Tuesday, May 6, 2008

My Trip to Wrestling Universe

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~Last week, I took a trip down to Wrestling Universe, a pro wrestling merchandise store at 12-60 150th Street in Whitestone, N.Y. The store sells DVDs, action figures, t-shirts and other wrestling memorabilia.


Jack Balian, the owner of Wrestling Universe, said that he opened the store in 2004 after working at a comic book and trading card store for 11 years.

The store also is the site for autograph signings from past and present wrestlers.

Balian also mentioned that current WWE superstars, John Cena, Batista and Rey Mysterio have all held autograph sessions at Wrestling Universe and that former WWE performer and current Ring of Honor regular, Tammy Sytch, former WWE/ECW star Dawn Marie and current TNA wrestlers, Team 3D, are all slated to appear at Wrestling Universe within the next couple of months.

However, Balian is more than just preoccupied with running Wrestling Universe, he is also one of the promoters of an independent wrestling organization called Pro Wrestling Syndicate.


PWS is a small, local promotion that has been around for a little under a year. Their next show is scheduled for Saturday, May 17 at Holy Cross High School, 20-26 Francis Lewis Boulevard in Flushing.

TNA wrestler, Abyss, ROH regular, Jack Evans, former ECW star, Justin Credible and others are all announced for the show.
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Balian, who has been a wrestling promoter since 2001, is in charge of the business aspect of running the company such as booking venues for shows, hiring wrestlers to perform and advertising events. He even uses his store as a tool to spread the word about an upcoming show.
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The wrestling store owner said that he has been a fan of pro wrestling for as long as he can remember and when he was younger, he decided to try and trade in his fan signs for wrestling boots.

“I went to wrestling school for a year to try and be a wrestler myself but I didn’t like it,” he explained. “I wanted to be more behind the scenes, so I tried promoting, which I happened to like, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Balian mentions that the best experience he has had as a wrestling promoter was meeting and speaking with the late Eddie Guerrero, a former WWE wrestler who died of heart failure in 2005.
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The wrestling promoter said that Guerrero provided him with “a lot of advice” when he booked the wrestler for a show in 2001.

Balian adds that he also enjoys his role as a store owner in addition to moonlighting as a promoter.

“I enjoy having people come into the store, shop and appreciate what’s being done,” he said.

I then poised some questions to Balian from past editions of my “Mondays w/the Smart Marks” feature.

-I asked him if he agreed with a few comments WWE wrestler, Santino Marella, made regarding women in pro wrestling as found in my April 7 post of MSM.


“I think [women in pro wrestling] is needed, definitely,” said Balian. “It helps round out different aspects of the demographic.

“The male fans like seeing the women, young girls admire them and older women respect the athleticism the female wrestlers possess.”

“So their greatly needed and sometimes, these women are going harder and having better matches than the guys.”

However, despite the effort given by female wrestlers to put on a good show, it seems many of the fans refuse to give them praise, something that Balian says should not be the case.

“I think fans should just stick to being fans,” he said. “If you think you can do a better job, then you should be trying to do whatever you can to get involved and do it better instead of just being a fan.”

Despite fans at times seeming overly critical, Balian adds that ultimately everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

“I can’t knock [the smart marks] though because when you pay your money you can do and say what you want, within reason,” he said. “But sometimes, I think people just want to point out the negatives in everything and not give credit where it’s due.”

I also asked Balian to comment on the growing influence of MMA on pro wrestling.


“I think that it’s good that there is an MMA influence in wrestling but you can also just call it strong style,” he said.

[*Note* Strong Style, also known as shoot wrestling, refers to a style of pro wrestling where the strikes and techniques applied are real. The outcome of a match may still be predetermined but the moves do not look as rehearsed. This style of wrestling is very common in Japan and Ring of Honor also displays strong style-type matches.]


When asked about where he sees professional wrestling going in the next few years, Balian seemed optimistic about its future.

-“I think pro wrestling will only continue to grow,” he said. “WWE, I think, is going to continue to be the #1 pro wrestling brand without a doubt, but I also think TNA will prove to be stronger competition for them in the next few years.”

-He adds, “Ring of Honor is the clear #3 right now, but I think if they continue to expand and continue getting more exposure and merchandise out to the fans, they should be right up there with WWE and TNA soon.”

Balian also shared his thoughts on a few promotions he thinks are poised for mainstream attention.

-“I think PWG [Pro Wrestling Guerrilla] out of California is right there as far as being the next breakout promotion, they just recently signed a national DVD distribution deal, so that should expand their audience. Also, Chikara put on some solid shows and I wouldn’t be surprise if they are more known in the next five years.”

Monday, May 5, 2008

Mondays w/ The Smart Marks

This Week's Question:
Sometimes first impressions aren't everything. What wrestlers have you all seen that you didn't like at first, but, for whatever reason, they eventually grew on you and why?

"Santino Marella. He didn't do anything and got the Intercontanental title but now he is the funniest caracter in WWE."

-16-0 (Wrestling Clique)

"I would have to say Cody Rhodes. He just came in as a nobody (sort of, dusty rhodes son but other than that he wasn't anyone) and he is now tag team champ. I didn't like watching him at first, but once I started to actually watch his matches I realized that he has some good talent. If you actually sit there and pay attention to him, he is a REALLY good wrestler, he does some awesome moves. He could be RAW material if he worked harder. And the sad thing is that he may not make it far because of his lisp. I mean Dusty Rhodes did, but, Cody is good on the mic for what I have heard so far, but the lisp kind of throws things off, especially if he is heel."

-cerebralassassin1987 (Wrestling Clique)

"I say MVP. At first, he was basically crap but then his feud with Kane started to kick in and I started to like him. Not to mention he looked like a Power Ranger."

-JoseBxNYC (Wrestling Forum)

"Well, I don't know if this really counts, but when Santino Marella first started out, (as the italian dude from Milan who won the IC title) I hated him.

Ever since they turned him into a comedic heel, he was golden. I, personally, never saw it coming. And never suspected he'd be so awesome."

-something clever (Wrestling Forum)

"The Miz. When he first debuted he was annoying and had nothing to offer in the ring. Now he's a solid worker and imo the most improved wrestler on the WWE roster."

-Ownage (Wrestling Forum)

"I remember thinking HHH sucked as "Hunter Hearst Helmsley" The royal character. I think he turned out fairly well."

-Suntan Superman (Wrestling Clique)

"Gotta say MVP, when he debuted at No Mercy against a jobber (Marty Garner) I was disappointed then he started to improve in the ring, kept delivering great promos and now he's one of my favorite wrestlers on the roster and in my eyes the future of the company."

-ShyBiSkye (Wrestling Forum)

"Ooh, Finlay. Yeah, I'm 20 (what does that have to do with anything?) but I know alot about the original ECW and WCW (that's what it has to do with it. I'm fairly too young to remember the old ECW and WCW) and I do know that Finlay had a career threatening injury back in WCW. Something about a glass table and his leg. But he bounced back and I'm glad to see him in WWE......although.....I'm a Hornswoggle hater. Lose the dwarf and get back to your roots Finlay!

Oh and Jeff Hardy's gonna end up going back to TNA or even ROH (despite ROH hating Jeff and wanting Matt). He's bound to get fired again. Always getting caught up in wellness disputes >.> He used to be good. Now he's crap.

I never thought Curry Man would be a good wrestler in TNA, until I remembered that it's just Christopher Daniels in a mask. I watched some of his old matches for Japan and he's pretty damn good as Curry Man. Kooooooonichiwaaaaa!"

-TKW Pure Ownage (Wrestling Forum)

"Definitely Satino. When he first debuted, I was pissed that he was put over Umaga and won the Intercontinental Title in his debut, and was bored of him already in the few next weeks.

But ever since his heel turn, he has been hilarious. He is one of the main reasons I watch Raw, his mic skills are great and he's not too bad in the ring."

-Fail (Wrestling Forum)

Sunday, May 4, 2008

5/2 WWE Smackdown Results

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(pics from WWE.com)

~Last week on Smackdown, The Undertaker successfully defended the World Heavyweight Title against Batista, Edge beats CM Punk, MVP appears on Smackdown as the US champion for the last time, Natalya beats Cherry and Vladimir Kozlov claims another victim. Here's what went down this week:

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-WWE Tag Team Champions, John Morrison & The Miz defend their titles against Jimmy Wang Yang & Shannon Moore.

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-Vladimir Kozlov destroys Colin Delaney.

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-Natalya & Victoria beat Michelle McCool & Cherry.

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-Mark Henry roughs up Nunzio for the second time in two weeks. The first was on the 4/22 edition of ECW.

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-Big Show tells Henry to pick on someone his own size.

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-Matt Hardy successfully defends the WWE United States Title against MVP in a rematch from Backlash.

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-Batista, fresh off his loss to Shawn Michaels at Backlash , is in the ring with Smackdown color commentator, Mick Foley, and he says that he hopes for Shawn's sake that he actually hurt himself during their match and was not faking it because if he's not hurt, he will be. Them's fightin' words!

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-Zach Ryder & Curt Hawkins defeat Jesse & Festus.

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-Finlay, with aid from his son, Hornswoggle, beats some guy named Julio Dinero.

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-The Undertaker was supposed to defend the World Heavyweight Title against The Great Khali but Smackdown General Manager, Vickie Guerrero, comes out, with her boyfriend, Edge, and cancels the match. She says that The Undertaker's new submission finisher, dubbed "that move", is actually an illegal choke thus the matches that he's won using "that move", including his World Heavyweight Title win against Edge at Wrestlemania and the rematch at Backlash , have been thrown out and he is stripped of the title.

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-The Great Khali goes to take the belt away from The Undertaker...

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-...but he get caught in "that move". Edge's buddies, Zach Ryder & Curt Hawkins sneak in the ring while Khali is being choked out and take the World Heavyweight Title anyway.


Wow, I did not see The Undertaker losing the World Heavyweight Title like this. I think I'm sensing a little pattern here with WWE, it seems that they are really pushing these cliffhanger endings, and I'm certainly a fan of them.


Speaking of patterns, I hope this isn't the beginning of Jesse & Festus getting buried week in and week out. Festus loss a match to The Undertaker a few weeks back and this week, him and Jesse loss to Edge's friends. Hopefully, they'll get back on the right track next week.

I find it funny that Big Show is telling Mark Henry to pick on someone his own size but almost two months ago, Show was talking about ending the career of Floyd Mayweather, who is nowhere near the size of the Big Show.

I am digging these segments with Vladimir Kozlov. He is quickly becoming one of my Smackdown favorites.

Friday, May 2, 2008

5/1 TNA Impact Results

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~Last week on Impact, it's announced that Samoa Joe vs. Kurt Angle vs. Scott Steiner for the TNA World Title will headline TNA's next PPV, Sacrifice, the Deuces Wild Tag Team Tournament is announced to crown new TNA Tag Team Champions, Matt Morgan jumps Kip James for no reason, Eric Young continues to deny that he is "SUPER" Eric Young and the Motor City Machineguns continue to lose matches in TNA. Here's what happened this week:

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-The show starts with Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin (The Motor City Machineguns) and Shark Boy and Curry Man having a match.

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-However, Scott Steiner, TNA X-Division Champion, Petey Williams and Racka Khan interrupt and clear the ring.

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-Scott Steiner says that he'll beat Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle at Sacrifice and become the new TNA World Champion.

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-Kurt Angle comes out but he gets beat down.

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-Then TNA World Champion, Samoa Joe, runs down and clears the rings.

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-AJ Styles says his usual tag team partner, Tomko, has been suspended by TNA and that he will need a new partner for the Deuces Wild Tag Team Tournament.

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-Angelina Love & Velvet Sky are challenged to a match by Gail Kim & ODB for later that night. Love & Sky accept.

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-AJ Styles asks Booker T to be his tag team partner, but Booker has no idea who he is. [Ha]

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-Homicide y Hernandez (the Latin American Xchange) beat Kaz & "regular" Eric Young in a Deuces Wild Tag Team Tournament Qualifying match.

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-Kip James attacks Matt Morgan as revenge for that beatdown Morgan gave him last week.

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-AJ asks Kevin Nash to be his partner, but that doesn't happen.

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-Gail Kim & ODB beat Angelina Love & Velvet Sky.

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-Both Robert Roode and James Storm decline being AJ's tag partner.

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-AJ Styles & "SUPER" Eric Young beat Jimmy Rave & Lance Hoyt in a Deuces Wild Tag Team Tournament Qualifying match. What?

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-The Terror Dome is announced as the newest TNA speciality match that will debut at Sacrifice.

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-Cheerleader Melissa defeats Daisy Haze.

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-Samoa Joe & Kurt Angle beat Scott Steiner & Petey Williams.

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-Scott Steiner ends up laying everybody out.

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-TNA Management Director, Jim Cornette, comes down to the ring and announces that 4 teams have qualified for the Deuces Wild Tag Tourney (Team 3D, Christian Cage/Rhino, LAX, AJ Styles/Super Eric Young) and that there are 4 spots left. He goes on to say that those spots will be filled by 4 teams made up of 8 randomly paired TNA wrestlers. He announces that those wrestlers will be Matt Morgan, Kip James, BG James, James Storm, Booker T, Robert Roode, Sting and TNA Women's Champion, Awesome Kong.


The looks on the faces of the other participants of the Deuces Wild Tag Team Tournament when Awesome Kong was announced as an entraint was just priceless. I'm curious to see just where, and how silly, TNA will take this.


I don't know exactly where the new TERROR DOME~! is going to fit into the Sacrifice event, but it sounds cool.


Booker T not knowing who AJ Styles was had to be the highlight of the night.


Speaking of AJ Styles, he and SUPER Eric Young had a pretty solid match with Jimmy Rave and Lance Hoyt, I especially liked the finish.


-This episode of Impact also marked the return of the Canadian Destroyer~! I love that move.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

4/29 ECW Results

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(Pics from WWE.com)

~Last week on ECW, Mike Knox acts like a sore loser towards Tommy Dreamer, Kofi Kingston continues to rack up wins, Mike Adamle continues to stink up the joint with his horrible play-by-play skills, No Layla El and Kane gets jumped by Chavo and friends. Here's what went down this week:

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-Kofi Kingston beats Shelton Benjamin for the second week in a row.

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-Mike Knox defeats Tommy Dreamer.

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-Matt Striker holds his talk show segment, "Matt Striker's Classroom" and this week's guest is the new Smackdown Color Commentator, Mick Foley. Striker immediately starts talking trash to Foley.

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-However, Foley's not having it and hits Striker with the Mandible Claw.

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-CM Punk wins his match against Chuck Palumbo by disqualification and gets laid out after the match by Palumbo.

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-ECW commentators, Mike Adamle and Tazz, randomly leave the broadcast area and head backstage.

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-Chavo Guerrero and his bodyguard, Bam Neely, beat ECW Champion, Kane, in a 2-on-1 handicap match.

Who the hell is Mike Knox?

Having both Mike Adamle and Tazz leave the broadcasting area was just...weird. I'm honestly not even sure if it was a work or not because when Adamle first left, Tazz kept asking him where he was going and then he was awkwardly silent...or maybe that's just acting 101. You be the judge.


I was really hoping for a feud between Shelton Benjamin and Kofi Kingston but instead it seems like Kofi is just going to bury him every single week. Come on, Kofi can lose at least one match to Shelton.

Mike Adamle's announcing skills are just bad, period.

ECW was really missing something this week...I think it was Layla El. Luckily, my ECW results post won't be Layla-free.
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Now my post is complete.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

4/28 WWE Raw Results

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(pics from WWE.com)

~Last week on Raw, there was loads of Backlash hype, "Hillary Clinton" and "Barack Obama" got destroyed by Umaga and Raw General Manager William Regal won the King of the Ring Tournament.


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-The brand spanking new WWE champion, Triple H, comes down to the ring and announces that the "Age of Orton" is over.

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-The former champ, Randy Orton, cuts HHH's celebration short and comes down to the ring. Orton tells the new champ that he is going to use his rematch clause at WWE's next PPV, Judgment Day. Eventually, Orton changes his mind and says he wants his rematch that night.

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-WWE Women's Champion, Mickie James, Maria, Ashley, Michelle McCool, Kelly Kelly & Cherry beat Beth Phoenix, Victoria, Natalya, Melina, Jillian & Layla in a Backlash rematch.

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-JBL runs over Robbie McAllister aka the guy who got caught at the TNA show in March. JBL calls out John Cena after the match.
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-Paul London & Brian Kendrick defeat Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch.

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-Paul Birchill & Katie Lea beat Super Crazy in a 2-on-1 intergender handicap.

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-Raw GM William Regal is officially coronated as King of the Ring after winning the tournament on Raw last week. He says that since he is Raw GM and King of the Ring, he is now the most powerful man in WWE.

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-Mr. Kennedy, who is appearing on Raw for the first time since the Money in the Bank Ladder match at Wrestlemania 24 back in March, comes down to the ring and challenges the new "king".

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-He gets a punch in the mouth for his efforts.

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-Cody Rhodes beats Santino Marella.

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-The Highlight Reel is up next and host, Chris Jericho, presents Shawn Michaels with the "Best Actor in Sports Entertainment" award for his "performance" at Backlash.



www.Tu.tv

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-Triple H and Randy Orton have their WWE Title rematch but halfway through the match, Raw GM William Regal goes to the production crew and says he felt disrespected by the WWE fans during his coronation, so he tells them to take the show off the air. So the show suddenly ends without a conclusion to the HHH/Orton match.



I thought that ending was just crazy. It was a good cliffhanger and I'm actually excited to see how this plays out next week.


Poor, poor Robbie McAllister.


I really wish Randy Orton was still WWE champion. This isn't because I think HHH sucks as champ but I was really getting into the whole "Age of Orton" thing and I felt like as soon as it was introduced, the "Age of Orton" ended and he lost the belt.

I'm a big fan of Kennedy and I have high hopes for his feud with William Regal. I'm also still pretty skeptical of having William Regal as King of the Ring but he is a solid talent so maybe he'll grow on me.