Final SD! Rating Is In, J.R On Trish's Return, The Miz, & More
>> The 12.19.08 edition of WWE Smackdown scored a 2.1 broadcast rating, up from last week's 2.0 rating.
>> Jim Ross has posted another blog, which can be read in its entirety at JrsBarBQ.com. Some highlights:
Trish Stratus' WWE Return: "It was great Monday getting a few moments to visit with Trish Stratus who still looks awesome, her husband HAS to be the luckiest man in Canada, and the hometown fans in TO really loved seeing the former 7 time WWE Womens Champion. Trish really strengthened the competition within the Divas when she was wrestling full time and is arguably the greatest female performer of the modern era. She would get my vote. I don't think that Trish is interested in getting back on the road full time but perhaps she could be convinced to make a few more special appearances. I would love to see more of her....that didn't come out just right...as she adds "star power" to any event in which she is involved."
What Fans Want: "It might just be my old school opinion but I still steadfastly believe that most wrestling fans today would still rather see actual in ring wrestling than well intended verbalizing by those that can't pull off that particular phase of the business. Monday Night Raw was really fun to watch and I credit much of that enjoyment to the fact that there was several meaningful bouts on the show. It was one of the better Raws of the year even though I still don't fully understand the outcome of the JBL-Rey bout that included HBK's interference. "
Signs Crossing the Line: "As I have said many times, I am all for freedom of speech unless it crosses the line in the form of signs that essentially profanely scream, "please look at me." The "Cuck Fena" sign that was wisely confiscated in Toronto is a good example of crossing the line. It's akin to the "Tuck Fexas" shirt some here in Oklahoma wear. Bad taste...not cool. There was a time when that sort of material was actually encouraged and marketed in the WWE but that attitudinal ship has sailed."
On Danny Hodge vs. Kurt Angle: One question that came up recently on the Q&A is who would would win a legit, wrestling match between Danny Hodge and Kurt Angle if they were to compete against each other in their primes. I have huge respect for Angle and he proudly won a Gold Medal for the United States in 1996 but there is no way that I could pick against Hodge versus anyone who has ever laced their boots in a pro wrestling ring. Hodge in his prime was a legit freak of nature as many "old timers" will attest. Dan Hodge is another of my sentimental favorites to be inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame some day as he is in virtually every other Hall of Fame that exists for wrestlers. Hodge had a successful and long pro career and in the world of amateur wrestling and in Japan, Dan is God-like.
>> The Miz has posted his latest WWE Universe Blog, discussing the Tribute to the Troops show.