The Thursday Sports Entertainment News Report: 03.29.12: Streaking Edition

Why does everyone think because Sheamus said in an interview…once…that he was working out with HHH that they’re best friends and thus Sheamus gets his backstage stroke?

WORLD (WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT) NEWS TONIGHT

It’s been a big news week leading up to WrestleMania XVIII, so let’s dive right in, shall we?

– The Miami Herald recently spoke with former WWE performer Trish Stratus, who discussed the lack of time the divas get and how to fix it. Here are the highlights…

On Improving The Division: “I think what WWE got away from was keeping it just the women. You have two women feuding then they put a mishmash of eight people in there, so nobody gets a real focus. I think what was key was seeing the women in the men storylines like we have seen with Rosa Mendes out there with the guys. It gives them the opportunity to be out there with other characters. We are seeing them in valet roles a little bit more, and that helps highlight them and allows character development happen. It seems like they are moving in the right direction.”

Wait, this sounds familiar…

With a statement like that, I might be able to conclude that Trish Stratus reads my column. And loves me. Oh look, now I’m starting to sound like that former 411 columnist Chris (NAME REDACTED).

Sheamus On his match with Daniel Bryan: “For two up and coming superstars, we are looking to steal the show! We are hungry and we have spent a lot of time getting to where we are today. Whether it was on the independent scene where we scratched and clawed, we want to be where John Cena and The Rock are, we want to be where The Undertaker and Triple H are, so you are looking at two guys who really want to go out there and steal the show!”

Jeez, how many people are going to steal the show? Sheamus is saying it, heck, even Ziggler is saying it (yeah, good luck with that one, pal). It’s the catchphrase that won’t die: “we’re going to steal the show!” Hey, how’s about you steal a new platitude?

Besides, Taker/HHH will steal the show. Duh.

– Alicia Fox recently spoke about WWE’s experiment in the mid-2000’s, where they were hiring models to be divas. Here is what she had to say…

“I think at the time Kelly Kelly and I were doing (modeling) together at age 17, 18. I think it was just an experiment for the company to see if it was even possible to teach models how to wrestle. It was a great learning experience for the both of us because we could step out of our backyard and kind of grow into the world. I think neither Kelly nor I ever imagined being here. This is our sixth year. We didn’t know what was going to happen, but I don’t think we would have thought we would be here for six years already.”

Six years later and they both still suck. Unbelievable. I don’t understand how Beth Phoenix or Natalya summon the will to get out of bed every morning. This is the kind of experiment that usually ends with an explosion on Beeker’s face.

Oh, get your minds out of the gutter.

– Sports betting site Bovada has released odds for the matches at WrestleMania 28. John Cena, The Undertaker and Sheamus are listed as the favorites in their matches against the Rock, Triple H and Daniel Bryan, respectively. Chris Jericho was listed as the favorite in his match but updated odda have put things in CM Punk’s favor while Randy Orton is the favorite over Kane, Cody Rhodes is the favorite over Big Show, Team Laurinaitis is a favorite over Team Long and Kelly Kelly and Maria Menounos are favorites over Beth Phoenix & Eve.

John Cena -280 (-180)
The Rock +220 (+140)

Wait, these predictions look familiar…

One thing bugs me about the Punk/Jericho feud, and that it’s based on determining who’s the “Best Wrestler in the World.” What irks me is that since no one else on the roster is protesting their claims to be the greatest, then the rest of the locker room implicitly agrees that either Jericho or Punk is the best wrestler in the world. In the testosterone and ego-driven world of professional wrestling, I find this hard to swallow.

Besides, neither of them are the best wrestler in the world. Want to know who the best wrestler in the world is? Whomever wins the gold medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics, that’s who.

Jericho and Punk aren’t even the best professional wrestlers in the world. Bryan is a better technical wrestler, Undertaker, Cena and HHH have more star power, the Rock has more mainstream appeal – there’s nothing about these guys that makes them “the best.” Great? Sure. The best? No way. The fact that the rest of the roster ignores this from a kayfabe perspective makes me scratch my head. On one hand, everyone says how they’re looking to “steal the show” and make a name for themselves, yet they sit back and let two performers who are clearly NOT the best argue over who’s the best. It just doesn’t add up. If I were Ziggler, for instance, I’d march right out saying I’m the best, and I deserve to be in the championship match at WrestleMania.

Yeah yeah, I know. Suspension of disbelief and all…

– Jake Roberts recently spoke about not being in the WWE Hall of Fame, here is what he had to say…

“There’s been a lot of guys go in that belong there, and…there are some who shouldn’t be in there, but who the hell am I? Hell, I’m not in there, so what the hell. Maybe someday when they put some more guys in there, maybe I’ll go in. I would love to go in, not so much for me, but for my kids, man. It’s part of my legacy. I put so much into wrestling; 37 years of it. Why I’m not there, I’m sure somebody’s got a reason.”

Every year we hear about different Superstars wondering why they haven’t been picked for the Hall of Fame. What they need to understand is that each HoF lineup is like a wrestling card: you have a main event, a midcard and your lesser knowns. This makes sense because you can’t go inducting Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart all in the same year. For the HoF to be sustainable, you have to spread out your picks over 10-20 years, at a minimum. Jake will make the Hall one year, probably as the 2nd stringer behind someone like Goldberg, Mick Foley, or, if McMahon is feeling sentimental, Randy Savage.

– Former WWE and UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar is interested in a match at WrestleMania 29. The word is that Lesnar is interested in a match with either Steve Austin or The Undertaker.

I’m all for a match between Brock Lesnar and the Undertaker. I think it’s a perfect fit, especially after the little confrontation they had after Brock’s match at UFC 121:

Remember how much speculation and needless anxiety that caused? Good times.

I don’t think Brock/Austin is as good of a fit, even though they have some history over Austin’s infamous walkout when Stone Cold refused to put Brock over with no build. But Austin’s hard drinking ways clashes perfectly with CM Punk’s straight edge lifestyle and lends itself to a better build. I’d say any or all of the following matches should be on the WrestleMania XXIX card:

1) CM Punk vs Stone Cold Steve Austin

2) Undertaker vs Brock Lesnar

3) The Rock vs Shawn Michaels

The only problem here is that only one of the above performers wrestles on a full time schedule. Not good. Are there any other Dream Matches that the WWE can pull off next year?

STREAKING

Some good discussion last week on the Undertaker’s streak – will it be broken on Sunday? Will it ever be broken? Should it ever be broken? Here’s what some of you had to say:

Have to agree with you on all the predictions. The only problem I have is who can actually break the streak? That one win will not be enough to get someone over unless they look like Brock Lesnar and wrestler like Shawn Michaels. The streak should end with Taker pinning Cena and retiring that same night. For that taker needs to come back as Biker Taker since Deadman giving a retirement speech just seems to weird to happen.

Posted By: Fgoodish (Guest) on March 23, 2012 at 01:21 PM

Taker & the Streak are the new Andre. It will be broken by the NEXT Hogan/Rock/Cena… not Cena himself. Give it time.

Posted By: Guest#0323 (Guest) on March 22, 2012 at 01:20 PM

So it seems that there are two camps to the streak: Those who think it should end, and those who think it should not. Let’s take a look at the rationale of each camp:

THE STREAK SHOULD NOT END

The Undertaker has been built to be an unstoppable force in the WWE, with only select Superstars getting clean wins over him, especially as the “Deadman.” We’ve learned this week that Vince McMahon is very protective of Taker’s mystique, and the streak is a very big part of it. Do you think McMahon would be willing to kill a big chunk of Undertaker’s mystique by having the WrestleMania undefeated streak end?

Not only that, but the streak is a big part of the WrestleMania sales pitch. People will buy the PPV exclusively to see the possibility of the streak coming to an end. I know this first hand because if not for Undertaker/HHH, I probably would have skipped watching WrestleMania XXVII last year. Even if we know he won’t lose, we are at a minimum guaranteed a top-tier match from it. It’s just bad business to have the Phenom take a loss at WrestleMania.

Also, let’s say the WWE decided to end the streak by having Taker lost to, say, Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania XIX. The timing would have been right – Brock was dubbed “The Next Big Thing,” and a win over the Undertaker would cement his status as a permanent main eventer. Well, one year later Brock took his ball and went home. If Brock broke the streak back then, it would have all been for naught. The same logic applies today. What if the Undertaker loses at WrestleMania to someone who’ll be gone within a year or two? The uncertain nature of the wrestling business makes ending the streak too risky, as it could wind up being a waste.

Finally, there are precious few milestones in wrestling anymore. With all the title changes, gimmick matches, PPVs, etc., there are only so many “special” accomplishments remaining. The streak is one such unique, landmark accomplishment that should live on forever. If the streak were over, then it would be like watching an important piece of wrestling history die right in front of us. The industry would be better with the streak intact, giving future Superstars something to aspire to.

THE STREAK SHOULD END

Undertaker has gone over some of the biggest names in wrestling history in a dominant fashion. He wouldn’t be where he is today if not for others lying down and doing the job for him. Not only that, but as a locker room leader and with his old school mentality, Taker should be more than willing to protect the future of the industry by elevating a young, promising Superstar to the main event. Hell, Maven is remembered just for eliminating the Phenom from the Royal Rumble – imagine what a win over The Undertaker at WrestleMania would do for the legacy of someone like Cody Rhodes, Sheamus, or Daniel Bryan.

Most people agree that if the streak is to end, it should be Undertaker’s last match. The Phenom can go out with a bang, demonstrating leadership-by-example by elevating a young talent in his last ever match. That would also alleviate any concerns that ending the streak would be bad for business. After all, if the streak ends as part of the Deadman’s last match, then selling future WresleManias isn’t an issue because Taker wouldn’t be competing anyway. Not only that, It would actually help business because now the WWE has a brand new, top tier guy that just ended the most lauded streak in Professional Wrestling history.

MY THOUGHTS

I personally think the streak should end, but only under the right circumstances. I feel that:

A) Vince McMahon has to want it to end
B) The Undertaker has to want it to end
C) It has to be his last match
D) It elevates a young talent who’ll likely be in the industry a long time

If even one of those four conditions is not met, then I think the streak should continue. Having John Cena end the streak accomplishes nothing. It will need to be someone young who eats, sleeps and breathes wrestling – someone who can put on an epic match that is a proper sendoff for a legend like the Undertaker – someone like Daniel Bryan.

YOUR THOUGHTS

What are your thoughts, readers? Did I miss anything? Do you think the streak should end or continue? If it does end, whom should end it? Let me know in the comments section.

@FGOODISH SAYS

My Twitter chum @FGoodish was kind enough to let me re-post some of his tweets in this column. I always find him entertaining, even though I don’t always agree with him. Something about this guy cracks me up. Maybe it’s because in my head I’m picturing Bruiser Brody posting all these wrestling-related tweets. Anyway, here’s some of what @FGoodish had to say this week!

My dopey broad is too sloppy drunk to hang with me. She is in my bed, on the rag…that makes her virtually useless. Such is life

Poor Wade Keller, having to deal with a retarded caller. I mean literally.

@FGoodish, everyone! When @TeamButtSex lists him as a #FollowFriday, you know he’s legit.

YOUR SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT TWITTER #FOLLOWTHURSDAY OF THE WEEK!

This week’s Sports Entertainment Twitter #FollowThursday is none other than Al Snow, aka @TheRealAlSnow!

You may remember Al Snow from such luminary factions such as Head Cheese, the J.O.B. Squad, or as Mick Foley’s go to punchline. While Mr. Snow had a moderately successful career in sports entertainment, he really shines on Twitter, often posting hilarious jokes, many of which he seems to have made up himself. Here’s a taste:

They say learn from your mistakes I am now learning guitar from my son

@TheRealAlSnow, everyone! Give him a follow today will ya?

Who else remembers the time when Al Snow was posting up those missing puppy signs for Pepper, and the number on the flyer was Val Venis’ cellphone number?

And of course, follow all the 411 stuff on Twitter! #spon

http://www.twitter.com/411mania
http://www.twitter.com/411wrestling
http://www.twitter.com/411moviestv
http://www.twitter.com/411music
http://www.twitter.com/411games
http://www.twitter.com/411mma

PLUG SPOTLIGHT

I usually put a list of links to other 411 Wrestling content at this point in the column, but I wanted to take the time to put the spotlight on one column that I think deserves more attention at the site.

That being said, I highly recommend that you check out Going Broadway, by William Renken. Each week William essentially teachers a masters class on Pro Wrestling history, offering comprehensive, meticulously researched insight into the illustrious past of the Sport of Kings. If 411 Wrestling had anything resembling pure journalism, this would be it. Renken’s a far cry from schmucks like me, I tells ya.

A column like Going Broadway can easily be overlooked given the real estate it occupies on the site – usually the 3rd or 4th entry on the columns list. With all the main stuff at the top and the news on the left, the eyes can easily overlook this little gem. So please, if you’ve ever wanted to read some hardcore wrestling content, give Going Broadway a shot. You won’t regret it!

SIGNING OFF

That about does it for this week. Join me next week as we discuss WrestleMania fallout, speculate on why HHH stabbed Tyler Reks, and mourn the loss of Vincent Kennedy McMahon. (Card subject to change).

Hasta Jueves,

This is Sean