Some Random Thoughts
When the purchase and annihilation of WCW by the WWE left a huge void in wrestling. Several promotions tried to fill that void. Some promotions had a descent product to compete against the WWE, but as usual money became the decisive factor, including WOWE and XWF. TNA carrying the NWA banner has almost done it. Four years after WCW's takeover, TNA still carries the NWA name, but it desperately needs money not to become another WCW. At the same time, XWF seems to be given a second life in the hands of Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Hart.
 

World Wrestling Entertainment
The WWE plans to move its talent around again. Some RAW wrestlers will go to Smackdown, and vice versa. Since the division of talent between the two shows or band names in 2002, I have considered this decision stupid. The changes have been John Cena to RAW (06.06.05); Chris Benoit to Smackdown (06.09.05); Kurt Angle to RAW (06.13.05); Randy Orton to Smackdown re-starting his feud with the Undertaker (06.16.05) and Carlito to RAW with a match against Sheldon Benjamin and winning the intercontinental championship; Muhammad Hassan with Daivari to Smackdown (06.23.05); Paul "The Big Show," and Rob Van Dam to RAW (06.27.05); Christian Dave Batista to Smackdown (06.30.05); Mark Jindrak, Rene Dupree, Danny Basham, Kenzo Suzuki with Hiroko and Chavo Guerrero to RAW (06.30.05, not televised); and William Regal, Candice, Sylvain Grenier, Simon Dean and Steven Richards to Smackdown (06.30.05, not televised).

The WWE pushed the ECW One Night Stand PPV scheduled for 06.12.05 in NYC. At first the ECW show was going to be a classic ECW show (WWE not messing with it). Now the show will be former ECW wrestlers from RAW and Smackdown who were part of ECW against wrestlers from RAW and Smackdown who are against Paul Heyman and ECW. This is another good idea gone horribly wrong. Don't get me wrong. The ECW invasion gimmick (RAW, 06.06.05) was great television, but it didn't have to happen. Instead of selling $400 tickets, the tickets could gone on sale for $40 to $150. The only good thing coming out of RAW and Smackdown wrestlers invading the ECW PPV is Tazz getting back into wrestling as a result of Kurt Angle attacking him (Smackdown, 06.09.05). Instead of the make-believe friction between wrestlers, the WWE could have used a campaign focusing on how fun an ECW show was. Then again, any excuse to see a Eric Bischoff being attacked by most (if not all) ECW wrestlers is a good idea.

In spite of the $400 tickets and the $35 PPV or webcast, the ECW PPV (06.12.05) was a huge success. By the way, the WWE website went down due to the number of people trying to buy the webcast PPV. At the same time other ECW-like shows (Hardcore Homecoming on 06.10.05 in South Philadelphia and Ring of Honor on 06.12.05 in NYC) were profitable. If the WWE wants to make some money and offer a better product that it current has, it should revive ECW and dedicate a show to it after killing off the stupid brand gimmick.

In the ECW One Night Stand (06.12.05), Lance Storm (last match of his career) defeated Chris Jericho. Super Crazy defeated Tajiri Little Guido who came to the ring with the FBI. Rey Mysterio Jr defeated Psychosis (not only an ECW flashback, but also a WCW one as well). Sabu defeated Rhyno (no surprise there). Chris Benoit defeated Eddie Guerreo. Mike Awesome defeated Masato Tanaka in one of the most anticipated matches for this PPV (enough excuse to pay $35 for the PPV or webcast). The Dudley Boyz defeated The Sandman and Tommy Dreamer (a classic ECW flashback). At the end of the ECW show, Stone Cold came out and shared beer with all ECW alumni. Stone Cold also asked the WWE crusaders to come to the ring. Tazz finally fought Angle putting him in his trademark move, the Tazzmission, while the ECW wrestlers fought the crusaders out off the ring. Mick Floey brought Bischoff to the ring where he was attacked by the ECW wrestlers and then kicked out off the ring. It took the ECW banner for the WWE to put the best PPV that WWE has done in the past ten years. Not even any Wrestlemania or Summerslam have come close to be this exciting. The WWE should bring back ECW (not WCW).

Everything good has something bad. During the ECW One Night Stand PPV (06.12.05). Wrestling is part sport, part act, part real, trusting your opponent and some times real injuries. JBL crossed the line of a staged or controlled fight to a real fight. JBL attacked the Blue Meanie leaving a bloody mess. Many wrestlers and management alike are upset that JBL crossed that line. At the same time, many wrestlers think that JBL might get away with it because of his current status in the WWE.

Since the brand gimmick started in 2002, I have been confused with the keeping track what shows has the WWE championship and which one has the heavyweight championship. Since John Cena was transferred to RAW (06.06.05), these both titles have been part of RAW leaving no main title (WWE championship or the heavyweight championship) in Smackdown.
 

Total Non-Stop Action
In NYC, we weren't able to watch Impact consistently since it started last June. First in Time Warner Cable took FSN off the air in August 2004 and then from March to May 2005. Now that we have FSN, TNA has no new television distribution for its programming. The deal with WGN fell apart as of 06.10.05. It seems that TNA could sign a deal with SpikeTV taking a late Saturday night spot (currently used by WWE Velocity) after The Ultimate Fighter 2 in October. This would leave TNA without television exposure for four months. For this reason as of 06.24.05, TNA started offering video files of its programming for download, but TNA ran into problems to keep up with the demand of the file. On 06.28.05, TNA signed a deal with Real Networks to distribute it programming as of 07.01.05. At the same time, TNA offers the complete show for syndication using Xplosion (instead of highlights), which in NYC is available on channel 94 (bad quality video) on Time Warner Cable. TNA might be considering FSN its last option.

Dusty Rhodes is no longer part of TNA. Larry Zbyszko has taken over Dusty Rhodes' television responsibilities. Since Dusty Rhodes is out of TNA, Dustin Rhodes might be out too. After all, Dustin was given special consideration by his dad and Dustin's picture has been removed from the TNA roster.

Pushing the Slammiversary PPV (06.19.05) without national television support was difficult, but nonetheless possible as ECW did in 1998 when no NYC television station would carry its television programming.

TNA had its monthly PPV, Slammiversary (06.19.05). The Naturals defeated Team Canada keeping the NWA tag team titles. Following internal problems within 3 Live Kru, Ron Killings pinned The Outlaw. AMW defeated 3 Live Kru after The Outlaw attacked Konnan, not BG James. Outlaw and BG James made several references to a New Age Outlaws reunion. Christopher Daniels defeated Chris Sabin and Michael Shane keeping the X Division title. Raven, who had been suspended for attacking Zbyszko and quit TNA (Impact, 05.27.05), defeated Monty Brown, Abyss, Sean Waltman and AJ Styles in a King of the Mountain match for the NWA world heavyweight title.
 

National Wrestling Alliance
The following was sent by Bill Behrens, NWA Notes for 06.06.05. Over the weekend (06.04 and 06.05.05), AJ Styles defended the NWA world heavyweight title in Rome, Italy, in a two out of three fall match with Petey Williams. The previous weekend (05.28 and 05.29.05), he defended the title in Kingsport, TN. Next weekend he defends the title in Florida against Lex Lovett and then in Dothan, AL, against "Primetime" Elix Skipper. In the weeks before losing the title to AJ Styles, Jeff Jarrettt had title defenses in Birmingham, AL, against BG James and in New Jersey against Slyk Wagner Brown, just to name two recent defenses. Yet, there are still internet "journalists" who belittle the NWA title, suggest it's not defended widely, and ignore it when the facts interfere with their mistaken opinion. These same learned "fans" have been sounding the death toll for TNA since it started and even after three years can not seem to admit how wrong they were and are.

In my defense to the e-mail sent by Bill Behrens (NWA Notes for 06.06.05), Wrestling Journal has supported independent and big promotions and considers the NWA the longest existing title that unfortunately doesn't get defended in NYC often (or rather rarely). I am still waiting for TNA to come to NYC, a territory claimed by the WWE.

The following are the results for the NWA Florida, night one of the 2005 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup in the Brandon All Stars facility in Brandon, FL, in front of over 250 fans (06.10.05). The results were sent by fellow New Yorker, Alan J. Wojcik. ROH tag team champion Ricky Reyes defeated Jay Fury by submission. Matt Sydal defeated "Tornado" Tony Kozina. Team Canada's Petey Williams defeated Jerrelle Clark. SCW Heavyweight champion Vordell Walker defeated Tony Mamaluke. In a non tournament match, The Strong Brothers (Roderick and Sedrick) defeated Steve Madison and the 2005 Rage in the Cage winner Erick Stevens. Sonjay Dutt defeated NWA Wildside's Todd Sexton. TNA's "The Future" Chris Sabin defeated Delirious. Jimmy Rave defeated Fast Eddie Vegas. NWA Florida X-Division champion Mikey Batts with his cousin WWE's Billy Kidman defeated James Gibson. NWA world heavyweight champion AJ Styles defeated NWA Southern Heavyweight champion Lex Lovett who told fans that this had been his final match and he thanked the IPW/NWA Florida fans for all their support before surrendering the NWA Southern Heavyweight title to the NWA Florida office and then paid tribute to his fallen friend Alex "Yuell" Lovett.

The following are the results for the NWA Florida, night two (the conclusion) of the 2005 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup in the Brandon All Stars facility in Brandon, FL, in front of over 200 fans (06.11.05). The results were also sent by fellow New Yorker, Alan J. Wojcik. Jay Fury defeated "Mr. 630" Jerrelle Clark, Chasyn Rance and Aaron Epic in a fatal four way match. "The Shooter" Vordell Walker defeated Matt Sydal. Jimmy Rave defeated Team Canada's Petey Williams by submission. In a heavyweight contender's match, Antonio Banks defeated 911 Inc's "Miami Pound Machine" Rod Steel with "the Hardcore Giant" Ron Niemi and NWA Florida Heavyweight champion Bruce Steele. "The Future" Chris Sabin defeated NWA Florida X-Division champion "Straight Up" Mikey Batts. Sonjay Dutt defeated Ricky Reyes. In a fatal four way, NWA Florida Tag Team champions Double Deuce (Frankie Capone and Marcus Dillon) defeated The Vandalz (Tommy and Johnny), the Market Crashers (Murphy and Machete) and the Heartbreak Express (Sean and Phil Davis). Chris Sabin defeated Vordell Walker (a semi-final Peterson Cup match). Sonjay Dutt defeated Jimmy Rave (the second semi-final Peterson Cup match). "Tornado" Tony Kozina and Sal Rinauro defeated Fast Eddie Vegas and Todd Sexton. NWA Florida Heavyweight champion Bruce Steele (with "Hardcore Giant" Ron Niemi) defeated Roderick Strong. In the Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup finals, "the Future" Chris Sabin defeated Sonjay Dutt.

The following are the results for the NWA PWX on 06.11.05 at the Sportatorium in McKeesport, PA. Justin Idol, Jason Cage and Dan Miles defeated DUH by pinfall in a six-man tag team match. Bigg defeated Zach Practor and Flawless by pinfall in a three-way match. Scott Venom defeated Brass Knuckles Champion Tyrone Evans by disqualification, to win the championship. Chris Taylor defeated Brandon K by pinfall. Three Rivers Champion Nikita Allanov defeated Kano Carter by pinfall. Crusher Hansen and Devil Bhudakahn defeated the Tri Chi Fraternity by pinfall. NWA-PWX Champion Devin Devine defeated Scottie Gash by pinfall.

The following are the results for the NWA PWX on 06.25.05 at the Sportatorium in McKeesport, PA. Section 8 Mafia defeated Dash Bennett and Sean Dahmer by pinfall. Brass Knuckles Champion Scott Venom defeated Blitzz by pinfall. NWA-PWX tag team champions Da Munchies defeated Dan Miles and Jason Cage in a non-title match. Justin Idol defeated Daron Smythe by pinfall. Chris Taylor defeated Three Rivers Champion Nikita Allanov to win the title. Brandon K and Quinn Magnum defeated Crusher Hansen and Devil Bhudakahn by pinfall. NWA-PWX heavyweight champion Devin Devine defeated Eric Extasy by pinfall to retain the title.
 

Hardcore Homecoming
Shane Douglas had his version of an ECW PPV under the name Hardcore Homecoming in South Philadelphia, PA, in the same bingo hall where ECW taped its shows (06.10.05). Of course the show could not be sold as an ECW show because the WWE owns the ECW brand name and the WWE would have its own ECW PPV show on 06.12.05 in NYC.

There were seven matches. In the first match, Mikey Whipwreck and Chris Chetti defeated Simon Diamond and CW Anderson. In the second match, Tracy Smothers with the FBI defeated The Blue Meanie with the BWO. In the third match, 2 Cold Scorpio defeated Kid Kash. In the fourth match, John Kronus had an open challenge, which was interrupted by Axl Rotten and went no where. In the fifth match, Jerry Lynn defeated Justin Credible who had come out to the ring with his sidekick, Jason. In the sixth match, Raven defeated The Sandman (who was also scheduled for the WWE/ECW PPV). In the last match of the night, Sabu defeated Terry Funk and Shane Douglas (eliminated with help from Cactus Jack).

There was also an ECW "Fallen Heroes" Memorial saluting Louie Spicolli, Road Warrior Hawk, Rocco Rock, Big Dick Dudley, Pitbull #2, Eddie Gilbert and Chris Candido.

Of course, there is a DVD coming out with all the action of this show.
 

Ring of Honor
Ring of Honor returned to New York City (uptown Manhattan to be more exact) at the Supper Club hours before the WWE's ECW One Night Stand PPV (06.12.05). Colt Cabana defeated Jimmy Rave. The Carnage Crew defeated The Ring Crew Express. Azrieal won the Six Man Mayhem match over ROH tag team champion BJ Whitmer, Jack Evans, Izzy, Deranged and Fast Eddie The Masked Boston Superstar fought a debuting ROH School Trainee to a no-contest, when Shane Douglas interrupted the match (what a way to steal the spotlight from the WWE's ECW PPV). Homicide and James Gibson fought a no contest match. CM Punk defeated Roderick Strong in a total chop fest, with both guys chests looking like raw hamburger meat. Samoa Joe and Nigel McGuinness fought for the ROH title match, but the match was a no contest.