Marty

Of course he's justified. As long as they're not paying him, he doesn't owe anyone anything. He also made all the minimum number of dates as his contract stated.

Ditto. My understanding is that this was the major thing he was upset at.

Completely agreed, as I think (assuming he returns tonight) that Punk's absence is more related to a promotional trick for Mania than anything else. I don't know, if he does a match with HHH, if they'll dig into any absence stuff. I hope they don't, as it gets into a lot of that worky-shooty bullshit that I don't care for.

In fact, there (again, at least speculation) are differences between Micheals in 1997 and Punk in 2014. We know about the supposed unhappiness and injuries with how each are used, but we know more possibilities with Punk too. Loss is going to kill me for this, but how do we also know that Punk walking out/taking time off isn't a work to some degree? I don't necessarily mean the "walking out/unhappiness" part, but rather taking Punk off TV for a bit, THEN bringing him back at the right time (tonight in Chicago) in an effort to generate more interest for WrestleMania. They don't have Rock to fall back on this year. They need every trick in the book to even approach the money generated in each of the last two Manias, in my opinion.

I think the WWF story is that as the Light Heavyweight tourney was happening, he was booked to win it all, was told that and spoke to Japanese media that he only plans to defend the title in Japan. The WWF caught wind of that and the rest is history.

I'm in Canada and haven't purchased the network yet even though I'm well aware of ways to do so before the "official" Canadian launch date. I have a question for those who may have already tried or succeeded. On the Network's FAQ, they note the following for Apple TV and iTunes accounts: http://www.wwe.com/help My question, as the WWE doesn't seem to specify: Can something similar be done when viewing the Network on the app (for iPad, iPhone, etc.)? Using a one-time $60+tax iTunes payment would be most ideal for me, as my iPad would be most likely device for viewing. Or for this, would only credit cards/PayPal apply? Thanks in advance to anyone who knows.

It's been a while since I've watched, but did Christian turn heel? Or is he just wisely being the heel for just the match vs. Bryan?

Don't look good. They have stuff listed for TNA but not WWE. http://www.dish.com/entertainment/pay-per-view/?WT.svl=entertainment-subnav http://www.mydish.com/pay-per-view/sports-and-events/ http://www.mydish.com/pay-per-view/sports-and-events/wrestling/?WT.svl=sports-nav

Place looks great, guys! Congrats on the upgrade.

Also, what about Hogan-Warrior II?

No. Yes, it was really bad, but I disqualify it from my list just because of Vince's "WHO'S BAD NOW???!!!"

Is it far-fetched to suggest the New York Yankees alone may be more popular than the WWE worldwide?

Maybe it's just me, but the barbeque skewer thing looks sooooooo fake. The triple-piledriver thingy, on the other hand...

RAW 20th Anniversary Collection was promoted as "uncut and unedited". It wasn't. (I enjoy the set, but it wasn't what it was promoted as.) Until I see or hear otherwise, as opposed to "access to the entire WWE Library", I suspect you'll see the usual limitations from them (music, old advertising cut, certain commentary cut, OTE 99, Benoit kept to a limit, even less (nothing) of a mask-less Mysterio, etc.).

Also helped rebuild the Women's division from a plethora of Sable/Debra-esque bra and panties matches. Helped build the characters of their top Divas of the '00s, Lita and Trish in different ways (vs. Lita by not being afraid of being a heel, and vs. Trish through a brawl on the level of Tupelo Concession Stand). These things helped remove the stink of bra and panties matches being the main and only thing of the ladies. It only made Finlay's job that much easier. You can also compare Stephanie to Flair in a lot of ways. Whereas WCW called on Flair when things were going to shit, the WWE did the same thing when HHH-Jericho in 2002 (a tired feud by that point) was bombing. Bringing in Steph worked in a lot of ways (got HHH over in Hogan-like ways when he'd normally be better off as a heel, Jericho over as a heel when he's better as a babyface underdog to HHH, and, more importantly, got the feud over well enough that it closed WrestleMania). Finally, and this is a Gordy List-type category (someone should do one, someone better than me), but she made workers look better. When Austin did his "stun the McMahons" deal at Raw Homecoming, Steph sold like a champ...and better than the rest of her family members.

Amazing. Also a reminder about how, in North America, we're going to still have a monopoly in wrestling for the very foreseeable future, and beyond.

Late reply relative to all the others, but I'm not sure the news presented means less editing done to Benoit matches. I'm certain the last few home video editing jobs with Benoit involved (MITB Anthology, RAW 20 Anniversary) are designed to condition fans and present the new norm, in preparation for the network. I'm guessing the need to present the disclaimer is done for network-related reasons. People who buy the DVD/Blu-ray sets know what they're getting thanks to listings/content releases, but it's different with the network, even an online one. Right now, the editing done is the strongest/most noticeable since mid-2007. No Benoit entrances, no commentary surrounding him, etc. Far cry from even things like that Nitro set where his full entrance is shown for the big Flair return to Greenville in Sept. 98.

What does the fox...errr...Brock say?

This was suggested at http://officialfan.proboards.com/thread/48...-benoit-network : "This program contains archival footage of Chris Benoit. By showing this footage, WWE does not endorse Mr. Benoit's actions as it relates to the circumstances behind his death on June 23rd, 2007, we are simply presenting this footage for the sake of completion. However, certain lines of commentary and footage that may be perceived as promoting Mr. Benoit or glorifying his life have been altered to ensure responsibility on our part. WWE would also like to ask that parents show discretion in regards to this program, and encourage you to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE for further information about domestic violence. We thank you for your understanding"

Ditto! (Completely overlooked this thread when posting about it earlier!)

Got the first two volumes of Graham Cawthon's books for Christmas. I'm happy.

Yes. Specifically, it's a Dixieland match, which is a cage match of sorts. To win, you have to escape the cage, go up the entrance ramp, and climb a ladder to retrieve the belt that is hanging above the top of the ramp. I'm not making any of this up. And you win dinner with Dixie, correct? That's seriously what I heard.

They'd be under possibly heavier scrutiny too. Look at A&E flexing their muscle with Phil Robertson this week.

*bump* "Rock Stars/Athletes/Other Celebrities all wanted to be like us."