The Thursday Sports Entertainment Report 11.07.13

Finally. Finally I get the chance to write for 411mania Wrestling. I’ve been a fan of the site for over 5 years and after being ignored several times, I’ve been given the ball and I’m going to run with it. I’m sure many of you saw my contribution to Wrestler of the Week and asked “Who the hell is this guy?” Well, I’m just a wrestling fan from Norman, Oklahoma. No, I’ve never seen Jim Ross, but they sell his BBQ sauce in the local grocery stores. Here are my wrestling fan credentials: my first live event was a WWE house show in the 1980s. My dad tells me that Macho Man was the main event that night, but all I remember is how pissed a guy in the crowd was when the ref didn’t catch on to the Killer Bees putting on their masks. I cheer the heels and boo the faces, and the last show I attended was Slammiversary 10 in Dallas last year. That’s right, I drove 3 hours to watch a TNA pay per view because the tickets were $10. Okay, enough about me, let’s do this! Banner!
.
.
.
Shit. I need a banner. Okay, for now…take it Cody McKenzie!

Raw Thoughts– This week continues the storyline reset that was hit last week as The Big Show for some reason jumps into the WWE title picture while Daniel Bryan takes some time away from the main event to team with CM Punk to battle the Wyatt Family. But the biggest moment of all this week can be described in two words: Corporate. Kane.

Holy shit, how weird and awesome was that? I like the fact that the writers have taken one storyline and given several people something to run with, as opposed to the usual “John Cena wants to win the title/Punk wants revenge on someone” that we’ve dealt with for awhile now. I can’t wait to see what Corporate H and and the newly minted Director of Operations Kane have in store for the WWE
Million Dollar Princess– Stephanie McMahon once again sold shares of her WWE stock, this time selling 104,136 shares to bring home $1.3 million dollars, also known as more money than you will ever see in your life. That’s a hell of a home improvement she has going on.
Ratings- Raw pulled a 2.75 rating this week, down 8% from last weeks 2.98. However, I’m sure the overrun did phenomenal numbers because of Kane in a suit. 
Seriously, Watch It- If you aren’t doing so already, watch NXT. You can catch it every week on Hulu+, and not only are you watching tomorrow’s superstars today, you get to watch some damn fine wrestling. Even the women kick ass.

Smackdown Preview– Here’s what you have to look forward to on this week’s Smackdown:
C.M. Punk vs. Curtis Axel.
3MB vs. The Uso Brothers and R-Truth 
A.J. Lee and Tamina vs. Cameron and Naomi.
Luke Harper vs. Daniel Bryan
Alberto Del Rio vs. The Great Khali.
John Cena vs. Ryback.

 Here’s a preview of tonight’s Impact Wrestling:

– The World Heavyweight Championship Tournament to crown a new titleholder starts on Thursday’s
IMPACT, with “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy battling X Division Champion Chris Sabin! Based on TNA President Dixie Carter’s “Wheel Of Dixie” selection, this bout will be a Full Metal Mayhem Match where anything goes! Who will advance in the tournament – Hardy or Sabin?
Don’t miss the huge IMPACT main event!
– Also on Thursday, “The Icon” Sting has announced a “State Of The Main Event Mafia” address with
the other members of the alliance. The past, present and future of the Mafia will be on the agenda – including their war against the Aces and Eights and the recent battles between Sting and Magnus!
– There will be a medical update on the condition of Kurt Angle after what happened this past week on IMPACT
– In Knockouts action, there will be a #1 Contenders match on IMPACT with Brooke Tessmacher vs. ODB
vs. Velvet Sky! Who will earn a Knockouts Championship shot against reigning titleholder Gail Kim!
– Also on Thursday’s IMPACT: After being arrested twice, will Mr. Anderson again defy authority and continue his assault against The Aces and Eights?
For the record, I look for Jeff Hardy to win by being Jeff Hardy in 2013, Sting to make a reference to being in the twilight of his career, Velvet wins, and Bully asks if we know who he is.

Rumors, rumors, rumors- I’m going to start from the beginning and work my way back to now, so you can see how ridiculous this sounds. TNA is cutting costs like crazy, trimming the roster, severing ties with OVW, and ending Impact tapings on the road. But the Carter family and Panda energy are committed to TNA. But…there’s this rumor that they’re looking to sell TNA if the price is right. The next bit of news is there is a potential buyer with enough money to buy the company, and they’re familiar with the business. Turns out this person is Billy Corgan from the band Smashing Pumpkins. Now the news comes out that Billy is interested, but doesn’t have the money to buy TNA outright. This statement offends Billy, but he has no comment on anything but the promotion of his own company’s show. Panda Energy sends out a memo telling people to not believe everything that wrestling “journalists” say. Good god. When you read that out loud it sounds absolutely ridiculous. Much more to come I’m sure.
Former “Champion” Returns- Dixie Carter started talking about a former world champion coming to Impact Thursday and I almost thought it might be someone relevant. Or at least the safe bet was that it would be Jeff Jarrett. But I forgot that in TNA a tag team champion is considered a world champion and we will witness the return of Pacman Jones. Sigh.

Each week I filter through all the self promotion, Q and A’s, retweets, and TV references to bring you the best of Twitter in the Sports Entertainment world.

Hey @AntonioCesaro, JUST GET A FUCKING CHIROPRACTOR! Self adjustment is horrible for you.
— Colt Cabana (@ColtCabana) November 5, 2013

Hi my name is Austin. I like making romantic, plant-based shakes and long walks on the beach…
— Austin Healy Aries (@AustinAries) November 5, 2013

Trending Worldwide for @WWE #RAW: Corporate Kane (@KaneWWE)
— WWE (@WWE) November 5, 2013

So old school!!! @DIVACANDICEM @REALLiSAMARiE @MariaLKanellis pic.twitter.com/eetWYRzX4Y
— Christy (@hemmepowered) November 4, 2013

I went from not being booked on the last ROH show in MI, to main eventing for the world title w/ @AdamColePro on Nov 15. It’s my time.
— The Zombie Princess (@JimmyJacobsX) November 4, 2013

I just put in a bid to buy the Smashing Pumpkins.
— Colt Cabana (@ColtCabana) November 3, 2013

I just saw the ultimate hipster in the Phoenix airport. He had a button up mumford shirt and I’m pretty sure his iphone was steam powered
— Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe) November 3, 2013

Some good stuff from Colt Cabana, but Samoa Joe wins Twitter this week. Also, I’m glad we all simultaneously thought the same thing this week when Kane walked out in that suit.

Start your Richard Davey jokes- In sort of ROH, kinda WWE news, Davey Richards has been hinting at signing with the WWE. Some say he has yet to get the final offer, others say that he is playing up the rumors to keep his name relevant. If he does sign with WWE, how ironic does the end of this video become?