WWE Fans

[Absent Friend]

This just came to mind. An entertaining segment would be Bryan vs. all those white coats, making all of them tap out.

Chris Jericho revealed when he will leave WWE. August 14...

Chris Jericho did an interview with IconvsIcon.com where he revealed he is finished with WWE as of August 14, 2012 when Fozzy’s new album “Sin and Bones” comes out. Jericho noted he’ll be “done with the WWE” and “full-time” with Fozzy until the album cycle and touring is done. Below is an excerpt from the interview:

It goes without saying you are a busy man with many irons in the fire at any given point. Is it safe to say Fozzy became a top priority for you?

Yeah, it has been since “Chasing The Grail” came out in 2010. That was the point when we decided that we had something really special here and we could really do something with this and it became time to put all of our effort and focus into the band. I was gone from the WWE for a year-and-a-half when “Grail” came out. During that time, we toured 16 countries and built up a really good fan base everywhere. When it came time to make “Sin and Bones,” I knew I would have about six months of free time. I came back to the WWE and as of August 14, 2012, when “Sin and Bones” comes out, we go on the road with the Uproar Tour. At that time, I am done with the WWE and it is full-time with Fozzy until the album cycle and touring is done. Like I said, this is something I have been doing since I was 12 years old — it is part of who I am. I think I am very fortunate to have had two dreams that have come true, both of them in these very big ways. Fozzy is slowly catching up to where I am wrestling-wise. If I were to retire tomorrow, I would be very happy with all the things we have done as a band. We have worked really hard to get here and have all the pieces of the puzzle there and ready — it has been a whirlwind! I want to continue to build on those achievements!

It is interesting to note that Jericho is officially advertised for SummerSlam on August 19, 2012.

Whatever happens, Ziggler's likely going to write him off TV.

I saw that earlier. I was thinking Jericho vs Ziggler at Summerslam before this news came out. Then Aww shit.

I've read the smackdown spoilers and I'm a bit disappointed on one hand, but on the other I'm like fuck yes. My man Karmafan might be scratching his head again

[lonewolfz28]

I was wondering how he was going to tour with Fozzy. I've got 4 tickets to see them on Sept 1st in Saratoga.
Complete lineup:

SHINEDOWN
GODSMACK
STAIND
PAPA ROACH
ADELITAS WAY
P.O.D.
DEUCE
IN THIS MOMENT
REDLIGHT KING
CANDLELIGHT RED
MINDSET EVOLUTION
FOZZY

Should be a great show. It'll be my 2nd time for Shinedown & Staind. It'll be my 5th for Godsmack.

Staind FOR THE WIN

enjoy yourself!

[lonewolfz28]

Hopefully Staind puts on a better show this time. The last time I think it was towards the end of their tour and they might have been burned out. No energy whatsoever and Aaron Lewis sounded like crap.

In all fairness, I've seen the same thing with Godsmack and a couple other bands too. Great during the first 3/4 of the tour, not so hot towards the end of the tour. It's got to be tough to go all out like some of them do several times a week, month after month.

[SaintsDecay]

I respect Jericho for going out this way. Instead of dragging us along for years, he's telling us upfront that he's done. Jerichoholics like myself expected one last run, but I'm okay with the fact that he's leaving. Fozzy is a good band, and I think it's worth sticking with.

That show in Saratoga should be good, lonewolfz28. A lot of the bands on the roster are mainstream bullshit hard rock, but there are a few gems like Staind, Adelita's Way, In This Moment, Redlight King, and of course Fozzy. Redlight King is especially interesting. They're hard rock, but they have this interesting semi-electronic/semi-R&B sound as well. I'm normally not a fan of such things, but they're thinking outside the box and that's the only thing that can keep Rock N' Roll alive.

I saw Staind live a few years back at Oktoberfest and they fucking rocked it. Any band can get worn down, though. Ever been to Cruefest? I was there in St. Louis back in 2008. Motley Crue, Sixx AM, Buckcherry, Papa Roach, and a few other bands. Those guys had been on the road for literally years by the time they got to San Louie, and they sounded terrible. I've heard Motley other times, though, and they were great. Road fatigue gets to everyone, and you can't judge a band on it.

[Absent Friend]

- Around 600 fans came to The Bull in Tampa, Florida last night for a FCW live event that benefited The Angelus, a group that volunteers their services to raise money for handicapped children. A group of handicapped children were sitting on the left and right sides of the entrance where the wrestlers came down at. The big draw of the night was a special appearance by The Undertaker, who also did a meet-and-greet before the show.

We noted before that FCW President Steve Keirn cut a promo before the show and thanked Undertaker for coming, mentioning that Taker and wife Michelle McCool were expecting a child. In an update, Keirn added that McCool is expecting their child any day now. Keirn added that Taker said he wouldn’t miss the event for anything.

The Undertaker later suddenly appeared on stage after a Fatal 4 Way tag team match and the crowd gave him a standing ovation. Taker saluted the crowd and posed on stage with the handicapped children as the crowd chanted his name. The moment was described as out of character but completely classy for The Undertaker.

What a lovely thing. Baby McTaker, that's also nice.

- As noted before, the July 30th WWE RAW did a 3.09 cable rating with 4.50 million viewers. The three hours came in at 2.79, 3.21 and 3.25. This shows that even with the big numbers from RAW 1000, WWE still had trouble getting the entire audience tuned in at 8pm.

In the segment breakdown, Alberto Del Rio vs. Santino Marella lost 261,000 viewers from the opener, which is not a good drop for hour one. The angle with Damien Sandow and Brodus Clay with Vickie Guerrero dancing gained 214,000 viewers. Daniel Bryan and AJ backstage plus the recap of Stephanie McMahon attacking Paul Heyman from RAW 1000 lost 18,000 viewers.

Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan in a Street Fight at 9pm gained 521,000 viewers. Segments with R-Truth, Kofi Kingston, Daniel Bryan and AJ gained 274,000 viewers, which is a good gain for that timeslot. Kofi vs. Titus O’Neil lost 223,000 viewers while Randy Orton’s return vs. Heath Slater gained 40,000 viewers.

Chris Jericho and Christian vs. The Miz and Dolph Ziggler gained 51,000 viewers for a 3.24 quarter rating – a very weak gain for the 10pm timeslot. Tyson Kidd vs. Tensai lost 34,000 viewers while the third recap of the Triple H and Brock Lesnar RAW 1000 segment lost 246,000 more viewers. John Cena vs. Big Show in the main event with CM Punk on commentary gained 1,181,000 viewers for a 3.86 overrun. This was the best gaining RAW segment in a while.

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Recaps repeated ad nauseam don't draw, that's pretty obvious. Bryan continues to show that he realistically draws.

[Absent Friend]

Thoughts on NXT.

1.) Dusty Rhodes in a suit, some office, announcing the NXT Gold Rush tournament to determine the first NXT world championship. 8 guys.

2.) JR would be on commentary only for this match and the main event. Richie Steamboat and Leo Kruger had a decent match. Most of it was just Kruger working on Richie. Richie did what looked like JTG's finisher or something, as a counter, and he got the win. So Steamboat advances.

3.) Big E. Langston. One big comment on the guy that I read is that he's the next Mark Henry. He sure pressed and threw that Adam Mercer person around, he moves pretty well too. I remember seeing him work out in that gym John Cena frequented. That was when they played vignettes to hype up his match against Rock.

4.) Audrey Marie. Aww mah goodness, shucky ducky quack quack! Racquel Diaz sounded like some Cali girl or something, and she was mic'd up like AW. I guess one has to assume that Racquel is married to a guy whose surname is "Diaz," because Regal refers to the face she's a member of the Guerrero family. There was a "You can't wrestle chant." It came after an awkward spot where Racquel's backslide pin attempt was countered, and Racquel ended up on her two knees. Audrey tried a kick, it was swiped, her ass was smacked, and then the Gory Bomb. That whole sequence looked weird. I was confused on who was getting the chant. It was Racquel? I've been reading about her in ring ability not necessarily being up to par. Something I don't like to read, because, you know, Guerrero. Although it might not be surprising if one takes into account that the Guerrero wrestling legacy was built on the males. Actual wrestling. On the female side, as evidenced by Vickie Guerrero, it's more on the on air personality, heat magnet role. Something Racquel is showing a good deal of. She wrote "L" on Audrey's forehead. Paige was interviewed about Racquel. Just a few sentences, I forgot she's British. Oh and she good looking too. Racquel as well.

5.) Oh goodness, Regal and the Hunico/Camacho story. One instance, he said Camacho bit a guy's eyeball off. Other instances, such as here, it was a guy's nose. The funny thing is that at SmackDown a couple months ago, when the Chicanos were on commentary, Camacho spoke and said Hunico saved his life in the Barrio. So what the hell? Mike Dalton was touted a bit on commentary, as some sort of underdog. I didn't think too much of it really, as Hunico and Camacho really came off like a more solid team. They did some tag team moves, Camacho hang in the ring pretty well. Dalton would do some hurricanrana into a pin combination, and won. That was rather surprising, I figured the Chicanos would just squash. Oh and Dalton's partner was Jason Jordan. Nice stuff, I didn't notice Jason Jordan too much actually.

6.) McIntyre used to utilize the ring itself as a weapon. It was unique, specifically when he went under a ring and pulled a guy into the exposed apron. He did that to Seth Rollins. McIntyre was sporting some blood from his nose or mouth. Once again Regal alludes to McIntyre having "life scars." Rollins and McIntyre's match this week was similar to last week. Just, Rollins countered the big boot spot that cost him last week. The fact it was their second match together indicates some chemistry between them. Future battles? I'm down with that.

[Absent Friend]

Thoughts on SmackDown

1.) Mr. McMahon opening the show with his announcement of the new SD GM. I see a Christian sign! Booker T is the GM of SD. I think it was easy to predict this, Booker wasn't heard on commentary, and WWE's text messaging service teased Booker as the guy. Booker gets to talking but 'Berto interrupted, no rental car again! Del Rio would talk, cut Booker off, and mention Sheamus growing up as a fat little redhead. That's true, Sheamus would say that himself in interviews. Booker and Sheamus gonna hang out, get a pint? Booker would then get to talking on Del Rio, making him wrestle Randall. His talk was pretty nice, which is a positive for him as GM. He could help feuds get over, he was obviously more subdued than on commentarty. Booker booked Sheamus and Tensai. Ooooh?

2.) A Picture In Picture promo of Tensai just speaking Japanese for his match with Sheamus. Psh, speak English or die. Tensai and Sheamus had two matches so far. Both matches had blood. The first one was from Sheamus. This one, Tensai's stomach seemed to have been cut. Anyways, Sheamus is a big man, and Tensai speaks for himself. That being said, both guys had a hard hitting, power heavy match. It was pretty good. The ending sequence was a bit too big on Sheamus as a superface. He kicks out of Tensai's Derailer, misses a move, Sheamus gets strong again, Brogue Kick, done. Other than that, great stuff, so far Tensai's best matches come against Sheamus.

3.) Eve trying to get employed by Booker. Then Teddy Long came out. Booker offering a job to Teddy, even though he said he'd inform Eve if there was an offer opened. Ha! You know what? None of these people are white. I'm just sayin'.

4.) Antonio Cesaro wanted to say "hello," in 5 different languages. German, Italian, English, Swiss, French. Santino can barely speak English. Oh just stop teasing and tickling, Cesaro beat Santino in another non title match. He should be US Champion automatically. Santino's apparently a bit dumb on the rules, of course a limb under the ropes constitutes a kickout.

5.) Yes! D-Bryan interviewed by Matt Striker. A recap is played of D-Bryan's RAW this week. That's a recap I'm down with, and not played ad nauseam. When saying "No" to a question, the camera backed up, revealing Daniel Bryan wearing his shirt, only with "Yes" being covered with "No." Haha! D-Bryan is pulling more into a heel, turning a positive "Yes" into a negative "No." Also, he's too angry to be anything other than a heel. Great stuff, further development as he continues to evolve in the year of 2012. I'd like to see him take out aggression in the ring, tap some people out. No! No! No! It's opposite day.

6.) Usually when a heel gets a rollup pin, they get a handful of tights. Daniel Bryan didn't get a handful of tights! From traditional tag team match to 6 man, a solid transition. Although not perfectly balanced for all men, with Kane being the least involved, it was interesting to see Jericho completely face it up. Getting the fans to pop for Christian to get the hot tag. D-Bryan told Michael Cole earlier in the day, to inform on commentary, that the "Yes" Lock is now the "No" Lock. The heels were more balanced in performance, all three men leading the way. Bryan's kicks are also met with multiple "No's." Jericho got the hot tag, was all over the place, Codebreaker to Ziggler with the briefcase to add extra damage, Liontamer to D-Bry! After the match, still entertaining: Bryan was yelling "No" to a fan yelling "Yes!" Thankfully the guy didn't get carried away.

7.) Randall Orton back from a 2 month "layoff," interview with Striker. He's back to give the fans what they need, an RKO to Del Rio. Yeah sure, that's fine by me. The Ryback got a PIP interview, not yelling, his promo pretty much referring to the jungle and animals. It's rare to get a PIP interview, those work. Mahal hit The Ryback with a microphone, causing a DQ. Of course The Ryback no sold. The Primetime Players don't got a t-shirt, yet Lil' Jimmy got one? Something's wrong here. AW was mic'd up, so looks like no punishment will be dealt to AW.

8.) R-Truth and Darren Young's match didn't last long. It was more on AW and Titus being distractions, and icing Kofi's retaliation. Titus kicked Kofi in the face, looked nice. Darren Young one, clean sweep in singles matches from the Primetime Players.

9.) Recap of the Punk angle from RAW, followed by Tout reactions. White guy agrees with Punk, another white guy think Punk's scared, another white guy wearing a Punk shirt, yeah enough said (he called Cena a one trick pony, which isn't true). Black guy, seemed to be a Cena fan, didn't agree with Punk. Recap of Booker T being announced as GM. Uhhhh, come on now. Booker T talking in only the way he can talk, on the cellphone. It was funny. Layla came in to talk to Booker, and Cody Rhodes interrupted. Sweet! Booker called Cody a "sucka," not a "sucker." Cody Rhodes vs. Rey Mysterio next week. NO! I was thinking Rey, right now he's overseas doing PR for WWE. It's Sin Cara. With the greatest of ease?

10.) Randall and Del Rio's match didn't have a lot going. Match was happening, both guys looked good, but it essentially was just made to keep Del Rio from being pinned or made to submit, but also bring Randall back strong on SD. DQ interference by Ricardo, both guys fought after, Sheamus threw Del Rio into an RKO. Send the crowd home happy, although a full on, lengthy match between the two would've made me happy. Nevertheless, well the angle of Del Rio was negated, I figured he'd just bail on the match as soon as it started, with Sheamus coming in, RKO, done. Not the case. I still wonder where Randall's heading, because so far he's got nothing going other than popping the fans up. Time to bring Barrett back? Last year's SummerSlam opened up with a 6 man tag match involving guys with light feuds, but ultimately didn't get booked in advance. Save for Del Rio, who would cash in his briefcase later on in the show. Randall, Rey, Santino vs. Rhodes, Cesaro, and? I'm just spitballing.

[Karmafan]

I can't see Randy in a 6 man tag team with Santino on a PPV. He is a main eventer. If that were to happen he would know he really fucked up this time.