It's been 13 years since NBC presented WWE's unique brand of sports entertainment on Saturday nights. Back in the day it was Cindi Lauper and Captain Lou Albano who became the face of wrestling to non-wrestling fans who happened to dial by. Of course, there was Hulk Hogan, the Ultimate Warrior and many others, too, but it's Lauper and Albano that I remember. Hey, I wasn't a fan then--what did I know from wrestling?
Anyway...
In its press release for the launch of SNME, WWE promised that tonight's show would "provide thrilling storylines, shocking betrayals, and larger-than-life characters battling for championship glory." Really? Where have they been keeping those thrilling storylines and why haven't they shared them with viewers of their regular cable shows? Raw, in particular.
This is yet another stop on the long and winding Road to WrestleMania. As James Guttman so aptly put it, Monday night's Raw was the rest stop (literally) on the Road to 'Mania. Last night's Smackdown was a gas-and-go stop. Tonight's show would qualify as the stop to visit relatives that you haven't seen in years. You remember all the fun you had the last time you were there, but will it be the same this time?
Matches scheduled for tonight include:
- John Cena & Triple H vs. Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio & Randy Orton.
- Shawn Michaels vs. Shane McMahon in a Street Fight.
- Booker T vs. The Boogeyman. (I'm not sure mainstream America is ready for the Boogeyman.)
- Trish Stratus & Mickie James vs. Victoria & a partner.
- JBL vs. Steve Austin in a Beer Swilling Contest.
- Edge will host "The Cutting Edge" with guest Mick Foley.
And don't forget that the much-beloved and sorely missed WWE announcer, Jim Ross, will be making his return to WWE TV tonight.
Join me for real time coverage of SNME tonight beginning at 8:00 p.m. (ET).
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