Eric Bischoff Update
Bischoff, who was not backstage at last night's Impact tapings, was also not present during the "Bound for Glory" PPV. In regards to his status with TNA, the talent roster was told yesterday during a meeting that Bischoff will be working with the company "from home." In regards to the meeting, Mike Johnson reported that morale was "very good" from the people he spoke with.
Credit Mike Johnson, PWInsider.com
WWE.com Video of Triple H "Shooting" on Shawn Michaels
http://www.wwe.com/videos/playlists/triple-h-exclusive-interviews-with-michael-cole
Fan Attendance Number From "Bound for Glory"
The show drew 2,622 fans.
Credit Bryan Alvarez, Figure Four Weekly Newsletter
Jesse Sorensen to work for RoH
Sorensen has been medically cleared to work for RoH as his doctor stated that he was no more likely to suffer a severe injury than anyone else in pro wrestling.
Credit Bryan Alvarez, Figure Four Weekly Newsletter
Bischoff, who was not backstage at last night's Impact tapings, was also not present during the "Bound for Glory" PPV. In regards to his status with TNA, the talent roster was told yesterday during a meeting that Bischoff will be working with the company "from home." In regards to the meeting, Mike Johnson reported that morale was "very good" from the people he spoke with.
Credit Mike Johnson, PWInsider.com
WWE.com Video of Triple H "Shooting" on Shawn Michaels
http://www.wwe.com/videos/playlists/triple-h-exclusive-interviews-with-michael-cole
Fan Attendance Number From "Bound for Glory"
The show drew 2,622 fans.
Credit Bryan Alvarez, Figure Four Weekly Newsletter
Jesse Sorensen to work for RoH
Sorensen has been medically cleared to work for RoH as his doctor stated that he was no more likely to suffer a severe injury than anyone else in pro wrestling.
Credit Bryan Alvarez, Figure Four Weekly Newsletter
Well to be fair, Bischoff can run the company into the ground just as easily from home as he can from the road.
ReplyDeleteI like this passive-aggressively anti-pro-wrestling doctor's style.
ReplyDeleteJust watched the HHH video and it brought out the one thing I really hate about this angle: it's making me relate to HHH. Dude is 44 trying to run his wife's family business. He's trying to find a guy that will draw like Hogan, Rock, Austin, etc and he doesn't believe Bryan is that guy. Hell, I don't think he is either. I really wish they would kill this angle.
ReplyDeleteI was really hoping for more of his classic heel persona. At this point I'm barely watching Raw.
ReplyDeleteIf he's going to be involved, I really wish he would just turn fully heel. Problem is I can relate to him much more than I can to Daniel Bryan which can't be good for business. Also, I think the world needs X-Pac and Road Dogg running around as his stooges.
ReplyDeleteWell, shit. So could I. I'm surly and I have a beard. Gimme!!!
ReplyDelete(bonus points to anyone who can name that quote without help from the interwebs)
This will get hate but Nash as his thug / bodyguard guy would be ideal.
ReplyDeleteIn theory, reuniting everyone sans Shawn would be awesome, but history says that would be terrible in reality.
ReplyDeleteThat wouldn't be a bad idea, kind of like a Corporation X instead Degeneration X. Just so long as they don't turn into goofs like Patterson and Brisco.
ReplyDeleteUh, them being goofs is the whole point.
ReplyDeletePerfect role for Road Dogg and Billy Gunn.
ReplyDeleteHis interview with the Masked Man was pretty good as well. I really think he and Vince just haven't got the same vision and they're working through that. That said, a heel needs to be a heel.
ReplyDeleteAt this point TNA might as well give me the book. Would I book a better show than is currently going on? No, I wouldn't. However I'd do it for free.
ReplyDeleteHe sounds way too much like a babyface right now. Add to that the fact that he has a point. Bryan is coming off as a whiner only concerned about himself while HHH comes off as a guy trying to make sure thousands of people are able to feed their family.
ReplyDeleteAre we supposed to see through that and know Triple H is only concerned about himself? Because that's not how it's coming off. When Vince was a heel opposing Austin you knew he was slimy and phony. He'd give the "I care about the fans" and "I'm doing what's best for the entire company" lines but you saw through it.
ReplyDeleteEric Bischoff working with the company "from home" makes me think of Impact being on his TV screen in the background while he is on a three-way call with Jason Hervey negotiating a new reality TV deal.
ReplyDeleteI like it, but then what do you do with the Shield?
ReplyDeleteThe HHH character is too deep and well-rounded for wrestling. If he were on a drama, it would be really engaging. The way he's playing the character isn't helping Orton or Bryan.
ReplyDeleteThey don't really serve a purpose now as it is, so moving them to something else wouldn't be a big deal. Actually, it may be best for them long-term.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that from Supernatural?!?
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed. Bonus points to you!! Well done.
ReplyDeleteIt would be ideal if Big Poochy were committed to it and didn't pull his usual crap.
ReplyDeleteBut some of the big complaints is that HHH is too 'insider' and not willing to ever let the babyfaces get over on him either physically or verbally, and he always has to have the last word. Big Kev is not the person to bring in to solve that problem. He brings the same problem that HHH does - the only difference is that if HHH gets involved you at least have a chance at a decent match before the other guy gets buried.
I think it's impossible to have Billy Gunn and not make him a doof.
ReplyDeleteDixie pawning TNA on next season's Pawn Stars?
ReplyDeleteThat attendance number is HORRIBLE.
ReplyDeleteFor a tv taping fine but their biggest show of the year should not look like an ROH number
"Corporation X" is such an awesome name that I want to see this angle happen just for the name alone
ReplyDeleteSorry, Rick doesn't buy knock-offs.
ReplyDelete"What's that? Should he wrestle? Let's be honest, should anyone?"- Jesse's Doctor
ReplyDeleteI imagine him in front of a PC wearing a mumu trying to order a TAB.
ReplyDeleteSo there you have it. Buddy is cleared to return to work in his chosen profession, and no more likely to suffer injury than anyone else.
ReplyDeleteCan we all apologize to TNA for cutting him now, instead of giving him his "job for life" nonsense. For all of their faults, that was not one of them. Every company in the world would expect him to go back to work, and no insurance plan would pay him not to.
2600 people...with how many comped? Did anyone from here end up going?
ReplyDeleteI want to like them so damn bad but I think Scott is right, it's time to blow it up and start again with different branding/management.
"Sorensen has been medically cleared to work for RoH as his doctor stated
ReplyDeletethat he was no more likely to suffer a severe injury than anyone else
in pro wrestling."
The doctor amended this statement when he found out that Mike Bennett also works for ROH.
I agree. The only way this works out is if HHH (the character) shows his true colors and makes himself the guy who tries to take HIS title back away from Bryan. And then Bryan taps him out clean in the middle to prove him wrong. That's the only way HHH is the heel in all this: if all the "this business" talk is just a facade and he's just in it for his own glory.
ReplyDeleteHeyman guys? Punk can beat them one by one en route to his re-match with Brock? Ryback & Axel need to get dumped by Paul real soon. Maybe he hires the Shield to get rid of them? Ryback ends up a face again, but oh well. I guess he can do a monster vs. monster feud with Reigns afterward
ReplyDeleteMaybe he can be one of HHH's mystery entries into the Royal Rumble, only for Bryan to eliminate him?
ReplyDeleteMuch like the Summer of Punk (HHH-Nash), this had once again become more about HHH vs. his buddy than the guys actually competing for the title and supposedly getting the rocket push
ReplyDeleteDing ding ding! Absolutely agree. It divides the fans and is the EXACT same stupid shit that halted Punks momentum in '11
ReplyDeleteIts because thet view Bryan like Punk and Foley, main event place holders that aren't quitw good enough to be "the man." Look at all the peripheral shit they added to Bryans first main main event angle/feud with Bryan: HHH, Steph, Shield, Bid Show, etc. In their mind all this is necessary to "cover up" Bryans deficienies. Same with Punk, as awesome and as over as hes been since 2011, the only time hes been tge focal point of the promotion is when hes worked worked with Cena and HHH.
ReplyDeleteIts John Cenas world, everyone else is just renting a room.
Minus several million for watching what is essentially Buffy with hot guys in it.
ReplyDelete(My girlfriend is a huge fan).
*I* and my wife both dig the show; I'd say I'm the bigger fan. There are plenty of hot chicks running around, though oddly enough, I dig the show because I find it compelling. How hot the men or women are doesn't much matter to me. Granted, I wouldn't watch if everyone was hideous, but I can't think of a single show I watch solely because I find the players to be attractive.
ReplyDeleteMark Madden?
ReplyDeleteWell put. It's true: despite the long title reign, Punk didn't main event in a meaningful way and was never The Guy.
ReplyDeleteIt would be one thing to shove the new guys aside for actual proven megastars. If Rock or Austin or Hogan or whoever were elbowing into an angle— guys with a proven track record of popping ratings or buyrates— that's one thing. I still wouldn't be for making Bryan (or Punk in 2011) the sideshow to them, but there's at least some reasoning.
ReplyDeleteBut what's funny is that they're shoving them aside for angles with veterans who HAVEN'T DRAWN SHIT. I mean, you shove aside Punk so you can push Kevin Nash, a historic failure as the WWE centerpiece? And even now with Bryan's story... the best you have is Big Show? The guy matters to the numbers about as much as any other midcarder. Show is someone who people recognize from longevity, but he's not a draw. And fuck it, same goes for HBK. Dude was amazing in the ring, everyone loves him...but he's only revered as a megastar due to friendly WWE spinning. HBK isn't moving any numbers, as he never has. So yeah, if Rock was available to take the focus away, I could understand it. But Show and HBK? Waste of time.
Shane McMahon and Jim Ross should build the next competitor. Shane will try to do to Vince what he did to his dad.
ReplyDeleteSo based on that HHH sitdown... he's back to not being a full blown heel? Jesus Christ with this guy. It's a fucking wrestling show, not The Sopranos. COuld he please just play a full blown heel so it's clear that everyone is supposed to hate him? This walking the line thing makes everything he says about Bryan (and the other faces) so much more damaging, because when he shits on them and calls Bryan a B+ player or whatever, it sounds reasonable. And then the fans just start buying into it, especially when HHH keeps getting proven right.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, also just watched this Daniel Bryan promo on the site:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdZbj0uEAS8
Is it just me, or does that sell the match 1000x better than anything they've done on the actual TV show? Bryan comes off as a tough sonofabitch with a great backstory, he puts over Orton, puts over wrestling, puts over the Cell, and then promises megaviolence. But, you know, it's more important to spend TV time shooting on whether RVD was a draw.
Awesome point, dude. You're right, they are setting aside the rising stars in favor of guys who have not and certainly WILL NOT draw. Big Show is fine as Bryan's buddy or as a plot device in the bigger angle, but putting Bryan aside and letting Show be the guy who decks HHH was short-sighted. The Nash thing was even more egregious, because Nash was not a draw in his PRIME and there was no plan of having him around past the end of the year even. The Rock was one thing, the others are another entirely. I mean, even with Shawn Michaels...what's the end game? If he's coming back for one more match and he wants to put over Bryan, I guess it makes some sense, but we have no indication of that being the case. So instead, it's just HHH vs. His Buddy yet again, with the focus shifted even further away from Bryan vs. Orton, or even Bryan vs. HHH
ReplyDeleteExactly.
ReplyDeleteNash will be all ready for the moment, then "oh my heart" or "oh, btw, I have this movie I'm in that I'm insured on, can't wrestle for another month or so, sorry!"
If some were comped that's REALLY atrocious. ROH did 2200 paid for SoH 7.
ReplyDeleteI totally would love to see just that exact team. I know one might say that having another McMahon run the competition is just more of the same— and well, it could be— but I think based on anything you ever hear about Shane he seems to be very different from his sister and dad. Plus JR would be amazing as the head of talent, and the two of them together would really have a fire under their ass to be successful against Vince. Would love to see it.
ReplyDeleteIs it engagingly complex or just too damn complicated? There are some diverse qualities to the the character, but I think one of them happens to be "inconsistent."
ReplyDeleteWait a sec, where's that one dude who has been arguing all week on how obvious HHH is as a heel and fans OBVIOUSLY know they shouldn't buy into anything he says? I didn't have the energy to argue with him, but I believe you did on occasion. And as usual, you have been proven right.
ReplyDeleteHow long will it take him to realize that he can triple his productivity by only having to press "Y?"
ReplyDeleteSo do we not want shades of grey anymore? Is that bad again?
ReplyDeleteIt would seem that Shane has no desire to be in the same line of business as any of them, which is a shame since he was the heir apparent for so many years and at least partly responsible for giving us the best era of the business.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have been a fly on the wall when Shane walked away. Breaking up that lineage couldn't have been an easy thing for him to do, make you wonder what games Steph was playing all along.
Only with this braintrust would you need to cover up imaginary deficiencies, while simultaneously explicitly bringing up these deficiencies to the paying audience.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think Shane has any interest in that?
ReplyDeleteMaybe he just decided he wasn't interested in the family business? Our happens a lot, no need to invent conspiracies our of thin air
ReplyDeleteWhich would be fine on a regular drama. It wouldn't be "inconsistent" as much as "conflicted". He is trying to be everything to everyone. Wants to please the smarks, wants to please the marks, wants to please the old-times, wants to please Vince, wants to please the stockholders, etc. There is no way to do that, but it seems to be his goal.
ReplyDeleteIt's too grey. You can give added dimensions to the characters but you still have to make fans take sides.
ReplyDeleteBreak neck, go to ROH, sounds like a plan.
ReplyDeleteHHH, Nash, Orton, Road Dogg, X Pac, Billy Gunn, and Batista. Leave the Shield to their own devices.
ReplyDeleteIt's not really a conspiracy, it seems fairly obvious something went down there. The prodigal son (and up to this point the only bearer of the next son in line btw) doesn't just leave a family business he's been actively working in for over ten years.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time believing that the guy went from diving off the Titantron to not really caring about the business in the span of a regular contract. Whether it was Vince or Steph or something wholly unrelated in his life that caused the decision I'd love to know the story behind it, that's all.
Maybe, but there's also a difference between enjoying a nice beer and running a brewery. Maybe after a decade in the business he decided they he'd rather be a fan then keep dealing with all the behind the scenes crap.
ReplyDeleteWow, if that BFG number is correct...
ReplyDeleteFans have taken sides. Is there anybody on this blog that's neutral towards Triple H?
ReplyDeleteWhat you're talking about is getting all the fans on the SAME side, which isn't any different than how WWE expects Cena to be treated.
Yeah, that's what I meant. The difference between HHH and Cena is that the fans wouldn't mind booing or cheering HHH, but he needs to decide if he's heel or face so the fans can respond accordingly.
ReplyDeleteCena is a lost cause as far as uniting the fanbase. The WWE realized that a long time ago.
I dunno. I like split reactions and I always have. But I've never been a fan of monolithic good vs. evil.
ReplyDeleteNo, I mean so long as they don't do stuff like where those guys come out to Real American, or when Patterson got his flabby tits out and stuff. I mean, they were old guys so I can see the comedic value, but the rest of the DX crew aren't that old yet and can still actually go. So for that reason I saw them as being more like guys who would get involved with beat downs and the occassional match.
ReplyDelete