Retro Reviews: WWE No Way Out 2004 (Bob Holly, Blindfold Matches & Some Guy Won A Title)

So, I am back after a long absence from typing ramblings onto this webpage for all of you to see. I can't really give any excuse other than I just haven't made time for it. But, I just got done with my school semester, so here's hoping some free time allows me to post more stuff on here. And I decided, what better way to come back then to start some "Retro Reviews", where I look back at wrestling events of yesteryear. To start it off, I watched WWE's No Way Out 2004, hailing from the famous Cow Palace in San Francisco, California. So, let's get into it, why don't we!

We start off this show with, of all things, recent Playboy cover girls Torrie Wilson and Sable entering the ring to do an introduction for the PPV. We will obviously get into it a bit later in this show, but WWE really must have had a problem with figuring out how to buy time for their Raw and Smackdown exclusive PPV’s. Not to mention, Sable, while pretty and all, has an ungodly shrill voice. It’s a wonder anyone found it a good idea to actually give her a microphone. This was ungodly bad, but it moved into a very awesome video package that recapped the feud going into the main event between Eddie Guerrero and Brock Lesnar. One of my favorite things about looking back at old shows is seeing these retro hype videos that they would do for PPV’s. They were always my favorite part about the lead-up to a show and WWE really hasn’t matched the ones from this era, in my personal opinion. But besides that, explosions happen, it’s Hugo Savinovich’s birthday, Michael Cole’s tan is weird and we are on with the show.

Finally, El Generico Gets His Due

A Long Overdue Grab

So if you do not follow any independent pro wrestling fan on the internet, this will be the first time you’ve probably heard the big report that WWE has signed the one and only El Generico to a developmental contract. And just like any time that the big group up north makes a grab from the independents, it is met with a whole lot of positive and negative reactions from the fans.

Let me just start by giving you an idea of how I felt when I found this story out. Like I’ve mentioned before, the internet was my main way of following independent talent since I lived in Corpus Christi, a city with little to no indie wrestling. From watching his various works in companies like ROH, Chikara and many other top companies, El Generico became one of my favorites. And as I began to watch more, my view of him progressed from him being an ungodly hilarious comedy character into seeing him as an absolutely amazing professional wrestler. Living in Texas, I knew that there was a good chance I was never going to get to see him perform, and then while venturing the internet in December of 2011, I saw he was wrestling in Austin for a little promotion called Anarchy Championship Wrestling. Now, I am a devout “Fanarchist”, and because of following this company I’ve seen many other great talents I never thought it was possible that I could see. But going back to the show, when I walked into Mohawks, Generico was standing by the merch stand selling his 8x10s and t-shirts and I decided to stop by to buy his signature blue El Generico t-shirt (which I wear all the time now). Then Generico offered his hand for a handshake and I remember being so petrified that I awkwardly forgot to even reach my hand out. I’m usually never nervous when it comes to meeting wrestlers, but I remember the only thing going through my mind was, “Holy crap I am about to shake hands with El Generico”. This was the guy that constantly gave me a laugh and entertained me across my computer screen that I was finally getting to meet in person, and I pretty much went into shock.

That is the effect Generico has had on me, which is why I was so happy when I heard the news about his recent signing. Not too long ago, I watched the first round match from PWG’s Battle Of Los Angeles 2011 with Generico vs. Claudio Castagnoli, and that excites me in so many ways as far as the opportunities that come with bringing in a star like Generico. However, many people are talking about how they fear that WWE will repackage the character, making “El Generico” gone for good. I won’t go too long into this, because you can read the post I did about a week ago titled “A Great Wrestler Does Not The Indies Make”, but Generico will still be the great wrestler no matter what WWE gives him. I’ll ask this question. Are stars like Claudio Castagnoli, Chris Hero or Jon Moxley that much different from the way they are now in the WWE? Besides the definite name changes, these men have all gotten to keep the qualities and the styles which have made then so successful on the independents. There is no doubt they will be changing the name of El Generico for the whole “rights to ones name” issue, but I highly doubt that they will remove his mask or change his style in any major way. Sure, we won’t see a lot of him dropping people on their heads with a BRAINBUSTAH, but Generico is so much more than one move.

Also, I see Generico as an amazing money making opportunity for the WWE. Since bringing him in, WWE has tried to capitalize on their younger market by pushing someone like Sin Cara, expecting to see him get a large following, followed by a great deal of merchandise being bought, to the level that people did when Rey Mysterio was first brought in. So far, it hasn’t been as successful as they wish it could be, and I think the character of El Generico could be the perfect way for WWE to get to this goal. Generico is one of the few people that WWE could grab from the independents that target the “indie wrestling fan base” as well as young children, and they would be idiots if they didn’t run with it.

Overall, as an independent wrestling fan, I must be proud and hopeful that someone that I have known as good for so long is getting recognized and getting the opportunity for some major success. Yes, I will miss the fact that I could see him wrestle in a bar in downtown Austin for only $15. But, I am excited to know that I could pay $60 dollars to see him wrestle in an 18,000 person packed arena for the entire world to see. So Mr. Generico, I salute you and I cannot wait to see you tear it up inside a slightly larger squared circle, that way so many others can see what a lot of us thought about you for so long.

Until then,

The Wrestlefan

Cena To Grace Cereal Boxes: A Sign Of Promos To Come

Last Years Joke About To Become A Reality

Original Story from 411Mania

In a move that should excite wrestling fans and cereal lovers alike, Post Cereal has made the announcement that John Cena will be replacing Fred Flinstone on upcoming specially-marked boxes of their signature cereal, Fruity Pebbles. Cena was originally featured on a section of the box around this time last year, with Post trying to capitalize on the promos between John Cena and The Rock, where Rock stated that Cena’s constant color changing wardrobe made him resemble a bowl of Fruity Pebbles.

Now before you go all, “Stop complaining! WWE is a moneymaking business! Blah Blah Blah”, I understand Posts decision to put Cena front and center on their products. I know first hand that when children who like wrestling, which is a lot of them, walk through a store and see anything with a pro wrestlers face on it, they will yell, scream, bite and do everything in their power to get said thing. I know because I was one of those kids. Post could very well put John Cena on the front of Bran Flakes and kids would demolish the cereal aisle in the supermarket. There is no denying that.

The problem I have is not necessarily with Cena getting put on the cover. I hold no true attachment with Fred Flinstone where I’m upset with him being shafted, especially since this is only temporary. The problem I have is that Cena would not even be considered to be a replacement if it wasn’t for last year’s very anti-climactic and redundant promos from The Rock that lead to a not-so great match at WrestleMania. Last year, instead of trying to develop build to a encounter that was to be a dream match by many, Dwayne Johnson decided that it would be better to get catchphrases and buzzwords to trend on Twitter, because it meant that he was finally back and important again.

The question I have is, does Post also realizes that besides the comments about Cena’s rainbow attire, that the extended series of promos between the two featured Rock referring to Cena as a “Kung-Pao Bitch” (Side Note: I’m not pissed, but if PF Changs tries to form a partnership with WWE as well, then I’ll be truly pissed.)? Do they also realize that their new cover athletes counter argument towards these insults was to “Blow him like a purple pinwheel” and how The Rock shouldn’t be on Witch Mountain, but Brokeback Mountain? Oh, and not to mention, that The Rock’s retort was to call Cena a “Yabba-Dabba Bitch”, a play on Fred Flinstone’s catchphrase. You know, the guy that is represented on the damn cereal box! I would think that a profitable company like Post would do some research into their entire promos, instead of hearing just a catchy buzzword and jumping on at the first smell of possible exposure or revenue. Hell, Kelloggs dropped Michael Phelps the minute it was revealed that he smoked marijuana. How are these possible PR problems any different?

No matter this story, I’ll still continue eating Fruity Pebbles, mainly because they taste like a rainbow exploded in your mouth and it is the king of soggy cereal. But, with the high possibility of “Rock Cena 2” happening again, this also seems to be a sign of more pandering, more attempts to make idiotic lines trend, and the mind numbing promos that will be occurring for the next 12 weeks of build to this years WrestleMania. The Rock returns this Monday just in time for his “well-earned” title shot at the Royal Rumble, so I hope I am proved wrong, but I do not expect to be.

What do you think? Leave a comment below telling me if you agree or if I’m full of it. And remember, there’s no in-between on the internet.

Until then,

The Wrestlefan