TV Guide is calling WWE Tough Enough 1 of 14 must-watch new TV shows this spring:
WWE Tough Enough: This "non-scripted" series, as World Wrestling Entertainment describes it, will feature 12 hopefuls looking to become the next WWE star. The men and women will live and train together in a Los Angeles house, competing to show off their showmanship, creativity, athleticism and desire. Premieres Monday, 4/4 at 11pm on USA.
April 1, 2011
WWE Tough Enough: "One to Watch"
Triple H Using New Theme Song at WrestleMania
From Metallica’s twitter:
“Triple H will be using one of your favorite ‘Tallica songs during his match against The Undertaker this weekend during WrestleMania XXVII.”
Wade Keller's Reaction to Bret Hart's Crticism of the Triple H/Shawn Michaels/Undertaker Promo on Raw
On Wednesday, Bret Hart posted a blog ripping on the hype for WrestleMania 27 this year. The full recap is here. I disagreed with almost everything he wrote.
The main disagreement is his assessment that the Triple H and Undertaker segment was just three egos "blowing smoke up each other's rectums" and that they were just grunting and staring. Man, do I disagree.
That segment was one of the most nuanced, humble performances I've seen from Triple H. It was the lack of overacting and histrionics that made it work. It was disciplined and subtle in ways that wrestling promos rarely are.
Triple H was humble in ways I didn't think I'd ever see on a WWE TV show. His comment to Shawn Michaels that, unlike the "Showstopper" and "Mr. WrestleMania" who can stay popular with fans because of how exciting and charismatic he is, he has to actually win to be who he is. That was a remarkable line.
It was a line that had two levels to it - the one the average fan hears and then the subtext for others, which is basically Paul Levesque admitting that he isn't the performer Michaels is, that he's not as popular or charismatic or exciting, so he has to book himself as an unbeatable dominant force. If he had Michaels's win-loss record, in other words, people wouldn't take him seriously. Michaels was just so good he could get away with losing. That was a tip of the hat to Michaels and an admission at a late stage of his career that apparently went right over Bret's head.
The grunting and staredown, as Bret put it, set up just perfectly that oh-so-rare smile from Undertaker. That was just a chilling moment as a WWE viewer, like the first time the eyes move on the art on the wall in "Black Swan" where you wonder if you really saw what you think you just saw. Undertaker doesn't show that kind of emotion. It was Taker basically telling Triple H, "I got in your head, I'm going to keep my streak alive on Sunday. Have a good week."
The other highpoint of that segment for me was the understated, but piercing statement from Undertaker when he told Triple H he respects him enough that he'd want him to be the person to tell him when his time is up, but that time is not now. Those words were memorable and haunting. They were the pivotal point in the dynamic between Triple H and Michaels.
It was that confidence that Undertaker exuded that shook Shawn's confidence in Triple H beating Taker. Triple H was also shaken by Taker's confidence, which is why he sounded almost deperate when he asked Shawn to tell Taker that his streak ends on Sunday. Shawn's silence at that moment said more than a five minute speech from Bret Hart or any other wrestler. It told the fans that not even Triple H's best friend and biggest booster over the years is confident anymore that Triple H can beat him. It was also the first time Triple H's confidence looked shaken.
I thought that segment was among the more compelling, more layered pro wrestling segments in WWE television history. For Bret to call it "plan, flat, and totally predictable" just blows my mind.
source: pwtorch.com
This Day in Wrestling History - Triple H vs. The Undertaker WM17
The Undertaker defeated Triple H at WrestleMania 17
April 1, 2001
This Day in Wrestling History
Happy Birthday to Randy Orton
April 1, 1980
Ultimate Warrior defeats Hulk Hogan for the WWF(E) Title. Warrior was now both the World and IC Champion.
April 1, 1990
March 31, 2011
Photo: Triple H and Stephanie McMahon at the Georgia State Legislature WrestleMania Proclamation
Triple H stepped out of the ring and into the Georgia State Capitol building for a special WrestleMania Proclamation on Wednesday.
WWE Superstars Results: Bad Magic
The Divas may be beautiful, but sometimes their matches can get pretty ugly. That was definitely the case in tonight’s “WWE Superstars” main event as the stunning squad of Eve, Natalya and Gail tried to stop the nasty tactics of Melina and her vicious Bella buddies. The talented trio nearly won out, but that was before Nikki and Brie pulled their classic “Twin Magic” switcheroo. With the Divas Champion distracted, the sisters switched places, allowing Nikki to nail Eve with a Bella Buster for the victory. Or maybe it was Brie? Full results.
Rumor Mill - Triple H and the WWE HOF
Triple H pushes for the WWE Hall of Fame to be legit and there's a feeling that inductions will be more legit when he takes over more control of the company.
source: wrestling observer newsletter
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
