terri's case? SCHIAVO: Actually, right now, she's listed on the indigent list for hospice. They were taking care of her. They take very good care of her.

I always love it when announcers call name-related finishers using the guy's new name. Like in WCW when Bossman used the "Traylor Slam" or when Mr. America was "America-ing up." And I liked Yang Time as a name for the hangtime-related pun.

Did the Chad Austin match from 1990 ever air? You know, the one where Marty Jannetty paralyzed Austin with a botched Rocker Dropper. It was a squash tag match for Superstars but I'm just wondering if it ever was broadcast or leaked, since this Chad Austin guy is near-mythical (no video of the match, no pics of him).

It came out the Wednesday before WM4, IIRC; it's not THAT close a call. Basil DeVito mentioned how serious a problem this mini-scandal was in the 'WrestleMania' book. They actually broke kayfabe in that book? The coffee-table book put out in 2000? Yeah, it's more 'inside' than anything else they had published prior to that time.

OPENING ROUND: Oakland picked up the win 79-69 over Alabama A & M. I'm disappointed that their coach said it would take 'a miracle' to beat UNC (in Charlotte, no less). If I was in his place I'd have printed up 'OAKLAND: 2005 NCAA CHAMPIONS' gear and given it out to the team. I'd talk about how the Golden Grizzlies are a team of destiny and that UNC has been out of action for too long, that sort of thing. Talk about your upcoming travel plans to Syracuse. Get some more press out of the deal.

It came out the Wednesday before WM4, IIRC; it's not THAT close a call. Basil DeVito mentioned how serious a problem this mini-scandal was in the 'WrestleMania' book.

Best. Ad. Ever.

Meh, it was a Pyrrhic victory.

Dangan, I think. Sign him to a deal, not just a one-night contract. Masato is a TANK and Smackdown needs him.

Missed it...did he enter to his old music?

Could Jannetty earn himself a job tonight?

Mike, by saying "God" (singular form) in "In God We Trust" it is favoring monotheistic religions over polytheistic religions and atheism. To make it simpler, let's pretend that every religion in the world is monotheistic, with the creator-god being a different gender for different religions. If the US money said "In Him We Trust," this would be indicate a lack of support to many religions who have a female creator-god (and to those who believe in no god at all).

I like this script, but Rocky really does have to get back in the ring one more time. That's what makes Rocky V different from all the other ones; I think the fans won't see another Rocky film without Balboa in an actual boxing match (see: Friday the 13th Part V as another example of this kind of situation). Would it be realistic? No. But then again, Rocky shouldn't have survived his fight with Drago if this series were grounded in realism. Also, I'd change the title from 'Rocky VI' to 'Rocky: The Next Round' or something like that so people don't get as sequelphobic about it.

As trite and cliche as this may sound, I think that if Jericho does not sign with WWE in November he will get a hefty offer from TNA (if it still exists) for a reduced schedule. I figure if they can pay Dusty, DDP, Jarrett, The Outsiders, Sean Waltman, and the former Billy Gunn, then surely they can spare some change to throw at Y2J. If you're looking for a champion that could reinvigorate the company, Y2J is your man. "But Slickster, he says he may retire!" I doubt that Jericho will be able to retire permanently for at least another decade; simply put, the fans will always clamor for him to return to the ring and getting a reduced schedule for TNA would be a perfect match. He already lives in Florida, IIRC; he could do Impact tapings and focus on his music/family life the other six days of the week. After TNA, Jericho will be able to headline an indy show in any part of North America if he's still got the wrestling bug. Jericho has indeed been mismanaged in WWE since day one but he will always be seen as a great wrestler worthy of the HOF. I can't see HHH, as politically focused as some say he is, keeping the first Undisputed champion and a seven-time IC Champion out of the HOF. If he isn't after he legit retires in 10-15 years, I can see the next generation of smarks using him as their Bruno Sammartino, so to speak.

As badass as that would be, I'm not so sure the Impact Zone has a high enough ceiling for that match. And speaking of that, I don't think it would be out of line for TNA to charge higher ticket prices for Lockdown if they did a WarGames with two six-sided rings to make up for the lost seats. Do they even OWN two six-sided rings?

I would be surprised if Hogan's induction ceremony is uninterrupted. The most likely suspects would be Hassan and Daivari, since it appears that they are running an angle where they will be left off the WM card. This hotshotting of a PPV match could be very smart booking and will add some last-minute buys especially when the fans that didn't see it live see it replayed on Heat before the show.

Maybe if he shit in her mouth instead Does anyone else remember that old (circa 2002) fantasy booking someone posted here about an angle about crapping in various people's mouths? I believe it was to build for HHH-HBK at SSlam 2002 and it basically predicted the entire angle, only when HBK was injured by HHH he did not crap in HBK's mouth. I only remember this one line from it that still cracks me up every time I think of it. "Stephanie McMahon comes out and orders HHH to face HBK. HHH tries to speak but his mouth is full of crap, so he just starts crying as Smackdown ends."

This question of main events should not deal with the last match on the card. Wrestle War 89, Flair vs. Steamboat, NWA title match, BY FAR the most hyped and most remembered match on the card. It was match #7 on a 9-match card. U.S. tag team champs "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert & Rick Steiner beat "Gamesmaster" Kevin Sullivan & Dangerous Danny Spivey in the last match on the card, but I doubt anyone would call that the 'main event' of the show. Bottom line, I think in the aforementioned examples (the 6-way ladder match and Angle-HBK) the announcers meant it like how they could be 'the main event anywhere in the country,' as Gorilla Monsoon would put it. This isn't a SuperBrawl 2000 situation; either of those matches could (concievably) main-event a PPV on their own.

Trish would be more marketable since she's definitely an easier sell: fitness model, legit wrestler, and she's good on the mic cutting a promo and when she's being herself in a mainstream interview. (She has also proven herself as a better actress; Trish was on This Hour Has 22 Minutes for a reason, though I'm sure being Canadian helped.) She carries herself better in public; compare her visits to Howard Stern's show to Stephanie's. Plus, it's clear that Vince would prefer to avoid critics decrying him for (metaphorically) whoring out his own daughter, which I'm sure is a partial explanation as to why Stephanie has done none of the Divas photoshoots. Bottom line, Trish would be a perfect choice, while Stephanie (her attractiveness notwithstanding) would be too controversial a choice due to her position in the company, her role as heir apparent, and her propensity for sounding less-than-stellar in interviews with the non-wrestling media.

I'm just thinking that with all the major ECW alums locked up for Douglas' show, there's not a lot of available talent know predominantly for their ECW tenure that they can get. Unless, of course, people WANT to see Donn E. Allen vs. The Rockin' Rebel on PPV. So this card might have a lot of non-ECW guys on it (see: Heyman's attempt to get TNA guys to work on it). I figure that if they want to make money off the ECW concept, try and recreate it with Heyman at the helm. Give him X amount of money per month and get him exclusive rights on the Hammerstein Ballroom and a syndication deal similar to what Hardcore TV had. Basically, let him do what he wants with only minor interference from the WWE BOD (primarily on financial matters). Heyman is a good booker (though not a perfect one) and can create compelling TV. Let him try to recreate ECW and let One Night Stand be just the beginning.

If you're referring to the actual 'SmackDown! Magazine' printed by the WWE, then I am surprised they would so blatantly give away their future booking.

Indeed, and only the WWE cameras took video of the incident. However, whether that video still exists or not is in question and we will probably never know for sure.

Mercy Drive is a major street in the band's hometown of Orlando, FL.

Well, I would assume that since Akebono has zero ring experience, this match is going to planned move-for-move, start-to-finish to ensure that nobody gets hurt or looks stupid. Ditto for Christy-Trish; in both cases the non-wrestlers are probably going to be guided through a totally preplanned series of spots to ensure that we have no Jackie Gayda moments on the biggest show of the year.

I'm sorry, but I burst out laughing when Taker did the 'Undertaker face' at the end when he had the shotgun (rolled his eyes back, etc.). I think that was supposed to be the joke, but I guess a lot of people didn't see it or find it funny, judging from this thread. Also, I figure Taker could still do these kinds of ads w/o totally losing character; after all, I think most fans can remember he wasn't the Deadman from 2000-2003 anyway.