2011 Pro Wrestling Thread

(Interrupting this thread for a second to talk about a pro wrestling writing opportunity. Mods, feel free to move this if it’s in the wrong place).

The Baltimore Sun is looking for a pro wrestling blogger to replace Kevin Eck, who left in August to work for WWE. Kevin was a full-time employee (assistant sports editor), but this position would be on a freelance basis. We’re looking for someone to write three posts per week: a Raw recap, a Smackdown recap and a third topic of your choosing. We’re not looking for AP-style treatment of pro wrestling here. The discussion on this thread is the type of conversation we’d like to cultivate on the blog.

The money that has been budgeted for this position is quite modest, but the exposure – as evidenced by Kevin’s move to WWE – is solid. Feel free to email me with any questions about the position at mbracken@baltsun.com.

Matt Bracken
The Baltimore Sun
Deputy Sports Editor, Digital
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/wrestling/blog/

 

Was wondering what would happen with this. Kevin did good stuff there. Good to see it isn't going away.

 

I'll keep this here since this thread hits your target audience well ... and I'm the only mod who routinely posts on this thread.

Once question ... since it's freelance, does the blogger need to be local?

 

Gutter, I PM'd Matt and he said the blogger will not have to relocate.

 

OK, since the ol' dvr didn't get the last part of the match:

What happened after Del Rio's announcer threw him the chair?

 

Del Rio tossed Punk the chair, who then tossed it back to Del Rio. Punk hit the mat like he had been hit with the chair, the ref sees it and goes to DQ ADR.

While that's going on, Punk rolls up ADR and gets a two count. They go back and forth and Ricardo distracts the ref (IIRC), and Punk picks ADR up and drops him the turnbuckle ADR exposed a few moments earlier and gets the pin.

 

Thanks. Stupid dvr.

 

CM Punk pulled an Eddie. Even tweeted out "Thanks Eddie" early this morning.

 

Why do I get the feeling everyone who regularly posts on this thread will be applying?

 

It'd be a pretty sweet gig to have.

 

Tune in right around 1:26:50 if you want to put some video with the words:

. Still another funny Punk moment.

 

Finally watched Raw. My thoughts:

The Piper segment was good. Yeah, Cena was acting his usual lame self but just like last week, he did it in a different vibe in which he could divert away from the growing situation that he's getting hated on all around but Piper didn't buy it and called him out on it. Again, the cracks continue to show towards Cena's character losing sight of once made him great and that's being unique and entertaining. The slap to Cena by Piper was the cherry on top. Good segement.

The matches were decent on Raw but not better than last week's. Still, enough to advance storylines and give people certain pushes to work with. Ziggler getting a huge win over Orton was huge and Orton should be commended for putting over a potential main eventer like Ziggler over.

The Miz looked like a real star once again by taking out a departing John Morrison (that stretcher is heading to Orlando). Morrison looked strong on his way out but Miz had to go over in the end. Miz cut a serviceable promo as well to sell his unpredictable behavior as of late. Nice job.

Bryan was gold as well and him showing the emotion and fire to be the next World Heavyweight Champion was sold very well.

The main event was not better than their SS encounter but it was a good enough match to serve as a good main event for a good RAW. Punk continues to be a great and credible champion facing all contenders. The backstage promo before the match was corny, however, and Punk needs to quit relying on such things that he feels will get himself over with the crowd since he already is. Nice dig at Otunga with the Hudson comment, though. However, I do feel and see that at next week's RAW, Ace will reverse the decision due to Punk using the turnbuckle exposed corner and will award the belt to ADR (which is fucking stupid beyond belief but ugh...), which will set up a final encounter between Punk and ADR at TLC where Punk will win it back.

One last thing, I do need to credit Orton and Cena for scaling back on RAW and letting Punk, Bryan, Barrett, Ziggler, and ADR do their thing on the show. Cena was only in the opening segment, which is really all he was needed for and played his part well. Orton gave Ziggler a stellar performance and put him over so that was great.

Overall, a good RAW despite a lackluster crowd and hopefully they can keep this trend up of good RAWs leading up to the Rumble which I doubt but I'm hoping.