By Jerome Wilen

What I have felt has been the best wrestling night in televison has come to an end.  Yes, while I do agree that the WWE version of ECW wasn’t working as a ratings draw.  The hardcore longtime wrestling fans never really accepted the branded verison of ECW even when they first tried it with the TV-MA format back in 2006 and really drew criticism when the WWE changed last June back to TVPG.  The big question was how could you make a program ‘extreme’ under a PG format?  Being on at 10:00pm, they could have used a little blood and maybe a hardcore match or two which more moderate violence by still maintaining the PG theme.

The WWE could not re-create what Paul Heyman did with the original ECW. Would have things been different if the WWE used the WCW name instead?  Probably not. 

I will miss the show that I felt had the best action over RAW and SmackDown.  I do look forward to ‘NXT’ which is a new version of tough enough that will makes it debut on February 23rd.  I am excited to see some talent from Florida Championship Wrestling that have potetial to be the future of the WWE that could end up on RAW or SmackDown.

By Jerome Wilen

ECW did it again this past week.  ECW continues to be the show to watch.  I wish that the WWE and SyFy would take a better look at this show and make it either two hours or back to the old school days and give it and extra 30 minutes.  The main event with Christian and Ezekiel Jackson was great.  I did not read the spoilers and I am glad that I didn’t.  ECW takes me back to the old school days.  The show is packed with great action and suspense. 

The best part of the match was when Christian’s head was up against the ring post and Jackson kicked Christian in the face and the back of his hit the ring post.  This is what the WWE and SyFy need to do more of to give the show that Extreme feel.

By Jerome Wilen

The best wrestling action this week for WWE TV was once again ECW.  There has been a lot of talk and spectulation that both SyFy and the WWE are going to re-brand ECW.  Other rumors are that the WWE and SyFy could drop the ECW name or cancel ECW.  The WWE and SyFy would be making a big mistake in cancelling this show.  While I did not catch RAW, I did watch ECW and SmackDown.  ECW had the best action and kept my interest for the entire hour. 

ECW showcases a lot of very good young up and coming talent with a mix of veterans.  While I do agree that the letters E-C-W really does not fit, a re-branded name might work better.  The WWE could use WCW since they own the rights to the name, but it may devert people from watching who had a ‘bad taste left in their mouths’ when the company began to go sour in 1999. 

They could showcase more talent from their developmental affiliate, Florida Championship Wrestling, using the FCW titles on TV, start the show an hour earlier again and expand it another hour and call it either FCW or Tuesday Titans which Andy Knowles from the Pro Wrestling Rewind radio show had suggested on a past show.  

One talent on ECW that I think is getting overlooked is Byron Saxton who replaced Matt Stryker who went to SmackDown following Jim Ross leaving because of medical issues.  I understand Byron was doing commentary at FCW.  I like Byron’s neutral side.  He supports both the heels and the faces, but tends to be that suttle heal like TNA attempted to do with Don West, but failed.

ECW deserves more credit that what it gets and the WWE should give it amore  big time feel each week and more time on PPV.

By Jerome Wilen

Monday January 4th was a historic night.  Two wrestling shows in the same night.  It was the night of surprise which is something that has been missing from wrestling since the original Monday night war eight years ago – as you never knew who was going to show up on WCW Nitro when that show was in it prime before tanking in the ratings.

TNA not only took viewers from RAW, they also made the WWE step up their game, something that has been missing since Nitro went off the air.  Having another show live on Monday nights brings out the best in Vince McMahon.  Now reports indicate that TNA is going to have another live Monday night show in March. 

TNA should not wait so long, as they can easily lose the momentum and not be taken seriously.

SPIKE should listen to Hogan and Bischoff, make the switch now.

AS I SEE IT
Bob Magee
Pro Wrestling: Between the Sheets
PWBTS.com

As 2009 moves into 2010, it’s time for the 13th annual AS I SEE IT Year-End Review. As usual, I should note that my selections are based on what I’ve actually seen this year, either live, online, on TV, or via tape/DVD; which primarily means North American wrestling.

2009 PROMOTION OF THE YEAR:
WWE, by default.

WWE wins by default in being the only real national touring wrestling company that turns out a reasonably succesful and consistent product….even with its many faults. Dragon Gate USA hasn’t run enough shows to call them a promotion as of yet. Previous long term winner Ring of Honor has yet to recover from firing Gabe Sapolsky. Crowds in Philadelphia are down to the point where tickets are given away to get people to come to the TV tapings at the ECW Arena…a market where fans were willing to pay premium fans to come to the Northeast Armory to see house shows. God willing in 2010 that Jim Cornette’s presence has a measurable positive effect in returning Ring of Honor to a level approaching where it used to be.

# 2008 winner: Ring of Honor
# 2007 winner: Ring of Honor
# 2006 winner: Ring of Honor
# 2005 winner: Ring of Honor
# 2004 winner: Ring of Honor
# 2003 winner: Ring of Honor
# 2002 winner: Ring of Honor
# 2001 winner: WWF
# 2000 winner: WWF
# 1999 winner: WWF
# 1998 winner: WWF
# 1997 winner: WCW

Awards for the decade: WWF/E 3, Ring of Honor 7

2009 WRESTLER OF THE YEAR:
Chris Jericho, WWE

How many wrestlers are there who you actually look forward to seeing each and every time they appera on your screen…or live in an arena? Chris Jericho epitomizes a great heel in the classic sense. He insults fans, wrestlers, and then backs it up, both in storyline and in the ring for smart fans that know they get their money’s worth. Between his matches with Ricky Steamboat (a personal mark-out moment to watch Steamboat one more time), his program with Rey Mysterio, his Jerishow tag team with the Big Show he carried the year for me.

# 2008 winner: “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson, Ring of Honor
# 2007 winner: “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson, Ring of Honor
# 2006 winner: “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson, Ring of Honor/Pro Wrestling NOAH/Full Impact Pro
# 2005 winner: Samoa Joe, Ring of Honor/TNA/independent
# 2004 winner: Chris Benoit, WWE
# 2003 winner: AJ Styles, NWA-TNA/ROH/Zero-One/independent
# 2002 winner: Kurt Angle, WWE
# 2001 winner: Chris Jericho, WWF
# 2000 winner: HHH, WWF
# 1999 winner: Chris Benoit, WWF
# 1998 winner: Steve Austin, WWF
# 1997 winner: Eddie Guerrero, WCW

Awards for the decade: WWF/E 5, Ring of Honor 5

2009 WORST WRESTLER OF THE YEAR:
The Great Khali, WWE

Need I say much more? Khali is great for fulfilling Vince McMahon’s big man fetish, and very little else. I’ve seen men or women in wrestling school who can do more in the ring. I’ve seen Mae Young do better comedy (OK, she gets a chuckle, anyway…). Hell, I’ve seen Santino Marella do better comedy. Some would argue that certain episodes of TNA do better comedy without trying.

# 2008 “winner”: The Great Khali , WWE
# 2007 “winner”: Adam “Pacman” Jones, TNA
# 2006 “winner”: Boogeyman, WWE
# 2005 “winner”: Boogeyman, WWE
# 2004 “winner”: Heidenreich, WWE
# 2003 “winner”: Nathan Jones, WWE
# 2002 “winner” Shane Douglas, Major League Wrestling/XPW
# 2001 “winner”: Buff Bagwell, WCW/WWF/independent
# 2000 “winner”: Kevin Nash, WCW
# 1999 “winner”: Hulk Hogan, WCW
# 1998 “winner”: Giant Silva, WWF
# 1997 “winner”: Hulk Hogan, WCW

“Awards” for the decade: WCW 2, TNA 1 XPW 1, WWE 6

2009 TAG TEAM OF THE YEAR:

American Wolves (Davey Richards/Eddie Edwards), Ring of Honor

Since what role of Davey Richards will play in 2010 is somewhat questionable (co promoter on EVOLVE? singles wrestler in EVOLVE, tag team wrestler in ROH? all of the above?), I wanted to give the American Wolvesone mention at their peak as a tag team.

In the diminished atmosphere of Ring of Honor 2009, this tag team has been one of the highlights of the promotion and has delivered consistently in the ring, with their programs against Kevin Steen/El Generico and The Briscoe Brothers; as well as their MOTY candidate against Bryan Danielson/Tyler Black. Richards also had added great singles matches over the year in Ring of Honor with KENTA and Bryan Danielson, YAMATO and Shingo with Dragon Gate USA. The American Wolves come off like a old-school heel tag team that can back it up in the ring

# 2008 winner: Alex Shelley/Chris Sabin (Motor City Machine Guns), TNA/Ring of Honor
# 2007 winner: Mark and Jay Briscoe, Ring of Honor
# 2006 winner: Austin Aries and Roderick Strong, Ring of Honor
# 2005 winner: America’s Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm), NWA-TNA
# 2004 winner: America’s Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm), NWA-TNA
# 2003 winner: America’s Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm), NWA-TNA
# 2002 winner: Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit, WWE
# 2001 winner: Matt and Jeff Hardy, WWF
# 2000 winner: Matt and Jeff Hardy, WWF
# 1999 winner: Matt and Jeff Hardy, WWF
# 1998 winner: Sabu/Rob Van Dam, ECW
# 1997 winner: Sabu/Rob Van Dam, ECW

Awards for the decade: WWE 3, TNA 4, ROH 3

2009 ANGLE/FEUD OF THE YEAR WINNER

CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy, WWE

This was the hottest feud of the year, and helped transition Punk into his “I’m better than you/straight edge heel” personna. A year’s worth of CM Punk wanting to rescue us from Jeff Hardy was great in the ring and on the mike. Nopw that we’ve enjoyed it for a minute, think about it. In the new squeaky clean, approved by Linda McMahon’s campaign, can’t even have haredway blood in a Hell In The Cell WWE of 2009…that the “straight edge” Punk is the heel… but the Jeff Hardy with drug suspensions (and an drug-related arrest after he left WWE) is the babyface. Even with his contract issues with WWE, Hardy more than held up his share of the program in the ring, and made it a memorable..if all too short feud.

It seems that this feud is being set up to resume, if Hardy becomes free from his legal issues, as there’s been more than a few Punk promos directed at Jeff Hardy, even after Hardy;s departure.

# 2008 winner: Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels, WWE
# 2007 winner: Mark and Jay Briscoe vs. Kevin Steen and El Generico, Ring of Honor
# 2006 winner: CZW-Ring of Honor, CZW and ROH
# 2005 winner: Batista vs. HHH, WWE
# 2004 winner: Chris Benoit vs. HHH vs. Shawn Michaels, WWE
# 2003 winner: Danny Maff “retirement angle”, Jersey All Pro Wrestling, September 27, 2003, Rahway, NJ
# 2002 winner: AJ Styles-Jerry Lynn, NWA-TNA/Ring of Honor
# 2001 winner: ECW turns on WWF, July 9, 2001, Phillips Arena, Atlanta, WWE
# 2000 winner: The Stephanie McMahon-Vince McMahon-Shane McMahon-HHH-Kurt Angle soap opera, WWE
# 1999 winner: Test (Andrew Martin)-Stephanie McMahon wedding angle, WWF
# 1998 winner: Vince McMahon as heel promoter versus Steve Austin, WWF
# 1997 winner: nWo-WCW angle

Awards for the decade: WWE 6, CZW/ROH 1, TNA/ROH 1, JAPW 1

2009 WORST/MOST TASTELESS ANGLE OF THE YEAR

John Bradshaw Layfield “hires” Shawn Michaels because Michaels has “lost his money in bad investments”, WWE.

OK, let me get this straight. As 2009 begins, the unemployment rate is skyrocketing (all the way to 10% official rate by the end of 2009), business after business is closing with people losing jobs by the thousands as a result. Banks are closing (well over 100 by the end of the year).

So what does WWE give fans to take them away from their problems? Exciting matches? New stars?

Oh, I dunno. How about reminding wrestling fans OF their problems each week on Monday Night RAW and on PPV to boot with a storyline that talks about a wrestler who “lost his money in bad investments”?

Along with tasteless, how about just plain stupid? Most fans realize that Shawn Michaels is being paid by Vince McMahon to appear on his wrestling show, so they realize he isn’t exactly destitute. Otherwise, how in the hell was he getting from show to show each week…let alone to PPVs and house shows? Even worse was that the angle reminded adult fans of the fact that they could lose their job at any time…if they haven’t already done so.

Honorable mention goes to the “fake Sarah Palin” on TNA for being ten levels beyond stupid. Way to get over your lead heels by having them believe that another wrestler is the Republican spokesmodel…er, nominee for Vice President.

# 2008 “winner”: Jeff Hardy’s implied pre-show drug overdose…er…”mugging”, Survivor Series, WWE
# 2007 “winner”: The “death” of “Mister McMahon”, WWE
# 2006 “winner” The “Eddie Guerrero storyline”…in all its forms, WWE
# 2005 “winner”: Jim Ross proctology skit and Tim White “suicide” sketches, WWE
# 2004 “winner”: Lita/Kane/Matt Hardy pregnancy/miscarriage angle
# 2003 “winner”: Vince-Stephanie McMahon angle for “control of Smackdown” and father-daughter No Mercy match WWE
# 2002 “winner”: Katie Vick angle, WWF/E
# 2001 “winner”: Vince McMahon “Kiss My Ass” angle, Monday Night RAW, November 19, 26, and 28, WWF
# 2000 “winner”: Stacey Keibler-David Flair and Mark Henry-Mae Young “pregnancy angles”, WWF
# 1999 “winner”: The Paul Wight/Big Bossman “cancer angle”, WWF
# 1998 “winner”: Ric Flair “heart attack” angle and the Hawk/Scott Hall drug angles, WCW/WWF
# 1997 “winner”: DeGenerationX/Nation of Domination “racial angle”, WWF

“Awards” for the decade: WWE 10

2009 MATCHES OF THE YEAR:

WWE- Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels, WWE WrestleMania 25, April 5, 2009, Houston, TX

As much as Undertaker is clearly suffering the physical effects of years in the ring, he can pull out a classic story to tell for a major show. The same goes for Shawn Michaels. The match featured old-school storytelling with a slow build, which made the match and the finish all that much more to anticipate and enjoy.

Independent – Naruki Doi/Masato Yoshino vs. SHINGO/Dragon Kid, Dragon Gate USA Open The Freedom Gate, November 28, 2009, ECW Arena, Philadelphia, PA

These four cranked things up to a speed and execution level that was amazing weith false finishes and with multiple double team spots. This blow-away match topped YAMATO-Davey Richards from earlier in the evening which might well have been my Match of The Year otherwise. The ECW Arena crowd was white-hot for this match. This match was definitely worth buying the PPV for this match alone.

# 2008 winners: (WWE) Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels, WrestleMania 24, Orlando, FL, March 30, 2008; (Independent) Naruki Doi/Masato Yoshino/Genki Horiguchi-CIMA/Dragon Kid/Ryo Saito Supercard of Honor III, Orlando, FL, March 29, 2008
# 2007 winners: WWE: John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels, WWE Monday Night RAW, London, England, April 23, 2008; Independent: Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness, Ring of Honor, June 9, 2008, Philadelphia, PA
# 2006 winners: WWE: Paul London/Brian Kendrick vs. Steven Regal/ David Taylor vs. Hardys vs. MNM, Ladder match for the world tag team titles, WWE Armageddon; Independent: “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson vs. KENTA, Glory By Honor V, New York, NY, September 16, 2006 and CZW/ROH Cage of Death War Games/The Match Beyond match; with Necro Butcher, Chris Hero, Claudio Castagnoli, Nate Webb, Eddie Kingston vs. Samoa Joe, BJ Whitmer, “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson, Adam Pearce, Ace Steele, and Homicide.
# 2005 winners: WWE: Kurt Angle-Shawn Michaels, Wrestlemania XXI Los Angeles, CA, April 3, 2005, Independent: Samoa Joe- Kenta Kobashi, New York, NY, October 1, 2005
# 2004 winners: WWE: Triple H-Chris Benoit-Shawn Michaels, WWE, Wrestlemania XX, March 14, 2004, Madison Square Garden, New York, NY; Independent: CM Punk-Samoa Joe, Ring of Honor, June 12, 2004, Dayton, Ohio and CM Punk-Samoa Joe, Ring of Honor, October 16, 2004, Chicago Ridge, IL (tie)
# 2003 winners: WWE: Chris Benoit-Kurt Angle, WWE Royal Rumble 2003, Boston, MA January 19, 2003; Independent: Steve Corino-Homicide, Ring of Honor, “Bitter Friends, Stiffer Enemies” Fairfield, CT, August 16th, 2003, NWA-TNA: America’s Most Wanted-XXX (Christopher Daniels/Elix Skipper) steel cage match, Nashville, TN, June 25, 2003
# 2002 winners: WWE: Edge/Rey Mysterio vs. Kurt Angle/Chris Benoit, No Mercy, Little Rock, AK, October 20, 2002; Independent: Christopher Daniels vs. Low Ki vs. Spanky vs. Doug Williams – 60 minute Iron Man Match, Ring of Honor, Philadelphia, PA, July 27, 2002
# 2001 winners: WWF: Edge & Christian vs. Hardy Boyz vs. Dudley Boyz – Tables, Ladders and Chairs II – WrestleMania X-Seven, AstroDome, Houston, TX, April 1, 2001; Independent: Christopher Daniels vs. Low Ki vs. Scoot Andrews vs. American Dragon, East Coast Wrestling Association, Wilmington, DE, September 22, 2001
# 2000 winners: WCW: Booker T vs. Jeff Jarrett, “Bash At The Beach”, Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, FL, June 9, 2000; WWF: “Tables, Ladders and Chairs” Match – Matt/Jeff Hardy vs. Dudley Boyz vs. Edge/Christian, SummerSlam, Raleigh, NC, August 27, 2000. ECW: Psicosis-Yoshihiro Tajiri, ECW Arena, Philadelphia, PA, August 19, 2000
# 1999 winners: WCW: Chris Benoit-Bret Hart, Monday Nitro, Kemper Arena, Kansas City, MO, October, 1999; WWF: Matt/Jeff Hardy-Edge/Christian, Tag Team Ladder Match, “No Mercy”, Cleveland, OH, October 17, 1999; ECW: Rob Van Dam/Jerry Lynn, ECW Arena, Philadelphia, PA, August 28, 1999.
# 1998 winners: WCW: Chris Jericho/Eddie Guerrero-Chris Benoit/Dean Malenko, November 29th, Knoxville Civic Coliseum; WWF: Mankind (Mick Foley)-Undertaker Hell in a Cell Match “King of the Ring” PPV, June 28, 1998; ECW: Jerry Lynn-Rob Van Dam, August 8, 1998, ECW Arena
# 1997 winners: WCW: Rey Mysterio, Jr.- Eddie Guerrero, WCW “Halloween Havoc” PPV, 10/27/97, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV; WWF: Shawn Michaels-Undertaker, “In Your House: Badd Blood” PPV, 10/5/97, Kiel Center, St. Louis, MO; ECW: Great Sasuke/Gran Hamada/Masato Yakushiji-TAKA Michinoku/Dick Togo/Terry Boy, “Barely Legal” PPV, 4/13/97, ECW Arena, Philadelphia, PA

2009 CARD/PPV OF THE YEAR:

WWE- WWE WrestleMania 25, April 5, 2009, Houston, TX

Some have argued that this was a one-match PPV with Shawn Michaels-Undertaker. Give me a match that leaves me satisfied like that and I’ll take a one-match PPV anytime. Given the segment that aired on RAW recently, we may get a repeat again this year at Wrestlemania 26.

Independent- Dragon Gate USA “Open The Historic Gate”, July 25, 2009, ECW Areana, Philadelphia, PA (aired on PPV as “Enter the Dragon” on September 4)

There have been few shows I actually got excited to view in 2009. Dragon Gate USA “Open The Historic Gate” was one of them PA. The show which packed the ECW Arena despite premium-proced tickets in the middle of the 2009 recession featured YAMATO-BxB Hulk; the eight man CHIKARA showcase featuring The Colony (Fire Ant & Soldier Ant), Jigsaw and Mike Quackenbush vs. F.I.S.T. (Icarus/Gran Akuma), Amasis and Hallowicked; Dragon Kid-Masato Yoshino; The Young Bucks (Nick and Matt Jackson) vs. Cima/Susumu Yokosuka and Naruki Doi vs. Shingo blew away what many have suggested is the most jaded, hard to please crowd in the world, the Philadelphia independent wrestling fan.

# 2008 winner: WWE WrestleMania XXIV
# 2007 winner: WWE WrestleMania XXIII
# 2006 winners: WWE: WWE WrestleMania XXII, April 2, 2008, Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois; Independent: Glory by Honor V Night 2, Manhattan Center, New York, NY, September 16, 2008
# 2005 winners: WWE: Wrestlemania XXI Los Angeles, CA, April 3, 2005, Ring of Honor, “Joe vs. Kobashi”, New York, NY, October 1, 2005
# 2004 winners: WWE: Wrestlemania XX, March 14, 2004, Madison Square Garden, New York, NY; Independent: At Our Best, Ring of Honor, March 13, 2004, Rex Plex, Elizabeth, NJ
# 2003 winners: WWE: WWE Wrestlemania XIX, Safeco Field, Seattle, WA, March 30, 2003; Independent: All Japan/Ring of Honor Final Battle 2003, Philadelphia, PA December 27, 2003; NWA-TNA: NWA-TNA Super X Cup, Nashville Fairgrounds, Nashville, TN, September 3, 2003 (taped August 20 and 27, 1993)
# 2002 winners: WWE: WWE Summer Slam 2002, Fleet Center, Boston, MA, August 25, 2002, Independent: Ring of Honor “Road To The Title” Philadelphia, PA, June 22, 2002
# 2001 winners: WWF: WrestleMania X-Seven, AstroDome, Houston, TX, April 1, 2001, Independent: 2001 Super Eight tournament, ECWA, St. Matthew’s Parish Hall, Wilmington, DE February 24, 2001
# 2000 winner: WWF “Fully Loaded”, Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX, July 23, 2000
# 1999 winner: ECW “Anarchy Rulz”, ECW Odeum Sports and Exposition Center, Villa Park, IL, September 19, 1999
# 1998 winner: WWF “Survivor Series”, St. Louis, MO, Keil Center, November 15, 1998
# 1997 winner: ECW “Barely Legal”, ECW Arena, Philadelphia, PA, April 13, 1997

2009 WORST CARD/PPV OF THE YEAR:

TNA Victory Road 2009, July 19, 2009, Orlando, FL

How about a night that saw “Dr.” Stevie Richards win over Abyss by using a “tazer” for the win (didn’t work any better in WCW, either), The Dudleys…er, Team 3D having to try to carry the British Invasion, Elsewhere, Kevin Nash went over AJ Styles clean (way to get over your young talent, TNA). Sting (by all accounts) wouldn’t go up for Samoa Joe’s muscle buster in their match, forcing Samoa Joe to improvise for the finish. Topping them all was likely the worst match of the year, if not one of the worst of all time on a major show, Jenna Morasca (whose wrestling credentials include being the Survivor 6 winner) vs. Sharmell. This one ranked up there with the infamous Jackie Gayda/Christopher Nowinski-Trish Stratus/ Bradshaw July 8, 2002 RAW from Philadelphia that I was unfortunate enough to witness.

# 2008 “winner”: WWE Cyber Sunday, October 26, 2008, Phoenix, AZ
# 2007 “winner”: TNA Turning Point 2007, December 2, 2007
# 2006 “winner”: WWECW December to Dismember, Augusta, GA, December 4, 2006, WWE
# 2005 “winner”: WWE Armageddon PPV, Providence, RI, December 18, 2005, WWE
# 2004 “winner”: WWE “Great American Bash”, Norfolk, VA, The Scope, June 27, 2004.
# 2003 “winner:” WWE No Mercy, Baltimore, MD, October 19, 2003
# 2002 “winner”: World Wrestling All-Stars Eruption, Melbourne, Australia, April 13, 2002
# 2001 “winner”: WCW “Sin”, January 14, 2001, Indianapolis, IN.
# 2000 “winner”: WCW Slamboree, Kemper Arena, Kansas City, MO, May 7, 2000
# 1999 “winner”: WCW Fall Brawl 1999
# 1998 “winner”: WCW Fall Brawl 1998
# 1997 “winner”: ECW Hardcore Heaven 1997, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

“Awards” for the decade: WCW 2, TNA 2, WWE 5, World Wrestling All-Stars 1

2009 BEST TV SHOW OF THE YEAR:

WWE Smackdown by default, pretty much because of CM Punk, John Morrison, and Chris Jericho (and Jim Ross until his recent illness). Yet we also get such not-so-classic moments as “PIggie James” segments, and the unending Teddy Long on probation segments with Vince McMahon. Maybe Vince will have something better to do with Bret Hart shortly.

If Comcast let the Philadelphia market get ROH on HDNet, at least we’d have some degree of wrestling (even if not what it used to be) and I could give them an award.

# 2008 winner: Monday Night RAW, USA Network
# 2007 winner: Monday Night RAW, USA Network
# 2006 winner: TNA Impact, TNA, Spike TV
# 2005 winner: Ohio Valley Wrestling, WBKI 34, Louisville, KY (airing in southern Indiana and central Kentucky)
# 2004 winner: Ohio Valley Wrestling, WBKI 34, Louisville, KY (airing in southern Indiana and central Kentucky)
# 2003 winner: Ohio Valley Wrestling, WBKI 34, Louisville, KY (airing in southern Indiana and central Kentucky)
# 2002 winner: Ohio Valley Wrestling, WBKI 34, Louisville, KY (airing in southern Indiana and central Kentucky)
# 2001 winner: Monday Night RAW, TNN
# 2000 winner: Monday Night RAW, USA Network and TNN
# 1999 winner: Monday Night RAW, USA Network
# 1998 winner: Monday Night RAW, USA Network
# 1997 winner: Monday Nitro, Turner Network Television

Awards for the decade: OVW 4, WWE 5, TNA 1

2009 WORST TV SHOW OF THE YEAR:

TNA Impact, TNA

How about a wrestling show that featured 95% of the X-division and younger stars being jobbed out so a stable made up of 50-year-olds could have one more run, including a whole episode featuring the Main Event Mafia with “their own announcers” (sound like the infamous NWO Nitro anyone?)… or Booker T cutting promos with a different accent each week… or Abyss-Foley, first friends, then enemies (over a torn up, autographed picture!?), then friends, now Lord only knows what…Super Eric.. or Kurt Angle being turned into a comedy figure, then someone who cried because TNA turned his “private dressing room” into a closet.

All too many of the good wrestling matches that were taped for Impact were chopped to pieces for commercials, while we had to see comedy segments (unedited, of course) that made Monday Night RAW look like classic Saturday Night Live.

# 2008 “winner”: TNA Impact
# 2007 “winner”: TNA Impact
# 2006 “winner”: WWECW, Sci-Fi Network
# 2005 “winner”: WWE Smackdown, WWE/UPN
# 2004 “winner”: WWE Smackdown, WWE/UPN
# 2003 “winner”: The Wrestling Federation (yep, that was actually their name) aired in Philadelphia, southeastern
Pennsylvania, Delaware, southern New Jersey on WGTW Channel 48
# 2002 “winner”: WXW Rage TV – aired in Philadelphia, northeastern Pennsylvania, north central New Jersey, and syndicated in parts of American Samoa, Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida.
# 2001 “winner”: Monday Nitro, WCW, TNT
# 2000 “winner”: Monday Nitro, TNT
# 1999 “winner”: Monday Nitro, TNT
# 1998 “winner”: Music City Wrestling TV
# 1997 “winner”: USWA Television, USWA

“Awards” for the decade: WCW 2, WXW 1, The Wrestling Federation 1, 3 WWE, 3 TNA

2009 TV ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR:

Jim Ross, Smackdown, WWE

There’s simply no one who can get over the history of wrestling and get over the emotion of a storyline than Ross. Here’s hoping we get to see Jim Ross for one more run on Smackdown (or prefereably on RAW where he belongs with Jerry Lawler) so he can get over the presumed Bret Hart-Vince McMahon storyline in 2010. Maybe if McMahon’s involved IN the storyline he won’t be able to scream in Ross’s earpiece and get in the way. Honorable mention to the TNA version of Taz(z). See how much better he does when Vince McMahon isn’t trying to force-feed him sports entertainment garbage in his earpiece?

# 2008 winner: Jim Ross, Monday Night RAW/Smackdown , WWE
# 2007 winner: Jim Ross, Monday Night RAW, WWE
# 2006 winner: Mike Tenay, TNA Impact
# 2005 winner: Mike Tenay, TNA Impact
# 2004 winner: Dan Wilson/Steven Prazak, NWA Wildside
# 2003 winner: Mike Tenay, NWA-TNA PPV/TNA Explosion
# 2002 winner: Mike Tenay, NWA-TNA PPV/TNA Explosion
# 2001 winner: Jim Ross, WWF
# 2000 winner: Jim Ross, WWF
# 1999 winner: Jim Ross, WWF
# 1998 winner: Jim Ross, WWF
# 1997 winner: Mike Tenay, World Championship Wrestling

Awards for the decade: WWF 5, TNA 4, NWA Wildside 1

2009 WORST TV ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR:

Michael Cole, WWE Monday Night RAW

There’s probably no truth to the rumor that a Michael Cole drinking game has been started to get viewers through a night of watching RAW, especially since it’s the only way to get through Monday Night RAW in the brand-new Linda McMahon-Senate-campaign-approved wrestling-suitable-for-10-year-olds-world of WWE. Rumor has it that every time you hear phrases like “controlled frenzy”, “WWE Universe”, or “longest running episodic television program” you have to take a drink. It’s usually a good idea to have had a really good meal before watching RAW as a result. Otherwise, you won’t make it past the 10:00 pm break before passing out.

Then, you need an emetic after listening to the latest Michael Cole cheap shot at Jim Ross. News bulletin, dipshit…I’d rather watch Jim Ross even suffering with his health issues for three hours than you for five minutes.

# 2008 “winner”: (Tie) Don West, TNA IMPACT! and Mike Adamle, WWE
# 2007 “winner”: Don West, TNA IMPACT!
# 2006 “winner”: Josh Matthews, WWE
# 2005 “winner”: Jonathan Coachman, WWE Sunday Night Heat/WWE Monday Night RAW, WWE
# 2004 “winner”: Jonathan Coachman, WWE Sunday Night Heat and WWE Monday RAW, WWE
# 2003 “winner”: Jonathan Coachman, WWE Sunday Night Heat, WWE Monday RAW
# 2002 “winner”: Jessica Dally, WXW Rage TV
# 2001 “winner”: Tony Schiavone, WCW, TNT and TBS
# 2000 “winner”: Tony Schiavone, WCW
# 1999 “winner”: Tony Schiavone, WCW
# 1998 “winner”: Bert Prentice, MCW
# 1997 “winner”: Tony Schiavone, WCW

“Awards” for the decade: WCW 2, WXW 1, WWE 5, TNA 2

2009 WRESTLING NEWS STORIES OF THE YEAR

Congressional steroids report – The story that many thought woudl have had the longest-term effect turned out to have limited effect. WWE continued on with a Wellness Program that didn’t save the life of Eddie Fatu, but has saved the life of others like MVP. TNA’s drug testing has apparently been limited with no suspensions and no changes in the physical appearance of talent. But no changes were made in the promotions, allowing for more time off for in-ring talent to naturally heal.

Shane McMahon resigns from WWE – The single story that may have the biggest long-term effect on wrestling is Shane McMahon leaving the family business. No one knows as the year ends what his future holds, whether MMA or some other enterprise.

“The Wrestler”- The high profile of “The Wrestler” showed wrestling as a performance art, and the hold it has on some long-term wrestlers after they leave the bigtime…and the effect it can have on them as a result.

Death of Mitsuharu Misawa – The stunning in-ring death of Japanese legend Mitsuhara Misawa saddened many and signified to many the end of the classic era of Japanese wrestling.

Linda McMahon Senate Campaign – This may be Vince McMahon last and biggest attempt at legitimizing WWE’s image to the general public, however directly or indirectly you think WWE has an effect on her campaign…and that her campaign has had an effect on WWE’s in-ring product, including turning RAW into a comedy show and the removal of even hardway blood from PPVs

# 2008 stories: Retirement of Ric Flair; Filming and high profile of “The Wrestler”; Jeff Hardy finally gets WWE title
# 2007 story: Benoit family tragedy
# 2006 stories: The return and failure of “ECW”, TNA gaining prime-time slot on Spike TV, WWE getting new competition…from UFC
# 2005 stories: Deaths of Eddie Guerrero, Shinya Hashimoto, and Chris Candido, WWE drug testing policy, WWE return to USA, Matt Hardy/Edge/Lita real life and storyline triangle, Jim Ross replaced as lead announcer on RAW, TNA move to Spike TV, WWE and Bret Hart make peace
# 2004 stories: Brock Lesnar leaves WWE to try out for the NFL, RF Video/Ring of Honor’s Rob Feinstein implication in a pedophile sting, Pat Patterson retirement/resignation, TNA Fox Sports Net slot
# 2003 stories: The epidemic of deaths within wrestling (many of which involved past or current drug and alcohol use), NWA-TNA survives for another year, continued problems with WWE house show/TV taping business, controversial and active Philadelphia independent scene
# 2002 stories: The WWF “brand extension”, dropping WWE house
show business, PTC forced to surrender, NWA-TNA, Philadelphia independent wars
# 2001 stories: WWF purchase of WCW, ECW closes its doors, WCW “Invasion angle” goes nowhere, WWF ratings and live attendance drop
# 2000 stories: Mainstreaming of wrestling continues, WWF-ECW-TNN-USA TV network roulette, WWF goes public, PTC censorship attempts continue… but with organized efforts fighting them, WCW set to lose as much as $80 million
# 1999 stories: Deaths of Owen Hart and Brian Hildebrand, Foley’s “Have A Nice Day” goes to #1 on New York Times Best-Seller List, WWF CD DEBUTS at number 4 on Billboard Chart, ECW TV on TNN, Parents Television Council censorship attempts
# 1998 stories: Changes in WWF product (making it more adult in nature), ECW’s 1998 problems, Mainstream attention given the wrestling business, Jesse Ventura’s election to Governorship of Minnesota
# 1997 stories: Brian Pillman death, Bret Hart leaving WWF/Title Change Doublecross

That’s the AS I SEE IT year in review.

Until next time…

If you have comments/questions/event announcements/results, if you’d like to add the AS I SEE IT column to your website, or if you’d like to add advertising on PWBTS.com (the flagship website of this column), e-mail me at the address above. Advertising consists of banner ads, available for $400 for one year. These ads would appear on each newspage appearing on the newsboard. Cube ads are also available for $200 for one year, which would be placed on the main newsboard page.

By Jerome Wilen

I finally watched the documentary part of the Rise and Fall of WCW which I ordered on Pay-Per View. I have been wanting to see this for quite some time as I own a copy of the Monday Night War DVD. For those who think that the Rise and Fall of WCW is just another version of the Monday Night War DVD, in a sense you are correct, but this version has more history and great old footage that the Monday Night War DVD does not. Yes, they used old interviews of Bischoff and Hogan, but these interviews were not in the final cut of the nWo or Monday Night War DVD’s.

Watching the two hour documentary and seeing the old footage of Nitro during the peak of the Monday Night War reiterates the fact that Pro Wrestling is in need of another Monday Night War. You never knew who would show up on what show. This is why I think TNA at least testing the waters on January 4, 2010 is healthy for the industry. It will bring out the best in Vince McMahon. If TNA shows signs of at least coming close to beating RAW or surprises everyone and actually wins, then I think we will have a new era of a new Monday Night War that will begin.

Hopefully Dixie Carter has watched the Rise and Fall of WCW and will listen to both Hogan and Jarrett who were a part of the original Monday Night War, which was said in the Rise and Fall of WCW, that the mistake WCW made was they (Bischoff) were too concerned with putting Vince out of business and not focusing on their own product more with the talent they already have in place. If TNA can do this, then they could be a Monday Night success. Do I think Vince is concerned about TNA if they move to Monday night’s, well that would depend on what talent leaves his company for TNA.

The Rise and Fall of WCW is a great piece of wrestling history that has great interviews and old footage that brings back memories of watching the NWA/WCW on TBS every Saturday and pumps me up for what could be another Monday night wrestling battle.

By Bob Magee of Pro Wrestling: Between the Sheets (PWBTS.com)

Some thoughts on the passing of Eddie Fatu to open this week’s column.

As I’ve said before, it seems all too often that I fire up my computer and find out about yet another wrestler dying as the result of the “occupational hazards” of wrestling, namely the use of steroids and painkillers. It’s getting really old to see.

When you watch a wrestling ring get put up before a show, and note how little padding the average wrestling has; you have to assume that nearly every wrestler around is taking SOMETHING to deal with the pain. It’s not shocking at all that so many are becoming addicted…maybe shocking that more aren’t.

I work my full-time counseling job for a major trade school chain, as sedentary as you can get by comparison to wrestlers who are taking bumps every night…or even two or three times a week. But getting older and the stress of trying to find jobs for people in the worst economy of a generation, give even me my share of morning aches and pains. Mine usually go away after a hot shower; or at the very most, some aspirin or Tylenol.

Needless to say, it isn’t that simple for the Eddie Fatus of the world.

WWE refuses to deal with the fact that schedules have GOT to be changed to lessen the physical demands. If schedules don’t change, the list of wrestlers dying will get longer and longer and longer. Before WWE supermarks start screaming, I mentioned WWE only because they are realistically the only full-time touring company in the United States…and yes, I DO know they have a treatment program for alumni and wrestlers.

While WWE has instituted that drug treatment program, and drug testing of talent; all too many wrestlers are convinced that they get a black mark on their name in Stamford if they admit to addiction. A case in point is Rey Misterio, Jr. who discussed in his own recent book a painkiller problem that he beat with WWE’s treatment program.

But for all too many wrestlers they are convinced (with some justification) that they can’t work the schedule demanded by a full-time touring company without some help. Then, there are the others who won’t admit to addiction and think they are immortal. The names of Eddie Fatu, Andrew Martin, and a host of others should have been enough proof that they aren’t.

But I have a feeling I’ll be writing about this again…and again…and again.

Now…for much, much better news.

A ton of thanks to all of you who donated toys last Saturday night at Cage of Death XI. As I pretty much hoped they would, CZW fans responded, donating large boxes upon boxes of toys for the children of the Philadelphia area. Despite the reputation among some of the smarkier wrestling fans and wrestling media who have called CZW and its fans “garbage” and worse, the fans and staff of CZW proved that they are anything but. All of those who donated proved they have big hearts, particularly at a time when many are living on tight budgets, and some without jobs of their own.

Thanks to Roger Artigiani of The (ECW) Arena, CZW owner David Markland, CZW promoter Maven Bentley, and the rest of the CZW staff for doing far more than their share to publicize the Toys for Tots effort.

CZW fans gave a standing ovation to the US Marines who worked the Toys for Tots collection inbetween the pre-show and the start of Cage of Death XI. Those who attended need to know how much those Marines appreciated it, as well as the kind words from so many fans while coming back in the building from intermission. It is very likely that all of the men they met Saturday night will be getting their orders to go to Afghanistan very shortly (one of them already has done three tours of Iraq/Afghanistan. They can take that good feeling with them while they go overseas soon in service to their country.

Here’s more news on Holiday related charity events for the remainder of the season.

All-Star Wrestling Alliance presents “A Night for the Kids 2″ to benefit to benefit “Fox8 Gifts for Kids” on Tuesday, December 15 at the National Guard Armory in Lexington, NC with a 7:30 pm belltime. FOX8/WGHP is kicking off its 21st year of giving back to the community with FOX8 Gifts for Kids. The holiday campaign collects gifts for The Salvation Army chapters of the Piedmont/High Point, NC region.

The ECW Arena, as it does every year, will feature Toys for Tots collections at shows taking place at the “World’s Most Famous Bingo Hall” each Holiday season at its shows, doing a great job at CZW’s Cage of Death XI.

The final show at The Arena with such a collection will take place on Sunday, December 20th at 3 pm The Maven Bentley Association LLC, Combat Zone Wrestling and The Arena Present their first ever Christmas Spectacular “The Santa Claus Smackdown”.

Already signed to appear will be Santa Claus!

St. Nick has promised to make an impact in South Philly before flying around the world to spread joy to all the girls and boys! Also appearing are CZW Wrestling Stars including DJ Hyde, Joe Gacy, Drew Gulak and more.

Maven Bentley promises a afternoon of family fun and will don one of his traditionally goofy personas if fans bring toys for less fortunate children.

Maven will even personally donate $5.00 to Save Our Streets Philly for each person who brings a toy. Suggested donations are $10.00 or $5.00 and a new unwrapped toy.

Happy Holidays from the MBA, CZW and The Arena!

Down in Virginia, Marvin Ward and David Hebner have teamed up with the US Marines Toys For Tots program to help needy children in Virginia experience the joy of Christmas. Staff of WHE will be volunteering their time and efforts over the next couple weeks gathering donations and supplies for the program. ‘The goal will be to collect as many toys and contributions as we can before Christmas so we can assure happiness in as many kids lives as possible this Christmas’ stated Hebner.

‘The economy is in really bad shape; the worse I have ever seen it in my lifetime. Parents are struggling and doing everything they can just to keep heat in the house and food on the table and at the end of the day they have nothing left. The kids have to suffer for it and it’s not right. We want to help these parents out as much as we can. If we can help 10 families out this Christmas, then we have brought joy and happiness and made a difference in people’s lives.’ stated Ward. Ward Hebner Entertainment will spread a little extra joy this year as Marvin and David along with Short Sleeve Sampson and several other wrestlers will be joining the convoy helping deliver gifts.

“How much more joy can you get in your heart to see the faces of parents and children when you pull up in their driveway and they know thanks to donations and help from the community, their family will have a nice Christmas. That’s what it’s all about, and we are honored to help.” stated Hebner. If you would like to make a donation or get involved with the Toys for Tots program, go to this link and click on the link at the top of the website.

If you’d like to make a direct donation to the Marine Toys for Tots foundation, you can go to this link.

Until next time….

By Jerome Wilen

I remember it like it was yesterday, Eric Bischoff and his group of investors back in the beginning of 2001 had announced they were purchased World Championship Wrestling from Time Warner/Ted Turner, but then an individual at Time Warner who knew nothing about professional wrestling made the decision that after over 20 years, wrestling was not going to be a part of the programming line-up on Turner Network Television and TBS. Then just a few short months later in March, Bischoff’s investors pull out and Vince McMahon does what no one would ever think of, he buys the company that almost bankrupted him when they (WCW) were at their prime.

Now we fast forward to the end of 2009. The never say never in wrestling continues. Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling and Dixie Carter announce a partnership with Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. Now just a few short weeks later, TNA announces that the first IMPACT of 2010 on January 4th will a live three hour special going head to head with WWE Monday Night RAW and Hogan appearing in the IMPACT Zone. It has also been said that Hogan will be changing TNA’s six sided ring back the traditional four sided ring. How much power does Hogan have? It appears he has more than TNA founder Jeff Jarrett. Will the USA Network and the WWE announce a three hour show and who will be the guest host? My own thoughts is watch it be Sting. Highly unlikely. I do not think Vince feels threatened, but he has to be paying more close attention to TNA now that Hogan and especially Eric Bischoff is involved, since he was almost responsible for putting Vince’s then WWF out of business. Monday January 4th will be very interesting to say the least, but what will be more interesting is the Tuesday morning when the ratings come out. Will TNA and SPIKE make the move to Monday’s should the ratings show to be a success?

The rebirth of the Monday Night War is healthy for industry. Competition is good for pro wrestling. It keeps the programming fresh it will bring out the best in Vince since he has been the only wrestling show live on Monday Nights, and make TNA step it up as well.

AS I SEE IT
Bob Magee
Pro Wrestling: Between the Sheets
PWBTS.com

Again this week, more news on Holiday related charity events. If you have other news on holiday collections of canned food, Toys for Tots toy collections or other charity benefits, send them to me at this address.

Special kudos to the fans of The Tri-State Wrestling Alliance show back on Saturday, December 5. With a crowd 15% of what Dragon Gate USA drew on Thanksgiving weekend in Philadelphia, the fans of the TWA filled large boxes of toys for the Wenonah chapter of Toys for Tots, rather than the six toys (yes, I said six) that were collected at the Dragon Gate show. Applause to them, including the children who went over to a wrestling figure vendor at the show, bought a toy; then came over and put it in the Toys for Tots box, rather than keep it for themselves. Looks like some of the youngest fans of wrestling understood the meaning of the holiday season far better than some well-off grownup fans…and a promoter or two.

Missy Hyatt sent along the following:

A while back, Cynthia Keene asked me if I could help organize a wrestling show to help raise toys. I said the logistics would be too costly & the return would not justify the headache for anybody involved.