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MCNEILL'S TAKE
McNEILL's "Who's Hot, Who's Not" for Week of 5/6: Orton, Coachman, Ashley, MachineGuns May 6, 2008 - 4:14:08 PM
Time for our weekly look at the highs and lows of the pro wrestling business as we wonder where that wacky Mike Adamle will turn up next.
WHO'S HOT?
Randy Orton: The Legend Killer is getting ready to wrestle for the WWE title on his eleventh consecutive pay-per-view. He remains unaffected by the backlash against the very popular John Cena, and seems to have maintained a core group of supporters even with Triple H's return to the WWE throne. Orton's done a fine job as the lone heel facing the top Raw babyfaces for the past eighteen months.
Jonathan Coachman: The Coach is reportedly leaving WWE to start a new career as an ESPN sportscaster. Coachman has earned rave reviews for his college basketball announcer. While he was fine as an annoying stooge on Raw, he never developed into a good wrestling announcer, and his matches weren't anything to write home about. Kudos to Coach, for finding a job more suited to his talents.
TNA & SHIMMER: The Nashville promotion cut a deal last month with Dave Prazak's ladies wrestling promotion to allow female talent to work for both groups simultaneously. This is great news for TNA, who can use the Midwestern indy promotion as their own quasi-developmental league for actual female wrestlers, instead of using the WWE method and training models to take bump. It's also great news for SHIMMER, who won't have to overhaul its entire roster.
Balls Mahoney: Sure, he was let go by ECW last week, but the chair swinging freak got right back on the horse and worked for Maryland Championship Wrestling this weekend. Mahoney will probably be able to capitalize on his most recent television exposure all over the Northeast independent scene for the next several months.
WHO'S NOT?
Ashley Massaro: Rolling Stone magazine outed the WWE lady wrestler as a former high-end escort. This might raise her stock in certain wrestling circles, but Massaro is angrily denying the story while the magazine is standing by its story. Expect a new round of WWE security having to pull certain signs from the audience every Monday night.
Santino Marella: WWE's funny man got tagged for a DUI after failing a field sobriety test. What's more embarrassing than that? Having it mentioned on Raw by Roddy Piper while fans chant "D-U-I" at you on national television. Nothing is sacred in WWE, unless your last name is McMahon.
Motor City MachineGuns: One of the most popular acts in the Impact Zone is getting cooled down by the vindictive booking of TNA management. Every week, the most exciting tag team in the business is treated like the pairing of Barry Horowitz and Reno Riggins. In fact, TNA values them so little that they're sending Sabin and Shelley off to "summer camp" in Ring of Honor.
Allison Danger: The SHIMMER color commentator and former Ring of Honor wrestler is out with a broken collarbone after her featured match Saturday in Illinois. Hopefully, Ms. Danger can experience a full recovery.
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