wrestling / Columns
The Wrestling 5 & 1 10.05.13: Beth Phoenix vs Kaitlyn
Hello everyone, and welcome to the first ever ALL ACERO Edition of The Wrestling 5&1. I’ll be sure to get to the future of this column in a bit, but only a number of you may care so rest assured, the wrestling news and opinions that you know and love will follow directly after. We’ll talk about the PPV that no one saw coming, Don’t we have a PPV this weekend?
Battleground Preview:
By Tony Acero
Dolph Ziggler vs. Damien Sandow
This match makes absolutely no sense and is most likely only being done because Dolph knows how to get the crowd on their feet. While I don’t think it will be a bad match, it does show a glaring issue with the position of each of these guys. They should, arguably, be flirting with the main event, yet they seem tethered to the midcard and get yanked back all the time. With the rumors floating around that Sandow may be getting the push soon, I suppose he will win this, and considering the briefcase automatically makes someone up higher on the card, it’s practically a given.
Winner: Damien Sandow
Cody Rhodes & Goldust vs. The Shield (Reigns and Rollins)
This match has had much more build than we give it credit for, and is stemming from the main event feud. I love where it’s going and have enjoyed seeing Dusty Rhodes on my screen again. Goldust’s match with Orton was a solid affair, even if it did show he may want to take it a bit slower. The Shield have practically perfected the six-man tag, so there’s no issues there. I’m a bit skeptical about who will win due to the fact that it could really go either way, and logic dictates that three fresh heels in The Shield is greater than Cody, his older – slightly winded brother, and…The American Dream. I feel The Shield is going to win, and we’ll see this story stretch out a bit more.
Winners: The Shield
AJ Lee vs. Brie Bella (Divas championship)
Listen as my heart cries at the inevitability of what is bound to happen here. There is still some hope that AJ Lee keeps the belt, and even more hope that they do something with it, but we have seen the rise of Total Divas, and they have been spotlighting the engagement and relationship of Brie and Bryan. This could only lead to a face couple of Bryan and Brie in what – I think – may very well hamper Bryan moreso than help.
Winner and NEW Divas Champio: Brie Bella
CM Punk vs. Ryback
Another match that has been building for some time. Even though Ryback may be a new addition to said feud, it’s the most interesting he has been since the last time he was in a feud with Punk. In fact, it’s possible that the only time he IS interesting is when he is up against Punk. I’d rather see Ryback as Heyman’s lacky any day over the ridiculousness in the backstage area. Look for Axel to make a minimal impact, but just enough to allow Ryback to win and give Punk the opportunity for Payback on a bigger stage than Battleground.
Winner: Ryback
Alberto Del Rio vs. Rob Van Dam (World heavyweight championship)
The World Heavyweight Championship feuds have really grown into those that feel like they’re there solely because they have to be. This one is no different. Although RVD has some solid fan support, his inability to talk has hindered the build of this match, and it’s not like they’re really giving it any time, either. In some aspects, I feel the WWE simply doesn’t care enough to build it, considering the title itself an unimportant one – and that’s just not fair. Still, I’m looking forward to a solid, yet unspectacular, match with Del Rio continuing his reign of apathetic proportions.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan (WWE championship)
Those looking for a Bryan win need to sit tight just a bit because I really don’t see it happening yet. It is my hope that Bryan wins the belt on a slightly more important PPV that is coming up, because I truly don’t see it happening here. There is going to be something significant that adds to the story that’s being presented, but I don’t necessarily feel it will be a title win from Bryan, even if he was laid out on RAW in front of his wife-to-be.
Winner: Randy Orton
You Decide: What are your predictions for WWE Battleground?
A Big Announcement of Sorts…Part 2
By Tony Acero
Last week we saw the departure of one Greg DeMarco. In short, he thanked you readers and a few other writers on the site. It is with a heavy heart that I watch him leave, but this also means that the ship known as the 5&1 is now mine to sink or beat on, boats against the current. So what shall we expect now that Greg is gone? What is that crazy ol RAW Recapper with the 14 year old’s humor going to really bring to the table? Well, to be completely honest, you most likely won’t see much change other than opinions. I’ve always laughed at the notion that Greg and I agree on certain things, because we actually disagreed a hell of a lot more than not – and yet, I’ll have to readily admit, he was more right than I ever was. Let’s focus on the column for a bit, and see what changes you are to expect.
The Points:
While this isn’t a change, per say, there is something I want to highlight a bit here. This column, from here into the future, is yours as much as its mine. I want your opinions voiced, I want your ideas heard. There are going to be slow news weeks, and I’m going to have to fill five voids of writing. With that, the last thing I want to do is give you crap – so I’m going to keep one of the five open for you readers. I’ll explain more in section three, but suffice to say, you guys will definitely be a part of the column.
Versus:
Let me let you guys in on a little secret: I HATE the Versus section. No, I’m not some feminist asshole who feels degradation to woman is simply unacceptable. It’s very simple, actually…I just hate making the images. Sometimes it takes longer than actually writing the damned column. Then there’s all the remembering who beat who, and how many times, and the entire fact that Trish no longer looks like Trish and half of the chicks no longer work within the WWE and all of the various other reasons that YOU readers have already voiced. Still, as long as this continues to be the most clicked on column on the site – and as long as that reason is the Versus – it will stay. We did a survey on how to improve it a number of weeks ago, and I am hoping the changes we made will help.
Comments:
One of the biggest draws of the column was Greg’s ability to respond to everyone, whether they agreed or not, whether they insulted or praised, whether they thought him a pedophile or a genius. While I’d love to bring back that aspect, I got rid of it IN the column due to the time. However, I will make a very solid effort in utilizing the greatness that is our comment section and do what Greg did down there. So, not only will your voice be heard – but a retort will most certainly be in play.
To Greg:
Oh, you sexy beast, you. I’ll keep this short, but I wanted to say thanks for the opportunity and I wish you well over at the new site. I’m sure you’ll be making a guest appearance or two some time in the future, and I feel we may be able to get away with a little bit of cross promoting in the future. 😉 See ya round, Pedo-bear.
To the Readers:
For over a year now, Greg has had me as a part of this column. Like he said, there were times when I took the brunt of the work, and times when he wanted a piece. He willingly gave this spot to me – one that was here before him and obviously will live after him. Opinions aside, I hope that you continue to come back on a weekly basis. While my ego needs no brushing, and those who know me will tell you my arrogance knows no bounds, we – the writers – do this for pretty much one audience, and that’s you guys. Don’t ever let any writer – including myself – tell you that you don’t matter, because without you there wouldn’t be a me…at least in written form. So thank you, and I hope you stay aboard.
You Decide: Any changes in particular you want/need?
Thanks to reader Josh Nazario, I am now fully aware that Gail has won four Versus in a row, thereby qualifying her to battle a lady from the top row. Due to my mishap and placing Gail against Kaitlyn this week, it may seem unworthy, but I’d rather not wipe the slate clean. So here is what we’re going to do: Kaitlyn will move forward this week and face another woman of wrestling. Gail will sit on the sidelines, and once Kaitlyn’s battles are done (be it all four, or a loss this week), we’ll bring Gail back to battle….AJ Lee!
And now…..
Voting ends Wednesday night and you can vote once every hour!
Reader’s Rants
By YOU
This will be the newest feature added to the column that is equal parts opportunity and laziness. As I alluded to before, there will be times when the news week is slow, and rather than bore you with a half-assed attempt at filling a column, I’d much rather give you guys a spot to air grievances, applaud wrestling, or highlight something that otherwise would not be highlighted. This is truly your spot, as regardless of whether I agree or not, it will be printed, and will only be edited for spelling, grammar, etc. Here are the specs:
*250-500 words
*Topic must be wrestling related
*Attempts to keep it topical are not mandatory but are appreciated
*Submit via e-mail to [email protected]
Of course, this will only work with your cooperation, so I hope that you guys are willing. Let the games begin!
You Decide: Who is up first?!
All is Forgiven
By Tony Acero
Above, we have the wild viper, procuring a lip-lock of sorts on the prone McMahon. The photo chosen for this week’s freewrite has a lot of implications, yet reminds us of a time when the current top of the mountain was anything but a united front. We are aware that Steph and HHH mentioned this particular situation, so kudos to them for keeping continuity going. Still, it’s interesting how four and a half years ago, Orton had Triple H locked up on the ropes and opted to leave a string of saliva on the lips of Stephanie McMahon only to be their new “face” of the WWE. I suppose what this leads me to is a question of storytelling and how much time – if any – is needed before alignments are deemed believable. We have seen people like The Big Show flop from heel to face like crazy, and although we complain, we are acceptant of it. With a 4+ year gap between Orton’s kiss to Orton’s current rise, are we ok with it? 
Chances are, we are, and I feel it’s because we’re simply not hard to please. With one sentence, and a quick nod to the past, we said to ourselves, “Well, at least they mentioned it.” I know I did. So is it that we are so unimpressed that the WWE’s storytelling abilities that we are able to forgive them if they do one thing right, or are we simply predisposed to understand the necessity for turns – even when they are sudden? I’m venturing more towards the reality of both options, in that we understand that sometimes a turn is needed for the sake of a story, and that we have been disappointed for so long that when they get something right, it’s akin to watching your parent’s properly save a file in Microsoft Word.
You Decide: Are the turns in the WWE – or wrestling for that matter – done for the right reasons?
Survey Time
By Tony Acero
We’ve seen the introduction of two new characters this year, both with very different personalities. One danced his way onto our screens to mixed reactions before gaining quite a bit of popularity, while the other creeped us out with ominous videos and promos. Some would say that both of their stars have fallen significantly since their debuts, but what about you guys?
And the commenter with the most “likes”???
Josh Green: “There there, Big Show…I’m going to miss DeMarco too.”
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Want to enter? Caption this picture:
The lovely Maria is welcomed back to the And 1 halls!!
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.
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HALL OF FAME
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.
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Greg DeMarco Show Archives
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Until next week…
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