Eisen-verse

Just watched iMPACT and i've got to say that I was thoroughly entertained. I really like Bully Ray; however, funny enough, his match with Daniels felt like, in TEW terms, that they don't really 'click'. It wasn't a bad bout by any means but felt a little awkward. Outside of that, I really loved the whole Kennedy thing (which is saying a lot since I'm not really a fan at all). The "network" thing is already seeming a little weird to be honest. If Bischoff/Hogan took over then why are they, all of a sudden, cronies for the network? Also, why would the network add stipulations to a match that's going to be shown on PPV? Just seems a little weird. That said, it didn't bother me enough to deter me from enjoying the show. Good stuff. Cheers. E-V

Could be good though? If he wrestles at Summerslam then the next night the Rock is gone... again. In this case, while I don't expect him to be on RAW any more than once a month, this way we have him for much longer? Cheers. E-V

Sin Cara's debut was pretty great; short and sweet. That said, Sheamus? That's who he comes out to attack? I'm really hoping there's more to that than just 'hey, I'm coming out to attack you'. If so, something more that is, then that'd be pretty interesting. If not, then a, somewhat, boring way to bring in a major-player. Cheers. E-V

Great video....

From wrestlezone.com Thoughts? I, honestly, feel like TNA should officially cut ties with the man but, from a purely creative standpoint, the characters that often resonate are those who feel entirely realistic to the real person. That said, I don't think I could ever buy into cheering for Hardy. In a way, I'm a traditionalist and really care for the craft in general. With Hardy, he's done enough to prove that he doesn't really care about Pro Wrestling anymore. He may, underneath it all, but he's too drugged out to even realize what he's doing to himself I'm sure.

This is what I was thinking recently as well. To me, it seems really weird to have both shows seeing how they are, theoretically, the same show.

I've always been drawn to Madison Rayne. Sure, she's insanely attractive but that's not just it; she's a pretty strong in-ring performer as well! Would love to see her get some ground over time.

The only thing I can think of is that there's still a stigma placed upon professional wrestling in the U.S. While things have changed quite a bit, I think the attitude era, while great for wrestling fans, ultimately made them look rather foolish from a mainstream perspective. To transition into being known as an entertainment company, they hope to transition into more of a fixture of the mainstream public. When they say 'you're just rasslers' they can come back and tout how they're more of an entertainment company than the 'rassling' people grew up to laugh at. It's more marketable to be an entertainment company. Also, there's more room for a longer tenure as well I would guess. Just my thought. Cheers. E-V

Some thoughts while watching WWE RAW A.M... I don't like the Jersey Shore at all.... That said... Snooki was entertaining on RAW. Being known as a tough girl, whether flattering or not, her thez press just seemed that much more epic. ha. Love Punk/Orton and how creative has booked it. If it were me, I'd like to see Punk go over Orton but I don't see it happening. The reasoning for 'killing off' the new nexus through Orton's boot? So, Orton can look really strong, nexus can possibly 'die off' (sadly), and the heel (punk) can lose at Mania due to the age old addage: Heel vs. Face with no interferences often goes to the face. Still lovin' me some Miz these days. I know there are a lot of people out there who hate the guy, and hey so did I at a point, but, to me, he's playing his role really well. Miz coming out as The Rock was simply awesome... Loved when the girl took a picture and said "Oh, my god"; little did she know! ha.

I didn't see all of iMPACT, really only the opening segment, but damn... I'm liking Bully Ray right now. Honestly, he's always had it in him but it seems like the big-man has a fire under him right now. He's got great entertainment skills. A menacing look. A classic 'heel' persona; one that gets you to hate him. Yea, he may be 'old news' but, for one, really like this new character out of him. Should he be the TNA Champion? Not right now. That said, I'm open, if they develop him further, to see him on top of the game. I'd rather see him there than Anderson...

110% agree with you, Derek B. It's the perfect time to send a strong message to Hardy, and the rest of the industry, about how something like this simply won't be tolerated.

So, I just watched the infamous match and I have a few thoughts on the matter: Jeff Hardy looked like crap. It was crazy awkward throughout; from Sting's reaction, Hardy's condition, the Bischoff moment (calling and audible), and the way the match takes place. Did you see Hardy's collar-elbow-tie-up? I don't think he's a good enough actor to look that 'gone'. Sting looked pissed; as he should be. You can almost see it in his eyes: "I stuck around for this?" Bischoff did a good job of selling a punch; it seemed pretty real. Is it a work? I have no idea. I mean, to be honest, I would expect something like this from TNA; knowing that they want to blur the lines with their product. That said, if it is a work, then they chose a terrible, terrible, time to do something of this manner. With that in mind, I think it's legit; then again what do I know for sure? Will this kill TNA as some say it will? No. Sure, they handled this pretty badly thus far. In reality, they should have suspended him indefinitely after the PPV if this IS real; giving him an ultimatum to 'get clean' (go to rehab... again) or instantly be shown the door. By dragging this out, and by doing very little in the public forum, it's only hurting them more than helping. All in all though, I don't see it 'killing TNA' (as some claim it will). To be honest, the culture of TNA needs to be re-developed. At this point, they appear to be, and sound to be, a complete mess backstage.

Just read this and absolutely loved it. It's Mark Madden's take on TNA, The Hardy Boyz, and the call for Jim Ross to join the company. Yep, the last part would never happen but it's an interesting take. Also, the only part I wouldn't agree with is where he said "let em die". I honestly hope he didn't mean that literally, and I'm sure he didn't, but it came across a little harsh. Either way, here is the article: Mark Madden: "Every Junky's Like a Settin' Sun".

Amen; brother-friend. Amen.

Honestly, while it would be playing off of the old WCW way, I wouldn't mind seeing them in the ring for the last time. Sure, it may feel like TNA trying to bank off of WCW's popularity instead of creating their OWN... but... It'd be interesting from a historical perspective to see it one last time (something the WWE was never able to cash in on; Sting vs. Hogan). Cheers. E-V

I normally don't talk bad about anyone as It's just not the way I go about things but................... Can someone just take the Hardy brothers away? I mean, not in a violent way but just take them away from wrestling on TV. I was a fan in the early days; however, at this point, they've become... well... un-watchable in a lot of ways. I don't like them but it's not a good 'heel heat'. I legitimate don't like them & typically turn the channel when they come on. Sad, but true.

He's not a great wrestler from a traditional standard but he is for the modern-day product for the WWE; one much like the late 80's and early 90's where Entertainment was FAR more important than anything else. Hulk Hogan, and the Ultimate Warrior, are two examples of guys who were terrible in the ring but became big due to their persona's. Now, I'm not saying the Miz will EVER get to that point, as it's almost impossible, but what I am saying is that he's done a great job of conveying a unique persona within a mold of luke-warm standards as of late. Will he wrestle circles around people? No. Then again, given the WWE's product style, such a fact isn't needed really. The bigger draw from a WWE standpoint is whether or not you can entertain.... In my eyes, he does exactly that... Entertain. That said, I totally understand why Hash (or anyone for that matter) would still not like the guy. Even as I wrote it out I knew there would be some blow-back. All in all, I guess I'm just saying I, myself, am a Fan of his work; nothing more than that I guess.

I have to say.... I disliked him A LOT at first.... I thought he would amount to nothing when he first joined the WWE... Hell, I didn't even think he would make it this far as an active competitor in the company as a whole.... BUT... I believe the Miz is Awesome! Call me a full-fledged convert; I love this guy. He plays his heel-schtick perfectly every time. Tonight, he took it to a whole new level in my mind. Sure, he did mess up slightly on his promo at one point but overall he blew it out of the water. Honestly, with Jericho gone now, the Miz really stands as THE best Heel in the WWE (maybe only challenged by CM Punk; who I love soooo very much as well). I've always been a heel guy; however, he really proved his worth to me; and has for quite some time really. That is all. Cheers. E-V

My thoughts exactly, DJ. In all honesty, to those who want Sting to 'rub', he needed a moment, or in this case a win, like this to give him the ability to do such a service. Yes, Sting is a big-name amongst those of us who remember how great he was in the 80's and 90's but, since then, he's been in-and-out of the industry quite a bit. In reality, to restore his star power in TNA is really the greatest thing they could have done. Let's face it. We can all hope to see TNA pull off our own vision of what they should be but, in reality, they are who they think they are. (yep, play off of Denny Green). In TNA, Hogan, Bischoff, Sting, etc., are all getting air-time because they are the big guns; the people who add a sense of intrigue to a company hoping to compete with the WWE some day. Having him go over Jeff Hardy, which I'm happy for since I can't stand the guy, was not a bad booking decision in my mind. In the end, it gives them an immediate bump, gives TNA a big-time babyface to combat Hogan (again), and also makes room for a big rub down the road. As always, lets see how this pans out before we completely jump all over a booking decision. We, the modern wrestling fanbase, need to find some more patience rather than looking for gigantic payoffs every week. Things take time. Storylines take time. Characters, and the rise or fall of them, take time. Cheers. E-V

Just have to say.... iMPACT was enjoyable tonight. Sting beating Jeff hardy for the title, Fortune standing up to Immortal (making them the 'face' of TNA vs. the Bischoff/Hogan regime), and the whole Jarrett wedding was pretty entertaining. All around, good show from my perspective.

Just saw the TNA/Sting video and felt it was child's play versus what the WWE did for the Undertaker. Obviously, there's going to be comparisons given the way it was shot, presented, and the whole 'upcoming date' deal; however, the vignette felt like a sad, sad, attempt at making Sting look cool. To be honest, I would expect more from TNA. In most ways, they're doing a GREAT job of presenting Pro Wrestling from a new perspective; giving more of a unique tone to their video packages, backstage stuff, etc. With that said, it just fell flat in my eyes. I'm not one to jump off a bandwagon just for one simple 'let down' but, I must say, I felt that TNA creative missed the mark on this one.

Okay, good to know. Thanks Peter!

Outside of the Rock coming back, does anyone know if we are for sure getting a Career vs. Streak match with HHH and Taker at WM? I've read this one wrestlezone; however, didn't know if anyone has heard the grumbling of it being true. If so, I guess we'll see the retirement of DX within a years time of the other. Not all that surprising though; as Paul looks to cement himself as more of an authoritative figure behind the scenes. That said, I don't know if this would be the best way for him to leave? I mean, if he's really going to be a major part of the WWE going forward, don't you think he'll wrestle occasionally in the WWE's distant future?

haha. That's awesome. I mean, she's entirely true that The Rock has an uncanny ability to relay a promo. The industry has become quite formulaic in their creation of promos these days; so, it was great to see someone who actually had a great persona to his own. 99% of that is the Rock's natural ability (something that is one of a kind really) but I also wonder if 1% of that is because, from last I heard, the WWE was writing out each promo verbatim. While I know what they're trying to do, have a hold on all creative decisions, the inability for wrestlers to think/act on the fly has pigeon-held their product from some unique tones. I mean, can you imagine Austin reading from a script? Rock? HBK back in the 90's? Hell, Even Kevin Nash was a great promo guy when given free-range. Just a thought. Sorry for dragging the topic away though... Yay Rock!!

Ha. That's awesome. My wife, actually, enjoys watching wrestling. I mean, not to a smark level but she gets excited when John Cena comes up (yep, that's a deal breaker. ha jk). That said, I always combat such a thing by saying "yea the punches are fake but how do you fake falling smack on you back; being thrown down by a 300 pound muscle man?". Honestly, the cat is out of the bag and has been for quite some time now; however, there are certainly elements that cannot be faked. Plus, unlike in those action movies, a pro wrestler has an insane range of things he needs to be good at.... 1) Acting 2) Unique mannerisms to brand himself. 3) Athleticism (to an extent; if your a big guy then you're just a big guy) 4) Conveying a look 5) Working a match; making it look believable. In this case, it's all done live. ha. For that matter, thats what I always come back too. Now, I'm not as big of a wrestling fan as I use to, and don't really watch much in general, but I still find that inner wrestling enthusiast come out when the old 'this is fake; it's stupid' mentality comes up from outsiders.