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Indy'd Indeed: The Forgotten Alternative |
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Indy’d Indeed: The Forgotten Alternative
Hello all, and welcome to another exciting edition of the Indy’d Indeed (Indeed, Indeed!). I’m Mr. Indianapolis, but you can call me Mr. Indy.
Last week, I didn’t have all that much to talk about. In the days before the draft, I threw out a few more of my predictions to come, ranted about a few things here and there, and finished with a TNA sucks message.
This week? Well, I could talk about the draft, but I really don’t see a point. Night of Champions is right around the corner, and as soon as it happens, I could be outdated trying to talk about what happened last Monday. But I will shoot off a few things. Then maybe a bit on TNA again. And then we’ll move on to this week’s main event.
The Draft and Night of Champions For very immediate starters, don’t think you know how the draft is going to go down. The most common thing I’ve been hearing is that Trips is either losing the belt to Cena, or Edge is losing the belt to Batista, thus, RAW has a world belt again (what, ECW doesn’t count?). And Kane may very well lose the belt to a “more ECW” guy. Then, everything is back to normal and everything’s coming up roses.
HAH!
I really doubt it. I sincerely doubt Vince is going to let this resolve so easily. First off, this wouldn’t be the first time that RAW was left without a champion, and it really didn’t ruin things. Remember RVD post-One Night Stand a few years back? ECW had 2 world belts, RAW didn’t have anything. There was a big hooplah about how RAW would get the belt back... until people remembered Edge was #1 contender to it. Yeah! A way to resolve this and get the belt back! Well... no. Edge lost the match. And who knows how long RAW would have been left without a champion if RVD hadn’t been caught doing something stupid and been forced to drop both belts.
If RAW gets any belt back, it’ll be the spinner. For starters, it’s practically Cena’s. And Cena isn’t on Smackdown. And if I may comment, congratulations to the rare few that picked Triple H being drafted to SD!. For those of the rest of us that “knew” otherwise, may I join you in saying that Triple H being drafted was my mark out moment of 2008.
Anyway, how is a world belt getting on RAW if not for NoC? I dunno... but I bet it has something to do with CM Punk. I mean really, when have you ever seen the Money in the Bank briefcase act so invisibly? And I just know that Vince could have some stipulation to have Punk not change brands due to lack of a belt on RAW. I just hope that Punk doesn’t drop it to someone only for it to immediately be cashed in. As cool as it was to have Edge come in to SD! and beat Undertaker in Smackdown’s time of need, it REALLY discredited the MITB briefcase. Here we were expecting Kennedy to cash in at some time, and yet somebody thought it would be smart that our expectations could be shaken up in one week. It’s one thing to realize we could have a new champion at any time when we know who the guy is. But when anybody on the roster could pull what Edge did... well, it kinda takes something back from the MITB.
In a counterprediction to which belt I think is going to RAW, have CM Punk cash in on Edge at the wedding, and bring the World Heavyweight Championship back to RAW.
And now... A Public Service Announcement Some people may want to skip this section, especially if you don’t care about TNA. If you do, and I offended you last week, you should still probably read it. ;)
Last week I threw out my disgust for TNA’s current standing. However, I realize that maybe some people read too much into what I was saying as the generic anti-TNA rant. I would like to state categorically (and you can check into last week’s article for yourself to see) that I NEVER said the following:
-TNA talents are WWE rejects. On the contrary, these guys are getting a paycheck. And some of them people want to see certain TNA guys hit the WWE because they are recognized as big-time material... something that TNA is currently not. Let’s face it... when a guy gets released from WWE, where is he going to go? Well, with ROH not being particularly mainstream, and nothing else really being very available to an audience, TNA is the only way to go. But not a single TNA-supporter that left a comment left me alone for this one, when I didn’t say it. And that just shows me that you weren’t paying attention.
-TNA wrestlers are bad. Yeah... like I’m gonna say this? Somehow I think Kurt Angle was a technical god in the ring for the WWE, only rivaled by Benoit there, and yet he went to TNA and started to suck? Boy that would make me sound logical, wouldn’t it? Not so much. I like Samoa Joe. I like AJ Styles. I like Kurt Angle. I think TNA has some talents that would immediately get overlooked by the WWE. Cool. And for the record, I never said anything was wrong with the wrestlers.
-TNA will never be as good as WWE. I’ll say this... I sure hope TNA will be as good as WWE. I never made the claim that TNA would never be as good. In fact, I think a little competition to the WWE would be the greatest thing in the world. We got spoiled by the Monday Night Wars in a way. Wrestling was good because it had to be good. If you weren’t good, you got eaten alive as a promotion.
Do we feel better now? But really, all the above is just ammo for what I was saying last week; TNA is out of excuses. Are they a lost cause? Nope. Do they have the potential? Yep. But they need to do something. They had their first awesome exposure when Angle jumped over to feud with Joe, and apparently they just didn’t keep most of what audience they got out of it. Sad, but true. And like I said last week, if TNA is your brand, cool, I’m glad you found it. We can’t all be expected to like the same stuff.
But there is an alternative brand that got even more overlooked than TNA. It’s too late to catch it now... but there is a DVD of it, from beginning to end.
The Lost Alternative “In January of 2007, the pro wrestling industry was shaken to its core when MTV launched Wrestling Society X. Rumors ran rampant throughout the industry about the heads of wrestling promotions fearing what would happen if this hip, new take on their business, filled with younger, more entertaining, more spectacular wrestlers and matches, caught on. Luckily for them, like all great revolutions, it was misunderstood by many, including the very network that stood the most benefit from its success.
“But for 9 glorious episodes. . . WSX changed the way people thought wrestling HAD to be presented. Those who “got it,” loved it! Those who didn’t still could not believe the excitement of the matches compared to what was being offered by the “established” wrestling companies.”
Directly from the DVD of “Wrestling Society X: The Complete First (and Last!) Season!”, and it couldn’t have been more true.
Wrestling Society X was the polar opposite of standard wrestling as it is seen today. And really, it was the closest thing to ‘old school’ ECW I have seen on television. For those who haven’t seen WSX, I implore you to save up 20 bucks and head to Best Buy for the DVD. It’s only 10 episodes, but you’ll be sucked into the fad, and wishing that the federation hadn’t folded.
Some of the big names here are Sean “6-Pac” Waltman, Teddy Hart (as in The Hart family), and Matt Sydal (now Evan Bourne on WWE’s ECW). If you follow more obscure promotions, such as AAA, you may know of Vampiro and Ricky Banderas as well. But just because you may not have heard of some of the other guys means nothing. You’ll fall in love. One of my new all-time favorites was found in Jack Evans, the master of the 630 Splash. Yeah, a 630... you’ll never see that in the WWE. Also, you’ll see Matt Sydal as WWE will never be able to use him.
Really though, WSX can best be described as an over-the-top, campy, hardcore alternative to what we see nowadays. The entire promotion was shot in the WSX bunker, and held some of the coolest matches from the USA that I ever would have expected to see. The rules of conduct were pretty simple. Most matches had a 10 minute time limit (due to time constraints), weapons are always legal, and falls count anywhere! Also, if you watched the promotion on MTV, you missed the unaired season finale, with the Piranha Deathmatch and the Exploding Steelcage Timebomb Deathmatch. Pick it up just for those. Awesome conceptual matches that delivered more than you could ever have imagined.
Don’t get me wrong, many things were wrong with this promotion, and some things were beyond their control. The biggest issue was that episodes were only a half hour long! If you logged online (or if you watch on this DVD), you could make it about an hour by watching the WSXtra Episodes. And really, the WSXtra episodes were crucial, and I think they were an excellent way of giving fans more matches beyond the time constraint that MTV set before them.
Many other complaints I had (such as only having one title belt, and a grand total of 3 women on the roster) were saved by the alternate commentary, and revealing future plans. Apparently, tag titles were on the way (in fact, one team of contenders was named on the last WSXtra episode), as was a Women’s division, and two contenders were named to kick off an X-Division type title. In fact, the plans made in alternate commentary really made me wish this promotion could last even just a bit longer!
But overall, everything came together so well for what there was. Despite only having 10 episodes, there were many worthwhile feuds set up. They went much quicker than normally desired by WWE/TNA standards, but given the short season, it was actually welcomed. Also, the gimmickry was awesome. Where else would you see a luchador-style masked wrestler named “El Hombre Blanco Enmascarado” (The White Guy in the Mask)? Okay, maybe a bad example, but That 70’s Team and D.I.F.H. (Do It For Her!) are sure to keep you amused. Especially with inhalers, wardrobe malfunctions, and overall dysfunctions.
If you’re a fan of hardcore wrestling, then you won’t be disappointed. Vampiro, Banderas, and Youth Suicide are three wrestlers that are more than willing to take the bumps. Youth Suicide even takes a dive reminiscent of Mick Foley’s dive through the announce table from the top of the Hell in a Cell match.
And the highflyer-lovers needn’t be worried either. Not only will you see some impressive aerial stunts, but you’ll see beautifully flowing matches that put spot-fests to shame. Learn the names Jack Evans, Human Tornado, and Teddy Hart. Beware, though! You’re going to see some of the most high-risk maneuvers you’ve ever seen if you’re not familiar with wrestling outside of the USA. And while they make it look easy, don’t try it! For all things good and holy, don’t try it!
If you don’t believe that over-the-top wrestling, filled with exploding caskets and cages, as well as some of the best in high-flying action, innovative submissions, almost logical storytelling, and hardcore bumps can be put on in the USA, then you had another thing coming to you for 10 episodes of Wrestling Society X.
But anyway... Well, now you’ve heard my predictions, a public service announcement, and what turned out to be an out-right advertisement. And really, I gotta tell you that I’m quite upset WSX will never be back, at least not with the same talent that it started with, but at least they went out with a literal bang!
I’m sure next week I’ll be chatting it up about the draft of Night of Champions, but for this week, you should know that you just read history, as this will probably be the only time ever that I talk about three different promotions in one article. I have little intention of keeping the TNA rant going, but I may just talk about WSX a bit more next week if I find out that anybody went to buy the DVD set and start watching. I’ve got a bit more to say, but I’d rather not blow it for those that I’ve inspired interest (or at least curiousity) in about the promotion.
In the meantime... this is still the Indy’d Indeed, and I’m still Mr. Indy. And don’t worry, I guess this is the obligatory part where I remind you that I still intend on talking about RVD (a man who would’ve done SO well in WSX I can imagine). Yep... RVD--
Until next week... ;) Views: 1,072 
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COMMENTS |
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Comment # 1
Dude, ur r ausome TNA sucks andWILL NEVER be as good as WWE.
even samoa joe was rejected by WWE, because he didn't have the wwe look and CM Punk was chozen. As told in mick Foley's hardcore diaries.
Posted by Louie De La Torre on Saturday, June 28, 2008
Comment # 2
Thank you. Thank you so much. While I like TNA, it's nice to see the typical complaints about it being shot down by someone that doesn't.
Heck, I'm a TNA fan and I want to change the channels so often it's pathetic. I don't get to watch it often enough, and when I do, I always watch it on TiVo. I cannot stand the stupidity of their garbage between matches. They go from, in my opinion, excellent matches to scripts that the Three Stooges would think were too stupid to try.
That said, I've accidentally stumbled onto another alternative for old school wrestling fans like myself. Far better than TNA for old fashioned wrestling. For people that think hardcore is just a way to make up for limited talent, ESPN2 is airing AWA matches. AWA is the purist's fed, and it died because there wasn't enough entertainment between matches, but the matches were some of the best I've ever seen.
For those that aren't familiar with it, some well known names came from there, like Curt Henning. He took the name Mr. Perfect there when he won the championship. Then there's the Midnight Rockers, better known as The Rockers when they changed feds. You know... the team that gave Shawn Michaels to all his fans? Dingo (aka Ultimate) Warrior. Tarus (Vader) Bulba. It's even where I first saw the flowing blonde hair and flying attacks of a surfer dude and his valet, Sunny Beaches. Yes, for those that might remember, Steve Austin when he could wrestle. And no, Sunny Beaches isn't the Sunny.
Posted by Kodiac on Saturday, June 28, 2008
Comment # 3
Here is something to ponder, and will be happening soon, well of coarse when the contracts run out...
Hernandez of LAX and AJ Styles are going to WWE... AJ is still debating since he might now get a push with Steiners injury and if Kurt leaves for the UFC, LOL (Just like Brock) but we will see if he can get thru the submission only MMA match... ANYWAY Hernandez is a done deal and more likely start out in ECW since the are low on talent..
Also to all Deuce is related to Supper Fly, not sure about being his son, but he is related.. And as far as the NEW 2nd Generation Wrestler joining together (Ted Jr.,Cody,D.H. Smith and Deuce) CAN YOU SAY "FOUR HORSEMEN" Yes the rumor is true WWE and Ric Flair are working out a NEW Generation Four Horsemen, and The Natch as the manager...
And look for Trish to be back this fall she still is working out a deal and to most likely to be on Smackdown to fued with Neidhart...
also Rumor News Abyss might be jumping to WWE since he is unhappy with JJ(Jeff Jarrett) and how things are run, just like Konan walking out, I think TNA needs some wrestling people in the Office and not some fresh student out of school,or you will see more talent leaving.
and a BIG laughter..... X-Punk I mean X-Pac still trying to come back to WWE....
Dude you rock sorry for the rant...
NOTE: Everything above are not rumors or fantasies they are all a done deal except the Abyss ordeal THAT is a rumor Konan walking out is not tho sorry to say and he refuses to go to WWE despite Rey trying to get him there.....
Till next time Yall.
Posted by Brg on Saturday, June 28, 2008
Comment # 4
TNA may sck but the worst thing about them is the commentary team, their storylines are better than WWE recyclimg theirs. Who here has seen Edge vs. Undertaker or Batista and HHH vs. John Cena and Big Show vs. Kane
Posted by Mr. Hi on Saturday, June 28, 2008
Comment # 5
Well... no. Edge lost the match.
Does Edge vs. RVD vs. John Cena ring a bell to you? IT WAS IN PHILLY. I WAS IN THE STANDS. The night that made me an Edgehead. Edge won the WWE TITLE FROM RVD AND GAVE RAW A WORLD TITLE.
Sorry for the minor rant..
Youth Suicide even takes a dive reminiscent of Mick Foley’s dive through the announce table from the top of the Hell in a Cell match.
Thank you for this call. I remembered channel flipping and coming upon WSX. The main event had five known wrestlers by some, and an unknown wrestler named Youth Suicide. It was a ladder match, and they had vats of fireworks on the sides. You could get eliminated (i think) if you were thrown over the ropes. (i think, or maybe this is a figment of my imagination.)
Anyway, sometime through the match Youth Suicide is climbing a ladder. He's the only one in the ring, when Vampiro I believe comes into the ring, and shoves the ladder, landing Youth Suicide into a FIREWORKS PIT which EXPLODES. That, my dear friends, was awesome.
-TPP
Posted by The Philadelpha Phighter on Saturday, June 28, 2008
Comment # 6
Man... Matt Sydal kicked butt in WSX... he did some outragous high-flying maneuvers (no wonder he has the Shooting Star Press in the WWE) RVD would of been an even greater god if he had the chance to go to WSX (he would of been at least 2x as good as Matt Sydal was)
But Mr.Indy that was a very good article and im glad that u included WSX (i thought that i was the only one who watched it)...
Oya by-the-way i heard that when Samoa Joe loses his TNA Championship, he will leave the TNA and go to WWE!!!!
Posted by Keith Bressler on Saturday, June 28, 2008
Comment # 7
Gail Kim is hottttttttt and yeah TNA WILL NEVER BE AS GOOD AS WWE.
Posted by Samoa Slow is lame on Saturday, June 28, 2008
Comment # 8
wwe and tna sucks, but really wsx? they suck even more that the other two together
Posted by manuel taker on Saturday, June 28, 2008
Comment # 9
in reply to the first post, Samoa Joa was actually wanted by WWE, but refused as he idnt like the gimmick direction they wanted, and chose to stay with TNA and get the push an Angle fued.
The gimmick he refused - Umaga. He didnt want to be a stereotype for Samoans.
Posted by Factmonger on Saturday, June 28, 2008
Comment # 10
wsx was awsome
Posted by nick hogan on Saturday, June 28, 2008
Comment # 11
hmm, WSX reminds me a little of old FMW, EXPLOSIONS GALORE!
Posted by Zephon on Saturday, June 28, 2008
Comment # 12
Quote"Somehow I think Kurt Angle was a technical god in the ring for the WWE, only rivaled by Benoit there, and yet he went to TNA and started to suck?Unquote"
In case u didnt no,angle was fired.
Now I'm going off to look for WSX!
Thanks
Posted by King DX on Saturday, June 28, 2008
Comment # 13
I always enjoy your articles.
Thanx for the time you spend at writing them.
Never knew the old ECW (i'm french, and in France), i'm a wrestling fan since my teenage years with WWF, and this game is just a way to "live" my passion (don't have the body to be a succesful wrestler, and way too old now!^^)
But why the running pun on RVD?
see ya next week!
Posted by Pearson on Saturday, June 28, 2008
Comment # 14
"And that just shows me that you weren’t paying attention."
I was paying attention, that's why my comment was never directed to you , Mr. Indy, but to Jason, who said "TNA is WWE's garbage bag." He started this discussion and it went further and further. You never said it but I never said that you did.
To be honest, I really hope that things will be shaken up in TNA, and yes, Seeing Russo fired is my dream. TNA should never be as good as WWE, because it should be something else. If it will turn to be another WWE, it will loose at that moment. Sorry for the rant.
And now I'm going to get WSX dvd, you really got me interested in it. Thx for head-ups.
Posted by Clairvoyant on Saturday, June 28, 2008
Comment # 15
Absolutely tru TNA suks and copy WWE storlines
WWE RULES
Posted by Hellscraper on Saturday, June 28, 2008
Comment # 16
wsx sounds nice and pretty i wouldve loved watching it where can i find hardcore vids on the net
Posted by wow on Saturday, June 28, 2008
Comment # 17
abyss in wwe no way it will not happen they dont know any stroyline that would work with him unless they do an old kane one, and samoa joe should demand the tipe of stroyline he wants from wwe if they want to sign him they will have to listen
Posted by crazydude on Sunday, June 29, 2008
Comment # 18
absolutely true, WSX kicked ass!!!
i would wanna see Jack Evans, Teddy Hart, Human Tornado, Team Dragon Gate, Luke Hawkx and Alkatrazz in WWE someday
Posted by Rob Bailey on Sunday, June 29, 2008
Comment # 19
Both feds have their pros and cons but in the end TNA has two massive question marks against it that it needs to address before it can progress:
1. The constant recycling of old WWE superstars, whilst a viable business move for casual TV viewers, merchandising and proven in-ring ability, does give the shows a certain jaded feel. When they have a four-on-four tag and six of the eight participants are old WWE, its really telling. Its this jaded aspect and some of their ... old school product values that really has me thinking I am watching WCW (and not in the good way!). Maybe its as simple as the direction of the entrance ramp? I dunno - but thats a big bugbear for me.
2. TNA has been around for a fair old time now. They have had a lot of money thrown at them. They have a roster that is second in the world only to the WWE. They have the pick of the indy stars and trust old hands from WWE/ECW/WCW. They have tours, action figures, an upcoming computer game and all of the other trappings of a successful promotion. And yet, in the WWEs old slot on SpikeTV, they can only garner 1.0 ratings, if that. Each year we hear that it is going to be TNAs breakthrough year and each year I'm becoming more convinced that they are not going to break through. I don't think they know how to break through. Moreover, with both companies hitting relatively stagnant ratings for the last god knows how long, I think this end of the industry is pretty much at the hardcore base that will always watch, whatever, so there isn't a lot for TNA to grab for those extra ratings points.
It will be interesting if they actually go for the Knockouts only show. Thats something that I haven't seen on mainstream before and it might work. Or it might not. Who knows?!
Posted by Joey Diamond on Sunday, June 29, 2008
Comment # 20
Expanding Knockouts division? Sounds great, but I don't believe that they would ever go for Knockouts-only show. Maybe they should think about creating a second show, so they could promote heavyweight wrestlers as much as now, but give Knockouts and X-division twice more time than it is now. I would be more than happy to see that. Too bad it's not very likely also.
Posted by Clairvoyant on Sunday, June 29, 2008
Comment # 21
To pick up on Joey's points... #1 I don't believe there's much of a way they can avoid that really, and also when I watch such matches, I don't think of the ones who were in WWE as old WWE stars very often anyway, but I think of them as TNA stars. So it's not a big bother for me at least. #2 Whilst I think far too much is read into TV ratings, I do kinda agree with the general point, which is that they're not accelerating very quickly, shall we say (or at all). I still think they're in with a good shot, but they've yet to jump that "this is gonna be their year" hurdle, really. I still personally prefer them to WWE. Finally, sorry Indy if I ever suggested that you were one of the anti-TNA typics I had a go at last time. I can't remember whether I did or not.
Posted by Jane Ross on Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Comment # 22
Just wanted to add... I'm really, really glad there aren't any explosion-based matches on the TV I watch and I hope there never are. I know a ton of people slaver over torture-style pro wrestling, sure it has its place and lots of flavour, and while I'm not a huge fan I appreciate the odd bit every now and then. But explosions? What next, are we going to have them shooting each other? Am I the only one who thinks this is completely and utterly irresponsible, BOTH towards the (evidently impressionable) audience, AND towards the wrestler him/herself? Yes lots of people want to do 'extreme stuff'. And I know there's a lot of it out there. But there is such a thing as too extreme. 'Suicidal' as a character you play is fine. Fine on a stuntperson who knows what they're doing. But when it shows through as part of who you are, then you need help getting over it - not encouraged to dwell on it. Somebody gets sent into a box of fireworks which then explode? This is a GOOD thing, seriously? People enjoy this? Makes me feel nautious. I'm sorry but I find barbed wire or tacks difficult enough, but they are okay because you know full well they aren't actually risking life and limb. With explosives, how exactly can they not be? Take the 'hardcore' thing too far and I think it just turns horrible. Did I hear 'pirhana match' somewhere also? Does pro wrestling really need this? Hell you've put me off watching old ECW, never mind this new thing. Sorry. I understand 'each to their own', like I said, but I do think some things are just horrible besides, and kinda sad to be honest. If somebody wants to explode themself for ratings, that doesn't make me want to cheer.
Posted by Jane Ross on Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Comment # 23
nice
Posted by beni on Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Comment # 24
hey nice
Posted by arben on Wednesday, July 16, 2008
