WWE RAW in Atlanta tonight

Unfortunately, I won't be there, but RAW is coming to you from Atlanta, GA tonight.  The Muppets are guest hosting while CM Punk takes on World Heavyweight Champion, Mark Henry for a shot at WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio.

I like both Henry and Punk.  I like the idea of Punk and Del Rio feuding.  I am not, however, a huge fan of that stipulation.  There simply is not a satisfying conclusion there so far as I am concerned.  I would like the awesome that is Mark Henry and the greatness that is CM Punk kept apart for now.

Also, the Rock is scheduled to respond to Cena picking him as his Survivor Series partner.  I'm assuming it will be by satellite or tape.  Hopefully John Cena catches a beating from the excellent tandem of R-Truth and the Miz.

That would be....AWESOME!

Enjoy the show.

New WWE '12 Preview (G4TV)

Wii Games - E3 2012 - WWE '12

Looks incredible. I've already pre-ordered my copy so I can get modern-day Rock as a playable character.

Also per LoP (and reported elsewhere) here are the 23 titles that will be available in WWE '12. Of course the two bolded ones are the most interesting to me:

1. Hardcore Championship
2. Million Dollar Championship
3. Unified WWE Tag Team Championship
4. ECW Championship
5. Attitude Era Heavyweight Championship
6. Champion of Champions Title
7. Classic WWE Intercontinental Championship
8. WWE Light Heavyweight Championship
9. WCW World Heavyweight Championship
10. Undisputed Championship
11. Classic ECW Championship
12. European Championship
13. WCW Championship
14. WWE Championship (WCW spray-painted)
15. WCW World Heavyweight Championship (WCW spray-painted)
16. WWE Championship
17. World Heavyweight Championship
18. WWE Tag Team Championship
19. World Tag Team Championship
20. Cruiserweight Championship
21. Women's Championship
22. United States Championship
23. Divas Championship

This is due to a WCW-themed storyline that will be in the game. I am a little disappointed that the nWo spray-painted titles will not be in the game. I always liked those.

Cannot wait until November 22nd.

Upload Credit: G4tv.com

Impact Wrestling tapings, Macon GA (10-26-2011)

Got back to the house last night around 1:00 AM from the Impact Wrestling tapings in Macon, GA.  The show was not bad at all.  All spoilers will be after the jump, but let's talk about the trip for a second. 

SAW contributor, Norko, got the tickets for us.  The event started at 7:00 PM.  We left Jonesboro around 5:00-5:15 to head south toward Macon.  We knew we would be cutting it close, but should be able to get into the building before 7:00.  The ride down was pretty smooth.  The Macon Coliseum is right off the exit and easy to find.  As we approached the parking booths we realized we had a problem though.  They only took cash and neither of us had the $7 on us.  After a quick U-turn and ATM visit we were able to get into the lot and walk into the building right at the start of the show.  Not that we were disappointed by this, but we did miss the dark match.

On to the show...

FFA: It's Friday!

Halloween flavor this week with the theme song from one of the few horror movies I like.  This film really is incredible.





Have a great weekend. We will be heading down to Bobby Dodd Stadium for the Georgia Tech/Clemson game.

Upload Credit: robstones1968

Claudio Castagnoli in FCW

Thanks to SAW contributor, Norko for sharing this:

Before you see this on any other blogs.....First on SAW! Antonio Cesaro's debut match in FCW!

Upload Credit: CactusBack0

Occupy Badstreet

Finally, SAW has found a cause worth rallying for....

Photo Credit: SAW Contributor, Norko

WWE: WrestleMania makes record $62 million for Atlanta

WWE's corporate site issued this press release today.

STAMFORD, Conn., October 24, 2011 – WWE® announced today that WrestleMania XXVII generated $62.1 million in economic impact for the city of Atlanta, according to a study conducted by the Enigma Research Corporation.

This is a new record for WrestleMania’s economic impact, and a $17 million increase over WrestleMania XXVI. WrestleMania XXVII also generated approximately $7.8 million in local, state and county taxes.

I was there and it is great to see the city of Atlanta reap the benefits of hosting this event. It was a "bucket list" moment for a wrestling fan to attend a WrestleMania. This was even sweeter when it was in my state capitol.

FFA: Third Saturday in October (CFB 10-22-2011)

If you do not get the reference in the title then you are most likely not a Southern Football Fan. The Third Saturday in October is the name that represents the annual Alabama Crimson Tide/Tennessee Volunteers football game. It's Roll Tide vs Rocky Top, it's victory cigars and it's a great football rivalry.

This year's game is unusual in that Alabama is a 30 point favorite coming into this game. I'm a huge Alabama fan, but this game should never be that lopsided. Honestly, I'll be surprised if it is. The Vols have fallen on hard times after the dismissal of Phil Fulmer (the right call imho), the hiring and one year tenure of Lane Kiffin (the wrong call imho) and the hiring of UGA legend Vince Dooley's son, Derek Dooley (the jury is out on that one).

Anyhow, I hope the Tide rolls today.

Georgia Tech heads down to Miami today and I do not have a good feeling about that game at all. Hopefully the Jackets bow their neck, but they have lost two in a row to Miami. This includes getting dominated at home by a Miami team who fired their coach last season.

Enjoy your college football Saturday folks.

Your New TNA Champion: "Cowboy" James Storm

Still not sure why they didn't pull the trigger on Bobby Roode at Bound for Glory, but James Storm as champion works for me. Hopefully it is a sign of change coming to TNA/Impact Wrestling, but with that group you can never know what to expect.

Either way, that's a nice moment they gave us on Impact. I hope they follow-up with more like it. I'll be at the Macon, GA Impact show and will have a report from there.

Photo Credit: Impact Wrestling

Thanks to A1 poster, Zandrax for sharing.

The Wrestler: The Scott Hall Story

ESPN has posted their E:60 piece on Scott Hall from last night.  I don't have much to add other than this is required viewing for wrestling fans/fans of Scott Hall.

As everyone keeps saying, he is the real-life Randy "The Ram" from "The Wrestler."  The saddest part about the industry is that he is far from the only one.

Bill Dundee vs Paul Ellering in 1980

Now here is an interesting match from May of 1980. This is still a couple of years before my fandom started as I was only 2. The only wrestling I've ever seen from Paul Ellering were when he wrestled as the Road Warriors manager.

This is a fun little match. I really like the last spot where Jimmy Hart's interference is thwarted.

Also, you have to love that Memphis bumper music going into the commercials.

Upload Credit: ChannelExtreme

Major TNA Impact Spoiler

Per DOT NET a huge angle played out at the TNA Impact taping tonight...
*Do not click 'Read more' if you do not want to be spoiled*

WWE '12: Mark Henry

In honor of Mark Henry becoming one of the best things in WWE right now, I give you the World's Strongest Slam from WWE '12.  It doesn't capture the excellent facial expressions that help make Henry one of the scariest looking men on the roster, but it will still be a lot of fun inducting people into the Hall of Pain. Entrance video is after the jump.

Enjoy!

Jake "The Snake" Roberts talks Saturday Night's Main Event

Caught this clip over on Wrestling Classics today.  The thing that jumps out to me the most is that DDT Jake delivers to "The Dragon." It looked brutal. If Jake and Ricky are to be believed then Steamboat wasn't selling when Jake had trouble lifting him into the ring. When you hear Roberts talk about the technical setup for the show it really makes you appreciate how RAW broadcasts live just about every single Monday night. I have no recollection of that Macho Man/Roberts match, but it sounds like it would be worth tracking down.

Seriously though, brutal DDT.

Upload Credit: SatNightsMainEvent

FFA: Steve Jobs voices "Think Different" ad

Geekologie posted a tpuching tribute to Steve Jobs the other day. As you know, Jobs passed away on October 5th. The video above shows a proposed "Think Different" ad voiced by Jobs as opposed to the final narrator, Richard Dreyfus.

Why post this? Well I'm not "an Apple guy," but i noticed one of the individuals featured in the clip was none other than Ted Turner.

By the way, this was the first entry on SAW that was published on an iPad.

FFA: College Football (10-15-2011)

Let's see what we have this week:

BAMA's rolling into Oxford, MS today to take on the Ole Miss Rebels with beleaguered head coach, Houston Nutt. Ole Miss has nothing to lose, but I don't think they are equipped to really challenge an Alabama team that cannot be happy with their performance against Vandy last week.

Georgia Tech heads up to Charlottesville, VA to take on the Virginia Cavaliers. While that does not sound like much of a daunting task, the Yellow Jackets have struggled up there before. I hope and think they will handle their business today though.

Other big games on tap today are Texas A&M/Baylor (heightened due to the realignment tensions), Oklahoma State/Texas (I believe Mack Brown is undefeated the week after the OU game, but this looks to be in jeopardy today), Michigan State/Michigan and Arizona State/Oregon (ESPN's College Gameday is at this game).

All-in-all, it should be a fun day of college football, but then again it almost always is.

Enjoy!

E:60 on Scott Hall

The IWC has been buzzing about this E:60 that covers Scott Hall's personal demons.



A1 poster, jerseyboy, posted this clip with the subject "No words." I think that is probably just about the most fitting description of the mess that is Scott Hall now. The guy had all the tools to be one of the biggest superstars in wrestling history. Despite all his issues, he came really close to be perfectly honest. It is pretty clear at this point that the demons are winning and like JB said there are no words to express how sad that is. Much like with the Hardys, I hope that Hall can get it together before it is too late.

I am not terribly optimistic that will happen though.

Upload Credit: espnmediazone

25 years since Magnum TA's accident

The guys on WCMB mentioned this today.  Magnum TA's career-ending car accident was 25 years ago on October 14, 1986. Below is Magnum's first interview after his accident (February 1987). 

Magnum TA has gone on to live what appears to be a happy, successful life.  His company works on cell phone infrastructure and he is apparently doing well for himself.  As tragic as the end of his wrestling career was, he really has overcome the odds.



Upload Credit: Riggold

FFA: It's Friday!

I could feature Beatles music on every It's Friday!, but I like to give you a variety of music to end your week. This week, I chose to go with the Beatles. I almost used "Help!" based on the entry coming later today, but felt it might be disrespectful to that story.

Have a great weekend, hope you finish it strong. My work week ended on Wednesday so I have been in weekend mode since yesterday.

Life is good.

Upload Credit:  beatlesrock13

Eric Bischoff introduced as RAW GM

I'm working on watching OMG! The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History and it really is a fun feature to watch. It reminds me of all these great moments that have occurred over the years. Here's one that was not rated all that highly, but was genuinely shocking when it occurred. I never would have thought that Vince McMahon would employ his primary Monday Night Wars opponent, Eric Bischoff.


WWE Raw - Eric Bischoff debut new general... by AaruBui

WWE Raw - Eric Bischoff debut new general... by AaruBui

Upload Credit: AaruBui

NWA WildSide angle featuring Jeff G. Bailey, Iceberg and Caprice Coleman

This was shared with me by SAW contributor, Norko. This clip features the monster, Iceberg, and one of the best heel managers ever...Jeff G. Bailey.

Why share this? Let Norko briefly explain

Great angle that puts over how much of a monster Iceberg is and pushes a new star in Caprice Coleman

There you have it and he is 100% right. Sit back and enjoy some good ol' southern rasslin' for the next 10 minutes or so.



I hope to collaborate with Norko on a NWA WildSide post or series that touches on some of the other hot angles as well as our personal experiences at the shows. That was a great time to be a fan.

Upload Credit: wtcvidman

Where is Mike Knox?

Mike Knox was an internet favorite in his modern-day Bruiser Brody gimmick, but since his release I have not heard anything from or about him. Per LoP, he is not doing so well since parting ways with WWE:

Mike Knox wants nothing to do with the professional wrestling industry following his release from WWE last year. Friends of the 33-year-old say he became depressed over being let go by WWE and therefore won't accept requests for independent dates or even conventions.

If true (always a big IF with sites like LoP), then this really is sad. Knox was a guy who was pushed too hard in WWE's relaunch of ECW as Kelly Kelly's jealous boyfriend, but he stuck with it and came up with a good look. He was an excellent monster heel and could have been an asset as WWE's Meng. I know you're thinking that Haku was WWE's Meng. What I mean though is that he could be that midcard monster you push occasionally to a higher spot on the card.

In general, you hate to see anyone struggle like this after a job loss. I think reading about Tyson Tomko's recent issues also helps drive home what a sad business pro-wrestling can be.

Brock Lesnar in WWE '12!

As mentioned yesterday on SAW, THQ announced their final Mystery Superstar today and it is none other than BROCK LESNAR.



Upload Credit: WWE.THQ.com

WWE '12: Mystery Superstar update

It looks like the WWE '12 Mystery Superstar is no longer a mystery. TMZ is reporting that it is none other than...

Thunderbolt Patterson threatens Ole Anderson...in 1990

Thunderbolt Patterson is telling Ole Anderson that he's got his eyeballs on him. Patterson references their old GCW feud, but without more context I'm not sure what they had going on with those two in 1990. I hope they only did one take of this promo. If they did others and they were worse than that, I don't even know what to say.

Upload Credit: markwelp

FFA: It's Friday!

Heard it on the way home.  Hope you had a great Friday and have an even better weekend.



I'm heading to Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field to cheer on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets against the Maryland Terps.  Also, more importantly, I hope BAMA rolls all over the Vanderbilt Commodores.

FFA: MIZZOU to the SEC?

Missouri has long been mentioned as a possibility for the SEC's 14th team. That possibility increased on Tuesday when their curators gave their chancellor, Brady Deaton, the authority to look at conference options other than the Big XII. There is one catch though as allegedly Mizzou does not have enough backing to get into the SEC at this time:

A majority of SEC heads are in favor of Missouri applying to the conference, the Birmingham News reported Wednesday, citing two sources familiar with the discussions. But nine votes are needed to add a new school, and Missouri does not have enough backing for that to happen.

At this point it would seem that staying in the Big XII is not much of an option though. If Mizzou is number 14, it has been rumored that Auburn may move to the SEC East.

From the SEC perspective, what does Missouri bring to the table? An attractive TV market (St. Louis) and a larger geographical footprint.

From my perspective, what does Mizzou bring to the table? Well, St. Louis is "Handsome" Harley Race country and as EDSBS so astutely pointed out, Road House is set there.

Will Pruett on "major turns"

DOT NET's Will Pruett, wrote "The lost art of the major turn in WWE and TNA" recently as part of the Pruett's Blog feature on that website.
He closed it this way:

This is such a delicate art in booking. The turn is the one technique that can ignite a fire in a promotion like none other. All the worked-shoots and lockouts in the world cannot bring out the passion in the fans that one solidly executed turn can.

I think he's absolutely right about this.  Nothing in wrestling builds anticipation/excitement like a well-executed turn.  Batista's turn on Triple H and Evolution was not some shocking swerve, but a well-reasoned, expertly paced build that made perfect sense for everyone involved.

All-in-all, I think Pruett hits the nail on the head here.

Kevin Von Erich shares opinions on Twitter *UPDATED*

Update: An unknown SAW commenter posted the following in the comment section.

This was an impersonator who has since deleted his twitter. The real Kevin Von Erich can be followed @KevinVonErich

So the whole Jericho/Von Erich Twitter slap fight was apparently completely bogus as Kevin Von Erich was not the one using the KevinVonErich1 account.

Thanks for the update, Unknown Commenter.

I'll leave the piece here for historical purposes, but clearly it was not what we thought it might be.

LoP had a summary of some Tweets that WWE Hall of Famer, Kevin Von Erich shared recently and he did not pull any punches.

Chris Jericho is another guy I never saw anything in. He is a prima donna.

Jericho took this in stride with the following response.

At least i wore boots in the ring :)

Von Erich was not done however.

But you didn't wear a good attitude. I don't mean to come down on @IAmJericho but he has an exaggerated opinion of his abilities. I might not have worn boots when I worked but I also didn't get blonde highlights in my hair when I was in my 40s.

Kevin also shared opinions about other WWE Superstars such as Mark Henry, Wade Barrett and Shawn Michaels.

DISCLAIMER: I checked the official site and did not see anything that links to that Kevin Von Erich Twitter account and it is not a Verified account either. It is entirely possible that it is not actually Kevin Von Erich using that account.

New Intercontinental Belt

WWE Hell in a Cell seemed to get decent reviews on A1 last night, but on a night where Mark Henry had another impressive performance and Alberto Del Rio recaptured the WWE Title something else was the most buzzed about moment.

That's right, that tired old IC belt design has given way to something that looks a lot more like the classic belt most seem to prefer.

This, to me, is a much more classic belt.  Good move, WWE.  Now if you could do something about that ridiculous strap ADR is carrying right now.  

Photo Credit: WWE.com

FFA: College Football (10-1-2011)

South Atlanta Wrestling is focused on three games this weekend:

• Southwest Classic: Texas A&M and Arkansas
• Georgia Tech @ NC State
• Alabama @ Florida

The Southwest Classic is already in progress and Texas A&M is looking good so far.  Arkansas' defense looks inept and their vaunted offense looks no better.  So far this is a nice coming out party for A&M after the SEC announcement last Sunday.  Also a nice bounce back after the Oklahoma State disaster in College Station last week.

Georgia Tech heads to NC State in an ACC showdown.  GT is 4-0 for the first time since they won a share of the national title back in 1990 (10 years after UGA won their last one by the way).  Coach Paul Johnson's offense looks to have things cooking and I certainly hope that momentum carries them to a win on the road today.

The most important one for me has the Alabama Crimson Tide rolling into Gainesville, Florida to take on the Florida Gators.  Both teams are fast as can be, BAMA is more physical and experienced though and I think (hope) that makes the difference today.  I hate waiting around all day to see the Tide play, but the vibe should be electric under the lights in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium/The Swamp tonight.

Enjoy the games, folks.

ROLL TIDE!