After Alberto El Patron was stripped of the Global Force championship as a result of a domestic dispute with Paige at an Orlando airport, it really stumbled the "fresh start" that the promotion had under the new ownership of Anthem. Despite being cleared legally, Alberto still remains suspended and it appears as though he could be finished with the company. An unfortunate set of circumstances led to his dismissal, but as I wrote previously, the face of a promotion has extra responsibilities, and if that athlete can't avoid TMZ headlines, management needs to make the right PR move.
During the most recent TV tapings, Eli Drake won a battle royal to claim the GFW title. There were also debuts, returns, and a departure. Low Ki, the dynamic athlete that helped get Ring Of Honor off the ground in 2002 with a series of incredible matches, left Global Force again. According to The Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer, the former X Division champion initially agreed to a contract, but didn't approve of the storylines planned for him. Reportedly, he wanted to be involved in the world title picture instead of typecast in the X Division. On the surface, this might sound unbelievable, but all things considered, Low Ki underachieved for the majority of his career. And, not for a lack of talent, as he's undoubtedly one of the most skilled athletes of his generation, but rather the complete opposite. With the tremendous talent that he has, Low Ki should be a major star, but his notorious reputation as being difficult to work with limited his success. The fact that Low Ki had a dispute with nearly every major promotion he worked for speaks volumes about his perception of himself, but still doesn't take away from the incredible ability that he has inside the squared circle. At 37, I'd guess his brief four month run on Impact will probably be his last month TV stint in the United States, which is disappointing because as I said, he should've been way more established than he was, but he seems to believe his own hype.
Just a few weeks ago, perhaps even more surprising than Low Ki's return earlier this year, was Jim Cornette's appearance in the Impact Zone as an authority figure. The legendary outspoken former manager of the Midnight Express was quite critical of nearly everything in modern wrestling, calling Anthem's acquisition of TNA, "too little, too late" after the purchase was made. Unfortunately, similar to Low Ki, Cornette seemed to have a dispute with nearly every place he worked in recent years. The infamous slap to a trainee Santino Marella in 2005 led to his exit from WWE's developmental program. He left Total Nonstop Action because of the incompetence of the regime that ran the promotion at the time and his hatred for Vince Russo in 2009. He left Ring Of Honor under less than good circumstances in 2012 before he took nearly a year away from the sport he followed his entire life. He resurfaced with a podcast and social media platform, which enhanced his status as one of the most polarizing figures in the industry. While he often made intriguing points and provided some of the most interesting historical discussion in the genre, there were also many ridiculous comments that left even those that respect him shaking their heads.
Still, the Louisville Slugger's return shouldn't be all that surprising. Obviously, anything can happen in the wrestling business so despite any negative comments previously, the nature of the industry allows critics to return. Also, with Jeff Jarrett back as the creative "force" under the Anthem banner, it makes sense that a former Memphis mainstay would appear on television again. Jeff's grandmother, Christine Jarrett, who worked at the original Memphis wrestling office in the 1950s, was one of the people responsible for Cornette's introduction into the wrestling business. At 14, he began as a photographer and since he wasn't old enough to drive, his mother that he later referenced in some of his debut promos drove him to the events. Mrs. Cornette and Christine Jarrett became friends so there are generations of history between the two families.
Don't get me wrong, I respect everything that Jim Cornette accomplished and he's unquestionable one of the most knowledge minds in the sport, but it just seems like an odd decision to bring him back to TV, especially when there are hours of audio and video footage that criticize the company. According to comments he made on his podcast after the segment aired, Cornette didn't sign anything long term. As a verbal figure, he will be an asset, but all things considered, you must wonder if the conclusion of this run will be similar to his previous wrestling stints of the past 15 years?
It was nice to see that Petey Williams did a run-in at the GFW tapings. One of the TNA originals, Petey was a solid in-ring performer that consistently delivered quality matches, even if he wasn't necessarily going to be a main eventer. It was disappointing that he became so well known for the Canadian Destroyer that most of his other work was overlooked. A victim of TNA's often illogical booking, he had various stints in the company, and on the independent scene before he retired from professional wrestling to take a better job outside of the industry. An athlete the caliber of Petey should be able to make a living in pro wrestling so it was extremely disappointing to hear that he left the sport because it wasn't a realistic financial option for him. Hopefully, this GFW debut is a fresh start for him and he will be a solid addition to the X Division.
Taya Valkyrie, the Canadian athlete that made a name for herself in AAA in Mexico and on Lucha Underground in the United States, was trained by the underrated legend Lance Storm. Taya also did some WWE extra work at various times and was offered a contract at one point, but didn't get a chance to sign a deal. If anything, Taya deserves this opportunity and could add depth to the Knockouts division.
John Morrison, known as Johnny Impact made his Global Force Wrestling debut. Truthfully, it's surprising that the real-life John Hennigan hasn't worked for Impact until now, but it's possible it was simply a matter of the right amount of money since Dixie Carter couldn't pay to keep the company afloat previously. Regardless, Anthem has the cash, and Johnny Impact signed a deal. Despite the tacky name, Hennigan could use GFW to reestablish himself on TV in the United States and the deal could be beneficial for the company as well. Hennigan presents himself as a star, which gives GFW some needed star power. Although, it remains to be seen if the recent additions will actually boost the company.
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Friday, August 25, 2017
Will Conor McGregor shock the world?
Tomorrow night, a truly unprecedented spectacle will take place when
undefeated boxer, Floyd Mayweather steps into the ring to fight Conor
McGregor, the UFC Lightweight champion. This contest quite literally
took a page from the Rocky vs. Thunder Lips playbook, both from an
entertainment and promotional aspect. Very similar to Stallone's battle
with Bollea on screen, this clash of the top trash talkers from two
different combat sports is purely an entertainment venture. There was
much hype used to entice highly-priced ticket sales and for home viewers
to spend $99.99 to watch it live. But, did these two bombastic personas
overplay their hand? Did they push the hype machine so far that the
public will roll their eyes instead of reach into their wallet?
As is the case with any prize fight, the point is to "sell" the fight in order to maximize profits. That's capitalism, and even during the down years of boxing, big time fights drew at the box office. However, there was always more substances to it than just dollars and cents. There was a legacy on the line or the prospect of elevated status that promised an even bigger payday in the future. For example, when savvy veteran, Bernard Hopkins dodged father time to become one of the oldest champions in the history of the sport a few years ago, he eventually ran into Sergey Kovalev, the Russian power puncher who sent "B-Hop" tumbling to the canvas en route to a one-sided decision in 2014. Since that time, Kovalev, with his increased profile after a win over a legend, went on to rack up more victories before a pair of thrilling pay-per-view bouts against Andre Ward in recent years.
Another example involved Floyd himself, including when he fought former gold medalist Oscar De La Hoya in 2007. The split decision win for Mayweather in what was one of the highest-selling pay-per-view events in history put him on another level in terms on public perception. De La Hoya was one of the most accomplished and popular champions on his generation, but that victory for Floyd ushered in the era of "Money" Mayweather. Oscar retired the following year, while Mayweather generated some of the biggest purses in the history of boxing.
However, this McGregor contest has neither legacy nor status on the line.
If Conor chooses to fight again, it's not as though he will suddenly pursue a boxing career, especially while he's still the 155 LBS title holder and under contract to the UFC. So, even a long shot victory does nothing to propel his status as a boxer. With a record of 49-0, even the probable win that will edge Mayweather ahead of the legendary Rocky Marciano's record will do zero for his legacy. Boxing purists and even casual fans will recognize that Floyd literally fought a boxing amateur to obtain his 50th professional win.
So, essentially the selling point of this entire project is entertainment value, and more specifically, can Conor McGregor shock the world for the biggest upset in sports history?
So far, the collaborative effort of the UFC, Showtime, and Mayweather Promotions have used every smoke and mirrors trick in the book to attempt to create the perception that this will somehow be a competitive fight. Most recently, the approval of 8 oz gloves, smaller than boxing's usual 10 oz mitts, but bigger than the 4 oz MMA gloves, was added to the list. In theory, this would suggest that Conor would somehow have an advantage because he usually fights with small gloves. In reality, it will make no difference, as the key to the entire bout is that McGregor might not be able to land anything because of the masterful defensive skills of his opponent. The size of the gloves is irrelevant, especially if the UFC star can't land those gloves in a boxing match against one of the most defensive boxers in the history of the sport.
The other narrative that was pushed in an attempt to create the illusion of competition was that "Money" Mayweather might not be able to match his younger opposition. At 40, Floyd certainly isn't at the start of his career, but to suggest that his skills plummeted since his last bout less than two years ago is a stretch, especially when you consider that because of his defense, the former five-division world champion took minimal damage during his two decade career.
The concept that this match-up will be competitive was such an unbelievable possibility that the two athletes went into hype mode to try to push sells, but did they push the envelope too far?
In a promotional tour that spanned four cities and three countries, Mayweather and McGregor put on a pro wrestling type display that resembled more of a circus than a grudge match. The profanity, slurs, and dollar bills flew as they ranted toward each other. At the conclusion of the press tour, most analysts saw the lame attempt to generate buzz as an indication that this fight was less about sport and more about dollar signs.
The over-the-top push to sell the fight might've given the audience a hint that all this manufactured sizzle was there simply to camouflage the lack of any real substance of a fight. The brash Dublin native is a charismatic and dynamic mixed martial arts fighter, but the striking of MMA compared to boxing is apples to oranges. The different angles, timing, and rules make it a completely different skill set. Keep in mind, McGregor has no professional boxing experience.
Are fans really going to pay $100 to watch an amateur fight an undefeated boxer with a record of 49-0?
Chances are, yes, the general public probably will spend the cash just to see the sideshow. But, I think it's also fairly obvious that this is a money grab so it shouldn't automatically be assumed that this will break the record for the best-selling pay-per-view. I'd guess that it will rank within the top three events based on the loyal fan following of each athlete, which is still a tremendous success. Despite the blatant money grab, you can't blame Floyd or Conor for taking the money offered. Floyd doesn't want to fight someone as dangerous as Gennady Golovkin so fighting McGregor brings him the most money he's going to be paid from boxing at this point in his career. For the UFC champion, his biggest pay check from the octagon was $3 million, and it's rumored that he will make at least $50 million to fight Mayweather so this sideshow fight gives him financial security for the rest of his career. Most importantly, it gives the Irishman options for the future. Assuming he doesn't foolishly squander the mega cash from boxing, he has the security to retire before the age of 30 if he doesn't want to return to the UFC. Again, you can't blame either of them for taking the money on the table.
The being said, the reality of this fight is simple, it's money for everyone involved. While the circus atmosphere might've soured some purists on the bout, the causal fans will tune in to look for the surprise upset win. Those same causal fans will be disappointed when Floyd artfully dodges McGregor's punches and ends the fight relatively earlier or coasts to an uneventful decision. The odds that anything other than a definitive Mayweather victory happens is almost comical. The bottom line is, the results of this bout will do nothing to improve the legacy of Floyd Mayweather or to hinder the status of Conor McGregor, it's just a venture to make as much money as possible.
If anything, this is an opportunity for Conor McGregor elevate his status because even if he doesn't win the fight, there's still a moral victory if he makes it through twelve rounds against Floyd Mayweather. It will definitely be interesting to see the buy rate for this event and if the public will pay to watch it.
As is the case with any prize fight, the point is to "sell" the fight in order to maximize profits. That's capitalism, and even during the down years of boxing, big time fights drew at the box office. However, there was always more substances to it than just dollars and cents. There was a legacy on the line or the prospect of elevated status that promised an even bigger payday in the future. For example, when savvy veteran, Bernard Hopkins dodged father time to become one of the oldest champions in the history of the sport a few years ago, he eventually ran into Sergey Kovalev, the Russian power puncher who sent "B-Hop" tumbling to the canvas en route to a one-sided decision in 2014. Since that time, Kovalev, with his increased profile after a win over a legend, went on to rack up more victories before a pair of thrilling pay-per-view bouts against Andre Ward in recent years.
Another example involved Floyd himself, including when he fought former gold medalist Oscar De La Hoya in 2007. The split decision win for Mayweather in what was one of the highest-selling pay-per-view events in history put him on another level in terms on public perception. De La Hoya was one of the most accomplished and popular champions on his generation, but that victory for Floyd ushered in the era of "Money" Mayweather. Oscar retired the following year, while Mayweather generated some of the biggest purses in the history of boxing.
However, this McGregor contest has neither legacy nor status on the line.
If Conor chooses to fight again, it's not as though he will suddenly pursue a boxing career, especially while he's still the 155 LBS title holder and under contract to the UFC. So, even a long shot victory does nothing to propel his status as a boxer. With a record of 49-0, even the probable win that will edge Mayweather ahead of the legendary Rocky Marciano's record will do zero for his legacy. Boxing purists and even casual fans will recognize that Floyd literally fought a boxing amateur to obtain his 50th professional win.
So, essentially the selling point of this entire project is entertainment value, and more specifically, can Conor McGregor shock the world for the biggest upset in sports history?
So far, the collaborative effort of the UFC, Showtime, and Mayweather Promotions have used every smoke and mirrors trick in the book to attempt to create the perception that this will somehow be a competitive fight. Most recently, the approval of 8 oz gloves, smaller than boxing's usual 10 oz mitts, but bigger than the 4 oz MMA gloves, was added to the list. In theory, this would suggest that Conor would somehow have an advantage because he usually fights with small gloves. In reality, it will make no difference, as the key to the entire bout is that McGregor might not be able to land anything because of the masterful defensive skills of his opponent. The size of the gloves is irrelevant, especially if the UFC star can't land those gloves in a boxing match against one of the most defensive boxers in the history of the sport.
The other narrative that was pushed in an attempt to create the illusion of competition was that "Money" Mayweather might not be able to match his younger opposition. At 40, Floyd certainly isn't at the start of his career, but to suggest that his skills plummeted since his last bout less than two years ago is a stretch, especially when you consider that because of his defense, the former five-division world champion took minimal damage during his two decade career.
The concept that this match-up will be competitive was such an unbelievable possibility that the two athletes went into hype mode to try to push sells, but did they push the envelope too far?
In a promotional tour that spanned four cities and three countries, Mayweather and McGregor put on a pro wrestling type display that resembled more of a circus than a grudge match. The profanity, slurs, and dollar bills flew as they ranted toward each other. At the conclusion of the press tour, most analysts saw the lame attempt to generate buzz as an indication that this fight was less about sport and more about dollar signs.
The over-the-top push to sell the fight might've given the audience a hint that all this manufactured sizzle was there simply to camouflage the lack of any real substance of a fight. The brash Dublin native is a charismatic and dynamic mixed martial arts fighter, but the striking of MMA compared to boxing is apples to oranges. The different angles, timing, and rules make it a completely different skill set. Keep in mind, McGregor has no professional boxing experience.
Are fans really going to pay $100 to watch an amateur fight an undefeated boxer with a record of 49-0?
Chances are, yes, the general public probably will spend the cash just to see the sideshow. But, I think it's also fairly obvious that this is a money grab so it shouldn't automatically be assumed that this will break the record for the best-selling pay-per-view. I'd guess that it will rank within the top three events based on the loyal fan following of each athlete, which is still a tremendous success. Despite the blatant money grab, you can't blame Floyd or Conor for taking the money offered. Floyd doesn't want to fight someone as dangerous as Gennady Golovkin so fighting McGregor brings him the most money he's going to be paid from boxing at this point in his career. For the UFC champion, his biggest pay check from the octagon was $3 million, and it's rumored that he will make at least $50 million to fight Mayweather so this sideshow fight gives him financial security for the rest of his career. Most importantly, it gives the Irishman options for the future. Assuming he doesn't foolishly squander the mega cash from boxing, he has the security to retire before the age of 30 if he doesn't want to return to the UFC. Again, you can't blame either of them for taking the money on the table.
The being said, the reality of this fight is simple, it's money for everyone involved. While the circus atmosphere might've soured some purists on the bout, the causal fans will tune in to look for the surprise upset win. Those same causal fans will be disappointed when Floyd artfully dodges McGregor's punches and ends the fight relatively earlier or coasts to an uneventful decision. The odds that anything other than a definitive Mayweather victory happens is almost comical. The bottom line is, the results of this bout will do nothing to improve the legacy of Floyd Mayweather or to hinder the status of Conor McGregor, it's just a venture to make as much money as possible.
If anything, this is an opportunity for Conor McGregor elevate his status because even if he doesn't win the fight, there's still a moral victory if he makes it through twelve rounds against Floyd Mayweather. It will definitely be interesting to see the buy rate for this event and if the public will pay to watch it.
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Summer Slam Review
It was a rough week for Baron Corbin, as he lost the MITB cash-in and
then was pinned cleaned a few days later on pay-per-view. Depending on
what you want to believe, there's speculation that a series of tweets in
response to a dirt sheet might've gotten him heat with management.
Unless the situation is directly addressed by someone involved, there's
not a way to confirm it, but it certainly seems like something caused
WWE brass to sour on the Corbin project.
Despite his stock plummeting, Corbin still has a tremendous amount of potential, assuming he continues to evolve in the ring. The former golden gloves winner is a natural heel and has the agility to work with a variety of opponents, both useful tools to draw money if he eventually works a major program with an established baby face. The Summer Slam bout appeared to be a definitively conclusion to the current Corbin push.
With the exception of the solid Smackdown Women's title match, the middle of the show was very average, another reason why it can be difficult to book a four hour event. The Big Cass/Big Show match resembled something that you can see weekly on Raw, and the Enzo antics became more of a distraction than anything. Cass was put over strong, which makes sense, but the generic presentation must eventually be evolved if he will make noticeable progress. As unfortunate as the ACL injury was on Raw, the recovery process provides an opportunity for him to return without the goofy Enzo antics to hinder his development as a heel. The Randy Orton/Rusev match might've only been booked as a reason to put Orton on the promotional material, because it was a throw together match with a finish that did nothing for either competitor.
The Raw Women's title match was decent, but again, it seemed more like something on Raw than a pay-per-view. The women's division is really the prime example of the bigger overall problem of 50/50 booking the plagues the entire product. The random switch to Sasha wasn't presented as a standout moment, mostly because the bout was made just a few weeks before the show after Bayley was injured. Don't get me wrong, Sasha undoubtedly has the star quality, but the booking of the characters in the division is sub par. I'm still stunned at the damage the writing team did to Bayley's persona, and it's almost unbelievable that they took one of the most over baby faces in the company, and through a series of lame segments, managed to get her lost in the shuffle.
The Bray Wyatt/Finn Balor match was solid, but not anything spectacular. The Balor victory more or less closes the door on the feud, which essentially was a way to add some steam behind Finn within the span of just a few weeks. In many ways, it was very similar to the Rollins/Bray series, another feud that used Wyatt to get his opponent over. That was basically the story of Bray's career, he kept himself strong with promos, but usually ended up doing the job. Even his WWE title run earlier this year was mostly just a role as a transition champion. These rather short feuds where Wyatt does the job haven't done anything to help his progress on Raw or Smackdown. At this point, Bray has almost zero momentum so who knows where he goes next? It might be a wise decision to pair him with Harper and Rowan again to try add some feud to his persona because his promos are very similar regardless of the opponent and the presentation is somewhat stale. Don't get me wrong, Wyatt is a great performer, but he was used as almost a glorified enhancement talent in recent months.
The Raw tag title match was solid, and with the main event scene booked right now, this tag detour for Rollins and Ambrose is smart booking, as it gives the two stars something meaningful to do while others are in the WWE title picture. Sheamus and Cesaro have done extremely well as a duo. Cesaro might not be "main event material" to WWE brass, but he consistently delivers quality matches, which makes him a true asset to the company. The US title match was decent, but the pairing just has a "been there, done that" atmosphere to it. AJ vs. Owens took place several times, both on TV and pay-per-view so it might be time for them to each go in a different direction with fresh opponents.
The WWE championship match was perplexing to say the least. Jinder was pushed from jobber obscurity to the title in the span of literally a few weeks. During his time as champion, ratings continue to slip and his pay-per-view bouts garnered less than stellar reviews, including the abysmal Punjabi prison match last month. You can't necessarily blame Mahal, because management didn't put him in the most favorable circumstances to succeed with the rushed push in a sudden attempt to capitalize on the Indian market. It will be interesting to see if the India experiment yields a profitable return or just a considerable amount of press in the country. The bottom line is revenue, and unless there are a surge of network subscriptions from India, is this mega push really worth the decline in TV ratings?
On the flip side, Shinsuke Nakamura, the charismatic Japanese star that made a name for himself in NJPW prior to his WWE arrival, is one of the most over stars in the company. It speaks volumes to his charisma and ability to connect with the audience when you consider that English isn't his first language. But, the crowd follows his entrance and mannerism intently so he undoubtedly transcends any language barrier. Plus, he's also one of the best in-ring athletes in the promotion. The point being, Nakamura is money, and it seems obvious that he should play a role in the championship scene. I was surprised and hopeful when he won the number one contender spot on Smackdown. I was equally as disappointed when he was defeated after a partially botched finisher. The conclusion of the bout fell very flat, and the reality is that despite the forced push, Mahal still doesn't have the credibility to be viewed as a championship-level performer. There's a difference between heel heat and the heat that makes the audience change the channel. The only redeeming aspect of the result of this contest would be a potential AJ Styles feud next for Nakamura. I'm not sure what Jinder does following this, as he has very little momentum right now, but it probably won't be drawing ratings for Smackdown.
The WWE title match was great, booked well, and delivered a quality main event for one of the marquee events of the year. Braun Strowman was highlighted, which led to the announcement on Raw that he will challenge Brock for the championship at the next pay-per-view. Each competitor looked strong in this contest and it enhanced the perception of each athlete. The Strowman match certainly creates intrigue for the No Mercy pay-per-view.
Overall, Summer Slam was a solid event, but the four hour format makes it difficult for the show not to stall at some point, especially when you consider there was a two hour pre show prior to the actual pay-per-view. While the main event was quality, the problem of 50/50 booking and the lack of fresh matches was seen during the event.
Despite his stock plummeting, Corbin still has a tremendous amount of potential, assuming he continues to evolve in the ring. The former golden gloves winner is a natural heel and has the agility to work with a variety of opponents, both useful tools to draw money if he eventually works a major program with an established baby face. The Summer Slam bout appeared to be a definitively conclusion to the current Corbin push.
With the exception of the solid Smackdown Women's title match, the middle of the show was very average, another reason why it can be difficult to book a four hour event. The Big Cass/Big Show match resembled something that you can see weekly on Raw, and the Enzo antics became more of a distraction than anything. Cass was put over strong, which makes sense, but the generic presentation must eventually be evolved if he will make noticeable progress. As unfortunate as the ACL injury was on Raw, the recovery process provides an opportunity for him to return without the goofy Enzo antics to hinder his development as a heel. The Randy Orton/Rusev match might've only been booked as a reason to put Orton on the promotional material, because it was a throw together match with a finish that did nothing for either competitor.
The Raw Women's title match was decent, but again, it seemed more like something on Raw than a pay-per-view. The women's division is really the prime example of the bigger overall problem of 50/50 booking the plagues the entire product. The random switch to Sasha wasn't presented as a standout moment, mostly because the bout was made just a few weeks before the show after Bayley was injured. Don't get me wrong, Sasha undoubtedly has the star quality, but the booking of the characters in the division is sub par. I'm still stunned at the damage the writing team did to Bayley's persona, and it's almost unbelievable that they took one of the most over baby faces in the company, and through a series of lame segments, managed to get her lost in the shuffle.
The Bray Wyatt/Finn Balor match was solid, but not anything spectacular. The Balor victory more or less closes the door on the feud, which essentially was a way to add some steam behind Finn within the span of just a few weeks. In many ways, it was very similar to the Rollins/Bray series, another feud that used Wyatt to get his opponent over. That was basically the story of Bray's career, he kept himself strong with promos, but usually ended up doing the job. Even his WWE title run earlier this year was mostly just a role as a transition champion. These rather short feuds where Wyatt does the job haven't done anything to help his progress on Raw or Smackdown. At this point, Bray has almost zero momentum so who knows where he goes next? It might be a wise decision to pair him with Harper and Rowan again to try add some feud to his persona because his promos are very similar regardless of the opponent and the presentation is somewhat stale. Don't get me wrong, Wyatt is a great performer, but he was used as almost a glorified enhancement talent in recent months.
The Raw tag title match was solid, and with the main event scene booked right now, this tag detour for Rollins and Ambrose is smart booking, as it gives the two stars something meaningful to do while others are in the WWE title picture. Sheamus and Cesaro have done extremely well as a duo. Cesaro might not be "main event material" to WWE brass, but he consistently delivers quality matches, which makes him a true asset to the company. The US title match was decent, but the pairing just has a "been there, done that" atmosphere to it. AJ vs. Owens took place several times, both on TV and pay-per-view so it might be time for them to each go in a different direction with fresh opponents.
The WWE championship match was perplexing to say the least. Jinder was pushed from jobber obscurity to the title in the span of literally a few weeks. During his time as champion, ratings continue to slip and his pay-per-view bouts garnered less than stellar reviews, including the abysmal Punjabi prison match last month. You can't necessarily blame Mahal, because management didn't put him in the most favorable circumstances to succeed with the rushed push in a sudden attempt to capitalize on the Indian market. It will be interesting to see if the India experiment yields a profitable return or just a considerable amount of press in the country. The bottom line is revenue, and unless there are a surge of network subscriptions from India, is this mega push really worth the decline in TV ratings?
On the flip side, Shinsuke Nakamura, the charismatic Japanese star that made a name for himself in NJPW prior to his WWE arrival, is one of the most over stars in the company. It speaks volumes to his charisma and ability to connect with the audience when you consider that English isn't his first language. But, the crowd follows his entrance and mannerism intently so he undoubtedly transcends any language barrier. Plus, he's also one of the best in-ring athletes in the promotion. The point being, Nakamura is money, and it seems obvious that he should play a role in the championship scene. I was surprised and hopeful when he won the number one contender spot on Smackdown. I was equally as disappointed when he was defeated after a partially botched finisher. The conclusion of the bout fell very flat, and the reality is that despite the forced push, Mahal still doesn't have the credibility to be viewed as a championship-level performer. There's a difference between heel heat and the heat that makes the audience change the channel. The only redeeming aspect of the result of this contest would be a potential AJ Styles feud next for Nakamura. I'm not sure what Jinder does following this, as he has very little momentum right now, but it probably won't be drawing ratings for Smackdown.
The WWE title match was great, booked well, and delivered a quality main event for one of the marquee events of the year. Braun Strowman was highlighted, which led to the announcement on Raw that he will challenge Brock for the championship at the next pay-per-view. Each competitor looked strong in this contest and it enhanced the perception of each athlete. The Strowman match certainly creates intrigue for the No Mercy pay-per-view.
Overall, Summer Slam was a solid event, but the four hour format makes it difficult for the show not to stall at some point, especially when you consider there was a two hour pre show prior to the actual pay-per-view. While the main event was quality, the problem of 50/50 booking and the lack of fresh matches was seen during the event.
Friday, August 18, 2017
The career of Shirley Doe
Do you remember those colorful t-shirts that Cactus Jack wore as a heel when he antagonized ECW fans in 1995? The caricature of WCW's Dungeon of Doom was featured during his run as an anti-hardcore persona in Extreme Championship Wrestling. There was also the portrait of Bruiser Brody and Stan Hansen that garnered the approval of the diehard Philadelphia audience before Cactus became tangled in barbed wire in a match with The Sandman.
Where did these creations come from?
Ironically, the apparel that the future WWE Hall of Famer sported in 1995 was designed by a young advertisement specialist that Mick Foley inspired to pursue a career of his own inside the ring ropes. Over two decades later, Sam Panico, known in the squared circle as Shirley Doe, has a lengthy resume of accomplishments, both inside and outside of the industry that captivated him during his formative years.
Where did these creations come from?
Ironically, the apparel that the future WWE Hall of Famer sported in 1995 was designed by a young advertisement specialist that Mick Foley inspired to pursue a career of his own inside the ring ropes. Over two decades later, Sam Panico, known in the squared circle as Shirley Doe, has a lengthy resume of accomplishments, both inside and outside of the industry that captivated him during his formative years.
"I started watching before church with my brother. The first match I
remember was Garea/Zybysko losing to the Samoans for the WWF tag belts.
We hid that we watched it until Dec. 31, 1979, when we asked if we
could watch it -- and ended up knowing everyone. I think because we
liked Tiger Mask so much when he was in the US, we just got every
magazine article on him that we could and that's how we got into
Japanese tape trading at a really young age," Panico explained.
The innovative style of Satoru Sayama as the comic book-inspired Tiger Mask suited Panico perfectly, as the young fan had remarkable artistic ability that he applied when he earned an Associate's degree from Art Institute of Pittsburgh in the early 1990s. Around the same time that he dubbed grainy VHS to amass a collection of hundreds of wrestling tapes, he pursued a Bachelor's in visual design from Point Park University, which he completed in 1995.
The same year that he earned recognition in higher education, he started his in-ring career after he trained to wrestle around the local scene. However, Sam knew he wanted to learn more than just the novice aspect of the business and sought the lessons of a wrestling legend, Dory Funk Jr. at the world famous "Funkin Conservatory" training center in the late 90s. The former NWA World Heavyweight champion gave his numerous students a college education in professional wrestling.
"I did his first post-WWE Funkin' Dojo. I paid money, that's
how anyone gets anywhere. I didn't know how to work, so a lot of what I
learned was ring generalship and working toward center and when to do
what I do and when not to. It totally changed the way I worked in ring.
The difference was night and day," Sam recalled.
The knowledge that Dory granted to Panico allowed for the Pittsburgh grappler's career to flourish, as the early 2000s saw him expand his horizons when he began to work in several different states. A clever combination of Cactus Jack, metal music, and an influence from the Japanese legends he watched allowed for the genesis of the devious Shirley Doe.
Locally, Doe worked extensively for Norm Connors under the International Wrestling Cartel banner until the late 2000s when a slew of injuries from a rather risky style prompted a vacation from bumps. Still, his time for IWC provided many memorable moments for him. Connors, one of the godfathers of Pittsburgh wrestling, ran Steel City Wrestling prior to his time as the organizer for IWC. During Doe's rookie year, he worked for Steel City, and after he became well traveled in later years, he became one of the cornerstones of IWC. Panico's ability to use psychology and willingness to take risky bumps made his extended run as the promotion's champion beneficial to the credibility to the championship. He worked with many stars as IWC champion, including Balls Mahoney, The Sandman, and others. He also had bouts where Mick Foley appeared as the guest referee, moments that he considers highlights of his 22-year career.
Doe's admirable efforts got him noticed, and he had the chance to live a dream of wrestling in Japan, where he worked two different tours in 2004 and 2005 for various independent groups.
"Makio Kodama got me booked. It was a whirlwind, but a lot of fun. I worked the indy scene, which is pretty much the level of my talent, lol. I did get to work for WMF at the smaller Differ Araki arena and at Korakuen for DDT."
When he wasn't elbowing his opponents in the face in Pittsburgh or smashing foes with weapons in Tokyo, Panico worked in a very different setting for his usual routine. The talented artist and film buff used his design background to become a very respected contributor in the advertisement world, providing content for many major brands.
"I own my own agency now. It's just another facet of who I am and the two sides interplay a lot," he said.
Aside from his work in the ring, Doe trained other aspiring wrestlers, including Global Force Wrestling star DJ Z, and independent standout Gory in 2004.
"Makio Kodama got me booked. It was a whirlwind, but a lot of fun. I worked the indy scene, which is pretty much the level of my talent, lol. I did get to work for WMF at the smaller Differ Araki arena and at Korakuen for DDT."
When he wasn't elbowing his opponents in the face in Pittsburgh or smashing foes with weapons in Tokyo, Panico worked in a very different setting for his usual routine. The talented artist and film buff used his design background to become a very respected contributor in the advertisement world, providing content for many major brands.
"I own my own agency now. It's just another facet of who I am and the two sides interplay a lot," he said.
Aside from his work in the ring, Doe trained other aspiring wrestlers, including Global Force Wrestling star DJ Z, and independent standout Gory in 2004.
"I saw their potential day one, they just had to be 18 to wrestle,
so I kept them under my wing for 2-3 years. The most
important part is not to become a mark for whomever you are training.
You have to be tough on everyone. I believed in all wrestling for the
first 6 months, no ropes, no strikes, all working. Then you learn the
easy parts. No one gets a character until they are nearly done. I'm more
about the mechanics of how to work versus drills -- anyone can learn
cardio, and from someone way better at it than me. I believe that
wrestling is a language and I gave them the words, but it's up to them
to formulate how they speak. Anyone that tells you, "I'm gonna be your
best student?" They are going to be horrible. I pushed hard for humble
kids that could work hard and be tough. You can tell most of my guys, I
hope, by how hard they hit and that they don't give up or in."
That mindset made Panico one of the most respect figures in Pittsburgh wrestling, and his contemporaries speak highly of him. In late 2008, after taking the time to heal many nagging injuries, he returned to the wrestling scene for Pro Wrestling Express, one of the longest running groups in the region. The reduced schedule allowed for Shirley Doe to continue to contribute to the sport he has a lifelong passion for, but also gave him time to build the agency that he runs today. In more recent years, he still wrestles, but took an active role to assist behind the scenes as well.
"His knowledge and stories make you want to live in his titanic shoes if
only for a brief instance. He makes you swoon for professional wrestling. The proudest accomplishment of my time in
wrestling is that he calls me a friend," said Marcus Mann, Pittsburgh area manager.
After more than half of his life as a pro wrestler, Sam Panico wrestled many destinations, and is unanimously respected for his humble approach to the genre. But, after nearly two dozen years in the sport, what does he consider his best accomplishment?
"Honestly, it's the fact that anyone remembers or cares or comes to a
show. I've been really thankful to do what I do for so long and to have so
much fun and make so many friends."
Panico never made it to Wrestlemania as Shirley Doe, but he realized his personal sports entertainment dream of working in Korakuen Hall. Most importantly, his efforts and contributions for the past two decades certainly make him a credit to the industry.
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Who should be the next GFW champion?
When Dixie Carter's vanity project crumbled around her, it was clear that Total Nonstop Action had no direction and no future as a productive entity. Anthem Entertainment, parent company of Canada's Fight Network, bought the organization and eventually rebranded it as Global Force Wrestling, the group that TNA founder Jeff Jarrett launched after his rocky exit from the Carter regime. The name change should've taken place years earlier, but the point is, GFW gave the company that started on weekly pay-per-view a truly fresh start.
However, since Anthem took over, there are some concerning similarities to the Carter era. Of course, there were the legal claims about the "Broken" gimmick, a grudge GFW president, Ed Nordholm started from spite because the Hardys declined to resign another contract, opting to instead return to the WWE. As I said before, fans will not be sympathetic for a multi-million dollar company when it involves limiting the use of a character of an independent contractor. The audience will, and did support the wrestlers that entertained them. And, not to take anything away from what I'm sure are countless hours of work the public doesn't see, but it's not as though Nordholm crashed through tables to help get the gimmick over. Plus, even if GFW eventually gets the rights to the persona, it's not as though they can realistically get other performers to portray themselves as "broken." Anyone remember how well fake Razor and Diesel got over in 1996?
Basically, that whole debacle translated to negative PR, similar much of the fan reaction to some of the silly things Dixie Carter did, such as playing TV star while her company imploded.
Yesterday, GFW announced that they stripped Alberto El Patron, a former WWE world champion, of the Global Force title. The decision was made after an investigation of an incident between Alberto and Paige at an Orlando airport last month. At the time of the disturbance, police were called, but Patron was cleared. A few days after that, the audio of an augment between Alberto and Paige from the airport was released online, and he was eventually suspended. While Alberto was legally cleared, it still doesn't speak well of GFW that their champion was involved in an incident that made TMZ headlines. It would be unfair to make any direct assumptions, but Alberto and Paige were involved in more than one incident within the past year so at some point, GFW had to make a precautionary decision to avoid more negative press. Obviously, it didn't create a sense of optimism for the future of the company when they suspended their champion. Again, Patron was legally cleared, but the position as a top star for a company has added responsibility.
Ultimately, GFW made the right decision to strip Patron of the title because keeping the title on him could be risky if another incident occurs. Granted, Alberto could've dropped the title at the TV tapings later this week, but it's possible the promotion wanted a clean slate for an angle that will take place over the next few months of TV. While no decision was made public about if he will return to the roster, the tapings this week will film episodes that run through November as a lead to the Bound For Glory pay-per-view so it doesn't seem as though a return will happen anytime soon. All things considered, especially the fact that Alberto also stepped down as president of a Hispanic MMA group after the airport incident, it might be a wise decision for him to take the proper time to deal with any personal problems and avoid public appearances.
As an athlete, Patron was a wise investment, he has the charisma and in-ring ability to be a main event star, particularly to capitalize on the Latino fan base and lucha market, a demographic that provided proven successful with the buzz around Lucha Underground the past few years. However, much more serious real-life situations prevented Alberto from realistically becoming the top star for Global Force.
So, who should be the next GFW champion?
Obviously, the majority of that decision will depend on the storylines that are used at the taping later this week, but there might be a specific star that could provide a good replacement.
Rey Mysterio Jr., an athlete that was at the top of the Cruiser weight division when it was prominently featured during the Monday night wars of the 90s, transcended weight classes to eventually become the WWE champion and one of the most popular stars in the history of the industry. His amazing aerial skills, charisma, and versatility in the ring made him one of the biggest lucha stars in the United States of his generation. However, he paid a price for his risky style and spent an extensive amount of time on the sidelines before his WWE contract expired. More recently, he decided to work a lighter schedule with Lucha Underground and various shows in Mexico, which allowed him to heal from injuries and limit risks.
Rey could make a noticeable difference in the GFW numbers because of his popularity, and now would be the time to sign him to a deal, as he's undoubtedly toward the the conclusion of his in-ring career. Signing Rey while he can still contribute in the ring will give Global Force something positive to use to built toward the Bound For Glory pay-per-view. Even though Mysterio isn't "the future of the company" so to speak, he brings more star power to the table than anyone else currently on the roster, which is something they need if they are going to truly "sell" the next pay-per-view. It's well known that Konnan and Mysterio are close friends. Since Konnan currently works as the manager of the LAX stable, it seems possible he could help facilitate a deal between the company and Mysterio.
The direction of the GFW title remains to be seen, but it's certainly important for the company to have a definitive direction. Bobby Lashley could potentially be booked as the champion again, but it didn't move the numbers before so it appears that a new approach should be used. The bottom line is, GFW needs more legitimate stars and Mysterio brings the star power to the company.
However, since Anthem took over, there are some concerning similarities to the Carter era. Of course, there were the legal claims about the "Broken" gimmick, a grudge GFW president, Ed Nordholm started from spite because the Hardys declined to resign another contract, opting to instead return to the WWE. As I said before, fans will not be sympathetic for a multi-million dollar company when it involves limiting the use of a character of an independent contractor. The audience will, and did support the wrestlers that entertained them. And, not to take anything away from what I'm sure are countless hours of work the public doesn't see, but it's not as though Nordholm crashed through tables to help get the gimmick over. Plus, even if GFW eventually gets the rights to the persona, it's not as though they can realistically get other performers to portray themselves as "broken." Anyone remember how well fake Razor and Diesel got over in 1996?
Basically, that whole debacle translated to negative PR, similar much of the fan reaction to some of the silly things Dixie Carter did, such as playing TV star while her company imploded.
Yesterday, GFW announced that they stripped Alberto El Patron, a former WWE world champion, of the Global Force title. The decision was made after an investigation of an incident between Alberto and Paige at an Orlando airport last month. At the time of the disturbance, police were called, but Patron was cleared. A few days after that, the audio of an augment between Alberto and Paige from the airport was released online, and he was eventually suspended. While Alberto was legally cleared, it still doesn't speak well of GFW that their champion was involved in an incident that made TMZ headlines. It would be unfair to make any direct assumptions, but Alberto and Paige were involved in more than one incident within the past year so at some point, GFW had to make a precautionary decision to avoid more negative press. Obviously, it didn't create a sense of optimism for the future of the company when they suspended their champion. Again, Patron was legally cleared, but the position as a top star for a company has added responsibility.
Ultimately, GFW made the right decision to strip Patron of the title because keeping the title on him could be risky if another incident occurs. Granted, Alberto could've dropped the title at the TV tapings later this week, but it's possible the promotion wanted a clean slate for an angle that will take place over the next few months of TV. While no decision was made public about if he will return to the roster, the tapings this week will film episodes that run through November as a lead to the Bound For Glory pay-per-view so it doesn't seem as though a return will happen anytime soon. All things considered, especially the fact that Alberto also stepped down as president of a Hispanic MMA group after the airport incident, it might be a wise decision for him to take the proper time to deal with any personal problems and avoid public appearances.
As an athlete, Patron was a wise investment, he has the charisma and in-ring ability to be a main event star, particularly to capitalize on the Latino fan base and lucha market, a demographic that provided proven successful with the buzz around Lucha Underground the past few years. However, much more serious real-life situations prevented Alberto from realistically becoming the top star for Global Force.
So, who should be the next GFW champion?
Obviously, the majority of that decision will depend on the storylines that are used at the taping later this week, but there might be a specific star that could provide a good replacement.
Rey Mysterio Jr., an athlete that was at the top of the Cruiser weight division when it was prominently featured during the Monday night wars of the 90s, transcended weight classes to eventually become the WWE champion and one of the most popular stars in the history of the industry. His amazing aerial skills, charisma, and versatility in the ring made him one of the biggest lucha stars in the United States of his generation. However, he paid a price for his risky style and spent an extensive amount of time on the sidelines before his WWE contract expired. More recently, he decided to work a lighter schedule with Lucha Underground and various shows in Mexico, which allowed him to heal from injuries and limit risks.
Rey could make a noticeable difference in the GFW numbers because of his popularity, and now would be the time to sign him to a deal, as he's undoubtedly toward the the conclusion of his in-ring career. Signing Rey while he can still contribute in the ring will give Global Force something positive to use to built toward the Bound For Glory pay-per-view. Even though Mysterio isn't "the future of the company" so to speak, he brings more star power to the table than anyone else currently on the roster, which is something they need if they are going to truly "sell" the next pay-per-view. It's well known that Konnan and Mysterio are close friends. Since Konnan currently works as the manager of the LAX stable, it seems possible he could help facilitate a deal between the company and Mysterio.
The direction of the GFW title remains to be seen, but it's certainly important for the company to have a definitive direction. Bobby Lashley could potentially be booked as the champion again, but it didn't move the numbers before so it appears that a new approach should be used. The bottom line is, GFW needs more legitimate stars and Mysterio brings the star power to the company.
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
Will Brock Lesnar fight Jon Jones?
Timing is everything.
When a combination of diverticulitis and right hands from other heavyweights led to Brock Lesnar's retirement from mixed martial arts, WWE brass jumped on the opportunity to bring him back to the sports entertainment world in 2012. The former NCAA national champion was recruited directly from the amateur ranks and given a meteoric push to the top of the card, winning the WWE championship less than six months after his debut on television in 2002. Just two years after he stormed onto the scene on Raw, Brock was tired of the travel involved with the WWE schedule and abruptly quit.
His sports entertainment name value made him an instant commodity for the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2008, and UFC kingpin, Dana White promoted him as a beast, despite a lack of fundamental striking skills. Eventually, Lesnar's novice striking and aversion to punches in the face led to his UFC exit, but his time in the octagon gave him a renewed hype for sports entertainment.
Timing is everything.
A former UFC Heavyweight champion when he returned to the squared circle, Brock had much negotiating power, and perhaps Vince McMahon was a little too generous with the offer that made Lesnar among the highest paid performers on the roster with an extremely limited schedule. Plus, Brock was allowed outside sponsorship, something that CM Punk asked for prior to his departure, but was denied.
Since Lesnar's original return to the WWE, he signed to renew his deal on a few occasions, including his current contract that runs until Wrestlemania of next year. There was a lot of debate as to weather WWE brass relied too often on part-timers to boost its major cards. Along with that, the debate continued as to the "opportunity cost" of a part-time champion. At nearly 40, is Brock really worth the investment of the top spot on the card instead of younger talent to build toward the future?
Just a few weeks ago, troubled UFC light heavyweight, Jon Jones returned to the octagon from his second career suspension, stemming from a positive test prior to UFC 200 in July of last year. Jones, one of the most athletically gifted competitors to fight in the octagon, had a laundry list of legal problems before he reclaimed his 205 LBS title at UFC 214. While "Bones" won via stoppage in the third round, there were varying opinions about if his opponent, Daniel Cormier had won the first two rounds. I'd say it's too early to proclaim that Jon Jones is back in top form, but he immediately put the spotlight on himself. Post-fight, after he gave credit to his opponent, "Bones" challenged Brock Lesnar to an MMA bout.
Timing is everything.
Lesnar, who returned for a one-off appearance to fight Mark Hunt last year, was suspended for a positive PED test after the contest. Brock, still under a WWE contract, accepted the Nevada State Athletic Commission suspension and didn't appeal their decision. Instead, he announced his mixed martial arts retirement earlier this year, which froze his suspension and removed his name from the USADA testing pool. While it's theoretically possible for the WWE Universal champion to be eligible to compete in mixed martial arts again, the retirement and suspension make the situation a little murky. Before a potential Jones fight would be an option, Lesnar would have to enroll in the USADA testing pool again and sit on the sidelines for the five months that remain on his suspension. During that time, he would be subject to random USADA testing, and a positive out-of-competition test could derail any plans to return to the UFC.
However, this Jon Jones challenge gives Brock leverage when his WWE deal expires. The two promotions worked a deal previously, and more specifically, the entire Lesnar career path was mutually beneficial to both companies. Make no mistake, "Bones" Jones wouldn't have made the challenge unless Dana White had some indication that Brock wanted to fight again. Plus, this isn't the first time that Brock used the UFC as a bargaining chip with the WWE, as rumors swirled right before he signed his most recent extension. Conveniently, he appeared on ESPN the week before Wrestlemania 31 to announce his "official" retirement from MMA before he revealed that he signed another WWE deal. Of course, when the money was right, Brock returned to the cage for the previously mentioned one-off to fight Mark Hunt. The point being, there's a pattern here so these Jon Jones headlines shouldn't surprise fans.
Right now, there's probably a 50/50 chance that Brock Lesnar puts on the gloves again, mostly because of all the prior hurdles already mentioned. The weight class won't be a problem because anything over 205 LBS is considered a heavyweight fight and Jones cuts down to make light heavyweight so it's not that much of a stretch for him to fight in the heavyweight division. If these two sign to fight in the octagon, "Bones" will probably dominate Brock. Jones has the reach to land punches before Lesnar could attempt a take down, and if the Universal champion gets the chance to go for a take down, Jones has some of the best take down defense in the UFC. Plus, let's not forget that Lesnar's success in the UFC was at a time when the heavyweight division was at a relative low point, and when the level of competition improved, he was defeated. Don't get me wrong, that's not an attempt to take anything away from his accomplishments, but the reality is, Lesnar is a mostly one dimensional fighter, while Jones defeated world class competition. Regardless of Lesnar's weight advantage, he has a limited skill set in MMA, but Jon Jones is one of the most well rounded athletes in the history of the sport, which tells the story of how a potential contest would probably go if a contract is signed.
Let's be clear, this is a win-win situation for Brock Lesnar. Either he uses the combat sport alternative as a way to get more money from WWE or he returns to the cage for a major money fight before he retires back to his farm. For anyone that disagrees with his negotiating tactics, you can't really blame Brock for trying to get as much money as possible. Considering the major pay checks that he earned the past decade, there's no reason to expect him to compete into his mid-40s. That said, if he does plan to compete to that age, WWE would be the realistic option at that point so if he is going to fight again, this would be the last chance for him to do it. That being said, there's easy money on the table for him to continue to work for the WWE, but again, money talks and it's a matter of the amount of money each company offers that will determine his future plans.
When a combination of diverticulitis and right hands from other heavyweights led to Brock Lesnar's retirement from mixed martial arts, WWE brass jumped on the opportunity to bring him back to the sports entertainment world in 2012. The former NCAA national champion was recruited directly from the amateur ranks and given a meteoric push to the top of the card, winning the WWE championship less than six months after his debut on television in 2002. Just two years after he stormed onto the scene on Raw, Brock was tired of the travel involved with the WWE schedule and abruptly quit.
His sports entertainment name value made him an instant commodity for the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2008, and UFC kingpin, Dana White promoted him as a beast, despite a lack of fundamental striking skills. Eventually, Lesnar's novice striking and aversion to punches in the face led to his UFC exit, but his time in the octagon gave him a renewed hype for sports entertainment.
Timing is everything.
A former UFC Heavyweight champion when he returned to the squared circle, Brock had much negotiating power, and perhaps Vince McMahon was a little too generous with the offer that made Lesnar among the highest paid performers on the roster with an extremely limited schedule. Plus, Brock was allowed outside sponsorship, something that CM Punk asked for prior to his departure, but was denied.
Since Lesnar's original return to the WWE, he signed to renew his deal on a few occasions, including his current contract that runs until Wrestlemania of next year. There was a lot of debate as to weather WWE brass relied too often on part-timers to boost its major cards. Along with that, the debate continued as to the "opportunity cost" of a part-time champion. At nearly 40, is Brock really worth the investment of the top spot on the card instead of younger talent to build toward the future?
Just a few weeks ago, troubled UFC light heavyweight, Jon Jones returned to the octagon from his second career suspension, stemming from a positive test prior to UFC 200 in July of last year. Jones, one of the most athletically gifted competitors to fight in the octagon, had a laundry list of legal problems before he reclaimed his 205 LBS title at UFC 214. While "Bones" won via stoppage in the third round, there were varying opinions about if his opponent, Daniel Cormier had won the first two rounds. I'd say it's too early to proclaim that Jon Jones is back in top form, but he immediately put the spotlight on himself. Post-fight, after he gave credit to his opponent, "Bones" challenged Brock Lesnar to an MMA bout.
Timing is everything.
Lesnar, who returned for a one-off appearance to fight Mark Hunt last year, was suspended for a positive PED test after the contest. Brock, still under a WWE contract, accepted the Nevada State Athletic Commission suspension and didn't appeal their decision. Instead, he announced his mixed martial arts retirement earlier this year, which froze his suspension and removed his name from the USADA testing pool. While it's theoretically possible for the WWE Universal champion to be eligible to compete in mixed martial arts again, the retirement and suspension make the situation a little murky. Before a potential Jones fight would be an option, Lesnar would have to enroll in the USADA testing pool again and sit on the sidelines for the five months that remain on his suspension. During that time, he would be subject to random USADA testing, and a positive out-of-competition test could derail any plans to return to the UFC.
However, this Jon Jones challenge gives Brock leverage when his WWE deal expires. The two promotions worked a deal previously, and more specifically, the entire Lesnar career path was mutually beneficial to both companies. Make no mistake, "Bones" Jones wouldn't have made the challenge unless Dana White had some indication that Brock wanted to fight again. Plus, this isn't the first time that Brock used the UFC as a bargaining chip with the WWE, as rumors swirled right before he signed his most recent extension. Conveniently, he appeared on ESPN the week before Wrestlemania 31 to announce his "official" retirement from MMA before he revealed that he signed another WWE deal. Of course, when the money was right, Brock returned to the cage for the previously mentioned one-off to fight Mark Hunt. The point being, there's a pattern here so these Jon Jones headlines shouldn't surprise fans.
Right now, there's probably a 50/50 chance that Brock Lesnar puts on the gloves again, mostly because of all the prior hurdles already mentioned. The weight class won't be a problem because anything over 205 LBS is considered a heavyweight fight and Jones cuts down to make light heavyweight so it's not that much of a stretch for him to fight in the heavyweight division. If these two sign to fight in the octagon, "Bones" will probably dominate Brock. Jones has the reach to land punches before Lesnar could attempt a take down, and if the Universal champion gets the chance to go for a take down, Jones has some of the best take down defense in the UFC. Plus, let's not forget that Lesnar's success in the UFC was at a time when the heavyweight division was at a relative low point, and when the level of competition improved, he was defeated. Don't get me wrong, that's not an attempt to take anything away from his accomplishments, but the reality is, Lesnar is a mostly one dimensional fighter, while Jones defeated world class competition. Regardless of Lesnar's weight advantage, he has a limited skill set in MMA, but Jon Jones is one of the most well rounded athletes in the history of the sport, which tells the story of how a potential contest would probably go if a contract is signed.
Let's be clear, this is a win-win situation for Brock Lesnar. Either he uses the combat sport alternative as a way to get more money from WWE or he returns to the cage for a major money fight before he retires back to his farm. For anyone that disagrees with his negotiating tactics, you can't really blame Brock for trying to get as much money as possible. Considering the major pay checks that he earned the past decade, there's no reason to expect him to compete into his mid-40s. That said, if he does plan to compete to that age, WWE would be the realistic option at that point so if he is going to fight again, this would be the last chance for him to do it. That being said, there's easy money on the table for him to continue to work for the WWE, but again, money talks and it's a matter of the amount of money each company offers that will determine his future plans.
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Tremont vs. Onita
In September of 1981, a wild brawl took place in Tupelo, MS, the same place where Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee battled The Blond Bombers in the historic "Tupelo concession stand brawl" two years earlier. Similar to the original concession stand confrontation, blood flowed as nachos, hotdogs, and right hands were swung during the mayhem in 1981. This time, it was Ricky Morton and Eddie Gilbert clashing with Masa Fuchi and Atsushi Onita, two of the standout talents from All Japan Pro Wrestling. Fuchi and Onita worked the territory as apart of their excursion, a Japanese wrestling traditional that sends athletes with the most potential around the world to learn different styles before they return to their native country as more polished performers.
When Onita returned to All Japan, he resumed his status as one of the top Jr. heavyweights in the promotion. However, the high risk aerial style took its toll on him, causing a series of very serious knee injuries that put his career in jeopardy. In early 1985, Onita was forced to retired from the sport, ending a decade of performances that made him a recognizable name during a very popular era for the wrestling genre in Japan.
In many ways, Atsushi Onita had two completely different careers. He resurfaced on the scene over three years later, taking that time to heal from the injuries that many assumed had ended his career. The following year, he founded his own promotion, but it was very different from the athletic contests that he was known for previously. Ironically, Onita borrowed a page from the action he saw in Memphis to create a new genre, and in the process, alter the entire direction of the industry.
In 1989, Onita founded Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling, renegade promotion that was completely different from anything the country had witnessed at the time. Over the next few years, FMW became extremely popular with matches that featured barbed wire, explosions, and fire, peaking with a draw of over 40,000 fans for its fourth anniversary show when Onita fought Terry Funk in an exploding barbed wire match in 1993. That same year, Nintendo released an FMW video game, an indication that the once underground death match scene was recognized as a main stream success. Post-match, Onita often took the mic and delivered emotional speeches with tears in his eyes while blood continued to stream down his face. After the leader of FMW threw down the microphone in triumph to conclude the show, fans rushed toward the ring, reaching through the ropes for the chance to briefly shake hands with the death match icon. Even with his wrist tape covered in a mixture of blood and ash, fans clamored to tag the scarred hands of the Japanese gladiator. Undoubtedly, Atshushi Onita reached mythical status.
A young manager, Paul Heyman borrowed often from the blue print that FMW crafted when he guided Extreme Championship Wrestling during a revolution that changed the presentation of sports entertainment in the United States.
Onita retired once again in 1995, only to return a short time later, which led to the fans calling him "Mr. Liar" after an emotional retirement tour led to what was supposed to be a definitive conclusion. Throughout the years, controversy followed Onita, both for his business practices and a scandal outside of the ring. He left FMW in 1998, and the company collapsed less than four years later after the legendary Hayabusa, an amazing athlete that carried the organization on his back, was tragically paralyzed after a botched moonsault. The late Hayabusa kept his promise to the fans when he walked into the ring during the FMW relaunch in 2015, a year before his tragic death at the age of 47.
Outside of FMW, Onita worked as a freelancer, retiring several more times before he was back to wrestle again. Despite the backlash from his almost immediate return to the squared circle from FMW fans, his charismatic and risk-taking style provided other opportunities. In 1999, he worked a series of matches for New Japan Pro Wrestling, culminating in a pair of exploding barbed wire matches against Chono and Muta, drawing over 60,000 and 48,000 fans for each bout respectively. He won a Japanese Senate seat in 2001, but a scandal prompted his exit from politics. Still, his popularity remained and a political video game was released. In more recent years, Onita continued to draw crowds for a variety of promotions, including Zero-1, All Japan, NOAH, and independent groups, as well as promoting his own cards.
Similar to how FMW influenced ECW, the South Philadelphia-based promotion inspired an entire generation of wrestlers to pursue the sport. During the early 2000s, the American independent circuit began to feature death matches, a style pioneered by Onita, more often, and saw groups such as Combat Zone Wrestling find a niche for themselves. As CZW grew, many risk-taking competitors made a name for themselves and generated a fan following.
One such grappler is Matt Tremont, a pro for nearly 11 years that dreamed of becoming a professional wrestler after he saw CZW tapes as a youth. Through a series of bloody battles, dangerous falls, and an admirable passion for the sport, Tremont has achieved the status of the death match icons that he idolized. A former CZW Heavyweight champion, Tremont achieved many of the goals he set for himself, and even launched other projects, including "Bulldozer's Collectiables," a wrestling superstore in Berlin, NJ.
This Saturday, for the first time in decades, Atsushi Onita will have an official match in the United States against Matt Tremont, a contest that fans of the genre consider a dream match. The influence and draw to Onita wrestling a death match in America is not a new concept. In fact, other promotions tried to make it happen, but it never materialized. Onita made a one-off appearance at the ECW Arena to set up a bout with The Sandman in 1998 as apart of the talent exchange that saw some extreme originals work Japan, and allowed Tanaka to have an incredible series of matches with Mike Awesome in the United States. Rob Black, the founder of XPW that eventually served prison time for digressions related to his adult film company, scheduled Onita vs. Sabu for a match that never took place. Combat Zone Wrestling is the only company that will feature Onita wrestling in a death match in America.
"A Lot of logistically work to get Onita and his crew here. I did the early work and he responded. I know it's been a lot of communication and work on DJ Hyde's part. So, a lot of the work and credit goes to him to make this match and event happen among others as well that have helped tremendously," Tremont explained.
A road map of scars decorate the forehead of the man known as "The Bulldozer," and within the past few years, his profile gave him opportunities to work many different areas, including a tour of Mexico earlier this year. Despite his extensive resume, Tremont still wanted to work with the athlete that created the genre. He was fascinated with the wild brawls in FMW since he originally watched the action on a bootleg VHS tape that he found in a random box at a flea market during his youth.
"I have been fortunate enough to accomplish a lot in my almost 11 years in the business. This match and event is my biggest and means a lot to me personally. It doesn't get any bigger than this. In my opinion, this is the biggest CZW event of the year, very historically for many reasons. I'm excited. Onita in my eyes and in my opinion started it all. I know elsewhere as well, but has far as raising the bar and the violent matches and stories they were telling , Onita and FMW were number one."
Hundreds of tickets are already sold, and fans are traveling from several states away to see the legendary grappler live. Considering the legacy of Onita, and the passion for ultraviolence that Tremont brings to the ring, part of the intrigue for this match is what will happen when these two share the squared circle.
"Expect blood, violence, and a memorable evening. On top of Onita and I, there is a stacked card as well. In my opinion, this is CZW best card of this year and can be bigger than any TOD or COD. I look forward to a packed Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ and fans from around the world enjoying it live on the Highspots network," Tremont said.
After a career that spans over four decades and a collection of scars that zigzag his entire body, Onita maintains an aura of an icon in professional wrestling, both in his native country and America. This Saturday, legendary Japanese veteran collides with one of the hardest working athletes in independent wrestling today for an ultraviolent dream match.
For more information, you can go to czwrestling.com
When Onita returned to All Japan, he resumed his status as one of the top Jr. heavyweights in the promotion. However, the high risk aerial style took its toll on him, causing a series of very serious knee injuries that put his career in jeopardy. In early 1985, Onita was forced to retired from the sport, ending a decade of performances that made him a recognizable name during a very popular era for the wrestling genre in Japan.
In many ways, Atsushi Onita had two completely different careers. He resurfaced on the scene over three years later, taking that time to heal from the injuries that many assumed had ended his career. The following year, he founded his own promotion, but it was very different from the athletic contests that he was known for previously. Ironically, Onita borrowed a page from the action he saw in Memphis to create a new genre, and in the process, alter the entire direction of the industry.
In 1989, Onita founded Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling, renegade promotion that was completely different from anything the country had witnessed at the time. Over the next few years, FMW became extremely popular with matches that featured barbed wire, explosions, and fire, peaking with a draw of over 40,000 fans for its fourth anniversary show when Onita fought Terry Funk in an exploding barbed wire match in 1993. That same year, Nintendo released an FMW video game, an indication that the once underground death match scene was recognized as a main stream success. Post-match, Onita often took the mic and delivered emotional speeches with tears in his eyes while blood continued to stream down his face. After the leader of FMW threw down the microphone in triumph to conclude the show, fans rushed toward the ring, reaching through the ropes for the chance to briefly shake hands with the death match icon. Even with his wrist tape covered in a mixture of blood and ash, fans clamored to tag the scarred hands of the Japanese gladiator. Undoubtedly, Atshushi Onita reached mythical status.
A young manager, Paul Heyman borrowed often from the blue print that FMW crafted when he guided Extreme Championship Wrestling during a revolution that changed the presentation of sports entertainment in the United States.
Onita retired once again in 1995, only to return a short time later, which led to the fans calling him "Mr. Liar" after an emotional retirement tour led to what was supposed to be a definitive conclusion. Throughout the years, controversy followed Onita, both for his business practices and a scandal outside of the ring. He left FMW in 1998, and the company collapsed less than four years later after the legendary Hayabusa, an amazing athlete that carried the organization on his back, was tragically paralyzed after a botched moonsault. The late Hayabusa kept his promise to the fans when he walked into the ring during the FMW relaunch in 2015, a year before his tragic death at the age of 47.
Outside of FMW, Onita worked as a freelancer, retiring several more times before he was back to wrestle again. Despite the backlash from his almost immediate return to the squared circle from FMW fans, his charismatic and risk-taking style provided other opportunities. In 1999, he worked a series of matches for New Japan Pro Wrestling, culminating in a pair of exploding barbed wire matches against Chono and Muta, drawing over 60,000 and 48,000 fans for each bout respectively. He won a Japanese Senate seat in 2001, but a scandal prompted his exit from politics. Still, his popularity remained and a political video game was released. In more recent years, Onita continued to draw crowds for a variety of promotions, including Zero-1, All Japan, NOAH, and independent groups, as well as promoting his own cards.
Similar to how FMW influenced ECW, the South Philadelphia-based promotion inspired an entire generation of wrestlers to pursue the sport. During the early 2000s, the American independent circuit began to feature death matches, a style pioneered by Onita, more often, and saw groups such as Combat Zone Wrestling find a niche for themselves. As CZW grew, many risk-taking competitors made a name for themselves and generated a fan following.
One such grappler is Matt Tremont, a pro for nearly 11 years that dreamed of becoming a professional wrestler after he saw CZW tapes as a youth. Through a series of bloody battles, dangerous falls, and an admirable passion for the sport, Tremont has achieved the status of the death match icons that he idolized. A former CZW Heavyweight champion, Tremont achieved many of the goals he set for himself, and even launched other projects, including "Bulldozer's Collectiables," a wrestling superstore in Berlin, NJ.
This Saturday, for the first time in decades, Atsushi Onita will have an official match in the United States against Matt Tremont, a contest that fans of the genre consider a dream match. The influence and draw to Onita wrestling a death match in America is not a new concept. In fact, other promotions tried to make it happen, but it never materialized. Onita made a one-off appearance at the ECW Arena to set up a bout with The Sandman in 1998 as apart of the talent exchange that saw some extreme originals work Japan, and allowed Tanaka to have an incredible series of matches with Mike Awesome in the United States. Rob Black, the founder of XPW that eventually served prison time for digressions related to his adult film company, scheduled Onita vs. Sabu for a match that never took place. Combat Zone Wrestling is the only company that will feature Onita wrestling in a death match in America.
"A Lot of logistically work to get Onita and his crew here. I did the early work and he responded. I know it's been a lot of communication and work on DJ Hyde's part. So, a lot of the work and credit goes to him to make this match and event happen among others as well that have helped tremendously," Tremont explained.
A road map of scars decorate the forehead of the man known as "The Bulldozer," and within the past few years, his profile gave him opportunities to work many different areas, including a tour of Mexico earlier this year. Despite his extensive resume, Tremont still wanted to work with the athlete that created the genre. He was fascinated with the wild brawls in FMW since he originally watched the action on a bootleg VHS tape that he found in a random box at a flea market during his youth.
"I have been fortunate enough to accomplish a lot in my almost 11 years in the business. This match and event is my biggest and means a lot to me personally. It doesn't get any bigger than this. In my opinion, this is the biggest CZW event of the year, very historically for many reasons. I'm excited. Onita in my eyes and in my opinion started it all. I know elsewhere as well, but has far as raising the bar and the violent matches and stories they were telling , Onita and FMW were number one."
Hundreds of tickets are already sold, and fans are traveling from several states away to see the legendary grappler live. Considering the legacy of Onita, and the passion for ultraviolence that Tremont brings to the ring, part of the intrigue for this match is what will happen when these two share the squared circle.
"Expect blood, violence, and a memorable evening. On top of Onita and I, there is a stacked card as well. In my opinion, this is CZW best card of this year and can be bigger than any TOD or COD. I look forward to a packed Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ and fans from around the world enjoying it live on the Highspots network," Tremont said.
After a career that spans over four decades and a collection of scars that zigzag his entire body, Onita maintains an aura of an icon in professional wrestling, both in his native country and America. This Saturday, legendary Japanese veteran collides with one of the hardest working athletes in independent wrestling today for an ultraviolent dream match.
For more information, you can go to czwrestling.com
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