Originally posted by Kane Is UglyPoor Spike Dudley. He is injured, and gets the axe. With the Dudley's doing nothing for months now, I wonder how much longer they will stick around.
WWE would be fools to not bring back the Dudley Boyz. If for nothing more than the fact that I'll be Melina can bump through a table like a champ.
I feel for Spike. I loved his "The Boss" character and thought he played it terrific. He's one of those guys that you kinda wonder if he's done in the wrestling business.
He didn't look so hot at the ONS PPV. Hopefully he's able to get healthy again and have one last run somewhere.
Aw crap, Spike got released too? Geez. There was a guy who had a load of potential that was never really tapped by WWE, and it's also ANOTHER hit to the cruiserweight division.
"You can look the other way once, and it's no big deal, except it makes it easier for you to compromise the next time, and pretty soon that's all your doing; compromising, because that's the way you think things are done. You know those guys I busted? You think they were the bad guys? Because they weren't, they weren't bad guys, they were just like you and me. Except they compromised... Once." -- Jack Bauer
Spike: He got about four and a half years making money in the WWF/E after ECW folded. That is about 5 years longer than most would think someone of Spike's size would last working for Vince. Hopefully he saved his money because he's earned it through the years.
Kidman: If only he had charisma, he could have been a contender. If he works flea markets, he better at least sell them out to prove Hogan wrong.
Jindrak: Why he was included in the trade is questionable. He'll probably be the next retread to go work for Jarrett.
Maven: When Simon Dean was moved, the handwriting was on the wall. Was given a chance late in '04, couldn't capitalize. Experiments attempted in 2001 by Vince did not yield much success.
Shannon Moore: Having a connection to Matt Hardy probably wasn't beneficial if it was a close decision. Never really had a niche after being an MF'er
Considering the lack of a time slot for Velocity in a little over two months, it isn't shocking that many of the wrestlers from that show were given the ax.
Originally posted by Big BadAw crap, Spike got released too? Geez. There was a guy who had a load of potential that was never really tapped by WWE, and it's also ANOTHER hit to the cruiserweight division.
Well, you know what they say. You can never have too few cruiserweights! Actually I guess this is offset by the Mexicools being brought in and I believe Frankie Kazarian is under contract so I don't think that this is the death of the CW division. Still, the Boss was good last summer.
Fertig? At least they cut their losses rather than bringing him back up (like they did with Heidenreich who is fairly entertaining.
EDIT: As far as CW wrestlers go, I imagine that they can/will also use Steven Richards, Simon Dean, and Daivari as cruisers because they came over in trades. Well, if they aren't cut.
Edit 2:
Tag Team wrestling is something wrestling fans still enjoy, the writers/bookers must enjoy it as well seing as how almost every Raw or SmackDown Main Event is a tag match of some sort. So why not take care of two birds with one stone? Instead of ditching talent, why not cut back the midcard jobber surplus and revitalize the tags at the same time? I understand cutting costs is the primary reason, and not to point the finger at the obvious, but c'mon, divasearch?
Yes! This guy gets it. I've always wondered why they let two-thirds of the roster basically become jobbers who don't ever get used for anything good. Why not make these guys tag teams?
(edited by BigSteve on 5.7.05 2346)
(edited by BigSteve on 5.7.05 2351) SportsBlog (baltimorenine.blogspot.com)
I can't say that I'll be sad to see any of them go. I'm surprised about Maven, but not the rest. Kidman hasn't been entertaining since he feuded with Hogan. Jindrak is...Jundrak. Spike Dudley ran his course a year or two ago.
And wasn't Shannon Moore in a car crash? Do injuries have anything to do with his release? I can't remember the last time I saw him...
You know a lot of those guys don't come as much of a surprise, but I think most of them could have been salvaged, mainly due to the tag team division(s) being so weak. Look at all the above cuts, lower card singles wrestlers. The WWE simply has WAY too many guys who essentially occupy the same spot on the card. And with no Euro/Hardcore titles to compete for, it's easier than ever to get lost in the shuffle. Sure Maven might not have had singles star written all over him, but he was a mediocre worker at the worst whose weaknesses could have been hidden by teaming him up with someone in the same position. And I'm not talking about just slapping two guys together with no rhyme or reason (Maven/Dean), but maybe actually putting some effort into the equation, ie team name, matching attire, tandem offense, etc. A couple suggestions immediately come to mind:
Mark Jindrak: Sure him and Cade never exactly set the world on fire, but they could have tried again, especially seing as how Cade still collects a paycheck for gathering dust. They both have the size and look WWE loves, thinking of something for them to do wouldn't be that hard.
Kevin Fertig: Mordecai was a disaster, but everyone but hardcore fans forgot who he even was anyway. Tomko has nothing to do now, why not reprise their OVW team? Both guys have a real sinister look, creative should have no problems thinking of a gimmick for them.
Shannon Moore and Akio both languished in the cruisers, however Akio could have been paired with Tajiri seing as how his singles career is going nowhere, Shannon could have teamed with a repackaged Scott Taylor into something entertaining, with a little effort (for example, not just throwing them together on Velocity one week).
Tag Team wrestling is something wrestling fans still enjoy, the writers/bookers must enjoy it as well seing as how almost every Raw or SmackDown Main Event is a tag match of some sort. So why not take care of two birds with one stone? Instead of ditching talent, why not cut back the midcard jobber surplus and revitalize the tags at the same time? I understand cutting costs is the primary reason, and not to point the finger at the obvious, but c'mon, divasearch? Christy is getting paid a hefty sum to shoot T-Shirts into the crowd at house shows, and the latest breed of bimbos will probably end up in similar insignificant roles. So keep in mind WWE, while we have 20+ minute non-wrestling segments that would make me switch to Nitro if it was still on, the SmackDown! Tag Champs are fueding with a comedy wrestler and some chick, while the Raw champs show up once a month to do comedy skits.
Mark Jindrak - As someone else pointed out, he's up there with the most deserving in history to be released. 4 years and still nobody gives two shits about him? Good riddance.
Maven - Somewhat surprising and not surprising. He's had an up and down run, but after 4 years all I still remember about him is the dropkick.
Shannon Moore - Last I saw of him, he was in some Road Warrior-esque get-up...Liked him in WCW, but couldn't care less about him in the WWE.
James Yun (Akio) - I enjoyed this guy. Really did. I wouldn't mind seeing him just on Velocity for another five years. Put on some very entertaining matches.
David Heath (Gangrel) - I question the WWE's decision to send Gangrel to OVW and push Viscera...?
Billy Kidman - See Shannon Moore
Spike Dudley - Saddest to see him ago. Even so, there was nothing really left for him to do. The biggest memory I have of him would be when Austin called Molly a "bimbo" and therefore Spike was in the main event.
Kevin Fertig - His gimmick could have gone places...but he couldn't.
I'm gonna try something different: judging all the releases based on whether or not they were actually trying to get themselves over.
Jindrak never did a thing to get himself over. Gone.
Maven I'm going to have to disagree with. I think he did plenty to try to get himself over. Of course, he didn't get over, but you can't fault the guy for trying. I'd keep him. Besides, how much money could he possibly have been making?
Shannon Moore, not enough effort. Next!
Akio is borderline, but I'll say not enough effort. He had a pretty cool Yakuzaish persona, but he never tried anything new.
Gangrel -- ugh, why did they even hire him back? So 1996. Then again, I wouldn't have brought Viscera back either, so I guess that's why they're running the company and I'm sitting here.
Kidman has never, ever, ever done anything for me. Not WCW Saturday Night, not Flock, not New Blood, not now. I always thought his Shooting Star Press was lousy. He's out!
On the flip side, I've always had a soft spot for Spike. Who tries harder than him? He's reinvented himself a couple of times, too, which is a sure sign of attempting to get oneself over. Oh, well, his Dudleyness opens the door for him to return one day.
I used to hear that Fertig was the stud of his OVW tag team and Tomko was the stiff. And before Christian got drafted, Tomko was getting pushed and Fertig was languishing in the minors. What happened? He had a good look and Mordecai certainly wasn't his fault. I'd keep him around for now. Plus, like Maven, how much could he possibly have been getting paid?
So by Vince's standards, that's five good releases, three bad.
Originally posted by Snookum I'm surprised to see Maven go. That means both winners from Season One are gone, with one winner left from Season Two just hanging around in the background (and when was the last time Jackie really had any time on television besides just hanging around in the background?).
Most people seem to forget season 3 for some reason. Johnny Nitro was one of the TE 3 winners and he's doing quite fine, and Matt Cappotelli(sp?) is in OVW the last I heard. It's sad to see Maven go but Nitro is a huge step up from Maven in terms of quality.
Originally posted by The Chief, ie team name, matching attire, tandem offense, etc. A couple suggestions immediately come to mind:
Mark Jindrak: Sure him and Cade never exactly set the world on fire, but they could have tried again, especially seing as how Cade still collects a paycheck for gathering dust. They both have the size and look WWE loves, thinking of something for them to do wouldn't be that hard.
Abs-olutely Wonderfools
Kevin Fertig: Mordecai was a disaster, but everyone but hardcore fans forgot who he even was anyway. Tomko has nothing to do now, why not reprise their OVW team? Both guys have a real sinister look, creative should have no problems thinking of a gimmick for them
Do we go the Bodyguard way? Mean Street Mothers?.
Shannon Moore and Akio both languished in the cruisers, however Akio could have been paired with Tajiri seing as how his singles career is going nowhere, Shannon could have teamed with a repackaged Scott Taylor into something entertaining, with a little effort (for example, not just throwing them together on Velocity one week).
Akio and Funaki could be the Commentators and Moore and Taylor could be Moore Of The Same <
A little off track here, but I can't figure out how the hell Scotty 2 Hotty is still employed. He seems to dodge more bullets than Rambo. Is there some reason I don't know of that they keep him around? I'd take any of the released names over him. Even Jindrak.
Originally posted by KaneRobotA little off track here, but I can't figure out how the hell Scotty 2 Hotty is still employed. He seems to dodge more bullets than Rambo. Is there some reason I don't know of that they keep him around? I'd take any of the released names over him. Even Jindrak.
I wouldn't be too surprised if he was on the next cut list but he is just back for injury and testicular cancer. I don't know if he would get the nix yet or not.
Fear Prophet.
J.J. Dillon: "I'd rather flip burgers at McDonald's than work for Vince McMahon again." July 3, 2004 New Era Of Wrestling
Too bad Jindrak didn't get paired up as one of HHH's lackeys. He's probably be world champion by now.
Its hard to be sad about some of these releases when a lot of these guys were doing basically nothing on TV anyway. Maybe if Kidman and or Akio show up in TNA at some point, the might be able to actually showcase their talents once again.
And yes, the WWE cruiserweight division is dead and they will NEVER take it seriously.
"Don't compare my arm...to your cheap arm!" -Edward Elric
Thoughts: Maven, Kidman, Dudley, Moore & Jindrak were all doing nothing are barely had roles. Akio found a role and was doing well, but the role was self-limiting. Fertig & Gangrel just run out of time.
Seems like WWE has some momentum building right now, RAW the past 2 weeks has been more entertaining than I can remember, and after the draft, Smackdown is at least in better shape than before (with the exception of Cena crossing over of course). So they had to get rid of what they perceived as duds, and of course some are obviously desreved, while others are very dissapointing.
Gangrel- The whole Brood gimmick in 1998 seemed to be a strong stable with tons of potential. Gangrel had a strange charisma, especially during his entrances, and had some inspired offense like that DDT move that he did better than anyone. When he was cut the first time I was surprised, and this time around I'm kinda disappointed. I always like to see guys who get discarded as "not having it" overcome odds and become players in major programs (ie Bradshaw, Backlund, and Slaughter). He did some work in TNA in the past, and I guess that's his fate again.
Billy Kidman- This guy was at on time said to be one of the impact players of the new era of wrestling. Remember how much charisma he showed in the fued between The Filthy Animals vs. the Horsemen? When he fucked up Ric Flair and mugged him, stealing his watch, this guy had future superstar written all over him. He actually headlined a PPV vs. Hulk Hogan, and was consistently the highlight of the first hour of Nitro (when it was 3 hours). It's kinda sad he was cut and never realized his full potential. As you hardcores know, he was Brett Harts pick as "the star of tomorrow" and in a interview on the old Scoopswrestling.com, Brett noted he wanted to have a major program with him. Well, even though we know Kidman got screwed in WWE, at least he gets to go home and fuck Torrie, so don't feel too sorry for him.
Shannon Moore-This guy can fly with the best of the cruiser weights, and maybe this is the best thing for him. Now he can tear it up in ROH, hopefully. The highlight of his WWE stint had to be his inclusion in the Mattitude club along with Crash Holly. He kinda had the Terry Taylor curse where he looked more like school teacher than a wrestler. Ironic how they had the same hair-do before getting the axe.
Akio-As mentioned on this post numerous times, he was consistently the only reason to watch Velocity. Hopefully his talents get utilized in ROH. He was very fluid in the ring and I enjoyed his work.
Maven- I never liked the guy for some reason, and those bushy eyebrows didn't help. His highlight would be eliminating the Undertaker at the Royal Rumble. I see him getting picked up by TNA in a heartbeat. He showed charisma as a heel, and probably the most surprising of the releases.
Mark Jindrak- He was doomed the moment they gave him the Luger gimmick. Amazing how he was positioned once to be a member of evolution. His highlights would have to be in WCW when he teamed with O'Haire. I don't think I even remember anything significant about this guy since he lost to Mordechai at last years JudgementDay, managed by Teddy Long.
Spike Dudley- Arguably the best bumper in modern wrestling history. But unfortunatley, they only place I see this guy winding up is at the next ECW PPV, or working for AOL trying to retain cancelling subscribers.
Kevin "Mordecai" Fertig- So much went into pushing this guy, and it just wound up being another wrestlecrap entry. He looked like a chubby kid in the face, and was a disaster from the get go. I see this guy being snacthed by TNA and feuding with Abyss.
Maven was easily worse in the ring than Jindrak. I liked him, and he had a great dropkick, but he had nothing else. He should never have been called to the main roster. His transitions were terrible. The rest, meh. What can you do? They might make good pickups for TNA, that's the best you can hope for them. Kidman isn't even a size barrier issue, he's just an unhappy looking fella. He never seemed excited or motivated in the ring, heel or face. He has lacked the intensity for years now. It was like, he doesn't want to be here, but he's got no place else to go. If you can manage to do a inverted flip and land on a guy, and still look bored, you're in the wrong line of work. Torrie shouldn't have to resign, how is that fair?
Spike is a real surprise though, you'd think he'd have built up enough goodwill over the years with his risks that he'd be kept around. Plus, yes, Spike is small, but he's so small that it's more of an advantage than a weakness. He's ridiculously small, he's not just garden-variety small like Shannon Moore. Spike's a guy you can send out there to get heat on a heel and it's more or less automatic, off the first stiff bump, and Spike can endure these bumps, which is another major positive. No major neck surgeries, not much time on IR. So a tough, durable performer whose physical stature makes him stand out and who can put heat on anyone you want him to...I would think you'd always want to keep a guy like that around.
If I'm Gangrel, I am the happiest SOB on Earth. He probably made seventy-five G's to do one damn run-in. That's approaching the level of the Time Warner couch money contracts after the WCW buyout. He cannot feel sad. He done stuck it to the man.
Hot Virgins-The World's Most Steadily Shrinking Commodity
I think TNA is way more likely to go after Moore (who is friends with Jeff Hardy, right?) and Akio (assuming he didn't burn too many bridges on his way out) than they are guys like Fertig and Maven and, hopefully, Jindrak. The X Division could really use some good, fresh blood and TNA's new booking is reportedly re-focusing on the division.
For now, I think there's a surplus of non-main-eventing, non-X guys; TNA doesn't need any more.
This may, of course, be wishful thinking on my part, and we'll be seeing Fertig/Jindrak taking on Phi Delta Slam for the tag titles three months from now.
(I doubt we'll see Gangrel anytime soon, either; he's shown up in TNA a couple of times, but purely to job, and it's not like his WWE run-in added any to his name value.)
--K
Last 5 movies seen: Bride & Prejudice - Prozac Nation - The Narrow Margin (1952) - Sleuth - Blackboard Jungle
Originally posted by TheCaptainOfEvilThey headlined Velocity week after week with action that made the British Bulldogs look like Bullshit(ZING!).
You must be joking, surely?
I doubt you're a ROH fan,not an insiult it's just if you'd seen them wrestle at there full potential you wouldn't think I was joking. WWE never let's most CW wrestlers perform to thier full pontential that's why CW matches last about half as long as regular matches in the WWE even though that doesn't make sense since smaller wrestler have better conditioning and would be able to wrestle long matches without gassing out.
I began this year with a rather ambitious goal, "To be the best there is at what I do and find out what exactly that is!" It aint gonna be easy....nothing worth having ever is.- Wolverine(issue #123 "Better Than Best")
Thread ahead: Tasteless in the extreme... (SD! SPOILER WARNING!) Next thread: Who created the Muscle Buster? Previous thread: Cornette in the doghouse (again)
Maybe they are going to use OVW do get some of the old ECW guys like Storm ready for the ECW ppv they are supposed to be doing? I think the only way I'd check it out is if Storm and Malenko were to come out of retirement for one night.
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