First, let’s start with the WWF title picture over the course of this past year:
THE GOOD: Triple H maintained a four month long title reign, one of the longest
title runs in a long time, and even restored some credibility to the belt by not
losing it quickly, even defending it successfully at Wrestlemania, which is a damn
impossibility usually. The Rock, even though I’m not his biggest fan, also had a four
month title reign, which also restored some credibility to the title. Even Kurt Angle
is doing a reasonable job so far as another great heel champion.
THE BAD: It seemed to me that the Rock’s title matches while he was champion were less
than stellar. Maybe there wasn’t enough buildup for his defenses, maybe it’s just
the fact that I’m not real fond of the Rock to begin with, but after he won the title I
just think his matches lacked that extra spark that fuels a good match.
THE UGLY: The Big Show. I realize he was only WWF Champion for like three days of this
year, but just the fact that he was in the title picture at all is a pretty damn ugly
thing. I’m sorry, he sucks. Pretty funny doing a Hogan impersonation, but whenever he
comes back I hope he stays the hell away from the WWF Championship.
Moving on, let’s take a little look at the tag team situation in the WWF in the year 2000:
THE GOOD: The Dudleys, Edge & Christian, the Acolytes, T&A, RTC, and even though I don’t
like them, the Hardyz, have all put on some really entertaining matches this year in the
tag division. TLC, ladder, and table matches have added to the excitement of this division
and it’s good to see the tag division alive and well considering where it used to be. I was
sorry to see the New Age Outlaws break up, but we’ll get to that in a minute.
THE BAD: Too Cool. Now, don’t get me wrong; the Worm is hilarious, they’re both good wrestlers,
but I hate this gimmick, especially without Rikishi at their side.
THE UGLY: K-Kwick. Why the hell is the Road Dogg paired with this guy? Or at least why this
gimmick? Road Dogg is a perfectly talented singles wrestler. Besides, their rapping sucks ass.
The Undertaker’s transformation/return as the American Bad Ass:
THE GOOD: We got a performance out of Kid Rock and Joe C live on RAW IS WAR, we get to listen
to a kick ass song everytime the Undertaker comes to the ring, and most importantly, the
Undertaker is back and kicking ass like he always has, and it’s good to have him back, that’s
for sure.
THE BAD: Hey, the Undertaker is one of my all time favorites, always has been, always will be.
However, I do miss the dark, mysterious, phenom persona. But hey, the Undertaker has earned my
respect and appreciation over the last ten years, and I will always cheer for him.
THE UGLY: The Last Ride. It’s okay for a signature move and all, but I don’t like it as a
finisher. The Tombstone seems to me to be a much more devastating, more smooth looking finisher
to a match, and the Undertaker can apply it to heavier opponents than he can with the Last Ride.
But from what I understand, the Tombstone is frowned on now in the WWF to protect neck injuries.
Kurt Angle’s rise to superstardom:
THE GOOD: When he gets going on the mic, this guy cracks me up. He’s a good wrestler, he’s
adapted really well to the pro-wrestling world, he’s willing to do what is asked of him by
the creative team, and he’s just not the typical "real" athlete. Just think, the last Olympic
athlete to enter the WWF was Mark Henry. Kurt Angle blew Henry out of the water.
THE BAD: While Kurt does deserve what he’s gotten this past year, I would imagine that his
instant success could be looked at as undeserved by some veterans who are still mid-carding or
even doing opening matches. And I think it could serve as a bad example to other "real"
athletes who think they could just come in and instantly succeed in the WWF.
THE UGLY: That damn victory dance.
The entry of the Radicals, Tazz, Raven, Trish Stratus, Lita, Molly Holly, etc. to the
WWF roster:
THE GOOD: Well, all three of the women I just named are really fucking hot, and Lita and
Molly Holly have some great high-flying moves. Trish is working on the wrestling skills.
So I have no complaints there. The Radicals, Benoit, Dean Malenko, Saturn, and Eddie Guererro,
are all terrific wrestlers. Benoit and Eddie have found their gimmicks and are fitting in
well, and it looks as if Malenko will be getting his now with this dating Lita thing. Raven
seems to be headed for a good push. Now onward..
THE BAD: Saturn needs a good gimmick and push or something, because I personally don’t
find him very entertaining. Tazz is a great wrestler, and while I don’t exactly feel he
is being buried or anything, I do feel he could be better utilized than to be an announcer.
Maybe it’s just a hangover from watching him in ECW though...who knows.
THE UGLY: Raven’s facial hair...Saturn’s lazy eye...Benoit's teeth...Tazz’s laugh...
The McMahon-Helmsley Era:
THE GOOD: A very good angle that has basically fueled the WWF all year long. Up until
Mick Foley was named the Commissioner, Triple H and Stephanie, with some assistance from
other McMahons, ruled the WWF with an iron fist. And you can’t tell me that the storylines
involving Triple H and Stephanie and who was doing what with who or who with what weren’t
fun to watch. I still think it was funny as hell when Triple H got up in Kurt Angle’s face
and said "I know you’re full of shit!"
THE BAD: Actually, the bad thing here is that we all know it’ll come to an end, probably
sooner rather than later. I just hope Triple H stays heel when it happens.
THE UGLY: Stephanie on the mic. Need I say more?
Mick Foley’s Retirement and his return as Commissioner:
THE GOOD: A very memorable retirement match at No Way Out, a very entertaining last run as
Cactus Jack, and Foley got to live out his dream at Wrestlemania, even though I know it
didn’t happen the way he wanted it. As Commissioner, some very funny moments, and the cheap
pop thing is basically a catch phrase now.
THE BAD: No more (at least for now) Foley matches.
THE UGLY: His hair...it’s getting kinda shaggy looking.
Stone Cold Steve Austin’s return:
THE GOOD: Good to see Austin back and able to put on a decent match again. I’m glad he’s
over his neck problems, at least for now. And for the most part he has added to the
entertainment factor of the WWF programs.
THE BAD: I guess we’re going to have to put up with Austin being in every main event again.
I hate it when one guy always has to be in the main event...or the title picture. Triple H,
Kurt Angle, Undertaker, even the Rock step out of the main event and the title picture every
now and then to allow the storylines to progress, but wait and watch, Austin will be in the
main event from now until he gets hurt again.
THE UGLY: Anything that puts Rikishi’s fat ass in a main event spot or a position to use
the mic frequently can’t be that good.
That’ll do it for this time around, I’m sure I’ve left some things out...but hey, I’m tired of typing. So until next time...
