THE LAST EDITION OF WEEKLY THUMBS
By Joel C Croyle on 3/31/2008 7:10 PM
Intro:
This week is what most would consider the biggest wrestling week all year. But this time around, the lead up shows to Wrestlemania 24 didn’t do much to sell those fans that needed to be sold on WWE’s main event pay per view of the year. With that said, I was already looking forward to WM24 and wasn’t disappointed. Regularly in this column I write a paragraph or two on each television wrestling show that aired but this week I will concentrate on WM24 and just say that with the exception of a tremendous bout between CM Punk and John Morrison, we could have done without this week’s ECW, TNA, RAW and SD.
Hall of Fame Ceremony
I was unable to catch the web cast prior to the USA airing of the HOF ceremony but I did go back and watch all the videos of the speeches that WWE supplied. I also watched the USA airing itself. It was really unfortunate that WWE didn’t have more time for more speeches on the TV broadcast as Mae Young and Mike Graham had excellent things to say that about the pro-wrestling/sports entertainment profession that that the masses should have heard. The little “cover-up Mae” bit at Mania was hilarious too. As for those inducted on the program it was just awesome and Ric Flair might have given the most beautiful speech I have ever heard any award winner (wrestler, actor, musician etc.) give.
Wrestlemania 24:
John Legend really impressed me with his rendition of “ America the Beautiful” and I enjoyed Snoop as well as the marching band for Cena’s entrance. It is things like this that make Wrestlemania what it is. Kardashian was horrible. Festus and Snoop with Santino was hilarious, Foley was funnier than it came off.
Finlay and JBL had a solid bout. The ending made no sense unless they are going to continue the feud. I hope that isn’t the case. It made sense to open with this bout and put out two workers who always give a good match.
The 24 man battle royal was better than expected and should have been on the broadcast. The part with Noble climbing on those kissing the floor mats was absolutely ingenious. I liked that it came down to Henry and Kane and we got a surprise victory for the big red machine as I felt Henry was a lock for this one. Kane over Chavo was done well later in the evening. Here is a little known fact about me – I am a mark for Kane and I am very glad he is a world champion.
The Bunny Mania match was what it was. All the women worked hard and Melina especially did a great job. It is time for Phoenix to lose the title and a Melina face-turn might just be the way to do it.
The MITB was in a bad place on the card and should have come later in the show. I enjoyed Matt Hardy’s return but it should have come closer to the end of the bout and MVP should have been up on the ladder with CM Punk…Hardy nails MVP, Punk gets the case…simple. The match wasn’t the best MITB I’ve seen but it had a lot of cool spots.
Batista and Umaga was the worst match on the card as I suspected it might be depending on the Big Show match later. Umaga deserves better than this. Speaking of Show…he had a fantastic match and to me he and Merryweather worked their butts off and almost stole the show completely. It was much better than anyone thought it would be…come on…you agree…you know you do.
Flair and Michaels from a technical wrestling standpoint was not the best. Obviously Shawn got hurt and couldn’t be Mr. Wrestlemania this time around after he nailed the table…but he stuck in their and they both gave the fans everything they wanted. This was the greatest WM moment possibly in the history of the PPV franchise.
Orton vs. Cena vs. HHH was a good bout and placed right on the card. It wasn’t better than any Raw match I’d seen them in lately though. I did pop for the ending because I thought it was brilliantly crafted and I like that they kept the belt on Orton.
Edge and Undertaker – man what a great story they told in the ring. Definitely my favorite match of the night. I loved the false pin falls and the bump by the ref. Charles Robinson is the man for being able to sprint down that long ramp and even attempt to be fresh for a count. I like that UT went over. I just wished the brothers of destruction would have celebrated in the ring together as world champions to close the show…maybe they will this week on ECW or Smackdown.
In closing.
Below is my thumbs list for this week and unfortunately I have to leave with a bit of a tear in my eye. For almost a year now I have done a weekly column for Pwinsiderxtra.com but am no longer able to continue that regiment. I am also a writer and a musician as well as have a day job and cannot keep up with the writing of the column…so to all you thumbamanics out there I salute you and thank you for reading my weekly column. I do plan on doing a “spotlight” column every month if I can…so long…here’s your last thumbs list.
Weekly Thumbs Awards:
Thumbs up male performer of the week – Ric Flair
Thumbs up tag team of the week – Jesse and Festus
Thumbs up match of the week – Undertaker/Edge tie with Michaels/Flair
Thumbs up Promo/Angle of the week – Michaels/Flair
Thumbs up female performer of the week – Melina
Weekly Thumbs Overall Performance List
#1 – Ric Flair
#2 –Shawn Michaels
#3 – Undertaker
#4 – Edge
#5 – CM Punk
#7 – Big Show
#8 – Kane
#9 – Melina
#10 – John Morrison
