There are few WWE moments that make me stand up and cheer like a schoolgirl at a Justin Timberlake concert. The closing segment of last night's RAW was one of those times.The return of "Y2J" Chris Jericho was something everyone by now knew was coming, but it was truly a grand entrance (in true Jericho fashion) for one of the best performers today. And the segment didn't disapoint, by thrusting him directly into the title picture and feud against Randy Orton.
Overall, I really like the last couple of days, as far as wrestling is concerned. Here's some random thoughts:
- Ok, I'll admit, I totally wasn't turned off by TNA impact this week. I like the push of Kaz, Robert Roode and the TNA knockout division. Awesome Kong is a BEAST and it will be interesting to see how Kim responds. I can't help but feel like Booker T is a total traitor for jumping to TNA, but I guess it's a smart move by TNA. Just two lingering questions: How many more former WWE/WCW stars will join TNA before the show is no longer TNA and how long will it be until those rabid "TNA is so not the WWE" fans realize that TNA is becoming worse than WWE, its becoming WCW?
- Survivor Series wasn't as good as I'd hoped it would be. The Shawn Micheals/Randy Orton match was by far the best match to me. Seeing Shawn Micheals apply the Bret Hart's Sharpshooter and Kurt Angle's Ankle Lock were awesome. Then he applied Chris Benoit's Crossface and the place went nuts. I was both suprised and delighted to see him use the move. I wonder if there will any backlash from it.
- If you aren't a fan of Mickie James's new finsher, then check your pulse cause your dead. And speaking of Mickie, how long will it be until she and Beth Phoenix mix it up?
- On the diva note, it's been a bad two days for Melina. First she screwed up her trademark entrance at Suvivor Series and the next night she took a wicked shot to the head from Jillian Hall. Sucks to be you.
- After seeing Y2J's return, I thought about mic skills and how it is really an important tool in sports entertainment. It's really what separates the top talent from those with "unlimited potential" Take for example JBL. He was just a tag team and mid car guy until he was given the chance to really showcase his mic skills with his current gimmick. He went on to be a WWE champion. Therefore, for your comments and enjoyment, submit to you my top 10 best superstars to ever pic up a microphone. I made determination on thier ability to work the crowd as either a face or a heel. The common denominator between them is that they are all champions:
10) Booker T: Whether as G.I. Bro, King Bookah, or simply himself, Booker T has always been a showman.I believe that is success in WCW, WWE and now TNA is based on the fact that he is one of the most talented perfomers behind the mic.
9) Shawn Micheals: Quick-witted, funny but also more than capable of delivering an intense promo when needed, I would have placed him higher, but his convictions prevent him from cutting the edgier promos hes capabale of.
8) Kurt Angle: Not only a great in-ring competitor, Kurt Angle can compete verbally with some of the best in the wrestling world. His promos with Stone Cold during the Alliance storyline made that storyline worth watching.
7) John Cena: Love him or hate him, there is no denying that Cena is arguably the second coming of the Rock in terms of getting the crowd to cheer or boo him.
6) Hulk Hogan: Although is promos were limited, Hulk Hogan can and does move crowds worldwide which a single sentence: What ya gonna do?
5) Triple H: Whether a heel or a face, Triple H has crowd eating out of his hands everytime he grabs a mic and talks. He has an intensity that few can match and is also really funny.
4) Chris Jericho: Extremely articulate as a heel or face, Y2J can do it all. I mean in his first WWE promo he went one on one with the Great One and didn't look weak at all.
3) Stone Cold Steve Austin: What? What? What? I mean just pick from any of Stone Cold's extensive catchphrases and promos and its east to tell why he was one of the best, and that's the bottom line.
2) Ric Flair: Anytime you can start a movement with just one sound, you are something special. Wooo!
1) The Rock: He made "smackdown" an offical word. In the short time he was a wrestler, look at all the memorable moments he was invoved in. Never will there be another on the mic like the People's Champion.
Well, that's it for me. Catch you guys on the flip side.
Your American F'N Hero,
Carlos Octavian