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T.G.I.F. with Matt Dawgs...Damn Good Raw Host, Damn Bad Raw Host, Kaval's Low-Key Debut, Return-a-Roonie, The New Monday Night War, The Old Russo-Hogan War, Nigel's Final Promo, Rampaging Through UFC Again, Tiger's 13 Holes in One, and More
By Matt Dawgs
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 - R.I.P. Eddie “Umaga” Fatu. Umaga passed away on December 4th following a second heart attack in a Houston hospital. The apparent story is that he was spending time at home with his family when everyone went to bed. He decided to stay up and watch television on the couch. His wife came to check on him later and found him sleeping so she proceeded to cover him with a blanket and went back to sleep. A few hours later, she came again and found him not breathing, not responsive with blood coming out of his nose. An ambulance was called and apparently he was resuscitated before they arrived at the hospital. He was placed on life support and his family was called however he was also found to have no brain activity. After his family arrived, he suffered a second heart attack and died. Umaga was 36. - A heart breaking story as Umaga was probably one of the most well liked individuals in the wrestling business and had the most potential of the entire Samoan family from an in-ring standpoint. He was plagued with the dreaded “demons” over the years but was still hoping to make a WWE comeback as recently as a few months ago when WWE contacted him prior to the Hulk Hogan Australia tour. Sadly, Dave Meltzer confirms that Umaga had in fact reached an agreement to return to the promotion and was expected to return around the Royal Rumble. - Meltzer also noted that on his return flight from the Hulk Hogan Australia tour, he was on the same plane with Ric Flair and Britney Spears and that Spears recognized him from his WWE work with Kevin Federline. She didn’t recognize Flair. - An Umaga video package was being made for RAW but it did not make the air. No word on whether it will be placed on Smackdown instead or just go to WWE.com. But WWE did work on one over the weekend. - Mark Cuban = DAMN. GOOD. HOST. That is what a guest host should be. He was interested in the product and was enthusiastic about everything they did with him. - That promo to end RAW between Sheamus/Cena was AWESOME. No reason for Sheamus to take a bump for Cuban but Sheamus putting Cuban through a table was FANTASTIC. Solid booking for WWE and regardless whether you like Sheamus or not, he is definitely fitting into his role well. - Carlito looked completely different on RAW Monday. He was busting his ass working hard with Cena in the opener. Hopefully he stays motivated because now is a good time for him to get a push with WWE serious about pushing new talents. He can definitely contribute to the upper card of the roster. - Anyone seriously believe that DX is going to win the tag titles on Sunday? Like Shawn Michaels and HHH want to be on both shows week in and week out? - Mickie James will be releasing a country music album in early 2010. Hopefully it will take off for her as country music is probably the best selling music genre around today. - Good news and bad news for former WWE wrestler “Dr. Death” Steve Williams. His recurring cancer is getting smaller from all the treatments and may be gone soon. The bad news is that the doctors have informed him that he will have to undergo chemotherapy for the rest of his life. - The entire Tribute to the Troops roster is: John Cena, Chris Jericho, CM Punk, John Morrison, The Miz, MVP, Chris Masters, Cryme Tyme, Rey Mysterio, Mark Henry, Carlito, R-Truth, Eve Torres, Maria, Layla El. - Probably one of the best heel runs in WWE history and definitely one of the most watched angles HERE . - I’m putting this here because had it happened back in 2000, it would have had serious repercussions on WWE and their business but the AOL/Time Warner merger (which basically is what ended WCW forever) is officially over. They have broken off their merger and are becoming separate entities. Has this happened a long time ago, WCW would still be around today and there would be no TNA. - Vladimir Koslov (real name Oleg Prudis ) became an official American citizen this week in Tampa Florida along with 413 other people. - Next week is 3 hours of Dennis Miller on RAW. UGH!!!!! At least we get the Slammy’s which has potential to be fun. But Dennis Miller….3 Hours…..I think I’ll say it again…..UGH!!!!! - Music Producer Timbaland will host the final RAW of 2009. Can’t see him being a good host. - WWE also announced that Jon Heder and Don Johnson will host the January 18th RAW. They have a movie coming out. Heder is funny. Don Johnson is….well, Don Johnson. - WWE is teasing a Dolph Ziggler/Vickie Guerrero pairing. That is a gazillion times better than Guerrero/Escobar. - Rumor has it that Charlie Haas requested his WWE release but was denied. I’m sure Kurt Angle would love to have him in TNA. - What happened to the Ted DiBiase face turn to coincide with the release of the Marine 2? And what happened to the angle with DiBiase and Orton from several months back when they fought? - Totally forgot that WWE let HER go. Had potential. Could have done well. Shame. - ESPN had a report on Andrew “Test” Martin where they stated that Test’s brain was as severely damaged as “He Who Shall Not Be Named’s” brain was at the time of his death. That is a sad sign for the wrestling business and should be a HUGE wake up call to everyone involved that concussions and unprotected chair shots are nothing to be messed with. READ THE STORY . - The infamous “cage match” that everyone talks about in interviews where Bruiser Brody completely no sells any of Lex Luger’s offense so Luger shoves the ref, gets disqualified and climbs out the cage to escape. GREAT STUFF .
- In what is definitely a great sign of the future, Kaval (a.k.a. Low-Ki) worked yet another dark match this week prior to Smackdown losing to Goldust. While the loss isn’t a good sign, the fact that he has worked 3 consecutive dark matches during TV tapings means that he is going to be called to the main roster soon.
- It is rumored that when Kaval (Low-Ki) debuted, it will be under a mask. My original thoughts were that when he was signed, it was to feud with Rey Mysterio. My new theory however is that WWE is looking for someone unique with a mask so that they can market to. With the fact that WWE is apparently leery about Mysterio’s “career life-span”, maybe they are hoping that with Kaval’s style, he may just be the answer to losing Mysterio.
- Perry Saturn is
ALIVE
.
- Booker T has met with WWE officials about a potential return but nothing has been agreed upon yet. No further discussions for the time being have been planned. Not for nothing, while he was absolutely irate over WWE during the end of his last run, I totally believe he was more miserable in TNA than he ever was in WWE and I fully expect him to sign with WWE before next summer. - Academy Award winner Patricia Clarkson and Actor Danny Glover (best known by you folks as Murtaugh from the Lethal Weapon series) have officially joined the cast of John Cena’s next movie. That is a pretty big deal. - WWE is working on a “BEST OF” Shawn Michaels DVD. It will feature the best matches of his career. If you are an aspiring wrestler reading this column and do not purchase this DVD the day it comes out and watch it within minutes of purchase for studying purposes, you have no business trying to become a professional wrestler. I AM 100% SERIOUS. - For those wondering, while Shane McMahon’s exiting the company isn’t official until January, he has not been seen at Titan Towers since the announcement was made and his role has already been taken over internally. Those close to him say he left mainly because of Vince. - Steve Austin will be making a guest appearance on NBC’s comedy sitcom “Chuck”. 2) WWE Tables, Ladders and Chairs PPV on December 13, 2009
3) TNA News and Notes: - TNA announced at the TUF finals that they will go LIVE on Monday, January 4, 2010 for three hours (8:00 pm – 11:00pm) and compete HEAD-to-HEAD with RAW. Hulk Hogan will be at the show in an on camera role and he promised some surprise guests. On her Twitter account, Dixie Carter said this is the “first shot” in the war making me completely believe that someone within TNA (either Hogan or Russo) scripted for her to make that comment. That means that she completely believes that TNA has a legit shot at competing against WWE. I would love to be in the room with her when that rating comes in. LOL. - Jeff Jarrett has returned to TNA and will be a full-time character. - In what is just another sign of things to come for TNA, Hulk Hogan and Vince Russo have both confirmed to separate people that they have YET to speak to each other. How can you run a successful show when the two top guys writing/booking the show have no communication? - Guess which one is the Hulkster’s girlfriend . Here’s a hint, she’s blond with fake tits. - Hogan and Bischoff are extremely confident that Rob Van Dam will be signing with TNA. Such a waste. He needs to be in WWE. - Hogan has thankfully stated that he would like to get rid of the six-sided ring. IT’S ABOUT TIME!!! - TNA is going to launch a new 2-hour program in January titled “TNA Epics” which will be basically highlights packages of the “Best of TNA” from over the years. - Dixie Carter also confirmed that they are also going to launch another show in 2010 but did not confirm the details. - Lacey Von Erich was recently engaged to her long time boyfriend. - Kurt Angle’s new movie “End Game” was released on DVD this week. On the back of the DVD, it lists Angle as…..WWE wrestler. No mention of TNA. How was this allowed by anyone? - Tara is currently in Los Angeles pitching a reality show about her transition from wrestling into MMA. I’d watch. She’s cool people. - Can anyone explain the logic in booking Jay Lethal to constantly lose to “legends”? - Christy Hemme’s neck has not improved. She is trying to avoid surgery but that may be unlikely. She is in real bad shape and they are now going to keep her completely out of the ring and probably will transition her into a backstage announcer role. - Roxxi Laveaux (Nikki Roxx) is probably going to be brought back to the company. She was backstage per TNA’s request at the latest TV tapings. - Team 3D will miss the January 4th head-to-head battle with RAW as they are booked to defend the IWGP Tag Team titles and will not be able to fly back in time for the show. 4) TNA Final Resolution PPV on December 20, 2009
5) Ring of Honor/DGUSA/EVOLVE/Independent News and Notes - For those who missed ROH on HD Net last week and missed Nigel’s final promo, it was GOLD. Nigel came to the ring and asked “How you sum up 6 years in 3-minutes”? He then said, “You can’t. So I am just going to say thank you”. He then said there is one man in particular that he needed to thank and he’s backstage and I’m going to go get him”. Nigel then left the ring, went backstage and came out…..BY HIMSELF. He then thanked himself for all he has done in Ring of Honor and that the fans can kiss his ass. He then exited through the crowd. GOLD!!!! - Jim Cornette made his official ROH on HD Net debut this week as “Executive Producer” of ROH. He is such a great asset for the company. He definitely needs to take over the booking of the company full time. - Colt Cabana lost his title shot in Chicago and thus will unable to ever receive a World Title shot in his hometown of Chicago again. Horrible stipulation unless they find a loophole around it. - Ace Pro Wrestling unfortunately had to strip Corino of the World Heavyweight Title as Corino double booked himself for last weekend’s show. Most thought he would work both shows as they were both in New Jersey. The main event was changed from Steve Corino vs. Dan Maff to local, homegrown talent Mo Sexton vs. Dan Maff. Surprisingly, Sexton won the Ace Pro title in a damn good match. Corino is no longer expected to be used by the promotion. ACE did announce that the B-Boy will be working on the January 9, 2010 show. - Not even going to comment on the Frank Goodman PWU show from Florida last week. Apparently it was filled without a TON of backstage shenanigans from Goodman and several talents did not appear due to pay and other issues. Unfortunately Frank thinks he can draw 1,000 people in Florida (TNA barely does that number with a weekly, national TV show and MAJOR NAME TALENT). I think it is about time for Goodman to hang it up. - Gail Gagne, granddaughter of Verne Gagne was arrested for third-degree sexual misconduct in Minnesota last week. She is 27 years old and a teacher who ended up having sex with a now 17 year old student. The alleged affair took place when she was 25 and he was 15. ROH FINAL BATTLE : is on December 19, 2009 from New York City and the line up is as follows:
ACE Pro Wrestling: returns on January 9, 2010 in Union City New Jersey and the lineup is as follows:
EVOLVE: debut show is on January 18, 2010 from Rahway New Jersey and the lineup is as follows:
DRAGON GATE USA: returns on January 23, 2010 in Chicago IL and the lineup is as follows:
6) MMA News and Notes - Quinton “Rampage” Jackson announced via his website last week that he has agreed with Dana White to fulfill his contractual obligation to UFC and he will fight Rashad Evans in 2010. Following that, his future is unclear as he stated he wants to embark on a full-time acting career. - Renzo Gracie officially signed his UFC contract. It is a 6 fight deal. - While still not seen by public, the rumor circulating is that Brock Lesnar has lost over 50 POUNDS due to this illness and that the 6 month return timetable that one of his trainers mentioned is being very generous. UFC is more than likely going to have to create an interim title belt in the meantime more than likely between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Cain Velasquez. - Last week I mentioned that it would be great if Marcus Jones would make the TUF finale. Unfortunately I had forgotten that the semifinals aired the night before my column and I was working late so I hadn’t watched it. Now that I have watched it, Marcus Jones wasn’t making the finals. LOL. - Kimbo Slice has his first ever UFC win. He looked a lot more impressive than he did in his Elite XC fights and I think that he has a ton of potential. Even if/when he gets his first loss, Dana won’t dump him because not only does he have a likeability factor about him, but he is drastically improving. It’s basically on the job training for him. Dana will probably work to try and protect him which is both a double edged sword. Dana won’t give him a super tough opponent who matches up poorly against him but on the flip side, if he loses to whoever they put him with, it looks bad that he lost to basically a “jobber”. - Houston Alexander was immediately fired by Dana White after his first with Kimbo Slice for basically running the entire first round. White expected both men to go out there and throw punches so he, along with the crowd, were majorly disappointed. - Kimbo has still got it as the TUF finale show drew the highest rating for any TUF finale (10 seasons now) with Kimbo’s fight drawing 5.2 million viewers. - UFC also announced that the next season of TUF will be coached by Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell thus leading to Ortiz/Liddell Part 3. Should be a very good season especially since both men are so charismatic and Tito is so unlikeable by many fans. Filming starts in January and debuts on Spike in March. - My guess, Marcus Jones isn’t “cut out” for MMA. While he has a ton of raw talent, his jaw is obviously questionable as is his desire for continuing. Two knockouts in two fights is NOT A GOOD THING. - Matt Mitrone is going to be one of the most hated people in UFC history. You heard it here first. - I called Roy Nelson winning TUF when he was announced as a contestant. It’s sad but true. He wasn’t a novice. He has had some major fights while everyone else were rookies (minus Wes Simms who just sucked). Roy shouldn’t have been fighting against them. It just wasn’t fair. - Dan Henderson officially signed with Strikeforce for a 4 fight deal. - Bobby Lashley has also officially signed a deal with Strikeforce. - BOXING NEWS: Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather have signed a contract to what will definitely be the biggest boxing fight in Pay Per View history on March 13, 2010. Both men agreed to a 50/50 split of the purse and Pacquiao has agreed to put his title on the line. UFC 107 is on December 12, 2009 from memphis Tennessee and the linup is as follows:
Strikeforce is on December 19, 2009 from San Jose California and the line-up is as follows:
UFC 108 is on January 2, 2010 from Las Vegas Nevada and the lineup is as follows:
UFC 109 is on February 6, 2010 from Las Vegas Nevada and the line-up is as follows:
7) Random Thoughts, Links, Pics, ETC. - Random PIC of the week: THIS is where Tiger Woods trouble started. - MERRY CHRISTMAS !!! - I mentioned last week that Tiger Woods was in some trouble and it must suck to be him. Well this week, that is an UNDERSTATEMENT. Apparently his total of woman who he has cheated on his wife with is now THIRTEEN. THRITEEN women (including 3 porn stars) and counting because that number is certainly scheduled to rise over the next few months. Especially with the fact that he is going to start cutting checks to keep these girls quiet. Now rumors are circulating that when he crashed, he was rushed to the hospital and treated as an overdosed victim. Also rumors of a possible sex tape (maybe more) and a possible love child (because he’s had unprotected sex with a few of the woman). It’s as if each and every day, a new piece of evidence surfaces that makes Tiger look more and more like a douche. - Barack Obama on EXTASCY !!! - THIS is why “How I Met Your Mother” is amazing. . - My future IN-LAWS . - My ex-wife Lindsey Lohan is like night and day sometimes. Sometimes she looks horrible in pictures and in others, she looks like THIS , and THIS and THIS . Mind boggling how one person can look bang-able one day and not so much the next. VIDEO as well. - From MTV’s Jersey Shore . - I got a friend of mine watching Sons of Anarchy on iTunes. He has literally burned through 2 seasons (26 episodes) in a week and a half and he also doesn’t understand how people are not watching this show. GREATEST. SHOW. EVER. - Katy Perry is definitely UNDERRATED in the looks department. I’d hit it. - This week on ClubWWI.com , Bull Buchanan returns for an all new “Bullpen” with James Guttman. They discuss Umaga’s passing, brain injuries in wrestling and much more. If you haven’t done so by now, do yourself a favor and Join CLUBWWI.COM right NOW!!!! 8) PLUGS - NY Diaper Cakes (Best possible baby shower gift…EVER.) - DJUCH.com (Best Dance Music DJ… EVER.) - ACE Pro Wrestling (The future of independent wrestling. A Virtual “Who’s Who” of East Coast talent have 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) 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.
Alphabetical Listing of Guests You Can Hear on...
Lance
Cade D-Ray
3000 Bobby
Eaton Manny
Fernandez Greg Gagne Chalie
Haas B.G.
James
Rodney
Mack One
Man Gang Harley
Race Dave Taylor
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