Hawk 34

First Round Umaga Vs CM Punk Jericho Vs Michaels Batista Vs Triple H Show Vs MVP Second Round Punk Vs Jericho MVP Bye Finals Punk Vs MVP MVP wins.

Paul London & Brian Kendrick vs. Carlito & Santino Mickie James Vs Beth Phoenix Randy Orton Vs Regal Jericho Vs Umaga Murdoch Vs JTG Burchil Vs Duggan HHH Vs JBL

Does the # of title reigns hold value anymore? It used to be that being a 5 time champion was a very big deal but we're approaching the point where Randy Orton will probably pass that mark by 2010, if not sooner. What about TBS? While it's not valued as such, the ECW World Title would be included, which gives him a total of 5 world title reigns. Is CM Punk a legitimate 2 time world champion? That's why it's ultimately irrelevant these days because value of championships shift constantly. 15 of those reigns of Ric Flair have value and one doesn't. That being said, I don't think Triple H would allow himself to pass Flair but Angle is the type of guy who'd push to rack up his total because of his own deluded sense of place in the history books.

They didn't do that this year (nor did they do a skit that revealed anyone's entry slot) which was an welcome change. I also ask that no one has to overcome the odds from the heel GM/owner to get a spot. They wouldn't do a completely random Rumble like that because even though the Rumble sells itself, they still need to promote specific people. Naturally, the fans would figure the big names would be included and wouldn't be particularly concerned about which low card act got a spot. Perhaps having a set field of 20 people and those last ten guys to be completely random up to the actual match itself would accomplish both. So you could show a crowd of mid-carders and perhaps even a big name in a group waiting to see if their name comes up in some fashion. That being said, the Rumble doesn't need much fixing, just good action and booking.

No, that's next week. Tonight is simply taped from the UK.

The three hour format could allow for a couple of really good matches to get time. Since the top guys will be busy with building the F4W match, I assume none of them will be involved. Who would the eight men be? Santino, Michaels, Jericho, Carlito, Kennedy, Umaga would appear obvious. That leaves the tag team guys along with Heat fodder. Santino could easily reach the finals by drawing Michaels in the first round and getting a cheap win thanks to Batista, manages a bye to the finals in some manner but it'd be a waste. Santino is still fresh enough that he doesn't need a character overhaul. Kennedy would be ideal as long as he isn't overdoing the King aspect but rather "beating three guys in one night".

JBL was with the RAW crew preparing to fly over for the Iraq show and since he was there and it was good for a cheap pop, they did that brief reunion.

The important thing isn't the fact Joe won the title. It's the reign he has. It took TNA 3 years to do this, this isn't a coronation. This is an long overdue correction to a string of failures.

I don't usually say this about TNA product but that was a really fun match and I was also concerned about that ladder spot. Hopefully, the main delivers as it's supposed to.

What did it do for Mayweather? Publicity and money. What did it do for TBS? A high profile match as well as coming off strong in defeat. Everyone won in this event from WWE, Mayweather, the media and the fans. A rare example of celeb in-ring involvement going right.

It should also be noted that a majority of CM Punk signs from the crowd involve the Pepsi logo. WWE also has to edit other tattoos from Punk on video games and other merchandise. I think about 2 years of the WWE version of ECW, people really need to drop this notion that the ECW name really means anything that is supposed to be sacred. It's a simple brand name to give to the Tuesday night telecast. It has done very well in its purpose for the company and that's to give people that would otherwise be out of the company or rarely used at all somewhere to perform. It has been the best thing for the company to let guys like CM Punk, Miz and Morrison shine in their own lights. Granted, ECW isn't seen by as many people as the other two established and long running brands but it's still a national televised program. Punk has proven that being "stuck" on ECW hasn't hurt his ability to get over with the crowds. The show suffered greatly as the start because of a complete lack of direction, focus and understanding. It really picked up once they put things in the proper place and focused on specific performers and angles. At times, ECW was the most fluid brand under the WWE umbrella. It had the upside of weekly doses of 15-20 minute main events Did the lost of RVD, Sabu and other "icons" of the original version damage this brand? Not in the sense that most people want to assume it has. RVD was a lost to the company period regardless of what brand he was a part of. Sabu was severely limited beyond his initial debut and has a obvious track record of being an absolute idiot. It's best for the company that he isn't there. Sandman was always good for a pop but in the sterilized world of WWE, he wasn't likely to do much beyond what he had already done. The fact he lasted as long as he did without causing much trouble other then his departure was a surprise of itself. ECW is a fine addition to the WWE umbrella as long as they don't retreat to the style that nearly killed it from the start and stick with this current direction. It does stand to improve just like the other brands.

He made mention of the Rome clones, which would suggest Colin Cowherd, whom is even more vocal about his hatred for pro wrestling, most notably his comments about Eddie Guerrero the day after his death.

The rematch was going to be a cage match and the finish was supposed to be a double escape with Hogan beating Shawn to the floor in close fashion.

It's a television show hosted by sports talk radio personality Jim Rome. It airs on ESPN daily.

She was sent home but not for a failed test. That was mostly for an attitude situation.

You must have never seen the OVW website, which was even worse.

What would WWE have to gain from Shamrock? He's been openly exposed in the past few years in MMA and he wasn't that special in the ring to begin with. There's a good deal of people from that period that would have more to offer in the WWE beyond a brief wave of nostalgia.

How does Colin keep getting in the building? They should have a skit where he is shown as a part of the ring crew.

I figured Charles Evans would be brought up first since he was the one taking bumps at WM. He would have been a good bodyguard type.

More people to the Edge Guerrero Army is a good thing. No one had him in the bring-ups but he's first on the board.

I know ECW has a lack of people to put on but they could have done something new with Punk tonight. Punk-Benjamin is right there for them. Just say Benjamin wants retribution for losing the MITB match.

It's been a cute running gag since he did his first promo with Dreamer about him wanting his own theme music. Nice to see the preview writers keep up with these little things.

That was a tremendous segment with Shawn, Jericho and Batista. Everyone did well in their roles, especially Shawn. I enjoyed Jericho playing on both sides of the fence. The final comment made for an emphatic end to the segment.

He has years of injuries and doesn't need to wrestle. He's very effective in his role.

Raw got the new set when they went HD. Regal is a impartial GM when it doesn't involved McMahon. He's made it clear that just like Bischoff, he wants ratings and money.