The WEI is a weekly look at the events that have made an impact, both positive and negative, on the world of oiled up, hairless men that pretend to hit each other that we all so love to watch. The range goes from 0-100 with 0 being a world in which every PPV is like Heroes of Wrestling while a perfect score of 100 would be wrestling nirvana.
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla runs Must See Best of Los Angeles Tournament: Last weekend PWG held a three day tournament dubbed the Battle of Los Angeles. All three shows received a lot of positive feedback and Bryan Alvarez dedicated an entire issue of the F4W~! to his road trip. To get a hold of these shows, which includes a heavily anticipated showdown between Super Dragon and the Necro Butcher, click HERE!
WEI Rating: + 2
WWE actually apologizes for crass comment concerning "The Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin's death. On ECW last week, Matt Striker delivered a totally classless comment that made light of the recent death of Steve Irwin. Now, as wrestling fans, we are used to this type of stupidity to the point where it doesn't even rile us up anymore. For God's sake, Eddie Guerrero's widow is being used in an angle on SmackDown. Because of that, it was surprising to them see on WWE.com the following note: "We at WWE apologize for the remark alluding to the death of Steve Irwin which was made on ECW on Sci Fi Tuesday night. The remark was, in the least, disrespectful to Mr. Irwin's fans and family." WEI Rating: +1
I finally listened to the Brian Pillman: His Last Interviews CD: Last week I made the LONG ASS drive from New Hampshire to my new home in Florida. Straight shot, just like Cornette driving from Louisville to Memphis to Oklahoma back in the day. I think I was having conversations with myself around South Carolina. Lucky me, I get to fly back up to NH on the 21st and drive back down with my girlfriend and our two puppies the next day.
Anyway, other than listening to a ton of talk radio, I got a chance to listen to the Brian Pillman CD that I've mentioned in WEI over the last month. The CD is a collection of several Pillman interviews, and even one fun interview with Brian's wife Melanie. Brian, as always, is just completely insane at points and those were just a blast to listen to. Brian shoots on a ton of stuff, but especially tears into WCW. I think almost anyone who gets into wrestling audio will enjoy this and Pillman fans will love it. I though the most moving (if that's the word I'm looking for) is Brian doing one interview shortly after his accident that destroyed his ankle. Pillman seemed to downplay an injury that ended up being a major contributor to his death and it was sort of sad to listen to in 20/20 hindsight. You can check out more of the CD by going over to www.PillmanCD.com. The site now has some audio from the CD that you can check out as well. WEI Rating: + 2
Rob
Van Dam's comic book shop closes: Over on F4Wonline's The Board, a poster relayed the following message - Rob Van Dam has closed down his California area comic book store, RVD's Five Star Comics. A reader passed this message on: "I tried to call the store phone number (310-326-5RVD) but I only got an answer from the answering machine which said, "RVD's Five Star Comics is closed for inventory." A short while later, a young lady arrived with the key of the store (I didn't ask her name, but it could have been Sonya, RVD's wife) and I asked her when will the store will re-open. She said that this store is closed for good and all the stuff inside will be sold online."
I hate to see any side business run by a wrestler close down, as all of these guys should be looking long term to a career outside the business, but as a comic book fan I'm especially saddened by this development. I used to work in a comic shop in the '90s and got to see an Attitude Era-like explosion and a Death of WCW-like implosion. I think I've seen the worst of times and I have a good feeling about the future of comics in the next couple years and think the market is about to explode again. For comic fans looking to get a hold of some great books, check out Fables, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (approximately a thousand times better than the movie), All Star Superman, and Marvel Comics' Civil War.
***You gotta check out this list of The 50 Dumbest Street Signs. I can't believe some of those actually exist.
Cryme Tyme debuts on Monday Night Raw: WWE.com posted some sort of a warning last Monday alerting people to the upcoming comedy stylings of Cryme Tyme. After the skit, WWE.com posted the following note: Monday night on RAW, Cryme Tyme was introduced to the RAW audience. In an effort to humor and entertain our fans, the tag team known as Cryme Tyme will parody racial stereotypes.
Shad Gaspard and JTG do outlandish, outrageous “stunts” to ready themselves for tag team action on RAW. This attempt at Saturday Night Live-like humor is bound to entertain audiences of all ethnic derivations.
We hope you enjoy the weekly adventures of Cryme Tyme. The Fark.com's forums had a field day with this one. The skit itself wasn't anywhere near as bad as you think it would have been considering WWE Creative's normal use of subtlety. Then again, it wasn't actually that great either. Want to see the skit for yourself? Click HERE. They are correct in being Saturday Night Live-like, but only because SNL sucks now. WEI Rating: + 1
Ring of Honor unveils new website: A long time in coming, ROHwrestling.com finally had a makeover. Hopefully we'll get a review up of the new DVD release of War of the Wire 2 and finally find out what the ROHbot arm is. WEI Rating: + 1
***This guy is so crazy, he's gotta be a wrestling fan. Did you see the football coach who ran onto the field to attack a kid? Just insane.
Bas Rutten to be featured in new Straight to DVD film: I was checking out some DVD sites and was surprised to see a write-up for the movie Backlash. I mean, there was El Guapo himself, Bas Rutten, billed on the cover! Here's how the film is described: "In this explosive, action-packed thriller, beautiful - but deadly - C.I.A. operative Skye Gold is sent to a Caribbean Island to hide out after breaking up the largest illegal arms smuggling operation. Soon after she arrives on the island, Skye discovers that her superiors are not the only ones who know where she is... It's a deadly race against time as Skye must stay one step ahead of two rogue agents - assassins on her trail through the island's hypnotic streets during Carnival."
I know that Kevin Levrone is a former (maybe he still competes, I'm not sure) world class bodybuilder, so two of the four leads could be quite fun to watch in a train-wreck kind of way. WEI Rating: + 1
***Did you see the video of Sean "X-Pac" Waltman in the ring with former DX members Triple H and Shawn Michaels? If not, CHECK IT OUT. I'd have to think this was just a deal for the local fans as Waltman is almost assuredly signed up to MTV/Big Vision's Wrestle Society X, although I'm sure they would let him out of his contract if WWE came calling. There's also a LOT of talk going on for a nWo/DX battle before the end of the year and this would lend some sort of legitimacy to those rumors. Time will tell I guess. On the same show, Chris Kanyon bought his own front row ticket and shot his own "angle" which led to him being kicked out by security. Welcome to the wrestling business Chris!
***Have you ever wanted to decorate your room completely with wrestling crap? If so, this guy's dorm room is a good template with what you can do. Action figures lining the walls. Wrestling posters taped to the ceiling. A full collection of WWE DVDs. Something tells me if the Queer Eye guys stepped into the room they would faint.
TNA unveils "Why I Hate Jeff Jarrett" contest: Over on TNA.com there is a brand new CONTEST~! Here's the details: You can win a trip to the September 24 "No Surrender" PPV in Orlando, FL - all you have to do is show us how much you hate the NWA World Heavyweight Champion!
This is your chance to get revenge on Jeff Jarrett inside the TNA Impact Zone live on pay-per-view! TNA Commissioner Jim Cornette is inviting all TNA fans to send in a tape telling us why they hate the self-proclaimed "King of the Mountain."
Two winners will be chosen from the best videos and will be flown to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida to serve as special ringside enforcers for the Jeff Jarrett vs. Samoa Joe Fan's Revenge Match. Deadline for entry is September 15, 2006. Videos must be mini-dv format.
Mail your videos to:
TNA Wrestling
Why I Hate Jeff Jarrett Contest
209 10th Avenue South - Suite 302
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
Time is ticking of this one kids, send those videos now! WEI Rating: + 1
***Apparently this has been out for a while, but I've never seen it. A pic of The Monster Abyss without his mask. DEAR LORD!
New Ken Kennedy Declares video put up on WWE.com: Hopefully you've been watching the cool KEN KENNEDY DECLARES videos that have been posted on WWE.com. The latest edition has Kennedy going off on Tom Cruise. "I just can't take it anymore!" Classic stuff you gotta check out. WEI Rating: + 1
***For those of you into this sort of thing, Naomichi Marufuji beat Jun Akiyama in 27:29 at Budokan Hall in Tokyo to win the GHC heavyweight title. I only know Marufuji from his appearances in Ring of Honor along with the must-see Best of Japan DVDs from PuroDVDSource.com and he's always impressed me.
***WWE has a poll in which you can vote for your favorite CM Punk t-shirt designs. They all suck, but if you'd like to voice your opinion, head on over and vote. Honestly though, who designs this shit?!
Brooklyn Brawler to get his own WWE Action Figure, is Jamison far behind?: Over at WrestlingFigs.com they posted the picture of the first ever action figure that spotlights a character played by long time WWE employee Steve Lombardi.
God I need this figure to do some kick ass Curtain Jerker strips. I also saw a great Boogeyman figure the other day. Something tells me my bedroom is going to look like that goof's dorm room from the story above one day. WEI Rating - 4
***Bryan and Vinny have their CONTRACT SIGNING available on YouTube. A video worth checking out for the great ending and highlighted by Granny herself delivering a wonderful line. You can also download Mike Roe singing "Dreams of Gold", a tribute song dedicated to the upcoming battle. It looks like business is about to pick up!
Your Internet Audio update for this week:
The Dr. Keith Show - with special guests The King of Old School Steve Corino and the one and only NECRO BUTCHER.
In Your Head - The guys had Tough Enough winner and current OVW wrestler Matt Cappotelli this week. They also have the former valet SUNSHINE as part of their message board forums. Check it out!
James Guttman's Radio Free Insanity - with special guest, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan!
Between the Ropes - Fritz, Dickerman and Vito returned to the airwaves for this week’s edition of Between The Ropes. Tune in as they discussed all the latest in wrestling and MMA including more on Kurt Angle’s release from WWE and what his future may entail, Vince McMahon and his role in the company right now and all of the various storylines WWE is carting out. Plus, Christian Cage of TNA Wrestling joined the show live to talk about his recent heel turn, his time so far in TNA and plenty more.
Wrestling Mayhem - Deceivery, kayfabe, and nasty words run rampant. Cryme Tyme, racial stereo types, and Japanese candy makes things turn ugly.
Last week's Wrestling Enjoyment Index: 55
This week's net change: + 2
Current enjoyment level: 57
Don't forget to check out Derek's Weekly Enjoyment Index, Gimmick Table columns, Opinion Pieces, MySpace page~! and goofy stuff on The Wrestling Fan.
Billionaire philanthropist Derek Burgan, who fights crime when not writing DVD reviews, has been watching wrestling since he was ten years old. If you have any questions, corrections, feedback, or goofy ideas, Derek Burgan can be reached at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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