Talk 'Wrasslin' with Chakal

[snova031]

P.S. you hear they released Sabu, and offered Jericho a contract?

If Jericho comes back, I'll go nuts. I remember when he debuted, I was all up in the TV. Jericho was the man.

[IcePossum13]

Chakal (Scott, or anyone else), I'd like to get your opinions on a few topics:

You brought up a point that was very important to me about eight years ago. Steve Austin was underrated as a technical wrestler. When he debuted in 1996, it was right around the time that Bret took his hiatus after Wrestlemania XII, and the announcers started off touting him as the technical equal to Bret. This was during his 'Ringmaster' days, of course. Later, when he fully developed the 'Stone Cold' Texas redneck persona, he brawled a lot more and didn't do much mat wrestling. When he was at the height of his popularity, every PPV main event he wrestled in seemingly got turned into a no-DQ match, which usually serves to hide the weaknesses of less-talented mat wrestlers. My question is simply this: was that a result of his mounting injuries at the time taking a toll on his performance, or was it more a development of his character? (If I recall, he was already developing the brawling style before Owen Hart's botched reverse piledriver at Summerslam '97.)

Being a good talker is part of the total package that makes a complete wrestler. Guys like Eddie Guerrero, Steve Austin, Ric Flair, and Shawn Michaels have excelled both in the ring and on the stick. Others have gotten over despite shortcomings on the mike, like Rey Misterio, RVD, and Chris Benoit. Of course, some of the best talkers have been mediocre in the ring, like Holk Hogan, The Rock, and John Cena. Who do you see as being the next breakout stars as far as charisma on the mike, as well as in-ring ability? I'd put Mr. Kennedy on that list, definitely, but I also see a lot I like in Montel Vontavius Porter and Elijah Burke.

Do you think that John 'Bradshaw' Layfield has the talent to become the best color commentator in the history of the business? I think he's already surpassed most of the guys I've seen in that position. He has the combination of actual wrestling experience, real world knowledge, and the ability to equate events in wrestling with events of similar importance in the sports world. I also love how he will outright question some of Michael Cole's comments. It gives him credibility, much more than if he were simply a shill for the heels without question.

What's your opinion on Santino Marella? I love the way he won the IC Title in front of a hometown crowd, but that felt very house show to me. Also, two roll-up victories in his first two title defenses doesn't inspire confidence in me. All I know right now is that he smiles a lot, uses kicks in his arsenal, and has a 20-year-old gimmmick. The lack of a credible finisher is hurting his title run.

Speaking of finishers, what's your favorite of all time? My favorite finisher executable by anyone would be the Ace Crusher/Stone Cold Stunner. I am undecided on my favorite power finisher, which is a tie between the Tombstone Piledriver and the Kryptonite Crunch.

[chakal]

I don't know why you say The Rock was poor technically. The Rock was a tremendous wrestler. Never missed a spot, was bumping great, his timing was awsome and he was among the best entertainer EVER!!!!! Plus, he was always in great shape, a great athlete. In my mind, way better than Hogan, that's why he's now a legit Hollywood movie star.

Also, Austin's matches were always turned into a no DQ not to hide his weaknesses like they usually do in wrestling, but to make believe to the fans that Austin may loose. Since Austin's was portrayed to be so invincible, they had to came out with all kind of scenarios to create situations where Austin would be in danger.

I always loved Bradshaw, but I heven't watched WWE in months, so I have no clue on his commentating, but I'm not surprised to ear that he's good.

[snova031]

Originally Posted by chakal

I always loved Bradshaw, but I heven't watched WWE in months, so I have no clue on his commentating, but I'm not surprised to ear that he's good.

You gotta hear Bradshaw, he is truly awesome behind the mic, he's great at calling matches, and he's hilarious. Really makes Smackdown more entertaining with him on the mic.

[chakal]

Originally Posted by snova031

You gotta hear Bradshaw, he is truly awesome behind the mic, he's great at calling matches, and he's hilarious. Really makes Smackdown more entertaining with him on the mic.

You see, I'm not surprised to read that. I always liked Bradshaw and I think he was great in his JBL gimmick with the expensive hat, the limo with long horns and everything. I'm a fan since Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw days. I still remember how he closelined Big Henry Godwyn out of his boots! You see, every technical wrestler likes at least one big stiff wrestler. Me it's Bradshaw, I liked Vader also, he was AMAZING for a big guy.

There's also wrestlers I can't get bored by even if they're not that great. "The Franshise" Shane Douglas is one of my favorites. His ECW days were awsome! I was also a fan of Ludwig Borga! LOL

[DRE75HABS]

The thing about Ric Flair that amazes me is the fact that he had his back broken in a plane crash in 1975, and is STILL wrestling (albeit at a slower pace) over 30 years later. That's guts!

[chakal]

Originally Posted by DRE75HABS

The thing about Ric Flair that amazes me is the fact that he had his back broken in a plane crash in 1975, and is STILL wrestling (albeit at a slower pace) over 30 years later. That's guts!

Do you know that Flair was a nobody when he survived from that plane crash? 2 wrestlers died and the other one is in a wheel chair. I think Flair is the only one in that plane who wrestled after that. And what a star he became!!! It must be one of those life changing moment.

[DRE75HABS]

Flair was tapped to get a push for the NWA title back then, but up to that point, he was a nobody. Only the pilot died right away in the crash, (I believe). Not right away, about a month after, still in the hospital... but yeah, I think Flair broke his back in 3 places... and was told he'd never wrestle again!

edit: I just looked it up, the other guys in the plane never wrestled again, and the pilot died 28 days after the crash, still in the hospital. OUCH!

[colavs454]

Originally Posted by chakal

Pictures from my last show. Rhino was main eventing and Alex Shelley and Petey Williams from TNA were there too.

did Petey use the Canadian Destroyer while he was there? That in my opinion is the sweetest finishing move I have ever seen!

[chakal]

Originally Posted by colavs454

did Petey use the Canadian Destroyer while he was there? That in my opinion is the sweetest finishing move I have ever seen!

The move is good (if you're talking about the swinging piledriver) but what I don't like about it, is how it shows that it's fixed. That move is impossible to do in real life if the guy doesn't let you and help you do it. I don't know if he used it Saturday (I guess since he won) because I was getting paid during that match.

Also present at the show, Ed Fillion from the Montreal Alouettes (CFL). A great guy!!!!! He just retired and since he plays hockey, he gave me his number to call him when we're missing a player! LOL You never got enough of 6'4" 290lbs guys on your team!

[DRE75HABS]

Damn, that sounds like a helluva cool job... how do you work your other job into the schedule, do you work from home and stuff, when you're not training and doing shows?

[IcePossum13]

Originally Posted by chakal

I don't know why you say The Rock was poor technically. The Rock was a tremendous wrestler. Never missed a spot, was bumping great, his timing was awsome and he was among the best entertainer EVER!!!!! Plus, he was always in great shape, a great athlete. In my mind, way better than Hogan, that's why he's now a legit Hollywood movie star.

Well, maybe not technically poor, but he seemed to realize earlier on in his career that he was not as good performing some moves than he was at others, and significantly scaled back his moveset. Just look at his Wrestlemania 13 match against The Sultan against his Wrestlemania X8 match against Hulk Hogan for reference.

Don't get me wrong, either. I always marked out for The Rock, just like I do for John Cena. They are both great entertainers in the ring, but definitely not on the same plane as Benoit, Bret, Owen, or Michaels as mat technicians. I'd put The Rock and Mick Foley in the same category of being able to have great matches, working the crowd, taking bumps, and telling a story. You never marvel at how either one of them snaps off a great looking technical move, though. There's just something missing when The Rock executes a suplex versus when someone like Angle, Taz, or Bret would do so. That's all I'm saying.

[chakal]

I will be facing Sylvan (Sylvain Grenier) from WWE Saturday. He just confirm his presence at our flagship show and I'll be facing him in the main event. That will be a great moment since I'm also celebrating my 10th anniversary in pro-wrestling that night. By 10 years, I mean without missing more than 2 shows (one because I was in Japan for a PPV and a 2nd when I was playing semi-pro 3 years ago). I never took a break in 10 years.

[IcePossum13]

Sylvain's a good wrestler who's been stuck with crappy gimmicks. His matches are always met with indifference, except for the one last year on Smackdown in Montreal. He cheated to beat Tatanka, but the crowd roared every time he got in an offensive move, and booed Tatanka loudly. It was great, he got the biggest pop of the night by far, and it was really special to get to see that sort of reaction on TV. It might have even surpassed the crowd reactions in Texas when Stone Cold shows up in the arena.

If you get a chance, you need to have Sylvain tell you about that match, as you could see how much he was feeding off the Quebec crowd and how much it meant to him.

[geojedi]

I've been a casual reader of this thread until now.

Chakal, congrats on your anniversary. Thnak you for sharing your experiences and behind the scenes info. I have a greater appreciation and understanding.
Who and when is it decided that a wrestler gets a push? Why are some more rapidand some pushes more evolving?