CR Gets Attention
#1:  By Mark Franck, LOSER!
Well, hasn't it been an interesting week already. There I am calmly reading through all the columns that have been added recently when, low and behold, I see my name getting slammed in someone else's column. What the hell did I do to deserve all of this?  It seems that a select few (okay, a whole lot of you) take offense to the fact that I actually denounce the sacred WWF. Look guys, its about time you open your eyes and watch what is really going on.

Evidently I have been misunderstood. I do not hate the WWF. I merely think that they are held to a different standard (i.e.. lower) than the WCW. Although I am in favor of WCW, I am also quick to point out when they do anything that is just plain stupid (which has been quite a lot lately). Are the Wolf and myself the only ones who are willing to accept both federations on an equal playing field? I'm on a mission.

Now in response to the unjustified remarks. Wilson, I would have given your comments some kind of merit but your ramblings told me absolutely nothing!! My response to you would be just add a Y to your initials! C.R.Y. Wilson!!!

Unjustified?!! Ramblings!!?  Y as in CRY and a whiner, or Y as in Y is before Z CRY and CRZ.  I think your jealous Franck.

#2:  By Bill Gillon That Bad Ass Brit.
"...poor Mike Franck, the perils of being a WCW fan....does anybody else think that CR Wilson leans towards WWF?..."

In the immortal words of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin:  Hell Yeah!!  Oh wait that comment seemed a bit markish didn't it.  Man that Bill Gillon is such a poser.

Opening Comments
Now I'm not FLOODING [slash] wrestling with columns.  I do 2 a week.  One after Monday Night and another some time later about wrestling.  So today I entitle it...

Mark Franck You're Wrong and Here's Why...
I can't lie, I was extremely disappointed with the Monday Night Shows. Nothing of significance happened and it appeared that both federations took a giant step back (yeah that means the damn WWF also).

What?!  Nitro Sucked you WCW shill.  WWF kicked off with an, but definitely solid average show that moved forward nicely to SUMMERSLAM.

RAW it appears has taken more lessons from Bischoff on how to book a show.

That's low man.

Let's get this straight. Show can't get over as a face so they decide to go heel with him? I've said it before and I'll say it again, THE BIG SHOW IS STRICTLY A SIDE ATTRACTION!!! C'mon, did you really buy into the whole sequence of events that started off RAW? I realize that big men are supposed to impress everyone with there size and brute strength to hide the fact that their wrestling skills are lacking in every way possible but this is ridiculous. I say this with some kind of remorse due to the fact that I genuinely like Kane, but the whole scene with Kane, Show, and Taker was totally pathetic. Hey guys, I realize everyone knows about wrestling these days but there is still some sort of believability factor that you need to take into account. Christ, has football season started yet?

Ok first off Big Show is moving in the right direction.  And let me explain why, Rick Scaia said this and I want to say it too now:  The WWF are creating Big Show moments.  Moments that'll stick in our mind of his power.  Like pushing over a car, tearing down the titantron, lifting the ring, throwing Austin through the cage.  Which will definitely come up when the HEEL Big Show takes on Austin eventually for the title.  They just gotta build him up.  Kane is really over and improved dramatically from when he first came here, the corniest things Kane is doing with X-Pac are getting huge pops.

Next up....Edge and Christian. Man, I like Edge but wait...who are they wrestling...The Acolytes...where's my remote control! Hey Vince, The Acolytes are probably worse than Show. Get them off my TV!!!!

Ok maybe you have a point with the Acolytes, but take The Acolytes pit them against one small guy (i.e.:  Edge, Matt or Jeff Hardy, Big Shot)  And it's funnier then hell to see the smaller guy get power housed from one ring rope to the other

The Shamrock/Blackmann saga continues. Hasn't Shamrock left for UFC yet?

That's what I was wondering.  But after reading spoilers, Sorry Franck it continues even after this Monday.  Shamrock has gone a long way from when he first came here.  But if wrestling relates to real life, his decision to go to the UFC when he's over in the WWF, is a dumb mistake.

Wait a minute, Vince is back? I thought he wasn't supposed to be seen again? Honestly, I'm probably going to miss Vince. Some of his facial expressions are simply classic and lets face it, WWF cannot have a descent main event if Vince isn't right in the middle of things. Its only a matter of time, its only a matter of time.

Vince has to say goodbye you idiot!!  And I'll miss him too.  WWF can have a decent main event without Vince, you don't need to be front stage and center, there's always the backstage for Vince.  Are you predicting a backlash of the WWF?!  Huh Ryder?!

I'll skip Val and the Godfather a go right to the Rock!

Deep down inside Franck is a Val Venis and Godfather fan.  And he doesn't want to mention the fact that the WWF now has got Vic Grimes who has gotten high marks and is Foley-esque I here.

Now if the Rock doesn't need to be sitting atop of the WWF than I don't know who should be. His interviews are becoming the highlight of the show. This guy has more talent than any wrestler in the game today. The problem is that he is being held below that Bone Cold fella, Taker, and now HHH (I'll get to him in a minute). The Rock is slowly taking over Austin's title as crowd favorite. Did you hear the pop he got while doing the interview in the locker room? Talent through and through.

The Rock will be back on top soon enough, but he's had 3 title reigns already in a span of like what a year and a half?  While Austin was on hiatus from all his title reigns battling with Vince.  So Austin as champ is back in the groove.  I admit Taker shouldn't be on top anymore but should start feuding with someone else.  But it's nice to see Triple H out there.  He's fresh as a competitor for the WWF title.  Even though I hate him and 3 entrances was enough for me.

I'm just going to skip everything else and get to HHH. If Vince plans on making this fool a main eventer then WWF has problems. I'm just totally unimpressed with just about everything he does. Hell, I think Chyna has more talent! No mic skills, average wrestling skills, and zero personality equals high mid-card status 4 life (on that note he could join the NWO).

Vince is planning that.  I am also not, I wouldn't say impressed, I'm not digging it.  The whole Shane Douglas shoot interviews.  Triple H used to have about as much in ring technical talent as Shane McMahon did but each week he's adding a bit more.  I wish he would just stick with the DX attitude as heel with a dash of shoot.

On to NITRO
Mark Franck's future place of employment.

Let's cut right to the chase. As lame and confusing some of the crap on RAW was, NITRO decided to go bland and predictable.

Lame and Confusing?  What about all the plot holes and continuity problems WCW has?  That's lame and confusing.  Nitro decided to suck again, not to go bland and predictable.  Say it Mark, Nitro SUCKED.  I dare you.

Hogan is confronted by Nash, Sid, and Steiner to start off NITRO. Hogan does his standard "kiss up to the crowd" routine that will become his ritual these days I guess (Hey Hogan, can you say Lawler). Nash and his arch enemy, Sid come out with Steiner whose claim to fame is being that guy that hurt Buff Bagwell (nice credentials Dog Face). Hogan looks tense when Sting comes out to save his ass.

Lawler?  A guy that makes fun of your hometown and calls people idiots?  The only town he sucks up to is Memphis.  How long will nostalgia hold up for Hogan?  Hey yeah Mark there's a plot whole Sid and Nash?  Together?....the hell?

The Rap is Crap boys wrestle the little guys....uneventful.

What?!  Something uneventful in WCW?! (or maybe the word crappy comes to mind, but mark can't call WCW crappy)

Next if Vampiro along if ICP vs. Rey Jr. I'm starting to like this Vampiro guy. I thought he had some talent when I first saw him a few months ago. Too bad he has to be associated with the two morons who evidently have a few issues of their own. This was a fairly entertaining match and was somewhat within the scheme of things in terms of storylines. I like the idea of teaming Rey with Eddy Guerrero. Hell, as long as Konnan isn't involved, I like it.

Of course WCW fans like the whole music stars in wrestling thing.  God knows I hated ICP in the WWF.  Music stars don't mix with wrestling.  Movie celebrities on the other hand sometimes work.  Hey Mark remember Bret Hart and the MAD TV feud.  WOW!! That was classic.  You're starting to like Vampiro?!  Hop on the bandwagon, Vampiro has been treated like a piece of trash by the WCW committee for too long.  I agree with you on Konnan.

Stevie Ray appears headed towards reuniting with Booker T. I like it, but they need to get this thing moving. Its not like anyone involved is doing anything special (what is going to happen to Horace and Vince when Stevie Ray leaves and Adams does that whole Kiss thing?)

Harlem Heat is....ok.  What WILL happen to NWO B-Team?  Nothing.  It's how WCW takes care of all unfinished angles, they just drop them.  Adams isn't doing the KISS thing by the way.  It's a guy that wrestled two dark matches for WCW, and hurt his knee against Windham.  I heard it on 540am The Team during Between The Ropes.  It's proven, the KISS angle will suck, like Franck, and like WCW.

I couldn't have been more disappointed with my beloved WCW (how's this for bias CRZ). All weekend long everyone was expecting the return of Scott Hall. Instead who do we get as Nash's tag partner...that God Damn Sid! Geez, that will shock the world! Nash could've told us that during his annoying little phone call on Thursday. Hey Bischoff, approve Nash's request for time off. He needs it!

Ha ha ha!!  Go ahead and say it Franck, it sucked.  You actually though WCW was going to give you a nice product?  Live up to their hype?!  Ha ha ha ha!!  And you know what else at that live event DJ Ran told the live audience BEFORE the main event who the tag partner was.  Give Nash 2 years off, and when he comes back he would be fresh, trust me.

Sting decides to team with Hogan against Nash and mystery partner. After Hogan begs for forgiveness and states that he is a changed man, Sting agrees to team with him but with an idle threat attached.

Geez, didn't see that one coming did you?

Hogan only was Sting's enemy for a majority of his WCW run starting in 94.

Two nothing matches are sandwiched around

Ha ha ha.  More crap from WCW.

Rodman/Macho scene. Personally, I don't like Motch, I don't like Rodman, therefore, I don't like angle! Eric, lets free up a little cash flow and let these two jokers go. Does anyone even care about this? The only thing good about Macho is that we get to see George in tiny little get-ups with her ass hanging out the back and t**ts bursting out in the front....Okay maybe Macho can stay.

Drop Macho and Rodman your right.  George can go over to the WWF, where her T&A will get her the Women's Title!

Oh look its a Steve Regal match! Hey CRZ, I watched him over the weekend in GATB '96....he was just as lame then too!

Yes Franck he is lame, just like this whole show and you.  Admit it.

Henning and Goldberg was there so that everyone could see that Goldberg is back and nothing more. Bischoff must not have anything interesting for DA MAN to do so in the meantime he'll show up in meaningless matches with anyone who is free that night.

Yeah nothing interesting like awhile ago when they shot down the Jericho vs. Goldberg idea.  You Talk about Triple H not having talent?  Goldberg is horrible, horrible mic skills too.  For awhile he had 3 moves:  spear, jackhammer, and the third alternated from taunt, to fist, to clothesline.  Oh yeah and congrats to WCW for putting Hennig (who was just getting over) to the slaughter with Goldberg.

Women's Match...ugh! Hey it didn't really work in the WWF and it isn't going to work here.

In the WWF, at one point, Rena Mero was getting higher ratings then Stone Cold's in her matches.  WCW just doesn't pull it off well.

Damn it! David Flair is back again but where is everyone that usually does the winning for him? Hey you have to admit it (I reluctantly do), Flair doesn't look like a wrestler and he sure as hell can't wrestle like one but he is making slight improvements on the mic (ever so slight). Now all we have to do is get him to quite putting that mascara and blush on his face and we'd be making really progress. Torie,Torie,Torie. I think that outfit is just a few sizes too small! But it looks great!

Bob Ryder on David Flair:  ....we could be watching the future of Pro wrestling...

Maybe Mark isn't THAT into WCW, but David Flair should be canned.  Bottom Line.  Torrie needs to head over to the WWF, marketing would have a field day.  She already does that fitness stuff.  WWF:  Torrie Wilson Attitude Fitness Video.  Ohhh yeah.  Oh wait Mark you failed to mention that they let David Flair beat CHRIS BENOIT!! damn wcw.

Dog Face gets the prelim match to the main event. Boring match, Boring participants. Let's gear up for the big main event....hmmmmm, who do you think is going to be Nash's partner?

That's 3 (or more?) times that you've stated every other match on Nitro was either A) uneventful B) lame C) boring 

Out comes Hogan, Out comes Sting, Out comes Nash, and Out comes..........Sid?/? What the hell? Where's Hall? I'm pissed and refuse to discuss anything about this non-eventful match. Screw Bischoff!

ha ha ha.

Overall very disappointing. They didn't stray from the storylines that were set in place last week but they didn't really progress them either. This will result in a ratings drop for next week Eric despite the fact that WWF is heading nowhere and fast with HHH is leading the way.

I guarantee you Triple H will not when the title at SummerSlam.  He's going to win it before Summerslam and Austin will win it back at SummerSlam.

Bad night for wrestling......
No Just Nitro Mark.

Please someone give me one good reason why you felt RAW was a better show than NITRO (and don't tell me to look at the ratings either!)

CR's Reasons why Nitro was worse then RAW:
Do I have too.  Mark Franck explained it too me.
1)  Jason Hervey
2)  Sid is Mystery Partner
3)  All those matches Mark said were boring and lame
4)  The meaningless Goldberg/Hennig match
5)  Rodman
6)  DJ Ran
7)  David Flair beats Chris Benoit

While RAW didn't have ANY of those things.  And they had:  Rock, Austin, Triple H, Vince saying Goodbye, JR drinking beer, Big Shot, Undertaker, Kane, X-Pac, Big Show, Edge, and the debut of Vic Grimes.

CR Wilson
Freelance, Leader of the Guild of Mark Franck Haters
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