***

The WWF was coming to my hometown. For the first time ever. September 28, 1984. Hershey, Pa. I was ten. My dad had two tickets. We were going! The very idea of seeing my newly realized heroes was too much to handle. The same heroes I watched with baited breath on every Saturday morning on local channels. The same heroes that would come together in mega events in gigantic arenas in huge cities every blue moon that were showcased on bigger cable stations like the PRISM network. Events that would seem so elaborate and so wonderful and so overwhelming to a wide-eyed ten year old.

What I knew was that many of these stars were coming to my small town. To perform in a drafty airplane hangar-like place known as Hersheypark Arena. A place built in 1936 and untouched since, a place where I had seen already dozens of ice hockey games, a place that I couldn’t imagine being transformed from a cold, glimmering palace of ice to a rugged grappling arena for my heroes.

My dad told me he knew a local person involved in the WWF. He had done some work from him and he had said that Hershey was scheduled to be a B-level spot on the wrestling circuit. A place just below the Madison Square Garden and Philadelphia Spectrum events where belt holders appeared and (gasp) might even fight someone good!

What this meant to a ten-year-old was that the best wrestler of them all, the high-flying death defying Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka was going to be at that September 24 show in all his leopard-print wrestling trunk-wearing glory. The same Jimmy Snuka who could fly from the top of a 15-foot steel cage and not only survive but land on his hated rival Don Muraco. The same Jimmy Snuka who should have been Intercontinental Champion. This boy was overjoyed.

We entered the arena on the mezzanine level. The ice was gone and where center ice had been now stood a ring and above it hung a large unfurled WWF banner. Hundreds of chairs surrounded the ring forming strict parallel rows. We were in Row 10. I was mesmerized. I rushed down to the seating area and made a bee-line to the ring itself. I pounded my fist on the canvas hoping to hear the reverb from the microphones surely poised underneath. Sadly there was no echo yet.

We took our seats while a steady if not unspectacular crowd moved into their seats. Pro wrestling’s popularity was muted. There was no merchandising, no cardboard signs, no intro songs, no video monitors, no commerce, and no national television show. Heck, there hadn’t even been a Wrestlemania yet. The atmosphere was very gritty and still very much underground. Wrestling was for us. We understood how much fun it was; the mainstream public didn’t. We loved it that way.

When the bouts started the arena was still only about half full, about 4,000 strong. Unfortunately the tallest two members of the 4,000 were in front of us…and they liked to stand. Since we were on the floor level the seats had no tiering. We were situated diagonal to the ring so it was a little hard to see. This ten-year-old was disappointed but determined to peer through any obstructions.

Click to continue reading. In Part Two it gets much, much, better.

Photo of Hersheypark Arena Interior Source: Wendy Frey via Wikipedia

Post from: EveryJoe

The WWF is Coming to Town (Part One)

• Melina & Johnny Nitro def. Women’s Champion Mickie James & Super Crazy (Mixed Tag Team Match)
• The Great Khali def. Eugene
• Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy def. Chris Masters (non-title)
• Ric Flair def. Carlito
• WWE Champion John Cena, World Heavyweight Champion Batista, Shawn Michaels & Undertaker def. Edge, Randy Orton, Montel Vontavious Porter & Mr. Kennedy

Post from: EveryJoe

SmackDown Gets Last Laugh on Special Thursday Raw

Test has been suspended for 30 days for violating WWE’s wellness policy. Pro Wrestling Blog indicates this is only for house shows and he may still participate on TV. If he does appear on TV he is highly unlikely to receive much, if any, push because management is probably not happy about the situation. ECW has truly been reforming over the past few weeks, largely because of Wrestling Society X performing so well. CM Punk has been absent from ECW which may indicate he is moving shows.

Vito will no longer be on SmackDown for the time being and is instead the Deep South Wrestling champ according to the Wrestling Observer. What’s better is that his dress gimmick has been dropped (insert sigh of relief) and he will be taking on a new gimmick. I doubt anyone liked the dress gimmick and the move was more of a sign of a failed gimmick rather than a move against him personally for his performance.

Rey Mysterio, set to return to SmackDown in two weeks will not be wrestling until summer according to Jim Ross. Obviously this dashes hopes that he would be back in the ring before Wrestlemania 23. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him still involved on the PPV, perhaps in an enforcer-type role.

Post from: EveryJoe

WWE Daily Dose – February 13th, 2007

Mr. McMahon then stepped in to resolve the issue setting up a triple threat match main event later in the evening between the three with the winner facing Cena at Wrestlemania.

Before the main event there was some other action. The World’s Greatest Tag Team teamed with Chris Masters to defeat Carlito and Cryme Tyme. Vince McMahon sent Umaga to beat Balls Mahoney setting up tonight’s ECW show where Mr. McMahon is rumored to be involved again. Super Crazy topped Johnny Nitro is singles action while Mickie James retained against Melina. Bobby Lashley also defended his ECW World Title against Kenny Dykstra successfully.

In the main event it looked at times every competitor was going to seal it up but a lot of back and forth action kept everyone in it. Late in the match Shawn Michaels prepared a superkick for Edge only to have Orton catch him. Edge then speared Orton allowing Michaels to espcape and deliver Sweet Chin Music to the Rated R superstar. Michaels then picked up the three count on Orton sealing his trip to Wrestlemania where he will face John Cena for the WWE Championship.

This Weekends No Way Out PPV will be especially tense as Wrestlemania oppenents will be teaming up when Batista and the Undertaker face John Cena and Shawn Michaels. The Donald Trump storyline does appear to be going on for now with the “Apprentice” star set to appear on next Thursday’s special edition of Raw.

Post from: EveryJoe

Action-Packed Raw Solidifies Wrestlemania Main Events

Tonights Raw will also feature Ric Flair taking on Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy. With a win Flair will get a title shot at Wrestlemania. I just don’t see Flair fitting in with this storyline but we will just have to wait and see what storyline WWE is going with here. Tonight we should also see just what WWE is going to do with the Vince McMahon/Donald Trump storyline after reports are saying that it is no longer being considered for Wrestlemania.

Depending on who Undertaker ultimately chooses we could see another Wrestlemania match formed tonight, likely between John Cena and Shawn Michaels. It might not be finalized with an official announcement but I wouldn’t be surprised to see their recent feud continue tonight.

And last but least, Mickie James will be facing Melina defending her WWE Women’s Title.

Post from: EveryJoe

Monday Night Raw Preview – February 5th

This weeks SmackDown was live as opposed to the typical Tuesday tapings. This meant no leaks of twists or anything of that nature. As far as matches went Chris Benoit, the U.S. Champion, retained his title against Finlay. Deuce and Domino defeated Paul London and Brian Kendrick, the current Tag Champs, in a non-title match. The victory throws them into a possible title match at No Way Out.

Other matches had Mr. Kennedy topping Vito and Miz beating Matt Hardy. Not sure where the Miz fits in right now on the show but I hope they give him some direction so he doesn’t seem so thrown in on every episode. The big news of the night wasn’t the matches however but what transpired between them.

Batista took to the ring calling out Undertaker to provide him and the world and answer to who he will be challenging at Wrestlemania 23. Instead of the Dead Man showing up John Cena made a special appearance on SmackDown seeking an answer to the same question. Undertaker then came to ringside only to be interupted by Shawn Michaels who wanted Undertaker to face him at Wrestlemania.

With all four men asking questions and getting no answers Mr. McMahon, who has appeared on every WWE show since the Rumble, showed up to provide a response to everyones questions. The answer: A tag team match at No Way Out with John Cena and tag team partner Shawn Michaels facing Batista and Undertaker. Wow! I have to give WWE props on setting up storylines so this match could happen.

This match will set up the Wrestlemania 23 matches with Undertaker most likely facing Batista and Shawn Michaels taking on Cena but we will just have to wait a few weeks for the PPV when these can become announced matches (hopefully that is).

Also after Kennedy’s win over Vito GM Theodore Long announced he would get a rematch for the World Heavyweight Title against Batista next week on SmackDown. Also the Kane/Booker rivalry from the Royal Rumble heated up when Kane cleared the ring during one of Bookers ceremonies. I wouldn’t be surprised to see these two face of at No Way Out as well.

On the bad side of thing Vickie Guerrero announced should be returning to SmackDown soon. What a shame too, I thought she was done with the show.

Post from: EveryJoe

SmackDown Recap

10:43 pm: Undertaker just got busted open by a chair from Orton and got speared by Edge. Michaels eliminated Randy Orton and Edge. Final two are Shawn Michaels and Undertaker.

10:40 pm: The Miz is eliminated. RVD and CM Punk are both eliminated by Khali as is Hardcore Holly, Carlito, and Chavo Guerrero. Undertaker eliminates Khali and MVP. Final four are Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton, and Edge.

10:32 pm: Last three competitors into the competition are The Great Khali, The Miz, and The UIndertaker as numbers 28-30. Finlay was eliminated by Shawn Michaels, a gang of wrestlers eliminated Viscera, and Johnny Nitro eliminated by Chris Benoit. Kevin Thorn then eliminated Benoit. Chris Masters was eliminated next by RVD.

10:27 pm: Viscera, Johnny Nitro, Kevin Thorn, Hardcore Holly, Shawn Michaels, Chris Masters, Chavo Guerrero, MVP, and Carlito added into the mix as numbers 19-27 respectively. Jeff Hardy eliminated by Edge and Orton, King Booker and Kane eliminated eachother as the 8th and 9th out of the Rumble. Shawn Michaels eliminated Shelton Benjamin for number 10 out of the competition. Super Crazy is elimated.

10:17 pm: Tha Sandman, Randy Orton, Chris Benoit, and RVD join in the 15-18 spots. Sandman is eliminated by King Booker. Matt Hardy taken out by Orton and Edge.

10:08 pm: Tommy Dreamer is 3rd eliminated followed by Sabu both of which got eliminated by Kane. CM Punk, King Booker, Super Crazy and Jeff Hardy are the 11th through 14th wrestlers into the match.

10:01 pm: Gregory Helms, Shelton Benjamin, and Kane are competitors 8-10 in the match.

9:57 pm: Edge eliminated both Ric Flair and Kenny. Tommy Dreamer and Sabu, both from ECW, just entered the match. New competitors are joining every 90 second this year.

9:55 pm: First 5 entrants into the Rumble are (in order): Ric Flair, Finlay, Kenny Dykstra, Matt Hardy, and Edge. No ECW wrestlers into the match yet.

9:42 pm: John Cena defeated Umaga in a last man standing match to retain the WWE title. After a bunch of near 10 counts Cena finally got the win after hitting the STFU twice and using the ring ropes to choke Umaga disabling him from getting up and earning Cena the win at just over 23 minutes. (Results: John Cena (c) def. Umaga – 10 Count)

9:05 pm: Throughout the entire match between Mr. Kennedy ana Batista a “knee injury” to Batista was being sold. Kennedy slammed him into the ring steps and worked on his knee throughout the entire match but with a Batista Bomb and the pin Batista got the win at 10:30 and retained the title. He continued to sell the injury after the match so I would expect this one to show up on this weeks SmackDown. (Result: Batista (c) def. Mr. Kennedy – Pin)

8:50 pm: In the match everyone saw this past Tuesday on ECW Bobby Lashley defeated Test after Test refused to get back in the ring. Test basically just walked away from the match much to the dismay of the fans who booed it pretty bad. Lashley brought Test back for a powerslam but the match was just over in just 7 minutes. (Result: Bobby Lashley (c) def. Test – Countout)

8:30 pm: MNM v. Hardys is first match of the night. Crowd was pretty dull through this one even though there ar 16,000 fans in the standium. Matt Hardy hit the twist of fate and Jeff with the Swanton Bomb on Johnny Nitro. Three count at 15:27 and the Hardys win. (Result: Hardys def. MNM – Pin)

8:09 pm: Welcome to Jab and Grapple. We will be posting the results from the Royal Rumble as they happen in this post so keep refreshing the page to get the latest news out of one of WWE’s premiere PPVs of 2007

Post from: EveryJoe

Royal Rumble Results

The Hardys v. MNM

This fight has been in the makings since before Armageddon when Nitro and Jeff Hardy were going back and forth for the IC title. Armageddon directly set this match up when a botched ladder move busted Mercurys face open and the rest is history. Expect a good match here with the Hardys being rather experienced and high flying wrestlers not to mention that we get to see Melina’s entrance.

Prediction: MNM via pinfall w/ help from Melina

ECW World Title: Bobby Lashley v. Test

This match by far has the least fan support so I suspect (or hope) it will be a quick match. Not sure what WWE plans to offer for us here that we haven’t seen on ECW that past few weeks but particularly Lashley’s win this past week in the exact same match.

Prediction: Lashley retains

World Heavyweight Title: Mr. Kennedy v. Batista

Although this fight has been building up for long before the SmackDown Beat the Clock Sprint that timed two episode challege set this match up several weeks ago. Kennedy is a potential champ but with Batista winning the title not long ago combined with the shows storyline Kennedy probably has little chance. Should be a good match however since both wrestlers usually put on a good show.

Prediction: Batista retains. There is a rare chance that Kennedy wins the title only to have Batista win it back before Wrestlemania.

WWE Championship: John Cena v. Umaga

Yeah like there is any chance of Umaga taking the title from Cena. I mean sure there is the outlying possibility that he could but I don’t forsee him ever becoming more than a Somoan Bulldozer, not a champion. It will be interesting to watch what develops not only with this feud but whether Shawn Michaels emerges as a contender for the championship.

Prediction: Cena retains

The Royal Rumble

The 30 man royal rumble is the staple of the event and sets up matches and storyline for the next 2+ until wrestemania and beyond. Even though there are 30 competitors only a handful are real contenders.

This year the WWE departed from doing qualifying matches and instead opted to do tuneup over the top challenges this past week instead. Also this year ECW has been added to the mix.

A win by an ECW extremist is unlikely at best although having CM Punk in a wrestlemania title match might get a good fan response. Most likely WWE will opt to go with either Khali or Undertaker for the win because of the recent hype they have been giving the wrestlers recently. I would expect to see them in the top 5 if not the top 2.

Prediction: Undertaker. SmackDown has been hinting at a Batista/Undertaker title match at Wrestlemania and I think this is the year that Undertaker finally wins the rumble to move on to Wrestlemania.

Post from: EveryJoe

Royal Rumble Preview and Predictions