So Velvet Sky and Chris Sabin are dating in real life.

(more…)

Oops!  I forgot about the poll this week – so here’s the poll complete with commentary from Jason Mann of Wrestlespective!

Power Poll No. 21 10/27/10

1.  Kane (Last week: 6)

The champion of the world rises again to the top of the Power Poll after burying his brother alive. (See what I did there?)

2. Wade Barrett (1)

It may have been a technicality, but he beat the WWE champion in a pay-per-view main event. That’s something.

3. Daniel Bryan (10)

Give him 15 minutes with someone competent and you’ll probably get the match of the night.

4. Randy Orton (3)

The WWE champion is losing some steam after a string of so-so matches. But he’s still the champ.

5. John Cena (7)

He was half of the WWE tag champions for a day, but that’s probably not something that’s going to help your ranking in 2010.

6. Edge (4)

Pretty much the star of the Bragging Rights match, winning several falls including the deciding one.

7. The Miz (5)

Bounced back from his Bragging Rights disappointment with a Raw win over R-Truth.

8. Jeff Hardy (8)

His brother has been making more news than he has, but the TNA champion’s stock is still pretty high.

9. Dolph Ziggler (NR)

Someone competent.

10. Big Show (2)

Led his Bragging Rights team to victory, even if he wasn’t there to enjoy the spoils the end.

Dropped out: Undertaker

The Power Poll is a weekly top 10 ranking of wrestlers as voted by members of these wonderful sites: BoredWrestlingFan.com, Future Endeavors, Hit the Ropes, NoVaWPodcast, Oh My WrestleBlog, Online World of Wrestling, PIZZABODYSLAM, Pro Wrestling Ponderings, Project Wonderboy, Ringside Rants, Smark Out Moment, Smarks Anonymous, The Superplex, The Wrestling Blog, WrestlingAdikt.com, WrestleRage.com, Wrestling Nuggets and Wrestlespective. Follow the Power Poll voters on Twitter. If you have a wrestling site and are interested in becoming a voter, e-mail wrestlespective(at)gmail.com.

This is simply an extended reponse to my previous column dealing with the wide-open subject of John Cena. “Bored Wrestling Fans” very own Jana always provides a good read and I thought that her opinions were so great that it’d be a shame not to share them with the rest of you! Couldn’t fit THIS into one measly comment!

—————-

The current anti-Cena attitude can be traced to several factors.

The easy thing to do, which is also incorrect, is to make blanket assumptions, such as “The IWC hates Cena,” or that only women and kids cheer for Cena. Both of those statements are demonstrably false. Show me a fan of ANYTHING today who doesn’t spend time on the internet, researching and seeking to connect with others of like mind. I don’t remember anyone ever claiming that only women and kids cheered for Hulk Hogan back in the 80s, and if it were true for Cena, it would almost have to be true for Hogan. The argument that Hogan was a star in a more innocent time, where older kids and guys would have felt comfortable supporting him, and that we today have already experienced the age of the anti-hero, making the more traditional hero less attractive, doesn’t stand up either. Hogan’s heyday in the 80s was the time of Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry, the X-Men comics (which I know were created earlier, but were still very popular), the golden age of hard rock and heavy metal, and a host of other tv, movie, and comic book characters who were as dark, edgy, and of the anti-hero vein as anything that we have today.

Wrestling fans have grown up accustomed to “cool” heels. The nWo holds much responsibility for this, as does DX, the original ECW, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and the Rock. We’ve almost been trained to be contrary, cheering for heelish characters and booing babyfaces. The example of the Rock is always trotted out, and the comparison has some merit. Rocky Maivia was too goody-goody and boring. The Rock was everything that we wanted to be. Cena was quite popular all around when he first started the rapper gimmick, largely because he was unpredictable on the mic. He would cut down anyone, including Vince McMahon. Nowadays, he grunts and makes rather constipated-looking facial expressions while repeating lackluster catchphrases like “Never give up.” Cena is doing exactly what he is supposed to do by playing the indestructible super hero that every kid loves, but in doing so, he has completely alienated the rest of the audience that is not part of the PG demographic.

This leads me to the next point. Whether it really happened because Linda McMahon decided to run for Senate or not, the shift to the PG product and tightly focused marketing on kids is, to a degree, a very sound business decision. The golden age of WWF in the 80s (I consider the Attitude Era a completely different creature from any sort of “golden age.”) targeted kids. Business boomed. Now those very kids are grown and have their own kids. It’s a basic business concept to “get ’em when they’re young,” and then you have customers for life. It certainly worked before. The problem with catering to a new generation of fans is that the previous generation of fans, who have supported the product with time, money, and passion, feel slighted and even cheated. The resentment and hatred over that is transferred to the company’s poster boy, John Cena. The thing that WWE seems to have forgotten in their new business model is that the kids aren’t paying for anything. Parents and guardians, adults, in other words, have to take the kids to the shows, buy tickets, t-shirts, masks, and all the other merchandise that gets created, and sit through the shows with the kids, both live on on tv. If the parents think that the content is stupid, or embarrassing/insulting to human intelligence, they won’t want to spend the time and money on WWE that they once did. Basically, there has to be something in it for them as well, and WWE is ignoring that.

This ties in with my final point. You were dead-on about having a company that has a bit of everything. That’s why I (and so many others, by the sound of it) feel so disappointed and let down by both WWE and TNA. I wouldn’t mind sitting through a John Cena match if I knew that I would get an Alex Shelley match somewhere else on the card. The most effective and profitable concept for pro wrestling has always been, and always will be, what I call the circus model. It has a little bit of everything, and all of it is good. Comedy acts, like Santino Marella and Hornswaggle. Over-the-top epicness like the Undertaker and Kane. Special attractions like the Great Khali and the Big Show. True tag teams like the Hart Dynasty, the Usos, Beer Money, and the Motor City Machine Guns. Legitimate women’s matches with actual wrestlers like Beth Phoenix, Natalya, Mickie James, Daffney, Sarita, MsChif, and Sara Del Ray. Mat-based technical wow-fests with people like Douglas Williams, Nigel McGuinness, Christopher Daniels, AJ Styles, Davey Richards, KENTA, and Roderick Strong. Powerhouses like Drew McIntyre, Samoa Joe, and Sheamus. Super-athletic high-fliers like Brian Kendrick, Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne, Justin Gabriel, John Morrison, and Austin Aries. That would be every wrestling fan’s dream.

The company with the broadest appeal does the best business. ROH caters to a very specific audience, and that’s great for that audience. They specifically say that they aren’t interested in the casual fan, and that they provide serious wrestling that has nothing to do with sports entertainment for fans of real pro wrestling. Fine, that’s their thing. The big two aren’t much better. WWE hates tag teams, most of the smaller and more athletic high-fliers, and legitimate female wrestlers who don’t look like Barbie dolls. They focus on children at the expense of the adult audience. TNA prides themselves on being a more adult product, but Eric Bischoff mocks the hardcore wrestling fans and says repeatedly that they don’t matter, that the casual fans were the target audience. As you said, TNA has tried so hard to be WWE that they have lost almost everything that made them different. The X-Division, the six-sided ring, the legitimate Knockouts division, the focus on true tag teams, and the international talent are all gone.

How does all this tie back in to John Cena? While there are a given number of douchebags who have to make sure that everyone knows that they are far too cool to ever like something that is popular or mainstream, most of it, I honestly believe, stems from frustrated and disappointed fans who feel that there is nothing in the WWE product for them anymore. They resent having devoted so much time, money, and passion into something that has essentially ditched them. Because John Cena is the embodiment of the current WWE product, all the negative feelings are transferred to him. Booing and criticizing him is easier than actually getting the desired changes from Vince and the WWE. It’s rather like spending huge quantities of time, effort, and money on dating someone, and then you get kicked to the curb for someone else. Of course you hold that individual up as the epitome of all that is wrong with the world. It’s how human nature works.

My thoughts, at least.

Originally, I thought I wasn’t going to be able to catch this RAW, due to homework, but I managed to just miss about 18 minutes of it.  I’m sure RAW will more than make up.  Anyway, basically all that happened during that block I missed was that Cena and Otunga lost the WWE Tag Team Championships to Gabriel and Slater.  Awesome.

We come back from the first commercial for a WWE Rewind.

<VIDEO PACKAGE: Last week: United States Daniel Bryan challenges Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler to a Champion vs. Champion match at Bragging Rights.>

Vickie Guerrero and Kaitlin make their way out to the ring.  Vickie says that there was a blemish in Smackdown’s perfect night at Bragging Rights, and that Ziggler was cheated by shoddy officiating, and that there was a bias for RAW by the WWE referees.  Ziggler is going to embarrass Bryan tonight.

Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler vs United States Champion Daniel Bryan

Before the match even begins, CM Punk comes out.

In the ring, Ziggler gets an advantage over Bryan, and Punk joins them for commentary. Bryan takes the advantage back and gets Ziggler in the ‘surfboard’, and Ziggler manages to get out or Bryan lets him out.  Ziggler goes for a cover on Bryan, but Bryan kicks out on two.  Ziggler tries to keep advantage, but Bryan takes that away with a dropkick to the face, and Ziggler kicks out of the cover.  Ziggler hits a low gut-kick on Bryan and Bryan flips him right out of the ring.

<COMMERCIAL>

@HitTheRopes I love that @CMPunk is about to school King and Cole on announcing. #wwe

@ThingsColeSays CM Punk burying King is AWESOME!!!

@TKeep123 Here come Chuck Norris…err..I mean….Bryan Daniel. #WWE #RAW

We’re back to Bryan and Ziggler back in the ring, and Bryan takes Ziggler out with a hard clothesline.  Bryan goes for the cover, but Ziggler kicks out.  Ziggler looks like he’s begging for mercy, and Bryan ignores him, hitting hard kicks on his abdomen.  Bryan misses his first kick, but hits the second one, only for Ziggler to kick out at two.  Bryan goes for the LaBell lock, but Ziggler gets to the ropes.  Bryan puts Ziggler on the top rope, and hits a hurricanrana off the top, only for Ziggler to flip it into a pin, though Bryan kicks out.  Ziggler goes for the sleeper, but Bryan gets out, and Ziggler hits what could have almost been Sweet Chin Music on Bryan.  Bryan kicks out of that cover though, and Vickie screeches about the ref cheating or something.  Ziggler goes for the Zig-Zag, misses, Bryan goes for a cover, reverses into Ziggler covering Bryan, and then Bryan kicks out at two.  Vickie is still screeching.  Ziggler and Bryan trade moves, and then Ziggler throws Bryan, but Bryan kicks out of the cover.  Ziggler goes for the sleeper again, but Bryan wonders absently around the ring, but Bryan counters into the LaBell lock, and Vickie pulls Ziggler’s foot outside the bottom rope.  The ref takes his submission, Vickie freaks out, and the ref basically says that that’s too bad and keeps his decision the same.

United States Champion Daniel Bryan wins via submission.

Bryan’s enjoying his victory, and Ziggler slips back into the ring, but then flees when Bryan turns around.

Last night, Smackdown beat RAW again. Boo.

Later tonight, John Cena will take on WWE Champion Randy Orton, and the winner decides the special guest referee for their next match (or… Barrett and Orton decide).

<COMMERCIAL>

@WWEsAngel_Nef Okay, Bravo #WWE Good match w/ Punk as a God on commentary

@CawCawBang LMAO! I love CM Punk’s brutal honesty

@TKeep123 Ziggler’s gonna get callouses from tapping so much! #WWE #RAW

The guest star tonight is country megastar, Toby Keith.

<VIDEO PACKAGE: WWE In Your Corner: WWE Wrestlemania Reading Challenge.>

Toby Keith gives a copy of his albums to the Bellas, and they give him a Championship belt.  Santino comes up, dressed like a cowboy.  He said that when he came to America, it was all pop, and now it’s country and western.  He then sings a song of sorts that he wrote.  I’ll try to find these lyrics later, alright? It is funny.  Toby tells him to keep his night job, and then Sheamus comes up.

Sheamus mocks Santino, of course, and says that Santino embarrassed his team last night, but Sheamus is going to give him an opportunity to prove he’s not worthless.  He challenges him TONIGHT!  Santino says he’s on.  Sheamus then tells Santino he’d better show up.  Santino then asks Toby if he thinks Sheamus was ‘for really’.

Cena walks up and yells at Barrett, who calls him out for finding a loophole last night.  The only reason Cena’s still employed, is because Barrett is allowing it.  If he tells Cena to make a cup of coffee, be silent, or lay down to give up a championship, then he’s gonna do it.  Cena says that for the last few weeks he’s been trying to hold onto something he loves, but he can’t do it anymore.  Fired, quit, it’s the same damn thing, and it beats working for Barrett.  Barrett tells him to hold on, and that he may have a solution.  If Cena beats Orton tonight, Barrett will make him an offer that will benefit both of them.

<COMMERCIAL>

@kickoutblog Santino still looks less ridiculous than Toby Keith usually does.

@inkincisions Please. Someone, anyone, get in that ring, and wrestle!

@thinksojoe Best. Country. Song. Ever! #BWF

@TKeep123 Cowboy crooner Santino Morella! Fear The Cobra! #WWE #RAW

@HitTheRopes The Bellas doing what they do best, standing next to the guest star….. Wait, wasn’t there some kinda dysfunction between them? #wwe

<VIDEO PACKAGE: Slam of the Week: LayCool mocks The Harts on Smackdown.>

LayCool vs Melina and Gail Kim

Melina goes straight for McCool, then dominates Layla.  Melina goes for a cover on Layla, who kicks out.  The two switch each other around, and then Layla knocks Gail off the apron, and they hit each other mid-ring with a cross body.  Layla tags in Michelle, but Melina didn’t see it and takes a boot to the face and a cover for the win.

LayCool win via pinfall.

Short ass Diva’s match?  Check!

Lawler tells us not to wear a WWE T-shirt when you go to vote next Tuesday.

Miz and Riley make their way to the ring, and Cole says Miz is going to read the Riot Act to the rest of the team.

<COMMERCIAL>

@divadirt Michelle pins Melina after a big boot and it’s all over in 1 minute. Yay(!) [/sarcasm] #WWE

@CawCawBang Does this mean we get to see psycho Miz again?

AWESOME!

Wheeeeeeee, Miz~! I haven’t done it in a while.  Just… let me have a moment.

Okay, moment over.

Miz says he’s accomplished more in his career than everyone in this arena can dream of achieving in their entire lives.  No matter how superior he is to everyone in the arena or the locker room, he is not a miracle worker.  Last night, he endured adversity, overcame hardship, he lasted longer than any Superstar on RAW, but they still failed against Smackdown.  If the WWE Superstars had a fraction of the talent that he possessed, the Bragging Rights trophy would be on Monday Night RAW.  But his talent doesn’t just speak volumes.  It screams ‘AWESOME’.  That’s why he’s a leader.  That’s why he’s the captain, and that’s why tomorrow, the poster child of THQ’s Smackdown vs RAW 2011 is none other than him.  The Miz joins Cena and the Big Show on the cover of the game.  Miz says that if they really wanted to make some money, then the cover should have just consisted of him.  The RAW team should have just consisted of seven Miz’, instead of one Miz and six losers.  If those people understand anything, understand this: he blames his team, he blames Smackdown, he blames Rey Mysterio, and if Rey wants to come over there, he’s putting out the challenge.  Step right up over to RAW, next week, he doesn’t care.  The reason people watch RAW is because of him.  Because he’s the Miz and he’s the only person on the RAW roster that can honestly say that I’M AWESOME!

Eve comes out after his speech and makes her way into the ring, and Miz even holds the ropes apart for her.  Miz says that Eve is there to apologize on behalf of all the Divas, but she doesn’t have to.  She should, instead, be apologizing for her horrific taste in men, music, and hair extensions that don’t match.  She says she didn’t come out to apologize.  He needs to be worried about the fact that everyone in the locker room, arena, WWE Universe thinks he’s a… bunch of words here, loser.  Miz asks if they all really think he’s a frog-faced loser, and I disagree. :3  Anyway…  Miz says that the Packers aren’t going to the SuperBowl, so they’re all losers as well.  As for Eve, Miz finds it amusing that the Superstars sent out a Diva to insult him.  Eve says that she knows what he’s going to say and he’s quite possibly the furthest thing from awesome she’s ever seen, and he’s ugly.  Riley says for her to shut the front door.  Riley says that he doesn’t speak Gucci, but the reason the rest of the RAW team isn’t out there is because they’re all tip-toeing their way toward unemployment, and the Miz could have beat any of those slackers by himself.  So, why doesn’t Eve take that little switch in her walk back to the back and find out if anyone in the team wants to take a piece out of the captain.

Truth comes out, thus ruining a few nights on Twitter.  I wish he’d stop rapping though, I really would…  God, I almost miss him screaming ‘What’s Up?’ at me… and yes, Cole, Santino’s singing was better.

Truth says slackers was a bit harsh.  Anybody wanna piece of Miz?  Truth would like to have a piece of Mr. Kermit.  Don’t get mad because what Eve said is the truth, and they all know the truth hurts.  As a matter of fact, he doesn’t have a problem showing Miz that the truth hurts.  God, this is corny.

“Ding ding ding.”

The Miz vs R-Truth

Miz misses a clothesline, and Truth takes advantage, knocking Miz out of the ring.

<COMMERCIAL>

@WWEsAngel_Nef Is it just m or is Eve channeling some serious Dixie Carter right now? #WWE

@dasharpshooters: The Miz should Choke that bitch. STFU EVE! #wwe #raw

@StrikerSays For a minute, though, I was REALLY hoping for an intergender match.

@kickoutblog All those pansies in the Raw locker room had to send a woman to trash talk Captain Awesome.

@inkincisions LMFAO. Alex Riley. OMG. This segment has made my night. “OH YOU FANCY HUH!?”

@CawCawBang get back in the kitchen woman

@divadirt Miz says Eve should be sorry for her ‘extensions that don’t quite match’. You got served! #WWE

@TKeep123 I love Eve and she’s a trained dancer, model, cheerleader, etc, but when she dances to Truth’s rap…it’s just sooo bad. #WWE #RAW

Miz has Truth in a headlock as we return, getting momentum back with a big boot to the head.  Truth goes for a roll-up, but Miz kicks out at two, and then pummels Truth’s head.  Miz goes for a cover, but Truth kicks out.  Miz gets advantage again, but Truth fights back, countering in mid-air and going for a cover, but Miz kicks out.  Miz gets Truth in the corner and beats on him until the ref pulls him away.  Miz then hits the swinging corner clothesline and goes for a cover again, only for Truth to kick out again.  Miz gets him to his feet and then puts him on the top turnbuckle.  Miz tries for a suplex, but Truth holds steady and knocks Miz off.  Miz runs into Truth’s foot, and Truth jumps over him, hitting some hard hits on Miz before Miz counters with a kick to the gut.  Truth then hits a vicious clothesline and keeps his momentum going.  Truth goes for a cover, but Miz kicks out at two.  Truth slams his elbow into Miz and ducks under a clothesline, hitting some weird move on Miz, and going for a cover.  Miz kicks out at two, and Miz is outside on the apron.  Truth knocks him right into the announce table.  Truth then shoves Miz into the ring, and Riley shoves Truth into the apron.  Eve walks over and slaps Riley.  In the ring, Miz goes to suplex Truth, but Truth manages to get on his face.  Truth then takes Riley out outside the ring, and goes for a cover, but Miz kicks out at two.  Truth tries to hit Lie Detector, but Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale.

The Miz wins via pinfall.

Miz blows Eve a kiss after the match, getting some attitude back, of course.

Still to come, Cena takes on Orton.

<COMMERCIAL>

@KeepItFiveStar That’s R-Truth’s signature move, looking up a the lights, flatback.

Tonight’s guest star is Toby Keith, and he happens to be the special guest referee for the next match.  The Bellas need to learn how to dance to country music.  Seriously… and get off him, you whores.  He’s too important to get herpes from you two.

Honestly… I’m a fan of Toby Keith (born and raised listening to him), but I don’t know what he’s saying, to be honest.

It’s a shameful thing, lobster head…

Sheamus vs Santino Marella

I love Santino.  He just poked his head out from behind the lights there.  Santino seems reluctant, but Toby Keith works on getting him in the ring.  Santino managed to get one quick shot in before Sheamus decided to massacre him for his mistake.  Sheamus went for the Brogue Kick, and Santino literally just flops onto his butt.  John Morrison runs out and tells the ref something, falling on his butt again when Sheamus goes for another Brogue Kick.  Sheamus went for another Brogue Kick, but ended up getting his feet all caught up in the ropes, and Santino capitalizes with a pin.  He and John Morrison flee up the ring.

Santino Marella wins via miracle pinfall.

<COMMERCIAL>

@KeepItFiveStar Toby Keith told Santino that Sheamus is no longer Triple H’s gym buddy.

@TKeep123 Toby Keith can’t keep his eyes open? OH, that’s right, protecting them from the Sheamus glow! #WWE #RAW

<VIDEO PACKAGE: Stand Up For WWE.>

More video packages, less wrestling.  Totally makes sense.

Gabriel and Slater take pride in their title win.  Otunga, on the other hand, wants to talk to Barrett and looks pretty pissed.  Otunga asks why he had to go through that.  Barrett says that he’s sorry he feels that way.  Otunga says that since he couldn’t win last night, Barrett made him lay down.  Otunga says that he may be a little pissed and may decide to tell everyone why they really attacked Taker last night.  McGuillicutty and Harris come in wearing Nexus shirts, and Barrett says that they’re members, and while he understands Otunga’s frustrations, Otunga is either Nexus or against us, and he needs to make that choice right now.  Otunga glares at them all, and then says he’s Nexus.  Barrett says he’s pleased about that and for Otunga to keep up the excellent work.  I wonder where they found enough fab- okay, no fat jokes.  I’m sorry.

Next up, Cena vs Orton.

<COMMERCIAL>

@KeepItFiveStar “I was in prison watching the WWE because the inmates used to watch the show to get ideas on how to-” – MVP

@HitTheRopes Hey, Stand Up for WWE ad, I visited China…town! Chinatown, dammit! #wwe

@kickoutblog Okay, Stand Up for WWE is lame, but this promo is pretty damn cool.

@ThingsColeSays OK, I actually like this video package. I know it’s got ulterior motives, but it’s different.

Oh, dear God… Next week, Pee Wee Herman is the guest host… I may avoid RAW next week… He makes me twitchy.

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR SHUT THE FRONT DOOR, EVE!

John Cena vs WWE Champion Randy Orton

Cena and Orton part seven million and forty-five starts now! … I love all their matches though, I’ll be honest.

Orton and Cena lock up, Cena getting Orton in a headlock, but Orton fights out of it and takes Cena down with a hard shoulder.  Cena ducks a blow from Orton and gets him in another head lock.  Cena gets out, but Cena hits a hard shoulder knockdown on Orton.  They lock up yet again, but Cena backs Orton into a corner, then they run across the ring, and Orton counters Cena’s usual bulldog, hurling Cena across the ring.  Orton gets the momentum and holds onto it, sparing Barrett a glance before focusing back on Cena.  Cena launches himself at Orton, but Orton drops onto the mat and ducks under it, sending Cena right out of the ring.  Barrett sneaks up on Orton from behind, but Orton catches him, and hits him, sending him scampering backward.

<COMMERCIAL>

@Niki_Sushi @RandyOrton , why do you look like you were sculpted to make the Greek’s jealous?

@KeepItFiveStar Wade Barrett is doing the Smackdown vs RAW Manager bit. Just walk out while the person does their entrance.

We come back to Orton holding the momentum still, Cena fighting out of his headlock.  Cena pulls Orton onto his shoulders, but Orton plants Cena face-first onto the mat first.  Orton goes for a cover, but Cena powers out at two.  Orton hits Cena with some hard hits to the face.  Orton flings Cena into the corner, and Cena lifts his boot.  Cena then hits a series of shoulder blocks on Orton and then drops him to the ground, calling for the Five Knuckle Shuffle, giving the You Can’t See Me to Barrett, before hitting it on Orton.  Cena attempts the Attitude Adjustment, Orton attempts RKO, Cena attempts STF, and Orton hits a scoop slam.  There was stuff in between, but it was moving fast.  Orton glances at Barrett, and Orton pulls Cena into the ring, but Cena avoids the DDT and plants Orton outside the ring.  Barrett goes to help, but Cena shoves him head over heels away from Orton.  Orton and Cena exchange blows outside the ring, and then Cena throws Orton into the ring.  Cena climbs onto the top turnbuckle and hits a leg drop on Orton.  Cena goes for a cover, but Orton kicks out at two.  Orton gets up, Cena attempts the Attitude Adjustment, and Orton wiggles free.  Orton gets back into the ring and Cena locks in the STF.  Orton is inching toward the ropes, but Barrett pulls the rope back, and Cena gets up in his face.  They argue whether Cena should listen to Barrett or win the match.  Cena gets back in the ring, and Orton hits a drop kick on him.  Orton then hits his DDT on Cena, dropping to the mat and pounding in preparation for the RKO.  Cena inches up to his feet, Orton watches him closely, and misses the RKO.  Cena hits the Attitude Adjustment instead and Orton manages to kick out at two.  Cena gets Orton back up, but Orton hits an RKO on Cena, who rolled out of the ring.  Orton rolls out of the ring to Cena and pulls him up and shoves him back into the ring, rolling back in himself.  Orton gets to his feet and backs into a corner, but Barrett pulls Cena out and clotheslines Cena.

Jon Cena wins via disqualification.

Randy attacks Barrett from behind after the disqualification.  Nexus runs to the ring and starts to take Orton out.  Cena, on the other hand, fights Nexus back, and Barrett yells at them all to stop, and tells Nexus to get out of the ring.  Barrett tells Cena well done, and that he gets to choose the special guest referee for his match with Orton at Survivor Series.  His ref will be Cena.  Barrett says that Cena will be an impartial referee, but if Barrett doesn’t win the championship at Survivor Series, he’ll fire Cena on the spot.  When Barrett wins the WWE Championship, Cena will be relieved of any and all responsibilities to the Nexus.  Cena looks like he can’t believe it, Orton looks pissed, and Cole poetically says that Orton is screwed.  Way to take the words out of my mouth, Cole.  Way to go.

What will Cena do?  What will Orton do?  WHAT WILL I DO?! There’s RAW.  Til next week.

It’s the go home show before Bragging Rights – Does SmackDown Know the Enemy?  Indeed, it’s RAW, and tonight the Monday Night superstars invade the Blue Brand!  It’s Randy Orton vs. Kane in our Main Event tonight, and the two teams for Bragging Rights kick things off in the ring as Teddy Long presides over them.

(more…)

Hey, my Peeps!  Sorry for the absence as of late.  I’m in Colorado at the moment and have been really busy lately.  That’s no excuse, but life happens.  I’m here today to give you some results from this past week’s WWE Superstars.  I understand that some people don’t get the channel that carries Superstars, so here we go.

Match 1:  Santino and Kozlov vs The Uso’s

Santino picks up the win for his team with the Cobra on one of the brothers.  This is good to see, since Santino has been built as a comical jobber throughout the majority of his career in the WWE.  We all know he will continue to be that, but it’s good to see him get a win every once in a while.

Match 2:  Darren Young vs William Regal

I’m glad Young is getting some face time here.  He has talent, but needs to develop his character now that he is out of Nexus.  Regal is in a good spot here with a YOUNGer talent…see what I did there???  Regal gets the win here with the running knee.

Nexus invades Superstars.  Wade Barrett says that if Cena doesn’t help him win the WWE Title at Bragging Rights, then he will be fired.

Main Event:  Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre vs MVP and Chris Masters

I like the pairing of MVP and Masters.  I think they could work out if given the opportunity.  This was a good match with Cody Rhodes getting the win with the Crossroads.

That’s it for this week.  Peace out, Peeps.

John Cena is splashed across the cover-page of the popular, UK-based wrestling publication “Fighting Spirit Magazine” this month, complete with a caption reading “Have We Cena ‘Nuff?”.

FSM, as it’s more commonly known, is perhaps the biggest selling wrestling magazine in Britain and covers the local scene extensively, whilst also detailing the latest goings on from the world of Mixed Martial Arts and what’s going down within WWE, TNA, ROH etc. Along with “Powerslam”, it’s one of the “Big Two” in terms of professional wrestling print here on this little island.

Having been a buyer of both Powerslam and FSM for many, many years (my first issue of the former was April 2001), I have quite a lot of experience when it comes to what type of articles feature and which kind of wrestling fan they captivate and cater to. Obviously, both magazines are aimed more towards the fan who wants to know more than who is feuding with whom and which cards are coming up in the near future. There’s a decided “backstage” element to the writing, which clearly presumes that those reading already have an extensive knowledge of this unique form of entertainment and use the internet on occasion.

Of course, this comes with its own problems and leads me merrily into the meat of the subject which prompted me to pen this little diatribe; John Cena.

Now now, settle down and don’t you worry your sexy little head about anything, I’m not going to go all ‘keyboard warrior’ on those and such as those who happen to be pro wrestling fans and use the world wide web. I’m simply making the point that almost everyone who isn’t a casual wrestling fan and watches World Wrestling Entertainment seems to have some unbelievable vendetta against Mr. Cena.

Sure, his punches maybe aren’t the most convincing around and the lines he’s fed by the creative team do make him come across like the biggest dork this side of Michael Cole but, is he really quite as bad as most make him out to be? Being a character quite plainly aimed towards children and the younger market, Cena simply cannot be a hard-edged anti-hero such as Steve Austin or even a mildly-offensive cool member of the roster such as The Rock. The landscape of WWE has simply changed since both those men were tearing up arena’s and selling Pay-Per-Views en masse. John Cena has a much, much different role to play – one that’s actually closer to home than most wrestling fans realise.

If there are any children who grew up watching wrestling in the late 1980’s/early 1990’s who didn’t idolise Hulk Hogan then please let yourselves be known. Hulk was, for lack of a wittier phrase, the man during that time-frame and most kids were in awe of the guy. Similarly, most younger members of the wrestling audience are in awe of John Cena today and admire his never say die attitude and ability to always overcome the odds. One thing I do not really hear the writers of the aforementioned magazines saying is how ridiculous Hogans “Hulk-Up” routine or continued defying-the-odds type of wins were killing fan interest or bad for business. Sure, Hogan presided over a much more lucrative time for professional wrestling but that would be ignoring the point – WWE are giving their predominant market exactly what they want.

It’s not hard to draw comparisons between “Word Life” and “Hulkamania”. Both are innocently portrayed as upstanding characters who would help an elderly lady across the street or take the time to teach a wrongdoing youngster the value of honesty and integrity. The pair are undoubtedly linked through their relationship with a generation of grapple-loving children and ability to shift t-shirts, wristbands and other assorted merchandise items like hot cakes. There’s even the not-so-small matter of them both having superhero-like comebacks during almost every one of their matches. The comparisons are pretty endless, right down to having an anthemic piece of music to accompany their grand entrance to the ring.

Yours truly can recall a time when Cena was perceived as “cool” by many grown-ups who so wanted him to be catapulted to the top of the cards. The reaction to his United States Title win over The Big Show at “Wrestlemania XX” in the year of 2004 is concrete evidence of this. At that time, John Cena was viewed as one of the most cutting edge superstars for a number of years and was definitely being pushed towards main events with a combination of his own skills and the audiences connection with him. There were definite parallels with other men who went on to become major players in the company following a sustained period in the mid-card, such as Triple H and even Shawn Michaels. It was THAT kind of reaction. The one which told Vince McMahon that he had a ready-made star in his midst.

So what went wrong? What has led us to this point in time where Mr. Cena can seemingly do no right? Is the era of Parental Guidance to blame for the watered-down receptions to this particular head-liner? What is really the reason for such hostile booing aimed at the master of the “Attitude Adjustment” regardless of what actions he takes?

This is the part of the show where I hand it over you to, dear reader. I’d love to know YOUR opinions about none other than John Cena. Whether you agree with me or not, I’d like to hear from each and every one of you on this topic – one which is sure to spark debate! Just like John Cena always does! You can send all correspondence to jamiekennedy@live.com

I look forward to it! TAKE IT HOME!

Not having internet access at home, nor a website to post at (as Project Wonderboy’s network is suspended for some reason and I am not the admin), I felt the need to invade in some capacity. I can’t write the usual format I do over at the “other brand” with my sufferage reviews without realtime access to the web, so here’s just some textual commentary… on TNA iMPACT October 21, 2010. Drow Goddess will break the card down for the site, I’m sure.
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I haven’t been voting the last couple of weeks, for whatever reason, and I apologize for not getting the poll up here on BWF last week, but here we go with this week’s!

1. Wade Barrett (Last week: 1)

Abusing his power over John Cena and The Nexus and utterly destroying the WWE Champion leaves Wade Barrett number one on the Power Poll for the second straight week.

2. Big Show (NR)

The Big Show led the entire SmackDown roster into RAW and led them to victory (along with Edge) over the RAW roster in a battle royal.  Huge momentum for the World’s Largest Athlete heading into Bragging Rights on Sunday.

3. Randy Orton (3)

The Viper teamed with John Cena to defeat Husky Harris and Michael McGuillicutty, but his failure to fight off The Nexus after the match leaves Randy Orton at number 3.

4. Edge (9)

So much for Smurfette – Edge saved The Big Show from certain elimination and helped win the battle royal for Team SmackDown Monday night.

5. The Miz (2)

Having the testicular fortitude to face The Big Show in a one on one matchup and then lasting as long as he did in the battle royal probably didn’t do as much for The Miz’s standing on the Poll as his Smurfy promo against Team SmackDown.

6. Kane (4)

The Big Red Monster was nowhere to be found Monday Night when SmackDown invaded RAW, but neither was his brother The Undertaker, so I suppose that’s not that surprising.  As long as he is the World Champion, it seems Kane has a spot in the top 10.  Will that continue after the buried alive match?

7. John Cena (6)

Cena’s subservience to Wade Barrett continues to push him further down the Power Poll.  What I don’t get is why Cena looked upset Monday Night while the rest of Nexus destroyed his long time rival Randy Orton.  Oh well.

8. Jeff Hardy (5)

It goes to show that as long as you’re a World Champion, you’re likely to be on the Power Poll.  Of course, Hardy, despite slipping this week, is still riding that wave of momentum that winning a title will get you in this voting process.  We’ll see what he does on iMPACT this week and see where he winds up on next week’s poll.

9. Undertaker (NR)

All the Undertaker has to do is make an appearance, and it seems that he’ll make the Power Poll.  That’s the power of the Phenom.

10. Daniel Bryan (NR)

The WWE United States Champion made the WWE Intercontinental Champion tap out Monday on RAW, and then busted a move with the smart, sexy, and powerful WWE Divas.  Bragging rights are on the line this Sunday!

Dropped out: C.M. Punk, Sheamus, Rey Mysterio

The Power Poll is a weekly top 10 ranking of wrestlers as voted by members of these wonderful sites: BoredWrestlingFan.com, Future Endeavors, Hit the Ropes, NoVaWPodcast, Oh My WrestleBlog, Online World of Wrestling, PIZZABODYSLAM, Pro Wrestling Ponderings, Project Wonderboy, Ringside Rants, Smark Out Moment, Smarks Anonymous, The Superplex, The Wrestling Blog,WrestlingAdikt.com, WrestleRage.com, Wrestling Nuggets and Wrestlespective. Follow the Power Poll voters on Twitter. If you have a wrestling site and are interested in becoming a voter, e-mail wrestlespective(at)gmail.com.

We here at BoredWrestlingFan.com don’t take ourselves too seriously when it comes to what we do.  We approach our articles and reviews with a lighthearted attitude and will often poke fun at wrestlers and wrestling organizations.  When I heard about the “Stand up for WWE” campaign, I knew I had to do something.  I had to give back to the company who has provided me with countless hours of entertainment since I was just 8 years old.  This is my contribution.

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