The Thread Killer

Sadly, I've become a little numb and even desensitized to wrestler deaths over the years, when I see a headline that somebody passed, it's getting to be like "Oh look, somebody else died." I feel bad that I feel that way, but so many of these guys have passed over the years I've been a fan, it's like I said - you almost get numb. This feels different though. This is really hitting me - the last time I felt like this is when Misawa died. Dusty Rhodes wasn't just a wrestler, he wasn't just a great wrestler, he was a legend. He left such a mark on the sport, it's hard to put into words. Ever since I heard the news, I've been walking around my job, and favorite promos and matches and angles keep popping into my head. What a loss. There will never be another Dusty Rhodes. He really was a true original and we'll never see another like him.

There was one year in the 90's, in AJPW where it was mind blowing how high the quality of their television was. Bit by bit I ended up buying almost the entire year - not by design, but I just kept getting tapes based on match recommendations from people I trusted, and then when I sat back and indexed my stuff, I realized that I was getting close to an entire year of TV. Off the top of my head, without going back to check my VHS tapes and indexes, I'm 90% sure it was 1993. So I'm going to say 1993 AJPW.

So apparently Vince Russo has started his own pay site again. How does this keep happening, and who would actually pay to hear what Vince Russo thinks about anything? Now if there was a kickstarter campain to pay Russo to stay AWAY from Pro Wrestling and to pay him if he agrees to NOT share his opinions...that is something I could get behind. So he posted a blog entry last week bemoaning the fact that whenever he points out what he sees as flaws in modern Pro Wrestling people get after him, but JR can say the same thing and people respect JR's opinion. I think it's hysterical that Russo can't understand why people respect JR's opinion and not his. (They share the same sediments, dammit!) Yes, Vince. It's because you're from New York, or that people confuse the real you with the character you played on TV. (Who you obviously must have been playing in your shoot interviews too. And I guess your television characters wrote your books as well.) The fact people don't respect you has nothing to do with the fact that you're the worst writer in the history of wrestling, and you helped drive WCW into the ground. This week, he has posted an interview with Billy Corgan on YouTube. I was going to watch it, but I'm afraid that the combination of ignorance and ego would melt my brain. Has anybody here been brave enough to watch the interview?

A few historic moments from Maple Leaf Gardens history: March 15, 1956: Whipper Billy Watson defeats Lou Thesz for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Thesz will regain the title later in the year, in St. Louis. November 14, 1957: Dick Hutton defeats Lou Thesz for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. June 30, 1961: Bruno Sammartino defeats Buddy Rogers in a match that was originally announced as being for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. However, Sammartino refuses the title as Rogers is injured during the match, so the NWA does not recognise the victory. January 24, 1963: Lou Thesz defeats Buddy Rogers for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in one fall. Several NWA promotors claim the match was intended to be a Best out of Three Falls Match, and refuse to recognise the title change, since only one fall was contested. As a result, Buddy Rogers is named and recognised as the first World Heavyweight Champion of the new World Wide Wrestling Federation. February 7, 1963: Lou Thesz defeats Rogers in a Best out of Three Falls rematch, solidifying his claim as NWA World Heavyweight Champion. August 11, 1974: Andre The Giant becomes the first person in over 100 matches and 5 years to defeat The Sheik in Toronto. February 6, 1977: Harley Race defeats Terry Funk for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. March 25, 1979: AWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwinkel and WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund fight to a double countout.

I might be biased since I saw so many shows there, but the old Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto had a long history going back as far as the 20's. Even though it has been converted to an athletic centre now, they hosted an ROH show last fall.

I have a question... What is the actual difference between Evolve and DGUSA shows? Are they only considered DGUSA when wrestlers from Dragon's Gate in Japan are on the show, otherwise they are Evolve? And is it true that the two promotions are starting to merge, or that DGUSA is basically starting to fade? Is it true that one of the champions on the show last night announced that their DGUSA title is now an Evolve title?

I think if there is one thing that has become clear over the years, it's that we should never underestimate the stupidity of Dixie Carter. I think pretty much anybody can distract her with shiny objects and convince her that they are the one who knows exactly how to make TNA succeed. First it was Russo, then it was Hogan/Bischoff, then it was Pritchard and now it's going to be Corgan.

In Dynamite Kid's book, DK mentions that Funk was bragging about his friendship with Stallone, and offered to get DK cast as Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, but that DK never got the part because he was too short.

A lot of people can't do that, for medical reasons. As we age, the bladder loses it's elasticity, as well. Besides, didn't you watch Seinfeld? If there is one thing George Costanza taught us, it's that it is bad to hold it in. He read that in medical journals.

The financial woes news continues... 70 days late gets into "WTF" territory. If this is true, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that they are out of business soon. When you're that far behind on paying people you're in Heyman territory.

Why wouldn't I get the news at 411? It's reliable, true, sourced, free, and easy to access. What an odd thing to care about.

I wasn't sure there was an Elder Statesman Vince, but then I was shocked when I saw the Ultimate Warrior tribute special they did on the WWE Network. When they interviewed Vince he got choked up and cried. It came off as totally sincere and legit, too. I've seen my share of crocodile tears in my day, and I don't think Vince is that good an actor. It shocked me for two reasons: 1) After all their history, I assumed Vince hated Warrior and only made nice with him because it was good for business. I never expected him to care that much. 2) I assumed Vince was some sort of uncaring cyborg, fueled by a combination of cocaine and testosterone. This is a guy who doesn't like people yawning around him and doesn't believe in illness, because he sees both as a sign of weakness...but he cried!

Right now, I'd have to say my biggest pet peeve/utter hatred is watching the way Dixie Carter is flushing TNA down the toilet. When Panda Energy got involved with TNA, they had a decent roster and most of the pieces in place to take a legit run at being the #2 wrestling promotion in North America. Through a steady series of idiotic decisions, she has systematically screwed that up to the point where now they can't even pay their talent. It's maddening to watch somebody take something that had potential and destroy it through utter incompetence. TNA never was a real alternative to WWE, but there was no reason they couldn't have been, if not for gross mismanagement.

There was another article today on 411 saying that they are still really behind on paying their production staff, and that when the staff call to find out the status of their pay, they get the runaround with a bunch of BS excuses. This is pretty pathetic. I find it sad that they can't pay their employees but still expect them to show up for work. Who can blame Taz for not going to Nashville to do his voiceovers and quitting instead. Looks like Joe knew what he was doing when he jumped ship, it sounds like working for TNA is not really a realistic option for anybody - not if you actually want to get paid for your work. I know people have been predicting the death of this company since almost Day 1, but after all this time there might actually be smoke to that fire. When you have a loser of a TV contract, your ratings are crap, you can't sell PPV's or DVD's, one of your biggest stars (Joe) walks away, your color commentator quits because he isn't getting paid, your production staff aren't being paid and bitch about it to the dirt sheets, and there is really nothing bright on the horizon that might turn this around - maybe TNA really is good and screwed and it is time to pull the plug on this mess. I was never one of those people who wanted TNA to fail. I was hoping they would succeed. Hell, I am one of the only fans I know who actually paid for pretty much all of their weekly PPV's back in the day. But it seems like since Dixie Carter got involved, it has been one stupid decision after another. I hate to see TNA go under because I like to see wrestlers who can't get a chance in WWE work somewhere else, but I don't think Dixie Carter has the ability to run a successful wrestling company - there is too much evidence to the contrary.

It must have been pretty bad for Taz to walk away, since he just re-signed with TNA last year, no? I am also surprised they are getting that far behind on pay, since the talent aren't working half as much as they used to.

So I saw WrestleMania and was intrigued enough to the point where I would consider watching WWE again to see if they can build on what they did there. Back when I followed the product, RAW and Smackdown were almost separate entities with their own World titles and different rosters. I know that is a thing of the past now. Here is my question... Is Smackdown back to being a "B" level show that you really don't need to see in order to follow WWE? Or does most of the angle advancement happen on RAW with more quality wrestling on Smackdown? Or is there no difference between the two shows? I get the impression RAW is still the flagship show and Smackdown is of less overall importance, but I'm not sure. I was going to ask this in the general WWE thread but it got closed, so I ask here... Opinions please?

I don't know if ROH really could be on par with NXT, now that I have seen both products recently. I think the talent level in NXT is significantly higher, and I find the booking in ROH to be really flat, uninspired and unimaginative, in my opinion as a fan. I don't want to sound like your typical online fan/keyboard warrior, but based on things I have seen people write here on PWO, I think some of the members here could come up with better storylines and matchmaking than what ROH is doing right now. I just find their writing to be uninteresting.

It doesn't really work as marketing, though, when a company explicitly calls it out as a successful strategy for (ugh) #brand management. I agree it's one of those things you don't really talk about, at least in public. There were a million times when I was trying to pitch a company on a major gift that I'd point out all the upsides to them in terms of their public image. (I don't believe I ever used the term brand management then, those weren't popular buzzwords when I worked in that area.) But you are correct, it probably isn't something a company should talk about, it should remain unspoken. I personally have always been of the opinion that if a corporation is going to make a financial contribution or help with publicity for a charitable cause, they can promote themselves however they like and say whatever they want - within the bounds of good taste. But you are right, tact dictates you probably don't want to actually mention the reason you're doing something is for brand management, not altruism. Then again, although Stephanie McMahon is highly educated and obviously book smart, she has done quite a few things that lead me to think she lacks basic common sense. Her comments after 9/11 spring to mind as an example.

What's the big deal? Speaking as somebody with a background in charitable fund development myself, I have zero problem with that quote. Philanthropy is marketing, and everbody knows that. Charities aren't stupid, they know that corporations donate money and get behind campaigns for tax breaks, for good publicity, and maybe as a distant third (depending on the corporation in question) to do something good or for personal reasons. (Like an owner or board member affected by the cause, etc.) I have never worked with a charity that had a problem publicizing a company or brand once they had agreed to take a charitable donation. I have worked for charities who turned down money from companies that they did not want to be identified with. In my experience, individuals tend to give money for purely altrusitic reasons. Corporations, not so much...they want something in return for their money, and if it is marketing, so be it. It's a win-win. Keller picks odd things to get offended by. Of all things WWE does or has done to get his shorts in a twist over, this hardly seems to be it.

Now that is a totally appropriate time to dress up. Of course, now I have to inform Jerry McDevitt about this, so you and your favorite hooker can expect a cease and desist letter, ASAP. Also, "hooker" was the name of the Lou Thesz biography...and as such, has too much of an old school rasslin sound to it, back when sex was held in small, smoke filled rooms. Please refer to her as your "sex entertainer."

Yes. As Joan Rivers. Dave, the Candian version has the online features, or will eventually, depending on who your provider (or your friend's). Right now, online access is available for Rogers, Eastlink and Optik. Will be available for the others eventually. http://www.wwe.com/canada Hey, is this Marty...as in MartyEWR my old buddy from WAAAYYY back? Sadly, my friend (and myself) are on with Bell ExpressVu. I have been enjoying the free preview myself (which ends this Sunday, one week before Mania) but without the On Demand Library there is no way I am ponying up the dough for this Network. I really like NXT, but I am not paying money every month to basically see NXT, and a bunch of old episodes of Nitro.

Not to mention the drug tests.

I was reading this news byte here: http://411mania.com/wrestling/daniel-bryan-talks-wrestlemania-31-the-ic-title-more/ Specifically: Looks like DB is trying to find the positives in his current situation and make the best out of it - the whole chicken salad out of chicken shit deal, I guess. Could be he is just being a good company guy and giving positive interviews, but if I had to guess I'd bet he is sincere about making the most out of his midcard status. If he really feels this way, I hope he does come out of WM31 with the Intercontinental title. Although - I admire his ambitions to elevate that championship, even if he does win it, I doubt the way that belt is booked will change. The only hope he has there is if Lesnar re-signs with WWE and keeps the WWE World Title. I read recently that if Lesnar re-signs, he might keep the big belt, which will remain as a "special attraction" and the Intercontinental and US titles will be elevated in importance and defended more. If that really is the case, then I guess DB is just the guy to put that title on. Probably wishful thinking on my part, though.

This needed to be spun into it's own thread? I was being facetious. The other half of the argument where I supported the costumed fans being moved or ejected for production reasons is still in the Current WWE thread and I'm not going to bother schlepping all those posts over here - it's not exactly worth the effort. Suffice it to say I thought that the costumed fans being moved was justified, and we'll leave it at that.

Just found out I'll be seeing the show after all. I have a friend who just got the WWE Network (albeit the crappy Canadian version without the On Demand features) and he also has a massive plasma screen and surround sound that takes up his entire family room wall. He's hosting a Wrestlemania party, so I am going to go. Because hey - I get to see friends I haven't seen in ages, plus there will be food and drink and I get to see the show for free. So I cast my vote for "Low enthusiasm - This card looks like shit, still going to watch."