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Michael Franck

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Mr. Franck first emailed me two weeks ago REALLY busting my chops over my biases - I wrote him back with my usual charm ;-) and we actually ended up agreeing to disagree, even pleasantly. I asked him if he'd mind if I started putting his weekly emails up as columns and he gave me the okay. I really do appreciate opposite viewpoints from my own; especially when it's put together as well as when Mike does it. Take it away, MF! - CRZ

MIKE'S DELAYED REACTION

Knowing that I'm going to come up with something every single week to try and downgrade any column the great CRZ puts out there, I decided to take a little extra time this week. I wanted to make sure that I saw where everyone that contributes to Wrestline/Wrestlemaniacs stands in their view of how Monday Night's shows went. I also have to take into account that everyone (or least a large percentage..very large) that writes about RAW and NITRO seem to have the common view that WWF is soooo great and WCW pretty much blows. Well, as usual, I'm here in support of WCW and where they are heading. While seemingly everyone appears to be biased towards the WWF, I will stand by the WCW through thick and thin. Hell somebody has to! However, this is not to say that I am totally anti-WWF, I just think that the hype so a little excessive. I've always said that I will be on the side chuckling when all of the writers of Wrestline have to bite the tongues (or keyboards) and actually write something good about WCW. Boys you may begin to jump off the bandwagon at anytime!!

God I felt good Tuesday and Wednesday. Never in my life have I read so many strained reviews. While everyone knows that RAW was solid as usual (I'll get to that in a minute), it appeared that most columns finally admitted (grudgingly) that NITRO was heading in the right direction. In fact they have even exceeded my expectations. I didn't actually think that WCW could begin to turn things around this quickly (don't get cocky, there is still a lot of things to change).

So how about those shows?

I have to say that RAW was good. There were a few things I saw that could've been done differently and a few things that I'm just plain sick of.

First off, I thought HHH and Taker had put their differences aside? They get along, they don't get along, they get along......MAKE UP YOUR DAMN MIND? Then Vince states that HHH and Taker will wrestle for the right to wrestle Austin in the First Blood Match at the PPV. What the hell is this? Has Vince been taking lessons on how to market your upcoming events from Bischoff? It just doesn't make sense to spend three weeks building up a huge PPV match only to throw a little wrench into the middle of things at the last minute. I don't get it.

Kane sticking with X-pac was great and actually suprised me a little. Anytime the Undertaker gets choked slammed I'm happy. But what about the Big Show? He appears to be going nowhere these days. Everytime I think WWF is going to give him a big push he falls to the wayside. Just goes to show you that maybe WCW wasn't that dumb after all. Show is big and it pretty much ends there. He can't wrestle and he really can't use the mic. Basically he's a sideshow and will never be anything more.

The Rock did his usual....Great. Being a big fan of the Rock I'm a little frustrated with his direction. He doesn't appear to be going anywhere either even though he has more talent than anyone in the business. Its about time Bone Cold steps to the side and let some real talent take over. The same appears to be the case with Test. Stupid storylines are keeping him down. Pretty much everything involving Shane is, in my opinion, second rate. The problem with Test is I don't see any way out in the near future.

I really don't know why, but I like Edge. Yeah he is high mid-card at best but there is something about him that I like. I was informed of an interesting observation concerning Edge the other day. If you look at him real quick, at the right angle, doesn't he have a stark resemblance of Barry Gibb? Not sure either, but interesting.

The rest of the show was alright. Love the Godfather and Val, hate the Acolytes (where is their skills?), Chyna is a bitch, and Road Dogg can bite me!

As for NITRO, I some interesting things occurr. Yeah, I actually really do thing NITRO will pass RAW in the ratings war in due time. Yeah, I think WCW may be making a huge mistake bringing in all these celebrities just to get quick ratings. And Yeah, I hate the fact that Hogan is champ yet one more time.

However, its the last one that is the least of my worries. In fact, it may be a move in the right direction. I know, I know. Hogan is older than dirt and needs to go away. Think about it. Everyone knows that Hogan as champ is a quick fix for ratings. The thing is that they appear be using it as a way to progress into another storyline. That way Hogan is happy because he gets to prolong is stay for another 2-3 months, the ratings take a slight jump(at least they didn't drop), and it leaves an opening for some good storylines. CZR, I believe I told you this last week.

The thing that pisses me off is that everyone knows that Hogan and Goldberg don't get along in real life and know they appear to be allies? Confusing. Sid and Nash wanted to kill each other last week and now they are allies? Confusing. What happened to the Sid/Macho alliance? Macho still said he was after Nash on Monday. Confusing. All of this is confusing but at least it could head towards something good....finally. Personally I'm looking for some closure to the Nash/Goldberg storyline that was never really completed a few months back along with a Goldberg/Sid match. I just want to see if Goldberg can lift Sid over his head really.

Is it just me or does anyone else think that WCW should just keep the Lodi/Lenny thing going. I know it makes no sense whatsoever, but it sure is funny. Also, I think Buff could have a job in Vegas if this wrestling thing doesn't work out. Look back in the Buff archives, he's done some pretty good impressions in his time but I don't think anything beat the Cat impersonation. Too bad that is all he's been doing for WCW lately. He is going nowhere also (what ever happened to the old vs. new angle? I thought it was going great.).

The battle for control of the 4 Horseman is great. I like the fact that Douglas reunites with his ECW buddies. Either way, I'll support anything as long as there is a chance that I don't have to look at Flair anymore. Which brings up the Control of the Company storyline. Not sure where its going or if WCW will even finish it but this whole Flair abusing his power thing is getting old.

Overall, NITRO was real solid. It appears that they may be going towards some more meaningful storylines. Hopefully they won't scrap them as they've been known to do in the past. Things may have appeared confusing and contradictory at times but, with the trouble WCW has been having lately, it was almost expected for them to be that way in order to turn things around. The best thing about NITRO was something that didn't happen. NO DAVID FLAIR!!!!! CZR, you see if I don't talk about him, maybe he'll just go away.

I'm looking forward to seeing want the ratings actually were for Monday Night. Of course they will probably indicate a landslide win in favor of RAW but if you look at quality of programming, it should be a lot closer. The time is coming for the one and only CZR to eat his words. It isn't there yet, but its coming.

Until next week.

Michael Franck
Charlotte, NC


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