Notes on Goldberg, Awesome Kong, TNA Impact time change
Now that WrestleMania XXVI is in the books, here are a few news items from last week that I didn’t get a chance to comment on:
• Goldberg, who created a stir when he announced on Twitter that he was in negotiations with WWE, clarified his statement a few days later. On Saturday, he wrote: “Let's get it straight. I've spoken to WWE about a merch deal, no more, no less. Will it lead to something else? Nobody knows the answer.” My take: Goldberg may – and probably will – do business again with WWE, but I don’t think we’ll ever see him wrestle again.
• Ring of Honor confirmed that Amazing Kong (formerly known as Awesome Kong in TNA) will appear on its May 8 show in New York to face Sara del Ray. Kong has previously worked on ROH shows. My take: TNA’s loss is ROH’s gain. When Kong’s non-compete ends, WWE should think outside its narrow view of women’s wrestling and sign her. And once they do that, they should promote her as a monster and not as a punch line. Anyone remember in the 1990s when Monster Ripper, a hard-hitting star in Japan, came to the WWF and was repackaged as the buffoonish Bertha Faye? No? Well, that’s probably for the best.
• Next Monday’s episode of TNA Impact will begin at 8 p.m., an hour earlier than usual. TNA president Dixie Carter said on Twitter that the move is a one-time deal “to maximize viewership ... as to not conflict w/NCAA Men’s bball finals on CBS.” My take: It’s a good move for TNA on that night for the reason that Carter stated, but if Impact’s ratings do not improve in the coming weeks and months, the company should consider a permanent move to 8 p.m.
Comments
Perhaps a Goldberg dvd is in the works?
Posted by: Loco | March 30, 2010 12:06 AM
"Anyone remember in the 1990s when Monster Ripper, a hard-hitting star in Japan, came to the WWF and was repackaged as the buffoonish Bertha Faye? No? Well, that’s probably for the best."
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Thanks, Kevin. I had almost suppressed the memory of her legs in closeups.
Posted by: Christopher | March 30, 2010 12:09 AM
Oh Lord,I remember Bertha Faye,Kevin did you have to bring that up?I could have gone the rest of my life and done without thinking of her,lol.
Posted by: Burt from Essex | March 30, 2010 12:16 AM
WWE would likely want to go in the complete opposite direction with Kong from what people have seen from her in the past just to make things different. Kong would probably be booked as a pop star or something...
An 8-10 time slot is one thing that could actually help TNA. I wonder if the vanity of TNA and Spike TV wanting to go head to head from 9 till 11 will keep this time change from being permanent. Then again, TNA could actually pull in the same rating, which would make a permanent time change unnecessary...
Posted by: Another Wrestling Mark | March 30, 2010 7:22 AM
From the moment I saw Goldberg hint at negotiations with the WWE while telling TNA and Hulk Hogan that they missed out, I knew what he was up to. He's just trying to hitch himself to the TNA gravy train like every other former WCW star out there, and he figured implying interest on Vince's part would make him more attractive to a TNA power structure that gets off on signing talent away from Vince. You can hardly blame the guy -- after watching the Nasty Boys and Scott Hall in action, it probably didn't take Goldberg long to realize how low the bar has been set in terms of in-ring performance. I'm sure he figures he can pull on the tights and gingerly limp his way to five more years worth of paychecks in TNA. And if you know Goldberg, the paycheck is all he's interested in.
Posted by: Dave O. | March 30, 2010 7:51 AM
With Goldberg being on Trump's Celebrity Apprentice, it makes sense with Vince's relationship with Trump that there would be Goldberg discussion.
Posted by: Matt | March 30, 2010 8:10 AM
Hey, word is the Nasty Boys got released for an "incident" at a TNA function with SPIKE officials present.
The week aint a total loss.
RESPONSE FROM KE: I heard that as well, but they are still on TNA's web site.
Posted by: not Randy "dont call me Hulk" Hogan | March 30, 2010 9:28 AM
A more effective move by TNA would have been to announce the firing of Chubba. His appearance prompted me to tune out of TNA and watch WWE instead.
Posted by: LarryB | March 30, 2010 9:36 AM
How is Tnt doing in the ratings game against the WWE?
Posted by: big meech | March 30, 2010 1:27 PM
Kev do you think considering Goldberg's "TNA missed the boat" statement which also conveniently followed TNA's apparent interest in him that this whole "negotiating with WWE" thing was a contract ploy he attempted on TNA?
Given how quickly he had to clarify the situation, it sounds like WWE gave him some sort of beef over being used like that. As far as him negotiating a merchandising deal, I imagine thats an issue thats probably been negotiated for a long time and Goldberg used it to try to hint at a WWE return to get more guaranteed money from TNA.
Posted by: MechanicalBull | March 30, 2010 1:40 PM
Impact should go back to Thursdays or their next permanent move will be the WWE Tape Library.
Posted by: Elevation | March 30, 2010 1:51 PM
The WWE does not take women's wrestling seriously.
If they had an entire feud about Mickie James' appearance, what use do they have for Kong?
They have Vickie for comedy.
The WWE views women as an opportunity to get dads to buy the product for their kids so they can get a minute or two of guilty pleasure watching a hot babe. They are not going to start giving women 15 minute segments.
Kong does not have a role in WWE. Too bad she didn't hospitalize Bubba The Love Spooge on the way out.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 30, 2010 2:14 PM
I think Goldberg would be wise to cash in whatever in-ring payday he can get while still young enough to draw a crowd. He is right around Batista's age so a comeback makes sense to me.
Posted by: TheCoz | March 30, 2010 2:34 PM
FIRE BUBBA DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH FIRE BUBBA DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH.
I love your writings Kevin, keep up the good work.
Posted by: Alex | March 30, 2010 6:15 PM
How do you feel about the Orlando Jordan segment TNA did? Do you look at it a new and innovative or a desperate plea for viewers attention? Lady Gaga doesn't do it for me so I thought it was creepy and stayed on Raw for the rest of the night.
Posted by: Ayeshia Beavers | March 30, 2010 9:16 PM
How about if Kong doesn't fight the divas at all? She'd be enough of a crowd attraction if she were crushing guys forever stuck mid-card hell... kinda like what Chyna was doing back in the Attitude Era.
Posted by: Loco | March 30, 2010 9:46 PM