Lance Storms' Newest Commentary

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

WrestleMania XX

March 22, 2004

 

Well another WrestleMania has passed and I am yet to get my Mania match. Oh well, you can’t win all the time. Well maybe you can, but I surely can’t. Even without my match, WrestleMania week was a huge success for me. I say WrestleMania week because we always spend the whole week leading to Mania, in town promoting and preparing for the event.

 

I arrived in New York City Tuesday morning and went practically none stop all week. Tuesday was book business for me. I finally got the chance to meet Maggie G, face to face. Maggie has been helping me with Book Marks since we did Burglar in the Closet (which I think was the fall of 2002). Maggie is Lawrence Block’s (Author of Burglar in the Closet) Webmaster/publicist, which is how we first made contact. Maggie has since hooked me up with Lee Child (Killing Floor) and T. Jefferson Parker (Silent Joe). We tried to meet once before but I got too busy and screwed it up. Tuesday we managed to sit down for lunch and we were lucky enough to have both Lee Child and Lawrence Block join us. We had a great time getting to know each other and I managed to walk away with several advance reader copies of some up coming books. Most notable the latest Bernie Rhodenbarr mystery, Burglar on the Prowl, which is now on shelves, and is fantastic, and The Enemy, Lee Child’s latest Jack Reacher book. I just started the Enemy so I will have to let you know about this one.

 

After lunch Maggie took me on a bit of a book tour, taking me to Partners & Crime, a local mystery bookshop (www.crimepays.com ), it was a charming store and if you are ever in NY be sure to check it out. (44 Greenwich Ave.) After Partners & Crime, Maggie to me to The Strand A.K.A. 8 Miles of Books. The Strand is an unbelievably huge used bookstore, which I could have rummaged through for hours. Unfortunately I didn’t have hours but I did manage to pick up a couple of odd Hardcover book I’d been looking for. If you want to check out The Strand it’s on the corner of Broadway and 12th street.

 

That pretty much filled my Tuesday, I hit the gym had dinner and relaxed in my room, for a little bit of reading. I have this thing that if I get an advance copy of a book I have to read it before it hits shelves. Burglar on the Prowl was hitting stores on Thursday so I had to get to it.

 

Wednesday I was booked up doing appearances. I had a morning meet and greet, and an afternoon Get Real appearance at a local Boys and Girls club. The Get Real program was a ton of fun and I hope the kids, not only had fun, but got our message. Wednesday night I hit the ring to work out, and then it was back to my book.

 

Thursday was a busy one again. I had an early morning meeting at Warner Books. I’ve got an on-line friend who works for Warner. I think he is an Editor’s assistant or and assistant Editor (something to that effect). Well this was my chance to finally meet Jason, face to face and thank him for all his help with Book Marks. Jason was the one who put me in touch with Brian Haig (The Kingmaker), as well as my point man contacting Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl), and Dave Barry (Tricky Business). Jason gave me a quick tour of Warner books and hooked me up with some books I hope will be future Book Club selections.

 

Thursday afternoon, I had to pick my wife up at the airport. We spent the rest of the day just walking around New York taking in the sites. Friday was pretty much more of the same; we ventured to the top of the Empire State Building and did some shopping. Well…okay, my wife did some shopping, I pretty much followed her around carrying bags (LOL).

 

Saturday was the Hall of Fame. Going in I wasn’t sure what I thought of the Hall of Fame. With the nature of our business how exactly do you judge who gets in and who doesn’t. There are some incredibly talented guys who have never stepped foot near a main event and a lot of guys who can’t work a lick who were on top their whole careers. If that wasn’t confusing enough a baseball player (Pete Rose) was getting in. I went in somewhat sceptical. I think my wife and I would have gone to see a Broadway show if not for the Hall of Fame. After the fact, I’m really glad I went, and my only real complaint was that the thing was looooong; it was over 4 hours, with no bathroom breaks, refreshments or food. Some of the speeches went long (wrestlers are never shy about taking the opportunity to talk about wrestling or themselves), but all were entertaining. The lone except Jack Lanza’s induction speech for Bobby Heenan; I am still unsuccessfully trying to make sense of that one. If there was anyone there who has a clue what he was talking about, please clue me in!

 

The highlight of the night was Bobby Heenan. I had forgotten just how entertaining this guy was. I was always a fan of Bobby be it as a manager or announcer and let me tell you he hasn’t lost a step. If they put this thing out on DVD you absolutely have to buy it for the Bobby Heenan speech alone. Bobby had the entire room roaring with laughter through out and even managed to make most of us cry by the end. I truly thought Ric Flair was going to have a coronary right up there on stage, he was laughing so hard. Bobby Heenan is the greatest manager this business has ever scene and if he were ever to come back, The Rock may have to change his name to “The Second most electrifying man in Sports Entertainment”; this man knows how to entertain!

 

As for Pete Rose…I’m still not 100% sure he belongs in our Hall of Fame, but let me tell you, he is a class act who deserves to be in someone’s. He was friendly, fun, willing to laugh at himself, and more importantly flattered and honoured to be there. He showed respect for our industry, and both Kane’s induction speech, and Pete’s acceptance speech were entertaining. If we are going to have a none-wrestler in the Hall of Fame, I’m glad Pete Rose is the guy to do it. He is a quality human being who deserves to be in his own Hall of Fame and maybe until Baseball realizes that, we can welcome him in ours. Now for the Show itself: WrestleMania XX. I watched the event with my wife on the big screen in the “Play by Play” room in MSG. You lose the feel of the crowd watching it on the screen, but the arena was sold out and then some, and the Play-by-Play room had catering. I thought the show was fantastic. There wasn’t a bad match of the bunch, except for the Brock-Goldberg contest but since, from what I understand, neither guy works for us anymore, so lets just leave it at that.

 

My favourite match was Eddie and Kurt. Now before everyone jumps all over me about how good the Three-way was, I’ll admit it was a tight call. The reason I’m leaning towards the Eddie-Kurt match is I prefer single matches and there was a lot more pure wrestling in this one. The Three-way was awesome and I couldn’t be happier for Benoit but I still have to go with Eddie and Kurt for my favourite match, the wrestling was just that good.

 

Here are my quick thoughts Match by Match:

 

Cena-Show: A little slow for my tastes, but hey there is a guy over 400 lbs in it. Big win for Cena and more hard work from Show.

 

RAW Tag Title: This one was hard for me to watch because I think I should have been in it. With only one fall they did what they could, exciting finish, which is all you can ask for.

 

Y2J-CLB: I thought this was an excellent match, third best on the show, with a surprise ending I didn’t even see coming. I’m very curious where this one is going!

 

Evolution-Rock and Sock: Not a technical mat classic in my opinion but we got to see The Rock be entertaining as hell, a Foley elbow drop off the apron and, wow a big clean win for Randy Orton; kudos to Mick Foley. Mission accomplished for the match.

 

Playboy Tag: I didn’t really understand them taking their clothes off right away, seeing that that is the biggest pop. It did let them wrestle and they did that way better than I expected them to.

 

Cruiser Weights: Not enough time to do any match justice, but I thought it was exciting and great to watch. These guys work hard.

 

Brock-Goldberg: I think the less said the better. I’ve worked harder on a house show in front of 200 people for $50.

 

SD Tag Title: Pretty much same as the RAW one. Not a formula conducive to a great match. They delivered a hot exciting finish, which is a success in my opinion.

 

Molly-Victoria: Not a big match, because this one was about the haircut. What they did was good and we finally got to see a stipulation honoured to the letter.

 

Kurt-Eddie: Absolutely fabulous, wrestling at its best!

 

Undertaker-Kane: I knew this one would be over shadowed by Taker’s ring entrance, and it was. That was one cool ring entrance.

 

HHH-HBK-Benoit: Incredible, this is what drama, story telling and action is all about. Benoit finally getting his due just makes it all the sweeter!

 

If all I got to see were the two World Title matches, I would consider it a show of the year. Between the two of them I got 1 incredible hour of wrestling, add to that all the other matches, an extremely cool stage set up, and a hair stipulation honoured, I call this show not just a home run, but a home run Pete Rose couldn’t even top. I can’t wait till LA and WrestleMania 21.

 

Till next week,

Lance

[Guest Anglesault]

WrestleMania XX

March 22, 2004

 

Well another WrestleMania has passed and I am yet to get my Mania match. Oh well, you can’t win all the time

Or in his case, ever.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Brock-Goldberg: I think the less said the better. I’ve worked harder on a house show in front of 200 people for $50.

 

Best. Quote. Ever.

[The Amazing Rando 0]

Brock-Goldberg: I think the less said the better. I’ve worked harder on a house show in front of 200 people for $50.

So have I, and I'm not even a wrestler.

[Guest Choken One]

he's a TAD bit bitter about Goldberg/Lesnar and a TAD bit obsessive about books...

 

Maybe he can get some nice children's books for Shane's seed.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

I've worked harder typing this post

[Guest Choken One]

is this gonna to be the new "nova invented this" gag?

 

I worked harder taking a piss

[CanadianChick 0]

Brock-Goldberg: I think the less said the better. I’ve worked harder on a house show in front of 200 people for $50.

 

Aw, Lance! No, the more the better! They're not in the company anymore; no harm in ripping into the match...

[Guest Choken One]

btw...Lance really doesn't care if he has a job in two weeks does he?

[The Amazing Rando 0]

i work harder sleeping.

[Guest CronoT]

Brock-Goldberg: I think the less said the better. I’ve worked harder on a house show in front of 200 people for $50.

 

Best. Quote. Ever.

Vincent McMahon Sr. was probably rolling in his grave over that piece of crap.

 

A little off-topic, but I saw WM XX at my bro-in-law's house, and my half-brother was there. I had to explain to him why the crowd was so evil to Brock and Goldberg. Some fans aren't as blessed as us in the knowledge dept., I guess.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

Storm and Venis being left off WM for Cade / Jindrak is pure shit.

[Guest I Got Banned for Sucking]

He's not that obsessive about books - he's just telling us what he did in New York. And even if he was, so what?

 

Very entertaining commentary, and it's interesting that, for the WrestleMania XX opinions at least, he writes it from what seems like a fan's perspective.

[Guest Anglesault]

he's a TAD bit bitter about Goldberg/Lesnar and a TAD bit obsessive about books...

Nothing wrong with books.

[Guest I Got Banned for Sucking]

Oh, and yes, agreed 100%, Deon.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

for the WrestleMania XX opinions at least, he writes it from what seems like a fan's perspective.

 

Actually, he wrote from a WWEmployee perspective.

[Guest Choken One]

Brock-Goldberg: I think the less said the better. I’ve worked harder on a house show in front of 200 people for $50.

 

Best.  Quote.  Ever.

Vincent McMahon Sr. was probably rolling in his grave over that piece of crap.

 

A little off-topic, but I saw WM XX at my bro-in-law's house, and my half-brother was there. I had to explain to him why the crowd was so evil to Brock and Goldberg. Some fans aren't as blessed as us in the knowledge dept., I guess.

some fans treat it like a tv show...unlike us.

 

not everyone lives and dies by The IWC reports.

[Guest Choken One]

for the WrestleMania XX opinions at least, he writes it from what seems like a fan's perspective.

 

Actually, he wrote from a WWEmployee perspective.

where did he put Orton and HHH over?

[Guest I Got Banned for Sucking]

for the WrestleMania XX opinions at least, he writes it from what seems like a fan's perspective.

 

Actually, he wrote from a WWEmployee perspective.

 

where did he put Orton and HHH over?

 

[Guest CronoT]

Brock-Goldberg: I think the less said the better. I’ve worked harder on a house show in front of 200 people for $50.

 

Best.  Quote.  Ever.

Vincent McMahon Sr. was probably rolling in his grave over that piece of crap.

 

A little off-topic, but I saw WM XX at my bro-in-law's house, and my half-brother was there. I had to explain to him why the crowd was so evil to Brock and Goldberg. Some fans aren't as blessed as us in the knowledge dept., I guess.

some fans treat it like a tv show...unlike us.

 

not everyone lives and dies by The IWC reports.

I realize that, but when I predicted the endings to half the matches, especially the Jericho/Christian match with the Trish heel turn, he asked me straight out, "Are you psychic or something?"

 

He was most impressed/awed when he saw Trish come down the ramp, and he said that she was out there to help Jericho, and I simply asked "Are you sure?"

 

Any true wrestling fan could have seen that swerve coming a mile down the road.

[Guest Choken One]

nah...At first I figured they do the WM7 finish but when trish got involved...it was clear.

[Guest I Got Banned for Sucking]

I realize that, but when I predicted the endings to half the matches, especially the Jericho/Christian match with the Trish heel turn, he asked me straight out, "Are you psychic or something?"

 

He was most impressed/awed when he saw Trish come down the ramp, and he said that she was out there to help Jericho, and I simply asked "Are you sure?"

 

Any true wrestling fan could have seen that swerve coming a mile down the road.

 

At WrestleMania XX, a friend of mine also asked that when I predicted Trish coming down and turning, as well as Austin Stunning Goldberg when they were drinking beer post-"match".

[Scroby 0]

I think Lance is saying what he just feels and doesn't want to be like some wrestlers who are mainly scared to speak their minds.

[Guest Choken One]

I realize that, but when I predicted the endings to half the matches, especially the Jericho/Christian match with the Trish heel turn, he asked me straight out, "Are you psychic or something?"

 

He was most impressed/awed when he saw Trish come down the ramp, and he said that she was out there to help Jericho, and I simply asked "Are you sure?"

 

Any true wrestling fan could have seen that swerve coming a mile down the road.

 

At WrestleMania XX, a friend of mine also asked that when I predicted Trish coming down and turning, as well as Austin Stunning Goldberg when they were drinking beer post-"match".

well boy, your mama must be DAMN proud of you!

[Guest I Got Banned for Sucking]

well boy, your mama must be DAMN proud of you!

 

Uh... She's fine...

 

[Guest Adrian 3:16]

Storm and Venis being left off WM for Cade / Jindrak is pure shit.

I agree, there's no good reason for Jindrak and Cade to have made the card over Val and Storm. At least Val and Storm were over at one time and can chalk up their current status to a year of misuse, Jindrak and Cade can't even claim that.

 

And they would've made Mania last year but were fucked over along with RVD and Kane for that catfight shit. That's what really has to rub it in for them.

[cynicalprofit 0]

Don't you know the WWE doesn't read the internet, EVER, honest....they don't know storm has a website. All that internet stuff is all junk anyways, its not real.

 

*Sarcasm off*

[Guest Deviant]

That may be sarcasm, but I fail to see how WWE could know Lance Storm has a website considering they don't even know who he is.

[Guest I Got Banned for Sucking]

Proof that talent counts for nothing in WWE.