Breaking News: Cody Rhodes Fired by Triple H!

Last night on RAW (9-2-2013), Cody Rhodes was placed in a "Career Threatening Match" against Randy Orton by Triple H for speaking out against Triple H's treatment of Daniel Bryan. Cody Rhodes narrowly lost to Orton despite at one point hitting his 'Cross Rhodes' finisher. After the match, Triple H came out on the entrance ramp and fired Cody Rhodes. As Rhodes was being escorted out by security, WWE interviewer Josh Matthews questioned Cody on what happened. Cody commented that the McMahons have never liked the Rhodes. He says that's why Dusty Rhodes was the hottest wrestler in the Florida Territory until he signed with WWF and Vince had him wrestling in polka dots. He said that's why his brother went from being the Natural to being put in gold paint. We certainly hope Cody returns to the WWE soon. 

Wrestler's Way presents... The Irish Whip - July 20, 2013

wrestlersway.blogspot.com

by Brian Phelps

NEWS: Chris Sabin wins the TNA World Title from Bully Ray at Destination X.

The Irish Whip: Congratulations to Chris Sabin. He certainly is deserving, and I for one never thought he would become a World Champion. I knew he had the wrestling skills, but he's a fair mic worker and very small. I'm amazed for him. This was something new and different. For all the naysayers that say that TNA only puts over old guys after putting the world title on Austin Aries, Bobby Roode, James Storm, and Chris Sabin over the last 2 years, you're delusional and obviously don't watch the product.

NEWS: Former WCW Employee and Wrestlezone writer Mark Madden says Hogan never passed the torch.

The Irish Whip: Sorry Mark, but you're wrong. Hogan passed the torch to The Ultimate Warrior in a title vs title match at Wrestlemania 6. Hogan shattered ppv records as he passed the torch to Sting at Starrcade 97 at the pinnacle of the WCW/nWo war. Hogan passed the torch and the WCW World Title to Goldberg in front of 40,000 fans in the biggest WCW Nitro main event of all-time. Hogan passed the torch to The Rock at Wrestlemania 18. Hogan passed the torch to Brock Lesnar in arguably the biggest Smackdown main event of all-time. The idea that Hogan never passed the torch is one of the biggest lies and misconceptions in the wrestling industry. You could say he "rarely" passed the torch, but to say he never even tried is simply just not true.

NEWS: TNA releases Tara.

The Irish Whip: This is a sad day for TNA. TNA took former WWE diva Victoria's career to an all-time high as TNA knockout Tara. They allowed her to be herself, and let her really work. Now released, where does she go from here? WWE is financially wise, but you risk ruining your legacy and suffering the "Gail Kim Effect". The "Gail Kim Effect" is a term I coined to describe a diva who leaves WWE to go to TNA and becomes a bigger star in TNA, but when they try to return to WWE with a higher stock thinking they could be the biggest star on the highest stage the WWE dupes them and makes them a jobber or hardly uses them at all. The Gail Kim Effect typically leads to resentful feelings towards WWE. Interesting decision for Tara because the WWE will have no interest in making her a bigger star. More than likely WWE would just have her go back to being the joke of the divas division.

TNA Releases Crimson, Joey Ryan, Christian York, Madison Rayne, and Taeler Hendrix

WWE Releases Talented Up-and-Coming Commentator Matt Striker

by Brian Phelps

http://wrestlersway.blogspot.com

A couple of days ago, the WWE released long time wrestler, commentator, interviewer Matt Striker. Matt Striker is one of the most underrated commentators of all-time. Striker was a throwback to the realistic commentators of yesteryear like Sean Mooney, Lord Alfred Hayes, and Tony Shiavone. I'll never forget when watching a boring episode of WWE's Tuesday night ECW that as Yoshi Tatsu won the #1 contendership for the ECW Title Matt Striker yelling "Yoshi Tatsu has done it. And they're celebrating on the streets of Tokyo!". Was it over-the-top and cheesy? Yes. But this sort of commentating is what pro wrestling is sorely missing. Matt Striker was able to make a boring match on WWECW seem like the most important match of all-time. I haven't seen a commentator really sell such a low brow match since Tony Shiavone was selling Disco Inferno vs La Parka on WCW Saturday Night as the "Greatest night in the history of our great sport". Striker, much like Shiavone, is able to make even the most low brow matches seem important. 

I know Striker is going to bounce back. TNA desperately needs a guy like Matt Striker to modernize the announcing booth and relieve us of the poor lackluster commentating of Taz. No offense to Taz, but he was never a good commentator. He just adds credibility to the TNA Booth from all his Smackdown years. Tenay needs Striker because he's been carrying the announcing booth since the company started, and now the company has grown to where it's just time for a fresh voice. They tried Todd Kennely but the chemistry just wasn't there, and he was more expendable then Tenay or Taz. 

Striker was far better than Michael Cole or Jerry Lawler. Striker would actually call the match at hand rather than blabbering on about the latest Cena storyline during the undercard matches. I'm going to miss Matt Striker, but I hope that TNA signs Striker. They desperately need a fresh voice at the commentating table to join Tenay. 

Is Chavo Guerrero Going to TNA?

by Brian Phelps (http://wrestlersway.blogspot.com)




Chavo Guerrero was granted his release by the WWE recently after being with the company for almost a decade. To the new generation of wrestling fans, Chavo Guerrero was nothing but a joke because of the WWE. He's been a jobber for years now. From being embarrassed in a several month long losing end of a feud with Hornswoggle, to being Edge and Vickie Guerrero's "gopher". Chavo Guerrero has been being squashed, buried, and embarrassed by WWE for years. It wasn't always this way though. At one time, Chavo Guerrero was one of the premier cruiserweights in the world, and was one half of arguably the last legitimately great tag team in WWE History-- Los Guerreros (which spawned Eddie Guerrero's legendary "Lie, Cheat, Steal" gimmick). After Eddie Guerrero died, they teased a Chavo push, but then depushed him in favor of using Rey Mysterio for the famous "Divine Intervention" story line where Eddie Guerrero was spiritually carrying Rey to the top of the company from the heavens in what was WWE's version of 'Angels in the Outfield'. After Rey was chosen over him Chavo has gone nowhere but down hill as a serious contender.

So now the question is Chavo Guerrero going to TNA? It would be a fresh start, not to mention his uncle Hector Guerrero works there on Spanish commentary. Chavo could restore his honor, and add a lot to either the X-Division or Television Title divisions. I could imagine the fantastic match-ups he could have against guys like Kaz or AJ Styles. He could also be a familiar face to help Hernandez get over more. Chavo has family, friends, and better opportunities there. I'm pretty confident that Chavo will go to TNA at some point.