The Bottom Line

2009-08-02T21:15:00.001-07:00

Detroit Steals Washburn

2009-07-31T08:57:00.000-07:00

The Tigers absolutely stole Jarrod Washburn from the Mariners today. Luke French (though he is showing promise as a starter) was not much to give up for a pitcher like Washburn.

At this point the Tigers still need to add a bat to the lineup. Three outfielder's come to mind: Adam Dunn, Aubrey Huff, and Alex Rios. Anyone of these gentlemen would really help the Tiger's stalled offense. The Tiger's will be doing a lot of "Platooning" around the outfield and possibly at third so an additional outfielder who can swing the stick this year just may do the trick.

Ok Mr. Dombrowski you have until 4PM!

The Steroid Era?

2009-07-31T08:03:00.001-07:00

What an absolute joke. Baseball actually has adopted the phrase: 'The Steroid Era'.

In my mind the entire record book has not changed. Maris is still the single season Home Run Champ and Hank Aaron is still the Home Run King. Take a seat Barry Bonds you have lost your privileges (don't argue with me, we all know Bonds was on the juice).

Canseco was right but don't give him credit. I think deep down we all knew these guys were all using "Performance Enhancers" before he[Canseco] blew the whistle on Major League Baseball.

The Bottom Line is...Steroids almost ruined my game. That's right "my game" of Baseball. Let's move on without prejudice. If a player tests positive again they should be gone from baseball. "Hey Man Ram, that's two strikes...one more and your gone.

Oh yea and Big Poppi is right behind you!

The Tigers need a move

2009-07-31T06:16:00.001-07:00

The trade deadline is almost here! Let's go get Adam Dunn. The bottom line is the Tigers need a bat to protect Cabrerra. Adam Dunn is the perfect fit. By 4PM EST the Tiger's better make a move!

Re-Booking TNA

2009-07-18T20:05:00.001-07:00

TNA Victory Road is on the horizon and I have to tell ya, it's a total mess.
Most TNA fans will agree that the show has been hard to swallow. TNA still has a problem with direction and over-booking storylines.
It would be impossible to re-book the entire company's progress up to this point, but I feel the need to shake things up a bit.
Here is my vision for Victory Road:

Sting vs. Samoa Joe
This is one of the match ups that TNA did surprisingly get right. Samoa Joe with Taz in his corner is intriguing and Sting should be making his rounds with young talent before his retirement.
One advantage my vision has for this match is new ring attire for Samoa Joe. I think a singlet is in order to match the ring style of Taz.
The face paint and pajama bottoms have to go (especially now that Joe is in the Main Event Mafia). Samoa Joe goes over in this via a clean pin.

6 Man Tag Team Match (Jeff Jarrett, Rhino, Daniels vs. Booker T, Scott Steiner, Kevin Nash)
No, the "Legends Championship" is not on the line. In fact the Legends title is no longer in existence in our case here. TNA can come up with a "TV Title" but the Legends title just has to go.
This match is more a struggle for power between the MEM and the originals than anything else. The Main Event Mafia will go over in this one via interference by Mick Foley. Foley will join the MEM officially.

Beer Money Inc. vs. The Motor City Machine Guns
This match is something that should have happened a long time ago. I am not sure what TNA's issue is with the MMG but it's time, it's their time. The Motor City Machine Guns will go over in this one and become new TNA Tag Team Champions.

Homicide vs. Suicide
This is another match that TNA got right...almost.
This match has everything to do with the Impact video game. If you have played the game, then you know LAX put the Suicide character in the hospital. I am not condoning booking matches because of a video game but hey TNA is already at this point.
As we all know Suicide is Kaz under the mask. I see Homicide going over in this one to retain X-Division title but,Kaz will be revealed as the man under the mask.
If you are a Myspace user you can see Kaz is a christian and proud to be "forgiven". I think his faith should be part of his de-masking.

Monster's Ball: Abyss vs. Stevie Richards
There is not much to say about this one. This match should be bloody and violent. Stevie Richards will go over in this one with help from Raven and Daffney. Raven's contract status is in question here, but TNA has brought him in before for such appearances.

Tara vs. Angelina Love
This return match would be fairly short but Tara will be able to show off her skill. Tara will retain the title with help from The Beautiful People officially breaking up the played-out stable.

AJ Styles vs. Kurt Angle
This match should be the best out of three falls. The match would resemble 3 stages of hell match but without the falls count anywhere.
The first match would be a straight match, the second would be a submission match and the third inside the six sides of steel.
AJ Styles is long overdue to win the TNA title. AJ will go over in this match to become the TNA World Champion.
Styles will win clean and will be congratulated by Bobby Lashley.This will leave fans wondering where Lashley's affiliation is. Is it with the MEM or the TNA originals?

2009-07-13T14:17:00.000-07:00

2009-07-12T11:54:00.001-07:00

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Could Hulk Hogan Help TNA?

2009-07-09T15:07:00.001-07:00

As reported on Rajah.com Hulk Hogan recently did an interview with the Southtown Star.
Hulk seems to think if TNA signs him it will give the company the boost they need to compete with the WWE.
The following are a few quotes from the article:
"I watch both products. (TNA's) like the little engine that could. Everybody thought they wouldn't be around for long, and they've been chugging along for seven years. They gain momentum every week. They seem to be real fresh. When a lot of guys go over to that side of the fence, they seem to get a spring in their step," Hogan said. He added that he also watched the WWE product saying, " Vince is the constant. He's the standard of excellence. I just love watching his show because you never know what he is going to do. Plus, the production -- you can't even touch his production. It's so dialed-in. It's amazing just to see how they put the pieces together."
"If you look at history, everyone says, 'History repeats itself.' With all of the choices in the universe of entertainment , I look at the big package and look at the big picture from 40,000 feet. I see history repeating itself. I see TNA getting strong. I see Vince McMahon being impeccable except for a few little holes in the boat."
Hogan continued, "TNA is lacking that one momentum-shifting move, that one big name that would even the playing field, the brand (that is) just as powerful as the WWE brand. (TNA's) lacking the big piece of the puzzle. It wouldn't matter who did what in the past. It will be a totally even playing field. You never know."
Reading between the lines it seems as if Hulk is referring to the Monday Night Wars and in particular what WCW did to compete (namely signing Hogan). I agree that WCW signing Hogan at the time was a brilliant move but this time around it would not work for TNA.
Hogan as always would demand a giant contract and TNA really should be focusing on talent that will actually be in the ring. Hogan is forgetting that TNA has signed some major names, and their ratings increased a but, not at the WWE level.
TNA has too many figure heads anyway. Jim Cornette and Mick Foley both were signed to be General Manager figures and look where Mick Foley is now. On top of that we haven't seen Jim Cornette in weeks!
TNA recently signed TAZ and Bobby Lashley. Bobby Lashley appeared on TV for a few seconds and no ratings spike at all. We have yet to see TAZ on TV but I am sure the ratings will remain the same after time. TAZ also will not be in the ring so this just adds the total number of manager roles. Even if TAZ is moved to the announce table there is still a need for talent in the ring.
Hogan's day has passed. He would have helped TNA years ago when Jeff Jarrett came to him with a contract. We caught a glimpse of Hogan getting smashed in Japan by a Double J guitar swing and it ended there.
Today TNA needs different help. I am not denying Hogan's drawing power but, Hogan does not have the staying power to have a lasting effect. Just making a few Impact appearances and maybe a pay per view won't do the trick. TNA needs production help. TNA needs creative help. TNA does not need Hulk Hogan.

wrestleblogs

2009-07-07T15:47:00.001-07:00

We are now on Wrestleblogs.com...Our podcast will be seen on their site along with my blog!

Will DX Destroy Legacy?

2009-07-07T14:12:00.000-07:00

Time for some good ole' speculation. I don't want to act as if I am booking this scenario because I wouldn't book what I am about to speculate anyway.

Let's get to it.

DX will destroy Legacy for good. Yep that's my bold prediction. All the signs are pointing towards it and I am sure of it.

Considering Shawn Michaels is set to return before Summer Slam and a DX "World Tour" has been confirmed we can undoubtedly say that DX has one more run in them. How do I know HBK will return before Summer Slam? Well he is on the promotional poster! I know things change but all the signs are still pointing to the return of HBK. As for the DX "World Tour" you can look that up on your own.

Legacy has been hinting towards a break up for quite some time. As many fans have speculated in the past, Ted Dibiase will be turning face sooner than later. We just saw an inc-ling of that on RAW this week when he wrestled Randy Orton. As for Cody Rhodes we can expect him to stay in Legacy a bit longer than Dibiase. If the Dibiase face turn occurs before Summer Slam then I speculate Jack Swagger will take his place in some capacity.

Triple H will not win the title at Night of Champions. Whether Cena or Orton is victorious is irrelevant. Legacy will cause Triple H to lose thus setting up a feud for Summer Slam. DX will most likely reunite at Night of Champions or soon after.

The Summer Slam main event will be DX v.s. Legacy.

Which form of Legacy will be a tough one to call. Depending on the Dibiase face turn or if Orton Retains the title.

If Orton retains the title he will most likely have to defend it at Summer Slam. If that happens then Legacy will consist of Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase. If there is a face turn before Summer Slam, and Orton does not have the title, then we are looking at Orton and Rhodes to face DX. Of course a great stipulation for this match would be whomever gets the pin, gets the title sort of thing. Yes this only works if Orton has the title.

Watch for Jack Swagger to be involved in some capacity in this main event. Swagger will not team with Orton to face DX that seems for certain.

The best thing about Pro Wrestling is speculating what is going to happen next. I hope I made you think and enjoyed the read.

show tonight

2009-07-05T08:57:00.001-07:00

We will be on the air tonight at 7pm EST: www.blogtalkradio.com/turnbuckletalk

Professional Wrestling: One Fan's Journey

2009-07-02T13:27:00.000-07:00

I will never forget the first time I saw it. A video package of the Iron Sheik with Bob Backlund in his clutches just before "The Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland threw in the towel from outside the ring. I thought, "what is this"? I wasn't sure what I saw but my eyes never left the television screen.

That's where it started, my addiction that is.

Through the years I have had as many ups and downs as professional wrestling but I never faltered. Even if I didn't watch for awhile I always knew who the champ was. I could always go back and pick up where I left off. Wrestling has always been my friend.

I went off to college and and found myself, including parties and alcohol. I didn't get much done in those first few years until I picked up a book by Mick Foley called "Have a nice day". I was working at a corner store with plenty of time to read and let me tell you I read this book faster than anything I read for class! The book brought me back to my Wrestling fandom full time. The passion Mick displayed in this book just overwhelmed me. I can't explain how a sport where two men "fake" fight for twenty minutes could be so inspiring, but it is.

Mick Foley's book inspired me to watch again but it didn't cure what ailed me.

I was a complete mess in my early twenties. I was depressed, angry, and just plain not happy. I abused alcohol, my body, and my friends (emotionally). I soon left college and returned home to figure my life out. During this period I discovered the Internet! No not just the Internet, the smart mark Internet.

The "Smart Mark" Internet is a place filled with news and opinions on Pro-Wrestling. I was astounded at the number of people who shared my passion! Along with news and opinions I found "Shoot Interviews" (real interviews not staged) which to me are the greatest thing since the Original ECW. I saw wrestlers spill their guts on camera and I again gained more of a passion for the sport. But I still wasn't totally straight.

This is when I found GOD.

I should say I found Shawn Michaels first. I had been screwing around in bars still and just not making good decisions. I still loved wrestling and watched religiously but I never knew the Shawn Michaels story. I remember watching RAW one night and HBK made his return. He was wearing a "Prayer Warrior" t-shirt and I was like "What the hell"? Then I bought his book (after his first dvd collection of course) and I was transformed. I decided to hit the gym, eat right and try GOD out for a change. I quit drinking and joined a gym. The rest is history.

I can honestly say Professional Wrestling "saved" my life. Much like a person is saved by Jesus, I am the person I always wanted to be because of it. In a weird way Wrestling brought me back to life. My passion for this sport goes beyond the show. I live my life with no excuses anymore. I am happy and proud to be a fan of Professional Wrestling.

Coming soon

2009-07-01T18:42:00.001-07:00

Two ideas on the way...An open letter to HBK and The biggest wrestling free agents out there

2009-07-01T17:53:00.001-07:00

Bobby Lashley at first was an interesting signing for TNA. Then, the wrestling world learned TNA would be taking a back seat to his MMA career. The news caused me to think about TNA as a "wrestling" company.
Why would TNA sign a wrestler that had no intention of wrestling full time?
Well, this is a pattern for TNA.
The pattern begins with TNA's very first pay per view. Ken Shamrock (if you remember) won the NWA World Title Tournament.
Shamrock has major ties with the MMA world and not to mention he is a former competitor in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). Shamrock in turn was the first NWA/TNA champion.
TNA's transition to the six-sided ring became eerily similar to the octagon used in the UFC. The transition came to fruition once TNA signed with Spike TV.
The pattern continues with the network Spike TV. TNA is always in competition with the UFC which is also broadcast on Spike. Just before the Spike TV deal, TNA used Tito Ortiz as a referee. Ortiz is a former MMA competitor and had ties with Dana White, the president of the UFC.
This competition has spilled over into the ring. TNA continues to use talent from the MMA world such has Frank Trigg. Trigg "fought" AJ Styles in a MMA-style match (which did not go over well with fans); nonetheless, TNA continues to try and tap into the MMA market.
Kurt Angle has made is very clear at times that he would like to compete in an MMA-style match. TNA has not made any objection publically about his statements or desire to do so.
As a matter of fact, Kurt Angle beat Brock Lesnar in Japan for the IWGP Heavyweight Title. As we know, Brock Lesnar is now under contract with the UFC.
Samoa Joe is a MMA-style wrestler and is seen training as such. During certain vignettes TNA uses footage of Joe kick-boxing in a UFC-style ring.
On top of that, Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle have wrestled an MMA-style match (though not booked as one) at the "Lockdown" pay per view.
Finally TNA has signed TAZ. TAZ is the perfect example of the MMA-style wrestler. In fact he was booked as such in the original ECW.
It is no coincidence that TAZ will most likely be linked with Samoa Joe when he makes his debut on TNA programming. Though TAZ will not be competing in the ring, the MMA vibe is the still there.
TNA needs to re- evaluate it's goals as a company. Right now, its a total mess.
Recently TNA used a storyline to put over Samoa Joe as a part of the Main Event Mafia. In which Joe "faked' wrestling Kevin Nash, Booker T., Scott Steiner, and Kurt Angle just to fool Sting. Well if TNA is so caught up in "real" fighting why would they fake anything?
I mean wrestling is fake, right?

The Dudley's/Team 3D

2008-08-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

Team 3D's TNA contracts are expiring next month and the two sides are currently in the process of negotiating a new deal, reports ProWrestling.NET. The two sides hope to finalize the team's contracts before they expire. TNA is said to be confident in re-signing the duo as WWE doesn't appear to have much interest in bringing the former Dudley Boyz back to the company. Devon is well liked by people in WWE, but Brother Ray has rubbed a lot of people in the rival company the wrong way. One source said, "Devon is guilty by association. No one in WWE has any ill will or bad feelings toward Devon, but Bubba is a detriment to his career." Perhaps the biggest knock against the former Bubba Ray Dudley is that he has a reputation for taking liberties with young wrestlers.

Tomko to WWE?

2008-08-20T06:13:00.000-07:00

Tomko, who recently parted ways with TNA, was backstage at last Tuesday's SmackDown/ECW taping in Atlanta. It wouldn't be surprising to see him return to WWE as there has been interest in him since his career revival in TNA

WWE NEWS

2008-08-19T16:36:00.001-07:00

The official theme music for this year’s WWE Unforgiven pay-per-view event is "Rock Out" by Motorhead. Unforgiven will take place on September 7, 2008, at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

WWE NEWS

2008-08-19T16:34:00.000-07:00

Source: Wrestling Observer- It appears the starting price to book WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair is $12,500. This price doesn't include a plane ticket and hotel room for Flair.

Sometime this fall Mr. Kennedy’s WWE contract will be expiring and many wouldn’t be surprised to see WWE let Kennedy go considering how this past year has been for him.- Despite the recent twelve WWE contract releases, backstage belief is that more cuts are on their way and may even happen this week.

WWE NEWS

2008-08-19T15:04:00.000-07:00

To follow up on the report posted earlier regarding C.M. Punk's head getting busted open during his match with JBL, WWE.com has posted a video of Punk getting his head stitched up, which you can see here.

WWE NEWS

2008-08-19T15:00:00.001-07:00

At last week's Raw in Richmond, the talk among the wrestlers was that another half-dozen names were going to be let go. The talk turned out to be true as six performers on the main roster were let go the following Friday including Cherry, Stevie Richards, Rory McAllister, Robbie McAllister, Colin Delaney, and ECW referee Wes Adams.

Orton Motorcyle Accident Fake?

2008-08-19T14:56:00.000-07:00

Last Monday, Randy Orton claimed he re-broke his collarbone the day before in a motorcycle accident near his home (in High Ridge, Missouri). Orton claimed his motorcycle struck a curb after a car veered into his lane, causing him to swerve to widen his turn. Orton said he was thrown off the motorcycle and continued to roll 300 feet while unconscious. He landed in a ditch and believes he could have died had he not been wearing a helmet. He said his only injury was to his collarbone, which won't require additional surgery. He will now be out of action an additional three months. Not to say that the motorcycle accident didn't happen, but the entire ordeal does seem suspicious. Thus far, the St. Louis media has yet to report anything on the supposed accident. Secondly, the Missouri highway patrol has no record of responding to any accident involving the WWE Superstar, although they would likely only have to do with the highways. Some people asked the St. Louis police department about the apparent accident, but knew nothing about it when asked. Orton is based out High Ridge, a St. Louis suburb, which is in Jefferson County. Some people called the county sheriff's department line, but it goes to a voice message and then says that the message box is full. Some neighboring jurisdictions that the St. Louis police suggested were also checked, and once again, nobody knew anything about the accident. A few days before the supposed accident, Orton was in the U.K. promoting SummerSlam and said he was two weeks away from returning to the ring.

WWE NEWS

2008-08-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

-- On WWE.com, Matt Striker's profile is now in the ECW section whereas the profile of Tazz is now in the SmackDown section. This should indicate that their respective announcing switches are permanent.

2008-08-17T20:07:00.000-07:00

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