Shades Of Gray #27

This week’s column is full of “Quick Hits” – on Stone Cold’s and Bill Watts’ inductions into the WWE Hall of Fame, the failure of TNA Genesis, Mickey Rourke at the Golden Globes, D.H. Smith as the possible next member of Legacy, Jack Swagger as the new “ECW” Champion, and more. The “Extra Links” include (but are not limited to) Rourke’s speech at the award show, a well-received match from Genesis, and a reminder of why people are sceptical of Nash’s injury.

Any remaining doubters, however, need to take a gander at that photo on the left . . . and then they need to click this fucking link!)

Quick Hits

It was leaked earlier this week that both Stone Cold Steve Austin and Bill Watts will be members of the 2009 Hall of Fame class. Vinnie Mac must have been pissed that this info leaked – he had heat with Hogan when a bunch of names were leaked on Bubba The Love Sponge radio show in 2007. Of course, on “Raw,” Stone Cold’s induction was made official – which I think may have been triggered by the internet leak, since I can’t remember any other inductee being announced this early in the year. Watts’ induction hasn’t been made official, although the amount of detail (and mind-numbing punctuation) in his blog post suggests it’s only a matter of time. I couldn’t have been more annoyed with Watt’s punctuation unless he used all capital letters.

TNA Genesis was a flop, as predicted. Certainly, Nash’s injury didn’t help – but the situation was only made worse by naming Cute Kip as his replacement. Seriously, almost anyone would have been a better choice. Still, the card was unspectacular before taking into account the changes that had to be made due to injury. Plus, the crowd was dead too. It was just a depressing show overall.

And no, I didn’t think the Sabin-Shelley spot-fest was that great, which has received high praise on other websites. I do, however, like Shelley’s character development since the MEM-Front Line storyline began.

Sting, Nash, Angle, Jarrett and Steiner were some of the talent who suffered injuries of varying severity before or after the show (as did Robert Roode and Awesome Kong). Maybe now TNA will commit to the Front Line. Come on, I’m joking. It’s not going to happen.

I said I’d be pissed if Brad Pitt won the Best Actor Oscar in favour of Mickey Rourke. Well, last Sunday, Phase one was completed when Rourke won Best Actor at the Golden Globes. B-b-b-b-b-booyah! I wish he would have said something about the wrestling business, or thanked Afa or the other workers who worked at preparing him before and during filming. But he did thank The Boss, so he’s still cool with me.

D.H. Smith is rumoured to be the newest member of Randy Orton’s Legacy. Does he have that edge to play a convincing heel? I didn’t see it from him in his (admittedly small) first run on “Raw.” I think there’s a better chance that he sides with Manu and Snuka, evening out the two sides involved in the feud. After all, his babyface just makes it seem as though he should be a . . . babyface.

A recent interview with Chris Harris reveals just how unorganized WWE can be, and also shows that Kanyon was right last week on Rated O Radio - people who believe Vince McMahon is a creative genius should change their opinion. A great businessman? Yes. A creative genius? No! No! No! Now, Harris was not in good shape when he was introduced on TV and I don’t think he’s that great of a worker anyways, but that’s not the point. The point is: WWE never gave him a proper chance to succeed. Why the fuck would you sign someone when you never intend on giving him anything to work with? They did the same thing with Gavin Spears. It’s just really stupid.

Ohio State Senior linebacker James Laurinaitis has an open invitation to the WWE -- his uncle is head of talent relations Johnny Ace (John Laurinaitis), and his father is Road Warrior Animal (Joe Laurinaitis). But here's a better idea for your future, James: pull a reverse-Eli Manning (ie, demand to be drafted by the San Diego Chargers) to shore up their middle linebacker spot. Go Chargers!

Speaking of the Chargers, I think Norv Turner must be a wrestling fan.

It took TNA about a month to waste Hernandez’ Feast or Fired World Heavyweight Championship briefcase, as he “cashed it in” only to win by DQ last night on “iMPACT!” Sure, everyone likes surprises --but wasting what could have turned into a really good angle for a nothing match in the first twenty minutes of their show -- well, that's typical TNA.

The only reason the JBL-HBK storyline is getting over is because those two are amazing at what they do. The story itself is still dumb.

Is Mike Adamle’s contract still on the books? Cutting him and his ridiculous contract would save about 72 jobs.

“This could be the most star-studded Rumble ever!” You say that every year, Lawler. Give it a rest.

Looks like Ted Dibiase was dabbling in a little steroids during his sabbatical. I mean, holy shit, that guy is jacked now!

Mickie James and Candice Michelle were used for about 5 seconds in separate backstage segments on "Raw" – Mickie talking to Cody Rhodes about possibly getting snowed-in in Iowa, and Candice talking to CM Punk about . . . I don’t even fucking remember, which is sort of my point. The ladies added nothing to the segments! Moreover, the ladies were ignored by Rhodes and Punk, making Mickie and Candice look like insignificant assclowns. Ah, to be a WWE Diva.

So now that Jack Swagger is the "ECW" Champion, does that mean he's now qualified for the Royal Rumble, where he can earn a shot at a real World Championship? Remember, Chavo Guerrero was in the Rumble match last year as “ECW” Champ.

Extra Links

1. Mickey Rourke’s Golden Globe acceptance speech.

2. A controversial moment from early on in Stone Cold’s Hall of Fame WWE career.

3. From Genesis: Chris Sabin vs. Alex Shelley for the TNA X-Division Championship.

4. Jack Swagger defending the FCW Championship (not to be confused with “ECW”).

5. This is one of the reasons why people inside and outside of TNA think Nash’s injury is a work. He no-showed the biggest show of the year because he was booked to job to the Giant. However, in this instance, he is suffering from a serious injury.

6. Ted Dibiase when he debuted on “Raw.” Ted Dibiase when he made his return on Monday night. You decide.

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