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UNDER THE MICROSCOPE - 12/26 WWE SMACKDOWN: Triple H tugging on Superman's cape, the U.S. Championship, refs named Dick
Dec 28, 2008 - 3:57:18 AM |
By Lee Stevens, PWTorch Specialist
Thank you for joining me once again as we take a closer look at Smackdown. For newer readers, this is not a complete recap, simply a more detailed look at some of the things that were said by the announcers, seen in the stands, or experienced in the ring. Maybe it was something you missed, or something you didn't know. If for some reason you don't enjoy the article, I have a gift receipt. Feel free to return it at your earliest convenience.
I thought I saw a blade
The sign of the night appeared at the beginning of the show when a fan proudly held up a poster stating "Hockey's Fake." Bonus points for holding it up near another fan wearing a Calgary Flames jersey. Credit for not only the creativity, but for reminding me of The Goon. Bill Irwin entered the then-WWF as a former hockey player who reportedly had been kicked out of every league in which he played. The gimmick wasn't great, but his footwear was. His wrestling boots looked like hockey skates. He returned for the gimmick battle royal at WrestleMania X-7 and the 15th anniversary of Raw.
What's on your iPod?
It's no great surprise that Triple H walks to the ring with Motorhead blaring over the speakers, but who knew he was so diverse in his musical tastes? While he was chastising Vladimir Kozlov for last week's actions, he offered this warning: "You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind. You don't pull the mask off the ol' Lone Ranger...". These are lines from the Jim Croce song "You Don't Mess Around with Jim." The song was released in 1972 by Croce, who was also known for the songs "Time in a Bottle" and "Bad, Leroy Brown." He died in a plane crash in 1973.
Continuing with the musical theme, Peter Gabriel had a huge hit in 1986 with The Game's weapon of choice. "Sledgehammer" was a #1 single off Gabriel's album entitled "So."
At the same time, ABC had a show called "Sledge Hammer!" starring David Rasche. The show had nothing to do with Gabriel, his song, or Triple H's weapon. It was a show about the police.
Brought to you by the letter 'Z'
Kizarny will make his dizbut, uh, debut next week which will likely bring more -izzle's and sideshow effects. Is anyone else reminded of Darren Drozdov when you see him? He has physical similarities, including the style of facial hair and basic size, but also the sideshow angle. If you remember, Droz could vomit on command. In fact, Vince McMahon originally had him pegged as "Puke." Droz was later forced to retire after being paralyzed in the ring.
And his opponent
I realize why they introduced Shelton Benjamin first in his match against Hurricane Helms. It seemed as if they wanted Helms to interrupt Benjamin's statements to get him fired up before the match started. I'm certainly fine with that, but I prefer when a champion is introduced last and I certainly think the champ should be able to get the full introduction.
If a titleholder is already in the ring when he or she is introduced, it lessens the impact of the introduction. If it's played correctly, the fans should be waiting with anticipation to hear the first notes of their entrance music, whether it's to cheer them or boo them.
Yes, it's a minor point, but The Microscope loves the small stuff.
From the home office in Greenwich, Connecticut
Jim Ross mentioned that 12 WWE Hall-of Famers once held the U.S. Championship. First, that's a terrific stat to make the belt feel that much more important. Second, it put The Microscope on notice.
The 12 Hall-of-Famers who once held that belt (with the year of induction): Bobo Brazil (1994), Jimmy Snuka (1996), Greg Valentine (2004), Harley Race (2004), Sgt. Slaughter (2004), Roddy Piper (2005), Bret Hart (2006), Eddie Guerrero (2006), Blackjack Mulligan (2006), Dusty Rhodes (2007), Curt Henning (2007), and Ric Flair (2008).
Of course, we are counting this championship under several names including NWA United States Heavyweight Championship, WCW United States Heavyweight Championship, WCW United States Championship, and the current version in the WWE.
Ric Flair held in six times, the most of any of the champions. Unlikely WWE Hall-of-Famer, Lex Luger, held it the longest, both individual reign of 523 days and total reigns, 948 days during five different times holding the belt.
Dick
If you were listening closely, you heard Jim Ross compliment Maria for her appearance in a tight-fitting referee's shirt by insisting that Mike Chioda and Dick Whorle never looked that good. Most current fans recognize the name Mike Chioda as a senior referee in the WWE, but it takes a bit of aging to nod knowingly at the second reference. When I started watching wrestling, first, it was still called wrestling. Yes, I'm that old. Secondly, Vince McMahon wore a powder blue suit and they conducted interviews halfway through the episode at ringside in front of an empty arena. Also, your referees were Dick Kroll, Dick Whorle, or Gilberto Roman.
If I remember correctly, Dick Kroll was a solid official who could work a title match if needed, but would likely be called upon to officiate a tag match between The Moondogs and Rick Martel & Tony Garea or the latest Intercontinental scrap between Don Muraco and Jimmy Snuka. Gilberto Roman would probably have Sky Low Low chasing him around the ring while Little Beaver bit him in the greater gluteus region.
Your main event? We need Dick Whorle. For the record, Maria does look better in a ref's shirt.
Lee Stevens goes "Under The Microscope" for Smackdown and Raw. You can leave your comments below or e-mail him at GLStevens.Torch@gmail.com.
Send feedback on this article to pwtorch@gmail.com and we'll regularly publish reader feedback in the "Torch Feedback" category on the Main Listing.
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