After last week’s 4,000 word marathon, described by many as “long” and “not entirely boring” rest assured that this week’s effort will be a lot easier on the eyes, and thankfully, my fingers. Do you know why, gentle reader? No? I shall tell you... it’s because this week... is a RANDOM THOUGHTS COLUMN!!! Whoo!!!
So, that Zach Gowen, eh? After all his struggles and fights, and false dawns, he finally gets his contract for Smackdown. He and Spanky both had to earn their way to a Smackdown contract, and both succeeded. Take a memo, Indy workers - just appear at the next Smackdown taping and make a nuisance of yourself, and sooner or later you’ll be given a match to earn a contract - simple!
I do find myself asking why Stephanie signed Mr. America without having seen him, while Zach and Spanky have to jump through hoops to get a deal, but then my head hurts, so I stop thinking and go get a cold glass if milk instead.
I enjoyed the Kurt & Brock backstage segments on Smackdown this week - shows a developing relationship between the two, and even hints at a darker side to Kurt’s character that opens the door for the eventual heel turn that we all know will happen before Summerslam.
Brock is becoming more and more comfortable in front of a camera, and being in Kurt’s presence can only further that. Now, if Kurt can only teach the big lump to stop grinning like a Cheshire cat all the time, then everyone will go home happy.
What a week for the WWE - Roddy Piper gets the boot because of comments he made on a documentary about deaths in wrestling; Hulk Hogan throws his rattle out of the pram and walks out; and possibly the biggest shock of all - Crash Holly was released too. Why was it a shock? I was amazed Crash was still employed by the WWE at all...
Trips may have his critics - 95% of the Internet, for example - but when he is in the mood to work, he can still turn it on. Last week’s Raw main event with RVD was for me the best match Trips has put on all year. For once, RVD was made out to be a legitimate threat, and had RVD sold the beating on the leg more (popping up now and then to pull off a random kick or flip is not selling the injury, Rob) then it could have been a classic in the making.
In the end, Trips retained his belt, and that was the right result in this case - Ric Flair and Randy Orton ended up giving Trips the assistance he needed to win the match... and making RVD look like a million bucks in the process. Good stuff in my book. Let’s see if it continues.
Kane’s Christmas present this year could well be the dreaded pink slip. His first appearance sans mask on Raw last week just did not feel right. With the mask, he had an aura, and was different to the rest of the roster. Now? He’s just a big ugly guy in a cool costume. Glen Jacobs deserves better, let alone the Kane-n-ites.
If Satan was real, I’m sure he’d have the same facial expressions as Mr. McMahon.
After all the hype for Ultimo Dragon, it’s a surprise that he was back working a dark match at this week’s Smackdown. Hopefully, it’s a tactic to keep the public interested in the Dragon mystique, rather than the usual “he doesn’t work the WWE style” problems encountered by newcomers. If Ultimo doesn’t fit into the WWE style, then it’s time to change the style, not Ultimo.
Hopefully, the Roddy Piper farce won’t have harmed Sean O’Haire’s prospects. He was looking like a big star when he had the “I’m not telling you anything that you don’t already know” gimmick, but was quickly relegated to hired goon for Piper - something that he is far beyond. O’Haire has the look, the skills, and as displayed, the charisma to become the breakout star of Smackdown... as long as he’s allowed to be, that is.
Impressive debut from Gail Kim, but throwing her into a battle royal on her debut doesn’t allow much chance to either impress or utilise the gimmick that’s been built for her - why all the Matrix style promos for her if they aren’t going to do anything with them?
It’s 2003, it’s nearly Summerslam, it’s time for the Annual “Let’s Get Billy Gunn Over” push of doom! Seriously, I wish Vince would get over this fixation with Billy - I’m sure he’s a nice enough guy, but he gets a pop for his entrance, then he starts wrestling, and the crowd go to sleep. I’m sure he’s good news for the merchandise stands though.
Is Smackdown on the brink of giving the Cruiserweight division the push and exposure it deserves? Currently, the WWE has one of the greatest Cruiserweight rosters ever assembled - Rey Mysterio, Ultimo Dragon, Billy Kidman, Jamie Noble, Spanky, Tajiri, Shannon Moore, and Nunzio - it’s about time that it was shown some respect and allowed to flourish.
Recent events - the Billy Kidman angle; the Jamie Noble Boy windfall; signing Ultimo Dragon; and the focus on Rey and his Cruiserweight Title - seem to be aimed at pushing the Cruisers into the limelight - hopefully, it’ll finally happen.
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