Shootin' with "The
Franchise"
11/10/2000
by "The Franchise" Frank Romeo
mail to: [email protected]
Greetings and Salutations. Welcome to another great weekly installment of this Pulitzer-caliber piece of literary mastery. This week I'll be taking a look at the big Scott Hall story, making a few comments on the November to Remember, wrestling commentary quote of the week, shout outs to the champ, the minister, and the former Mr. Rickey Martin. To top it off, I will be printing some of the responses I received on the New York vs. Philly feud. Who do you side with? Read on and enjoy.
SCOTT HALL. So, the "Bad Guy" is gonna try to dance a new dance huh? The only question is, "Is Scott Hall still razor-sharp enough to cut it in ECW?" I was a huge mark for Razor Ramon back in the day. Huge. I'd be gnawing on toothpicks, always with a spare behind the ear, so that when I flicked it at someone, I always had backup. "Oye me chico!" "Say hello…..to 'The Franchise!'" "Down where?" (John Sullo's favorite) were just a few of the Hall-like catch phrases I'd be tossing around all the time. The strut? Had it. The hair? Almost had it. The blood alcohol level? Now that's a different story.
That brings me to my next question, "Is Scott Hall ready to turn his life around?" We have all read too many stories of Scott and his drug/alcohol abuse while in WCW in recent years, which is one of the main reasons why he's no longer with the company. Is he better now? I really hope so. Scott Hall has talent, both on the stick and in the ring, but he just has to get his life in order. ECW's schedule is a lot easier to handle than that of the WWF or WCW. I also believe that being around Justin, one of his best friends, all the time will be a positive influence on him, as opposed to Kevin Nash. The spotlight is just a bit smaller. Justin is a family man and he's never had any problems in ECW, and being a future role model, I know what role models are all about.
If only I can hear Shane Douglas' thoughts on Hall in ECW now. We all remember Shane cutting him off at the back door a couple years back at a FL house show.
Will this work out? Well, the Torch had some nice comments about the situation, telling how it was Scott who came looking to Paul and not the other way around. They also mentioned that he is being paid basically for transportation alone this weekend and is on a test run. He knows he won't be making mad duckets for ECW and that he'll have to bust his ass to gain the fan's respect after the initial pop. I honestly feel that Scott Hall can and will pan out, and the big winners in all of this will be ECW and the fans. They may be one big name closer to getting a major TV contract now. And that my friends isn't just the coolest. That isn't just the best. Hey Yo! That's Justin Credible.
NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER. I honestly feel that this could've been ECW's best PPV to date, but the undercard was a tad shy of HeatWave 98. Not to say the talent isn't there, it was just missing the names, but that will all change in due time.
I'll comment on Chetti later, but he and Nova stole the show by turning it up a notch. The Loser Leaves ECW stip out of nowhere blew those watching at my place out of the water trying to figure what was going on. For once, the internet hadn't blown a surprise. The tag match was great, it was fantastic seeing Super Crazy back (even though I wanted to see him square off with CW) and that was a killer moonsault. Why didn't they take the gold though? The flaming tables match was better than expected with a nice twist at the end. New Jack showed why he's horrible to watch, putting out possibly the worst PPV match of ECW's history. RVD was totally forgotten about and not missed. The main event was incredible as well. I didn't like Dawn with Steve, and now she's gone thank God. NY should clear up that Francine picture this weekend as well. Long live the King.
WRESTLING COMMENTARY QUOTE OF THE WEEK. This will be a new feature here where I will list my favorite quote or two from the boys' websites every week. This week comes from DannyDoring.com where Danny once again busts on Chilly Willy:
Chetti on the other hand was pretty much out and in a coma by this point,nothing was going to wake him up anytime soon. I was witness to yet another great line from Chilly Willy(this is classic!) I'm watching the tube trying to fall asleep and Chilly talking to this girl and says to me "Danny do you have an extra blanket?"
I say to him "Yeah why?" He responds with (get a load of this one) "because beautiful is very cold from hanging with the Chillmeister, innovator of the chill-factor baby"
.........HUH?and this works? HOW?
Danny then goes on to rib Corino in his shout out section. For those who read Steve's commentaries, you know he likes to mention the love of his life, his special lady:
"To Corino --- I'm sure you plan on giving the first shot to Marquez, he has a special lady too."
SHOUT OUTS.
Chris Chetti - You are leaving years too early and just prior to the biggest feud of the career. Perhaps someday we'll know the full story behind your departure, but until then, good luck my friend, keep Livin' La Vida Loca, and dance one with Lita for me.
Jim Mitchell - The Sinister Minister got pretty messed up last week to say the least. But they say there is something good that comes from everything bad. Can you imagine the vignettes and promos this guy is gonna cut now? How far into the first one before he shows us the shrapnel they pulled from his abdomen? Jim, if you are at the hotel wandering the hotel at dawn again next Arena show, I'll have a beer waiting for ya.
Steve Corino - "Heeeeeeeey Champ!" Congrats to the King on his huge victory at the PPV. When referee Mike Kehner's hand hit the mat for the third time, I leaped into the air and popped like I haven't popped while watching TV in a long time. I first said he'd be champ last year when he was chasing Taz around, but we never got to see it. Today, not only is he the King of Old School, but he's also the King of ECW. Good job and feel better soon!
PHILLY VS. NEW YORK. Here are some comments by the readers after last week's diatribe one who's fans are better. One a side note, I had the honor of attending a Flyers game, and more importantly, my first Edmonton Oilers game with Tom last night. I wore my Oilers "Franchise 99" jersey and didn't get one comment all night. I was very impressed with the fans. I guess they read my column and knew to behave.
(names have been inserted if they were given) "New York fans are better. Philly fans are merely bloodthirsty maniacs and Cactus Jack proved they enjoyed the acknowledgement. Paul E. is a New Yorker and he went on ECW TV and told the world that ECW is a NEW YORK company."
"Well...I think in terms of respect for wrestlers and what they do and knowledge of sport and fan interaction...Philly v. NY is a tie...but you all PALE in comparison to the AMAZING Maryland fans of wrestling...WE F'N ROCK!!!" ----Mr. Lester "The Jester" from the Germantown Posse, and man who is still paying for people next Cyberslam.
"Philadelphia and New York are the top two states for wrestling. They're both loud and hardest working crowds out there! As Andy pointed out at the Bethlehem show during CyberSlam 2000 weekend, the New York crowd was definitely more energetic than Philly crowd that night. For instance, they were alive at the two shows, ECW ran in Manhattan a few months ago. They definitely deserve to have a pay-per-view in their state! As for Philly crowds, they're gifted and one of the best out there! Every time ECW goes back to the arena, you know it's going to be a huge show with some surprises, good wrestling and angles!" ----The Fonzaholic
"As much as I hate to say it, you're defnitly right. Why do I hate to say it? Because Im selfish and want ECW to run their "special" Arena shows for us a lot and not to forget us Philly fans. The truth of it all is - New York is better. Last Arena show NYC didn't make a trip down and the crowd sucked. The crowd is what I LOVE about the shows and they sucked. Inside the Arena, NYC are the loudest and most involved fans in the building. Its no wonder they are getting a Pay Per View. They deserve it! Every time ECW comes goes to NYC, they come out and support ECW and even when it comes to Philly they come down and cheer their hearts away. I'm "green with envy" towards the New Yorkers. I want us to be better, but we are not. I hope Philly ECW fans take a lesson from them and next Arena show, lets wake up and really welcome back ECW, because who knows how much longer ECW is going to return back to our little home." ----Big Will
….and now for the big one…. "NY & Philly fans have always been unique. Philly fans were known for cheering the 4Horsemen, the Midnight Express and other talented heels while booing less talented faces like Tom Zenk and the Dynamic Dudes out of the buildings. New York fans were the highlight of the early Monday Night Raws as on live tv the NY fans would boo & cheer for who they wanted, not just for who Vince programmed the audience to. Philly fans are the ones that helped build ECW and make the ECW arena THE greatest arena to see wrestling in. If not for the loyalty of the rabid Philly fans in the beginning, there might not be an ECW for the rest of us to enjoy today.
I've been to the arena twice for Cyberslam. I met quite a few people from Philly, all of whom were impressed I came all the way from Texas to be there. A couple from Philly kinda took me under their wing the first year, showing me around the arena, letting me sit with them where I could get better pictures, pointing out little things like how "Hat Guy" comes in not wearing his hat and the crowd chants "Where's your hat" till he puts it on. They said how sometimes the crowd turns heel on him and will chant "That hat sucks". Little things like that that I wouldn't have known being my first time there. All the "New York sucks" and "Philly sucks" chants at the beginning of the show were funny and seemed good natured.
What impressed me the most was the overall respect given to the wrestlers. Instead of "boring" chants, wrestlers were given standing ovations. Luchadores were shown respect. Returning wrestlers were met with "Welcome Back" chants and at the end of the show there were "Thank you Paul" chants.
The second time (last year) the NY crowd was definitely the more energetic. At the house show the night before they stole the show and riled up the crowd with loud chants. They pissed off Rhino with "Cookie Monster" chants and tortured the ring attendant with "Sweep it up asshole, sweep it up" clap clap chants that were rude, cruel and funny as hell! They were the loudest at the arena as well." ----Andy from Texas
NEXT ISSUE. I will be taking
next week off due to a presentation, a lesson plan, 4 finals, and my PRAXIS
testing for teacher certification. I may spring up with something very small
(like what that rat Leatherface said she found in Shane Steven's pants), but I
highly doubt it. Until next time, keep your unit on ya.
check out past issues of "shootin"
9/20/99
9/29/99
10/16/99
10/25/99
11/09/99
11/23/99
11/29/99
12/09/99
1/11/2000
1/18/2000
1/26/2000
2/03/2000
2/09/2000
2/18/2000
2/23/2000
3/02/2000
3/09/2000
3/21/2000
04/03/2000
04/09/2000
04/11/2000
04/20/2000
05/08/2000
05/27/2000
06/06/2000
06/16/2000
06/29/2000
07/07/2000
07/13/2000
07/26/2000
08/07/2000
08/18/2000
08/30/2000