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I have more of a statement than a question. Just saw a TNA Impact commercial during Monday Night Raw! One word? Brilliant? Thoughts?
It is a smart move, but it isn't anything
new. Because local cable companies often sell their own ads, it allows
promotions to purchase spots during Raw and other wrestling broadcasts.
ECW did this, and WWF and WCW would buy house show ads during Raw and
Nitro. Indy promotions have done it as well, and it simply makes
sense. You want to reach wrestling fans, well, you know what they are
watching on Monday nights!
With the card for Wrestlemania taking shape, the title matches are, a heel champion being booked weak, who has just been able to hold on to his title, where the fans want the challenger to win, and humble the champion, Ala Mike Mizanin and John Cena on Raw. And on the other side, you have the apparently unstoppable heel that is "destined" to beat the fan
favorite, as currently seen on Smackdown with Edge and Del Rio. These have been the basic match formats for wrestling seemingly since entertainment became the focal point many years before my time. So, which of these do you personally prefer in general? And, in terms of this Wrestlemania, who out of the four above, do you see benefiting the most from the event?
Well, the Cena-Miz match has the added factor of The Rock, and obviously that brings a lot more attention to the match. I tend to be a traditionalist, so I personally prefer the straight ahead heel vs. face dynamic of Alberto and Edge. However, the Rock-Cena-Miz storyline is going to bring in a lot more buys. As for who will benefit the most from Wrestlemania, that will depend on how it is booked, but I would say Alberto and Miz have the most to gain from the show. A big performance by either man will bring them to the "next level" in the eyes of the fans.
Dolph Ziggler has been selling the fired angle by tweeting references of TNA and ROH. Would it help to sell the angle, and a show of good will, for WWE to actually allow Dolph to work a show or two for ROH? Could you see Vince helping ROH in someway similar to what he did with ECW? He's obviously aware of the company and their talent. Could you see a scenario that would be mutually beneficial?
Obviously, Ziggler has since been brought onto Raw, so it won't happen, but it is an interesting idea. However, there are positives and negatives. For example, ROH gets the surprise and attention of having Dolph on their show, but if Dolph enjoys working with certain talent and he tells WWE about them, you could see more ROH stars being offered WWE deals, depleting their roster. WWE gets their "fired" storyline over more, but it also shines the spotlight on another company, something they don't often do.
With Kevin Nash back and Booker T....now The Rock. Does this have anything to do with HHH being in the office now?
I don't believe so. I think it was just WWE
looking to bring in some surprises for the Royal Rumble, and in the case of The
Rock, they've wanted him to come back pretty much since he left.
We can all agree that the Michael Cole character is over the top annoying and is more about "X-Pac heat" at this point then anything, but can't we also agree that there is a bright side to his character in that it has meant Josh Matthews is going much more opportunity to shine.
I have been a big fan of his since Tough Enough, the "kid" has the young look that Vince wants, the knowledge and ability to call a great match. he reminds me of Joey Styles a bit with his excitement for the actual match going on,
I have loved having him more involved. Thoughts?
I will agree with that. I think Josh Mathews has done a great job in the expanded role he has gotten, and with Cole becoming more of a heel color commentator, Josh has assumed the role of play-by-play man. He's been working at his craft for years now, has a real passion for the business and if it was my decision, Josh would be the play-by-play man for years to come. He does a great job calling matches and getting storylines over to the audience, which is what he should be doing.
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