CALDWELL'S TAKE CALDWELL'S FRIDAY BLOG 9/2: Would Goldberg draw in WWE?, BFG Series review, JR's BBQ review, more
Sep 2, 2011 - 2:37:04 PM
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By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor
I'm aiming to turn this into a regular Friday feature on PWTorch.com, as I haven't blogged in a while (mainly due to indifference to WWE's current creative direction) and can put down some thoughts on the past week.
-- One of the more intriguing aspects of Goldberg's on-camera interview with the Tulsa Fox affiliate ripping Vince McMahon is how he looks facially. In the video segment, Fox included clips of Goldberg from his heyday over ten years ago and the current Goldberg barely resembles that version. Sting is similar in that way, which is perhaps one factor that went into TNA turning Sting's character into a lunatic who smears paint all over his face. I'm half-kidding.
Combine Goldberg's facial changes with not being as muscular today as he was then, would Goldberg be a draw in WWE, even for a one-off? WWE customers would want to see that Goldberg, not the Goldberg of today. For Sting, WWE viewers being introduced to Sting would want to see the late '90s Sting hanging in the rafters, but would they pay to see the current version? WWE is trying to turn back the hands of time with Kevin Nash right now, but with limited results. It would probably be the same with Sting and Goldberg.
-- I've been trying to wrap my head around the Final Four of TNA's Bound for Glory Series over the past week and I'm still not able to sell myself on Kurt Angle vs. any of the Final Four at Bound for Glory in October.
Angle vs. Bully Ray sounds a solid main event for an off-brand PPV, but not BFG. Angle vs. Gunner? Maybe an unhyped, five-minute, interference-laden Impact main event. Angle vs. either member of Beer Money doesn't sound appealing right now after Beer Money inexplicably dropped the Tag Titles to Mexican America two weeks ago. Roode and Storm should have been positioned as singles stars on the verge of breaking out months ago, with BFG being the moment one of them breaks through the glass ceiling. Instead, it seems like a convenient way to break up the tag team. TNA has their work cut out for them.
-- Speaking of the BFG Series, it's the perfect example of something looking silly when it's not planned out in advance. If TNA brings the Series back next year (which I think they should), they need to actually schedule it out so they don't end up with Gunner in 19 BFGS matches and Scott Steiner in nine. Perhaps the better option would have been not having Steiner in the tournament at all since he doesn't wrestle often on TV and hardly works house shows. Some good came out of the BFG Series - namely the Morgan-Joe feud, some good Bully Ray promos, and Morgan's commentary trying to sell the Series as a legit sporting event - but more planning needs to go into BFG Series #2 if it happens next year.
-- Something I've been meaning to write about for a few years is Jim Ross's BBQ-themed products available on jrsbarbq.com (and now WWE's Shop site). Many people just check out Ross's website for his latest blogs on wrestling, MMA, and college football, but you're doing yourself a disservice if that's all you've sampled from Ross's website.
Over the past few years, Ross's beef jerky product has been a trusted companion on Sunday night PPVs. Ross's Main Event Mustard is an excellent dipping sauce and the perfect addition to hardboiled eggs as a light, mid-day snack. Email me for the recipe.
The signature Ross product, JR's BBQ sauce, tops any BBQ sauce I've come across on the market. This past weekend, the Caldwell Residence enjoyed Ross's BBQ sauce on smoked brisket bought at a local fundraiser. Simply amazing. Ross's products aren't just for show to bring you to his website for some wrestling chatter. They're of the highest quality and available at a fair price.
-- Torch VIP members know what I'm talking about when you can often get lost for hours in the Torch Newsletter Archives reviewing top stories from 5, 10, 15, or 20 years ago. Included are some fascinating Torch Talks from major players that provides context to the wrestling eras over the past three decades. Have some free time this weekend? Take some time to peruse the Torch back-issues, as you're bound to discover a few hidden gems. Go VIP today: http://www.pwtorch.com/govip
James Caldwell can be reached at jctorch@gmail.com. He's willing to dole out Fantasy Football Draft advice on the Texans for a small fee.
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