BoD Daily Update: October 18, 2018

ESPN.com Article on Toni Storm

http://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/25007877/wwe-mae-young-classic-standout-toni-storm-playing-key-role-evolving-world-women-wrestling

 

Deadspin Article on Backlash Over the WWE’s Saudi Arabia Deal

https://deadspin.com/wwe-is-not-handling-the-backlash-to-its-saudi-deal-very-1829819920

 

WWE Free Match

You can watch Beth Phoenix & Natalya vs. Lay-Cool in a Tables Match From the 2010 TLC PPV

Rock Star Gary reflects on WWF Monday Night RAW 07-12-1993

Taped from New York, NY

Airdate: July 12, 1993 (taped 7/5)

Attendance: unknown

Hosted by Vince McMahon, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan

Will Crush capture the WWF title one week removed from the “body slam heard ‘round the world”? Can the Brooklyn Brawler use his hometown advantage and beat the currently undefeated Tatanka? Let’s find out!

Read moreRock Star Gary reflects on WWF Monday Night RAW 07-12-1993

NXT – October 17, 2018

NXT
Date: October 17, 2018
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Percy Watson, Nigel McGuinness

It’s time for another title match because NXT is smart enough to set these things up in advance. This time we have the Tag Team Titles on the line as the Undisputed Era puts the titles on the line against the War Raiders. That sounds like a recipe for destruction but NXT likely has a few tricks up its sleeve. Let’s get to it.

Read moreNXT – October 17, 2018

UK hot takes


Hey Scott,

Just saw the UK show… bleh. Dunne is a very cool added, mid card attraction a la Eddie guerrero/Chris Benoit 1995. I'm not sure why someone like him needs an entire "brand" centered around him at this point in his development. Nothing says "big time house drawing main event" like: pete dunne vs. The guy who actually made alicia fox interesting for 90 days on tv minus the freaking gimmick. That was every indy style main event ever for the past 7 years they just did. 


Tyler Bate and Trent Seven are money and always have been. Again, they are great additions to the meat and potatoes of a given card. Who the he'll are they working that is on their level?!


People like Dave Mastiff are the REASON gimmicks exist. You have a guy that looks like a freak and he goes out there as a wrestler… yawn.

More Wolfgang matches. Are you excited yet? Me neither bro.


Also, wouldn't it serve the show better to have occasional nxt tag title defenses rather than a gosh darned 4th set of unique frikkin tag titles?

That show is proof that you could put 2 squirls f___ing inbetween a set of ropes in england and it would still get a "this is awesome" chant. Yeck!

Brad

Hot takes indeed.  Still don’t think I’m watching it though. 

Evolution to Dismember



Steph announced Evolution on 7/23. It’s 10/17 and there are THREE main show matches announced, plus a battle royal… the ultimate in lazy “get everyone on the card” booking. Not too mention this is the THIRD battle royal for women this year after Rumble and WM. The Bellas werent even on TV when this ppv was announced and now Nikki  is main eventing!

They have the NXT and MYC matches but still the main roster women are essentially afterthoughts. Why not do a women’s World Cup? Or inaugural tag title tournament?

 This plus the Saudi bloody money ppv are just piling on the shit for WWE.



The Evolution thing is more about branding and politics, not drawing money or putting on a good show. They’ll make it succeed because they need it to.  

The Wednesday Wackness

Oh man, today was pretty important in Canada.  For some reason.  Can’t really remember right now.

So, uh, tonight has…shows.  Or something.

Haha, just kidding, I’m actually a huge narc and my only addiction is Rockstar Punched and to a lesser degree the WWE Champions mobile game.

Last night Smackdown actually beat RAW in the ratings for the first time in forever.  Today is the launch of WWE NXT UK on the Network, which Tommy has a review of already.  Tomorrow I’m catching up with two episodes of Mae Young Classic.

Chat about stuff here!  Try not to do anything that isn’t legal in Canada.

Monday Night Raw – May 17, 2004

Monday Night Raw
Date: May 17, 2004
Location: San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego, California
Attendance: 5,600
Commentators: Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler

We’re less than a month away from Bad Blood and we need a card. That can get started tonight with the naming of a new #1 contender, who will be crowned in a battle royal. The winner gets a shot at Chris Benoit and while HHH seems very interested in winning, Shawn Michaels is likely to be lurking around. Let’s get to it.

Read moreMonday Night Raw – May 17, 2004

NXT UK – October 17, 2018 (Debut Episode)

NXT UK
Date: October 17, 2018
Location: Cambridge Corn Exchange, Cambridge, England
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

So over the last few years, WWE has been going over to the UK for some one off shows and they’ve been pretty good. Since it’s WWE though, that means it’s time to start a whole new weekly show (currently their fourth show on Wednesdays) under the NXT banner. I’m not sure what to expect here so let’s get to it.

Read moreNXT UK – October 17, 2018 (Debut Episode)

Wrestlemania III questions.


Scott-

Not sure if this has ever been touched on. 

What came first.  The Hogan/Andre angle or deciding you book the silverdome? 

If it was booking the Venue.  Hypothetically, if Andre could wrestle for any reason. Is there another match that could have filled that building at the time? 

Wwf was in their own successful little bubble that I don’t think bringing in Flair or Nikita would have worked. 

Piper? Orndorf?  What say you?


Hogan-Andre came first and then they booked the venue to be filled by the match.  Vince had been reportedly toying with the idea since Hogan originally won the title, with the original plan being Hogan v. Andre at Shea Stadium in the summer of 84 (as noted by Meltzer in the Observer at that time) which is why Andre was celebrating with Hogan in the dressing room after he won the title. But then the whole Hogan thing took off bigger than Vince could even dream and they didn't need to do it. 

If Andre's not available, no way they run the dome.  There was just nothing else big enough at the time.  

Smackdown – October 16, 2018 (1000th Episode)

Smackdown 1000
Date: October 16, 2018
Location: Capital One Arena, Washington DC
Commentators: Corey Graves, Byron Saxton, Tom Phillips

This is a milestone show as we’re hitting the 1000th episode in the show’s history. The big deal here is a variety of cameos and appearances from some of the biggest stars the show has ever seen. I’m not sure what to expect here, but WWE’s record with important shows like this has been hit and miss. Let’s get to it.

Read moreSmackdown – October 16, 2018 (1000th Episode)

A-Double


I'm assuming this stuff with Austin Aries is an elaborate work & not him throwing a fit on a show being unprofessional. Did get me wondering about something.


As a fan, do you appreciate or like when booking tries to surprise you? Or have you gone full snark (like many, I would imagine) and look at "blurred lines"/"worked shoot" as just being annoying? Do you prefer wrestling sticks to established wrestling booking?

I'm going to be honest, I have only barely been paying attention to the Aries stuff, but the fact that it hasn't enticed me to watch at all probably says all you need to know.  Maybe I'm just grumpy about watching months of Vince Russo RAW in 1998 recently, I dunno.  But yeah, just give me good storytelling that makes sense.  Or randomly have Apollo Crews turn babyface off-screen, whatever, same thing.

Pre-’86 Kerry von Erich


Hey Scott,


Have you seen any Kerry von Erich matches before he lost his foot? If so, how was he?

On a similar topic, there was ever a wrestler with a bigger upside that got completely squandered? KvE was able to become one of the greatest stars on just one foot. If that motorcycle accident hadn't happened, do you see him becoming the biggest star of the '90s?

Most of Kerry's documented career came before the accident.  Really he was a much bigger star in the small pond of World Class than he was as the Texas Tornado.  I would classify him as "Pretty damn good" and I've seen lots of great matches between him and Flair and a hell of a match between him and Harley Race.  

I'd still vote for Magnum TA as the biggest waste of talent and potential, though.  Kerry was gonna self-destruct regardless.  
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Tuesday Night Thread

It’s SMACKDOWN 1000, which admittedly sounds like an As Seen on TV product.

They’re still pushing ahead full force with going to Saudi Arabia, so there’s that.

Baseball playoffs!  Hockey!  Basketballs!  Lots of stuff going on tonight.  Talk about it here!

What the World Was Watching: WCW Main Event – March 5, 1995

–Footage of Hulk Hogan attacking Vader on WCW Saturday Night is shown.

–Gene Okerlund and Bobby Heenan are the studio hosts for tonight’s broadcast.  Heenan says Hulk Hogan is out of control because he knows he made a mistake signing a strap match against Vader.

Read moreWhat the World Was Watching: WCW Main Event – March 5, 1995

#1 Contender for the Worst?


Scott–


For a long time, you've touted that Dino Bravo is, in fact, THE WORST.

However, reading the recap of the Warlord/Blazer match from Primetime, should we now be giving consideration to the fact that… Warlord might be The Worst?

Even Dino could weave some kicks into the "clubbing forearms/body slam" move set…

Yeah, but Warlord was so bad he was hilarious to watch, plus he had the bonus of having his career ended via pizza truck.  Bravo can’t top that, so he’s the worst.  

John Hennigan


When "John Morrison" left WWE I remember it being related to Melina's issues and you saying that he wanted to become an actor or something along those lines.  While I didn't think he would ever become someone who would be THE GUY, he definitely had the look, in ring ability, and charisma to be near the top of the card for years and make a lot of money for the company.  I think a lot of fans have been expecting him to come back for years, but it hasn't happened.

Now he's on Survivor(as a fan of that show I can tell you that he has been great and incredibly likable so far), appeared on GLOW, and has gone to the top of two other promotions.  This guy's stock has never been higher. 

Here is my question: Why has Vince not brought this guy back yet? Did he burn a bridge, or do you think he has been holding out for a better deal?  I have to believe he would make more money as a top guy on Smackdown than he has been doing all of these other things.

Hey, I’ve been advocating for him coming back as a top guy for ages, but I think he’s happier doing his own thing on his own time, and good on him.  He’ll be back eventually and the longer he holds out, the bigger offer he’ll get.