Matt Dawgs
T.G.I.F. with Matt Dawgs: 100% LeBron Free Edition - The GM Has a Hard Drive, WWE Books Their Own Night In China, TNA's Savior Du Jour, Brock Chokes..In a Good Way, The Link Between Batista and Jose Canseco, Later Lindsay, and More
By Matt Dawgs
Jul 9, 2010 - 8:34 AM

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.

1) WWE News and Notes

- Wade Barrett was back at RAW this week and Drew McIntyre appeared at the Smackdown houseshow on Monday so both their visa issues are corrected and it is business as usual.

- I’m really hating this “COMPUTER GM” angle on RAW. It is pretty horrible.

- The tease that the GM is Steve Austin is just that, A TEASE. He isn’t the GM.

- Ricky Steamboat is still in the hospital from what is now being called a “burst capillary” in his head but is expected to make a full recovery. Many seem to think that it was due to the Nexus beating he took two weeks ago on RAW as he was complaining about a head and neck ache shortly following the angle however doctors and WWE both ruled it out. Steamboat is now out of ICU and expected to be sent home this weekend. He should be back to normal in about a month or so.

- R-Truth was written off television on Monday to heal up a groin injury suffered at a house show two weeks ago. He was booked to compete in Money in the Bank but had to pull out due to the injury. No word on his replacement as of yet. Truth’s injury is serious as WWE now fears it is a tear and may require surgery.

- Percy Watson won the rookie challenge this week on NXT and will be allowed to have his own talk show next week on NXT.

- Speaking of NXT, the Nexus will be on the show next week. Interesting.

- Husky Harris is getting a lot of praise from some important people both within and outside of the WWE. He has a great work ethic and moves great for his size/look. The main problem is his size/look.

- Both Triple H and The Undertaker were expected to be involved in matches at Summerslam. HHH vs. Sheamus and Taker vs. Kane are what are currently penciled in. That may be changed however as HHH underwent surgery this week for a minor biscep tendon tear. He is expected to be out anywhere between 2-4 months. If he is out for the 2 months minimum, he would be cutting it close to a Summerslam return.

- WWE Referee Jimmy Korderas stated in an interview that the Ric Flair chop has actually been banned PRIOR to Flair leaving the company. It was only allowed by Flair and Shawn Michaels and those who were involved in their matches. No one else was allowed to do it. So this is not something new.

- August 22^nd, 2010 will be the WWE debut in China as they run their first live event EVER in the country. It will be part of the 2010 Shanghai Expo.

- Per Mayrese's Twitter: At the airport in dallas waiting for my flight to tokyo with Mr. Tatsu, his wife is here with their two kids! Its amazing how we don’t understand each other, I don’t know more than 10 words in japanese. Oh boy!!! Also I’m really impress by his 2 years old knowing how to use ipad! So basicly I have a 2 years old teaching me how to speak japanese and how to use todays technology.”

- Trish Stratus throws out the first pitch at tomorrow's Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox game in Toronto.

- Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson, who stated he expected to make a WWE appearance this summer, most likely is NOT. He began filming this week on the latest “Fast and Furious” movie in which he plays a US Marshall who is sent to Mexico to hunt down two of the FBI’s Most Wanted (series stars Paul Walker and Vin Diesel).

RAW GUEST HOSTS:

• July 12 – Florence Henderson

2) WWE Money In the Bank PPV: is on July 18^th from Kansas City Missouri and the line-up is as follows:

• WWE TITLE: Sheamus © vs. John Cena (in a steel cage)
• WORLD TITLE: Rey Mysterio © vs. Jack Swagger
• MITB WWE TITLE: John Morrison vs. Randy Orton vs. Edge vs. Evan Bourne vs. Chris Jericho vs. Ted DiBiase vs. United States champion The Miz vs. TBD
• MITB WORLD TITLE: Kane, Christian, Kofi Kingston, Big Show, Matt Hardy and Cody Rhodes. (the final two spots are filled on tonight’s Smackdown.)
  UNDISPUTED TAG TITLES: Hart Dynasty © vs. The Usos

3) TNA News and Notes

- Apparently TNA is about to pull one of the all time coups in wrestling as contrary to what he was telling people at UFC, Paul Heyman is indeed close to a deal to come into TNA and lead the creative team (hence why Ed Ferrera was let go two weeks ago). Heyman does in fact what a “Dana White” deal as he calls it meaning he will be the head of creative with no one over him as well as have a small ownership stake in the company (which Hogan and Bischoff DO NOT have). TNA wants him for this Sunday’s PPV but Heyman will not be there as they are still negotiating. They do want him to be the leader of the ECW faction but he turned that down saying he wants no part of being an on air character. Instead, he wants to focus on creative. He also stated he is willing to make one television or PPV appearance just to show his face and let fans know that TNA is going to be changing. Hopefully, for wrestling’s sake as a whole, he does come in.

- Kurt Angle is quietly telling people that 2011 will be his last year in wrestling. Even with a month off that he recently had, he is still REAL banged up physically and doesn’t have all that much left in his tank.

- Angle also said in a radio interview that Desmond Wolfe is one of the best workers he has ever been in the ring with but TNA killed his push and it is going to be hard to get it back. He also made clear that any beef he had with Jeff Jarrett is dead and that he and Jarrett are GOOD friends.

- TNA performed in front of a record crowd of 5,500 people last Friday in Brooklyn NY. By all accounts, it was a solid show with some damn good action. For the record, NO. TNA did not realize that Homicide going over in Brooklyn would have been a good idea even though he was treated like a babyface in his match. Then again, read the below statement from TNA CEO Dixie Carter and you can understand why.

- In one of the most unintentionally hilarious things I have ever seen, Dixie Carter posted the following comment on Facebook this week. “Just finished watching the LOST series. Better late than never. I am more lost than ever but loved it. Not everything needs to make sense."  Dixie Carter, the woman who runs TNA actually said this. So for those of you hoping that she one day wakes up with a clue and figures out that you need some sort of logic in wrestling, then there is your proof that TNA will NEVER change.

• TNA TITLE: Rob Van Dam © vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Mr. Anderson vs. Abyss.
• Ric Flair vs. Jay Lethal.
• Kurt Angle vs. D'Angelo Dinero.
• STEEL CAGE: Matt Morgan vs. Hernandez
• TAG TEAM TITLE FINALS: The Motor City Machineguns vs. Beer Money
• TNA X- TITLE: Doug Williams © vs. Brian Kendrick in an Ultimate X Submission match.
• TNA KNOCKOUTS TITLE: Madison Rayne © vs. Angelina Love

5) Independent / International News and Notes:

- Bryan Danielson is signed for EVOLE 5 in September

- AAA in Mexico has learned from the UFC mistake of putting our a game against a hot release and has postponed their “AAA: Heroes of the Ring” game for PS3 and Xbox to a release date of October 12^th so it does not compete with the annual release of Madden football. The graphics look top notch for this. Hopefully the game play will be just as good.

- Carlito will be working the upcoming WWC shows this weekend against 3 mystery opponents. One is scheduled to be Booker T. Apparently Carlito has cut his afro off.

- The Great Muta is pushing to return to action in August. That is A LOT sooner than doctors want him to return since his knee surgery several months back was serious enough that doctors said he should retire from competing.

- Trent Acid Memorial Show is TOMORROW AFTERNOON at the ECW Arena and the line-up is as follows: (I WILL BE ATTENDING)

• MAIN EVENT: Johnny Kashmere w/Donnie B (returns to pro wrestling for ONE night only). vs. Devon Moore w/??? vs. John Zandig (?)
• Nick Berk & Z-Barr w/Ty Street vs. “Dirty” Don Montoya & “Primo” Robby Mereno w/ “Reckless Youth” Tom Carter (Trent Acid’s Trainer)
• The Danger Zone with host Lou E. Dangerously with SPECIAL GUEST Tod Gordon.
• The Strong Style Thugs (“Da Notorious 187” Homicide & B-Boy) vs. Sonjay Dutt & Ruckus
• SCRAMBLE ELIMINATION TAG: The Carnage Crew (Tony DeVito & H.C. Loc) vs. The S.A.T. (Joel & Jose Maximo) vs. THE H-8 CLUB (Nick Gage & Nate Hatred) vs. Da Hit Squad (Dan Maff & Steve Mack)
• 6 Person Tag Match: Missy Sampson/Annie Social & Amy Lee vs. Roxie Cotton/Alere Little Feather & Detox
• THE TRENT ACID MEMORIAL RUMBLE! (Rumble Rules: 4 Men start off in the ring and 2 men at a time enter the ring at regular intervals. The winner is the last man in the ring after everyone else has been thrown over the top rope and both of their feet have touched the arena floor) Axl Rotten, Balls Mahoney, The Messiah, Matt Walsh, Helter Skelter, Kwame, Ron Starr, Earl Cooter, Nate Stein, Eddie Valentine, John Dahmer, Lil' Greatness, Christian York, Slayer, Deranged, Billy Angus, Danny Angus, The Rockin' Rebel, Greg Matthews (formerly of MTV’s Tough Enough), Kid America, Flash Wheeler, Aramis, Corey Kastle, Darren Wyse (comes out of retirement for Trent for ONE night only, Chi Chi Cruz,
  Joe Gunns, Niles Young, Joey Janelo, Twisted Tate, E.C. Negro of The Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Pinky Pinkerton, Big Slam aka Cry Baby Waldo, Bison Bravado and more.
• ALSO APPEARING (in no particular order): Missy Hyatt, Brian Logan, Dr. Don Bootz, Drew Blood, Mike Kehner, Gary Wolf, Pete Hunter, Big Mac Smack, Doomsday Danny Rose, Stephen DeAngelis, Adam Flash, Chubby Dudley, John House, Dan Cowhey, Jake Black, Niles Young and many more TBA as they confirm their attendance. Also all of The PWU Students of Trent's are invited to attend this to pay their tribute to Trent.

ACE Pro Wrestling returns TOMORROW NIGHT from Union City NJ and the line-up is as follows:

• WORLD TITLE: Dan Maff vs. “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson
• Azrieal & Mike Donovan vs. Crowbar & Bandido Jr.
• Bruno Marciano vs. Bobby Fish
• Mo Sexton vs. “Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels
• TAG TEAM TITLES: R8D-X vs. BS Express

DRAGON GATE USA returns on Saturday, July 24, 2010 from Philadelphia PA and the line-up is as follows:

• OPEN THE FREEDOM GATE TITLE: BxB Hulk © vs. Masaaki Mochizuki
• BATTLE OF THE ACES: Bryan Danielson vs. Shingo
• CHIKARA Sekigun vs. Kamikaze USA (participants to be announced when stipulation is determined)
• Naruki Doi vs. Dragon Kid
• ALSO APPEARING: Open The Dream Gate Champion YAMATO ©, CIMA, Masato Yoshino, Mike Quackenbush, Jigsaw, Jimmy Jacobs, Jon Moxley, Johnny Gargano, Chuck Taylor, Super Shen Long, Lince Dorado, Drake Younger, Ricochet, Brodie Lee, Adam Cole, Rich Swann & MORE.

ICW returns on August 7, 2010 to Queens NY with "FULL SPEED AHEAD" and the line-up is as follows:

• Dan Maff vs. Christopher Daniels with Prince Nana
• WSU TITLE: Mercedes Martinez © vs. Mickie James
• Homicide vs. Jerry Lynn
• Danny Demanto vs. The Amazing Red
• Heaven & Hell (Grim Reefer & Azrieal) vs. The Weapons of Mass Destruction (Sonjay Dutt & Daivari)
• Balls Mahoney vs. The Candy Man
• Also appearing The SAT, Xavier, Bandido Jr., Devon Moore, Pinkie Sanchez, Justin Toxic, VSK, EJ Risk, 3rd State Saints (Damian Dragon & Mike Quest), The Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and more....

6) MMA News and Notes

- Brock Lesnar is the REAL DEAL. He proved that last weekend in Las Vegas when he fought his biggest challenge to date in Shane Carwin. Lesnar got rocked BADLY by a barrage of punches from Carwin. So much so that several fans complained afterwards thinking it should have been stopped. Brock managed to recover and make it out of the round. In Round 2, Brock ended up taking Carwin down. Carwin, who basically blew his load in round 1, was exhausted and Brock managed to get a side choke on him forcing the tap. This fight proved two things. The first is that Brock can take a hard shot to the face and keep his poise. The second is that Brock is developing more of a game plan other than “BROCK SMASH” and now has some submissions under his belt. This makes Brock a very dangerous man.

- As a shot to Brock for his comments at UFC 100 last year, Bud Light managed to sponsor Shane Carwin. LOL.

- Brock ESPN INTERVIEW following the fight.

- Jim Ross, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Bill Goldberg and Paul Heyman COMMENT on Brock.

- Paul Heyman is writing Brock Lesnar’s auto-biography.

- This is what happens when you are a DRAW and your opponent is not. Brock Lesnar earned $400,000 for his win at UFC 116. Shane Carwin? $40,000. No, that is NOT a TYPO. Carwin only made 10% of what Brock did. WOW.

- Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez is tentatively scheduled for November.

- Chris Leben, coming off of a fight two weeks earlier managed to have what is quite possibly the FIGHT OF THE YEAR last weekend against Japan’s Yoshihiro Akiyama. Leben and Akiyama pulled out all the stops before Leben finished him at the end of round 3 with a triangle choke. It was a simply amazing fight from beginning to end.

- OUCH!!!!!!

- Gerald Harris is the victor in the above clip. He had a funny story stating that he was on his way home the day after the fight and saw Bill Goldberg at the airport. He walked up to him and said, “Sorry to bother you sir but I fought on last night’s UFC card and just wanted to introduce myself and see if I can get an autograph.” Goldberg’s response: “Dude, you were just on Sportscenter’s top plays. Can I have YOUR autograph?” And Goldberg proceeded to take a picture with Harris.

- Dana White was pretty adamant all weekend that Chuck Liddell will not fight another day in UFC. Chuck on the other hand has not made a decision on his future yet but is leaning towards fighting again. Dana did say that Chuck has a job for life in UFC but if he wanted his release from his contract to fight elsewhere, he would release him.

- Dana White owes Snoop Dogg $20,000 for losing his bet on the NBA finals. Dana had the Celtics.

- Dave Batista has begun training with CEASAR GRACIE. That doesn’t necessarily mean he is serious about MMA as Jose Canseco was also training with Gracie. But Strikeforce is continuing to show interest and training with Cesar Gracie is definitely a step in the right direction to get signed.

- Bobby Lashley, depending on his the status of his knee, is tentatively scheduled to fight on the August 21^st Strikeforce show in Houston Texas.

UFC 117 is on August 7, 2010 from Oakland California and the line-up is as follows:

• MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE: Anderson Silva © vs. Chael Sonnen
• Jon Fitch vs. Thiago Alves
• Junior Dos Santos vs. Roy Nelson
• Matt Hughes vs. Ricardo Almeida
• Clay Guida vs. Rafael dos Anjos

UFC 118 is on August 28, 2010 from Boston Massachusetts and the line-up is as follows:

• UFC LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE: Frankie Edgar © vs. B.J. Penn
• Randy Couture vs. James Toney
• Kenny Florian vs. Gray Maynard
• Nick Osipczak vs. Greg Soto
• Phil Baroni vs. John Salter

UFC 119 is on September 25, 2010 from Indianapolis Indiana and the line-up is as follows:

• Frank Mir vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
• Ryan Bader vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
• Ryan Bader vs. Chris Lytle
• Joey Beltran vs. Matt Mitrione

7) Random Thoughts, Links, Pics, ETC.

- Random VIDEO of the week: Twilight………….for heterosexual guys.

- Random PIC of the week: BEST. HEADLINE. EVER.

- Fun on FACEBOOK: This could happen to you too.

- Lego FUN.

- Lindsay Lohan is going to JAIL.

- If you HATE Twilight then THIS might be for you.

- My Future Wife, Kim Kardashian-Aponte in a new AD CAMPAIGN for her new fragrance.

- Check it out at CLUBWWI.COM. HUNDREDS of interviews with your favorite wrestling stars of yesteryear and today!!! If you’re not a member then please do yourself a favor and JOIN CLUB WWI right NOW!!!! You’ll thank me for it. 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 crown jewel of World Wrestling Insanity and if he decided to leave the site, it would crumble due to the lack of awesomeness. Matt used to moonlight as a professional wrestler/manager in the NY/NJ Indy scene. The New York Yankees are the premiere sports franchise IN ANY SPORT and MMA will be more popular and lucrative than Boxing in less than 5 years. Also, if you have any questions, corrections, feedback, comments and ideas, email me at Matt@worldwrestlinginsanity.com. If the feedback is negative, you can e-mail Matt at insanity@worldwrestlinginsanity.com.

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.