ZAH
Shakin' My Head: "The Infamous De-Push", Mistico in WWE, Bashams in TNA, Loser of the Week, plus much more!
By ZAH
Feb 23, 2007, 06:00

02-23-07

“...and the world keeps me alive.”

Boo-yah, here we go!!

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Item #1 – Where’s the de-push now???

What was it...two weeks ago that I said CM Punk’s push was going to be just fine?  I told you guys.  You didn’t believe me, did you?  Well........nah nah nah nah naaaah nah.

CM Punk....“Mr. Backstage Heat”...“Mr. De-Push”...is going to participate in one of the highest profile matches of the entire year.  This week Punk defeated Johnny Nitro in a very good TV match to earn his spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match that will take place at this year’s WrestleMania.  This is, by far, the biggest match of Punk’s career.

This is a guy who only wanted to wrestle.  Once he achieved that dream he wanted to one day wrestle for WWE.  Well...he’s gotten that wish, too.  Short of one day becoming WWE champion, he wanted to be at WrestleMania...but not as a prop or extra, but rather as a featured performer.  He wanted to showcase his skills for the world on sports entertainment’s grandest stage.

And now is his chance.

Don’t get me wrong...I realize that Punk’s chances of winning are slim and none.  That doesn’t take away from the fact that regardless of how much perceived heat the guy has backstage, he must have handled it well in order to be considered for this match.  There are a LOT of guys who probably won’t be featured as prominently (if at all) but Punk won’t be one of them.

So stop whining about his losing streak.  Stop complaining about dropping falls to the likes of Hardcore Holly, Matt Striker, and Marcus Cor Von.  Instead, start dreaming about the possibilities.  Start realizing that the cream always rises to the top.  Start remembering what it was about Punk while on the Indie scene that made you a fan of his to begin with.

Congratulations, Punk.  You’re living the dream that most can only...umm...uhh...dream about.

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Item #2 – WWE interested in Wrestler of the Year?

Mistico, the Observer’s “Wrestle of the Year” for 2006, is going to be getting a tryout match with WWE at the SmackDown tapings this Tuesday night in San Jose.  Now, forget the fact that he’s got a LOT going against him having a very successful career in WWE (umm...how ‘bout his size for starters?).  The biggest news about this is that the move to even try out for WWE has tremendous political implications when it comes to Mistico’s career. 

CMLL really doesn’t want Mistico to leave their company.  They had a banner year in 2006 and Mistico was a primary reason for it.  The whole thought process for superstars in Mexico is that if you become a “superstar”, you can then find work for the rest of your career and make a very good living.  If you leave to go to North America, you’ll still make a great living but your “worth” won’t be the same once you return to Mexico if you’re not booked to be as dominant as you were in Mexico (I don’t make the rules, kids...I just present them to you).

Therefore, the big question then becomes, is Mistico jeopardizing his long-term financial future by wanting to wrestle for immediate big-time WWE bucks?  It’s hard to say at this point, but I can’t knock a guy who wants to wrestle for the largest sports entertainment company in the world.

In the meantime, I plan on watching me some Mistico on YouTube to see what to expect.

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Item #3 – So what’s there to do in Houston, Texas?          

I’m signing a contract today to start a new job with a company that will be sending me down to Houston, Texas from the middle of April through ‘til the middle of May.  My question: What’s there to do?

I mean, I already missed WWE passing through a couple of months ago and the NFL season is over...so what’s left?  Does Booker run his new indie fed in Houston?  How much are NBA tickets (and are they even worth it?)?  What about MBL...does that start in early May?  What else is there to do there?

Anyway...I’ve obviously got some time before I go down so if you know of anything I can do, please feel free to let me know by dropping me a line at ZAH@worldwrestlinginsanity.com.

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Item #4 – Wait...it didn’t suck?

John Cena vs. Randy Orton from this past Monday night’s RAW was proof positive that, given a good match layout and proper execution, these guys are able to wrestle a very entertaining match.

I don’t remember a Randy Orton Chinlock of Doom ©...I don’t remember yawning even though it was almost 1:00am AST...I don’t remember thinking that RAW sucks.

What I do remember is that Orton and Cena gave one of their better performances on Monday night.  The psychology of the match was sound, the intensity was there, and stories were told, and the crowd was way into things.  I gotta admit that I wasn’t expecting much at all when I initially heard about the main event.  Maybe that’s a good thing...having lowered expectations. I also gotta admit that since I got scammed into buying and watching December to Dismember, my lowered expectations have resulted in pleasant surprises within the WWE world.  RAW, minus the Rosie vs. Donald ski, has been pretty entertaining, SmackDown has been on a roll, and even ECW has improved slightly since ol’ Dusty has come over to assist in the creative aspects.  The PPV’s have been solid (more so than the TNA PPV’s over the same time period) and WrestleMania’s lookin’ like a really good PPV.

Some may say that you shouldn’t lower your expectations, rather the product should improve to “where it was”.  I can’t disagree with that statement.  However, if your choices are limited, then your solutions are limited, too.  I’m certainly not going to start touting the wonderfulness of WWE, nor am I going to bash the stagnancy that is TNA.  I like to think that if something is good, I call it regardless of where it came from.  Same goes for something bad or god-awful...I’ll call it as I see it.

Right now I see WWE on a roll and I hope it continues.

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Item #5 – The Bashams are going to TNA.

According to the Observer, Doug Basham and Damaja (i.e. Danny “Basham” Hollie) have been contacted by TNA to be a new heel tag team that will be managed by Christy Hemme to feud with the Voodoo Kin Mafia.

This is a good move by TNA.  In Basham and Hollie you’ve got two solid hands who can not only get it done in the ring, but can do it on the mic when given the opportunity.  These guys are solid workers, which is what TNA is best known for.  Thrown them in the ring and let them ‘go’ and see what happens.

The weird thing is that, apparently, Christie Hemme is scheduled to be the heel against VKM.  The thought process is that TNA’s male fan base will rally behind Kip James in his male chauvinist comments and turn Hemme heel. 

Ummm...yeah.  I’m not sure I follow that thought process, either.  Still, if it allows Hemme the chance to be a heel manager then I’m game for a change.  Let’s throw it out there and see if it sticks.  She’s certainly easier on the eyes than Jim Mitchell...she’s better on the mic than Jackie Moore...she’s got more charisma than Gail Kim.  Why in the heck NOT give her a chance?  Given a great team like the Bashams to work with, who knows just where this may end up?

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Item #6 – Mickie James online petition.

Hehehe...while I should proclaim the creator of this petition the REAL Loser of the Week, I’ll stick to making him/her a runner-up.  Here’s the deal...

Some fans are actually trying to petition Vince McMahon to get Mickie on the card for WrestleMania.  Check this out:

To:  Vince McMahon and WWE Creative Team

 

After last night's episode of Raw, Melina won the title from Mickie James, and afterwards, Melina cut a promo about how Ashley is "stealing her spotlight".It appears as if you might go in the direction of having Melina face Ashley for the Women's Championship at Wrestlemania 23. Please reconsider.

Leaving Mickie James off of the Wrestlemania card, I feel, would be a major travesty. Mickie James has great wrestling ability, and is over with the fans. Please do not have Melina face Ashley.

Ummm...yeah.  Listen, I absolutely love Mickie James and her match with Trish Stratus last year was a definite highlight for me simply because of the lesbian undertones.  However, if she doesn’t show up at ‘Mania then she doesn’t show up.  Shit happens.

But by all means...keep on trying.  In the meantime, I’ll simply sit back and enjoy this:

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Item # 7 – LOSER OF THE WEEK.

Each and every week, I pick somebody (not necessarily always from wrestling) who has either acted in a dumb way, said something stupid, or generally was an idiot in some way, shape, or form.  This week was probably the easiest choice yet.  Folks, ZAH’s Loser of the Week simply has to be...

Britney Spears!!!

Umm...if you haven’t heard then you’ve been living under a rock for the past week.  Basically, Britney had a melt-down.  She shaved her own head, got a couple of tattoos, entered rehab, left rehab, had her kids taken away by Kevin (!!!),  re-entered rehab once again...and now is ready to get “hot” again and marry me.

Okay...everything but that last part is true.  Anyway...I’m not kidding anybody...I’d still bang her.  Still, there should be no doubt that Britney Spears is my Loser of the Week!

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Pillar to Post 

Each and every week I’ll take three statements that you, the WorldWrestlingInsanity.com readers, have submitted on the hot topics du jour and then get two or three volunteers to give their thoughts and insight.  Ladies and gentlemen, this week (and I encourage every reader to throw me an e-mail and volunteer), I was able to find two  great World Wrestling Insanity readers in koolbluecat & curse_7781!

1. Agree or Disagree
Batista should end Undertaker’s winning streak at WrestleMania.

Koolbluecat: Disagree.

I do not believe that Undertaker's streak should be ended period. Once his streak ends then that ends his character much like Kane's was finished the moment he took off the mask (you f*cking listening TNA?) Once he is pinned that’s it. There is no longer a reason for him to ever wrestle again. And if it ever was to be ended then not by Batista? The man is a draw but he blotches wrestling moves. Lots of people can’t carry Dave Batista to a good match (with the exception of Triple H and perhaps Kurt Angle). WWE is nuts to think about doing this but if he goes down let it be to someone else.

curse_7781: Agree.

Ending the Undertaker's streak would pretty much vitalize Batista's image right now as the ultimate heel coming out of WrestleMania. Sure the event is supposed to end storylines but this one is sure to make a new storyline that is bound to get people talking out of it. For now, online fans hate the guy (for better or worse) and this is something that would make people hate him in a storyline perspective instead of the usual stuff we hear about the guy.

2. Agree or Disagree
This year’s WrestleMania is better off without Hulk Hogan.

Koolbluecat: Unsure.

Hulk Hogan and WrestleMania go together like liver and onions; made for each other. Ever since the Hulkster reappeared at WrestleMania 18, like him or not he is a crowd pleaser. The crowd roars every time he steps in a WWE ring. He can’t wrestle very well and truth is he never could but he always knew what the crowd wanted and loved and in the past he has always given it to them. On the other hand, its time for the "brother" to hang up his boots for good. It saddens me to see a 54 year old man hobble to the ring, get his ass, beat and come back and win the match (yes Flair I'm looking at you as well). It’s simply not cool anymore. But the crowd loves him and that the point that matters, as related to Hogan.

curse_7781: Disagree.

Having this hair vs. hair match with Vince and the Donald just screams off "We don't have anything else to show for" to the viewer. Once Vince McMahon revealed to us that Hogan isn't going to be used, it sure gave that vibe that Hogan was the person who got screwed out of the whole deal, and this is coming from a guy who doesn't even like the Hulk Hogan! When people think of WrestleMania, they usually think of fond memories of Hogan and Andre match, and leaving Hogan out of it is a disservice to us fans. Sure, some might say that Hogan should have saw it coming when he said those "secret" Hall-of-Fame nominations on that radio show but I think that it also gives a sense of vision that Vince is a bitter guy that refuses to give credit where credit is due on who made the WWF/WWE famous and just let the guy be on the show for one night.

3. Agree or Disagree
TNA has proved itself worthy of having a 2-hour prime-time slot on Spike TV.

Koolbluecat: Disagree.

TNA Impact is one of those shows that are fine with a one hour slot. With that one hour things flow pretty smoothly. However I'm afraid given TNA an extra hour will see it turn into WCW v2.0 and then at the end of the day Vince McMahon adds another library to his already massive collection of DVDs. First thing they need to do is get rid of Vince Russo. Stop trying to generate a Monday Night War. Stop all the rehashing. Invent something that makes your product unique and run with it. People are begging to see Samoa Joe with the strap. Invent new matches. Because most of the matches have already been done to death and no one cares. TNA has to reinvent themselves to convince me that they are worthy of anything more than a one hour slot.

curse_7781: Agree.

Well, it certainly isn't like Spike TV doesn't have many options on what to offer the viewer in terms of entertainment, does it? I mean, pretty much all of their "original programming" ended in failure and I do think that TNA has earned a decent reputation on how they made a name for themselves despite TNA's shortcomings last week. Spike TV would not only be helping TNA but themselves as well on who would be bringing some entertainment to their television station.

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Great job guys, thanks!!  I’m looking forward to seeing who gets to join me as a guest columnist next week. 

No problem.  Seriously...it’s not a problem at all.  Really...RIGHT NOW!!  You can let me know either by e-mailing me at Zah@worldwrestlinginsanity.com or hitting me up at ZAH Nation, found in the Insanity Message Board and letting me know that you’d like to participate.  Also, don’t forget to stop by my MySpace page and add me.

So until next week…

L8R