The two big paragraphs toward the end detail why Damaja (who won a spot in the Rumble) will no longer be in it. Is this a good thing or not? I'm not quite sure myself. It would have been nice for WWE to acknowledge OVW, since a spot in the Rumble would push Damaja a little. It would be quite a unique debut into the WWE, especially since he has "quit" OVW now while still holding the OVW Title.
I'm not that bothered. It looks like they're setting something up given Damaja's reaction to being taken out of the Rumble. Maybe he'll be there anyway?
I seriously doubt he's there anyway... who, of the casual fans, will know who he is? And do you think Vince would give away Royal Rumble PPV time to explaining that this kid is at the Rumble from a developmental league and he won a spot, but then it was taken away, but he's here anyway "!"?
On the plus side, Cornette may be able to use this as a good angle in OVW.
And, eventually, when Damaja gets called up, they can use it as a way to introduce him. "I got screwed out of my slot at thye Rumble and I'm here to get my revenge."
"No one's ever done a movie about flowers before. So there are no guidelines." "What about "Flowers for Algernon"?" "Well, that's not about flowers. And it's not a movie." "Ok, I'm sorry, I never saw it." -- Adaptation
Really. Ya see, I thought all the PPV buys were relying on Damaja's appearance!
The point is that WWE.com even announced Damaja as the winner on their website a couple months back when he won it. And yes, I can see them taking a few seconds to explain who Damaja is since it would be no different than how they explained Booker T when he debuted, attacking Austin.
Look at how they explained who Brock Lesnar was when he debuted. If memory serves right, that took about five or six seconds.
He is coming to WWE very soon anyway. JR even announced him as one of the ones who he expects to make a big impact in 2003, several weeks ago (along with O'Haire, Doug Basham, Redd Dogg, and a couple others). Whether you want him "tainting" your Rumble experience or not, as most wrestling fans are so fickle anyway, this would be as good a time to introduce him as any. Y'know, since he would have the OVW Heavyweight Title with him.
I see him appearing at the Rumble with Jackie Gayda (good lord) by his side anyway. But if he doesn't show up, and this was the whole plan from the start of the angle, then what a slap in the face for those who follow both OVW and WWE.
I feel bad for Damaja. Since November, he's been thinking he's going to get his big shot at the Rumble and now, just a few days before the show he's out.
"I feel bad for Damaja. Since November, he's been thinking he's going to get his big shot at the Rumble and now, just a few days before the show he's out."
Wow, I wish I had your mind-reading abilities. And this really is a total non-issue; only those that follow OVW-and us, who will bitch at the drop of a hat-had any idea who he was, let alone that he was supposed to be in the Rumble. Personally I think it's time they begin building the guys they've already moved up before introducing more. Spanky, Nunzio, Cena, Benjamin, Haas...They've all made their debuts and they may as well concentrate on them for the time being.
Originally posted by fuelinjectedI feel bad for Damaja. Since November, he's been thinking he's going to get his big shot at the Rumble and now, just a few days before the show he's out.
Its more than likely that the whole thing was a work. Either that or he's fucked up royally since getting the Rumble slot, in which case I've got no sympathy for him.
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy" Benjamin Franklin
It's probably the best for the guy. Instead of being a nobody who gets his ass handed to him instantly he can continue to be the OVW champion and be part of their super important storyline where he just walked out with the title.
And I don't think he just heard it at the OVW show. Come on.. Nice angle, probably thought up a few weeks ago when WWE came to the conclusion this wasn't the time for him..
Maybe though you will see some OVW footage of him trying to get to the rumble anyways, I dunno if they do storylines like that over there?
Btw..Jacky Gayda is his valet? Seriously, how is she doing over there? Any matches, any improvements?
Because, of course, they can't possibly take a spot away from megastars like Tommy Dreamer.
Hey, Dreamer worked his ASS off over the past 12 months and was also a resident of Gimmick Victim Hell. Yet he's worse than fellow Rumble entrants Rosie & Jamal? Take those two goons out and pick a pair of guys from Damaja, Stevie, Hurricane, and D-Lo.
Perhaps the decision came from the WWE having a different plan for Damaja. If they have an idea for bringing him up without the Damaja name, then it would make sense to keep him out of the WWE until they are ready to debut him.
I feel for him, as his paycheck will decrease, and I feel for the OVW fans who were duped. But in the larger scale of things, this is probably what is best for Mr. Damaja's career.
The call is from heroism; will you accept the charges?
Originally posted by dMpBtw..Jacky Gayda is his valet? Seriously, how is she doing over there? Any matches, any improvements?
A couple of matches, no improvement. In fact, word has it, she's actually gotten WORSE! OVW officials are ready to label her a lost cause.
Jackie Gayda getting worse? I didn't think that was humanly possible. Nice to see the contribution made to the business by Bob Holly as a Tough Enough trainer though. At least Chavo's legacy in the business won't be tied to this DUD.
Please help control the McMahon population. Have your Triple H's spayed or neutered.
Bob Holly probably didn't stomp on her face enough. Can you imagine the backlash if he worked stiff with HER? Every women's group would be up in arms! I can just see the debate.
Patty Ireland: "This is a despicable act of condoning violence against women. Domestic violence is a very real threat that doesn't need glorification by a group of phony wrestlers."
Bob Holly: "Y'see, ah'm trying ta teach 'em respeck. Respeck fa dis bizness."
(edited by asteroidboy on 16.1.03 1453) "My brother saw the Undertaker walking through an airport." - Rex "Was he no-selling?" - Me
"...release the dogs, or the bees, or the dogs with bees in their mouths, and when they bark, they shoot bees at you?" -- Homer Simpson
While I don't really have any predictions, I think it's great that TNA has put together a compelling main event to where you can't tell which way it's going to go, and that either result would help develop a story.