Mat Musings” was a column idea I came up with a long, long time ago which basically involved me waxing lyrical about a bunch of subjects/news stories currently ripe within the pro wrestling world. Basically, we take a headline and then yours truly gives his take on that particular topic. It’s simple but really seems to be effective and is a column-type which I’ve always really enjoyed doing. Now I’m not claiming that it’s the most original conception ever conceptualized, but it has proved to be one which sparks debate amongst the wrestling fan base. With that said, on with the topics!


  • WWE Has WCW-Themed DVD Projects In The Works..

Having been a huge fan of the original “World Championship Wrestling” promotion, this headline really caught my eye. I actually have plans to do an entire article dedicated to the company and maybe even bust out some old ones from my growing library of wrestling article work. Look out for those!

The story basically runs that WWE are planning to release a DVD-set based on the popular “Monday Nitro!” TV show, similar to the 3-disc set they recently brought out for “Monday Night RAW”. It would document the first few years of the shows history (which arguably is the only few years worth watching!). Also hot off the press is that there is a DVD ready to be put together which would be a biography of one Bill Goldberg.

This is exciting news, certainly to a WCW fan such as I. I’m very sure both these DVD’s would sell pretty heavily, although perhaps not among the younger market of fans currently tuning into RAW and Smackdown. It’s long baffled me however, as to why WWE do not capitalise more on all that video footage they have for the Atlanta-based promotion. Sure, I’m not forgetting the “Rise & Fall of WCW” video they put out not so long ago, not the various DVD’s chronicling “The Four Horsemen” and the like.

Where I’m coming from more here is all those Pay-Per-Views they just have laying around. Surely it would be worth Vince McMahon’s time to pair these broadcasts up and release them under the “Tagged Classics” banner, just like WWE have done with events from their own history. I for one have long-awaited such a move and they’d definitely pry some money from my wallet! Many newer wrestling fans might not be so interested but it’d be worth the effort in order to make some dollars off all that old footage, much of which is highly significant to the annals of wrestling time.

There is of course the theory which has been reported as fact; that Vinnie Mac just wants the entire WCW thing to go away, which is exactly why he bought it and effectively buried it during the ill-fated “Invasion” angle. It’s merely my opinion but I’d be willing to say that McMahon is a trifle more intelligent than that. As an obviously shrewd business-man, he couldn’t fail to see the appeal these DVD’s would have to many a wrestling fan across the globe. Even some folks who may not tune into the product anymore could be caught, willing to part with the cash to relive fond memories from yesteryear.

Another idea, as an extension of this, may be to package a classic WCW event with a compilation of newer WWE matches, highlighting the superstars of today and attempting to draw those fans who have “left it all behind” back into being paying customers. Just a thought.


  • MVP Feels Disgruntled At Current Positioning Within WWE..

Let’s face it, the poor guy SHOULD feel a little aggrieved at how things have panned out for him in the past 2 years or so. Once a sure-fire bet to be one of the next headlining atop WWE cards, Mr. Porter now finds himself filling air-time on “WWE Superstars” and without a meaningful story arc to sink his teeth into.

It’s pretty difficult to make guesses as to where it’s all went wrong for the “Ballin’” grappler without having actually been backstage at a number of WWE events or pulling up a chair at one of the bosses production meetings/creative sessions. None of us really know what might have went on between MVP and WWE management which has left his career going cold. On the flipside, nothing at all could have happened. Management may have simply lost interest in the character or are biding their time with the man until they have something worthwhile for him to be involved in.

For most of us fans, it’s pretty darn clear-cut where it all turned sour in this particular wrestlers career; a frostily received babyface turn.

Sometimes it really does seem as though those and such as those in charge of writing the shows and making creative decisions just…get bored and decide to throw some changes out there without any real rhyme or reason. One example could be the sudden split of the popular brothers Colon, Carlito and Primo. This can be directly linked to their rapid descent down the cards into near-obscurity and also perhaps the parting between Carlito and his WWE contract. The MVP situation seems to be pretty much the same deal. A random change just for the sake of it, one which hasn’t really been planned out all that well with any clear vision as to why in the name of jebus we’re now supposed to be cheering a dude who’s claimed for many a year that he’s better than all of us, in character of course.

It’s as definite as day turns to night that everything I say here is simply speculation. I have no idea whatsoever the reasoning for MVP no longer being a focal point of WWE TV. As I also said before, there may not really be any real reason at all. One thing I do believe however is that his career and gimmick could still be rescued by a return to the heel kingdom. It just makes sense that a character such as his should be on the bad side of the fence.

It’s nothing more than my own idea (although I’m sure more than a few of you have had the same thoughts before) but the guy could be catapulted right back into the upper-card mix if he were to appear before us on RAW and decry the audience, blaming them for distracting him from his true potential and almost ruining his career by having him put more effort into entertaining them than winning matches and titles. Thus, MVP would be disowning the “WWE Universe” and getting an edge back into his disposition. Immediately, I feel WWE would have a hungry performer again. One who would be motivated to bust his ass both on the mic and in the ring, which can only be good for the product. One thing’s for sure, there is a hell of a lot of talent going to waste as we speak if MVP is kept as this ‘opening match relief’ like he is right now. He could be a major player within the company, no doubts.

I hope you enjoyed what’s going on in my head regarding the above subjects and the “Mat Musings” concept in general. Feel free to add your own viewpoints below as all your comments are surely as important as mine, maybe even more so! I’d love to hear some more opinions on these topics as that’s what being a wrestling fan is all about – mixing with other fans and debating till the cows come home! You can also send correspondence to my email at – jamiekennedy@live.com

I look forward to hearing from you and have a great week! TAKE IT HOME!

7 Comments

  1. MVP definitely needs a heel turn, and I think the company needs to pull the switch on that sooner rather than later.

    He's easily one of the most comfortable workers on the mic, and is capable of pulling off pretty great matches when given the opportunity.

    It'd be a shame if he faded into obscurity; I think it'd be WWE's loss, to be perfectly honest.


  2. I'm going to wait and see what they include on the Nitro DVD. While you cannot dismiss the importance of the nWo and Goldberg (as you mentioned has his own DVD potentially in the works), it would more interesting to see matches/stories that will not get their own 3 disc sets most heavily included. If they do a bio disc, would this not be the same as The Rise and Fall? Questions…. questions….

    Also, I find the Goldberg disc interesting in that he has lately teased a return to the ring. We don't have a marquee matchup to build towards for WrestleMania. It is is little bit early to think about it…. but what do we currently have going on that is en route to the biggest show of the year?

    Good points on MVP… I could see him going the heel route, you know showing up in a match and stomping a fan favorite like Santino down and cutting a promo about the "cream rising to the top." If he explained it as it being time to reestablish why he is the "MVP" of wrestling. Something along those lines could work.


  3. I would love to see WWE break out a War Games PPV. Two teams in a double-ring steel cage? Yes please!


  4. Yes, more War Games please! THAT is what the Bragging Rights PPV should've had as a mainevent, with a title shot at the TLC PPV perhaps for the winner? Here I am Armchair General-ing things up, huh?


  5. I spent Halloween watching the "Halloween Havoc" ppvs from WCW. From 1989 to 2000. It's true that there never was a good "Halloween Havoc" show, though some had a few good matches on them, but the pure trainwreck factor would make me buy a "Halloween Havoc" dvd set. Seriously, watching them with some friends, some alcohol, and the MST3K mindset? Awesomeness.


  6. It's probably because we like you and dislike the political stuff? 🙂 I read your stuff on another site,,, an insane place, if you will.


  7. Gee Hall, you're clearly too kind! Thank you very much, it's awesome to know that someone was reading those articles! Haha.

    To be perfectly honest, I looked forward to most WCW Pay-Per-View events. The company had many horrible, HORRIBLE moments but I simply loved most of it. Still sticking by my promises to buy a lot of the DVD's if WWE released them onto the market.

    Joe, that thought made me really happy; that Edge himself feels he's lifting the Stanley Cup each time he holds a wrestling trophy aloft. I was watching the "King of the Ring" event from 2001 the other day too, coincidentally!


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