On The Take Returns: Talking About Titles

Hey Guys,

After a long absence, I'm back to give you some more opinions on the world of sports as I see it. I have also decided to bring back the title of my previous, all-wrestling (which will now cover hockey as well) Column, On The Take. Hope you enjoy this 4th edition, but the first dual sport version of the column.

Before getting to my topic today, I'd like to say a few things regarding the hockey world. Joe Sakic decided to return for one more season. Colorado fans sigh of relief could've fueled a storm over the entire Rocky Mountains. I like Sakic, I really do. I'm glad he's returning. I just hope this one year deal thing doesn't give any oldies who DON'T have the skill and leadership of Sakic any ideas.

Sakic, like Steve Yzerman, is a one-team superstar, and if he does retire this year, at least he'll do it right and we'll get to see him help the younger Avs players prepare and get better for next season when players like Paul Stasny will be expected to step up in a major way.

Also, Mats Sundin...wow, he's making me angrier by the day with his lack of decisiveness. At first, his actions, notably not leaving Toronto when he should  have, at least got a mixed reaction from the media. Now, I see Sundin as a player capable of high point totals. Therefore, a trade last season for two or three younger players about to hit their prime would've been just the thing for Toronto. Now we'll never know, and worse, the longer this goes, the better the chance the Leafs will lose their star Captain...for nothing. What a waste. I hope Sundin makes his mind up sooner rather than later. Now with that said, the purpose for my column today: WWE's use of titles.

Many in the wrestling community are already angry enough that the World tag team titles are afterthoughts, where they were once coveted by Demolition, the Legion of Doom, The Hart Foundation, Edge and Christian, among other fantastic tag teams. Now, they are scarcely defended, even on PPV, and with very little fanfare. At least the storyline right now is working. Ted Dibiase and Cody Rhodes each have something to offer in the ring, and Cryme Tyme has fan support as they fight to earn the titles...even if they stole them to get a match. But there's the same problem: What other team is there?? Santino/Carlito were split, and Carlito isn't even appearing on SD! Hardcore Holly, who I would love to see return to get some revenge on Cody, may be on the way out after all he's done for the company. That in itself is a travesty in my opinion. Holly was never a believable main-eventer, but he's given a lot to the company since his debut in the early 90's as a racecar driver who moonlighted as a wrestler. If there is any sense left in Vince McMahon's head, he'll let Holly return, do some damage and be respected on the way out. It's only fair. But then, when is life ever fair??

I have a solution for the tag team situation. Take that other title, which was a mistake to begin with, and have a unification match. The brand extension doesn't have to end to do this, and with one tag team title over 3 brands, the competition can only get better. SD! has three or four viable tag team contenders, wheras RAW goes through one feud at a time. I want the glory days back when the tag titles meant something. Increase Competition, Vince, keep one title, stop adding!!

The World title picture looks fine. Triple H has many believable contenders, like Jeff Hardy, Umaga, MVP, Undertaker, Edge...and the shock here is this Sunday, only a few of them are in the scramble match. Adding new blood is smart, but it seems WWE's writers are trying too hard at times to make stars, with all the injuries. I'm talking about taking tag team star Brian Kendrick, and adding a "The" to his name. Kendrick is a fast ergized star to be sure, and he has skills that bigger stars don't have. But he's too green. His first storyline, a World title match??? That may be a death blow to him if he doesn't do well Sunday. I hope I'm wrong, because I like him as an athlete. But Brian Kendrick in the Scramble is too soon, and it could cost some people their jobs at Unforgiven when he doesn't win.

Then we have RAW. Cena was injured, but the angle with Rey saved them. Batista is still being pushed hard as a monster you don't want to face. Now Kane is just as powerful. It's about time!! RAW has been the flagship for a long time, and after Unforgiven, I think it could cement itself as the better show with a few very well booked matches. Whereas the SD! title is really Triple H vs Jeff Hardy, Anyone could win the RAW match. Rey and Kane are least likely because they have a feud going, Kane was just a champion, and Rey just came back. But, Batista is The Animal again. JBL is still not title material, but he lost to Punk the other night, so he is due for a real win. His match with Punk at SummerSlam, both impressed me. Punk is not being used properly, despite being champion. This makes me think they're waiting for the perfect time to pull the plug on his reign. Hopefully, not this weekend. This match could make or break Punk's career in WWE at this point, so I'm looking forward to it.

The IC Title hasn't been defended at WM sinc 2002, a PPV I attended. RVD vs William Regal was the match, Regal crying was the result. Even at that PPV, where was the IC Title match?? The curtain jerker. How Rude!! This title is my all-time favourite, and I hope Santino/Kingston continues...adding D-Lo would've been nice, but you get what you get.

Now the crux of the article. The reason I'm so angry about the title use in the first place. One brand was brought back from the dead. Original stars were getting chances to wrestle better matches, mixed in with young studs. The formula was working, considering it was a one-hour show. Then Vince pressed the button he'd has finger on all along, effectively destroying his toughest competition, making it a totally different brand, losing many of the fans in the process.

But the biggest screw-up in ECW was not the musical chair usage of Mike Adamle; It happened at SummerSlam. Mark Henry, a guy who'd never been given a role this important, was to face Matt Hardy for the ECW title. I prefer the old look, but whatever. I was looking forward to a good fight. We all got something else.

First: It lasted less than a minute, making the Champion look worthless. Next, Atlas had to save the title, adding more flak to the reign of the current champion. Finally, the end of it turned into a farce of a fight-although the suplex on 400 pound Mark Henry was cool-with Atlas getting in on it, despite being less than worthy at this point in his career. He's a HOF'er, but who actually thought he could beat up Matt Hardy by himself for long, let alone fight off both Hardy's??

The ECW Title may as well been turned brown that night because, that whole thing stunk. At a Big 4 PPV, no less, a world title was made to look like nothing but a prop. Inexcusable.

WWE will have a chance to make up for it this Sunday with their own Scramble match, where Henry will likely finally lose his title.

The Miz winning it would be just as bad as that joke of a match at SummerSlam.

In any event, SD! vs RAW 09 is on the way, and the NHL 09 EA Sports entry is coming in mere days. Another thing I'm waiting for is Mr. Perfect's DVD. He was a true champion, when the titles were more appendages than props.

Maybe WWE's current writers should look up the word champion, before they try too hard to fix what isn't broken.

Until next time, this is your Crowd Coach saying, Have Fun.