The Figure Four - ALL Things ECW-WWF-NJPW-TNA-ROH-AEW

[cyfar]

I am officially a total TNA mark through and through. Those guys are absolutely nuts. Best fans, the best wrestlers, and the ultra-cheesiest angles.

Hahahaha Cornette brings such old school cred to TNA for me, and I feel that they really have the future of the business in their roster.

ECW I think is the only WWE product I can stomach a whole episode. And that's because of Sabu, RVD, and Holly. Regardless of how crappy the product is overall I can trust those guys to bring it in the ring. Well Sabu... I mean he's not exactly the Sabu of 1997.... but he's still a crazy-ass dude and I love seeing him bring the jihad in every match.

(When Sabu goes nuts and points to the sky I always imagine that it's jihad, 'cause then he usually sacrifices the body in some f*cked up way)

For some reason, I couldn't stomach ECW this week. Sure Heyman's and Sabu's promos leading up the match were cool but the matches on this weeks show were just annoying. Even Punk's match was bad this week. He and Stevie didn't seem to work well together. I fast forwarded to that and to the 'Passion of the Sabu' match that they called the main event. I'll have watch Impact when I get home today. I've heard some great things about this weeks show from the other wrestling fans here at work.

[Gallen5862]

When does TNA come on and what network?

[TK]

TNA is on TNN thursday at 11pm

[SkinsDukes]

Four Horseman alot of times held all the belts. Ric Flair would be the NWA Champion and Tully the Tv champion and Gene and Ole Anderson would be the Tag team Champions. The " Minesota Wrecking crew. Arn joined the Horsemen when eith Tully left or when Gene got hurt.

Gene actually was never an original Horseman. The first incarnation of the Four Horseman was comprised of Flair, Tully, Arn, and Ole Anderson.

Ole, Arn, Lars and Gene were the "Minnesota Wrecking Crew" and were "brothers" in kayfabe.

When Ole left the Horseman he was replaced by a young Lex Luger.

[RedskinChiefin]

I really got turned onto WCW late in the game, like 96-97ish. But I still marked out hard for the Horsemen. When they'd get up and start talking all this history and Flair gets on that rant about beating Harley Race that he always gets on. I love it, it keeps the older wrestlers still relevant when their name gets dropped all the time. Keeps people like me who were young fans interested in learning about the older cats.

I was watching TNA Hard Justice again yesterday on the pc and that was really a great PPV. Everyone just brought it. Joe vs Rhino vs Monty was sick.

[cyfar]

I really got turned onto WCW late in the game, like 96-97ish. But I still marked out hard for the Horsemen. When they'd get up and start talking all this history and Flair gets on that rant about beating Harley Race that he always gets on. I love it, it keeps the older wrestlers still relevant when their name gets dropped all the time. Keeps people like me who were young fans interested in learning about the older cats.

I was watching TNA Hard Justice again yesterday on the pc and that was really a great PPV. Everyone just brought it. Joe vs Rhino vs Monty was sick.

It's a damn same that TNA decided to let Monty's contract lapse. I really dig Monty Brown. It appears that Vince may snatch him up and put some silly gimmick on him.

[cyfar]

For all that didn't know why Kurt retired:

To all my respective fans in WWE/ECW,

The letter you are about to read is not from WWE, nor from my agent, but from me- Kurt Angle…to my all fans.

This is my personal ‘Thank You’ straight from my heart, to all my fans for being here with me and providing me with the most honorable privilege to perform and entertain for you. Thank you for tuning into your TVs weekly, for visiting me at hundreds of house show chanting ‘You Suck’ (I love that phrase), to every single good, bad or indifferent e-mail I’ve received over the past 6 years and continue to receive daily.

Thank you for being there and making my life truly blessed. When I came to WWE, many fans had doubts that an Olympic Gold Medalist in Amateur Wrestling could turn and master the art of Sports Entertainment. To my humble surprise, God graciously granted me the gift to make this exciting transition in my life. Coming into the WWE, I had one goal in mind...to be the VERY BEST! Many say I am; some may say I'm not. But I want you to know with over six solid years of non-stop wrestling action under my belt from all the shows to the world tours...I treated every single match as if it were my last!

I’ve never known a time in my life from training, competition or entertainment that I have not tried to give over 100%. I honestly do not know of any other way to wrestle or perform, and I have always wanted to give YOU, the fans, what I would expect to see. From the entertainment standpoint, (good guy or bad guy), it’s been truly exciting, but I know in my heart that I have not reached my peak. Critics have compared me to very honorable wrestlers like Rick (sic) Flair, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker, all of whom I value and truly respect. But there is one BIG difference between us. I am by far the most aggressive and intense athlete of all on the mat. When I step into the ring, I treat it as real, it feels real and then I play it like a real shoot fight.

As an amateur wrestler for 23 years and a pro for 6, unfortunately over the past 4 years I have suffered many injuries. I broke my neck twice and had two major neck surgeries. I’ve fractured my ribs, hip, tailbone, fingers and toes while also tearing almost every major muscle at least one time or another. Injuries have always been a natural part of the business and my life, but where I have failed is not taking the time off to recover. When I’m off the mental stress, sitting back becomes worse than the physical pain. Something tells my inner soul to go back regardless of the condition. The funny thing is, this obsession is what the industry loves, but this obsession can also be my destruction.

Week after week, day after day, 250 days a year on the road can be a living hell for anyone, especially when you're in daily pain for months on end. It was at home when I began to realize how severe the problems were- when a simple task like taking out the garbage is like a full workout and I needed Motrin in order to get up and do it.

It’s time to rest! After 6 long years, I looked into my wife’s eyes and finally saw that she, too, was severely stressed and worn out due to my livelihood that she had to endure. My 3-year old daughter Kyra basically became my nurse, thinking she had to put ice packs or heating pads on my neck, back and legs because she could see the pain her daddy was in.

At this point, something happened that made me realize that wrestling wasn't the most important thing in my life. I sat down with my wife Karen, who had tears in her eyes. I could see in her face how concerned she was for me. She said, “I love you. I didn't marry you because you were a WWE Superstar. I married you before you ever joined them. Kurt, I’m so worried that if you continue going at this pace, something bad is really going to happen and I don't want Kyra and Kody (our unborn son) to grow up without their father.”

I did take this all to heart, but then, as usual, a couple of days later, I went back on the road, wanting to electrify my new ECW fans.

My last event was at the Westchester Arena in White Plains, New York. The show was sold out. The main event was me against RVD. I had a great match against RVD as the fans were cheering for both of us. The more we wrestled (Rob and I wrestle more of a realistic shoot style), the more I wanted to give them. Ten inutes into the match, I severely pulled my groin. Most wrestlers would have quit right on the spot. But the fans were chanting louder and louder "THIS MATCH RULES!" continuously, so I kept going. Compensating for my groin injury, I pulled my lower abdominal muscle off my pelvic bone. Now, I was in trouble, but I looked up at the fans and they were screaming louder than ever.

So Rob and I started into our finish, false finish after false finish, back and forth. But the one thing the fans noticed is that I was doing half of the match on one leg. That made it feel even more real for the fans. I can only thank God and the fans for keeping me going, as I was in so much pain. And at the end of the match, I had the opportunity to beat RVD. I set him up for the Angle Slam and Rob countered with a flying DDT. My hamstring blew out. The fans cheered and I could not move in the ring. As the agonizing pain grew greater, I could only look around. Every fan was on their feet giving me a standing ovation. And this was at a house show, not a PPV. My only regret was that I could not stand up and thank them all for it.

To the ones who love me, the ones who hated me and even the ones who loved to hate me- You were and are my inspiration. God was and is my strength and so is my family—my Mom, sister and brothers, my father (God rest his soul), my Manager Dave Hawk and most especially, my wife Karen, who went through hell during my career. She has never given up on me.

Fans, thank you all for the memories. It was quite a ride. I would not trade any of it for the world. As I sit here a bit teary eyed, I do want all of you to know, I will be fine. I will finally get to spend some real quality time with my family… time that is much, much overdue. My plan and goal is to become stronger mentally, physically and spiritually. I, Kurt Angle, will be back! That’s a promise. And that’s DAMN TRUE!

Vince, if you happen to read this, I want to again say thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are a great man!

When we get together, the next cup of coffee is on me. ; )

God Bless,

Kurt Angle

Source: http://www.pwinsider.com/elite/ViewA...p?id=20084&p=1

You gotta respect that.

[RedskinChiefin]

Tons of respect for Kurt. He's the man.

Yeah it's a shame TNA let Monty go. Vince will make him part of Cryme Tyme and rename him Boceephus Jones or something equally ridiculous.

Raw sucked last night, I can't even finish watching Raw anymore. I jinxed my love of Raw when I flamed sith_lord in his thread about Vince that one time I think.

TNA is awesome right now though, I can't wait for TNA every week.

[cyfar]

Hmmm, so far, the only memorable moment from ECW this week was an interesting twist in the "Prince of Punk" Shannon Moore's promo. This week after he said his 3 liness, All of the sudden CM Punk shows up. Stares him down a bit and calls him a poser. He then proceeds to ***** slap him. That made my day and made this week's show watchable.

EDIT: DX on ECW.... :doh:

[canethang 305]

The longer this goes on the better for TNA, we all know TNA can hang with RAW yet but every week of ECW gives a similar product to compare TNA to and for the last 6-8 weeks TNA pummels ECW.

[NoCalMike]

The longer this goes on the better for TNA, we all know TNA can hang with RAW yet but every week of ECW gives a similar product to compare TNA to and for the last 6-8 weeks TNA pummels ECW.

Not in the ratings.

[KevinthePRF]

Another one of my in ring mike masters has left(along with Rock and Austin). Wrestling just took another step down entertainment wise.

[SkinsOrlando]

Kurt Angle "You Suck".

He is a one of a kind and his work ethic was impeccable.

[Patrick Evidente]

The longer this goes on the better for TNA, we all know TNA can hang with RAW yet but every week of ECW gives a similar product to compare TNA to and for the last 6-8 weeks TNA pummels ECW.

Link please

[skinsfan1992]

go to pwinsider.com they have the ratings after most wrestling shows and TNA is still not beating WWE/ECW on any of its show one reason I think its the time that it is on another reason could be the DAY that it is on I would suggest Wednesday night at 9 seems like a dull night for TV but I would def not watch at 11 on Thursday and I dont

[cyfar]

Yeah, sorry to say but TNA is still losing in the ratings because of the time slot. I was hoping that they two shows that they've done in prime time would have garnered enough interest to have Spike move the show to Monday and try to go head to head with WWE. That would be a dream scenario, because at least it would make Vince put on better shows to maintain their viewers. I miss the Monday night wrestling wars.

[@DCGoldPants]

Yeah, sorry to say but TNA is still losing in the ratings because of the time slot. I was hoping that they two shows that they've done in prime time would have garnered enough interest to have Spike move the show to Monday and try to go head to head with WWE. That would be a dream scenario, because at least it would make Vince put on better shows to maintain their viewers. I miss the Monday night wrestling wars.

I'd suggest putting them on Tuesday from 9 to 11. 2 hours long, and cutting in ECW which is a much easier target. You could play video of that fat Star Wars kid and do better than ECW right now.

Let me guess. Next week...the main event in ECW will be two EX-WWF'ers..... without Extreme Rules.

[TK]

I think the only reason I still turn the channel to ECW is because I'm a Paul Heyman mark.

[cyfar]

I'd suggest putting them on Tuesday from 9 to 11. 2 hours long, and cutting in ECW which is a much easier target. You could play video of that fat Star Wars kid and do better than ECW right now.

Let me guess. Next week...the main event in ECW will be two EX-WWF'ers..... without Extreme Rules.

Hell. The fat star wars kid could take viewers away from Lost. j/k

[Smiley83]

Who cares about ECW. ECW sucks!

[skinsfan1992]

Who cares about ECW. ECW sucks!

it has gotten beter since the debut I think adding some OVW/DEEP SOUTH guys is a smart idea rather than having established stars wrestle thast my only complaint but I think they are getting there

[Heidenreich]

I think the only reason I still turn the channel to ECW is because I'm a Paul Heyman mark.

That & there's nothing worth watching on Tuesday nights.....

I'm hoping that now that the TV deal is set through 2007, they'll stop with the Raw/Smackdown guys on the show.

And they should stop showing previews of the Marine. Nobody cares about John cena, let alone his ****ty movie

[NoCalMike]

I think the only reason I still turn the channel to ECW is because I'm a Paul Heyman mark.

Same here, well actually, there is usually one match or two per week that I am entertained by, and knowing the genius Paul Heyman is when it comes to character development and storylines/creative writing, I am convinced that I will eventually tune in and see a better product. Heyman just needs to give the inches McMahon is giving him, turn them golden and eventually he will be given a mile.

[RedskinChiefin]

I think the only reason I still turn the channel to ECW is because I'm a Paul Heyman mark.

I am a massive Heyman mark. I agree. That and RVD/Sabu.

RVD/Sabu are holding ECW together on their own at this point.

I think this extended deal could mean a better ECW... but yeah it's sucking bad right now.

Even that first RVD/Sabu tag-up in years won't be able to compare with whatever TNA has planned tonight.

I have no idea what they have planned, but I imagine it's gonna be ten tons of awesome in a five ton bag

[G-Prime]

I guess some of you ECW fans saw this when it happened.. The comment was at the very least low rent.

Vince McMahon released a public apology for remarks Matt Striker made.

"We at WWE apologize for the remark alluding to the death of Steve Irwin which was made on ECW on Sci Fi Tuesday night. The remark was, in the least, disrespectful to Mr. Irwin's fans and family," McMahon said on WWE.com Thursday.

Striker made reference to never swimming with stingrays.