After harshing on TNA for the first week, I figured it was time to pick out a new target. What kind of weed was MLB Commissioner Bud Selig smoking when he decided to let TBS broadcast the baseball playoffs? Braves games? Sure… but not the damn playoffs! Could you ever see the NFL giving playoff games rights to TBS? That’s why the NFL is a better run league than MLB.
So after crabbing about baseball all week, I knew it was time to write about something positive. Two talented wrestlers stood out to me this week as beyond good and I want to kick off a new article/message board discussion topic called “They’ve Got the Goods”.
First is a no-brainer and that’s Mr. Kennedy. Did you see the match he had with Jeff Hardy on Raw? Actually, Kennedy had two matches… his and Jeff’s. To me, one definition of a great in-ring worker is someone who can carry his opponent to a good match if he’s having an off night or perhaps gets his bell rung and loses track of place and time.
A great example of this was the Undertaker and referee Earl Hebner helping Stone Cold Steve Austin to a great match in the main event of Summerslam 1998. Austin got knocked loopy early on but Taker and Earl the Pearl kept the boat on course to a successful conclusion.
Have you ever seen show horses? Anyone can get on the back of a talented show horse but only a skilled rider can get the horse to hold his head properly, gallop and trot on command and lead the horse to looking good. Such was the case on Monday as Kennedy continued to put Hardy in the right spots while keeping the story-telling of the match in tact.
The subtle way that Kennedy’s nonchalant covers eventually led to his downfall was covered brilliantly by Jim Ross, adding to the drama of the moment.
I guess that Jeff Hardy is now getting the Cena “male fan” heat. I wondered if the guys in the crowd didn’t care for Cena just because the girls/kids cheered for him but over time, I think they farted on him because he doesn’t sell and runs like a clutz. While Hardy is smoother, he sure doesn’t sell and who the hell does a moonsault in a real fight?
Male fans want realistic action and in the “punch-kick” world of the WWE, you have to sell and deliver in a realistic fashion. Crash and burn guys like London and Kendrick have their place on the card but for Jeff to be a top guy, he would have to adapt his style.
One thing I love about Kennedy is his lack of choreographed-looking moves. It’s supposed to look like a struggle not ballet and Kennedy does that better than anyone.
My appreciation this week also extends to a TNA performer who I have known and appreciated for a long time. Since I’m putting over guys with the goods, I have to include this fantastic athlete.
Robert Roode is so damn good, it’s scary and they need to figure a way to get him in the mix in TNA. Bobby also needs to keep his options open because the WWE is where Roode belongs.
I’ve known Bobby for a while, back when I was booking extras for the WWE. I can’t remember who recommended him but they were spot-on. Over the years, Bobby has matured, filled out physically and gotten even better.
Roode is a modern-day Curt Hennig, a charming, conniving bumping heel who looks like he could whip anybody but makes everyone around look like a million bucks.
Roode’s match with Petey Williams on TNA Thursday had a little bit of everything, including Tracy Brooks’ oiled-up rack but Roode’s a star enough to keep the attention on him and the ring.
So my two who’ve “got the goods” are Mr. Kennedy and Robert Roode. What do you think? Want to add your own? Thoughts, questions, comments as always to [email protected] or post away on the Kevin Kelly section of the message board.
And a quick shout out to Nick Dinsmore, who joined the WZ staff last week!
