wrestling / Columns
The Shimmy 2.12.07: The Batista Report Card (Part One)
What’s up, people? Welcome back to another edition of The Shimmy as we are firmly on the Road to WrestleMania. Over the next few weeks I’ll be bringing back the Report Card series to look at the two men in the main event of WrestleMania 23, Batista and Undertaker. This week we will start off with a look at the current World Heavyweight Champion Batista, looking at his PPV career as a member of the Raw roster. With all that out of the way, let’s get going.
Batista vs. Kane (Armageddon 2002)
Batista was still really green at this point, but he was showing much more promise than he had as Deacon Bautista on SmackDown. The main story here was to get over how Ric Flair had scouted Batista and brought him over to Raw. Evolution hadn’t been officially formed yet, despite Flair managing both Batista and Triple H. As for the match it wasn’t the worst thing we’ve seen pitting Kane against a green big man, but it wasn’t anything spectacular either.
My Grade: C
2003 Royal Rumble Match (Royal Rumble 2003)
I’ve graded this match about a million times already. I highly enjoy this match as there is never a dull moment. Batista shocked a lot of people by making it until the final four, and he was instrumental in Undertaker being eliminated by Brock Lesnar in the end.
My Grade: A
Batista vs. Shawn Michaels (Armageddon 2003)
Batista would have to take a considerable amount of time off following the infamous tag match between Batista & Orton and the Dudley Boyz where Batista, Orton, and Bubba Ray all managed to get injured. I believe Batista even reinjured himself while rehabbing pushing his return back even longer. This match came about after Batista cost Shawn Michaels the final fall in the Survivor Series Elimination Match with Stone Cold Steve Austin’s job on the line. This was without a doubt Batista’s best match to date, although with HBK in there it really shouldn’t be that surprising. This was probably my favorite match of the PPV.
My Grade: B+
World Tag Team Title, Tag Team Turmoil Match: Dudley Boyz© vs. Ric Flair & Batista vs. Scott Steiner & Test vs. La Resistance vs. Gregory Helms & Rosey vs. Lance Storm & Val Venis vs. Lance Cade & Mark Jindrak (Armageddon 2003)
Following Batista’s loss to HBK early in the night, Ric Flair wanted to make Batista feel better so he signed the two of them up for the Tag Team Turmoil Match. Of course the Dudley Boyz, already tired from surviving the rest of the tag division, didn’t know that they would have an extra team to compete with and thus were easy pickings. This was actually more of a squash than anything once Ric and Dave got out there, so no grade.
My Grade: N/A
World Tag Team Title, Table Match: Ric Flair & Batista© vs. Dudley Boyz (Royal Rumble 2004)
The Dudleyz attempted to get revenge on Flair & Batista by taking them on in their “specialty match.” Of course, it being their specialty match they couldn’t actually win, and this just served as another dominating performance by Evolution. Batista did get off a good line about the Dudleyz being the biggest chokers in Philadelphia since the Eagles.
My Grade: B-
Handicap Match: Randy Orton, Ric Flair, & Batista vs. The Rock’n’Sock Connection (WrestleMania XX)
I really liked this match, but unfortunately for Batista he was really lost in the mix. Sure, he was Orton and Flair’s power backup (pretty much there to neutralize The Rock), but in early 2004 Batista was the smallest name in this match. Evolution came out on top here, starting Batista’s own mini-WrestleMania undefeated streak.
My Grade: A-
Dark Match: Batista vs. Val Venis (Backlash 2004)
Hello ladies. Squish. Squash. Hard sell. Video package. Fade to black.
My Grade: N/A
Batista vs. Chris Jericho (Vengeance 2004)
From the Chris Jericho Report Card: Again Jericho is put in the ring with a green big man and he delivers. Batista was just a monster at this point, knocking people out with that vicious clothesline. Jericho made Batista look really good here and it is partly because of wrestlers like Jericho that Batista is as good of a worker as he is today.
My Grade: B-
Intercontinental Title, Triple Threat Match: Edge© vs. Batista vs. Chris Jericho (SummerSlam 2004)
From the Chris Jericho Report Card: This was really more of a match to give these three something to do than anything else. The match itself was solid, but the focus seemed to be on the “Bizarro World” response of the crowd which lead to Edge’s heel turn.
My Grade: B
Ric Flair & Batista vs. Chris Benoit & William Regal (Unforgiven 2004)
Much like the Triple Threat Match this was really just something for these four to do. Evolution had been tormenting Benoit & Regal for months, so they just battled it out on PPV. At this point Batista was actually getting some significant wins over people and would frequently find himself in matches with Chris Benoit, no doubt to improve his ringwork..
Survivor Series Elimination Match, Winners Get Control of Raw for a Month: Triple H, Batista, Edge, & Snitsky vs. Randy Orton, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, & Maven (Survivor Series 2004)
This was a fun match with an eclectic group of talent. This is pretty much where Batista first starting getting some support from the crowd as the guy they’d like to see topple Triple H. Had Triple H’s team won the match Batista should have been the one guy that he didn’t need to worry about defending his title against, or so he thought. With Batista’s intentions unclear the crowd slowly began to respond favorably to the idea of a Triple H-Batista feud. As for the match itself it was your basic, fun, chaotic, Survivor Series Elimination Match.
My Grade: B+
World Heavyweight Title, Elimination Chamber Match [vacant]: Triple H vs. Randy Orton vs. Batista vs. Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit vs. Edge; Guest Referee: Shawn Michaels (New Year’s Revolution 2005)
This was where the crowd really voiced their support of Batista. Up in there with his fellow Evolution-mate Triple H the question on everyone’s mind was whether or not Batista would take his shot at the gold or merely help Triple H regain the title. Along the way his monster push continued as he eliminated the two Canadian Chrises. While Batista did in fact help Triple H the actions were not mutual as Triple H was in no hurry to help save Batista from a pin by Randy Orton.
My Grade: A-
2005 Royal Rumble Match (Royal Rumble 2005)
This Royal Rumble seemed particularly stacked with main eventers and with the “West Coast Rumble” theme and a WrestleMania-caliber undercard this match seemed even more special than normal. This was Batista’s true coming out party, letting the fans know that “Yes, we heard you.” This Rumble often gets overlooked by other great ones like the 1992 and 2004 Rumbles, but this one had it’s fair share of moments. The ending sequence between Batista and John Cena was classic and firmly established Batista as the man on the way to WrestleMania.
My Grade: A-
World Heavyweight Title Match: Triple H© vs. Batista (WrestleMania 21)
And here is the payoff to the Batista build. A lot of people knock this match because it was a rather predictable ending to the storyline, but you can’t hold it against the match. I think Batista surprised a lot of people with how well he hung in there with Triple H, even if this wasn’t a classic match. In the end even if it was predictable it definitely had went in the right direction and was a decent enough match for Batista’s big moment.
My Grade: C+
World Heavyweight Title Match: Batista© vs. Triple H (Backlash 2005)
The rematch from WrestleMania took place just one month later and it was a much better effort. Perhaps Batista wasn’t as nervous, or maybe it’s because they got to work with one another at house shows after WrestleMania but this match was significantly better than their WrestleMania match. This match probably did a better job at establishing Batista as a top guy than their first match did, and proved to all the doubters that Batista could indeed improve as he went along.
My Grade: B-
World Heavyweight Title, Hell in a Cell Match: Batista© vs. Triple H (Vengeance 2005)
And now for Round 3. This was not only a phenomenal match, but I dare say it is one of the best Hell in a Cell Matches I’ve ever seen. This was my third best WWE Match of 2005 and it sure could have been up there with others. Batista really showed a lot in there, and even though people now attribute his success to Triple H. Batista seems to excel in such a hardcore environment, and boy did he ever excel here.
My Grade: A+
That finishes week one of the Batista Report Card. Next week we take a look at Batista following his jump to SmackDown. As always I’ll take your thoughts to my grades and any grades of your own.
A Reason For Bullet Points
Andy! Andy! At Last You Have Some Feedback!
Robert George asks about The King’s commentary:
hey man sup, my names robert and I was hoping that since you watched the Rumble, I hope you caught something Jerry Lawler said before Shawn and Undertaker went at it.
JBL said, “how long has it been since we have seen this?” and to my surprise, Lawler said, “I don’t know if I have ever seen this!!” Kinda funny how he would say something like that wen he was on commentary during the 1998 rumble and he called the casket match with Jim Ross when Shawn and Taker went at it.
I did hear that and I think Lawler was just getting caught up in the moment. I believe King even called the Hell in a Cell Match so he probably should have remembered. Then again this is the same guy that never remembers the stipulation to practically any gimmick match. Good catch though.
Thebull315 shares his/her thoughts on WrestleMania:
I like your WrestleMania predictions. Here’s my card:
World Title Match-Streak vs. Title= Batista vs. the Undertaker
WWE Title= John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels
Edge vs. Randy Orton ( I am not positive whether this will develop in time for Mania or whether they will be involved in the title match)
Umaga vs. Mick Foley (this could be set-up in March when Foley wants to hype up his new autobiography)
US Title: Chris Benoit vs. Booker T
6-Man Money in the Bank Over-the-Top Elimination Match: Carlito vs. Kenny Dykstra vs. Kennedy vs MVP vs. Kane vs. Ric Flair
TLC Tag Title: Hardyz- London/Kendrick- MNM- Taylor/Regal
Tag Title= WGTT- Cryme Tyme
Hulk Hogan w/Trump vs. Shane McMahon w/Vince (have Vince bring Khali out mid-match; he is then bodyslammed by Hogan ala WM3)
ECW Title= Lashley vs. RVD vs. Holly
8-Man Tag= New Breed(Burke, Test, Corvon, Striker) vs. Originals (Sandman, Balls, Sabu, Dreamer)
Womens Title= Mickie James vs. Melina vs. Victoria special guest ref: Ashley
Grudge Match(perhaps with a stipulation):Chavo Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio
That’s a decent card, but apparently we won’t be seeing the TLc Match. I’m also quite surprised that Rey won’t be back in time for Mania, but according to JR we won’t see him until the summer. Good job finding something for Ashley to do since she has the Playboy coming out, but I’m not so sure about having Victoria also in the match.
Samer takes issue with my booking:
I hate to be one of the smartasses who just want to disagree for the sake of disagreeing, but i don’t agree with u predictions at all…
1-Batista vs Taker: well i believe ur correct on that one, it seems pretty obvious, and they’ve been building it up for weeks..
2- Fatal 4 way.. I think it will be HBK vs Cena.. i too wanted edge to be in the main event but it looks like it’s going to be Edge vs Orton..
3-NO.1 Contender extreme battle royal?!! U mean that wrestlemania will come and the man who will be facing lashley would still be unknown? c’mon! I mean Vince already pissed on ECW but this would be the killer blow! It’s
Wrestlemania! and this is a title match! he least they will do is have a champion, a challanger and a proper build up! And since RVD and CM Punk
are in the doghouse, then it would unfortunatly be Lashley vs Holly.. Well who gives a shit about ECW anymore?
4-Hogan vs Khali.. While u might be right with this one, i find what u wrote highly weird..
“I don’t care if Hogan-Shane will be a better match, this is the match I want to see. Twenty years after Hogan-Andre this match needs to be
Hogan against a giant, and Khali has looked at least dominating in recent weeks”I don’t care if Hogan vs Shane will be a better match? Dude that’s the biggest PPV of the year, it’s all about good matches! and why on earth
would u like to see hogan vs a giant again? It isn’t the 80’s! Hell we’ve seen Cena FU’ing the Big show, and we’ve seen Lesnar giving him the F-5, a
belly to belly, and A FUCKING SUPERPLEX! Why on earth would Hogan bodyslaming a giant be that impressive now? Plus the match would seriously SUCK BALLS!
5-Foley & Flair vs MNM: while a really like the Idea, again i don’t think it will happen.. Though i hope it does.. We might get to see a Foley vs
Nitro match which would be cool anyway… But on smackdown it seemed that the Hardy-MNM feud isn’t over, after mercury interfeered in matt’s match..
I would like to see them in some kind of a TLC with the TWGTT for the titles..
6-Money in the Bank.. well if they won’t do a TLC then i’m quite sure they’ll do a MITB.. And yes i agree that in case it happens kennedy
will probably end up being a winner.. Though i feel he deserves more at Wrestlemania.. Like a feud with benoit for example.. It will improve
even further his in ring skills.. And set him up to be THE star of 2007…
7-Mickie James vs Melina.. Well i don’t care about the women’s division but this might happen..
8-Benoit vs Booker vs Finlay.. OH god i hope so.. Again i find it unlikely, as booker is in a feud with Kane right now, and i doubt that the feud
will end at No way Out..
9-Umaga vs The Boogeyman.. mmm what’s the point of this match?
10-Rey vs Chavo.. Rey won’t be coming back til June.. and how could be for the CW title?
11-Kane vs MVP.. Having vickie in his corner will make MVP more dangerous? why does she have a gun?
12-kendrick and London are in a Dark match? u have arguably the best Tag team in the WWE, who happen to be the TT champions, in a dark match at
wrestlemania? why i feel it’s not such a good idea?
13-Masters vs Scotty.. mmm who cares?
You have some good points here, so let me defend myself. In all honesty I just didn’t know where the hell they would go with the ECW main event so I kind of copped out with the Battle Royal. As for Hogan-Khali, it doesn’t have to be a technical classic to be great. WrestleMania is about moments just as much as matches and this would provide WrestleMania moments. It seems to be a moot point now, though. MVP would be “more dangerous” with Vicky Guerrero because she has guided men to championships. Just play the match in your head and listen to JBL’s commentary and it’ll all make sense. I’ve already noted that I was incorrect in Rey’s return date, and the match would have been for the Cruiserweight Title because he would have beaten Gregory Helms prior to Mania.
Adrian Ramos actually liked my card:
have to hand it to you Andy, you have done an excellent job at booking the Wrestlemania 23 card. I have to say that most matches seem real and I truly by all means believe that the WWE should take notice pay you 100 bucks and book our card on the grandest stage of them all. You actually got me excited just thinking of the possibilities of each man taking place. This truly makes matters more interesting because if it’s not the way you booked it (which it won’t be) then now I feel like the card might suck. But who cares right? It’s Wrestlemania we will ALL order it, marks or not. Take care Andy, keep up the excellent writing and let’s all hope that WM 23 at the least resembles your card.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the picks. It’s funny, a week later and I’ve already changed my mind on most of them and I’m still stoked! I love WrestleMania and there are just so many routes they can go. Enjoy the show, dude!
Sean Obrien has his own thoughts:
Heavyweight Title: Batista vs Taker
The apparent main event as of now. Vince’s hardon for big men matches seems to continue. Nevermind tht Dave cant wrestle, has no charisma and lost all his heat from 2005. But your prediction here is solid.
Fatal Fourway for WWE Title
An option, although triple threats and fatal fourways have really cluttered the WM main events in the past 5 years and the probability of one being good or classic is low. Granted, Cena HBK and Edge are good in triple threats, but a fatal fourway might be a lil different. Orton might try and get all three in rest holds. I was actually hoping Edge/HBk for the belt at Mania, but it looks as though they’ll go Edge/Orton. A Cena/Orton match would work as well as they have dreamt of that since 2004. Your prediction here makes sense, I just wouldnt have that as my first option.
ECW No.1 Contender’s Match – ECW barely entertains me anymore- only if Lashley were heel id care.
ECW World Title: Lashley vs TBD- I would go with Marcus here…it would not be too soon for him to win the belt, i mean lashley was and is still very green and he’s still ecw champ. hardcore holly against lesnar a few yrs back for a heavyweight title at the rumble is one thing, a main event at WM? Never. RVD makes sense against Lashley as long as Lashley would be a bonified heel by then, bc another face vs face match would not work.
Hogan and Khali- I don’t care what anyone says about Hogan’s drawing power. He’s old, overrated and overpaid. The man is smart for capitalizing on this when eh can- but even Jordan knew when to hang it up after he tarnished his legacy in Washington. Or even if Hogan wants to wreslte in 2007- put someone over damnit. (His win over Orton at SS still perplexes me as a 52 year old man who hurts his kneee getting up from a couch can still beat a 25 year old in his physical prime) Khali is a giant oaf who is only good as an enforcer or in spots ( gettin Fud maybe) This matgch would be based on the two egos of Trump and Vince, and there would be money made. I am just not for it. This prediction is okay though.
Foley and Flair vs MNM- would be a great match indeed although id go for hardyz/mnm hich has been booked to shits. mnm shoulda won at the rumble and done an injury angle to matt and set upa blood feud blow off at mania in a TLC tag title match. This prediction is shaky, although storyline wise its plausible.
MITB: Who knows whot he exact participants will be , although I am firmly for Kennedy winning it and would be surprised if he does not. Carlito should be involved as he was snubbed last year to be in a tag match with masters.
womens titties ( i mean title) melina and mickie
good prediction here, although a triple threat with victoria could work as well.
US title- finlay/booker/benoit
any of these men could be world champions right now. dave as a champ sickens me as he truly does not deserve it and havin it since survivor series is ridiculous. this match could easily put the US belt on the map in terms of real credibility. good prediction, great match
rey/chavo
boring. im sick of chavo as a heel- why would he be a heel if hes the last remaining guerrerro in the wwe? WHY? only payoff is a technically sound match with great spots thrown in.
kane vs mvp
could work as a filler, both men seem to work well together and on the biggest stage of them all could be decent.
tag title match:
not likely too happen. Id rather see hardyz/mnm or hardyz/wgtt. at the moment having the belts on cena/hbk DOES NOTHING. they r not credibe at all as a true tag team has not held them in about a year. (show/kane, SS, edge/orton)
While I widely disagree with you on practically everything you said, you’re certainly welcome to your own opinion. Thanks for the e-mail!
Brian Binkowski keeps the Mania responses coming:
Andy Clark–
I have to admit that I was impressed by your long-range WM predictions– there’s no way anyone could have predicted things such as Angle’s defection, Triple H’s injury, etc. However, I disagree with some of your most recent predictions. Here’s my take on what will (or should) happen:
Thanks for your time–
Brian from Boston
***
Cena (c) vs. Michaels vs. Edge
I can’t see another face vs. face match with Batista/Taker already on the card, so Cena and Michaels won’t face each other. Besides, that would leave Edge and Orton with no strong face opponents left, and I don’t see them turning on each other– who would be the face?. This match repays Edge for getting screwed out of last year’s main event, and gets Cena and Michaels to face off as well. Then Orton competes in MITB3 and wins it (just like Edge did) and starts a program with Cena (maybe even at the very end of WM because he’s pissed he wasn’t included in the main event).
Batista vs. Undertaker
I think Taker wins the belt one last time, which is completely unnecessary for Taker and also really hurts Batista. Therefore I have no idea what good comes out of this match. Anyway, I predict Kennedy-ference in this one since he feuded with both men for the past six months.
Hogan vs. Khali
This will be unspeakably bad.
Mr. Kennedy vs. Chris Benoit (c)
This gives Kennedy more credibility as a future main-eventer by defeating Benoit at WM. I could also see Mr. Kennedy entering and winning MITB3. In that case, Benoit would probably face MVP for the U.S. Title.
London & Kendrick (c) vs. The Hardys vs. MNM vs. World’s Greatest Tag Team
I’d replace one of the teams so we don’t have an exact rematch of Armageddon, and get more athletic workers involved. Because of MITB3, this might not be a ladder match (unless they give MITB3 a new stipulation, such as a steel cage.)
Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Rob Van Dam vs. CM Punk
This should be a 3-Way Dance for the championship. Adding Punk makes it a fresh matchup, as well as increases the match quality. I could also see either Test or Cor Van being added to make it a Fatal 4-Way. Either way, I think RVD wins.
King Booker vs. Finlay
This match resolves their year-long uneasy alliance. Add the stipulation of the Crown on the Line. I could also see Benoit and/or Regal being involved to this match.
Carlito vs. Kenny Dykstra (for the IC Title)
I can’t predict which one of them will have the title going into the match, maybe neither. This would be a great stepping stone for Kenny, and Carlito seems to be in a free fall.
Gregory Helms (c) vs. Daivari vs. Chavo Guerrero vs. Super Crazy
This is an Open Invitational for the cruiser weight title.
MITB3: Randy Orton (Raw) vs. Umaga (Raw) vs. Kane (SD!) vs. Kennedy or MVP (SD!) vs. Sabu or CM Punk (ECW) vs. Test or Cor Von (ECW)
Kane and Umaga eliminate each other. Sabu is in this match just to do the insane ladder spot. That still leaves us with a compelling match. What makes this MITB match different (and better) than years past is that there are 3 or 4 legitimate title contenders who could win. In the end, either Orton wins or Kennedy if he is in this match. I know he’s a sentimental favorite, but I just can’t see Flair in this match again after last year. In fact, Kane would be the only MITB veteran in this match.
Victoria vs. Mickie James (c)
Please let this be on the pre-show.
This card might not have the one or two huge marquee matches at the top, but I think it would be a very solid Wrestlemania card (except for that Hogan/Khali nonsense).
Not a bad card at all. I’m not so sure the Cruiserweight Title Match would actually make the show, though. Nice job!
Richard Teasdale has some thoughts on Mania and the titles:
Good column this week. I wanted to chime in on some of your Wrestlemania predictions.
WWE Title, Fatal Four-Way Match: John Cena© vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton
I don’t see this being the match that will take place at ‘Mania. I do see Cena vs. Michaels for the title, but I’m thinking we’re heading to Edge vs. Orton in a grudge match. On RAW this past week, Orton seemed to be making a half-turn toward face. It seemed clear from the beginning of Rated RKO that there would eventually be trouble in paradise. Their loss of the tag team titles will definitely contribute to this. I want to see this match much more than Cena vs Orton anyway. Edge will walk away the winner to retain his undefeated streak, of course.
Interpromotional, Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Jeff Hardy vs. Kenny Dykstra vs. Matt Hardy vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. CM Punk vs. Elijah Burke
I know you mentioned that the fan-friendly MNM/Hardyz TLC match won’t happen if they run another Money In The Bank this year. And while I agree, I still think that MNM/Hardyz is headed to a climax at Wrestlemania. It’s been one of the most exciting feuds of the year and to blow it off before then just seems like a bit of a disappointment. So, I say, if they do MITB at ‘Mania, then Hardyz/MNM won’t be a ladder match. If they do the TLC match, then I’m guessing no Money In The Bank this year. And while I think it’s a great match, it seems that the past two years have worked the MTB pretty hard, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they skipped it this year.
United States Title, Triple Threa Match: Chris Benoit vs. King Booker vs. Finlay
I’m going to have to disagree here as well. At least in part. I DO think that Finlay/Benoit for the US Title could happen. No, I don’t think King Booker will be involved. I’ll explain in a minute.
Interpromotional Match: Umaga vs. The Boogeyman
Nah! This match would suck, for one. And two, I think it’s highley possible that Boogeyman and Finlay could continue their fued through Wrestlemania. In fact, it’s highley likely that we could be looking at Benoit vs Finlay vs Boogeyman for the US Title. I mean, Boogeyman is undefeated. It might be time to push him towards a title. Should he hold it long? No.
Cruiserweight Title Match: Rey Mysterio© vs. Chavo Guerrero
No… Rey’s not coming back to Smackdown. And Chavo’s been elevated past the Cruiserweight Title these days. If there is a Cruiserweight match, it will very likely be your usual Cruiserweight Invitational-type match. Let’s face it. While Helms has brought some prestige to the CW title by holding it so long, by doing nothing to promote it has pretty much let that prestige gather moss.
Kane vs. MVP (w/ Vicky Guerrero)
This won’t happen and I’ll tell you why. First, I’m pretty sure that their building to Kane vs King Booker for Wrestlemania. Second, Kane/MVP is done. Overdone… really. Though I do see your point about Vicky managing MVP. Which might actually lead to MVP vs Benoit for the US Title, leaving Boogeyman vs Finlay to themselves.
The rest of your predictions make some sense though.
Anyway, there’s some food for thought. And while I’m at it, I’d like to voice an idea that I had recently.
I think it’s pretty clear by now that RAW and Smackdown can’t support the titles that they have. On RAW we have the Women’s title, currently back to being promoted, while the World Tag Team titles just get thrown on anybody to progress some other storyline. Over on Smackdown we have the WWE Tag Titles getting quite a bit of attention while the Cruiserweight title is crashing and burning. Both brands have one too many titles. And then we have ECW with just one single title. So my thought is this: Unite the WWE and World Tag Team Titles on Smackdown. Then have the Cruiserweight champion jump to ECW. Now we have each brand with its own specialty division. Smackdown has Tag, RAW has Women and ECW has Cruiserweights. It makes sense and Smackdown and RAW don’t have to let one of their divisions become a joke while they push they other. What do you think?
Well, have a great week.
You have some good thoughts on Mania there. Since we’re getting the Ladder Match at No Way Out I wouldn’t be surprised to see MNM and the Hardys meet in a Steel Cage at Mania. As for your thoughts on the titles, while I don’t mind unifying the tag titles (something I was once very much against), I don’ think your ideas would work. The Cruiserweights are an important part of the tag team division and I’d hate to have great teams like London & Kendrick be kept out of tag team competition to help support a dead division. Good intentions, though, so it’s all good.
My boy Justin Swift writes in with his Mania thoughts:
Wow Andy!
that foley/flair vs MNM match would be sooo awesome!!!! I totally forgot that mnm interrupted flair!
i really liked the card but i do not understand why everyone hates on hardcore *bobcore* holly…i have to admit i actually am a fan of his and hope he’s in the ECW main event… because i truthfully believe since he has been with the company so long…he’s more than paid his dues
forgive my memory lapse, but are you and the guys goin to mania? i know me and my buddies are pretty stoked about the trip!
and the offer still stands to come say hello and shoot the breeze.
hit me back when you can!
Sorry I haven’t had the chance to get back to you, but hopefully you’re reading this week! A lot of people are down on Holly for his reputation of being a bully. Personally I still hate what went down with Matt Cappotelli on Tough Enough, but that’s not a real reflection of his talent. I think Holly has gained some perpetual credibility following the RVD match this past summer as he finished the match with that gash. I don’t have a problem with Holly getting a main event push in ECW, and who knows, maybe we’ll see Bobcore as a World Champion in the near future. Unfortunately I won’t be heading to Detroit this year, but I’m still stoked about the show. Surprisingly enough I’m not going through withdrawls (yet anyhow), but I have some very high hopes for this year’s show. Enjoy it, man!
And now for something a little different. Last week we saw the last contribution of Andy Critchell to 500 Good Words. This week I would like to introduce another 411 Forum legend, “The Marquis,” known by his human name of Matt Adamson. I am very pleased to welcome Matt to The Shimmy and look forward to seeing what he has to offer. Please treat him write and be sure to send the dude some feedback!
500 Good Words w/ Matt Adamson
The WWE brand extension is a touchy subject to many wrestling fans these days. It represents what many believe to be something new, something that had never been done before, and it gives wrestling fans a heck of a lot more wrestling to watch. But is it still a good idea now that the lines of exclusiveness have been blurred?
In 2006 we were introduced to the new ECW. At the second annual One Night Stand Pay Per View, we were treated to a show that stretched the boundaries of the brand extension. The World Heavyweight Champion from the Raw brand went up against the top ECW guy, the champion from Smackdown wrestled another ECW “extremist” and there were other cross brand matches on that show. While we had seen cross brand matches and angles in the past, we had not seen so many at one time. People became confused about the validity and exclusiveness of the brand extension. With No Way Out coming up and in what used to be a rare event, we will see a cross brand main event on a brand only PPV. This is something that had not happened often prior to the above mentioned One Night Stand Pay Per View. Since June of 2006 and the return of ECW we have had only one truly brand only Pay Per View, No Mercy.
So, is the brand extension still a good idea? I believe it is. The idea implemented in the brand extension is nothing new, in fact, prior to the 1990’s, the basic principle behind the brand extension was the normal way for professional wrestling to operate. The National Wrestling Alliance was the promotion, and it’s territories were the brands. Besides the glaring differences in that the brands were territorial and that there was one champion that represented the entire promotion, the same principles apply to how the WWE is running the brand extension right now.
In the 1970’s and 1980’s, where the territories had a slew of wrestlers who would only wrestle in their territory, they would also bring in the top guys from other territories. You’d see The Von Erich’s, who were the top guys from Dallas’ World Class Championship Wrestling wrestle matches in Houston, Memphis, and Florida. You’d see the Funk’s, who were the top guys in Amarillo, wrestle for Georgia, Mid-Atlantic, and St. Louis. Harley Race of Kansas City, and Ric Flair from Mid-Atlantic would wrestle elsewhere. The top guys from Portland would wrestle in Stampede, and the top guys from Mid-Atlantic would wrestle in Georgia. These were the top guys the NWA had, and they used them to their fullest potential. It drew viewers and money to the other territories and most importantly, it provided the fans of that territory with fresh matches and faces to watch.
This is precisely why I feel the brand extension is a great idea and why it has gotten better and more interesting since they began using the principles I mentioned above regarding what the NWA had done. Shawn Michaels and John Cena vs. Batista and The Undertaker would be very similar to Harley Race and Pat O’Connor vs. Terry Funk and Dory Funk Jr. in the 1970’s or Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat vs. David and Kerry Von Erich in the early 1980’s. It’s a fresh matchup with four top talents in todays wrestling world, and frankly I’m looking forward to it.
Thanks to Andy Clark for having me contribute as a regular guest in The Shimmy, it is a great opportunity. Thanks to Andy Critchell for his help in getting me this opportunity.
Questions, comments, or if you have anything you want me to write about, I specialize in the “old school”, drop me a line at [email protected].
The Shimmy Likes It…Cute and Fluffy!
Yep, no Raw tonight folks. Sure, there is “This is TNA” tonight, but I’ve seen almost all those matches already. I plan on actually watching the dog show, hopefully some frilly poodle won’t win this year. 24 is also two hours tonight which will keep me away from the TNA special as well. Hopefully they’ll save Angle-Joe I for the end of the show (which if they run the matches chronologically it should be) as that’s the one match of the pack I haven’t seen. In any case this Monday should be a busy night (especially with a test in Cities Outside of the United States [yawwwwn] tomorrow). Whatever you watch be sure to enjoy it, and countdown the days to the best weekend of the year!
As always, don’t die. Clark…out.
