Note From Tito: Just for those who are wondering, I haven't had the time to update the Backyard BBQ lately. In time, I will. :)
Alright, as you read in the intro, I've had mixed reviews of Nitro. I've seen on the net how a few people are saying that it's the "Nitro of the Year" and so forth. Please. Here are the few reasons I gave it the lower grade: 1) The recycled through the ring with Vampiro and Sting 2) Horrible, and I mean horrible hardcore match 3) Terrible promo by Chuck Palumbo 4) Very long and boring segment with Ric Flair and Vince Russo 5) Long boring segments with Bischoff 6) The unbelieveability of one or two wrestlers fending off around 7 wrestlers. There are more, but why go on any further? WCW made it on having a Nitro after a pay per view and a very weak and Rockless, Stone Coldless RAW. If Nitro was so good, why only a 2.9 in the first hour? As for RAW, it's proven that they need the star power of the Rock or Stone Cold, and even HBK to get higher ratings. The WWF now sees this, and like always, they will react.
Heat had good ratings this week, and they beat Nitro no matter what hour you could compare it with. That's still sad for a 3rd ranked show to defeat another federation's top show coming off a pay per view. From what I've heard though, the WWF has been stepping up Heat lately. I guess they enjoy the pleasure of saying Heat can defeat Nitro every week?
As for the lower end shows, the new "highlight" Saturday Night has higher ratings this week, but barely. Livewire and Superstars continue to pull in good ratings, even though they are on recovery days at 10:00 in the morning. As for ECW on TNN....ugh, what can I say? Lousy? Terrible? Miserable? Crappy? All the above? Well, it's strange how these other shows in bad timeslots can improve after bad weeks, but yet ECW on TNN goes down.
-Don't doubt that Trish Stratus will get in LOTS of trouble for hyping herself to be nude on RAW on Monday. It's been rumored from her entrance that she comes off as a snob and only out to make herself look good. That my friends, isn't tolerated...unless your name is Sable, who got away with everything in the WWF at the end of her tenure. However, Trish has only been there for around 2 months or so, and Sable was there for years, selling posters and videos. I wouldn't be surprised if they dropped her like a bad habit.
-Damn, WWF had an injury on a big on television talent...Shane McMahon. WWF.com reported that he hurt it with the in ring action he did at Backlash and at some recent RAWs. He's ok though, as his MRI proved no real damage(MRIs are the worst experience anyone can have). Of course, the point will be brought up "should a non wrestler like Shane, who is part owner of the WWF, be taking the punishment from wrestlers?" Well, just put it this way. Shane and his father Vince will do whatever it takes to keep the momentum going, and that kind of dedication is why they are on top and why others can't manage to get above 3.0 in the ratings everyweek.
-I like how Mark Madden loves to call himself "Mr. Monday Night". He's nothing even close to that. In fact, I don't even know why he should even call himself that when he should be called Mr. World Wide instead. After listening to him for the past few months, I can finally say that he's terrible. I never thought I'd enjoy the parts of Nitro where Tony Shiavone is speaking, but with Madden, I finally can. Why they replaced Bobby Heenan with Madden is unknown. Oh well, at least Heenan and Tenay is decent to listen to on Thunder.
-To consider everything from yesterday, I will say that Jeff Jarrett and Sting did put on a great match. It wasn't just Jeff Jarrett though, it was Sting! That match shows that he can still go in this sport, even as an old man which some consider him as. Of course, he won't be pushed to the top, as he will fight Vampiro, again, at the next pay per view. Please.
@That's all I have for you today. I'll be back tomorrow with some Thunder thoughts, and then some. So just chill till the next episode!
Phat Farm: It Looks Good on You!
Take Care, and Thanks for Reading.