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Archive for October 20th, 2008

According to a recent interview in the New Zealand Herald (of all places), WWE superstar John Cena reveals that while his neck surgery went well, he’s still six weeks to two months away from an in-ring return.

The interview, which never talked about that time Cena wore baby clothes in-ring, quoted Cena as saying, “The spinal cord is a very touchy thing to start messing with and that was a wake-up call that’s for sure…”

One has to wonder if, with a neck injury like this, Cena’s career might have been shortened and will be limited upon his return, much in the way Kurt Angle’s career has been. Although he can continue to wrestle, one might expect a more careful, less risky style from the former champ upon his return to the ring.

Former WWE announcer Jack Reynolds passed away late last week. Reynolds was a WWE announcer just prior to the era in which WWE became a coast-to-coast brand name. He did the announcing on WWE All-Star Wrestling in the early 80s, then was the original host of Prime Time Wrestling on USA, a show that preceded the WWE Raw era.

Reynolds was not a major part of the WWE picture by the time WrestleMania and Hulkamania swept the nation with digital signage, so only long-time East Coast fans are probably familiar with Reynolds work. This is especially true due to the fact that by the time WWE went coast-to-coast, the typical broadcast teams consisted of folks like Gorilla Monsoon, Jesse Ventura, Gene Okerlund and and a young Vince McMahon.

Still, Reynolds was a key figure during the time leading up to pro wrestling’s big boom in the 1980s. Those who remember him are sure to miss him.

Although he’s at least “a year away” from his WWE debut, according to his father, Reid Flair may eventually become the newest member of the Second Generation faction that currently includes Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase Jr., and Manu.

While it’s a ways off, if he matures and develops properly, adding Reid Flair to that group could become WWE gold: can anyone say “the second coming of the Four Horsemen?” Having a young Flair join a slightly older faction that includes Rhodes, DiBiase and Manu would certainly be a step toward having son Reid follow in his father’s legendary footsteps.

While it’s far to early to know if Reid can be successful as a professional wrestler, you have to believe that it is the potential of something like this which has WWE talent scouts watching Reid Flair’s development with more than a casual interest, even if it means swapping Mexican recipes with Flair family members.

Chris Jericho versus Shawn Michaels is one of the longest-running feuds in recent WWE history, and for good reason; not only can these two men deliver devastating, impressive matches each time they are called upon to do so, but both are so good on the mike and such skilled in-ring storytellers, that even after running for more than six months, the feud doesn’t seem to be showing any signs of aging.

Perhaps that’s because the WWE writing crew is really putting their creative juices to work on this epic storyline; each time you think the feud has reached its crescendo, a new chapter unfolds that reveals something about one or both participants in the feud.

It’s not often that I admire the writing in pro wrestling; too often it’s chock-full of cheap, tawdry storylines meant to inspire the cheap laugh or shock. But Jericho-Michaels has been a fascinating ride, and considering to began during the waning days of the shorter, but still interesting, Michaels-Flair feud, it’s amazing how this thing is still going on.

The last time a WWE storyline ran this long was when Triple H and Stephanie McMahon began the infamous McMahon-Helmsley Era storyline, around a decade ago. This storyline has been far more fascinating. And I doubt it will inspire as many Halloween invitations and Steph masks.

Hulk Hogan’s latest foray into wrestling looks like a big, fat bust. Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling promotion features a load of D-list celebrities who, it seems, can’t wrestle their way out of a wet paper bag – but they’re learning the trade.

That’s the concept behind the show; part wrestling promotion, part reality show in the vein of WWE’s original Tough Enough competition, the show fizzles out of the game as literally over half of the celebrities cast in it appear not to even have known what professional wrestling was, prior to the first episode.

While it’s clear most of the cast would be better off on a show about tropical cruises, Dennis Rodman and Danny Bonaduce at least look like they might be trying.

Still, with such old-school WWE castoffs as Brian Nobbs of the Nasty Boys, Brutus Beefcake, and Jimmy Hart running the show, it’s unlikely this CMT program is going to gain any traction.

Next!

The writing had been on the wall for a while.

First, he was separated from tag partner Trevor Murdoch, who was released by WWE. Then, after being reinvented as Chris Jericho’s protege, Lance Cade disappeared from WWE TV for a while. Last Tuesday, the hammer finally fell: WWE released Lance Cade.

While Cade never really got over with the audience, and thus this news is probably going to be about as interesting as the latest developments in acne treatments, the real item of interest here is a transparency question.

The WWE never really stated directly why Cade was released. However, Jim Ross, on his blog, dropped hints, detailing enough of the circumstances about events leading up to Cade’s release that suggest the real reason is a violation of the WWE’s Wellness Policy.

About a year ago, in the wake of the Benoit Family Tragedy, WWE made it very public that they would soon be much more transparent when employees are released for Wellness Policy violations. Now, a year later, it seems the company may be slipping back into its old method of covering over the actual circumstances.

That’s unfortunate, as it reduces public trust in WWE and allows performers to remain in denial about possible problems they may be facing in their lives.

Let’s hope that if Cade is facing certain behind-the-scenes problems, he will face them down directly and get his life back on a positive and healthy track.

Although Ric Flair was given one of the classiest send-offs in all of WWE history, the ring veteran isn’t taking retirement well. According to online reports, he’s even negotiating for a return to the wrestling ring.

If it happens, however, it won’t be in WWE, TNA or even in the US. Word is, Flair is negotiating with several promotions based out of Japan for some matches that would inflate his bank account impressively, which just goes to show how important budgeting and planning is, even in retirement.

Flair’s official line currently is that his retirement applies only to the US and European markets. Let’s hope the Living Legend doesn’t embarrass himself in his golden years, the way Muhammad Ali has, on occasion.