Watching last week's Nitro, I was stricken with disgust over yet another Tony Schiavone snafu. While blowing the Goldberg balloon, he improperly stated that the man was a 'Two year unbeaten veteran of our sport'--yet, if the goon had watched NBC's amazing 'Jessie Ventura Story', then he would know, for a fact, that Goldberg's sole 'clean' loss came against Ventura in 1970.
That would have made Bill what, about six years old?
Just wanna mention something you forgot to mention on your report. Did you catch it when Juvi slipped on the ramp and fell right on his 'Juvi Juice?" It was classic. He spit out the water like he does and some of the water went on the ramp and he slipped. I died laughing.
A thought - maybe you can clarify for me. I just watched my tape of Nitro last night. I don't pay as much attention to the details of each wrestler's repertoire as you guys do, but I don't remember the ensiguri (sp?) kick being a regular part of Benoit's routine before. Was this just coincidence? Or, was it another subtle tribute from Benoit to a fellow Canadian?
I'd vote for the "tribute" idea.
I have no idea why I watched the WCW/Tommy Boy Records segment (after all, I tape Nitro and watch it later only for the benefit of fast-forwarding through segments like this). However, at one point Bischoff once again proves he has no originality in him. He says (paraphrased), "Now we want to kick ass to music." Ummmm... Uncle Eric hasn't been to a rock concert lately because that's called a mosh pit.
I also believe that a Fruit Booty is healthier because it is all natural.
Maybe Stevie Ray will start shilling for "GNC" now or something.
I was wondering if the whole David Flair thing is an inside joke as well. Surely people in WCW can see that he's greener than Fit Finlay. Man, if Eric Watts threw the worst dropkick in history, than Flair has the distinction of the worst shoulderblock, figure four, and RECIEVING the worst drop toe hold, this guy is more rigid than R2-D2 when he falls!
Awful show this week, just awful. Maybe they were holding back out of respect? The cruiserweight battle royal gets the WTF booking award. Gee I guess we need some filler, let's put all the Mexicans in the ring to kill 10 minutes, then we'll have Hugh "F'N" Morrus come down and squash some of our most talented workers (outside or Macho Slick and Wood that is)
Random Thoughts: If WCW wants to stop looking like imitators they need to hire someone with at least ONE original idea. Monster Trucks, Asya, come on.
From the "You learn something every day department": Wood has backstage stroke? Who knew???? I thought the reason his saggy orange ass kept getting all the limelight was because that's what WCW fans wanted. I'm so happy to hear Hogan will settle things in the back upon his return, but not as happy as the USA network.
LINE OF THE YEAR: Gene: "I find Big Sexy, Kevin Nash to be VERY accessible." I think that says it all.
Any regular reader of this report knows that one of my bigger beefs with WCW is that they have tons of talent that just doesn't get used. Guys like Norman Smiley, the Armstrongs, Mikey Whipwreck, any Lucha guy with a mask, Chris Adams, Bobby Eaton, etc., etc. Throw in your Power Plant guys like Sick Boy, Chase Tatum, Kaos, and so forth, and there are a lot of guys who do nothing, aside from a WCWSN job every few months.
Now, as Soothsayer Malenko said, WCW appears to be loath to push anyone under 45. Disregarding the problems with that, let's take that as a given. The question is - how do you prepare for the future when all you're doing at present is pushing the past?
My answer? Start a minor league.
The WWF seems to be doing something like this. I believe they have Jim Cornette in Louisville setting up a "rookie circuit" to give young guys in the WWF some exposure. I think that, even more than the WWF, WCW needs to do something like this.
I recommend that WCW open up one of the old NWA territories, maybe Alabama or Florida. Take your young guys like Evan Karagias, Lash LeRoux, and Kaos. Take your unused guys like Smiley, Kendall Windham, Bobby Blaze, the Armstrongs, Mikey Whipwreck. And take some veterans like Bobby Eaton, Chris Adams, and Barry Darsow. Get a group of like 20 guys, send them down to the territory, and let them work. 2-3 shows a week, everyone gets mic time. Give them new gimmicks, new angles, stuff that can be completely unrelated to what they're doing in WCW. Get a guy like a Bob Armstrong, Paul Orndorff, Kevin Sullivan, or whoever to book the angles - the only restriction that you put on them is that everyone has to be doing something. Take a few mill of Turner's money and just run shows.
The only way these guys are going to get to the point where they can contribute to WCW is if they're out there learning how to work a real crowd, deveoping personalities, and wrestling in a real-life atmosphere on a regular basis. Because when the Geriatric Brigade retires, which they eventually will, you won't be able to take guys out of the Power Plant, or guys that you've either let sit or jobbed incessantly on Worldwide, and run a promotion with them.
WCW - you've got to plan for the future. And you can't wait until the future is here to do it.
Those are my thoughts, anyway.
