Randy Orton suspended for 60 days!

Randy Orton suspended

for 60 days!

WWE superstar Randy Orton, 32, has received a sixty day suspension from his recent employing organisation on May 30^th 2012.

Orton had been in violation of the Wellness Policy, with a statement released from WWE on its website.

“In accordance with its Talent Wellness Program, WWE has suspended Randy Orton for 60 days effective today for his second violation of the company's policy.”

This tallies Randy’s third suspension, though second through the Wellness Policy. Three occasions of the Wellness program means termination for a superstar.

Orton, while not partaking any drugs or steroids as such, chose to smoke in the herbal variety, which still comes under the Wellness Policy. Orton’s first violation was in April 2006.

Here's Rey, on the Wrestlemania Weekend Golf Trip, 2012

Others suspended for the Wellness violations are either injured, due to return or on shaky ground. Some include Rey Mysterio, Sin Cara and Evan Bourne.

In further debacles, Mysterio, whom most knew when it came out after March, was suspended in February though announced as suspended after March, clouding WWE’s precipitous nature. Rey also appeared on the Wrestlemania tour. Talk about infeasible.

Chris Jericho has also recently been suspended for thirty days following a cultural incident from WWE’s Brazilian tour last week. (See here - Chris Jericho suspended for 30 days! )

I've got the power...

With Jericho’s suspension, Orton was in talks to lead a feud with Dolph Ziggler, Y2J’s replacement.  

While many speculated Ziggler may be filler for a thirty day spot then disappear again, many questions are further posed. With Orton absent also, will Ziggler be dropped? Or shall he be able to rise above, now two stalwarts are away? This would be WWE’s perfect opportunity to do so. Though if it benefitted Dolph with the WWE title at Royal Rumble and a feud with CM Punk that could have ended now, Ziggler would have been in a healthier, headlining position. The absence of Orton would have meant that a second young up and comer could have been launched instead of just one.

Only last week, during Raw, Dolph Ziggler's bulge got a few searches! :o

WWE must understand how crucial it is to elevate new talent amongst the veterans. Now WWE realise they need to find people to call on, in unfortunate circumstances.

Similarly some years ago, a batch of nearly all of WWE’s leading staff suffered injuries in the same time period, including John Cena, Triple H and Undertaker, all in main line feuds at the time.

On Raw’s May 28^th (2012) broadcast, Ziggler asked Vickie Guerrero to get him out of this tag team losing situation. “I’m better than this” Ziggler proclaimed. Vickie responded “I’ll see what I can do.”

Generic Wrestler

With Vickie’s powers of persuasion, Ziggler must be launched to the WWE title contention and be ‘re-made.’ Lose the shiny, unattractive tights. Dress accordingly, lose the ass cape and ass juggle and look like a generic wrestler. For WWE, it is optional; though dying the hair back to brunette and short crop is highly supportive to the Ziggler presentation. The longer anyone waits, the more they dip in respect.

Now, does it seem ludicrous that Miz, Ziggler and others were jobbed in such detrimental ways that WWE can’t call on them instantly?

It also highlights that WWE need to produce new stars also, to be lined up for further feuds than relying on the same boring, outdated or mid-level, unable to rise higher stars that are seemingly at the top – Eve, Big Show and David Otunga are valid choices to ‘make’ someone who is lowly and has nothing in the company to do. Though it is invalid to present them, including the Big Show, as the main focus of headlining programming to a paying audience that cannot have any faith in this establishment.

They won’t like this, but it is not about saying “I told you so,” though WWE should have and desperately need a draft shortly. Bet they wish they’d done one, huh?

With Smackdown now stuffed without Orton, Sheamus is exposed. Unable to be carried anymore and not rising as the star WWE have intended for, and Alberto Del Rio still a Raw superstar, regardless, WWE need to call in “The Board” or “Management” to replace Del Rio to Raw. The draft can move him if necessary, as well as reading the riot act of Raw/Smackdown title challenge separation.

WWE is a right mess structurally and needs to emphasize these parameters in order to establish its worth to its audience, or else many will turn off, especially now missing key fixtures to watch.

Smackdown needs new stars in title contention than Sheamus. Raw needs re-structuring. Going into three hours, and uninteresting with the recent 28^th May episode, where Big Show also opened with a slow, monotone, drab promo for yet another twenty minutes to half an hour, WWE are ruining themselves from within.

WWE’s 1000th episode of Raw was scheduled for St.Louis, centred around the hometown of Randy Orton.

Also, hire more Women that can wrestle.

P.s. Having a returning Wade Barrett will not be an answer nor solution to his boredom and uninteresting presence.

Cue Brock Lesnar to have some more appearances. With WWE fretting over when to schedule the HHH/Lesnar collision, isn’t it clearly obvious? – Money In The Bank.

Back up your harddrive?

Once again, relying on old hat/established performers shows the disaster WWE come too when it cannot rely on them forever and takes a massive hit without a contingency plan in place. Everyone backs up their system, right?

WWE must produce stars, and seeing as it has a wide pool of people, why are you waiting around? The WWE Universe also wants to see them, rather than doing jobs on Superstars, NXT or the A and B shows. I could mention a list, but I’m certain you already know who would be on that.



In the mish mash of fret, should WWE give a championship of opposing brands to a superstar on the other, while they may do it to a star who is favoured, this will lose them immense respect once the reign hype wears off. Avoid at all costs.

Max and Rand, enjoying some Mojito's...

...Until that Jericho spotted us!

It isn’t all bad news. Rand now has free time on his hands. He can travel over to Britain for a vacation and visit Max Waltham. Maybe we can have a pint and bump into Jericho in a pub!

The Randy Orton heel turn debate article will now be re-scheduled for next month at the latest, though may pop up earlier.

© Max Waltham 02nd June 2012

Raw Supershow [August 29th 2011] Part 1

Raw Supershow 
[August 29th 2011] Part 1

The August 29^th Raw began from Tulsa, Oklahoma. To kick off the show was the C.O.O once again, Triple H. His opening statement, after the broadcast team inform us we are in for a super week friom the WWE, Triple H informs us all that it is his job to deliver the “absolute best” from the shows for the fans. We will need more convincing – the proof is in the pudding, as they say.

Giving the "absolute best" apparently

Giving the very best everytime was his plan, and to begin this notion, H decides to do something monumental.

As from now on, all talent from both Raw AND Smackdown will appear on BOTH shows. The brand extension has been disolved. It is no more.

The C.O.O also wanted to know why Kevin Nash showed up last week, lying to his old friend, when HHH assumed Nash had been involved in a car accident.

Punk interrupts and accuses Triple H of lying himself. Nash then enters, to the nWo music (we’ll get onto that shortly). Admitting he lied to the C.O.O, Nash claimed he wanted his shot a Punk as the reason for blindsiding Tripper. The game then asks Big Sexy to leave the WWE, as their friendship has come between business decisions being made. Nash gloats that John Laurinaitis offered him a contract, and should he leave, he can sit at home and get paid for doing nothing. Triple H was not impressed at this backward manoeuvre towards him.

Nash looked well in the polo shirt

It was at this point that CM Punk, giving another classic performance to the audience, was seen being physically sick at the thought of all this banter of reminiscence. (Punk feigned the sickness, and didn’t actually vomit fluids). Almost every member of the roster would not have been able to pull that off whilst still keeping the audience in tow.

Triple H is then asked by Punk to book Nash V Punk at Night of Champions in three weeks. According to Punk, H doesn’t wear the pants in his relationship, but he “does wear the panties, don’t you?” with more mocking towards Mrs. McMahon-Helmsley being the breadwinner. Mr. Helmsley had a look on his face towards Punk that was somewhat displeased, to say the least.

With match booked, Hunter makes the decision for the match and leaves, but not before telling them all to have two words… allowing crowd interaction once again.

The first match began. It was impressive. It was Randy Orton, World Heavyweight Champion V Dolph Ziggler, former World and now current US Champion. Vickie Guerrero is still alongside Ziggler, despite their differences.

Near falls and possible upsets to them norm of Orton gained a new respect from the masses, however it still wasn’t fully over, due to Ziggler being a lesser star. The overpushing isn’t helping someone who is a) US champion, b) has other storylines going on with Vickie and c) being seen as a filler match to raise a portfolio.

Either ditch the US title and give a full solo push, or replace with a star that has potential. Any names off the top of my head? Alex Riley.

I should be looking straight at Ziggs open legs, but my eye is diverted to the hot referee -
he got some raise on those arms!

After this match was sewn up, with an Orton victory, it was a great opening match to start the show and good efforts from both. Orton once again, worked for a young-un to raise their stock. Many other performers do not bother. But again, Ziggler is not over yet. Push him up the mid card for a few months. In the meantime, this spot could be used to build more stars forward. Michael McGuillicutty is just another name that would have gained a platform here, to becoming a bigger star – which is what WWE needs, and should be adhering to, should it care for the future as well as now.

Suffering more differences

Jack Swagger was also watching in the locker-room with anticipation on a TV.

Vickie and Dolph had another disagreement before cowering off to the back.

A replay of last weeks Raw, showing Del Rio’s damage done to Cena – who seems fine and not selling anything. Josh Mathews aims to get a word with him, but fails as Cena heads to the ring. Calling for Alby, Mark Henry answers instead. Telling us he has taken out Kane, Big Show and Sheamus in recent weeks, Henry claims he’ll be the next World Champion (you will never live that one down if you do it WWE). This brought Christian, still challenger to the title, out. Just as Cena challenges both to a fight – Cena isn’t meant to ‘fight’ people – he’s a babyface, as well as sending the wrong message to kids. At this point in the bore fest, Sheamus enters to aid Cena. The WWE Universe is meant to forget that Sheamus and Cena had heated rivalries before Sheamus was drafted to S/D in April this year.

Johnny Ace is seen with referee Charles Robinson, in Triple H’s office, no less, and tells him to book the match. Triple H tells John L he is too late, as the C.O.O has already made it happen. Not before reminding Laurinaitis that HHH is the boss!

Sitting around Punk's conspiracy table perhaps?

The Miz is the must see superstar. As he battles CM Punk 1 on 1. Near falls from The Miz made it close but no cigar. Punk delivered kicks, but to no avail. From the top rope, a Macho Man style Elbow Drop to which Punk may have gained the pinfall on.

Miz crotch V Punk ass - what wins for you?

Green actually is my fave colour X

Pinfall raises smooth curved legs.

We never found out as R Truth caused his own conspiracy by causing a DQ. The Miz lost. However, this was an interesting match to view, so it wasn’t all bad. Both sold for each other, and made it key to putting on a show that met expectations, regardless of how high or low. R Truth received the GTS, then Nash’s music hit, causing the distraction, Miz nailed a jab to Punk from behind. Nash finished Punk off with a Jacknife Powerbomb.

Punk claimed another one for his troubles.

Sin Cara challenged Jack Swagger. The all American American tried to squash Cara, but his agility got the better of Swaggz. Jack turned things around with a Swagger Bomb (previously the Vader Bomb), which then saw Vickie Guerrero join at ringside. Ziggler, came down, demanding to know why Vickie was out there and yelled at her. Swagger got distracted when unaware if Zigg had push/knocked Vickie. Cara then nailed Swagger for the victory. The distraction seems to have been done the right way, than what usually transpires. More of this booking, and the Universe will respect run ins, DQ’s and ‘crappy finishes’ if it is believable and correct. Just don’t make a habit of every match outcome.The match itself, however, was complicated and abysmal. Live TV ehh?

The Tag title rematch for Michael McGuillicutty and David Otunga happened next. Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston (new tag champs) are being renamed Air Boom – this is not a good move. Tag principals began and small man Evan was cornered early by Mikey Mc Gorgeous, eventually forcing Bourne to tag Kingston. Kofi got his surge of taking him down, before then launching Bourne onto Otunga – if that’s all they can use Evan for, then it needs to re-evaluate what it can do for the tag division. Kofi ended it with the trouble in paradise, to retain the titles. No one cared. Lawler claimed the losing team were “boring”. Most agree. David Otunga ripped his headphones off and gave a stare down. This is a pointless feud coming. Otunga cannot be ‘made’ from it.

Otunga/Lawler just isn't going to work, give Lawler a good feud,
if you're booking him

It’s been rumoured McGuillicutty wants a name change. Listen Up…

Got good curves too!

You are only as good as your name. And in Mc G’s case, the name you have is actually good and worthwhile. It’s how you make your name. It is WWE’s fault why the name is not doing so well, granted. It’s now up to you to build the name, rather than abandon it. The name has now become one that rolls off the tongue, has built a repertoire, and has a following. What will you change to? Joe Henning? Nobbly Bobbly? Henstus Joseph? Gorgon Zola? A change of name will erase everything; while you think that will be good, you will lose everyone with the new change as McG is your name. It has become synonymous and again, is a good name to build on, plus it means something. WWE, push this guy solo, or cut him from Otunga and team with Ryder/Swagger or Riley. Though Riley V McG would also be a good one.

Why Max Waltham believes he should keep his name
 (and hell, i'd manage you!)

Here we go again….

Still holding the title in the air, forgetting that it wasn't her 'moment'.
All talent respect each other enough to ALLOW them their entrance...

Bimbo Bimbo with Eve, took on The Bella Twins. Again. From exactly the same match last week. Does it really value all its female employees that lowly? Beth and Natalya were watching on the screen backstage, complaining that they should be at the top.

People say we wanna be like them,
"But we Don't"...

They should. Along with Gail Kim, no less. The Barbie doll checks on her friend Eve, who is hurt at ringside (awww) and doesn’t see the switch from the Bella’s. Nikki Bella drops BB (not Brie) with the X-Factor, now dubbed Twin Magic (which is also another actual move, No?). The last Women’s/Divas champion, Brie Bella is recognised as the winner.

X Factor for now, but will she be dropped when it REALLY matters?

So, the referee calls wins for the switch and is accepted, yet with the Cena/Miz/Punk debacles, the decisions are reversed in Cena’s favour? Here the ref made the decision on what he saw and it stuck. Yet with Cena it changes everything that should have stuck. This is why you neglect and lose your audience. Double Standards. Have you no soul?

Another brief showing of Triple H’s new film, Inside out, in which he plays another convict esq character.

Finally the main event looms. Mark Henry and Christian V Sheamus and John Cena. 3 Smackdown stars and 1 Raw. Henry does not deserve this spot. The UK’s chancellor George Osbourne blamed weather for the economy rates falling. What will be WWE’s excuse for a poor selling at Night of Champions featuring Henry/Orton?

Are WWE re-pushing him?

Nethertheless, the main continued. If there was any doubt in your mind, Cena and Sheamus nabbed the victory.

Sheamus Brogue Kicks Christian into the Attitude Adjustment, after Cena aims to STF Christian, which was broken by Henry. Full of Henry clubs and break ups here and there, it was a standard Cena main event of lacklustre proportions. Booking people whom where of no interest didn’t support the match.

So, Raw’s Super show – now featuring all of WWE’s stars on both shows in the indefinite future is a good move? See the article on Wrestling Wonders – Brand Extension a mistake (coming in a few days). But if superstars that are on one of the shows, feature on the other show consecutively, then WWE just got a whole lot worse.

So far, this Raw show was standard and rather lame. It didn’t give back to the viewer, by booking matches featuring stars whom were not interesting or wanted. Others wanted half of those booked in matches replaced with someone who would benefit to WWE’s future. Alex Riley, Michael Mc G, Zack Ryder, Evan Bourne, R Truth, The Miz are just some of the talents, whom weren’t used to the potential viewers believe would be beneficial. While it is the fault of some themselves, others would kill to have that spot – as they could carry it. How long will you wait to produce another star? You cannot rely on just Punk, HHH, Cena, & Orton, regardless of how great they are in different areas for the company. And who will be their next challenge? Back to the drawing board. And don’t forget the Women.

At least he got a 'video package'. In future - showcase in ring please!

Alberto Del Rio wasn't at tapings due to visa complications he is rectifying. Del Rio was scheduled to face Sin Cara on the Smackdown supershow [see part 2].

RESULTS

Randy Orton (c) def. Dolph Ziggler (c)

CM Punk def. The Miz (via DQ)

Sin Cara def. Jack Swagger

Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston (c) def. Michael McGuillicutty & David Otunga

Brie Bella w/ Nikki Bella def. Kelly Kelly (c) w/ Eve

John Cena & Sheamus def. Mark Henry & Christian

© Max Waltham  01^st September 2011