SEScoops Mailbag for August 25th
(submit YOUR questions to sescoops@gmail.com)
Q: Why in the world wont WWE change this PG rating already? I keep wondering how we can have these brutal Hell in a Cell matches and Elimination Chambers without a drop of blood. At least now they say ass and bitch sometimes but still, the promos are not as funny as they used to be because they can’t swear, the matches are not as good because they can’t get too violent. Just imagine a Stone Cold era in this PG thing. I don’t think it would be as good as it was. My point is, people are begging for [an end to PG], so why don’t they give the fans what they want? – John E.
A: I swear, it’s like Groundhog Day with this question. So you admit that the language they’re using more often of late is decidedly un-PG, but because they still ban blood and barbed-wire baseball bats, the product isn’t as enjoyable as it used to be. Fair enough, to each their own. Where are these people begging for an end to PG? On the internet? Whether we like it or not, we’re not the majority. There are plenty of older fans who were young enough to enjoy the Attitude Era that now have kids of their own and prefer a more family-friendly WWE without all the crotch-chopping and swearing. To me, it has less to do with PG and everything to do with finding that one big, breakout star. CM Punk could have been that guy, and he hasn’t been buried yet, but they didn’t go far enough with the angle after he won the title at MITB. For now, enjoy hearing the words “ass”, “balls” and “bitch” and all of the inside references on promos because it’s the closest thing we’re going to get to that era. Once Linda McMahon announces her intent to run for office again, it won’t last long.
Q: What are your thoughts on WWE not using Gail Kim well, and maybe punishing her because she went to TNA? – Wesley
A: It had nothing to do with her going to TNA. Remember, it was WWE that foolishly released her all those years ago, it’s not as though she betrayed the company by jumping ship in the middle of a contract renegotiation. Christian has done quite well for himself since returning from TNA and he chose to leave to go there. To be honest, Gail never appeared to be the same performer inside the ring that she was back when she was feuding with Awesome Kong. I’m not sure why either, but having 2-minute matches on TV certainly didn’t help. My guess is if Vince let her go the first time when everyone thought it was a mistake, he must not have seen her as someone to build the women’s division around. She was over 30 when they took her back and in that company, it’s a difficult thing when you’re up against other females 10 years your junior.
Q: Is there any reason why Goldberg seems to “hate” WWE? Did WWE screw him some how or what? – Syed
A: Probably bad blood for how they treated his character back during his first run, coupled with them not making a deal happen to bring him in for WrestleMania in Atlanta this year. Goldberg was open to doing something there given his history in the city, but they could not come to terms. It should be known that Triple H is not a fan of Goldberg and reportedly talked Vince McMahon out of considering him for this year’s Hall of Fame class because in his view, he never really accomplished anything in the business. No really, stop laughing. I guess we’re all supposed to forget that Vince McMahon Sr.’s limo driver is in that same HOF, along with other big money-makers like Nikolai Volkoff, Koko B. Ware and Drew Carey.
Q: I just wanted to know how the Steve Austin/Triple H stunt was performed safely at the conclusion of Survivor Series 2000. Triple H was in the car, which was hoisted up high, and was begging for mercy and when the camera showed Austin dropping the car upside-down with the forklift, Triple H screamed “Holy S**t” but nobody was in the car when it landed. How did WWE manage to do the act safely? – Marko from Zagreb, Croatia
A: It was done safely because Triple H was not actually in the vehicle when it plummeted to the pavement. It was previously-recorded footage that was spliced into the live PPV broadcast. I always found it funny that a mere 8 days later, Triple H was back on television without a scratch on him. He must be unbreakable.
Q: With [Stephanie and Triple H] emerging to take over WWE, could we see Shane McMahon possibly making a comeback to reveal himself as the Raw General Manager or possibly even bring his father back with his % of ownership to make a great storyline before WrestleMania? I would love to see Shane back and stirring things up. – Brian
A: We already had one WrestleMania main event with a McMahon in every corner and that was over a decade ago. Do we really need another? That said, Shane McMahon will not be revealed as the Raw GM. He left WWE behind completely because he could no longer deal with his father’s outbursts. He currently serves as CEO of China Broadband Inc., a provider of cable broadband services, and sits on the Board of Directors for International Sports Management, representing talent including pro golfer Rory McIlroy.
Q: In your opinion, do you think Goldberg was as hot or hotter than Steve Austin in 1998? Also, I was on YouTube watching a match between Vader and Stan Hansen in Japan where Vader was poked in his eye and it popped out! Do you think that is the worst injury you’ve seen in wrestling? – Troy
A: I’m sure plenty of ladies (and some men) found the bald goatee look quite hot back in ’98, but I was not one of them. Oh, you meant business-wise? Good question. They were both insanely over with their respective audiences and had a big impact on TV ratings. I’d probably call it even were it not for the ridiculous amount of merchandise Austin was selling at his peak. WCW never had their house in order when it came to that sort of stuff. As for the Vader/Hansen match, Vader’s eye didn’t exactly pop out, but that’s only because his eyelid was barely holding it in. It was pretty gruesome, but the worst injury I’ve seen in wrestling is Sid Vicious breaking his leg at WCW’s Sin PPV in 2001. I still shudder just thinking about it.
Q: Why is it that almost nobody in the WWE Universe likes Heath Slater? On every website I go to, I see mostly resentful comments directed at the one man rock band. I think he is good in the ring and has decent mic skills, too. I understand that he’s a heel, but even heels are given credit for what they do. Why do you think Heath has been given such a bad rap? – Chris L.
A: He calls himself the one man rock band. For that reason alone, he deserves to be shunned.
Keep those questions coming to sescoops@gmail.com and remember to include your name!