Hunter's Torn Quad

Which Booker stole from him. Heck of a babyface right there, saying he doesn't want his stolen property returned to him because he considers it a handout. Wouldn't the badass babyface thing to do be to just take it from Booker there and then, and then proceed to beat the shit of him?

The plans for this match got for enough along for them to shoot pictures for the poster. And yes, Hogan didn't want to put Bret over because he thought he was too small. It probably wouldn't have mattered who was getting the belt, Michaels wasn't doing the job for anyone. Now, whether Shawn could have still gone out there and done his best had he been scheduled to win, is up to you. True story. Bulldog was told he was winning, hence dedicating the match to his dying relative, only for Shawn to refuse to do the job at the last minute. Austin refused to do the job with the belief that, because he was main eventing Wrestlemania a few months later, he shouldn't be doing jobs at that point in time, especially to someone who wasn't at that top level. To be fair, there is a history of heart problems in the Nash family. Also to be fair, it was not, nor will it be, the last time Nash has claimed an injury to get out of a high profile job where he's actually putting someone over. Long story short, Hogan's refusal to job to Jarrett was part of the work that would eventually turn into a shoot. Goldberg was always getting the belt. Hunter felt that doing a short-term title change right before dropping the belt to Goldberg (which was meant to happen at Bad Blood but got postponed when Hunter wanted to keep feuding with his best friend, Kevin Nash) wasn't good business and vetoed the title switch to Booker. While Hunter was right about a short-term title change being bad business, it does make you wonder why this was never decided upon before the heavy racial angles were run. Hunter refused to drop the belt, citing numerous reasons why he felt RVD wasn't good enough. Bottom line, it doesn't matter if RVD was 'good enough', the main thing was he was 'over enough'. I think what people most take issue with is how Undertaker basically treated Brock like he was his bitch in that first match. Brock was the new champion, the rising star, the monstrous powerhouse, and Undertaker barely sells a thing for him and ends up casually tossing him through the scenery to end one of the most poorly received PPV main events in a long time. Austin was wrong to walk out in the manner he did, and I don't think anyone can deny that. However, Austin losing to Brock on free TV with no build, or even facing him in that manner at all, was stupid. Equally petty was the reasoning behind the match being booked in the first place. Re: Austin vs. Hunter at Summerslam '99 Austin was fine with doing the job, and never had a problem with it. Mankind was added for two reasons; they wanted a kick-ass match, which Austin was too banged up for, and they wanted Jesse Ventura to raise a babyfaces hand at the end of the night. There was also some shit about Honky Tonk Man refusing to drop the title to Randy Savage in the 80s, which resulting in them rebooking WMIV to give Savage the World Title...I never understood how that worked though. What part don't you understand? Agreed. Bret flat out refused to do that job. Technically, Bret just refused to job to Shawn in Canada. He was willing to do the job in America, or anywhere else. It seems a little silly, but at least Bret was still willing to job to Shawn, even if he was upset about doing so. Shawn flat out refused to job to anyone, ever.

On the show that covered Raw, Meltzer said that Booker is staying heel, Joe didn't turn, and Sting isn't going heel. He also said that Joe/Booker at the next PPV would be a cage match, without Sting involved. Didn't Sharmell begging Joe to leave Booker alone make Booker look like a pussy/heel, in his hometown?

For my next pick, I choose the ultimate combination of underdog and high flying. This wrestler is a next-generation version of Rey Mysterio. He'll be the cruiserweight the kids will love and get behind. My next pick is... Dragon Kid!

Forrest winning is great, especially when almost nobody gave him a real chance to win. Almost as entertaining are the numerous hissy fits being thrown by people over Forrest winning. Some of the behavior regaring the decision has been almost as entertaining as the fight itself, with some immature people even making grand gestures of claiming that they're 'through' with UFC over the result. I thought Jackson definitely won round 1, Forrest definitely won round 2, with arguments for either guy having won rounds 3, 4 and 5, all depending on how you thought the fight played out. The problem with having three rounds in a championship fight where either guy could have won them, is that it can lead to a score that doesn't accurately reflect how close the fight really was. After all, if you thought rounds 3, 4 and 5 all went to one fighter, they'd have won 49 to 46, as happened here, and you end up with people who throw fits, instead of taking the time to think things over and realize that, as crazy as the scoring looks on paper, it actually makes sense.

My next pick is going to be the 'pure' wrestler on my promotion. His style is one that exemplifies the old-school wresting of holds and counters with the emphasis on getting the match over as something to pay attention to and take seriously. That's not to say he's not entertaining to watch, because he is, though he doesn't entertain in a flashy or 'sports entertainment' manner, and while that doesn't suit some people, it suits me and fits in perfectly with my promotion. My next pick is a wrestler that I really wanted to get and feel lucky to do so, as he definitely flew under the radar. My next pick is... Osamu Nishimura!

Bye Bye Trevor Murdoch

For my next pick I'm choosing someone who can fill a valuable, and often understated, role in a promotion. My next pick is going to be the 'policeman' of my promotion; if any member of my roster gets out of line, then a match, and a major attitude adjustment, against this pick is next on their booking sheet. But this pick has more than the 'policeman' role in his future, as his wild, realistic and very intense brawling style fit in very well within my promotion. This next pick has a definitive role in my promotion, and he can also fit in anywhere on the card. My next pick is... Kazunari Murakami!

This was posted at another board by someone at the event. It clears up some misconceptions, but I don't expect that to stop certain people from making inaccurate statements: It's also worth mentioning that on the F4W Wrestling Observer audio on Sunday night, Meltzer completely disagreed with Bret's position and what he did. Which kind of puts a dent in someone's ongoing misconception about Meltzer being someone who always 'covers him' or whatever it is he claims Meltzer does.

From yesterday's F4W/Observer update.

My next pick is my fourth and final tag team. They're going to be my 'white meat' babyface tag team, akin to the RnR Express, and while neither member is as good at playing the babyface in peril as Ricky Morton (few are), they're far more solid technically and I think will have better matches. They fit my promotion in every aspect, and also bring the mic work to make them stand out. My next pick, and fourth tag team is: Nick Dinsmore and Rob Conway, The Lords of the Ring! I lagged behind due to real life commitments.

The latest Observer has notes on Jeff Jarrett's return, which is currently being advertised for TNA"s UK tour. "The PC way" of describing Jarrett's return is that they didn't want to waste it to where it wouldn't have maximum value, when it's simply that Jarrett didn't want to be wrestling and either not be champion or not be in the mix for the belt. When Angle had the belt and wasn't losing it for a while, Jarrett didn't want to come back in be a victim-of-the-month since the plan was after Angle's long run for Joe to get a long run. By January, with Kurt being involved in the Karen storyline (which is planned to run and run), things look better for Jarrett in being able to return in the fashion in he wants to. Dave then speculates that Jarrett could make an unannounced return, not a match, at Bound For Glory, since TNA want BFG to be there Wrestlemania and want lots of major stuff coming out of it.

For my next pick, I'm going into hardcore territory and picking a guy who can be the centerpiece of the bleeding and brawling that takes place in my promotion. I'm going with a guy who is notorious and infamous for his wild and bloody brawls, both in America and in Japan. However, he's not only famous for his wild style of wrestling. He's also known for being one of the best promo guys in the business, which is a talent I think will help him a great deal in my otherwise workrate-based promotion, as that, along with his style, will make him truly stand out. My next pick is notorious, infamous and, according to legend, deadly. My next pick is the one and only... Fred Blassie!

For my next pick, I'm choosing a guy who is not only one of the best in-ring workers of all time but is also probably the best ever when it comes to getting good-to-great matches out of marginal talents. He's another Japanese legend, noted for his in-ring work and booking, but is most known for his complete unselfishness when it comes to putting the good of the promotion over his own ego; combined with his incredibly ability, that alone makes him a 'must have' for any roster. My next pick is.... Hiroshi Hase!

World TV title: At the start of the year, the Great Muta has the belt, and I’d keep it on him until Capitol Combat where he’d drop the belt to Curt Hennig; Hennig would get wins over Z-Man at Clash X and Pillman at Wrestle War to build him for his shot at the title. After that, Hennig retains over Thomas Rich at Clash XI, Pillman at the Bash, goes to a double countout with Terry Funk at Clash XII before dropping the belt to Funk at Halloween Havoc when Funk reverses the Hennigplex into a cradle. This sets up Funk for his run at Ted DiBiase at Starrcade. Naturally, in between those matches, Hennig is defending that belt regularly on TV with wins over various midcard names and even offering shots to the lower rung wrestlers and jobbers when we need to get over his arrogance. Funk keeps the belt with defenses on television, though his appearances on major cards are limited to teaming with Sting to take on Ted DiBiase and Stan Hansen at Clash XIII and challenging DiBiase at Starrcade, with the tag match setting up the NWA title challenge as was explained earlier. Summary: The belt’s primary function for most of 1990 is building up Hennig who is going to be a challenger for the NWA title in 1991. With regular wins over name wrestlers on TV all year, Hennig should get over really strong, despite a dropping the TV title to Funk near the end of the year. It wouldn’t last too long, as I’d have Hennig get the belt back in the first month or so of 1991 and get back on track with another strong run as TV champion before pulling the trigger on his challenge for the NWA title. With the titles out of the way, it’s time to expand on how each of the big names gets introduced.

Don't think it's been posted, but the latest Observer says Orton's injury is worse than first thought and he isn't due back until October.

For my next pick, I'm going with a tag team. One member can play the bully role very well, but is also a very good worker and has had some memorable matches and fights. The other half of my tag team can play the prick heel role to perfection. He's a great worker, but can also get over his character while having heated matches. Like his tag team partner, he has experience in memorable matches and memorable fights. They're not a team I would expect anyone to pick, but I am a little surprised they lasted things long as singles picks. My next pick is the team of the former IWGP tag team champions... Yoshihiro Takayama and Minoru Suzuki

My next pick is another Hall of Fame worker. This man is a legend in Japanese wrestling, who has had classic battles with virtually every top Japanese name of the 80s. Not only is he a legend inside the ring, but he's also one of wrestlings most successful bookers. He's a major name, a top-flight worker, and brings to the table everything I want out of a worker. My next pick is... Riki Choshu!

For my next pick, I'm going with another legendary name. This man is probably the definitive Hall of Fame wrestler. He's one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, maybe even the greatest. He's set all kinds of records and is held in high regard by every wrestling historian. My next pick is going be put against Rikidozan, in a repeat of a match that set viewing records that no other match, not even Hogan vs. Andre on NBC, came close to approaching. My next pick is... Lou Thesz

I need a babyface tag team to take on the Blonde Bombers. I want one member of the team to appeal to the women; he has the looks and charisma to get the women into his comebacks and who shriek with each big move he takes. And I want the other member to appeal to the men; he has to have the tough guy rep and aura, someone the guys can get behind because they think and, more importantly, know, he can handle himself. It's not the most intimidating picture of them I could find, but I now present the top babyface tag team of my promotion... Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura

They probably would have, but after having my tag selections decimated in quick fashion, I wasn't taking any chances.

Because the teams I initially wanted got taken I had to think outside the box and I got inspiration from an Observer article. I want to build around a heel tag team, and I want them to be top-notch workers with charisma to match. With all the obvious selections taken, I've gone in the Wayback Machine, to pick the heel duo that my tag team division will be built around. Ladies and gentleman, the top heel tag team of my promotion... Ray Stevens and Pat Patterson, the Blonde Blombers.

Is 909 still the proxy for those of us who might not be around to make their picks?

I needed a larger-than-life personality, and the major ones had already been taken. Sapp definitely fits that bill, and then some.

For my next pick, I'm going with something different. So far, I've picked wrestlers who would part of my core group of in-ring workers, the ones who could carry the load inside the ring. But a promotion needs more than just great workers; it also needs a showman. It needs someone with personality and charisma, who can make people turn their heads, who can command attention from everyone in everything he does outside of the ring. My next pick is that person. He's the guy who symbolizes sports entertainment for me. He's the guy who I can send to promotional appearances because he gets that attention, because he has tons of personality, and, most importantly, because he has charisma coming out the wazoo. Ladies and gentleman, my next pick... 'The Beast' Bob Sapp. And yes, he qualifies.