Welcome to the April Edition of Wrestle-Net Weekly News, in this issue we are proud to announce the return of our main site, WNWN! Stay tuned, we will send out an announcement as soon as we launch!
WNWN Diva Image
Gail Kim-Valentine's 2010 Shoot, posted by Ms.McCruel
WNWN Wrestling News Highlights
JR Speaks On Retirement
The following has been posted over at JRsBarBQ.com:
"I sincerely appreciated Shawn's shout out to me on Raw which was, symbolically, a fitting end to my own Wrestlemania tenure.
Too many people seemingly love to look at a half full glass and the rampant speculation about when "HBK will come out of retirement" is already a tired subject. Let's enjoy what Shawn gave us not only this past Sunday and Monday night but what he has provided us for decades with show stopping and jaw dropping performances.
As for me, life is good and I am healthy and happy. For those that have erroneously written or assumed that the reason that I did not announce at WM26 was because of health concerns, that assumption is incorrect, I'm happy to say.
Broadcasting wrestling in WWE is likely history for me but there are many other areas to which I can contribute in WWE and those options, among others, will be weighed over the next month."
HHH pays one last tribute to HBK after RAW
Thanks to Mo Bazrouk and prowrestling.net for the following:
In the dark match main event, Edge defeated Chris Jericho by DQ in a World Hvt. Championship match. Jericho was talking smack then Triple H came out and Pedigreed him and then hit Jericho with Sweet Chin Music. Yes, Triple H did Sweet Chin Music. Hunter then said, "Chris Jericho has left consciousness."
Here are some Twitter reactions to Wrestlemania, especially to Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker:
Steve Austin:
"a very good match between cena and batista!!! great finish!!. one of the greatest wrestlers i have ever seen rides off into the sunset after tonights match. hbk IS mr. wrestlemania. bottom line. two living legends and future hall of famers totally kicked ass tonight. a great story, great selling, a great match. proud of them both. two middle fingers straight up for Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker. matches like that are what professional wrestling is all about.great class showed by both men. 18-0. THAT IS INCREDIBLE. and hell-it is hard to fathom that hbk is leaving. he will be sorely missed.tipping a glass of wine to the main event at wrestlemania 26. two veterans show the young guns
how it is done at the grandest stage of all."
Jeff Hardy:
"Rey vs. Punk..tha match to beat! Taker&HBK alwayzImpress..goodJobDudes!!!"
Ted DiBiase Jr.:
"WOW! Wrestlemania!! Speechless... Lost but what a life experience!! Taker and Shawn.. You guys are on a different planet than the rest of us. Shawn... All the respect in the world! Thank you so much!! You will be so missed!!"
Daniel Bryan:
"Awed, amazed and inspired. Now THAT is a real mentor. Shawn and the Undertaker were incredible tonight."
Jim Ross:
"WM26 was an excellent, well produced event. Tuf seeing HBK go. So many memories. Thought last match told helluva story. Proud of both"
Lillian Garcia:
"Wow, HBK was asking for Taker to end it! Incredible match! But can't believe HBK's career is over. :-(. Congrats taker on being 18-0!!! Very Impressive!! Thank u Shawn! U were indeed the showstopper!!!"
WNWN Column, written by Matt
The Wrestling Decade - 00 to 09
The Top 10 Memorable Moments of the Decade
The end of a decade is a somewhat unique one - you are able to look back and take stock of what has happened over the past 10 years. Who could have predicted in 1999 where the Sports Entertainment industry would be in 2009. I've sat back and hand picked 10 moments from the past 10 years of what are the most memorable; what sticks out the most, groundbreaking changes, events that have changed industry. So, lets get underway
10 - ECW One Night Stand (2005)
ECW One Night Stand was the most unique "WWE" pay per view I've ever watched. The fans in the arena were predominatly the old school ECW fans, knowing everything about what was happening, both inside and outside the ring. The fans made that pay per view what it was, and from the neutrals point of view, it made for good watching. There was no need for story telling or scripted action; all that was required was wrestlers in the ring, doing what they love the most - wrestling. Vinnie Mac et al tried to throw there 2 cents in and mould the show into a WWE style pay per view, but in the most part it was a decent 2 and half hours of entertainment. It reawoken the love of ECW, not just in New York or the US, but all over the world.
09 - Brock Lesnar vs Kurt Angle, Ironman match
A good match on SmackDown was hard to find at some points during this decade, and at some of the lower points of SD!s history this decade, the thought of an Ironman match would have seemed torture. But Lesnar and Angle put together 60 minutes of pure magic and fantastic story telling; the heel cheating right, left and centre with the face having to catch up with their competitor, whilst playing the game cleanly. If you ever have an hour spare of internet time, I highly suggest you check it out.
08 - Jeff Hardy, WWE Champion
Jeff Hardy from day 1 was something special, and still is. His energy, his drive, his enthusiasm and his high flying nature made him a fan favourite from day one. He had his ups and downs, as any wrestler does, which cost him time and standing in the WWE. He also had 2 years in TNA, where he had multiple oppurtunties to capture the TNA gold, but was unsuccesful. He was the ultimate underdog in pretty much every match he competed in, yet was able to pull off highflying moves. Hopefully, one day he will return to the squared circle to entertain us once more
07 - The end of the Monday Night War
The Monday Night War made the industry what it is today; it pushed the then WWF against WCW toe to toe in a battle to the death, which resulted in the WWF win and the "buy out" of Shane McMahon of WCW for the storyline Invasion (which would make the top 3 of the "What could have been" list of the decade), and pushed wrestling once again in the forefront and the bringing together of Sports and Entertainment. The Monday Night War produced fantastic TV watching, which has yet still to be matched. But still, it may happen again...
06 - Founding of TNA
Whether you like the product or not, the founding of TNA has helped re-shape the landscape of wrestling, both in the US and world wide. The promotion, that started in 2002, has now got, 8 years on, worldwide TV syndication, international events and probably one of the most, if not the most, iconic figures in wrestling history, in the form of Hulk Hogan. TNA shows are getting better, and are bringing back the feeling of attitude era wrestling, which was the powerhouse of the WWE during the later 90's / early 00's. With TNA testing the waters against the WWE in early Jan 2010, who knows where they will be in 10 years time.
05 - Re-introduction of the Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame, active during the mid 90's, was "re-activated" in 2004 and put right at the start of the Wrestlemania weekend. With the concept of a Hall of Fame recognising the best of the best that the WWE has shown / grown, it has inducted both legends and more recently active wrestlers. However, with the backstage politics of the WWE, not everyone gets inducted - Bruce Sammartino, the longest reigning WWE champion in history (8 years) not being inducted into the Hall of Fame; Vince, if your reading - doing the right thing.
04 - Wellness Program introduction
The Wellness Program was something that should have been introduced a long, long time ago. After the death of Eddie Guerrero, the WWE introduced the Wellness Program to keep an eye on the health and well being of their wrestlers, which has also been used by other promotions globally, as well as in other Sports organisations. With the Wellness Program, wrestlers are forced to think more of what they are using, why they are using it and when they use it, it may in the future help protect the lives of many wrestlers.
03 - Eddie Guerrero tribute show
I'll happily admit, the tribute show made me shed many a tear. At 38 years old, he still had many years left in him and I had the oppurtunity of watching him wrestling live in person in WWE shows across the UK. I also was able to meet him and speak to him for 30 seconds after a show in the UK; whilst other wrestlers there went about their business, Eddie saw and spoke to the fans who were there waiting for him. Rumours went round after his passing of his final moments, yet there is one that always comes back as truth; falling asleep after talking with Chavo (Guerrero) saying he would become champion again and falling asleep with a smile on his face. He lied, he cheated, he stole our hearts and imagination.
02 - Ric Flairs retirement on Raw
After Flairs retirement match at Wrestlemania, the Raw the following night was dedicated to Naitch. An amazing spectacle to watch, with all forms of kayfabe broken and letting the viewing public show what wrestling is about - a group of people, who are strangers at the start of their careers but who bond together and become as close as family. Whatever happens inside or outside the squared circle, Ric Flair is and always will be a wrestling legend, a wrestling icon and an example to us all.
01 - Chris Jericho
I know, Chris Jericho isn't a moment but he for me has made the WWE watchable again. He took 2 years off from the ring to have some fun with Fozzy, but time and time again he has been one of the best performers in the ring; in his first full year back, he had one of the best feuds of the decade with Shawn Michaels, with the match at No Mercy that year being a particular highlight. His uncanny ability to use the mic to his full effect, happily put other over talent with no quibbles or discussion are the marks of a role model for all fans of Sports Entertainment. His comeback in 2007, and the viral marketing campaign was one of the largest the WWE undertook; it goes to show how much faith they have in him.
