Time for our weekly look at the ups and downs of the pro wrestling business after a weekend where nothing was sacrificed, except for possibly our brain cells.
WHO'S HOT?
Shawn Michaels & Chris Jericho: Jericho's apology to Michaels and the Heartbreak Kid's knockout of the Millennium Man was probably the highlight of last night's good episode of Raw. Plus, both men can play to their strengths here. Michaels is the beloved veteran who can get away with anything and have the crowd cheering for him, while Jericho's sanctimonious act is the perfect precursor to the long-burning heel turn we're about to experience.
Frankie Kazarian: Due to Kurt Angle's injury, Kaz did double duty Sunday night on TNA Impact, winning the TerrorDome cage-climbing spotfest with an impressive athletic display, and then holding his own in the World Title match with Samoa Joe and Scott Steiner. Kazarian has stayed just below the top level in TNA, and it was good to see him in a pay-per-view main event.
Jeff Hardy: The freak is back, and it is obvious WWE missed him, as the Rainbow-Haired Warrior was immeidatley thrown into the fray against Umaga and actually picked up the victory over the Samoan Bulldozer. From the looks of things, WWE hasn't given up on the idea of Hardy as a main event wrestler. At least, not yet.
Bryan Danielson: Lost in the shuffle of the past weekend was the great performance turned in by the American Dragon this past Friday night when Ring of Honor debuted in Manassas, Virginia. Danielson and Tyler Black had the best match of the night. Danielson impressed the five hundred or so in attendance and easily outpointed the anti-Dragon hecklers in the crowd. It is difficult to believe that a wrestler can get over by wrestling, unless you've seen Danielson in action.
WHO'S NOT?
Kurt Angle: How many neck injuries can the Olympic gold medalist survive in his career? And how close is he to the one bump that does severe damage to his vertebrae? It seems as if Kurt has had one semi-serious neck incident per year for the past several years. Angle may be the most determined athlete in the business, but this latest injury has be tough on him and his family. Can Kurt make another improbable comeback, or is it time for Dr. Jho or Dr. Andrews to prep for surgery?
The Hogan Family: It's come crashing down, and it hurts inside. Hogan's "American Gladiators" show is doing CW Network-level ratings in prime time. Brooke Hogan's music video got booed unmercifully at the Gladiator taping. Worst of all, despite a plea from the author of the Three Demandments, "Nasty" Nick Bollea is going to jail. That's disappointing, especially when you consider that Hulk wore his dress black bandanna in court just to look classy for the occasion.
John Cena: The leader of the Chain Gang Army took a break from filming his action movie so he could show up to Raw and..read e-mails from the fans on their website? Come on, John. Leave that sort of cheap gimmick for us podcasters. On top of that, Cena lost to Orton, again, in a lackluster match. WWE is not doing the best job of protecting its top asset.
NBC: The National Broadcasting Company not only has to deal with the poor ratings for American Gladiators, but now they've signed on for another poorly rated episode of WWE's "Saturday Night's Main Event" coming up on August 2nd. All 2,000 potential viewers for that show will probably be off watching the Motor City MachineGuns wrestle at the Ring of Honor show at the Hammerstein ballroom. (Okay, maybe not.)
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