2012 Pro Wrestling Thread

So did he, but I'd bet you he still regrets the move.

 

Some VERY interesting backstage shit has been happening recently:

* Kharma reportedly has been released by WWE, because she wasn't getting into (relatively speaking) shape for an in-ring return.

* JTG (remember him?) also sparked a Twitter controversy when he majorly complained about his Wrestlemania and Brazil house show payoffs. A few sites (mostly crediting Meltzer) said he got $2 grand for a week of guest appearances at WM, a show that the WWE has claimed they've set records for money with, and got just $500 for the Brazil show, which is less than what he usually gets (from what Meltzer described, he should have gotten roughly double for that show).

Apparently, JTG was unhappy, so during a recent Raw, he tweeted about how shitty things were, and a large amount of the undercard agreed with him (although they were scared to say anything because of their jobs) to the point where they started discussing a wrestlers' union. They figured a union starting right now would get some attention with Linda's Senate race, but they cooled down when they realized the main event guys wouldn't go for it.

WWE had a meeting with the wrestlers, calmed things down, JTG supposedly got a little more money and then, during that Raw, got squashed by Ryback, who, supposedly, was a little extra stiff, and Cole made a joke about JTG's tweets, which was seen as coming from Vince.

* And last, but not least, we have the case of Jackson Andrews. You remember Jackson Andrews, right? Right? Hello, anyone there?

Anyhoo, he had a run of about two weeks as Tyson Kidd's bodyguard in late 2010. He got sent down to FCW because he was too green, then was fired supposedly for not attending scheduled training sessions. Meltzer reported that he had a family member dealing with a drug problem, and told WWE that he needed time off to help his family member, and WWE refused and canned him.

But at the same time, he's also been dating, and engaged to, Rosa Mendes. At the San Antonio airport on the way to a show, Rosa was found crying in a bathroom, and asked some people to call the police. She told the cops that Andrews beat her regularly, and had told her that he would kill her. She allegedly had bruises all over her body. Needless to say, WWE didn't have her on any shows because she was very much upset.

But wait, there's more.

Seems Mr. Andrews (or whatever his real name is) ... was also engaged to another woman. For several years. In a different city. Apparently, when Rosa left for a show, he'd go to the other woman. Other woman said he never beat her, but said that, obviously, her engagement with him was now off, too.

 

I knew about them releasing Kharma, which is total bullshit. Any credibility she brought to women's wrestling in WWE is now gone.

 

You mean in those magical two months she was on TV and made a half-dozen appearances?
Don't doubt she's a great performer. But the bottom line is, she hasn't been in a WWE ring (other than the one-off appearance at the Royal Rumble) in about 18 months and didn't seem to be coming back anytime soon. I've got to think if she was ready, the WWE brass would've had her working. At some point, it's best for both parties to just move on.

 

Kharma was way out of shape and in no frame of mind to get back in shape. Obviously she suffered a trauma with the loss of her child, but at some point you have to live up to your contract. She wasn't coming back any time soon. She apparently left on good terms, so if she loses weight and comes back in a good state of mind, they'll probably hire her back.

 

Yeah, it might be one of those things where they got tired of paying her for sitting around, and told her that when she got it together, to give them a call again.

 

That's a win right there. Great post.

 

Wouldn't be shocked if that were the case. They signed Sara Del Ray and if they put her on the air (though it sounds like she's going to be more of a trainer than regular wrestler), then to me that might be an indication WWE could be moving away from only signing models or fitness competitiors and trying to teach them to wrestle. And if they do that, they'd probably want to bring Kharma back.

 

Taylor has said in at least one interview that he was a wrestler for 18 years or so, but all fans ever asks him about is a certain year and a half in which his hair was a different color.

 

So, the second-biggest PPV of the year is about three hours ago and no one has weighed in with predictions yet? Guess I'll start.

US Title Match: Santino Marella vs. Antonio Cesaro-> As much as I would love to see what Cesaro could do with a belt, and as much as I think Santino has REALLY devalued it with his long run, I doubt the WWE would change a title in what is essentially a PPV dark match. I mean, I suppose they could show this bout's replay during the show but I can't see Santino losing here and I think that's a shame. PREDICTION: Santino via pin after Cobra.

WWE Tag Team Championship: Kofi and R-Truth vs. The Prime Time Players-> I can't imagine the PTP are going to go over here. The AW mess aside, these guys have looked great in the ring but aren't quite ready yet. If that rape joke was never made, I could see Young and O'Neill going over with help from AW but on their own? Doubtful. PREDICTION: Kofi and R-Truth via pin after Trouble in Paradise

Intercontinental Championship: Miz vs. Mysterio-> Talk about thrown together with no build whatsoever. I'm going to go with Miz winning here simply because it wouldn't make sense otherwise considering Mysterio has nothing to gain by taking this title and Miz would lose his entire build since returning by dropping the strap so soon. PREDICTION: Miz via pin after SCF.

Kane vs. Daniel Bryan-> I don't really know what to think of this match simply because I couldn't care less. This is one of those bouts where someone says "Oh, yeah, Daniel Bryan has no one to feud with!" and they just throw two guys who are available together. I'll take Kane here simply because it's an irrelevant contest before Bryan gets back in one of the title pictures. PREDICTION: Kane via pin after chokeslam.

Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler-> I'm going to go out on a limb and say tonight is the night of Dolph Ziggler. I honestly think he's going to cash in the MITB briefcase and win his first real world championship tonight. That being said, I think he loses to Jericho here simply so that he can feud with him when Jericho gets back from his tour and in the buildup to Mania. PREDICTION: Jericho via pin after Codebreaker.

WWE Championship: Punk vs. Cena vs. Show-> Folks, I think we're in for a good, ol' fashioned full on heel turn here. Punk has reverted back to his tweener role as of late but I think we're going to get a full on turn here tonight after he does something particularly evil (Maybe hit Cena with a chair? Cheat somehow?) to remove any doubts the young WWE fans may have. Also, I'm pulling they keep the belt on him from now until Rumble because Punk vs. Rock would be fun to see. PREDICTION: Punk pins Cena after some heelish move.

World CHampionship: Sheamus vs. Del Rio-> I think the time for Sheamus' title run has come to an end ... but not before knocking Del Rio down another peg. I'll take Sheamus winning a knockdown, drag out bout via the Brogue Kick and Ziggler cashing in tonight and taking home his title to complete the Summer of Ziggler. PREDICTION: Ziggler wins title via ZigZag after Sheamus pins Del Rio via Brogue Kick.

Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar-> Got to be Lesnar here right? No way they can bring him back and have him job at two PPVs right? My money is on Lesnar either winning outright or losing the match and kicking the ever-loving crap out of HHH following the match. I also think it depends where it falls on the card. If this closes the show out, expect HHH to win but Lesnar to snap. PREDICTION: HHH wins a bloodbath via pin after third pedigree.

 

I thought they "cancelled" the WHC match? What the hell have I missed by not watching SmackDown the last few weeks?

 

Sheamus asked for the bout to be reinstated at the end of Friday's show.

Y2J takes the first one via the Walls. Pretty quick tap by Ziggler. Just sayin...

Kane/Bryan up now.

Also, Cesaro won the US title in the preshow, completing the shows' mid-card title switch.