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T.G.I.F. with Matt Dawgs: Stone Cold Stacking Raw, Hart Insurance, What TNA Stands For, Mike Tenay at 4:20, Breaking Down Impact, James Toney Thinks He Can Outwrestle Randy Couture...Seriously, and More
Matt Dawgs Presents: Thank Goodness It's Friday!!!!! Hello all. Welcome back and Happy Friday. Let’s just get right to it. In my previous column on this site titled “Matt Dawgs’ Random Thoughts, Opinions, Questions and Observations”, I wrote exactly what the title says I wrote. While this column will definitely hit you with that from time to time, I am also going just basically switch up the formula a bit with my random thoughts from each wrestling PROMOTION this week. Of course I will also throw in some thoughts on real world news, sports, entertainment and gossip. Please feel free to provide any thoughts or feedback on the new format. Enjoy. RATINGS :
There is nothing else to really say about those numbers. I think they speak for themselves. 1) WWE News and Notes - The Monday Night Wars: Part 2, Take 2 started again this week and…..well let’s just get into it with WWE first……. - Why in the world was Randy Orton vs. Legacy given away for free, on TV when chances are, we are going to get it again at Wrestlemania? That is just dumb. Orton couldn’t be any less interested in being a babyface and it shows. It was a good match and a long one so why would people pay to see it again? That is hypothetical by the way because I know no one is ordering Mania to see this match specifically so no need to answer it. - I completely dug the whole Vince McMahon vs. John Cena segment and the build for Cena vs. Batista. - I repeat, Batista = AWESOME. The visual of him standing under the spotlight over Cena’s lifeless body was one of the best endings of a RAW in a long time and I am sure that clip will be utilized for years to come. - I didn’t “get” Criss Angel. He served no purpose of being on the show and unless I fast forwarded through it, I didn’t even catch what he was plugging. BTW, David Blaine is a better magician than Angel. Magician of the Century my ass. - Next week is “Wrestlemania Rewind” week with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin as guest host. We have the following Mania “rematches”:
- WOW. Talking about stacking a card huh? Those are PPV quality matches. Do you know what TNA announced ahead of time for next week? Yep, me neither. - Michaels vs. Taker at Mania is now No DQ and No Count outs. Only way to lose is pin fall or submission. This is a great way to help Taker and Shawn wrestle a completely different match than last year, - We also have the contract signing with Bret “Hitman” Hart and Vince McMahon hosted by Steve Austin. My bet is that either they sign and Bret reveals that the whole car accident was a work in order to get his match with Vince or that Steve Austin will be the special referee at Mania. I also expect Austin to announce that Stu Hart will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. - While on the subject of Hart, Eric Bischoff said that Bret Hart has a Lloyd’s of London policy limiting the physical activity he can do in the ring. According to Bryan Alvarez , this may in fact be true. Per one of his sources, WWE found out about this policy MINUTES before they went on the air on January 4th (Bret’s return) and Stephanie McMahon was frantic. That is also the reason why for a few weeks since then, it appeared like they were teasing Bret/Cena vs. Vince/Batista. Now that they have gone back with Bret/Vince, WWE may have either “made the problem go away” or they came to some sort of agreement. - So glad the Hart Dynasty is getting over BIG TIME with Bret Hart being around. Just watch tonight’s Smackdown to see for yourself!!!! - WWE has decided to change the MITB format to have 10 men in it. While I do think 10 is pushing it, I also think that the talent in it will make the match worth watching. Especially since it is more than likely the last MITB at Wrestlemania. - By the way, during the Hall of Fame ceremony in Phoenix this year, WWE will be having a “Fan Axcess” event at the same time. Scheduled to be at the event? Tyson Kidd. So Tyson will not be able to watch Stu Hart get inducted to the HOF. Nice huh? - Speaking of the Hall of Fame, there is talk that the Ultimate Warrior may be back on again as he was added to the opening WWE package which is note worthy since he has not been in the opening package at all since it’s inception in 2005. That is a big deal. Also, HHH in his promo with Sheamus mentioned Warrior without using his name as he referenced one of his Mania Moments to Sheamus. - Surprise, surprise. Rob Van Dam was removed from the WWE Alumni page and his WWE Universe Blog has been removed as well. - Congratulations to Triple H and his wife, Stephanie McMahon-Levesque who are expecting their third child together. - Also congrats go out to Shane McMahon and Marissa Mazola-McMahon who just had their third child who is Shane’s third son. - Melina is still out of action due to ACL surgery. She wrote on her Twitter that she is due back in July which means they will probably hold her off until Summerslam. - Not sure what this means exactly but on WWE.COM , the classic moment of the week was the debut of Randy "Macho Man" Savage - WWE is working on a new Undertaker DVD set titled “The Undertaker’s Most Dangerous Matches” set to be released in June. It is basically all of Taker’s best gimmick matches. Hell in the Cell, Casket matches, Boiler Room brawls, etc. - WWE has opened up discussions/negotiations with Bill Goldberg. Not to come back as a wrestler as they realize that at 43 years old, he doesn’t want to do it and won’t be a “main event level” talent from an in ring perspective. The main reason they are talking is because they want to sign him to some sort of Legends Deal with the idea that he can headline the Hall of Fame next year from his hometown of Atlanta Georgia. - Interesting tidbit. Jesse Ventura was discussing Hulk Hogan in a recent interview. He said that when he was in his discovery lawsuit against WWE a few years back, he found out that Hulk Hogan, for Wrestlemania III, made more money on that show THAN EVERYONE ELSE ON THE SHOW COMBINED. WOW. - Former WWE Diva Maria launched her new website. Find it HERE . She also stars in the Celebrity Apprentice this coming Sunday on NBC. RAW GUEST HOSTS :
WWE 2010 HALL OF FAME CLASS :
2) WRESTLEMANIA 26 LINE-UP (March 28, 2010):
3) TNA News and Notes - TNA = Totally Nitro Again - Jesus H. Christ, that was a clusterf*ck. Heading into the show, I was already leery of it because for the “restart” of the Monday Night Wars, this show seemed like it was built less than the January 4th Show. In an effort of full disclosure, I was upset at a lot of decisions being made by talents. Mainly, Jeff Hardy and Rob Van Dam. While I completely understand why they signed with TNA (quality of life, less schedule, etc), my main sticking point is that they could absolutely be BIGGER stars in WWE. Instead, they are going to get lost in the shuffle once the novelty of their debuts/return wear off. - And for those hoping that Jeff Hardy is working without a contract, only signed a short term deal or going to come back to WWE, According to PWInsider.com , Jeff signed a deal for 100 dates over 12 months. He isn’t going anywhere (except maybe prison) anytime soon. - Sting heel turn? I’m 50/50 on this. It’s been done before but if they stick with it and Sting stays heel without being a tweener or turning face, it has potential. Especially if he plays “bad-ass” Sting like he did on Monday. - Taz to Tenay after Dixie Carter announced that Sting will fight a random opponent tonight: "I wonder what you were doing at 4:20 this afternoon, Tenay?". UNF’NBELIEVEAVBLE!!! That was as subtle as a sledgehammer Taz. - So anyway, even though Taz gave away the surprise, Sting being squashed in 12 seconds by Rob Van Dam was a WOW moment. Absolutely did not see that coming and it was a shockingly good debut. You couldn’t have had a bigger impact (no pun intended) for RVD’s debut than that……… - ………and then in the 2 minutes that followed his BIG win, his debut was undercut and he was BURIED DEAD by incompetent writing/booking. I am absolutely at a loss as to why ANYONE would have thought that was a good booked debut and good angle to push RVD. This is the EXACT reason why I am upset he signed with TNA. This would have never have happened in WWE. - Anyone explain why Brooke Hogan got more television time then Hernandez, Matt Morgan, Homicide, Samoa Joe, The Motor City Machine Guns, Team 3D, etc? Anyone? - It’s really sad to see Hogan in the shape that he is in. He was so immobile out there trying to wrestle. Flair was almost as sad. While Flair can still go at a hundred miles an hour, he just physically looks like someone’s grandfather out there. - Flair wanted to come back to do THIS ? - What’s Designation X? Kevin Nash mentioned it in his promo. - Shannon Moore walks in and gets an X-Division title shot. Really? He’s a good hand but when I see Shannon Moore, I do not see “Superstar”. WTF? - I hope that TNA does realize that 5 days from today, Jeff Hardy will be in court and in a few months, could be in jail. Just asking. - Why did Beer Money just get turned heel, for no reason at all? The announcers said it was because they wanted to get noticed and they haven’t been getting TV time with the new regime. Um…excuse me but wasn’t Beer Money on TV last week and aren’t they getting a tag team title shot at the next PPV? - I am definitely all for an alliance with Flair/AJ Styles/Desmond Wolfe and possibly Mr. Anderson. That would be all sorts of bad ass. - Kurt Angle brought a bunch of Army guys with him to Impact; beat up Mr. Anderson, the Army guys beat up Mr. Anderson and then Angle was hoisted on the Army guy’s shoulders holding the American flag. Can someone please tell me why I should care to see this again at the PPV? The babyface already got his revenge. That was a blow off angle. WTF? - Earl Hebner got “suspended” by Hulk Hogan a few weeks back after admitting he took money from Ric Flair and AJ Styles to screw Kurt Angle out of winning AJ’s title. So Earl comes back, begs Hogan to let him referee the main event a match between him and Abyss vs.…..drum roll please………….the same Ric Flair and AJ Styles?????? THEN HOGAN AGREES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not only does he agree but he asks Earl to stop the match if things get out of hand!!! WHAT THE HELL SENSE DOES THAT MAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why would they portray a babyface like this? Booking 101 folks!!!! - Even worse is that everyone (Bischoff, Angle, etc) are constantly running around saying that the success or failure of TNA depends on Hogan and if Hogan is put out then TNA is done. WTF? Why say this? Why portray Hogan as a broken down old man then? This is mind-numbingly dumb!!!!! - Awesome Kong has NOT been officially released yet. They are still sorting things out with her paperwork but all signs are pointing to her being gone as she and Hamada were stripped of the Knockout Tag Team Titles and they were won by the Beautiful People. The Beautiful People will be using the “Freebird” rule when it comes to title defenses meaning any combination of the three can defend the titles. - Angelina Love doesn’t look like she fits in with the Beautiful People anymore. Plus, her rack is WAYYYYYY to BIG . - Let’s see how much his word holds but in a recent interview promoting the Celebrity Apprentice, Bill Goldberg had the following to say about joining TNA. “"Do I see myself getting back in the wrestling ring? I'm 43 years old. Do I want to be Ric Flair? Do I want to be Hulk Hogan? In the twilight of my life, do I want to be running around in my underwear trying to injure people? Absolutely not." - Sting has signed a new contract with TNA and is expected to be used frequently over the next few months. - Al Snow was backstage at TNA this week working in an tryout for an agent position. I’m still completely at a loss as to why WWE let him go. He could have went to FCW to train people or worked as an agent. He is well liked and a good trainer. - SCOTT STEINER was backstage at Impact this week. Hopefully they decide to use him as he is amazing as a psycho heel. He and Ric Flair did manage to find some time alone to discuss their differences and Steiner basically squashed his beef with Flair. On another note, I am surprised that this all happened in the first place considering Steiner worked with Flair LONG AFTER their original WCW beef as part of the “Magnificent 7” group in WCW’s dying days and his feud with Triple H in 2003. - Ken Doane (Kenny Dykstra of WWE fame) received a TNA tryout this week being defeated by Homicide. Doane can work and was sadly never given a good chance in WWE. Then again, many said he had issues with respect. All accounts said the match was good and Doane looked like he can still go. - Also, Spike Dudley is being brought back to the company to be aligned with Team 3D. - Roxxi aka Nikki Roxx is gone from TNA. 4) TNA DESTINATION X PPV LINE-UP (March 21, 2010):
5) ROH/DGUSA/EVOLVE/Independent News and Notes: - Congrats to Eddie Edwards who was crowned the first ever ROH Television champion last weekend in Philadelphia defeating his American Wolves tag team partner Davey Richards via submission. - In what has to be a major coup for ROH support, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin tweeted that “he is a big fan of Ring of Honor wrestling, that they have a ton of real good talent and that the last GREAT match he saw was Samoa Joe vs. Kenta Kobashi from 2005.” That’s an ego boost if I ever heard one. - Contrary to what has been rumored for weeks now, Brent Albright is NOT GONE from ROH as he returned to the company last weekend and won a squash match. - Shawn Davari has joined Prince Nana’s Embassy. You do not know how badly I wish WWE featured managers more. Nana would be GOLD there. - Colt Cabana & El Generico vs. The American Wolves has been added to the ROH Phoenix show. - Hightspots.com has launched a new “On Demand” service online. It is FREE for the entire month of March and you can check it out HERE . - WSU honored Nora “Molly Holly” Greenwald, Dawn Marie and Jazz last week at the 3rd Anniversary show with a special ceremony inducting them into the WSU Hall of Fame. Here is some VIDEO . EVOLE presents “EVOLVE 2” TOMORROW NIGHT in Rahway NJ and the line-up is as follows:
JAPW presents “WILD CARD” on March 20th to Rahway NJ and the line-up is as follows:
6) MMA News and Notes - Marcus “Big Baby” Jones of the last TUF series has been named as the latest un-lockable character in the upcoming UFC Undisputed 2010 game. - So has TUF competitor Brendan Schaub. - Stephan Bonnar has lost his appeal to overturn TKO ruling suffered at the hands of Krzysztof Soszynski at last month's UFC 110 event from the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia. The fight was stopped due to too much blood from Bonnar which was caused by an accidental head but. - James Toney is running around town saying he can and will knock out Randy Couture if they were to fight. He also said that even if Couture tried to take the fight to the ground, the result would be the same. Yes, he seriously said this. - Jens Pulver, probably one of the most respected and well liked fighters in MMA history announced his retirement last weekend after a ref stoppage against Javier Vasquez. The ref stopped it due to Vasquez locking in an armbar and Pulver refusing to tap. - Fedor Emelianenko is expected back for Strikeforce in June or July. - Strikeforce is considering moving their April 17th CBS special to April 24th now that UFC is going to run a free show on Spike. Funny story is that on April 24th, UFC owned WEC is running their first PPV and Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker thought that he’d run on the 17th to not hurt WEC. Now that Dana is running a show, Coker doesn’t want to be nice anymore. - Coker confirmed that Herschel Walker will definitely be fighting for Strikeforce again in 2010. - Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem will be fighting Brett Rogers in May. Yes, the same Brett Rogers who lost to Fedor Emelianenko in Fedor’s debut. UFC 111 is on March 27, 2010 from Newark NJ and the line-up is as follows:
UFC FIGHT NIGHT is on March 31, 2010 from Charlotte North Carolina and the line-up is as follows:
UFC 112 is on April 10, 2010 from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emitates and the line-up is as follows:
UFC 113 is on May 8, 2010 from Montreal Quebec Canada and the line-up is as follows:
7) Random Thoughts, Links, Pics, ETC. - Random PIC of the week: EPIC Dancing FAIL. WOW. - Fun on FACEBOOK : A little common sense people, PLEASE. - HAHAHAHAHAHA. PRICELESS . - It’s with great sadness that I announced that one of my favorite shows ever, Fox’s hit 24 starring Keifer Sutherland has been cancelled. I am sad. - KIM KARDASHIAN a.k.a. MY FUTURE WIFE . - R.I.P. Corey Haim. I’m not going to say “surprised this happened” or that he “Died so young” because honestly most people expected him to be dead already. It’s just sad that he never got his life together. Wasted potential. - Piggy backing off of James Guttman’s RAW INSANITY on Monday, here is one of the greatest songs/videos EVER . - Can anyone explain why Farrah Fawcett was excluded from the “In memoriam” montage at the Academy Awards on Sunday yet Michael Jackson was included? - WOW is probably an understatement but here is the NEW IRONMAN 2 Trailer . - I will be sad when Lost goes off the air. This season is on a whole other level of FANTASTIC right now. - Someone told Ice-T’s wife COCO that it is SPRINGTIME . - Conan O’Brien is embarking on a 30-city comedy tour titled, “The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour." It kicks off on April 12th in Oregon. I may try to see it in NY. - TRON . - This is an OLD picture but I felt like posting because I came across it again recently. Actress Christina Ricci showing off her new TATTOO. Nice right? - In what is SHOCKING news to the entire world, Bill Gates is no longer the richest man walking the face of the Earth. Mexican Carlos Slim Helu has overtaken Gates for the number 1 spot moving Gates down to numero dos. Carlos Slim Helu is a telecom and media mogul. - What in the blue hell is wrong with Hollywood actresses? Katy Perry is nailing Russell Brand , Mila Kunis is nailing Macaulay Culkin , Kristen Bell is nailing Dax Shepard . I JUST DON’T GET IT!!!!!! - James Guttman just scored the gig of a lifetime. TOMORROW IN ATLANTA GEORGIA, James will be hosting a question and answer session at the “ Legends Mania ” convention. The talent involved with the Q&A is:
- Also this week, James Guttman takes it WAY BACK in the time machine as he has an in depth shoot interview with wrestling legend Thunderbolt Patterson. Join CLUBWWI.COM right NOW!!!! It’s about the price of a cup of coffee at Starbucks or a McDonald’s Cheese Burger extra value meal (unless you live in NYC). DO IT. DO IT NOW. 8) PLUGS - NY Diaper Cakes (Best possible baby shower gift…EVER.) - DJUCH.com (Best Dance Music DJ… EVER.) - Geek Week (RD Lee rocks!!) - ACE Pro Wrestling (The future of independent wrestling. A Virtual “Who’s Who” of East Coast talent has wrestled here at one point in time or another) - Jersey All Pro Wrestling (home of the best independent wrestling not named ROH or DGUSA) - EVOLVE (the Evolution of Wrestling) - Woman’s Superstars Unleashed (WSU Wrestling) Ok kiddies, classes are over for now. See you soon!!!!!!!!! Feel free to discuss whatever you’d like in the “Anger Management” section of the message board or whichever section you see fit. ~ Matt Dawgs World Wrestling Insanity writer Matt Dawgs is the bread and butter of the World Wrestling Insanity family. His future is bright and once James Guttman comes into a large sum of money, you can expect Matt will be getting tons of it thrown at him, at least half of it. Matt used to moonlight as a professional wrestler/manager in the NY/NJ Indy scene. He is legit afraid of getting on Homicide’s bad side but thinks he is a cool dude in general. He also is a funny guy. If you have any questions, corrections, feedback, comments and ideas, he can be reached at Matt@worldwrestlinginsanity.com . If the feedback is negative, you can e-mail Matt at insanity@worldwrestlinginsanity.com . P.S. – In case you didn’t know, James Guttman has a new WRESTLING BOOK out titled “Shoot First, Ask Questions Later”. It is a damn fun read so I suggest you run out and get it today. If you already have your copy, read it. If you already read your copy, read it again. It is funny; like me. Also, don’t forget to check out CLUB WWI . It can be found by clicking the banner at the top of this page. Check out all the new audio updates and features found there. Some good stuff including all of James Guttman’s past Radio Free Insanity broadcasts as well as all new, uncut interviews with some of wrestling past and present names. Good stuff people. blog comments powered by Disqus
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