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MCNEILL'S TAKE
McNEILL's "Who's Hot, Who's Not" for Week of 4/15: Samoa Joe, Angle, Kip, Smothers Apr 15, 2008 - 2:46:14 PM
Time for our weekly look at the heights and depths of the pro wrestling industry as we enjoy the sweet, sweet smells of spring and the lingering aftereffects of MMA-style main events.
WHO'S HOT?
Mickie James: She'd been relegated to WWE Heat and rumored to be in the company's doghouse, but Richmond's favorite mistress of the mat regained the WWE Women's Championship last night against Beth Phoenix. If Raw revives the old Ohio Valley Wrestling feud between James and Phoenix, it will give Monday Night Raw one more interesting segment each week. Also, last night proved that James is too much woman for young Todd Grisham.
Samoa Joe & Kurt Angle: Some people liked the match. Some people were bored by the match. Either way, Samoa Joe's championship victory over Kurt Angle is the most talking about wrestling match in Total Nonstop Action since, well, the last time Kurt Angle wrestled Samoa Joe. In addition, Joe-Angle 5 drew the biggest live gate in Total Nonstop Action history, which is a step in the right direction.
Frank Trigg: The mixed martial arts commentator went against the current trend in sports entertainment and actually called moves and holds while discussing the strategy involved. This made Trigg a very unique heel commentator in a promotion that hasn't had a different color man in six years. Then again, if I had Jonathan Coachman at the broadcast table, I wouldn't be too anxious to have my guys calling moves and holds.
Ring of Honor: ROH is reportedly working with Christopher Nowinski to put together an official policy on dealing with wrestler concussions. Maybe it's just a public relations move, but it's a darn good public relations move, especially when wrestlers like Necro Butcher and the Briscoes are literally risking their necks on most every ROH event.
WHO'S NOT?
Kip James: Wow, what a disappointing cage match between the two former New Age Outlaws on Sunday night. Judging by the "Rough Cut" segments on TNA Impact, B.G. James admits to being unmotivated and washed-up. Kip James, on the other hand, remains both clueless and boring. On the bright side, his upper body workouts seem to be going well.
Chris Jericho: The good news is that Y2J gets to turn heel. The bad news? Jericho has to play special guess referee at Backlash, and then winds up below Orton, JBL, Batista and goodness knows who else on the heel ladder. Plus, you know all the really funny lines on Raw are going to go to Santino Marella, not the Ayatollah of Rock 'n Rollah.
WWE Creative Team: The good news is that Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon are allowing the WWE writers more leeway. The bad news? With Dusty Rhodes out of the picture and Vince McMahon adding his input at the 11th hour, the writers now have a worse schedule and more responsibilty. Plus, no one is anxious to take on the thankless job of putting together ECW television every Tuesday night.
Tracy Smothers: Here's some free advice for aspiring professional wrestlers. When you break up with your significant other, change the passwords to your website. Otherwise, your ex could be using your own domain name to call you "the next Chris Benoit", and not be talking about your workrate.
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