1. Last night’s edition of RIW scored big time. We had a Tag Team, European, and WWF title match. We had Eddie Guerrero vs. Chris Benoit. We had the Undertaker/Triple H situation escalating. We even had the return of Shane McMahon everyone’s favorite pussy (or would that be Trish? Nevermind). Paul Heyman did a little bit better on commentary this week as well.
Top to bottom, a great show. Vince got his ass handed to him by his own flesh and blood. Benoit and Guerrero had a helluva match. Triple H and Undertaker had a classic encounter backstage, that without the involvement of the Big Ho would have been absolutely sweet. Call me a mark, but I’d love to see Triple H against Undertaker, I can’t recall ever seeing this feud before in all the years the two have been in the WWF. We saw what could have been the beginnings of a Kane/Big Ho feud, which if that happens I feel sorry for Kane for having to work with that big dumbass, but hopefully Kane can get that title from around Ho’s waist (arm?) Last night we saw what could become a real force begin to form between Albert, X-Pac, and Justin Credible. Maybe a recreation of the Impact Players? I thought considering that he’s such a crappy heel, Jericho did a decent promo with Regal. The title match was good, and even though I like neither of them very much, I really enjoyed that Stunner on the Rock. Like I said, top to bottom, great show.
2. Wrestlemania is taking shape. Although I’m not fond of either of the two matches that have been officially announced (Austin/Rock and Ivory/Chyna), I do like the looks of a Triple H/Undertaker match, a Benoit/Guerrero match or a 4 way between the Radicalz, another Hardyz/Dudleyz/Edge & Christian could be cool, and obviously now Vince and Shane will have to square off somehow. Even a Jericho/Regal match could be decent. I’m still unsure as to where Kane and Kurt Angle will fit in, which upsets me, as they’re two of my favorites. I’d hate to see Kane get stuck with Big Ho unless Kane kicks his damn ass. Raven and Crash Holly could square off at WM, maybe with Tori and Molly Holly thrown in to make a good mixed tag match. Just speculation, but I think WM 17 is going to turn out rather well.
3. With the news of the WCW sale being in jeopardy, rumors are floating around that WCW may have to just totally shut down. Not healthy for the wrestling business in my opinion. I do know this, sale or not WCW needs a miracle right now. Watching the first hour of Nitro, I felt like I had downed an entire bottle of Nyquil. It put me to sleep in other words. Although I still sit straight up in my chair anytime someone gets kicked in the nuts with that Shattered Dreams move. WCW is seriously screwed if they don’t do something fast.
2001 has been an interesting year in the wrestling world so far, I’m sure it’s just going to get crazier in the months to come. ECW is dead, Paul Heyman is in the WWF. Jerry Lawler is gone from the WWF (for now anyway), a WCW career may be ahead of him, if WCW survives. If WCW does survive, it’ll be under new ownership. So much going on, it’s impossible to predict what will happen.
Until next time...
