The Jukes Box
August 21th 2006

What a week of NWA action there was this week, including the first ever solo territory pay-per-view!

NEW Saturday Night:
Tommy Dreamer over Justin Credible **1/2
Kid Kash, Carlito, and Rene Dupree over James Gibson, Ron Killings, and Doug Basham **3/4
Edge and Rob Van Dam over Sonjay Dutt and Shark Boy **3/4

This week's NEW Saturday Night episode was unapologetically a hype show for the following night's Summerslam pay-per-view. Since this was not just the first NEW Summerslam, but the attempt to continue the rich Summerslam tradition, the NEW staff was feeling the pressure for the show to do a great buyrate. The show focused more on storylines than matches, though there was a notable Jericho/Rock feud in the main event, which almost felt like a match. The show did a weak 1.97 rating, which is not a good sign heading into the biggest NEW show to date.

The PTL draft was completed this week. NEW drafted Frankie Kazarian, Chris Hero, Kevin Steen, Matt Sydal, and Hardcore Holly. After the draft was complete, NEW also picked up Adam Pearce and the returning Danny Basham.

NEW Summerslam:
Sonny Siaki, Brian Kendrick, and Jerrelle Clark over Rhino, Sonjay Dutt, and Shark Boy **1/2
Ron Killings over Rene Dupree ***1/2
John Cena and Chris Sabin over JBL and Trevor Murdoch **3/4
Jushin Liger and Tajiri over America's Most Wanted ***1/2
Rob Van Dam and Edge over Team 3D ***3/4
Tommy Dreamer over Mick Foley ****
James Gibson over Kid Kash, Carlito, and Doug Basham **
The Rock over Chris Jericho ****1/2

The feeling backstage at Summerslam that the show was a big hit. There was some disappointment with the crowd reaction to the Boston Harbor Championship, though some predicted it would suffer having been sent on after Dreamer and Foley's chaotic Hell in a Cell match. NEW officials obviously overrated the popularity of Gibson, Kash, and Carlito, though it should be noted that Gibson did receive a very encouraging pop for his victory. A lot of people were surprised that The Rock defeated Chris Jericho in the main event to win the NEW Championship, considering he is on his way to CSW for the month of September. President Rowe did not reveal the finish of the match until the very last moment to keep it a surprise. Most NEW officials assumed that the match would have ended with a draw, but Rowe did not want the first NEW pay-per-view to end that way.

NWA: Mexico:
Charly Manson, Cuervo, and El Dandy over Billy Boy, Alan, and Jody Fleisch *
Juventud Guerrera over Acero Dorado ***1/2
Donovan Morgan over Dos Caras Jr. *1/2
Ultimo Dragon over EZ Money **1/2
L.A. Park over Fuerza Guerrera ***1/4

NWA: Mexico once again delivered the work-rate goods this week. Meltzer gave the Guerrera/Dorado match a ****3/4 rating, which is outstanding for a free television show. Once again, the ratings given by this newsletter should not suggest that the Mexico product is lacking, because the fans in attendane are typically very quiet, as they are not familiar with all of the stars appearing. This will change in time, and we look forward to seeing NWA: Mexico emerge as the premiere territory in the National Wrestling Alliance, when it comes to pure wrestling.

In the PTL draft, Mexico picked up Matt Stryker, Shocker, Super Dragon, Teddy Hart, and TJ Wilson.

NWA:CSW Cyclone Saturday Night:
I have not had time to watch the tape of this week's episode yet, but I caught up with the results a fan sent in.

Roderick Strong over Petey Williams: said to be a great match, though the crowd was upset when they realized that the KC Border title wasn't on the line.

The Sandman over Disco Inferno: I'm as amazed as anyone that Disco is getting another shot at the big time, but he's a nice enough guy, so I'll live.

Masato Tanaka over Low Ki: This was said to be absolutely tremendous, a match that many could not believe was given away on free television. I look forward to sitting down and marking out for this one.

Natural Born Thrillers over F.B.I.: Sounds like a decent match. I've been enjoying the F.B.I. in CSW, so I hope they can get a run with the tag titles sooner than later. Haas and Benjamin apparently made the challenge for Art of War, that match could very well steal the show.

Alex Shelley and Samoa Joe over X-Pac and Billy Gunn: This feud is one of the best things I've seen in years. The tension is heating up on their way to War Games at Art of War.

Steve Corino, Mr. Brown, and Monster C over Brock Lesnar, Charlie Haas, and Shelton Benjamin: sounds like a damn good main event. It is uncommon to see Lesnar stuck in an "against all odds" position, but it keeps him looking human. The dog collar match at Art of War should be a masterpiece.

Art of War is the premiere CSW pay-per-view, and it's coming your way on August 27th! I'll have my thoughts on the show next week in this column. There is still quite a bit of room for more matches to be added to the card, but with the Dog Collar match and War Games already announced, they need not say any more.

CSW made out well in the PTL draft. They picked up Bryan Danielson, Ricky Reyes, Rocky Romero, BJ Whitmer, and Jonny Storm.

NWA: Mid-Atlantic Flood:
The Highlanders over 2 Live Kewl *1/2
Christian Cage over Precious Lucy **1/2
Solucion Suicida over Gene Snitsky *1/2
Chavo Guerrero over Scott Hall ***1/4
Randy Orton over Goldberg ***3/4

This week's episode of Flood continued the push of Les Bohemians, though Snitsky was forced to job to Solucion Suicida in only week two of their push. It is really heart warming for Bobby Heenan to have such a prominent role on Flood, though he gets more air time than most of the wrestlers. Still, his segments are so entertaining that it's really hard to complain. I just hope that Eric Bischoff over in NEW isn't paying attention. Flood continues to be must see television with the Mid-Atlantic title reign of Christopher Daniels, he has quickly made the title prestigious.

For reasons unknown to God himself, M-A hired Dalip Singh this week. They did well in the PTL draft. They picked up Matt Hardy, Fit Finlay, Big Show, Gangrel, and Shawn Michaels. It has been reported though that Michaels was pissed that he was the final pick, and that no other territories were eager to get him.

NWA: Midwest:
They were preempted again this week (damn local baseball games!) so I'll go over last week's episode.

Lords of the Ring over Chair Swinging Freaks **
Sabu over Raven ***
Paul London over Austin Lee 3/4*
Chris Benoit over Bobby Roode **1/2

The Midwest show from 8/12 was a refreshingly good show. The Punk/Raven feud has been intriguing thus far, not to mention creative. Bobby Roode main eventing the program against Benoit was a great idea, giving some valuable experience to Roode and showcasing the still awesome Benoit. There appears to be a Paul London push in the works, which is exciting many NWA officials, including other promoters who wish they'd been able to draft him themselves. While the frequent preemptions have hurt Midwest, it's undeniably a consistently awesome program and a valuable part of the National Wrestling Alliance.

Midwest made out well in the PTL draft. They drafted Kurt Angle, Jack Evans, Harry Smith, B-Boy, and Arik Cannon.

So... did anyone read this and want me to keep doing these?

Sorry, for whatever reason I just did'nt post a reply from when you posted it. It's good stuff.

There's a reason why M-A hired Singh. ...I think. :Thinks aloud - Now why the hell did I hire Singh?:

DALIP SINGH FOR M-A TITLE PUSH! SINGH/DANIELS FOR A ********~~~~!!!! MATCH! SINGH FOR NWA CHAMPION! I DEMAND A PETITION FROM THE CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE! WWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

I like these. They're great, especially since we don't have the McSheets right now. But I would like them even if Scrooge started back with the McSheets

You know, I didn't know this was the new version of the McSheets. Keep it up though as it's good stuff. It helps to see my fed through the eyes of someone else.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Now that I know that these are being read, I'll be more apt to keep doing them :)

Have a (ping pong) tables match for Singh. Someone comes out, makes fun of him and his ping pong habit from "Longest Yard". Singh then proves to his challenger that ping pong is, indeed, hardcore.

Free Booking Tip for You!!