Saturday, January 29, 2011

Wrestling Obscurity: Kenzo Suzki

Wrestling Obscurity: Kenzo Suzki
I know I just started Wrestling Obscurity (WO), but I wanted to talk about Kenzo for awhile. Mainly because most wrestling fans don’t remember him at all. Well the American wrestling fans anyway, but in fairness to Kenzo. He has wrestled around the world for several wrestling promotions; TNA, WWE/F, All Japan Pro Wrestling, just to name a few and he continues to wrestle in Japan. But for this installment of WO, I thought we would take a look at Kenzo’s time in WWE/F. The year was 2004, Kenzo and his “manager” Hiroko debuted on SmackDown and his first opponent was Scotty 2 Hotty. Guess who won? Scotty? I don’t think so. Kenzo was introduced as a heel and would have matches with against baby faces such as Scotty, Spike Dudley and Billy Gunn, whom Kenzo had a short feud with. As time went on Kenzo was given 2 gimmicks. The first one was convincing fans he was pro-American by poorly singing popular songs and the other was an obsession with busty wrestling divas such as Torrie Wilson.
With those gimmicks out of the way, Kenzo was given the opportunity to team with René Duprée and together they won the WWE Tag Team Championship, defeating Billy Kidman and Paul London. However 3 months later they lost the titles to Rob Van Dam and Rey Mysterio
Rene and Kenzo parted ways and Kenzo had a brief feud with John Cena for the WWE United States Championship, They even engaged in a battle rap. Yes that was back in the days when Cena was rapping. Anyway that “gem” can be seen by clicking the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rcZRZud7SY
Not long after his feud with Cena, Kenzo suffered a collapsed lung and was sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) immediately after his recovery, where he continued his training until he was ready to return to the main roster. Suzuki and Hiroko were traded to Raw on June 30, 2005 at the end of the draft lottery. On July 6, 2005, Suzuki was released from his WWE contract along with his wife Hiroko, before debuting on Raw.

Next time we'll take a look at Tough Enough's Nidia

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Nexus, Nexus

So on Friday we had the honor, privilege or distain (depending on how you view it) of seeing Wade Barrett reunite with two of the original Nexus members. This was all bad news to me. Having one Nexus is enough, now having two is worse. At least before we could watch Smackdown with at least 85% certainty that we wouldn't have to be bothered with the Nexus. Nexus isn't all bad but it's just become lame. How many times can you gang jump people and it be exciting? It's gone on too long. They haven't gotten any gold (correction--they didn't EARN any gold). At least if it was proven they could hold their own in the ring I'd be able to stomach them a bit better.

What I find interesting though is now it just appears as though the Straight Edge Society and Nexus just traded shows. And why give CM Punk another faction when he couldn't hold the last one together. (Now all of a sudden he's like God's heaven sent faction leader---not!)

Well, we shall see what happend next with the Nexus.

I guess this is why I love WWE! :-)

Terri Lynn

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Wrestling Obscurity: Maven

With the announcement of a new Tough Enough, I thought it would be a good idea to introduce "Wrestling Obscurity." This will look at wrestlers, storylines, managers, etc. that didn’t make that much of an impact and have faded into obscurity, hence the title. Now I think given enough time just about anyone or anything can fade away and be forgotten. So with that said, I won’t look back past the year 2000, now like all wrestling events; card is subject to change.

First up, Maven Huffman. Maven won a year's contract with the WWF after he won the first series of Tough Enough, a reality TV show on MTV, in 2001. Maven made an “impact” in the WWF by eliminating The Undertaker from the 2002 Royal Rumble, and holding the Hardcore Tilte 2-times in the same year.

In 2003, Maven entered the Royal Rumble for a second time. but was eliminated by the Undertaker. In March 2003, Maven was given a World Title match against then Champion Triple H, on Heat, but lost.
In 2004, Maven experienced the biggest push in his career, even gaining a victory over then-Evolution member Batista. Maven then took part in a Survivor Series Elimination Match at Survivor Series 2004, teaming with Randy Orton, Chris Benoit, and Chris Jericho to face Triple H, Batista, Gene Snitsky, and Edge for the power to control Monday Night Raw for one month. Maven was attacked backstage by Snitsky prior to the match, but after Benoit was eliminated, Maven arrived to join his teammates. He was eventually eliminated by Triple H. Orton was the sole survivor and as a result, he and his team had control of Monday Night RAW for one month.

Maven was the first to control Raw, booking himself in a World Heavyweight Championship match against Triple H, who tried to get out of it by offering Maven a place in Evolution. He declined, but despite interference from Jericho, Benoit, and Orton, Triple H retained the title.
Maven then feuded with then-Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin, culminating at New Year's Revolution 2005 in a singles match for the championship. Benjamin quickly defeated him in just a matter of seconds. Maven then cut a promo on Benjamin, stating that it "Didn't count", and challenged Shelton for a re-match. It was accepted, he returned to the ring, and was then beaten in seconds…again.

Now long after losing to Shelton, he entered an unofficial alliance with Simon Dean, serving as a successful user of the Dean character's "Simon System" line of nutritional products. The team was split when Dean was traded to SmackDown and Maven was subsequently released by WWE on July 5, 2005.

After his time in WWE, it was announced by VH1 that Maven would be a participant in Season Six of The Surreal Life. On the first episode, he was picked by the existing castmates as the seventh and final cast member in a "15 More Minutes of Fame Reality Hunk Pageant," beating four other reality hunks, including former American Idol contestant Corey Clark. Subsequently, Maven was a host for a show the BET J List.
He continues to work the independent circuit, after nearly retiring, usually for Hermie Sadler's United Wrestling Federation. He has appeared on the Home Shopping Network's weekday morning show, HSN Today, as its exercise, wellness expert and as a Sports Promoter on HSN.
Maven has been in the films “The Man Behind the Curtain” “Mate” and “Cream.” And like so many others you can find him on twitter, facebook, and his website MavinHuffman.com

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

"The Prodigy” Mike Bennett tv debut

Mike Bennett made his debut last night in ROH on HDNET. After boasting and guaranteeing that he would be the next ROH Champion in his first year in ROH. You would expect a great performance, even if he is a heel. Is he the next face of ROH?? Well from what I saw last night. I wouldn't think so. His debut match against Nick Dinsmore was entertaining, but it was average at best, nothing really spectacular, especially from the "Prodigy." Watching the match and hearing the commentators. It appears that Bennett, doesn't have any signature moves and not really a finishing move. He won the match yes, but with a spine buster. A spine buster...? That may be alright for NXT but not ROH. We'll see if Bennett can come into his own and not fade into obscurity.

Monday, January 10, 2011

TNA Genesis Results

Every time you order a PPV you hope that you'll get your moneys' worth. Did Genesis deliver? I say yes; yes it did. I’ll go over the PPV, but I’m relying on poor notes and memory so if I get something wrong, I apologize. So here we go, here is a rundown of all 9 matches, yes I said 9 matches!!

1. Jay Lethal vs. Kazarian for the X-division championship. Good match with good action between the 2 wrestlers, but in the end Kazarian hit his finishing move; sorry don't know what it is called. And became the 4- time X-division champ.
So that’s one for immortal, but we cut to backstage office, and there is a meeting between Eric, Ric, and AJ. Apparently AJ is injured and can’t wrestle, he hurt himself helping his kid, who wrecked on a 4-wheeler. So there will have to be a replacement for AJ.

2. Madison Rayne vs.Mickie James for the TNA Knockout Championship. An ok match for the women's title. I especially liked it when Madison was running away from Mickie that sparked a "You can't wrestle" chant from the crowd. However Madison's "girlfriend" Tara had to interfere and get in Mickies's face and distract the referee while Madison put on a glove that I guess was "loaded." Anyway she hits Mickie with the gloved hand and down goes Mickie for the 1-2-3.

3.Motor City Machine Guns vs. Beer Money for the TNA Tag Team Championship. Match of the night? Maybe, they definitely put on a good match. Lots of high flying team work from the MCMG and technical smash mouth style from Beer Money. No interference from Immortal (Thank God). The match did end with Rhode rolling up Chris Sabin for the win. Making Beer Money the NEW Tag Team Champions.

4. Devon vs. Bully Ray. You know I thought this would be the worst match of the night. I was wrong. I wouldn't call it a wrestling match so much though. Both of them played to their strengths, which is basically fighting inside the ring and out in the crowd with lots of hard hitting. Devon controlled most of the match, he even hit Bubba or Bully if you will with a shoe (yes, a shoe) when they were fighting in the crowd. Anyway Bubba got control and tried to hit Devon with a chain, he missed and Devon got control and the chain and whipped Bubba with the chain repeatedly. Ending the match in a DQ, but Devon wouldn't stop and kept beating Bubba until security had to separate the 2. But not before Bubba got a low blow end before leaving the ring.

5. Douglas Williams vs. Abyss for the TV-Title. Yes AJ Styles will be played by Abyss tonight folks, enjoy. To recap AJ injured Douglas's hand previously on Impact to prevent him from using his finisher. Smart, but AJ is out and Abyss is in. This match was a little slow, Douglas tried over and over to suplex Abyss but because of Douglas hand and Abyss's size that didn't work out. Abyss had control for most of the match, and tried to put Douglas down for the pin, but couldn't do it. That's when he went to the outside of the ring to get something from underneath the ring. What was he looking for? That's right Janice makes an appearance, but since he can't use "her" the ref gets in Abyss's face. Meanwhile behind the ref's back. AJ limps into the ring and hits Doug with the title belt and AJ limps out of the ring and to the back stage area. Doug is out, the ref didn't see anything and Abyss picks up Doug and hits the black hole slam. Your winner and new TV-Champ, Abyss...?

So as of the this moment, Immortal has all the gold/purple. Well except the Knockouts single and tag belts, but I guess those don't count. RVD is up next and he is back stage talking to Eric wanting to know who his opponent is. Eric doesn't tell him at first, but RVD is persistent and says that who he really wants Hardy and that's who he should be facing tonight. Eric agrees (What??) and says that if you want, Hardy you'll get Hardy. RVD is so excited.

6. RVD vs. Jeff Hardy....oh wait my bad, I meant MATT Hardy. Oh that tricky Bischoff. So I called that one, but I think a lot of people saw it coming especially after the set up by Eric. The match was good, seemed to get a little slow toward the end, but I'll get there. I'm not sure why but apparently Matt thought it would be a good idea to braid his hair like a little girl and plus it has multiple colors, much like his brother. Oh yea nothing more intimidating than dyed braided hair. Anyway back to the match. RVD controlled most of the match but it did go back in forth through most of it, but like I said it was getting a little slow at the end. RVD hit his 5 star frog splash, but Matt’s hand was underneath the ropes. The ref saw it and stopped the count. RVD picks up Matt, and Matt hit the Twist of Fate (or Hate). Now the ref counts again. RVD puts his whole leg underneath the bottom rope before the 3 count, ref didn’t see it. The winner of the match Matt Hardy.

7. Jeff Jarrett vs. Kurt Angle. Well before they started Jeff made some rule changes to the exhibition. No hitting, kicking or biting only grappling is allowed and there are going to be 2 minute rounds. As Tenay said this wasn’t an exhibition it was a clinic. Kurt dominated Jeff taking him down and putting him in several different submission holds. Jeff was able to last a couple of rounds and was saved by the bell more than once. But of course Jeff couldn’t beat Kurt so his “corner men” put something on Jeff’s forearm. Jeff rubbed it across Kurt’s eyes blinding him long enough to punch and kick Kurt, ending the “match” in a no contest, but of course Jeff had to get his shots in and cause Kurt to bleed. At the end Jeff says he is retiring from MMA and his retirement party is going to be on Impact. 3 people are going to be there Jeff, Kurt, and someone else. Three guesses on whom that’s going to be.

8. Mr. Anderson vs. Matt Morgan #1 contender’s match. Good match, good pacing for both wrestlers. Morgan controlled the match early but Anderson made a comeback and even got Morgan in the Mic check. But Morgan kicked out and they went back and forth for a little while until Morgan hit his finisher the Carbon Footprint. But Anderson kicked out, by the end both seemed exhausted, but somehow Anderson was able to roll up Morgan for the pin and the win.
Well that’s the main event, so that’s it right? Nope there is more. Guess who comes down to the ring. Eric Bischoff with steel chair in hand. Only Anderson is in the ring at this point. Is Eric going to hit him with the chair? Nope he sits in the chair. Eric tells Ken that he is very impressed with him; he showed guts against Morgan tonight. He defied the odds and that he deserved to be the 1# contender, in fact he is so impressed with Ken, why make him wait? He can face the champ right now. Down comes Jeff Hardy in his everyday clothes, walking down to the ring like it’s a walk in the park. He even takes time to light a cigarette and smoke (yes I’m serious). Before he gets in the ring Jeff puts out the cigarette, stretches and takes his sports coat off and gets in the ring.

9. Jeff Hardy vs. Mr. Anderson for the TNA Heavyweight Championship. Well I didn’t see this coming. Hardy got into the ring and immediately hit the Twist of Fate (or Hate). Pined Anderson, Anderson kicked out (what?). Hardy hit the Twist of Fate again. Pined Anderson again, Anderson kicks out again. Hardy goes for the Twist of Fate for a third time. Anderson counters and starts coming back and was able to mount enough offensive to get Hardy out of the ring. Where a revived Matt Morgan was. Morgan hits a clothesline and throws Hardy back in the ring. I guess the ref didn’t see that, but anyway. Anderson pinned Hardy and got the 2 count. Anderson showing life gets the advantage puts Hardy on the turnbuckle and tried to suplex Hardy (I think) Hardy countered and went for the Swanton. Pinned Anderson, Anderson kicked out (WTF?). Anderson rolls out of the ring, Hardy goes out after him, but he gets a chair before getting to Anderson, but Mick Foley grabs the chair from Jeff and not long after Ric Flair comes down the ramp. Security has to separate Ric, Mick, and Hardy. Meanwhile Anderson is back in the ring trying to get to his feet. Eric Bischoff is behind him with a steel chair and this time he is going to hit Anderson. Anderson kicks Eric before he can swing the chair and hits him with a Mic Check and rolls Eric out of the ring. Jeff quickly comes in tries the Twist of Fate, Anderson counters, hits Jeff with the Mic Check, pins him for the 1-2-3. Your NEW TNA Heavyweight Champion! Mr. Anderson!! ....ANDERSON!!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

TNA Genesis predicitons

#1 CONTENDERS MATCH: TNA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
"The Blueprint" Matt Morgan vs. Mr. Anderson; Winner Mr. Anderson
 
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS (MMA) MATCH
Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett; Winner Kurt Angle

CHALLENGE MATCH
Rob Van Dam vs. Immortal's Mystery Opponent; Winner RVD, mystery opponent=Matt Hardy

TNA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Beer Money vs. champions The Motor City Machine Guns; Winner Beer Money
 
TNA KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP
Mickie James vs. champion Madison Rayne; Winner Mickie James

FORMER TAG TEAM PARTNERS BATTLE
Bully Ray vs. Brother Devon; Winner Bully Ray
 
TNA X DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Kazarian vs. champion Jay Lethal;  Winner Jay Lethal
 
TNA TELLEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
AJ Styles vs. champion Douglas Williams; Winner Douglas Williams and AJ exiled from Fortune

Thursday, January 6, 2011

John Morrison

All in all I think Monday's episode of RAW was a good one. The match between Miz and Morrison was a great way to start the year for sure. If we get action like that (M&M match) on Monday Night RAW all year we are in for a good time. What I have a problem with is that I don't like that Morrison didn't get his moment in the spotlight. He is a very good wrestler and I feel he does deserve a shot at the title (after all Sheamus was champion). He had a good match on a RAW episode and then wasn't even included in the 3 way match at the end of the night and Wade Barrett was. Really? How is that fair? Wade Barrett wasn't even in the title picture at the last pay-per-view. I feel Morrison got jipped. It wasn't fair. We will see what happens next week.

Monday, January 3, 2011

New Blog & Kaval's Release from WWE

I am a huge wrestling fan and have been all my life. I like to read the blogs and info on the internet. I also like to discuss the on-goings in the world of wrestling (mainly WWE and TNA). I decided to start a blog to make comments on what is going on and here what others have to say.  On this blog you will see posts from me and from my boyfriend Eddie. We both share a passion for sports entertainment!

Today I found out that Kaval, winner of WWE Season 2 of NXT, asked to be released from his contract and was granted his release from the company. This surprised me on one hand but not on the other. On one hand they weren't using him well. I think I saw him win one match (a non title Intercontinental bout against Dolph Ziggler). Every week on Smackdown he lost, again and again. It was a bit of a surprise to me being that he has such a long career in the industry although not with WWE (after all, they gave Wade Barrett a whole faction and dominance over Monday Night Raw for months). On the other hand, if Kaval worked for 10 years to get to the "big leagues" and finally made it there, it seems like he would give it a chance. A chance being longer than a few months.

I am disappointed because I liked Kaval. I also liked the fact that he was on Smackdown.

We will see what happens with Kaitlin.............

Terri Lynn