Linda's Thoughts - Let's Talk About Something Other Than Raw

It would be SO easy for me to do another dreaded list about Monday’s Raw, but why should I put all of you through that again? The show was an absolute train wreck. The last Raw before Hell In A Cell, and this is the show we got? It’s beyond pathetic. And if you don’t believe me check out the rating. It went down to 3.1. That’s is low compared to where the show has been in the last few months. So instead of the doom and gloom that would make up most of this column I thought I would mention two rumors that are going around. You know that I love rumors and the ones that I plan to talk about are kind of MAJOR rumors. And then I’m going to end with something that I HATED on Raw, and it just won’t leave me. So other than that little item I’m going to try very hard to forget about this week’s Raw.

Okay so the latest is that Bret Hart has decided that he wouldn’t mind working with Vince and the WWE. Hart supposedly would like to be on once a week in a non-wrestling role. Now this is big since Hart for years refused to have anything to do with WWE, but now for whatever reason Hart wants to come back. Now to go further with this rumor there are some out there that are saying that instead of being on each week he might just come on as a guest host. Now that I like. Okay I honestly didn’t see much of Hart since I came in after he left WWE and I wasn’t much of a WCW fan. But from what I can remember Hart isn’t exactly a charismatic kind of guy. Now I will say I was so fortunate to see Hart inducted in the Hall of Fame and he did surprise me with some very humorous stories. But on a regular basis I just don’t think personality wise he would be that enjoyable to watch. HOWEVER as a guest host? That I could see and I would love that. I mean the guy has been away from the company for over 10 years and letting him host for a night would be a major coup. I say bring him in as a host and do it soon.

What about the rumor that Matt Hardy IS being punished for his brother Jeff’s arrest? Well I mentioned this I believe in a column last week. I wondered if the lack of Matt on Smackdown had anything to do with Jeff’s arrest. Listen whether that’s the case or not I don’t know but I find it very odd that since the Hardy arrest, Matt hasn’t appeared on Smackdown. He’s been backstage, but he hasn’t been on the show. Oh sure he had a Superstars match against Kane last week, but that’s been it. You know if Jeff Hardy is the reason for Matt being off then I say COME ON, this guy has been a team player for years. And even though Vince released him after that whole thing with Lita and Edge, Matt returned to the WWE instead of TNA. Maybe for more money? Possibly but I always saw him as a guy with such a passion for the business and WWE was where he wanted to be. So if he’s paying for Jeff’s crap then that really ticks me off. Smackdown needs Matt out there more than ever and you know I would like to think there’s a better reason for his absence from the show, but I have a feeling we might never get the truth.

And finally the one thing that is still pissing me off from Monday night. Can you guess what it is? Oh I bet you can. It was the main event where the mild mannered John Cena transformed into Super Cena and made a remarkable comeback after getting brutalized by Chris Jericho and Big Show. I am getting to where I was a year or so ago where watching Cena was worse than having a tooth pulled without Novocain. I’m sick and tired of this guy getting beaten to where he “can’t stand” but then in a matter of seconds he pops up walks without limping and laughs and does his usual thing. He did it most recently when Randy Orton handcuffed him to the ropes and beat him silly. He sold for a little bit but then with a blink of an eye he was able to make a comeback and win the title. And to make matters worse, the next night on Raw he came out laughing, and not selling anything from the night before. This is something that is done just about all the time with Cena. And Monday I guess I just had it. He couldn’t stand, he couldn’t move, but man when Randy Orton came out wow he stood nice and tall and yes smiled and attacked Orton. And Orton showed signs of being a coward. Yeah very well played. I hate this Super Cena character and I do notice that Cena is getting more pops then ever from the crowd and for me that’s a bad sign, because Super Cena is not going to end anytime soon. Now before I get hey Triple H has taken out guys tons of times, I will say he absolutely has. So have the Rock, Steve Austin and others. But I haven’t seen anyone do the crap that Cena does. This guy hasn’t got a clue about selling, or maybe it’s Vince who is telling him don’t sell to much your are super hero. Whatever the case I hated the main event so much that it still is eating at me.

So as you can see this is another very short column, but if it were up to me I would have a nice positive lengthy one, but right now I just don’t feel like talking about shows that are way below average. Okay now I read the spoilers for the 10^th Anniversary Smackdown show and they rocked, I am looking so forward to this show. There are so many cool things on there, but I don’t want to spoil anything so make sure you watch it. Don’t forget this weekend is the Hell In A Cell pay per view and I will have my predictions over the weekend. I have gotten a few from some of you, so just keep them coming. Hey maybe next week’s Raw will be a hell of a show with Ben Roethlisberger, but then again, I know very little about him, so I don’t know what this guy can bring to the show. Well I guess I will find out next week. Okay don’t forget start sending in your predictions for Sunday’s show.

Email lindarobin3@yahoo.com

Rasslin 101

Jobber
Joined
October 09

10/1/2009 4:10:00 AM

I think that was a bit of a harsh thing to say. Let's face it, Monday's Raw was BETTER than last weeks show. Do you know WHY the ratings were so low? Are you in the mind of every pro wrestling fan? I don't think so. You have an opinion on why it's low.

If you ask me, it's because there's ALOT of people who don't like Al Sharpton. There are ALOT of people who don't want to hear him talk about education reform (which is silly since he's trying to do a good thing) and that's probably the reason for it. Most people probably thought that it would be a two-hour plug-fest for Sharpton, when it actually turned out that he had a limited role to play. But I don't know. I'm not everyone. And neither are you.

If you ask me, the show was structured better this week, as it was all about promoting this Sunday's Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event, instead of focusing it's energies on the Guest Host. Sure the Legacy/DX segment went a little long, and the Chavo/Hornswoggle continues to drag the show down a bit, but you conveniently miss out things that were good. The ending was the perfect ending before HIAC. Cena stood atop the Cell was a visual that many people will take with them into the pay-per-view, and it could even convince people to buy it. We got a very long and decent tag team title match to start off the show, as well as an entertaining main event.

Like I said, to call the show a "train wreck" was a little harsh, considering it did a good job promoting the PPV, and putting less focus on the Guest Host. If you get this uptight over a show that was better than last week, I can't imagine what you'll be like next week. Now next week WILL BE a train wreck. I can pretty much guarantee that.

Thanks for the time,
- Charles Matthews

Quote: "The key to change is to eliminate fear." || "Just say no!"

pocket

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Joined
February 08

10/1/2009 8:35:00 AM

Dude for the info.. Linda's alter ego is Micheal Cole:) She/he loves all the crap comedy skits that make 6 yr olds laugh and LOVED the Bob Barker episode.... yawn!

Linda, your opinion on Bret Hart evades logic as you yet again show how naive a writer you are... If you didn't see alot of him then don't comment! Certainly don't question the guys charisma or personality. Bret Hart was one of the best there ever will be, like his catrchphrase said.... He is probably the most sound technical wrestler ever, very solid on the mic and had one of the best characters to date as the Hitman. Kids LOVED Bret "the Hitman" Hart for the hero he was and adults admired his sound, all round ability. He will always remain one of the true greats of the sport.

Sure he had his moments where he was a whinging prick.... but Vince broke his word and screwed him... in HIS country to HIS biggest rival... who was an even bigger prick at the time!

But Linda for you to question his qualitys for a weekly role on Raw or SD shows you simply didn't do your homework.... download one of DVDs or spend a few hours devoted to his work on youtube or dailymotion... How can having a wrestling brain on TV every week not be a good thing for the product Linda? you should be over the fu##ing moon that he might possibly take over Raw-hence no more guest hosts!

As for the rest of your column... I for a change liked it..... (I know guys.. whats wrong with me?)

You made some solid points about Matt..... for me HE was the perfect candidate for a main event push before rushing back the Undertaker who is clearly still in bad shape. The night when Jeff lost and was kicked out of WWE, Matt should've been the next guy inline... seeking revenge for what Punk has done and said about Hardy... fighting to save the Hardy name.... Sure he's not ready for the title yet but a run against the Champion who he just can't beat (like Jeff had v Orton and HHH) would work wonders for his build up to the main event picture.... plus booking Punk cheating his way to each win would put more heat on his character.... a missed opportunity!

Cena's forgetting to sell injury is comon prectice for himself... Batista does it too. Dave just doesn't get noticed as much for his lazyness because he doesn't seel a single move/ injury whereas Cena sells well but then forgets! I think his Super Cena character has a lot to do with the way he sells/doesn't.... Vince and Creative will have a fair amount to do with the way he looks in the ring.

One possitive from the way the main event was booked on Monday was that it should mean that Orton wins his title back on Sunday... and I think it would be the right thing to do... Cena didn't need to pick up the belt last month and I'm just not buying into him as Champion this time... Orton was too hot with the gold to drop it....

... I think I'm done now....

not yet... Rasslin made a great point on hoe the show was booked well as a whole despite Sharpton and Hornswoggle.... it put the PPV over nicely...

.... done now

Quote: Cool guys don't look at explosions!!!

kateria

Jobber
Joined
January 08

10/1/2009 1:49:00 PM

Hi, Linda,
Check out "Hart's Heel Turn" on You-Tube. This is Bret's promo following his classic Wrestlmania match with Steve Austin. He did a crazy long 20 min promo which ended with Micheals coming out with an answering promo for another 5 mins before Bret attacks him. Its one of Bret's all-time promos and one of the great Raw moments in History. Point being his promo was 20 min long yet he had the entire sold-out crowd in the palm of his hands. Thats charisma!

pocket

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Joined
February 08

10/2/2009 7:31:00 AM

Exactly Kateria Bret was great on the mic... especially when he played a heel...because he made you believe how much of a total jackass he was on screen... also remeber how the crowds would sway depending which side of the border he was wrestling on? He got some of the biggest heat I can remember in the US yet in Canada the fans loved him as if they were all brithers or cousins to him... you don't get that if you have no charisma Linda...

Lance Storm... now theres a guy with no charisma!

Quote: Cool guys don't look at explosions!!!

Jarance

Jobber
Joined
October 09

10/4/2009 2:52:00 AM

WHAT? I have to say I strongly disagree about Bret Hart not having charisma. Bret Hart was very over with the crowd and his mic skills were excellent, not to mention his wrestling skills. I just think that is a poor statement and maybe you should go watch some of Bret's matches and some of his mic work. If he did not have charisma how could he have done so well and achieved everything he did in the WWF(at the time), You don't become a superstar without charisma. Sure I guess there are people like Vladimir Kozlov who are still in the WWE, but it seemed Vince kept trying to push him on the people, and I even thought that they might put a belt on him, but now he is just regal's lackey on screen. Pro Wrestling isn't even really about the wrestling. Pro wrestling is more based off of charisma, you can be the greatest wrestler in the world, but if you can't sell tickets the WWE does not want you. Just look at Hulk Hogan or The Ultimate Warrior, omg, man neither one of those guys could wrestle a lick, but they had charisma and that's what put them on top. Bret Hart had it all, great wrestling skills (probably the most technically sound wrestler in the WWE ever), great mic work, and yes he had CHARISMA.
As for Cena I can't stand Cena, never liked him never will. I know Orton is the heel and all, and yes he is supposed to play the coward, but man they just have Cena run over him all the time. Just like on monday he got his ass kicked, but when Orton comes out he beats the hell out of him, which shouldn't of even happened because Orton wasn't the one out there getting his ass handed to him, but all the sudden Cena just whips Orton's ass, like it wasn't a big deal, and to me that makes Orton come off looking weak, and it makes him look less credible in my eyes.
I agree with much of this columb, but cannot agree with you statements about Bret Hart. If he were to be in a weekly role, I believe that he should be put in as the GM of raw. I am so sick of the guest host's, and I strongly agree with Pocket about having a "wrestling brain on TV every week". Bret Hart knows wrestling and he knows the storyline part of the bus. I gurantee you that he could probably put on a better show than some of those monkey's in the back that the WWE calls their creative team. I can tell you it can't get much worse than the sh## WWE is putting out now, and I for one would be happy if Bret did come back to the WWE.

Jarance

Jobber
Joined
October 09

10/4/2009 2:55:00 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jarance
WHAT? I have to say I strongly disagree about Bret Hart not having charisma. Bret Hart was very over with the crowd and his mic skills were excellent, not to mention his wrestling skills. I just think that is a poor statement and maybe you should go watch some of Bret's matches and some of his mic work. If he did not have charisma how could he have done so well and achieved everything he did in the WWF(at the time), You don't become a superstar without charisma. Sure I guess there are people like Vladimir Kozlov who are still in the WWE, but it seemed Vince kept trying to push him on the people, and I even thought that they might put a belt on him, but now he is just regal's lackey on screen. Pro Wrestling isn't even really about the wrestling. Pro wrestling is more based off of charisma, you can be the greatest wrestler in the world, but if you can't sell tickets the WWE does not want you. Just look at Hulk Hogan or The Ultimate Warrior, omg, man neither one of those guys could wrestle a lick, but they had charisma and that's what put them on top. Bret Hart had it all, great wrestling skills (probably the most technically sound wrestler in the WWE ever), great mic work, and yes he had CHARISMA.
As for Cena I can't stand Cena, never liked him never will. I know Orton is the heel and all, and yes he is supposed to play the coward, but man they just have Cena run over him all the time. Just like on monday he got his ass kicked, but when Orton comes out he beats the hell out of him, which shouldn't of even happened because Orton wasn't the one out there getting his ass handed to him, but all the sudden Cena just whips Orton's ass, like it wasn't a big deal, and to me that makes Orton come off looking weak, and it makes him look less credible in my eyes.
I agree with much of this columb, but cannot agree with you statements about Bret Hart. If he were to be in a weekly role, I believe that he should be put in as the GM of raw. I am so sick of the guest host's, and I strongly agree with Pocket about having a "wrestling brain on TV every week". Bret Hart knows wrestling and he knows the storyline part of the bus. I gurantee you that he could probably put on a better show than some of those monkey's in the back that the WWE calls their creative team. I can tell you it can't get much worse than the sh## WWE is putting out now, and I for one would be happy if Bret did come back to the WWE.

Lance Storm no Charisma....wait where is that guy, oh yea noone cares.

pocket

Icon
Joined
February 08

10/4/2009 3:20:00 PM

Lance Storm is THE example that having zero charisma kills the development of a suberb wrestlers career.... even when WCW tried putting 3 belts on him at one time... he still coulsn't get reactions from the crowd... nobody cared for him.... he was always the toilet break!

Harsh but true!

Quote: Cool guys don't look at explosions!!!