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The Wrestling 6 & 1 07.27.13: Maryse Ouellet vs. Trish Stratus

July 27, 2013 | Posted by Tony Acero

Welcome one and all to the best one-two punch in internet based print wrestling journalism—The Wrestling 6&1 with Tony Acero & Greg DeMarco.

We start by making something official: Moving forward this column will be The Wrestling 6&1. Tony and Greg are committed to bringing you the very best in pro wrestling journalism on a weekly basis, and the logical next step is to bring you six points each and every week.

We’re also bringing along a third buddy—Michael Ornelas—maybe you’ve heard of him? You’ll see him take over “The One” next week, and we think you’ll like what he’s bringing.

Now then…read on, friends!

Give Me A (Commercial) Break
By Tony Acero

Among the many things I do to please you fellas and felletes that read this wonderful site on a daily basis, the RAW recap is always the most fun. It’s also tedious and requires three hours of extreme dedication. Seriously, never am I so focused than when I am writing the recap for RAW – and I’m a full-time University student. At any rate, recapping RAW causes quick thinking and knee-jerk reactions, among other things (ticks, bladder control, carpel tunnel syndrome, etc.), and it’s because of these reactions that some readers tend to disagree with the dastardly star-ratings. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I have no set standards in which I rate a match, or even a RAW. I can watch a match on one day and think it was slightly above average, only for it to be well below the standards of the next day. It’s all subjective, and probably depends on the time and the Dew – or lack thereof.

This point is all circled around one match, and that being the Daniel Bryan vs Antonio Cesaro match that happened on RAW. Now, I believe I gave it three and a half stars during the report, and I promise you, this is not a long diatribe of me defending myself, but instead, it’s a look at the necessary evil that is commercial breaks and what kind of impact – if any – they have on one match. So let’s take a look at Bryan vs Cesaro for a minute.

(Damn, I really wanted to put the video here, but can’t find one of the match in its entirety, unless you want a crappy youtube video of someone recording their 17 inch television, so let’s just pretend it’s here).

Look at that beast of a match! Seriously, it’s a beaut! So how many stars?! What would you rate it?! Looking at it above (work with me here), without interruptions, that’s a four star match, just begging for another star. Soooooo, why only 3.5 on the Tony scale? The commercials. Look, some will say that a commercial should NOT take away from a match, but in my opinion, there’s really no way it CAN’T take away from a match, especially if there are three of them!! The final stretch of the match between Bryan and Cesaro was nothing short of amazing, but I had to rebuild the hype they whetted my appetite with all over again due to the most recent Golden Corral commercial.

And you know what, this isn’t a complaint. Not about commercials, or ratings, or anything else. I’m simply stating the impact that the breaking up of the show somehow causes a particular one’s opining to differ from the usual. So, let’s set the record straight – on RAW, and during the RAW Report, I stand by my 3.5. As a stand-alone match, without commercials (or zipping through them after the fact), I can stand by Greg’s rating of 4 stars, perhaps even a little higher. It was awesome.

You Decide: Can commercial breaks hurt the quality of a wrestling match?

What Is More Important?
By Greg DeMarco

As a fan of wrestling dating back to the first WrestleMania, I’ve seen many a man go from secondary champion to world champion. Take a look at some of the Intercontinental Champions in the WWE’s history.

Randy Savage: Savage held the Intercontinental Championship from just before WrestleMania 2 until losing it at WrestleMania 3 to Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. At WrestleMania 4, Savage captured his first WWF Championship.

The Ultimate Warrior: Warrior held the Intercontinental Championship from the first SummerSlam through WrestleMania 6, where he defeated Hulk Hogan and captured the WWF Championship.

Bret Hart: “The Hitman” rose from tag team champion to Intercontinental Champion and eventually captured multiple WWF Championships.

Shawn Michaels: The Rockers never officially held the WWF Tag Team Championships, but HBK held the Intercontinental Championship before defeating Bret Hart to win his first WWF Championship.

Steve Austin: Austin won the King of the Ring and went on to be a two-time Intercontinental Champion before defeating Shawn Michaels for his first WWF Championship.

The Rock: The Rock was Intercontinental Champion as both a face and a heel, including an amazing feud (and ladder match) with Triple H over the title. He eventually went on to do monster business as WWF Champion.

Triple H: Trips beat The Rock for the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam 98 in Madison Square Garden in a highly underrated ladder match. He’d go on to hold several WWF/E Championships.

Chris Jericho: Jericho held the Intercontinental Championship multiple times before becoming the first man to unify the WWF and World Heavyweight Championships.

Kurt Angle: Kurt Angle held both the European and Intercontinental Championships early on in his WWF career, and eventually became a multi time WWF Champion.

Chris Benoit: Contrary to what the WWE wants you to believe, Benoit is a multi-time Intercontinental Champion and even won the World Heavyweight Championship by going over both Triple H and Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 20.

Eddie Guerrero: One of the best to ever step in the ring, he held the Intercontinental Championship before his upset world title win over Brock Lesnar.

Jeff Hardy: Long before winning the World Heavyweight and WWE Championships, Hardy was an Intercontinental Champion for the first time in 2001.

Christian: “Captain Charisma” first won the Intercontinental Championship multiple times before ever becoming World Heavyweight Champion.

Rob Van Dam: Before his memorable Money In The Bank Cash In, RVD wore the Intercontinental Championship for the WWE.

Randy Orton: A young (and far less popular) Randy Orton held the Intercontinental Championship before defeating Chris Benoit for his first world title.

Edge: Edge will be remembered as one of the greatest World Heavyweight Champions of all time. But before all that, he held the Intercontinental Championship.

Dolph Ziggler: Sense a trend yet? Ziggler held the Intercontinental Championship in 2010, before his first (eleven minute) World Heavyweight Championship reign.

An amazing list of seventeen wrestlers who all held the Intercontinental Championship before winning their first world title. That doesn’t even include Kane or CM Punk, who held world titles before their Intercontinental reign, and John Cena, who held the United States Championship before becoming the face of the WWE. You can add Daniel Bryan to that list, who also held the United States Championship before winning a world title.

Over the course of time, the Intercontinental Championship evolved (or devolved) from a predictor of world champions and the favorite belt of many fans to a prop that is left off of pay-per-view events and held by men after holding world titles (such as The Miz and The Big Show). The belt was also monopolized by guys like Shelton Benjamin and Kofi Kingston, long suspected to be guys who topped out at the second championship despite having the in-ring ability to perform with anyone.

But at the Intercontinental Champion was left off of major events (or part of WrestleMania Hair vs. Hair and Money In The Bank Ladder Matches), a new designation rose to prominence: The Money In The Bank Briefcase. Since it’s inception, the Money In The Bank Briefcase has given world title gold to every man who held it, outside of Mr. Anderson (who lost his briefcase to Edge, who cashed in for a second time and became world champion) and John Cena (the only man to unsuccessfully cash in his briefcase).

The fact is, wrestling fans care more about the man holding the Money In The Bank briefcase than the holder of the United States of Intercontinental Championship. MITB has become the predictor of future world champions, while the secondary champions are honestly lucky to be called “secondary” anymore.

I recently had a Twitter exchange with Nick “Money” Elzer where he made the brilliant point that the secondary championships of today are actually tertiary—the World Heavyweight Championship is the secondary championship. It’s hard to argue against that, and it’s hard to argue against Money In The Bank being far more valuable—and important—than the Intercontinental Championship.

You Decide: Is a Money In The Bank briefcase more valuable than the Intercontinental Championship?

Plan: #AskDixie. Result: #BashDixie
By Greg DeMarco

Now, this week has been a crazy one for Dixie Carter. Of all the dumb things that happened, she throws out the “#AskDixie” solicitation at the worst possible time. Dixie got hammered. Here is just a sampling of what she got, as provided to me by readers on Facebook in the Yes! Yes! Yes! Facebook group.

And finally…

Yeah, that might have been some terrible timing…

But Dixie Carter, in her infinite wisdom, decided it would be a great idea to respond to these tweets and explain what’s going on in TNA right now—without actually responding to these tweets or explaining what’s going on in TNA right now.

Check it out:

Hi everyone,
In the 11+ years that I have been with TNA, I am still amazed by the passion of pro wrestling fans. That passion – both positive and negative – is remarkable and something that all of us at TNA values.

With that said, I asked for questions from you like I have done many times in the past, but I didn’t provide a timeframe by which I would answer you. I know I have frustrated you all, and I apologize. Beginning next week, each Thursday, I will answer legitimate questions from you on a weekly basis. I will not, however, address outrageous or hurtful questions/posts.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to provide perspective from inside TNA – where we stand and where, with support from our current and future fans around the globe, we are going. What is being shared with you now is what was shared with the IMPACT roster before our phenomenal Destination X show from Louisville, KY last week.

This has been a big year for TNA. We took IMPACT LIVE on the road, exactly where it needs to be – where you’ve asked us to be – in your backyard. We also changed our Pay-Per-View schedule, shifting from 12 to four live Pay-Per-View events each year, in order to increase the value of these events for you. To grow TNA, these are moves that needed to be made. And, part of changes like this, includes structural changes within TNA to align with this new business model.

Many of your comments and questions reference our recent roster changes. The relationship that fans have with wrestlers is unique and one of the many great aspects of the wrestling business. And, for this reason, releasing talent is never easy – not for you and not for us. But, bringing in fresh faces and the best wrestling talent in the world is what you expect, and what TNA will always strive to deliver. Recently, we have brought back some talent favorites (Sonjay Dutt, Petey Williams and Homicide), and you will continue to see this and new talent that we are excited to introduce you to in the coming months.

TNA has always been, and will continue to be, a place where you can interact with the superstars, whether in person at a live show or via social channels, like Twitter and Facebook. We are constantly exploring new and interesting ways to take this interaction to another level, and you will see this unfold in the coming months. I appreciate each of you taking the time to share your thoughts, opinions and ideas. Your input and feedback helps us create a better product. I hope you will join us when IMPACT LIVE comes to your area.

Yours,
Dixie

I don’t know if you caught the end there—she’s now mine! Muahahahahah!

You Decide: What’s your view of Dixie Carter and her ability to sit at the head of a major American wrestling promotion.

Keeping with tradition, we do have one more Battle of The Bang match-up left, and it’s the Big One! #1 versus #2 as Trish Stratus’s top spot is challenged by former #1 Maryse Ouellet!

Can #1 finally be taken away from Trish?

VERSUS

Voting ends Wednesday night and you can vote once every hour!


Free Write
By Tony Acero

These days, these days are a-goner. Here we have the lovely family-man, Mick Foley, armed by his wife and ushering his children through the backstage area, after a brutal match that left the man in one hell of a status. Blood-soaked and happy as a clam, Mick Foley is at the pinnacle of his career, all while little Dewey stares at him in bewilderment. Is this wrong? I’m sure someone somewhere thinks it is, and as a man without kids, I can’t say whether it is or isn’t. What I can say is the emotion this one photo evokes isn’t one that simply washes away shortly thereafter, which brings me to the point I suppose I want to make after seeing the photo: These dudes love the shit out of us fans.

I won’t be soooo jaded as to say that we are the sole reason that Mick Foley is pictured here, covered in blood. There is a certain amount of pride that a wrestler must have, and after meeting very many over the years, each one of them has that “something to prove” attitude. Some may feel they’ve already proven it, but I digress. So, the fact that pride, money, and perhaps even a little bit of a rush for the macabre may be some of the major underlying causes that push these larger-than-life dudes on our screen may be very apparent. However, I find there is a much larger reason…and that reason is us.

It’s kind of cool to consider, too, ain’t it? I mean, although it hasn’t been written, I do like to compare the writing circle here at 411 to a wrestling locker room. We all have particular egos (and you are reading two of the biggest, arguably). We have our vets, the rookies, the mid-carders and main-eventers, and we have a backstage area that few of you know about. While we may get some sense of joy in writing said articles, there is also that ever-lasting, never-dying “you” that gives these words credence, just like we, as fans, give wrestlers a reason to exist as well. I’ve seen how passionate some of you – and us – get, whether it be outrage or adulation. Even the photo above evokes memories of setting, date, time, moments of what we were doing, how old we were, whether it was our older brother or parent that opened you up to this, or whether you had to go back and see this due to a new fandom.

At the end of the day, no matter the complaint, I look at that man covered in blood and have nothing but thanks to shower over him.

Sometimes, it’s cool to be a wrestling fan.

Survey Time: Which would you rather hold?
By Greg DeMarco

Last week in Survey Time…

Last week, we discussed the role of spoilers in wrestling, and how you as fans treat them.

As you can see, there was no overwhelming majority, but the most popular option was loving spoilers and reading them each week. What surprised me was #2—the fact that you don’t really want to read spoilers, but they really can’t be avoided. Just last night (Thursday) I read a tweet bitching about spoilers, since Raw and Smackdown have been taped through next week.

Now, last I checked, Twitter was on the internet. Well, you simply can’t hit the internet hard enough to follow wrestling on Twitter and bitch about spoilers. It’s the nature of the beast—Christian fanboys need an opportunity to rejoice about their boy challenging Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam.

Oops, was that a spoiler? My bad.

This week’s Survey Time…

In this week’s “The Five,” I shard my opinion that holding a Money In The Bank Briefcase is better than being Intercontinental Champion. I’ll add the TNA X-Division Championship to that equation, as for the past two summers the X-Division Champion has traded that title in and capitalized on their chance to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship—first being Austin Aries and second being current TNA World Heavyweight Champion Chris Sabin.

So out of the available options, which would you rather hold…


You can vote once per hour, and the poll will close Wednesday night!
Also, share your thoughts in the comments section!

Independent Spotlight: Slam U Pro
By Greg DeMarco

If you listened to last weekend’s Greg DeMarco Show, you heard a brief interview with Gabriel Gallo, a performer for SlamU Pro Wrestling. Gallo is someone I’ve known for six years, and SlamU was making their debut here in Phoenix. There was a lot of controversy surrounding the date (this past Thursday) as a competitor decided to run a free show opposite SlamU. I’ve said enough about them on Twitter and Facebook, and I don’t want to take away from what SlamU accomplished.

The house was packed, as they actually put out more chairs during the opening match. They provided the perfect blend of out of town talent and local talent—enough to make everyone happy. Thanks to the free show down the road, the show was attended by many newer fans—and they all seemed hooked. The production was a little off—they could use some better lighting. But the gritty feel of the show really resonated with the crowd, and the talent worked their asses off.

Results:
Pre Show – Josh Carey beat Jack Jameson to earn a spot on the main card
Willie Mack beat Josh Pain
Ray Rosas beat Fabian Fury
The Death Rage Cartel beat Lucha Starr & The Shadow Fox
Dom Vitalli beat Josh Carey
Leva Bates beat Angel Blue
The Almighty Sheik defeated Gabriel Gallo by disqualification

Mesa Arizona’s Arizona Event Center was a great venue, one that’s mainly used for concerts. They had a VIP section with raised tables that included a pre show meet & greet and the pre show match. I was lucky enough to be on the VIP list, which allowed me to catch up with some friends and check out the pre show match. I also got to meet two-time Greg DeMarco Show guest Leva Bates, who is simply awesome in person.

As for the card itself, the out of town talent really gelled with the locals. Willie Mack was insanely over, as Arizona fans are familiar with his work. Dom VItalli is a local hero, and someone I’ve watched grow tremendously over the past several years. Leva and Angel was a real treat for the Arizona crowd, who doesn’t get to see a Shimmer/Shine/Anarchy level match in a local indy. The Almighty Sheik is a world renowned performer, and Gabriel Gallo deserves to be. Their intensity was unmatched, and like most of the matches, the crowd hit their feet several times.

The company has already announced Gabriel Gallo vs. The Almighty Sheik in a No DQ match for their August 29 return. And you can bet I’ll be there, too!

Follow SlamU on Twitter: @SlamUPro
Like SlamU on Facebook: SlamU Wrestling

Fir ticketing info, visit www.arizonaeventcenter.com.

You Decide: Do you check out the indy wrestling in your area?

Yes! Yes! Yes! Facebook page, Tony posted this pic for all to comment on…

And the commenter with the most “likes”??? Well, for the FIRST time since I’ve started this, we have a tie!!

TROY HARTER: Whoa, I think that glass ceiling may have given me a concussion.

GREG STILL: They took my rings… They took my mustache….. I looked at the brothers and said damn what’s next

Think you have what it takes to win the Caption Contest? Head on over to the Yes! Yes! Yes! Facebook group and join today to see what Tony, myself and the gang post next!

Want to enter? Caption this picture:

Yes! Yes! Yes! Facebook group to participate!


Click above for the YES! YES! YES! Facebook Group!

Lord, the things I’d do to play Monopoly against Scarlett Bordeaux….

Tony Acero is currently a student at Cal State University of Long Beach. He is double-majoring as a Creative Writing and Literature major. His first book, Through The Looking Glass, was published in April, 2012. Looking Through, currently available, is a preview to the release of his second book, due out in Fall 2013.

Tony joined 411Mania in April 2010, and currently contributes in both music and wrestling. Tony is an avid drinker of Mountain Dew and Jack Daniels. He is a writer who hardly takes himself seriously, yet has an innate ability to create moments that are both human yet fearful in his writings.

Follow Tony on Twitter
Friend Tony on Facebook
Buy Tony’s published works
Visit TonyAcero.com

Greg DeMarco is a graduate of Virginia Tech (Bachelor’s in Business Management) and Arizona State (Master’s in Higher & Post-Secondary Education). He works in online higher education. Greg started in improv comedy in 2001, making his stand-up debut in 2004.

Greg first appeared as a ring announcer for Rising Phoenix Wrestling in Phoenix Arizona in 2006 and served many promotions in both on-stage and back-stage roles for over six years, most notably Ring of Honor in 2010. He began writing for 411Mania in October 2010, founded The Greg DeMarco Show in May 2011 and opened WrestlingSmash.com (and Wrestling Smash Radio) in January 2013.

Follow Greg on Twitter
Friend Greg on Facebook
Enjoy Wrestling Smash Radio
Visit WrestlingSmash.com

Until next week…

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