Wrestling 9/27

Zmans Wrestling Top 10 for 9/27

1. Lets kick this off with some TNA talk. How come the only homegrown talent being pushed right now is Consequences Creed? I think they develop like five talents a year and push even less. The way you attract viewers is by developing new talent and pushing them right (see Evan Bourne). The ball is in your court TNA.

2. While on the subject of new talent, I am still very pro the new talent initiative set forth in ECW. I've spoken about this numerous times, but I do enjoy seeing these new workers come through and succeed in the company. Bourne, Ortiz, and Swagger all look to have promising careers. And kudos to John Morrison for ripping on Braden Walker. I like seeing the WWE calling themselves on their own mistakes.

3. Loved the Charlie Haas segment this past week on RAW. Some disliked it, but I thought it was hysterical, especially with him knocking out the waiter at Dave & Busters. Now it can also be said that the hype for Mr Perfect is at an all time high. Therefore, why not bring up Joe Henning to the main roster? Manu doesnt fit in the 2nd generation stable, and let Cody explain they had to let him go for someone more...perfect.

4. I like the Colon tag team on Smackdown. Carlito has always been underutilized, and it's nice to see Primo get a shot in the WWE. If I may put on my idea hat for a second, why not bring up TJ Wilson to team with DH Smith and create a team called the Canadian Bulldogs. The more tag teams on Smackdown, the more competition there will be and the more enjoyable it will be to watch.

5. I am predicted a long future endeavors list sometime in October for the WWE. There have been so many call ups that it only seems like it will be likely before the wrestling sites are flooded with new names. I'm going with Hardcore Holly, Chuck Palumbo, Deuce, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Super Crazy, Lena, and Gavin Spears.

6. I am shocked that neither Bryan Danielson or Nigel McGuiness has made somewhat of a leap to TNA or the WWE. Look at the success of Joe, Punk, and now Sydal. Plenty of ROH stars have become big names in these two companies. If the two of them are as good as spoken of, let's see them on a bigger stage. This gives an added bonus of new wrestlers getting pushed to the top of the ROH Universe.

7. This may be an unpopular statement, but I'm done with the Undertaker in this gimmick. Loved him as a wrestler, he has cemented his place in history, but word is he is broken down and needs more time off. Induct him into the Hall of Fame in due time, but at this point he is dominating the Smackdown scene and needs to move on to greener pastures.

8. Jim Ross commented on ECW this week that Mike Knox would be the ECW Champ by the end of this year. Um...nah, no thanks. He has greatly improved obviously, but Matt Hardy is on fire and needs to stay the champ up til at least Royal Rumble time.

9. Smackdown is in Green Bay Wisconsin either this week or next week. I need a return by one Misterrrrrrrr Kennnnnnnedy......KENNEDY!!!

10. Youtube clip of the week - I was looking up some title changes this past week and stumbled upon this gem. This is Kurt Angle's first WWE title win. I'm not linking to it because of the change, but because of the fact you should never trust Rikishi to have your back. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv76ThUrtCs

Wrestling 9/20

Zman's Wrestling Top 10 for 9/20

1. Way to use Mick Foley TNA. I would have absolutely debuted him at No Surrender instead of a quick clip at the end of Impact. And at least bring him out to the Impact Zone so the fans could go crazy for him. I just feel like TNA missed a huge opportunity here.

2. I thought HBK was seriously hurt, with his back and knees and old age and what not. Why is he then in a ladder match with Jericho at No Mercy? I'm sure it'll be a great match and all, I just hope this is the end of their "feud of the year".

3. Vladimir Koslov does nothing for me. Here's a man who really could have used a mouthpiece like Bobby Heenan or Jimmy Hart. I would love to see someone placed as his manager, that person could also manage the Samoan Bulldozer and perhaps Hawkins and Ryder too. Ah screw it, Armando's not doing anything on ECW anymore, let him manage all those dull guys.

4. ECW was great this week. Kudos to Hardy, Knox, Bourne, and newbie Jack Swagger. Swaggers got a sweet name, tons of ability, and I'm real happy with his finisher. Props to Matt Striker for dubbing it the Red White and Blue Thunder Bomb.

5. I like the Colon tag team, hopefully they'll win the tag belts this week on Smackdown. If creative wants to build on continuity, I hope they turn Carlito on Primo. If they want to forget all the remarks Primo said on RAW, then it looks like a solid tag team is starting up on MyNetwork TV.

6. TNA needs to use Matt Morgan better. Dont send his DNA into space, use him to actually, ya know, wrestle in the ring. He's a freak of nature and should be in the main event slot where he belongs.

7. Small gripe, but twice Angle's been hit with a guitar and twice he's bled like a stuck pig. The guy needs some medical work obviously, and I dont think he blades after. I hope TNA keeps Angle healthy and makes sure to value their biggest asset.

8. Creative pitch for Raw involving Paul London. Have him face Cade on Raw. He wins, and Jericho beats the hell out of him along with Cade. Michaels makes the save. Next week a tag match between London and Michaels vs Jericho and Cade. During the ladder match have London come out to prevent Cade from interfering, but then have London turn on Michaels and join Jericho's group of redeemers. Just an idea on how to use the unique talent of Paul London.

9. I dont exactly get the Hurricane Helms viginettes, but it is good to see him back and hopefully he continues his excellent wrestling style like he had back in the day when he was just the Hurricane. WHATS UP WITH THAT???

10. Youtube clip of the week goes to, well all I can say is it's the best superkick of all time. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJLKXq8MGEk&feature=related

Wrestling 9/12

Zmans Wrestling Top Ten for 9/12

1. Title changes abound this week. Chris Jericho and Matt Hardy are now both champions of their respective brands. Hate to see Punk lose the belt, but they did it in the best case scenario with him not having to do the job to lose it. I see this as a way of WWE rewarding people for the hard work, Jericho with the Michaels feud and Hardy for being a reliable employee. Kudos to both of them and I am excited to see the Jericho-Punk cage match on RAW.

2. And now the second generation stable is becoming exactly that, a stable. This is from the addition of Manu, or Afa Jr as I mentioned last week. I think he is an interesting asset to the team. He has a nice new finisher, but change your tights please. I liked the ones he wore on the PPV, these ones he had on RAW remind me of a less intimidating Umaga. But glad the groups coming together and I expect big things out of them for the rest of the year.

3. Rumor of the week is that Smackdown people are not too happy with HHH for making his opponents look bad during in ring segments. They are also worried he'll be the one to break the Undertaker's undefeated streak. I hope they hold off Jeff Hardy for a little bit and let him face HHH for the belt at Wrestlemania, but that is a long off time away. I'm just interested to hear what will come of this situation on Smackdown.

4. Who okayed the nickname, "The All American American"? As opposed to the Canadian American? I like Jack Swagger's look, his name is kinda cool, and he can wrestle as seen by a sweet Blue Thunder Bomb. But do something with the name, music, and plain black tights. Hopefully all changes that come over time.

5. Speaking of Swagger, will the last one in FCW please turn off the lights. In the last two months, they have lost Primo Colon (Eddie Colon), Manu (Afa Jr.), Gavin Spears (Shawn Spears), Ryan Braddock (Jay Bradley), Scotty Goldman (Colt Cabana), the Bella Twins, and Jack Swagger (Jake Hager). These were all names I heard of in FCW, and it looks like the time has come for a new crop of stars to invade the developmental ranks. Lets see what you can do here Dusty.

6. What I like about Santino's new gimmick is that it allows for older superstars to be brought up on RAW. It's always good to give the viewer some knowledge about the past, and I popped when he brought up the Mountie, Mantaur from a while back, and the Honk-a-meter. Wonder who he's gonna get next?

7. I don't know where they are going with the Rey Mysterio - Kane feud. All I'm hoping though is that they let Rey keep his mask. It's his trademark and the fans all love it. Perhaps have Kane try to rip it off on Raw, only for Rey to get away. Make a match then for No Mercy, a Mask vs Mask match where if Kane loses he needs to keep wearing the mask, or something like that.

8. Glad to hear about all the press for 'The Wrestler'. This buisness needs the press and a Best Male Oscar nod for Rourke for his role in the movie could be just what it takes to revive some interest in the company again.

9. No Surrender predictions - Booker T is the new heavyweight champion. Lethal-Dutt ladder match should be cool, but who cares bout the outcome. I'll go Creed as the new X div champ, with Petey turning face and destroying the former Daivari post match. Angelina Love as the new Knockout champ, just for the fact Taylor Wilde is so...blah. Lets go with Trigg over AJ in his debut, and Curry, Shark, and Super Eric over the Rock and Ravers.

10. A new segment on the list is the YouTube video of the week. I spend hours a day scouring the net for cool wrestling videos and heres my first. It took place about a week ago in an indy event called the NWF. I made fun of him before, but what happened to the former Braden Walker could be made into a decent angle for an indy company. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwkJHpdJnNs

Wrestling 9/05

Zmans Wrestling Top Ten for 9/05

1. Interesting goings on in TNA recently. Mick Foley unofficially debuted, Gail Kim may return, and Team 3D's contract is supposedly up. How sick would it be tomorrow night at Unforgiven if they make a surprise return to the WWE. Have Vicki make the Undertaker apologize to her, and while in the ring the Dudleyz run in and beat the everloving hell out of him. For sheer surprise alone, that'd be a remarkable moment.

2. Speaking of TNA, how about Sting's promo from last week. I think he was supposed to be a heel, but everything he said was cheered. He actually became more of a babyface and turned Joe and AJ into more heels. Something tells me that TNA is getting rid of the entire face/heel dynamic and is making every wrestler on their roster a tweener.

3. Rumor has it that Paul Birchall and Mr Kennedy are on the chopping block for the WWE. Sad news for me as I am big fans of both, but Birchall hasn't seemed to get over recently and Kennedy is injury prone. Releasing them both could be a big mistake. If they do get rid of Burchall though, I could see him ending up in ROH. At least with Kennedy, make him an announcer or manager and capitalize on his personality or something.

4. Usually I promote THE Brian Kendrick, but after seeing Ezekial this week and reading the things Simon Dean said about him, I am becoming a fan of his manager. There is definetely something to the Shawn Michaels/Diesel idea they are throwing around with the two of them.

5. And I know I've spoken about him too, but Evan Bourne's shooting star press gets my vote for finisher of the year. What an incredible move, such a pleasure to watch.

6. Attention people in charge of Smackdown divas : stop pushing people because theyre hot. Natalya and Victoria are the two best women wrestlers on the roster. Not Maria, not Maryse, not Michelle McCool. Give the belt to an actual wrestler.

7. I was happy to see Orton back on RAW on Monday. And it looks like the 2nd generation stable is coming true with his interactions with Dibiase and Rhodes. Let's look at all the candidates that could join. DH Smith, Deuce Snuka, Natalya Neidhart, Jessie Gordy, Primo Colon, Carlito Colon, Afa Jr, and Joe Henning, who apparently has been impressing people in FCW. I'd personally give Henning a shot as it seems his dad fits in with the others, but wow, the WWE could be on to something here.

8. I am a huge CM Punk fan. That being said, he loses the belt at Unforgiven. I blame it on an RKO from a returning Randy Orton with a few seconds left in the Scramble Match, giving the title to Batista.

9. How great is the Honk-a-meter that Santino debuted this past week. I feel like they actually are going to try and build him up to make him the longest running IC champ ever, especially now that Honky Tonk Man has seemed to go nuts.

10. I'm also gonna go out on a limb and predict new champions for Smackdown and ECW because of the scramble match. And those champions? Well they just happen to be brothers...