Bleacher Report - Shawn Michaels

WWE Bloggers, Calm Down!

Nick Haynes — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:07:18 -0500

If you read wrestling blogs on the Internet, you're well aware that Triple H is a freeloader who simply married the boss's daughter to make himself champion.

Likewise, you would also know that the Kliq ran roughshod in the '90s over guys with talent, simply because it had the boss's ear.

Guys like Hulk Hogan and John Cena do absolutely nothing for the business, but Vince McMahon puts them at the top because they were and are his friends.

I can also show you blogs that insist that 9/11 was a government conspiracy, and that the best way of giving birth is in ocean waters with the assistance of dolphins. They would have about as much validity as those wrestling "truths".

Wrestling bloggers fail to realize two crucial points.

1. Vince McMahon Is, First and Foremost, a Businessman

If you're not familiar with the history of wrestling prior to the rise of the WWF in the 1980s, let me provide you with some background. Rather than one national promotion like the current WWE, you had several regional promotions (territories).

It was considered an unwritten law that you would not take your promotion into another territory. You had your good promoters, and your bad promoters. Your good promoters (like Vince McMahon Sr.) promoted good business ethics.

Your bad promoters were unsavory characters who would knife you if they thought you were about to cut into their territory.

In that climate, Vince McMahon bought out his father when his father got ready to sell the promotion, and proceeded to start building a national promotion, buying out his competitors left and right.

He bought other promotions, and continued to expand. He took a marginally decent promotion and turned it into a billion-dollar phenomenon that is recognized around the world. He did so in the face of potential bankruptcy, death threats, and the U.S. government seeking to shut him down on several occasions.

In short, he clawed his way to the top against every single imaginable obstacle put in his path.

Do you honestly think that he's going to let his business go to hell because one of the wrestlers is whispering sweet nothings into the ear of his daughter?

As a matter of fact, Vince, HHH, and family members addressed those concerns on the McMahon DVD. They were concerned about the appearance of impropriety as well.

In fact, HHH dating and marrying the boss's daughter was a potentially horrible career move on the part of HHH.

What if they were to break up? Would there be any animosity that would negatively impact business? And, if they were meant for each other, what would everyone say about HHH?

The fact of the matter is that many people who comment on their marriage, and on nepotism in general, usually have never been in such a situation.

While there are some notable examples of nepotism getting someone to a place they didn't deserve—Jeff Jarrett comes to mind—having a relative or friend in a position to influence your career usually is a hindrance, specifically because relatives have to be harder on you so that they don't appear to favor you.

Like I said before, Vince McMahon is a ruthless businessman. I can't doubt for a second that he wouldn't hesitate to show HHH the door if HHH didn't deserve his spot.

To put a finish on point No. 1, you have several well-known wrestlers and backstage personnel—Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Lance Storm, Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, etc.—who talk about HHH being in charge one day. They all endorse the idea, since they say HHH has one of the best minds for the business.

On the other side, you have Scott Steiner, B.G. James, Billy Gunn, and Internet bloggers—folks who have never drawn a dime and have about as much wrestling ability as myself. Case closed.

2. Backstage Politicians Are a Detriment to the Business, and Wrestling Ability Should Prevail Over Everything Else

On the Heartbreak & Triumph DVD, there is a good moment when Shawn Michaels talks about his early days.

In those days—and I would also assume today—Vince McMahon had a makeshift office in the day's arena, and if you needed something, you waited in line.

Usually, you never got a shot, because the stars of the company like Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, etc., were notorious for ignoring the line and walking right inside.

One day, Michaels decided to do the same thing. When he went in, he asked McMahon what he needed to do to become a big star. He felt he was giving it his all but wasn't going anywhere.

He said (paraphrasing), "Anything I need to do, I'll do it. Just tell me what I need to do."

McMahon's response? "You just did it."

Vince is a guy who's drawn to guys with a passion for the business, and with the sack to see what they want and go after it no matter what the consequences.

Let me give you an example. Let's say you're running a business, and you have a top-notch promotion and premium clientele who are looking to use your business. You have to choose between two employees.

The first employee is a salesman who sits there every day, goes out and does his best, but never tries to help the business by giving ideas or imparting to you the passion he has for your business.

The second employee is a salesman who is eager, always has ideas on things the business can do to grow and bring in new customers, and shows you his passion through his words and deeds.

Which guy would you promote? I don't know about you, but I'm going to give the promotion to the second guy.

One of the reasons the Kliq was so big was because they were guys with a 24/7 passion for the business, and Vince saw it.

The four or five of them (Vince excluded) rode up and down the roads together. They flew together, they were always talking about the business, and they didn't hesitate to approach Vince with ideas, and Vince liked that.

Jericho's current—and most successful—character was his own doing, and simply having the balls to propose it to Vince.

When WWF hired Mick Foley, they originally wanted him to be Mason the Mutilator. Foley had the sack to propose his own ideas, thus turning the character into Mankind.

The Stone Cold character was a result of Steve Austin watching an HBO documentary on a serial killer and coming up with a "cold-hearted bastard" outlook on life. He proposed it to McMahon and the creative team, and the rest is history.

Many of the most successful gimmicks or lines were simply a wrestler who took the meager scraps from the creative team and ran with them.

While I think the creative team and WWE management might have a serious dislike for some of the wrestlers, they are usually willing to give anyone a shot, so long as they prove that they're serious, that they're good, and that they don't need to be held by the hand in order to be successful.

McMahon isn't going to put someone in there that can't draw money. As much as some of us "wrestling purists" would love to watch nothing but five-star classics, the fact of the matter is that WWE, like every other promotion, is a business. And the first rule of business is to make as much money as possible.

Whether you like it or not, John Cena draws money and crowds. Hulk Hogan drew money and crowds. HHH draws money and crowds. They are in those spots because they are the people the audience wants to see.

If there are no people paying no money, there will be no show, which then means no Kofi Kingston, or CM Punk, or Randy Orton, or any one of a number of other superstars who I consider to be great enough to make me willing to tolerate John Cena, thus proving that "backstage politicians" serve a purpose as well.

At the end of the day, it's McMahon's call, and it's McMahon's business. He's not going to put a jobber into a permanent main event slot simply because he knows a friend.

But, McMahon might be willing to give that jobber a shot at proving that he is more than just a jobber. The jobber simply has to be willing to go out on a limb and take a chance, and be willing to possibly fail in order to prove he can succeed.

Wrestling bloggers need to calm down. McMahon isn't always right, but he is right far more often than he is wrong.

Step back, calm thyself, and take a rational look at the situation. Then, if that fails, realize that you're sitting in your boxers writing words for an audience that is, at best, 1/1000th the size of Raw's viewership, and that McMahon will be swimming tonight in a pool of self-earned $100 bills, a la Scrooge McDuck.

I think Vince has everything under control.

Read more Shawn Michaels news on BleacherReport.com

Notes from the Lost Dossier: A Great Escape or Pushed Too Far Too Fast?

Sulayman H. — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:33:17 -0500

“There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction"
-Winston Churchill

It’s the same old situation and a different complaint each day, they call out in hopes that their prayers are answered and they are delivered exactly what they want.

It doesn’t work that way; it never has.

It’s always for the greater good, but who knows or dares to dream of what is to come? Nothing works out the way we want it to but it’s no use crying over spilled milk. Instead, I’ll look forward to what comes tomorrow be it excitement or disappointment.

The tattered remains of a once great journal stood before me, the dossier that once held some of the most captivating texts was now destroyed. Inscribed on the corners were plans for something, some sort of iro—ugh, I can’t even make out what’s written.

After countless nights spent in deciphering what would come to pass in the world of professional wrestling, I came to realize that it’s almost foolish to predict what’s going to happen next. Jesse Ventura was correct in saying ‘never say never’ but this was just too much for anyone to take in at once.

The riots continue outside; for those who wanted change, they sure know how to turn on their words very quickly. They were ignored; they’ll be ignored again just like they were before.

Not one but four prisoners escaped; vanished without a trace vowing to never be shackled again.

It was everywhere, like a cancer, the news spread and before the masses had time to really get their ‘Sheamus is whiter than my sign’ banners, they were subdued .

Change isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it is perhaps the questionable conditions by which those alterations came into play that we should be worried about.

It was everywhere, on the radio, the Internet, the television, and the dirt sheets were ablaze with talks to the point that it would surrender one to think that a war was coming.

Reporter: Sergeant! Sergeant Slaughter! Your thoughts on what is being dubbed as the great escape?

Sgt. Slaughter: We have received information that both Shawn Michaels and Triple H have helped two of the four, I knew it! Those two were never to be trusted!

Reporter: Serge, what about Kofi?

Sgt.: His Ghanaian connections have a lot of political pull, his people or ‘fans’ as he calls them demanded his escape so an agent was sent in, we have no info. on said agent.

Reporter: Is it true that you are on the hunt for the elusive Captain Charisma?

Sgt. (gazes at the reporter’s tie which has a CC monogram): That son of bi— he’s helped break out one of the most athletically gifted athletes. *pauses to wipe the sweat of his upper lip quickly and sits down* There’s no stopping him now.

The phone rings and startles me; I look around and realize I’m still in bed and find myself staring at the sergeant rambling on TV.

Me: Hello?

Commissioner: We need you at the station, now.

Me: What about the Dossier?

Commissioner: Just bring it; it may be of some use to us. We need to know how they broke out; the hounds will take care of the rest.

I arrive at the station promptly and begin my work only to notice my inbox is filled with post-its. Detective Juan passes by and mutters something about Ms. Claire Publications.

I put the dossier in the desk drawer and turn my focus to the newly placed folder on my desk.

Me: Look, if sergeant says Shawn and Hunt—

Commissioner: No! You listen to me! I don’t care how you do it but Hunter will be cleared of all charges. Get it?

Me: And what of Kingston and Benjamin?

Commissioner: What of them? It’s not like they’ve paid their dues, they are the top priority, blah blah, blah…

I zoned out after he said ‘paid their dues’ and for good reason. Shelton and Kingston need not be chased, they are innocent, they have served their sentence, and now they are destined for great things.

Kingston was destined to escape eventually, his people had demanded it. I remember the protests that were held a few months ago, I had attended one of those rallies but all I can remember of that day was something to do with sweet meats or something.

What was it again?

I pulled out the dossier and scanned through the pages at the back which I had been using to jot down my thoughts.

15/3/09 D.S. starts a rally:

“We will not be denied, if Kofi is the steak, we are the SIZZLE.”

Why was I there again? Never mind.

It’s only a matter of time before their hard work pays off but how to apprehend the Celtic Warrior?

How to you capture such an unstoppable force of destruction? How do you stop a man whose intensity can only be matched by the indomitable Brock Lesnar?

Facts are facts, no matter how we choose to dissect them; they remain standing still like the pillars of an ancient foundation. Both men found themselves on the path to championship gold in the same time frame; what remains to be seen is whether Sheamus will follow in the footsteps of the ruthless South Dakotan.

One thing that people seem to forget that Brock had an ace up his sleeve in the form of the demoniac: Paul Heyman.

Heyman not only provided Lesnar with the game plan and establishing his dominance by choosing who to go after but as the mouthpiece of the relentless mercenary and that furthered the mystique surrounding Lesnar in the eyes of all.

Can Sheamus be stopped or is he too destined to be labeled ‘the next big thing?’

I glance at a mug in front of me; like every cup of coffee, it cools down and so will his push; probably.

How to spring a trap for the senile Scotsman? How can Drew McIntyre be stopped?

I was allowed to view some of the evidence tapes and from that, I can make out that McIntyre doesn’t seem like an immediate threat yet he’s still out there and the possibilities are endless if it was indeed the infamous duo of HBK and HHH that had unobtrusively fashioned a route out for the 6 ft. 6 genetic dissenter.

What was shocking is that within a mere two months of his capture, he was able to escape. That’s probably why the sergeant concluded that it was an inside job. Only the prisoners so accustomed to the maddening structure would know exactly how to break out.

On the flip side, rumors can be nothing more than what they are.

What of Shelton? Where does it leave him ? Need I say more?

Seven long years of wait and he’s escaped only to be apprehended again?

Enough is enough.

I’m burning his file along with Kingston’s. I’m dumping the old standard because, frankly, it’s time for a new one.

Sheamus, McIntyre, Kofi, and Shelton: the four who flew over the cuckoo’s nest.

Read more Shawn Michaels news on BleacherReport.com

Randy Orton Rips Into Kofi Kingston In What "Should" Be His Next WWE Promo

Ryan Michael — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:09:29 -0500

Monday Night Raw opens to a standing ovation as the people in Baltimore, Maryland await the introduction to the night's live event.

While it seems as though everyone in the arena is excited for the upcoming program, their dwells one man backstage who appears to be less than enthusiastic.

A video is played on the titantron to recap the events of the previous week's program which is then followed by an elaborate display of fireworks that works the crowd into frenzy.

Much to the disappointment of the thousands in attendance, the program begins (much as it did last week) with the sound of Randy Orton's entrance music.

Randy Orton begins to slowly make his way down to the ring, looking much different than he has in recent months.

His hair looks to be a little bit longer, his five o'clock shadow more pronounced, and he has gone back to wearing jeans (instead of trunks) with his usual "gas mask" t-shirt.

Gone is the generic "grumpy" Randy Orton facial expression which has been replaced with that evil look in his eyes (think back to the night he broke Batista's arm).

He makes his way into the ring and picks up the microphone to begin his promo...

"Kofi Kingston.

It saddens me that this issue between the two of us has had to continue, but then again, there are a number of things I regret having done over the past few weeks.

You know, my father always told me that there comes a time in life when a man has to take responsibility for his actions. And he was right.

It was wrong of me to jump you from behind the night after Bragging Rights.

I took an unsuspecting man and threw him off the stage in a fit of rage.

I'll admit it; I've been having a bit of an issue with self-control lately.

Had I taken the time to think things through, perhaps I wouldn't have let my issues with self-control dictate my actions.

For that Kofi Kingston, I must say that I am sorry.

I'm sorry for throwing you off of the stage like that, those actions were not fitting of a man who deserves to be champion.

I'm sorry Kofi Kingston, that I didn't do worse.

I allowed my issue with self-control to get the better of me.

Here I stood a 6'4 former champion and I pitied the little man who cost him team a victory at Bragging Rights.

Sure I was upset that you decided to interfere in my championship match with John Cena but it was my pity that allowed you to remain conscious.

My mistakes than managed to continue week after week.

I underestimated you which should come as little surprise. After all, what did I have to be intimidated by?

A man who has held the United States championship, the Intercontinental championship?

Santino Marella held the Intercontinental championship so don't even get me started Kofi Kingston!

Until Survivor Series, you had done absolutely nothing.

I've main-evented Wrestlemania, three times! You couldn't main event a house-show!

Your "fluke" victory over me at Survivor Series will prove to be your undoing.

Shawn Michaels might like to call himself the "main-event" but I am the one who has carried this company for the past two years!

When was the last time any of you people spent your hard earned money to buy a PPV that wasn't main-evented by me?

And now I have to deal you Kofi Kingston?

Your actions over the last few weeks have been reprehensible.

First you were upset that I attacked you instead of being grateful that I allowed you to remain an active part of this roster, so what did you do?

You decided to destroy my car!

You caused thousands of dollars worth of damage because you were upset that I got involved in your business after you got involved in mine.

Let me ask you something Kofi Kingston, do you really think I would have wasted my time putting my hands on you had you not gotten involved in my match?

But you did Kofi, you did decide to stick your nose in my business and for that you paid a price.

What kind of example were you setting for all these young children who look up to you when they see you destroying valuable property?

How many children do you think thought it was cool to see someone they look up to destroy a motor vehicle?

Now Kofi, it doesn't really matter to me what any of these people think of me, but at least I don't go around pretending to care.

Then, all those same people who look up to you, were the same people you put in danger a few weeks later.

Think back Kofi.

YOU decided to get involved in my business with Roddy Piper.

YOU decided to save someone who has done far worse things than I ever have and why?

So you could try to put your hands on me.

You knew you couldn't compete with me one on one so you decided that one of your typical "sneak attacks" would give you the upper hand.

But that Kofi Kingston, wasn't enough.

You could have faced me one on one in the ring but you were smart enough to take me out of my element.

The same ring that I have defeated countless legends in was not a place where you were brave enough to face me.

You had to bring the fight outside the ring and in the process you endangered the very people that seem to care about you.

It was YOU who threw me into the live crowd at Madison Square Garden.

It was YOU who brought a dangerous physical confrontation right next to the women and children in the audience.

It was all fair game to you so long as you got to instigate another fight.

You felt perfectly comfortable throwing punches next to a live crowd of people who had nothing to do with your little issue.

I tried to bring the fight back to the ring but you would have nothing of it.

You threw me back over the guard-rail a second time and continued to put all of those people in jeopardy."

Orton begins to draw a lot of heat from the crowd who are reacting as though his accusations are inaccurate.

He responds...

"You people think I'm making this up?

Roll the footage!"

The titantron plays the footage of Kofi Kingston's brawl with Randy Orton at Madison Square Garden.

"The footage doesn't lie Kofi.

It was YOU who decided to risk to well-being of all those fans, and for that you should be ashamed of yourself.

But our story didn't end there.

You picked up a "fluke" victory at Survivor Series, something that would NEVER happen if you were to face me one on one right here in the middle of this ring.

Then you cost me the chance to win back MY title last week.

So now the time has come Kofi Kingston.

As sick as it might make me to have to soil myself by competing against the likes of you, I'm willing to do it if it means I don't have to see your face ever again.

You can join Ric Flair and the countless other people I've put on the shelf by staying at home every Monday night and watching me continue to achieve my destiny.

My destiny is the WWE Championship, you're just a temporary fix.

After I take out whatever is left of you come TLC, the board of directors will have no choice but to give me another shot at my title.

You might not like it Kofi Kingston, but I want you to remember something important.

When you’re sitting at home, a broken man and your family wonders why you can't run quite as fast or why you can’t jump quite as high, I want you to tell them that it is because of the decisions that you made.

Allow your family to learn from your mistakes, allow yourself to be another example of what happens when someone decides to get involved in my business.

I might have apologized to you earlier tonight Kofi Kingston but I assure you that after I put you down as TLC, there will be no more apologies to be given.

That is, if you're even conscious enough to understand anything after I’m done with you."

Disclaimer:

Please be aware that the above scripted promo is 100 percent fictitious.

Randy Orton portrays a villainous character on television, therefore the promo is intended to be reflective of how such a character might choose to voice himself.

In no way do I endorse any of the comments or views presented within the promo as the entire script was created for the sole purpose of entertainment.

Thank you for your understanding.

Note to World Wrestling Entertainment:

Did you like the promo? If so, feel free to contact me directly at bleacherreporter@yahoo.com if you have any interest in my creative writing services.

Read more Shawn Michaels news on BleacherReport.com

Killing Them Softly: DX Must Be Allowed to Die Once and For All

Sulayman H. — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:12:26 -0500

Note: The opinions expressed here are concerning the team of DX together, not Shawn Michaels and Triple H individually, I mean come on ...by themselves, they rock —hard.

Nothing lasts forever.

We as humans have become too familiar with that statement, be it a loss of a friend, a loved one, or just about anything that has been present in the long term, we understand that one day it has to dwindle into nonexistence.

Just like fine wine, we get better with time.

That proclamation doesn’t apply with Degeneration X’s current state. The way in which their return was brought about had me thinking that the tag team division would recover regardless of whether it would be one crotch crop at a time.

The prospect of having them hold the tag titles and then passing the torch to an up and coming tag team would put said team so over the moon they wouldn't be able to take it all in.

They didn’t enter the tag team scene, though.

But they did grapple with Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes in a spell of matches which thrilled the fans of the WWE all the while transforming Legacy into a plausible duo.

Summerslam, Bragging Rights, and Hell in a Cell showcased their ability to work together and put on a show along with Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes.

Until then my assumption remained true but when Shawn and Hunter were thrown into a match with Cena, I was left wondering what would become of a division that’s been built and damaged too many times?

When the Triple Threat match was over, we were told that DX would be facing JeriShow at TLC (T otally L azy C oncept of a PPV?) and that it would be for the unified tag titles which leads me to ask one question: What’s up with that?

With all the hoopla made over the opening of the triple threat bout at Survivor Series and people calling bull on RAW after all the tension between Michaels and HHH was not sold, this match could either be the start of a long running feud that leads to the title changing hands at the Royal Rumble (or Wrestlemania, depends on what qualifies as a long running feud these days).

Or it could be another opportunity to explore the tensions between Jericho and Big Show, creating a situation where hostility between Michaels and Helmsley reaches a point where it no longer can be ignored.

The word on the grapevine would indicate the second scenario might actually be an eventuality which would be just great.

At this point, let me make one thing clear.

Degeneration X needs to die, once and for all—which means no complete reunions. I’m -alright with a one night appearance but putting those two clowns (don’t look at your monitor like that) together would be the height of "just too much for me to handle."

Why?

I get not being able to be cutting edge, vulgar and raunchy but this version of DX (which would be around 4.0, I think) is bland, boring, unfunny, and just plain unbearable.

Shawn’s character has been dialed down to a bumbling fool outside the ring who resorts to ensuing in unfunny gags with his "bestest" buddy Triple H (who slept his way to the top if you didn’t already know, tee hee), like getting served with papers for little people’s court.

I guess they had to do something for Judge Verne Troyer next week, but how does JeriShow fit into all of this?

My guess is that they probably don’t.

Hear that?

I get it, WWE is PG now and they want to send a positive message to the mainstream media to show that they “care.” I know DX moves merchandise, and money is king in the land of sports entertainment or in any other land for that matter.

But how many times can you resurrect something and make it more pathetic until it can’t be made to look like more of a joke than it already is?

For how long can they pretend that we like watching such garbage?

Hopefully, we’ll be seeing the end of Degeneration X at TLC; for now.

Degeneration X needs to die, once and for all, although HHH and HBK are doing a pretty first-rate job of killing it in the first place.

It's about time, break it (them) down.

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