Fökai

The "small things" wish list: --TWGTT's current theme --velour jumpsuits on Angle (confirmed) and Team Angle (if they're not TWGTT yet) --Rodney Mack's current theme --Kane's current theme (not required) --current Kane entrance (with black towel, then toss of towel and pyro) Anyone have any more candidates?

Excluding non-wrestlers - HEELS: Brock Eddie G. Rhyno Big Show Cena A-Train? FACES: Kurt Angle Undertaker (doubtful he'll be in Matt's way, if he's feuding with Vince and his stable) Chris Benoit Tajiri? I chose to leave TWGTT and Rey off of the list - I'd doubt they'd get serious ME pushes given their title status.

I'd be fairly surprised if there was a strong consumer market, that would motivate the Home Video department to manufacture more of these products. The releases do sell well, but the avenue they're marketing to is still a VERY narrow fanbase and hard to manuever in - without failing, that is.

I've got a LOT of wideouts stuck behind David Boston and Rod Smith. In return, I'd like to upgrade my running backs (George and L.J.) kicker (Carney - NO) and/or defense (Philadelphia). On the block: Ike Hilliard J.J. Stokes Ed McCaffrey Deion Branch Freddie Mitchell NOTE: "Upgrade" meaning I trade that player also for a better substitute. ex: Hilliard and Eddie George to a team for Tomlinson, Williams, Dillion, Faulk, etc.

Early next year. In time for Christmas.

Nope.

I had assumed he was released in May/June of 2001, since that was the last we saw of Eddie. (teaming up with the Hardys) Released in November of 2001 didn't "add up" to me, but it turns out Eddie was STILL employed by the company and WAS released in November.

EDIT: My bad. I had assumed it was 2000, because his release in November of 2001 didn't add up.

EDIT: Nevermind.

It's an acronym for the subtitle.

Eliminating a modicum of talent that have no bearing on the storylines - this includes the non-wrestlers that are not authority figures - I came up with this balance: RAW HEEL: AL SNOW BATISTA CHRIS NOWINSKI CHRISTIAN ERIC BISCHOFF GAIL KIM JACQUELINE JAZZ KANE KEVIN NASH LANCE STORM MARK HENRY MISS JACKIE MOLLY HOLLY RANDY ORTON RENE DUPREE RIC FLAIR RICO ROB CONWAY RODNEY MACK SCOTT STEINER STACY KEIBLER STEVEN RICHARDS SYLVAN GRENIER TEST TRIPLE H VICTORIA WILLIAM REGAL FACE: BOOKER T BUBBA RAY DUDLEY CHRIS JERICHO D-VON DUDLEY GARRISON CADE GOLDBERG GOLDUST IVORY MARK JINDRAK MAVEN ROB VAN DAM ROSEY SHAWN MICHAELS SPIKE DUDLEY STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN THE HURRICANE THE ROCK TOMMY DREAMER TRISH STRATUS VAL VENIS (along with Jericho and Booker - the foils for Evolution) SMACKDOWN! HEEL: A-TRAIN BIG SHOW BILL DeMOTT BILLY GUNN BILLY KIDMAN BROCK LESNAR CHARLIE HAAS DANNY BASHAM DOUG BASHAM HARDCORE HOLLY JAMIE NOBLE JOHN CENA JOHNNY STAMBOLI KURT ANGLE MATT HARDY NATHAN JONES NUNZIO RHYNO SHANNON MOORE SHELTON BENJAMIN ULTIMO DRAGON ZACH GOWEN FACE: BRADSHAW CHAVO GUERRERO CHRIS BENOIT CHUCK PALUMBO EDDIE GUERRERO EDGE FAAROOQ FUNAKI REY MYSTERIO RIKISHI SEAN O'HAIRE SPANKY STEPHANIE MCMAHON TAJIRI TAZZ TORRIE WILSON UNDERTAKER

Cheap heat IS cheap heat - I understand the writer's determination to establish it for the heels, but what lines should the WWE stray away from? If not for the respect of those who are directly connected to such events, but to people who have to WATCH (and listen) to anti-American stables garner cheap heat. The writers have to understand that the WWE is part of a larger community - the world, as determined by current events. If they choose to ignore that and use such ploys, they'll risk losing increments of their fanbase (which in this case, is the one thing the WWE should be worried about most). This isn't the WWF in 1997 (see Hart Foundation) - there's a different type of responsibility attached to nationalistic figures and how they are portrayed.

Isn't there already a "flood restriction" feature already enabled on this board? (unless AC and Dames removed it during the last board update) I KNOW there's a feature similar to this when using the "Search" option, with a 20 second buffer.

I didn't know that the workers on RAW & Smackdown were allowed to refer to the other brand's talent.... ::stranger whispers in ear:: Oh.

Too lazy to list all of Taker's themes (or maybe I'm just sane), but his theme which debuted at Fully Loaded 1998 was HANDS-DOWN the best theme he's used. It started with the usual "BONG", but was pierced through with a guitar riff as the "BONG"'s increased. The song then progressed into the Taker's usual theme at the time, but with a quicker rock tempo. Eagan, if you could help me out with finding this theme CDQ, I'd PayPal you a few bucks or something (it's difficult to find for me - I don't know if it's on any WWE-released CD's).

Thank you for ignoring the initial argument again...geez, I don't DISAGREE with your points about HHH being a great HEEL champion (in 2000, at least) - thing is, the entire comment is about HHH commenting on Goldberg being a lousy champion as a face. The point is in the irony of the whole goddamn thing. Again, X-8 had the lowest buyrate for a Wrestlemania since 1997 (generally regarded as the WWF's last bad era, which included PUSHING THE WRONG PEOPLE FOR THE TITLE.) Sure I will. Here's the RAW ratings compared to Nitro's run - July 6, 1998 4.0 (To Nitro's 4.8 - that means Goldberg's push was GOOD for business, no?) July 13, 1998: 4.7 (NITRO: 4.5) July 20, 1998: 5.0 (NITRO: 4.7) July 27, 1998: 4.9 (NITRO: 4.7) August 3, 1998: 4.9 (NITRO: 4.2) August 10, 1998: 4.5 (NITRO: 4.6) August 17, 1998: 4.2 (NITRO: 4.9) August 24, 1998 (NITRO: 5.2) Goldberg's last few weeks as champion - here's the opposition's ratings compared to Nitro - November 23, 1998 4.9 (NITRO: 4.5) November 30, 1998 5.0 (NITRO: 4.2) December 7, 1998 5.15 (NITRO: 4.2) December 14, 1998 5.2 (NITRO: 4.2) December 21, 1998 4.7 (NITRO: 4.0) December 28, 1998 4.9 (NITRO: 4.6) The focus was taken off of Goldberg - here's RAW's ratings... January 4, 1999 5.7 January 11, 1999 5.5 January 18, 1999 5.6 January 25, 1999 5.5 February 1, 1999 5.9 February 15, 1999 5.9 February 22, 1999 5.5 February 29, 1999 6.3 March 8, 1999 6.4 March 15, 1999 5.8 March 22, 1999 6.4 March 29, 1999 6.5 April 5, 1999 5.8 April 12, 1999 6.3 April 19, 1999 6.1 April 26, 1999 6.0 May 3, 1999 6.4 May 10, 1999 8.1 May 17, 1999 6.4 May 24, 1999 7.2 June 7, 1999 6.7 June 14, 1999 6.7 June 21, 1999 6.0 June 28, 1999 6.8 July 5, 1999 6.2 July 12, 1999 5.97 July 19, 1999 6.3 July 26, 1999 7.1 His usefulness died? When in the hell was this - when he maintained his heat, even throughout the Fingerpoke of Doom that pushed GB out of the title scene (Hogan v. Flair, Hogan v. Flair, Hogan v. Flair v. DDP v. Savage, in consecutive PPVs?)

You darn tootin' it is. ::runs away to watch match once again::

"Cast-off" fits them quite snugly. WWE's rejects = ECW & TNA's stars.

49ers - 24 points. New England Buffalo Philadelphia Minnesota Cleveland Tampa Bay St. Louis New Orleans Baltimore Oakland Tennessee Washington Indianapolis Pittsburgh Seattle San Francisco The "other" contest will be open for business next Monday.

Just as you kindly as you ignore Rock/Hogan at X-8 - god knows how bad the buyrate would've bad if THAT didn't get every fan interest. 1997 Date Rating January 6, 1997 3.0 January 13, 1997 3.4 January 20, 1997 3.7 January 27, 1997 3.6 February 3, 1997 3.1 February 10, 1997 3.8 February 17, 1997 2.9 February 24, 1997 3.0 March 3, 1997 3.4 March 10, 1997 3.5 March 17, 1997 3.6 March 24, 1997 3.0 March 31, 1997 3.4 April 7, 1997 3.7 April 14, 1997 3.5 April 21, 1997 3.4 April 28, 1997 2.7 May 5, 1997 2.8 May 12, 1997 2.8 May 19, 1997 3.6 May 26, 1997 3.3 June 2, 1997 3.3 June 9, 1997 3.4 June 16, 1997 3.3 June 23, 1997 3.3 June 30, 1997 3.3 July 7, 1997 3.4 July 14, 1997 3.5 July 28, 1997 3.4 August 4, 1997 4.4 August 11, 1997 3.8 August 18, 1997 4.0 August 25, 1997 5.0 September 1, 1997 4.8 September 8, 1997 4.3 September 15, 1997 3.9 September 22, 1997 3.7 September 29, 1997 4.0 October 6, 1997 3.9 October 13, 1997 3.8 October 20, 1997 4.6 October 27, 1997 4.3 November 3, 1997 4.0 November 10, 1997 4.3 November 17, 1997 4.1 November 24, 1997 3.9 December 1, 1997 3.8 December 8, 1997 4.3 December 15, 1997 4.1 December 22, 1997 3.5 December 29, 1997 4.6 1998 January 5, 1998 4.3 January 12, 1998 4.6 January 19, 1998 4.5 January 26, 1998 4.7 February 2, 1998 4.9 February 9, 1998 4.6 February 16, 1998 5.1 (unopposed) February 23, 1998 4.6 March 2, 1998 4.8 March 9, 1998 4.9 March 16, 1998 5.1 (unopposed) March 23, 1998 4.6 March 30, 1998 4.2 April 6, 1998 4.6 April 13, 1998 4.2 (RAW takes it first lead - WWF now has advantage with top storyline) April 20, 1998 5.1 (Nitro off next week) May 4, 1998 3.5 May 11, 1998 4.3 May 25, 1998 4.2 June 1, 1998 3.7 June 8, 1998 4.0 June 15, 1998 4.0 June 22, 1998 4.1 June 29, 1998 4.1 Then... July 6, 1998 4.8 ::Goldberg wins world title from Hogan July 13, 1998 4.5 July 20, 1998 4.7 July 27, 1998 4.7 August 3, 1998 4.2 August 10, 1998 4.6 August 17, 1998 4.9 August 24, 1998 5.2 August 31, 1998 6.0 (unopposed) September 7, 1998 5.5 (unopposed) September 14, 1998 4.5 September 21, 1998 3.9 September 28, 1998 4.6 October 5, 1998 4.5 October 12, 1998 4.6 October 19, 1998 4.4 October 26, 1998 5.1 November 2, 1998 4.1 November 9, 1998 4.1 November 16, 1998 4.3 November 23, 1998 4.5 November 30, 1998 4.2 December 7, 1998 4.2 December 14, 1998 4.2 December 21, 1998 4.0 December 28, 1998 4.6 Look at the NUMBERS. Hmm, good buyrates, good ratings...what else did you ignore to look up yourself - merchandise sales? When was he EVER the focus of the company again?

Well - ...at Canadian Stampede against Taker for the title. ...at Final Four against Hart, Austin and Taker for the title. ..at ONO against Owen. But I guess that's a difference of opinion.

To add onto Bob's reply - ::Goldberg wins United States title from Raven:: Slamboree - 0.44 Great American Bash - 0.75 (1997: 0.60) - highest buyrate for GAB since 1991. ::Goldberg wins World title from Hogan:: Bash at the Beach - 1.50 (1997: 0.78) - highest buyrate for a BATB ever. Road Wild - 0.91 (1997: 0.65) - highest buyrate in its history. Fall Brawl - 0.70 (1997: 0.53) - highest buyrate in its history. Halloween Havoc - 0.7 World War III - 0.75 (1997: 0.56) - highest buyrate in its history. Starrcade - 1.15 ::Goldberg jobs to Nash:: Souled Out 1999: 0.25 - lowest buyrate in its history. The lowest since 1997 (0.77). The lowest in its PPV history.

Season Three = TEH AWESOME.

Nash/TBS were fighting over who would be the "giant" of the nWo Wolfpack that reformed on the 01/04/99 Nitro at the Georgia Dome - aptly known as the episode that housed "The Fingerpoke of Doom". After the reformation of the "A-Team Wolfpack" (Hogan, Hall, Nash, Steiner, Buff, Luger), the B-Team (with Giant leading the charge) became angry at the turn of the events. The challenge was laid out by Big Show the Thunder following the A-Team reformation (01/08/99), but Nash won decisively on the 01.11.99 episode of Nitro. The entire nWo agreed to dump whoever lost that match, so being that TBS lost, they did an old-school beatdown on him, complete with Bischoff providing commentary. IIRC, Bischoff's comment directed at TBS was "The Corporate Giant fell", referring to Wight leaving for the WWF soon after.

I'm NOT bringing up HHH's face run because it fits my argument - it's because HHH was continously talking trash about Goldberg being a LOUSY face champion, yet the numbers not only will prove that Bill was a great face champion, but that HHH drew about 1/3rd (as a face champion) of what Goldberg was doing at his peak. That is where the whole confrontation at the convention stemmed from, which included the proposal of a shoot fight from Goldberg to HHH. Yeah, it was Goldberg who booked Booker's disastrous run as World Champ. The fans were apathetic towards everyone main-eventing in the promotion. The pushes of Jarrett, Steiner and Booker were being undermined by the tenured workers (DDP, Nash, Hogan, Luger) who wanted to keep their spot - Goldberg was simply left out of the entire equation due to the serious arm injury and bad booking (feuding with Russo, while starting a new streak, then retiring after losing to LEX LUGER). DID HE CHALLENGE ANY OF THOSE THREE PEOPLE TO SHOOT FIGHTS? No, Goldberg/Karagias was a backstage scuffle started by Karagias (after Karagias made underhanded comments "in jest") which was quickly smoothed over. The fight with Jericho was for the same reasoning Bischoff/Flair went down weeks later - two egos disagreeing over something that happened the past. That was smoothed over by both parties as the week progressed. To my knowledge, Goldberg has only said he wished to see Goldberg/Austin in a wrestling ring, because it was the definitive "dream match" - he said this in his last website chat (prior to entering the WWE). The serious threats against HHH, are because of a deep-rooted animosity between the two, which stemmed from HHH's comments on Goldberg's WCW run back in 1999. This IS a serious issue, especially when HHH has balked at every opporunity to pull the trigger on their single's match. THAT'S THE ORIGINAL ARGUMENT YOU POSED - "...challenged guys to shoot fights" - DON'T STRAY AWAY FROM IT. Look, this is the same argument we started on Page One. Let's define your hate on Goldberg right now. Goldberg's two "asshole-ish" qualities (that everyon seems to come back to) are that: 1. He lets the ego get to him. TRUTH: He disagreed with how management booked him to lose on that Nitro (how about a money match with Booker on a PPV, where CLEAN JOBS MATTER.) And that's not being an asshole - that's doing business correctly. Why job either main-event contender clean on television, when they still had unresolved issues? Vince did the same thing last year with Austin v. Lesnar; Austin was blamed simply for wanting to have a money match down the line, with a CLEAN JOB ON PAY-PER-VIEW. 2. He wants money. TRUTH: Umm, why WOULDN'T he want a good contract? Especially when Vince McMahon is all too eager to throw that ridiculous contract at him, with limited requirements in show dates)