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RETURN OF THE AMERICAN BADASS?, SHANE MCMAHON'S POST-WWE PLANS, THE NIGHT BROCK AND SHOW DESTROYED THE RING AND MORE

By Mike Johnson on 2010-03-02 10:00:00
Do you see the WWE ever revamping the Undertaker's persona again like they did in 2000 with the "American Bad Ass" biker, or do you think he will ride out the Deadman character until he retires?

My gut feeling is we'll be seeing the "Dead Man" until he finally opts out of the ring.

Just re-watched the Brock Lesnar/Big Show match from Smackdown when the ring "broke" after a superplex on WWE 24/7.  That really was so well done.  The place erupted and it looked perfect.  Do you have any idea how they pulled that off?  I've been trying to figure it out, and find it hard to believe that they could say pull a cord at the last second while they are on the ropes and it pulls whatever screws etc. are holding the ring apart.  They were bumping all over the ring before that last spot, and its amazing they pulled it off so well.  Just curious if you guys ever found out exactly how that was done?

It was a Terry Taylor idea, inspired by the Taz-Bam Bam Bigelow angle at ECW Living Dangerously '98.  The company had a special ring built from the ground up from a special effects company that they use and the company set the ring to collapse when they went up to the ropes.  I asked and was told it was a three part process that was done via remote control.

I was just wondering that with the 1st of 2010 coming and going, if there's been any word on what Shane McMahon's been up to since leaving his post with the WWE. Thanks, keep up the good work. 

McMahon had a meeting with UFC and has looked into launching a production company but for the most part, has spent time enjoying his family and vacationing.  He's kept very quiet on potential plans, to the point his closest friends have no real idea.

Recently, I watched some WWE Classics OnDemand matches as well as the new TNA Epics show and a few things really stuck out to me.  First, which I'll just mention quickly, WWE was so much better in the early-to-mid 2000s than it is now.  I don't even think it is comparable.  My bigger bone to pick has to do with one person..  Earl Hebner..   This guy seemingly reffed every big match for a long time in the WWE and his bogus "long 2 count" is awful.  Is it too hard to ask a ref to have a uniform count?  I can't tell you how many times recently I've seen big matches with big spots that turn into near falls and he does his ridiculous 2-count sprawl before the guy kicks out! It blatantly gives everything away.  How did he end up being the "senior" referee in charge of so many big matches with such a ridiculous, suspense-killing fault like that?

I actually disagree with you on Hebner, in that I think the way he dramatically slow counts during major bouts added to the drama, but that's all subjective.  As for how he ended up "head referee", he's well tenured and has been around for decades.

What has been the reaction throughout the entire wrestling community including WWE and TNA of the incredible devastation in Haiti? Any offers of aid or donations from them? Is Kofi Kingston from Haiti or the Domincan Republic? Are there any current wrestlers, male or female, from Haiti? Any thought of WWE and TNA displaying ways for people to donate funds to aid the Red Cross and other organizations on their respected programs such as Raw, Smackdown & Impact? Godspeed to the people of Haiti.

Kofi Kingston was born in Ghana, West Africa but was raised in the Boston, MA area.  WWE and TNA have both done a lot of fundraising for Haiti via their websites, TV and live events.  If anyone wants to donate themselves, they can visit www.redcross.org.

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