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9/21/01

Smackdown Thoughts
I don't know when it was that the WWF shifted the focus of its broadcasting to make Smackdown a better show than Raw, but it's clear that they have. I guess Raw can be more experimental now that it no longer has to compete against Nitro while Smackdown churns out a higher quality show because it's on "network" television. Anyway, I enjoyed Smackdown this week far more than I liked Raw. Did anyone else get the feeling that the WWF was using Kurt Angle as a metaphor for the recent terrorist attacks on America? Austin attacks "Mr. USA" Angle, leaves him possibly crippled, but by the end of the show, Angle has returned, more determined than ever to destroy Austin. Maybe I'm reading too much into this. The Rock and Steve Austin both gave solid promos as well as an outstanding hardcore match by RVD and Raven. My only gripe with the show is that Kronic debuts in the WWF, gets an instant title shot on Sunday, but has to face Kaientai as a warm up? Since there is no ranking of wrestlers in the WWF, shouldn't Kronic at least have to fight a bigger team before Sunday? Maybe Billy Gunn and Big Show? Smackdown scored a 4.3 overnight broadcast rating. Expect the final number to be much lower since the last half an hour of the show was cut off in many parts of the country in order to show Hee Haw, I mean President Bush.

DirecTV Update
As announced last night on Smackdown, Unforgiven will be available to DirecTV subscribers this Sunday. ``We have progressed enough in our negotiations with DirecTV that both parties believe it is in their best interests, and the best interests of their viewers, to offer the `Unforgiven' Pay-Per-View on DirecTV,'' said Stuart Snyder, President and COO of WWFE. ``We are very pleased that we can do this for our loyal fans who are also DirecTV subscribers.'' Obviously no long term deal has been reached but I'm sure it's only a matter of time before the WWF agrees to let Lita give lapdances to all the DirecTV stockholders.

Ross Report
Jim Ross made his weekly update to WWF.com today. Here are the highlights:

Shawn Stasiak has an athletic hernia that may require surgery. He will be off until it heals, which could take four to six weeks.

X-Pac was involved in a minor car accident Monday, which resulted in a strained neck. He may need another week to heal.

Lance Storm has a minor strain of his MCL but is working through it.

Bob "Hardcore" Holly had surgery Thursday in Birmingham, Ala., to remove the plate from his previously broken arm and will be out six months.

Taker is working through a slight shoulder separation.

Diamond Dallas Page's surgically repaired knee is pretty much good to go. His return is imminent.

Kane's infected elbow is close to 100 percent.

Triple H's rehabilitation continues in Birmingham and his return looks to be early December, maybe a little sooner.

Rikishi's shoulder therapy is progressing, and he will be reexamined in mid-October. His return is about two months away.

Billy Kidman goes to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) in Louisville, Ky., on Oct. 1 for a week or so of in-ring work to test his knee.

Trish Stratus should be good to go by mid-October, after her ankle injury.

Chris Benoit's therapy for his injured neck is going great, but he is still not scheduled to return until after the first of the year.

Mick Foley will tape ABC's "Celebrity Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" in the next few weeks.

Kurt Angle, Triple H, Booker T, Big Show, William Regal, Trish, Lita and Stephanie McMahon will tape an episode of NBC's "Weakest Link" soon.

Val Venis is currently in HWA staying ready for his pending return to the Federation. The Big Boss Man and Bull Buchanan are in OVW this week, as is Dave Taylor in HWA.

Jerry Lawler, along with Brian Christopher, formerly known as Grandmaster Sexay, stopped by the Pyramid in Memphis on Tuesday to say hello to friends. The visit was more social than business and it was good to see both individuals.

Congratulations to D'Lo Brown on his recent marriage.

Unforgiven Predictions
Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle
I'd expect Kurt Angle to leave with the title belt this Sunday. His credibility would take a hit if he didn't. Plus the fact that the WWF has been playing up that the match is in his home town and given the recent attacks on America, it would be only logical for him to win. I expect him to hold the belt for a few months while Austin feuds with Rob Van Dam.

Don't expect to see this on Sunday.

The Rock vs. Booker T & Shane McMahon
The WWF has really booked themselves into a corner here. If The Rock beats Shane and Booker then Booker has no main event credibility. If Booker pins Rock then Booker loses credibility because he needed Shane's help to do it. If Shane pins Rock then I quit watching wrestling. Ok, not really, but I'd pout. I predict Shane misses an insane move early on leaving Rock and Booker to fight it out. Rock wins and Booker reverts back to being G.I. Bro to form a tag team with Kurt Angle.

Edge vs. Christian
Christian winning the title from Edge in a cheap way (low blow, interference) means that the WWF can ride this feud to the next PPV. Case closed.

Rob Van Dam vs. Chris Jericho
Rob Van Dam should retain the title over Jericho simply because RVD's star is rising and Jericho's is falling.

Undertaker & Kane vs. Kronik
Who cares, really? I predict that the title will be won by a team that is big, can barely wrestle and doesn't sell for opponents. If only someone would let me put money on that bet. I'll commit and say that Kronic wins for the same reason as Christian beats Edge. God forbid we have to see this match-up again at next month's PPV.

Tajiri vs. Rhyno

Don't expect to see these on Sunday.

Despite losing a lot of matches, Tajiri is very popular. I'd like to see him beat Rhyno, but unless Torrie helps him do it, I don't think it's likely. Rhyno wins. Torrie makes out with Tajiri after the match so no one remembers that Tajiri lost.

Dudleys vs. Hardy Boys vs. Big Show & Spike vs. Hurricane & Lance Storm
Molly will turn on Spike, but the Dudleys will retain the title. Ivory will not show her breasts.

Saturn vs. Raven
Raven wins and Saturn gets revenge (whatever that may be) against Terri.

Overall, I predict that the show will be entertaining, with Angle vs. Austin being the high point, but will lack any long term, memorable moments.

I know I said that I'd have the WWF Drinking Game in today's column, but things ran late. I'll try to have it on Monday. Besides, isn't Monday when everyone wants to get drunk anyway?

Michael Goodson

 

 

 

 

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