THE GREAT WHITE DOPE

You know, the Insanity offices are actually quite tame. Really it's just a rather normal office. Bulldog sits at his weekly board meeting with ZAH and Mike Johns plotting, James Guttman closes the blinds while hinting at who he's talking to like he's introducing Chuck D, Aaron Wood talks about British stuff while having "crumpets" and "tea", Ralph and Crocker talk about 'the good old days' they can barely remember, we here at Hot Threads just play video games while surfing the web (while still being paid! WOO!) and Mike Johns just rocks back and forth in the corner. He cries a little every time his phone informs him he has a twitter update. I'm not sure where the budget for his computer is found, though. Anytime the TNA section of our forums lights up we always find it trashed and broken from the four story fall.

I'm going to give a fair warning out right here, right now. The next section is going to talk about CHYNA'S NEW!!! SEX-TAPE. So please, if you don't want to read about the details or see links to things that may include pictures, look away. Just scroll down to the next paragraph or so. Ugh, I may have to go join Mike Johns over in that corner. Hopefully he hasn't marked his territory yet.

INFO FROM TMZ

It's been seven years since WWE superstar Chyna released her horrifying sex tape -- and TMZ has learned, she's making a triumphant return to the adult industry ... in an EXTREMELY graphic porno.

Vivid President Steve Hirsch tells TMZ, Chyna approached him months ago to breathe life into her XXX career -- demanding to work with the biggest male porn star in the business.

Steve did her one better ... and hooked her up with the TWO biggest male porn stars in the business -- Evan and Lee Stone -- and together, the threesome shot a gnarly skin flick ... tentatively called "Backdoor into Chyna."

The DVD is set for release in the near future -- and if the title is any indication, Chyna may be riding a wheelchair to the premiere party

Mike Johns

Yep, she's doing porn again. This time, it's intentional...

Also, no Sean Waltman.

So... I'm guessing TNA isn't going to bring her back again. Ever.

No, I'm actually serious about this. Something tells me Dixie GaGa's not going to be a fan of having porn stars on her show.

Sprout1883

I think you are right their. Can't see Dixie (or Spike for that matter) wanting to feature her anymore.

Mike Johns

Spike's the Network for Men. They'd probably broadcast porn if it were legal.

TheGreatWhiteDope

Dixie's only complaint is possibly that she isn't starring in a porn. She is missing out on all that attention.

Mike Johns

But, no! Dixie wouldn't want to take the focus off of all that great talent in the industry! She's a "behind the scenes" kind of person.... #sarcasm

T-Dog

Good to see she's parlaying her TNA stint into this step up in her career.

Peter Dawson

You know what, a wrestler with TNA being in porn is just too easy... It's like when Lacey Von Erich did that fetish wrestling stuff. Seriously, you have to imagine people who've never seen the show reading the headline: "TNA star makes porno!" I know the company's been around for close to a decade now (cripes) but that kind of joke still isn't getting old. At least, "Impact Wrestling star makes porno!" makes people want to google the company to make sure it isn't, well, what Lacey Von Erich did/does (I don't keep up with her hobbies on the reasoning that I don't care).

But yeah its a shame she did more porn. She did create one of my most favorite moments on Whose Line... Now I have to look at Colin Mocherie knowing he once made out with a porn star.

Markus Ramius

No way Dixie would not jump all over Chyna being in porn... am i the only one here that sees that the KO's division has essentially become softcore porn in itself.

            Mike Johns

            Softcore, with clothes on - Socially acceptable

Nude, with penises in every orafice - not so much

Until we start seeing some naughty bits on Impact, you really can't compare the two.

Galaxy

Apart from Benoit, Chyna may be the saddest fall in wrestling history.

Big star in 2000, earning millions, popular with fans, gains mainstream appeal with her book and playboy...and then a few years later is a drug addled, suicidal, emotional mess resorting to porn because he needs the money. Makes the story in The Wrestler look like Winnie The Pooh.

Anthony.Analog

HHH was hitting that before it had boobs. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewww.

James Bullock

Here's a little taste of what to look forward to. Thankfully, they're censored.
Chyna Vivid Photos

xArsenicKissx

XXX Division anyone?

RowdyRodimus

Yeah that trailer needs new descriptions NSFW, NSFB(breakfast), NSFL(lunch),NSFS(Snacktime), NSFD(dinner), NSFE(erections)

ZAH

Well...I've had the misfortune of downloading and suffering through the 1st scene of this horror movie. It's a lesbian scene with two SMOKIN' hotties and...ummm...Chyna.
Chyna looks horrific in every way imaginable. Kudos to these two Vivid chicks because they do their best to make the scene watchable.
I might download other scenes whenever they become available just for the trainwreck aspect of it all. But is it hot?? OMG...this is one of the WORST things I've ever seen and makes "One Night In Chyna" look like porn movie of the year.

Canadian Bulldog

I just watched it for the witty dialogue.

Okay, we're stepping quickly away from that horror show. Sadly, it probably won't be the last time I type or converse on that topic. There are so many horrible images in my imagination. Stupid television, why hasn't it ruined my imagination yet?

We'll just skip ahead to people conversing about the good and bad of Impact Wrestling. This, of course, comes with the new Xplosion. Xplosion? Did you know TNA had two shows? Yeah, it's news to me too. Xplosion, Eric Young, and Hogan…Oh my….

Aaron Wood

Since barely anyone can see Xplosion, or indeed wants to, here's the important part from the show that aired this past week (i.e. the first-run stuff)

TheGreatWhiteDope

So, a tournament, McGuinness is back in a non-wrestling role.

What part of this was important?

            Aaron Wood

            The fact that the rest of the show is fluff bullshit and recaps.

                        Mike Johns

                        which is different from the old setup.... how?

Seriously, go and read some of my last Xplosion recaps.

Mike Johns

they changed the theme song. It's now in This Moment's "Welcome to the Gun Show". I miss the slightly less offensive Taproot song already.

Johnny Craze

So, how long is Sting keeping the belt?
Why is Abyss the X-Division champion? Did anyone really think Kendrick would beat him?
I think Mickie James is doing a great job. Anyone agree?

The Green Teabagger

Until Bound for Glory when the Mighty Leather Orange King beats him for the title.
Abyss is X-Division champion because TNA thinks burying the X-Division will get them over.
The focus of the Knockout Division is Love Like Winter, and anything to do with Velvet Sky....so in that sense, sure she's doing a fine job.

Peter Dawson

I see Anderson beating him soon, I really do. I think Anderson could use a new title run. The guy is skilled even if his character is some weird 90s attitude homage/rip-off/what the hell.

Abyss winning is seemingly an angle just to have the X-division guys have a villain that 'betrays the spirit of the title.' Sort of like a non-cruiser getting the Cruiserweight title back in WCW, which I'm sure happened at least once I just can't remember any examples. I would have liked Kendrick to win though, I love his character. Take Eric Young's mentally unbalanced character and do it right, with Kendrick coming off more like a wannabe stoner-jedi while Young just seems to be a mockery of brain damage.

Mickie James is great. It is a shame that Velvet, Winer and Angelina are getting more focus but with the last two now seemingly feuding with Mickie we can keep attention on her. I've loved Mickie in the WWE in spite of the crap she had to do, partially because she has some legit skill. 'Piggie James,' by the by, was one of my most hated angles from 2010 so I'm glad her current character isn't being subjected to that crap, she's just fighting a brainwashed woman who really needs to eat a burger.

The Green Teabagger

Ed Ferrara
Also, Eric Young is the TV Champion now.
Think about that.

Peter Dawson

Honestly I haven't overly minded Eric Young's gimmick, its just the origin and some of the one-off bits that have really gotten to me. The segment with J-Woww is the stuff of TNA watchers' nightmares and will probably be what they utter when finally sent to their padded cells. Still, I've realized Eric Young was at his worst when he was with other people with worse gimmicks, namely Orlando Jordan, J-Woww and the Jarretts. His bits with Brian Kendrick were amusing if confusing.

The Green Teabagger

Truth be told, I kinda feel sorry for EY.
Eric Young was all kinds of awesome during the brief World Elite run (and honestly, if they had let him run with that ball we might have seen Eric Young as a TNA World Champion---I'm not joking), then Hogan and his bitch cronies showed up and decided that an interesting gimmick that was drawing heat wasn't as good of an idea as bringing in the fucking Nasty Boys. Now the only way he can get on TV again was to go back to being "silly" and "crazy" Eric Young.
Whatever works. He's getting on TV at least. That's more than some of TNA's roster can say.

            ZAH

            That was probably the ONLY time I've never thought "**** Eric Young" to myself.

We're here with an exciting new era in the wrestling world. How exciting? Well, honestly, it's not that different from before. It is a tad more exciting though, because Ring of Honor has been sold to Sinclair Broadcasting. What does this effectively mean? They'll be back on television in 22 markets and they're production values will be going up. Outside of that we're really not sure what else this situation brings to the table for ROH fans or curious on-lookers. As for casual fans who have no idea what ROH even is, in six months they'll probably respond with "So…what is ROH?" But either way the WWI Forums were up in talks about this exciting announcement. Which, as do a decent number of things on the boards, turns to comparisons and talks of TNA/Impact Wrestling/NWA:TNA/Carter's Play Thing. The first television taping has been announced for Chicago Ridge in August as well.

RING OF HONOR ANNOUNCES SALE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP

BRISTOL, PA. (MAY 21, 2011)--Ring of Honor Wrestling owner, Cary Silkin, announced today the sale of the promotion to Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., one of the largest television broadcasters in the country and which owns and operates, programs, or provides sales services to 58 television stations in 35 markets across the United States.

ROH, currently the third largest wrestling promotion in the country, just celebrated its ninth anniversary, and Mr. Silkin is excited about taking the next step towards increasing the company's visibility and expanding its operations.

A major press conference, open to wrestling press and mainstream media alike, is being planned for Baltimore on Friday, June 24th. This event will feature a number of the ROH staff and wrestlers both announcing news about ROH's future and answering questions. The media event will be presided over by new ROH COO, Joe Koff. Mr. Koff, a longtime Sinclair executive with an extensive background in TV sales and management, also has experience in pro wrestling television production and syndication. Most visible of his projects may have been the first-ever live, prime time syndicated pro wrestling events, the Battle of the Belts, which aired from 1985 to 1987. These Championship Wrestling from Florida-based cards were broadcast live to a syndicated network of stations and may be best-remembered for the classic Ric Flair vs. Barry Windham NWA World Title contest from St. Petersburg.

The press event will kick off a weekend which includes ROH's next internet pay-per-view event, "Best In The World 2011," live from the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Sunday, June 26th at 4PM EST. In addition to all the top stars on the ROH roster, this event will feature the return of some favorite stars from Ring of Honor's past, and can be ordered by anyone in the world with internet access through Gofightlive.tv for only $14.95. More information about Ring of Honor can be obtained through their website, www.rohwrestling.com.

Mike Johns

A hell of a lot better than the rumors circulating, that's for sure.

Sinclair broadcasting... no clue if they own a station out my way or not. Probably not.

Aaron Wood

http://www.sbgi.net/business/television.shtml

Mike Johns

Yep... still watching the show online. Oh well. at least there will be one!

James Bullock

Incredible news for ROH, but like Mike, I'm still stuck with online coverage. For goodness sakes, they'll air it in Norfolk, but not Richmond (somewhere they actually do live shows). I hope something changes before then so I can finally watch it on DVD without being hooked to the internet.

Aaron Wood

I think that's the doble-edged sword to the deal. ROH now seems financially secure. Broadcasting groups like this shoiuldn't particularly fail unless they do something horrifically bad. ROH might not be that much richer itself, but more secure.

That said, this isn't exactly a huge company, by the looks of it. There's some people on Twitter, not even within ROH itself, who seem to think this is the huge step they needed to compete, particularly with TNA. It ain't. Spike's in, what, 90 million homes. Looking at the channel list, it looks like ROH will be watched by 90.

Of course I exaggerate, but without looking at the reach of either Sinclair or HDNet, I'd have thought HDNet was more widely available. Certainly more heard of, in my apparancy.

James Guttman

Yeah. I'll be honest. For ROH to compete with TNA, they really need to rethink their approach as a whole.

Jim Cornette's unwillingness to accept "sports entertainment" is going to hurt them the same way that Vince McMahon's unwillingness to accept "wrestling" hurts WWE at times. What neither man realizes is that they both are the same friggin' thing.

ZAH

I agree in that ROH has definitely changed a lot with their approach in terms of telling storylines to go along with their in-ring product over the past couple of years.

I can't see this deal as anything but good in the short term. I mean...TV vs no TV...it's a no-brainer, I think. My only concern is that they now own 100% of the company. Unless this turns into another Panda Energy-esque write-off for Sinclair, they need to make money ASAP if they have any hope of surviving after a couple of years.

Mike Johns

I have to somewhat disagree on one major premise -

There's a very good chance TNA will simply fuck up to the point where ROH becomes #2 by default. Which will render virtually every point made here (good and bad) useless.

Thing is, no company should depend on another's almost assured failure to succeed. if TNA has been guilty of any sin, its that its success is almost completely attributed to, well... those few years HHH was shoved down our throats as the end-all be-all God of the Universe. And possibly the Cena backlash (although, if anything, that audience went to ROH).

Mike Johns

Actually I had this question come up in my head. Let's say, for arguments sake, ROH gets the exact same or slightly better ratings than TNA.

What does that do? I mean, essentially and on the surface, nothing. But will that say something about TNA by itself, or about ROH?

And I do have to agree with JG. They really hate the idea of sports entertainment. Which is kinda weird. Waiting in line for the show you get a weird feel. It's the old ECW cult thing. We're just gonna pound into everyone's head that this is for WRESTLING fans and if you don't like WRESTLING and you need some SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT in your WRESTLING then you are either unintelligent or unworthy of the WRESTLING that ROH provides.

That is my biggest problem with Evolve. The whole "pure wrestling with no storyline at all". I can't do it. I can't do it at all. I need some entertainment. I need some characters.

I'm actually finding this with All Things Sapolsky, these days. More so in EVOLVE than DG, but DG has a lot of that, too. My one real problem with DG, in fact.

Nothing against Sapolsky, but I didn't get into ROH very heavily until after he left, and Pearce had his shot. I think he ends up being more a sports entertainment guy than even he'll ever admit (being Mr. NWA and all) and possibly why he ended up being replaced by Delirious last fall.

Eric Bischoff (Via Youtube and a radio show)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnvQ0F1zWP8

Mike Johns

He's spot on. Anyone who thinks this was ROH making a play for No. 2 promotion is WAY over-exaggerating their situation. They are more financially secure. No doubt about it. But they ain't shit when it comes to a TV presence. Chances are it'll look better and be presented better than the HDNet shows, but they'll barely be seen. More people will be watching online than on TV.

His PPV point is moot, since ROH have the iPPV's on the go, so they don't need the trad PPV route, but otherwise I don't see how Bischoff could be said to be wrong here. And unlike the title of the video suggests, I don't particularly see how it's burying them either.

TV Trax tends to go for "scandalous" titles to get people to watch.

I just had to point out that even when Bischoff is being nice and taking the high road, he's still something of a condescending prick. he's absolutely totally right, and would be in a better position to say all of this had TNA improved by any measurable means available to the public since he came on board.

The guy could be genius if he didn't seemingly have such obvious contempt for fans. That's what I don't get with him. He obviously likes wrestling, and working in TV, but seemingly hates the people who consume his products. It's weird.

We can all admit it. It's ok. Zack Ryder has one of the best things going on YouTube today! (WOOO!) As with all great things though "A New Challenger Approaches" and who could challenge the greatness of Zack Ryder? One Word: Warrior.

ZAH

I can't wait to see more from this guy. He's so insane he's entertaining!

Mike Johns

I kind of hope he has a short fuse like Damien Demento had, and responds to the smallest nothing. You just have to imagine the amount of Kendrick-level insanity brewing in Warrior's mind...

Markus Ramius

Warrior isn't planning on mounting some kind of comeback with TNA i hope.

ZAH

What the fuck? How did that turn into a wrestling promo half way through?

The guy officially changed his name to "Warrior"...to say he lives the gimmick would be an understatement.

Aaron Wood

Tyler Rex has one too now. Yeah, I don't think he's going to get Zack Ryder's views...

http://s14.zetaboards.com/Wrestling_Insanity/single/?p=8112292&t=6666503

It's time for the Q&A (not a wrestling promotion) portion of our little article.

1)       Did you know wrestling fans could, infact, read?

2)       Did you know these books aren't always in comic form?

3)       Did you know they also totally aren't all about wrestling?

4)       Wait, do you even read books?

5)       Who are you judging?

6)       Don't you think you were stereotyping a group?

7)       Why would we not read?

8)       Did you know some of us are even in shape AND have kids?

9)       Get off your high horse. Can you do that?

10)   Seriously, don't be a jackass.

Rowdy Rodimus

Right now I'm reading To Be the Man by Ric Flair and Behold the Man by Michael Moorcock. If you haven't heard of To Be the Man yet (especially after Canadian Bulldog gave the greatest review for it in the history of reviews ever...EVER!!!) then you might be on the wrong site but Behold the Man might be new to a lot of people.

In it the protagonist decides to go back in time to meet Jesus Christ. He meets him and realizes he was wrong in his thinking and does what he believes to be the best he can do in the 1st Century Middle East. (Yeah, it's not a great description of the book, but anymore and it gives away the entire story)

Anyway, I recommend both of them, with Behold the Man having a slight caveat that if you are easily upset by someone questioning the Christian tradition of Christ then it's not a book you would enjoy. If it's something that wouldn't bother you, you'll find one of the best sci-fi stories ever written in my opinion.

Markus Ramius

Last series of books i read where The Millennium Trilogy, what can i say other than... one of the best series of books in history... sadly there will not be any more in the franchise since other than the fact that the series was written as a trilogy back to back to back before being published the biggest reason for those only barely familiar with it the writer passed away before the books where even published.

TheGreatWhiteDope

Have you read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy? If not.....why wait?

Squeaky

Practically Irrational. It's a really interesting book about social economics...damn it you're already asleep.

RowdyRodimus

I tried to read Hitchhiker's Guide but I couldn't get past the first 30 pages, I just can't read dry British humor at all. I can watch it or listen to radio plays but just can't read it.

After I finish these two books, I have The First American Army and Crossfire: The Plot to Kill Kennedy lined up. The Kennedy book was one of the books Oliver Stone based JFK on.

TheGreatWhiteDope

Was at Barnes and Noble and instead of getting The Books of Fire and Ice 4-pack, because it's 15 bucks cheaper online, I grabbed up the brand-new Barnes&Noble Exclusive: H.P. Lovecraft - The Complete Fiction Hardcover

Time to stop myself from sleeping for a few nights YAY!

Rowdy Rodimus

How much was it? And can you send me a copy if I send you the cash and shipping? I've been wanting a complete Lovecraft forever and we don't have a B&N within 1000 miles.

TheGreatWhiteDope

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/HP-Lovecraft/H-P-Lovecraft/e/9781435122963/?itm=1&USRI=hp+lovecraft+-+the+complete+fiction

Apparently, I haven't read mine yet, it is the same as an '08 version that was released. Which, is said, to have a pretty decent amount of typos. But it is the only single-book collection of HP Lovecraft's fiction work in one spot. So it is a give and take kinda thing.

Rowdy Rodimus

Yeah it's worth $18 and they actually accept Paypal. Now I just need to find one more thing for $7 to get free shipping since the shipping was close to $7 itself.

TheGreatWhiteDope

Volume 1 of Scott Pilgrim: Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life. It is one of the best graphic novels you could read.

 (Insert your own creative segue from Lovecraft to This Week in WWI Forum History here)

This Week in WWI Forum History

The Moment of Insanity - June 2^nd 2006

We're going to start this trip down memory lane, again, at the Moment of Insanity for this week from 2007. And this week was a beauty. We've all had our fair share of "what the ****" moments watching WWE programming. We've all had our fair share of "don't let that girl I like see this" or the ever as popular "****, I really hope my friends aren't seeing this." But the one thing all these reactions probably have in common is one person: Kane. That's right, Kane has probably been in, at the least, one moment you never want to either remember or have your friends see. Back in 2007 we got to see the debut of "The Fake Kane" (ClubWWI's recent guest Festus). Somehow there is competition for this particular week's moment. I'm still not sure how it was debatable looking back.

T-Dog

With two very good candidates, I'm giving the MOI this week to Kane version 1997 making his debut with his Jushin Liger wig. The Angle/ECW thing is MOI worthy, but it's too good to be really insane. The whole thing with Kane's old music, old mask, old costume and old wig was just reeking of the last century (but in a good way). It's the first step forward in this whole storyline that should have happened on I don't know, maybe May 19th! It's just insane to see how a man who mimics a monster actually seems to be better than the monster himself. I don't know who it is (Brian Lee, 911, Test, Freakin' Deacon, Trytan, Kevin Fertig?) but it's definitely insane whoever it is.

Keevel

The Two Kanes is the MOI on so many levels.
First level the hidden secret brother has a hidden secret brother?
Secondly, Kane has an interesting storyline?
Thirdly, they tied a storyline this intriguing onto the end of a forced movie tie-in storyline?
Fourth, they had this good of a swerve at the end of the May 19th storyline and last week all we got was "um, yeah, May 19th was the anniversary of the fire"?
The only thing that could make this any MOI-ier is if fake Kane was played by Diesel.
EDIT ADD: Maybe it's a clone and we find out that Kane is the Big Red Duplicating Machine.

PerfectSnapmare

The introduction of KaneFaker. Honestly, Vince didn't learn his lesson last time? At least the UnderFaker had Ted DiBiase speaking for him.

Obviously this is just an excuse to put Kane over in a feud (which he does desperately need). However, putting him over some nameless, faceless big man is going to mire Kane right back into midcard limbo.

TrentK

I would have liked the segment a lot more if they attempted to dress the Kane Imposter to look more authentic.But as he came out and I thought he looked pretty damn hilarious, and Kane was made to look like he was in absolute shock....from a guy who looks like he was in a oversized Halloween costume version of his old attire.

WolfChild

MOi is definatly Kane's Twin.. But I love it!! How weird is that..

I don't think I can improve on what Keevel said but here's my feelings on how it could go downhill...

Kane has a good storyline? Is that possible? Why do I have the feeling that they'll screw this up by saying that this "Kane" is actually Katie Vick's brother out to get revenge..

(And before "someone" says it: I'm sorry that I'm giving WWE Idea's)

TheNewBlack

It's interesting but yeah I'd agree it'll be my my MOI if SD! isn't completely shit.
Though to tell you the truth it's not totally bad insanity there's bits of both:
Bad: Not a brilliant impersonation, bad wig, didn't do Kane's shoulder-roll walk, would've been nice to see someone new with a new gimmick.
Good: It's better than just crappy messages on the tron.
I think WWE have added intrigued and I for one am impressed with the new twist because it has really got people talking, much like most of Raw last night.

Mike Johns

I have to go with Angle joining ECW. SmackDown is such a depleted roster that they need every major name they can get, and here they go, losing Angle to ECW on top of losing JBL and Benoit to injury in a span of a week. On top of that, Kurt Angle, a guy who's had a vocal history against ECW, most notably for the crucifixion incident, whose about as Anti-Hardcore as one can get inside a ring, goes to ECW?! Okay, they're trying to get ECW filled with a-grade talent, sort-of re-create the whole Malenko/Eddie/Benoit thing, but this would be like ECW signing BRET HART circa 1996. Big name? sure. Potentially beneficial to the product? Maybe. About as out of place as the Warrior at the GLAAD Image Awards? HELL YEAH! I have no clue what WWE is trying to do with ECW, but changing it into something other than EXTREME wrestling is a bad idea, and completely insane.

NozeNuggets

Kurt Angle joining ECDub has got to be the MOI for this week because it was a bolt out of the (red, white and) blue. It now means SmackDown is the "C" show after RAW and ECDub on SciFi.

Nelsolo

As strange as Kane's twin is, nothing was more insane to me than Finlay's leprechaun.

First of all, as far as I'm concerned, anything involving midgets gets a head start for Moment of Insanity.

At least the Kane thing has potential to go somewhere, and probably has some kind of point, even if it's only something to the effect of symbolically having Kane fight his own personal demons.

As for the leprechaun, what the hell is the point of it, besides getting a few chuckles? Also, what we have here is yet another exploitation of foreign countries stereotypes. It seems everytime the creative team is at a loss for ideas, they come up with some lame stereotypical crap that just goes nowhere : Paul Burchill comes to mind. While I understand not every gimmick can be a homerun, I don't get why they would ever need to tack a one-dimensional gimmick with no upside potential on a wrestler. If you can't hit it out of the park, dammit, the least you can do is try...

It's not the fact it's a weird gimmick. The Boogeyman works for me because the guy lives the gimmick, he's different, and it creates entertaining situations and possibilities. The Spirit Squad works for me because they back up their annoying gimmick with tremendous athleticism, and do cool stuff like trampoline moves that were never done before. These gimmicks, while strange, also leave room for creative exploration.

I enjoyed Finlay a lot as the stiff, badass european brawler. What could a goddamn leprechaun add to this character? To me, the leprechaun actually takes away from the character, and turns a potential upper mid-carder into a sideshow attraction.

Depending on where they go from here, I might end up being surprised by that angry leprechaun. But I'm not holding my breath.

SmackDown needs lots of help, and that little green bastard's not gonna do it.

Dark Lord

Finlay started off pretty lame, but has finally gotten over. Then they bring in a freakin' "little person" as a Leprechaun sidekick?! It completely destroys Finlay's badass character and puts it into the realm of the mid-90's with Max Moon, Bastion Booger and Aldo Montoya.

Raevir

In my mind, the Kane has a twin angle was kind of lame, actually. You kind of saw it coming because it's happened before, so it wasn't really out of the blue surprise. On the other hand, I don't remember ever seeing someone use a midget like a pitbull before tossing him back under the ring with a swift kick to the gut for good measure. I think the MOI is kind of biased towards Raw because Smackdown has passed already and Raw is the next show to watch after listening in on RFI. I personally feel the entire Smackdown show is insane right now come to think of it. They just lost Milena and Nitro to Raw, Angle just jumped for ECW, JBL has quit after losing to Mysterio and oh yeah, Mysterio, a cruiserweight, is still the World Heavyweight Champion. (They could still pull that angle off, but the fact that he's champion is insane in its own right). Are they trying to bury the show?

Worst Storyline Ever - May 31^st 2006

Upon someone reading James Guttman's first Book "World Wrestling Insanity" (which you can buy at amazon.com and any other fine book retailer) the question of "worst storyline ever" came up. Here is a quick snip of the answers. This topic will also be re-coming up once this article is posted. Because I want to see if anything over the past 5 years has topped greats such as "Katie Vick".

MisChief

Reading JG's book ( I'm not even half way done lol) and the part where we're all reminded of that little storyline that will scarred me for life (KATIE VICK) got me thinking about what some of the worst storylines that have come through and will probably be in the Moment of Insanity's Hall of Fame.

I mean there's been a lot, last summer I was convinced that it was Eddie versus Rey in the "I'm your Papi" sequence. But anywho, wut would you rank as the worst EVER??

Johnbuk

Worst ever is tough...not sure if it qualifies as a storyline, but a recent gimmick that embarrasses me to be a wrestling fan every time it happens and will be rearing it's ugly head yet again next week on Raw is the Vince McMahon "kiss my ass club". It might have a decent payoff for once if it results in a well written DX return, but I'm not counting on it being any better than past editions.

As far as bad storylines go, TNA's whole SEX angle (Sports Entertaininment Extreme) with the Ace in the Hole (the horrible knickname for that 3rd rate rock wannabe Sonny Sunaki (sp?)) was god awful. I still can't believe noone referred to that douche as an Acehole. And imagine someone tuning in to the program for the first time and seeing a bunch of guys in their underwear referring to a locker roon as the sex locker room. It was like an episode OZ gone horribly, horrible wrong.

David

I hate to say this but at this point Kane IS a bad storyline.

TrentK

I'll sum it up in two words:

Al Wilson

Wolfchild

Worst Storyline Period: Katie Vick.

Worst Segment: Dr. Heiny

Good Story with the Worst Payoff: Who ran over Austin? Oh yeah... It was Rikishi.

TheGreenTeabagger

Honorable Mention has to be Mark Henry and Mae Young's affair leading up to the infamous hand birth.

FritoBandet

Sense WWE own's WCW now i'll throw a Bischoff classic in here. Master P and his No Limit Soilders where so God awful "hoody hooooooooo"

Virtual Satyr

The Invasion Angle.

Legend Killer

the New Blood

Seion

Hey, how about all of the stupid stuff surrounding, concerning, and including the film "No Holds Barred?" Zeus in a world title match...
Or worse, how about all of the stupid stuff surrounding, concerning, and including the film "Ready To Rumble?" David Arquette WINNING a world title match.

Keevel

Earthquake squashing Damien.

Mike Johns

If you want me to be perfectly honest, I think the entire 2002 calendar year could be considered for WWE's "Worst Storyline". The botched nWo return, Katie Vick, Stephanie faking a pregnancy, the brand split, Billy and Chuck getting married, HLA, the whole Undertaker/Brock Lesnar feud, Triple H just being handed a World Title, the elimination of the European, Hardcore and IC belts, and, of course KATIE VICK, 2002 just sucked. Can I just count the whole damn year, or do I have to actually pick one of these?

Papi

And let's not forget the horrible storyline that Kane is currently involved in. He was the first-ever wrestler to have his inner thoughts broadcast to the audience in a lame attempt to promote his crappy movie. And now he's got a ridiculous looking doppleganger half his size fucking with him.

GeeRED

Must be another Kane thing, but having Matt Hardy come back and explain that in real life he and Lita where bumping uglies as opposed to the storyline version of Kane and Lita being an item, killed Kane's character stone dead. He was off the road at the time thank god, otherwise it could have finished him off for good.

There are about 4 more pages of this to be found on our insanity boards. You should join today and chime in. The past 5 years have been insane and I'm about to re-open this entire debate again. So you have a week to get in on it. Join the WWI forums and see if you can pick the most insane moment of all time. Maybe you can rally support and get something to beat Katie Vick. Think about it, you have years worth of TNA to work with. So get on it. Also, while you're there, join the WWI wrestling fantasy game that is going on. I've read around and apparently it is pretty fun.