RavishingRickRudo

You are both on Crack. Foley's promo was good. But, I think the fact that SOMETHING in this feud wasn't awful is clouding a lot of your judgments and making you overrate it. It was a good promo. No, it's that they are making use of the history of their feud that makes it so good. They don't just use plot devices like the Benoit/HBK/HHH storyline did for convience, what they do actually *means* something. Benoit over HHH is storyline of the year because: -Benoit won the Rumble with an amazing performance. Which rarely was ever brought up nor really affect the story in anyway since Benoit wasn't in a power position despite his "amazing performance". Infact, all it did was bring Benoit to RAW to "be the best" - something that wasn't really followed up on either. -He came to RAW, with no story, and the fans and crowd were confused. And also played second fiddle to Foley/Orton. And also was bogged down by Austin and HBK. -He went on to defeat make Batista tap, something no one else has done. Michaels beat Batista 2 months earlier at Armageddon. Batista is the lowest guy on that totem pole with the guy below at #3. HHH and Orton are the only ones who are strong in Evolution. -He beat Flair. Rico beat Flair. Whoopie. It means nothing. The WWE, however, tried to play it up like "Yes! Yes! I think Chris Benoit CAN beat HHH now!" Yes, RR2k4 winner who lasted longer than Shawn Michaels (but its not like that affected the storyline) was able to convince JR that he might be able to beat HHH after getting the victory over a 50+ year old man. Great storytelling there. -He won over the fans and MAIN EVENTED the biggest show ever, and produced a **** match at Mania with two guys who we thought would never be upstaged. In a 3 way. For the World Title. A title that benoit never showed any interest in, in a match where he wasn't even the main focus leading up into the event. "Won over the fans" is laughable. -He has been booked as a strong champion, and is now receiving tremendous responses as the fans are accepting him as a credible Raw main eventer. What show have you been watching? -They're booking a rematch based on the strength of the WM Main event. Yeah, it's "the strength of the WM main event", it's not because HHH (or Shawn) don't want to drop down the card and let someone else by. Has there been one singular moment in this feud where Benoit has been given "the ball" - on his own - and ran with it? Seriously, has there been one moment where he was alone, on his own? I don't think he's cut a promo on his own - it's always been against Hunter or Jericho or Michaels. Even his win at Mania was "shared" with Guerrero. Even his "big match" was shared with Michaels. He hasn't even been the focus of ANY of the post-mania shows and doesn't look to be either. He's "sharing" his match in his hometown. -Benoit's gone from wrestling A-Train and Matt Morgan, to feuding with Mr. Helmsley-McMahon, main eventing Raw, and holding the World Title, in a few months. Elevation. What, in the past 4 weeks on RAW, has shown that Benoit has been "elevated" because of his WM win? Foley Vs. Orton? A fat, washed up, overrated legend who wrote an excellent autobiography Vs. a young kid that the WWE is pushing down our throats. Storyline of the year, my ass. You mean "Storyline of the year, my head." Same place, it seems.

The comment of "I've talked to people and they don't post in the WWE folder" is full of shit. If they don't post in the WWE folder then they don't matter (in WWE folder terms). That was one of (my) problems with the initial "change" - it was spawned by "well, these people who have nothing to do with the folder are talking bad about it so we're going to change it for them, rather than the people actually in the folder". However _now_ you have people who post in the folder complaining about it. There are problems with pointless news posts as well as repetitive topics/news and I've noticed an increase in the past few weeks. Content is a problem - I didn't like the "No one liners" rule because I make a lot of them and there are times and places for them - however I think there should be a rule about excessive (shitty) posts. This involves some mod interaction, with "action" being stressed. Loss hasn't been posting a lot, Goodear has occasionally (perhaps in threads I haven't read), and CC is the only "regular" that is being represented and I don't really see her as a "mod", maybe that's because she hasn't been flexing her cybermuscle or because she hasn't felt the need to, but it's nice to have that reminder once-in-a-while. You guys are (or at least should be) looking out for our ("our" as in those who post in the WWE folder, not those who don't) best interests and I don't see that happening.

No, simply because taking time (which is significant) away from a non-wrestler would, in turn, give more time to actual wrestlers.

Six first-round matchups for the PRIDE Heavyweight GP to be official (some have already been announced) by next week: Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira vs. Hirotaka Yokoi Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic vs. Kevin Randleman Fedor Emelianenko vs. Mark Coleman Murilo 'Ninja' Rua vs. Sergei Kharitonov Heath Herring vs. Ron Waterman Don Frye vs. Yoshiki Takahashi Ricardo Arona vs. Gan McGee is expected to be announced as an alternate matchup. These same sources also say that Stefan Leko will be matched up against either 'Giant' Silva or Sentoryu. DSE/PRIDE is also still trying to sign a big-name Japanese fighter (supposedly Naoya Ogawa) to the GP, and will match him up against either Giant Silva or Sentoryu as well (credit UG)

*won't go on tirade* *won't go on tirade* *won't go on tirade* .... FRANK GRIMES SUCKED!!!!! *won't go on tirade* *won't go on tirade* *won't go on tirade*

I don't stop because they don't stop (or in this case, start). It's not my fault that they don't make it easier for themselves (or us, for that matter).

The only problem with Foley not winning at Mania is that it was at Mania and didn't end. Mania should either be the birth or death of a feud and it was neither - just a continuing point and the rock hasn't followed up on it at all. And people are ignoring my main point. I don't care if you "feel it" or not - it doesn't give me goosebumps either (though Foleys 2 big promos sure as hell came close) - because I can't tell you what to feel. The storyline itself, however, with their continual use of what they did previously makes it heads-and-shoulders above everything else.

You did that just to spite me, didn't you sledge? The Benoit storyline was fucking BAD. And it's still going on and it's still bad. Benoit and Michaels best friends = bad!

You make a good point Tawren - Foley is supposed to be retired and they didn't really explain why he's back. It's a leap, most definitely, and I can see where you are coming from. I just think that they have used what they have done in the past 3 months much more effectively than any other storyline they have written and that should be recognized. They do stuff and don't actually forget about it. It makes my watching their story unfold worth it.

In a similar light, stop reading my posts, reply to them, and read whatever you like to read. However, I don't believe in that, so I won't stop posting. You, it seems, do. So how about you practice what you preach?

I am going to preface this with 2 things. 1. I am not anti-Orton and I am not pro-Orton. I'm rather indifferent to him. I don't think he is a great wrestler and I don't think he is horrible, ditto his promos. His character and his portrayal of it, however, has been well done. 2. I am very pro-Foley. He is the best promo-man I have ever seen. I am not very pro-Foley 'the wrestler', but wrestling is half-the-battle, and that's why I am calling it (thus far) the storyline of the year. Why do I note this? Because last Monday after Mic Foley cut his (awesome) promo, I posted that this storyline feels real. That that promo, for a second, made me believe that Mick Foley really hated Randy Orton, and that he really wanted to kick his ass. I wondered why. The answer is simple: Continuity. Aside from Foleys conviction and how he delivers his promos, the continuity in this feud and the use of the past has been the major reason why this storyline feels real... at least to me. I am a big proponent of continuity and I talk about how much I hate plot holes. Some people feel they can sacrifice a plot hole or two (or three... or four) if they feel the end is worth it. I usually use how a plot hole can hurt a storyline, or how ignoring history is a bad idea, but this time I will write how using history can make a feud 'good'. Foleys promo last Monday focused on a number of things that went on in his and Randys history. The first of which was him walking out in their match on RAW in December. Actually, the first of which was the staircase incident where Orton threw Foley down the steps of MSG - which they brought up again at Mania in a nice lil segment which was more notable for Batistas pimpin outfit. However, in terms of their current storyline, everything that they have done since then was because of that moment (the spit). As Foley explained in his 'return' promo after the Rumble and again in his promo last Monday, the reason he walked out was because he "didn't want to go there". When he retired he had to leave that "part" of him behind. That sadistic side that inflicted pain and that took more. Randys "Foley is a bitch" promos brought that side back out of him (as mentioned again by Foley - continuity, making effective use of history). They referring back to these two points - that Foley wanted out, that Randy pulled him back. Now, at Backlash, Randy will suffer the consequences. It feels "real" because it actually happened. At least, it happened on television. We all saw it happen, and Foley throws in this pieces of truth - about fighting in death matches in Japan, being an author, wife and kids, Randy leaving the Army, for example - that makes it personal. So when he says these things along with Randys ads, spitting in his face, etc., they blend together as one. Foley went back to Wrestlemania and said that "in a 3 on 2 situation, against a Hollywood Actor and a Childrens book author, you won", it was meant as a jab, but it also brought some perspective on their storyline. This is one of the rare WWE storylines where both guys don't look bad. Foley has gotten beaten again and again and again but he doesn't look bad because (a)Foley is recognized as a guy who takes a beating, (b)Foley is best in a hardcore environment, so when he is out of his element you can understand him losing, ( c) his promos always has him in a power position. Orton isn't the typical cowardly heel who runs away at all opportunities either. He accepted the streetfight at Backlash, he wants to fight Foley as well, he has beat the shit out of Mick on multiple occasions. Both of their characters are backed up by what they do in and outside the ring. The words actually reflect what is going on in the story - not just some things we have to accept just cause they say it. It's convincing because things are established, re-established, and backed up. It's something you don't regularly see in the WWE, but something you normally see on a television drama. Screw the wrestlers watching Hunter vs. Benjamin to learn how to work, the writers and bookers should be watching Foley/Orton to see how to write a fucking storyline.

I find it funny that Bret Hart, in 1 column with only using words, was able to (1) Put over Benoit, (2)Get across his (a) personality, (3)Make me care, (4)Bring perspective, better than the WWE did in 8 weeks with a visual medium, and a wide, diverse, tape library that features many of Chris Benoits matches (as well as the dynamite kids. Wait, did I say funny? I meant sad. But hey, it's not their responsibility to do all these things with their "world champion".

Yeah, fuck this fuck the WWE movement. Jeez, there I go again expecting something good and thoughtful out of them. WHERE IS MY HEAD AT!

Stephanie: When Chris and I worked together in the fall of 2000, I really got that feel from him. This guy was the dynamite kid. *The Stephanie kissing Blassie pic has Dynamites head photoshopped over Freddie* *Steph cries* I'll miss him so much! Camera Man: Uh Steph, Dynamite Kid is not dead... just in a wheelchair... Steph: .... Oh... *sniff*... well... what's this about shane?

It would have been perfect in building Benoit up as champ - now it will be an after-thought to an uneventful title reign. *Benoit DVD* Benoit: I grew up watching a lot of the dynamite kid *shows a 3 second Dynamite Kid at WM 3* Dynamite kid: Yeah, I like Chris Benoit a lot. Shane McMahon: When Benoit first came in, I said, MAN does that guy remind me of the Dynamite Kid. So I started to manage him... *Shows 10 minute retrospective of the Shane McMahon/Chris Benoit alliance* Benoit: Working with Shane was just great. The guy is just full of energy and is willing to give anything and everything to this business. Actually, when I first saw Shane and him do all these crazy moves, I said "this guy reminds me of my idol, the dynamite kid" DK: Um. yeah.. shane mcmahon... good kid... um... wasn't this about Benoit?

*bubbles pop out* Sorry, wrong pipe

You used the word "pick", as if there was something to "choose" from. There isn't. *smokes pipe*

You actually think they let the audience pick? Given the original content and its "hilarity", it is pretty clear the WWE writers do it.

It's like looking into a mirror... only the reflection is older, skankier but oddly enough, just as perky.

Oh, and FUCK the WWE for not doing this story. Benoit and the Dynamite kid is one of the best stories you can find in professional wrestling and really enhances him as a wrestler, a character, and a person.

See what I did there? I posted the column. What you did was post a description of the column (which wasn't even your own!) and didn't even bother to provide an link. Yay for me. Boo for you.

Pit bull Benoit fulfils promise By BRET HART -- For SLAM! Wrestling I remember, in 1980 at the Edmonton Sales Pavilion, meeting a 12-year-old kid named Chris Benoit, who was just the biggest Dynamite Kid fan there ever was. And that's saying something because Dynamite had a lot of fans, deservedly so. I happened to be standing there when Benoit met his hero for the first time. He stared down at his feet and blushed but it was easy to see how excited this young man was. Every week he was there, studying every move we made in the ring. So when I bumped into Benoit when he was 18, it wasn't any big surprise to discover he'd filled out and joined my father's Stampede Wrestling promotion. He earned his stripes in Europe and Japan and, amazingly enough, he built a reputation every bit as respected as his hero, The Dynamite Kid. In those days, I was forever on the road in the WWF and I took every opportunity to recommend my brother Owen and Benoit to Vince McMahon. In fact, when the time came for Dynamite to hang up his boots, he found Benoit and gave them to him, which is a huge honour among wrestlers. Benoit began making a name for himself when he surfaced in WCW in 1993. Upon my arrival to WCW in 1997, Benoit impressed me with his raw talent and soon enough I had the pleasure of battling with this well-muscled pit bull. A few weeks ago, my heart soared watching Benoit defeat both Shawn Michaels and Triple H to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Immediately following his victory, I left him a congratulatory message. Just last night, Benoit had the chance to get back to me. In talking to him, I couldn't help but picture that same little kid from Leduc standing in the doorway of the dressing room in Edmonton, dreaming of one day being a wrestler. The one thing that stood out long after we hung up the phone was his deep sense of gratitude for the old Stampede Wrestling days. I've always felt I never did enough for him, or at least not as much as I wanted to. As he thanked me, I realized he should probably be thanking his mentor, The Dynamite Kid, who is back home in England confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Benoit said he'd love to thank Stu, Davey Boy Smith and Owen but I told him I'm sure they already know. I hope when the WWE returns to Calgary April 19 fans will all turn out to honour Benoit, the new world champion and a true Canadian hero.

It's easy. For minor news, have a minor news thread: "WWE News for Wednesday", for example. Subfolders will kill the activity in the WWE folder and that's what I like about the WWE folder. Major news will warrant it's own thread. Major news will be something that will have long term effects on the product. We have 3-or-so people who continually post news items, Glennsoe and EdwardKnox are two of them (I think there's a third), if changes are made, make sure they know about it - maybe even have them scour websites for news. And -ib- is the worst poster ever. He makes Rico, Choken, and Downhome look good. I'm not saying ban him, I'm just saying I wouldn't mind it. Call it the "-ib- initiative" where even if you don't do something worthy of a ban, if you do enough of it (ie: pointless, horrible, makes-you-lose-an-IQ-point-or-two posts), you can get banned. But I'm not saying ban him...

It's on Smackdown... ... so I don't have to watch it.

Torries Left Breast: So, we meet again. Sables Right Breast: Yes... TLB: So... how's life? SBR: You know, same old same old. TLB: Oh, don't tell me about it, been there sista. Torries Right Breast: Hey, what you guys talkin bout over there? TLB: Mind your business Righty. TRB: Ah shut it Lefty. SRB: Righty? Lefty? You two sure aren't creative. TLB: So what are you called? SRB: Well, I'm Dutchess Von Nipplos, and this is Countess De Bra... she's the quiet one. Doesn't speak too much, ya know? TRB: I SAID KEEP IT DOWN! The cameras are on. *SRB and TLB together*: Oh... SRB: I thought I felt a chill. TLB: Yeah, what are you in anyways? That looks like nylon. SRB: I dunno lefty, but it sure ain't comfortable. TLB: These neither... SRB: Why do we have to be the brains of the operation?