You know, it's amazing what can get a discussion started on our threads. Most times, it's a major bit of news, but sometimes it's something stupid that Michael Cole says.   An example of this took place during Raw this past Monday...

TheGreatWhiteDope
So I tune into Raw a tad late and the first thing I hear is.

"If you believe that then you believe in the Easter Bunny." -Lawler
"I did when I was younger." -Cole

...for a show that now targets kids....amazing....

nelsolo
Obviously they're not quite targeting kids who are young enough to believe in the freakin' Easter bunny...

TheGreatWhiteDope
Brother and all his friends are 8...they watch Raw weekly, they all believe in all that sh*t still.

Many times, during the show, too, someone will ask a question you’d really think WWE would have thought to answer by now…

TheGreatWhiteDope
Couldn't money buy a WWE title match though? I mean that is kind of Dibiase's gimmick. And with Sheamus picking his opponent couldn't Dibiase just walk up to Sheamus and be like "Hey 500,000 bucks if I get a title shot. We good?"

Shouldn't that work and work pretty well?

You’d think it would, GWD.

Meanwhile, in the TNA Threads, our resident TNABot, clifffside, has recently started watching Impact again after a lengthy hiatus, and has decided to blog about it on the boards.   Here’s some of his thoughts on the current state of TNA…

I still hate seeing Hulk Hogan and I still hate the fact that they are stuck in the Impact Zone, but this show is way better than the mess I saw back in January.

TNA is full of drama and interesting storylines everywhere. The matches as usual are full of good action, but what I like most about TNA is their willingness to experiment with new concepts on how to present pro wrestling. I like the new way they tape backstage skits. It's not how WWE have been doing it for years, they use the Canon 7D D-SLR and that adds a lot to the presentation of the show.

Everything from the type of storylines (non-PG) to the type of wrestling (riskier and more athletic moves) to the way the show is filmed is different from WWE and that makes them stand out.

TNA is in a good place right now. I like it so far. It's better than the same ole same ole on USA Network in my opinion.

A couple of things that I would like to see in the near future

1.) Get Impact on the road: The greatest booker of all-time has been the same person for almost 100 years; the fans. TNA not only needs a new setting, but they need to go to different markets with their #1 show to gauge how different fans from different regions across the country react to the show instead of just having the same ole jaded Impact Zone crowd. They also would be growing the brand's awareness because with each tv taping there would be advertising in that local region which would be big for building TNA's fan base one market at a time.

2.) Phase out the older guys once and for all: In recent years TNA has done a good job of slowly developing their young talent for primetime. I think the grooming and development period is finally over and done. It's time guys like Nash, Sting, the entire EV2, and especially HULK HOGAN leave TNA once and for all. Eric Bischoff has done great things for TNA behind the scenes, Kurt Angle is still one of the best in the world and Ric Flair has played a key role in bringing Fortune to the fore-front, but everybody else over 40 can go for all I care.

3.) TNA needs a B-show: The roster is too big and too talented for one 3-hour block per week. TNA needs a second show. This week I didn't get to see any X-Division wrestlers or any tag teams get any face time. 5 hours a week would do the trick and allow for more character development. Besides touring Impact, I believe a B-show is the next step in TNA's growth.

4.) Market yourselves: Paul Heyman isn't the only person who has been screaming at the top of his lungs for TNA to do this. The obvious singular focus of this promotion is to bring about the natural evolution of pro wrestling/sports entertainment by introducing a new generation of wrestlers and a new way of presenting pro wrestling on tv.

TNA over the years have experimented with flipping that format and presenting it's tv in a different way. I see recently with the addition of Eric Bischoff that they have found their stride in how they want to do things. It's exciting because it's new and it involves a cast of characters that consists mostly of people who weren't around for the old ways of doing things. What TNA has to do now is advertise that fact.

The old saying goes "this ain't your father's pro wrestling"; well TNA needs to take things a step further and declare that "this isn't even your older brother's pro wrestling". New stars, new storylines, new setting and a new era of pro wrestling have arrived. It's twice the quality at half the price of the same ole "sports entertainment" your used to. They have to advertise that statement the same way they advertised for Hulk Hogans big debut. There needs to be a constant media blitz like it was back in January, but this time for TNA's new touring tv show and for the celebration of pro wrestling's evolution that has come in the form of TNA.

For our Role Playing Gamers out there, yes, WWI has its very own E-Fed, run by Chazlo and a great set of match writers and contributors, putting together each week’s “Tuesday Night Throwdown” and the monthly PPV shows, including this past Sunday’s SummerShammiversary, which where Raver won the brutal “Death By Insanity” cage match, and Mischief defeated Vaevictus Pendragon to become the NEW WWI World Champion.   Here’s a comment from Chazlo concerning the event –

I just want to thank the people who wrote matches and also wanted to congratulate everyone for promoing alot and making this the most promoed-for PPV in a year and half. Keep it going strong!

Also, some post-show words from the New WWI Champion, Mischief –

Don‘t worry I know you guys want to get a word from me. Right now I plan on celebrating… But there is one thing I‘ve gotta say before I head out

….YOU’RE WELCOME.

Then, there’s the issue of Serena Deeb’s release.   While not yet made official by WWE.com, several credible sources, including PWInsaider.com and the Wrestling Observer, have been reporting on the release of Straight Edge Society member, Serena, from WWE.   Here’s what some of our members have to say on the matter –

Aaron Wood
Not seen anythign reliable, but the popular rumour seems to be that she wasn't exactly "living the gimmick". essentially she's been going out and getting drunk, and word got back to management, which when you're supposed to be sober, on TV, ain't the best idea.

James Bullock
Well, it's WWE's fault if this is true. They had her fall off the wagon for a TV segment. What did they expect to happen? Punk can't be around her 24/7.

Aaron Wood
I'm guessing you're making a joke there, but along with the rumour, it's being said that that very segment was "a message" to Serena, much in the same way as they did a weight angle with Mickie James to seemingly send her a message.

The thing is, to me, if it's true that she's been getting drunk and partying in public, then really, unlike the Danielson and Mickie firings, I have little sympathy. I mean, I'm not he has to be totally chaste while she's in the SES and do pretty much what she likes, but if you're trying to keep up even the merest pretence of character/kayfabe (which we know they are since Nexus aren't allowed to do autographs and Taker wasn't allowed to go to UFC when he was in his coma) , then you can't be going out and partying and getting drunk while doing a sXe gimmick.

Also, as it occurs to me, I think that the whole thing about this happening a few days ago, only getting out now, and particularly that WWE.com dosn't have anything on it yet is because she'll be on this week's Smackdown since it was filmed last week, and it wouldn't make much sense for them, especially after the bad week wwe.com has had, for them to announce Serena's release only to have her show up on Friday. I would expect them to say something over the weekend.

James Bullock
I love WWE's not-so-subtle ways of telling you what they don't like about you. Chris Masters looks too small without steriods, lets have HHH make fun of him. Mickie James has gotten fatter, lets make a storyline where we mock her little bit of extra weight. Serena got wasted one night, lets say she's fallen off the wagon.

Seriously, I understand where A.W. is coming from. The basis of her gimmick is she doesn't drink or do drugs. She had to know that WWE doesn't want her drinking in public for the character image alone. I'm a big fan of Serena (repping the VA), but she should've used better judgment. I don't think the fans would care one bit if she wasn't living the gimmick, but you know Vince looks at things like this and questions a person's dedication, not only to the character he's given them, but also his company .

TheMaverickMJ
If she's over partying and showing up drunk, okay... she should be canned. But as far as this "she shouldn't be going out at all because of kayfabe" deal... What year is this? Seriously. We don't ask Hugh Laurie to lose the British accent and walk with a limp when the camera cuts, do we? Show's over, game's over. Period. Let people have their lives.

This isn't the 1970's. People know better. Keeping a measure of kayfabe in this day and age is almost pointless once the cameras go off.

Anthony.Analog
The product is aimed at kids though, who still believe that their hero's and villain's are real... except of course for the Easter Bunny (shout out to Michael "Dream Crusher" Cole for that one). Rey doesn't run around mask less in public... Dolph Ziggler's hair isn't un-greased when he's not wrestling... and Michael Cole's eyebrows don't suddenly "grow back" when the camera's are off. It's all a part of the new Disney WWE culture

TheMaverickMJ
One about a thousand MORE reasons why WWE should not be marketing violence to children....

Seriously, you just made the PTC's argument for them, Analog. "Kids don't know the difference between real and fake, therefore..."

[Insert Facepalm Here]

The Chosen 1
WWE is a business in which it is understood that how you are portrayed on television is how you are supposed to portray yourself in real life in order to blur the line between reality and bullshit. Carlito hams up his accent on TV he hams it up when in public.. but even that isn't as bad as Serena... this would be like a guy who plays a lady's man on TV but is seen making out with other guys in bars. WWE wouldn't have him be a lady's man any more if that came out... this situation is worse though because Serena is consciously choosing to live a lifestyle opposite of what she portrays on TV AND WWE has MOST LIKELY told her to stop. If she decides not to stop, she should be fired.

Regardless of whether or not KAYFABE should or should not exist anymore, WWE told her not to do something while playing this character (IE Disney tells their girls NOT to be whores) she decided not to change so, WWE fired her.... I can understand it... I mean this is the same company that fired a new guy because he told Vince McMahon he wouldn't cut his hair.

BXV2
well for one WWE wants to be seen as an "episodic TV show". do you think the guy that plays Jack Bower(sp?) goes around in his day to day life stopping terrorists? no or did The Hurricane go around saving the day? no

i love WWE and have no love lost for anyone in the SES gimmick since i find them completely annoying as hell... but back on topic after the cameras are done rolling the show is over, the tights come off and the beers come out.

instead of firing her i would have simply changed the storyline, turn her against the SES as a face and team her up with Mysterio or Big Show.

And, finally, this week, we bring you a photo WWE probably wishes you wouldn’t see, posted by WWI’s own Aaron Wood  and James Guttman in two completely different threads –