Post by Goldash on Dec 27, 2009 16:37:44 GMT -5
Goldash's Note: This "fake article" is strictly kayfabe and doesn't resemble my actual thoughts. I simply wanted to write in another "voice" for once and see things from another perspective. AND NO, THESE AREN'T THE FANS' CHOICE AWARD WINNERS!
(This article originally appeared in the December 11th, 2009 issue of the newsletter CAW Weekly, and was reprinted on this forum with permission of the original author.)
URWL - Season 2: What Was and What Could Have Been
by Rich Everhardt, CW Senior Editor
Season 2 (2007-2009) of the Unnecessary Roughness Wrestling League was both a season of refreshing surprises and obvious mistakes. Like most wrestling promotions, the URWL had its stars and its duds in its past season, and a wildly inconsistent event schedule, but what it brought to the table certainly made for an entertaining second season.
In no particular order, here's what the URWL should keep doing well (and should stop doing immediately):
Best URWL Wrestler of Season 2: Akina
While Jaime Emo's push has certainly captivated audiences, no one wrestler has held my personal interest like Akina has. He is truly one of the most versatile talents on the roster. Equally able to run circles around opponents and pound them into submission, the "Monster from Maui" proved time and again that he could carry himself (and his relatively unimpressive Season 2 opponents) above and beyond expectation. His match at Digital Mayhem 2008 against Scorpion was the prototypical "big match", and while it wasn't perfect, it certainly was the match that pushed Akina over the top. With a very underrated, if long, Popular Demand 2008 contest against Blood, Akina proved he was a URWL mainstay. I would expect big things out of Akina in Season 3, but I don't think he'll have that Hardkore Title any longer. It pains me to say this, but Akina's going to have to lose one of these days...but if booked well enough, it'll land him squarely in the Platinum Belt running. We'll see if the URWL can capitalize on his immense potential before it goes to waste.
Worst URWL Wrestlers of Season 2: Barry White and Salvatore
They may be "legends" of the URWL's text era, but both Salvatore and Barry White are in their late fifties and in the worst wrestling shape of their careers. Known for legendary clashes in the "text era", White and Salvatore's match at Digital Mayhem, while providing fans with markout material, was arguably the worst worked match of Season 2, boring fans to sleep with its plodding, slow pace. Even White's highly anticipated rematch against !nterogative at Popular Demand (while certainly entertaining) was woefully below average. Salvatore's matches have been nothing short of travesties, on the other hand, as his opponents (such as the underrated Fusion) have noticeably carried him along. It seems that injuries, lifestyle and age have worn Salv's technical abilities to the bone, and it's making him tough to watch. At least with Barry White, we know he's approaching his last hurrah, because rumblings around the industry point to a big gimmick match ending White's long, storied career sometime during Season 3. This will make for some emotional matches. But I can't see any optimism surrounding Salvatore. Jobbing, retirement or release seem like the only logical options to consider, or relegating him to full-time manager status with !nterogative.
Season 2's Best Rookie: Cecilia Rincón
Sure, the Great White North brought a lot of electrifying athleticism to a depleted Tag Team division in Season 2, but no one rookie caught my eye as much as the impressive Cecilia Rincón. Not only was she the most impressive rookie on the roster in Season 2, but one of the most improved talents. In her earlier matches, she seemed destined for mediocrity, lacking focus and enthusiasm. Her poise, however, was put to the test when the booking staff decided to push her into the #1 Contender's spot against Jesse Slash, who seemed unbeatable. Not only did Cecilia respond with an inspired in-ring effort, her wrestling and her focus improved by the match, culminating with what had to be the best womens' match in the entire history of the URWL at Popular Demand 2008. With new faces and some more competition slated to appear in the puny Womens' Division in Season 3, it'll be up to the booking staff to continue Cecilia's success by any means necessary. Like Akina, she possesses uncanny versatility in the ring, a key asset if she wants to further her career and continue producing in the ring.
Most Improved Wrestler: Trent Tail
Simply unfathomable and unexpected, Tail started Season 2 as a joke and an afterthought but had a strong showing at Digital Mayhem 2008 and eventually became HighFlyer Champion by Episode 9. Most importantly, he proved to his colleagues and the URWL booking staff itself that despite his age, he could still be a factor and an exciting in-ring competitor. And the bookers replied emphatically, giving Tail the opportunity to break Cory Jones's winning streak with a win in Episode 9. Heading into Season 3, Tail is riding a huge wave of momentum that can only lead to a bigger push up the card. And with his old text-era rival Dark Dragon back on the roster, things can only get more exciting for the URWL's "t-shirt guy".
Best-Worked Match of the Year: "Cold War Match" - Aleksandar Kuleshov vs. The Commander - Popular Demand 2008
On a card loaded with hardcore matches, the former MMA talent and the veteran technician spun a no-nonsense wrestling gem, a nearly-flawless combination of submissions, reversals and attacks. No, it wasn't quite "five-star" quality but it did enough to hold the fans' interest and keep them on the edge of their seats throughout. The outcome, the inevitable push of Kuleshov, couldn't have come at a better time, as it made AK47 a legitimate force to be reckoned with on the URWL roster, finally turning a disappointing rookie campaign into a hopeful situation as Russian Champion. As for Commander, yes, he may be on a down point in his career, but the match did enough to prove that he may be in for bigger and better things down the road.
Worst-Worked Match of the Year: Barry White (replacing Jaime Emo) vs. Salvatore - Digital Mayhem 2008
As said before, putting these two in a ring, especially given the circumstances (Emo was supposed to fight for his lost Internet Title but instead flipped the proverbial bird and introduced White) could have created a potential Match of the Year candidate. But instead, what the fans received was obvious evidence of both men's ages and declining physical conditions. This match, obviously booked to re-introduce White and push him back into the upper-midcard (as well as give fans a rematch of their Digital Mayhem 2003 contest), could have been a way to reinvigorate the careers of both men. Instead, it sent Barry into a short-lived and mediocre feud with !nterogative (which should lead to bigger and better things against former protege Shane B. Perkins), and...well, you know where Salvatore is as a result. One of the most disappointing matches of the year apart from all the obvious markout material.
Who Interests Me Heading Into Season 3:
Seth Stern: A championship victory is long overdue for Stern, who, despite feuding with Jaime Emo for what seems like forever, still stands as the #1 heel on the URWL roster. The idea that Stern "can't beat Emo one-on-one no matter how hard he tries" is a great one but it's on the verge of getting painfully stale. If Stern loses to Emo once again, then you know he won't be Championship material anytime soon.
Shane B. Perkins: I always felt Shane was an underrated wrestler and a good complement to the plodding Barry White in the Self-Proclaimed Icons. Now that Shane has returned from a lengthy injury, the student now has the potential to carry the teacher and prove to the fans that he can be a true force as a heel.
Fusion: Next to Akina, you have to think Fusion is headed for bigger and better things in Season 3, and it could start in Rebirth's very first match. This is a wrestler who finally has the enigmatic look to match his enigmatic gimmick, and you have to think the bookers have something big lined up for him.
Cory Jones: Despite his size, I think Jones may be a thorn in the side of face wrestlers for years to come, thanks to his new "old-school revivalist" gimmick. His match against Akina at Rebirth should prove whether or not Jones can be considered a true main eventer.
Who Needs Reconsideration in Season 3:
Jaime Emo: His rise to the top is one of the quintessential feel-good stories in the history of the URWL, but there's no denying that Emo's time as champion may be drawing to a close. When this happens is anyone's guess, and who he drops the strap to is equally mysterious, but if done well, it could benefit Emo as well as his opponent. Emo is still a hugely-talented wrestler with the crowd on his side, but a good temporary exit out of the Main Event scene will keep his popularity up as long as he's booked well.
!nterogative: Once the preeminent intimidator in the URWL, Joe Intero has turned into nothing short of a stepping stone after his loss to Jaime Emo at Digital Mayhem. But that doesn't mean he's damaged goods. A big angle with an up-and-coming talent (Fusion looks to be on the horizon after Episode 9's match turned sour) will make !ntero dominant again...if booked correctly, that is.
The Downfall Syndicate: When (and how) they come back will be crucial. GWN's feud with the Experts of Execution seems to be waning and losing steam, so it may be high time for DFS's "reboot" to occur in the next few shows. A second straight Digital Mayhem match with The Great White North should be on the horizon, if all goes well.
Taurus: Fans thought The Bull would become an instant contender for the HighFlyer Title, but his match with CobrA proved that the URWL wasn't ready to put him over just yet. With an extremely-captivating feud with arch-rival Victor Cordaro on its dying legs, Taurus should be ready to make an impact soon if the bookers make the right decisions.
Originally Published December 11th, 2009 in CAW Weekly Newsletter - www.caw-weekly.cc
(This article originally appeared in the December 11th, 2009 issue of the newsletter CAW Weekly, and was reprinted on this forum with permission of the original author.)
URWL - Season 2: What Was and What Could Have Been
by Rich Everhardt, CW Senior Editor
Season 2 (2007-2009) of the Unnecessary Roughness Wrestling League was both a season of refreshing surprises and obvious mistakes. Like most wrestling promotions, the URWL had its stars and its duds in its past season, and a wildly inconsistent event schedule, but what it brought to the table certainly made for an entertaining second season.
In no particular order, here's what the URWL should keep doing well (and should stop doing immediately):
Best URWL Wrestler of Season 2: Akina
While Jaime Emo's push has certainly captivated audiences, no one wrestler has held my personal interest like Akina has. He is truly one of the most versatile talents on the roster. Equally able to run circles around opponents and pound them into submission, the "Monster from Maui" proved time and again that he could carry himself (and his relatively unimpressive Season 2 opponents) above and beyond expectation. His match at Digital Mayhem 2008 against Scorpion was the prototypical "big match", and while it wasn't perfect, it certainly was the match that pushed Akina over the top. With a very underrated, if long, Popular Demand 2008 contest against Blood, Akina proved he was a URWL mainstay. I would expect big things out of Akina in Season 3, but I don't think he'll have that Hardkore Title any longer. It pains me to say this, but Akina's going to have to lose one of these days...but if booked well enough, it'll land him squarely in the Platinum Belt running. We'll see if the URWL can capitalize on his immense potential before it goes to waste.
Worst URWL Wrestlers of Season 2: Barry White and Salvatore
They may be "legends" of the URWL's text era, but both Salvatore and Barry White are in their late fifties and in the worst wrestling shape of their careers. Known for legendary clashes in the "text era", White and Salvatore's match at Digital Mayhem, while providing fans with markout material, was arguably the worst worked match of Season 2, boring fans to sleep with its plodding, slow pace. Even White's highly anticipated rematch against !nterogative at Popular Demand (while certainly entertaining) was woefully below average. Salvatore's matches have been nothing short of travesties, on the other hand, as his opponents (such as the underrated Fusion) have noticeably carried him along. It seems that injuries, lifestyle and age have worn Salv's technical abilities to the bone, and it's making him tough to watch. At least with Barry White, we know he's approaching his last hurrah, because rumblings around the industry point to a big gimmick match ending White's long, storied career sometime during Season 3. This will make for some emotional matches. But I can't see any optimism surrounding Salvatore. Jobbing, retirement or release seem like the only logical options to consider, or relegating him to full-time manager status with !nterogative.
Season 2's Best Rookie: Cecilia Rincón
Sure, the Great White North brought a lot of electrifying athleticism to a depleted Tag Team division in Season 2, but no one rookie caught my eye as much as the impressive Cecilia Rincón. Not only was she the most impressive rookie on the roster in Season 2, but one of the most improved talents. In her earlier matches, she seemed destined for mediocrity, lacking focus and enthusiasm. Her poise, however, was put to the test when the booking staff decided to push her into the #1 Contender's spot against Jesse Slash, who seemed unbeatable. Not only did Cecilia respond with an inspired in-ring effort, her wrestling and her focus improved by the match, culminating with what had to be the best womens' match in the entire history of the URWL at Popular Demand 2008. With new faces and some more competition slated to appear in the puny Womens' Division in Season 3, it'll be up to the booking staff to continue Cecilia's success by any means necessary. Like Akina, she possesses uncanny versatility in the ring, a key asset if she wants to further her career and continue producing in the ring.
Most Improved Wrestler: Trent Tail
Simply unfathomable and unexpected, Tail started Season 2 as a joke and an afterthought but had a strong showing at Digital Mayhem 2008 and eventually became HighFlyer Champion by Episode 9. Most importantly, he proved to his colleagues and the URWL booking staff itself that despite his age, he could still be a factor and an exciting in-ring competitor. And the bookers replied emphatically, giving Tail the opportunity to break Cory Jones's winning streak with a win in Episode 9. Heading into Season 3, Tail is riding a huge wave of momentum that can only lead to a bigger push up the card. And with his old text-era rival Dark Dragon back on the roster, things can only get more exciting for the URWL's "t-shirt guy".
Best-Worked Match of the Year: "Cold War Match" - Aleksandar Kuleshov vs. The Commander - Popular Demand 2008
On a card loaded with hardcore matches, the former MMA talent and the veteran technician spun a no-nonsense wrestling gem, a nearly-flawless combination of submissions, reversals and attacks. No, it wasn't quite "five-star" quality but it did enough to hold the fans' interest and keep them on the edge of their seats throughout. The outcome, the inevitable push of Kuleshov, couldn't have come at a better time, as it made AK47 a legitimate force to be reckoned with on the URWL roster, finally turning a disappointing rookie campaign into a hopeful situation as Russian Champion. As for Commander, yes, he may be on a down point in his career, but the match did enough to prove that he may be in for bigger and better things down the road.
Worst-Worked Match of the Year: Barry White (replacing Jaime Emo) vs. Salvatore - Digital Mayhem 2008
As said before, putting these two in a ring, especially given the circumstances (Emo was supposed to fight for his lost Internet Title but instead flipped the proverbial bird and introduced White) could have created a potential Match of the Year candidate. But instead, what the fans received was obvious evidence of both men's ages and declining physical conditions. This match, obviously booked to re-introduce White and push him back into the upper-midcard (as well as give fans a rematch of their Digital Mayhem 2003 contest), could have been a way to reinvigorate the careers of both men. Instead, it sent Barry into a short-lived and mediocre feud with !nterogative (which should lead to bigger and better things against former protege Shane B. Perkins), and...well, you know where Salvatore is as a result. One of the most disappointing matches of the year apart from all the obvious markout material.
Who Interests Me Heading Into Season 3:
Seth Stern: A championship victory is long overdue for Stern, who, despite feuding with Jaime Emo for what seems like forever, still stands as the #1 heel on the URWL roster. The idea that Stern "can't beat Emo one-on-one no matter how hard he tries" is a great one but it's on the verge of getting painfully stale. If Stern loses to Emo once again, then you know he won't be Championship material anytime soon.
Shane B. Perkins: I always felt Shane was an underrated wrestler and a good complement to the plodding Barry White in the Self-Proclaimed Icons. Now that Shane has returned from a lengthy injury, the student now has the potential to carry the teacher and prove to the fans that he can be a true force as a heel.
Fusion: Next to Akina, you have to think Fusion is headed for bigger and better things in Season 3, and it could start in Rebirth's very first match. This is a wrestler who finally has the enigmatic look to match his enigmatic gimmick, and you have to think the bookers have something big lined up for him.
Cory Jones: Despite his size, I think Jones may be a thorn in the side of face wrestlers for years to come, thanks to his new "old-school revivalist" gimmick. His match against Akina at Rebirth should prove whether or not Jones can be considered a true main eventer.
Who Needs Reconsideration in Season 3:
Jaime Emo: His rise to the top is one of the quintessential feel-good stories in the history of the URWL, but there's no denying that Emo's time as champion may be drawing to a close. When this happens is anyone's guess, and who he drops the strap to is equally mysterious, but if done well, it could benefit Emo as well as his opponent. Emo is still a hugely-talented wrestler with the crowd on his side, but a good temporary exit out of the Main Event scene will keep his popularity up as long as he's booked well.
!nterogative: Once the preeminent intimidator in the URWL, Joe Intero has turned into nothing short of a stepping stone after his loss to Jaime Emo at Digital Mayhem. But that doesn't mean he's damaged goods. A big angle with an up-and-coming talent (Fusion looks to be on the horizon after Episode 9's match turned sour) will make !ntero dominant again...if booked correctly, that is.
The Downfall Syndicate: When (and how) they come back will be crucial. GWN's feud with the Experts of Execution seems to be waning and losing steam, so it may be high time for DFS's "reboot" to occur in the next few shows. A second straight Digital Mayhem match with The Great White North should be on the horizon, if all goes well.
Taurus: Fans thought The Bull would become an instant contender for the HighFlyer Title, but his match with CobrA proved that the URWL wasn't ready to put him over just yet. With an extremely-captivating feud with arch-rival Victor Cordaro on its dying legs, Taurus should be ready to make an impact soon if the bookers make the right decisions.
Originally Published December 11th, 2009 in CAW Weekly Newsletter - www.caw-weekly.cc
